Questions, questions and more questions have piled up so let’s get them out of the way on this Super Bowl Sunday.
Q. Who wins Super Bowl LIV?
A. Kansas City. I like the Chiefs because they were third in the NFL in scoring, just behind the 49ers, 29.8 to 30.2, have scored 86 points in two playoffs victories, and score 59 percent of the time they reach the red zone. They complete 65.6 percent of their passes. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the game, able to perforate defenses with his passing and running. Their receivers are so fast that folks kiddingly compare them to an Olympic relay team. Their defense does not dominate, so San Francisco should put points on the board, just not enough to win.
Q. Will Tom Brady return for the 2020 season?
A. Absolutely. Remember, after the playoff loss to Houston he said it was unlikely that he would retire. Yes, he will be 43 next season and is past his prime, but he can still play.
Q. Will Brady return to the Patriots?
A. Yes, under certain conditions. The Patriots have to come up with a dependable tight end, a reliable wide receiver and an offensive lineman or two to convince their QB that they are serious about another Super Bowl run. They will also have to come up with some big dollars and at least a two-year deal. Yes, Brady can walk come mid-March, but few organizations offer an opportunity to make another title run.
Q. Will the Red Sox sign or trade Mookie Betts?
A. Last month the 2018 A.L. MVP signed a one-year deal for $27 million that avoided salary arbitration. He will become a free agent after the 2020 season and seems intent upon testing the open market to determine his value. The Red Sox could meet his demand and keep him here for the rest of his career, running the risk of his production tailing off as he hits his mid-30s – he is 27 now. Or they could trade him to get something in return instead of losing him to free agency and getting nothing. Given their desire to reduce their payroll, I see a trade.
Q. Will Alex Cora manage in the big leagues again?
A. Yes. He and the Red Sox “parted ways” last month after he was implicated in a sign-stealing scheme while the bench coach for Houston in 2017 and the manager of the Red Sox in 2018. The Sox and Cora are waiting for MLB to finish its investigation of the incident as it relates to the Red Sox. Cora is only 41 and has a bright future in the baseball business after he apologizes and serves his penance.
Q. Will the Rhody Rams go dancing in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament next month?
A. The Rams are 16-5, 10-1 at home, have won eight in a row and are receiving votes in the national polls, so their post-season chances are looking better by the victory. That said, they might have to win the A-10 Tournament to get to the NCAA Tournament because of the A-10’s limited national stature.
Q. Will the PC Friars go dancing in March?
A. Only if they win the Big East championship. They did upset No. 16 Butler, 65-61 Saturday at Indianapolis, but are still only 12-10, 5-4 in the Big East.
Q. Is the 2019 LSU football team the best in college football history?
A. The best team? I don’t know. The best season? Without question. The Bayou Bengals were 15-0, won the national championship by dominating undefeated and reigning national champion Clemson, beat seven teams ranked in the Top 10 when they played, boasted the Heisman Trophy winner in Joe Burrow, featured an offense that could score from anywhere on the field, and a defense that was good enough to stop people when it had to. Fans of old powerhouses at Oklahoma, Texas, Southern Cal, Miami, Alabama and Notre Dame will probably disagree, but beating so many ranked teams was the tipping point for me.
Q. Will administrators at Brown and URI expand the Governor’s Cup in football to include Bryant, which will play the Rams and Bears for each of the next 10 year?
A. Yes, and if they don’t, they should explain why not.
Enjoy the Super Bowl, everybody!
.
