Quarterback Andrew Luck announced after last weeks preseason match up against the Bear that he was retiring. Many people have different opinions of this, ultimately though, it's his decision to make. Science, as well as reports from previous football players, has proven that this is a dangerous contact sport. Players experience headaches, irritability, and depression. Luck just missed an entire season where he was having his shoulder repaired, last season he had an amazing comeback year and proved to everyone he was as good as he always was; he was struggling through this off season with a calf or ankle issue that didn't seem to be getting better. He said that the game is mentally exhausting and he was done. It's his health, he knows what he can and can't do. I wish him the best as he proceeds to the next phase of his life. He's a smart guy, he went to Stanford.
The New York Giants traded away their top wideout this off-season to the Cleveland Browns. Seems that Odell Beckham, Jr. and Eli Manning were not always on the same page. Last year the Giants had a new coach and, honestly, that was not a good product they shared during the season. Looks as though the Giants are in a rebuild, Manning will have to fight to keep his job from rookie Daniel Jones. Interesting stat, but Eli's record as a starter? 116-114, a mere 50.6% winning margin. He has two rings, but I think his time is up.
The Browns, on the other hand, have stockpiled some real playmakers. Under center is last years number 1 draft pick Baker Mayfield, who showed some excitement in Cleveland that hasn't been there since the 80's with Brian Sipe and Bernie Kosar. They have some other offensive weapons, Kareem Hunt (when his suspension is over), Jarvis Landry...among others. We can't overlook their defense, either. Ray-Ray Armstrong, Morgan Burnett, and Myles Garrett just to get us started. The Browns will be a team to watch this year, so don't blink on them.
Coaches on the hot seat
Coaches are easy to replace in the NFL. Normally, teams may give a coach 2 or 3 seasons, allowing them to show how the team is improving or at least trending in the right direction. Mike Tomlin has been coaching in Pittsburgh for 12-years, this is his 13th season. The Steelers missed the playoffs last season, which was the first time in 4-seasons they've missed. But the team seemed to disintegrate last year down the stretch. Le'Veon Bell sat out the whole season, then Antonio Brown got upset with the way some stuff was being handled, just seemed everything was a mess in the locker room. They've not been to a Super Bowl since the 2010 season, and haven't won since the 2006 season. Is it time for a change? Depends on how far they make it into the playoffs. But they will have to be fantastic this season in order for him to keep walking the sidelines.
Pete Carroll is mister college rah-rah guy. They made the playoffs last year, but failed to the year before. It seems the Seahawks are always near the top, but the powerhouse they once were is simply not the case. Again, I think a deep playoff run is the only thing that saves Carroll's job.
Sean Payton always has the Saints playing at a high level. Yes, I do believe they were robbed last year in the NFC Championship game, but with an aging Drew Brees their time is now if they want to capitalize.
I also have the same opinion with John Harbaugh in Baltimore. Yes, he has an exciting new quarterback in Lamar Jackson. Yes, they are a young team. They have missed the playoffs three of the last four years. Can Harbaugh bring out the potential in Jackson? He'd better, or he could be looking for work next off-season.
Jason Garrett the ex-quarterback coaching his old team, now without a star running back as they attempt to negotiate a new deal. Dallas' recent playoff history has not gotten them past the divisional round, and by "recent" I mean in the last quarter century. Garrett needs to get the 'Boys at least into the Championship game, or a close Divisional game, if he is looking to stay employed at the Star.
Seems as though every year Ron Rivera's name comes up with coaches on the hot seat. Cam Newton took care of some lingering injuries during the off-season and I think that will help the Panthers. After having made the playoffs three straight years, the final being a Super Bowl loss to the Broncos, they have been sporadic in their playoff appearances. Only in odd-numbered years have they made the playoffs since...this is 2019, so they should make it. Rivera's job could depend on it.
Bill O'Brien is entering his sixth season with Houston, though they've made the playoffs 3-times under O'Brien, they have only won one contest, against a limping Oakland team with Derek Carr on the sideline. The playoff seeding the Texans have had has never been above a 3. Here's to hoping they can keep a player-favorite coach coaching.
Dan Quinn out in Atlanta is always in the thick of things, as far as competition, he did nearly beat Bill Belichick a couple years ago in the Super Bowl. But nearly and did are two different things. Another playoff appearance should take Matt Ryan and company back to the Super Bowl. In my opinion, these are the coaches actually coaching for their respective jobs this season.
Big offseason news
The biggest splash this off-season was the Cleveland Browns landing Odell Beckham, Jr. I talked about this a lot earlier, but I think he will be the catalyst to get the Browns out of loserville and back into post-season contention.This season starts with the Green Bay Packers playing at the Chicago Bears. How fitting that the two oldest teams in the league (their rivalry dates all the way back to 1921) facing off against each other next Thursday night (5 September) on Fox. I absolutely love listening to Joe and Troy in the booth, but if you get a chance, and if they have the option this year, listen to the "Old English" version of the game. There are two guys from England that call the game and it's very entertaining. It's available through Amazon Prime.
