Thursday, June 17, 2010

Lambeau Leap best TD celebration?




Is the Lambeau leap the greatest touchdown celebration ever? This leap was created in 1993 against the Los Angeles Raiders when LeRoy Butler jumped into the crowd at Lambeau, after Reggie White recovered a fumble and lateraled it to Butler. This is a very popular celebration for all Packer players and was “popularized” by Robert Brooks.

There has been many others who did touchdown celebrations, but they all seem to be too rehearsed. Ochocinco has had some memorable celebrations during his career, such as the time he putted the ball with the pylon, to the time he proposed to a cheerleader, or even his river dance. The most memorable celebration I remember was when Terrell Owens scored a touchdown and then proceeded to take a sharpie out of his sock to sign a football. This celebration was funny, however the NFL didn't agree and he was fined for it. NFL players are very creative but they are starting to get ridiculous.

Many fans find celebrating after a touchdown to be silly and disrespectful, but the Lambeau leap is not disrespectful and is great for the fans. Most of the Packer players are excited to score and share it with the fans. Barry Sanders never celebrated and later stated why he didn't participate in TD celebrations, “ he needed to act like he has been there before”. I can agree with Sanders to some degree, but the Lions rarely find the end-zone, so I can see why its not fun in Detroit.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

NFL and Tim Tebow


The NFL, without a doubt, will be better because of Timothy Richard Tebow. Tim Tebow has been nothing short of being a outstanding athlete and even greater person. Sometimes society as a whole does not like to root for the “golden boy” or “goody-two shoes”, but its a terrific quality to have. Unfortunately, I too have fallen victim to discounting what Tebow has accomplished. It can difficult not to root for him, however I now find myself to be one of his biggest supporters.

During the 2010 NFL Draft I placed a bet with my co-worker that Tim Tebow would be drafted in the first round. The Denver Broncos did not let me down. The Broncos took a lot of heat for “drafting the QB so early when he doesn't have all the necessary tools to make it in the NFL”. But can you coach winning qualities? Can you coach how to get the job done at any cost? He may not have the best throwing mechanics in the game, however his desire to get better as a athlete is outstanding. If I was a GM in the NFL, I would have drafted him also. The thing that sets Tim Tebow apart from others is his drive to be the best. As hard as it is to root for the “golden boy”, would you want to invest your money into anything else? One thing you can count on from Tebow- he will give everything he has on the field, and still have sportsmanship whether he wins or loses. If your a gambler, I wouldn't bet against him, because Tim Tebow does not fail.



Monday, June 14, 2010

Success after Warner


With Kurt Warner retired, the Arizona Cardinals have to move on with the players that they have. Matt Leinart is the undisputed starter, but the Cardinals brought in Derek Anderson for some quality insurance as a backup. Matt Leinart has extreme pressure to pick up where Kurt left off, nonetheless he is certainly capable of being a good quarterback in this league.

The Cardinals had key players leave this off season and filling their places is all but complete. Karlos Dansby, Anquan Boldin, Neil Rackers and Antrel Rolle all have left due to trade or free agency. The Cardinals were very active in the free agency period by aquiring of few NFL veterans; Jay Feely, Kerry Rhodes, Paris Lennon, Joey Porter, and Alan Faneca. With the abundance of added bodies on the offensive line, it looks like the Cardinals will have quite the competition for starting jobs. By adding these pieces to the offensive line the Cardinals are trying to get away from the one dimensional offense and efficient in the running game as much as they are in the passing game.

Clear signs the “Birdgang” are committed to the running game was bringing in Alan Faneca, Rex Hadnot and signing Deuce Lutui to his tender. Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower will lead the Cardinals attack, with this mauling front line. Implementing a solid running game will take a lot of pressure off of Matt Leinart. Leinart has a lot on his plate, however the emergence of Onrea Jones(practice squad) and Early Doucet, the Cardinals should be alright with the loss of Anquan Boldin.

With the NFC West tightening up, and the solid players coming through the draft, the Arizona Cardinals will have their work cut out for them but I like their chances. Champions are made in the off season and I think everyone on the Cardinals roster has the talent to get it done.

Is Jay Cutler the answer?

At Vanderbilt University Jay Cutler was very unsuccessful as the Quarterback. During his stint there before entering the 2006 NFL draft, he went 11-35 overall and 5-27 against the South Eastern Conference (SEC). Despite the losing record, he was very productive in regards to statistics. Having good passing stats caught the attention of the Denver Broncos, whom took him at the 11th pick of the 1st round. Jay signed a 6-year 48 million dollar contract. During 3 seasons with Denver, Cutler had a record of 17-20 under Mike Shanahan. Shanahan was later fired. Jay was fed up with lingering rumors that he was on the trading block after 3 under-performing years with the Broncos. He told Denver Broncos management he refused to play for them and demanded a trade. This peaked the Chicago Bears interest and they dealt Kyle Orton,the Bears' first and third-round selections in 2009, and the Bears' first-round pick in 2010 to Denver in exchange for Cutler.

Did Chicago make the right decision?

After the 2009 season, Cutler led the NFL in interceptions with 26. This begs me to ask the question, was he to hyped? There are moments where Jay Cutler can play outstanding football, and look like the best QB in the NFL. Does his need to pout over an incompletion, or hang his head in defeat outweigh that? There is no question he has one of the strongest arms in the NFL, but eventually you cannot help to rethink your decision. If someone who is used to having losing records, can they break that trend?. Cutler was 11-35 in college and 24-29 as a professional so far. Is it possible he is never going to live up to the contact he signed, or the hypehe has created?

Only time will tell......

RyanEilers623 NFL Power Rankings 2010

Seeing as most of ESPN and other sports caster doing the 2010 NFL Power Rankings, I have decided to do my own as well to let you know where teams rack up, and some teams that do significantly better this year. The RyanEilers623 power rankings:

1. Baltimore Ravens

2. Green Bay Packers

3. New Orleans Saints

4. New England Patriots

5. Minnesota Vikings

6. New York Jets

7. Indianapolis Colts

8. San Diego Chargers

9. Washington Redskins

10. Philadelphia Eagles

11. Dallas Cowboys

12. Arizona Cardinals

13. Houston Texans

14. Atlanta Falcons

15. Cincinnati Bengals

16. Kansas City Chiefs

17. Denver Broncos

18. Pittsburgh Steelers

19. Kansas City Chiefs

20. Miami Dolphins

21. Chicago Bears

22. New York Giants

23. Seattle Seahawks

24. Tennessee Titans

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

26. Oakland Raiders

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

28. Detroit Lions

29. Cleveland Browns

30. St. Louis Rams

31. Carolina Panthers

32. Buffalo Bills



Every season there are surprises, and shocks that can happen with teams you wouldn't imagine. My “sleeper” picks from each conference are based on the acquisitions and draft selections so far this 2010 off-season, as well as the progress they made last year. From the NFC I chose the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins. Both of these teams have regrouped and added veteran experience and new schemes and coaches. In the NFC I believe the Detroit Lions and St Louis Rams will be more competitive and win a few games this season. From the AFC I chose the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Jets. The Bengals added depth at wide receiver and Carson Palmer is healthy for the first off season in years. The Jets made big splashes by landing Antonio Cromatie and LaDainian Tomlinson via San Diego and Jason Taylor through free agency. Adding these pieces to an already stacked defense and adding a versatile running back like the former pro-bowler Tomlinson to ratchet up that team. Even with having to cut OTA's short due to over working the players, do not be surprised if you see a younger Baltimore Ravens team that can end up winning the AFC North and going deep in the playoffs.



Sunday, June 13, 2010

Brett Favre vs. Peyton Manning



When researching whom is better I believe that my decision is made. Peyton Manning is better than Brett Farve and here is why......

The common misconception about the stats between the two is because Favre played in tough climates and Peyton does not. But after looking at games over their careers, it is apparent the both play a significant amount of games indoors. When looking at the schedules for these two, its clear whom has overwhelming numbers. Its Peyton. Some of the die-hard Favre fans will tell you that he played in the run-first offense in Green Bay where he didn't throw as much as Manning. This is a false because during these times Farve was known as the gun-slinger. Some want to say Favre did not have decent wide receivers like Manning (ex. Reggie Wa
yne, Marvin Harrison, and Brandon Stokley). Brett had more wide receiver weapons than Manning but Peyton just knew how to use them. Do not forget that Favre had players like; Robert Brooks, Sterling Sharpe, Antonio Freeman, Don Beebe, Andre Rison, Donald Driver etc.

The second issue fans want to talk about is the location of the games played. Some uneducated fans say that Favre has to play at 20 degrees below zero and Peyton plays in a dome. This common fallacy makes sense if you do not have a brain. Lets not forget that Peyton has 300+ yard games in Pittsburgh and New England every year. I can understand Favre has more elements to deal with when he was in Green Bay, but it doesn't get to below 32 degrees until weeks 13-14. Up until 2002ish Tampa Bay was still in the division and that meant a game in sunny Florida. Not only guaranteed a game in Florida but Green Bay also had road games in nice weather locations such as Detroit(dome), Minnesota(dome), and they always manage to throw a San Francisco trip or another NFC West, or NFC South team.

Just a few comparisons for you;


FAVRE:

3- MVPS
1- SuperBowl win
11- Probowls
62.0 career completion percentage
86.6 career passer rating
497 Touchdowns
317 INTS


MANNING:

4- MVPS
1- Super Bowl win
1-Super Bowl MVP
10- Pro bowls
64.8 career completion percentage
95.2 career passer rating
366 Touchdowns
181 INTS


After reviewing the stats of the two quarterbacks I would have to say that Peyton is better now, and will be better in the future. Not only will he break Favres touchdown record, but he will win more Super Bowls, MVPS(already has) and pro-bowls. The best part for Manning... he has played 7 years less than Favre. So as Brett sits on the sidelines contemplating how to keep he prima Donna ass in the news, while Manning is at VOLUNTARY OTA's working with the rookie and going over EVERY throw in 2009-2010 to find out how to even get better.

Enough of facts, you make a choice!