Tuesday's Thoughts

While wondering what legendary Hall of Fame Coach and Cincinnati Bengals founder Paul Brown would have said after the Bengals monumental meltdown on Saturday night, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* The NFL announced yesterday that Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been suspended three games to begin the 2016 season for his hit on Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver Antonio Brown. He should have received more of a suspension. For a league that feigns concern about player safety and who's image gets tarnished daily by the criminal behavior of its players, Burfict's intent to injure Brown was pre-meditated and should be treated far more harshly than a 3 game suspension. His actions, along with those of that other mental giant Pacman Jones, cost their team a chance to move on in the playoffs. Some want to deflect blame from these two morons onto Bengals running back Jeremy Hill, who fumbled after the Bengals intercepted Landry Jones which should have ended the Steelers playoff hopes. But that was a football play and fumbles happen. The actions of Burfict and Jones are not football plays but the acts of unprofessional hoods.

* Some members of the Bengals offensive unit have said they weren't surprised with what happened at the end of the game Saturday because the defensive unit has been out of control all year and Head Coach Marvin Lewis had done nothing to stop it. I wonder if Burfict and Jones would be playing for Bill Belichick.

* Teddy Bridgewater led his team for what should have been a game winning field goal on Sunday against Seattle in the third coldest playoff game in NFL history. AJ McCarron led his team to what should have been a game winning touchdown for Cincinnati. Bridgewater was the QB who, then-President of Football Operations for the Cleveland Browns, Joe Banner wanted to draft as a result of an analytics study. Banner was fired and Minnesota drafted Bridgewater in the first round of the 2014 draft. In that same draft, McCarron was drafted in the fifth round by the Bengals. The Browns? They drafted Johnny Manziel. Enough said.

* Was shocked yesterday to learn that James van Riemsdyk will be out 6 to 8 weeks with a fractured foot. The Maple Leafs have called up Josh Leivo from the Marlies and Shawn Matthias will be moved up to play with Tyler Bozak and P.A.Parenteau.

* Will be interesting to see how the Leafs bounce back from their 7-0 drubbing at the hands of San Jose when they take on Columbus Wednesday night at the ACC. I would expect a spirited performance.

* Last night's College Football Championship Game was much better than the dull semi-final games. Full marks to Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban. You could tell Saban is from the Parcells-Belichick tree by calling for an onside kick when he did as he realized his defense couldn't handle DeShaun Watson and the Clemson offense.

* Well not sure where Saban has been hiding tight end OJ Howard but the kid was awesome last night. Will be interesting to see if this athletic junior will decide to stay in school or declare of the NFL Draft.

* Is there any doubt that DeShaun Watson will be the pre-season favorite to win the Heisman Trophy next season?

* Should be quite the show in Western New York next football season as Rex Ryan has hired twin brother Rob to be assistant head coach.

* There is no question that Tom Coughlin resigned as NY Giants head coach at the request of ownership because why else would he be interviewing with the Eagles and the 49ers? Wonder what Giant veterans like Eli Manning will think if Coughlin is on another team's sideline for the 2016 season.

* If the Browns were smart they would hire Hue Jackson right now. What kills me is how they haven't reached out to Lovie Smith. Smith was turning Tampa Bay around and has been winner wherever he has been. Probably why the Browns won't interview him.

* If Barry Bonds doesn't belong in the Baseball Hall of Fame, then Major League Baseball needs to reinstate Henry Aaron as the home run king.

* My fearless predictions: Denver, New England, Green Bay and Seattle. By the way, I hope I'm wrong about the NFC games.

* And finally, where are all of the naysayers who were blasting Knicks President Phil Jackson. The Knicks are a contender to make the playoffs in the East and appear to have drafted a good one in Kristaps Porzingis. It seems that K.P. is fitting in nicely and Carmelo Anthony may be having one of his best all around seasons. It looks like the Zen Master may have the Knicks on the right path.