MLB Winter Meetings

The MLB Winter Meetings have concluded, but most of the action took place after they were over. Sean Dolan and Christian Binder, the hosts of 4th and 15, give their thoughts on the deals that went down in Major League Baseball.

Christian Binder: As a Yankees fan, I can’t be upset with what’s been going on. I still don’t know how I feel about the Yanks acquiring Curtis Granderson, but if he puts up numbers like he did in 2007, then he’s a steal. He does give the team a dependable every day centerfielder who can also lead off, but he has GOT to work on hitting left-handed pitching. I was upset to see Austin Jackson, the Yankees’ supposedly untouchable outfield prospect, go in the deal, but Granderson is in his prime and he’s here for the foreseeable future. That’s really the only move the Yankees have made, though, and they really need to find some back-of-the-rotation starters. I mean, let’s face the fact that Joba Chamberlain is not a starter and that Phil Hughes should be. The top three spots are already set with CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettitte, but after that, there’s question marks. There are still good pitchers such as Ben Sheets and Justin Duchsherer on the market. Why not give at least one of those guys a shot? Plus, they have to keep up with the Red Sox who signed John Lackey to a 5-year deal. The Sox now have arguably the most talented staff in baseball with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Lackey, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Clay Buchholz. I know you’re happy, Sean, because your team just got the best pitcher in baseball.

Sean Dolan:  With regards to the Yankees’ offseason moves so far, I must admit that I am surprised they did not make a stronger effort to sign Lackey, not only because he would have added depth to the rotation, but because the Red Sox were the other major contender to sign him.  Granderson was a decent pickup, though.  He will serve as a good compliment to the core players on the team, putting up solid numbers both offensively and defensively.  As for the Red Sox, the Lackey signing solidifies their rotation as one of the most complete in the league.  However, I feel that they spent a lot of money on a part of the team that didn’t require much improvement.  Pitching is not their weakness, hitting is.  Beyond Jason Bay, who has already refused offers from them, and Matt Holliday, there are no real top-tier hitters on the market, though they could still be helped by the likes of Garrett Atkins or Adrian Beltre.  If they can acquire some hitting help with the salary space they have left, the Bosox will compete with the Yankees for dominance of the American League.

Which brings us to the Phightin’ Phillies.  When I first learned that Cliff Lee had been traded away, I was furious.  But the more I learned about the trade for Roy Halliday and the circumstances surrounding it, the more I like it.  First, Halliday is only three years older than Lee, dispelling concerns about age.  Second, trading away Lee was essential for maintaining the farm system.  Since the beginning of last season, the Phillies have traded away seven of their top ten farm prospects.  Letting Lee stay for another season (and ultimately losing him to free agency) would have prevented the team from acquiring blue-chip prospects to replace the ones they have given away.  Thus, the Phillies have re-secured a future for themselves, rather than risking everything on next season.  In the end, the effectiveness of this deal for the Phillies will be determined by how successful the prospects from Seattle are, and, believe it or not, how well Cole Hamels pitches next season, not Roy Halliday.  With Lee gone, Hamels is the go-to left-handed starter again, and if he pitches like he did in 2008 when he was the MVP of the World Championship team, the Phillies essentially regain the ace they sent to the West Coast.  Christian, your thoughts on this trade?

Christian: Let me just say first that Garrett Atkins has signed with the Orioles and it doesn’t look like the Sox are going after Beltre, though I could be wrong.The Sox addressed their outfield issues by signing Mike Cameron, which makes me think they’re trying to deal for Adrian Gonzalez with a package centered around Jacoby Ellsbury. I don’t think Ellsbury really fits what the Padres would need, but there’s always a chance that Theo Epstein pulls of some crazy trade.

Now for the Phillies. I’m still not sure if this was the best move for them. They know what they’re getting in Roy Halladay, but they have to remember that he hasn’t pitched in the National League. That won’t be a problem for him – he’ll probably wind up with a sub-2.50 ERA and 24 wins given the sad state of the NL, but he has to bat now. They have no idea how that will affect him. They got a good return for Cliff Lee, but they lost Kyle Drabek in the Halladay deal. I’m a big believer in building a club through the farm system and I feel like they sold their farm over the past year. Don’t get me wrong, though. They’ve got a complete team with the guys they have in the major leagues now. The lesser talked about trade the Phils made this offseason was signing Placido Polanco, who will play third base for them. The guy is getting up in age, but he was a Gold Glove second baseman for the past two years with the Detroit Tigers. That fills the hole left by departed third baseman Pedro Feliz. Right now, the Phillies are clearly the team to beat in the NL.

Looking ahead, there are still big names without teams. Jason Bay and Matt Holliday remain unsigned. Bay has received offers from the Red Sox and Mets, but he rejected the offer from the Sox. The Mets seem like a suitor, but I’m not so sure he’d want to play for them. Holliday has received an offer from the St. Louis Cardinals and it was a very lucrative deal. However, he has yet to accept it and he hasn’t received any other offers. Realistically, there aren’t many teams that can offer him as much money as he wants, so I see him ending up with the Cardinals. What do you think, Sean?

Sean:  Well, it is finally official.  Jason Bay has signed with the New York Mets, a move that I believe will put them in the running for the National League Wildcard.  I still believe the Phillies have all the pieces necessary to dominate the division again (cue homer bell), but this signing will certainly make the race all the more interesting.  That is, assuming Bay stays healthy, a feat that not many Mets have been able to accomplish as of late.  Matt Holliday, meanwhile, will most likely end up with the Cardinals.  You are correct in stating that not many teams can offer him the money he wants; he turned down a five-year, $82.5 million deal from the Red Sox, so logistically one could eliminate the majority of the league from topping that offer.  The last free agent that I would like to address is Cuban 21-year-old left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who has been courting the Red Sox, Yankees, A’s, Angels, and most recently, the Blue Jays.  Personally, I see him signing with the Angels, a team that will be looking to fill the void left by losing John Lackey.   I also believe they have the money to land him a good deal and the drive to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox in free agent acquisitions.  Your thoughts?

Christian: Peter Gammons said “Jason Bay would rather play in Beirut than Queens.” So much for that. The Mets were the only team really bidding for Bay and they got him. He does bring some help, but he’s not nearly what the team needed. What the Mets lack is pitching. Sure, they have Johan Santana, but after that, they’ve got absolutely nothing. They should’ve spent more time focusing on guys like John Lackey, Randy Wolf, and Brad Penny, but they were never really in on any of those guys. I can’t see Holliday going anywhere but St. Louis. However, his agent Scott Boras said that he would consider a one- or two-year deal for his client, which opens the door for teams like the Yankees. I honestly think that that’s Boras trying to force the Cardinals’ hand, though. Holliday is worthy of a multiyear deal, but no one has the money to spend on him in these tough economic times. As for Chapman, I’m not sure he’ll play in the majors this year. Everyone knows that the kid can throw, but what he lacks is discipline. Plus he wants a contract that’s crazy. The Yankees screwed up when they signed Jose Contreras to a multiyear deal before seeing him pitch in the majors and teams around the league, including the Yanks, have learned from that. I think if anyone signs him, he should be sent straight to the minors for at least a year to develop. Right now, though, there are no clear suitors for him.

There’s plenty more where this came from. Be sure to listen to 4th and 15 every Thursday from 4:15-5:00 on WSOE 89.3 FM.

Christian Binder
cb-sports.blogspot.com
http://wsoesports.wordpress.com/category/christian-binder/

MLB: Red Sox reportedly sign Lackey

By Craig Filazzola, WSOE Sports Director

According to ESPN and other sources, starting pitcher John Lackey has signed with the Boston Red Sox.  This is a 5-year, $85-million deal for the 31-year-old right-hander.  Lackey took a physical for the Red Sox on Monday.   

Red Sox fan Eli Kaufman and Yankees fan Christian Binder discuss the move.

Eli Kaufman – It’s a good indication that Theo Epstein and the owners aren’t just going to sit back and not make any moves this offseason

Christian Binder -  I don’t know why they’d want to sign Lackey. Your staff is good enough already. How about filling the holes in your outfield or figuring out who’s playing the infield corners? If Mike Lowell is going away, you can only play Kevin Youkilis at one position and forget about David Ortiz playing first. You could play Victor Martinez at first, but do you really want Jason Varitek playing every day? Bigger problems than Lackey.

Eli Kaufman - Good pitching beats good hitting. The fact that we are looking at Lackey might mean we are shopping Clay Buchholz, so we might end up getting a third or first baseman.

Christian Binder – Nobody’s trading corner infielders, but you might sign Adrian Beltre (yippee). I mean, you don’t lose anything by signing Lackey, but if I were Theo, I’d try to sign Matt Holliday before Lackey or Beltre, because you know Jason Bay is as good as gone. Unless you want Josh Reddick playing left. Plus, Ellsbury is a sub-par centerfielder who is more suited in left, so in reality, you need a centerfielder.Eli Kaufman – 1. Jacoby is not subpar!!!! 2. We are going to get a corner infielder, whether its Beltre, who hit 25 homers the year before last, Adrian Gonzalez, Miguel Carbrera, or anyone. You never know with Theo. He always makes these crazy random trades

Eli Kaufman - 1. Jacoby is not subpar!!!! 2. We are going to get a corner infielder, whether its Beltre, who hit 25 homers the year before last, Adrian Gonzalez, Miguel Carbrera, or anyone. You never know with Theo. He always makes these crazy random trades

Christian Binder – 1. Yes. He’s a below-average defensive centerfielder.  2) Beltre was awful this year. Adrian Gonzalez isn’t going anywhere, and you’re crazy to think that the Tigers would even entertain the notion of trading away their best player after they traded away Edwin Jackson and Curtis Granderson.

Eli Kaufman – 1. Agree to disagree. Watch a highlight tape.  2. Beltre was injured this year. He didn’t play a full season. The monster will help him out a lot. He’ll be like a younger Mike Lowell, and that’s the thing, the Tigers know they need to rebuild. Although both teams claim they won’t trade certain players, we both know that they get traded all the time. 3. The Sox have to pick and choose which players they feel they can get with the money they have. We don’t have Yankee type cash. Maybe Holliday doesn’t want to come to Boston. Who knows?

Christian Binder – Haha. I’ll agree to disagree, but of course a highlight tape is going to show all the good plays! Fair enough on the rest of your points. Touché. 

Eli Kaufman - Well played sir. Well played. The Sox are so unpredictable it’s tough to really know what’s going to happen in beantown.

Contact Information:
Craig Filazzola
WSOE Sports Director
cfilazzola@elon.edu

Eli Kaufman
WSOE Sports
ekaufman@elon.edu

Christian Binder
WSOE Sports
cbinder@elon.edu

PGA: Tiger Woods Taking Indefinite Leave From Golf

By Christian Binder, WSOE Sports

It is a dark day in sports when perhaps one of the most upstanding figures in the world of sports has been brought down. Tiger Woods made an announcement on his website that he will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from the PGA Tour to “focus [his] attention on being a better husband, father, and person…” For the first time, Woods used the term “infidelity” in reference to his “transgressions” that were revealed after his car accident on the morning of November 27.

At this point in time, the details of Woods’ affair(s) are unknown, but one woman has publicly claimed that she had a 31-month affair with Woods. Tiger’s wife, Elin Nordegren, has said that she does not wish to divorce him and that she would prefer to work things out. The two have a two-year-old daughter and a ten-month-old son together and Woods plans to take time to repair the relationships that have been damaged by his actions.

What does this mean for the world’s number-one golfer? His image certainly has been tarnished. When people think of Tiger Woods, they think of him hugging his father after he won a tournament, all of the fist pumps after the big shots, and beating Rocco Mediate on a bum knee. Now, on top of all of that, is his infidelity. It truly is saddening that one of the greatest role models in sports has taken a fall. Only time will tell if his reputation will be repaired. As for now, don’t expect to see Tiger driving the ball for quite some time.

Contact Information:
Christian Binder
WSOE Sports
cbinder@elon.edu

NFL: Two Receivers Find New Homes

By Christian Binder, WSOE Sports

On Tuesday, October 7, two huge moves went down in the NFL that, honestly, were quite surprising. The New York Jets acquired troubled wideout Braylon Edwards from the Cleveland Browns and the San Francisco 49ers signed holdout Michael Crabtree to a six-year deal. Edwards brings the Jets a legitimate number-one receiver, something they have lacked for the better part of this decade. The 49ers got the assurance that they will not lose their number-one pick and, hopefully, he will provide QB Shaun Hill a downfield threat in the passing game. 

 

Braylon Edwards, Courtesy of: media.nj.com

The most shocking part of the Edwards deal was how relatively little the Jets gave up for him. WR Chansi Stuckey and special teamer Jason Trusnik were both shipped to the Browns in addition to two draft picks, believed to be 3rd- and 5th-rounders. Stuckey has been inconsistent in his two years in the league and has failed to live up to his expectations as a viable slot receiver this year. He will be replaced by David Clowney, who is also in his third year in the league. The key for Edwards’ success in New York is attitude. The Jets already have good chemistry in the locker room, thanks in large part to head coach Rex Ryan, and Edwards will have to become a part of that and avoid being a distraction. Presumably, Edwards will have to prove himself as the team’s number-one receiver by performing extremely well in practice, as Jerricho Cotchery went into the season as the number-one option for rookie QB Mark Sanchez. It will be interesting to see how Edwards’ presence affects a game because Jets receivers have been unable to get separation from defensive backs this season. Edwards is a threat to go deep, which should loosen up the secondary and allow players like tight end Dustin Keller to catch balls across the middle. While all of this sounds well and good, the Jets will have to wait and see if Edwards has any punishment awaiting him, since he allegedly punched a club promoter in Cleveland, who happened to be a friend of LeBron James, several days ago. As for now, the Jets will proceed like he will be a part of the team come Sunday. 

 

Michael Crabtree, Courtesy of: americansportsblog.files.wordpress.com

Michael Crabtree finally ended all of his drama with the 49ers and agreed to a six-year deal, the terms of which have not yet been disclosed. This is great news for the 49ers, who are already off to a 3-1 start, but not so much because of their offense. The defense, led by linebacker Patrick Willis, has only allowed 53 points through 4 games and has the team looking for its first division title since 2002. Shaun Hill has played great, completing 62.3% of his passes with 5 touchdowns to only 1 interception. Crabtree should instantly open up the passing game, which will make opposing defenses stop focusing on running back Frank Gore so much. However, Crabtree is a work in progress, so it could be a few weeks before he starts making plays. Crabtree made the best move for both himself and his team and it will be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out.

 

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Contact Information:
Christian Binder
WSOE Sports
cbinder@elon.edu

MLB: Derek Jeter Becomes Yankees All-Time Hits Leader

By Christian Binder, WSOE Sports

A standing ovation for Jeter. Courtesy of nydailynews.com

On a day when the city of New York felt a lot of pain, Derek Jeter gave the fans at Yankee Stadium something to cheer about. In the third inning of the Yankees’ game against the Baltimore Orioles, Derek Jeter passed Lou Gehrig as the all-time hits leader for the New York Yankees.

To put this in historical perspective, Lou Gehrig held the record for 70 years. The names that are behind Gehrig: Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Bernie Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Don Mattingly, and Yogi Berra – all players that are icons in Yankee lore. Now Derek Jeter stands above them all. Jeter got his first hit in May of 1995 against the Seattle Mariners. 15 years and four championships later, it seems like Jeter has it all. However, he has never won the MVP award and this year could very well be it for him. He is batting .331 with 17 home runs, 63 RBI, 97 runs, and 25 stolen bases. Plus, the Yankees currently have an 8.5-game lead in arguably the toughest division in baseball. Jeter is known for his devotion to his team and even if he doesn’t win the MVP this year, it won’t matter unless the Yankees win the World Series.

Here’s to Derek Jeter, one of the best players to ever play the game.

Contact Information:
Christian Binder
WSOE Sports
cbinder@elon.edu

NFL: A Division-by-Division Look at the 2009-2010 Season, Part 8: NFC West

By Christian Binder, WSOE Sports 

 

 Arizona Cardinals (2008 Record: 9-7)
-Key Additions: RB Chris “Beanie” Wells, CB Bryant McFadden, FB Dan Kreider
-Key Losses: CB Rod Hood, RB Edgerrin James, DE/LB Travis Laboy, RB J.J. Arrington, LB Monty Beisel 

Larry Fitzgerald, Courtesy of: zimbio.com

The Cinderella story was nearly completed last year during the Cardinals’ improbable run to the Super Bowl. However, the Cardinals came just short of defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cardinals return this season with the same offense led by Kurt Warner and all-pro receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Chris Wells should help in the running game, but he has already struggled with injuries in the preseason. On defense, the Cardinals lost several starters, but were able to retain LB Karlos Dansby, a key piece of last year’s defense. If Kurt Warner can stay healthy for all 16 games (something he has never done in consecutive seasons), the Cardinals will have a shot at winning their division again. However, the defense will need to improve greatly with the parts it has and that seems unlikely since Clancy Pendergast is no longer the defensive coordinator. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt took over the offensive play-calling duties after former offensive coordinator Todd Haley left to become the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. Look for the Cardinals to air it out this season to try to win high-scoring affairs.

 

San Francisco 49ers (2008 Record: 7-9)
-Key Additions: DE Demetric Evans, OT Marvel Smith, CB Dre Bly
-Key Losses: LB Tully Banta-Cain, QB J.T. O’Sullivan, CB Donald Strickland

Frank Gore, Courtesy of: everyjoe.com

After a midseason coaching change last year, the 49ers began to show some heart. QB Shaun Hill stepped up as a real leader for the team and it looked like the 49ers might be making strides towards their former glory. However, there are still many holes on this team. The team addressed its need at wide receiver in the draft by selecting Michael Crabtree number ten overall, but he has held out all preseason and is unlikely to be signed at all. RB Frank Gore will most likely see a lot of action in both the passing and running game as he is the team’s most viable offensive weapon. The defense will also look to improve under the direction of head coach Mike Singletary, a hall-of-fame linebacker. If the 49ers can solve their problems on defense, they have a good chance to win some close games, but if not, they will wind up in the same place as they have in recent years – on the outside looking in.

 

Seattle Seahawks (2008 Record: 4-12)
-Key Additions: DT Colin Cole, LB Aaron Curry, WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CB Ken Lucas, RB Edgerrin James, S Lawyer Milloy
-Key Losses: WR Bobby Engram, RB Maurice Morris, DT Rocky Bernard, LB Julian Peterson, RB T.J. Duckett

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Courtesy of: blog.oregonlive.com

 The Seahawks had a rough season last year largely due to injury. It seemed like almost everybody was getting hurt. Starting QB Matt Hasselbeck was out for a long time with a back injury and week to week, almost every running back on the roster had some injury. The Seahawks addressed the need at wide receiver by signing free agent T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who gives Matt Hasselbeck a legitimate number-one option at receiver. If WR Deion Branch can remain healthy, the Seahawks could have a very dangerous passing game, especially since TE John Carlson is poised for a breakout season. The defense got better with rookie Aaron Curry stepping in to fill the hole left by the departed Julian Peterson and defensive backs Ken Lucas and Lawyer Milloy shoring up what was a weak pass defense. The Seahwaks seem to be the darling team this year and could surprise many people.

St. Louis Rams (2008 Record: 2-14)
-Key Additions: QB Kyle Boller, OT Jason Smith, LB James Laurinaitas
-Key Losses: WR Torry Holt, OT Orlando Pace, LB Pisa Tinoisamoa\

Chris Long (left), Courtesy of: static.nfl.com

 The Rams had a disastrous season last year and really have nowhere to go but up. However, that is easier said than done. New head coach Steve Spagnuolo will look to build up the defense like he did with the New York Giants, but he has to worry about how his team plays on both sides of the ball. RB Steven Jackson is solid, but he has yet to put up anything like the numbers he did in 2006. QB Marc Bulger will have to try to stay healthy for a full season, but that is unlikely since the offensive line is very shaky and he will likely take a lot of hits. The team is also without a number-one option at wide receiver since Torry Holt was released. The defense has a couple of stars on it and DE Chris Long will try to live up to the play of his father, but it could be quite some time before the Rams play a meaningful game.

 

Contact Information:
Christian Binder
WSOE Sports
cbinder@elon.edu

 

 

 

 

NFL: A Division-by-Division Look at the 2009-2010 Season, Part 7: AFC West

By Christian Binder, WSOE Sports

Denver Broncos (2008 Record: 8-8)
-Key Additions: QB Kyle Orton, RB Knowshon Moreno, S Brian Dawkins, WR Jabar Gaffney, RB Correll Buckhalter, LB Andra Davis, RB LaMont Jordan, QB Chris Simms, RB J.J. Arrington, DE Robert Ayers
-Key Losses: QB Jay Cutler, DT Dewayne Robertson, CB Dre Bly

Kyle Orton, Courtesy of: extras.mnginteractive.com

It’s not a good time to be a Broncos fan. Exit Mike Shanahan, the man who brought two titles to the team with John Elway and enter 33-year-old Bill Belichick product Josh McDaniels. When McDaniels arrived in town, everything was rosy. Not too long after, there was a big controversy as word was leaked that McDaniels wanted to bring in former New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel to run his offense in Denver. Incumbent quarterback Jay Cutler was offended and immediately requested a trade. After a lot of bickering, his request was granted and he was traded to the Chicago Bears in exchange for Kyle Orton and several draft picks. Now, all-pro receiver Brandon Marshall is upset with the team and has also requested a trade. The positive for this team is that it is greatly improved on defense, an area that the team was absolutely horrific in last year. If the ship can get righted in Denver, this could be a very dangerous team.

Kansas City Chiefs (2008 Record: 2-14)
-Key Additions: QB Matt Cassel, DE Tyson Jackson, WR Bobby Engram, LB Mike Vrabel
-Key Losses: TE Tony Gonzalez, DE Jason Babin, LB Donnie Edwards, QB Damon Huard, CB Patrick Surtain The Chiefs are clearly in a rebuilding phase.

Matt Cassel, Courtesy of: zimbio.com

New head coach Todd Haley, the offensive mastermind of the Arizona Cardinals, is looking to build a similar offense in Kansas City. The acquisition of Matt Cassel is certainly an upgrade over Brodie Croyle and Tyler Thigpen, but this team still has a lot of glaring holes. Running back Larry Johnson is openly unhappy about playing for the Chiefs and the wide receiving corps is very weak. The team’s best offensive weapon, tight end Tony Gonzalez, now plays for the Atlanta Falcons. There are a few good players on the defensive side of the ball, but for the most part, the defense is not very good at all. There will probably not be much improvement for the team this year, though they will almost certainly garner more wins.

Oakland Raiders (2008 Record: 5-11)
-Key Additions: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, DE Richard Seymour, LB Greg Ellis
-Key Losses: LB Napoleon Harris, LB Morlon Greenwood, CB/KR Justin Miller

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Courtesy of: imgs.sfgate.com

Everyone was shocked when the Raiders selected Darrius Heyward-Bey with the seventh overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft while other big-name receivers Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin, and Hakeem Nicks were all still available. It’s no secret that owner Al Davis loves speedy receivers and that’s exactly what Heyward-Bey is, but there were clearly better options available. QB JaMarcus Russell has been handed the keys to the offense after veteran QB Jeff Garcia was cut. The Raiders seemingly have talent, but they are unable to put it all together. They have three talented running backs and several defensive stars, most notably cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, but the holes on the team overshadow all of the talent. Not much is expected of the team this year, but it looks like if JaMarcus Russell is given some time, he could mature and become a league-average quarterback or better. The Raiders may see a little improvement this year, but they are not expected to take any great leaps or strides to returning to their former glory.

San Diego Chargers (2008 Record: 8-8)
-Key Additions: LB Larry English
-Key Losses: DE Igor Olshansky

Darren Spoles (center), Courtesy of: cdn2.sbnation.com

The Chargers underperformed greatly last year, especially since they are in a week division. The Chargers do have a lot of talent, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but have not been able to put it all together. Last year, running back LaDainian Tomlinson was not 100% healthy all season. However, his injuries opened up the door for backup Darren Sproles to showcase his talent. Though he stands only 5′6″, Sproles proved that he has the talent to be a viable weapon in a two-back system. Philip Rivers will look to have another great season since he was rewarded with a large contract extension in the offseason. The defense is a little shaky and it could give up a lot of points this year. Shawne Merriman is returning from knee surgery, though, and will bring stability back to the front seven. The Chargers were the highest scoring team in the NFL last year, but if they plan to live up to their Super Bowl potential, they’ll have to put it together on defense.

Contact Information:
Christian Binder
WSOE Sports
cbinder@elon.edu

NFL: A Division-by-Division Look at the 2009-2010 Season, Part 6: NFC South

By Christian Binder, WSOE Sports

Atlanta Falcons (2008 Record: 11-5)
-Key Additions: LB Mike Peterson, TE Tony Gonzalez, DT Peria Jerry
-Key Losses: LB Michael Boley, LB Keith Brooking

Matt Ryan, Courtesy of: zimbio.com

The Falcons were the feel-good story of the NFL last year. They had a rookie head coach that was relatively unknown and a rookie quarterback. Matt Ryan, a three-year starter at Boston College, had no problem transferring from college-level football to professional football. He won the Rookie of the Year award, throwing for 3,440 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco were the first rookies to lead their teams to the playoffs after starting all 16 games in a season. The Falcons were also helped last year by the addition of running back Michael Turner, who was absolutely dominant in the ground game. The Falcons were able to sign receiver Roddy White to a contract extension this offseason, ensuring that the passing game has one of its most valuable weapons. The addition of longtime Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez should also help the passing game as he commands attention as a viable receiver. The losses of linebackers Michael Boley and Keith Brooking certainly hurt, but the Falcons will most likely be competitive again in the NFC South.

Carolina Panthers (2008 Record: 12-4)
-Key Additions: QB Josh McCown, OT Jeff Otah
-Key Losses: None

DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, Courtesy of: nbcsports.com

The Panthers were surprisingly successful last year. QB Jake Delhomme was coming off of Tommy John surgery, something very unusual for quarterbacks. He was relatively good considering his injury. He wound up throwing for 3,288 yards with 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The real strength of the Panthers lies in their smash-and-dash running back duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Williams rushed for 1,515 yards with 18 touchdowns, while Stewart rushed for 836 yards with 10 touchdowns. The Panthers have a dynamic offense, but it will be interesting to see how long it can stay that way. Delhomme is 34 years old, so he may or may not have a lot left in him. The defense is strong, led by sack artist Julius Peppers. An improvement on their 12-4 record seems unlikely, but the Panthers do have a chance to win the division again.

New Orleans Saints (2008 Record: 8-8)
-Key Additions: CB Malcolm Jenkins, S Pierson Prioleau, S Darren Sharper, K John Carney
-Key Losses: WR David Patten, RB Deuce McAllister

Drew Brees, Courtesy of: americansportsblog.files.wordpress.com

The Saints had the highest scoring offense in the NFL in 2008, thanks mainly to QB Drew Brees. Brees threw for 5,069 yards with 34 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. It seemed like every game was the Drew Brees show. The Saints had to throw the ball so much mainly because running backs Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush were hurt so often. However, their injuries opened up the door for Pierre Thomas to showcase his talent, and he became a threat on the ground and in the air. With McAllister gone, Bush steps into the starting role. However, Thomas will likely share carries with Bush. If Bush can stay healthy, the Saints could have an even better offense this year. Their focus was clearly on the defense this offseason. They drafted Malcolm Jenkins out of Ohio State and signed safeties Pierson Prioleau and Darren Sharper. Last year, their defense was very vulnerable through the air. This year, they hope that they will limit big plays through the air. Obviously 8-8 is disappointing, so the Saints are looking to only go up this year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008 Record: 9-7)
-Key Additions: QB Byron Leftwich, QB Josh Freeman, TE Kellen Winslow, Jr., RB Derrick Ward, LB Angelo Crowell
-Key Losses: QB Jeff Garcia, QB Brian Griese, LB Derrick Brooks, RB Warrick Dunn, WR Joey Galloway, WR Ike Hilliard, LB Cato June

Byron Leftwich, Courtesy of: zimbio.com

The Buccaneers have had quite an eventful offseason. After missing the playoffs once again, the team fired head coach Jon Gruden and lost longtime defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who left to join his son Lane at the University of Tennessee. Raheem Morris, the defensive backs coach, was promoted to defensive coordinator and, after the firing of Gruden, was promoted to head coach. The Buccaneers also lost starting quarterback Jeff Garcia to the Oakland Raiders. To replace him, they drafted Josh Freeman out of Kansas State and signed Byron Leftwich. The Bucs also acquired Kellen Winslow, Jr. from the Cleveland Browns and signed free agent running back Derrick Ward to bolster the offense. The offense is a work in progress, but the defense will look to carry the team. Although the defense will be without Derrick Brooks, it should be the key to this team winning games. It will be interesting to see how this team evolves over the course of the season.

Contact Information:
Christian Binder
WSOE Sports
cbinder@elon.edu

NFL: A Division-by-Division Look at the 2009-2010 Season, Part 5: AFC South

By Christian Binder, WSOE Sports

Houston Texans (2008 Record: 8-8)
-Key Additions: DE Antonio Smith, QB Dan Orlovsky, DT Shaun Cody, LB Buster Davis, LB Cato June, QB Rex Grossman, LB Rosevelt Colvin, LB Brian Cushing
-Key Losses: QB Sage Rosenfels, RB Ahman Green, LB Morlon Greenwood, S Will Demps

Andre Johnson, courtesy of: i.a.cnn.net/si

The Houston Texans arrived in the NFL in 2002 as an expansion team and have more or less played like a beat-’em-up team ever since. However, last year was a turning point for the team. They finished 8-8, a franchise best. Normally, a .500 winning percentage isn’t great, but it shows that this team is moving in the right direction. They already have a superstar wide receiver in Andre Johnson, who has become the center of a burgeoning offense. The defense also played better last year, led by former number-one pick Mario Williams. The biggest question for this team is the offensive line. Matt Schaub is an above-average quarterback, but he needs to stay on his feet to win games. When David Carr was the quarterback for the Texans, he was sacked over 200 times. It’s been a lot of the same for Schaub and he has been injured every year. If the o-line can get its act together, the Texans could improve on their 8-8 record.

Indianapolis Colts (2008 Record: 12-4)
-Key Additions: RB Donald Brown
-Key Losses: WR Marvin Harrison, CB Keiwan Ratliff, RB Dominic Rhodes, P Hunter Smith, LB Buster Davis

Peyton Manning, Courtesy of: temple3.files.wordpress.com

The Colts are one of the few teams in the NFL that is consistently competitive. It all pretty much revolves around Peyton Manning. After a slow start last year, Manning came back to throw for 4,002 yards with 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, securing his third MVP award. The Colts didn’t do much this offseason, but they are hoping that the addition of Donald Brown will shore up the running game, which ranked near the bottom of the league last year. It’ll be interesting to see how the Colts plan to replace Marvin Harrison, who was part of one of the most prolific quarterback-wide receiver tandems in league history. Anthony Gonzalez, a third-year player out of Ohio State, will look for a breakout season by stepping into the number two spot. The Colts will surely look to light up the scoreboard again this year. If the defense can play like it did during the Colts’ Super Bowl XLI run, there’s no reason this team can’t compete for a championship in ‘09.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2008 Record: 5-11)
-Key Additions: OT Eugene Monroe, OT Tra Thomas, QB Todd Bouman, S Marlon McCree, WR Torry Holt
-Key Losses: RB Fred Taylor, WR Dennis Northcutt, WR Matt Jones

Maurice Jones-Drew, Courtesy of: i.a.cnn.net/si

The Jaguars were a conundrum last year. They had a great running back combo in Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, but other than that, the team just looked discombobulated. Obviously the team is looking to improve on last year’s disappointing finish. The Jaguars decided to start by rebuilding the offensive line. They drafted Eugene Monroe out of Virginia and signed Tra Thomas, a three-time Pro-Bowler with the Philadelphia Eagles. Hopefully this will buy QB David Garrard some time to get the ball in the air to his new weapon, Torry Holt. Holt came to the Jags after being released by the St. Louis Rams. Now that the Jags have a legitimate number-one receiver, the running game should open up a bit more for Jones-Drew, who will now be a featured back. Jones-Drew is a bit undersized, standing at 5′6″, but he has incredible strength which allows him to power up the middle and gain tough yards. It looks the Jaguars could be rebuilding, but it may be a short process.

Tennessee Titans (2008 Record: 13-3)
-Key Additions: WR Nate Washington
-Key Losses: DT Albert Haynesworth, WR Justin McCariens

Chris Johnson (left) and LenDale White (right), Courtesy of: images.chron.com/blogs/nfl

The Titans were trying their best to imitate the 2007 Patriots, and it looked for a while like they might go undefeated. They were handed their first loss of the season by the New York Jets in Week 12. The key to the Titans was to be a complete football team: score regularly and keep opponents at bay. Their smash-and-dash running duo of Chris Johnson and LenDale White was one of the best in football, while Kerry Collins, the ageless wonder, kept the passing game afloat. The biggest loss for the Titans was Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who signed with the Washington Redskins via free agency. He was the anchor of the defense. Now, the Titans will have to rely more on defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who spent some time out with injury last year. The defense still looks strong, but they can only do so much. The Titans will have to throw the ball more this year as teams will look to pin down their running game. However, the Titans don’t have a true number-one receiver and Nate Washington isn’t a huge upgrade over Justin McCareins. The Titans may take a step back this year, but they should remain competitive.

Contact Information:
Christian Binder
WSOE Sports
cbinder@elon.edu

NFL: A Division-by-Division Look at the 2009-2010 Season, Part 4: NFC North

By Christian Binder, WSOE Sports

Chicago Bears (2008 Record: 9-7) -Key Additions: QB Jay Cutler, OT Orlando Pace, LB Pisa Tinoisamoa -Key Losses: QB Kyle Orton, QB Rex Grossman, S Mike Brown, WR Brandon Lloyd, OT John St. Clair, OT John Tait, WR Marty Booker

Jay Culter, courtesy of: zimbio.com

Everything surrounding the Bears this offseason was about Jay Cutler. After the star quarterback severed ties with the Denver Broncos management, he was traded to the Bears for QB Kyle Orton and several draft picks. The Bears are looking to improve on offense this year and the addition of Cutler certainly helps. The only problem is, the Bears don’t have a true number one receiver. Their best option is 5′11″ Devin Hester, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing since the guy runs like greased lightning, but he is certainly not a league-standard number one. The defense looks to be strong again and will probably be the key to this team winning games. Pisa Tinoisamoa is not a name many people recognize, but he led the St. Louis Rams in tackles during his rookie season in 2003. Look for the Bears to be a little bit more liberal in their passing game this year, but count on them to still rely on their defense to win games.

Detroit Lions (2008 Record: 0-16) -Key Additions: QB Matthew Stafford, CB Phillip Buchanon, WR Ronald Curry, LB Larry Foote, LB Julian Peterson, WR Dennis Northcutt, G Terrence Metcalf, TE Brandon Pettigrew, CB Anthony Henry -Key Losses: CB Leigh Bodden, WR Mike Furrey, S Dwight Smith, QB Dan Orlovsky, QB Jon Kitna, G Toniu Fonoti

Matt Stafford (left) and Dante Culpepper (right), courtesy of:cdn.picapp.com

Well, it’s fair to say that there’s a fresh start in Detroit. The good news for Lions fans is that they can’t be any worse than they were last year. There’s a new coach in town, a new franchise quarterback, and a much better situation in general. Matt Stafford was selected by the Lions with the number one overall draft pick and the Lions are hoping that he can help bring this team back to the postseason. However, the Lions want to take it slow with Stafford and not just throw him into the fire immediately. Daunte Culpepper entered this preseason in great shape and has looked very good in training camp, which made it hard for the Lions to simply hand Stafford the starting gig. Neither quarterback has impressed so far in preseason games, but it looks like each quarterback may have significant playing time this season. The defense could very well be better than it was last year with the additions of Larry Foote and Julian Peterson. Plus, they are being coached by the guy who built Tennessee’s great defense over the last couple years. The bad news for the Lions is that they play in a very competitive division. Results probably won’t be seen this season, but this team could be one to watch in the coming years.

Green Bay Packers (2008 Record: 6-10) -Key Additions: DT B.J. Raji, LB Clay Matthews -Key Losses: None

Aaron Rodgers, courtesy of: nbcsports.com

It’s hard to understand why the Packers weren’t so great last year. Aaron Rodgers, in his first year as starting quarterback, was very good. In fact, the Packers were the third-highest scoring team in the NFC last year behind the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. They even scored more points than they allowed. There were a lot of tough breaks for the Packers last year and a lot of games lost in the fourth quarter. They are trying to right the ship this year and if they don’t have incentive, all they have to do is look to Minnesota and that guy wearing number 4 for them. The Packers should get an easier schedule this year thanks to last year’s 6-10 finish and there is certainly a desire to win since Brett Favre betrayed them by signing with the Vikings. If the Packers can repeat last year’s offensive output and improve on defense, they could very well win 9 or 10 games.

Minnesota Vikings (2008 Record: 10-6) -Key Additions: QB Brett Favre, QB Sage Rosenfels, WR Glenn Holt, WR Percy Harvin -Key Losses: RB Maurice Hicks, QB Gus Frerotte, C Matt Birk, S Darren Sharper

Brett Favre, courtesy of: junksweb.com

The Brett Favre saga took yet another turn as the 39-year-old quarterback came out of retirement once again to join his once-arch-rivals, the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings were not without good reason in signing Favre, though they were counting on a competition between Sage Rosenfels and incumbent Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job. Neither quarterback has been special during their respective careers, but Rosenfels did have some good games with the Houston Texans. The offense certainly will be very strong with Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor anchoring the running game. Favre is obviously an upgrade over Rosenfels and Jackson and he has plenty of weapons in the passing game, especially with the addition of Percy Harvin, one of the heroes on the Florida Gators 2008 national title team. The loss of Matt Birk certainly hurts the offensive line, but it shouldn’t be a big problem. Watch out on October 5 when the Packers visit the Metrodome. It’s sure to be a throwdown.

Contact Information:
Christian Binder
WSOE Sports
cbinder@elon.edu