HOLBROOK, NY- Hello all. Hopefully you didn’t get washed out to see yesterday on the Eastern seaboard. Today’s topics are: NFL free agency, Western Conference Frenzy, API excitement.
NFL Free Agency
Chris Jones signed a massive 5-year $95 million contract with the Chiefs… Jerry Juedy was traded from the Broncos to the Browns… Russell Wilson was officially released and has met with the Giants and the Steelers… It appears the Bears will trade Justin Fields… Juedy is a solid pick up for the Browns at a very low cost. Cleveland should be one of the best teams in the AFC next season, though that all depends on QB play – specifically Deshaun Watson.
I don’t think Russ Wilson is a starting QB anymore. He’s a very good backup and is capable of getting a team to .500 but his days of elevating players around him are far over. The Steelers signing Wilson would all but guarantee an 8-win season – no more, no less. As for the G-men, I think Wilson would be a solid backup or fill-in should Daniel Jones miss any time early on. With the Bears holding the number one pick and likely selecting Caleb Williams, that leaves Fields without a home. I’m not sure how good Fields truly is. We’ve seen flashes of his incredible talent but never any real consistency. I think in the right spot Fields could lead a team to the playoffs. The Falcons appear to be the likeliest outcome, given they have an excellent roster and no QB. Fields with Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London – and most importantly a competent offensive line – would be fun to watch. One team id love to see acquire Fields would be Miami. This isn’t happening but just imagine Mike McDaniel with Fields and all that speed on that offense
NBA Western Conference Frenzy
The Western Conference is an absolute cluster at the moment. Just 8.5 games separates the 1 and 8 seed. The #2 Minnesota Timberwolves lost their star Center Karl-Anthony-Towns for the foreseeable future with a torn meniscus. I don’t think this ends all hope for Minnesota, as they’ve been one of the biggest surprises all season – led by Anthony Edwards. This certainly sets them back. I think this conference runs through the defending champs. I’m certainly not going out on a limb with this take but I believe the Nuggets will ultimately represent the Western Conference in the finals. Nikola Jokic is poised for his third MVP and seems to get better each year… The Thunder are currently the one seed and have been incredible all season. Shai Gilgeous Alexander has performed at an MVP level and Chet Holmgren looks like one of the best young players in the NBA. The Thunder are set for the next 5-10 years and have an excellent chance to win the West this year. Then there’s the more veteran teams the Clippers and Suns. For both these teams it all comes down to health. If the Suns can keep this big 3 of Durant, Beal, and Booker on the court together, something they’ve rarely done this year, they can beat anybody. Same goes for the Clippers, I was very skeptical of the James Harden acquisition but I was very wrong. Hardens been the perfect compliment to Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers will be an extremely difficult out come playoff time. I didn’t even mention the Kings, Pelicans, Mavericks or Lakers. The West is beyond loaded this year and about 10 teams have a real shot to win the conference.
Arnold Palmer Invitational
World #1 Scottie Scheffler is tied at -9 with Shane Lowry. Lowry also tied for the 54 hole lead last week at the Cognizant Classic where he went on to finish T4 after a disappointing Sunday 71. Scheffler is in search of his first victory since his Players championship win last March. Scheffler continues to be the best ball-striker week in and week out yet he continues to go winless. At some point Scheffler will make enough putts to win, maybe today in Orlando.
