"This is the Year"

Uncut sheet of 1993 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football trading cards.

While preparing to move my family, I came across an uncut sheet of 1993 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Trading Cards.  It was almost 20 years ago that my mom purchased those cards for me.  I remember the exact moment like it was yesterday.  The “Game of the Century” had just ended.  Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward just had his attempted game winning pass batted down in the end zone; #2 Notre Dame knocks off #1 Florida State.  Notre Dame was sure to be National Champions with only Boston College left on the schedule.  I would own an uncut sheet of the 1993 National Champions, the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish.  As an avid sports card collector, I could only imagine what that one day would be worth.  But, we all know how that story played out.  Boston College would shock the world, defeating Notre Dame, and essentially squashing Notre Dame’s national title hopes.  

I kept those cards hung up in a frame in my bedroom for most of my adolescent life.  I would occasionally look at them and think about just how close we were that year.  At the start of every year after that I would (and still do) think, “This is the year.”  However, year after year since then has ended with disappointment.  There were years that were better than others, but overall every season ended with me looking at those cards, and thinking about what might have been.  Coaches have rotated in and out at South Bend; there have been a number of starting quarterback changes through the years; excuses made and given; but the one thing that has never changed, was the renewal of hope I feel at the start of every year.  This year, a midst a torturous schedule and freshman quarterback, is no different.  

Notre Dame head coach, Brian Kelly, has a seemingly unshakeable confidence in freshman quarterback Everett Golson as the 2-0 Irish head to East Lansing to face their first major hurdle of the season in Michigan State.  And, just as I’ve thought for the last 20 years, I look at that uncut sheet and think to myself, “This is the year.”  I know what challenges lay ahead on the Fighting Irish schedule, but seeing those cards reminds me that, good or bad, anything is possible in college football. 

Soldiers of Sport

The Gold Medal will once again, as it did Beijing, rest on the chests of the USA Men’s Basketball team.  Although international play has clearly improved drastically over the last 20 years; the USA has again imposed it’s dominance going undefeated throughout the games of the 30th Olympiad.   And yet, I feel as though I owe this team (for what it’s worth) an apology.

To find out why I owe them an apology, and for all things hoops related, visit Oncourt Onslaught.

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What More Can He Do?

The coronation of the King is complete. LeBron James is an NBA Champion, an NBA Finals MVP, and above all, he has become the leader we all expected him to be. Yet, I'm sure there are still those who will question his greatness. Never has there been a more scrutinized player. But, why?

For more on this and other NBA topics visit Oncourt Onslaught.

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What's The Diff?

The stage has been set.  The actors have all been in place.  Story lines written with a flare for the dramatic.  We all know about LeBron vs. Durant.  We know about the Big 3!...both of them.  Some say they cancel each other out.  I disagree.  They are different in so many ways, that I don't exactly see them having that sort of effect on each other.  Surely we can assume that those six players; LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Durant, Westbrook, and Harden will have the strongest impact on The NBA Finals.  Click the link below to let us know who you think will have the biggest impact outside of those six players.

http://poll.fm/3r68u

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All The Perks

The Many Faces of Kendrick Perkins....

http://oncourtonslaught.com/?p=1151 The Many Faces of Kendrick Perkins

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#WhatDidTheyDoToYou

What did they do to me?  “They” being the Miami Heat; the LeBron James/DWade…sometimes Chris Bosh, Miami Heat.  What did they do to me?  That’s a fair question.  But this goes beyond LeBron and his ridiculous claims of winning “not 2, not 3, not”…ahhh, you know the rest.  Beyond DWade’s declaration that they were “arguably the best trio to ever play the game of basketball”, even before they had ever played a game together as members of the Miami Heat.  Yes, this goes beyond that P. Diddy concert-like introduction they held down in Miami.  My dislike for the Miami Heat goes much further than that.  Let me explain myself a little before going any further....http://oncourtonslaught.com/?p=1116


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And Then There Were Four

The game was far from beautiful.  It featured atrocious shooting from both Boston and Philadelphia.  No one player stood out as the heroic savior of a game seven...until Paul Pierce (on a questionable charging call)  fouled out with just over four minutes left in the game.  It was at that point, that a savior stood up in Boston.  It was at that moment when Rajon Rondo put his team, the city of Boston, and their hopes of a championship on his back.....http://oncourtonslaught.com/?p=1087

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Failing to Exist

It was the choke seen ’round the world.  Seen by everyone except the one man it was aimed at, LeBron James.  And who was the one that fired off that shot?  Some guy....

For more go to http://www.oncourtonslaught.com/?p=1060

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You See Blackmon, I See Hope

I wonder if on the back of Justin Blackmon's jersey they can just write the word "HOPE".  When I look at Blackmon's film from Oklahoma State, that is exactly what I see...Hope.  Hope may be all Jacksonville Jaguars fans really need right now because, sadly, it has been some time since they have had any.  Not since the 2007 Jaguars knocked off the Steelers, only to lose to the (not for much longer) undefeated Patriots, have Jaguars fans had any hope.... 

 http://www.everythingsanendzone.com/?p=380

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When Going Hard Means Going Home

The Knicks finished the season going 18-6 after parting ways with D'Antoni.  Carmelo caught fire in April, scoring just under 30 per (29.8), and shooting 46% from the field and behind the arc.  The Knicks were 6-3 during that stretch.  They beat Orlando, Atlanta, Boston, and the number 1 seed Chicago Bulls.  Iman Shumpert looked like a defensive veteran, Baron Davis was holding down the point in Jeremy Lin's absence....

For more go to  www.oncourtonslaught.com/?p=1030

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And The Award Goes To...

Thursday of last week, prior to game 1 of the Heat vs Pacers series, Pacer coach Frank Vogel said of the Heat, that they were "...the biggest flopping team in the league".  He elaborated further by saying, "Oftentimes, they're falling down even before contact is even being made."  While those statements may be founded in a certain amount of truth, they also cost him $15,000.  The next day, while on the Doug Gottlieb show, Zach Randolph said, "The biggest floppers is the L.A. Clippers...by far."  No word as to whether or not that will cost him anything.  I'm fairly certain there will be no fine for me saying that I've always felt that Manu Ginobili and the Spurs were the biggest floppers in the game (sorry Hood).  It seems everyone has an opinion on what is the latest trend in the NBA.  During the Heat/Pacer's game 1, NBA Commissioner David Stern said, "I think it's time to look at (flopping) in a more serious way."  Stern added, "It's not a legitimate play in my judgment. I recognize if there's contact (you) move a little bit, but some of this is acting. We should give out Oscars rather than MVP trophies."  I couldn't agree more, but who gets the Oscar?  Furthermore, who wants to see it rewarded anymore than it already is.  I just wanna watch a game. 

For more go to http://oncourtonslaught.com/?p=1025

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It's Been A Long Time...I Shouldn't Have Left You

My sincerest apologies to all of my loyal readers out there.  Yes, all ten or so of you (Hi Mom!).  It has been too long since I last left you with some riveting, borderline thought provoking rhetoric.  As, you may or may not know (or been able to clearly guess), this is not my full time job.  The real source of my employment has kept me somewhat occupied over the last few weeks, but I have managed to seize a few precious moments to once again enlighten you with with the thoughts of the casual fan.  I'll catch you up on what's got me going lately in the sports world...for better or worse.

Baseball is upon us once again.  When did Opening Day become Opening Week.  The opening of the Major League Baseball season has been going on for like a week, and spanned the entire world.  It seems a little unnecessary, but..what do I know?  The Yankees are off to slow start dropping the first two games...time to panic?  Probably not, but anytime you see the O's atop the division...something ain't right.

Basketball is still in full swing.  The Heat have looked awfully pedestrian since the All-Star Break going 12-8.  They don't seem too worried though, you still don't want to play this team at home. They're coming off a just recently halted 17 home game win streak, and it looks like they'll be playing quite a bit of home games during the post season.  While I still see them as the favorites to win it all, OKC has shown themselves to be a legit threat.  Oh, and there is this other team just south of OKC...you may have heard of them...The Spurs.  Quietly they've won 10 straight, and hold the best record in the West.  On a completely unrelated note, I'm getting tired of Dwight Howard.  He wants to play in Orlando, he doesn't, he'll try one more year, he wants Van Gundy fired, he loves Van Gundy...stop being so childish Dwight.  You're the most dominant big man in the league...act like it!

Then there's my boys, The Knicks...ahhh...these guys just can't catch a break.  Just when all is seeming to fall into place in New York, injury strikes...and strikes hard.  Amare is likely out for the season, and the story of the year, Jeremy Lin is right there with him.  This team was looking so good for a minute. I'm pretty sure I even saw Melo playing some solid defense.  Yes, Carmelo Anthony!  We'll see what happens going forward.  It's mind boggling how a team with this much talent, even without Lin and Stat, can be struggling to hold on to the eighth spot in the playoff race.  I can't imagine what would happen if they missed out on the playoffs this year.  Chaos!

Then there is the ol' gridiron.  The situation with The Saints is seemingly going from bad to worse.  I was never a player, so I don't know what goes on in locker rooms, but this does not look good for Gregg Williams.  This guy is quickly becoming the poster child for unemployability (I may have just made that word up).  In more disappointing news...Tebow is a Jet!  This is just sad to me, because the Jets are already dysfunctional.  I gotta say I was really hoping he'd go to Green Bay; a team where he was clearly not going to be the starter, but still could have found a function.  Now it will surely be all Tebow...all the time.  We'll have nothing but "When will Tebow start?" debates on First Take, and even the most loyal Tebow fans can't possibly think this is a good fit.  It seems almost identical to last year, only we'll have to listen to Rex Ryan's immutable rants all year as well.

There it is.  Again, I apologize for my absence.  Although, I can't promise that will be the last of such a truancy.  So, until next time...I say a prayer for Tebow, The Knicks as a whole, and wish you all a very Happy Easter.


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Conversation of the Highest Form

Like any good, red-blooded American man, for eight years, I was addicted to the HBO series The Sopranos.  I've often taken from it some of the greatest overall general life principles and applied them to my own life.  I remember on one episode Tony was having dinner with Paulie, and the conversation turned into a trip down memory lane, in which Paulie and another guy kept bringing up stories that started with "Remember when".  Noticing Tony's disdain, Paulie asks Tony if he's alright...Tony stands up from the table to leave saying, "Remember when is the lowest form of conversation."  I've never forgotten that.  While Tony may have had an alternative reason for feeling this way, I've always dreaded the time when a friend and I can no longer hold a conversation, and are forced to rely on the "Remember whens...".  Thank God for sports!  Because if remember when is the lowest form of conversation, the sports debate is the highest!



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The Rest of the Stories

I'm not sure if it's because I'm no longer on the West coast, or the fact that I like to go to bed rather early (sorry...I just can't hang anymore). It could be that maybe I'm too cheap for the NBA League Pass, or it's also possible there is just too much NBA to cover it all.  But, what ever the reason, there are a few things I'd like to see more of in the NBA.  I mean, the best part of NBA All-Star Weekend was being reminded that there is more to this league than what's going on in South Beach, L.A., New York, and OKC, or of course, where Dwight is going to end up.  Now, those are all great stories and deserving of our attention, but there is more out there, and All-Star Weekend reminded me of that.  Here are a few things, going forward, I'd like to see more of:

Kyrie Irving
I don't know if it's just me, but it seems like this guy is almost forgotten about, despite the fact that he is having a spectacular rookie season.  He's the clear cut leader, in my opinion, for rookie of the year.  He's taken on the burden of becoming the leader of a rebuilding team, and the hope of a heartbroken city (Cleveland thanks you, LeBron), and he's done it all with little to no national coverage.  If Cleveland isn't playing the Heat, they hardly even get a mention on ESPN.  Irving is averaging almost 20 points per game, with 5 assists, and a few rebounds.  These numbers are on par (maybe even slightly better) than Derrick Rose's rookie year, and yet I hardly hear about this guy.  During the Rising Stars game, in which Irving won MVP, he couldn't miss from 3 point land.  I know there isn't much defense in that game, but seeing him play made me want to see more.

John Wall
Another victim of being on a terrible team is John Wall.  This guy may be one of the fastest people to move with a basketball that I have ever seen.  He is quick, has incredible handles, amazing court vision, and he can explode in a heartbeat.  If Blake Griffin had actually played the year that Wall was drafted, we might be talking about John Wall as last year's rookie of the year.  His play can be, at times, a little reckless, but when you're team is so terrible, what more can be expected?

Minnesota Timberwolves
Yes, the whole team.  I know they are a measly .500 team at best right now, but they are fun to watch.  Kevin Love is easily becoming one of the best power forwards in the game.  His outside shot is second to none, winning the NBA 3 point shootout.  He is fourth in the league in scoring, behind Kobe, KD, and Lebron.  His nearly 14 rebounds per game are second only to Dwight Howard, and yet he is never talked about with the likes of any of the aforementioned.  I love the way Ricky Rubio plays.  His creativity is unmatched, he is a true pass-first point guard (5th in assist per game), and he's no slouch on the defensive end (averaging over 2 steals per game).  Derrick Williams, while not overly impressive during the Dunk Contest, has had a few Top 10 highlight dunks this year.  I have a feeling that in time, he will grow into a pretty good player.  Add J.J. Barea, Martell Webster, and Michael Beasley and the sum is a fun, young team to watch....if you ever get the chance to.

The Rest of the NBA
Listen, nobody can argue with what the Heat are doing, but it's not really that much of a surprise.  They are doing exactly what everybody expected them to do as early as last year.  I also love watching Jeremy Lin, but Lin-Sanity  is not the only storyline in New York.  Dwight Howard doesn't want to play in Orlando, and the sooner the Magic come to grips with that, the better off they'll be.  Kobe is still Kobe, but the Lakers are not still the Lakers of a few years ago, they're not even the most exciting team in Los Angeles.  There is so much more going on in the league.  Brandon Jennings is amazing, but who wants to watch the Bucks?  Deron Williams may be the best point guard in the game, but if we're not talking about where Dwight wants to go, we don't hear anything about him.  The Spurs, despite being one of the oldest teams in the league, are quietly having one of their best years.  Oh, and there's also the Chicago Bulls, who have the best record in the league.  Yes, better than Miami and better than Oklahoma City...and last year's MVP, Derrick Rose has been battling injuries all season long.

I know that the NBA, like all sports, is driven by ratings.  I'm also aware that teams like Milwaukee, Washington, and New Jersey don't exactly drive those ratings through the roof.  But the future of the NBA is happening now, and a lot of us are missing it.  The casual fan just doesn't have enough exposure to these other storylines, and is therefore missing out on some great and exciting basketball.  So, until they change things I'll either be staying up later, springing for League Pass, or just continue to hope the NBA decides it's not all about ratings.

Looks like it's gonna be some late nights for me...I love this game!


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Where Is THAT Hero?

"3...2..Guerin shoots...1...IT'S GOOD!!!  KNICKS WIN!!"  That's the way the story always played out in my head...on my court.  Even when I missed the shot..."He was fouled!"...but, I always took the shot.  And, if you are anything like me, then you also had those moments.  The moments we grow up wishing we could have...shooting the game winner...becoming the hero.  Never once, in the thousands of moments like that, did I ever pass the ball.  I don't know if that makes me a poor player, and maybe that's the reason my highlight reel is limited to pickup games on local courts, but I always imagined myself being the one...the one to win it all.  With the 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend coming to an end, I'm left wondering if LeBron James had those same moments, or did he just...pass the ball. 

Listen, let me be abundantly clear...I know it was JUST an All-Star game.  I know it means nothing.  I know he is still, by far, the best basketball player in the game.  So why doesn't he take the potentially game winning shot?  Didn't he dream of moments like this?  Didn't he picture himself as the hero?  All-Star weekend, in every possible aspect, lacked those great moments that I grew up watching.  It's kind of sad that leading up to the game, Kenny Smith's back to back half court shots in the Shooting Stars challenge, was one of the better moments.  There was zero defense, and a complete lack of competitive nature in the Rising Stars game.  So much talent wasted.  Seeing just how good Kyrie Irving and John Wall are was a real treat, but that was overshadowed by an overall boring scrimmage.  The 3-Point Shootout was alright, but nobody really went off.  Then there was the Dunk Contest with its over-hyped and completely ridiculous "Intensity Meter".  I don't really need to explain what a let down it was.  No superstars, no moments that made me jump out of my seat, only one round...and NO judges??  The judges' reaction to the dunks was half the show in the past, but then again what legend is coming out to see these guys?  There weren't even that many celebrities in the crowd, except Diddy, but he was more of a prop than a spectator.  Then the game began, and I again felt let down...until LeBron came alive in the second half.  He was making shots that were simply amazing.  He took over and showed the world the he really is the best player in the game.  He was unstoppable.  The East was down by 20, and because of LeBron, they were within one basket of winning.  These are those moments we wish for.  The ones we've taken thousands of times.  Jordan, Magic, Bird, and Kobe relish these moments, but not LeBron.  He passed the ball.  Even with Kobe in his face, prepared to officially pass the torch to him, screaming for him to take the shot...he passed the ball.  It was picked off, and shortly after a Blake Griffin free throw...the game was over.  The East, and LeBron had lost.

And, so it was, rather than seeing LeBron take another step toward greatness, the 2012 NBA All-Star game (and weekend as a whole) will be one that I'll eventually forget.  LeBron, DWade, and the Heat will likely win the NBA Finals. And, unless LeBron dominates them, he will continue to have his greatness questioned.  We will continue to wonder where is THAT  hero?  The one who takes the shot?

 "3...2.......


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Childlike Fan

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. - 1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, it was fun to be a fan.  You didn't have to have a barrage of facts to support why your favorite player was your favorite player.  He was your hero:  the one you pretended to be while playing on the corner lot.  Most of the time he played for your favorite team.  And, most of the time that favorite team was your parents favorite team.  Maybe they played in the same city you grew up in, or maybe they just had the coolest uniforms (I thought the Bengals were awesome for a short time in my youth).  We watched sports as kids, blind to the harsh reality of what was going on behind the scenes.  We assumed that our heroes played for our teams purely because they had love for the game and the city that placed them on their pedestals.  We didn't care about completion percentages, passer ratings, player efficiency, turnover ratios, slugging percentage, and we certainly had no idea what the Elias Sports Bureau was.  We didn't know what salary caps were, and we didn't care.  We didn't need a monetary value placed on these immortal men. I could, however, tell you there was no way I'd trade that Topps Jose Canseco rookie card...nope, not even for a Darryl Strawberry Upper Deck.  Canseco was the first 40/40 player!  I had no idea he did it partly because of steroids...I didn't even know what steroids were-  I just thought he was amazing.  The Bash Brothers made kids in Florida wanna play for the Oakland A's...trust me, I was one of them.  And, while we fought over who was McGwire and who was Canseco, these so called heroes were fighting addictions that I didn't even know existed.  Yeah, when I was a child....that's when sports were the best.

But, as we become men and put away those childish ways, should we also put away that childlike idea of being a fan?  I mean, now a days you can't have a favorite player, for fear that he may only be on that team for a few years...and then what?   I can't buy a jersey- by the time I can afford one (they're not cheap), the guy might get cut to clear up cap space or be traded to a rival team.  And, if you wanna tell someone what your favorite team is, you better be prepared to back it up with some cold hard facts.  You need to know how deep your starting pitching rotation is, what's their collective on base percentage, what was their "strength of schedule", how's next years recruiting class, and you better have a real good explanation as to why your team hasn't won a championship lately.  No longer is it alright to just be a casual fan.  No longer can you be a fan of a player or team just because you have a love for the game and the team that gives you hope.  Not good enough!  These days it's about obscure facts, statistics, and numbers; and despite what ESPN programming would have you believe...numbers do lie.

So, you can keep your numbers, your efficiencies, ratios, and QBR's.  I just wanna be a fan.  I like the  Yankees, Knicks, Jags, and The Fighting Irish.  My favorite players were Patrick Ewing, Darryl Strawberry, and Lawrence Taylor.  These days they're Kevin Garnett, Blake Griffin, Alex Rodriguez, Jones-Drew, and as of late Jeremy Lin.  I don't need statistics to justify why I root for them; some are exciting to watch, some make my favorite team better, and Jeremy Lin is both those and an inspirational story as well.  If that makes me childish,  I'm okay with that.  I'm not a professional sports analyst, I'm just a fan.



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Jim Irsay vs Jeremy Lin???

Lin vs Irsay?  What do they even have to do with each other?  It does, even as I begin to write this, seem like an odd pairing for one posting.  However, I think if you stay with me for a minute you'll see that, while they have absolutely nothing in common, they are worthy of sharing this article. 

I'll start with Jim Irsay first.  If you ask me (I know you didn't), Irsay has become all that is wrong with sports today.  An owner that has done nothing but attempt to make himself larger than his players, his team, that team's fan base, and football in general.  I have no problem with his ridiculous promotions, his constant tweeting (it's not like I follow him anyway), or the fact that he is seemingly best buddies with Rob Lowe (he was in Tommy Boy, right?).  What I do have a problem with is his poorly disguised disrespect toward Peyton Manning and all that are following that situation.  I'm alright with the fact the Indianapolis Colts have decided to move on with Andrew Luck...that's not a problem.  However, this back and forth...Peyton is a politician, Keep it in the family, The Horseshoe comes first....well, it's too much.  It is blatant hypocrisy as he turns around and tweets how much he wants Peyton to stay...if he's willing to rework his contract.  REWORK?  It's a contract- you want him so bad? Honor it!  All of it!  Oh, and all of a sudden, some unknown source reports to Sports Illustrated that Peyton Manning had a fourth neck procedure.  Was it reported?...Or tweeted alongside some Bob Dylan lyrics?  I've said it before, so I won't elaborate again, but Peyton Manning has done more for that man to make him successful than he apparently cares to recognize.  And, why not just have an amicable split?  Irsay clearly does not want Peyton anymore, but he's afraid to just be the bad guy.  Just be the bad guy already!  Let Peyton go, have Indy possibly hate you for a little while, hope for the best with Andrew Luck, and move on...but stay out of the headlines.  You are all that is wrong with sports.

And, what does this have to do with Jeremy Lin?  Well, isn't obvious?  Jeremy Lin is all that is RIGHT with sports.  Not because I'm a Knicks fan, and haven't had something to be this excited about in years, but because you couldn't write a better a story than what is happening with this guy.  All across the country- heck, even when they were playing an away game in Canada, people are cheering for this kid.  It's amazing!  I don't think I've ever seen someone play professional basketball with such excitement...it's clearly contagious.  The Garden has come alive, the Knicks bench has new life, and LINsanity is running wild.  He's an example of what hard work and humility can earn you.  He inspires those around him to work harder, enjoy the game, and subsequently WIN.  And I don't want it to end.  I know that this winning streak has to come to end, right?  But, I don't want this story to taper off.  I want to believe that this is just the beginning of something greater.  I understand that at some point, Jeremy Lin won't be the top story on every sports program on radio and TV, but while it is, I'll continue to enjoy it.  He is living out the story we all had imagined we would live out as kids.  I can't tell you how many times I imagined Pat Riley calling me off the Knicks bench, and thus starting my rise to NBA stardom (by the way, that never actually panned out).  Jeremy Lin makes me believe in sports again.

So, there it is...Jim Irsay vs. Jeremy Lin.  All that is Wrong, versus all that is Right with sports. Two ends of the spectrum.  Two polar opposites...that while having nothing in common with each other, are deserving of sharing this article.  But, you know what the best part about being a sports fan is?...I can chose to ignore the wrong, and enjoy all that is right.

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Where is Manning Landing?

My friend Bird was completely right when he described the way in which Peyton Manning was being treated in Indianapolis as a "travesty".  Rarely in sports do we see someone have an impact on a franchise, city, and even the sport itself, the way Peyton Manning has.  A true professional who plays with a passion and commitment that is hardly seen in sports today.  He has successfully crossed over into mainstream America and become a household name, and he has done it all while playing for Indianapolis.  But, as luck would have it (no pun intended), injury strikes, the team collapses without him, and they are now poised with taking Andrew Luck as the number 1 pick in this year's upcoming NFL draft.  Healthy enough or not:  fully cleared, not cleared, doctor approved, a shell of who he once was, or just on the cusp of greatness once again; it appears the Colts have no desire to bring him back.  Whether it's for financial reasons, personal agendas, or just time to move forward, it seems as though we have seen Peyton play his last game as an Indianapolis Colt.

So, where will Peyton go next?  Let's first start by covering where we can assume Peyton won't go.  Now, a healthy Peyton Manning is almost surely an upgrade to any team, but these first few teams are in no real need for that upgrade. New England is currently doing alright in the QB department, as are the Giants, Green Bay, New Orleans, Dallas, Philadelphia- and despite a somewhat down year, San Diego is probably gonna be alright with Rivers.  Now Detroit, Cincinnati, Carolina, and Tampa Bay all have guys under center that, while they are young, have shown much promise.  I'm not completely sold on Josh Freeman, but a lot of people who watch a whole lot more film than I do seem to think he has what it takes.  This next group of guys aren't exactly the best of the best, but they are up there, and I don't know that any change needs to be made in Houston, Chicago, ATL, or San Fran.  Ryan Fitzpatrick had Buffalo looking pretty solid (5-2 before dropping 7 straight) posting career highs in touchdowns (and interceptions). The Ravens don't always seem sold on Joe Flacco, but he has gotten the job done, falling just short to the eventual conference champions the last four years.  While St. Louis, Minnesota, and Cleveland could all possibly use a little Peyton, recent mock drafts have them either upgrading their team via RG3 or with weapons in which will strengthen their already young talent.  Although Peyton does have ties to Tennessee, Matt Hasslebeck seems to be paving the way for Jake Locker to take the helm there.  In Oakland, I'm pretty sure they have enough on their hands with Jason Campbell and Carson Palmer. So, that leaves 8 teams left in which Manning could land...the Jets, Denver, Seattle, KC, Washington, Arizona, Miami, and Jacksonville.

It should be noted that I do not know what teams have room under the salary cap, but Peyton has said he's willing to structure a contract based solely on his performance.

Jets
Through the media, we've heard a lot of talk about the Jets. While I do believe that both Eli and Peyton are mature enough and media savvy enough to handle New York together, I feel this is by far the worse choice for Peyton.  The locker room is clearly dysfunctional, and Rex Ryan couldn't be farther from a "Tony Dungee type" coach that Peyton Manning has been used to dealing with.  I really don't see this as an option.

Broncos
In Denver there is a lot of upside.  They were the #1 ranked rushing team last year, their offensive line only allowed their QBs (even while scrambling) to get hit 68 times, their defense is young and kept them in a lot of games, but their fans do have a cult like following for Tim Tebow.   If there was one quarterback that could replace and mentor Tebow without any fan backlash, it would be Peyton.  However, I don't know that even one of the greatest in the game would want to deal with that situation.  Would the fans call for Tebow again, should Peyton slump?

Seahawks

There is the possibility of Seattle, but Seattle has all sorts of issues.  Their running game is mediocre, their offensive line play wasn't very good allowing 50 sacks, and while their defense wasn't terrible, the Seahawks just don't have a supporting cast that would appeal to a superstar like Peyton.

Chiefs

The Chiefs do have a few key pieces that may appeal to Peyton, and Matt Cassel hasn't exactly panned out like some thought he would.  They have both a marquee running back in Jamaal Charles, and an All-Pro wide receiver in Dwayne Bowe.  They were a middle-of-the-pack rushing team, and did it all with their #1 RB injured from the start of the season.  Their defense was average at best, but then again Peyton never really worked with the best defenses in years past.

Cardinals

I'm sure Peyton wouldn't mind the warm climate and retractable roof in Arizona, but they had by far one of the least protective offensive lines last year.  They allowed 54 sacks and 86 hits on their quarterbacks, one of which was Kevin Kolb who was somewhat of a let down in the games he did get to play.  On the flip side, just the thought of passing to Larry Fitzgerald has to be appealing to any quarterback, despite the teams lackluster rushing attack.

Redskins

I hear more talk about Washington than any other team, but this seems like a terrible choice.  The NFC East is arguably the best division in all of football.  Peyton is used to playing in a dome all year, so I'm sure the cold winters in DC are not that much of a draw for him.  Their defense was not that good last year either; they were one of the worse rushing teams, and their offensive line play was below average (allowing their QBs to get hit 108 times...3rd in the league).  Maybe a few years ago they were just a QB away from being great, but Santana Moss and the rest of the Skins receivers are clearly on the decline.  Then again, working with Mike Shanahan  may be just enough to lure Peyton to Washington.

Dolphins

Miami I could see.  They have the marquee receiver in Brandon Marshall, and they have one of the best receiving running backs in Reggie Bush, who came alive late in the season.  They were 11th in the league in rushing, middle of the pack defensively, and the second half of the season was a polar opposite to their abysmal 0-7 start (finishing the season 6-10).  Let's also not forget that it is Miami.  First Lebron, then Peyton.?  How many superstars can be in one city?  They, to me, have the most legitimate shot at landing Peyton Manning.  Except for....

Jaguars ? ?

THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS!  Yes, the Jags!  What kind of fan would I be if I didn't offer up a completely biased opinion of why one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time should go to my favorite team?  But, in all honesty....let's look at this.  The Jaguars defense was 6th in the league last year in total yards allowed, 11th in total points allowed, and have the 7th pick in this years draft.  M.J.D....do I need to say anything else?  No, but I will.  He led the league in rushing, and he was able to do so on a team that ranked dead last in total offense, and had the lowest rated quarterback in the league.  The AFC South is not exactly a powerhouse, with the Houston Texans clearly being the best team in that division.  If Peyton wants to get a little revenge on the Colts, he'd have two opportunities a year to do so in the warm climate of sunny Florida.  The market is small, and the fan base is low, but if anyone could turn all that around, Peyton Manning could.  He would be a great mentor to Blaine Gabbert, and with Mike Mularkey and Bob Bratwoski taking over the team's offense, things are sure to pick up in Jacksonville.  Hey, anything is possible, and could you imagine how great Manning would look in those new all black uniforms?

No one really knows where Peyton Manning will play next...if he plays at all.  We've heard that he's been medically cleared, but nobody really knows where Peyton is in his recovery.  No one except Peyton.  He's also the only one who knows where he'd like to play.  Of course, I'd love to see him play in Jacksonville, who wouldn't want him to lead their team?  But no matter where he ends up, that team and the league in general will be better for having him a part of it.  The greatest players of all time should have the opportunity to leave the game they love on their own terms.  And I don't think Peyton Manning is ready to leave yet.


For more, follow me on Twitter @JustACasualFan

Jeremy Lin...No Catchy Play on Words

I haven't been this excited  to watch the Knicks in years.  Jeremy Lin has completely changed the atmosphere that surrounds the New York Knicks.  How long will it last?  I'm not sure.  Could it be more than just some catchy play on words in the stands (Lin-Sanity, All He Does is Lin, Lin, Lin, or my favorite Linsane in the Membrane)?  Can it be more than just an atmospheric change?  Can it be the culture change that New York basketball has so desperately needed?  I think so.  Fans of the Knicks have become so accustomed to losing, that even when an all-star laden line up (Amare, Tyson, and Melo) failed to live up to their promise...we accepted it.  We scoffed at people who would suggest that this team is actually worse off now than it was prior to acquiring Melo.  We were okay while Melo scored 30 in a loss, because hey...at least somebody is doing something.  At least we have an all-star on the team.  This is the end of that way of thinking, this is...well, at the very least can be a new era in New York.  Will Jeremy Lin continue to average 28 points a game?  I seriously doubt it, but I am willing to believe that he is the answer Knicks fans have been looking for.  A player who inspires his teammates, promotes their success before his own, and plays the game the way we used to play when we were kids...with excitement.  The Knicks, for the first time in years, actually look like they are ALL playing defense.  They play like a team.  They play for each other, not themselves.  They have done this all without their leading scorer, and top big man...both, the seeming future of this franchise.


Amare will return soon, after mourning the loss of his brother, and Melo is sure to return to the lineup not long after that...and what happens then?  The ball has consistently gone through the hands of Carmelo Anthony all year long, and in doing so Amare Stoudemire's points per game is down over 7 a game, and where is that production?  Carmelo is the Knicks leading assist man with just over 4 per game.  That means he touches the ball almost every play that he is in the game, and yet only finds (or even bothers to look for) another scorer 4 times....FOUR!?!?  Lin has averaged 8 in the last 4 games (all wins).  Can the two superstars co-exist without being the main floor generals also?  Tonight it seemed the only way to even have a chance at stopping Lin was to double team him.  That was with Jared Jefferies, Billy Walker, and Landry Fields on the floor.  Will teams be able to afford double teaming Lin with Amare and Melo on the floor?  Only if Carmelo allows Lin to run the offense.  Lin has made it clear that he wants to feed the big men the ball, that he wants to constantly get his teammates involved, and I believe that Stoudemire will be the biggest benefactor of this way of thinking...if he plays the game as he has always played. And Carmelo?  Well, he can still be Carmelo...only let Lin create openings for him, so he isn't forcing up shots that he doesn't need to take. I mean Jared Jefferies had 9 points in the first half...imagine what Lin can do for Carmelo.

It's only been four games, I know that.  Tonight was clearly the biggest win of them all, as they were able to withstand a late Kobe Bryant rally, and shake off the Lakers.   The Knicks are 6 games back in the Atlantic division and play sub .500 teams 5 out of the next 6 games before playing Atlanta and Miami.  Amare will certainly be back by then, and Carmelo should be right behind him.  There is plenty of time to right this ship.  I'm excited!  Knicks fans are are excited!  The Garden is rocking harder than when Jay-Z killed it on his Fade To Black concert.  And the future just may be now...just may be Jeremy Lin.


For more, follow me on Twitter @JustACasualFan

You're talking about THE Hall of Fame?

All week long I've been listening to people say that if Eli Manning wins Super Bowl 46, he will have punched his ticket into the Hall Of Fame.  I'll write it again so you know that I was serious...The Hall Of Fame.  Not the Hall Of Decent Football Players, not the Hall Of Nice Guys, not even the Hall Of Better Than Most...we're talking about the actual Pro Football Hall Of Fame.  Yes sir, the same one in Canton, Ohio.  The one where you might find a bust of quarterbacks like Roger Staubach, Johnny Unitas, Terry Bradshaw, Steve Young, Dan Marino, John Elway, and Joe Montana.  So, you're telling me that if Eli ends up winning a second Super Bowl, he is automatically on the same level as the aforementioned?  Hardly.  How about Boomer Esiason, Randall Cunningham, and arguably the best Giants quarterback ever Phil Simms?  They haven't even made it into the Hall Of Fame.  Is Eli as good a quarterback as they were?  Nope.  I got it, he's won a Super Bowl.  So has Trent Dilfer, Mark Rypien (who has two rings, he was injured for one), and Brad Johnson.  Certainly they weren't one Super Bowl win away from the Hall Of Fame...were they?  And, what about Warren Moon and Dan Marino?  They never won the Super Bowl.  Does Eli automatically become better than them? 

Listen, let me be clear on one thing...I am NOT anti-Eli!  I recognize that he is far better than the average quarterback in the league today.  I wish he was the quarterback for my team.  All I'm saying is that we need to stop with all this Eli is Elite, Heading to the Hall Of Fame nonsense.  This year was clearly his best year as a pro...no argument from me.  However, that "Best Year" had him ranked 7th in the league.  Behind Stafford and Schaub, and just a fraction above Matt Ryan.  In 2010 he was ranked 17th in the league finishing after such names as David Garrard and John Kitna.  How did those guys do this year???  In 2009 Eli fared pretty well, just missing the top 10, as well as the playoffs.  In 2008, riding high off that Super Bowl MVP performance, Eli fell to 14th.  Both Seneca Wallace and Shaun Hill out performed him.  And then there is the famous Super Bowl year...25th overall.  I won't even name all the people who finished above him that year.  You get the point...don't you?  He isn't Hall Of Fame material.  He is a good quarterback, who's team was fortunate enough to barely make it into the playoffs twice before catching some momentum.  He was the MVP of Super Bowl 42...but, should he have been?  If some unknown receiver doesn't catch the ball on his helmet...well, who knows.  Even still, the Giants defense held one of, if not, the most explosive offenses ever to 14 points.  That whole defense should have been MVP. And I know, I know...he's had to crawl out of Peyon's shadow and deal with the New York media.  But, if his last name was Jones and he played in Kansas City or Seattle would we even be having this conversation?  Probably not.

Eli is young (he is only 31), and could possibly play another five years if he stays healthy.   Maybe when it's all said and done he'll have won a few more rings, been selected to the Pro Bowl a few more times (as if that has any merit), or maybe he'll even win a National Football League MVP Award.  But as of right now, he's just a good quarterback.  If this is the new standard for the Hall Of Fame, what Hall will we put quarterbacks like Bradshaw, Aikmen, Montana, or even Tom Brady and Peyton in?  The standard has already been established.  Don't lower it because it makes for good conversation during the time leading up to the Super Bowl.  Just let them play, and the truly elite will be just that...Elite.  No debate necessary.


For more, follow me on Twitter @JustACasualFan

Who Am I? I'm Just a Casual Fan.

So, here I am, just a casual fan.  Sports fan.  Fan of the Yankees, Knicks, Jags, and The Fighting Irish.  Fan of some the sports greatest athletes like Kevin Garnett, Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio (we consider him athletic, right?), sometimes...even Lebron.  I root for Jeter and A-Rod equally and badly want to see A-Rod become the player he was (maybe without steroids, he never will be).  My all time favorite players were Lawrence Taylor, Patrick Ewing, Doc Gooden, and Howard Johnson.  I couldn't stand Michael Jordan as a kid.  How could I?  He destroyed the Knicks, and if there were no Jordan I firmly believe Ewing and the Knicks would have had multiple rings...but, he WAS there, and the Knicks won zero rings.  I don't know who the 2nd baseman for the Yanks farm team is, I'm just learning about Iman Shumpert and Josh Harrelson, I have no idea who the linebacker coach for Jags is, and I can't tell you everyone who is signing a letter of intent with the Irish this year.  I'm just a casual fan.  I watch the Yankees when I have time, I'm depressed when I see the Knicks continue to shy away from the basket, I'm convinced one day they'll move the Jags, but pray they don't and that Peyton is healthy and wants to stick it to Indy twice a year (I can dream), and how could I not know the Irish are getting a QB named Gunner Kiel?  His name is Gunner!  I watch ESPN as often as I can, I listen to sports radio while driving to work, and I try as often as I can to engage some of my favorite sports writers via Twitter (@JustACasualFan...shameless plug).

I am just a casual fan, but I have an opinion on things that I think even the most casual fan could understand or relate to.  And, thanks to the internet...I'm sharing that opinion.  Now, I realize that (like my repeatedly unanswered Tweets) these opinions may fall upon deaf ears, or blind eyes.  But, oh yes, I will share them.  Someone may glance them over and even agree that it's ludicrous to suggest that Eli is a better QB than Peyton, that Peyton playing for the Jets or the Skins makes no sense,  that (despite what Vince Young says) the Eagles never were or will be a Dream Team (there was only one of those...led by Patrick Ewing), and that as much as I want to see Tim Tebow succeed...I don't know that I want him as my quarterback.

So, here it is...my thoughts.  I don't have all day to break down film, I don't have a team of people working for me to update me on all the most insane and irrelevant statistics in sports, I have no insiders (I don't even follow Rob Lowe on Twitter), and Kevin Durant and Lebron James consistently ignore the tweets of me and buddy, Hood.  I'm just a casual fan....with internet access.