NFL Preview 2012-2013

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Rob Gronkowski (pictured above) and the New England Patriots will redeem themselves on February 3rd with their fourth Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

By Josh Kramer

It has been 208 days since the New England Patriots and more specifically Wes Welker let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers. For those of you in need of a refresher, back on February 5th in the house that Peyton Manning built (Lucas Oil Stadium), the New York Giants once again shocked the New England Patriots in a very closely contested Super Bowl game.  That was then though and this is now.  America’s most popular sport is just five days away from its official kickoff.  Who is ready for some football?

AFC East Champion:  New England Patriots

I am sure you are all shocked at this pick.  New England has only won three straight divisional crowns and qualified for the playoffs eight of the past nine years.  People are already comparing this year’s squad to the greatest team to ever grace the gridiron, but fail to win the Lombardi Trophy (2007 Patriots).  With Brandon Lloyd added to the mix, it is hard to say these comparisons are all that far-fetched.  However, it should be noted that the defense has some flaws, and the offensive line will have its fair of struggles due to the absence of Matt Light (retirement), Brian Waters (possibly retirement), Logan Mankins (ACL tear), and Sebastian Vollmer (back injury).  Luckily for New England, the Jets appear to have taken a step backwards with the acquisition of “God” Tebow, and the Miami Dolphins appear to just be a horrible team (Hard Knocks has provided clear evidence of this).  Buffalo is improved, but does not have nearly the firepower to stick with New England throughout the duration of a grueling 17-week season.

Ocho is a no go

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Chad Ochocinco (pictured above) is no longer the dominant receiver he once was between 2003 to 2007. Now he is just an average player who struggles to learn the playbook.

By Josh Kramer

Think back to the year 2007.  Who was the best wide receiver in all of football?   Now right away Randy Moss should come to mind after reeling in a record 23 touchdown receptions and nearly helping the Patriots complete the first perfect season in the NFL since 1972 (Dolphins).  On most people’s list Chad Johnson would rank as number two or three.  Between the years of 2003 to 2007, Chad Johnson was no only one of the most entertaining players in the game, he was always one of the elite.  During the four-year span of 2003 to 2006, Chad Johnson became the only player in NFL history to lead his conference in receiving yards for four consecutive seasons.

Boy have times changed.  Not only has his game seen a colossal decline, his name has changed.  Yesterday, Ochocinco hit rock-bottom when he was released by the New England Patriots after just one season.  As mentioned earlier, Ochocino was one of the best players on the planet not that long ago.  Since, he has become arguably the most influential athlete in the world of social media, and possibly the least influential on the actual field.  Ochocinco may have nearly 3.5 million followers on Twitter, but he amassed an abysmal 15 catches last season for a meager 276 yards and one touchdown.

Food for Thought 2-14-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. "Linsanity" has taken over the sporting world during the course of the past week. Jeremy Lin (pictured above) is a true Cinderella story.

By Josh Kramer

Happy Va’Lin’tine’s Day.  A week ago , Jeremy Lin had 114 total points in his NBA career.  Since February 4^th, he has scored 134 in five games. No matter what happens for the rest of Jeremy Lin’s life, nobody can ever take away his astounding first five “real” games with the New York Knicks (games he actually played significant minutes).  This little-known player that went undrafted out of Harvard has truly shaken up the basketball world with a real-life Cinderella story.  In doing so, he has opened up the door for hopefully more Asian-Americans to star in the sport of basketball.  I thought what Tim Tebow did this past season was insane.  Something that truly defied logic.  And it was.  But what Jeremy Lin has treated NBA fans across the globe to over the past week and a half is truly a miracle.

Let’s take a step back for a minute and fully understand where this guy is coming from.  Lin was a high school star who led Palo Alto High School to a state championship in California. This kid willed his team to a victory over nationally renowned Mater Dei High School. Yet he received no division one offers.  In addition, not even the Ivy League schools had an interest.  After much debate, Harvard eventually caved, and decided to take a chance on Lin.   After an outstanding career in which he proved to be one of the best Ivy League players of recent memory, Lin went undrafted.  Then Lin was eventually was signed by Golden State.  After going back and forth between the D-League, Lin was waived on the first day of training camp following the 2011 Lockout.  Houston claimed the former Harvard star off of waivers and then waived him on Christmas Eve.  A few days later the New York Knicks took a chance on Lin.

The first couple of months of Lin’s stay with the Knicks were not exactly eventful to say the least. Jeremy was living on his brother’s couch, and recorded a total of 55 minutes through February 3rd (23 games).

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?

College Football Bowl Picks Week 1

Photo courtesy of temple-news.com. Temple looks to open up the bowl season with a victory over Wyoming. In order to win, the Owls will need a big performance from their star running back Bernard Pierce (pictured above).

By Josh Kramer

Bowl season is finally upon us.  Sadly, there is no way to sugarcoat it though. The first week of bowl games are anything but flattering.  This is probably the worst week we have had all year in terms of matchups.  35 bowl games are far too many.  As a result, we end up with weeks like this.

Saturday:

Temple vs Wyoming (Gildan New Mexico Bowl)

–Owls by 3

Headline:  Owls old-school smash mouth style proves too much for the Cowboys.

An ode to Randy Moss

Photo courtesy of somethingcatchey.blogspot.com.

By Nick Craddock

“A Dandy Randy Moss Haiku”

Receiver Randy;

He runs fast and catches balls.

Shame, he was lazy.

**************

Randy Moss was largely unstoppable during his 13-year NFL career.

Defenses changed schemes because of the wide receiver and still Moss would zoom past members of the opposing secondary for a score.

His coaches tried to reign in his vivacious personality and still Moss managed to dictate how and when he was going to play, or otherwise scorn a franchise.

The NFL attempted to punish Moss through his pocketbook, but you knew Moss was still going to be able to take care of his fines with “straight cash homey.”

Food for Thought 8-2-2011

Photo courtesy of http://www.nflgridirongab.com. Randy Moss (pictured above) one of the all-time great wide receivers, decided to hang up the cleats and retire yesterday.

By Josh Kramer

Sure last week was absolutely ludicrous between all of the transactions in the MLB and NFL. Well the pace will not slow up by any means.  Here are the topics that have caught my attention.

No More Randy Moss

After a very up and down career, though predominantly up, one of football’s greatest wide receivers of all time is calling it quits.  Many headlines have exclaimed “No Moss.”  And I must say, I tip my hat to a man who normally has struggled to handle his business off the field and in the locker room frequently throughout his career.  It is few and far between to find athletes these days who know when the time is right to walk away.

Jets’ target Asomugha now a must-get?

Photo courtesy of nflgridirongab.com. Arguably the biggest prize of the free agent class, Nnamdi Asomugha (pictured above) should find a home in the very near future. Could it be with the New York Jets?

By Nick Craddock

Revis Island might become a part of a greater archipelago if the New York Jets are successful in their pursuit of one of the biggest prizes in this free agency bonanza.

Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who has spent the past eight seasons (seven of which were losing seasons, save for last year’s 8-8 mark) with the Oakland Raiders, is the prototypical shutdown corner and could be the last key to completing the Jets’ quest for a Super Bowl.

And the Jets’ hopes of landing Asomugha, a three-time Pro Bowler, were given a boost Thursday when the Houston Texans, one of Asomugha’s leading suitors and a team capable of offering the free agent about twice as much money as the Jets, opted to sign Johnathan Joseph instead.

Belichick: A coach or a babysitter?

Photo courtesy of liftedathletics.com.

By Josh Kramer

The Patriots stole the show today in another wild and crazy day for the NFL.  Normally the Patriots get attention  and steal the limelight for winning on the field.  They also have a history of winning with off-season transactions as well though.  During the course of the same day, they picked up two former Pro Bowlers for highly discounted rates.  Now I am not saying that we are going to see the Albert Haynesworth of 2008 or the OchoCinco, of the pre OchoCinco era (Johnson days).  I do know that this is a win/win situation once again for the Patriots.  Kraft, Belichick, and Co. are masterminds transactions wise and understand that players want to come play for them.  Go figure that players would want to go play in bitterly cold Foxborough.  There must be something in the water.

But the real question I have about all of this is not whether the Patriots will be a playoff team, because that is basically a no brainer.  The real question is should Bill Belichick sign up for the “Babysitter’s Club?”

Can Moss still be a boss?

Photo courtesy of vikingsfootballhome.blogspot.com.

By Josh Kramer

Just as recently as two weeks ago, there was much speculation about a big time aging and often troubled wide receiver (Terrell Owens).  Following knee surgery, many questioned if the future Hall of Famer would be an asset to a franchise if and when football started up again.  Well now there is talk of another future Hall of Fame receiver.  The only difference is this guy is a few years younger and not coming off of an injury.  But it is a similar story outside of the knee injury.

Can Randy Moss still be a boss in the NFL?