Tag: Goat

4 takeaways from Tom Brady’s Super Bowl win: What it means for the Bucs, the Patriots and the NFL

4 takeaways from Tom Brady’s Super Bowl 55 win with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

What more can you say?

In his first season away from the New England Patriots, 43-year-old Tom Brady bested teams led by Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes  in the playoffs to win his seventh Super Bowl ring — more Super Bowl wins than any NFL franchise.

Brady will always be remembered as a Patriot, first and foremost. His magnum opus remains Super 51, in which he famously erased a 28-3 deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons to win in overtime.

But as NFL Media’s Judy Battista perfectly stated in her postgame piece, this is Brady’s “crowning achievement.”

Much will be made about Brady winning a Super Bowl outside of Bill Belichick’s ‘Patriot Way,’ and that’s notable, but this win did much more than that for Brady’s legacy.

 

Here are our takeaways, both in-game and legacy wise, from the GOAT’s Super Bowl 55 performance.

Jordan or LeBron? Notre Dame Football Debates

The GOAT – is it Jordan or LeBron? Kyle Hamilton and Coach Terry Joseph of Notre Dame football both weigh in.

Want to start a debate in a sports bar?  Well, when we’re allowed in bars again, I mean.

A couple of members of Notre Dame’s football team debated exactly that in the wake of “The Last Dance” that recently wrapped up on ESPN.  The older generations got to re-live the dominance of the nineties with the Chicago Bulls while the younger audience got to experience it for the first time.

Those generational stereotypes play out in the latest episode of “The Notre Dame Minute” as star defensive back Kyle Hamilton and defensive pass game coordinator Terry Joesph debated who the actual GOAT is.

As the documentary goes into detail about it wasn’t just ability with Jordan, it was the constant mindset he was in, always wanting to beat anyone at anything.  There was no easy way out or bailing on a team to join a trifecta of All-Stars.

If Draymond Green never goes complete headcase and uses his foot as a weapon in the 2016 NBA Finals, Golden State finishes off that series and the discussion is instead about the greatest team of all-time, not the player.  Hopefully James sends Green a Christmas card each year to thank him for how much he helped LeBron’s legacy.

Give the win to Joseph and Jordan.

Touchdown Wire says Hall of Fame QB Len Dawson is Chiefs’ G.O.A.T. on offense

Who is the greatest of all time on offense in Kansas City?

The folks over at Touchdown Wire recently revealed their choices for the greatest players of all time (G.O.A.T.) on the offensive side of the ball for each of the 32 NFL teams. Their choice for the Kansas City Chiefs might have some fans up in arms, given recent developments in the franchise. They chose quarterback Len Dawson, who led the Chiefs to Super Bowl I and helped them win Super Bowl IV.

Here is a look at what Touchdown Wire had to say about Dawson:
“With 28,507 passing yards, Dawson leads the Chiefs franchise. His 3,696 career pass attempts, 2,115 career completions, and 237 passing touchdowns are the most by a Chiefs QB. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. He also led the team to victory in Super Bowl IV.“
Obviously, there are a lot of people who feel strongly that Patrick Mahomes has already achieved G.O.A.T. status after the crazy start to his NFL career, leading the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl victory in 50 years in just his second season as a starter. Dawson, who played 19 seasons in the league, has most of the career records on lockdown. Mahomes, however, has already smashed all of the single-season records in Kansas City that were once held by Dawson. In one of the NFL’s most high-volume passing offenses, Mahomes is tracking to beat Dawson’s career records sooner rather than later.
Maybe it’s just recency bias, but I feel like there’s definitely an argument for Mahomes being in the conversation over Dawson. Two years ago Dawson’s claim would have been undisputed. There really doesn’t seem to be any criteria for what makes a player a G.O.A.T., at least for the purposes of Touchdown Wire’s list. Some of those players listed are still active NFL players while others, like Dawson, are long-retired legends of the game.
What do you think, Chiefs Kingdom? Is Dawson the undisputed G.O.A.T. on the offensive side of the ball in Kansas City? Is it too early to consider Mahomes in this conversation? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter.
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Kevin Durant on Michael Jordan: Would fit in as best player in the league

Kevin Durant had his say on the Michael Jordan in modern NBA debate, saying Jordan “would fit in as the best player in the league.”

ESPN aired ‘The Last Dance’ on Sunday, showcasing the final season of the Chicago Bulls’ 1990s dynasty. With the main focus of the documentary being Michael Jordan and his greatness, the movie has once again sparked a debate about his playing ability in the modern NBA.

While much of the argument is centered around which player is the greatest of all time between Jordan and the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, the former Bull still has his doubters about playing in the league today.

Former Texas superstar Kevin Durant had his take on the situation, saying Jordan “would fit in as the best player in the league.”

Durant added, “he can adapt his game to anything.”

Jordan never faced the Longhorns during his three seasons at North Carolina. Winning one NCAA title during his freshman season, many never knew exactly how great he would become.

To have Durant, considered a top player in today’s NBA, provide such strong comments about Jordan shows how much of an influence he has on players today. Durant himself has been through the challenge of winning championships, as he already has three to his name.

A debate which will go on for years to come, but if Durant thinks Jordan could do it today, it would be scary to think about how much more dominant MJ could become.

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Former Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw is tired of Tom Brady ‘soap opera’

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw sounds off about his time with the Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, and Tom Brady.

Former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw was his usual boisterous self on 93.7 The Fan’s The Cook and Joe Show Thursday.

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The interview portion kicked off with who Bradshaw thinks the greatest QB in Steelers history is.

After jokingly answering Bobby Layne (Steelers QB from 1958-62 who went on to win three pre-Super Bowl era NFL championships with the Detroit Lions), Bradshaw got serious.

“I would give it to Ben [Roethlisberger],” he said. “His numbers far exceed mine. I may have more Super Bowls, but he is a much better quarterback. I wasn’t bad in my era, but he’s big, strong, accurate, puts up monstrous numbers and he’s won two Super Bowls. I passed that baton to him gladly. I absolutely have no problem with that. He deserves it.”

The interview continued with the oft-debated Tom Brady/G.O.A.T. topic.

“I don’t think he’s the greatest quarterback of all time,” Bradshaw said. “It’s hard to say. He may be the best quarterback we’ve had in the last 30 years. Is he better than [Roger] Staubach? No. Is he better than Dan Fouts? No. Dan Marino? No. I’m talking talent-wise when you put all of it together.”

“Does he have more Super Bowls than anybody? Yes, therefore he’s the best. I absolutely have no problem saying it. If you’ve got the most Super Bowls, and he’s done it, you can be in there. But I don’t put anybody as the greatest of all time. I would never do that.”

Bradshaw then went on to share his thoughts on Brady leaving the Patriots for the Buccaneers.

“I’m a little bit tired of this soap opera that’s going on between [Tom Brady] and [Bill] Belichick.

“He left because he wanted to prove something, and he wants to prove to everyone he can win without Bill Belichick,” Bradshaw said. “In between all that, you say all the wonderful things. ‘I know he respects me. He knows I like him. We get along great. But after 20 years, I’m leaving.’ You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Now he’s going to Tampa Bay and he’s going to prove to us what he’s whatever he is… It’s like, golly, geez-Louise, get this over with.”

Leaving New England is not what Bradshaw would’ve done if he were in Brady’s cleats.

“I never wanted to leave Pittsburgh, no matter what my relationship with [former Steelers coach] Chuck [Noll] was, which was a good working relationship,” he said. “It wasn’t always pleasant, I didn’t always like him. But I respected him and I knew that if I listened to him and learned from him and followed his direction that we would win. That’s all I cared about was winning.”

And win, Bradshaw did.

Claressa Shields vs. Laila Ali? Gauntlet thrown down

Laila Ali and Claressa Shields exchanged some spirited public trash talk. Could it be a precursor to a showdown in the ring?

Claressa Shields has the medals and the belts. Laila Ali has the name.

Shields’ decorated resume and Ali’s legendary name have placed them on opposite sides of a noisy debate, a trash-talking confrontation that Laila’s famous father mastered during a heavyweight reign remembered for Muhammad Ali’s fast hands and faster words.

Shiields says her three division belts and two Olympic gold medals make her the GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time). No way, says the daughter of the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

Laila Ali, now 42, is quick to remind Shields, 24, that she was unbeaten. She went 24-0, scoring 21 knockouts, as a super middleweight between 1999 and 2007. Shields, also unbeaten, has two knockouts in 10 fights.

“First of all, she could never beat me,’’ Ali said late last week on Sway in the Morning, a Sirius XM show featuring talk on music and culture.  “Let me get that really straight right now. Not simply because she’s not strong enough, because I would definitely knock her out, because she’s not talented enough.

“You’re talented. You can box. You can throw those hard punches. But there’s a sweet science to boxing. The reason you have not been able to knock out the opponents that you have faced, I can totally see it.”

Shields, never shy, seized on the opportunity to respond, telling TMZ Sunday that Ali built her record against “soccer moms and probably strippers.’’

Shields suggested that women’s boxing has changed. She said she faces real fighters.

“Let’s just keep it honest,’’ said Shields, who defeated Ivana Habazin by a unanimous decision to win a junior middleweight title on Jan. 10. “Don’t say that I’m not talented, because I’m the most talented female fighter there has been in the history of boxing. Laila Ali is all bark, no bite. If a girl call me out, I answer.’’

Shields also urged Laila Ali to make a comeback. Their respective nicknames, “T-Rex” and “She Bee Stingin’”, might look good on a fight poster.

“We can make it happen if she really wants to make it happen,” Shields said.

Shields said the winner would get $10 million and the loser $5 million. But it’s not clear where that money would come from.

LeBron James nicknamed Alex Caruso ‘G.O.A.T.’

LeBron James nicknamed Los Angeles Lakers teammate Alex Caruso ‘G.O.A.T.’

Last month, LeBron James referred to teammate Alex Caruso as the “G.O.A.T.” in an Instagram story. Now, we have confirmation that James has officially dubbed Caruso the greatest of all-time.

In an article written by Marc Stein of the New York Times, Caruso explains the G.O.A.T. nickname from LeBron and how it came to be. According to Alex, every time he sees James the King just calls him “GOAT”–and it’s gotten the point where it’s an everyday thing.

Via Marc Stein:

Caruso’s penchant for memorable dunks has already earned him a few nicknames: “Bald Mamba,” “Bald Eagle” and “Carushow.” Yet LeBron has added another.

“Every time I see him and say, ‘Hey, Bron,’ he just calls me G.O.A.T.,” Caruso said with a laugh. “The first couple times it kind of threw me off. Now it’s just an everyday thing.

Caruso is currently sixth in the NBA among guards on the All-Star ballot while playing 20 minutes per night for the highest-profile team in the NBA. The fan favorite is averaging six points per contest and dishing out two assists. Caruso has also been good for one steal per game too, and is consistently providing a spark for a team with the best record in the Western Conference.

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WATCH: Brady, Belichick focused on the Titans, not the future

Could Tom Brady be playing his final game with the Patriots this weekend?

The more things change, the more they stay the same in New England on game week.

Tom Brady is in the final season under his current contract with the Patriots (12-4), it’s been a mediocre year of play for the quarterback otherwise known as the GOAT. The reigning Super Bowl Champs dropped their regular-season finale to the Dolphins (5-11) and they are now a part of Wild Card weekend for the first time in a decade.

For Bill Belichick and TB 12, there is nothing at all different about the emotions heading into Saturday’s game at Gillette Stadium.

Thursday, reporters asked the appropriate questions about the circumstances surrounding Brady’s contract status in light of the team’s recent play and the win-or-be-done nature of the playoffs.

“I’m not much for nostalgia,” Brady said. “I’m just pretty focused on what I need to do and this week has felt like pretty much every other week for the past 20 years.”

Belichick’s version of an answer to a similar question was standard for the coach and equally lacking in emotion.

“Yeah, we’re focused on the Titans,” Belichick said. “That’s really … that’s all I’m focused on. So we’ll do everything we can to get ready to go and play the best game we can play Saturday night.”

The head coach only stumbled in starting to call the game day “Sunday,” but of course he never flinched or seemed to acknowledge the situation. Obviously, if the team does stay locked in and defeats the Titans (9-7), Brady will have at least one more game with the franchise anyway.

The Pats can’t place the franchise tag on their QB by the rules written in his contract but there is the time between the end of the season and March to negotiate something if it’s what the player and team want without Brady becoming a free agent for the first time in his career.

But just in case, watch the Pats host the Titans Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. ET. It could be Brady’s last game with the dynasty.

Brady, Belichick treat possible final game week as normal, are emotionless about QB’s status (Patrio

Tom Brady is in the final season under his current contract with the Patriots (12-4), it’s been a mediocre year of play for the quarterback otherwise known as the GOAT.

Tom Brady is in the final season under his current contract with the Patriots (12-4), it’s been a mediocre year of play for the quarterback otherwise known as the GOAT.

Brady, Belichick treat possible final game week as normal, are emotionless about QB’s status

Tom Brady is in the final season under his current contract with the Patriots (12-4), it’s been a mediocre year of play for the quarterback otherwise known as the GOAT.

Tom Brady is in the final season under his current contract with the Patriots (12-4), it’s been a mediocre year of play for the quarterback otherwise known as the GOAT.