We wrap up our series, three days before the season begins.
NFC West:
Has San Francisco put too much faith on 2nd year QB Brock Purdy? Sure seems like it, with Trey Lance having been traded to Dallas, and Jimmy Garappolo now in Las Vegas. However, star defensive lineman Nick Bosa is holding out for more money, never a good idea at the start of the season. Maybe he should talk to his brother Joey (Chargers) to get better advice. Sam Darnold (Carolina) replaces Lance as Purdy's backup, perhaps in the hope that Kyle Shanahan can right the ship for him, career-wise.
The big story in Los Angeles is the Rams choosing QB Stetson Bennett (Georgia) as Matthew Stafford's understudy. Stafford, entering his 15th season, is, like Bennett, a Georgia alumnus, so there's bound to be kinship. The Rams, otherwise, still have some work to do. Seattle, for all intents & purposes, stood pat, adding DB Julian Love (Giants) to the secondary. Geno Smith remains the starting quarterback. Arizona needs to show they can play a full season with momentum, instead of folding in the stretch like they have the last couple of years.
Projected order of finish:
1. Seattle.
2. San Francisco.
3. Arizona.
3 (tie). Los Angeles.
Like Nick Bosa in San Francisco, Chris Jones is holding out in Kansas City for a new, better deal. I'd like to talk to the agents for these guys. Then again, there's a sports agent right here in the 518 I can contact if needed in Niskayuna High principal JR Rickert, if I want to pick an agent's brain. I digress. The defending Super Bowl champions still have State Farm pitchman Patrick Mahomes at QB, so don't expect them to miss the playoffs any time soon. They open Thursday at home vs. Detroit.
Las Vegas said goodbye to Derek Carr (New Orleans) and Darren Waller (Giants), and hello to Jimmy Garappolo (San Francisco), but there's no guarantee they will be a playoff team. Like Arizona, the Raiders did a fold late last season, and can't afford to do that again. Sean Payton ended his retirement after 1 season to take over in Denver, tasked with getting Russell Wilson back to All-Pro form. On defense, the Broncos made some noise signing linebacker Frank Clark away from Kansas City. The Los Angeles Chargers boast two players with the most interesting names in the NFL. Backup QB Easton Stick was drafted as Justin Herbert's backup, while Stone Smartt is a 2nd year tight end. Expect jokes from the media if either one has a particularly bad day.
Projected order of finish:
1. Kansas City.
2. Las Vegas.
3. Los Angeles.
3 (tie). Denver.
Of course, I could be wrong.
No comments:
Post a Comment