FROM THE PRESS BOX: THE GOAT, OR THE BEST? ... AND THE NFL DRAFT (2021-02-07)

We’re just hours away from the kick-off of the 55th Super Bowl. All I want to see is a good game, and there’s no reason we shouldn’t get one.

It’s the first time in Super Bowl history both teams have a quarterback who has not only won a Super Bowl, but has been MVP of the game.

Tom Brady is a four-time Super Bowl MVP with his first coming in Super Bowl XXXVI, and his fourth 15 years later in Super Bowl LI. Patrick Mahomes was last year’s MVP.

These two teams played in Week 12. The Chiefs pulled out a 27-24 win, and Brady and Mahomes combined to throw for 807 yards and six TDs.

Everyone knows what these two offenses can do, so it’s the two defenses that will be under the microscope today.

Kansas City’s defense is suspect, but better than people give them credit for, while Tampa Bay’s defense has carried the team in stretches this season as Brady became familiar with his surroundings and his teammates.

The best defense for the Buccaneers could be Brady feeding the Chiefs a steady diet of Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones in the run game in attempt to keep the ball away from Mahomes and his speedy co-horts.

As for the Chiefs, they will need to slow down the Tampa run game, and put pressure on the 43-yard-old Brady, who is not known for his mobility or elusiveness.

The Chiefs’ offensive line is banged up, but Mahomes throws the ball so well on the move I don’t think it matters.

As I look at this it’s pretty simple: Tom Brady is the GOAT, and it’s tough bet against him, BUT Patrick Mahomes is the BEST in the game right now, and it’s even tougher to bet against him. … CHIEFS 34, BUCCANEERS 24.

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Today marks the end of the 2020-21 NFL season, but the league never rests these days.

The NFL draft is in late April, and it’s always a fun few days from fans of all teams.

This year, the Dolphins have four picks in the top 50, and the Jets have eight picks in the first three rounds.

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence is a lock to go No. 1 to Jacksonville, but after that there is no sure-thing.

We could see a flurry of trades, with teams trying to trade up to get one of the five “franchise” quarterbacks in this draft, or one of the four “franchise” receivers. I’ve seen a few mock drafts with three QBs and three wide receivers going in the first seven picks — I don’t see any chance of that happening.

Most of the experts project five — even six — QBs in the first round, as well as three to five wide receivers, two running backs, and one tight end in the first round. That’s nearly half the first round consisting of skill-position players, and that rarely happens.

We’ve already seen one blockbuster trade with the Rams acquiring QB Matthew Stafford from the Lions. (Anyone else think the Rams may have overpaid?) And, rumors have Carson Went being dealt from Philly soon.

How many more trades will we see before the draft, and on draft night?

The question for some of our “local” teams are:

•  Can the Jets possibly screw this draft up, with the second overall pick and eight selections in the first three rounds? Of course they can, they are the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!

•  Will the Giants finally get some weapons for QB Daniel Jones? Perhaps, Alabama wideout Jaylen Waddle or Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.

•  Will the Bills be able to get Alabama running back Najee Harris, or Clemson’s Travis Etienne with the 30th pick, or will they need to trade up? Or, will Buffalo draft to upgrade the offensive line, and try to get one of the second-tier backs later in the draft.

•  Will the Steelers look to get Big Ben’s replacement? If so, they’ll likely have to trade up from the 24th pick.

•  Will the Eagles look to make up for not taking wideout Justin Jefferson last year, by grabbing one of the top receivers in this draft with the 6th pick?

The draft is still 2 1/2 months away, but it can’t get here fast enough.

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