Breaking It Down : Andrew Luck vs Robert Griffen III

BY: ZAC CORDOVA

Controversy at the top?

With RobertGriffin III’s pro day finished and the pro day of Andrew Luck looming, it has been safe to say that Indianapolis will take Luck and Washington take Griffin right? Well wait a second. Merrill Hoge declared on ESPN recently that he would take RG3 in “Half a heartbeat” over Andrew Luck because he believes Griffin has better accuracy and touch on his passes. Based on a “check chart” Griffin bested Luck in short and deep accuracy, touch, and tied in athleticism, while Luck only bested Griffin in decision making. The meteoric rise of Griffin has started to cast doubt that the Colts will draft Luck, and instead will go for the man with the invisible ceiling in Griffin. This caused me, a Redskins fan, to consider my own check chart. I based this check chart on the countless interviews, games, situations, and combine material I gathered on both players.

Athleticism- RG3. He is just more athletic across the board. Not to take anything away from the surprisingly athletic Luck, but Griffin is a borderline Olympic athlete.

Short throws- Luck. I don’t know where Merrill Hoge gathered RG3 is better than Luck at short throws, but Luck ran almost a west coast offense at Stanford, which is based off of slants and rollouts.

Deep throws- RG3. This is his moneymaker. He has very good touch on his deep throws, and more importantly, tends to lead his receivers toward the sideline shoulder. Not exactly pro style, but effective nonetheless.

Mechanics- Luck. RG3 tends to short arm the ball at times, a la Philip Rivers. Granted Rivers is a successful NFL QB, but Lucks mechanics are a thing of beauty.

Final verdict- Luck. He is NFL ready, and will be more effective his first couple of years. RG3 has a higher ceiling because of his athleticism, but he is also a bigger injury risk because he leaves the pocket more. Luck is the better QB in my opinion, but this will be a rapidly escalating topic in the month leading up to the draft. 

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Reality Is The Panthers Are Going To Make The Playoffs

Last nights win against the Flyers was a good showing by our Florida Panthers, I believe this team has what it takes to go all the way as long as we do not get comfortable with where we are, we need to keep the killer instinct and not get caught up in trying to just finish games with a 1 goal lead or with a tie. I was at the edge of my seat for nearly two periods watching the Panthers play safely and hoping that the Flyers would not get a good bounce that would change the game in a heartbeat. In all the team was able to hold off the Flyers and come out with 2 points increasing their lead to 5 points over Washington and 7 over the Winnipeg Jets.



The team now has 85 points on the season with a chance to get a total of 105.With the win against the Philadelphia Flyers it is becoming more reality that the Florida Panthers are going to make the playoffs this year for the first time since 1999-2000 season. According tosportsclubstats.com the team now has a 99.3% chance in making the playoffs in 2012. Those are pretty good numbers considering the Panthers being one of NHL's least successful teams in history with win percentage and only making the playoffs 3 times in their in 18 seasons. 

If the playoffs started today the Panthers #3 seed would be playing the New Jersey Devils #6 seed. Throughout this year the Panthers have split the series against the Devils going 2-2 with a 4-3 win 2-3 loss 2-5 loss and a 3-1 win. All have been close games except for the 5-2 loss and would make for a great first round playoff series. I believe if the Panthers could stay healthy for the playoffs we can definitely walk away from the first round with a victory.

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Thoughts on Bo-sketball – and what should come next for Wisconsin

Fundamental Mediocrity 

The life of a college basketball coach is a stressful one – the recruiting game sounds like a Sisyphean task – but at least they can scope out the kids they want and develop the ones they get. Bo Ryan has set up such a system in Madison, Wisconsin, where he wants defenders, good passers and players who will never take bad shots. Refusal to comply with Bo-sketball means you’re either out of a scholarship or done at Wisconsin. His teams have a certain, defined style which never fails to manifest itself season after season – and since Bo Ryan has taken over, the Badgers have been one of the most consistent programs in the country. 

The lack of results calls his strategy into question, however. Yesterday’s loss leaves Ryan with just one Elite 8 appearance in his eleven seasons on the Badgers’ bench. This is the second straight year he’s been bounced in the Sweet 16 and the fourth time overall – he’s been ousted in the Second Round five times and failed to win a tournament game in 2005. For all his consistency and the ‘solid fundamentals’ of his teams, they sure don’t seem built to win in March, a trend that needs to be identified as a troubling one. 

Is it alright for fans to ask for more? What Badger fans have in Bo is a man who will run a clean program, and one who will be a consistent presence in the postseason. Should that be enough? Or is it time to start wondering if we’d really rather have Bo-sketball than a snake-oil salesman such as John Calipari? The wins might not count in the record books once Calipari leaves a school – but at least its fans were near the pinnacle of the sport for a season. 

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Just what is Bo-sketball?

Bo Ryan’s style of play is predicated upon three things – 1) slow down the game by eating up the shot clock, accomplished by moving the ball and only settling for what most teams would consider to be wide open looks, 2) have an experienced point guard who turns the ball over very little and 3) play outstanding defense.

But for the success his system has brought, record-wise, the NBA doesn’t seem to care. While it’s true that grooming players for the next level isn’t a college coach’s job, all the other big time programs seem to do so. The following chart demonstrates the lack of NBA draftees that have come through Wisconsin’s program:

Name	Number of NBA Draftees, 2001-present
Bo Ryan: Wis	3
Jim Calhoun: UConn	11
Jim Boeheim: Syracuse	9
Roy Williams: KS, NC	12
Tom Izzo: Michigan St	5
Mike Krzyzewski: Duke	14
Bill Self: Illionois, Kansas	15
John Calipari: Memphis, KY	15
Billy Donovan: Florida	10

It’s true that traditional powerhouse programs with big time coaches have an upper hand in recruiting amongst the top high school players in the country. Ultimately, it is about bringing talent into your program, because talent wins games. Despite the notion that college basketball is a coach’s sport, the teams that win titles have NBA talent playing for them when they cut down the nets. Even the coach closest to Ryan in the chart – Tom Izzo – had four future NBA players on his 1999-2000 National Championship team.

It’s not just the lack of talent that’s alarming – it’s the fact that Bo-sketball doesn’t translate into victories when it counts.

Bo Ryan wants slow, low-scoring games, with intense possessions, excellent defense, and superior ball-handling from his point guards. So just how important are those same qualities to the teams who have won championships? Below is a chart of the pertinent categories to what I am talking about – points per game (PPG), opponents’ points per game (OPP PPG), and turnovers (TOV), all measured by the team’s NCAA rank in the given category over the past 11 seasons:

YEARS	TEAM	PPG	OPP PPG	TOV
2001-11	Wisconsin	194th	20th	33rd
2001-11	Champions (combined)	18th	111th	279th

What we see is a lesson in opposites. What the champions do well is score; what they don’t necessarily excel at is defending and taking care of the basketball. Wisconsin doesn’t score, but defends well and takes excellent care of the basketball. It seems as though the Badgers are focusing on all the wrong things –what they need are more scorers, and more elite talents that currently bypass Wisconsin for the glamour and fast-paced style the elite programs favor.

Basketball is a game where talent wins above all else. The tournament structure makes us forget that sometimes, because in a one-and-done setting Cinderella stories can be written. But when it comes down to the Final Four, the team with the most talent usually wins. Those are the ones with future NBA players on them – players who can put the ball in the basket when their team needs them to. Wisconsin hasn’t been recruiting those players, and unless Bo Ryan drastically changes his M.O., I don’t believe they’ll begin to.

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BreakTheHuddle is a contributor to The Daily Shootout. Check out his blog atbreakthehuddle.wordpress.com, follow him on Twitter @BreakTheHuddle or e-mail at BreakTheHuddle@gmail.com.

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And The Results Are In: Saints Bounty Program

BY: CHAD SMITH

Roger Goodell drops the sledge hammer… again.

The NFL was at it again today handing out devastating punishments. Earlier this month it started with the stripping of $46 million in cap space combined between the Cowboys and Redskins. This time it was the saints turn for bountygate. The punishment for the Saints was stiff and no player punishments have been handed out yet. I have mixed emotions about this, but before I get in to my thoughts I’ll highlight the punishment:

-        Sean Payton (Saints) suspended for a full year, effective April 1

-        G.M. Mickey Loomis (Saints) suspended eight games

-        Joe Vitt assistant head coach/linebackers coach (Saints) has been suspended six game

-        Gregg Williams (Rams) suspended indefinitely; his status will be reviewed after the 2012 season

-        Saints forfeiture of 2^nd round pick in 2012 and 2^nd round pick in 2013 drafts

-        $500,000 fine to the Saint organization. 

Starting April 1^st Sean Payton cannot be around the Saints organization. This means he cannot be in on free agent signings, in the war room for the draft, and more importantly to evaluate talent during training camp. I’m sure he will still be hands on in these areas from an offsite location, however watching hours of film is different than watching it live. This is going to be difficult for the Saints to overcome as Sean Peyton is one of the best coaches in the NFL right now.

General Manager Mickey Loomis will be gone for half season. I’m not sure how big of a deal this actually is. During the season G.M.’s would presumably do less then this time of year and through training camp when a lot of team building and talent evaluation take place. During the season if a player is hurt or a trade needs to be made Loomis will be missed. Where he will still be around for the draft and training camp is punishment isn’t as bad as the one Payton received.

Joe Vitt is a big loss for the saints as he was presumed to be the one to step into Sean Payton place as interim head coach if Payton was to receive a punishment including suspension. While he will miss the first six games this will force the Saints do replace Peyton with either Steve Spagnuolo or Pete Carmichael to act as interim head coach. Spagnuolo did not fair to well in his first experience as a head coach with the Rams and just recently stepped into his new role with the Saints as a Defensive Coordinator, so I would be surprised if it was him. I would look for the Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael to get the nod as last year when Payton was injuried Carmichael stepped in and proved to be a suitable replacement.

Greg Williams suspension from the league is to put the rest of the league on notice that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. By the league saying he will be reviewed at the end of next season does not give Williams a chance to appeal like Peyton, Loomis, and Vitt will most likely attempt to do. Williams will certainly be out of professional football for this season and possibly beyond.

The Saints being stripped of two second round draft picks is not heavy enough. While the punishment as a whole was dropped with an iron fist I think the league went light here. The NFL set precedence in 2007 with the punishment of the Patriots in Spygate by stripping the organization of a first round draft pick. The Saint first round this pick this year belongs to the ironically belongs to the Patriots, so it was impossible for the NFL to take that pick so they took two seconds instead. I think the league should have taken the Saints first round picks in the 2013 and 2014 drafts because you get on average much more from a first round pick then two seconds. The $500,000 I find to be irrelevant because $500,000 to an NFL franchise worth over a billion dollars means nothing.

I the end I think all people involved expect for Greg Williams will appeal the NFL rulings and eventually have their sentences cut in half or have some kind of revisions to the sentence put in place. I think the NFL has crushed future talk of any bounty programs with this punishment.  I’m sure any teams that may currently have a program that may be seen as a bounty program will be ending it in the near future. Overall I think the league did what they needed to do to show that player safety is of the upmost importance to the league. The interesting part is the punishment for this debacle isn’t over yet… Players you’re up next.

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Why Indiana vs. Kentucky Means Everything

BY: CHUCK HILSTON

As you drive along Interstate 64 through America’s “heartland”, you may encounter several recurring things. This might include corn stalks, barrels of hay, and barns, mixed in between the occasional scattering of Pilot and Flying J truck stops. Never mind the fact that there are many famous people from these parts, including Don Mattingly, Muhammad Ali, Abraham Lincoln, and of course Colonel Sanders himself. You wouldn’t really believe that anything special could happen here, with very cold winters and lack of a strong tourist market would you? 

Well, if you thought that way, you’d be wrong. A quote that is popular among natives of these two states is “In 49 states it’s just basketball, but this is Indiana/Kentucky. Both lay claim to the fact that they are the basketball state, and both have outstanding cases.

If you grew up around Lexington, you may actually think that one of the founding fathers of our country was Adolph Rupp. Of course the stadium bears his namesake, and for good reason too. They have been one of the standard bearers for success throughout the history of college basketball, being the winningest program in history as well as boasting 7 national championships, 43 appearances in the sweet sixteen, and also not surprisingly, they are considered by many to have the largest and most arrogant fan base in the country as well as being the most hated team, something I’m sure they take with great honor.

The Indiana Hoosiers aren’t exactly slouches in this department either. They boast five national championships, and have been known for years for their physical defensive style, Bob Knight’s outbursts, and the pipeline they have found for talent from high schools around the state. This is really where Indiana has come to be truly legendary, with the 1986 classic Hoosiers chronicling the degree to which basketball is almost a religion, and it still gives many including myself goosebumps as an undersized small town team makes their way to the state championship game and pulls off one of the most legendary upsets of all time.

Now, despite all this shared basketball fever between the two, these programs come in from very opposite angles. Kentucky this year has a look about them and a swagger that hasn’t been seen since the Fab Five. They have six players that are projected to be drafted should they choose to turn pro at the conclusion of the season, headlined by Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who have a chance to go 1-2 in the draft. Indiana, on the other hand only has one top prospect in PF Cody Zeller. Therefore the logical conclusion for this game would be Kentucky wipes the floor right? Only that’s what everyone was thinking earlier this year, but with zone defense, the Wildcats getting in foul trouble, and a raucous crowd, this happened instead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Azk3LZad0KE&feature=related

Kentucky certainly has to have revenge on their minds, as that spoiled the very real possibility of a perfect season for a team of that caliber. However, they aren’t the only ones that are going to be motivated to prove themselves. The Wildcats didn’t do themselves any favors after the fact, with members of their team, coach John Calipari included calling it a lucky shot/fluke. While that may have been true, you can bet that quote will be engrained into the Hoosiers players heads just as much as the shot has been for the Wildcats. This is unscripted drama playing out at its finest: Is the shocker in December legitimate or a fluke? I feel that the Wildcats definitely have superior talent around the floor, and a repeat of December is unlikely, however I’m reminded of an interesting quote from an Indiana player a decade earlier before a similar situation. The Hoosiers were coming into a Sweet 16 matchup against a Duke team widely regarded as unbeatable, and many (or at least I) consider them to be arguably the best team of the past decade.

“It's not like they're the University of Jesus Christ and we're playing the Twelve Disciples. It's just Duke. Duke is just a name on a jersey.” This was stated by AJ Moye, one of the players on that Indiana team, and what happened? They pulled off the upset and made it to the National Title game. I realize this is a different situation, with two different teams, and Kentucky will likely still win, but it will be an absolute war. Who would expect anything less from two teams that are located along the piece of country surrounding Interstate 64?


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Why College Basketball Tops the NBA

By: Chuck Hilston

Folks, I don’t know any other way to say it: this really IS the best time of the year!!! The level of passion that is displayed over the next several weeks generates both excitement and heartbreak; it inspires us to dream and believe in the impossible and, more than anything, it shows the awesome uniting power that sports can have within a community. Now I’m sure many out there wonder why so many people even waste their time with all that filling out brackets and watching the Dick Vitale/Gus Johnson comparison nonsense. There are far better players to be watched during a much longer season in the NBA! Well, that is definitely true--but for me, there is no comparison which elicits more entertainment value. To those out there who are wondering why, I could go on for days on end with multiple reasons. However, in an effort to be succinct, I’ve shortened it down to a few of the biggest.

The Playoff System!!! A 68 team bracket is NOT too many people, at least not in the way it is structured. We’re able to eliminate it down to one winner in three weeks with 67 heart-pounding, win-or- go- home games. However, it’s not just that which brings about such excitement. College basketball is a perfect example of capitalism working to perfection. Sure, you have the big corporations of the world (think General Mills, Coca Cola, Disney=Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky), but even they start out in the same position. With inept leadership from the top they can fall down, or with hard work from the upstart underdogs that many of us love so much (Gonzaga, Butler, Baylor), something as simple as a ball and a hoop can change the culture or morale of a school, a city, a region. Keep in mind also that you are playing one nail-biting, forty-minute game and ANYTHING can happen. In the NBA, with a best of 7 playoff series all the way through, unless you are one of the top 3 or 4 teams in the league, it’s almost a punishment to make the playoffs. You know that you can’t really win, yet you’re getting a worse draft pick and the good players you do have will have a shorter off-season and be more likely to leave due to free agency, which brings me to my next point …..

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Canada: The True North Strong and Free

BY: ANASTASIA

l want to start off by letting people know about my home country, Canada. I know what you’re thinking, what does Canada have to do with sports?

Well, we did invent the sport of curling, but I can honestly say that I’ve never watched a curling game in my entire life, so I most definitely won’t be talking about that. But we do have a pretty good track record when it comes to the sport of hockey. Not taking too much credit here, but most Canadians (and a few other nationalities) will tell you that we have perfected the sport of hockey. It’s even on our money- no joke!





See?


Pretty cool, eh?


Also, we Canadians don’t say “eh” every two seconds. Sorry to disappoint. And we don’t live in igloos either…


In Canada, you will find hockey rinks basically everywhere there is an empty field. Having skated for the first time in my life two weeks ago, even though I’m an avid hockey fan, it’s probably one of the best experiences you will ever have in your entire life. And it’s a lot easier than most people think.


Canada has 7 NHL teams; the seventh one being quite new. The Winnipeg Jets were moved to Winnipeg, Canada from the Atlanta Thrashers, previously located in Atlanta, Georgia. These 7 teams are (in no particular order) the Vancouver Canucks, the Calgary Flames, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Montreal Canadians, the Ottawa Senators, the Edmonton Oilers, and the Winnipeg Jets. Some argue that the city of Toronto should have a second team, since they have the population for it, but that’s another story.


Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories, which are kind of like the same thing as states. We don’t have a dollar bill, but our bills are all different colours, which makes distinguishing between each one very easy. We also spell “color” with a “u”- I don’t know why, we just do.


While I contribute to this site, I will be talking about hockey, especially on the Canadian hockey teams, all the way to the end of the season.

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How I Landed My Dream Sports Internship

BY: NEIL BRASLOW

Please visit SportsNetworker.com and read my article discussing my journey while attempting to work in the world of sports. Thank you!

http://www.sportsnetworker.com/2012/03/16/how-i-landed-my-dream-sports-internship/

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Tebow or Not To Tebow?

BY: CHRIS GAMBLE

The sports-world and Twitter exploded today when JayGlazer broke the news of Tim Tebow being traded to the Jets for a 4^th round pick.  The deal was later found out to be Tim Tebow and a 7^th rounder to the Jets for a 4^th and 6^th round pick in this April’s draft.  The New York Jets even announced the deal via Twitter.  Then, the Jets were told about Tim Tebow’s contract and the fact that they would have to pay $5 million to the Broncos as well.  Right now the deal is in limbo.

The fact that the Jets would even make this deal less than a month after giving Mark Sanchez a contract extension and after passing on Peyton Manning, in the words of Woody Johnson, and then going out and spending free agent dollars on quarterback Drew Stanton is beyond comprehension.  

The Jets are clearly in disarray.  Ownership, the front office, and the locker room are as divided right now as any team can be.  They seem to be a team without a set plan.

Enter Tim Tebow into the mix.  What exactly does he bring?  Adding him in any capacity means the Jets would have to change their offensive philosophy.  Or were they doing that already when Tony Sparano became offensive coordinator?  Either way, it seems like Mark Sanchez is going to have to adapt to a different style offense instead of adapting the offense to his strengths.  This is not the way you make a successful quarterback.  You don’t ask a guy to change his game.  It almost never works.  The best way to bring out the best in a quarterback is to adapt the system to him.  The Giants did that with Eli Manning.  The Patriots with Tom Brady.  The Broncos did it last season for Tim Tebow.  The list goes on and on.  You play to the starting quarterbacks strengths and form the offense around them and hope for the best.

Adding Tim Tebow to the mix will almost certainly mean some type of Wildcat plays similar to the ones Miami ran under Sparano.  This means you are taking the ball out of your franchise quarterback’s hands, especially in the red zone.  The only problem is, the Jets lack the personnel to run a Wildcat offense. 

Now, the trade is in limbo because the Jets GM failed to realize the language in Tebow’s contract, a further embarrassment for a team that has had nothing but embarrassment over the last year.  Joe Namath, known for his mouth on all things Jets went on the Michael Kay show on 1050 ESPN Radio and said, “I don’t think they know what they’re doing over there.”  He called the move a “publicity stunt.”  Well, it is.  There is no football logic behind this move.  Rich Cimini who covers the New York Jets for ESPNNewYork.com quoted a Jets player on Twitter who told him, “The wildcat? Nobody runs that anymore.  We’re taking three steps back, rest of league taking 4 steps forward.”  Clearly some Jets players are not enthusiastic about the moves the Jets are making this offseason.  More dissension in the locker room already filled with it.

It might be too late for the Jets to pull out of the deal since they announced it publicly.  It isn’t the Broncos fault that the Jets completely failed to read the contract of a player they were trading for.  It kind of makes one wonder how the Jets do things over there.  In a league where appearance is king this certainly sets a bad precedent on top of bad precedents. 

I fully expect Tim Tebow to become a Jet.  The NFL will probably enforce the Jets giving the Broncos the $5 million since the Jets announced the deal.  This is a publicity stunt that is completely backfiring on the Jets.  With holes all over their roster, especially at right tackle and the defensive line they have signed or extended three quarterbacks giving them 4 on the roster right now when you include Greg McElroy who probably can’t wait to start his new career in the media.

Right now Jets fan and the rest of the NFL have to be wondering what exactly is going on with the Jets right now?

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Eight Impact Rookies for 2012

By Chris Gamble

Some of their names are familiar to us already.  Jesus Montero took New York Yankees by storm last September.  Now, he finds himself in Seattle after being traded for Michael Pineda.  Matt Moore showed enough poise to start Game 1 of the ALDS for the Tampa Bay Rays.  There are seemingly a ton of future stars poised to make Major League rosters either out of Spring Training or as call-ups later on in the year.  Here is my list of impact rookies for 2012 and what to expect from them this year.

1.  Jesus Montero, C, Mariners.  Montero takes the top spot on this list because his offense is something Seattle needed badly last year.  He won’t be expected to immediately mash 40 homers but that day will come.  He is young, still only 22 years-old, and has proven he is capable of hitting.  His defense leaves a lot to be desired, however.  He is listed as a catcher but with his offensive abilities and defensive inefficiencies he should become the Mariners DH with random appearances behind the plate.  Montero will mash, even at SAFECO Field, using his opposite field power to drive balls into the gap.  That power might not translate into home runs right away but it will soon.  Because of his ability to play every day and his potential impact in a very blah lineup I have him listed at the top spot.

2.  Matt Moore, SP, Rays.  Matt Moore might just be one of the best pitchers most of us have never heard of.  He got the nod to start Game 1 of the ALDS for the Rays last season based on his ability and other pitchers rest.  The only reason he isn’t in my top spot is because the Rays won’t throw him to the wolves.  They will let him pitch but will monitor his pitch counts and innings closely.  The Rays have a future ace in Matt Moore and they know it.  He has been lights out at every stop in his minor league tours and now he should continue that in the Majors.  He could very well win the AL Rookie of the Year Award, a precursor to the Cy Young that I see sometime in his future.  Yes he is that good.

3.  Jarrod Parker, SP, Athletics.  Parker will pitch in a very forgiving ballpark and has good enough stuff to get Major League hitters out.  The defense behind him will also aid him.  He has a very nice fastball and generates a lot of swings and misses and his mistakes will partly be masked by the fact that The Coliseum is a notorious pitcher’s park.  Parker should be able to give the A’s quality innings as he continues to develop.  I can see him evolving into an ace, especially if he pitches a few years out there in Oakland.  As for right now, he can pitch well enough to be considered for AL Rookie of the Year.

4.  Devin Mesoraco, C, Reds.  He will be the Reds starting catcher going into this season and should hit well enough while playing above average defense to make Reds fans dream about a big future.  His offensive skill set isn’t as high as Montero’s but few young catchers come into the league with that kind of power and ability.  He will eventually hit for 20+ homers although I think it will take some time for that power to develop at the Major League level.  He is not far off from being an All-Star at catcher and should win the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

5.  Addison Reed, RP, White Sox.  Reed will most likely end the year as the White Sox closer.  He has electric stuff and should provide plenty of impact in a bullpen that badly needs it.  His fastball runs north of 95 MPH and can touch 99 at times.  His slider is devastating, especially on right-handed hitters.  He is much better suited to the bullpen than the starting rotation and the White Sox should keep him there.  He could have the kind of impact that Craig Kimbrel had for the Braves last season.

6.  Mike Trout, OF, Angels.  If he had a guaranteed spot in the outfield in Anaheim he would be near the top of this list.  Trout does everything  well.  Defense, hit for average, hit for power, and steal bases.  The only problem is there are a few guys in front of him making boatloads of money and the Angels might have to ease him into the lineup.  I am a little astounded that the Angels think guys like Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter, and Vernon Wells are better than him because right now they aren’t.  Trout should start and the Angels might be forced into doing just that.  There is not a single outfielder on this roster that is better all around than Mike Trout.  If the Angels wake up and send one of the aging veterans to the bench then Trout might just be the most impactful rookie of them all.

7.  Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals.  It has already been determined that Harper will start the season at AAA.  That is a good thing for Harper.  He has shown some insane skills in the minors but he still needs a little time to develop his pitch recognition, especially from left-handers.  That will come and when it does let the show begin.  He will be dominant in D.C.  If he gets off to a hot start and shows he has improved from his Spring Training struggles I don’t see anything blocking the Nationals from calling him up.  Nats Manager Davey Johnson is enamored with the kid and believes he will be a force in the near future.  I’m inclined to believe Davey.  I just hope he doesn’t get a stupid tag-line.  I don’t know if I can stomach “HarperMania” every night on ESPN.

8.  Jacob Turner, SP, Tigers.  He looks like he will be the Tigers fifth starter, a move I’m not in love with.  Turner has some plus stuff, namely his fastball and a 12-6 curveball.  The talent is there but I think he could have used another season in the minors before getting the nod.  Still, it’s a fifth starter slot on a team with loads of offense so his mistakes could be easily overcome.  However, he does pitch to contact, especially with his fastball that tends to stay up in the zone.  With Prince Fielder at first and Miguel Cabrera at third there might be some issues for Turner.  Plus, he won’t be 21 until May.  The Tigers have a tendency to rush their pitchers and I think they are rushing Turner.  Who knows, though.  The kid could put it together and thrive away from the attention in the fifth spot and compete for AL ROY.

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Tebow To The Jets: Here Come's the Circus!

BY: DAN PIZZUTA

It’s time to join the circus.

That’s what the New York Jets have become. Not to say the Jets haven’t always been a circus, but the big tent was just set up.

The Jets traded a fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos to bring in Tim Tebow. Why? I’ve yet to find someone who believes this makes any football sense for the Jets. From this move it is easy to see the Jets are not a football first franchise. The Jets are worried about publicity and marketing and ticket selling. The Jets can’t stand the Giants taking the back pages away from them and this trade is in direct response to that. 

The Jets had their chance to take New York at the end of last season. They played the Giants in Week 16 with a chance to not only to make the playoffs in AFC, but also kill the Giants’ playoff hopes and possibly the job of Tom Coughlin. The Jets couldn’t get it done and the Giants rode a hot streak all the way to the Lombardi Trophy. The Giants took New York by storm and the Jets were afterthoughts. The struggle for the headlines is a battle the Jets try so hard to win every year, which ultimately ends up backfiring.  Remember, the last time the Giants won a Super Bowl, the Jets responded by bringing in Brett Favre. I don’t think I have to ask you how that ended (though I don’t think we’re going to need to worry about anything inappropriate coming from Tebow’s cell phone).

The trade for Tebow is the same thing. It’s all about buzz. Twiiter came close to exploding when the news of the trade and the NFL’s punishment for the Saints bounty broke at the same time. That’s exactly what the Jets want. They want to be talked about. They need to be talked about. They don’t care what you’re saying about the Jets, but if you are talking about the Jets they feel they’ve won. That’s whay they don’t care when Rex Ryan runs his mouth in press conferences slamming other teams and guaranteeing Super Bowls. Any sound bite is a god sound bite, and Tebow is going to bring a lot of sound bites.

On the field, this is the worst possible move the Jets could have pulled. It’s one thing to go after Peyton Manning because, hey, he’s Peyton Manning. But there’s a big difference. The move to get Manning would have clearly put current quarterback Mark Sanchez as either the number two QB or sent him out of town. The addition of Tebow does none of that. Sanchez is still the starting quarterback as Tebow hangs in the background. This can’t help Sanchez’s already fragile state of mind from the Manning recruting. Can you imagine the Jets fans screaming Tebow’s name after Sanchez throws his first interception of the season? It’s going to happen. The six to ten snaps If Tebow performs well in the six to ten he will see during the game in a wildcat formation, it will only add fuel to the fire.

There’s only two ways this can work after this season: Tim Tebow will either be the starting quarterback of the New York Jets in 2013 or he’ll be in a different city (and so will rex Ryan). This circus can’t possibly last for more than one season. If the over under for games it takes for Jets management to regret this deal is eight games, I’m going under.

This Jets season is going to be a mess. In the words of Bart Scott, “Can’t Wait!

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Hines Ward: The Last of A Dying Breed

BY: JORDAN KAPLAN

Hines Ward retired Tuesday leaving behind a decorated career. Hines holds the records for receiving yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns by a player in a Steelers uniform. Think about that for a minute. Even though he was never considered one of the top tier receivers at any point in his 14-year career, he is the best statistical receiver in Pittsburgh Steelers history. Better statistically than Hall of Famers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. That has to be good for something.

But it won’t be the stats, or the championships, or the Superbowl MVP that he will be remembered for. Hines Ward will be remembered for his larger-than-life smile, defensive player worthy hits (Watch as he calls to the sideline for help) and playing the game the way it’s meant to be played.

He played all of his 14 seasons with one team. That’s something rarely done in today’s money driven NFL, where the contracts are big, and the egos even bigger. He played with the right attitude and was the epitome of a team player. He was just as happy to lay a backbreaking block as he was catching a 30-yard touchdown. Hines did it all with that contagious smile.

But that smile which was full of zest was misleading. Hines Ward was the ultimate competitor. Maybe more impressive than any fact you’ve read is that in his entire career he only missed 7 regular season games. SEVEN. In a game as brutal and unforgiving as the NFL, he could be counted on by his team to be there year in and year out.

He would sacrifice his body to catch a pass, run a perfect route to throw off a defensive back, and don’t forget about those blocks. I won’t let you forget. Not because they’re plays you never see from a receiver, but more because it really tells you something about him and the way he played.

There were certainly a handful of teams that could have used a receiver with his skills, experience, and heart. A player who could have mentored younger guys in need of the qualities a Hines Ward possesses. In the end he couldn’t see himself wearing another team’s jersey. It just didn’t feel right for him.

Hines truly is the last of a dying breed. In the NFL today there are far too many players out for stats or contracts, and far too few who only care about winning. Far too few who care about a “true” legacy. Far too few who care about doing it all with class and loyalty. Hines Ward embodies what a football player should be.

After 14 seasons Hines Ward retired today. Not because he had too many injuries, not because he was too old, and not because he didn’t have enough left to play. He left the game because he was loyal to one team, to one set of teammates, and nothing can ever take that away from him. Hines Ward takes with him a piece of a dying era and reminds of us of a time the game was played in a different way. Thanks for all the smiles Hines.

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Joe Paterno Football Stadium? I think not!

As college football season has ended, so did the Joe Paterno era. While Joe Paterno will go down as one of the best college football coaches to ever, his name will also be tarnished. When I think of greatness on the collegiate level, three names come to mind. There's John Wooden at UCLA, Coach K at Duke and Pat Summit at Tennessee. All three of these names do have one thing in common: they all have a court named after them.

You would think with 409 wins and 24 bowl victories, Joe Paterno would one day have Beaver Stadium in Happy Valley named after him. Unfortunate events prior to his death have not only tarnished his name across the nation, but the school as well. The thought of having Penn State's football stadium named after Joe Paterno will definitely cause a stir of mixed emotions for some.

While Joe Pa has done many wonderful things for many of his players, it's how he went out as a coach that really bothers me. Yes, he made Penn State the college they are today with thousands of donations to the school and his dedication to the football team. But most people will remember him for his involvement in the Jerry Sandusky child molestation cases. The fact that he knew about all those harassments taken place in his football facilities makes the world (including myself) sick to its stomach.

According to a recent poll by Quinnipiac University released yesterday, 46 percent of those being surveyed think they should rename Beaver Stadium while 40 percent opposed. Outside the Penn State College, do people really want to see Joe Paterno's name on that field? Do we really want to be reminded of this horrible embarrassment every time players take that field?

While I agree with the fact that Joe Pa is legendary, fans of the team just don't really think of what happened at those facilities. This isn't something people forget, let alone will have pass over. The stadium is currently named after former Pennslyvania governor James Beaver. Why not let it stay that way and people remember Joe Pa in their own way?

Please feel free to comment on this article as most people will probably disagree with me.

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What's Next For Tim Tebow?

BY: JEREMY WIEBE

                             

So Peyton Manning finally made the decision. (No he didn't go on ESPN and ask Jim Gray to join him at a high school gym to announce he was taking his talents to South Beach.) Instead Manning will take his talents and very wonky neck to the Rocky Mountains, to quarterback the Denver Broncos.

This made GM and former Bronco great JohnElway a very happy man but it did leave the Broncos current QB overshadowed by Manning's peak. Thus begs the question. What's next for Tim Tebow?

You remember Tim Tebow. Heisman winner. National Champion at Florida. Led the Broncos to an unlikely AFC West title. The Prodigal son. Skip Bayless's all time man crush. Etc. Still after all that, Elway didn't think Tebow was good enough. (Let's face facts here. Elway never wanted Tebow. Never liked Tebow. Never was going to like Tebow.) But surely, there must be teams in the NFL that would love to have the services of ESPN's favourite quarterback. Well I came up with 5 of them.

1. Dallas Cowboys.

It is a fact that Jerry Jones loves Tim Tebow. (Not as much as Jerry Jones loves Jerry Jones but I digress.) With the Cowboys not too happy with Tony Romo continually blowing games in the fourth quarter, it would make sense that they would go after Tebow, who is somewhat clutch in the fourth quarter. To top it off, Tebow would fit right in the Texas bible belt and would give the Cowboys even more national media attention. (Like they need any more national media attention.) If Tebow would go to America's Team, the Cowboys would become much more popular and much more hated at the same time. ESPN is drooling at the thought.

2. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins came away disgruntled bridesmaids in the courtship of Peyton Manning so why not go after Tebow. Remember Tebow is from Florida, played college ball at Gainesville and the Dolphins still need a quarterback. On top of that, Tebow sells tickets and the Dolphins attendance has sagged in recent years. So this could be an ideal fit for South Beach. Maybe Tebow could give advice to Lebron James on how to win games in the fourth quarter.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Another Florida based team in search of a quarterback. Tebow would be adored in Tampa and with his alma matter only 125 miles away, he could check out his beloved Gators every Saturday at the Swamp. Tampa Bay is a very young team so Tebow would probably have to change his style and become more vocal in the room but home cooking could be the calling card for Tim.

4. Arizona Cardinals

Another team that failed in the Manning sweepstakes, the Cardinals may take a close look at Tebow. Coach Ken Whisenhunt is an offensive guru who likes to teach young quarterbacks. Tebow would be a challenge but Whisenhunt is more than up to the challenge. It doesn't hurt that Larry Fitzgerald is one of the game's best receivers and he would take some pressure off Tebow. The Cardinals finished strong last season and many people think they were a quarterback away from challenging the 49ers in the NFC West. Could Tebow be that quarterback?

5. Tennessee Titans

The Titans came up short in the Manning derby, and could set their sights on Tebow. This one is a long shot though for a couple of reasons. Tebow isn't well liked in the state of Tennessee going back to his college days when Florida were running roughshod on Tennessee and Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoons. Secondly the Titans don't have the offensive depth that Tebow needs in order to be successful. That being said, owner Bud Adams is a little crazy so he might take a run at Tebow. The Titans did have a little success with Vince Young before he burned out so they might throw a Hail Mary, Tebow's way.

Agree or disagree? Let me know. You can follow me on Twitter @jstar1973

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The Bills Just Signed Mario Williams. Now What?

By: Mickey White

Mario Williams played in only five games last season. However, the Houston Texans and their 3-4 scheme wound up in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Granted, they won a division that was theirs by default by one game in a division. However, they made the playoffs and Mario was not a contributing factor.
Yesterday, he signed a deal that could potentially be worth $100 million with the Buffalo Bills. What confused me about this deal is that the Bills of all teams would be the team acquiring a big time player and shelling out big name player money to do so.

Williams figures to be the centerpiece in a defense that features a good mix of veterans and young guys who have been drafted recently. He's going to demand double teams and open things up for the other guys in the front seven. The Bills, who are committed to their hybrid defense, should see more success from WIlliams as a 4-3 defensive end than a 3-4 linebacker. However, Mario will still get his sacks.
As for the impact on the division race, all the move assures is that Miami will finish in last. Peyton Manning told the Dolphins no today and as a result, I feel that they will most likely acquire Matt Flynn. However if that is the only offensive piece they pick up this offseason, Miami will still be at a disadvantage compared to their division counterparts. Having Mario Williams chasing a rookie quarterback up and down the field twice a year is a something that 20 sack seasons are made out of.

I'm still giving the Bills zero chance at topping the Patriots in this division. This was a 6-10 team who was a few breaks away from having a winning record, but the Bills are a perpetually average team. It's going to take a lot more than Mario to help that. I think this season will be a move in the right direction. Hell, I can see this team finishing over the Jets if they get hot but they will still be average. That isn't enough to lock up Wild Card spots in the AFC.

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