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The cloud that’s hung over the NFL for months ended today when the story broke that Peyton Manning would be signing with the Denver Broncos. The ramifications are not just limited to the Broncos however. They are far-reaching across the NFL landscape. Here are my thoughts on the biggest free agent signing in NFL history.

The Broncos are still a massive rebuilding project away from legitimately contending in the AFC. Even if they bring in ALL of Peyton’s fellow aging ex-Colt teammates, their best hope is to win the AFC West. Beating the likes of Pittsburgh, New England, and Baltimore is going to take more than slapping the 2007 Colts back on top of an already shaky offense.

Continue reading "My Many Musings on the Manning Maneuver"

The second day of free agency may not have been as fast and furious as the first, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t plenty of headlines made. Let’s get right into the news of the day!

-News flash: Calvin Johnson is pretty damn good. And now he’s pretty damn rich, signing the richest contract in NFL history on Wednesday. The extension, which tweaks the final year of his previous deal, adds seven more with a dollar value of $132 million. Johnson may not be actually “worth” the money, but the Lions couldn’t afford not to lock him down for the long term.

- As expected, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their spending spree, signing guard Carl Nicks to bolster their offensive line. I’ve already heard some pundits talking of the Bucs’ line as if it could be the best in football next season. Slow your freaking horses boys. It takes a LOT more than a really great guard to make a successful offensive line. That being said, it was a position the Bucs desperately needed to upgrade.

Continue reading "2012 NFL Free Agency: Day Two"

Free agency news is all over the internet with teams announcing the typical flurry of moves within the first hours of the new league year. I don’t have the patience for an introduction, so let’s just get to the news of the day!

-Mario Williams is all up in Buffalo as we speak, and he won’t leave unless he turns down a boatload of cash. If you’re even thinking about heading to Buffalo, you know what they’re going to pay you. You just want them to pay for a first class flight too before you sign the dotted line. The defensive end is going to be a very rich man. (Richer, really.) Likely joining him in upstate New York will be Saints wide-out Robert Meachem. Not a bad haul thus far for the lowly Bills. (Edit: Mario IS apparently leaving Buffalo without a deal and Meachem has signed with the Chargers. Well done Bills.)

Continue reading "2012 NFL Free Agency: Day One"

Free agency kicked off with a bang in Chicago, but it wasn’t a signing that caught the league’s attention. It was a trade with the Miami Dolphins. GM Phil Emery made a statement in his first free agency by addressing the Chicago Bears’ longest suffering need, acquiring receiver Brandon Marshall in a deal with the ‘Phins. Sending two third-round picks in the exchange, Chicago instantly adds a number one wide-out to its roster.

I absolutely LOVE this move for my Bears. You give up two mid-rounders for a number one receiver who has an instant chemistry with your franchise quarterback thanks to their days in Denver. Marshall has been a bit of a headcase (to understate the matter), but he’s worth the price tag in this situation. His production has been steady with 86 and 81 catches in 2010 and 2011 while receiving passes from the likes of Chad Henne and Matt Moore. He’s already under contract for three more seasons at an affordable number, so giving him mega-bucks isn’t an issue right away. This gives Emery the flexibility to address his other needs via free agency. What else could he have in store?

Continue reading "Using Marshall Force: Bears Trade for Pro Bowl WR"

With the start of the league year tomorrow at 4PM EST, 2012 free agency will kick off in earnest, giving veterans the chance to jump ship and earn their “well-deserved” millions. The Chicago Bears, with new GM Phil Emery, are in an interesting situation. They have an aging but still productive defense paired with a young but still unproven offense. To improve their lot, Chicago must take advantage of their glut of cap space and bring in proven commodities to take over starting jobs, provide competition to incumbents, or bring depth to key units. Let’s take a look at some of the free agents the Bears should pursue, the free agents they should stay away from, and the free agents they’re already reported to be chasing.

Continue reading "A Look at the Bears' Free Agent Possibilities"

"And as I go, I go with just a few words left to say. A few words I want to address to Colts fans everywhere. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I truly have enjoyed being your quarterback.”

Those were the last words from the always-classy Peyton Manning on Wednesday as he finished saying goodbye to the Indianapolis Colts. Fighting back tears, Manning and owner Jim Irsay made their statements and answered a few questions related to the QB’s departure as well as their prospective futures. They were emotional, I was emotional, it was emotional. But after the press conference ended there was only one question on the minds of NFL fans:

Where will Peyton Manning play in 2012?

Continue reading "Manning For All: Peyton's Chances with Every NFL Team"

Who would have thought that the 17-16 playoff loss to the New York Jets on January 30th, 2011 was the last game we would see Peyton Manning as an Indianapolis Colt? Not this man. And that’s probably why it’s taken me so long to fully articulate my thoughts on Peyton’s now-confirmed departure from the team that drafted him 14 years ago. This was a story I never thought I would have to write. Correction: it was a story I never wanted to write.

If the reports coming out from various sports networks are to be believed, owner Jim Irsay broke the news to Peyton on Monday night that he would not be coming back for a run in 2012. This flies in the face of Irsay’s comments throughout this process that it would be “Peyton’s decision” whether or not he’d be back in the blue and white. As he’s been working out like a fiend with numerous leaked descriptions of those throwing sessions, you knew that Manning wanted to be back in Indy. Collective bargaining prevented Irsay and new GM Ryan Grigson from watching those sessions in person, but you can bet they talked to people who did. Or at least that was Manning’s hope.

Continue reading "The Saga Concludes: Mannning and Colts to Part Company"

Most basketball hoops let you to adjust the height of your rim from 7 as well as a half for the regulation height of 10 feet. On specific greater end basketball objectives, they may possibly be able to modify even decrease. However the method by which these systems modify can differ extensively.

Adjustment methods fall in two key categories: individuals that allow for six-inch increments and people that allow for “infinite” increments. A basketball rim that adjusts in six-inch increments can adjust at six points in involving 7 as well as a half and a 10 feet: 7.five, 8, 8.five, 9, 9.five and ten feet. With systems which might be infinitely adjustable, you happen to be in a position for making extremely tiny adjustments, like and inch or much less in case you so wish, which means you can set it at any point in between the minimum and maximum height.

Continue reading "Basketball Hoop Adjustment Methods"

The 2012 Super Bowl is in the books and I’m finally finished writing. Took me long enough. (I was distracted by Puppy Bowl VIII.) So without further ado, here’s the season’s last edition of The Final Drive!

This game started with almost as much drama as it finished with. The New England Patriots came out with strong defensive pressure, sacking Eli Manning twice on New York’s first drive and forcing a punt to give Brady the ball. Tom took that opening possession, dropped back to throw from his own endzone, and let a deep ball fly to absolutely no one while the Giants closed in for the hit. That correctly drew an intentional grounding flag, which from the endzone is grounds for a safety. So the Giants jumped to an early 2-0 lead and we were all flabbergasted.

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Super Bowl XLVI"

It’s finally here. After a drawn-out lockout, a last minute deal, rushed training camps, an eventful regular season and a thrilling postseason, Super Bowl XLVI is upon us. On Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis the NFL’s elite will be decided. After breaking down the Patriots and Giants individually (as well as the Prop Bets), it’s time to actually analyze how this game is going to play out.

Starting with Brady and that offense, it’s clear they’re going to try and avoid testing their protection against that defensive line early when the adrenaline is high. Quick passes to Hernandez, Welker and possibly a still-injured Gronkowski will be the best options, followed by handing it off to Green-Ellis and Woodhead out of the backfield. Belichick’s plan should be to wear down the front four with a barrage of running plays and perhaps a mix of no-huddle possession passing. This way he can wear down the Giant defense for the second half and take control. The key will be how healthy Gronk really is and how many drives Brady and company can end with seven. If they’re settling for field goals the Giants will be happy. Perry Fewell’s defense just wants to keep it close going into the fourth so JPP, Tuck and Umenyiora can begin to furiously throw themselves at Brady. If it stays an even game going into the fourth I feel like it favors the Giants. Eli just has that maddening magic about him.

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Super Bowl XLVI"