Ten Things I Think

1. I think it is a joke that Steve Garvey isn’t in the MLB Hall of Fame. He has nearly 2,600 career hits, he won four Gold Glove Awards, he appeared in 10 All-Star Games, and he won the 1974 NL MVP. How is he not enshrined in Cooperstown? I mean, Harold Baines just got in …

2. I think the same for Fred McGriff. He smacked 493 career home runs and compiled nearly 2,500 hits. Sure, there needs to be a line of demarcation, but had McGriff hit seven more home runs he would have been a first ballot Hall of Famer. To leave him out seems wrong.

3. I think Johnathan Taylor will finish his career as the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher. After his sophomore season, he has 3,966 yards and the record is 7,125. The Badgers always have one of the premier offensive lines in the nation so as long as Taylor doesn’t bolt early, he should claim this crown and possibly a Heisman (or two) while he’s at it.

4. I think Dwayne Haskins is the best quarterback in the 2019 Draft. He is athletic, can make all of the throws, and is a fiery competitor. Justin Herbert gets much of the acclaim, but Haskins is a superior player who will have a better NFL career.

5. I think the 76ers desperately need to add depth to their roster. In a vacuum, the Jimmy Butler trade was a resounding success for Philadelphia. They were able to acquire a four-time All-Star for two pieces, that while very capable, did not move the needle in the Eastern Conference. However, by making the move, Elton Brand and the 76ers management cut into the team’s depth and are now relying on the likes of Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton as key contributors off of their bench. Obviously the Markelle Fultz debacle doesn’t help matters, but to truly compete in the East, Philly needs to add depth. I expect them to be major players on the buyout market.

6. I think Russell Westbrook reminds me of Kobe. His tenacious, relentless approach to the game and his disdain for the opposition paired with his skill level and athleticism makes him the most exciting NBA player to watch on a nightly basis.

7. I think Colin Kaepernick will never take another snap in the NFL. I am not going out on much a limb by saying this, but after what transpired in DC with the Redskins it is safe to say that Kap will not return to an NFL locker room. Who replaced Alex Smith in San Fran and led the 49ers to the Super Bowl? Colin Kaepernick. So to think that once Smith went down for Jay Gruden’s squad that they wouldn’t even give Kaepernick a look, when they had literally no other options, indicates to me that Kaepernick’s NFL career is officially over.

8. I think the Yankees should avoid Manny Machado. His talent is undeniable, but his attitude and overall production does not warrant a 10 year/$300+ million contract. If the Yankees want to make a splash this offseason, they would be better served going all out to sign Bryce Harper.

9. I think the quarterback of the team that wins the AFC West will be NFL MVP. If the Chargers come out on top it will be Phillip Rivers; if the Chiefs are victorious it will be Patrick Mahomes. The narrative that Drew Brees is deserving irritates me. Do not get me wrong, he has had a good season, but it feels like giving it to him would be more of a lifetime achievement award than an award solely based on the 2018 season.

10. I think the Browns need to hire Freddie Kitchens as their head coach. Since firing Hue Jackson and allowing Kitchens to be the play caller, the Cleveland’s offense has taken off and Baker Mayfield has looked every bit of the number one overall pick and franchise savior that he was chosen to be. There certainly are hotter names out there, but Baker has proven that he and the offense can light up the scoreboard with Freddie Kitchens calling plays.