Saving Private Ryan: Why the Jets need Rex back

December 18, 2013December 18, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Despite his flaws, Ryan remains the Jets best option moving forward

With another Jets season ending without a playoff berth, it looks like change is inevitable. Despite two AFC Championship appearances on his resume, many experts around the NFL believe the Jets should move on from Rex Ryan. True Rex Ryan does have his fair share of warts, but here are the reasons that the Jets should keep Rex Ryan as their head coach in 2014.

Defense: The Jets bread and butter is defense. While Ryan may not be an offensive genius, few can argue that there are many better defensive minds in the NFL than Rex Ryan. With a strong defensive foundation, especially on the defensive line, the Jets defense appears to have the potential to be one of the NFL’s best. This is this teams strength, and they need to keep it that way. This defense is one or two pieces in the secondary away from being a top unit in the NFL for the next few seasons. If you take away Rex Ryan, while the talent will be there, there is a chance that the new coach will not be able to push the right buttons and this defense will only be average.
Lack of Candidates: When it comes to coaches in the NFL I always believe that you only fire a coach if there is a better one available. Unfortunately for the Jets, I don’t see a better candidate then Rex. There is no hot college coach like Chip Kelly last year that could take the reins effectively. There are no great coordinators that have been making headlines as possible new coaches. There is only one man in my opinion who would be a better coach then Rex Ryan right now and that is John Gruden. Ok, I know it’s a long shot, but he has mentioned he would like to coach again. He would be perfect because he is a great offensive coach who understands how to use an aggressive defense. Sounds like a match in heaven, even if it’s a long shot. So unless Chucky wants to coach Gang Green, Rex Ryan is still the Jets best option.
Personal on the field: Let’s face it, Rex Ryan has done a lot with the marginal talent he has been given this season. Remember when the Jets were supposed to be the worst team in the league? Yet in week fifteen they were still in the hunt for the playoffs. While many blame Ryan’s approach for the offensive struggles, and while he is responsible for certain play calling, unfortunately they are one of the worst offensive units in the game. They have a rookie quarterback with the worst skill player personal in football. This is not Ryan’s fault but a front office who for the past five years has overpaid for players, Santonio Holmes, and traded away multiple draft picks. While Ryan does have a say in who the Jets bring in, it is ultimately up the Jets front office to give him the best pieces to win with. Heck, even when the Jets made the playoffs the first two seasons it was with a lackluster roster and Mark Sanchez playing quarterback.
Next year will be better: If anything Ryan deserves one more chance with this team. The Jets will have one of the best cap situations with the Sanchez, Cromartie, and Holmes contracts probably coming off the books by the end of the season. This will allow them to sign some much-needed talent in free agency. On top of that the Jets will have an extra third round pick from the Revis trade last year and extra compensation picks in the 2014 draft. Ryan has been shortchanged on this roster for years, give him a chance with a full deck.
Conclusion: Rex Ryan should have one more chance to coach the Jets in 2014. True he is not the best at handling the offense and may not be the best game manager, but considering the Jets other options next season, Ryan still remains the Jets best option. However, I think Rex should only get next year for one last chance. Give him a reasonable lineup with talent and a somewhat competent offense for him to work with. Unless the Jets can miraculously find a great coach, which I am skeptical about, Ryan is a better option than most coaching candidates. Also why would you take away a defensive coach when this defense hasn’t even scratched its potential yet? All in all I think Ryan deserves one more to coach the Jets. He is a very good coach who is passionate and knowledgeable. The Jets have one of the better coaches in the NFL, considering their relevant with the island of misfit weapons on offense. Hopefully Ryan will be back to lead Gang Green once again in 2014.

Jingle Balls: The NBA’s Christmas Jerseys Disaster

December 16, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

It’s beginning to look a lot like a Christmess

Christmas is here! The trees, decorations, and yuletide spirit are everywhere this time of year. On the 25th of December the NBA will be unwrapping some presents that frankly should have a sticker that reads “Do not open ever”! That’s right, the NBA has established a new merry tradition that is the equivalent to the gifting of a holiday fruitcake. Nobody wants it, but we get it anyways. Talk about a mess. The NBA has tried to establish Christmas day as it’s own holiday. What I mean by this is that football has Thanksgiving, so naturally the NBA wanted it’s own holiday in the spotlight, in this case Christmas. Now the NBA has five games for 2013 and like all great Christmases decided it needed its own traditions. However, whoever came up with this idea should receive a mountain of coal for Christmas.

The NBA has made it a tradition to wear new uniforms on Christmas day. Last year I thought the NBA couldn’t do worse than hideous one color uniforms with just outlines of the team’s name. Well one thing I can say about the NBA is that it never ceases to surprise me. When the new uniforms were revealed I laughed thinking oh they must have gotten the pictures mixed up. Those are ten-dollar t-shirts from the gift shop. Boy was I wrong. Ok are you sitting down? Because I am about to go on a rant about these eyesores.

Where to begin? Hmm let me see I know I’ll start of with the sleeves. Why do you need sleeves in the NBA? You play indoors! Why do you guys need freaking sleeves are you really that cold inside an NBA arena? Come on these aren’t NFL linemen who have rolls of arm fat or baseball players trying to avoid the sun. If it was just the sleeves on awesome uniforms I could give these a pass, but it’s more than just the sleeves.

Next it’s the colors. True these colors are not as terrible as last years, but certain team colors don’t make sense. The Lakers, who have a great white home uniform, don’t need a white Christmas jersey. They have purple and gold. Where is it? The Knicks, for the love of god stop wearing all orange. First this isn’t Halloween, and second you look like a bunch of pumpkins. If there was more blue then maybe, but these uniforms are just plain orange. The Knicks chant should be no new york no new york no. The spurs plain grey? or the Rockets all red? Come on guys I bet a five-year old could come up with something better. Sure the colors are bad, but it’s also that these uniforms are just one color. There are no accent or secondary colors to add some details to these uniforms. Even minor accent colors or designs would offset the main colors nicely. However, with just one color except for around the collar and sleeves. Without these other colors these jerseys just look like plain t-shirts from the NBA store that I could easily buy.

The final nail in this uniform coffin has to be the logos. These are the worst logos on a uniform I have ever seen. Sure they are the team’s regular logos, which are great, but for some reason they thought forget the script or original let’s put a giant silver logo on the chest. Come on why silver? Are you just trying to put a bullseye on what makes these jerseys awful. Sure it looks good on the Nets jersey, but who else has silver in their color palette? These look like metallic versions of each logo. It as if they decided let’s put a futuristic logo on the plainest jersey possible. That makes no sense.

In conclusion the only good thing these jerseys have given us is this fantastic commercial (link here). Other than that these uniforms are just an awful representation of the NBA. Come on these look like pajamas. Hey maybe that’s what they were going for the pajama Christmas morning look. If not for the so-called “Christmas morning pajama look” these uniforms are some of the worst to ever be presented on the hardwood. Maybe Santa will make a last-minute stop and give these teams new uniforms, unfortunately I think he’s a little too busy. Dear NBA, please get new Christmas uniforms next year. Heck, do green and red uniforms. Those would be better than these atrocities. Either way let’s hope the NBA delivers on Christmas. Happy Holidays!

Why Geno Smith isn’t to blame for Jets’ struggles

December 4, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Despite Geno Smith’s benching against the Dolphins, it isn’t his fault that the Jets offense has been a disaster. There are many reasons why Geno Smith has struggled in 2013 and why it’s the New York Jets fault that the rookie has looked lost in recent weeks.

forget aerial assault, the Jets can’t even get off the ground with these receivers

Receivers: Quick question, who is an NFL caliber receiver on the New York Jets? I’d be hard pressed to name one. Geno’s struggles began when Jeremy Kerley was injured a few weeks ago. Without question Kerley has been the Jets best and most consistent receiver this season. The problem? At best he’s a great slot receiver. He is not a number one or two target in the NFL. Stephen Hill? I think I saw his picture on a milk carton because he has been disappeared for over a month. Holmes? He can’t stay healthy and has lacked the big play ability that the Jets are overpaying him for. I think this is one Jet who won’ t be back in 2014. Salas and Nelson? Not even NFL scouts know who they are. While Geno has been inaccurate, it’s not like his receivers have done him any favors. Without question the Jets have the worst group of receivers in the NFL.
Tight end? more like dead-end

Any NFL rookie quarterback needs a security blanket. Enter the tight end whose size and presence in the middle of the field allows for an easy check down for a rookie quarterback. The Jets tight ends have been big problems instead of big targets. Kellen Winslow missed four games due to a suspension and has continued to prove why he’s a first round bust. Cumberland has been solid, but is a number two tight end at best. Mini Gronk? No impact. If anything this position has hurt Geno’s development. With a lack of weapons on the outside Geno looks to the middle of the field for check downs to his tight ends. However, they are never open. Even Sanchez had Dustin Keller to check down to. Geno on the other hand just has a bunch of cast-offs who shouldn’t be on this team next year.
Ground and pound?

Running Game: In Mark Sanchez’s first few seasons he had some of the better running backs in the league. Geno Smith, not so much. While Powell and Ivory have had a few good performances this year, their inconsistency and inability to break big runs and run the ball effective early in the game has hurt the Jets. Oh, and to Marty Mornhinweg STOP RUNNING THE WILDCAT! No body does this anymore, it doesn’t work, and you never throw out of it. Stop! While Ivory and Powell have shown flashes, they are not every down backs. As number two backs the would be great, but the Jets lack a home run hitting number one back. Without a solid running game, the Jets haven’t helped Smith get into more manageable situations and allow him to utilize the play action pass.
Can they block anybody?

Offensive line: In recent weeks the once vaunted Jets offensive line has been manhandled. Pro Bowlers Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson have looked like shells of their former selves, while rookie Brian Winters has struggled to pick up blitzes and Willie Colon continues to get dumb penalties. Geno Smith has been getting killed these past few weeks and I can’t even remember a play when he had time to throw. As a young quarterback when your under pressure every drop back, your thinking about survival not throwing a 15 yard post. While the pass protection has been brutal, the run blocking hasn’t helped either. They can’t protect or create holes in the running game. You can’t have a shaky foundation and expect to have a productive offense.
A GM that left his future quarterback out to dry.

Front Office: Ok, I know John Idzik didn’t have a lot of cap room to bring in free agents. I’ll give him a pass on that, but I can’t forgive the man for his first draft. While Sheldon Richardson has been great, this draft did little if nothing to help Geno Smith. With the ninth pick, instead of picking the frustrating Dee Milliner, the Jets had better options. They could have drafted a tight end, or one of the interior linemen like Warmack or Long to solidify the offensive line. Then in the third round they could have drafted Keenan Allen or Terrance Williams at receiver instead of Brian Winters. With a crucial draft, Idzik didn’t exactly help out his young QB and instead focused on three offensive linemen how haven’t panned out.
The hot seat is heating up for Rex Ryan

Coaching: Rex Ryan knows defense. Developing a quarterback, not so much. While Marty Morninweg is the offensive coordinator, it is Rex’s job as the head coach to get the offense going. Instead of playing to Geno’s strengths by rolling him out of the pocket, or having him in the shot-gun with spread wide receivers, the Jets keep calling plays that make you scratch your head. Instead of trying to get Geno going early with quick passes or screens, the Jets keep running the ball for marginal gains. Then when they fall behind they put Geno Smith in passing situations when he hasn’t even gotten into a rhythm. I;m not say throw the ball fifty times, but get Geno going early so that he gets a rhythm going in the game.
Geno does deserve the blame, but he has been given too much blame

Conclusion: While Smith deserves a certain amount of blame, he is getting an unfair amount. This has been the perfect storm of futility. I don’t care if your Manning, Brees, Brady, or Rodgers, you couldn’t have success with this offensive personnel. The fact that Geno has five wins with this lackluster cast should get him some praise. However, with the offensive futility continuing in New York, and Jets nation waiting for a long overdue franchise quarterback, Geno Smith has been put in an almost no win situation. Keep him in to get reps this season and to develop. But he’s going to succeed, the man needs help. It’s just a matter of when or if the Jets will give him the pieces he needs to be an effective NFL quarterback.

What’s Next? Adrian Peterson’s future in the NFL

November 12, 2013January 5, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Peterson is the NFL’s best back, but should he remain in Minnesota?

Adrian Peterson is the best back in the NFL. He maybe one of the greatest backs in the history of football when he finishes his career. At the age of 28 Peterson has over 9,500 yards rushing, 85 touchdowns, and a league MVP. However, should Peterson remain a Viking? Or will we witness another early exit reminiscent of Jim Brown or Barry Sanders? Despite being the best back in the league, the Vikings well aren’t exactly one of the best teams. In truth they are one of the worst. In a division loaded with young and talented teams, the Vikings have been left behind. Despite three first round picks in last year’s draft, the roster lacks talent especially at the most important position, quarterback. While most football fans might just assume that Peterson will spend his entire career with the Vikings, I’m not sold.

If NFL history has taught use anything there could be two other scenarios that could happen Peterson’s career. The first is the Herschel Walker trade. The Cowboys traded Herschel Walker to the Vikings for a boatload of draft picks that Dallas used to build its dynasty in the early nineties. Why don’t the Vikings do the opposite this time? With Peterson in the prime of his career and reaching the age of thirty, the Vikings may decide that if they can get a good amount of draft picks back for Peterson that it maybe the best course of action. Obviously it will hard to tell fans that you’re trading the best back in the NFL, but with the value of draft picks Peterson could fetch in return for his services may eventually win Vikings fans over. If the Vikings could find their franchise quarterback while adding some extra playmakers, the Vikings could be a team with a very bright future. Plus, it’s better to sell high with running backs. Just look at the Jacksonville Jaguars. Two years ago they could have restocked their team with draft picks for Maurice Jones-Drew. Now with his injuries and lack of production the Jags would be lucky to get any draft pick for their once prized running back.

If the Vikings sit on their prized running back there is another possible scenario that

If the Vikings continue their losing ways, could Peterson become the next Barry Sanders?

could happen. I’m saying possible, not likely. With that being said, could Peterson be the next great running back who retires in their prime? It’s happened before, just look no further than the two greatest running backs in history. Jim Brown and Barry Sanders both retired in the prime of their careers out of nowhere. However, Peterson most closely resembles Sanders path. Early playoff success followed by years of losing. Not convinced? How about two franchises that failed to find a franchise quarterback for their star running back and were losing season after season. With the Vikings currently fading fast in 2013, the question should be can Peterson keep the same fire? It’s hard when your losing. Peterson is risking is body, neck, and mind for an organization that is putting out nowhere near the same amount of effort that he is. If the Vikings continue to flounder year after year, and with no change of scenery in sight, number 28 will decide he’s had enough. If the records are important to him, which be all indications they are, Peterson will probably keep playing. However, if he really wants to win a Super Bowl maybe Peterson will decide that it’s not worth it to keep playing in Minnesota. Last year Peterson single-handedly carried this team to the playoffs, but only as a low wild card seed which concluded with a one and done in the playoffs. Now Peterson is still having a phenomenal year, it’s just the rest of the Vikings who can’t get out of their own way. As we continue to watch one of the greatest backs in history continue his great work, don’t let these two scenarios fade from your mind. They may not be as far-fetched as you think. Do you think Peterson would have to leave Minnesota to win a championship? Will he eventually be traded? Could you see him leaving football early? Don’t forget to comment.

Can they be stopped? When will the Heat’s reign end?

November 4, 2013January 6, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

The Big Three now go for the three peat

The 2013-2014 NBA season has many captivating story lines. Derrick Rose’s injury, Kobe’s bout against father time, and Eastern Conference’s futility. Still, no NBA team is stirring up more controversy and headlines then a certain team from South Beach. The NBA’s evil empire, the Miami Heat.

With the opportunity to three peat as champions and join some of the league’s most storied teams, the heat is on in Miami. The question is can a David step up and topple the mighty Goliath? Can any team upset the Heat and spoil their quest of dominance? The reloaded Nets and the Bulls struggles have many doubting their ability to knock King James of his throne. Can a team from the Wild West such as the Thunder, Clippers, or Spurs be able to shock the Big Three? Without question the Heat are the lightning rod for attention in the NBA.

Whether its Lebron’s legacy, the team’s health, it’s fans, or just the animosity that no other team seems to get attention in the NBA, the Heat are the logical focal point. It’s understandable why this team is hated so much. The best player in the NBA leaves his hometown team and community to create an all-star team just to win championships. Theres the constant media attention where the top NBA story always involves Miami. It doesn’t matter if Kevin Durant drops 50 points for the Thunder because ESPN needs to analyze James’ supporting cast for the hundredth time. Miami is despised for having the worst fans in sports, who only either care about the team when they are winning or are so spoiled because they have jumped on the best team bandwagon. Heat fans are always complaining for no good reason! Why? Now idea, they’ve won three championships in a decade so what’s the problem? However, the biggest reason the Heat are hated is because they are the best.

They have Lebron James, and your team doesn’t. Their arrogance and cockiness about being the best team drives NBA fans crazy. This team just thinks it will be a breeze to win another championship. However, I think there is another thing at play here. People still love Michael Jordan. The fact that Lebron is threatening what many claim is the NBA’s greatest legacy strikes a nerve within die-hard NBA fans. Then you hear the criticism and laundry list of reasons why Lebron James will never surpass his Airness. The points, position, competition, the list goes on and on and on. The fact that Lebron threatens one of if not the most beloved player in NBA history, and the way he has achieved his success, just riles up Jordan supporters who will try to find any flaws within James’ game. However, there is no question that right now there is no better player in the NBA.

The question shouldn’t be if Lebron James is the best player in the NBA, he is, but is there a basketball team that is constructed better than the Heat right now? Is there such a team whose sum of parts will equal a greater team then the Heat? Obviously, Lebron skews this equation by being the best player in the game, but is there a roster whose depth and overall talent can expose the Heat’s flaws of being a team built on three players? These are the questions that teams in the NBA must answer. I think there is such a team. With so much talent in the NBA and a few teams with loaded and lethal rosters, it might be when not if the Heat are eliminated from contention this year. Will Lebron hoist his third trophy, or will some other superstar begin their own Hall of Fame legacy? We await with bated breath to find out if the King will get another ring, or if his mighty empire will be failed be a worth adversary.

Boston Strong! How the Red Sox victory goes beyond the trophy

October 31, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Boston strong! The Red Sox helped a city overcome horror

The Boston Red Sox are World Champions! With their third World Series title in a decade the Boston Red Sox have established themselves as the latest dynasty is baseball. Since the exorcism of “The curse of the Bambino” most Red Sox fans would have told you that there 2004 Championship was their greatest triumph. 86 years of heartbreak and frustration were finally over after the Red Sox stunned the Yankees coming back from 3-0 to win the ALCS. Then April 15th, 2013 happened. The Boston Marathon became ground zero in a terrorist attack that would kill three and injured hundreds. A manhunt, bombing suspects, a city-wide shut down, Boston was crippled. Then there were the Red Sox the heart and soul of Boston. The team that was the city’s emotional outlet. Like their city, the Red Sox knew that there was only one thing to do after getting knocked down, keep fighting. For the 2013 season the Red Sox hung a 617 Boston strong jersey in their dugout for every game to remind them they

The Red Sox reminded themselves that they had something bigger to play for

were playing for something much bigger then themselves. They had a calling. The Red Sox welcomed survivors and there families with open arms this entire season. They handled this emotional situation just proves that they are one of the classier organizations in professional sports. Despite being picked by most experts to finish at the bottom of the AL East, the Red Sox dominated 2013. With there Duck Dynasty beards in tow, the Red Sox would win the East with a 97-65 record. After beating the Rays in the ALDS, it looked like the magic carpet ride was over. The Detroit Tigers, up 1-0 in the series were just six outs away with a 5-1 lead from going back to Detroit with a 2-0 lead. Then, they’re leader David Ortiz blasted a grand slam in the eighth to tie the game and allow the Red Sox to even the series. We all know what happened next. Boston would win the ALCS 4-2. In the World Series, Ortiz was unstoppable. Arguably one of the greatest postseason hitters, and without a doubt one of the greatest Red Sox, Ortiz’s performance would help the Red Sox overcome a controversial game 3 to head back to Boston up 3 games to 2. Behind John Lackey’s stellar performance game 6 belonged to the Red Sox. With a 6-1 victory, the Red Sox were World Champions once again.

The Red Sox became more then a team, they became a symbol of strength

The Red Sox became more than a team, they became a symbol of strength

This World Series went beyond baseball. For a city that had to endure so much, the Red Sox became more than a baseball team, they became a rallying cry. The symbol of Boston’s unity became a blue shield, with the Red Sox “B” with two words, Boston Strong! The Red Sox were more than just another baseball team, they were a source of hope. Throughout this run they proved that Boston might get knocked down, but they always get up. There is no telling how long it will take for Boston to heal from the wounds of that faithful April day, but baseball has been a start. A team that used to be notorious from taking hope from their fan base gave it back in an immeasurable way this season. Instead of trying to make a city forget what happened, they took it as a rallying cry and reminded a city to not forget and continue to fight forward. This season wasn’t about number 34 or any other player. It was 617. While this World Series will without question solidify the Red Sox as the premier team in baseball for the last decade they’ve given something more precious to Boston then rings or trophies. They brought back hope and joy to a city that needed. In Boston’s darkest hour, the Red Sox were the light that brought a proud city back! Boston Strong 617!