HOLBROOK, NY – Pitchers and catchers have reported this week, let’s do some reporting of our own!
Super Bowl Reaction
Before we get into all the story-lines of the big game I must say – what a game we were treated to! The two teams were seemingly feeling one another out in in the first half, as both offenses looked stuck in neutral until the second half. As I pointed out in last week’s column, the story of the game was how each defense was able to contain the other team’s best player. The Chiefs, led by defensive mastermind Steve Spagnuolo, were able to take star WR Brandon Aiyuk out of the game completely (just 3 catches). The KC secondary was as advertised, with the likes of L’ajruis Sneed and Trent Mcduffie. The two star corners were able to shrink the field with some help from the Great Chris Jones up front (Yes, a capital G).
The teams were able to find some semblance of offense in the second half to make up for the lackluster start, after all you don’t stop someone like Patrick Mahomes or Christian Mccaffrey. Mahomes used his legs more than people thought and really changed the game by being a dual threat especially on the final possession of regulation, with not one but two beautifully designed run plays by Andy Reid. As Harrison Butker nailed a tying FG to end the last quarter, the NFL world was subjected to the new OT rules, as both teams would get a chance to possess the ball – even if the first one scored a touchdown. As fate would have it, Kyle Shanahan did not seem to know that even if San Fran’s high-powered offense went down the field and scored a touchdown, they would still give Mahomes & Co a chance to tie… or potentially win the game by going for two. The #49ers did marched down the field and took over 8 minutes off the clock.
Ultimately, though, they settled for a field goal, thus giving Mahomes a chance to win the game with a touchdown. Score a touchdown they did, as Travis Kelce came through time after time. Ultimately, that work set the game-winner up for… Mecole Hardman. You know Fireman Ed fell off someone’s shoulders someplace. Sorry, J-E-T-S fans.
Gods Send Pitchers and Catchers
Alas, the Baseball Gods heard our/your petitions! We can finally can hear the pop o’ the mit, the crack o’ the bat and the snap o’ some bull*h*t injuries during the first week of camp. Jose Trevino and David Peterson are already on the mend… welcome back to baseball! The Mets and Yanks both have given their fans a reason to be excited about this upcoming season. Being the eternal optimist I am, I have changed my tune on my beloved Mets, (for now)… The Yankees were the team who made a big splash this off-season, landing superstar OF Juan Soto… but not much else. The Bronx Bombers are counting on Aaron Judge to stay healthy to give them maybe the best offensive duo in baseball. The Wild Card for both teams at least getting a Wild Card – as it is every year – is starting pitching. The Yankees will rely on ace Gerrit Cole and newcomer Marcus Stroman. Along with Carlos Rodon the club could have one of the better starting rotations in baseball. On the other side of the coin, the Metros have a budding star in ace Kodai Senga and a reliable veteran in Jose Quintana. The Amazins are relying [hoping] for the upside of guys like Sean Manaea and former Yankee ace Luis Severino.
Road to Wrestlemaina
What a difference a few months make in the world of sports entertainment! The returning CM Punk tore his tricep in the Royal Rumble. He will miss the showcase of the immortals, thus throwing a wrench into the plans. This forces the #WWE to pivot from one of its main story-lines. How do you replace the void of CM Punk? You bring in the most electrifying man in all of sports entertainment The Rock.
Dwayne Johnson returned to an episode of Smackdown to confront his real life cousin and current champion Roman Reigns. The winner of the Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes, was put in the middle of a returning mega star (the rock) and had seemingly been thrown under the bus for this year’s Wrestlemania. However, the ever passionate WWE universe made it known that they wanted to see Rhodes in the main event. As fate would have it, that’s what will happen.
Speaking of the WWE, check out John Bradshaw Layfield with our Short Matt.
