Friday, August 8, 2014

NFC South Preview


We’ve been previewing the 2014 NFL season one division at a time. We’ve gone through seven of the eight divisions already, so be sure to recap our blogs from the last couple weeks. Today though, let’s finish them up with the NFC South.

NFC South

Division Winner: New Orleans Saints

Division Cellar: Carolina Panthers

Other Playoff Teams: None

1. New Orleans Saints
2. Atlanta Falcons (Andrew) or Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Greg)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Andrew) or Atlanta Falcons (Greg)
4. Carolina Panthers

Andrew – This was a division that sent two teams to the playoffs last season. The funny thing is, I think this will be an improved division overall, but there will just be one playoff team this time around. The Saints obviously have an electric offense, but with the addition of Jairus Byrd, they now boast an intimidating defense. That’s why they’ll emerge on top. Atlanta will challenge them, now that Julio Jones and Roddy White are healthy. The offensive and defensive lines are much better on paper now too. Tampa Bay improved this offseason as much as any team in the league. With Lovie Smith leading the way, they could make some noise as well. Then there is Carolina, the 2013 division champs. They had a bad offseason, losing key pieces and failing to make a big impact through free agency or the draft. That’s why they may end up finishing at the bottom.

Greg – The Saints should be fully recovered from last season now, and as long as Drew Brees stays healthy, they should be able to win another division championship. The biggest surprise this season should be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as they should be markedly improved on both offense and defense under Lovie Smith. The Falcons return to health, but has their window passed? A will Carolina be a one-year wonder?

Preseason Division Awards

Offensive MVP: Drew Brees (New Orleans) – This was a no brainer, as Brees is a lock to put up huge numbers in a pass happy system. The Saints clearly own the best offense in the division, and he’s the reason.

Defensive MVP: Cameron Jordan (New Orleans) or Luke Kuechly (Carolina) – Kuechly is the bigger name here and will almost certainly dominate again this season. That’s why Greg picked him. Andrew didn’t however, as he’ll be playing for a last place team. That’s why Andrew picked Cameron Jordan, who will dominate on the defensive line for the Saints. Other options were Jairus Byrd and Michael Johnson.

Rookies to Watch: Mike Evans (Tampa Bay), Kelvin Benjamin (Carolina), Brandin Cooks (New Orleans), Ra’Shede Hageman

Free Agents to Watch: Jairus Byrd (New Orleans), Josh McCown (Tampa Bay), Tyson Jackson (Atlanta), Michael Johnson (Tampa Bay)

By: The Sports Guys

Thursday, August 7, 2014

NFC North Preview


Last week, the Sports Guys previewed the AFC. Now it’s time to turn our attention to the NFC, the stronger of the two conferences. We’re halfway through after covering the East and the West, so let’s go now to the NFC North.

NFC North

Division Winner: Green Bay Packers/Chicago Bears

Division Cellar: Minnesota Vikings

Other Playoff Teams: Chicago Bears – Wildcard #2 or Green Bay Packers – Wildcard #2

1. Green Bay Packers (Greg) or Chicago Bears (Andrew)
2. Chicago Bears (Greg) or Green Bay Packers (Andrew)
3. Detroit Lions
4. Minnesota Vikings

Andrew – This is another loaded division as the Bears and Packers could be among the elite teams in football. I also love the Lions potential and think Minnesota could be much improved. Minnesota is likely a few years away though as Teddy Bridgewater will need to adjust to the NFL. The Lions will improve and fight for the playoffs, but I think inconsistency dooms them in the end. That leaves the fierce rivals Green Bay and Chicago at the top. I’m biased a little, but I have faith that Coach Trestman will continue to get Cutler to reach his potential. I also think that Jay can actually stay healthy this year with improved training this past offseason. That, along with the vastly improved defense, will get them past Green Bay… I hope.

Greg – This division should come down to the same two teams that it did last year: Bears and Packers. However, if Jim Caldwell can instill some discipline in the Lions, they can challenge either team in terms of pure talent. Even the Vikings should improve if they have the guts to allow Bridgewater to play right away. If Julius Peppers returns to form for one year, the Packers defense will benefit in a huge way. In the same vein, Jared Allen, Lamar Houston, and the many other additions the Bears made in the offseason to their defense should help the unit to be at least on par with their offense (lofty expectations coming from Chicago AKA “Chiraq”). The Lions addition of Golden Tate should take some of the coverage off of Calvin Johnson, and the development of Eric Ebron could do more of the same. Teddy Bridgewater should be the starter in Minnesota. All reports out of camp are extremely positive about him. Should be a fun division to watch.

Preseason Division Awards

Offensive MVP: Jay Cutler (Chicago) or Matt Forte (Chicago) – Coach Trestman’s offense tore it up in year one as the Bears became one of the best scoring teams in the league. We believe it will happen again as Andrew thinks Cutler will lead the charge, and Greg sides with Forte. Either way, the Bears should make some noise and score some points.

Defensive MVP: Ndamukong Suh (Detroit) – Despite his antics, Suh is one of the most dominant players in the league, on either side of the ball. He straight up disrupts opponents on the line, whether it’s blowing up the running game or getting after the QB. He’ll likely rule the division again this year.

Rookies to Watch: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Green Bay), Teddy Bridgewater (Minnesota), Kyle Fuller (Chicago), Eric Ebron (Detroit)

Free Agents to Watch: Jared Allen (Chicago), Julius Peppers (Green Bay), Golden Tate (Detroit), Lamarr Houston (Chicago)

By: The Sports Guys

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

PGA Championship


The summer is always when the PGA tour really takes off. Suddenly though, the golfing year is entering their big finish. This week is the last major of the year, the PGA Championship, which will be held at Valhalla. Soon the FedEx Cup Playoffs will be underway too. Then, the Ryder Cup. Exciting stuff!

Today, we’ll just stick to our normal preview:

Key Holes at Valhalla

#2 – “The Ridge” – After a generous opening hole, this par 4 is daunting at roughly 500 yards. Water, bunkers, and trees line the fairway and surround the green. Par is a great score here.

#6 – “The Bear” – Similar to the second hole, this beast of a par 4 plays nearly 500 yards. What makes this hole different is the complex green with a deep bunker on the left and a shaved run off to the right.

#7 – “Players Pick” – As the name indicates, this is a risk/reward hole. There is a split fairway that can make the hole shorter, but it brings water and rough well into play. The other route though clearly makes it a three shot hole. This is also the only par 5 on the front, so players will feel pressure to perform.

#13 – “The Island” – This is a short par 4, but the green is an island which makes it both fun and challenging. Accuracy will rule the day here, particularly with the short iron approach.

#16/#18 – “Down the Stretch” and “Gahm Over” are the key finishing holes, as both are long and challenging. The difference is that 18 is a par 5, so it does allow an opportunity to birdie.

Pick 5 Challenge

For those who are not familiar, for many PGA Tour evens we pick 5 players that we think will do well. Greg leads the tight race this year 488 to 478. We gave each contestant freedom to choose any five players they wish.

Greg's Picks

Rory McIlroy
Sergio Garcia
Adam Scott
Marc Leishman
Jim Furyk

Andrew's Picks

Rory McIlroy
Adam Scott
Rickie Fowler
Justin Rose
Phil Mickelson

Tiger Woods

While it hasn’t been announced, most assume Tiger Woods will not play this week after once again having back trouble (although he’s practicing today). He’ll miss the Fedex Cup and will likely then miss the Ryder Cup as well. The question we ask is: Will he ever win another major?

Greg – No, he won’t. Tiger continues to be riddled with injuries year after year, in some important parts of the body. Suddenly, he’s also fairly old now and is quickly running out of time. I know golfers can age well and still win in their 40’s, but recently it’s the younger guys that have dominated.

Andrew – I’ve said yes to this question for many years, ever since the doubting started. I’m seriously questioning it now (my head is telling me no), but I’m stubborn so I’ll still say yes. He needs to get fully healthy, get his putting back on track, and put the driver away. He should take the rest of the year off resting and working on his game. That way he’ll be ready to roll in 2015.

Intriguing Pairings

Here are three I love:

Bubba Watson/Martin Kaymer/Rory McIlroy – The three major champs in 2014 will be playing together as they typically do at the PGA Championship. Rory in particular is on top of the golfing world after retaking #1 in the world rankings from Adam Scott.

Adam Scott/Jordan Spieth/Lee Westwood – Speaking of Scott, he’s anxious to take back #1 this week. Spieth is one of my favorite young players on the verge of big things, and Westwood is the best player never to win a major. Can it happen now?

Matt Kuchar/Louis Oosthuizen/Justin Rose – The only non-major champion here is Kuchar, but he’s one of the most consistent performers on tour. Likely, someone from this group will seriously be in the mix this weekend, and potentially all three.

Like always, let us know your thoughts. Feel free to pick five guys yourself and compete against us. Let us know what you are looking forward to. And don't miss the action, particularly on Sunday afternoon. Enjoy!

By: The Sports Guys

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

NFC West Preview


Last week, the Sports Guys previewed the AFC. Now it’s time to turn our attention to the NFC, the stronger of the two conferences. We started yesterday with the NFC East, now we’ll flip it and cover the NFC West… Home of the Super Bowl Champions!

NFC West

Division Winner: San Francisco 49ers

Division Cellar: St. Louis Rams

Other Playoff Teams: Seattle Seahawks (Both) – Wildcard #1

1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. St. Louis Rams

Andrew – This is a tough division to predict, as this is the best division in football. San Francisco and Seattle are two of the best teams in the league. Arizona is another very good team that could make the playoffs. And St. Louis is a team on the rise that I love as a sleeper this season. What holds the Rams back is a consistent offense. Arizona is built similarly to the top teams, but don’t have as much talent yet. San Fran will beat out Seattle due to more weapons overall on offense.

Greg – This is without question the best division in football this season. The defending Super Bowl Champs did get appreciably worse this year on offense, but the defense should still be the hallmark of their team. The 49ers will be right there this season as well, but the question marks for them are actually on defense. The Cardinals should have made the playoffs last season with a 10-6 record, but just missed out. I'm not sure they can replicate that performance. Jeff Fisher's Rams are hoping the division crown is based upon the level of media frenzy around the teams, as theirs is by far the most after the addition of Michael Sam in the draft.

Preseason Division Awards

Offensive MVP: Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco) – We both agree that Kaep has the best chance to lead his team to the division title. He’s surrounded by a bunch of weapons, especially compared to the other teams in the division. He just got paid in a big way, now it’s time to back it up.

Defensive MVP: Richard Sherman (Seattle) and Patrick Peterson (Arizona) – Just like the Twitter battle these two have online, we are in disagreement as well. Andrew likes Sherman, who frankly takes WR’s out of games. Greg likes Peterson, who is much more of a playmaker. Both are very good and among the best in football, so this is a battle that will be fun to watch.

Rookies to Watch: Aaron Donald (St. Louis), John Brown (Arizona), Paul Richardson (Seattle), Carolos Hyde (San Francisco)

Free Agents to Watch: Jared Veldheer (Arizona), Antonio Cromartie (Arizona), Antoine Bethea (San Francisco), Kenny Britt (St. Louis)

By: The Sports Guys