NFL

I'd say it would be how Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch still have a job after trading 3 first-round picks to draft Trey Lance, who has only started 4 NFL games so far but did end up lucking into Brock Purdy. But what do you think?

For me it would probably have to be Super Bowl 43. Give the long-suffering Cardinals a title and let guys like Larry Fitzgerald get that ring that they would want so badly.

I love this summary quote about the Lions draft, from Nick Baumgardner:

“They sat there and waited and got starters because other people who did it—who made mistakes in other areas and didn't take care of their roster—had to do something else and pushed starters down. So they just sat there and feasted on them. That is how good teams in the NFL stay good forever.”

From One of These Years: a podcast about the Detroit Lions: Recapping the Lions’ 2024 NFL Draft, May 2, 2024

Good evening.

For those who don't know him, Tom Grossi is a fairly well known fan and podcaster of a Packer persuasion. Feel free to HISSS at the mention of his name.

For the last three years, Grossi has live-cast the NFL draft with great enthusiasm and, fortunately, with plenty of fury and rage due to the Lions sniping the best players before the Packers can get them.

I give you your first course of this meal, the 2022 Draft where the Lions grab Jameson Williams away from the Packers and Mr Grossi's subsequent fury, shock and outrage and declarations of collusion between the Vikings and the Lions.

Soak it in, drink your fill of his fury and tears.

Now, let's move to the second course of our meal, the 2023 Draft where the Lions snag Brian Branch. The moment he realizes it, in live time, at about the 30 second mark is pure joy to behold. Then begins the accusations of the Packers colluding against themselves to give the Lions Brian Branch. There is active drinking, mention of 'the fury of ten thousand suns' and a sublime furious mention of the fact that the Lions had just kept the Packers out of the play-offs and the Packers still gave the Lions Brian Branch. Linger with this course, savor it, take strength from Mr Grossi's impotent fury.

We continue with our meal with the main course, the 2024 NFL draft where we watch Mr Grossi come to terms with the collusion expanding to include the Cowboys who trade with the Lions to allow the Lions to jump ahead of the Packers to claim Terrion Arnold. We have a nice wide-eyed stare followed by a small stream of desperate cries to God for mercy, denials of reality and a one-sided conversation with Mr Grossi demanding that the Lions not take Arnold who, of course, take Arnold.

We finish our satisfying meal with the same video as a bit of dessert, where Mr Grossi desperately tries to put Arnold out of his mind with hopes of getting either Graham Barton or Cooper Dejean. We get to watch Mr Grossi realize that the Packers, instead, choose to get Jordan Morgan, a move that is met by Mr Grossi's extended silence, burgeoning confusion, a 'my soul is dead' notation that the Lions fans, on screen, are pointing at the singular sad-looking Packers fan and laughing at him on live TV. What follows is a sweet three minute segue going from rationalization, to a realization that the other teams will immediately grab Dejean and Barton, ending with a sad/funny questioning of "Why do we love things when everything dies?"

This concludes our meal of pain and misery consisting of the depression and anger of an enthusiastic and entertaining Packer's fan.

Bon Appetit, and FTP

Maybe NFL Network can get some Bronny segments. I hate corporate consolidation.

"In January, Andrew Marchand (then of the New York Post) reported that the NFL and ESPN were in “advanced talks” that could result in the NFL taking an equity stake in ESPN, and that would give ESPN control of NFL Media."

"Nearly four months later, there’s a growing belief in industry circles that a deal is coming, as soon as next week."

- ~Bills~: Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins
- ~Dolphins:~ Tyreek, Waddle, Braxton Berrios, Malik and Tahj Washington
- ~Patriots~: JaLynn Polk, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Juju
- ~Jets~: Mike Williams, Garrett Wilson, Malachi Corley
- ~Ravens~: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, N. Aghalor, Tez Walker
- ~Bengals~: JaMarr, Tee Higgins, Trent Irwin, Jurmaine Burton
- ~Browns~: Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Jerry Jeudy
- ~Texans~: Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Noah Brown
- ~Colts~: Michael Pittman, Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce
- ~Jaguars~: Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas Jr, Christian Kirk, Devin Duvernay
- ~Titans~: DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Treylon Burks
- ~Broncos~: Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin
- ~Chiefs~: Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice, Skyy Moore
- ~Raiders~: Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Michael Gallup )
- ~Chargers~: Quentin Johnston, Josh Palmer, Ladd McConkey, Brenden Rice
- ~Cowboys~: CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert
- ~Giants~: Jalin Hyatt, Malik Nabers, Wandale Robinson, Darius Slayton
- ~Eagles~: DeVanta Smith, AJ Brown, Parris Campbell, Devante Parker, Johnny Wilson
- ~Washington~: Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey
- ~Bears:~ DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen
- ~Lions:~ Amon Ra St Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, DPJ
- ~Packers:~ Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks
- ~Vikings~: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, NKeal Harry
- ~Falcons~: Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Rondale Moore
- ~Saints~: AT Perry, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Bub Means
- ~Buccaneers~: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer, Jalen McMillan
- ~Cardinals~: Marvin Harrison Jr, Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch
- ~Rams~: Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson
- ~49ers~: Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings
- **~Steelers: George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III

• Seahawks - DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith Njigba

• Panthers - Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Johnathon Mingo

I’ve been interested in learning about the beginnings of the AFL and what events led to its creation, especially due to it coming about from prospective owners getting rebuffed from the NFL. That got me thinking, if those owners were able to get into the NFL, what would that look like? This is just start of this little project, I’d love to hear feedback from those who know more about the subject, see where I went wrong, and where I can go from here!

As the Cardinals planned to move out of Chicago in the late 1950s, many attempted to invest in the team. This included Lamar Hunt, Bud Adams, and Max Winter, and Bob Howsam. As negotiations fell through, these men all began talks with NFL commissioner Bert Bell about owning expansion teams. In real life this plan was rejected, with the commissioner feeling uneasy about expanding after such a stable period. What if instead, all 4 owners were able to receive a franchise? While IRL expansion occurred in 1960, this was likely done in response to the AFL beginning so suddenly. This timeline begins in 1962 instead.

1962: Hunt and Adams, two of the more outspoken prospective owners, are given the first two new franchises. With both men having roots in Texas, and the NFL currently lacking any teams in the state, the two franchises are based there. These become the Dallas Texans and the Houston Oilers. These two new markets prove successful, which prompts the NFL to pursue a 16-team league in the near future. The Cardinals also finally move to St. Louis this year, instead of 1960 irl. Baltimore also moves from the West to the East.

1965: With the first 2 teams proving successful, the NFL introduced 2 new teams in time for 1965, going to the other two men who tried to invest in the Cardinals. Max Winter and Bob Howsam, with strong ties to the Minneapolis and Denver areas respectively, were the next to receive expansion teams. With 16 teams now in the league, the NFL splits into 4 divisions mirroring its real-life 1967-69 layout. The new Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings are placed in the West along with St. Louis, and Dallas and Houston move East.

Just a few years in, and you’re already down a few notable franchises (though with no Cowboys or Chiefs, I’m sure people are happy with that lol). I am split on if this league would see New Orleans and Atlanta join the league in the 60s still, or what would happen with the AFL franchises left out of this timeline. I know this only covers a few years, but I do plan on continuing. I wanted to get everyone’s thoughts on where I’m at now, and where to go from here. Hopefully this was at least somewhat entertaining!

At what point does a dominant defensive player or LT outrank a middling QB? Does Justin Jefferson get drafted before baker mayfield?

An adult male bear randomly teleports into the middle of the field at the Super Bowl, then there's an invisible barrier surrounding the field that won't let anything get out. Can the football players kill the bear?

Round 1: Asian black bear

Round 2: Grizzly bear

Round 3: Polar bear