Ten Things I Think
1. I think Kyler Murray should enter the NFL Draft. Earlier this year, he was drafted ninth overall by the Oakland A’s and has a $4.66 million signing bonus coming his way upon reporting to spring training in 2019. That’s a life-changing sum of money, but should he go the football route, I believe, despite his lack of size, that he would be a first-round pick and have a career similar to that of Russell Wilson. For some context, last year, Lamar Jackson, another mobile quarterback, was the final pick of the first round and if he doesn’t play another down for the Ravens he is fully guaranteed over $8 million. That’s nearly double what Murray is guaranteed to play in the minor leagues for a handful of years before he must play six more seasons at the Major-League level until hitting free agency. Now, I acknowledge that there is more to money when it comes to a decision such as this, but football trumps baseball in nearly all respects. If Matthew Stafford, a mediocre NFL quarterback, and Mike Trout, perhaps the greatest baseball player in the last half-century walked down the same street together, considerably more people would recognize the Lions quarterback. (Side note: Stafford is making $26 million to go 6-10 every year, while Mike Trout is being paid $33 million annually. Trout is making more, but not much. What are the chances Murray is the best player in baseball? I’d say slim. Very good baseball players make $10 million a year. Run of the mill starting quarterbacks in the NFL make $20 million.) The only argument for Kyler should siding with baseball is that football is inherently too dangerous, although I would argue that he plays a position that endures very little contact. If I were advising Kyler Murray, I would tell him to play football. He’s pretty good at it too.
2. I think Terrell Suggs is criminally underrated. He has played 16 seasons for the Ravens, won a Super Bowl, and compiled 132.5 sacks over his career. That figure is the 13th most all-time and should he return next season and record a handful of sacks he will catapult into the top-six, behind 4 Hall of Famers and a future Hall of Famer in Julius Peppers.
3. I think Anthony Davis will be teamed up with LeBron sooner rather than later. It is going to happen. All of the signs indicate as such. AD just bought a $7.5 million-dollar mansion in LA and he recently signed with Klutch Sports, the same agency that reps LeBron. The question becomes who the Lakers will have to give up to secure The Brow, but it is happening, it is only a matter of when.
4. I think the Redskins showed their incompetence releasing D.J. Swearinger just weeks after signing Reuben Foster. Swearinger, the hard-hitting safety that he is, was playing at an All-Pro level this season before criticizing Washington’s defensive coordinator for his lack of aggression, and that criticism ultimately led to his release. On the flip side, Reuben Foster was claimed by the Redskins after being arrested multiple times for domestic violence. To add a troubled player with the baggage that Foster has in the name of talent, only to release a player with tangible talent, and a clean track-record, who simply (and rightfully) criticized a coach seems misinformed and ill-advised.
5. I think De’Aaron Fox will end up being the best player from the 2017 NBA Draft Class. Considering that draft included Jayson Tatum, Lonzo Ball, and Donovan Mitchell I am not sure many would agree with me, but I see Fox as an evolved John Wall. The King’s sophomore is lightning fast, can facilitate, and can shoot the deep ball. Forget just the 2017 draft class, there are not many young players that I would take before De’Aaron Fox.
6. I think Baker Mayfield will be crowned the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Saquon Barkley has been tremendous, to the tune of nearly 2,000 scrimmage yards, but quarterbacks are intrinsically more valuable and, rightly or wrongly, for that reason and the way Baker has played of late, the Brown’s rookie will be awarded.
7. I think John Wall’s contract has been labeled the NBA’s most immovable object, but we mustn’t forget Chris Paul’s. CP3 signed this summer for 4 years and $160 million. Ouch. He is 33 years old, and will be 36 years old making nearly $45 million. When he is on the court (which hasn’t been often lately), he can still contribute but not to the tune of the contract he signed.
8. I think Nikola Jokic deserves serious MVP consideration. The Nuggets are atop the Western Conference and their playmaking center is their offensive fulcrum. He is posting 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists per night and has vastly improved his consistency on a nightly basis. Maybe he isn’t on the level of a Giannis or LeBron, but he is closing ground fast in terms of his overall productivity and value added.
9. I think DeAndre Hopkins is the best wide receiver in the NFL. For roughly the last five years this title has belonged to Antonio Brown. No longer. Hopkins is a surgical route runner with hands like marshmallows and incredible physical strength to make contested catches. He is the best receiver in football and I don’t really feel it is all that close.
10. I think Ben Simmons has just about hit his ceiling. He cannot shoot, nor does it appear that he is all too interested in putting in the work to improve. He is a reliable facilitator and a good defender with good size for his position, but to say that a 22-year old has come close to hitting his ceiling is a damning indictment.
