Monthly Archives: February 2013

New Hope in Cleveland

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Two years ago when Lebron took his talents to South Beach it seemed like the Cavaliers would never recover. Well, it looks like Cleveland has landed a new superstar. Kyrie Irving has been playing phenomenal and he will keep getting better and better. He had his first all-star appearance and won the 3-point shooting contest. Irving has been shooting lights out and he has destroyed the ankles of whoever guards him. The scary thing is that he is only 20 years old. It is Kyrie’s second year in the Association. That’s even more shocking.

I have just jumped on the Kyrie Irving bandwagon and you guys should too. I believe that Kyrie Irving will be the best true point guard in NBA history. I know this is a bold statement but the way he has grown is just crazy. Irving might just pass Jordan when he is finished. You guys probably think I am crazy but Irving is playing like this is his 15th year in the NBA but it’s only his second. Hopefully he won’t break Cleveland’s heart too.4650faa0-b3ea-3907-8736-ce20c4ce921b-1

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Top QB Prospects 2013

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Today’s guest blogger – Jack Brindley

The NFL Draft is almost two months away and people are already speculating who will go where and what impact that one key player could have on a struggling team.  We all know what happened last year when Stanford’s Andrew Luck arrived to Indianapolis to re-glorify the crumbling demise of the Colts. The issue of deciding a proper quarterback to help lead your team to victory is always a tough one and with this year’s elite class of quarterbacks it’s not going to get any easier.  Today on my guest blog debut on Just1mike, I will be analyzing the top five QB’s going into this year’s NFL Draft.  Who do you think will be the first QB draft?

1. Geno Smithth-4 copy 5

College: West Virginia

Passing Yards: 4205

Rushing Yards: 151

TDs: 42

Pass completions: 71%

Strengths: Can throw the ball downfield to receivers with ease, confident and competitive

Weaknesses: Not able to throw on the run, bad footwork under center.

Projected Team: Kansas City Chiefs, 1st round.

Why: Since the Chiefs have the first pick in the draft I can see why they would take the number one quarterback.  Especially because they are in the need of a new QB. Their current QB, Matt Cassel, is not the greatest QB out there.  Smith would provide a renewing change of pace for the struggling Chiefs and hopefully turn their team around.

2.  Matt Barkley
Passing Yards: 3273

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College: USC

Rushing Yards: -75

TDs: 36

Pass completions: 63.1%

Strengths: Able to manage the offensive side of the ball and has leadership qualities

Weaknesses: Not an Ideal height (6”2), makes mistakes under Pressure (Interceptions, Fumbles, not a Scrambler).

Projected Team: Arizona Cardinals, 1st round.

Why: The Cardinals were left in the dust of Arizona last year when they sadly found out that Peyton Manning decided to take his talents to Denver.  Now they have the great opportunity to pick up an elite QB that could end their sorrows.  He would be the best choice because he’s a leader that would help command the offensive side of the ball.  They already have wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald who would be a great weapon for Barkley to use due to his strong passing abilities.  My vote is that Barkley ends up in Arizona.

3. Mike Glennon

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College: NC State

Passing Yards: 4031

Rushing Yards: -164

TDs: 31

Pass completions: 58.5%

Strengths: Uses his height to find WR and develops a strong passing game

Weaknesses: Because he’s 6”6 he struggles when the pocket collapses to speed up out of the way of oncoming defenders.

Projected Team: Cleveland Browns 2nd round.

Why: Cleveland has some talent that could be utilized, they just need more of it. They have RB Trent Richardson who can develop a solid running game if given the chance, now they need a better passing game which is what Glennon can deliver.  The reason I have him as a second round pick is that they need to rebuild the O-Line first. You can’t be successful at either running or passing without being able to be confident that your O-Line will be able to block for you.  One last thing, Cleveland needs a backup for Brandon Weeden.  He is already an older QB even though he was drafted last year, and Glennon is young and ready to play.

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4. Tyler Wilson

College: Arkansas

Passing Yards: 3387

Rushing Yards: 7

TDs: 21

Pass completions: 62.1%

Strengths:  a confident pocket passer who can hit stationary targets well,  has leadership qualities.

Weaknesses: Not a good runner under pressure, good linebackers will realize how low he carries the football which can be an easy fumble.

Projected Team: Philadelphia Eagles 2nd round.

Why: The Eagles just resigned Michael Vick for another year.  Because of his age he won’t be in it for the long run.  They need new to bring in another QB to learn from Vick and get ready to lead a very talented Eagles offense.

5. Ryan Nassib

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College: Syracuse

Passing Yards: 3749

Rushing Yards: 142

TDs: 26

Pass completions: 62.4%

Strengths: Has a strong arm, his quick release is useful when trying to get short yardage in a third down situation.

Weaknesses:  Like Barkley, he is not an Ideal height for a NFL Quarterback. His footwork could use some improvement as well.

Projected Team: Buffalo Bills 1st round.

Why: We all know the Bills have been absent from drafting a QB for a while.  Last year they passed up Russell Wilson, which was a MAJOR mistake on their part.  Now they need not to make the same mistakes of the past and pick up this gem of a QB.  He would much improve the third down conversions of a struggling Bills passing game.  He’s already familiar with new Bills head coach, Doug Marrone, and that means he already knows how to utilize his many talents and knows what he needs to improve on as well.  He also can use some of the Bills best receivers like Stevie Johnson to his advantage by firing him some deep passes in tight situations.  Ryan you need to stay in New York and head west to Buffalo.

Vick Staying in Philly

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Michael Vick announced that he will be staying with the Eagles. Now the decision for Chip Kelly is who to start at quarterback, Vick of Foles.

I think that the best bet to run Kelly’s offense is Michael Vick. To run the fast pace offense you have to be quick, elusive, and able to run. Vick is the definition of that. Vick brings more experience to the Eagles and is a dual threat quarterback.  I knew from the first interview with the Eagles Chip Kelly was going to go to Philadelphia because Mike Vick is the type of quarterback Kelly needed.  Nick Foles is still a great quarterback but he is slow and only stays in the pocket and Kelly is not looking for that type of QB. My money’s on Vick.th-2 copy 12

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Maybe the Irish Have Some Luck After All

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Not even the drama surrounding Manti Te’os internet love life could top the Louisville – Notre Dame last night.

Soon both of these ranked teams will move from the Big East to the ACC.  I think Notre Dame won’t be able to handle the competition in the ACC but the talent of the Louisville Cardinals should be able to keep up with the likes of Duke, North Carolina State and Miami.

Game day began at South Bend when the fans rushed the court after a fan made a half-court shot for $75,000.   But that was just the beginning of the fun and games.   190ca408-ed1a-3641-ba7e-6cedd8a5cb65

Last night the Irish had to tip off against the Louisville Cardinals. The Cards were up big but the luck of the Irish pulled on as they forced over-time. In the first over-time most of both team’s starters fouled out. Each team kept fighting and the game went into double over-time. Still after that, the game was tied so there was a third over-time and at the end of that the score was still knotted up. So…there was a fourth overtime. It was crazy and the game went into a fifth overtime.

f98e15af-c6c5-3763-8073-4c7e28220e8bLet’s keep in mind the longest college basketball game was back in 2009 in the Big East tournament when Syracuse beat UConn in a sixth over-time marathon on a buzzer-beater. So, in the fifth overtime the game finally ends as Notre Dame wins the upset.

This was tied with the second longest game in college basketball history, and the longest regular season in Big East history. The last 4 of the 5 well actually now 5 of 6 games these two teams have played each other it has gone into overtime. During all of those five overtimes the players must have been exhausted and most of the starters fouled out. Both benches came out strong but there was one center named Garrick Sherman on the Irish who hasn’t played much at all but came up big and kept them in the game scoring 17 points. If Sherman didn’t play like that Notre Dame would have gotten destroyed, but he delivered.

Louisville really blew it, they had so many chances to win that game and they never showed up in prime time. A couple weeks ago Louisville was at the top of the pack and was ranked number one in the country and went on a huge loosing streak that they recently broke. It looks as though they have  just started another one. The Cardinals went from studs to duds. It’s just a shame to see all of their talent and watch them loose and loose, but this is a rough season with all the top teams getting upset. This is why I love college basketball.

Oh and when speaking of luck, the Irish had nothing compared to the Wisconsin Badgers this weekend who had to pull out their own $75,000 shot to beat Michigan. 

 

Over Time In Ann Arbor

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Tuesday night the most historic rivalry in all of sports had written a new page to its many games. Number 10 Ohio State or as people down in Michigan like to call them Ohio at number 3 Michigan. Earlier this year Ohio State gave Michigan their first loss of the season, but this time the Buckeyes had to travel to the home of the Wolverines. With all the emotion on their side Michigan got a lead but they should never get comfortable because this Ohio State vs. Michigan, one of the greatest rivalries in college sports.  The Bucks made a quick run to be up 31 to 30 at half.

It seemed like the boys from the shoe were pulling away with the game, well until NBA legend son Tim Hardaway Jr. had a heat-check hitting six straight three pointers and four in four straight possessions. The Maize and Blue had taken the lead, but with two turnovers Ohio tied it and the game went to over time. That was when the questions began.

Up by one with 20 seconds left Michigan’s Glenn Robinson III was fouled by Ohio State’s Aaron Craft. Craft hit Robinson III over the face which should have been a flagrant which would have given Michigan two shots and the ball but it was called just two shots. Robinson made one but missed the second shot. Aaron Craft sprinted down the court and got blocked on a layup by Tim Hardaway Jr. It looked like Hardaway got some arm but since they didn’t call a flagrant on Craft it was the right call. I like the no call. Michigan won a must win home game and has two tough road tests ahead of them at Michigan State and Wisconsin.

After the game Hardaway said, “ I saw the ball in my face, so I just tried to wrap it up, probably got his arm or something like that, but like I said, it’s up to the refs to call that call, and they let it go.”

The refs called it clean so Aaron Craft said, “There was a bit of contact, but they didn’t call it, so I guess it wasn’t a foul.”

I think that is great sportsmanship by Craft and a good showing of humbleness by Hardaway. The big thing though is Michigan is victorious. GO BLUEth-2 copy 11

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A SUPER Questionable Ending

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Superbowl 47 was a nail biter. The Niners came storming back after the unexpected power surge but came up short as the Baltimore Ravens became Superbowl champions. Did the 49ers come too short or did they deserve to be hoisting up the Lombardi trophy?

The answer to that question is yes. When it was fourth and goal and they were down by five points with thirty-seconds left Colin Kaepernick threw a fade route to Michael Crabtree that fell incomplete. What really happened on that play was that Crabtree was held by Ravens’ defensive back Jimmy Smith. This was the play that would make or break the game and the referees did not call anything on that play. If it was called a hold/pass interference, as it should have been, the 49ers could have been Superbowl champs. I think it is just sad that  they lost on a missed call. The Niners just got robbed. They should have had another chance to win the game and it is horrible that there was no call.

The 49ers are the deserving champions but congratulations Ravens you guys played great. What a way to send Ray out with some style.th-3 copy 4

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SUPER SUNDAY

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Tomorrow is Superbowl Sunday, we all know that. There is so much hype to this game I will keep you guys posted on everything that is going on. This game is going to be a battle and here are the keys to a victory for each team.

Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis

Key for Ravens: The Ravens are a hard hitting defensive team that have the heart of a champion. The key for the Ravens to become Superbowl champs is to be focused on the game. There are plenty of things to do in New Orleans and I don’t think John Harbaugh wants his team taking a stroll down Bourbon Street. That’s the last thing that they need. That’s when the Ray Lewis factor comes into play. They all want to send Ray Lewis out in style.  This I think will keep all the players focused on the football game and not on the city life in the Big Easy. The whole “ Let’s do it for Ray,” just might send the Lombardi trophy back to Baltimore.

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick

Key for 49ers: The 49ers came storming back to the playoffs after last year’s heartbreaking loss to the Giants in the NFC championship. This year they were determined to make it to the Superbowl and win one. Well, they’ve done one thing on that list let’s see if they accomplish the second. The key to a Niners victory is the play of second year quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Jim Harbaugh made a gutsy move to start Kaepernick over Alex Smith midway through the season. Many people thought is was a stupid move but right now it makes him look like a genius. There have been many doubters if Kaepernick can come through in pressure situations. Well, he has. The Superbowl is a whole different monster though. Can Kaepernick perform well in the biggest game of them all? If so they will be on a float with the Lombardi trophy in San Francisco.

Prediction: 49ers: 28 Ravens: 25, Although the Ravens have heart the 49ers have too much talent. Finally, the little brother wins.