Trouble in New York

After having their playoff hopes crushed by Miami,

the Jets look forward, sit Sanchez

Jonathan Thompson

     The New York Jets watched their playoff chances slide away Monday in a 14-10 loss to Miami. The Jets (6-8) needed to win out to even have a shot of making the playoffs.
    
     New York faced lots of controversy this season after acquiring Tim Tebow in the off-season, but then not playing him much at the quarterback position.

     Now, with the season pretty much over for the Jets, Sanchez has been benched, but not for Tebow. Second-year quarterback from Alabama Greg McElroy will start his first NFL game when New York plays the San Diego Chargers this Sunday.

     This move brings lots of questions for Jet fans and Tim Tebow fans. Why even sign Tebow if the Jets aren't going to use him? Overall, I'd say yes, this was a bad acquisition by the Jets. Rex Ryan had his quarterback in Mark Sanchez, and in Ryan's defense, Sanchez probably was the better quarterback.

      So why not start Tebow now? There are three main things to take into consideration when thinking about this.

      First, the season is over. For the first time in five years, week-16 doesn't matter for the Jets, and not in the good, let's rest our players because we're in, type of matter. They're out. They are 6-8 and their record reflects their team this year.

      Next, Sanchez has proven he's not a quarterback capable of leading the Jets to where they want to go. His turnovers are too costly and he's not consistently good enough to be a top-caliber quarterback in the NFL. It's time for the Jets and Sanchez to part ways and that's probably what will happen.
 
      Finally, with Sanchez most likely out of the picture, the Jets face the decision of who to replace him. This is easy, right? Tebow's a winner and you signed this guy for a reason. Wrong. Tebow isn't a franchise quarterback. He's a guy you have to plan your whole offense around and if he's injured, consider your season over. That's why Denver didn't want him, and that's why the Jets have already given the reigns to McElroy.

     It will be seen if the Jets made the right choice in McElroy, but Tebow just isn't the guy for the job. He's a great competitor and he is a winner, but the Jets need more than that.

     That being said, don't expect McElroy to light it up Sunday, or the week after that. It's going to be  a process. The Jets are a long way away from being elite, but they just might be moving in the right direction.

Best in the West?

The Thunder and Clippers put together double-digit win streaks, but who's really the best team in the West?

Jonathan Thompson

                The Western Conference has been the highlight of drama for the NBA in a very quiet start of the season.

                The new, high-powered Los Angeles Lakers haven’t seen much of the high or the power. The Lakers are two games below .500 at 12-14, and are currently 12^th in the West.

                While it’s probably too early to point out that the Lakers wouldn’t make the playoffs if they started today, it’s not too early for Laker fans to be concerned. The Lakers got rid of a coach and the “Princeton offense,” but for whom? Mike D’Antoni?  Don’t get me wrong, D’Antoni’s a good coach. But if he couldn’t get it done in New York, I don’t think he’ll have much more luck in Los Angeles.

                Let’s not look too much into the Lakers early season blues, though. They’ll make the playoffs and probably get to the second round depending on the matchup, but there is a new king in Los Angeles.

                The Los Angeles Clippers have won 11 straight, now the longest current streak thanks to the Thunder’s loss to the Timberwolves tonight. The Clippers are getting it done with some surprising defense in the West, and of course, are third in assist in the league.

                The Clippers are second behind the Thunder, and have been playing good team basketball. Not too much noise concerning the Clippers around the league, which seems the way to go right now.

                Another team adopting the” all business” style seems to be the Harden-less Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder faced a lot of questions and criticism after trading away Harden, but their 12 game win streak seemed to quiet the critics.

                The real answer for the Thunder has to be a ring, though. They reached the Finals with Harden, so not too many people will be satisfied with or convinced of their regular season record. Still, OKC is definitely one of the best in the West, if not all the NBA.

                One “all business” team that may be of concern has to be the San Antonio Spurs. The commissioner was wrong for fining the Spurs, but not much can be said for Parker and Duncan’s Halloween costume scandal. Still, the Spurs are fourth in the West and are in good position for another title run.

                So who is the best in the West? Right now, I’d say OKC. They’re playing well and playing their basketball. They aren’t doing anything special and that’s important. The second spot is up for grabs. Of course the Clippers own that spot right now after winning 11 straight, but Memphis and San Antonio can compete with them at any time. The true prize is playoff position and the best playoff matchups. The NBA has been uneventful so far this season, but every game is still important on the road to the playoffs.

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Alabama primed to repeat



AJ McCarron calls out signals for Alabama's offense. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Image
 

Alabama allowed Georgia to stick around, but the Fighting Irish shouldn't expect the same in Miami.

Jonathan Thompson

     Alabama defeated a stubborn Georgia team Saturday afternoon 32-28. Although Alabama won, Georgia outplayed them.

    Alabama missed blocks, turned the ball over, and played unlike the Nick Saban team we're used to seeing.

     All that being said, they did what good teams do best; find ways to win. Now, Nick Saban will be able to do what he does best; coach.

     Georgia's a  good team. Anyone will tell you that. In fact, "Georgia is a great team," according to Saban. But they couldn't find a way to win. They had their shots, they just couldn't get it done.

     As for Alabama, they have a lot to fix. They have to have better blocking on pass rushes. They have to take care of the ball. They also have to work on stopping the two-minute drill on defense. But Alabama won, and they're in the hunt to repeat as BCS National Champions.

     Lets move into Notre Dame's mindset. All of these mistakes by Alabama should give Notre Dame confidence, right? Wrong. Now Nick Saban has a month and six days until the BCS Championship. Don't think Nick Saban will let any of these mishaps slide.

     He'll jump on them, fix them, and make his players better. They'll come out sharp against Notre Dame, and they'll need to. Notre Dame is a good team built around one of the best defenses in the land, but it's going to take a perfect game from Notre Dame to even contend.

     That being said, even Monte Te'o won't be enough to stop Alabama's top tier running backs. Alabama's defense will cause the Fighting Irish problems, too. It will be a good game, but Alabama played their championship, and they won.

    There's a reason the SEC has won six straight titles. There's nothing except Alabama themselves keeping the SEC from getting to seven.

Arkansas has options

Arkansas AD with tough decision, but many options

Lashedric Dailey

 

              With Les Miles getting an extension and a raise, there is no way that he will be headed to Arkansas any time soon. And even with Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart making it clear that he is not leaving Nick Saban’s side; I still think that there are plenty coaches available for the Hogs to pick from. Here is a list of five coaches the Razorbacks should look at:

 

5.)                Starting the list is ex-Hog and Arkansas State head coach Gus Malzahn. Malzahn is an offensive master mind, and not many people can tell you in detail how to attack the power house Alabama defense. Malzahn did that and he has already been a coordinator for the Hogs. Jeff Long could decide to bring him back. The big question I have is will Malzahn be able to bring the defensive recruits to make Arkansas a winning program in the SEC.

4.)                Louisville Head coach Charlie Strong. Strong has turned Louisville into a good football program this year. They are 9-2 and playing for the BIG East Championship. I like Strong for a number of reasons. First, he has SEC experience, being the defensive coordinator at South Carolina from 1999-2001 and the defensive coordinator at Florida from 2002-2009. Strong is also from Arkansas, and went to college in Arkansas. This is a coach Jeff Long should take a long look at.

 

3.)                Oklahoma State Head coach Mike Grundy. He’s a great pick to me because Grundy is one of

the best offensive coaches in college football. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are a high powered, offensive team, like Hog fans have been used to watching these past years. With Grundy, the Razorbacks would be a very high scoring team, which would appeal well to young recruits.
                 

2.)                TCU head coach Gary Patterson. Patterson is a winner. That’s what he does, and that’s what TCU is known for. He is 116-34 as head coach for TCU. I think that Arkansas can be beneficial to Patterson in that there’s a school in the SEC, and that he could finally get his shot at a National championship. Patterson would bring to Arkansas a very strong Texas recruiting pipeline. This could be a great fit.

 

1.)   John Gruden, ESPN analyst and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach. This is my number one pick because Gruden has something that all the other coaches don’t: a super bowl ring. Nothing speaks to a top recruit more than a coach that can get them pro ready. This could be the move that makes Arkansas a power house.  

NFL Mock Draft

 Lashedric Dailey

With the NFL playoff picture becoming clearer and clearer and the regular season coming to a close, we can now tell the teams that are out of playoff contention. It's time to start focusing less about winning on the field, and shift their focus to winning in the off season.

1.) Kansas City - West Virginia Geno Smith QB: One thing is for sure, Matt Cassle and Brady Quinn aren't going to get any better. It's time for a franchise quarterback in Kansas City and Geno is that guy. 

2.) Jacksonville Jaguars -Georgia Jarvis Jones LB: I think its too early to hang up on Blane Gabbert, so I think the Jaguars will improve their defense by taking Jarvis Jones. He's the best defensive player in the draft, and the Jaguars need him.

3.) Oakland Raiders - Virginia Tech Logan Thomas QB: I know that the Raiders have Carson Palmer, but its been two years and they haven't made any progress in the AFC West. Thomas has a rocket arm and there's nothing but upside; the sky is the limit with him.

4.) Cleveland Browns - Notre Dame Manti Te'o LB: After drafting Trent Richardson and Brandon Weedon, I can't see the Browns taking any offensive players. I think the take Notre Dame star, who is the best line backer available in a very weak class, Manti Te'o and D'qwell Jackson will be a duo to be reckoned with.

5.) Eagles - Texas A&M Luke Joeckel OT: The Eagles need offensive linemen and Joeckel was on the best tackles in the nation last year and did a great job of keeping SEC defenders off of Johnny Football.

6.) Carolina Panthers - Utah Star Lotulelei DT: Lotulelei is 6-4 and 320 pounds. That's the size Ron Rivera needs at defensive tackle to stop the run, which the Panthers haven't been too good at doing this year.

7.) Buffalo Bills - USC Matt Barkley QB: Buddy Nix, the Bill's general manger, said he plans on drafting a franchise quarterback this off season. Fitts Magic seems to be wearing off in Buffalo.

8.) San Diego Chargers - Mississippi State Johnathan Banks CB: The Super Charges have a super problem this off season. Quentin Jammer and Antoie Cason are both free agents this off season. Banks is the best corner in this class with spectacular coverage skills and ball hawking ability. The Chargers cant go wrong with Banks.

9.) New York Jets - LSU Sam Montgomery DE: The Jets defense needs help getting to the quarterback, and Wilkerson can't do it all by his self. It doesn't matter how good your secondary is, if there isn't any one putting heat on the quarter back.

10.) Tennessee Titans - Texas Alex Oakfor DE/LB: Oakfor is a top tier pass rusher in collage football, and the Titan's need depth at the position. Oakfor can get to the quarterback, stop the run, and play a huge role in the Titans defense. He is also versatile and can play outside linebacker as well.     

The BCS got it right... kind of

The BCS finally worked this year, thanks to ineligible Ohio State

Jonathan Thompson

       After much debate of the BCS system, and many years of postseason controversy, the BCS finally will have the right two teams in the National Championship.

         
      Notre Dame achieved a berth in the National Championship game after completing a perfect 12-0 season. That’s what it’s about in College Football, a perfect season. Of course, a perfect season only counts as long as you play a challenging schedule, but Notre Dame has passed that test.

       Some people debate that Florida is a one-loss SEC team, so why don’t they deserve a spot. Well, it’s pretty simple. Georgia beat Florida, and no matter what, Georgia has proven they’re better than Florida. They deserve their shot at the title, if they can beat Alabama. If Alabama beats Georgia, they beat a team better than Florida so the Gators still don’t have a good case even if they haven’t played the Crimson Tide.

         
      So yes, the BCS worked well this year, almost like it worked itself into its own little playoff. However, the BCS did catch a break.

         
     There were two undefeated teams this year in Division I Football. Ohio State, just like Notre Dame, ran the table at 12-0 and are currently 4 in the AP poll. If Ohio State wasn’t ineligible, what happens then? Does a one-loss SEC team get the benefit of the doubt since the SEC has won six straight titles? Or do the two undefeated schools match up to see who can have the perfect season?

         
     It’s hard to say either one is the correct scenario, but this is where the BCS has messed up. A playoff system is necessary among many other things in the NCAA, and thankfully they are moving in that direction. Until then, we can be thankful for an ineligible Ohio State, and two deserving teams in the National Championship.

NFL Week 12

Week 12 Wrap-Up

With Week 12 in the books, here's what we know about the NFL

Jonathan Thompson

     To start off, we believe this weekend confirmed that four coaches will be out of a job by the end of the season. Andy Reid of Philadelphia, Sand Diego's Norv Turner, Kansas City's Romeo Crennel, and of course Dallas' Jason Garrett.

     Andy Reid losing to Carolina, a 2-8 team entering the game Monday, made it clear his position was in jeopardy. Norv Turner lost his job when Ray Rice ran for thirty yards on a 4th and 29 screen pass from Flacco. And not winning a game at Arrowhead doesn't exactly give you much reason to coach the Chiefs anymore if you're Crennel. Jason Garrett is in the best position, if you can call it that, because the NFC East is still up for grabs. Losing to divisional rival Washington on Thanksgiving, however, hurt their chances.

     With those out of the way, two more are on the hot seat. Buffalo's Chan Gailey and also, as if the Jets haven't had enough attention, New York's Rex Ryan might be on the move after a very disappointing season.
    
     Moving on, the Seahawks might have seen their season start to slip away after losing to Miami on a game-winning field goal from Dan Carpenter. Not only did Seattle lose their game on Sunday, they also lost their two starting corner backs. Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner were suspended four games after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. Seattle is built around their defense and they might see their playoff hopes drift farther away if these suspensions hold up.

     Quickly now, we see the Ravens becoming the king of the AFC North as injuries have turned Pittsburgh for the worst. The Rams continue to see their stock rise as a young defense has a strong showing. The Arizona Cardinals, on the other hand, have lost seven straight with no signs of stopping in the near future.

    Detroit continues to be a disappointment after losing by three to Houston and drop to a 4-7 record and last place in the NFC North. The Texans, on the other hand, find their defense starting to look a little vulnerable after shaky wins against Jacksonville and Detroit, giving up 34 points per game.
 
     The Giants turned it on under the lights against Green Bay Sunday night, winning 38-10. The real question will be if Tom Coughlin can keep the Giants winning in the last stretch of the season.

     Usually good teams don't make quarterback changes in the middle of the season, but that's exactly what Jim Harbaugh and San Francisco did replacing Alex Smith with Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick seems like the right choice after getting the win in New Orleans, but lets face it, the Saints defense isn't exactly top-notch.

     New Orleans had gained some momentum after their horrendous start, but San Francisco ruined the mid-season momentum the Saints were gaining for the last half.

     The Falcons received criticism for barely defeating Tampa Bay, but a win is a win and a 10-1 record speaks for itself.

     In the home stretch now as we finish the Week 12 Wrap-up, lets focus on the first and second draft picks. The Colts and Andrew Luck continue to win and climb into playoff position with a 7-4 record. RG III had another fantasy day against the Cowboys to give Washington fans a happy Thanksgiving win.

     Thanksgiving Week always delivers great football and such was the case for Week 12. Keep a heads up for our key matchups later this week.

Notre Dame paves path to National Title

Associated Press/Danny Moloshok - Notre Dame running back Theo Riddick celebrates after Notre Dame defeated Southern California 22-13 in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, in Los Angeles. …more (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)

Notre Dame prevails in LA, now on to Miami

 

The Fighting Irish earned a spot in the National Championship with their win over USC

Jonathan Thompson

     Notre Dame (12-0) allowed Southern California (7-5, 5-4) to hang around Saturday night in Los Angeles, but the Fighting Irish were able to hang on, on their way to a 22-13 victory.
    
    Notre Dame is no stranger to close scares this season, winning five games by seven or less. The Irish escaped Southern California with a two-score advantage, but a huge relief came over third-year coach Brian Kelly as his team completed a perfect regular season.

     The Fighting Irish are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the National Championship game in Miami on Jan. 7. Now, Notre Dame  just has to wait to see who they will face.

    With the latest BCS Rankings released, it seems as the second spot in the championship game will be determined by the winner of the SEC Championship this week between the third ranked Georgia Bulldogs (11-1, 7-1) against the second ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1, 7-1).

     Either way, the SEC will be playing for its seventh consecutive national championship.

     Notre Dame has answered any criticism given to them this season going 12-0 and finding ways to win, but the challenge of a SEC defense seems to loom large on those who still doubt the Irish.

    The Fighting Irish offense will be a question facing the SEC Champion, but their defense deserves recognition, too. Not once, not twice, but six times they stopped USC on goal line stands in the fourth quarter to secure the game Saturday night.

    Monti Te'o made his case for The Heisman and no matter what anyone says, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have made it to the National Championship, and deservedly so.