The other day your class at daycare had a Super Bowl party. I bought you a new Eagles tee-shirt, brought in your favorite cookies, and you guys made football-themed art projects.

Here’s the thing: one day you will learn exactly what the Super Bowl is, what the NFL is all about, and the fact that human fandom over such a thing is just us re-visiting our basic natural instincts as far as violence, competition, and tribalism is concerned. Until that day, I will teach you everything you need to know and how one enjoys such things.

We’ll start with the basic things:

There are 32 teams in the league, which is run by a commissioner who is not always correct in his ways. The layout of where each players line up according to position, and what each player’s job is may need to be written up on a whiteboard so you can visualize everything. All the rules and regulations that each team must abide by, we’ll save for while we’re actually watching games.

After that, the hard part comes. Not hard because I am lacking in knowledge, but hard in that some of them may be difficult to convey until you witness something similar. Teaching you about the traditions and revered individuals of the sport itself sometimes requires witnessing scenarios that are similar, so that you have context. But you’ll learn about people like Jim Brown, Terry Bradshaw, Johnny Unitas and even the hilariously unfolding career of “Clipboard Jesus”, Charlie Whitehurst. You’ll learn about “Miracle at The Meadowlands” and “The Catch” (there are a couple). You’ll learn about the terrible history of the Browns, the rough-and-tumble existence of the Rams/Raiders/Chargers, the debatable greatness of Tom Brady, and the misfortune of the Bengles during the playoffs.

Two things however, will reign supreme in your lessons about the greatest sport in the United States.

1.) Your Dad (and Grand Mother) are crazy Eagles fans. While my loyalty comes into question via Facebook, because of the appreciation I show for the Seattle Seahawks, it is all silliness. I like watching them play, and they will always be my “Number Two”, but no team will ever come nearly as close to my heart as The Eagles.

2.) You can root for whatever team you like as long as it’s not the Cowboys, Redskins, or Rams. I won’t let you sink that low. But whatever team you choose, you must always be dedicated during the playoffs. Even if they got there by way of Wild-Card match up, they still earned their spot to be there.

All in all, being an NFL fan is full of ups and downs. There will be players you hate, whole teams even, and you’ll even feel that pang of guilt for even supporting the sport in the first place. A bunch of super-athletic dudes in tight clothing beating the piss out of each other and putting their health at high risk for an UN-GODLY amount of money. But you’ll love it just the same. Despite the missed calls by the refs that lead to losses for your team, or the fact that a player who beats his spouse gets less time off-field than a guy who MAYBE deflated some balls. Your team could switch cities, trade away your favorite players, or charge extraordinary prices for tickets.

But you’ll love it. All of it. For all the times your team comes out with a win, championship or otherwise. When you draft you’re favorite prospect or bring in a free agent that fills a gap. The jerseys, they key-chains, the hats, sitting in the nosebleed section with your best friend, you’ll treat every Sunday (and occasional Thursday) as a Holy day.

Through all of it you can count on another thing: my love.

Whether you are a Green Bay fan wearing a huge head of cheese and an Aaron Rodgers jersey, or a fellow Eagles fan eagerly waiting for our first championship. I’ll be there, with love and support during the hardest times, and chiding mini-hatred while you gloat in my face (“You may have won, but your QB has a funny face”).

I will love you no matter what, no matter how crazy it gets. Because in the end this is all for the love of the game, and the love of you.

Love always and Fly Eagles Fly,

-Daddy

While he may not know it, despite not being able to make a case for himself, he has indeed helped the case of Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is currently holding out until New York gives him a desire able contract. The big thing that everybody has been quipping about is that neither of these QB’s are very good. After a decade of football, Fitzpatrick has yet to post decent numbers as a starter despite holding onto the job somehow. Bradford has spent every year of his career so far in an unhealthy state OR recovering from injuries.

The difference between the two, and the reason Fitzpatrick is getting a boost from the thick headed Philadelphia QB, is the 2015 season. While Bradford may have an advantage this year of being healthy in the offseason for the first time in his career as well as the support of a dream staff for his position, Fitz is coming off what is arguably the best year for the Jets in 10 seasons. 2015 was only the second time since 2006 that the Jets have had a winning season (10-6) and their 11 win season in 2010 was considered a fluke my many. Fitz has lead a bottom-of-the-barrel team (4-12 in 2014) and brought them within smelling distance of the playoffs in a single year.

This goes hand in hand with the fact that Bradford was handed a 2 year contract worth $35 million dollars despite having a terrible run with the Eagles and Chip Kelly. If even HE can get a deal signed for $35 million, surely Ryan Fitzpatrick, who despite his age could very well put you in a playoff spot, should get one.

As far as the Jets front office goes, I get it. Why sign a guy for that much money who’s going to age out soon? What if last year was just a fluke? Well guess what…..

Dear Jets,

It’s time to make a move. You have the chance to lock down playoff potential. He understands the schemes, he reads defenses, and he’s quite possibly in the best shape of his career.

Give the man his money. Even if it’s for 1 year. You may have to charge a little extra for hot dogs, but nobody is expecting them to be cheap as it is.
-Ben

@PBDadcast

@BKMullen_

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Always keep in mind though, trades can happen even ON DRAFT DAY, so nobody knows 100% what’s gonna happen until their name gets called!
1: Jared Goff – Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are looking to make a splash, and they’ll no doubt do it with the first pick in their hands. While most reports show Carson Wentz is the best QB on the list, it hasn’t stopped L.A. from expressing how much they love Goff. While they probably also love Wentz, it wouldn’t shock us to think the front office is wary of a player coming from a 1-AA school. Expect Goff to wear blue and gold for the next few years.

2: Carson Wentz – Philadelphia Eagles

While The Rams may be wary of that 1-AA status, the Eagles certainly are not. After a blockbuster trade to move up to the 2nd pick, they’ve made their intentions clear. They are taking a QB, and it’s exactly the guy they want. The guy they’ve talked about most? Carson Wentz. It’s so certain in fact that the Eagles current starting QB Sam Bradford has demanded a trade, despite having already signed a 2 year $22mil. deal at the start of the off season.

3: Laremy Tunsil- San Diego Chargers

If there is anything the Bolts are looking to do going into 2016-2017, it’s protecting QB Rivers with a 300lb athletic guy. A no brainer at this point.

4: Ezekiel Elliot- Dallas Cowboys

The Boys want to recover and recover BIG from last years debacle after losing Tony Romo for most of the season. With him back at the helm and (hopefully) healthy, adding a strong RB like Elliot would boost their offense while also giving them an insurance policy if Romo gets injured again.

5: Joey Bosa- Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags have been bolstering their line over the past couple of years, and although Buckner is more physical, Bosa will fit perfectly into their scheme. Just hope he doesn’t mind wearing a two-tone helmet.

6: Jalen Ramsey- Baltimore Ravens

Defense. Defense. Defense. If the Ravens need anything it’s an athletic guy who can keep up with the teams on their schedule. They may also go for Myles Jack, depending on how much they believe the nonsense about his injury.

7: Myles Jack- San Francisco 49ers

It makes sense for the 9ers to rebuild their defense. It would make more sense to take Buckner if he’s still available, but this is Chip Kelly we’re talking about here.

8: Deforest Buckner- Cleveland Browns

It appears the Browns new front office has ditched the classic Cleveland move of drafting a QB and will be putting faith in RG3. With a great Defensive player available here at 8, it’s their best get. Expect them to take a WR later down the line.

9: Vernon Hargreaves- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jameis Winston is primed for a great year ahead. The biggest issue they face is the WR’s they’ll be going up against in this years schedule. If Hargreaves is still there at 9, he’ll be packing for Tampa.

10: Ronnie Stanley- New York Giants

While they were probably hoping for Myles Jack to still be here, they’ll go for the next best thing.
Thoughts? Ideas? Tweet us at @PBDadcast and tell us what you think!

He seemed, then, like the obvious choice to take over for Manning upon his retirement and for being a young guy, the deal the Broncos were prepared to offer was a good one. Three years, $16mil per year with $30mil guaranteed. Manning announced his retirement officially, the Broncos made their offer and the entire fanbase thought nothing of it. Because of course he would want to inherit a Super Bowl winning team with the best defense in the league. 

Oh wait…..apparently he doesn’t.

Earlier this afternoon, Brock Oswieler signed a 4 year $75MILLION deal with the Huston Texans. Why? I’m still wondering that myself. 

At first I was angry and confused. As soon as they announced it on my local radio station (holla 97.5FM) I slammed my fist on the steering wheel, nearly waking my little girl. A seemingly bright young man with plenty of talent just bucked up and took the hard road, giving up a team young QB’s dream of for the chance to lead a lesser team with not much of an offensive line to speak of but for more money. 

So now I sit here asking myself the same question, 11 minutes into the Free Agency period: Who The Fuck Is Brock Osweiler? Is he confident and talented enough to think he can go to a completely new team and be the Franchise QB they need? Or is he stupid enough to put a big contract over a solid team? 

In the end, only time will tell. What do I hope? I hope he crushes it. In his first year with the Texans he’ll no doubt perform well, although probably not well enough to make the playoffs. In 2017, if they make the right moves, they may even be a Super Bowl contender. But my question still remains: Who The Fuck Is Brock Osweiler?

Over the next four years…we’ll find out. 

-Ben (Seahawks/Eagles)