Every time an NFL player heads to the sideline and into the "tent" for evaluation, I see the league missing an opportunity to make yet more money.
For a league that seems to have every action sponsored by somebody, the NFL has yet to get a sponsors name on the evaluation tent.
May I suggest Budweiser?
And name it the "Bud Light Party Tent".
Maybe I should look into trademark rights? And then get a sweet check from The Shield for it.
Hey, it's gonna snow tonight -- so the mind is wandering a little!
Monday, October 28, 2019
Monday, October 14, 2019
Can The Badgers Keep Jim Leonard?
Now that the unbeaten University of Wisconsin Badgers are top-ranked in the nation defensively, and just posted their fourth shutout of the season, how long will it be before a bigger fish comes along to pile up cash in front of defensive coordinator Jim Leonard?
Leonard will be 37 the end of the month. His defensive approach to football has the Badgers making history (most shutouts in the modern era since 1930!) and headlines. Granted, three of those shutouts came against South Florida, Central Michigan and Kent State -- hardly powerhouse offensive squads.
But Saturday at The Camp, Bucky took the Michigan State Spartans behind the woodshed and stomped on 'em. Giving up just 149 net yards on the day to a Spartan team that had the ball for only 20:50 and forcing a pair of turnovers -- one returned for a touchdown. Take away the 20-yard gain on the fake punt, and Sparty rushed 20 times for 10 yards!
By the way, that's the fourth defensive TD this season for Wisconsin -- which has only allowed four TDs as well.
How good does the defense look?
Wisconsin, 6-0, is allowing 4.8 points per game. The big tests are ahead with Ohio State, Iowa, Purdue and Minnesota waiting in the wings.
This brings us back to my original thought -- can Wisconsin KEEP Leonard? He's not the highest paid defensive coordinator in the Big Ten, but he's not hurting, either. In 2017 he signed a two-year deal worth $1.25 million -- $300,00 the first year, $325,000 the second. The UW Foundation added $300,000 per year as well.
In comparison, LSU's Dave Aranda (who was at Wisconsin from 2013-2015) was making $1.8 million before getting a nice bump. With Texas A&M in hot pursuit, LSU gave Aranda a four-year, $10 million deal. That works out to $2.5 million a year. In second place is the D-Coordinator from Clemson at $1.7 million.
Shoot, Alabama head coach Nick Saban makes $11 million -- and that doesn't count benefits, like the house 'Bama purchased for him, etc.
So unless Leonard, once a Wisconsin walk-on, gives his alma mater a home town deal, Bucky may not be able to keep the salary wolves at bay.
Leonard will be 37 the end of the month. His defensive approach to football has the Badgers making history (most shutouts in the modern era since 1930!) and headlines. Granted, three of those shutouts came against South Florida, Central Michigan and Kent State -- hardly powerhouse offensive squads.
But Saturday at The Camp, Bucky took the Michigan State Spartans behind the woodshed and stomped on 'em. Giving up just 149 net yards on the day to a Spartan team that had the ball for only 20:50 and forcing a pair of turnovers -- one returned for a touchdown. Take away the 20-yard gain on the fake punt, and Sparty rushed 20 times for 10 yards!
By the way, that's the fourth defensive TD this season for Wisconsin -- which has only allowed four TDs as well.
How good does the defense look?
- has allowed 268 rushing yards, 44.7 per game
- has allowed 129 passing yards per game
- has allowed 173.7 yards per game
- has allowed 3.1 yards per 340 plays
- opposing teams have been successful on third down conversion just 15.66% of the time
Wisconsin, 6-0, is allowing 4.8 points per game. The big tests are ahead with Ohio State, Iowa, Purdue and Minnesota waiting in the wings.
This brings us back to my original thought -- can Wisconsin KEEP Leonard? He's not the highest paid defensive coordinator in the Big Ten, but he's not hurting, either. In 2017 he signed a two-year deal worth $1.25 million -- $300,00 the first year, $325,000 the second. The UW Foundation added $300,000 per year as well.
In comparison, LSU's Dave Aranda (who was at Wisconsin from 2013-2015) was making $1.8 million before getting a nice bump. With Texas A&M in hot pursuit, LSU gave Aranda a four-year, $10 million deal. That works out to $2.5 million a year. In second place is the D-Coordinator from Clemson at $1.7 million.
Shoot, Alabama head coach Nick Saban makes $11 million -- and that doesn't count benefits, like the house 'Bama purchased for him, etc.
So unless Leonard, once a Wisconsin walk-on, gives his alma mater a home town deal, Bucky may not be able to keep the salary wolves at bay.
Friday, October 11, 2019
Just How Good Are The Patriots?
When is an unblemished 6-0 record deceptive?
When it has come against teams that post a combined 7-22 mark -- just 24.14%
That's the problem I have with the New England Patriots this season. Yes, they've scored 190 points (31.67 per game average) and given up just 45 (7.5).
But seriously, WHO have they played? The 0-5 Washington Redskins, the 0-4 New York Jets, the 0-4 Miami Dolphins (a team desperately trying to go winless this season!), the 1-4 Pittsburgh Steelers and the 2-4 New York Giants. Hardly a murderer's row.
The only club with a winning record they've faced? The 4-1 Buffalo Bills, a team the Patriots beat 16-10. And in that one, Bills quarterback Josh Allen was knocked out with a concussion, which perhaps taints that a bit.
Granted, you can only play the teams on your schedule. But having the Jets and Dolphins in your division doesn't hurt. Yet playing teams like that week in and week out won't test you.
So, to all those Patriot fans out there --- pump the brakes a little. Yes, your team is unbeaten. But, again, who have they played?
When it has come against teams that post a combined 7-22 mark -- just 24.14%
That's the problem I have with the New England Patriots this season. Yes, they've scored 190 points (31.67 per game average) and given up just 45 (7.5).
But seriously, WHO have they played? The 0-5 Washington Redskins, the 0-4 New York Jets, the 0-4 Miami Dolphins (a team desperately trying to go winless this season!), the 1-4 Pittsburgh Steelers and the 2-4 New York Giants. Hardly a murderer's row.
The only club with a winning record they've faced? The 4-1 Buffalo Bills, a team the Patriots beat 16-10. And in that one, Bills quarterback Josh Allen was knocked out with a concussion, which perhaps taints that a bit.
Granted, you can only play the teams on your schedule. But having the Jets and Dolphins in your division doesn't hurt. Yet playing teams like that week in and week out won't test you.
So, to all those Patriot fans out there --- pump the brakes a little. Yes, your team is unbeaten. But, again, who have they played?
Monday, October 7, 2019
Dear Fox Sports -- Time To Sideline Troy
Perhaps my Green&Gold is showing, but I can't be the only person in America to be tired of Troy Aikman cheerleading for his Dallas Cowboys during Fox broadcasts.
Seriously, can he be even the teenest bit objective? From giving excuses for the Cowboys during Green Bay's 34-24 win to questioning every call that went against Dallas, Aikman was in top form.
Need examples? Green Bay is up 14-0, yet good ol' Troy says that the Dallas offense is having it's way with the Packer defense. Or this gem -- that Green Bay played on a Thursday, giving offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga an extra recovery day, while those poor little Cowboys had to play Sunday night, then travel home.
Boo Hoo.
I've felt like this for a long time, but yesterday just riled me up. Troy may be part of Fox Sports top team (with Joe Buck), but every Cowboys game he is on, his "homer" comes out.
It's time Fox put Aikman on the bench when Dallas is on the field.
Seriously, can he be even the teenest bit objective? From giving excuses for the Cowboys during Green Bay's 34-24 win to questioning every call that went against Dallas, Aikman was in top form.
Need examples? Green Bay is up 14-0, yet good ol' Troy says that the Dallas offense is having it's way with the Packer defense. Or this gem -- that Green Bay played on a Thursday, giving offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga an extra recovery day, while those poor little Cowboys had to play Sunday night, then travel home.
Boo Hoo.
I've felt like this for a long time, but yesterday just riled me up. Troy may be part of Fox Sports top team (with Joe Buck), but every Cowboys game he is on, his "homer" comes out.
It's time Fox put Aikman on the bench when Dallas is on the field.
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Will Brewers Rise From The Ashes?
You have to walk before you can run.
And, before you can reach the mountain top, you gotta struggle a few times. Have your heart broken before you achieve that lofty goal.
That sums up the Milwaukee Brewers' 2019 season. Yes, the team flamed out in somewhat spectacular fashion, with their ace reliever getting tossed around with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning and an over-aggressive young outfielder misplaying a single. But Brewer fans should focus on the positives.
As outfielder Christian Yelich suggested after the game, "I think when all the dust settles and you really evaluate the year, we can be proud of a lot of things. I really think we'll be better off for a lot of those experiences."
Yelich, who ended up winning his second straight batting title with a .329 average, went to the Injured List with a fractured kneecap with a crucial three weeks left in the season. Despite losing the defending MVP (contending to repeat there as well), the Brewers went 13-5 down the stretch (and 20-7 in September). Milwaukee narrowly missed catching the division-winning St. Louis Cardinals.
There will be changes ahead for the 2020 Brewers ballclub. Both catcher Yasmani Grandal and thirdbaseman Mike Moustakas have mutual contract options and may not return to the club. Grandal could resign with Milwaukee for $16 million, but will probably hit the free agent market for a long-term (say three year) deal that would probably be north of $50 million. "Moose" could decline an $11 million deal and go free agent as well.
I see Grandal walking away from Milwaukee, but think Moustakas will stay. He likes the club. He likes the city. He likes playing with Yelich and Ryan Braun.
What moves will help the Brewers win the Central Division crown and make the playoffs for a third straight season? Resigning Moustakas, adding a good starting pitcher and getting All-Star closer Corey Knebel back healthy. Ditto Yelich. Oh, and Keston Hiura needs to improve defensively!
Granted, manager Craig Counsell (who should get strong consideration for Manager Of The Year!) will have to adjust to a 28-man down the stretch instead of the 40-man (with 20 pitchers) that he's successfully used the last two seasons to pilot Milwaukee into the post-season.
But as the Brewers celebrate their 50th season in Milwaukee next season, I kind like the team's chances of continuing to build on their success.
And, before you can reach the mountain top, you gotta struggle a few times. Have your heart broken before you achieve that lofty goal.
That sums up the Milwaukee Brewers' 2019 season. Yes, the team flamed out in somewhat spectacular fashion, with their ace reliever getting tossed around with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning and an over-aggressive young outfielder misplaying a single. But Brewer fans should focus on the positives.
As outfielder Christian Yelich suggested after the game, "I think when all the dust settles and you really evaluate the year, we can be proud of a lot of things. I really think we'll be better off for a lot of those experiences."
Yelich, who ended up winning his second straight batting title with a .329 average, went to the Injured List with a fractured kneecap with a crucial three weeks left in the season. Despite losing the defending MVP (contending to repeat there as well), the Brewers went 13-5 down the stretch (and 20-7 in September). Milwaukee narrowly missed catching the division-winning St. Louis Cardinals.
There will be changes ahead for the 2020 Brewers ballclub. Both catcher Yasmani Grandal and thirdbaseman Mike Moustakas have mutual contract options and may not return to the club. Grandal could resign with Milwaukee for $16 million, but will probably hit the free agent market for a long-term (say three year) deal that would probably be north of $50 million. "Moose" could decline an $11 million deal and go free agent as well.
I see Grandal walking away from Milwaukee, but think Moustakas will stay. He likes the club. He likes the city. He likes playing with Yelich and Ryan Braun.
What moves will help the Brewers win the Central Division crown and make the playoffs for a third straight season? Resigning Moustakas, adding a good starting pitcher and getting All-Star closer Corey Knebel back healthy. Ditto Yelich. Oh, and Keston Hiura needs to improve defensively!
Granted, manager Craig Counsell (who should get strong consideration for Manager Of The Year!) will have to adjust to a 28-man down the stretch instead of the 40-man (with 20 pitchers) that he's successfully used the last two seasons to pilot Milwaukee into the post-season.
But as the Brewers celebrate their 50th season in Milwaukee next season, I kind like the team's chances of continuing to build on their success.
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