Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Shot in the Dark: 2010 Offseason Predictions

After years of waiting, franchises that have tanked purposely over the past couple of seasons have finally reached their day of salvation, July 1, 2010. It all started with LeBron....the two time MVP all-world small forward has had several franchises drooling ever since teams began to realize that the possibility of him leaving his home state was all too real. Soon, other free agents noticed how much general managers were targeting this summer, and began setting plans on getting in on the fun. The question is, with all of the talk lately about summits and collaborations of James, Wade, Johnson, Stoudemire, Bosh, and whoever else, is it really about forming a super team and creating a dynasty.
For James, I dont think it is. I dont think he wants to go to Miami and play with Wade, where they will be considered a duo, not James as the leader. I also dont think he really wants to go to Chicago, which would invite constant comparisons to MJ, which at this point in his career would be hard to live up to. I also dont see him returning to Cleveland, because in all honesty, they arent going to be able to put a much better team around him than the one that just lost in the second round. This leaves a few teams....the Knicks and Nets...and the outsiders with no cap room, Dallas and Houston. I dont see the Nets being big enough of a market for LBJ, so my prediction: LeBron James signs with the New York Knicks.
Dwyane Wade is the obvious number 2 in this class. To me, his free agency has only two real options....his current team, the Heat, or his hometown Chicago Bulls. The determining factor for him is who he will be playing with.....he wants another ring.....I dont see the Heat walking away from this offseason without at least two top 10 free agents. For this reason, Dwyane Wade re-signs with the Miami Heat.
If your GM says you are probably headed out of town, then you probably are. Chris Bosh has a big list of options. I dont see the Knicks having a huge pursuit of him, and I dont think he wants to play in a small market like New Jersey. Bosh wants to go back to playing power forward, and the issue with Heat is that they currently do not have a legitimate center on the roster.....the Bulls have Joakim Noah, as well as rising point guard Derrick Rose. This should tip the scales, and Chris Bosh signs with the Chicago Bulls.

NBA Draft 2010 Grades

For the record....I dont grade teams that dont end up with any prospects





Washington: B John Wall, Kevin Seraphin, Trevor Booker, Hamady N'Diaye


John Wall is the no brainer here, even if you already have a franchise point guard. I like Trevor Booker as a player, but I think they reached on him. N'Diaye is not a bad pick at 56, but I doubt he ever makes the roster. The question mark is Kevin Seraphin, who was acquired alongside Kirk Hinrich. Lots of people are knocking this trade for setting up a potential Chicago dynasty, but Hinrich brings leadership, something this franchise needs to improve their image.





Philadelphia: B+ Evan Turner


I do think Turner is the better player than Favors at the 2 spot, but I dont see him fitting in all that well in Philadelphia with Igoudala. They really didnt have a better option here, and I dont see the Sixers making the playoffs next year...but Turner is a good building block.





New Jersey: A- Derrick Favors, Damion James


I think Favors will eventually turn into a very solid PF, but it will take 2-3 years....The Nets may be able to find someone to teach him through free agency though, possibly David Lee or Carlos Boozer. Even as a Texas fan, Damion James doesnt strike me a difference-maker. With that said, he should be be able to contribute on a team that may not have money left to spend on a bench when all is said and done.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

My 2010 NFL Mock Draft

1. Sam Bradford, QB-St. Louis- I think this is pretty obvious, even if he hasnt signed yet. Releasing Marc Bulger means The Greatest Show on Turf needs a new ring leader

2. Ndamukong Suh, DT-Detroit-Rumors are that the Lions like Suh more than McCoy, so this pick isnt surprising either. Suh and Vanden Bosch teamed up might actually mean a decent line for the Lions

3. Gerald McCoy, DT- Tampa Bay-The Bucs biggest area of need also fits with the best player available, as they find a replacement for the Chris Hovan or Ryan Sims

4. Russell Okung, OT- Washington- Time to protect your assets. With Donovan McNabb on board, and Chris Samuels retired, a new blindside protector is necessary

5. Bryan Bulaga, OT- Kansas City- The Chiefs really like what they have in Branden Albert, but he may be better off at guard. The question here is Bulaga or Trent Williams....sources say Bulaga

6. Trent Williams, OT-Seattle-In a similar situation to Washington, the Seahawks need to replace Walter Jones. They may be better off picking a quarterback,(you really trust Charlie Whitehurst?) but Jimmy Clausen shouldnt be picked this high

7. Eric Berry, S- Cleveland- The Browns also could use a quarterback, but they need a safety even more. Even with Earl Thomas gaining ground, Berry should still be the first safety picked

8. Bruce Campbell, OT- Oakland- Mocking the Raiders is really deciding how dumb you think Al Davis is. After picking workout warrior Heyward-Bey last year, Im going to say he repeats his mistakes and picks athletic freak Bruce Campbell. In all seriousness, Derrick Morgan or Dez Bryant would be a better pick to fill their needs

9. Jimmy Clausen, QB- Buffalo- Again, Clausen doesnt impress me that much. But Trent Edwards shouldn't be a starter anymore, and Clausen is one of the few quarterbacks that can actually contribute this year

10. Earl Thomas, S- Jacksonville- Even with two young safeties, the Jaguars would still be willing to take Thomas, one of the rising players in the draft. Joe Haden and Brandon Graham are also considerations here.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

???

Yet another long break....it is really hard to be committed to this...yet, something makes me want to come back for some more...from now on, I am going to try to get something up on here at least a couple times a week...mostly just my observations of the sports world from a biased or unbiased point of view

For now, it is tourney time...the 2010 NCAA Basketball Tournament has consumed my entire weekend. At first my bracket looked good...I had Kansas, Kansas State, Texas (yes....Texas), and Duke in my Final Four. My final two had Kansas matching up against the Dukies, with the Blue Devils winning the championship. It was a great bracket in my opinion, with my personal biases represented (Duke and Texas), and a significant amount of upsets (Tennessee in the Elite 8, Texas in the Final 4).

When the smoke of the first round cleared, Texas had been lost, but my bracket didnt look too shabby, with only 6 wrong. Other than Texas, my Sweet 16 teams were all still intact.

Then the second round started....first, Nova went down.....sure...no big deal, I had them in the Sweet 16, Omar Samhan and that goofy guy with the two-toned mouthguard deserved their time to shine. But then......Ali Farokhmanesh, the Brothers Koch, and the big dude with the sideburns decided they wanted Kansas's season to end....and in the process, sent brackets everywhere into the garbage can.

Even with two of my Final Four teams gone, I am still satisfied. My bracket still has a chance...albeit, a small one....to win me some money. More importantly, the games have been phenomenal this year....phenomenal. There have been so many good games, I cant even start to name them...and even though Northern Iowa just laid waste to my bracket, I can't help but root for them. As long as Bill Raftery is announcing, you know the Tournament is going to be something to watch.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

NFL Conference Championships: Unit Ranks

Tomorrow, the Super Bowl matchup will be decided as the Colts and Jets square off to find the AFC champion, while the NFC Championship will pit the Saints against the Vikings. Here's a look at my ranks of the final four team's individual units

Quarterbacks: 1. Colts 2. Saints 3. Vikings 4. Jets

The fact that Brett Favre is number 3 out of 4 is really a testament how badly you need a superstar quarterback to compete for a championship. Peyton is the sharpest, but Brees and Favre aren't far behind. Sanchez obviously lacks big game experience, which is probably the same reason Brees is not number 1


Running Backs: 1. Vikings 2. Jets 3. Saints 4. Colts

With all due respect to Chris Johnson, I still believe that Adrian Peterson is the best back in the NFL, hence the number 1 spot. Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones provide a really solid 1-2 punch that Colts need to be worried about. The Saints have a found a good mix getting Bush, Bell, and Pierre Thomas the ball, but I don't see Bush having a huge impact. The Colts are unspectacular with Addai and Brown, but steady.


Receivers: 1. Vikings 2. Colts 3. Saints 4. Jets

Two years ago, the Vikings receivers were non-existent. Now, with Rice, Berrian, Harvin, and the unheralded Visanthe Shiancoe, they are a force to be reckoned with. The Colts have managed to get production out of young guys Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, but the best receiver still in the playoffs is Reggie Wayne. The Colts also have the best TE in Dallas Clark. The Saints receivers are quiet, but produce when needed. Despite the addition of Braylen Edwards, the Jets receivers still are lacking.

Offensive Line: 1. Jets 2. Vikings 3. Colts 4. Saints
The left side of Jets offensive line is remarkable with D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Alan Faneca, and you could throw in C Nick Mangold. The Vikings have solid tackles and G Steve Hutchinson but are inexperienced at C. The Colts are solid as always, as are the Saints led by young and unheard of players like Jermon Bushrod and Jahri Evans, who played their college ball at Towson and Bloomsburg, respectively


Defensive Line: 1. Vikings 2. Colts 3. Saints 4. Jets
The Vikings defensive line is number 1 by a mile. The Williams' and redneck Jared Allen are some of the best in the business. The Colts as always are going to be pressuring the quarterback with ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. The Saints will count on Will Smith to get to Brett Favre. As for the Jets, other than DE Shaun Ellis, their D-line is unimpressive

Linebackers: 1. Jets 2. Saints 3. Colts 4. Vikings
The Jets 4 starting linebackers are going to give the Colts running game fits, especially Bart Scott and David Harris. The Saints linebackers aren't outstanding, but have good chemistry after many years together. The Colt's backers aren't Pro-Bowlers, but Gary Brackett is an excellent defender. This is clearly the Vikings biggest hole, as Chad Greenway is their best linebacker

Secondary: 1. Jets 2. Saints 3. Vikings 4. Colts
Revis Island has obviously got a lot of attention lately, but Kerry Rhodes and Lito Sheppard are both pretty good too. The Saints are headlined by Darren Sharper, but young corners Tracy Porter and Malcolm Jenkins are improving and will have to play big roles. The Vikings secondary is a mixture of old and young with Winfield and Madieu Williams next to young guns Cedric Griffin and Tyrell Johnson. The Saints will try to pick on Griffin. As for the Colts, Braylen Edwards could have a big day against the lackluster corners Kelvin Hayden, Jerraud Powers, and Jakub Lacey.

Special Teams: 1. Vikings 2. Jets 3. Saints 4. Colts
Ryan Longwell has been outstanding this year and the Vikings also have the best returner of the bunch. The Jets have Jay Feely and dangerous former QB Brad Smith returning kicks. Reggie Bush could make an impact in special teams, returning punts. The question is whether the Saints trust Garrett Hartley to make a big kick in the clutch. The Colts don't anything really special, other than Adam Vinatieri

My picks: Colts over Jets 21-13
Vikings over Saints 34-27

I'm Back

After a long hiatus, I have decided to take up blogging again. Now that I have plenty of free time to dedicate to blogging about sports, I figured I might as well decide to start putting them back on the internet...

However, I have decided that I am no longer going to focus solely on basketball. In order for me to be able to generate more timely and interesting content, I am going to cover aspects of all of the four main sports....

Enjoy!