Published inThe 49 Steps·PinnedPatrick Mahomes’ ego has cost the Kansas City Chiefs a dynastyPatrick Mahomes has almost everything needed to be the best quarterback in the NFL. He is blessed with outrageous arm talent and preternatural athleticism. He’s also daring enough to believe he can win any game from any position. There’s one thing missing, though. It’s humility. Mahomes lacks the humble streak…Patrick Mahomes7 min readPatrick Mahomes7 min read
Published inThe 49 Steps·PinnedFree Agency Files: Hidden Gems from the NFL’s Class of 1994Free agency changed the makeup of the NFL in no time at all. The wild spending of the first market in 1993 prompted the introduction of a salary cap a year later. …NFL Free Agency9 min readNFL Free Agency9 min read
Published inThe 49 Steps·PinnedAll-Time Underrated NFL Free Agents TeamFree agency is the most superficial time on the NFL calendar. It’s the period where many care only about the marquee names who move during the first days the market is open. Few concern themselves with those under-the-radar moves that come later. …NFL20 min readNFL20 min read
Published inThe 49 Steps·Sep 26, 2022When The Tuna Returned (Again) and Faced Big BlueDallas Cowboys at New York Giants, Week 2, September 15, 2003 (MNF) Bill Parcells never could stay away for long. By 2003, the greatest salvage-job head coach in NFL history was beginning his fourth tour, this one with the Dallas Cowboys. Parcells’ first big test was on his old stomping ground against the team with whom he enjoyed his greatest successes. The…Bill Parcells26 min readBill Parcells26 min read
Published inThe 49 Steps·Jun 25, 2022Gabriel Jesus Sets Clock Ticking on ArtetaMikel Arteta will finally sign a striker for Arsenal. It’s been some journey. Yet, instead of going round the houses and down the bloody drains, Arteta has done the simple thing and returned closer to home. Gabriel Jesus is set to be the №9 Arsenal need, even if he isn’t…Arsenal6 min readArsenal6 min read
Published inThe 49 Steps·Jun 17, 2022Fabio Vieira and Arsenal’s Creative VillageArsenal don’t need Fabio Vieira, but I’m damned glad the club is signing the young maestro from Porto. Vieira, a mix of a no. 10 and a technical wide player, isn’t a pressing need for a squad that already houses Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli. That’s just…Arsenal4 min readArsenal4 min read
Published inThe 49 Steps·May 23, 2022Notes on Arsenal 5–1 Everton: Goal Rush Too LateArsenal scored five goals on the final day of the Premier League season against an Everton side still hungover from securing top-flight safety a few days earlier. …Arsenal6 min readArsenal6 min read
Published inThe 49 Steps·May 17, 2022Notes on Newcastle 2–0 Arsenal: Les Enfants TerriblesArsenal dropped an abomination of a performance in the most important game of the season. So much for the “Process…” Monday’s 2–0 defeat away to Newcastle United wasn’t just the likely death knell for UEFA Champions League qualification (barring the kind of miracle that’s spared this manager more than once)…Arsenal5 min readArsenal5 min read
Published inThe 49 Steps·May 13, 2022Notes on Tottenham 3–0 Arsenal: Mental MidgetryArsenal flunked every test possible during Thursday’s 3–0 defeat in the north London derby. Spare yourself any attempt to shield Mikel Arteta and his players behind shoddy refereeing or so-called media bias. The cold truth is Arsenal were mentally, tactically and physically inept at Tottenham and paid a heavy price…Arsenal6 min readArsenal6 min read
Published inThe 49 Steps·May 11, 2022Wenger’s Misfit Toys Have Saved ArtetaArsene Wenger’s island of misfit toys wasn’t so bad after all. The common perception when Wenger left/was forced out in 2018 was that Le Prof’ left behind a train-wreck squad. There was just one tiny problem with that view: It was bollocks. The only proof you need Wenger left enough…Arsenal6 min readArsenal6 min read
