07/07/22 – Radically Rational

07/07/22

It was the obvious and most logical landing spot for Baker Mayfield. Which is why I’m at least mildly surprised that it happened. Obvious things rarely happen in the NFL.

Let’s cut to the chase. Mayfield will play well in Carolina if Christian McCaffrey is healthy. If CMC goes down again, Mayfield will instantly turn into Sam Darnold.

I would submit that CMC is the most important player for his team of anyone else in the league. With him, the Panthers are competitive. Without him, they are abysmal.

Who has the most skin in this game? Matt Rhule. If Baker fails, he’s baked.

So what do the Panthers do with Darnold now? And how does this impact the future for Matt Corral?

Now the focus sharpens on Jimmy G. I really don’t get all of this. Often, the best thing a team can do is nothing. Garoppolo, despite his limitations, is the best quarterback on the 49ers’ roster. He is 33-14 as a starting QB in the NFL. I said 33-14. Those guys don’t grow on trees. The Niners are a very good team, with a very good system. Jimmy G. has proved he can drive that bus. Trey Lance is simply not ready. The Niners have a window of opportunity here that will slam shut on their fingers if they throw the keys to Lance. That’s 7-10 waiting to happen.

There’s my rant. But it’s apparent that the Niners are dead set on trading or releasing Jimmy. Best fit for him? Seattle’s system is almost identical to San Francisco’s. But the Niners would be understandably reticent to trade him within their division and risk having that cigar blow up in their face twice a year.

Next best fit? Houston. But I earnestly hope that doesn’t happen. Not because I don’t like Garoppolo. I do. But I’ve seen enough of Davis Mills to believe he will end up being a very good NFL quarterback. Yep. You heard me. Mills will be money.

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.