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Football players: Johnny Manziel will seize the moment in 2015
Photo Credit: Peter G. Aiken / Getty Images Sport
Author: Jon Kuzma
When the Cleveland Browns drafted Johnny Football Manziel last season one thing was apparent from watching the process play out. The Browns organization seemed mixed on Manziel from the get go. Never have we seen a quarterback taken in the first round and not have the red carpet rolled out for him. It seemed like from day one head coach Mike Pettine was trying to put a limit on Manzielâs growth and that was the first time Iâve ever seen that happen to a first round pick personally. The right move was clearly to cut the chain off Manziel and let him take his lumps his rookie year and grow. Yet here we are in year two and coach Pettine is already stating that âitâs fair to say McCown is the favorite to be the starterâ. Despite that if I were a betting man, Iâd bet on Manziel this season. There has already been whispers around Browns training camp that Manzielâs performance thus far has been night and day compared to last years as one Brown put it. Manziel might not have all the tangibles that translate to a typical pocket passing quarterback in the NFL, but he is a fierce competitor and has the moxie to lead when he is on. While who knows if Manziel really needed help in his personal life or he just wanted to make a good public relations move. Going to rehab shows either way that he is willing to put in the effort to become a better man. That step could prove to be on the field, especially in terms of his focus. Often time last year it was said that Manziel was underachieving in terms of running and directing the offense. A Manziel with clarity will be a dangerous one for opposing offenses.
One question still remans though? Why did Cleveland draft Manziel in the first round if Pettine was never going to embrace him?
Football players: Johnny Manziel
Charity of the day: African Wildlife Foundation
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Football players: Jimmy Graham will put up monumental numbers in Seattle
Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport
Author: Jon Kuzma
The Seattle Seahawks were big winners this off-season landing a deal with the New Orleans Saints who sent arguably the best tight end in the game (outside Gronkowski) to the Hawks. With the acquisition Russell Wilson will have a superstar threat to throw to when things break down. Anyone who has been around the game of football knows that tight ends can be a quarterbacks best friend because the distance of throws to a tight end is relatively shorter than to a wide receiver. Making the pass to the tight end a much more high percentage play for success. Another thing that stands out when watching great tight ends is they have a bigger frame typically. Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzales, Jason Witten, Rob Gronkowski, and Kellen Winslow Sr. are all outstanding tight endâs in their own rights and all of them also come in around the 6â5 250 lbs range. Jimmy Graham has this same similar size, and he is exceptionally athletic despite that size. You could see that athleticism last year against the 49ers when he nearly stole the show completing a hail mary reception over Perrish Cox. The play would go on to eventually get over turned but it was scary to see how well Graham could elevate over defense backs. A position that is typically more athletic then tight ends.
The next thing that will be big for Graham is the system that he plays in. The Seahawks run many zone read concepts. Where Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch combine to really incorporate to plays in one. The run to Lynch and the quarterback keeper to Wilson. It will be interesting to see how the superstar tight end meshes into that whole process. With so much emphasize needed to be committed to the run, the middle of the field might be wide open where the linebackers just left from to fill the run. It seems to be an ideal situation for Graham and a betting man would bet on an up year from Jimmy Graham.
Projection: 12 touchdowns. Football players; Jimmy Graham.
Charity of the day: National Urban League
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Football online: Winston to Buccaneers bound to happen
Photo credit: Harry How / Getty Images Sport
Author: Jon Kuzma
With the NFL combine finishing up and reviews of just about every big time college player taking place. I would like to state that I’m not a big fan of this years quarterback draft class. While it’s usually best to choose a quarterback who is slightly oversized, it’s hard to be convinced Jameis Winston is that guy. Yes has everything I want in a quarterback. Great size, a big arm, and played at a big time college program. However it’s his decision making on and off the field that worry me. If you could take away the bone headed mistakes Winston has made off the field, I would be a hundred percent a supporter of his and draft him without second thought number one overall. The fact is though Winston hasn’t shown the maturity to hand him the reigns of a whole NFL franchise. When looking at him it seems very much like the pick the Buccaneers used on Josh Freeman out of Kansas State. A very talented quarterback coming out of college standing similar in stature to Winston. Freeman was slightly bigger being 6’6 240 while Winston is 6’4 230. The difference there being Winston was a much more accomplished passer during his time in the colligate ranks. Putting up about twenty touchdowns more than Freeman in a year less of time at the helm. The good news for Winston is scouts were amped about his football I.Q at the combine many saying “he has the best football I.Q we have ever seen”. I wonder how Peyton Manning feels about that?
The Buc’s will undoubtedly have a tough decision to make with the number 1 pick. It’s always tough when you’re in the position that the Buc’s are in coming off a two win season. They need a franchise savior and usually when you have the number 1 pick a quarterback just makes sense. Every team can take a step in the right direction by landing a big name quarterback. I’m actually surprised more teams don’t move back(trade down), and honestly if I didn’t take a Q.B I would most likely draft a defensive tackle to solidify the defense. In the Buc’s case though they already have that piece in Gerald McCoy. Also with the emerging star wide receiver in Mike Williams it just makes sense to get a guy who can get him the ball. Don’t expect that to be anyone but Jameis Winston and truthfully that is the right pick for this franchise.
After that time will only tell if he is Jameis the savior or similar to the likes of Josh Freeman and Jamarcus Russell, NFL failures with a similar mold.
Football online
Charity of the day: American Humane Association
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Football players: Suh still hanging around Detroit area
Photo credit: Icon Sportswire
Author: Jon Kuzma
While the fact that Suh is still hanging around the Detroit area could be a non-factor on whether or not he resigns with the Detroit Lions. It does say one thing. He wasnât repulsed enough during his time here in Detroit that he felt like he had to skip town as soon as the season was over. Which is a good thing to hear if youâre a Detroit Lions fan. In fact just a few days ago Suh updated his Facebook status saying âBeautiful morning in Detroit for an indoor workoutâ. With the season being over Suh has no responsibilities at the moment as far as team activities go. He very easily could have spent the off-season back around the Portland Orgeon area where his family has ties. Yet the player who has been often been called âselfishâ by some Lions fans is still around the area of the team that drafted and calling Detroit âbeautifulâ. Enough to make some fans think âhey, maybe he is coming backâ? Another thing that stands out about Suh is the fact that the Lions brass has continuously made announcements remaining optimistic about retaining the pro bowl defensive lineman. Mayhew has publicly stated that he believe âa deal is close with Suhâ. The most coveted free agent will surely be courted by other teams but Suh is a smart guy. He has to know his opportunity in Detroit is special. He is the hero of a rebuilding city that was once a precious piece to the American puzzle. His importance and impact go beyond just the playing field, he is a symbol for the community. A symbol that if the Lions who were often the doormat team of the NFL can turn it around. So can the city itself. Look for Suh to remain a Lion.
Charity of the day: Breast Cancer Research Foundation
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Football online: Goodell is overpaid and underproducing
Photo credit: Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport
Author: Jon Kuzma
35 Million dollars. That was how much Roger Goodell made in 2013 and while that number was down from the 44.2 million that Goodell brought in during the 2012 season. He is now the highest paid commissioner of all the major sports leagues. He was once only surpassed by Major League Baseballâs commissioner Bud Selig. However since 2011 Goodellâs pay has substantially increased while Seligâs salary capped out around 22 million (before his retirement). Keep in mind the NFL is the highest grossing and most prestigious of all of the American sports leagues. So yes he should indeed be the highest paid commissioner because he is working for the league that offers the best product. Yet when you factor in all of the blunders and mishaps Goodell has had, he doesnât hardly seem worth the steep price that he is getting paid. A guy known for his stern approach and his disciplinarian style, Goodell gives off the vibe that he is arrogant but does so very subtly. Anyone with any competence in judging ones character can see that the commish is pompous, and a not very likable guy. In fact in a poll held by ESPN in 2014 the people of the United States voted that 37.8% of people disliked Goodell, that was the majority. In another poll held by CBS Sports 60% of players of the league didnât support Roger Goodell as their commissioner. While sometimes being likable can be overrated, other times being unlikeable can be a measure of ones poor efforts. The fact is the NFL was going to strive with whoever was at the helm because it is the greatest sport in our country. The question remains how much of a cap did Goodell put on the leagues growth? With the Ray Rice case under his belt, the inconsistency on punishments, and the over glorifying of himself through the punishment of his players. One would have to say enough to make an impact and not in a good way. So while the great owners of the league like Arthur Blank will be politically correct and endorse Goodell. Hopefully you will be smart enough to make your own decision.
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Charity of the day: Homes for Our Troops
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Football online: The play call heard around the world
Photo credit: Scott Cunningham / Getty Images Sport
Author: Jon Kuzma
Super Bowl XLIX was one of the better moments in Super Bowl history. After watching the Broncos get annihilated in last years Super Bowl it was good to get back to good competitive football. The action was back and forth most of the game and like many games in the National Football League it came down to the last possession. With a coach like Pete Carroll though youâre safe from a bad football decision with the game on the line, right? Wrong, the Seahawks would go on to do the unthinkable in the last thirty seconds of the game and decide to throw a pass from the half yard line. This pass was then picked off by Malcolm Butler and fans got to watch Tom Brady celebrate profusely on the sideline most likely wondering âwhy in the hell did they throw there?â
While Pete himself has came out and stood by the decision to go for it, and even Bellichick himself has come out to support the decision made by Carroll. The fact is it was flat out WRONG. We live in age of pro football where fundamentals have evaporated from the game. Could you imagine Vince Lombardi watching that play call from heaven? He most likely would have died again. It was unstomachable to watch that play, you had to feel for the Seahawks players whether you were rooting for them or not. To get all the way down to the half yard line and have the best running back in football and pass. That is completely unacceptable.
Now Pete Carroll is still a phenomenal football coach but he was clearly getting a little too aggressive down the stretch. Fake field goal pass against the Packers, going for it in the end of the first half of the Super Bowl (which led to Chris Matthew touchdown), and finally passing at the end of the game on the one yard line. Didnât he realize his luck was bound to run out sooner or later? I mean heck even at USC he went for it on fourth down against Texas in the national championship (and while that didn’t work), still the football gods clearly were more than generous to Pete Carroll. Here at endzoneblog.com we love Pete he is a great coach and tremendous person, but shame on you for that call. You let your players down.
Charity of the day: Donors Choose
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Football skills: Lions fans would be foolish to undervalue Stafford
Photo credit: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport
Author: Joey Carr
With the Lions recent success the organization is in a rare position. Itâs been a longtime since the Lions stock arrow has been pointing up and quarterback Matt Stafford has much to do with that success. In fact Stafford is the fastest player to ever throw for 20,000 yards. He did so in seventy one games thatâs three games sooner than the great Dan Marino who did so in seventy four games. And just recently Stafford won the Pro Bowlâs offensive most valuable player award throwing for over three hundred yards. Such feats would likely make you here on most teams.
Yet despite these accomplishments many fans in the Detroit area are still openly bashing the young gun slinger. Often questioning Staffordâs decision making ability and interception rate. Most of this focus on the negative is unfair judgement of Stafford. Fans have to remember just how difficult it is to play quarterback in the Nation Football League. Yea itâs easy to say âlook at the way Rodgers throws and conducts the offenseâ. That doesnât mean getting rid of Stafford is going to bring in a player even remotely close to Rodgers abilities. In all likelihood the Lions would regress getting rid of number 9 due to the fact they would have to develop the next player they bring in.
The fact is Stafford will likely go unappreciated in Detroit until the city nearly drives him out of town. Hopefully Stafford has enough character to look past the naysayers or the fans of Detroit might end up being the ones remorseful in the end when he skips town for greener pastures.
Charity of the day: Boys and Girls Club of America
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Football players: Blount and Lynch offer similar running styles
Photo credit: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport
Author: Jon Kuzma
While watching Legarrette Blount run the ball two weeks ago against the Indianapolis Colts it was hard not to see the similarities in his and Marshawn Lynchâs running style. Both runners are primarily power runners who arenât known for their break away speed but more so their bruiser style. Like Beast Mode the Patriots running back has the ability to go Blount mode, which he clearly went against the Colts scoring 4 touchdowns. While Brady can clearly get the job done through the air. Blount will be a good x-factor in the Super Bowl which Belichick will likely call on often. Donât be surprised to seem him gash the unusually stout Seahawks defense for a touchdown or two.
On the opposite sideline you have arguably one of the best running backs in the league if not the best. Marshawn Lynch has consistently been the first option in the Seahawks offense and has been a big reason theyâve been contenders year in and year out. In particular this year Lynch had a career high in Rushing Touchdowns with 13. Always known for rumbling look for Beast Mode to excel on the big stage and have a big day for the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. Last week with the game on the line Pete Carroll went to Lynch often and he will likely do the same Sunday. Lynch should get at least two touchdowns.
Look for both of these players to have a big impact for their team. The player that does will likely give their team that extra boost. Despite everyone saying this is a âpassing leagueâ the fundamentals of football still are in establishing the run. The team that does so will have the advantage.
Charity of the day: Global Fund for Women
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Football online: The transition from John Fox to Gary Kubiak in the Denver scenario:
Photo credit: Justin Edmonds / Getty Image Sport
Author: Jon Kuzma
Football online content!
When John Elway and the Denver Broncos decided to part ways with Head Coach Jon Fox it was mainly due to the fact that they felt like he underachieved in the post season. Elway went on to state that âthey had differences on how to get to the next levelâ. When interpreting that, it feels like Elway might have thought offense was the way to get the job done being a former offensive player. While John Fox is a defensive minded guy who likely thought they should improve the defensive side of the ball in the off-season. Which would make perfect sense why Elway would dismiss Fox and Hire Gary Kubiak who was Elwayâs offensive coordinator during the Broncos successful 1998 and 1999 Super Bowl runs. With an offense that started to sputter just a year after being the best ever statically, maybe making the move to Kubiak was the right one. He can work hand and hand with Peyton Manning and iron out any wrinkles that the Broncos might have. The other side of the argument is maybe they donât fit as well due to a clash in offensive philosophy. As stated above the Broncos had the best offense ever last year, and that came under Fox who was indeed a defensive minded coach. How could this have happened? Mainly offensive freedom, with Fox more focused on things on the defensive side of the ball it gave Manning more freedom to do the things he had success in on the offensive side of the ball. This was one of the reasons Manning chose the Broncos over the Forty Niners who were coached by Jim Harbaugh. Manning knew he would have more freedom in Denver over the very hands on Harbaugh. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, Manning could either improve drastically under Kubiakâs supervision or he could be kept on too short of a leash. The other questions surrounding the team would have to be how much will the defense falter with the loss of a great defensive mind? There is a reason John Fox has went to numerous Super Bowls, heâs an excellent defensive coach.
Charity of the day: Global Fund for Women
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