First, a little housekeeping. Despite the lack of posting, I actually did make my NFL picks last week. I was traveling and just never got around to publishing them, so you’ll have to take my word. Week 17 is always the hardest one to bet because you’re never sure which players are going to rest, and there’s always at least a handful of games between teams with something to gain against teams that have already mailed it in. Anyway, here WERE the picks for Week 17:
Houston (+3) over Tennessee (Straight up – Loss; Against the spread – Loss)
Baltimore (-2.5) over Cincinnati (Loss; Loss)
Buffalo (-4) over New York Jets (Loss; Loss)
New York Giants (+9) over Washington (Loss; Win) – I thought the Redskins would win a close one, especially with a playoff berth on the line
Green Bay (-3.5) over Detroit (Win; Win)
Indianapolis (-5.5) over Jacksonville (Win; Loss)
Philadelphia (-6.5) over Dallas (Win; Win) – Anything more predictable than Mark Sanchez throwing two crippling interceptions?
Minnesota (-6.5) over Chicago (Win; Win)
Tampa Bay (-3.5) over Carolina (Win; Loss)
Pittsburgh (-3.5) over Cleveland (Win; Loss)
Atlanta (-7.5) over New Orleans (Win; Loss)
New England (-8) over Miami (Win; Win)
Arizona (-7) over Los Angeles (Win; Win)
Kansas City (-6) over San Diego (Win; Win)
San Francisco (+11.5) over Seattle (Win; Win) – Knew Seattle would win, but figured pride would keep it closer than the spread
Oakland (+1) over Denver (Loss; Loss)
Week 17: 11-5 Straight up; 8-8 Against the spread
2016 Season: 155-99-2; 131-123-2
To most of you, today is the second day of 2017. The year is still new, and your resolution to lose weight and get in shape hasn’t failed…yet. For 20 NFL teams (including my beloved Philadelphia Eagles), it’s the first day of the off-season. Some have already started making changes – six teams have already or will soon have head coaching vacancies to fill. Others are making plans to travel to various college football showcase games and to Indianapolis for the combine. As for myself, I’m making alternate plans for the weekend of February 4-5, because the inevitable Cowboys-Patriots Super Bowl is worst-case scenario for me.
Now that the season is officially over, what do we do next? [As you know from the podcast, I say “we” as if I play for or manage the team, which works out well in this case.] Except for Bennie Logan, I wouldn’t bat an eye if any of our free agents left, as they’re mostly role/depth players. There’s been some talk of re-signing impending free agent DeSean Jackson, which I’m not opposed to if the price is right but it’s also not the golden ticket.
That’s why the 2017 draft is critical. Thanks to the Sam Bradford trade, we recovered the first round pick (14th or 15th depending on the results of a coin toss) that we traded to Cleveland to get Carson Wentz. Cleveland will pick at 12, meaning we got our franchise quarterback and only draft two or three spots lower than we would have. Now, what do we do to build around Wentz? While you can’t have enough good offensive lineman and pass rushers, what we have there is at least serviceable for another year. The biggest need areas are CB, WR, and RB. Channeling my inner Mel Kiper Jr, this is what I think we should do in April to address those positions.
First Round
The candidates: Mike Williams (WR, Clemson), Corey Davis (WR, Western Michigan), John Ross (WR, Washington), Jalen “Teez” Tabor (CB, Florida), Sidney Jones (CB, Washington), Marlon Humphrey (CB, Alabama), Desmond King (CB, Iowa), Dalvin Cook (RB, Florida State)
The pick: Tabor
The synopsis: If Williams is on the board, he’d be the pick but I expect that he’ll be gone by 14. And I think Davis is a going to be a good receiver, but I’m not sure he’s better than Jordan Matthews. So I’d take a corner, and Tabor is big (6’0”, 199) and physical and certainly fills a need.
Second Round
The candidates: JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, USC), Curtis Samuel (WR/RB, Ohio State), D’Onta Foreman (RB, Texas), DeDe Westbrook (WR, Oklahoma), Quincy Wilson (CB, Florida), Tre’Davious White (CB, LSU)
The pick: Smith-Schuster
The synopsis: Don’t be scared by the fact he’s another USC WR…Smith-Schuster is NOT Agholor 2.0. He has the size (6,2”, 215) and speed to be a bona fide #1 receiver and would be a good complement to Matthews. Of course, if we get Mike Williams I’d snag Wilson or White.
Third Round
The candidates: Wayne Gallman (RB, Clemson), Donnell Pumphrey (RB, San Diego State), Cordrea Tankersly (CB, Clemson), Jourdan Lewis (CB, Michigan)
The pick: Gallman
The synopsis: I love Gallman in this spot, a versatile running back who can step in immediately and contribute.
Houston (+3) over Tennessee (Straight up – Loss; Against the spread – Loss)
Baltimore (-2.5) over Cincinnati (Loss; Loss)
Buffalo (-4) over New York Jets (Loss; Loss)
New York Giants (+9) over Washington (Loss; Win) – I thought the Redskins would win a close one, especially with a playoff berth on the line
Green Bay (-3.5) over Detroit (Win; Win)
Indianapolis (-5.5) over Jacksonville (Win; Loss)
Philadelphia (-6.5) over Dallas (Win; Win) – Anything more predictable than Mark Sanchez throwing two crippling interceptions?
Minnesota (-6.5) over Chicago (Win; Win)
Tampa Bay (-3.5) over Carolina (Win; Loss)
Pittsburgh (-3.5) over Cleveland (Win; Loss)
Atlanta (-7.5) over New Orleans (Win; Loss)
New England (-8) over Miami (Win; Win)
Arizona (-7) over Los Angeles (Win; Win)
Kansas City (-6) over San Diego (Win; Win)
San Francisco (+11.5) over Seattle (Win; Win) – Knew Seattle would win, but figured pride would keep it closer than the spread
Oakland (+1) over Denver (Loss; Loss)
Week 17: 11-5 Straight up; 8-8 Against the spread
2016 Season: 155-99-2; 131-123-2
To most of you, today is the second day of 2017. The year is still new, and your resolution to lose weight and get in shape hasn’t failed…yet. For 20 NFL teams (including my beloved Philadelphia Eagles), it’s the first day of the off-season. Some have already started making changes – six teams have already or will soon have head coaching vacancies to fill. Others are making plans to travel to various college football showcase games and to Indianapolis for the combine. As for myself, I’m making alternate plans for the weekend of February 4-5, because the inevitable Cowboys-Patriots Super Bowl is worst-case scenario for me.
Now that the season is officially over, what do we do next? [As you know from the podcast, I say “we” as if I play for or manage the team, which works out well in this case.] Except for Bennie Logan, I wouldn’t bat an eye if any of our free agents left, as they’re mostly role/depth players. There’s been some talk of re-signing impending free agent DeSean Jackson, which I’m not opposed to if the price is right but it’s also not the golden ticket.
That’s why the 2017 draft is critical. Thanks to the Sam Bradford trade, we recovered the first round pick (14th or 15th depending on the results of a coin toss) that we traded to Cleveland to get Carson Wentz. Cleveland will pick at 12, meaning we got our franchise quarterback and only draft two or three spots lower than we would have. Now, what do we do to build around Wentz? While you can’t have enough good offensive lineman and pass rushers, what we have there is at least serviceable for another year. The biggest need areas are CB, WR, and RB. Channeling my inner Mel Kiper Jr, this is what I think we should do in April to address those positions.
First Round
The candidates: Mike Williams (WR, Clemson), Corey Davis (WR, Western Michigan), John Ross (WR, Washington), Jalen “Teez” Tabor (CB, Florida), Sidney Jones (CB, Washington), Marlon Humphrey (CB, Alabama), Desmond King (CB, Iowa), Dalvin Cook (RB, Florida State)
The pick: Tabor
The synopsis: If Williams is on the board, he’d be the pick but I expect that he’ll be gone by 14. And I think Davis is a going to be a good receiver, but I’m not sure he’s better than Jordan Matthews. So I’d take a corner, and Tabor is big (6’0”, 199) and physical and certainly fills a need.
Second Round
The candidates: JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, USC), Curtis Samuel (WR/RB, Ohio State), D’Onta Foreman (RB, Texas), DeDe Westbrook (WR, Oklahoma), Quincy Wilson (CB, Florida), Tre’Davious White (CB, LSU)
The pick: Smith-Schuster
The synopsis: Don’t be scared by the fact he’s another USC WR…Smith-Schuster is NOT Agholor 2.0. He has the size (6,2”, 215) and speed to be a bona fide #1 receiver and would be a good complement to Matthews. Of course, if we get Mike Williams I’d snag Wilson or White.
Third Round
The candidates: Wayne Gallman (RB, Clemson), Donnell Pumphrey (RB, San Diego State), Cordrea Tankersly (CB, Clemson), Jourdan Lewis (CB, Michigan)
The pick: Gallman
The synopsis: I love Gallman in this spot, a versatile running back who can step in immediately and contribute.