After the NFL regular season is over, I will have my playoff prediction posted.
After the playoffs are over, I will submit my 2011 NFL Mock Draft.
Thank you to all my followers for your support, as well as everyone who reads my blog.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
2010-2011 NFL Team MVP's
The following are my opinions of each team's MVP:
Arizona: Paris Lenon-LB
-Leads the team in tackles.
Atlanta: Matt Ryan-QB
-Has showed he belongs among the elite players.
Baltimore: Joe Flacco-QB
-Continues to mature and improve his game.
Buffalo: Ryan Fitzpatrick-QB
-He has posted great numbers on a terrible team.
Carolina: John Baker-P
-You know your team is the worst in the league when your punter is the MVP of your team.
Chicago: Jay Cutler-QB
-Has improved immensely from last season to lead this team to a playoff team.
Cincinnati: Terrell Owens-WR
-Buffalo made a mistake letting him go...but apparently they thought he was washed up.
Cleveland: Joe Haden-CB and Peyton Hillis-RB
-Haden tied for 2nd in NFL in interceptions as a rookie. Hillis has put up ridiculous numbers in a subpar offense.
Dallas: Jason Witten-TE
-Has almost 1,000 yds. receiving this year and leads the team in that category.
Denver: Brandon Lloyd-WR
-He leads all NFL receivers in most categories.
Detroit: Calvin Johnson-WR
-Any time you're leading the NFL in TD receptions on this team, you deserve the team MVP.
Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers-QB
-Who needs Farve...or Favre?
Houston: Arian Foster-RB
-Undrafted. On practice squad last year. Leading NFL in rushing yards in 2010.
Indianapolis: Peyton Manning-QB
-Is there anyone else? Maybe Reggie Wayne but not without Manning.
Jacksonville: David Garrard-QB
-Has a sub-par offense looking at a possible playoff spot.
Kansas City: Matt Cassell-QB
-4 wins in 2009. 10 wins so far in 2010. He's the reason why.
Miami: Cameron Wake-DE
-He's leading the NFL in sacks.
Minnesota: Adrian Peterson-RB
-Brett Favre was MVP last year. This year Peterson is running over other teams...literally.
New England: Tom Brady-QB
-He's good. Very good.
New Orleans: Drew Brees-QB
-Reigning Super Bowl MVP. Has a chance to repeat.
New York (NFC): Hakeem Nicks-WR
-Among top receivers in the NFL in every category.
New York (AFC): LaDaninian Tomlinson-RB
-Has close to 1,000 yards rushing. Ryan Mathews-558 yds.
Oakland: Darren McFadden-RB
-Starting to show what everyone expected of the former Razorback.
Philadelphia: Michael Vick-QB
-Made the Pro Bowl. MVP candidate. Pretty impressive.
Pittsburgh: Rashard Mendenhall-RB
-Ben Roethlisberger's name would be here had he not gotten into trouble again.
San Diego: Philip Rivers-QB
-MVP numbers on an extremely disappointing team.
San Francisco: Patrick Willis-LB
-Among league's elite middle men.
Seattle: Earl Thomas- SS
-Keep an eye on this young player. Going to be among the elite in near future.
St. Louis: Sam Bradford-QB
-First rookie QB to play up to his lucrative $78 million contract.
Tampa Bay: Josh Freeman-QB
-Putting up really good numbers, and has this team looking a possible playoff spot.
Tennessee: Mark Mariani-WR/KR
-Leads the entire league in kick return yard average.
Washington: London Fletcher-LB
-Continues to put up over 120 stops a season...he's 35 yrs. old.
Arizona: Paris Lenon-LB
-Leads the team in tackles.
Atlanta: Matt Ryan-QB
-Has showed he belongs among the elite players.
Baltimore: Joe Flacco-QB
-Continues to mature and improve his game.
Buffalo: Ryan Fitzpatrick-QB
-He has posted great numbers on a terrible team.
Carolina: John Baker-P
-You know your team is the worst in the league when your punter is the MVP of your team.
Chicago: Jay Cutler-QB
-Has improved immensely from last season to lead this team to a playoff team.
Cincinnati: Terrell Owens-WR
-Buffalo made a mistake letting him go...but apparently they thought he was washed up.
Cleveland: Joe Haden-CB and Peyton Hillis-RB
-Haden tied for 2nd in NFL in interceptions as a rookie. Hillis has put up ridiculous numbers in a subpar offense.
Dallas: Jason Witten-TE
-Has almost 1,000 yds. receiving this year and leads the team in that category.
Denver: Brandon Lloyd-WR
-He leads all NFL receivers in most categories.
Detroit: Calvin Johnson-WR
-Any time you're leading the NFL in TD receptions on this team, you deserve the team MVP.
Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers-QB
-Who needs Farve...or Favre?
Houston: Arian Foster-RB
-Undrafted. On practice squad last year. Leading NFL in rushing yards in 2010.
Indianapolis: Peyton Manning-QB
-Is there anyone else? Maybe Reggie Wayne but not without Manning.
Jacksonville: David Garrard-QB
-Has a sub-par offense looking at a possible playoff spot.
Kansas City: Matt Cassell-QB
-4 wins in 2009. 10 wins so far in 2010. He's the reason why.
Miami: Cameron Wake-DE
-He's leading the NFL in sacks.
Minnesota: Adrian Peterson-RB
-Brett Favre was MVP last year. This year Peterson is running over other teams...literally.
New England: Tom Brady-QB
-He's good. Very good.
New Orleans: Drew Brees-QB
-Reigning Super Bowl MVP. Has a chance to repeat.
New York (NFC): Hakeem Nicks-WR
-Among top receivers in the NFL in every category.
New York (AFC): LaDaninian Tomlinson-RB
-Has close to 1,000 yards rushing. Ryan Mathews-558 yds.
Oakland: Darren McFadden-RB
-Starting to show what everyone expected of the former Razorback.
Philadelphia: Michael Vick-QB
-Made the Pro Bowl. MVP candidate. Pretty impressive.
Pittsburgh: Rashard Mendenhall-RB
-Ben Roethlisberger's name would be here had he not gotten into trouble again.
San Diego: Philip Rivers-QB
-MVP numbers on an extremely disappointing team.
San Francisco: Patrick Willis-LB
-Among league's elite middle men.
Seattle: Earl Thomas- SS
-Keep an eye on this young player. Going to be among the elite in near future.
St. Louis: Sam Bradford-QB
-First rookie QB to play up to his lucrative $78 million contract.
Tampa Bay: Josh Freeman-QB
-Putting up really good numbers, and has this team looking a possible playoff spot.
Tennessee: Mark Mariani-WR/KR
-Leads the entire league in kick return yard average.
Washington: London Fletcher-LB
-Continues to put up over 120 stops a season...he's 35 yrs. old.
2010-2011 NFL Awards Predictions
Keep in mind these are just my predictions and not the actual awards. Here goes:
NFL MVP: Tom Brady (Patriots) and Michael Vick (Philadelphia)
-Remember we have a had a Co-MVP with Peyton Manning and Steve McNair in 2003.
Runner-Up: Matt Cassel (Kansas City)
Offensive POY*: Philip Rivers (San Diego)
Runner-Up: Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City)
Defensive POY: Clay Matthews (Green Bay)
Runner-Up: Cameron Wake (Miami)
Offensive ROY*: Sam Bradford (St. Louis)
Runner-Up: Mike Williams (Tampa Bay)
Defensive ROY: Devin McCourty (New England) and Ndamukong Suh (Detroit)
Comeback POY: Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay)
Coach of the Year: Todd Haley (Kansas City)
Runner-Up: Andy Reid (Philadelphia)
Most Improved Player: Arian Foster (Houston)
Runner-Up: Steve Johnson (Buffalo)
*POY (Player of the Year) ROY (Rookie of the Year)
NFL MVP: Tom Brady (Patriots) and Michael Vick (Philadelphia)
-Remember we have a had a Co-MVP with Peyton Manning and Steve McNair in 2003.
Runner-Up: Matt Cassel (Kansas City)
Offensive POY*: Philip Rivers (San Diego)
Runner-Up: Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City)
Defensive POY: Clay Matthews (Green Bay)
Runner-Up: Cameron Wake (Miami)
Offensive ROY*: Sam Bradford (St. Louis)
Runner-Up: Mike Williams (Tampa Bay)
Defensive ROY: Devin McCourty (New England) and Ndamukong Suh (Detroit)
Comeback POY: Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay)
Coach of the Year: Todd Haley (Kansas City)
Runner-Up: Andy Reid (Philadelphia)
Most Improved Player: Arian Foster (Houston)
Runner-Up: Steve Johnson (Buffalo)
*POY (Player of the Year) ROY (Rookie of the Year)
Friday, December 17, 2010
Pete Rose vs Roger Clemens
Gambling vs Steroids. Pride vs Common Sense. 14 vs 22. Pete Rose vs Roger Clemens.
Pete Rose- .303 BA
160 HR
4,256 Hits
World Series Champion: 3x's
1,314 RBI's
Holder of 17 MLB records
Roger Clemens- 354 wins, 184 losses
3.17 ERA
4,672 K's
World Series Champion: 2x's
Cy Young Winner: 7x's
One of these great baseball players does not deserve enshrinement into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Can you guess who? I'll tell you my guess later but let me give you some of these two players dirty past history and I'll let you decide for yourself. Pete Rose gambled on the game of baseball, and Roger Clemens took steroids. Each one affects their performance in different ways, but one of these players still deserves enshrinement? Let me explain. Pete Rose gambled on the game of baseball but, he never bet against his team. He only bet on certain aspects of the game that would push him to do well on the field so he could win his bet. I'm not making excuses and making it seem that what he did was right, he was absolutely wrong for what he did but for some reason, it doesn't really bother me. Pete Rose was a complete baseball player having played more than 500 games at 5 different positions, and made 17 All-Star appearances. Roger Clemens has statistics that pitchers dream of, some never get close. His statistics belong in the Hall of Fame but Roger himself does not. Unlike Pete Rose, Roger Clemens cheated in the area that it boosted his performance on the baseball field, physically. Not only did he cheat and lie on the ball field but he recently lied about taking steriods and PHDs to Congress, which is a felony.
In short, Pete Rose absolutely belongs in the Hall of Fame. Roger Clemens does not.
Pete Rose- .303 BA
160 HR
4,256 Hits
World Series Champion: 3x's
1,314 RBI's
Holder of 17 MLB records
Roger Clemens- 354 wins, 184 losses
3.17 ERA
4,672 K's
World Series Champion: 2x's
Cy Young Winner: 7x's
One of these great baseball players does not deserve enshrinement into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Can you guess who? I'll tell you my guess later but let me give you some of these two players dirty past history and I'll let you decide for yourself. Pete Rose gambled on the game of baseball, and Roger Clemens took steroids. Each one affects their performance in different ways, but one of these players still deserves enshrinement? Let me explain. Pete Rose gambled on the game of baseball but, he never bet against his team. He only bet on certain aspects of the game that would push him to do well on the field so he could win his bet. I'm not making excuses and making it seem that what he did was right, he was absolutely wrong for what he did but for some reason, it doesn't really bother me. Pete Rose was a complete baseball player having played more than 500 games at 5 different positions, and made 17 All-Star appearances. Roger Clemens has statistics that pitchers dream of, some never get close. His statistics belong in the Hall of Fame but Roger himself does not. Unlike Pete Rose, Roger Clemens cheated in the area that it boosted his performance on the baseball field, physically. Not only did he cheat and lie on the ball field but he recently lied about taking steriods and PHDs to Congress, which is a felony.
In short, Pete Rose absolutely belongs in the Hall of Fame. Roger Clemens does not.
Hard Hits....maybe.
Dick Butkus. Ray Nitschke. Mike Singletary. Lawrence Taylor. Jack Lambert. Bruce Smith.
Just a few names of some the Hall of Fame defensive players who in their days of playing, played a hard-hitting game called, football. Tackling is defined as the act of stopping an opposing player carrying the ball, especially by forcing opponent to the ground. The game is a collision sport, not a contact sport. I love the previous definition, because it says "especially by forcing the opponent to the ground", key word; especially. Since when did tackling have to be something the players have to be careful about, or since when did the game of football become a sport where colliding with another player is illegal?
Recently in the NFL, Commisioner Roger Goodell issued a new helmet-to-helmet policy, which basically says that any player intentionally leading with his helmet will be fined and/or suspended a number of games. The biggest name to come up in this whole fiasco is Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, James Harrison who up to this point has been fined $100,000 for his so called "illegal hits." Harrison evened contemplated retirement because he feels like he can not play the game the way it is supposed to be played. His hit on Mohamed Massaquoi was not penalized during the game but drew a $75,000 fine. Recently, the NFL fined him $20,000 for a late hit on Drew Brees. Yes, it drew a roughing the passer penalty but I still don't see how it was an illegal hit. Commisioner Goodell said that Harrison put his facemask into the back of Drew Brees, which seems to me; besides the lateness of it, a perfectly legal hit. What I'm trying to understand, is what exactly is legal? Yes, a picture perfect tackle would be a shoulder pad hit to the abdomen area, but like I said, this is a collision sport. The NFL now is protecting players, when in actuality, they are over-protecting. I'm starting to get the strange feeling that this isn't becoming about the safety of the players, but more so the money behind it. A couple of seasons ago, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady dropped back to pass, and had a defensive player fall into his knee, completely ending his season. Soon after that the NFL implements what we now call the "Brady Rule". This rule basically says that any defensive player seen by officials, aiming for anywhere below the quarterbacks waist will be penalized and possibly fined.
I really can't explain why, but I love seeing a defensive player come around the end and completely decimate a quarterback from the blind side. I love that because that is football. That is what fans love about this game, not seeing more flags waving than at a Washington DC rally. Now I won't sit here and say that I love watching players suffer from injuries, but I love watching a receiver go across the middle, make a great catch and get absolutely flattened by a linebacker. The kind of hit when us the viewers gasp, the kind of hit you've been waiting to see all game. You don't go to a football game just to see guys make routine tackles, and the offense score touchdowns. No, you go to see grown men battle it out on a football field and hit each other at full force. It's like in hockey, you show up secretly hoping to see some player get his face beat in during a fight. Don't deny it, everyone who is a sports fan loves to see two or more players get into it. Bench clearing brawls in baseball and two players fighting in hockey. It's something that keeps us coming back for more, it's what drives us to be sports fans. We go nuts when that happens, and for some reason it keeps us buying tickets every year.
Brian Urlacher put it brilliantly when he said, "Soon they'll have to call it the NFFL, the National Flag Football League." Well, Brian...can't say I disagree.
Just a few names of some the Hall of Fame defensive players who in their days of playing, played a hard-hitting game called, football. Tackling is defined as the act of stopping an opposing player carrying the ball, especially by forcing opponent to the ground. The game is a collision sport, not a contact sport. I love the previous definition, because it says "especially by forcing the opponent to the ground", key word; especially. Since when did tackling have to be something the players have to be careful about, or since when did the game of football become a sport where colliding with another player is illegal?
Recently in the NFL, Commisioner Roger Goodell issued a new helmet-to-helmet policy, which basically says that any player intentionally leading with his helmet will be fined and/or suspended a number of games. The biggest name to come up in this whole fiasco is Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, James Harrison who up to this point has been fined $100,000 for his so called "illegal hits." Harrison evened contemplated retirement because he feels like he can not play the game the way it is supposed to be played. His hit on Mohamed Massaquoi was not penalized during the game but drew a $75,000 fine. Recently, the NFL fined him $20,000 for a late hit on Drew Brees. Yes, it drew a roughing the passer penalty but I still don't see how it was an illegal hit. Commisioner Goodell said that Harrison put his facemask into the back of Drew Brees, which seems to me; besides the lateness of it, a perfectly legal hit. What I'm trying to understand, is what exactly is legal? Yes, a picture perfect tackle would be a shoulder pad hit to the abdomen area, but like I said, this is a collision sport. The NFL now is protecting players, when in actuality, they are over-protecting. I'm starting to get the strange feeling that this isn't becoming about the safety of the players, but more so the money behind it. A couple of seasons ago, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady dropped back to pass, and had a defensive player fall into his knee, completely ending his season. Soon after that the NFL implements what we now call the "Brady Rule". This rule basically says that any defensive player seen by officials, aiming for anywhere below the quarterbacks waist will be penalized and possibly fined.
I really can't explain why, but I love seeing a defensive player come around the end and completely decimate a quarterback from the blind side. I love that because that is football. That is what fans love about this game, not seeing more flags waving than at a Washington DC rally. Now I won't sit here and say that I love watching players suffer from injuries, but I love watching a receiver go across the middle, make a great catch and get absolutely flattened by a linebacker. The kind of hit when us the viewers gasp, the kind of hit you've been waiting to see all game. You don't go to a football game just to see guys make routine tackles, and the offense score touchdowns. No, you go to see grown men battle it out on a football field and hit each other at full force. It's like in hockey, you show up secretly hoping to see some player get his face beat in during a fight. Don't deny it, everyone who is a sports fan loves to see two or more players get into it. Bench clearing brawls in baseball and two players fighting in hockey. It's something that keeps us coming back for more, it's what drives us to be sports fans. We go nuts when that happens, and for some reason it keeps us buying tickets every year.
Brian Urlacher put it brilliantly when he said, "Soon they'll have to call it the NFFL, the National Flag Football League." Well, Brian...can't say I disagree.
Are NASCAR drivers considered athletes?
An athlete is defined as a person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as, strength, agility and endurance. These are necessary for physical excercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive context.
I'm pretty neutral on this subject, considering that NASCAR drivers meet the strength and endurance traits. However, an 18-wheeler driver possesses the same traits. NASCAR drivers do possess an incredible amount of endurance. While driving in a constant circle for 500 laps, sometimes more a race, at blistering speeds. NASCAR drivers are, in my opinion, to be in a completely different set, or should I say, category of athletes. When I think of an athlete I think of someone like, Lebron James, or Peyton Manning. They fit every trait listed in the definition, therefore they are the epitome of an athlete. Every sport contains strategy, some higher than others. I used to think NASCAR was one of the dumbest things I've ever seen, but all that changed October 24, 2010. I went to the Martinsville race with my father-in-law, now I had been to the Watkins Glen race, but this was much more interesting. To actually see the strategies they talk about on tv actually happen in front of your own eyes, gave me a completely different view on NASCAR. I can now appreciate the passion of NASCAR fans a lot more than I did before.
I'm still not ready to call it a sport. I still call NASCAR races, events and the drivers, contestants. NASCAR drivers again, are in a different class of athletes. You can't compare it to any other sport, well, because it's not a sport, it's an event.
I'm pretty neutral on this subject, considering that NASCAR drivers meet the strength and endurance traits. However, an 18-wheeler driver possesses the same traits. NASCAR drivers do possess an incredible amount of endurance. While driving in a constant circle for 500 laps, sometimes more a race, at blistering speeds. NASCAR drivers are, in my opinion, to be in a completely different set, or should I say, category of athletes. When I think of an athlete I think of someone like, Lebron James, or Peyton Manning. They fit every trait listed in the definition, therefore they are the epitome of an athlete. Every sport contains strategy, some higher than others. I used to think NASCAR was one of the dumbest things I've ever seen, but all that changed October 24, 2010. I went to the Martinsville race with my father-in-law, now I had been to the Watkins Glen race, but this was much more interesting. To actually see the strategies they talk about on tv actually happen in front of your own eyes, gave me a completely different view on NASCAR. I can now appreciate the passion of NASCAR fans a lot more than I did before.
I'm still not ready to call it a sport. I still call NASCAR races, events and the drivers, contestants. NASCAR drivers again, are in a different class of athletes. You can't compare it to any other sport, well, because it's not a sport, it's an event.
Instant Replay in Major League Baseball
They have it in the NFL, NHL, and NBA. They even have it in MLS. It's called Instant Replay. So my question to Commisioner Bud Selig is, "What are you waiting for"? There have been many situations this past season that could've used another crucial look. For instance, Armando Gallaraga's perfect game that almost was, until Umpire Jim Joyce blew it. In this era of sports, instant replay has been used to make the game more balanced, more even. In the NFL they even use it just to determine the spot of the football and more. In the NHL they use it to determine whether the puck went in before the net was dislodged from it's pegs. In the NBA; to determine if a shot went in before the buzzer. So again Bud Selig, what's the deal? Even the umpires want to get their own call right, in fact many umpires have supported expanding the use of instant replays, past determining home runs. Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron put it nicely when he said " We're going to replay it forever for the next two months anyway, so you might as well do it in the two minutes it takes to get it right." Of course there will always be a need for that "human element" in the game, but this is a changing sport, much like the other sports I mentioned earlier. I would like to see a challenge system worked in, much like the NFL runs their own replay system.
It's June 2, 2010, Armando Gallaraga is pitching the game of his life. It's the top of the 9th inning, 2 outs. It's the situation every Little League player dreams of, minus the World Series of course. Jason Donald of the Cleveland Indians, hits a ground ball to 1st baseman, Miguel Cabrera. Gallaraga immediately runs to cover 1st base, Cabrera tosses it, Gallaraga catches it, steps on 1st in plenty of time for the out. That's how we all saw it unfold before our eyes, and certainly that's how Gallaraga saw it happen. Even Jason Donald knew he was out but, he was called safe on the play and Gallaraga got the next batter to ground out to complete his "one-hit perfect game." After the game was over, Jim Joyce saw the replay on tv and immediately issued a tearful apology to Gallaraga and the fans. I feel bad for Joyce, but this whole situation could've been avoided if Bud Selig would just expand the instant replay policy past home runs only. Gallaraga excused Joyce and said that he (Joyce) is only humans, humans make mistakes, but I think deep down, Gallaraga wishes there was instant replay for plays specific to his. MLB reviewed the play and the call over the next few days and did nothing about it. Nothing. The very next batter grounded out to end the game, so it's not changing much by reversing the call and rewarding Gallaraga a very well-earned milestone.
So, I'll end by offering Bud Selig some advice from our very own President Obama. Now is the time for change.
It's June 2, 2010, Armando Gallaraga is pitching the game of his life. It's the top of the 9th inning, 2 outs. It's the situation every Little League player dreams of, minus the World Series of course. Jason Donald of the Cleveland Indians, hits a ground ball to 1st baseman, Miguel Cabrera. Gallaraga immediately runs to cover 1st base, Cabrera tosses it, Gallaraga catches it, steps on 1st in plenty of time for the out. That's how we all saw it unfold before our eyes, and certainly that's how Gallaraga saw it happen. Even Jason Donald knew he was out but, he was called safe on the play and Gallaraga got the next batter to ground out to complete his "one-hit perfect game." After the game was over, Jim Joyce saw the replay on tv and immediately issued a tearful apology to Gallaraga and the fans. I feel bad for Joyce, but this whole situation could've been avoided if Bud Selig would just expand the instant replay policy past home runs only. Gallaraga excused Joyce and said that he (Joyce) is only humans, humans make mistakes, but I think deep down, Gallaraga wishes there was instant replay for plays specific to his. MLB reviewed the play and the call over the next few days and did nothing about it. Nothing. The very next batter grounded out to end the game, so it's not changing much by reversing the call and rewarding Gallaraga a very well-earned milestone.
So, I'll end by offering Bud Selig some advice from our very own President Obama. Now is the time for change.
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