Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Sports

  • The Morning After Huddle: August 9, 2022

    The Morning After Huddle: August 9, 2022

    The Morning After Huddle is back for your Tuesday fix of all things NFL. Legatron is putting on for the brand (word to Pat McAfee) with a contract extension.

    Here’s what you need to know:

    • First, Kicker Justin Tucker will sign a massive contract extension with the Ravens this week. The Ravens are tossing $24 million Tucker’s way with $17.5 million guaranteed. The deal keeps Tucker in Baltimore through 2027. As I’m sure you’re aware, Mr. Justin Tucker owns the longest FG ever at a whopping 66 yards. Not to mention, he’s never missed a kick in the final minute of regulation. Unreal.
    • Second on our list today, the NFL appears to be cracking down on illegal hits this season. The NFL has asked referees to pay particular attention to ”illegal contact” with the hopes that this will, obviously, increase the number of calls in 2022. Another area of focus for 2022 will revolve around roughing the passer. The NFL competition committee has clarified that contact to the helmet and below-the-knee area must be forcible. (Translation: Refs have gotten real flag happy over the last season for even the slightest amount of contact – I’m looking at you, Tom Brady!)
    • Without further ado, your Key Signings Roundup:

    In the words of Usher, yeahhhh, man. We’re back for hump day tomorrow with more news, more analysis, and cheesy pop culture puns.

  • The Morning After Huddle: August 8, 2022

    The Morning After Huddle: August 8, 2022

    Welcome to your Monday edition of The Morning After Huddle! Hope you like waffles because Kareem Hunt and the Browns are serving up changing-by-the-minute contract conversations.

    Here’s what you need to know:

    • As you are aware, Browns RB Kareem Hunt is no stranger to controversy and it seems asking for a new contract is no different. Just mere days ago, Hunt was ”holding in”, refusing to participate in team drills in hopes of facilitating conversations about a new contract. Things escalated rather quickly Sunday as Hunt asked for a trade. The team said absolutely not and that was that. Hunt showed up to camp and participated in team drills. That has to be the worst bluff in the history of football. Nobody should be shocked that this likely title belongs to a Browns player. Browns gonna Brown.
    • Next, Jon Gruden is back in the news cycles again. This time his agent wants all the smoke and is threatening to release what he claims are damning emails of several high-profile people in the NFL. Gruden’s agent says the NFL is executing a “hit job” on his client and if they go to court, it will not be pretty for the league. Newsflash: this is nasty work. Essentially, what Gruden and his agent are saying here is that if Jon has to go down, so should many more people. I don’t think anyone is disputing that there are more, but this is certainly deflecting responsibility from Gruden and his actions. The racist emails still exist. We just can’t unsee those in an effort to take down more people. Tune in for more moving of the goalposts.
    • Last but not least, your Key Signings Roundup:

    Thanks for hanging out today with us, teammates. Come back tomorrow for more elite analysis and NFL news you want to know!

  • The Morning After Huddle: August 6, 2022

    The Morning After Huddle: August 6, 2022

    Welcome to your Saturday edition of the Morning After Huddle! Add the NFL to the list of your grandma’s favorite soap operas because the storylines this week have shown up in dramatic fashion.

    Here’s what you need to know:

    • First up, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Enshrinement will take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio today. Eight inductees will become part of the ”gold jacket” club: Tony Boselli, Cliff Branch, LeRoy Butler, Art McNally, Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, Dick Vermeil and Bryant Young. You can watch the ceremony at noon ET on ESPN and NFL Network.
    • Next, the Cardinals are having one hell of a off-season…in the worst way possible. News broke yesterday that RB coach James Saxon is being charged with domestic battery. Saxon’s charges are related to a May incident, and according to the report, involve committing battery in front of a child less than 16 years old. That is a felony. Yikes!
    • Finally, your Key Signings Roundup:

    Enjoy your weekend, teammates! Connect with us on Monday for more NFL news you want to know.

  • The Morning After Huddle: August 3, 2022

    The Morning After Huddle: August 3, 2022

    Buckle up, friends! Today’s news is hotter than South Beach, but with less chest hair and Miami Vice suits.

    Here’s what you need to know:

    • First up, the Miami Dolphins will forfeit a first round draft pick in 2023 and a third round pick in 2024 for violations related to integrity of the game. Owner Stephen Ross will pay $1.5 million in fines and is suspended through October 17th. Vice Chairman/Limited Partner Bruce Beal may not attend any league meetings for the rest of the season and will pay $500,000 in fines. In pursuit of investigating the tanking allegations brought by Brian Flores, it was discovered that the Dolphins tampered with Tom Brady and Sean Payton. Furthermore, the league did not find explicit evidence to support the allegations but did uncover that there are differing recollections about if owner Stephen Ross offered Flores $100,000 to tank and whether the offer was legitimate.
    • Next, while Training Camp is exciting, is not without heartbreak. Injuries are plaguing the league, including several that are season-ending. The Falcons, Broncos, Saints, Bills, Colts, Vikings, and Bucs are all reporting impacted players. The full list is available here. Also, reported yesterday: Saints WR Kawaan Baker, a 2021 7th-round pick, will be suspended six games for violating the league’s PED policy.
    • Finally, Your Key Signings Roundup has plenty of action:
      • K Chris Boswell is signing a new 5-year contract with the Steelers
      • LT DJ Humphries is signing a 3-year extension with the Cardinals worth $66.8 million, with $34 million guaranteed
      • TE Chris Herndon is expected to sign with the Saints
      • The Patriots will sign a pair of DBs: Jalen Elliott and Brad Hawkins
      • CB Devin Jones is signing with the Panthers
      • The Colts will re-sign C Alex Mollette who previously spent time with the team
      • OL Rashaad Coward will sign with the Cardinals
      • AFC journeyman Chester Rogers will sign with the Texans

    WHEW! Catch your breath. That was a lot, but we have more news you want to know the rest of the week. Brace yourselves. See you tomorrow!

    ICYMI: Tuesday – August 2, 2022 Edition

  • The Morning After Huddle: August 1, 2022

    The Morning After Huddle: August 1, 2022

    Welcome to your Monday edition of The Morning After Huddle. It pays to have good friends who can hold you down when life hits. After an unexpected illness last week, D.A. was kind enough to help me out. I’m back with all of your important updates on all things NFL…and unlike your Uncle Steve’s hairline, we are progressing rapidly. 

    Here’s what you need to know:

    • The soap opera that is “Days of Deebo Samuel” finally has an ending. Samuel and the 49ers agreed to a 3-year extension worth $73.5 million, with 58.1 million guaranteed late Sunday. It seems that money covers a multitude of wounds and long gone are the days of wanting to be ex-communicated from the family. Deebo gets his respect and the Niners get their guy.
    • Today, we expect news on the Deshaun Watson front. NFL disciplinary officer Sue Robinson will hand down her decision this morning. The NFLPA is not expected to appeal and has encouraged the NFL to do the same. Several outlets are reporting that the suspension could be in the neighborhood of 4-8 games. Apparently, Watson and his camp tried to engage in settlement talks with the NFL in recent days, but neither side seemed happy with the outcome. They are far apart, with Watson’s camp wanting no more than 6-8 games, and the NFL wanting 12 games and a $8 million fine.
    • Switching gears, here is your Key Signings Roundup:
      • TE Sage Surratt is signing with the Chargers. Surratt most recently played in the USFL for the Birmingham Stallions. 
      • OT Darryl Williams is signing with the Jaguars. Williams went undrafted in 2020 and spent the last two seasons with the Chiefs and Patriots.
      • Ryan Kerrigan will sign a one-day contract to retire a Washington Commander. Kerrigan is hanging up his cleats after 11 seasons.

    Thanks for sticking around today for all things you want to know. Catch us Tuesday for more news, hot takes, and insanely terrible analysis that you can’t help but love.

  • The Morning After Huddle: July 22, 2022

    The Morning After Huddle: July 22, 2022

    Welcome to your Football Friday edition of The Morning After Huddle. Back up the Brinks truck! It’s not Friday night, but Kyler Murray just got paid. (Shoutout to you if you caught that song reference.)

    Here’s what you need to know:

    • There are 230 million reasons why Kyler Murray is the happiest man in Arizona. Murray and the Cardinals agreed to a five-year $230 million dollar contract that includes $160 million in guarantees. This ties Kyler to the organization through 2028 and his yearly average will amount to a whopping $46+ million. This is quite the haul for a QB who’s only been in the league 3 years, but teams are quickly finding out that you need to pay your key pieces or someone else will.
    • Training camps are underway and so are the injuries. The Giants, Jets, Pats, Falcons, Saints and Raiders are lining up to place players on the PUP list, including 5 players in Foxboro alone (They can’t blame this on the TB12 program). Some key names to watch will be Michael Thomas of the Saints, James White of the Pats, and Mekhi Becton of the Jets. A full run down of injuries can be found here.
    • Finally, your Key Signings Roundup has plenty of action:

    Thanks for breaking down the huddle with us today! You know the drill: grab your Saturday morning coffee and join us for more news you want to know tomorrow.

    ICYMI: Thursday – July 21, 2022 Edition

  • Steelers Preseason Preview: Better Without Ben

    Steelers Preseason Preview: Better Without Ben

    For the first time in 18 seasons the Pittsburgh Steelers have a QB not named Ben, under center. For fans this is a bittersweet moment and a changing of the guard. A constant of the franchise, and for at least 16 of those 18 seasons, a dependable top half-of-the-league QB is gone. There is uncertainty in Pittsburgh; however, in spite of this change Pittsburgh has a chance to be a better team this season.

    How? How are they going to be better when we know the division got better? First, Cincy retooled their O-line and are coming off a Super Bowl birth. Second, Baltimore can expect to have a bounce back year after adding to an already solid defense and Lamar is still the most electric QB in the league. Third, the Browns, while morally bankrupt, added a former top 5 QB (if he returns to form of two years ago and isn’t suspended). I hear all of that. However, let’s look at what Pittsburgh did the last two years of Ben’s career.

    In Roethlisberger’s final two seasons the Steelers finished at 12-4 and 9-7-1. Those Steeler teams accomplished this with a 40-year old statue with a limited arm at QB. 31 other starting QBs in the league could have one of their feet cemented in concrete and they would still have moved at a faster pace than Big Ben did from 2020-2021. In his final two seasons, Ben’s yards per attempt hovered around Sam Darnold’s with the Jets numbers (averaging around 6.25). That isn’t good. Especially when Pitt has an exciting and diverse receiving core and now one of the most exciting and versatile running backs in the league.

    I say all this not to trash Ben, but to point out that whether it’s new first round pick Kenny Pickett or Mitch Trubisky, the Steelers are going to have a more mobile and MUCH MORE athletic QB for this upcoming season. On top of that, even if they put together an average season this team should be able to compete for a Wild Card spot. Look what they did with a walking corpse under center? 12 wins!? HOW!? T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick is how. Guess what? They’re still there and so is Najee Harris. There is an argument to be had that Ben held Pittsburgh back in 2021.

    All this to say, it’s an exciting time for Steeler fans, no matter who takes the majority of the snaps this year. As long as Pickett or Trubisky don’t become turnover machines, they will be taking control of a team that is very well rounded. This Steelers team isn’t going to be easy to beat, and isn’t that all you want with a rookie QB or a reclamation project QB?


  • The Morning After Huddle: July 21, 2022

    The Morning After Huddle: July 21, 2022

    Welcome to your Thursday edition of The Morning After Huddle, bringing you all things NFL. In the words of Logic, “I’ve been gone for a minute, but I’m back now!”. A huge thanks goes to my partner-in-print, D. A., for stepping in while I was on vacation. There is news to be reported. Let’s get right to it. 

    Here’s what you need to know:

    • Of course, as we all suspected, the Niners have finally given Jimmy Garoppolo the permission to seek a trade. If you’ve been paying attention to off-season storylines, this was absolutely coming down the pipeline. Now the question remains: where will he end up? We’ll keep tabs on this one. Seattle could be a potential option, but the Browns are also in the mix.
    • Sadly, we have some unfortunate news picking up in NFL circles. Former Steelers first-round pick, Charles Johnson, has passed away. Johnson played nine NFL seasons — five with Pittsburgh, two with the Philadelphia Eagles, one with the Patriots (where he won a SB) and his last with the Buffalo Bills. He was 50 years old.
    • Finally, your Key Signings Roundup:
      • Kyle Rudolph is signing with the Bucs to be Tom Brady’s new TE. Rudolph is signing a one-year deal.
      • The Raiders are signing CB Isaiah “Ike” Brown to the roster. The UDFA  previously played for the USFL, totally 16 tackles and two interceptions for 98 yards, including one returned for a touchdown.

    Thanks for breaking down the huddle with us today! I know you missed me. So, we’ll be back for Football Friday with more news you want to know ahead of your weekend. 

  • Morning After Huddle: July 18th, 2022

    Morning After Huddle: July 18th, 2022

    Happy week ahead, Multiversers; we are back with a Monday morning edition of the Morning After Huddle. As we anxiously await for SDCC (stick with us: we’ve got you covered), the NFL sprints towards NFL preseason in just a couple of weeks. That, coupled with Madden 23’s nearing release date, and guess what? It’s beginning to look a lot like football. Let’s see what we got for you this morning, starting in New England with a second year QB who is in a terrible situation.

    • Mac Jones had a very good first half of 2021 and then an awful second half, culminating in a playoff game where he and the Patriots were systematically routed. Bill Belicheck had to hide his rookie QB in many games down the stretch and, now with no notable addition at WR and the departure of Josh McDaniels, this young QB will be asked to do so much more. In order to do that, it seems Mac Jones switched up his diet. No more big Macs at 3 AM for the former Crimson Tide QB, as Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston shared Jones’s anecdote about how he improved his diet this off-season. Now, if only his GM had chosen to improve his wide receiver room.
    • Speaking of wide receivers, Justin Jefferson set social media ablaze when he said that he will be the best wide receiver in the NFL by the end of this upcoming season. Jefferson has been the most productive young WR this side of Randy Moss in NFL history, eclipsing even the impressive marks of one Odell Beckham, Jr. As he nears a big-time contract and has taken over the number one WR role in Minnesota, it will be interesting to see if his claim pans out. Defenses will be looking to make other guys in the Vikings passing attack beat them.
    • On the topic of big claims and defenses, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson believes that the New Orleans Saints will have the best defense in the NFL. The word “dominate” was thrown around by CGJ to on Good Morning Football, and with the additions to the back end with Marcus Maybe and the Honey Badger, there’s a good chance he’s right. The Saints defense was top 5 statistically in almost all defensive categories, and if they get Michael Thomas back to where he was then that can only help a Saints defense that really has ridiculous talent at all three levels. They’ll be somewhat tested in that division with Tom Brady and Marcus Mariota in an Arthur Smith offense, but not as tested when you remember they get to play Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield. The Honey Badger, proof that you can always go home, is probably salivating at those two matchups.
    • Lastly, on the topic of going home: Bobby Wagner’s career in Seattle ended this off-season, and he wasted no time signing with the Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams. Wagner is a California native and, while we never know what role that plays in decisions, he said that it actually was one of the reasons he chose the Rams. Now, I buy it, but I also can’t help but wonder how much of this was that he also gets to play versus the Seahawks twice in one year, and he gets to compete for a Super Bowl.
  • Road To Training Camp: The New York Jets

    Road To Training Camp: The New York Jets

    Hope. A word that has become a paradox for Jets fans. In one aspect, at the beginning of every NFL team’s season we all have hope. However, unless you’ve been delusional or maybe even high, the Jets haven’t sniffed any real hope in almost a decade. The last 12 years of Jets fandom is like Andy Dufresne’s time in Shawshank. It’s not been good. Sure, maybe you’ve made some friends along the way, looking at you SunGawd, but really there hasn’t been much to love or hope for in the last 12 years. 

    I know I sound like Red, speaking of Shawshank, talking about how hope is a dangerous thing, but for the first time in a long time the Jets are giving people hope. Real hope. Let’s look at some of the things that have happened since Adam Gase was sent packing:

    THEY FINALLY CHANGED THE REPORTING STRUCTURE AND ARE ACTING LIKE AN NFL TEAM WITH A COACH REPORTING TO A GM AND NOT TO THE OWNER.

    To any fan of a well-functioning franchise this seems obvious, but it’s something that pre-Joe Douglas, fans did not have. I never understood how in spite of all the “LOLJets” takes and the Trey Wingo’s of the world cowardly making snarky jokes on Twitter, they always left out the weirdest Jetsiest Jet thing of them all. For the longest time, Woody Johnson had a coach report to him and a General Manager report to him separately. I’m not here to relitigate the past, but that is truly baffling and the first step in the right direction, the first step to HOPE, began here ending that ridiculous structure. 

    Joe Douglas hired the person that seems to be the right guy, at least in the present moment. Robert Saleh was a top assistant coach in the league last offseason. However, the Jets had hired top assistants before. Again, despite the narrative in the media, the Jets usually landed a top name on the coaching market. The pairings just never really worked, Bowels and Maccagnan were the most recent version of this. However, this time? This time feels different. Saleh and Douglas seem to work well together. The drafts seem fairly evident of that. In fact, the biggest contention between the two seems to fall on a player that was drafted before the Saleh era. There was an article that came out before the draft from (citation here, I honestly can’t find it) that detailed how the coaching staff and the front office including the scouting department got together and outlined what they wanted and needed in players. This is what well-functioning-and dare I say high functioning-franchises do!!

    That story alone was enough to light the embers of hope in any Jets fan’s soul. Listen, it’s basically been SEVEN years of no expectations for the Jets. The bar was so low, it was in hell. Jets Twitter as a whole was just asking not to get embarrassed week in and week out. There are realistic expectations this year. This could be and should be a FUN team to watch this year! Forget records, forget highlight plays, when was the last time this team was fun? 2011 Sanchez? Probably, yeah. For that reason alone, the fact that with LaFleur, Wilson, Hall, Moore, Davis, G. Wilson we think we can have fun? That alone is enough of a reason to feel that thing that has been missing from this fanbase for a long, long time: Hope.