Sports Krunch w/DKROM

1. Today, the NFL owners approved the terms of a potential new Collective Bargaining Agreement and the NFLPA will discuss those terms and perhaps vote on a conference call tomorrow. The terms of the deal include the expansion of the regular season from 16 games to 17 games (along with reducing the preseason by one game) and the expansion of the playoffs from 12 teams to 14 teams (seven per conference). As bargaining chips, the owners have increased the player’s share of revenue from 47% to 48.5% (which could go up to 49% with new TV $$), raised minimum salaries across the board, COMPLETELY took away the “judge/jury/executioner” role from Roger Goodell with the exception of matters concerning the “integrity of the game”, and put in more safety measures, particularly in training camp practices. Still, if I was a player, I’m not sure this would be enough for me to approve the proposal currently on the table. I said previously that unless I got SIGNIFICANT concessions such as receiving 50%+ of total revenue, an extra bye week during the regular season, and SIGNIFICANTLY improved health care and pensions for retirees, I wouldn’t sign off on a 17th game. What do you think?

2. Another one of many items that can derail this deal from getting done by the start of the new league year on March 18 is that players who have negotiated contracts based on a 16-game season would have their 17th game check capped at $250K as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. Granted, that reportedly only affects players making an average annual salary higher $4.25 million, which is like eight out of 1900 players if the 17-game season went into effect in 2021. Why would the majority of players benefit even more if those at the top were able to make far more money in a 17th game?

3. If there is no new CBA by March 2021, and the NFL decides not to lock out, do you strike if you’re the players?

4. LET’S PLAY TAG!!!

-Cowboys (Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, Byron Jones)

-Franchise Tag: Dak Prescott, Transition Tag: Byron Jones

-Buccaneers (Jameis Winston, Shaq Barrett)

-Franchise Tag: Shaq Barrett, Transition Tag: Jameis Winston

-Titans (Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry)

-Franchise Tag: Derrick Henry, -Transition Tag: 

5. Which of these three teams would be the BEST possible fit for Tom Brady should he leave the Patriots: Titans, Raiders, Chargers

6. Ideal landing spots for QB’s on the move…or possibly on the move

-Teddy Bridgewater: Patriots

-Taysom Hill (RFA): DON’T TOUCH…or Ravens????

-Philip Rivers: Colts

-Jameis Winston: Bears

-Derek Carr: Patriots?? Titans??

-Ryan Tannehill: Bears, Raiders

-Andy Dalton: Dolphins as backup

-Marcus Mariota: Ravens, Bills, or Seahawks

-Jacoby Brissett: Stay with Colts

1. CeeDee Lamb is usually mentioned in the same breath as Jerry Jeudy as a serious candidate to be the first WR taken off the board. However, the expectation is that Lamb will run in the 4.5s in the 40 yard dash. While I constantly, passionately stress that 40 time isn’t the end all, be all for WR’s, the NFL has a history of letting uber-talented receivers who post such a result slide much farther than they should. A notable recent example of that is Michael Thomas, who is now arguably the best WR in the NFL. Based on the tape alone, do you think Lamb is worthy of a top-10 selection?

2. The WR that’s likely to generate the most buzz in Indy is Henry Ruggs. Many believe he will break the record for fastest 40 time ever recorded at the Combine, which was recently set by John Ross three years ago. Ross ended up being the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft. Do you think Ruggs is a better prospect? If so, what makes him so and do you think his film alone should put him in the conversation along with Lamb and Jeudy to be the first WR off the board?

3. Another speedy receiver with a chance to skyrocket up boards with a good showing in Indy is TCU’s Jaelen Reagor. Many on Draft Twitter are enamored with his skillset, but several other respected analysts are not as high on him. What were your major takeaways from Reagor’s tape and do you think he can be a top-25 or top-15 pick if he does well for the remainder of the draft process?

4. This is one of the better OT classes we have seen in quite some time. There could very well be five OT’s selected in the first round, if not more. But there are some interesting questions surrounding two of the top five prospects; Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs and Georgia’s Andrew Thomas. Reportedly, many around the league believe both of them are better fits inside at guard (Wirfs due to length and Thomas due to play-style). Do you share those views?

5. Another position group with some incredible depth in this 2020 draft class is corner. The headliner of the class is obviously Jeffrey Okudah, who is a borderline lock to go top-five. But after him, it’s a bit of a mystery. Which corners do you think have the most convincing case to be the second CB taken off the board?

6. We were down in Mobile for the Senior Bowl last month, and arguably the biggest star down there was South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw. I heard from a credible source down there that scouts around the league have near-identical grades on him and Auburn DT Derrick Brown, another blue chip prospect. If he tests as well as expected in Indy, do you think he deserves to be drafted before Brown?

7. Another star player we saw down in Mobile was safety Kyle Dugger from Lenoir Rhyne. Last week, Matt Miller, the lead NFL Draft analyst from Bleacher Report reported that some scouts think Dugger is a better prospect than LSU’s Grant Delpit. What are your thoughts on Dugger and how high do you think he can be drafted?

8. Name some under-the-radar prospects who you believe have the potential to dramatically increase their stock at the combine 

We kick off our 2020 NFL Draft Coverage with a special interview with Nick Gauna, who was a placekicker on the 2015-16 University of Alabama National Championship football team!! He discussed how his inspiring journey led him to Tuscaloosa, his experience playing for Nick Saban, and shared his thoughts on the top prospects the Crimson Tide have in the 2020 NFL Draft

1. Initial thoughts on Super Bowl LIV

Me: 

-Opposite styles attract!   

Hal: Both teams have good offensive lines, especially at OT…and good DL too

2. Truth/Exaggeration

-The 49ers ground game will be even more difficult for the Chiefs to stop than that of the Titans

-The Chiefs wide receivers against the Niners DB’s is the biggest mismatch in favor of the Chiefs

-Jimmy Garoppolo will have to throw for at least 250+ yards and 2 TD’s for the Niners to win

-The Chiefs will have to allow less than 150 rushing yards for them to win

-The 49ers will start the game throwing it over the yard with the Chiefs anticipating the run

-Andy Reid should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day REGARDLESS of Sunday’s outcome

-A Niners win means that Kyle Shanahan’s father Mike will be enshrined in Canton within the next five years

3. David and Hal’s picks of the Modern Era Finalists for the Pro Football HOF Class of 2020

-Troy Polamalu, Steve Atwater, John Lynch, LeRoy Butler, Edgerrin James, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Tony Boselli, Alan Faneca, Steve Hutchinson, Richard Seymour, Bryant Young, Sam Mills, Zach Thomas 

4. 2019 NFL Awards

AWARD DAVID’S CHOICE HAL’S CHOICE

MVP Lamar Jackson Lamar Jackson

Offensive POY Michael Thomas Christian McCaffrey

Defensive POY Shaq Barrett Stephon Gilmore

Offensive ROY Josh Jacobs Josh Jacobs

Defensive ROY Nick Bosa Nick Bosa

Comeback POY Ryan Tannehill Dalvin Cook

Fantasy POY Christian McCaffrey Christian McCaffrey

Breakout POY Courtland Sutton Shaq Barrett

Most Improved POY Davante Parker Josh Allen

Coach of the Year Kyle Shanahan Mike Vrabel

Assistant Coach of the Year Greg Roman Dante Scarnecchia

5. Super Bowl LIV Analysis and Game Predictions

-Key matchups: Nick Bosa vs. Eric Fisher, DeForest Buckner vs. Stefan Wisniewski

-Rank these four potential deciding factors in order of importance for this game: Average starting field position, RZ efficiency, time of possession, turnovers

-Predictions of final score, MVP, and unsung hero

6. BOLD PREDICTIONS

ME: Dee Ford strip-sacks Patrick Mahomes on the final drive of the game to seal the win for the Niners

HAL: Chiefs defense is going to hold the 49ers offense to 60 rushing yards or less

7. Challenge Flags

ME: Jimmy G…shut the haters up and show us who you really are

HAL: Patrick Mahomes…this is the year of destiny for you. SEIZE IT!!!!!

Ohio State WR KJ Hill was another player who made himself some money at the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl. I caught up with him after the final day of practice and he talked about why Brian Hartline, his position coach in college, is such a masterful teacher, discussed the strengths of his game aside from his superb route running skills, the advice his former Buckeye teammate and current star Redskins WR Terry McLaurin is giving him as he goes through the draft process...and more!!!

Texas WR Collin Johnson was another player that stood out to me at the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl. We spoke after practice and he discussed why he's running routes better than most 6-6 receivers, what makes the comeback route so difficult (he ran a great such route in practice that day), the amazing feeling he got from getting to conclude his college career in Mobile playing with fellow Longhorn Devin Duvernay...and MORE!!!

Wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden from Liberty University is one of the more inspiring stories of the 2020 NFL Draft. I spoke to him after one of the practices at the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl to discuss his story and game. He talks about growing up in Chicago's impoverished Englewood neighborhood and the inspiration he takes from NBA star Derrick Rose (who also grew up in Englewood). We also discussed the parts of his game he felt he improved during the week in Mobile, his favorite NFL wide receivers and more!!!

Utah DB Terrell Burgess is one of the most versatile players in the 2020 NFL Draft. He can play all four secondary positions. I interviewed him at the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl after practice and he discussed which position he's most comfortable at, what he's learned from watching similarly hybrid defensive backs like All Pro Tyrann Mathieu of the Chiefs...and MORE!!!

Baylor WR Denzel Mims was another big standout at the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl. I spoke to him after the second day of practice, and he discussed why his track background helps him play the wide receiver position, why his coach at Baylor, Matt Rhule (now the head coach of the Panthers) will be successful in the NFL, what makes him admire Saints All Pro WR Michael Thomas so much...and MORE!!!!!

Ohio State is a defensive line factory for the NFL and an underrated DL prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft is Davon Hamilton. I talked to him after practice at the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl and we talked about what makes Buckeyes DL coach Larry Johnson such an effective teacher, what advice he's seeking from former Buckeye DL-mates Nick Bosa (2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year!) and Dre'Mont Jones...and MORE!!!