Houston Texans Season In Review/Offseason Needs

By: Jeff Knapp

The 2021 season for the Houston Texans is mercifully over with a 4-13 record under first year head coach David Culley, who was fired after the season.

The team ranked 26th in total passing yards (3630) and receiving yards, 32nd in total rushing yards, 1422 and 30th in total TDs with 31. The offensive line was the 9th worst in the league when it came to giving up sacks at 44 sacks. The play calling by Culley was horrendous and he made incredibly bad decisions. The one that comes to mind was against the Browns in week 2. The Texans were faced with a 3rd and 15 from its own 38-yard line. Taylor connected with WR Brandin Cooks for a 13-yard gain, setting up fourth-and-2 from the Cleveland 49. Then the Texans were thrown a lifeline. Browns DE Takk McKinley jumped offsides, meaning the Texans could have another shot at picking up the first on a 3rd and 10, or they could decline the penalty and roll the dice on fourth-and-2 from midfield. Culley picked option C, he declined the penalty and then punted which went for a touchback.

The O-Line was ranked 29th at 52% with pass block win rating and ranked dead last in run black winning percentage at 66%.  

Defensively, the Texans ranked 8th in pass rush win rate at 44% and ranked 16th at 31% in run stop win rate. They ranked 28th in total sacks, 6th in total tackles, 9th in forced fumbles and 9th in INTs.

When I think of under achieving for the Texans, the first thing that comes to mind is the secondary. Opposing quarterbacks had a 94.1 passer rating against the Texans defense which was the 12th highest in the NFL. The Texans defense allowed 8 yards per pass attempt which was tied with the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, and Jets for the highest allowed in the NFL.

The receiving core only had 1 player, Brandin Cook, who was in the top 40 for YAC at 357 and nobody else in the top 100. Cook also ranked 35 with 12 catches going for over 20 yards or more, 22 other receivers had at least 15 receptions of 20+.

Rex Burkhead was their only RB to have any runs over 20 yards, to which he had 2 (many of the big-name players had 6 or more). RB David Johnson hasn’t been the same since he had that monster year in 2016, then got injured in 2017 and played just one game. He had a pretty decent 2018, but it’s been downhill ever since, and we are all still wondering why they traded DeAndre Hopkins.

It’s hard to say the backfield was under achieving, when it was just pitiful to begin with. The entire RB group rushed for 1193 among 7 different players and a total of 5 TDs. 5 players on other teams did that and more all on their own.

We do have to look at some of the bright spots for Houston in 2021.

David Mills, who was a 3rd round pick in 2021 had a much better season than many of the QBs that got picked in the 1st round, not counting Mac Jones. Davis threw for a thousand yards less than #1 pick Trevor Lawrence, but other than that he had more TDs, less INTs and had a higher passer rating than any of them, although It’s hard to judge him against Trey Lance, who only played in 6 games.

Brandin Cooks was a solid receiver for the Texans this year. He had 90 receptions for 1,037 yards and 8 TDs.

On defense, LB Kamu Grugier Hill had 108 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 3 sacks, while DE Jonathan Greenard had 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. Although the DBs were a horrible mess, there was 1 standout in Desmond King, who had 93 tackles, 3 INTS and 1 forced fumble. King is 27 and a solid piece to build with in the future.

Looking ahead to the 2022 season the Texans will be about 19.8 below the cap space and will have some room to work with. They have 3 big contracts that are taking up the most room. Deshaun Watson, Laremy Tunsil and Brandin Cooks. Watson and Tunsil can’t be moved but could possibly be reconstructed. Watson and Tunsil take up about 65.5 Million dollars in cap space but the dead cap money of about 77.8 million dollars is too much to take on. With that being said all three of those men will be on the Texans for 2022 unless Watson is traded, but who’s going to take on that contract and the off the field issues that come with it.

There are about 7 players that can be released including SS Eric Murry and RB Rex Burkhead. Releasing those 7 players will free up about 27.5 million dollars and only give them 3.6 million in dead money. That’s money that can be used in free agency.

When it comes to free agency the Texans will 1st look at who they will try to resign and who they will allow to try the open market. Out of their top 10 largest priced outgoing talent there are only a few that as Texans GM I would want to keep. I would keep DT Maliek Collins, CB Desmond King, LB Christian Kirksey, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill and possibly RB David Johnson if we can resign him for a much lesser contract than the 5 million dollars he made in 2021. Center Justin Britt was the best O-lineman we had when Tunsil wasn’t on the field, so keeping him at the 3.2 he made in 2021 is a possibility. After that, QB Tyrod Taylor, S AJ Moore, WR Danny Amendola and FS Terrence Brooks would all be not signed.

Taking a look at what free agents that would be enticing to sign is all part of the fun. Now, if Davis Mills is the one to keep, which I would since after the following season will give us the Lamar Jackson sweepstakes, but every team will have to break the bank for him and Deshaun Watson’s contract won’t be as big of a burden after next season when his dead money drops about 30 million dollars.

Since the Texans need help all around, I would try to get a few weapons for him to go along with Brandin Cooks. The 3 WRs that come to mind would be Christian Kirk from Arizona, JuJu Smith-Schuster from the Steelers and DJ Chark from Jacksonville. JuJu’s price could be the X factor, but DJ Clark had a solid year and if you pair him up with TE Dalton Shultz or Mike Gesicki, then you have something to work with. Mills hit the deck quite a few times, so I would take a look at a few different O-Linemen. The 1st 2 I’d try to sign would be RT Trent Brown and LG Laken Tomlinson. Adding those 2 with a returning Laremy Tunsil would serve a huge upgrade for the Texans.

The Texans were awful when it came to their DB situation last year so obtaining a good DB would be another early part of my free agent signing. The big fish would be Tyrann Mathieu, but if we go young then I’d take a look at JC Jackson from New England or Rasul Douglas from Green Bay. Both are 26, had about 50+ tackles and 5+ INTs last season.

Suring up the D-line and LB core would be another process. As of this writing Atlanta released DE Dante Fowler, but will his price tag be too steep? If so, there are a few players to look at. Austin Jackson from the NY Giants who had 72 tackles, and 4 sacks, or DE Charles Harris from Detroit who had 65 tackles and 8 sacks. BTW, both men are 27 years old. Up the middle, LB Haason Riddick from Carolina had 88 tackles and 18 QB hits would lead my LB board followed by either Harold Landry of Tennessee or Foyesade Oluokun of Atlanta.

After the majority of free agency is over, we move onto the NFL draft. There has been some rumor of the Texans getting involved in a trade that would send Deshaun Watson to Washington for a 1st rounder and Chase Young. I’d take that in a heartbeat, but with all of Watson’s legal troubles still there, I seriously doubt he will get dealt anytime soon.

This year they hold the 3rd pick in the draft and with as many holes they need to fill, I’m guessing they might do one of a few things.

The 1st thing they do is not trade back and take the best player available. What makes that difficult is who the Jaguars and Lions take at 1 & 2. I’ve seen Hutchinson, Neal and Thibodeaux all as possible 1s and 2s. They can massively upgrade the edge or o-line with either one of these picks or since the Texans were horrible in the secondary, they may also decide to take S Kyle Hamilton from Notre Dame. He has been touted as the best overall player in the draft.

The 2nd choice they have is to trade back with either the Panthers, the Broncos or even possibly Washington so they can get a QB in the 1st round.

If they trade with the Broncos at 9, the Texans might have the chance to select either DE George Kalaftis or Center Tyler Linderbaum.

If they decide to drop back even further with Washington so they can pick up a QB, then they might have a chance to either get DE George Kalaftis or CD Ahmad Gardner.

If they decide to drop back, will the talent they pass up on by not picking either Hutchinson, Neil, Thibodeaux or Hamilton be worth it? Those 4 men are touted as being complete game changers for the foreseeable future.

If I’m in charge, I’m not going to swap 1st rounders with Denver or Washington unless I’m also getting their 2023 & 2024 1st rounders and 2022 2nd round pick and 2024 3rd round pick or something along those lines.

The best case for a trade would be an over eager Carolina team. I’d swap with them and also get a 2023 1st rounder and hopefully a 2022 and/or 2023 2nd rounder and still have the chance at CB Hamilton, OL Cross, DE Kalaftis or even OL Neal if somehow one of them dropped that far back.

During the 2022 draft, I would focus on the OL and defense with 3 out of my 4 picks in the 1st 3 rounds and selecting a WR with my second pick in  the 3rd round and hopefully getting RB Haskins from Michigan later in the draft.

This would set up Houston for a much better 2022. I can’t say it would be a winning 2023 season, but I could see 7-8 wins between those roster moves and draft. The X-factor will be what happens with Deshaun Watson’s legal issues.

The Detroit Lions Season Review

Why Bother

By Mark Halpern

 Before the Lion’s season even began, they were making the headlines. The Lions decided to trade their long-time starting Quarterback to the La Rams. Matt Stafford had thrown for over 40000 yards as a Lion and led them in every quarterback category. The Lions decided they wanted to get a younger talent, and so they traded Stafford for a young quarterback who has had success in his first two seasons with the Rams in Jared Goff. Now On Paper, this was a fair trade. The advantage for the lions is that Goff has proven himself and is young and comes with a little more protection contract-wise. For the Lions, Stafford was coming to the end of his career, and they weren’t going anywhere with them, so they decided to get what they believed was the best value. Well, things went exceptionally well for Stafford (Rams winning the Superbowl), and for Goff was right there and then traded to try and improve the Lions. Well, suffice to say he didn’t have a Super Bowl-caliber year, but he still managed 3300 yards and 19 touchdowns on a team that was just plain awful. The running game was supposed to be held and geared by second-year standout Deandre Swift, but he had an injury-plagued year. They let their only two wide receivers on the club with any real experience go to other teams. With no clear #1 receiver, this gave the young rookies a chance to stand out, and Amroa St. Brown had a good season ending with 90 recs for 912 yards and 5 touchdowns. He was by far the biggest standout on offense.

  The Lions finished 3-13-1 on the year, mainly because they were playing from behind most of the year because the defense was dreadful. The Lions finish last or near last in all defensive stats. You can’t expect your offense to do it all. The defense was a sieve allowing tons of rushing yards, and then the failure to be able to cover or stop opposing offenses causes a problem. If the Lions upgrade their defense this season, they might have a fighting chance in the NFC North (which seems to be slowing falling apart.)

     Here is what you hope Aiden Hutchinson doesn’t go #1 overall and use him at the #2 spot. He would be a considerable upgrade to the rush game. Their next pick is #32, but I am sure teams are looking to deal, and the Lions need offensive line help and Wide Receiver help, and this draft is full of both. That is what I would draft in the first round. Second round, they only have one pick, so I would think another Defensive Lineman or Line Backer. The Lions have two third-round picks, and it’s possible they could draft a QB to learn under Goff because he won’t stay in Detroit after his contract ends if the team is not a contender. I would again get another OL in the next round and then grab a secondary player in later rounds. Detroit also has the cap room to play with, and names like Christian Kirk would give Goff a massive WR upgrade plus, there are a plethora of players out there who would fit on this team and a budget cost. 

   The Lions are in complete rebuild mode. Goff was on a Superbowl team to be traded to one of the worst franchises in the NFL right now. However, I have faith in Geoff, and I believe he still has to skills to win. It is now on the Lions organization to give him the tools he needs to win.

To Quote a Meme. The Detroit Lions hung a Championship Banner up for their former Quarterback who won the Superbowl on the team they just traded him to.

THE DARK KNIGHT HAS A DARK PAST

By Mark Halpern

So, for those of you who don’t know whom I am talking about, I am talking about former Mets and Major League Pitcher Matt Harvey. The New York Mets selected Harvey with the 7th overall pick in the 2010 M.L.B. draft. It didn’t take him long to reach the majors, as his first start was on July 26, 2012. Most major leaguers spend years in the minors before the hopes of making it to The Show. It didn’t take him long to reach the majors, as his first start was on July 26, 2012. In his first game in Arizona, Harvey struck out eleven batters setting a new club record. Over the next two years, Harvey was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. In 2013 he had arguably his best season, posting a 9-5 record with a 2.30 E.R.A. However, Harvey needed the most feared surgery a pitcher can face the following season: Tommy John surgery. He came back strong the following year and helped the Mets win the Pennant. 

     Over the next several seasons, Harvey dealt with so many surgeries from head to toe that his heroics from 2013 and 2015 were soon forgotten. After many surgeries, Harvey was a shell of what he once was, and the Mets declined to resign him. Over the next four years, he bounced from the Reds to the Orioles and failed. However, things were just about to get even worse for Harvey.

   In 2019 a pitcher named Tyler Skaggs was unfortunately found dead of an overdose from the famous pain killer known as Oxycodone and Fentanyl. Skaggs had a promising career taken from him because of this drug. Rumors since Skaggs overdose was going to trial that names were starting coming up, and one of those was Harvey. Matt Harvey admitted to getting hooked on the painkillers after his surgeries, and he also got into cocaine usage (This is not the first Mets player to deal with substance abuse.) Matt Harvey also admitted to giving his “dealer” information to Skaggs. It also has come to light that the Mets organization knew of his drug issues during that time. I was deeply saddened to hear this news as I loved “The Dark Knight” during his time on and off with the Mets.

    Here is my official take on this matter. I am utterly disgusted as a Mets fan (not because he used drugs) that he is now and forever will be linked with Skaggs death. Harvey needs to take responsibility here, even if he didn’t hand over anything or pay for Skaggs’s habit. I want nothing to do with Harvey or his legacy and hope he sees the error in his ways. Sorry but, that is how the old man sees it.

Falcons Season Review/Offseason Needs

By: Mike Rifkin

The Atlanta Falcons missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season with a record of 7-10. Last offseason the Falcons hired Arthur Smith who was the Titans Offensive Coordinator to be their head coach and Terry Fontenot to be the team’s General Manager. In his first season as coach Smith’s offense averaged 18.4 points per game. 

Last offseason the Falcons traded receiver Julio Jones, the franchise’s all time leading receiver to the Titans. If you listen to the Wishbone Shotgun Podcast (cheap plug) I believe the Falcons should go through an entire rebuild and that would start with moving on from Quarterback Matt Ryan.

Ryan had a decent season in 2021 with a 67.0 completion percentage 3,968 yards 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Ryan, the third overall pick in 2008 has the most wins in franchise history with 109. He holds a lot of other franchise records including touchdown passes and a lot of single season records. I believe the Falcons missed an opportunity at the draft last year to draft Ryan’s eventual successor, instead selecting Tight End Kyle Pitts. Pitts was the Falcons leading receiver with 1,026 yards, averaging 60 yards per game but only scored one touchdown. I think this was a missed opportunity for the Falcons because tThe hey aren’t always going to be picking in the top five of drafts as long as Ryan is their quarterback, with the fourth overall pick they could have had Justin Fields or Mac Jones but opted for the tight end which would have made more sense if they had kept Julio Jones. Either way I think it’s time to explore trading Matt Ryan.

Last offseason the Falcons signed former Panthers running back Mike Davis to a two year 5.5 million dollar contract. Davis ran for 503 yards per game and scored three touchdowns. Davis also contributed 44 catches for 259 yards and a touchdown. The Falcons averaged 85.4 rushing yards per game, the only team that averaged less were the Houston Texans. Former Viking first round pick Cordarrelle Patterson led the Falcons with 618 rushing yards and six touchdowns both of which were a career high. Patterson added 52 catches for 548 yards and five touchdowns. The 52 catches tied a career high and the 548 yards and five touchdowns were career highs. 

Calvin Ridley in 2020 had a great season with 90 catches, 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns. Ridley had 31 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns in five games, he stepped away to focus on his mental health. There have been some rumors swirling that the Falcons could trade Ridley this offseason. 

The Falcons defense in 2021 struggled to say the least. The Falcons defense gave up 27.0 points per game last season. The Falcons defense had a league-lowest 18 sacks and on Wednesday cut Dante Fowler Jr. who led the team with four and a half sacks. The Falcons defense also gave up 131.9 yards per game rushing. Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun led the NFL in tackles with 192. Oluokun also had two sacks, one forced fumble and was tied for the team lead with three interceptions with second year cornerback AJ Terrell who took some steps forward. The Falcons had a -6 turnover differential. 

The Falcons need to find a way to generate some cap space as they are currently over the cap. If they cut defensive tackle Tyeler Davison they can create 3.7 million dollars in cap space and 1.2 million in dead cap. Cutting cornerback Kendall Sheffield can save them 2.5 million dollars in cap space and 189,000 in dead cap. An interesting name is Mike Davis. By cutting him Atlanta would save 2.5 million dollars and pay 750,000 in dead cap. If the Falcons trade Ridley that would save them 11 million dollars and no dead cap. 

I wrote earlier that I think the Falcons should move on from Matt Ryan. I don’t believe that will happen as that would create 40 million dollars in dead cap. But if the Falcons restructure his contract or extend him. If they restructure the Falcons can save 11.3 million dollars if they can extend him it might save up to 18.1 million dollars. 

Draft

RD 1 (8) David Ojabo – Michigan -Edge. Ojabo can be the pass rusher this team desperately needs especially after cutting Fowler

` RD2 (43) – Justyn Ross- Clemson Receiver- If they trade Ridley and Russell Gage is a free agent. Matt Ryan needs a few weapons. Ross has a ton of upside but dealt with injuries at Clemson.

RD 2 (58) Bernhard Raimann – Central Michigan – OT. Matt Ryan isn’t getting younger and was not mobile to start with. Need to protect Ryan. 

RD 3 (74) Jerome Ford – Running Back Cincinnati- Cordarrelle Patterson is a free agent and Mike Davis could be a cap casualty Ford was really good for the Bearcats and brings some size and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. 

Note the Falcons could select a quarterback with any of these picks, I just think with Tom Brady retiring and the NFC South wide open they will make one more run with Matt Ryan. 

Chiefs Season Recap/Offseason Needs

By: Mike Rifkin

The Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC West for a sixth consecutive season with a record of 12-5. They became the first team in history to host three consecutive AFC Championship games. The Chiefs lost to the Bengals in the Championship Game. The Chiefs were 3-4 to open the season before winning nine of their last ten games. After giving up 3 sacks and seeing franchise Quarterback Patrick Mahomes run for his life in the Super Bowl the Chiefs made their biggest priority last offseason to upgrade the offensive line. That is exactly what General Manager Brett Veach did. Veach signed veteran Guard Joe Thuney to a massive contract, traded for Orlando Brown Jr. from the Ravens, drafted Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith. Rookie Lucas Niang who opted out of 2020 came back to play right tackle. This offensive line helped the Chiefs average 4.5 yards per carry and 115.0 yards rushing per game. 

There were times in the 2021 season that Patrick Mahomes didn’t look like the guy we had witnessed the past couple seasons. Mahomes had a 66.3 completion percentage (same as 2020) 4,839 yards 37 touchdowns and a career high 13 interceptions. Second year Running Back Clyde Edwards-Helaire averaged 4.3 yards per carry and had four touchdowns, but was limited to 10 games due to injury. Darrel Williams had 558 yards and six touchdowns. Williams added 452 yards and two touchdowns receiving. Receiver Tyreek Hill and Tight End Travis Kelce both had over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. Hill had 111 catches and Kelce had 92 catches. The Chiefs third leading receiver Mecole Hardman had 59 catches for 693 yards and two touchdowns, that is a big drop off. 

Early in the season the Chiefs defense couldn’t stop anyone. One of the big reasons for the defensive turnaround was the acquisition of Melvin Ingram from the Steelers. In nine games as a Chief Ingram had 15 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble but he was able to open things up for Frank Clark who had three and a half sacks after Ingrams’s arrival. Defensive Tackle Chris Jones led the team with nine sacks. Rookie linebacker Nick Bolton led the team with 112 tackles and veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu led the defense with three interceptions to go with 76 tackles and a sack. 

The Chiefs are projected to have around 14 million dollars in cap space this offseason but they can change that. If the Chiefs convert Patrick Mahomes roster bonus into a signing bonus they can create 22 million dollars in cap space and instead of Mahomes having a 35 million dollar cap hit he would have a 14 million dollar cap hit. They can also restructure contracts of Travis Kelce and Chris Jones and sign an extension with Tyreek Hill who is a free agent after next season. The Chiefs can save 8.4 million dollars by cutting linebacker Anthony Hitchens at any point and it would be 4.2 million in dead cap money. They can also cut linebacker Frank Clark after June 1st that would save them 19.5 million dollars and 6.8 million in dead cap. If they do it prior to June 1st they would save 12.7 million dollars but incur 13.6 million in dead cap. You add this all up and that is about 60 million in cap space created. 

Offseason to do list

  1. Re-sign Tyrann Mathieu.- Mathieu is a leader on and off the field and KC would be wise to bring him back.
  2. Re-sign Orlando Brown – Gave up a first round pick for him and good Left Tackles are hard to come by.  If no long term deal is reached franchise tag him
  3. Sign Juju Smith Schuster- YES the Chiefs NEED another receiver. Juju can open up the middle of the field to allow Tyreek Hill to do his thing. Just hope he doesn’t do TikTok videos. 
  4. Sign Jadeveon Clowney.-  Chiefs were 29th in the league in sacks last season. If they cut Clark and let Ingram walk they need to add a pass rusher and signing Clowney to a one year incentive laden deal could motivate the former number one pick.

Draft

RD 1 (30)- Kaiir Elam- Cornerback Florida. Both Charvarious Ward and Mike Hughes are free agents. Elam also gives them size and has played good competition in the SEC.

RD 2 (60) Cameron Thomas – Edge San Diego State. Frank Clark could be cut and Melvin Ingram is a free agent but either way the Chiefs were 29th in the NFL in sacks. Thomas had 10.5 sacks this season.

RD 3 (94) Cobe Bryant –  Cornerback Cincinnati. Bryant had 10 interceptions over his five years as a Bearcat. Gives the Chiefs a ton of upside on their backend.

Arizona Cardinals Season Recap/Offseason Needs

By: Mike Rifkin

The 2021 Arizona Cardinals started the season 7-0 and were the talk of the NFL. The Cardinals lost four of their final six games to finish the season at 11-6 which was good enough for a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. In the Wild Card Round they were defeated by the eventual Super Bowl the Los Angeles Rams. It was the first time the Cardinals had made the postseason since the 2015 NFC Championship Game. 

Quarterback Kyler Murray was near the top of the MVP race through the first eight weeks of the season. Murray hurt his ankle during their week eight loss to the Packers, and missed the next three games. Murray on the season had a 69.2 completion percentage for 3,787 yards 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The most alarming number for me is that Murray was sacked 31 times, someone with his mobility shouldn’t get sacked 30 times in a season. Recently Murray unfollowed the organization on Social Media. According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN Murray is described as “ self-centered, immature, and a finger pointer.” According to Mortensen Murray is frustrated with the franchise and believes he is being framed as the scapegoat for losing to the Rams in the Wild Card game. After completing his third season Murray is eligible for a contract extension, but if I was running the Cardinals I wouldn’t give him that massive extension yet. Technically Murray has one year left, but the Cardinals can use the fifth year option on him. While we have seen spectacular plays from Murray at times this was his best season. I would want him to prove he can do it one more time before I commit nearly 40 million dollars to him. 

Now one of the major reasons The Cardinals offense didn’t look the same was the injury to All Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins tore his MCL in a week 14 loss to the Rams. Hopkins on the season had 42 catches for 572 yards and eight touchdowns. The team went 1-4 in games Hopkins missed this season and their offense averaged 18.8 points per game. With Hopkins the Cardinals averaged 30. 2 points per game. In Hopkins absence somebody had to step up and that is what Christian Kirk did Kirk posted career highs in catches with 77 and yards with 982. He also had five touchdowns which was one shy of his career high posted in 2020. Kirk is an unrestricted free agent so it will be interesting to see what the Cardinals do with the former second round pick. Last offseason the Cardinals signed veteran receiver AJ Green to a one year deal. Green, who had spent his entire career with the Bengals up to this point, posted his most catches 54 and yards 848 since 2017. The Cardinals also added to their running game in the offseason they lost Kenyan Drake and replaced him with former Steeler James Conner. Conner posted a career high 15 touchdowns which was tied for second best in the NFL. The trio of Conner, Chase Edmonds and Kyler Murray averaged 122.1 yards per game rushing.  The Cardinals during the season traded for Eagles tight end Zach Ertz. Ertz, who also is an impending unrestricted free agent, had 56 catches for 574 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games for the Cardinals. 

The Cardinals didn’t just add stars on their offense, they added a massive star on defense as well. They signed future Hall Of Famer JJ Watt to a two year contract. Watt only had one sack on the season before a shoulder injury sidelined him up until the playoff game. But Watt’s presence is what makes the signing big because on the other side Chandler Jones returned after tearing his bicep in 2020. Jones came back in a big way by having five sacks in the season opening win over the Titans. On the season Jones had 10.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. Jones also will be on the free agent market. Arizona’s defense had two young players step up big time. Cornerback Byron Murphy turned into a number one corner and led the team with four interceptions. Second year linebacker Isaiah Simmons had a great year with 105 tackles, one and a half sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles. The Cardinals had an opportunistic defense with a +12 turnover differential which was fourth in the NFL. 

Early in the season Kyler Murray was the MVP frontrunner Kliff Kingsbury was the Coach of the year frontrunner. Kingsbury took the job specifically to take Murray as his quarterback. Now since there is pressure on Murray to win the same has to be said for the head coach who will also be entering his fourth season and the final one on his contract. 

The Cardinals have around 15 million dollars in cap space so they have some financial decisions to make.

  1. Cut or trade left tackle DJ Humphries or Justin Pugh. Humphries is in the last year of his three year 45 million dollar contract and getting rid of him would save the club 15 million dollars with about 4 million in dead cap. Pugh had a solid season but getting rid of him would save the team 10 million dollars with 2 million in dead cap.
  2. Cut linebacker Jordan Hicks. Hicks is in the final year of a four year 36 million dollar deal cutting him would save the Cardinals six and a half million dollars.
  3. Cut defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. Phillips signed a three year 30 million dollar contract in 2020. The last two seasons Phillips has played in nine games each. Cutting him would save the Cardinals 4 million dollars with nine million in dead cap.

So now the Cardinals have to decide how to go about the offseason

  1. Resign Zach Ertz and Christian Kirk. If you can fit both of them that would be great but if you have to decide on which one to bring back I would go Ertz. 
  2. Resign James Conner. Conner is going to get an increase in pay but he was so effective for the Cards I would bring him back.
  3. Sign Sheldon Richardson to a 1 year incentive laden contract to replace Jordan Phillips.
  4. Sign an edge rusher. Chandler Jones is not coming back most likely. If I can get a good edge rusher to pair with Watt and Zaven Collins the 2020 first round pick that can be very beneficial. 

Draft 

1st rd (23) Jermaine Johnson – edge rusher Florida State. If Cardinals cannot sign an edge rusher Johnson can come right in and be replacement for Jones

2nd rd (55) Tariq Woolen -Cornerback UTSA-  Cardinals have a need at Cornerback. Woolen is a big athletic corner who can pair with Byron Murphy.

3rd (87) Daniel Faalele – OT Minnesota- Very raw prospect who is 6 foot 8 and has a ton of upside in protecting Kyler Murray. 

Dolphins Season In Review/Offseason Needs

By: Mike Rifkin

The 2021 Miami Dolphins had expectations of being a playoff team after going 10-6 in 2020. Miami opened up the season with a week one victory over the New England Patriots and people were feeling good and then the wheels fell off and the Dolphins lost seven consecutive games. Then the Dolphins put themselves back into contention by being the first team in NFL history to have a seven game losing streak and a seven game winning streak in the same season. The major catalyst for the winning streak was the defense. In six of the seven games during the streak the defense has allowed 17 points or less and held teams to under 300 total yards. The defense which last season feasted on turnovers and having a +9 turnover differential, during this streak they have forced  14 turnovers.  For the second consecutive season the Dolphins controlled their playoff  destiny and in week 17 they got smoked by an AFC powerhouse as they lost to the Titans 34-3. They ended the season the same way they started it by beating the Patriots and for the first time since 2000 they swept New England. 

After the season Miami fired coach Brian Flores after three seasons. Flores went 24-25 in three seasons. The Dolphins have hired 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Mcdaniel to replace Flores.

Mcdaniel’s top priority is to decide whether or not Tua Tagovailoa is their future quarterback. The former fifth overall pick had a 67.8 completion percentage with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Tagovailoa did have to look over his shoulder up until the trade deadline where the Dolphins were interested in Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson who requested a trade from the Texans is facing 22 counts of sexual misconduct and assault. Miami averaged 20.1 points per game which was 22nd in the NFL. One of the few bright spots on Miami’s offense was rookie Jaylen Waddle who broke the record for most receptions in his rookie year with 104 catches for 1,015 yards and six touchdowns. Tight End Mike Geisicki had 73 catches for 780 yards and two touchdowns and was very reliable for Tua at points. One area Mcdaniel will certainly help is the Dolphins run game which averaged 92.2 yards per game, which was 30th in the NFL. Mcdaniel’s 49ers averaged 127.4 yards per game, which ranked seventh in the NFL. 

Mcdaniel will inherit a very good defense. A defense that was fifth in the NFL in sacks led by Emmanuel Ogbah nine and rookie Jaelan Phillips eight and a half. Last season the Dolphins were even in turnover differential, but in 2020 were third with a +9, led by Xavien Howard who had 10 interceptions. Howard in 2021 had five interceptions and is one of the premiere corners in the NFL. Rookie Safety Jevon Holland looks like the real deal. In his rookie year Holland had 69 tackles, two and half sacks, and two interceptions. 

Offseason Targets

  1. Sign Terron Armstead – Dolphins biggest need is the offensive line, in fact it’s offensive to watch them at times and I don’t trust the front office to draft well there. Armstead is the best Offensive linemen on the market. 
  2. Re-sign Emmanuel Ogbah – Since coming to the Dolphins Ogbah has 18 sacks. 
  3. Re-sign Mike Gesicki- Gesicki the former second round pick was the Dolphins second leading receiver last season and under Mcdaniel could get more targets
  4. Sign Laken Tomlinson – Once again addressing the biggest need the Offensive line Tomlinson a 49er is someone who can come right in and play in a system he is familiar with. 
  5. Acquire TWO receivers. I know you can also address the position in the draft, but there are some good young receivers available as free agents. The Dolphins tried this route last year with Will Fuller and it didn’t work. I don’t think the Dolphins will throw all of their money at someone like Davante Adams. Two names I find interesting are Michael Gallup from the Cowboys and Chris Godwin from the Bucs both are coming off Torn ACL’s but if given multi year deals can help. DJ Chark is another receiver I think there could be interest in. Prediction: Dolphins sign Gallup and pull off a trade with the Falcons for Calvin Ridley. 
  6. Trade for a Running back – the name that comes to mind is Raheem Mostert in San Francisco and it shouldn’t cost that much in compensation. Mostert is coming off injury but knows Mcdaniel’s system. I would pair Mostert with someone in the draft and be done with Myles Gaskin.

Draft 

RD 1 PK 29:  Kenneth Walker Running Back Michigan State

RD 2 PK 50: traded to Falcons for Ridley if kept Christain Harris linebacker Alabama

RD 3 PK 100: Alec Lindstrom Center Boston College

The Dolphins have their coach in Mcdaniel, now it is time to surround Tua with weapons to see if he is the quarterback of the future. This entire offseason should be dedicated to making sure the organization gives Tua every opportunity to succeed.

The Gamble Paid Off

By: Mike Rifkin

The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in the Super Bowl. The Rams pushed all their chips onto the table and went all in and that gamble paid off and the guys they went all in for played a huge role in their victory.

Let’s start with Matthew Stafford who the Rams acquired in the offseason for quarterback Jared Goff and two first round picks. Stafford during the regular season was second in the NFL with 41 touchdowns and was tied for the lead in interceptions with 17. Stafford had a 0-3 record in the playoffs as a member of the Detroit Lions with four touchdowns and three interceptions. On his run with the Rams Stafford had a 70.0 completion percentage with nine touchdowns and three interceptions and a 108.3 quarterback rating. 

Next we have Odell Beckham Jr. who was cut by the Browns earlier this season. He signed a one year contract worth 750,000 dollars and with incentives could reach around 4 million dollars. Beckham had been great for the Rams down the stretch and in the playoffs. Beckham had 21 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs. In the Super Bowl Beckham had two catches for 52 yards and a touchdown before injuring his knee. Beckham played a major role for the Rams after they lost receiver Robert Woods to a torn ACL. 

Then there is Von Miller who the Rams acquired in a trade with the Denver Broncos. The Rams traded a second and a third round pick in the 2022 draft. Miller, who was the MVP of Super Bowl 50 for the Broncos had four sacks in the playoffs including two in the Super Bowl. With his two sacks in the Super Bowl Miller has tied Hall of Famer Charles Haley with four and a half sacks in two Super Bowl appearances. 

Now in order to go all in you have to have a core that you believe in and the Rams have quite the core. Aaron Donald who is the best non quarterback in the NFL had done everything in the league but win the Super Bowl. Donald had three and a half sacks in the playoffs including two in the Super Bowl and on the final play for the Bengals Donald got pressure on Joe Burrow right off the snap and Burrow had to throw an incompletion. Donald and Miller combined for four of the seven Rams sacks. 

Then there is Cooper Kupp who was the Super Bowl MVP. Kupp had eight catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Kupp on the final drive also converted a fourth and one with a seven yard run. Kupp, who was the only player besides Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady to get an MVP vote, was the Offensive Player of the year. Kupp won the receiving triple crown by leading the NFL in catches, yards, and touchdowns. Kupp is the second player in NFL history to win the triple crown, offensive player of the year and Super Bowl MVP along with Jerry Rice. But Kupp is the first player to do it all in one season. 

The job Les Snead and Sean Mcvay did with this team was tremendous. They pushed their chips to the table and it paid off. The Rams have three draft picks in the 2022 draft, a fifth round pick and two seventh round picks but they can say they are Super Bowl Champs.

NFL TEAM SONGS

2021/2022

Beginning of the year

&

End of the Year

By Mark Halpern

So this article is just like my Cowboys version, but this represents what I think the team’s songs are based on what they look like before the season. At the end of the season, I will do another article on songs based on their final record.

 Arizona Cardinals: Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones          

Atlanta Falcons: I Still Haven’t Found What I Am Looking For by U2     Carolina

Panthers: Wannabe by The Spice Girls     

 Chicago Bears: I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor 

     Dallas Cowboys: Enter Sandman by Metallica 

     Detroit Lions: What’s New Pussycat by Tom Jones 

     Green Bay Packers: It’s The End of The World as we know it by R.E.M. 

     Los Angeles Rams: I Got A Feeling by The Black-Eyed Peas 

     Minnesota Vikings: I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith 

     New Orleans Saints: All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow

New York Giants: Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie              

Philadelphia Eagles: I Wanna be Sedated by The Ramones 

     San Francisco 49ers: Hello by Lionel Richie

Seattle Seahawks: U Can’t Touch This by MC Hammer

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: We Are The Champions by Queen Washington Football Team: Horse With No Name by America and George Martin Baltimore Ravens: Gonna Make You Sweat by C and C Music FactoryBuffalo Bills: Rebel Yell by Billy Idol 

Cincinnati Bengals: When The Going Gets Tough/The Tough Get Going by Billy Ocean

Cleveland Browns: Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes

Houston Texans: Runaway Train by Soul Asylum 

Indianapolis Colts: The Boys are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy Jacksonville Jaguars: Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana 

Kansas City Chiefs: Thriller by Michael Jackson

Las Vegas Raiders: Take on Me by A-HA 

Los Angeles Chargers: Lightnin Strikes by Lou Christie 

Miami Dolphins: Paradise City by Guns and Roses

New England Patriots: {Everything I do} I Do it for You by Bryan Adams New York Jets: Tubthumping by Chumbawamba

Pittsburgh Steelers: Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen 

Tennessee Titans: Hey Ya by Outkast   

  So this is my take on the N.F.L. teams and what I see for this season. Check back after the SuperBowl for what song their season represents.

Well we Have reached that moment in our season where we see where our teams stacked up.

  Arizona Cardinals: You can’t always get what u want by The Rolling Stones

  Atlanta Falcons: Time to move on By  Tom petty

  Carolina Panthers: It’s the end of the world as we know it BY R.E.M

   Chicago Bears: Another one bites the dust by Queen

   Dallas Cowboys: Where have all the Cowboys gone Paula Cole

   Detroit Lions: See you in September by The Happenings

   Green Bay Packers: Without Me Eminem

    Los Angeles Rams: We are the Champions Queen

    Minnesota Vikings: We didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel

     New Orleans Saints: Pain by 3 days grace

     New York Giants: Hit the road Jack by Ray Charles

     Philadelphia Eagles: it must have been bad blood Taylor Swift

     San Francisco 49ers: I need a hero by Bonnie Blair

    Seahawks: 2 legit to quit by MC Hammer

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Yesterday by the Beatles

   Washington Commanders: The land of confusion bt R,E,M

   Baltimore Ravens: I wanna fly like an Eagle by Steve Miller

Buffalo Bills: Keep your head up by Andy Grammar

Cincinnati Bengals: Hey look Ma I made It by Panic at the Disco

Cleveland Browns: Don’t count us out Flawes

Denver Broncos: Hot and Cold by Katy Perry

Houston Texans: I Love it by Icono Pop

Indianapolis Colts:  I got a feelinging Blue Suede

Jacksonville Jaguars: Daniel tiger theme song

Kansas City Chiefs: I’m Still Standing Elton John

Las Vegas Raiders: I can make your hands clap by D.J. Vedder

Los Angeles Chargers: Walking on sunshine by Katrina and the Waves

Miami Dolphins: Somewhere Under the Sea from the Little Mermaid

New England Patriots: Without me Eminem

New York Jets: take a chance on me by ABBA

Pittsburgh Steelers: working in a coal mine by Lee Dorsey

Tennessee Titans: Forever in Blue Jeans by Neil Diamond

Stay tuned if we ever do have an MLB season cause I will do one for that league as well.

DALLAS COWBOYS 2021-22 SEASON REVIEW

By Mark Halpern

        Well, another season has come and gone, ending without a Super Bowl appearance. The Cowboys had a good season going 12-5 compared to 6-10 last year. This season was primed for the Cowboys to run the table offensively. However, when you looked at this Offense of Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliot, Amari Cooper, Cee Dee Lamb, and the Offensive Line, injuries didn’t help. The Offense averaged 407 yards a game, and 31 points per game should have been enough to win any game (I will get to why it wasn’t) in the N.F.L. Now the Defense was going to be the question on this team, epically with the new Defensive Coordinator in Dan Quinn. However, the Defense was loaded with talent that was learning a new scheme ended up being the talk of the N.F.L. for most of the season.

The Cowboy’s Defense certainly outshined the Offense. Players like Trevon Diggs set a league-high with 11 interceptions; Micah Parsons was named Defensive rookie of the year and has been in the mention for defensive player of the year, Vander Esch, Demarcus Lawrence, and Randy Gregory, just to name a few caused opposing offenses terrible havoc. The Dallas defense finished 20th in the league this year compared to the 23rd last year. The difference was that this was a new scheme, and injuries plagued the year. The Cowboys won the N.F.C. East but was defeated by the 49ers in the Wild Card game (A game they should have won.) The Player of the year for the Cowboys was Micah Parsons.

     There is nothing against trying to keep up with the Joneses, but, as the owners and G.M., they need to look at this seriously. The Dallas offensive line with some good pieces is getting old and more injury-prone. This N.F.L. draft will be a massive opportunity for Dallas to do so. Dallas also must resign Randy Gregory and make it an immediate priority to get out of the way. After his comeback from substance abuse issues, he has shined. Randy is valued at the N.F.L. market rate at $13mil a season. I would go five years, $68million, and make $30 million guaranteed. Even though the Dallas secondary did well, they need a decent number 2 cornerback. Anthony Brown tried to fill those shoes and had an ok season, but he was burned way too many times. I would also look at the Quarterback situation cause as many teams might go offensive and defensive line, there could be another diamond in the rough in the second or third round.

     It makes sense when you take what I want to do with the Cowboys. These areas, especially the offensive line, need help, and you can’t always rely on free agency to fill all your problems, or free agency can hinder your salary cap. Draft them young and develop these players. I know what the Rams did and bought and traded for a win-now team. Dallas is in win mode, but they also need to be at the top and be like the New York Yankees of baseball and go back on a Dynasty streak.