August 20, 2012 Leave a Comment
DISCLAIMER: Do not exhaust your bank account, mortgage your home, or sell your children over my prophecies; if they were that accurate, I’d keep them to myself while the money rolls in. Besides, the Fantasy Football Gods enjoy tormenting you…so please, merely enjoy my rants, and consider them somewhat entertaining, kind of as you might Bubbles and Bunny from the Nudie Bar… Read more of this post
February 13, 2012 Leave a Comment
Randy Moss Coming Back to the NFL
Sources say Randy Moss is coming back to the NFL.
Moss who was last seen floundering in Tennessee has taken a year of from football to get his mind and body back in football shape.
Moss is one of the best receivers in NFL history and to top it off, he is healthy and motivated.
Moss ranks 2nd all time in touchdown catches and 9th in receptions in NFL history.
Randy turns 35 today and still can be considered one of the top talents at the receiver position. He is not what he used to be at 25-26 years old but put him in the right situation with the right quarterback and you have a deadly weapon.
Two of the most prolific offenses ever seen in the NFL were spear-headed by Randy Moss and that is not a coincidence. The 2000 Vikings and the 2007 Patriots both had Moss as their primary receiver and he did not disappoint.
Randy will land back in New England, he has all the stats of a hall of famer but the one thing that has eluded Randy has been a super bowl championship. In New England, Randy was a BEAST and he can return to that form especially with a year off to get his mind and body right.
His attitude has always been a question mark, but who better to control Randy than one of the most successful coaches in NFL History, Bill Belichick.
Pair Moss with Brady and the Patriots regain that deep threat they have not been able to find since Moss’ departure.
If Moss returns to the Patriots, watch out NFL, there is nothing more intimidating than having two of the best at their positions in NFL history and to have them both motivated.
Moss and Brady
February 1, 2012 2 Comments
Super Bowl XLVI
Super Bowl XLVI has so many storylines.
I plan to go over the storylines that I think are important, and predict the winner of Super Bowl XLVI.
Giants Vs Patriots (-2.5)
The spread alone I think is interesting.
How are the Patriots favored?
Rob Gronkowski has a high ankle sprain (the same injury that kept Osi Umenyiora out for a month). The Giants defense is obviously better than the Patriots defense and Eli Manning is playing at an unbelivable level.
Tom Brady is coming off of his worst playoff performance of his career against the Ravens. The Giants beat the best “TEAM” in the playoffs (49ers).
Still no respect for the Giants..
Giants Gameplan:
It is no secret that the Giants are going to need to hit Tom Brady to beat the Patriots.
The Giants gameplan should be simple:
1.) NO Turnovers
2.) Hit/Sack Tom Brady
3.) Efficient Offensive Play (control clock, long drives, touchdowns)
If the Giants successfully do all three, they will be Super Bowl Champs.
Patriots Gameplan:
Unlike the Giants, I feel the Patriots have a much more complicated gameplan:
1.) Protect Tom Brady
2.) Establish a consistent running game
3.) Gronkowski MUST be a factor, especially early in the game
4.) Force Eli into making a mistake, Takeaways are a MUST HAVE for the Patriots.
With both gameplans displayed, it will be interesting to see which team can dictate the pace and impose their will in this game.
Legacy:
The Super Bowl is where a player’s legacy can be carved into stone for better or for worse. Lets see how the outcome of this game can impact their legacy.
Eli Manning:
With a victory in the Super Bowl, Eli Manning will become the greatest Giants quarterback in team history. Eli will also have done two things his brother has not, beat Tom Brady twice in the playoffs and win two Super Bowls (both against Brady).
That is very impressive. Brady and Belichick could be the best quarterback/coach duo in NFL History and to have both of your championships come against them would be epic.
Finally, the “Who is the better Manning?” conversation will definitely heat up. Peyton is the best regular season quarterback ever, yet Eli might have two rings and Eli’s record in the playoffs is far better than Peytons’.
If Eli wins this game (especially in the fashion he has been winning so far) than I honestly would take Eli over Peyton. Championships are the measure of elite quarterbacks, it is unfair, but true.
Tom Coughlin:
He has been under fire all year and now has a chance to cement his legacy as one of the best coaches in Giants history.
How unreal is that?
Coughlin was supposed to be fired about 3-5 times in his coaching career with the Giants, yet he finds a way to make it to the Super Bowl.
If the Giants do win, he is 2nd in my book in all-time Giant coaches (Parcells 1st).
Also, with a win, I see Coughlin retiring.
For a man who has been under fire throughout his coaching career, I believe he deserves to go out on top and shut everybody up about his coaching ability.
What better way than to beat Brady and Belichick for the 2nd time in the Super Bowl?
Tom Brady:
Brady has a shot at redemption against the Giants.
If he does succeed in his attempt, Brady will undoubtedly be the best quarterback in NFL History. Also Brady is 34 years old, who says he can not win a 5th?
4 Superbowl rings and the all-time leader in postseason wins with 17?
Checkmate…
In this era of free agency, it is remarkable to win three super bowls, but 4 would be astonishing in my opinion.
Rob Gronkowski:
Playing injured demands respect.
Playing injured and still being a force to be reckoned in the Super Bowl is another level of respect.
Gronkowski has been unstoppable all year. If he can add a super bowl ring to his resume for this season, it will go down as the best season a tight end could have in NFL History.
Gronkowski has a chance to become a legend and he is only in his 2nd season.
You are never too young to become a legend, and Gronkowski has that opportunity.
Bill Belichick:
Like Brady, If Belichick can win, I think he is the best coach in NFL History.
6 Super bowl titles (4 as a head coach) would be a huge achievement and I don’t think he would need to do any more to be recognized as the best ever.
Nobody prepares like Belichick. His attention to detail is superb and his in-game management is as close to perfect as you can get.
He already is a legend in my opinion, but a win here cements it as common knowledge (same for Brady).
My Prediction:
31-28 Giants Win
In the end I see the Giants coming out on top.
I feel that the Patriots are too dependant on Tom Brady and I do not see the Patriots being able to force turnovers against Eli.
The Giants have the perfect formula to beat the Patriots. They have an outstanding front four that will get after the pass-happy Patriots. Also the Patriots run-game I believe is not consistent enough to keep the defense honest.
Gronkowski needs to be full-strength, but with him limited, I see Brady struggling to find open receivers and the pass rush will be too much for Brady to handle.
Another Championship for Eli
January 23, 2012 4 Comments
Nice Kick Billy!
First off, all Patriot fans can thank Billy Cundiff for giving his best Doug Brien impression and losing the game for the Ravens.
The Ravens should have won this game, but Billy Cundiff decided he wanted to start his offseason early. I can only imagine what the locker room was like after the game for the Ravens.
Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs must have wanted to KILL someone (again, in Ray lewis’ case) and I do not blame them.
Tom Brady had a very sub-par day going 22/36 for 259 yards and 2 INT.
It didn’t matter in the end because the Patriots defense stepped up and the Ravens let themselves down.
Vince Wilfork was a force to be reckoned with. He had 6 tackles and a sack. That is a GREAT day considering he is the nose tackle and his role is to clog up blockers for the linebackers.
The rest of the Patriots’ defense stepped up big time in crucial situations as well. For example, after a Patriot special team blunder by Danny Woodhead, the Ravens were in great position to score a touchdown and really put the pressure on the Patriots offense.
Instead, the Ravens ended up settling for a field goal and a 20-16 lead. You CAN NOT SETTLE against the Patriots, you have to take advantage of the few mistakes they make.
The Ravens saved their worst for last unfortunately.
After the Patriots took the lead 23-20, the Ravens had an impressive looking drive to either tie or win the game.
This could have been a redefining moment for Joe Flacco, going on the road and leading a game-winning drive against the Patriots and sending his team to the Super Bowl in the process.
Don’t get me wrong; Flacco played very well in this game, but his perception amongst his Ravens fan base is poor to say the least.
The killer was Flacco throwing a perfect pass to Lee Evans who seemed to catch it in the end zone only to have it knocked away in a split second. It was a bad drop, especially from a veteran. That catch sends you to the Super Bowl.
YOU HOLD ONTO THAT BALL.
Despite Evans’ butterfingers, the Ravens were well into Cundiff’s range and the game seem destined for overtime.
Until Billy Cundiff forgot how to kick the ball.
Two unexplainable miscues screwed the Ravens and sent them home. Another year Suggs and Reed go without a ring (or least an appearance).
The Patriots do deserve credit though. They did not give up and did not let turnovers rattle them which is a testament to a true championship team.
The Patriots were able to keep Ray Rice in check the whole game. Rice only gained 67 yards rushing and considering how badly this defense played during the year, that is amazing.
On the offensive side of the ball, BenJarvis Green-Ellis also chipped in with a productive performance, logging 15 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. Green-Ellis was a good change of pace to Brady’s quick passing game which the Ravens were prepared to stop.
The Patriots played well enough to win, but not by much.
I honestly feel bad for the Ravens.
Flacco played well, the defense did everything it could to contain Tom Brady and his passing attack, and they forced turnovers.
In the end, it just was not enough and if I was a Ravens fan, I wouldn’t be getting over this photo anytime soon.
The AFC Championship Trophy Held by Mr. Kraft
January 15, 2012 1 Comment
Ravens Defense
The Ravens forced 4 turnovers and behind a solid defenisve showing defeated the Houston Texans.
Before I give credit to the Ravens, I have to give an enourmous amount of credit to the Texans. The Texans sacked Flacco 5 times and Arian Foster was an absolute beast today.
The Texans could just not overcome the turnovers they committed and that was their undoing in this game. Off 4 turnovers the Ravens scored 17 points and that was the difference in the game.
I was so impressed with J.J Watt and the rest of the Texans defense. I actually feel bad for the Texans defense. They were all over the place and completely shut down Ray Rice today.
However, the Ravens defense was also excellent today. They forced rookie quarterback TJ Yates into bad decisions, picking him off three times and containing Andre Johnson.
Despite not being able to consistently stop Foster, the Ravens defense completely stopped Yates and the passing attack.
With the a softer defense coming up next in New England, I look for the Ravens to do everything necessary to get Ray Rice going. Rice is their best asset on offense and their best chance of defeating the Patriots.
Rice was limited to 21 carries and 60 yards rushing today, only a 2.9 yards per rush, that will not get it done against New England.
Flacco was under pressure all day, he threw for 176 yards with 2 touchdowns but at times looked very bad today.
Cornerback Lardarius Webb was fantastic today with 4 tackles, 4 passes defensed and two interceptions.
Finally, the health of Ed Reed is critical for the Ravens defense. He is the X-Factor for this Ravens defense against the Patriots. I look forward to this matchup between Reed and Brady, two of the best at their position of all-time.
Reed Is The X-Factor Against Tom Brady
December 20, 2011 1 Comment
Manning or Brady?
Who would you take? Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?
Obviously, you would not be wrong in taking either one of them. However, subtract Manning’s neck injury, I find it interesting to see how many fans would prefer Manning over Brady.
Let’s start with Brady first (this year stats have been included).
Brady is One of the Best Ever
Tom Brady #12, New England Patriots – 12 year career
39,337 Passing Yards, 296 Touchdowns, 114 Interceptions, and a 96.4 Career Passer Rating.
Career Notes – Tom Brady has had an impressive career to say the least, what makes his story so compelling is how irrelevant he was in college. Brady was drafted in the 6th round (199th overall) in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Patriots and the Patriots have never looked back since.
Brady has won three Super Bowls out of 4 appearances, is third all-time in Passer Rating (96.4) with at least 1,500 attempts, holds the NFL for touchdowns in a season with 50, and has been voted to seven Pro Bowls. However, the most important stats follow, Brady’s record a starting quarterback is 121-35, with a 14-5 postseason record, and he married a Victoria secret model, WINNING? (As Charlie Sheen would say)
Can Peyton compete? I think so
Peyton Manning #18, Indianapolis Colts – 14 year career.
Peyton Making The Perfect Throw
54,828 Passing Yards, 399 Touchdowns, 198 Interceptions, and a 94.9 Career Passer Rating.
Career Notes: Unlike Tom Brady, Peyton Manning was highly touted out of college. Manning was the 1st overall pick in the 1998 draft (IMAGINE, if the Colts took Leaf?), Peyton made an impact immediately, going 13-3 in his second full season as the starter.
Peyton has won one Super Bowl and has appeared in two in his career. Manning is 6th all time in Passer Rating (94.9), holds the record of MVP’s in a career with 4 and 4,000 yard seasons with 11. Manning also has the most career Pro Bowl appearances with 11 and boasts a 141-67 record with a postseason record of 9-10.
For the record, I could not state every record both of these players hold because it would literally take me all night and this article would be impossible to read, I just used the stats I found most important in my decision-making in deciding between the two (touchdowns, interceptions, career record).
Not a bad resume for either, both will be in canton one day no doubt about it. Also, when you put these two careers next to each other it is extremely tough to choose. However, the tie breaker for me is the playoff records, 14-5 to 9-10 is a dramatic difference.
Peyton just has not have the success in the playoffs like Tom Brady, and for me it matters more what you do once you are in the playoffs. Manning is the best regular season quarterback I have ever seen, his footwork in the pocket is unbelievable and his arm strength and accuracy are once in a lifetime, and i have never seen any quarterback change the play on the go like Peyton. Despite that, I just cannot pick Manning over Brady.
Brady has a certain cool and calm about him, I have never seen Brady throw an interception to crush his teams’ hopes on the biggest stage in sports (I am referring to Super Bowl XLIV). They are both once in a lifetime players, but I want the guy that never seems to be rattled and has won multiple championships.
I have said my opinion, what’s yours?
December 16, 2011 13 Comments
Gronkowski Celebrating One of The 16
3 GAMES LEFT. 4 TOUCHDOWNS TO GO.
With 16 total touchdowns this year, Rob Gronkowksi has a very realistic chance of becoming the first tight end in NFL history to put up 20 total TDs.
He’s already broke the total touchdown record for any TE ever. Now it’s all about SHATTERING the record.
Let’s take a look at the key factors that will most likely ensure Gronk 20 TD’s:
The big 2-0 is there for the taking. If he want’s it, he’s got it. Rob Gronkowski is about to go down in NFL history for having the greatest year a tight end has ever had.
December 7, 2011 8 Comments
Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots is having an historical season for a tight end with 14 touchdowns. Last Sunday, Gronkowski had two touchdown receptions as well as a third score that was ruled a lateral against the 0-12 Indianapolis Colts. Who would have guessed that the TD to break the tight end touchdown record would come on a lateral, basically a rushing touchdown? Touchdowns seem to come in all ways with Rob Gronkowski. It doesn’t hurt him to have a future Hall of Famer, Tom Brady, for a quarterback either.
Gronkowski’s two touchdowns against Indy gave him 13, which tied him with Vernon Davis(2009) and Antonio Gates(2004) for the most RECEIVING touchdowns in a season by a tight end. Gronk broke the TOTAL touchdown record with the 2 receiving TDs and the rushing TD against Indy.
Rob “The Touchdown Maker” Gronkowski
So far this year Gronkowski has 65 receptions, 13 receiving touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown in 12 games. He’s already re-wrote the record books 12 games into a 16 game season, lets see what else he can do while he’s in BEAST-MODE.
