Now for my bold predictions for the NFL. If you didn't see the first part of this two part article here are my bold predictions for College football
1. Denard Robinson will light it up in the Cowboy Classic against Bama's Defense
2. Denard Robinson will win the Heisman and lead Michigan to victory in the Big Ten championship.
3. Alabama will not repeat as BCS champions and will lose the SEC to LSU.
4. Matt Barkley will win the BCS championship but will not win the Heisman.
5. Ohio State will win 8 games with new coach Urban Meyer.
6. LSU, in Buffalo Bills fashion, will make it to the BCS championship and lose to USC.
Now on to the predictions for the NFL.
1. Robert Griffin III and not Andrew Luck will win Offensive Player of The Year.
Alright, I'll say what anyone reading this is thinking, boring. But most people still think Luck is the better QB and will win Offensive Player of The Year. I say they are wrong, as I have ever since I picked RGIII to win the Heisman in the middle of last season.
2. The post bounty gate Saints will win the NFC.
This one is kind of self explanatory. The Saints have so much talent on offense and their defense is showing great improvement under one of the best defensive minds in the NFL.
3. The Washington Redskins will make the playoffs.
With the addition of Pierre Garcon the Redskins now have the passing weapons they need to compliment Mike Shanahan's Zone Blocking rushing scheme. With weapons such as Fred Davis, Chris Cooley, Santana Moss, Josh Morgan, and Pierre Garcon RGIII has a good amount of talent around him.
4. The Jacksonville Jaguars will contend for a playoff spot.
No I am not doing drugs. Yes, I realize MJD is not in camp right now. But after Gabbert's first two pre-season games, I'll go out on a limb and say they will compete for a playoff berth this year. Between the additions of Justin Blackmon and Laurent Robinson, the play of Blaine Gabbert so far, and the play of 2nd string running back Rashad Jennings the Jags have a much better looking team in Mike Mularkey's inaugural season.
5. Russell Wilson will win the starting QB job in Seattle.
This would have been a much bolder prediction two weeks ago before I had the stats to back me up. But regardless, just as I said before the draft, Russell Wilson is a NFL starting caliber QB. In two pre-season games Wilson has blown Flynn out of the water. The real test will come if Carrol gives him the shot to start in the 3rd pre-season game and he gets to play against a starting defense instead of only 2nd string players.
6. Tim Tebow will become the starter for the Jets at some point this year.
And I just lost probably 90% of the people actually reading this. I know his stats have been horrible in the first two pre-season games. Just remember Sanchez's have been just as horrible. When he does become the starter, it very well might be because Sanchez simply sucks. I don't expect Tim to catch lightning in a bottle again this season, but he will get the nod at some point in the season and play good enough to not get replaced by Greg McElroy at least.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
2012 Season Bold Predictions College
Another season of football is just around the corner. In two weeks we have what I believe will be the most entertaining game of week 1, the Cowboy Classic. The Michigan Wolverines and The Crimson Tide of Alabama will face off in the million dollar playpen known as Jerryworld or Cowboy Stadium. 4 Days later the NFL season kicks off with the Giants-Cowboys grudge match reigniting in Met Life stadium
Every year a lot of the talking heads on ESPN give their "bold predictions" for the year. So I figured I'd join in on the fun and come up with 6 bold predictions for the NFL and College football season.
Lets start with the college predictions first.
1. Denard Robinson will light it up in the Cowboy Classic against Alabama's defense.
I'm not saying that the Wolverines will necessarily win but I am saying that Denard is going to have a good game. Somewhere around 230 yards passing 100 yards rushing 2-3 total TD's and at most 1 turnover.
2. Denard Robinson will win the Heisman Trophy in route to a Big Ten championship victory.
Denard is going to do the same thing to Barkley that RGIII did to Luck last year, he's going to come out of relative obscurity and take the Heisman from the favorite. And Michian will overtake Michigan State to win the Big Ten.
3. Alabama will not repeat as BCS champions and will not win the SEC.
Not as bold as the first two considering how few teams actually repeat as BCS champions, but they will also not win the SEC, losing out to LSU.
4. Matt Barkley will win the BCS championship, but not the Heisman.
USC will win the BCS championship game, but Barkley will have to go into the NFL without a Heisman.
5. Ohio State will win 8 games this regular season under coach Urban Meyer.
I'm not gonna say that they're going to suddenly be the best team in College sports, but under Urban Meyer they have a 8 win season and take steps toward being a player in the Big Ten.
6. LSU will once again lose the BCS championship.
In true Buffalo Bills fashion LSU will make it to the 'ship for the second consecutive year and lose again, this year to No.1 seed USC.
Every year a lot of the talking heads on ESPN give their "bold predictions" for the year. So I figured I'd join in on the fun and come up with 6 bold predictions for the NFL and College football season.
Lets start with the college predictions first.
1. Denard Robinson will light it up in the Cowboy Classic against Alabama's defense.
I'm not saying that the Wolverines will necessarily win but I am saying that Denard is going to have a good game. Somewhere around 230 yards passing 100 yards rushing 2-3 total TD's and at most 1 turnover.
2. Denard Robinson will win the Heisman Trophy in route to a Big Ten championship victory.
Denard is going to do the same thing to Barkley that RGIII did to Luck last year, he's going to come out of relative obscurity and take the Heisman from the favorite. And Michian will overtake Michigan State to win the Big Ten.
3. Alabama will not repeat as BCS champions and will not win the SEC.
Not as bold as the first two considering how few teams actually repeat as BCS champions, but they will also not win the SEC, losing out to LSU.
4. Matt Barkley will win the BCS championship, but not the Heisman.
USC will win the BCS championship game, but Barkley will have to go into the NFL without a Heisman.
5. Ohio State will win 8 games this regular season under coach Urban Meyer.
I'm not gonna say that they're going to suddenly be the best team in College sports, but under Urban Meyer they have a 8 win season and take steps toward being a player in the Big Ten.
6. LSU will once again lose the BCS championship.
In true Buffalo Bills fashion LSU will make it to the 'ship for the second consecutive year and lose again, this year to No.1 seed USC.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Saints players to watch during the preseason
The most impressive players from the Saints side of the ball in the Hall Of Fame game included Joseph Morgan, Courtney Roby, Mark Ingram, Andy Tanner, Martez Wilson , and Travaris Cadet. As much as I want to put Chris Ivory on that list his stat line wasn't good enough to warrant it even if it was his O-Line's fault he kept getting stuffed.
I will be focusing on the three most impressive players which other than Mark Ingram were all somewhat unknown players. I'll start of with the third most impressive player, Mark Ingram. Mark Ingram's stat line included 4 carries for 14 yards and the sole rushing touchdown scored by the Saints. All of those stats were in one drive but in reality the numbers don't show why it was such a good performance. Ingram looked to be running with the intensity and vision that no one has seen much of since his days at Alabama. Going into the regular season I think Mark Ingram will ultimately take the starting job from Pierre Thomas and hold onto it throughout the season (barring injury).
Next there is the second most impressive player, rookie undrafted free agent RB/WR/KR/PR Travaris Cadet from Appalachian State. This kid looked way to good out there to have gone undrafted but alas he somehow went undrafted and ended up with the Saints. At 6'1 and 210 lbs. he is the largest running back on the Saints roster as of now and despite only running a 4.67 40 yard dash at his pro day he ran a 4.4 previously in college and looked like a 4.4 athlete on the field Sunday.
They used him in much the same way that they normally use Darren Sproles in, mostly using him as a receiver out of the backfield in Shotgun formations. He led the Saints in receiving yards and receptions with 8 catches for 80 yards and the only receiving touchdown of the night.
He also showed pretty good skills in the return game returning kicks and punts finishing with 40 yards in return yards on one punt and one kickoff. With the versatility he has shown he could end up making a guy like Chris Ivory who I have always been a fan of expendable.
There was only one things about him I didn't like. The first one being that he didn't always show great vision and decisive running as he finished with negative yards running although a lot of that could be attributed to the second string O-Line not blocking very well.
As great as I think Travaris Cadet's game was, Defensive End Martez Wilson's game was even better. I only saw him in the game on three plays. Each play he was in there he caused a sack. He rushed off the edge and had a clean shot at the Quarterback (I believe it was John Skelton at that point) he then did the same thing against Richard Bartell splitting a sack with Defensive Tackle Tom Johnson. And in the third play I saw him in, he ran Richard Bartell right into the Saints Defensive Tackle Tyruun Walker.
Really there are two words that perfectly describe Martez Wilson to me. Those words are Osi Umenyiora. Martez Wilson should win the starting speed rush Defensive End job by the start of the regular season. The speed rush End being Spagnuolo's end when he shifts one or both of his starting ends (in this case Cameron Jordan) inside to defensive tackle.
Basically the Saints should be very excited about there new defensive scheme and Martez Wilson in the next year.
I will be focusing on the three most impressive players which other than Mark Ingram were all somewhat unknown players. I'll start of with the third most impressive player, Mark Ingram. Mark Ingram's stat line included 4 carries for 14 yards and the sole rushing touchdown scored by the Saints. All of those stats were in one drive but in reality the numbers don't show why it was such a good performance. Ingram looked to be running with the intensity and vision that no one has seen much of since his days at Alabama. Going into the regular season I think Mark Ingram will ultimately take the starting job from Pierre Thomas and hold onto it throughout the season (barring injury).
Next there is the second most impressive player, rookie undrafted free agent RB/WR/KR/PR Travaris Cadet from Appalachian State. This kid looked way to good out there to have gone undrafted but alas he somehow went undrafted and ended up with the Saints. At 6'1 and 210 lbs. he is the largest running back on the Saints roster as of now and despite only running a 4.67 40 yard dash at his pro day he ran a 4.4 previously in college and looked like a 4.4 athlete on the field Sunday.
They used him in much the same way that they normally use Darren Sproles in, mostly using him as a receiver out of the backfield in Shotgun formations. He led the Saints in receiving yards and receptions with 8 catches for 80 yards and the only receiving touchdown of the night.
He also showed pretty good skills in the return game returning kicks and punts finishing with 40 yards in return yards on one punt and one kickoff. With the versatility he has shown he could end up making a guy like Chris Ivory who I have always been a fan of expendable.
There was only one things about him I didn't like. The first one being that he didn't always show great vision and decisive running as he finished with negative yards running although a lot of that could be attributed to the second string O-Line not blocking very well.
As great as I think Travaris Cadet's game was, Defensive End Martez Wilson's game was even better. I only saw him in the game on three plays. Each play he was in there he caused a sack. He rushed off the edge and had a clean shot at the Quarterback (I believe it was John Skelton at that point) he then did the same thing against Richard Bartell splitting a sack with Defensive Tackle Tom Johnson. And in the third play I saw him in, he ran Richard Bartell right into the Saints Defensive Tackle Tyruun Walker.
Really there are two words that perfectly describe Martez Wilson to me. Those words are Osi Umenyiora. Martez Wilson should win the starting speed rush Defensive End job by the start of the regular season. The speed rush End being Spagnuolo's end when he shifts one or both of his starting ends (in this case Cameron Jordan) inside to defensive tackle.
Basically the Saints should be very excited about there new defensive scheme and Martez Wilson in the next year.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Why Denard Robinson Will Win The Heisman Trophy
Yes, you read the title correctly, Denard Robinson is my pre-season Heisman Trophy pick.
Most people will probably argue that Denard Robinson is not a real Quarterback, he isn't a good enough passer, and Matt Barkley will ultimately win the Heisman and be the first overall pick in the Draft. To me, Matt Barkley is Andrew Luck and Denard Robinson will prove to be this year's RG3.
If you just look at Denard's stats from last year then you can make a strong case that he shouldn't even be in the running. Last year Shoelace had a 55 % completion percentage with 20 passing TD's to 15 Ints with 2100 yards passing. He still ran for 1100 yards rushing and had 14 TD's but his passing numbers were near horrendous last year. However, go back to his sophomore year where he had a 62.5 completion percentage with 2500 yards and 18 TD's to 11 Ints. Denard also added 1700 yards rushing with 14 TD's in his sophomore year.
All of those stats lead me to one point Denard Robinson was better in his second year under Rich Rodriguez than his first year under Brady Hoke. This makes me think that Denard in large part didn't know what he was doing last year. I personally think Denard has a shot to have a really good season with the talent around him in his second year in Michigan's Hybrid West Coast/Spread Option offense.
However talent and being more comfortable in a system is not grounds for a Heisman prediction on it's own. If you talk to anyone around the University of Michigan football program they are saying there is something different about Denard this year.
In his Senior year he is showing maturity that just hasn't been there before. Denard has done the one thing he never has done much, he has become a film addict. He has been scouting other teams as well as himself and been working on correcting his mistakes from last year before he gets on the field. Denard has always been good at self correcting at halftime or in between drives but he is taking it upon himself to correct his mistakes before he walks into the trial by fire that is awaiting him in Cowboys Stadium.
He has also broken some of the habits he's had of eating junk food, with him saying he is in the best shape of his life. Denard has also broken something much more important than his bad habits, Robinson has also broken his silence. Robinson has never been a talker but this year he did something very much out of character when he gave the keynote address at the 2012 Big Ten luncheon. He described how it was in the neighborhood he grew up in. He addressed how many kids in his town ended up doing drugs, getting involved with gangs, and doing various other illegal activities. He also said he wasn't the best football player in his town, he was just the best one to get out without getting aressted or shot.
Everything Denard has done in this offseason has him looking poised to snatch the Heisman away from probable No.1 overall pick Matt Barkley. The real test will be the trial by fire against the Crimson Tide of Alabama in Jerryworld. In my mind if Denard has a good game against the Tide, even if they don't win, he will make a strong case to be the front runner for the Heisman right off the bat.
Most people will probably argue that Denard Robinson is not a real Quarterback, he isn't a good enough passer, and Matt Barkley will ultimately win the Heisman and be the first overall pick in the Draft. To me, Matt Barkley is Andrew Luck and Denard Robinson will prove to be this year's RG3.
If you just look at Denard's stats from last year then you can make a strong case that he shouldn't even be in the running. Last year Shoelace had a 55 % completion percentage with 20 passing TD's to 15 Ints with 2100 yards passing. He still ran for 1100 yards rushing and had 14 TD's but his passing numbers were near horrendous last year. However, go back to his sophomore year where he had a 62.5 completion percentage with 2500 yards and 18 TD's to 11 Ints. Denard also added 1700 yards rushing with 14 TD's in his sophomore year.
All of those stats lead me to one point Denard Robinson was better in his second year under Rich Rodriguez than his first year under Brady Hoke. This makes me think that Denard in large part didn't know what he was doing last year. I personally think Denard has a shot to have a really good season with the talent around him in his second year in Michigan's Hybrid West Coast/Spread Option offense.
However talent and being more comfortable in a system is not grounds for a Heisman prediction on it's own. If you talk to anyone around the University of Michigan football program they are saying there is something different about Denard this year.
In his Senior year he is showing maturity that just hasn't been there before. Denard has done the one thing he never has done much, he has become a film addict. He has been scouting other teams as well as himself and been working on correcting his mistakes from last year before he gets on the field. Denard has always been good at self correcting at halftime or in between drives but he is taking it upon himself to correct his mistakes before he walks into the trial by fire that is awaiting him in Cowboys Stadium.
He has also broken some of the habits he's had of eating junk food, with him saying he is in the best shape of his life. Denard has also broken something much more important than his bad habits, Robinson has also broken his silence. Robinson has never been a talker but this year he did something very much out of character when he gave the keynote address at the 2012 Big Ten luncheon. He described how it was in the neighborhood he grew up in. He addressed how many kids in his town ended up doing drugs, getting involved with gangs, and doing various other illegal activities. He also said he wasn't the best football player in his town, he was just the best one to get out without getting aressted or shot.
Everything Denard has done in this offseason has him looking poised to snatch the Heisman away from probable No.1 overall pick Matt Barkley. The real test will be the trial by fire against the Crimson Tide of Alabama in Jerryworld. In my mind if Denard has a good game against the Tide, even if they don't win, he will make a strong case to be the front runner for the Heisman right off the bat.
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