3. It’s time, Tom
The fact that Brady is ranked as the No. 14 player in football and the No. 5 QB in 2020 reminds me of the 2014 MLB All-Star Game, when he was on one of Derek Jeter’s last at-bats on a national stage. , starting National League pitcher Adam. Wainwright may or may not have grounded a fastball right in the middle of the plate to the Yankees shortstop, resulting in a double and a standing ovation. It is a performative, purely ceremonial act of respect. Brady wasn’t bolstered by top receiving talent in 2019, but he wasn’t his best self, either, especially in his last game as Patriot, a wildcard round loss for visiting Tennessee. TB12 completed just 60.8 percent of his passes (a lower rate than Kyle Allen’s) and averaged 6.6 yards per attempt (less than … oh, Kyle Allen, again) in 2019; Since becoming a starter, he has never had a season where his two brands in those categories were so low. And yet, for the players, it is an acronym, a living legend, a statue (in the pocket) waiting to be erected. His contemporaries look at him in amazement, but his assessment of his 2019 season is horrible. (I’ll look outside this Word document.)
4. At least one player per team, please
Last year, I complained that the Bills were the only team that didn’t have a Top 100 player, offering Tre’Davious White and Matt Milano as tribute. Well, the players apparently read my work that summer because they voted three Bills players on this year’s roster: White, former Viking Stefon Diggs (still counts), and Josh Allen, who, oddly, was the wrong Josh Allen to make the list. However, players continue to sideline entire franchises in their rankings. This time, there are no Bengals, Dolphins, Jaguars, Lions, Jets, or Washington Football Teamers. (Warnings: Five players – Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell, Darius Slay, Jamal Adams – were in one of those squads for part or all of the 2019 season, but all were traded, three for at least one first-team. round.) Once again, I ask players to establish the same policy that the MLB All-Star Game uses (I missed baseball, what can I say?): each franchise must be represented on the roster by one member active list. My selections? Joe Mixon, Byron Jones, DJ Chark, Matthew Stafford, CJ Mosley, and Terry McLaurin.
5. Let’s make special special equipment
Who does Justin Tucker have to kick to vote here? The best kicker of his generation does not receive the respect of his peers, year after year, in this exercise. In fact, a kicker has not been included since Adam Vinatieri in 2015 (No. 98). After his second consecutive All-Pro first-team season, and third in four years, Tucker should at least guarantee some consideration by the board. But the players overlooked Tucker’s 57 extra points scored and 28 of 29 field goals. Sure, it wasn’t his most flashy year, I’ll give it to you. But it’s hard to blame him for making his only attempt over 50 yards when his team is scoring touchdowns all damn day. Tucker is not the only specialist drawing little attention from this so-called jury of open-minded colleagues. Johnny Hekker. Matthew Slater. Morgan Cox Pro Bowl Long Snapper. All snubbed. Someday, and that day may never come, specialists will get their featured 150-second pack on the NFL Network. Someday …
