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NFL Friday Stoots six-pack: Rodgers, the Bengals and more

NFL Friday Stoots six-pack: Rodgers, the Bengals and more
Should Aaron Rodgers stay on the sideline this week? Getty Images

 

The Friday Six Pack has a few thoughts from me from around the NFL and some thoughts on the Texans heading into the weekend. 

1. Aaron Rodgers would be foolish to play this weekend. The Vikings have one of the best defenses in football and will get after Rodgers as much if not more than the Bears. If a few weeks of rest will improve his situation Green Bay needs to take the opportunity. The Packers need to get as close to double-digit wins as possible and risking Rodgers in Week 2 isn't the way to do it. This is the exact reason they tried to upgrade their backup quarterback spot. Now, if for some reason rest wouldn't help Rodgers, play him until his leg falls off. 

2. Can the Bengals with the AFC North? Sure. Will they? Damn, they might! Having watched a good portion of both their games Andy Dalton actually looks like a consistently decent quarterback which hasn't always been the case especially lately. The Ravens certainly aren't winning this division with Joe Flacco at quarterback. The Browns aren't winning either. That leaves the Bengals and the Steelers. Is Pittsburgh going to rally around Le'Veon Bell's absence? Only can help so much. Conner isn't Bell but he sure looked good. 

3. We will all learn a lot more about the Steelers and Browns on Sunday. It won't tell us everything but if Pittsburgh struggles again the Bell absence might be a really tough obstacle. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs put it on the Chargers last week and they travel to the Steel City on Sunday. The other half of the opening weekend tie was Cleveland. The Browns head to New Orleans and face a disgraced Saints team who was embarrassed last week. If Cleveland plays the Saints close they actually might be an improved team. If the Saints blow them out, week one luck. 

4. If the Texans are close to being full strength at wide receiver the Texans might have an interesting roster decision or two to make. It seems they might have kept six wideouts with Will Fuller, Keke Coutee, and Sammie Coates all dealing with hamstring injuries early in the season. Coates was active last game. Fuller talked like he will be back tearing up the Titans like he always does. Coutee seems to be a little further away. Last year against the Titans saw Fuller catch two touchdowns on just four receptions. The Titans will have Adoree Jackson in his second year and Malcolm Butler is new to their secondary. 

5. Rishard Matthews and Luke Stocker are the only pass catchers with more than two years of experience on the Titans roster. The Texans may be short on significant depth at cornerback but Johnathan Joseph and Aaron Colvin are more than equipped to hold down this Titans passing attack on the outside while they figure out the inside attack. Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur comes from the Rams who used a lot of three wide receiver sets. Shareece Wright and the safeties will have to account for the other wideout and Jonnu Smith, the second year player who is expected to get the majority of the tight end time for Tennessee. 

6. Deshaun Watson will showcase right away how much he can improve from week to week. It's been rare we have had to see Watson bounce back or even had the opportunity to ask it of him. He had so many dazzling performances last year there's a chance this is his first real NFL rebound opportunity. Bill O'Brien will be important here in helping Watson along and getting him comfortable with his gameplan early. Things to look for with Watson are quicker decision making to go along with trust in his offensive line. More than a few times Watson broke a pocket good enough to make a solid throw creating the appearance of bad offensive line play. 

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Anthony Santander has reportedly lowered his asking price. Composite Getty Image.

As we begin another week of MLB free agency, we still haven't seen any movement when it comes to Alex Bregman. Several reports are indicating that the market for Bregman is being impacted by Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander.

The thought being, Santander is expected to command less than Bregman, and teams are waiting to see how his market shakes out before making an offer to Breggy.

Which is interesting, because we're seeing reports about Santander softening his stance on demanding a four or five year deal. It appears he's willing to consider a shorter contract with a high yearly salary.

If that is indeed the case, should the Astros consider moving some salary if they can come to an agreement on a short-term deal with Santander?

In theory, trading Pressly's $14 million contract along with Victor Caratini's $6 million dollar deal could allow them to pay Santander $20 million. Of course finding a club to take on all of Pressly's money may not be realistic, but if they could pull it off, should they do it?

This move would weaken the bullpen and the depth at catcher, but the team still has Caesar Salazar to back up Yainer Diaz. And both Pressly and Caratini aren't likely to be back with the Astros anyway after their contracts expire after the 2025 season.

Should we be worried about the Rangers?

MLB Network's Robert Flores (huge Astros fan) joined the Locked on Astros YouTube channel last week and said he likes the Rangers chances to win the AL West this year, despite Vegas giving Houston better odds to win the World Series. Does he have a point?

Farewell to Justin Verlander

Verlander signed a one-year deal with the Giants last week, so it appears he's played his last game in an Astros uniform. But should we close the door on him being traded to Houston again if the 'Stros need another starter and the Giants are looking to move him at the deadline?

Plus, we share some of our favorite Verlander moments from the team's dynastic run!

Be sure to watch the video above as the guys from Stone Cold 'Stros break it all down! And be sure to share your favorite Verlander memories in the comment section on YouTube.


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