ELIte? Manning not an Elite Quarterback?

August 30, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Eli Manning an elite quarterback? I’m not buying it. Throughout his career Manning has always flirted with the elite status bouncing from Super Bowl hero to an interception machine. Entering his eleventh season in the NFL it is safe to say that Eli Manning is not an elite quarterback.

For the Giants fans who are most certainly screaming at the top of their lungs that this is blasphemy there are many reasons that Eli is not an elite quarterback. However, he is still a very good quarterback and probably a top ten quarterback in this league. This is why he is not an elite quarterback.

Most critics would argue that the two Super Bowl rings that Manning has accumulated is proof that he is an elite quarterback. Well, not exactly. True it is one more ring then his brother Peyton, who is clearly the more talented of the two, but this is misleading.

In 2011 there is no question that Eli carried that Giants team to the Super Bowl and played a superb game against the Patriots. Even in 2007 he did have a good postseason. The problem? The Giants defense carried them throughout those playoffs and in the Super Bowl. Let’s not forget that the Giants’ defense allowed only 14 points to a Patriots offense which, before this years Broncos, had scored the most points in a season. If the Giants didn’t beat the Patriots when the defense held Brady and company to 14 points you don’t think Eli would have been run out-of-town?

Another reason why Eli is not elite is he is one of the streakiest quarterbacks I have ever seen. He’s either on or off, nowhere in between. Just look at his postseason career. In his two Super Bowl runs Manning threw 15 touchdowns to 2 interceptions. His other postseason starts have been disasters. Not only are the Giants one and down in those playoffs but Manning has only 2 touchdowns to 5 interceptions.

When we think of elite quarterbacks they are consistent. We all know what to expect out of elite signal callers like Peyton Manning, Rodgers, Brees, and Brady ever season. Eli is either great or terrible. Last season was the third time in his career where he led the NFL in interceptions. Put it this way, Geno Smith threw less interceptions as a rookie with less talent around him then Eli Manning with a better team and who has played in the NFL over ten years. I’m sorry, but elite players don’t lead the league in mistakes three times.

Manning still is a capable quarterback. He still is a great quarterback in the fourth quarter and two-minute drill. Also, when he is on he is one of the best in the game. Unfortunately for Manning, the Giants offense is rebuilding and he does;t have the pieces to be a contender. Unless Eli can finish his career strong and with some consistency, he will never be considered an elite NFL quarterback.

Tebow Comeback? Which NFL Team Should Take a Shot?

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

Tim Tebow is getting ready for another attempt to play in the NFL. The lightning rod for criticism will once again try to prove that he is indeed an NFL player as he continues to workout in hopes of a call from an NFL franchise. The 26-year-old still remains adamant that he will play quarterback and refuses to change positions. There is no question that the circus that follows Tebow wherever he seemingly travels will make it difficult for a team to give Tebow a chance. It’s hard to win with distractions in the NFL and like it or not Tim Tebow is a major distraction. However, there is one NFL team that should seriously consider bringing in Tebowmania.

After surveying the NFL landscape I found one landing spot that would be a great match for both Tebow and the team. No, it’s not Jacksonville but they are in the same division. What about the Houston Texans?

Not buying it huh? Let me explain. Houston has a major problem at quarterback. This year the Texans will go into the season with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum, and rookie Tom Savage. And people wonder why Andre Johnson is upset with the Texans collection of quarterbacks.

The problem is that Savage and Keenum are both still very raw prospects who need another year or two to develop. They both have great upside and I really like their potential, but exposing them too soon could break their confidence heading forward. Fitzpatrick is a decent game manager, but that is about it. With a talented defense that could be a top unit in the NFL, a great rushing attack, and the weakest division in the NFL the Texans shouldn’t settle for an average signal caller like Fitzpatrick.

Instead they should go for broke and bring in Tebow. Fitzpatrick is already there to provide a solid backup plan in case the Tebow experiment fails. However, with his effect on the running game and ability to throw the ball deep Tebow would be a nice fit in the Texans offense. Tebow’s affect running the read option will help open holes for running back Arian Foster and allow Foster to have a big season.

Not only will his presence help the running game, but also with the speed the Texans receivers have Tebow only needs to hit a few deep throw a game to have success in Houston. With the weak conference they play in, Tebow could make the Texans a playoff team. We’ve seen this in Denver with a less talented defensive team and a running back that was not the same caliber as Arian Foster. With a better supporting cast and a ferocious drive to succeed Tim Tebow could be a successful quarterback with the Texans.

Granted, it would not be as a normal quarterback. Rather than using short throws to set up the deep ball, Tebow can use his legs and his supporting running game to set up the deep throws which he has greater success with. Would there be throws that will make any NFL fan cringe, yes, but Tebow could be the piece that gets Houston into the postseason.

How you ask? Despite his flaws there is one thing that Tebow is great at throughout his high school, college and professional career. Winning.

Patrick Peterson Gets 70$Million Dollar Extension

July 30, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Move over Richard Sherman the Arizona Cardinals have made Patrick Peterson the highest paid cornerback in football. There has been much debate about who the best corner in the NFL is between Richard Sherman, Darrelle Revis, and Peterson.

However, if money defines who is the “best” corner in the league, then Peterson has for the moment won this debate. The shutdown corner has just been rewarded with a 5 year 70$ million dollar contract with 48$ million guarantee. This puts him slightly above Sherman in terms of annual salary and is one year longer.

Peterson has quickly established himself as one of the best in the NFL with air tight coverage and the rare ability to shadow a team’s best receiver and seemingly taking that receiver out of the game.

The extension highlights the emergence of the Cardinals great defense with Peterson as the cornerstone. Arizona maybe a year or two away from legitimately competing in the vaunted NFC West, but they take a huge step forward by locking their best defensive player up for the long-term.

Both sides have benefited greatly from this deal and it looks like Arizona is heading in the right direction. One thing is for sure. If you’re the number one receiver on any team facing the Cardinals, you’re going to have a long day against Peterson.

Revis Wanted to be A Jet? I’m not Buying it !!

July 28, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

In a recent interview with Fox Sports New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis revealed that New England wasn’t his first choice in free agency. Revis revealed friday that he had his agent reach out to the New York Jets but New York never responded to his request.

Did Revis really want to return to New York?

However, you can never really take what Revis says seriously. The star corner has been notorious for bluffing in order to get the money he feels he deserves. It has also been reported that the Jets did reach out to Revis but the star corner refused to listen.

While we will probably never fully know what happened in this he said they said debate, one thing is for certain, it is highly unlikely that Revis will ever play for the Jets again.

With the contract disputes and disruptions in the locker room, despite his great talent and the love Rex Ryan has for the former Jet it’s hard to fathom that the two will ever get back together especially after the nasty divorce last offseason.

However, in 2014 Revis will look to regain his status as the league’s top corner as he tries to reinvigorate. the Patriots depleted secondary.

New York Jets Sign Jason Babin to 2 Year Deal

July 23, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

The New York Jets have added another weapon to their formidable defense by adding former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Jason Babin. The 34-year-old could be the speed edge rusher that the Jets have been desperately searching for. Despite his age and a terrible Jacksonville team last year, Babin had a productive season with 7.5 sacks and 19 quarterback pressures.

Babin could be a great pass rusher for the Jets

It will be interesting to see how he will be utilized as either a standup rusher or a defensive end with his hand in the dirt. One thing we know is that Rex Ryan puts his defensive players in the best position to succeed. With an already stalwart defensive line, the fact that the Jets now have a rotational pass rushing specialist in Babin could make their defense even better.

Last season Calvin Pace was able to record 10 sacks and with Babin’s speed and the Jets’ scheme, Babin could easily be a double-digit edge rusher. With this low risk high reward signing, the Jets could finally have the edge rusher they’ve desperately needed and could have an elite defensive unit in 2014.

Give The Man His MOney: New York Jets working on extension for Muhammad Wilkerson

June 22, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Time to lock up the best player on the Jets

With training camp fast approaching, the New York Jets should cap off their busy offseason in both the draft and free agency by locking up their best player. As he enters the last year of his rookie deal, it is clear the Muhammad Wilkerson is the best player on the the New York Jets. The good news is that it has been reported that the Jets are looking to have an extension in place for their star defensive end by the beginning of the season.

The good news for the Jets is that they will have an easier time dealing with their best player on a contract during training camp. Wilkerson will get a fat check, but I do not see this turning into a Darrelle Revis saga, thank god. There is no question that Wilkerson is one of the best defensive players in football. A prototypical 3-4 defensive end who not only is one of the best at stuffing the run, but also getting after the quarterback. Wilkerson has also gain the admiration of his peers, he was voted #42 on the NFL’s Top 100 list by players around the league.

Wilkerson is a perfect fit in Ryan’s defense. He is an elite run stopper but continues to improve every year as a pass rusher. It’s a scary thought, but Wilkerson is still getting better.

In 2013 Wilkerson had 10.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 63 tackles. With Defensive Rookie of the Year Sheldon Richardson already on the defensive line, it’s time to lock Wilkerson up as the centerpiece for on the the best defensive lines in football.

He is the best player on the Jets and a new deal would prove to the Jets and their fans that they will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. It’s time for John Idzik to put a cherry on the Jets offseason, and the cherry on top would be locking up Wilkerson for the future.