Week 2 Picks....

So week 2 of the NFL is upon us and teams have the opportunity to show that week 1 wasn't a fluke. The Texas and Redskins are at the top of that list as are the Chiefs. We'll see who didnt have one game of glory. And I try my hand at this game picking things. And here are my picks:

-Cowboys over the Bears
-Ravens over the Bengals
-Chiefs over the Browns
-Falcons over the Cardinals
-Packers over the Bills
-Titans over Steelers
-Vikings over Dolphins
-Buccaneers over Panthers
-Seahawks over Broncos
-Raiders over Rams
-Patriots over Jets
-Chargers over Jaguars
-Texans over Redskins
-Colts over Giants
-Saints over 49ers

Until next time peace.

Week 1 NFL Thoughts.

Now that the first week of NFL football is over, I can take a look back and see what, if anything, was learned.

I did learn that while the preseason records may not matter, the way you play does. That means you, Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys first team offense didn't play well during the preseason, often failing to end drives with touchdowns. That continued against the Redskins as Dallas didn't score any first half points, and only 7 overall. Of course it doesn't help if T. Romo can only do 3 step drops. I know they're missing two starting offensive linemen, but for a team that wants to host the Super Bowl in their own stadium, they've got to play better than they did Sunday night.

Another trendy preseason pick, the Jets didn't look so hot on offense either. The Ravens reminded them that games are won on the field and not on HBO. Ray Lewis showed why he's the best middle linebacker in the game, punishing Dustin Keller, hitting him so hard he lost track of downs later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTZrwvnlQdA&sns=em

Sanchez definitely has work to do if the Jets will be playing late in January. Throwing for only 74 yards will not get it done. And they just might miss Thomas Jones.

Other thoughts:

- The Hayneswoth situation in DC is getting a bit annoying. Either trade him of let him play. His teammates say he's doing a good job and they want him out there. So can we please cut the power play.

- These are the same Browns. Wow that playoff season of a couple of years ago seems pretty distant doesn't it.:-/

Well those are just some thoughts. I have to see how bad I did with my 5 fantasy teams this week, but just know I left A. Foster and M. Forte on the bench. :-(

Until, next time.

Gearing up for Preseason Week 2

The NFL Preseason continues tonight and we won't learn much except who will become teams backups. However, we will be one week closer to the regular season beginning. Before previewing Week 2, here are some of my thoughts about Week 1......

- There is no need to add more weeks to the NFL season. I'd you saw Eli Manning get his face gasped opened, you see just how intense any NFL game is, exhibition or otherwise. These men would end up killing themselves with 18 games plus the playoffs.

- The Jets are making the case for D. Revis really easy. Wait, I think the Giants just caught another deep pass. If they are a true Super Bowl contender, he can't miss any regular season time. He makes everyone's job much easier, and that defense needs that security blanket...

- The Cowboys need to start scoring touchdowns. Especially in the red zone.

- Lastly, come on Sept.9th. It can't get here fas enough.....

First week of August.....

So all 32 NFL teams have started training camp, and there have plenty to talk about.

First, the best CB, Darelle Revis, in the game is holding out. And he should. Without him, the Jets will become a good defense but not necessarily one that can carry the team to a Super Bowl. With him, the defense has a chance to be one hoisting the Lombardi trophy come Feb. 2011. And really this is when his leverage is highest. He's already shown what he can do on he field, and he should be rewarded as such. One play can change his value and the Jets (or any other sports franchise) would have no problem cutting him. They spent the latter portion of the season and playoffs saying how important he is, now its time to pay him as such.

If its August, then its Brent Favre time. Just within the past 48 hours he's retired and un-retired, causing ESPN, Twitter and social media to nearly explode. Some may look at Favre as a diva, and he may very well be, but he's only doing what the Vikings are letting him do. They (Minnesota) actually need him to come back or their run last year could've been all for naught.

My guess is that Favre will be back, and the Vikings just might end up in the Super Bowl if A. Peterson can figure out how to hold on to the ball.

Well thats it for now, just some quick thoughts on early training camp action.

RIP Jack Tatum

I think the title says it all..... if it doesn't... check out this video...

This NBA off-season has been pretty interesting hasn't it...

Here I thought we'd stop talking about the NBA once we had 'The Decision'. I figured that the LeBron backlash would subside and we would be able to talk about football, which provides us several topics. Nope, not a chance.

Now, reports are that Chris Paul wants out of New Orleans. Even though he has two years left on his contract, he has formulated a list, one thats ever-changing, and submitted that list to the Hornets management.

After a Monday meeting, word is that Paul never asked for a trade. I HIGHLY DOUBT that. He's friends with Wade/LeBron and just watched them get together on the same team. He then looked at his team and realized that ownership has already stated they wont pay luxury tax penalties (i.e. won't add any more good players). He sees that his options are to play the next two seasons in New Orleans where he won't see the conference finals, let alone the NBA Finals or try to get on another team, so that New Orleans can get back some talent for him.

I say trade him! He won't have any higher value than right now. He makes $14.5 million dollars and yet he won't be able to fill that stadium consistently. You might as well get some picks back, shed some salary and make your team more attractive to the potential suitor. Also, you have Darren Collision who showed last year, that he can fill in and play the PG role pretty well.

Once the season starts, too many variables begin to move. First of all, the demand for him could drop drastically. Not to mention, he could get hurt.

I know it seems like Paul is forcing his way out of town, but so what if he is? He's doing it at a time when its actually beneficial to the team. New Orleans probably won't ever be able to pay their players superstar money yet right now, they are set up to have some young talent that can grow. No it won't the Oklahoma type-talent and growth but its enough to contend for the playoffs. Which frankly, is their ceiling in the current landscape of the Western Conference.

Will they or won't they? Another decision in the making.

Back..... Again.....

Whats up....



I was inspired this morning. After reading today's On.Us.Tee posting here, I was inspired to re-start my blog. And with the NBA Free Agency hoopla just starting off, I see an opportunity to do so.



So without further ado.... Here is another installment of A. Prince's Perspective:





First, NBA Free Agency. I must admit, at first I was excited. The thought of the NBA landscape changing so drastically in just a couple of weeks right after we saw two storied franchises play in the Finals had me so excited for July 1st. Then rumors upon rumors upon rumors upon rumors and none of them could be proved. That turned me off. Here's why. Its July 2nd, and nothing has happened. Sure, we've had some meetings between players and teams, but no new contracts signed. And from the looks of it, some people (J. Johnson) will be earning fat checks and staying right at home with their current teams. If this trend holds, we'll have the most hoopla for nothing that I can remember.



But I don't think that'll happen. LeBron is leaving Cleveland. Yup, he's gone. I could go into all the reasons why I think so, but if he wanted to stay in Cleveland, why hasn't he signed the contract already? He could've signed it, and then gone on to really recruiting other players to come play with him.

Also, with the Lakers looking like they're about to reload for a 3-peat (and 4th straight Finals appearance) I don't think Cleveland has a real shot to beat them. Realistically, I don't see any Eastern Conference teams beating the Lakers except for Boston, and thats only if Ray Allen comes back or they find a suitable replacement.



So I look for Bron to end up in Chicago, bringing Bosh along with him. Yes he will be in MJ's Shadow but here's the thing about that; if you're in the NBA, you'll always be in MJ's shadow. Kobe has played in LA his whole career and he's compared to MJ. It won't escape LeBron. Only way he can combat it is to win championships. That's what should drive his decision. And that's why I think he'll end up in Chicago.


But I won't be checking everyday for his decision. I can wait 'til it breaks, then I'll get excited again.

One Week Away.....

So this weekend brought the end of the regular season to the 2010 college basketball season. This season has been wildly entertaining for me. There were buzzer-beaters, extreme wins (and losses), and the fall of North Carolina. All of these have me very excited about conference tournaments and the upcoming NCAA tournament.

With the regular season over, I'm going to try and predict who I think the #1 seeds will be. Of course next Sunday, I'll be able to see how correct I was, and then I'll make my March Madness selections.

In other sports news, the NFL heated up over the weekend. Free agents made moves and although we were told that the uncapped 2010 season would slow spending, that certainly wasn't the case. The Chicago Bears made the biggest moves, signing Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor, while the New York Jets bolstered their secondary with the acquisition of Antonio Cromartie. This all just makes me wish the season was right around the corner. :-/

March Madness on the way....

Well, March is here. Important month (sports-wise) for a couple of reasons. First, March Madness takes place. This season looks like one of those seasons where there are tons of upsets in the tourney, because there is no dominant team. This past weekend, teams ranked #1,2 and 3 all lost. This isn't like last season when North Carolina was the consensus favorite to win the title.

Going into the final week of the regular season, teams are making their final push for tournament bids. If you're a team on the bubble, you want to get a couple wins so that you aren't forced into winning your conference tournament to get your entry into the Big Dance.

The latest version of ESPN's Bracketology has the following breakdown of teams by conference: Big East- 8 teams; Big 12 and ACC- 7 teams; while the Big Ten and SEC have 5 teams. They also list these teams as the last four teams included in the tournament: Virginia Tech, St. Mary's, Mississippi State, and San Diego State. So pay attention to these teams this week to see the wins they can accumulate.

Big games tonight for both bubble teams and teams looking to improve their tournament seeding. UConn vs. Notre Dame is a HUGE game for both teams. UConn seemed to play themselves off the bubble after winning three straight games. However they lost their last game to Louisville, so another loss would put them right back on the bubble. Notre Dame is barely in the conversation but they are there after defeating Pittsburgh and Georgetown in their last two games. They desperately need to continue winning to even stay on the bubble.

UMd-Duke is a battle for seeding, both in the ACC tournament and the NCAA tournament. Duke is battling for a #1 seed and a seventh straight defeat of the Terps would help that cause. Maryland would like to show that the ACC is more than a one team conference.

As you watch games this week, here is a video to get you ready for the Madness.......