These are 10 things that I like about the half-over NFL season and the newly-begun NBA season
NBA
1. Andrew Bogut's leaping ability. I cannot stress how much I like Andrew Bogut. He may be the hardest working big man in the NBA. As a bonus, he carries an epic chin beard around with him all the time. For an Aussie, the man can really jump like a gazelle.
2. Mike Conley's effort. I know that Mike Conley is not worth the massive contract that he signed this off season, but he is really trying to play like a top flight point guard this season. He is assisting at a higher rate than normal, and that is a direct result of better penetration.
3. Kevin Love's magnet hands. Magnets are the only logical explanation as to why a 6'9", maybe a bit pudgy, white guy can grab 31 rebounds in an NBA game. He has "it" when it comes to rebounding, no arguing with that.
4. Point Guards. There are so many amazing playmakers at the point guard position in the NBA this year. Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings, John Wall, Rajon Rondo. Don't forget about solid players like Chauncey Billups, Raymond Felton, Tyreke Evans, Steph Curry, Russel Westbrook...etc. There is an exciting point guard on display every night in this league!
5. LA Clippers highlights. The Clippers have, in my opinion, the two hardest dunkers in the NBA. Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan both dunk as hard as possible every night. This team is so young and so fun to watch. Griffin, Eric Gordon, Eric Bledsoe, and Al Farouq Aminu make this an exciting team for years to come.
NFL
1. Enormous Running Backs. I love the physical running of Steven Jackson and Peyton Hillis. They run over and through everyone that they can on every play. These are the kind of people that give football its physicality.
2. Complete players. The downfield blocking of Carolina Panther's Steve Smith impresses me week in and week out. He is on a terrible team, he barely gets the ball, but he gives 100% effort on every play.
3. Parity. I don't know how much I like the parity in the NFL this season, with no teams standing out through the first 10 weeks, but it sure makes things interesting. However, my pick 'em league is definitely suffering.
4. Peyton Manning. I will never get tired of complementing this guy. Who would think that Dallas Clark looks like a trade chip with Tamme playing so good as his fill in? It would never happen, but Manning can make anybody look like a star if they have decent hands and can run a route the same way twice. He carries the Colts like no other QB carries their team.
5. Sports Blogs. I love Peter King's MMQB, Don Banks' Quick Hits, the ESPN NFL Blog, Bill Simmons, I even enjoy Jason Whitlock once in a while (a long while). There are some really really talented writers in this world of sports.
Next time I post, probably after Thanksgiving, I want to look at player salaries in the NBA, NFL, and MLB in 3 consecutive posts. Here's hoping!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
FVP (Franchise's MVP)
Franchise Cornerstone
I spent a little time a few weeks ago talking about Franchise players on an NBA team. It is debatable whether a guard or a center is the best choice to anchor your franchise. However, the debate is much less polarizing in the NFL. In the NFL, you cannot win without a good quarterback. You definitely cannot win a Super Bowl without a franchise quality quarterback. Therefore, I think the question of who is the most important cornerstone of a franchise is one that cannot be argued.
It is the quarterback. Some people will argue that a tackle is more important to a franchise than a quarterback, but there is no way that the statistics back up that up. A quarterback touches the ball every single offensive snap of the game (allowing for direct RB snaps and wildcat formation plays). A left tackle is also on the field every offensive play of the game, but they do not have nearly the same amount of responsibilities, or nearly as much effect on the offense. If the Left Tackle is performing poorly, run the ball to the other side of the line, or give him help blocking. If the quarterback is performing poorly, there are not a lot of backup options. He has to throw the ball by himself, nobody can help him throw it.
For this reason, and several others, I consider Peyton Manning to be the most important player in the National Football League. Without him, the Colts would not have a fighting chance in the AFC South. If Curtis Painter, the current Colts backup, was under center for the 2010 season, I have no doubts that Indianapolis would be tied with Buffalo for the worst record in the league. You may argue that the Colts offensive weapons would be enough to coax a few wins out of their personnel. I disagree. Joseph Addai rushes for less than 100 ypg even when he is paired with the most dangerous passing game in the NFL. If the quarterback was not dependable, opponents would expect running in running situations, which they cannot when Manning is under center. I could go on, but I think the evidence is overwhelming. The quarterback position is the most important in football, with no exceptions.
Give me your thoughts and opinions.
I spent a little time a few weeks ago talking about Franchise players on an NBA team. It is debatable whether a guard or a center is the best choice to anchor your franchise. However, the debate is much less polarizing in the NFL. In the NFL, you cannot win without a good quarterback. You definitely cannot win a Super Bowl without a franchise quality quarterback. Therefore, I think the question of who is the most important cornerstone of a franchise is one that cannot be argued.
It is the quarterback. Some people will argue that a tackle is more important to a franchise than a quarterback, but there is no way that the statistics back up that up. A quarterback touches the ball every single offensive snap of the game (allowing for direct RB snaps and wildcat formation plays). A left tackle is also on the field every offensive play of the game, but they do not have nearly the same amount of responsibilities, or nearly as much effect on the offense. If the Left Tackle is performing poorly, run the ball to the other side of the line, or give him help blocking. If the quarterback is performing poorly, there are not a lot of backup options. He has to throw the ball by himself, nobody can help him throw it.
For this reason, and several others, I consider Peyton Manning to be the most important player in the National Football League. Without him, the Colts would not have a fighting chance in the AFC South. If Curtis Painter, the current Colts backup, was under center for the 2010 season, I have no doubts that Indianapolis would be tied with Buffalo for the worst record in the league. You may argue that the Colts offensive weapons would be enough to coax a few wins out of their personnel. I disagree. Joseph Addai rushes for less than 100 ypg even when he is paired with the most dangerous passing game in the NFL. If the quarterback was not dependable, opponents would expect running in running situations, which they cannot when Manning is under center. I could go on, but I think the evidence is overwhelming. The quarterback position is the most important in football, with no exceptions.
Give me your thoughts and opinions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)