“TRADE JAY CUTLER! HE SUCKS! BRING BACK JOSH MCCOWN!” This seems to be the general consensus amongst Bears’ fans when asked about their franchise quarterback. Many believe its Cutler’s fault that the Bears are 4-6 and tied for third place in the NFC North. However, upon further examination, Cutler has a career high completion percentage (67.1%), is on pace to set a career high for touchdowns, and on pace to get another 4,000 yard passing season. Does that sound like a QB that you want to get rid of? Here is a list of reasons why the Bears should stick with the embattled gunslinger:
The wide receivers surrounding Cutler in 2009: Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Jonny Knox, and Rashied Davis.
2010: See above.
2011: Hester, Bennett, Knox, and Roy Williams
Prior to the 2012 season, in which Chicago acquired Brandon Marshall, Cutler has spent the majority of his Bears career on offense starved of playmakers. Granted this season he is throwing to two of the best wide receivers in the NFL, along with tight end Martellus Bennett, Cutler has only played a total of 22 games with all of these aforementioned players. That is a little bit more than ONE SEASON. All of these players need more time to get acclimated to each other and the offense. Speaking of the offense…
Here is a list of 21st century coaches, the length of time it took each coach to be successful with their team, and the highest level of success each team reached:
Mike McCarthey: 5th year with team, won Super Bowl XLV
Ron Rivera: 3rd year with team, 1st playoff appearance since 2008
Pete Carroll: 4th year with team, won Super Bowl XLVIII
Tom Coughlin: 4th year with team, won Super Bowl XLII
Sean Peyton: 4th year with team, won Super Bowl XLIV
Firing Trestman after Year 2 is not a smart idea, Bears fans. Football teams improve with continuity, and Trestman and the rest of his coaching staff need another few years to better implement and improve upon their game plan. Even though the offense has struggled at times, this can be attributed to the playbook expanding and becoming increasingly more complex. After a full year to digest the intricacies of the playbook, the Bears should be in the prime position for a comeback.
The ten oldest quarterbacks to have ever played in the Super Bowl range from age 36 to age 38. The record of these ten QBs is 5-5. At 31 years old, Cutler does not appear too old to win the Lombardi Trophy. If anything, it seems he’s reaching his quarterback prime. Why would we want to cut bait with the most talented signal-caller in franchise history at the beginning of his prime? He turns the ball over too much, and the timeliness of these mistakes can often cost the Bears, but the talent is too tantalizing. Turnovers are easy to correct, but talent isn’t learned overnight. In 2007, the New York Giants won the Lombardi Trophy with Eli Manning, a quarterback who threw 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, resulting in an interception rate of 3.8%. In 2011, that very same team with that very same quarterback won the championship. The difference is that Manning’s stat line read 29 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and an interception rate of 2.7%. It IS POSSIBLE for Cutler to have a season of sub-3% interception rate. It is possible for Cutler, at least for one magical season, to lead Chicago to the Super Bowl.
I would like to leave you on this note, emailed to Bill Simmon’s Grantland by a fan that shares a similar viewpoint on Jay Cutler:
Q: I was just reading your comparison of Jay Cutler and Jeff George and it sent me off to check some NFL stats. Here’s a blind QB comparison for you based on career stats:
(Courtesy of Bill Simmons of Grantland.com: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/welcome-to-the-week-12-thunderdome/).
Teams would not be interested in Cutler if he was a bad quarterback. He would be treated the same way Kyle Orton, Mark Sanchez, and Brandon Weeden were treated the previous off-season. Those players generated very little buzz when they hit the open market. However, since this is not the case with Cutler, the Bears’ front office should use this interest as a message: he is a good quarterback. The team needs to give him more time, and possibly a better defense, in order to help him flourish. The majority of the pieces are there, the team just needs to exhibit some patience and trust in order to finally end the thirty year championship drought in one of the greatest sports teams in the country.
This past Saturday, the Utah Utes were routed 51-27 by the Oregon Ducks. The game was much closer than it appeared, especially early on in the first quarter. The key play occurred early in the second quarter when Utah’s Travis Wilson connected with Kaelin Clay for what appeared to be a 78 yard score. However, Clay never crossed the goal line with the ball; he dropped it on the one yard and not in the end zone. This led to Oregon’s Joe Walker to run the fumble a hundred yards for a touchdown. The 14-point swing was enough to completely change the momentum of the game: sapping it from Utah advancing the drive of Oregon. The Ducks would score 24 unanswered points in the second quarter, sealing the fate for the fourth ranked team in the country.
Kaelin Clay is not the first player to make an in game gaff like the one on Saturday night; DeSean Jackson and the infamous Leon Lett are the first two names to come to mind.
The incident this past week highlights a problem that has slowly emerged in the league ever since “Neon” Deon “Primetime” Sanders was drafted: some players are more concerned with showing off than actually producing. While it is understood that football is a sport driven by stars, like Peyton Manning, Richard Sherman, and Jamesis Winston, the desire to become a star should never outshine the desire to be a great player. Players who are considered “stars” did not rise to such heights by having the flashiest highlights or most ridiculous plays; rather, they earned that recognition through hard work and results.
One would hope that Clay learned his lesson about finishing plays and that this incident lights a fire under him so that he goes on to be a productive college player and professional. Prior to the fumble, Utah was imposing their will on Oregon. Had that touchdown stood, there may have been a very different outcome. Unfortunately, that Utah win will forever remain in the land of “what if…?”
With the second week of the pre-season in the books, everyone is revving up their metaphorical fantasy football engines. Mock drafts are frivolously being done, ESPN and Yahoo articles are being pored over, and every owner is feverishly preparing for the ever-approaching season. For those looking for last minute advice on which players to select – this one’s for you. These are the players that are fantasy musts, sleepers with great upside, and players to avoid at all costs. Without further delay, here is my “fantasy football draft day diary.”
Editor’s Note: I will omit kickers and defenses from this list because, when it is all said and done, they are pretty much all equivalent.
Quarterback:
Must have: Matt Ryan
I wanted to try and avoid the “Big Three” quarterbacks: Manning, Brees, and Rodgers. We know they are going to be spectacular and make up three of the top five fantasy quarterbacks in fantasy football. But which quarterbacks will take the other two spots in the top five? My vote is for Matt Ryan to take one of those spots. Without Julio Jones for most of the season and Roddy White in and out of the lineup for the majority of the year, Ryan managed to throw for more than 4,500 yards and 26 touchdowns. Ryan is currently being taken behind Matthew Stafford, Andrew Luck, Cam Newton, Nick Foles, Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, and Robert Griffin III, and he is currently being taken in the ninth round on ESPN and the sixth round on Yahoo. If you don’t draft the “Big Three” I would wait for Matty Ice and by pass the aforementioned names. With a healthy Julio Jones and Roddy White coupled with an emerging Harry Douglas, Ryan should return to fantasy relevance. Think Matt Stafford with fewer interceptions.
Avoid: Nick Foles
Foles took the league by storm last season throwing for 2,891 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. TWO INTERCEPTIONS! He is sure to regress in that department. In actuality, Foles’s absurd touchdown-to-interception ratio is the only reason he had any real fantasy value at all. He had four games in which he threw under 200 yards. He threw for less passing yards than Alex Smith, Chad Henne, and Geno Smith last season. Let me repeat that last part: Geno Smith threw for more yards than Foles. The Eagles are a rushing team first and foremost, which is exaggerated this season when you factor in their decision to trade DeSean Jackson (to the rival Redskins no less). Foles looks more like a bye-week filler than a starting quarterback on a fantasy football playoff team.
Sleeper: Ryan Tannehill
Tannehill is another player that falls on the list of “Players who Threw for More Passing Yards than Nick Foles.” He finished the year with 3,918 passing yards, tenth in the NFL, and 24 passing touchdowns. Tannehill also benefits from the addition of Bill Lazor as his new offensive coordinator. Lazor was the OC of the Philadelphia Eagles and…Nick Foles. Do you guys see where I’m going with this? Tannhill should have a breakout year this season, and while 27-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio will probably never happen, 25-10 is a very reasonable expectation for the third-year man out of Texas A&M.
Honorable mention: Jake Locker
Ken Whisenhunt was the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers last season. Philip Rivers, his starting quarterback, had a terrible season the year before. He finished the 2013 throwing for 3,606 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. In 2014, under Whisenhunt, Rivers threw for 4,478 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Whisenhunt is now the head coach of the Tennessee Titans and his quarterback is Jake Locker. While Locker has never played at the level Rivers has been known for, he is still a 26 year old with all the QB tools in the toolbox. Locker has Kendall Wright, Nate Washington, up-and-comer Justin Hunter, and rookie running back Bishop Sankey to throw to. All signs point up for Locker and the Titans.
Runningback:
Must have: Eddie Lacy
Eddie Lacy deserves much more press then he has been receiving this off-season. He belongs in the conversation with Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, LaSean McCoy, and Matt Forte. Last year, Lacy rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns. Those numbers were good enough for eighth and third in the league, respectively. The Packers may have a passing offense, but Lacy is the only back in the backfield receiving major carries. James Starks is not a real threat to Lacy, especially in the red zone. It would not surprising if Lacy lead the league in rushing touchdowns this season. Lacy is as much of a sure thing at the running back position as you can find in this day and age.
Avoid: Zack Stacy
I was a huge Zack Stacy supporter last season. Jeff Fisher is a run-first coach and Stacy was surprisingly effective at Vanderbilt. However, the writing may be on the wall with this backfield. Tre Mason was drafted in the third round in this year’s draft, and Benny Cunningham is getting a lot of reps with the first team offense. If anything, Fisher may be using a “running back by committee” in order to see what type of players he has in his backfield. If that is the case, Stacy should not be drafted, under any circumstances. With Cunningham breathing down his neck and Mason waiting in the wings, Stacy is too much a risk to draft this year.
Sleeper: Terrance West
Ben Tate has never played a full season in his NFL career. He also has a problem with holding onto the ball, having committed six fumbles throughout his three-year career. West may not be the starter Week 1, but he has enough skill to over take Tate for the starting spot. West is worth a flier, especially considering how big of a question mark Tate is.
Honorable mention: Jonathan Grimes/Alfred Blue
Running back is a crapshoot yet again this year. Fantasy owners are looking for any little bit in order to gain an edge in the running back category. Arian Foster only played in eight games last season, and he has yet to play a pre-season game. This makes Foster’s back up extremely vital to the Texans’ offense. Grimes and Blue are in a heated battle for the back up spot. Whoever wins this battle is sure to not only be actively involved in the Houston’s running attack while Foster is healthy, but will take over as the starter if (when) Foster gets injured.
Wide Receiver:
Must have: Antonio Brown
As Matthew Berry from ESPN stated, “During the second half of last season, only Josh Gordon had more fantasy points among wide receivers than Antonio Brown.” During that time frame, Jerricho Cotchery (10 touchdowns) and Emmanuel Sanders (6 TDs) were his teammates. All three of them served as Ben Roethlisberger’s top three targets. Both Sanders and Cotchery are no longer with the team, leaving Brown as the top man in Pittsburgh. Former third round pick Markus Wheaton, rookie Martavius Bryant, Derek Moye, and free agent additions Lance Moore and Darius Heyward-Bey are Brown’s only competition for targets. Brown is head and shoulders above the rest of his teammates, and while he may be the focal point of most defensive schemes, he should be able to flourish as Big Ben’s go-to receiver.
Avoid: Percy Harvin
Percy Harvin has only played ten games the past two years, and has only played in all sixteen games once in his career. Harvin is too fragile to be trusted. He also plays for one of the best running teams in the NFL. Doug Baldwin is entrenched as the number one wide out for Seattle, leaving Harvin as the “gadget guy.” There may not be enough offense for Harvin to truly matter in fantasy this year.
Sleeper: Harry Douglas
119 targets: that is how many Harry Douglas had for the Flacons last year. He was first on the team. Granted, Roddy White and Julio Jones were both hurt, but that number is far too big to ignore. In 2012, White lead the team with 143 targets, Jones finished second on the team with 129, and Tony Gonzalez finished third with 124. Gonzalez retired this past season, and with a lack of a good tight end option replacing him, Douglas should reap the benefits.
Honorable mention: Marquise Lee
With Cecil Shorts injured and Justin Blackmon suspended, Marquise Lee has looked like a star this pre-season. Against the Bears in his second pre-season game, Lee had four receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown. Lee was a highly touted prospect that was expected to go in the first round of this year’s NFL draft. Lee has the talent to excel, and Jacksonville may be the perfect place to do so.
Tight End:
Must have: Jimmy Graham (Obviously)
There is no question Jimmy Graham is the best tight end in fantasy football, and the competition is not even close. I like Graham so much, I would draft him over Peyton Manning and Calvin Johnson. If those first five running backs are off the board, I would strongly recommend drafting Graham. He is THAT good.
Avoid: Vernon Davis
Davis appears to the lowest man on the totem pole when it comes to targets this season. With Michael Crabtree healthy, Anquan Boldin back for another season, and the addition of Stevie Johnson, Davis looks like the fourth option on a team that really only needs to use three. Unless Jim Harbaugh decides to drop the team’s run first identity, then Davis is sure to regress from a great season a year ago.
Sleeper: Delanie Walker
After a career year, Walker is looking to come back for seconds. Whisenhunt has a very tight end friendly offense and with Jake Locker in need of a dependable red zone target, Walker looks to be the “Antonio Gates” of the Titans’ new offense.
Honorable mention: Travis Kelce
The Chiefs have been looking for a starting caliber tight end since Tony Gonzalez was traded away in 2008. Kelce possesses the best ball skills off the bunch, and the Chiefs passing game is in desperate need of a playmaker. Dwyane Bowe is coming off of his worst season since 2009, and Donnie Avery is not a very appealing option for fantasy owners. Kelce is the ultimate boom or best option this year, but considering the rest of the tight prospects available, he is well worth the risk.
Sundays during the fall are my favorite days of the year. Sure, Friday and Saturday I can have a night out on the town, do dinner and a movie, or even check out that new gastro pub that opened up across the street. But on Sunday I can go out to brunch with my girlfriend, get home just in time for opening kickoff, and plop on the couch with her for 8 straight hours of gladiatorial bliss. It is truly a day of rest for both of us, and it helps that we both love the game of football. This article is for those of you like me: a highly opinionated fan with an even more opinionated girlfriend. I thought it would be funny if she came out with a list of power rankings (CK) and a list of reasons why she likes the team. Any expert, who has been following the game for decades, can effectively dissect a team. I thought it would be interesting to see how an average fan ranked each team for the upcoming season. I added my analysis to offer you (BK), the reader, a baseline and an in-depth explanation of each power ranking.
CK: With my apologies, I am not well versed in every single team in the NFL. Being a Midwesterner, the NFC North is my strong suit, and I have a few favorites scattered throughout the NFC. The AFC might have existed in another universe if it weren’t for Peyton’s existence in it. This is a forewarning of my mild ignorance. This year, I will be embarking on my first Fantasy Football experience. I am hoping this will increase my player knowledge and awareness.
1) Denver Broncos
BK: The rich get richer. After losing Eric Decker to the Jets this offseason, the Broncos signed Emmanuel Sanders and drafted Cody Latimer to help sure up the already strong receiving core. They also brought in DeMarcus Ware, TJ Ward, Aqib Talib, and Bradley Roby to help bolster their defense. The Broncos are once again the team to beat in the AFC.
CK: Peyton Manning, my second great football love – more on that later. He had a phenomenal season and a less that phenomenal Super Bowl appearance. Peyton is back with a vengeance. Can you say Legend and rap god?
2) Seattle Seahawks
BK: They are the defending Super Bowl champions for a good reason. With the “Legion of Boom” still intact after the offseason and Russell Wilson sure to take another step forward, the team seems more unbeatable than ever.
CK: They made an atrocity out of the Broncos last year. If there is one thing I know to be true, it is that karma is a bitch. Richard Sherman will be the karmic downfall of this team. He is a close second to Vick for Biggest Knob Head of the League. One does not disrespect Erin Andrews. Also, I may still be a little bitter that my own boyfriend would pronounce Sherman was far more intelligent than moi…
3) New England Patriots
BK: Tom Brady may have had a down year last season, but he still is Tom Brady. His receiving core may not be as strong as Peyton Manning’s, but this is a guy who turned Deon Branch into a Super Bowl MVP. He will be fine with a healthy Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, and Kenbrell Thompkins at his disposal.
CK: I have a weakness for QBs, but Tom Brady isn’t one of them. He thinks he is God’s gift to football – newsflash Tom: there are bigger, badder fish in the sea. When Peyton (swoon) is a better dancer than you, you may be doing something wrong. But I would watch the Patriots solely to watch Bill Belichick.
4) Green Bay Packers
BK: Aaron Rodgers’ injury stifled the Packers last season, and they somehow still managed to make the playoffs. The emergence of Eddie Lacy really helped the Packers maintain a balanced identity. With a full year of Rodgers and Randall Cobb, the Cheeseheads should be in the hunt for a Super Bowl berth.
CK: I really want to hate the Packers, and Aaron’s porno mustache. I simply cannot bring myself to hate the team that raised my first football love, Brett Favre, and is now home to the slightly creepy, yet somewhat endearing Aaron Rodgers. And Clay Matthews and AJ Hawk! The list goes on and I cannot help but love these Cheeseheads. And I do really love cheese…
5) Atlanta Falcons
BK: The Falcons experienced a lot of bad luck last season. Stephen Jackson, Julio Jones, Same Baker, Stephen Nicholson, and Kroy Biermann were injured for most or all of the 2013 football season. The previous year, they were one game away from the Super Bowl. I think season we will see more of the 2012 Falcons.
CK: Matt Ryan is kind of cute in that weird, awkward way. He may be my new Peyton Manning (swoon). Perhaps this season they’ll take the NFC South by storm, especially now that they have Devin Hester on their side.
6) San Francisco 49ers
BK: Colin Kaepernick looks to have the best receiving corp ever in his tenure as a 49ers QB. The team added Stevie Johnson to the already potent group that includes Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, and Vernon Davis. This run-first offense finally looks ready to join the pass-heavy NFL.
CK: Colin Kaepernick’s story is so touching. The fact that he is a little bit psychic scores major points.
BK: Drew Brees and the Saints offense have never had a problem moving the ball. The problem has always been the defense. After posting a 0 for turnover differential last season, the Saints brought in Jarius Byrd to help force more turnovers, and ultimately win games.
CK: Drew Brees is a really good quarterback. They’ve always seemed like one of those teams that really give it their all and tend to pull through since the 2006 season after Hurricane Katrina.
8) Indianapolis Colts
BK: Andrew Luck is ready to take the next step as a quarterback. With the addition of Hakeem Nicks and a healthy Reggie Wayne, the Colts have just enough weapons to make a Super Bowl run. There are a dark horse favorite to play in Phoenix come February.
CK: Andrew Luck will never be Peyton Manning. Also, beards are not for everyone. I might be in a little denial that Luck has an amazing amount of potential, but this season should be a good indicator of seasons to come.
9) Chicago Bears
BK: Last year was topsy-turvy for the Bears. The offense thrived under Marc Trestman, and the defense suffered on new defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. This offseason the Bear’s rebuilt their defensive by adding veterans LaMarr Houston, Jared Allen, Willie Young, and Ryan Mundy, and rookies Ego Ferguson, Will Sutton, Kyle Fuller, and Brock Vereen. Hopefully the additions are enough to propel the Bears into the playoffs for the first time in three years.
CK: I don’t know why the Bear’s resigned Jay Cutler. They should have kept Josh McCown. Jay is clearly too busy wrangling the ever-crazy Kristin Cavallari. I do love Robbie Gould, though. My boyfriend always talks about how kickers have the luxury of being a little on the chunky side, Gould doesn’t fit that mold.
10) Philadelphia Eagles
BK: Chip Kelly’s offense took the league by storm last year and made Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy superstars. With DeSean Jackson on the Redskins this season, the Eagles will need to find a home run threat in order to build onto year two.
CK: The Birds! After reading Silver Linings Playbook, I always find myself rooting for the Birds. “E-A-G-L-E-S! EAGLES!”
11) San Diego Chargers
BK: Philip Rivers came back with a vengeance last year. After a subpar 2012 campaign, Rivers threw for almost 4,500 yards and 32 touchdowns last season. The offseason addition of Donald Brown and the continual growth of second-year wide receiver Keenan Allen will go a long ways into turning San Diego into a Super Bowl contender.
CK: Being a big fan of college football, specifically the Notre Dame football program, I had a soft spot in my heart for Manti Te’o. When the smoke and mirrors subsided and it came to light that the death of his terminally ill girlfriend was a hoax, I could not bring myself to forgive him. Sorry Chargers, Te’o is packing some karmic heat…
12) Kansas City Chiefs
BK: The Chiefs did not do anything to address their under achieving wide receiver corp, but with a team built around Jamaal Charles and an elite defense, the Chiefs should be able to compete for a wild card spot.
CK: Alex Smith may not be the cutest quarterback in the league, but I guess he’ll do. They also just drafted Aaron Murray, brother of Josh Murray, winner of The Bachelorette, season 10. He’s pretty cute, and definitely a rookie to watch.
13) Cincinnati Bengals
BK: Andy Dalton is now the 115 million dollar man, and that means he needs to perform in order to justify that contract. The addition of Jeremy Hill will help ease his offense burden and keep Giovani Bernard fresh. This year, the AFC North is the Bengals to lose.
CK: As much as I want to dislike AJ McCarron, he may have an amazing rookie career. Dalton may be the superior player, but McCarron is quite the dapper dresser.
vs.
14) St. Louis Rams
BK: If Sam Bradford is healthy, then this team should be fighting for a playoff spot. Their defense should be one of the most dominant this season. With a rebuilt offensive line, the team should be able to effectively run the ball and keep Sam Bradford upright on passing downs.
CK: Michael Sam is the most inspirational story in the NFL. The Rams totally have amazing karmic vibes headed their way.
15) Dallas Cowboys
BK: Tony Romo is an elite quarterback. However, the Cowboys have such a terrible defense that there is no way they could make the playoffs. They gave up the third most yards in NFL history last season. Until the defense improves, the Cowboys will be left out of the playoffs yet again.
CK: Have you ever disliked someone and not really had a good reason? I don’t like Tony Romo. Maybe it was his relationship with Jessica Simpson when I was secretly wishing for her and Nick to work things out. Some things we will just never know…
16) Pittsburgh Steelers
BK: The Pittsburgh Steelers look like a middle of the pack football team. On one hand, they have Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown leading the offense. On the other hand, they have an aging defense and had a negative four turnover differential. Expect more of the same from the team this year.
CK: Ben Roethlisberger has been packing on the lbs. Maybe he has been taste testing too much of the BBQ…
17) Washington Redskins
BK: With Robert Griffin III finally healthy this season, the Redskins should return to the team they were in 2012. DeSean Jackson and new head coach Jay Gruden should only help RGIII’s maturation as an NFL superstar.
CK: RGIII better keep it together this season. Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy couldn’t combine their skills to compare to RGIII. People with numbers after their name are automatically classy.
18) Miami Dolphins
BK: Ryan Tannehill took a step in the right direction last season, finishing tenth in the NFL in passing yards. The addition of Knowshon Moreno and the subtraction of the Richie Incognito/Jonathon Martin drama will surely be a boon for the team. They should surprise some people this year.
CK: Ryan Tannehill is pretty cute in uniform and/or any time he isn’t smiling. “Smile. Don’t smile.” Bring It On, anyone?
(Editor’s note: I do believe he chose to smile.)
19) Baltimore Ravens
BK: The return of Dennis Pitta will really help with a receiving corp that lacked a true threat between the hash marks. However, Joe Flacco is in a very similar situation to Eli Manning; if the running attack falters again this year, the Ravens will struggle to move the football and score points.
CK: I’m not sure how I feel about Joe Flacco as a quarterback. He did win the Superbowl two years ago, but he hasn’t done much since. Well, if his wedding photos are any indication, Flacco is ready to make that next big step.
20) Cleveland Browns
BK: If Josh Gordon’s yearlong suspension is reduced, then the Browns could be higher on this list. Even so, I believe that the team has a much improved running game lead by free agent acquisition Ben Tate and rookie Terrance West and a stellar defense highlighted by Joe Haden. They should cause some problems in the AFC North this season.
CK: Oh, Johnny Manziel. Cleveland loves those college football heartthrobs. He should be able to get a few wins single-handedly. But they are still Cleveland, and if history tells us anything it’s that Cleveland constantly fails to live up to the hype.
21) Detroit Lions
BK: Golden Tate and Eric Ebron are great pickups on the offensive side of the ball. However, the Lions failed to upgrade their defense and, more specifically, their secondary. In a passing league, you cannot survive without a dominant defensive backfield.
CK: Reggie Bush is a fantastic player despite his awful taste in women – see Kim Kardashian and KimK look alike Lilit Avagyan. He should take some life lessons from Megatron Johnson.
22) Arizona Cardinals
BK: With Darryl Washington injured and Karlos Dansby on the Browns, the Cardinals will be depending on Larry Foote and Kevin Minter to control the running game and lead the defense. They will not be up to the challenge.
CK: Carson Palmer is on the team. He is clearly looking to make a name for himself by reviving a less than successful franchise. But at 34, he may have a walker before he’ll have a super bowl ring.
23) Houston Texans
BK: Ryan Fitzpatrick is a huge question mark heading into this season. Is he a starting caliber quarterback, or his he just a very good backup capable of winning in short spells? Time will tell, but if he is the former, the Texans will look more like they did in 2012 when they finished the season 12-4.
CK: They drafted Jadeveon Clowney who hits really hard and is crazy on defense. Too bad about his last name…and that the Texans can’t play him on offense.
24) New York Giants
BK: The running game is key for the Giants’ success. If Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams have successful seasons, Eli Manning will return to form. But, if the team struggles to run the ball like it did last year, then expect more of the same from last year.
CK: When will Eli Manning win another Super Bowl? He is no Peyton, but get this man some blocking! If he ever needs company while drowning his sorrows in Oreos, call me maybe?
25) Carolina Panthers
BK: Cam Newton is on the cusp of stardom, but who is he going to throw the ball to? Kelvin Benjamin is a rookie, Jason Avant has been inconsistent, and Jerrico Cotchery is not a go-to wide receiver. Newton seems better off throwing the ball to himself.
CK: Oh, Cam Newton, if only you could spread your charming looks around. Starting offensive line just isn’t cutting it for me.
26) Oakland Raiders
BK: Matt Schaub, Maurice Jones-Drew, and James Jones may make the offense more respectable, but the losses on the offensive and defensive line may be too much to overcome.
CK: For as long as I can remember, the Raiders have been terrible. Even Carson Palmer gave up on them. I would absolutely hate to live in Oakland. It is like the Detroit of the West Coast.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
BK: Josh McCown can’t possibly repeat his stellar numbers from last season, and the jury is still out on Mike Glennon. The Bucs have a healthy Doug Martin, but under Lovie Smith I believe this team takes a step back before it takes a step forward.
CK: Too bad the Bears traded Josh McCown. Tampa Bay ain’t quite it used to be. Maybe some throwback uniforms will throw them back to 2002.
28) Tennessee Titans
BK: No Chris Johnson, no Kenny Britt, no proven backup for Jake Locker; the Titans look ready for another mediocre season.
CK: Remember the Titans? Not this season. Perhaps they should draft Ryan Gosling.
29) Buffalo Bills
BK: E.J. Manuel is essentially a rookie this year. C.J. Spiller regressed last, Sammy Watkins is unproven, and who is their defense going to stop? Fred Jackson has being the only constant on this offense, but at 33 years old, how long can he counted on to produce?
CK: Buffalo Bill Cody – Wild West takes New York? Not sure how that would go over at Fashion Week.
30) Minnesota Vikings
BK: Teddy Bridgewater needs to start. Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel are absolutely terrible. Adrian Peterson is expected to carry the offense once again.
CK: Adrian Peterson is kind of a badass. If only Matt Cassel were Brett Favre…
(Editor’s note: They don’t call him “Purple Jesus” for nothing.)
31) New York Jets
BK: Michael Vick might be washed out, and Geno Smith needs to cut down on the turnovers (25 last season) in order to develop into a starting-caliber quarterback. It looks like another subpar season for Gang Green this year.
CK: The Jets are the naturally inferior New York squad. Favre had a less than spectacular season there and Michael Vick is on the team. Talk about a karmic slap in the face! Remind me again why they let him out of prison…?
32) Jacksonville Jaguars
BK: With two rookie wide receivers and no Maurice Jones-Drew, Chad Henne has his work cut out for him. I do like the Toby Gerhart pick up though. He runs hard and should be fresher then MJD was the past few years.
CK: Perhaps shoot to win 6 games this season? That’s really the only advice I have. Cute logo btw.
(DISCLAIMER: This is not the real Jaguars team logo. However, given the current state of the team, it does suit them better.)
So it’s your first time playing fantasy football…and you have no idea what you’re doing. You don’t even really watch football – that much. The only reason you are doing it is because your office league was short one person, your boyfriend signed you up for a couple’s league, or because joining the family league is the only way you get to talk to them during the football season. Whatever the reason is, you want to be good and it, but you need a lot of help. Having played fantasy football for many years, I am fairly familiar with dealing with first time players. I know it can be overwhelming at times, but it can be a lot of fun. Here are six tips that will guide you to success during your first year.
1) DIY: Draft it yourself. Many first time players take drafting their own team for granted. With the option of having the computer pick your team for you, many people elect to save time, and the headache, by opting to forgo their drafts. This is a bad idea especially if the rest of your league is not auto-drafting. By electing to auto-draft, you give up your choice in the matter. It is not your team anymore; it’s the computer’s. Most times, this strategy could backfire big time.
The computer does not know what is going on in the draft, it simply drafts the highest available player left on the draft board. Imagine a draft in which five of the best quarterbacks where taken in the first round. If you were drafting your own team, you would realize that you should probably over draft a quarterback before all the good ones are gone. However, the computer auto-drafting does not realize that, and it will continue to draft the highest player available regardless of position. That is how your auto-drafted team ends up with a second stringer as its starting quarterback. The best way to avoid these types of situations is by drafting your team yourself.
2) Pick your draft strategy and stick to it. Regardless of your draft strategy, the most important thing to remember is to stick to it. At the end of the day it is your team, and you should be happy with the team you have chosen. If this is your first time playing, you will probably receive a lot of advice from “more experienced” players, but be careful, more experienced does not always mean better.
Nothing is certain until the games are played. Everything is purely speculative and should be taken with a grain of salt. This being said, if you want to draft all of the players on your favorite team, go right ahead. If you only want the players with the cutest butts playing for you, that’s cool too. If you want to draft your team based on the fantasy website’s rankings (more on that later), knock your socks off.
The beauty behind fantasy football is that you are the owner, president, GM, and coach. You are in control and you are the only person that matters when it is all said and done.
3) When in doubt, use the draft rankings for guidance. Drafting can be a little intimidating, especially if it’s your first time. Just how do you know who is good? Most websites rank the players from best to worst; if you are ever in a jam, use the rankings for guidance. Most die-hard fantasy football players ignore experts’ rankings for the sake of appearing to be some kind of fantasy football god. As a first time player, you should not care how you are perceived by your fellow league-mates; heck, you just want to win! For just this reason, it would be wise for you to use the draft rankings as a guide. You do not have to stick to the rankings religiously, they are not the end-all, be-all.
When you find yourself in a pinch it helps to have a baseline you can work off. The rankings were made by someone who, for a living, writes about fantasy football. It would be grossly negligent to completely ignore the hard work of such a dedicated individual. There are worse things in the world than being unoriginal – like being the first person to lose to the league.
4) Setting your line-up is half the battle. Nothing is more annoying in a league than an owner not setting their fantasy football line-up. Barring extreme circumstances, setting a fantasy football lineup is by far the easiest part of the process. You could actually set your lineup for the whole season ahead of time. There are a number of reasons why that is a bad idea (injuries, suspensions, ineffectiveness), but it is an option. If you are serious about winning your league, you must set your line-up once a week. The best time to do this is right before the first game airs. You simply go on your computer or smart phone – yes there are apps for fantasy football; see why your boyfriend/husband/father/son is obsessed with his phone – and set your line-up. It takes all of ten minutes…on a Sunday; it’s not rocket science.
5) Working the waiver wire is the other half. What do you do if one of your players is having a terrible season? Well, not every player was drafted; there are many players available to be picked up and added to your team mid-season. Out with the old and in with the new! In some leagues it may cost (fictional) money to pick up these players, and in other leagues you may only be allowed to pick up a certain number of players throughout the season. However, in most cases, you can drop and pick up players as many times as you want, as long as no one else has picked them first. Theoretically, this would only take an additional ten minutes out of your allocated brunch time on Sunday. This may not seem like an important part of fantasy football, but one of those free agent players may make the difference between winning or losing your league.
6) You get out as much as you put in. This is the most important rule on this list. All things considered, fantasy football is supposed to be fun. It is a tool used to bring friends, family, and/or co-workers together through competition and sport.
However, it is very hard to have fun when you don’t allow yourself to get too into it. It’s hard to have fun when you lose every game because you haven’t set your lineup since week one and you’re quarterback has been injured since week three. Losing is not fun, and more often than not people lose because they don’t try. You only get out as much as you put in.
Fantasy football is not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are willing to try it out, then you should at least be willing to try from the first game to the very last. Put some thought and effort into your team. If you don’t like it, then you don’t have to play ever again. It’s very hard to do something, let alone be successful at it, without putting in at least the minimum amount of effort required. I guarantee that if you put in the most minimal effort, while following my other five rules, you will not finish in last place. You can make the playoffs, and possibly win the championship. You can do it as long as you try.
Fantasy football is not as hard as people believe it to be. I am sure that if it were, a lot less people would play it. For all you first timers out there, I wish you the best of luck, but more importantly, have fun!
Tomorrow the wait is over, the 2014 NBA Draft is finally here. This year’s draft should be full of plenty of surprises. Today, there were already two trades that really surprised many of us. ESPN reported via their twitter that two had occurred: one between the Mavericks and another between Rockets and the Pelicans.
If this is any indication of the how this draft will play out, then we should be in for quite the show tomorrow night. Here is my final mock draft for 2014.
1) Cleveland Cavaliers : Jabari Parker, SF/PF, Duke, Fr. In light of Joel Embiid’s injury, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a tough choice between Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins. Parker is the safer bet between the two prospects and also fills a position of need for the team. After striking out on Anthony Bennett last year, Cleveland cannot afford to whiff on the pick. Parker will not be as big of a bust as Wiggins has the potential to be, therefore in order to minimize the damage of a possible mistake, the Cavs will select the small forward from Duke number one overall.
2) Milwaukee Bucks: Dante Exum, PG/SG, Australia. Andrew Wiggins is too similar to Giannis Antetokounmpo to justify being drafted by the Bucks. Both players cannot consistently shoot the ball and use their elite athleticism and superb defensive skills to earn minutes. Exum, however, allows the team to shift Brandon Knight to his natural shooting guard position and helps the Bucks maintain good floor spacing.
3) Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Wiggins, SG/SF, Kansas, Fr. The 76ers luck out with Wiggins falling to number three. The team has discussed moving up in the draft in order to secure their most desired player, however a deal with the Cavs will not be reached. Wiggins will team with Nerlens Noel and reigning Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams to form a great foundation for the rebuilding Philly squad.
4) Orlando Magic: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas, Fr. It is hard to gauge Embiid’s draft stock after news broke – no pun intended – about the stress fracture in his foot. With two fractures over a five month time span, teams maybe too afraid to take a risk on the high upside Cameroonian from Lawrence. GM Rob Hennigan, who stems from the Spur’s front office tree, will be the one to pull the trigger on Embiid. Injury issues aside, he is the most talented big man prospect to come into the league since Dwight Howard. The Magic are historically good at developing big men – see Howard, Dwight and O’Neal, Shaquille – and the Magic are in need of a true franchise corner stone. Embiid could be the next Hakeem Olajuwon, and in this case, the reward far outweighs the risk of drafting him.
5)Utah Jazz: Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana, Fr. Utah just missed out on Joel Embiid, but Vonleh is a great consolation prize. He is a stretch four with surprisingly good handles for a player of his size. Many people believe he could develop into the next Chris Bosh. With Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter underperforming, the talented Vonleh would be a great player to add to the Jazz frontcourt mix.
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6) Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart, PG/SG, Oklahoma State, Soph. Marcus Smart is the logical draft choice for the rebuilding Celtics. He can play both guard positions and has the talent to be a franchise building block. He could fill in for Avery Bradley at the two guard if he leaves for free agency, or he could replace Rajon Rondo at the point if Danny Ainge decides to trade the former NBA Champion.
7) Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky, Fr. Despite his foot injury, Randle is the very player L.A. needs in order to gain the talent needed to win now, with the youth to help win later. Randle is developed enough to create an immediate impact, while possessing just enough upside to help the Lakers in the future. He is also one of the best front court players available, which fills a need for the Lakers.
8) Sacramento Kings: Elfrid Payton, PG, Louisiana Lafayette, Jr. Mike Malone is a defensive minded coach looking for an upgrade at point guard. Payton is the best defensive point guard available. He also has a surprisingly high upside for a third year college player. Many believe that Payton is a jump-shot away from being one of the best players in this draft. With Isaiah Thomas testing free agency, the Louisiana Lafayette prospect is worth the gamble for a team in desperate need of a spark.
9) Charlotte Hornets: Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton, Sr. The Hornets are in dire need of shooting and “Dougie McBuckets” is at the top of the class. He can score in a variety of ways due to his high basketball I.Q., NBA offensive skill level, and general feel for the game. Couple McDermott’s offense with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s defensive capabilities, and the Hornets would form a formidable platoon at the small forward position.
10) Philadelphia 76ers: Aaron Gordon, SF/PF, Arizona, Fr. Gordon has the potential to be the next Shawn Marion or Andrei Kirilenko based on his defensive prowess, athleticism, and lack of a definitive position at the pro level. He lacks a true post game and the ability to hit a jump shot to stretch the defense. However, the 76ers are in such need of talent that they are one of the few organizations that can over-look these flaws to take a risk on Gordon. They could pair him with Nerlens Noel to form a dominant defensive frontcourt for years to come.
11) Denver Nuggets: Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State, Soph. The Nuggets need a shooting guard after ineffective seasons by Randy Foye and Evan Fournier. Both players are not above league average at the off-guard spot and the Nuggets need a dependable option in order to move forward. Harris has the skills needed to start right away, while possessing the upside to grow into a possible all-star player.
12) Orlando Magic: Zach LaVine PG/SG, UCLA, Fr. After taking Victor Oladipo last year, the Magic have shown they do not mind drafting a prospect who has more upside than skill. LaVine is definitely a player fitting that description. LaVine has shown the ball-handling ability and passing skill that make him a unique point guard prospect. However, he needs to become a better decision-maker in order to fully thrive at the point guard spot. With Orlando’s team seasons away from being competitive, Magic Coach Jacques Vaughn, a former NBA point guard, has time to allow the UCLA freshman phenom to learn on the job.
13) Minnesota Timberwolves: Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan, Soph. The Timberwolves lack outside shooting help. Their most effective three point shooter was their power forward, which is never a good sign. Kevin Martin was not the solution to Minnesota’s shooting guard problem, but Nik Stauskas might be. What the Michigan product lacks in defensive ability and athleticism, he makes up for with skill and lights-out shooting. He will be able to stretch the floor and allow more driving lanes for Ricky Rubio.
14) Phoenix Suns: Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Suns are looking for a big-bodied, rough and tumble center to balance out their roster. Alex Len proved to be more of a finesse power forward, while Miles Plumlee seems to be more of high energy off the bench. With players like Channing Frye and the Morris twins on the roster, Phoenix really lacks a true post player. Enter Nurkic, who reminds many GMs of Nikola Peckovic and Marcin Gortat. He would finally add a much need backbone in the post for the Suns.
15) Atlanta Hawks: James Young, SG/SF, Kentucky, Fr. Mike Scott, John Jenkins, Jared Cunningham, Lou Williams, and Cartier Martin – this is the list of players who failed to take hold of the Hawk’s in flux wing position. Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll were the only players that played above-average basketball on the wing, but neither of them would be considered an NBA starting-caliber player. James Young would stabilize a position that has been lacking since Joe Johnson was traded to the Nets two years ago. Young could play the shooting guard with Korver and Carroll at the small forward position.
16) Chicago Bulls: Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse, Fr. Tom “The Point Guard Whisperer” Thibodeau may need to reload his backcourt with D.J. Augustin and Kirk Hinrich on the free agent market. Hinrich may be able to resign if he accepts a cap friendly deal, but Augustin may be too far out of the Bull’s price range to return. Drafting Ennis would help soften the blow. What the Syracuse point man lacks in athleticism, he makes up for with great passing and shooting skills, exceptional ball handling ability, and good leadership. He is no Marquis Teague, and is better equipped to handle what the Bulls ask for in a player than the former first-round pick.
17) Boston Celtics: Dario Saric, SF/PF, Croatia. With news that Saric signed a three year deal in Turkey, many teams will most likely pass on him for a prospect that could help right away. The Celtics are in a position where they can afford to take the “draft and stash” approach. It will take the Croatian two years before he can be bought out and play in the NBA. Boston has the liberty of waiting the two years to either bring Saric over or use him as trade-bait for a high impact player later on.
18) Phoenix Suns: T.J. Warren, SF/PF, North Carolina State, Soph. Warren may not have an NBA caliber jump shot, but the man can flat out score. If you have ever seen highlights of his 41-point performance over Pittsburgh, or the 42-performance over Boston College (both are worth the YouTube search), then you know how easy it is for him to score. With the plethora of stretch fours the Suns have on their roster, a player like Warren would offer a unique inside game to complement those players.
19) Chicago Bulls: Rodney Hood, SG/SF, Duke, Soph. The Bulls need to strengthen their scoring game. Rodney Hood was second in scoring at Duke last year behind Chicago-native Jabari Parker. Chicago also loves Duke prospects. The Bulls have had seven on their roster since the 1999-2000 season. If the shoe fits, wear it.
20) Toronto Raptors: Adreiane Payne, PF/C, Michigan State, Sr. Payne may have gone much higher if he were not 23 years old. At this point in time, Payne is a low ceiling, high floor prospect. He is a stretch forward with good athleticism and work ethic. Luckily for Payne, the Raptors need this type of player. Amir Johnson is the only power forward left on the roster, and he is more suited for a bench role. Payne can start immediately for a team fresh off of its first playoff birth since 2008.
21) Oklahoma City Thunder: Clint Capela, PF/C, Switzerland. Capela is a very young, athletic center prospect without much basketball skill. He is very raw as a player, but after taking Steven Adams last year in the draft, Thunder GM Sam Presti has shown a willingness to draft high upside players. Capela would serve as a back up to Serge Ibaka, while developing into the defensive force the team needs him to be.
22) Memphis Grizzlies: PJ Hairston, SG, Texas Legends (D-League). The Grizzles lack a scoring threat, and Hairston is one of the best scorers in this year’s draft class. He can provide Memphis with back court scoring it has missed since O.J. Mayo left in free agency two years ago.
23) Utah Jazz: Jordan Clarkson, PG/SG, Missouri, Jr. Clarkson has been a fast riser in recent weeks. He has shown an improved shooting stroke and the versatility to play both guard spots. The Jazz need a bigger guard to help the smaller Trey Burke thrive. Clarkson’s addition would also allow Utah to bring Alec Burks off the bench, a role he is better suited for.
24) Charlotte Hornets: Mitch McGary, PF/C, Michigan, Soph.
Hearing Hornets at 24 most likely destination for Mitch McGary to land. Source says they are the culprit of his draft workout shutdown
According to Chad Forde’s Twitter account, the Hornets have issued McGary a promise that if he is available at the twenty-fourth pick, the team will select him. The former Michigan center would be an odd choice for a team that recently added Cody Zeller, but McGary is 6’10, and it is hard to find quality production in the post.
25) Houston Rockets: Kyle Anderson, PG/SF, UCLA, Soph. Darryl Morey, more commonly known as “Dork Elvis,” loves accruing assets more than he likes drafting players. A 6’9” point guard is very hard to come by. If Anderson shows that he could play at a NBA pace, he could be quite the trade chip for Morey down the road.
26) Miami Heat: Shabazz Napier, PG, UConn, Sr. Miami wants to “retool” instead of “rebuild,” therefore the team feels that four year players are a better investment than high upside prospects. No one has a more decorated career than Napier. The two time national champion will be a welcomed addition to a team desperate for an efficient, do-it-all point guard.
27) Phoenix Suns: K.J. McDaniels, SG/SF, Clemson, Jr. With P.J. Tucker a free agent, the Suns need a cheap replacement for a classic “Three and D” guy. McDaniels offers great perimeter defense with a solid outside jump shot. Younger and cheaper always sounds good to a team with an all-star restricted free agent, Eric Bledsoe, on the books.
28) Los Angeles Clippers: Jarnell Stokes, PF, Tennessee, Jr. Stokes is a banger in the post with tremendous amounts of strength and not much athleticism. The Clippers have plenty of the latter but not much of the former. Stokes offers them toughness in the paint, which they have not had in a long time. He will also be a welcomed upgrade over Glenn Davis.
29) Oklahoma City Thunder: Spencer Dinwiddie, PG/SG, Colorado, Jr. Had it not been for an ACL tear last season, Dinwiddie would be much higher on this list. He is a big bodied guard with the ability to play the one and the two. He is a player who is capable of running an NBA offense while keeping his turnover rate low. He would serve as a great backcourt partner to Reggie Jackson.
30) San Antonio Spurs: Bogdan Bogdanovic, PG/SG, Serbia. Bogdan averaged 31 points this past week in the Serbian League finals for KK Partizan. If Patty Mills decides to walk in free agency, the Spurs have found their new gunner for the bench. If Mills returns, the Spurs can stash Bogdanovic overseas for one or two more seasons. By doing so he can develop into Manu Ginobili’s heir apparent and eventual replacement.
The draft is only a week away and a lot of moving and shaking has taken place over the last few days. Surprise prospects have been climbing up many GM’s draft boards. Trade rumors are springing up left and right adding more intrigue to an already unpredictable draft. Here are my picks for my new NBA mock draft.
(Editor’s note: This blog was posted before the news of Joel Embiid’s broken foot was released. These picks were made without that knowledge, but this information will be reflected in my NBA Mock Draft 3.0)
With the first match of the World Cup only nine days away, the anxieties and expectations that have built up for the past four years are about to fade away as play begins. There are plenty of questions that help shape the predicted outcome of this year’s tournament.
1) Can a non-South American team win the cup this year? South American teams are 6-0 when the tournament has been hosted on their home continent. Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay account for all six of those victories with each nation having two wins apiece. With Brazil (tenth) and Uruguay (sixth) ranked outside of the top five in the world, and Argentina ranked third behind Spain and Germany; none of the aforementioned countries are invincible. Germany, Spain, and Portugal will all make a push to be the first European team to win across the Atlantic.
2) Can Spain repeat as champions? Spain won the previous World Cup in South Africa back in 2010. They are also repeat champions of the European Cup, winning the tournament in 2008 and 2012. This makes the Spanish squad the only soccer club to win three consecutive major tournaments. Many believe that the country’s dynasty will end this year. However, this team is ranked number one in the world, and has only gotten better since 2012 by adding players like Diego Costa, Koke, and Cesar Azpilicueta. It will take a lot to beat the improved Spanish club.
3) Will Brazil feel the pressure or rise to the occasion?The last time Brazil hosted the World Cup in 1950, Uruguay won the tournament. The last time Brazil won the tournament was 2002. The Brazilian fans are hungry not only for the cup, but to win it in their own backyard. If the team were to win, that would make them only the seventh host country to win the cup and the first since France in 1998.
With that being said, I believe that Brazil and Argentina will play in the finals. Here are a few reasons why…
1) The climate: Brazil is a country with a wide variety of climates due to its large size. The average temperature of the country is about 25° Celsius, which is 77° Fahrenheit; however, it could be almost 50° Celsius, or twice as warm, in certain areas. Most of the European teams have not had to play in those conditions; this gives an advantage the South American teams, particularly specifically Brazil.
2) Brazil’s defense: Brazil has one of the most impressive defensive backfields in the tournament. Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Marcelo and David Luiz are pegged to start for the Green and Yellow. The squad also has the likes of Dante, Maicon, Henrique, and Maxwell available as substitutes. A deep and experienced backfield will give Brazil the edge during such a long and physically taxing competition.
3) Argentina’s forwards: The Argentinean team has a talented group of forwards that serve as the driving force of the squad. Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, and Ezequiel Lavezzi are all capable of scoring anywhere from the field. Messi is especially key to the Argentine attack. He is one of the top players in the world, along with Crisitano Ronaldo, and capable of taking over a whole match single-handedly. Messi must play up to his capabilities in order for the team to thrive.
Based on the talent present on both squads and the added value of the “home-field” advantage of South America, I believe that Argentina and Brazil will meet in the finals this year and one of these two teams will walk away with the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
…But What About the United States?
I believe that the United States has the potential to make it out of group stages and into the semifinals. However, the US must beat Ghana, and they must do it by a wide margin. Germany is the favorite to come out of Group G, but Portugal, who is favored to finish second in the group, could struggle if Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player to perform during group stages. If the US were to tie Portugal during their match and only narrowly lose to the Germans, then a large goal differential could advance them to the quarterfinals. It is a tough feat, but this squad has a great mixture of athleticism, youth, and skill. This combination of players has the possibility to run the table and surprise many teams this year in Brazil.
28) Los Angeles Clippers: Isaiah Austin, PF, Baylor, Soph.
29) Oklahoma City Thunder: Spencer Dinwiddie, PG/SG, Colorado, Jr.
30) San Antonio Spurs: Mitch McGary, PF/C, Michigan, Soph.
The Cleveland Cavaliers surprised everyone by winning the draft lottery for the third time in four years. They will be under intense pressure draft a player that can get the team into the playoffs and out of the gutter. Teams like Minnesota – tenth straight year with a lottery pick – and Sacramento – seventh straight year with a top seventh pick – need a good draft to help them escape the “basketball purgatory” they have been living in the past few seasons. While a team like the Philadelphia 76ers, which tied a NBA record with twenty-six straight loses, needs to add players just to field a team that resembles a NBA franchise. With a month left to go before draft night, a buzz of curiosity surrounds all those involved. This draft promises to have a lot of unexpected twists and turns, with no one knowing what exact to expect come June 26th. With that being said, here is my first mock draft for 2014.
With the Conference Finals already underway, the playoff picture has become clearer. Everyone is now placing their bets on who will make the Stanley Cup Finals, myself included. After an exciting first and second round of playoff hockey, I believe that the Blackhawks and the Rangers will be battling it out for hockey’s most precious prize. Here are a few reasons on why…
First we have the New York Rangers, who finished second in the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. They have one of the best goalies in the NHL playoffs, Henrik Lundqvist, between the pipes. This postseason he has a 1.99 GAA and a .931 save percent. Those are good enough for second and tied for first among playoff goalies.The Rangers have also been stellar on special teams. During the Pittsburgh series, the Penguins were one for twenty on powerplays. Great defense and special teams are the recipe for any team trying to make a deep playoff run, but the Rangers also possess a very well balanced and potent offensive attack. The Rangers second line (Richards, St.Louis, and Hagelin) and third line (Brassard, Zuccarello, and Pouliot) have scored twenty-four and twenty-three points, respectively. That is great offensive production for a team playing such good defense. If they can shut down the Canadiens and P.K. Subban, who is playing like a man possessed, like they shut down the Penguins, then Rangers’ fans can start buying their finals tickets ASAP.
Then there are the Chicago Blackhawks. They finished third in the Central Divison in the Western Conference. If the Rangers have one of best goalies in the playoffs, then the Blawkhawks have the other. Corey Crawford has a .197 GAA and a .931 save percentage, which ranks first and tied for first among goalies still in the playoffs. But that’s not all – the Blackhawks lead the league with a +/- 6 and a 91.7 percent on the penalty kill in this years playoffs. The hawks are just as stingy as the Rangers when it comes to defense and special-teams. The Blackhawks are also great in close games, they have a 5-2 record in games decided by one goal. With grit, tough defense, and a potent offense attack lead by their first line and first defensive paring (46pts by Toews, Sharp, Hossa, Keith, and Seabrook) the Blackhawks have a chance to make their second straight trip to the Stanley Cup finals.
Both these teams excel in the facets of hockey that lead teams to the finals: Defense and Special Teams. They also have veteran players who have been there before. The Blackhawks are the reigning Stanley Cup champions and the Rangers have two players (Richards and St.Louis) that won with the Tampa Bay Lighting in 2003. With all these facts working for the Blackhawks and Rangers, how can you think they won’t make it to the Stanley Cup finals?
Sports from the Cheap Seats 