Stamford, CT: Well, the Yankees lost by a TD and Jaxson Chase Dart had some serious growing pains on Sunday. I’ll be avoiding those angst-ridden topics and sticking to some NFL Observations. Some strange things happened this week including Mac Jones having a great game after seeing a dead body floating down a river. The former might be more surprising. And The Sanchize let out his inner rage and straight tried to murder a dude over a parking spot. Strange days, folks. Let’s get to it.
QB Shenanigans
When the Niners traded up to the three spot ahead of the draft in 2021, they were supposedly after Mac Jones. But something funny happened on the way to the draft, and they ended up taking Trey Lance, who may or may not still be in the league. But Mac Jones has found his way to the Niners, and he’s starting to make people wonder if he’s better than Brock Purdy.
Mac led the team to two straight victories, Brock came back and they lost one, then Mac beat the Rams in a great performance on Thursday night. He threw for 342 yards in that one and left the field in a puking mess after taking a big shot on the last play. But he was still in better shape than the corpse he saw floating down the river from his hotel that morning. That happened. Was Mark Sanchez in the area? More on that later.
Anyhoo, I can’t help but wonder, what if the Niners did draft Mac instead of Trey Lance? Would Mac Jones be a star Niners QB with a huge contract and a Super Bowl ring under his belt? Would we have even heard of Brock Purdy? It’s possible. Coaching (and offensive lines and time) matter. Look around the league – Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Daniel Jones – all written off as massive busts, are currently playing like elite QBs. It’s truly mind boggling.
I tell you, if I were a crappy NFL backup, I would do anything I could to go to the Niners. After revitalizing the careers of Darnold and Mac, Kyle Shanahan is the Undisputed QB Whisperer.
Offensive O-Lines
Two of the hottest teams out of the gate this year were the Chargers and Packers. Both have run into harder times in the last few games. It’s no coincidence that the struggles of both teams started with multiple injuries to their offensive lines. GMs sometimes have trouble making the un-sexy pick of an offensive lineman, but it’s the only way to build a team.
It’s also no coincidence that the Giants have sucked oranges for the past decade and haven’t been able to fix their offensive line. Those things may be related. Jermaine Eluemunor had about 17 penalties on Sunday, alternating holding and false starts to keep things interesting. I won’t mention the Cowboys, who still managed to crush the Jets while missing four offensive linemen, because it does not support the narrative I’m weaving.
I am of the opinion that the Cincinnati Bengals would have been better off taking Penei Sewell in 2021 over Ja’Marr Chase, even though Chase has been a superstar. And the Giants would probably be better off with Joe Alt over Malik Nabers, injuries aside, even though Nabers is obviously a great player. And I understand the hesitancy to take other lineman, after the fiascos with Ereck Flowers, Evan Neal, and others. But still, GMs should be required to take at least one O-lineman in the first three rounds ever year.
Butt-Murderer
The most bizarre event of the weekend was Mark Sanchez getting stabbed during an altercation in Indianapolis, where he was scheduled to call a game for Fox. Apparently, he was the aggressor and it’s all on video. The other guy said he thought was in a fight for his life and the police have stated that his account pretty much lines up with what is on video.
Sanchez has been charged with multiple misdemeanors and a level 5 assault felony against the 69-year old man. There is no truth to the rumor that what set off Sanchez was the man saying “find your own spot, buttfumbler.” It’s hard to believe the ex-Jet signal caller was that pissed about a parking spot. But for now, it seems that Mark Sanchez tried to kill a nearly 70-year old man over a parking spot.
Yes, strange days indeed.
That’s it for me. Come back tomorrow for Angry Ward, who will report on the beginning of the Yankees’ comeback.
