STOP THE WORLD ,,, I WANT TO GET OFF

 

Dan Quinn is new coach of the Washington Football Team … 

by default ... after Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson

 – whose asking price was a reported $15 million 

ANNUALLY – decided loyalty was more important than 

money. He refused a second interview with your Commanders 

to remain in Detroit … Quinn spent the last three years as 

Cowboys’ DC after winning one regular-season game more 

than he lost during six years in charge of the Falcons (2015-

2020). Of course, he will always be remembered for the Super 

Bowl seven years ago when Atlanta blew a 28-3 lead and lost 

to the Patriots … Sure sounds like Ron Rivera II to me … 

but then, what do I know? I’m just a kid.

THE TEAM FORMERLY KNOWN as Redskins has 

second choice in a quarterback-rich NFL draft. Here’s one 

vote for Oregon’s Bo Nix. Ask previously-unbeaten Liberty 

U., which was destroyed by Nix (and the Ducks) 45-6 in the 

Fiesta Bowl … A three-year starter at Auburn, Nix transferred  

to Oregon where he had 85 touchdown passes. In 2023, the 

sturdy 6-2, 220 pounder with a strong, NFL-type arm was 

remarkable – 45 tosses for six with only three INTs. More 

impressive … Nix set an NCAA record for completion 

percentage (77.45) … Nevertheless, he has been projected 

anywhere from first round to third in the April draft. The New 

York Football Giants and Las Vegas Raiders have shown the 

most interest to date … but that could change as reports from 

Senior Bowl practice this week have not been encouraging … 

with Nix, who turns 24 later this month, uncharacteristically 

off-target a time or two … or three.

THE SIGH OF RELIEF you hear comes from reporters at several 

stops, including D.C., that were said to show interest in sour-ball Bill 

Belichick, whose dislike of the media was well-chronicled during 24 

years as coach in New England. He was interviewed twice by the 

Falcons who settled on Raheem Morris … Belichick remains a free 

agent … For what it’s worth: Fox game analyst Mark Schlereth said 

Johnson told him the only team (in the market for a head coach) he 

would leave the Lions for was San Diego – which opted for 

Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh at a league-record $16M per. 

AT HIS INTRODUCTORY press conference, new NFL 

Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said, “This feels like home 

already ... like God put us in this position … We prayed for 

clarity throughout the whole process … and it became very 

clear this is where we were supposed to be.” ... In other words 

… the Good Lord liked the Ravens’ DC too 

much to let him go to Washington where he was second 

choice to replace Rivera.

SEVEN-TIMES Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton will 

drive for Ferrari after one more season with Mercedes. Wanna 

bet teammate George Russell gets the better equipment in 

2024? … Meanwhile, F1 turned down Michael Andretti’s

 bid to put a team on the circuit by 2026. The reason given: It 

wouldn’t be competitive. Check back with us in 2028 when 

General Motors is expected to have developed an engine that 

can keep up.

Until next time ...