This Week in Wrestling 3/15/2024

By JEFF KNAPP

Congratulations are in order for Muhammad Ali and his family on his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, albeit a few decades to late, but great to see, nonetheless.

Speaking of the WWE Hall of Fame, it was also announced this week that Thunderbolt Patterson will also be inducted into the hall of fame. To read more about him, please click on the link: Thunderbolt Patterson – Wikipedia

After TNA’s Sacrifice PPV this past Friday, which I got a few picks wrong, was a solid show and a few members of the roster walked away as new champions. With that said, congratulations to Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers of “The System” in becoming the new TNA Tag Team Champions. Speaking of new tag team champions, the Knockouts division have new tag team champions with Spitfire (Jody Threat & Dani Luna). TNA also had some championship stay put, and although a great showing from Eric Young, Xia Brookside and Tasha Steelz, both Moose and Jordynne Grace retained their World Championships.

Last week we saw the debut of Okada to AEW and now this past Wednesday at AEW’s Big Business in Boston we saw the debut of Mercedes Mone FKA Sasha Banks. The crowd seemed pretty happy to see the multi time world champion.

TNA Wrestling has announced a partnership with the Albany (NY) Firebirds of the Arena Football League. Moose and AJ Francis will be the Honorary Captains for the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League for the team’s home game on Thursday, May 2, against the Nashville Kats. This happens the day before TNA has a PPV followed by TV tapings May 3-4, at the Washington Avenue Armory

It was announced that on Saturday April 20 at Rebellion that Nic Nemeth will challenge Moose for the TNA World Championship.

ROH has announced 2 matches for their upcoming Supercard of Honor PPV on April 5th in Philly. The 2 matches announced are:

ROH World Championship Match: Eddie Kingston vs. Mark Briscoe

ROH Women’s Championship Match: Athena vs. Hikaru Shida

 Rollcall of current Champions across the wrestling world

WWE

WWE Universal Championship – Roman Reigns

World Heavyweight Champion – Seth Rollins

WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions – Judgement Day

WWE Women’s Champion – Iyo Sky

Women’s World Champion – Rhea Ripley

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions – The Kabuki Warriors

WWE US Champion – Logan Paul

WWE Intercontinental Champion – Gunther

NXT

NXT Championship- Ilja Dragunov

NXT Women’s Champion – Lyra Valkyria

North American Champion – Oba Femi

Tag Team Champions – The Wolf Dogs (Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin)

Heritage Cup – Charlie Dempsey

AEW

AEW World Champion – Samoa Joe

TNT Champion – Christian

Women’s Champion – Toni Storm

TBS Champion – Julia Hart

Tag Team Champions – VACANT (Tournament to crown the new champs will start soon)

Trios Champions – The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn

AEW International Champion – Roderick Strong                                                      

AEW Continental Champion – Eddie Kingston

TNA Wrestling

World Champion – Moose

X Division – Mustafa Ali

Tag Team Champions – The System (Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers)

Digital Media Champion – Crazzy Steve

Knockouts Champion – Jordynne Grace

Knockouts Tag Champions – Spitfire (Dani Luna and Jody Threat)

ROH

ROH World Champion – Eddie Kingston

ROH TV Champion – Kyle Fletcher

ROH Pure Champion – Wheeler Yuta

ROH Tag Champions – The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett)

ROH Women’s Champion – Athena

ROH Six Man Tag Champions – Bullet Club Gold (Jay White & Austin & Colton Gunn)

NJPW

IWGP World Champion – Tetsuya Naito

IWGP Global Heavyweight – Nick Nemeth

IWGP Junior Heavyweight – Sho

Strong Openweight Champion – Eddie Kingston

IWGP Television Champion – Matt Riddle

IWGP Tag Team Champions – Bullet Club (Kenta & Chase Owens)

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions – Bullet Club War Dogs (Drilla Moloney and Clark Connors)

Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions – Guerrillas of Destiny (Hikuleo and El Phantasmo)

NEVER Openweight Champion – Evil

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Champions – Vacant

KOPW 2023 – Great O Khan

IWGP Women’s Champion – Maya Iwatani (Shared with Stardom)

Strong Women’s Champion – Stephanie Vaquer (Shared with Stardom)

NWA

NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion – EC3

NWA World TV Champion – Max The Impaler (unified men’s and women’s)

NWA World Jr Heavyweight Champion – Colby Corino

NWA National Champion – “Thrillbilly Silas Mason

NWA World Tag Team Champions – Blunt Force Trauma – (Carnage & Damage)

NWA US Tag Team Champions – The Immortals (Kratos & Odinson)

NWA World Women’s Champion – Kenzie Paige

NWA World Women’s TV Champion – Max The Impaler

NWA World Women’s Tag Team Champions – The King Bees (Charity King & Danni Bee)

AAA – Triple A Worldwide

AAA Mega Champion – El Hijo Del Vikingo

AAA Latin American Champion – Octagon Jr

AAA World Cruiserweight Champion – Komander

AAA World Tag Team Champions – Nueva Generacion Dinamita (Sanson & Forastero)

AAA World Trios Champions – Los Vipers (Abismo Negro Jr, Psicosis & Toxin)

AAA Reina de Reinas Champion – Flammer

CMLL – Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre

CMLL World Heavyweight Champion – Gran Guerrero

CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion – Niebla Roja

CMLL World Middleweight Champion – Templario

CMLL World Welterweight Champion – Titan

CMLL World Lightweight Champion – Stigma

CMLL World Tag Team Champions – Los Nuevos Ingobernables (Ángel de Oro & Niebla Roja)

CMLL World Trios Champions – Los Bárbaros (Dragon Rojo Jr., Bárbaro Cavernario & El Terrible)

CMLL World Women’s Champion – Stephanie Vaquer

CMLL World Women’s Tag Team Champions – Stephanie Vaquer and Zeuxis

Stardom

World of Stardom Champion (main title) – Maika

Wonder of Stardom Champion (secondary title ie IC tite) – Saori Anou

Goddess of Stardom Champions (tag) – AphroditE – (Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita)

Artist of Stardom Champions (trios) – Abarenbo GE (Syuri, Mirai and Ami Sohrei)

High Speed Champion (lightweight or x type of title) Mei Seira

A FREE AGENT TSUNAMI

BY MARK HALPERN

    Well NFL free agency hit like a Tsunami after a underwater earthquake happens. However, it wasn’t a bad thing as many of the top players have either been traded or have found their way on to new teams for the 2024 season. We as a network knew that a huge day was coming but wasn’t ready for the flood that came after the gates opened. As our podcast Wishbone Shotgun will be fully recapping the barrage that has happened this week here are the Old Ops Guy’s view on what happened.

Saquon Barkley/EAGLES :  We all knew he was destined to go somewhere where he had a chance to win a ring but, the rival Eagles now that I could not predict. I heard Bill “Corpus Crispi” Murphy scream when this came out as he is a Giants fan and I of course am the oldest Cowboy fan of the group. Barkley will be part of one of the most Dangerous offenses with A.J Brown, Devonta Smith and as long as he is not hurting too much Jalen Hurts.

Kirk Cousins/FALCONS: Great way for Krik to mess up my mock drafts by going here. I truly don’t think he will ever have the receivers he did with the Vikings but, Drake London gets an upgrade here. Atlanta overpaid and mind you he I returning from same injury as to Aaron Rodgers.

Deandre Swift/BEARS: We all knew that Swift was on the move (No NOT that Swift) and I think he picked the right team to go to. Swift signed with the Bears today also on a 3-year deal. This offense is young and has big possibilities. The question remains will it be Fields or Williams handing him the ball.

Josh Jacobs/PACKERS: Decided to sign with The Green Bay Packers today. In a corresponding move they released Aaron Jones who went to the rival Vikings. I think he just wanted to piss the Pack off. Jacobs is a huge improvement to the Packers offense. Love got a little love today.

Jerry Jeudy/BROWNS : Was traded from the Broncos to the Browns giving the Browns a really significant 1-2 punch at Wide Receiver with Cooper on one side and Judey on the other. Let’s not forget that they get back Nick Chubb as well. Hope Watson is getting plenty of rubdowns now with the amount of work he is going to put in this season.

Gardner Minshew/RAIDERS : One of the most undervalued players in the NFL has signed with the Las Vegas Raiders to compete for the starting job. I have liked his play since he was a rookie and just needs a team to see his talents like the rest of us do.

Devin Singletary/GIANTS : Yet again being asked to be the featured back when he has failed twice before (Buffalo and Houston) and will not have much more luck on this Giants team. This is a joke of a signing by the Giants and should be compared to putting a butterfly bandage on a huge gash.

Zach Ertz/COMMANDERS : For a guy coming to the end of his career, Ertz has made the most of his time bouncing from team to team. With this Commanders team most likely seeking a QB in the draft Ertz could be a good safety valve and would have the opportunity to start with the release of Logan Thomas.

Gus Edwards / CHARGERS: With Ekeler testing Free Agency Edwards will share the back field here but could be the opening day starter. He has been overshadowed by his time in Baltimore and has a good chance to improve with this full throttle offense.

Robert Hunt/PANTHERS: After a great couple of years with the Dolphins protecting Tua,  Hunt will be protecting sophomore QB in Bryce Young instead. This was a great signing for this team, as protecting Young was a problem last year. One of the biggest deals of the day. The Panthers went on the hunt for protecting their franchise cub.

Russel Wilson/STEELERS : Well can’t say I was surprised by this move as every analyst knew that Denver was going to try and move Wilson after the horrid seasons he had with Denver. The Pittsburgh Steelers sweep in and get their QB #1 for this year meaning Pickett will be painting fences. I am not sure how good a move this is for the Steelers? I think the Broncos gave a huge sigh of relief when someone said yes. I am sure Lovie Smith will be looking to really upgrade the RB and WR positions in the draft and trade. The Broncos are officially rebuilding the entire franchise.

Michael Pittman/COLTS: Decides to stay on a generous team friendly deal (71 million) to be the #1 WR in the Colts Depth Chart. I say friendly cause I think the Colts just rewarded good play and wanted to keep some familiarity in the back field.

Michael Gallup: HAS NOT BEEN TRADED YET. However, the Cowboys have given Gallup the permission to seek a trade with any club that would have him. It will ultimately come down to the Cowboys Releasing him. I am unsure of the compensation, but a change of scenery for Gallup might benefit both sides. 

  I think I got my point across on some of the moves. For a full recap of today’s move along with all moves tune in to Wishbone Shotgun for full coverage. For now, the New York Giants organization is still the biggest joke by not tagging and extending Barkley last season. 

CH-CHANGES

GOOD LUCK TONY

TYLER YOU TURNCOAT

BY MARK HALPERN 

Since the disappointing ending to a good team record, the Cowboys are starting to Restructure, let free agents leave and re-sign new ones and of course seek trades that make sense. Today we saw Tony Pollard accept a 3-year deal with the Tennessee. As a die-hard Cowboy fan, I wish Tony Pollard the very best in the AFC. I truly believe he will have some success. However, as a Dallas fan I hate to see a player go to a division rival (oh just wait till my bit on Saquon) and Tyler Biadasz went to the Commanders on a 3-year deal as well. I don’t care if he went to another NFC team (just not division) so may he like finishing dead last for the next 3 years. But he will reunite with new Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn. It’s tough to see some guys go, and we are accepting of the changes.

  TOUGH CHOICES

By Mike Rifkin

Last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time in 16 years. The team fired GM Ron Hextall and President Brian Burke and hired former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas.Dubas was aggressive in his first season as the GM, headlined by acquiring former Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks. 

The Penguins have underachieved all season and had a decision to make at the trade deadline. What should they do with winger Jake Guentzel? Do they try to keep him and risk losing him for nothing after the season, or trade him and start thinking about the future? Dubas traded Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes for three prospects and two conditional draft picks based on whether the Hurricanes would reach the Stanley Cup Final.If you read social media, the return seems underwhelming for arguably the best player available at the trade deadline. After a 4-0 loss on Sunday to the Edmonton Oilers, the Penguins sit eight points, out of the last Wild Card spot and 10 points out from Third place in the Metropolitan Division with 19 games left in the season. The Penguins have lost three in a row and have been outscored 15-1 in that span. 

Kyle Dubas has some tough decisions on where he thinks his organization is. This is a team that hasn’t won a playoff series since 2018 (when they won the Stanley Cup). 13 players on the roster have at least a modified No trade clause. So the roster can change to a degree. Now could they trade Captain Sidney Crosby, sure but it would be a mistake. Crosby is having a Hart Trophy-caliber season, making him a Penguin for life is something on the table. If I were Dubas I would be on board moving Evgeni Malkin, Yes it will be weird seeing Malkin in another jersey but this team needs to get younger and faster. Moving on from Malkin or Defenseman Kris Letang could be difficult for fans, but it has to be on the table. 

The roster is not the only tough decision Dubas will have to make a decision on Head Coach Mike Sullivan is something else Dubas needs to figure out. Sullivan has the most wins in franchise history and has helped the team secure two Stanley Cups. (SPOILER ALERT: THE PENGUINS WILL BE A STATEMENT ADDRESS ON THE BREAKAWAY BANDITS PODCAST).  We’ll have to see what Kyle Dubas has in store in Pittsburgh this offseason. 

NXT Call Up Predictions 2024

As Wrestlemania is around the corner, that also mean big WWE returns are anticipated, but also NXT Call Ups are major during this time of year. With that being said, here are my predictions for NXT call ups to the main roster in 2024

Current Call Ups between Royal Rumble 2024 and Now: Tyler Bate, Bron Brekker and Tiffany Stratton (SD)- 3 dynamic call ups that are well deserved. Bron has a bright future ahead of him and Tiffany has stood out the most and is rising into popularity as a heel figure. Tyler going back to tag team with Pete Dunne will make an outstanding impact in the tag team division.

Call ups post Wrestlemania: Nikita Lyons(Raw): Although she is technically injured, if well, she will probably make it up and be a great edition to the Raw team. I can see her start a feud with Nia Jax.

Gallus (Raw): A stable to NXT UK through NXT, this stable is due to get a call up to the main roster. I feel that they will make an impact with whoever is the tag team champion post Wrestlemania.

Call ups post or around MITB: Baron Corbin (SD)-Reuiniting the Wolf Dogs with Bron Breakker and possibly entering the MITB ladder match as a potential NXT or SD qualifier.

Carmelo Hayes (SD)- Although he competed a few times on the SD brand in January, Melo will make an excellent edition to the SD team. I am even predicting him a possible candidate for the MITB briefcase.

Call Ups post Summerslam: Meta Four (Raw)- Another stable with incredible superstars of both genders. However, I feel that the biggest push will go to Jakara Jackson because of her height and athleticism

Dijak (SD)- He had one unsuccessful run thanks to a person no longer involved in WWE. I hope this run makes him stand out and have excellent feuds with superstars such as Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and Kevin Owens.

Ilja Dragunov (Raw)- The current NXT champion will eventually go the main roster, and when he does the first feud I see him with is against the one he dethroned for the NXT UK Title, the Ring General Gunther.

Call Ups post Survivor Series: Blair Davenport (SD)- I see another Paige/Saraya through her eyes. With her own unique personality, Blair can march her way up to the main roster and surprise everyone with her debut.

This Week in Wrestling – 3/8/2024

BY JEFF KNAPP

Before anything, I’d like to take the time to give my condolences and say RIP to Paul “Butcher” Vachon, the father of the late Luna Vachon. Paul was a multi time World Tag team champion in the AWA, JCP and GCW with his brother Maurice Vachon.

In a bitter-sweet moment, Sting and Darby Allin retained their AEW World Tag Team championships in what was Sting’s final match at Revolution. One of the greatests to lace up a pair of boots. From Continental to the UWF to JPC’s NWA and WCW where he went from surfer Sting to the Crow Sting and became the Franchise, The Icon. He then went onto TNA/Impact and then onto the WWE and finally to AEW.

After the Revolution PPV, Tony Khan announced that the Tag Titles will be vacated and there will be a tournament to crown new AEW World Tag Team Champions.

Speaking of Revolution, congrats to Samoa Joe in retaining his AEW World Championship and Christian Cage doing what he had to do in order to retain his AEW TNT Championship.

Congratulations to Roderick Strong on becoming the new AEW International Champion.

It seems that after Revolution that PAC and Kyle O’Reilly are on their way back to AEW after some time off.

In what should be a great match, AEW announced that at Big Business on 3/13 in Boston that Darby Allin will go 1 on 1 against “Switchblade” Jay White. I’m very excited for this match because I know what both men are capable of  and I’ve never seen this match up before.

 Despite rumors that would have been absolutely amazing, Hikaru Shida isn’t married to LA Dodgers all-star Shohei Ohtani.

Congratulations are in order for one of my favorite people in all of wrestling, Paul Heyman who was announced as an inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2024. If it wasn’t for Paul and everybody involved with ECW, there is no attitude era and the famous Monday Night Wars between WCW and the WWF never happens.

Speaking of the WWE Hall of Fame, congrats are in order for former WWF Women’s Champion Bull Nakano. Bull was not only the women’s champion in the WWF but in All Japan and CMLL as well.

The 3rd WWE Hall of Fame announcement came Friday afternoon as the WWE announced that the team of Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda, collectively known as the US Express, who are former WWF Tag team champions will be inducted this year. This will be Barry’s 2nd entry since he’s in as a member of the 4 Horsemen and this will be Mike’s 1st time in. Congratulations to both men.

Mike Santana, one of half of the tag team Proud & Powerful and at times LAX with Ortiz appears to be no longer with AEW. As a fan of his, I wish we could have seen them win tag gold there but never say never in wrestling. If or when he turns back up in AEW, TNA or the WWE, we’ll have it here.

This past Wednesday on AEW Dynamite we saw the official debut of former NJPW star “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada. Okada is one of the most decorated wrestlers in New Japan history. Okada is a 2x IWGP World Heavyweight Champion a 5x IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii, a 4x G1 Climax winner (2012, 2014, 2021, 2022) and a 2x New Japan Cup winner (2013, 2019)

This week on Dynamite Darby Allen announced he’s taking time off to climb Mount Everest. Best of luck to him and God speed (as they say)

Kevin Kelly, who was up until recently one of the voices of AEW Collision, has confirmed that he has been released by AEW this week on X

As of this writing, TNA Sacrifice will emanate tonight at 8pm on TNA+ from the St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The card is as follows: (I will highlight my predictions of who will win)

TNA World Championship

Moose (c) vs. Eric Young

TNA Knockouts World Championship 3-Way Match

Jordynne Grace (c) vs. Tasha Steelz vs. Xia Brookside

TNA World Tag Team Championship

ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) vs. The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers)

Nic Nemeth vs. Steve Maclin

Josh Alexander vs. Hammerstone

Time Machine (Chris Sabin, KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight) vs. Mustafa Ali & The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch)

Countdown to TNA Sacrifice match:

    The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs. Speedball Mountain (Trent Seven & Mike Bailey)

Rollcall of current Champions across the wrestling world

WWE

WWE Universal Championship – Roman Reigns

World Heavyweight Champion – Seth Rollins

WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions – Judgement Day

WWE Women’s Champion – Iyo Sky

Women’s World Champion – Rhea Ripley

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions – The Kabuki Warriors

WWE US Champion – Logan Paul

WWE Intercontinental Champion – Gunther

NXT

NXT Championship- Ilja Dragunov

NXT Women’s Champion – Lyra Valkyria

North American Champion – Oba Femi

Tag Team Champions – The Wolf Dogs (Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin)

Heritage Cup – Charlie Dempsey

AEW

AEW World Champion – Samoa Joe

TNT Champion – Christian

Women’s Champion – Toni Storm

TBS Champion – Julia Hart

Tag Team Champions – VACANT

Trios Champions – The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn

AEW International Champion – Roderick Strong                                                      

AEW Continental Champion – Eddie Kingston

TNA Wrestling

World Champion – Moose

X Division – Mustafa Ali

Tag Team Champions – ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey)

Digital Media Champion – Crazzy Steve

Knockouts Champion – Jordynne Grace

Knockouts Tag Champions – MK Ultra (Killer Kelly & Masha Slamovich)

ROH

ROH World Champion – Eddie Kingston

ROH TV Champion – Kyle Fletcher

ROH Pure Champion – Wheeler Yuta

ROH Tag Champions – The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett)

ROH Women’s Champion – Athena

ROH Six Man Tag Champions – Bullet Club Gold (Jay White & Austin & Colton Gunn)

NJPW

IWGP World Champion – Tetsuya Naito

IWGP Global Heavyweight – Nick Nemeth

IWGP Junior Heavyweight – Sho

Strong Openweight Champion – Eddie Kingston

IWGP Television Champion – Matt Riddle

IWGP Tag Team Champions – Bullet Club (Kenta & Chase Owens)

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions – Bullet Club War Dogs (Drilla Moloney and Clark Connors)

Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions – Guerrillas of Destiny (Hikuleo and El Phantasmo)

NEVER Openweight Champion – Evil

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Champions – Vacant

KOPW 2023 – Great O Khan

IWGP Women’s Champion – Maya Iwatani (Shared with Stardom)

Strong Women’s Champion – Guillia (Shared with Stardom)

NWA

NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion – EC3

NWA World TV Champion – Max The Impaler (unified men’s and women’s)

NWA World Jr Heavyweight Champion – Colby Corino

NWA National Champion – “Thrillbilly Silas Mason

NWA World Tag Team Champions – Blunt Force Trauma – (Carnage & Damage)

NWA US Tag Team Champions – The Immortals (Kratos & Odinson)

NWA World Women’s Champion – Kenzie Paige

NWA World Women’s TV Champion – Max The Impaler

NWA World Women’s Tag Team Champions – The King Bees (Charity King & Danni Bee)

AAA – Triple A Worldwide

AAA Mega Champion – El Hijo Del Vikingo

AAA Latin American Champion – Octagon Jr

AAA World Cruiserweight Champion – Komander

AAA World Tag Team Champions – Nueva Generacion Dinamita (Sanson & Forastero)

AAA World Trios Champions – Los Vipers (Abismo Negro Jr, Psicosis & Toxin)

AAA Reina de Reinas Champion – Flammer

CMLL – Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre

CMLL World Heavyweight Champion – Gran Guerrero

CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion – Niebla Roja

CMLL World Middleweight Champion – Templario

CMLL World Welterweight Champion – Titan

CMLL World Lightweight Champion – Stigma

CMLL World Tag Team Champions – Los Nuevos Ingobernables (Ángel de Oro & Niebla Roja)

CMLL World Trios Champions – Los Bárbaros (Dragon Rojo Jr., Bárbaro Cavernario & El Terrible)

CMLL World Women’s Champion – Stephanie Vaquer

CMLL World Women’s Tag Team Champions – Stephanie Vaquer and Zeuxis

Stardom

World of Stardom Champion (main title) – Maika

Wonder of Stardom Champion (secondary title ie IC tite) – Saori Anou

Goddess of Stardom Champions (tag) – AphroditE – (Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita)

Artist of Stardom Champions (trios) – Abarenbo GE (Syuri, Mirai and Ami Sohrei)

High Speed Champion (lightweight or x type of title) Mei Seira

Russell Wilson Landing Spots

By Mike Rifkin

The Broncos earlier this week confirmed reports that they will cut Quarterback Russell Wilson and allow him to be a free agent. In March of 2022 the Broncos acquired the Super Bowl Winning Quarterback in exchange for QB Drew Locke, Tight End Noah Fant, Defensive End Shelby Harris, 2022 first, second and fifth round picks, and 2023 first and second round picks. Wilson had a dreadful first year in Denver with just 16 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions along with a career low 60.5 completion percentage. Coach Nathaniel Hackett, who was brought in to help acquire Aaron Rodgers was fired. The Broncos then lured former Saints coach Sean Payton out of retirement and Denver once again was not great, Wilson’s individual numbers were better. According to reports Wilson would be willing to play for a lot less money (even league minimum) , Denver will pay him around 37 million dollars. With that being said let’s talk about where Russ can cook.

STEELERS : Yes, this one has been heavily rumored from the beginning of this process. The Steelers can bring in Russ to compete with Kenny Pickett. But whether Russ is in Pittsburgh or not the Steelers are the fourth best team in their own division. 

VIKINGS : If Minnesota sees Kirk Cousins walk in free agency, they can pay Russ league minimum while still searching for their long term solution at the position. Throwing to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson is a intriguing option as well. 

GIANTS : The Giants made a mistake when they signed Daniel Jones instead of using the Franchise Tag on him. Jones failed to impress before getting hurt last season. Even if the Giants consider Russ a stop gap QB, it allows Joe Schoen to go find the long term answer. 

RAIDERS :  If Russ wants to stick it to the Broncos he can sign with their biggest rival. The Raiders ended on a high note last season and have made Antonio Pierce the permanent head coach of the team. Also throwing to Davante Adams not too shabby. 

FALCONS : If there’s a team that needs to come out of the off-season it’s the Atlanta Falcons. Desmond Ridder didn’t showcase himself as the guy last season. With so much on the market Atlanta needs a guy. With Russell Wilson the Falcons could be considered the favorites in the NFC South next season. 

COMMANDERS : This is the most far fetched idea on here. Washington is picking second this year in the NFL Draft and have been linked to all the top quarterbacks. But if new owner Josh Harris wants to make a splash and throw people a curveball he can sign Wilson and draft Marvin Harrison Jr. at two.

RUNNING BACK HEAVY MARKET

Over the last decade there have been very different types of free agent
markets in the NFL. This year however, for the first time in a long time
we have a huge Running Back free agency to look forward too. This free
agent class isn’t any slouch with any of the name that are attached.
With the salary cap increasing it makes it easier for certain teams that
are in need of a RB (Dallas, Baltimore, Giants, Philly ,Houston, etc… ) and
with the cap increase and the amount of restructuring that is going to
be going on, for big contacts to make more room its possible to see the
5 teams I just mentioned end up with one of the following dynamic
running backs in this year free agency.
The list for the top five Free Agent running backs starts off with the
most coveted in this year’s free agency and that is Derrick Henry.
Henry has spent the 8 years with the titans and has always been a
fierce runner with not only power but can turn on jets. Over his time
with the Titians, he has amassed 9500 yards on 2030 carries and 90
td’s. His average is what makes him one of the more desired running
backs this year and with a 4.7 yard per attempt 2 nd and 5 looks better
than second and 7 or 9. Henry has been rumored to just about every
team and we will get a bigger picture who the top team to go after him.
Next, we have a running back that has had a bad 5 years and even last
year with his franchise tag to keep him New York and that is Saquon
Barkley. Saquon like Henry has played his entire career with the Giants
and his first season he was everything he was drafted for however,
injuries and lack of and offensive line has slowed his talent. The Giants
are doing right by him this by letting him go and test free agency.
Barkley over his time with the G-Men amassed 5211yards on 1200

carries also only 35 TDs also has a 4.5ypc and I believe it could be even
higher on a team that build protection around him. Barkley plays like
CM7 and as a dual threat any team could use.
Next on the list another dual threat running back and that is Austin
Ekeler who over the past 7 years has been probably one of the best
dual threats available. Ekeler played with the chargers and again
injuries kind of ruined what should have been a good year for him. The
entire Charger team kind of caught the injury bug this season and really
decimated their chance for the playoffs. Ekeler over his first 7 years has
990 carries for 4300 yards but also has 440 catches for 3884yards to go
along with 69 TD’s. Ekeler is looking for a team that would best suit his
ability as a dual threat and has rumored to be interested in the Texans
as a landing spot (the Texans are said to be in on all)
One of the younger talents that will test free agency is Josh Jacobs.
Jacobs has played 6 years with the Raiders and has had a decent stretch
gaining 5545 yards on 1300 carries and 46 TD’s. His 4.2 average should
be higher as he ha the ability to juke and jive his way out of trouble.
However, over his first few seasons he has dealt with injury and that
will bring his asking amount down but, we have only had a small
sampling of what Jacobs really can do because of injuries. I believe he
will make any team better but he could be a running back that ends of
in sharing position to keep him healthy.
The last one I am going to mention is Tony Pollard. Pollard has played
with the Cowboys for the past five year but wasn’t the #1 back in Dallas
when Ezekiel Elliot was there. In Elliot’s final season Pollard got a chance
to prove why he should be the number one and in sharing duties with
Elliot he still amassed 1000yards for the season to go along with 23
TD’s. For Pollard I hope he lands with someone who will use his talents

just like Dallas did and he like Jacobs could be in a sharing role for the
first season of any new deal.
If you look at the NFL right now, we are all gearing up for the Draft at
the end of April and that is going to be a very heavy QB and WR first
round so teams will get what they need and then let the bidding begin.

A Devil Of A Time

By Mike Rifkin

The New Jersey Devils entered the 2023-24 season with high expectations, after winning in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs over their cross river rival the New York Rangers. On Monday the team announced that Head Coach Lindy Ruff was relieved of his duties and will be replaced by Assistant Coach and former Canucks coach Travis Green. Ruff was hired by the Devils in 2020 and went 128-125-28. 

The Devils currently sit eight points out of a Wild Card spot and third place in the Metropolitan division. The main reason the Devils have struggled this year has been goaltending, a position most people expected them to upgrade last offseason. But with Connor Hellebuyck remaining in Winnipeg and John Gibson still in Anaheim, trading for a goalie was going to be difficult. The Devils have used the trio of Vitek Vanecek, Akira Schmid and Nico Daws in goal and it hasn’t worked out well. All three have a Goals Against Average over three and and save percentages under .900. General Manager Tom Fitzgerald said this morning that he was “in the goaltending market.” prior to Friday’s trade deadline. The Devils were reportedly close to a deal with the Calgary Flames for Goalie Jacob Markstrom, but Calgary declined later. After recent comments from Markstrom surrounding the situation, you wonder if the two teams decide to revisit the situation. 

Goaltending has been the main reason the Devils have struggled, but they’ve been hit with some major injuries as well. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton has been out since late November with a torn pectoral muscle. Center Jack Hughes missed 16 games with Upper Body injuries, and Defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler missed time with a broken foot. 

Lindy Ruff has the fourth most wins All-Time for a Head Coach. Is everything that happened this year his fault? No, but you cannot fire the players, But the fact that the Devils didn’t upgrade their goaltending when they knew that was their Achilles Heel doesn’t make sense to me. Lindy Ruff said after a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on February 25th “You want to win, and we’ve dealt with a lot. Players want to win. I’m responsible for the wins and losses and who gets on the ice and who doesn’t get on the ice.” Now the Devils have 21 games left to make up the eight points but it’s not an easy schedule. The Devils have two games at Madison Square Garden to play the Rangers (who lead the Metro), two games with the New York Islanders, who are like the Devils competing for a WC spot, three games against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and trips to Dallas and Vegas. As well as a game against the Carolina Hurricanes and a game in Philly on April 13th. Do the Devils have the talent to go on a run? Yes, but it’s not going to be easy especially if they don’t upgrade their goaltending by Friday. The Travis Green era began  on Tuesday with a 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers.

Zach Wilson:  Best Landing Spots

By Mike Rifkin

At the NFL draft combine on Wednesday Jets GM Joe Douglas told reporters that the team has granted permission to Quarterback Zach Wilson has been granted permission to seek a trade. Wilson, the second overall pick in 2021 struggled in his first two seasons. His struggles and a very good defense made the Jets go out and trade for Aaron Rodgers. (that’s a whole other article) (https://thesportsinsanitynetwork.com/2024/02/09/dys-function-junction-is-your-function/) 

Wilson will benefit from a change of scenery, but he might have to take a similar route to a few other second overall picks Mitch Trubisky and Carson Wentz and have to compete for a job or be the backup. So here is a list of teams that could trade for Wilson.

Denver Broncos : Everyone expects the Broncos to cut Russell Wilson after two down seasons. If Sean Payton thinks he can fix Zach Wilson, the Broncos could make a lot of sense. 

Pittsburgh Steelers : One of the worst kept secrets in the NFL is that the Steelers are going to acquire a Quarterback to compete with Kenny Pickett for the starting gig. The problem is if you sign a Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins, you’re not signing them to compete they have to start. So someone like Zach Wilson could make more sense for the Steelers. 

Minnesota Vikings : The Vikings have a dilemma, they might have to decide between retaining Kirk Cousins or Justin Jefferson. The Vikings have already said they’re unwilling to give Cousins the same deal as his last two deals (fully guaranteed money). Even if they find a way to retain Cousins and keep Jefferson, they can acquire Wilson to be the backup.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers : If the Bucs are unable to land a contract for Baker Mayfield they could wind up trading for Wilson and signing a veteran to compete for the starting role. 

Los Angeles Rams : If there are two people who might be able to fix Wilson, it would be Sean Mcvay and Matthew Stafford. Eventually Stafford will retire and the Rams will have to figure out what the team looks like when that day comes, buying low on Zach Wilson makes a ton of sense. 

Atlanta Falcons : Whether it’s Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson the Atlanta Falcons are in the market for a Quarterback. If they miss out on all three and are unable to move up in the draft they could buy low on Wilson. Although a competition between Zach Wilson and Desmond Ridder is less than thrilling. 

Note : Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are more likely to draft a quarterback than trade for Wilson.