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Author: Jon Kuzma

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Former National Rugby League winger Valentine Holmes has signed with the New York Jets and hopes to make it in the NFL. Holmes will follow in the footsteps of former Rugby star Jarryd Hayne who played for the San Francisco 49ers back in 2015. Hayne probably could’ve done better if he stuck with it longer but Holmes has one advantage and that’s being younger.


Valentine Holmes is only 23 years old and some of the rookies in the NFL draft will have a few years on him. Hayne was 28 when he played and those mid 20s are a crucial time in a professional football player’s career. So from a development standpoint Holmes has a much bigger window to learn the game and find out how to play at a high level. Of course the Jets will have to keep Holmes on their roster first and foremost but this is a trend we’re starting to see more often. Some of these rugby players have incredible athleticism and Holmes is listed as a wide receiver / running back / kick returner. Right away that tells you he’s a guy who can react very quickly on the football field. A lot of those instincts are developed by evading defenders in rugby and believe it or not it tends to translate over to our sport. On special teams those skills can very be beneficial but it’s much tougher to have success against players in pads. One reason is because it slows everybody down including the ball carrier. The other reason is because the collisions are massive and players are more reckless knowing they have all of that protection. Making it clear Valentine Holmes will face some tough odds but at least he’s taking a shot at his dreams. It’s not easy to go from Australia to the United States and risk it all and for that we should already respect Holmes.

Charity of the day: Salk Institute for Biological Studies

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Valentine Holmes is on the Jets roster and now he’ll have to adjust to the fast pace of the NFL.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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There’s been a lot of speculation about what comes next for Todd Gurley? The Los Angeles Rams running back had a bad ending to the 2018 season after he started to slowdown in the playoffs. It was clear that Gurley wasn’t healthy and TMZ reported that he’s limping still to this day. While the Rams have to be concerned about that lets not forget Gurley already battled back from a knee injury (ACL) he had at the University of Georgia.


You also have to remember Gurley has been an MVP candidate the past two seasons. This is a player who’s racked up almost 4,000 yards (rushing / receiving) and 40 touchdowns over the last 24 months. How can you bet against someone who’s been the backbone of Los Angeles success? We all know Gurley has some hurdles to clear to get back to the player he once was but we can’t get caught up in C.J Anderson outperforming him in the Super Bowl and NFC Championship. Even beyond the injury you can’t forget these players are human beings and sometimes guys go through a slump. It would be shocking if Todd Gurley’s best days are already in the rear-view mirror and if that’s the case then the Rams are going to take a huge step backwards. Sean McVay’s offense all starts with the running game and then he works his playaction passes off of that. LA also paid Gurley a 4 year $60M contract so they need him to be a part of their long term plan. This is a situation which is certainly concerning for LA’s front office but Gurley will bounce back and you can expect him to be lighting it up in no time. Will it be in 2019? Who knows but sooner or later he’ll get back on track and continue to be one of the most dynamic ball carriers in all of football.

Charity of the day: Salk Institute for Biological Studies

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Todd Gurley has been an MVP candidate the past two seasons and it’s hard to believe his best days are already behind him.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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No one has more draft capital than the Oakland Raiders and it’s possible they could use those picks to swing a deal for Kyler Murray. Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden believe Murray is worth the risk and it would be a splash for an organization who is trying to turn the page on their struggles. Yea parting ways with a couple of first round selections will be tough but if Murray pans out then Oakland will be on the cusp of a winning season in 2019.


It’s smart because the other guys in that locker room need something to reinvigorate their spirits. The Raiders only won 4 games last season and if something doesn’t change quickly then people will start to question Gruden’s methods. Mark Davis will try to avoid that at all costs after spending $100M dollars on his head coach. Not only would Kyler Murray provide a spark for this franchise’s offense but he’ll also help with the financial side of things. The fans are going to purchase so many Murray jerseys and it will drum up interest. On the field Murray can make an impact with his precision passing and ability to extend the play. After only scoring 290 points last season this feels like a solution to a lot of those problems. Everything should fall into place with better quarterback play and this decision could be a turning of the tides. Clearly it won’t be good news for Derek Carr but sometimes you have to do the best thing for the team. Besides Carr has had plenty of time to make things work and now some of his teammates are questioning his leadership. Gruden has been reading the room and he knows it’s time to go with someone else. Murray would head to the Bay Area and team up with Antonio Brown and it should result in instant fireworks.

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Oakland thinks Kyler Murray is the best quarterback available and they could trade up to get him.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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Jerry Stackhouse once averaged 29 points per game with the Detroit Pistons and it’s because there wasn’t any other good players to help the team out. JuJu Smith-Smith could be in similar situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers because he’s the only good wide receiver they have.


Obviously Antonio Brown has been the best wide receiver in football over the past several seasons but he’s going to a new team and one that’s not better than Pittsburgh. Plus Ben Roethlisberger is a better quarterback than Derek Carr so there’s a lot of factors that are definitely working in Smith-Schuster’s favor. It’s possible Brown lights it up but the fact that’s he’s still looking back on his time with the Steelers is a bad sign. Another thing that’s concerning is Brown said he doesn’t need football anymore. You can tell he’s getting tired of the grind and it shows in his attitude. You have to wonder if Jon Gruden is getting nervous about adding a player who can be toxic in the locker room. If Oakland starts losing games then the feel good story will be over. Right now it seems like Smith-Schuster is in a better situation but you never know for sure how these things are going to play out. Maybe Carr and Brown sync up and become one of the better passing tandems in the league. Truthfully though it feels like Oakland won’t be a contender until 2020 and it could be a hassle for Antonio Brown to make it until that point in time. You know things will be really bad if Smith-Schuster and the Steelers are having a ton of success and the Raiders are struggling. Gruden better hope that isn’t the case because then all hell will break loose.

Charity of the day: Environmental Working Group

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Believe it or not JuJu Smith-Schuster could end up having a better year than Antonio Brown in 2019.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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Tony Gonzalez, Kellen Winslow, and Rob Gronkowski are three of the best tight ends to ever play in the National Football League but Travis Kelce is starting to enter the conversation. It’ll be tough for the Kansas City standout to catch Gonzalez stat wise because Tony G played for 17 seasons. Plus players are more aware of the physical consequences of the sport in today’s era and that why’s people’s careers are getting shorter.


That doesn’t take away from the fact that Kelce had the most productive season in NFL history by a tight end in 2018. Kelce racked up 1,336 yards and 10 touchdowns proving there’s no one else in the league like him. This is a 6’5” 260 pound guy who runs a 4.61 40 yard dash. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands and Kelce can juke defenders out of their shoes. Then in the passing game he’s very good at working the seams and post routes vertically down the field. What that does is open up the Chiefs offense and it makes Patrick Mahomes’ job so much easier. Another part of Kelce’s game that has to be mentioned is how good his hands are. We’ve seen him make one handed grabs to move the chains and it’s spectacular to see that from someone who is so big. You also have to keep in mind that Kelce can block too so it’s clear he’s the total package. Can you imagine how much of a step back the Chiefs would take if they didn’t have the former 3rd round pick on their roster? There’s no way Mahomes would’ve put up 50 touchdowns without Kelce and he’ll be even more valuable if Tyreek Hill gets suspended. So things will certainly be interesting in Kansas City this year but you can almost guarantee that Travis Kelce is going to bring it.

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Travis Kelce is the best tight end in football and it’s not even close.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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There’s a lot of great pass rushers in the NFL and one of the most dominant over the past two seasons has been Demarcus Lawrence. The Cowboys defensive end has 25 sacks over the last 24 months which led to this massive $105M dollar payday.Lawrence’s agent definitely deserves some praise for holding out and getting the best deal possible.


Dallas franchise tagged their top pass rusher hoping he’d play on a one year $20M dollar deal but Lawrence chose not to sign that tender. Truthfully that was a smart decision because it led to this long term agreement. Jason Garrett has to be excited because Demarcus Lawrence is the alpha of his defense and now there’s no distractions heading into the season. With Lawrence’s contract taken care of all the stars are aligning for this team and they could end up in the Super Bowl. It’s been a while since Jerry Jones had this talented of a roster and they already won the NFC East last season. Meaning A.T and T stadium will be rocking in 2019 because we all know how people love the Cowboys. They’re the highest valued franchise in all of sports and everybody seems to be a fan of America’s Team. It’s hard to believe Lawrence ever wanted to leave because the players in Dallas have it so much better than everyone else. Their billion dollar stadium and billion dollar practice facility proves that and now they have a shot at bringing home a Vince Lombardi trophy too. For Demarcus Lawrence his goals are simple. Record at least 10 sacks and win as many games as possible. The rest will take care of itself.

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The last two seasons Demarcus Lawrence proved he would be worth every penny of his next contract.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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Former Green Bay Packers star Eddie Lacy had a tryout with the Baltimore Ravens and he was actually out of football for the 2018 season. Lacy lit it up in his first two years in the NFL rushing for back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons and 20 touchdowns. However the last three years have been rough for Lacy and he’s only had 3 touchdowns during that time span. If there’s any good news for Lacy it’s that Baltimore picked up Robert Griffin III after he missed all of 2017.


That acquisition has worked out for the Ravens and one team (Jacksonville) even tried to trade for Griffin. Owner Steve Bisciotti knows that sometimes taking a risk on a player can be the path to finding a diamond in the rough. Which no doubt works in Lacy’s favor but above all he has to be in shape. Being away from the game and losing reps definitely hurts and if Lacy isn’t in top form it’ll be a missed opportunity for a guy who definitely possesses some talent. Hopefully that’s not the case though and it would be huge for Lamar Jackson if he had Mark Ingram and a reinvigorated Lacy to hand the ball off to. Whether or not that happens is still yet to be determined but it’s a step in the right direction for the 28 year old. If all goes well he could have four or five seasons left in him. Lacy shouldn’t just settle for Baltimore either he needs to meet with as many teams as possible. Obviously that will improve his chances of getting back out on the field and from there it’s about making a little magic happen. It’s definitely a crossroads moment for Lacy because if he doesn’t make something happen soon his career will be over. You don’t get too many chances in the National Football League.

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Eddie Lacy is hoping to land a job with the Baltimore Ravens.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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There’s no denying that Nick Bosa is the best player in the NFL Draft. Even though Bosa only suited up for three games last season he still managed to rack up 4 sacks and 6 TFLs during his final year at Ohio State. At times the younger Bosa brother looked like J.J Watt in his prime and that’s why the Los Angeles Chargers should consider trading up to get the former Buckeye. Philip Rivers time is winding down and once he retires then LA’s Super Bowl hopes will go down the drain.


Which is why the front office should be aggressive and take the next step defensively by pairing up both of the Bosa boys. Those two guys along with Melvin Ingram will be a trio that dominates every offense they face. Yea it will probably cost the team a first round pick for the next two years to move up from 28th overall. It’s similar to the deal the New Orleans Saints made to get Marcus Davenport but the best thing about the Chargers situation is the comfort level it will provide Nick Bosa. Being on the same roster as his brother means he’ll have at least someone in his corner at all times. When you’re going to a new team and meeting a lot of new people that can make all the difference in the world. Not to mention Joey Bosa is also a force to be reckoned with off the edge and quarterbacks aren’t going to have any time to throw the ball when they go against this group. Would it be a risky decision? There’s no doubt about it but that pass rush would overwhelm those blockers upfront and they could rattle Tom Brady in the playoffs next season. Proving Nick Bosa is exactly what the Chargers need to get over the hump in 2019.

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Trading up and putting Nick and Joey Bosa on the same defense would be a smart move for Los Angeles.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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A Bleacher Report article came out recently and it shed light on the Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay. While the article painted McCarthy as an incompetent coach who always called the wrong plays. It’s easy to see where Rodgers’ frustration comes from. When McCarthy was with the San Francisco 49ers they chose Alex Smith over Rodgers and that rubbed the future 2x MVP the wrong way.


So right away there’s this dark cloud hanging over their relationship when both guys arrived in Wisconsin. Then there’s the fact that McCarthy wasn’t nearly as bright as Rodgers. You have to remember the former Cal quarterback (Rodgers) scored a 35 on his Wonderlic test and he can process information at rate that’s far beyond what most people are capable of. So when McCarthy couldn’t keep up and he didn’t understand how to use personnel packages and route concepts to create opportunities for his team it made Rodgers furious. Why should Aaron Rodgers have to dumb it down to fit into a system that wasn’t benefiting the Packers’ offense? Green Bay needs a head coach that Rodgers can feel comfortable trusting and clearly Mike McCarthy was never that guy. Obviously that stirred up some insecurities in the team’s former head coach just like it did when he was picked to be Brett Favre’s replacement. To be fair Favre was way worse to Rodgers but McCarthy’s attitude also began to slip because of his inferiority. You can’t blame Aaron Rodgers for this because you’re supposed to fulfill your own potential. Making your self small to appease the people around you will never be the right choice. We live in a world where jealousy and envy are all round us and you see a similar situation going on with Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh. Everyone looks up to the quarterback and sometimes that makes them a target because somebody out there always wants to tear you down.

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Aaron Rodgers always shined brighter than everyone else and that didn’t sit well with Mike McCarthy or Brett Favre.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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It’s been a long time since Jerry Jones has been in the position he’s in now. The Dallas Cowboys are the reigning NFC East champs and they got even better this off-season. Jason Witten, Robert Quinn, and Randall Cobb have all been added to their roster and there’s so much to be optimistic about. It’s very possible that Dallas emerges as the favorite on the NFC side of the bracket.


Los Angeles and New Orleans both lost some key pieces and it looks like they could take a small step backwards. Which opens the door for someone like the Cowboys to make the leap to the top of the conference. The biggest threat could be the Philadelphia Eagles who also had a terrific off-season with the additions of Jordan Howard, DeSean Jackson, and Malik Jackson. Then there’s Chicago who will always be force as long as they have their elite defense intact. To be fair though they also have a stout defense down in Arlington Texas. Demarcus Lawrence, Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylen Smith, and Byron Jones were all outstanding a year ago. They’re not quite as good as the Bears but then again Dallas didn’t have to sell the farm to acquire all of their top notch defenders like Chicago did. So from a long term perspective they’re in a much better position and it just goes to show that America’s Team is ascending. One of the most important story lines for them will be Dak Prescott and how he handles the offense late in the season? We already know this franchise is good enough to get to playoffs but that’s when you’re really tested. Prescott threw for 266 yards, 1 touchdown, and no interceptions in the divisional round loss to the Rams. However He’ll need to put up at least three passing TDs in every elimination game the next time around. Other than that everything else looks promising.

Charity of the day: Coalition for the Homeless

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The Dallas Cowboys could take control of the NFC side of the bracket in 2019.