The Buscher

It'll be a multi-day, 20 inductee Hall of Fame class this year to celebrate 100 years. Five modern era players will be selected as usual, but they've expanded the special committees for one year only. 15 of the following will be enshrined: Coaches (two will be elected) Don Coryell Bill Cowher Tom Flores Mike Holmgren Jimmy Johnson Buddy Parker Dan Reeves Dick Vermeil Contributors (three will be elected) Bud Adams Ralph Hay Frank Kilroy Art McNally Art Mofell Clint Murchison Steve Sabol Seymour Siwoff Paul Tagliabue George Young Players (ten will be elected) Cliff Branch Harold Carmichael Jim Covert Roger Craig Bobby Dillon LaVern Dilweg Ox Emerson Randy Gradishar Cliff Harris Winston Hill Cecil Isbell Alex Karras Verne Lewellen Tommy Nobis Drew Pearson Donnie Shell Duke Slater Mac Speedie Ed Sprinkle Al Wistert

Technically the Giants are the only team with completely zero representation since Minkah Fitzpatrick played a couple of games with the Dolphins. Even the lowly Bengals got a representative, although no surprises that it's Geno Atkins...the same defensive tackles and offensive linemen go pretty much every year. AFC Quarterbacks: Lamar Jackson, Ravens Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs Deshaun Watson, Texans Running Backs: Nick Chubb, Browns Derrick Henry, Titans Mark Ingram, Ravens Fullback: Patrick Ricard, Ravens Wide Receivers: Keenan Allen, Chargers Tyreek Hill, Chiefs DeAndre Hopkins, Texans Jarvis Landry, Browns Tight Ends: Mark Andrews, Ravens Travis Kelce, Chiefs Tackles: Trent Brown, Raiders Ronnie Stanley, Ravens Laremy Tunsil, Texans Guards: David DeCastro, Steelers Quenton Nelson, Colts Marshal Yanda, Ravens Centers: Rodney Hudson, Raiders Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers Defensive Ends: Joey Bosa, Chargers Calais Campbell, Jaguars Frank Clark, Chiefs Interior Linemen: Geno Atkins, Bengals Cameron Heyward, Steelers Chris Jones, Chiefs Outside Linebackers: Matt Judon, Ravens Von Miller, Broncos T.J. Watt, Steelers Inside Linebackers: Dont'a Hightower, Patriots Darius Leonard, Colts Cornerbacks: Stephon Gilmore, Patriots Marlon Humphrey, Ravens Marcus Peters, Rams/Ravens Tre'davious White, Bills Safeties: Jamal Adams, Jets Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dolphins/Steelers Earl Thomas, Ravens Kicker: Justin Tucker, Ravens Punter: Brett Kern, Titans Long Snapper: Morgan Cox, Ravens Return Specialist: Mecole Hardman, Chiefs Special Teamer: Matthew Slater, Patriots NFC Quarterbacks: Drew Brees, Saints Aaron Rodgers, Packers Russell Wilson, Seahawks Running Backs: Dalvin Cook, Vikings Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys Christian McCaffery, Panthers Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk, 49ers Wide Receivers: Mike Evans, Buccaneers Chris Godwin, Buccaneers Julio Jones, Falcons Michael Thomas, Saints Tight Ends: Zach Ertz, Eagles George Kittle, 49ers Tackles: Terron Armstead, Saints David Bakhtiari, Packers Tyron Smith, Cowboys Guards: Brandon Brooks, Eagles Zack Martin, Cowboys Brandon Scherff, Redskins Centers: Travis Frederick, Cowboys Jason Kelce, Eagles Defensive Ends: Nick Bosa, 49ers Danielle Hunter, Vikings Cameron Jordan, Saints Interior Linemen: Fletcher Cox, Eagles Aaron Donald, Rams Grady Jarrett, Falcons Outside Linebackers: Shaquil Barrett, Buccaneers Chandler Jones, Cardinals Khalil Mack, Bears Inside Linebackers: Luke Kuechly, Panthers Bobby Wagner, Seahawks Cornerbacks: Marshon Lattimore, Saints Jalen Ramsey, Jaguars/Rams Richard Sherman, 49ers Darius Slay, Lions Safeties: Budda Baker, Cardinals Eddie Jackson, Bears Harrison Smith, Vikings Kicker: Wil Lutz, Saints Punter: Tress Way, Redskins Long Snapper: Rick Lovato, Eagles Return Specialist: Deonte Harris, Saints Special Teamer: Cordarrelle Patterson, Bears

Proof that white privilege still exists in the NFL.

Of course, despite the potentially huge luxury tax savings, there's little indication that they're going to jump into the relief market that is rapidly dwindling. There was a report yesterday that they were one of the finalists for Betances, only to now see from multiple reporters that they're highly unlikely to meet his asking price which is said to be $10 million for a one year prove-it deal. Odds are he's going to end up going to the Phillies who have given the indication that they're willing to blow past the luxury tax and he can be reunited with Girardi. Biggest weakness on the team, bullpen single-handedly killed their playoff hopes last year, but nah, let's not to anything. They're basically just counting on Diaz and Familia returning to form. Diaz somehow became the first pitcher in league history with a 15 K/9 ratio and 5+ ERA over a minimum of 50 innings pitched, and they're banking on it being a fluke and he'll go back to being great. The worst was BVW saying he counts Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman as an additions to the bullpen (THEY NEVER LEFT!) because the Wacha and Porcello signings mean they won't need to be stretched out as rotation depth. Basically just telling the fans they're going to be pocketing the Cespedes money. The Cohen deal can't close soon enough.

The Mets reduced Cespedes' 2020 salary from $29.5 million to $9.5 million with the ability to earn the $20 million back in incentives. The fact that Cespedes agreed to such a steep reduction is an indicator that they had strong evidence that the injury he suffered on his ranch last summer was the result of him doing something really stupid and non-baseball related. The Mets were probably trying to void the contract entirely and that was the best concession the union could get. Makes me wonder how things will go with the Yankees' inevitable union battle over Ellsbury's 2020 salary.

Yeah, no. I won't be upset if the Giants lose by any stretch, if they lose I'll immediately be like "WOOOOO CHASE YOUNG!!!" But the day I sit down and watch a game and openly root for the other team, let alone a division rival, is the day I turn in my fan card. The team has serious, crippling weaknesses across at least six positions: Tackle Wide receiver (Giants fans are in denial about this, I like Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard but neither of them get any separation) Edge rusher Linebacker Safety Cornerback The state of all of those positions are so bad right now that any of them can sink a team entirely on their own. And most of those positions also have terrible 2020 free agent classes. Not to mention they're led by a Duke QB who has committed a million turnovers, already has been injured, and if returns this week, could be 2-11 with losses to abysmal teams like the Jets, Lions, and Washington on his ledger. It's fine to want to see what he can do with better pieces around him but nobody can tell me with a straight face that they're totally confident in him. Bottom line - do I want Chase Young? Of course. But to think his presence would magically turn them into 2020's version of the Niners is ludicrous. They have a million needs to fill even if they end up outside of the Chase range. Shit, even if they are picking #2, if Miami offers up multiple first rounders I'd have to seriously think about it. I'd also trade Barkley without hesitation because if he stays healthy next year and resembles his rookie year performance, he's going to want a cap-killing contract. But I know that won't happen. It's possible for bad teams to turn around in one offseason, but not one as broken as this team.

With Burrow to the Bengals feeling like a near-certainty, the Giants/Washington game this weekend will likely decide who gets Chase Young. Both teams have beaten Miami this year but head to head records don’t matter in draft seeding, the tiebreaker is strength of schedule and Miami has played better teams. I can’t ever in good conscience root against my team. But man, losing Chase at the final hurdle to a division rival would hurt.

Drew Brees becomes the all-time passing TD leader. GOD DAMMIT LINEKER

Incredible ending in Atlanta/San Fran.

Madison Bumgarner to the Diamondbacks. 5 years, $85 million with $15 million deferred.

The Giants handled the ending for Eli perfectly. If Jones can’t return next week, they should just start Alex Tanney.

Rangers close to acquiring Corey Kluber for Delino DeShields Jr. and Emmanuel Clase. What an awful return for Cleveland.

I’m actually shocked that 95.5% is the record for ballots named. Goes to show that some writers will leave off the favorite in order to boost the odds of the person they wanted to win.

Giants release Janoris Jenkins after calling a fan the R-word on Twitter.

Yeah, Lamar has the MVP virtually locked up. Next week could be his last chance to build his numbers, as they've already indicated he's sitting Week 17 if the can clinch the #1 seed next week. It won't matter for voting, the league MVP has sat Week 17 pretty frequently over the past decade - it's a right the team earns for dominating all year. The interesting wrinkle there is that the Steelers could be in a "win and in" situation against their biggest rival who will be sitting as many key players as possible.

I dunno. Porcello relies heavily on good pitch framing and strong infield defense, neither of which the Mets have.

When the Mets signed Michael Wacha to a 1-year deal yesterday, BVW identified him as "starter depth" which was odd as everyone assumed he was being signed to be the #5 starter. Now today those comments make more sense as they've signed Rick Porcello to a 1-year, $10 million deal. Wacha will presumably be going to the bullpen and be the swing guy who will jump into the rotation when someone gets hurt. Either that or we're about to hear yet another round of Syndergaard trade rumors.

Boras clients have combined to earn almost $900 million so far this offseason.

Angels reportedly closing in on Rendon

Blue Jays sign Tanner Roark. 2 years, $24 million.

Houston has been reaching out to virtually every marquee free agent and they've been getting told flat out that the players aren't interested. For a team that was a win away from a second World Series in three years, the fact that nobody wants to play there which speaks volumes about how much concern there is on the potential sanctions. I wonder if MLB actually would enforce a postseason ban.

Nats: We just won the World Series, gave Strasburg $245 million and are highly active on the market Braves: We won the division last year, signed a bunch of good relievers and are active in pursuing a frontline starter and bat Phillies: We're trying to get over the hump by spending big money on a manager, giving Wheeler $118 million, signed Didi, and are still in on the big name 3B in free agency and trade Mets: We need to clear salary if we want to trade for Starling Marte or sign a reliever

MLB released their sponsored scientific study on if the balls were being juiced or not in recent times. To no surprise, the study claimed MLB wasn't purposely juicing the balls.

Yeah, I mean it's tough for me to think a 34 year old pitcher is going to turn down a 5-year, $180 million deal but you never know what the market will look like by then.