That's right, despite the fact that Peyton Manning had several turnovers in the Divisional round playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, he is not to blame for the Broncos' loss. Forget the interceptions and the fumbles, Peyton Manning won that game. Yes, I know what the final score of the game was, but that does not change the fact that Peyton Manning won that game. Allow me to elaborate.
Just think about all of the things that led to this loss for the Broncos. First off, allow me to get it right out of the way, the officiating was straight out abysmal. Phantom pass interference calls followed up by non-calls on clear pass interferences. This was seen in the two of the first three series of the game. After the Ravens punted and Trindon Holliday returned the punt for a touchdown, the Ravens were staring at another third and long. A ball was terribly overthrown by Flacco, Tony Carter played the receiver perfectly, keeping his body between the receiver and the ball, while continuing to play the ball. He followed the path of the ball out of bounds and the receiver went with him without any issues. Flag, PI. Ummm, no. Few plays later, bomb, touchdown.
Then the next series for the Broncos, third and about eight, Manning throws a pass to Eric Decker that gets batted up in the air, picked off and returned for a touchdown. Forgetting the fact that Manning is the last person that can be blamed for that type of interception, Decker was clearly interfered with and the flag was not thrown. This continued throughout the game, in addition to some just god awful game administration throughout the game that didn't allow any type of flow to the game at all. And the fumble that was the absolute definition of a "tuck rule" incompletion. You get the point.
Second, think about how people said he was incapable of playing in the cold. Previously, in the three other games that Manning had played below 40 degrees, he had thrown only one touchdown and seven INTs. He threw three TDs during this game and didn't appear to have any issues throwing the ball. The only interception/turnover that was on him was the one that happened in overtime.
Third, the Bronco defense was pathetic. Champ Bailey should be ashamed of the way he played, Von Miller and the Denver pass rush were horrendous and gave precisely no pressure to Joe Flacco. When there was some type of adversity, the defense was unable to hold the Ravens out of the endzone like they were able to do to teams consistently throughout the Broncos' 11-game win streak.
Fourth, the coaching was horrible. No adjustments were made, at least no visible ones, to a team that had been one of the best at adjusting on the fly and between the first and second halves in the entire league. The defensive coaches, especially, were a gigantic failure. Failing to see that Champ was having trouble staying with Torrey Smith and adjusting accordingly.
Still, despite all of this, Peyton Manning led his team on a fourth quarter drive that was capped off with a touchdown pass from Manning to Demarius Thomas. Despite all these things working against him; the poor officiating, the horrible play of the defense, the frigid cold weather and the seeming ineptitude of the Bronco coaching staff, Peyton Manning had the Broncos up 35-28 with just over one minute to go in the game. And then the unthinkable happened.
Then Rahim Moore left the biggest pile of excrement in the history of Denver football on his own five yard line. Rahim Moore makes the stupidest play of any player in this football year, and really any in recent memory, and suddenly we're in overtime. This game does not show Manning's lack of a killer instinct in the playoffs, as some with microphones are saying, not at all. If Rahim Moore has half a damn brain and does the only thing that a safety is supposed to do in this situation, not let any receivers get behind you, we're talking about Manning overcoming everything. We're talking about Manning dispelling the myths of his inability to play in cold weather. Hell, if I were on the field for that one play, and not Rahim Moore, the Broncos would be preparing for the New England Patriots right now.
I say again, Peyton Manning won that game. He won it, until his own team lost it for him.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
Divisional Playoff Picks
What a weekend of football we've got ahead of us. I can't wait, so I won't. Here's my picks for the weeks.
Saturday Games:
Baltimore @ Denver: This one isn't tough at all. It's true that I bleed orang and blue, but come on. The Broncos are a far superior team. They creamed Baltimore in the regular season and will use the same game plan to do it again. Baltimore gets too much respect for how good their defense used to be, but they just aren't that dominant defense anymore. Even when Ray Lewis was healthy and in the lineup, they were giving up a ton of rushing yards to not so great teams. Manning will pick them apart, Broncos, easily.
Green Bay @ San Francisco: This one is tougher. San Francisco creamed Green Bay in week 1, but that was obviously a long time ago. San Francisco's offense is a bit different now that Colin Kaepernick is running it, and it's more dangerous. Green Bay has Aaron Rodgers and the confidence and poise, but they don't have that great of an offensive line. San Francisco has one of the better pass rushes and overall defenses in the league and I think that will be the difference. I'll take the Niners.
Sunday Games:
Seattle @ Atlanta: Atlanta has yet to do anything that has proven they can win in the playoffs, and until they do, I can't pick them. Seattle.
Houston @ New England: Houston will have to be a completely different team than the one they were last time in New England. They can beat the Patriots, but they need defense to really be better. You can beat Brady if you can fluster him, and you do that by hitting him. We'll see, but I'm not too optimistic for Houston. Give me the Pats, as much as I hate it.
Meaning, your conference championship games will be:
New England @ Denver
Seattle @ San Francisco
Saturday Games:
Baltimore @ Denver: This one isn't tough at all. It's true that I bleed orang and blue, but come on. The Broncos are a far superior team. They creamed Baltimore in the regular season and will use the same game plan to do it again. Baltimore gets too much respect for how good their defense used to be, but they just aren't that dominant defense anymore. Even when Ray Lewis was healthy and in the lineup, they were giving up a ton of rushing yards to not so great teams. Manning will pick them apart, Broncos, easily.
Green Bay @ San Francisco: This one is tougher. San Francisco creamed Green Bay in week 1, but that was obviously a long time ago. San Francisco's offense is a bit different now that Colin Kaepernick is running it, and it's more dangerous. Green Bay has Aaron Rodgers and the confidence and poise, but they don't have that great of an offensive line. San Francisco has one of the better pass rushes and overall defenses in the league and I think that will be the difference. I'll take the Niners.
Sunday Games:
Seattle @ Atlanta: Atlanta has yet to do anything that has proven they can win in the playoffs, and until they do, I can't pick them. Seattle.
Houston @ New England: Houston will have to be a completely different team than the one they were last time in New England. They can beat the Patriots, but they need defense to really be better. You can beat Brady if you can fluster him, and you do that by hitting him. We'll see, but I'm not too optimistic for Houston. Give me the Pats, as much as I hate it.
Meaning, your conference championship games will be:
New England @ Denver
Seattle @ San Francisco
Friday, January 4, 2013
NFL Picks: Wild Card Weekend
NFL playoffs are upon us and the big journey towards the Lombardi Trophy is on! The top seeds are sitting at home this weekend, waiting to see who they will play in the divisional round, and we should be in line for some fantastic football as the wild card teams try to be the next surprise champ. Here we go!
Saturday Games:
Cincinnati at Houston:
Two teams heading in opposite directions. Houston spent most of the year at the top of the AFC, only to choke away one of the top two seeds in the final few weeks of the season. Cincinnati, on the other hand, overcame some midseason troubles to get into the wild card, defeating the Steelers in Pittsburgh for the first time in many, many years. The Bengals are brimming with confidence, while the Texans have been deflated and defeated.
It's really hard to saw which way this is going to go, so I have to just go with my gut. My gut tells me that Cincinnati is riding the right wave at the moment and can use all of their momentum to get past the Texans. Which Houston team shows up is really the thing that will determine it.
Minnesota at Green Bay:
This should be another fantastic game, a very heated divisional rivalry on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. The Packers have got to be mad about the fact that Minnesota put the final dagger in their hope for the second seed in the NFC and a first-week bye. Minnesota has shown that they are able to beat Green Bay, but it just doesn't seem like something that's going to come by this time around. The last time these two teams played in Green Bay, Adrian Peterson ran all over the Packers for more than 200 yards, but the Vikings still lost the game. I'll take the Packers.
Sundays Games:
Indianapolis at Baltimore:
Another very interesting matchup with two teams going in opposite directions. The Ravens have been in free-fall since they ran out to a 9-2 record. Now, of course, they are getting Ray Lewis back who has announced that he is retiring at the end of the year. So the Ravens have a bit of a "win one for the Gipper" movement going for them, but the Colts have been riding that same type of wave all season with Chuck Pagano. People generally assume that the Ravens' defense is going to carry them, but this year that is different. Even when Ray Lewis was in the lineup early in the season, the Ravens were struggling horribly to stop the run and were looking kind of old.
Now, the Colts don't exactly have the best rushing game, but they have been surprising people all year long. Still, I don't think they get by the Ravens in this one. It'll be a close game, with a lot of emotion going on each side, but the Ravens will barely manage to squeeze out of this one, despite Joe Flacco.
Seattle at Washington:
Washington is the only team that is hosting a playoff game this weekend that is an underdog, and that's quite interesting. Now Seattle has been going out like gangbusters on several teams over the past few weeks, but many of those games were at home where Seattle is nearly unbeatable. On the road, Seattle has struggled, and going into the hostile confines of FedEx Stadium (formerly RFK Stadium) they will have to deal with a lot of that.
This should be a very good game. Washington runs the ball fantastically, and Seattle stops the run very efficiently. Which of these two exciting rookie quarterbacks is able to make the most plays will be the thing that will decide this. Both have shown the ability to do so, but RGIII has more of the big game player in him right now, I think. Give me the Skins at home.
Meaning the Divisional matchups will look like this.
AFC:
Cincinnati at Denver
Baltimore at New England
NFC:
Washington at Atlanta
Green Bay at San Francisco
BRING IT!!
Saturday Games:
Cincinnati at Houston:
Two teams heading in opposite directions. Houston spent most of the year at the top of the AFC, only to choke away one of the top two seeds in the final few weeks of the season. Cincinnati, on the other hand, overcame some midseason troubles to get into the wild card, defeating the Steelers in Pittsburgh for the first time in many, many years. The Bengals are brimming with confidence, while the Texans have been deflated and defeated.
It's really hard to saw which way this is going to go, so I have to just go with my gut. My gut tells me that Cincinnati is riding the right wave at the moment and can use all of their momentum to get past the Texans. Which Houston team shows up is really the thing that will determine it.
Minnesota at Green Bay:
This should be another fantastic game, a very heated divisional rivalry on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. The Packers have got to be mad about the fact that Minnesota put the final dagger in their hope for the second seed in the NFC and a first-week bye. Minnesota has shown that they are able to beat Green Bay, but it just doesn't seem like something that's going to come by this time around. The last time these two teams played in Green Bay, Adrian Peterson ran all over the Packers for more than 200 yards, but the Vikings still lost the game. I'll take the Packers.
Sundays Games:
Indianapolis at Baltimore:
Another very interesting matchup with two teams going in opposite directions. The Ravens have been in free-fall since they ran out to a 9-2 record. Now, of course, they are getting Ray Lewis back who has announced that he is retiring at the end of the year. So the Ravens have a bit of a "win one for the Gipper" movement going for them, but the Colts have been riding that same type of wave all season with Chuck Pagano. People generally assume that the Ravens' defense is going to carry them, but this year that is different. Even when Ray Lewis was in the lineup early in the season, the Ravens were struggling horribly to stop the run and were looking kind of old.
Now, the Colts don't exactly have the best rushing game, but they have been surprising people all year long. Still, I don't think they get by the Ravens in this one. It'll be a close game, with a lot of emotion going on each side, but the Ravens will barely manage to squeeze out of this one, despite Joe Flacco.
Seattle at Washington:
Washington is the only team that is hosting a playoff game this weekend that is an underdog, and that's quite interesting. Now Seattle has been going out like gangbusters on several teams over the past few weeks, but many of those games were at home where Seattle is nearly unbeatable. On the road, Seattle has struggled, and going into the hostile confines of FedEx Stadium (formerly RFK Stadium) they will have to deal with a lot of that.
This should be a very good game. Washington runs the ball fantastically, and Seattle stops the run very efficiently. Which of these two exciting rookie quarterbacks is able to make the most plays will be the thing that will decide this. Both have shown the ability to do so, but RGIII has more of the big game player in him right now, I think. Give me the Skins at home.
Meaning the Divisional matchups will look like this.
AFC:
Cincinnati at Denver
Baltimore at New England
NFC:
Washington at Atlanta
Green Bay at San Francisco
BRING IT!!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Peyton Manning; 5-time NFL MVP
Obviously we don't know this yet, but if you really sit yourself down and think about it, there isn't really that great of a reason as to why this won't happen. Peyton Manning will be MVP for the fifth time in his NFL career.
But hold on, some of you might say. Adrian Peterson just rushed for 2,000 yards, how on earth can you possibly vote against a guy who rushed for 2,000 yards? Well, that is a very interesting question. Let's take a look at all of this.
Adrian Peterson is now the seventh running back in the history of the NFL to break the 2,000 yard mark. He joins O.J. Simpson, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, Jamal Lewis and Chris Johnson. One might think that, since this is such an exclusive group that doing this would almost be a shoe-in for the MVP. Strangely enough, that isn't the case.
Of these gentlemen, only O.J. Simpson and Terrell Davis have won the MVP outright when rushing for 2,000 yards. Barry Sanders shared an MVP with Brett Favre during his 2,000-yard campaign. Neither Jamal Lewis nor Chris Johnson were MVPs, and Eric Dickerson, who holds the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single season, didn't even get a share of the MVP. He was beaten out by Dan Marino.
So, there goes that argument. Now, that isn't to say that Peterson shouldn't be considered for MVP because he absolutely should. He's had a remarkable season and he should be recognized for that, but he is not a shoe in.
Now let's bring Peyton Manning in here. Manning is the most prolific NFL MVP in the history of the game, winning the award four separate times. Manning won MVPs in 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2009. For the sake of perspective, let's put up his numbers in each of those years.
2003: 379 completions, 579 attempts, 67.0% completion %, 4,267 yards, 29 TDs, 10 INTs, 99.0 rating (this was before the new QBR numbers)
2004: 336 completions, 497 attempts, 67.6% completion %, 4,557 yards, 49 TDs, 10 INTs, 121.1 rating.
2008: 371 completions, 555 attempts, 66.8% completion %, 4,002 yards, 27 TDs, 12 INTs, 79.8 QBR, 95.0 rating.
2009: 393 completions, 571 attempts, 68.8% completions %, 4,500 yards, 33 TDs, 16 INTs, 82.9 QBR, 99.9 rating.
2012: 400 completions, 583 attempts, 68.6% completion %, 4,659 yards, 37 TDs, 11 INTs, 84.1 QBR, 105.8 rating.
By his numbers, Manning has widely outperformed not only what most people expected of him, but some of his best performances in his entire career. Now that doesn't necessarily make him a shoe-in, but these numbers are certainly MVP-worthy.
Then let's look where these two players have taken their respective teams. It's been well publicized that both of these guys have recovered from major injuries to have amazing seasons. Still, only one of these players were actually playing last season as well.
Peterson has always been one of the best players on the Vikings, but even while putting up decent numbers the Vikings have struggled. A lot of things went right for the Vikings this year, and Peterson was a huge part of that, but we have seen that Peterson's success doesn't always equal Vikings' success.
Yes, a 3-13 record going to a record of 10-6 is impressive, but Peterson only missed four games last season.
The Denver Broncos were a mediocre team in a bad division a season ago. Wallowing underneath the horrifying phenomenon that was Tebow-mania. Yes, the Broncos were division winners last season, but they were in one of the weakest divisions in football at the meager record of 8-8. Enter Peyton Manning. The Broncos are now 13-3 and the top seed in the AFC playoffs with one of the top offenses in the whole NFL.
The Manning effect has had a much greater effect in Denver than Peterson's has in Minnesota, and that is something that the voters will have to acknowledge.
Now, there is a remote possibility that the two could share the award. It wouldn't be unprecedented, though it isn't exactly a regular occurrence. It has happened, but only twice. Of course, one of those time was a 2,000 yard rusher sharing the award with a quarterback that had a brilliant year.
Either way, Peyton Manning certainly is deserving and will win his fifth MVP.
But hold on, some of you might say. Adrian Peterson just rushed for 2,000 yards, how on earth can you possibly vote against a guy who rushed for 2,000 yards? Well, that is a very interesting question. Let's take a look at all of this.
Adrian Peterson is now the seventh running back in the history of the NFL to break the 2,000 yard mark. He joins O.J. Simpson, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, Jamal Lewis and Chris Johnson. One might think that, since this is such an exclusive group that doing this would almost be a shoe-in for the MVP. Strangely enough, that isn't the case.
Of these gentlemen, only O.J. Simpson and Terrell Davis have won the MVP outright when rushing for 2,000 yards. Barry Sanders shared an MVP with Brett Favre during his 2,000-yard campaign. Neither Jamal Lewis nor Chris Johnson were MVPs, and Eric Dickerson, who holds the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single season, didn't even get a share of the MVP. He was beaten out by Dan Marino.
So, there goes that argument. Now, that isn't to say that Peterson shouldn't be considered for MVP because he absolutely should. He's had a remarkable season and he should be recognized for that, but he is not a shoe in.
Now let's bring Peyton Manning in here. Manning is the most prolific NFL MVP in the history of the game, winning the award four separate times. Manning won MVPs in 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2009. For the sake of perspective, let's put up his numbers in each of those years.
2003: 379 completions, 579 attempts, 67.0% completion %, 4,267 yards, 29 TDs, 10 INTs, 99.0 rating (this was before the new QBR numbers)
2004: 336 completions, 497 attempts, 67.6% completion %, 4,557 yards, 49 TDs, 10 INTs, 121.1 rating.
2008: 371 completions, 555 attempts, 66.8% completion %, 4,002 yards, 27 TDs, 12 INTs, 79.8 QBR, 95.0 rating.
2009: 393 completions, 571 attempts, 68.8% completions %, 4,500 yards, 33 TDs, 16 INTs, 82.9 QBR, 99.9 rating.
2012: 400 completions, 583 attempts, 68.6% completion %, 4,659 yards, 37 TDs, 11 INTs, 84.1 QBR, 105.8 rating.
By his numbers, Manning has widely outperformed not only what most people expected of him, but some of his best performances in his entire career. Now that doesn't necessarily make him a shoe-in, but these numbers are certainly MVP-worthy.
Then let's look where these two players have taken their respective teams. It's been well publicized that both of these guys have recovered from major injuries to have amazing seasons. Still, only one of these players were actually playing last season as well.
Peterson has always been one of the best players on the Vikings, but even while putting up decent numbers the Vikings have struggled. A lot of things went right for the Vikings this year, and Peterson was a huge part of that, but we have seen that Peterson's success doesn't always equal Vikings' success.
Yes, a 3-13 record going to a record of 10-6 is impressive, but Peterson only missed four games last season.
The Denver Broncos were a mediocre team in a bad division a season ago. Wallowing underneath the horrifying phenomenon that was Tebow-mania. Yes, the Broncos were division winners last season, but they were in one of the weakest divisions in football at the meager record of 8-8. Enter Peyton Manning. The Broncos are now 13-3 and the top seed in the AFC playoffs with one of the top offenses in the whole NFL.
The Manning effect has had a much greater effect in Denver than Peterson's has in Minnesota, and that is something that the voters will have to acknowledge.
Now, there is a remote possibility that the two could share the award. It wouldn't be unprecedented, though it isn't exactly a regular occurrence. It has happened, but only twice. Of course, one of those time was a 2,000 yard rusher sharing the award with a quarterback that had a brilliant year.
Either way, Peyton Manning certainly is deserving and will win his fifth MVP.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
When Will We Stop Talking About Tim Tebow?
Seriously, it continues to be beyond my understanding why people can't stop talking about him. It was a lot more understandable when he was in Florida, winning national championships and a Heisman trophy, but it's been quite a while since then. It just seems like people are using the memories of those years to try and keep this mania going.
Don't get me wrong, Tebow did some amazing things when he was in college, but let's remember that Tebow wouldn't be the first Heisman trophy winning quarterback that didn't succeed in the pros. Hell, he wouldn't be the first quarterback that had a good college career that hasn't seen success in the pros. They are two completely different worlds, especially at the quarterback position, and to argue that he will automatically be successful as a pro simply because of his college career is just plain ignorant.
I've written about Tebow before, especially when he was in Denver as a part of my beloved Broncos. Back then about how the Tebow-maniacs needed to calm down and be fans of the team and not just Tebow, but now I think it's fair to go ahead and stop talking about him entirely.
I don't think there has ever been so much unnecessary coverage of a backup quarterback. He's a distant memory in Denver thanks to one Peyton Manning, and is already pretty much a memory in New York. Tebow was never promoted to the starting position in New York the way he shamelessly was in Denver, so people (and this includes ESPN) continue to call for him to start in such a shameful manner. Claiming that he's a "bad practice" player but will get the job done when it matters. All I have to ask those people is how many of Tebow's professional games have they actually watched?
They will, naturally, point to his many come back victories in Denver and his one solid game in all of his starts against the Steelers in the playoffs. They will naturally forget the 55 minutes of those games that he couldn't do anything, and also forget the several games where he was terrible the whole 60 minutes and the Broncos were completely blown out. That is the worst part about Tebow, his fans and their selective memories. We get that you like him, he's a likable guy, but be realistic about him for crying out loud. He ran an offense in Denver that was successful in spite of him, not because of him.
Not one of his coaches in the pros has done anything to show that they have any faith in him as a true NFL quarterback. Now be sure you're reading that right. Not a quarterback who is in the NFL, an NFL quarterback. This is a passing league now. Being able to run is a great thing and people will point now to guys like RGIII, Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and even Andrew Luck to a certain extent and say, but those guys run, why is it okay for them? The answer, of course, is not that difficult to anybody but the blind Tebow sheep. Because each and every single one of those guys is also capable of throwing the ball accurately on a consistent basis, and Tim Tebow is not.
So, with Tebow about to be unceremoniously dumped from his second team in as many years, I am now pleading the entire sports world for one simple thing. STOP TALKING ABOUT TIM TEBOW!!! Let him slip into anonymity. Take this giant spotlight off of him for one second and allow him to not be the center of attention, it might be good for him. All around he is being told that he's ready and he doesn't need to learn to become an NFL quarterback by his flock of blind sheep and his inner circle.
The best possible thing that could happen to Tim Tebow is for him to be released from the Jets and not be signed on by a single NFL team. Let him go to the CFL and try to earn his stripes there because if he can't do it there, then it is absolutely and completely clear that he will never, and I mean ever, do it in the NFL. Either that, or he can drop his overly prideful position of only wanting to play quarterback and accept the fact that he'd be better off as a fullback or tight end.
Sadly, neither of those things will happen. Instead, he'll end up in Jacksonville, which is appropriate as well. A joke player on a joke franchise. Fitting.
Don't get me wrong, Tebow did some amazing things when he was in college, but let's remember that Tebow wouldn't be the first Heisman trophy winning quarterback that didn't succeed in the pros. Hell, he wouldn't be the first quarterback that had a good college career that hasn't seen success in the pros. They are two completely different worlds, especially at the quarterback position, and to argue that he will automatically be successful as a pro simply because of his college career is just plain ignorant.
I've written about Tebow before, especially when he was in Denver as a part of my beloved Broncos. Back then about how the Tebow-maniacs needed to calm down and be fans of the team and not just Tebow, but now I think it's fair to go ahead and stop talking about him entirely.
I don't think there has ever been so much unnecessary coverage of a backup quarterback. He's a distant memory in Denver thanks to one Peyton Manning, and is already pretty much a memory in New York. Tebow was never promoted to the starting position in New York the way he shamelessly was in Denver, so people (and this includes ESPN) continue to call for him to start in such a shameful manner. Claiming that he's a "bad practice" player but will get the job done when it matters. All I have to ask those people is how many of Tebow's professional games have they actually watched?
They will, naturally, point to his many come back victories in Denver and his one solid game in all of his starts against the Steelers in the playoffs. They will naturally forget the 55 minutes of those games that he couldn't do anything, and also forget the several games where he was terrible the whole 60 minutes and the Broncos were completely blown out. That is the worst part about Tebow, his fans and their selective memories. We get that you like him, he's a likable guy, but be realistic about him for crying out loud. He ran an offense in Denver that was successful in spite of him, not because of him.
Not one of his coaches in the pros has done anything to show that they have any faith in him as a true NFL quarterback. Now be sure you're reading that right. Not a quarterback who is in the NFL, an NFL quarterback. This is a passing league now. Being able to run is a great thing and people will point now to guys like RGIII, Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and even Andrew Luck to a certain extent and say, but those guys run, why is it okay for them? The answer, of course, is not that difficult to anybody but the blind Tebow sheep. Because each and every single one of those guys is also capable of throwing the ball accurately on a consistent basis, and Tim Tebow is not.
So, with Tebow about to be unceremoniously dumped from his second team in as many years, I am now pleading the entire sports world for one simple thing. STOP TALKING ABOUT TIM TEBOW!!! Let him slip into anonymity. Take this giant spotlight off of him for one second and allow him to not be the center of attention, it might be good for him. All around he is being told that he's ready and he doesn't need to learn to become an NFL quarterback by his flock of blind sheep and his inner circle.
The best possible thing that could happen to Tim Tebow is for him to be released from the Jets and not be signed on by a single NFL team. Let him go to the CFL and try to earn his stripes there because if he can't do it there, then it is absolutely and completely clear that he will never, and I mean ever, do it in the NFL. Either that, or he can drop his overly prideful position of only wanting to play quarterback and accept the fact that he'd be better off as a fullback or tight end.
Sadly, neither of those things will happen. Instead, he'll end up in Jacksonville, which is appropriate as well. A joke player on a joke franchise. Fitting.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Been A Whiile
Hey folks!
It has been quite a while since I've written anything on this blog, but I do want to make sure that I get back to writing here again.
For a long time I've been writing almost all of my hockey related stories over on Bleacher Report. I am taking a bit of a break from writing with them for a while, and will be doing some writing with The Hockey Writers as well.
I have missed being able to write about football or some other sports and would like to jump back on the old Sin Bin once again to write some more on football and others. So thanks for sticking around, and hopefully I'll have some more to write about in the coming days!
It has been quite a while since I've written anything on this blog, but I do want to make sure that I get back to writing here again.
For a long time I've been writing almost all of my hockey related stories over on Bleacher Report. I am taking a bit of a break from writing with them for a while, and will be doing some writing with The Hockey Writers as well.
I have missed being able to write about football or some other sports and would like to jump back on the old Sin Bin once again to write some more on football and others. So thanks for sticking around, and hopefully I'll have some more to write about in the coming days!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
NFL Week 5 picks!
11-5 once again last week and am now 42-22 for the season. Not bad, and now we have bye weeks so there is less margin for error. Didn't get this out before games started, but these are my legit picks, I promise.
Philadelphia @ Buffalo: Buffalo needs to rebound after a bad loss to Cincinnati last week, and they'll pull it off against the Iggles. I'll take Buffalo.
Kansas City @ Indianapolis: Both teams haven't been very good, but Indy should wake up at some point. Today is that point against a bad Chiefs team. Indy.
Arizona @ Minnesota: Arizona is dropping the ball in this one, but they were my pick, so I'll own it. I picked Arizona.
Seattle @ NY Giants: G-men should beat up on the Hawks. Giants.
Tennessee @ Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh still trying to show that they aren't too old, even though they are. I'll still take the Steelers.
New Orleans @ Carolina: Saints should take this one big time.
Cincinnati @ Jacksonville: Cincinnati has shown some good things despite their record. Against a bad Jacksonville team I think they'll keep going and pull out a win.
Oakland @ Houston: Houston is hoping to continue to prove they're the real deal. They'll have a tough win against the Raiders, but a win all the same.
Tampa Bay @ San Francisco: Both teams are better than they seem, but I think Tampa has the better squad overall.
San Diego @ Denver: San Diego, in a laugher. People will probably get their Tebow wish after this one, and he will show exactly how much he isn't the answer right now.
New York Jets @ New England: The home team seems to do better in this series lately, so I'll give the Pats the edge. Wouldn't be surprised if the Jets did win because they seem to know how to get to the Patriots.
Green Bay @ Atlanta: I'll take the Packers.
Chicago @ Detroit: Detroit needs to play better during the first half of the game, because they can't always come from behind as far as they have each game this season. I'll still take Detroit.
Philadelphia @ Buffalo: Buffalo needs to rebound after a bad loss to Cincinnati last week, and they'll pull it off against the Iggles. I'll take Buffalo.
Kansas City @ Indianapolis: Both teams haven't been very good, but Indy should wake up at some point. Today is that point against a bad Chiefs team. Indy.
Arizona @ Minnesota: Arizona is dropping the ball in this one, but they were my pick, so I'll own it. I picked Arizona.
Seattle @ NY Giants: G-men should beat up on the Hawks. Giants.
Tennessee @ Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh still trying to show that they aren't too old, even though they are. I'll still take the Steelers.
New Orleans @ Carolina: Saints should take this one big time.
Cincinnati @ Jacksonville: Cincinnati has shown some good things despite their record. Against a bad Jacksonville team I think they'll keep going and pull out a win.
Oakland @ Houston: Houston is hoping to continue to prove they're the real deal. They'll have a tough win against the Raiders, but a win all the same.
Tampa Bay @ San Francisco: Both teams are better than they seem, but I think Tampa has the better squad overall.
San Diego @ Denver: San Diego, in a laugher. People will probably get their Tebow wish after this one, and he will show exactly how much he isn't the answer right now.
New York Jets @ New England: The home team seems to do better in this series lately, so I'll give the Pats the edge. Wouldn't be surprised if the Jets did win because they seem to know how to get to the Patriots.
Green Bay @ Atlanta: I'll take the Packers.
Chicago @ Detroit: Detroit needs to play better during the first half of the game, because they can't always come from behind as far as they have each game this season. I'll still take Detroit.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
NFL Week 4 Picks
10-6 last week for a total now 31-17. Hopefully I can do better this week.
Carolina @ Chicago: Carolina could put up a good fight in this one, but Chicago's defense is too good and Carolina's is not nearly good enough. Bears.
Buffalo @ Cincinnati: Buffalo is the real deal, they'll dominate Cincinnati, Bills.
Tennessee @ Cleveland: Not totally sure how Cleveland is favored in this game, I'll take the Titans.
Detroit @ Dallas: Detroit has a tough game here, and they have proven that they can come from behind. I think that Dallas manages to squeak one out at home. This should be a really good game.
Minnesota @ Kansas City: Minnesota really needs to get a win, as does KC. Minnesota has the better offense and should take this one.
Washington @ St. Louis: Washington wins this one in a much closer game than it should be.
San Francisco @ Philadelphia: Not much of a dream team thus far, the Eagles need to play a full game from start to finish. Not sure what happens with Mike Vick in this game, but the eagles really should win anyways. Iggles.
New Orleans @ Jacksonville: Jacksonville stinks, I'll go with the Saints, big time.
Pittsburgh @ Houston: Should be a good game, and this is one that the Texans need to be able to win to get over the hump and into the playoffs. I think Pittsburgh mamages to take this one in a close game.
New York Giants @ Arizona: G-men, easy.
Atlanta @ Seattle: Atlanta gets a gift in Seattle this week and starts to get back on track.
Denver @ Green Bay: Packers are going to kill the Broncos.
New England @ Oakland: Since New England's defense sucks so much, the Raiders could keep this close, but their defense isn't really good enough to keep them ahead. Pats.
Miami @ San Diego: Dolphins too inconsistent, and the Chargers may actually have found a way to start the season well. Miraculously, the Chargers start off 3-1 instead of 1-3.
New York Jets @ Baltimore: Jets have a tough road to run here, and it definitely doesn't get any easier in Baltimore. I'm gonna take the Ravens in this one.
Indianapolis @ Tampa Bay: So hard to gauge how Indy will play. Tampa is much better than they have been in the past, so I think the Bucs will take this one.
Carolina @ Chicago: Carolina could put up a good fight in this one, but Chicago's defense is too good and Carolina's is not nearly good enough. Bears.
Buffalo @ Cincinnati: Buffalo is the real deal, they'll dominate Cincinnati, Bills.
Tennessee @ Cleveland: Not totally sure how Cleveland is favored in this game, I'll take the Titans.
Detroit @ Dallas: Detroit has a tough game here, and they have proven that they can come from behind. I think that Dallas manages to squeak one out at home. This should be a really good game.
Minnesota @ Kansas City: Minnesota really needs to get a win, as does KC. Minnesota has the better offense and should take this one.
Washington @ St. Louis: Washington wins this one in a much closer game than it should be.
San Francisco @ Philadelphia: Not much of a dream team thus far, the Eagles need to play a full game from start to finish. Not sure what happens with Mike Vick in this game, but the eagles really should win anyways. Iggles.
New Orleans @ Jacksonville: Jacksonville stinks, I'll go with the Saints, big time.
Pittsburgh @ Houston: Should be a good game, and this is one that the Texans need to be able to win to get over the hump and into the playoffs. I think Pittsburgh mamages to take this one in a close game.
New York Giants @ Arizona: G-men, easy.
Atlanta @ Seattle: Atlanta gets a gift in Seattle this week and starts to get back on track.
Denver @ Green Bay: Packers are going to kill the Broncos.
New England @ Oakland: Since New England's defense sucks so much, the Raiders could keep this close, but their defense isn't really good enough to keep them ahead. Pats.
Miami @ San Diego: Dolphins too inconsistent, and the Chargers may actually have found a way to start the season well. Miraculously, the Chargers start off 3-1 instead of 1-3.
New York Jets @ Baltimore: Jets have a tough road to run here, and it definitely doesn't get any easier in Baltimore. I'm gonna take the Ravens in this one.
Indianapolis @ Tampa Bay: So hard to gauge how Indy will play. Tampa is much better than they have been in the past, so I think the Bucs will take this one.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tebow-Maniacs Making it Hard to be a Fan of the Broncos
Football season is back in full swing and normally that would have me in a fantastic mood, but there is a problem.
No, it doesn't really revolve around the fact that my Denver Broncos are 1-2 and don't seem very likely to pick up any more wins before their bye week. No, it doesn't have anything to do with the team's lack of a running game. No, it doesn't have anything to with the defense being inconsistent as all get out; and no, it has absolutely nothing to do with Kyle Orton.
It doesn't really have anything directly to do with Tim Tebow either, just the flock of nincompoops claiming that they know better than the entirety of the Denver Bronco organization and demand that Tebow be given a chance to start.
I have no issues with Tim Tebow himself. He's a hard working guy that is a great role model and is one heck of an athlete.
The issue I have is that other Denver Bronco fans are making it insanely difficult for many others of us to be Broncos fans. It's embarrassing!
It would be one thing if Tebow had clearly separated himself from the pack as the best quarterback and was still not being given a chance to perform, but that hasn't been the case.
So rather than let the coaches make the decisions we're made to listen to a non-stop parade of drivel that suggests Elway and Fox are playing political games and intentionally holding Tim Tebow down, to the detriment of the team.
One of my favorites involves the Broncos targeting Tebow as a scapegoat for the terrible decisions that Josh McDaniels made during his time as Denver head coach, and they are torturing Tim Tebow by relegating him to a back-up role he doesn't deserve all to punish him for being a draft pick of the boy king.
There are still several more saying that the Broncos are playing anti-Christian games because Tebow is so open about his religion.
I usually try to remain above name-calling and other things of that sort as I wish to keep my pieces professional, but when did Denver fans become so stupid?
Why are people so desperate to decide whether or not anybody knows something based on whether or not they support Tim Tebow?
Yes, Josh McDaniels was a terrible hire by the team and his very brief but all too long tenure as head coach made a lot of fans very skeptical about who was put in the head coaching position, but John Fox has been coaching in the NFL in one capacity or another since Josh McDaniels was still a young school boy.
There is not a single person in the Denver Broncos organization that wants Tim Tebow to fail because there is a lot of money invested in him. Moreover, he's a member of the team, and for anybody to insinuate that members of the front office would want any of the players that put their physical well-being on the line in order to make them money to fail is absolutely ludicrous.
Every single Denver Bronco fan out there wants Tim Tebow to succeed and be great, but that doesn't mean we have to throw him in there right away.
Let the coaches do their jobs, please. Let Tebow develop and learn how to be a pocket quarterback as our system calls for.
And please, stop spreading this divisive garbage that labels anybody critical of Tebow as a "Tebow-Hater" or person who doesn't want the Broncos to do well.
You are the incredibly loud and annoying minority that is making it very hard to be a fan of the Denver Broncos right now.
No, it doesn't really revolve around the fact that my Denver Broncos are 1-2 and don't seem very likely to pick up any more wins before their bye week. No, it doesn't have anything to do with the team's lack of a running game. No, it doesn't have anything to with the defense being inconsistent as all get out; and no, it has absolutely nothing to do with Kyle Orton.
It doesn't really have anything directly to do with Tim Tebow either, just the flock of nincompoops claiming that they know better than the entirety of the Denver Bronco organization and demand that Tebow be given a chance to start.
I have no issues with Tim Tebow himself. He's a hard working guy that is a great role model and is one heck of an athlete.
The issue I have is that other Denver Bronco fans are making it insanely difficult for many others of us to be Broncos fans. It's embarrassing!
It would be one thing if Tebow had clearly separated himself from the pack as the best quarterback and was still not being given a chance to perform, but that hasn't been the case.
So rather than let the coaches make the decisions we're made to listen to a non-stop parade of drivel that suggests Elway and Fox are playing political games and intentionally holding Tim Tebow down, to the detriment of the team.
One of my favorites involves the Broncos targeting Tebow as a scapegoat for the terrible decisions that Josh McDaniels made during his time as Denver head coach, and they are torturing Tim Tebow by relegating him to a back-up role he doesn't deserve all to punish him for being a draft pick of the boy king.
There are still several more saying that the Broncos are playing anti-Christian games because Tebow is so open about his religion.
I usually try to remain above name-calling and other things of that sort as I wish to keep my pieces professional, but when did Denver fans become so stupid?
Why are people so desperate to decide whether or not anybody knows something based on whether or not they support Tim Tebow?
Yes, Josh McDaniels was a terrible hire by the team and his very brief but all too long tenure as head coach made a lot of fans very skeptical about who was put in the head coaching position, but John Fox has been coaching in the NFL in one capacity or another since Josh McDaniels was still a young school boy.
There is not a single person in the Denver Broncos organization that wants Tim Tebow to fail because there is a lot of money invested in him. Moreover, he's a member of the team, and for anybody to insinuate that members of the front office would want any of the players that put their physical well-being on the line in order to make them money to fail is absolutely ludicrous.
Every single Denver Bronco fan out there wants Tim Tebow to succeed and be great, but that doesn't mean we have to throw him in there right away.
Let the coaches do their jobs, please. Let Tebow develop and learn how to be a pocket quarterback as our system calls for.
And please, stop spreading this divisive garbage that labels anybody critical of Tebow as a "Tebow-Hater" or person who doesn't want the Broncos to do well.
You are the incredibly loud and annoying minority that is making it very hard to be a fan of the Denver Broncos right now.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
NFL Week 3 Picks
10-6 in week 1, 11-5 in week 2. 21-11 overall. Let's keep the good times rolling for week 3 of the NFL season!
New England @ Buffalo: Buffalo has played well to start the season, but they may have issues stopping New England's high powered offense. This will be a better game than people expect, but I'll take the Pats.
San Francisco @ Cincinnati: Cincinnati stinks and San Francisco has a much better team than people think. This may be in Cinci, but I can't really see the Bungles taking this one. Niners.
Miami @ Cleveland: Cleveland is such a hard team to figure. They can play really well or will completely stink. Miami has a lot of weapons and just needs to figure out how to get them all on the same page. They'll beat Cleveland, but not by as much as they should.
Denver @ Tennessee: Tennessee will dominate the Broncs, and the Denver faithful will continue to not shut up about Tim Tebow, though the rest of us who actually understand the game is more than just being a likeable person will wish they would shut up.
Detroit @ Minnesota: Detroit is taking a lot of teams by surprise, and the Vikes can't get it going. Lions continue a march to the playoffs and go 3-0.
Houston @ New Orleans: Should be a good game between some high powered offenses. The Saints D will be more opportunistic and take advantage of the injured Arian Foster who continues to screw my fantasy team.
New York Giants @ Philadelphia: G-men may be able to drive Vick from the game if they are able to hit him hard. Vick should focus more on finishing a full game rather than reminding fans of the score. He may have paid his debt to society, but he's still an arrogant prick, pardon me. Still, Eagles should win this one.
Jacksonville @ Carolina: Newton is playing very well despite the two losses. Jacksonville really is hard to tell what they will do, but they aren't a winning team. Jack Del Rio will be looking for a new job before the end of the year, I think and the Panthers will help that along by beating Jacksonville.
New York Jets @ Oakland: Jets are going to handle the Raiders pretty easily here, in my opinion.
Baltimore @ St. Louis: Baltimore really dropped the ball in week 2 and should be mad coming into week 3. The Rams are going to feel the wrath here.
Kansas City @ San Diego: The Chiefs shocked the Chargers in San Diego last year, but I don't really see that happening this year. Of course, this is the Chargers so stinking in the first half of the season is what they do best. You never know, but I'll take the Chargers in this one.
Green Bay @ Chicago: Packers will be in Cutler's face all day long. Packers will remind everybody why they are the champs once again.
Arizona @ Seattle: Seattle stinks, Arizona should take this one.
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay: Tampa has a good team, but they just can't seem to put it all together yet. I'll take the Falcons in a very competitive game.
Pittsburgh @ Indianapolis: This one is going to be very ugly. No Manning, Steelers will dominate. I'm glad I have their defense as my fantasy defense.
Washington @ Dallas: Dallas pulled off a big comeback win last week, hopefully they don't have the same issues this week. I think they'll have a tough time with the pesky Skins, but will find a way to win.
New England @ Buffalo: Buffalo has played well to start the season, but they may have issues stopping New England's high powered offense. This will be a better game than people expect, but I'll take the Pats.
San Francisco @ Cincinnati: Cincinnati stinks and San Francisco has a much better team than people think. This may be in Cinci, but I can't really see the Bungles taking this one. Niners.
Miami @ Cleveland: Cleveland is such a hard team to figure. They can play really well or will completely stink. Miami has a lot of weapons and just needs to figure out how to get them all on the same page. They'll beat Cleveland, but not by as much as they should.
Denver @ Tennessee: Tennessee will dominate the Broncs, and the Denver faithful will continue to not shut up about Tim Tebow, though the rest of us who actually understand the game is more than just being a likeable person will wish they would shut up.
Detroit @ Minnesota: Detroit is taking a lot of teams by surprise, and the Vikes can't get it going. Lions continue a march to the playoffs and go 3-0.
Houston @ New Orleans: Should be a good game between some high powered offenses. The Saints D will be more opportunistic and take advantage of the injured Arian Foster who continues to screw my fantasy team.
New York Giants @ Philadelphia: G-men may be able to drive Vick from the game if they are able to hit him hard. Vick should focus more on finishing a full game rather than reminding fans of the score. He may have paid his debt to society, but he's still an arrogant prick, pardon me. Still, Eagles should win this one.
Jacksonville @ Carolina: Newton is playing very well despite the two losses. Jacksonville really is hard to tell what they will do, but they aren't a winning team. Jack Del Rio will be looking for a new job before the end of the year, I think and the Panthers will help that along by beating Jacksonville.
New York Jets @ Oakland: Jets are going to handle the Raiders pretty easily here, in my opinion.
Baltimore @ St. Louis: Baltimore really dropped the ball in week 2 and should be mad coming into week 3. The Rams are going to feel the wrath here.
Kansas City @ San Diego: The Chiefs shocked the Chargers in San Diego last year, but I don't really see that happening this year. Of course, this is the Chargers so stinking in the first half of the season is what they do best. You never know, but I'll take the Chargers in this one.
Green Bay @ Chicago: Packers will be in Cutler's face all day long. Packers will remind everybody why they are the champs once again.
Arizona @ Seattle: Seattle stinks, Arizona should take this one.
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay: Tampa has a good team, but they just can't seem to put it all together yet. I'll take the Falcons in a very competitive game.
Pittsburgh @ Indianapolis: This one is going to be very ugly. No Manning, Steelers will dominate. I'm glad I have their defense as my fantasy defense.
Washington @ Dallas: Dallas pulled off a big comeback win last week, hopefully they don't have the same issues this week. I think they'll have a tough time with the pesky Skins, but will find a way to win.
Friday, September 16, 2011
NFL Week 2 Picks
10-6 after week 1. Here's hoping for a strong week 2! I think we've got a great line up of games for the week. Check it out and tell me who you got!
Oakland @ Buffalo: Buffalo may be a surprise in the AFC this year. Oakland managed to hold on against the Broncos in week 1, and will need a lot of help from their running game in order to stay unbeaten. The Bills at a team that are going to be overlooked by almost every team in the league and that will be to their advantage. I'll take Buffalo.
Kansas City @ Detroit: Detroit is a strong team this year, there is no denying that. Kansas City stumbled out of the blocks and will be looking to right their ship quickly, but the Lions are ready to prove that they are able to play with anybody. They'll continue to show they are a playoff caliber team with a win over the Chiefs.
Baltimore @ Tennessee: Tennessee will be creamed in this one. Baltimore destroyed the Steelers and will continue to hammer the Titans. This one will be ugly.
Cleveland @ Indianapolis: Cleveland blew it against a Bengals team that is not very good. The Colts had a horrible showing in week 1, but I think that they are still better than the Browns, so long as Kerry Collins can remember the color of his own team's jersey. Colts.
Tampa Bay @ Minnesota: Minnesota had a horrible game plan against the Chargers. Blame McNabb if you want, but when they refused to go away from run, run, third and long they did them. McNabb made a lot of good plays for the Vikes in week one and then the play calling just stunk in the second half. I think the coaches learned their lesson in game 2.
Chicago @ New Orleans: This should be a pretty good game, but the Saints will get to the Bears' QB often. When Cutler is pressured even a little bit he gets very wreckless. Saints take this.
Jacksonville @ New York Jets: Jacksonville is in trouble. It's going to be a long season for them, I think. Jets take this one.
Seattle @ Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh gets the perfect make-up opponent after getting destroyed by Baltimore. Seattle stinks and the Steelers will blow the Seahawks out.
Arizona @ Washington: Washington is favored, but Rex Grossman is probably the most inconsistent quarterback in the league. He played alright last week, but he'll remember who he is this week. The Cards will take this one.
Green Bay @ Carolina: Carolina stinks, the Packers are very good. Another lopsided victory for the Pack.
Dallas @ San Francisco: Dallas is very skilled and San Francisco struggles for consistency. San Francisco has the potential to win this game, but I don't think they will. Boys get the win.
Cincinnati @ Denver: Denver is not very good and have a lot of injuries after just one week, but Cincinnati is still pretty awful. Denver will have to be better against the run, and if they are they will take this one. I see a Broncos win and a big day for Kyle Orton.
Houston @ Miami: Chad Henne played great against the Pats, and will have to repeat that in order to beat the Texans. I don't see that happening. Texans win this one.
San Diego @ New England: Game of the week, right here. Two great offenses and darn good teams. Chargers never win in big games, that just is their MO, and it will continue. Pats win in a good game.
Philadelphia @ Atlanta: Atlanta really HAS to come out and win this one but they go up against a very loaded Eagles team. Philly wins a close one.
St. Louis @ New York Giants: G-men need to rebound and get the right team to rebound against. G-men win running away.
Oakland @ Buffalo: Buffalo may be a surprise in the AFC this year. Oakland managed to hold on against the Broncos in week 1, and will need a lot of help from their running game in order to stay unbeaten. The Bills at a team that are going to be overlooked by almost every team in the league and that will be to their advantage. I'll take Buffalo.
Kansas City @ Detroit: Detroit is a strong team this year, there is no denying that. Kansas City stumbled out of the blocks and will be looking to right their ship quickly, but the Lions are ready to prove that they are able to play with anybody. They'll continue to show they are a playoff caliber team with a win over the Chiefs.
Baltimore @ Tennessee: Tennessee will be creamed in this one. Baltimore destroyed the Steelers and will continue to hammer the Titans. This one will be ugly.
Cleveland @ Indianapolis: Cleveland blew it against a Bengals team that is not very good. The Colts had a horrible showing in week 1, but I think that they are still better than the Browns, so long as Kerry Collins can remember the color of his own team's jersey. Colts.
Tampa Bay @ Minnesota: Minnesota had a horrible game plan against the Chargers. Blame McNabb if you want, but when they refused to go away from run, run, third and long they did them. McNabb made a lot of good plays for the Vikes in week one and then the play calling just stunk in the second half. I think the coaches learned their lesson in game 2.
Chicago @ New Orleans: This should be a pretty good game, but the Saints will get to the Bears' QB often. When Cutler is pressured even a little bit he gets very wreckless. Saints take this.
Jacksonville @ New York Jets: Jacksonville is in trouble. It's going to be a long season for them, I think. Jets take this one.
Seattle @ Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh gets the perfect make-up opponent after getting destroyed by Baltimore. Seattle stinks and the Steelers will blow the Seahawks out.
Arizona @ Washington: Washington is favored, but Rex Grossman is probably the most inconsistent quarterback in the league. He played alright last week, but he'll remember who he is this week. The Cards will take this one.
Green Bay @ Carolina: Carolina stinks, the Packers are very good. Another lopsided victory for the Pack.
Dallas @ San Francisco: Dallas is very skilled and San Francisco struggles for consistency. San Francisco has the potential to win this game, but I don't think they will. Boys get the win.
Cincinnati @ Denver: Denver is not very good and have a lot of injuries after just one week, but Cincinnati is still pretty awful. Denver will have to be better against the run, and if they are they will take this one. I see a Broncos win and a big day for Kyle Orton.
Houston @ Miami: Chad Henne played great against the Pats, and will have to repeat that in order to beat the Texans. I don't see that happening. Texans win this one.
San Diego @ New England: Game of the week, right here. Two great offenses and darn good teams. Chargers never win in big games, that just is their MO, and it will continue. Pats win in a good game.
Philadelphia @ Atlanta: Atlanta really HAS to come out and win this one but they go up against a very loaded Eagles team. Philly wins a close one.
St. Louis @ New York Giants: G-men need to rebound and get the right team to rebound against. G-men win running away.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Welcome Back NFL! Week 1 Picks
After a bit of a long delay on this site, the NFL season is now back upon us which means it's time to get my weekly picks going yet again. So let the fun begin!
New Orleans @ Green Bay: Green Bay will open up the season on a positive note and win their first game as defending Super Bowl Champs.
Atlanta @ Chicago: Chicago still doesn't have an offensive line, and the Falcons are still very good. I think Atlanta gets their season started off the right way, and Jay Cutler gets re-introduced to the turf.
Cincinnati @ Cleveland: Cinci went from being a respectable team to pretty much nothing. No offense, no quarterback, and a weak defense. Cleveland and Peyton Hillis will run over the Bungles.
Buffalo @ Kansas City: KC won the AFC West last year and are a very good team. They will make short work of the Bills.
Philadelphia @ St. Louis: St. Louis got better this year, but Philly went NUTS. Philly is definitely the better team and will prove it early and often in this game.
Detroit @ Tampa Bay: Two teams that could surprise a lot of people this year. I think Detroit's young defense with Fairly and Suh leading the way will make a lot of trouble for Tampa, and Stafford will get megatron a few TDs in a win.
Tennessee @ Jacksonville: Tennessee has to rely on the ever injured Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback. Jacksonville is more complete of a team, and I think they'll take this first one.
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore: One of the best rivalries going today, the home team definitely has an advantage in these defensive battle. I'll take the Ravens.
Indianapolis @ Houston: No Peyton Manning always means trouble for the Colts. He's too important to the success of his team. Even if he does play, he won't be at 100%. Houston always gives the Colts fits, they will start off strong and beat Indy at home.
Carolina @ Arizona: Even with Cam Newton, Carolina stinks. He may be able to get them a few more points they wouldn't get otherwise, but Arizona is still better. Cards.
Minnesota @ San Diego: San Diego is favored big time in this game, but I think this is a prime time upset game. San Diego always starts slow and Norv Turner can do nothing about it it seems. Minnesota will take advantage of this and win game 1 of the Donovan McNabb era.
Seattle @ San Francisco: Seattle is just awful. Tavares Jackson won't solve anything. San Fran isn't much better, but they are better. Niners.
New York Giants @ Washington: Rex Grossman apparently likes where the Skins are, but he's the only one. The G-men take this one.
Dallas @ New York Jets: The Jets never get enough respect, all they've done is get to 2 AFC title games in a row and come up just short. They'll take the Cowboys down this time.
New England @ Miami: New England is too much.
Oakland @ Denver: The Broncos have some really impressive home opener win streak going that I don't think will stop now. They're out to prove that they are a better team, and John Fox will have them ready to go. Tebow WON'T play in a week one victory. Watch VonDoom reek havoc on the Raiders offense.
New Orleans @ Green Bay: Green Bay will open up the season on a positive note and win their first game as defending Super Bowl Champs.
Atlanta @ Chicago: Chicago still doesn't have an offensive line, and the Falcons are still very good. I think Atlanta gets their season started off the right way, and Jay Cutler gets re-introduced to the turf.
Cincinnati @ Cleveland: Cinci went from being a respectable team to pretty much nothing. No offense, no quarterback, and a weak defense. Cleveland and Peyton Hillis will run over the Bungles.
Buffalo @ Kansas City: KC won the AFC West last year and are a very good team. They will make short work of the Bills.
Philadelphia @ St. Louis: St. Louis got better this year, but Philly went NUTS. Philly is definitely the better team and will prove it early and often in this game.
Detroit @ Tampa Bay: Two teams that could surprise a lot of people this year. I think Detroit's young defense with Fairly and Suh leading the way will make a lot of trouble for Tampa, and Stafford will get megatron a few TDs in a win.
Tennessee @ Jacksonville: Tennessee has to rely on the ever injured Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback. Jacksonville is more complete of a team, and I think they'll take this first one.
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore: One of the best rivalries going today, the home team definitely has an advantage in these defensive battle. I'll take the Ravens.
Indianapolis @ Houston: No Peyton Manning always means trouble for the Colts. He's too important to the success of his team. Even if he does play, he won't be at 100%. Houston always gives the Colts fits, they will start off strong and beat Indy at home.
Carolina @ Arizona: Even with Cam Newton, Carolina stinks. He may be able to get them a few more points they wouldn't get otherwise, but Arizona is still better. Cards.
Minnesota @ San Diego: San Diego is favored big time in this game, but I think this is a prime time upset game. San Diego always starts slow and Norv Turner can do nothing about it it seems. Minnesota will take advantage of this and win game 1 of the Donovan McNabb era.
Seattle @ San Francisco: Seattle is just awful. Tavares Jackson won't solve anything. San Fran isn't much better, but they are better. Niners.
New York Giants @ Washington: Rex Grossman apparently likes where the Skins are, but he's the only one. The G-men take this one.
Dallas @ New York Jets: The Jets never get enough respect, all they've done is get to 2 AFC title games in a row and come up just short. They'll take the Cowboys down this time.
New England @ Miami: New England is too much.
Oakland @ Denver: The Broncos have some really impressive home opener win streak going that I don't think will stop now. They're out to prove that they are a better team, and John Fox will have them ready to go. Tebow WON'T play in a week one victory. Watch VonDoom reek havoc on the Raiders offense.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Colorado Avalanche Fans: Join Burgundy Brigade
Over the past season for the Avalanche, it became awfully tough to watch the games, especially in the second half of the season when the team only won about 4 games in the last 30.
At one point, later in the season, I had the good fortune of attending an Avalanche game with the Bulldog Support Group that supports the Denver MLS team, the Colorado Rapids. I wrote an earlier piece on them here
Two things happened at this game for me. First, I was absolutely disgusted by some of the fans. There was a kid sitting about five rows down from me who had an iPad that he played for the entire game. Never looked up once, except maybe to eat his food or drink his soda. Never looked at the game at all.
There were also a couple of ladies sitting in front of us who seemed put off by the fact that our whole group wanted to cheer through the game. Apparently the real fans were messing up their chance to have a nice quiet talk. Sorry sister, if you're at a hockey game, you should be there to make some noise.
Second, the BSG is loud, cheers, sings, chants, the whole game, and I had so much fun that they inspired me to get rolling with my own group for the Avalanche.
After tossing an idea or two around the Twitterverse, about 4 of us came up with what we want to call it and what we can to try and do with it. The group is called The Burgundy Brigade.
Our mission is to bring excitement, passion, and a real enjoyable environment back to the Pepsi Center and cheer for the team no matter what.
We've made a lot of progress since the start. We have our own web page, we have a facebook page, we have a Twitter, @BurgundyBrigade, and we're attempting to get some networking going with the Avs.
So this is my call to all Avalanche fans who are tired of being outcheered by the opponents fans. Fans who want to turn the Pepsi Center back into a place feared by opponents.
Let's do this!
At one point, later in the season, I had the good fortune of attending an Avalanche game with the Bulldog Support Group that supports the Denver MLS team, the Colorado Rapids. I wrote an earlier piece on them here
Two things happened at this game for me. First, I was absolutely disgusted by some of the fans. There was a kid sitting about five rows down from me who had an iPad that he played for the entire game. Never looked up once, except maybe to eat his food or drink his soda. Never looked at the game at all.
There were also a couple of ladies sitting in front of us who seemed put off by the fact that our whole group wanted to cheer through the game. Apparently the real fans were messing up their chance to have a nice quiet talk. Sorry sister, if you're at a hockey game, you should be there to make some noise.
Second, the BSG is loud, cheers, sings, chants, the whole game, and I had so much fun that they inspired me to get rolling with my own group for the Avalanche.
After tossing an idea or two around the Twitterverse, about 4 of us came up with what we want to call it and what we can to try and do with it. The group is called The Burgundy Brigade.
Our mission is to bring excitement, passion, and a real enjoyable environment back to the Pepsi Center and cheer for the team no matter what.
We've made a lot of progress since the start. We have our own web page, we have a facebook page, we have a Twitter, @BurgundyBrigade, and we're attempting to get some networking going with the Avs.
So this is my call to all Avalanche fans who are tired of being outcheered by the opponents fans. Fans who want to turn the Pepsi Center back into a place feared by opponents.
Let's do this!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Golf Journal: South Suburban
This was kind of a fun round for me because this was the course that I played on when I was a kid.
I had a bit of a delay in posting about this one, I played the day before Father's Day, due to house-sitting and getting ready to move and doing a lot of writing for Bleacher Report, etc...
It was a perfect day for golfing, no wind or anything, and I felt good.
The day started off really well, I hit greens in regulation on the first three holes right in a row, but couldn't sink a putt to save my life.
There was a bit of a road block when we hit a par 3 at hole number four. Some guys about three groups ahead of us were taking way too long to play, and the group right in front of us was slow for the entire front nine, always waiting until the group in front of them was either on the green or walking off of the green in order to hit (even on the long par 5's.
Hole 4 was bad because we waited about 25 minutes before we could hit our tee shots, and hole 5 I spent trying to get my rhythm back.
By hole 6, I seemed to be more or less back in the swing of things, if you'll pardon the word play.
I ended up finishing the front nine with a 46, not too bad.
The back nine was far better for everybody. It seems the people who were really holding things up got off of the course, and my group didn't have to sit and wait for anything.
Hole 11 was kind of my crowning achievement of the day. It is a shorter par 5, about 490 from the white tees that is pretty tough because the whole left side is bordered by trees and a little ravine. About 250 in, there is a gulch where the ball is playable, but you would play it out of the rough.
I hit my drive just short of the gulch, and a bit on the right side, so I had a straight, clear look at the green and was only about 220 out, according to my little caddie app.
So pulled out my 3 wood and bombed it. The ball clipped the leaves of one of the trees, but if anything that helped me. The ball scooted onto the middle of the green and stopped about 15 feet from the cup, on in 2. Gave it a good putt, and it broke just a bit more before the hole, leaving me a little tap in for birdie. Totally legit!
Next hole stunk, but I kept a pretty consistent game the rest of the back nine, including another birdie on a pretty tough par 4 that has a beast of a green.
I finished up the back nine with 42, and carded an 88 for the day. I was quite happy, all-in-all.
Walked the whole time as well since my wife had just gotten me a nice push cart for my clubs that day. Now I can walk 18 but not have to carry the whole thing on my back, which stinks.
Can't wait to get out again, because I'm really feeling it this summer.
I had a bit of a delay in posting about this one, I played the day before Father's Day, due to house-sitting and getting ready to move and doing a lot of writing for Bleacher Report, etc...
It was a perfect day for golfing, no wind or anything, and I felt good.
The day started off really well, I hit greens in regulation on the first three holes right in a row, but couldn't sink a putt to save my life.
There was a bit of a road block when we hit a par 3 at hole number four. Some guys about three groups ahead of us were taking way too long to play, and the group right in front of us was slow for the entire front nine, always waiting until the group in front of them was either on the green or walking off of the green in order to hit (even on the long par 5's.
Hole 4 was bad because we waited about 25 minutes before we could hit our tee shots, and hole 5 I spent trying to get my rhythm back.
By hole 6, I seemed to be more or less back in the swing of things, if you'll pardon the word play.
I ended up finishing the front nine with a 46, not too bad.
The back nine was far better for everybody. It seems the people who were really holding things up got off of the course, and my group didn't have to sit and wait for anything.
Hole 11 was kind of my crowning achievement of the day. It is a shorter par 5, about 490 from the white tees that is pretty tough because the whole left side is bordered by trees and a little ravine. About 250 in, there is a gulch where the ball is playable, but you would play it out of the rough.
I hit my drive just short of the gulch, and a bit on the right side, so I had a straight, clear look at the green and was only about 220 out, according to my little caddie app.
So pulled out my 3 wood and bombed it. The ball clipped the leaves of one of the trees, but if anything that helped me. The ball scooted onto the middle of the green and stopped about 15 feet from the cup, on in 2. Gave it a good putt, and it broke just a bit more before the hole, leaving me a little tap in for birdie. Totally legit!
Next hole stunk, but I kept a pretty consistent game the rest of the back nine, including another birdie on a pretty tough par 4 that has a beast of a green.
I finished up the back nine with 42, and carded an 88 for the day. I was quite happy, all-in-all.
Walked the whole time as well since my wife had just gotten me a nice push cart for my clubs that day. Now I can walk 18 but not have to carry the whole thing on my back, which stinks.
Can't wait to get out again, because I'm really feeling it this summer.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sin Bin On the Bleacher Report!
Hey guys,
I know that I've been very sparse posting on the home blog site here. I have been doing a lot of work for Bleacher Report, and haven't had a lot of stories that translate to both places here.
I just posted several stories that I ran on B/R as well, but haven't had a lot of Avalanche/Bronco specific things to do.
I don't believe there will be an NFL season this coming year, but with the NHL draft and the start of a new NHL season, I will be back with much more consistent work.
Plus, I had been hoping that I would see more from A-Mac with the NBA and with MLB as well.
I'll have to get on her about that.
At any rate, if you've been following along, I really appreciate it, and I'll try and do better for you as we go along.
There have been a few projects I've been working on.
First, obviously, is the Bleacher Report. Here is a link to my profile page, please feel free to check out the many other things that I've been writing. I also try to post each of those B/R pieces to my Facebook page.
Apparently FB is redoing their group pages, so I may have to re-invite everybody to this at some point, not quite sure when.
Hope all your summers are off to an amazing start, and will continue that way. We'll see more of you soon!
KG
I know that I've been very sparse posting on the home blog site here. I have been doing a lot of work for Bleacher Report, and haven't had a lot of stories that translate to both places here.
I just posted several stories that I ran on B/R as well, but haven't had a lot of Avalanche/Bronco specific things to do.
I don't believe there will be an NFL season this coming year, but with the NHL draft and the start of a new NHL season, I will be back with much more consistent work.
Plus, I had been hoping that I would see more from A-Mac with the NBA and with MLB as well.
I'll have to get on her about that.
At any rate, if you've been following along, I really appreciate it, and I'll try and do better for you as we go along.
There have been a few projects I've been working on.
First, obviously, is the Bleacher Report. Here is a link to my profile page, please feel free to check out the many other things that I've been writing. I also try to post each of those B/R pieces to my Facebook page.
Apparently FB is redoing their group pages, so I may have to re-invite everybody to this at some point, not quite sure when.
Hope all your summers are off to an amazing start, and will continue that way. We'll see more of you soon!
KG
Chris Drury Being Bought out By NY Rangers? Could This Spark a Return to Colorado?
According to a report released by NHL.com today, the New York Rangers are considering buying out the last year team captain Chris Drury's contract.
The 34-year-old Drury, who will be 35 before the start of next season, was limited in action this year due to injury.
He played in only 24 games, scored only one goal (which happened to be in the last game of the season to the Rangers clinch a playoff spot) and had four assists. A very disappointing season all-in-all.
If the Rangers were to buy Drury out of his contract, Drury would become an unrestricted free agent, capable of signing with whomever he pleases.
So, if Chris Drury does become available, would it make sense for the Colorado Avalanche to try and snap him up?
The first question to answer regarding a return to the Avalanche would have to be: What kind of contract he would get?
Drury, as I mentioned, is going to be turning 35 this offseason and is coming off of the least productive season of his career.
He is scheduled to make $5 million in the last year of his contract but will very likely not command the same sort of money that he did when he initially signed with the Rangers.
This is due to three things. First, he's coming off the least productive season of his career.
Second, he was injured most of this season.
Third, he's much older and his chances of scoring up to 30 goals are not very good.
That being said, the Avalanche really won't have to worry too much about what kind of contract he is going to want, as they will have close to $30 million in cap space to deal with when free agency begins.
Next question to consider is whether or not this is even a good idea.
Drury's 35, and he doesn't really fit the mold of the Avalanche mantra of "building from within." Plus, the Avalanche are already pretty heavy at the center position.
Sure, he's a former Avalanche player, but he's older and seems to be in the twilight of his career.
On the other hand, he would be accepted by Avalanche fans immediately as many of us were devastated when he was traded away.
He has captained two different NHL teams (Rangers and Sabres), so you know his leadership abilities are completely unquestioned. It might not even be outlandish to suggest that Drury could become the next captain of the Avalanche.
It would help to have another veteran player on the roster for the younger guys to look up to and learn from.
Plus, Drury's career has been a picture of consistency, and not just from a productivity standpoint.
This season was the only season in Drury's entire career that has seen him play fewer than 70 games, and his career low in games played before this was 71.
On a team that was absolutely devastated by injury last year, it's nice to know that there is that kind of consistency.
So in the end, even though he's much older, bringing Chris Drury back to the Avalanche seems to have more positives than negatives.
So let's jump into the future and say that the Avalanche do sign Chris Drury—what would be his role with the team?
Obviously, Drury would not come in and be that first line center that is going to rack up points all over the place.
I would most likely compare his role to be similar to that of Manny Malhotra, for the Vancouver Canucks.
Drury would be a third or fourth line center who sees time on the penalty kill and on defensive zone face-offs.
Drury has always been very proficient at taking face-offs, and it would be good to be able to switch between Drury and Stastny depending on the side of the ice.
This type of role might also give us a bit of an idea about the kind of contract he would get as well, since he definitely isn't the 39 goal scorer he was in Buffalo.
All things considered, Chris Drury could have a positive impact on the Avalanche if he were to be re-signed.
He's a great leader, is already loved by the Avalanche community, has won championships with the Avalanche before, could help improve the horrendous Avalanche penalty kill, and is an all around good guy.
It's possible that the Avalanche might give him a chance to come back to the place where he was not only rookie of the year, but a Stanley Cup Champion, but it might be a bit of a stretch.
Either way, I'll always be a fan of Chris Drury.
The 34-year-old Drury, who will be 35 before the start of next season, was limited in action this year due to injury.
He played in only 24 games, scored only one goal (which happened to be in the last game of the season to the Rangers clinch a playoff spot) and had four assists. A very disappointing season all-in-all.
If the Rangers were to buy Drury out of his contract, Drury would become an unrestricted free agent, capable of signing with whomever he pleases.
So, if Chris Drury does become available, would it make sense for the Colorado Avalanche to try and snap him up?
The first question to answer regarding a return to the Avalanche would have to be: What kind of contract he would get?
Drury, as I mentioned, is going to be turning 35 this offseason and is coming off of the least productive season of his career.
He is scheduled to make $5 million in the last year of his contract but will very likely not command the same sort of money that he did when he initially signed with the Rangers.
This is due to three things. First, he's coming off the least productive season of his career.
Second, he was injured most of this season.
Third, he's much older and his chances of scoring up to 30 goals are not very good.
That being said, the Avalanche really won't have to worry too much about what kind of contract he is going to want, as they will have close to $30 million in cap space to deal with when free agency begins.
Next question to consider is whether or not this is even a good idea.
Drury's 35, and he doesn't really fit the mold of the Avalanche mantra of "building from within." Plus, the Avalanche are already pretty heavy at the center position.
Sure, he's a former Avalanche player, but he's older and seems to be in the twilight of his career.
On the other hand, he would be accepted by Avalanche fans immediately as many of us were devastated when he was traded away.
He has captained two different NHL teams (Rangers and Sabres), so you know his leadership abilities are completely unquestioned. It might not even be outlandish to suggest that Drury could become the next captain of the Avalanche.
It would help to have another veteran player on the roster for the younger guys to look up to and learn from.
Plus, Drury's career has been a picture of consistency, and not just from a productivity standpoint.
This season was the only season in Drury's entire career that has seen him play fewer than 70 games, and his career low in games played before this was 71.
On a team that was absolutely devastated by injury last year, it's nice to know that there is that kind of consistency.
So in the end, even though he's much older, bringing Chris Drury back to the Avalanche seems to have more positives than negatives.
So let's jump into the future and say that the Avalanche do sign Chris Drury—what would be his role with the team?
Obviously, Drury would not come in and be that first line center that is going to rack up points all over the place.
I would most likely compare his role to be similar to that of Manny Malhotra, for the Vancouver Canucks.
Drury would be a third or fourth line center who sees time on the penalty kill and on defensive zone face-offs.
Drury has always been very proficient at taking face-offs, and it would be good to be able to switch between Drury and Stastny depending on the side of the ice.
This type of role might also give us a bit of an idea about the kind of contract he would get as well, since he definitely isn't the 39 goal scorer he was in Buffalo.
All things considered, Chris Drury could have a positive impact on the Avalanche if he were to be re-signed.
He's a great leader, is already loved by the Avalanche community, has won championships with the Avalanche before, could help improve the horrendous Avalanche penalty kill, and is an all around good guy.
It's possible that the Avalanche might give him a chance to come back to the place where he was not only rookie of the year, but a Stanley Cup Champion, but it might be a bit of a stretch.
Either way, I'll always be a fan of Chris Drury.
Avs and Leafs, Possible Trade Partners? Doubtful.
We are very close to the month of June, which means a few things are just around the corner.
Free agency, the NHL entry draft and teams being able to wheel and deal again.
Over the past couple of weeks, there have been a couple of stories written that predict that the Avalanche would be ideally suited to trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Both articles outline, and correctly so, that the Maple Leafs could address two of their needs with a couple of the current Avalanche players.
Toronto definitely needs a first line center, and the fact that trade rumors circulated around Stastny around the trade deadline this year makes Stastny look like a possibility for the Leafs.
Toronto also needs to replace Tomas Kaberle on the blue line with another solid offensive-minded defenseman, and the fact that John-Michael Liles ends up in trade rumors every single year no matter how well he is playing also could make the Leaf's organization perk their ears up.
The big question that has been raised in both of these articles is who the Leafs would give up in order to get both of these guys.
As far as Stastny goes, I have two issues with the idea of Stastny being shipped off to the Leafs.
First, the trade rumors only really began to fly around Stastny because his dad, Peter Stastny made critical comments of the Avalanche after they traded young stars Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk to St. Louis in exchange for Erik Johnson and Jay McClement.
Why does the fact that his dad popped off at the mouth mean that Stastny should be traded?
Just because his dad happens to be a former member of that franchise, the old Quebec Nordiques, somehow means that Paul shares the same thoughts as his dad?
Personally, I don't follow that line of reasoning.
Anybody who watches the Avalanche knows that Stastny is a leader on this team, and really has been ever since he came into the league.
He could also very easily be the next captain of the Colorado Avalanche.
Second, you would have to think that Stastny has got to be their second choice for a first line center, considering that Brad Richards is the headliner of this year's free agent class.
That being said, the Leafs may have to do some trading to being with in order to make room for the inevitable large contract that Richards will demand.
Assuming that Toronto keeps all of their other potential free agents, they only have a bit over $3 million of cap space.
This could make signing Richards quite difficult.
That being said, the same sort of challenge comes with Stastny. Times aren't the same as before the lockout, and Stastny's $6.6 million cap hit is a huge consideration that needs to be taken into account when considering who will be going where.
With John-Michael Liles, it seems that trade buzz follows him around every year, yet he is still wearing an Avalanche sweater.
Liles' appeal is obvious as he came very close to hitting 50 points this past season, and might have if he hadn't been injured for the last week of the season.
He quarterbacks the power-play very well, is very fast, is still solid in his own zone despite the fact that he is much smaller than your average defenseman, and is only 30 years old.
He plays very well with solid, stay at home style defensemen with good shots from the point, so he might make a great partner for Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf.
Still, with his successful productivity and experience in the league, he is a very valuable commodity to the Avalanche who boasted the league's youngest team for the last two years running.
Looking at the players the Avalanche would have to give up, personally, I don't see a trade for both of these players ever coming to pass.
That being said, it doesn't mean that it couldn't happen. So, what might be a possible trade to bring all of this to fruition?
Let's look at each team's needs.
Avalanche Needs
Goaltending. If there was anything that the Avalanche absolutely and positively needs, it's a proven number one goalie that they can count on to play 60-70 games a season and not buckle under the work load.
Size. Just a general need that needs to be addressed in several locations.
Both offensively and defensively, the Avalanche are small.
The Avalanche are getting Kyle Quincey back for the start of next season, so he will bring some size back to the lineup, but that far from solves things.
Defense. The Avalanche defense was not only small, they were incredibly inconsistent and quite frequently looked as if they were unable to play without a sense of panic always in them.
Toronto Needs
According to these articles that I am referencing, the Leafs are most in need of a solid first line center, and a play making defenseman.
Here was the most interesting trade referenced out of the two articles.
Colorado trades Paul Stastny John-Michael Liles, 11th overall pick, 153rd overall pick to Toronto.
Toronto trades Nazem Kadri, Jonas Gustavsson, Mike Komisarek, Tyler Bozak, Carl Gunnarsson, Jiraj Mikus, 25th overall pick, 39th overall pick and 86th overall pick.
The draft picks seem to work out here, but let me tell you why this trade is a bad one for the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avalanche are giving up their top line center and number one assist man, Paul Stastny, and one of their most valuable offensive producers from the blue line and get neither of those style of players in return.
Kadri is a prospect that has promise, but only might end up being a first line style player. It isn't even clear if Kadri would end up on a second line behind Matt Duchene.
Gustavsson was drafted with a lot of hype, which he has not lived up to. He played in 23 games for the Leafs this year and ended up with only six wins, and a goals against average of 3.29.
The Avalanche already have two glorified back up goalies, we do not need another one.
Komisarek could add some size to the blue line which is good, and it is possible that Tyson Barrie or Stefan Elliot (Avalanche prospects who both dominated the WHL last year and signed entry level contracts with the Avs towards the end of the year) could make up for Liles' production.
Gunnarsson and Bozak combined for 50 points between the two of them last year, which Stastny surpassed by himself even though he had an low productivity season.
Then Mikus seems to be another defensive center prospect that might be a third line center, second at best.
The Avalanche already have three of those types of centers on their team right now.
Yes, that is a lot of players for the Leafs to give up, but nothing that gives the Avalanche the same type of value that they are sending away.
If the Avalanche are to trade Liles and Stastny to the Maple Leafs, then the Leafs should be prepared to see a name like Grabovski, Kessel, maybe even Phaneuf heading the other way.
Just because the Avalanche were god awful this last season does not mean that they will trade away some of their best players for a slew of third liners.
Personally, I don't see any type of trade like that happening, but it is possible.
If I were to tweak things around a little bit, here is what I might do.
Colorado Trades: Stastny, Liles, 11th overall pick to Toronto (there is an insane amount of trade value there that not a lot of people realize because the Avalanche had such a bad year)
Toronto Trades: Phaneuf, Grabovski, Komisarek 25th overall draft pick, (39th overall draft pick).
Even this trade I don't see as being particularly realistic for either team because of all the leadership that is going from both teams.
Not to mention that it doesn't really address all of the needs that the Avalanche have.
The Avalanche aren't too interested in acquiring depth at the moment, especially if it is in exchange for two of the pillars of their organization.
In conclusion, it is highly possible that the Avalanche and the Maple Leafs could end up doing some kind of a deal over the summer, but the ones listed in the two articles significantly undervalue what the Avalanche are giving up and would need back in order for them to happen.
It seems to me that the best course of action for the Avalanche is to try and augment the team a bit more through free agency and the draft rather than blow up the roster by getting rid of two big time leaders on the team.
Free agency, the NHL entry draft and teams being able to wheel and deal again.
Over the past couple of weeks, there have been a couple of stories written that predict that the Avalanche would be ideally suited to trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Both articles outline, and correctly so, that the Maple Leafs could address two of their needs with a couple of the current Avalanche players.
Toronto definitely needs a first line center, and the fact that trade rumors circulated around Stastny around the trade deadline this year makes Stastny look like a possibility for the Leafs.
Toronto also needs to replace Tomas Kaberle on the blue line with another solid offensive-minded defenseman, and the fact that John-Michael Liles ends up in trade rumors every single year no matter how well he is playing also could make the Leaf's organization perk their ears up.
The big question that has been raised in both of these articles is who the Leafs would give up in order to get both of these guys.
As far as Stastny goes, I have two issues with the idea of Stastny being shipped off to the Leafs.
First, the trade rumors only really began to fly around Stastny because his dad, Peter Stastny made critical comments of the Avalanche after they traded young stars Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk to St. Louis in exchange for Erik Johnson and Jay McClement.
Why does the fact that his dad popped off at the mouth mean that Stastny should be traded?
Just because his dad happens to be a former member of that franchise, the old Quebec Nordiques, somehow means that Paul shares the same thoughts as his dad?
Personally, I don't follow that line of reasoning.
Anybody who watches the Avalanche knows that Stastny is a leader on this team, and really has been ever since he came into the league.
He could also very easily be the next captain of the Colorado Avalanche.
Second, you would have to think that Stastny has got to be their second choice for a first line center, considering that Brad Richards is the headliner of this year's free agent class.
That being said, the Leafs may have to do some trading to being with in order to make room for the inevitable large contract that Richards will demand.
Assuming that Toronto keeps all of their other potential free agents, they only have a bit over $3 million of cap space.
This could make signing Richards quite difficult.
That being said, the same sort of challenge comes with Stastny. Times aren't the same as before the lockout, and Stastny's $6.6 million cap hit is a huge consideration that needs to be taken into account when considering who will be going where.
With John-Michael Liles, it seems that trade buzz follows him around every year, yet he is still wearing an Avalanche sweater.
Liles' appeal is obvious as he came very close to hitting 50 points this past season, and might have if he hadn't been injured for the last week of the season.
He quarterbacks the power-play very well, is very fast, is still solid in his own zone despite the fact that he is much smaller than your average defenseman, and is only 30 years old.
He plays very well with solid, stay at home style defensemen with good shots from the point, so he might make a great partner for Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf.
Still, with his successful productivity and experience in the league, he is a very valuable commodity to the Avalanche who boasted the league's youngest team for the last two years running.
Looking at the players the Avalanche would have to give up, personally, I don't see a trade for both of these players ever coming to pass.
That being said, it doesn't mean that it couldn't happen. So, what might be a possible trade to bring all of this to fruition?
Let's look at each team's needs.
Avalanche Needs
Goaltending. If there was anything that the Avalanche absolutely and positively needs, it's a proven number one goalie that they can count on to play 60-70 games a season and not buckle under the work load.
Size. Just a general need that needs to be addressed in several locations.
Both offensively and defensively, the Avalanche are small.
The Avalanche are getting Kyle Quincey back for the start of next season, so he will bring some size back to the lineup, but that far from solves things.
Defense. The Avalanche defense was not only small, they were incredibly inconsistent and quite frequently looked as if they were unable to play without a sense of panic always in them.
Toronto Needs
According to these articles that I am referencing, the Leafs are most in need of a solid first line center, and a play making defenseman.
Here was the most interesting trade referenced out of the two articles.
Colorado trades Paul Stastny John-Michael Liles, 11th overall pick, 153rd overall pick to Toronto.
Toronto trades Nazem Kadri, Jonas Gustavsson, Mike Komisarek, Tyler Bozak, Carl Gunnarsson, Jiraj Mikus, 25th overall pick, 39th overall pick and 86th overall pick.
The draft picks seem to work out here, but let me tell you why this trade is a bad one for the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avalanche are giving up their top line center and number one assist man, Paul Stastny, and one of their most valuable offensive producers from the blue line and get neither of those style of players in return.
Kadri is a prospect that has promise, but only might end up being a first line style player. It isn't even clear if Kadri would end up on a second line behind Matt Duchene.
Gustavsson was drafted with a lot of hype, which he has not lived up to. He played in 23 games for the Leafs this year and ended up with only six wins, and a goals against average of 3.29.
The Avalanche already have two glorified back up goalies, we do not need another one.
Komisarek could add some size to the blue line which is good, and it is possible that Tyson Barrie or Stefan Elliot (Avalanche prospects who both dominated the WHL last year and signed entry level contracts with the Avs towards the end of the year) could make up for Liles' production.
Gunnarsson and Bozak combined for 50 points between the two of them last year, which Stastny surpassed by himself even though he had an low productivity season.
Then Mikus seems to be another defensive center prospect that might be a third line center, second at best.
The Avalanche already have three of those types of centers on their team right now.
Yes, that is a lot of players for the Leafs to give up, but nothing that gives the Avalanche the same type of value that they are sending away.
If the Avalanche are to trade Liles and Stastny to the Maple Leafs, then the Leafs should be prepared to see a name like Grabovski, Kessel, maybe even Phaneuf heading the other way.
Just because the Avalanche were god awful this last season does not mean that they will trade away some of their best players for a slew of third liners.
Personally, I don't see any type of trade like that happening, but it is possible.
If I were to tweak things around a little bit, here is what I might do.
Colorado Trades: Stastny, Liles, 11th overall pick to Toronto (there is an insane amount of trade value there that not a lot of people realize because the Avalanche had such a bad year)
Toronto Trades: Phaneuf, Grabovski, Komisarek 25th overall draft pick, (39th overall draft pick).
Even this trade I don't see as being particularly realistic for either team because of all the leadership that is going from both teams.
Not to mention that it doesn't really address all of the needs that the Avalanche have.
The Avalanche aren't too interested in acquiring depth at the moment, especially if it is in exchange for two of the pillars of their organization.
In conclusion, it is highly possible that the Avalanche and the Maple Leafs could end up doing some kind of a deal over the summer, but the ones listed in the two articles significantly undervalue what the Avalanche are giving up and would need back in order for them to happen.
It seems to me that the best course of action for the Avalanche is to try and augment the team a bit more through free agency and the draft rather than blow up the roster by getting rid of two big time leaders on the team.
Why The Avs Should Pass On Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the NHL Draft
Only one team in the NHL has a higher draft pick than the Colorado Avalanche this year, who hold the No. 2 overall draft pick.
There is a lot of debate amongst the Avalanche faithful as to who the Avalanche should draft with the second overall pick.
A lot, of course, depends on who Edmonton takes with the first overall pick.
At the moment, the general consensus seems to be that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will go to the Oilers first overall.
Some on Bleacher Report see this as a very bad idea for the Oilers to do this.
Supposing that the Oilers follow this particular advice and pass up on Nugent-Hopkins, I firmly believe that the Avalanche should follow suit, and allow him to slide by.
First of all, allow me to say that I have absolutely nothing against RNH, it's clear that he's going to be a star in the NHL and has an incredibly bright future in front of him, it just shouldn't be with the Avalanche.
Why? There are two simple reasons.
First off, the Avalanche are already incredibly center heavy on their team.
By the end of the year, the Avalanche had five centers on the active roster. Paul Stastny, Matt Duchene, Jay McClement, Phillippe Dupuis and Ryan O'Reilly who will all make strong pushes to stay on the roster.
There are some who think that the Avalanche will trade Paul Stastny away this summer, but I just can't see that happening, as he is a marquee player on the Avalanche and has a huge contract that not too many teams would want to take on.
Add in the fact that the Avalanche signed top draft pick of a year ago, Joey Hishon, to an entry level contract towards the end of the season, and will expect that he will make a serious push to make the roster for next season.
The last thing that the Avalanche are in need of is another center.
Second, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would just add to another one of the greatest weaknesses on the Avalanche from this past season.
Nugent-Hopkins is about 6'0" tall, 165 pounds. This is how he compares to the Avalanche centers that I mentioned earlier.
Paul Stastny: 6 feet, 205 pounds.
Matt Duchene: 5 feet 11 inches, 200 pounds.
Jay McClement: 6 feet 1 inch, 201 pounds.
Phillippe Dupuis: 6 feet, 196 pounds.
Ryan O'Reilly: 6 feet, 200 pounds.
Joey Hishon: 5 feet 10 inches, 170 pounds.
The Avalanche have their fair share of smaller, finesse style players. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would just give them more of what they already have.
What the Avalanche need is a power forward who is big, strong, will get into the dirty areas and bang home the ugly goals.
Since the Avalanche traded Chris Stewart, they have been lacking in that area and Ryan Stoa definitely did not fill this role.
There is another player that has been on Avalanche fan's radar for quite a while because he fills the power forward role perfectly, and has been described as the most NHL ready player in this draft.
Gabriel Landeskog.
If the Avalanche are given a choice between the two, and there is a definite possibility that they could be, I believe that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is not the guy for the Colorado Avalanche.
There is a lot of debate amongst the Avalanche faithful as to who the Avalanche should draft with the second overall pick.
A lot, of course, depends on who Edmonton takes with the first overall pick.
At the moment, the general consensus seems to be that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will go to the Oilers first overall.
Some on Bleacher Report see this as a very bad idea for the Oilers to do this.
Supposing that the Oilers follow this particular advice and pass up on Nugent-Hopkins, I firmly believe that the Avalanche should follow suit, and allow him to slide by.
First of all, allow me to say that I have absolutely nothing against RNH, it's clear that he's going to be a star in the NHL and has an incredibly bright future in front of him, it just shouldn't be with the Avalanche.
Why? There are two simple reasons.
First off, the Avalanche are already incredibly center heavy on their team.
By the end of the year, the Avalanche had five centers on the active roster. Paul Stastny, Matt Duchene, Jay McClement, Phillippe Dupuis and Ryan O'Reilly who will all make strong pushes to stay on the roster.
There are some who think that the Avalanche will trade Paul Stastny away this summer, but I just can't see that happening, as he is a marquee player on the Avalanche and has a huge contract that not too many teams would want to take on.
Add in the fact that the Avalanche signed top draft pick of a year ago, Joey Hishon, to an entry level contract towards the end of the season, and will expect that he will make a serious push to make the roster for next season.
The last thing that the Avalanche are in need of is another center.
Second, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would just add to another one of the greatest weaknesses on the Avalanche from this past season.
Nugent-Hopkins is about 6'0" tall, 165 pounds. This is how he compares to the Avalanche centers that I mentioned earlier.
Paul Stastny: 6 feet, 205 pounds.
Matt Duchene: 5 feet 11 inches, 200 pounds.
Jay McClement: 6 feet 1 inch, 201 pounds.
Phillippe Dupuis: 6 feet, 196 pounds.
Ryan O'Reilly: 6 feet, 200 pounds.
Joey Hishon: 5 feet 10 inches, 170 pounds.
The Avalanche have their fair share of smaller, finesse style players. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would just give them more of what they already have.
What the Avalanche need is a power forward who is big, strong, will get into the dirty areas and bang home the ugly goals.
Since the Avalanche traded Chris Stewart, they have been lacking in that area and Ryan Stoa definitely did not fill this role.
There is another player that has been on Avalanche fan's radar for quite a while because he fills the power forward role perfectly, and has been described as the most NHL ready player in this draft.
Gabriel Landeskog.
If the Avalanche are given a choice between the two, and there is a definite possibility that they could be, I believe that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is not the guy for the Colorado Avalanche.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Golf Journal: Kennedy Golf Course
Kennedy Golf Course in Denver is quite a nice course. For those of you who haven't played it, they have three regulation sets of 9 holes that they mix and match throughout the week so that the various players that come to play regularly get as unique of an experience as possible every time they are there.
This time around, I played on the East Course (called Bett Lind I think) and the Cherry Creek Course.
All in all, things were quite good, again. I still love my Burner Irons and driver. The only real trouble that I had came with my 3 wood. It is a new burner 3 wood that I am still trying to get used to. It has a very light shaft which I am trying to find control of. I hit a couple decent shots with it, but also lost a lot to the right.
My irons are still making good contact, but I'm just slightly off with them as far as my aim goes. That is just something I have work on as much as I can over time, it'll come.
I shot 45 on both the front and the back 9, for an even 90 on a par 71. About average for me right now.
I felt like I probably could have shot in the 80s, but my chipping and pitching were far below average. That is a little weird for me, actually, as chipping and pitching is usually one of my strong points. I just kept catching things heavy coming through, which made the ball go nowhere near as far as I wanted.
I putted quite well, with only two 3-putts all day long, which is very nice.
I only lost one ball all day. Part of that is that Kennedy really doesn't play towards a lot of water hazards, and those that do are in the direction that I do not lose my shots, so I was pretty good to go on that.
The only one I did lose was on the last hole. One of the guys I was playing with convinced me to try and shoot over the small water hazard that ran really close to my driving distance. We both agreed that I should be able to get over it, and I hit a great drive but didn't see it come down and couldn't find it on the other side.
I hope to hit Kennedy again this summer and possibly do better, find my handle on that 3 wood, and bring my average down into the 80s.
So far, I've been out 3 times this year. I've shot an 82, a 93, and a 90. Not too bad, and I am feeling good about playing more golf this summer.
This time around, I played on the East Course (called Bett Lind I think) and the Cherry Creek Course.
All in all, things were quite good, again. I still love my Burner Irons and driver. The only real trouble that I had came with my 3 wood. It is a new burner 3 wood that I am still trying to get used to. It has a very light shaft which I am trying to find control of. I hit a couple decent shots with it, but also lost a lot to the right.
My irons are still making good contact, but I'm just slightly off with them as far as my aim goes. That is just something I have work on as much as I can over time, it'll come.
I shot 45 on both the front and the back 9, for an even 90 on a par 71. About average for me right now.
I felt like I probably could have shot in the 80s, but my chipping and pitching were far below average. That is a little weird for me, actually, as chipping and pitching is usually one of my strong points. I just kept catching things heavy coming through, which made the ball go nowhere near as far as I wanted.
I putted quite well, with only two 3-putts all day long, which is very nice.
I only lost one ball all day. Part of that is that Kennedy really doesn't play towards a lot of water hazards, and those that do are in the direction that I do not lose my shots, so I was pretty good to go on that.
The only one I did lose was on the last hole. One of the guys I was playing with convinced me to try and shoot over the small water hazard that ran really close to my driving distance. We both agreed that I should be able to get over it, and I hit a great drive but didn't see it come down and couldn't find it on the other side.
I hope to hit Kennedy again this summer and possibly do better, find my handle on that 3 wood, and bring my average down into the 80s.
So far, I've been out 3 times this year. I've shot an 82, a 93, and a 90. Not too bad, and I am feeling good about playing more golf this summer.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Return to Roller Hockey
I had an interesting start to my week. First, I found out that my position was being cut for the next school year, so I won't have a job after May. Good times.
Then, later that evening, I went to play in my first roller hockey game in about 5 years. It was quite the experience.
Let me say this, I was expecting to be very tired by the end of the game because I am nowhere near as physically fit as I used to be. But almost nothing could have prepared me for how tired I would end up being.
My team only had 4 people show up to the game, and roller hockey leagues play 4 on 4. So all of us had to play the whole game, without any substitutes. If you've ever played any type of hockey, you know how exhausting just a few minutes can be, let alone the entire damn game.
I tried to take things easy, but after about 10 minutes had passed, I was completely and totally gassed and just kind of glided around until the clock had the good decency to run out of time. We lost in a shootout, so at least we gained a point.
On the plus side, I was happy to discover that I still am capable of skating pretty darn well, and that my positioning and hockey instincts are all pretty much intact. I just have to get back to the point where I can play for a while without feeling like I'm going to die.
What's even better, I actually seem to have a better wrist and slap shot than I did the last time I played, so I can call that a bonus!
Hopefully we'll have a couple more guys show up next week so that we can have some subs. If not, I may not be able to finish the game. I was barely able to stand at the end as it was. Ahh to be 16 and in great physical shape again. **sigh**
I'll keep you up to date on how things go! And if you live in or around Colorado Springs and want to join a roller hockey league, check out the Tour Arena website and sign up. Join the North Stars and give me a break from skating that much darnit!!
Then, later that evening, I went to play in my first roller hockey game in about 5 years. It was quite the experience.
Let me say this, I was expecting to be very tired by the end of the game because I am nowhere near as physically fit as I used to be. But almost nothing could have prepared me for how tired I would end up being.
My team only had 4 people show up to the game, and roller hockey leagues play 4 on 4. So all of us had to play the whole game, without any substitutes. If you've ever played any type of hockey, you know how exhausting just a few minutes can be, let alone the entire damn game.
I tried to take things easy, but after about 10 minutes had passed, I was completely and totally gassed and just kind of glided around until the clock had the good decency to run out of time. We lost in a shootout, so at least we gained a point.
On the plus side, I was happy to discover that I still am capable of skating pretty darn well, and that my positioning and hockey instincts are all pretty much intact. I just have to get back to the point where I can play for a while without feeling like I'm going to die.
What's even better, I actually seem to have a better wrist and slap shot than I did the last time I played, so I can call that a bonus!
Hopefully we'll have a couple more guys show up next week so that we can have some subs. If not, I may not be able to finish the game. I was barely able to stand at the end as it was. Ahh to be 16 and in great physical shape again. **sigh**
I'll keep you up to date on how things go! And if you live in or around Colorado Springs and want to join a roller hockey league, check out the Tour Arena website and sign up. Join the North Stars and give me a break from skating that much darnit!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)