Kentucky Wildcats All-Decade Team
December 29th, 2009 by Jonathan Lintner No comments »New York Giants Face Daunting Offseason Following Week 16 Collapse
December 29th, 2009 by Jesse Golomb No comments »Perhaps more than any professional sports season in recent memory, the Giants' 2009 campaign has been a roller-coaster ride for the ages.
Starting the season 5-0 with impressive wins over Washington, Dallas, Oakland, Kansas City, and Tampa Bay, the Giants seemed to be destined for their second Super Bowl appearance in three years.
New York's upcoming Week 6 matchup at the Superdome in New Orleans was viewed by many as a preview to the NFC Championship game, and widely considered a game-of-the-year candidate. Surely the two powerhouses, with potent offenses and stifling defenses, would provide a down-to-the-wire matchup that fans would remember for years to come.
It didn't quite turn out that way.
Feeding off of the energy of the hometown fans, New Orleans rode the coattails of Drew Brees and his 369 passing yards and four touchdowns to a blowout 48-27 win that would come to define the seasons of both franchises. The Saints posted an undefeated record through Week 14, while the Giants went on to lose four games in a row.
All hope was not lost, however. While four of Big Blue's five wins were against teams that had a combined 15 wins through Week 16, all four losses were against playoff contenders.
And when a crucial Week 11 matchup versus Atlanta resulted in a Giants victory, the season seemed headed back in the right direction. The spirits of Giants fans were lifted.
Not too fast, Giants faithful.
A theme throughout the entire season had been the Giants inability to get pressure on the quarterback. On Thanksgiving night, the problem once again reared its ugly head as the Giants plummeted back to earth with an embarrassing 26-6 loss to Denver.
The rest of the season continued to be a tease for Giants fans, as they alternated wins and losses for six weeks. Uplifting victories versus Dallas and Washington were followed by deflating losses to Philadelphia and Carolina.
In Week 16, with a humiliating 41-9 defeat at the hands of the Carolina Panthers and with the Cowboys' drubbing of the Redskins, the Giants were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since Eli Manning's rookie season in 2004.
And as Giants fans and Giants management look towards the offseason, change is definitely coming. It seems difficult, however, to pinpoint which areas of change to prioritize. It even is difficult to wonder if some areas even should be changed.
The top of the ladder is the coaching staff, and that is where one must start when evaluating a team. And while Head Coach Tom Coughlin deserves a few years of leniency following his Super Bowl Victory, and Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride did a serviceable job, the performance by first-year Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan has been far less than impressive.
The same defense that had been known for harassing quarterbacks and running backs alike was seen missing tackles and assignments on a regular basis. A team that had been ranked fifth in the NFL in scoring defense in 2008 found itself ranked twenty-eighth in 2009, despite the return of former Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora.
But can such a precipitous drop be purely attributed to one person? Such a claim seems far-fetched, and under further examination, there are many people to blame for the failure of the 2009 New York Giants. But nearly all of those in question have done things right in the past, and one wonders whether one season of failure means the doom of their careers.
General Manager Jerry Reese had a horrendous offseason in free agency, with all four of his major offseason acquisitions (Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard, CC Brown, and Michael Boley) failing in their first season in New York. But Reese is the same man who had one of the best drafts in the history of the NFL leading up to New York's Super Bowl XLII victory. He is also the same man who made the astute decision to not pursue wideout Braylon Edwards, who has faltered with the Jets.
Can you really fire a man who led your team to a Super Bowl victory just two years ago?
Then, there is the story of the Giants' two starting defensive ends, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck. Tuck, who was a Pro Bowler in 2008, has amassed just six sacks in 2009. Has the league caught up to Tuck? Or is he just a victim of several nagging injuries that have plagued him since the first few weeks of the season?
Umenyiora was a Pro Bowler in 2007, but missed the entire '08 campaign with a knee injury. Are his seven sacks and inability to defend against the run a direct result of the knee injury? Or will he recover and revert to his pre-injury, All-Pro form?
What about the offensive line? The same five lineman that set a record for consecutive starts and led the Giants to a top ranked running game in 2008 has been a liability most weeks for the '09 Giants. Are they over the hill? Or is poor performance a result of injury and poor coaching?
Then there is the perplexing case of second-year safety Kenny Phillips. Phillips seemed headed towards a Pro Bowl season in 2009, but developed arthritis in his knee and missed the rest of the season. The injury completely compromised the Giants' secondary, as well as their defense. A lack of depth at the safety position meant blitzing was a risky proposition, adding to the Giants difficulty of applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Is the promising young safety's career over? Or can he recover from this horrible injury and continue to progress towards Pro Bowl status?
These are the real question marks heading into the offseason. And while the obvious problems of a lack of talent at the defensive tackle and linebacker positions will surely be addressed, how GM Jerry Reese tackles these issues will define the success of future Giants teams.
My guesses are that Sheridan is mostly to blame, while injuries have led to the decline in production from the defensive ends.
However, Phillips' injury may prove to be the most crucial predicament of the offseason. Because the Giants were so severely exploited by the deep pass in 2009, improving the safety positions is vital to success next year.
If Phillips can come back healthy, the Giants secondary will be solidified and they will be able to shift their focus towards improving the interior of their defensive line and their linebacking corps. Without Phillips, the Giants offseason will likely prove to be a chaotic, and perhaps franchise-disintegrating affair.
New York would need to devote a high draft pick or a large sum of money towards acquiring a top-flight safety. If that acquisition failed, then the outlook for the 2010 season would not be promising.
The one thing that we do know however, is that change is coming. Jerry Reese is the same man who controversially cut veterans Carlos Emmons, LaVar Arrington and Luke Pettigout following his hiring in 2007. Eight months later, the Giants were riding down the Canyon of Heroes on parade floats.
Reese will not hesitate to institute change, and might do so in ways that are completely unforeseen. This offseason may prove to be one of the most important in Giants history, and if Jerry Reese is able to rectify the situation than he will truly show his worth.
So get to work, Jerry. Your future is on the line.
Will Tampa Bay Rise To Greatness in 2010?
December 29th, 2009 by Ray Tannock No comments »Last year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a team that flirted with the notion of a possible Super Bowl run under the tutelage of John Gruden; this year was quite the opposite.
At the beginning of the season, the Buccaneers seemed to have rushed the decision to bring in head coach Raheem Morris; they cut their ties with a myriad of veteran players in what appeared to be a “rebuilding” move, and otherwise approached the season a bit haphazardly.
It showed as the season went on.
But if you look at the future of the Buccaneers, there is plenty of potential for improvement, so long as the ownership is willing to loosen their wallets a bit.
The underlying knock against the Bucs’ owner Malcom Glazer is that he is too tight with his spending to afford the team a viable shot at bringing in upgraded talent. I wonder how much of his money goes towards Manchester United in comparison.
The Buccaneers have an aging rushing attack, and receiving corp. that should have at least one other reliable guy, as well as a defense that—in my opinion—is more talented than their current 26th ranking shows them to be.
Then there is Josh Freeman.
Freeman has all the makings of an elite quarterback, but to become an elite passer you must also have a couple of really good weapons you can rely on each and every week; something the Bucs were without most of the season.
Stovall provided some consistency, but he isn’t the long term answer, and Bryant was never healthy enough to begin with. The addition of Winslow was huge, but a TE alone won’t win games.
As a quarterback, Freeman will have to learn to be a better pocket passer, and really put a lid on his penchant for turnovers if he is to rise to the occasion.
So what do the Bucs do now?
Their record will undoubtedly afford them a great position in the draft, but will the Glazers reach out for that pricey draftee that has huge potential?
The free agency market will offer a ton of NFL fodder, but again, will the ownership reach out and offer a worthy contract to land a high caliber player at a needed position?
In addition to all of this, is the rumor of the Bucs reaching out to Bill Cowher , which could make the Bucs another team that is trying the “one and done” philosophy; a move that never seems to work.
So much to digest.
As a football fan , what I see in Tampa is more upside than down. Despite the collection of bad losses they’ve sustained, there are also three games where they lost by seven points or less.
The team, led by Freeman, orchestrated a comeback against a vaunted Packers secondary and they are currently riding a two game win streak in which one of those wins were against the Saints.—not too shabby for a team that is supposed to be in shambles.
In the end, if the Buccaneers are willing to open up the bank a bit, and provide themselves with the right upgrades, the 2010 season could be far better than this year.
The Falcons, Panthers, and Saints all went from last to first at some point in their careers; could the Bucs be next?
The World Junior Hockey Championships: The Holidays’ Best Sports Event
December 29th, 2009 by chase ruttig No comments »This holiday season, many North American sports fans feast on the traditional holiday sports buffet items such as bowl games, and the NBA's Christmas Day games. Meanwhile, the IIHF World Under 20 Hockey Championship, dubbed the World Juniors for short, is sitting in the salad bar, untouched by many Americans.
And I think that should change.
The tournament is the highest rated event of the Christmas season in Canada, and it should, the Candadians are going for their Sixth straight gold medal. And would be a lock if most of our tournament eligible all stars weren't already producing in the NHL.
The tournament features some of the purest and most entertaining hockey you can ever see. With all the emphasis the US puts on college hockey they should maybe see what the rest of the amatuers' in the rest of the world have to offer on the junior games biggest stage
This display of young hockey talent is followed meticulously by Canadians as exhibition games or shown on TSN, but is left in the television wasteland that is the NHL Network in the United States.
I urge all Americans to tune in and show the display of talent and intensity these youngsters bring. Team Canada's supercharged roster, the United States big line, and Team Russia's display of finesse always make for entertaining hockey.
It also features what Americans love the most, watching their country dominate. The Americans, while being on a down year
The rivalries are special and bring Ohio State-Michigan to shame. The U.S. and Canada face off almost ever year, with the epic twenty minute shootout that featured Patrick Kane squaring off with his eventual teammate Jonathan Toews being the most famous example, and Canada-Russia always seem to find each other in the finals for another chapter in their storied rivalry.
So I invite all sports fans to welcome a new sporting event into their holidays and join us Canadians while we watch our young countrymen make their "Six Pack" drive for straight gold medals in the World Juniors.
Iowa and Georgia Tech Juniors Face NFL Draft Decisions after Orange Bowl
December 29th, 2009 by Kevin Trahan No comments »This is the fifth in a series of in-depth articles I will be writing about the Orange Bowl. This one focuses on the NFL decisions of players on both Iowa and Georgia Tech. Check out my profile for more Orange Bowl articles and stay tuned for more to come before Jan. 5.
Over the past few decades, it has become increasingly clear that college no longer lasts four years for many student athletes. Many of the top collegiate players have begun to leave school for the NFL in search of money and to avoid career-ending injuries.
For both teams playing in the Orange Bowl, the prospect is no different. Iowa and Georgia Tech both have numerous juniors who are rumored to be considering leaving school early for the NFL, a big decision to make considering how good both teams could be if everyone stays.
Georgia Tech will likely be hurt more than the Hawkeyes if their players decide to leave early for the NFL draft. The four juniors considering the jump are running back Jonathan Dwyer, defensive end Derrick Morgan, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, and safety Morgan Burnett.
The Yellow Jackets will be more damaged in 2010 by their departing juniors than Iowa will be because the Tech players are more playmakers and skill position players.
Plus, all have a decent likelihood of going.
The most obvious departure is Derrick Morgan. Morgan is one of the best defensive ends in the nation, and most experts see him as a top-10 pick if he leaves.
Most players will leave for the NFL if they are projected to be picked on the draft's first day (the first two rounds), and top-10 money will be hard for Morgan to pass up.
The loss of arguably the best defensive end in team history will certainly be tough for Georgia Tech heading into 2010.
An already-struggling defense loses its one start quality player, leaving that side of the ball very vulnerable next season.
If Morgan leaves—and he almost undoubtedly will—expect the Yellow Jackets' ranking to drop a few spots lower than it would have been at the start of next season.
Another big loss would be running back Jonathan Dwyer. Dwyer rushed for over 1,000 yards this season, and, in Paul Johnson's flourishing triple option offense, that total would likely increase in 2010.
But, once again, money means more to many players than an increase in college rushing yards.
He is also projected to be a first-round pick and will go no later than early second round. From projections alone, that's a pretty good indication that he'll leave and hurt the Tech offense in the process.
Since he is the focus of the triple option, Dwyer will certainly be missed by the Yellow Jackets.
Of course, quarterback Josh Nesbitt will keep the offense one of the nation's best, but Dwyer could solidify the team as the best offensive team in the country.
Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is another key player considering making the jump. He had over 1,000 yards receiving last season and helps add balance to the offense.
Because of his presence, opposing defenses are forced to keep their safeties back, allowing the run game to flourish even more.
Thomas is also a very big deep threat for the Yellow Jackets and has helped complete many of their big offensive plays this season.
Thomas is projected to be drafted in the middle of the second round if he decides to leave early for the NFL. Once again, this could be too good of an offer to pass up. Expect him to jump to the NFL, hurting the Tech offense as a result.
The final Tech player who is considering leaving for the NFL, safety Morgan Burnett, is the least likely to leave, but, unfortunately, is the least essential to his team.
Burnett had a down year this season in what was a down year for the entire Tech defense, especially the secondary. He could clearly benefit from another year in school to help develop his game. And since he likely won't be drafted on the first day, I don't see him making the jump.
The losses of Morgan, Dwyer, and Thomas would be big blows to the Yellow Jackets in 2010.
They have the potential to be a mid-top 10 team if everyone stays, but I don't see that happening.
If all three players leave, expect Tech to be ranked just outside of the top 10. But if Dwyer and Thomas, or one of the two, stay, expect a ranking anywhere between eighth and 10th.
Either way, Georgia Tech will be the ACC favorite in 2010 and likely will have a terrific season, but the prognosis would be much better if even two of those four players stay.
While Iowa's ranking will certainly be affected by the decisions of its two junior prospects, it won't be affected as much by the NFL draft as Georgia Tech.
Neither player, offensive tackle Brian Bulaga or cornerback Amari Spievey, is as vital to the Hawkeyes as Dwyer, Thomas, and Morgan are to Georgia Tech.
But that doesn't go to say that neither will be missed. Arguably the biggest loss would be Bulaga, simply because the offensive line loses two other starters to graduation.
Bulaga will be one of the top junior tackles available if he decides to leave early. His combination of strength and speed make him an outstanding NFL prospect, and he will likely be chosen toward the end of the first round if he leaves school, meaning he is likely to take the money and run, especially after missing part of this season due to injury.
The loss of Bulaga would be substantial for Iowa, considering it already loses two other linemen. He would definitely be a big help to the running game, but with running back Jewel Hampton returning after missing all of 2009, that unit will already receive a boost.
If he leaves school, the loss will definitely be felt in the trenches, but it wouldn't affect the team overall as much as the losses of Dwyer, Thomas, and Morgan would hurt Georgia Tech.
Spievey is trickier to figure out.
His stats aren't spectacular, but he has great hands and is a big time playmaker. I think he could benefit from another year in school, especially because he could move from being an on-the-cusp first-day pick to a first-round lock.
But, I still think he will leave. Again, money means a lot to many players, and Spievey is no exception. Look for him to be an early second-day pick and be a good NFL cornerback in the future.
While he is a very good player, the loss of Spievey would be felt even less than the loss of Bulaga.
With or without its star corner, the Hawkeye secondary will be outstanding next season, with safeties Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood anchoring one of the best units in the Big Ten and perhaps the country.
Spievey would certainly be a good addition and help make the group even better, but his decision is not entirely essential to the team.
Like Georgia Tech, Iowa is projected to be ranked in or around the top 10 in August. It's hard to project, but I see the Hawkeyes landing anywhere between seventh and 12th.
If both players stay, I see them at seventh or eighth. If just one leaves, I see them at around ninth or 10th. And if both leave, I see them at anywhere between 10th an 12th.
Once again, Iowa will be in great position to start the season regardless of its players' NFL decisions, but if both come back, they will be in even better position to make another run at a BCS bowl or be a sleeper for a national championship.
In the relatively new era of players leaving early for the NFL, neither Iowa nor Georgia Tech is an exception to the rule. Both teams have players facing a tough decision; whether to stay in school and risk an injury, or to take the NFL money in run.
Regardless of the decision each player makes, the prognosis looks very good for both teams heading into 2010. But the outlook could be even better for Iowa and Georgia Tech if their NFL prospects decide to stay in school for their senior seasons.
