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.

Cliff Lee heading to the Yankees?

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

With the decimation of their pitching staff through injuries the New York Yankees have been actively negotiating with the Philadelphia Phillies for star pitcher Cliff Lee. Lee, 35, is locked up through the end of next season and would not only give the Yankees a bona fide top of the rotation starter but also one of the postseason pitchers in the clutch over the past decade.

Will the Bombers give up the farm for Lee?

The only problem is that the asking price for the veteran left-hander will be steep. Originally the Yankees reportedly wanted both Lee and Chase Utley in a deal, but the Phillies have let the Yankees know that New York doesn’t have the pieces for that type of move.

Still, the Yankees would have to mortgage their future as the Phillies have been adamant that top prospect Gary Sanchez must be in a deal for Lee. Even the prized catching prospect may not be enough as the Philllies may want one of the Yankees top outfield prospects as well.

However, New York has been exploring other options such as finding another trading partner for a three team deal. With a weak A.L. East this season and the fact that Lee would be locked up until the end of 2015, could make the Yankees pull the trigger for the southpaw that they have coveted for years.

With the Phillies already looking forward to 2015 and the Yankees once again in the thick on a pennant race, the deal makes sense for both sides. That is, unless another suitor such as Los Angeles, Anaheim, or Detroit becomes involved.

The sooner the Yankees can get this deal done the better.

Kingdom Lease? Lebron James not Staying In Cleveland for Long Haul?

July 14, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

It’s official. In storybook fashion Lebron James, the king, has returned to the kingdom he left behind four years ago. While Clevelanders welcome back James with aspirations that he will finally bring a championship to the city of Cleveland for the first time in over 60 years there is a sign that this fantasy may not last too long.

Lebron James is returning to Cleveland to try to bring a championship to his home city but doesn’t have a long-term commitment to the city. His new contract with the Cavaliers is 42.1 million over two seasons. The length of this contract brings up an interesting point. Is Lebron looking to win and run?

Cleveland Time Share?

Listen Cleveland, it’s great that Lebron is back but his lack of commitment to a long-term deal proves that he will be weighing his options once again in two years. My prediction? Lebron is hoping he can win a title in two years, get the title monkey off his back in his hometown, and then see if there is a better team outside of Cleveland after two years.

See if Lebron really wanted to win multiple titles for Cleveland he would have signed a longer deal. He’s basically saying Cleveland I want to date you, but don’t want to marry you. If James can bring a title home, it will help his national image that he deserted his former team. Plus if he wins a title in Cleveland, can they really be upset? They will finally have the championship they covet so much and Lebron has given it to them. Why would Lebron only sign a two-year deal? I think he has his eye on one team in particular and is waiting to see what they do.

Lebron James is one of the biggest brands in sports. So why not go to the media capital of the world? With Carmelo Anthony returning to the Knicks the dream of Lebron to play with Melo could happen in two years. James maybe waiting to see what Phil Jackson does as a general manager and how the Knicks will handle next years free agency with the cap space they will have after unloading some of their bad contracts. If the Knicks can get a big piece in free agency next year, say Kevin Love, then it would be very difficult for Lebron to turn down a team with that much talent and in such a big market.

Listen, Cleveland is a young team. It may take a few years until this team is truly a title contender. If the maturation process takes too long Lebron may decide that it is time to go to a team that can win now. If Phil Jackson can build a great team around Carmelo Anthony in New York and Cleveland struggles to bring in other pieces, Lebron may break the heart of northern Ohio once again.

In two years I predict that Lebron James will look to go to New York after two seasons in Cleveland, especially if he can win a title with the Cavaliers. The two-year contract just proves that Lebron will always be looking for the team that he feels will help him win championships.

Wheeler and Dealing? New York Mets shopping Wheeler

July 10, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

The New York Mets could be moving one of their best young arms at the MLB trade deadline. With an abundance of young arms, and Matt Harvey returning next season, the Mets are strongly hinting that they will trade some of this young pitching to bring in a bat or two for a team whose lineup resembles that of a Triple A squad.

According to our sources the Mets have been in serious talks with the Chicago Cubs. It appears the Mets could be moving the highly touted Zach Wheeler to the Cubs

Wheeler to the Cubs?

for an everyday player of two. One key position the Mets need a desperate upgrade in is shortstop. Fortunately for New York, the Cubs have an abundance of players at the shortstop position.

One player the Cubs are reportedly offering is current major league shortstop Starlin Castro. Castro, who is 24, is having a solid season hitting .280 with 11 homers and 52 RBIs. He would instantly improve the Mets woeful offense by providing a good young bat in the lineup who not only is still improving at the plate, but would give the Mets an everyday shortstop who plays very good defense.

Castro is a great option for the Mets, but could there be other players on the table? Sources say the Mets will also explore some of the Cubs top prospects instead of just one everyday player.

The Cubs are loaded with talented young prospects, especially at the shortstop position. Javier Baez, the team’s top prospect, is knocking on the door at Triple A with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs. Baez might not be a top of the order player but could be the big power bat the Mets are desperate for. Another reason the Mets could be targeting Baez is that they could possibly get another piece in the deal.

The Cubs have three very good outfield prospects that could be nice pieces in the Mets outfield. However, if New York could also get Arismendy Alcantara, another triple A player on the major league border, they could have a middle infield set for the next decade. Alcantara could be a solid second baseman who hits for a high average and steals bases. A perfect top of the order player that would be nice with either Baez or Castro in the middle of the lineup.

Bartolo Colon will probably be dealt first, but keep and eye on the Mets and Cubs. Both have prospects in key areas of need for the other team and have excess prospects that could be moved. The Mets need bats, Chicago has bats, New York has pitching, the Cubs need pitching. Sounds like a match made in heaven. Now we wait until July 31st to see if something happens.