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Monday, September 20, 2010

Under Center: Ranking the NFL's Quarterbacks

I found myself in the middle of a heated discussion this afternoon.  The gloves were off.  Haymakers for opinions were flying left and right, each participant looking to deliver the final knockout blow.  The great debate was underway -- the unofficial ranking of NFL quarterbacks.

It is understood that the quarterback is the single most important position in the NFL.  Without an elite QB, teams suffer arduous, often frustrating, subpar seasons.  The entire offense runs through hands of a single man.  He must understand both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball and sell a persona that the whole team can buy into.  His charisma must be contagious, his work ethic, unwavering and his will to win, greater than the other 21 men on the field.

So without further adieu, I present you with the top 10 NFL QBs.

1. Peyton Manning
The consensus is in and No. 18 is number one.  At 34, Manning shows no signs of slowing down.  His ability to read defenses and audible at the line of scrimmage is unparalleled by any other leader in the league.  He has a Super Bowl ring to back and is a future Hall of Fame inductee.  Give Manning and inch and he'll take a yard -- or several for that matter.

2. Drew Brees
There isn't a QB in the league who throws a more perfect ball than Drew Brees.  The reigning Super Bowl MVP never locks into a single receiver, making any Saints' receiver a potential downfield threat.  This guy not only rejuvenated a team, but an entire city.

3. Tom Brady
There's not much to say except for -- Brady is a winner.  Welker and Moss make his job a little easier, however.

4.  Aaron Rodgers
Two more years and Rodgers will be number one on this list.  With a bevy of weapons in Green Bay and Rodgers at the helm, the Packers are a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

5. Tony Romo
With the playoff monkey off his back, the sky is the limit for Romo and the Cowboys.  Although off to a slow start, Dallas has too many weapons for the crafty Romo to fail.  Love him or hate him, he is always the topic of conversation, therefore, warranting a position on this list.

6. Ben Roethlisberger
With two Super Bowl rings, Big Ben has already proved himself as an elite quarterback.  However, QBs are supposed to manage distractions, not cause them.  This lack of leadership keeps Roethlisberger from the top.

7. Philip Rivers
Imagine how much better the Giants would be if they would've kept this guy in New York.

8. Brett Favre
It's unbelievable that Favre may have had his best statistical season at the age of 40.  So far this season, it looks like the sun is setting on Favre's career.  The gun-slinger looks to have no more bullets left in the chamber.

9. Joe Flacco
Big arm, good defense and finally a core of receivers, look out for Mr. Flacco this season.

10. Matt Schaub
If Andre Johnson could throw the ball to himself, he'd be on this list.  But since he can't, enter Matt Schaub.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Are the Wheels Coming Undone on the Lions' Bandwagon?

I have been a Dallas Cowboys fan since I could remember.  However, there is a part of me that wants to jump on the Lions' bandwagon this year.  Don't get me wrong, the Cowboys still are and always will be my team, but there is something about this Detroit team that is so alluring.

Going into the season, I couldn't sing enough praises about this young Lions' team.  Matt Stafford is a tough kid and has the potential to be "the guy" in Detroit.  Calvin Johnson is already amongst the top five receivers in the league.  Detroit also had the best draft, picking up both Jahvid Best and Ndamukong Suh.  Don't look now, but the Lions' could surprise a lot of people.

That was until bad luck reared its wicked head once again on Detroit football.  It's now been 53 years and counting.

First, Stafford suffers a shoulder injury that could sideline him for at least a month.  Then, Megatron makes, what appears to be, an incredible, game-winning catch, only to have to taken away by some foolish NFL rule.  So, the Lions' drop another season opener, to the Bears nonetheless, and Shaun Hill is under center and taking snaps as first string quarterback.

I don't want to sound like a pessimist too early, but Week 1 may be indicative of the entire Lions' season.   However, I'm not jumping off the bandwagon just yet.  If the Lions' can manage to win at least one or two games under Hill's command, they can put themselves in a favorable position with Stafford returning.

I predicted at least an 8-8 season this year, Detroit.  Don't let me down already.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Kobe Needs to Pull an OchoCinco This Season

I say Kobe Bryant pulls an OchoCinco and starts wearing this jersey this season.

I Might Have Been Wrong, But Baltimore Got It Right

T.J. Houshmandzadeh has signed a one-year deal to play for the Baltimore Ravens this season, just days after being released by the Seattle Seahawks.  The Ravens will pay Houshmandzadeh a mere $855,000 of the $7 million due to him this season, with the Seahawks picking up the $6.15 million dollar remainder.

Talk about getting stuck with the tab.

This signing comes as a surprise, as Baltimore didn't seem to offer any interest when T.J. became a free agent.  Well Baltimore fans, you can thank Ray Lewis for yet another thing.  According to USA Today, Houshmandzadeh said the Lewis was responsible for recruiting him to the Ravens.  Lewis told Housh, "If you want to win, this is the place to be."

It appears that Houshmandzadeh bought into Lewis' sales pitch.  And to be honest, I'm buying in too.

With the acquisition of Houshmandzadeh, the Ravens have gone to from struggling with their depth at the receiver position to building a solid core.  Baltimore now boasts a receiving core of Anquan Boldin, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Derrick Mason and Donte Stallworth (once he returns from injury in October).  Pair these downfield threats with the tenacious running style of Ray Rice and the big arm of Joe Flacco and the Ravens are now a serious playoff contender.  Not to mention Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed and the rest of their intimidating, punch-you-in-the-mouth defense.

I don't want to get ahead of myself, but don't be surprised if you see Baltimore playing in Dallas come February 6th.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

"Houshamazilli, Put Him on the Board" (Unless You're Seattle, Of Course)

The Seattle Seahawks and receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh are officially parting ways.  This comes just one year after Seattle signed the veteran wide-out to a five-year, $40 million deal.  The surprising divorce went from speculation to reality in a matter of days, with Seattle owing the once-prolific receiver $15 million.

The 32-year-old receiver, who caught 79 passes for 911 yards and three scores last year, will undoubtedly fetch an array of callers, all interested in his services for the upcoming season.  Despite the depth that Houshmandzadeh can give any team at receiver, he will come at an alluring bargain.  Housh can find himself playing for a bevy of teams this season, with the Vikings being atop my list of possible destinations.

The Vikings have experienced a string of bad luck at the receiver position this offseason.  Sidney Rice will miss five to six weeks after undergoing surgery and Percy Harvin has been hampered by a series of debilitating migraines.  Minnesota also cut Javon Walker after signing the over-the-hill receiver out of desperation.  Granted, Houshmandzadeh spurned the Vikings two years ago to accept a deal with the Seahawks, but in Minnesota, much is forgiven and forgotten -- rather quickly too, I might add.

Interestingly enough, it seems as if the Seahawks have already found a replacement for T.J.  Mike Williams, former first round pick of the Detroit Lions, seems to have fallen into the good graces of head coach Pete Carroll, and not by coincidence.  Williams was a standout during his college days at USC, playing under head coach -- yup, you guessed it -- Pete Carroll.  Carroll must believe that Williams can return to the once dominant threat that he was during his days at USC.

Now, I know I had posted my predictions about this upcoming season a few blogs back, but I am ready to make a guarantee.  Houshmandzadeh will have a better season than Williams, in every aspect.

Hey, Coach Carroll, I hear Matt Leinart is a free agent now too.  Bye, bye Hasselbeck?

By the way, had to post this commercial.  Classic.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Nyjer Morgan Meet Gaby Sanchez

If baseball doesn't work out for Gaby Sanchez, I'd say he has a shot at the WWE if he wants.

10 Predictions for the 2010-2011 NFL Season

With the NFL season just two weeks away, I have heard a plethora of predictions regarding the upcoming season.  So, I've decided to throw my hat in the ring and make some bold predictions of my own.

10. Aaron Rodgers wins his first MVP Trophy
4,434 YDs, 30 TDs, 7 INTs and a Pro-Bowl selection.  Oh, I'm sorry those are last year's numbers.  Expect an increase in all of them this season as he leads the Packers to the NFC Championship game.

9. Larry Fitzgerald fails to have 1,000 reception yards
Despite having a pair of the surest hands in the NFL, the Cardinals' quarterback situation is in shambles and will undoubtedly have an effect on team chemistry.  Pair that with the departure of Anquan Boldin and a host of double teams and Fitz's production plummets.

8. The Jets miss the playoffs
The Jets are by far the most overrated team in the NFL.  Between Rex Ryan's Super Bowl predictions and Jets' fans high expectations, I say this season has the perfect recipe for a flop.

7. Chris Johnson doesn't rush for 2,500 yards
Not really a bold prediction on my part, but Chris Johnson said he'd get 2,500 yards this season.  Sorry CJ, but it's not going to happen.  Defenses are going to load the box with eight defenders and make you beat them through the air.  Did you hear that Vince?

6. Detroit finishes at least .500
Stafford is tough enough for the NFL (he proved that last year).  They had a remarkable draft on both sides of the ball, getting Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best.  And I don't need to remind you of Calvin Johnson's freakish talent.  Stand up and cheer Lions' fans, not since Barry Sanders have you had something to look forward to.

5. Ray Rice leads the NFL in rushing
Chris Johnson is going to have trouble breaking free with eight in the box.  Adrian Peterson won't get enough touches with pass-happy Favre under center.  Maurice Jones-Drew faces a similar predicament as Johnson.  This leaves Rice alone at the top, with the Ravens' balanced attack being conducive towards his cause.

4. Dez Bryant wins Offensive Rookie of the Year
With defenses focusing on Austin and Witten, Romo finds Bryant easily and often.  However, this is not a one horse race. Bryant narrowly wins the honor over Best and Spiller.

3. Pierre Garcon becomes the best receiver in Indianapolis
Peyton Manning found his groove with Garcon  during last season's playoffs and will pick up right where they left off.  Wayne and Clark always are a cause for defensive concern, leaving Garcon forgotten about on many plays.  Forget about someone with Peyton Manning and he will make you pay.

2. Ochocinco amasses close to 100K in fines
He already Tweeted that if he scores in New England, Week 1, he is firing the Patriots' minuteman's rifle.  That fine alone has to be good for at least 25K.

1. The Dallas Cowboys win the Super Bowl
I know I am going to get a ton of grief for this one, especially since I am a Cowboys fan.  However, from top to bottom, on both sides of the ball, the Cowboys have the most talented roster in the league.  Add another weapon, Dez Bryant, to an already dangerous passing attack and Romo is poised to have one of the best seasons of his career.  If the aging offensive line can hold its ground, the Cowboys will play host to their own Super Bowl victory.