BWF declared that the 15 x 3 scoring format has been approved. No details provided. It is extremely frustrating that the sport we all love is being shaped by them whims of those who may not have the best interest of the sport in mind. Money is important, yes, but not to the point where it damages the standing of the sport.
The BWF President claims a lot of consideration has been put into the decision. Again, these words are not backed by facts. I have asked where are the detailed reports from the 15 x 3 trials held? None issued. A couple of fancy slides do not consistute a detailed report.
Then there is the voting issue. Who voted for it? Who voted against it? Who were the voters? Something this sensitive is not to be trifled with. In elections, we get to see the number of votes each district, state or other location gets. Where is the proof of that?
If this is truly good for the sport, I am all for it. But, a majority of the players are doubtful of it. I too am doubtful. Why can’t BWF do a proper job of allaying the doubts before proceeding? It is due to actions like these which lead to a breakaway league. If BWF keeps this up, then it will not be long before that happens.
That’s it for this entry.
Until the next entry, eat well, get plenty of rest and keep the badminton going!
Related Blog Entries
It is so annoying that BWF has decided to push ahead with the 15 x 3 scoring system without actually publishing a detailed analysis of how this will affect badminton. They have conducted tests at the Junior level and some lower level tournaments… so where are the results from the tests? Without providing any data…
With Boston’s star completing his rehab, an unlikely scenario becomes possible in no time
When Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, it was a devastating blow, not only to the Celtics and their fans, but to the NBA world as a whole. From a human being standpoint (which is the most important aspect), hearts and prayers go out to Tatum, because an injury that could potentially shorten a career was suffered. For Boston, a bright future surrounding the duo of Tatum and Jaylen Brown suddenly looked bleak, and 2025-26 (combined with the team trading away players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis) had the makings of a throw-away season. Instead, Tatum returned to action March 6, and the Celtics find themselves as the second seed in the Eastern Conference as the NBA Playoffs arrived. Suddenly, a lost campaign can realistically end with Boston winning their second title in three seasons, but how everything came together is the story that shouldn’t be forgotten.
Of course, there are many parts to a story, and this one with Tatum and the Celtics is no different. Before getting into the team and league perspective, let’s start with the human being. Anyone who was watching Boston battle the Knicks in that playoff game May 12 remembers how deflated they felt, especially considering Tatum was having a performance worthy of one of the league’s top players. He scored 42 points, hitting on 16 of 28 shots, before getting injured. The road to recovery would be a long one, to the point where most thought he wouldn’t return until the 2026-27 season. Apparently, nobody told Tatum that would be the timetable, and he attacked rehab with the same intensity you would think an athlete would prepare for any contest. When it was reported he was back on the court participating in drills, the overwhelming response was shock. Fast forward to March, and Tatum is back in competitive action, ahead of even the 10-month timeline given after surgery was completed. It speaks to how much the human wanted to get back to playing a game he grew up with, looking at a catastrophic injury as an opportunity to grow in every way possible.
While there’s a lot to be said about an individual’s will and mental toughness, there’s always a good support system not far behind. This system could include anything from family and friends, to mental professionals keeping the individual in a nice place emotionally. In this particular example, the Celtics (obviously) provided what was needed to help Tatum pull this recovery off ahead of schedule. It would have been easy for Boston to take the route that said the future is more important. Therefore, Tatum could have been told to take his time with the rehab, and come back in October of ’26, basically protecting the long-term investment the club made. In fact, there are a couple of examples detailing that very thing. The Indiana Pacers saw point guard Tyrese Haliburton go down with the same injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pacers wasted no time in saying Haliburton would sit out this season. When guard Damian Lillard tore that same ligament in his left leg while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks (Lillard is now back with the Portland Trail Blazers) in April 2025, this season was out of the equation almost immediately. It’s understood there are other factors involved with those decisions, such as timing and age of the player, but there’s a lot to be said about teams that support the player in their vision. Tatum had a goal to return at some point this year, and the Celtics gave him all the tools to make it happen. The impact that has on a player’s journey to return from injury could be immeasurable.
Finally, there’s no reason not to be honest with ourselves about the situation. Yes, Tatum had the determination to work his way back, and Boston offered the support and tools to assist. Having said all of that, the results on the court is probably the biggest factor deciding when the 28-year-old returned. Even the diehard fans of the Celtics probably didn’t expect much from their team, and most calculations had this year being one of those developmental times to see what they have on the roster. What actually transpired is Brown leading Boston to a customary place in recent seasons (playing at an MVP level), amongst the best in the East. When Tatum was ready to come back, it pretty much acted as an addition better than almost any trade could have offered, and he could get used to playing competitive basketball before gearing up for a potential championship run. What’s frightening for the rest of the NBA is Tatum looks like he hasn’t missed too much of a beat. Now, the Celtics have their dynamic duo back together, with a great coach (Joe Mazzulla) and a deep bench. They say winning can cure a lot of things in sports. In this case, it most likely gave Boston a huge reason to bring Tatum back this season, because they’re championship-good with him. Apparently, the people inside the walls of Celtics headquarters knew they would be at this exact spot.
As expected, Tatum’s return was, and still is, a topic that has been discussed (and debated) endlessly. Some people say he should have waited a little longer to return, but those views would surely change if a championship is Boston’s to claim. The great thing is this story is still in the process of being sorted out. For now, let’s enjoy watching Tatum in action, because most of us didn’t think it would be a possibility, let alone a certainty. From a team standpoint, the Celtics look primed for a deep run, and if their 123-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers to start their quest is any indication, they’ll be a tough out. Time will tell if the story finishes on a high note, but Tatum did make sure his recovery from his injury was one of the shorter chapters in his book.
Author: bestkeptsecret19
I’m just a man trying to be listened to. Hopefully, I can motivate and inspire people on the way to making a widespread positive difference.
View all posts by bestkeptsecret19
Some time back, we bought a Yonex Astrox 99 Play White Tiger. The racquet felt very different from the other Yonex Astrox 99 Play Cherry Sunburst which I have, and I have 5 of them. This made me curious as to whether it was a production defect, but Yonex has very good quality controls, so this was an odd one.
When we dived deeper into the problems with the racquet, it was clear that this racquet was not up to the standards Yonex sets.
The White Tiger is the fake racquet here. The Cherry Sunburst (red and black) is real and bought from official channels.
Dimensions
Astrox 99 Play Fake (White) and Real (Red/Black) length comparison
The dimensions are a bit longer than the real Astrox 99 Play. Even with strings which usually compresses the frame and make it a few milimetres shorter, the Fake (white) racquet is still a few milimetres longer from the Real (red/black) racquet.
The Fake (White) is longer than the Real (Red/Black)
Both racquets are placed on the same starting line at the grip. And the Fake (white) can be seen to be longer than the Real (red/black).
Head Balance
The head balance is not the same as the other Astrox. It is outside the range for the head balance for usual Astrox 99 Play racquets.
The Real (Red/Black) balance point without stringsThe Fake (White) balance point without strings
The balance point for the Fake (white) is further away from the grip. This might be due to the fact it still has strings on. But, even when comparing the racquets when both had strings, the Fake (white) felt excessively heavy. It feels much heavier than a real Astrox 99.
The Real (Red/Black) reaches almost to 78 on the scaleThe Fake (White) reaches almost to 77 on the scale
Racquet Balance
There is a new thing I discovered with this Fake (White) racquet, and it is that the racquet is unbalanced and is heavier on the black part of the racquet. This makes it impossible to control when swinging the racquet.
The Real (Red/Black) is in perfect balance on both sides of the racquet. It does not tilt when balanced on the shaft.
The Fake (White) is heavier on 1 side of the racquet.The Real (Red/Black) is in perfect balance.
Paint Quality. Logos and Fonts
The paint quality is similar. The Fake (White) has done a very good job in matching the quality of real Yonex products.
The Logo on the Fake (White) looks a fraction smaller than the Logo on the Real (Red/Black). The differences are very small, and it is obvious only when the 2 racquets are put side by side.
Yonex Logo on Fake (White) looks a bit smallerYonex Logo on the Real (Red/Black) looks a little bit larger
The fonts used by the Fake (White) are also a little bit different from the Real (Red/Black). It is difficult to tell the difference by looking at it on its own. It becomes clear when it is put side by side with the Real (Red/White) racquet.
Slight difference in the fonts between the Real (Red/Black) and the Fake (White)Slight difference in the fonts between the Real (Red/Black) and the Fake (White)
The sharpness of the fonts of the Real (Red/Black) are very obvious when looking at the side of the racquet. The fonts of the Fake (White) are smudged.
Hologram Stickers look almost real with flash onHologram Stickers look almost real with flash off
The hologram stickers look almost real. The difference here is that the Fake (White) has the hologram sticker which looks solid. The Real (Red/Black) has a hologram sticker which is partially translucent.
Conclusion
The Fake (White) racquet is so well done. The usual dimensions of weight, width, length are almost identical to the Real (Red/Black). At first glance without another racquet to compare, it is almost impossible to tell the difference. However, when swinging the racquet, it immediately feels off.
I bought this racquet online, from a shop I bought a few racquets from before. This is the first time I got what I thought was a defective racquet. I actually brought the racquet back to the shop to exchange it. The shop’s reaction made me very suspicious. They refused to exchange it, giving lots of excuses.
That is a lesson well learnt. I am only buying racquets from official channels online. When walking into a shop, I can always swing the racquet to feel it. Even without strings, I can gauge whether the racquet feels good or not.
Don’t forget to apply any Shopee Vouchers which you may have! Check out how to do it from the Deals and Discounts page here:
bySteve
And, yeah, I am not buying anything from the shop ever again. It is a well known shop online, and I am sure if you are into badminton, you would have heard of that shop’s name.
That’s it for this entry.
Until the next entry, eat well, get plenty of rest and keep the badminton going!
It is so annoying that BWF has decided to push ahead with the 15 x 3 scoring system without actually publishing a detailed analysis of how this will affect badminton. They have conducted tests at the Junior level and some lower level tournaments… so where are the results from the tests? Without providing any data from the tests just points towards bulldozing through this new format without any data to back it. The summary “report” on BWF just is insufficient to make any conclusions.
Game intensity 15 x 3Match Length Predictin 15 x 3
As I have argued in an article long ago, there are many things which BWF can do to improve viewership, and all those steps needs to be taken before making such a drastic leap. Is this going to be a repeat of the disaster where badminton went for a 7 x 5 format? Very likely.
I am going to break down the potential pros and cons from moving into this different scoring system. I am categorizing the areas which I will be discussing into 5 major areas:
Viewer Engagement
Injuries
Endurance
Skills
Tactics
Viewer Engagement
BWF’s argument is to increase the excitement in matches is perhaps the weakest argument to change the scoring system to 15×3. Viewer engagement is a direct correlation to the quality of the match. Duration of the match is a by product of the quality.
The higher the quality of the match, the closer the scoreline will be, the longer the rallies, the higher the intensity, and the more important tactics and skills become. The biggest barrier to a longer match is fitness, and the fittest players will likely win, even if they are less skillful and less tactically astute.
So, if BWF intends to increase the intensity of the match, increase the length of rallies, improve the tactics and skills on show on court, reducing the scores required to win seems counter intuitive.
When there are less points to play for, and less points to lose, players may not increase the intensity, they may opt for something safer… like not lose any points because there is less chance to recover from losing the lead. Players might then play it safe, to not make any mistakes. Long rallies are fine, because there are going to be less points to play for. Better not to lose unnecessary points than try to win quickly.
That means, players going safe. No more tight sideline smashes, more body smashes directly at the centre. Can’t afford to take risks and lose points by sending it out. Attacking lobs are risky too as these have a higher tendency to go out at the back. Why not just do defensive lobs and wait for the best opportunity to attack and get the point? Why take the risk and gift the opponent a point?
The argument here is that, it is easy to lose when going just 5 points behind. There is less opportunity to turn the game around, so it is best not to make mistakes and play it safe.
With this, we are going to see defensive players winning more matches and tournaments simply because they make less mistakes. And because they do not play at a higher tempo, they are able to compete in back to back tournaments too.
That is the main objective of BWF implementing this change. It is to have more tournaments back to back, as when the games end quicker because there are less points to play for, then players will not get fatigued. So, that opens the door for BWF to hold more tournaments to make more money. At least theorectically. Quality of each tournament be damned. As long as BWF can put more tournaments in, that means more money, and that is all they care about.
Injuries
BWF stating this will help prevent injuries to players is laughable. Since when did player welfare feature big in BWF’s agenda? They now do not allow treatment to players on court, even after the fatal incident in the juniors tournament in Indonesia.
Playing less points on tournament day does not really mean the players will get injured less. The injuries are a result of the intensity of the training the players do before the tournament, and whether they allocated sufficient recovery times for themselves. It is often down to the player’s own training routines and resting times.
It there are more tournaments to be played, then the player has less time to recover. And, that appears to be BWF’s motive here, which is to have more tournaments.
And if BWF’s argument for more intense matches because of the lower scores is correct, then it would mean more injuries for players too. Training to play with such high intensity carries higher injury risks. And then doing it more often in more tournament with less recovery time… well, you get the picture.
Endurance
With less points, the players do not need to stretch their endurance as much. That part is true, especially when players will play it safe in order to not lose. But, if more tournaments are packed into a calendar year, then this argument is irrelevant.
Skills
The shorter the match, the less skills become a factor, and luck becomes a bigger factor. To luck out 21 points is nearly impossible as players need skills to be able to control rallies and win points. It is not possible to wait for mistakes from the opponent to win a match. If they are lucky, they might get 5 points here and there. In a 21 point match, that is a quarter of the game. In a 15 point match, that is a third of the game. That just means luck plays a more important part than skills at this point.
Tactics
There are tactics within a rally, and there are tactics for a 21 point game, followed by tactics for going all the way playing 3 games. In this aspect, it is going to be neutral. Players will need to rethink their entire approach give the change in scores and durations of the match.
We will not know how tactics evolve as players cannot use the approach where they try to outlast the opponent in the rubber game anymore. New match tactics will need to evolve. Will it get more exciting? Only time will tell.
Conclusion
I am against changing the scores to a 15 x 3 format. In a mismatched game using the 21 x 3 format, where one player is much better than the other, we can see matches lasting around 20 minutes. Average game time is 30 – 40 minutes. A match between top players who are evenly match can go around 90 minutes. I am only talking about men’s singles here!
Imagine on finals day, where we have 5 mismatched finals… it will be over in around 2 hours. No much of crowd engagement there.
My argument is as long as the excitement of the sport is high and not waning, don’t change it. Do not try to fix what is not broken. If the 21 x 3 format gets boring because of developments in sports technology, or tactics, or player skills, then by all means, change it. What part of the 21 x 3 format is making the sport so unbearable that it needs to be changed? I do not see it.
That’s it for this entry.
Until the next entry, eat well, get plenty of rest and keep the badminton going!
Full circle moments are endless in the everlasting search for the elite QB
Before jumping into the NFL offseason (congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks on becoming Super Bowl champions), let’s go back to early last season to set the stage for things to come. The date in the focus is September 15, 2024. That’s win the Houston Texans defeated the Chicago Bears, 19-13, on a Sunday night in Houston. After the game, Texans quarterback C. J. Stroud, coming off a rookie campaign in 2023 that had some saying the next great QB is here, would meet with Bears signal-caller Caleb Williams, who was himself a rookie at that point. Much would be made of what transpired during that conversation, but one of the main theories was Stroud talked to Williams like he was a seasoned vet trying give knowledge to a young buck in the game. Whether or not that was the substance of their conversation is up for debate, but what is certain is a lot has changed since that day, and both quarterbacks are at pivotal points in their respective careers.
For Stroud, it was mentioned how well he played in his first season, winning the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award, while leading Houston to the divisional playoff round before going out to the Baltimore Ravens (common theme developing). Most people expected the rise to continue, but something that’s often forgotten is defenses are also part of sports, and the days of sneaking up on them would eventually come to an end. Therefore, Stroud would have to develop plans B and C to go with his plan A, and if not, less progression and more regression is sure to follow. Well, it’s been two full seasons since it’s his stellar rookie campaign, and it appears the Texans are in a spot the majority of the football world didn’t think they would be in, wondering if Stroud is the answer at quarterback going forward. Last year ended in a lackluster loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and this season’s conclusion looked even worse. If it wasn’t for Houston’s defense, the team might have been done in the wild card round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, hampered by Stroud’s three turnovers. Any worries from that game turned into full-blown doubts after the Texans were eliminated (in the same divisional playoff round as the previous two seasons) by the New England Patriots. Four interceptions doomed Houston, and not even the defense could pull this out of the fire. Now, the Texans have to figure out if Stroud is worthy of a long-term extension going forward, and this being a question is far from what was expected at this point two years ago.
As for Williams, things have improved steadily since that postgame meeting with Stroud, but it was far (and still is) from what was expected from the supposed next elite QB. His rookie season was uneven at best, and while his numbers point to a solid season (20 touchdowns, 6 interceptions in 2024), there were a lot of sacks eaten by Williams, some of those because of the offensive line being bad, but the other part is his lack of being able to play on-schedule. New year, new system to learn, as Ben Johnson arrived (after being the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions) to take over head coaching duties. The numbers, from a TD (27) to INT (7) standpoint, were even better for Williams. Having said that, there were numerous games where nothing was happening on offense for the first three quarters (which led to a completion percentage of 58.1), with the sophomore QB struggling to hit what would be considered easy completions. The hope in him being the long-term answer comes from his ability to do two things. First, Williams came through in the fourth quarter, leading Chicago to seven comeback victories, including one in the wild card round against the Green Bay Packers. Secondly, there are plays Williams makes that only a few quarterbacks are capable of. The Los Angeles Rams saw that first hand in the divisional playoffs, forcing him to scramble backwards on an all-or-n0thing fourth down, only to see Williams heave a touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet to force overtime (the Rams would win 20-17). While the plays that make the highlight shows provide sizzle and hope, it’s hard to see a scenario where sustained success comes from waiting for miracles.
If there is a moral to the story, it’s understanding there are many ways to arrive at the same point. For Stroud, things began with the highest of highs, but currently, he’s in a regression that appears hard to shake. As for Williams, it was the opposite, with his rookie year being rocky, followed with a better second year. Regardless of the paths taken, they are both QBs of teams who had the chance to play in their respective conference championship games, and as a result, face a pivotal offseason where they have to make significant improvements if further steps are to be taken. While the talk will center around Stroud and/or Williams becoming the next elite quarterback, the concentration should be on just being solid. If not, there will be more questions than answers going forward, and the search to find the franchise quarterback may have to continue.
Having said that, the logical conclusion is the Texans and Bears have the guys they want to lead their teams. It could be because Stroud and Williams have been good enough, but a bigger reason might be the lack of alternative options available if there was a choice to move on. Those are questions that may not have an answer any time soon, but between now and the first game in September, Houston and Chicago will probably want to see the leadership and work ethic show in a big way, especially if there is to be a long-term commitment for the coming years. When Stroud and Williams had that conversation in 2024, most people thought they were looking at two of the next great QBs exchanging “pleasantries.” As it stands right now (especially for Stroud), it’s a question how many chances are left to prove they can led their respective teams to the pinnacle. Moments frozen in time have a way of re-emerging, and if the basis of that talk was Stroud trying to give Williams a teaching moment, it’s now realistic to say the former might need to receive that same conversation before too long.
Author: bestkeptsecret19
I’m just a man trying to be listened to. Hopefully, I can motivate and inspire people on the way to making a widespread positive difference.
View all posts by bestkeptsecret19
There might not be a better time than now for Buffalo to win a Super Bowl title
Here are the Buffalo Bills, down 21-0 to the upstart New England Patriots on a cold, snowy Sunday afternoon in Massachusetts. Maybe the gravity of the moment didn’t hit the Bills at that time, but the perceptions from the outside looking in say a window is closing, and the opportunity to seize a moment is slipping away before our eyes. See, Buffalo has been knocking on the door of at least a Super Bowl appearance, only to see the Kansas City Chiefs (among other AFC counterparts) keep them from breaking through. The prevalent thinking says as long as the Bills have Josh Allen playing quarterback for them, the window for a title remains open, but over time, the teams Buffalo has been better than start to catch up. In other words, opportunities are precious, and if one gets missed, there’s no guarantee another is coming. As the Bills looked at what was in front of them, perhaps that thought crossed their minds, and they reacted like a team who understood what was needed for the current moment.
Before getting into the details of what happened in the game, let’s take a look at the big picture. The Chiefs, who have made at least the AFC Championship Game every year since 2018, are officially eliminated from playoff contention for this season. The Baltimore Ravens, who came in right there with Buffalo as a major candidate to dethrone Kansas City, are sitting at 7-7, struggling to win the weaker-than-normal AFC North. Yes, teams like the Patriots and Denver Broncos (the Jacksonville Jaguars can get thrown into the mix) are ascending as new contenders, but questions about how viable they can be ring loud. That brings us back to the Bills, who came into their second game with New England (the Patriots won the first contest 23-20 in western New York) at 9-4, needing a win to keep their hopes of reigning over the AFC East alive. Because of the numerous playoff scars, it’s logical to think they’re more tested than the aforementioned new kids on the block, and their main contenders are in a weakened state. It’s about as perfect of a scenario the Bills can hope for, and it looked dangerously close to being squandered a bit, or at least harder to take advantage of the situation.
But sometimes, it’s forgotten there are four quarters in a football game, and plenty of time remained for Buffalo to get it together. Did they ever, as they were able to erase that 21-point deficit to take the lead 28-24. New England running back TreVeyon Henderson broke off a 65-yard touchdown run to give the Pats the lead back, but the Bills would respond to land the final blow and solidify a 35-31 victory. Suddenly, a season (and perhaps the best title opportunity remaining) that looked to be on the brink of collapse is alive and well for Buffalo. After a squad wins, it’s normal to hear how it was the ultimate team effort, but it’s especially true in this case. Allen (who had 193 passing yards with three touchdowns) didn’t have to put on the Superman cape, because they remembered they have James Cook to run the football (107 yards with two touchdowns). A kickoff return by Ray Davis set the comeback in full swing, putting the Bills in position to quickly cut into a 24-7 deficit coming out for the second half. Finally, a much-maligned defense stood up and held New England to just seven points after getting ran through in the first half.
As it stands right now, the Patriots are 11-3, still a game up on Buffalo in the AFC East, but because they couldn’t finish Sunday, the pressure to hold on to the lead could start to heat up. One thing the Bills have in their favor is experience in crucial games, and it was apparent they leaned on that in this contest. Who knows? Buffalo might still be a wild card that would have to win three games on the road to make the Super Bowl, but the comeback on New England serves as a reminder of how dangerous they are. They might not have home-field advantage, but it would be hard to find a team excited about having the Bills visit for a one-and-done playoff game, especially with the reigning league-MVP on their side. Throw in the urgency factor, combined with past heartbreak, and there could be a certain intensity unmatched by anyone else.
During title runs, there’s always a turning point where things lock in. For Buffalo, this would be the moment if they are the last one standing in February, and this looks to be the best chance to finally bring a championship back to their passionate fan base. Understanding things are falling in their favor (mainly the struggles of the Chiefs and Ravens) might have been what woke the Bills up last Sunday. Maybe the team got together to look at a hard truth. Either way, at least for now, Buffalo is aware of the opportunity in front of them, and it’s imperative they cash in, because nothing is promised for the future.
Author: bestkeptsecret19
I’m just a man trying to be listened to. Hopefully, I can motivate and inspire people on the way to making a widespread positive difference.
View all posts by bestkeptsecret19
With parity as high as ever in the NFL, a few unlikely clubs could have their best chance to get rings
Coming into the NFL season, predictions were made on who could win the Super Bowl in February, and there’s still a good amount of time to see if those views play out. The majority of those views probably had what one could call the usual contenders: the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens topping the list in the AFC, while the Philadelphia Eagles (defending champs), Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions gathered the majority of votes from the NFC. After that’s determined, the next question centers around teams who can announce themselves as a threat in their own right. The Houston Texans (who went home after the divisional round each of the last two seasons) were a trendy pick, but have been underwhelming to this point. The Green Bay Packers, particularly after they acquired linebacker/defensive end Micah Parsons in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, became the team everyone is supposedly chasing, but many questions remain if they can even win the NFC North (let alone make a championship run). One thing (and perhaps the only item) we have learned is there isn’t a stand out team playing right now. As a result, three squads who weren’t looked at as serious contenders may have as good a chance as ever to emerge as the top dog.
The first of this trio is the Indianapolis Colts. It would be interesting to see if even the biggest Colts fan living within the Indianapolis city limits had this on their bingo card, but this team is tied for the best record in the league at 5-1. Somewhere along the line, it was forgotten how good running back Jonathan Taylor was and is. Taylor is reminding everyone up to this point, as he leads the NFL in rushing yardage (603) and touchdowns (seven). Combine that with the efficient play of quarterback Daniel Jones (yes, that guy who flamed out with the New York Giants), and the offense is on a level that makes them hard to stop. The Colts defense has been good enough to bend, but not completely break, and they have forced nine turnovers in their six games. Complementary football has been a strength for Indy, and Shane Steichen has cooled off talk of being on the hot seat to lose his head coaching job. In other words, the Colts have the ingredients to stay in the fight for a while.
Second on the list is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who is the team tied with Indy for the league’s best record. The Buccaneers could be at least 2-4 if a play or two doesn’t go their way, but they have found a way to make those plays, and the scary thing with this squad is they can become much better as the season moves on. If there is one reason why Tampa Bay sits where they are, it probably starts and ends with QB Baker Mayfield, who would probably be the MVP if the season ended today. Mayfield has been the definition of clutch, as he has been the architect of a few game-winning drives. It’s even more remarkable when considering Mayfield is playing at this level without the team’s top-two receivers (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr.). There was a little talk about the Bucs being a contender going into the season, but the combination of how good they can be and the league being up for grabs could see them become a favorite before too long.
Finally, the Denver Broncos find themselves on the list of teams who could walk up to a championship this season. With the Broncos coming off of a wild card appearance last year, the prevalent thinking was they could continue to ascend, and perhaps, knock the Chiefs off from the top of the AFC West. The main reason is their defense, led by cornerback Pat Surtain II (the defensive player of the year in 2024) and linebackers Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper. Most people would say Denver’s defense is at championship-level, but what could make or break their visions is whether or not quarterback Bo Nix can consistently stay on the same page with coach Sean Payton, and bring the offense close to par with the other side of the ball. Throughout the year, Nix has been hit or miss with the execution of plays. If he can provide more of the good version, the Broncos could be on the cusp of a high on the Rocky Mountains.
There are other teams that could have made this list (the Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots among them), but at this time, the Colts, Buccaneers and Broncos seem to have more in their favor to continue the upward trend. Of course, things can escalate quickly in the NFL, and what looks good one week might not the next, and vice versa. Who knows? Those teams who were listed as favorites might ultimately end up there come January. The beautiful thing about sports is games will be played, and everyone will get to find out as it happens. What we know is the gap between contenders and pretenders doesn’t seem to be as wide, and if that continues to be the case, don’t be surprised if this year’s Super Bowl winner is someone not exactly on the radar from the beginning.
Author: bestkeptsecret19
I’m just a man trying to be listened to. Hopefully, I can motivate and inspire people on the way to making a widespread positive difference.
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The result on the field speaks louder to the ever-changing landscape of college sports.
There are cases where people say “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” That in and of itself sounds contradictory, but there are a few items that stay consistent through all of the additions and subtractions. In other cases, if an individual isn’t willing to evolve with the times, they will get left behind, and eventually, become obsolete. Just like many things in life, college sports (football specifically) is an example of this, and there was a game that directly speaks to a case where one team is moving with the times, while the other is stuck in the 2010s. The contest (if anyone wants to call it that) under the spotlight was between Oklahoma State and Oregon, played last Saturday afternoon in the Pacific Northwest.
The Ducks demolished the Cowboys 69-3, and even with that score, the game might not have been that close. Not many should be surprised at the result, as Oregon is a national title contender ranked fourth in the country, while Oklahoma State is careening off a cliff to uncertain times. What sparked more conversation than the actual game were pregame comments made by Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy, in regard to how much money Oregon has spent to assemble their roster. Gundy made reference to his program spending “around $7 million over the last three years,” and Oregon spending “close to $40 (million) last year alone.” Apparently, the Ducks took those comments as a shot at their coach, Dan Lanning, and they were ready to administer a blasting of epic proportions.
After a little analysis, it’s logical to believe Gundy’s comments added fuel to the Ducks’ fire, but listening to what he said points to something much bigger than just this game. As mentioned earlier, college sports is evolving at a daily rate, and the items leading constant change are name, image and likeness (NIL), and the transfer portal. Once NIL kicked in during the summer of 2021, the college sports landscape went through (and is still absorbing) a seismic shift. Now, the players are allowed to build income through third parties, and the evolution has reached the point where athletes can negotiate NIL deals with the university itself (House settlement). Combine this with the transfer portal, where players can essentially enter a glorified free agent pool, and the influence head coaches have on a program isn’t nearly as large as it once was. In other words, the days of amateurism can be declared a distant memory.
This brings us back to Gundy and his program at Oklahoma State. While there is still a lot to be said about the recruitment of high school athletes, NIL and the transfer portal is here to stay, and if a coach can’t evolve with the times (just like anything else in life), he or she will drift into irrelevancy. Money will have to be spent if a school wants to stay competitive, and this is something Lanning and Oregon clearly understands. Even with the money that’s spent, it’s the coach’s responsibility to have the team ready to play week after week, and there have been performances in the last couple of years where one could wonder if Gundy has lost touch with the current athlete. Sure, the Ducks have the better team, but the Cowboys came in uninspired and lethargic, basically defeated before the game even kicked off. When Gundy made those comments (and try to clarify after the fact), they sounded more like built-in excuses for the ensuing beatdown.
From the outside looking in, it appears the time for Gundy to step down from his position is overdue. The stubbornness to stick with tools that worked in 2015 is showing they won’t work in 2025 and beyond. The head coach doesn’t have all of the power anymore, and there’s a need to understand players could potentially make as much money as they do. It’s no coincidence Nick Saban, who apparently didn’t want much to do with the changing dynamics, decided to retire from Alabama after the 2023 season. For Gundy, there’s two choices to pick from. Either move aside for someone with a fresher mind, or get with the evolution. If his answer is the former, housings like the one Oklahoma State received from Oregon will become the norm, and the choice for Gundy to stay will be made for him.
Author: bestkeptsecret19
I’m just a man trying to be listened to. Hopefully, I can motivate and inspire people on the way to making a widespread positive difference.
View all posts by bestkeptsecret19
His career is apparently “over” after losing the competition for the Colts’ starting quarterback
The preseason is officially over in the NFL, and a week from Thursday, the regular season will be upon us. As teams start their final preparations for Week 1, there are still some items on the list to check off. One of those items include getting rosters down to 53 players, with the deadline set for Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Like the other squads, the Indianapolis Colts have some tough decisions to make, and one of them may involve the future of quarterback Anthony Richardson. Just two years ago, this scenario might have been seen as a far cry, but the situation Richardson is now in points to a trend that should be avoided by simple understanding and judgment of talent evaluations.
Before getting into the troubling pattern plaguing the league, let’s start with the origin story. Richardson was selected by the Colts with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft (third QB taken that year after Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud). As is the case with all of these selections, the goal is to find that franchise-altering player that can be the cornerstone for a bright future, and based on the raw talent Richardson possesses, there’s reason to believe why Indianapolis thought they found their guy. While the physical attributes stand out, actually playing the QB position well was always a question, as Richardson was inconsistent at best during his days at Florida, finishing 2022 with a completion percentage of 53.8. That stat alone should give the scouting department (along with the general manager and head coach) pause when considering whether or not a quarterback is ready for the next level, but with the thirst over the position at an all-time high, stats can be seen as minor details, secondary to the number of highlights seen from college days. What a player does in the NFL combine and pro day means more, and that was probably the case with Richardson.
Regardless of the red flags that stuck out, the Colts felt good about their choice, and with Richardson coming in the same year Shane Steichen was hired as the head coach, a nucleus was formed. If anyone was qualified to polish the rawness of the skillset Richardson has, it was thought to be Steichen. He was the offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles when they lost in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs the year prior. Because of his role in helping Jalen Hurts develop into one of the better QBs, the thinking was he could do the same with Richardson, who has a similar body-type to Hurts. At the beginning of 2023, things looked rosy for the newly-formed partnership, as the rookie was putting up good numbers. Unfortunately, Richardson’s season was cut short, due to a shoulder injury suffered in early-October. Fast forward to 2024, and conditioning issues surfaced in a critical divisional showdown with the Houston Texans. Richardson “tapped out” of the game due to fatigue, a move that was seen by many as quitting on his teammates. Combine that with the season he was having up to that Week 8 contest (4 touchdowns and 7 interceptions with a 44.4 completion percentage), and losing faith in a guy who’s the supposed leader and franchise player becomes more than a possibility.
After Indianapolis saw the quarterback position alternate between Richardson and Joe Flacco (now back with the Cleveland Browns) last season, training camp presented a fresh opportunity for the maligned raw talent to seize the starting job. Instead, Steichen (with probable assistance from GM Chris Ballard) decided to name Daniel Jones, someone who was with the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings before coming to Indy, the starter for the foreseeable future. Now, questions of trust are floating around, and the team’s relationship with the player is on the rocks. Of course, the first thing the media and fans want to do is place blame on why things with the Colts and Richardson appear dark. It might be true Steichen and Ballard didn’t provide the best situation for Richardson to succeed, but ultimately (and probably the main reason), the player was most likely overrated in the first place, and not ready to play at a level where he could be considered a competent QB in the NFL. Another elephant in the room is Steichen and Ballard aren’t exactly secure in their respective positions. So they’re going to do what they feel gives them the best chance to keep their jobs and win football games. Apparently, they trust Jones more in that venture than Richardson.
In totality, this is just the latest in cases where quarterbacks are put up far too lofty, when a little bit of research (and simple eye testing) would tell a different story. Another troublesome trend is the rush to throw a BS hot take into the wind, calling Richardson a “bust” after just two seasons in the league. It’s true the career path hasn’t started off so well, but the man is only 23 years old, and the raw talent still jumps off the page (this is coming from someone who is very critical of his play). Let’s see if he can work on his craft and earn himself another chance to show he can become a franchise QB, whether it’s in Indianapolis or elsewhere. History says Jones won’t make it through a whole season without getting injured and/or benched. If and when that happens, Richardson has to be ready, because if not, there might be a little substance to that bust potential.
Author: bestkeptsecret19
I’m just a man trying to be listened to. Hopefully, I can motivate and inspire people on the way to making a widespread positive difference.
View all posts by bestkeptsecret19
Disappointment reigns supreme when it comes to these overrated clubs
Here we are, at that time of the year when training camps are underway throughout the NFL. This is truly the occasion where all of the teams arrive with hopes of winning the Super Bowl. Of course, games will be played, and the field dwindles down until one squad is left standing in February. Until then, the hype trains will be gassed up in record levels, and there are a few who continue to have many fans and media try to speak a championship season into existence. Much more often than not, the results (inevitably) fall far short of the hype, and these teams fit that category perfectly.
It probably shouldn’t be much of a shock the Dallas Cowboys are amongst the top when it comes to results and hype not matching. If marketability and business is the topic, there isn’t a team on this planet that beats the Cowboys, with their value being over $10 billion (with a “b,” according to multiple sources). While Dallas is on top of the franchise value world, games are actually played on the field, and the Cowboys aren’t thriving between those lines. The normal talk has already started. Quarterback Dak Prescott will be looked at as a potential MVP candidate. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will get pub as someone who can break the receiving yards record. Defensive end/linebacker Micah Parsons (who’s in a contract dispute with the team, much like Prescott and Lamb was at this time last year) will get built up as the best defensive player in the league, not just currently, ever. What has happened in previous years is Prescott, Lamb and Parsons have inflated their stats against inferior opponents, only to get exposed when a step-up in weight class occurs. That’s Dallas as a whole, and if they didn’t wear that blue star on their helmets, the hype isn’t nearly as loud. It’s widely know the Cowboys haven’t been to the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season, and there is no indication that changes as long as Jerry Jones remains the team owner in Dallas.
Speaking of clubs that can’t get right, there’s no need to look past the Los Angeles Chargers. How many years (in a row) have people waited for the Chargers to take the next step toward becoming a championship contender, especially since Justin Herbert has been the QB? Now, that talk has only amplified since Jim Harbaugh took the reins as the head coach before last season. Harbaugh made some interesting comments a few days ago, saying everyone else on the team has to get on Herbert’s level. If that’s the case, higher levels need to be strived for, because there hasn’t been a playoff win with this “elite” quarterback leading the pack. Football is the ultimate team sport, and there is probably truth to what Harbaugh is saying. With that said, multiple things can be true, and if Herbert is the top QB everyone seems to think he is, then he will elevate his teammates to a level where they can challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West crown (and beyond). For a reminder, titles cannot be given to someone. They have to be earned, and while Herbert has shown signs of brilliance throughout his career, it’s not worthy enough to match the hype. It’s past time for the Herbert and Los Angeles to put some substance behind the style, and it’s questionable whether or not that happens in a few months.
While this team may not be on the level of disappointment the Cowboys and Chargers have given the hype pushers, the Green Bay Packers are starting to enter that territory. This goes back to the latter years of the Aaron Rodgers (now with the Pittsburgh Steelers) era, and has carried on with Jordan Love as the triggerman. Like Prescott and Herbert, Love is in the conversation for MVP, but with the exception of the second half in the 2023 campaign, the performance has been a little underwhelming. This is supposed to be the season where it all comes together for Love and the Packers. The roster looks like it’s one of the best in the league, and they have a good coach in Matt LaFleur. Now, there’s no excuses, and it’s time for Love to lead the charge bringing another championship back to “Titletown, USA.” It won’t be easy, especially considering Green Bay plays in the NFC North, which might be the toughest division the NFL has to offer.
With these three teams (and there are others), the noise surrounding them has been loud, and the hype has been just as blinding. After a while, the truth always comes to the light, and people can only believe the words without substance and action for so long. No matter how hard many try, there’s no argument for results, and if the Cowboys, Chargers and Packers want to change their respective narratives, then it’s time to actually win on the field. Hope springs eternal, and there’s every reason to be optimistic. Based on past history, it shouldn’t be a surprise if (and probably when) these clubs have a derailment of the hype train.
Author: bestkeptsecret19
I’m just a man trying to be listened to. Hopefully, I can motivate and inspire people on the way to making a widespread positive difference.
View all posts by bestkeptsecret19
