Patriots Complete Comeback in Thriller: Game Recap 6/24

NEW JERSEY -- It didn’t come pretty, but it came nonetheless.

DH Corey Smith continued his hot hitting at the right time, supplying the Somerset Patriots (39-20) with a walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth to provide a sweep of the Bridgeport Bluefish, 6-5. Tuesday night positively ends the team's five-game series at TD Bank Ballpark in New Jersey.

The Patriots, who trailed 5-0 entering the bottom of the sixth, needed a spark as their offense had gone cold. It was 3B Brian Barden that started the Patriots’ rally by driving both Smith and CF Luis Montanez on an error. 1B Ty Wright then returned the favor by scoring Barden on a single to center field, to slim the lead to 5-3, giving Somerset a slight glimmer of hope.

Then, down 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th, Aharon Eggleston walked on four pitches, stole second, and saw Mike Wilson advanced to first. With one out, hot-hitting Smith stepped to the plate, entering the situation with game-winning hits in the Patriots' last two victories against the Bluefish. Smith was poised to deliver yet again.

The Patriots celebrate on-field after their 6-5 victory against the Bridgeport Bluefish. CREDITS: Facebok.com/SomersetPatriots.

The 32-year-old drilled an 1-0 pitch to deep centerfield, allowing both Eggleston and Wilson to score, and completed off a frantic comeback with more clutch heroics.

Starting pitcher Erik Arnesen (7-3, 4.08 ERA) gave the Patriots a solid complete game – 9 innings, 6 hits, 5 runs on 95 pitches and 65 strikes. Arnesen let up the 5 quick runs, but settled down as the innings elapsed. At one point in the game, Arnesen had retired the last 15 batters he faced with an efficient 70 pitches through 7 innings. (source)

Arnesen was forced to be on top of his game, as Bridgeport starter Matt Iannazzo was putting on a show of his own. Iannazzo (1-2, 2.32 ERA) stifled the Patriots for 6 innings, allowing just 3 runs on 8 hits.

Bridgeport jumped out to an early lead after a 2-run homerun from Denny Almonte in the 2nd inning, and a 3-run barrage in the 3rd inning. The Patriots’ defense looked shaky to start, committing 3 fielding errors that led to Bluefish tallies. The offense didn’t help the cause, either, finishing the game by stranding 9 runners on base compared to Bridgeport’s 2.

But, for the 23rd time in the 2014 season, the Patriots came back and won. The victory also represents the team’s ninth win in their final at-bat.

For Somerset, it completes a successful home stand against the Bluefish, sweeping the five game series, including two 5-1 games. The teams next meet on July 4th in New Jersey. Somerset now travels to Texas for a four-game set against the Sugar Land Skeeters.

Official game recap graphic from SomersetPatriots.com

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TIDBITS FROM THE GAME NOTES:

- In the Liberty Division Race, Somerset leads the Long Island Ducks, who were idle on Tuesday, by 5 games. Somerset’s magic number is now shrunk to 7 – the combination of Patriots wins and Ducks losses needed for Somerset to win the first half of the Atlantic League two-half season.

- The Patriots have won three walk-off games in 2014.

- Corey Smith finished the Bridgeport series with 8 RBI. Of his five home runs this season, four have come against Bridgeport.

QUOTES:

- Patriots manager Brett Jodie before the game: “I feel good about where we are [as a team], but I still think there’s a lot of room for improvement. … I think we’re all kind of coming together and doing those little things necessary to win a lot of ball games. … I still think we haven’t gotten everyone clicking on all cylinders all the time. … Obviously I’m happy where we are, but there’s still room for improvement.”

- DH Corey Smith before the game: “As a whole, the team is starting to come together real well. We’re starting to hit more consistently as a lineup, our pitching has been pretty much great all year … so for us, I think the main thing is to get our bats going consistently, keep having good at-bats and putting pressure on the other team’s defense, and we’ll be just fine.”

Responding to whether there is panic when bats aren’t hot (like start of the season): “In this game, if you panic, that’s when stuff really gets bad. … The main thing you want to do is stay consistent with your work. … With this kind of a lineup, we’re definitely more of a glass-half-full than glass-half-empty team.”

- Starting pitcher Matt Zielinski before the game about the pitching staff: “As a whole, as a group, overall this season, we’ve done a good job.”

Zielinski on if he’d wear MLB’s padded cap: “As long as you’re safe out there, that’s all that matters … I don’t know if I would, it’s a good question. I guess I’d have to try it on a few times and see how it feels.”

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Minor League Team Succeeds On and Off the Field

NEW JERSEY -- The Somerset Patriots were founded in 1998, and over 16 years later, the minor league organization is still going strong.

Somerset has been in existence for over 16 years, and the team was one of the firsts to join the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which was also founded in 1998. The team has also defined consistency with an organizational career win percentage of .537%. The Patriots' first manager, Sparky Lyle (who retired in 2012 after a 14 year run), won five championships and has over 1,000 career wins on his ledger.

The Patriots have had roster success as well. Although the ALPB is not affiliated with Major League Baseball teams, players for the Patriots (and other ALPB teams) can be signed onto MLB rosters. For manager Brett Jodie, that is the ultimate ambition.

The crowd at TD Bank Ballpark during a recent game against the Bridgeport Bluefish. (Click to open full screen)

“I’m very happy when we get guys back to affiliated ball,” said Jodie in May. “There’s nothing like coming off the field at night after our game, turning on the TV, and seeing one of our former Patriots pitching.” But, Jodie added: “We’re also trying to win a lot of games, here.”

The players, many of whom have professional aspirations, enjoy their time at Somerset, citing the family-like demeanor around the team and organization.

“It’s a lot of fun here,” says starting pitcher Erik Arnesen. Arnesen has been with the team for two seasons, including a brief stint at the AA level in 2013. “It’s relaxed, and we just go out and have a good time and win ballgames.”

Left fielder Ahron Eggleston has also been with the team for two years. He said: “the atmosphere [around the team] is great.”

CREDIT: instagram.com/SomersetPatriots

It is not always easy to win and attract tremendous fan interest, but it appears that Somerset has accomplished both. The team, which plays at TD Bank Ballpark in New Jersey, a stadium that can sit 6,100, has reached up to 8,012 fans in the first half of the 2014 alone. “A lot of the people here care about the baseball itself more than other crowds,” said Mike Ashmore, a Patriots’ beat reporter that has covered the team since 2003.

But Minor League Baseball, including unaffiliated leagues like the Atlantic League, has its pitfalls. Case in point: The Newark Bears, a team in the local New Jersey area and rivals with the Patriots, folded their organization in 2014 after struggling with finances for years. The Bears were not lacking skill or on-field talent – big names like Jose Canseco and Ricky Henderson played for the team in 2001 and 2003, respectively. But, after filing for bankruptcy in 2008 and officially folding in 2014, the team never found stable ground.

Despite the ambiguity in minor league baseball, longtime Patriots’ beat reporter Mike Ashmore believes the fan attention comes for a reason. “These guys deserve the support ... I’m glad they’re getting it.”

But for Brett Jodie, there is one omnipresent goal for the organization: thriving on the field.

“Everybody’s here for the same reason – to win and get picked up.”

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[AUDIO] Major League Football All-Star Game

Listen to the playlist of audio clips:

Clip 1: Cedric Brown interview (length 0:31)

Clip 2: American Conference Coaches interview (1:35)

Clip 3: Award presentation from Major League Football CEO Dexter Girven (8:32)

Clip 4: NaQuan James interview (1:13)

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Help? Press the PLAY button to play the audio clip, and the forward and back buttons to jump to the next clip.

Read Amiri's All-Star game recap: http://www.jgsportstalk.com/2014/06/national-conference-triumphs-in-major.html

Read Amiri's MVP article: http://www.jgsportstalk.com/2014/06/major-league-football-players-receive.html

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Major League Football Players, Coaches and Owners Receive What They Deserve

Overlooking the squatting players resting in a semi-circle, Major League Football CEO Dexter Girven stood behind a table full of trophies and awards. The man in charge was taking care of what he called “old business” – over the next seven or eight minutes, Mr. Girven proceeded to reward some of the league’s best players.

“As you guys know,” Mr. Girven began, “we had the Big East Football Federation (BEFF) – that was our league to launch everything we do today – back in 2007, and then, of course, the Big North East Football Federation (BNEFF).”

Then, Mr. Girven handled lingering affairs by handing out several awards to deserving players.


Tailback Cedric Brown was given the 2012 BEFF League MVP trophy, but chuckled after receiving his trophy, admitting that he thought he “wasn’t going to get it, though.”

Next up was the 2012 BNEFF League MVP, running back NaQuan Jenkins. “Both of these gentlemen had done an unbelievable job, but [NaQuan], every year, just continues to put himself out there – you don’t think he can go any higher,” Mr. Girven praised. “It gives us great pleasure to give you what you earned, [the MVP].”

Mr. Girven then presented a joint All-Star MVP award to linebacker Ainsworth Minott from the American Conference and wide receiver Darnell Rose from the National Conference. Mr. Girven shared his appreciation for both players’ efforts.

“Leadership is never given – it’s earned,” he told Minott and Rose. “Wherever you guys have played at, you’ve constantly given it 100%. … You guys have always walked away [from games] as gentlemen.”

Plaques were also handed out to offensive and defensive MVP’s from the All-Star game, with team coaches announcing picks. On the offensive side, American quarterback T.J. Brown and National counterpart Mike Perrell went home with an award. American defensive back Ryan Petties and National linebacker Perrell acquired commemorations as well.

To wrap up the presentation, Mr. Girven handed a trophy to American Conference and Somerset Bears coach Lou Morra, and gave New Jersey Lions owner Paul Castillo a Champions Award. “Teams like that are needed in a league like this,” Mr. Girven asserted about the Lions.

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Amiri Tulloch
amiritulloch(at)gmail(dot)com
For more MFL, read my All-Star game recap article here.

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Pondexter is the Difference as Liberty Dominate: Recap 6/8

Desperate for a win, the New York Liberty cruised to victory with a dominating 81-64 performance against the Washington Mystics on Sunday. The Liberty’s win, an important game for the team after three straight losses, improved their overall record to 3-5.

“The energy level was phenomenal in the first half and that’s what carried us,” head coach Bill Laimbeer said after the game. “When you’re that locked in, good things will happen.”

The Liberty played well from the opening tip. Strong play from guard Cappie Pondexter helped the team jump out to a quick 10-0 lead. “[She] was hot,” forward Delisha Milton-Jones said after the game. “She was just doing what she’s known to do all her career – she knocks down big shots.”

Pondexter’s blistering offensive pace continued for the entirety of the game, and the eight-year veteran poured in 21 points on a remarkable 10-11 shooting. The outburst surpassed her previous season high by a point. “She’s a scorer,” Milton-Jones said after the game with a laugh. Pondexter leads the team with over 14 points per game.

The Liberty took control of the game, suffocating the Mystics early. At one point, Washington trailed by 28 points. Center Tina Charles said the Liberty’s mindset was a big reason for the efficient start. “Just going out, competing, playing hard every possession is what helped us win this game.”

Charles finished with 14 points, guard Alex Montgomery finished with 13, and point guard Anna Cruz joined the onslaught with 10. There were plenty of cheers from the 8,747 in Madison Square Garden, and the team is now 2-2 at home. Kara Lawson made four three-pointers to lead the Mystics, although three of her buckets came in the first quarter.

The victory could not have come at a better time for the Liberty. After a tough 87-75 loss against San Antonio on Thursday, Laimbeer told his team the team needed to improve intangibly. “After last game, we realized the energy level – for forty minutes – has to be better.”

The Liberty players and staff still remain upbeat despite their slow start to the season. Milton-Jones asserts that their performance could result in more than just a win. “This game could be huge for us,” she said. “It’s a huge morale-lifter … and I’m hoping it can become contagious for us – the taste of victory.”

The Liberty will try to build off of their victory when the team travels to Oklahoma to take on the 1-5 Tulsa Shock. Tip-off is slated for 11:30 am Eastern Standard Time.

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National Conference Triumphs in Major League Football All-Star Game

BRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY – In an annual showing of the league’s talents, the National Conference triumphed over the American Conference, 25-16, in the Major League Football All-Star game.

It was a hot, humid day as the teams matched up, and the weather may have seeped into the American Conference's lackadaisical play. Donning bright red uniforms that contrasted the National’s blue, the American’s offense struggled for all four quarters. Despite scoring the game's first points on a touchdown from Longhorns’ receiver Rob Wright, the American team was shut out until a quarterback sneak late in the fourth quarter.

After that early score, however, the National team took control. The squad scored three touchdowns, kicked a field goal, and forced a safety, entering the fourth quarter with a commanding, 25-6 lead.

The American team’s struggles started at the most important position on the field: quarterback. Somerset Bears and American team coach Lou Morra was forced to undergo in-game roster shuffling, as the team had a quarterback go down – without a backup. Morra “had to scramble to play that position," which included inserting wide receivers as quarterbacks for several series.

No matter the target, the National’s defensive line consistently pressured the American offense, forcing several poor interceptions and a multitude of broken plays throughout the game.

It was a solid, all-around performance from the team in blue.

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Amiri Tulloch
amiritulloch(at)gmail(dot)com
SEE ALSO: Major League Football Players, Coaches and Owners Receive What They Deserve

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Somerset Patriots Recap: Offense breaks through in 13 inning marathon

NEW JERSEY – It took 4 hours and 11 minutes, but the Somerset Patriots (18-10) eventually prevailed in a 2-1 victory over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (11-17) on Saturday evening.

The winning run was scored when the Patriots came up-to-bat in the bottom of the 13^th inning. Despite the fact that Blue Crabs’ closer Erik Hamren had a road stat-line of eleven strikeouts in seven innings pitched, the 6’1 hurler faced the meat of the Patriots lineup.

Leading off the inning, 2B Nate Spears doubled to right field, RF Luis Montanez laced a single up the middle, and 3B Corey Smith induced a walk to load the bases. DH Ty Wright had a 3-2 count, but showed lack-of-discipline swinging on a ball out the zone that would have sent Spears in to win the game. Fear not: with one out and bases still loaded, 1B Robbie Widlansky stepped to the plate. After fouling off the first pitch, Widlansky drilled a groundball up the middle, advancing to first with a RBI fielder’s choice that sent Spears dashing across home plate.

The offense in the 13^th inning was not representative of the previous 12. Patriots’ lefty Matt Zielinski had a solid night, throwing seven strikeouts in just as many innings; his only blemish coming in the first inning after a RBI double from 1B Cyle Hankerd scored RF Jermaine Mitchell. The Patriots gave Zielinski some run protection in the fourth, when catcher Adam Donachie scored 3B Corey Smith from second base with a RBI single. The score remained 1-1 until Spears’s winning run, setting up a pitching duel for the 5,730 in attendance at TD Bank Ballpark on a brisk night. 

To the 12th we head!

This is not unusual for either team – each has struggled offensively this season, resulting in two of the lowest team batting averages in the Atlantic League. After giving up the first inning run, Zielinski scattered four hits over the next six frames and kept Somerset in the game. Brian Baker, the Blue Crabs’ starting right-hander, countered with four strikeouts in six innings, throwing 61 of his 90 pitches for strikes.

A leaping catch from SS Edwin Maysonet saved 6’9 pitcher Jon Hunton’s impressive 1-2-3 frame for the Patriots in the top of the 12^th, and 5’11 righty Jason Lowey closed the win for the Patriots by cleanly maneuvering his way out of a two-out jam in the top of the 13^th with runners on first and second. That set up the winning frame for the Patriots offense, a group that now has 10 come from behind victories on the season.

After a tough 3-2 loss in the series opener against the Blue Crabs on Friday, the Patriots look to take the lead in a four-game series Sunday afternoon at 1:05.

NOTES: 

• Offensive opportunities were aplenty (the two sides left 25 runners on base – ten of which came in the final four innings), continuing a season-long trend for the Somerset Patriots: solid pitching but reluctant hitting. Manager Brett Jodie alluded before the game that hitting was a clear area of weakness for his team. “It’s a different guy every night coming out and contributing … which is a good thing,” Jodie said. “But, we’re gonna try to get more guys [hot].” Jodie added that he’d give the team a “B” grade on the season so far, citing that with better hitting, that grade could be improved. 

• As Jodie mentioned, the Patriots offense has gotten contributions from different guys, and it was no different against the Blue Crabs on Saturday. Robbie Widlansky, who hit the game-winning RBI in the 13th inning, is on a bit of a streak: in Widlansky’s first 16 games, he only had four RBI. In the Florida-native’s last six games, he has eight RBI.

• In a bizarre moment, with the game tied through extra innings, a thick fog began to make its way into the ballpark, engulfing the outfield. Visibility was so bad that home plate umpire JB Torres even went into the outfield to check the sight himself. The game eventually resumed, after a lengthy delay, with the top of the 12^th inning.

• Several Patriots extended hit streaks: Adam Donachie to 5 games, Luis Montanez to 4, and Robbie Widlansky to 6.

• The 13 inning game was the second longest game of the season for the Patriots (season opener lasted 17), and the match tied the longest extra-inning game of the year (4 hours and 11 minutes long on 4/25).

The Somerset Patriots and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are a part of the Atlantic League.

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COLUMN: The Easiest Way to Pay College Athletes

Most people will agree that the time has come for NCAA athletes to be reimbursed for their athletic production. The big disagreement – to this point – has been how to go about doing so. However, the easiest way to fix the NCAA’s obvious dilemma is this: allow players to make money off of their own likeness...

Read my full column here > http://www.route4sports.com/2014/04/easiest-way-to-pay-college-athletes.html

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'The Wright Thing': Mets Third Baseman David Wright Honors NYPD Officers

  David Wright, the Mets third baseman, understands the ins-and-outs of police officers well; his father, Rhon, was a part of the Norfolk Police Department in Virginia for 30 years before retiring as Assistant Police Chief in January. Despite his demanding job as a Major League Baseball player, the younger Wright launched a community platform, ‘The Wright Thing,’ in 2013, where he honored the volunteers that made an impact following Hurricane Sandy.

  Wright’s initiative has continued into 2014, as the Mets announced on Friday that ‘The Wright Thing’ would return this season as a way to recognize heroes from the New York Police Department. Before the team’s Friday night game against the Miami Marlins, Wright spent several minutes taking pictures and talking with NYPD Police Officers James Li and Randy Chow and FDNY (Fire Department of New York City) EMTs Khadijah Hall and Shaun Alexander.

From right, Randy Chow, James Li,  David Wright, Shaun Alexander, and Kadijah Hill, pose for a picture. Click to open full screen.

  All four received an autographed, mini-replica of third base, enjoyed the game from VIP seats behind third base, and were also featured on Citi Vision, the Citi Field’s stadium screen, during the game.

  David Wright and the Mets chose to honor the four individuals after Officer Li was shot once in each leg while chasing a suspect in Brooklyn in February. Despite the fact that they were both off duty, EMTs Hall and Alexander immediately came to the assistance of Li.

  Per a New York Post article reporting the situation on February 27th, Hall said that it was “phenomenal luck,” that she and Alexander were near the situation. Hall added “that first hour is the most important time. I’m just glad that we were there in seconds. It’s amazing.” [source]

  David Wright said that it was “an honor” to meet the EMTs and the Police Officers. “Little do they know that I get more out of [meeting them] than they do. … [I] play a game for a living, but they go out there and put their lives on the line every day.” Wright added that talking with the officers and EMTs “put things in perspective.”

  Growing up as the son of a cop, Wright says that “you grow up and you understand that police officers, firefighters, these guys are heroes, but you don’t understand why they’re heroes until you kind of become old enough to know that there’s some bad guys out there.”

Wright talking with the four NYPD individuals. Click to open full screen.

  What made ‘The Wright Thing’ important to the Mets’ All-Star is that he grew up comprehending the risk of being a official. “Anything we can do to honor police officers is special to me,” Wright said. “I am proud to be associated with a program that honors the NYPD.”

Written by: Amiri Tulloch. Email: amiritulloch@gmail.com. Call: 201-699-8098.

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COLUMN: Rule Changes Making Special-Teams Less Appealing for NFL Coach

Every aspect of football is being affected by Rodger Goodell’s widespread rule changes. Offenses are becoming more lethal and defenses are becoming more confined. But, special teams is often the unit that is left out when you hear media outlets reporting and discussing rule changes. In actuality, the changes in rules have hurt special-teams just as much as the two predominant sides of the ball.

Before we get to the rule changes, let’s introduce the subject of this column. Mike Westhoff retired as special-teams coordinator of the New York Jets after the 2012 NFL season, and his units often ranked as one of the highest in the league. Westhoff coached 15 seasons in Miami (1986-2000) before going to New York (2001-2012). After Westhoff retired, the Jets hired Ben Kowitca to lead special-teams for this past NFL season. Ben subsequently left after the Jets’ 8-8 campaign, leaving Thomas McGaughey, formerly of LSU, as the third coach in three years at the special-teams position.

Back to Mike. Although he remained in contact with some of the Jets coaching staff, notably Head Coach Rex Ryan, Westhoff said that returning to the green and white as a coach was not in his consideration. For all of the disappointed Jets fans hoping to see another glimpse of Coach Westhoff, you can blame the new NFL.

“Many people have asked me over the past month if I’d consider coaching the Jets. I’m not,” said Westhoff in a recent phone interview. “I wouldn’t be interested with the [rule] changes.”

Rodger Goodell is not only impacting offenses and defenses, but his “iron fist” is becoming obvious in special teams as well.

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What Would Melo Do? [Opinion Article]

My latest article is up on TheSportsCrave! Read it here.

What Would Melo Do?

Carmelo Anthony, the star Knicks forward, is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the current 2013-14 NBA season (he has an opt-out in his contract). So, with the current Knicks in a gloomy, sub-.500 state-of-affairs, it’s time to look at Melo’s potential options in the free agent market.


1 - Chicago Bulls



PROS: Playing for Chicago would present an opportunity to play for a historic franchise, plus the ability to work with a stud point guard like Derrick Rose, and be the centerpiece of the team -- all in one swing.


CONS: Unfortunately for Chicago, Melo may not be welcomed.....

Read the full article here: http://www.thesportscrave.com/apps/blog/show/41077971-what-would-melo-do- 

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Gloomy Future for the Game of Football -- Opinion Piece

 By: JINX GRAND.

Although it significantly flew under the radar as far as headliners go, a devastating tragedy occurred that has extreme reverberations on the game of football. Charles Youvella, a high school player in Arizona, died recently due to a brain injury suffered during a game. While my condolences go out to the family, this sad story magnifies the sport of football and the danger that obviously comes when playing the game.


While the spotlight is always on the NFL, and rightly so, the scary truth is that the game is dangerous all the way from high school to the pros. In fact, a study published by the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council showed that the reported concussion rate for the average high school football player is nearly twice that of a college player, and far outpaces that of other high school sports. Concussions are a serious problem.

However, please realize that deaths aren't the norm when it comes to football. But, head injuries clearly are. It is almost becoming a weekly event now to hear and read former NFL players speaking out about their mental and head issues after their careers. Not even a week ago, Tony Dorsett, Hall-of-Fame Dallas Cowboys running back, was diagnosed with CTE -- the degenerative brain disease that may be the gloomiest three letter abbreviation attached to sports. CTE is the same disease that Junior Seau, the former NFL linebacker that committed suicide in 2012, suffered from. Also last week, legendary Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw told USA Today that he was suffering from depression and memory loss.

And those are just three names.

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NFL Quarterback Tiers -- The New QB Ranking Tool

Written by Jinx Grand (@JinxGrand on Twitter)

  Ranking players has become so predicated on opinion and less on facts. People blindly say that Kobe Bryant is better in clutch situations than Michael Jordan and LeBron James, when that is factually incorrect. The same can be said in the NFL when it comes to ranking quarterbacks, the number one debate in NFL circles.

  Ever since Eli Manning said that he was an ‘elite quarterback’ during a radio interview a few years ago, it has become the most overused word in the English Dictionary to analyze quarterbacks. Because of this, I decided to set the record straight on how quarterbacks should be categorized. After browsing a bit, I found that multiple websites had done a tier ranking system, but all the sites I looked at had it for fantasy football purposes. So, I created my own ranking system.

  The highest possible grouping is Tier 1 and the lowest is Tier 4. However, this does not answer the single biggest problem in quarterback debates: how to separate good from great. That is where the tier rankings are different. The following 6 requirements were created with the help of CincyJungle.com, Dylan Gerr, Emily Gruver (both of TheSportsCrave.com), and some inspiration from yours truly.

  If a quarterback can answer each question with flying colors, you’re likely looking at a Tier 1 guy. But, again, it has to be passed 100%, no questions asked.

1. Value – are they a three win team if you take him off the roster?
2. Best in the league – is he ever a part of the best-in-the-nfl conversations?
3. Machine-like consistency – can he get to ten wins every season (the general amount needed to make the postseason)?
4. Comeback situations/clutchness – 4th quarter, game on the line, is he coming through?
5. Leadership – does he garner respect from around the league/teammates?
6. Postseason – is he a different animal in January?

  That is the criteria that is going to be used to rank these quarterbacks.

  Now, on to names. Who makes the list of Tier 1 and who does not?

  Below is a table of the Tier 1 quarterbacks. For analysis purposes, I put grades next to each QB’s name indicating the level in which that QB answers the 6 questions. An ‘A’ obviously means that QB answers that question to the highest degree. Also, to note, each Tier is in order with players ranked from best to worst. For example, out of the Tier 1, Manning is the best and Rodgers is the weakest.



  As you can obviously tell, each quarterback passes the test flamboyantly. The reason I gave Brady an A- in value is because the Pats did go 11-5 with Matt Cassel as QB (the year when Brady banged up his knee). I gave Rodgers an A- in comebacks and clutch situations is because he only has 5 fourth quarter comebacks and 9 game-winning drives (compared to Peyton Manning’s 39 fourth quarter comebacks and 50 game-winning drives).

  Now, here is a look at Tier 2. Aaaaaaaaaaand...



...none of these QBs make it through unscathed.

  Let’s start with Eli: One of the biggest requirements in being a Tier 1 is consistency. His consistency is awful. Eli’s career QB record (the W-L record for games the QB has started) features two 8-8’s, two 9-7’s and two 1-6’s (as of October 24). Those seasons account for 60% of his career. Come back to me he starts having 10-win seasons consistently.

  Moving to Andrew Luck. Colin Cowherd of ESPN Radio recently said on his show that Luck deserves to be alongside Brady, Brees, Rodgers and Manning as the top QBs in the NFL. Colin constantly asked why we needed to wait before we claimed Luck as elite. Colin, I respect your opinion greatly and I think you are a splendid radio host, but how much can 23 games tell us about his consistency and postseason success? Before we put him alongside all-time legends, we need to wait a few years. Let me repeat: ALL-TIME LEGENDS. Why the big rush? It has’nt even been three years yet. (Everything I said about Andrew Luck can also be directed towards Russell Wilson.)

  Regarding Joe Flacco, the reason I had him so far down in the rankings is because a) he hasn’t shown me he can get it done without a formidable defense and without solid running game, and b) I am not sure he is a guy that can be a leader (then again, with Ray Lewis in the locker room, nobody else needs to have a leading force).

  However, the criticism of Tier 2 will definitely be Luck-Wilson-Manning. So, to end the questions of Luck-Wilson-Manning-should-be-Tier-1, I have gone on to create a TIER 1A, which contains the fringe guys that are right below Tier 1. Think of the tweener position in the NFL. Guys too good to be Tier 2, but not ready to be Tier 1.

  Moving on to Tier 3:



  Now we are getting into the under-achievers. When Jay Cutler is the only quarterback in this Tier receiving an A grade (don’t forget that he has lead the Bears to 15 fourth quarter comebacks and 19 game-winning drives), you know this is a mediocre bunch of quarterbacks.

  First off, in response to Kaepernick being Tier 3, I still have serious question marks about what kind of quarterback he will turn out to be. He has serious talent, but I still worry that what we saw last season was a fluke, or something that will not continue consistently throughout his career. As defensive coordinators get film on him, will he be able to transition into a successful pocket passer (like Luck, Wilson and even RGIII to an extent)? It is still early, so I could very well be dead wrong about Kaep, but I have my doubts.

  If I had to create a Tier 2A, it would consist of the top four: Cutler, Kaepernick, Romo and Rivers. Rivers just makes it in.

  For Tier 4, I am not going to grade them out (it is a waste of time, trust me) but here are the names in no particular order: Ryan Tannehill; Andy Dalton; Geno Smith; EJ Manuel; Nick Foles; Matt Schaub; Carson Palmer; Sam Bradford; Josh Freeman.

  To recap:



  As I had written at the beginning of this article, this form of ranking quarterbacks was instituted because I grew to hate the word elite as the only way to analyze a quarterback. What does elite mean?! Everyone has their own thoughts as to what elite can refer to.

  However, the people I have asked have told me the top four quarterbacks in the NFL right now are Manning, Brady, Brees, Rodgers (and Luck/Wilson are the next men up). Look at the 6 requirements I outlined, every one of those top QBs pass the test. Hopefully, now when we analyze quarterbacks we stop throwing the word elite around and actually grade them based on the factors that have immense weight at that position.

By: Jinx Grand, VP of TheSportsCrave, host of JG Sports Talk.

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Champions League Preview

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW

Arsenal aim for top spot as City seek Europa consolation.

Manchester City's UEFA Champions League campaign concludes with an away game against Borussia Dortmund, while Arsenal will be hoping to finish top of Group B.

The top two spots have already been filled in each of the four groups taking centre stage on Tuesday night, but those who have qualified will be jostling for position as the winners will avoid each other in the draw for the last 16.

The teams missing out on progression to the knockout stages will also be doing their utmost to finish third so they can at least extend their continental adventure by switching across to the Europa League.

Manchester City are currently bottom of Group D after a second straight year of disappointment in Europe's No.1 competition, and Roberto Mancini will be hoping to sign off in style with a victory over Borussia Dortmund in Germany. The Premier League champions are currently one point adrift of Ajax and need a favour from second-placed Real Madrid to climb up to third.

Jose Mourinho, this week linked with a move away from Real Madrid at the end of the season, is likely to rest a number of key men against Ajax at the Santiago Bernabeu as Borussia Dortmund are guaranteed top spot.

Arsene Wenger has insisted he would not swap places with Manchester City and shrugged off talk of a crisis ahead of Arsenal's final group game against Olympiakos. The Gunners boss has had to contend with fresh questions about his future after Saturday's home defeat against Swansea left them tenth in the Premier League, and he will now be looking to get back on track in Greece.

Arsenal need to win and hope that fellow qualifiers Schalke fail to beat Montpellier away from home if they are to top the group, with the French champions determined to finish with a flourish even though they are destined to end bottom.

Elsewhere in Europe, Malaga and AC Milan have already clinched first and second place respectively in Group C so the focus will be on who can make it through to the Europa League.

Zenit St Petersburg and Anderlecht are level on points and shared 1-0 victories in their head-to-head, so it will all come down to how Zenit fare away to AC Milan and the Belgians' clash at Malaga.

Top spot is on the line in Group A as current leaders Porto aim to protect their one-point lead by avoiding defeat away to Paris St Germain.

Dynamo Kiev will move across to the Europa League after Christmas and will be aiming for a victory in their final match against a Dinamo Zagreb side yet to pick up a single point.


Glen Baird.
Twitter: @Glen_Baird

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Premier League 15th Matchday Results

15th Premier League Matchday Results!


-- Reading 3-4 Manchester United
( H.Robson-Kanu-8', Anderson-13', A. Le Fonder-19', W.Rooney-pen. 16', 30, S.Morrison-23', R.Van Persie).

 

-- West Bromvich Albion 0-1 Stoke City 

(D.Whitehead-75').
 

-- QPR 1-1 A.Villa 

(B.Holman-8', J.Mackie-18').
 

-- Manchester City 1-1 Everton 

(M.Fellaini-33', C.Tevez-43'-pen).
 

-- Liverpool 1-0 Southampton 

(D.Agger-43').
 

-- West Ham 3-1 Chelsea 

(J.Mata-13', C.Cole-63', M.Diame-86', M.Maiga-90+1').
 

-- Norwich 2-1 

(S.Bassong-8', A.Pilkington-37', C.Gardner-44').
 

-- Newcastle 3-0 Wigan 

(D.Ba-13'-pen.,21', G.Birigimana-71').

 

 

Written By Glen Baird ( Twitter: @Glen_Baird ).

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Premier League Preview

The midweek Premier League action sees the Manchester clubs continue to tussle for the top spot under pressure from surprise high-fliers West Brom.

Chelsea will be keep to get back on track as Rafael Benitez looks for his first win as manager, while Tottenham and Liverpool will both be looking to climb the table when they collide in North London.

Manchester City will be out to reclaim top spot in the table when they travel to Wigan.

Manchester United will look to keep their neighbours at bay when they play host to West Ham, having come from behind to see off lowly QPR on Saturday.

Benitez is seeking his first triumph as Chelsea manager after his debut game in charge ended in a goalless draw against Manchester City, and will be looking for three points to revive the Blues' fortunes when they entertain mid-table Fulham.

In-form West Brom travel to Swansea on the back of four consecutive wins which have lifted them into third place and could further increase the heat on the Manchester clubs with victory in South Wales.

Elsewhere, Everton have gone off the boil in recent weeks with just one win in their last seven games and will be looking to turn that around with a home result against Arsenal, who sit a point behind in sixth place ahead of the trip to Merseyside.

Newcastle's slump continued as they suffered a third straight defeat at Southampton on Saturday and Alan Pardew's men will be desperate to turn things around when they visit Stoke.

Resurgent Southampton have climbed out of the bottom three with back-to-back successes and will look to extend that winning run when they host Norwich.

I will make the post about the results of these games!!!


11/28/2012
Glen Baird.
Twitter: @Glen_Baird.

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Who Should Be Blamed For The NYJ Circus-Type Atmosphere?

Recently, an article was published by the New York Daily News that including some unnamed NYJets players, sources, and executives taking shots at Tim Tebow & the Jets offense.

What is your take on the quotes? Who, in your opinion, needs to be blamed for the Jets "circus-type" atmosphere? Leave your comments in the box below, or email us at jgsportstalk@gmail.com! Jinx and Emily may read your beliefs on the show!!

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