Saturday Morning Musings

MANCITY FLEX THEIR MUSCLE

The early Saturday match between Manchester City & Arsenal was seen by many as the 1st match of the season with REAL title implications. Arsenal, the league's gold standard so far this young season, against Manchester City, probably the most talented team in the Premier League that occasionally suffers from moments of severe inconsistency. A win for Arsenal would increase the Gunner's lead over City to 9 points, while a City win would decrease the lead to just 3 points.

In the end, City continued their torrid home form with a 6-3 win over the league leaders, closing the gap between them and Arsenal. Fernandinho's double and Manuel Pellegrini's team's lethal counter-attack overwhelmed the Arsenal. It is clear: if Manchester City can duplicate their home form on the road, the title will be theirs to lose. Manchester City have brave and smart defending, depth unlike any other team in England, and limitless creativity in attack in their squad.

For Arsenal, the story is not so optimistic at this moment. It's not all doom and gloom for the Gunners as they are still on top of the league. But it is time to worry. Manchester City beat Arsenal because they produced a display that Arsenal weren't able to match. But near the end of the match, you could tell that Arsenal were starting to tire when City was still fresh. Arsenal have a relatively small squad, particularly since they play in the Champions League. Consider that Manchester City rested 8 regular starters during the week when they played European champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and STILL won.

As the Premier League schedule heats up in the next 2 weeks, Arsenal will play 4 matches in 9 days against title challengers Chelsea and improving Newcastle. Will the squad hold up until the January transfer window opens? They better hope so, as depth at the striker and winger positions is needed as soon as possible.       

THROWBACK

Happy 34th birthday to one most prolific strikers the Premier League has ever seen!

On this day in 1979 star English striker Michael Owen was born. The Chester born striker rose through the ranks at Liverpool FC to become one of the club's most prolific scorers notching 118 goals in 216 appearances for the Reds. 2001-02 was Owen's best year as he scored 28 goals in 43 matches for Liverpool and also picked up the Ballon D'or award as European Footballer of Year.

In 2004 Owen moved to Real Madrid which saw his career stall, followed by a series of injuries. Owen continued on to play for Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City, eventually retiring in 2013.

For England, Owen played in 3 World Cups and amassed 40 goals in 89 matches.

Here's a look at Owen in his prime. Clinical!

Trending Downwards: Where do the Knicks Go from Here?

Exactly one year ago today, the New York Knicks defeated Tim Duncan & the San Antonio Spurs to start the 2012-13 campaign with a 6-0 record. Led by the resurgence of Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd & superstar play from Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks took the NBA by storm.

How a year changes things. Jason Kidd is now coaching across the East River, while key bench players like Steve Novak, Kurt Thomas, & Chris Copeland have left. The team has added new faces, with the likes of Beno Udrih, Metta WorldPeace, Tim Hardaway Jr. & defensive stalwart (insert chuckle) Andrea Bargnani putting on the orange and blue. The additions in the off-season coupled with players like Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler & J.R Smith, should have made the Knicks a very competitive team, fighting for a top 3 spot in the Eastern Conference.

It's early, but a top 3 finish doesn't seem too likely with the current make-up of the team. The Knicks have started the season 3-5, with little signs of improvement coming anytime soon. Wins over the Hawks, Bobcats & Bucks are not exactly something to get overly excited about either. Carmelo Anthony has started off the season in strong form, but his numbers aside, the Knicks run a static offense with little ball movement and one that lacks real outside shooters (other than the trigger happy J.R Smith). Udrih, World Peace & Hardaway Jr. have not yet rivalled Kidd, Novak & Copeland's 3 point and jump shooting production from last year. While the offensive struggles are sizeable now, any team with the NBA's reigning scoring champ Carmelo Anthony on the floor will have a chance to put up points.

The defensive side of the ball is where the real worries lay. While perimeter defense shouldn't be a worry with Iman Shumpert & Metta World Peace in the fold, the rest of the Knicks are a defensive liability on the court. Amare Stoudemire & Carmelo Anthony's defensive efforts (or lack thereof) have been well documented over the last few years, but you can add everyone's favourite pasta pusher Andrea Bargnani to the mix now. Rushed out of Toronto for his terrible defensive effort & lacklustre play, the former 1st overall pick & his $11 million annual salary was welcomed by the Knicks' management team. While Bargnani has scored 20+ points in the last two games, he remains a poor defensive player most of the time. Couple this with J.R Smith's bad shot selection, which often puts the Knicks in poor transition defense, is a recipe for disaster.

Andrea Bargnani: Comes to NY with major defensive issues

To compound all of this, the Knicks best defensive player, center Tyson Chandler, is out of action until at least December. This puts additional pressure on Bargnani & Stoudemire to come up big on the defensive end. I'm not liking the Knicks interior defense with those two leading the front line.

So what can the Knicks do to stop the bleeding? Signing Marcus Camby or Kurt Thomas, who are both available could be a stop gap measure. But how much of a better team would that make the Knicks? Title contenders? Not a chance.

Another option is to go the trade route. With no first round draft picks until 2018 (yes, 5 years from now) the Knicks options are fairly limited. Two names being floated in the rumour mill are: the Manimal, Kenneth Faried & 7 footer Omer Asik.

A deal for Houston's Asik would be a solid addition for the Knicks. The 7 foot Asik would give the Knicks more length, a defensive boost and allow the team to have a formidable 1,2 combo with Chandler & the Turk. But this deal is very unlikely as Asik comes with a hefty salary. In order to make this move, the Knicks would likely have to dump some of their own salary & include a big piece of their own in the trade. Additionally, the Rockets are looking for a stretch four big man, who can shoot from the outside & spread the floor. The Knicks do not have this asset to trade. 

With Faried, the Knicks would get a PF with one hell of a motor. Physicality, athleticism & intensity is what Faried brings on the court, exactly what the Knicks need in their frontcourt. So what's the damage? Denver will likely want New York's young star SG Iman Shumpert & picks. Is letting go of Shumpert worth it? With J.R Smith locked in for the next 2 years, New York still have a solid shooting guard in Smith. While letting go of Shumpert would be a tough loss for Knicks fans, Faried is the player the Knicks need right now.

Carmelo Anthony: Will he stay or go after this season?

If the Knicks choose to stand pat, this could be a season to forget with long lasting ramifications. All successful teams need decent team defense in the NBA, without that the Knicks will be a one and done team in the playoffs. With Carmelo Anthony already deciding that he will test the market in the off season, would he really want to re-sign with a team with limited cap space, no draft picks until 2018 and limited young talent? My guess is no. The Knicks need to make moves now, and move quickly. Or they may risk losing the one superstar they went all in on. 

Barclay's Premier League Preview: Arsenal, Aston Villa & Cardiff City

Wake up out of your slumber footy fans! The world's most popular & most followed league is about to start on Saturday. There are a number of big story lines to start off the 2013-14 season! Does Manchester United have what it takes to repeat as champions without Sir Alex Ferguson? Will Manchester City's new manager & new additions bring the title back to the Eastlands? Is the "Special One" still all that special? Will Luis Suarez, Gareth Bale & Wayne Rooney be playing for new clubs?

We shall find out the answers to these intriguing questions soon, but in the meantime let's start with a breakdown of the 20 clubs taking part in this season's campaign. Part 1 will feature: Arsenal, Aston Villa & Cardiff City.

ARSENAL

After barely holding onto 4th place in the Premier League standings last year, some changes were expected at the Emirates Stadium this summer. To be fair, there were plenty. Gervinho (Roma), Marouane Chamakh (Crystal Palace), Sebastian Squillaci (released), Denilson (Sao Paulo), Andre Santos (Flamengo), Vito Mannone (Sunderland) & Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St. Petersberg) were all allowed to leave North London, freeing up significant amounts of money off the wage bill. The only problem: Arsenal have barely signed anyone to replace any of these departed players. While young French striker Yaya Sanogo could be a great signing for Arsene Wenger's club, you cannot blame Gunners' fans for being disappointed. Especially after Arsenal CEO Ivan Gadzidis declared that the club could now compete with Europe's heavyweights in terms of wages & transfer fees.

While it is still to be seen if Arsenal's approaches for Bayern Munich's Luis Gustavo & Liverpool's Luis Suarez pan out, the Gunners' current roster is not one that can compete for a title. While the midfield is stacked with talent & speed, Arsenal are undermanned at the back. With Thomas Vermaelen expected to miss the start of the season, Arsenal are one injury away from being left in a vulnerable position. Not the type of depth needed to compete for honours.

Will Olivier Giroud be all alone up front for Arsenal this year?

Player to Watch: Olivier Giroud
The former Montpelier man enters his 2nd season with the Arsenal after scoring 11 goals in 34 league appearances last season. If Arsenal fails to sign another striker during the remainder of the transfer window, Giroud will need to pick up the slack & need to produce more goals this year. The 26 year old has improved in the pre-season thus far, but then again he won't be playing against the Vietnamese all-star team in the EPL this year!

PREDICTION:  5TH


ASTON VILLA

Out with the old, & in with the new. That is the new mantra at Aston Villa. Manager Paul Lambert cut ties with some veterans players (Richard Dunne, Jean Makoun & Brett Holman) while bringing in younger players like Antonio Luna (Sevilla), Nicklas Helenius (Aalborg BK) & Aleksandar Tonev (Lech Poznan) to Villa Park. It has been sometime since Aston Villa decided to do a full scale re-build, but it seems quite necessary right now. The expensive purchase of Darren Bent continues to haunt the club, as the once deadly, but now oft injured striker sits on the Villa bench.

While Villa still has a decent core of veterans such as the aforementioned Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ron Vlaar & Brad Guzan, pairing the new additions with developing stars like Barry Bannan, Christian Benteke & Marc Albrighton will be a project of vital importance for Paul Lambert. Can Villa bring a youthful & energetic brand of football to their fans this year? Or will another relegation battle be in the cards this May?

Player to Watch: Christian Benteke
The Belgian put pen to paper & decided to stay with Villa despite interest from a couple clubs in London after a wonderful first year in English football, bagging 19 goals in 34 matches in 2012-13. With such a young squad, the 22 year old will need to take even more of a leadership role this year to keep his club out of a relegation battle. If Benteke has a sophomore slump this season, Aston Villa are real big trouble.

PREDICTION: 17TH


CARDIFF CITY F.C.

The Welsh capital's main club is back in the Premier League after 51 years of toiling in England's lower divisions. Malky McKay's side finished 1st in the League Championship & earned promotion to the Premier League. Backed by wealthy Malaysian investors, the club doled out a cool £8.5 to sign Danish striker Andreas Corneilius from F.C. Copenhagen. The Dane is a pricey buy for the new Premier League club, but his 6 foot 4 frame may come in handy in the physical English Premier League & he could be a steal for that price if he is able to bag 10-15 goals this season.

Cardiff has an impressive blend of youth (Steven Caulker & Bo-Kyung Kim) & veteran presence (Craig Bellamy, Matthew Connolly & Frazier Campbell). Last year's player of the year Mark Hudson is sure to lead the back four, but will it be enough against the formidable attacks of the Manchester City & Chelsea's in the Premier League?

Cardiff's strength will certainly be going forward with the likes Peter Whittingham & Bo Kyung Kim in the midfield & Andreas Corneilius, Craig Bellamy, Fraizer Campbell & Nicky Maynard up front. Scoring can often be the most difficult task for newly promoted clubs, but Cardiff should have no problem there. Defending against Premier League attacks is where the real concern will be.

Player to Watch: Fraizer Campbell
The 25 year old forward is back in the Premier League after stints with Manchester United, Sunderland & Tottenham prior to signing with Cardiff last year. Campbell will be vital for The Bluebirds this year as he is one of the few players on the squad with Premier League experience (scoring 7 goals in 70 appearances). He is entering the prime of his career (unlike his strike partner Craig Bellamy, who is 34), so if Campbell is in the right form, he could be a game changer for Cardiff City this year.

PREDICTION: 10TH


Stay tuned to for a preview of more clubs shortly!

The Pursuit of Luis Suarez: Worth the Massive Risk?

The old saying goes "any press is good press." With the recent revelations in England, you would have to think that Luis Suarez is pushing the boundaries of that saying. The prolific and talented striker has drawn the ire of Liverpool fans, team mates & the club's brass over the past week after trying to push a through a move away from the club. Suarez is even exploring his legal options in attempting to leave Liverpool. This is particularly irksome to Liverpool fans, who stood by Suarez's side after his most ridiculous antics, namely racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra & subsequently refusing to shake Evra's hand in the next Liverpool/United match. If that wasn't enough, Suarez bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a match near the end of last year's campaign & was suspended for 10 matches (which will carry into this upcoming season). Liverpool fans even supported these highly questionable eating habits. That's quite possibly the farthest a group of fans have gone to support a player, backing an alleged racist cannibal despite his flaws.

So, after receiving this backing, how does Suarez want to reward the Kop? By jumping ship, of course! After making seductive glances at Real Madrid & subsequently being passed up by the Spaniards, the Uruguayan is now making eyes at Arsenal.

Suarez is starting to alienate fans & teammates alike at Liverpool

A potential deal to land Suarez makes sense for the Gunners on paper. After losing Cesc Fabregas in 2011 to Barcelona & star striker Robin Van Persie to Manchester United last summer, the Gunners need a star. While Arsenal has continued to qualify for the Champion's League (now a streak of 16 straight seasons), the last 2 seasons have shown that Arsene Wenger's men are starting to lose their grip on a top 4 finish.

Gunners' fans have been disappointed with the club's inactivity in the transfer market in recent years, but part of this is due to the fact that Arsenal is not seen as a prime destination for the best footballers on the planet. In recent years, Arsenal could not compete with the wages being offered by the Manchester City & Chelsea's of the world. But most importantly, Arsenal has not won a trophy in almost a decade. Getting paid less than your peers & not winning will not lure stars to a club. Adding Suarez may not guarantee trophies right away, but it will give Arsenal legitimacy in offering competitive wages & attracting top players in the transfer market again.

Think of the Robinho effect at Manchester City. The on field effect was minimal, but the fact that one of the world's top talents moved to the blue side of Manchester gave Man City instant legitimacy in the transfer market & lured other top talents to the Eastlands.

Suarez at FC Groningen: Successful stint ended in controversy

Don't get too excited though Arsenal fans. There is no guarantee that a £50m plus bid will even be accepted by Liverpool. But let's say it is.The main question to ask is how long would Suarez stay at Arsenal? In 2007 he forced his way out of FC Groningen of Holland to play for Amsterdam's Ajax. In 2007 Suarez looked towards the courts for a solution, but while Groningen won an arbitration hearing, they opted to sell the striker as he had soured relations with his teammates & the fan base. He seems to be maneuvering a similar move here. Based on this history, what would hold off Suarez from forcing his way out of a club again?  Would he depart Arsenal for Real Madrid or another one of Europe's elite teams in a year or two leaving the club in a poor position?

So, before you start counting how many titles you will win with Suarez, take a look back at history Arsenal fans. It often repeats itself.  

Major League Blunder: Finally Time to Clean Up America's Pastime

Just as baseball fans across North America were ready to kick back, crack open their ice cold beers & take in a game at their local minor league or MLB stadium, another scandal that could further cripple the game has come to light. ESPN dropped a bombshell on sports fans everywhere today as the sports network reported that Major League Baseball is in the process of suspending upwards of 20 players, who are said to be connected to a new drug scandal. According to ESPN, the Miami based Biogenesis of America clinic (now closed) founded by Tony Bosch is said to have supplied performance enhancing drugs to MLB & minor league players.

We're not talking small potatoes either. 3-time AL MVP Alex Rodriguez, former NL MVP & NL Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun, All-Star Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon, Nelson Cruz & Jesus Montero are just a few of the names given to ESPN by sources. These & other players allegedly bought banned substances from Bosch & his clinic. If proven, ESPN sources say Rodriguez & Braun could face a 100 game suspension as they allegedly broke the PED policy & lied to the MLB about taking those banned substances.

Melky Cabrera: In trouble again for PED use?

While the news that came out this morning is shocking, there is still a lot about the allegations & the intentions of Tony Bosch that are still unknown. It seems that no drug tests prove that any of the 20 players on this list actually took PEDs. If the act itself is not documented, than what is the MLB actually working off of? Enter Tony Bosch, the self-proclaimed dealer to the stars. While Mr. Bosch could be seen as doing an admirable deed by spilling the beans on his alleged former clients, that does not seem to be the full story. In return for the details on the players, ESPN reports that Major League Baseball will drop its civil lawsuit against the financially struggling Bosch, indemnify him for any liability in exchange for his cooperation & provide security for him & even put in a good word with any law enforcement agency that may want to lay charges on him in the future. So, to sum this up: no positive tests, and solely working off the information from a desperate former drug dealer, who has something to gain from divulging such information. You hear that? That noise you hear is of the MLB Players' Union's lawyer's saliva hitting the floor.

MLB: Turning into a Joke?

Tony Bosch may be right. For all we know, this could be the tip of the iceberg. But without positive PED test results, this case will be before the courts for years. Now, the question the MLB needs to ask itself is: is it worth it?

The game of baseball needs to clean itself up, but pouring one bucket of water out at a time from a sinking ship is not the way to keep it afloat for a long period of time. The MLB needs a complete re-build. Here's what they need to do:

• Institute a better PED testing system - Rather than doing it internally, get an outside agency (such as the USADA) whose sole responsibility is to investigate drug policy violations in the league. Currently the MLB is relying on the work of good journalists to uncover the scandals in their league.
• Stiffer Penalties - If you really want to rid the game of PEDs & save the game's remaining honor (whatever is left of it), make players think twice about the punishment. Currently, if a player is caught taking a PED, they are given a 50 game suspension for the first time, 100 games for the 2nd infraction & a lifetime ban for a 3rd. Alternatively, what needs to be done is to slap the player with a 100 game suspension for their 1st breach & a lifetime ban for their 2nd "mistake." 
• Get Rid of Bud Selig -  Lucrative TV contracts have made Selig popular with team owners, but he has failed in protecting the integrity of the game. Selig has lacked leadership from day 1 of the steroid scandal by blaming players completely & not accepting that the MLB was also at fault for not cracking down on PEDs in the 90s. The MLB raked in the cash when beefed up stars, such as Mark McGwire & Sammy Sosa were belting dingers out of parks on a record pace, but refused to accept part of the blame of the debacle that followed. With Selig at the helm, every step the MLB takes on the steroid issue is tainted from the outset. It seems Mr. Selig is more obsessed with his legacy than that of the game.

If MLB can finally get its act together, may be it will be able to win back the support of the people that truly suffer from all of this: the average fan who spends his/her own hard earned money on tickets & merchandise.

Until next time,

R

Can Fiery Roy Handle the Hot Seat?

On the ice, Patrick Roy had few rivals. The former Montreal Canadiens & Colorado Avalanche goalie is regarded as one of the best shot stoppers of all-time, having amassed 551 career wins, 66 shutouts, 4 Stanley Cups, 3 Conn Smythe trophies, 3 Vezina trophies & 11 All-Star selections. But, now "Saint Patrick" steps into a completely new & more stressful role, that of an NHL coach.

Patrick Roy: Can he translate his hockey IQ into coaching success?

 
Having coached & managed the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the past 8 seasons, Roy has built an impressive resume, going 348-196 with Memorial Cup success in the "Q". Critics say the hiring of Roy is a PR move, solely made to sell tickets. That very well could be, but the question is: can Roy cut it in the big leagues?

The example of Wayne Gretzky is often cited as the ultimate coaching horror story. The greatest player that ever played turned to coaching the woeful Phoenix Coyotes and left the profession after 4 miserable years. The story ended with Gretzky leaving the coaching position with the Coyotes with his tail between his legs after compiling a 47% winning percentage & not making the playoffs a single time in his 4 year tenure.

Wayne Gretzky: Should have retired & stayed away from coaching

So, can we expect to see Roy head back to Quebec City after posting a wretched coaching record with the Colorado Avalanche in the next 4 years (or less)? Don't put your money on it, Patrick Roy is no Wayne Gretzky when it comes to coaching. Where Gretzky was a stone cold rookie to the profession, Roy has had 8 years to learn his trade & also act as a general manager of the Remparts. While the QMJHL cannot compare to the NHL, Roy has the experience needed as a coach to encourage & motivate from the bench. Often, the hardest part of the transition for great players who decide to start coaching in the big leagues right off the bat is that they cannot teach their own greatness to lesser athletes. Roy already has the experience & patience required, having taught players in the juniors.

"The Great One" was also put into a less desirable situation, having a weaker roster during his tenure in Phoenix. Whereas Roy has a better group of players at his disposal going forward. Gretzky's leading goal scorers in his final season (2008-09) were Shane Doan (old, even then), Olli Jokinen (the fizzling out of his career had started) & Steve Reinprecht (you get my point), with young guns Kyle Turris & Mikkel Boedker waiting in the wings (both of these players have proven to be busts so far in their careers).

Roy does not have an embarrassment of riches either, but his foundation is a solid one to build from: Gabriel Landeskog (20), Matt Duchene (22), this year's surprise performer PA Parenteau (30), along with defenceman Erik Johnson, who is entering the prime of his career (25). With free agency & the 1st overall draft pick in 2013 coming, the Avs are going to get better with time.

Matt Duchene: Colorado's New Star in the Roy/Sakic Regime

The hiring of Roy & new executive Joe Sakic is undeniably a PR move by the Colorado Avalanche. It allows fans to hearken the old days of their Stanley Cup runs, which will likely translate into some extra ticket sales during this re-build. But, that is not the only motivation behind this hire. Roy represents a fresh start for the Avalanche. Expect Roy & Sakic to stockpile young talent over the next couple of years & attempt to build a powerhouse for years to come, much like the Pittsburgh Penguins & Chicago Blackhawks over the last decade. Nostalgia will buy them time with the fan base to build a solid foundation within the locker room & make a push in the next 2-3 years as the team matures.

Brilliant Barca Prove They are Far From Done

The parallels between the Spanish national football team & Barcelona FC are obvious. Barca's midfield is the Spanish squad's nucleus. Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi & Fabregas control the centre of the pitch, suffocating opposing midfielders. But, the similarities do not end there. Euro 2012 proved that despite not being at their best, the Spaniards are still the creme de la creme of Europe. Playing without an out & out striker, and out of form players, they still triumphed in the final over Italy in Kiev.

So how is Barca similar you say? But, they have Lionel Messi. Of course they do, but today's Champion's League match against Paris Saint Germain hinted at Barcelona's greatness. Amidst rumblings of how Barca has fallen off or that their core players are getting old, one thing is being ignored: they continue to win. Even with Real Madrid currently on an amazing stretch winning 8, losing 1, and tying 1 in their last 10 games, the Catalans are 13 points clear of the Madridistas for the La Liga title. Messi & the boys have 7 wins, 1 loss & 2 draws in their last 10. Not too bad at all.

Today's match also showed that even with a hobbled Lionel Messi & a sub-par performance by most of the team (minus Xavi & Iniesta), Barcelona are still head and shoulders above the rest of Europe's heavyweights. PSG probably played the best match they could have. Lucas Moura terrorized Jordi Alba on the flank for the entire 1st half and some of the 2nd half, Javier Pastore found space in the centre of the midfield & scored a goal on the counter, played in passes for Moura, Ibrahimovic & Lavezzi, & the Parisian back line performed solidly. Yet, it still was not enough to beat Barca & advance to the the semis.

Barcelona found a way to come back & equalize. Despite looking flat for much of the match, Pedro Rodriguez slammed one behind Salvatore Sirigu & injected life back into the Nou Camp. So how does Barca still pull it out when they looked like the 2nd best team on the pitch? Some will point to the insertion of Lionel Messi into the match. The 62nd substitution of Messi for Cesc Fabregas undoubtedly had an effect on the team's psyche. While Messi is usually the most important player on the pitch for Barca, was he this time? I think not.

Barcelona's Scottie Pippen?

The key to Barca's composure today (& most of the time) lies at the feet Xavi Hernandez. Quite possibly the most under-rated player of this generation, Xavi completed 96 out of 96 passes in today's match against PSG. Think about that: not a single pass from Mr. Hernandez went astray. It is no coincidence that at the end of 90 minutes Barcelona held a 63% to 37% possession advantage. If you are patient (as both Spain & Barcelona teams have proven to be), Xavi will find you. Now add Andres Iniesta to the mix, and you are really in trouble if you are a defender. If you thought Barca was getting old, dream on, the Golden Generation is alive & well.

On to the semi-finals!

Adios until next time.

NFL 2013 Mock Draft: Combine Version

The Combine has kicked off in Indianapolis! Soon to be drafted rookies are being judged for their athletic ability, mental strength & character by NFL coaches, general managers and executives. While a teams continue to assess talent before Draft Day, I have decided to jump the gun and share the 1st version of my NFL mock draft. There are sure to be revisions as we get closer to the draft, so stay tuned!

1. Kansas City Chiefs - Luke Joeckel (OT/Texas A&M)

• The Chiefs need a QB, but there is not an elite pivot in this draft as in years past. Look for the Chiefs to take the draft's best lineman and overall player, Luke Joeckel or trade the 1st pick away and move down the draft.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Bjoern Werner (DE/Florida State)

• The Jaguars could use a QB or RB as well, but they will not draft either one of those this high in the draft. Look for the Jaguars to address their defensive woes by drafting either Bjoern Werner or Georgia's Jarvis Jones. I'm leaning towards Werner, who isn't as dynamic as Jones, but provides solid output without a significant injury history.

3. Oakland Raiders - Chance Warmack (OG/Alabama)

•  The Raiders have plenty of holes to fill, but none is more important than the offensive line. The failure of the line saw Carson Palmer get drilled often & provided very little running room for Darren McFadden (when he happened to be healthy). Warmack comes from a storied Alabama program, and is a consummate professional. Fits the bill for the new Raiders under Dennis Allen.

 4. Philadelphia Eagles - Dee Milliner (CB/Alabama)

•  On paper, the Eagles looked like a force to be reckoned over the last couple of years, yet in reality, they have fallen well short of expectations. Offensive genius Chip Kelly took over the reigns as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles this winter, but don't expect him to take a offensive play maker with his first pick. One of the biggest shocks was the sudden aging of star corner Nnamdi Asomugha. The 3-time Pro Bowler was beaten by opposing team's wide outs often. Signs of Father Time catching up. The Eagles should use their pick to select Alabama's Dee Milliner, the top ranked corner-back in this draft. But if Chance Warmack doesn't go to the Raiders at #3, look for the Eagles to snap him up as their is a huge need on the O-line as well.

5. Detroit Lions - Damontre Moore (DE/Texas A&M)

• While a running back is what the Lions need the most, this draft doesn't have a Trent Richardson that can crack the top 5 (or even the top 20 for matter). So look for the Lions to address their pass rush in the first round. The Lions released Kyle Vanden Bosch earlier this month, which opens the door for them to select Texas A&M's Moore, who had 85 tackles and 12.5 sacks this past season.

6. Cleveland Browns - Jarvis Jones (OLB/Georgia)

• If Jones isn't picked by the Jaguars, expect him to slide to the Browns at number 6. New head coach Rod Chudzinski needs some help on the offensive side of the ball, but without any elite play makers in this draft, look for the Browns to take Jones who will vastly improve their defense. The Browns struggled to stop the run this past year, Jones could be an immediate help in that department.

7. Arizona Cardinals - Star Lotulelei (DT/Utah)

• The biggest need for the Cardinals is at the quarterback position. There is no doubt about that. But, neither Geno Smith or Matt Barkley are worth an early first round gamble. So, look for the Cardinals to improve their rush defense by taking Utah's defensive tackle, Star Lotulelei. There is plenty of room for improvement as the team allowed an average of 137 yards per game on the ground this season. 

8. Buffalo Bills - Barkevious Mingo (DE-OLB/LSU)

•  Another team that is looking for a QB, but I just cannot see one going this high in 2013. Another place the Bills can vastly improve is at the linebacker position, where they were incredibly thin last year. LSU's Mingo would be a good fit here as he can play at the end or linebacker position. Mingo could help the Bills at either position as they were in the middle of the pack with 36 sacks last year and possessed the 2nd worst rush defense in the league, allowing over 145 rushing yards per game.

9. New York Jets - Sheldon Richardson (DT/Missouri)

• The Jets need help with the pass rush. While the young duo of Quinton Coples & Muhammad Wilkerson have played well, look for the Jets to draft another defensive player in the 1st round in 2013. With Damontre Moore, Jarvis Jones & Barkevious Mingo all gone, the Jets should opt for Missouri's Sheldon Richardson to play up the middle. While he is a little further down on some draft boards, Richardson is ranked as #2 defensive tackle (behind Lotulelei), so the Jets would be wise to snap him up before he is gone. 

10. Tennessee Titans - Kenny Vaccaro (FS/Texas)

• The Titans defense surrendered a league worst 29.4 points per game to opponents last year, a good chunk of which was allowed on big plays given up by the secondary. Look for the Titans to address this need in the draft by taking Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 10th pick in the draft. Picking this extremely athletic, hard hitting and intelligent player would be a good start to improving the Titans' secondary.

11. San Diego Chargers - Eric Fisher (OT/Central Michigan)

• The Chargers had a lot go wrong for them last year: a shaky Philip Rivers, an injured Ryan Mathews and bad luck all around. As a result, both GM A.J. Smith & coach Norv Turner were let go, and replaced by Tom Telesco & Mike McCoy, respectively. So where do McCoy and Telesco start with their first draft pick? It has to be an offensive lineman. The Chargers were putrid when within their opponents 10 yard line all year long, only scoring touchdowns in 55.6% of their visits within the 10. A push on the goal starts with a solid offensive line, without that, your offensive doesn't stand much of a chance. Look for the Chargers to take big Eric Fisher of Central Michigan to address this need. 

Keenan Allen: The upgrade at wide receiver the Miami Dolphins are in need of?

12. Miami Dolphins - Keenan Allen (WR/California)

• No need to try to drag O.J. McDuffie out of retirement Dolphins' fans. It looks like your team will finally address the need at wide receiver. Greg Jennings, Dwayne Bowe, and Mike Wallace are being touted as possible additions via free agency and trades, but the team requires a long-term target for Ryan Tannehill as well. California's Keenan Allen is the highest ranked wide out in this draft and compares to Anquan Boldin in terms of style. Potential dream scenario for Dolphins' fans: possession receiver Allen lining up alongside speedster Mike Wallace. 

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Xavier Rhodes (CB/Florida State)

•  No surprise here. The Bucs had the worst pass defense in the league last year. Rookie safety Mark Barron and corner Eric Wright were picked on for big plays all year long. Those two need some help in the secondary. Enter Xavier Rhodes. Aside from having one of the best names in the draft (2nd only to Barkevious Mingo), Rhodes is a physical corner with great ball hawking skills.

14. Carolina Panthers - Shariff Floyd (DT/Florida)

•  The Panthers need to get some more help on the pass rush and this is the draft to do it. With a number of high quality defensive tackles available this year, look for Ron Rivera and his team to take Florida's explosive tackle Shariff Floyd. The Panthers could trade down in the draft and hope Floyd drops to a lower position or take Alabama's Jesse Williams, but that would be a risky move as a number of teams are looking for defensive help.

15. New Orleans Saints - Ezquiel Ansah (DE/BYU)

•  After courting Romeo Crennel for a few minutes, the Saints decided on signing the lesser Ryan (Rob, not Rex) as their defensive coordinator. Humor aside, Rob Ryan will bring swagger back to a New Orleans defense that is in desperate need of it. The team will be playing a 3-4 defense & will look to address a need at the DE position in the first round. Look for Ghana born Ezquiel Ansah to head south to Louisiana. Ansah has been compared to Jason Pierre-Paul (slightly slower, but better against the run).

The rest of the draft:

16. St. Louis Rams – Lane Johnson (OT/Oklahoma)

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordarelle Patterson (WR/Tennessee)

18. Dallas Cowboys - Johnathan Cooper (OG/North Carolina)

19. New York Giants - Desmond Trufant (CB/Washington)

20. Chicago Bears - D.J Fluker (OT/Alabama)

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Alec Ogletree (OLB/Georgia)

22. St. Louis Rams - DeAndre Hopkins (WR/Clemson)

23. Minnesota Vikings - Jesse Williams (DT/Alabama)

24. Indianapolis Colts -  Johnathan Hankins (DT/Ohio State)

25. Seattle Seahawks - Sam Montgomery (DE/LSU)

26. Green Bay Packers – Alex Okafor (DE/Texas)

27. Houston Texans - Kevin Minter (ILB/LSU)

Expect Te'o to slide in the draft

28. Denver Broncos - Manti Te'o (ILB/Notre Dame)  

29. New England Patriots - Johnthan Banks (CB/Mississippi State)

30. Atlanta Falcons - Eddie Lacy (RB/Alabama)

31. San Francisco 49ers - Geno Smith (QB/West Virginia)

32. Baltimore Ravens – Matt Elam (S/Florida)

Happy with your team's projected pick? Comment below! 

Ray Lewis: The Best of this Generation

"I talked to my team today,"..."I talked to them about life in general. And everything that starts has an end. For me, today, I told my team that this will be my last ride."

And with that, one of the greatest leaders in the history of professional sports, and one of the most intimidating players in the history of the NFL announced that he will be retiring at the end of this season. 17 year veteran Ray Lewis will be leaving the game with no stone left unturned, as a 12-time Pro Bowl Selection, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, 1-time Super Bowl Champion and 1-time Super Bowl MVP.

Ray Lewis at his finest

Yet, all the personal accolades do not tell the full story about Ray Lewis. Even with all the personal awards, Lewis' best attribute has been his leadership, anchoring of some of the most feared and consistent defenses in the history of the NFL for the past decade and a half. And yes, there have been some amazing talents on the Baltimore Ravens' defenses alongside him: Ed Reed, Terell Suggs, Haloti Ngata, Jamie Sharper, Rod Woodson, Sam Adams and Adailus Thomas, just to name a few. But, who led, galvanized and organized those defenses? Ray Lewis did.

The Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl winning team of 2000 is a prime example of how important and impactful of a player Ray Lewis was in his prime. The team's offensive talents were anemic, led by Trent Dilfer at quarterback, Jamal Lewis at running back and no sure fire #1 wide receiver option, the defense led the team all the way to the Super Bowl. In the game itself, the Ravens faced the New York Giants, in which the Ravens' D forced 5 turnovers (4 INTS, 1 fumble). The Giants' offensive was completely nullified, as the only touchdown they were able to score was off a kick return. Lewis finished the game with 3 solo tackles, 2 assists and 4 blocked passes, earning MVP accolades. The defense was so dominant during that playoff run that the Ravens did not allow more than 10 points in any of the 4 games. Who led this team? Ray Lewis, a 4-year pro at the time.

Whether he is the greatest inside linebacker to ever play the game of football can and will be debated. Some will say it is former Chicago Bear linebackers Mike Singletary or Dick Butkus. I cannot say, as I never saw Singletary and Butkus play. What I can say however, is that Lewis is the greatest defensive player of this generation. No offense to Michael Strahan, Bruce Smith, Troy Polamalu or any other great player, but Lewis stands out on his own. The former University of Miami product led by example on the field, by being first to the ball or quarterback. He is the only player in NFL history to have both 40+ sacks and 30+ interceptions. No single player has ever done that, but Ray Lewis.

Lewis, who has been struggling with a triceps injury for most of the season, has been given the green light for Sunday's play-off game against the Indianapolis Colts. While this may be his final NFL game this weekend, his greatest accomplishment of being the general of the most consistent systems/machines that the NFL has ever seen. Year in and year out for the past 13 years, Lewis has made the Ravens defense one of the most feared and potent defense's the game has ever seen. The defensive squad from 2000 is often considered by some as the best defense in the history of the NFL. Even after Super Bowl winning coach Brian Billick and former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan left the team, the defense still continued to put up amazing numbers. The common thread for the last 13+ years: Ray Lewis.

Greatness comes every so often, especially on the defensive side of the ball, where old age starts to show quickly as young running backs, tight ends and receivers start to blow by veterans on the field, but number 52 in the purple, black and white has remained great longer than most. I would even argue that Lewis be compared to the other two greats of this generation: Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Like Manning and Brady, Lewis has played at a level none of his peers have reached for more than a dozen years, inspired his team mates (more so than the two quarterbacks), possesses an unrivalled football IQ and has led his team to the promised land of winning the Super Bowl.

Make sure to watch the Colts versus the Ravens, as it may be the last time we witness the great Ray Lewis in action.