Weekend Mailbag - Your Questions/My Answers

Super Bowl 58 is Here, but the mailbag has almost everything else under the sun.

Oh, what a week!

I enjoyed Las Vegas and was happy to spend time there and happy to leave. I’m back in Coppell with a sleep deficit and ready to offer you a mailbag.

I will admit, there is a to-do list about a mile long, so let me see if I can keep this short and do better-than-nothing, but shorter-than-usual.

This week here at Sturmstack, the paid subscribers got the following stuff that I encourage you to read now that you have some weekend time killing. By the way, have I mentioned the audio functions on the app so you can listen to it while driving, jogging, mowing, or whatever progressive verb you wish to go with? It is a real game changer as the AI lady gives everything a pretty good read.

Here was the menu from the week:

• Monday - I wrote about Mike Zimmer becoming the new Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator and how it all fits nicely. They hired him on Thursday, so this piece was not a waste of time!

• Wednesday - I wrote about Darren Woodson needing to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Once again, the voters disagreed with me (they are wrong!), so I guess this one was perhaps a waste of time, but I still enjoyed doing it.

• Thursday - We had to make sure we captured all the vibes of the U2 Show at the Sphere and this one was so much fun to get on here.

• Friday - The Super Bowl 58 preview piece where I go all over the game in different and hopefully unique ways for you to prepare for the matchup.

So, between that and the travel, I am running low on full levels of energy. With that in mind, we are ready to roll with a quick (lol) version of the mailbag.

But, first, you free subs, consider joining us for full access to all new stories and the entire archives as well as the Sturm 60 draft series profiles for this upcoming NFL Draft! Sign up today!

Ok, with all of that said, let’s get down to business:

Let’s put 10 questions up and I will knock them down in 60 minutes.

From Substack user: Generic, but what are your thoughts on the Mavs moves?

First, let’s make sure everyone knows what we are talking about:

The Mavericks sent forward Grant Williams and guard Seth Curry to the Hornets for PJ Washington, in addition to a 2027 first-round draft pick that is top-two protected. That means if happens to be No. 1 or No. 2, the Mavericks would keep it. Otherwise, it goes to Charlotte.

They also surrendered big men Richaun Holmes and the 2024 first-round pick they obtained via the Oklahoma City Thunder to Washington for Daniel Gafford.

So, they sent three players out and received two very nice 25-year olds, who have this season and two more years on reasonable contracts.

I like it quite a bit because they have needed to hit the market for a while, but it has to be the right fit. I like the possibilities here with both players and the fact that they are not widely famous players who everyone knows is not even a slight problem with me.

First, PJ Washington who I built a reel of his recent performance against Indiana here:

He is a wing who can play either forward position and help you on both ends with another athletic player who has more offense than most of their wings. He excels in the pick-and-roll and will give the Mavericks another player that makes common sense and the fit seems correct.

They seemed to want him back in the summer but they could not force Charlotte to deal him back then so they pivoted (incorrectly) to Grant Williams. To then use Grant to facilitate this is a smart way to end an unwise tenure. I thought Williams had a chance here, but in 50 games, it was only going backwards, so I have no issue with a punt. For most of the spring, they needed Josh Green to do this deal, but when Charlotte agreed to a future 1st instead, the trade was a no-brainer for me.

Now, below, I did a reel of Daniel Gafford recently vs Cleveland:

He is an absolutely perfect fit for what they are looking for. Another big who blocks shots, fights in the paint, and plays pick and roll all day. Again, looking for guys in the right age range to compliment young Dereck Lively with rim running and shot blocking. This is a great fit.

I love both moves and am very interested in the development of the rotation under Nico Harrison and I am pretty sure I will be writing about him in depth this week.

Here is an early look at my project:

From Nevin: Give us a Bob’s Notes version of what to expect with a Zimmer led defense?

Honestly, I think you just need to read Monday’s piece. That is my notes version and then some. I think he was far and away the best fit for me.

Here is how I ended the piece:

This move, I would think, would require a new emphasis on linebackers, corners who like to offer run support, and big space-eaters inside. The interview probably starts with how do you think Micah Parsons is best used?

I have my answers, but they aren’t interviewing me. His answer might decide if he is running this defense in 2024. I would be pretty interested in making that happen.

The defense will look at San Francisco, Buffalo, and Green Bay as red flag events they want to make sure will not happen again next year. Bullied on the ground and pushed around all day. If you isolate those three embarrassing experiences, you can surmise why those making the decisions would like a departure from that to move to a defensive guy who almost never got bullied.

There are a few things that concern me. The idea that he would quickly be the media conclusion of who takes over if Mike McCarthy gets fired midseason is up the list. Also, I do have a bit of an aversion to always thinking Norv Turner, Butch Davis, Dave Campo, and Mike Zimmer will always be the 1990’s solution to a modern problem. But, I can get past it here. I would hire this guy.

I think Mike Zimmer is a perfect idea for this job. I really do.

I am pleased with the hire and fired up for what it might mean this spring.

From Drew Fill in the blanks The Stars will win the Stanley Cup if __________? Jim Nill will be making a big mistake if ___________?

First, “The Stars will win the Stanley Cup if __________?”

The Stars probably need one more good defenseman. Miro Heiskanen, Tomas Harley, and Esa Lindell are fine, but I need a solid top four for the playoffs. The other three are third-pair guys who are useful, but not enough for 22 minutes a night against the Avalanche, Knights, or Oilers.

If they get that, I like their chances quite a bit to contend hard and at least make a push. From there, you need injury luck, puck luck, and a darn deep team.

Now, “Jim Nill will be making a big mistake if ___________?”

Uh, I guess I would strongly resist moving Logan Stankoven or Mavrik Bourque. I might consider it if I knew they were extending Matt Duchene on a nice number. But if they don’t think they can, then they need one or both of those young men to try to replace him next season.

Everyone will be asking for them, but they are both ready for the NHL right now. Especially Bourque.

From Todd St John: What personnel and schematic moves need to happen for the Cowboys to be able to stop the run? How could the Cowboys have matched personnel better last season to stop the run?

I feel like this is a full piece that I should write soon. Honestly, I think Dan Quinn believes in “inviting the run” and leaned so far into it that they had nothing on their roster to switch to if they needed to bail.

Inviting the run is a topic I want to get into, but it is basically trying to trick your opponent into running because you want them to do so as a strategic play (passes are more dangerous). I know it is going on in the league and I think the Cowboys rode it well to success, until it blew up in their face. But, yes, dime vs 12 personnel is insane and it seemed to not only be their plan, but also their only plan. Crazy.

From Michael Strawn: Bob, the Mavs just traded their only available 1st round pick in yet another effort to find decent players to surround Luka. Considering the abysmal record of the Mavs FO with such moves in the past any reason to feel better about this one? Also, thoughts on why Cuban isn't held remotely close to the same standard as Jerry Jones? Success on the court has been rare and the front office was exposed as a toxic cesspool of fratbro behavior. Yet Cuban seems to have a very positive reputation with most fans and I've long wondered why?

I have no problem whatsoever with trading picks when you have a player like Luka at the stage of his career you are in.

I have gone through this with the Bucks over the last decade and it is the only way to win a title. I also think that the NFL 1st rounders are golden nuggets. I think in the NBA they are lottery tickets. People in the public seem to value them the same, but if you have a top-five player in the world in the middle of his career, then the draft is no longer the path. Now you use the picks to match him with a group that compliment him in ability and age. I think they are on the right track now. I really do. Again, more on this later in the week.

From Jay Beerley: Pitchers and catchers report next week. It’s been a lot of “Thanks and see you later” when it comes to the roster this offseason and not “Welcome to Texas and our new era of dominance.” Should we be worried that Garcia is barely in house, no Montgomery, and no other significant moves have happened? Or is it ALL about the kids in the system?

I want to reserve judgment until we know more about Jordan Montgomery. I really want this signing to happen and his delay is quite interesting and mysterious to me. I feel like he is stalling for them, but perhaps he is stalling for a better offer. Tough to say. Otherwise, yes, the kids are very good, but, I also think pitching is where they need proven commodities.

They have obviously bought themselves some real incredible credibility with the public for the first time in ever, but nobody wants to now fall back to anonymity. We want the Rangers to challenge for a while now and be able to punch Houston in the mouth again. That is the hope, but yes, we have to remain patient. Happily, the Adolis Garcia situation has been resolved and I hope he is fine with how it played out. He is obviously my dude (and probably everyone’s now).

From Geoff Folsom: Would the Sphere work for sports, and, if so, what sport would you like to watch there (assuming it has good production)?

Great question! I am told the UFC has an event planned already and it is coming soon. So I looked into it and the Las Vegas paper offered this:

The first sporting event inside the Sphere could occur in September, thanks to UFC CEO Dana White’s self-admitted obsession with the new venue.

White said he has booked the Sphere — the $2.3 billion, 17,500-seat entertainment venue, which opened in late September — for a UFC card for Mexican Independence Day. Fights are scheduled Sept. 14.

White’s technical adviser said Wednesday it’s too early to explain how UFC would use some of the Sphere’s technological capabilities for the fight presentation.

The Sphere has a 160,000-square-foot screen — nearly 4 acres — that wraps around the audience, 2,000 speakers nestled behind the screen and a haptic system that vibrates on 10,000 seats.

UFC at the Sphere would be different from most fight venues. Most fight sites have the octagon surrounded by seats. But the Sphere has a concert stage with steep rows of seats on one side of the venue.

White said during the news conference that he enjoys a challenge the Sphere would provide one for him. “It’s going to be a massive challenge, and I love every minute of it,” he said. “I can’t wait to dive into this thing.”

White said he has a good business relationship with Madison Square Garden Entertainment, which built the Sphere. The name of the company managing the building has since changed to Sphere Entertainment. He said the company “did everything right” when it opened in late September for the first of more than two dozen U2 concerts.

Also, Sean Shapiro was telling me the NHL Draft is also going to be there in June.

Should be wild to see boxing, UFC, and such there to see if they can make it work. I am interested, obviously.

From Chad Gono: Bob, I’ve just recently gotten into the English Premier League and I love it. The player I can’t get enough of is Kevin De Bruyne for Manchester City. Never imagined myself loving soccer this much and a lot of it is bc of this dude. Can you talk about what he means to you and expand on what makes him so great?

Oh, man. He is something. There was a time when Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and probably Paul Scholes were thought of as the best midfielders in England for their ability from box to box to boss a game and always find the big moment. Whether it was a goal or an assist or a pass that unlocked a tight match, they could always find that moment of genius.

Well, De Bruyne is probably a level above those legends and has been the evolutionary result of the world’s best playing in England more and just how the game has continued to develop.

Here is a tape I watched a while back that captures his vision and skill to deliver the ball where he wants:

There is an element in that sport where you can see an opening through a forest of legs and bodies to find the target to free your mate up for a chance. It is Messi’s best gift and KDB has a version of that for sure. The only issue with him at this point is age (he is about to be 33) and declining health because of that long career. But, if he stays healthy, they are impossible to beat many days.

Dave W Our fantasy football commish used to have great teams every year but bad luck in the playoffs. When he finally broke through, he created a great tradition where he donated most of the winnings to charity, letting us vote on the charity. I’ve won a few times since then but instead of asking the league for a charity, I’ve rotated Ticket host charities: Austin Street Center (Norm-A-Thon), Hope Supply (Junior), Senior Source (Jub). So, being a SturmStack P1, what’s your favorite charity? You get to pick my (delinquent at this point) donation! PS, I’m sorry I don’t already know. I have the Wounded Warrior Project in my head but can’t tell if it’s a real memory or, well, not real.

My charity of choice is our Drop Your Pants clothing drive ministry that is also to assist with the Cornerstone Clothes Closet and their entire operation as Pastor Chris helps more people every day than most people help in a lifetime. They have a food kitchen, shower facility, clothing closet, and all sorts of things to assist the less fortunate.

They are very much my people and can be found here.

From David Anderson: Did Liverpool just lose the EPL title after dropping points to Arsenal? Lots of season left, but I think the door is wide open for ManCity. Especially if MNC takes 3 points in the H2H on March 10, you gotta think that is the clincher… Either way, a golden opportunity to bury Arsenal and keep a buffer from MNC was lost.

Nah.

It is a long road and today was the Round 24 of 38. Liverpool now has 54 points and Manchester City has 52 in just 23 matches. So, we have a long ways to go and both teams will drop more points. Masters weekend is the first time anyone should think the premier league title is in your grasp because in this sport, every match matters immensely and the pressure builds and builds.

March 10, Man City visits Liverpool and I bet that one will feel like a decider – but it won’t actually be, most likely.

From Brent: Bob, with Zim now hired and all the candidates that were interviewed, why do you think Vrabel wasn’t brought in at all?

I don’t actually know, but I suspect he had no interest in going from successful head coach to someone else’s coordinator. It just never seemed like an interesting fit here at all and I don’t know if Vrabel has ever been thought of as having the defensive chops of Zimmer, anyway. I like this option more, personally.

Enjoy the game! I will write it up on Monday morning.