tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38499914575193948642024-03-13T02:44:21.277-04:00Literally SportsKevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-12343935709947880702015-08-12T01:45:00.000-04:002015-08-12T01:59:07.378-04:00Deflategate & Other Wrongly Enforced Policies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Ball shall be made up of an inflated (12 1/2 to 13 1/2 pounds) urethane... The referee shall be the sole judge as to whether all balls offered comply with these specifications. A pump is to be furnished by the home club, and the balls shall remain under the supervision of the referee until they are delivered just prior to the start of the game." "Each team will make 12 primary balls available for testing by the referee 2 hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game to meet league requirements." - NFL Rule Book</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The NFL has upheld Tom Brady's 4 Game Suspension and now we as Americans, as football fans, as people, must ask ourselves three questions about the ruling:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is it consistent with the penalties Roger Goodell has handed down in the past?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is it consistent with the protocol used to convict players of violating league rules?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is it consistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFLPA?</span><br />
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Sports Equivalents</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> NFL: 4 Games</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> MLS: 6.25 Games</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> NBA: 20.5 Games</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> MLB: 40.5 Games</span><br />
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Ted Wells Report </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Ted Wells Report concluded, "We do not believe there was any wrongdoing or knowledge of wrongdoing by Patriots ownership, Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick, or any other Patriots coach in the matters investigated." Per Yahoo Sports.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - Despite this, the Patriots as an organization <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2015/05/11/tom-brady-suspended-four-games-patriots-fined-1-million-and-docked-two-draft-choices-as-deflategate-punishment/">received a $1 Million fine</a> and lost 2 NFL Draft Picks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Patriots provided substantial cooperation throughout the investigation." They did 4 interviews with McNally, the employee accused of deflating the footballs, but he denied requests of a 5th interview. They interviewed Brady, but he did not provide investigators with his cell phone. - Page 23, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/Deflategate.pdf">Wells Report</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - In the media, Brady and the rest of the organization have been portrayed as unwilling participants in the investigation, but according to the Wells' report this was not the case.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Commissioner's Powers under this section include imposition of monetary fines and draft choice forfeitures, suspension of persons involved, and, if appropriate, the reversal of a game's result of the rescheduling of a game, either from the beginning or from the point at which the extraordinary act occurred." - NFL Rule Book, Unfair Acts Section.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - This policy leaves a wide range of punishments for the Commissioner to choose from, and he seems to have chose a different penalty for each tampering situation.</span><br />
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Other Tampering Situations</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8604254/san-diego-chargers-fined-20000-failing-comply-game-official">Chargers tampered</a> with balls and were fined $20,000</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/07/ball-tampering-involving-panthers-vikings-produced-a-far-different-reaction/">Vikings tampered</a> and were told that it is frowned upon in the league.</span><br />
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Selected Suspensions of Significance</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Goodell suspended Ray Rice <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/5/23/5744964/ray-rice-arrest-assault-statement-apology-ravens">2 games for domestic violence</a>, and later raised it to indefinite suspension after video as released. Rice was found not guilty in court.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Greg Hardy was <a href="http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/07/10/greg-hardy-suspension-reduced-dallas-cowboys-domestic-violence">convicted of domestic assault</a> and suspended 10 games, which was later reduced to 4 after an appeal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Josh Brent was suspended 10 games for a <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000388413/article/dallas-cowboys-josh-brent-suspended-10-weeks">DUI Manslaughter</a> which resulted in the death of a Cowboy Teammate,</span><br />
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Conclusion </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goodell has never shown the ability to rule consistently, especially over the past few years. A commissioner who has put a premium on improving the NFL's off-field reputation has seen exponential growth in negative exposure of players in terms of domestic violence cases, DUIs, substance abuse, and PED offenses. There is no real consistency between suspension rulings, with severity reaching levels of arbitrariness that are unprecedented.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beyond that, Executive Director of the NFL Player's Association, DeMaurice Smith, was quoted saying, "The guidelines Troy Vincent used to impose the discipline rule [On Brady] was under a competition rule that applies to clubs."In essence, the NFL justified Tom Brady's suspension using a rule that is not meant to be applied to individual players.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To top it all off, the Ted Wells Report cited that it is, "More probable than not that the player was generally aware' of someone else's conduct". This does not seem to meet the standard of proof of preponderance of evidence that is required to suspend a player for a quarter of his season.</span><br />
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Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-68737267684984006782015-01-09T15:52:00.000-05:002015-01-11T10:33:30.350-05:00NFL Divisional Round Playoff Preview<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manning (right) faces his old team once again this Sunday.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reseeding: Necessary, Proper, or Neither?</span></h3>
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Recently, much talk has been circulating about restructuring the <a href="http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakingprocedures">NFL Playoff System</a>, because this year's NFC South winner had a winning percentage under .500. The Carolina Panther's record of 7-8-1 defies logic as they made the playoffs over multiple teams with better records: The 10-6 Eagles and 8-8 49ers in the NFC; The 9-7 Bills, Texans, Chiefs, and Chargers, and the 8-8 Dolphins in the AFC. However, what these doubters fail to realize, is that the NFL is divided into a smaller governing bodies just as is every other professional league in the US, and as is the American Government.<br />
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The NFL, or federal government, is the overarching governing body of the entire league. The leader of the NFL, Roger Goodell, is akin to the President of the United States, as he has the ability to pass or veto rules. The NFL is divided into 2 Conferences, or states, if you will. Each State is afforded the right to send 1 representative to the Super Bowl each year. Within each conference are 4 divisions: North, South, East, and West, which serve as local governments that have the right to send at least 1 representative to the playoffs each year.<br />
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This is determined by playing divisional opponents 6 times per year, in addition to playing each team in a select NFC Division, 1 team each from the remaining 2 NFC Divisions, and each team in a select AFC Division, resulting in a total of 16 games. Additionally, 2 teams from each conference are chosen regardless of division based on their regular season record.<br />
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In order to maintain an equal balance of power, preserve the purpose of conferences and divisions, and foster division rivalry, it is of the utmost importance to keep the current model of NFL Playoff Selection. Classic Rivalries: Packers-Bears, Cowboys-Redskins, Steelers-Raven, are kept alive by battling against each other to secure spots in the playoffs.<br />
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And now, on to the games:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-ravens">Baltimore Ravens</a> at <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/ne/new-england-patriots">New England Patriots</a> </span></h3>
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These two teams will face each other in the playoffs for the 4th time in the past 6 years, with the Ravens currently holding the edge 2-1. In the past, the Ravens have dominated the Patriots in the playoffs by dominating up front, running the football up the gut, and playing great on 3rd down. However, the situation is different this year, as there is <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11489134/baltimore-ravens-cut-ray-rice-new-video-surfaces">no more Ray Rice</a>, and although playing well as of late, the Ravens defense lacks the star power of old, and has a secondary that has been <a href="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Cornerback-Asa-Jackson-Done-For-The-Season-Ravens-Scouring-CB-Market-/4fe80129-2180-4549-9172-826acd37c515">devastated by injuries</a>. The Patriots have continued to retool their team as the years wear on, and they are once again atop the league. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/2330/tom-brady">Tom Brady</a> proved over the past 12 weeks that he is still one of the greatest in the game, and the Ravens have nobody to stop <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13229/rob-gronkowski">Rob Gronkowski</a>. Patriots will win again.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/car/carolina-panthers">Carolina Panthers</a> at <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/sea/seattle-seahawks">Seattle Seahawks</a> </span></h3>
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The Panthers were a source of much controversy coming into their game last week, as many thought the Cardinals were much more deserving of a home game, because they finished 3.5 games ahead of the Panthers. However, that is neither here nor there, as the NFL Playoffs are about the now, and right now the Panthers are on a 5 game winning streak. The Seahawks finished the season remarkably strong after going through a rough stretch in the middle of the year and look to continue their quest for the first Super Bowl Repeat in 10 years. I expect <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10456/marshawn-lynch">Marshawn Lynch</a> a.k.a"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIKUs-YSx7k">Beast Mode</a>" to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnDnw_lK3_k">make something amazing</a> happen, but although the Seahawks will win, the Panthers will keep it close. Seahawks take this one.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys">Dallas Cowboys</a> at <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/gb/green-bay-packers">Green Bay Packers</a> </span></h3>
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The Cowboys are lucky to still be alive in the playoffs after a boneheaded mistake by the referees lead to a 4th Quarter Comeback for Romo & Company. They head to the "<a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d8114a149/Top-10-Home-Field-Advantages-Lambeau-Field">Frozen Tundra</a>" of Lambeau Field to face a Packer team led by MVP Candidate Aaron Rodgers. All is not what it seems however, as the Cowboys come into this game with an 8-0 record on the road, including a win at Seattle, their only home loss of the season. In addition to that, Rodgers has been diagnosed with a <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/12137927/green-bay-packers-qb-aaron-rodgers-slight-calf-tear">tear in his calf muscle</a> suffered in their win versus Detroit in Week 17. That, plus the Packers weak rushing defense, is a recipe for disaster. The <a href="http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/content/dallas-cowboys-big-3-set-individual-franchise-records-2014/32652/">Big Three in the Big D</a> will put up huge numbers on Sunday. Cowboys with their 9th road victory of the season.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/ind/indianapolis-colts">Indianapolis Colts</a> at <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/den/denver-broncos">Denver Broncos</a> (- 7)</span></h3>
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The match-up we have all been waiting for: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14874/andrew-luck">Luck</a> vs <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/1428/peyton-manning">Manning</a>. 13 seasons in Indianapolis left Peyton with 1 Super Bowl ring and a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y79ZGUIs0_k">ton of heartache</a>, and his career in Denver is <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000322896/article/peyton-manning-falls-flat-in-super-bowl-xlviii-rout">shaping up to be</a> very similar, minus the ring. Luck, on the other hand, is only 25 and his career is just beginning to blossom into a beautiful masterpiece. A win over Indianapolis' former hero would solidify him as the second coming. The Broncos lost a lot of steam in the last month of the season, but there is the off-chance that a bye week gave them a chance to tighten up. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13216/demaryius-thomas">Demaryius Thomas</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13295/emmanuel-sanders">Emmanuel Sanders</a>, and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/16040/c.j.-anderson">CJ Anderson</a> will not go down without a fight, but neither will Chuck Pagano and his <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000309162/GameDay-Chiefs-vs-Colts-highlights">Cardiac Colts</a>. Indianapolis with the upset victory.</div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-5838193547363615712014-11-25T21:15:00.002-05:002014-11-25T21:32:59.268-05:00NFL Power Rankings: Week 13<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2kTITzA8a29MABM70c83RFHT5LTmz5RPZO8aszIcbfi_LEHw1vL71AP3GWxUSGv68htVEBj9UEyL8dckDp80u7szd03Otb-EF8u4vqSQGh835wzK2iPyEYvyyTr34NJdaT24TrtusLOd/s1600/Odell+Beckham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2kTITzA8a29MABM70c83RFHT5LTmz5RPZO8aszIcbfi_LEHw1vL71AP3GWxUSGv68htVEBj9UEyL8dckDp80u7szd03Otb-EF8u4vqSQGh835wzK2iPyEYvyyTr34NJdaT24TrtusLOd/s1600/Odell+Beckham.jpg" height="316" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Popular Patriots and Withering Washington </i></span></h2>
1. New England Patriots - The Patriot's 7-game winning streak should speak for itself, but if it doesn't, their <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/schedule/_/name/ne/new-england-patriots">margin of victory</a> (+140) in those 7 games sure does.<br />
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2. Green Bay Packers - The only player that might be hotter than Brady at this point is <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8439/aaron-rodgers">Aaron Rodgers</a>. Their match-up this Sunday should be one for the ages.<br />
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3. Dallas Cowboys - As much as I despise the Cowboys, they deserve this spot more than any team below them. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13215/dez-bryant">Dez Bryant</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14005/demarco-murray">Demarco Murray</a> have swiftly become the most prolific weapons in the NFC.<br />
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4. Denver Broncos - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/1428/peyton-manning">Peyton Manning</a> is having another outstanding season, but the Broncos are in the midst of a bit of a slump as a team. Their defense is failing them on a more consistent basis, but look for an all out assault against the Chiefs on Prime Time.<br />
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5. Indianapolis Colts - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14874/andrew-luck">Andrew Luck</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14924/t.y.-hilton">T.Y. Hilton</a> look to be a QB-WR combination for years to come, especially with Hilton treating Luck passes <a href="http://www.colts.com/videos/videos/Wk-12-Cant-Miss-Play-Hilton-Rocks-the-Cradle/b09530d5-d622-4f80-958a-62c2f1a6d9f1">as his own children</a>.<br />
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6. Philadelphia Eagles - As much as I would love to drop any <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuvz15OjCVc">Butt Fumble</a>-led team out of the top ten, Chip Kelly's offense put on a show this past week and earned their ranking.<br />
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7. Arizona Cardinals - This team is sliding and fast. Without Carson Palmer, I have a hard time believing they can still win this division. At least they still have the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_1JUOvp6jE">most gifted</a> corner in the NFL, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13980/patrick-peterson">Patrick Peterson</a>.<br />
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8. San Diego Chargers - The Chargers typically play well for 8 games, and terrible for 8 games. We're 10 games in and their 7-4, so they are due for a 9-7 stumble to the finish line.<br />
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9. San Francisco 49ers - Although the 49ers are having <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24738633/report-even-if-49ers-win-super-bowl-jim-harbaugh-wont-return-in-15">locker room issues</a> and winning close games against bad teams, they are winning nonetheless, and the winner of this week's match-up will go to the playoffs.<br />
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10. Seattle Seahawks - Given the <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24758985/report-marshawn-lynch-was-irate-went-off-after-percy-harvin-trade">disarray following the trade </a>of <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12569/percy-harvin">Percy Harvin</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10456/marshawn-lynch">Marshawn Lynch's</a> antics, the Seahawks are in good shape. This week will be huge in deciding their future.<br />
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11. Detroit Lions - Very surprised that Stafford's production has not took off since the return of <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10447/calvin-johnson">Calvin Johnson</a>, but look for their offense to return to form against the Bears this week.<br />
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12. Cleveland Browns - The return of <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/15705/josh-gordon">Josh Gordon</a> came at the right time for the Browns. The end of the season is near, and his production on the outside helps out everyone on offense. I see playoffs in their future.<br />
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13. Cincinnati Bengals - Tough schedule coming up for the Bengals, as each of their last 4 games are against teams above .500. The tie gives them a chance to sneak in at 9-6-1, but I wouldn't bet on it.<br />
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14. Baltimore Ravens - Steve Smith Sr. has lit a fire under this team <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6KOs7uhZ7Y">with his spirit</a>, and I expect it to carry them into the postseason.<br />
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15. Pittsburgh Steelers - They were up and down before the bye week, and I expect more the same from this mediocre Steeler's squad.<br />
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16. Kansas City Chiefs - A loss to the 0-10 Oakland Raiders is disgraceful. Lucky to be this high.<br />
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17. Miami Dolphins - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14876/ryan-tannehill">Ryan Tannehill </a>and the Dolphins put up their best effort against the Broncos, but allowing such a comeback is devastating to a team's momentum.<br />
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18. Buffalo Bills - The Bills are trending upward, and that <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400607990">35 point win against the Jets</a> shows their upside as an explosive team.<br />
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19. Atlanta Falcons - It is truly confounding that a team led by Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Roddy White continues to struggle. This same offense dominated the league for Ryan's first 5 years in the league.<br />
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20. New Orleans Saints - Drew Brees leaves it all on the field, but this team does not have the weapons it had when it went to the Super Bowl a few years ago.<br />
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21. Chicago Bears - The <a href="http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/11/chicago-bears-defense-50-points-marc-trestman">defense is terrible</a>, Cutler isn't much better, and they will be eliminated from the playoff picture after a loss at Ford Field on Thursday.<br />
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22. St. Louis Rams - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/15187/austin-davis">Austin Davis</a> has come back to Earth, but they continue to fight, to no avail.<br />
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23. Houston Texans - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14037/ryan-mallett">Ryan Mallett</a> is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FONN-0uoTHI">out for the season</a> after making only two starts. So much for that.<br />
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24. Carolina Panthers - As bad as the Panthers are, they are only a <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/south/story/nfc-south-falls-to-historically-bad-levels-and-it-can-continue-112514">half game out of the division lead</a>. Wow.<br />
<br />
25. Minnesota Vikings - After hanging with the Packers this week, many Vikings fans are hoping to tank the rest of this season to bring in a top draft pick and a healthy <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24833799/report-vikings-were-surprised-by-adrian-peterson-suspension">Adrian Peterson</a> in 2015.<br />
<br />
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13240/gerald-mccoy">Gerald McCoy</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14985/lavonte-david">Lavonte Davis</a>, and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/16737/mike-evans">Mike Evans</a> continue to excel, while the rest of the team fails miserably every single week.<br />
<br />
27. New York Giants - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/16733/odell-beckham-jr">Odell Beckham Jr.</a> is a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY8xrmkN9w4">bright spot </a>for the G-Men, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGmj1hFTO2k">this outstanding catch</a> is already being nominated for an ESPY Award by people on social media, as well as being <a href="http://time.com/3602318/odell-beckham-catch-memes/">memed by the internet comics</a> of the world.<br />
<br />
28. New York Jets - The only thing worse than a 35 point loss to the Bills on the road would be a 35 point loss to the Bills in a neutral site game. <a href="http://wait.../">Wait...</a><br />
<br />
29. Oakland Raiders - "<a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24824892/raiders-almost-blew-win-with-sack-celebration-that-was-13-yards-offsides">Act like you've been there before</a>." Unless you haven't. Congrats Oakland, and may the 1st overall draft pick be ever in your city.<br />
<br />
30. Tennessee Titans - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/16814/zach-mettenberger">Zach Mettenberger</a> is showing promise, but the team needs to get worse before it gets better.<br />
<br />
31. Jacksonville Jaguars - The joke of the league all year, but they can only hope for a high draft pick and the return of <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14907/justin-blackmon">Justin Blackmon</a> next season.<br />
<br />
32. Washington Redskins - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14875/robert-griffin">RG III</a> is a shell of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEepmb-KlDc">his old self</a>. Fans are clamoring for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfFW-Yezv0k">this guy</a> to be the starter. The defense is an inconsistent mess. With that, the <a href="http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/11/16/rgiii-distributes-blame-evenly-after-2nd-straight-3-7-start-to-redskins-season/">press conferences</a> are the <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000429995/article/gruden-rgiii-not-even-close-to-good-enough-vs-bucs">biggest debacles</a> of all.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lock of the Week</span></i></h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/den/denver-broncos">Denver Broncos</a> (-2) at the <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/kc/kansas-city-chiefs">Kansas City Chiefs</a> </span> </h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">With Denver coming off a comeback win over the Dolphins, expect their offense to continue the momentum they built in the second half and destroy the Chiefs. Kansas City just lost to the 0-10 Raiders, and they have to travel to Arizona next week. Look for the Chiefs to take this loss on the chin and dominate the Cardinals in Week 14.</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fantasy Plays of the Week</span></i></h2>
<br />
QB <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12483/matthew-stafford">Matthew Stafford</a> - The Chicago Bears have allowed 50+ points multiple times this season, and I expect for more of the same at Detroit on Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
RB <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/16040/cj-anderson">CJ Anderson </a>- Anderson has come on recently as a leader in the backfield for the Broncos.<br />
<br />
RB <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/16784/tre-mason">Tre Mason</a> - Mason is trending upward and is playing against a horrible rushing defense in the Raiders this week.<br />
<br />
WR <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/16886/martavis-bryant">Martavis Bryant</a> - In 5 games this season, Bryant has scored 6 touchdowns. Expect him to score again this week.<br />
<br />
WR <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14922/mohamed-sanu">Mohamed Sanu</a> - Sanu is the leading receiver for the Bengals this season, and will exploit the Buccaneers defense on Sunday.<br />
<br />
TE <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/4527/jason-witten">Jason Witten</a> - He has been quiet all season, but expect him to make some splash plays with a Thanksgiving Day game against a division rival with a weak defense.<br />
<br />
DEF <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyg/new-york-giants">Giants Defense</a> - They are playing against the Jaguars. Nuff Said.</div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-9149462881306743592014-10-06T19:47:00.000-04:002014-10-06T19:47:45.104-04:00NFL Week 5: The WASPS Strike Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDCZkZnXagKkgzxuIvla3hmz6ia1xmWq4Nw-Tizgk9TomQKZKWLk0IJSgXf83nSpOlvC_8J18bpGhjLT4-C7HGxiP7aSU96lFS5Yqu_Uuc55tJc0G4B_LF9ZWd9MPPJkA8UafwHGGIuuv/s1600/Husain+Abdullah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDCZkZnXagKkgzxuIvla3hmz6ia1xmWq4Nw-Tizgk9TomQKZKWLk0IJSgXf83nSpOlvC_8J18bpGhjLT4-C7HGxiP7aSU96lFS5Yqu_Uuc55tJc0G4B_LF9ZWd9MPPJkA8UafwHGGIuuv/s1600/Husain+Abdullah.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abdullah praying in the end zone in the Week 4 match-up vs. New England</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just when you thought that the NFL could not have any more issues, a referee penalized a player in the process of a harmless religious act.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11910/husain-abdullah">Husain Abdullah</a> was ostensibly penalized for practicing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sujud">Sajdah</a>, an Islamic prayer, on the football field last Monday. The NFL would like the general public to believe: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> 1. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">According to Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (d) of the NFL Rulebook, "Players are prohibited
from engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the
ground." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> 2. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They penalized him not because he prayed, but because he did so while the ground. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> 3. They are justified in their decision, but wish to set a precedence in the future that there is an exception for religious praises.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To think that a league where minorities are a majority could be so lacking in cultural competency is mind-boggling. Chris Kluwe is <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11375100/chris-kluwe-minnesota-vikings-reach-settlement-avert-lawsuit">sued the Vikings</a> because he believes he was cut for his views on gay marriage, Michael Sam enters the league and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--report--niners-cb-says-openly-gay-players-would-not-be-welcomed-on-the-team-190346715.html">other players began to verbally attack him</a> because of his sexual orientation even before the NFL Draft, Ray Rice knocks out his wife and the league (<a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/26/nfl-insists-it-has-no-evidence-it-received-ray-rice-tape/">allegedly</a>) attempts to hide the details and give him a slap on the wrist, and now they have made waves again with this display of ignorance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In this context, a WASP is a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, or the defining characteristics of the American majority. The NFL is being run by a front office and a group of owners that for the most part fit into this category, and consequentially suffer from a lack of diverse opinions. Group Think. Nobody offers dissenting opinions, nobody deviates from the norm, nobody dares to disrupt the black and white box that they have stayed inside since the league was integrated. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">America is a melting pot of such a variety of cultures that it extends into all walks of life: including athletics. With such a minority presence in the league, this governing body is unrepresentative of its population, and unfit to lead such a league. Abdullah has been outspoken about his faith since entering the league in 2008, notably observing fasting during Ramadan although it occasionally falls during the NFL Season. In addition to that, him and his brother Hamza sat out the entire 2012-13 season and made their Hajj to Mecca, one of the Pillars of Islam. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A
popular comparison of the past week has been that of Tim Tebow, his
devout Christianity, and the way he pushed his own faith unto the
league. With his bible verse eye-paint (<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5092774">since outlawed by the NCAA</a>)
and constant references to his lord and saviour, his faith became the
feel-good story of the NFL in 2011 as he miraculously won games with an <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hyphenhyphenGcFcMdfohbT-3hQHuQNi2MKffzbr68s2_i8PglJUK1t1TYxL04pdc2zq3qP7NfPL0UaJOBn0C3eI-dN-QTRk4ZGZh_xmybOkRWozB3LLAE5I-ZVM_fe1lcxXcCFEBIlCcXtXtXDkVR/s640/windup.jpg">unconventional throwing motion</a> and utter lack of passing accuracy. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0sPAT2OkTzQ9uYlq3OIwRtZjMXp9Nvhey4F70cvCdCERjP8jnzBxQvBsK8GhqjtSBjkneXhBHGXVCdMqtiIC_jHd2ld4WJUJ7Lr6pJEb6h_DMCd3e3s5XkPYM6FtEnMwA3k1MfE0wWu4/s1600/Tebowing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0sPAT2OkTzQ9uYlq3OIwRtZjMXp9Nvhey4F70cvCdCERjP8jnzBxQvBsK8GhqjtSBjkneXhBHGXVCdMqtiIC_jHd2ld4WJUJ7Lr6pJEb6h_DMCd3e3s5XkPYM6FtEnMwA3k1MfE0wWu4/s1600/Tebowing.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Tebow "Tebowing" on the sideline of a Broncos game in 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">However, although Tebow (theoretically speaking) forced </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">his religious views </span>onto us, there are no incidents of Touchdown Celebrations in which the infamous "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ngeMsyG8iw">Tebowing</a>" occurred. In all situations, such was done on the sidelines, or before and after games, at times or places where players are far less likely to be penalized. Additionally, as the NFL and Abdullah himself have stated, the new touchdown celebration rules prohibit sliding to the ground as a form of celebrating. In the words of Abdullah, "Stop before you drop."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In fact, the incident here is not a problem of outright prejudice at all, but one of ignorance. The NFL is ignorant to the major social justice issues that surround every decision they make, whether it is gay rights, domestic violence, or freedom of expression. Gone are the days where football is a world of its own. TV Contracts, Facebook, Twitter, and an ever growing fan-base have turned athletes into social media starlets. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PH35C7Fhq0">30 second interview</a> with Richard Sherman last winter sparked a debate about the portrayal of African-Americans in the media that lasted weeks. Michael Sam <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24562733/oprah-winfrey-network-to-produce-michael-sam-documentary">agreed to do a documentary</a> with the Oprah Winfrey Network before he even set foot in an NFL Locker Room. The scope of the NFL is limitless, and the league has to realize that they cannot continue to do things they way they have in the past.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sidenote: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings/_/year/2014/week/5">NFL Power Rankings</a>. We are a third of the way through the season and nobody is creating separation in the divisional races.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-70272798563279289142014-09-26T12:06:00.000-04:002014-09-26T12:06:42.182-04:00Derek Jeter: The Athlete, The Man, The Legend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEiqCFLYUpyRtsBhufFwiAjvZ0EDOwdrh8wX58rTHqaJKT1OR7g0ulJStxg7-XcikR0V4uuF4HuWOlVcqwj1X1asWPvjDyIbSFTFsNW5l5eFCq5HyEez46aQD9fkJjSlFLdpVoggoygJJW/s1600/Jeter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEiqCFLYUpyRtsBhufFwiAjvZ0EDOwdrh8wX58rTHqaJKT1OR7g0ulJStxg7-XcikR0V4uuF4HuWOlVcqwj1X1asWPvjDyIbSFTFsNW5l5eFCq5HyEez46aQD9fkJjSlFLdpVoggoygJJW/s1600/Jeter.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My Fellow Americans, </span> </h4>
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Jeter">Derek Jeter's</a> illustrious career as a New York Yankee is finally coming to an end.<br />
<br />
22 years ago, he was an upstart high school graduate out of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalamazoo,_Michigan#Sports">Kalamazoo</a>, Michigan. Now, he is the Captain. He is Mr. Clutch. He is the shining light of a generation marred by steroid abusers.<br />
<br />
Last was the night: Jeter's last home game. Fans purchased tickets for the game at an average price of over $400. In true Jeter fashion, he made the <a href="http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/11589333/derek-jeter-plays-final-home-game-new-york-yankees">game-winning hit </a>with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th inning. Despite the celebration of his final year by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X03_bNuihLU">JORDAN Brand</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfgS1lvqX8I">Gatorade</a>, and Sports fans around the country, many experts are skeptic of his role as the pre-eminent baseball player of the past two decades.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Career Statistics</span></h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPB_f12BrU8aafS5xn5d6acy3eAoOgpNzu1xAGO3SuiZTGymdj4QYSPY6pnba2qsXNUpX9_cmkj6NQ5U3Taaxjz0kM_liLjufsc66DEZC6lPg7z5Xft5OlgXyur5Q20ALG_8WZX9zOTngC/s1600/Jeter+Topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPB_f12BrU8aafS5xn5d6acy3eAoOgpNzu1xAGO3SuiZTGymdj4QYSPY6pnba2qsXNUpX9_cmkj6NQ5U3Taaxjz0kM_liLjufsc66DEZC6lPg7z5Xft5OlgXyur5Q20ALG_8WZX9zOTngC/s1600/Jeter+Topps.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derek Jeter's Rookie Baseball Card</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Derek Jeter's statistics rival those of any player to ever set foot on the field. What he lacks in power numbers, he makes up for in batting average and field numbers. Over the course of his career, Jeter has hit .309 from behind the plate, with career highs of .349 and .343 in 2000 and 2006, respectively. To put that in context, he is better than Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, and Mickey Mantle in that category. His 3,463 career hits are good for 6th all-time in Major League Baseball, including a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bNpkp-o1pU">5-hit masterpiece</a> in 2011 that he concluded with spectacular home run for his 3,000th hit. <br />
<br />
On the defensive side of the ball, he has been a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxzR0RKRWTQ">masterful shortstop</a> for each of his years in the Major Leagues, and is in the top 20 all-time for putouts and in-field assists at his position. His flawless mechanics and laser rocket arm helped him win 5 Golden Glove Awards as the best Shortstop in the American League.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Behind The Numbers</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFQ_IOXWK9FqTgUCCFIF96WuIZcWPvrYvZl_5B3sK7r3_r1hYa3qnaFNx71mk6WSymBlchnYthhpSM7YgMvGAIKZZD1BDeptDZjKyNkVjfpBfNxPVZmx9HQDKsxIsANZ4DbHMC7yqI9B1/s1600/Comm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFQ_IOXWK9FqTgUCCFIF96WuIZcWPvrYvZl_5B3sK7r3_r1hYa3qnaFNx71mk6WSymBlchnYthhpSM7YgMvGAIKZZD1BDeptDZjKyNkVjfpBfNxPVZmx9HQDKsxIsANZ4DbHMC7yqI9B1/s1600/Comm.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Being Derek Jeter means more than just being a baseball player, it means being an icon. In a league made up of predominately white and hispanic players, Jeter, a mulatto, has held the heart of the Big Apple for two decades. His "Turn 2" Foundation, a reference to a his inclination to record <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euf5dsWWHos">double plays</a>, works to prevent alcohol and drug abuse by children and teenagers.<br />
<br />
His off the field persona is most-widely known as that of a ladykiller, famously giving autographed "<a href="http://nypost.com/2011/12/13/jeter-gives-autograph-swag-to-one-night-stands/">swag bags</a>" to each of his partners. Despite having such a reputation, he is revered by men and women alike for his tremendous positive impact on the city of New York.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Mr. November</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GEjI_nhSP142A7dB8rWcgZOhhAx6oyVU5So8X2ZyooU1pO8EYVagdXobOJ4qQhZI_5Zb79bfQlQp2ZovtCoolLkIXMB-GFLmwMmNmdh9v71w62s4aXEQpAHn1d9PvCGjSHFXPWwyASj7/s1600/Re2pect.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GEjI_nhSP142A7dB8rWcgZOhhAx6oyVU5So8X2ZyooU1pO8EYVagdXobOJ4qQhZI_5Zb79bfQlQp2ZovtCoolLkIXMB-GFLmwMmNmdh9v71w62s4aXEQpAHn1d9PvCGjSHFXPWwyASj7/s1600/Re2pect.jpeg" height="175" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Before Jeter, there was Reggie Jackson. Jackson won 3 World Series' with the Oakland Athletics ('72-'74), 2 with the Yankees ('77,'78) and was rightfully nicknamed "Mr. October" for his accomplishments in the playoffs.<br />
<br />
Jeter entered the fold in 1996 and won the Rookie of the Year Award as well as a World Series Title in his first full season in the majors. Now a 5-Time World Series Champion and
World Series MVP, he was dubbed "Mr. November" as a (tip of the cap) to his outstanding play in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Series">Fall Classic</a>, including a MLB Record .351 career World Series batting average in 7 appearances. He is the longest tenured Captain for the New York Yankees, and he is widely considered one of the greatest leaders in all of sports.<br />
<br />
"<i>There may be people with more talent you, but there's no excuse for anyone to work harder than you - and I believe that.</i>" - Derek Jeter</div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-23822892200127469242014-07-09T14:56:00.000-04:002014-07-09T14:56:00.677-04:00No Pain, No Gain: The Myths of Fandom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWq60o_uFsaVtO6S2d42-6QErNSC44r_zunGk4AOGnysX47WGIxILJ5UeMqCWkQBXTw2VlWuZ3n3tmu-BIj1VdAbmAHaW9XKalSh7L4RD1Tv1bmdA2TcmFtel0QjkNwUzb1AI83skcvxh/s1600/Marlachuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWq60o_uFsaVtO6S2d42-6QErNSC44r_zunGk4AOGnysX47WGIxILJ5UeMqCWkQBXTw2VlWuZ3n3tmu-BIj1VdAbmAHaW9XKalSh7L4RD1Tv1bmdA2TcmFtel0QjkNwUzb1AI83skcvxh/s1600/Marlachuck.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a><b> <br />Clint Malarchuk after having his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR-wA4SmbO4">throat sliced on ice</a>. </b></div>
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On the heels of Brazilian Superstar Neymar's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OgIn72Ghgs">devastating back injury</a>, I'd like us to take a look that the philosophy behind the idea that his absence from the world cup is more important than healing from a broken vertebrae.<br />
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Recently, there have been extreme efforts to improve the protection of professional sports players across the world. In football, we see more players than ever wearing preventative knee braces, as well as the league's strict enforcement of <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/new-helmet-contact-rule-affects-offensive-players-032013">helmet to helmet contact</a> rules. In baseball, there is cracking down on steroid abuse and a push to <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/03/06/tobacco-chewing-nasty-habit-still-kicking-mlb/nZDZK9LOFDlr0MFj9X1WkO/story.html">stop the use of chewing tobacco</a> during games. In basketball, more flagrant fouls than ever are being awarded because of the new 'Flagrant 1' and 'Flagrant 2' rules.<br />
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Many Americans have sought to complain about the new ideologies taking over the sports world, citing the common notion that 'back in the day' was much better than the current day, because players today are not as physical as they were in previous decades. However, in order to do this, we must dissect the problem with the culture surrounding this idea: Players must put their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-jzYMSiNHQ">bodies on the line</a> for the sport they play, anything less is unacceptable, and grounds for replacement.<br />
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Myth #1: We are loyal to our players.</h3>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglU8NYOHQNs0oUlGDtqpnmTXFEJsQ5aqaMhaT5A9LYXopPMwwUz0_HhSkR2wZK5KgKTYaStdZcLktxT_tOZjDCPuX4sYwktJgDyELzbzXq0qX4-DFt8LgCmINCp9YIo-T_MesqP0kq0xb0/s1600/Brown+Baggin+it.jpg" height="266" width="400" /><br /><b>New Orleans Saints' fans wearing bags over their faces.</b></div>
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In large part, we treat our athletes as cogs in a system that must be immediately replaced when functionality decreases. Just as soon as there is a slight drop off in a player, we are willing
to get rid of them, and yet, we expect them to be unequivocally loyal to
our team. Exhibit A: Peyton Manning. From 1998-2010, Peyton Manning <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/1428/peyton-manning">did not miss a game</a> for the Indianapolis Colts. He started every game and built a reputation as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL.<br />
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A <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Indianapolis-Colts-Peyton-Manning-underwent-four-surgeries-on-neck-021512">series of neck surgeries</a> during the summer of 2011 derailed his chances of playing a 14th season with the Colts, the Colts had a horrible season, and proceeded to draft Manning's replacement in the NFL Draft following the season. The Colts released Manning, even though he led them to 7 consecutive 12 win seasons, 2 Super Bowl appearances, and a number of other great memories, including his unmatched <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH5gwHHjZ7Q">ability to audible</a>. Without any definite proof, the front office began to question his ability to recover and decided to move in a different direction, releasing the player that their dynasty was built around. How can we expect players to be loyal to our teams when our teams are not loyal to our players? <br />
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Myth #2: We want to protect our players from serious injury.</h3>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9-23tBu-D-XW2O-yuOlIHWuWqETo60NWyKtkOo1YxxVqM8ezQk-3KNm-bwhTaRk12Ij9gPexjphZyglXQ6neCbzw_ftcIr-pmtKSa-v7eGKGqviO8sAzt8WEN6q8DkpViUO-F5Cw1qHB/s1600/Jordan+Flu.jpg" height="320" width="240" /><br /><b>Jordan being held up by Scottie Pippen while sick during the NBA Finals.</b></div>
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For every great player in this day and age that sits out games because of injury, there is a player from 20-30 years ago that is cited for his toughness, and the fact that he or she played through serious injury. LeBron James has somewhat infamously <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKtLUs7BTBc">experienced leg cramps</a> during the NBA Finals on two separate occasions. The first worked out in his favor, as he <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30b8RM4XqNI">returned to the game</a> and helped engineer a victory. This year, however, he missed 7 of the last 8 minutes of a finals game that saw a 6 point lead turn into a 15 point deficit in the final quarter.<br />
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Overly critical fans compared it to Michael Jordan's "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIzrYcgfOH4">Flu Game</a>", where Jordan scored 38 points despite suffering from an apparent stomach virus in the day leading up to Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals. To expect someone with an identifiable physical ailment to prolong pain and risk further injury is absurd. <br />
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Myth #3: We care about the livelihoods of our Sports Heroes</h3>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1RSiCq-xUEkq4gUU0gjA5y1hoD_HRJEWbobzbOchcwE2rds8c5QTII_6miRI1ZYY1uImsxLJxoqRsbr8SY3YXQbETB98DnGbJ38E8T4NVtOxDKJEFhl5GSx7cdglLO5iMg3Hur6F4VzU/s1600/neymar+jr.jpg" height="248" width="400" /><br />Neymar after being injured this past weekend.</div>
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Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, going simply by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neymar">Neymar Jr</a>, is currently the most famous athlete in Brazil. On Saturday, he broke his lumbar vertebrae in a World Cup Quarterfinal match. The immediate reaction to his injury was <a href="http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/07/argentina-fans-mock-neymars-injury-with-fake-spinal-cord">appalling to say the least</a>. Fans of other teams immediately disrespected the injury as a flop, and he was later ridiculed by rival fans taking the injury as a laughing matter.<br />
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Even many so called fans of the team worried more for Brazil's semifinal game than the health of the number one athlete in their country. Generally speaking, any back injury is a serious injury, and a broken vertebrae in extreme cases can cause paralysis. What is a soccer match to a country that wins cups on a regular basis if a 22 year old athlete must break his vertebrae in the process?<br />
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I challenge human philosophy to question what the sports pundits and former athletes tell you. Just because Bo Jackson '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Jackson#Injury_and_comeback">popped his own hip into place</a>' and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84v5cazK8lc">Willis Reed</a> played with a torn thigh muscle does not mean that players in this day and age should be criticized for exercising with caution, does not mean that we should exploit the hearts and minds of dedicated athletes, and does not give us the right to take advantage of their loyalty to their teams.<br />
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Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-19485537111698283522014-06-30T19:11:00.000-04:002014-06-30T19:23:43.264-04:00To Believe or Not to Believe?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ0yqEkwkTjgOyqQ76Vt0FaFzmhSPLnraa4u75Jiuqwa9r5yQF_GoAhA0kpnjY_UKHGpEt7b9uk1Y84JTyxS2cfuBnUvZ7z_sR03_DyfXHilUg4vOW564UJA0hMkmCKNWmmicLvSGHeAF/s1600/USA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ0yqEkwkTjgOyqQ76Vt0FaFzmhSPLnraa4u75Jiuqwa9r5yQF_GoAhA0kpnjY_UKHGpEt7b9uk1Y84JTyxS2cfuBnUvZ7z_sR03_DyfXHilUg4vOW564UJA0hMkmCKNWmmicLvSGHeAF/s1600/USA.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Over the past few weeks, Americans have become enamored with the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP67IM1LX-M">2014 FIFA World Cup</a>. Unlike ever before, the USA has embraced our national team, <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/world-cup-2014-record-u-s-tv-ratings-sure-sign-of-soccers-rapid-growth-here/">setting records</a> on ESPN and Univision in viewers for the USA vs Portugal match last week.<br />
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The growing popularity of the sport has led to predictions about its future in America, and whether it has the potential to become one of the top professional sports in America, along with Football, Baseball, and Basketball.<br />
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As of now, even the National Hockey League is much more closely followed than Major League Soccer and the European soccer leagues in American households. Some believe that there is a changing of the guard, but I tend to think differently on the matter.<br />
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1. The World Cup has grown in popularity because of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/usmnt">social media attention</a>.</h3>
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We see it all the time: events that are popular on social media with hashtags and facebook statuses have more viewers, because it becomes a fad. When it is cool for people to be watching and talking about your sport, the sport will thrive. Right now, the cool thing to do is watch the World Cup and either: <br />
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A. Cheer vehemently against the USA for a team of your choosing (Germany, Brazil, etc.)<br />
B. Cheer for the US with all your heart and personally attack all dissenters.<br />
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2. Olympic Sports are riveting, but I have never considered watching most of those sports otherwise.</h3>
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The World Cup is the type of polarizing event that is a statistical anomaly. Because it brings the whole world onto one stage, it has the ability as a successful event to garner lots of attention. Once the World Cup ends, the MLS will still be a below average league, and the European leagues will still come on TV <a href="http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/epl/fixtures.asp">during Saturday Morning cartoons</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1GsilLrp2mE19tbtG0QiXjlBeLg8XGlztKMU-l2V-rl6hlgjrQ815tmbglaUGpTUltM187RHjMxYacmdx5KHCLIR7DuvGTxfVmhga540kcEjxB1ekiFsB58a9ckpbRCCM9UL-ARE-cOo/s1600/Altidore.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1GsilLrp2mE19tbtG0QiXjlBeLg8XGlztKMU-l2V-rl6hlgjrQ815tmbglaUGpTUltM187RHjMxYacmdx5KHCLIR7DuvGTxfVmhga540kcEjxB1ekiFsB58a9ckpbRCCM9UL-ARE-cOo/s1600/Altidore.jpeg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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3. None of the top players are Americans.</h3>
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At the end of the day, the vast majority of Americans only care about America. We have relative stars: <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=178420/index.html">Tim Howard</a>, <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=207851/index.html">Clint Dempsey</a>, <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=238072/index.html">Jozy Altidore</a>, but those guys do not move the needle like the superstars of the game: <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=201200/index.html">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>, <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=229397/index.html">Lionel Messi</a>, <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=314197/index.html">Neymar</a>, <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=196842/index.html">Wayne Rooney</a>, <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=217315/index.html">Robin Van Persie</a>, and may other players that countries can stand behind and be proud of year in and year out.<br />
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Howard is a great goalkeeper, but keepers are not goal scorers, and that is what draws fan attention. Dempsey had a great run with Fulham in the Premier League, but never played for a top team in the league, and his past his prime as a soccer player. Altidore not only suffered an injury that has kept him out of nearly all of the World Cup, but scored only 1 goal in 30 appearances this past seasonas a striker for Sunderland in the Premier League.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhElvHTCpGlPgETNB2zD4djMNKJZ2DaTH2REr12D8kKti9NhNkIdTNHPj42UfPS3KMYvC0dMArKxCYVzeQoD_5-RyccCq6pZx13-Ircv0JdV7LklchNKiTPMozOMpS2kqppwTT00uczQl/s1600/us+gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhElvHTCpGlPgETNB2zD4djMNKJZ2DaTH2REr12D8kKti9NhNkIdTNHPj42UfPS3KMYvC0dMArKxCYVzeQoD_5-RyccCq6pZx13-Ircv0JdV7LklchNKiTPMozOMpS2kqppwTT00uczQl/s1600/us+gold.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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4. We went through a similar situation with the women 15 years ago.</h3>
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Many believe that Americans would get behind soccer if our team was successful and we had a top player, but even that did not make a difference for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mia_Hamm">Mia Hamm </a>and the 1999 World Cup Champion USWNT. They won in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbTiiAtLXnE">outstanding fashion on penalty kicks</a> with Brandi Chastain ripping off her jersey and celebrating in the true spirit of patriotism. The idea that this would spur on an age of American dominance in soccer was wrong, and domestic interest in the sport has grown only marginally since then.<br />
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America will always have trouble bringing soccer into the forefront of American sports, if not for any other reason, because more than any other sport we play, it is not ours. We did not create it, we do not have the best league, we do not have the best players, and we do not have any real history or legacy within the sport to build upon. In fact, we have somewhat of a reputation as perennial losers, especially on the men's side.<br />
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Rest assured, we are still very alive in the World Cup, with a <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/world-cup-2014-usa-vs-belgium-preview/">match-up against Belgium</a> tomorrow in the round of 16. Additionally, there are young players on the horizon with the ability to change this stereotype, including current national team players like <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=373555/index.html">John Brooks</a>, <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=368973/index.html">Deandre Yedlin</a>, and <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=369094/index.html">Julian Green</a>, as well as teen MLS sensation <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Fag%C3%BAndez">Diego Fagundez</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pjliE37ENY">The fans are here</a>. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyWVia7hzGs">The potential is here</a>. We believe that we will win. May the odds be ever in our favor. <br />
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Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-77972087207574458222014-06-21T17:54:00.001-04:002014-06-21T17:54:52.575-04:00LeBron James is NO Michael Jordan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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LeBron James is the best basketball player in the world. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbpAIAew2DY">Be a witness to his greatness</a>. He is the <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/9830/index.htm">Chosen One</a>. He is <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Femptybackfield.com%2F%3Ftag%3Dlebron-james&h=0&w=0&tbnid=CiF0m0QV4SDajM&zoom=1&tbnh=264&tbnw=191&docid=3BNxinULeAChkM&tbm=isch&ei=ZNGlU6-EIoeTqAbBq4KIBg">King James</a>. However, he is not, and will never be, Michael Jordan.<br />
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<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james">LeBron James</a>
is a 6'8" 250 lb. power guard. He made his name as a High School phenom
attempting to leave school after his junior year at the age of 17. He
was the number one pick of the '03 NBA Draft, and an instant success in
the NBA, using his size and athletic ability in a unique team-first
philosophy not employed by many top players. LeBron was instantly able
to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MbqxJx_ups">make plays that no other player in the NBA could make</a>. He dominates games by drawing attention to himself before dishing the ball off to teammates. His <a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/per_career.html">extraordinary efficiency</a> is praised by many, but draws criticism when he fails to be selfish at the end of games. Many believe that this comes from his lack of 'killer instinct' that, at times, is needed to closeout games. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzfw2S2Kqlj8TDOSC0iigRekFzQW5wup9QBbOg_7nEEGfjNj81a-ME6DzHtuy2vnzAAbhDcisIviv-eu47u02o41pOJ2-Db7crgT5IMXiTEj-x9en1GuivRe13Sw9rliWbPQOjbu-6opY/s1600/LeBron+Trophy+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzfw2S2Kqlj8TDOSC0iigRekFzQW5wup9QBbOg_7nEEGfjNj81a-ME6DzHtuy2vnzAAbhDcisIviv-eu47u02o41pOJ2-Db7crgT5IMXiTEj-x9en1GuivRe13Sw9rliWbPQOjbu-6opY/s1600/LeBron+Trophy+Room.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>LeBron James and his host of awards: Symbolic of his pride in himself. </b></div>
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Mid-way through his career, he decided to "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTeCc8jy7FI">take his talents to South Beach</a>." His move to Miami was opposed from the start, many because they believe he was not doing things 'the right way', others because of this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT-I8jQDQ7c">infamous pep-rally</a>. That he did, adding two more MVP awards, bringing his regular season total to 4 overall. Despite <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_LUnTQHV4c">having a reputation</a> as a player that does not play well in the post-season, James as fared tremendously well in the playoffs, leading his teams to 5 NBA Finals and winning 2, as well as 2 NBA Finals MVP awards.<br />
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<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1035/michael-jordan">Michael Jordan</a> is a 6'6" 216 lb. shooting guard. A <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weq22wT_Q4k">product of hard work</a>. He is Air Jordan. His Airness. Many basketball players today strive to be 'Like Mike'. Jordan was cut from the Varsity Basketball team his freshman year of High School, and he will never let any of us forget it. Played up as an underdog, Jordan was coached by the great Dean Smith and hit the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suuy_tgOjo">game-winning shot</a> in his freshman year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After winning the Naismith Award and playing three years of collegiate basketball, he made the jump to the NBA and was selected 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. While in the NBA, Jordan would battle all-time greats like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, an Isaiah Thomas before building a dynasty in Chicago. He built a reputation as a deadly scorer and a fierce competitor early in his career with epic playoff battles, including "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5WUOnTxwPw">The Shot</a>" he made over Craig Ehlo in 1989.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3_MkHDGr9NXGKJ9ksd0oBUK0TPd-a_ovzTFmDyfN4t1z0cB-2cpJ_Hw2wkyCnu5RxpAPf-NC6TSD0Fqf0-ULIy7IlErPp4PaEUNcVM5EYnfzR2XZhMHXjQTQpmNpPTX8n7o5971nPXGy/s1600/Michael+Trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3_MkHDGr9NXGKJ9ksd0oBUK0TPd-a_ovzTFmDyfN4t1z0cB-2cpJ_Hw2wkyCnu5RxpAPf-NC6TSD0Fqf0-ULIy7IlErPp4PaEUNcVM5EYnfzR2XZhMHXjQTQpmNpPTX8n7o5971nPXGy/s1600/Michael+Trophy.jpg" height="320" width="308" /></a></div>
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<b>Michael Jordan and his first NBA Finals Trophy: Symbolic of his love of the game.</b></div>
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Over the next 10 years, Jordan went on to win three championships, three Finals MVPs, seven scoring titles, and four Most Valuable Player awards. After retiring for personal reasons to pursue a professional baseball career, he returned to the NBA in 1995 to win three more championships, three more finals MVPs, two more league MVPs, and three more scoring titles before again retiring in '98. During a brief management stint with the Washington Wizards, Jordan decided again to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arkt-cIzT20">come out of retirement</a> and played from '01 to '03 before retiring for good.<br />
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The resume's speak for themselves. LeBron James and Michael Jordan are both tremendous players, the best of their respective eras. However, the comparison stops there. LeBron is a straight out of high school player that has never had strong coaching and plays in an age of free agency, in an NBA that has less concentrated power, and has few teams with championship players. Michael, however, played under two of the greatest coaches of all time, battled against many other championship teams, and had an entirely different NBA experience.<br />
<br />
LeBron James cannot be Michael Jordan. In fact, he cannot be any of the past great players that everyone wants him to be. Whether it is <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/110/kobe-bryant">Kobe Bryant</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2334/magic-johnson">Magic Johnson</a>, <a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/birdla01.html">Larry Bird</a>, or, of course, MJ, they are all individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses. It is natural for us to use past players as a point of reference, but the comparisons are not valid, because each athlete must be treated as an individual with his own physical and mental skill set. Let us allow LeBron to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE295ggKbHU">carve out his own legacy</a> in basketball, be his own player, and compare him to the contemporaries that he competes against annually. </div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-91379339365979929322014-06-04T10:05:00.000-04:002014-06-04T10:05:53.786-04:00Sports Dynasties: Dominance & Permanence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkOB2Gb9nuolEfI2ZnPEYyBiQ7yhyw4JBSBloo2863AdoFCOMHXQ0r0KRhZ4cv6LJOMjLoP8ssST3vSo2PNzlj6RuPDq9VegZuX5Mj_wiXoe5-min9uVLChLGqLNZGq8hXdk068VXaeDY/s1600/Red+Auerbach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkOB2Gb9nuolEfI2ZnPEYyBiQ7yhyw4JBSBloo2863AdoFCOMHXQ0r0KRhZ4cv6LJOMjLoP8ssST3vSo2PNzlj6RuPDq9VegZuX5Mj_wiXoe5-min9uVLChLGqLNZGq8hXdk068VXaeDY/s1600/Red+Auerbach.jpg" height="400" width="315" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Red Auerbach, Celtics Coach & 9-time NBA Champion</i></b></div>
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As the Heat enter their 4th NBA Finals in as many years, we must first take a minute to bask in the ambiance, understand the greatness of what we are experiencing at the moment. The last team to reach the finals four consecutive years was the Boston Celtics (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals#Most_consecutive_NBA_Finals_appearances">1984-'87</a>). For a city that has never experienced such consistent success, it is hard for their constituents to comprehend the gravity of their team's accomplishments, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNE7xqabfvw">unfortunately situations like this still occur</a>. This is a once (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-peat#National_Basketball_Association_.28NBA_Finals.29">or twice</a>) in a lifetime opportunity, just ask those old Chicago Bulls fans. Only 4 times in the history of the NBA has a team achieved this feat, and we should not expect it to happen again in this city anytime soon.<br />
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This Miami Heat are on the verge of transcending the teams of their era and challenging some of the best teams in history. Approaching what we like to call a <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynasty">dynasty</a>. However, I believe we throw this word around too lightly, so I say: What is a dynasty, and are the Miami Heat worthy of such a title?<br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dominance</span></h3>
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A sports dynasty, first and foremost, is a team that excels at all forms of the game, and dominates the competition. Moses Malone famously said, "<a href="http://www.nba.com/history/season/19821983.html">Fo, fo, fo</a>" when asked how his Philadelphia 76ers would fare in the 1983 NBA Playoffs. They went on to go fo, fi, fo and win the championship with a 12-1 playoff record. Dominance is just not just being better your opponents, but making them believe that there is nothing that they could do to defeat you. Demoralizing them. Creating a sense of helplessness. The <a href="http://www.nba.com/history/96bulls.html">'96 Chicago Bulls</a> achieved a 72-10 record, one that stands today as the greatest regular season mark in NBA History. From '03-'04, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/2330/tom-brady">Tom Brady's</a> New England Patriots won 21 consecutive regular season and playoff games. Last year, the Miami Heat won <a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/03/14/miami-heats-win-streak-during-2012-13-season/">27 consecutive games</a>, the 2nd longest streak in league history. In addition to the team's accolades, LeBron James himself has won 4 of the NBA's past 6 Most Valuable Player Awards, and a bit more obscure was his run of games <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2013-02-12/lebron-james-record-30-points-60-percent-heat-blazers-score-stats-result">shooting over 60 percent from the field</a> while scoring 30+ points. Dominant: Check.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Permanence</span></h3>
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The second part of that statement, is that a dynasty must dominate their league for an extraordinary length of time, creating a feeling of permanence in the hearts of their opponents. Throughout the history of sports, there have been a number of famous dynasties: <a href="http://baseballhall.org/hof/dimaggio-joe">Joe DiMaggio's</a> New York Yankees won 9 World Series Titles between 1936-'51, <a href="http://www.nba.com/history/players/russell_bio.html">Bill Russell's</a> Boston Celtics won 11 NBA Finals between 1957-'69, <a href="http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/woo0bio-1">John Wooden's</a> UCLA Bruins won 10 NCAA Tournament Championships between 1964-'75, and <a href="http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PLAYER_ID=154">Joe Montana's</a> San Francisco 49ers won 4 Super Bowls between 1981-'89 to name a few. The permanence those teams accrued over the course of their respective decades and the following years propelled them to a status far beyond that of the average champion: Legen -<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqkYnfAhgy0">wait for it</a>- dary. Legendary. The Miami Heat have had a good run so far, but 2 titles does not amount to anything out of the ordinary. They must continue to succeed at the same pace for the next 3-5 years in order to be considered a dynasty.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></h3>
<br />
Although what the Miami Heat have done so far is impressive, we must realize that this is basketball, and they have not done anything that has not been done before in their sport, or frankly, anything that does not occur every 5-10 years. In order to be considered a dynasty, your product must be the stuff of legends, meaning your success must be extrapolated over long periods of time. First things first, the finals start this week and they will need to take care of business. However, when it is all said and done, it will be hard to consider the Heat a dynasty if their success does not stretch beyond the average 5 year run of success. Keep in mind, LeBron James came to the NBA straight out of high school, so even though he has been in the NBA for 11 years, he is still only <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/1966/lebron-james">29 years of age</a>. For a player with his size, skill, athleticism, and durability, there is no telling how many more years he can continue his producing at such a high level.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>P.S.</b><b> </b></span></h3>
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While reading this post, be sure to get mentally prepared for the 2014 NBA Finals, as it is sure to be epic. What better way to get ready for the first NBA finals rematch since '97-98 than to <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/channels/top_plays/2013/06/21/finals-top-10-plays.nba/">watch highlights</a> from last season? Remember, the finals are unlike any other series: LeBron James is bound to <a href="http://deadspin.com/no-headband-lebron-is-the-best-lebron-514261813">lose his headband</a>, Danny Green will be <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/watch-spurs-guard-danny-green-23-nba-finals-133221821.html">unconscious from behind the 3-point line</a>, and at some point or another, you will surely ask yourself if Boris Diaw is the best player on the floor.<br />
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Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-35149665586264610112014-05-04T19:29:00.000-04:002014-05-04T19:29:09.199-04:00American Sports: A Breeding Ground for Cultural Insensitivity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><b>Racism</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">A belief or doctrine that inherent differences
among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement,
usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to
rule others.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Donald Sterling, for all intents and purposes, is a racist.
For whatever it is worth, that is something that we can all agree on. If you
have not heard it yet, nearly 10 minutes from the hours of audio recorded by
Sterling's girlfriend can be heard <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/26/donald-sterling-clippers-owner-black-people-racist-audio-magic-johnson/">online at TMZ</a>. The NBA has decided to ban
Sterling for life, and is doing all they can to force him to sell the Los
Angeles Clippers. Not much else can be done on that front, but that is not the
real issue at hand. There is a problem with cultural competency in American
Sports and this incident has done nothing but brought the issue into the light
for the untrained eye.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Cultural Competency</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">The ability to understand,
appreciate, and interact with persons from cultures and/or belief systems other
than one’s own, based on various factors. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;"> For instance, Native
Americans. Besides the fact that the "New World" is one that was
stolen from the Native American people, many sports mascots have been named in
the spirit of their culture, including names like "Black Hawks",
"Chiefs", "Braves" and most notably, the Washington, D.C
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/washington-redskins-name-controversy/">football franchise</a>. For more than 80 years, the Washington Football team has
used a Native American slur to denote their team name, and most recently<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-hiaasen/daddy-whats-a-redskin_b_4072796.html"> triedto defy logic</a> by suggesting that it is acceptable to call the football team by
this name, although it is derogatory to refer to Native Americans by the same
name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Homophobia</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">An irrational fear of, aversion to, or
discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;"> In an interview with Artie
Lange, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--report--niners-cb-says-openly-gay-players-would-not-be-welcomed-on-the-team-190346715.html">San Francisco 49ers cornerback</a> Chris Culliver stated, "No, we don't
got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do. Can't
be with that sweet stuff." This sort of problematic statement is the exact
reason that so many professional athletes are unable to feel comfortable in
their own skin today. Trapped in the closet for their young adult lives,
because people like Culliver say that gay players should, "Wait 10 years
later or after that," to come forward with their sexual orientation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Discrimination</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">The unjust or prejudicial treatment of
different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race,
gender, or sexual orientation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;"> What we as a people fail to realize, is that we
are all discriminated against some point in our lives. Some more than most, but
everyone nevertheless. The problem with that is that although we experience
this and hate it just as much as the next person, we perpetuate it by
continuing a culture that supports such actions. There are outliers that see
the need to apply the rules of social justice to other people than their own,
but most of us fail to do so, and we see it in these examples. When it comes to
Donald Sterling, all minorities unite in saying that they cannot support such a
hateful person. However, when Daniel Snyder brings in "<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/chief-zee-the-redskins-and-the-setting-sun/2013/09/03/94a3c7e0-14c6-11e3-a100-66fa8fd9a50c_story.html">Chief Zee</a>", an African-American man dressed up as a stereotypical Native American, to support his fight to maintain his team
mascot, the only people offended are Native Americans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">The Solution</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;"> The only way for America to go beyond the limitations of
racism, classism, sexism, and homophobia is for everyone to fight for the
rights of all people. Not just on a national level, but as individuals. My
family and I use a system of checks and balances, where if anyone of us uses a
word that refers to another culture in a derogatory way, we call each other out
on it. Its the little things that matter most, and those same things can have
the greatest positive effect if we all follow through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-83790790029140555262014-01-02T07:09:00.001-05:002014-01-02T07:09:20.923-05:00NFL Season in Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This NFL Season has been one of record-breaking proportions, as Bronco's QB <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MannPe00.htm">Peyton Manning</a> threw for 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns, both NFL Records. Additionally, the Denver Broncos broke the record for most points scored in one season with 603 points, and their Kicker Matt Prater made a record-breaking <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss-plays/0ap2000000294594/WK-14-Can-t-Miss-Play-A-Mile-High-record">64 yard field goal</a> earlier in the season. However, aside from Denver's multitude of records, we saw many other outstanding performances in games and over the course of the season. As the year comes to an end, I would first like to summarize my highlights of the regular season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tom Brady's Late Game Heroics</span></b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 5 times this year, <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradTo00.htm">Tom Brady</a> led the Patriots back from a deficit in the 4th Quarter, including wins against the Bills, Texans, Browns, Saints, and last but not least, the Broncos. The most spectacular finish came against the New Orleans Saints, where Brady completed a pass in the back of the end zone between defenders with 5 seconds remaining on the clock, to <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/0ap2000000264587/Sound-FX-Tom-Brady">end the Saints' win streak</a> and undefeated season. Even so, the best part of it all was Scott Zolak's radio call on the last play. The best comeback of the season, and perhaps the best regular season comeback of his career, came against the Denver Broncos, where he led the Patriots back from a <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/11/25/patriots-stun-broncos-overtime/1My4HShtC3MyND89gerHQI/story.html">24-0 halftime deficit</a> to win in overtime, 34-31, by throwing for 344 Yards and 3 Touchdowns. His fiery personality and outstanding clutch performances helped the Patriots overcome Gronkowski's injury woes, Danny Amendola's concussion problems, and Aaron Hernandez' summer fiasco to earn a first round bye in the playoffs and finish the regular season with a 12-4 record.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick Foles' Unbelievable Improvement</span></b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Some say it is pure luck, some say that it is all because of Eagles first year head coach Chip Kelly, but when its all said and done, all the numbers will be attributed to 2nd year QB <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FoleNi00.htm">Nick Foles</a>. In 13 appearances (10 starts), Foles had a Passer Rating of 119.2 while throwing for 2,891 yards and 27 touchdowns with a only 2 interceptions. In comparison, Foles had a passer rating of 79.1 in his rookie season, and threw for 1,699 yards with 6 Touchdowns and 5 Interceptions in 7 appearances. To put things into perspective, Foles 13.5:1 Touchdown to Interception ratio is unrivaled by any other player in NFL History, with Tom Brady coming the closest at 9:1 in the 2010 season. In addition to that, his passer rating is behind only Aaron Rodgers (122.5) as the 2nd best in NFL history. He even tied the NFL record with <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/red_zone/Nick-Foles-performance-against-the-Raiders-was-meaningless-because-hes-not-Peyton-Manning.html">7 passing touchdowns in one game</a>. If Foles continues to on his current trajectory, he could be the best quarterback in the NFL in no time.</span><br />
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<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Panther's Progress</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The Carolina Panthers showed great promise in the 2013 season, finishing with a record of 12-4, 5 more wins than their previous season. Strides made by a number of players on both ends of the field earned the team <a href="http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Five-Panthers-selected-to-Pro-Bowl/e94b1ca1-fd5a-4e47-af89-26f2cccb1501">5 Pro Bowlers</a>, including Cam Newton and 2 year linebacker Luke Kuechly. If we are to believe that <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/total/sort/netTotalYards/position/defense">defense wins championships</a>, then the Panthers are a prime candidate to win this year's Super Bowl, as they are ranked 2nd overall in points allowed, and 2nd overall in total yards allowed.</span><br />
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<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Horrible Head Coaches</span></b></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 5 NFL Coaches were fired on "<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/12/30/nfl-black-monday-coaching-candidates-lions-browns-redskins-buccaneers-texans-vikings/4256653/">Black Monday</a>" were fired immediately following the end of the regular season: Rob Chudzinski, Cleveland; Jim Schwartz, Detroit; Leslie Frazier, Minnesota; Greg Schiano, Tampa Bay; Mike Shanahan, Washington. Other than Chudzinski, each of these coaches were given legitimate opportunities to win this season, but none of them capitalized. Cleveland does not have a winning personality, Detroit is a non-opportunistic underachiever, Minnesota and Tampa were plagued by bad quarterback play, and Washington's season was ruined by injuries. There are 6 total Vacancies, as Gary Kubiak was fired before the season ended, and it will be very interesting to see how the coaching carousel plays out over the next month or two.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RG III & 13</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GrifRo01.htm">Robert Griffin III</a> entered the 2012 season as the most hyped player in the NFL, and he did more than live up to the hype. However, a knee injury derailed his season and offseason, and that rehab was seemingly cut short by preparation for the 2013 season. As the season wore on, the Washington team got off to a 3-6 start, identical to the previous year's start before their 7 game winning streak to finish the season. This year, that was not the case, and as the team continued to lose, Griffin was mocked as RG III and however many losses they had at the time. Unfortunately, they continued to lose and finished the season 3-13, one of the biggest dissappointments of the season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, we all know that the NFL season is indeed composed of three parts: Pre-Season, Regular Season, and Post Season. This post season is shaping up to be one of the finest in recent years, because there is great competition without any clear cut favorites. Each team has a weakness that could potentially be detrimental to their hopes of winning the Super Bowl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Playoff Power Rankings</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Broncos - Peyton Manning's playoff woes are undeniable, and his 9-11 playoff record is proof.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Patriots - Tom Brady has no pro bowl caliber weapons on offense, and that is a legitimate problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Seahawks - <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarvPe00.htm">Percy Harvin</a> may return next week, but without him team's can put 8 in the box to slow down Mr. Beast Mode himself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Panthers - Their inexperience worries me, but there is no arguing that they are not ready for this stage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Packers - The return of <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodgAa00.htm">Aaron Rodgers</a> and <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CobbRa00.htm">Randall Cobb</a> makes Green Bay a legitimate Super Bowl Contender. Beware of the underdog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Bengals - The Bengals have been content with making the playoffs and losing as of late.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. 49ers - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_curse">Super Bowl Jinx</a> does a number on most teams, so be cautious in picking the 49ers to advance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Saints - No running game, but <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BreeDr00.htm">Drew Brees</a> is due for another playoff run.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Colts - The injury to <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WaynRe00.htm">Reggie Wayne</a> has left the Colts receiving core lost as of late.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Eagles - Foles is hot, but the Eagles have not had the best competition in the NFC East.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. Chiefs - After losing 5 of their last 7 games, who knows which Kansas City team will show up this week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. Chargers - Inconsistency has plagued them not only this season, but since the beginning of the Phillip Rivers era.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Super Bowl Prediction</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before the season started, I picked the Colts to play the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. With the injuries to Percy Harvin and Reggie Wayne I would like to make a new pick, but that would go against all logic. It carries much more weight to choose a team from the start of the season (32 options), than the start of the playoffs (12 options). That being said, I am staying with the <u style="font-weight: bold;">Indianapolis Colts</u> as my pick to win Super Bowl XLVIII. This post season holds the opportunity to coronate an Heir to Brady and Manning, and <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LuckAn00.htm">Andrew Luck</a> looks to make the most of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. Happy New Year to all of my readers. To celebrate, here are my 13 Most Memorable Sports Moments of 2013:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/deadly-bombs-rock-boston-marathon/">Boston Marathon Bombing</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Auburn's 109 yard field goal return vs. Alabama. (<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/listen-amazing-auburn-radio-call-iron-bowl-win-024938767--ncaaf.html">Listen to the Radio Call</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. <a href="http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/story/0ap1000000134895/article/superdome-power-outage-delays-super-bowl-xlvii">The Lights go out at the Superdome</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. With <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4afRTDMYCc">fans leaving the AAA</a>, the Miami <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8kEa-L_IDs">Heat score 5 points in 28 seconds</a> and win in OT.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Chicago Blackhawks score 2 Goals in 17 seconds to win the Stanley Cup Finals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Miami Heat <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/03/27/sports/basketball/miami-heat-winning-streak-timeline.html?_r=0">27 game win streak</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciajessop/2013/06/12/puig-mania-hits-los-angeles-as-the-young-baseball-stars-marketing-potential-soars/">Puigmania</a> takes over baseball; <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/9341/splits/">Historic month of June</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/aug/02/biogenesis-peds-scandal-explained" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Biogenesis Scandal</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and A-Rod's 200+ game suspension.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Aaron Hernandez is <a href="http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk/aaron-hernandez-charged-first-degree-murder">charged with the murder</a> of Odin Lloyd.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Manti Te'O's <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2013/06/manti-teo-girlfriend-nfl-draft">Girlfriend Hoax</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LehpX9bI7rM">Kevin Ware's compound fracture</a> that shocked the world and inspired a championship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. Tiger Woods <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/golfer-david-eger-called-tiger-wood-drop-report-article-1.1332947">takes a drop</a> at the Masters; Golfer alerts PGA of broken rule.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13. Oscar Pistorious 'Blade Runner' is <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/08/19/oscar-pistorius-formally-indicted-trial-set-for-march/">charged with the murder</a> of his wife.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-1671317712482303512013-12-21T17:06:00.001-05:002013-12-21T17:06:12.308-05:00To QB or not to QB?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYF0lC4_bqzCh5e_9pNQFNRXUSTF2z08DxBD_Di0pv0ZPy97q5EJqYqJO5A05Yq_jdT9C3owKpW1RkmOsUDekpzJSwSHROz2X-chK-nWMTfPdwlyNI9o2BmLd1GFmDau8RMsIHUpdKtwtS/s1600/Cousins+and+Griff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYF0lC4_bqzCh5e_9pNQFNRXUSTF2z08DxBD_Di0pv0ZPy97q5EJqYqJO5A05Yq_jdT9C3owKpW1RkmOsUDekpzJSwSHROz2X-chK-nWMTfPdwlyNI9o2BmLd1GFmDau8RMsIHUpdKtwtS/s400/Cousins+and+Griff.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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(<b>Head Coach Mike Shanahan, QB Kirk Cousins, and QB RG III, respectively</b>)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Washington Football Team (Yes, I am <a href="http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/09/peter-king-wont-use-redskins-on-new-site/">one of those people</a>) faces a complicated situation that has happened to many a team in the past: a full-on quarterback controversy. The old saying goes, "If you have two quarterbacks, you don't have one." What does that mean? Well, you could take it two ways: Literally, it means that two is not equal to one. However, looking deeper into it, the quarterback is the single most important player on any football team, so the starter carries the weight of the team on his back, and must have tremendous confidence and great leadership qualities. For that reason, going back and forth between two players is extremely ineffective in most cases. In the case of Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins, there must be a clear cut starter, or the results will be tumultuous.<br />
<br />
Robert Griffin III has been surrounded by controversy since he initially injured his knee against the Baltimore Ravens last season. He was supposed to rest for four weeks, did not, and proceeded to limp around the field for another month before <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuDSS4RY0Qk">ending the season</a> with a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and a torn Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) in his right knee. During the offseason, he led an aggressive ad campaign with the slogan "All in for Week One". After being cleared to play the day before the start of training camp, he proceeded to sit out for the entire preseason, seemingly jumping at the bit to return to the field for the regular season opener. Excitement mounted, NFL analysts picked them to win the NFC East, and Washington Football Team was eyeing a Super Bowl Appearance. Then the season started. Since, RG III has underpeformed dramatically, including 13 starts without scoring a rushing touchdown, and the 32nd ranked Total QBR according to <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/14875/robert-griffin-iii">ESPN Stats & Information</a>.<br />
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Kirk Cousins, on the other hand, has been surrounded by controversy ever since he was drafted in the 4th round by a team that traded away their 2012 6th overall pick, 2012 2nd rounder, 2012 3rd rounder, 2013 first rounder, and 2014 first rounder to the Rams to move up 4 spots and select Robert Griffin III. Cousins stayed out of the spotlight for the most part, but was able to come in and win a couple games last season. Because he impressed in the little bit of action he saw, many people began lobbying for him early in the 2013 season, believing RG III to be injury prone. Even Super Bowl Winning Head Coach and Current NBC Sports Analyst Tony Dungy <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2013/09/17/dungy-says-cousins-would-give-redskins-better-chance/">chimed in on the debate</a>, telling the Dan Patrick Show that Kirk Cousins gave the Washington Football Team a better chance to win than Griffin after their week 2 loss to the Packers. After a 3-10 start, Shanahan decided to bench RG III for the rest of the season, and Cousins finally got his chance to start last week. In his 2013 debut, he scored 3 touchdowns to go along with 3 turnovers in a loss against the Atlanta Falcons. Fans are looking forward to the finish of the season, thinking of this as a "tryout" for other teams to watch. One fan, Andre Davis, says "Hopefully they get a first rounder for him, and if that is the case, he supports the benching of RG III 110%." This sentiment is shared by many others, and tomorrow will be a big factor in the ultimate outcome.<br />
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On Sunday, Cousins faces Washington's biggest rival: The Dallas Cowboys. A win against the Cowboys will solidify his position within the organization, or as trade bait. The team will have some decisions to make this offseason, depending on Cousins' play over these next two weeks. If Cousins plays well, he could force the team to trade RG III, force a battle for the starting job in Training Camp 2014, or force the football team to trade him for a high draft pick. If he plays poorly, however, he will be relegated to the bench for the rest of his time in D.C. So, I pose this question to Kirkland Cousins of Holland, Michigan: To QB or not to QB? That is the question, and your play will give us the answer. </div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-51529262950907705952013-09-05T17:45:00.001-04:002013-09-05T17:53:32.943-04:002013-14 NFL Season Preview<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMm4tqDg4JQ5QoW4Jn-6vp-7Sd89K2DvxDXNY14MoIHcbn2MxmSkpmmvVjA5TvurUXtOjD0zrf0nLkYmJ4IeH_29dEWESvDSKCn58dd2XvxTmjXYcOsOIxwjqhRQ6ydw4DpDXQWzW-9LEq/s1600/nfl+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMm4tqDg4JQ5QoW4Jn-6vp-7Sd89K2DvxDXNY14MoIHcbn2MxmSkpmmvVjA5TvurUXtOjD0zrf0nLkYmJ4IeH_29dEWESvDSKCn58dd2XvxTmjXYcOsOIxwjqhRQ6ydw4DpDXQWzW-9LEq/s1600/nfl+logo.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
That time is upon us once again people. That's right, no
more watching Dancing With The Stars, no more watching HGTV with your wife, and
no more time for Honey Boo Boo, because the National Football League is back at
it this week. More importantly, Fantasy Football seasons begin this week, and
most of us are still upset about the mistakes we made in our drafts. </div>
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This summer has been an eventful one across all the sports.
In the NBA, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james">LeBron James</a> and the Miami Heat won their <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT-I8jQDQ7c">2nd consecutive</a> World Championship. In Golf, <a href="http://espn.go.com/golf/player/_/id/308/phil-mickelson">Phil Mickelson</a> choked away the US Open once again, while
also winning his first Open Championship. In Baseball, we have seen <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5544/miguel-cabrera">Miguel Cabrera</a> and Crush <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29170/chris-davis">(Chris) Davis</a> dominate the league with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6uWnpDZpP0">monstrous home runs</a>.
In College Football, <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/517475/johnny-manziel">Johnny Manziel</a> has stolen all the headlines: first by
<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/source-johnny-football-partied-hard-manning-camp-article-1.1400664">being irresponsible</a>, then with accusations of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt6lVvTukcY">illegally accepting money for autographs</a>. </div>
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However, the NFL has still managed to steal the show once again, as
<a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/13230/aaron-hernandez">Aaron Hernandez</a> topped headlines for weeks after being charged with <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/22/aaron-hernandez-indicted-murder_n_3796334.html">1st degree murder</a>. In addition to that, we had two front office employees for the <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130715/denver-broncos-suspensions-dui.ap/">Broncos' suspended for DUIs</a>, the ongoing RGKnee debacle, more <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuvz15OjCVc">butt-fumble</a> news, and
another round of <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000236929/article/tim-tebow-cut-by-new-england-patriots">Tebow Mania</a>. Now that it is September once again, we can put
all of that past us, and focus on the task at hand: winning Super Bowl XLVIII.</div>
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There are a number of teams out there that believe they have
a chance to win it all, but many of them, especially those that were in the
playoffs last year, have questions surrounding their roster that could disrupt
that opportunity. The Ravens have <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000152544/article/baltimore-ravens-set-to-lose-eight-starting-players">lost a significant amount of fire power</a> since
last year. The San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and New England Patriots
all have injuries to their top receiving threat. Many expect the Colts and
Redskins to take a step back as their young quarterbacks adjust to a league
that will have studied their NFL game tape. And let's face it: The Vikings and
Bengals never have a shot. </div>
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That leaves the top contenders this year as the
Broncos, Falcons, Texans, and Packers. Of those four, the strongest case can be
made for the Broncos, as they have only improved an offense that was nearly
unstoppable last year. Not to say that I believe <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/1428/peyton-manning">Peyton Manning</a> will win
another ring, but they should be the favorite right now. As per the rest of the
league, here's where you stand as of now:</div>
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<b>Week 1 Power Rankings</b></div>
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1. Denver Broncos - Despite Peyton Manning's propensity for
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBlvjtfpPAg">late game interceptions</a>, I have faith.</div>
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2. Atlanta Falcons - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/5549/steven-jackson">Steven Jackson</a> is a big addition to a
team that previously had a 250 pound man nicknamed "<a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/23/michael-turner-admits-he-got-too-fat-last-year/">The Burner</a>"for his apparent inability to burn calories.</div>
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3. Green Bay Packers - Losing <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9638/greg-jennings">Greg Jennings</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/1966/donald-driver">Donald Driver</a>
might mean a lot to the franchise, but should not slow this team down one bit.</div>
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4. Houston Texans - Between <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12497/arian-foster">Arian Foster</a>'s <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/02/01/texans-arian-foster-heart-surgery/1882409/">heart condition</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/3552/ed-reed">Ed Reed</a>'s <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/17/ravens-suspected-reed-had-hip-problem-texans-apparently-didnt/">mysterious hip</a>, you would think more
caution would be expressed here.</div>
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5. San Francisco 49ers - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10453/ted-ginn">Ted Ginn</a>'s injury is devastating,
and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14001/colin-kaepernick">Colin Kaepernick</a> may or may not <a href="http://gamedayr.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/colin-kaepernick-miami-dolphins-hat-instagram-570x378.jpg">be a Miami Dolphin</a>, but I
expect another division title in San Fran.</div>
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6. New England Patriots - Losing Gronk for a few weeks is
bad, but losing Hernandez forever is an unforeseen dagger. Take into account the
loss of <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/5941/wes-welker">Wes Welker</a>, and you have a completely revamped receiving core in
Foxboro. Look to see Belichick reinvent the wheel once again.</div>
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7. Seattle Seahawks - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14881/russell-wilson">Russell Wilson</a> impressed me the most
of any of the rookies last season. I expect big things for him in the near
future.</div>
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8. Baltimore Ravens - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11252/joe-flacco">Joe Flacco</a> is as <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/5526/eli-manning">Eli Manning</a>-esque as
they come. That is the only way to quantify the 2013 postseason.</div>
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9. Washington Redskins - The knee is good, and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14875/robert-griffin-iii">RGIII</a> has
<a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/redskins/rg3-shanahan-me-and-mike-hashed-everything-out">hashed everything out</a> with the Shannahans. A deep playoff run is possible.</div>
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10. Indianapolis Colts - Luck proved everyone right last
year with young guys like <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14898/vick-ballard">Vick Ballard</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14924/ty-hilton">T.Y Hilton</a>. Expect the addition of
Heyward-Bey to pay dividends.</div>
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11. New York Giants - The Giants tend to be on again off
again, they were off last year, so expect a playoff birth.</div>
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12. Cincinnatti Bengals - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHXwLDbd82k">Dalton & Green</a> have the
potential to be one of the all time great tandems in football.
Whether or not that translates into playoff success remains to be seen.</div>
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13. New Orleans Saints - The return of Sean Payton will mark
another 10 win season for Brees and Company. His passing stats continue to
shatter ever record imaginable. On pace to approach all-time marks.</div>
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14. Pittsburgh Steelers - A healthy <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/4474/troy-polamalu">Troy Polamalu</a> is a
winning season in Steel City, its as simple as that.</div>
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15. Minnesota Vikings - The addition of Greg Jennings would
be great if they still had <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12569/percy-harvin">Percy Harvin</a>. This team definitely has potential to
make a run, but that's provided AP reaches his season goal.</div>
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16. Chicago Bears - The Bears' offensive stars have reached
their prime and should be ready to make a playoff push. The thing is, the same
could have been said for the past 5 years.</div>
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17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10458/darrelle-revis">Darelle Revis</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10569/dashon-goldson">Dashon Goldson</a>
as well as 2013 2nd rounder <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/15824/johnthan-banks">Jonathan Banks</a> look to improve the league's worst
passing defense.</div>
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18. Carolina Panthers - The Panther's have failed to make
significant improvements for the second consecutive year. Head Coach Ron Rivera's hot seat
is turning into an inferno.<br />
</div>
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19. Detroit Lions - Adding <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9588/reggie-bush">Reggie Bush</a> to an offense
featuring Mega Tron will be very interesting, hopefully it will add another
dimension.</div>
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20. Philadelphia Eagles - First-year head coach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_Kelly">Chip Kelly</a>
looks to shake things up with a brand-new offense. Here's to hoping Vick
survives more than <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2549/michael-vick">10-12 games</a> of it.</div>
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21. Tennessee Titans - The old saying goes: If you have two
quarterbacks, you don't have one. Good luck starting <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13969/jake-locker">Jake Locker</a> with a guy
like <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8664/ryan-fitzpatrick">Ryan Fitzpatrick</a> on the sideline.</div>
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22. Kansas City Chiefs - This team has 7 former 1st & 2nd
round picks on their starting defense, and 9 on offense, yet has failed to
accomplish much of anything. See: <a href="http://www.detroitlions.com/team/history/draft-history/draft-history-2000-2009.html">Detroit Lions 2002-2005</a> </div>
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<br /></div>
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23. St. Louis Rams -<a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9588/reggie-bush">Sam Bradford</a> has had tumultuous College
& Professional careers to date, but if he improves his statistics from last
season they have a chance to finish the season .500 or better.</div>
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24. Arizona Cardinals - A lot of hype surrounded the
Cardinals this off season with the drafting of the '<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg">Honey Badger</a>', but I
will not buy it until he figures out <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/12/report-mathieu-told-nfl-coaches-he-failed-more-than-10-drug-tests/">how many drug tests he failed</a> at LSU.</div>
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25. Dallas Cowboys - <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13215/dez-bryant">Dez Bryant </a>has improved on his previous
season total by 3 receiving touchdowns each year. Expect a big year from him,
but not much from the rest of the team.</div>
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26. San Diego Chargers - Norv Turner is finally gone. With
his curse lifted, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=nfldk2k11_32qchargers">Antonio Gates' toe</a> may finally heal.</div>
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<br /></div>
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27. Cleveland Browns - <a href="http://deadspin.com/5951681/according-to-the-cleveland-browns-brandon-weeden-is-129-years-old">129 year old</a> second year QB <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14878/brandon-weeden">BrandonWeeden</a> leads Cleveland once again... <a href="http://deadspin.com/5959470/it-sucks-to-be-brandon-weeden-vol-5-the-browns-are-already-publicly-wondering-whether-brandon-weeden-is-any-good">unfortunately</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
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28. Miami Dolphins - Poised to make some noise this season,
but then again they are the Dolphins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
29. Buffalo Bills - Hopefully Bills' Coach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Marrone">Doug Marrone</a>
keeps Spiller from <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/13/doug-marrone-not-crazy-about-saying-workload-will-make-c-j-spiller-vomit/">getting too sick</a> just yet. </div>
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<br /></div>
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30. New York Jets - Sanchez is hurt, and that actually bodes
well for their season.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
31. Jacksonville Jaguars - Hard to personify how bad the
Jaguars are. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba1IhHAqLgw">Imagine this happens to you</a>. Now think, at least he was out after 6 days. The Jaguars have been like this for years.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
32 .Oakland Raiders - Sorry Raider Fans. Maybe another move
to Los Angeles will change your fortunes. Just remember, it was only a decade ago that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve3ommpRIoU">you were in the Super Bowl</a>... oh. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b> Fantasy Players To Watch</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first week is always an explosive one, and I expect a
few flash-in-the-pan stars to shine on Sunday. Plenty of teams have good
match-ups to open the season (See: Patriots' Schedule) but there are a few
individuals that stand out as my fantasy players to watch:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13966/christian-ponder">Christian Ponder</a> - QB Minnesota Vikings</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Minnesota
Lions face the Detroit Lions on Sunday in a game that I fully expect to be a
high scoring affair. Most expect <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10452/adrian-peterson">Adrian Peterson</a> to continue getting the ball
on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd down, but the Lions will bring 8 men into the box to
prevent that from translating into success. Ponder will have to take shots down
field and abuse this defense the way that every other QB in the NFL has done.
Fantasy Prediction: 308 Passing Yards, 3 Touchdowns.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12898/isaac-redman">Isaac Redman</a> - RB Pittsburgh Steelers</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Pittsburgh
Steelers will host the Tennessee this Sunday in a game that figures to play out
in the Steelers' favor. Fantasy owners should be intrigued by the match-up,
because Steelers' rookie RB <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/15825/leveon-bell">Le'Veon Bell</a> is sitting out this week, giving
Redman the bulk of the carries. Horrible Titans run defense will be victimized.
Fantasy Prediction: 127 Total Yards, 2 Touchdowns.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13217/golden-tate">Golden Tate</a> - WR Seattle Seahawks</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Seattle
Seahawks travel to Charlotte to face the Panthers this Sunday in a game that
matches up two of the best young players in the game: Russell Wilson and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13994/cam-newton">CamNewton</a>. With 8 men in the box to contain <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10456/marshawn-lynch">Marshawn Lynch</a>, coveraged rolled
towards Sidney Rice, and Percy Harvin out with a hip injury, I look for Golden
Tate to have another breakout season and that starts with this game. Fantasy
Prediction: 154 Receiving Yards, 2 Touchdowns.</div>
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<b>Super Bowl Predictions</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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To finish it off, it is only natural that I make a Super
Bowl Pick. I tend to defy logic in all that I do, and although it may not make
perfect sense there is always a reason to pick a team to win. So for those fans
out there cheering for perennial losers, keep reminding your Super-Bowl winning
friends that your team is selecting much higher in the draft. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I expect the
representatives on both sides to be featuring young QBs: Seahawks and Colts.
With that in mind, I am going with the<b> </b><u><i>Indianapolis Colts</i></u><b> </b>as my pick to win
Super Bowl XLVIII. Get your popcorn ready football fans, I have a feeling this
year will be one for the ages.</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-81759646088397305592013-08-08T09:48:00.002-04:002013-08-08T09:51:58.504-04:00The No Fun League<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPGcE5qcLEZ2gIfIMcq8wHKE_xV-wTZ7q2xlCefCPva565CXMVEZWId-HZRRDO139wcCgy83j3HZkUZ8zKqG2FFyM3Wo-PuAl-kNLiFxp44fzNTxegVZwgI6VaauOpOEtA31_MMRn7wAt/s1600/nfl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPGcE5qcLEZ2gIfIMcq8wHKE_xV-wTZ7q2xlCefCPva565CXMVEZWId-HZRRDO139wcCgy83j3HZkUZ8zKqG2FFyM3Wo-PuAl-kNLiFxp44fzNTxegVZwgI6VaauOpOEtA31_MMRn7wAt/s1600/nfl.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The NFL is doing it once again: making changes to a perfect league. According to <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/05/officials-warn-players-spinning-the-ball-can-result-in-a-penalty/">profootballtalk.com</a>, NFL officials are traveling to training camps to warn teams that they will be cracking down on player celebrations.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
According to the official NFL Rules, this includes but is not limited to:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span 22px="" font-family:="" inherit="" line-height:=""><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs4UXJvjGp0">Sack Dances</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJONpgS92BA">Home-Run Swing</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZvDa1YznYY">Incredible Hulk</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyUzDagRQXE">Spiking the Ball </a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://i.minus.com/i4SplJqNRKhfJ.gif">Spinning the Ball</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ShTmbLzYAE">Throwing or Shoving the Ball</a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBjSIj6xjo4"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">Pointing or </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">Pointing the Ball </span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1xw09AcvzI">Verbal Taunting</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_6woRCyrlI">Military Salute</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.sexandgender.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/CheyenneG_photoessay_football1.jpeg">Standing Over an Opponent</a> (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBT6MygnKKw">Prolonged and with Provocation</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j1jkYAmIs4">Dancing</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKhULf-1r8A">Throat Slash</a>...<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ295luzhtQ">Not This</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dmqGg6Ccvw">Sexually-Suggestive Gestures</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH1k8iJ_DbQ">Prolonged Gyrations</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn83uDUle3o">Stomping on a Team Logo</a></span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;">Even more interesting, is that this comes from Rule 12, Section 3 of the <a href="http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/2012%20-%20Rule%20Book.pdf">2012 Official Playing Rules</a>, but they are just now beginning to enforce the penalties. I for one, think this system of assessing 15 yard penalties is fundamentally flawed. There are levels to the amount of taunting and disrespect players dish out, and I believe there are ways the rules can be appropriately adjusted to suit this. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;">Similar to the way that minor face mask infractions used to be 5 yard penalties, I believe the same should go for celebrations. Some are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0pSN7GlXiY">much more egregious than others</a>, and that is obvious. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLkOYKwen5Y">DeSean Jackson falling into the endzone</a> should not be a penalty, even if the officials want to crack down on players. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;">In my opinion, 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalties should be only assessed for grossly excessive celebrations that either disrespect the other team, or use props that are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zrcAGkuk_o">not involved with the game of football</a>. Other cases listed in the NFL Rule book, however it is that we may feel about them, should warrant 5 yard delay of game penalties. The Terrell Owens and Randy Moss Celebrations of the early to mid 2000s were not average celebrations, and should be treated as such. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;">I'll leave you with this. First, the Best Touchdown Celebrations of All-Time. But also, this nugget. <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00.htm">Barry Sanders</a> scored over <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayl8K79MseI">100 career touchdowns</a>. Each one of them ended by handing the ball to the referee. Also, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VQcL-YvhLE">Referee Interference</a>? We need a rule against this too.</span></div>
</div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-84788508604790370352013-07-24T17:51:00.000-04:002013-07-24T17:54:16.062-04:00The Future of Baseball<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEita8kxu_axXYhYnFcHLw5QygTFY_tB1DZIndYAcLpmJr8XUbtEV1yeI53bjW544ySpOhAhyphenhyphen4H-xP5u5xmGBm5rY5dEh-i54FHroYemOqmeccZtNJoPtMXv7f1D8-xINs7gs3m3HV2vMsvC/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEita8kxu_axXYhYnFcHLw5QygTFY_tB1DZIndYAcLpmJr8XUbtEV1yeI53bjW544ySpOhAhyphenhyphen4H-xP5u5xmGBm5rY5dEh-i54FHroYemOqmeccZtNJoPtMXv7f1D8-xINs7gs3m3HV2vMsvC/s400/photo+(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Amid recent allegations of performance enhancing drug use by some of the leagues' best players, it feels necessary to lighten the mood with some talk of the leagues bright young stars. Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Manny Machado, and Yasiel Puig have all taken the league by storm over the past two years, but who is the best of them all? Generally, baseball players are judged on 5 basic fundamentals, or tools. According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_baseball_(0%E2%80%939)#5-tool_player">various sources</a>, the 5 tools of baseball are: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vbpOqD612E">hitting for power</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hFM2v1mdq4">hitting for average</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0uYnMbkhec">base running</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdzM02BgL-k">throwing</a>, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98UpQ6sbuag">fielding</a>. <br />
<br />
By the Numbers:<br />
<br />
LF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harpebr03.shtml">Bryce Harper</a> 6-2 230<br />
Batting: .268/.349/.485 <br />
Baserunning: 24/10/.705 <br />
Fielding: 440/11/.975 13 outfield assists.<br />
<br />
CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/troutmi01.shtml">Mike Trout</a> 6-2 230<br />
Batting: .313/.387/.543 <br />
Baserunning: 75/9/.893 <br />
Fielding: 668/8/.988 3 outfield assists.<br />
<br />
3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/machama01.shtml">Manny Machado</a> 6-2 180<br />
Batting: .292/.321/.458 <br />
Baserunning: 8/5/.615 <br />
Fielding: 476/11/.977 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtaU2aDXuhI">1 amazing throw</a>.<br />
<br />
RF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/puigya01.shtml">Yasiel Puig</a> 6-3 245<br />
Batting: .369/.409/.571 <br />
Baserunning: 6/3/.667 <br />
Fielding: 86/3/.965 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZiAl8zlq1k">4 outfield assists</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hitting for Power</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/slugging_perc_career.shtml">Slugging percentage</a> (Total Bases/At Bats) is the best measurement of power hitting. The league average is .400, but each of these players is hitting above that number. Harper, while known for having outstanding power, comes in behind Yasiel Puig and Mike Trout in his stat, with Machado bringing up the rear.<br />
<br />
However, we have to take into account that Puig has been in the majors for less than 2 months, and Harper is only 20 years old. At this point, Machado does not have the power to hit home runs on a consistent basis, which limits his power. Harper has the weakest line-up around him, so pitchers do not have to give him anything to hit. Mike Trout has Trumbo, Hamilton, and Pujols behind him, which means he gets good looks in every plate appearance. The same goes for Puig, playing with Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez, and Adrian Gonzalez.<br />
<br />
The best power hitter out of this bunch has to be Bryce Harper. At his best, Harper commands the plate better than any of these other players. His plate vision is far superior to Puig, and his power is better than the others.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hitting for Average</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/batting_avg_career.shtml?redir">Batting Average</a> (At Bats/Hits) is the most commonly used statistic in baseball, and quite honestly the most important for all non-pitchers. Mike Trout and Manny Machado seem to be the better players at hitting for average at this point. Yasiel Puig has come back to Earth since his initial burst onto the scene, and is hitting .269 in July as opposed to the earth-shattering .436 that he hit in June.<br />
<br />
Between Trout and Machado, Trout has to be the choice. In each of the past two seasons, Trout has been 2nd in the American League in batting average, only bested by the Triple Crown winner, Miguel Cabrera.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Base Running</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SB_career.shtml">Stolen Bases</a>/Caught Stealing/Stolen Base Percentage are an underrated aspect of the game, but the main components of base running. often At first glance, all of these players look like outstanding athletes, and possess a considerable amount of speed. Puig is built like a horse and draws comparisons to Bo Jackson, Machado is tall and slim with an athletic build a la a young A-Rod, minus the power. Bryce Harper goes 110 percent every play, and dives into bags headfirst like the great 'Charlie Hustle', Pete Rose. Mike Trout, the shortest and stockiest of the bunch, has become known as somewhat of a speed demon, and is being compared to the Mick.<br />
<br />
However, base-running is not all about speed, it is also about picking and choosing your spots, and running efficiently. Puig and Harper both have reputations as aggressive base-runners, sometimes to a fault, but Mike Trout is far and away the top guy in this category. With 49 stolen bases last year, Trout was the major league leader.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Throwing</div>
<br />
Assists are the true measurement of an outfielder's ability to throw out advancing runners. Bryce Harper's arm has been heralded since high school, <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=20348">allegedly throwing a 96 mph fastball</a>. Puig's rise has included <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEglTsPNAV4">a number of powerful throws</a> as well, although he has to learn to use the cutoff sometimes. Machado's throw from foul territory is a perfect representation of his ability to unleash the ball, but he does not get enough chances to show off his arm.<br />
<br />
For Trout, throwing is one part of his game that critics mock. Although he is a respectable outfielder, base runners do not fear him the way that they do Harper and Puig. Because of the raw ability that goes along with an outfielder throwing fastballs in the mid 90s, this category has to go to Bryce Harper.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fielding</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2013-specialpos_of-fielding.shtml"> Fielding</a> is the lost art of Baseball. Routine plays are never noticed, only the spectacular grabs and the errors. Yesterday during the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network broadcast of the Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game, color commentator F.P Santangelo said it perfectly, "Most major league players can make the spectacular plays, its those that make those plays look easy that are the truly great ones." Harper and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHgOxJjhAUo">this right field wall</a> definitely have some hashing out to do on this topic.<br />
<br />
For Puig, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54GgFsxv9-U">its a different story</a>. Trout has had his share of highlight catches as well, most notably <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glYi34HnHmc">some home-run robbing leaps</a>. Machado's highlight reel extends beyond just the one throw, as he also has this <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/13/manny-machado-fakes-out-rich-thompson-orioles_n_1879645.html">outstanding display of wit</a>. I have to give the edge here to Mike Trout. He has played the most games out of all these players, and has the highest fielding percentage as well.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Overall</div>
<br />
This is a tough call, because each of these players brings something different to the game. Bryce Harper is a lefty with tremendous power and a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G0loI0Jn5M">laser rocket arm</a> that balances himself with the plate discipline of a veteran. Yasiel Puig a big righty that takes a hack at every pitch he sees and pushes the limit in every aspect of the game.<br />
<br />
Manny Machado is a double machine that is making a name for himself as a shortstop playing third base. Mike Trout is a bonafied superstar that proved over the past two seasons that he can do it all. Each of these young phenoms is a 5-tool player with the potential to be a Hall-of-Famer when their career is all said and done.<br />
<br />
The Decision: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVb2t48SXEU">Mike Trout</a>. He has flat out been better than the other players to this point, in fact, his numbers are arguably better than anybody in the Major Leagues besides Miguel Cabrera and Chris Davis. I expect him to be a League MVP within the next few years, I can't necessarily say the same about these other players.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-24380818818308173302013-07-15T20:59:00.000-04:002013-07-23T10:16:31.999-04:00Ranking the NFL Starters: Quarterbacks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> In the National Football League, the Quarterback is widely considered the most important position on the field, and thought to be the natural leader of any team. So, as I start my series on ranking the best players in the league, we start out with the most important player. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">No team has the ability to be successful in the end without a franchise player behind the center. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Throughout history, the elite dynasties of history have all had Hall of Famers playing at the Quarterback position: '60s Packers (Bart Starr), '70s Steelers (Terry Bradshaw), '70s Dolphins (Bob Griese), '80s 49ers (Joe Montana), '90s Cowboys (Troy Aikman), '90s Broncos (John Elway), '00s Patriots (Tom Brady). Each of these teams had at least 3 Super Bowl Appearances and at least 2 Super Bowl wins, and their successes are largely due to the prowess of their field generals. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Right now, the NFL is in a golden age of passing. 10 years ago, 4,000 passing yards in a season was an outstanding feat, but nowadays, 5,000 yards has replaced it as the new benchmark as 3 players have done it in the past 2 years. Rookies are carrying their teams to the playoffs, and mediocre players are rising to the competition in the postseason. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Taking all that into account, these are your quarterback rankings for the 2013-14 NFL season. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 32. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24797">Blaine Gabbert </a>- Jacksonville Jaguars </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">In 2 years as an NFL Starter, he has scored only 21 touchdowns and has a passer rating of 70.1. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 31. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/25681">Terrelle Pryor</a> - Oakland Raiders </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The highlight of Pryor's NFL Career to this point is entering the supplemental draft after agreeing to stay in college for his senior season. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 30. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9269">Mark Sanchez</a> - New York Jets</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 2 words: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj1-8_tBe3c">Butt Fumble</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 29. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24799">Christian Ponder</a> - Minnesota Vikings</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> A fine starter, but his success last year was largely due to the amazing comeback season of Adrian Peterson. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 28. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/25732">Brandon Weeden</a> - Cleveland Browns</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Recieved strong consideration for worst in the league. Turns 30 in October, don't expect him to get any better. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 2</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">7. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24795">Jake Locker</a> - Tennessee Titans </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Doesn't seem to be a great passer, but he has above average athleticism. Below average overall, but serviceable as a game manager. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 26. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/25718">Ryan Tannehill</a> - Miami Dolphins</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Not a great player, but he gets points for versatility with two years as a college wide receiver and <a href="http://gossipextra.com/2013/01/25/lauren-tannehill-super-bowl-2221/">his wife on HBO's HardKnocks</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 25. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8290">Kevin Kolb</a> - Buffalo Bills</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> I don't understand this move at all. Would have been better off with Fitzpatrick, but I expect EJ Manuel to take away his time as the season goes on. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 24. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5448">Michael Vick</a> - </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Philadelphia Eagles </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Arguably the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7uJ5-3dyg0">greatest running quarterback</a> of all time. Arguably the <a href="http://www.kffl.com/player/96/nfl/injury_history/michael-vick">least durable</a> quarterback of all time. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 23. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6337">Carson Palmer</a> - Arizona Cardinals </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Hasn't been the same since he met <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsQLw3suvdU">Kimo Von Oelhoffen</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 22. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/23976">Sam Bradford</a> - St. Louis Rams </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Surgically-repaired shoulder. Lost Stephen Jackson. Despite this, they're projected to have a big season. I don't believe in the hype. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 21. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7177">Alex Smith</a> - Kansas City Chiefs</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Bad in San Francisco for years before his breakout season. Expect him to return to form, mediocre.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 20. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9281/career">Josh Freeman</a> - Tampa Bay Buccaneers </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Very up and down in his first 4 years. 27-17 TD:Int ratio is respectable, needs to be more consistent. Team has put great players around him on <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/tam/depthchart?nfl-pos=offense">offense and defense</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 19. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6624">Tony Romo</a> - Dallas Cowboys </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Epic failure in clutch situations, including one of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVuQ5aw0HAQ">worst botches of all time</a>. Otherwise, he is a pro-bowler.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 18. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6763">Phillip Rivers</a> - San Diego Chargers</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Suffered from the <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/21/jerry-rice-norv-turner-is-a-coach-that-cant-get-you-over-the-hump/">curse of Norv Turner</a>, expect him to improve this year.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 17. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9265">Matthew Stafford</a> - Detroit Lions </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Benefits from having one of the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8256/career">most dominant receivers</a> in NFL History. Expect him to bounce back from last year. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 16. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7760">Jay Cutler</a> - Chicago Bears </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Much better with his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=folrh2fOsZs">bff Brandon Marshall</a> (Start the video at 2:45) on the team. If he can stay healthy, he can lead them to the playoffs. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 15. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24788">Cam Newton</a> - Carolina Panthers </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">With <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VaFX_X26mA">great potential</a>, comes great responsibility. More potential than any other player in the NFL. Has to show it more often. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 14. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24822">Andy Dalton</a> - Cincinnatti Bengals </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Underrated. Been to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, I expect more of the same. Not on that elite level yet. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 13. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6849">Matt Schaub</a> - Houston Texans </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The real challenge comes this year. 2 straight divison titles for the Texans, but in order for him to hold off Luck and the Colts again this year he will have to step his game up. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 12. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/25785">Russell Wilson</a> - Seattle Seahawks </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Of the outstanding quarterbacks that burst onto the season, Wilson had the 2nd best supporting cast. Proving himself again will put him in the top 10. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_tAI-y1uKU">Outstanding Playmaker</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 11. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24823">Colin Kaepernick</a> - San Francisco 49ers </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Fluky player in my opinion. Gets rave reviews and led his team to the Superbowl but has most bust potential of young stars of last year. Fans should <a href="http://instagram.com/p/bZ2x-RtBBT/">hope he doesn't leave for the Dolphins</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 10. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/25712">Robert Griffin III</a> - Washington Redskins </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Could be the best player in the NFL a couple years from now. Knee injury is a cause for concern. If he's healthy, he's unstoppable. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drb26Bt7ARQ">Bonafide Superstar</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 9. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/25711">Andrew Luck</a> - Indianapolis Colts </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Improved the Colts' win total by 9 games in his first season with the team, which was done mostly without his head coach. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR9V4IMKgw8">Makes plays</a> when his team needs him. Field General. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 8. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6770">Ben Roethlisberger</a> - </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Pittsburgh Steelers </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Doesn't get the yards & touchdowns of some of the other guys, but his career 92 passer rating and 97 passer rating last year legitimizes him in the ranks of the best. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 7. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8780">Matt Ryan</a> - Atlanta Falcons </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Been great for a long time, but only recently garnered playoff success. Expect him to be in the NFC Championship for years to come. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 6. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8795">Joe Flacco</a> - Baltimore Ravens </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Wacko Flacco has always done more in the postseason than we have suspected of them. This year, I'm expecting big things from this guy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 5. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6760">Eli Manning</a> - New York Giants </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Can't spell <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWpELRAt8-I">elite without Eli</a>. Bounce back year for the Giants, the receivers will be healthy and ready for a late playoff run.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 4. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5479">Drew Brees</a> - New Orleans Saints </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Struggled last year without Sean Payton, but still does things that no other quarterback has ever done. Could break the all-time record for passing yards and touchdowns by the time he hangs up his cleats. Hall of Famer. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 3. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4256">Peyton Manning</a> - Denver Broncos </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">One of the most consistent players of all-time. Criticized for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBlvjtfpPAg">lack of playoff success</a>, on <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/denver-broncos/0ap2000000125599/Peyton-Manning-pulls-a-Favre">multiple occasions</a>, but I expect him to return as strong as ever this year. Once in a generation player.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 2. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7200">Aaron Rodgers</a> - Green Bay Packers </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">39:8 TD to Interception ratio was the best in the NFL last season. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMjqi8XPyls">Discount double check</a> swept over the country the past few years. Has dominated the league for 5 years. Heir Apparent to Brady's crown as the best in the league.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> 1. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5228">Tom Brady</a> - New England Patriots </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">34:8 TD to Interception ratio was just behind Rodgers, but his 4,827 passing yards out threw Rodgers by over 500 yards, evident that he is throwing more than ever to keep his team in the fray. 5 Super Bowl Appearances, 3 Super Bowl Titles. Led his team to the AFC Championship once again last season, but has a long road ahead of him with the injuries to Gronkowski and the murder charges for Aaron Hernandez. The <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVphiMBbGaM">defining moment of his career</a> came in the clutch against the Rams in 2001. One of the Top 5 Greatest Quarterbacks of All-Time.</span><br />
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Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-66632170546252025132013-06-29T19:27:00.000-04:002013-06-29T19:27:09.044-04:00Professional Sports: A Melting Pot of Future Convicts?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Long before Aaron Hernandez was investigated for his alleged <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/06/27/aaron-hernandez-investigation-double-murder-boston/2464265/">involvement with a double murder </a>in July of 2012, long before he was <a href="http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk/aaron-hernandez-charged-first-degree-murder">charged with 1st degree murder</a> and 5 other gun-related charges, and long before he was accused of <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/06/28/aaron-hernandez-florida-shooting-alexander-bradley/2472709/">shooting a man in the face</a> in February, professional athletes were committing crimes at a rate higher than many other social groups. Which is odd, considering that many of them are some of the <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/monteburke/2012/12/07/average-player-salaries-in-the-four-major-american-sports-leagues/">most financially stable</a> people on the planet. I believe that, in the simplest of terms, most people commit crimes so that they can have the things that they want. Robberies, Drug Dealings, Petty Thefts: these are all crimes that most people commit because they lack the means to have what they want, or to provide for their families. Other crimes are not planned, but are mishaps that occur frequently: Aggravated Assault, DUI, Domestic Violence. These crimes, although inexcusable, tend to have some sort of reasoning behind them for the most part. However, for those privileged individuals that are afforded the opportunity to play a professional sport, whether it be Football, Basketball, Baseball, or anything else, there is no reason that these crimes and worse should be <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/another-nfl-player-arrested-league-nightmare-week-continues-165603104.html">occurring at such an alarming rate</a>.<br />
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The American people place athletes on a pedestal. In High School, when they have nothing, teachers will give them the grades they need to pass. Coaches will let them dictate the team. In some cases, students will help them <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/28/derrick-rose-sat-scandal_n_208809.html">forge test scores</a>. When they get to college, they are treated like royalty. Female students are desperate for their affection, and male students admire their in-game play. They are allowed to act as if they are a step above everyone else on life's totem pole. For instance, athletes at Stanford University <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/09/stanford-athletes-had-acc_n_833655.html">are given a list of easy courses to take</a>, such as Social Dances of North America III, that are used as GPA boosters. By the time they make it to the professional ranks, there is no controlling their ego. Cam Newton, for example, told Peter King at the NFL Scouting Combine that <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/22/cam-newton-sees-himself-as-football-player-entertainer-icon/">he sees himself an entertainer and icon</a>, without mention of being a Super Bowl champion or Hall of Fame Player.<br />
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The idea that professional athletes role models leads us to believe that they are productive members of society, and it gives them the notion that they are invincible. Exhibit A: Gilbert Arenas. While under investigation for bringing guns into the Wizards' locker room following an altercation with teammate Javaris Crittenton (who by the way, is now <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/news/crime-law/ex-tech-star-crittenton-returns-to-jail-on-murder-/nXCxb/">awaiting a murder trial</a>) Arenas pulled this on court display that got himself suspended for 50 games. To me, this is the perfect example of an Athlete's untouchable persona. He believed that even though he had just brought lethal weapons into an NBA Locker Room, it was okay for him to shoot down his teammates at a regular-season game with all the cameras on him. Arenas was in the news again this week, unfortunately, as he was arrested in California for having <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/27/gilbert-arenas-arrested-illegal-fireworks_n_3510857.html">100 pounds of illegal fireworks</a>. The sad part is that this is not the only case of an athlete's blatant disregard for the law, although many of them are fortunate enough to avoid real punishment. Ben Roethlisberger, for instance, has been accused of rape on two separate occasions in two different states, but <a href="http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/steelers/story/2012-01-20/ben-roethlisberger-settles-lawsuit/52702798/1">out of court settlements</a> have kept him out of harm's way. Or Donte Stallworth, who was convicted of <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7867036&page=1">DUI Manslaughter</a>, but only served 24 days in a county jail.<br />
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In addition to criminal allegations, we are going through an era where cheating is growing rampant, and athletes are steadily finding new ways to get ahead. Bruce Irvin and Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks were <a href="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Report-Bruce-Irvin-suspended-for-Adderall-use.html">accused of using the drug adderall</a> to enhance in-game performance. Of the <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/HR_career.shtml">great home run hitters of baseball history</a>, many of them are steroid users: Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez, and Jose Canseco, to name a few. A quote from the greatest cyclist of all time, Lance Armstrong: "<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/reality-check/2013/jun/28/impossible-to-win-tour-de-france-without-doping-armstrong">It is impossible to win the Tour De France without doping.</a>" Its unfortunate that athletes think like this, but it is becoming the norm.<br />
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Hall Of Fame Running Back and Heisman Trophy Winner OJ Simpson was involved in perhaps the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcyyCi2b2AY">most famous car chase</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=infLrZjJpNc">murder trial</a> of all time. He was found not guilty for the double murder of his ex-wife and her boyfriend, but is currently serving a prison sentence for essentially <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/38577">stealing back his own stuff</a> from another person's house. Although he was fortunate enough to stay out of jail after the first time he was charged with a felony, he proceeded to commit another a decade later. In the case of Aaron Hernandez, people are not as optimistic about his future. The evidence is overwhelming and he is in serious danger. He is not being granted bail, he has been released by the Patriots, and not to mention, he has a wife and kid at home.<br />
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So, before you proclaim a famous athlete as your idol or role model, it is necessary to ask yourself a few questions:<br />
1. Does this athlete's life outside of sports reflect that of a responsible person?<br />
2. Are they going beyond ethical boundaries to compete at the highest level?<br />
3. Is this athlete leading a double life as a violent criminal?</div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-10947506867864498702013-06-18T16:04:00.000-04:002013-06-18T16:18:31.021-04:00NBA Finals Preview: Game 6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Game 6 is tonight. The San Antonio Spurs travel to American Airlines Arena to face the Miami Heat tonight at 9:00 EDT on ABC.<br />
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Will this be the end of the big three? Will this validate the questions that critics have had about LeBron James since the 2007 Finals? Is this the game that will finally take LeBron James off his pedestal?<br />
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In short, no. The Miami Heat will win Game 6 of these NBA Finals for a number of reasons that do not have anything to do with the game, and a number of reasons that do.<br />
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First, the reasons that people have been throwing out for the past couple days that have nothing to do with the game:<br />
-The Spurs have to come back down to Earth sometime.<br />
-The series has gone back and forth each game.<br />
-The Miami Heat haven't lost back to back games since January.<br />
-The Miami Heat are the best team in the NBA.<br />
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None of those reasons will factor into tonight, because the playoffs are a game by game monster, and besides game 1, each game has been a must-win for the team that has won the game. All that matters tonight are the players and the coaches. When the Spurs lose this game, it will have nothing to do with the idea that what goes up must come down, because their shooters could very well hold up tonight and come down all next season. The up-and-down nature of the series' is purely a matter of who need's the game more, and tonight the Spurs need this game just as bad as the Heat, as many people do not believe they can win it in a Game 7 situation.The Heat's propensity to win games after a loss is countered by the fact that the Spurs are 14-2 in the last 10 years when given the opportunity to close out series' on the road. Calling the Heat the best team in the league is arguable at best, especially given Dwyane Wade's knee injury and Chris Bosh's soft play, and LeBron's recent fatigue issues.<br />
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The 6 biggest match-ups in tonight's game 6:<br />
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Gregg Popovich vs. Erik Spoelstra:<br />
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Popovich is obviously the better and more experienced coach in this match-up, and he has 4 titles to his credit. However, Spoelstra has been in the title 3 years in a row, and he is no pushover. He called out his players on being exposed by one-on-one matchups with Parker and Ginobili in Game 5, and hopes to engineer a different outcome.<br />
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LeBron James vs. LeBron James<br />
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I firmly believe that there has never been another athlete with as much potential and ability as LeBron. Nodody can convince me otherwise. However, if he can't help counter the Spur's scoring runs, his 25 point games will be meaningless. It is most important for him to take over the game when the Spurs are hot, because he cannot be stopped by anyone but himself. The Spurs went on at least two double digit runs last game. The Heat rebounded from the first, but were unable to recover after a 75-74 deficit became a 87-75 Spurs lead in the 4th quarter.<br />
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Tony Parker vs. Heat Defenders<br />
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This is the key. The Spurs run through Tony Parker. When the Heat outscored the Spurs by 18 points in the second half of game 4, Parker had 0 points and 3 assists. Preventing him from getting to the basket and distributing the basketball is preventing the Spurs from winning the game.<br />
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Heat Shooters vs. Spurs New Big Three<br />
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Danny Green, Gary Neal, and Kawhi Leonard make up what I would like to refer to as the new big three. All three of these guys have the ability to score 20 or more points in a game, and if any of them do that tonight, the Heat are in trouble. On the Contrary, the role players on the Heat have the ability to score some big time points as well. Ray Allen is arguably the greatest shooter in NBA History, Mike Miller had <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4CSxnQHIAk">7 three's in the closeout game last year</a>, and of course "The Chalmers Game" where D-Wade had <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4CSxnQHIAk">these praises for his point guard afterwards</a>.<br />
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Pain vs. Gain<br />
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No pain, no gain is what I have always learned. Dwyane Wade looks like he is in extreme pain every time he over exerts himself on a play, constantly grimacing, or coming off the court to get massaged, or even going back into the locker room every once in a while. For the past two games, he has been able to overcome the pain and produce the way he has for the past 10 years. However, its hard to believe that he will be able to keep this up with little rest.<br />
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Tim Duncan vs. Chris Bosh<br />
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The bigs have not been at the forefront of this series, but they very well could play a huge part in tonight's game. Chris Bosh has had a double double in each of the Heat's wins, while only having 1 in the 3 losses. The same goes for Duncan: he has played much better in their wins. Chris Andersen has not played in the last two games, which may have to change tonight because the Heat are consistently having match-up issues inside and out. I expect Bosh to see some time at power forward tonight, where he likes to step out and shoot three pointers. If he does, do not be surprised if the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2XOzmrP7Y4">Veboshiraptor reappears</a>, as it took him 65 million years to win his first NBA title and he is ready for another one.<br />
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P.S. Always expect a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uMMP_V3ink">Hard Day's Night against the Heatles</a>.<br />
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Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-69893329240850774392013-06-03T16:18:00.000-04:002013-06-03T16:18:40.430-04:00LeBron's Legacy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjgQGBp0FsSyshKCmsHbo0oQf1IymyEvX3Pn7KVp0a5zzbSAv8xlsbhWp7F0vFivHKhCrJwLzgePclQBHtn0fA7Lsp2l2grE-HOap6JGAv5KTwT2eCWuX0Hz7ikJCUCrdcz-A2yRE-tOS/s1600/MVP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjgQGBp0FsSyshKCmsHbo0oQf1IymyEvX3Pn7KVp0a5zzbSAv8xlsbhWp7F0vFivHKhCrJwLzgePclQBHtn0fA7Lsp2l2grE-HOap6JGAv5KTwT2eCWuX0Hz7ikJCUCrdcz-A2yRE-tOS/s400/MVP.jpg" width="382" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>LeBron's 4 MVP Awards</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> The best player in the NBA has been dominating the league since he was 18 years old. For 10 years, he has been the most dynamic player in the league averaging 27.6 points per game, along with 7.3 rebounds and 6.9 assists. Since entering the professional ranks, he has accomplished things that only him and Michael Jordan have been able to do over the course of their basketball careers. <span style="line-height: 115%;">4 Time MVP, Reigning NBA Champion, Reigning
Finals MVP, 2 Time Reigning Olympic Gold Medalist, 9-Time All NBA Selection,
NBA Scoring Champion, Father, Philanthropist, 6-8 250 lb, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NjStEmOpLw">LeBron James</a>.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Michael Jordan's Rings (Count Them Up)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><b> Despite all of this success, LeBron James continues to come under fire for one reason: Winning. As a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29SDllawaw8">child prodigy</a>, James has been compared to Michael Jordan ever since he entered the NBA. To the old-timers, and to a certain degree the new generation, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=cEVCjUG1Mww&NR=1">Michael Jordan is an untouchable figure</a>. No matter what anyone does, there will still be those that believe he is far and away the greatest to ever touch the court. It is hard to argue with 6 rings and 5 MVP awards, but he has become somewhat of a Chuck Norris-Like figure in the eyes of his fan base. LeBron James is an outstanding player that is in a class of his own at this stage of his career, but he is playing in a different era than Jordan, and comparisons truly do not work well across those types of barriers. Bill Russell is the king of the 60s. Kareem in the 70s. Magic and Bird in the 80s. Jordan in the 90s. Kobe, Shaq, and Duncan shared the 2000s. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0JB9pTNbOM">This decade belongs to LeBron</a>. It is his own, and should not be compared to any other player. As we all know, he has <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tag9UmmFfY8">no regard for human life</a>.</b></span><br />
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<b>LeBron vs Paul George</b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Tonight, the Miami Heat will face the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Some would say this is critical juncture in the career of LeBron James, because a loss would forever taint his legacy. Soon after joining the Miami Heat, a </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT-I8jQDQ7c" style="line-height: 115%;">now-infamous pep rally</a><span style="line-height: 115%;"> where LeBron James claims that he will win multiple championships, "Not 1, Not 2..." All the way through 7 championships is being cited by many sources. Now, it is being speculated that if the Heat lose tonight, there will be no big three next season, and LeBron will end up leaving the Heat with 1 title in 4 years. ESPN's DJ Steve Porter made this famous auto-tune mash-up to sum up his </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_LUnTQHV4c" style="line-height: 115%;">first season with the Heat</a><span style="line-height: 115%;">. Last year, the critics were silenced, and nobody had anything bad to say about LeBron or the Heat. This season, during the regular season, the Heat won 66 games and went on a 41-1 tear that shocked the world. However, a couple injuries here, a couple bad plays there, and here they are, the same situation as last season: Game 7 at home in the Conference Finals. However, this time, they don't have the momentum. </span></b></span><br />
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<b>LeBron's latest SI Cover</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Prediction</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><b>A lot is being made of the fact that <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/1987/dwyane-wade">Dwyane Wade</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/1977/chris-bosh">Chris Bosh</a>, perennial all-stars and superstar talents, are averaging just over 25 ppg combined during his series vs the Pacers. With the Birdman back to challenge Roy Hibbert in the middle, Wade and Bosh will provide a boost, 35 points combined between the 2 of them. LeBron will do his thing as usual, something around 30 points. The X-Factor will be the role players: Chalmers, Allen, Cole, Haslem, and Battier/Miller. At least 2 of these players will have to score in double figures, because as we have seen, when Haslem is making his jump shot, or Allen is hot from 3-point range, or Cole and Chalmers are driving to the basket, this team is virtually unbeatable. Miami Heat win this win in a close game, despite heroic efforts from Paul George and Roy Hibbert, 100-93.</b></span><br />
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<b>So the question stands. When it is all said and done, what will be <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=h0KWLYtrIVY">LeBron's Legacy</a>?</b></div>
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Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-16958806351320563932013-04-18T16:33:00.000-04:002013-04-18T16:33:28.898-04:00The End of a Legend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Bryant surrounded by teammates (Left to Right) Blake, Nash, World Peace, Howard</b></div>
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There are some basketball players that will be talked about long after their careers are said and done. For instance, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan are still household names years after their retirement. This sort of recognition is only reserved for the greatest of the greats: those that were arguably the best of their generation. Their are plenty of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_players_in_the_Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame">Basketball Hall-of-Famers</a> that people my age (18) have never even heard of. Only the chosen few are able to transcend time and and reach the Mount Rushmore of basketball. These players have a reservoir of grit, determination, and skill that the average NBA player could never dream of having. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet: Kobe Bean Bryant.<br />
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As the son of a professional basketball player, Kobe spent much of his childhood moving around Europe as his father found new teams to play on. Through this, Kobe learned a couple things: each of the romance languages, and the fact that he never wanted to have to move his family around in that sort of way. He would hold on to both of those lessons throughout his life, and each would prove valuable in its own unique way.<br />
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The Charlotte Hornets selected Kobe Bryant with the 13th pick of the 1996 NBA Draft, however, a deal was in place to trade him to the Lakers before the draft ever ended. In retrospect, that was not exactly the right decision. In 17 years with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant has won 5 NBA Championships and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeXZY4eVLlo">scored more points</a> than Wilt Chamberlain. He has been to 15 NBA All-Star Games and won a league MVP. He has won 2 gold medals and been selected to 10 All-NBA 1st teams, all while playing for 1 team. He has been through 10 head choaches, been to 7 NBA Finals, and is the franchise all-time leader in points scored. Not only did Kobe do everything he could for the NBA, he gave his life to the Lakers.<br />
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Kobe gave his soul to his team ever since he entered the facility, but last week they took his body. A ruptured Achilles tendon is scheduled to sideline him between 6 and 9 months. At this age, a comeback from this injury can only diminish his legacy in the eyes of those that do not remember him leading the Lakers on their path to greatness. So I say farewell to the "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmre5kI49rI">Black Mamba</a>", Killer of so many NBA teams over the past 17 years.<br />
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All that, and I didn't even include his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dcv9qzWrps">two greatest accomplishments</a>.</div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-440199356627072032013-04-13T15:41:00.000-04:002013-04-13T15:41:34.868-04:00The Master of his Domain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvp5__fp9QZVhTiixuCPmVYGIGOFnfzWIhsuT9C2NRXIDW7YM5xHiUKHLwgHgJmvKzH7SRLfg87YlBuGnPQwhhSAuyq26KG5yDTugVdNKW-u4lqsChgT_ZA7a_Nu3meeTWQVRDBUyY74f/s1600/tiger-woods-masters_240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvp5__fp9QZVhTiixuCPmVYGIGOFnfzWIhsuT9C2NRXIDW7YM5xHiUKHLwgHgJmvKzH7SRLfg87YlBuGnPQwhhSAuyq26KG5yDTugVdNKW-u4lqsChgT_ZA7a_Nu3meeTWQVRDBUyY74f/s320/tiger-woods-masters_240.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Tiger Woods wearing a Master's Champion Green Jacket</b></div>
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Tiger Woods will try once again this weekend to win his 5th Master's Tournament and 15th Major Championship overall. He is the hottest player on the Tour, and after winning 3 Professional Golf Association events so early in the season, he is the odds on favorite to win again. The problem is, in recent years Tiger woods has folded in pressure situations, something he was never known to do before the situation in '09. So, in essence, the question is: which Tiger should we expect to see this weekend?<br />
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Sports pundits like John Feinstein have drilled into our brains that Tiger Woods will never be the golfer that he was in the early and mid 2000s. However, what is that supposed to mean exactly? Tiger is still his same old self: He has regained his rightful throne as the number one golfer in the world, he is winning golf tournaments left and right, and he is even involved in another<a href="http://www.gossipcop.com/lindsey-vonn-tiger-woods-cheating-elin-nordegren-ex-wife-affair-cheat/"> alleged sex scandal</a>. The only thing that has changed is that he has not won a major since the <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/usopen08/news/story?id=3446435">2008 US Open </a>where he played through a double stress fracture in his left leg and a torn ACL, to defeat Rocco Mediate in an 18 hole playoff. Despite that, most still agree that it is only a matter of time before he wins another major.<br />
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So, what is the real difference in Tiger? Confidence. Pride. Swagger. However it is you want to word it, he is lacking the "Wow" factor that he has displayed in so many tough situations. The past few years, Tiger has played very conservative, which did not compliment his consistently poor putting. Augusta is a long course, the only way for him to come out with a win this weekend is to take out his best clubs and swing for the green. Laying Up does nobody a favor but his competition, a lesson the novice golfer, such as myself, learns by playing Wii Sports. <br />
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Words of advice: Come strong, or stay at home. </div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-72350042323384648682013-01-01T10:21:00.004-05:002013-05-02T22:14:02.090-04:00Hitler, Mussolini, Castro...Goodell? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: white;"> <b>The Faces of Totalitarianism</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"> American Football has always been a sport defined by a balance between finesse and physicality. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is ruining the physical nature of the game by imposing his will on the league. His tyrannic control of the league is like that of a dictator, and is changing the league for the worse instead of the better. Throughout the past few seasons, referees have been wrongfully giving out unnecessary roughness penalties based on Goodell's new rules. Some of those recently affected by these rules are <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8785327/ed-reed-baltimore-ravens-fined-55000-hit-victor-cruz-new-york-giants">Ed Reed</a> of the Baltimore Ravens and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/24/kam-chancellor-vernon-davis-hit-video_n_2357440.html">Kam Chancellor</a> of the Seattle Seahawks. Other gaffes that have come as a result of the Goodell Administration this year include a <a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&tbo=d&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=27%20yard%20unsportsmanlike%20conduct%20penalty&oq=&gs_l=&pbx=1&fp=579f48cf4826f9cd&bpcl=40096503&ion=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.dmQ&biw=1366&bih=667">27 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty</a>, the <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8422934/seattle-seahawks-vs-green-bay-packers-disputed-mnf-call-shifted-150-250m-bets">debacle in Seattle</a>, and the infamous <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/23/jim-schwartz-challenge-lions-coach-texans_n_2176474.html">"do not challenge unchallengeable plays"</a> rule.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"> My problem with Goodell as the commissioner is that his negative effect on the league has impacted the league on a number of different levels. His contributions to the <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Wussification">wussification</a> of American Football have led to more penalties against defenders for physical play, and as a result of that, heavily inflated stats for offensive players. In 2003, there were only two QBs that threw for over 4,000 yards. Last year, 3 Quarterbacks had more than 5,000 passing yards. It has become common place for Quarterbacks in the top half of the league to throw for over 4,000 yards. This year, 4 Quarterbacks averaged more than 300 yards per game.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"> In the past, defenses were much tougher, because they were given a lot more freedom to be physical. This year, the best defense in the NFL allowed an average of 276 yards per game, and the worst allowed an average of 440 yards per game. 10 years ago, the best defense allowed an average of 250 yards per game, and the worst allowed an average of 390 yards per game.There is a reason why the offenses are doing so much better nowadays, and it is not because their schemes have gotten that much better.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"> Hall of Fame players such as <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/1/dan-marino">Dan Marino</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/6571/barry-sanders">Barry Sanders</a>, and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/10/cris-carter">Cris Carter</a> are a few of the players that made their names by exemplifying finesse to the best of their abilities. Marino is arguably the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm3ErTOp0JQ">most accurate Quarterback</a> in the history of the NFL, Sanders has proven to be one of the most <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUVFZYYzHPU">elusive running backs</a> in the history of the game, and Carter is known to have the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RASB4uIMzQc">softest hands of all time</a> at the wide receiver position. On the defensive side however, players traditionally make their names by being physical.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"> <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/6717/william-perry">William "The Refrigerator" Perry</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/6705/lawrence-taylor">Lawrence Taylor</a>, and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/6874/ronnie-lott">Ronnie Lott</a> are three of the greatest players to ever play on the defensive side of the ball. The Fridge made his name by using his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BZGy1XfYPU">deceptive athleticism to overwhelm his opponents</a>, Lawrence Taylor's most famous for a play in which he <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHCXNt4P8Xg">gave Joe Theismann a compound fracture</a> in his leg, and I know Ronnie Lott as the safety that <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGSQLpLPEJA">cut off part of his finger</a> so that he could continue playing in a game. This contrast between offensive and defensive players is what makes the game what it is today, but creating rules to prevent injuries favors the offensive side of the ball.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"> The world is becoming increasingly aware of the effect that head injuries have on a person's quality of life. In recent years, initiatives such as Physicians on every NFL sideline, and rules implemented to prevent and limit concussion are just a few things that the league has done to help out the players. Unfortunately, their efforts have not worked out the way they were supposed to.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"> Having doctors on the sidelines performing simple concussion tests only put more pressure on players to return to games after being injured. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's take Colt McCoy for example. Last year, McCoy had 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 13 games with the Browns. In his final game, he took a vicious hit from James Harrison and was knocked out the game, but returned later after the Browns claimed he showed no signs of a concussion. The next morning, </span><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/colt-mccoys-father-rips-browns-for-handling-of-concussion/2011/12/09/gIQAAXLSiO_blog.html" style="font-family: inherit;">he called his father</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and told him, "Dad, I don't know what happened, but I know I lost the game." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Although the doctors were available on the sideline, they were no help in determining that Colt McCoy had suffered a concussion before he re-entered the game. His father told this to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, and McCoy soon </span>disappeared<span style="font-family: inherit;"> from the starting line-up for good. Obviously, his father was only looking out for his safety, just as Goodell has tried to do for the entire league. Also, just like Goodell, he failed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> The NFL has changed the way football players make tackles.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The reworded NFL rules prohibit a player from launching himself off the ground and using his helmet to strike a player in a defenseless posture in the head or neck. This used to apply only to receivers, but now is used for all players.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81990bdf/article/new-nfl-rules-designed-to-limit-head-injuries" style="font-family: inherit;">According to NFL Official Walt Anderson</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, "</span>In years past, defensive players were allowed to hit receivers in the head once the receiver touched both feet on the ground. Now, officials will give a receiver an extra split-second to basically get into a position where he can defend himself."</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"> Whenever this rule is brought up, I think back to a high school football practice that occurred a short two years ago. I was lead blocking out on the edge for the running back, and the linebacker sniffed out the play way too quickly. He locked on to me, deciding that in order to stop the ball carrier from running for a huge game, he would have to go through me. The defender proceeded to launch himself at me, leading with his head, and initiating helmet-to-helmet contact between the two of us. In the NFL, this would no doubt be a 15 yard penalty, but in a high school football practice setting, it was commonplace.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"> Big hits are a huge part of what makes football exciting, especially to the average fan. Hard-nosed defenses cannot be hard-nosed if they are not striking offensive players with full force. It prides a defender to see a receiver using "Alligator Arms" when running across the middle of the field. Now Roger Goodell says that players cannot launch themselves at offensive players, even when they are not leading with their heads? Concussions and other head injuries are indeed a problem that the NFL needs to be worried about, but at what cost? Is it fair to rig the games in favor of offenses?</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"> Last year, the Patriots and the Packers had the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/stats/byteam?group=Defense&cat=Total&conference=NFL&year=season_2011&sort=1129&old_category=Total&old_group=Defense">two worst defenses in the NFL</a>, but the 2 best records in the NFL. This era of Quarterbacks are being praised for "changing the game" and "taking over the league", as ESPN continues to promote every year as "The Year of the Quarterback". In actuality, new rules are the only thing that has changed since the origin of football.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">A balanced league is a better league, so we must find a solution. In the meantime, watch these highlight reels of big hits. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B33X1EA_Isk">1st one.</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUddEUsjWKM">2nd one.</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2W4GCdHmgI">3rd one.</a></span><br />
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Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-56399200736651329182012-12-16T19:52:00.002-05:002012-12-16T19:52:36.793-05:00Luck vs Griffin?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Andrew Luck & RGIII after their match-up in the Pre-Season</b></div>
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The NFL Rookie of The Year has been one of the hottest topics for debate during this NFL Season. There are four clear-cut favorites for the award: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14885/doug-martin">Doug Martin</a> of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/15009/alfred-morris">Alfred Morris</a> of the Washington Redskins, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/14874/andrew-luck">Andrew Luck</a> of the Indianapolis Colts, and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/14875/robert-griffin-iii">Robert Griffin III</a> of the Washington Redskins. Doug Martin (5-9, 215) has <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIw6WfOB59k">1647 total yards from scrimmage</a> and 11 touchdowns. Alfred Morris (5-9, 218) has <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK_Qp9pUWAE">1370 total yards from scrimmage</a> and 9 touchdowns. Even though these players have remarkable stats, the NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and this race will undoubtedly come down to the outstanding rookie passers.<br />
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Andrew Luck (6-4, 234) has lead the Colts to a 9-5 record while throwing for over 3900 yards and scored 25 total touchdowns. Robert Griffin III (6-2, 217), despite his injuries, leads the NFL in Passer Rating (104.2) has thrown for nearly 3000 yards, ran for more than 700 yards, and scored 24 combined touchdowns. However, there is another player that has sneaked himself into the race, Seattle Seahawk Quarterback <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14881/russell-wilson">Russell Wilson</a>. Wilson (5-11, 206) has led his team to a 9-5 record, thrown for over 2500 yards, and scored 24 total touchdowns.<br />
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<b> The Case for Andrew Luck</b></div>
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The Indianapolis Colts started the 2011-12 season 0-13, and finished with a <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/ind/schedule?view=list&season=2011">grand total of 2 wins</a> for the entire year. They drafted Andrew Luck 1st overall out Stanford University, and he immediately changed the persona of the team. Although he has the lowest passer rating of any QB on the list, he has, by far, the most passing yards and does the most for his team individually. The other QBs on this list have had outstanding performances by their running backs, while Luck's best option out of the backfield is <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/25880">Vick Ballard</a>. The only thing going against Luck are his 18 interceptions, enough to tie him for the most thrown this season. </div>
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<b>The Case for Robert Griffin III</b></div>
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There has no doubt been an RGIII frenzy in the DC-Metro ever since the Redskins traded up for the second pick in the draft this year. Local fans have dubbed him <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/ind/schedule?view=list&season=2011">"RGesus"</a>, the savior of the Washington Redskins Franchise. Besides being the most marketable rookie, he is also the most efficient. His 4.5:1 TD:Int ratio is good for 2nd in the league among qualifying players. Unfortunately, his upside has become his downfall, as a concussion and an <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/robert-griffin-iii-suffers-a-right-knee-injury/2012/12/09/1b60d70a-4254-11e2-8061-253bccfc7532_gallery.html#photo=5">LCL sprain</a> have deterred his growth and progress as an NFL player this season.</div>
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<b>The Case for Russell Wilson</b></div>
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Russell Wilson was underrated from the start. The Seahawks brought in Matt Flynn and paid him $50 million before he was even drafted. However, a combination of injuries and preseason performances propelled him into the starting line-up for the first game of the season. From the start of the season, Wilson was seen to many as a game manager, because of he was already coming into a reasonable situation and Marshawn Lynch was dominating the league. Two things have made the difference in my perception of him this season: The <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiWwENDAybw">controversial game-winning touchdown</a> vs the Green-Bay Packers on Monday Night Football, and his <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/boxscore?gid=20121216002">4 touchdown explosion</a> in the first half of today's game vs the Buffalo Bills. </div>
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<b>Final Prediction</b></div>
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It is largely dependent on what happen's the last couple weeks of the season, but right now I believe that the front runner is Andrew Luck. He has put the team on his back and done wonders with them. This team went from being a joke around the league to being a playoff contender by selecting a single player. He has<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-tWj0R7nek"> thread the needle</a>, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--qb-turned-tackler-andrew-luck-draws-high-praise-from-colts-teammates-after-int08111398.html">sacrificed his body</a> for the sake of the team, and made <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZNiqvaAMOs">game-winning plays</a>. Andrew Luck is your 2012-13 NFL Rookie of the Year.</div>
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Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-74626384379131372592012-09-13T00:08:00.000-04:002012-09-13T00:08:23.055-04:00Around the NFL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i>Surprises</i></b></div>
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<i><b> </b>Robert Griffin III vs. Andrew Luck: </i>No, these two did not face off this week, but they will always be compared, because they were taken #1 and #2 in the draft this past spring. In their NFL debuts, RGIII outperformed Luck by a mile. Under the lights in the Superdome, Griffin had the highest passer rating in the NFL this past week in a 40-32 win. Luck, however, struggled against the Bears with 3 interceptions in a 20 point loss.</div>
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<i>Tampa Bay Buccaneers:</i> The Carolina Panthers were a popular pick to take over the NFC South last year after their upstart season in 2011, but the Buc's defense put on a show vs Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. A team that was third in the league in rushing yards this past season went for a whopping 10 yards on the ground against Schiano's new and improved defense. Ronde Barber played with renewed energy, adding to his career sack & interception totals that are approaching record levels. Wins like this only add to the notion that the Buccaneers' quit on Raheem Morris last year. </div>
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<i>Peyton Manning: </i>The Hall of Famer came out of the gates full throttle with the Broncos on Sunday Night, throwing for over 250 yards and 2 TDs in a win over the Steelers. Any prior questions about Peyton's abilities have been answered now, and the rest of the league better be watching out for the comeback player of the year.</div>
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<i><b>Stat of the Week</b></i></div>
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Trent Richardson: 19 carries for 39 yards. The revolutionary workout warrior, 5-9 230 lb beast averaged 2.1 yards per carry in his debut last week. This baffles em, because Alfred Morris, rookie 6th round draft pick out of Florida Atlantic, had 96 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. I know it is all subjective, but it makes you wonder when a guy that had average stats in college does so well in his pro debut. </div>
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<b><i>Notable Injuries</i></b></div>
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A number of injuries occurred during the games last week, including an ankle sprain for Cardinals QB John Skelton, a non-throwing shoulder injury for Titans' QB Jake Locker, a mild concussion for Jets CB Darrelle Revis, and a strained hamstring for Ravens FS Ed Reed. Each of these players are critical to their team's success (or lack thereof), so fans should keep watch for the Thursday practices and the game time decisions.</div>
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<b><i>Literally Sports Game of the Week</i></b></div>
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<i> Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers: </i>Easy pick for game of the week, as this is not only one of the biggest rivalries in the NFL, but it has playoff implications, and could quite possibly give the 15-1 Packers an 0-2 start to this season. Cutler, with Brandon Marshall, Matt Forte, and Alshon Jeffrey, is now equipped to battle Rodgers, whose receiving core features Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, and Jermichael Finley. Think back to last year: before Caleb Hanie came in at QB and ruined the season, the Bears were 7-3 and riding a 5-game win streak. Look out Cheeseheads, Da Bears are on their way. My pick: Chicago wins, 31-27.</div>
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<b><i>Plays of the Week</i></b></div>
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<li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmZiKpHYSjQ">RGIII's first touchdown</a>. </li>
<li><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/09/11/tracy-porter-broncos/index.html">Tracy Porter's interception</a>, similar to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBlvjtfpPAg">this interception</a> that happened<b> </b><u style="font-weight: bold;">against</u> Peyton Manning.</li>
<li>Peyton Manning's <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/09/peyton-manning-touchdown-demaryius-thomas-400_n_1869493.html">400th career touchdown pass</a>, another one <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zuUIhv8z3M">reminiscent of a past game</a></li>
<li>David Akers <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfD25zFCxWg">showing off the huge leg</a>.</li>
<li>Randy Moss, its comeback season, and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/09/randy-moss-touchdown-49ers-packers-lambeau_n_1869395.html">he's back</a>.</li>
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Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849991457519394864.post-22955760762829364302012-09-09T12:46:00.000-04:002012-09-09T13:35:37.131-04:002012-13 NFL Season Preview<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This season looks like it will be more of the same. Patriots, Packers Ravens, 49ers, Saints, Texans, Lions, Steelers, and Broncos. I expect all of those playoff teams to be playing in January once again. There are a few teams that have a chance to improve big time: the Panthers, the Bears, the Chiefs, and the Eagles. For the past few years, the NFL has been promoting "The Year of the Quarterback," and this year expects to feature even more passing than last year. Adrian Peterson is a game-time decision for the week as he continues to recover from knee surgery, Trent Richardson had arthoscopic surgery a few weeks ago, MJD just finished up a holdout situation, and Arian Foster has <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/08/arian-fosters-vegan-diet-not-an-issue-to-team-nutritionist/">gone vegan.</a> Meanwhile, the quarterback crops are only getting stronger. Roethlisberger has gotten healthy, Peyton is healthy again, Schaub is back in the Texan's line-up, and another great group of QBs were in the draft this year, headlined by Andrew Luck & Robert Griffin III.<br />
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As far as this season's outcome, I have a hard time believing that this season will not be all about the Patriots and Packers. They were, on paper, the two best teams in the NFL last year, and they improved their defenses in the offseason. I am a firm believer that Tom Brady will retire from this league as the greatest to ever take the field, but the Super Bowl jinx is no myth, and the Patriots' fans can expect another dissapointing ending to their season. The Packers, behind the arm of Aaron Rodgers, are primed for another run at the title, but the Lions and Bears will have a lot to say about that. The teams at the bottom of the league do not look to have enough firepower to overcome the perennial winners, but the other playoff teams certainly do.<br />
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Now, for the playoff predictions. NFC North: Packers. NFC East: Eagles. NFC West: 49ers. NFC South: Saints. Wildcard: Bears and Lions. AFC North: Steelers. AFC East: Patriots. AFC West: Broncos. AFC South: Texans. Wildcard: Ravens and Jets. NFC Championship: Eagles vs. Bears . AFC Championship: Texans vs. Steelers. Super Bowl: Steelers vs. Eagles. Champion: Philadelphia Eagles. Michael Vick, after years filled with injury, jail time, and scrutiny, will carry the Philadelphia Eagles to their first ever Super Bowl win. Expect Vick to find a way to survive this season, and the "dream team" to make alot more big plays on offense.<br />
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This NFL Season is definitely shaping up to be a wild one. Randy <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE8sJI7PxQU">Moss is back</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZCwdGmdiio">Vick is healthy</a>, the Saints <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nfl-bounty-suspensions-lifted/2012/09/07/df6f4734-2ff6-42f1-b9b0-7f429320ea46_video.html">JUST</a> got their players back, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY081VQqMY0">Tebow Mania</a> has moved its way up to the most populated city in the USA. Good luck football fans, the NFL Season is officially here. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8LLKO0-PAE&feature=related">ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?</a></div>
Kevin Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139295531682846573noreply@blogger.com0