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.