Week 3 NFL Power Rankings. Trouble in New Orleans

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. The New Orleans Saints are struggling in the absence of their head coach Sean Payton (pictured above).

By Wesley Kaminsky

After two straight losses to non-playoff teams from a season ago, the New Orleans Saints look like a different team from 2011. That offense, which was so unstoppable under Sean Payton, is out of sync, and the defense is struggling without Gregg Williams. In an improved NFC, the Saints appear to be in trouble. Payton was that important to this team and it’s showing.

In this weeks power rankings, the Eagles and the Dolphins made the biggest leap, jumping seven spots, while the Bears and Redskins had the biggest fall, tumbling six spots. The Falcons cracked the top five, and the 49ers maintained their number one ranking.

Enough of me spoiling it, time for you to find out for yourself where your favorite team ranks.

The New England Tight Ends

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Jake Ballard (pictured right) adds to an already loaded tight end group in New England.

By Josh Kramer

The New England Patriots and the word winning have become synonymous over the past decade.  It is also no secret that a key to New England’s winning formula this past season centered around their tight ends.  If last year was the “Year of the Quarterback” in the NFL, this very well could be the “Year of the Tight End.”  Not only did New England have two very good tight ends, but arguably the two best in the NFL.  Well yesterday, they added a third very good tight end.

Meet Jake Ballard.  The third year former New York Giants tight end out of “The” Ohio State is the newest member of the defending AFC Champion Patriots.  After suffering a torn ACL, the Giants placed the talented youngster on waivers.  In typical New England fashion, the Patriots swooped in and nabbed the 6 foot 6 275 pound up and coming star from Springboro, Ohio.

Patriots Blow Golden Opportunit​y-Giants Win Super Bowl XLVI

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. According to our very own Wesley Kaminsky, Tom Brady (pictured above), the Golden Boy, blew it for New England on Sunday.

By Wesley Kaminsky

Let me start by saying I’m not a Patriots fan. I’m an Eagles fan. I’m merely an angry, bitter, disgusted Eagles fan who has tasted playoff failure for my entire life. I’ve witnessed the Eagles lose in four NFC championship games, and one Super Bowl. I was in attendance in Jacksonville during that Super Bowl XXXIX loss to the Patriots. I haven’t tasted a Super Bowl victory, and neither have any Eagles fans. Instead, I’ve had to suffer through watching the Giants win two Super Bowls in the last four years. I didn’t sign up for this.

I’ve taken a couple of days to reflect on what took place in Indianapolis on Sunday night. The more I think about it, the more I cannot believe the Patriots lost.

The more I realize how lucky the Giants got.

The more I realize how Tom Brady blew it. The Golden Boy.

Super Bowl XLVI Preview

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Tom Brady (pictured above) was not a happy man four years ago as he exited the field following a loss in Super Bowl XLII. Do not expect the same outcome on Sunday.

By Josh Kramer

Coughlin vs. Belichick.  Manning (Eli) vs. Brady.  New York vs. Boston.  It does not get any better than the scenario that has been set up for Super Bowl XLVI.  There are millions of storylines floating around about America’s most anticipated sporting event of the year.  And 99.9% of the storylines will be moot come Sunday at 6:29PM, when the ball is kicked off in the “House that Peyton Built (Lucas Oil Stadium).”  Four years ago to the day, these two teams representing two of the biggest sports markets in the world met in Glendale, Arizona for rights to the Lombardi Trophy.  If Sunday’s rematch can be half as good as what America was able to witness four years ago, the game will be a memorable one.

For nearly two weeks, we have been well aware of the matchup on Sunday for football’s biggest prize.  And for two weeks, this game has been dissected and analyzed until I feel like there is nothing more to discuss.  It gets to the point every year where it is time to just play the game.  When the analysis and incite loses its luster.  I feel like we have hit that point.  Just like any big sporting event, this game will likely come down to one or two key plays.  Four years ago, “The Catch” was the play that in essence ended Brady, Moss, and New England’s remarkable attempt at football immortality.  Who will make the play this year that changes history?

Weekly Nickel 1-16-2012

Photo courtesy of latimesblogs.latimes.com. Kobe Bryant (pictured above) has shown no signs of aging after putting up 40+ points for a fourth consecutive game on Saturday. Can he lead the Lakers to a victory in Miami on Thursday?

By Josh Kramer

The clock finally struck midnight on “Tebow Time,” or at least for the time being, and the globe is still spinning.  “Lob City” staked their claim to Los Angeles.  And the 49ers won against an outstanding Saints team in a game that will go down as one of the all-time greats.  The past week, or even the past day for that matter, was classic.  This week should be pretty fun in its own right though.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

5.  Pitchers and catchers start reporting in 33 days (February 18th for a lot of teams).  MLB baseball is just around the corner.  And the Yankees finally broke their silence on Friday in a big way.  Who else is already very excited for the 2012 baseball season?  Keep an eye this week on what happens with marquee available players such as Prince Fielder, Rick Ankiel, and many more.  Will your favorite team pick up the piece they need to make a deep run in October?

4.  Kobe Bryant has now put up 40 or more points four straight games.  So much for the 33-year-old wearing now.  Any chance he will eclipse his nine-straight games of 40 or more points back in 2002/2003?

Food for Thought 9-13-2011

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Former Florida Gator star tight end Aaron Hernandez (pictured above) had an outstanding opener last night.

By Josh Kramer

It was a heck of a weekend capped off by a double-dose of Monday Night Football.  Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books.  Week 2 of the College Football season is finished.  And the seemingly never-ending US Open has finally come to a conclusion.

The following are the main topics that have caught my attention.

Greatest year of all time?

“Return of the Moss”

Randy Moss (pictured above), is heading back to Minnesota. The Vikings are once again a Super Bowl contender.

Have you ever heard the song “Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison?  If you have, you know it is one of those jams that is an instant classic.  If you haven’t, Youtube it.  I promise you will not regret it.  ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter is reporting that New England Patriot’s Wide Receiver, Randy Moss, is heading back to the team where he began his NFL career, the Minnesota Vikings.  All for the cost of a simple 3rd round pick?  Talk about an instant classic of a trade for Minnesota!

When I first heard this rumor, I thought there was no way it could be true.  Robert Kraft and the Patriots organization is one of the most committed franchises to winning in all of sports.  Apparently this is not the case today.  Because without Moss, the Patriots are no longer a contender.  They are most likely not even a playoff contender.  The Patriots live and die on their vaunted aerial attack.  And sure their special teams have been exceptional, but do you really think Pat Chung can repeat is recent Monday Night Performance on the reg, much less ever again?  Sure the Patriots still have Wes Welker.  But they have now lost their big play threat.  Their guy that really made defenses have to stay honest on the deep ball at all times.  Now Wes Welker’s effectiveness will be diminished a little.  Do you really think teams are going to double up on the young rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez out of Florida?  Think again.  Sorry Wes, but your days of roaming free are all but over.

As for the Vikings.  Lately a trend in Professional sports has been the formation of “Super” teams.  Well you have the Heat in the NBA with their trifecta of stars.  And now you have the Vikings with their newly formed trifecta of offensive stars.  The Vikings have gone from a dynamic duo, to a tenacious trio from an offensive standpoint.  Picture Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, and Randy Moss lining up together every offensive play.  The results could be utterly scary.  Forget the days of the 29th ranked pass offense in the NFL.  Those days will be a mere memory with the arrival of Moss.  Imagine what is going to happen when Sidney Rice returns to the lineup in a month.  NFC beware.

And the beautiful thing for Minnesota.  They now add the big play receiver that they have so desperately needed after the botch on the Vincent Jackson deal.  A guy who still has a couple of big years in the tank.  A guy who loves Minnesota.  A guy when motivated, is arguably, one of the greatest big play receivers of all time.  I mean look at the guys career numbers.

935 catches, 14,604 yards, 151 TDs.

Since joining New England in 2007, he has had over 1000 receiving yards and 11TD catches a year.  He may be 33, but he is still one of the game’s elite.  And as Moss like to put it, “He is more knowledgable on how to utilize his abilities.”

Well get ready Minnesota to utilize all the abilities that Randy Moss has to offer.  Half of the famous Culpepper/Moss train is back.  It is the “Return of the Moss” in Viking country.

Stay tuned for the next edition of TheSportsKraze.

-TheSportsKraze

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