Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Concussion Review

In sight of the one of the biggest problems with the NFL is concussions. Thanks to Dr. Bennet Omalu along with the help of others, this topic that the NFL tried to hide for so long finally came to light. The movie "Concussion" explains how CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) was discovered and brought to America's attention about it's effects to football players. Throughout the movie, Omalu endures many failures and successes when trying to reveal his work. Many denied his work in the beginning, but as time continues to move, events take place that force others to re-consider Omaul's work.  For anyone interested in football, this movie is a must see.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Sports Psyche: (Josh Norman got into OBJ's Head)

We see this in every sport from time to time. Whether it be basketball, baseball, golf, or football, trash talk has and will be apart of any sport. Is trash talk just something used by athletes to ridicule their opponents? Or can it is used to psych the player out in order for them to lose focus during games. How can trash talk affect players? Let's take a closer look into sports psyche.
Image from Pinterest
According to the Webster dictionary, the term "trash talk" means to "disparage, taunt, or boast comments especially between opponents trying to intimidate each other." This definition can clearly be seen between Carolina Panther's cornerback Josh Norman and New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr since the beginning of last week. Both of these players are at the top of their games right now, so football fans everywhere were looking forward to seeing the two go head-to-head. When Josh Norman was interviewed about the matchup, Norman referred to the matchup as "edible". When Beckham was asked about the matchup, he simply stated that the matchup was "just another matchup", yet he seemed as to have a very serious demeanor when trying to answer such a question. Fast forward to Sunday, and OBJ is flagged for three personal fouls throughout the game. The initial trash talk was not exactly the reason that OBJ played in such a mild manner Sunday, but I'm sure that Norman and the rest of the defense knew they could get into OBJ's head due to the way he plays the game. Athletes that really play with a lot of emotion could really be up or down, depending on what's happening. In this case, OBJ was frustrated, as his team only managed to score 7 points within the first half. In addition, Beckham was struggling to produce. This combination brought OBJ to really go back and forth with Josh Norman. It even got to the point in which three after the play skirmishes occurred in the first quarter alone. It even reached to the point that both were hitting each other out of pure frustration. The difference between Norman and OBJ was that Norman had more self control over his emotion when pushing or distracting Beckham. Through"secret" ,or not as obvious blows to OBJ, Norman was less likely to be penalized for his actions. In the case of OBJ, Beckham's frustration level got to the point where he didn't care about getting penalized, as long as he was able to retaliate to whatever actions Norman was performing. This psychologically takes OBJ out of the game because he is so distracted with Norman. Although Norman is important to his team, OBJ is even more important to the Giants. Therefore, it is imperative that OBJ tries to keep his cool moving forward in order to help his team win.

Athletes will always be challenged at some point psychologically during their respected events. Whether it be opposing players, coaches, or fans, it is important for participants to tune out the negatively impacting noise. Doing so will allow them to focus


 Check out this link to see the highlights between Josh Norman and OBJ http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap3000000605411/Odell-Beckham-Jr-vs-Josh-Norman-highlights

Monday, November 23, 2015

How Hard is it to Actually Get a Ticket to this year's Super Bowl L?

In American , this annual sports event is by far the largest one of it's kind. More than over 100 million people around the globe tune-in to watch the superbowl. This event would be a dream come true to many. But how exactly does that happen? If you have the money, is that enough? No way.

According to NFL.com, a number of tickets are given to the two teams. In addition to those tickets, certain businesses are given sports tickets.  After those tickets are given out, you (the public) must enter a raffle in order for a chance to win 2 tickets to the SuperBowl. Registration for those tickets are from February to June. So if you are looking to purchase tickets for this year's SuperBowl, it is unfortunately too late to enter the raffle. With that being said, some of the lucky winners do resell their tickets. The most secure website to search for this is the NFL Ticket Exchange.

Besides the NFL Ticket Exchange, one may get lucky by someone selling their tickets on Stub Hub, Ticket Master, etc. Besides those sites, connections are everything. Good luck with the ticket hunt!

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

ChalkTalk: Keep up with Coaching Styles

In this day and age, teams are trying to get an advantage any way they can. Nowadays, a connection between sports and technology is evidently changing sports: whether it be improvements for the body, a team, or recruiting. For now, we will be focusing on an app called ChalkTalk.


Digital Playbook
With ChalkTalk, you can form a playbook. With X's and O's , plays for softball, football, or basketball. With the digital playbook, you can bring up any plays from the simple touch of your mobile device. Need a quick play during a timeout or an intermission? You can setup more plays for that specific section. ChalkTalk is available on Google Play and the Apple Store.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Denver Broncos

After a season ending with a tough loss to the Patriots, the Broncos looked to bounce back even stronger. As long as they have Peyton Manning and a solid defense, the Broncos should always be considered contenders.

QB: Two-words: Peyton Manning. This future hall of famer is only getting older , so his window shrinks slightly every year. With that being said, Manning is still one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL.
Peyton Manning


HB: Chris Anderson will more than likely be the number 1 running back. Anderson rushed for over 800 yards and 8 touchdowns last year. His numbers could increase. Behind him is a solid back in Monte Ball. The Broncos will try to at least establish a run game in order to make the passing game better.

WR: Beast DeMaryius Thomas is the go-to guy for the Broncos. Thomas had over 1,600 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Expect another big year for one of the best receivers in the league. Opposite side of him is Emmanuel Sanders. Sanders will more than likely be a 1,000 yard receiver just for being in a Peyton Manning offense. Last season, the speedy receiver had nearly 1,500 yard and 9 touchdowns.

Offense: Between Thomas, Sanders, and TE Owen Daniels, this offense should remain fluent. As long as health prevails, the Broncos should have no problem producing offense.

DL: This defensive line is a bit young and inexperienced. They had a combined 4.5 sacks last season. With that being said, this year they have a chance to really prove themselves. With the backing of the linebackers, they can be solid.

LB: Having experienced backs such as DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller always helps, especially with the way Miller plays. Middle linebacker Brandon Marshall had over 100 tackles this past season. Between these three alone, the Broncos have one of the most talented linebacking core in the NFL. Look for them to continue to be disruptive.

DB: Led by shutdown corner Chris Harris Jr., this secondary is one of the top in the league. There is a reason why the Broncos had the number 2 ranked defense in the league last season. Opposite side is corner Aqib Talib, who is also very solid. Look for a  repeat performance of tight coverage from the Broncos this season.

Defense: Their defense is good from top to bottom. They will keep alot of teams from scoring too many points. In addition to games, it helps to practice against such a good offense on a daily basis.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Terrible Towel


One of the most traditional teams in the NFL, the Pittsburg Steelers are coming off an impressive 11-5 record.  Making minor adjustments this off-season, the Steelers hope to make that next leap into serious playoff contention this season. Let's take a quick view into their roster and see what the black and yellow squad is made of.

QB: The Steelers have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Big Ben. Ben Rothlisburger. Last season, Rothlisburger had career highs in passing yards (4,952) and in passing completions (408). Ranking 2nd in passing offense only to the Saints, the Steelers were passing the ball at high volumes this past year. This off-season, the Steelers have added more talent to give Rothlisburger even more targets to throw to. 

HB: Right in the middle of the pack, the rushing game ranked 16th last season. This stat does not exactly show how good the running game is, considering that they did rank 2nd in passing. Most teams that have such a high ranking in one area, usually rank lower in another. Led by Le'Veon Bell, listed at 6'1, 244 lbs , rushed for over 1,300 yards and 8 touchdowns. With the addition of DeAngelo Williams , the Steelers' running back could have an even bigger impact this upcoming season. 

WR: The receiving  core starts and ends with Mr. Brown. Receiver Antonio Brown is one of the top 5 best receivers in the league. Last season Antonio Brown had 129 catches for 1,698 yards and 13 touchdowns. Opposite of Brown is potentially a major breakout receiver in fantasy leagues this year. Receiver Markus Wheaton is getting his chance to start for the first time in his career. This opportunity should be great for Wheaton and the other receivers because so much attention will be focused on Brown. Wheaton , draft pick Sammy Coates, and Martavis Bryant  should have chances to make some big plays within this offense.

Antonio Brown (via Jeffrey Beall)


TE: Heath Miller is Rothlisburger's bread and butter target. The reliable, consistent tight end is always a good option to throw to down at the goal line or in 3rd and short situations. 

Offense: The Steelers are one of the most dangerously balanced offenses in the NFL. They can hurt you through the air, and they can run the ball down the field. As long as health doesn't become an issue, expect some big numbers from the offense. 

DL: One of the more youthful defensive lines in the league, the Steelers' defensive line is solid. The Steelers just re-signed defensive end Cameron Heyward, which is something that had to be completed. Since entering the league, Heyward has increased his sack total each season, having 7.5 sacks last season. Both Steve McLendon and Stephon Tuitt will have their chance to show the Steelers that they can really hold down the line. 

LB: Led by tackling machine Lawrence Timmons, the Steelers' linebackers seem to really thrive in the team's 3-4 scheme. Ranking 6th in rushing defense, the Steelers gave up just over 100 yards rushing per game. Outside of Timmons, the rest of the starting linebackers are very young. The 2013, 2014, and 2015 1st round picks are the three other starting linebackers. It will be interesting to see how this linebacking core performs as a unit this season.

DB: As of now, this is the area that needs the most improvement in the Steelers defense. Ranking 26th in the league, the secondary must be better. The Steelers current starters have a combined 5 interceptions last season. This has to improve in order for the Steelers to go up another level  in contention for the AFC.

Defense:  This defense is very solid in the run. It has alot of new faces doing different things this year. It may take some to grow in continuity, yet by mid-season the players will really feed off of one another.

Monday, August 31, 2015

Closer look at Cleveland Browns


After starting off 6-3 in the 2014 season, the Browns went on a 5-game skid putting themselves out of the NFL playoff picture. While this ended up being a typical season for the Browns, the good half of last year's season provided hope for a brighter tomorrow at FirstEnergy Stadium. The only question remaining is whether or not the Browns can build from the momentum of last season.

QB: As of now, the starter of the Browns is Josh Mccown. The 36 year old quarterback will use his veteran experience in order to guide the Browns. With Mccown being named the starter for now, this will both take pressure off of Manziel and allow him to learn how to become a better NFL quarterback.
Manziel throwing passes during training camp.


HB: Last year, the Browns had a duel-back scheme with the running game: Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West. Last year, the Browns ranked 17th in rushing. In order to increase that  ranking and add some explosion to their offense, the Browns drafted Duke Johnson. This should add another element to the offense.

WR:  Ranking 20th in passing , the Browns look to find a way to improve. This off-season, they were able to sign former Dolphin receiver Brian Hartline. When healthy and thrown to alot, Brian Hartline can do alot of damage to opposing teams. This off season, the Browns also picked up former Chiefs receiver Dwyane Bowe. Between these two vets, the Browns should improve in this category.

Offense: The offense should be improved with the additions that were made this past off-season. As long as the chemistry develops and the players stay healthy, the Browns should see the improvement.



DL: The Browns' defense ranked dead last in the NFL last season in rushing. After drafting Danny Shelton, the Browns finally have a nose tackle for the present and the future. The Browns have also added defensive end Randy Starks. Add that with Desmond Bryant , and will have a solid defensive line.

LB: In a 3-4 scheme, the linebacking core is vital. They must be able to cover and fill the gaps during run plays. Led by Karlos Dansby and Craig Robertson, the linebacking core must improve on continuity.


DB: One of the more underrated secondaries in the league, the Browns rank top 10 in the league in pass defense. Many acknowledge Joe Harden as one of the premier corners in the league, and he deserves it. Behind him is tackling machine Donte Whitner, and ballhawk Tashun Gipson. Gipson and Haden combined for 9 interceptions last season. This season, the Browns added depth in the corner position, signing former Packer Tramon Williams.
Rod Winsor and Joe Haden (via Erik Drost)

Defense: With a high mix between veterans and youth, this defense has the potential to make a leap in their numbers on defense. If you are in search of a defensive option for your fantasy team, the Browns' defense will be an under the radar pick.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Beauty Beyond the Field (Written by Kamran McCkaskill)



Good day sport watchers, as you may know our site offers a variety of information and
inside looks from many different perspectives in the sports world. Well this time we have a
treat for you! We are taking you slightly beyond and into a world of artistry, well of course it
still involves our beloved sports if you must ask.


Just recently Sportswatcherss had the privilege and opportunity to interview one of the
most talented artist you can find throughout these United States, trust us the man is good. His
name is Scott Dorsey, and yes you should remember that name. This incredibly talented artist
has worked with a plethora of athletes, so much in fact that he states within the interview that
he stopped counting after his 50th athlete. Here's our interview with the sports art legend:
Painter Scott Dorsey working on an Ed Reed painting.

Q: What is your favorite NFL team? And why is that particularly your favorite team?
A: It's complicated. The easiest answer is I grew up a raiders fan cause of my dad. One of my favorite players is Tom Brady, so I also like the Patriots. I mainly cheer for players that I have worked with now. 

Q: How long has painting been your passion?
 A: I've been drawling since I was little but as actual passion that I can for a living started about 5 years ago.

Q: When did you recognize your talents in the arts?
A: When I was young, I drew ninja turtles when I was little then it developed into comics Spider-Man, venom etc.

Within the interview we drove a little deep into Dorsey’s mind and past figuring out
what made him the artist he is today and what his goals and forms of motivation are. We even
got to find out that he was involved in athletics in his earlier years.  

Q: What was your purpose in collaborating your passion of art and sports together within your work?
A: I wanted to take paintings and get them signed by players. It just grew from there as players saw my work.

Q: Have you participated in organized sports prior to your dedication to art?
A: I played football in elementary school for years, then I went to a pro wrestling school right after high school.

Q: What is your ultimate goal in regards to your artistry?
A: My goal forever was to quit my day job and paint full time. Back in April I made that goal a reality.

Q: Aside from sports murals what is one of your favorite painting styles/methods?
A: I like realism and comics. Never been a fan of abstract or art like that.

Q:  Do you have any artist you admire or aspire to be? If so who, how, and why?
A: I’ve always admired Todd McFarlane growing up. Always loved the detail he put in his work. There's a bunch of artist I like cause of there style or originality.

Q: How often do you practice your craft?
A: Every night. It's either painting or looking up new techniques try out.

 Q: Lastly, approximately how many Athletes have your worked with in drawing murals for or of?
 A: I lost count after 50.


If you want to find out how good his work is take a moment to follow him on Instagram
where he posts his works of athlete paintings, you can find him @Dorseyart. His paintings
provides us a unique perspective while adding a beauty and elegance beyond the fields,
something we often don’t take the time to appreciate about sports. Please Sportswatcherss
take the time and check him out, also don’t forget to tune in to the site for upcoming sports
news and events! Watch on Sportswatcherss watch on!

Friday, August 28, 2015

Cincinatti Bengals Preview

The Bengals come off a good 10-5 record. Making the playoffs 4 years in a row, each time the Bengals have lost in the wild card every year. Will this be the year they finally get over that hump? Let's see if they have the roster to do so.

QB: Andy Dalton is the starter for the Bengals. Dalton is exactly a middle of the road quarterback in many's minds. Although he has potential to get better, he has to avoid the sting of inconsistency that has been allaying his career thus far.

HB: Coming off of a 1,000 yard year , Jeremy Hill provides a running game that make the Bengals balanced. His running ability will help with the passing game, as teams try to lock down on AJ Green.  Although more attention will come towards him this season, as long as the offensive line blocks well, Hill should be just fine.

WR: AJ Green is a top five receiver in the NFL. In just 4 years, Green has a total of 4, 874 yards and 35 touchdowns. The more Green touches the ball, the better the offense will be. Opposite of AJ Green is Marvin Jones. He will get some touches and looks due to teams being extremely focused on Green. If the Bengals can capitalize on that , they will be successful.
AJ Green


Offense: The Bengals have a solid offense. When clicking on all cylinders , the Bengals can put up points fast and in a hurry. If they can consistently come up with a formula to put up points, they are dangerous.

DL: Led by Carlos Dunlap , the defense runs a 4-3 scheme. Ranked 25th in rushing yards allowed , the defense must find a way to slow down the run. If they are successful in doing so, they can force an offense to play towards their strength.

LB: Led by Emmanuel Lamur , the linebacking core returns all of their starters. With Vontaze Burfict back healthy, the Bengals run defense should improve in the run game.

DB: An overall experienced secondary, they remain one of the tougher secondaries in the league. With Adam Jones and Leon Hall at corner, the Bengals give opposing receivers a tough time.

Defense: With the return of most starters , the Bengals should improve on the defensive end.  The chemistry is there, the experience is there, the only thing that needs to be worked on is finishing games. If the Bengals can do that, they may put themselves in a better position to win and not have to play in the wild card.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Dominance Continued in the AFC South: Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts led the AFC South last year under Andrew Luck, who was a front-runner for MVP. He’s an amazing quarterback and has brought great success to the Colts after Peyton Manning. This year, the Colts added Andre Johnson to replace Reggie Wayne. The Texans took a huge loss with this one. Although Johnson will probably not see as much action as he did with the Texans, he will serve as a veteran mentor for other players.

Reciever TY Hilton at FIU

The running back is Frank Gore who can outscore most opponents and adds to the potent offense. On defense, Vontae Davis is an elite corner who works well with Robert Mathis and Trent Cole.

Accordingly, the Colts have TY Hilton as a great receiver. He recently signed a 5-year contract extension with the Colts and will work well with the other receivers. Along with Hilton, the Colts drafted speedster Phillip Dorsett. Between these two, the Colts will have a lot of speed on their side. 


The Colts are in a great position for the upcoming season. It’ll be interesting to see how veteran player Andre Johnson works with Andrew Luck. I foresee the team having another successful season in the AFC South and making it back to the Playoffs.

Piecing Together the Houston Texans

Last season, everything that could possibly go wrong for a team did for the Houston Texans. Although JJ Watt was defensive player of the year, the team was far from successful. Houston missed the playoffs for the second year in a row, which really got the fans worried. The team has struggled with the quarterback position as no man could keep the starting position.

The team recently lost star receiver Andre Johnson to the Indianapolis Colts, Jadeveon Clowney is still recovering from his knee injury last year, and RB Arian Foster is out recovering from surgery. How will the Texans match up this season?
JJ Watt


How will offense look?
The Texans center, Chris Myers retired from the NFL after 10 seasons.  Also, Danieal Manning announced his retirement from the Texans in July. He was a safety. Recently, Brian Hoyer was named starting quarterback after battling it out with Ryan Mallet. Slowly, the Texans are forming a team as the regular season approaches.  Hopefully Hoyer will be able to pull the new offense together and bring home some wins. Though Hoyer and Mallet were reasonably the same in consistency, Hoyer has more experience and knows the offensive system a little better. With Arian Foster in recovery, Alfred Blue will have to step up as the new running back.


I’m a big Texans fan, largely due to JJ Watt and Arian Foster. Although Foster is out, I cannot wait to see what Watt has in store for the season. He’s won Defensive Player of the Year for two years and honestly deserves MVP of the NFL.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Baltimore Ravens Preview

The Baltimore Ravens are looking to improve in a number of ways: Surrounding Joe Flacco with more talent, improving the defense, and adding enough wins to make the playoffs. Let's view the roster and determine if they have the roster to do so.

QB: Joe Flacco is coming off of one of his best statistical season in his career, throwing for 3,986 yards and 27 touchdowns. With  new incoming targets Breshad Perriman and Maxx Williams, Flacco will look to improve those numbers as well.

HB: Justin Forsett had a really good year this past season. Not predicted by many, Forsett ran for over 1,200 yards and 8 touchdowns. Forsett even made it to the pro-bowl this year. The challenge to repeat this kind of performance will be difficult because teams will be more prepared. Still, that doesn't mean he can't put up similar numbers.


WR: Steve Smith Sr. is the go-to receiver. Even at 5'9 , Smith has always found a way to be one of the most consistent receivers in the league. Having over 8 seasons of 1,000 yards or more, Smith will be productive. Opposite side of Smith is 1st round selection Breshad Perriman. Perriman should balance well with Steve Smith, being a large receiver that ran a sub 4.3 40-yard dash.  

Offense: The Ravens have one of the more overlooked offenses in the league. As long as they continue to improve , the Ravens can have the chance to beat anyone.

DL: Lineman Chris Canty, Brandon Williams, and Timmy Jernigan combined for a total of 5 sacks. If they can get more pressure on the quarterback, they will help the linebackers create even more havoc.

LB: Linebackers Terrell Suggs , CJ Mosley, and Elvis Dumervil are all beast in their own right. Dumervil had 17.5 sacks last season, Mosley had 133 tackles, and Suggs has been one of the best linebackers still in the league in the past decade. These linebackers are tenacious, and they get after it. They are the catalyst of the defense , and the numbers prove why.

CJ Mosley

DB: A relatively unknown secondary will start for the Ravens. With that being said , they are still very good. The Ravens ranked 3rd in passing defense this past season. They are one of the most cohesive underrated units in the league. With the Ravens linebackers applying so much pressure, the secondary is able to press up on opposing receivers which forces bad throws from the quarterback. This kind of help really goes a long way.

Defense: With the ability to stop both the run and the passing game, this defense gives the Ravens the chance to compete in any game against any defense. As long as they remain true to their schemes, they will force opposing teams to work hard for each point. 

New York Jets Preview

The New York Jets have had quite the off-season. From signing Darrelle Revis and drafting Leonard Williams, to starting quarterback Geno Smith's jaw being broken and missing 1/3 of the season all because of $600, this off-season is one to not forget. With all of the sudden changes, how will the Jets respond? Let's take a look at the team.

QB: With starting quarterback Geno Smith out ,  Ryan Fitzpatrick is slated to replace Smith. Fitzpatrick has had a little bit of success in the league, so the Jets remain optimistic that he can get the job done. If Fitzpatrick does well, Smith will have to compete for his job back. Behind Fitzpatrick is former Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty and Matt Flynn.

Ryan Fitzpatrick


HB: Chris Ivory is the starter at running back. Ivory is solid , averaging 6.8 yards per carry last season. His biggest problem is his consistency. He can have a huge game one week, then nearly disappear the next. The Jets hope that will improve this upcoming season.

WR: The Jets had a major upgrade this year, signing receiver Brandon Marshall. This will help the overall offense, and especially help the receiver opposite of Marshall: Eric Decker. Last season Decker had nearly 1,000 receiving yards and five touchdowns this past season. With Marshall on the other side, Decker's numbers should improve.

Offense: 
The offense will be very interesting to see how they gel together. Fitzpatrick has a few good targets that he can throw to, and a decent running back in Ivory. If the offensive lineman can hold up, the Jets can have a decent offense. If Fitzpatrick plays well and wins a couple of games, look out Geno Smith.

DL: With the addition of Leonard Williams, the Jets are hoping to get a help in both the run defense and the pass rush. The other two defensive lineman combined for only 5.5 sacks last season. That has to improve.

LB: Using a 3-4 scheme, the Jets have to find a way to fill the gaps quicker. They ranked 24th in passing , and 26th in rushing last season. Led by Demario Davis and David Harris, the linebacking core will look to find a way to improve these stats, whether it be through different blitzes or sitting in coverage more.

DB: By bringing back Darrelle Revis, the Jets may have the best cornerback tandem in the league. On the other side Revis lies stud cornerback Antonio Cromartie. With these two on the field , teams will have a tougher time throwing the ball. As long as the safeties and everyone play well, the passing defense should be much improved.

Defense: As long as the running defense improves,  the Jets can take a leap of improvement in the defense this year. They will need to do in order to staying afloat in games due to an unpredictable offense.

Friday, August 21, 2015

New England Patriots

With all of the off-field attention surrounding this team, it will very interesting to see how the Patriots respond. Not many people would bet against Bill Belichick , even in the toughest of situations. Let's take a quick look of the Patriots team.

QB: Two words: Tom Brady. Even with the four game suspension , Tom Brady will have ample time to make sure the Patriots are in a position to make the playoffs. If they are able to do so, the rest of the league has to bring their 'A' game when playing Brady and the Pats.

HB: LeGarrette Blount seems to be the go to guy in the backfield for the Patriots. With that being said, the Patriots never depend on just one person when it pertains to the running game. Look for James Develin to get a good amount of touches also in the season.

WR: From the receiving core, Julian Edelman is the #1 target outside of Gronk. Edelman has had a combined10 touchdowns the past two seasons. On the other side lies Brandon LaFell. LaFell nearly had 1,000 yards receiving last year to go along with 7 touchdowns. When Brady returns, look for this core's numbers to improve.

TE: This position goes to the man of the hour: Rob Gronkowski. Gronk is Brady's most reliable target. Gronk can average over 1,000 yards and over 10 touchdowns a year when healthy. Standing at 6'6 with a 4.68 40-yard dash speed, Gronk is nearly impossible for anyone to stop.
Rob Gronkowski

Offense: The biggest question will be how well the Pats can play without Brady throughout his 4-game suspension. Once Brady returns, it doesn't matter who's around him. Brady and Billicheck will do everything to make the offense successful.

DL: With the loss of longtime nose guard Vince Wilfork , the Pats will look to fill that void with defensive tackle's Alan Branch and Sealver Siliga. Between these two, they had a combined sack total of 2.5 sacks last year.

LB: Linebackers Jamie Collins and Donta' Hightower are tackling machines. Jerod Mayo stepped up his game during the playoffs. They will continue to be solid at this position.

DB: With the loss of Darrelle Revis , the Patriots secondary will take a hit. Malcolm Butler will step into a starting role as a starting cornerback. Logan Ryan is on the other side, and with McCourty and Chung, we will see if the Patriots can be as dominant.

Defense: With a few major pieces missing, they may spend the first few games figuring out what works and what doesn't. With that being said , at the end of the day, it's still the Patriots. They will find a way to be successful.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Buffalo Bills Preview

After a couple of off season large moves, the Buffalo Bills will improve in arguably one of the toughest divisions in the NFL: the AFC East.

Coach: The Bills went out and signed coach Rex Ryan. Ryan should definitely be a change of pace, being an outspoken yet intelligent person. He takes pride on his defense, so the defense should improve over the years.


QB: As of now, Tyrod Taylor is slated to start as the quarterback. Competitors Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel look like they might play as backups unless their play dramatically improves. Tyrod Taylor is a dual-threat that can surprise alot of people as long as his accuracy is on point. 

HB: This off-season, the Bills picked up one of the fastest backs in the game. LeSean McCoy signed a five year, 40 million dollar contract. McCoy has managed to rush for at least 1,000 yards in 4 of the past 6 seasons. With his quickness and ability to change directions, look for McCoy to make some really big plays. As long as his leg heals properly.

WR: Sammy Watkins is THE guy. In his rookie campaign, had 982 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. Watkins should be on everyone's list to pick during all of the wonderful football fantasy drafts going on. The Bills also made another move this off-season. They received Percy Harvin from the Seattle Seahawks. When available and healthy, Harvin is one of the most electrifying players on the field. However, due to health and a past of personnel issues, Harvin is a risk/reward for the Bills.

Offense: Compared to last year, the offense should be much improved with a the signing of McCoy , tight end Charles Clay, and the improvement of Watkins. The Bills will have more big plays this year.
                                                                        
                                                                             QB  HB
                               
                                   WR                        TE OL OL C OL OL TE                           WR
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DB                            DE   DTDT   DE                           DB
OLB         MLB        OLB
                                                                                                         SS
                                                        FS                     


DL: Led by Mario Williams, the Bills should be solid this year. With a big guy like Kyle Williams, look for the Bills to cause some disruption. If they can apply alot of pressure , the linebackers can have a large impact.

LB: Last season, the Bills had the 2nd best rushing defense in the league. Large part of that reason was because of the linebacker's ability to fill the gap. With a similar scheme as last year, their success should not change from the previous year's run success. 

DB: This is the area that is more questionable on the Bill's defense. Last year, they ranked twenty-fourth in the league in passing yards. Their secondary is relatively young , with only one projected starter over the age of 25. With experience and a different scheme, look for the Bills to improve in this area.

Defense: The defense should be more balanced this year, improving in their passing defense due to the unique blitzing schemes that Rex Ryan likes to run. It should very interesting to see how the Bill's defense performs against others this year.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Tennessee Titans Preview

For many Tennessee Titans fans, last season can be summed up with one quote: "when it rains, it pours." With a 2-14 season, last year couldn't get any worse for the Titans. While they attempt to rebuild one, the Titans will be leaning one thing: "hope". The leader of that hope? Marcus Marriota.

QB: Marcus Mariota 
The position is given to former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Mariota is an elite passer with the ideal height (6'4) that  any general manager would love to have. In addition to his passing ability, Mariota has a very high motor in which he uses to outrun many defenders. Since he is only a rookie, he will go through bumps and bruises as this year will serve as a learning curve. The Titans hope that he may improve and be the franchise quarterback for years to come.
Marcus Mariota against USC


HB: Bishop Sankey
Coming off of his rookie campaign, Sankey rushed for 551 rushing yards. With the addition of Mariota , look for Sankey to improve this year as the Titans may use option plays to establish a running game. 

WR: Harry Douglas and Kendall Wright
Douglas will take on a new role this year as the #1 WR.  Being on limited roles previously, Douglas will have a chance to make a statement this year. Kendall Wright is a receiver on the rise. Setting career highs in receiving touchdowns, I'm sure Kendall is licking his chops with his new quarterback. In addition , rookie the receivers drafted Dorial Green-Beckham which should help him.

TE: Anthony Fasano
Having a good track record with the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs. Fasano has reliable hands, and he will surely be a good addition to the team. 

OL:
This is the part of the team that needs the most work. One of the worst in the league, the Titans must improve in this area. 

DL:  
This is another area that must be improved. The defense is one of the worst in the league. They must improve through off-season workouts and constantly trying to get better. 

LB: 
In a 3-4 scheme, linebackers are important in knowing their roles. Some may have special assignments, and the Brian Orakpo signing is proof. He is a multiple pro-bowler and a known pass rusher. This will hopefully improve the linebacking core. 

DB: 
Led by Michael Griffin, the secondary will try to show that they should not be taken for granted. With corners like Jason McCourtey, the Titans should at least be solid. 

Overall:
This team is not in playoff contention, but they should have a few more wins this season and make improvements in different areas. 

Miami Dolphins Preview (Written by Matthew Rivera)

As the Miami dolphins get ready to open up the preseason against the Chicago Bears everybody will be looking at the guard play. Right now Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner are set to be the starters at guard. This weakness on the team has dominated sports talk radio in Miami and the internet. This topic has also covered up other holes such as the kicker situation, Branden Albert's health, DeVante Parker's health and the linebackers. It is of great belief that it's not wether or not the Dolphins will sign pro bowl guard Evan Mathis, but when. By some on the internet and even Harvard University's sources,  they say that  Dolphins will make the playoff's and do damage. One source even picked the Dolphins to get to the super bowl. Most agree that the Dolphins have made much improvements in the offseason and some say this is the best roster the Dolphins have had in a long time. 


Ryan Tannehill against the Oakland Raiders

Most expect quarterback Ryan Tannehill to make that next step and lead the Dolphins into the playoffs. It is believed the Dolphins haven't signed Mathis because of the salary cap next year. It remains to be seen if the Dolphins can overcome their guard play and if the guard situation will work itself out. Fans in Miami are anxious to see if the Dolphins can win again and believe that Mathis is the missing piece. One preseason game probably won't tell anything , so all we can do is wait and see!!

Friday, August 7, 2015

San Diego Chargers Preview

QB: Phillip Rivers has established himself as a solid QB in the NFL. Although he's not a very mobile QB and has an awkward release, he's shown that he can throw with the best of them with great accuracy. Look for Rivers to have another big year with his receivers.

RB: Rookie, Melvin Gordon looks to fill the hole that the often injured Ryan Matthews left. Gordon is the first RB in a long time to be drafted in the first round. He boasts speed, power, and good hands. His time at Wisconsin showed he can be a great leader as well.

WR: Malcolm Floyd, Keenan Allen: These two receivers are young, but are learning how to play quickly. Allen is already commanding double teams and although he had a tough sophomore season, he is looking to get back into form by getting used to double teams.

TE: Antonio Gates, Ladarius Green: Green is finally going to get a shot while Gates misses some games due to suspension. However, speaking of Gates, is this guy ever going to get old? Still one of the leagues tight ends and he doesn't seem to be slowing down still.
Antonio Gates, longtime tight end of the San Diego Chargers


OL: The offensive line has had some major changes, but the group wasn't the greatest last year, so we'll see if the new group is better or if it can actually get worse.

DL: The defensive line is led by Corey Liuget. He is entering his 5th year in the NFL and is only going to get better. This group must improve as a unit however in order to compete in the AFC West.

LB: Dwight Freeney is gone, but the other backers return including the big name, Manti Teo. This unit has been solid against the run but must improve in their pass defense.

DB: Brandon Flowers is the star of this secondary, and he is going to get better as he learns the system more and more. This unit didn't fair well last year against the pass and will look to improve as they get more comfortable with each other.

Seattle Seahawks Preview

QB: Russell Wilson: Wilson has just signed a new contract with the Seahawks longterm which should make Seahawks fans excited. Wilson is one of the games most reliable options at QB and has a cannon arm along with good decision making skills and mobility.

RB: Marshawn Lynch: Not much needs to be said about Lynch, he's one of the leagues top backs and has the power and speed that all teams desire. His age may be a concern.
Marshawn Lynch 


WR: Jermaine Kearse, Ricardo Lockette, Doug Baldwin: These receivers are all solid, but all lack that extra "stuff" that can bring them to the level of great receivers. They have reliable hands, but are not athletic freaks like a Dez Bryant or Calvin Johnson.

TE: Jimmy Graham. This is where the Seahawks really improved in the offseasons. They get arguably the top TE (or second) in the business. Graham has been a reliable source for TD's for the Saints for years so it's very confusing of why they would give him up. Wilson will now have a Redzone target that is sure handed.

OL: Max Unger is gone from the Seahawks as he was traded for Graham, but the Seahawks still boast some of the top linemen in the country.

DL: The Seahawks defensive line will still wreak havoc to opposing QB's. Avril and Bennett lead a group of a strong unit.

LB: Bruce Irvin leads a group of some of the best run stoppers in the game. The Seahawks look to stay solid in this department.

DB: The big names of the Seahawks defense are in this group. Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas return to the top secondary in the NFL. This team will shut down receivers and cause panic among QB's.