The NFL season is officially underway as the defending Super Bowl champs edged their nemesis from a year ago, the Minnesota Vikings 14-9. With the rest of the week 1 games ready to take center stage, I am inclined to finally divulge the surest thing in regards to picks that you can ever lay a buck on. So without further ado, here are my 2010-2011 NFL division by division champions, playoff picks and my Super Bowl predictions!
Let us start in the American Football Conference.
AFC
Eastern Division
1-New England Patriots- The Pats have the most reliable player in this division at the most important position, quarterback. Tom Brady has some new weapons to play with and if you think Bill Belichek is going to allow mediocrity from his defense again this season, you have another thing coming. Book it, Patriots get to 11-5. How you like them apples?
2-New York Jets- They will play fierce defense and run the ball down the barrel of any defense with confidence and guile fit of a Rex Ryan coached squad. But Mark Sanchez is still to inconsistent and erratic for my liking and if he plays anything like he did in the preseason moving forward, look for another 9-7 finish.
3-Miami Dolphins- This could be a team to be reckoned with a year from now, but I see an offense revving up for an identity crisis. The Dolphins are built to run yet with the acquisition of receiver Brandon Marshall this off season, there is a feeling that they have big things planned for quarterback Chad Henne. Yea….I do not see it. I believe in Chad Henne as much as the Arizona Cardinals believed in Matt Leinart. 6-10, enough said.
4-Buffalo Bills- When CJ Spiller gets the ball this season, I will be mesmerized for sure. It is when Trent Edwards drops back to throw it that I cringe along with Bills fans alike. I give them 4 wins based on a pretty stout defense, but when Edwards drops back to throw it…I start cringing again.
Southern Division
1-Indianopolis Colts- Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning and did I mention Peyton Manning? They will drop off a bit due to an ever improving division but did I mention the Colts have Peyton Manning? 12-4 folks!
2-Tennesse Titans- VY is becoming the quarterback that everyone envisioned following his national championship victory over USC and the player the Titans envisioned when they drafted him. Vince Young can run, pass and create opportunities when defenses seem to have him boxed in. Combine that with Chris Johnson, an improving receiving core and a strong defensive unit and the Titans are right in the thick of things. At 10-6 they will be on the cusp of a playoff berth, but I will touch on that later.
3-Houston Texans- They cannot beat the Colts or the Titans, so what makes anyone believe they can truly challenge for the division? They won’t which is why I have them once again finishing at 8-8.
4-Jacksonville Jaguars- Maurice Jones-Drew is already banged up and as long as David Garrard is their quarterback, they will never truly compete for a championship. Too many wholes to fill which puts their finishing mark at 5-11.
Northern Division
1-Cincinnati Bengals- This Bengals team is the best defensive unit in the division and now own the best receiving core as well. If Carson Palmer can regain his true form from his early years, this team can compete for it all. The Bengals have a running game and some added youth to enhance their 2009 success, which is enough to repeat as AFC north champs with a 12-4 record.
2-Baltimore Ravens- The Ravens aura of defensive excellence is now just a distant memory. Ray Lewis is great, but not the man anymore. That distinction belongs to Patrick Willis of the 49ers. Ed Reed will miss half the season and their best defensive back outside off Reed, Dominique Foxworthy is on IR. Love Ray Rice and the addition of Anquan Boldin to the Ravens offense but Joe Flacco is no Joe cool. With opportunities to beat the Colts and Steelers last season he crumbled under the pressure. That is not to say that he will again, but this is a show me league right? I give them 11 wins based largely on the Steelers demise this season and the Browns futile attempt to be competitive.
3-Pitsburgh Steelers- With Big Ben out with a four game suspension and no running game to speak of, sets up for a rough season for the steel city. A big part of me is rooting for Dennis Dixon mostly to show Big Ben he’s not needed, but that’s just wishful thinking. The Steelers will fight and claw but in the end will be good for only 8 wins and miss the post season again.
4-Cleveland Browns- If Browns fans thought they could take Solis in the departed decision of Lebron James to Miami with high hopes for the up coming NFL season, well then their in for more disappointment. The Browns will turn to Jake Delhomme to lead an offense who’s best weapon is a returner in Josh Cribbs. This season is setting up to be really bad for Browns fans, and with a 3-13 record on the horizon, LBJ may not end up being the most hated man in Cleveland after all. OK well maybe he still will be.
Western Division
1-San Diego Chargers- By default. Even without Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeil and an injured Shawn Merriman, what does that say about this division if the Chargers can win it with some of their best players…well not playing. The super Chargers will get to 9-7 and make the post season because someone has to go from this division.
2-Oakland Raiders- The addition of Jason Campbell has certainly raised expectations since the Jamarcus Russell experiment went to hell. The Raiders have nice pieces on defense and a decent enough rotation in the back field with Michael Bush and Darren Mcfadden, but the offensive line is still in limbo and would you trust Darius Hayward-Bay? Pencil in Raider nation for 7 wins and I am out of here before I get stabbed by an Oakland fan.
3-Denver Broncos- The Broncos schematically have a good defense and serviceable receivers in Eddie Royal, Jabar Gaffney and Brandon Stokley. As crazy as it may sound, the house cleaning of Jay Cutler did not look that bad after watching him throw nearly 30 interceptions last season. Now the Brandon Marshall and Tony Sheffler moves will have to wait and see how that works out but there is no question that Denver will struggle this season. With the Broncos staring at a 6-10 season, the Tim Tebow era maybe near!
4-Kansas City Chiefs- I may get hunted down being that I am a KC resident, but before week 3 Chiefs fans will turn their attention to slaughter on Matt Cassel. How Cassel got 60 million to be the franchise quarterback is beyond my understanding but Brodie Croyle maybe the man to keep the boat afloat. KC looks like a 4-12 team to me but hopes for the Jake Locker sweepstakes may ease Chief fans pain.
National Football Conference
Eastern Division
1-New York Giants- The Giants are as good up front on defensive as any team in the league. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs anchor an in your face running attack and I trust Eli Manning more than I do Tony Romo of the Cowboys. Speaking of the Cowboys, they routinely get owned by New York and this season will be no different. Love the Keith Bullock pick up and those filled holes are enough to get the G-men to 11-5.
2-Dallas Cowboys- All I keep hearing is how talented the Boys are, yet every year they let everyone including yours truly down. I will not be party to their hype machine anymore. The offensive line is in shambles, their two best running backs are injury prone and their “star” quarterback must have hands wrapped around his neck because boy does he choke. Now that Dallas defense is pretty darn good, which is why I have them in second place with a 10-6 record.
3-Washington Redskins- If Kevin Kolb flops in Philly so will Andy Reid’s tenure as Eagle head coach. With the Eagles trading Donovan McNabb to the skins along with the arrival of Mike Shanahan as the man in charge, the immediate future of the Redskins is less bleak. With an array of quality, albeit aging running backs Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson to turn to, McNabb already has a running game he did not enjoy in Philly. The Skins have a talented defense as well which puts them over the top of the Eagles for now with an 8-8 finish.
4-Phiadelphia Eagles- Think the Eagles will be missing McNabb this season? You’re darn right they will, and Eagle fans will suffer all the indignities they placed on Donovan. The Eagles still have no running game and their defense is relatively small upfront and lacks the intensity it once had. The Eagles will be toting the line of mediocrity this season and win 5 games and finish 5-11.
Southern Division
1-New Orleans Saints- This is a team intact and now schooled on what it takes to win it all. Drew Brees is now the best in the game and has an unlimited amount of weaponry to choose from. The Saints also proved Thursday night against the Vikings that they can be physical on both sides of the ball. This year the Saints will blow teams out and grind out wins with their new found versatility. Who dat say that the Saints going to win 14 games? Well that would be me!
2-Atlanta Falcons- This division is pretty easy to dissect and the Falcons are just as predictable. They will run with Michael Turner and work off the play action with an improving Matt Ryan at quarterback. Ryan has plenty of targets to throw to and the defense has made some upgrades. The Falcons will be doing the dirty bird often this season to the tune of 11-5.
3-Carolina Panthers- There is no better running attack in football then the combination of Deangelo Williams and Jonathon Stewart. There is no better receiver in the league when he is right than Steve Smith. But a depleted defense and an unproven signal caller in Matt Moore does not bode well for the Panthers in this division. Jimmy Clausen is no savior at the moment and Steve Smith cannot be the passing game all by his lonesome so, give them 7 wins and let’s call it a season in Carolina.
4-Tampa Bay Buccaneers- They say you can never go home again, but the Bucs are back to futility so anything is possible. There just bad and uneventful to talk about so 2-14 and let us move on.
Northern Division
1-Green Bay Packers- I know you have all been waiting for it and wondering how it will end this season between the Pack and Favre. Aaron Rodgers is unconsciously good and his growth could spawn the NFC version of the Brady/Manning rivalry with Rodgers and Brees. The Packers running game isn’t scary but the receiving core that now will feature a lot more Jermichael Finley is nightmare quality. The Green Bay defense is good but not Viking good, which begs the question. Why did I choose the Packers over the Vikings? Simple arithmetic really, the Vikings started out hot last season and built a big lead over the Packers that allowed them to hold off their nemesis. This season with injuries looming for the Vikes, it will be the Pack off and running and the Vikings peaking late to make things interesting. With that being said, Packers clinch the North with a 12-4 record.
2-Minnesota Vikings- With Sidney Rice out till mid season, Brett Favre will have to get acquainted with a lot of new faces and get reacquainted with Percy Harvin. It is a tough opening stretch for Minnesota but once through the fire, the Vikings will finish hot and formidable. I of course love Adrian Peterson in the backfield which makes it easier for me to give this year’s version of the Favre Vikings 11 wins.
3-Detriot Lions- I know you’re probably chuckling as you’ve noticed my third place choice. I really like the Lions defense upfront and with Louis Delmas anchoring the secondary they will be a handful for any offense. Mathew Stafford has won me over and apparently Calvin Johnson as well. Johnson has made it known that Stafford is his guy and a happy Calvin Johnson is a dangerous Calvin Johnson. With the arrival of rookie running back Javid Best and receiving additions Nate Burleson and Tony Sheffler, Stafford has toys to play with and Coach Jim Schwartz is defensive minded enough to game plan to their strengths. The motor city has hope as the Lions pick up 6 wins. You can stop chuckling now.
4-Chicago Bears- Jay Cutler is the second coming of Jake Plummer in my opinion. Talented but missing the intangibles needed to succeed long term in the NFL. So Cutler has a strong arm, so does Jamarcus Russell. So his new offensive coordinator is Mike Martz. What has he really done since Kurt Warner? Julius Peppers didn’t care in Carolina why would he now all of a sudden? Matt Forte is good on some days but on others you don’t even know he is on the field. The Bears will be ready to implode at 5-11 and Bears fans will have no more love in their hearts for Lovie Smith when it’s all said and done.
Western Division
1-San Francisco 49ers- What a difference a year makes, imagine two under Mike Singletary. Before Singletary took over for Mike Nolan as head coach mid way through the 2007 season, they had a bust at quarterback, no discipline from its players and were in the midst of a downward spiral. Then the 49ers fired Nolan and appoint Singletary interim head coach. Vernon Davis gets first dibs on Mike’s example meter, the speech heard around the world follows and Patrick Willis evolves to prime Ray Lewis status. The Niners play great defense, bulked up their offense of line and the once bust at quarterback is playing for pride as this years 49ers look like a playoff team. If Alex Smith can be serviceable as the Niners signal caller, look for the golden boys to advance to 10-6 this season. Halle Ulla!
2-Arizona Cardinals- The Cardinals decided against Matt Leinart and will turn to Derek Anderson to replace Kurt Warner at quarterback. Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower will be the focal point of the offense as the Cards look to transition to power running and defense to be their calling card. The defense is what gets me though, as they have some talent upfront but am I the only one that witnessed Rogers-Cromartie get burned for eight quarters in the playoffs last season? The Cards can slow but not stop running attacks on weekly basis which gives the 49ers a huge advantage this season. I am going to have to deal the Cards an ugly hand and send them off with 7-9 as their finishing record.
3-Seattle Seahawks- If Matt Hasselbeck is still playing by week 4 it will be a miracle and a welcomed change for Seahawk fans. The injury prone quarterback has been an absentee leader on the field and with the Seahawks bolstering their roster with top tier draft picks, his presence is a must. I like Pete Carroll and some of the additions made to the Seahawk roster but they are either too young or too old at key positions. Not enough substance to compete with the Niners and Cards, so I have the Carroll lead Hawks finishing with a 5-11 record.
4-St Louis Rams- The Sam Bradford era begins for Ram faithful but not much else to get excited about. Bradford’s best target Donnie Avery is out with an injury and Steven Jackson can run it as well as anyone in the league but can’t platoon as a wide out as well. The Rams defense is non existent which will prevent them from stopping anyone including the three teams ahead of them in the west. Look for the Rams to build off of last seasons 1-15 record with a 3-13 finish.
So here is my playoff breakdown based on my division by division predictions. AFC division winners are the Patriots, Colts, Bengals and Chargers with my wild card picks being the Titans and Ravens. AFC title game will feature a week one rematch between the Patriots and Bengals. My AFC champions are…..the Cincinnati Bengals!
Now on to the NFC where the Giants, Packers, Saints and 49ers are my division picks while the Vikings and Falcons are the wild cards. NFC title game will feature the defending champion Saints taking on their week one foes, the Vikings. My NFC champions are….the New Orleans Saints!
Super Bowl match up featuring the New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals will be an epic battle to everyone’s surprise ending on a Drew Brees touchdown pass late giving the Saints the repeat and Brees his second SB MVP award. Enjoy the season everyone and feel free to comment and share your thoughts and picks. Until next time good luck to you and your teams and fantasy picks this season, lord knows I will need all the luck I can get!
By Ephraim Vega
Blog or Bust News
Friday, September 10, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Big Shoes to fill.....
Occasionally in sports you have instances where someone replaces a legend, well in the State of Florida this year, this is happening in Tallahassee and Gainesville. Its always been said that it's hard to replace a legend, and who much easier it is for the guy, replacing the guy, who replaced the legend, and in these cases its no different.
In Gainesville John Brantley takes over at QB for the Florida Gators, this upcoming Saturday, replacing the Immortal Tim Tebow, who led the Gators to a National Championship, won a Heisman Trophy, and set numerous Conference Records and was a staple in the Gators locker room. Brantley, a 5 star QB out of high school will take his first meaningful snaps of his short Gators career. Can Brantley replace Tebow? No, he will not replace what Tebow brought to the table, but with Brantley being more of a pocket passer, the Gators will transition into more of a pro-style offense. With the weapons at his disposal, this will make things much easier on Brantley, but a 11-1 season is more than likely asking too much. With road games at Alabama, and at Tennessee to go along with LSU, Georgia, and a improving FSU team, 9-3 would probably be best case scenario for the Gators. A bit of advice for John Brantley, ignore the blog sites (except this one) and turn off the radio, because if things go bad during the regular season, he will experience a onslaught of negativity not seen in decade.
How do you replace 389 wins?? You cant, but this is the task Jimbo Fisher faces this year. There might not be a harder head coach to replace (no disrespect to Joe Paterno) than Bobby Bowden. From 1976 until 2009, Bobby Bowden led the Seminoles, week in and week out. He led them to a National Title, produced a couple of Heisman Trophy winners, and established the Seminoles as a mainstay in college football. But the writing was on the wall back in 2007, when Jimbo Fisher was named "coach in waiting", it was only a matter of time before Jimbo took full control. Now having full control, Jimbo takes over a team with lots of questions on Defensive. Jimbo will be on a short leash, and faces a very difficult schedule that includes Oklahoma, BYU, Miami, Boston College and Florida. Jimbo, a offensive wiz will bring back the ACC's best QB Christian Ponder this season to lead an explosive offense. Jimbo is also recruiting well as a Head Coach, but he will have to prove that he can coach that talent. FSU is not a place where you can learn on the job. Jimbo needs to win, and win fast, or he will have fans asking for a return of Bobby Bowden.
By Rashad Reed
-Blog or Bust News-
In Gainesville John Brantley takes over at QB for the Florida Gators, this upcoming Saturday, replacing the Immortal Tim Tebow, who led the Gators to a National Championship, won a Heisman Trophy, and set numerous Conference Records and was a staple in the Gators locker room. Brantley, a 5 star QB out of high school will take his first meaningful snaps of his short Gators career. Can Brantley replace Tebow? No, he will not replace what Tebow brought to the table, but with Brantley being more of a pocket passer, the Gators will transition into more of a pro-style offense. With the weapons at his disposal, this will make things much easier on Brantley, but a 11-1 season is more than likely asking too much. With road games at Alabama, and at Tennessee to go along with LSU, Georgia, and a improving FSU team, 9-3 would probably be best case scenario for the Gators. A bit of advice for John Brantley, ignore the blog sites (except this one) and turn off the radio, because if things go bad during the regular season, he will experience a onslaught of negativity not seen in decade.
How do you replace 389 wins?? You cant, but this is the task Jimbo Fisher faces this year. There might not be a harder head coach to replace (no disrespect to Joe Paterno) than Bobby Bowden. From 1976 until 2009, Bobby Bowden led the Seminoles, week in and week out. He led them to a National Title, produced a couple of Heisman Trophy winners, and established the Seminoles as a mainstay in college football. But the writing was on the wall back in 2007, when Jimbo Fisher was named "coach in waiting", it was only a matter of time before Jimbo took full control. Now having full control, Jimbo takes over a team with lots of questions on Defensive. Jimbo will be on a short leash, and faces a very difficult schedule that includes Oklahoma, BYU, Miami, Boston College and Florida. Jimbo, a offensive wiz will bring back the ACC's best QB Christian Ponder this season to lead an explosive offense. Jimbo is also recruiting well as a Head Coach, but he will have to prove that he can coach that talent. FSU is not a place where you can learn on the job. Jimbo needs to win, and win fast, or he will have fans asking for a return of Bobby Bowden.
By Rashad Reed
-Blog or Bust News-
Saturday, August 28, 2010
My Early NFL Preseason stories and predictions
So what have we all learned from the NFL preseason thus far? In the past, aside from catastrophic injuries that changed the courses of a team’s season usually not much. Take the Indianapolis Colts for instance. Historically during Peyton Manning’s tenure as quarterback, the colts have lost a great majority of their preseason games. Yet, once the regular season is in full swing, few teams if any have equaled the Colts success. Then you could reference the reverse effect. The Detroit Lions a couple of years back went undefeated in the preseason, only to loose every game during the regular season and finish 0-16. Such is the unpredictability of exhibition football, until however now. If you’re wondering, yes, I am going out on a limb and am ready to claim that this year’s preseason does matter. And here are my early preseason predictions;
-Aaron Rodgers will breakout to the upper echelon of the leagues elite quarterbacks and lead the Packers to the postseason. OK, so it is not like I am alone on the Rodgers bandwagon, but as good as he looked a year ago he maybe even better this season. Aaron Rodgers is accurate, athletic and skilled to the point that the Green Bay Packers saw his star shining so brightly, they broke ties with future hall of famer Brett Favre. Rodgers should be in the MVP discussion by seasons end, and the only question remaining with no.12 is his ability to win come playoff time.
-And speaking of Favre, it would be hard to imagine the soon to be 41 year old having as good a season as he did a year ago. Now with the Minnesota Vikings battling some early adversity with Sidney Rice undergoing hip surgery and Percy Harvin batting migraines, I do not expect the Vikings to start out the season hot. To the contrary, I see the Vikings starting slow then finishing strong and making a hard push in to the post season. Adrian Peterson will be the key to keeping the Vikings heads above water, but ultimately it will be Favre and the passing game that will push them over the top. We could all be looking at a Saints/Vikings rematch for the NFC title game with all things considered, which would make for even better TV than it did a year ago.
-Tom Brady is fully recovered from his 2008 knee injury and is ready to be the leagues MVP this season. The New England Patriots are not the dynasty they once were, but they still have Tom Brady and more weapons than he has ever possessed at one time. With Wes Welker seemingly back and healthy, Randy Moss stretching defenses, Julian Edelmen doing his best Welker impersonations and the additions of tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, Tom Brady is in for a monster season. The vaunted Patriots defense is still a question mark which is all the more reason to believe the offense will feel the need to pick up the slack. The Pats passing game should be well protected with interchangeable running backs Sammy Morris, Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney and the ever reliable Kevin Faulk.
-Mark Sanchez still a question mark with his erratic play and this on the heels of a productive off season that has added star power such as defensive back Antonio Cromartie, former Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor, receiver Santonio Holmes and running back Ladanian Tomlinson to the AFC championship runner up New York Jets. This year’s hard knocks version of the Jets is deeper and more talented than last years on paper, but how far they go will depend on the growth and development of Sanchez. If teams can stay in the box and focus on the run with no fear of being beat by the Jets quarterback, the offense will be stagnant. The Jets defense even without corner back Darrell Revis is the best in football, but that unit simply cannot win it all alone. There is much hype in New York, full of expectations for Jets football to return to prominence, but perhaps not enough substance when it comes to the bottom line. That bottom line: Mark Sanchez.
-Now that I have covered my most intriguing quarterback stories this preseason thus far, let me dive in to teams to watch; The New Orleans Saints are the defending Super Bowl champions and are getting zero respect. That could ultimately serve as motivation to a team that is still as hungry as they were a year ago in winning it all. The Saints are returning 20 of 22 starters from a year ago and last time I checked they still have a guy named Drew Brees. Brees is phenomenal to watch and is equaled in stature among the best at his position by only Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Combine that with arguably the best play calling head coach in football Sean Payton, and you have all the ingredients you need offensively to repeat. The Saints defense a year ago were at the top of the heap when it came to forcing turn over’s and converting them in to points. Darren Sharper and Super Bowl hero Tracy Porter anchor the secondary while others like defensive end Will Smith and line backer Jonathon Vilma helped lead the Saints to those takeaway opportunities. That is not a learned behavior, rather a product of the type of talent that has been meshed together. For those reasons alone, I am picking the “who dat” nation to be partying it up again in February 2011.
-The Dallas Cowboys are a franchise full of talent, but in my opinion are more on the side of full of baloney. Defensively there is no question they are stout, but the Cowboy offensive line is average at best. Tony Romo has the most intense case of happy feet since Chad Ochocinco on dancing with the stars. Let’s be honest here, Marion Barber and Felix Jones are injury prone and Roy E. Williams and Miles Austin do not scare the elite defensive teams in the NFC. Dez Bryant is good but is a rookie. The boys will flop this year and Wade Philips will be out as head coach as well.
-Cincinnati Bengals front office had a busy off season with regard to there wide receiver search and eventual signings of Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens. Those two talents join Chad Ochocinco, rookies Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley on the edges, and with Cedric Benson in the backfield the Bengals are now the best offensive team in the AFC north. Quarterback Carson Palmer now has an array of weapons to unleash against the rest of the NFL and combine that with a very talented defensive unit, the Bengals could be the last team standing come the AFC postseason. Palmer’s ability to get the ball down field is still a question mark, but he can no longer blame it on lack of talent. The Bengals have set themselves up for success, but will only go as far as Palmer can throw it, literally.
With that being said and a week plus still remaining in the preseason, I will continue to look for more headlines and stories heading in to opening kickoff of the regular season. Look for my division by division predictions all the way to my Super Bowl picks and much more. As always thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed!
By Ephraim Vega
Blog or Bust News
-Aaron Rodgers will breakout to the upper echelon of the leagues elite quarterbacks and lead the Packers to the postseason. OK, so it is not like I am alone on the Rodgers bandwagon, but as good as he looked a year ago he maybe even better this season. Aaron Rodgers is accurate, athletic and skilled to the point that the Green Bay Packers saw his star shining so brightly, they broke ties with future hall of famer Brett Favre. Rodgers should be in the MVP discussion by seasons end, and the only question remaining with no.12 is his ability to win come playoff time.
-And speaking of Favre, it would be hard to imagine the soon to be 41 year old having as good a season as he did a year ago. Now with the Minnesota Vikings battling some early adversity with Sidney Rice undergoing hip surgery and Percy Harvin batting migraines, I do not expect the Vikings to start out the season hot. To the contrary, I see the Vikings starting slow then finishing strong and making a hard push in to the post season. Adrian Peterson will be the key to keeping the Vikings heads above water, but ultimately it will be Favre and the passing game that will push them over the top. We could all be looking at a Saints/Vikings rematch for the NFC title game with all things considered, which would make for even better TV than it did a year ago.
-Tom Brady is fully recovered from his 2008 knee injury and is ready to be the leagues MVP this season. The New England Patriots are not the dynasty they once were, but they still have Tom Brady and more weapons than he has ever possessed at one time. With Wes Welker seemingly back and healthy, Randy Moss stretching defenses, Julian Edelmen doing his best Welker impersonations and the additions of tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, Tom Brady is in for a monster season. The vaunted Patriots defense is still a question mark which is all the more reason to believe the offense will feel the need to pick up the slack. The Pats passing game should be well protected with interchangeable running backs Sammy Morris, Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney and the ever reliable Kevin Faulk.
-Mark Sanchez still a question mark with his erratic play and this on the heels of a productive off season that has added star power such as defensive back Antonio Cromartie, former Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor, receiver Santonio Holmes and running back Ladanian Tomlinson to the AFC championship runner up New York Jets. This year’s hard knocks version of the Jets is deeper and more talented than last years on paper, but how far they go will depend on the growth and development of Sanchez. If teams can stay in the box and focus on the run with no fear of being beat by the Jets quarterback, the offense will be stagnant. The Jets defense even without corner back Darrell Revis is the best in football, but that unit simply cannot win it all alone. There is much hype in New York, full of expectations for Jets football to return to prominence, but perhaps not enough substance when it comes to the bottom line. That bottom line: Mark Sanchez.
-Now that I have covered my most intriguing quarterback stories this preseason thus far, let me dive in to teams to watch; The New Orleans Saints are the defending Super Bowl champions and are getting zero respect. That could ultimately serve as motivation to a team that is still as hungry as they were a year ago in winning it all. The Saints are returning 20 of 22 starters from a year ago and last time I checked they still have a guy named Drew Brees. Brees is phenomenal to watch and is equaled in stature among the best at his position by only Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Combine that with arguably the best play calling head coach in football Sean Payton, and you have all the ingredients you need offensively to repeat. The Saints defense a year ago were at the top of the heap when it came to forcing turn over’s and converting them in to points. Darren Sharper and Super Bowl hero Tracy Porter anchor the secondary while others like defensive end Will Smith and line backer Jonathon Vilma helped lead the Saints to those takeaway opportunities. That is not a learned behavior, rather a product of the type of talent that has been meshed together. For those reasons alone, I am picking the “who dat” nation to be partying it up again in February 2011.
-The Dallas Cowboys are a franchise full of talent, but in my opinion are more on the side of full of baloney. Defensively there is no question they are stout, but the Cowboy offensive line is average at best. Tony Romo has the most intense case of happy feet since Chad Ochocinco on dancing with the stars. Let’s be honest here, Marion Barber and Felix Jones are injury prone and Roy E. Williams and Miles Austin do not scare the elite defensive teams in the NFC. Dez Bryant is good but is a rookie. The boys will flop this year and Wade Philips will be out as head coach as well.
-Cincinnati Bengals front office had a busy off season with regard to there wide receiver search and eventual signings of Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens. Those two talents join Chad Ochocinco, rookies Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley on the edges, and with Cedric Benson in the backfield the Bengals are now the best offensive team in the AFC north. Quarterback Carson Palmer now has an array of weapons to unleash against the rest of the NFL and combine that with a very talented defensive unit, the Bengals could be the last team standing come the AFC postseason. Palmer’s ability to get the ball down field is still a question mark, but he can no longer blame it on lack of talent. The Bengals have set themselves up for success, but will only go as far as Palmer can throw it, literally.
With that being said and a week plus still remaining in the preseason, I will continue to look for more headlines and stories heading in to opening kickoff of the regular season. Look for my division by division predictions all the way to my Super Bowl picks and much more. As always thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed!
By Ephraim Vega
Blog or Bust News
Friday, August 27, 2010
CFB; How about the little guys?????
You know, we have come to be spoiled over the last 50 some odd years of the teams we expect to compete year in and year out for a National Championship. You have your schools dripping in tradition, Notre Dame, Michigan, Texas, Miami, Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida and so on and so forth. But I'm here to tell you that this upcoming season will be about the little guys. Now, I'm sure your thinking to yourself, what is this guy talking about? But judge (readers), I plan to lay out my case for why this is the year either Boise St or TCU win the BCS National Championship.
TCU-
Fresh off a Fiesta Bowl appearance last year the Horned Frogs look primed this year to take the next step and contend for a BCS Title. Last years offense, that finished 5Th in the nation, returns 9 starters, including Mountain West Conference Player of the Year QB Andy Dalton. Last season Dalton threw 22 touchdowns and ran for another 5. All skill players return as well. On the Defensive side there's a little more work to be done. After losing All-Americans Jerry Hughes and Darryl Washington to the NFL draft the Horned Frogs might see the Number 1 Defense from last season take a step back, but I'm here to say it wont matter. This is why; Look at the Horned Frogs schedule this upcoming season. After an opening game against PAC-10 Oregon St the schedule lightens up. Throw in a Baylor here and a road game against Utah there, and those are the only potential speed bumps that stand in TCU's way. Air Force and BYU both have to play TCU on the road, so the schedule sets up nice for the Horned Frogs to make history.
Boise St.-
These guys shouldn't be called little, but playing in a Non-BCS Conference leaves them with this distinction. The team commonly known as the school with the blue field, which in fact is blue magic with an impressive 63-2 record since 2000. Boise St returns 23 out of 24 possible starters to a team that finished last season undefeated with a win over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl. Heisman Candidate Kellen Moore returns to lead the high powered Broncos. Moore is one of the best in college football with precision passing. His 39 touchdowns to 3 interceptions last season was the best ratio in the country. He also never gets touched, as the Broncos offensive line allowed a nation low 5 sacks. The Defensive returns everyone except CB Kyle Wilson. The Broncos play 12 games this season, but it really boils down to just one game, the season opener. The Broncos play another top 10 opponent in Virginia Tech. The Hokies are a very good team and this will be a playoff game for Boise State. Win this game, and there isn't anyone on the schedule that will come closer than 14 points this season. Lose this game, and this could hurt Non-BCS schools for many years to come. But I'm on record as saying, that Boise St will beat Virgina Tech to open the season and end the season in the National Championship game.
So there you have it your honor. Ive presented my case, and in what I feel will be a down year for Florida and Alabama, opens the door for the little guys..In the words of Scarface " Say Hello, to my little friends!!!"
By Rashad Reed
-Blog or Bust News-
TCU-
Fresh off a Fiesta Bowl appearance last year the Horned Frogs look primed this year to take the next step and contend for a BCS Title. Last years offense, that finished 5Th in the nation, returns 9 starters, including Mountain West Conference Player of the Year QB Andy Dalton. Last season Dalton threw 22 touchdowns and ran for another 5. All skill players return as well. On the Defensive side there's a little more work to be done. After losing All-Americans Jerry Hughes and Darryl Washington to the NFL draft the Horned Frogs might see the Number 1 Defense from last season take a step back, but I'm here to say it wont matter. This is why; Look at the Horned Frogs schedule this upcoming season. After an opening game against PAC-10 Oregon St the schedule lightens up. Throw in a Baylor here and a road game against Utah there, and those are the only potential speed bumps that stand in TCU's way. Air Force and BYU both have to play TCU on the road, so the schedule sets up nice for the Horned Frogs to make history.
Boise St.-
These guys shouldn't be called little, but playing in a Non-BCS Conference leaves them with this distinction. The team commonly known as the school with the blue field, which in fact is blue magic with an impressive 63-2 record since 2000. Boise St returns 23 out of 24 possible starters to a team that finished last season undefeated with a win over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl. Heisman Candidate Kellen Moore returns to lead the high powered Broncos. Moore is one of the best in college football with precision passing. His 39 touchdowns to 3 interceptions last season was the best ratio in the country. He also never gets touched, as the Broncos offensive line allowed a nation low 5 sacks. The Defensive returns everyone except CB Kyle Wilson. The Broncos play 12 games this season, but it really boils down to just one game, the season opener. The Broncos play another top 10 opponent in Virginia Tech. The Hokies are a very good team and this will be a playoff game for Boise State. Win this game, and there isn't anyone on the schedule that will come closer than 14 points this season. Lose this game, and this could hurt Non-BCS schools for many years to come. But I'm on record as saying, that Boise St will beat Virgina Tech to open the season and end the season in the National Championship game.
So there you have it your honor. Ive presented my case, and in what I feel will be a down year for Florida and Alabama, opens the door for the little guys..In the words of Scarface " Say Hello, to my little friends!!!"
By Rashad Reed
-Blog or Bust News-
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Weekly Rant!
Hello sports fans! It has been an interesting week in sports to say the least, so with that being said, here is my weekly rant!
The Brett Favre watch is officially over! The 40 year old QB arrived in style, accompanied by Minnesota Viking teammates Steve Hutchinson, Jared Allen and Ryan Longwell. According to sources close to the team, head coach Brad Childress sent the three emissaries to Mississippi in hopes of getting a definitive answer from Favre on his playing future. A day later all four players arrived at Vikings camp together, ending all the speculation that has engulfed the off season more than any other story, save for Darrelle Revis's holdout with the New York Jets. With Favre back in the fold, QB's Travaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels slide down the depth chart even as rumors now swirl about Rosenfels possibly being traded before the end of the preseason. Las Vegas is feeling the effects of Brett Favre mania as the Vikings went from 10-1 odds to 6-1 odds on their betting chances at a Super Bowl title. Talk about Favre as a diva all you want, your reading about it, and I am writing about it, so he matters. Sorry Mr. Reed.
Speaking of the New York Jets and their on going contract impasse with corner back Darrelle Revis, just finished watching the second episode of Hard knocks, and I must say...very enjoyable. Not much mention of Revis on this episode, but some talk about former NFL coach Tony Dungy and his distaste on Rex Ryan's choice of profanity on episode one. Personally, I am a christian boy which means I, like all other religious followers of any kind am a hypocrite. I try to live a wholesome life but do let the proverbial "F" bomb getaway from me from time to time and do not think it is any one's place to judge others. Look Tony Dungy is a great guy and all, but you just can't call out a peer about the way he speaks or how he does his business. That is not professional. If Dungy has a gripe with Rex's choice of words, call him or visit him at Jets camp and talk to him man to man. All Dungy is doing is allowing more and more of liberal America to be turned off by another goody two shoes christian, who is forcing his beliefs on others. Hearts in the right place Tony but your methods are no better than Rex Ryan's "F" bombs.
The New York Mets have placed closer Francisco Rodriguez on the disqualified list with contract as non-guaranteed, and will not pay him while he is unable to perform. This all stemming from an incident that occurred at Citi Field, after a Mets home game in which Rodriguez lay ed a WWE style smack down on his girlfriends father outside of the family lounge. No word yet from Mets officials if K-Rod used the peoples elbow or stone cold stunner on his commonwealth father in law but whatever methods he did utilize landed the 53 year old Carlos Pena in the emergency room. The MLB players union has filed a grievance against the Mets, but no word if they will settle the issue in a steel cage or a court room rumble. This story is so pathetic in nature, I guess you can all see I am covering it as such. Moving right along....
The American League east is heating up as the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays are locked in to a fist place tie. The Boston Red Sox sit just 5 games back and welcomed All Star Dustin Pedroia back this week in hopes of a final stand down the stretch run. The Red Sox have six games remaining against the Rays and with some 40 plus left on the schedule, still have plenty of life. The Yankees look to be the favorites in repeating as divisions champions, especially with the no hit prone Rays capable of going cold on any night and the Sox facing a relative deficit in the standings. One thing is for sure, two out of the three teams in the east will make the postseason as division champions or as a wild card team, making this race the best in baseball.
That is all the time I have sports maniacs, but tune in for some college football coverage courtesy of Rashad Reed coming soon and a "heckler" special, as Pops Kehoe brings us his first blog article! Good reads and times ahead folks. Enjoy!
By Ephraim Vega
Blog or Bust News
The Brett Favre watch is officially over! The 40 year old QB arrived in style, accompanied by Minnesota Viking teammates Steve Hutchinson, Jared Allen and Ryan Longwell. According to sources close to the team, head coach Brad Childress sent the three emissaries to Mississippi in hopes of getting a definitive answer from Favre on his playing future. A day later all four players arrived at Vikings camp together, ending all the speculation that has engulfed the off season more than any other story, save for Darrelle Revis's holdout with the New York Jets. With Favre back in the fold, QB's Travaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels slide down the depth chart even as rumors now swirl about Rosenfels possibly being traded before the end of the preseason. Las Vegas is feeling the effects of Brett Favre mania as the Vikings went from 10-1 odds to 6-1 odds on their betting chances at a Super Bowl title. Talk about Favre as a diva all you want, your reading about it, and I am writing about it, so he matters. Sorry Mr. Reed.
Speaking of the New York Jets and their on going contract impasse with corner back Darrelle Revis, just finished watching the second episode of Hard knocks, and I must say...very enjoyable. Not much mention of Revis on this episode, but some talk about former NFL coach Tony Dungy and his distaste on Rex Ryan's choice of profanity on episode one. Personally, I am a christian boy which means I, like all other religious followers of any kind am a hypocrite. I try to live a wholesome life but do let the proverbial "F" bomb getaway from me from time to time and do not think it is any one's place to judge others. Look Tony Dungy is a great guy and all, but you just can't call out a peer about the way he speaks or how he does his business. That is not professional. If Dungy has a gripe with Rex's choice of words, call him or visit him at Jets camp and talk to him man to man. All Dungy is doing is allowing more and more of liberal America to be turned off by another goody two shoes christian, who is forcing his beliefs on others. Hearts in the right place Tony but your methods are no better than Rex Ryan's "F" bombs.
The New York Mets have placed closer Francisco Rodriguez on the disqualified list with contract as non-guaranteed, and will not pay him while he is unable to perform. This all stemming from an incident that occurred at Citi Field, after a Mets home game in which Rodriguez lay ed a WWE style smack down on his girlfriends father outside of the family lounge. No word yet from Mets officials if K-Rod used the peoples elbow or stone cold stunner on his commonwealth father in law but whatever methods he did utilize landed the 53 year old Carlos Pena in the emergency room. The MLB players union has filed a grievance against the Mets, but no word if they will settle the issue in a steel cage or a court room rumble. This story is so pathetic in nature, I guess you can all see I am covering it as such. Moving right along....
The American League east is heating up as the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays are locked in to a fist place tie. The Boston Red Sox sit just 5 games back and welcomed All Star Dustin Pedroia back this week in hopes of a final stand down the stretch run. The Red Sox have six games remaining against the Rays and with some 40 plus left on the schedule, still have plenty of life. The Yankees look to be the favorites in repeating as divisions champions, especially with the no hit prone Rays capable of going cold on any night and the Sox facing a relative deficit in the standings. One thing is for sure, two out of the three teams in the east will make the postseason as division champions or as a wild card team, making this race the best in baseball.
That is all the time I have sports maniacs, but tune in for some college football coverage courtesy of Rashad Reed coming soon and a "heckler" special, as Pops Kehoe brings us his first blog article! Good reads and times ahead folks. Enjoy!
By Ephraim Vega
Blog or Bust News
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
My Q & A With a ''Heckler''
My recent run in with a heckler, inspired me to put together a special Q & A with the man himself. Pops Kehoe is our guest and he promises to give us a totally different perspective on the happenings in Major League Baseball and the National Football League. Pops, welcome to Vega sports and without further delay...let's get right to it!
EV- Buck Showalter was recently named the manager of the lowly Baltimore Orioles. Is Buck the man to right the ship?
Pops- As you know, the A.L. East is without a doubt the toughest division in all of baseball. However, you couldn't have picked a better man for the job! Not only did Buck have the Yankees on the front porch & knocking on the door, before impatient Yanks front office let him go. He was hired by the Diamondbacks 2 years before their first game ever & in their second year of existence were crowned division Champs! I predict that within 3 fulls season, the Birds will be threatening for a possible playoff spot!
EV- 3 seasons Pops? Now that is a bold prediction. With the trading deadline now officially past, who were the winners and losers among contending teams?
Pops- Well in my mind that would have to be the Texas Rangers. Not only did they get this years prized gem in Cliff Lee, they also acquired some nice extra veteran pieces Cristin Guzman & Jorge Cantu. Now for the losers, that award goes to the NY Mets FANS! With their team still within striking distance, Omar Minaya chose to sit back & watch the Phillies & Braves get stronger. I realize that not everyone has the wallet or farm system to go for the high profile type hired gun, but there were a lot of minor pieces out there to be had. Sorry Mets fans,, but I wouldn't ask Omar to assemble a team for a softball beer league!
EV- Very true Pops, unless...you drunk a ton of beer before the interview right? Lol. The New York Yankees made some headlines recently with their acquisition of Lance Berkman. Smart or dumb for the Yanks to go with a bat over pitching help?
Pops- Although Brian Cashman has made some very good deals in the past, he left me standing there scratching my head this year. Lance Berkman??? Did we really need another DH type of hitter that struggles against LEFTIES? The man has had a decent career, but this is a case of, "wrong place & wrong time." Kerry Wood on the other hand could prove to be a stable force as the setup man, however they still need a lefty in the pen. I could be proven wrong but I feel Austin Kearns is probably the best pickup!
EV- Indeed! Maybe the Yanks have a chance of aquiring Brian Fuentes off waivers IF the Angels fall out of the post season picture. Moving on to the gridiron, as NFL camps have opened and already some notable injuries. Should the Preseason be cut short or are injuries just inevitable?
Pops - Well ... simply by the nature of the game, there will always be injuries. However, as a fan I'd like to see the exhibition season cut in half & play an 18 game schedule. If a player is going to get hurt, I'd rather see it happen in a meaningful game. It would also give season ticket holders a break since they must buy tickets to those games. However, I'm not sure how this will sit with the players & the union. My only hope is that they at least address this issue & possibly work something out next year when the Collective Bargaining Agreement runs out.
EV- It does look like commissioner Roger Goodell is pushing for an 18 game season, so we may see that happen as part of the new CBA negotiations. Many NFL teams are choosing to go with dual runners to bolster their running attacks. Go back in time and tell us who was your most enjoyable running back to watch and why?
Pops- Ah the good old days! Well since you did mention "tandems", it brings me to what is no doubt my #2 pick, Larry Csonka! This man ran exclusively between the tackles & when teamed up with the slashing style of Mercury Morris carried the Miami Dolphins to a couple of Super Bowls, including the leagues only undefeated season. This tandem was also the first to have both backs over a 1,000 yards each! But my #1 most favorite back to watch was Earl Campbell! This man was amazing & if you ever get a chance to see footage of this guy, DO IT! Since he was a power back, his career was only roughly 7/8yrs. Teams would put 8 and 9 man fronts up trying to stop him! I mean this guy could have a safety on his shoulders, a linebacker around his waist, with a D-lineman at his legs & he would still square up the pads against anybody still left out there! So to answer your question, ...I like a good POWER running game! SMOKE BREAK!!!!! :)
EV- OK Pops. (Waiting intently)....ah..he is back! Pops, Earl Campbell was an absolute beast! I have always been partial to Jim Brown as my favorite, but you can't go wrong with either of those two all-time greats. Who are the true beasts from the east going in to 2010, AFC of NFC?
Pops- A couple of years ago this would have been a no-brainer! However my friend, the times they are a changing! Let's start in the NFC home to my beloved Giants. It kills me to say it but the Dallas Cowboys are at the head of the class in this division. The Boys are strong on both of the ball & are anxious to snap their playoff woes. That leaves my Giants & all the questions they bring, will they find the power running game? Will they be able to regain that killer "Defense?" Further down I-95 we stop in Philly where they play good defense but have a HUGE question in "was getting rid of Donovan McNabb a mistake?" Most people feel that Kevin Kolb is a lock to replace Donovan at the QB spot, but what if he starts slow & Michael Vick has a good training camp? Now we go down to DC and we have a proven winner in new head coach Shanahan. Even with a good roster, it usually takes at a least one season to work in a new system. Now you look at the AFC East and even with the lowly Bills, the rest of this division is scary! They're starting to show some age on defense but never bet against a Bill Belichick coached team! Throw in the emergence of Sexy Rexy Ryan lead Jets & the much improved Dolphin team and this division will no doubt be the Beasts of the East this year!
EV- That AFC east certainly looks like a must watch division this up coming season without a doubt. Is Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan's treatment of Albert Haynesworth, in making the All Pro DT take tough conditioning tests, foul or fair?
Pops- This is an interesting question. While it may have started out as something of a slap on the wrist, is now turning real ugly! We have two very successful egos going toe to toe & somebody needs to step in and let cooler heads prevail. Now this test was recently done by Mike Golic (co-host of Mike & Mike on ESPN) who happens to be 47 years old and is 16 years removed from the NFL & missed the required time by less than 2 seconds! So to answer the question, I say fair!
EV- All valid and informative points, and I must say you handled the pressure of each question like a true ''Heckler.'' Well that is all the time we have for now sports fans, but I would like to thank Pops Kehoe for joining me and taking the time out to answer some questions and for joining the blogging world. Thanks again Pops!
Pops- I'd like to thank you & your faithful followers for letting me be a part of your blog, and at this time I'd like to wish you Good Luck on your writing career & anywhere else life's path may send you!
EE- Thank you Pops, and on behalf of the followers...it was our pleasure!
EV- Buck Showalter was recently named the manager of the lowly Baltimore Orioles. Is Buck the man to right the ship?
Pops- As you know, the A.L. East is without a doubt the toughest division in all of baseball. However, you couldn't have picked a better man for the job! Not only did Buck have the Yankees on the front porch & knocking on the door, before impatient Yanks front office let him go. He was hired by the Diamondbacks 2 years before their first game ever & in their second year of existence were crowned division Champs! I predict that within 3 fulls season, the Birds will be threatening for a possible playoff spot!
EV- 3 seasons Pops? Now that is a bold prediction. With the trading deadline now officially past, who were the winners and losers among contending teams?
Pops- Well in my mind that would have to be the Texas Rangers. Not only did they get this years prized gem in Cliff Lee, they also acquired some nice extra veteran pieces Cristin Guzman & Jorge Cantu. Now for the losers, that award goes to the NY Mets FANS! With their team still within striking distance, Omar Minaya chose to sit back & watch the Phillies & Braves get stronger. I realize that not everyone has the wallet or farm system to go for the high profile type hired gun, but there were a lot of minor pieces out there to be had. Sorry Mets fans,, but I wouldn't ask Omar to assemble a team for a softball beer league!
EV- Very true Pops, unless...you drunk a ton of beer before the interview right? Lol. The New York Yankees made some headlines recently with their acquisition of Lance Berkman. Smart or dumb for the Yanks to go with a bat over pitching help?
Pops- Although Brian Cashman has made some very good deals in the past, he left me standing there scratching my head this year. Lance Berkman??? Did we really need another DH type of hitter that struggles against LEFTIES? The man has had a decent career, but this is a case of, "wrong place & wrong time." Kerry Wood on the other hand could prove to be a stable force as the setup man, however they still need a lefty in the pen. I could be proven wrong but I feel Austin Kearns is probably the best pickup!
EV- Indeed! Maybe the Yanks have a chance of aquiring Brian Fuentes off waivers IF the Angels fall out of the post season picture. Moving on to the gridiron, as NFL camps have opened and already some notable injuries. Should the Preseason be cut short or are injuries just inevitable?
Pops - Well ... simply by the nature of the game, there will always be injuries. However, as a fan I'd like to see the exhibition season cut in half & play an 18 game schedule. If a player is going to get hurt, I'd rather see it happen in a meaningful game. It would also give season ticket holders a break since they must buy tickets to those games. However, I'm not sure how this will sit with the players & the union. My only hope is that they at least address this issue & possibly work something out next year when the Collective Bargaining Agreement runs out.
EV- It does look like commissioner Roger Goodell is pushing for an 18 game season, so we may see that happen as part of the new CBA negotiations. Many NFL teams are choosing to go with dual runners to bolster their running attacks. Go back in time and tell us who was your most enjoyable running back to watch and why?
Pops- Ah the good old days! Well since you did mention "tandems", it brings me to what is no doubt my #2 pick, Larry Csonka! This man ran exclusively between the tackles & when teamed up with the slashing style of Mercury Morris carried the Miami Dolphins to a couple of Super Bowls, including the leagues only undefeated season. This tandem was also the first to have both backs over a 1,000 yards each! But my #1 most favorite back to watch was Earl Campbell! This man was amazing & if you ever get a chance to see footage of this guy, DO IT! Since he was a power back, his career was only roughly 7/8yrs. Teams would put 8 and 9 man fronts up trying to stop him! I mean this guy could have a safety on his shoulders, a linebacker around his waist, with a D-lineman at his legs & he would still square up the pads against anybody still left out there! So to answer your question, ...I like a good POWER running game! SMOKE BREAK!!!!! :)
EV- OK Pops. (Waiting intently)....ah..he is back! Pops, Earl Campbell was an absolute beast! I have always been partial to Jim Brown as my favorite, but you can't go wrong with either of those two all-time greats. Who are the true beasts from the east going in to 2010, AFC of NFC?
Pops- A couple of years ago this would have been a no-brainer! However my friend, the times they are a changing! Let's start in the NFC home to my beloved Giants. It kills me to say it but the Dallas Cowboys are at the head of the class in this division. The Boys are strong on both of the ball & are anxious to snap their playoff woes. That leaves my Giants & all the questions they bring, will they find the power running game? Will they be able to regain that killer "Defense?" Further down I-95 we stop in Philly where they play good defense but have a HUGE question in "was getting rid of Donovan McNabb a mistake?" Most people feel that Kevin Kolb is a lock to replace Donovan at the QB spot, but what if he starts slow & Michael Vick has a good training camp? Now we go down to DC and we have a proven winner in new head coach Shanahan. Even with a good roster, it usually takes at a least one season to work in a new system. Now you look at the AFC East and even with the lowly Bills, the rest of this division is scary! They're starting to show some age on defense but never bet against a Bill Belichick coached team! Throw in the emergence of Sexy Rexy Ryan lead Jets & the much improved Dolphin team and this division will no doubt be the Beasts of the East this year!
EV- That AFC east certainly looks like a must watch division this up coming season without a doubt. Is Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan's treatment of Albert Haynesworth, in making the All Pro DT take tough conditioning tests, foul or fair?
Pops- This is an interesting question. While it may have started out as something of a slap on the wrist, is now turning real ugly! We have two very successful egos going toe to toe & somebody needs to step in and let cooler heads prevail. Now this test was recently done by Mike Golic (co-host of Mike & Mike on ESPN) who happens to be 47 years old and is 16 years removed from the NFL & missed the required time by less than 2 seconds! So to answer the question, I say fair!
EV- All valid and informative points, and I must say you handled the pressure of each question like a true ''Heckler.'' Well that is all the time we have for now sports fans, but I would like to thank Pops Kehoe for joining me and taking the time out to answer some questions and for joining the blogging world. Thanks again Pops!
Pops- I'd like to thank you & your faithful followers for letting me be a part of your blog, and at this time I'd like to wish you Good Luck on your writing career & anywhere else life's path may send you!
EE- Thank you Pops, and on behalf of the followers...it was our pleasure!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Favre’s place amongst the greats?
When comparing some of the greatest signal callers to ever play the game, I am much more conventional than most. I do not use formulas based on statistics or equations that would rival a calculus professors wildest dreams. I use something far less complicated and much more selection 101. Simply stated, I utilize the eye test. Based on film study that I have broken down over the years to real time game action, I have compiled my all-time quarterback list. Although much of my personal opinion on the subject can be debated, and placement in ranking can be rearranged by preference, I am sticking to my story on this one gentleman.
10) Dan Marino- Great pure passer with excellent foot work in the pocket. Could not win the big one, but could sure make every throw imaginable. Quickest release I have ever seen, and can beat a blitz as well as anyone.
9) Steve Young- Best combo runner/passer ever. Getting a Super Bowl ring solidified his place on this list. Sitting behind Joe Montana cost him some of his playing years, but once he took over, he more than made up for lost time. 2-time MVP and Super Bowl MVP add to his resume.
8) Brett Favre- Strongest arm I have ever seen. Longevity and toughness were his biggest assets. Would not trust him in a huge spot though. Does have one Super Bowl ring thanks to Desmond Howard, but his 3 MVP awards more than secures his spot on this list.
7) Troy Aikman- Had all the tools and intangibles to boot. Career ended a little premature or would have made it higher on the list. 3 Super Bowl rings and a Super Bowl MVP add to his greatness. As accurate a passer as I have ever seen, and came up big when it mattered most.
6) Peyton Manning- One of the smartest if not the smartest to play the position. Unfortunately tends to out think himself in big moments. Has full command of the offense he runs and can dissect a defense as well as any on this list. 4 MVP awards, Super Bowl ring and MVP honors to go along with that title. Threw the game changing interception that cost his team a second Super Bowl title, and made some questionable audibles during that game that may have changed the complexion of the outcome. Borderline top 5 QB.
5) Bart Starr- The orchestrator for the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Clutch, called his own plays and made all the throws. 5 NFL titles and 2 Super Bowl rings. Often overlooked because of the depth of talent the Green Bay Packers possessed. The man was a winner and played at that level in every big game. Starr was the undisputed leader of the Packers and helped in lending to Green Bay the moniker of ‘’Title town.’’
4) John Elway- Played virtually his entire career with no supporting cast, yet willed them to 3 Super Bowl appearances, all loses. Could beat you with his rocket arm or sturdy feet and led some of the most memorable comebacks in NFL history. If the game was close and he had a chance to win it, Elway almost always won those games. When he was reaching the end of his career and was finally surrounded with talent, Elway would make two more Super Bowl appearances, this time he won both times. 2 Super Bowl rings and a Super Bowl MVP highlight one of the great careers of any QB in history.
3) Johnny Unitas- The original signal caller, won NFL titles, added a Super Bowl ring and was a multi recipient of the MVP award well before Manning started stock piling his collection. Known for his ability to lead comebacks as well as calling his own plays, Unitas changed the way the position was played. The first NFL quarterback record breaker, when Unitas retired, he owned nearly every passing record.
2) Tom Brady- If I needed to win one game, and Joe Montana was out of town on vacation, this is my guy. 3 Super Bowl rings and should have had a fourth if not for the vaunted Patriots defense not wrapping up Peyton’s little brother just before he hail married a pass to stickum Tyree. Had the greatest season of any quarterback ever and has the much debatable clutch gene. MVP award winner and 2 Super Bowl MVP awards. Also is the only player to throw 50 touchdowns in a season, and the only QB to lead his team to an undefeated record in a 16 game season.
1) Joe Montana- Every sport has one. That transcended player that sets the bar so high, everyone compares the flavor of the month to him. 4 Super Bowl rings, 2 MVP awards, 3 Super Bowl MVP awards and the nerviest man with a football that I ever saw. If the game is on the line, Montana was winning it. And in the biggest games, he was always its biggest star. Known for his ‘’Joe cool’’ persona and the ice water that always seemed to run through his veins, Montana was and is clearly the greatest ever.
10) Dan Marino- Great pure passer with excellent foot work in the pocket. Could not win the big one, but could sure make every throw imaginable. Quickest release I have ever seen, and can beat a blitz as well as anyone.
9) Steve Young- Best combo runner/passer ever. Getting a Super Bowl ring solidified his place on this list. Sitting behind Joe Montana cost him some of his playing years, but once he took over, he more than made up for lost time. 2-time MVP and Super Bowl MVP add to his resume.
8) Brett Favre- Strongest arm I have ever seen. Longevity and toughness were his biggest assets. Would not trust him in a huge spot though. Does have one Super Bowl ring thanks to Desmond Howard, but his 3 MVP awards more than secures his spot on this list.
7) Troy Aikman- Had all the tools and intangibles to boot. Career ended a little premature or would have made it higher on the list. 3 Super Bowl rings and a Super Bowl MVP add to his greatness. As accurate a passer as I have ever seen, and came up big when it mattered most.
6) Peyton Manning- One of the smartest if not the smartest to play the position. Unfortunately tends to out think himself in big moments. Has full command of the offense he runs and can dissect a defense as well as any on this list. 4 MVP awards, Super Bowl ring and MVP honors to go along with that title. Threw the game changing interception that cost his team a second Super Bowl title, and made some questionable audibles during that game that may have changed the complexion of the outcome. Borderline top 5 QB.
5) Bart Starr- The orchestrator for the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Clutch, called his own plays and made all the throws. 5 NFL titles and 2 Super Bowl rings. Often overlooked because of the depth of talent the Green Bay Packers possessed. The man was a winner and played at that level in every big game. Starr was the undisputed leader of the Packers and helped in lending to Green Bay the moniker of ‘’Title town.’’
4) John Elway- Played virtually his entire career with no supporting cast, yet willed them to 3 Super Bowl appearances, all loses. Could beat you with his rocket arm or sturdy feet and led some of the most memorable comebacks in NFL history. If the game was close and he had a chance to win it, Elway almost always won those games. When he was reaching the end of his career and was finally surrounded with talent, Elway would make two more Super Bowl appearances, this time he won both times. 2 Super Bowl rings and a Super Bowl MVP highlight one of the great careers of any QB in history.
3) Johnny Unitas- The original signal caller, won NFL titles, added a Super Bowl ring and was a multi recipient of the MVP award well before Manning started stock piling his collection. Known for his ability to lead comebacks as well as calling his own plays, Unitas changed the way the position was played. The first NFL quarterback record breaker, when Unitas retired, he owned nearly every passing record.
2) Tom Brady- If I needed to win one game, and Joe Montana was out of town on vacation, this is my guy. 3 Super Bowl rings and should have had a fourth if not for the vaunted Patriots defense not wrapping up Peyton’s little brother just before he hail married a pass to stickum Tyree. Had the greatest season of any quarterback ever and has the much debatable clutch gene. MVP award winner and 2 Super Bowl MVP awards. Also is the only player to throw 50 touchdowns in a season, and the only QB to lead his team to an undefeated record in a 16 game season.
1) Joe Montana- Every sport has one. That transcended player that sets the bar so high, everyone compares the flavor of the month to him. 4 Super Bowl rings, 2 MVP awards, 3 Super Bowl MVP awards and the nerviest man with a football that I ever saw. If the game is on the line, Montana was winning it. And in the biggest games, he was always its biggest star. Known for his ‘’Joe cool’’ persona and the ice water that always seemed to run through his veins, Montana was and is clearly the greatest ever.
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