Five Things That Should Never Happen (and Probably Will to Open the 2014 NFL Season)

With the off-season for the NFL finally drawing to a close it is time to try and put some of the events that have happened since Seattle embarrassed the AFC in February. As the NFL increasingly shifts from a sports league to sports entertainment with its insatiable thirst for ever-increasing revenues more and more things are seeming to happen that should not happen based solely on merit. At the top of the list is the NFL’s attempts to install black quarterbacks. Last year, the bottom 5 teams in passing and 7 of the bottom 8 passing attacks were led by the black quarterback contingent. The Washington Redskins were the only team outside this group led primarily by a black QB, to rank 16^th. I don’t think anyone really knows why this is yet teams keep drafting these players. Here are the 5 most glaring thimgs we see happening that should not:

1)      Teddy Bridgewater will start for the Minnesota Vikings

The Viking’s Rick Spielman seems to be out-of-sync with reality when it comes to quarterbacks. He stuck with Christian Ponder last year despite having an actual Pro Bowl QB on the roster in Matt Cassel to disastrous effects. This offseason, he re-signed Cassel for close to twice as much money and then lost out on the Johnny Football sweepstakes making Cassel’s starting job safe right? Wrong. Right aftwer blowing it with Manziel Spielman blows up his entire draft by trading up to get Bridgewater at 32, meaning no other team wanted him – and for good reason. Bridgewater has absolutely zero chance of making it as an NFL QB. He is too slight, too slow and can’t throw – Not at the NFL level. And yet all signs point to Bridgewater winning the QB “competition” – The coach has come right out and said he wants him to win – So it will be surprising if he is NOT under center come game one – And that should not happen. With Adrian Peterson amd a passing attack geared to Cassel’s strength the Vikings would have had a real shot this year. Adrian Peterson is not getting any younger!

2)      Ryan Fitzpatrick will start for the Houston Texans

Case Keenum showed some real promise last year after setting all kinds of records in college at Houston and should have been given a full off season to prepare for an offence tailored to his strengths after the departure of Schaub. Instead of signing a Pro Bowler like Cassel, the Texans opted for Ryan Fitzpatrick, a consistently bad starter for years. It wasn’t Keenum’s fault the Texans were 2-14 last season and he could have turned into something. He certainly would not have been any worse than Fitzpatrick who has zero upside4.

3)      EJ Manuel will start for the Buffalo Bills

Late in training camp last year Doug Marrone said he was going to go with Jeff Tuel but changed his mind. EJ Manuel was the worst starting QB in the league last season. While Tuel did show a little in his one scheduled start Thaddeus Lewis was a pleasant surprise when he was airlifted in. By far the most consistent of the three last year, Lewis should have been given a shot this year to start the season as the number one.

4)      Gino Smith will start for the New York Jets

The Jets won 8 games last year despite Smith, not because of him. The Jets would have a much better chance with Michael Vick however without much of a secondary it might not matter who the QB is despite Sexy Rexy’s defensive genius.

5)      Johnny Manziel will start for the Cleveland Browns

Brian Hoyer was good enough to back-up Tom Brady for a few years and looked very good last year. Like Case Keenum, he deserves a chance to run an offence geared to his strengths. While Manziel has to get a chance to play at some point, with only 2 years of college ball under his belt he could use a full year to get used to the NFL. If Hoyer were to shine it would set up interesting trade possibilities except for one thing – The Browns never thought to lock him up