Rick Zolzer The Voice of the Hudson Valley Renegades

By Mark Halpern & Lawrence Lang

Rick Zolzer 

The Voice of the Hudson Valley Renegades Of the Hudson Valley Renegades

By Mark Halpern & Lawrence Lang

A few weeks ago, Lawrence “Patch-man” Lang and I (Mark “Old Ops Guy” Halpern) wrote an article regarding the sale of the Single-A Baseball Club the Hudson Valley Renegades and did a direct interview with President Steve Gliner. This article is about the one true voice of the Hudson Valley Renegades.

     We all know that baseball has become more of a business these days than a sport of just enjoyable fun. Fun is an interesting word to use. I mean, why go to the ballpark if it’s not to have some fun in more ways than one. For more than 25 years, Rick Zolzer, known as “THE ZOLZ,” has been the PA announcer for the Hudson Valley Renegades and for several years he is also serves as the Vice President of the club. The Hudson Valley Renegades are a High A full season team and a New York Yankees Affiliate. 

MARK HALPERN: “Please tell me how you got to where you are in the Renegades Organization?”

Zolz: My first season with the Renegades was in 1994 when I was a part-time PA announcer. In 95 I worked fulltime for the club for one year and was fired after the season based on a very shaky relationship with the GM at that time. I returned as a Part-Time Announcer in 1999 while my real job was the head of special events and marketing for the YMCA in Poughkeepsie. A few years later, I was brought back fulltime to take over the Renegades Special Events and Promotions department. After several more years then GM Eben Yeager, elevated me VP, and that’s where I am today.”

    When you go to a major league stadium, the PA announcers really can’t do more than announcing players names & sponsorship reads.

In Minor League Baseball, a good PA Announcer needs to have a personality, and that is something Zolz brings to the Ballpark every game. I have worked for the man personally, and he is the person who can make you hate him one moment but then love him the next. This is what it takes in baseball because if you can’t motivate your people, on either side of the coin you’re not going to last very long and he’s been around for 28 years and counting.

Mark Halpern: What is one moment from your time as the Renegades PA you remember the most?”

Zolz: “I got thrown out of a game in 1995. In any given game, no make that ten games, how many times do you see a balk called? There had been three balk calls in the first few innings. So, I start playing some funny tunes and noises that were subtly directed at the umps. Now back then, there used to be a phone that was in the first base dugout that the umpires could call up to the booth. So, I got into heated little chat with one of the umpires. You could hear the team and crowd ragging on this umpire, frankly with good reason. I said to the umpire “in all my years being in baseball; I have never seen so many balks called. I know you are trying to get noticed, but this isn’t the way to do it.”  So, I turned my mic on so the fans could hear what I was saying to this guy.ner hea His partner heard only one half of the argument and went sprinting to the dugout to tell his partner what was going on – He said he would throw me out of the game if I did it again and I said to him “there is no way a guy who went to his senior prom 4 months ago can run me”…The crowd got angrier and he said enough – I knew I was at the line so I shut up turned off my microphone and we all got back to baseball. An inning later they call the 4th balk and I said nothing – Once the 5th balk was called, I said on the PA “Are you kidding me? The only way either one of you two gets to the big leagues will be if you buy a ticket!” At this point the guy on the bases reaches all the way down to his feet and tosses me out – I figured I was going to get fired so better make a statement on the way out. Instead of going down the back way in shame I go out the front window and wave to the crowd! At the bottom of the stairs a bunch of fans carried me out of the 1st base breezeway. The team was down at the time, came back to win the game then all chipped in to pay my fine. Local cable news got it on the air and it then ended up on live at 5 with Len Berman then being the bumper of the NBC Network news broadcast and finally in Sports Illustrated….Man I got a ton of millage out of that and last year I got a bobblehead to commemorate it

Halpern: “So in today’s world, you went “Viral?”

Zolz: “Yes, I definitely went “Viral” that night.”

    Last year The Hudson Valley Renegades celebrated this moment by creating a Bobblehead of Zolz leaning out of his Press Booth and waving goodbye to the crowd. I am proud to say I not only have one, but it is autographed on my shelf.

   Now I mentioned earlier that Zolz is a great events and promotions coordinator. He has been involved with countless promotions and sponsorships over the years. Like anyone who works there, Zolz is about fun; however, he is very business oriented. Whether running youth baseball camps during the summer or hosting a slew of special events during the on and off-season, Zolz has got a full plate.

Halpern: “Now that you are a New York Yankee affiliate and no longer a Tampa Rays affiliate, do you think companies (new and old) will be more willing to buy advertisements and other promotional sponsorships?”

ZOLZ: “I can tell you this, people who used to be a part of the Renegades corporate family with us back in the day have been calling me wanting to return to part of this exciting change. I am actually getting ready to go to a meeting with a long-time client after this.”

      Nothing against the Tampa Rays organization, but when you put the most popular Baseball franchise in Baseball history anywhere, it will draw attention. Dutchess Stadium is about an hour and twenty min from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx so, you know that many of the people will be chomping at the bit to come to watch the Baby Bombers  play.

      With the former owners, The Goldklang Group selling the team to Diamond Baseball Holdings, Lawrence Lang was interested in knowing how Zolz felt about the sale.

Lawrence Lang: What was your reaction to the sale of the club, and what do you think of Diamond Baseball Holdings?”

ZOLZ: “I wasn’t surprised, it has been very tough on ownership over the last few years with covid and it very tough to make money. So, our old owners saw a great business opportunity and took it. For them and the community this is a great mood. I met Peter Freund of D.B.H. a couple of times at our Goldklang meetings, and he is a great guy, funny, and very savvy.

    Whether they are Sports Franchises or mom and pop stores, companies have been suffering due to the pandemic. Many stores and businesses that have been around for years had to close their doors based on the ripples in the water from this issue. So, business decisions are what they are, and it is meant to be what’s best for the company. Lawrence and I are very excited to see what D.B.H. will do not only with the team but with the stadium. The stadium was completely refurbished with new seats, lighting, food areas, suite rooms for rent for games, and the esthetic is getting better every year.

Zolz is also in charge of the Fun Team which is a group of interns from colleges all over the northeast who help do all the wacky antics on the field, in the stands, and at the front gate during the season. Zolz and his crew work very hard to create an atmosphere that will create smiles and memories for families from all over the Hudson Valley.

     So, who doesn’t love on the field games in between innings of a baseball game?  Even games after the game are a important part of the show at the Dutch. For as long as Lawrence and I can remember all that fun and action is one of the main reasons they have been so successful all these years. From being an intern and working fulltime for the Gades I have seen so many games take place during a game that were a huge hit with the fans and there are a few that come to mind that I can remember in particular that always hit the mark. 

Let’s Make a Deal – seems simple right? Zolz will say, “let’s make a deal” whether it’s a $2 bill, a candy bar that has not been unwrapped yet, or an ugly driver license photo, if you have what he is looking for you better get your butt to the PA booth. Here is where it gets funny cause Zolz will give directions to his booth, and people still fail to listen to him (are you kidding me in the words of Zolz) and can’t find it or bring the wrong item (and he will let them know on the mic). People who sit in front of the PA Booth have to take an extra step .He says to make it fair since you are so close because he will remind them they must go all the way down the stairs and come back up to win whatever he is looking for. From experience being up close, people are always jockeying for position to get up the stairs as if it was a Black Friday sale at Target to win. The best part is that if you screw up, Zolz will call you out and they will be promptly booed by the crowd. Let’s Make a Deal is a staple at the Dutch and ridiculously popular based on its simplicity. 

Stroller Derby: This game takes me back to my days as a kid because it was my favorite game that Zolz and the fun team did, and the game still comes around once and a while to this day because it was such a great game. Three guys are given a stroller and a baby doll in a simple concept game. Their goal is to race each other to a changing station. They must change the doll diaper off, clean its bottom with a baby wipe, put a new diaper on, and then put the baby back in the stroller and race to the finish line. One night, an interesting case happened with this game and was something me and Zolz reminisced on this moment a while back because we both remembered it. 

The game started as usual as all three guys got the job done with changing. One guy got a little quick for himself, tripped over feet, and beefed it on the ground. The gentleman preceded to get up and try to cheat to win and Zolz called him on it and DQ him. The good old K-word came around karma. The gentleman forgot to dump his stroller and the baby fell out of the stroller and of all things the baby doll head came off. Hence, in Zolz fashion, he made a joke to send fans into laughter. Now the events after are what makes this game memorable. Just seeing the events that night makes this game rememberable because this game, anything can happen at any time, and if something does, Zolz will be there with the call.

Tennis Ball Toss: This game has been a staple at Renegades games ever since I remember going as a fan. This simple game usually happens after fireworks. The game is simple: hula hoops are scattered on the infield, usually down the first and third baselines, some at second base, and of course, Rascal, who is seated right in front of the pitcher’s mound with his big bucket. You toss the tennis ball from either the first or third base seats, and if you win, you get a prize. Prizes have ranged over the years from tickets, movies, gems to even a tv. Usually, if a big prize was given out one night, the hula hoop was placed way out behind second base (must work for the prize because Zolz wouldn’t make it that easy for you to win the big prize). Now, if a big prize was not given out a night for tennis balls, that’s where Rascal comes into play with his bucket. If you got it in his bucket, you won all prizes given out for that night. Now a sight to see his hundreds of tennis balls thrown at once on the field going in all directions, whether it was at the hula hoops, interns, Rascals, and his bucket, or even Zolz.

(because who wouldn’t want to peg him with a tennis ball if you had the chance? You might get the Medusa stone stare of death if the hit was pulled off, but he would laugh it off after the stare). This was just a simple game that was easy to pull off and has been a success ever since its inception. The only thing that sucked for this was as an intern and helping Rascal was to clean up something that still gives nightmares occasionally because it was a pain to clean up 1,000+ tennis balls and collect them for the next time.  

Pokémon (The Grid): The last game that gets the crowd pumped up is Pokémon. Simple, you have a bunch of mascots out on the field, whether it was Captain America, Iron Man, Lego Batman, Mario, and Luigi, a Poop Emoji, Rascal, to occasional Intern who broke loose from its shed even the fan-favorite Pikachu was here for this game. Three Kids are given three giant pokeballs to throw around and try to catch all the mascots they can in a 60-second time frame by hitting the mascots with a Pokeball. What makes this game the good old term will take from pro wrestling: the oversell. What makes the game is the mascots overselling being hit by the Pokeball cause the game is there for the kids but also to put on the entertainment aspect as well because who doesn’t want to see mascots fall in theater-like performance and speaking from experience if you get the oversell to work you will stand out. The crowd will love you because you did your job.   

Another advantage of being the great Zolz is that he has announced great names such as Josh Hamilton, Evan Longoria, Wade Davis, and other big names that have come through the Hudson Valley over the years. With the Renegades being a Yankee affiliate, there is a lot of hype about Yankee Prospect Jason Dominguez and when he will make his arrival and come through. Of course, Zolz is excited to see him, but he has another player he is very excited to see.

HALPERN: “Who are you most excited to see this season?”

Zolz “That is a very hard question. I mean, yes, I want to see Dominguez and Volpe and a ton of our guys play. However, I am excited to see Andres Chaparro. I watched this kid from when he arrived mid-season last year and have watched what he has done in the instructional leagues, and he not only has a glove, but his bat is also coming along, and he has some big-time pop. I truly hope we get to see a full season cause this individual is a heck of a ballplayer.”

     Rick Zolzer is what baseball is about; from his talk and swagger, Zolz is famous at Dutchess Stadium. He plays the proper form of a Public Announcer before the game, but during the game, his antics and collaboration of the fun team and Mascots make the entire day a worthwhile trip and a fun experience. When you come to a game, and one of those Yankees hit a dinger, listen for Zolz’s signature “Yes You DID!” after the ball clears the wall.

Vikings Season In Review/Offseason Preview

By: Mike Rifkin

If you were to sum up the Minnesota Vikings 2021 season in one word to me that word would be disappointing. The Vikings finished with an 8-9 record which was second in the NFC North. After the season the Vikings fired General Manager Rick Spielman and coach Mike Zimmer. Zimmer was fired after eight seasons. Spielman was replaced by Kwesi Adofo- Mensah who was the Vice President of Football Operations for Cleveland Browns. Zimmer was replaced by Kevin O’Connell, the Rams offensive coordinator. O”Connell inherited an offense that was twelfth in the NFL in total yards averaging 362.8 yards per game and 25.0 points per game. 

O’Connell will reunite with quarterback Kirk Cousins, who he coached for one season in Washington. Cousins is often criticized for not being worth the contract he signed. It’s a fair criticism of Cousins but  Cousins has put up good numbers. In 2021 Cousins had a 66.3 completion percentage 4,221 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions and averaged 271.0 yards per game. Is Cousins going to be Aaron Rodgers, no but he does enough with what he has to elevate Minnesota. 

O’Connell will also be getting one of the best Running Back duos in the NFL. Dalvin Cook was fifth in the NFL in rushing with 1,159 yards averaging 89.2 yards per game and had six touchdowns in 13 games played. Cook is one of the elite running backs in the league he just has to stay healthy, in his career Cook has never played a full season. Alexander Mattison is one of the best backup running backs in the league In 16 games played Mattison posted career highs in yards with 491 and touchdowns with three. If Minnesota wants to keep Cook healthy using Mattison more would surely help them. 

The Vikings offense also possesses one of the best receiving duos in the NFL with Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Jefferson was second in the league in receiving yards with 1,616 yards, fourth in catches with 108 and had 10 touchdowns. In his two seasons in the league 196 catches for 3,016 yards and 17 touchdowns. Adam Thielen had 67 catches for 726 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games played. K.J Osborn had a breakout season with 50 receptions for 655 yards and seven touchdowns. 

The Viking defense gave up 25.1 points per game in 2021. They gave up 383.6 yards per game which ranked 30th in the NFL, they were second in sacks with 51 and were fifth in turnover differential with a +11. Safety Xavier Woods and linebacker Anthony Barr were tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Defensive End Danielle Hunter had six sacks but was limited to seven games due to a torn pectoral muscle. The two prior seasons Hunter had 14.5 sacks in both seasons. 

The Vikings currently sit 14 million dollars over the salary cap. Ways the Vikings could save cap is trading defensive tackle Michael Pierce before June 1st would save them 6.5 million dollars, Trading defensive Tackle Armon Watts could save 2.54 million dollars, Trading Center Garrett Bradbury could save 2.25 million dollars. Minnesota also has to find a way to restructure Kirk Cousins contract and his 35 million dollars guaranteed. Trading Cousins would create 45 million dollars in dead cap for the Vikings. 

Free agency

  1. Sign Brian Allen – If the Vikings get rid of Bradbury Allen is a perfect replacement. He played for Kevin O’Connell with the Rams.
  2. Sign Maxx Williams – Former Cardinal went to the University of Minnesota and is coming off a torn ACL which means he won’t be an expensive pickup. Vikings have a need at tight end
  3. Re-sign Xavier Woods and Patrick Peterson. Woods tied for the team lead with three interceptions and both he and Peterson bring a good veteran presence to the defense.

Draft

RD 1 (12) – Ahmad Gardner Cornerback Cincinnati: The best corner in the draft Gardner is a tall corner who had a good career with the Bearcats. Needs to improve on some things but can start day one. Other names to watch: Derek Stingley Jr Cornerback LSU, David Ojabo Edge Michigan, Charles Cross OT Mississippi State

RD 2 (46) –  Damone Clark Linebacker LSU: Brings size and speed to the linebacker position. If Anthony Barr departs in free agency Clark can replace him. Other Names to watch Jalen Wydermyer Tight End Texas A&M, Jaquan Brisker Safety Penn State

RD 3 ( 77) – Charlie Kolar Tight End Iowa State: More of a receiving tight end Kolar put up solid numbers for the Cyclones. If the Vikings sign Maxx Williams he can be the blocking tight end for the duo and give Kirk Cousins another solid weapon. Other names to watch Verone Mckinley Safety Oregon, Christopher Allen Edge Alabama.

TWIW – This Week In Wrestling (2/27/22 – 3/4/22)

By Jeff Knapp

In unbelievable news, Tony Khan has purchased Ring Of Honor and their video tape library. The wrestling world is buzzing over this news. Hopefully there will be more news in the days to come to post to next week’s edition of TWIW

WWE – RAW

The KO Show starts the show with Owens in his amazing cowboy hat. Seth Rollins joins him and talk about “the two biggest WWE Superstars in History not on WrestleMania” but have an opportunity to change that when they challenge the Alpha Academy & the Street Profits next week on Raw for the Raw Tag Team Titles.

Non-Title Tag Team Match: Raw Tag Team Champions the Alpha Academy vs Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens – Rollins with a Buckle Bomb on Gable, followed by a Stunner by Owens, which leads to a Stomp from Rollings for the 1-2-3.

Omos vs T-Bar – Omos nails T-BAR with a two-handed Spinebuster toss.

6 Woman tag: Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan vs Nikki A.S.H., Doudrop, and Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch – Belair hits the KOD on Nikki for the pinfall, but not before whipping Becky multiple times in the stomach with her long hair.

Robert Roode w/ Dolph Ziggler vs NXT’s Tommaso Ciampa – Ciampa goes for a Fairy Tale ending, but Roode counters into a roll-up attempt. Roode finally connects with a Glorious DDT but Ciampa turns that into a roll-up for the 1-2-3.

After the match Ziggler and Roode attack Ciampa and say that Tuesday on NXT they’ll prove that the Dirty Dawgs are the dirties dogs in the game when they destroy Ciampa and Bron Breakker.

Mixed Tag: 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke & Reggie vs Tamina & Akira Tozawa – Brooke sends Tamina outside and Reggie hits a spinning move to down Tozawa and pick up the win.

The Mysterios vs The Hurt Business – Dominik sends Benjamin into the ring post and as the ref checks on Shelton, the Miz pulls Dom’s feet out from under him. Rey chases the Miz into the crowd, leaving Dominik by himself, allowing Shelton to roll up Dominik for the pinfall. Dom looks upset at his dad.

RK-Bro vs the Street Profits – Orton is looking for a RKO but Ford shoves him off and hits a leaping kick. Ford then goes to the top and hits his Skyscraper Frog Splash. Ford covers and Orton attempts to put his foot on the rope, but Dawkins blocks it for the pinfall victory.

Main Event: US Championship title match: Damian Priest(c) vs Finn Bálor – Bálor nails a Shotgun Dropkick on Priest into the corner and as Damien is on the mat, Bálor goes up top and connects with up the Coup De Grace for the 1-2-3 and becomes the NEW United States Champion.

After the match, Priest blames the fans for powering Finn to a win and “never” cheering for him. Priest then takes Finn outside the ring and nails him with Outsider’s Edge as he walks away.

Edge Addresses His WrestleMania Future and continues to offer up an open challenge for Wrestlemania. Who’s going to accept?

AJ Styles comes out and accepts the Wrestlemania match. Edge tells Styles he’s been wanting a match against him forever, but then demands he get the Phenomenal One and not the Styles who’s been playing “tag team bitch” to Omos. Edge offers to shake hands, but instead attacks AJ and eventually hits Styles with a one-man conchairto.

NXT

NXT Champion Bron Breakker & Tommaso Ciampa vs Raw’s the Dirty Dawgs – Ciampa ducks a Superkick from Ziggler and instead hits the Fairy Tale Ending on him for the 1-2-3.

LA Knight is in the ring and talks about his rivalry with Grayson Waller. He ends up challenging Waller to Last Man Standing match.

2022 Women’s Dusty Classic Quarter-finals Match: Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta vs Dakota Kai & Wendy Choo – Choo sends Hartwell out of the ring. Pirotta grabs Choo but Kai drops Pirotta with a running kick. Choo then tags in and Kai tags immediately after as Choo ascends the top and lands a splash/double stomp combo on Pirotta for the pinfall.

Amari Miller vs Lash Legend – Legend picks up the win off a modified Death Valley Driver for the 1-2-3.

Solo Sikoa vs WALTER – Sikoa heads up to and looks for an Uso Splash but WALTER moves and applies a sleeper but Solo breaks it with a jawbreaker. WALTER again applies a sleeper hold and now Sikoa starts to fade.The ref checks on him but WALTER transitions from the Sleeper to connecting with 2 powerbombs for the pinfall and ending Solo’s undefeated streak.

NXT Roadblock is next week and will be main evented by Bron Breakker defending his NXT Championship in a triple-threat match against Dolph Ziggler & Tommaso Ciampa. Also, LA Knight vs Grayson Waller in a Last Man Standing match and The Creed Brothers will challenge Imperium for the NXT tag titles.

Harland w/ Joe Gacy vs Draco Anthony – Harland slams Draco’s face into the match and picks up the pinfall.

2022 Women’s Dusty Classic Quarter-finals Match: Cora Jade & Raquel Gonzalez vs Yulissa Leon & Valentina Feroz – Raquel hits the Chingona Bomb, tags in Jade, Raquel hits a big boot followed by a cover from Jade to pick up the victory.

Andre Chase w/ Bodhi Hayward vs Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone – As Chase heads outside and confronts Robert Stone. When Andre reenters the ring, Wagner nails him with his slam for the victory.

Main Event: North American Championship: Carmelo Hayes(c) w/ Trick Williams vs Pete Dunne – Dunne looks for a Bitter End but Hayes counters with a cutter. As Hayes climbs the middle turnbuckle, Dunne is up fast and nails Carmelo. Trick Williams climbs the apron, distracting Dunne. Dunne snaps Williams’ fingers, but the distraction allows Melo the ability to shove Dunne off the top and follows it up with a top-rope leg drop for the 1-2-3.

After the match Carmelo Hayes announces that at NXT Stand & Deliver during WrestleMania weekend, he will defend his title in a ladder match against an as-yet-unnamed wrestler.

AEW – DYNAMITE

The show opens with Tony Khan announcing to the world that he has acquired ROH. He also mentioned that the main event at ROH’s 1st show was Bryan Danielson vs Christopher Daniels. With that said, that’s what will start off tonight’s show.

Bryan Danielson vs. Christopher Daniels – Both men adhere to the code of honor, with a handshake. Daniels goes for the Best Moonsault Ever but gets caught in the triangle choke from Danielson who then lands elbows to Chris’s head and the ref calls off the match.

After the match Bryan Danielson breaks ROH tradition by leading people to think he’s going to shake hands, but ends up stopping Daniels’ head. This leads to Mox coming out and Bryan tells him that this will be his head this Sunday at the Revolution PPV.

Casino Tag-Team Royale No. 2 to see who will face The Jurassic Express and Redragon at Revolution for the AEW Tag Team Titles: FTR vs Top Flight vs The Acclaimed vs The Dark Order’s Alan Angels &  #10 vs The Butcher & The Blade vs The Varsity Blondes vs  Santana & Ortiz vs Bear Country vs Best Friends vs The Dark Order’s  Stu Grayson &  Evil Uno vs The Young Bucks vs The Gunn Club vs Lee Johnson and Brock Anderson vs Team 2point0 – Darius Martin and Matt Jackson both go over the top rope and slug it out until Jackson connects with a superkick to eliminate Darius for the victory.

It will now be The Jurassic Express vs The Young Bucks and Redragon this Sunday at Revolution.

CM Punk comes out to address MJF’s promo from last week and asks himself if he’s the bad guy. MJF comes out looking sullen and when Punk offers his hand, MJF give him a hug, then kicks him right between the legs. MJF then brutally attacks him and busts him wide open. Wardlow and Shawn Spears come down, and while Wardlow looks disgusted, Shawn helps MJF hang Punk over the top rope with the dog collar and chain. As Punk is bleeding profusely, Sting and Darby Allin run out to make the save.

Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter vs. Thunder Rosa & Mercedes Martinez – As Hayter and Martinez fight on the floor, Thunder Rosa hits her finisher on Baker for the 1-2-3.

It’s announced that Sammy Guevara will defend his TNT Championship this Friday on Rampage against Andrade El Idolo and Darby Allin.

Wardlow vs. Cezar Bononi – Powerbombs and the match is over and so is Wardlow with the fans. Spears attempts to blast Cezar with a chair after the match, but Wardlow stops him. Shawn gets in Wardlow’s face, but quickly backs down.

MJF insults Wardlow, smacks him in the face and reminds him that Wardlow works for him as his bodyguard and not for AEW.

Main Event: “Hangman” Page, John Silver & Alex Reynolds vs. Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish – Cole “Lowers The Boom” on Alex Reynolds for the 1-2-3.

IMPACT

Eddie Edwards vs. Steve Maclin – Maclin wins via a DQ after getting hit with a kendo stick from Eddie

After the match both Team Impact & HNM both hit the ring, which leads to a match between Vincent and Heath

Heath vs Vincent – Heath connects with the Wake Up Call for the 1-2-3

Masha Slamovich vs. Rachell Pose – Masha delivers the snow plow for the pinfall.

G.O.D. talks about Jay White being a liar and how they brought in Jay White into Bullet Club and he betrayed them. VBD talks to them about having a business arrangement. They decide to make their presence felt and get The Good Brothers and The Bullet Club tonight.

Cassie Lee vs. Madison Rayne – Kaleb with a K catches Jessica McKay who fell off the apron and gently puts her down. This distracts Madison who gets finished off by Cassie for the pinfall.

Jake Something vows to capture the X-Division Championship from Trey Miguel this Sunday at Sacrifice.

Knockouts Title Eliminator: Tasha Steelz vs Chelsea Green – while on the outside, Chelsea gets ran over by Savanah while the ref was distracted. Green gets rolled into the ring allowing Tasha to hit a frog splash of the 1-2-3 and will now fave Mickie James for the Knockouts title.

Johnny Swinger vs. JONAH – JONAH hits a running senton and follows up with his Psunami splash for the pinfall

Main Event: The Bullet Club vs. Violent By Design & G.O.D. (NO DQ) – Joe Doering sets up a door in the corner then charges at Bey he rolls out of the way and Doering crashes through the door. White then follows that up with a Bladerunner on the steel chair for the 1-2-3.

WWE – SMACKDOWN

Intercontinental Championship Match: Sami Zayn(c) vs Ricochet – Johnny Knoxville comes out and distracts Sami, allowing Ricochet to roll up Sami for the win and become the NEW Intercontinental Champion

Backstage Sami Zayn has a complete meltdown and challenges Knoxville to a match at Wrestlemania

Austin Theory comes down ringside and informs Pat McAfee that he’s going to be his opponent at WrestleMania and then open hand slaps Pat across the face.

Naomi w/ Sasha Banks vs Carmella w/ Queen Zelina – Naomi gets the 1-2-3

Drew McIntyre vs Jinder Mahal w/ Shanky – Drew connects with a devastating Claymore for the pinfall victory.

Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs are attacked from behind by the Usos

SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: the Usos(c) vs the Viking Raiders – 1D on Erik for the 1-2-3.

Big E w/ Kofi Kingston vs Sheamus w/ Ridge Holland – New day come out on 4 wheelers, but are attacked by Sheamus and Ridge, who steal their 4 wheeler and drive off. (No Contest)

Main Event: Ronda Rousey(d) vs Sonya Deville – After tossing Sonya around for a bit, Ronda applies an armbar on Sonya for the submission victory

AEW – RAMPAGE

TNT Championship: Sammy Guevara (C) vs. Darby Allin vs. Andrade El Idolo – Darby connect with a Coffin Drop off the top-rope on Andrade, goes for the cover, but is broken up on 2 by Sammy, who cover Andrade for the 1-2-3.

Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews confront  Penta & PAC, but are surprised that they have somebody to watch their back. Out comes….Erick Redbeard (FKA Erick Rowan in the WWE)

Keith Lee vs. JD Drake – Keith Lee finishes Drake off with a sit down power bomb

The Professor’s 5-Minute Rookie Challenge: Serena Deeb vs. Leila Grey – Serenity lock by Deeb for the submission victory. After the match Hikaru Shida returns and whips Deeb with a Kendo stick and announces that she’s back.

Main Event: Face Of The Revolution Qualifier: Ethan Page vs. Christian Cage – Christian connects with the Killswitch for the 1-2-3 and is the final entrant in the Face of the Revolution ladder match at the Revolution PPV.

Colts Season In Review/Offseason Preview

By: Mike Rifkin

Everyone’s lasting image of the 2021 Indianapolis Colts was them getting manhandled by the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars which kept the Colts out of the playoffs. It’s been a long offseason in Indy especially for quarterback Carson Wentz. 

Wentz was acquired from the Eagles for a first round pick this year. Colts coach Frank Reich was the Eagles Offensive Coordinator in 2017 when Wentz was having the best year of his career and was the frontrunner for MVP before tearing his ACL. Reich and the Eagles still won the Super Bowl with Nick Foles at the helm. Wentz in 2021 had a 62.4 completion percentage with 3,563 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions, Wentz was also sacked 32 times. I don’t think this is a tough decision for Indy. I would keep Wentz unless I can go big. By big I mean trade for either Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, I would include Deshaun Watson here but I doubt Houston trades him within the division. Give Wentz another year and surround him with some playmakers. 

Speaking of playmakers, Jonathon Taylor who was in the MVP conversation until the end of the season led the NFL with 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns. Taylor averaged 106.5 yards per game. Taylor led the Colts to the second best rushing attack in the NFL averaging 149.4 yards per game rushing. 

Taylor wasn’t the only second year player to have a big year. Receiver Michael Pittman Jr. led the team with 88 catches for 1,082 yards and six touchdowns. Running backs Jonathon Taylor and Nyheim Hines were tied for second with 40 receptions each. If the Colts have one massive need it’s receiver 

Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was hired to be the new head coach of the Chicago Bears. Eberflus will be replaced by former Jaguars coach Gus Bradley. The Colts were 16th in yards allowed giving up 343.2 yards per game, and gave up 21.5 points per game. The Colts defense was 25th in sacks with 33.Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner led the team with seven. The Colts defense feasted on turnovers with 33 takeaways which gave them a +14 turnover differential which was tied with the Cowboys for the best in the NFL. The defense is led by linebacker Darius Leonard who had 122 tackles, four interceptions, and eight forced fumbles. Cornerback Kenny Moore matched his 2020 total with four interceptions. 

The Colts will have about 41 million dollars in cap space this offseason. This is a team that could be on the verge of something big in the AFC. Spending big money isn’t usually the plan in Indy but maybe that changes this offseason. 

Offseason to do list

  1. Extend Quenton Nelson. The team already picked up his fifth year option which is set at just under 14 million dollars. So the Colts can scrap it with an extension or extend him and that doesn’t kick in until next season it is vital the Colts get this done for one of the best offensive linemen in football.
  2. Re-sign Mark Glowinski and Matt Pryor. Keep one of the best offensive lines intact because the Colts want to establish their run game.
  3. Sign Allen Robinson or Chris Godwin. It doesn’t matter who the quarterback is, the Colts need someone opposite Pittman. Now if the Colts could land Rodgers this would say do everything you can to get Davante Adams, but Robinson and Godwin are very good recievers that can help Indy’s passing game. 
  4. Re-sign Zach Pascal. Pascal had a solid year in 2021 with 384 yards and three touchdowns. If the Colts sign one of the above receivers plus Pittman that is a solid group of three.
  5. Sign Hasson Reddick, Melvin Ingram or Jadeveon Clowney. Indy needs a pass rusher in the worst way. Reddick and Ingram would probably be multi year contracts but Clowney for the right price could sign a one year contract. 

Draft

RD 1 : Traded to Eagles for Carson Wentz

RD 2 : (47) Trey Mcbride: Colorado State Tight End. Good blocker and has great run after the catch. Uncertain of the futures of Mo Allie-Cox and Jack Doyle the Colts should grab the tight end. Other names to look for Kyler Gordon cornerback Washington, Cam Thomas Edge San Diego State

RD 3 (82) Cobe Bryant: Cincinnati Cornerback. Four year starter and with uncertainty about the futures of Xavier Rhodes and Rock Ya-Sin drafting Bryant could help the Colts secondary. Other name to watch : John Metchie Wide Receiver Alabama.

Once again if the Colts cannot acquire Rodgers or Wilson I would stick it out with Carson Wentz and surround him with talent because there is something here with the Colts.

Rob-bing Us Of Baseball

By: Mike Rifkin

On Tuesday it was announced that Major League Baseball and the Players Association could not come to terms on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. With that, Commissioner Rob Manfred has announced that the first two series of the 2022 season are canceled. There is only one individual to blame for this mess and that is Rob Manfred. 

Manfred announced the beginning of the lockout in December and said “Simply put, we believe that an offseason lockout is the best mechanism to protect the 2022 season. We hope that the lockout will jumpstart the negotiations and get us to an agreement that will allow us to start the season on time.” The next league proposal was 43 days later, if Manfred was serious about protecting the 2022 season it shouldn’t have taken 43 days to make an offer and wait until the last minute to try to facilitate a deal after Manfred and the owners imposed the lockout. His body language showed he seemed unaffected by the work stoppage by smiling and laughing at certain points during his press conference. Manfred was also asked  by a reporter “Why didn’t you negotiate over the last three months?” Manfred’s response was “We have been here for 10 days. That is my best answer.” The problem is that’s not an answer. Manfred imposed the lockout in December. Why are you waiting until the last possible minute to get a deal done? That shows you never wanted to work with the players on certain issues. 

So on revenue yes owners lost money due to the pandemic in 2020, but that too is Manfred’s fault because he is the guy who instituted the 60 game schedule. Manfred also said during his press conference “The concerns of our fans are at the very top of our consideration list.” All Rob sees in fans is their money because if he truly cared what the fans thought he wouldn’t have waited to negotiate the CBA. Also while they were down in Florida he wouldn’t have waited until Friday to see if he could help get a deal done. 

Baseball right now cannot afford a season long lockout because it’s popularity has dwindled. Yes there are a lot of people who love the game, but the NFL, NBA and a few others have surpassed MLB in popularity. Rob Manfred is the same guy who called the World Series trophy a hunk of metal, it’s time for baseball to get a commissioner who cares about the game because a lockout hurts the players and owners but the most affected by a lockout are the fans.

TWIW – This Week In Wrestling (2/19 – 2/25)

By Jeff Knapp

Congratulations to CM Punk for becoming the next wrestler inducted into the ROH Hall Of Fame

On 2/21 NJPW announced the 48-Man New Japan Cup tournament which will start on March 2nd and last through the 7th. The 16 winners will go on to face the 16 other wrestlers that received a first round bye to the second round. The second round will begin on March 9th, with the final match taking place on March 27th.

Jay White turns on founding Bullet Club members the G.O.D.

It appears that Drake Maverick who was released last year has been rehired by the WWE and will be part of Raw’s creative team.

The 2022 Crockett Cup has been announced for 3/29 and 3/30 and below are the brackets as the stand

“The Swiss Superman” Cesaro aka Claudio Castagnoli is no longer with the WWE by deciding to let his contract to expire and not resign with the company.

AAA – REY DE REYES

Taya Valkyrie def. Lady Maravilla, Lady Shani, Flammer and Keyra in a #1 Contender’s Match for the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship.

Los Vipers (Abismo Negro Jr., Psicosis and Latigo) def. Nino Hamburguesa, Mr. Iguana and Myzteziz Jr. in a 6-Man Tag Team Match.

Los Vipers (Chik Tormenta and Arez) (c) def. Sexy Star and Octagon Jr. and Los Mercenarios (La Hiedra and Villano III Jr.) in a Triple Threat Match to retain their AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championships.

La Familia Real (LA Park, LA Park Jr. and El Hijo de LA Park) def. Nueva Generacion Dinamita (El Cuatrero, Forastero and Sanson) and La Empresa (Sam Adonis, Puma King and DMT Azul) via DQ in a Triple Threat Trios Match.

Psycho Clown def. Heavy Metal, Laredo Kid, Cibernetico and Bandido in a Rey de Reyes Match.

Pentagon Jr. def. Dralistico in a Singles Match.

El Hijo del Vikingo (c) def. John Superstar to retain his AAA Mega Championship.

WWE -ELIMINATION CHAMBER

The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio – The Miz goes for the Skull crushing finale but Rey counters into a roll-up and scores the pinfall victory.

WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (C) vs. Goldberg – Goldberg connects with a giant spear then starts to set him up for the jackhammer, but Reigns counters into a guillotine choke. Goldberg fights is off as long as he can but passes out and the ref calls for the bell.

Women’s Elimination Chamber: Alexa Bliss vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan vs. Bianca Belair vs. Doudrop vs. Nikki A.S.H. –

Ripley hits the Rip-Tide on Nikki for the 1st elimination

Liv hits a wild top-rope sunset flip on Doudrop for the 1-2-3 and the 2nd elimination

Alexa connects with Twisted Bliss on Live for the 3rd elimination

Bianca hits the KOD on Ripley for the 4th elimination.

Bianca finally connects with another KOD on Alexa for the 5th and final elimination for the win and is now going to face Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 38 for the Raw Women’s title

Charlotte Flair & Sonya Deville vs. Ronda Rousey & Naomi – With one arm tied behind her back, Ronda Rousey locks in the arm bar on Sonya for the submission

Falls Count Anywhere: Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss – Drew hit the Future Shock DDT, then grabs Amber the sword and still connects with the Claymore Kick for the 1-2-3.

Raw Women’s Championship: Lita vs. Becky Lynch (C) – Lita hits a Twist of Fate. Lita then heads to the top rope and hits a Lita-sault, but only gets a two and a half count on Becky.

Lynch then nails Lita with her Man-Handle Slam for the pinfall.

SmackDown Tag-Team Championships: The Viking Raiders vs. The Usos (C) – The Usos attack the VR from behind and leave them laying. The match never happens

WWE Championship Elimination Chamber: Bobby Lashley (C) vs. Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles vs. Seth Rollins vs. Riddle vs. Austin Theory

Rollins hits a buckle bomb on Theory into Lashley’s pod but the force knocks Lashley backwards into the steel frame. Lashley is removed and sent in for concussion protocol. There will be a NEW WWE champion tonight no matter what.

Unable to wait any longer, Lesnar breaks through his own pod and makes an early entrance into the match.

Lesnar F5s Rollins for the pinfall and elimination

Seconds later Lesnar beats down Riddle and F5s him too for the 2nd elimination

Lesnar then beats down Styles and F5s him for the 3rd elimination

Lesnar and Theory are the last 2 men. Theory is running scared. He is able to low blow Lesnar, but that only makes him angrier. Theory tries to climb out of the Elimination Chamber although that can’t be done. Lesnar catches him and F5s him off the top of a pod and then gets the 4th and final elimination becoming the NEW WWE World Champion.

IMPACT – NO SURRENDER

X-Division #1 Contender Match: Ace Austin vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Jake Something vs. Chris Bey -Something hits the Into the Void on Austin for the 1-2-3 and is the new #1 Contender to the X-Division Title.

Jonah vs. Black Taurus – Jonah slams Taurus to the ring then a splash, followed by a Power Bomb for a 2 count. Jonah heads to the top turnbuckle for the Tsunami 1-2-3

Eric Young vs. “Switchblade” Jay White – White hits the Half and Half Suplex followed by the Bladerunner for the pinfall

ROH Women’s Championship: Deonna Purrazzo vs. Miranda Alize – Alize with a Rip Cord Knee followed by the MIranda Rights. Purrazzo turns it over for a cover but Alize kicks out at the two. Purrazzo with an Arm Bar for the submission

Impact Digital Media Championship: Matt Cardona (c) vs. Jordynne Grace – Matt Cardona looks to hit Grace with the chair but Jordynne nails Matt with a low blow giving Cardona the win via DQ.

Impact World Tag Team Championship: Good Brothers (c) vs. G.O.D. – Tonga and Loa look for the Magic Killer as Chris Bey distracts the referee. Tonga and Gallows spill over the top rope. While the ref is still distracted Jay White turns on the GOD but hitting the Blade Runner on Tonga. Allowing the Good Brothers to get the three count.

Knockouts World Championship: Mickie James (c) vs. Tasha Steelz – Mickie James rolls up Tasha Steelz for the pinfall victory

Impact World Championship: Moose (c) vs. W. Morrissey – While both men are down Moose jumps back to his feet as Morrisey struggles to his feet. Moose connects with a Spear for the 1-2-3.

Honor No More (Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, Vincent, PCO, & Kenny King) vs. Team Impact (Eddie Edwards, Chris Sabin, Rich Swann, Rhino, & Steve Maclin) – Edwards turns on Impact wrestling and nails Rhino with the kendo stick allowing Honor No More to get the win and can stay in Impact Wrestling.

WWE – RAW

The show opens with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar. He hypes his match at Wrestlemania against Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman comes out and tells Brock that he may not make it to WM as the WWE Champion because he has to defend his title at MSG on Saturday March 5th. Lesnar said he knows he has to be there, and he also said that he will be in Hershey, PA this Friday for Smackdown.

Backstage Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins claim they’re the best tag team champions on the roster. They announce that they’ll enter a tag title tournament in two weeks, and brag about going on to win the Raw tag titles, and then eventually challenging the Usos for the blue-brand titles, too.

Non-Title Tag Match: The Street Profits vs Raw Tag Team Champions the Alpha Academy – Ford hoists Otis up, cross-body style, but collapses, Otis lands on top of him, Gable holds his boot and the tag champs steal the win.

The Dirty Dawgs vs Finn Bálor & NXT’s Tommaso Ciampa – Ciampa connects with a step-up flying knee on Roode then attempts the Fairy Tale Ending but modifies it mid-move into a roll-up for the 1-2-3.

MizTV featuring the Mysterios – Miz challenges the Mysterios to a tag team match at WM. He introduces them to his partner, Logan Paul. They proceed to destroy the Mysterios.

Rhea Ripley vs Nikki A.S.H. – (for the 900th time) Rhea connects with Riptide for the pinfall.

NonTitle Match: United States Champion Damian Priest vs Shelton Benjamin – Priest hits South of Heaven followed by the Reckoning. For the 1-2-3.>

Priest announces that next week he’ll defend his title in an open challenge. Finn Bálor accepts the challenge and promises to give Priest the caliber of contender he’s been looking for.

Impromptu 24/7 Championship Match: Reggie “allows” Dana to cover him, but he kicks out twice. Finally, Dana kisses him and pins him at the same time to become the 24/7 champion. Catering comes to the ring and they escape.

Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch jaw jack each other until Bianca’s upcoming match starts

Bianca Belair vs Doudrop – Belair gets Dou up for the KOD and nails it for the pinfall victory. Bianca has to be the strongest lady on the roster pound for pound and possibly in the locker room as a whole.

Edge comes out and addresses the WWE Universe. Edge says he needs WrestleMania and it needs him. Edge then issues an open challenge to the locker room, telling someone, anyone to step up and prove themselves across from him in the ring on the grandest stage at all. He demands the boys step up.

Main Event: RK-Bro vs Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens – Riddle attacks Owens but Owens stomps Riddle’s exposed feet. On the outside, Rollins hits a Stomp on Orton. Riddle hits a Floating Bro to Owens. Seth Rollins is tagged in then Riddle looks for an RKO but Rollins & Owens counter and connect with a stunner and stomp for the 1-2-3.

Rollins & Owens will now face RK-Bro and the Alpha Academy in 2 weeks for the Raw tag titles.

NXT

NXT Champion Bron Breakker Addresses the NXT Universe. Bron promises to walk into WrestleMania weekend and the upcoming NXT Stand & Deliver event as the champ. Dolph Ziggler arrives and compliments then insults Bron. Dolph hypes his match later tonight.

LA Knight vs Grayson Waller w/ Sanga – Sanga, interferes and distracts Knight allowing Waller to capitalize for the win. After the match, Waller and Sanga attack LA Knight but he nails both with the BFD

2022 Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round Match: Io Shirai & Kay Lee Ray vs Amari Miller & Lash Legend – KLR connects with a KLR Bomb on Lash Legend. Io is then tagged in and hits her Moonsault for the 1-2-3.

Duke Hudson vs Dante Chen – Hudson hits the Razor’s Edge for the pinfall

North American Champion Carmelo Hayes with Trick Williams come to the ring and tells us how he stole the show last week. This leads to Pete Dunne coming out and challenges Melo to a match, which he accepts.

Trick Williams w/ Carmelo Hayes vs Cameron Grimes w/ Pete Dunne – Grimes nails Williams with the Cave In for the win.

Nikkita Lyons (debut match) vs Kayla Inlay – Nikkita wins with a spin kick and lays on her split legged style. She had our attention

Diamond Mine and Imperium are cutting a promo about the tag titles when the Creed Brother start fighting Marcel & Barthel on the outside. WALTER starts to walk towards Bivens, but Solo Sikoa attacks WALTER.

2022 Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, First Round Match: Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro vs the Diamond Mine – Carter and Catanzaro hit their finish neck breaker into a 450 splash finisher on Paxley for the 1-2-3.

After the match, Tatum Paxley is attacked by Ivy Nile until Roderick Strong calms her down and they back up the ramp together.

Main Event: NXT Championship #1 Contenders Match: Dolph Ziggler vs Tommaso Ciampa – Ciampa picks Ziggler hits Dolph with the Air Raid Crash on the apron. While the ref checks on Dolph a “Camera Man” nails Ciampa with the camera allowing Ziggler to connect with a Superkick for the 1-2-3. And becoming the #1 Contender for the NXT Championship.

After the match, the cameraman takes his mask off to reveal it’s Dolph’s tag team partner Bobby Roode. Breakker hits the ring challenges The Dirty Dawgs to a tag team match next week.

NWA – POWERRR

Jax Dane defeated Eric Jackson

Two-Out-Of-Three Falls: Colby Corino defeated Rhett Titus

Chelsea Green defeated Kenzie Page

NWA Women’s Championship: Kamille (c) defeated Taryn Terrell

AEW – DYNAMITE

Tag-Team Battle Royale: The Butcher & the Blade vs Private Party vs Santana & Ortiz vs Redragon vs FTR vs The Young Bucks vs The Dark Order vs The Gunn Club (Austin & Colton) vs Best Friends (Baretta & Orange Cassidy) vs 2Point0 – Matt Jackson and Kyle O’Reilly gang up on John Silver but as Matt goes to toss out John Kyle ends up tossing both men out and winning the match for Redragon and are now the #1 contenders for the AEW World Tag Team Championships.

MJF’s response to CM Punk’s Dog Collar Match is now addressed. MJF gives us a 10-star promo. He talks about he looked up to punk because of all the bullying and issues he went through as a kid but felt like Punk gave up and left him in 2014. He dropped his dream of being a pro wrestler because of that but saw a picture of Punk and Danielson and got that fire back years later. MJF mentioned how Punk said that autograph signing was just another Friday to him, but it meant the world to him that day because of all the nasty things said and done to him leading up to that day.

Punk comes to the ring and asks if that’s true. MJF won’t answer and just leaves the ring. That was an amazing segment.

Team 2.0 & Daniel Garcia Respond To Bryan Danielson and say they don’t need him.

Malakai Black & Brody King vs. PAC & Penta El Zero Miedo – Malakai Black attempts to spray the black mist into Penta, but Penta covers Black’s mouth and starts to choak on the mist leading to Penta getting the 1-2-3. After the match the House Of Black take out PAC attacks Penta with the shovel he brought to the ring. Black goes to take Penta out, but the lights go out. When they come back on Buddy Matthews (aka Buddy Murphy) is standing in the ring.  Black is shocked, as Buddy attacks PAC. Black soon lays a chair down and Buddy is prompted to stomp Penta’s face on the steel. The lights go out and the House Of Black vanish.

Eddie Kingston & Chris Jericho are in the ring demeaning each other. Jericho says that Eddie has the fear of winning the big one and can’t win the big one and in AEW he IS the big one. Eddie says he’s not a sports entertainer but a fighter and wants the old Jericho that turned WCW on its head and was the first to win the AEW Championship.

Backstage, Matt Hardy challenges Sting, Darby Allin and Sammy Guevara to face himself, Andrade and one of the members of Private Party in a Tornado trios match.

Face of the Revolution Qualifier: Ricky Starks vs. Dark Order No. 10 – Ricky pulls at 10’s mask and then spears him for the 1-2-3.

Backstage Adam Cole is trying to get The Young Bucks & Redragon to stop arguing and get along.

TBS Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (C) vs. The Bunny – Jade hits the Widow’s Peak / Jaded finisher for the 1-2-3.

After the match she wants to know who’s next and then asks who’s left? This brings out Tay Conti as they brawl and get pulled apart.

Main Event: Daniel Garcia vs. Bryan Danielson – Danielson hits a Tiger Suplex followed by Cattle Mutilation, but Garcia gets free and locks in an ankle lock. Garcia stomps on Bryan’s head, but Daniels grounds Garcia for a pin attempt. Danielson eventually get Garcia on the mat and stomps away on Garcia then floats over into a triangle sleeper for the submission.

After the match Bryan asks the crowd if Garcia’s got what it takes but ends up getting attacked from behind by 2point0 until Jon Moxley makes the save.

IMPACT

Moose starts the show talking about how he’s the greatest champion in all of pro wrestling and he proved it once again at the last PPV. Heath comes out and talks about how Impact is at war with HNM and that he should be in the fight. Moose says he doesn’t care about any of that as long as they stay out of his way. Heath wants a title shot so he can represent Impact the right way. After Moose insults Heath’s kids, they start to brawl.

Returning from the break, Moose is in the back and tells the HNM guys that he has no issue with them as long as they don’t come for the title, but if they do, then they will have to deal with him.

IMPACT Digital Media Championship: Jordynne Grace vs. Matt Cardinal (C) – Grace hits a Vader Bomb then a bit later low blows Cardona, but Matt was prepared and reveals he was wearing a cup. He eventually nails Grace in the corner and get the 1-2-3 with his feet on the ropes.

John Skyler vs. Bhupinder Gujjar – Gujjar nails John with a slingblade, then a spinebuster for a 2 count. He then connects with a spear from the second rope for the 1-2-3.

AAA Reigns de Renas Championship: Deonna Purrazzo (C) vs. Lady Frost – Deonna locks in the Fujiwa armbar for the submission

Jay White comes to the ring with the Good Brothers and announces that the GOD are out of the Bullet Club because they needed to let go of dead weight. VBD come down and inform Gallows & Anderson their partnership is over, and they want their tag title opportunity. The GOD come down and start to brawl with White, Gallows & Anderson.

Zicky Dice vs. JONAH – Sitdown powerbomb for the quick win. JONAH wants real competition and is given it by the way of PCO and the next PPV.

Gail Kim makes Chelsea Green vs Tasha Steelz next week to see who’ll the #1 contender to the Knockouts Championship be.

Main Event: Honor No More (Matt Taven, Mike Bennett & Kenny King) vs Chris Sabin, Rich Swann & Willie Mack – Bennett and Taven hit their Proton Pack finisher on Mack for the 1-2-3.

After the match Eddie Edwards coms out. He understands why people feel betrayed and they’re right to feel that way, but you can’t blame him. Eddie says the reason he joined Honor No More is to expose corruption in IMPACT Wrestling. Two years ago, when Scott D’Amore opened the doors to others outside IMPACT Wrestling he was all for it, he welcomed it because he believed in what IMPACT Wrestling was doing. Even when Kenny Omega challenged for the title, he was all for it. Swann dropped the ball on Kenny, and he let an outsider walk away with the belt. He waited for his shot. Sami Callihan failed; Moose failed. Eddie still waited for his shot. IMPACT never gave it to him, so he had no choice but to listen to Honor No More. He didn’t turn his back on IMPACT, Scott D’Amore and IMPACT Wrestling turned his back on him.

Eddie’s Wife Alisha Edwards is on her way down and she wasn’t happy. She can’t believe he’s defending his actions. He should be asking for forgiveness to that IMPACT locker room. Alisha makes it clear that Alexander got the job done and brought the title back home to IMPACT. Eddie says this is his family now and when Alisha asked what about his actual family? Eddie says that is up to her.

WWE – SMACKDOWN

Michael Cole interviews “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey – Ronda talks about how she was the first American woman to medal in the Olympics, the first UFC women’s champion, the first woman to be inducted into the UFC hall of fame, and one of the first women to main event WrestleMania. Now she wants to be the first person in years to tap out Charlotte Flair. Out comes SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair. She tells Ronda that she’s going to put her in the Figure 8 and “for the first time in your life, you’re going to scream for mercy and tap out. Out comes Sonya Deville, who attacks Rousey from behind, but Rhonda flips her across the ring. Deville flees the ring and heads up the ramp.

We go backstage where Adam Pearce informs Sonya Deville that per the higher up that she will face Ronda Rousey next week on Smackdown.

New Day vs Los Lotharios – Big E & Kofi execute the Midnight Hour (Big Ending + Kofi diving off the top to strike the opponent as the BE is executed.) to get the 1-2-3.

Xia Li vs Natalya – Li connects with a strong spin kick for the win

Sami Zayn’s Victory Celebration gets interrupted by Johnny Knoxville, who ends up getting hit with 2 Helluva kicks for interrupting him.

Sasha Banks vs Shotzi Blackheart – Sasha hits the backstabber then floats over into the Bank Statement for the submission.

After the match, Naomi gets in the ring and tells the WWE Universe that they are looking at the next WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Drew McIntyre vs Madcap Moss w/Happy Corbin – McIntyre connects with a Claymore on Moss for the 1-2-3.

WrestleMania Title-Versus-Title Title Unification Contract Signing – Roman claims he’s going to smash Brock at WM and that this is all his. He owns the ring, the camera man, the announcers and even the security guards who are in the ring. Security then turns and all of them attack Brock, who destroys every single one of them, leaving Roman angry as all get out.

AEW – RAMPAGE

TNT Championship: Sammy Guevara (C) vs. Andrade El Idolo – Sammy connects with an amazing double springboard into a cutter for the 1-2-3.

Wardlow vs. Nick Comoroto – Wardlow hits a symphony of destruction powerbombs for the win, but Spears tells Wardlow that the powerbomb thing doesn’t seem to be over. Assuming Wardlow doesn’t follow the obvious remark, he follows up by telling him that it means the fans aren’t digging it. Spears tells Wardlow that he appreciates him, like a proud father would do his son, before closing in for the real thing, a hug.

The Professor’s 5-Minute Rookie Challenge: Serena Deeb vs. Kayla Sparks – Deeb locks in the Serenity Lock for the easy submission

AEW Revolution Women’s Title Match Contract Signing: Dr. Britt Baker & Thunder Rosa – Baker talks about their iconic AEW Lights Out match, and brought up the fact that even though Thunder Rosa won, it was Baker that everyone talked about, and Baker who ended up with all of the glory. Britt says that made Thunder Rosa “bitter,” and that regardless of what happens at Revolution, she will never be Baker, nor will she ever be as big as the champion.

After Britt Baker signed the contract, Rosa dove across the table and started to fight Britt, which leads to Mercedes Martinez coming out and attacking Jamie Hayter and put her through a table.

Main Event: Face Of The Revolution Qualifying Match: Orange Cassidy vs. Anthony Bowens – Danhausen gets involved and puts a on Caster, which leads to a distraction to Bowens, who gets nailed with a Orange Punch for the 1-2-3.

Wake Up Call

By: Mike Rifkin

It was a tough weekend for the New York Rangers as they lost their games to the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks by a combined score of  6-2. The Rangers were shutout for the first five periods of the back to back. 

The Rangers currently sit in third place in the Metropolitan Division mainly because of the stellar play of their goalie Igor Shesterkin. Shesterkin is 25-6-3 with a 1.95 Goals Against Average, .941 save percentage and three shutouts. Shesterkin right now is probably the frontrunner for the Vezina trophy as the NHL’S top goalie and he might even receive some Hart votes as the league’s most valuable player. 

The Rangers average 2.89 goals per game and their power play connects at 25.3 percent and those are good numbers although you would like for goals per game to go up. But the Rangers heavily rely on their top players to carry them offensively. Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Adam Fox all have 50 points or more. Chris Kreider who has 34 goals has 48 points and Ryan Strome has 37 points. Then there is a gap Jacob Trouba has 24 points, Barclay Goodrow has 22, and former first overall pick Alexis Lafreniere has 16 points. Lafreniere has already matched his goal total from last season and has played very well since playing with Zibanejad and Kreider. But the Rangers can use a right winger to play with Panarin and Strome. Kappo Kakko is out with an upper body injury and Sammy Blais is out for the season with a torn ACL. In Kakko’s place the Rangers have tried a few different players to play with Panarin and Strome, most recently it’s been Dryden Hunt who has three goals on the season.

First year General Manager Chris Drury, who had a really good offseason, needs to add a top nine right wing who can create some scoring punch. Now there are two things in the Rangers favor heading into the trade deadline. The first is the Rangers have around 32 million dollars in cap space entering the trade deadline so any player they acquire they can take on the rest of their remaining salary. The second is the Rangers have a plethora of young defensemen in their prospect pool. 

Names to watch

Phil Kessel Arizona Coyotes: Kessel has six goals and 33 points in 53 games this season. The Coyotes are going to sell everyone not named Clayton Keller. Kessel is also three goals away from 400 in his career. Kessel would bring playoff experience to a team that doesn’t have much, he has tallied 34 goals and 81 points in 96 career playoff games including winning two Stanley Cups. 

Joe Pavelski Dallas Stars: Let me get started with this would be my preference but it’s not happening. Dallas is currently tied for the second wild card in the West, but if they struggle at any point and can’t come to terms on an extension for Pavelski the Rangers should be all over him. Pavelski has 61 goals and 119 points in 161 career playoff games.

J.T. Miller Vancouver Canucks: There are two different things that separate Miller from the other two guys I just mentioned. First is Miller has another year on his contract at over five million dollars and second Miller was a Ranger. Miller leads the Canucks with 20 goals and 59 points but with new management led by Jim Rutherford Vancouver could move Miller even though they sit three points out of the second wild card spot. Miller in 78 playoff games has nine goals and 44 points. 

Reilly Smith Vegas Golden Knights: Smith played for current Rangers coach Gerard Gallant in Vegas. Smith has 14 goals and 34 points in 51 games this season. Vegas has a cap issue after acquiring Jack Eichel from the Sabres. Smith also can help the Penalty Kill and is very responsible defensively. Smith in 84 career playoff games has 22 goals and 65 points.  

Chris Drury owes it to his team to go out and get the scorer they need. For one thing, when Kakko comes back it will make them deeper. Shesterkin is having one of those seasons that if they get in who knows what can happen. But one thing is for sure if the last two games proved anything the Rangers definitely need another goal scoring winger. 

Bills Season In Review/Offseason Needs

By: Lawrence Lang

For the second consecutive season the Buffalo Bills won the AFC East with a record of 11-6. The Bills hosted the Patriots in the wild card round and had the first ever NFL perfect game by scoring a Touchdown on each of their possessions 6 in total, having no punts and no turnovers, as they would route the Patriots 47-17. For the second consecutive season the Bills season ended in Kansas City in what was one of the greatest games of all time. The game would go back and forth with under two minutes left and even saw the Bills go up with 15 seconds left. But the Chiefs wound up tying the game in regulation and winning in overtime with an opening drive touchdown, winning the game 42-36.   

Josh Allen : 4,407 passing yards, 63.3 completion percentage, 36 TDs, 15 Ints and 6 rushing touchdowns. 

Rushing : Devin Singletary : 870 rushing yards and seven TD’s 

Receiving

Stefon Diggs : Diggs has found new life since being in Buffalo and it showed this season racking up 1,225 yards and being Allen’s favorite target he averaged 11.9 per reception and racked up 10 tds. 

Cole Beasly :  For Beasley he didn’t show much on field but if views and opinions on Covid-19 and vaccination status put him in the spotlight he still racked up 693 yards, averaged 8.5 per reception and had 1 td. But his actions off the field with the pandemic and status on certain things might see some reaction from the Bill front office this offseason. If Beasley is cut it could save Buffalo six million dollars with a 1.5 million dollar dead cap hit.

Gabriel Davis  Davis gets the out of nowhere award for the Bills  because come postseason time this man was always open in the endzone while others like Diggs, Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders were being covered. Davis had 549 yards, averaged 15.7 per reception and had six tds.

The Bills had the number one ranked defense. Here are some of their numbers.

  • Total yards allowed per play (4.6)
  • Passing yards per play (4.65)
  • First downs allowed per game (16.7)
  • Third down conversion rate allowed (30.8%)
  • Nobody from the Defense was elected to the Pro Bowl for the first time since the 2012 Steelers team.  

Notable free agents 

Jerry Hughes DE : 18 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Mario Addison DE : 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Mitchell Trubisky QB

Vernon Butler DT 

Emmanuel Sanders WR : 42 catches 626 yards, four touchdowns

Isiah Mckenzie WR : 20 catches, 178 yards, one touchdown.

Jake Kumerow WR 

With free agency on the horizon The Bills are in a slight bit of trouble on the offensive side losing three wide receivers on Diggs and Beasley left.  

Looking at the Bills they can go out and maybe land a WR in free agency Davante Adams would be out of the picture because of the amount of money he would be asking for if he decides to leave Green Bay since is destination is up in the air until Aaron Rodgers decides what he is doing.  

Two names come to mind for the Bills starting with Allen Robinson. Robinson has been looking for a QB to feed him the ball and find success with. Robinson has had success with average quarterback play. Andy Dalton gets a slide here.  He played only 12 games this season and had 38 catches for only 410 yards, the lowest of his career so far.  Buffalo would be a good fit because let’s face it Josh Allen is a good QB and Robinson would be fit right in with Diggs and Beasley ( if he his still there) and this would brig new life to his carrer cause he would finally be on a team that can actually win more than five games a year. 

The other notable WR that could be a good fit in Buffalo is D.J. Chark the 25 year old is ending his time in the nightmare that is the Jacksonville Jaguars and he could use a fresh start as well and showcase his talents in the 2022 season he only had 7 receptions for 154 yds and two touchdowns. Going to Buffalo he can be a young WR for Allen to go to when Diggs is being doubled covered and could be a good fit for Alllen in the long run if a multi year contract would be offered.  

Now at the back up QB position there is one of two things the Bills could do here and that’s just resign Trubisky or test the water. Maybe it will be time for a little magic in Ryan Fitzpatrick.  Fitzpatrick is 39 now and is an ageless beardless wonder who seems to always find himself on a team and this would be a fairytale ending if he were to come back to the Bills and call it a career. Fitzpatrick from 09-12 was the Bills QB. Fitzpatrick can also be the teacher even at the back up spot by helping Allen understand the game  maybe just a little bit more. 

NFL Draft

One move the Bills could do is trade away a few draft picks to land Cameron Jordan from New Orleans. With the Saints potentially going into a rebuild after former head coach Sean Peyton left the team. Also with Hughes and Addison in free agency this could persuade them to resign with the Bills. 

If they are looking to make a splash in the draft go out there and get themselves a few young WR’s. Garret Willson a 21 years old out of The Ohio State had three solid years in college racking up 2,213 yards and 23 td’s. 

A second choice the Bills could go with is Jameson Williams out of Alabama in three years he racked up 1,572 yards and 15 tds. Coming from Alabama you are on the radar since it’s Alabama and there is always high praise from their players.  Williams tore his ACL during the national title game. 

Whether it’s through free agency or the draft expect the Bills also to target the cornerback position and add another edge rusher. The Bills are interesting because either they make moves in the offseason to get players or they rely on the draft. With this case I would go after a player in the offseason then rely on the draft. Relying on the draft wouldn’t be a bad thing you save money and would just be giving out rookie contracts. Plus you can stockpile young talent but also with having seven draft picks you can also make moves to get players. In the Brandon Beane/ Sean Mcdermott era the Bills have drafted very well. 

The Bills should be fine heading into the 2023 season as they should be the favorites to win the AFC East for a third consecutive season. Ever since TB ( you know who) The Bills have controlled the East and it’s their time to shine and for them to rule. They should be one of the heavy favorites in the AFC.

Ravens 2021 Season In Review/ Offseason Needs

By: Mike Rifkin

The Baltimore Ravens 2021 season can be summed up in two words: injury plagued. The Ravens were one of the top teams in man games lost. Among those missing games include Quarterback Lamar Jackson who missed the final four games of the season due to an ankle injury. Running Backs JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards both tore their ACL before the start of the season. Left Tackle Ronnie Stanley got hurt in the season opener and then underwent Ankle surgery. Rookie receiver Rashod Bateman missed the first five games of the season due to Core Muscle Surgery. In December the team lost star corner Marlon Humphrey to a torn Pectoral muscle. Marcus Peters, the other All Pro corner tore his ACL in training camp. Despite the injuries the Ravens still finished with an 8-9 record. 

Despite playing in four fewer games Lamar Jackson had the same completion percentage as he did in 2020 with 64.4 completion percentage 2,882 yards, 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Lamar added 767 yards and two touchdowns rushing . Jackson is in line for a new contract and probably will receive one, the thing we will have to wait on is the money but Jackson has earned a new deal. 

Baltimore’s top two running backs JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards both tore their ACL prior to the start of the season. Because of that Baltimore turned to veteran running backs Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray who combined for 1,077 yards and 11 touchdowns. Despite the injuries the Ravens still averaged 145.8 yards per game rushing, which was third in the NFL. Baltimore was thirteenth in Passing yards per game averaging 233.0 per game. Tight end Mark Andrews led the Ravens in receptions (107), yards (1,361) and touchdowns with Nine. Andrews was sixth in the NFL in yards and was tied for fifth in receptions. Marquise Brown also had over 1,000 yards receiving on 91 catches and six touchdowns. Something that Brown will have to correct are his drops, as over the last two seasons he has a combined 13 drops. Rookie receiver Rashod Bateman, who missed the first five weeks due to core muscle surgery had 46 catches, 515 yards and a touchdown. If Bateman can stay healthy there will be an increase in his numbers, but even so still think the Ravens can use another receiver whether that’s addressed in free agency or draft. 

The calling card for the Ravens has always been their defense. In 2021 the Ravens defense was 25th in yards allowed, allowing 363.4 yards per game. The Ravens were 24th in sacks with 34 and had 15 takeaways which gave them a -11 turnover differential. The only teams with worse differentials were the Bears, Jets, Jaguars and Panthers. In 2020 the Ravens were seventh in yards allowed allowing 329.8 yards per game, fourteenth in sacks with 39 and had a + 4 turnover differential as they forced 22 takeaways. Even though injuries played a major role the Ravens relieved Don “Wink” Martindale of his defensive coordinator position. Coach John Harbaugh decided to hire Mike Macdonald who was the defensive coordinator for John’s brother Jim at the University of Michigan. Macdonald was the Ravens defensive backs coach in 2017 and linebackers coach in 2018. Macdonald will inherit a defense with a lot of talent. Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey are one of the best corner duos in the NFL. Linebacker Tyus Bowser had a career high seven sacks. Rookie linebacker Odafe Oweh had five sacks and three forced fumbles. Second year linebacker Patrick Queen led the team with 98 tackles. Veteran pass rushers Justin Houston and Calais Campbell are both free agents. 

Baltimore has about 9.8 million dollars in salary cap space. Baltimore can free up cap space by releasing offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva which would create six million in savings and a 3.3 dead cap hit, but if Villanueva decides to retire his salary would be forfeited. Cornerback Trayvon Young’s release would save 5.8 million dollars with a 3.3 million dead cap hit. Receiver Myles Boykin would save the Ravens 2.5 million dollars with only 214,000 in dead cap. Guard Ben Powers can save the Ravens 2.5 million dollars with 174,000 in dead cap. Powers could also be traded. 

  1. Sign DJ Jones DT 49ers: Baltimore wants to get younger on defense. Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams are both free agents. Jones had 56 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles. 
  2. Sign Trent Brown OT Patriots : The goal of the offseason has to protect Lamar Jackson. Signing Brown would definitely help that.
  3. Sign Allen Robinson WR Bears: Robinson had a down year in 2021 ( who on the Bears didn’t.) but he is a very good receiver and putting him with Brown, Bateman and Andrews gives the Ravens another reliable receiver. 

Draft:

RD 1 (14) Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa: Can play either tackle position and can help in the run blocking game. Other names to consider : Ahmad Gardner Cornerback Cincinnati, Jordan Davis DT Georgia

RD 2 (45) Travon Walker DT Georgia: If Baltimore goes offensive line in the first round they should beef up the defensive line in the second. As noted Brandon Williams is a free agent and Walker is a good run stuffing replacement. Other names to consider: Kyler Gordon Cornerback Washington, Jaquan Brisker Safety Penn State

RD 3 (76) Christopher Allen Edge Alabama.: Injuries played a role during Allen’s time at Alabama, but the upside is a Ravens type of  pick. Other names to consider Verone Mckinley Safety Oregon, Myjai Sanders Edge Cincinnati

RD 3 (100) Jalen Tolbert Receiver South Alabama: Really good route runner that can high point the football and has a lot of upside. Other names to consider Brandon Smith linebacker Penn State, Sam Williams Edge Ole Miss

2021 Giants Season In Review/Offseason needs

By: Jeff Knapp and Bill Murphy

The 2021 season for the NY Giants is over and with a 4-13 record under Joe Judge and Judge’s tenure  is finally over. 

The team ranked 31st in total passing yards and receiving yards, 24th (almost 25th) in total rushing yards, dead last in total TDs with 24. The offensive game calling was horrendous and that is giving horrendous a bad name. One amazing example was the called QB sneak from their OWN 4 yard line on 3rd and 9.

The O-Line was ranked 28th (slightly improvement from last they were ranked 31st)at 54% with pass block win rating, but oddly enough ranked 14th in run black winning percentage at 71% even though you would never guess that being ranked 24th in total rushing yards.

Defensively, the Giants ranked 30th in pass rush win rate at 34% and ranked 24th at 29% in run stop win rate. They ranked 17th in total sacks, 29th in total tackles, 24th in forced fumbles and 12th in INTs.  Last Year they ranked  dead last at 32nd with 31% Pass rush win rate , they ranked 13th with  30%. run stop win rate,  ranked 12th in total sacks, last year  with  30 sacks   . 

DC Patrick Graham seemed to play a lot of loose coverage and allowed way to many of the easy underneath passes.

When thinking about which players come to mind when thinking of underperforming I quickly think of many players but a few come to mind.

On offense Daniel Jones had another regressive season. He threw for 2,428 yards(2,943 yards in 2020 ) with 10 TDs(11 tds in 2020) and 7 INTs(10ints 2020). He was 26th    (19th  in 2020 ) in the league in passer rating and his 10 TDs over 11 games ranked him 30th and was sacked 22 times. To put his season in perspective, Trevor Siemian on the Saints only started 6 games and had  11TDs. Joe Burrow was sacked 51 times and still had 4600 yards passing with 34 TDs. His Offensive line had a pass block win percentage of 54% while the Bengals o-line had a win percentage of 49%. 

Top dollar WR Kenny Golladay who signed a 4 year $72 million had a less than subpar year for averaged 2.3 catches a game 0 TDs averaged 37 yards per game had 37 receptions over 76 targets ranking him 69th in the league for targets. Out of the 30 players ranked 70 to 100 in targets 28 of them had more receptions. 

Evan Engram was targeted 73 times with only 46 receptions. 5 drops. Point of reference, Stefon Diggs had 5 drops too, but he was targeted 164 times.

Saquon Barkley was injured and missed 4 games. Had 60 less attempts than in 2019 both with 13 games

The Entire O-Line minus Andrew Thomas

On defense Dexter Lawrence had 2.5 sacks, free agent signing Adoree Jackson had only 1 INT and 8 PD. The defense as a whole in 2020 were ranked 9th in the league and in 2021 ranked 23rd. They pressured the QB 25.5% in 2020 and 20.1% in 2021 and they also gave up more yards, TDs and points in 2021 than in 2020 and had less sacks than in 2020.

I’m not saying that the Giant players were all completely inept and underachieved because there were some bright spots on the team. On Defense LB Tae Crowder led the team with 130 total tackles and also had 2 INTs. Rookie LB Azeez Ojulari led the team with 8 sacks, 2nd year Safety Xavier McKinney led the team with 5 INTs and was also 3rd on the team in solo tackles and finally LB/DE Quincy Roche might have   had only 2.5 sacks and 38 tackles but he didn’t play the entire season but was originally a 6th round pick by the Steelers and was released and the Giants were lucky enough to pick him up. That gives the Giants a low money value with a high upside rookie.

Over on the offensive side of the ball LT Andrew Thomas, who was really under the gun in 2020 but stepped up in 2021 by only allowing 1 sack in 608 snaps. Free agent signing RB Devonte Booker might have had only 593 yards and 2 TDs, but his 4.1 ypc were up there with Joe Mixon, Elliott and Henry and better than Antonio Gibson, Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris, Alvin Kamara and his own teammate Saquon Barkley. Finally, K Graham Gano was perfect on extra points. 29 for 33 in field goals and only missed 1 from less than 49 yards.

With so many holes to fill and not enough cap space to buy a bag of M&Ms, the Giants will have to release a few players and possibly get some budget players going into the 2022 season. Currently the Giants have roughly $13,000 in cap space and entering 2022 they will be about $12 million in the hole. I’m thinking they will cut about $20 million to get to where they need to be. 

As GM there would be a handful of FAs that I would keep on the team going into 2022. Let’s take a look at the FAs that the Giants wouldn’t want to or could resign. TE Evan Engram, who had 5 drops over 73 targets, and if you compare that to Stefon Diggs who also had 5 drops, but with 164 targets would have to go. He would be looking at possibly 7 million a year for a man who has all the gifts in the world but just can’t get it done when he is needed the most. As a Michigan fan, I’d love to keep Safety Jabrill Peppers, but I’m sure he’d want something in the range of about 12 to 13 million a year and that won’t cut it for the season he had last year. If you have followed Giants football for more than 1 minute, you know all the reasons why Nate Solder will not and can not come back. Mike Glennon would under no circumstance set foot in Metlife stadium in any capacity other than hotdog vendor. 

The top FAs that the Giants should and would keep with me would be DT Austin Jackson who had his best year as a pro in 2021. He is young and showed good promise to be with the team for years to come. The next player I would resign is DE/LB Lorenzo Carter, who came off an injury plagued season a year ago and put up his best season and had 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. I know earlier I said I wouldn’t keep TE Evan Engram, but if the Giants could sign him to a prove it 1-year contract for no more than $2.7 million, then I’d give him a chance.

Being that the Giants will be about $12 million in the hole next season and will need to clear out some cap space, the following men will have a high chance of being on the chopping block. The one big issue will be all the dead money going into 2022 that the Giants will have to eat, which is just for one season, but will count against them in the cap.

P – Riley Dixon will save the team around $3 million and only $320K in dead money. TE, Kyle Rudolph will end up going especially if the Giants keep Engram at a bargain price. Cutting Kyle will save the Giants $5 million but will count as $2.5 million in dead money. Next would be WR Sterling Shepard, who would get cut after June 1st to save the Giants more money. By doing that the Giants would save $8.5 million and will count as 3.9 million in dead money in 2022 & 2023. I love what Blake Martinez has done for the Giants, but if he isn’t going to be healthy enough to compete for an entire season next year, it’s time to move on. Blake would save the Giants $8.4 million but will count as $5.5 in dead money. Lastly, James Bradberry who would be $9.7 in dead money, will save the Giants $13.1 million in cap space. 

That would be a saving of $29.4 million but count as $22 in dead money for next year.

With these savings the Giants can look to lower cost FAs in 2022. A few that come to mind would be:

QB Mitchell Trubisky as a low cost to compete with Jones. Trubisky  worked with Dabbol in Buffalo  they have a relationship.

QB AJ McCarron 

QB Marcus Mariota 

QB Jimmy Garoppolo   301 comp/ 441 attempts  68.3%  20 td  12 int 

32-14 as a quarterback ,took the 49ers to the super bowl 

 QB Teddy Bridgewater 66.9% 3052 yards  18 td 7 int 

Most of these guys can at least compete with Daniel Jones.

G Lucas Patrick from Green Bay

G James Daniels from Chicago Bears  1 tackles Pff Pass blocking grade of 69.3 , was a top offensive line in Iowa .Daniels is a young guy that has become one of the best guards in the NFL.

CB PJ Williams from New Orleans 42 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 INTs

Hassan Reddick  Car  OLB 68 tackles 11 sacks. Has the fifth most sacks in over two years The Giants have had an eye on him in the past 

TE Ricky Seals-Jones from Washington 30 recs on 49 targets and 2 TDs

TE Mo Alie-Cox from Indy 24 recs on 45 targets, 4 TDs and 13.2 YPR

DE Charles Harris from Detroit 65 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 2 FF

DE Rasheen Green from Seattle 48 tackles and 6.5 sacks

LB Kyzir White from LA Chargers 144 tackles, 1 sack, 2 FF and 2 INTs

Dante Fowler ATL 36 tackle 4.5 sacks.He’s still young and can help the defensive line become more dynamic.

Hayden Hurst TE ATL:  26 reception 221 yards 3 touchdowns  there is a connection with Giants Tight ends Coach who use to be tight ends coach for the Ravens

OL Laken Thompson SF  

Lastly that leaves the Giants at the 2022 Draft, where the Giants have two 1st round picks at #5 and #7, a 2nd round pick (#38) and two picks in the 3rd Round (67 &81), giving them 5 picks in the top 100. The Giants have so many holes to fill, so now the question is do they take two O-linemen like Evan Neal, Charles Cross or Tyler Linderbaum with those 2 picks or do they get the best player available if they happen to fall to #5 or 7 like DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, S Kyle Hamilton , CB Derek Stingley Jr. or LB David Ojabo  ? The other option is to get one OL and one from Defense.  

I would go O-Line if the 2 best available are O-linemen. A great line will help the Giants stay consistently good if and when we get a good QB or even if the QB is just average, just like the Titans.  If the Giants decide to abandon Daniel Jones and go to a quarterback they should think about Sam Howell .Now, if a disruptive DE like Thibodeaux is available at 5, then you get him. 

This should get the Giants on a path to making a run for the wildcard or at least be in the hunt going into the last week or two of the season. There will be a rookie head coach and a starting QB with a lot of pressure on his plate. This will be the make or break year for Jones. If they fix the O-line and he still doesn’t perform, then 2023 there will be a new QB under center in NY. 

With these additions, the lines on both offense and defense should be a bit more solid and these FAs are for the most part are ages 28 and younger. This is possibly the best path the 2022 NY Giants can take to build a contender moving forward in 2022 and beyond.