Issue #201: Smelling Salts
By Derrick Ernst
August 10, 2025
More Loose Ends
Today’s the day — wish me luck! I’ll have more to say on Thursday, but the thing I’m most excited about with today versus the Card Show is that it’ll be more interactive. Rather than sitting behind a table, I’ll be out in front of it enticing people to swing by. I was also able to scoop up a signed JJ McCarthy jersey for a giveaway. It’s framed and massive and sure to be an eye-catcher!
As for smelling salts, I’ve never tried them. You’ve likely seen them in the news this week after some confusion around how policies for their use were changing. I’m glad to see they’re sticking around. It’s one of those things that I characterize as being something around since the beginning of football, let alone sports in general. As more time passes, the more the game evolves and fewer things connect it to its past. The decision to keep them a part of the game is the kind of glue that keeps the sport we love so much from breaking totally apart.
I’m writing this section on Thursday (day one of the preseason) and we already have significant headlines to unpack. Let’s start with one that involves a player we literally drew a comparison to in our last issue: Anthony Richardson. He was affiliated with a bold statement on Sunday and I’m about to say something just as bold now: his NFL career is on the verge of being over.
Source: Larry Brown Sports
We’ve seen careers of QBs cut short many of times, but few are to someone with as much hype as AR15. Manziel comes to mind (oddly enough, we just talked about him too). Trey Lance probably fits the bill. Ryan Leaf too, although I wasn’t old enough to remember any of his career. The point is, a QB’s shot is limited. You either embrace it and shine through or struggle and see your opportunities dwindle over time. The latter is starting to become the case with Richardson to the point where I don’t think IND will re-sign him after his rookie contract expires. Plus, I think D. Jones is a better QB (seriously). In other news:
Source: Facebook (NFL)
Signs a record-breaking deal one week and becomes chopped liver the next. I’m not saying one guy makes an entire O-line, but this will sting, especially for a team who has as pronounced of a running game as any other in the league. Also breaking was an update on N. Harris who HC Jim Harbaugh says “may not be ready for week one.” If anything, it means he won’t be seeing any action in the preseason which is probably good for someone of his pedigree.
The point I’m trying to get at is you take the Slater news and couple it with the enhancements LAC has been making to their passing game, and I’m not 100% convinced the juice is worth the squeeze to draft O. Hampton in R3. I still lean taking Harris who you can get in R12. He has the least amount of risk to get exposure to the team that may run the ball more than any other in the NFL.
Making Good on a Promise
As mentioned, I noticed a gap in our Draft Guide and I set out to fill it. I present you with three WRs you can grab in R6-8 that I think are worthy of your attention after further review:
Tetairoe McMillian, CAR: If B. Young continues to find his stride in year 3, there’s a good chance his WR1 will benefit. McMillian is the most talented WR he’s had on his side. Roll the dice.
Travis Hunter, JAX: If he precedes to go later in drafts, there’s a time when it makes sense to entertain, even if he’s on the defensive side of the ball more.
Deebo Samuel, WSH: Obviously there’s a stronger case if Mclaurin misses time. I think Deebo has one good year left.
Calling it here. I have a ball game to catch!
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