The “Tom on the Phone” Episode, Chet Holmgren Injury, CFB Players with Pro Upside
The Orioles keep on keeping on!
Bottom 9th, 2 Outs, Rookie at the plate, and it doesn’t matter Chicago finds a way to lose, and Baltimore finds a way to win. The game goes to extras, and they steal another win against a, “should-be” competitive baseball team in the White Sox. As Tom mentions, this game was a microcosm of both teams’ seasons.
The White Sox have wasted a season and talented roster to win a tick over 60 games at this point. LaRussa seems to have lost his touch in his old age, and the team itself has just underperformed. They were a favorite to win the AL Central, but at this point the Guardians have the bull by the horns and the Twins are still flirting around with them.
The Orioles have overperformed with a young roster of talent that is beginning to bear fruit after a long few years of re-building. Brandon Hyde has commended this squad’s grit and determination when approaching each game, and we see this night-in and night-out. The fanbase also has a lot to look forward to with the expectation to grow and promote some more youngsters like Henderson and Jackson. They come into a big series against Houston, who are 41-9 in their last 50 games, which could be decisive in the continued race for the Wild Card.
We continue our look at each NFL team, this week, we look at the most influential non-QB players on each roster for the AFC Divisions.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - Chris thinks Stanley and Humphrey are the linchpins on either side of the ball for the Ravens. Tom agrees in the units, but goes with Linderbaum and Peters for his picks. The moral of the story is to protect Lamar to maximize his potential and return to an elite pass defense to give the D-Line time to attack the QB
Pittsburgh Steelers - Chris is taking Najee Harris & Minkah Fitzpatrick for the Steelers to have a good year and make a difference on both sides of the ball. Tom, a Steelers fan, takes the entire O-Line, and Tyson Alualu
Cincinnati Bengals - Chris starts it off with Ja’Marr Chase and Tom with La’el Collins on the offensive side of the ball. Trey Hendrickson is the unanimous pick here on the Bengals Defense.
Cleveland Browns - Another unanimous decision on Nick Chubb from the boys, until Watson gets back. Denzel Ward for Chris, and Myles Garret for Tom on the Defense.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills - Chris is looking at Dion Dawkins, and Tom goes with a coach, Ken Dorsey, on the offense. Defensively, it’s Ed Oliver for Chris; this is a big year for him. Tom goes with Tre’Davious White, but Chris has a little doubt here.
Miami Dolphins - Chris admits this is biased, and goes Jaylen Waddle. Tom picks Chase Edmonds to have a productive year with Tyreek drawing attention this year. Jaelen Phillips for Chris, and Xavien Howard for Tom, round out the defense.
New England Patriots - Chris is choosing Hunter Henry at TE, and Tom is running with Damien Harris at RB for the Pats, but he could blow it, too. Chris goes with Jason Mills on the outside, and Tom picks the ex-Raven, Matthew Judon to rack up sacks on the Defense
NY Jets - Duane Brown is Chris’ pick with Wilson out, and Flacco starting. Tom has some trouble here, but Breece Hall could make a difference. Quentin Williams for Chris, and Tom picks Carl Lawson, Williams needs to breakout and Lawson is back healthy.
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars - Cam Robinson is Chris’ pick on offense to protect Lawrence. Travis Etienne is who Tom is looking for, this season after an injury shortened year. Tom is looking at Travon Walker to have a good year, and Josh Allen is Chris’ pick here on defense.
Indianapolis Colts - Jonathan Taylor is the unanimous pick here, but Cam Robinosn, and Pittman Jr. make honorable mention. Stephon Gilmore is Tom’s choice on D. DeForest Buckner is Chris’ pick on the Indy D-Line.
Houston Texans - Dameon Pierce on offense and Stingly Jr. on defense are on both Chris & Tom’s radars this year. UNANIMOUS!!
Tennessee Titans - Taylor Lewan is Chris’ choice on the O-line. Tom is looking at Treylon Burks to semi-fill A.J. Brown’s shoes. Jeffery Simmons on the D-line for both Chris & Tom for the Titans.
AFC West
Denver Broncos - Jovante Williams is Chris’ pick, and it’s Courtland Sutton for Tom, on the offense. Randy Gregory and Bradley Chubb, for Chris & Tom respectively, on the Denver defense.
Kansas City Chiefs - Chris takes Travis Kelce, especially with Hill gone. Tom is on the RB train, and Edwards-Helaire is his pick; they need to run the ball. We forgot about the defense on this one, but if they score 50 pts a game it’s sort of a non-issue.
Las Vegas Raiders - Offensively, Darren Waller is Chris’ pick. Tom is looking at Josh Jacobs. On the Defense, Chris likes Max Crosby. Tom cops out again with the whole Secondary unit, but he’s right.
Los Angeles Chargers - Chris is taking Austin Ekeler at RB, and Tom is leaning towards Mike Williams at WR; combined they can really give teams trouble. Derwin James, is the unanimous pick, but Tom goes as far as to put the whole D-line on the list. They have to be better.
NBA Headlines
Chet Holmgren is the talk of the town after picking up a season-ending Lisfranc injury during a Pro-Am Exhibition. The national media has been quick to jump on the whispers about his build, and whether or not he could handle the physicality of the NBA. As Chris says, “cowards laugh, when heroes fall.” It’s a poor take. Do better!
That being said, this may be a blessing in disguise, sort of like Blake Griffin, where a year to bulk up, and experience the league from the locker room might benefit Chet in the long run. This also brings some things into play for Victor Webanyama toi Oklahoma. We wouldn’t say the Thunder are going to tank it, but the NBA doesn’t really mind teams that do.
Charles Barkley is out here talking trash again, about Kevin Durant. He called him “Mr. Miserable”, but it is getting a little played out. We understand that Barkley doesn’t think too highly of Durant, but it’s a little cheap. Most other pundits have nothing but nice things to say about Durant, so this feels like a reach. Charles has a right to say what he wants, but as fans, it’s getting old.