Euphoria or Apocalypse, With No In-Between

By Ryan C Coyle

Philadelphia has long been a do-or-die sports town. Yet, somehow, both the Eagles and Phillies managed to raise the stakes. Will a sports town’s ultimate doomsday be avoided?

In case you have no clue what I’m referring to, let’s revisit key acquisitions made by both teams in recent months.

After being eliminated by the San Francisco Giants in last year’s NLCS, Phillies GM, Ruben Amaro Jr., pushed his chips to the middle of the table, shocking the baseball world and signing the most sought after free agent, Cliff Lee. The addition itself was a huge move. Adding Lee to a rotation of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt, however, was even bigger.

Fast forward to the July 2011 trade deadline. In desperate need of a right-handed bat, Amaro again stepped up, selling the farm (literally) to bring in coveted outfielder Hunter Pence from the Houston Astros. The message was clear: The 2011 season would bring home a World Series title or, you guessed it, bust.

The Eagles found themselves in a similar, albeit significantly more frustrating, position. Throughout the Andy Reid era, the Eagles have almost always been contenders. On the other hand, they’ve reached the Super Bowl only once. (It’s also no secret fans in the city have abandoned the Eagles in droves in favor of the title-winning, fan friendly, Phillies.) After the Eagles came unglued down the stretch and failed to win a playoff game following the 2009 and 2010 seasons, management doubled down heading into 2011.

First, the Eagles traded backup quarterback Kevin Kolb for Pro Bowl cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2nd round draft pick. Then, they brought in the best defensive end available in Jason Babin. After that, the Eagles won the services of the most prized free agent, Nnamdi Asomugha. It didn’t stop there. The organization continued adding to its arsenal by bringing in Cullen Jenkins, Vince Young, and receiver Steve Smith from NFC East rival, New York Giants.

Normally a conservative, “build from within” franchise, the Eagles are making a run at the Super Bowl title that has eluded the Andy Reid regime for the better part of a decade. However, unlike the Phillies, the Eagles have exhausted their fans’ patience. The city wants a parade or a new coach. While a Super Bowl appearance may save Reid’s job, only a championship will finally ease the natives.

Here’s where the story gets ugly. Despite major additions, and in the Phillies’ case, a successful regular season, both teams are hardly a lock to reach their respective championship round, let alone bring home a title.

Yes, the Phillies have been unstoppable nearly all season. They’re running away with the NL East. (The Mets are so far back; they can’t even read the Phillies’ record.) The rotation, despite injuries, has lived up to expectations and carried the team through its all-too-frequent hitting slumps. Still, there’s something missing.

While strong all season, the bullpen has begun to show signs of fatigue and/or weakness. Brad Lidge still has not regained form and probably won’t in 2011. Ryan Madson, while adequate as a closer, hasn’t faced closing in an atmosphere as tense as the NLCS or World Series. Plus, closing is on an entirely different level from being the setup man. On top of the bullpen worries are the mounting injuries. Cole Hamels’ shoulder. Jimmy Rollins’ nagging leg injuries. The day-to-day status of Placido Polanco’s back.

However, none of these issues are my chief concern. Hitting is. Let’s not forget why the Phillies were humiliated by the Giants last fall; they couldn’t hit. To win in October, you need two things and only two things. 1. Great pitching. 2. Timely hitting. Obviously, the Phillies can already put a big, whopping check mark next to “Great pitching.” Timely hitting? Not even close.

Whether or not the Giants even reach the postseason remains uncertain. However, this much we know: The Phillies can’t hit the top of San Francisco’s rotation. Fans can point to winning three of four in San Fran in August all they want. I’m not sold. Besides, only one of those wins came against Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum. In that victory, the Phillies mustered two early runs against Cain, one as the result of an error. After the first inning, Cain settled in, and that was it. In four combined outings against Lincecum and Cain (29 innings) this season, the Phillies squeezed out 17 hits, 4 runs (only 2 were earned), and went 1-3. To make matters worse, Philadelphia has yet to face the Giants’ third best starter, surprise sensation Ryan Vogelsong (10-4, 2.54 ERA).

To be fair, the Giants can’t hit worth a lick this year, so it’s not as if they’re going to punish Philadelphia for missing opportunities. So, let’s say the Phillies win the National League. It’s true; no American League team has the same rotation depth as the Phillies or Giants. Instead of pitching, though, the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rangers boast offense, and lots of it. Does great pitching typically trump great hitting? Absolutely. But you can’t expect Halladay, Lee, and Hamels to limit Boston, New York, or Texas to less than 3 runs on a nightly basis. (Notice I said expect. Is it possible? Of course, but hardly realistic.) At some point, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and the rest of the offense need to step up. Considering the flashy names on the roster, it’s not necessarily a good thing that Shane Victorino has been the Phillies’ most consistent and reliable offensive player the past two seasons. Pitching and Victorino alone won’t bring another parade down Broad Street.

If the Phillies (by far the best team in the National League) aren’t a sure thing, I’m not sure what to call the Eagles. While the media and fans continue to play up the “Dream Team” angle, pessimists like myself just stare blankly at a roster with obvious flaws.

For example, when have the Eagles EVER properly estimated their linebacking core under Andy Reid? Do names like Ernie Sims, Mark Simoneau, and Levon Kirkland ring a bell? Hearing the Eagles claim they’re confident with their linebackers is as comforting as President Obama telling me universal healthcare is a good idea.

How about the offensive line? This just in: Quarterbacks, even Michael Vick, need time to be successful. We’re two weeks from kickoff and the starting left guard just got moved to right tackle. To make matters worse, the entire line is learning a new system under a new offensive line coach and possibly starting two rookies on top of that.

Also, when was last time an Eagle defense was able to get off the field in a critical moment late in the game? Or better yet, when did the defense last pressure a quarterback into countless mistakes in December or January? Unfortunately, the Hugh Douglas era is the correct answer. Juan Castillo has his work cut out.

Then there’s Michael Vick himself. I think I’m alone on this, but I’m not totally convinced he can be the pocket passer that Reid (and even Vick himself) wants him to be. Scrambling quarterbacks are exciting. They may even carry you to the playoffs. But quarterbacks who hang in the pocket and beat defenses with their arms win Super Bowls. If Vick doesn’t improve and develop as an accurate quarterback who can make all the necessary throws (a-la Rodgers or Brady), the Eagles are a 10-6 or 11-5 team waiting to be bounced in the Wildcard round for the third year in a row.

In case it’s not obvious, decades of Philadelphia sports failures have forced me to expect whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. The Phillies and Eagles made moves that appear to put their respective teams in better position to win a championship. While I would obviously be overjoyed at either (or both) winning a title, the reality of the situation is difficult to ignore. After all, how often to the heavy favorites go wire-to-wire and bring home the hardware?…That’s what I thought.

Get ready, the apocalypse is upon us.

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Contact me at ryan@4thanddone.com
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Article Source: Ryan C. Coyle
Philadelphia: Euphoria or Apocalypse, With No In-Between

Tailgating During Football Season

By Harrison Bishop

Well the start of the regular season of NFL football is right around the corner which means before you know it thousands of fans will be flocking to stadiums around the country for 17 weeks (plus the post season) of football, which means 17 weeks (plus the post season) of tailgating. Because of that, here’s a few things to keep in mind as you get ready for tailgating during the NFL season.

Plan Ahead
Sure, you know you want to go to the game and tailgate ahead of time, but there’s more to it than just wanting to. Find out which of your friends will be going to the game so you know how many and what sized vehicles you’re going to need to get everybody and everything there. Find out what rules the stadium has in regards to tailgating – every location has a different rule.

Once you’ve found out who’s coming and what the stadium will allow, get to the store and make sure you have a list because there’s nothing worse than being at the stadium and realizing that you forgot something when the closest place to get it is more than 30 miles of football traffic away.

Get There Early
There’s nothing wrong with getting to the stadium early, in fact it’s probably the best option assuming the stadium doesn’t have assigned parking. This allows you to pick the spot you and your friends want and gives you ample time to get set up and begin the tailgating festivities with plenty of time to spare before the game. This ensures that you won’t be rushing to cook, drink, and play games while before the game gets under way.

Don’t Be a Nuisance to Others
Ok, first rule is don’t get drunk. Whether you want to admit it or not, getting drunk at the stadium does qualify as public intoxication, which can at least land you in the drunk tank, which is not the best way to try and enjoy the game. Second, you will probably have some tailgate games out. Whether it’s tossing around a football or playing a bean bag toss game, make sure you keep it in hand and don’t let it spill over into other peoples tailgating activities.

Finally, don’t be afraid to share. If there are enough people around you tailgating, there’s a good chance you can just have your parties combine into one bigger, more entertaining party. Part of the fun of going to a game is rooting for the home team with your friends and the rest of the stadium. There’s nothing wrong with making new friends at the game.

Don’t Miss the Game
Tailgating is a great way to have fun before the game, but at the end of the day, the whole reason you’re there is to see the game. Why pay a bunch of money for tickets and then never make it into the stadium? Have fun tailgating, but don’t forget that it’s just a way to lead into the actual game where the real fun begins.

Harrison Bishop is an avid gamer who enjoys playing tailgating games such as bean bag toss games before heading in to support his sports teams. To learn more about the most popular tailgating options, visit Sportcraft online at: Sportcraft.com.

Article Source: Harrison Bishop
Tailgating During Football Season

2011 NFL Division Predictions

By Trent Granholm

NFL Free Agency and off-season trading has really reformed a lot of teams. The impact led me to writing updated NFL division predictions for the 2011 NFL season.

NFC North: Green Bay Packers (predicted record: 13-3). Green Bay had the biggest upside of the lockout because everybody else had to revitalize their teams in a short week. Instead the packers just cut a few salary cap eating players. I would definitely say that the packers should be back at the big dance this season. Detroit has a good chance with an awesome defensive line too. They should have a shot at wild card if QB Matthew Stafford can have a good year.

NFC West: Arizona Cardinals (predicted record: 10-6). The cardinals made a lot of bold moves in the off-season so far. They acquired Kevin Kolb, a superstar in the making from the Eagles, signing of 2-time pro bowler TE Todd Heap, and signing of LB Stewart Bradley. They also did very well in the draft filling most of their needs with CB Patrick Peterson (#5 overall pick), RB Ryan Williams (#38 overall pick), and TE Robert Housler (#69 overall pick) to name a few. Look out for Seattle too, they made some bold moves but lost out on their starting QB Matt Hasselbeck which I think drops them to 2nd in this division.

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles (predicted record: 12-4). The Eagles by far have the best free agent class with pro bowl CB Nnamdi Asomugha, pro bowl DE Jason Babin, DE Cullen Jenkins, and backup QB Vince Young. They also acquired pro bowl CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the Kevin Kolb trade to the Cardinals. This division will give Eagles good competition but since the Eagles have the best secondary in this division, they should be able to shut out opponent wide receivers limiting big plays.

NFC South: Atlanta Falcons (predicted record: 12-4). The Falcons traded their whole draft this year for superstar in the making WR Julio Jones getting oohs and awes in practice. This will make for a deadly big play wide receiver duo that no corner back in the NFC South can stop. They also strengthened their pass rush with DE Ray Edwards playing opposite of pro bowl DE John Abraham. The Saints will pose the biggest threat with draftees and signings of RB Mark Ingram, RB Darren Sproles, and CB Fabian Washington.

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens (predicted record: 11-5). With Pittsburgh rolling over them in the playoffs they will look to make a splash in the competitive AFC North. They signed pro bowl FB Vonta Leach and got some good talent in the draft including a needed CB Jimmy Smith and WR Torrey Smith to summarize. The Steelers are the #1 threat to the Ravens but with Hines Ward declining in his old age they should look to capitalize.

AFC West: San Diego Chargers (predicted record: 12-4). Last year, the Chargers had a down year by not making the playoffs. They were hit with injuries and promising rookies having poor years. They should be able to get back up again with Vincent Jackson drama cleared up and him having a good year. The great QB Philip Rivers aimed for the moon last season and he got it with a career high in passing yards of 4,710 which probably will be duplicated this year. The Chiefs had a successful year last year but with Matt Cassel at QB, they won’t be able to challenge San Diego.

AFC East: New England Patriots (predicted record: 14-2). Tom Brady won the MVP last season over scrambling Michael Vick with a TD to INT ratio at a historic level. The Patriots went big by trading for Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth, which strengthen a poor ranked defense and gives them more depth at wide receiver. They looked like a contender last season but it proved too much pressure. The Jets threatened then slightly last season but not enough to make them feel pressured. The Jets will probably not threaten them at all this year losing out on some valuable free agents and with the emerging Dolphins going big this off-season also.

AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars (predicted record: 11-5). With Peyton Manning at age 35 and having a new 5 year/$90 million deal leaving no cap space to get new players. The Jaguars should be able to gain on the aging Colts with power house RB Maurice-Jones Drew, 2 QB options of Blaine Gabbert and David Garrard, pro bowl TE Marcedes Lewis, and many good defensive players. Jacksonville may be able to get back on the road of success starting with this season.

To conclude, The AFC champ should be New England and the NFC champ should be Green Bay as both teams have good parts to win this season. I hope you are looking forward to this season as much as I am.

Article Source: Trent Granholm
2011 NFL Division Predictions

John Elway

John Elway was the type of player that people will still be talking out for future generations. He had what it takes to mount frantic last minute comebacks, and could move quickly out of the pocket buying extra time and to avoid the sack. Not only was he a great running quarterback, Elway had one of the strongest arms of any quarterback in history. To give you an example of what kind of player John Elway was, let me take you back to the 1986 AFC Championship game. The Broncos were losing 20-13 and were pinned back at their own two yard line. What did he have to say to his teammates in the huddle? Elway said, “We have them right where we want them”. A trip to the Super Bowl was on the line, and he had to work against the weather, the cold, the wind, the crowd, the clock, and the Cleveland Browns.

With everything against him John Elway drove down the entire length of the field in 15 plays, ending with a Mark Jackson touchdown reception to tie the game. Just one possession into overtime he led the Broncos into scoring position to set up the winning field goal. The Browns had just been “Elwayed”

4 years earlier, nobody would ever imagine that Elway would have been in that situation. After being drafted #1 in the NFL by the Colts, Elway rejected their offers and signed a contract with the Broncos. Fans were immediately expecting miracles. Reality set in and the young Elway produced too many delay of game penalties, and threw too many interceptions at critical times in the game. Soon Elway was benched.

That offseason he had the offensive playbook with him night and day. He actually slept with his playbook. Since that offseason Elway began to produce more than any other quarterback in his era.

Interesting Facts about John Elway

• At the age of 16 he starred for his high school baseball and football teams. He throws right as a quarterback, but buts lefty as a baseball player.
• At the age of 20 Elway became an All American at Stanford. He was also drafted by the Kansas City Royals the same year.
• Drafted by the New York Yankees at the age of 21
• Bats .318 in the minors. Drafted by the Colts but is traded to the Denver Broncos.
• Elway was one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the NFL. He set a record when he ssed for more than 3,000 yards and also ran for more than 200 yards every year from 1984-1991.

Timeline Biography

• 1982 – Bats.318 for the NY Yankees farm team. Named All American QB for the second time.
• 1985 – Throws for 3, 891 yards and 22 touchdowns
• 1987 – Records 83.4 QB Rating
• 1992 – Gains his 30,000th passing yard and 150th TD.

Read the life of an NFL legend and buy a NFL Throwback Jersey of John Elway

Shop Big and Tall Jerseys of the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. John Elway’s throwback jersey is available in big and tall sizes as well!

Article Source: Jeff Sullivan
John Elway Biography and Interesting Facts

The Team That Made NFL History

By Raleigh DeGeer Amyx

The Washington Redskins have been a powerhouse team ever since their record-winning season of two NFL championships from 1936 to 1945, and three Super Bowls from 1982 to 1991. They are the second most valuable franchise in the NFL, according to research by Forbes magazine. They have one of the most dedicated fan bases in the NFL today, and produced memorable players: Sonny Jurgensen, Darrell Green, Sammy Baugh, Stan Jones, and Art Monk. Of course, the commemorative rings presented to Redskin players as a token of reward for their hard-earned achievement are of great historical significance, and professional athletic significance. Every player on every NFL team today longs for the chance to both earn and wear one of these magnificent rings.

By fortune and perseverance, three of those commemorative Super Bowl rings have come into the hands of a private collector in the US. Plated in 18-carat gold, they include a diamond-studded football surrounded with white and red gemstones to commemorate the Redskin’s colors. One of them proudly displays the Lombardi trophy, and another displays a Redskins helmet alongside a blank banner, on which a player could have had his named engraved. The process and history of acquisition of the rings, as well the names of the players to whom the rings once belonged, remains undisclosed. These stunning Super Bowl rings were presented to winning players and world champions of the Washington Redskin’s 1982, 1987 and 1991 teams. For 12 golden years, the Redskins were coached by hall of famer Joe Gibbs. During those 12 years, Coach Gibbs took the Redskins to the Super Bowl four times, winning three out of those four attempts.

It is hard to describe or estimate the impact of Coach Gibbs, both for the Redskins and for NFL coaching history. The great Gibbs coached those 3 Super Bowls through 12 years, spanning 3 different NFL starting quarterbacks……Joe Theisman in 1982, Doug Williams in 1987, and Mark Rypien in 1991. The secrets of his strategy and wisdom to this day remain somewhat of a mystery. No other coach to date in NFL history was faced with such a challenging predicament: craft and shape 3 different quarterbacks in multiple Super Bowls in the short time span of 12 years. This coach, a deeply religious man, made major contributions to the community of Washington, DC, as well as Maryland and Virginia. He remains one of the most respected coaches ever to grace Washington, DC., as well as the NFL.

Raleigh DeGeer Amyx is an American history collector. For Well More Than a Quarter Century, Collecting and Preserving History have been Raleigh DeGeer Amyx’s Sole Endeavor. He is the owner and curator of the Raleigh Degeer Amyx Collection.

Because of the Reputation of The Amyx Collection, and Mr. Amyx’s Knowledge, gained from First Hand Stories and Interviews with former White House Employees, he has been sought out by Authors, Private Non-Profit Entities, Presidential Libraries and by The White House and The Smithsonian Institution for Consultation. The Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection is an American history collection and is one of the largest collections of its kind in the world.

Article Source: Raleigh_DeGeer_Amyx
Washington-Redskins-And-The-Super-Bowl-Rings:-The-Team-That-Made-NFL-History&id=6391869

Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers

By Scott Semmler

With no current NFL season and talks still underway as to if a 2011-12 season will ever happen, speculation is all we have these days. If there was a team that has been hurt the most from the NFL Lockout, it would be the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers have a new coach in Jim Harbaugh that has no experience running an NFL team. He cannot organize a practice with his team, nor can he even name his own starting quarterback. Currently, the 49ers have two quarterbacks on their roster. One may not ever start in the NFL again, and the other is a second round draft pick with zero experience running an NFL offense.

David Carr and Colin Kaepernick may be the only two quarterbacks on the 49ers’ roster, but neither will be starting in Week 1.

For their starting quarterback, San Francisco will be looking elsewhere, but they will have to wait to even do that.

Here are the top possibilities at quarterback, and the odds they will be starting in Week 1.

4. David Carr

Although Carr has been quoted as saying that as far as he knows the 49ers’ starting quarterback position is up for grabs, the reality is that the fans of San Francisco may not let that happen. They may burn down Candlestick Park before that day comes.

The 49ers coaches told Carr that everyone has the same shot at becoming the starting quarterback once the lockout is lifted, which is kind of like telling the rest of the field in the 2011 U.S. Open that they had a shot at winning over Rory McIlroy heading into the final round.

It is just not going to happen.

Sure, if worst comes to worst and all the 49ers’ plans of acquiring a free agent quarterback crumble, then there will actually be a quarterback competition between Carr and Kaepernick, and I do not even like those odds for Carr.

Rest assured, Carr will not be the starter in Week 1.

3. Carson Palmer

As the days of the lockout continue to increase, there is a feeling that the chances of the 49ers landing Carson Palmer decrease.

Instead of having limited time to pursue Palmer, the odds are the 49ers will just keep it simple and sign Alex Smith.

Palmer has said that he would rather retire than play for the Cincinnati Bengals, and he was practically granted that in the NFL Draft when Cincinnati took QB Andy Dalton in the second round.

It is safe to say the Bengals have moved on from Palmer just as much as Palmer has moved on from the Bengals.

So where will Palmer play?

As far as reports go, the NFC West has available quarterback positions with team that have shown interest in the Pro Bowler.

The Cardinals, Seahawks and 49ers have all been rumored to be pursuing teams, but it is Seattle who may have the best shot at landing the quarterback in search of a new start.

For the 49ers, they need Palmer and want Palmer, but the longer this lockout drags on, the quicker the 49ers are going to need a starting quarterback.

Alex Smith just seems like the quick and easy way out.

2. Colin Kaepernick

When the 49ers selected Kaepernick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, it was safe to say that they had dubbed him the quarterback of the future, but one that may have a small asterisk next to it, just in case.

Kaepernick is not signed because of the NFL Lockout, but he has the second best shot at starting in Week 1 of the 2011-12 NFL season.

The Nevada star is not ready for the NFL, though. He has been involved in the pistol offense in Reno and has little, if any, experience in an NFL offense. That might scare a few 49er fans, especially the way the team moved up to acquire the long and athletic signal caller.

Although there have been rumors of Kaepernick being tutored by the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft (Andrew Luck), there is no substitute for an NFL training camp.

With his inexperience in an NFL system, it is unlikely that Harbaugh would turn the team over Kaepernick in Week 1 of his very rookie season.

Unless free agency goes terribly wrong for the team, Kaepernick will have to wait just another year to be seriously considered for the starting job in San Francisco.

1. Alex Smith

Smith is not signed to an NFL team yet, but you might as well pencil him in as the starting quarterback for the 49ers in Week 1.

Harbaugh may be jumping the gun a tad when he keeps referring to Smith as his guy, especially since no papers have been signed and Carr and Kaepernick are on the roster. But you cannot blame a coach for being so eager as to put a seal on a deal that may not even be close to happening.

Or maybe it is close to happening. I cannot tell which way the NFL Lockout is leaning these days.

Still, the way Harbaugh talks about him like it is a done deal, we have to figure that Smith starting in Week 1 is all but that.

It is not the way many would have liked it to be, though.

Smith seems almost like a cop-out, or the easy way out for the 49ers.

This is an exact reason why the lockout hurts the 49ers. Instead of pursuing a notable free agent quarterback to lead their team, they are forced to take the quick and easy answer in order to put an able team out there.

As much as it angers San Francisco, there is no other quarterback reasonably available that gives the 49ers a better chance of winning.

Until Kaepernick can get an offseason under his belt, or the 49ers have the time to pursue a franchise quarterback, get used to Smith under center in 2011-12.

***If you like this article, follow my Bay Area sports blog @ http://www.bayareasportstalk.blogspot.com

Article Source: Scott Semmler
San Francisco 49ers: Odds for Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick and the Rest of the QB Race

5 Bold Predictions For the 2011 Season

By Scott Semmler

The 2010-11 NFL Season was franchise-changing for the San Francisco 49ers. The 0-5 start to the season was the first step, and losers in six of their first seven games was the next step, causing them to ultimately fall out of the terrible NFC West division race.

It took until Week 16 for the 49ers to finally yank the cord on Mike Singletary’s tenure as head coach, which has led to a total team makeover in Santa Clara, CA.

The 2011 NFL offseason has sprung recent hope into the hearts of 49er fans.

They hired Jim Harbaugh in January and have built him up to be the second-coming of Bill Walsh, another former Stanford coach that has come to save the day in San Francisco. But the 49ers may be the team that has been most affected by the NFL Lockout.

They have a new coach trying to learn his way in the NFL, a quarterback that has said he will sign with the team but cannot until the lockout is over and a quarterback from the NFL Draft that needs to learn an NFL offense as soon as possible.

So what should we expect from the 49ers in the 2011-12 NFL season?

Nobody knows.

For now, here are five bold predictions for the 49ers’ upcoming season, whenever that is.

1. Alex Smith Will Start the Entire Season For the 49ers

Alex Smith is not even apart of the 49ers yet, and still it feels like Smith will be the man under center in 2011.

Smith recently said that he would like to sign with the 49ers as soon as the lockout ends, but who didn’t see this coming? The 49ers had no other choice with the lockout still intact.

With David Carr as the only quarterback under contract for the 49ers, it was only a matter of time until the 49ers went knocking on Smith’s door, or vice versa.

Still, with the drafting of Colin Kaepernick from Nevada, Smith’s stay in San Francisco this time around may be short-lived, although it is not clear if Kaepernick is the 49ers’ quarterback of the future. But in the 2011-12 NFL season, Alex Smith will start every game for the 49ers.

There are two methods to my madness: The 49ers do not have any other NFL-caliber quarterbacks on their roster, and Smith is sure to benefit from Jim Harbaugh’s tutelage, even if their preparation time for the season is at a minimum.

Get used to Smith under center. Whether the fans like it or not, Alex Smith is here to stay in 2011.

2. Anthony Dixon Will Have an Impact

In his rookie season in 2010, Dixon had 70 rushes for 237 yards and two touchdowns. In 2011, he will play an even bigger role than that. Right now, Dixon is the 49ers’ second string running back behind Frank Gore. Dixon gives the team a tough running back with power at the goal line, which is where the 49ers will be using him most. And with Brian Westbrook looking to be fully out of the picture in San Francisco, this opens the door for Dixon to get some work in behind Gore.

Trent Baalke has come out and said that he wants another running back behind Gore and Dixon, and he got one in Kendall Hunter from Oklahoma State. They did this not because Dixon will not be able to carry the load of back-up running back, but because the 49ers cannot risk a Gore injury again.

Gore will be receiving a lighter workload this season because the 49ers do not want to risk another injury like he had last season, which is why I see Dixon getting a consistent amount of carries in 2011.

In 2010, Dixon ran for 237 yards. In 2011, Dixon will run for over 400 yards with over five touchdowns.

Sure, it is not a crazy prediction, but Dixon will receive a larger workload and it will show that Dixon means business in 2011.

3. Nate Clements Will Have A Break Out Season

How many years have 49er fans been waiting for this to happen?

In 2007, Clements signed an eight-year, $80 million contract with the 49ers.

Now, in 2011, the 49ers want him to re-do his contract, thus putting Clements’ 2011 season with the 49ers in jeopardy.

Clements has never, at any point, lived up to this gargantuan contract since signing with the 49ers.

Clements likes the Bay Area, and although I do not see him restructuring his contract in the foreseeable future, he will be playing in San Francisco for the remaining three years of that contract. But Clements is due for a break-out season. He earned all that praise in Buffalo and could not live up to it in San Francisco. But in year four in San Francisco, Clements will be earning his paycheck.

It sounds crazy, but Clements will be fueled for a break-out season after being asked to restructure his contract, which is the 49ers’ way of saying that he has not lived up to what they are paying him.

If Clements wants another high-paying salary when his seven to eight years are up in San Francisco, he will produce. And 2011 looks like an ideal time for that.

4. Offensive Line Will Prove To Be a Solid Foundation

The 49ers’ 2010 draft focused on the offensive line in hopes of creating a stable force around their quarterback of the future.

Still with no quarterback of the future to protect, the 49ers’ offensive line is a mix of solid athletic bahemoths that are looking to make a name for themselves in 2011.

Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati were at the center of the 2010 draft for the 49ers. Solid rookie seasons from both players, especially Iupati, has this offensive line looking up.

Mix those two linemen at around 6’5″ and 330 pounds in with the likes of a healthy Joe Staley, David Baas and Chilo Rachal for yet another year, and the 49ers may have something up front in 2011.

5. Vernon Davis Will Have Over 1,000 Receiving Yards in 2011

I base this prediction on one thing and one thing only. Alex Smith will be the quarterback for the 49ers in 2011, and is going to want to produce, or else his days as a second-stringer for the remainder of his NFL career may be coming.

Smith will want a sure thing in regards to the offense in order to produce, and what is more of a sure thing than a pass to Vernon Davis?

Davis is a constant match-up nightmare for the opposing teams, which is why Smith should throw to Davis early and often, and I have no doubt that he will.

In the last year, the 49ers have gone away from the obvious pass to Davis and have tried to mix in passes to Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan.

For Smith’s sake in 2011, he better pass the rock to Davis who will haul it in, no questions asked. He is a sure thing, and Smith needs that now more than ever.

This, again, is not a crazy prediction.

In 2009, Davis had 965 receiving yards, and in 2010, he had 914 receiving yards.

With Smith needing a consistent season to save his career, the likelihood of Smith passing to Davis for a good majority of passes seem very likely.

Article Source: Scott Semmler
San Francisco 49ers: 5 Bold Predictions For the 2011 Season

Where Have All The Great Running Backs Gone?

By John Lecci

Perhaps no industry is trendier than fashion. If you’re over 40 like me, you probably remember bell bottom jeans, parachute pants or “collar up” polo shirts from the ’80s. In hindsight we all look silly at times following these trends over the years and pictures of these moments often provide comic relief for the next generation. Well, like fashion, the NFL is extremely trendy as well and what is en vogue today is often laughed at 10 years later. For example, how many teams do you see playing the “46″ defense on Sunday or employing the “Run and Shoot” offense? Schemes do evolve over time and it is easy to see that the current preference to use “spread formations” is an extension of the earlier Run and Shoot concepts. With these offensive changes, the 3 down running back is now on the EPA’s endangered species list and has become the exception rather than the rule. Is this trend simply the product of a change in offensive philosophy, rule changes or something else?

There is no debating that the NFL has become a passing league with teams on average preferring the passing game 59% of the time over the run. However, it wasn’t that long ago that the formula for winning Super Bowls was flipped? When the December weather rolled into the most of the country, you needed to play defense and run the ball. If you couldn’t do that, well then you weren’t going to be in any top 10 Championship shows on the ESPN Classic channel.

Granted rule changes since the Patriots mauled the Greatest Show on Turf in the Super Bowl have helped open up the passing game but is that why the 3 down back appears to be going the way of the T-Rex?

If you asked most coaches, a majority would agree with the statement that you should “play to your strengths.” Since we know that the league is slinging it all over the field now, is that an indictment on the current crop of “weak” RB talent coming out of college or a compliment to the “strong” quality of WR’s that are emerging from the college ranks. Like a good politician, I would argue it is a combination of both.

The formula for a successful running game in today’s game is to have to have at least 3 running backs or in the case of a team like the Cowboys drafting DeMarco Murray this year, you may need 4 to truly get the job done. Aside from a few players like Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson and MJD, most backs are lucky to get 7-12 “touches” per game. Gone are the days of the 20+ carry RB’s like Eric Dickerson, Walter Payton or more recently Marshall Faulk. If you spend any time watching the NFL Combine you will realize that these players are certainly not “less talented” from a pure numbers standpoint. The size and speed of today’s running backs are increasing each year and their training is much more sophisticated than ever.

So if it is not the talent level, what has fueled the growth of the Running Back By Committee (RBBC) approach? In a word – Specialization! Let’s remember that sports are a microcosm of society right? Look at the medical profession as the best example. Specialization abounds in spades in that industry where doctors not only specialize on certain organs or systems but will even build their whole practice on the treatment of one aspect of an organ. Corporations are not much different these days either. Gone are the days of the “generalist” as responsibilities are often segregated down to the smallest details. Running backs are also affected by this similar trend in the NFL where just being able to run the ball is not enough anymore. Back in the day, the RB with great vision was on the field the whole time even if he couldn’t pick up a blitz or catch a cold. Not anymore and not with the price-tag that today’s top drafted QBs are commanding. Now coaches like to shuttle in three or four different players on each play to “specialize” their team according to the situation. There is the 3rd down back, the short-yardage back, 1st and 2nd down back, blocking fullback or H-Back and each with a different purpose. Coaches insert the players with these various skills depending on the down and distance in an effort to “play to their strengths.”

Perhaps RBs are a victim of the growth of the spread offense in college and are now an afterthought where they don’t get the chance to hone their skills as thoroughly as before? This may have some merit when you consider that the old fantasy theory of the “breakout 3 year WR” is all but dead with many WR’s hitting the ground running like Mike Williams in Tampa Bay last season. Rare is the RB today that oozes with so much talent that you just have to have him on the field for all three downs. When you find one like an Adrian Peterson or a Chris Johnson, you should hold on tight and ride him to your fantasy championship because more than ever, these players are difference makers and clearly separate fantasy teams that have to play matchups every week and hope that the coach doesn’t have a 50+ passing game plan installed that week. We probably took for granted the talent level of players like Barry Sanders or Curtis Martin in the past and should really learn to appreciate this increasingly rare skillset of the every down back. Then again, like parachute pants are making a comeback, maybe we will one day return to the 4 yards and a cloud of dust days in the NFL where RBs were the toast of the town.

Article Source: John Lecci
Running Back By Committee (RBBC): Where Have All The Great Running Backs Gone?

Green Bay Packers' Primary Team Needs for 2011 NFL Draft

By Bryan T Davis

1. Offensive Tackle (OT)

Even though Chad Clifton signed a 3-year/$20 million deal before the 2010 season, he turns 35 this year and is on his last legs. Clifton is a solid pass-blocker but has bad knees and can’t get any bend to be a consistently effective run blocker. Mark Tauscher hurt his shoulder and finished the season on injured reserve (IR). He turns 34 this year and is a good bet to retire. Rookie Bryan Bulaga took over at right tackle mid-season for Tauscher and was solid. T.J. Lang was solid in spot duty. Marshall Newhouse displayed talent in preseason games, however, was a late season addition to the IR. An infusion of more young developmental talent is needed at the position. With Julius Peppers, Jared Allen, and Kyle Vanden Bosch in the division, there is an immediate need to draft a tackle.

2. Athletic Pocket Collapsing Defensive End/Tackle (DE/DT)

Cullen Jenkins is set to become a free agent and is unlikely to be re-signed. Johnny Jolly is serving a one year suspension and was recently arrested again, so he doesn’t figure to be in the teams’ plans. Justin Harrell is oft injured. Howard Green and Ryan Pickett are immovable run stuffers, but offer little to no pass rush. C.J. Wilson (2 sacks) is solid against the run and has room for improvement as a pass rusher, plus he is only 24. Jarius Wynn (1.5 sacks) is a roster fringe player.

Mike Neal has a repertoire of pass-rushing moves he flashed, however, he ended the season on injured reserve (IR) with a shoulder injury. B.J. Raji plays with great leverage and has phenomenal lower body strength and is able to get under the pads of offensive lineman and get exceptional push in the pocket. He also has swim, rip, and spin moves. The Packers’ need someone alongside Raji at the three or five technique positions who can either get quick penetration or provide a bull rush in the passing game, thus collapsing the pocket. A collapsed pocket leads to quarterback hurries. Hurries lead to sacks and interceptions.

3. Wide Receiver (WR)

James Jones has inconsistent hands and is a free agent. Donald Driver just turned 37 and has three years left in the tank, at most. Greg Jennings is a Pro Bowler and Jordy Nelson is solid. Brett Swain hasn’t shown any real playmaking ability. At least one receiver needs to be drafted.

4. Kick/Punt Returner (KR/PR)

The Packers finished 26th in kickoff return average at 20.1 yards per return. Jordy Nelson, Sam Shields, and Pat Lee all tried their hand at kickoff returns and proved to be no more than adequate at best. The Packers were 22nd in punt return average at 7.9 yards per return. Tramon Williams handled those duties, however, he holds too much value on defense to continue to handle punts moving forward.

5. Inside Linebacker (ILB)

Desmond Bishop and A.J. Hawk both recently signed contract extensions and are penciled in as starters. Brandon Chillar has had three shoulder surgeries in career and in due over $2 million to be a backup in 2011. Brady Poppinga will turn 32 this year, is coming off of knee surgery, and is due over $2 million to be a backup in 2011. Either one or both will not be retained. Younger depth is needed at the position.

Article Source: Bryan T. Davis
Green Bay Packers’ Primary Team Needs for 2011 NFL Draft

The Origins of American Football

By Anna Kelly

I love football. Every year I eagerly await the fall season not just for the cooler weather and the change of color on the leaves of the trees, but also because it means the start of the football season as well. Anticipation builds inside me at the thought of watching my team take the field once again and make a run for the top spot in their division.

I’ve been a fan of the game, and the same team, for decades. I have watched the players, the teams, and even the football industry evolve and change over time. American football has remained one of the most exciting and beautiful games in all of professional sports. For all its appeal, just how and where did American football originate? All sports have their beginnings and what I found out left me appreciating the game even more.

During the early 1800′s a popular game known as rugby, where a football is kicked at a goal and run over a line, had its beginnings at the famous Rugby Boy’s School in England. Around the same time in America, the emergence of a game called “ballown,” similar to Rugby, was played by a group of students from Princeton. East coast prep schools like Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and Rutgers College also competed in football-type games. At that time these early games resembled the more traditional “mob football” style played in England. The rules were simple with large numbers of players trying to advance the ball into a goal area usually by any means necessary. By 1855 manufactured inflatable balls were being used as football evolved into a kicking and running game.

Since there weren’t many rules established, violence and injury were common due to the roughness of the game. The increasing brutality of the game became such a public concern because of so many injuries and deaths, that some universities banned it. President Theodore Roosevelt even threatened to ban the game and urged Harvard, Princeton, and Yale to help make changes or lose the sport. Eventually the Intercollegiate Football Association was formed by representatives of Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton to establish a new code of rules mainly based on the rugby games.

The man responsible for shaping American football as we know it today was Walter Camp. He enrolled at Yale in 1876 and led the IFA’s rules committee. He proposed reducing the number of players from 15 to 11. He helped establish the line of scrimmage and the snap from center to quarterback. Camp also proposed that teams be required to advance the ball a minimum of five yards within three downs. More changes were instituted like the reduced size of the playing field, scoring rules, and game time. By 1887 a paid referee and an umpire were mandated for each game and tackling below the waist was allowed. In 1889 officials were given whistles and stopwatches. The forward pass, one of the most important changes in the game, didn’t become legal until 1906.

Although the rules were changing, football continued to be played violently in the style of the earlier mob games. Changes had to be made to make the game safer. These changes were discussed on December 28, 1905 by sixty-two schools who met in New York City. Eventually the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was formed as a result. Over a century later college football continues to thrive as one of the most popular collegiate games. After the demise of the IFA, the American Professional Football Association was formed in 1920. The association was later reorganized and in 1922 renamed the National Football League.

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Article Source: Anna Kelly
The Origins of American Football