Saturday Scare

College football is back. That means a brand new season of picks, analysis, and the weekly saturday scare. My upset watch. This college football season we will also have a weekly radio show on blogger radio.com. Search sports spin on the bar at the top. Its time to get started.

The year's first saturday scare comes from the primetime game this week. #3 Oregon vs #4 LSU. Things look really bad for Les Miles and the Tigers. Jordan Jefferson is not exactly what you would call an offensive monster, but at the same time he is a senior leader. Jarret Lee will take Jefferson's place. Lee is a 5th year senior, and I think is a better option for LSU against Oregon. The Tiger's #1 concern has to be the loss of wide out Russell Shepperd. The explosiveness at receiver and on special teams. You look at this match up now, and it appears LSU does not have a chance. But, since when was winning games with offense been the way things have been done at LSU? This is a loaded veteran defense, especially at linebacker. They start 2 seniors as the MIKE and SAM. This defense has the potential to really slow down the Ducks high powered offense. As we saw last year, the Ducks struggle when they are held to a low number of point. Spencer Ware at running back has the potential to have a huge game. This Ducks D has a lot of holes. LSU will have to make the most of every opportunity they get, because no matter what defense goes up against Oregon, it only becomes a matter of time before the points start raining from the Ducks.-Josh Neighbors

NFC West Predictions

The NFC West had one team in the playoffs last year, the 7-9 Seahawks. Once again this division is up for grabs. Here are our predictions for the truley wild west.
Josh Neighbors 4th: Seattle Seahawks: Pete Carrol’s crew has taken multiple steps back this off-season. They have lost Matt Hassleback and have signed Tavaris Jackson. This offense is better suited running the option with Lynch at tailback. Jackson struggled majorly against The Chargers the other night. They added Sydeny Rice at a very expensive price. He is a good vertical threat, but this young offensive line will not give Jackson enough time or him to effectively throw the longball.  Aaron Curry must grow into the defensive leader after the loss of Lofa Tutupu. This team has some serious work to be done.
Connor Jones 4th, Seattle Seahawks: Where should I begin? Seattle made multiple head scratching moves during this years free-agency period. It started with the signing of Tavaris Jackson. Personally, I have seen enough of this guy and I do not believe he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Now I could be wrong, this division is up for grabs and could go anyone teams way. The second surprising move was the signing of Sydney Rice, Rice is a good receiver but he was WAY overpaid but Seattle. Five years and 43 million dollars!!?? Oh yea, also they lost the best thing that has ever happened to their franchise in Matt Hasslebeck.
Josh Neighbors 3rd: San Fransisco 49ers: Last year was supposed to be the year. And I do think the 49ers could easily win this division when I look at the talent on the roster. But, Alex Smith has not showed me enough. Coach Harbaugh travels 45 minutes from Palo Alto to San Fransisco to take over the 49ers, so his comfort level could be boosted. But, anytime a coach comes from college and goes to a professional team it usually takes time for the team to find success. The receiving core has some very good personal, Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, and new addition Braylin Edwards. The always steady Frank Gore is in the backfield. With San Fransisco’s quarterback situation, more pressure is placed on Frank Gore to succeed. This could be an issue with his ailing hip. On defense, well its Patrick Willis. The new acquisition of Carlos Rogers will help this secondary. This team has potential to win the division, but the QB position is their downfall.
Connor Jones 3rd, San Francisco 49ers: I believe 3rd place will go to the San Francisco 49ers. This would be a disapointing finish for a team that has a new head coach in Jim Harbaugh and is still sticking with Alex Smith at quarterback. They will rely on another big year from Frank Gore. Teams they face will consistently put eight guys in the box to force Alex Smith to throw the ball. Smith should have enough weapons on the outside to have an open man, they have Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan and newly added Braylon Edwards. Patrick Willis is a great defensive leader who will have another big season. If Alex Smith has an average season leading this team they will win the division, I do not trust him to do it.
Josh Neighbors 2nd: St Louis Rams: Sam Bradford is on the right track in St. Louis. In his first two seasons Bradford has shown steady improvement, game by game. Let’s not forget that his #1 receiver Donnie Avery was out for the entire 2010-2011 season. Stephen Jackson is in the backfield once again for the Rams, which opens up the passing game nicely. Chris Long is developing into a good D lineman and had 8.5 sacks last season. This line also adds Robert Quinn from North Carolina. Seeing Quinn play several times, I can tell you he brings a lot to the table and has potential to be one of the most dominant D-lineman in the league. St. Louis has a tough schedule, but I think they will be able to weather the storm... Weather but not fully succeed. Games against Philly, at NYG, Baltimore, at Green Bay and Pittsburgh. Bradford is going to be a great quarterback, but this is not St. Louis’s year. Look for the to be around .500.
Connor Jones 2nd: St. Louis Rams: St. Louis was one road win at Seattle from making the playoffs last year and once again believe they can make them this year. St. Louis has young quarterback Sam Bradford who is developing into a top 8 quarterback in this league. They have top 5 power runner back in Stephen Jackson so they should be able to run and throw the football again this year. St. Louis should be about equal to what they were last year but with tough road games at the Giants, Green Bay, Dallas, Arizona and Pittsburgh St. Louis will have a 7-9 season.
Josh Neighbors 1st: Arizona Cardinals: Jones has done all of his predictions before me, and I think this is the first time we have agreed top to bottom. Now looking back on it, i can tell you the Giants will not win the NFC East. That prediction was made in June before they made all these moves. Mike Missanelli from ESPN radio Philly told me they were going to make a bunch of moves because Andy Reid’s job is on the line this year... I guess I should have listened to him. I am getting sidetracked though. The Arizona Cardinals will once again be in the playoffs. I have never been a Kevin Kolb fan, and I did not believe he would rise and become one of the elite QB’s in the NFL. But, in Arizona, under Ken Wizenhunt, he has a fresh start and talent all over the place.  At Tight end he has season veteran Tod Heap, and that is also good news for running back Beanie Wells. Heap is known as a great blocker on the end. Larry Fitzgerald is at wide out as usual. Kolb will make sure he takes full advantage of him on the outside. Early Doucet is the #2 receiver, he is 6,0 but he brings ridiculous speed. He is a very explosive target as well. On defense they have a solid player in each tier. Up front it is Darnell Docket. At line backers, its 13 year veteran Joey Porter. And in the secondary, it is rookie Patrick Peterson who I am incredibly high on. Look for him to be returning some kicks as well. Arizona has a very solid team this year.
Connor Jones 1st: Arizona Cardinals: Now, here are some true upgrades. Arizona has a starting quarterback in Kevin Kolb something they did not have all of last season. Someone who can get the ball to star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. They drafted corner back Patrick Peterson and with Adrian Wilson he should boost their secondary. Arizona also drafted running back Ryan Williams and along with Beanie Wells they should be able to run the ball as well as pass. The signing of veteran Todd Heap the pressure will be off Larry Fitzgerald and they will have another leader. With these brilliant signings, Arizona will be back in the playoffs.

Change With A Smile

German soccer legend Jurgen Klinsmann has just taken over as the newest United States men's soccer coach. Klinsmann has been named coach in attempt to re-energize this team. And in his debut against Mexico he did not dissapoint. Although the US did not win the friendly, there were signs of mass improvement. A late goal by Robbie Rodgers held Mexico to a draw, and Klinsmann made his mark on his debut as head coach.
Klinsmann has already had huge success as a coach. He lead Germany to a third place finish in the 2006 World Cup. His success as a player and international manager is what has an impact on the players and coaching staff. The US is hinting that they don’t want to just make a run in the World Cup, but to win one. To do so the style of play needed a change, and Klnsmann has brough a positive one.
The timing of the coaching switch was convenient due to the fact the Mexico match up was upcoming, and World Cup qualifying is on the horizon. Klinsmann has plenty of time to implement his new style of play, a 4-2-3-1 as opposed to Bob Bradley’s 4-4-3.

Klinsmann has also shown that he is going to feel out the team to make his new starting lineup. He showed us this as he started Eddie Buddle against Mexico, which was Buddle’s first time playing in an international match since the World Cup. Another thing that was a great move by the German was letting Landon Donavon have more freedom and create plays. Once Clint Dempsy and Jozy Altidore rejoin the squad, That attack has the potential to be very lethal.

The United States’s next match will be against Costa Rica on September 2nd, which will be yet another test for Klinsmann and his squad. A sense of urgency surrounds the US team, but Klinsmann seems very relaxed and is telling his guys just to go out and have fun with it. Not only are the US players going to have fun, but watching them play is going to be fun. This 4-2-3-1 is a fast paced, ball pressuring system.  It will be interesting to see how they do against teams that thrive off of their speed.

The United States knew it was time for a change, and it looks like the change to Klinsmann was the right one. And the fans agree. Klinsmann walked off Lincoln Financial Field on Wednsday night hearing his name being chanted very loudly by the red white and blue faithful.-Hugo Thaxter

NFC South Predictions

This is a division that featured three teams over .500, two of which made the playoffs. Three teams will once again be in contention for the playoffs in this division. This is a division that is loaded at the quarterback position, and some really good young guns.

Josh Neighbors 4th: Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton is not the answer to all of Carolina's problems. Steve Smith is a great wide receiver on a terrible team. Johnathon Stewart is developing into a strong running back. The offensive pieces are there, but with a somewhat shortened training camp and a rookie QB, things will be rough this year. This defense alacks some serious pieces, as they only held teams under 20 points twice last season.

Connor Jones4th: Carolina Panthers: This one does not need to much explaining. Carolina was horrible last year. They did get Cam Newton with the number one overall pick but he will not help the get out of the cellar this year. I do believe Carolina is heading in a good direction. They started this process by re-signing some of their top players from last years team including running back DeAngelo Williams and line backer James Anderson. The Panthers also signed undrafted free agent Kendric Burney a corner back from North Carolina. Burney is a real talent, the only reason he was not drafted because of his off the field problems at North Carolina. With these additions, Carolina could win three or four more games than they did last year.

Josh Neighbors 3rd:  Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I am very high on Josh Freeman. In his 2nd year he threw 25 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions, and lead the Bucs to a 10-6 season. Mike Williams caught 11 of those TD’s last year. Sammie Stroughter is showing much improvement and will develop into a great target for Freeman. Legarrette had over 1,000 yards last year. The defense is just as young as the offense with the exception of Ronde Barber. That is the teams downfall. Bucs fans just wait for 2 or 3 years, you will be in the playoffs.

Connor Jones3rd: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay will not be the average 3rd place team in a division. The only reason they are stuck in the back half of the division is because the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints are in this division. And Josh Freeman is not the average 3rd place quarterback in a division and this is only because Matt Ryan and Drew Brees are in this division. The Bucs will be strong on offense with 1,000 yard rusher Legarrette Blunt and 25 touchdown thrower Josh Freeman. Tampa will compete for the wild card once again this season and will have somewhere between 8-10 wins.

Josh Neighbors 2nd: New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees leads this offense that in my mind has no big name receiver. The addition of Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram at running back will really help Drew Brees. Even as a rookie I think Ingram’s work ethic is inspiring to veterans as well as other young players. Defensively, this secondary is loaded. Right to left you have Tracy Porter, Roman Harper, Darren Sharper, and Jabari Greer. I am not saying the Saints are getting worse..... The Falcons are just getting better.

Connor Jones 2nd: Atlanta Falcons: Atlanta will come in second place and win a wild card this year. Young stud quarterback Matt Ryan will lead them to double-digit wins once again. The Falcons will rely on running back Michael Turner to help give them an attack in the air as well as on the ground. They added a weapon on the outside in Julio Jones who should work well along side Roddy White. This team has proven they are ready to win and ready to win now and I believe they will enact these plans this year.

Josh Neighbors 1st: Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan is not a kid anymore. For the Atlanta Falcons, the time is now. Michael Turner is the most physical running back in the league. Roddie White is one of the biggest freaks at the wide receiver position, and the Falcons are only getting stronger with the addition Julio Jones. Tony Gonzalez is a rock at the tight end position. The pieces are there for Matt Ryan and I think he can utilize them well enough to win the division. Oh yeah, that defense is not to bad either. Mike Smith is coaching the team with the most well rounded offense int he entire league, and I think that will win this division in the 2011-2012 season.

Connor Jones 1st: New Orleans Saints: Those off-season workouts are going to pay off. Drew Brees is like a . Tim Tebow with more talent. He will once again spread the ball around and have six players with a least five touchdowns. New Orleans is strong in all aspects of the offensive game, they do not rely on one wide out to carry them instead they let everyone get in on the action. They have brought in running back Darren Sproles to boost the ground game and have brought in veteran center Olin Kreutz to boost the offensive line. The Saints are motivated and are back to fight for their second championship in three years.

NFC North Predictions

NFC North Picks

The NFC Championship last year featured two teams from this division, and my Super Bowl favorite comes from this division as well. This could easily be the strongest division in the NFC this year.

Connor Jones 4th: Detroit Lions: Detroit should be an improved team this year with the draft picks of Nick Fairley, Titus Young and Mikel Leshoure. This team will be strong on the defensive line and should generate a good pass rush. They have good weapons on the outside being lead by Calvin Johnson. Once again, an improved Detroit team should have fans there excited but this team is at least one year away.

Josh Neighbors 4th: Minnesota Vikings: After seeing what Donavan McNabb was not capable of last year with my Washington Redskins, I believe at age 34 he will not be able to be productive with an offense that is broken at most skill positions. Bernard Berrian is 30, and a shell of his old self. Percy Harvin is too small to be the #1 receiver on any team and is still haunted by migraines. Adrian Peterson is a great player, but when you have entire teams gamep planning to stop you and you alone, things get difficult. Defensively is Jared Allen up front, chad Greenway at Linebacker, and Asher Allen in the secondary. Not terrible, but not good enough to be a contender for the division.

Connor Jones 3rd: Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota is a team that will be streaky at best this year. They bring in a motivated Donavan McNabb to help tutor Christian Ponder and win games for Minnesota. D Mac had a miserable year last year in Washington where he made mistakes not expected from a veteran. But this year he should most likely to be able to lead this team to an 8-8 season.

Josh Neighbors 3rd: Detroit Lions: To be completely honest I feel like I could put the Lions at 2nd. They easily have the best front 4 in the entire league. Kyle Vanden Bosch brings the experience, Suh has already proven to be a force to be reckoned with, Fairley no doubt is going to have an instant impact, and Corey Williams had 37 tackles last year and is the worst player on this line. That is one helluva line. Alphonso Smith has been inconsistent at corner.  Matt Stafford has a huge target in Calvin Johnson to throw to. Jahvid Best gets the RB job eventually I think, but that is the weak point on this offense. Too bad they are in such a tough division.

Connor Jones 2nd. Chicago Bears: Wow, speaking of motivation, Jay Cutler should be motivated. Last year his will to win and his toughness were questioned when he left the NFC championship game. Personally, I would not feel comfortable with Cutler leading my team but he should have a strong season. Chicago should win at least 9 games with my prediction being a 10-6 season.

Josh Neighbors 2nd: Chicago Bears: I was a Jay Cutler critic. He proved me wrong. Who knows, maybe it actually was the offensive line’s fault. Tough to place the blame on the guys that make it all happen. Anyway, this team is reloaded. Forte and Hester are great offensive options. The Bears could easily win this division......offensive line is the problem, once again sorry guys. You cannot let your quarterback get sacked 52 times. Israel Idonije and Julias Peppers anchor down the D-line. Briggs and Urlacher at linebacker. Tillman in the secondary. On defense its going to be business as usual for this team. That spells trouble for the rest of this division.

Connor Jones1st: Green Bay Packers: The Super Bowl champs will once again win their division. Aaron Rodgers, the best young quarterback in the league, will lead his team back to the post season. Now remember, Green Bay won the super bowl with 15 guys on the IR last year so what is that going to make them this year? BETTER. With one key addition this year being Ryan Grant. Last year, Green Bay had to do lots of mixing and matching to find a running back on a weekly basis. The defense should be top five this season. They will be lead by Corner Back Charles Woodson and Line Backer Clay Matthews. Matthews has 23.5 sacks in two seasons which is a ton. Green Bay will win there division and compete for another super bowl.

Josh Neighbors 1st: Green Bay Packers: What is so scary about this team is that they did what they did, with the significant number of injuries they had. It is just testament to the determination and will power demonstrated by this team and Aaron Rodgers. Lucky for him now Ryan Grant is back and he no longer has to do it alone. Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, and Donald Driver have all developed into options for Rodgers at any time in the game. BJ Raji anchors the front four. AJ Hawk and of course Clay Mathews at linebacker. This defense is stacked in the secondary with Charles Woodson and Nick Collins. Tramon Williams has also developed into a skilled corner. The Pack is back, and are a heavy favorite for the back to back.

No doubt abaut it

Jose Bautista has emerged as the one of the American League's premiere sluggers. The casual baseball fan looks to steroids as an explanation for his sudden rise. The real source in this mans great power has been a change in mechanics. Bautista has always had the build, and the potential to be a powerful hitter. he is just now tapping into his abilities at age 30. Last year Jose Bautista adjusted his swing to where he was started stepping into pitches earlier. His back right foot is closer to home plate, and his hands are positioned a tad higher on the bat. The result has been tremendous. Bautista's biggest year before this change was in 2006 with the Pirates where he had 15 homeruns and 63 RBI. In 2010 he had 54 homeruns and 124 RBI. This year he has 31 homeruns and 65 RBI. He is on pace for another huge year, and if you look at his body throughout his career he has been the same since he entered the league. It is sad that the first thought most fans have is that Bautista is using performance enhancing drugs. In all reality, this is just one case of many where a swing change makes a huge difference. As a baseball player, I go through the same thing, constantly adjusting my swing. Most hitters struggle to find a good consistent stroke, but when they do. There are fireworks.-Josh Neighbors

The not so new guy

On August 28, 2008 an entire stadium was hushed. The West End of Richmond Virginia held their collective breath with anticipation and concern. Russel Wilson lay on the ground face down and still. Russel Wilson went to Collegiate High School located on the West End(my high school). We all watched as the kid who had brought us back to back state championships, the kid who had become a rock star on campuss, the kid who's leadership qualities were unquestioned, the kid seemed invincible lay on the ground motionless. Suddenly, the pride was washed away and a sense of panic took over. Russel was taken off the field, South Carolina handed NC State a 34-0 lashing to start off the college football season. We thought our pride and joy would not be playing college football anymore. Who could have guessed that 3 years, 8454 passing yards, and 93 total touchdowns later, we would see Russel Wilson being the most sought after QB in the country. Wilson had to choose between Wisconsin and Auburn, and he chose Bucky Badger, making them the favorite in the Big 10 and a National Championship contender. There is no doubt Russel was a great Quarterback at NC State, but at Wisconsin Wilson can create a storybook ending to a fantastic college career.

     Wilson will get to start his senior season where his college career began, on Thursday night prime time. The Badgers start their 2011 campaign at home against UNLV to kick off the 2011 season. The Badgers first real test will be 5 games in against Nebraska in Madison. Besides this game the Big 10 is not particularly strong this year. This Badgers team is not a one man show, as this backfield is loaded. James White and Montee Ball are going to be getting a lot of touches in Brent Bielma's run first system. Wilson also has Nick Toon who is a great weapon on the outside. The Wisconsin defense is always tough and will keep opponents numbers low, while Wilson and the high powered offense should poor it on offensively. We will learn more about this Wisconsin team as the season approaches, but right now Russel Wilson is giving Badger Nation a lot to Jump Around about.-Josh Neighbors