Will it Last?

How many times do we see a team or a player exceed expectations in a football game and we think, there is no way that can last?  That player is either too young or not that good.  That team had an easy week or the ball just bounced their way.  Most times it does not last, but every so often those early signs are premonitions of what is to come.  In this weekly column we will look at 3 players and 3 teams who jumped out and ask the question: Will it last?

Players

1. Chris Wells:   While Arizona is on the verge of being in last place in the NFC West, fans can’t fault Chris Wells.  Wells has 79 carries for 381 yards, and 6 touchdowns.  He is averaging 4.8 yards per carry.  He is on pace for around 250 carries, 1200 yards, and 18 touchdowns.  Not too bad considering the team he is on.  I expect similar number all season long as long as he stays healthy.  I am glad he is doing well since I thought he was an elite RB our of college.  Will last all season long depending on his health.

… [visit site to read more]

Fantasy Football: Phillip Rivers where are the touchdowns? - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?

Every year quarterbacks are ranked. Sometimes they are ranked in lists like you will see below, but other times they are ranked in echelons in the minds of fans, players, and football executives. Some quarterbacks are ranked “elite”. The “elite” group is comprised of the very best. They are true winners and leaders of their respective teams. The next group are the “very good” quarterbacks. They are the ones that are just below the “elite” group. Close to elite, but not quite there. They have great skills and have the respect of their teammates as well as other players around the league. Below the “very good” group are the “good/solid” quarterbacks. They have skills necessary to win, but there are usually questions that are keeping them from ascending the list. Each year there are players who perform well and analysts talk about whether they are “elite” quarterbacks. This off season, that man was Super Bowl winning QB Aaron Rodgers. After Rodgers won the Super Bowl, analysts were asking whether he was an “elite” quarterback. Many think he is while some think he will be very soon. It’s all up to personal interpretation With that said, here is my interpretation as to who are the Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks.

10. Matt Schaub
Schaub is an underrated quarterback because he plays for the Texans who have yet to find playoff success, but if his defense ever improved, he has the skills to take the Texans to the Super Bowl. He’s thrown for 4,000+ yards and 24+ touchdowns the last 2 years. Since becoming a starter for the Texans, he’s never dipped below 63% completion percentage. He’s also had a 90+ QB rating since becoming a starter. Schaub is a quarterback to keep your eye on. He’s already very good and with the Texans defense on the rise, he is bound to start entering the “elite” talk sooner rather then later.

9. Matt Ryan
After suffering through the Mike Vick fiasco, Atlanta moved firmly into the Matt Ryan era and has not looked back. Ryan is a young quarterback who is quickly approaching “elite” status as the Falcons continue to move towards the top of the NFC. Last year, Ryan had his best year throwing 3,705 yards, 28 touchdowns and just 9 interceptions leading the Falcons to a 13-3 record and a 1st round bye. His team lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, but Ryan is still a quarterback on the rise and a Super Bowl appearance would likely vault him to “elite” status like Rodgers.

… [visit site to read more]

Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

tehnorati.com

Drafttek lent us Brett Stott their Chargers analyst to answer a few questions for us about the Chargers and hte draft.

1). What are the Chargers Biggest needs?

3 words – defense, defense, defense.  The Chargers need a player (or two) at every level of the defense. 

The biggest need is at defensive end, where the 2010 starting combination of Luis Castillo and Jacques Cesaire were arguably the worst starting tandem in the league.  Castillo has never really lived up to the immense expectations piled on after he signed his big extension, but he is still more than serviceable and does not appear in jeopardy of losing his starting job. Jacques Cesaire is aging and seems to be on the decline (despite what the stats suggest).  A young, penetrating 5-technique would do wonders for the Chargers defensive line.

After that, they need an outside linebacker opposite Shaun Phillips unless they think the light magically goes on for Larry English this year.  They could also add some strength and athleticism at inside linebacker.  Provided Eric Weddle stays, a starting safety with some range would be a great addition opposite him. 

With 5 picks in the first 3 rounds, I wouldn’t be surprised if 4 of them are on the defensive side of the ball. 

… [visit site to read more]

Get to Know the Chargers: Interview with Brett Stott of Drafttek - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

… [visit site to read more]

Updated AFC West Team Needs: 12/01/10 - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

1. Atlanta Falcons – Atlanta will move down when they stop winning.  Until then they look to be as good as any team out there, and solid in all phases of the game.

.

2.  New England Patriots – Tom Brady is starting to show his fiery self again and will no doubt be ready to go against the trash talking Jets this weekend.

.

3.  New York Jets – The Jets are in third here because of the 9-2 teams I trust their QB the least.  They can gain some separation and show what they are made of by sweeping their New England series this weekend.

.

4.  Baltimore Ravens – The Baltimore Ravens are good.  We will know how good when they play Pittsburgh this coming weekend.

.

5.  New Orleans Saints – The Saints are showing why they were Super Bowl champs last season.  They snuck by Dallas on Thanksgiving and have had a long week to prepare for a struggling Bengals team.

.

6.  Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles have been brought back to earth after they drubbed the Redskins, but Michael Vick is still playing great and this team has as many playmakers as any team in the league.

.

7.  San Diego Chargers – Is there a hotter team in football in November and December?  You would think a team in a warm climate would struggle in the cold but Phillip Rivers has this team on his shoulders.  Once again we ask…is this the year the Chargers break through?

8. Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers played their best team football the 4 weeks Big Ben was suspended.  Since his return they have won but have not looked great.  A big test awaits them this week against Baltimore.

.

9.  Chicago Bears – Their defense is fantastic and is carrying this team.  That could come in handy down the stretch and come playoff time.  Their offense is their weakness but at 8-3 who is complaining.

.

10.  Green Bay Packers – Obviously pretty banged up the Packers are getting better and despite a loss this last weekend to Atlanta are a team with a stud QB that no one wants to play.

.

… [visit site to read more]

NFL Power Ranking: Week 13 - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

 Green Bay Packers (7-3) at Atlanta Falcons (8-2): After a tumultuous beginning to the season the Packers are back on track while knocking out their opponent’s coaches at a weekly rate.  They now take their NFL leading defense (Average 14.6 points against) into Atlanta to play one of the league’s top quarterbacks in Matt Ryan. Ryan has had a tremendous season and has a 92.9 quarterback rating to show for his efforts as he routinely connects with his favorite target TE Tony Gonzales. So how do I see this game? Although the Falcons have been a wonderful story for the NFL this season they will hit their wall this Sunday against the Packers. The Packers are on a 4 game winning streak and are fresh off the beating they unleashed on their rival Minnesota Vikings. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers will have a steady day with 23 completions on 31 attempts for 270-yards and 2 touchdowns. While his counterpart QB Ryan will have 17 completions on 42 attempts for 189-yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Ryan will be running all day long from a relentless defense as the Packers will win 31-17.

To read more of Jesse Zamarripa visit www.sportsbyjesse.com

… [visit site to read more]

Week 12 Bold Predictions - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

1.  Baltimore Ravens (6-2)  Baltimore took care of the Dolphins at home and stopped Miami’s four game road winning streak.  They appear to be the best the NFL has to offer, but this season that isn’t a vote of much confidence.

.

2.  New York Giants (6-2) The Giants put on a clinic against Charlie Whitehurst and the Seahawks.  There is no doubt now that they are the best the NFC has to offer at this point and
.

3.  New York Jets (6-2) Big win for the Jets against the Lions.  They didn’t play well enough for three and a half quarters to deserve to win, but made plays when they needed to and cashed in on their opportunities.

.

4.  Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) The Steelers are winning games but they aren’t looking very dominate in doing so.  They capitalized on Cincinnati’s mistakes Monday but was unable to win convincingly

.

5.  New England Patriots (6-2)  New England looked absolutely terrible against a tough Browns team.  Tom Brady was off all day and the defense forgot it was Sunday.  Peyton Hillis had a field day running all over the Patriots defense.  The Patriots will need to regroup before next Sundays showdown with the Steelers

6.  Atlanta Falcons (6-2) Atlanta won another divisional game and Matt Ryan looks unbeatable at home.  The Falcons are definitely in the conversation for the best team in the NFC half way through the season.

.

7.  New Orleans Saints (6-3)  The Saints took care of the Steelers and then turned around and finished off Carolina with ease.  They don’t look like they have the same swagger they had last season, but the Saints have not had a Super Bowl letdown yet this season.

8.  Green Bay Packers (5-3)  Green Bay put on a show against a miserable Cowboys team and look to be one of the NFC’s best.  The question surrounding Green Bay is whether or not they are healthy enough to finish the season on a positive note.
.

9.  Philadelphia Eagles (5-3)  Big win for Michael Vick and the Eagles against Manning and the Colts.  Vick is likely playing his way to a lucrative contract after the season with his decision making and ability to create plays with his feet.

.

10.  Indianapolis Colts (5-3) Peyton and company had a chance in Philadelphia late, but they couldn’t pull off the victory.  The loss of Anthony Gonzalez to IR and a concussion to Austin Collie were to much for the Colts to overcome.  Manning has done amazing things with very little talent around him, but it may be catching up to the Colts now.

… [visit site to read more]

Updated NFL Power Rankings: Week 10 - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Updated Team Needs: AFC West - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

NFL Team Needs: AFC West - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football