NFL
NFL Fraternity
The NFL fraternity is one the most prestigious organizations in America. It could be argued as more exclusive than Harvard, even more exclusive than Yale’s secret society. Something about the name, better known by three letters to its biggest advocates. Its something about the tradition. Something about the names of former pledges such as Walter, Montana, Rice, Sanders, Taylor. Even now as the torch has been handed to the likes of Brady, Manning, Peterson, Revis. Though the fraternity ages, every year new pledges are allowed in, given the opportunity to put their stamp on the already tremendous legacy established by the previously mentioned and others. Unlike the fraternities scene on a nearby campus, the chances of a pledge being accepted into the NFL is not based on how little or how much money one has. Neither is it based off of a family legacy.
This exclusive organization rarely allows in those who are not capable of taking on the enormous responsibility that comes along with wearing infamous stitching on ones jersey. Now there are those who make their way into the fraternity who were able to hide their flaws well during the interview process. They were able convince many the hype surrounding them was real. Names that come to mind such as Russell, Leaf, Bosworth, all the quarterbacks drafted before Tom Brady. Their true value to the organization was quickly seen, which resulted in the termination of the relationship. Others were questioned about whether they belonged in the exclusive group, but have proven themselves and have become intricate members to the society. Thursday on primetime television, nearly 250 of the applicants will be welcomed in. While the other 3500 draft eligible players either hang up their cleats or wait for a free agent contract. The NFL’s acceptance rate is about 7%. To gain a comparison, Columbia University has an acceptance rate of 7.4%, yeah pretty exclusive. Names such as Geno Smith, Teo, Millner, Lacy will be revealed along with others. Some will have high over bearing expectations, while others will simply be over looked. Many people look at the game of football as just that, a game. However, the NFL has given the chance of a lifetime for young men to play the game they love and also take care of those who have supported them throughout their long, hard fought journey. New faces will line the aged, old halls of the glorious frat house in Canton, Ohio but the game remains live and well.
Michael Rose
Chiefs Future
While I am not an expert on free agency and the draft, I am entitled to my opinion. So here it is. The Kansas City Chiefs could not have picked a better year to get the first pick of the draft. I mean heck, there are tons of elite quarterbacks this year. Just our luck. The only year that would have been better would have been the 2007 draft. Heck we would probably be in the Super Bowl with JaMarcus Russell marching down the field. With all jokes aside Chiefs fans are starting to feel like the Royals. Last year there were organization changers like Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III and this year there are… defensive tackles and offensive tackles. Although football is a game won in the trenches, teams must have a quarterback to manage the game.
With the recent releases of Kevin Boss and Steve Breaston, the Chiefs will be looking to fill these holes in the draft or free agency. Since the draft is too hard to predict from this far out, I will look at free agents. For starters, the Chiefs need to wrap up Dwayne Bowe or sign a top receiver such as Mike Wallace, Wes Welker, or Danny Amendola. In my opinion, the Chiefs should do everything they can to sign Amendola. After watching him every week since I live in St. Louis now I can say he is more than a game changer. Although Amendola has battled nagging injuries the past season, when healthy Sam Bradford targeted him on which seemed like every passing down. My last thought on the wide receiver position is the Chiefs should look to steal the humble Titus Young. While Young may not be Calvin Johnson, he does have playmaking abilities. If Andy Reid could discipline Young and keep him focused he could be a successful slot receiver to open the field for Bowe on the outside.
Now here is my Madden experience talking. The Chiefs should trade down to around the eighth pick and draft Sharrif Floyd. Mel Kiper and I actually agree that Floyd would be able to be the sheriff on the defensive line that they have been looking for in Dontari Poe and Glenn Dorsey. By trading down the Chiefs would be able to acquire additional picks that could be used to trade for an additional second round pick. With that pick they could take Matt Barkley or Geno Smith if either are available.
What the Chiefs actually do in the draft all depends on if the Chiefs use their franchise tag on Brandon Albert. If they do they will most likely lose Dwayne Bowe to free agency that would kill the already lackluster passing game. If the Chiefs decide to put the tag on Bowe they will lose Brandon Albert. I think the Chiefs can’t afford to lose Bowe because they will not be able to sign an elite receiver to replace him. The Chiefs would be able to then draft offensive tackle Luke Joeckel from Texas A&M. Lastly, the reason I have yet to address the need at the quarterback position is because I don’t see major changes. I would not be surprised to see Cassel taking snaps under center next year. The other option that looks to be coming to front of conversation is signing trading for Nick Foles who Reid picked last year with the Eagles. Reid clearly raves about this kid because of his size and potential. The Eagles have made it known that it will take a big package trade to pry him away. This is why I think the Chiefs need to do there homework and attempt to find a Tom Brady or at least a poor mans Tom Brady late in the draft and let him learn by seeing all the mistakes Matt Cassel will make next year. Last option for the Chiefs at quarterback will not happen but I would like to see the Chiefs take a look at Ryan Mallett who is backing up Tom Brady.
Spencer Montgomery
Chiefs New OC
Andy Reid is taking the Chiefs by storm. The overhaul of personnel being brought in from his previous team, the Philadelphia Eagles, was capped yesterday by Doug Pederson being named as the new offensive coordinator.
Pederson has an impressive track record, playing twelve years in the NFL as a quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, and the Philadelphia Eagles. In Philadelphia he played under none other than Andy Reid, who coached him to his best season, throwing for 1,276 yards and seven touchdowns.
After retiring, Pederson spent two seasons as the Eagles’ offensive quality control coach, and was named quarterbacks coach in 2011.
What Chiefs fans should really be excited about though, is the success that has followed Pederson. As offensive coordinator, Pederson hopes to truly display his offensive abilities in Kansas City. Over the last two seasons, the Chiefs’ offensive ranking has been 24th and 27th.
In 2010, he played a role in the Eagles’ record-setting year. They scored 439 points, which was third best in the NFL, and gained 6,230 net yards, which was second in the NFL. Both of these were also franchise records. Compared to the Chiefs’ glaring 2-14 record, and league-worst 211 points this season, Pederson seems like the perfect fit to jumpstart the offense.
Chiefs fans may still have cause for doubt, with the quarterback woes that have befallen them since the retiring of Hall of Fame player Len Dawson back in 1975. Since then, only one Chiefs-drafted franchise quarterback, Todd Blackledge, has won a game. Although the quarterback situation seems non fixable in Kansas City, Pederson has shown that he can come through with a winner.
In 2011, with the questionable return of Michael Vick, Pederson showed that he can turn an uncertain offensive factor into a work of genius. That year, Vick threw for 3,303 yards, ran for over 500, and completed nearly half of his passes.
While the clouds are hanging low over Kansas City and the Chiefs, Pederson brings a ray of hope, one that Chiefs fans are in desperate need of.
Mike Mayer
“Tebow Time” Comes to an End
“Tebow Time” is officially over in my mind. I have finally given up on the man I once thought could do anything. It is as if I was 6 years old and found out Santa Claus was not real. Rex Ryan decided Tim Tebow’s fate in the NFL when Ryan decided to start Greg McElroy over Tim Tebow in the final two games. Even with speculation of Tebow going to the Jaguars next year and competing for a starting job, he will never be a true NFL quarterback. In Jacksonville, Tebow will be used as a huge promotion. It will work because Jacksonville is his hometown and those who live there are sure to buy his jersey no matter what. Heck I will probably buy his jersey.
I still believe Tebow can be a good quarterback in the NFL, but he will not get a fair shot to prove it. He will never be a good quarterback in the ways that Tom Brady or even Cam Newton are, but he will be as Joe Flacco is. Flacco has been criticized for his statistics but still remains a good quarterback because of the wins he has. Tebow can do the same for a specific team in a specific style. The Wildcat is not the answer, nor is the typical drop back passing style Tim Tebow is used to. The style that will fit for Tim is a mix between Denver’s option run type style and at Florida where they trusted Tebow’s decision making more. The one reason I think the Jets would have been better off playing Tebow over Sanchez is because of Tebow’s decision making. Tebow would never turn the ball over 25 times in 14 games like Sanchez was able to.
Call me crazy but I believe that the Kansas City Chiefs would be an ideal fit for Tim Tebow. While this will most likely never happen, I think it could work. With the Chiefs, he would be able to rely on a strong defense and amazing running game. The option run with Charles could work even better than it did with Broncos and Willis McGahee. In short yardage, defenses would have to worry about Peyton Hillis and Tebow. One thing the Chiefs have that the Broncos and the Jets did not is Dwayne Bowe. At Florida, Tim had Percy Harvin as his go-to receiver. When Tebow has a dominant receiver, he has success. Tebow was never comfortable with the receivers for the Jets or the Broncos for good reasons. With Bowe on the outside and an athletic Tony Moeaki at tight end, teams would not be able to stack eight or even nine players in the box. Moeaki would finally be able to use his skill set with Tebow. The Chiefs would use Moeaki as Aaron Hernandez was used at Florida with the option pass in which Moeaki runs behind the line along with Tebow and Charles to create three options for Tebow. While yes, he can’t throw a spiral to save his life but after watching him since his Freshman year at Florida, he gets the job done. He will complete the passes in crunch time to keep drives going as he proved in the overtime victory against the Steelers in the playoff last year.
The only true chance of Tebow going to the Chiefs is on Madden with me as the controller. This is still something the Chiefs should at least look at because of how cheap Tebow will be at the end of the season. All I want for Christmas is Tebow to get a fair shot in the NFL to prove that he can win for some team. Since there is not an elite quarterback in this years draft, the Chiefs could get Tebow and be the next destination for “Tebow Time”.
Spencer Montgomery
Tebow and the Jets
With all the media attention that the Jets have received the past week, they have shown why they will struggle this year. First, Tebow and Sanchez struggled immensely throwing the ball so far during training camp. Next, Antonio Cromartie claimed he could be the number 2 wide receiver for the Jets. While I do think he could play wide receiver, he could not be the second best receiver. With comments flying around the locker room, the Jets have shown exactly why last season exploded in their face when Santonio Holmes quit on his team. Holmes is currently hurt with a bruised rib. Although Rex Ryan looks good losing tons of weight, he will add fuel to this seasons troubles with Tebow and Sanchez. Rex will say many things that add to the conversation of when will Tebow start.
The Jets will start with a win at home against the Buffalo Bills. The Jets will rely on the running game and the strong defense. Next up are at the Steelers. The Jets will not be able to power run against the Steelers. The Steelers will win the game. The Jets will start 3-5 and will head into their bye week trailing the Patriots. If the Jets lose to the Seahawks in week 10, Tebow should be allowed to start week 11 at the Rams. Not because he deserves it but because I will be at the game. Up until week 10 I think the Jets will not use Tebow much in some games and use him as much as a third down back in others.
The Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano will be huge for the Jets. He will keep a great balance between Tebow and Sanchez. Sparano, the creator of the Wildcat with the Dolphins will not be able to run the exact same type of Wildcat because Tebow is not as fast as Rickey Williams and Ronnie Brown. Tebow will be forced to pick his holes between the tackles. In the end I do not see Tebow ever starting a game and the Jets will finish 7-9. The controversy between Tebow and Sanchez will carry on the whole season while the media should be talking about how well the defense will play.
As always, Go Tebow
Spencer Montgomery
NFC East Expectations
NFC East Expectations
Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys are a very interesting team going into the 2012 season. The biggest problem for the Cowboys last season was their secondary, giving up 244 yards a game. However, this off-season they signed cornerback Brandon Carr to a huge contract and traded up in the draft to get Morris Claiborne, the top cornerback in the draft. If their secondary is fixed, they could be one of the best teams in the NFL. They have a very talented offense with Miles Austin and Dez Bryant at wide receiver and Felix Jones and Demarco Murray at running back. My only concern on the offense is quarterback Tony Romo. He is a very talented quarterback who can make every NFL throw. However, I question Tony’s decision-making ability because at the end of games he makes errant throws that cost them the game.
Prediction 10-6
Washington Redskins – The Redskins are by far the worst team in the division. They have a rookie quarterback in Robert Griffin III who will be the starting quarterback day 1. However, I am skeptical in Robert Griffin’s ability to function in a pro style system. Besides the quarterback position the Redskins have a average amount of talent on offense. This offseason they signed wide receiver Pierre Garcon to a long-term deal, which should help RG3 develop as a quarterback. The Redskins’ defense should be able to hold its own this season. Their whole season, and its success, will be based off whether Robert Griffin III is effective.
Prediction 6-10
New York Giants – The Giants are the defending super bowl championships but don’t expect them to repeat this year. The Giants lost many key players on their offense during the offseason in Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs. The loss of Manningham will hurt the offense the most since it will force Victor Cruz out of his slot position. However, if second year player, Jerrel Jernigan can step up at wide receiver this will allow Cruz to stay at slot. Again, the Giants should have a great defense led by their pass rush. However, their defense worries me because as goes their pass rush, so goes their defense. Overall, the Giants have a very talented roster, but will not make a super bowl push because of consistency issues.
Predication 11-5
Philidelphia Eagles – On talent alone, the Eagles are the best team in the NFL. The Eagles have Pro Bowl caliber talent at every level of their defense. However, last season they didn’t play consistent enough and did not force enough turnovers to be labeled a great defense. Furthermore, on offense, they are one of the most explosive teams in the NFL. The Eagles offense did not live up to expectation this past year, mostly because of injuries. Michael Vick, the Eagles starting quarterback, missed significant time due to injuries. If Michael Vick is not playing quarterback, their offense is merely average. The Eagles are the most talented team in the division, but need to play with better consistency to make a Super Bowl run.
Prediction 13-3
Connor Willsey
AFC South Projections
Houston Texans– The Texans are one of the NFL’s best teams. They have a dominant run game with Arian Foster and Ben Tate. To go along with a dominant run game, they a good passing game. The Texans have the best wide receiver in the NFL in Andre Johnson. On defense the Texans can stop the run and have a formidable pass rush. The Texans have all the ingredients to make the Super Bowl and they are my pick to win the super bowl in 2013.
Prediction 13-3
Tennessee Titans – The Titans are one of the teams that could surprise a lot of people this year. Their running game will be rejuvenated this year and Chris Johnson will once again be an elite NFL running back. They have a great young wide receiving core with Kenney Britt, Kendall Wright, and Damian Williams. Their young wide receiving core should help second year quarterback Jake Locker be successful. On the defensive side of the ball the only concern I have is how they will replace pro bowl cornerback Cortland Finnegan who signed a contract with the St. Louis Rams.
Prediction 11-5
Indianapolis Colts – The Colts are in a complete rebuild mode right now. They lost the greatest player in franchise history in Peyton Manning. However, the Colts just drafted Andrew Luck the top quarterback in the 2012 NFL draft. They then went on to draft two tight ends to give in Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allan. The Colts offense will probably be pretty stagnant next year do to all the youth they have on the field. The Colts defense will be much worse then there offense this year. They are switching to a 3-4 defense and don’t have the best personnel for this defense. However, the colts could have a good pass rush it depends on how well Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis adjust to playing OLB.
Prediction 4-12
Jacksonville Jaguars – The Jaguars have the worst starting quarterback in the NFL right now in Blaine Gabbert. Blaine, the second year quarterback from Missouri, looks scared in the pocket, which stops him from making accurate throws. The only positive on their offense is their ability to run the ball with Maurcie Jones Drew. The Jacksonville defense was the 9thbest defense in the NFL this past year. The defense will have to keep them in games and for them to win they will need to hold the opposing team to under 10 points.
Prediction 4-12
Connor Willsey
AFC East Projections
New England Patriots – The Patriots have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. However, their defense is atrocious being the second worst defense in yards allowed. The Patriots focused on their defense in this years draft, especially on their pass rushing need. The Patriots drafted Chandler Jones, a defensive end and Dont’a Hightower a linebacker, both great at going after the quarterback. I expect the Patriots defense to be a vastly improved in the 2012 season.
Prediction 13-3
New York Jets – The Jets finished a disappointing 8-8 this past season and missed the playoffs. The Jets will be looking for revenge. The teams defense and offense should improve this season. The Jets defense was good last season, but the expectations were so high, they could not be achieved. I expect the Jets to have a top five defense this season. The offense has been a work and progress these past three years. They have a young quarterback in Mark Sanchez who shows flashes of being a good NFL quarterback, but isn’t consistent enough yet. I expect the Jets to run the ball a lot more and have a more balanced offense.
Prediction 11-5
Buffalo Bills- The Bills are going to have a tough time competing in this division. The bills have a talented team and have an incredibly talented defensive line. However, the Bills must be more consistent this year. Last season the Bills started 3-0 beating the Chiefs, Patriots, and Raiders, but they finished the season 6-10. The Bills must get more offensive playmakers especially at the wide receiver position. Besides Stevie Johnson, the Bills don’t have another dependable wide receiver.
Prediction 8-8
Miami Dolphins – The Dolphins are going to have a tough time finishing over .500 this year. They are in a hard division and traded away Brandon Marshall, their best playmaker on offense. On top of that, the Dolphins will probably be starting a rookie quarterback midway through the season. The Dolphins will also have an inconsistent defense this season. The only thing the Dolphins will be able to do well this year is run the ball.
Prediction 4-12
Connor Willsey
AFC North Expectations
Expectations for the AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers will have high expectations this year because they should to go to the playoffs be a Super Bowl contender. The Steelers recently hired Todd Haley, former Chief head coach, as the offensive coordinator. Haley should have great success with the young wide receiving core and should have more success running the ball this year. The only concern I have with the Steelers is the age of the defense, which is the oldest defense in the NFL. While the defense is dominant when healthy, injury was a problem last year.
Prediction 12-4
Cleveland Browns – As usual, the expectations for the Browns will be very low this season. If the Browns can get to 7 wins they should be extremely happy with their progress. The Browns will most likely start Brandon Weeden at quarterback who will be a 28 year old rookie. My concern for Weeden is, who will he throw the ball to. The Browns have a promising rookie wide receiver in Greg Little, but he shows inconsistency when catching the ball. Trent Richardson, their rookie running back should help take the load off Brandon Weeden. The Browns have a promising young nucleus of players, but their youth will show this year and prohibit them from being a great NFL team.
Prediction 5-11
Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens will be the best tem in the AFC North this year and will be a Super Bowl contender. The Ravens have both an explosive offense and a stout defense. The only concern I have with the Ravens this year is how they replace Terrell Suggs. Suggs was lost for the season with a torn achilles. If Courtney Upshaw, the rookie OLB can replace Terrell Suggs, the Ravens could be the best team in the NFL.
Prediction 13-3
Cinncinatti Bengals – The Bengals have a great young nucleus of players that are ready to compete now. They have a great young quarterback in Andy Dalton and a go to wide receiver in A.J. Green. The Bengals also have a great young defense that ranked 7th in the NFL in total yards given up. However, the Bengals are going to have a tough time competing in this division. The Bengals still will make the playoffs this year, but their Super Bowl window is just starting to open and they should be a dominant NFL team for the next decade.
Prediction 10-6
Connor Willsey
The Great Junior Seau
Today was truly a sad day for the NFL, as Junior Seau was reported dead by a self inflicted gun shot to the chest. This is a huge blow to the Seau family, as well as the San Diego community. The heart sobbing interview Mrs. Seau gave in front of her son’s former home, would make the strongest shed a tear. Her mixture of words and sobbing was one of the most heart felt moments I have witnessed in quite awhile. There has been several instances within the past couple of years, that a former NFL player has taken his life. Just last year former Chicago Bear, Dave Duerson took his life in the same manner it appears Junior Seau took his, that is with a gun shot to the chest. Along with finding his body covered in blood, his family and authorities found a note that explained why he did not shoot himself in the head.
The note read, “please see that my brain is given to the N.F.L brain’s bank.” His ex wife, who divorced him four years before, said he always described pain from the left side of his brain. She said his vision and memory almost faded instantly and he did not know how to cope with the fact that is body was degenerating right before him. Duerson was by all account a happy and financially successful man, until he was forced to file for bankruptcy and his once prosperous food distribution went into decline. That is when his family noticed a dramatic change in his mood and how he interacted with others.
Even before Duerson went through his dilemma, he worked along side the committee that reviewed disability claims by retired players. He was very familiar with the sharp incline of former football players suffering from dementia, players like Fred McNeill. Duerson used his brain as a very direct message to the NFL, that they need to provide assistance to former players who gave their bodies up for the progress of this league. Now with the death of Junior Seau, the NFL has to take a deeper look at what causes theses players to go in a sharp decline mentally.
There is no denying it, the NFL is a dangerous, violence game. In order to change that, you would have to eliminate the game. There is no way you can remove the dangerous aspect of the game without removing the game all together. I do not believe it is the game, it is the players that play the game. They throw their bodies recklessly at other players, not thinking, of course in the action, what problems they will have in the future. After this incident, NFL can no longer just talk about making the league safer and providing assistance to retired players.
It is sad at the age of 43 that Junior Seau took his life and though nothing initially can be diagnosed as why he took his life, but a sure bet could be placed on the fact after playing football for more than half of his life took a toll on his brain. The number of instances your head takes traumatic hits during a football career is astounding. Seau was revered as a quality teammate and neighbor within his community. Always willing to help out those who were less fortunate and gave back time and money to his former high school in southern California. He played 20 years all together in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, and ended his career with New England Patriots. He is a sure Hall of Famer for the class of 2015, it is sad this will be his lasting memory in so many fans mind. His family shall remain in the prayers and minds of all those who are witnesses to this epidemic that will affect so many more players if something is not done by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.
Michael Rose
kcyoungguns 