Players of the Year : Early picks

The 2015 season hasn't even started yet, but there are already frontrunners for the player of the year awards. I thought it would be fun to make picks at the start of the season, middle of the season, and then of course again at the end of the season. Let's jump in!

Offensive rookie of the year: Amari Cooper. Sorry, I'm not convinced that it's going to be Jameis or Mariota...I'm just not sold on either one (at least not yet). Amari Cooper, however? I believe he boosts the Raiders from winning 2/3 games a season, to winning 6/7 games a season. No, he doesn't make the Raiders a Super Bowl or even playoff team, but he will definitely give opposing secondaries a hard time. 

Defensive rookie of the year: Randy Gregory. I'm not even kidding, I used refer to Randy Gregory as "the gem that fell to the second round." With good reason, though, as he did get into some trouble earlier this year. Still, all of that aside, Randy Gregory will fill the hole in the Cowboys' pass rush while Greg Hardy serves his much too short, 4 game suspension. If you need further convincing as to why Gregory is already a frontrunner for DROTY, just check out some of his game film from his time at Nebraska...so good it's almost scary. 

Offensive player of the year: Antonio Brown or Andrew Luck. I honestly cannot narrow it down to just 1. Antonio Brown will again, dominate the WR position this season; but Andrew Luck just seems to get better and better every season. And look at that receiving corp he's surrounded by...it's almost childish how talented it is. I could make a case for either Luck or Brown to win OPOTY...but right now, it's just too close to tell. 

Defensive player of the year: JJ Watt. Come on, you had to see it coming. There is just not a better defensive player in the NFL right now, than JJ Watt. Enough said. 

Comeback player of the year: Eric Berry. An all-time favorite of mine. It was hard not to love the guy before, but now that he's overcome and returning from a hard-fought battle with cancer, it's almost impossible to not want to see Berry dominate the league at his position again, and also win every award/honor possible. 

Breakout player: Blake Bortles or Jordan Matthews. No, the Jags will not be going to the playoffs this year...they probably won't even win more than 7 games. But you can bet that Blake Bortles will make a huge leap at the quarterback position. You can expect a few more touchdowns, one or two fewer interceptions, and a couple comeback, game-winning drives from Bortles. I think this season we really get a glimpse at how good Blake Bortles can and will be in the NFL. Jordan Matthews has big shoes to fill. Considering one of Philly's finest, Jeremy Maclin, is now in Kansas City, someone has to take over and pick up that slack. Matthews is that guy. 

Coach of the year: Mike Zimmer. Love what Zimmer is doing in Minnesota, and I cannot wait to see what this season brings for the Vikings. I love the direction they are headed and I think Mike Zimmer was the perfect fit for head coach. Just what the Vikings needed. 

Surprise teams that will miss the playoffs this year: 49ers (not a surprise, I know), Panthers (just don't see them making a postseason run, this year), Broncos (sorry, a Gary Kubiak-led team without one of their best offensive players, Julius Thomas, just doesn't scream 'playoffs' to me). 

That is all for now. 

As always, Go Patriots! 

Inside a Patriots fan's head: week 1

With only 1 day left until NFL football officially returns, and the Patriots kick off their 2015 season...as the reigning champs, I must add...I'm all sorts of mixed emotions. Excited is the biggest one, of course! But also...just like every season...I'm anxious, nervous, jittery, slightly confused (but i stay confused. hahaha), but mostly, I'm freaking excited. And ready to watch Brady and my Patriots destroy every team we play this season. 

With all of that being said, I thought I would take it upon myself to give everyone a little inside look into the minds of *diehard* Patriots fans across the world, as our season opener is quickly approaching. 

Ehem, I now present: thoughts running through every Pats fans mind - week 1 edition:

• "I basically spend my entire life wondering what exactly Belichick is doing. But hey, in Bill I trust." --- this especially ran through my mind when I saw that we cut Jonas Gray, yesterday. I was literally scratching my head, but then I decided that if Coach says we don't need him, we don't need him.
• "Let's make bets on what the first offensive play-call of the season is going to be...think like McDaniel's everyone! Run on 1st & 10, run on 2nd & 9, and deep pass on 3rd & 2...sounds about right." --- very McDaniels - like .
• "Please don't let Gronk get hurt this season, please don't let Gronk get hurt this season, please don't let Gronk get hurt this season." --- I mean does this one even need an explanation? Let's bubble wrap him before every game this season.
• "All I want for Christmas is a Patriots Super Bowl win. And 53 jerseys, one for every player on the roster." --- this is literally me, and surely I'm not alone. 
• "I'm finally able to go a couple days without crying because Wilfork isn't a Patriots anymore...it's tough, though. *wipes a tear*" --- gonna miss the big man in New England but I know he will absolutely tear it up in Houston. 
• "Ughhh, we still have Josh McDaniels?" --- don't even try to lie and say that you don't want Bill O'Brien back as offensive coordinator. But hey, let's cut McDaniel's some slack...I mean we did just win the Super Bowl. 
• "I wonder who Brady is gonna throw his first pass of the season, to...Gronk, Gronk, orrr maybe Gronk?" --- ya know, because everyone says Brady always forces it to Gronk? Hahaha
• "I can't wait to them raise that Championship banner. The Lombardi is finally back where it belongs." --- plus, it's probably the only time we see Belichick smile this whole season. Enjoy it while we can, PatsNation. 

As always, go Patriots! 

I'm baaaack...and so is football, baby!

After a ridiculously long break...hiatus? offseason? whatever you wanna call it...I'm back! 
And in perfect time, too. I mean have you seen the cuts and roster moves being made around the NFL?! Making my head spin, you guys.

Now, for me to sit here and talk about every single cut and/or trade that surprised me, we would be here for like 3 days...because do you know how much I can talk about football?

Anyway, to kick things off again, let's start with the 4 cuts that surprised me the most, and left me scratching my head:

1. Tim Tebow, released by the Eagles. Now, to say that I honestly did not see this one coming would be a lie. I do not agree with this move at all, though, because hello, did anyone see the preseason performances he had?? He looked absolutely brilliant in Chip Kelly's offense...ya know the offensive scheme where he's trying to turn the NFL Philadelphia Eagles into the NCAA Oregon Ducks? But anyway, that's another post for another day. And hey, whatever works, ya know. But...Tim Tebow deserved a spot on that 53 man roster and trust me, I firmly believe that in about 4 - 5 weeks, if not sooner, the Eagles organization will regret cutting Tebow and keeping Sanchez. Tim Tebow not only fit into Kelly's offense incredibly well, he also brought a different vibe to the team, creating a different attitude and atmosphere...one that only boosted the Eagles, and during the preseason, made them look like legit contenders for a deep postseason run. I won't say that Tebow made the Eagles Super Bowl contenders...not this season, anyway...but over the next couple seasons? Absolutely. Look at how well he did in the preseason. A year or two of experience with that receiving corp and offensive line, to mesh and create chemistry? You can't tell me that wouldn't have been scary...unfortunately the good guys always get the short end of the stick. In Tebow's case, it almost feels like no matter what he does or where he goes, he will never be given the chance to make a final 53 man roster as a quarterback. No, he does not want to be used only for special plays and wildcat formations...he wants to be able to do what he did in Florida, and what he did in Denver...and do it even better. And believe me, he could and would. Best of luck to Tebow. Hopefully some team gives him the chance he honestly deserves and he absolutely exceeds all expectations. Good luck, man. 
2. Jonas Gray, cut by my Pats. So when I got the notification about this cut, my reaction was kind of like: "um, excuse me what?" in a typical, dumb blonde, valley girl voice. So let's get this straight; no LeGarrette Blount for our regular season opener vs Pittsburgh...no Stevan Ridley because he's a Jet now (gross), annnd not even Shane Vereen to fall back on, because he's now a Giant (seriously, did anyone else just get sick, too?). I guess we can survive one week with James White, but when he wasn't in Belichick's doghouse, Jonas Gray was running all over opposing teams. I mean he was literally abusing defenses around the league. So this cut came as a surprise to me to say the least. I can't say I like it, or even agree with it, but obviously the Pats have a plan. Let's goooo.
3. Devon Still, released by the Bengals. This one broke my heart, on more than just simply a football level. By now, everyone is aware of Devon's daughter, Leah's, battle with cancer. Over the past two seasons, Leah and Devon have captured the hearts of millions of football fans across the world. Leah's unfortunate disease keeps her in and out of doctor's offices and hospital rooms. Still is a good football player and can tear up the defensive tackle position, perfect fit for a team lacking aggression and needing that spark on defense. 
4. Redskins' decision to keep RGIII. This was a highly questionable decision to me. We know for a fact that Kirk Cousins is starting in Washington this season, not RGIII; and it's pretty obvious Jay Gruden wants to move on from RGIII, who is injury prone, and in my opinion, doesn't fit in Washington's scheme anymore. Sure, he looked good and led the Redskins to the playoffs in his rookie season...but what has he done since then? Defenses picked up on his playing style, and injuries have plagued RGIII all throughout his NFL career...personally, I think it's in Washington's best interest to part ways with RGII, whether it's via trade or just flat out cutting him. Does this mean RGII can't and won't be successful playing with another team in the NFL? Not at all. In fact, maybe he goes to a different team, wins the starting role, and absolutely dominates. I just don't see that happening in Washington. (seriously, how was Tebow cut and RGII not? Man the NFL gives me headaches.)

Basically, absolutely nothing should come as a surprise in the NFL anymore. Every season around this time, gives us further proof that literally anything is possible. But at the end of the day, every day,  football still has my heart...and my undivided attention...and a lot of my money...annnd yeah. Basically, football is my life and it's been that way for the past 10 years and that will probably never change. 

So glad to be back writing and I cannot wait to get back to posting more often. BUT...most importantly...I cannot wait to watch Tom Brady and Co. tear it up this season. 

As always, GO PATS. (man did i miss that.)