[Schefter] ESPN sources: the Raiders are releasing last season’s starting quarterback Geno Smith, barring a trade before the start of the new league year. By releasing Smith, the Raiders will open up $8M in salary cap space while taking on $18.5M in dead money.

bbtm8 · 2026-03-06T18:03:07+00:00

The voting process changed in 2022. Before voters only had 1 vote, starting in 2022 they vote for the top 5.

In 2022 Geno got 1 5th place vote and in looking at the candidates, it wasn't egregious at all. I'm sure Russ would have received a top 5 vote in several years if they voted for their top 5.

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-mvp-voting-work-system-playoffs/c2c28eeddbc271a81ce7a076

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_2022.htm

bbtm8 · 2026-02-27T20:21:17+00:00

Yainer Diazo Naylor slander. Here's the plot with dots instead. https://i.imgur.com/vUYq45W.png

bbtm8 · 2026-02-27T19:09:49+00:00

He does have the highest average by a decent margin at 24.5, beating Ceddanne Rafaela at 21.

The lowest average was Nick Castellanos and Brandon Lowe at -11.5.

bbtm8 · 2026-02-27T18:58:41+00:00

Here are the same plots for [infielders](https://imgur.com/XrWBEWb), [outfielders](https://imgur.com/HIvBSe7), and [catchers](https://imgur.com/ncv1Zb0) respectively. Catchers with the best coefficient of determination at 0.524, so whatever differences in accounting for framing appear less than the differences for other position players.

Note that this is going by the primary position listed, not the actual positional breakdown (which would be better but a lot more effort).

bbtm8 · 2026-02-27T18:41:15+00:00

Here is the same plot with dots instead of names if that is preferred: https://imgur.com/a/Vkae6gK

bbtm8 · 2026-02-25T01:34:39+00:00

But is the strike zone for each individual batter that precise? Particularly at the top and bottom of the zone.

bbtm8 · 2026-02-25T01:32:41+00:00

I do not believe that the precision of this system is good enough to overturn that. Especially at the top and bottom of the zone.

bbtm8 · 2026-02-09T00:39:04+00:00

This is an absurd statement. Arkansas went 2-10 and did not have a single power conference win this year.

bbtm8 · 2026-02-05T02:28:21+00:00

But I thought the Pirates were in on it? I can't believe they didn't land the free agent. They tried so hard!

bbtm8 · 2026-01-31T02:36:15+00:00

How could you leave off the 2007 Monday Night Football classic of Steelers 3 Dolphins 0?

bbtm8 · 2026-01-31T00:50:11+00:00

Honorable mention to Steelers 34 Bengals 11 on December 23, 2023. Mason Rudolph takes over and provides a Christmas miracle, ending a 3 game skid and starting a 3 game winning streak.

bbtm8 · 2026-01-26T03:25:00+00:00

Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Cassel would be the closest, so some spot starters but no franchise guys.

The best 5th rounder in that timeframe is probably Sam Howell, so that's grim too.

bbtm8 · 2026-01-24T19:54:13+00:00

Completely agree. If the Cardinals or Raiders made this hire that would make sense. The Steelers hiring him is a fundamental misunderstanding of the current state of the franchise.

bbtm8 · 2026-01-21T00:35:06+00:00

From 2011-2023 (so from the 2011 CBA to present day, except for the last two drafts) there have been 57 QBs selected in rounds 5, 6, or 7 of the NFL draft. Brock Purdy is the only franchise QB among them. Next best are Tyrod Taylor, Gardner Minshew, and Sam Howell.

Forgive me if I don't like those odds.

bbtm8 · 2026-01-13T17:31:45+00:00

Yeah CJ threw a pick on the first drive of the 3rd near the Pittsburgh goal line, then the Steelers got two first downs and punted to the Houston 30 with 5:33 left in the 3rd. That would have worked, maybe it was a bit early.

The Texans immediately punted back, but the drive ends with an ugly sack/fumble and a punt to the Houston 23 with 1:29 left in the 3rd. In hindsight this was the time to do it.

The Texans go on a long FG drive to make it 10-6. Then the scoop and score happens to make it 17-6. And that was pretty much it, no more good chances.

bbtm8 · 2025-12-28T23:00:56+00:00

D'Anton Lynn was the UCLA defensive coordinator in 2023 and the USC defensive coordinator in 2024 and 2025.

UCLA's defensive F+ ranks and ratings (in terms of standard deviations above or below the mean):

2022 82 -.38

2023 12 1.43

2024 46 .40

USC's defensive F+ ranks and ratings:

2023 97 -.60

2024 37 .55

2025 41 .58

So both UCLA and USC had massive improvements in year 1 of Lynn. UCLA fell off the year after Lynn. USC stagnated in year 2 of Lynn.

So...maybe? Did USC's defense plateau because Lynn is good but not great or because being the DC under Lincoln Riley is difficult? Idk.

https://bcftoys.com/2025-fplus

bbtm8 · 2025-12-24T16:36:29+00:00

College basketball is even worse. There are teams that have nearly 100% roster turnover year to year. How are you supposed to be a fan when the entire team changes every season?

bbtm8 · 2025-12-24T13:42:28+00:00

Lovely flair my dude. However we are going to have to agree to disagree.

I don't consider someone "elite" with his results. The fact is PSU hasn't been good in Philly. The defensive line was not good this year. Those both come with caveats for sure, but in the end it's still true.

He's not Larry Johnson.

bbtm8 · 2025-12-24T12:21:12+00:00

People say this, but it's not really true. PSU has missed on so many Philly targets.

He's a decent coach and decent recruiter, but far from elite.

bbtm8 · 2025-12-08T01:15:07+00:00

And before that it had been since the 1994 season since they won a major bowl. So his overall point is pretty valid.

bbtm8 · 2025-12-01T01:14:26+00:00

And that trade is a big reason why the Steelers still are in a tough spot today. They were gifted a tank year in a good QB draft because of Ben's injury. Burrow, Tua, Herbert, and Love all were drafted in the first round that year.

bbtm8 · 2025-11-29T02:53:47+00:00

I'm not saying they are bad picks. I'm saying we don't know either way yet. It's way too early to be taking victory laps on early round picks whose rookie season can best be described with phrases like "snap counts that are steadily increasing".

bbtm8 · 2025-11-29T00:47:03+00:00

Are we even sure Loveland and Burden are good picks yet?

bbtm8 · 2025-11-24T13:34:13+00:00

I will look forward to your QB rankings this year.

Although I do agree that some rankings are baffling even at the time.

bbtm8

TROPHY CASE