Author: backinphilly

NFL Draft-Doesn’t Get Much Better

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Thursday (Today) is the NFL Draft. The first round opens up, and the Kansas City Chiefs go on the clock at 8 o’clock eastern time tonight. There are a lot of talented players in this draft. But, there are also a ton of questions. I’m gonna try and answer these questions to the best of my ability.

Here goes nothing.

Question 1-Who is going first overall?

I’ll be honest. I have absolutely no idea. Up until yesterday, everyone was saying the Chiefs are draft Luke Joeckel and that was that. However, now it appears that KC is looking more towards Eric Fisher. I’ve also heard that the Chiefs are thinking about trading the first pick in order to build a foundation later on in the draft. I think that last option is probably the best thing KC can do. However, KC has Andy Reid, and I know his patterns pretty well. I don’t think he’s going to trade that pick since he likes high picks, and potential trade partners won’t want to give away a slew of picks for one player in a lackluster top 10. The safe bet is saying that KC will draft Fisher. I’m a firm believer that as far as the draft is concerned, the information we had last week means nothing now that new info has emerged. The newest updates in the NFL are usually the most accurate.

Answer-Eric Fisher if the Chiefs stay put. If they move the pick, I have no clue.

Question 2-How many quarterbacks are being taken in the first round?

Another thing that I am really not sure about. I can almost promise Geno Smith will be drafted in the first round. That’s just about a consensus idea. However, a lot of analysts think maybe one or two more QBs get taken in the later picks of the first round. I have no clue who those one or two could be. Maybe Matt Barkley, maybe EJ Manuel. My bet is on Ryan Nassib. I think he has the best shot at going in the first round with Geno.

Answer-Geno is going in the first round. After that, there’s nothing for sure.

Question 3-What teams could trade their picks?

This is an interesting question. Like I said, the Chiefs could move that number 1 pick. I think the Eagles could. I think the Bills could. I think the Giants could. I’m hearing things that Dallas wants to move up (I don’t see any reason). There are a lot of possibilities. Once again, this question has no real answer.

Answer-As far as we know, nothing.

So that’s your primer for the draft. I’ll recap it all on Sunday!

Why the Red Wings?-Let’s Discuss

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So why do I think the Red Wings spell disaster for the Chicago Blackhawks (the Western Conference’s projected number 1 seed)?

The Detroit Red Wings are an incredibly storied franchise not only in the NHL but in all of sports. This season’s Red Wing team is equally as dangerous as in years past. This team is simply flawless. They are much younger than they have been in the past, being right in the middle of the league’s average roster age.

For those that are interested, the link for NHL ages is right here. Really just had to google it.

And for those interested, the NHL’s oldest roster is my New Jersey Devils. That might have something to do with the fact that our goalies are Martin Broduer (40) and Johan Hedberg (39).

Back to the Wings, though. Detroit has a few stars on their roster that while a little older, have superb conditioning. They are the most fundamentally sound team I’ve probably ever watched.

Let’s take roll call. We have the captain, Henrik Zetterberg, who has 8 goals but 27 assists. So whose scoring the goals?

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Let’s Talk a Little Hockey

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As many know, the NHL season was cut in half this season due to problems with a collective bargaining agreement, or CBA. It’s funny how in the past 2-3 years, labor issues have been a serious problem in professional sports across the board. The NBA and NHL lost games while the NFL lost certain preseason workouts. All three were greatly affected. However, this 48 game season of hockey (a full season has 82 games) has been nothing short of exciting yet confusing.

I’m a big New Jersey Devils fan. They lost in the Stanley Cup finals last year to the Los Angeles Kings, but I wasn’t torn up about it. I was excited to even get to the finals and win the Eastern Conference. That was way more than I was expecting last season, but it elevated my expectations for this season.

We aren’t the best team in hockey. But, we play very well. At least we can say we are better off than Columbus.

Regardless, the playoffs are fast approaching as there are about 10 games left for most teams in the regular season.

The NHL is ranked on a point system. A team is given 2 standing points for a win, 0 for a loss, and 1 for a loss in overtime or a shootout. In each conference, there are 3 divisions. This is the last year we will see this, as next year the league is realigning into four conferences. Anyway, there are three divisions in each conference, and the division leader in each makes the playoffs as the first, second or third seed. In order to finish off the playoff bracket, the next 5 teams in point standings are added to the bunch. 8 teams from each conference go to the playoffs, making a total of 16 teams.

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Bioshock

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By now, a lot of hardcore gamers have heard of the popular series Bioshock. Just recently, the third installment, titled Bioshock Infinite was released.

It is already being called the Game of the Year. That includes its competitor, Grand Theft Auto 5, which is due out later this year.

I think its premature to call anything the game of the year when its only April. We still have 9 more months before we pick a winner. But, let’s look at how popular Bioshock has been.

Bioshock was marketed as a horror/action/adventure game, and is well worth those labels. Up until recently, however, I had zero interest in the Bioshock series. When I was younger, about 3 years ago maybe, I stayed over a friend’s house, and he played Bioshock at 2 in the morning. I was petrified and swore that I would one day conquer the game. Recently, the Apple Mac App store released an app version of the first Bioshock game. I waited for a sale to cut down the 30 dollar price (I bought mine for 10 bucks) and started playing.

I haven’t finished yet.

I am in awe. I played until 3 AM the other day, and thank god it was Friday night. It wouldn’t have mattered if it was a Tuesday night. I couldn’t put the game away. It’s intensity is completely unmatched.

Big Daddies are my favorite characters.

This picture should explain just about everything.

Yes, he’s that large thing. He goes completely psychotic is you so much as breathe the wrong way. See that little girl next to him, she’s the little sister. If you touch her EVER, you’re going to die. That drill for a hand is not for show.

Kevin Ware

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There are no other words I feel comfortable putting in this title. I’m not going to show you guys the video or anything like that. This is mainly about how hard an athlete has to work to reach his goals. Kevin Ware is no different than anyone in the sense that he worked hard at what he loved. He loved basketball and because of what happened yesterday, he can probably never play again.

By now, just about everyone knows about the Kevin Ware incident. He jumped up to block a shot and while landing, his leg crumpled in a number of spots. According to reports, his tibia went through his skin and was exposed. This goes down as possibly one of the most gruesome injuries in the history of sports. It’s right up there with Joe Theismann.

I don’t want to talk about it too much. But what I do want to point out is something I saw on Facebook the other day. There was a picture by Adidas posted on their wall, asking the public “Is there anyone on YOUR team that brings out the best in you?”. I immediately started thinking about players I had competed with at any given time. I thought of a few, but after this moment in the game yesterday, I undoubtedly believe that Ware is one of the most inspirational players I’ve ever seen.

He spoke to his coach Rick Pitino and some of his teammates as he was being tied to the stretcher. “Just win the game” he said to his teammates.

A man who is laying on the ground with part of his bone out of his skin still tries to rally his teammates. And it worked.

Louisville won by 22 points and buried Duke. It was inspirational, and I wish Kevin Ware the very best.

NHL-It’s a distant second

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Well, as you guys remember, I was a pretty big fantasy football player during the NFL season. This season, I follow fantasy hockey. I’ve been playing with a few of my friends this season and I’ve really enjoyed making some trades (including some that shouldn’t have been made and now I’m just laughing to the bank with it :))

Anyway, I’ve always been a pretty big NHL fan. I am a New Jersey Devils fan, and my favorite player is probably Ilya Kovalchuk. To be honest, I don’t have a favorite player. I just love watching some good hockey.

I especially love this time of year, which is trade season. The trade deadline is on Wednesday and teams are making some last minute adjustments to their rosters in the hopes of pushing for the playoffs.

I just want to discuss the Jarome Iginla trade from last week real quick. Iginla was traded to the Pittsburg Penguins for a first round pick and two college prospects. I think the Flames win this trade given Jarome’s age. But, I want to direct everyone’s attention to one of the college prospects that the Pens sent to Calgary.

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Worst Person 28-Elvis Dumervil Edition

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I’m not calling Elvis the worst person. I’m calling his situation the worst thing in sports this past week. No, I’m not taking the March Madness angle on the worst things to happen. I made a bracket based on literally no knowledge. I rooted for Temple, and they’re gone.

I want to focus on one of the most bizarre stories I’ve ever heard. Yes, this beats Manti Teo in my opinion. Although, that one has an answer.

This one does not.

Elvis Dumervil and the Broncos were trying to renegotiate his contract in order to accommodate some of the new free agent signings that were coming to Denver, like Wes Welker. Elvis was set to take a 2013 pay cut from 12 million to 8 million. He agreed, and signed a faxed contract. The team had a deadline before being forced to pay Elvis the 12 million. They needed the contract done so they could save the extra 4 million bucks. But, everything was set. Elvis signed, and his agent was faxing the contract back to Denver.

Unfortunately for Elvis and the Broncos, the fax was six minutes late. So, what does Denver do? Should they suck it up and pay Elvis the 12?

Nope.

THEY CUT HIM!!!!

Because an agent was unable to send a simple fax on time, a man lost his job, which then led to the agent losing HIS job.

The Broncos then were forced to treat their All Pro defensive end as a free agent. He was fair game for the rest of the league. So they went ahead and offered him a fast contract to come back to Denver.

One problem though.

This time, Elvis said NO!!!!

Don’t get mad at me, Elway. This is on you guys.

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NFL Pro Bowl-Vote Today

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So apparently, at the NFL owners’ meeting, the team representatives are discussing adding some more benefits to the NFL Pro Bowl, the lamest All Star event in all of professional sports.

As you guys probably recall, I wrote a blog a couple months ago about my opinions on the Big 4 All Star celebrations. I illustrated the four events, and how I think they all stack up. NBA and NHL sport very strong All Star celebrations. MLB does a solid job making the game have some playoff ramifications.

The NFL has nothing. It’s just a scrimmage. There is nothing making it any more fun except like the other three leagues, fans have a say in who plays in the game.

Today, the team reps are going to discuss adding a fantasy draft to the Pro Bowl. Allow me to explain.

In the NHL, rather than having an East and West team, the league elects two captains who alternate choosing players that they want to have on their rosters. They used to have an East-West matchup but they found this to be more entertaining. They were completely accurate. I love the fantasy draft.

The NFL, MLB and NBA play conference games (games pitting one half against the other half). MLB has AL and NL, NBA has East-West and NFL has AFC-NFC.

The NFL may be the next team to adopt the NHL’s alignment.

Apparently, we may see two captains choosing teams regardless of conference. I think that could make the game a little more interesting. At some point, there must be some sort of benefit for winning. The linemen don’t even block. It’s a disgraceful game. But, they are keeping it around for one more year.

They gotta do something. The Pro Bowl is in danger.

Worst Person 27-Philadelphia Phillies

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In professional sports, there are always some interesting transactions. Some are ground-braking, like trading a top-tier player for a bunch of prospects. You know, something interesting like that.

Watching players fly around teams like that is something that I, personally find very enjoyable. I was intrigued this morning when I was informed that the Philadelphia Phillies traded a relief pitcher from their minor league club.

Hmm, I wonder what we got. Maybe a low draft pick or some other minor league prospect? Maybe some cash compensation?

As I read the article, I kept trying to see if I was possibly reading over something.

But the headline reminded me that not all trades make sense.

“The Philadelphia Phillies Traded A Minor League Prospect To The Los Angeles Angeles For No Compensation.”

What? Nothing? No money? No prospects?

Yup, that’s right. The Phillies literally got NOTHING from the Angels. The Angels got Mike Cisco, and the Phillies opened a roster spot.

Granted, the Phillies made the move because they believed that they were holding too many minor league pitchers. Fine, send a guy away. But, don’t just hand him over. Get something back for him. It doesn’t have to be a player. Just get some cash or something.

But NOTHING?! That’s inexcusable. I’m honestly in shock. How can a professional front office actually make this kind of move?

This is just a total head-scratcher.

Right, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.?

Derp

NFL Free Agency-Eagles Flyin’ High

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Free agency is a time where the mediocre teams of the NFL decide to add some new talent. It is a time to overpay for talent that usually wouldn’t command this kind of money. Free agency is confusing, but at the same time, makes all the sense in the world.

Well, it makes sense to me. But, a lot of people don’t get this. It’s alright though. It’s just what I do.

Anyway, the Eagles decided to crush the opening day, signing 5 players to contracts. The biggest signing, Issac Sopoaga, will play nose tackle in the Eagles’ new 3-4 defense. We needed a nose tackle and we got one. That was just day 1.

On my big board, I wanted the Eagles to pursue three big name guys. Those players are DaShon Goldson, Eric Winston, and Sean Smith. Goldson and Smith have signed with the Buccaneers and Chiefs respectively. Eric Winston is still out there, but there has been very little news surrounding his signing.

Day 2 was very slow. I don’t recall any signings by the Birds. I just heard a bunch of rumors surrounding Darrelle Revis trade possibilities. It is beginning to look like the Birds won’t be getting the prized corner.

After Day 3 finished, I was totally content with missing out on him.

Three more signings occurred on Thursday.

First off was the signing of former Ravens cornerback Cary Williams. You may remember him as the Raven that pushed a ref during the Super Bowl.

His background goes farther than that. He’s young and he’s got solid stats. He will likely be an instant starter in Philly.

Next up was our retaliation against the Giants.

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