Round Two baby!

The Spurs have made it to round two!
They eliminated the Mavs, the same rival who destroyed them last year in the same scenario, 1st round playoffs. This year, Coach Pop has built a team that is self sustainable. He probably got tired of losing 'key players' and the team going downhill after that. With the injuries that Parker took this season, George Hill was given the chance to shine. He took over the starting PG job, and has been nothing but short of amazing. He'll have games with 20+ points, and some no more than 5 pts, but its what he contributed to the team that matters. With Duncan, Ginobili and Parker on the court, people like Jefferson, Bonner, Mason, Hill and McDyess take advantage of their presence to go all out. This team has established chemistry, and the coach knows it. There is no lead player, there's no Kobe or LeBron, there is no I in SPURS.
With the Suns in round 2, I'm not afraid, I'm excited. Amare and Nash are two stupendous players, and I believe the Spurs have more depth to withstand a game of such caliber. Its round two of the 2010 NBA playoffs, and Duncan is on the hunt for another ring. Lets hope Manu goes big today with the 3's and shuts them down hard!

GO SPURS GO!

KAREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMMMMMM

Jackson (RED) deflects a pass intended for a Tennessee receiver

MY BOYS JUST DRAFTED A CORNER!!!!!!!!

I'm seriously excited. We've been needing a physical corner for a while. Dunta Robinson played like a Pro Bowler, but wasn't fast enough or strong enough. This guys 5'10, and at 196 lbs, he's the perfect balance for a future starter on the right corner in Houston, Texas. He's just added what the Texans have been longing since 2006, when they drafted Dunta. Not to throw dirt on the guy, I mean he did play some amazing football in Houston, he just doesn't fulfill Kubiak's scheme, and nothing but luck is wished for him in Atlanta. Jackson could provide someone for Glover Quinn or Brice McCain to play alongside, creating a threat for quarterbacks as well as receivers. Depending on his preseason performance, he may need to sit a few days, or off the bat start picking off some passes.

The way I see things is, this is Gary Kubiak's last chance, he knows he has to impress Rick Smith to keep his job. He didn't draft Jackson for no reason, he has a plan. This plan will establish whether or not the Texans finally make the playoffs, which is a dream of many Houston fans.
All in all, good draft. I see big things, and I will not be surprised if we make the postseason.

Texans Draft Analysis

So here they are, the Houston Texans, my football team, stacking their roster with 7 fresh new feet. All in all, as far as I'm concerned, the Texans drafted exactly what they needed. Issues were addressed, and the Administration concluded the draft with a feeling of satisfaction.

Draft goes as follows:
1st- Kareem Jackson (CB) Alabama
2-Ben Tate (RB) Auburn
3-Earl Mitchell (DT) Arizona
4-Daryll Sharpton (ILB) UMiami
5-Garrett Graham (TE) Wisconsin
6-Sherrick McManis (CB) Northwestern
7-Shelley Smith (OG) Colorado State
8-Trindon Holliday (KR)
9-Dorin Dickerson (TE) Pittsburgh

I'd give them a B+
Reason being they missed to draft a position that is of much needed addressing, the safety position. I noticed a trend with last seasons draft compared to this years, Gary Kubiak drafted some blockers. Last season, the acquisition of Anthony Hill and James Casey brought about a feeling of doubt. Their limited involvement in this past seasons success, makes you wonder why he drafted the same positions. With the calling of Ben Tate, a solid runner, the Texans have realized that for every runner, there needs to be a paved road ahead. If the Texans plan to give Tate, Slaton, Foster or Henry a leading role any time soon, they have to establish a well planned and executable run scheme, so fumbles and other minor mistakes don't happen again.

Earl Mitchell, possibly a future starter on the DT position, is criticized for his size. His physicality is what the Texans are looking for, and I couldn't agree any more. Amobi Okoye may be throwing in the towel early if he cant satisfy the D-Line requirements.
A O-Guard and another Corner add much needed depth in places where injury is common. The Texans now have another guard to work with, in the event of an O-Lineman taking another hit. And at corner, McManis could take the left side and assist the defensive coaches in arranging starter roles.

NBA Playoffs

Its my favorite time of the year, its the NBA Playoffs time.
We got a few good match ups, one being Spurs-Mavs, a Texans Rivalry. Lakers-Thunder, where Kobe and Durant battle it out in an epic match of respect, and last but not least, Celtics-Heat, where Wade will attempt to put the Boston Three party down.

I'll attempt to predict the winner of each match up with a little explanation after.

WEST

Lakers-Thunder: Lakers 4-2
Why? Kobe, that's why!

Spurs-Mavs: Spurs 4-3
It'll be a hard fought match, and because the Spurs have the upper hand with a better coach and more depth on the bench, a playoff match up like these could go many ways. It's all about Duncan vs Nowitzki, and the role they play as team leaders.

Portland vs Phoenix: Phoenix 4-1
Portland just lost Brandon Roy for 2 weeks, and the Suns are not about to bend over to an incomplete team, simply put, the Suns are back

Utah vs Denver: Denver 4-2
Denver has a sick team, and so does Utah, but I think Denver's playoff performance always surpasses anything Utah has ever dreamed of attempting.

EAST

Cavs vs Bulls: Cavs 4-1
The bulls will pull off 1 win, and 1 win only. It'll be a three point difference in the final score, but a 'w' is a 'w'.

Charlotte vs Orlando: Orlando 4-0 SWEEP
this should be easy, O-Town is back for another finals appearance, and as far as D-Howard's concerned, they got this in the bag

Bucs-Hawks: Hawks 4-3
The Bucs will bounce back and pull of some wins, but in the long run, Atlanta is Atlanta.

Heat vs Celtics: Heat 4-2
Its Miami's time. They can pull it off, and I hope they do.

Brandon Marshall's Second Chance

SO....here's this guy, ok...he's a receiver, and he's said to be one peg below Andre 'the great' Johnson. I honestly can't see anybody ever being as good as AJ, but that's just me.
Brandon Marshall's long fight with the Denver Broncos Administration has come to an end. They traded him off to Miami, Florida, a few hours away from where he went to college.

Marshall, who went to UCF, and probably the biggest name to come out of there after Daunte Culpepper has not seen the light just yet. He went from playing alongside Jay Cuter, to Kyle Orton, and now to Chad Henne.....wait....what?

Little can be said about this future duo, but I see big things. Henne always pulls amazing plays off with Ginn Jr, who's now gone, and now he'll have to continue to blow up the endzone with Mr. Attitude himself.

My prediction: Marshall will do just fine. He probably wont put up Pro Bowl stats, he'll get 1,100 yards, 7 touchdowns and a solid season taking Miami to the postseason. Miami made a good pick, they've needed that threat on the receiving end, and maybe, just maybe, Marshall will behave for once.

Where will the KING build his next castle?

It's a unique name, for a unique player.....

He's LeBron James...a baller.
Considered to be the best NBA player in the league, even better than Kobe at times, James has done it all, but has no rings to prove it. He's the king without a ring, and unfortunately, the choice he makes in the next few months could change that. Free agency is am important time for teams to pick up some new elements to add to their team. The Cavs could either fork over a couple million dollars to re sign him, in this case it'd be more than Kobe's $90 million, 3 year deal. He's LeBron and he calls the shots, on top of him making them. There are about 4 possible destinations for him, and if my predictions call correctly, he'll be going to a different team.

-Cavs re sign him- Possibility: 60%
They may not want to spend that much money on him. Cavs could let him go and sign some new blood to run #23.

-Nets sign him: Possibility: 70%
The Nets need a winner, and he's their man. They suck, and they have the money. Also, Jay-Z is part owner of the nets, and he's close friend with James...so...who knows

-LA Lakers do the impossible: Possibility: 55%
LA crazy enough to do that. LeBron and Kobe on one team? I'd run away

-Phoenix Suns: Possibility: 30%
hey, they'll have some cap room after Amare's gone. maybe

McNabb to the Skins....WOW

I've been talking for a while about how Washington was in dire need of a quarterback. Then they signed Mike Shannahan as their coach, and I knew big things were coming. Then, today, I saw McNabb left the Eagles and packed his bags headed for Washington D.C. WHAT A TRADE!

Now the Skins have McNabb, who will most likely start, and Campbell on backup, who can potentially learn from McNabb. This is big for Washington since they've always been an average team, hurting from the lack of, if I may make a word up, quarterbackage. Now this isn't a burning issue for their roster, and they can draft a potential future starter who can learn from the current QB's, maybe a Tony Pike (cincy) or a SEC QB.

All they need to do now is establish a run game. Portis doesn't seem like he's coming back any time to the top charts. He'll probably share snaps with Ladell Betts.
As far as I'm concerned, McNabb just gave the Skins what they've been needing for a while, and if they draft correctly, just like any other team, they can make the playoffs, if not, a winning season is possible.

Coaches on the chopping block

Of all the NFL head coaches that are in the league today, a handful of them are on the chopping block. This meaning the future of their job depends on the performance their put on this upcoming season the the results they yield. Some of these coaches are:


Gary Kubiak: The Texans re-signed him to a two year deal leading the pack of blood hungry wolves. The Texans believe in him way too much, and as a fan, I don't blame them. He gave the team its 1st winning season, and there's only room for improvement with the draft. I'd say if he makes it to the playoffs, a fat check will be written for him by the administration, no doubt about it.


John Fox: The Panthers have lost their touch over the years. From taking the Pats on at the Superbowl, to losing their top notch DE. Age is a contributing factor the the Carolina deterioration, and Fox needs to get on his game before they cash him in for a new guy.

Wade Phillips: America's team is being ridiculed by sports announcers all over the place. Some say they're a draft away from being the team they were, other say they lost it all with T.O. leaving. I personally don't think the team is anywhere bad, but Phillips really needs to address major issues this draft, maybe for a future explosive season, if their plans are otherwise. Jerry Jones is a patient man, he's also a filthy rich Texan who's hungry, and nobody knows what he may do next. (pssssst......'protect Romo')

Tom Cable: The man is unstable. He hits people and makes horrible draft choices. Heyward-Bey? really Tom?
If he doesn't draft something goofy like a kicker or long snapper in the first round, he should be fine. Raiders are rebuilding, big time. Russell hasn't proven to be worthy to start, so he might draft a QB early and get some competition going. As far as defense goes, let Nnamdi take care of that.

Norv Turner: Who knows how long San Diego will give him, until they re-vamp the entire franchise and make them worth the playoff run. They just let go of Cromartie and LT. I wish I knew what Turner has planned, but I'll bet they'll be back for the race next season. Rivers isn't about to give up.

If I were to be an NFL player.....

Lets just imagine for a second, that I got called in the NFL. For that sake, I'm going to choose the team that drafts me, I'll take the Texans or Bucs, no reason, just because.

I'm no Eric Berry or Ndamukong Suh, to be drafted first, so there are certain positions that I'll rule out of my reach:

Quarterback: I dont have the arm strenght, I've tried, I failed. Miserably.

-Wide Receiver: I'm not quick enough, and being a receiver calls for fast breaks and bursts, which I don't have, simple as that.

-Cornerback: The defensive replica of a receiver, I don't have what it takes.

-Free Safety: FS's tend to be a step down from corner, so they also require unknown amounts of speed at random times, its their job to stop any quick RB.

If I were to really play, I'd take 4 positions. I'm not necessarily saying I'd be good at these, but that I'd be able to proficiently succeed on the field.

-Linebacker: I have the size and strength to lock down the defense. I may need to work on speed to chase someone down, but LB is a possibility.

-Strong Safety: more focused on the D-Line, I'd use my size and wrecking ability to lay somebody out and not feel bad about it.

-D-Lineman: Being a buy guy, I could stuff up the line and stop any small yardage run.

Where in the NFL is TIM TEBOW?

We're less than a month away from the most anticipated even the NFL has to offer today, the NFL DRAFT!
Starting on April 22nd, each team will get their chance to draft the respective players they need to build the ultimate wrecking machine. This years 1st pick goes to St Louis, who may or may not keep the pick.
All teams aside, looking at a certain player this season, Tim Tebow, and realizing there are only select teams that need him is crazy. He went from hot shot QB in UF, to a question mark on his draft status. A heisman without a set future: impossible.
I can name a few teams that may need Tebow for one reason or another.

Minnesota Vikings: Vikes picked up his former receiver, Harvin, so teaming them up will not be a problem. They Vikes also need someone at QB, and with Favre still debating on his return, and Jackson not ready to take over, Tebow may be a solid pick for them in the 2nd round, after they draft a CB in the 1st of course.

Jacksonville Jags: They need their hometown hero back to fill some seats. They're not hurting at QB, with Garrard playing solid ball, but then again, they could share snaps when possible.

St. Louis Rams: Depending on what they do prior to the draft, Tebow doesnt look like a bad pickup for them in the 2nd round. If they trade for a QB, then it won't happen, but we never know what the Rams may do next.

Buffalo Bills: They can establish anybody at QB, and they just let go of T.O.
Its time to rebuild the team with a fresh new breed: TIM TEBOW.

All in all, I wish him the best. I've always respected him for who he is and what he does. I can guarantee the team that picks him up, will be working with a future franchise quarterback.

Bandwagon Fever

There's something about sports that really gets on my nerves. Its called the 'bandwagon', and it irritates me as much as most NFL fans. Staying true to one team is what being a fan is all about. There's no jumping from city to city like a post card picking new favorites.

It seems to me that some teams fall in the bandwagon favorites for each sports. For instance, in the NFL its the Patriots and the Cowboys. Considering the size of their fan base, they always they always have those additional 'seasonal' fans, who at the sight of success, jump to grab their jerseys.

For the NBA is the Lakers and the Celtics, simply put its because the history behind their rivalry and the amount of entertainment they provide.

MLB belongs again to Boston, with the Red Sox, and to New York, with the Yankees.

These teams tend to have most the the necessary elements to succeed in today's media. These include the 'pretty boys', who are said to be the best looking men in the respective league. They also have the highest payroll, where they can buy virtually any player they want.
A perk of being part of this category is that merchandise sale increases with regards to that seasons performance.

SO here's to a different ending to this upcoming NFL and NBA postseasons.

AFC South Predictions

1-Indy Colts
2-Houston Texans
3-Tennessee Titans
4- Jacksonville Jags

1-Indy Colts: No matter what they decide to draft, their team is pretty much stacked. Their offense will be unstoppable next season, if they all stay healthy. Of course, the 'if' factor pertains to all teams, but to the Colts more than others. The loss of somebody like Manning, Clark or Wayne, could substantially hurt the team. Healthy bones is key to their success, so drink your milk. Prediction: 12-4

2-Houston Texans: If they draft defense in the first round, this could potentially come true. Either a corner, safety or dt will suffice. Then draft for depth. Same as Colts, they have some players that have to stay healthy to contribute to their ultimate success. With Kubiak re-signed for 2 more years, team chemistry shouldn't be an issue. If they draft offense, rb could be the only option. Only time will tell what path they choose to take.
Prediction: 11-5
3- Tennessee Titans- Chris Johnson and Vince Young are proving to be a well rounded qb/rb duo. Their running abilities compliment each other, so its hard for defenses to predict what will happen. Suggestion for them to draft would be an OT, or S, and then pickup some 2nd round wr's to add depth. Prediction: 8-8

4-Jacksonville Jaguars- The Jags were interested in Tebow, although he wasn't predicted to go in the first round. Jacksonville could either bring a hometown hero back and potentially keep the franchise, or draft some other needy position, and improve the team and gain the fans respect back. Its a work in process, and MJD could be the next AP.
Prediction: 6-10

Wow, What a Trade!

So Josh McDaniels came into the league as the youngest person to ever coach an NFL team......so what? Who cares? I don't!
He went ahead and re-vamped the Denver coaching staff, and made some changes the city of Denver didn't like. He started a feud with Brandon Marshall, their hot shot receiver. I personally don't like Marshall, I met him once at a club, and he was the most arrogant NFL player around. All feelings aside, Marshall is amazing. He's got the height and speed most #1 receivers beg for.

Now, McDaniels went ahead and let go of their fullback Peyton Hillis, and traded out a draft pick for this upcoming draft and a potential pick in 2012, for Brady Quinn. Some people may disagree, but this is the smartest thing he's done since. Quinn isn't a bad quarterback. He was starter for the Browns, I mean c'mon, the Browns?
Quinn is virtually a rookie. He hasn't been given the chance to shine, and with Kyle Orton just playing horrendous football, only time will tell when Brady Quinn straps on the obnoxious orange crush helmet and launches an aerial assault with Marshall and Royal.

Some Free Agency Movements

Chris Baker (TE)
FROM NEW ENGLAND TO SEATTLE

So he left Tom Brady for Matt Hasselbeck? Good luck....
Seriously though, this could be a good thing. Seattle needs more on the receiving core. With rumors of them taking Jimmy Clausen 1st, could work well with an experienced TE. Seattle's re-building their offense, and at tight end isn't a bad place to start.

Jake Delhomme(QB)
FROM CAROLINA TO CLEVELAND

Here's a washed up veteran, on his last spark of luck, attempting to land a ring, ok....
He, at one time, had Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad on his receiving core, and he still threw tons of picks. This guy isn't made for big shot players. Maybe if the Browns let Cribbs make a few more catches, and pick up a solid rookie, then Jake will throw one or two more TD's. At this point, the Browns will take anybody, hence this deal.

Larry Johnson(RB)
FROM CINCINNATI TO WASHINGTON

I'm not gonna bash on this move, solely based on the fact that Mike Shanahan is coach. He didn't like Portis when he had him before, thats why he traded for Champ Bailey. Now that he's got him back on his squad, and unhealthier than ever, its time to bring in someone new. Shanny is trying to give Washington a breath of life, and this may be the answer: double up the run game. We shall see.

2010 Hot Shots

Next seasons hot shots will be as follows:

Quarterback: Joe Flacco

Flacco is no longer a rookie. He's been in the league for two years now, and shown he has what it takes to be in the postseason. The Ravens administrations drafted smart when they picked up a QB.
The first rookie to take his team passed the 1st round of the playoffs, Flacco has demonstrated that he's hungry for more. With the acquisition of Anquan Boldin, Flacco now has another excellent receiver out in the deep field making the crowd blow up. Boldin was Larry Fitz's right hand man, and now that he's #1 receiver material, its time to put him in the spotlight. He could either be the next Andre Johnson, or pull a T.O. and completely blow his career. It also doesn't hurt to have Donte Stallworth out there too.

Receiver: Steve Smith (NYG)

This guy has changed the meaning of the NFL's 'Steve Smith'.
The kings crown has moved from Carolina to New York, as this receiver is growing.
Eli Manning has the ability to find open players, and when he cant, he throws to Smith. His speed allows him to get open quickly, sometimes getting high yardage touchdowns. Other times, his quickness allows him to find open slots between corners and safeties, and get the much needed yards. Believe me, if Eli stays healthy, Smith will reign supreme.

Running Back: Chris Johnson

There is no doubt in my mind that Chris Johnson can break the 3000 yard mark. He's fast, insanely fast, he's unstoppable. The man is a machine, and there is no defense that can stop him. His quickness on the cuts, leaves defenders, in most cases linebackers and safeties, tripping over themselves. The Titans O-Line is ideal for their run game. If CJ can run any longer, LenDale White is there to trim some yards off, maybe get a TD or two.
If the Titans keep their running scheme the same, and I'm sure Jeff Fishers' job relies on it, then Johnson will give Adrian Peterson a reason to not fumble.

Tight End: Greg Olsen

With Jay Cutler now in his second season in Chi-Town, its time to step up. Make your coach happy Jay, and give him a ring. Devin Hester isn't receiver material, and Iglesias is the equivalent of Hakeem Nicks in NY, he's a last resort receiver. Olsen has proven he has what it takes. Cutler needs to throw the ball now, and with Olsen on the receiving end, things look nice. Simply put, its Cutlers last chance, before the Bears get fed up with him and let him go. They just picked up Peppers, so they dropped a penny or two, and they might need some more money in the future. Throw the ball to Olsen, score some points, keep your job, the end.

Defense: Houston Texans

As biased as this may seem, I have my reasons. They just recently picked up Brian Cushing, who's been the contributing factor to the winning season. With Mario Williams blowing up the line, Connor Barwin on backup, Antonio Smith (ARI) lighting up the other side and possibly a DT in this draft, the line is stacked. Backfield is somewhat iffy, but always comes through. Depth at corner is not an issue. Brice McCain, Glover Quinn, Antwaun Molden, Fred Bennet and Jacques Reeves gives Coack K a stack of players to choose from. Safety is somewhat an issue, but never presents a big problem in the long run. Bernard Pollard has been the salvation of the Texans backfield. His ability to play SS is uncanny. Coach Kubiak's job relies on next season defense, so believe they'll be ranked in the top 10.

Free Agency Movement

So far, tons of valuable players have moved from team to team. Some, such as Ladainian Tomlinson, have lost the once high value they had. Others, such as Julius Peppers, have nothing but room for improvement. Age doesn't seem to be a deciding factor in the offseason. Peppers is 30 years old, and he's worth roughtly $90 million, for 6 years of defensive magic. Other players, such as Derek Anderson (26), Chester Taylor (30), and Brian Westbrook (30) all seem to potentially be able to play once again, but are unemplyed. The search for new talent continues, and there's no telling where they'll end up, that is, if they get hired.
Other players with names such as, like Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant, dont light up the screen like they did before. The 'threat' they potentially posed, is not longer existent. These players end up bouncing around from bad team to worse, until they are finally released into retirement, that is if they dont retire early.
I personally dont believe any player is bad. The essence that makes a good player comes from the team. If a quarterback is good, and his receivers are good, but the offensive line cannot protect, then there is a breach in the pattern. Team chemistry is what he NFL is all about. People criticize the player movement, from team to team, but this is only due to coaches and administration attemtping to build an ideal team. Sometimes, the most unlikely players end up on the same teams, and do wonderful things. For example, Brett Favre with the Vikings, who took them further than they expected to go. Of course, the Vikings have a stupendous o-line, the best run game, and of course, a high ranked defense. All these ingridients make for the perfect meal.
On the other hand, some players who were once hot shot names, now can't even sign a contract. For example, Terrell Owens was once regarded as the best receiver, and when he moved from Dallas, from the arms of Tony Romo, to Trent Edwards, he lost it. That 'it' is the chemistry he once had. He no longer has his 'boy' throwing the ball at him, yet Romo is still throwing amazing games, making Jerry Jones's wallet heavier and his grin bigger. BTW I hate the Cowboys.
TJ Houshmandzadeh, the same guy who used to burn corners at the snap of a ball, now wonders where he will work next. He left Carson Palmer's finesse, and started a new life with Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck.

On Defense as well as Offense, there are certain players I would never like to take man to man. Simple for the fact that they either are too damn fast, strong, or a combination of both.

OFFENSE

On offense, I would hate going up against Reggie Wayne, due to his height and his speed. Wayne has been taught by the best, Manning, and almost every pass made to him is either a completion, or by some force of nature, Reggie was unable to complete it. It doesn't matter who's on him, a corner and a safety, two safeties, linebackers, the whole team, he's filthy. He's possibly about to beat Andre to the 1st place spot.....wait, what? How am I saying this? I'll just stop here

Another offensive beast is Chris Johnson, like I said before, he's just speed. His ability to find an open spot is uncanny. He puts up hundreds of yards in all games, no matter who they're playing. He's possibly about to be the next BIG TRADE this upcoming season. If Tennessee doesn't get step their game up, he's gone, simple as that. He's young, he's amazing, and there is a wide range of teams that need that strength at their running game. Defenses who go up against him, in this case Linebackers, have to be physically read to keep up with him. His ability to cut through a stock pile of overgrown men is nothing but hysterical. When he gets the ball, the defense should just pile on top of him, and pray he doesn't break the 11 man tackle and run for a touchdown, like he always does.

The last one would be Vince Young. I learned this firsthand when Houston played the Titans last season. The first game they lost was with Collins on QB, the second game was a win, with Young on QB. I never doubted his ability, ever since his college days in Texas. He's a double threat QB, who can pass somewhat well, and he can run, and damn well if I may add. He's smart about what he does, and defenders know that. If he cant find an open player, he either goes to his runner, CJ, and tears up the yard, or runs the ball himself. He's quick on his feet, and he can fight for those 1st downs like its practice. His role in the Titans is too big to let him go. Little things like those make his value go up.

DEFENSE

Dwight Freeney, simply said, is a truck. His ability to react at the snap of the ball, and concentrate on one target:THE QB, is impressive. He's the best DE in the league right now, regardless of injuries sustained, he's the best. Behind him are Mario Williams and Jared Allen. He's quick, HUGE, and smart. He plays for the best defense in the league, and he's contributed to that reputation. Offensive guards and tackles have their hands full with him. He's also contributed to the name the Colts linebackers have acquired. When the ball snaps, O-Linemen know he's out for blood, so the coverage they give to the outside runners, loosens up the middle game, for linebackers to blitz and possibly get a sack. Freeney I hate you, for I envy you and your size.

Darrelle Revis...OK...before I say anything about him, he has an imaginary island named after him, How cool is that?
He's amazing, he's the best corner out there, without a doubt. He's taken down Andre, Reggie, Colston, Ocho Cinco, and Steve Smith, all in one season, without breaking a sweat. I don't know where it came from, but he's got the football swagger needed to win a game. Their defense, the Jets, is possibly one of the most confident ones out there. When Revis says "I got this", he really does mean it. Being a receiver, and having to burn him on a route, is probably hard enough as it is. Making a completion isn't guaranteed. He kept Andre under 40 yds in their 1st game, which tells you something.

My All Star Team

My NFL ALL STAR TEAM

QB
1-Peyton Manning
2-Matt Schaub
3-Donnovan McNabb

WR
Andre Johnson
Reggie Wayne
DeSean Jackson
Sidney Rice

TE
Owen Daniels
Dallas Clark

RB
Chris Johnson
Frank Gore

O-Line
Indianapolis Colts

D-Line
Minnesota Vikings

Linebackers:
Ray Lewis
Brian Cushing
Demarcus Ware

Safeties:
Darren Sharper
Troy Polamalu
Jarrius Byrd

Corners
Nnamdi Asomugha
Charles Woodson

At QB, Peyton and Schaub guarantee receivers like Andre and Reggie accurate shots. The run game is covered by the immense speed that Chris Johnson brings to the field. Johnson with the Colts O-Line, is surely set for many yards. Jackson and Rice are simply speed. They are rarely covered by more than one player, since they run routes that confuse defensive backs. With Gore on backup, the speed is complimented with what I like to call, a 'powerhouse train wreck waiting to happen'. Gore thrives off his ability to burn a corner or a safety and his strength, when a tackle is made. With Owen Daniels and Dallas Clark, not only is another star player added to the receiving core, a possible blocking magician is established. The relevance they have to the run game is not noticed by many. When a tight end breaks out in a play, he can either use his speed to catch a pass, or size to block for a runner.
The Vikings D-Line is a given. With Williams and Allen on pass rush, the opposing QB knows he's got a big target on him.
Lewis, Cushing and Ware are the perfect addition to the established defense. Lewis and Ware have the experience, but Cushing has the touch of gold. His love for the game adds to the growth of his abilities. His performance for Houston was spectacular. He filled in the perfect spot, getting numerous sacks, interception, and even a safety, all in his rookie year.
Jarrius Byrd is another rookie, but age isn't always a factor. Byrd entered the Bills pathetic defense, and put up Pro Bowl stats, with 9 interceptions in the regular season. Polamalu and Darren Sharper need nothing more than the game clock to begin. When players like these enter the fields, they make Quarterbacks think twice before throwing the ball around them, leading to either a sack, interception or tipped pass.
At corner, and possibly the most important position on the defense, are Charles Woodson and Nnamdi Asomugha. They both create a sense of comfort for coaches, who know when these players cover a receiver, they do their job well. Corners like these are known for being matched up with receivers like Larry Fitz, Andre J, Wayne, Colston and Moss.

Michael Vick

Vick, one of the most underrated QB's today, is slowly but surely climbing back up the success ladder. Amidst the controversy involving his actions outside the football field, Vick still managed to stay strong and took his punishment like a man. He was found with an illegal dog fighting network behind his house, which turned his NFL career into dust. He paid his time, and now he's back.

Released from the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was sent to jail for the actions he had partaken in. His backup, Matt Schaub, also left the team. This left Atlanta with a big gap at QB, which was later filled in by Matt Ryan, a rookie. When Vick was released from jail, the question wasn't 'who needs him?', but 'who wants him?'. This question was answered by the Philadelphia Eagles, who had some trouble with QB depth, considering McNabb and Kolb are both prone to injury. Vick has always been known as the perfect wildcat QB, because on top of him passing, he sometimes runs with the ball, getting that extra amount of yards. His speed made him at one time the fastest, if not the fastest, quarterback in the league. When Philly took him, they used him intelligently. He shared snaps with McNabb, throwing defenders off, not knowing if they should watch for a pass or a run. When Vick had the ball, it was each person for themselves. He managed to pull some spectacular plays with DeSean Jackson, scoring numerous touchdowns and getting countless yards.
Now, Vick has no idea where he's going. His one year $1 million deal is about to end, and he has no new offers. Rumors call for the Rams picking him up, since Marc Bulger hasn't proven to be the most productive QB for a rebuilding team.
Honestly, Vick could end up in one of 5 teams.
1-Rams: they need a QB, and Vick is fit, and ready to start to make an impact and make a name for himself again.
2-Dolphins: He runs, he passes, he scores. In short, that's what a wildcat offense is, and he'd fit in perfectly.
3-Jacksonville: They can either draft Tebow and keep their franchise, or go out on a limb, draft something that fits their team better and pick Vick up to compliment Garrard and MJD on the offense.
4-Buffalo: They have no QB, and bringing Vick in to work with TO wouldn't be a bad idea. Something for them to try, since everything else has failed for them. Lets just hope somebody reads this!
5-Oakland: Jamarcus Russell isn't the best QB, he's actually the worst. He couldn't even pass a cold if he tried, he's just not that good. He was in college, no in the pro's. If Vick comes in, he could establish a run game for them, maybe get some offensive yards and possibly give Heyward Bey something to run for. If they do this, they need to draft O-Line to either create a run game or protect whoever has the ball.

Who said What?

Some notes on teams that didn't do very well this season but look like they're on the right path to success

top 5:

1-Seahwaks
2-Bills
3-Browns
4-Broncos
5-Panthers

1- The Seattle Seahawks are one of the most underrated teams today. They don't have hot shot players, they don't have the media on them constantly, and nobody really cares what they do with regards to player movement. Their active quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, is not a bad player. Age may be a factor when considering his NFL life, but then again, Brett Favre is proof that age is just a number. With the acquisition of WR Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech, the Seahawks have positioned themselves for greatness. Crabtree is known for his impressive speed, meaning any cornerback who goes up against him knows he wont be easy to contain. He doesn't have the height that other receivers like A. Johnson, Larry Fitz, and Marques Colston have, but he doesn't have to. Many a good receivers have done well with the height factor against them, for example, Steve Smith from the Panthers, Santana Moss from the Redskins and DeSean Jackson from Philly. Another reason they'll shine bright is their administration. Their owner, Paul Allen, the same guy who made millions with Bill Gates isn't stupid, he knows his team is not doing well. With the economic strength on their side, this postseason and upcoming draft will be big for them. They should draft an O-Guard, O-Tackle or Tight End, to compliment the O-Line. If they cant protect the QB with a guard or a tackle, a tight end should be perfect for a well settled blocking scheme. On top of players, their coach, Pete Carroll is well known for his prestigious play calling.

2- Buffalo Bills are the joke of the NFL. The fact that they have to compete against the Jets and Giants to gain a fan base up north isn't easy. Considering they picked up Terrell Owens, a once well respected receiver, should fit well into their upcoming season. He had a slow start, considering he's new to the team, and their quarterback situation was pretty bad. They couldn't settle a solid QB, and that's what they need to address this off season, simple as that. They also need to establish some protection for Marshawn Lynch if they expect to be contenders next season with the run game.

3- Cleveland Browns couldn't be any worse than how they are now. With Eric Mangini running this team, they don't seem to be getting anywhere. Until the end of this past season, Brady Quinn was the starting QB, which isn't a bad idea. He's young, talented, and smart. Quarterbacks from Notre Dame do not get drafted to ride bench, they mean business. Quinn needs to work on his accuracy. If the Browns can find some way to protect him, they'll be fine. Another important factor was the absence of Donte Stallworth. With his return, Quinn will have another receiver to work with, and a decent receiver if anything. The loss of Braylon Edwards left a gap in their receiving core, but Josh Cribs, on top of his amazing speed and kick returning abilities, should work out perfectly with Quinn or Anderson, whichever gets lucky. The Browns defense is what should be addressed this offseason. There exists no stability in it, no run defense and definitely not pass defense. Its a young team, with numerous rookies, and only time will tell if they are worth the push. If they go with most predictions,a solid linebacker could help the 30th ranked run defense in the league if Mike Holmgren has anything to say about it. Him being their president, guarantees that they are on a fast road to recovery.

4- The Denver Broncos are one season short from another post season appearance. Josh McDaniels may be a rookie coach, but it doesn't mean he's not working hard. The fact that Brandon Marshall was being a immature and complaining about the team didn't help the chemistry. He may not be fit for Kyle Orton's passing scheme, and McDaniels knows that. Maybe Eddie Royal will get the spotlight with Brandon Stokely on his side, and create a new line of receiving magic for Denver. Their team has nothing but talent. Their defense is probably on the top 5 right now, with Elvis Dumervil on LB and Champ Bailey on corner, shows they have what it takes. The offense, like many others, will improve with time. Orton's already been there for a season, and with Chris Simms on backup, the passing game shouldn't be a worry for them. Knowshon Moreno and Corell Buckhalter are solid runners. There doesn't seem to be a dominance in this duo, since they work together by sharing snaps. The broncos could go various ways this draft, they could go with a linebacker, to play alongside Dumervil, or draft a safety to give the backfield some depth and new blood.

5- The Carolina Panthers have always been a dangerous team. With Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad on the receiving end, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart running train on defenders, and Jake Delhomme on QB, the team hasn't had to worry much about talent. Although Delhomme's quality and fantasy value has decreased substantially, he still may have another year in him to try for a possible winning season. Williams has been nothing but amazing these past seasons. He's been ranked in the top 5 in most pre season fantasy ranks, and he doesn't disappoint. Regardless of injury, if he manages to stay healthy next season, there's not doubt in my mind that he can run miles up and down the field scoring countless TD's. Their problem is also QB protection, so this upcoming draft, they should be in the race to pick up the few but talented O-Linemen coming up.

This is where I get excited because I feel like I've concentrated most on the defense.
The Texans defense has been inconsistent, from the weak defensive line, to the inexperienced cornerbacks, to the slow paced safeties, and it doesn't seem to be ready to compete....YET!

With Mario Williams and Antonio Smith on both D-Line ends, the pass rush doesnt seem to be much of a problem. Amobi Okoye (DT) doesnt seem to be fulfilling his role as a plug to the line, so I believe the administrative staff plans to address this issue as soon as possible.
Safety Bernard Pollard has been one of the best aquisitions this past season, leading the team with interceptions, and filling in the gap in the back field. Alongside Pollard is nobody worth starting. Eugene Wilson and Nick Ferguson already got their chances, and they didnt impress much. Houston is predicted to pick up either Earl Thomas, from Texas, or Taylor Mays, from USC, in the 1st round, to finally polish off Kubiaks masterpiece.

Linebackers have been nothing but short of amazing this season. With the aquisition of Brian Cushing, along with Demeco Ryans and Zac Diles, the Texans run defense has improved substantially. Runners such as Chris Johnson and Maurice Jones Drew had some trouble near the end of the season running against Houston, since the linebackers were on their top game. Cushing, as a rookie, put up Pro Bowl Stats. He had a safety, four sacks, and four interceptions, ending the season as defensive rookie of the year.

Corners had some trouble at depth, as Antwan Molden was injured for the season, leaving Glover Quinn, Dunta Robinson, Brice McCain and Jacques Reeves to fend for themselves.

Draft prediction:
1st Rd-free safety
2nd rd-Defensive tackle
3rd rd-cornerback
4th rd-offensive guard
5th rd-center
6th rd-kicker
7th rd-strong safety

Houston Texans 2009 Season

This season has been one hell of a season for Houston!

The team went from being the punchline of most sports jokes, to a team with a winning season and the respect of most NFL teams.

The Texans have put forth all they had to give, to pull off a positive outcome for this season. They ended the season ranked 4th in the league in Pass Offense, with the help of Quarterback Matt Schaub and Receivers Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter.

OFFENSE

The Texans offense is what always shines on the field, no matter who they're playing. Starting with the Quarterbacks, with Matt Schaub starting, Dan Orlovsky on backup, and Rex Grossman as 3rd string, the Texans have proven that depth is not an issue for them. Schaub, known for being prone to injury, has forced the team to pick up two more veteran QB's in case of an injury.

The run game was more of a nuisance to the offense than people expected. Steve Slaton hit his sophomore slump, fumbling at some of the most crucial times in the games. His inconsistency gave Ryan Moats, a veteran traded from Philadelphia, a chance to step up and gain the starting job. His start was explosive, but one of the most significant fumbles of the season was when he fumbled after Antoine Bethea (IND) tackled him near the end zone, turning the ball over without a score. After all resources were tapped, Arian Foster, a runner on the practice squad, was called into activity and given a chance to shine. Foster played exceptional football, scoring 3 touchdowns and 93 yards rushed.
Overall the run game was full of glitches, and nobody knew who to turn to when the starters couldn't meet requirements.
I don't doubt Slaton's legitimacy next season, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Texans draft a top notch running back this upcoming draft. Slaton's slump could have just been a fluke, but Kubiak is not willing to risk another season.
Prospects: Dexter Mccluster and Jhavid Best

The receiving core played nothing but near perfect football. Starting with Andre Johnson, the #1 receiver in the league for three years running, shows no fear against the coverage he's going up against. Very few cornerbacks can say they have stopped Andre on a play. His versatility and speed combine perfectly on the field when Schaub decides to go to his big man. Jacoby Jones also had a productive season, not only as kick and punt returner, but as the quiet receiver that he is. When balls seemed lost in the depth of the field, Jones would come out of nowhere and create magical plays that no safety or corner could ever imagine stopping.
On the other side are Kevin Walter and David Anderson ready to turn into targets for Schaub's impressive accuracy. Walter and Anderson are quiet receivers, who tend to shine when least expected. They don't create big plays like Andre, instead, they create plays that set Andre up for a big reception.

Kicker Chris Brown was awful this season, missing about 8 kicks in the entire season, some game deciding kicks. I blame some loses on him, honestly, because he was put in situations where a kick decides whether its a win or loss. I'm not sure what the Texans expect to do with the kicker next season, but if they start Brown again, I wont hesitate to say ''I told you so''.
My opinion: pick up a rookie kicker, and let him fight for starting spot, it wont her, Brown's old news in Htown, time for some new kicks, no pun intended.

Superbowl

Its over, the Saints won. Who Dat? The Saints, that's who.

Drew Brees finally got the ring he wanted and deserved. The entire New Orleans football team gave all they had to give when they collided with the Indy Colts in Miami. From offensive breakouts, to defensive explosions, both teams demonstrated why they deserved to be there. Manning and Brees both had solid games, connecting with various receivers throughout the game to balance the playing field.

Pierre Thomas and Joseph Addai both proved to their coaches with some evasive maneuvers when they were targeted by charging linebackers.
This game was important to many players, from Coach Sean Payton, who's been said to have built the Saints from scratch and now they've reached near perfection. Drew Brees, one of the most respected QB's in the league gets the ring and bragging rights he's supposed to have. Reggie Bush, a one time USC high-flying RB, to a high-flying Superbowl Winning New Orleans Saint.

All in all, the game proved to be mostly fun. On top of the extensive media coverage of the game, the players themselved built a separate hype for fans to look for. The cliche game, between Manning and Brees ended up in a somewhat unexpected way, yet made up for the changes.
Congratulations to New Orleans, who dat?

Superbowl Analysis

Saints vs Colts

The most obvious superbowl match possible. This game was predicted to be when the season was only 4 games in. The New Orleans presence was felt and Peyton Manning was nowhere from being done with Indy. Granted they both didnt have the easiest schedules in the league, they both managed to pull off some sort of unbeaten streak. Regardless of the losses incurred throughout their season, they are both the ideal teams to meet this upcoming Sunday.

The Indy Colts, a team with one of the best, if not the best Offensive Scheme in the league. Their O-Line seems to be inpenetrable, which presents one less worry for Manning. Their receiving core is not only the most versatile group of individuals, their ability to pull off necessary plays in the most important of times. Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Dallas Clark, and Pierre Garcon, simply put are amazing. Their defense suffers from depth, so injuries caused the defense to loose its threat.

The Saints, on the other hand, excel in their defensive explosiveness. When plays are most needed, their defense always seems to pitch in that extra ammount to win. Darren Sharper, their Safety, and Jonathan Vilma, the Linebacker, stand out in the backfield. With 9 interceptions this season, Sharper led the league alongside Woodson, Byrd and Samuel. Not to mention, Drew Brees is no pushover QB. His ability to find open receivers is to admire. When under heavy pressure, Brees always finds someone to make a completion to. The YAC (yards after carry) is what his receivers are known for. Jeremy Shockey, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, and Marques Colston pose more than a threat to the Colts weak backfield.

Final prediction: Colts win

This year in Quarterbacks

Adding to my previous post about sports in general, I want to elaborate on my opinion of the '2009 QB's'
First off, I will rank my top 10, although my ranking criteria is different to others, and I will elaborate on such:

1-Peyton Manning
2-Drew Brees
3-Matt Schaub
4-Aaron Rodgers
5-Donnovan McNabb
6-Phillip Rivers
7-Tom Brady
8-Kurt Warner(Ret)
9-Brett Favre
10-Joe Flacco

Now, the reason I ranked them this way, is their versatility on the field, as well as their ability to bomb shotguns down the side and burn a corner or a safety on a PA or Screen, without even thinking about it.
Peyton Manning is the best quarterback ever, and there is nobody that can say otherwise. He throws the most accurate passes, the most passes in general, the least interceptions, and his no huddle offense is remarkable.
Drew Brees is an elaborate quarterback. He throws to anybody and everybody. He will bomb a 60 yard shot to a tight end and throw a 2 yd TD pass to a receiver, its just what he does. He always finds players open, and it doesnt hurt to mention his offensive line knows how to keep him safe in the pocket.
Matt Schaub, the same player who once played backup to Mike Vick, now leads the league in passing yards. The same Qb who was expected to be a bust, has topped the charts, and in one season, the 2009 season, he threw more yards than he had thrown in his past 3 seasons in the league. His knowledge of passing, and the growth he has gone through, is nothing to ignnore. His #1 receiver, Andre Johnson, not only gets open when bombs are passed on a PA pass, but Schaub sets him up for the 'sickest' touchdowns seen today. Best QB-WR duo today, no doubt about it.
Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback who gets more sacks than touchdowns, has made it to my #4 rank. This is because he plays with a great team. Donal Driver and Greg Jennings on the receiving end doesnt hurt to have active. He's done what nobody expected him to do, which is take over after Bretty Boo Favre. He doesnt throw many picks, he gets sacked a lot, but makes up for it with TD's and yards after yards. Well deserving #4.
Donnovan McNabb, a quarterback who's been on the Eagles team for 11 years, does not dissapoint. His team lost a serious battle this postseason, but I blame the coaching and defense. McNabb is a solid passer, and DeSean Jackson can only get better, which leaves room for improvement on the defenses behalf. If McNabb retires, the Eagles will have to give Mike Vick the starting job until they establish a starting QB who wont be benched after the 1st pick.

I will elaborate on the other 5 in later days, for now, I return to my every day life.

So another season comes to an end....

The 2009-2010 NFL season has come to an end, and I'm not satisfied. I had wished my team, the Houston Texans, would have made it, but then again they weren't ready. Saints vs Colts is the final game, Brees vs Manning, Wayne vs Colston, Smith vs Freeney. I honeslty dont think the game will be that bad, considering both teams have amazing defenses. The Colts, with their superb run defense, and the Saints, with their high flying backfield and D-Backs, should make for a fun-filled game.
My prediction: Colts win, I wont call a score, because I have failed at that before, but I will say Reggie Wayne will have a big game