O My! Johan Santana Signs One Year Deal with Orioles

March 4, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Can Santana make the Orioles roster?

Weeks after a workout that seemed to derail his attempt at a comeback, Johan Santana is back on a major league team. ESPN has reported that if Santana makes the 40 man roster he would get a 3 million dollar deal with upwards of 2.1 million dollars in bonuses. The 34-year-old was released by the Mets earlier this offseason after Santana after he missed the 2013 season with his second shoulder surgery. Through 12 seasons Santana has posted a 139-78 record with a 3.20 era. Despite his dominant run from 2004-2010, The last few years for Santana have been filled with injury issues that have cost him more than two full seasons. The main question is will he be able to pitch again? Earlier this spring he could barely crack 80 miles per hour in a workout. While some guys can get away with fading velocity, Santana’s whole game is based on mixing speeds. With the lack of velocity and mounting injuries, it is hard to imagine the 34-year-old Santana making the Orioles, let alone returning to his previous form. Only time will tell if the Orioles have made a good investment in the former Cy Young Award winner.

Bucs Unveil New Uniforms

March 3, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Out with the old and in with the new

Tampa Hey! The Buccaneers have just released their newest uniforms for the 2014 season. In an attempt to combine their historic past with a new future, the Bucs new threads combine the nostalgia of Tampa’s rich history into a new sleek design. First the colors. I love black. In my opinion you can almost never go wrong with black and these uniforms are no exception. The black pants and shoulders are intimidating and sleek. The focus on red and the reintroduction of the creamsicle color are also well executed. While black is the primary color other than the white on the jersey, the red and orange are great accent colors that really pop. However, I do have some issues with the Bucs new jerseys. While the home jersey has not been revealed yet, I can assume that it will the same uniform except with a red jersey instead of white there are some poor design choices. While I love the black in this uniform, there is still not enough. While there could be a black jersey too, I still think it would have been better if the Bucs decided to use a black helmet instead of the pewter color. The helmets are ok, the new logo is great but other then that they’re nothing special. They would have looked better if the were all black helmets. My other big knock on the jerseys is the numbers. True, I do give Tampa credit for trying something different. Just the style and the amount of white within the numbers make them look odd. It would have been better in a different font, or if the numbers were just a solid red without the white accents. Overall, these jerseys are overall an improvement over the Bucs previous installment. Good jerseys, but not great. Grade: B

Do you like the Buccaneers new uniforms? What was your favorite? Take our poll!

New York Jets Mock Draft (2.0) Post Combine

February 27, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Round 1: Odell Beckham Jr. WR LSU

While I would like to see the Jets take Eric Ebron from North Carolina with the first pick, with his great combine it looks like he will be off the board as a top 15 pick. If Ebron is here, he should be the pick, but I don’t see that happening. I also don’t see the top three receivers on the board at this point either, but there is still some great receivers available. While he may lack great size, Beckham makes up for it with a great ability to get open and soft hands. He is a guy that can do a lot of damage in space and can stretch the field with a 4.43 40 that he ran at the combine. Think of him as a Cecil Shorts or Desean Jackson, not a big target, but a receiver that needs to get touches in a game. If Geno Smith is going to develop the Jets need to give him some play-making receivers and Beckham would be a nice fit.

Round 2: Allen Robinson WR Penn St.

Surprised the Jets would take back to back receivers? Don’t be. It’s no secret that this is a position the Jets need to upgrade either throughout the Draft or free agency. With the rumors of Holmes and Hill on the chopping block, The Jets will have holes to fill. After picking Beckham for his speed in round one, it’s time for the Jets to get a big bodied receiver in Robinson. While he had a lackluster combine running a 4.60 40, he would still be a great value pick in round 2. While he may not have great speed, he has great hands and would be a great possession receiver. His 6’2 size and 39 inch vertical make him a third and red zone threat the Jets have desperately been lacking.

Round 3: Troy Niklas TE Notre Dame

While the wide receivers had a great combine, tight ends not named Eric Ebron struggled. With the tight ends falling in this draft the Jets may luck out in the top of the third round by getting a second round tight end in Niklas. While he won’t be an explosive tight end, he is a guy that can run across the middle and make catches. What makes him really special is that he is one of if not the best blocking tight end in this class. Given that the Jets love to run the ball so much, a tight end that can catch and block only seems to good to be true.

Round 3: Terrence Brooks: FS Florida St.

While the offense could always use another weapon here, you know Rex Ryan will need some help on defense. Brooks ran a great 4.42 40 at the combine and shows very good range in the secondary. While he may not be one of the elite safeties in this draft, he projects as a player whose range and ability to play physical man coverage fits right into Rex Ryan’s defensive scheme. A starter from day one who could help the Jets woeful secondary.

Round 4: Ross Cockrell: CB Duke

It’s no secret Rex Ryan loves to collect cornerbacks in the Draft. With the Antonio Cromartie contract situation still up in the air, it would be wise to add some depth. While he may not have the best speed, Cockrell has that size at 6’0 that the NFL is looking for in cornerbacks. Idzik had success drafting big physical corners late in the Draft in Seattle, so maybe Cockrell will be on the radar. He may struggle in zone coverage, but he is very good in man to man coverage, which the Jets utilize the most. This could be an intriguing pick who could be a solid corner in the NFL one day.

Round 5: De’Anthony Thomas: OW Oregon

It’s no question that the Jets need offensive weapons and there maybe limitless possibilities in terms of utilizing De’Anthony Thomas. While his 40 was 4.50, there is no question no player in college football was more dangerous in space then Thomas. With X factors like Percy Harvin in the league, the Jets should take a shot on Thomas. Best case scenario is he becomes an offensive weapon that can lineup at running back or receiver and can break off big plays. Worst case scenario is he becomes an explosive return man, another position the Jets are looking to upgrade.

Round 6: Aaron Lynch DE USF

While the Jets certainly don’t need another defensive end, Lynch is too enticing to pass up. at 6-6 250, he could be a great piece on defensive being able to play the stand up 3-4 outside backer or with his hand in the dirt. While his motor is a question, at this point this kind of athlete is too good to pass up. With a similar build and style to Quinton Coples, and with Coples beginning to turn the corner at linebacker, the possibility of both these pass rushers opposite one another on the Jets defense could be a nightmare for opposing offenses. There are risks here, but this is one risk the Jets should take.

Round 7: Tyler Larsen C Utah St.

While Nick Mangold has been a great center for the Jets, last season he started to show some regression. The Jets should maybe start to groom a replacement for Mangold and Larsen is a perfect fit. He’s a versatile lineman that could provide depth at guard and center. A powerful blocker that can punish in the running game who is very comfortable snapping and pass blocking. While Mangold could rebound, this would be a smart investment to have a solid backup option just in case.

Do you agree you disagree? Who do you think the Jets should draft? Like and comment below.

Break Glass: The Jets Backup Plan

February 24, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

The Jets need a backup plan

It’s no question that the quarterback position is a question mark for the New York Jets heading into the 2014 season. With the draft and free agency fast approaching the Jets have numerous possibilities to give Geno Smith competition next season. While there is speculation that the Jets may draft a quarterback in the later rounds of the draft, their best option would be to bring in a solid veteran presence. There have ben rumors that the Jets would like to bring in Michael Vick, however that would be a disaster because of his rapid decline and health issues.

The best case scenario is to bring in a veteran presence who wouldn’t threaten Geno’s starting position but would be a great substitute in case he struggles. Don’t tell me Mark Sanchez is this option, Jets’ fans want to see him nowhere near the tri-state area next season. The best option for Gang Green would be to sign free agent quarterback Josh McCown to be Geno Smith’s backup.

Worst Case scenario is that Geno struggles, but with McCown Jets could remain competitive

After a solid season in Chicago, and already drawing interest from the Jets, McCown is a perfect fit. After 8 starts where he threw for 13 touchdowns and only 1 interception, the 34 year old McCown would be a great bullpen arm for New York in case Geno Smith struggles. While he may not be a threat to take Geno’s job at first, McCown might want to come to the Jets because he thinks he can beat out Geno Smith for the starting job. Last season McCown proved he could be more than a game manager and the controversial decision to sit him and start Jay Cutler at the end of the season still haunts many Bears’ fans. True he doesn’t have the track record that screams he could be a starting quarterback, especially at this point in his career. However, if the Jets need a veteran presence for a few late drives, or to take the helm at the end of the season if the team is in playoff contention, it would be a great signing for the Jets. Hey it could be worse. Mark Sanchez could be starting again! Take our poll what do you think the Jets should do?

Buccaneers get new logo & helmet

February 21, 2014February 21, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Great new logo, but helmet could have been better

The Tampa Buccaneers are getting a makeover in 2014. Recently, the team revealed its new logo and helmet with the promise that the jerseys will be revealed soon. While the judgment of the full uniform will come later, for now we will judge the log and helmet. First, the logo. Many Bucs fans would have liked to seen the return of the original Bucco Bruce logo, including myself, but the new logo is an adaptation of the previous logo. Following the Panthers and Jaguars in recent years, the logo isn’t a major departure from the previous installment, but is more streamlined. I love how the logo is bigger with a new brighter red that really makes it pop. Now the logo with a more streamlined skull looks more fierce and realistic than the previous installment and makes it more intimidating. The logo is now more polished and looks very crisp and professional. Overall not a great departure from the previous logo, and while it’s no Bucco Bruce it works well. Grade: B+

However, while I love the updated logo, the Helmet does not receive the same praise. If you’d like to see the full 360 view of the helmet click (here). While the logo looks better, the helmet has no change except for the chrome grill. This was a missed opportunity because I think the helmets would have looked better without the shine. The recent trend of the helmets without the polished finished would have looked better and the chrome grill just makes these helmets look ridiculous. The Bucs could have tried a black helmet, which I think would not only look better, but make their logo pop even more. Grade: C

While I would have liked the Bucs to bring back a version of the Bucco Bruce logo, the new revision is an upgrade over the previous installment. The logo maybe better but the new helmet with its chrome grill and lack of change is a missed opportunity for maximizing this change for Tampa Bay. The jerseys are on the way, and we can’t wait to see what the Buccaneers will do. Take our poll! What do you think the Bucs should have done?

College Hockey Key for Hartford Whalers Return

February 14, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / 3 Comments

Quinnipiac’s rise to National Power has helped hockey grow in the Nutmeg state

In a recent interview Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy recently revealed that there are at least three groups that want to purchase an NHL franchise and relocate it to Hartford. While there are numerous obstacles such as the NHL brass and the arena situation in Hartford, one major key for a pro team to call Hartford home is actually hockey at the college level. True a new arena is a necessity despite the 35 million dollars in upgrades Malloy has said will be going into the aging XL Center, but at the end of the day it will be the interest in hockey that will get the NHL back. Arenas can be built, teams can be bought, but fan support needs to be earned.

While Governor Malloy has made it clear that a new arena is one of if not the biggest necessities for an NHL team, he believes that college hockey is the key component in making Connecticut a major hockey market. With so many professional teams in the area and minor league teams, it is a difficult sell to fans to watch the Wolf Pack in Hartford. It’s like asking college kids to have alcohol less beer at a party, not exactly a tempting offer. With the UConn

UCONN games could help build fan support

hockey team entering Hockey East next season, Malloy has said that if UConn can become a big draw in Hartford, it could be a key factor in proving that the state can support an NHL team. With the success of the Quinnipiac and Yale programs becoming key players on the national stage, if UConn can become a top tier program with drawing power, then Connecticut could be the home of some of the best college hockey in the country. If UConn can get great support, Malloy feels this will be a huge step forward in attracting the NHL back to the Insurance Capital. Malloy has been on record stating: “If you want NHL hockey back in Hartford, then you need to support UConn hockey”.

Whalers fans need to show their support

If Nutmeggers can support the three college teams on consistent basis with great attendance, that could make up for the lackluster attendance at Wolf Pack games and allow the NHL to have a franchise in Hartford. If anything, the fact that the Whalers are still being talked about despite leaving in 1997 just proves how much the franchise meant to the state. With fan trips to games, including some recent ones to Islanders games, the Whaler fans base is strong and ready for a team. Now with groups within the state bidding on other NHL

Fans? The Whalers still have a great following

franchises and a governor who has already proven that he wants a team back in Connecticut, it is now on up to the Whaler Nation to take over. If we can prove that we support the great college teams that the state is providing while continuing to show support for the green and blue, the NHL will have to listen. With the Success of the Winnipeg Jets and a few teams that could be looking for new homes in the coming decade, why not Hartford? With the new realignment Hartford would be a perfect fit in the Metropolitan or Atlantic divisions. While there is still a long road ahead for a Hartford Whalers return, if the Whaler fans continue there support for the state’s college teams the question could be when not if the NHL comes home to Hartford.

To see the entire Governor Malloy interview (click here)

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Author: Rich Sports Talk