Brent and Shawn discuss the MLB playoffs and Shawn's anxiousness about his Cubs. The guys chat about their continued amazement at the end of the Michigan-Michigan State game this last weekend. Finally, they discuss the infamous 4th down play call in the Colts-Patriots game, as well as other NFL Week 6 happenings.

 Stay tuned every Wednesday for the newest Triplets podcast.

Download the MP3 file

Ranking the NFL Uniforms, Part 2

In Part One of the NFL Uniform Rankings we covered teams ranked 32 through 16. I did have some dialogue on Twitter concerning my rankings, which was very cool. The best comment was a suggestion for another list ranking the alternates – duly noted and will make it’s appearance in the near future.

This half of the rankings were much more difficult to assess as there are numerous good looks in the NFL Uniform hierarchy. However, I needed to get very specific to distinguish amongst who were the best. As always, you can comment or tweet me at @illini3sc with your opinions.

So let’s pick up with number 15:

Tommy Two-Tones

15. Kansas City – While I love the general look of their uniform there has to be delineation between the rankings and for the Chiefs it’s the time when the bust out the blood clot uni’s. We discussed this before with the Texans and the awfulness of the look. Luckily, the original uniform for the Chiefs is cooler than the Texans, hence the better ranking.

14. New York Jets – Same as the Chiefs, except the dark green is slightly (and ever so slightly) more palatable than the Chiefs.

13. New Orleans – This marks a departure because I actually like their all black look. Why? One, because the gold helmet sets it off perfectly. But more importantly – they DON’T HAVE STRIPES ON THE PANTS. One thing I love about college uniforms is the color on color works when the pants are absent of stripes. I cannot explain the phenomenon, it just works. The Saints do it well. I realize this picture shows the gold pants with the black jersey. However, in most home game this year the Saints either wore the away set or the black on black.

Color Blind

12. New England – The Patriots struck an evil blow back in 1993 when they unceremoniously sacked Pat Patriot for Flying Elvis. The uniform itself isn’t so bad except for the changing of the pants. I’d like the consistency of the silver pants with both the home and away uniforms, but they chose to go with the blue option on the pants for the away set. Too much like Dallas? Maybe, but I’d prefer that look to their current set.

11. New York Giants – The changing of the helmet logo back to the original NY was a genius move for the Giants. However, I do not at all understand the red numbers and socks away from home. The main color is blue and all you get on the away set is the helmet. The slight splash of red at home works, but stick with the main colors on the road.

10. Dallas – While they are one of the very few teams who wears white at home (which I don’t mind), I’ve never gotten past the fact that the silver on the helmets looks different than the silver color on their pants. To be honest, it looks more like a bluish color than silver. Can’t be mismatched.

There’s Just Something…

9. Indianapolis – If you’ve read any of my uniform diatribes you understand that I enjoy simplicity. However, there comes a point where you need just a little more. This is the Colts. I absolutely love the shoulder stripes. But they’ve been the same for so long, sans the changes to the blue they use, that a change is needed. Add something, change it up, do something. Essentially, they’re boring.

8. Green Bay – Yes, I am a Bears fan. But that has nothing to do with this ranking. For me, it’s one simple aspect of their uniform I struggle with – the University of Georgia. Every time I watch the Packers play I always think of UGA because of the same G logo on the helmets. Sorry.

7. Chicago – I love the colors. A minor clarification – it’s midnight blue, not black and then add the orange. Love the wishbone C, the stripes, the curved numbers, everything….except the blue pants. HATE. THEM. And the white socks that go with the blue pants. Ugh.

Just Missed

6. San Diego – It was extremely interesting when the Chargers decided to go back to the white helmets back in 2007. I loved the change from royal blue to navy blue back in the day as well. I thought the LT Chargers uniforms were very cool. But, I also liked the change to the white helmets. I also like the shoulder stripes better as well. If only they’d go with the powder blue jersey’s full time they’d probably be number one.

5. Oakland – The classic silver and black combination. Nobody does it better and more appropriately than the Raiders. It’s clean, simple and sharp. And I love the fact that they wear the silver pants with both uniform sets. So why aren’t they number one? Look back at the Colts. It’s been the same for so long we’re callous to them.

4. Seattle – Surprisingly, I love the changes Nike made to their uniform set. Very nuanced, as in the 12 flags on the pants stripe for the fans (12th man), the hint of the highlighter green, the use of grey, I love it all. And it’s the only uniform set where I prefer the color on color look at home. They didn’t quite make the top three because of the grey set of uniforms they trot out on occasion. Stick with the navy and white.

The Best

3. San Francisco – Wise decision going back to the original red and gold colors AND the gray facemasks. Harkens back to the glory years of the 49ers. At the same time, like I’ve noted before, they use the gold pants with both home and away sets and it matches their helmet. Gorgeous.

2. Buffalo – There hasn’t been a better uniform change in recent history than the Bills. They created an alternate set which brought back memories of the old AFL uniforms. They were so well received the Bills changed the normal set to a fresher, more modern take on those old uniforms. Love the helmet stripe. The stripes on the shoulders and pants are fantastic. Love this set completely…unless they ever decide to introduce blue pants. PLEASE DON’T!!!

1. Pittsburgh – Absolute classic. Black and yellow, which compliments the Pirates and Penguins. The shoulder stripes are gorgeous. The change from the block numbers to the curved numbers was a subtle, yet excellent alteration. We can’t forget the logo on one side of the helmet either. It’s just the best uniform in the NFL in my opinion….as long as we’re not adding in the alternate uniforms. J

There they are, now the debating can begin!! As always, thanks to Chris Creamer's site for the uniforms. Check his site out. Also, if you love uniforms check the Uni Watch website. It's a mainstay for me. Finally, you can comment below or tweet me @illini3sc to discuss.

Until next time,

Shawn

A Lot of Hot Air....

Normally, when an investigation is completed and the report submitted, questions are answered, facts are released and everyone can then move on with their life. It seems as if the exception was the release of the Wells Report last week concerning Deflategate. As a side, why do we always need a catchy nickname for everything? I digress. An investigation should answer more questions than it raises and I now have more questions about the deflating of footballs than I had before this entire clown show took place.

Where did it all start? Lost in all of the scuttlebutt are the Ravens tipping off the Colts about the Patriots under-inflating the footballs. Jay Glazer broke this story after the AFC Title Game. A couple of points stick out to me here. First, why didn't the NFL immediately go to the Patriots to ask about this after the game with the Ravens? If someone has a problem with me I would like them to come to me about it and not be underhanded in trying to get the information about me. NFL screw up #1. Second, why didn't the Ravens go to the NFL instead of the Colts about the under-inflating of the footballs? Did they not want to be involved in any scandal? Reports show that Ryan Grigson, the Colts GM, emailed the NFL the day before the AFC Championship Game asking that the footballs be checked. In this report the Colts are said to have noticed it in Week 11. Week 11!!! Why wasn't anything said at that point? If it was such a blatant blow to the integrity of the game, why did the Colts wait for the biggest game of the year to say anything? Believe it or not, there’s also a theory that the Colts deflated the football that D’Qwell Jackson intercepted in the AFC Title Game before handing it over to the NFL. I’m not saying this actually happened, but why is the light shining only on the Patriots in this case when many other teams are involved? Again, more questions.

How much does it really affect the game? Per the aforementioned Jay Glazer article, deflating the footballs can make the grip easier and change the flight of the football. This makes sense. However, if that is the case, they why did the Patriots run roughshod over the Colts AFTER the half when the footballs were checked and inflated correctly? The reason to tamper with the footballs is for an advantage. If the “advantage” is taken away and the disparity between the teams is larger, is it really an advantage to begin with? Yes, I’m nitpicking here. But that is the purpose of an investigation and these questions haven’t answered. I used an example on Twitter the other day comparing deflating footballs to doctoring baseballs in MLB. My argument is that Brady (or any other QB tampering with the footballs) is throwing to teammates. I don’t believe there is as much deception for this as there is for scuffing a baseball in MLB. Pitchers are intentionally trying to deceive an opponent for their advantage. Yes, they are both trying to receive gains from their actions. But I consider the direct deception of the opponent in MLB to be much more egregious than deflating footballs in the NFL.

Why is this an issue now? Aaron Rodgers has admitted to over-inflating footballs. This Deadspin article contains video of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms discussing their conversation with Rodgers about how he likes the footballs inflated. Rodgers stated that he likes “to push the limits of how much air we can put in the football, even go over what they allow you to do.” Why wasn't there uproar about these statements on a NATIONAL TELECAST of the game? It’s not like the comments flew under the radar. Interesting also is the opponent of the Packers that game – the Patriots. Hmmm. If it is common knowledge that NFL quarterbacks like to tamper with the footballs, why did we only hear about it after the AFC Championship Game? There appears to be a bit of incongruence in the application of the rules here, no? I have my theories as to why this is, but I’ll get to them a little later. If we are going to debate the importance of the inflation of footballs in accordance with the importance of the game – let’s talk about Brad Johnson for a second. He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (among other teams) and was their starting quarterback in Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Oakland Raiders. THE biggest game of the year. And he tampered with the footballs. ONE HUNDRED footballs. This article describes the length that Johnson went to in order to have the footballs to his liking. Not only did he manipulate the footballs, he paid someone to do it. Why wasn't Johnson suspended or fined for his actions? What about other players who have come out about gaining advantages? Jerry Rice, the GOAT, admits to using stickum when he played. Not only did he admit to using the banned substance, he claims that “everyone did it”. Why now are the “integrity police” out in full force when these other instances appear to be common knowledge? I also find it very curious that nary another NFL QB has made any statements on this issue. Seems odd. But then again, if Rodgers alters footballs, chances are that many other QB’s employ the same techniques. This silence is deafening. The NFL was also aware of an incident last year involving the Vikings and Panthers during a frigid game in Minnesota in December 2014. Video showed the ball boys heating the footballs on the sidelines in order warm up the balls. It’s against league rules and both teams were warned during the game not to do this. There was no sting operation involved to catch someone in the act of cheating. Just an observation of an illegal activity (within the rules of the NFL) and being warned to stop it. This course of action appears to a better way of conducting business. Don’t get me wrong – I am not condoning cheating. My point is that many teams look for advantages. Let’s treat them all with equality.

The Patriots are just cheaters, right? This is an argument that I hear a lot living in the city of Indianapolis. They HATE the Patriots. I get that. I’d hate a team that beats me all the time too. Kind of like how the Packers kick my Bears rear end every year. But I don’t complain about Aaron Rodgers over-inflating footballs. That doesn't affect my defense stopping him. “But the Patriots got caught for Spygate too!” Yes, they did. But they aren't the only teams who try to gain advantages against the rules. Look at this list. Is your team on there? If so, they’re no better than the Patriots. If they’re not – go here. My team is there. EVERY team is there. Guess who the fourth highest ranked team is in terms of their cheating prowess? The COLTS. Hmmm. According to the Wells Report, the Colts also appeared to play most of the AFC Title Game with under-inflated footballs themselves!! Let’s face facts here. Everyone, except Patriots fans, hates the Pats. Why? Because they win. Tip your cap. I hate the Packers. Why? Because the kick my team’s tail every year and they’re always good. I tip my cap. The entire league was warned about videotaping other team’s practices and signals. The Patriots, if anything, are guilty of being so self-important that they didn't think they’d ever get caught. The Broncos have been busted TWICE for illegally filming other teams. Why isn't there uproar for this? And the real truth about Spygate? Go here. Starting to sound like a trend? At the same time, the NFL took away draft picks from the Patriots after Belichick and the front office were ABSOLVED of any knowledge or wrongdoing in the Wells Report. Huh? Yes, yes. I realize that Belichick and Kraft are in charge of everything under the Patriots umbrella. But they don’t have eyes in the back of their heads either. You can’t micromanage an NFL team, it’s impossible. They were also docked draft picks for Spygate, but we've covered that already. Getting closer to divulging why I believe the penalty was so strong.

Why did this take so long? This is a question I am not sure how to analyze. The game was played in late January. We didn't get the report until early May. I don’t know much about investigative reporting but it feels like ESPN OTL could’ve wrapped this up in a few weeks. Haters will tell you it’s because Tom Brady wouldn't comply with the investigation by surrendering his personal cell phone. Who would? I am nowhere near a celebrity and I wouldn't hand over my personal cell phone for an independent investigation. If I could be in the same room with the investigators as they went through my phone, then I would comply. I've got too much personal information on my phone, as most people do in this day and age. And with the way information gets leaked today – no way would I just let them have my phone. Look no further than MLB’s Mitchell Report if you want to discuss information leaking. All the testimony in that report was confidential and never to be released. Yet somehow, we found out names that were on the list before the report was officially released. Watch TMZ or Extra or Entertainment Tonight, it’s everywhere. I do not blame Tom Brady one bit for not relinquishing his cell phone. The time frame isn't just a concern with the report itself. Why did it take so long for Goodell to dole out punishment after the report was released to the public? Common belief is that he wanted to gauge “public opinion” before handing out the sentence. This is not the way to run an organization like the National Football League. Adam Silver and the NBA wouldn't have cared less about public opinion and just rendered their verdict. They did so in the Donald Sterling case. It was swift and definite. Goodell and the NFL have botched multiple incidents over the last year or two. Their public perception has taken a huge negative hit. Is this a reason to use the public to help decide on the punishment? No. But he needs all the positive publicity he can get at this point in time. The NFL is all about the mighty dollar and its effect on this incident s glaringly obvious. Tom Brady was suspended for four weeks. Let’s look at the Pats schedule. They play the first three weeks, get a bye, and then play Dallas. This means Brady’s first game back is against…..wait for it….. Indianapolis. No way! How convenient is that? It’s ridiculous and the NFL continues to look bad in my eyes.

In my humble opinion, I believe the punishment for Deflategate boils down to one simple fact – the NFL wanted to regain goodwill from the fans. As I stated earlier, everyone but Patriots fans HATES the Patriots (I don’t actually). Everyone would side with the Commissioner if he came down strong on Brady and the Pats. Fans and the media are eating this up. It’s been on the front pages of the newspapers here in Indianapolis and New York. Media members here in Indy are talking about it non-stop. To be honest, it’s such a “hater” mentality here in Indiana that I almost tweeted this out last night:

In addition, I believe Goodell is attempting to rebuild his credibility after the atrocious handling of the Ray Rice situation and all of the fallout attached to it. Yes, he failed miserably when it came to handling this particular domestic violence case (it’s a BIG problem in the NFL….and the country for that matter, but I’ll leave it for another time). But we all learned a simple lesson as kids – two wrongs don’t make a right. This is the formula that Goodell is using with Deflategate. I think it’s time we start to discuss whether or not he is completely capable of conducting his job responsibilities as needed in his position.

Until next time,

Shawn

PS - I'll leave you with one last GIF.... :)

Free Agent Madness

Yesterday was insanity. Leave it to the NFL to overtake the news at a time when conference tournaments are in full swing preparing for the NCAA Tournament and Spring Training games are being played as we prepare for the 2015 MLB season. It just goes to show you that the NFL truly is king.

There’s been a lot of talk about who has landed where, but let’s take a look at who’s left and where they might go…

1. DeMarco Murray – he’s #1 with a bullet on the available FA list. The Eagles appeared to be swooping in to sign him until they inked Ryan Mathews to a 3 year deal today. That would look as if it puts them out of the running…but you never know what Chip Kelly has up his sleeve. Obviously he can return to Dallas, but I have a strange feeling that Ole’ Jerry is going to put his eggs in the basket of a Texas native who might want out of where he is now – Adrian Peterson. Oakland has a ton of money to spend, but they’re Oakland and most people would say the same goes for Jacksonville. However, with the signing of Julius Thomas, Murray may want to form a core with him and Bortles. They now become intriguing. MY PICK – JAGUARS

2. Terrance Knighton – a pure nose tackle, the big man has interest from quite a few teams. He can return to Denver where he’s played for the last two years. He was drafted by Jacksonville but I don’t see any interest there. However, it does mean he’s played with Jack Del Rio as a coach for his whole career. Does that mean he goes to Oakland? Two other teams to look at are the Bears and the Redskins. Both run 3-4 defenses and are looking for that run-stopping, block-hogging guy in the middle and Pot Roast is just that guy. He’s allegedly visiting with Washington today. The Colts are also interested in him but with the signing of Cole, Gore and possibly Andre Johnson can they fit him in their salary structure? MY PICK – REDSKINS. They have a history of over-paying for free agents and I see this as the case for Knighton.

3. Brian Orakpo – he’s been an outstanding rush linebacker for the Redskins in his career so far but it’s going to be interesting to see if Washington wants him back after his third pectoral injury. They franchised him last year and signed him to a one-year deal, but you have to think the injury bug is a concern for the Redskins. The Titans are interested in him as they are looking for a rush linebacker. The Cardinals are also interested according to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport. MY PICK – TITANS

4. CJ Spiller – Another player that has been injury prone his whole career, but is shown the door in Buffalo after they traded for LeSean McCoy. The teams interested in him are fascinating because they are all potential playoff contenders. Can Spiller sign with one of them and make a difference? Dallas is interested but I can’t see them having Spiller be their #1 back if they lose Murray. Philadelphia is in the mix, but again, with the signing of Mathews and the interest in Murray, who knows what will happen with the Eagles. Two AFC East teams are also interested. One being the Jets, but that just doesn’t feel right to me. Now the Patriots are really interesting here because they just lost Shane Vereen to the Giants and need another RB to complete their mix that Belichick likes to employ. MY PICK – PATRIOTS

5. Greg Hardy – my final selection has a lot of baggage to deal with should he be signed. He is still on the Commissioner’s Exempt List at this time, but like NFL.com states, with his age and production you know there will be teams interested. They mention a number, six, that might be interested but don’t give out any names. Here are my thoughts:

a. NY Jets – money to spend and could use another DE. Jason Babin is getting up there in age but is an OL and they could use a bookend to Wilkerson.

b. Patriots – Belichick has been known to take on a reclamation project or two (Dillon, Moss, OchoCinco, etc…) and again, with Hardy’s age and production he’d be a great fit in NE.

c. Titans – they’ve got cap room and their DL is nothing to write home about

d. Dallas – looking at their roster, they need a legit pass rusher to help solidify an improved defense. And Jerry is a guy who will take a chance on someone like Hardy.

e. Chicago – they didn’t get the production they would have like from Jared Allen and Hardy could be a nice fit as a rush OLB. After the debacle with Lamarr Houston last year the Bears need a solid pass rusher to put pressure on Rodgers, Stafford and Bridgewater.

f. New Orleans – their roster is being gutted by cap restrictions but they need a good pash rusher in the mix. But this is a LONG shot.

MY PICK - COWBOYS

There you have it. My picks for the best 5 free agents on the market that aren't aligned with just one team. It's been quite a conversation piece the last few days here in Indianapolis. I'm just ready for my Bears to make some more moves..... *ahem - Cutler for Brees*

Oh yeah, in case you didn't see it - the Young Guns took center stage in Mesa yesterday amid all the NFL free agent news. Jorge Soler, Javier Baez and Kris Bryant went back-to-back-to-back against the Indians. Oh baby I'm ready for baseball. 

Until next time,

Shawn