Roger Goodell Must Be Fired

On February 15th, 2014, ex-Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was seen assaulting his wife on camera in a Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  His left hook left her unconscious, and he is seen dragging her body out of the elevator in order to avoid detection.  On July 24th, 2014, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell decided to suspend Rice for 2 games.  To put this in perspective, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was suspended for an entire season (16 games) for failing a drug test (later reduced).  It is absolutely ridiculous that Rice was only initially suspended for 2 games.

People were very angry at Goodell, but the story took a turn for the worse when TMZ released the actual video footage on September 8, 2014 - seven months after the incident occurred.  If TMZ could get their hands on the video footage, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Goodell saw the footage prior to making the decision to suspend Rice.  How can assaulting a woman only warrant a 2 game suspension?  After the TMZ video came out, the Baltimore Ravens released Ray Rice and he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL.  However, Commissioner Goodell was only doing this to 'save face,' as he knew he was already in hot water and the footage being released was only going to make things worse.

Roger Goodell makes $30 million each year.  He is the face of one of the biggest leagues in the entire world - for now.  But no man who makes a decision like Goodell did in response to the Ray Rice incident deserves to keep his job, especially considering how much money he makes.  It is time to fire Roger Goodell, or to force him to resign.  His reign as NFL Commissioner needs to end!

Why Eli Manning's Job Should Be Secure

     
       

                                                                       

     
After starting the second straight season 0-2, many Giants fans want starting quarterback and 2-time Super Bowl Champion Eli Manning to be benched in favor of Ryan Nassib, a Syracuse alum. However, Giants fans should be patient and let Eli Manning remain the starter for the remainder of the regular season.

Manning had a great game this week against the Arizona Cardinals.  Despite the loss, he went 26/39 with 277 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.  It should be noted that one of these interceptions came in garbage time, with the Giants trailing 25-14, when Manning's deep pass was intercepted by Larry Foote with 10 seconds left.  Moreover, Victor Cruz dropped three passes and Reuben Randle had a big drop during the 4th quarter drive in which the Giants had a turnover on downs.  Even with those dropped passes, Manning completed 66.7% of his passes.  The bottom line is that Eli Manning has done a lot for this organization in the past, as well as this season, and he is not the reason why the Giants are off to yet another slow start in 2014.

The Giants are beating themselves thus far in the 2014 season.  The team as a whole is losing games, not Eli Manning.  For instance, the Giants defense has forced 0 turnovers in the first two games, putting the team's cumulative turnover differential at -6.  If you lose the turnover battle in the NFL, you will lose games.  Moreover, the Giants special teams played badly, allowing the Cardinals Ted Ginn Jr to have a 71-yard punt return touchdown, in which a Giants player missed a tackle the second Ginn fielded the punt.   In addition, in the first game of the season against the Detroit Lions, the Lions converted 66.7% of their 3rd down plays while the Giants only converted 23% of their 3rd down plays.  While the Giants 3rd down efficiency against the Cardinals was better, it was two fumbles - one by running back Rashad Jennings in the redzone and one by Quintin Demps on a kick return - that were the difference in today's game.

Football is a team sport.  While people are always going to place the game on individual players, such as the quarterback, or even the coach, games are won and lost by teams as a whole.  With that being said, Giants fans have to be patient and have faith in quarterback Eli Manning.  He has 2 Super Bowl rings, which is more than his brother Peyton has.  Eli's in good company, as Jim Plunkett is the only quarterback in NFL history to have at least 2 Super Bowl rings and not be in the Hall of Fame.

SBS Report Recap - September 7

The Cornell ILR Sports Business Society's radio show, "The SBS Report" made its debut in the new Olbermann-Corneliess Studios in Collegetown this past Sunday. Host Matt Hakimian and co-host Rob Pannullo discussed many football-related topics as the regular season finally kicked off. Each host shared his opinion on major offseason contracts given to Alex Smith and J.J. Watt. They went on to talk about a few suspensions that were handed down by the NFL over the last week including Wes Welker's four game suspension, and the ban Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay received. 

Matt and Rob also shared on their opinion on Michael Sam's new landing spot in Dallas. They then moved on to the NBA and MLB where they spoke about Kevin Durant's decision to stick with Nike despite the allure of the Under Armour brand, and the Yankees' reported decision to offer longtime General Manager Brian Cashman a new contract at the end of the season. They wrapped up the show with the week that was in college football and the NFL in addition to taking Twitter questions and answering the Final Four rapid fire questions.

The SBS Report airs on Cornellradio.com every Sunday night from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Matthew Hakimian, the Cornell ILRS Sports Business Society's VP of Radio, discusses the week's biggest topics in sports business and professional sports with fellow members of the club. Have your voice heard live by tweeting your questions to @CornellSBS!

Blogger Roundtable: 2014 NFL Draft First Round Reactions

The first round of 2014 NFL Draft has come and gone. The hype and dramatic build up was tremendous as always and the first round did not disappoint. We saw everything from stars falling to surprising trades to some pretty big reach picks. All in all, 32 dreams were made a reality on Thursday night and they I'm sure they all cannot wait to get on the field for their very first NFL game.

We asked our bloggers for their reaction to the hectic first round that was. Here is how they responded:

Stephen Rosen, Assistant Editor- Mike Mayock

The highlight of the draft without question was the genius that is Mike Mayock. The NFL Network draft analyst never ceases to amaze me with his ability to predict what is going to happen seconds before it actually does. Starting at 3, with Mayock suggesting Blake Bortles could get drafted by the Jaguars all the way to the suggestion that Marcus Smith may go at 26 to the Eagles, Mayock was amazing. He was without a doubt the round 1 MVP.

Matt Hakimian, Featured Blogger- Quarterbacks

Heading into the draft, I was really interested to see where the big three quarterbacks would wind up. Bortles to Jacksonville was a pretty big reach, especially considering how a guy like Manziel could have filled plenty of their seats. The Browns trading up with their later first rounder to take Johnny Football was an awesome move that I think will work out extremely well for them. Lastly, Teddy Bridgewater landed in a good spot with a Minnesota offense that already features Adrian Peterson and Cordarrelle Patterson. 

Max Fogle, Editor-in-Chief- Running Backs

For the second straight year, no running backs were picked in the first round.  We all know that running backs are relatively less valuable in the new NFL, but it is still weird to see tight ends getting popped in the first half of the first round, and see players capable of handling the ball 25+ times a game having to wait until round 2.  The pro game (and the college game) has changed so much just in the last decade.

John Martin, Blog Contributor- St. Louis Rams and Cleveland Browns

Two teams that really impressed me in the first round of the draft were the St. Louis Rams and the Cleveland Browns. The Rams get two huge players to bolster their front line, Greg Robinson on offense and Aaron Donald on defense. While these two picks may not be enough to make serious noise in the NFC West, it is definitely a step in the right direction. Then the Cleveland Browns moved back five spots and still got Justin Gilbert, who many considered the top defensive back in this year's draft as well as a first round pick in next year's draft. Then of course they got Johnny Football who fell down the board. Many experts have their concerns about Manziel and Cleveland hasn't exactly been a hotspot for developing quarterbacks, but getting such a talented player with the 22nd pick is a steal.

Be sure to comment below to let us know your opinion.

Event Recap: Jim McFarland (4/16/14)

On Wednesday, April 16th, the ILRSBS hosted NFLPA Executive Committee member Jim McFarland. McFarland played college football at Nebraska University and enjoyed a six-year career in the NFL., and has spoken to the club on one previous occasion.  He graduated from Cornell Law School in 1980 and has been practicing as an attorney ever since.

In 2007, McFarland was named to the NFLPA former players Board of Directors, and in 2010, he was made a former player representative on the NFL Executive Committee. He spoke with the club about the myriad of problems facing the NFL, the NFLPA, the NCAA, and athletes everywhere.

McFarland wished to share his opinions, and hear those of club members, on many of the important issues facing professional and collegiate sports, particularly football. His experiences as a collegiate and professional football player, member of the NFLPA, labor and employment lawyer, and state senator allowed him to speak with distinction on many prominent controversies.

On Player Health and Safety

McFarland illustrated the change in philosophy regarding head injuries, sharing his personal experiences of concussions during his playing career.  He spoke about a particular occasion, where after being rendered unconscious on a kickoff, he returned to play later in the same game.

While McFarland was able to achieve off-field success after his playing days, and remains mentally sharp decades later, he laments the physical, mental, and emotional ailments affecting many of his teammates and opponents.  McFarland was critical of the NFL's response to these issues, pointing out the NFL's distribution of the "Greatest Hits" series at a time when the League was issuing suspensions and fines to players who initiated dangerous plays.

But the NFL was not solely to blame, as the NFLPA had also not done enough to protect its players, according to McFarland. In answering a club member's question, McFarland noted the difficult position the Union often finds itself when defending players against suspensions for dangerous plays. He said that although the NFLPA has a legal obligation to grieve complaints on behalf of its members, they also represent the players seriously injured by illegal hits. This issue, along with other similar contradictions, made the Players Association work very difficult.

On the NFL Concussion Lawsuit Settlement

McFarland discussed all aspects of the disputed settlement of a lawsuit between former players and the NFL.  While lawyers from both sides agreed to a $765 MM settlement, a judge has held up the agreement for further investigation.  Concerns about the settlement include whether there will be enough money to meet the needs of all who would qualify for benefits.

McFarland said that the settlement was good for the NFL, in that it would avoid costly litigation and even greater potential damages in a class action court battle.  Also, with no admission of guilt, the League could finally put the issue behind them.  The settlement would also benefit many former players who need benefits sooner rather than later.  The immediate help that the agreement would provide would help ease burdens now for ex-players struggling with health or financial difficulties.

But McFarland worries that the deal will fall short of providing substantive help to all that deserve it over the long-term.  He was skeptical of the incentives of the lawyers who negotiated the deal, stating that "one-third of $765 MM is  lot of money".

On College Athletics

McFarland stated his interest in the union organizing campaign at Northwestern. While he is mixed on the role of unions in college sports, the collective action taken by players is yet another sign of the flaws of the NCAA.  He also wondered how unionization could meet the needs of students in other sports, as well as those in public schools, especially in anti-union states.

He noted that a professional may be more appropriate for certain schools with large fan bases. But on the whole, McFarland preferred the "Ivy League system", where scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need rather than athletic prowess.

On Race and Inequality in Football

McFarland left the audience with a question regarding race in football.  He stated that the current  racial dynamics of the sport were "something to think about". When he began his professional playing career, McFarland said the league was approximately 50% African-American players.  The number has gone up dramatically since then, and he wonders what that says about our athletic and educational systems.  If you removed the positions of center, long-snapper, quarterbacks, kickers, and punters, African-Americans would make up 92% of the NFL players.

Again, we’d like to thank Jim McFarland for taking the time to speak with members of our club. It was an incredibly informative and insightful discussion, which we all truly enjoyed and appreciated.

What Went Wrong With Draft Day?

Kevin Costner was not Draft Day's Problem

Draft Day has been out over two weeks now and is just getting close to finally making up its budget. The general rule in Hollywood is that a film must make double its reported budget to be successful. It seems unlikely that Draft Day will ever make it there. How does a film that was seemingly a propaganda film for a 9 billion dollar industry fail?

Well it was not the reviews by critics or the fans of the movie that tanked it with critics being 62% positive and the fans at 72%. The downfall of the movie was the unrealistic script that left most football fans uninterested in the movie. Below are the top 3 mistakes I believe the movie made (Warning there are SPOILERS of the movie):


1) Sonny Weaver Jr. (Kevin Costner) would never trade for the first pick without consulting anyone first. He woke up on the day of the draft, wrote down that he was talking Vontae Mack over anyone and then traded up to number 1 immediately without consulting a single member of his staff even though Vontae Mack would have been there at #7 pick. He even walked into the office after trading up to the #1 pick and had to ask whether or not the Browns had the cap space to make the trade.

This is beyond absurd.

No NFL GM would trade 3 first round picks without consulting a single member of the organization. Even after Sonny made the trade, he called no one in the organization to tell them. He walked into the office and everyone only knew about the trade because Seattle the team he traded with had leaked it.  I know the movie was trying to create Weaver’s character as a maverick, but a simple conversation between Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garners’ characters would have sufficed about whether the Browns should make the trade or if they had the cap space.

2) Weaver had never scouted the consensus #1 pick in the draft, Bo Callahan. This year Jadeveon Clowney, the likely #1 pick, has visited nearly every team in the top 10. Even the teams that have not had him visit have at least spent time to scout him. The Browns’ front office seems to know almost nothing about Bo Callahan, the consensus #1 pick in the movie, when the trade is made. The team has never done a background check on Bo Callahan, brought him in for a visit, or even looked at his medicals.

This is the stuff I would expect from a team that had made the playoffs, but not the team at #7 who has even the thought to go to #1. This problem in the movie is only made worse when Bo Callahan begins to slip in the draft and no one else has scouted him to say their is a mistake with him or understand why it is happening. Even when Reggie Bush was considered a consensus #1 pick in 2006 and the Texans took Mario Williams above him, Bush fell to #2 and did not free fall in the draft.

3) The Browns traded the #6 pick for #7 for more than it took them to go from #1 to #7. In the 2004, NFL Draft the Browns actually traded up from #7 from #6 to draft Kellen Winslow Jr. and it cost them a second rounder. The movie had the Seattle Seahawks give up 3 first round picks and return specialist. Seattle was completely prepared to not draft Bo Callahan at the beginning movie when they traded the number #1 pick to Cleveland, yet at the end of the movie was prepared to trade away more than they got in the morning for the same quarterback just to save some money. 

 Seattle originally traded away the pick because they had more needs than just a QB and wanted extra picks, yet just 12 hours later they have completely changed their mind. No matter how much Seattle valued Bo Callahan, why would they have ever trade away more to move up 1 spot than it took them to go down 6 spots that same morning.

The plot of Draft Day doomed the movie. I left the theater not discussing how entertained I was for the movie, but rather whether or not it was possible for any of them to have actually occurred. After a long discussion about how it was not, I realized that was what frustrated me most about the movie. It was unrealistic.  The movie seemed better made as a documentary about the behind the scenes of the draft rather than a major motion picture with fictionalized players amongst other things. Draft Day was entertaining movie, but it definitely did not feel like an accurate portrayal of what life is like in the NFL Draft day for any team.

Blogger Roundtable: Most Appealing Regular Season NFL Game

The passion for football in this country is unrivaled. It is because of this passion that the NFL manages to remain relevant in the news even during its offseason. The most recent news was the release of the 2014 regular season schedule and it did not disappoint. You want rivalry games? How does Brady v. Manning round 15, or Steelers v. Ravens, or Seahawks v. 49ers sound? You want a Super Bowl rematch? "Touchception" rematch? Division opponents battling it out for a playoff spot the last week of the season?The NFL schedule-makers listened to your requests and have ensured that all your wants will be met in 2014. Now as the hype for the season builds as the draft grows nearer, the question is which game is going to be the best.

We asked our bloggers which regular season NFL matchup is most intriguing. Here is what they had to say:

Thomas Kroner, Featured Blogger- Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

Disclaimer, I was born and raised in San Francisco. That being said, it should come as no surprise that my most anticipated matchup is Niners-Hawks on Thanksgiving night at Levi's Stadium. This is the first time the NFL's best rivalry meets during the season. Plus it's a home game for San Francisco, so they're more likely to come out with a W. I look for the first offensive play the Niners run to be some sort of screen or sweep action where Joe Staley comes around and gets to pancake Richard Sherman. Nothing would make me happier.

Stephen Dreznick, Featured Blogger- Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers

The most appealing game of the regular season is the Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers matchup. Both teams have high profile defenses coupled with exceptional young quarterbacks. It will be interesting to see how Cam Newton plays against Seattle's secondary, which is in my opinion, the best defensive unit in the NFL. Also, Russell Wilson will have to face the likes of Luke Kuechly, one of the best young linebackers in the game who has the potential to be a future Hall of Fame player.

Rick Saxe, Featured Blogger- Redskins at Eagles

Definitely Week 3's matchup when Desean and the 'Skins get a shot at the Eagles. Desean Jackson has his chance to prove that Philly made a mistake letting him go. He has already stated that he looks forward to these games and wants them to regret their move. Can't wait to see him do it.

Matthew Hakimian, Featured Blogger- Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

The most attractive game for the 2014 season has to be the Seattle Seahawks at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13. Easily the best rivalry in football at the moment, the Niners and Seahawks flat out hate the opposition. San Francisco has been on the cusp of a Super Bowl each of the last three years while Seattle is coming off a dominating championship performance. There is no doubt that San Fran will be seeking to avenge their loss in the thrilling NFC Title Game back in January. The stage will certainly be set for this Turkey Day clash in the new Levi's Stadium.

John Martin, Blog Contributor- Redskins at Eagles

The obvious answer to the question would be the NFC Championship Game rematch when the Seahawks travel to new Levi's Stadium to take on the 49ers on Thanksgiving Day. But the game I am more excited to watch due to how deeply rooted the bad blood is, is in Week 3 when the Redskins travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles. This will be DeSean Jackson's first time back in Philadelphia, facing the team that cut him over "personal issues" after his best season in 2013. Jackson could have a big game against a pass defense that gave up the most yards during the 2013 regular season, as he seeks revenge against Chip Kelly and the Eagles' front office.

Be sure to comment below to let us know your opinion.

NFL Mock Draft (1-16)

With the NFL Draft being held in May for the first time, NFL teams will have even more time to evaluate the top college football players from across the nation. As Pro Days come to an end, these young athletes now must anxiously wait until their names are called in Radio City Music Hall from May 8-10. Where will polarizing stars such as Johnny Manziel and Jadeveon Clowney be playing on Sundays next year? Here's a first round mock draft (picks 1-16) featuring a big projected trade at the top:
1. Houston Texans - Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida - Bortles has the prototypical size to play quarterback in this league, and with a new head coach in Bill O'Brien management may the conservative pick over the hometown kid Manziel.

2. Atlanta Falcons (trade with St. Louis) - Jadeveon Clowney - DE, South Carolina - Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff is not afraid to make aggressive moves to get the player he wants. Despite an unspectacular season, Clowney is still the top prospect available -- Atlanta will be hoping to see many hits like this one at the next level.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Khalil Mack, DE, Buffalo - with so many glaring needs the Jaguars will likely look to take the best player available here. Some experts actually prefer Mack over Clowney and nobody will be complaining with this selection.

4. Cleveland Browns - Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn - likely has the most potential of any offensive lineman in the draft. Newly acquired running Ben Tate would have huge holes to run through behind Robinson, Joe Thomas, and Alex Mack.

5. Oakland Raiders - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson - the Raiders haven't had a 1000 yard receiver since Randy Moss in 2005. By providing Matt Schaub with the undisputed top receiver in the Draft, Oakland might actually be respectable this year.

6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins Robert Griffin III deal - trade with Atlanta) - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M - definitely one of the most steady players in the Draft. St. Louis will be looking to get younger and healthier on the offensive line after Jake Long has been placed on the IR two straight seasons. Sam Bradford will have no more excuses this season.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA - the raw but very talented UCLA star would be a nice fit for Lovie Smith's new defense, instantly bolstering a struggling pass rush.

8. Minnesota Vikings - Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M - Johnny Football put on a show at his Pro Day silencing many of his critics. Minnesota's mess at QB needs to be addressed and I'm sure fans would love to see Manziel handing it off to AP.

9. Buffalo Bills - Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M - EJ Manuel needs some weapons after Stevie Johnson struggled immensely last year. After selecting Robert Woods last year, the Bills would do well to take the 6-5 Evans.

10. Detroit Lions - Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State - Nobody on the Lion's lackluster secondary had more than 3 interceptions last season as creating turnovers was a big issue for them. After a down Junior year, Gilbert was an absolute beast last with 7 picks.

11. Tennessee Titans - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville - widely considered to be the top prospect heading into the season, Bridgewater's slender frame and weak Pro Day performance may scare some teams away, but the Titans would do well to snatch him here to replace the bust Jake Locker.

12. New York Giants - Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh - with Linval Joseph and Justin Tuck leaving this offseason, the defensive line needs to be rebuilt and Donald is considered by many to be the top interior lineman in the Draft.

13. St. Louis Rams - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama - with TJ McDonald already at strong safety Clinton-Dix would fit in very nicely at free safety for Jeff Fisher's defense.

14. Chicago Bears - Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame- the Bears D was awful last year giving up over 160 rushing yards per game, most in NFL. Jernigan would clog up the middle for years to come.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State - the former Michigan State corner would provide some youth to an aging Pittsburgh defense. His physical, aggressive style fits the bill of the Steelers brand of football.

16. Dallas Cowboys - Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State - even after signing Henry Melton, Dallas needs to continue to improve its disastrous defensive line. Bringing in Jernigan would definitely help improve their front four.

NFL Mock Draft (17-32)

While many of the teams featured in the top half of the first round of the Draft feature rosters with many gaping holes, some of the teams in the bottom half of the first round were in contention to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season. Picks 17-32 of the mock draft continue here:
17. Baltimore Ravens - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan - an absolute steal here, Lewan may see his stock fall a bit as he faces assault and battery charges. A veteran locker room like the one in Baltimore would be great for him.

18. New York Jets - Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina - the Jets offense was an absolute joke last season. Jeff Cumberland is simply not a starting TE in this league, and adding Ebron along with the newly-acquired Eric Decker would provide solid targets for Geno Smith or Michael Vick.

19. Miami Dolphins - Zack Martin, OT, Stanford - the Dolphins gave up by far the most sacks in the league with 58 last year. If they consider Tannehill to be the QB of the future they need to be able to protect him and Martin's versatility would fit well.

20. Arizona Cardinals - Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville - after selecting the Honey Badger Tyrann Mathieu last year, Pryor would be a great value pick here. Along with Patrick Peterson, Arizona's secondary would be very tough to throw on.

21. Green Bay Packers - C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama - the Packer D needs all the help it can get after giving up nearly 6000 total yards last season. Mosley is far and away the top inside line backer available in this year's class.

22. Philadelphia Eagles - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State - Cooks displayed his electrifying quickness at the Combine. After cutting Desean Jackson, Chip Kelly may be looking to add even more speed to his offense and Cooks is the perfect guy to do just that.

23. Kansas City Chiefs - Marquise Lee, WR, USC - saw his stock fall after a disappointing Junior year but the talent is still there. Alex Smith's receiving corps is pretty weak aside from Dwayne Bowe so Lee makes a ton of sense here.

24. Cincinnati Bengals - Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State - the Bengals need to get younger in their secondary after starting aging veterans including Terrance Newman and Pacman Jones. Roby offers tremendous talent and upside.

25. San Diego Chargers - Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech - the Chargers passing defense ranked fourth worst in the league last year. Fuller is a consistent, pro-ready prospect capable of coming in and starting right away.

26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis Colts Trent Richardson deal) - Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State - Brian Hoyer is not the answer Browns fans. After cutting ties with Brandon Weeden following two long seasons, the Browns get their signal caller of the future here in Carr.

27. New Orleans Saints - Dee Ford, DE, Auburn - Considering that the Saints go up against Matt Ryan and Cam Newton four times a year, a pass rusher would be a great idea. Adding the explosive Senior Bowl MVP would definitely help to do just that.

28. Carolina Panthers - Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU - can you name me a single receiver on the Panthers right now? No, Greg Olsen is a tight end. Cam needs receivers to throw to and Beckham has the chance to become a great vertical threat.

29. New England Patriots - Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State - a freakish athlete, the injury-prone Shazier would have the opportunity to blossom under Bill Belichick.

30. San Francisco 49ers - Jason Verrett, CB, TCU - after undergoing shoulder surgery, Verrett may not be ready until the middle of training camp. However, once he is healthy he would certainly be able to contribute to the already stacked Niners D.

31. Denver Broncos - Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri - as they learned in the Super Bowl, a disruptive pass rush could do wonders. Ealy would have the change to thrive on a Broncos team that is in win-now mode.

32. Seattle Seahawks - Ra'Shede Hageman, DT - Minnesota - after letting Red Bryant leave via free agency this offseason, the defending Super Bowl champs could fill the void with Hageman.

Is Big Free Agency Spending Worth It?

The Denver Broncos made some big moves in this year's free agency, picking up Pro Bowl linebacker Demarcus Ware and cornerback Aqib Talib.  After a terrible showing in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks in February, the Broncos organization is hoping that these moves significantly improve the team's defense.  Also, they had the most prolific scoring offense in history last season, led by quarterback Peyton Manning.  The big question is: will these signings lead to a Super Bowl victory in the near future?

Let's take a look back at the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011, who made similar big signings in the hope of winning a Super Bowl, with their prolific offense led by Michael Vick.  The Eagles actually made even more signings in 2011 compared to the Broncos in 2014.  The Eagles signed five big name defensive players to improve their team: Nnamdi Asomugha, Jason Babin, Anthony Hargrove, Derek Landri, and Cullen Jenkins. Asomugha was a high profile cornerback at the time, and was brought in to improve the pass defense.

The other four players were signed for their run stopping capabilities.  It seemed like the Eagles were going to have a great season - Vince Young even called them the "Dream Team."  But they didn't have the season that they were expected to.  In fact, in the 2011-12 NFL season, the Philadelphia Eagles had a 8-8 record and missed out on the playoffs, which was worse than the previous season, in which they made the playoffs.

Big free agency spending does not always lead to results.  The Denver Broncos, however, will not have a disappointing season in 2014-15.  Coming off of a Super Bowl defeat, they are hungry for more. The defense should be much improved this upcoming season, due to the free agent signings as well as Von Miller not being suspended.  And, to top it off, they have arguably the best quarterback of all time in Peyton Manning.  Seems like a recipe for success.

Blogger Roundtable: NFL Free Agency Analysis

The wondrous period that is free agency has gotten underway in the NFL and the first two weeks have been exciting to say the least. Multiple big names around the league will be wearing a different uniform next year as they settle into their newest destination. We have seen the two Super Bowl contenders make some key signings that they hope will propel them to a return trip to the big game. Meanwhile, other teams are trying to make strategic signings in an attempt to fill holes before the draft on May 8th.

We asked our blogger's who they thought made the best free agent signing thus far. Here is what they had to say:

Matthew Hakimian, Featured Blogger- Darrelle Revis to the New England Patriots

As a Jets fan it hurts to say this but Darrelle Revis to the New England Patriots was a steal. Still one of the best cornerbacks in the league, Revis was cut last week by the new regime in Tampa Bay. After essentially trading Revis for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Sheldon Richardson, the Jets had the opportunity to sign the star corner, but Woody Johnson didn't want to deal with the drama. Bill Belichick saw a golden opportunity as the Pats scooped Revis up; I guess Revis has to apologize to his new head coach now though.

Stephen Dreznick, Featured Blogger- Denver Broncos

The best NFL free agency signings were done by the Denver Broncos. After having their defense embarrassed in the Super Bowl, they used their money to acquire Demarcus Ware and Aqib Talib. Even though people think that they overpaid for these players, they were able to improve their defense with Pro Bowl players. This, coupled with their high powered offense led by Peyton Manning, makes them serious contenders for a shot at the 2015 Super Bowl.

John Zakour, Featured Blogger- Jairus Byrd to the New Orleans Saints

The best signing of NFL free agency was the Saints and Jairus Byrd. The Saints supposedly couldn't free up any cap space, yet they reeled in the best free agent of the class and at an obvious position of need. People forget amidst their near record setting offense how pivotal elite safety play was to their Super Bowl year. The Saints are poised to put themselves in a great position to replicate their magical year.

Max Fogle, Editor-in-Chief- Every Team Who Doesn't Sign an Expensive Free Agent

While free agents definitely can be an important addition to playoff and championship teams, plenty of teams have success without breaking the bank for free agents.  This is probably due to the fact that good teams have a productive core of players already under contract taking up most of the cap space.  It's really not a bold statement to say that many good teams this season will not sign major free agents this spring.

Be sure to comment below to let us know your opinion.

Manziel for the Money

If i'm either Shahid Khan or Wayne Weaver (the owners of the Jacksonville Jaguars), i'm praying to the football gods that Johnny Football falls to the Jags in the upcoming NFL draft. The Jaguars are slated to pick third, and likely only have to worry about the Texans because the Rams already have their quarterback of the future. All football and personnel decisions aside, the Jags need Johnny Manziel in order to increase the monetary value of their organization.

According to a report issued by Forbes at the beginning of the 2013 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars were next to last in overall team value. Their recent on-field performance has done nothing to help their cause. Over the past few seasons the Jags have been fully enrolled at St. Ruggles University. 

This porous performance has led to a decrease in the number of fans willing to pay for tickets to watch their team. Last season Jacksonville ranked in the bottom five for attendance. This costs the team some serious cash flow as ticket sales comprise the number one revenue source for NFL teams. Manziel could help drastically alleviate this issue because at the very least he'll at least pack the stands for whatever team he plays for.
According to the site quoted above, the next most important source of revenue comes from merchandising. You need not look any further than the most recent collegiate mega-star turned NFL players to see why J. Football would bring home the bacon. Tim Tebow blew up as he led the Denver Broncos to a playoff victory in his second season, after sitting his first year. But before he blew up during Tebowmania, before he even played a down of NFL football, Tim Tebow had the highest selling jersey in all of the league. It's almost a certainty that Johnny Manziel's jersey would achieve similar levels of success.

Last season the Jaguars did not have a single player in the top 25 NFL jerseys sold. Compare that to the Cowboys, who had four players make the list. Referring back to the the list published by Pellegrino and Associates, third on the list of important factors for creating revenue in NFL is advertising. Jacksonville's small media market does them no favors in generating ad revenue for their team, but neither does the fact that they haven't had a marquee player in years. 

The marketing department down there would salivate over all the promotional strategies and potential endorsements that would be able to engage people across the 50 states. Johnny Manziel could bring the Jaguars national attention for something other than their awful on-field performance over the past few seasons. You already know, that from day one of training camp, multiple national media outlets would arrive on scene in Florida.

Of course, from a purely football standpoint, drafting Johnny Manziel appears to be anything but the slam dunk it is from a business point of view. For starters, many scouts have their trepidations as to whether Manziel can develop into the franchise caliber qb an organization expects from a top three pick. 

Then comes the issue of the excessive attention J. Football would get compared to his teammates, aka the Tebow/Manning/Brady effect. This can rub many of them the wrong way and lead to friction in the locker room. So from this perspective, maybe another pick would serve the Jaguars best. But if the goal of their owners is to make money, than Johnny Manziel is what they need.

The NFL Combine - Overhyped?

Every year, scouts from every NFL team line up in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine in hopes of adding the missing pieces to their Super Bowl aspirations. As the nation's top college players display their abilities in a series of workouts, many of these talent evaluators ultimately weigh the results of 40-yard dash times amongst other measurable far more than consistent on-field performance.

Over the years we have seen plenty of college phenoms drop in the Draft due to poor Combine showings, and we've seen the stock of great athletes rather than football players rise as well. Below are a few classic examples of busts who were over-drafted as a result of their physical skill-set and Combine performances:

JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders 2007 

Quite possibly the worst pick in NFL Draft history. Al Davis made the selection primarily due to Russell's tremendous arm strength and size, which were displayed at that year's Combine. However, the former LSU quarterback burned out after playing just three seasons, compiling an exceptional 7-18 record in Oakland; he was later arrested for possession of the ever-so popular "purple drank" and tipped the scale at a whopping 320 pounds. Russell may have been able to throw a football 65 yards on his knees, but he was far from the "great player" Al Davis claimed he was when firing Lane Kiffin.

Darius Heyward-Bey, Oakland Raiders 2009 

Would you look at this? Another Al Davis-selected player! I've listed the career statistics of three college football wide receivers below - take a wild guess which one was selected as the top wideout, going seventh overall:

Player A - 1958 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns (3 season)
Player B - 3127 receiving yards, 41 touchdowns (2 seasons)
Player C - 2315 receiving yards, 22 touchdowns (2 seasons)

Player A is Heyward-Bey, who never eclipsed 800 yards or 6 touchdowns in any season as a wideout at the University of Maryland, yet he ran a sub-4.3 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine. Player B is Michael Crabtree, and Player C is Jeremy Maclin, both of whom have enjoyed successful careers thus far while Heyward-Bey may not even have a job next season.

Vernon Gholston, New York Jets 2008 

The physical freak was selected as the sixth overall pick in the Draft in large part due to his sheer strength displayed at the Combine. Gholston tied for the highest bench press score with 37 reps at 225 pounds, yet he probably couldn't lift an NFL kicker if he tried. After three seasons with Gang Green, Gholston finished with a grand total of 0 sacks.

As Keyshawn Johnson said, "It's not how fast a player is going forward, it's how fast they can stop, change direction, and create space." Teams need to stop worrying about 40-yard dash times because in a game, how often will a player actually run in a straight-line for 40 yards? Rather, exectuives should closely monitor each individual's collegiate overall performances against top-flight competition prior to making their selections. As Jerry Rice and his 4.71 40-yard dash in 1985 can attest, Combine performances often don't mean a thing.

Teams on the Rise Trilogy - Part 1: St. Louis Rams (NFL)

Seahawks’ fans can spend the offseason smiling, just as supporters of the Red Sox and Heat have been for months now. With that, though, leaves just about everyone else wondering if their team’s time is near. For many teams in the MLB, NBA, or NFL, it’s obvious that they will be in the heat of things down the stretch in their respective leagues.

For others, recent memories of failure may have them questioning if a trend is being set or if they can turn it around soon. Taking into account the present state of every team in the three aforementioned leagues, and the positions they have put themselves in moving forward, I’ve concluded which organizations in each league have the brightest futures ahead. This is Part 1 of a trilogy of blogs on this topic, and considering the heightened interest in the NFL, following the Super Bowl, let’s start there.

NFL: St. Louis Rams (Last Winning Season: 2003)

The “Greatest Show on Turf” turned from a thriller into a comedy not long after their dramatic Super Bowl XXXIV win over the Titans in 2000. Six head coaches, an overthrow of players, and 129 losses later, they’ve climbed their way back to the middle-tier in the NFL, but this stop is merely a temporary one.

The Rams are on their way to becoming one of those teams you don’t want to see on your schedule. Already, they’ve established a defensive core with MLB James Laurinaitis, LOLB Alec Ogletree, DE Chris Long, and the young stud DE Robert Quinn--who finished half a sack away from leading the NFL in that category.

Offensively, Zac Stacy went from being a back-up to a top-notch running back as a rookie, so you could only expect this Maurice Jones Drew-type back to continue to improve. WR Tavon Austin also broke out later in the season as a rookie offensive star, who contributed in the running game as well through end-arounds and other unique plays drawn up by the improved coaching staff led by Jeff Fisher. If they can succeed as a run-first team, which it looks like they can, Sam Bradford will be more comfortable in his return from a season-ending ACL injury.

To put things into perspective, this team went 7-9 with a back-up quarterback, a young defense that proved its tenacity, and two offensive rookies who are on their way to becoming stars. In case that isn’t enough to get the attention of the high-standard fans of their NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, however, wait until May. Can you can guess who’s sitting pretty with two early first-round draft picks this year, including the 2nd pick in the entire draft?

 Hopefully you can, because this entire article is about them. If you need help, though, it’s those ____ Rams. I didn’t leave their location blank so you can finish it off for me. I did it because their owner Stan Kroenke bought 60 acres of land in Los Angeles, right as talks of moving an NFL team to LA are rising to the surface. The franchise has a fan base there already, as they played in the Greater Los Angeles Area for just under a century up until 1994. That, though, is a topic for another day. I only mentioned it because it adds a little bit more excitement to this franchise, does it not? Nevertheless, back to the draft.

Their offense still certainly needs help, and they can find what they need on draft day. They can do a lot at number two. My advice would be to go for Jake Matthews, an O-lineman out of Texas A&M, as their O-Line went from bad to dreadful with Jake Long’s season ending ACL injury this past season. They’ll get him back, but he can’t stop 11 guys on his own. Next they should probably look for either another OL or a WR. Tavon Austin is great, but he’s a slot receiver, and they need a true number one WR with some size.

If they can get Sammy Watkins out of Clemson, I will become a Rams fan, as I’d expect that to push them over the top, but they’re more likely to catch guys like Mike Evans--also from Texas A&M--or Marqise Lee out of USC with the 13th pick.

The NFC West is already scary, but I guarantee that it will become scarier in the upcoming seasons. This team can get away with being good without strong play out of Sam Bradford. If Bradford can live up to his potential, though, with the help of the offensive weapons currently developing in their system and the one’s they will acquire in this year’s draft, this team is going to find themselves back where they were in the turn of the millennium with Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk’s “Greatest Show on Turf.”

That concludes part one of the trilogy. Thank you for reading, comment on whether or not you agree or what other teams you think will rise up in the upcoming seasons, and expect part two to come out in two weeks.

Blogger Roundtable: Which League Does Soccer Threaten the Most?

Which North American sports league does soccer threaten the most? We gave our thoughts, so now it's your turn. Answer our poll at the top of the blog and then leave a comment at the bottom of this post explaining why.  

We all know that soccer is experiencing tremendous growth both in North America and abroad.  Powerful foreign soccer leagues clash with North American leagues' expansion overseas, while also carving out a chunk out a slice of the domestic sports market as well.  Soccer stacks up very well among Hispanics and young audiences, both favorable market segments.

MLS has also emerged onto the mainstream, with average attendances higher than that of the NBA or NHL.A mature MLS would almost certainly force a disruption in the traditional "Big Four" model of professional North American sports.

But the competition for viewers may not even be the greatest threat. Injury and cost concerns for youth participation have driven many athletes into soccer. Many parents choose soccer as an alternative to the physicality of football.  Others families may not be able or willing to pay for the significant expenses related to hockey and baseball at a young age.  If soccer can continue to win in the marketplace of youth participation, the consequences could be significant for other sports.

So here's the question for our blogger roundtable:

Which league does soccer threaten the most?

Matthew Hakimian- NFL

The NFL has to feel somewhat threatened by the growth of soccer in America. It seems like everyday more cases come out regarding players suing the league for health-related issues, including concussions. In turn, many American families are becoming reluctant in allowing their children to play such a physical sport. Moreover, it certainly does not help that we're one of the few nations in the world that refer to the NFL when talking about "football". 

Adam Malz- None

I don't think the growth of soccer is anywhere near the point of threatening any one of the four major sports leagues in the United States. It simply does not have the fan support that the MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL currently do. Also, the fact of the matter is that the U.S. level of competition of soccer is very far from what it is in Europe. Perhaps it will pose a threat in the future, but I don't see it being a major concern for any of the major four leagues for a while.

 John Zakour- None/MLB

I don't think soccer especially threatens any of the major American sports. I suppose if it could reach popularity levels of the big four in America, then we might have a conversation. That day is probably far enough away that the dynamic of the big four will likely be very different. Soccer still struggles to get highlights on ESPN, and the MLS is still a second tier league, at best. 

But, If I had to choose, I'd say soccer threatens MLB the most. The prototypical soccer player is most similar to the prototypical baseball player, as neither sport really has "size requirements" (soccer and baseball players still look like non-giants, unlike the NFL and NBA) and both tend to attract Hispanic and Asian audiences. But I'm grasping at straws here. I doubt Bud Selig is losing sleep over it. 

Stephen Rosen- MLB

The sad answer is MLB. The 2013 World Series was the least watched World Series by Americans under 18 EVER. There is no way around the fact that baseball does not have a young core group of fans to continue its growth into the next 20 years. Baseball suffers from long breaks and extremely slow moving pace. Unlike soccer which ever game is almost always under 2 hours, baseball can have a non-delayed 9 inning game take 4 hours. Lastly baseball has lost one of its coolest aspects in the post season the day time game. The 9:07 start to ever World Series games means most kids will be long asleep by the time the late innings arrive. 

MLS instead went with a 4PM Saturday start to its classic MLS final on Saturday between Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake that everyone could watch. Despite the fact the game went through extra time and a shootout it was still over by 8PM when every kid was awake. Major League Baseball may be America's pastime but soon it will be past its time as a major American sport.

Blogger Roundtable: Which League Best Selects and Trains Talent

Which league bests selects and trains talent? We gave our thoughts, so now it's your turn. Answer our poll at the top of the blog and then leave a comment at the bottom of this post explaining why. 

Inspired by their learning in human resource courses, our bloggers took a stab at what can be a major consideration for professional sports leagues.  Analyzing how leagues select and train talent may seem a little abstract.  But scouting and developing players is a very real concept. 

Which of the four leagues best utilize other professional and amateur networks to identify suitable candidates.  Which league is most efficient and effective in hiring the most qualified players. Between the big four, which has the best developmental system in place?

That's what our bloggers tried to answer.

Adam Malz- MLB

In my opinion, the MLB does the best job identifying and developing talent. The minor league system is very successful and players are able to learn the ropes and improve the most. Players do not make it to the major league level unless they work hard and absolutely deserve it.

Thomas Kroner- MLB

I think Major League Baseball does the best job of hiring and training its players. The depth of their drafts allows it so players who aren't the top prospects to get an in with the organization and have the possibility of moving up in the ranks. The NBA D-League pales in comparison to the effectiveness and popularity of Minor League Baseball

Joshua Goldstein- NBA

Due to its relatively low amount of professional players in the league and its smaller draft size, the NBA has the most effective method of identifying its players. While football teams have over 50 people on their rosters, basketball teams can only have 13 active players on their rosters at any given time. Also, the NFL draft has seven rounds, while the NBA draft only has two rounds. Since NBA teams hire and therefore seek out less players than other sport franchises, the NBA has the least arduous job finding suitable employees.

Ben Cantor- NFL

I believe the NFL has the most effective method of identifying and developing talent in comparison to the other major sports leagues. The fact that prospective football players must be three years removed from high school provides scouts with ample opportunity to evaluate their ability in college. Furthermore, NFL organizations employ many specialized coaches, who represent valuable assets for developing young talent.

The NBA's developmental league is a valuable resource for young players to gain experience against top competition. However, the nature of basketball is such that rookies are often expected to contribute significantly right away, and failure to meet high expectation can hamper a young player’s development. The MLB’s minor league system allows young players to hone their skills against lesser competition. However, baseball’s scouting system is steeped in outdated traditions, and it’s flaws were detailed in Michael Lewis’s Moneyball.

AFC’s Sixth Seed: The Situation for Each Contender

Since 2006, more sixth seeded teams have won the Super Bowl than first seeded teams. Before analyzing each team vying for AFC’s final playoff spot, let’s first address why we should care to. While the fact above shows us not to count any team out, it’s still a valid concern. Why should we expect a team that can’t even attain a winning record in the regular season to compete against powerhouses such as the Broncos and Patriots in the postseason?



I’m here to argue that we should pay close attention to who grabs the last spot in the AFC, for while some teams may not have what it takes to beat a top-tier team, others are capable of a shocking run. The Broncos-Patriots thriller on Sunday night made this situation immensely more interesting. With the Patriots’ win, it seems highly probable that they’ll hold the 2nd seed at the end of the season. This is crucial because whoever does land the last spot will play the 3rd seed in the first round of the playoffs.

If it were the Patriots, I would be hesitant to write this article, but with it now being either the Reggie Wayne-less Colts or the inconsistent Bengals, it would make for a close match-up. With the Broncos’ loss, it seems that the winner of the AFC West and the possessor of the 1st seed will come down to this week’s match-up between Denver and Kansas City in KC.

A win for the Chiefs means they’d be slated as the second-round match-up for the sixth seed--not an easy match-up, of course, but it could be a lot more difficult. All in all, there’s a solid chance the team that can stand out from the pack and squeeze into the playoffs would have a prime opportunity to take advantage of a weak overall year for the AFC.

Let’s see what team that could be.

Baltimore Ravens (6-6)

Overview: Their match-up against the Steelers on Thanksgiving night was a do-or-die. The win essentially knocked the Steelers out of the race and put themselves on top of it. The Ravens are incredibly inconsistent, but have the potential and experience to make a run if they get in. While they currently are holding the sixth seed, the road ahead to maintain it is rough. They have to go to Detroit (6-5) and Cincinnati (7-4), as well as host New England (8-3).

How They Can Get it: Winning this Thursday night was a huge first step. While Baltimore is a shell of what they once were, they can gain momentum from this win and carry it on throughout the season. The key for them is to find the dominant defense they had in previous seasons and have shown sparks of this season.

What to Expect: This team is the one to watch. Not only did their Thanksgiving win assert themselves as the front-runner for the sixth seed, but with the experience that they have on both sides of the ball, this team is the greatest threat to whoever awaits them in the playoffs. Inconsistency explains why they are only 6-6, but also reveals that they have the potential to be great at times. If they find it at the right time, anything can happen.

Tennessee Titans (5-6)

Overview: The Titans technically held the sixth seed before the Ravens win and can get it back with a win this week, but the road ahead towards keeping that spot is far from easy. Their next three games come in Indianapolis (7-4), in Denver (9-2), and home against the Cardinals (7-4). They get to close out against the Jaguars and Texans, but the challenge here is staying relevant up to that point.

How They Can Get It: They barely fell short of the Colts a few weeks ago. If they can find a way to keep Chris Johnson going through four quarters--he scored two early TD’s that game, but did little after--they stand a good chance of leaving Indy with a win. The Cardinals are on a run but are beatable, and the Jaguars and Texans are as easy as opponents get. If they can win four of the games mentioned--assuming a loss against Denver--the sixth seed is theirs. If they win 3, they need a lot of things to go their way.

What to Expect: They definitely have a shot to secure the spot, but this isn’t the team to pull a playoff run out of the bunch. They don’t have enough talent on either side of the ball, and Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t out-firing any of the other 5 QB’s in the playoffs. It’s a one-and-done if they find a way to get in.

New York Jets (5-6) and Miami Dolphins (5-6)

Overview: I’ll put two division teams together here, for good reason. The Jets and Dolphins still have two games to go against each other. By losing last week, both of these teams put themselves in a position where they essentially have to sweep the other to make a run for the final spot. The Jets have no excuses, with the Raiders, Panthers, and Browns left--games they should be able to win at least two of. The Dolphins still have to go to Pittsburgh and host New England, so perhaps even sweeping the Jets won’t be enough.

How They Can Get it: Outside of sweeping the series, the Jets are going to have to put more trust in Geno Smith. They barely let him throw against the Ravens because of high winds, resulting in 3 total points for the team. The Jets aren’t winning any games with 127 passing yards from Geno, and aren’t making any run in the playoffs that way either. The Dolphins are in a tough position, but don’t actually have to change too much. They’ve been playing well as of late, and as long as they can keep Mike Wallace finding success deep, they may be able to pull off a run.

What to Expect: The Jets are the better option here for two reasons, neither of them being that they’re the better team. First, their schedule is easier. Second, they for some reason lose to average and bad teams but find a way to beat elite teams like the Saints and Patriots as well. Luckily for them, no bad teams are still playing in the playoffs, so if they can make it, just as we’ve seen in years past with Rex Ryan’s squad, the Jets might be the team that can make a run in the playoffs--crazy, right?

San Diego Chargers (5-6)

Overview: Following a remarkable win against the Chiefs, the Chargers would seem to be the team to beat out for the sixth spot. With the Bengals, Broncos, and Chiefs still waiting for them on their schedule, however, it doesn’t seem as if that’s the case. I would argue that this is the best team out of all on this list, but as a matter of circumstance, this one seems to be the least likely to squeeze in.

How They Can Get It: Become the old Chargers again. We saw it last week, and we need to keep seeing it if SD is serious about the playoffs. Philip Rivers is dissecting defenses like he used to, and Keenan Allen is serving as their first top-tier WR since Vincent Jackson left for Tampa Bay. Their running backs are contributing for the first time since LT was a Charger, making San Diegans start to believe in the Bolts. If Philip keeps firing, they just might pull it off.

What to Expect: A really solid 2014 season. I just don’t see them beating the Broncos, meaning they’d have to win all their other games. The Bengals will be fighting to protect their division lead, the Chiefs may be in a spot in Week 17 where they need to win for a playoff bye, the Giants will be desperate for a win to stay in their own playoff race, and even the Raiders have a chance to play spoilers in a division game. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it’s not likely. If I’m wrong, however, they might as well keep it going through the Super Bowl, for they have the talent and would have the momentum.

To conclude, keep an eye on this race. Some of these teams are legitimate threats to top teams, and certainly to the middle-tier teams awaiting them in the first round. It’s been done before, and as any NFL fan has learned, the fact that these teams have been labeled as dead is precisely the reason we could expect them to come alive.

Is the NFL Sacrificing the Game to Protect the Quarterback?

The 49ers may still be in the playoff hunt at 7 – 4, but for all intents and purposes, they should be 8 – 3. I think we all know what I’m referring to: the fumble-forcing sack 49ers’ linebacker Ahmad Brooks put on New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees two weeks ago.

While I am the first to dismiss people that claim that one single play altered the outcome of a game, that is most likely what happened in this case. With 3:14 left in the 4th quarter, the 49ers were leading by a field goal and the Saints were at 3rd and 2, trying to stay alive. Brooks, came at Brees from the blind side and hit him square in the shoulders, causing a fumble that the 49ers recovered. But instead of their offense taking possession and potentially running out the clock, the 49ers defense remained on the field with the Saints benefitting immensely from a penalty that gave them both the ball and 15-yards.

Questionable calls like these not only drastically affect the outcome of individual games, but are changing the game of football as we know it. Twenty years ago, the National Football League was a name synonymous with hard-hitting, grind-it out, “sloberknocker” football.

But even though that is what football used to be about, it most definitely isn’t anymore. The NFL has begun this steady decline that is ultimately going to change the game that we know and love into rugby with a forward pass!

This change has grown out of the NFL’s attempt to limit lawsuits by players who have developed Chronic Traumatic Encephalothapy (CTE), a complex syndrome that produces severe psychological problems in some cases. That’s not to say that attempting to eliminate high-energy blows to the players’ heads isnt a sufficient reason for changing the game.

Undoubtedly there is some correlation between hits to the head and CTE, despite the improved safety of today’s equipment. But in an effort to make the game safer, the league’s businesspeople must walk a tightrope, balancing the popularity of the game’s violence while inserting changes meant to avoid catastrophic injuries. To many fans, these changes are irreparably harming the game.

Take that hit Ahmad Brooks put on Drew Brees two weeks ago. Two years ago that play would have made the highlight reel. Today, that play is a severe penalty. This, in my humble opinion, is ludicrous and I wasn’t the only one who thought so. Just ask Ray Lewis how he felt about it. He thought it was so ridiculous that he offered to pay half of the fine the NFL is requiring Brooks to pay.

Lewis wasn’t the only one that objected to the call. The reason that so many current and retired players disagreed with the call is because penalties like this aren’t called to prevent concussions, but only because they look bad.

The ostensible purpose of these penalties is to protect against hits to the neck and head. In this case, as Lewis pointed out, the penalty wasn’t protecting Brees’ head, but from a cut lip. Last time I checked football was still a contact sport, and cut lips should be the least of a quarterback’s worries.

Ahmad Brooks did exactly what he has been instructed to do, which is hit hard and square on the shoulders, avoiding any possibility of a helmet to helmet penalty. In the case of this play, because Brees is 6’0” instead of 6’2” or 6’3” like many other NFL quarterbacks, when Brooks made contact and Brees slid down, it looked like a clothesline tackle, when it really wasn’t.

Unfortunately for Brooks, the NFL doesn’t care what about intentions because if the hit starts below the head and neck, but the player slides down, it is still a penalty. Similarly, it is a helmet-to-helmet penalty against the defense even if it is the offense player that lowers his head and initiates the contact. I don’t know about the rest of you, but that is just plain ridiculous to me.

I think it is important to note that not much of what actually happens during a down of football is planned. Everything during a play happens so quickly that most of the contact that takes place is beyond anybody’s control. Because of this, I don’t think the rules that are used to protect defenseless receivers should be applied to quarterbacks in the pocket, unless it is abundantly clear that it was an intentional hit to his head.

It may just be one person’s opinion, but I think the NFL needs to take a serious look at how its rules are negatively affecting the game. I am sure there is a way to protect quarterbacks and other offensive players without making it impossible for the defense to do its job.

The NFL needs to remember that football is a contact sport. In the words of the legendary John Madden: “Basketball is a contact sport, but football is a collision sport,” and hard hits are one of the most popular parts of the game. If the current NFL quarterbacks are too soft to take a hit like the one Brooks put on Brees, perhaps they should find another line of work.

Ed Reed to the Jets: An Analysis

Coming into the season, the Jets were a punchline. With the lack of production on the field in recent seasons, many began to wonder whether or not the Jets’ personnel decisions were made for the sole purpose of selling jerseys and tickets. That’s not the case anymore, as with the early success the Jets have had this season--a 5-4 record with quality wins against the Saints and Patriots--it seems illogical to doubt New York’s management.

And perhaps their best move wasn’t made until this week. 9-time Pro Bowler Ed Reed just joined the team, and the Jets are now poised and ready to make a run at a playoff spot--and, I will argue, perhaps even for the AFC title. This move is brilliant, and makes just too much sense.

Ed Reed is now reunited with his Defensive Coordinator from his rookie year in 2002 until Rex joined the Jets in 2009. He knows the system, and can literally take the field tomorrow to contribute to New York’s already strong defensive unit. It was the right move for Ed, but let’s explore why it was the right move for the Jets.

New York has made playoff runs already under Rex Ryan, but even I--as an avid Jets fan--didn’t think it was possible this year. On the 2009 and 2010 rosters, the Jets had veterans and leaders, especially on defense. If the young guys weren’t playing up to par, Bart Scott would let them hear it. If someone made a bad play and were hanging their head, Kris Jenkins would remind them there’s a whole game ahead. If it was a big moment in the game and the team needed someone to step up, Ladainian Tomlinson would make a big play. This year, the Jets don’t have that veteran.

Well, they didn’t.

They have young studs making big plays, but had no one to step up and be the leader that all Super Bowl contending teams have and need. Ed Reed is one of the most knowledgeable defensive players in the NFL, and his addition to the squad makes the Jets contention as an AFC powerhouse legitimate. So there you have it, the Jets have their leader.

Oh, and did I mention he’s a pretty good safety too? The secondary and pass defense of the Jets (ranked 22nd in the NFL) has been the weak link of the squad, and now they have a guy with 61 career interceptions under his belt. Dawan Landry and Antonio Allen are the current safeties for the Jets. They have made big plays, but also have blown coverages.

Ed Reed can help improve the Jets’ secondary, and mentor the young guys that look to be the Jets’ future at that position. He will be officially replacing Antonio Allen, partnering up with another former teammate from Baltimore in Landry as the starting safeties for Gang Green. There is so much to gain, and so little to lose. It’s a low-risk move for the Jets, who are paying him loose change compared to the $5 million he made for five games with the Texans.

As if the move doesn’t have enough intrigue, the Jets travel to Baltimore next weekend to play the Ravens--Reed and Ryan’s former team. There, we will see if Ed Reed still has “it”. If he doesn’t, this move still gives the Jets one heck of a leader, as you should now expect to see them playing in January.

Blogger Roundtable: Which League Will Grow the Most? (Part II)

h/t to Business Insider

This is Part II in a two-part Blogger Roundtable.  To read what the SBS E-board had to say about sports revenues, see Part I.

The four major U.S. sports leagues in the United States generate massive amounts of revenue.  Although there is great disparity between the leagues, each has considerable potential for growth.  So here's the question we asked our featured bloggers::

Which of the four traditional major professional sports leagues (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL) will experience the highest percentage growth in revenue over the next 20 years?


Matthew Hakimian (Featured Blogger)- NBA

Of the four traditional professional team sports leagues, the National Basketball Association will experience the most growth over the next 20 years. With Adam Silver coming to the helm as the league's new commissioner in February 2014, he will have the opportunity to further build off the tremendous job David Stern has done in expanding the global markets and international segments of the game. Over the next 20 years there's a chance that a team, or even an entire division potentially, will be featured in Europe. With the league's popularity at an all time high, it would not be shocking to see a 100 percent increase in revenue in 20 years from now as the revenue currently stands at slightly $5 billion.

Thomas Kroner (Featured Blogger)- NBA

Over the next 20 years the NBA will experience the most growth of the four major leagues in North American Sports. That is not to say that it will ever surpass the NFL’s popularity. The NFL just can’t get that much more popular than it already is. Last season’s NBA Finals drew some of the highest ratings in years. With young stars like Kyrie Irving, KD and D-Rose entering their prime, look for the NBA to increase its popularity and close the game between itself and MLB.

Joshua Goldstein (Featured Blogger)- NFL

Due to the high potential for both domestic and overseas expansion, I believe that the NFL will experience the most growth over the next 20 years. Commissioner Goodell has made it a goal to bring teams to both Los Angeles and London, which would result in two new, large market revenue generators for the league. The NFL’s expansion into Europe would spark excitement for American football among English youth, as well as a potentially greater interest from other European metropolises. The NFL’s long-term growth plans are promising!

John Zakour (Featured Blogger) -NBA/MLB

I believe the growth of the four major sports leagues will be tied to embracing the internet and globalization. The NFL is incredibly popular, but I don't think it's global. The NBA is both. I always thought MLB was in a bad position with their supposedly old and bleak demographics, but after hearing Pre-Play founder Andrew Daines talk about the strong online infrastructure they have I believe they're in better position than most think.

So I'd say NBA and MLB will be trending up the most in 20 years time, while the NFL will still be going strong in the US. And the NHL, is well, the NHL. I don't think the NHL will grow much outside of North America, and labor turmoil continues to hurt them.

This is Part II in a two-part Blogger Roundtable.  To read what the SBS E-board had to say about sports revenues, see Part I.

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