We are only a couple of weeks into the football season and already there have been fireworks in both the NFL and NCAA game. Here are some of the most intriguing stories in each so far.

NFL

Antonio Brown

You might as well re-name the NFL the ABShow in 2019 as there have been so many stories on this one guy that it’s akin to following a soap opera. Every day there is a new story and at the end of every episode you are left wondering just what the hell happened.

He wants out of Pittsburgh. He gets out of Pittsburgh. He goes to the Raiders. He gets frost bite on his feet. He doesn’t like the helmet. He challenges the league on the finding. He gets fined for not showing to meetings and practices. He posts his fine letter on social media in anger. He confronts the GM in front of the team and has to be held back. He punts a football and says fine this. He posts to social media a weird overly produced video about how he is misunderstood while adding recordings of Gruden that I’m assuming were without Gruden’s knowledge. He posts again about his desire to be released. The Raiders release him. The Patriots sign him. He has allegations of sexual assault. The league investigates. Will he play or will he not play in week 2 for the Patriots. He plays. Gets a touchdown. Bounces from locker room fast so he doesn’t have to talk to the media. More reports come out about how he treats people.

WHEW!  We need to come up for air! I really think that AB’s issues stem from some emotional trauma he has previously endured because I think he has serious issues tied into wanting to be loved and liked. The minute there is a slight, whether real or perceived, his reactions are those of a 14 year old without thought to consequences of his actions. I think when he was with the Steelers he got special treatment until they found someone in JuJu that could have potential to produce on his level and he felt threatened and lashed out.

I also think that the Raiders tried to discipline him too late.

I hope the Patriots can get him in line but we will see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9O-Q97m1ao

STEELERS

It was my prediction that they would take steps back this year and it looks like so far I’m right. Their issues were not only AB as a lot of Steeler fans would like to think. They have had several internal issues. What happens is that winning will cover up a lot of internal cracks. When you stop winning or under produce, those cracks become fissures, you start breaking apart. Does Tomlin have the leadership to pull it back? I’m not sold.

Now they have lost Big Ben for the season. Sorry Steelers fans but this looks like it will not be your year. On the plus side, I really think they should look to the future and start thinking ahead. The window on this era has closed.

BEARS

The Bears Defense is ridiculously good. The Offense? Ridiculously bad. They have weapons but not a QB to lead them. Tribusky showed promise at times last year but has started really slow this year. He needs to turn it on and quick because they won’t want to waste the window they have with that defense. Their play calling is also predictable and Tribusky seems to try to force it in to Allen Robinson when in trouble instead of making his reads.

 

SAINTS

The poor Saints. They were a sexy pick for a Super Bowl run and now have lost Brees for probably 6 weeks while losing to the Rams which will bite them later in playoff seeding. Can Terry Bridgewater hold the ship upright until Brees returns? I would imagine they would rely more on their running game for the next few weeks.

 

NCAA

CLEMSON/ALABAMA/GEORGIA and Everyone Else

So far it looks like these 3 teams are a tier above everyone else. All 3 are still beatable but you need to have a team that won’t beat itself play them. Clemson’s D Line is not as great as last year but still really good. Lawrence is brilliant. Alabama is Alabama. Georgia has talent everywhere.

We will see what happens when we get more into conference play but Clemson has literally no one on their schedule that can stand up to them on paper. Alabama still plays Texas A&M, LSU, and Auburn before the conference championship. Georgia has Norte Dame, Florida, Texas A&M and Auburn before the conference championship.

When you compare these 3 schedules, you might as well punch Clemson in now unless they completely choke or there is an injury to Lawrence. Beware though, if they lose a game somewhere, their schedule might bite them.

Dark Horses – LSU, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Norte Dame, Utah

In the next tier we have 5 solid teams but aren’t on the level of the top 3. LSU is definitely on the right track to compete with their SEC counterparts again. Their newly found aggressive nature is what they have been needing for about 15 years. Jalen Hurts has given Oklahoma life but they also haven’t played anyone. Ohio State has talent but never plays anyone until late in the season. Norte Dame is solid but doesn’t have the talent of the big 3. Utah right now is the front runner for the Pac 12 with Oregon nipping at its heels.

This group should shake out a bit as we enter conference play.

The Land of Disappointment – Tennessee and Florida State

The Bad News Bears has nothing on these teams. Once proud programs with national championships in their trophy room, these teams have literally been the laughingstock of the season so far.

Tennessee lost to Georgia State and BYU and have looked horrible doing it. They have become the embarrassment of the SEC. Maybe they get 3 wins?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6NIv-Zo4xI

Florida State. I don’t know how Willie Taggart still has a job. They lost to Boise State and barely beat UL Monroe. UL Monroe. Let that sink in. Then they can’t even line up correctly on a play and try to pretend like it was intentional. Then they blow a lead against Virginia.

Let’s see what happens the rest of the month!