Change for the Better

     Change, change, change. You've heard the word be worn out by millions of people. Whether it be politicians or a teacher, 'change' is used so often that its true meaning often falls on deaf ears. It is however, a phrase never uttered from the mouth of Bengals owner Mike Brown's mouth. He refused to trade disgruntled former All-Star quarterback Carson Palmer, because he decided that a trade would essentially be a reward for holding out. Yesterday, his stance changed. In a rare move the day of the perennially boring NFL trade deadline, Carson Palmer, former number 1 overall pick and franchise quarterback was traded to the Oakland Raiders after their starter went down for the year with a collarbone injury. All of this is in the wake of the legendary Al Davis' death. However, the Raiders have put themselves in a hole because this year, they only have two guaranteed draft picks, a sixth and seventh rounder, while the Bengals get a first rounder this year, and a first/second rounder depending on how the Raiders do. Palmer is a great quarterback and I supported his and the Brown family's decisions during his holdout. He was a great quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, my hometown team, and the least the team could do was reward him for what he has done. Expect Palmer to have somewhat of a revival this year and next, (think Jim Plunkett).

Image retrieved from: http://images.paraorkut.com/img/football/images/c/carson_palmer_cincinnati_bengals-805.jpg

Suck for Luck

     Any NFL or college football fans know about Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. Last year, he was touted as the 'slam dunk' No. 1 overal pick, and a guarenteed Hall of Famer. Luck however, did what he thought was the right thing....he went back to college. This year, Luck is even better, and almost all the teams in the NFL have agreed that he is the best prospect in a long time. However, don't be surprised if he goes back to Stanford...AGAIN. He has one year of eligibility left, so it is possible he'll stay a member of the Cardinal. Many teams are in the running to win the "Suck for Luck Sweepstakes," but not all of them need a quarterback. Then again, any team would benefit through having his services, (Think of the Patriots drafting Ryan Mallet.) His talent has caused a small stir among teams because some of the teams GMs and owners are worried that teams may forgoe the season to have a chance to draft him, which, in all honesty, sounds like a brilliant idea.
   
      I think that the Broncos, Dolphins, Chiefs, Seahawks, 49'ers and even the....Indianapolis Colts. I think the Broncos and Chiefs will jump at the chance to take Luck because, A. they are both terrible teams, and B. their quarterback position is unsettled, (Yes, I know the Chiefs have Matt Cassel, but he is never going to have a season like last year.)  The Dolphins, for lack of a better word, suck. Henne is finally putting together a somewhat respectable year, but Miami is in a division with some awesome QBs. Tarvaris Jackson is only a stopgap in Seattle, so don't be surprised if they "Suck for Luck." The 49'ers are in there just because John Harbaugh was Luck's coach at Stanford. Now for the Colts....Peyton Manning is old. That much is a guarentee, and now with his being out for the season, the Colts need to prepare for the worst. They really are not that good without Manning. If Manning manages to come back next season, and the Colts choose Luck, that is great for Luck and the organization as a whole, because Luck can learn from Peyton and this will make the transition seamless.

My Team

     Hi guys..... now, you've occasionally heard my rants or raves about NFL players and where they stand in the world of fantasy football. You've heard me warn of collapses (Sidney Rice, Donovan McNabb) and of huge breakouts, (Dalton, Kevin Kolb, Larry Fitzgerald). So you've probably wondered what players are on my team...so here is my team and my explanation for each.

QB: Matt Schaub, Texans: I chose him because he was sitting there in round 5, which I thought was great value for a player of his caliber. (My projections have him throwing for over 4,000 yards and 25 TDs.)

RB: Ray Rice, Ravens: I'm in a PPR league, so running backs who play a role in the passing game are always a critical piece of a team. I think he will have a season with over 1,500 yds rushing and 300 yds receiving.

Tim Hightower, Redskins:  I'm thinking he'll have a breakout year, though I am cautious to say he will always get the bulk of the carries with Roy Helu on the team.

Chris Wells, Cardinals: No competition, it's his last chance to live up to his draft spot and potential.

Also on roster: Darren Sproles, Ben Tate.

WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: Huge player, I think he has a chance to be the best at his position with Kolb at the helm.

Miles Austin, Cowboys: Consistent producer, on pace for an awesome season.

Also on roster: Chad Ochocinco, Anquan Boldin, Jerome Simpson

TE: Ron Gronkowski, Patriots: Brady's favorite redzone target, and he gets the catches and yards of a wide receiver.

I don't think it is necessary to list a reason why I picked my kickers and defense, because I think their potential depends on the team they are playing. My kicker is Neil Rackers, and I have the Redskins D.

The Red Rifle

This was an essay I wrote for school earlier this year. Sorry about my absences and lack of posts, high school has brought new friends, but also tremendous amounts of  homework. Thanks for those who will actually read this post. Please post a comment if you agree or disagree with me. Thanks again!
    

     The NFL has become a passing league over the years, and as a result, the value a franchise quarterback has to a team has skyrocketed. Today, a quarterback must be durable, accurate, a powerful arm, an offense to fit his talents, and a good character and leadership skills. Andy Dalton, the Bengals’ second round pick in the 2011 NFL draft, has a chance to be that kind of quarterback.

       This year, Dalton has essentially found himself inside a ‘perfect storm.’ He has talented receivers to throw to, particularly first round pick A.J. Green, and three year veteran Jerome Simpson, along with tight end Jermaine Gresham, which will make his transition from a college phenom to an NFL rookie much easier than draft bust Jimmy Clausen’s was. He also has an offensive coordinator, Jim Gruden, who has designed an offense to fit his skill set. Gruden ran a West Coast offense in the United Football League, his systems stressing a versatile running back and a very accurate quarterback. Cedric Benson fits the mold in the backfield, and Dalton, whose career completion percentage at Texas Christian University was over 64%, can make all the throws necessary. As a result of his ability to make decisions in a pro-style offense and his aforementioned accuracy, some scouts labeled him the most developed quarterback in the draft. 

     He also has all the intangibles necessary to become a role model, something other quarterbacks like Peyton Manning or Drew Brees, both devout Christians, have become. Dalton started a prayer group in college, and his coaches have stated that he is a brilliant leader in the huddle. He was also a winner, something no coach can teach, for he ranks among the top three in total wins as a starter in NCAA history.  For these reasons, sports columnist Peter King called him “the Drew Brees of the 2011 NFL Draft.” If this statement is true, Dalton will be throwing for 4,000 yards annually. Dalton also gets to be the starting quarterback for a perennial loser, the Bengals, so there is not as much pressure as there was for Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets when he was drafted.

     Because of the traits he has, it is believed that Andy Dalton will be a successful NFL quarterback and eventually he and A.J Green will lead the Bengals to the playoffs once again.  

Image retrieved from: http://images.blog-u.net/sport/andy-dalton-sport/

St. Xavier Bombers!!!!!

     Rest in peace. Last night, the twelve year undefeated home streak of the Colerain Cardinals was snapped by the St. Xavier Bombers. I had the privelege to attend the game with my fellow Class of 2015 friends, and watch a brilliant game. Coach Bolden of Colerain called it an 'absolute instant classic,' but St. Xavier simply called it a victory, making them 3-0 for the year.

     The Bombers took an early lead with a touchdown run by senior running back Conor Hundley, but Colerian retaliated with a TD themselves, making the score 7-7. After a string of interceptions by St.X, Colerain scored to make it 14-7. St. X proceded to make a long fieldgoal during the 3rd quarter, and then score again with a run by Conor Hundley, who proceded to bulldoze his way into the endzone even after his helmet came off, making the score 14-17 in favor of the St. Xavier Bombers.

     In the 4th quarter, Colerain missed a short fieldgoal with just seconds to go, and the streak was over. The Bombers went crazy, and when Colerain's crowd yelled gay slurs at the all male school and also chanted, "WE'VE GOT GIRLS," the St. X student section came back with, "WE'VE GOT JESUS!!!!!" Watch the video to hear how awesome it is to be in the St. X student section.

Image/Video retrieved from http://cincinnati.com/blogs/presspreps/files/2011/09/OHstxavierfootball21aweb-242x300.jpg, and http://www.youtube.com/