2014 NFL Playoff Predictions
Here are my preseason predictions for the 2014 NFL Playoffs. To see my complete 2013-2014 NFL Regular Season Predictions, which includes team records and win/loss for each game… please visit (2013-2014 NFL Season Predictions).
2013-2014 NFL Season Predictions
Here are my predictions for the 2013-2014 NFL Season. There are Win/Loss predictions for each game, as well as the team records and division/wild card winners.
LEGEND:
* – Division Winner
^ – Wild Card
A King’s Revenge
2013 NBA Finals
I will keep this short and sweet… The Miami Heat are going to win the 2013 NBA Finals in 5 games over the San Antonio Spurs. The Heat will go up 3-0 then the Spurs win a desperation game 4… Lebron James will then close it out on the Spurs home court gaining a second consecutive Finals MVP and getting revenge for his 2007 Finals defeat.
2013 NBA Playoff Bracket Predictions
Here are my revised (Pre-Playoff) predictions for the 2013 NBA Playoffs. To look at my Preseason 2013 NBA Playoffs predictions to see how close I was, please visit 2013 NBA Finals Predictions. Only being a few teams/seeds off, I am sticking with my Conference Finals/Finals predictions… Place Your Bets!
Play Like A Champion Tonight
With the BCS National Championship Game upon us, experts are debating which team will come out on top. While most are picking the “Crimson Red” as the no-brainer choice, I find myself unable to pick against the “Golden Domers” in this one. Perhaps it is my affinity for the underdog… I just sense something special about this team and what they’ve accomplished this year. Every season, regardless of sport, a “team of destiny” comes to life. This is a team that achieves in the face of adversity and captivates the heart and mind through tremendous storylines. While these teams don’t all necessarily win Championships, they often find “magic” when they need it most. When Notre Dame held USC on a goal-line stand to go undefeated, I was convinced we were witnessing a “team of destiny.” Now the only thing that stands in Notre Dame’s way of being a “team of legend” is a team seeking its second straight National Championship. In the end I feel the players will be a push in this game and the outcome will come down to a few crucial coaching decisions. Can Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly and his staff call a game that will keep Alabama on its heels, or will coach Nick Saban earn his fourth Championship victory?
I predict Notre Dame will pull out the win in a thriller… 20-16 GO IRISH!!!
“Et, tu, Harbaugh”
With the recent benching of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, many questions are swirling over head coach Jim Harbaugh’s decision to start 2nd year quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Although Kaepernick starting 2-0 in Smith’s absence helped to sway opinions, his recent struggles in a 16-13 OT loss to the St. Louis Rams has some calling for Smith’s return. In my opinion coach Harbaugh has opened a Pandora’s Box that can only be fixed by winning it all this year. At this point, it won’t matter who the 49ers start at quarterback… If San Francisco fails to win the Super Bowl, the talk after will be…“Well could the other guy have gotten it done?” This is the situation Harbaugh has put his team in. If Kaepernick remains the starter and fails, the ” I told you so” attitude will come out from those who felt Harbaugh made a mistake by not sticking with Alex Smith. If Harbaugh were to switch back to Smith, and Smith were to come up short again… his “limited ceiling of potential” being a hindrance to the team would flood discussions, and voices would credit Kaepernick with giving the 49ers a better chance to win. At this juncture in the season, I feel you have to stick with Kaepernick as the starter. I feel Kaepernick allows the 49ers offense to be more dynamic, and with 4 games remaining in the season he will have the chance to learn and try to build some momentum/chemistry with the team to potentially move into the playoffs with. If San Francisco were to win the Super Bowl, this quarterback controversy would be an afterthought regardless who finishes the game behind center… but if the 49ers fail this season, expect a turbulent offseason where Jim Harbaugh’s mettle as head coach will be tested.
Rest For The Wicked
Should a team be fined 250,000$ by the Commissioner of the NBA for “tactics” that they have been using for years? Well that is exactly what happened when the San Antonio Spurs decided to rest 4 of their top players for a regular season game against the Miami Heat. Just prior to the game scheduled on November 29th 2012, the Spurs and head coach Gregg Popovich decided to send Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Danny Green home to rest from their 5 game road trip. The move obviously caused waves within the league office, prompting Commissioner Stern to release the following statement…” In the case of San Antonio, they didn’t just come into town and rest healthy players, they sent a 26-year-old and a 30-year-old, plus Manu and Tim home virtually under cover of darkness … and without notifying as our rules require for injury and illness.” Of course I understand completely where the Commissioner is coming from on this issue… In what was San Antonio’s only regular season appearance in Miami this season, followed up with the fact that it was a nationally broadcast game, I can see why Commissioner Stern would have an issue with this affecting the on court product. Although fans may have missed out on seeing some of the Spurs greats…. they still were able to see a great game. In a 100-105 loss, the San Antonio backups pushed the Heat starters up until the very end of the game… which begs the question, Do the Spurs really deserve to be punished? I feel San Antonio shouldn’t be punished for doing something that I think helps the NBA’s product in the long run. By the Spurs and Greg Popovich using these tactics, they are both ensuring their players stay healthy and rested for the playoffs as well as giving them the ability to evaluate bench players to improve future rosters… It also provides an opportunity to find effective rotations in case of possible injuries. I think Spurs fans (or any teams fans) would rather have their star(s) at their best for the playoffs… the latest example being Derrick Rose last year in the postseason. Granted Rose was lost during the playoffs, he played injured throughout the season and it could have been a contributing factor to his serious injury…. Never the less, the loss of Rose in my opinion devastated the “watchability” of the 76ers vs Bulls series. All in all I understand Commissioner Stern’s disapproval of how the Spurs went about resting their players, but in the Spurs defense Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili won’t be around forever so why should the league decide when a team looks to the bench for future prospects?
Endangered Species
With about half the NFL season in the books and the Philadelphia Eagles sitting at 3-4… is it safe to say the birds have kicked the bucket?… of course not… but the clock is running out on their season and job security for some individuals. After picking the Eagles preseason to be tops in the NFL, I have backed off the prediction to say the least. However, I do not place the bulk of the blame for the Eagles woes on the players but rather the coaching. Being a New York Giants fan, I have to say I am thrilled with the struggles of the NFC East opponents this season; but as a fan of the NFL I am in agony. To sit week in and week out and watch Coach Andy Reid place his ego before his team is sickening. I typically hold to the idea that coaches don’t play and the players have to win the game, but when the coach doesn’t put the player in a position to win; the blame falls back on the coach. It is clear with a poor offensive line and a struggling Michael Vick; Andy Reid should be adapting his offense to be more productive. Instead he is firing Defensive Coordinators (Juan Castillo) that shouldn’t have had the position in the first place. Here is some advice Mr. Reid… RUN THE BALL!!! The Eagles have one of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL (LeSean McCoy), and yet Reid consistently manages to only give him 20 touches a game. After coming off a record year in TD production, it seemed obvious Reid and the offense would lean more on their work horse… but games go by and all I see is Bryce Brown on the field where McCoy should be, and the Eagles throwing in situations they should be running. Although it is still early to give up hope, it is hard to see the Eagles climbing out of their huge hole in the NFC playoff picture. Unfortunately Reid may have finally lost his locker room and we could be watching the end for the longest tenured coach in the NFL.
Hardened Rockets
With the recent shocking trade of James Harden from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Houston Rockets…. The question comes up, what does this trade do to the landscape of the NBA? With OKC coming off last years tough loss in the Finals, it seemed like a no-brainer the team would keep its young stars together for another run. However with Harden’s uncharacteristic disappearing act in the Miami Heat series, perhaps the team and General Manager Sam Presti had second thoughts of offering Harden the max contract he was looking for. In the end the trade was made to send James Harden along with Daequan Cook, Cole Aldrich, and Lazar Hayward to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick. After looking at the trade I honestly feel OKC came out on top in the deal. While managing to avoid a salary cap crisis in not signing Harden, OKC was able to obtain a proven scorer/defender in Kevin Martin and a solid all around prospect in Jeremy Lamb. On top of that, the picks OKC received may turn out to be lottery picks based on the uncertainty of the Houston Rockets future. If it was up to me I would hand Sam Presti the Executive of the Year Award right now… the man responsible for bringing Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka, Etc. to OKC has put the Thunder in a great position to compete for championships in the years to come. Although OKC was the winner in the trade, I respect what the Rockets organization is trying to do. With the acquisition of Jeremy Lin in the off-season and the pursuit of big names like Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum, it is clear Houston ownership is focused on winning now. I don’t feel that James Harden puts the Rockets in a position to contend this year, but he is another solid piece to build on for the future. If Houston could obtain a strong low-post presence to go with the backcourt of Lin and Harden… the Rockets could look to challenge down the road in the Western Conference.
Goodell’s “Stern” Approach
After the NFL’s week 8 game in London between the New England Patriots and the St. Louis Rams, I ask the question… Is overseas play good for the NFL? With the model for international success being how Commissioner David Stern elevated the NBA on the global stage, Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL owners are working to do the same for their league. What are the goals of the NFL’s efforts abroad… Is it the focus of the league to one day have teams in locations such as Canada, Europe, etc. or will the Commissioner and owners be content with the exposure received from the few regular season games played abroad now? I am all for promoting the game of football around the world; however, I am against expanding to new teams in such places. Although the NFL stands to benefit a great deal from expansion, as a fan I feel it will negatively affect the on field product. I seriously doubt players and coaches will be as sharp if their jumping continents for games each week… not to mention the league may have to look into altering its name to accommodate an expansion. “The IFL… Yeah, that just doesn’t sound right…”
A Change From The Guard
With the approaching 2012-2013 NBA season, all eyes are on the new look Los Angeles Lakers. With newly acquired starters Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, along with bench standout Antawn Jamison, the Lakers head into the season as vaunted favorites to emerge out of the West. On paper the Lakers are seemingly unstoppable… with 2 time MVP Steve Nash quarterbacking the offense, expect the Lakers to put up points in excess this season. Although the team was built to win now, what will the Lakers look like once all their veterans [Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Pao Gasol, Ron Artest, Etc.] move on from the team? …Kobe is on record stating [that he hopes Dwight will assume the leadership role when he retires]… It all sounds very storybook, the Lakers win their championship(s) and their veterans ride off into the sunset while Dwight takes control of the team for the future. Well something tells me that it’s not going to happen quite like that. The fact that Dwight Howard had indecision on going to LA in the first place, mixed with him not signing an extension yet seriously makes me doubt his commitment to the Lakers franchise. A nightmare scenario for LA would be not winning the championship this season, or at least making it to the Finals. If the Lakers fall short in the playoffs or fail to make to make it to the playoffs at all, I find it hard to believe Dwight Howard will sign an extension. On a team with the majority of the players on the back-end of their careers, Dwight is at risk of going through another rebuilding process in the near future. Even if the Lakers were successful in winning a championship this season, Howard, I’m sure is weary of the teams short window for success with an aging roster. I could see a scenario where the Lakers could win the championship this season and Dwight would still not sign an extension. Howard could earn his coveted ring and then have the ability to choose his own situation the following season. Either way, I feel Dwight’s future with the Lakers is directly linked to their success this season.
To Play Or Not To Play?
With the NFL season underway and the introduction of Thursday night games into week 2 this year, the question must be asked… Are Thursday night games good for the NFL? In my opinion, from a fans standpoint, I would say NO. Aside from the inconvenience of having to pay for an extra channel, I feel it is unfair to give teams altered weeks of preparation due to the scheduling. If a team plays on Thursday and then has a Monday night game, that team would have 11 days to prepare for the game… If a team has a Monday night game and is then scheduled for a Thursday game, that team would have only 4 days for preparation. It is unsafe to give players that short of time to recover between games and it is unfair to give teams differing amounts of preparation time. With such a strong emphasis on player safety and game integrity today, its shocking a change hasn’t been made. From the NFL’s point of view, however, I can see how Thursday night games could be beneficial. The added game day provides more opportunity to generate revenue and gain exposure for the league. Although the NFL may benefit from holding games on Thursday, I feel the inconsistencies in preparation for teams surrounding Thursday night games will contribute to a lesser product of the field.
The Hot Seat
With a record-setting number of teams with new starting QB’s this season, it got me thinking of what teams could make a change at field general should their team’s record go awry this year. Below listed are the teams in order that I feel are most likely to make a change at QB next season. Let me know if you feel any other QB’s are in danger of losing their starting job…
-Arizona Cardinals: (Who Ever They Finish With)
The most obvious of QB changes coming, the Cardinals are crying for a QB to take control of the job. I can see their GM on the phone right now begging Kurt Warner to take the job back.
-Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning
With only a two-year deal, Peyton’s second year with the Broncos may depend solely on his first season back from injury. If the Broncos struggle or Peyton can’t make the comeback like most expect he will, I see Denver going in a different direction, especially if the Broncos get a high pick.
-Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo
When Jerry Jones spoke of the teams window closing, I believe he was speaking directly about Tony Romo. Another postseason absence will go along way in earning Romo a trip out of Dallas. I think a long shot scenario could be the Broncos trading Peyton Manning and a draft pick for Tony Romo.
-Seattle Seahawks: (Who Ever They Finish With)
Pete Carroll is like a kid in a candy store with QB’s. He can’t make up his mind what type of QB he wants to lead his team, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he changes starters 3 times this season alone.
-San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith
With relations between Smith and the team already shaken from the beginning of the offseason, I don’t think it’s out of lines to say that the team would look in a different direction if Smith fails to get it done this season.
-Kansas City Chiefs: Matt Cassel
With injury issues and a list of team disappointments that are piling up, I see the Chiefs looking in another direction if Cassel can’t lead them to the playoffs this season.
-Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Freeman
Going along the same lines as my Christian Ponder theory, if Freeman performs the way he did last season, new head coach Greg Schiano may want to make a QB change to someone he believes in. The free agents and rookies Tampa acquired during the offseason, however, should go along way to help Freeman keep his starting job.
-Oakland Raiders: Carson Palmer
Although the Raiders gave up a great deal to acquire Palmer, we have seen with teams like the Cardinals and Seahawks willing to bench high paid QB’s for a better producer. If Palmer shows the rust he displayed last season, he may not get another chance with the black and silver.
-Buffalo Bills: Ryan Fitzpatrick
Although recently signed to an extension, if Fitzpatrick leads the league in interceptions again this season, expect a QB change sooner than later.
-Minnesota Vikings: Christian Ponder
I give Ponder the benefit of the doubt, I think he has a chance to be a good NFL starter. However, if the Vikings have another poor season and the team changes head coaches, I fear for Ponders job. A new head coach may want to start over fresh, which certainly wouldn’t bode well for Ponder and an already aging Adrian Peterson.
Sleepers, Keepers, or Bust
Here are the top 5 lists by position of who I think will be the top fantasy performers this season. I am sure I will raise a few eyebrows, but we will have to wait till the end of the season to see how it all pans out…
QB:
1. Aaron Rodgers – With no running game and a questionable defense, Rodgers will have plenty of chances again this season for fantasy points.
2. Cam Newton – Although I don’t think Cam will match his numbers from last year, I expect him to put together another solid fantasy season.
3. Eli Manning – Almost eclipsing the 5,000 yard marker last season, I expect Eli to be tops in fantasy with a backfield that will help him more this season.
4. Tom Brady – Hard to choose against the “Golden Boy”, I feel I would have rated him better had it not been for questions on the O-Line.
5. Joe Flacco – Maybe a surprise, I feel Flacco will take a big statistical step forward with more trust being given to him in the offense.
RB:
1. LeSean McCoy – Picking up from last year, I expect McCoy to have a monster stats year in an offense that will try to protect Vick from injury.
2. Steven Jackson – With Jeff Fisher at head coach, I can see Jackson back on top of the league as the premiere back people may have forgotten him to be.
3. Ray Rice – One of the most lethal offensive weapons in the NFL, I feel his numbers may drop slightly with an emerging Flacco.
4. Darren McFadden – As long as he can stay healthy, I don’t see defenses being able to stop McFadden from putting up huge fantasy points.
5. Chris Johnson – With an inexperienced Jake Locker getting the QB job, I see Johnson getting plenty of carries to help the young QB ease into the offense.
WR:
1. A.J. Green – It sounds weird but Dalton to Green has a chance to be one of the most prolific combinations in the NFL… Green will have a huge year!
2. Calvin Johnson – With teams likely having to quadruple team Megatron, I find it hard to see him repeating his production from last season.
3. Victor Cruz – Let the Salsa commence, Cruz’s production is here to stay.
4. Larry Fitzgerald – I would have rated him higher if Arizona actually had a QB on their depth chart…
5. Steve Smith (CAR) – Smith’s career has been resurrected with the arrival of Cam Newton, I see Smith putting together another top 5 fantasy season.
TE:
1. Antonio Gates – A healthy Gates is a deadly Gates. I expect him back to his dominant form coming off an injury plagued season a year ago.
2. Jimmy Graham – Now one of Brees’ go to guys, I see him getting a lot of the Saints red zone looks.
3. Aaron Hernandez – The more versatile of Belichick’s tight ends, I see Hernandez having a better fantasy year this season with “Gronk” drawing most of the double teams.
4. Kyle Rudolph – With Peterson coming off a bad injury and Harvin, who has always battled health issues, I see Rudolph getting plenty of targets as the young QB Ponder develops in his second year.
5. Vernon Davis – Davis will continue to show dominance but will always be held back statistically because of the offense he is in.
DEF:
1. Eagles – With a year to gel and bolster up at linebacker, I see the Eagles as tops in the NFL on all defensive levels.
2. 49ers – With basically all starters returning on defense, I find it hard to think Willis and the gang won’t impress.
3. Giants – Additions at linebacker and in the secondary will give the Giants the push to be an elite fantasy defense.
4. Buccaneers – Maybe a surprise pick, I feel the Bucs will have a youthful hunger on defense behind rookie head coach Greg Schiano.
5. Ravens – What’s a defensive list without the Ravens, however, I feel the loss of Suggs hurts them from a fantasy perspective.
K:
1. Mason Crosby (GB) – One of the most high-powered offenses in the NFL, I at least see him making a lot of extra points.
2. Matt Prater (DEN) – An already solid kicker, Denver’s altitude gives you the chance for longer field goal attempts, as well as Peyton Manning’s ability to get points when in the red zone.
3. Hartley/Kasay (NO) – Who ever is the winner of the Saints kicker duel will have plenty of chances to put of fantasy points in New Orleans’ high-powered offense.
4. Stephen Gostkowski (NE) – Always a safe fantasy pick, you are basically guaranteed points from Gostkowski once New England crosses the 50.
5. Dan Carpenter (MIA) – Maybe a shocker, the lack of offense in Miami gives Carpenter the opportunity for some 5 field goal games. Of course you also run the risk of getting a goose egg…
The Future
With one preseason game in the books, I felt it was time for a review and look to the future, beginning with number one overall pick Andrew Luck. The Colts QB couldn’t have asked for a better start to a career, connecting with Donald Brown for a 63 yard touchdown on his first pass in the NFL. After a strong showing during the game I expect Luck to perform solid throughout the season. Although I don’t see Cam Newton numbers, Luck is my lock for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Colts are certainly moving in the right direction, however, they are in need of help on defense and O-line before they can regain dominance in the AFC South.
Robert Griffin III the 2nd overall selection in the draft also had a strong showing in his first preseason game. Leading his team to the games only touchdown and a victory, Redskins fans are hopeful the Baylor standout will grow to be a star in the league. I have to say that I was impressed with RGIII’s first action behind center. He seems poised in the pocket and already commands respect in his huddle. My concerns for RGIII don’t have as much to do with him as the division he plays in. The NFC East is hands down the toughest division for QB’s when it comes to the pass rush. RGIII will have his hands full dodging the likes of Pierre-Paul, Trent Cole, and DeMarcus Ware. It is because of RGIII’s division that I think he will struggle in the NFL.
It was no surprise that the Miami Dolphins would draft QB Ryan Tannehill, what’s surprising is how well he has performed up to this point. Tannehill is the biggest question mark for me out of all the rookie QB’s this year. He has all the physical attributes you look for in a starter, but I am still not sold. I feel his efficiency may be skewed in the preseason because of his familiarity in the offensive system. Tannehill is going against 2nd team defenses learning their systems, while he is commanding an offense he ran in college. For the sake of the Dolphins franchise, I hope that Tannehill develops into a good QB. However, with his inexperience and total lack of offensive weapons, I see a bumpy start in the NFL for Ryan Tannehill.
With one of the more surprising picks in the draft, the Cleveland Browns selected QB Brandon Weeden 22nd overall. Although I like Weeden as a player and think he has a chance to be a good starter in the NFL, I don’t like the fit in Cleveland. The Browns are in a rebuilding phase, so choosing an aged rookie in Weeden is a bit of a head scratcher. The Browns drafted a player that is coming in with a potentially shorter career window, and with the Steelers, Ravens, and Bengals in division, don’t expect easy trips to the playoffs anytime soon. After Weeden’s shaky performance in the first preseason game, I would anticipate more of the same during the season. If the Browns could land some playmakers to put around rookies Weeden and Trent Richardson, they may have a viable offense in the future,
Another interesting selection in the draft was the Seahawks choosing Russell Wilson in the 3rd round. Pete Carroll, who seems to be stockpiling QB’s, puzzled many experts with the pick. After an offseason where the Seahawks payed a hefty ransom for free agent Matt Flynn, it seemed obvious they would build around Flynn. However, Pete Carroll must have saw something from Wilson, which may have been on display in their first preseason game. Wilson amazed by using both his arm and legs to put up two scores. So who does Seattle go with? Although it may end up being the wrong decision, you have to go with Matt Flynn. Similar to the Kolb situation in Arizona, the team payed to high a price tag to not give it a chance. I wouldn’t count out seeing Wilson this season in some wildcat formations or if Flynn struggles badly. Either way, I feel Russell Wilson has the potential to be a solid player in the NFL, he just may need an opportunity on another team to prove it.
2012 NFL Season Predictions: AFC/NFC
Here is what I think is going to happen in the NFL this season…. barring any major injuries of course. Check it out and let me know what your predictions are… The red circles are the teams I have making the playoffs. For my play off predictions visit https://sportseat.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/20132014-nfl-super-bowl-predictions/
Stale Popcorn
“Get your popcorn ready…” Once again as controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens gets signed to the Seattle Seahawks. So is this a good or a bad move? I guess it depends whose side you’re looking from. In terms of the league as a whole, this is a great move. One of the biggest headline makers in maybe the last ten years gets back out on the field. In whats already the biggest sport in America, even an old T.O. will add to viewership. From Owens’ perspective, how could this not be a good thing. The 38-year-old receiver wasn’t fielding many offers from around the league, so I’d have to believe T.O. is excited just for the opportunity. Really the only loser in this whole thing is the Seahawks… With a team that struggles to find any offensive identity, I find it hard to see where T.O. fits in. Whether Owens is 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th on the depth chart, the focus will be on quarterback Matt Flynn. If Flynn can play well and validate the large contract he received in free agency, T.O. will be a non-issue regardless of his production. If Flynn fails to perform, a stronger light will be cast on what T.O. does during the season.
Offsides
Move over fellas we have a woman making her debut on the gridiron. OK, so she isn’t suiting up in pads but rather stripes and whistle. On Thursday Shannon Eastin will make history by becoming the first woman to referee an NFL game. Since the NFL announced she will be working the Chargers and Packers preseason game, there have been mixed emotions. On one side of the ball many feel any person has the right to be a referee. As long as they call a good game, there should be no issue what gender, race, or creed that person is. Others, however, believe football is a “mans” sport and the mere presence of a woman on the field would go against the NFL’s longstanding culture. Although I agree that a woman on the field would be a strange sight, I am more in agreement that referees should be chosen based on quality of work. As a sports fan I am less concerned with who is giving the penalty as opposed to what the penalty is. I understand this can be somewhat of a culture shock, but on the bright side, if the women are attractive it may help to bring people around… I might not mind so much if my team gets called for false start if the referee announcing the penalty doesn’t look like a foot… But I’m sure id still yell at the TV screen.
Old Man Weeden
The Cleveland Browns announced Monday Aug. 6, 2012 that they have named rookie Brandon Weeden as starter for the 2012 season. The move, which marks the end of the short-lived Colt McCoy era, comes to no surprise. The 22nd overall pick in the draft has been under scrutiny for his age since his days at Oklahoma State. Although the experts throw their caution flags at Weeden, I feel his age was one of the contributing factors behind him being named starter. Being drafted to a team with an established starter may seem like a bad situation for a rookie quarterback. In most cases the rookie would have to play behind the starter, and only see the field through injury or when the team felt it was time. Due to Weeden’s advanced age, coaches don’t have the luxury of waiting a season(s) to develop him. To wait even one season, Weeden would be starting at an age that some quarterbacks begin declining in production… If Weeden is successful you may see older players have more of an opportunity coming out of college or in free agency. Although certain to be shorter careers in the NFL, the life experience an older player may bring could prove to be valuable for the NFL and its franchises
MJD On NYG?
Maurice Jones Drew to the New York Giants? Sounds to good to be true, but maybe not when you look at all the variables. The former 2nd round pick from 2006, currently in contract dispute, has been disgruntled in Jacksonville. The owner Shad Kahn has made his position clear that the Jaguars will not renegotiate while MJD has years left on his deal. This does not bode well for Jones Drew who has put up monster stats throughout his career and was the NFL’s leading rusher in the 2011-’12 season. So how do the Giants fit into all of this? It is well documented how much New York’s rush offense suffered in 2011-’12, in a year they managed to win the Super Bowl. With the loss of Brandon Jacobs to the 49ers, Ahmad Bradshaw’s clay feet, and an untested rookie in David Wilson, the Giants have questions in the backfield once again. To make a trade for Maurice Jones Drew would be a colossal deal for all parties involved. The Giants get their proven back that they need to pair with Bradshaw and help mentor their young rookie. MJD would have a chance to compete for a championship on a team that is rich in football history and in a division that his talents would be in the spotlight. Of course MJD would still want his extension, which I’m sure the Giants would ink, assuming the teams trade… But what do you give up for a 27-year-old rushing leader? As a Giants fan speaking, I would be comfortable with trading up to a first round draft pick for the running back. A rebuild team in the Jaguars would have a hard time passing up high draft picks for a player they don’t want to pay and who is reaching then end of their career. Although a 1st round pick is a steep price to pay, the move would put the Giants in a position to win now. If New York could land an elite running back in MJD, expect their offense to be lethal for the foreseeable future.
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