Darren DuPont’s 10 Things
We are midway through Super Bowl week, are you excited yet? Let’s get into the midweek 10 things.
1. New Orleans – It hit me Tuesday morning while watching the NFL network over my morning coffee that I was really missing not being in New Orleans for Super Bowl week. Granted, I wasn’t in Vegas for the Super Bowl last year but ever since getting a taste of the big game during Super Bowl week with the RP show in Los Angeles I’ve wanted to go back every year. If you haven’t been make it a priority to try and go once. I don’t even think you need to consider going to the game because everything around it is just so much fun.
2. Morning Coffee – I was reminiscing about what I love most about Super Bowl week on the RP Show on Tuesday. For me, it was having my morning coffee amidst all the excitement with people in their jerseys, heading out to events and all the possibilities that lie ahead. There’s nothing like it. I’m not just talking about Super Bowl; that’s the magic of being in a city in the middle of any big event. It’s so much better in person. Now, I’m quite enjoying having my morning coffee and NFL network rolling around the clock. It’s the next best thing.
3. Storylines – For me, they really is one big story. You’re either on the side of the Chiefs chasing history with a third straight championship or you’re against the Chiefs and all in on the Eagles. No matter who wins, it will be a great story. Obviously the talk of Mahomes versus Brady continues. Is this the greatest dynasty of all time if Kansas City wins? But if the Eagles win, there will be a number of great stories too. Nick Sirianni, not that long ago, was considered someone who wasn’t going to be able to win a Super Bowl with the Eagles but now has them completely bought in. Then there’s Saquon Barkley getting his first taste of Super Bowl week and an opportunity to add to what will surely be a Hall of Fame career. Either way, it’s gonna be another great game with a great ending.
4. Prediction – OK, I scooped myself if you were watching Tuesday’s RP show, but here goes. I’m taking Kansas City to win the Super Bowl. I know, big shocker. Look, I think this is gonna be a great game and the Eagles have a real opportunity to win this thing. I wouldn’t even call it an upset because I think the line between these two is razor, thin. If the line is 0.5 or up to 1.5, I’ll take the Chiefs against the spread too. If the line swells beyond that, I’m definitely flipping to the Eagles. I don’t see this game being won by more than three points and that means we’re all in for a treat.
5. Super Bowl Extras – We’re only at the midway point of the week and there’s already a lot going on including Roger Goodell’s State of the Union press conference among other things. It was great seeing the players meet the media early in the week including DeAndre Hopkins continuing to impress me with his maturity and complete unwillingness to be a distraction. Stories are emerging this week about his departure from Tennessee and I’ll admit as a Titan fan, I didn’t even know the whole story. That’s a credit to Hopkins, not wanting to be a problem. It’s rare we see that with stars these days. He’s been seldom used since joining the Chiefs, but I’m kind of hoping he gets his Super Bowl ring. I’ve also become a bigger fan of Jameis Winston this week given his media work. It’s really let his personality shine and no doubt he’ll be a highly coveted media member when he retires.
6. Elgersma – By now you’ve likely heard of the stand out performance at last week’s Reese’s Senior Bowl by Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma. The Canadian quarterback turned heads and even looked good in his game action which included a dazzling 43-yard pass down the sideline. Throughout the week, highlights and interviews circled social media and improved the young pivot’s draft stock. I don’t think we should expect him to be a high pick by any means but his results over the last few weeks in the USA could make him a late round pick or a high candidate to be an undrafted free agent. Either way, it was a great week for him and USPORTS football in general.
7. CFLFA – A quick note on CFL free agency. The free agent period officially opens up next Tuesday, but the pre-Free Agency open window has already created more than a few headlines. Yes, Edmonton has done a fantastic job so far, but there are a few other notables that have me intrigued and excited. Tevaughn Campbell signing in Saskatchewan after a 6-year NFL career has piqued my interest. The former Regina Ram defensive back has an NFL pick six to his credit, but it’s been a minute since we’ve really talked about him. I’m curious at what level we will see him at in the CFL. I’m tempering expectations but also very excited. The other signing that stands out to me, is Eugene Lewis in Ottawa. The 31 year-old former East division most outstanding player is coming off a pretty good year in Edmonton. He seems motivated, and I’m excited to see how he fits in the nation’s capital.
8. Four Nations – We are one week away from Canada and Sweden dropping the puck on the NHL’s Four Nations Faceoff. How excited are you to see best-on-best hockey? I’d say today I’m about a 4 out of 10, but I expect that to change. To me, it won’t have the same level of excitement and impact as an Olympics, but should be a fun measuring stick ahead of the game next year in Italy. There are only four teams and it’s anyone’s guess who will win this but Canada will have as good as shot as anyone and likely is headed for a meeting with the United States in the final. I’ll go ahead and predict Canada over the USA 3-1.
9. Playoff Picture – It’ll be hot and heavy after Four Nations right through the end of the regular season. Rangers, Islanders, Penguins, Bruins and Lightning all OUTSIDE the playoff picture and Toronto and Ottawa could meet in the first round. Wild. The West is a little less exciting except for the battle between Calgary and Vancouver for the final sport. Feels like it’s going to be those two right down to the wire. Sure makes the deadline interesting…
10. Randoms – Buffalo cauliflower bites… not so bad…. Watched the movie Flight Risk with Mark Wahlberg this past week. Go watch it. It’s a thrill and he delivers again… I’m off to Oshawa on Friday to host OHL hockey on Ontario television and really excited for it. I’ve been bouncing around but haven’t been to Oshawa in a minute…
Enjoy the Super Bowl! See you next week.
