The Daily Briefing Friday, November 19, 2021

Down below we have an opus that tries to look, without any inside knowledge, as to how the NFL would tackle a 40-team league with 8 expansion franchises.

The two threshold issues would seem to be whether or not 8 small divisions is the way to go with such a big league.  Should division foes meet twice a year – and rarely see the other NFL teams?  And force a few teams to go to Europe every year, while others rarely go.  Would it make more sense to have 10-team groupings with only one meeting every year, alternated between sites, that would spread the European trips more equally?

And, we don’t explicitly deal with this below, but why have two conferences, something that arose in 1970, more than 50 years ago in the aftermath of the NFL-AFL merger.

We don’t deal with the playoffs, but why not have the top two teams in each of four geographically grouped divisions make the playoffs, plus eight Wild Card teams (or six for the current 14 teams).

Anyway, there is a lot of thought trying to pick the expansion teams and group them below.  We don’t suppose it to be the final answer, but it will hopefully illuminate the issues on such things as how many international franchises vs. domestic expansion, etc.

– – –

Avert you eyes!  Turn your body away!  Pay no attention to the opposition!

The NFL asserts that it liked the taunting penalty thrown by Tony Corrente against Cassius March of the Bears and all the other yellow flags.  Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com:

The NFL sent a memo to clubs this week reaffirming its crackdown on taunting and insisting that it will continue until players change their behavior.

The impact of the NFL’s points of emphasis typically fade over the course of the season as players adjust and league officials grow satisfied with the results. But the trend has accelerated this season, with nearly half of the total penalties being called in the past three weeks. Overall, there have been 35 taunting flags this season, tied for the most through 10 weeks since at least 2000, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. That includes 16 in Weeks 8-10.

“Appropriate celebration, enthusiasm and sharing great moments with our teammates and fans is encouraged,” NFL senior vice president of officiating training and development Walt Anderson said in an accompanying video. “The emphasis by the NFL to discourage acts of taunting or disrespect, when you direct actions toward an opponent or his bench, will continue. Officials are instructed to call fouls on actions that demonstrate that disrespect.”

The league implemented a point of emphasis on taunting this season at the behest of its coaches subcommittee, and many coaches have spoken in favor of it this season, including the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin, the Indianapolis Colts’ Frank Reich and the Chicago Bears’ Matt Nagy. New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, on the other hand, told “The Dan Patrick Show” on Thursday that he thought the foul was being “over-officiated.”

In the accompanying video, Anderson lauded two sack celebrations by Steelers pass-rusher T.J. Watt, who on each occasion ran in the opposite direction of his opponent before celebrating. The video also included multiple examples of what Anderson and senior vice president of officiating Perry Fewell said the league is attempting to root out. Among them was a clip of Bears defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. standing over and pointing a finger at Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

“Avoid any actions where you approach an opponent or his bench and gesture, posture or otherwise demonstrate any verbal or physical form of disrespect,” Anderson said in the video. “Turn away. Take the opportunity to celebrate with your teammates and don’t put officials in the position of having to make a judgment about whether or not your actions rise to the level of a foul. Remove all doubt and don’t put yourself or your team at risk of a penalty.”

The video did not include a controversial decision by referee Tony Corrente to penalize Bears pass-rusher Cassius Marsh for taunting after a key fourth-quarter sack in the Bears’ 29-27 loss to the Steelers in Week 9, but Fewell had previously announced his support for the decision. In the video, Anderson said the emphasis against taunting is in line with setting a better example for other levels of football.

“When our youth see us making a great play and then showing up an opponent,” he said, “that sends the message to them that such behavior is OK. But that is not the message that we want to promote for our great game.”

NFC NORTH

MINNESOTA

WR DAVANTE ADAMS of the rival Packers sings the praises of Vikings WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON.  Tim Capurso of ClutchPoints.com:

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams is no stranger when it comes to torching opposing defensive backs in the NFL. Adams knows a talent at his position when he sees one.

Davante Adams has singled out a division-rival receiver, noting that he sees some qualities of himself in the talented, second-year wideout.

Not only does Davante Adams give Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson the ultimate praise by saying the latter looks like a six-year veteran, but he also surprisingly alluded to the fact that he believes the Vikings’ wideout is playing “faster” than Adams was in his first or second year with the Packers.

Jefferson, 22, has a ways to go before he is viewed in the same tier as Adams, though he sure is on the right track. Jefferson is well on his way to another 1,000 yard season, which would be an impressive follow-up to his record-breaking rookie season, which saw him break the NFL’s record for receiving yards by a first-year player.

Davante Adams has singled out Jefferson as one of the fastest-rising threats for the title of ‘best receiver in the NFL.’ However, one can be sure that Adams won’t be ready to give up the mantle just yet, especially not this weekend when the Packers and Vikings renew their rivalry.

NFC EAST

PHILADELPHIA

The Eagles have locked up TE DALLAS GOEDDERT for four more years,  Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com:

When the Eagles traded Zach Ertz to the Cardinals a month ago, the prevailing thought was Ertz’s departure would create more opportunities for fellow tight end Dallas Goedert.

Now, Philadelphia has made an even bigger commitment to Goedert.

The organization announced on Friday that Goedert has agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension through the 2025 season.

There are conflicting reports about the value of the deal, though the figures are pretty similar. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Goedert’s extension is worth $57 million with $35 million guaranteed. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports it’s a $59 million deal with $35.7 million guaranteed.

A second-round pick in the 2018 draft, Goedert has been a key contributor since his rookie year. In 2021, he has 29 receptions for 429 yards with a pair of touchdowns. He’s currently second on the team in both receptions and yards and tied for second in touchdown catches.

In his four seasons, Goedert has 166 catches for 1,894 yards with 14 touchdowns.

WASHINGTON

They still love Coach Ron Rivera in Charlotte.  John Keim of ESPN.com:

The Carolina memories remain embedded in Ron Rivera’s mind. Some are deeply personal, like the time his house caught on fire, causing $500,000 damage only to have the community pitch in to help. Or the numerous charities Rivera, now the Washington Football Team coach, and his wife, Stephanie, were part of during their nine years in the Charlotte area.

Others are fun, like going to Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House after games with friends and family, ordering the 98-ounce bone-in ribeye — medium rare — to split with Stephanie, with plenty used in leftovers during the week.

And many, of course, are tied to the field. Sometimes it was the little details, like the driving rainstorm that accompanied his first win as Carolina Panthers coach in 2011. Or the four-game winning streak to win the NFC South in 2014. Or the 15-1 Super Bowl season a year later, and a practice in a driving snowstorm before the NFC Championship Game.

It’s why Sunday won’t be just another game for Rivera when Washington (3-6) visits the 5-5 Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox).

“It’s crazy, because wherever I walked, wherever Stephanie and I were, whether it was dinner or a movie, I was ‘Coach,'” Rivera said. “In a small tight-knit community like that, you’re ‘Coach’ for everybody. I appreciated that.”

Rivera’s not the only one with Charlotte memories. Washington has 30 members of its football operation — 15 coaches, nine players and six members of the front office — who have ties to Carolina. There are also a dozen Panthers players on the active roster who played for Rivera in Charlotte.

“We know a lot of things going on with the history this coaching staff has with Carolina and some of their former players,” Washington receiver Terry McLaurin said. “They’re human; they’ll have those emotions … I’ve been teasing some of the guys that it’s the reunion week.”

Quarterback Taylor Heinicke played for Carolina, spending 2018 with the Panthers before being cut the following summer. He was friends with Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, whom he called the “God of Charlotte.” But for Heinicke, the Panthers are one of five franchises for whom he has played.

“I just kind of view them as another team on the schedule,” he said. “There’s a little something there that you want to kind of go back and win where you used to be. I think everyone feels that way. I wouldn’t say it’s anything extra.”

Nobody was tied to the community more than Rivera, who was the coach in Carolina from 2011 until late in the 2019 season. He was fired with four games remaining and hired by Washington shortly after the season ended. In fact, the last game he coached with Carolina was a loss to Washington.

“He’s done a really good job of expressing the importance of this game for our team and not for him. He hasn’t made it about himself,” said Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner, who was with Rivera for four years in Carolina. “But it’s that elephant in the room. We know this is an important game for coach.”

Rivera inherited a 2-14 team in Carolina and left with a 76-63-1 record, three division titles and four playoff appearances. He and Newton became the faces of a franchise that made it to Super Bowl 50.

During the Super Bowl run, Rivera and a set of friends would go to eat at different places on Fridays. They eventually settled on Cajun Yard Dog. A private room at Del Frisco’s was the place, win or lose, after Sunday games.

When Rivera battled cancer last year, Stephanie’s close friends from the Charlotte area flew to Washington to keep her company and provide some relief. And she flew down to Charlotte on Thursday to spend time with friends.

It’s the kind of connection Rivera wants to have in Washington. He frequently points to what former coach Joe Gibbs accomplished here, not just as a coach but in the community. The coronavirus pandemic and Rivera’s recovery from cancer treatments have impacted his ability to play a role in the community as he did in Carolina, where he and Stephanie were involved with the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, the Humane Society of Charlotte and the USO of North Carolina.

“To be in one spot for a while, that was pretty cool,” Rivera said. “When our house burned down, the outpouring of support we got from the community was tremendous. … When I got sick last year, the messages and notes and the things we got from the people of Charlotte — or I should say the Panthers fans — were terrific. It really was tremendous. We’ll be forever grateful for that.”

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA

Give QB MATT RYAN credit for persevering Thursday night.  Michael Baca of NFL.com:

Another game, another rough outing for Matt Ryan against the New England Patriots.

Thursday night’s 25-0 defeat was especially frightening for the Falcons’ quarterback, who was shut out at home for the first time in his 14-year career, and bruised and battered far enough to be taken out of the game for mercy’s sake.

“Lack of production,” Ryan said afterward. “Whatever that is caused by, that’s the most disappointing. I think our defense did a nice job keeping us in the game the entire night, even well into the fourth quarter, you know, making it a two-score game. We had chances. We’ve got to find a way. Whatever it is, whatever we have to do, we have to find a way to be more productive than we’ve been.”

The Falcons offense was held to 165 total yards for the game and its issues started at the line of scrimmage. Ryan was sacked four times and sustained 12 QB hits by a Patriots defense that pinned its ears back all night. According to Next Gen Stats, Ryan was pressured on an astounding 50% of his drop backs (29.3% in Weeks 1-10) and went 1 of 4 for 6 passing yards and two interceptions versus the blitz.

“I thought they did a good job defensively of trying to create internal pressure and stress some of the things that we do,” Ryan said. “We certainly have to be better than we were today but credit to them — I thought they played well.”

Adding to Ryan’s excruciating night was the attrition he sustained throughout the evening. Ryan limped off the field in the second quarter after taking a sack from Kyle Van Noy which ended one of just two Falcons drives into the red zone. Adding insult to injury, Ryan received a gash on his left forearm on the same play but remained in the game. Furthering the insult, Younghoe Koo missed a 50-yard field goal after an illegal formation penalty negated his original make from 45 yards.

“The toe is fine,” said Ryan, who was part of the Falcons’ first shutout since Week 14 of 2015 against the Carolina Panthers. “I think it will be OK going forward. … I don’t think it impacted throwing and I thought I moved fine. So, I don’t think it impacted it too much.”

Of course, the Falcons were short-handed Thursday night with Cordarrelle Patterson inactive with a hamstring injury. As the Falcons leader in scrimmage yards (776) and total touchdowns (seven), Patterson’s absence was felt on a team that didn’t surpass 100 yards of offense until late in the third quarter.

“It’s always tough when you don’t have some of your guys out there,” Ryan said. “CP’s been such a big part of what we’ve done offensively, but we, the rest of the group, just didn’t do enough to be as productive as we needed to be. It’s always tough when guys are out but it’s never an excuse — you got to find a way to get the job done It wasn’t good enough on the offensive side of the ball.”

Down, 19-0, with under two minutes to play, Atlanta trotted out backup QB Josh Rosen in relief of Ryan, but that didn’t stop the bleeding. Rosen’s third pass attempt was intercepted by Van Noy and taken 35 yards to the house for the game’s final score. Rosen was then relieved by third-stringer Feleipe Franks, who threw a pick to Adrian Phillips on his first attempt.

Ryan’s night ended with him going 19 of 28 for 153 yards, no touchdowns and two picks. His 51.6 passer rating on the night comes days after his 21.6 passer rating on Sunday. According to NFL Research, it’s the first time in Ryan’s career he has logged a passer rating under 60 in consecutive games.

NEW ORLEANS

One might guess that part of the discord between Sean Payton and the NFL and its Competition Committee is his belief that NFL Officiating needs to be burned down, not tweaked.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

Saints head coach Sean Payton said he had no comment on a costly roughing the passer call against his team after last Sunday’s loss to the Titans, but shared some of his opinion on Monday when he noted the penalty is for “roughing” after further questions about it.

Payton was on The Dan Patrick Show Thursday and he used a question about his reaction to that call to speak about officiating around the league. Payton said there are instances each week when officials are “not up to speed” and noted the Bears’ loss to the Steelers a couple of weeks ago before going on to say the “problems start at the top.

Payton, who recently left the NFL’s Competition Committee, said the league needs to “reduce the variables” involved with officiating starting from a “leadership perspective and training perspective” in order to make the necessary improvements to the game.

“We have to improve. Everyone watching and participating and involved in it deserves better,” Payton said.

Payton shared his belief that officials should have full-time jobs and wondered how 17 different crews can be expected to be on the same page under the current system. The NFL has shown no real appetite for going that route, but a continued spotlight on officiating errors may increase calls for a change.

– – –

Don’t put RB ALVIN KAMARA in your Fantasy lineup just yet.  Mike Triplett of NFL.com:

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara did not practice Thursday, leaving his status uncertain for Sunday’s game at the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kamara returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday after he had missed the Week 10 loss at the Tennessee Titans with a knee injury. It’s unclear if he suffered a setback or is just gradually working his way back.

Coach Sean Payton described the injury last week as one that Kamara was rehabbing to return “as quickly as he can get back” after experiencing “soreness” at the end of a Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Veteran backup Mark Ingram II would again take on a major workload if Kamara is out or limited. Ingram had 18 touches for 108 yards and a touchdown at Tennessee.

The Saints (5-4) have several major injury questions on offense this week. Backup quarterback/playmaker Taysom Hill (foot) and standout offensive tackles Terron Armstead (knee/shoulder) and Ryan Ramczyk (knee) missed practice Wednesday and Thursday.

Meanwhile, quarterback Jameis Winston underwent ACL surgery last week after suffering his own season-ending injury in Week 8. But a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that the surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache did not include an MCL repair.

Despite damage, the ligament was considered strong enough to heal, according to the source. Winston plans to rehab in Los Angeles and projects to start non-contact drills in about six months.

TAMPA BAY

A disgruntled unpaid employee, one of many such individuals in the wake of WR ANTONIO BROWN, reveals that Brown may have committed a crime that shocks the senses.  Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times drops the bombshell.

Bucs receiver Antonio Brown obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination card so he could avoid NFL protocols, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.  This according to his former live-in chef.

Brown’s girlfriend, model Cydney Moreau, told Los Angeles chef Steven Ruiz in a text message July 2 that Brown was willing to pay $500 if he could get a Johnson & Johnson vaccination card.

“Can you get the COVID cards?” Moreau texted Ruiz on July 2, according to a screen grab he provided to the Tampa Bay Times.

“I can try,” Ruiz responded.

“JNJ shot. Ab said he would give you $500,” Moreau texted.

The text exchange between Moreau and Ruiz does not refer to Brown by name. The wide receiver is often called A.B. by friends, coaches and teammates.

Brown wanted the Johnson & Johnson vaccine card, Ruiz alleged, because it’s the only one that consists of a single shot and would require less paperwork.

The wide receiver and his personal chef fell out over an uncollected debt. Ruiz, who owns Taste ThatLA, says he is owed $10,000. He spoke publicly for the first time about Brown after trying unsuccessfully to extract a settlement from the Super Bowl champion Bucs and after talks with Brown’s lawyer went nowhere.

Ruiz said he was unable back in July to find a fake vaccination card for Brown, who had told those around him that he was worried about the vaccine’s potential negative effects on his body. A few weeks later, however, Ruiz said Brown showed him fake vaccination cards, which the wide receiver told Ruiz he had purchased for himself and Moreau. They were sitting on Brown’s dining room table, Ruiz said. It was just days before the start of Bucs training camp.

Alex Guerrero, a personal trainer and co-founder of TB12 with Tom Brady, arrived at Brown’s house the same night to help the 33-year-old Pro Bowler recover from knee surgery. According to Ruiz, Guerrero took a photograph of Brown’s vaccination card while he was there.

To document the list of vaccinated players as quickly as possible, the Bucs would sometimes have Guerrero or others in the organization photograph the cards to send to head trainer Bobby Slater and eventually to their infection control officer.

Ruiz said he believes Guerrero was unaware the card was fake.

Guerrero declined comment for this story.

Ruiz’s story calls into question Brown’s vaccination status.

Brown’s lawyer, however, said in a statement Thursday afternoon to the Times that Brown is vaccinated.

“Antonio Brown appreciates the severity of the pandemic, which is why he got the vaccine and supports everyone for whom it is advisable to get the vaccine,” Sean Burstyn texted. “Coronavirus has hit close to home as it took him out of a game. He is healthy, vaccinated, and ready to win another Super Bowl.

The DB has a card – and presumably could find the record of his J&J shot at a Publix pharmacy if compelled by authorities to prove its authenticity.

Should Brown be required to reveal where he got his vaccination?

NFC WEST

SEATTLE

Calmed down off the field, WR DK METCALF knows he has to restrain himself.  Kevin Patra of NFL.com:

Unlike Peter Pan, DK Metcalf plans to grow out of his fighting phase.

The Seattle Seahawks’ 23-year-old wideout was ejected late in Sunday’s shutout loss in Green Bay after getting into an altercation with a couple of Packers players. It marked the third time this season Metcalf was called into coach Pete Carroll’s office for extracurriculars.

“Me and (Carroll) have talked like three times, I think I have had an outburst three times this year, so we have talked three times and the conversation has always gotten better,” Metcalf said, per the team’s official website. “I’m a passionate player and I’m never going to back down from anything. He understands that, but at the same time, I’m starting to become a leader on this team, and I’ve got to grow up and continue to get better. I know that I’m still a work in progress. I don’t like to use my age as an excuse, but sometimes I forget that I’m 23 years old. I have to continue to grow each day and the mistakes are going to get fixed.”

Aside from Sunday’s blow-up, Metcalf has also been fined for his interactions with Saints corner Marshon Lattimore, got into a social-media spat with Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, and picked up a taunting penalty in the season opener.

Part of Metcalf’s frustration likely stems from his lack of productivity in an offense that has struggled. After a Pro Bowl season in which he went for 83/1,303/10, the big-bodied wideout has 42 catches for 606 yards and 8 TDs in nine games in 2021, including Sunday’s 3/26/0 line.

Metcalf said he knows he has to be smarter and balance his fiery nature with cool-headed reactions. The third-year pro understands more attention is on him, and everyone is waiting for him to blow up again.

“I’m not going to back down from anything,” he said. “I felt I was being challenged, and growing up is realizing that challenge and making the best decision for the team and not for myself.

“I was doing it last year with Stephon Gilmore and Jalen Ramsey, so I’ve been doing it, but I’m just under a tighter microscope right now. Everybody is watching me to see what I do and how I would react. I’m taking that into account every time I’m going into a game or preparing for a week where I’m being looked at. It’s just another challenge that I have to overcome.”

He’ll be under the microscope again Sunday against a feisty Arizona Cardinals defense with which he’s struggled in the past. Metcalf has averaged 18.8 receiving YPG in his career vs. the Cardinals, the fewest against any single opponent in his career. He’s generated just six catches on 15 targets in four games against Arizona, with three of his five single-game lows in receiving yards coming versus the Cardinals.

If he can’t break that trend Sunday afternoon, the world will be watching to see if Metcalf’s frustration boils over once again.

AFC NORTH

CLEVELAND

RB NICK CHUBB is deemed to be COVID free and good to go Sunday.  Kevin Patra ofNFL.com:

Nick Chubb will be back in action this weekend.

On Friday, the star running back was officially activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list, clearing him to play in Sunday’s game against the winless Detroit Lions.

The club also activated pass-catching back Demetric Felton off the COVID-19 list. The two vaccinated RBs tested positive last week, forcing them to miss the Week 10 loss to the New England Patriots.

Reserve back John Kelly was activated on Thursday.

Getting Chubb back will be a big boon to the Browns’ offense, which put up just seven points last week against New England sans the star.

Chubb is the motor of the Cleveland offense. D’Ernest Johnson filled in well, putting up 157 scrimmage yards — the only Browns skill player with more than 26 yards on the day — but it’s a different offense with Chubb in the lineup.

The bulldozing back can hit a crease and turn a would-be 4-yard gain into a 30-yard gash. It’s the type of big-play ability the Browns offense lacked last week after the opening drive of the game. The Browns are 1-2 this season in games Chubb has missed. Despite sitting out three games, the RB has still generated the third-most rushing yards in the NFL (721).

AFC SOUTH

INDIANAPOLIS

Per Coach Frank Reich, the Colts will attempt to climb their way back into the playoffs behind a heavy dose of RB JONATHAN TAYLOR.  Nick Shook of NFL.com:

Jonathan Taylor is tied for the league lead in rushing yards, and he’s gotten there on 161 carries.

Usage shouldn’t be a sticking point for Taylor, then, right? In 10 games, Taylor is averaging 16.1 carries per contest. He’s second among qualifying running backs in yards per carry at 5.8, and he’s not close to the eye-popping amount of carries that the man with whom he’s tied, the currently injured Derrick Henry, has reached in the last few seasons.

Frank Reich wants to see Taylor touch the ball even more.

“Jonathan Taylor is just an amazing player and person. Right now the workload that he’s getting, we don’t feel like he’s overworked,” Reich said during a Thursday appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “In fact, a lot of people are telling me I should give it him even more than we are. We give it to him somewhere around 18 to 20 times a game as far as carries and then try to target him in the pass game a good bit, too. I’d like it to build. I’d actually like it to increase.

… “He’s a phenomenal player. He’s gonna get the bulk of the carries. Nyheim Hines, our No. 2 back, is gonna play, he’s gonna be the guy that takes the next number of reps. Marlon (Mack), I think the world of Marlon. I think Marlon’s a really good running back and should be playing more than he is. But you can’t justify it with the way Jonathan Taylor is playing.”

Taylor has quickly evolved from a downhill runner with a chance to rip off a big gain to an every-down threat capable of getting one block and taking a carry to the house. He’s grown in the passing game, too, exceeding his rookie receiving yardage total after just 10 games. Instead of being a first- and second-down back, Taylor is now an every-down back whose production has the Colts believing he’s a top five weapon, regardless of position.

TENNESSEE

Add Titans WR A.J. BROWN to the list of NFL players coming out about their mental health issues. Turron Davenport of ESPN.com:

Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown shared a powerful message about depression and suicide on social media on Friday.

Brown said in the message that he had thoughts of taking his life last year. He felt that he didn’t have hope for better days and believed everything was going wrong for him.

The 24-year-old receiver spoke to the media on Thursday to follow up on his message.

“I posted the video because I wanted to encourage others to seek help whenever they are down,” Brown said. “I didn’t take into consideration what depression really was. I grew [up] just brushing off my feelings, and this got the best of me. I just wanted to put out a positive message that I’m still here, I’m growing, I’m blessed and have a lot to be thankful for.”

Brown pointed to New York Jets receiver Elijah Moore as a key person who was there for him during dark times. The two were teammates at the University of Mississippi.

In addition to family, Brown thanked Titans coach Mike Vrabel for having his door open to players to talk about anything.

“I appreciate A.J. [Brown]’s courage,” Vrabel said on Monday. “It is our job, it is part of our job to make sure that they can deal with the stresses of life, the stresses of professional football, the strain it sometimes puts on their family. If you are willing to ask someone how they are doing, be willing to sit there and listen to them. Don’t make it a fly-by.”

Brown wouldn’t go into detail about what caused him to be in a dark place. But the presence of his daughter — who was born on April 28, 2020 — has helped him daily.

Although Brown said he’s in a much better place now, he still speaks to a therapist to maintain his mental health.

“Us as men, our feelings aren’t too much cared about,” Brown said. “Get things off your chest. It’s OK to talk to someone. Seek help. You have to take care of your brain just like you take care of your body.”

AFC EAST

NEW YORK JETS

Coach Robert Saleh on why QB ZACH WILSON won’t play Sunday against resurgent Miami.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

When Jets quarterback Zach Wilson hurt his knee, it was described as a two-to-four-week injury. Sunday will be four weeks since Wilson suffered that injury, but he’s not back on the field yet, with Joe Flacco set to start against the Dolphins.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Wilson’s knee has taken longer than expected to heal, but it does mean that the Jets aren’t going to put him on the field until he’s fully confident that he can play without putting his knee in further jeopardy.

“He’s progressed well. He’ll be doubtful for the game,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “He’s getting better, he’s putting in extra work. He’s getting an individual session at the end of every practice, and some of the receivers sticking behind to make sure he’s getting his work in, to try to get him back not only to full health, but confidence with regards to the knee, his fundamentals, recapturing everything. It’s been a month now since he’s played, and his practices are limited. He gets some snaps with the show team, but it’s not all of them. So we’re just trying to monitor and make sure he gets back to full health and confidence.”

How soon Wilson will return to the field remains to be seen. When he does, the Jets need him to show signs of development. Something he didn’t show a lot of in his first six starts.

THIS AND THAT

EXPANSION THOUGHTS

If the NFL is going to expand to 40 teams, with at least one in Europe, the first big question is how will they be aligned and how will the schedule be determined.

For decades, the NFL has clustered into small divisions of four or five teams, with those “division rivals” meeting twice a year.

For 40 teams, in such an alignment, that would be 8 divisions of 5 teams or 10 divisions of 4 teams.

Using the conventional alignment of games, with 5-team divisions, that would be 8 division games and 9 or 10 games against the other 35 teams.  Or in a 4-team division, that would be 6 division games and 11 or 12 games against the other 36 teams.

If you have London expansion of one team under this formula, 3 or 4 teams are compelled to go to London every year, while the other teams go across the pond rarely.

If you gave London Team 1 a rival, either London Team 2 or Frankfurt, and they were in the same division to play twice a year, then we are down to 2 or 3 teams playing two games each year in Europe, while the other teams go across the pond rarely.

If you put the European teams in different divisions under conventional scheduling practices, the “rivals” would meet rarely, just as the Jets and Giants do now.

So, the DB would look at shaking up the teams, doing away with the current conferences and coming up with a new plan.

How about, 4 divisions of 10 teams each (geographically arranged), each division rival plays one time, not two every year.  After those nine games, each division plays 9 of the 10 members of another division once for the coveted 18 game schedule.

Something like

ATLANTIC

New England

Buffalo

Jets

Giants

Philadelphia

Washington

Carolina

Baltimore

Expansion 1

Expansion 2

NORTHERN

Cleveland

Pittsburgh

Cincinnati

Indianapolis

Detroit

Chicago

Green Bay

Minnesota

Expansion 1

Expansion 2

SOUTHERN

Miami

Tampa Bay

Jacksonville

Atlanta

New Orleans

Houston

Dallas

Tennessee

Expansion 1

Expansion 2

WESTERN

Seattle

San Francisco

Rams

Chargers

Las Vegas

Denver

Arizona

Kansas City

Expansion 1

Expansion 2

So with that in mind, let’s pick our 8 expansion teams:

We would go with two European teams.  They could either be in one division for an annual game – or in separate divisions where they would meet once every three years.

If the former, each division rival would make one two-game road trip to Europe every other year.  If the latter, each division rival in two divisions, plays one game in Europe every other year.

The rest of the league makes one two-game road trip to Europe every six years if they are in the same division or one road trip to Europe every three years if they are in different divisions.

Let’s put them in different divisions for this exercise –

ATLANTIC

New England

Buffalo

Jets

Giants

Philadelphia

Washington

Carolina

Baltimore

LONDON

Expansion 2

NORTHERN

Cleveland

Pittsburgh

Cincinnati

Indianapolis

Detroit

Chicago

Green Bay

Minnesota

FRANKFURT/LONDON 2

Expansion 2

SOUTHERN

Miami

Tampa Bay

Jacksonville

Atlanta

New Orleans

Houston

Dallas

Tennessee

Expansion 1

Expansion 2

WESTERN

Seattle

San Francisco

Rams

Chargers

Las Vegas

Denver

Arizona

Kansas City

Expansion 1

Expansion 2

Rank   Designated Market Area    TV Homes

(Mexico City)

1          New York                          6,824,120

2          Los Angeles                     5,145,350

3          Chicago                             3,256,400

4          Philadelphia                      2,758,330

5          Dallas-Ft. Worth               2,563,320

6          SF-Oak-San Jose             2,364,740

            (Toronto)

7          Washington, DC                2,351,930           

8          Houston                            2,330,180

9          Boston (Manchester)       2,302,680

10        Atlanta                               2,269,270

11        Phoenix (Prescott)           1,879,780

12        Tampa-St. Pete (Sara)      1,800,600           

13        Seattle-Tacoma                1,764,680

14        Detroit                                           1,737,170

15        Minneapolis-St. Paul                    1,697,370           

16        Miami-Ft. Lauderdale       1,642,220

17        Denver                                1,532,320           

18        Orlando-Daytona-Melbrn    1,492,640

            (Montreal)     

19        Cleveland-Akron (Canton)  1,366,110        

20        Sacramnto-Stkton                1,317,500       

            (Vancouver)

21        Charlotte                             1,125,970          

22        Portland, OR                      1,112,500          

23        St. Louis                              1,099,590          

24        Pittsburgh                           1,079,900          

25        Indianapolis                        1,053,830          

26        Baltimore                            1,039,490          

27        Raleigh-Durham (Fayetvlle) 1,025,320       

28        Nashville                                 983,180         

29        San Diego                               981,650         

30        Salt Lake City                                     952,470         

31        San Antonio                           916,970         

32        Kansas City                            896,850         

33        Hartford & New Haven           885,890        

34        Columbus, OH                       877,490         

35        Milwaukee                               837,300          (Green Bay)

36        West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce  828,980         (Miami)

37        Cincinnati                                828,250        

38        Greenvll-Spart-Ashevll-And               787,930       

39        Las Vegas                                 743,220       

40        Austin                                        736,770       

            (Calgary)

            (Edmonton)

41        Jacksonville                             690,400       

42        Norfolk                                       684,310      

43        Oklahoma City                         666,690       

44        Birmingham (Ann and Tusc)      666,170   

45        Grand Rapids-Kalmzoo-B.Crk   653,100   

46        Albuquerque-Santa Fe             648,350      

47        Harrisburg-Lncstr-Leb-York               641,660      

48        Louisville                                  636,150       

49        Greensboro-H.Point-W.Salem   635,580   

50        New Orleans                             615,480       

51        Memphis                                   580,600       

52        Buffalo                                       576,710      

53        Ft. Myers-Naples                       564,250      

54        Richmond-Petersburg                555,630   

55        Fresno-Visalia                                      550,860       

56        Providence-New Bedford        543,430      

57        Mobile-Pensacola (Ft Walt)     518,740      

58        Tulsa                                          509,560      

59        Albany-Schenectady-Troy        500,400     

60        Wilkes Barre-Scranton-Hztn                497,830     

67        Honolulu

72         Omaha

Xx        El Paso

The DB is of a mind that you would go with Mexico City and two Canadian markets.  We don’t think Montreal currently has the true football base (they could prove us wrong).

With the placing below, every division has a foreign exposure:

ATLANTIC

New England

Buffalo

Jets

Giants

Philadelphia

Washington

Carolina

Baltimore

LONDON

Expansion 2

NORTHERN

Cleveland

Pittsburgh

Cincinnati

Indianapolis

Detroit

Chicago

Green Bay

Minnesota

FRANKFURT/LONDON 2

TORONTO

SOUTHERN

Miami

Tampa Bay

Jacksonville

Atlanta

New Orleans

Houston

Dallas

Tennessee

MEXICO CITY

Expansion 2

WESTERN

Seattle

San Francisco

Rams

Chargers

Las Vegas

Denver

Arizona

Kansas City

VANCOUVER/EDMONTON/CALGARY

Expansion 2

So that leaves three U.S. teams.  Presumably St. Louis is one of them as part of the settlement for the Rams departure.  So two to go!

As you can see below, there are four US markets in the top 30 without a team with 4 teams still to assign.  Twelve more in the top 50.  We don’t think the NFL will go below that even though Buffalo and Jacksonville now qualify

18        Orlando-Daytona-Melbrn    1,492,640        

20        Sacramnto-Stkton                1,317,500       

22        Portland, OR                      1,112,500          

23        St. Louis                              1,099,590          

30        Salt Lake City                         952,470         

31        San Antonio                           916,970         

33        Hartford & New Haven           885,890        

38        Greenvll-Spart-Ashevll-And               787,930       

40        Austin                                        736,770       

42        Norfolk                                       684,310      

43        Oklahoma City                         666,690       

44        Birmingham (Ann and Tusc)      666,170   

45        Grand Rapids-Kalmzoo-B.Crk   653,100   

46        Albuquerque-Santa Fe             648,350      

47        Harrisburg-Lncstr-Leb-York    641,660     

48        Louisville                                  636,150       

49        Greensboro-H.Point-W.Salem   635,580   

51        Memphis                                   580,600       

53        Ft. Myers-Naples                       564,250      

54        Richmond-Petersburg                555,630   

55        Fresno-Visalia                                      550,860       

56        Providence-New Bedford        543,430      

57        Mobile-Pensacola (Ft Walt)     518,740      

58        Tulsa                                          509,560      

59        Albany-Schenectady-Troy        500,400     

60        Wilkes Barre-Scranton-Hztn                497,830     

67        Honolulu

72         Omaha

Xx        El Paso

So let’s eliminate the markets outside the top 50, and assign them divisions (remember at the moment (we have openings in the West, South and Atlantic – and St. Louis could either go South or West (with KC)).  We also could move Detroit into the Atlantic, we suppose (something similar happened in hockey to the Red Wings).  Toronto might also be North – Atlantic flexible.

We cut things off at Oklahoma City, because frankly none of those below are that appetizing

18        Orlando-Daytona-Melbrn    1,492,640         (South)

20        Sacramnto-Stkton                1,317,500        (West)

22        Portland, OR                      1,112,500           (West)

23        St. Louis                              1,099,590           (South or West)

30        Salt Lake City                         952,470          (West)

31        San Antonio                           916,970          (South)

33        Hartford & New Haven           885,890         (East)

38        Greenvll-Spart-Ashevll-And               787,930        (South)

40        Austin                                        736,770        (South)

42        Norfolk                                       684,310       (Atlantic)

43        Oklahoma City                         666,690        (South or West)

44        Birmingham (Ann and Tusc)      666,170   

45        Grand Rapids-Kalmzoo-B.Crk   653,100   

46        Albuquerque-Santa Fe             648,350      

47        Harrisburg-Lncstr-Leb-York    641,660     

48        Louisville                                  636,150       

49        Greensboro-H.Point-W.Salem   635,580   

51        Memphis                                   580,600       

53        Ft. Myers-Naples                       564,250      

54        Richmond-Petersburg                555,630   

55        Fresno-Visalia                                      550,860       

56        Providence-New Bedford        543,430      

57        Mobile-Pensacola (Ft Walt)     518,740      

58        Tulsa                                          509,560      

59        Albany-Schenectady-Troy        500,400     

60        Wilkes Barre-Scranton-Hztn                497,830     

67        Honolulu

72         Omaha

Xx        El Paso

Two to pick:

18        Orlando-Daytona-Melbourne    1,492,640  (South)

20        Sacramnto-Stockton                 1,317,500   (West)

22        Portland, OR                              1,112,500   (West)

23        St. Louis                                      1,099,590   (South or West)

30        Salt Lake City                                952,470   (West)

31        San Antonio                                  916,970   (South)

33        Hartford & New Haven                 885,890   (East)

38        Greenvll-Spart-Ashevll-And                    787,930   (South)

40        Austin                                            736,770    (South)

42        Norfolk                                          684,310    (Atlantic)

43        Oklahoma City                             666,690    (South or West)

Now it gets into negotiating at the ownership level.  Texas and Florida are giant, growing football states already underserved somewhat by the NFL (especially Texas due to the Jerry Jones Blockade).

A team in Orlando would really put the squeeze on Jacksonville.  Could they move to London, with Orlando getting the team?

Do you like Salt Lake City, as something of a big league city already, centering a growing, prosperous area in a state of 3.2 million?  No real territorial conflicts.

Sacramento?  There is a market size, but is there an appetite there in a state that’s hard to do business in?  Same with Portland.  Between them, we like Sacto more.

Hartford – flush between New England and New York.

Is the Tidewater/Richmond area sneaky big and underserved?

There are 3.9 million people in football-mad Oklahoma.  Does the omnipresence of the Sooners and rival Oklahoma State, hurt or help?

There are more than 5 million people in South Carolina now, another growing Sun Belt state.  And plenty of football interest.

Time to make some decisions, although we have only built this as a framework.

ATLANTIC

New England

Buffalo

Jets

Giants

Philadelphia

Washington

Carolina

Baltimore

LONDON

TORONTO

NORTHERN

Cleveland

Pittsburgh

Cincinnati

Indianapolis

Chicago

Green Bay

Minnesota

Detroit

FRANKFURT/LONDON 2 (Jaguars)

ST. LOUIS

SOUTHERN

Miami

Tampa Bay

Atlanta

New Orleans

Houston

Dallas

Tennessee

MEXICO CITY

ORLANDO

AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO

WESTERN

Seattle

San Francisco

Rams

Chargers

Las Vegas

Denver

Arizona

Kansas City

VANCOUVER/EDMONTON/CALGARY/SACRAMENTO

SALT LAKE CITY/SACRAMENTO

QUESTIONS

Is it fair to have three expansion teams in the South and only one in North?  So no Orlando, Jacksonville stays in South, 2^nd expansion team in Europe.  But is a fresh start for the NFL in Florida in Orlando and a fresh start for the Jaguars not a better option?

Would Sacremento be a better choice than a second Canadian city?