Sunday, March 3, 2013

The 2013 Dallas Cowboys

Jason Garret is on the hot seat with GM/owner Jerry Jones. The Cowboys seem to have found their defensive master in 70-year old Monte Kiffin. Kiffin's D has been the brightest part of the Texas star this season. The 'Boys offense has been relatively good. Jones and co. have finally resulted that running the ball is a vital part of an offense. 
                The offense, led by quarterback Tony Romo, is in a good position this far into the season. Romo has done a good job throwing the ball this season which was a very important part in the Cowboys' week 1 win over division rivals New York Giants. Dez Bryant has emerged as a top receiver for the ‘Boys and has been a top target for Romo so far. Austin has also been getting a lot of passes thrown his way, but he has not been his usual reliable self. He has been dropping easy catches. If Austin can return to his former form, the Cowboys passing game will excel. Dwayne Harris is supposedly Dallas's next star receiver. He features in remarkable speed and made a spectacular touchdown catch against the St. Louis Rams. DeMarco Murray is back from injury and as effective as ever. Murray now will team up with youngster Lance Dunbar in the backfield. Dunbar was a third-string two years ago and did not have a lot of playing time especially with new found diamond DeMarco Murray and veteran Felix Jones dominating the running game. However, last season, due to injuries to both Murray and Jones, Dunbar got his chance to shine. He did just that. He electrified defenses with his stunning speed. However, now that Murray is back, Dunbar will only get snaps when he needs a break or they need a speed back. Jason Witten and James Hanna will be a powerful tight end duo and will make big targets for Tony Romo.
                The defense is soaring with Kiffin's new defensive installment. Cornerbacks Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick, and Morris Claiborne are being relied on more than ever to cover their receivers more tightly so that the aggressive Cowboy's D can rush the quarterback with a nice amount of players. Claiborne and Carr have lived up to the hype shutting-down opponent receivers. Scandrick, however, has been a quality player so far, but is not yet on the same level as Carr and Claiborne. Last season, all starting linebackers were injured. Now that Sean Lee, Bruce Carter, and Justin Durant are all back and healthy they have made a huge impact in this doomsday D. The defensive line, now anchored by DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher, is definitely getting pressure on the quarterback. Against St. Louis they had at least 6 sacks. J.J. Wilcox and Danny McCray have been chosen as the team's two starting safeties. They have done a wonderful job at covering receivers and stopping the run. Wilcox especially. He suspected as one of the worse players on the Cowboys roster coming into the season. But now, he is a 4 star starter. McCray is also helping the Cowboys win with a few great plays of his own. Look for the Cowboys to make a huge impact this season and win their division with a record of at least 10 wins.

Friday, February 15, 2013

King James vs. Air Jordan



LeBron James has made history by setting a record of a current 7 game streak of 30+ points in one game. Ever since he has gone on this unbelievable streak setting NBA records, many people believe James is as good as or better than Michael Jordan.
                LeBron James started his career in high school and decided to skip college and go straight to the pros. The Cleveland Cavaliers selected LeBron in the draft. James immediately showed the world of what he was capable of. In fact, he was so good he was nicknamed King James. The King decided to leave Cleveland and join superstar Dwayne Wade in Miami. It turns out Bosh had a similar idea and the three superstars got together to form the Big 3. Ever since LeBron came to Miami the Heat have made it to the NBA Championships both times and have one once against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Currently, LeBron is on a seven game streak of 30+ points setting NBA records and is on his way to his third straight NBA Championship appearance with the Miami Heat.
                Michael Jordan decided to go to college and even though he loved North Carolina, he decided to go to rival school North Carolina State. North Carolina State already had a few superstars there including James Worthy, who is currently an NBA legend, and David Thompson, who was considered one of the best players coming out of college, but wrecked his whole career with his off the court baggage. Anyways, Jordan showed his team he could play by knocking down shots and becoming a top scorer. North Carolina State fell out of favor with the collegiate rankings when Worthy declared he was going to run in the NBA draft. However, Jordan managed to pull his team up. He was knocking down shots getting rebounds and throwing accurate, but powerful passes. The Chicago Bulls were in luck when they drafted Michael Jordan. The Bulls were one of the worst teams and Jordan and Pippen were the start of the comeback. Michael Jordan teamed up with Scottie Pippen to surprise the league with a comeback. Michael Jordan was known for his abnormally long hang time and was nicknamed Air Jordan. At the end of Jordan’s career Rodman decided to jump on board. Dennis Rodman already played against Jordan and Pippen when he played with the Detroit Pistons and was known for his tough defense. Jordan ended up with six NBA Titles.
                LeBron and Jordan have a lot in common. They both are/were a part of a Big 3. (LeBron, Bosh, and Wade and Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman) They both could slam the ball very well. Each of them had a clutch factor. Both of them set NBA records. However, Jordan has six titles and LeBron has one. You might say that Jordan had his whole career to play for all six and LeBron has only had half a career. Well then, give me a call when LeBron wins six championships.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

The 2013 Look of the Arizona Cardinals



The Arizona Cardinals were tied for the best team in the NFC after the first four games of the season going 4-0. After Kevin Kolb got injured, the Cardinals started losing.  The offensive line was a complete mess.
                To address the new look on offense, Bruce Arians brought in veteran quarterback Carson Palmer who likes the deep ball. Arians has high hoped for star receiver Fitzgerald. Rookie Andre Ellington is looking to steal snaps from veteran Rashard Mendenhall.  William Powell was very impressive last year and he will also look to earn snaps this season. The wide receiver unit is looking great with Larry Fitzgerald and up and oncoming receivers Andre Roberts and Michael Floyd. Andre Roberts had his breakout season last year by leading the Cardinals in touchdowns. Floyd was not used as a major part in the offense, but Arians and Palmer both like Floyd's ability and will look to him as a trustworthy receiver. The offensive line was a mess for the Cardinals in 2012. The Arizona Cardinals drafted guard Johnathan Cooper from North Carolina with the seventh overall pick of the 2013 draft. The offense is in good hands with Arians and Palmer leading the charge.
                The defense on the other hand, is in great shape. Though Ray Horton was let go by Arians, Todd Bowles has been so far a good replacement. Bowles is the former Eagles defensive coordinator and assembled the great secondary with stars Namdi Asomugha, Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Assante Samuel. Bowles had helped the Cardinals defense develop into one of the best in the NFL. Patrick Peterson especially has grown under Bowles. The Cards forced 3 interceptions in week 5 against Cam Newton's dominant offense. The Cardinals defense is improving and will continue to improve while the season progresses.
                Special Teams has been a strong suit with Patrick Peterson taking the duties on returning punts and kickoffs. Peterson is well known as a punt returner and has been ever since his rookie year. Jay Feely has a great leg and will continue to rack up field goals this season.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

New England Patriots Team To beat



The New England Patriots have been questioned about how good they will be coming into the 2013 year. I think it’s a matter about how amazing they will be in the Super Bowl.
                On offense, the Patriots have a hungry Tom Brady returning for yet another season, young stud Stevan Ridley at running back, old man Lloyd at wide receiver, and Gronk and Hernandez at tight end. The offensive line isn’t bad either. Tom Brady, arguably the best quarterback currently playing in the NFL, returns hungrier than ever in maybe his last season. Ridley, the newly discovered star running back, has plenty of years to go. However, with Brady leaving sometime in the near future, Ridley will try harder to succeed. Winning the Super Bowl is probably Brandon Lloyd’s top priority. This thirty-six year old will try his best to fill Wes Welker’s shoes. Welker will be a free agent and it’s very plausible that he will not return to New England. Which means Lloyd, Edelman, Branch, and Slater have to step it up and play their best ball. Gronkowski has emerged as the NFL’s best tight end with Aaron Hernandez hovering around the sixth seventh spot. Gronkowski has the strength and build to crash his way to the end zone. Hernandez is the complete opposite; he has outstandingly fast speed, which he usually uses for running short out routes. The offensive line has been fantastic this season, but they are getting older and older. Watch for Belichick to select an offensive lineman in the second or third rounds of the draft.
                On defense, there are defensive linemen Rob Ninkovich, Vince Wilfork, Chandler Jones, and Brandon Deaderick. Who all play absolutely superbly. Linebackers Jerod Mayo, Dont’a Hightower, and Brandon Spikes punish all running backs and wide receivers who dare to invade their space. At cornerback, Alfonzo Dennard, Aqib Talib, and Kyle Arrington have shut down opposing teams passing games. At safety, Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, and Steve Gregory take any long balls out of the opponent’s playbook. Though most of the DL consists of young players, Vince Wilfork is aging; do not be surprised if the Pats pick up a DL before the season. Though the linebacking corps of the Patriots has already sent shivers through opponents, their depth at this position is weak. Dennard, even as a rookie, showed he can be trusted covering superb wide outs. Talib has been a major success at cornerback this past year; however, Talib might decide to leave the Patriots for good before the season starts. safeties Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung have done a great job at safety, but with Gregory on the roster, they might have to make a run for their money.