Wild Card Preview

Wild Card weekend in the NFL in finally here and the second part of the season is set to begin. Throughout the regular season we've learned that anyone is beatable, even Seattle at home. This postseason should be just as entertaining as the regular season; here's a look at the first weekend of the NFL Playoffs. 

SATURDAY:

No. 5 Arizona at No. 4 Carolina: This should be an interesting game to say the least. The Panthers finished the season 7-8-1 and somehow won the NFC South. Which also guaranteed them a home playoff game. They'll take on the once first place Arizona Cardinals, who will be relying on Ryan Lindley if backup Drew Stanton cannot play. Lindley completed 60% of his passes along with 316 yards, 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions against a somewhat depleted 49ers team. He'll have to get some run support against a very physical Carolina defensive line. Cam Newton, on the other hand, will look to lean on his favorite target and rookie of the year candidate Kelvin Benjamin (1,008 yards, 9 TDs). Newton and the Panthers offense will also look to establish a running game against an Arizona defense that allowed 267 yards against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.

Prediction: Carolina 23, Arizona 16

No. 6 Baltimore at No. 3 Pittsburgh: It’s only right that these two teams meet in the playoffs. The Steelers are 3-0 against the Ravens in playoff games and come into the game riding a 4-game winning streak. In their final game of the regular season, the Steelers captured the AFC North by beating the Cincinnati Bengals but it came at a price. Running back and probable team MVP Le’Veon Bell went down in the second half with a knee injury. An MRI revealed no ligament damage but it still seems unlikely that the leagues second leading rusher will be able to play. In the event he does not play, the Steelers signed veteran back Ben Tate. The Ravens come in with an offense that has stuttered down the stretch and have relied on their defense to keep them in games. That defense will also get All-Pro tackle Haloti Ngata back after serving a four game suspension. If Bell can’t go, the Steelers will lean on Pro Bowlers Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown to provide a spark.

Prediction: Steelers 31, Ravens 21

SUNDAY:

No. 5 Cincinnati at No. 4 Indianapolis: In his last playoff game, Andrew Luck threw 4 interceptions in New England and looks to have his own bounce back game against a Bengals team who is looking for its first playoff win since 1990 and quarterback Andy Dalton in 3 career playoff games has 1 TD pass and 6 interceptions. Wide receiver AJ Green is questionable with a list of injuries including a concussion, which is suffered last week in Pittsburgh. Having thrown his share of interception in the playoffs, 8 to be exact, Andrew Luck tries to get over that hump and get a Wild Card win. To get that win, he’ll look to get receiver T.Y. Hilton involved as often as he can and also hope to get a running game going with Trent Richardson.

Prediction: Colts 17, Bengals 10

No. 6 Detroit at No. 3 Dallas: Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh won his suspension appeal (will be fined $70,000 though) and will play against Dallas. They’ll need him as they look to slow down the Cowboys and their high-powered offense led by the NFL’s leading rusher Demarco Murray (1,845 yards). They’ll also have to stop his Pro Bowl teammates, quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Dez Bryant. On the other side of the ball, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford will need to get the ball to Calvin Johnson quite a bit if they want to beat this stout Dallas defense. Look for Reggie Bush to get a lot of touches as well.

Prediction: Dallas 34, Detroit 24

Fanbase

Uniforms are key. Uniforms make a statement. They could be flashy or they could be plain.  They grab our attention right away regardless of how awesome or heinous they might look. They’re used a recruiting tool sometimes.  Some schools are known for their jerseys. Just ask the people of Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks surprise us every year with something completely different and something more creative and crazier than what they had before. Then you have schools like Alabama and Penn State. Two teams that when you turn on the TV you know who is playing. Two teams with jerseys that have had little or no change over the years. Everyone loves the jerseys; they’re the first things we see when we turn a game on.

            There are many facets of the jersey that make it stand out. The first thing we tend to notice is the helmet; everyone looks at what is going on up top. You recognize how shiny it might be and you recognize how bold it might be with a logo, a letter, or a number. A few schools have had helmets that just make you say, “wow”.

• ·      2012 Rose Bowl- Oregon Ducks
• ·      2012 Fiesta Bowl- Baylor Bears
• ·      Alabama Football
• ·      Penn State Football
• ·      Miami Hurricanes
• ·      Florida State Seminoles

There are many other schools that you could put on the list but there are some of the greats that are easily recognizable. College uniforms are a lot flashier than in the NFL, of course. The NFL keeps it real basic and real classic. You recognize them right away, unless you’re watching the Jaguars or Buccaneers. The NBA and NFL are different in the sense that you don’t normally see NBA fans wearing jerseys at games but at NFL games it’s almost every other fan is wearing a jersey. But chances are that you’ll see people wearing an NBA jersey outside of sports venues than football.

            Maybe the biggest part of the uniforms is the jerseys itself. They make the uniform stand out. They could be the difference between you changing the channel or leaving a game on. We as humans like flashy things such as watches, cars, houses, and shoes just to name a few. If we see something that catches our eye we have the tendency to keep looking at it. Teams will often use different uniform combinations to do just, catch our eye and draw us in. Let's be honest, you aren't watching an Oregon game because of their offense. Early on when I really started to watch sports I watched a North Carolina basketball game, they were in their home white with the light blue lettering and trim. Obviously I knew who North Carolina was, but had never really watched a game, but after watching that game I instantly became a fan.

           

           In an age where the flashier the better, I remain loyal to the traditional uniforms. Don’t get me wrong though I do like the constant changing of Oregon. Growing up a Penn State fan I sort of got spoiled with the basic look. I got spoiled with the black shoes, plain white pants and plan white helmets. The white helmets with the single blue stripe have always been a staple of Penn State. In recent years the uniforms have taken on a new look, a more modern look. After former head coach Bill O’Brien took over at the helm he decided to recognize those player’s who stayed at Penn State after they had the opportunity to leave. He did so by putting the names on the back of the jerseys, something that had been talked about and argued for years as many believed it would take away from the tradition of Penn State. It didn't. 

            In recent years the NBA has tried to go down a different road with their Christmas Day uniforms. Last year they went with the quarter sleeve jerseys. Those weren’t such a popular style among players and fans. And I'm pretty sure they didn't sell very well either. Players complained about how they would restrict their range of motion when shooting but they still went out and wore them because, why not? It’s a fashion statement more or less. And that goes for all sports and their uniforms. As fans we buy jerseys to either support our favorite team or player(s). Or we buy them because they look cool. This year’s Christmas Day uniforms are just a little different, and by that I mean they’re a lot different. And they’re a lot better. We all know the normal look of an NBA jersey; team name and player number on the front and the player’s last name and number on the back. This year will have a different look. Much better Adam Silver, I applaud you.

            Uniforms can also show what a player has accomplished for a team. In college for example, Florida State players have miniature tomahawks on their helmets. There is a point system behind the sticker to determine who gets one and why. Ohio State has its own tradition; stemming from when Woody Hayes roamed the sidelines. Ohio State has been putting a buckeye leaves on players helmets to recognize their greatness as a Buckeye.

            Why do we buy jerseys? Is it because we as fans like to show our sport for our favorite player or team? Or maybe it’s because we think they look cool. Or is it that we want to feel apart of the team in some way or another. It’s a combination of all those things and just being a sports fan. It’s a weird relationship we as fans have with our teams. Take Cleveland Cavaliers fans for example. After LeBron had made his decision to take his talents to South Beach, you saw videos of fans burning his jersey. You then saw those exact same fans buying his jersey and welcoming him home with open arms. Whatever the reason might be; being a sports fan is fun. It makes life a lot more entertaining and we really need that sometimes.

Penn State Football: Top 10 Players of the 2000's

#1 Derrick Williams (Wide Receiver, 2005-2009)- The list is complete. But before I get to our number one player from the 2000's lets recap spots 9-2:

10. Evan Royster 

9. Deon Butler 

8. Tamba Hali 

7. Michael Mauti

6. Zack Mills

5. Daryll Clark

4. Larry Johnson

3. Paul Posluszny 

2. Michael Robinson

All of those players have played a significant role in Penn State's long football history whether it was on the field or off. Our number one player might have had the greatest impact on the program. Derrick Williams came to State College as the number one high school recruit in the country. He had offers from countless schools but an in-home visit and a promise made by Joe Paterno is what sealed the deal for the Maryland standout. "I did it because I trusted in [Paterno]. He promised me I could help turn the program around and leave my mark there, which I did." Williams left a mark on the school that will never be forgotten and is still reflected on the school today. Penn State had gotten its game changer 

Prior to Williams signing with the Nittany Lions in the spring of 2005, the team had come off back-to-back losing seasons and there was increased pressure on Paterno to retire. There was a certain buzz however when he and fellow 5-star recruit Justin King arrived on campus. There was a swagger that the team had and it was felt throughout the Penn State community. It came at a time where many questioned Paterno and his ability to coach and still be able to get the top recruits. Williams was apart of a team that helped silence all the criticism. His 36-yard touchdown catch against Northwestern lifted the Lions to a victory and Williams had the town buzzing with his explosive and electrifying start to the season. Two games later following a blowout win over unbeaten Minnesota had the Nittany Lions setup for a game against Ohio State, a game in which Williams would score the games first touchdown. The Lions would go on to beat the Buckeyes 17-10. He would miss the team's final five games however after suffering a broken arm against Michigan. His final three seasons weren't as meaningful as his first but he still made an impact. 

Many Penn State fans feel as if Williams wasn't used to his full potential having come in with such high regards. Some might have felt if he would have played anywhere else he could have won the Heisman because he was that good and had that much talent. That's not what he wanted. He wasted to make an impact on the program and leave it in a better place than it was when he arrived, which he certainly did. 

Williams' impact on Penn State is still felt today. I've seen first hand what he has done. Without Derrick Williams, Penn State football is not where it is today. Because of Williams and the impact he had, the Nittany Lions were able to bring in recruits they wouldn't normally have gotten without a superstar like him. They saw what he was able to generate in his first year, the atmosphere in Happy Valley was back at a high level, and the student section was louder and crazier than it had ever been. You could feel the school changing and regaining its championship form. 

During his tenure at Penn State, Williams was apart of two Big Ten Championship and 4-straight bowl appearance including two BCS games (the Lions went 3-1 in those games). He put Penn State football back on the map and is the reason why they've had the success they have had in recent years. D-Will as Penn State people called him brought a certain swagger to Happy Valley. He brought a different attitude and made it "cool" to play at Penn State because it wasn't the traditional Penn State. 

Moral of the story, Derrick Williams saved Penn State football. So from all Penn Staters, we thank you D Will

Career Achievements:

-Freshman All-American (2005)

-All-Big Ten Freshman Team (2005)

-First Team All-Big Ten (2008)

Highlights:

-Williams ignites Beaver Stadium against Illinois

-Williams changes the game against Notre Dame in the White House (my personal favorite moment) 

Penn State Football: Top 10 Players of the 2000's

#2 Michael Robinson (Quarterback, 2002-2005): Robinson did a little bit of everything during his time in Happy Valley. He started off playing some running back and wide receiver. When he did play quarterback he was used in the "wild cat" formation. He would be split out wide or in the slot. He would line up in the backfield. He was all over the field to be utilized because he had such a unique skill set. Former Penn State defensive back Richard Gardner called Robinson a "baby Mike Vick" because of all the things he could do on the field. The Virginia native was behind Zack Mills until Mills' departure after the 2004 season. The 2005 season would be the most memorable for the now starting quarterback. 

Heading into he 2005 campaign and coming off back-to-back losing seasons, the Nittany Lions reloaded with talent on the offensive side. Freshman talent was at a premium with 5-star recruits Derrick Williams and Justin King coming in to help the offense and Robinson and they would do just that. The Nittany Lions started off the season 3-0 heading into Evanston, Illinois to take on Northwestern in a game which saw Robinson complete a 4th and 15 to tight end Isaac Smolko then five plays later the quarterback hit his favorite target, wide receiver Derrick Williams for a 36-yard touchdown strike. The score gave the Nittany Lions the lead and ultimately was the deciding factor. Two weeks later came the biggest test of the season; Jim Tressel brought his 6th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes into Beaver Stadium in front of a crowd of 109,839. The stats weren't eye popping for either team but the Nittany Lions came out with a 17-10 victory, which propelled them to the top of the Big Ten standings. Unfortunately for Robinson and the Lions, the following week wasn't so kind. They had a trip to Ann Arbor with a matchup with Michigan. The game didn't end without controversy of course, as the Wolverines would beat Robinson and company on a last-second touchdown from Chad Henne to Mario Manningham. 

The rest of the season for Penn State went without disappointment, as they would capture the Big Ten title and a trip to the Orange Bowl where they would take on ACC Champions Florida State and head coach Bobby Bowden. Robinson in the game was 21-39 for 253 yards and a touchdown. The matchup of the two winningest coaches in college football would go deep into the night, as the Nittany Lions would outlast the Seminoles 26-23 in triple overtime. He would finish the season with 2,350 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Also named to the Maxwell Award watch list and a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award (given to the nations top passer). 

A lot was made of the 2005 Penn State football team and their revival of the program. There were many players who were key parts in that revival but maybe none more than Robinson. He was the senior leader on the team and everyone in the community knew it. They knew he would be the one who in that season would take Penn State back to the top. We had seen him for three years be used as just part of the game plan but in 2005 he was the man and everyone jumped onboard and rolled with him. The best part is he never let us down. 

Career Achievements:

-Second Team All-Big Ten (2005)

-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (2005)

-806 rushing yards in 2005 were most by quarterback in Penn State history