I don't think the NFL is ready for what is about to happen. On Sunday, we will witness the return of a well-rested, angry Tom Brady. The 4-game suspension levied by Roger Goodell essentially allowed the best franchise in the NFL to rest the greatest quarterback of all time for a quarter of the season and enter the heart of the 2016 campaign with a huge chip on their shoulder. Manufactured motivation can be just as effective as the real thing. The New England Patriots have transformed it into an art form. Whether it be Spygate, Deflategate, false injury reports, or press conferences that actually provide less information than average sports news releases, coach Belichick is a master of turning perceived slights into the driving force behind the team that has easily produced the most wins over the past decade. In Brady's absence, the rest of the league has missed an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the Pats. Without Brady, Gronkowski, and most of the starting offensive line, New England has not missed a beat, going 3-1 and preparing themselves for yet another division crown and deep playoff run. Brady has always been fueled by his detractors, real or perceived, beginning with being drafted 199th overall 17 years ago. Nothing has changed. What can we expect? Greatness. Efficiency. Production. In other words, Tom Brady is about to wreck this league. Anyone who stands in his way will be dispatched with lethal precision. Brady epitomizes the character described by Billy Joel, "he refuses to bend, he refuses to crawl, he's always at home with his back to the wall." NFL, meet the angry young man. May God help you all.

In today's NFL, rookie quarterbacks are expected to not only start, but immediately be the linchpin to their team's success. Gone are the days when new arrivals held the clipboard and were mentored by an aging star until they were ready to take the reins of the offense. Previously to 2003, only 6 quarterbacks in NFL history started at least 8 games and had a winning record. That number has more than doubled since. 13 quarterbacks have started at least 8 games and had a winning record since 2003. Rookie quarterbacks enjoying immediate success used to be as frequently seen as a unicorn. It has now become common. 17 of the top 27 quarterbacks with the top rookie passing ratings in NFL history are currently active. This transition began with Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, Andy Dalton, and Cam Newton. It continued in 2012 with Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck, and RGIII. They were followed by Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr. Who were then followed by Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. The success of all of these rookie quarterbacks has now driven increased expectations on every young gunslinger entering the NFL draft. Here's the kicker: They are not only up to the challenge, they are exceeding expectations. 8 of the 12 teams that reached the playoffs last year were led by quarterbacks that started as rookies. Both of last year's Super Bowl quarterbacks started as rookies. In fact, more than half of the Super Bowl quarterbacks over the past decade, 11 of 20, started as rookies. The trend continues this year, quarterbacks who have made their first starts this season are 11-2. Not all of those are rookies, but Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott are certainly carrying the flag for freshmen field generals everywhere. Their poise and ability to protect the football have been remarkable. Wentz hasn't thrown an interception in 102 attempts tied for the second most in NFL history by a QB in their first three games. Dak's zero interceptions in 99 throws ranks fourth. Prescott ranks 12th in passer rating while Wentz is 4th. They are handling their business like seasoned veterans. Like accomplished professionals. Just like NFL rookies are supposed to be.

It is early in the season, but the dominant storyline that has developed over the first two weeks is not even related to competition on the field. Colin Kapernick's decision to kneel during the National Anthem has dominated the headlines and opened a discussion on race relations in America that seems timely and relevant given the rash of police shootings we have witnessed recently. Unfortunately, the national response has been to argue about how Kapernick chose to bring attention to this issue rather than focus on the problem at hand. Every game so far has begun with a slow, panning camera shot of the sidelines while the National Anthem is played so that we can take count of how many players are standing, who has their hand over their heart, and who has the audacity to kneel during the Star Spangled Banner. Many are offended by the alleged lack of respect for our most sacred song. This seems misplaced for several reasons. Primarily the outrage over how the protest occurs deflects attention from why it is occurring and how we can collectively make this country better for all citizens. It allows us to avoid the uncomfortable conversation about what is happening before our eyes and how we can fix it. We need to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Secondly, if we are going to get upset when people are not following the "rules" as they relate to conduct during the National Anthem, then let's address all instances of Star Spangled Banner shenanigans. There are in fact, guidelines for how we should conduct ourselves during the playing of the National Anthem. They are outlined in the U.S. Code. In summary, military members stand at attention and salute, all others face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over their heart. Additionally, men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and place it at their left shoulder, with their hand over their heart. Apparently women may keep their headdress in place. Who knows? So, if we are applying our U.S. Code appropriately across the board, we should be just as incensed with those players who are standing yet swaying back and forth, heads down, eyes closed, mouths moving in apparent pre-game prayer. Somehow, the Seahawks decision to link arms as a team was interpreted as a positive sign of unity rather than a similar breach of U.S. Code. So, what are we specifically upset about? Would it be okay if Kapernick stood and turned his back to the field? How about if he stood by himself near the bench while the rest of his teammates stood together on the sideline? Perhaps he stays in the locker room until the song is over and then joins his team. Would that be okay? My point is that his detractors are ignoring the legitimate reasons for his actions by pettily chirping about the manner in which he goes about it. Who are we to tell him how he should protest? Finally, let's face the facts. This country has been placing less and less emphasis on the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance for years. Think about it. When do you even hear the National Anthem? I think you'd be hard pressed to come up with any instances beyond sporting events, military ceremonies, and national holidays. Years ago, the Star Spangled Banner was played everyday to begin and end radio and television broadcasts. Years ago, we recited the Pledge of Allegiance everyday in our schools. That simply doesn't happen anymore. It just doesn't make sense to claim the moral high ground by attacking people who are displaying a lack of reverence for a song our culture has removed from our daily lives. The bottom line is, Colin Kapernick has drawn attention to a legitimate problem in America regardless of our opinion of him as a person or the manner in which he chose to do so. In order for us to address the problem and affect change in this country, we need to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

I don't want to overstate the impact of the Patriots week 1 road win over the Cardinals, but it is unavoidable. The rest of the NFL should be afraid. Very afraid. The hoodie wandered into the desert with what basically amounted to a practice squad and left with a victory over an Arizona team with realistic Super Bowl aspirations. Meanwhile, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and half of the offensive line stayed home, rested their bodies, and watched the action on Sunday Ticket. The obvious goal for the Patriots when the season began was to survive the first four games in Brady's absence. If the team could simply hang on and turn the keys back to their all-world QB upon his return, perhaps they had a decent chance to make the playoffs and put a run together. However, Hoodie has created a system that is truly next man up. It is now obvious that the Patriots goal is to treat the first four games as business as usual, then leave a trail of scorched Earth behind the triumphant return of Tom Brady as they storm their way to the championship. I realize the win over the Cardinals was by only 2 points and was ultimately determined by a missed Arizona field goal attempt, but I believe those 2 points represent a much larger separation between the Patriots and the rest of the league. Ironically it appears that Roger Goodell's ceaseless attempts to punish New England has actually made their 2016 season easier.

It's that time of year again fanatics! We can now focus our attention on our gridiron heroes, the men in the arena who simultaneously capture our adoration and disdain, while deserving both and neither, as they pursue the glory of competitive excellence. A welcome respite from the offseason drama that played out mainly in Federal courtrooms as men with obscene bank accounts overflowing with money fought for the power to ensure they can make billions more. In the season finale of this reality show, the NFL "won". The U.S. Second Court of Appeals ruled that Patriots QB Tom Brady must serve the 4 game suspension that was originally levied against him over a year ago for his still unclear role in the use of criminally under-inflated footballs. As Roger Goodell basks in his sense of vindication, Bill Belichick feigns indignation at the fact that he must rest his 39 year-old franchise player for the first quarter of the season and enter the playoffs led by an aging superstar with fresh legs and significantly less wear and tear on his body. The "winner" in this situation is debatable. Bill now is mandated by the league, and therefore immune to the backlash, to do something that has garnered the NBA's Gregg Popovich public scorn and a quarter million dollars in fines, resting his players to ensure they are ready for the playoff push. Well played. This was followed quickly by several free agents chasing the huge contract and signing with other teams, Tony Romo having the decency to get his major injury out of the way early and crushing Cowboys fans hopes before they get started, and Colin Kapernick attempting to stay relevant in NFL discussions by taking a knee for the National Anthem. But let's face it, all of that fades away on Thursday night, when the ball is kicked and large men begin to attempt to impose their will on other large men. Are you not entertained? I would like to personally welcome you all back to another thrilling season of Football Frenzy. We have been around a long time and are only getting better with age. Speaking of getting better, I would like to give special thanks to our very own fanatic Blake for being utterly disgusted with my lame attempt at website design. He has taken the reins on all areas of this new and improved website and it is a massive improvement. Thanks Blake for making this a better space and a user-friendly experience. I hope you all enjoy it!