NFL Quarterbacks Who Will Get New Homes in 2020

I love talking about NFL Quarterbacks, and I also like making predictions.  I like to see how right or wrong I am.  I decided I am going to go through all of the quarterbacks in the NFL that could change teams in 2020, and also go over the QB prospects will get drafted in 2020 as well.  I know I’ll be wrong on many accounts, but I bet I’ll get one of these right. 

Retired: Eli Manning, Josh McCown, Matt Schaub, Cam Newton
Manning, McCown, and Schaub are no surprises.  But Newton?!  After the Panthers either cut him or tell him he won’t be starting in 2020, Cam decides to retire.  He explains that all the hits and injuries have taken a toll. 

Teddy Bridgewater – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bruce Arians and the Buccaneers decide they’ve had enough with Jameis’ turnover tendencies and they sign Teddy Bridgewater, a much more careful passer.  It would be interesting to see Bridgewater work with Arians and Leftwich. 

Andy Dalton – Dallas Cowboys
Dalton, a native Texan, decides he’s ok with settling for a backup role since it’s with the Dallas Cowboys.  They may even sign him before re-signing Dak Prescott.

Case Keenum – Cincinnati Bengals
Keenum goes to the Bengals to help mentor their young rookie QB.

Marcus Mariota – Chicago Bears
Mitch Trusbisky will remain the starter, but the Bears will sign Mariota to compete and push him.  Mariota fits well into Matt Nagy’s offensive scheme and could take over if Trubisky struggles.

Philip Rivers – Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are probably making a change, and Rivers could go there to compete for (and probably win) the starting job.  He’d be playing in the same state he went to college.  

Ryan Tannehill – Tennessee Titans
The Titans will re-sign Tannehill, but may also draft a QB after letting Mariota go. 

Josh Rosen – Los Angeles Chargers
Yep, his third team in his third year.  Rosen gets traded to the Bolts, where he competes with a rookie for the starting job.  He gets to play in his home state, too. 

Jameis Winston – Washington Redskins
Winston has more upside than Cam Newton, as he is a better pocket passer.  I see the new coach in Washington wanting to work with Jameis and see if he can get his interceptions down.  Jameis could be there with Haskins and “mentor” him, although he’s not much older than him.   Jameis would also be overpaid, as is the Redskins way.


Now, draft picks:
Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals
He’s the strong favorite to be the #1 pick, and the Bengals have that pick.  It’s a no-brainer.

Justin Herbert – Los Angeles Chargers
After letting Rivers go, the Chargers trade for Rosen and draft Herbert, hoping one of them works out.

Tua Tagovailoa – Miami Dolphins
Tua gets drafted by the Fins and sits behind Fitzpatrick for a year.

Jake Fromm – New Orleans Saints
After losing Bridgewater and Brees being close to retirement, the Saints draft Jake Fromm out of Georgia.

Jacob Eason – Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers draft Eason to be Ben Roethlisberger’s heir apparent. 

Jamie Newman – Carolina Panthers
I don’t know much about Jamie Newman, but he would be learning from Philip Rivers in this scenario, and he’d be playing in the same state he went to college.

Khalil Tate – Tennessee Titans
After the Titans let Mariota go, they need to acquire a backup to Tannehill, and I think they’ll opt for someone with athleticism, and Tate fits that build.


That's all for now, I'll check in sometime after the draft to see how well I did!

Rating the Seahawks Drafts, 2013-2018

The Seahawks have drafted fairly well in the Pete Carroll/John Schneider era, but that’s mostly counting the early part of this decade.  But how have they been since then?  I’m going to look at the six drafts from 2013-2018 and see how they have done.  It’s too soon on 2019, but I can go over the previous six drafts.  I’ll give each a letter grade, and a forewarning, I am not going to be easy on them.

2013: Something you’ll be hearing quite often: The Seahawks traded their first-round pick.  This time, it was for Percy Harvin.  I don’t think he was worth a first-round pick, especially since with that pick the Vikings selected future Pro Bowl cornerback Xavier Rhodes.  Yikes.  The Seahawks first selection, Christine Michael, was expected to succeed Marshawn Lynch but never could.  Guys like Jordan Hill, Chris Harper, Jesse Williams, and Tharold Simon are no longer in the league.  Luke Willson and Spencer Ware were drafted, but Ware has had most of his success with the Chiefs.  This was not a particularly good draft to follow 2012.
Grade: D+

2014: Again, the first-round pick was traded, this time for more picks.  The notable names taken in this class were Paul Richardson, Justin Britt, Cassius Marsh, and Kevin Pierre-Louis.  A very meh draft if there ever was one.  Britt is the only one still on the team.  He has developed into a borderline Pro Bowl center, so there is that.  But the rest have not really lived up to expectations, although KPL is doing well… in Chicago. 
Grade: C-

2015: Yet again the first-round pick was traded, this time it was included in the Unger/Graham deal.  I’d say that trade was not a particularly good one.  The Saints took Stephone Anthony with the pick, and he’s bounced around the league a bit and he’s back with the Saints.  Meanwhile, the Hawks took Frank Clark and Tyler Lockett with their first two picks, and also Mark Glowinski in the 4^th round.  Everyone else is out of the league or on another team.  Glowinski has had more success in Indianapolis than he did here.  Good first two picks, but the trade hurt the Hawks and no one else contributed.
Grade: C+

2016: Hey the Hawks used a first-round pick!  On… Germain Ifedi.  He sure took a long time to develop, but he’s finally starting to limit the penalties and missed blocks.  He’s about average for a right tackle right now, I’d say.  But the Hawks also took Jarran Reed, CJ Prosise, Quinton Jefferson, and Joey Hunt, all who are still with the team.  Alex Collins did well… with Baltimore.  Rees Odhiambo struggled.  Not a bad draft, but the only real legit player taken was Reed.
Grade: C

2017: Ah yes, the Malik McDowell draft.  He wasn’t a first round-pick, but he was the Hawks’ first pick.  The Hawks traded their first-round pick for more picks.  The first pick still on the team is Ethan Pocic, who has been a backup offensive lineman only.  Shaquill Griffin and Tedric Thompson were taken, two guys who have been fairly decent starters in the secondary.  David Moore was also taken in the seventh round, and he’s been a fairly decent contributor.  And who could forget Chris Carson, who has now put together two separate 1,000-yard seasons?  The Carson pick was a steal, but no one else can really be considered a great pick.  The Carson pick basically cancels out the McDowell pick.
Grade: C

2018: A very mixed bag in this draft.  The first pick, Penny, has been a decent backup to Carson, but was a stretch as the first-round pick.  Rasheem Green, Shaquem Griffin, and Tre Flowers have been decent but unspectacular contributors on defense.  Will Dissly has been a nice find, if he could only stay healthy.  And Michael Dickson was actually a great pick as a fifth rounder as he could be the Hawks’ punter for many years.  Yet again a draft where there doesn’t seem to be any Pro Bowl caliber players.
Grade: C-

GPA: 1.83 (C-)

As you can tell, the Hawks haven’t drafted horribly because I didn’t give them an F grade, but they certainly haven’t drafted particularly well, either, because I didn’t even give out any B or A grades.  Pete and John draft a lot of just okay players.  They don’t seem to be able to find diamonds in the rough anymore.  When Pete first came to the Hawks in 2010, he was able to draft a lot of the guys he recruited and scouted while head coach at USC.  He knew their strengths and weaknesses better than perhaps anyone, and he knew who would fit into his system with the Hawks.  Now having been out of the college ranks for almost a decade, Pete is no longer quite as in touch with the college players and it’s a bit more of a guessing game for him.  And he and John aren’t guessing particularly well. 

Here’s something that ought to stand out.  From 2010 to 2012, Pete and John drafted eight players who have made a Pro Bowl.  From 2013 to 2018, in twice as many years, Pete and John drafted just two players who have made a Pro Bowl (Lockett and Dickson).  And each of those guys only made it once.  If you count Pro Bowl appearances, the numbers are TWENTY-EIGHT Pro Bowl appearances to just two.  Clearly, the drafts since then did not go quite as well.  They are relying on Wilson and Wagner to carry the team, but they are failing to support them with other Pro Bowl caliber players.  And that is why the Hawks will not get to another Super Bowl under Carroll and Schneider, unless they start drafting better.

    

Top 10 Guilty Pleasure Movies

I thought I'd go for a fun kind of post and I was thinking about what my favorite guilty pleasure movies are the other day.  I have come up with my Top 10 Guilty Pleasure Movies.  None of these are critically acclaimed, but every single one of them is entertaining and I have seen multiple times.  It's just something about these films; I just enjoy sitting back and turning my brain off and watching these every few years.  And, in order for a film to be on here, it has to have less than a 7.0 rating on IMDB, and the ratings on IMDB follow the titles of the films.  Here they are:


Honorable Mention: Smart House - 6.3
I had to give honorable mention to my favorite Disney Channel original movie growing up, Smart House.  It's only a TV Movie, so I couldn't quite count it.  But as a kid I wanted a smart house just like the one in the movie, one that would make me meals, instantly clean up messes, and play whatever I want to watch on the entire wall.  And I would know better than to disobey it and piss it off, unlike the family in this movie.

Second Honorable Mention: Rat Race - 6.4
I remember my parents taking me to see this in theaters, and yes, I was only 12 at the time, so a bit raunchy for 12-year-old me.  But I thought it was one of the funniest movies I had ever seen, and it still to this day makes me laugh.  I got it on DVD in the early 2000s and watched it every few years as I got older, each time understanding a new joke or two.  And the cast is just terrific, from Jon Lovitz to Cuba Gooding Jr. to Rowan Atkinson to Seth Green to Whoopi Goldberg.  


10. Jack Frost - 5.4
Another film with a hard-to-believe premise: A father dies, but his spirit/soul brings a snowman to life and he is able to interact and talk to his son a year after passing.  I liked this movie growing up, and it always made a great movie to watch around the winter holidays.  I particularly like the song "Hey Now Now" by Swirl 360 that plays when Charlie and his "dad" get away from the bullies.  It's so 1990's.

9. Like Mike - 5.2
A kid finds some of Michael Jordan's old sneakers and suddenly gains his basketball ability by wearing the shoes.  It's an interesting story, but I like that it has a basketball theme.  There's a sub-plot of the kid being at an orphanage and trying to get adopted, and eventually does.  Jesse Plemons is in this in the first role I saw him in, as a fellow kid/bully in the orphanage.  I also like the cameos by all the NBA players in this, although no Michael Jordan.

8. Jingle All the Way - 5.6
My favorite guilty pleasure Christmas Movie, Jingle All the Way is fun to watch even outside the Christmas season.  There are so many hard to believe things in this film, but there are so many classic scenes and lines such as "Put the cookie down, now!" and "I'm not a puh-vert!".  It's just a fun film and Arnie just kills it.  And this is not the only time a film Jake Lloyd acted in is on this list.

7. Bruce Almighty - 6.7
This is one of my favorite Jim Carrey roles.  Carrey, playing the titular role, gets the powers of God and uses them with hilarious results.  The casting of Morgan Freeman as God was absolutely perfect.  And Jim perfectly inserts some of his funny and quirky mannerisms into the role.  I'm surprised this doesn't have a bit higher rating, but there are times when the movie just tries too hard to be funny.  I like Jennifer Aniston in this, but she seems a bit out of Bruce's league. 

6. The Island - 6.8
Ewan McGregor in a sci-fi movie?  I'll always go for that. 😉  In this, he plays a clone that escapes his institution along side a very fine looking Scarlett Johansson who also plays a clone.  This movie has been out for a while now, so much so that when this film was shot and set "in the future", well that future is now the past.  I happened to watch The Island the day this was set, July 19, 2019.  This film was also made by Michael Bay, maybe the king of guilty pleasure directors, but he's only on this list once for me.  My favorite line(s): "I'm Tom Lincoln!" "No, I'm Tom Lincoln!"

5. Godzilla (1998) - 5.4
Yes, the 1998 Godzilla starring Matthew Broderick is one of my favorite guilty pleasure films.  I remember how hyped the movie was when it came out, and I even owned a Godzilla toy from that film that screamed like the movie version and stomped and "wagged" it's tail.  I remember seeing it as a kid and it scaring me a bit, but not anymore obviously.  As a sports fan, I loved how the climax was set at Madison Square Garden where the Knicks play.  They set up for a possible sequel with one of Godzilla's babies surviving in the end, but nothing came of it.  Oh well, the sequel probably would have been even worse.

4. Click - 6.4
This is my favorite Adam Sandler movie, believe it or not.  And I just found out, for the longest time this film had Adam Sandler's only death scene (until "Uncut Gems", I believe).  It's got such an interesting (but flawed) concept, but I love it.  He controls the universe with a remote, with unfortunate side effects.  I like how the film teaches us to enjoy moments in life we take for granted, such as time with our parents, working, and foreplay with the wife 🤣.  I also love all the actors in this and their connections to other things or people.  Adam Sandler's mom was played by Julie Kavner, who voices Marge Simpson.  We also see his kids played by Lorraine Nicholson and Jake Hoffman, the children of Jack Nicholson and Dustin Hoffman, respectively.  And we see a small role from Jonah Hill.

3. National Treasure: Book of Secrets - 6.5
You knew Nicolas Cage had to be on here at some point, right?  He's the king of guilty pleasure actors.  In this sequel, he "kidnaps the president" and goes to a secret cave inside Mount Rushmore.  I just love the two National Treasure films, and I wish they had made another.  By this point, a third National Treasure film would feel forced, irrelevant, and not as interesting.  However, a third one is listed on IMDB as "In Development", although I believe it has been that way for a few years.   I believe they are having trouble either writing the script or finding writers for it.

2. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace - 6.5
What, I can have a Star Wars film on here!  And there's no better example of a guilty pleasure Star Wars film than Episode I: The Phantom Menace.  I do enjoy watching this and I never skip over it when I watch the Star Wars films (or prequel trilogy).  I remember all the promotions for the film when it came out and each time I watch Episode I, it gives me that feeling of nostalgia.  Sometimes I even get the urge to watch just this film and not Episodes II or III.  Jar Jar doesn't annoy me quite as much as he annoys other Star Wars fans.

1. National Treasure - 6.8
Well, you knew if National Treasure 2 was on here, the first one would have to be on here as well.  I have lost count of the amount of times I have seen this.  I love the history they incorporated into this movie, even if it's not all true.  And, this was for the longest time the only thing I had seen Sean Bean in where he doesn't die.  And, I could be mistaken, but it might be the only film where he plays the villain but doesn't die.

Like I said, I just enjoy turning my brain off and watching any of these films.  I think the thing they have in common is that each one has something happen in it that is just never possible in the real world: A person coming back to life, a dog playing football, a universal remote that controls the universe, and stealing the Declaration of Independence.  Oh, and Star Wars.

Pete Carroll's Time May Be Up

After watching the Seahawks lose embarrassingly at home to the last-place Cardinals 27-13, I have just about had enough.  Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll can no longer adapt to today's game, and I think it's time for him to retire.  He's had a great coaching career, winning a Super Bowl and getting to another.  He's the greatest coach in Seahawk's history.  But he just doesn't have what it takes to be a decent head coach in this league anymore.  His in-game decisions are poor, he restricts his offense and superstar quarterback, and at times seems lost during games.

Pete Carroll has never been known for being a great coach with in-game decisions.  He challenges what clearly won't be overturned, he calls questionable timeouts at best, and worst of all, he is ultra-conservative and coaches as if he has a journeyman quarterback.  Hawks fans have lost track of the number of times he has chosen to kick a field goal or punt rather than go for a fourth down attempt.  He's earned the nickname "No Balls Pete" from many Hawks fans.  In just this past Cardinals game I referenced, he sent out his field goal unit on a 4th and one from about the 32 yard line.  But after the field goal unit got "messed up up front" (his quote), they had to take a delay of game and then punt the ball away.  That's a coaching issue, and that's on him.  But the point I'm trying to make is that Carroll time and time again won't let his star quarterback make a play on a 4th down attempt.  Even when the Hawks go for it on 4th down (which is rare), he'll usually have Wilson hand the ball off, which the defense often sees coming and stops it.  Compare that to the Raven's John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson, who in their game against the Hawks, John actually asked Lamar if he thinks they should go for a 4th down attempt.  Lamar said yes, they attempted and converted with Lamar getting the first down himself.  Pete instead will take the ball out of his quarterback's hands, whether that be in favor of a punt or field goal, or handing off to a running back.

Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson are both perfect and horrible for each other at the same time.  They're perfect because they both stay optimistic no matter what and have a same outlook on the game.  However, they're also horrible for each other because Carroll restricts Wilson and doesn't give Wilson the opportunities he deserves.  Carroll hired an ultra-conservative offensive coordinator in Brian Schottenheimer, and "Schotty" has largely restricted Russell himself.  Carroll has always been a run-first or run-heavy type coach, but his failure to adapt to his star quarterback is costing the Hawks.  Carroll and General Manager John Schneider have also failed to surround Wilson with much talent, especially on the offensive line.  Since the Super Bowl years, they have still yet to put together even an average offensive line.  Instead, Wilson has had to make due with a run-heavy offense and a below average offensive line at best in the five years since then.

Fortunately for coach Carroll, even if the Hawks season ends from this point on in the worst way possible (which would be losing to the 49ers and a first-round exit at the hands of the Cowboys or Eagles), he will be saved because people will point to the massive amount of injuries as to the reason the Seahawk's season, once so full of promise, ended so poorly.  But I ask you to look at the Pittsburgh Steelers and their coach, Mike Tomlin.  He loses his superstar quarterback for the year, shortly after losing his two best offensive playmakers to other teams.  Tomlin also deals with injuries to his team's starting running back, next best receiver, and several other key players.  They are still contending for a playoff spot.  Think the Hawks would be contending for a playoff spot if they lost Wilson Week 2 and Carson for a few games?  Heck no.  The injury bug hits the Seahawks and Carroll does not weather the storm as well as Tomlin did.

The Hawks will lose to the 49ers.  There is no doubt in my mind.  The Hawks will probably play better than they did against the Cardinals, but may still lose by more than one score.  The Hawks will then get a #5 seed, and may even beat the Eagles or Cowboys.  But they will not beat the 49ers or Saints or Packers in the divisional round.  This team is stuck in a state of "pretty good" and have been since Super Bowl XLIX.  They're better than the average team because of Russell Wilson, but they can't get any better because Pete is holding them back.  We know he can't draft well anymore, and I think he cannot be a Super Bowl-caliber coach anymore.  Carroll's best fit is with a team with a great defense and a team built around the run.  He can't afford to have money tied up to his quarterback.  He'd be a great coach on teams like Chicago or Buffalo.  But here, it's just not a good fit anymore.

Edit: Well, the Hawks did lose to the 49ers, but they also almost won.  I am still convinced Pete Carroll needs to go.  He is unable to get his guys prepared and able to start out strong.  We'll see how they do against the Eagles in the playoffs.  Technically, the Hawks are still in a rebuild despite still making the playoffs, but without being able to draft capable starters, it's going to be VERY hard to break through and get to a conference championship (or better).

Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker Thoughts/Review

I have now seen the final film in the Skywalker saga of Star Wars films.  Honestly, I'm pretty bummed it's over and there won't be another.  We won't ever see Luke, Han, Leia, or Lando again; at least not played by their respective actors and not in a Star Wars episodic film.  However, the final film tied up the saga, but the question is, did it do it well?  In my opinion, it did.  It answered a bunch of questions, had drama, and kept me entertained throughout.  Also, from here on out there will be spoilers, so you have been warned.

I have to admit I read some reviews of The Rise of Skywalker before seeing it, and most of what I saw was pretty negative.  One person even called it the "worst Star Wars film".  No way is TROS the worst Star Wars film, but it is not without its faults.  I want to get these out of the way first.  This is not a perfect film, or even excellent.  I think this film is going to divide fans for a long time.  It currently has a 6.9 rating on IMDB and a 58% score on Rotten Tomatoes.  I think it was better than what those scores indicate.  But I certainly don't think it was close to perfect.

First off, I had trouble accepting such a light and goodhearted character we've grown to know and love could be descended from someone so despicably evil in Palpatine.  It's nothing against what JJ did, but if this was the direction they were going to take, I would've liked a hint of it in "The Last Jedi".  Another thing I didn't particularly like was how Rey and Kylo could transport matter.  We saw a hint of it in "The Last Jedi" when rainwater from Ahch-To got transported to Kylo's hand far away.  Then, in this film, we had a necklace and a lightsaber be transported from Rey to Kylo.  I just can't wrap my head around it, and it seems like something that should be in Star Trek, not Star Wars.  Also, I've had trouble accepting that Force Ghosts can influence matter as well.  We saw Yoda cause a lightning strike in TLJ, and in TROS we saw Luke block a lightsaber from being thrown into a fire, and we saw him levitate his old X-Wing out of the water.  They're called "ghosts" for a reason.  Heck, if they're going to go that route, they might as well have a Force Ghost army in some Star Wars spin-off TV series or film.  They can't be killed, after all.  Finally, I just did not like the opening space fight scene in the Millennium Falcon.  WAY too many jumpcuts and it was paced WAY too quickly.  Too fast-paced of a scene way too early in the film.  Every film in the original trilogy started out slow, or at least not that intense so soon.  Those were my main four gripes.

Here's what I thought they did well: The handling of Princess Leia.  If I had not known, I would've thought they filmed Leia's/Carrie's scenes especially for this film.  JJ and Chris did a great job of incorporating what they had of Carrie into this film.  And her passing was done very well and tastefully.  I hate that she never really got to see her son, but I think had Carrie not passed away, JJ had it mind to have her meet Kylo/Ben, or at least project herself to him so that she could try to turn him back to the light.  I think they used Harrison Ford/Han Solo in her place.  His scene with Ben mirrored their scene on the bridge in "The Force Awakens", even down to some of the quotes.  This time, instead of Kylo going from confused to dark side, he went from confused to light side.

I also liked Kylo/Ben turning back to the light.  You could tell he was conflicted and when Rey saved his life after stabbing him, he knew he had to be on her side from that point on.  Him going after her on Exegol with as much haste and determination as he had shows he cared about her.  And his sacrifice to her, very touching.  I was hoping he would be able to survive, because how often do you see a redeemed bad guy character that doesn't die?  However, the Skywalker saga had to end and it still technically could continue with Ben still alive.  And to be honest, I was a Rey/Ben shipper so their kiss was definitely something I wanted to see.

Now to go over technical aspects.  To be expected, visual effects and sound were top-notch.  Costumes and makeup were very well done, although I think I noticed Kylo/Ben's scar on his face disappearing, but that could be just it fading over time.  I'd be surprised if TROS didn't get an Oscar nomination for something, with their likeliest nomination probably being visual effects.  Acting was decent; my favorite was Daisy Ridley as Rey.  The writing was less than stellar, but they stayed true to the characters at least.  Perhaps the best was John Williams' score, his last time scoring a Star Wars film.  I always felt the music perfectly suited the scene at the time.

Hard to say if I enjoyed this more than "The Force Awakens".  I know I enjoyed it more than "The Last Jedi".  I definitely want to see it again in theaters.  I wonder if people's second viewings of TROS will make them like it more or less.  Based on how the IMDB rating for this film is going up (It was at 6.8, it's now at 7.0), it seems like people like it more on multiple viewings.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Star Wars fan, and if I say this is a satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga, then it probably is.

Top 7 Spots for Tom Brady were he to leave the Pats

Tom Brady, leave New England?!  Yep.  There’s a lot going on we don’t know about, but here’s something we do know: He’s not entirely happy.  He has saved the team millions of dollars over the years.  He took a pay cut so they could afford Wes Welker one year, and then once Welker wasn’t re-signed Brady was left to wonder where that money then went.  He also hasn’t really been given weapons in 2019, and he is sorely missing Gronk.  Also, his owner is in the midst of a scandal.  If I was a betting man, I’d bet he retires a Patriot and only plays for one team in his career.  However, I also would’ve bet Peyton Manning retires a Colt back in 2010.  So, what if Tom Brady wanted to leave and prove he could win without Bill Belichick?  I mean, that competitive desire in him may make him want to do that.  There are seven possible teams he could go to if he were to leave the Patriots.  Why 7?  It's an odd number, but I really think there are about 7 teams, give or take.


7. Dallas Cowboys
Colin Cowherd talked about possibilities for Brady and his pick is the Dallas Cowboys.  Yes, they have good talent and may end up replacing their coach, but they are only #7 for me for two reasons.  One, Brady grew up a 49er fan and therefore grew up hating the Cowboys.  He's not a huge fan of the organization.  Two, they have Dak Prescott, who Jerry Jones likes.  Sure, his contract is expiring soon, but they'd be foolish to go from a younger Dak to Brady.  But I guess they're a distant possibility.  

6. San Francisco 49ers
I know, they have Jimmy G, but what if he got hurt again?  Or perhaps Brady wants to win a ring as a backup/mentor.  The biggest problem with this is that the 49ers can’t afford to pay two quarterbacks that much money.  But Brady grew up a Niners fan, so if he had his choice of NFC teams, this would be it.

5. Tennessee Titans
First off, Brady would get to play for his former teammate Mike Vrabel.  Tennessee does have a decent roster and their QB position isn't completely solidified.  It's kind of a smaller market, which works against them.  But the talent is there and with a legit, proven winner at quarterback, they may be able to take the next step.  I consider the Titans the dark horses in the Brady sweepstakes, if there ever is any.

4. Denver Broncos
Could Elway persuade another legend to join him?  It’s possible.  If Manning can win a Super Bowl there, Brady surely can.  Broncos fans have loathed Brady for years, so this would be hard for them to accept, which is why the Broncos are only #4.  Also, they have Drew Lock, who would probably be traded if this happened.

3. New York Giants
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right?  Brady has failed twice to beat the Giants in the Super Bowl, so why not join them?  But like the Broncos fans, New York football fans have grown up hating Brady, so this would also be hard for them to accept.  But that’s mostly Jets fans who hate Brady.  Giants fans are happy they’ve been able to beat him twice.  Also, Daniel Jones would be traded just like Drew Lock if this were to happen.

2. Chicago Bears
I have a feeling Brady would love to play under Matt Nagy.  Chicago is one of the biggest metropolises in America, and their team has a rich history.  Just playing in Chicago for a couple years would make people consider Brady as one of the best Bears quarterbacks ever.  It also would be funny that Jimmy Garoppolo is playing for Brady’s hometown team while Brady plays for Jimmy Garoppolo’s hometown team.  Trubisky could either be traded or be forced to serve as Brady's backup, but would he be all right with that?  Hard to say.

1. Los Angeles Chargers
California?  Check.  Good roster?  Check.  Big market?  Check.  Brady’s best fit is with the Chargers.  He could replace Rivers whose best days are behind him.  It’s funny Brady could replace Rivers who came into the league AFTER Brady.  The Chargers are struggling to gain fans in the LA Market, and getting Brady would immensely help that cause.  Brady in LA in the new stadium?  Hard to beat that.  The only problem with this I see is the Chargers might not have enough of a history or fan base to woo Brady over.  But he would know that by signing with the Chargers, it would re-energize the team and bring in a lot of new fans.
Edit: Following the Seahawks-Eagles Wild Card game, Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels discussed Tom Brady and his future.  Michaels prodded Collinsworth and goaded him into picking a team Collinsworth could see Brady going to.  His answer?  The LA Chargers.  Now, he said he has no insider information, but if a well-respected analyst is saying the same team as me, we might be on to something.  

Hard to see Brady going anywhere else (that’s if he does leave the Patriots).  You can rule out the AFC East and any teams that have entrenched starters for the next several years at least.  He’s got a great relationship with Josh McDaniels, so if McDaniels gets a head coaching job somewhere, that team instantly becomes the best possible landing spot for Brady.  The only team here that is probably replacing its coach soon is the New York Giants, with the Cowboys as an outside possibility.

Edit: Just for fun, here's why all the other teams would not even be considered:
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, division rival
Miami Dolphins: Division rival, bad roster
New York Jets: Sam Darnold, division rival
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson
Cincinnati Bengals: Small market, bad roster
Cleveland Browns: Bad history
Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, AFC Rival
Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson
Indianapolis Colts: AFC Rival, small market
Jacksonville Jaguars: Bad team, small market
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders: Derek Carr, grew up 49ers fan so naturally dislikes Raiders
Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz
Washington Redskins: Dysfunction, bad roster
Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, bad history
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers
Minnesota Vikings: Kirk Cousins, wouldn't want to copy Brett Favre
Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, recently beat in Super Bowl
Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, small market, not enough history
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bad history, Jameis Winston
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray
Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff, recently beat them in Super Bowl
Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson, beat in Super Bowl XLIX

Thoughts on My New Job

I was just thinking the other day that on this blog I have yet to talk about my current job.  I talked about Safeway quite a bit while I worked there, going over the various departments, talkedabout my favorite and least favorite customers, and a couple others as well.  But I have not yet talked about my current job.  So, I will do just that, starting out by going over the company, going over my day-to-day responsibilities, and finishing with my thoughts on working there so far.

I currently work technically with two companies.  My official employer (the one that appears on my paycheck) is Aviation Spares and Services International Company (ASSIC).  I’ve always liked how they had to add the “International Company” because otherwise the company is ASS. 😂😂  Anyway, ASSIC is pretty small, at least in our office, comprising of only two in-office employees, who I work next to.  Then, there is Global Inflight Products (GIP).  They comprise of about 15 employees.  Then there are three boss people, the Chairman/President: Zine Badissy, the CEO: Liza Benzaoui, and the Vice President: Farjam Majd.  We also have a downstairs office that has accounting and marketing/design (two people each).  ASSIC provides spare airplane parts (generally small ones) to different aviation companies, and they often ask for quotes on parts and people ask for quotes from them.  GIP manufactures and distributes airline products for international flights, everything from cups, plates, towels, blankets, utensils, and headphones.  ASSIC and GIP work together under the Air Transport Support Group (ATSG).

My official position is office assistant.  I am technically also a receptionist, but I feel that has a bit of feminine connotation.  Nothing wrong with a guy doing a job typically done by a female, however.  I answer the phone and transfer to the appropriate person if necessary, and I occasionally will answer some basic questions.  Aside from answering the phone, the main thing I do is special projects for Mr. Badissy, the chairman and president of both ASSIC and GIP.  He has me compile financial reports for his farm business, for his business expenses, and for his travel expenses.  Generally, those projects take 3-5 days to do, which is good because Mr. Badissy is out of the office on most Thursdays and Fridays.  I have also emailed different people for him and even mailed a package for him. 

I am also slowly transitioning to being the office administrator (not officially) by doing tasks that help the office run smoothly.  I often go down to the storeroom to get supplies such as jugs for the water cooler, paper towels, and toilet paper.  I am now the person people tell to order office supplies, although I do not order them myself.  Instead, I give a list of supplies to accounting and they order them.

As for my thoughts on my job, I would have to say I like my job pretty well.  It’s certainly not perfect, but what job is?  Sometimes my boss, Mr. Badissy, can be hard to understand in what he wants, but I do my best, and he’s been pretty understanding and patient with me as well.  I don’t make as much as I did in my final years at Safeway, but it’s a consistent paycheck with consistent hours.  I am no longer an hourly wage employee; I am a salary employee now.  And instead of getting paid every week, I get paid every two weeks.  That part does not bother me, but what does bother me a bit is that my paycheck every two weeks is an actual check; I must go to the bank and deposit it and there is no direct deposit option. 

I don’t know how long I plan on working with ASSIC/GIP.  They have this thing in my agreement of employment that I have to pay back any bonuses I earn if I quit within two years.  I have yet to see a bonus and I think those are more for sales managers.  Not only that, but if I want to quit, they want me to give them a month’s notice.  So, with that and my Monday-Friday 7:30-4 work schedule, it becomes very difficult for me to potentially get another job.  Honestly, after not working for almost five months, I am just happy I have a job and one that pays steadily.  There’s not really an opportunity for advancement, not that I’d really want to.  I’ve never been a good person for sales, having dipped my toes into the sales swimming pool and not liking what I felt. 

I have the added bonus of working near Amanda.  She is about a 15-20 minute walk away, and I work exactly one hour earlier than her, so I can wait for her to get off if I want.  I have the option of taking the bus to work if I desire.  My commute is fairly short, taking 15-20 minutes to drive in the morning (usually), and 20-30 minutes to drive home.  So location-wise, my job is pretty perfect, considering alternative jobs I looked at could have me commute to downtown Seattle or south Bellevue.

I honestly like my job.  There have been a few times that I haven’t liked it, but as a whole I do like working at ASSIC/GIP.  I like the people I work with, and I get to interact with people from a wide variety of backgrounds as we have a very diverse office.  I’ve even gone out to lunch with them a couple times already.  I am going to continue working at ASSIC/GIP and see what happens and what skills I can pick up.