Ten Thoughts on the NFL

1) Last year, only two teams allowed more total yards on defense than the Indianapolis Colts did. They were ranked 25th in rushing yards allowed, 27th in passing yards allowed, 22nd in scoring defense and 25th in making stops on 3rd downs. But now the newly signed Jonathan Hankins believes they can be the best in the AFC.

Seriously, he really said this, "Right now I feel like we got probably the best defense in the AFC."

I get the braggadocios nature of professional athletes, but come on man.

2) New England Patriots’ quarterback, the soon to be 40 year old Tom Brady, is set to grace the cover of Madden 18: G.O.A.T. Edition. That’s the EA Sports video game franchise for those not aware. Also for those not in the know, the Madden cover curse is a real thing, but Brady doesn’t care, “The Madden NFL 18 cover is a great honor for me,” said Brady. “Especially since I have been playing the game since growing up next to EA headquarters in the Bay Area. I'm not one to believe in curses, so I'm ready to take the challenge head on like always! It doesn't stand a chance!!!”

Brady is so sure that the curse is a a load of crap, that he’s taking on even more superstitions, by breaking mirrors and walking under ladders.

Here’s the teaser trailer for those that play video games.

3) Speaking of the G.O.A.T., Brady still says that Joe Montana is the greatest of all time.

4) At 32 years old, the Cleveland Browns’ Joe Thomas, is still one of the best left tackles in the NFL. The veteran may want to go into coaching when his playing days are over, but one rookie thought he was already part of the coaching staff.

That would be rookie first round draft pick, tight end David Njoku. If you don’t think Thomas is the kind of guy that is going to bust Njoku’s chops all season on that, then check this out.

He’s got jokes and David Njoku is going to get them.

5) ESPN is set to have Beth Mowins and former Jets and Bills head coach Rex Ryan, call the second Monday Night Football game of week 1, the Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos.

Not only will night mark the debut of the outspoken Ryan, but it will also be the first time a female broadcaster will call a nationally televised game.

This isn’t some publicity stunt, Mowins has called plenty of NFL preseason games in the past, as well as college football, basketball, softball, soccer and volleyball.

What are your thoughts on a female play by play broadcaster?

6) Quarterback Colin Kaepernick finally has some interest. Whether you agree with his views or not, it’s evident that his kneeling for our national anthem has teams staying away. He’s plenty qualified to start in the NFL, but he’ll probably have to work his way back as a back up.

The Seattle Seahawks are a perfect spot for him, as the team already has an offense built around a mobile passer. I’d imagine a year free of “controversy” could open up a few team’s eyes to bringing him aboard. Seattle is also interested in Robert Griffin III, another mobile QB, but from a football standpoint, Kaepernick is the better player.

7) NFL.com recently ranked the teams most likely to end their playoff droughts, and they had the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at #1. I think the Bucs are going to everyone’s surprise pick this year. That team had a really solid draft, bolstering their offense, and their defense is improving.

The NFC South is going to fun to watch in 2017.

8) Not necessarily NFL related, but an interesting nugget from college football.

New Florida Atlantic head coach Lane Kiffin has offered Kaden Martin, a 13 year-old quarterback who hasn’t even taken a snap in high school, a full scholarship. Kaden is the son of Tee Martin, who led the Tennessee Volunteers to a National title in 1998. He’s now the offensive coordinator at USC.

Our own Sam Householder has the bets take on the offer.

9) The NFL has a new, safer football helmet, set to debut this season. Twenty five teams have already placed orders with the Seattle based startup company, Vicis, for their ZERO1 helmet.

10) The over/under that is floating around on the Chicago Bears is right around 5.5 wins, but the guys over at Football Outsiders, via ESPN Insider, has the Bears ending up in third place in the NFC North at 7-9.

“Improvement for the Chicago Bears has nothing to do with Mike Glennon. It's more likely that free-agent additions on defense and better health will improve the defense,” says FOs Aaron Schatz. “The Bears led the NFL in our Adjusted Games Lost injury metric last season.”

Health is something you can never predict, but there’s no way the Bears lead the league in games lost to injury again, is there?