Patriots Vs Ravens Prediction

There are only four teams left, two of them in the AFC, one of them is our hometown New England Patriots. New England fans have got accustomed to being in this situation with only one game left to win to reach the Super Bowl. Some say we are spoiled, I think to think of it as we are worthy. Boston fans are the best in sports, die hard fans that stick with their teams through thick and thin. The biggest reason that we have won three super bowls in 12 years and been to seven AFC Championships, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick

They have been the two constant's throughout it all, there has been so much turnover with the Patriots roster over those seasons. As we like to say in New England, in Bill we trust. Most fans are so used to winning that they think this game will be a blowout, I don't think that will be the case. Whenever the Pats and Ravens meet it is a dogfight, except for the 2009 AFC Championship, where we lost by more than ten points, but that was the game right after Wes Welker tore his ACL in the last game of the regular season and Gronk and Hernandez weren't Gronk and Hernandez. This might be the last chance for the Ravens, as their all-star defense is getting old, and has been injury prone throughout the past couple seasons. All-Pro Ray Lewis is retiring after this game, which has been a major storyline since he announced his decision before the wild card playoff game. Ed Reed is 35-years-old, but he is a still a play maker but not the "ballhawk" that he used to be. Terrell Suggs is playing with a torn tricep, which limits the pressure he can put on Brady, which is his biggest asset. So, as a Patriots fan you have to be aware of the Ravens knowing this might be their last stand. 

The Ravens have been one of the toughest teams in football over the past decade and that hasn't changed, they still have safety Bernard Pollard, who the Patriots wide receivers need to be aware of, because he likes to lay the lumber. Then you have Haloti Ngata, who is a major run suffer, but I feel Logan Mankins and Ryan Wendell can handle Ngata, who is playing with multiple injuries. 

Our offense should be able to take advantage of this slow and old Ravens team with the pass. Brady needs to take advantage the Ray Lewis in the middle of the field with running backs Danny Woodhead and the emerging Shane Vereen. Rob Gronkowski is out, so that puts even more pressure on Aaron Hernandez. I believe he could have his best game as a pro today. He proves to be a major mismatch for any linebacker, as he has speed and size, which most linebackers cannot handle. Ray Lewis five years ago could handle him, but not today.

The Patriots cannot abandon the run tho, they need to keep this Ravens defense honest, and not let them put five defensive backs on the field, and flood the middle of the field on Brady. Steven Ridley has proved he can handle the work load, so 10-15 carries for him should be perfect, and a mix of draws and stretches in the hurry-up for Woodhead and Vereen should be perfect.

Aqib Talib has been brought this defense swagger and confidence. Talib has shut down corner skills, which is tough to find in the NFL. He basically can shut down one side of the field, putting him on the opponents best wide-out relieving the pressure on the other defensive backs like Devin McCourty and rookie Alfonso Dennard. I would put him on Anquan Boldin, as he can move the chains easy, and speedster Torrey Smith may prove to be to fast for Talib. Stopping Ray Rice is also a main factor, but this Patriots run defense has been stout all season long, Vince Wilfork has been playing the best football of his career, along with Kyle Love. 

This will be a close game, if the Patriots can stop Ray Rice, and not let Joe Flacco throw the deep ball to Torrey Smith, the Patriots defense will be in good shape. Plus, there are reports that wind gusts may reach upwards of 40 miles per hour, which will work to be in the Patriots favor. As for the Patriots offense, Brady needs to run the no huddle offense, keep this old, slow defense on the field as much as possible and be unpredictable. Losing Gronk hurts, but Brady has enough weapons to survive. Should be one for the ages, people will be sitting on the edge of their seat starting at 6:30ET and will still be there when the clock hits 0:00.

Final Prediction: Patriots 27-- Ravens 23 

Can LeBron Catch Kareem?

Last night LeBron James was the youngest player ever to reach 20,000 points. In the prime of his career at only 28-years-old, does LeBron have a chance to catch Kareem? Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar is the all-time leading scorer at a touch over 38,000 points. James entered the league at the tender age of 18 and has been a force since he hit the NBA. Coming into the league with so much hype, becoming the number one pick, people wondered if he could live up to it all? I believe he has answered all those questions. Scoring in every which way, slashing, mid-range, dunking, free throws and three-pointers. While also winning one NBA championship in 2012. He has the total package that no one in the league can stop. So is the day inevitable when James is atop the all-time points list?

You have to think James can play at a high level for the next 6 to 7 years, just like Kobe Bryant is doing now, where he leads the league in scoring at the age of 34. If James can average around 2,000 points a season, that puts him around 14,000, leaving about 4,000 to go. But, this includes a full 82 game season, health and no work stoppage. In a shortened season last year, James still put up 1,683 points, but a couple seasons like that Kareem might not be reachable. In an age now where player unions and owners are not connecting, the NBA CBA deal ends in 2021 but both sides can opt out in 2017.

James has been very lucky and not had any serious injury's, but with the way he plays, it might be inescapable, when his body gets older and starts to wear down. Taking hits night in and night out, leaving James tossing up three pointers, which isn't his specialty.

James hasn't been a fan favorite since his "decision" to leave Cleveland in 2010. But, NBA fans have to admit we are seeing one of the greatest basketball players ever. Not only did he score his 20,000 point last night but he also got his 5,000 assist. We haven't seen a player that can do it all like James since Oscar Robinson. Do I think he will reach Kareem? Yes. But, that has a few conditions, health, which is always a major factor, and work stoppages. If he can average 75 games over the next 9 seasons he is there, which puts him at an elder 37 years of age. He is just to much of a freak to not do it, plus I believe he has a big enough ego that will push him when he gets close, even if he is losing his physical ability.

Check out the video below, which show LeBron reaching the milestone!

Bringing Back Some Old Patriots Memories

For all of you Patriot lovers out there, you remember beating the Rams in Super Bowl XXVI. The Rams were heavy favorites coming into the game, but the game ended up being close down the stretch. A young Tom Brady lead the Patriots down the field with two minutes left to go, eventually leading to a Adam Vinatieri field goal. With the Patriots in the AFC Championship this Sunday, lets hope they can reach the big game again. Check out that two minute drive, trust me you will get goosebumps.

Is the World Baseball Classic, Good or Bad for Baseball?

Whenever the USA gets a chance to show the world they're the best at something, we usually are all for it. But, is the World Baseball Classic the exception? Sending some of our best MLB baseball players off to face other countries even before the MLB season starts, just doesn't seem like a good idea. Sure, the players are all for it, but their teams, not so much.

With USA playing their first game on March 8th, that puts players leaving in the middle of spring training to go play Mexico. The game is in Phoenix, so they don't have to travel oversees, but the extra wear and tear on the players has been evident. Playing an extra 10 or so games, added on to the 162 they already play in the regular season, puts players in a strenuous position. Especially for pitchers more than hitters, during this time in spring training, pitchers are usually throwing three innings and just starting to throw off speed pitches. These games are intense, playoff like games happening in March. Luis Ayala had to have tommy john surgery after the first World Baseball Classic, and players like Daisuke Matsuzaka, performed poorly and had a tired arm mid-season after participating.

This year we have a all-star lineup yet again, including Ryan Braun, David Wright, Joe Mauer, Adam Jones and R.A. Dickey. Not to mention all of the MLB players playing for different countries. All of these players are the stars of their teams, and if one of them gets hurt, their teams season could go down the drain fast. So, if I was a team owner or general manager, there is no way I am letting my players go and play. There's to much risk and not enough reward for me as an owner, as I am paying them millions to go win me a Championship. 

The classic needs to happen at a different time, or needs to be discontinued. Its tough as the MLB season runs so long, but a perfect time would be right after the World Series, play the games in a warm country, it will just be like winter ball for some of these players. Get a good group of young players, and send them to go play for their country. You may not win, but it would be exciting, and give young players and opportunity to show what they got on the big stage. 

Who's Your Rookie of the Year?

Rookies dominated the NFL scene in 2012, and seem poised to do so in 2013, and there after. Number one pick, Andrew Luck took a 2-14 team to the wild card playoffs with minimal help around him. He didn't have the best statistical season with 23 TD's and 18 interceptions. But, he was poised late in games, coming back from many fourth quarter deficits. His legs were his biggest asset, besides his right arm. Keeping many plays alive with a weak offensive line in front of him rushing for five touchdowns. Luck seems on track to live up to the hype coming out of Stanford, being compared to Peyton Manning throughout the draft process.

There might not be a more entertaining player in the NFL right now than, Robert Griffin III (RGIII). The second overall pick, led the 9-7 Redskins to their first NFC East championship since 1999. Running the pistol offense, the speedy Griffin made the Redskins offense dynamic with fellow rookie Alfred Morris.  Making them almost unstoppable at times when Griffin wasn't injured. Griffin threw for 3,200, but only threw 5 interceptions to 20 touchdowns, much better than Luck. Also, Griffin rushed for over 800 yards, putting his body at risk many of times during a game. Which led to Kirk Cousins leading the Skins to two wins at the end of the season due to Griffin hurting himself running. Electrifying a somewhat somber fan base, Griffin goes up against a tough Seahawks defense on Sunday, trying to continue what has been a magical season.

Completing the trio of quarterbacks in consideration for ROY is Griffin's counterpart on Sunday, Russell Wilson. Not a first round pick like the other two, Wilson slipped all the way down to the third round, when Pete Carroll decide to take a chance on the 5'11" QB. Wilson was also a dual threat running and throwing the football. Compiling 29 total touchdowns with only 10 interceptions. Not many people knew what the Seahawks had when they took him, but quickly found out. As Wilson was tough inside the pocket and quickly became the Seahawks leader. A team that focus' on tough defense and running the football. Wilson's tremendous play didn't allow team to put eight guys in the box, and key in on running back Marshawn Lynch. 

This is a tight race between three great quarterbacks who have changed their respective franchises for ten plus years in the future. So, that being said, who's your rookie of the year? If I had a vote, it would go to Griffin. He was in a tough division and was more dynamic than people think. Sure, Cousins came in and won two games for the Skins. But, that shouldn't discredit Griffin at all who was basically playing on one leg in the last week of the season, in a winning effort versus the Cowboys to clinch the division  He had a great statistical season, along with becoming a face of a franchise and turning around what has been a laughing stock franchise over the past ten season. 

Future 1st Overall Pick?

We saw one of the most devastating hits in the Michigan-South Carolina game this past weekend. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney cuts through the Michigan offensive line like a knife through butter and demolishes Vincent Smith, causing his helmet to fly off and more importantly fumble.
Check out the play!

Are the Celtics Turning Into the Red Sox?

The 2012-2013 Boston Celtics have gotten off to a troubling start, to say at the least. They haven't won back-to-back ball games all season. Let's see if they can end that Cleveland Cavalier like stat tomorrow night against the new look Hawks, after blowing out the Pacers tonight. But, there's something about this years team that just isn't right.

Last years team had you sitting on the edge of your seats every game. You would make sure to tune in whenever they were playing... or I know that was true for me. That team had heart, effort and grit about them. Besides Kevin Garnett, this years squad seems like they don't care if they win or lose, and are lackadaisical running up and down the hardwood. Doesn't this sound eerily familiar to the demise that the Boston Red Sox went on after players got paid, and stopped reacting to their coach in 2011?

Sure, that 2010 team was nothing to root for, but they went and played hard every night for the fans who packed Fenway Park. Fans loved the Red Sox's, they would spend the outrageous price to enjoy the team, and the historical park. Now in 2011 and 2012, tickets are cheap, and fans are not flocking to Boston to see Dustin Pedroia and others play. Its seems like this is slowly happening now with the Celtics.

They still have beloved players, but with whispers of a bad locker room and terrible attitudes, it doesn't sound promising. This offseason general manager Danny Ainge paid mid-level players like Jeff Green, Brandon Bass, and Courtney Lee. Have they become complacent? Garnett will still try and fire up the team every night but how much does the 36-year-old have left in the tank to give, night in and night out?

The only way this team is going to win on the court and in public opinion is if Rajon Rondo turns on the gas, dominates games, and takes this team to the promise land. Rondo had a spat with former teammate Ray Allen, who is one of the most beloved players in the game. Lets hope Rondo's ego and personality doesn't interfere with the Celtics title aspirations.