Sports Krunch W/dkrom

Thomas Reed, Browns beat reporter for The Athletic joined me at the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl to discuss the current state of the Cleveland Browns. He shared his thoughts on new Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, whether or not Odell Beckham, Jr. will be a Brown in 2020, what the Browns may do with the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and what the new front office structure should look like

Friend of the pod Turron Davenport, now covering the Tennessee Titans for ESPN, joined me at the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl to discuss immediate issues facing the Titans in the wake of their defeat in the AFC Championship. He mentioned how the Titans will keep Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry for 2020 and beyond, discussed what the Titans should do in the 2020 NFL Draft, and their plans at defensive coordinator in the wake of the retirement of Dean Pees 

Ryan O’Halloran, Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post joined me at the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl to discuss the Broncos, what they should do in the draft with the 15th overall pick, their free agency plans (including contract negotiations with All Pro safety Justin Simmons), and the team’s ownership situation 

Vincent Bonsignore, Raiders beat reporter for the Las Vegas Review Journal, joined me at the 2000 Reese’s Senior Bowl to talk about the Raiders, their plans in the 2020 NFL Draft, why it doesn’t seem too likely they’ll pursue Tom Brady in free agency, and why Vegas will be a “home run” market for the Raiders and the NFL

Dave Richard, fantasy football analyst for CBS Sports, joined me at the Reese’s Senior Bowl to discuss the potential 2020 fantasy value of Joe Burrow and CeeDee Lamb (assuming he gets drafted by a team in which he’ll automatically be the go-to WR). He also gives a list of Senior Bowl participants he thinks can be fantasy relevant next season

1. Divisional Round Takeaways Me: Bill O’Brien is squandering the Texans championship potential with Deshaun Watson and he must be fired NOW Matt: MVP’s don’t win Super Bowls 2. Truth/Exaggeration  -The Ravens blew their best chance to win a Super Bowl with Lamar Jackson -If Antonio Brown doesn’t seek the right help fast, he will never play another down in the NFL -The Giants will stunt Daniel Jones’ development if they hire Jason Garrett as OC instead of retaining Mike Shula -Joe Burrow just authored the greatest single season performance in college football history and will be the next superstar NFL QB -With a looming “cap crunch”, the Minnesota Vikings Super Bowl window might have already closed with Saturday’s loss to the Niners -Regardless of what he thinks of the new coaching staff, the Browns must do all they can to trade Odell Beckham  3. Coaching Carousel -Browns: Thoughts on Kevin Stefanski hire? -Broncos: Was it the right move to part ways with Rich Scangarello and bring in Pat Sh

1. Wild Card Weekend Takeaways Me: The Kirk Cousins hate must stop NOW Hal: Redemption for Deshaun Watson and Kirk Cousins and emergence of the new guard (Titans) 2. Truth/Exaggeration  -The NFL should modify its OT rules allowing each team to possess the ball in OT REGARDLESS of what happens on the first possession -The NFL must adjust the Rooney Rule by putting in a requirement that teams MUST interview at least one minority HC candidate from OUTSIDE your organization that has never previously been an NFL head coach -The winner of Saturday’s Vikings/49ers game will be the eventual NFC Champion -The Redskins must NOT trade the second overall pick unless they get an RG3-style king’s ransom (meaning firsts in 2020, 2021 AND 2022) in return -People should bet on the Vikings, Titans AND Texans to cover the spread this weekend 3. Coaching Carousel -Cowboys: Michael Lombardi said that while Mike McCarthy is the perfect fit for the Cowboys given the fact that McCarthy isn’t a guy that’s going to up

1. Week 17 Takeaways Me: Brian Flores could be the best head coach to ever come off the Bill Belichick tree Matt: Another Seahawks choke on the one-yard line (blame the delay of game) 2. Truth/Exaggeration  -Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is now just as bad of an owner as the Redskins Dan Snyder -Titans WR A.J. Brown should win Offensive Rookie of the Year award -Dolphins WR Davante Parker should win Comeback Player of the Year award -Out of all the four teams who earned first-round playoff byes, the Packers are the one most likely to be one and done -The Detroit Lions should explore trading the third overall pick unless they like a certain player FAR more than others at that spot -Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa would be making a colossal mistake if he decides to return to school  3. Coaching Carousel -Redskins: With the hiring of Ron Rivera and the firing of Bruce Allen, how hopeful should Redskins fans be? -Browns: Which head coach/GM pairing would be the most ideal? -Kevin Stefanski/Andrew Berry

1. Week 16 Takeaways Me: The five best teams in the NFL right now imo are the Ravens, 49ers, Chiefs, Saints and Patriots. Yet, there is a very good chance that three of those teams will have to be playing on Wild Card Weekend as opposed to watching it in the comfort of their living rooms. This tells me there is also a stronger-than-usual chance that we will see multiple road teams prevail in the Divisional Round, and perhaps the Conference Championships too. Hal: Bills are a team NOBODY wants to face in the playoffs 2. Truth/Exaggeration  -Of all the teams who’ve finished in last place in their respective divisions this season, the Arizona Cardinals are the one in best position to take a sizeable leap forward in 2020 -Unless he gets seriously injured in the College Football Playoff, the Cincinnati Bengals should put Joe Burrow’s name in sharpie on their draft card with the first overall pick  -It would be a scandal of monumental proportions if Chandler Jones does not make the NFL all-decade team

1. Week 15 Takeaways Me: It’s time to put Drew Brees in the discussion as one of the five best QB’s of all time   Hal: 49ers with a huge lost opportunity 2. Truth/Exaggeration  -The Browns should fire BOTH Freddie Kitchens and John Dorsey -The Jaguars problems will only get worse if they retain Tom Coughlin -Matt Patricia will get fired after the 2020 season if the Lions fail to sniff the playoffs -The Buccaneers should extend Shaq Barrett by February and give Jameis Winston the franchise tag as opposed to a multi-year deal -The Indianapolis Colts should use their first-round pick on Utah State QB Jordan Love if he significantly impresses them during the pre-draft process -With their offense re-discovering its 2018 mojo and their defense playing underrated football, the Kansas City Chiefs are the team the Ravens should fear the most in the playoffs -Kirk Cousins, Dak Prescott, Fred Warner, and Justin Simmons should have made the Pro Bowl as opposed to Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Luke Kuechly and

1. Week 14 Takeaways Me:  -It is the gravest injustice in the history of the NFL that a 12-win team (49ers or Seahawks) will have to go on the road for a playoff game against a 7-8 wins team (Eagles or Cowboys). And even worse? The NFL hasn’t even considered reforming their flawed playoff seeding system, which allows a division winner a home game!!   Matt: Niners with a statement 2. Truth/Exaggeration  -The New England Patriots should be docked another first-round draft pick for being caught in an incident that is now being widely coined “Spygate 2.0” -Barring an absolute implosion over these final three weeks, the Broncos must plan on sinking or swimming with Drew Lock as their unquestioned starting QB in 2020 -The Jets should NOT trade Jamal Adams unless they get a first-round pick, a fourth-round pick, AND an equally talented player in return -IF Philip Rivers retires or departs in free agency, the Chargers MUST draft a QB in the first round if the right one is there -If Thomas Dimitroff

1. What is the latest you’re hearing on Tua Tagovailoa’s decision? 2. If Tua’s med checks don’t come back clean, how high can you see Oregon’s Justin Herbert being taken in round one? Do you think he will attend the Senior Bowl at the moment? 3. If you thought the 2014 WR class was epic, this exceptionally talented and deep 2020 WR class has the potential to be the best in NFL history. When you look at the very top of the WR board, you can make a case for either Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb being the first WR taken off the board. But since the NFL is falling increasingly in love with smaller, faster receivers that are a threat to take it to the house every time they touch the ball, would it surprise you if Henry Ruggs is the first WR taken? How many WR’s can you see being taken in round 1? 4. Another position group that looks pretty good in this draft is OT. The top two on most Draft Twitter boards at the moment are Georgia’s Andrew Thomas and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs. But another guy who may be making the move up

1. Week 13 Takeaways Me:  -Regardless of how the Steelers season ends, give Mike Tomlin Coach of the Year honors!!!! Hal: Could we be headed for a Super Bowl XLVII rematch in February?  2. Truth/Exaggeration  -The Broncos should put Von Miller and his MCL sprain on ice for the remainder of the season -Tom Brady only has at MOST three years remaining in his illustrious NFL career -If the Tennessee Titans make it to the playoffs, they’ll be the team NOBODY wants to face -The Seahawks and 49ers are not only on a collision course to likely decide who wins the division in Week 17, but on a collision course to meet a third time in the playoffs as well! -After Sunday’s loss to the Duck Hodges-led Steelers. Freddie Kitchens is back on the hot seat in Cleveland and a top candidate to be fired at season’s end -Baylor head coach Matt Rhule should be the number one candidate for all NFL teams with a head coaching vacancy 3. Coaching Carousel  -Most ideal potential landing spot for Ron Rivera: Ja

1. Week 12 Takeaways Me:  -The Los Angeles Rams are in trouble. BIG trouble. Their $112 million “franchise” QB Jared Goff has been exposed as a QB who is only as good as his offensive line is, as evidenced by the decline of that unit and his 0 TD/5 INT, 4 fumble, 58.9 passer rating month of November. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. WHY? First, they’re going to be hamstrung by the salary cap next season. According to OverTheCap.com, they will have over $95 million tied up into four players: Goff, Aaron Donald, Todd Gurley (who is WAY past his prime due to his arthritic knee), and Brandin Cooks…and dead cap charges make it impossible to release any of them. Next, most of their estimated $26 million in cap space will likely have to go toward re-signing Jalen Ramsey, for whom they traded away their 2020 AND 2021 first round picks. Thus, due to the lack of financial capital and high-end draft capital, it’s going to take a miracle of miracles for them to rebuild that OL and help get Jared Goff back on

Hal joins me to preview Week 12 of the 2019 NFL season. Topics include: -Should the Falcons keep Dan Quinn if they continue this level of play? -Time for the Duck in Pittsburgh? -Why Dak Prescott has become a legit franchise QB -Ideas for the new NFL CBA -Breakdown of Sunday night's Packers/49ers game ...and A LOT MORE!!!!!!!!!

1. Week 10 Takeaways Me:  -So much for the “Fish Tank” in Miami. The Dolphins are now winners of two straight games…and their previous three losses have been by an average of eight points. This borderline bare cupboard of a roster is playing HARD football, and that is a testament to the incredible job Brian Flores is doing as head coach. The Dolphins MUST keep him for at least three more seasons. He has proven himself to be THE guy to see this rebuild through.   Hal: The Steelers defense is for real 2. Truth/Exaggeration (Division race edition) -AFC West (The Raiders have an EXCELLENT chance to overtake the Chiefs and win the AFC West) CHIEFS REMAINING SCHEDULE RAIDERS REMAINING SCHEDULE @ Chargers Bengals BYE @ Jets Raiders @ Chiefs @ Patriots Titans Broncos Jaguars @ Bears @ Chargers Chargers @ Broncos   -NFC North (The NFC North battle will likely be decided when these two teams meet Week 16 on Monday Night Football) PACKERS REMAINING SCHEDULE VIKINGS REMAINING SCHEDULE BYE Broncos @ 49

1. Week 9 Takeaways Me:  -12 teams have three wins or less at the halfway point of the season. Last season, only one team (Cardinals) finished the season with three wins or less. That number is almost certain to rise this year. It will be fascinating to see by how much and whether or not it forces certain teams to try to “tank” harder for a better draft pick.    Matt: Home teams dominate after a season of historical success for road teams 2. Truth/Exaggeration -Minkah Fitzpatrick is a serious contender for DPOY honors -After the season, the Jaguars should trade either Nick Foles or Gardner Minshew  -Cam Newton has played his last snap as a Carolina Panther  -For the remainder of the season, the Chicago Bears must roll the dice and use Mitchell Trubisky the same way the Ravens used Lamar Jackson late last season -Three years from now, Lamar Jackson will be regarded as THE best QB from the 2018 draft class -The Niners and Saints are starting to separate themselves from the rest of th

1. Week 8 Takeaways Me:  -As Herm Edwards famously said “You play to win the game.” And it’s a MAJOR disappointment that many teams, in this new, uber-aggressive, offensive centric NFL still don’t get the point. Matt Nagy, WHY did you take a knee with 43 seconds left and one timeout left rather than gain more yards to make the game winning FG attempt easier. Broncos OC Rich Scangarello, WHY run a predictable draw on 3rd-and-5 rather than go for the kill to get the first down to ice the game? And Andy Reid, on a night when your defense struggled to contain Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones, AND when Matt Moore played very efficient football in place of Patrick Mahomes, WHY DID YOU PUNT on 4th and 3 near midfield with three minutes left in the game?? Hal: Welcome back Drew Brees! Cooper Kupp is on fire! 2. Midseason Awards Honor David Hal MVP Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Offensive POY Dalvin Cook Russell Wilson Defensive POY Stephon Gilmore Shaq Barrett Offensive ROY Gardner Minshew Josh Jacobs Defensive ROY

1. Week 7 Takeaways Me: -Four weeks ago, virtually every analyst and prognosticator (myself included) was calling Kirk Cousins a wasted signing for the Vikings. Fast forward to now, he’s made us all look like IDIOTS!!! The last three weeks, Cousins has completed 75.6% of his passed for 976 yards, 10 TD and 1 INT. He also is now tied for the league lead in yards per pass attempt AND he became the ONLY QB in NFL history with at least three straight games of at least 300 passing yards and a QBR of 130.0 or better. Nothing makes me happier than when players prove us wrong…so BRAVO Kirk Cousins and keep it up!!! Hal: The re-emergence of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing attack. Is Kyle Allen the new Dak Prescott and Cam the new Romo? 2. Truth/Exaggeration -The Indianapolis Colts should be a team NOBODY wants to play going forward -Lamar Jackson has a strong case for NFL MVP through the first seven weeks -The Bears should bench Mitchell Trubisky for Chase Daniel if he lays another egg this weekend -The Eagles s

1. Week 6 Takeaways Me:  -Officiating in the NFL (or in any sport) will NEVER be perfect, but it IS perfectible, and the NFL is ruining its product by not taking drastic steps to make it so. It is time for the so-called “Sky Judge” recommended by the coaches and for MUCH harsher penalties for officials with a habit of repeatedly blowing calls.  Matt: Defenses rule in the NFL right now. Patriots and 49ers, the two lone undefeated teams, are winning with defense. 2. Truth/Exaggeration -The Rams will regret trading two first-round picks for Jalen Ramsey in the long term -Jameis Winston is beyond repair, even for Bruce Arians -Freddie Kitchens should give up the play-calling duties to OC Todd Monken -With a healthy Sam Darnold, and the league’s easiest remaining schedule, the Jets are a team we shouldn’t be sleeping on in the playoff race -The Cowboys should NOT break the bank for Dak Prescott this offseason and make him play 2020 on the franchise tag instead -The Panthers, if they continue winning,