Let the quarterback controversy begin!

March 21, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / 1 Comment

Vick a backup or possible starter?

The second Michael Vick put his John Hancock on a Jets contract signaled the beginning of the next great quarterback race for Gang Green. Only this time around, Tim Tebow is nowhere in sight. While Geno Smith is the Jets future and should be the player the Jets should develop, the mere presence of Vick means that the Jets are looking to make the playoffs in 2014. While many believe Vick will accept the backup role and simply mentor the young signal caller, it is clear that he is here for one reason, the chance to start.

Michael Vick is a competitor. If he can beat out Geno Smith and be a starter in this league again he is bound to claim the starting job. While I was never a big fan of bring in Vick, there is no question he will bring significant competition to the Jets quarterback race. Could he start again or even play 16 games? I don’t see it. However, I can see him being a good relief quarterback for Smith or a guy that can make a spot start for the Jets. If anything, his knowledge of Marty Mornhinweg’s system will make Vick a great option should Geno Smith struggle. Can Vick be the quarterback to get the Jets back to the playoffs or will his presence help Geno Smith develop? Only time will tell.

New Flight Plan: Sanchez cut by the Jets

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

Will a change of scenery help Sanchez rebound?

Jets fan rejoice! Mr. Butt fumble has gotten a one way ticket out of Metlife stadium as the Jets cut the incumbent Mark Sanchez. With the signing of Michael Vick, it was just the final nail in a bizarre career for the former USC Trojan. A career filled with highlights that include: two AFC Championship appearances, eating hot dogs on the sideline, GQ covers, hair bands, and of course butt fumbles. Despite his achievements, Jets fans will only remember the quarterbacks colossal failures and futility under center.

Did the Jets really give Sanchez a fair chance? Of course not. They never effectively developed him and put the pieces around him to be successful. While much of the blame still resides on Sanchez, he is not the only one to blame. Whether it was the lack of playmakers on offense, a effective offensive coordinator, or the Tim Tebow debacle. Either way, it is clear that the Jets hope to develop Geno Smith into the team’s first franchise quarterback since Joe Namath with Michael Vick as an insurance policy.

Will Sanchez succeed in the NFL? Only time will tell

Despite his lackluster career a change of scenery could be just the thing for Sanchez. Should he be a starter right away? Absolutely not. However, if he goes to a team and competes for a starting job, he could win a starting job. If that doesn’t work, he could be a solid backup and get the chance to start down the road. It won’t be easy, but Sanchez still could succeed in the NFL. It just won’t be for Gang Green in the Big Apple. What do you think will happen to the Sanchise? Comment below

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?

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