Weekly Takes - Monday, September 2 Edition (Retroactive to August 11)

Weekly Takes - Monday, September 2 Edition (Retroactive to August 11)

1. The Maple Leafs were always going to name Auston Matthews captain a year from now anyway, so it makes sense for them to get a head start on it by doing it a season earlier.

This is his team. May as well make it official.

2. The Oilers will have some draft pick capital to add at the deadline, but for now, their depth is a major concern.

While their core will be the best in the league for yet another season, relying on them to be as good as they were in the spring is asking for a lot.

The core probably peaked in 2024. You have to add some protection around them if you are Stan Bowman.

3. It is funny how the second the Jays picked a direction (a youth movement) they instantly became fun to watch again.

Fans can accept their teams being bad. They cannot accept not having a direction.

4. Canada's loss to France on in Olympic Basketball was a major, albeit predictable disappointment.

The second it was known Zach Edey was not coming to Paris, Canada was always going to be up against it against any team with true bigs.

It was clear all tournament long against teams with less talented bigs. The second they faced real bigs on France, they were exposed.

That, combined with cold shooting in an elimination game, led to a heartbreaking finish.

I feel bad for Dillon Brooks, who was great up until the game against France.

I am floored at how bad Jamal Murray was, though. I have to imagine he was more injured than he led on.

Regardless, this is not the last chapter for this Canadian team. They can return -- all in their primes -- in 2028.

Let's just hope Edey shows up and they can manage to develop a big or two.

5. My 2024 NFL Predictions...

AFC East

1. Miami (4)

2. Buffalo (WC2)

3. New York Jets

4. New England (x)

AFC North

1. Baltimore (3)

2. Cincinnati (WC1)

3. Pittsburgh (WC3)

4. Cleveland

AFC West

1. Kansas City (1)

2. LA Chargers (x)

3. Las Vegas (x)

4. Denver (x)

AFC South

1. Houston (2)

2. Jacksonville

3. Indianapolis

4. Tennessee

NFC East

1. Philadelphia  (3)

2. Dallas (WC1)

3. Washington (x)

4. New York Giants (x)

NFC North

1. Detroit (2)

2. Green Bay (WC2)

3. Chicago (WC3)

4. Minnesota

NFC South

1. New Orleans (4)

2. Atlanta

3. Tampa Bay

4. Carolina (x)

NFC West

1. San Fransisco (1)

2. Seattle

3. LA Rams

4. Arizona (x)

Super Bowl Prediction

Kansas City defeats Detroit

Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Patrick Mahomes

My Individual Awards Predictions

• AP Most Valuable Player: Patrick Mahomes

• AP Offensive Player of the Year: Tyreek Hill

• AP Defensive Player of the Year: TJ Watt

• Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year: Caleb Williams

• AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Caleb Williams

• AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Quinyon Mitchell

• AP Coach of the Year: Andy Reid

6. Kamala Harris picking Tim Walz as her running mate was stunning.

A month ago, the Dems were on life support, being crushed in the polls with Joe Biden refusing to step down.

Now, it is a dead heat, if not a lead for the Dems, with Harris picking a true-leftist, popular governor who will destroy JD Vance in the VP Debate and will convey the case against Donald Trump better than anyone in the Democratic Party is capable of doing.

If this ticket can remain scandal-free for the last couple of months, while the Trump campaign continues to puke all over themselves (as they have post-assassination attempt), then this race will be over.