Saturday
I was in utter shock (but also pleased) by the play of the New Orleans Saints defense. I mean, credit should be given to the Seahawks, but the Saints defense played absolutely horrendous: a washed-up Matt Hasselback throwing for 4 TDs???? Marshawn Lynch running his longest run since his glory days at Cal??? That’s just sad…
The Jets-Colts game was pretty boring IMO. The score suggested that it was a purely defensive game, but that wasn’t the case. Both offenses were sucking it up, with both offenses not being able to convert 3rd downs. In the end, the Jets won off a FG because of a running into the kicker call on 4th and 5 with a minute to go. Let’s just end the Saturday games by saying that Mark Sanchez is grossly overrated and undeserving of beating Tom Brady and the Pats next week.
Sunday
I thoroughly enjoyed the Baltimore Ravens beatdown of the Chiefs. The Chiefs were actually winning before halftime, but the Ray Lewis and co. decided to show the inexperienced Chiefs what the playoffs are all about. The Ravens defense accounted for 5 turnovers and a huge 4th down stop, and limited star RB Jamaal Charles to less than 5 yards in the 2nd half. That’s classic Ravens football. On the flipside, the Ravens offense was just as impressive, but also unconventional, with Ray Rice and Willis McGahee rushing for a combined 100 yards and Joe Flacco throwing for about 300 yards.
Yeah, I didn’t watch the last game…. I was playing basketball instead…. But Mike Vick, it was a heck of a run. Wish you the best next season. You will always be my MVP <3.
Monday
Congrats to Auburn for winning the Crystal Football. I would personally like to say here that although the SEC has won the past 5 National Championships, only one team from the conference can win per year, not a whole conference. So I would like to tell the UGA fans stop lying to themselves: does it feel like UGA is a national champ because Florida, LSU, Auburn, or Bama won the national championship? I don’t think so. Well, I’m going to stop the hating and look at the two top upperclassmen on Auburn.
Nick Fairley absolutely dominated Oregon’s smaller o-line and should have planted himself as the top pick of the 2011 NFL draft. He’s a defensive tackle with d-end athleticism and has been compared to Ndamukong Suh as a game changer. Clemson end Da’quan Bowers is so far listed as the top prospect, but with the dominance of Suh, Fairley’s stock will rise fast. He was easily the MVP of the National Championship game.
Heisman winner Cam Newton has shown that he can battle with adversity all season long. This guy has the tools to be great (great size, strength, cannon arm, great mobility) and has the intangibles. He needs a bit of work with his IQ and will need to refine his QB skills in a pro-style offense, but all that can come with coaching. He should be a 1st rounder this year and maybe even a top 10 pick if a team like SF or Minnesota decides to reach for him.
Well it is time for my controversial (and pretty ridiculous) NBA opinions. The Orlando Magic are on an impressive run after the blockbuster trades that gave the team a makeover. I am really digging the team, except for one thing: they do not play Gilbert Arenas enough. Maybe I’m being biased because I have him on my fantasy team or maybe not. But I know that on any given night, Arenas can explode offensively and is definitely way more talented than Jameer Nelson and J.J. Reddick. Yes, he is a volume shooter, but he is an underrated playmaker as well. And with Superman as his big man, he will dish the ball more than he did in Washington.
Another factor for the need of a better scorer is the emergence of Hedu as the playmaker of the Orlando offense. He has now reached double digit assists in 2 of his past 4 games. Otis Smith needs to ship out Jameer for a solid PF to increase the Magic frontcourt depth. I know the Gilbert from 4,5 years ago will never return, but ask yourself this, “Which PG would I want to shoot a game-tying 3? Jameer or Gilbert?” For me, the answer is clear.
For fun. The Top 3 football related videos this weekend:
1. Marshawn Lynch's run vs. Saints
2. Ed Reed's crushing blow on Dexter McCluster
3. Marshawn Lynch, "beastmode"
4. Ed Reed postgame talk
5. Cam Newton vs. the confetti
