An Injection of Sports : CBSSports.com Blogs

Have We Seen the Last HOF RB?

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 15:34:02 EDT

Baseball fanatics and experts alike have already agreed that the we have already seen our last 300 game winner in Major League Baseball. With that statement, and admittingly not a huge baseball fan, there was still a lump in my throat from pure sorrow. With the many advances we have seen in sports, the farther away we are going away from historic achievements we have all admired as youngsters. While this is happeningin baseball, could this happen in football as well?

The NFL RB has become an unreliable injury player in the NFL. The one-back system has almost been eliminated. The new talk is a two-back system where two running backs share the 20-30+ carries per game. Add that to the fact that new NFL rules have made the game more pass friendly and we may have a new NFL with RBs that are not future Hall of Famers. We may be watching NFL football from here on out that does not have a Hall of Fame RB. Scary though unless they change the standards of what a Hall of Fame RB is.

Playoff Predictions

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:59:29 EST

Here are my predictions for the playoffs...

WILD CARD

Bengals @ Texans - Two rookie QBs go head to head. Texans QB T.J. Yates has Andre Johnson and a running game with a strong defense while Bengals QB Andy Dalton has a good running game with a variety of WRs to throw and a strong defense. In the end, I think it comes down to experience for both QBs and Andy Dalton has more experience. This will probably be a boring game with many punts, but the Bengals will come out with a vicory. Bengals 16, Texans 13.

Lions @ Saints - Nobody and I mean nobody has much of a shot to win in New Orleans and I doubt a young Lions QB like Matt Stafford can go into the Superdome, loudest of any stadium, and play top notch football. The Lions started the season as the comeback kids, but a comeback in the Superdome would be impossible. The key for the Lions will be starting fast because a slow start will be fatal against a team looking for redemption after an embarrassing loss last year against the Seahawks. Saints start big and the Lions will make the game closer than it really is. Saints 31, Lions 23.

The Colts Dilemma

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:42:26 EST

The Indianapolis Colts have had a hard season to say the least. Nobody knew the extent of Peyton Manning's uinjury during the lock out and by training camp, the worst came to life. Peyton Manning was out indefinitely...with a neck injury.

I know Peyton Manning is a great QB, one of the greatest I have ever seen play the game, but if you would have told me before the season started that the Colts would be 0-12, I would have called you explicit names. Well, Week 14 is here and what do you know, the Colts are 0-12 and have a two game lead for the first pick in the 2012 draft. Many NFL experts are saying Stanford's QB Andrew Luck is the no brainer first pick of the draft. Even the vice chairman of the Colts, Bill Polian, has already stated the Colts will take Luck with the first pick. That means the Colts are willing to spend their first round draft pick on a QB to play with Peyton Manning. Manning, however, has a clause in his contract that will require the Colts to extend his contract by March, before the draft, or release him. Manning can help the situation by moving that deadline back.

Moment of Silence for College Football

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:20:03 EST

It is over. Finally over. Like your best pal with four legs struggling with hip arthritis, getting meaner and meaner every day, a lovable dog that is something you never wanted to see, Division I-A college football is over and dead. You kept holding on like the great owner you were, she'll get better, it is only a temporary problem. Yet, every day went by and she got worse and worse. You could have ended the misery with a friendly needle, but you kept holding on and you suffered even more than she did because you are now filled with guilt. That is the BCS system.

We were trained to believe a computer system will fix the wrongs that have happened before yet the Auburn Tigers, Utah Utes, Boise St Broncos, and Texas Christian Horned Frogs had to suffer the same fate as previous pre-BCS teams have suffered, never playing in the big game. The BCS has fixed nothing. The BCS can best be compared to a figure skating contest. It judges teams in the same manner and defeats teams in the same manner with a biased and idiotic point system. It's a damn shame that every other level of college football, other levels with better education, have playoff systems. Now college fans are subjected to a rerun between two teams that have over hyped defenses with terrible QBs battling for a "championship" after playing the worst game in college football this year. There is a solution to this travesty.

A True Tim Tebow Assessment

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 2:49:04 EST

There has been so much uproar over Tim Tebow in the NFL, it has been ridiculous. The main reason is because of how flamboyant he is with his religion. Who cares what his religion is? Religion has nothing to do with sports. People need to evaluate him as a NFL QB and that is it. So here is a real assessment of Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos QB.

There is no question that Tim Tebow has the intangibles to QB in the NFL. However, his skill set as a QB is weak, very weak. As a QB, a quick release is a must and Tebow's mechanics is probably the slowest in the league. It looks even slower than Byron Leftwich's release. Leftwich didn't have the legs that Tebow has, which is truly an asset in today's NFL. However, we all know what eventually happens to a running QB in the NFL. Tebow will receive more hits than any QB has if he keeps playing the same way, and he is a tough guy, no doubt, but injury is inevitable with his style of play. What is the team's back up plan if he is injured? We all have laughed at teams that had scrambling type QBs with pocket passers as back ups, but what about Tebow's situation? Can a team run a Tebow style offense and have a back up plan? A week of practice goes by running Tebow's offense and all of the sudden he is hurt, how does a Brady Quinn come in? How does a team adjust? Tebow has a long way to go to learn the pass plays that are dependable.

Favre's New Legacy

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:58:59 EDT

I'll admit that I am a "Favre hater" amongst fans because that is what "Favre lovers" label me. But et me climb atop my mountain again and preach to all who want to listen, Favre has no legacy. Brett Favre is an empty soul that is trying to find its way because the door before his existence and the door after his existence has closed. The worst part, Favre closed his own door.

Favre was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons and then traded by them because of his party antics to the Green Bay Packers. He showed his great abilities but was never able to get over the 90's hump, winning in Dallas (0-6 career record in Dallas). Once the Cowboys dynasty fell, Favre had his chance. Favre led his Packers to the championship, but wasn't named the Super Bowl MVP. It was Desmond Howard who was named the MVP. But don't worry, Favre's legacy will forever be enshrined in the NFL folklure. His image of him holding his helmet up high will forever be used depiste the fact he wasn't te Super Bowl MVP and another sad fact...the play where he raises his helmet being proud of himself, was the second play of the game.

2011 NFL Season Predictions

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:53:48 EDT

I'll try to follow up my Packers 31-17 Super Bowl prediction over the Ravens prediction of 2010 with a familiar set of predictions this year. Enjoy!

NFC EAST

Philadelphia Eagles- 11-5 - Philly improved their secondary,

but still weak in the middle of the defense. Offense still lacks a big target

Week 3 Thoughts

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 1:17:49 EDT

The NFL is proving again why it's America's sport. NFL teams truly do start 0-0 and have a chance of making the playoffs. The short season makes every game count. There is no time to relax during the season and there are always storylines to keep us talking on even the boringest of off days.

Here are my thought from Week 3:

- The Cowboys finally looked good, but they are not off the hook just yet. I still question Garrett's game plan. He has shown in the past that he can put a game together, but quickly reverts to his stupid pass happy play calling. He still needs to manage the run game better. Marion Barber should be the main focus of the run game and if he is running well, should never come off the field.

- I was waiting for one of two things when the referee stuttered his way through offsetting penalties. Either a "wanna get away" Southwest commercial or a "I'm not really a ref, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night" Holiday Inn commercial.

What's Wrong With the Cowboys?

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 19:04:14 EDT

We all have heard the talk all week about what is wrong with the Cowboys and what will happen if they lose this weekend to the Houston Texans. There really isn't a debate about what is wrong, just a debate who is to blame. The offense is to blame and the offensive coordinator and owner are to blame.

Let's start with Jerry Jones first. While the stats may not prove it, Jerry Jones is one of the worst owners in the league, perhaps the worst, worse than Oakland Raiders owner, Al Davis. While Al Davis, is notorious for drafting (Sebastian Janakowski- 1st round kicker, Jamarcus Russel- 1st overall, Darius Heyward-Bey, 1st WR in 2009) and signing overrated players and trading stud players for underrated value (Randy Moss), Jerry Jones hasn't had a bad roster throughout the years. Jerry Jones, however, has eaten his foot several times as an owner. Al Davis had a public squabble with young coach Lane Kiffin, but Jerry Jones has been known to discredit some rather big figures in NFL football. Jerry Jones hired Jimmy Johnson in his first year as owner and Jimmy Johnson turned the organization into a dynasty. However, Jerry Jones forced Jimmy Johnson to leave the Cowboys after two consecutive super bowls and was even quoted as saying Johnson didn't deserve the credit for what he did. The replacement coach, Barry Switzer, won a super bowl, and according to many Cowboys players at the time, was in spite of Switzer. It was pretty obvious to many that the talent spoke more than the coach who looked to be a figurine on the sidelines.

Week 1 Thoughts

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 12:18:11 EDT

The NFL is off and running. Week 1 had a lot of games come down to the wire. Here are some thoughts I had during Week 1 throughout the NFL.

- The Vikings and Brett Favre better realize this year's schedule is much more difficult than last year's. They can't treat the first four games like its preseason games for Favre like they did last year.

- I hope the NFL looks into why the referee overruled the Visanthe Shiancoe catch. The first ref called it a completion, but was overruled by a ref who appeared to have no angle on it. If it was called complete like it should have, it would not have been reversed.

- Thank you Cris Carter for supporting what I have been saying the past three years. Jason Garrett doesn't seem to know what he is doing and it looks like the Cowboys don't believe in his offense. Not calling a kneel is on him. Why is he not on the hot seat?

Bold NFL Predictions for 2010

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:23:40 EDT

Here are my bold NFL predictions for the 2010 season.

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys- 10-6- An old offensive line with a bad offensive coordinator aren’t a good mix, but talent will prevail in the end. Talent can only take you so far, however.

New York Giants- 10-6- The young receivers step it up another notch and Eli has his best year yet. Could this be another wild card run?

2,000 Yard Rushers

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:54:16 EST

There have been only six NFL running backs to eclipt the 2,000 yard mark rushing, and I will explain to you what I think is the best rushers to do so. It's not a career thing, it's a single season thing. These are the best 2,000 yard seasons in my opinion.

WARNING: This may offend you...Barry Sanders fans.

1. Terrell Davis, Denver Broncos, is the best 2,000 yard rusher I have ever seen and in my heart, is the best RB I have ever seen play the game. There was a great reason why John Elway didn't win a title until his last two seasons, and that reason was Terrell Davis. Davis punished defenders in every facet of the game. He would juke you and if the defender didn't buy the juke, he would bull doze his way through. Many will say that Mike Shanahan's zone blcoking scheme had many RBs gain over 1,000 yards, but the fact was Shanahan could never find another like Davis who destroyed opponents. Davis may not have had that flashy TD score, but he did what football die hards appreciate the most...he mad the trenches even more painful for defenses. Elway rarely had to deal with a long situation because it was a guarantee that Davis was going to win yards with just his effort.

The X Factors in the NFC

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 6:16:20 EDT

I will discuss what the 'X' factors are for each team in the NFC to have a successful season. Obviously, success is different for each team as I think just being competitive in each game will be a success for some teams. Playoffs are not in the cards for every team even though they are all 0-0 right now. I will have in-depth predictions before the season starts.

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys- Jason Garrett- Garrett is probably the most overrated offensive coordinator in the NFL. His offense is often predictable (Ray Lewis said the Cowboys were the easiest team he has ever game planned against) and with all the weapons the Cowboys have had the past three years, they have only won one playoff game. The Cowboys couldn't even muster a touchdown, or even move the ball after the first quarter, in the embarrassing loss to Vikings last year. If that horrible offensive output didn't put Garrett on the hot seat this year, I'm not sure what would. This year, the talk is about how good the wide receivers are on the Cowboys and it will be up to Garrett to utilize those weapons.

The Future of "King" James

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 7:30:49 EDT

The nickname "King" is very premature for LeBron James since a king is the ruler of the land, and to be "king" in the NBA, you must have at least one piece of jewelery on your hand, and James hasn't accomplished that. Lebron has a huge decision to make if he wants to live up to his nickname and I will discuss what are some of his best and worst options.

Cleveland- Staying in Cleveland won't hurt Lebron James at all. They can offer him the most money, salary wise, and he can build his legacy there and be the "King" of Cleveland. He needs to win a title in Cleveland to etch his legacy in stone in the NBA. If he plays his entire career in Cleveland and doesn't win a title, well, we have been watching a more talented Karl Malone. Cleveland doesn't seem to have the roster that compliments Lebron and looks to be that roster who can win a lot of games, but will always fall short of any title. If Lebron stays in Clevenland, I expect it will be tied to a deal to get Chris Bosh on the roster.

Let Me Put the MJ vs Kobe Argument to Rest

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 9:37:06 EDT

If you're a sports enthusiast like me, you are probably sick and tired of hearing all the sports radio talk comparing Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. It feels like I'm driving down the road and seeing a bunch of sports radio hosts holding "please help me" signs. We're enering into a dry area of sports talk and it's quite obvious they're desperate for a controversial topic which isn't even controversial at all. Michael Jordan is the best player of all time (well, for all the old timers, I'll put it as he's the best guard of all time) and there is no question about it. After reading this, I'm certain you will agree with me.

The biggest argument Bryant supporters have is that he is creeping up on Jordan's title total and that is it. It's also a lame argument because if we want to compare the Bulls best player during their championship run to the Lakers best player their first three, well, Kobe isn't even in the argument. We would be comparing Jordan to Shaquille O'Neal. People want to compare Jordan's partner in crime, Scottie Pippen, to Kobe's partner in crime, Shaquille O'Neal, when in fact, it was the other way around. Kobe was "Robin" to O'Neal who was "Batman". Really, we should be comparing Jordan to O'Neal as to who was the better player for their team for the first three titles for each team. O'Neal did a good job matching Jordan with three title MVP's. Bryant had zero. So did Scottie Pippen.

My Take On the New NFL Rules

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:10:39 EDT

Hidden beneath the overtime rule controversy, a few other rules have been passed. I don't see these rules as "game changers" like the overtime rule. In my opinion, there was no need for an overtime rule. The teams have four quarters to end the game. It's terrible watching the ultra conservative play during those four quarters that cause overtime. The new overtime rule won't change the worsening conservative play calling in the NFL, it will actually make it worse. In the early 2000's (2004 playoffs to be exact), the St. Louis Rams had one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Mike Martz had plenty of time left to score the game winning touchdown against the Carolina Panthers, but instead, opted to settle for the field goal to go to overtime. It was horrible to watch as a NFL fan. This new overtime rule will not change that new 'content' attitude in the NFL. It could actually make it much worse which could make the NFL unwatchable. Coaches weren't scared of the 'unfair' coin flip, and they certainly won't be afraid of going to overtime with the new change.

Dear Mark McGwire...

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:05:59 EST

You think you can just disown your brother for betrayal and act as if you are the honest one, but I'm not buying your story. Your brother didn't go on national television and clam up every time Congress asked about steroid use. Your brother didn't try to deflect every Congress question as if the past meant nothing. You, my friend, had a golden opportunity to set the record straight like a man, and you chose not to. You claimed Jose Canseco was a liar, but as it turns out, you were hiding the truth the entire time. You did steroids.

Your apology was one of the weakest apologies I have ever seen. What makes your apology even more disingenuous is the fact that you were just trying to make the road easier for your coaching career in St. Louis. It is reasonable to think that you would have never apologized if you did not have interests in a job in the major leagues. You hid from apologizing for years and finally give in just days before signing a contract as hitting coach. How pathetic. You mock us true fans by claiming that you only did steroids to recover from injuries. Do you really think we're that stupid? We're supposed to believe that the two years you were injured in your late 20's, you were doing steroids to recover from injuries only? You just started hitting 50 plus home runs in your 30's just because despite the fact that you never hit over 20 home runs in any season before that? Look at the league as a whole. Ever since Congress had to police rampant drug use in baseball, where have all the home runs gone?

Super Bowl XLIV Prediction

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:32:27 EST

First, if my Cowboys can't make the big game, I really couldn't have thought of a better match up this year besides these two teams. You have, perhaps, the greatest QB of all time, Peyton Manning on the Colts going against the likable Drew Brees who has proved a lot of doubters wrong with his abilities since his major shoulder surgery four years ago.

You can't name any prima donnas on either team. Both teams have likable players on both sides of the ball. Reggie Wayne has followed Marvin Harrison's way by being one of the best WRs in the game every year and being quiet. The Saints' Marques Colston was one pick away from being Mr. Irrelevant. Both teams have RBs that don't mind sharing the ball. Both teams have players that are team first that work their butts off. I really can't think of anything to dislike about either team.

Team By Team MVP's

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:53:57 EST

AFC EAST

Bills- Fred Jackson- He took advantage of Marshawn Lynch's two game suspension to start the year, but the Bills forgot about him in the middle of the season. If they kept with him, they may have won a couple of more games.

Dolphins- Chad Henne- If stats don't prove and their three game losing streak at the end of the season killed their playoff chances, but the fact is this was his first year and they were very competitive at the helm. He gives Dolphins fans hope next year.

Patriots- Wes Welker- He was the move the chains guy and it was obvious how important to the team he was in the playoffs. He had a huge season, 123 catches, and he missed two games.

Playoffs- Conference Championships

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:20:52 EST

New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts (-7.5)

This is an interesting match up as karma could come back to haunt the Colts. In week 16, the Colts had a 15-10 lead in the third quarter over the Jets and pulled their players and lost the game. The fans were verry disgusted with the decision and rightfully so. The Jets would have been eliminated from the playoffs if they lost that game and are now just one win away from the Super Bowl.

Neither team can worry about the past. The Jets #1 defense against the Colts and Peyton Manning will be a fun chess match to watch. The Jets have Darrelle Revis, arguably the best cover corner in years, and it will be interesting how the Jets use him. Revis usually covers the #1 WR, but last week was used to cover different WRs in an upset victory over the Chargers. Revis was only thrown at four times last week and one was completed for a loss of four yards and he had one INT. The Jets could use him to cover Reggie Wayne, but Peyton Manning has a few other weapons in WRs Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. And of course, the great Dallas Clark.

Playoffs- Divisional Round

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:34:32 EST

Last Week- 2-2

Prediction: Bengals 20, Jets 13. Actual Score- Jets 24, Bengals 14. I thought the Bengals went to sleep on purpose in Week 17, but they apparently went into hibernation until next year.

Prediction: Cowboys 27, Eagles 17. Actual Score- Cowboys 34, Eagles 14. Was close and predicted a rather easy Cowboys victory.

Prediction: Ravens 23, Patriots 17- Actual Score- Ravens 33, Patriots 14. I thought the Ravens could win with the run game and they did with the first play. The Patriots looked very old and senile without Wes Welker.

Playoffs- Wild Card Round

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 10:18:04 EDT

New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5)

This is the first of three Week 17 rematches. The Jets crushed the Bengals last week, but the Bengals didn't have much to play for and their effort was questionable. I think Darrelle Revis, possible defensive player of the year, will again lock down Chad Ochocinco who is banged up. The big question will be whether Laveranues Coles and Andre Caldwell can step up. Cedric Benson was out last week and will be back and he will also have to carry the load against the league's number one rated defense.

For the Jets, it will be how much weight will be on Mark Sanchez's shoulders. Can Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene continue to pound the rock and move the chains? If they can't and have to throw the ball, Sanchez could struggle against one of the better CB tandems in the league.