This video is of my first fantasy draft of the year which took place last night. We're using FoxSports.com and the breakdown and my roster are as follows:
Starters: 2 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 2TE 1 K, 2 DEF Bench 10 any position
Keeper 1: Andre Johnson, Hou
Keeper 2: Arian Foster, Hou
Keeper 3: Rashard Mendenhall, Pit
Round 1: Mike Wallace, Pit
Round 2: Ben Roethlisberger,Pit
Round 3: Vernon Davis, San Fran
Round 4: Dez Bryant, Dal
Round 5: Dustin Keller, NYJ
Round 6: Mark Sanchez, NYJ
Round 7: Detroit Defense
Round 8: Atlanta Defense
Round 9: DeAngelo Williams, Car
Round 10: Sidney Rice, Sea
Round 11: Heath Miller, Pit
Round 12: Hines Ward, Pit
Round 13: San Francisco Defense
Round 14: Alex Smith, San Fran
Round 15: Matt Bryant, Atl
Round 16: Ryan Grant, GB
Round 17: Visanthe Shiancoe, Min
Round 18: DeMarco Murray, Dal
Round 19: Jake Locker, Ten
I'll be posting other drafts I have later on as they come up, so let me know what you think and if there is someone else I should target, etc.
First, something is wrong with Dallas' sound system because this half-time show was half-ass. I did enjoy seeing Slash come out. Holy hell, Usher just dropped down from the big screen.
Okay, this show has vastly improved as it went along due to two surprises that most people should have loved. Back to the game...
The Packers came to play and I am sorry I forgot to post before the game because I was telling everyone that I loved the Pack. As I suspected, Rodgers is finding holes in that below-average Pitt secondary. However, I didn't expect Big Ben to throw two first half interceptions.
I like the Steelers to try and run the ball more effectively in the second half if they can stop the Packers on their opening drive. (Which they did)
I don't feel like saying much because the game is back on.
Prediction: Pack win, A-Rod MVP...I know I'm so bold...
The Super Bowl is about a week away and two of the most storied franchises in NFL history will face off in what looks to be a phenomenal game.
The Steelers survived a second half comeback by the New York Jets and the Packers held off a late surge by the Bears third-string QB.
Pittsburgh has an elite defense and a play-making offense. Green Bay has an elite offense and a play-making defense.
On paper these teams should provide an excellent Super Bowl. I just hope we get the best out of both teams. Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey has been ruled out for the game per an ESPN source, but I wouldn't be surprised if he attempted to play. He has an entire offseason and maybe more to recover and this is the most important game of his career.
I'm not going to say much right now about the game because there is still a week to go, but even though my Jets are out I'm still excited as a football fan for a great game.
Right now I like the Packers (-2.5) because their offense is much better than the Jets and Ravens and both of those teams were able to score on Pitt. GB also has a play-making defense and should be able to capitalize on any Pitt mistakes. They just have to contain Big Ben and make sure he doesn't hurt them outside the pocket.
Clearly I forgot that the Ravens suck in the second half and that a two touchdown lead at half-time means nothing. They are without a doubt consistently the worst second half team in the NFL on both sides of the ball.
The offense can't move the ball and the defense can't stop anyone as soon as it reads 3Q on the scoreboard. There have been numerous occasions, not including today's game against Pittsburgh, that the Ravens have blown a huge lead in the second half (note Texans game). Fortunately for them, they came out on top during the regular season, but that doesn't happen in January.
The Steelers didn't lose an ounce of confidence at half-time and came roaring back in the third quarter. They forced three turnovers and scored two touchdowns to tie the game. There was a botched snap (Flacco's fault), a Ray Rice fumble (he got popped), and a terrible throw that was intercepted (Flacco's fault).
The worst of it came on the Steelers last drive. The game was tied at 24-24, and on a third down and 10 they did a quick slant to Hines Ward for 11 yards and first down. Then, on THIRD AND NINETEEN, they completed a 58 bomb to ANTONIO BROWN. He is a rookie and only had 16 catches the entire season. Terrible...I don't even know what else to say.
I would rather the Jets lose 45-3 again then lose like that...
Now on to the good stuff. The Packers destroyed the Falcons. I apparently gave the Falcons way too much credit. I figured the amazing Matty Ice, who is 20-2 career at home, would put up a better fight than 48-21.
Aaron Rodgers came out to prove something today and he most certainly did to me. The kid threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran another one in. He displayed phenomenal arm strength and excellent mobility. He is definitely one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and has an extremely bright present and future. Behind Peyton Manning, Rodgers is without a doubt the QB I want to lead my team.
I got food poisoning two nights ago and I have to go to work in six minutes, so here we go:
I am going to make a bold prediction and say that both road underdogs are going to pull upsets today. The Ravens and Steelers always play close ones and today is when they turn the corner against Pittsburgh. Look for them to try to contain Mike Wallace from burning them, but I expect Wallace to have a decent game. If they can contain Mendenhall and tackle Big Ben when they first get their hands on them, they should be fine. Baltimore can ill-afford missed tackles against this team.
My Prediction: Ravens (+3) 16 Steelers 14
The Packers played the Falcons close in their regular season contest losing by a field goal. Green Bay did have plenty of opportunities and Aaron Rodgers will capitalize on them today. Rodgers is just a better QB than Matty Ice, and it will show today. I look for Clay Matthews to have a beast game coming off of the edge. Espect James Starks to have a big contribution today as well, similar to what he did against Philly. Atlanta continues to disappoint in the playoffs as Green Bay shuts down Michael Turner and forces Ryan to beat them. It's not going to happen.
So the game tonight is between two AFC powerhouse teams, Pittsburgh and New England.
This game for a share of the best record in the AFC, 7-2 would tie whoever wins with the New York Jets.
The Pats really need a win to stay pace with the Jets because they already lost the first matchup between the two teams. This game would put Pittsburgh ahead by one game in the AFC North because the Ravens lost on Thursday to Atlanta.
It will be interesting how New England approaches this game defensively after getting man-handled by Cleveland last week. They couldn't stop Peyton Hillis (over 180 yards), and they face another dangerous back this week in Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall could have a huge night if the Pats don't key in on him, but if they do it should open up passing lanes for Big Ben against their suspect secondary.
NOTE: Apparently Mendenhall is hurt, which I didn't know...he will have limited carries so it' up to Moore to do work tonight...not a good start though
I see the Pats fighting until the end because of their offense, and Tom Brady will be in "F-U mode*" after being held to 14 points last week against the Browns. However, Pittsburgh has a good defense and should being able to get a few stops.
I'm not sure whether Pittsburgh covers the spread, but I think they'll win at home.
ESPN Analyst John Clayton came out with a list of the NFL QBs that he thinks are on the elite level, and I disagree with a lot of them. Let us break down the list and see where we stand.
Tom Brady, unfortunately, is a three-time Super Bowl champ. So clearly, he should be on the list. However, Joe Flacco has two years of experience on a team that is built primarily on the rushing game. This will be an important year for him because of all the weapons he now has on offense (i.e. Anquan Boldin/Donte Stallworth). Flacco is just too inexperienced to be given a crown yet, sorry bud.
No one will argue with Peyton Manning, end of story. Carson Palmer is on the edge for me because he is so talented, but he has yet to reach the next level. He hasn't done anything in the playoffs or put up 4,000 yard and 30 touchdown seasons every year, so this will be a make or break year for him. Top 10 yes, but not yet elite.
Phillip Rivers is definitely one of the best young QBs in the league, and if I had a top 10 list he would be on it. However, if I had an elite list, he wouldn't be on it. Roethlisberger has to be on it because he is a two-time Super Bowl champ. Schaub is a tough one though. I love this kid and all the amazing work he did for my fantasy football team last season, but given a few wasted seasons in Atlanta and then back to back injuries in 2008 and 2009, he has only put together one amazing season (4,700 yards and 29 TDs). If he can do it again, and again, he should be on the list but not yet.
Drew Brees is amazing and just continues to put down all of the critics, I absolutely love him. Favre, even though he screwed the Jets over, I can definitely admit is a great QB and most definitely elite when he is on the field. McNabb is someone you might not think about, but he only had one losing season his entire career in Philly and that should tell you something. He is a playmaker with his legs and his arm and will possibly bring some life to a dead Washington team.
Eli Manning I'm not really a fan of, but I do give him credit because he beat the Pats in the Super Bowl when people were talking about that New England team being the best of all-time. Not elite yet though...sorry. Aaron Rodgers is the man. He is a gun-slinger and reminds me of Favre. He is a playmaker and is only getting better, sitting on the bench behind Favre for a few seasons couldn't have hurt. He definitely belongs on the list.
Ever since Romo took over in Dallas he has done nothing but put up very impressive statistics, for an undrafted free agent nonetheless. The only question mark that could leave him off the list is what has he done for me lately...in the playoffs. He took it one step further last season and I think he belongs on the list because Dallas is a contender with him at QB.
Matt Ryan, see Joe Flacco.
So, in conclusion I've decided that John Clayton should be much tougher in his decisions and not just give it out to make sure the list if full. Just because a QB belongs in the top 10 doesn't mean he is elite.
Top 10: 1. Manning - The Best 2. Brees - Showed he can play with and beat the best 3. Favre - Who knows how long he'll play 4. Brady - Shown can be beaten...and embarrassed 5. Roethlisberger - Gosh he is ruining his career 6. McNabb - Sucks he hasn't won a Super Bowl...and got traded to Washington 7. Rodgers - Arguably the best young QB in the league 8. Romo - Proved he can win the playoffs...kind of 9. Rivers - Can't take over a game...yet 10. Palmer - This is his year...or he could be done
Okay, so I woke up and my friends tell me, "Dude, LT just raped some 15-year old girl." I said in response, "You mean, he allegedly raped someone?" Of course, that is just me being me because unless he is convicted, you gotta give the guy the benefit of the doubt...right?
Well hold on a second. Rewind. Someone told me that LT raped someone. Shouldn't I ask which LT it is:
In my opinion, the greatest linebacker in NFL history, Lawrence Taylor... OR
Current New York Jets running back, and first ballot Hall of Famer, LaDanian Tomlinson...
I'll tell you why I didn't ask. Because one of them was addicted to cocaine at one point during his career and has been known to get into trouble. And the other LT, humbly goes about his business with the first peep he makes is that he isn't enough of the offense in San Diego.
It was pretty easy to come to the conclusion of which LT it was. We don't know what is gonna happen to Taylor (I'm only calling him that because there are two LT's in this article) because other facts were released from this case making it much more wet then just a cut and dry rape case.
That isn't the point though, I want to know why it is so difficult for these mutli-millionaires to make smart decisions. Better yet, not make stupid decisions. Taylor is 51...the girl isn't older than 20 at the most. What is he doing?!
I have a decent head on my shoulders...or at least I like to think so...but of course I don't have the G-d given talent that these guys possess. It's just not fair, is all I'm saying. I don't have sex with underage people, I don't do drugs, I don't break the law (well, you know what I mean).
I just don't understand why athletes are handed this unbelievable ability to make plays on the field and screw up their lives off the field. Below are other athletes of the top of my head who messed up:
Pacman Jones
The late Chris Henry
Michael Vick
Ben Roethlisberger
Ron Artest
Antonio Cromartie
Plaxico Burress
Tiger Woods
and the list goes on...
However, real quick before I go...notice a trend of football players more so than any other sport...I know baseball players with steroids, but that is more of a issue within the sport I think and less about drugs/murder etc.
Ben Roethlisberger is innocent.Ok, well maybe that’s a stretch.But at the very least, he’s not guilty, because the American Justice system says that much.Whatever does or doesn’t happen with Big Ben when he’s alone with high school girls or at a bar is important, but at the end of the day it’s the verdict that counts.So what’s going on here?
Roger Goodell has been a fine commissioner since coming into the position.He’s waived his flag and burnt his bridges, levying punishments as he sees fit.But the six game suspension he just pushed on Ben is absurd.
I understand protecting a brand name, and the image of the league is important.After all, we wouldn’t want convicted felons running around the league making it popular, now would we?But in that same breath, at some point in time the integrity of the game is in question.What Goodell has effectively done is force a backup to start for a competitive team that finds itself in the playoff mix year in and year out.
The commissioner would have been much better suited to let this one ride on Pittsburgh Steelers management.One of the classiest organizations in the league is more than capable of handling this on their own, internally.Let them fine their quarterback; have him issue an apology for degrading the franchise.But at no time should Goodell have the say to terminate a team’s season when the player in question is found innocent by society as a whole.
This just feels like a step in the wrong direction for the league.What’s to stop future punishments for wearing Reebok sneakers if the league decides to sponsor Nike?It’s bad enough that coaches are being relegated to what they can and can’t wear on the sidelines.In an effort to have an iron fist, we’ve lost sight of the reason rules are in place in the first place: for the integrity of the game.And that integrity is violated with every warrant-less suspension.
