Alright, so I was browsing some of the sports sites that I usually go to and checking out their most updated NFL Power Rankings. For one reason or another I love that shit, the intertwining numbers make it easier to understand the ebbs and flows of the NFL that are occurring on a day-to-day basis (See: Matt Schaub). Regardless of the fact that I rarely agree with their rankings and justifications, I can't get enough of it.
Anyways, I was checking out two particular Power Rankings that I kind of like and noticed that, again, they had San Francisco at number 2. They won their most recent game with the Giants at home with an offense that was just downright unimpressive. Well Smith did have 242 yards through the air. Not bad, he's now on pace to finish with around 3000 yards. If this was 2001 that would be an alright season. It means nothing in this league. You need a big-time quarterback to win a Super Bowl in this era. End of story. However; I am pretty impressed with the run that San Francisco has been on. That defense is ruthless. They will be a contender, I just don't see them going very deep (giggity).
One of the two (espn) has New Orleans at third. Too high. That's a good offense and it's nitpicky I suppose but I say anything between second and fifth should be highly scrutinized (is it even a question that Green Bay is the hottest team in the league? They will be first barring disaster). Anyways, the Saints are a talented team offensively. Their defense isn't the best but they play similarly to the Packers, bending and not breaking. But the Saints have broken. They lost to then winless Saint Louis. C'mon now. They're good though, probably three or four teams better than them.
Eagles should maybe be a little further down there. This team is fading fast. That whole thing about how it was going to be 'a contest between Vick and Kolb to find out who the better quarterback is' was a complete joke, right? This team is gonna bottomfeed for the rest of the year and maybe for the better. The dream team needed a good humbling. Mainly just Vince "Dream Team" Young though. Hope you learned your lesson.
I also think the Raiders ought to be a bit higher up than they are. They have a solid chance of winning that division. There schedule gets tough with the NFC North coming up but they should get at least one win out of that if not two, but who will it be? But then they get to play their scum division and could feasibly pull a 2010-2011 Seahawks. Carson Palmer is an elite quarterback, let him get back into his zone and he will provide the passing support needed for that running game.
I like CBS's placement of the bottom three. Rams at 30, Browns at 31 and Colts at 32. They are all pitiful, in that exact descending order. No argument here.
I could nitpick all day long but that's why you should check here more often.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
First attempt at a blog...let's see how it goes.
Alright so the other day I was bored off of my ass and decided to take a look at espn.com. What an enlightening experience. Honestly, half the shit on there was obvious ("The New England Patriots are still dangerous"), and the other half was complete speculation. Let's be honest, speculation is far more interesting to read. It promotes conversation, lively debate and the like. So that's what I am here to do. I am going to sail amid the sea of sports speculators.
Highly original right? Well maybe not but here's the truth, I think I have some interesting things to say that other, more highlighted, sports analysts aren't talking about for one reason or another.
I want to give my honest opinion about happenings in sports and hear what the reader has to say about it. I hope to publish responses to blogposts that I find particularly intriguing/constructive/offensive and respond to them. So let's go ahead and get this started with a few things I have been "thinking" about in sports lately:
1. Okay, I will admit it (despite the fact that I never thought I would), the Niners are playing good ball. Their running is impressive, the offensive line looks solid, run and pass. And the defense, spearheaded by P. Willis is tough. I should also admit right now that I think Willis is the best consistent defender year after year. The guy is a tackling machine. He will be a force for a long time. In spite of these positives, I don't see this team going deep in the playoffs (which they will make, that division is pitiful) for a few reasons. First, Harbaugh isn't experienced enough with the NFL, it's hard to see how he's gonna adjust his team in the coming weeks.
Second, I still don't believe in Smith. Yeah, the team is winning games, does that make him a good quarterback? The man is generating relative excitement because he was drafted ahead of Rodgers and is starting to perform arbitrarily (a tad bit) closer to his expected level. The man is still a joke. He loves targeting the tight ends in the middle of the field or a receiver in the backfield. You need a quarterback who can throw the deep ball every now and then. Smith will be called upon when they actually play quality defenses in the playoffs, and I don't think he will step up. He just isn't that good.
Third, will Gore go down? He's impressive when he's healthy but, how often is that? Often enough.
I hope this San Francisco team can patch up its issues, that city needs a hero.
2. Who is the second best team in the NFC North? The Lions and Bears fight for the 2 spot behind the unstoppable Packers, but really, which team has been playing better football?
The Bears have really started coming on lately. Forte is coming on strong and Cutler isn't choking the ball away nearly as frequently as he has in past years. And the Bear's defense is the Bear's defense. They're tough and the linebackers are forces in the middle of the field.
The Lions on the other hand have a sparkling pass offense thanks to Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson. And those tight ends are playing well too. Anyways, that front on the defense is vicious. Suh is the defensive player of the year at this point. He's a beast and the other guys (Starring: Vanden Bosch and Avril) are solid in the pass rush with 5 sacks each.
Today's game proved that the Lions may not be ready to come out of the NFC North cellar for another year or two, but the Lions have two matchups left with the Packers that will be critical in determining the way the North pans out.
3. It's a popular topic and it absolutely deserves to be: Do the Colts get Luck if they lose out (or otherwise have the worst NFL record)? Which they could potentially do with the football they've played up until now. They've had impressive moments but they are just such a floppy team without the laser guided rocket arm of Peyton Manning. Angerer is kind of a badass though, he might be able to hold his own in a fight with Kushing.
Also the Dolphins are pretty much stepping away from the "Suck for Luck" movement and stepping into the realm of another mediocre season. This team is a garbage rebuilder that could have used Luck, desperately.
Which brings me to my next point. I have full faith that Manning will be back next season, posting good, maybe (just maybe) great numbers. I also believe that the Dolphins would dump all the talent they have for that one starter piece, Luck, that could supposedly have a franchise built around him. Just saying, Manning could be around for a couple more year. Edging on the realm of greatness (multiple super bowl winners only), but so damn good that he makes Matt Schaub look average (which he is. Completely).
Just thoughts everybody. Let me know how I can improve. Take it easy.
Highly original right? Well maybe not but here's the truth, I think I have some interesting things to say that other, more highlighted, sports analysts aren't talking about for one reason or another.
I want to give my honest opinion about happenings in sports and hear what the reader has to say about it. I hope to publish responses to blogposts that I find particularly intriguing/constructive/offensive and respond to them. So let's go ahead and get this started with a few things I have been "thinking" about in sports lately:
1. Okay, I will admit it (despite the fact that I never thought I would), the Niners are playing good ball. Their running is impressive, the offensive line looks solid, run and pass. And the defense, spearheaded by P. Willis is tough. I should also admit right now that I think Willis is the best consistent defender year after year. The guy is a tackling machine. He will be a force for a long time. In spite of these positives, I don't see this team going deep in the playoffs (which they will make, that division is pitiful) for a few reasons. First, Harbaugh isn't experienced enough with the NFL, it's hard to see how he's gonna adjust his team in the coming weeks.
Second, I still don't believe in Smith. Yeah, the team is winning games, does that make him a good quarterback? The man is generating relative excitement because he was drafted ahead of Rodgers and is starting to perform arbitrarily (a tad bit) closer to his expected level. The man is still a joke. He loves targeting the tight ends in the middle of the field or a receiver in the backfield. You need a quarterback who can throw the deep ball every now and then. Smith will be called upon when they actually play quality defenses in the playoffs, and I don't think he will step up. He just isn't that good.
Third, will Gore go down? He's impressive when he's healthy but, how often is that? Often enough.
I hope this San Francisco team can patch up its issues, that city needs a hero.
2. Who is the second best team in the NFC North? The Lions and Bears fight for the 2 spot behind the unstoppable Packers, but really, which team has been playing better football?
The Bears have really started coming on lately. Forte is coming on strong and Cutler isn't choking the ball away nearly as frequently as he has in past years. And the Bear's defense is the Bear's defense. They're tough and the linebackers are forces in the middle of the field.
The Lions on the other hand have a sparkling pass offense thanks to Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson. And those tight ends are playing well too. Anyways, that front on the defense is vicious. Suh is the defensive player of the year at this point. He's a beast and the other guys (Starring: Vanden Bosch and Avril) are solid in the pass rush with 5 sacks each.
Today's game proved that the Lions may not be ready to come out of the NFC North cellar for another year or two, but the Lions have two matchups left with the Packers that will be critical in determining the way the North pans out.
3. It's a popular topic and it absolutely deserves to be: Do the Colts get Luck if they lose out (or otherwise have the worst NFL record)? Which they could potentially do with the football they've played up until now. They've had impressive moments but they are just such a floppy team without the laser guided rocket arm of Peyton Manning. Angerer is kind of a badass though, he might be able to hold his own in a fight with Kushing.
Also the Dolphins are pretty much stepping away from the "Suck for Luck" movement and stepping into the realm of another mediocre season. This team is a garbage rebuilder that could have used Luck, desperately.
Which brings me to my next point. I have full faith that Manning will be back next season, posting good, maybe (just maybe) great numbers. I also believe that the Dolphins would dump all the talent they have for that one starter piece, Luck, that could supposedly have a franchise built around him. Just saying, Manning could be around for a couple more year. Edging on the realm of greatness (multiple super bowl winners only), but so damn good that he makes Matt Schaub look average (which he is. Completely).
Just thoughts everybody. Let me know how I can improve. Take it easy.
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