Monday, September 26, 2016

Jose Fernandez : Forever in Our Hearts

Baseball lost a huge piece on Sunday morning. Marlins ace Jose Fernandez passed away tragically in a boating accident. Fernandez was just 24. He was having a CY Young type of season. Fernandez pitched to a 2.58 era and pitched to a 38-17 record during his short but brilliant career. Fernandez was an electric pitcher and a dominating player. He was always smiling and always having fun. Fernandez embodied the spirit of every little kid playing baseball just for fun. The game lost a great player. The game also lost a great personality and ambassador. The Miami area lost one of its biggest stars since Dan Marino and Dwayne Wade. The love people had for him is beautiful to see. The Marlins will retire his number and his memory will always live on. Fernandez could have been one of the best ever but unfortunately we will now just say what could have been. Fernandez will always be apart of baseball and everyone who loved him. Baseball lost a great player but Jose's family and fans lost a great person. Jose will live on through every little kid who puts on a uniform. May Jose rest in the sweetest peace.

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Fantasy Football Quarterback Ranks (Updated )


1. Cam Newton
2. Aaron Rodgers 
3. Andrew Luck 
4. Drew Brees 
5. Russell Wilson 
6. Eli Manning 
7. Ben Roethlisberger 
8. Carson Palmer 
9. Philip Rivers 
10. Tom Brady 
11. Blake Bortles 
12. Jameis Winston 
13. Derek Carr 
14. Matthew Stafford 
15. Andy Dalton 
16. Matt Ryan 
17. Kirk Cousins 
18. Marcus Mariota 
19. Joe Flacco
20. Tyrod Taylor 
21. Jay Cutler 
22. Ryan Fitzpatrick 
23. Ryan Tannehill
24. Dak Prescott 
25. Alex Smith
26. Sam Bradford 
27. Brock Osweiler 
28. Robert Griffin III
29. Blaine Gabbert 
30. Carson Wentz 
31. Trevor Semien 
32. Case Keenum 


What to Watch for This NFL Season

What to Watch for This NFL Season

1. Chances are you don't even remember that last time the Patriots played without Tom Brady. This Sunday we will see the Patriots without the best in the game Tom Brady. How different will the team look? For four weeks they probably will look very different. That being said they will be okay. I say 2-2. Good news for the rest of the league maybe but the bad news is Brady will return in week 5. He is going to be on a mission. The four game advantage the rest of the league has is nothing Brady can't handle.

2. This isn't a fantasy football column but since fantasy is a huge part of the game now many people are wondering who will have the biggest impact in your leagues. The receiver or the running back. I say it's the receivers. The amount or dominant receivers out numbers the dominating backs in the NFL. Guys like Antonio Brown , Julio Jones Deandre Hopkins and Odell Beckham will be monsters this year. But don't sleep on other guys in fantasy at the position who will have monster years. Guys like Amari Cooper , Sammy Watkins , Mike Evans and Allen Robinson will be beasts too. The thing is there's so many other guys who are going to be beasts also. That's just a few receivers but the list is huge.

3. Marcus Mariota will turn into the star we saw in college in his sophomore NFL season. Mariota's team will be much better around him and that will help the second year man. He has some better receiver play makers , two excellent running backs and a top player at tight end. It seems like he gets over looked despite being really good last year.

4. Don't forget about Jimmy Graham ! Don't forget about Victor Cruz ! They both suffered the dreaded patella tendon injury but they're both back. I don't think either them will have huge impacts right away but don't sleep on them. For Jimmy Graham I can see him being a playmaker threat down field and in the red zone for the Hawks. For Cruz I can see him putting up good numbers and being the third option behind Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard.

5. Sam Bradford is better than some of us think. Everyone loves to remind you of the struggles or the injuries in Bradford's career. However look at his excellent play  in his last four games as an Eagle last season. Look at his play in 2013. It was only 7 games but Bradford had 14 touchdowns , 4 interceptions , and 1,687 yards. I'm not saying he's going to be elite but I think he will be good for the Vikings. He's going to love having a great running back in Adrian Peterson. I also think he will do well with rookie Laquon Treadwell. The Vikings will be a playoff team.

6. Is Dak Prescott the real deal ? Many people didn't think so in the NFL draft as he fell to the fourth round but he lit it up in preseason and now he has all the hype. When Tony Romo got injured Prescott became the man in Dallas. Sunday he opens against the rival Giants and the new defense.

7. Can the new Giants defense lead them back to the playoffs ? The Giants had the worst defense in football last year. In the offseason they spent an absurd amount of money on the defense and used the first round pick on the defense. The Giants added Olivier Vernon , Snacks Harrison , Janoris Jenkins , Eli Apple and kept Jason Pierre Paul. The Giants defense does not have to be a top defense for them to make the playoffs. Don't forget about the excellent offense led by Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. If the offensive line is average like last year watch out.

8. The best division in football should be the AFC West. The Broncos don't have Peyton Manning anymore but they still have the best defense in football. The Raiders have a top defensive player in Khalil Mack to go with a monster offense with Derek Carr and Amari Cooper. The Chiefs have an excellent defense , excellent running game and consistent passing game. They could be the best team in the AFC even if no one realizes. The Chargers drafted the best defensive player in Joey Bosa and don't forget about the potential Hall of Fame duo in Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates.

9. Myles Jack fell in the draft because of a brutal college injury but he will prove that to be a mistake to all the teams that passed on him. Jack might be limited for some time but he will prove to be one of the best rookie defenders. He will win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

10. Marshawn Lynch announced his retirement during the Super Bowl. Now he's hinting he could come back. Lynch may just be talking but if he did return it could be week 4 or 5. Lynch had a down year last year so he may have the itch to return. If he returns what team would he play for ? If the Seahawks running backs play good they probably wouldn't bring him back but if they don't they might want him. Other teams would have interest too.




By Peter Vitella

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

NFL Preview


NFL Predictions 

Peter Vitella 

NFC East 
1. Giants 10-6
2. Cowboys 9-7
3. Redskins 7-9 
4. Eagles 4-12


NFC North
1. Packers 12-4 
2. Vikings 10-6
3. Bears 5-11
4. Lions 5-11 

NFC South 
1. Panthers 12-4 
2. Falcons 7-9 
3. Saints 7-9 
4. Buccaneers 6-10 


NFC West 
1. Seahawks 13-3
2. Cardinals 11-5
3. Rams 5-11 
4. 49ers 3-13 

Wild cards - Cardinals , Vikings 

NFC Playoff Picture 
Seahawks 
Panthers 
Packers 
Giants 
Cardinals 
Vikings 


AFC East 
1. Patriots 12-4
2. Jets 8-8
3. Bills 7-9
4. Dolphins 4-12 


AFC North 
1. Steelers 10-6 
2. Ravens 10-6 
3. Bengals 9-7 
4. Browns 4-12


AFC South 
1. Texans 10-6
2. Colts 8-8
3. Jaguars 7-9 
4. Titans 3-13 


AFC West 
1. Chiefs 11-5
2. Broncos 10-6
3. Raiders 9-7 
4. Chargers 6-10 


Wild cards - Broncos , Ravens 

AFC Playoff Picture 
Patriots 
Chiefs 
Steelers 
Texans
Broncos 
Ravens 


MVP - Aaron Rodgers
Offensive player of the year - Antonio Brown 
Defensive player of the year - Richard Sherman 
Offensive rookie of year - Ezekiel Elliot 
Defensive rookie of the year - Myles Jack 
Coach of the Year - Bill O'Brien 


Super Bowl - Seahawks over Chiefs 

Evan Grubin 

NFL predictions 

NFC East 
1. Giants 10-6
2. Redskins 8-8
3. Cowboys 6-10
4. Eagles 5-11


NFC North
1. Packers 13-3
2. Vikings 11-5
3. Bears 7-9
4. Lions 4-12


NFC South 
1. Panthers 12-4
2.Buccaneers 8-8
3. Saints 7-9
4. Falcons 5-11


NFC West 
1. Cardinals 13-3
2. Seahawks 11-5
3. Rams 6-10
4. 49ers 4-12


Wild cards - Seahawks , Vikings 

NFC Playoff Picture 
Cardinals
Packers
Panthers
Giants
Seahawks 
Vikings 


AFC East 
1. Jets 11-5
2. Patriots 10-6 
3. Bills 7-9
4. Dolphins 6-10


AFC North 
1. Steelers 12-4
2. Ravens 10-6 
3. Bengals 8-8
4. Browns 4-12


AFC South 
1. Texans 10-6
2.Jaguars 8-8
3. Colts6-10
4. Titans 3-13 


AFC West 
1. Chiefs 11-5
2. Broncos 10-6
3. Raiders 9-7
4. Chargers 7-9 


Wild Cards - Patriots , Ravens 

AFC Playoff Picture
Steelers
Chiefs
Jets
Texans
Patriots
Ravens


MVP - Carson Palmer
Offensive player of the year - Todd Gurley 
Defensive player of the year - J.J Watt
Offensive rookie of year - Corey Coleman
Defensive rookie of the year - Joey Bosa 
Coach of the Year - Mike Tomlin 


Super Bowl - Cardinals over Steelers 

Jordan Grubin 

NFC East 
1. Giants 9-7
2. Redskins 8-8
3. Cowboys 8-8 
4. Eagles 5-11 


NFC North
1. Packers 10-6 
2. Vikings 9-7 
3. Lions 7-9
4. Bears 6-10 


NFC South 
1. Panthers 11-5 
2. Buccaneers 9-7 
3. Falcons 8-8 
4. Saints 7-9 


NFC West 
1. Cardinals 11-5
2. Seahawks 11-5
3. 49ers 7-9
4. Rams 5-11 


Wild Cards - Seahawks , Vikings 

NFC Playoff Picture 
Cardinals 
Panthers 
Packers 
Giants 
Seahawks 
Vikings 


AFC East 
1. Jets 10-6 
2. Patriots 10-6 
3. Bills 7-9 
4. Dolphins 7-9 


AFC North 
Bengals 10-6
Steelers 8-8
Ravens 6-10 
Browns 4-12 


AFC South
1. Texans 9-7
2. Colts 7-9 
3. Jaguars 7-9 
4. Titans 6-10


AFC West 
1. Broncos 11-5 
2. Raiders 9-7
3. Chiefs 9-7 
4. Chargers 7-9 


Wild cards - Patriots , Raiders 

AFC playoff picture 
Broncos 
Jets 
Bengals 
Texans
Patriots 
Raiders 


MVP - Aaron Rodgers 
Offensive player of year - Antonio Brown 
Defensive player of year - Darrel Revis 
Offensive rookie of year - Corey Coleman 
Defensive rookie of year - Darron Lee
Coach of Year - Todd Bowles 


Super Bowl - Jets over Cardinals 

Shane Tobin 

NFC East 
1. Cowboys 9-7
2. Redskins 8-8
3. Giants 6-10
4. Eagles 3-13 


NFC North 
1. Packers 12-4
2. Vikings 10-6
3. Bears 6-10
4. Lions 3-13


NFC South 
1. Panthers 13-3
2. Buccaneers 7-9
3. Saints 6-10 
4. Falcons 5-11


NFC West 
1. Cardinals 14-2
2. Seahawks 11-5
3. Rams 6-10 
4. 49ers 2-14


Wild cards - Seahawks , Vikings 

NFC Playoff Picture 
Cardinals 
Panthers 
Packers 
Cowboys 
Seahawks 
Vikings 


AFC East 
1. Patriots 12-4
2. Jets 8-8
3. Bills 7-9
4. Dolphins 6-10


AFC North 
1. Steelers 11-5 
2. Bengals 10-6
3. Ravens 8-8
4. Browns 2-14 


AFC South 
1. Texans 10-6
2. Jaguars 9-7
3. Colts 7-9
4. Titans 4-12


AFC West 
1. Raiders 10-6
2. Broncos 9-7
3. Chiefs 8-8
4. Chargers 4-12 


Wild Cards - Broncos , Bengals 

MVP - Aaron Rodgers 
Offensive Player of year - Aaron Rodgers 
Defensive player of year - Khalil Mack 
Offensive Rookie of year - Ezekiel Elliott 
Defensive Rookie of year - Jalen Ramsey
Coach of the Year -Mike McCarthy 


Super Bowl - Patriots over Cardinals