Denver Broncos: Only Team Willing to Sacrifice a Virgin to Reach the Super Bowl
There we have it. The sweepstakes are over and Peyton Manning is going to Denver. Overall, it’s still a surprise as Miami seemed to be the early favorite, Tennessee had ties from Manning’s college days and a better defense, and San Francisco was actually the best landing spot to win now. In the end, a relationship with John Elway and five years/96 million dollars won out.
What does this mean for the Broncos? Are they division favorites? AFC favorites? Or, suddenly Super Bowl contenders? To answer that in reverse, apparently Vegas believes it’s a league-altering decision, as Denver went from about 75-to-1 for winning the Super Bowl to 10-to-1 after the signing. But is that really the case?
Bounties, Linsanity, Lakers and March Madness
NFL and Bounties – I’ve heard both sides, arguments that money was for big hits but not for intent to injure and some who are surprised this was even going on. The most ridiculous argument I’ve heard is comparing it to other sports (golf, baseball, et al). Sorry fellas, but that dog doesn’t hunt.
Outside of hockey, no other sport encourages big hits and carries the risk of ending someone’s career. And in fact, the NHL polices that heavily. We’ve seen suspensions for checking players into the boards because you are putting peoples’ lives in your hands. To encourage football players to hit “harder” and give bonus money to those who knock an opponent out of the game is shameful. Players are encouraged to knock players out, plain and simple. Forget the fact it is supposed to coincide with “clean hits”; you simply cannot control every single player and ever-changing factors on each play to ensure they are “clean.” When there is money for forcing injuries, it’s clearly an egregious act and deserves a severe punishment.
Bringing Sanity to Linsanity
I was bashed a bit last night on this same topic. Being the glutton for punishment I am as a writer, I figured why not let it continue or even add to the fire. Let me clarify one thing though, I am not writing this just to create buzz like some talking heads do. I undoubtedly believe my point, and simply want fans to realize the same.
If the Knicks want to succeed long term with Jeremy Lin at point, Lin needs to improve. What? “How the heck can he get better?” you ask. It’s because there is more to basketball than scoring or rooting for the underdog. A major factor in team success and winning championships is controlling the ball. That means players need to keep turnovers to a minimum.
How to Make the NBA All-Star Game Even Better
A little known, but extremely cool, idea for this year’s NBA Rookie-Sophomore Game will be implemented this year. Instead of simply gathering all the rookies and second-year players on to teams and watching them play, the NBA is following the NHL’s lead and having teams picked. That’s right, it’s going to be just like gym class with team captains, except the captains are a thousand times better. They are Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley.
How great is this? Even if Shaq and Barkley were simply the coaches, the game would already be immensely better. Now, we get to watch them pick the teams and give reasons why. Who doesn’t want to see Barkley call someone by the wrong name or Shaq pick up Ricky Rubio and swing him around like a doll?
Tom Coughlin is a Hall of Fame Coach, Today
After letting the Super Bowl sink in for a day (see: celebrate and enjoying the Giants win endlessly), I figured I would share a quick thought on everything as well. Eli Manning is elite, he is on his way to being a Hall of Famer and no one can deny his ability with his two Super Bowl MVPs. The Giants continue to win when down and when many assume they can’t or shouldn’t win. Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz have an argument for the best WR duo in the league. The Giants front four on defense, and especially when it is in the NASCAR package with Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka, is a devastating force and one of the best weapons any team has. We know all of these things; well, at least I have and preached it all year. Now that everyone is on board with all those facts, there is one more thing everyone should now: Tom Coughlin is a Hall of Fame coach.
Eli Manning is a Hall of Famer, Win or Lose on Sunday
I find it semi-amusing that much of the media is debating whether or not Eli Manning is elite. Why is that? Only because over five months ago – yes, before the season started – I wrote that he was. It came on the heels of his Michael Kay interview where Manning said he deserved to be in the same class as Tom Brady and the “elite” quarterbacks.
I’m now going to take things a step further because the debate has seemingly ballooned into whether Eli is a Hall of Fame quarterback. Many are saying if the Giants win on Sunday, Eli will have locked in a trip to Canton. My question to everyone is, “Why?” Why does a second ring carry all of the weight of determining if Eli is a Hall of Famer?
Give Up the Pick, not on Peyton Manning
Does anyone know what the Indianapolis Colts are thinking? For that matter, can anyone figure out what’s going through Jim Irsay’s head? In my case, I have no clue, and I believe any final outcome outside of holding on to Peyton Manning is a mistake.
Assuming Manning is healthy, the Colts would be insane to let him walk and draft Andrew Luck. I know there are still questions about Manning’s health/neck, but let’s assume Manning is correct and everything is/will be fine. Letting one of the greatest QBs of all time leave, especially without compensation, is asinine.
Do the Colts need more help than just at QB? Sure. But how much help exactly? If you look at the 2010 versus 2011 roster, there aren’t that many differences. And in fact, they upgraded in some areas. The biggest difference from the two teams was the loss of Manning. That alone took a 10-6 team to 2-14. This Colts team is still a Manning return and few small upgrades from contending again. So why would you throw in the towel and start a premature rebuilding plan and base it all on an uncertainty?
In Order to Win, Orlando Needs to Trade Dwight Howard
After last night’s embarrassing 74-69 loss to the 76ers, one thing is clear: it’s time for the Orlando Magic to trade Dwight Howard. His departure is inevitable, and it’s obvious this team isn’t working even with him.
The Magic are sitting at 12-9, third in the Southeast and sixth overall in the Eastern Conference. Their mediocre play is not because of Dwight. In fact, you could count his poor performances on one hand… and still have enough fingers to give Orlando the peace sign as he leaves. The Magic simply aren’t a quality built team.
LeBron Returning to Cleveland? Not in this Lifetime
It’s not going to happen. Get over it, don’t kid yourself, and save your breath. LeBron James is not ever – and I mean ever as in the impossible outcome to the contrary – returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The “rumor” (see: writer with too much time on his hands) broke yesterday saying James was growing tired of Pat Riley. LeBron still enjoys the “Three Kings” get-together in Miami, but Riley’s disciplinary style is wearing on James. To take things further, the rumor suggests that someone “close to the situation” knows that LeBron would look to the Cavs if he opts out after the 2013-14 season.
$214 Million For Prince Fielder – OMG!
Flabbergasted. That’s the only word I could think of to describe my reaction after the Detroit Tigers signed Prince Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million-dollar contract. “Shocked” would be putting it too lightly.
The market for Fielder was slim to begin with, and for the majority of the offseason, the Washington Nationals appeared to be the frontrunners. The reason was simple: we are talking about an overweight and slow first baseman who is also a poor defender. National League teams were wary since we all know that Fielder likely has four-to-five years left before he eats forces his way into a DH role. That is why it made more sense for his moving to the American League.
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