EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ: They used to say, “It’s the NBA, everybody makes a run.” Well, that’s the NFL now. This season has had an eye-popping number of wild comebacks and heart stopping finishes. That’s how the writers thought they could overcome Taylor Swift’s refusal to go to playoff games this year. Forget I said that. Off the top of my head, let’s chat about the Giants, Harbaugh, and the Rooney Rule Predicament, Saleh’s Patchwork D in SF, and a Made for Disney Story in San Francisco.
Rooney Rule 2, Electric Boogaloo, Flores Lives!
As you may recall, Brian Flores, currently the DC for the Vikings, is suing the NFL, the Giants, and three other teams. Flores alleges systematic racism by the NFL and thinks he only got interviews from the teams to satisfy the Rooney Rule. The Giants had already decided to hire Brian Daboll, allegedly.
In retrospect, maybe the Giants should have given him a chance? Also, I’m not sure how the league is to blame here. If what he says is true, he never even would’ve gotten an interview without the Rule. Of course, there is going to be situations where a team has the guy they want, but still has interview a minority candidate to check that box. Which brings me back to the Giants.
Everyone knows they want Harbaugh as bad as I wanted Jenny Mendlebaum in tenth grade. And he seems quite interested, unlike Jenny, sadly. If it looks like it’s gonna work out with Harbaugh, the Giants will have to up their fake interview game and really roll out the fake red carpet this time.
Saleh’s Patchwork D
The 49ers have had a load of key injuries highlighted by Joey Bosa and Fred Warner, with several other starters out. Garret Wallow, a LB they just grabbed over the couch, was starting on Sunday. And there they were, holding it together with super glue to knock off the defending champs.
And who was the guy holding the glue gun? It was Robert Saleh, Niners DC and former Jets HC. Saleh was run out of town by the Jets, a scapegoat for another terrible season.
Was he a bad head coach or are the Jets too dysfunctional for a good, but inexperienced coach to succeed?
Brock and Desaun
The Niners pulled off the upset on a gutty performance by Brock Purdy. It’s easy to forget about how nutty it is that San Francisco gave up tons of draft capital, along with the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, to move up to take Mac Jones, supposedly. Then they panicked and pivoted to Trey Lance, a huge bust. Heads could have rolled.
But GM John Lynch threw a just-in-case, backup plan, dart with his last pick, and totally redeemed himself by snagging Purdy. This is a story made for Disney.
In a story made for Cinemax, Deshaun Watson is set to have the highest cap hit of any player next year at $80 million. He might be slightly overpaid.
Rough times. The Jets won’t get any sympathy from Browns fans.
That’s all folks. Come back tomorrow for Angry Ward.
