Throwback Thursday: Favorite Hall of Fame Classes

This Flicker was originally posted on 8/4/19.

It's Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend. I'm here in Canton. 

Honor the Heroes of the Game
Preserve Its History
Promote Its Values
Celebrate Excellence Everywhere

Canton is a magical place. The city is amazing. The people are fantastic.

Being here to see the enshrinement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019 got me thinking about some of my favorite Hall of Fame Classes. Separating Hall Classes from other Hall Classes is a foolish thing to do. They're all great. They're Hall of Famers. Anyway, I still managed to separate some of my favorite Hall Classes.

The first three on the list are separated from the rest simply because I was present for them.

Class of 2013  

Larry Allen
Cris Carter
Curley Culp
Jonathan Ogden
Bill Parcells
Dave Robinson
Warren Sapp

Cris Carter finally makes it to Canton. His induction inspired me to make my first trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I have no idea why I'd never visited before. If I needed inspiration, Alan Page should've done it. Bud Grant should've done it. Apparently, it took Carter's induction. The increasing frustration that I felt each of the the previous five years that he didn't make it probably played a role. Whatever the reason, I finally made the trip to this magical place. It was more than I'd ever imagined.

And Carter was joined by an outstanding Class.

Class of 2018

Bobby Beathard
Robert Brazile
Brian Dawkins
Jerry Kramer
Ray Lewis
Randy Moss
Terrell Owens
Brian Urlacher

Randy Moss brought me back to Canton. I added the Sunday Round Table discussion to my Hall of Fame itinerary and it turned out to be a highlight of the weekend. Every future Enshrinement weekend visit will include it. This was a fun Hall Class. An added bonus was Owens' decision to do his own thing.

A curious aspect to my first two Hall of Fame Classes is this:
A Vikings receiver:
Cris Carter
Randy Moss

A Lombardi Packer:
Dave Robinson
Jerry Kramer

A Raven:
Jonathan Ogden
Ray Lewis

An Oilers defender:
Curley Culp
Robert Brazile

Class of 2019

Champ Bailey
Pat Bowlen
Gil Brandt
Tony Gonzalez
Ty Law
Kevin Mawae
Ed Reed
Johnny Robinson

In 2011, Les Richter became the first player from Cal to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tony Gonzalez will be the second. I was in the Memorial Stadium stands for every one of his home games. It's not like I watched his first baby steps because he was running from the moment he put on that Golden Bear uniform. But it feels like I've watched him grow into a Hall of Fame football player. The same will be true for Aaron Rodgers five years after he retires from the game. Despite be a Vikings fan, I hope that isn't for a while.

With Ogden, Lewis, and now Ed Reed, one might think that I was a Ravens fan by my Canton visits.

And now for the rest of my favorite Hall of Fame Classes:

Class of 1963  

Sammy Baugh
Bert Bell
Joe Carr
Dutch Clark
"Red" Grange
George Halas
Mel Hein
"Pete" Henry
Cal Hubbard
Don Hutson
"Curly" Lambeau
Tim Mara
George Preston Marshall
"Blood"McNally
Bronko Nagurski
Ernie Nevers
Jim Thorpe

Seeing as the Hall of Fame opened 43 years after the start of the APFA/NFL, the early Classes are ridiculous. The voters had some catching up to do. We have the NFL because of the above 17 people.

Class of 1965  

Guy Chamberlin
"Paddy"Driscoll
Daniel Fortmann
Otto Graham
Sid Luckman
Steve Van Buren
Bob Waterfield

Along with Dutch Clark (1963) and Jimmy Conzelman (1964), Guy Chamberlin and Paddy Driscoll have been some of my favorite lesser known legends from the league's early decades. Add in ridiculous game-winners like Otto Graham and Sid Luckman.

Class of 1967  

Chuck Bednarik
Charles Bidwill, Sr.
Paul Brown
Bobby Layne
Daniel F. Reeves
Ken Strong
Joe Stydahar
Emlen Tunnell

Paul Brown, Bobby Layne and Emlen Tunnell are the players that really make this Class one of my favorites.

Class of 1971  

Jim Brown
Bill Hewitt
"Bruiser" Kinard
Vince Lombardi
Andy Robustelli
Y.A. Tittle
Norm Van Brocklin

This Class isn't just one of my favorites it's one of the best by any measure.

Class of 1972

Lamar Hunt
Gino Marchetti
Ollie Matson
"Ace" Parker

This Class is a personal favorite because of Gino Marchetti and Ollie Matson. My father was at the University of San Francisco during that duo's incredible time there. He often chatted with Matson before one of their classes together. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is home to several USF players and a particular sports information director. Marchetti and Matson top the list.

Class of 1973  

Raymond Berry
Jim Parker
Joe Schmidt

For a tiny Class, this one's stacked.

Class of 1975  

Roosevelt Brown
George Connor
Dante Lavelli
Lenny Moore

Any Class that Lenny Moore was part of was going to be among my favorites. If I was born a decade earlier I'm certain that I would've been a Baltimore Colts fan. Johnny Unitas, Lenny Moore, Raymond Berry, Jim Parker, Gino Marchetti, Art Donovan. Those are some of my favorite from one of my favorite football decades.

Class of 1977  

Frank Gifford
Forrest Gregg
Gale Sayers
Bart Starr
Bill Willis

Gale Sayers and Bill Willis are the keys to this Class for me. Any of the five could highlight a Hall Class.

Class of 1979  

Dick Butkus
Yale Lary
Ron Mix
Johnny Unitas

Butkus and Unitas. Those names scream football.

Class of 1980  

Herb Adderley
"Deacon" Jones
Bob Lilly
Jim Otto

Deacon Jones and Bob Lilly. Nuff said.

Class of 1983  

Bobby Bell
Sid Gillman
Sonny Jurgensen
Bobby Mitchell
Paul Warfield

With Bobby Bell, Bobby Mitchell, and Paul Warfield this is another Class with personal favorites.

Class of 1985  

Frank Gatski
Joe Namath
Pete Rozelle
O.J. Simpson
Roger Staubach

This is one of the flashier Classes. For about eight years.

Class of 1986  

Paul Hornung
Ken Houston
Willie Lanier
Fran Tarkenton
Doak Walker

The Minnesota Vikings finally had a Hall of Famer. This Class would be among my favorites even if Fran Tarkenton wasn't part of it.

Class of 1988  

Fred Biletnikoff
Mike Ditka
Jack Ham
Alan Page

Alan Page. And then there’s Fred Biletnikoff, Mike Ditka, and Jack Ham.

Class of 1993  

Dan Fouts
Larry Little
Chuck Noll
Walter Payton
Bill Walsh

Any Class with Walter Payton was going to rate high. Throw in Bill Walsh and Chuck Noll and this one's a keeper.

Class of 1994  

Tony Dorsett
Bud Grant
Jimmy Johnson
Leroy Kelly
Jackie Smith
Randy White

I'm really glad that my favorite Vikings were a part of terrific Hall Classes.

Class of 2000  

Howie Long
Ronnie Lott
Joe Montana
Dan Rooney
Dave Wilcox

This one's a Dream Class for all of my 49er friends. Dan Rooney feels out of place in this Bay Area-centric Class.

Class of 2004  

Bob Brown
Carl Eller
John Elway
Barry Sanders

This is a fun one. There's no denying that John Elway and Barry Sanders were the headliners of this Class. But Carl Eller, of course, and his on-field rival Bob Brown were the personal highlight.

Class of 2005

Benny Friedman
Dan Marino
Fritz Pollard
Steve Young

The only negative to this wonderful Class was that it had taken so damn long for Fritz Pollard and Benny Friedman to be inducted. There isn't a single reason for them to not have been a part of one of the first 5-10 Hall of Fame Classes. They both certainly should've made it while they were alive.

On induction day, Grit Young sure took advantage of the fact that only two members of this Class were alive. The length of his presentation speech changed the way that presenters presented.

Class of 2006

Troy Aikman
Harry Carson
John Madden
Warren Moon
Reggie White
Rayfield Wright

A wonderful Class. I just wish that Reggie White had lived to experience it.

Class of 2009

Bob Hayes
Randall McDaniel
Bruce Smith
Derrick Thomas
Ralph Wilson, Jr.
Rod Woodson

Despite a load of annual honors during his playing career I wasn't entirely sure that the voters would view Randall McDaniel's career as I had. He’s one of the best guards that I've ever seen. He rivaled John Hannah. Rod Woodson, Bruce Smith, and Derrick Thomas are also among the best I've ever seen at their respective positions.

Class of 2010

Russ Grimm
Rickey Jackson
Dick LeBeau
Floyd Little
John Randle
Jerry Rice
Emmitt Smith

Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith obviously headlined this Class but it was mostly about John Randle for me. As with McDaniel the year before, I wasn't entirely sure how the voters would view Randle's career. When asked their favorite all-time player, more Vikings fans respond Randle than perhaps any other player.

Class of 2011

Richard Dent
Marshall Faulk
Chris Hanburger
Les Richter
Ed Sabol
Deion Sanders
Shannon Sharpe

This Class is a favorite because Les Richter is the first Pro Football Hall of Famer from Cal. It only starts there. Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders were two of the most fun players to watch in my lifetime. And then there's Ed Sabol. He made football better. And it's already pretty damn great in my book.

Some Receiving Stats

One week of games remain in the 2020 NFL regular season. It’s a week early to be looking at the receiving statistics that some of the league’s best receivers have produced but I couldn’t help myself. 

First of all, Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams joined a very exclusive pass catching club. 100 catches and 17 touchdowns. That club now includes just three players.

1995 Cris Carter: 122 catches, 17 TDs

2003 Randy Moss: 111 catches, 17 TDs

2020 Davante Adams: 109 catches, 17 TDs 

A Packer joins a couple Vikings.

Moss was two catches short of doing it a second time during his ridiculous 2007 season. That’s the season that he set the league record for touchdown catches in a season with 23. 

Congratulations Davante Adams. The Fresno State kid makes good. 

The main reason I was looking at the receiving stats was to check on the disparity between the number of 1000-yard receivers and 1000-yard rushers. When I was first becoming aware of the happenings in the NFL (1970s) there was annually a handful of 1000-yard rushers but 1000-yard receivers were few. Or none. Drew Pearson’s 870 yards paced the league in 1977. That’s flipped in more recent years. The number of 1000-yard rushers seems to fall each season while 1000-yard receivers increases. With a week to go, there are currently five 1000-yard rushers.

1777  Derrick Henry

1557  Dalvin Cook

1070  James Robinson

1062  Aaron Jones

1001  David Montgomery

That number will probably more than double after the final week as eight more backs have gained at least 900 yards with a game to go. Maybe the 1000-yard rusher numbers haven’t dropped as much as I’d thought.

The rushing title race has been between Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook for nearly the entirety of the season. Thanks in part to Cook missing a game to injury the race has become one between Henry and history in recent weeks. 

Even with several more backs probably joining the 1000-yard club this weekend, the number won’t come close to the number of 1000-yard receivers. 

1459  Stefon Diggs

1416  Travis Kelce

1372  DeAndre Hopkins

1328  Davante Adams

1322  Calvin Ridley

1282  DK Metcalf

1276  Tyreek Hill

1267  Justin Jefferson

1213  Allen Robinson

1092  D.J. Moore

1079  Darren Waller

1078  Terry McLaurin

1073  Amari Cooper

1056  Robby Anderson

Another dozen pass-catchers are within reach of the 1000-yard receiving mark. 20 1000-yard pass catchers? It’s possible. Even probable.

Travis Kelce seriously contending for the receiving yardage title is amazing. A tight end! He probably has my vote for offensive player of the year. Or Davante Adams. Or Stefon Diggs.

Speaking of awards for receiving accomplishments, Justin Jefferson has my vote for Rookie of the Year. It’ll probably go to Justin Herbert. When a quarterback is in the running for an award it goes to the quarterback. If the Rookie of the Year award goes to the rookie that least plays like a rookie, Jefferson is the Justin that should take home the award. Herbert has often shown unique passing talent. He’s also often played like a rookie quarterback. From his first NFL snap, Jefferson has played the receiver position like a five-year veteran. He has the route-running skills and nuanced receiving traits rarely seen in young receivers, let alone rookies. 

Anyway, this little look at some receiving stats is a look at the terrific receivers doing terrific things across the league. With the NFL leaning more on passing with each passing season there’s an ever-increasing need for pass catchers. The league is loaded at the position and there’s a steady stream of talented receivers coming from colleges and high schools. Pass-catching is a booming business. 

Flea Flicker Week 16 Power Rankings

Here’s one look at how the 32 teams rank after 15 weeks.  

1.   Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)

2.   Green Bay Packers (12-3)

3.   Buffalo Bills (12-3)

4.   Baltimore Ravens (10-5)

5.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5)

6.   New Orleans Saints (11-4)

7.   Cleveland Browns (10-5)

8.   Tennessee Titans (10-5)

9.   Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3)

10. Indianapolis Colts (10-5)

11. Seattle Seahawks (11-4)

12. Miami Dolphins (10-5)

13. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)

14. Arizona Cardinals (8-7)

15. Chicago Bears (8-7)

16. Minnesota Vikings (6-9)

17. Las Vegas Raiders (7-8)

18. Washington Football Team (6-9)

19. New York Giants (5-10)

20. New England Patriots (6-9)

21. Carolina Panthers (5-10)

22. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)

23. Dallas Cowboys (6-9)

24. Las Angeles Chargers (6-9)

25. Atlanta Falcons (4-11)

26. Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1)

27. Detroit Lions (5-10)

28. Denver Broncos (5-10)

29. Houston Texans (4-11)

30. Cincinnati Bengals (3-10-1)

31. New York Jets (2-13)

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14)

Until next week. The final week. 

NFL Week 16 Headlines

The NFL’s schedule-creators packed the Christmas Weekend with games. Friday to Monday. Here are the headlines from those games.

1. Alvin Kamara runs for six touchdowns against Vikings’ JV defense.

2. Tom Brady and the Buccaneers shred Pop Warner-level Lions.

-Seriously, the offensive explosions in both these games need asterisks. Talking heads and fans honked about COVID forcing the Broncos to start a practice squad receiver at quarterback earlier this season. These two games were similarly impacted. Injuries decimated the Vikings’ defense to the point where backups and street free agents overpopulated the front seven. Kamara rarely encountered a defender until he was in the secondary. A whole host of things took apart the Lions on both sides of the ball and the coaching staff. The coaching staff! The coaching staff was down to third-string playcallers.

The Lions host the Vikings in a 2020 finale for both teams.

3. 49ers throw a wrench into the playoff dreams of the Cardinals.

4. Raiders celebrate a win while the Dolphins pull out a win. 

-The Raiders played the closing moments of this game like they had already sewn up a win. Their chances for the playoffs were, at best, bleak. They needed a lot of help but they eliminated themselves. 

5. Jaguars want Trevor Lawrence. Roll over for Bears.

6. Jets don’t want Trevor Lawrence. Wrestle a victory from the depleted Browns.

7. Chiefs dodge an overtime shocker. Falcons miss game-tying field goal.

-The Chiefs appeared to play this game with few concerns. I suppose that you can do that when you’re the defending champs and have a single loss this season. 

8. Steelers finally win 12th game. Come back against the Colts.

9. Ravens barely break a sweat. Cruise past Giants.

10. Bengals outlast Texans. 

11. Haskins is no Smith. Or Heinicke. Carolina scores enough to hold off Washington.

12. Seahawks keep Rams out of the end zone. Clinch. 

13. Cowboys’ big plays pop Eagles. 

-DeSean Jackson is still an idiot. 

14. Chargers, Broncos play football. Chargers score more. 

15. Packers and officials plow through snow flurries and the Titans. 

16. Tonight, Bills look to take two decades of AFC East beat downs out on the Patriots. 

Minnesota Vikings’ 2021 Draft Picks

It’s a tough deal to be thinking about offseason things with a game still to play. Getting eliminated from the playoffs in Week 16 can do that. The Minnesota Vikings were eliminated from the playoff fun on Christmas Day. It isn’t hard to start thinking about the draft. The Vikings’ are currently scheduled to have a load of draft picks.

1st

3rd 

3rd (from Ravens)

4th

4th (from Bears)

4th (from Bills)

5th 

5th (from Ravens)

5th (from Steelers)

6th

7th

11 picks. That won’t be all. The Vikings will have some Compensatory Draft Picks coming their way. The fine folks at Over the Cap do a terrific job of tracking and projecting those extra picks. Here are their projections for the Vikings based on last year’s free agency losses and gains.

4th (for Trae Waynes)

6th (for Mackensie Alexander)

7th (for Andrew Sendejo)

7th (for Jayron Kearse)

If those projections are accurate, the Vikings will be entering the 2021 NFL Draft with the following picks.

1st

3rd 

3rd (from Ravens)

4th

4th (from Bears)

4th (from Bills)

4th (comp pick)

5th 

5th (from Ravens)

5th (from Steelers)

6th

6th (comp pick)

7th

7th (comp pick)

7th (comp pick)

The Vikings made a record 15 selections in the 2020 NFL Draft. If the compensatory picks follow the current projections, they are currently scheduled to match that record number of picks. It’s a safe bet that Rick Spielman will do some dealing during the draft. He often trades to add picks. With 15 to start, there’s really no reason to add picks. I’m guessing that he trades to move up in this draft. The Vikings currently have a second round hole. They have that second round hole due to the August trade for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. Some question that trade seeing as they traded him to the Baltimore Ravens a couple months later. I’m convinced that the Vikings acquired Ngakoue to pair with Danielle Hunter as a dynamite pass rushing duo. I’m convinced that, at the time of the trade, the Vikings believed that Hunter would return from that neck “tweak.” Trading for Ngakoue for a second-round pick+ in August only to trade him for a third-round pick+ in October makes no sense unless something changed during those two months. The only thing that changed was the realization that Hunter’s injury was serious. What started as a “tweak” turned out to be much more. Anyway, none of that really matters now. What does matter is that the Vikings are lacking a second round pick. Spielman will not want to sit out the second round of the draft. They have too many holes to fill. It’s best to fill those holes with high-end talent. They have the ammunition to trade into the second round. I’m convinced that Spielman will do so. 

The playoff elimination is so fresh and it’s too early in the process to properly assess draft needs. The top needs are easy. Anyone that watched that game on Christmas in New Orleans can’t come away not thinking that the offensive and defensive lines have to get better. Offensive line is an annual need. Here’s a too early assessment of the Vikings’ offseason priorities.

Offensive line

-guards in particular, especially if Ezra Cleveland moves to tackle

-tackle, if Cleveland stays at one of the guard spots

I’m hoping that some combination of Brian O’Neill and Cleveland are the tackles.

It might be too optimistic but maybe the Vikings have something in late-round, small-school linemen Oli Udoh and Kyle Hinton. The Vikings protected Hinton from being plucked from the practice squad last week and they’ve carried Udoh on the active roster (despite rarely being active on game day) for two years. The team’s decision-makers clearly see something in both players but they can’t bank on both late-round picks becoming front-line players. 

The offensive line has to get better.

Defensive line

-three technique in particular

-Hunter’s return will help tremendously but the pass rush has to improve

Safety

-it would be a miracle if the Vikings can afford to re-sign Anthony Harris

Receiver

-Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson are a top notch duo

-despite having a top notch duo the Vikings could/should look to improve the receiver depth

-it hurts to consider this but it might be time to look for an eventual replacement for Thielen

It’s early but Vikings draft thoughts have begun. 

Vikings-Saints

Well, that didn’t go well. The dim playoff hopes once held by the Minnesota Vikings are now gone. The New Orleans Saints put an end to that by the brutal tune of 52-33. 

52 is the most points surrendered by the Vikings in my lifetime. It’s the most since 1963. 

I suppose that the headline of this unfortunate game was the career rushing performance by Saints running back Alvin Kamara. 

22 carries 

155 yards

6 touchdowns

The six rushing touchdowns equaled one of the oldest records on the NFL books. Ernie Nevers set the six rushing touchdown standard during the 1929 season. Nevers set the record on Thanksgiving. Kamara equaled it on Christmas. That’s something. 91 years apart. That’s something too. 

Kamara was set up for a big day before the ball was kicked to start the game. Injuries forced the Vikings into the dreadful situation of starting a couple third-string linebackers. Running behind the Saints offensive line, Drew Brees probably could’ve rushed for six touchdowns against third-string linebackers as well as backups across the defensive front. From front to back, the Vikings’ tackling throughout the game was terrible. I probably could’ve run for six touchdowns against this defense yesterday. 

The Vikings’ defense has often struggled this season. There has been some poor performances. This was, by far, the worst performance. The defense looked much like the sort of defense that bumbles it’s way through the fourth game of the preseason. There were more backups than frontline players. There were players out of position. There were players looking for answers. The defense looked more like a defense learning it’s way in the spring than one fighting for their playoff lives on Christmas. 52 points is a damn clear indication of those struggles. It was a tough watch. It’ll probably be an even tougher watch for the players that played it when they are forced to watch it with their coaches.

“Yeah this is a bad defense. Worst one I’ve ever had.”

            -Mike Zimmer

It was a breezy day for the Saints offense. It was such a breezy day that they never had to punt. The only Saints’ possessions that didn’t end in touchdowns were one that ended in a field goal and two that ended with interceptions. Credit the Vikings’ defense for taking the ball away twice. The Vikings’ offense turned the first into a three-and-out and the other into a score. The defense nearly took the ball away four times as linebacker Eric Wilson (the day’s lone linebacker that hadn’t spent most of the season on either the practice squad or the street) had a chance for a couple interceptions. He couldn’t quite corral the ball on either. Two, and potentially four, interceptions seems like a decent deal for the Vikings’ defense. It’s the rest of the plays that were the problem. Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, and friends pretty much did whatever they wanted. 

The brutal 52-33 loss is mostly on the defense but it’s not entirely on the defense. For much of the game the Vikings’ offense beautifully sliced through the Saints’ defense. Despite the lopsided final score, they were within reach of the Saints for most of the game. They even had a couple opportunities to take the lead. The margin was four points entering the fourth quarter. With the players that the Vikings were forced to play on defense, this game, at best, could only have been a shootout. It might’ve been a shootout to the end if the Vikings offense hadn’t had a handful of empty possessions. They’d have a beautiful possession and follow it with a dreadful possession. They scored on consecutive possessions once. If your defense is giving up points every time that they step on the field, you can’t have empty possessions on offense. It’s that simple. 

The frustrating thing about this loss and the two that preceded it is that the Vikings had fought their way out of a 1-5 start. They rolled into December having won five of their last six games. They held and controlled a playoff spot at 6-6. It shouldn’t be a surprise that their three-game slide coincided with the loss of linebacker Eric Kendricks to a calf injury. He might not wear the “C” on his jersey but he’s the heart of the defense. The Vikings have a lot of defensive front seven talent on the sideline. They simply couldn’t afford to have Kendricks join them. The Vikings fielded a marginal defense with him. It was much less without him. It was Zimmer’s worst defense yesterday.

And Alvin Kamara had a field day. 

That’s it. No playoffs. The Vikings travel to Detroit next week for their final game of this hacked-up NFL season.  

Flea Flicker Week 16 Predictions

The NFL has taken over the entire Christmas Weekend. Friday to Monday. Games every day. Here’s a guess of the Week 16 games. 

Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Vikings

It’ll take a miracle for the Vikings to make the playoffs. That miracle starts with this game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions

Pick: Buccaneers

The Lions are capable of throwing a scare into teams. I don’t think that they are healthy enough to sustain that scare against the Buccaneers.

San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: 49ers

It’s a home game for both teams! The Vikings need a 49ers win.

Miami Dolphins @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Dolphins

I don’t think that the Raiders can score enough against the Dolphins defense.

Atlanta Falcons @ Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Chiefs

The Falcons are another team that can throw a scare into most teams. The Chiefs aren’t most teams.

Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets

Pick: Browns

I don’t see the Jets going on a winning streak.

Indianapolis Colts @ Pittsburgh Steelers 

Pick: Colts

It’s looking like a good thing that the Steelers won their first 11 games. Their having a real hard time getting #12. They face the surging Browns next week. 

Chicago Bears @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Jaguars

The miracles continue.

New York Giants @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens continue to roll. 

Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans

Pick: Texans

The Bengals have a letdown from their surprise of the Steelers.

Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Chargers

I’m going with Justin Herbert’s Chargers scoring more points than Drew Lock’s Broncos.

Carolina Panthers @ Washington

Pick: Washington

Only if Alex Smith plays.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys

Pick: Tie

Neither wasn’t an option.

Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Rams

The Rams must rebound from losing to the Jets.

Tennessee Titans @ Green Bay Packers

Pick: Titans

It’ll be fun watching the Packers trying to tackle Derrick Henry.

Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots 

Pick: Bills

The new champions of the AFC East vs. the long-time champions of the AFC East.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Jordan Reid's 2021 Mock Draft

While I never believe that the Minnesota Vikings are out of the playoffs until they are actually out of the playoffs, the loss to the Chicago on Sunday dealt a serious blow to any postseason dreams. As those dreams fade it becomes easier to look toward the 2021 NFL Draft. Those that follow the annual draft evaluation process closely probably know Jordan Reid. Those that follow it in passing might not. I like his takes and I like his mocks. When I do start thinking about the draft I often look to him. The timing was right as he posted his new mock of the 2021 NFL Draft this week. It's already his fourth. In-season mocks are a shaky thing for a variety of reasons. For one, the draft order isn’t set. For another, so much changes between December and April. I remember an in-season mock of the 2014 NFL Draft that projected Stanford offensive lineman David Yankey as a first-round pick. The Vikings selected him in the fifth round. Then there was the time that Georgia Tech receiver Kelly Campbell was projected to be an early round selection. The Vikings signed him after he went undrafted. Mock drafts are a guess no matter when they’re done. The earlier the mock the greater the number of variables. This hacked-up year presents more than most years. Despite all of the variables and guesses, Jordan Reid's mock still gives us an early idea of how some of the best college football talent stacks. Besides, the draft is fun and thinking about some of the college football players that could help the Vikings takes some of the sting out of the latest loss. 

Jordan Reid’s 2021 Mock Draft 4.0

1.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

2.   New York Jets-Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

3.   Cincinnati Bengals-Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

4.   Carolina Panthers-Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

5.   Atlanta Falcons-Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

6.   Miami Dolphins-Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU

7.   Philadelphia Eagles-DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

8.   Dallas Cowboys-Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

9.   Los Angeles Chargers-Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

10. Detroit Lions-Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

11. San Francisco 49ers-Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

12. Denver Broncos-Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami

13. New York Giants-Kwiti Paye, EDGE, Michigan

14. Minnesota Vikings-Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

15. New England Patriots-Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

16. Chicago Bears-Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

17. Las Vegas Raiders-Daviyon Nixon, IDL, Iowa

18. Baltimore Ravens-Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

19. Washington Football Team-Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

20. Arizona Cardinals-Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

21. Miami Dolphins-Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami

23. Cleveland Browns-Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia

24. Indianapolis Colts-Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame

25. Jacksonville Jaguars-Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC

26. New York Jets-Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State

27. Tennessee Titans-Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas

28. Buffalo Bills-Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

29. New Orleans Saints-Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

30. Pittsburgh Steelers-Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

31. Green Bay Packers-Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama

32. Kansas City Chiefs-Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri

Rashawn Slater. I like it. I like it a lot. As it’s been for most of the past decade, improving the offensive line should be an offseason priority. With Brian O’Neil, Garrett Bradbury, and Ezra Cleveland the Vikings finally have some talented foundational players on the offensive line. They still need to get better. Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, and their playmaking friends need them to get better. When the draft rolls around, I’m pretty sure that Slater will more likely be a top-10 pick than a middle of the first pick. Wyatt Davis, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Alex Leatherwood are more likely the players that could be available when the Vikings are on the clock. Who knows? Slater is 6’3”. He doesn’t fit the physical picture that many teams have for their offensive linemen. Especially for the tackle position that he played in college. Maybe he falls to the Vikings. I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.

Offensive line isn’t the only need of the Vikings. They haven’t presented much of a pass rush all season. Getting Danielle Hunter back next season will help. Getting newcomer Michael Pierce back will help as well. Even getting linebacker Anthony Barr back will help the pass rush. The Vikings were missing a lot of talent in their front seven. One thing that they don’t currently have in the front seven or on the roster is an interior defensive lineman that can get into the backfield in a hurry. Mike Zimmer and Andre Patterson have been looking for an impact three-technique since a surgeon hacked up the knee of Sharrif Floyd. They could find that player with their first pick of 2021 NFL Draft.

At this too early stage process (The playoffs are still a possibility!) I see improving the talent on both of the lines as the primary need of the Minnesota Vikings. Jordan Reid’s selection of Rashawn Slater works nicely. 

 

Pro Bowl Rosters

The Pro Bowl Rosters were announced on Monday. A global pandemic forced the cancellation of the actual playing of the game. If only one NFL game had to be cancelled this season it can be considered a good thing that the Pro Bowl is that game. Instead of the game, there are going to be some on-line “events” that I still don’t quite understand. Due to the game’s cancellation there also won’t be the absurd number of injury replacements. So, the only Pro Bowl players this year will be the players that were actually selected to the team. Here are those players.  

NFC Rosters

Quarterbacks

*Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Running Backs

*Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

Alvin Kamala, New Orleans Saints

Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

Receivers

*Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers

*DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals

DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Fullback

*Kyle Jusczyzk, San Francisco 49ers

Tight Ends

*T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions

Evan Engram, New York Giants

Tackles

*David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers

*Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers

Terron Armstead, New Orleans Saints

Guards

*Brandon Scherff, Washington Football Team

*Elgton Jenkins, Green Bay Packers

Andrus Peat, New Orleans Saints

Centers

*Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles

Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions

Defensive Ends

*Cameron Jordan, Green Bay Packers

*Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles

Chase Young, Washington Football Team

Defensive Tackles

*Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams

*Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles

Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons

Outside Linebackers

*Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears

*Za’Darius Smith, Green Bay Packers

Jason Pierre-Paul, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Inside Linebackers

*Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks 

Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers

Cornerbacks

*Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams

*Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers

Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints

Free Safety

*Quandre Diggs, Seattle Seahawks

Strong Safeties

*Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals 

Jamal Adams, Seattle Seahawks 

Punter

*Jack Fox, Detroit Lions

Kicker

*Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons

Long Snapper

*Tyler Ott, Seattle Seahawks

Returner

*Cordarrelle Patterson, Chicago Bears

Special Teams

*Nick Bellore, Seattle Seahawks

AFC Rosters

Quarterbacks

*Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

DeShaun Watson, Houston Texans

Running Backs

*Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

Receivers

*Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

*Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

Keenan Allen Los Angeles Chargers

A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans

Tight Ends

*Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders

Fullback

*Patrick Ricard, Baltimore Ravens

Tackles

*Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans

*Eric Fisher, Kansas City Chiefs

Orlando Brown, Baltimore Ravens

Guards

*Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts

*Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns

David DeCastro, Pittsburgh Steelers

Centers

*Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Steelers

Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis Colts

Defensive Ends

*Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

*Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers

Frank Clark, Kansas City Chiefs

Defensive Tackles

*Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

*Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers

Calais Campbell, Baltimore Ravens

Outside Linebackers 

*T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

*Bradley Chubb, Denver Broncos

Matthew Judon, Baltimore Ravens

Inside Linebackers 

*Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Colts

Tremaine Edmunds, Buffalo Bills

Cornerbacks

*Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins

*Tre’Davious White, Buffalo Bills

Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots

Free Safeties

*Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers

Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos

Strong Safety

*Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City Chiefs

Punter

*Jake Bailey, New England Patriots

Kicker 

*Justin Tucker

Long Snapper

*Morgan Cox, Baltimore Ravens

Returner

*Andre Roberts, Buffalo Bills

Special Teams

*Matthew Slater, New England Patriots

***

Some Pro Bowl Thoughts:

The Minnesota Vikings had two players selected to the Pro Bowl

Dalvin Cook

Justin Jefferson

For a team that’s sitting at 6-8 with dimming playoff hopes, two is probably a fair number. Despite that, Eric Kendricks should be one of the NFC’s inside linebackers. Bobby Wagner and Fred Warner made the team. Bobby Wagner hasn’t been Pro Bowl/All-Pro Bobby Wagner for a couple seasons. In the games I’ve seen, he hasn’t even been the best Seahawks linebacker. K.J. Wright has been. Kendricks and Lavonte David are more deserving to be one of the NFC’s inside linebacker than Wagner.

Defensive tackle is one of the most stacked positions in the league. The quality is ridiculous. So is the quantity. Aaron Donald is already one of the best to ever play the position. The measuring of his Gold Jacket and sitting for his Bust should commence. Donald is amazing. He’s far from the only defensive tackle that’s ripping apart the offensive lines that are schemed to stop them. This Pro Bowl boasts six of them.

Aaron Donald

Fletcher Cox

Grady Jarrett

Chris Jones

Cameron Heyward

Calais Campbell

It’s a shame that there isn’t room for more. There’s others that would easily make the team at nearly any other time.

DeForest Buckner

Akiem Hicks

Quinnen Williams

Leonard Williams

Kenny Clark

Jeffrey Simmons

I wish that the Vikings had one of the above.

A depressing number of injuries to some of the best edge rushers in the league (Danielle Hunter, Chandler Jones, Von Miller, Nick Bosa) opened Pro Bowl opportunities for others.

Teams with the most players selected:

7: Baltimore Ravens

    Green Bay Packers

    Kansas City Chiefs

    Seattle Seahawks

5: Buffalo Bills

    New Orleans Saints

    Pittsburgh Steelers

3: Arizona Cardinals

    Cleveland Browns

    Detroit Lions

    Indianapolis Colts

    New England Patriots

    Philadelphia Eagles

    San Francisco 49ers

Two Rookies made the team:

Justin Jefferson

Chase Young

Again, thanks to a global pandemic the Pro Bowl rosters won’t double in size due to the stream of replacement players. It appears that some good has come from this horrible situation. 

Flea Flicker Week 15 Power Rankings

Here’s one look at how the 32 teams rank after 15 weeks. 

1.   Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)

2.   Green Bay Packers (11-3)

3.   Buffalo Bills (11-3)

4.   New Orleans Saints (10-4)

5.   Baltimore Ravens (9-5)

6.   Cleveland Browns (10-4)

7.   Tennessee Titans (10-4)

8.   Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3)

9.   Indianapolis Colts (10-4)

10. Seattle Seahawks (10-4)

11. Los Angeles Rams (9-5)

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5)

13. Miami Dolphins (9-5)

14. Arizona Cardinals (8-6)

15. Minnesota Vikings (6-8)

16. Las Vegas Raiders (7-7)

17. Washington Football Team (6-8)

18. Chicago Bears (7-7)

19. New York Giants (5-9)

20. New England Patriots (6-8)

21. Atlanta Falcons (4-10)

22. Carolina Panthers (4-10)

23. Detroit Lions (5-9)

24. San Francisco 49ers (5-9)

25. Denver Broncos (5-9)

26. Philadelphia Eagles (4-9-1)

27. Houston Texans (4-10)

28. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)

29. Dallas Cowboys (5-9)

30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-10-1)

31. New York Jets (1-13)

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-13)

Until next week. 

Bears-Vikings

I suppose that the playoff chances for the Minnesota Vikings are alive until they aren't but it doesn't look good. Their playoff chances took a serious hit with yesterday's 33-27 loss to the Chicago Bears. Not only did the Vikings lose a football game they couldn't afford to lose they lost a football game to the team that are battling for a playoff spot. It was basically two losses rolled into one disappointing game. 

If the officials that oversaw last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were hauled in to oversee this game maybe things would've gone differently. The Vikings could've used a pass interference on the game-ending "Hail Mary" heave by Kirk Cousins. Adam Thielen was held and Olabisi Johnson had his facemask grabbed. It's usually anything goes at the receiving end of a "Hail Mary" heave. It was yesterday. It wasn't last week. The Vikings  could've used the penalty that was initially called for the helmet-to-helmet kiss on a sliding Kirk Cousins in the first half. A flag was thrown but it was picked up after the officials discussed it. Harrison Smith could've used one of those discussions last week.  Instead of a new set of downs the Vikings had a 4th-and-1. The decision to pick up the flag yesterday essentially ended a critical Vikings' possession. Anyway, football doesn't work like that. Shitty officiating doesn't always travel. 

All but two of the Vikings' games this season, maybe three, came down to the final plays. The wins and the losses. They could easily be 11-3, 1-13, or anything in between. It's such a fine line between good and bad. The Vikings haven't been good enough to walk on the right side of that line. They simply make too many mistakes. This game against the Bears was a microcosm of the season's issues. At times, the Vikings' offense was terrific. Other times, they weren't. They gashed the Bears defense for most of the game but were incompetent on two critical 4th-and-1s. Each fourth down failure gave the Bears a short field. They didn't have to do much to add six easy points. Those six points were the margin of victory. The Vikings' defense had problems throughout. They started the game with a three-and-out. They ended the game with an interception in the end zone. In between, Mitchell Trubisky and David Montgomery did just about anything they wanted. Mitchell Trubisky!?! Against the rest of the league, he’s a journeyman. Against the Vikings, he’s an all-timer. Why must Minnesota bring out the best in him?

The Vikings' offense is too good to be so bad at times. It's a transition year for the defense and injuries have only hindered that transition. The defense couldn't get the Bears offense off the field. Special teams have been a nightmare in most games but weren't a problem yesterday. This game became a game in which the Vikings had to answer each Bears score with a score of their own. Instead, they had empty possessions. Despite those empty possessions, the Vikings still had a chance to pull out a win. They couldn't and another winnable game became a loss. It's been a season filled with those. 

There really isn't much else to say. The Vikings play well enough to be in just about every game. They don't play well enough to win most of them. It's a frustrating, heart-straining way to play football. It's the story of this season and they have two more games to play in it. The next one is on Christmas Day in New Orleans. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster

Each of the remaining three games is a playoff game for the Minnesota Vikings. A terrible start to the season and losing winnable games in recent weeks have put them in this situation. It's been a weird season. It's been weird off the field. A global pandemic will do that. It's been weird on the field. Dealing with a global pandemic is responsible for a lot of that. Empty stadiums, severely altered routines, one more thing to worry about. The Vikings provided the rest of the on-field weirdness. There have been stretches in games during which they look like a good team. At times, they've looked very good on offense. At times, they've looked promising on defense. In nearly every game, much of the good stuff is wiped out by mind-numbing mistakes. The Vikings have yet to play a clean game. To be honest, it's remarkable that they've won six games. But that's the thing with this team. In nearly all of those six games, the Vikings were forced to overcome the sort of self-inflicted mistakes that typically seal a loss. Yet, they won those games and they were in position to win more. This team has fight. They have grit. They also make too damn many mistakes. It'd be nice to see a clean game before this season is done. It'd be even nicer to see three such games. If the Vikings can put an end to the mind-numbing mistakes they might put themselves in a position to play a few more games in January. And February. 

The Vikings host the Chicago Bears today in the last home game of the season. Here's a little run-down of the roster in advance of the big game. Injuries have forced the Vikings to do some late-season roster-rattling. Linebacker Eric Kendricks (calf) and tight end Kyle Rudolph (foot) have been ruled out for today's game. It'll be the third missed game for Kendricks and the second for Rudolph. If there's a player on the defense that the Vikings can least afford to lose that player is probably Kendricks. Next man up. Todd Davis is the next man up. Or some combination of Davis and rookie Troy Dye. Blake Lynch was promoted from the practice squad to help boost the linebacker depth. At least the defense has had a couple of games to get used to playing without Kendricks. They need him back. They need him back and and they need him healthy. With Irv Smith Jr. and Tyler Conklin, the Vikings are much better equipped to handle the loss of Rudolph. This might be the opportunity that Conklin has needed and perhaps deserved. I just wish that it wasn't at the expense of Rudolph. The Vikings plucked Hale Hentges from the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts to add some tight end depth. Most of the rest of the transactions of recent weeks have been players bouncing from practice squad to active roster to practice squad to street to practice squad to active roster to practice squad, or some roster direction. Linebacker Hardy Nickerson has lived that sort of season. He's back on the practice squad. A new practice squad addition is a former college teammate of Nickerson, running back Khalfani Muhammad. That puts two Cal players on the Vikings roster for the first time since Joe Kapp and Ed White from the Super Bowl IV days. That's not true. I just felt better recalling Kapp and White than Todd Steussie and Duane Clemons. Anyway, some more permanent Vikings transactions have included the waiving of Holton Hill, Tajaé Sharpe, and Mark Fields II. The waiving of Hill was something of a surprise. He started the season as a starter. With promising rookies Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler on the roster it didn't help Hill's job security when he was injured early in the season. It's wrong to speculate on issues since that injury but Hill had some prior strikes going against him. It probably wouldn't take much for the team's decision-makers to lose patience with him. It also didn't help that Gladney and Dantzler have improved with each game. I think that both will be around for a while. Sharpe felt like a solid addition when he signed a free agent deal in the offseason. Rookie Justin Jefferson jetted to starter, if not star, status. Chad Beebe and Olabisi Johnson settled in as some combination of the #3 and #4 options. Sharpe wasn't getting opportunities. The Kansas City Chiefs picked him up so he's found a nice, new home. 

Due to the terrible kicking of Dan Bailey in recent weeks, the Vikings signed kicker Taylor Bertolet to the practice squad. 

Every NFL season involves weekly roster-tweaking. COVID threw a new variable into the roster-tweaking works this season. Testing positive for the virus joined injuries as a daily concern for coaches. There were new protocols/restrictions in adding players. I don't know if these COVID-related issues forced the Vikings to widen their never-ending search for football talent. Maybe it's a coincidence but I can't recall the team's decision-makers ever eyeing other team's practice squad like they have this season. They plucked Rashod Hill from the practice squad of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016. He's the only player that I can recall being added in such a manner. Maybe that's simply due to the fact that he's the only one that's gone on to make an impact in Minnesota. The Vikings have plucked a player from the practice squad of another team on three occasions this season. 

Jordan Brailford-Washington Football Team

Dylan Mabin-Las Vegas Raiders

Hale Hentges-Indianapolis Colts

Defensive end Jordan Brailford has earned some recent playing time. He took advantage of his opportunity to make a significant impact in the Week 13 win over the Jaguars. Brailford looks like a nice project for defensive line coach Andre Patterson. Cornerback Dylan Mabin has intriguing size but has only been active for one game with no defensive snaps. Hale Hentges has only been with the Vikings for about a week but with Rudolph's injury he could see a few snaps today. There are many pools of football talent. This season, the Vikings appear to be taking advantage of a new one.

Here's the Minnesota Vikings roster in advance of today's game against the Chicago Bears. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster

Offense (26 Players)

Quarterbacks (2)
 8 Kirk Cousins
 4 Sean Mannion

Running Backs (4)
33 Dalvin Cook
25 Alexander Mattison

31 Ameer Abdullah
23 Mike Boone

Fullbacks (1)
30 C.J. Ham

Receivers (6)
19 Adam Thielen
18 Justin Jefferson
81 Olabisi Johnson
12 Chad Beebe
17 K.J. Osborn
85 Dan Chisena

Tight Ends (4)
82 Kyle Rudolph
84 Irv Smith Jr.
83 Tyler Conklin

87 Hale Hentges

Offensive Tackles (4)
71 Riley Reiff
75 Brian O'Neill
69 Rashod Hill
74 Oli Udoh

Guards (3)
78 Dakota Dozier

72 Ezra Cleveland

73 Dru Samia

Centers (2)
56 Garrett Bradbury

61 Brett Jones

Defense (24 Players)

Defensive Ends (4)
95 Ifeadi Odenigbo
57 D.J. Wonnum

90 Jalyn Holmes

67 Jordan Brailford

Defensive Tackles (5)
93 Shamar Stephen
96 Armon Watts
94 Jaleel Johnson
66 James Lynch

51 Hercules Mata’afa 

Linebackers (6)
54 Eric Kendricks
50 Eric Wilson

45 Troy Dye

40 Todd Davis

57 Ryan Connelly

48 Blake Lynch

Cornerbacks (6)
20 Jeff Gladney
27 Cameron Dantzler
26 Chris Jones
38 Harrison Hand

39 Dylan Mabin

32 Cordrea Tankersley

Safeties (3)
22 Harrison Smith
41 Anthony Harris

44 Josh Metellus

Special Teams (3 Players)

Kicker
 5 Dan Bailey

Punter
 2 Britton Colquitt

Long Snapper
42 Andrew DePaola

Practice Squad

66 Abdullah Anderson, DT

65 Zack Bailey, OL

40 Jake Bargas, FB

  6 Taylor Bertolet, K

64 Blake Brandel, T

  3 Jake Browning, QB

76 Aviante Collins, G/T

36 Tae Hayes, CB

68 Kyle Hinton, G

15 Alexander Hollins, WR

35 Luther Kirk, DB

24 Khalfani Muhammad, RB

47 Hardy Nickerson, LB

37 Curtis Riley, S

  7 Nate Stanley, QB

52 Eddie Yarbrough, DE 

 

Here are the players that have been placed on the various reserve lists: 

Reserve Lists

Reserve/Injured

99 Danielle Hunter, DE

55 Anthony Barr, LB

21 Mike Hughes, CB

29 Kris Boyd, CB

79 Kenny Willekes, DE

43 George Iloka, S

46 Myles Dorn, S

Practice Squad/Injured

86 Brandon Dillon, TE

Reserve/Non-Football Illness
59 Cameron Smith, LB

Reserve/Opt-Out
98 Michael Pierce, DT

Flea Flicker Week 15 Predictions

The last few weeks of the NFL season always seem to come to soon. Especially when the Minnesota Vikings are on the wrong side of the playoff line. Since it's late in the season there are Saturday games on the schedule. Here's a stab at the Week 15 games. 

Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

It sure would be something to see the Vikings play one game without shooting themselves in their damn so damn many times. All I want for Christmas is to see that one time. And then six more times.

Buffalo Bills @ Denver Broncos

Pick: Bills

The Bills are starting to roll. They should roll over the Broncos.

Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers

Pick: Packers

Does Aaron Rodgers pad his MVP resume'? Does Davante Adams make his case for Offensive Player of the Year? Those feel like the only questions about this game. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Buccaneers

After the Buccaneers were assisted by officials and a wayward kicker in last week's game against the Vikings, Bruce Arians says that his team can do whatever they want. I guess that means that they can beat the Falcons. 

San Francisco 49ers @ Dallas Cowboys

Pick: 49ers

Just imagine that it's the first half of the '90s.

Detroit Lions @ Tennessee Titans

Pick: Titans 

Late season games are Derrick Henry games. The Titans should roll. 

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

It sure would be nice if the schedule-makers had foreseen the need for a Titans-Colts season-ender. They wasted both games in a three game stretch about a month ago. 

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Patriots

The Patriots find a way. 

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens might finally be getting it all back together.

New York Jets @ Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Rams

This one didn't take much thought.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Eagles

Jalen Hurts continues to soar.

Kansas City Chiefs @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Chiefs

Super Bowl preview? Drew Brees is back. This game should be fun. 

Cleveland Browns @ New York Giants

Pick: Browns

When I thought of this game earlier this week I imagined Jim Brown and Sam Huff. This game won't be that game. 

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Steelers

The Steelers need a "get-right' game. 

Cal Commits

Wednesday was the first day that college football hopefuls could sign National Letters of Intent. Signing Day. The NCAA has had this early signing day for a while but it still feels too damn early. The first week of February still feels like Signing Day. It's not. Well, actually there's still a February signing day but most of the signings are now done in December. 

Cal football. The Golden Bears' hacked up 2020 season didn't "start" until November. Their first game was cancelled. Their next first game was a hastily arranged affair. COVID visited the Cal roster and quarantine protocols prevented the full team from ever properly practicing together. Unfamiliarity was the theme in the four games that Cal did play. Especially on special teams. The lowlight was a disappointing loss to Stanford. The highlight was an upset of Oregon. The season finale against the Ducks was a brief glimpse of what this Golden Bears team could've been. 

So, here we are. It's hard to imagine high school kids with football dreams making life decisions during these uncertain times. College football rolls on and 19 high school kids decided on Wednesday to commit to the California Golden Bears. 

Cal Commits

J. Michael Sturdivant, WR, 6-3/185, Marcus, (Flower Mound, TX)

Jermaine Terry, TE, 6-4, 255, Kennedy (Richmond, CA)

Mavin Anderson, WR, 6-0/195, Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, CA)

Kai Millner, QB, 6-2/195, Higley (Gilbert, AZ)

Akili Calhoun, DE, 6-4/265, Liberty Union (Brentwood, CA)

Derek Wilkins, DE, 6-5/270, Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)

Kaleb Elarms-Orr, DE, 6-3/225, Moreau Catholic (Hayward, CA)

Kaleb Higgins, CB, 6-2/196, Folsom (Folsom, CA)

Bastian Swinney, OT, 6-6/290, Edina (Minneapolis, MN)

Moses Oladejo, OLB, 6-3/235, Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove, CA)

Hunter Barth, S, 6-2/205, Queen Creek (Queen Creek, AZ)

Nate Rutchena, LB, 6-3, 225, Monte Vista, (Danville, CA)

Myles Williams, DE, 6-3/250, Bishop Alemany (Woodland Hills, CA) 

Patrick Hisatake, OLB, 6-5/250, Westview (Clackamas, OR)

Keleki Latu, TE, 6-6/205, Jesuit (Carmichael, CA)

Ryan Lange, OT, 6-6/330, Pittsburg (Pittsburg, CA)

Lu-Magia Hearns, CB, 5-10/165, De La Salle (Concord, CA)

Fatuvalu Iosefa, S, 6-0/185, Mililani (Mililani, HI)

Dylan Jemtegaard, OG, 6-4/305, Yelm (Yelm, WA)

This has been a very different recruiting cycle. Only four of the 19 were able to play their high school senior seasons this fall. None of them were permitted to make campus visits. Despite those difficulties, Justin Wilcox and the Golden recruiters were able to gather a fine group of football players. It's a group with a strong Bay Area base. That's a refreshing change from the recruiting strategy of the coach that preceded Wilcox. It's also a group that earned a #20 national ranking from ESPN.

247Sports ranked Cal's class #25 nationally, third in the Pac-12

Rivals sees things differently. Somehow, they penciled Cal in at #41.

Recruiting locally:

11 of the 19 are from California

8 of those 11 from Northern California

6 of those 8 from the East Bay Area

"We're always going to start here."-Justin Wilcox

Cal even pulled a player (Lu-Magia Hearns) from annual football power Concord's De La Salle. 

Wilcox and his coaches have built a stout defense in Berkeley but they had to reload. 11 of the 19 new Golden Bears are on the defensive side of the ball:

3 defensive linemen

4 linebackers

4 defensive backs

They recruited a complete defense. Perhaps those 11 are the starting 11 in 2-3 years. 

There was a focus on defense but the headliners of the class are a couple of offensive playmakers.

WR J. Michael Sturdivant

TE  Jermaine Terry

If you're a fan of the wildly subjective star rating system, each is a consensus 4-star recruit. 

And they added a quarterback. They went to Arizona to find Kai Millner.

Eight members of the 2021 Cal recruiting class plan to enroll in January. 

Welcome to Berkeley!

Throwback Thursday: December 17, 1978

This Flicker was originally posted on February 26, 2015

The NFL's slate of games for December 17, 1978 looked like this:

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles
San Diego Chargers @ Houston Oilers
Kansas City Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks
Green Bay Packers @ Los Angeles Rams
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Colts
Atlanta Falcons @ St. Louis Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers @ Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings @ Oakland Raiders

11 games. The Colts were still in Baltimore. The Cardinals were in St. Louis. Jim Hart had a terrific game in the Cardinals 42-21 win over the Falcons. NFL teams played 16 regular season games for the first time in 1978. This was the 16th week of the season. December 17, 1978 was also the first time that I attended an NFL game. I was at the last one on the list. Minnesota Vikings @ Oakland Raiders. As an itty bitty Vikings fan this was a momentous day. Despite the 27-20 loss. And the rain. It was glorious. I was able to see nearly all of my childhood heroes. Bud Grant, Fran Tarkenton, Jim Marshall, Chuck Foreman, Ahmad Rashad, Matt Blair, Paul Krause, Carl Eller, Ron Yary, Wally Hilgenberg, Bobby Bryant, Jeff Siemon, Sammy White. It was a damn shame that the Vikings felt compelled to release Alan Page earlier in the season. A damn, painful shame. It was an even greater shame when the Chicago Bears signed Page to their roster. The absence of Page from the Vikings roster hurt the day but didn't ruin it. This was the last regular season of Tarkenton's career. Tingelhoff too. Eller played his last regular season game for the Vikings. He played one more year for the Seahawks. This was also the last game of John Madden's coaching career.

From a purely football perspective the game was terrible. There was some rain. There was a lot of slipping. It seemed like the Vikings slipped more than the Raiders. Through mistakes of their own the Vikings quickly spotted the Raiders a 21-0 lead. Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler didn't even play in the second half. Tarkenton threw five interceptions. The Vikings had seven turnovers in all. A fourth quarter comeback made it closer than the game really was. The Vikings actually had a chance to tie the game at the end but the officials refused to let them have a fifth down. It's odd how they try to avoid allowing fifth downs. Despite the loss, the Vikings still made the playoffs when the Packers lost to the Rams. The whole day was a dream. Still is.

The Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings played in Super Bowl XI. That game didn't go the Vikings way either. Despite four Super Bowl losses the Vikings had been one of the best teams in the league for about a decade. Same with the Raiders. Unlike the Vikings, they had a Super Bowl win as proof of their football success. This game, and this season, was the beginning of the end of the Vikings dominant run. It was also the end of the Raiders run under Madden. Unlike the Vikings, the Raiders quickly rose again under new coach Tom Flores.

Ten members of the 1978 Oakland Raiders have been inducted into the Pro Football of Fame:

Al Davis
John Madden

Ken Stabler
Gene Upshaw
Art Shell
Dave Casper
Fred Biletnikoff
Ted Hendricks
Willie Brown
Ray Guy

Six members of the 1978 Minnesota Vikings have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Bud Grant
Fran Tarkenton
Ron Yary
Mick Tingelhoff
Carl Eller
Paul Krause

-Alan Page was released during the 1978 season

I recently watched a recording of this memorable game. It felt like I was there all over again. Without the rain. George Allen and Jim Brown were teamed with Vin Scully to broadcast the game. That puts the Pro Football Hall of Fame count in the Oakland Coliseum that day at 18. Tom Flores should make it 19. A very respectable showing.

Minnesota Vikings at Oakland Raiders on December 17, 1978 was one of those events and one of those days that stands out in a life. There was a dream quality to it even while it was happening. Every moment was longer. Everything was brighter. It was a cloudy, rainy day that neither looked nor felt like one. A kid should have dozens, hundreds of great days in all of their days as a kid. This day was one of those days that's so much better than the rest. The best day. It was a day when a kid saw nearly all of his heroes. As a fan of a team that played their games half of a country away I only knew them as little figures on a TV screen. That day, they were finally real. So real. For months before the game I slept with the tickets under my pillow. The day couldn't arrive soon enough. I didn't care that Christmas was a week away. This game was the only Christmas that I would ever need. NFL history will show December 17 as a slate of 11 games. For this little Vikings fan, it was so much more. Still is.

Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Finalists

Just over a week ago the NFL announced the nominees for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. In probably the swiftest whittling process of any of the league's annual awards, the league announced yesterday the finalists for the award. The finalists include four players from each conference and were picked by a panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community featuring Warrick Dunn, Curtis Martin, Karl Mecklenburg and Leonard Wheeler.

Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Finalists

Calais Campbell, Baltimore Ravens

Matthew Slater, New England Patriots

Justin Houston, Indianapolis Colts

Cameron Hayward, Pittsburgh Steelers

Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers

Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles

Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers

Calais Campbell and Matthew Slater are finalists for a third time. While the third time could be the charm for one, or both, my money's on Cameron Hayward taking home the award. Or Teddy Bridgewater. Everyone loves Teddy. 

The finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category. Teams can't vote for their own player. The winner of the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award will be announced at NFL Honors. 

The Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, honoring the founder and long-time owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was created in 2014 to recognize an NFL player best demonstrating on-field sportsmanship with fair play, respecting the game and opponents and integrity in competition. 

Previous winners of the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award:

2019: Adrian Peterson, Washington Football Team

2018: Drew Brees, New Orleans

2017: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers

2016: Frank Gore, Indianapolis Colts

2015: Charles Woodson, Oakland Raiders

2014: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

Flea Flicker Week 14 Power Rankings

Here’s one look at how the 32 teams rank after 14 weeks. 

1.   Kansas City Chiefs (12-1)

2.   Green Bay Packers (10-3)

3.   Buffalo Bills (10-3)

4.   New Orleans Saints (10-3)

5.   Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2)

6.   Los Angeles Rams (9-4)

7.   Baltimore Ravens (8-5)

8.   Cleveland Browns (9-4)

9.   Seattle Seahawks (9-4)

10. Tennessee Titans (9-4)

11. Indianapolis Colts (9-4)

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)

13. Miami Dolphins (8-5)

14. Arizona Cardinals (7-6)

15. Minnesota Vikings (6-7)

16. Las Vegas Raiders (7-6)

17. Washington Football Team (6-7)

18. San Francisco 49ers (5-8)

19. New England Patriots (6-7)

20. New York Giants (5-8)

21. Carolina Panthers (4-9)

22. Atlanta Falcons (4-9)

23. Detroit Lions (5-8)

24. Chicago Bears (6-7)

25. Denver Broncos (5-8)

26. Philadelphia Eagles (4-8-1)

27. Houston Texans (4-9)

28. Los Angeles Chargers (4-9)

29. Dallas Cowboys (4-9)

30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-10-1)

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-12)

32. New York Jets (0-13)

Until next week. 

Vikings-Bucs

The Minnesota Vikings outplayed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers yesterday. They Vikings lost to the Buccaneers yesterday, 26-14. 

When it comes to kickers, Mrs. Flea Flicker has often said "You have one job!" Well, Vikings kicker Dan Bailey is on the roster to put the ball through the uprights for one or three points. He had four opportunities to do just that yesterday. Three field goals and an extra point. He missed on all four opportunities. In a game decided by 12 points, there's ten points that the Vikings didn't get. Between the ten points that Bailey kicked away and the seven points that the officials handed the Buccaneers at the end of the second quarter, there's the ball game. 

Entering this game, the Vikings controlled their playoff destiny. This loss drops them to 6-7 and lifts the Buccaneers to 8-5. Both teams should be 7-6. That matters little as both teams aren't. The Buccaneers are 8-5 and the Vikings are 6-7. The Vikings must win their final three and pray that some other teams lose some of their remaining games. It's not a good situation but it's the situation that the Vikings put themselves in by starting the season 1-5. Not only did they start 1-5 they made too damn many mistakes in winnable games since that start. They should've beaten the Cowboys and they should've beaten the Buccaneers. Could've/should've/would've isn't factored into the standings. Actual wins and losses are the only things that matter and the Vikings don't have enough of the former and too many of the latter. They are 6-7 with no room for the mistakes that have plagued them all season. Win and pray, win and pray, win and pray. 

The officiating in the Vikings-Buccaneers was horrible. I didn't think that the officiating could ever be as bad as it was in the Cowboys game. This came close. The league's officials continued their strange vendetta against Vikings safety Harrison Smith. This time they got him on a third down stop. Instead of a field goal attempt the Buccaneers were gifted a first and goal. A touchdown was the end result. Four extra points for the Bucs. Very generous. Smith lowered his helmet as he led with his shoulder. His helmet kissed the helmet of the ball carrier but it was, at worst, a passing kiss. It was his shoulder that really made contact with the ball carrier. If my memory is working, that's the fourth time this season that the officials have called Smith for iffy helmet-to-helmet hits. Consistency! That's all I ask and it's what all players deserve. I've seen too damn many violent helmet-to-helmet collisions go without flags for any officiating crew to justify these calls against Smith. Consistency! How do they make that call against Smith and allow the blows to Kirk Cousins' head in the waning moments of the game? A couple plays after the Smith call the officials decided that Mike Evans slipping in the end zone was actually a pass interference on Jeff Gladney. The officials awarded the Bucs two first-and-goals in a span of a few plays. The call against Gladney also negated an interception by Gladney. The officials sure wanted to see the Bucs get that touchdown. 70 seconds after the horrible call against Smith the officials continued their officiating atrocities by calling defensive pass interference on a "Hail Mary" heave. A "Hail Mary" heave! A "Hail Mary" heave! A "Hail Mary" heave! It's unbelievable. I've seen contact that would warrant assault charges in the end zone scrums that come at the receiving end of "Hail Mary" heaves. This mind-boggling call led to a field goal attempt with no time on the clock. Three free points for the Bucs. It can be reasonably argued that the Buccaneers shouldn’t have even had a second for Tom Brady to heave his “Hail Mary.” The clock sure seemed to hang on that :01 as Brady waddled to the line to ground the ball. When the clock read :01 the ball had yet to be snapped. The play clock ticked down while the game clock held at :01. Anyway, what should've been a 10-6 halftime lead for the Buccaneers the officials turned into a 17-6 halftime lead for the Buccaneers. Unbelievable. 

After the game, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said this about his offense, "I think we just showed our identity. We can do any damn thing we want to do." The officials sure saw to that. 

If Mike Zimmer was told before the game that his team would control the ball for nearly 40 minutes, run for over 160 yards, hold a 27-17 edge in first downs, run 27 more plays, and keep Tom Brady under 200 yards passing, I'd imagine that the Vikings head coach would be pretty confident that his team wins this game. This game was the Vikings game. They controlled it. Even with Bailey's wayward kicks and the officiating atrocities, the Vikings would've dodged both if they'd been able to punch in touchdowns when they threatened to do so. Three times, they got close and the Buccaneers blitz got to Kirk Cousins. Three times, they got close and got pushed back. Each time the Vikings turned to Bailey for points. We know how that went. 

It's tough to defend a kicker when he has a game like this. As Mrs. Flicker says, "You have one job!" Even the best players make mistakes. When kickers make a mistake it's so apparent, so damn obvious. They are either the hero or the goat. There's no in between. Unlike other positions and situations, they often have to wait a while for an opportunity to make up for a mistake. They are deemed specialists and if they aren't being special at their specialized task they become very expendable. Right now, I fear that Dan Bailey might no longer have a job. 

It's a three game season and the Vikings can't lose any of the three. The Chicago Bears come to US Bank on Sunday. 

Flea Flicker Week 14 Predictions

It's the start of the fourth quarter of the 2020 NFL Season. Here's a stab at the Week 14 games. 

Minnesota Vikings @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings won't win this must-win game playing like they have. Not giving the Bucs defensive scores will help.

Houston Texans @ Chicago Bears

Pick: Texans

The Bears get an up-close look at one of the quarterbacks they didn't draft. 

Dallas Cowboys @ Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Bengals

Wins have been rare for both teams. I have more faith in the Bengals winning this game.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Chiefs

The Chiefs might find it a little more difficult than usual to score but they should score enough. 

Arizona Cardinals @ New York Giants

Pick: Cardinals

It appears that the Giants have become the new darlings of the league. If the Cardinals offense plays like it can this could be a fun game. 

Denver Broncos @ Carolina Panthers

Pick: Panthers

Hopefully Christian McCaffrey can stay on the field. 

Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Titans

This game shouldn't be close. 

Indianapolis Colts @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Colts

Smashed by the Falcons. Should've lost to the Jets. It's tough to pick the Raiders.

New York Jets @ Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Jets

Wouldn't it be a riot to see the Seahawks lose to the Jets in Seattle? 

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions

Pick: Packers

The Packers doubled the Lions score last time they played, 42-21. The Lions were better and healthier then.

New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Saints

I don't think that Jalen Hurts will be overwhelmed in his first start but this is a tough first start. 

Atlanta Falcons @ Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Falcons

Has the shine on Justin Herbert faded? He'll be fine. It's tough being a rookie quarterback in the NFL. 

Washington @ San Francisco 49ers

Pick: 49ers

The 49ers are clinging to playoff dreams.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

The Steelers finally lose a game and they suddenly suck? That's the usual narrative. This should be a fun game.

Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns

Pick: Ravens

Lamar Jackson finally looked something like Lamar Jackson last week. The Browns are getting better each week. I'm looking forward to this game. 

 

Minnesota Vikings' Rookie Receivers

The Minnesota Vikings have a strong receiver tradition. They can boast two of the very best to ever play the position in Cris Carter and Randy Moss. One of the highlights of this strong receiver tradition in Minnesota is the rookie seasons of some of the receivers. Vikings players have been named Rookie of the Year on six occasions. Four of the six played receiver. 

1963: Paul Flatley

1976: Sammy White

1998: Randy Moss

2009: Percy Harvin

Anthony Carter might've made it five. His 1985 season was his first in the NFL. It was a very productive first season: 43 catches, 821 yards, 19.1 yards/catch, and 8 TDs. It wasn't his first season of professional football as he'd played three seasons in the USFL.  

The Vikings tradition of receivers, rookie receivers in particular, has been on my mind due to the first year performance of Justin Jefferson. As with Randy Moss and Percy Harvin, the Vikings were lucky to have Jefferson fall to them in them in the first round of their respective NFL Drafts. The knee-jerk scouting take that Jefferson was only a slot receiver because of the number of times he played there at LSU was lazy scouting. Just take the time to watch the kid play. Analytics is a tool. It'll never top watching football players play football. Jefferson is a technically advanced and nuanced receiver no matter where he lines up on the field. He runs excellent routes. He did it in college and he's doing it as a rookie. He has great hands. He gets separation. He catches contested passes when he doesn't get separation. He knows what to do on the football field and when to do it. He plays like a veteran receiver because he's been playing receiver the right way for a while. It's astonishing that professional scouts and amateur scouts were so damn fixated on where he lined up on the field that they couldn't see the way that he played the receiver position. I've been thanking that lazy scouting from the moment the Vikings lucked into Jefferson with the 22nd pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. 

Justin Jefferson has drawn comparisons to Randy Moss for the receiving production that he's had as a rookie. Those comparisons aren't really fair as Moss is a Hall of Famer, an all-timer. Moss was a physical freak. It isn't fair to compare any receiver to him. Jefferson is approaching/exceeding Moss' rookie production in a very different manner. He isn't as explosive as Moss but he makes explosive plays. Through 12 games it feels like he's only been limited by the number of times the Vikings can get him the ball. Like Sammy White, Percy Harvin, and Randy Moss before him, it's fun to watch Jefferson play football. I'd include Flatley but he's before my time. I only have highlights of him and stories about him. That fun started the moment they caught their first pass as rookies for the Vikings. There's still a quarter of the season to play but Jefferson has to be the clubhouse leader for Rookie of the Year. The quarterbacks that might've had a shot have either fallen or faltered. Actually, Jefferson might not even be eligible for the award since there's nothing about his play this season that looks or feels like a rookie. I've enjoyed watching Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs over the years as they improved and refined their route running and receiving skills. They both have improved to the point of being among the league's best at the finer aspects of the receiver position. Jefferson already appears to be their equal in nearly every way. If he can continue to take apart defenses as he becomes more a focal point of those defenses, well, he's put his ceiling at stratospheric heights. He's playing like one of those special players that forces you to sit back and just enjoy the ride.