Who Wants to Coach? NFL 2020

Another year, another set of coaches that got let go. Not as big compared to last year, but some names will be propped up.

Carolina and Washington got rid of their guys before the season ended. Ron Rivera had struggled the past two seasons following a turnaround 2017 season. Quarterback issues and a mediocre defense hurt the end of his tenure. And obviously Washington had enough of Jay Gruden. There was always a problem with the team and this year included everything. Since I've been around in 1992, they've been to the playoffs six times. And the GM Bruce Allen was let go too. I don't know if anyone of my generation will see DC win a Lombardi trophy anytime soon.

Not a huge surprise Giant coach Pat Shurmur was fired. Kind of was expecting a return, but even that was a low expectation. Turnovers and defensive issues hurt his two year tenure. Chicago got rid of four coaches while retaining Matt Nagy as the head coach. Make or break for 2020 if they want a return to glory like 2018. Surprised Freddie Kitchens was fired from Cleveland. Eleven coaches since 1999 for the team. Too much constant change. Whoever takes the job should have it somewhat easy, but needs to make them consistent. GM John Dorsey also parted ways so who know what they'll draft.

Jacksonville retained Doug Marrone after stories sounded like he would be fired. Like Nagy, this will be make or break. Playoffs for 2020 or else he's let go. They need a stable quarterback, draft some defensive guys, and get the ground game back to being good. That's what I predict. And Dallas at this moment has not made their decision on Jason Garrett. I think he'll be fired. Why delay the inevitable? As some said, Jerry Jones is putting on a show. Garrett has great talent on the field, but no results. Two playoff wins in his tenure. Until Jones is gone, I don't think we'll see Dallas win another Super Bowl. Nothing is ever good for him.

The most coveted job is going to be in Carolina and New York. I would add Dallas, but it's a risk taking one solely because of how Jones wants to run the team. Same with Cleveland, but too much ineptitude is the reason. Washington is a last ditch effort unless someone thinks they can turn them around for good. See what happens, I guess.

Super Smash Helmet Brawl

With how bad the Pittsburgh Steelers were with injuries, I wasn't expecting a win for them against the Cleveland Browns. I missed out on the end of the game that should result in hefty fines on both sides and a suspension that could potentially be very lengthy. It's a bitter rivalry and this is one they won't forget.

Less than 15 seconds left in the game, the Steelers run a play. Mason Rudolph throws to his running back just before getting hit by Myles Garrett. They are on the ground and Rudolph starts the scuffle. Garrett rips off his helmet. Rudolph, with no helmet on, tries to get back at him. Garrett hits him in the head with the helmet. A brawl ensues. Several Steelers kick at Garrett, including center Maurkice Pouncey. Ugly scene. Obvious ejections. So what happens now?

If you're Cleveland, you're looking towards a few defensive guys not dressing up in a couple weeks. Damarious Randall may be fined, but not suspended. They lost Morgan Burnett to an Achilles injury. How severe that is is another story. Garrett will have at least a month's suspension. There is no way that he can defend himself with that. One heck of a year and to blow that opportunity. Especially with the two game winning streak. Don't be surprised either if he's suspended the rest of the year and maybe some games next season. (Suspended indefinitely) They are not far off from the wild card spot, but plenty of competition is around them. At least four teams have better records.

If you're Pittsburgh, I'm expecting Pouncey to be suspended. Yes, he was trying to protect Rudolph, but it's ridiculous. If not suspended, then a big fine. (Three games) I don't expect Rudolph to be suspended, but the NFL should fine him. Why charge at Garrett? Especially when he has had concussions this year? That is stupidity on his part and that's what will be lost. What Garrett did was atrocious, but Rudolph needs to be blamed a little bit, too. If it weren't for charging and losing his composure, he would not have gotten hit in the head by his own helmet.

These teams meet again on December 1. There will be revenge in mind for Pittsburgh, which that game will be at Heinz Field. But the NFL should give out big warnings. I got a feeling we are going to see another big fight if it comes down to another ugly scene. Good drama for Thursday Night Football, but a bad stain for the NFL.

Torturing Cleveland: 2018 Edition

Other than an NBA championship a couple of years ago, the city of Cleveland has had to go through very tough times since the 60s for its sports. This week, it has been a crumbling path of destruction. With the Browns of the NFL, they fired coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley. In the first season without LeBron James again, the Cavaliers fired coach Tyronn Lue very early in the NBA season, going 0-6 to start the season before last night's win with their new coach.

My take on the Browns is that it is still a very dysfunctional organization. They give up way too easily on coaches and players, but you can't make excuses for Jackson, who only won three games in his two plus years. Since 1999, they have gone through almost, if not, about 30 quarterbacks. No one has a started a full 16-game season other than Tim Couch in 2001. Whatever they try to fix one year, another gets broken. I don't know if its poor management or making the wrong choices, but even with Baker Mayfield it's not making them better. You look at Detroit, who went winless in 2008, and see the amount of progress they have made since, I don't know why the Browns don't look at how they handled that situation. Either way, it's more disappointment that will keep plaguing them.

It's not unusual now in the NBA for a coach to get fired early on. Houston did that with Kevin McHale a few years ago after a poor performance eight games into a season. It makes me wonder what the Cavs were expecting after James left for Los Angeles. It wasn't like they were going to dominate the Eastern Conference. It's surprising that they gave up on Lue very early when he was the reason along with his players that they won the Finals in 2016. Everybody knew things were going to be different, but to fire? I think it's panic and maybe one or two other things, but giving up very quickly makes them look really bad.

Other than the Indians, there isn't much to get excited in Cleveland with their sports teams.

Lowly Tie

If you're the Pittsburgh Steelers, this should be a travesty in itself. Facing the Cleveland Browns should have been a walk in the park somewhat. Instead, they let them comeback and not only tie the game, but end the game in a tie.

For one thing, do not blame this on Le'Veon Bell. James Connor put up one hell of a game that totaled almost 200 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. The defense put up their effort, particularly one T.J. Watt with four sacks. Ben Roethlisberger had the awful game with three interceptions despite over 300 yards passing. More than likely, that was what got Cleveland back in.

On the other side, Tyrod Taylor was abysmal in accuracy, but the ground game is what got him and Carlos Hyde to score. Jarvis Landry is one guy Miami might regret trading away if he has games like he had this week. The defense did not give up. For rookie Denzel Ward to get his first two picks ever off of one of the great quarterbacks, it says a lot for not just him, but for the team.

Pittsburgh has it tough facing Kansas City for Week 2. Although they beat them in the playoffs two seasons ago and the regular season last year, they were tight match ups. Dealing with Tyreek Hill is their most concerning issue. Cleveland goes to New Orleans, who laid an egg against Tampa Bay and backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. I see Drew Brees getting the victory and the winless streak continuing for the Browns. Ultimately, Pittsburgh should be ashamed of having this as, although it's just the first week, it could be a huge factor in whether they are a postseason team or not.

Trades of the NFL Pre Draft

The last 72 hours have been an interesting one for the NFL regarding players getting traded to other teams. Yesterday was a crazy one. Some non ones include the Seattle Seahawks releasing a few of their secondary, making it seem like the Legion of Boom era is over. Let's get on to what happened.

Speaking of the Seahawks, they traded defensive lineman Michael Bennett to the Philadelphia Eagles and a draft pick for a backup receiver and a draft pick. It would be interesting to see how he fares in his tenth year in a different division. Philly sent receiver Torrey Smith down to Carolina in exchange for Panthers corner Daryl Worley. Unless someone on their secondary is a weak link, I don't know. The city of brotherly love seems to want to avoid the Super Bowl hangover most get after winning one. For Smith, he could still be a home run receiver, but how many more chances will he get?

Alec Ogletree seems like he will fit in with Big Blue. The LA Ram linebacker was sent along with a draft pick to the New York Giants in exchange for two draft picks. He can get tackles and that is something the dreadful defense needs. Outside of 2015, he has been a lights out player despite no Pro Bowls. Last month, The Rams have also gotten corners with Kansas City's Marcus Peters and just recently, Denver's Aqib Talib. If anything, this team is getting serious about making that big push to the Super Bowl next year. How they handle Talib is a different story.

With how infamously bad the Cleveland Browns have been the last two years, they are making waves with their trades. DeShone Kizer, who had a pretty bad rookie year, was sent to Green Bay in exchange for corner Damarious Randall and both teams swapping picks in the middle rounds. They also got Buffalo's Tyrod Taylor for a draft pick. Last was getting Miami's Jarvis Landry in exchange for a couple draft picks. It seems like desperation to cobble up something for this year. That being said, it could be a decent offense, but that's wishful thinking. Adding Randall could help their abysmal defense. It's a wait and see situation and who they get in the draft.

I got a feeling we're not finished with seeing trades yet.

Kentucky Wildcats: 2017's Worst Fanbase (For Now)

There are bandwagon fanbases like the New England Patriots (Cheatriots). You got fanbases with nut jobs like the Alabama Crimson Tide guy who poisoned trees that Auburn University had for a very, very long time. Then there is the Kentucky Wildcats for basketball. Ever since John Calipari took over, they have had a good run under his tenure despite one and done players who go into the NBA very quickly like Anthony Davis. Like any teams in the North Carolina area (Duke, UNC, NC State), they have a very ravenous fanbase that is ultra excited. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean much now in the wake of what is going on with referee John Higgins.

This past weekend, Higgins refereed the Kentucky game against North Carolina. It was a nail biter, and both teams were down a bit and came back a number of times. Less than 10 seconds in the game, the Wildcats put up a three and tie the game 73 to 73. The Tar Heels go on to the other side of the court, shoot a jumper and take the lead 75 to 73 with 0.3 seconds left on the clock. Ultimately they won, and whatever comebacks Kentucky had was all for nothing. You would think we wouldn't stop talking about the game, but in the eyes of the Wildcat fanbase, it pretty much stunned them and then turned into anger.

I've just learned of the constant death threats that Higgins was getting. I wish I could tell you that I've never done that, but that would be a lie. Usually 99 percent of the time, I have second thoughts and get rid of whatever I said. It's not worth it. What is going on with the referee goes beyond e-mail and phone calls to his home. He has a business and the "fans" are putting up negative reviews not even related to what Higgins does and putting up very bad threats that I will not show. It doesn't stop there. His business was getting called called constantly. Friends and family were getting some of the threats. The fact that he had to go to the cops and the FBI really shows how dangerous and bad the situation is.

It reminds me of something I read about a few years ago regarding a nut job feminist's views on video games.I pretty much don't care what Anita Sarkeesian has to say since most of what she says is pathetic and anybody mentioning her is just adding fuel to the fire. She found herself in the crosshairs of many gaming fans who harassed her and wanting to kill her. She went to I think the FBI for some convention that she was she going to speak at and someone was thinking about killing her at wherever that place was. That really was a black eye for video games.

Back to Kentucky, this is not the first time, nor will it be the last time someone in college sports gets threatened with deaths. There was a field goal kicker for Boise State who missed some critical field goals around 2010. Because of that, fans were putting up death threats over those misses. I think people go into these games expecting players to be exactly like professionals. They got yips just like everybody else, especially if you're on television. With money involved with fantasy sports, it's hard to know if some are actually fans or if they are just hoping for the team in fantasy they want to win and make 100 dollars.

Two games come to mind in professional sports in a pre-Internet era. The 1985 World Series for MLB featured one of the biggest missed calls with Don Denkinger calling a guy safe instead of being out.It ended up with the Kansas City Royals winning the rest of the series and the title. That really hurt his rep and the death threats were were very high. Denkinger shrugged it off and continued umpiring for at least another decade, but that's his legacy. The other one was in 2001 with the Cleveland Browns, long before social media was a big thing. While I'm not sure if this one had death threats, the amount of stuff thrown could have seriously hurt not just the referees, but players, too. Long story short, the Browns convert on fourth down. They try to get a first down play done immediately. As they start that, the refs looked at the previous play. This was just when instant replay was back following a playoff incident in the 1999 season. They reverse it, and Browns fans start throwing bottles as the discussion was being made.

Higgins is not the only person that makes the calls. He's not the one who makes every decision. There are a few other referees who have to make those choices on whether there is a turnover and whether someone was fouled. Calipari complained about the game being called, which shows how much of a loser he is. That's his M.O. going back to his days of UMass with the infamous fight with then Temple coach John Chaney in early 1994. Even though UMass won, Calpari still whined about the referees and Chaney had enough, going to the other side and saying he'll kill him and beat him up. You would think for a guy that has been sanctioned at two colleges that there would be a little showmanship for officials, but it's stuff that older people know about more than me that will shake their head at this situation.

I have this belief that one day, refs and umpires will be replaced by robots, more so with the NFL considering how awful some of their referees were this year. A lot of judgment has to be made and whether or not to make a call or keep the game going. Unless you're a buffoon like Joe West, a lot of those officials are human. Some mistakes you can easily ignore, but some of the blatantly obvious ones are not gonna fly in today's world. I just worry that one day comes and a referee gets hurt or killed by a "fan". I hope that never happens, but the lengths some people take, that could be something to comes to reality and precedence will be made to protect the people who make sure a game goes smoothly.

For other basketball related blogs, check out other blogs I have here:

http://sullivanentertainment.blogspot.com/2017/03/rest-sports-ultimate-decision.html
http://sullivanentertainment.blogspot.com/2017/03/uconn-womens-basketball-boring.html