Hester, gains the most by off-season moves?

The Bears have made a lot of moves to improve their offensive skill positions this offseason, the position that seen the most improvement was wide receiver.  The Bears added Brandon Marshall, via trade and Alshon Jeffery via the draft.  All signs point to Jeffery being a very good receiver in the NFL, but none will know till they start training camp and start playing games.  The Bears now have a true number one wide receiver, in Marshall.   Marshall is a top ten wide receiver.   While Jeffery has a ton of promise he is still an unproven rookie.  The player that might benefit the most from the acquisition of these two players is Devin Hester.

When thinking, Hester benefits the most it is a little hard to comprehend because he has had enough time to show his skill set in the NFL.  While Hester has had time to show his skill set, the one thing that the Bears have been lacking since he has been in town, is a number one wide receiver.  The benefit of having number one receiver is the coverage will role to Marshall.


Ever since Hester was moved to wide receiver I have been unable to figure out why he was always playing an outside receiver.  Hester’s best games and plays on offense have come from him playing the slot.  Yet the Bears continue to line him up outside on most of his snaps.

In the 2012-13 season Mike Tice plans on Hester lining up on the outside, yet again.  However this year it is much different than past seasons.  The Bears have Marshall.  Teams have to respect Marshall and will most likely roll coverage his way.  If the Bears put Hester in the slot the safety can cheat and be able to split the difference between the Hester and Marshall. Since teams now have more to worry about then the speed of Hester.  This year it makes sense to have Hester on the outside because it keeps teams honest, they can’t cheat.  Cheat towards Marshall and Hester can get behind the defense with his speed.  If teams cheat towards Hester (which I can never foresee happening because he is not very good at his job that being catching the ball) Marshall will win a one on one battle with cornerbacks most of the time.  There is also Jeffery who will being playing in the slot roaming the middle of the field, even thought he is a rookie he will still demand respect at first because of his size.  But if Jeffery struggles early, which happens with most rookie wide receivers, the Bears plans go up in smoke.  But if Jeffery has some good games early the passing attack for the Bears could be very good.  The passing attack would still the third best in the NFC North.   However it could be a top 10 in the NFC.

Did Bears error on not drafting offensive lineman?

After the NFL draft this past weekend most fans, by most I mean 99.9%, wanted the Bears to draft an offensive lineman in the first few rounds.  Personally figured they would go offensive lineman in round two or three.  We all knew they were going defensive line or wide receiver with the first pick, all signs pointed out to defensive end.  I wish they would have drafted an offensive lineman at some point in the draft, would have preferred second or third round.  I am not also up in arms about them not taking an offensive lineman at all during the draft.  The Bears like who they have at the position, at least publicly.  This is what Lovie Smith had to said on Saturday, "We as a coaching staff are going to try and put the players in a better position, adding Chris and Gabe to the mix. There's a period of time, as you might have forgotten, during the season, when we played pretty good ball on the offensive line."
I have heard people say that Mike Tice loves J’Marcus Webb. Webb has shown flashes of a good player since he first started playing in the NFL, but he does not give 100% effort all the time.  Webb is not a star left tackle by any means.  Tice also likes the group as a whole.  They bears did add some depth to the position this offseason they signed G Chilo Rachal from the 49ers, who has played in all but one game since he enter the league in 2009.  In 2010 the Bears had a guard playing right tackle, a center playing right guard, a guard playing center at left tackle playing guard. Only Webb was in the spot he was penciled in as to start the season.  Also, they were down 2 starters from almost the start of the season.
The Bears also feel that the change in play calling will have an effect on the offensive line.  Which is something that I agree with, the one thing everyone knows you get with Mike Martz is your team will give up sacks.  So with Martz gone ideally there should be fewer sacks.   Also, Tice will make protection calls based on what he feels the offensive line is comfortable with and can execute.  Cutler will also have the ability to audible to the right play call and protection.
Also, with weapon(s) on the outside teams will not be able to load up the box and play man outside every passing situation.  Teams will need to either double Marshall or roll coverage to his side.  If Alshon Jeffery, Bears second round pick can produce a little bit that will also help.  With Marshall and Jeffery on the outside Devin Hester moves to the slot where he has been the most productive since he joins the Bears.  Hester is able to produce more in the slot because it is much harder to jam him when he is off the ball.  Teams also have to respect him because he is a deep threat.
Not that an of these reasons fix the talent level of the players on the offensive line, but these do take pressure of them as a unit.  I should be better in 2012 than they were in 2011.

Seahawks got a good deal with Flynn

One of the most intriguing free agents this year in the NFL was quarterback Matt Flynn formerly of the Green Bay Packers.  He was intriguing because there is so much that is unknown about him.  It is almost like drafting a rookie quarterback, but Flynn has played sparingly in NFL games and has started two games.  Flynn played very well in those two games, but it is hard to judge a player off just two games.  There have been many cases of quarterbacks playing sparingly and playing well to only to falter later on in their careers.  

The most recent example is Kevin Kolb, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, who is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals.  In July 2011, the Cardinals gave up Pro Bowl cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick in 2012.  The Cardinals then turned around and gave Kolb a 5-year $63 million deal with $27 million guaranteed.  Also, just recently they had to give Kolb a $7 million roster bonus.  The Cardinals did this after seeing Kolb started only 7 games and played in a total of 19 games completing 194 passes for 2082 yards and 11 touchdowns in his four years as an Eagle.  Now Kolb has only been in Arizona for a year and could have a much better year this year than he did last year.  It is hard to judge a player off one year, in a new place and system, not sure he will be much better but only time will tell.

Flynn has actually played 34 games, most coming in 2009 when he played in 15 games.  He has started two games over his four-year career both of which have come in the last two years, one in 2010 and 2011. Flynn has completed 82 passes for 1,015 yard and 9 touchdowns. Recently, he signed a 3-year $26 million ($10 million guaranteed) with Seattle Seahawks.  By most reports of the deal it is truly a 2-year deal worth between $13.5-16 million over the course of those two years.  

This is a great deal for both the Seahawks and Flynn.  Seahawks are only committed for 2 years at a cheap price, if he turns into a franchise quarterback many people believe he can be for the Seahawks.  It is great for Flynn because he will be a starter in one of the weakest divisions in football where he can prove that he is a starter.  If he does pan out the Seahawks will most likely extend the contract in the middle of or after the 2nd year of the contract.  Seahawks also got Flynn for a million dollars less then what the Cardinals gave Kolb in guaranteed money.  It is somewhat ironic that Flynn chose the Seahawks because the last Green Bay backup quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, to leave also went to the Seahawks.  The Seahawks and their fans are hoping Flynn turns out to be just as good as Hasselbeck was for them.

Flynn should work out for the Seahawks, but there are just as much risk here as with drafting a quarterback in the first round, simply because so much unknown.  However, instead of being tied to a first round quarterback for 4-5 years, the Seahawks are only tied for two years, but it should be much more then that as Flynn should thrive with this chance to start.  This could turn out to be the best signing of the 2012 free agency period, yes even better then Mario Williams.  Reason for that is franchise quarterbacks are harder to find than a pass rush specialist.

Where will Peyton land?

O where O where will Peyton Manning land?  At this point no one knows. Peyton is a perfectionist; most likely turning over every stone he can find to unearth information about each team, and the members of each team.  There is talk of him wanting to stay in the AFC because he knows most of the players.  Which makes complete sense; it is easier to adjust when there is no need to have to worry about learning a ton of new defensive players.  But that is something Peyton will most likely not have a problem with, because he studies film like no other player in the NFL.  So before he picks a team he will most likely know almost everything about the players on that team.  So the question is where is he going to go?  Peyton has narrowed it down to 3 places: Denver, Tennessee, and San Francisco. Ranking the teams in order in which could be the best fit for him, obviously this is just a complete guess but I am going to base it off the roster in which each team has and the team performance from last year.

    1.)    San Francisco- I believe this will be his choice they have the best roster from top to bottom then any of the teams left.  They have had a great running game for years their biggest weakness has been their passing game.  Their defense is very solid, better than any the Colts had with him there.  This past season the 49ers lack was a passing game.  This off season they looked to improve that area; they have added Randy Moss and Mario Manningham.  Not sure how much Moss has left if he has anything left, but if Moss does this team will be even better than they were last year.  Manningham and Moss can open up the middle of the field for Vernon Davis, who was second in receiving yards behind Michael Crabtree last season.  If Crabtree can get it together, 49ers could have four good receiving options. Peyton should make them all better, with the exception of Moss.  49ers make the most sense based on the roster. Also make a ton of sense since the division is so weak, this would put them heads and shoulders above everyone else in the division. The 49ers are the only team in the NFC that Peyton is selecting from, which could be the biggest issue.  Some have said that he will stay in the AFC because that will still allow for the possibility of a Manning bowl.  

   2.)    Denver- The next best choice, they had an unbelievable season.  But the question is was it just a fluke?  Their defense had a great year but their offense struggled.  However, they were able to win games.  Tim Tebow was able to put together some good games but very streaky player to say the least.  Broncos have a good running game and defense.  However they lack any big time receivers, they have some young guys in Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas.  Both are going to be 3^rd year receivers next season, which is typically a break out year for the position. It hard to judge their production from last year because Tim Tebow was at quarterback.  They have a pretty well rounded team, adding Manning should make them the favorite in the AFC West.  This is another weak division.

   3.)    Tennessee- The sentimental choice is the Titans. Peyton went to University of Tennessee.  This would also allow him to play in the AFC south, the same division as the Colts.  Titans have two good wide receivers Kenny Britt and Nate Washington.  Have one of the best running backs in the NFL in Chris Johnson, who struggled last year after holding out most of training camp.  Had a top 10 scoring defense last season.  I think it is a good fit for Manning; not sure it is the best fit for him.

With Peyton looking for a new team it is having affects on other quarterbacks.  Alex Smith, 49ers QB last year, is now looking at his options outside San Francisco, in Miami today his next stop is Seattle. If Smith would have signed the 3 year deal he was offered the 49ers would not even be in the picture at this point, but he did not sign. This gave the 49ers a chance to take a look at Manning.  

         There has been talk of the Broncos trading Tebow if they got Manning, not sure this will happen anymore.  The most likely spot he was headed was Jacksonville but they signed Chad Henne on March 14, to a 2 year $6.75 million contract. The Broncos should hold on to Tebow and hope he can improve as an understudy of Manning’s.

The Tennessee Titans already have Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback.   He would be released if the Titans were able to get Manning.  Hasselbeck would most likely go to Cleveland since they run the same offense as Seattle did while he was the quarterback there. The Titans are another team that would have an understudy for Manning in Jake Locker.  Who has played sparingly since he was drafted eight overall in 2011.

The Uniqueness of Baseball

The game of baseball is very unique, in the fact that almost every game a person watches or goes to something happens that could not have been expected.  There are plays in almost every game that have never been done before in the history of the game. This is an odd game because someone truly never knows what to expect at any game.  I think that’s why so many people enjoy the game so much because there is always something new happening, which is odd for something that has been around since 1864.  This play is an example of that: the score book reads 1-3-4-6 caught stealing.

The made is hard to see because you never truly see the second baseman, but the ball is only about 20 feet off the first base line.  It was a perfect throw, it really could have been any better.  When the play is slowed down the viewer can see the ball behind the runners back as he is sliding in to second.  The ball some how goes right into the glove. 

All NFC North Team- Defense

DE

Julius Pepper (CHI)

Jared Allen (MIN)

NT

B.J. Raji (GB)

Corey Williams (DET)

DT- or 3 tech

Ndamukong Suh (DET)

Kevin Williams (MIN)

Strong-side linebacker

Clay Matthews (GB)

Chad Greenway (Min)

Middle linebacker

Brain Urlacher (CHI)

Stephen Tulloch (DET)

Weak-side Linebacker

Lance Briggs (CHI)

Desmond Bishop (GB)

These were the hardest to select because so much outside things affect their play on the field.  The secondary’s of every NFC North team was very weak this year. The team ranked the highest in yards giving up was Detroit at 22; the lowest was Green Bay at 32.

CB

Charles Woodson (GB)

Charles Tillman (CHI)

FS

Louis Delmas (DET)

Charlie Peprah (GB)

SS

Amari Spievey (DET)

Chris Conte (CHI)

Total by team- Det- 5 Chi-5 GB-5 Min-3

All NFC North Offensive team

Based on stats for the most part. Hardest spots were o-line.  The end of the year team is fairly close to my preseason picks, only 6 changes

QB

Aaron Rodgers (GB)

Matt Stafford (Det)

RB

Adrian Peterson (Min)

Matt Forte (Chi)

James Starks (GB)

WR                 

Calvin Johnson (Det)

Jordy Nelson (GB)

Greg Jennings (GB)

Percy Harvin (Min)

TE

Jermichael Finley (GB)

Brandon Pettigrew (Det)

Visanthe Shiancoe (Min)

LT

Jeff Backus (Det)

Charlie Johnson (Min)

LG

Steve Hutchinson (Min)

Rob Sims (Det)

C

John Sullivan (Min)

Scott Wells (GB)

RG

Josh Sitton (GB)

Chris Spencer  (Chi)

RT

Bryan Bulaga (GB)

Gosder Cherilus (Det)

By team- GB-8 Det-6 Min-6 Chi- 2

Mr. Tebow: Love him or hate him. No middle ground allowed

Tim Tebow during pregame (1-8-12) warm-ups before the Broncos  29-23
overtime win.

I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t hold back.  I have to give a Tim Tebow blog another go; I started to write a blog a few weeks ago but never finished as I ran out of steam. 

Tebow has captured the football world, even more the nation.  We now have “Tebow time” and “Tebowing”.  The TV numbers back up that he has taking the nation by storm; the Steelers Vs Broncos game on January 8, 2012 received a 25.9 rating or roughly 42.3 million people. (I don’t understand TV ratings at all, just know the bigger the number the more people that watched) Tebow gives the nation an athlete that has done nothing wrong off the field. This is great because we are finally talking about an athlete that does nothing but good things off the field instead the “bad ones” that we have become accustomed to.

Now to be honest I have never really been a fan of Tebow, because he went to Florida and I am not a big fan of Florida football.  Also, because the media has latched on to him since he was a freshman at Florida.  It’s not that I don’t like him; I just got sick of hearing about him nonstop.  It has only gotten worst since he starting playing this year and the team went on an unbelievable run. Which now has led to a win in the playoffs, which is great for them.

The biggest problem with talking about Tebow is there is no middle ground.  People who love him can’t see his play on the field, or refuse to open their eyes; only thing they see are wins.  Which at the end of the day are the only thing that matters, but it does not translate in to long term success.  

People who hate him don’t understand him and hate him for a variety of reasons.  People for some reason are not able to separate his on field play and his off field life.  Which is kind of ironic since people are able to keep players with bad reputations on field play apart for their off field problems.

We finally have an athlete by all accounts has done nothing but good things off the field and people just can’t wait to knock him.  Now part of it is the media with their nonstop coverage of Tebow.  Some don’t like his religious belief, which is their own choice.

I respect Tebow off the field for everything he does and continues to do.  For me it’s the on field play that I cannot respect, other then the wins.   Now don’t get me wrong he has gotten better most weeks he has been out there playing.  Which is great for him and the Broncos.  There are many quarterbacks in the NFL who have been able to win games despite their skills.  Reason they have talent all around them; this is something that Tebow has.  The worst two positions on the Broncos are Quarterback and receivers, receivers are young and both look like they might be good receivers in the NFL. Tebow has been getting better but he is nowhere near being a good quarterback in the NFL.  This is where people who love him start to get upset.  There is no way around it, his stats are terrible, if it was any other QB people would be calling for him to be replaced.  People look to replace quarterbacks whose teams have had good years, but they were subpar all the time.  Tebow completed just 46.5% of his passes this season for 1,729 yards.  Tebow however threw for 12 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions.  A good Td: Int ratio for any Qb in the NFl, there are good Qb with a lower ratio.

The best player to compare Tebow to is Mark Sanchez.  Now I believe Sanchez is the better QB right now, but he is not good.  To me the Jets have won in spite of Sanchez.  I feel the same way about Tebow and the Broncos.  The Broncos have won games that Tebow has done some great things in the fourth quarter.  The Broncos defense is keeping them in games allowing for “Tebow Time”.  The same thing has happened with Sanchez, who has led 11 come back wins in the fourth quarter in his 3 years in the NFL.  Tebow has been apart of 7 total in two years, one last year and one in the playoffs.  However pro-football-reference.com states that the “QB deserves no credit for the comeback”.  Which I guess since the Steelers were the ones making the comeback it makes sense but Tebow did throw the game winning TD in overtime for the Broncos.

Can Tebow be successful in the NFL? Short-term answer yes, long term answer jury is still out.  It is hard to say no to the long term because how much he has improved in such a short time period.  Would I like him to be successful? Yeah why wouldn’t I he is an underdog, everyone told him he couldn’t play in the NFL.  He is winning games but to be a long-term success he needs to improve a ton in the passing game.  He needs to learn to make reads and trust his offensive line early in games.   A lot of the plays Tebow makes are because he doesn’t see the open receivers and just takes off running.  He will grow, he could be good, but he is a work in progress that still has a ton of rough edges.  

Tebow lovers also need to pump the breaks when it comes to talking about him.  Only thing Tebow has going for him right now are the wins.  What happens once they stop coming?  I have no problem with people who like him.  I think they just need to realize this might not last long, unless he improves.  But if he does improve there will be no need for “Tebow Time” which for now I think it should be called “Elway time” since he lead 46 fourth quarter comebacks in his day.  Glad to see the magic staying in Denver, there must be something in that Rocky Mountain water.

·        FYI the most come back wins ever by a QB is 51 which is held by Dan Marino followed by Elway and Peyton Manning with 46 each.