Switching Places

We often times wonder what it would be like if certain athletes played a different sport. Obviously there would be questions; could they succeed in another sport just because they’re so athletic? Could they learn the game if they didn’t play it when they were younger? There have been athletes in the past that have made that transition; Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders most notably made the switch from football to baseball. Jackson was the first “freak athlete” because you had never seen someone like him and unfortunately, we may never see it again with the way sports and money goes together. There was also Michael Jordan, but we can all agree he should’ve just stuck with basketball. Here are some notable sports figures today that we would love to see try another sport.

Cleveland Cavaliers Forward, LeBron James (6’8” 255lbs): LeBron was not only all state in basketball but also all state in football. With his combination of size, strength, and speed it’s assumed and been predicted he would be able to do well in the football landscape. Line him up at tight end or wide receiver and you have nightmare matchup problems. With a vertical leap north of 40 inches, LeBron would be the go-to target in the red zone, and by red zone I mean the entire length of the field. One test that everyone would love to see James attempt is the 40-yard dash. He gets up and down the court quicker than most guards with his freakish ability. What if he played defense? Line him up at defensive end and watch how quickly he’d get to the quarterback. Yikes.

• ·      Compares to: Detroit Lions Receiver, Calvin Johnson (6’5” 235lbs)

Oklahoma City Thunder Guard, Russell Westbrook (6’3” 200lbs): Another basketball player who many feel would translate well to the gridiron. There are very few safeties built like Westbrook, which is probably a good thing. Westbrook plays with a lot of aggression and energy, which would suit him well playing free safety. He plays at 100mph at all times and is one of the fastest players in the league with the ball. If you’re a receiver coming across the middle, a tight end going down the seam, or a running back out of the backfield, you better hold onto the ball because there is a good chance Westbrook will try and go right through you.

• ·      Compares to: Former Washington Redskin Safety, Sean Taylor (6’2” 215lbs)

Seattle Seahawks Quarterback, Russell Wilson (5’11” 206lbs): Now this one is kind of different. Much like Jackson and Sanders, Wilson actually did play baseball. In 2010, Wilson was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 4^th round of the MLB Draft. In December of 2013, the Texas Rangers acquired Wilson from the Rockies in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft. He attended spring training with the Rangers in 2014. It would be something to see if Wilson took a couple years off and focused on baseball. Would be a starter? Or would he come out of the bullpen? My hope is that he throws a few innings and takes a couple swings during spring training and we get to see how good he still might be.

Olympic Gold Medalist And World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt (6’5” 190lbs):

Bolt might be too fast for another sport. Football might be his best bet if he chose one. He would need to add a little more weight to his frame to be an NFL wide receiver but he might not have to worry about getting hit if he can just run by everyone. I have no doubt that he could run by a cornerback or safety, the only question I’d have is if he would outrun the pass. It would be fun to watch though, just like this was.

• ·      Compares to: Cincinnati Bengals Receiver, AJ Green (6’4” 207lbs) Take this one with a grain of salt.

NBA Guard, Nate Robinson (5’9” 180): Nate Robinson is a unique athlete. He’s only 5’9” and 180 pounds but don’t let that fool you, for his size he is one of the more athletic guards in the NBA. Hell, he even beat out Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodola in the 2006 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Robinson attended Washington University where he spent his freshman season playing cornerback for the Huskies (he accounted for 2 interceptions and 34 tackles). That sort of gives it away that he could actually play football, but whether or not he could handle the NFL is a different story. You would like to think that someone with his athletic ability and toughness could get it done.

• ·      Compares to: Cincinnati Bengals Cornerback, Darqueze Dennard (5’11” 199lbs)

Others Possibilities: 

Los Angeles Clippers Forward, Glen Davis (6’9” 289lbs): Defensive tackle,

San Antonio Spurs Forward, Kawhi Leonard (6’7” 230lbs): Wide receiver/tight end

Chicago Bulls Guard, Derrick Rose (6’3” 190lbs): Running back

Ranting

            The Super Bowl is over. The commercials are over. Katy Perry and Missy Elliot (and Lenny Kravitz) are done singing. All that was great. Tom Brady is still the greatest living American and his New England Patriots got their fourth Lombardi Trophy. Brady got his third MVP. I think it’s safe to say that his legacy is pretty safe; he’s one of the best. Ever. Bill Belichick got his fourth ring, tying him with Steelers legendary coach Chuck Knoll. I think it’s also safe to say that Rob Gronkowski is still drinking somewhere. Such a bro.  

As for the Seahawks, it was another great year, a second Super Bowl in a row, coming up a 1-yard Marshawn Lynch touchdown run short of back-to-back titles. All in all the game was one for the ages. Here’s where my problem is though, and I’ll admit I do this like everyone else. As a sports community and with the way social media society is, we like to diminish things that shouldn’t be diminished. For example, the Seahawks made it to back-to-back Super Bowls. That’s not easy to do in today’s professional sports world. We aren’t talking about the Steelers of the 70’s or the 49ers of the 80’s who would run through the NFL on their way to four championships each in their respective decades. That makes what the Patriots have done since winning their first of the four with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick all the more impressive. Shout out to them. 

With 26 seconds left in Super Bowl 49 and the ball on the 1-yard line, one timeout left and down 4, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll had a decision to make, give the ball to Marshawn Lynch or fake it to Lynch and have quarterback Russell Wilson run it in. Neither one of those things happened. Instead, Wilson dropped back and tried to hit receiver Ricardo Lockette on a quick slant in the end-zone. Patriots corner Malcolm Butler made a great play on the ball and jumped underneath Lockette and made the interception. What we should do is acknowledge the fact that Butler, an undrafted rookie from West Alabama, made a GREAT defensive play. He saw what was coming and made the play of the game. It’s a shame that we are so quick to criticize something like how the Seahawks didn't give the ball to Marshawn Lynch and we spend the entire day after talking about that, then we say, “but let’s not forget to give credit to Butler for making a great play.” That should be the first thing we do. Should Seattle have given the ball to Beast Mode? Yes, but let that be the second thing we talk about on that.

Malcolm Butler's interception gave the Patriots their 4th Lombardi
Trophy since 2000. 

Another example are the Miami Heat. The Heat made it to four straight NBA Finals from 2010-2014. They went 2-2, winning their two titles back-to-back. That’s pretty impressive but yet we diminish the fact that they made it to four straight NBA Finals because they did not go 4-0. When the Patriots lost two of their Super Bowls, both to the Giants, everyone criticized Tom Brady and said he couldn’t win the big one again. Well, it turns out he can and he did and now his legacy is defined as maybe the best ever.

We need to sit back and enjoy what teams like the Patriots have done and what the Seahawks might be on the verge of doing. It’s not every day you see a dynasty in the making.

            

Super Bowl Preview

Every Super Bowl has a storyline. If you’re looking for one storyline for Super Bowl 49 it’s Tom Brady’s legacy. Brady, who is starting his record sixth Super Bowl, looks to etch his name even more among the greats by earning his fourth Lombardi Trophy which would tie him with his childhood idol Joe Montana. This year however, there is a different storyline making headlines; Deflate Gate has not only taken the league by storm, but the country, and is shedding a negative light on the game itself. If you focus just on the X’s and O’s of the game, it shapes up to be a good one.

The Patriots have the weapons to exploit the Seahawks defense; tight end Rob Gronkowski is Tom Brady’s favorite target and why not? The 6 foot 6 Gronkowski led the team in receiving (1,124 yds. 12 TD’s) and presents matchup problems whether he is lined up at tight end, in the slot or out wide. It’ll be interesting to see where he lines up most and who will cover him. If Gronk is covered that’s okay, Brady will look for the trio of Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, or Brandon LaFell; all of who have had their number called during the postseason at some point. Ede

lman was second on the team in receiving (972 yds.) but led the team with 92 receptions.

The Seahawks will also have to stop running back LeGarrette Blount, and if you can’t wrap him up the first time he’s going to keep going. If the Patriots offensive line can open up holes against one of the toughest and most athletic defensive lines in the league and get Blount going, that will force the Seahawks secondary to play close to the line which will allow the passing game to open up. That’s easier said than done however; the Seahawks defense is allowing just 81.5 yards on the ground and 185.6.

For the Seahawks it’s simple, set Beast Mode free. That will open up the passing game and allow quarterback Russell Wilson to look downfield for his wide receivers and tight ends. Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis and former Seahawk Brandon Browner will cover those receivers so it’s important to get Lynch going early and often.

The Patriots defense isn’t far behind the Seahawks in terms of total defense (239.8 PYG, 104.3 RPG) but Lynch has shown that he can get the yards he wants. In their NFC Championship Game against the Packers Lynch had 157 yards on 25 carries including the game-tying score with 1:25 left in the fourth quarter. When Beast Mode is engaged there are very few defenses that can stop him so the best hope is to limit the damage he does. If the Patriots can limit him then they’ll have to hope to contain quarterback Russell Wilson not only through the air but also on the ground. The Seahawks don’t have the receivers the Patriots do but they feel their receivers are just as good. Doug Baldwin led the team in both receptions (66), and yards (825). Marshawn Lynch was the leading receiver with 4 touchdowns. Not to worry though, if both Lynch and Wilson are contained, the Seahawks defense and special teams will create their own points.

This game also has a legacy factor to it on both sides. For Tom Brady this is his sixth Super Bowl start; having lost the previous two, he looks to capture his fourth ring and put his name at the top. Standing in his way is a defense that is trying to do the same for their name. Back-to-back Super Bowl titles for the Seahawks defense and another victory over one of the games greats could cement their name at the top with names like ‘The Steel Curtain and the ’85 Bears’. Those are names that when you mention them, you’re recognizing greatness. The ‘Legion of Boom’ looks to put itself in the same class.

Patriots 21, Seahawks 27 

MVP: Marshawn Lynch 

NFL Draft Preview: Picks 21-32

Now we get to the back end of the first round. Much like picks 11-20, there are names people don't know but don't be fooled by anything, there is still plenty of talent. There will be some names that aren't announced in the early portion of the first round that will go later. Some of those players could be viewed as a steal because of their high rankings. The final two picks are yet to be determined until we crown a Super Bowl Champion. 

        21. Bengals- Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

        22. Steelers- Cody Prewitt, FS, Ole Miss

        23. Lions- Eddie Goldman, DT, FSU (whether Ndamukong Suh is re-signed or not)

        24. Cardinals- Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

        25. Panthers- Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State 

        26. Ravens- Ty Sambailo, OT, Colorado State

        27. Cowboys- Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota 

        28. Broncos- Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon

        29. Colts- Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA

        30. Packers- Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan

        31. Patriots- Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia 

        32. Seahawks- Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (FL)

You will definitely find some of those "hidden gems" late in the first round. There are a couple names to keep an eye on as it goes on. 

• Devin Funchess- This is an interesting prospect. Funchess played his career at Michigan mainly as a tight end but played some receiver. At 6'5" 230 pounds he has the frame of an NFL receiver but if he's drafted as a tight end he would need to bulk up and add to that frame. He displays great leaping ability and his strides are freakishly long which allows him to be a nightmare matchup. He also has the ability to go up and snag the ball away from defenders. However, he had a number of drops throughout his career and that could hamper him in regards to where he is taken. If his numbers prove well at the combine and pro day, Funchess could be off the board before the second round. 
• Todd Gurley- The Georgia running back was once thought of at a Heisman Trophy winner and a top 10 maybe top 5 pick. But a suspension due to violation of NCAA rules and a torn ACL has seen his draft stock fall. He tore his ACL in November so rehab is still a lengthly process. Before the injury he projected extremely well at the next level with his size and ability. Listed at 6'1" 226 pounds, he is one of the bigger backs in this draft class. He has the ability to run defenders over once he gets to the next level. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield which is a growing asset among the games elite. 

Small Ball

Rule two, section one of the NFL Rule Book stats that game balls must be a certain width, length, and even color. The weight of the ball must be inflated to anywhere between 12 ½- 13 ½ pounds per square inch and weigh between 14 and 15 ounces. For the New England Patriots apparently, those rules do not apply. During their 45-7 victory in the AFC Championship Game over the Indianapolis Colts, Colts players noticed the balls that were in use felt a little, well, deflated. In reports by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen today, 11 of the 12 balls used were deflated by more than 2 pounds (per square inch). Footballs tend to lose some of that weight when the temperatures are low, the result of that deflation results in the ball being easier to grip, thus making it easier to throw and catch. This isn’t the first time the Patriots have suspected of cheating however; in 2007 Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 for having an assistant spy on the New York Jets.

The rulebook also goes on to stat the following:

·       “Each team will make 12 primary balls available for testing by the referee two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game to meet League requirements. The home team will also make 12 backup balls available for testing in all stadiums. In addition, the visitors, at their discretion, may bring 12 backup balls to be tested by the Referee for games held in outdoor stadiums. For all games, eight new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped y the manufacturer to the Referee, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game”

The real question is, does anyone really care if the Patriots cheated? Did it really make a difference in the outcome of the game? It’s doubtful. The Patriots thoroughly dismantled the Colts and could’ve done so with inflated balls, deflated balls, or a basketball. The Colts couldn’t stop LeGarette Blount who scored 3 touchdowns and had 148 yards. I get the fact that each team has their own balls and gets to choose which ones, but what were the Colts game balls like? Were they deflated? Do we know? Could they have scored the same amount of points if they used the same balls as Tom Brady? The answers to those questions are irrelevant because the NFL isn’t going to strip the Pats of their AFC crown and replace them in the Super Bowl. More importantly though, all of this is taking away from what should be an outstanding Super Bowl matchup. If Seattle can win their second title in a row and minimize the Patriots offense, their defense should be mentioned with the greats. If Tom Brady finally gets his fourth Super Bowl ring, where does he rank all-time? Those are the things we should be focusing on. Not if a couple of balls were deflated by a few pounds. And please, can we stop saying the word "balls"?