The parting of ways between the Cowboys and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore appears to have been genuinely mutual. The relationship had stagnated. Moore now has a new O.C. gig with the Chargers, where he will get to work with the talented Justin Herbert. And it looks like Mike McCarthy will return to play-calling, which he did very well as head coach of the Packers. Chargers coach Brandon Staley says Moore’s job will be to make the Bolts’ offense both more explosive and more balanced. LA could not run the ball a lick in 2022, ranking 30th in the NFL in rushing yards per game.
At least Moore won’t have to cure Herbert of Interception Syndrome. Justin’s interception rate per passing attempts was only 1.4 percent in 2022, while Dak led the league in that dubious category at 3.8 percent.
Yes, there were some shaky officiating calls in both conference championship games Sunday. But the late hit call on Patrick Mahomes that set up the winning field goal was not one of them. Open and shut. Mahomes’ entire body was well out of bounds, and Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai lit him up. No debate. No controversy. No “shades of gray.” That’s 15. A hundred times out of a hundred. To his credit, Ossai has owned it. Nobody on the Bengals has disputed the call. I have not heard even one media analyst challenge it, either. That leaves Facebook Idiots and Conspiracy Theorists as the lone dissenters.
Once the Chiefs and Eagles arrive in Glendale, it’s only a matter of time before some hack asks either Mahomes or Jalen Hurts, or both, “How long have you been a Black quarterback?” Think I’m kidding? Check with Doug Williams.
The 2023 NFL salary cap will be $224.8 million, up about 16 percent from 2022. Right now the Bears have the most cap space at $91 million, while the Saints are $58 million over the limit. The league has also established new franchise tag salaries by position. The QB annual number is about 32 and a half mill. Running backs? Just over ten million. At least relatively speaking, RBs are being continually devalued.
The chances of Aaron Rodgers playing for the Packers in 2023 are next to zero. If he doesn’t retire, the Packer will trade him. They cannot afford him. It’s time to “move on,” for both parties.
The 49ers just can’t buy a break at quarterback. Rookie phenom Brock Purdy suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow midway through the first quarter of Sunday’s debacle in Philadelphia. Not good. It’s unclear whether the injury will require surgery. Even if it doesn’t, Purdy is looking at a six-month recovery. Surgical options could include “Tommy John surgery,” which involves a tendon graft and a much longer convalescence. San Francisco is in a world of hurt. Trey Lance continues his recovery from the broken ankle he suffered in Week 2. Jimmy G.? He’s almost healthy, but he will become an unrestricted free agent in March, and cannot be franchise tagged. The ‘Niners are otherwise loaded with offensive weapons. But as we saw Sunday, it just doesn’t matter if nobody can get the ball to them.
Hmmm…Remember that the ‘Niners were Brady’s team when he was a kid. Also remember that Brady will be a free agent. This could happen.
With 12:38 remaining in the second half Monday night in Lubbock, Texas Tech trailed 13th ranked Iowa State by 23 points, at 59-36. “The Computer” fixed Iowa State’s chances of victory at 99.6 percent. Final score in overtime, Red Raiders 80, Cyclones 77. In case you’re wondering, yes, that is the biggest second half comeback victory in the history of the Big 12/Big 8 conference.
I guess the injured left ankle of Mavs’ star Luka Doncic is gonna be OK. In his first game back since the sprain, Doncic lit up the Pistons for 53 points in a 111-105 homecourt victory. Dallas came from eleven down in the third quarter to get the Dub.
Finally, so long to the Golden Jet, Bobby Hull. He was a sight.
