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Author: Jon Kuzma

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Well we’ve been hearing rumors all off-season that the Chicago Bears were shopping Jordan Howard and now the Philadelphia Eagles have traded for the 24 year old running back. This is somewhat surprising for Chicago because Howard has averaged 1,123 yards per year over his first three seasons. Losing a player of this caliber will hurt the Bears chances of making it to the Super Bowl but it’s a big win for the Eagles.


Pairing up Carson Wentz and Howard is an upgrade over what the team had to deal with in 2018. Philadelphia was burning through running backs and defensive backs their last 16 games but Howard will take care of one of those problems. This is a player who can take on a heavy workload and pick up those tough yards when needed. So many times throughout his career Jordan Howard has been able to break a couple of tackles and takeoff for a big gain. What this does is it allows Philadelphia to cause defenses to sell out to stop the run. Which will open up those playaction passes for Carson Wentz and the Eagles wide receivers / Zach Ertz. There will even be times that Doug Pederson will be able to win contests by simply handing the ball off and pounding the rock 30 or 40 times a game. Jordan Howard will be the main guy and then you let Corey Clement, Josh Adams, and Wendell Smallwood sub in accordingly. Together that group will be much better off with such a complete running back leading the way and Howie Roseman once again steps up and works his magic for this franchise. It probably won’t be enough to get Philly back to the Super Bowl but at least they’re improving and that’s more than the Patriots, Rams, and Vikings can say.

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The Eagles bolstered their offensive backfield by trading for Jordan Howard.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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The Mike Zimmer era in Minnesota could’ve already seen their best days especially when you realize how bad their off-season has been. The Vikings didn’t make any significant upgrades in free agency and that’s probably because their cap space is limited after signing Kirk Cousins. With no room to maneuver financially this ball club is going to lose a step in the NFC North. Chicago, Green Bay, and Detroit have been much more active and they’re starting to leave the Vikings behind.


At the end of the day everything goes back to that Cousins deal and he’s the reason things went off the rails. Not only was the veteran quarterback too expensive but he hasn’t delivered on the field. Cousins can’t beat elite teams and Zimmer has to know he’ll be on thin ice soon. His only hope is nailing the draft and because he coaches defense that’s probably where his preference will be. Montez Sweat or Clelin Ferrell could be a few options they pursue with Everson Griffin’s career winding down. Dre’Mont Jones would also be a nice addition next to Linval Joseph. Then there’s the possibility that Rick Spielman goes with an offensive lineman to protect Cousins but that side of the ball feels like a lost cause with the wrong QB under center. Ultimately that will doom this team’s fate and it could result in Zimmer being fired. The Wilf family wants to win and they’re not going to wait around while their franchise begins to regress. Unfortunately because of the Vikings limited cap space everything seems to be heading that way. You have to wonder if the front office should tear things down now instead of trying to ride out a situation which has already peaked? Cutting Riley Reiff, Harrison Smith, Everson Griffen, and Kyle Rudolph would hurt in 2019 but it could give Minnesota a chance to turn things around in 2020. Otherwise Minnesota is settling for a wildcard loss at best and even that’s a little unrealistic.

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This current Vikings regime could be coming to an end. Mike Zimmer can’t improve his team and they’re on the verge of collapsing.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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The writing is on the wall that Kyler Murray will be drafted number one overall by the Arizona Cardinals but that’s a risky decision by the NFL’s worst team. Murray is a very talented quarterback and it’s easy to get caught up in everything he accomplished after winning the Heisman Trophy. However Dwayne Haskins is going to be a much better pro. First off look at the 2018 stats and you’ll notice Haskins had more touchdowns (50), more passing yards (4,831), and a higher completion percentage (70%).


Plus the former Ohio State quarterback throws the ball like Ben Roethlisberger and he can stand in the pocket and win off arm talent alone. Kyler Murray on the other hand did rack up over 1,000 yards on the ground and added 12 rushing touchdowns but do you really want a 5’10” 195 pound quarterback doing that at the professional level? You have to realize coaches always talk about the RH factor for a reason. That’s how fast a player can run and how hard they can hit. Nobody has a better RH factor than NFL linebackers and that’s why quarterbacks have to win with Dwayne Haskins’ style of play. The other thing that defines Haskins is his ability to perform when the stakes are high. Last season he dropped 62 points on the Michigan Wolverines in one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports. With the 6’3 220 pound gunslinger Kingsbury could have a guy with both playmaking abilities and killer instincts on the football field. When you’re an offensive minded coach it’s all about getting the best pieces available to execute your game plan. By putting Haskins right in the middle of everything there’s no doubt Arizona will significantly improve and it would be a step in the right direction momentum wise. Steve Keim needs to go against the grain and make a splash for the Cardinals.

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What if the Arizona Cardinals came to their senses and drafted Dwayne Haskins? It’s a better option for their team.

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Sport Author: Jon Kuzma

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Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback to ever play the game but he’ll have his work cut out for him if he hopes to repeat as Super Bowl champions in 2019. New England is having a brutal off-season and so many of their players have left for other teams or retired. The most notable is Rob Gronkowski who decided to hang up his cleats once and for all. Trey Flowers also skipped town to join the Lions and those are the two most devastating losses.


However there’s a list of other guys (Trent Brown, LaAdrian Waddle, Cordarrelle Patterson, and a few others) who are also no longer in Foxborough. Even for an organization like the Patriots this is still a lot of talent to replace. Bill Belichick will try to overcome these setbacks by leaning on his system and trusting his culture. He’ll also try to plug some of those holes through the draft but make no mistake about it Tom Brady will have to pick up the slack. The 41 year old quarterback must perform at a high level especially in the playoffs if he wants to will his ball club back into contention. The other key piece will be Sony Michel and whether or not he can continue to be a clutch performer throughout the season? If those two guys can put together a strong year it’s very possible New England makes it through the AFC side of the bracket. Most analysts doubted the Pats in 2018 and they were able to defy the odds. Although on paper it looks like it will be much tougher to do this time after such a mass exodus. Then there’s the negative impact all of this could have on Tom Brady. Why would he play until 45 if the roster isn’t worthy of competing for championships? Proving that the greatest dynasty in our sport is at another crossroads moment.

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Tom Brady will face an uphill battle after watching so many of his teammates leave the Patriots.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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The Denver Broncos have a great nucleus with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb as their top two pass rushers and John Elway should stick with the “defense trumps all” philosophy. By signing Ndamukong Suh with their last little bit of cap space they could sure of their defensive front. Then the Broncos should go a step further and draft Ed Oliver out of the University of Houston. Placing Suh and Oliver right in between Miller and Chubb guarantees that Denver will dominate in the trenches.


What that will do is give this football team an advantage when it comes to stopping the run and rushing the passer. Suh can also mentor Oliver and show him the ropes before finishing up his career. Make no mistake about it though Oliver would be a dominant force on his own. We saw a similar situation when Chubb came in and held it down alongside Miller. Oliver is someone who understands the game and he’s so powerful that offensive linemen get wore out by the time the fourth quarter rolls around. Suh also showed a lot in the playoffs so it’s not like he’s out of gas by any means. Truthfully he’s still a guy that can elevate a franchise into a Super Bowl contender and you have to believe the Broncos would be a lot closer to making the playoffs if they land the veteran defensive tackle. By keeping their opponents out of the end zone it instantly gives this franchise an opportunity to compete. Going this route would also give Elway the rest of the draft to improve his offensive line, tight ends, and wide receivers. There’s not any better options on the table and we’ll see if this front office gets it right or not? Last year they nailed the draft but they still have to make a splash to turn things around. Ndamukong Suh and Ed Oliver are just what the doctor ordered.

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Denver would take the next step if they sign Ndamukong Suh and draft Ed Oliver. They could have the best defense.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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Lets face it there’s a lot of athletic tight ends around the league. Vernon Davis for example ran a 4.38 40 yard dash but he didn’t have the “it factor” like Rob Gronkowski did. What separates those two is their size. Gronkowski is 6’6” 265 pounds compared to Davis who is 6’3” 250. So while Davis is very fast and can make some incredible plays on the football field.


He still wasn’t able to do a lot of the things Gronkowski could and that says something about how good of an athlete Gronk truly is. Just go back to Super Bowl 53 and watch that seam route the Patriots threw up to their future hall of famer (Gronkowski) in the 4th quarter. On that play we saw not only the ability to go over two defenders and haul in the pass down near the goal line. That catch also showcased how clutch Gronkowski is and how much confidence he has in himself when it comes to dominating the opposition. Another one of Rob Gronkowski’s most notable traits is how good he is in the YAC category. Very rarely do you see such a heavy player break so many tackles and it’s all because of how agile he plays. Defenders rarely brought him down with the initial contact and so many times he turned those opportunities into touchdowns. New England is going to have a hard time filling this guys shoes and remember Gronkowski was also an excellent blocker. Go back and watch him lay out Terrell Suggs on a crack-back block and observe how painful it looked. Gronk also opened holes in short yardage situations and it’s because he’s very well rounded. Then there’s the energy the former 2nd round draft pick brought to the offensive huddle and make no mistake about it his teammates rallied around him. Which is why Rob Gronkowski will be wearing a gold jacket before you know it.

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Rob Gronkowski’s athleticism was far beyond anything we’ve seen before from a player of his size.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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The Detroit Lions were very active in free agency and the player who headlined all of their signings was former New England Patriots standout Trey Flowers. Flowers has racked up 21 sacks over the past three seasons and he’ll be the anchor of Matt Patricia’s defense. Patricia and Flowers spent time together in New England so they know what to expect from one another. Detroit will also pay Flowers between $16M-$17M annually therefore it’s an opportunity to cash in for the 25 year old pass rusher.


However that big paycheck means Flowers will have even more responsibility on his shoulders. Not to mention he has to adjust to playing with a bunch of different guys around him which will present some challenges of it’s own. The Lions and Patriots are on the opposite ends of the competitive spectrum but Flowers has what it takes to usher in a new era in the Motor City. After spending four years in Bill Belichick’s system nobody understands what Bob Quinn and Patricia are trying to accomplish more than Trey Flowers. He’ll lead from the front in the locker room and on the field his play should speak for itself. Flowers is exceptional at driving blockers backwards into the quarterback’s lap. The other thing he does really well is gamble at the right times. Most edge players have to contain the play but Flowers knows when to knife inside and blow up runs. It’s that anticipation which is so disruptive to opposing offenses and it’ll be an exciting addition to everything else the Lions have going on. Damon Harrison and Romeo Okwara are two defensive linemen who already set the tone for this football team. Adding Flowers to that group will be a nightmare to match-up with and this could be the turning point for an organization who’s traditionally struggled.

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Trey Flowers will be the leader of the Detroit Lions’ defense. That’s why he’s being paid the big bucks.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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Coming out of West Virginia most college football fans know Will Grier is a gamer. He made a lot of big plays during his time with the Mountaineers but it seemed like he was being passed over by most of the NFL scouts. Then Grier had a mediocre Senior Bowl performance and out of no where his stock was heading in the wrong direction. All of that came to a screeching halt when Grier lit it up at West Virginia’s pro day and now most of the analysts believe he’s trending upward.



This performance may have given Grier enough of a boost to make it to the end of the 2nd round but it’s great news for a young quarterback who’s trying to make it as a professional athlete. Someone like the Patriots or Chargers could be interested in acquiring Will Grier to sure up the quarterback position. We know Tom Brady is getting older and Bill Belichick needs to groom Brady’s successor. Los Angeles just signed Tyrod Taylor but adding Grier would ensure that there’s a healthy competition when Philip Rivers decides to hang his cleats up. So you ask yourself what separates Will Grier from all of the other quarterbacks coming out of the draft? The most obvious thing is his ability to throw the football downfield. This guy has a knack for throwing vertical routes and he loves to target the deep left sideline area. Grier’s second favorite spot is the fade up the right sideline but he’s also good at working the seams at 10 and 20 yards. Those are traits that are appealing to a lot of NFL teams because at worst Grier will be a very good backup. However if he’s anything like he was with the Mountaineers then this could end up being one of the steals of the draft. Proving Will Grier will be on several teams’ radar.

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Will Grier has a lot of value for a quarterback who is supposed to be taken in the mid round range.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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Former Missouri quarterback Drew Lock was easily one of the best quarterbacks in college football but it was hard to see him play because the Tigers aren’t a program that has a lot of prime time television coverage. Yea they’re in the SEC but it’s not like they’re Alabama or Georgia who constantly have the spotlight on them.


Regardless Lock gained a reputation after throwing for 99 touchdowns and totaling a 138.8 passer rating during his four seasons in Columbia. Despite that Lock is often looked at as the third best quarterback in his class and it’s understandable with Dwayne Haskins and Kyler Murray both ranked ahead of him. However after a strong pro day it’s very possible that Drew Lock could be better than Kyler Murray. The former Heisman winner (Murray) had so much talent around him at Oklahoma and there’s no doubt he benefited from that. On the other hand Lock was the reason Missouri even had a chance to win games and when you look at how well he threw the ball in front of the scouts there’s no doubt it generated a buzz. Lock launched a 40 yard bomb while on the run and it showed how fluid he is as a passer. Another throw that stood out was a 50 yard vertical pass but it wasn’t quite as impressive as Haskins’ throw power. Still though Lock did enough to raise his stock and it’s possible those two other guys stumble and Lock ends up being the star. Every year we get a few surprises and we’ve seen so many players not live up to the hype. To be 100% honest it feels like Haskins is number 1, Kyler Murray is number 2, and Lock is number 3 but Murray could end up slipping because of his size. Obviously we’re talking about after the draft takes place because Arizona is going to end up taking Murray first overall.

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Drew Lock made the most of pro day by airing it out in front of NFL scouts.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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It’s been a rough off-season for Ben Roethlisberger and it’s surprising how many of his former teammates have dragged his name through the mud. Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell both scapegoated Roethlisberger before leaving for greener pastures and it’s tough to see the NFL’s 2018 passing leader treated so unfairly. Most people think Patrick Mahomes had the most passing yards this past year but it was actually Roethlisberger. It’s because Pittsburgh’s quarterback has perhaps the strongest arm in the league especially when we’re talking about throwing the football vertically.


Some other guys might have more zip on short throws but Roethlisberger can put his weigh behind his cannon of an arm and sling his passes 60 or 70 yards downfield. Which brings us to our next point and that’s what the Steelers should do in the draft? A lot of analysts believe they’ll go defense with their 20th overall pick but Kevin Colbert should say the hell with it and roll with N’Keal Harry. Arizona State’s top wide receiver (Harry) has put together back to back seasons of 1,000 receiving yards and it feels like the scouts are overlooking his talent. Those insiders will say that this pick is a reach but it doesn’t matter because it’s the best move for this offense. With Antonio Brown no longer in the picture Harry will keep this passing attack right where it needs to be. Not to mention it’s a selection that sends a message to Roethlisberger that the team has his back. The future hall of fame QB is human and he needs support from his teammates, coaches, etc. right now. Harry is the key to solving all of these problems and if you’ve ever watched him play you know exactly what he brings to the table. This guy feels just like Michael Thomas did when the New Orleans Saints got him for a steal in the 2nd round. Pittsburgh can’t miss out on N’Keal Harry and it’s probably best to go get him right away.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers can have the last laugh by drafting N’Keal Harry in the first round.