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

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?

Michael Sam: I’m Gay! And I’m going to Play!

February 11, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Michael Sam will usher in a new era in pro football

“I’m Gay and I’m gonna play”! I remember that line from the movie Valentines Day a few years ago. While I sat in the dark theather and watched that terrible movie, I remember laughing at this great one liner, but thought to myself “is there a gay player in the NFL”? The answer could finally be a yes after NFL Draft prospect Michael Sam announced earlier this week that he was gay, and could be the first openly gay NFL player in history. While this may not be Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, this another wall that sports could tear down for the gay and lesbian community. While some experts and GM’s have already said that the announcement could hurt Sam’s draft stock, because they are supposedly afraid of him becoming a media distraction like Tim Tebow, the fact of the matter is that this young man should be commended for his actions.

After hearing anonymous GM’s saying that Sam could now fall out of the draft because of this announcement, I was flabbergasted. If anything shouldn’t this make him a more attractive draft prospect? A man who is this honest and is not afraid of the attention? In an era where criminal records and domestic disputes are glanced over is a prospect has a great forty time, it is absurd that a general manager of any team would over look a player based on his sexual preferences. Sam has tremendous talent and potential, and unlike other prospects has a clean record and a great personality. Shouldn’t this boost his stock rather then hurt it? If teams are so afraid that he could disrupt the locker room just look at Mizzou’s season last year. Sam told his team that he was gay in August and did the team implode or have locker room issues? No, far from it. Instead the played for an SEC title game while Sam was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

At the end of the day there is only one thing that matters in the NFL, production. If Sam can come into the league and be a highly productive player, no one will care about him being gay. Sure, there will be a few people that will hate him, there always are people that will judge us because of our differences, but America has become a nation of tolerance. If anything, Sam represents a beacon of hope that America is truly striving towards a society of equality and fairness. Fans don’t care about sexual preference, arrest records, skin color, or religious backgrounds of their players. At the end of the day it is about what the players do on the field but more specifically win. Sam could change the landscape for the next generation of athletes, but if he really wants to make an impact it will come on the field this fall, and not in the headlines this February.

Haunted: Manning’s legacy in limbo after another Super Bowl loss

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

This could be the game that hurts Manning’s legacy

What defines a legacy? For most athletes it’s the numbers on the back of their player cards that usually justifies their greatness. But for the truly great, the cream of the crop, stats aren’t enough. Peyton Manning is one of those athletes. If you were to judge him on statistics alone, without question he is the greatest quarterback in NFL history. However, after being named the NFL’s most valuable player for the fifth time in his career, Manning would enter Metlife Stadium with the chance for NFL immortality. A few hours later, the almighty quarterback looked like something we haven’t seen in 2013, a mere mortal.

Losing is one thing, but what the Broncos did was an even bigger disgrace, they didn’t show up. Can someone check did they even get off the plane or bus? Despite two weeks to prepare, the Broncos didn’t even put up a fight. Sure, the botched snap resulting in a safety swung momentum early, but despite two early trips to the red zones the Broncos still were only down 8-0. The stage was set for Manning, a chance to come back and prove his greatness to the world. But that didn’t happen. Manning’s turnovers at key moments of the game would finish off the illusion of a comeback as the Broncos were embarrassed by a 43-8 whopping by the Seahawks.

Once again, Manning, the best quarterback in the game fell short. This time he didn’t fall short, he tripped right out of the gate and seemingly damaged his reputation in one game. It doesn’t matter how many yards, touchdowns, or wins Manning has in his career. The only way to exorcise the critics or questions about his legacy is to hoist another Lombardi trophy. But now at the age of 38, with already declining health, Father Time is catching up to Peyton Manning. If he wants to be considered the greatest quarterback ever the only way to do this is to win another Super Bowl. When you are the best in the sport you are expected to win. Is it fair? Not necessarily but it is expected.

With such a miserable performance on his resume, and millions of NFL fans who are upset about the lack of a game on the field, Manning needs a win so that people forget this. If not, it will be the defining moment in a career of futility and what could have been. He might be a great quarterback, but Manning’s post season demons are keeping him from being one of the greatest players in NFL history.

Last Hoorah: Should this be it for Peyton Manning?

February 1, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / 1 Comment

If Peyton Manning wins should he retire?

It was a season to remember. With fifty-five touchdowns and over five thousand passing yards, Peyton Manning crafted the most masterful season in NFL history. Many experts may say this is the best that Manning has ever been, the pinnacle of Mount Everest for the quarterback position. Now only one win away from a Super Bowl and football immortality, the question is if Peyton Manning hoists the Lombardi Trophy, should this be it?

At the age of 38, Peyton Manning isn’t exactly a spring chicken. True he probably could continue to play a few more seasons given the lack of punishment he has endured being hit as a quarterback. Still, there is one important aspect that tends to get overlooked. Peyton Manning’s neck is a cause for concern. Two years after major neck surgery, Manning has already said that he will visit doctor’s this offseason to see how much his neck has deteriorated. If Manning wins this Super Bowl, and the doctor’s tell him that his neck has deteriorated significantly, then I think he will strongly consider retirement. He will have finally won multiple Super Bowls, and a Super Bowl for two different franchises. This is a feat that has never been done before. Plus, would another Super Bowl really mean that much? He’s in an elite club with only a few quarterbacks that have won multiple Super Bowls. Add in his regular season success, Manning would have to be considered one of if not the greatest quarterback in NFL history.

What would be a more fitting end to Manning’s career then a Super Bowl victory? If he loses this sunday I have no doubts that he will be back under center, even with the health concerns. He needs one more Super Bowl victory. Let’s say they win this Super Bowl and he comes back. What if he gets hurt next season and can’t play again? What if he can’t win another Super Bowl? Wouldn’t it be better if Manning if Manning left in the prime of his career rather than limp out pathetically at the end? While many football fans want to see Manning continue his career, me included, there is a time where even the greats have to make the difficult decision to retire. Don’t be surprised if the Broncos win the Super Bowl, that Peyton Manning may not be under center for them in 2014.