Months Overdue

I am sorry everyone.  There has been no post on either blog since DECEMBER (for Sports) and NOVEMBER (for News Outlet).  Fall Semester ended and winter break has passed.  Readjusting to school has been a difficult feat seeing that I have joined my University's Radio Station!  I am so excited for the opportunity to be doing a morning show but yes it does take away from these blogs and staying up late at night.  But thats not here nor there...it is time to step my game up and continue to create posts for everyone through both of the current blogs and possible future expansion blogs.  STAY TUNED!

Shanahan Hurts Mystique of Redskins HC Job

As we all know by now, Mike Shanahan has altered how people look at the Head Coaching position of the Washington Redskins.  The attraction of the job has come from the likes George Allen, Vince Lombardi (all be it for one season), and Joe Gibbs. All Redskins fans hoped in January of 2010 that Mike Shanahan would add to the list of Hall Of Fame Coaches for the team.

After inheriting the debacle that was a Jim Zorn team, Shanahan would have trouble but the fans knew he could turn it around because of his track record.  His first pick as head coach was Left Tackle Trent Williams, a very solid selection for a team that could not keep its quarterbacks upright.  Shanahan also acquired QB Donovan McNabb from the Eagles for a 2nd round pick.  Things looked bright as the season started but the team finished 6-10 and benched McNabb by the end of the season in favor of Rex Grossman and John Beck.  Oh yeah and don't forget about the drama that was the "Albert Haynesworth conditioning test."

2011 for Mike Shanahan didn't pan out as expected either.  Grossman, Beck, Grossman, Beck, Grossman? Mike believed that one of these quarterbacks would be the answer in Washington.  NOPE.  Both men failed to make huge strides and got the team to a dismal 5-11 record.  But the team picked LB Ryan Kerrigan in the 1st round and versatile RB Roy Helu in the 4th.

That 5-11 record rewarded the Redskins with 6th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.  BUT WAIT!!! The mortgage of the future had arrived when the team made a trade with the St. Louis Rams who had the 2nd overall selection.  Along with the swapping of 1st rounders in 2012, the Rams also collected the Skins 2012 2nd round pick and the 2013 1st round pick... AND committed highway robbery when they secured the 2014 1st round pick from the Redskins as well.

Yet, all seemed ok in Washington after former Bayler QB Robert Griffin III was taken 2nd Overall behind Andrew Luck and RB Alfred Morris was taken with the 173rd pick (the 6th round).  Robert went on to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award while leading the Redskins to an NFC East Championship and the playoffs.

That is when things changed for Washington.  After RGIII tore his ACL in the playoff loss to the Seahawks, everything seemed to be crashing in.  "All in for week one" was the phrase used by Griffin to let the nations capital know that their quarterback would be back to start the season.  

All seemed lost after the 0-3 start for the Redskins. "Should RGIII have been benched?" "Does Kirk Cousins give the Redskins a better chance at winning?"

Mike Shanahan waited until after week 14 to announce Kirk Cousins would be the starter for the final three games in order to "keep Robert healthy and let him have an offseason."  The team finished 3-13 and EVERYONE knew Shanahan was all but done. 

Shanahan was fired 11 days ago and yesterday, the Washington Redskins hired the 29th head coach in team history in Jay Gruden, younger brother of ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden.  It's time for yet another "new era" in Washington.

Is There Such a Thing as MISSING PICKS?

Unfortunately college takes a toll on a mans life.  I have not submitted my NBA Picks for a week and I feel weird not doing so.  BUT rather instead of me giving picks for the week I missed, and getting judged for making picks based on the already completed results, I will just continue picking the games once I get the chance to update everything.

This Thursday is Jam-Packed for All Football Fans

Tonight..2 AP Top 10 matchups to go along with the Thursday Night NFL game.  So tonight is definitely a football kind of night.

The first of the 2 matchups is (10) Oklahoma at (6) Baylor.  Baylor averages 63.9 points...let me say that again, they AVERAGE 63.9 PPG. Yikes! That is enough for me to say Baylor will win the game tonight, even if it is a shootout between the teams.

The second matchup has (3) Oregon traveling to (5) Stanford.  This top 5 matchup is one that everyone is looking at as to see who will strengthen their bid for a National Championship.  The winner will surely be in the Top 3 (or in the Ducks case, stay at 3rd in the poll depending on what happens to Florida State). Marcus Mariota will either make himself the top QB prospect in the 2014 NFL Draft over Teddy Bridgewater (according to Mel Kiper Jr) or will stay put as the second QB.  With a win, the Ducks will improve to 9-0 and if Stanford takes the home victory, they will be 8-1.

The contrasting styles of the spread vs a pro-style offense will be the deciding factor in my mind.  Which team can get their opponent to play their style?  Which team can control the clock and still be effective scoring the ball?  Does Oregon need to slow down? Or does Stanford need to spread it out?  Everything will be answered tonight at 9 PM Eastern on ESPN.

Nov. 7th Picks

NBA PICKS
Season Record   40-30


November 7th

Clippers @ Heat
Hawks @ Nuggets
Lakers @ Rockets

See ya Later Football

John Moffitt had a bright NFL future ahead of himself when he came into the league in 2011 out of Wisconsin.  Moffitt was a 3rd round pick of the Seahawks and was traded to the Broncos in August.  He simply says he's done with football and is ready to move on to bigger and better things.  He turns down about a one million dollar salary to start anew.  Give credit to Moffitt, he was just being honest to himself.  Football is a game where it demands complete focus and drive and without the drive to succeed, there is no need to continue.  He is not the only player to quit on the game.  Hamza and Husain Abdullah quit football after the 2011 season to use their notoriety to spread a be better understanding of the Muslim faith in America.  Also, Jacob Bell (another offensive lineman) retired from football after an eight-year career citing the sudden suicide of Junior Seau as one of the main reasons for leaving the game.
So it is alright in my eyes if Moffitt wants to retire.  He doesn't love playing the game anymore, so why would you make the man continue playing?  Congrats to John Moffitt on stepping up and being upfront about his decision.

Nov. 6th Picks

NBA PICKS
Season Record   32-28


November 6th

Raptors @ Bobcats
Bulls @ Pacers
Clippers @ Magic
Wizards @ Sixers
Jazz @ Celtics
Pelicans @ Grizzlies
Cavs @ Bucks
Warriors @ Timberwolves
Suns @ Spurs
Mavs @ Thunder