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.

Oil Spill

By: Mike Rifkin

On Thursday the Edmonton Oilers fired head coach Dave Tippett. The Oilers returned from the All- Star Break with back to back losses to the Vegas Golden Knights and the Chicago Blackhawks. Edmonton was outscored 8-1 in those two games. Tippett was 95-62-14 as the Oilers head coach and 1-7 in the playoffs. Edmonton currently sits in fifth place in the Pacific Division, six points out of third place in the division and five points out of the second wild card spot. Edmonton started the season 16-5-0 and are 7-13-3 since. Tippett will be replaced by Jay Woodcroft who coaches the American Hockey League affiliate in Bakersfield. 

The Oilers have two of the five best players in the world in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisatil. Both have won Hart Trophies and both are in the top three in the Art Ross race right now. After the firing of Tippett, McDavid is now on his fourth coach in seven seasons and Draisaitl is on his sixth coach in eight seasons.  In the McDavid /  Draisaitl era the Oilers have only advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs once and that was the 2016-17 season. 

Dave Tippett was the fall guy, but a lot of the Oilers problems start with Hall of Fame General Manager Ken Holland. Holland was very busy last offseason. He signed Zach Hyman from the Maple Leafs to a seven year 38.5 million dollar contract with an average annual value of 5.5 million dollars per season.  Holland also traded for former Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe winner Duncan Keith. Keith who is 38 years old has two years left on his contract at 5.538 million dollar AAV. Duncan Keith is a future Hall of Famer for sure but for the Oilers to take that whole contract is bad business. Holland re-signed former first overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to a eight year 41 million dollar contract with an AAV of 5.125 million dollars. Nugent -Hopkins has 33 points in 37 games this season but only six goals. They also re-signed defenseman Darnell Nurse to a eight year 74 million dollar contract that kicks in next season. Nurse had a career high 16 goals last season, this season Nurse has four goals and 19 points in 37 games. My issue here is not with these players they are very good but if you add McDavid (15.3), Draisaitl (10.4), Nurse (6.9), Keith (6.8), Hyman (6.7) and Nugent -Hopkins (6.3) they take up 52.4 % of the Oilers salary cap. 

But the real reason I will never take Edmonton as a serious Stanley Cup contender is their goaltending. Mikko Koskinen has a record of 16-8-2 with a Goals Against Average of 3.15 and a save percentage of .900. Mike Smith who has been out most of the season with injuries has a 2-4-1 record with a 3.83 Goals Against Average and a .890 save percentage. Smith will also turn 40 in March. They have to figure a way to upgrade that position and they have seen multiple goalies on the market at times. 

Hockey fans would love to see McDavid make a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ken Holland has to figure a way to make this happen otherwise McDavid could potentially ask out of Edmonton.