Author: bestkeptsecret19

I'm just a man trying to be listened to. Hopefully, I can motivate and inspire people on the way to making a widespread positive difference.

Can we please stop with the pointless clichés?

The Raptors-Cavaliers series should put one of these nonsensical phrases out for good

In our world, the direction of humanity seems to be plummeting towards the toilet with each passing day (with a few exceptions). Part of that free-fall is heard with all of these overused, robotic sayings, otherwise known as clichés. In sports, some of the most spoken terms include “It’s the biggest game because it’s the next game,” “keep the main thing the main thing,” and everyone’s favorite, “it is what it is (probably the worst out of the bunch).” As much of an attempt to keep any feeling out of the equation these clichés amount to, there’s one that definitely misses the mark when it comes to competition, and while there’s an understanding why it’s used, it’s hard to get behind when truth is completely missing.

What’s that specific cliché ? It’s the one that says a series doesn’t begin until the road team wins a game. The origin of this misplaced saying is unclear, but it’s typically used around the NBA and NHL (MLB also), sports associations that use series as their playoff format. There’s a lot that is put into having a home court or ice advantage. The feeling of playing in front of a home crowd, particularly for the role players who don’t get as much spotlight as the stars, can elevate their performance. Therefore, when the road squad is able to steal that advantage, it’s seen as a monumental shift in the tone of the series. For an example, the Minnesota Timberwolves were able to win Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals battle with the San Antonio Spurs Monday night in San Antonio. Now, the Timberwolves have the advantage as long as they win at least their home games, and the Spurs have to get it back (their first opportunity comes Friday night in Minneapolis). Of course, the rest of the series has to work itself out, but if we’re supposed to follow the meaning of this cliché, it officially became real when Minnesota won.

But what happens if a whole series happens without a road team winning, or said away team wins for the first time to actually advance to the next round? If any of those two instances occur, there’s factually no way anyone can use that saying, which frankly makes it sound idiotic. Case in point, let’s use the recent first round series between the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers, won by the Cavaliers in seven games (Cleveland is battling the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals). The home squad won all of those contests, and it’s certain the players, coaches and fans who watched the series knew they were in a battle, regardless of result. If we’re to believe the cliché in question, that means the Raptors and Cavs never played, and a whole series can actually play out before it even begins. A road squad can win Game 6 (or perhaps Game 7 if the series makes it that far), ending a series the home team won the first five games, before it starts. How crazy does that sound?

Even with going to the other side of the aisle, lets say the away team wins every game in the series. Does that mean the battle never happened because the home team lost every time, or could it be deemed one of the best of all-time because nothing but road victories occurred? Are we going to tell the players and coaches who went through the series, making all of these adjustments physically and mentally, the series never began because the home team won all of the games? What if a player gets injured during one of these contests? The injury never happened (I guess) because the series never began, due to the road team losing time and again. There’s too many items available to poke holes at this cliché, and it’s not because of any deep searching. Stories are written, and items are documented. The combination of the two equals said analogy being factually not true.

It’s understood clichés are used to explain a lot of the experiences we go through in life. There are even a few, such as “the more things change, the more the stay the same,” that make more sense than others, and are probability more appropriate with today’s times. This one about the series beginning when the road team wins is not one of those clichés that hit the mark. Sometimes, a fancy saying in an attempt to sound philosophical isn’t necessary. Let’s cut the complications out of it (which is hard to do for most), and say a series begins when the ball is tipped, or the puck is dropped (or first pitch), to start Game 1. After all, it’s not like the teams involved are caring about when and where they win. They just want to win, and frankly, so do the masses.

Why Tatum’s return is only part of a story still being written

With Boston’s star completing his rehab, an unlikely scenario becomes possible in no time

When Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, it was a devastating blow, not only to the Celtics and their fans, but to the NBA world as a whole. From a human being standpoint (which is the most important aspect), hearts and prayers go out to Tatum, because an injury that could potentially shorten a career was suffered. For Boston, a bright future surrounding the duo of Tatum and Jaylen Brown suddenly looked bleak, and 2025-26 (combined with the team trading away players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis) had the makings of a throw-away season. Instead, Tatum returned to action March 6, and the Celtics find themselves as the second seed in the Eastern Conference as the NBA Playoffs arrived. Suddenly, a lost campaign can realistically end with Boston winning their second title in three seasons, but how everything came together is the story that shouldn’t be forgotten.

Of course, there are many parts to a story, and this one with Tatum and the Celtics is no different. Before getting into the team and league perspective, let’s start with the human being. Anyone who was watching Boston battle the Knicks in that playoff game May 12 remembers how deflated they felt, especially considering Tatum was having a performance worthy of one of the league’s top players. He scored 42 points, hitting on 16 of 28 shots, before getting injured. The road to recovery would be a long one, to the point where most thought he wouldn’t return until the 2026-27 season. Apparently, nobody told Tatum that would be the timetable, and he attacked rehab with the same intensity you would think an athlete would prepare for any contest. When it was reported he was back on the court participating in drills, the overwhelming response was shock. Fast forward to March, and Tatum is back in competitive action, ahead of even the 10-month timeline given after surgery was completed. It speaks to how much the human wanted to get back to playing a game he grew up with, looking at a catastrophic injury as an opportunity to grow in every way possible.

While there’s a lot to be said about an individual’s will and mental toughness, there’s always a good support system not far behind. This system could include anything from family and friends, to mental professionals keeping the individual in a nice place emotionally. In this particular example, the Celtics (obviously) provided what was needed to help Tatum pull this recovery off ahead of schedule. It would have been easy for Boston to take the route that said the future is more important. Therefore, Tatum could have been told to take his time with the rehab, and come back in October of ’26, basically protecting the long-term investment the club made. In fact, there are a couple of examples detailing that very thing. The Indiana Pacers saw point guard Tyrese Haliburton go down with the same injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pacers wasted no time in saying Haliburton would sit out this season. When guard Damian Lillard tore that same ligament in his left leg while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks (Lillard is now back with the Portland Trail Blazers) in April 2025, this season was out of the equation almost immediately. It’s understood there are other factors involved with those decisions, such as timing and age of the player, but there’s a lot to be said about teams that support the player in their vision. Tatum had a goal to return at some point this year, and the Celtics gave him all the tools to make it happen. The impact that has on a player’s journey to return from injury could be immeasurable.

Finally, there’s no reason not to be honest with ourselves about the situation. Yes, Tatum had the determination to work his way back, and Boston offered the support and tools to assist. Having said all of that, the results on the court is probably the biggest factor deciding when the 28-year-old returned. Even the diehard fans of the Celtics probably didn’t expect much from their team, and most calculations had this year being one of those developmental times to see what they have on the roster. What actually transpired is Brown leading Boston to a customary place in recent seasons (playing at an MVP level), amongst the best in the East. When Tatum was ready to come back, it pretty much acted as an addition better than almost any trade could have offered, and he could get used to playing competitive basketball before gearing up for a potential championship run. What’s frightening for the rest of the NBA is Tatum looks like he hasn’t missed too much of a beat. Now, the Celtics have their dynamic duo back together, with a great coach (Joe Mazzulla) and a deep bench. They say winning can cure a lot of things in sports. In this case, it most likely gave Boston a huge reason to bring Tatum back this season, because they’re championship-good with him. Apparently, the people inside the walls of Celtics headquarters knew they would be at this exact spot.

As expected, Tatum’s return was, and still is, a topic that has been discussed (and debated) endlessly. Some people say he should have waited a little longer to return, but those views would surely change if a championship is Boston’s to claim. The great thing is this story is still in the process of being sorted out. For now, let’s enjoy watching Tatum in action, because most of us didn’t think it would be a possibility, let alone a certainty. From a team standpoint, the Celtics look primed for a deep run, and if their 123-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers to start their quest is any indication, they’ll be a tough out. Time will tell if the story finishes on a high note, but Tatum did make sure his recovery from his injury was one of the shorter chapters in his book.

Two quarterbacks had a talk, and a lot has changed since

Full circle moments are endless in the everlasting search for the elite QB

Before jumping into the NFL offseason (congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks on becoming Super Bowl champions), let’s go back to early last season to set the stage for things to come. The date in the focus is September 15, 2024. That’s win the Houston Texans defeated the Chicago Bears, 19-13, on a Sunday night in Houston. After the game, Texans quarterback C. J. Stroud, coming off a rookie campaign in 2023 that had some saying the next great QB is here, would meet with Bears signal-caller Caleb Williams, who was himself a rookie at that point. Much would be made of what transpired during that conversation, but one of the main theories was Stroud talked to Williams like he was a seasoned vet trying give knowledge to a young buck in the game. Whether or not that was the substance of their conversation is up for debate, but what is certain is a lot has changed since that day, and both quarterbacks are at pivotal points in their respective careers.

For Stroud, it was mentioned how well he played in his first season, winning the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award, while leading Houston to the divisional playoff round before going out to the Baltimore Ravens (common theme developing). Most people expected the rise to continue, but something that’s often forgotten is defenses are also part of sports, and the days of sneaking up on them would eventually come to an end. Therefore, Stroud would have to develop plans B and C to go with his plan A, and if not, less progression and more regression is sure to follow. Well, it’s been two full seasons since it’s his stellar rookie campaign, and it appears the Texans are in a spot the majority of the football world didn’t think they would be in, wondering if Stroud is the answer at quarterback going forward. Last year ended in a lackluster loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and this season’s conclusion looked even worse. If it wasn’t for Houston’s defense, the team might have been done in the wild card round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, hampered by Stroud’s three turnovers. Any worries from that game turned into full-blown doubts after the Texans were eliminated (in the same divisional playoff round as the previous two seasons) by the New England Patriots. Four interceptions doomed Houston, and not even the defense could pull this out of the fire. Now, the Texans have to figure out if Stroud is worthy of a long-term extension going forward, and this being a question is far from what was expected at this point two years ago.

As for Williams, things have improved steadily since that postgame meeting with Stroud, but it was far (and still is) from what was expected from the supposed next elite QB. His rookie season was uneven at best, and while his numbers point to a solid season (20 touchdowns, 6 interceptions in 2024), there were a lot of sacks eaten by Williams, some of those because of the offensive line being bad, but the other part is his lack of being able to play on-schedule. New year, new system to learn, as Ben Johnson arrived (after being the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions) to take over head coaching duties. The numbers, from a TD (27) to INT (7) standpoint, were even better for Williams. Having said that, there were numerous games where nothing was happening on offense for the first three quarters (which led to a completion percentage of 58.1), with the sophomore QB struggling to hit what would be considered easy completions. The hope in him being the long-term answer comes from his ability to do two things. First, Williams came through in the fourth quarter, leading Chicago to seven comeback victories, including one in the wild card round against the Green Bay Packers. Secondly, there are plays Williams makes that only a few quarterbacks are capable of. The Los Angeles Rams saw that first hand in the divisional playoffs, forcing him to scramble backwards on an all-or-n0thing fourth down, only to see Williams heave a touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet to force overtime (the Rams would win 20-17). While the plays that make the highlight shows provide sizzle and hope, it’s hard to see a scenario where sustained success comes from waiting for miracles.

If there is a moral to the story, it’s understanding there are many ways to arrive at the same point. For Stroud, things began with the highest of highs, but currently, he’s in a regression that appears hard to shake. As for Williams, it was the opposite, with his rookie year being rocky, followed with a better second year. Regardless of the paths taken, they are both QBs of teams who had the chance to play in their respective conference championship games, and as a result, face a pivotal offseason where they have to make significant improvements if further steps are to be taken. While the talk will center around Stroud and/or Williams becoming the next elite quarterback, the concentration should be on just being solid. If not, there will be more questions than answers going forward, and the search to find the franchise quarterback may have to continue.

Having said that, the logical conclusion is the Texans and Bears have the guys they want to lead their teams. It could be because Stroud and Williams have been good enough, but a bigger reason might be the lack of alternative options available if there was a choice to move on. Those are questions that may not have an answer any time soon, but between now and the first game in September, Houston and Chicago will probably want to see the leadership and work ethic show in a big way, especially if there is to be a long-term commitment for the coming years. When Stroud and Williams had that conversation in 2024, most people thought they were looking at two of the next great QBs exchanging “pleasantries.” As it stands right now (especially for Stroud), it’s a question how many chances are left to prove they can led their respective teams to the pinnacle. Moments frozen in time have a way of re-emerging, and if the basis of that talk was Stroud trying to give Williams a teaching moment, it’s now realistic to say the former might need to receive that same conversation before too long.

For the Bills, a hard truth is settling in

There might not be a better time than now for Buffalo to win a Super Bowl title

Here are the Buffalo Bills, down 21-0 to the upstart New England Patriots on a cold, snowy Sunday afternoon in Massachusetts. Maybe the gravity of the moment didn’t hit the Bills at that time, but the perceptions from the outside looking in say a window is closing, and the opportunity to seize a moment is slipping away before our eyes. See, Buffalo has been knocking on the door of at least a Super Bowl appearance, only to see the Kansas City Chiefs (among other AFC counterparts) keep them from breaking through. The prevalent thinking says as long as the Bills have Josh Allen playing quarterback for them, the window for a title remains open, but over time, the teams Buffalo has been better than start to catch up. In other words, opportunities are precious, and if one gets missed, there’s no guarantee another is coming. As the Bills looked at what was in front of them, perhaps that thought crossed their minds, and they reacted like a team who understood what was needed for the current moment.

Before getting into the details of what happened in the game, let’s take a look at the big picture. The Chiefs, who have made at least the AFC Championship Game every year since 2018, are officially eliminated from playoff contention for this season. The Baltimore Ravens, who came in right there with Buffalo as a major candidate to dethrone Kansas City, are sitting at 7-7, struggling to win the weaker-than-normal AFC North. Yes, teams like the Patriots and Denver Broncos (the Jacksonville Jaguars can get thrown into the mix) are ascending as new contenders, but questions about how viable they can be ring loud. That brings us back to the Bills, who came into their second game with New England (the Patriots won the first contest 23-20 in western New York) at 9-4, needing a win to keep their hopes of reigning over the AFC East alive. Because of the numerous playoff scars, it’s logical to think they’re more tested than the aforementioned new kids on the block, and their main contenders are in a weakened state. It’s about as perfect of a scenario the Bills can hope for, and it looked dangerously close to being squandered a bit, or at least harder to take advantage of the situation.

But sometimes, it’s forgotten there are four quarters in a football game, and plenty of time remained for Buffalo to get it together. Did they ever, as they were able to erase that 21-point deficit to take the lead 28-24. New England running back TreVeyon Henderson broke off a 65-yard touchdown run to give the Pats the lead back, but the Bills would respond to land the final blow and solidify a 35-31 victory. Suddenly, a season (and perhaps the best title opportunity remaining) that looked to be on the brink of collapse is alive and well for Buffalo. After a squad wins, it’s normal to hear how it was the ultimate team effort, but it’s especially true in this case. Allen (who had 193 passing yards with three touchdowns) didn’t have to put on the Superman cape, because they remembered they have James Cook to run the football (107 yards with two touchdowns). A kickoff return by Ray Davis set the comeback in full swing, putting the Bills in position to quickly cut into a 24-7 deficit coming out for the second half. Finally, a much-maligned defense stood up and held New England to just seven points after getting ran through in the first half.

As it stands right now, the Patriots are 11-3, still a game up on Buffalo in the AFC East, but because they couldn’t finish Sunday, the pressure to hold on to the lead could start to heat up. One thing the Bills have in their favor is experience in crucial games, and it was apparent they leaned on that in this contest. Who knows? Buffalo might still be a wild card that would have to win three games on the road to make the Super Bowl, but the comeback on New England serves as a reminder of how dangerous they are. They might not have home-field advantage, but it would be hard to find a team excited about having the Bills visit for a one-and-done playoff game, especially with the reigning league-MVP on their side. Throw in the urgency factor, combined with past heartbreak, and there could be a certain intensity unmatched by anyone else.

During title runs, there’s always a turning point where things lock in. For Buffalo, this would be the moment if they are the last one standing in February, and this looks to be the best chance to finally bring a championship back to their passionate fan base. Understanding things are falling in their favor (mainly the struggles of the Chiefs and Ravens) might have been what woke the Bills up last Sunday. Maybe the team got together to look at a hard truth. Either way, at least for now, Buffalo is aware of the opportunity in front of them, and it’s imperative they cash in, because nothing is promised for the future.

This might be the year to win the Super Bowl for these three teams

With parity as high as ever in the NFL, a few unlikely clubs could have their best chance to get rings

Coming into the NFL season, predictions were made on who could win the Super Bowl in February, and there’s still a good amount of time to see if those views play out. The majority of those views probably had what one could call the usual contenders: the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens topping the list in the AFC, while the Philadelphia Eagles (defending champs), Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions gathered the majority of votes from the NFC. After that’s determined, the next question centers around teams who can announce themselves as a threat in their own right. The Houston Texans (who went home after the divisional round each of the last two seasons) were a trendy pick, but have been underwhelming to this point. The Green Bay Packers, particularly after they acquired linebacker/defensive end Micah Parsons in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, became the team everyone is supposedly chasing, but many questions remain if they can even win the NFC North (let alone make a championship run). One thing (and perhaps the only item) we have learned is there isn’t a stand out team playing right now. As a result, three squads who weren’t looked at as serious contenders may have as good a chance as ever to emerge as the top dog.

The first of this trio is the Indianapolis Colts. It would be interesting to see if even the biggest Colts fan living within the Indianapolis city limits had this on their bingo card, but this team is tied for the best record in the league at 5-1. Somewhere along the line, it was forgotten how good running back Jonathan Taylor was and is. Taylor is reminding everyone up to this point, as he leads the NFL in rushing yardage (603) and touchdowns (seven). Combine that with the efficient play of quarterback Daniel Jones (yes, that guy who flamed out with the New York Giants), and the offense is on a level that makes them hard to stop. The Colts defense has been good enough to bend, but not completely break, and they have forced nine turnovers in their six games. Complementary football has been a strength for Indy, and Shane Steichen has cooled off talk of being on the hot seat to lose his head coaching job. In other words, the Colts have the ingredients to stay in the fight for a while.

Second on the list is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who is the team tied with Indy for the league’s best record. The Buccaneers could be at least 2-4 if a play or two doesn’t go their way, but they have found a way to make those plays, and the scary thing with this squad is they can become much better as the season moves on. If there is one reason why Tampa Bay sits where they are, it probably starts and ends with QB Baker Mayfield, who would probably be the MVP if the season ended today. Mayfield has been the definition of clutch, as he has been the architect of a few game-winning drives. It’s even more remarkable when considering Mayfield is playing at this level without the team’s top-two receivers (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr.). There was a little talk about the Bucs being a contender going into the season, but the combination of how good they can be and the league being up for grabs could see them become a favorite before too long.

Finally, the Denver Broncos find themselves on the list of teams who could walk up to a championship this season. With the Broncos coming off of a wild card appearance last year, the prevalent thinking was they could continue to ascend, and perhaps, knock the Chiefs off from the top of the AFC West. The main reason is their defense, led by cornerback Pat Surtain II (the defensive player of the year in 2024) and linebackers Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper. Most people would say Denver’s defense is at championship-level, but what could make or break their visions is whether or not quarterback Bo Nix can consistently stay on the same page with coach Sean Payton, and bring the offense close to par with the other side of the ball. Throughout the year, Nix has been hit or miss with the execution of plays. If he can provide more of the good version, the Broncos could be on the cusp of a high on the Rocky Mountains.

There are other teams that could have made this list (the Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots among them), but at this time, the Colts, Buccaneers and Broncos seem to have more in their favor to continue the upward trend. Of course, things can escalate quickly in the NFL, and what looks good one week might not the next, and vice versa. Who knows? Those teams who were listed as favorites might ultimately end up there come January. The beautiful thing about sports is games will be played, and everyone will get to find out as it happens. What we know is the gap between contenders and pretenders doesn’t seem to be as wide, and if that continues to be the case, don’t be surprised if this year’s Super Bowl winner is someone not exactly on the radar from the beginning.

Pregame talk sets stage for Oregon’s beatdown of Oklahoma State

The result on the field speaks louder to the ever-changing landscape of college sports.

There are cases where people say “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” That in and of itself sounds contradictory, but there are a few items that stay consistent through all of the additions and subtractions. In other cases, if an individual isn’t willing to evolve with the times, they will get left behind, and eventually, become obsolete. Just like many things in life, college sports (football specifically) is an example of this, and there was a game that directly speaks to a case where one team is moving with the times, while the other is stuck in the 2010s. The contest (if anyone wants to call it that) under the spotlight was between Oklahoma State and Oregon, played last Saturday afternoon in the Pacific Northwest.

The Ducks demolished the Cowboys 69-3, and even with that score, the game might not have been that close. Not many should be surprised at the result, as Oregon is a national title contender ranked fourth in the country, while Oklahoma State is careening off a cliff to uncertain times. What sparked more conversation than the actual game were pregame comments made by Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy, in regard to how much money Oregon has spent to assemble their roster. Gundy made reference to his program spending “around $7 million over the last three years,” and Oregon spending “close to $40 (million) last year alone.” Apparently, the Ducks took those comments as a shot at their coach, Dan Lanning, and they were ready to administer a blasting of epic proportions.

After a little analysis, it’s logical to believe Gundy’s comments added fuel to the Ducks’ fire, but listening to what he said points to something much bigger than just this game. As mentioned earlier, college sports is evolving at a daily rate, and the items leading constant change are name, image and likeness (NIL), and the transfer portal. Once NIL kicked in during the summer of 2021, the college sports landscape went through (and is still absorbing) a seismic shift. Now, the players are allowed to build income through third parties, and the evolution has reached the point where athletes can negotiate NIL deals with the university itself (House settlement). Combine this with the transfer portal, where players can essentially enter a glorified free agent pool, and the influence head coaches have on a program isn’t nearly as large as it once was. In other words, the days of amateurism can be declared a distant memory.

This brings us back to Gundy and his program at Oklahoma State. While there is still a lot to be said about the recruitment of high school athletes, NIL and the transfer portal is here to stay, and if a coach can’t evolve with the times (just like anything else in life), he or she will drift into irrelevancy. Money will have to be spent if a school wants to stay competitive, and this is something Lanning and Oregon clearly understands. Even with the money that’s spent, it’s the coach’s responsibility to have the team ready to play week after week, and there have been performances in the last couple of years where one could wonder if Gundy has lost touch with the current athlete. Sure, the Ducks have the better team, but the Cowboys came in uninspired and lethargic, basically defeated before the game even kicked off. When Gundy made those comments (and try to clarify after the fact), they sounded more like built-in excuses for the ensuing beatdown.

From the outside looking in, it appears the time for Gundy to step down from his position is overdue. The stubbornness to stick with tools that worked in 2015 is showing they won’t work in 2025 and beyond. The head coach doesn’t have all of the power anymore, and there’s a need to understand players could potentially make as much money as they do. It’s no coincidence Nick Saban, who apparently didn’t want much to do with the changing dynamics, decided to retire from Alabama after the 2023 season. For Gundy, there’s two choices to pick from. Either move aside for someone with a fresher mind, or get with the evolution. If his answer is the former, housings like the one Oklahoma State received from Oregon will become the norm, and the choice for Gundy to stay will be made for him.

Richardson’s case is the latest in a troubling trend

His career is apparently “over” after losing the competition for the Colts’ starting quarterback

The preseason is officially over in the NFL, and a week from Thursday, the regular season will be upon us. As teams start their final preparations for Week 1, there are still some items on the list to check off. One of those items include getting rosters down to 53 players, with the deadline set for Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Like the other squads, the Indianapolis Colts have some tough decisions to make, and one of them may involve the future of quarterback Anthony Richardson. Just two years ago, this scenario might have been seen as a far cry, but the situation Richardson is now in points to a trend that should be avoided by simple understanding and judgment of talent evaluations.

Before getting into the troubling pattern plaguing the league, let’s start with the origin story. Richardson was selected by the Colts with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft (third QB taken that year after Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud). As is the case with all of these selections, the goal is to find that franchise-altering player that can be the cornerstone for a bright future, and based on the raw talent Richardson possesses, there’s reason to believe why Indianapolis thought they found their guy. While the physical attributes stand out, actually playing the QB position well was always a question, as Richardson was inconsistent at best during his days at Florida, finishing 2022 with a completion percentage of 53.8. That stat alone should give the scouting department (along with the general manager and head coach) pause when considering whether or not a quarterback is ready for the next level, but with the thirst over the position at an all-time high, stats can be seen as minor details, secondary to the number of highlights seen from college days. What a player does in the NFL combine and pro day means more, and that was probably the case with Richardson.

Regardless of the red flags that stuck out, the Colts felt good about their choice, and with Richardson coming in the same year Shane Steichen was hired as the head coach, a nucleus was formed. If anyone was qualified to polish the rawness of the skillset Richardson has, it was thought to be Steichen. He was the offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles when they lost in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs the year prior. Because of his role in helping Jalen Hurts develop into one of the better QBs, the thinking was he could do the same with Richardson, who has a similar body-type to Hurts. At the beginning of 2023, things looked rosy for the newly-formed partnership, as the rookie was putting up good numbers. Unfortunately, Richardson’s season was cut short, due to a shoulder injury suffered in early-October. Fast forward to 2024, and conditioning issues surfaced in a critical divisional showdown with the Houston Texans. Richardson “tapped out” of the game due to fatigue, a move that was seen by many as quitting on his teammates. Combine that with the season he was having up to that Week 8 contest (4 touchdowns and 7 interceptions with a 44.4 completion percentage), and losing faith in a guy who’s the supposed leader and franchise player becomes more than a possibility.

After Indianapolis saw the quarterback position alternate between Richardson and Joe Flacco (now back with the Cleveland Browns) last season, training camp presented a fresh opportunity for the maligned raw talent to seize the starting job. Instead, Steichen (with probable assistance from GM Chris Ballard) decided to name Daniel Jones, someone who was with the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings before coming to Indy, the starter for the foreseeable future. Now, questions of trust are floating around, and the team’s relationship with the player is on the rocks. Of course, the first thing the media and fans want to do is place blame on why things with the Colts and Richardson appear dark. It might be true Steichen and Ballard didn’t provide the best situation for Richardson to succeed, but ultimately (and probably the main reason), the player was most likely overrated in the first place, and not ready to play at a level where he could be considered a competent QB in the NFL. Another elephant in the room is Steichen and Ballard aren’t exactly secure in their respective positions. So they’re going to do what they feel gives them the best chance to keep their jobs and win football games. Apparently, they trust Jones more in that venture than Richardson.

In totality, this is just the latest in cases where quarterbacks are put up far too lofty, when a little bit of research (and simple eye testing) would tell a different story. Another troublesome trend is the rush to throw a BS hot take into the wind, calling Richardson a “bust” after just two seasons in the league. It’s true the career path hasn’t started off so well, but the man is only 23 years old, and the raw talent still jumps off the page (this is coming from someone who is very critical of his play). Let’s see if he can work on his craft and earn himself another chance to show he can become a franchise QB, whether it’s in Indianapolis or elsewhere. History says Jones won’t make it through a whole season without getting injured and/or benched. If and when that happens, Richardson has to be ready, because if not, there might be a little substance to that bust potential.

The hype is real, but the results won’t match for these NFL teams

Disappointment reigns supreme when it comes to these overrated clubs

Here we are, at that time of the year when training camps are underway throughout the NFL. This is truly the occasion where all of the teams arrive with hopes of winning the Super Bowl. Of course, games will be played, and the field dwindles down until one squad is left standing in February. Until then, the hype trains will be gassed up in record levels, and there are a few who continue to have many fans and media try to speak a championship season into existence. Much more often than not, the results (inevitably) fall far short of the hype, and these teams fit that category perfectly.

It probably shouldn’t be much of a shock the Dallas Cowboys are amongst the top when it comes to results and hype not matching. If marketability and business is the topic, there isn’t a team on this planet that beats the Cowboys, with their value being over $10 billion (with a “b,” according to multiple sources). While Dallas is on top of the franchise value world, games are actually played on the field, and the Cowboys aren’t thriving between those lines. The normal talk has already started. Quarterback Dak Prescott will be looked at as a potential MVP candidate. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will get pub as someone who can break the receiving yards record. Defensive end/linebacker Micah Parsons (who’s in a contract dispute with the team, much like Prescott and Lamb was at this time last year) will get built up as the best defensive player in the league, not just currently, ever. What has happened in previous years is Prescott, Lamb and Parsons have inflated their stats against inferior opponents, only to get exposed when a step-up in weight class occurs. That’s Dallas as a whole, and if they didn’t wear that blue star on their helmets, the hype isn’t nearly as loud. It’s widely know the Cowboys haven’t been to the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season, and there is no indication that changes as long as Jerry Jones remains the team owner in Dallas.

Speaking of clubs that can’t get right, there’s no need to look past the Los Angeles Chargers. How many years (in a row) have people waited for the Chargers to take the next step toward becoming a championship contender, especially since Justin Herbert has been the QB? Now, that talk has only amplified since Jim Harbaugh took the reins as the head coach before last season. Harbaugh made some interesting comments a few days ago, saying everyone else on the team has to get on Herbert’s level. If that’s the case, higher levels need to be strived for, because there hasn’t been a playoff win with this “elite” quarterback leading the pack. Football is the ultimate team sport, and there is probably truth to what Harbaugh is saying. With that said, multiple things can be true, and if Herbert is the top QB everyone seems to think he is, then he will elevate his teammates to a level where they can challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West crown (and beyond). For a reminder, titles cannot be given to someone. They have to be earned, and while Herbert has shown signs of brilliance throughout his career, it’s not worthy enough to match the hype. It’s past time for the Herbert and Los Angeles to put some substance behind the style, and it’s questionable whether or not that happens in a few months.

While this team may not be on the level of disappointment the Cowboys and Chargers have given the hype pushers, the Green Bay Packers are starting to enter that territory. This goes back to the latter years of the Aaron Rodgers (now with the Pittsburgh Steelers) era, and has carried on with Jordan Love as the triggerman. Like Prescott and Herbert, Love is in the conversation for MVP, but with the exception of the second half in the 2023 campaign, the performance has been a little underwhelming. This is supposed to be the season where it all comes together for Love and the Packers. The roster looks like it’s one of the best in the league, and they have a good coach in Matt LaFleur. Now, there’s no excuses, and it’s time for Love to lead the charge bringing another championship back to “Titletown, USA.” It won’t be easy, especially considering Green Bay plays in the NFC North, which might be the toughest division the NFL has to offer.

With these three teams (and there are others), the noise surrounding them has been loud, and the hype has been just as blinding. After a while, the truth always comes to the light, and people can only believe the words without substance and action for so long. No matter how hard many try, there’s no argument for results, and if the Cowboys, Chargers and Packers want to change their respective narratives, then it’s time to actually win on the field. Hope springs eternal, and there’s every reason to be optimistic. Based on past history, it shouldn’t be a surprise if (and probably when) these clubs have a derailment of the hype train.

Three ways Edwards can go from very good to elite

Calling the Timberwolves star the “Face of the NBA” is exaggerated, but it doesn’t mean he can’t get there

In today’s world of sports, there aren’t too many leagues that market their stars like the NBA does. For so long, the league has had LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant (among others) being the marquee players to lean on, with James having the “Face of the NBA” title for the majority of the time he’s played. As those players enter the twilight of their careers, the media and fans are longing for a fresh face, with Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards getting a big push for the crown. As much as people want to give Edwards this title, it has to be earned, not given, and judging off of how things have ended for Minnesota the last two seasons (getting sacked in the Western Conference finals in five games), details show there’s a long way to go before he can be recognized as someone the rest of the league can follow. Having said that, the assumption is there’s plenty of time to grow, as Edwards is only 23-years-old. Even with that in his favor, it’s hard to see much improvement if he can’t make a few aspects a bigger part of his game. With the depth of the conference, there’s no guarantee of team success, but improving on these things should give Edwards and the Timberwolves a better chance.

More Consistency On Defense

With the raw athletic talent Edwards is blessed with, he has the ability to be one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA, and glimpses of that potential has shown on the court. An example of this was seen in Game 3 of the conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With Minnesota down 2-0 in the series, they needed a spark from their star player, and Edwards accomplished that by putting pressure on the Thunder ball handlers, which led to creating turnovers and fast break buckets. The issue is it’s not consistent, and like many of the ball-dominant players in basketball, Edwards is guarding someone who isn’t the other team’s best offensive player, in an attempt to rest on the defensive end. While defense is more of an afterthought these days, the fact still remains this is the part of the game that should never slack. If Edwards is the leader and franchise player, he’ll have to understand everyone else on the team follows his lead. If he’s not bringing energy, that can (and probably will) rub off on his teammates. Setting the tone on defense brings positive energy, and that must become closer to the norm if the best version of Edwards is going to show.

Mid-Range, Mid-Range, Mid-Range

It’s understood analytics says the three-pointer and layup are the best ways to score, but the proven product, no matter what statistics say or the era basketball is played in, is the mid-range game. So much of the offense can open up with an efficient, 15 to 17-foot jumper. Edwards hasn’t really shown the ability to operate from the mid-range, and because of that, his game becomes boom or bust. Sure, Edwards led the NBA in three-pointers made this season (320), and have games where he hit seven or eight of them, but there are also contests where he goes 1-9 from deep (Game 2 of the WCF). If Edwards is looking for someone he can look at as an example of what a mid-range game can open up, the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is available. All Gilgeous-Alexander did is win the league-MVP this year, and everything he does originates from the mid-range. Simply put, players can be successful without listening to what analytics say, and there hasn’t been many players who went wrong with having a consistent arsenal from in-between the three-point stripe and the basket.

Move Without The Ball

So many of the players in today’s game are ball-dominant, meaning the ball has to be in their hands if they’re going to have the most impact on the game. What makes Curry unique (and lethal at the same time) is he’s just as dangerous moving without the ball as he is with the ball in his possession. Most of these ball-dominant players will pass the ball, only to stand at the same spot he just gave the ball up from, expecting to get it right back. Edwards isn’t quite that bad, but this is an area that can use improvement. The Timberwolves do have other players who can operate the offense and handle the ball. While this could look good schematically, Edwards would have to turn that responsibility over and trust the adjustment. While he is dynamic in getting to his spots, the teams Minnesota plays against know that also, and they’re going to have defenses designed to get the ball out of Edwards’ hands. So often, it comes down to who can stay a step ahead of their opponent, and creating opportunities for others with movement would be a great counter.

Bonus: Stop Complaining!

Breaking news: Society loves to complain about damn near everything, and the NBA is no different in that regard. For Edwards, this is true on two fronts. The first involves him voicing his displeasure about seeing double-teams. He’ll have to realize he’s not even close to the first player to see multiple defenders, and he won’t be the last. The great players were able to deal with those coverages and figure it out. Edwards, if he wants to reach the elite level, will have to do the same. The second front is, well, what everyone complains about, officiating. For anyone who has watched Timberwolves games lately, there aren’t a lot of minutes that go by without hearing Edwards complain about a “missed” call, or one that went against him. As hard as this is to do for most people altogether, he has to find away to get the officiating out of his focus, and concentrate on the things that are in his control. Getting tied up with the refs doesn’t benefit anyone involved, and the constant complaining won’t change anything. Just play ball, and the rest will take care of itself.

These four steps could help Edwards get to a place where he’s the next face of the league, but all of them are on the court, during games. The most important step is what happens off the court, which is a change in his mindset. He’ll have to learn being athletic and working on just offense isn’t enough. What separates the good from the elite is the mental part, and the ability to play chess, when others are playing checkers. Again, all of this is being said with the understanding Edwards is only 23. So there is time, and he is already pretty good as it is. Now, it’s time to take the next steps, those that are critical for Minnesota’s and his success going forward. Then, and only then, would conversations of Edwards being the new face have substance.

Hard to understand all of the questions surrounding Hunter

Wondering about a player who excels on offense and defense speaks volumes about the NFL’s talent evaluators.

As we all know by now, the action never stops in the NFL, even without games being played. The scouting combine is behind us, and free agency is about done (with the exception of the normal Aaron Rodgers drama) before the NFL Draft in late-April. Speaking of the draft, one of the main questions leading up to the time to see players officially become professionals center around Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter. Speculation goes from discussion about where Hunter gets drafted, to how he should be used once said team selects him with a presumably high draft choice. On one side, the questions could be seen as valid, and on the other, it would be understood if this topic as a whole is nothing more than made-up fodder for the talking heads and “experts” to quench the thirst for content.

Before diving into the validity of the questions, let’s start with facts about the player, for context purposes. Hunter was highly-recruited by numerous power-conference schools, before stunning the college football world with the decision to play at Jackson State, who was coached by Deion Sanders at the time. On the surface, people wondered why would Hunter go play at the smaller college, but considering cornerback is his natural position (more on that in a minute), why wouldn’t he want to learn from arguably the best to ever play that position? After spending his first year at JSU, Hunter would follow Sanders to Colorado, where he would become a household name with his versatility. Not only would he remain one of the best corners in the land, but also become one of the elite receivers. His ability to be on the field for around 100 plays per game (routinely) was instrumental in his winning of the Heisman trophy this past season. Now, Hunter is anywhere in the top-five on most draft boards as far as best players available goes.

After reading that last paragraph, it’s logical to ask why there are issues deciding where Hunter would fit in the scheme of the team who drafts him. The problem isn’t the athlete as much as it is the front offices doing the evaluation. Like most things in life, feedback and “analysis” come from a negative lens, talking about what can’t be done, or what a player can’t or won’t do. What Hunter can do is play the game of football, and there’s no reason why he can’t do in the NFL what he did in college. Deciding how to use Hunter’s talents should be easy from a front office perspective, but because the focus is on detracting, lines become blurred. If his natural position is defensive back, draft him with the purpose of playing him there, then put a package together where he can get some snaps on the offensive end (just to start off). If Hunter is still feeling fresh after whatever play-count, give him more plays. Most of all, why wouldn’t a team want to get a player with Hunter’s skillset as many chances on the field as possible? More often than not, there’s too many questions that have no reason to be asked.

Of course, we won’t get answers until the draft opens April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, but it doesn’t mean the time for forecast is stopping anytime soon. With that in mind, let’s talk about the draft order. The Tennessee Titans hold the first pick, followed by the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. Unsurprisingly, conversation begins and ends with the quarterback position, and this year’s class is headlined by Cam Ward (The “U” of Miami) and Shedeur Sanders (Hunter’s teammate at Colorado). Most will say this is crazy, but if the Titans aren’t taking Hunter with the pick, it might be better to trade down and stockpile more picks. Despite all of the hype (along with the everlasting obsession with the QB position), there’s nothing that says Ward or Sanders are players franchises can build around. On top of that, Tennessee has a bunch of issues on their roster, and picking a quarterback doesn’t make them go away. It’s easily forgotten how much of a team sport football is, and unless the Titans start with roster-building, the same problems will persist. Plus, if it doesn’t work out with Hunter, the team isn’t torpedoed for years, like missing on a QB would do. So if Tennessee keeps the pick, they might as well go with arguably the best player.

It’s no secret the NFL season is a grind, and the toll the game can take on the human body is undeniable. Also true is how rare it is to see players take snaps on both sides of the ball with regularity. What Hunter will attempt to do upon entering the league has never been done before, but can he at least have a chance before it’s an automatic no? We’re always told history is meant to be broken, so let’s see what Hunter does. From all indications, he has a work ethic to match the talent, and a mentality to be great at what he does. At the end, that should be all front offices ask for, and this could be a big mistake if Hunter doesn’t get to maximize his talents because of bad management.