First, let’s make one thing ultra clear. The Philadelphia Eagles are playing within the boundaries of the rules with their “brotherly shove” or “tush push.” They have taken advantage of a game situation and deserve credit for coming up with the play. Their quarterback, Jalen Hurts, and offensive line are well-built to run the play. And they will undoubtedly use it in the Super Bowl. The Eagles have enjoyed great success, although it should be pointed out the tush push is not unstoppable. It ranked in the 90% range in 2022, but it’s more like 82% this year. But the…
Author: Douglas Fritz
Douglas Fritz
Douglas Fritz has almost 40 years of sports journalist experience, including NFL and college sports coverage. He worked for 37 years in the newspaper business.
By trying to prove he doesn’t have an ego, former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick proved he does. OK, anybody who watched Belichick’s gruff interview sessions for years and years in the NFL already knew this. And the folks at North Carolina will get a chance to witness it firsthand this coming season. Enjoy. When asked recently about his role in the New England Patriots’ dynasty, Belichick tried to act like he believed he had little to do with it. Now if you’ll buy that he really believes that … George Strait still has some oceanfront property in…
There’s no argument against the Kansas City Chiefs putting together the greatest three-year run in NFL history — if they defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59. That would give Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs three straight titles and they would become the first NFL team to accomplish the feat. But how do the Chiefs rank among the greatest three-year runs in NFL history before the big game? A team must have participated in two Super Bowl games in three years to qualify for this list. 49ers from 1988-90 currently rank at the top of the list The 1988-90…
Before you crush Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews for not catching that pass from Lamar Jackson, remember one thing. Only one person will ever be in that position. In all of history. Ever. And Andrews has to carry that play, moving forward for the rest of his life. Baltimore trailed the Buffalo Bills 27-25 in the final two minutes of last week’s AFC Divisional Round playoff game. Needing a 2-point conversion pass, Andrews found himself open, and Jackson delivered a near-perfect pass. Catch. Fall. And the game is tied. But Andrews never got a grip on a reception he’s…
There is one good reason why Notre Dame has a chance to win the College Football Playoffs championship. But the Ohio State Buckeyes erase it with one player: freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Scrappiness gives the Irish a puncher’s chance in the underdog role. But simple grit and willpower won’t affect the Buckeyes’ super-talented wideout. And Smith will blast the Irish for a pair of scores and over 100 yards receiving. How good is Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith? Well, maybe he’s not as good as the bonkers claim by ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky that Smith would be picked No. 1…
It’s laughable to hear people complain about the College Football Playoffs championship game. Bitter fans somehow think Ohio State and Notre Dame don’t deserve to be there. The knock against Ohio State? Ryan Day’s team lost to Michigan. Hammering Notre Dame? Marcus Freeman’s team lost to North Illinois. But seriously, folks, it’s time for the whining to stop. Expanding the college football playoffs didn’t create this matchup. Notre Dame and Ohio State made this matchup happen. These teams did exactly what they needed to do to get where they are. What ND and Ohio State are now matters most Who…
Way back in 1979, Kenny Loggins released a single called “This Is It” with the following lyrics that clearly apply to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in 2024. Make no mistake where you are (This is it) Your back’s to the corner (This is it) Allen is 28 years old. If he stays healthy, he will likely get several more chances. But if he wants to reach the level where few quarterbacks have been able to go, this is the year Allen needs to get it done. First, let’s be fair. Quarterbacks don’t win games by themselves. However, teams rarely…
Don’t get this confused. Ohio State should beat Notre Dame. The Buckeyes should whip the Irish, from a talent standpoint. To call Notre Dame the worst nightmare for Ryan Day isn’t because the Irish is some fantastic juggernaut that will roll into the College Football Playoffs championship and put an unmerciful whipping on the Buckeyes. The problem for Day is the Buckeyes are a gigantic 9.5-point favorite against the Irish. Simply put, the only chance for Day to walk out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta with increased job security is to win. There are no excuses that will work for…
How hard is it to be Ryan Day? Let’s take a snapshot of the Ohio State head coach’s accomplishments. Day went 3-0 in 2018, following with records of 13-1, 7-1, 11-2, 11-2, 11-2, and he’s 12-2 this season. In 2020, he lost to Alabama in the National Championship game. Day ended the 2024 regular season with a record of 66-10 as a college football head coach. But for what seemed like the vast majority of Ohio State fans, his mark of 1-4 against Michigan trumped every one of those 65 other victories. The Buckeyes “faithful” wanted him out. “Why isn’t…
There are good times to do things, but Carson Beck didn’t pick the right one. At least that’s the viewpoint of NFL Draft expert Todd McShay. Beck decided to make himself eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft, But McShay, and others, said it’s too soon. McShay is right on target with this one. “Carson Beck made a bad decision to leave early,” McShay said. “I talked to a bunch of guys in the league, GMs, former GMs, scouts. One scout wrote back to me. One-word answer: Foolish. I thought he got better late in the season. But I don’t think…