Ways to improve the NFL (Post #1: Roster changes)

As most of you know, I'm a huge fan of the NFL. I sit around all day on Sunday just watching football. It's great. Wouldn't want to be doing anything else. But, I do feel there are a few changes the league could make that would make it better. This is my first post in what will be a series of proposed rule changes.

For this post, I want to focus on rosters. 

For me, this is simple. I would up rosters to 60 (currently 53) and active rosters to 55 (currently 47). One thing I've hated for awhile is how the practice squad works in the NFL. Practice squad players are not actually on your team (anyone can sign them away) but they kind of are on your team (they practice with the team and everything). So, why not just make the roster normal and get rid of the practice squad? 

My idea of 60 players would be to replace the practice squad (which currently consists of 8 players, but has many restrictions (age, experience, etc) on who can actually be on a practice squad). Where this helps the teams and the league is that now you can keep those project players on your roster and not worry about that person taking up a roster spot. Remember, because practice squad members are essentially free agents that practice with a team, any "project" type player would have to be kept on the active roster, where empty spots are in limited supply. The reason this becomes a problem, is when you start to have injuries on your team, and those injured players become inactive, you need players on your roster who can contribute and not just ones who are projects and not ready yet for games.

This brings me to my next point on rosters. I think the NFL should have a Disabled List similar to the one MLB has. I would have a 4-week DL and a season-long DL. The 4-week DL would have a maximum of eight players on it at any time. Any player on the 4-week DL would have to be made active after the four weeks are up or would need to be put back on another 4-week DL. With this DL feature, teams would be able to sign players to the active 60 man roster to replace that player for those 4-weeks. 

The NFL has so many injuries week-to-week, that guys are constantly out for 2-6 weeks all the time in the league. This 4-week DL would give teams the flexibility they need in the middle of the season to sign players and replace players as need be. Also, with 55 man active rosters, this should decrease the amount of injuries teams sustain as you would not have more back-ups to play on special teams and defense, giving tired players more of a rest.

Thank you for reading my first post on how to improve the NFL! Stay on the lookout for future posts.

2013 NFL Preview

If you need a reason to read this 2,200 word NFL-preview, just know this: I drafted, and started, Julius Thomas on two of my fantasy teams. Adjust your life accordingly. 

AFC EAST

Patriots – (2013 record prediction: 10-6) – Obviously I’m going to choose the Pats to win the division. And for those people picking the Dolphins to win the division: I hope you know what you’re doing. Since Brady became the starting QB in New England, this team has only had one year with less than 10 wins, and that was Brady’s third season. This team is going to pump out 10 wins, especially if they do what’s expected of them and win their first three games: at Buffalo, then home for the Jets and Tampa.

Dolphins – (8-8) – I think the Dolphins will be better than they were last year, but if they don’t go to Cleveland and win in week 1, they could be in BIG TROUBLE! This is their schedule after week one: at Indy, home vs Atlanta, at New Orleans, home vs Baltimore, and then their bye week.  In other words, good luck. Crazy things happen in week 1, so if Miami can’t win in Cleveland, they may be coming off their bye week 0-5 with 2 of their next 3 games against Cincinnati and at New England.

Bills – (6-10) – Not much to say about this team other than every time they show up on another team’s schedule, the Bills will be counted as a one of the “guaranteed wins” even before the season starts.

Jets – (5-11) – Hardest team by-far to project in this division. I think they’re horrible but they may shock some people. If they’re lucky.

AFC NORTH

Bengals – (9-7) – I know everyone is high on this team, but I’m worried about them and this whole division. They get to play the NFC North, a division that may have 4 teams with winning records. I think the Bengals are the best team in the AFC North, but not by much. For me, their saving grace could be between weeks 11-17, when they play 4 of their last 6 games at home. And have a bye week. And one of their road games is against the Chargers, a team that might really suck this year.

Steelers – (9-7) – Tough team to predict but I feel like they’re a team that no one really would want to play. They’re still tough. Still physical. I just question if they have the weapons around Roethlisberger to actually win enough games to make the playoffs.

Ravens – (7-9) – Don’t forget, this team really struggled last year just to make the playoffs last year. And once they got in, they had 22:1 odds in Vegas to win the Super Bowl…and they were already in the playoffs! They’re a good veteran team, but they have a seven game stretch in their season where they only have two home games. Those two home games? Versus Green Bay and versus Cincinnati. I think that stretch could kill them.

Brown – (5-11) – They’re a better team this year, most likely, but again, they have to play the NFC North. 

AFC SOUTH

Texans – (12-4) – This division isn’t really that good.  The tough part for the division is they get the NFC West, so they get to play SF and Seattle. I know Foster is a question mark, but their backup, Tate, is good enough to be a starter. So, don’t worry about this team. They have a good D and a good O and will be a tough out for anyone they face.

Colts – (9-7) – I thought the Colts were a bit lucky last year. But, then again, with an extra year in the system, the team should actually be better too. They don’t have a very tough schedule so I think they should come in somewhere just above average.

Titans – (8-8) – I think the Titans can be good but it all depends so heavily on their QB, Locker. He must progress into at least a starter-quality quarterback. Right now, he’s just a back-up. We’ll know what he’s made of after the first two games when Tennessee plays at Pittsburgh and then at Houston.

Jaguars – (1-15) – NEWS FLASH: the Jags will suck this year.

AFC WEST

Broncos – (13-3) – They’re a great team in a so-so division. The division crown should be a cake walk for Denver. With Julius Thomas and Wes Welker, Peyton now has four weapons and that’s a HUGE difference. Their defense needs to perform well though because in the playoffs they’ll have to face some good offenses.

Chiefs – (8-8) – I think this is an OK team that will get helped out by the end of their schedule.  2 of their last 3 games are on the road, but, those road games are against Oakland and San Diego, two teams that may have already given up by that point to try their hand at the Jadeveon Clowney sweepstakes. So, if that happens, it’s almost like having just six road games instead of eight. That’s big for a below-average team like KC.

Raiders – (4-12) – No real faith in this team other than they usually seem to luck into a win or two every year. But they really aren’t very good. Plus, roughly 40% of their cap space is being used on players no longer on the team…fun times!

Chargers – (2-14) – This team has had a lot of early injuries and a new system and new coach. I think they look to start over after this season and are the first team to take a QB in the draft.

NFC WEST

49ers – (11-5) – The thing that worries me the most about SF is the Crabtree injury. Kap is a good QB but does need good players around him. Don’t forget, Crabtree had 85 catches for 1,100 yards. That’s a lot to replace. Their D is still very polished and somehow added Nnamdi Asomugha in the offseason for only $3 mill a year. They’ll need to get off to a quick start though because the second half of their schedule is harder than their first half.

Seahawks – (9-7) – To me, this team was always a bit overrated.  GREAT home team. But their only easy road game this year is at Carolina, so if they don’t go 8-0 at home, it could be a tough season for them.

Rams – (9-7) – I was high on this team last year and I’m high on them again this year. I’m not sure where those nine wins will come from, but I think this may be one of those teams that pulls off some upsets.

Cardinals – (7-9) – This team will be better. Better coach. Better QB. But that doesn’t mean everything. This team had a very good defense the first half of the year and that’s why they won the games they did. They need a similar performance from the D this year to get to above .500.

NFC SOUTH

Falcons - (14-2) – This team is going to be GREAT this year…IF they avoid injuries. They have two of the best WRs and one of the best QBs. If Steven Jackson is able to give them more than Michael Turner did, they’ll be awesome. Also, they get lucky with their schedule, getting both New England and Seattle at home in Atlanta.

Saints – (10-6) – I, like everyone else, expect the Saints to fully pick up where they left off before Payton get suspended.  The good news? They get Carolina twice, Saint Louis and Tampa Bay for their final four games. The bad news? The four week leading up to that look like this: home vs Dallas, home vs SF, at Atlanta, and at Seattle. If New Orleans can survive that brutal four week stretch, they’ll be fine. But go 0-4? Not so sure what happens to them.

Bucs – (7-9) – They should be a solid team this year but Josh Freeman is a lame duck QB at this point. I don’t think Tampa wants him. They brought in Glennon from NC State and played him A LOT in the preseason. Some people even think Glennon could replace Freeman during the year. I like their D, I like their running game and even their receivers. But that QB situation could be the downfall of this team. However, if Freeman plays well, and solidifies his spot as the starting QB, they will threaten for a playoff spot.

Panthers – (5-11) – They can’t all be winners. And the Panthers are definitely the losers here. Here’s the crazy thing: the Saints, Bucs, and Panthers all went 7-9 last year and Carolina “won” the tie-breaker for second place. Why did I put “won” in quotes? Because that means they get the second place teams in the NFC East and NFC North. So, not only do they have to play Atlanta twice, New Orleans twice, SF, Seattle, and New England, but now they also have to go to Minnesota and host the Giants. Not a very good trade-off for winning the tie-breaker if you ask me.

NFC NORTH

Packers – (11-5) – Not sure how you can pick another team to win this division. All of these teams are good but none have the weapons that the Packers offense has. The hard part about the Packers winning 11 games? Outside of Cleveland, they may not have an easy game on the schedule. Now, I know, when people see Green Bay on their schedule, that’s not good news for them. But it’s tough to play week after week against playoff caliber opponents. 

Lions – (10-6) – I think Reggie Bush makes all of the difference on this team. He’s going to add a dimension of a pass-first RB they haven’t had. I could see him getting 6-8 catches a game, with most of those being screens and bubble passes. He’s the player this offense has missed for years. Defensively, their back 7 is really quite bad, but that front 4 is unbelievable. I’m not sure if you can do anything but keep 6-7 in each play to block/chip their D-ends because you’ll probably have to double both DTs each passing play.

Vikings – (8-8) – This is a good team but I still question Ponder’s abilities. He’s really not that good. When he has made plays it’s because of Peterson and the defense focusing on him. If Peterson stays healthy, they’ll have a chance. If not? I think Cassel could replace Ponder when the Vikings need to start passing the ball more.

Bears – (8-8) – I like the Bears but I don’t know if they really fixed their offensive line problems. Two years ago, they spent a first round pick on offensive lineman Gabe Carimi out of Wisconsin. This offseason? They traded him for a sixth round draft pick. J’Marcus Webb started for them the past two years. This year? They cut him when he got beat out by rookie taken in the fifth round. Don’t get me wrong, I think the O-line will be better, but I don’t know how you recover from all of that. Plus, just like Green Bay, I’m not sure the Bears have any easy games.

NFC EAST

Eagles – (10-6) – This division is a crap-shoot to me. I could go with anyone here. The only reason I am picking Philly is because they finished last in the division last year, so now they get to avoid SF, Seattle, Atlanta, and New Orleans while the other three teams are not so lucky. Plus, they get to play at Washington in week 1 (RG III has not played since last January) and then home for San Diego and Kansas City. If they can start off 3-0 that would be a huge accomplishment because starting in week 4, their schedule turns into hell.

Giants – (9-7) – Not sure how to pick this team but I think they can make a run after their bye week. After the bye (week 9), the Giants only have three road games and those teams are Washington, San Diego, and Detroit. I think they could pull out maybe 2 of those games. Plus, the scheduling gods helped them by giving them Seattle at home and not in Seattle. They just need to be 3-5, maybe 4-4, going into their bye and I think they’ll have a chance at the playoffs.

Cowboys – (8-8) – This is the end of the road for Garrett. They have a tough schedule and would need to get off to a hot start to have a chance. Just a guess: Garrett gets fired, Dez gets suspended, and Jerry blames everyone but the GM of the Cowboys…AKA himself.

Redskins – (8-8) – You can’t talk me into this team. There is no guarantee with RG III’s knee. And because they finished first last year, their extra games are home versus SF and at Atlanta. Their schedule is brutal!

PLAYOFFS

AFC:       Patriots over Colts / Steelers over Bengals

                Broncos over Steelers / Patriots over Texans

                Patriots over Broncos

NFC:      49ers over Saints / Lions over Eagles

                Falcons over Lions / Packers over 49ers

                Falcons over Packers

Super Bowl: Patriots over Falcons

(my non-Pats pick: Falcons over Broncos…I don’t want the bad karma of not picking the Pats…)

NBA Free Agency

Here, I'll take a guess as to where the top free agents go...If I go 2 for 15, I'll be happy.

Dwight Howard
I believe Dwight ends up with Houston.  I think he looks at a young team that is only getting better.  With James Harden and Chandler Parsons, not to mention various other assets, this team would be primed to make a run.  Don't forget, they can package Lin and Asik as expiring deals after next year and get a good point guard in return.

Chris Paul
I'd be shocked if he leaves L.A.  With Doc coming to town, where is he going to go that's a better situation? The clippers are better than all of the teams with cap space and his profile has risen by playing there (Cliff Paul, anyone?).  Why would he leave at this point?

Josh Smith
J-Smoooooov....No idea where he goes.  I'd love to see him in Boston w/ Rondo, but that would have to be a sign-and-trade as the Celtics are over the cap next year even after the KG/Pierce trade.  It would be hilarious if he went to Sacramento. My guess?  Where Dwight goes, he wants to go. The problem is, I doubt either stat-driven Texas teams want him.  So if Dwight goes to Dallas or Houston, then Smith looks to a team like Detroit who has some cap space and 2014 expiring deals in Stuckey ($8.5m) and Villaneuva ($8.6m).

J.R. Smith
He has to stay with New York and the Knicks must overpay for him.  This team is way over the cap for two more years, meaning they aren't getting anyone during that time.  I say, give Smith a two year, $18 million deal.  New York only has $3 million of guaranteed money on the books after the 2015 season, so make sure Smith also comes off the books by keeping it a two year deal.  If he does leave, look for a team like Minnesota to make a run at him.

Andrew Bynum
He's leaving Philly.  We know that.  But I'm not sure who wants him.  If I'm Charlotte, I offer him a max deal...with a team option after one year just in case. If I'm New Orleans, I do that same, just maybe not max money.  I think Milwaukee could do the same as well.  Whatever route teams go with Bynum, please, for the love of god, make sure you get an out after year one!  I don't know how good Bynum can be when he comes back, but I do know that while he was in L.A., there was talk that he may be the best offensive center in the game...a guy capable of 25-12 every night.  There's a reason he'll get max money...but there's also a reason why no one is excited by him.

Other Free Agents

Andre Iguodala: Dallas

David West: Indiana

Nik Pekovic: Minnesota

Al Jefferson: Milwaukee

Paul Millsap: Utah

Tyreke Evans: Dallas

OJ Mayo: Atlanta

Jeff Teague: Atlanta

J.J. Hickson: Portland

Andrei Kirilenko: Minnesota

Brandon Jennings: Milwaukee

Monta Ellis: Atlanta

JJ Redick: Milwaukee

Kyle Korver: Cleveland

Jose Calderon: Orlando

2013 NBA Finals Prediction

So far, I'm 12 for 14 in my NBA playoffs picks.  For proof, check here, here, and here.  BAM!  Haters.

Anyways, I was WAY off on the Grizz pick to beat the Spurs...So, I'm kind of doubting my abilities to adequately judge just how good this Spurs team really is.  My guess?  They aren't better than a beat-up Miami team.  That's why I'm taking Miami in 6 over San Antonio for the NBA Finals.

I am having trouble figuring out how to stop a motivated LeBron?  I know Leonard is a good defender, but when he's going full-speed ahead, LeBron is unstoppable without fouling.  

To me, the most interesting match-up will be who guards Tony Parker.  The only way the Spurs win this series is if Parker tears Cole/Chalmers up and forces LeBron to guard him the whole game.  If that happens, San Antonio would have the edge in the series.  However, I don't see Parker having his way with those two guards, especially Cole.  The Heat have a great team defense and they swarm the ball well on pick-n-rolls.  Just as Paul George.  Or George Hill.  

The other key for the Heat is that the Spurs play a smaller brand of basketball than the Pacers.  Matt Bonner and Boris Diaw play a good amount at the 4 spot.  This allows LeBron to guard those two non-post-up big men who like to stand in a spot on take jump shots/3s.

So, in summation, I believe that the Heat will win their second straight Finals.  Dammit.

The San Diego Chargers' new coach is...

The San Diego Chargers should hire Lovie Smith as their next coach.  I believe he is the best man for the job.  The Chargers are the second best team in their division, and, if built correctly, in three years could be the best team in their division (assuming Manning starts to slow down or retires). 

Now, I know Lovie is not a sexy name around the league (but he is a lovely name...get it?), but that is only due to a perceived mediocrity.  However, let’s take a deeper look at his nine years as the Bears coach:

• ·         Lovie was 81-63 during his nine years.
• ·         He went to the Super Bowl and won 13 games with Rex Grossman as his QB.  Yes, that Rex Grossman.
• ·         Had six non-losing seasons in nine years with three playoffs appearances.
• ·         In his last three years, the Bears were 29-19. 

Most importantly, the SD roster fits what Lovie does.  The Chargers have a good, young defense that can rush the passer.  One guy is Corey Liuget, the 22 year old Defensive End, who had 7 sacks this year.  He’s a 3-4 DE, so in the Cover 2 with Lovie, he would move inside as a speed rusher.  He’s 6-2, 300 pounds, with a 4.99 40.  A move inside could see him become even more destructive.   They also have guys like Eric Weddle (101 tackles, 3 Interceptions, 2 forced fumbles) and Antoine Cason (73 – 2 – 2).  Football outsiders ranked the Chargers as the #6 rush defense proving that this team could give a real good base to Lovie on which to build on. 

Lovie’s downfall in Chicago was quite simply the offense.  But, look at that record in his final three years.  Those last three years are when the Bears really started to use Cutler, Forte, etc.  San Diego already has a similar offense to what Chicago had this year.  The problem with the Chargers was a poor offensive line and too many turnovers.  If they can get the right personnel in their on offense, this team immediately gets into the wild card mix. 

And San Diego fans, that is what you want.

NFL Playoffs, Round 1

Here are my picks for Round 1 of the playoffs:

Cincinnati over Houston
Green Bay over Minnesota
Washington over Seattle
Indianapolis over Baltimore

That's right!  I'm taking three underdogs to win in Round 1!  long live NFL anarchy!!!

Panic in LA LA Land

I wanted to go over a few things about the early NBA season.

1. Mike Brown was fired too soon.  His new PG is out injured.  His new center is still coming back from a back injury.  His team has no depth.  His starting SF, Ron Artest, is taking ten shots (!!!!!) a game and shooting 35%.  Yet, he's by far the best small forward on this team.  I don't believe Brown is a great coach or anything, but he didn't have a training camp last year and he got 5 games this year.  The Lakers never gave him a shot and I can't wait to watch them fail in the second round of the playoffs again.
2. OKC never should have traded Harden.  With that said, Houston is not very good.  The best thing for the Rockets is to be bad, get a high pick, and try and find a way to get another max, or near max, player.  Jeremy Lin has no confidence with the ball in his hands and Asik doesn't know how to catch a ball.  (have I mentioned before these two guys will be making $31 million combined in two years???)
3. The Knicks will not remain undefeated.  However, with Danny Granger's injury, the Knicks could find their way into a 2 or 3 seed and possibly a second round match-up with Boston.
4. I hate Carlos Boozer.  I already have bubbly on ice in preparation of his impending amnesty.