Florida is in trouble

The fan in me is coming out and I am going completely against my hot takes article from a couple weeks ago. I honestly don't care. Many of you probably could care less, but here it is, the Florida Gators are in trouble and downward spiraling in a hurry. Coach McElwain was brought in to change one thing, the offensive level of play for Gators football. None would care about the facilities, or the culture of the program, or even losing if the Gators would just be able to score. Problem is, the offense hasn't improved at all. Okay I take that back, with Will Grier this offense looked amazing, very complex, moving the ball at will, and all other things considered to be needed for a good offense. But Grier is gone, we can argue til the cows come home about that situation, but the problem is, is that he is never coming back. Until this past Saturday Coach McElwain had won every game with HIS starting quarterback so it was hard to argue with the ugly wins. All that has changed. This team lost its first game with their QB and the problems can no longer be ignored. They have stepped up and beat one good team in his tenure so far and it just so happened to be a night game, in the swamp, with Grier. They have yet to win a meaningful game on the road, they have looked poor in every game this season outside of Kentucky and Missouri, every game. They lost the last four out of five games to end the season last year and guess what, I fear the same will happen this year. If I am being quite honest, I predict the gators will lose the next three games of the season which will put them at 6-6 heading to a terrible bowl, where they could even lose that one. The defense is next level, they have studs all over the field, but they have been bit by injuries and stay on the field too long to have the energy to be lock down. The Gators are in trouble and as a fan it is sad to see. Even if they do muster up a win this weekend they will lose to LSU and FSU, miss out on the SEC title game and lose their bowl game. I believed in McElwain, last year he took risks and at least went out swinging, this year he seems in over his head, he says the right things, but even he seems worried. The offense is terrible I don't care how you want to spin it, you have to be able to put a better product than Muschamp did and right now he hasn't. Outside of the six games with Grier this team has been 10-6 post Will Grier and could easily be 6-10 since then, maybe worse. To top it off, he is starting Austin Appleby at QB this weekend against South Carolina. I've already seen that, he looked terrible agaisnt Tennessee, and below average in his win the week after agaisnt Vanderbilt. I understand that him and Del Rio "have experience," but their experience stinks and every one knows it. It seems to me like he is in over his head and is making safe decisions so that he can explain himself after he has a terrible year next year and gets canned. He came in with confidence and has since lost it. The program has lost it already. When you have one job to do being hired you better do that one job, because it is not going over well in Gainesville. I hope for the best, but it seems as if all is lost.

One of the Heisman candidates is stealing votes from those who have a shot.

Here it comes again, every year the Heisman race becomes more and more of a JOKE. It's like a broken record on repeat and the hype surrounding it keeps it continuing. If you have been keeping up with most college football media outlets the four Heisman front runners are as followed; Jake Browning, Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson, and Jabrill Peppers.
I'll go ahead and be the one to say it. It's not a popular nor a well received take by me, but Jabrill Peppers is not a Heisman candidate. I understand where everyone is coming from with this pick, but the days of a defensive player winning the Heisman are longgg gone. The game is offensive friendly and football is better for it. By no means am I discrediting Jabrill Peppers as a football player.  He is a first round draft pick with elite and unique talents. A Heisman trophy winner, he is not. Yeah he has scored some touchdowns on offense, yeah he returns punts for touchdowns, you know who else did? Devin Hester, minus the offensive touchdowns, and had Miami put him in goal line/red zone situations I would bet his speed and athletic ability would've correlated to him scoring some offensive touchdowns. Most recently, Sammy Watkins. I understand he wasn't a defensive player first, however here me out. Watkins return kick off returns and punts just like Peppers, if we want to get into so did CJ Spiller. Both were given the recognition they deserve, but not Heisman winners. Oh, and keep in my mind, those were offensive studs on great teams and they still didn't get it. Even with the bias being on offensive players.
Want more?
Okay, Jabrill Peppers is a defensive back/safety/linebacker, in fact, this year he has lined up at linebacker and safety more so than last year. I'll go ahead and spit some facts really quick. Michigan plays a zone defense. Which is why Jabrill Peppers has a high number of tackles. He is there at the second level as a fourth and fifth linebacker on running plays and short route passes. That's not arguable. Here comes the fun part. Call me a homer but I'm going to use Jalen Tabor as my argument. Let me finish it first please.
Defensive Career Stats
Jabrill Peppers:
2014- 8 tackles, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 FR(3 games played)
2015- 45 tackles, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 FR(12 games played)
2016- 44 tackles, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 FR(through 8 games)
Jalen Tabor:
2014- 31 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FF, 2 FR
2015- 40 tackles, 4 INT (2 for TD), 0 FF, 0 FR
2016- 12 tackles, 3 INT (1 for TD), 0 FF, 0 FR

Jalen plays in a man to man scheme being left 1 on 1 80%+ of the time he is on the field. I get this isn't a career long achievement award but for a man who is a defensive player first while also keeping in min the defensive schemes they play in, his numbers don't match those of Tabor who even missed a game this year. Tabor has put up a 1/4 of Peppers point total without having the benefit of his coach letting him return punts or line him up inside the 10 and run jet sweeps or have a wildcat package for him. Tabor is a first round draft pick as well and I'm not going to go as far in saying Tabor is a better overall football player than Peppers, but I will say is Tabor isn't even close to being thought of to be a Heisman candidate and his team has one loss. (Nor should he be a Heisman candidate). I understand Peppers is playing mainly LB this year but the argument is still valid. For him to have an argument for the Heisman his defensive numbers HAVE to be godly, and they aren't. So why Peppers? I get it guys, the Heisman isn't supposed to go to the best offensive player on one of the best teams, it's meant to go to the best football player. While in theory that sounds good, it's simply not the case. Football is just like any other sport. You score more than the other team, you win. If Peppers was taking balls to the house on defense and playing more than 10% of the snaps at RB for Michigan.  I might start considering it. It's a sexy and different choice for Heisman which is why some people have jumped on, but it's not practical or correct. Lamar Jackson, Jake Browning, Deshaun Watson have a much better argument and case than Peppers. Take Lamar off Louisville, are we even talking about them? Browning at Washington, does Washington beat Utah without him? Watson does nothing but win and has better numbers this year than he had at this point last year and many thought he should've won. What about Fournette? If LSU keeps winning it will be because of him and the numbers will be there with him missing 2-3 games. What about Jalen Hurts from Bama? Dude is a freshman and leads his team with great numbers. Want a defensive guy? How about Jonathan Allen from Bama, god-like numbers as a DL with points put up. And turnovers forced.
Moral of this rant is simple. Peppers is a phenomenal, franchise turning player. However, he is not a Heisman candidate, let him win all the other awards for special teams and the Butkus award, but don't let him steal votes from those who actually need them. Can we please stop this before he wastes a seat in New York.

Enough with the hot takes, NCAA football fans

Alright, pay attention! We have a HUGE problem in this country! Oh, no I'm not talking about our country's politics, I'm talking about our sports. We live in a society where not all teams are treated equally, where one loss can mean you're overrated or where one win can catapult you into the week 7 playoff standings. It is an issue that is in desperate need of fixing. I have a solution, stop living in the moment as a sports fan! I'm not innocent on this either, I often find myself going back and forth (especially for my teams). If this season has taught me anything it's that we cannot be prisoners of the moment.

Here are some examples and allow me to follow these examples with some reasons why people need to chill out on labeling every team. 

Remember Les Miles? While LSU has looked like a better, more cohesive unit since his departure I think they win all the games they have won so far with Miles. the point I'm getting at is the name Tom Herman. He was the hot name and overwhelming choice to be the head coach at the end of this year. I don't want to challenge his coaching ability because I have absolutely no credibility to do so, however, since then Houston has lost two games they had no business losing. Maybe it is because he is planning to leave, but can it also be that he can't motivate from week to week? Or maybe he doesn't have all the answers to college football like we thought? I don't know those answers, but right now I'm staying away from Herman if I'm LSU. He needs different personnel than what is at LSU right now anyways. He needs a fast offense line that can pass block well, not a slow run blocking O line. A quarterback would also help. 

How about Auburn? Three weeks ago they were a terrible team and Gus Malzahn was probably out the door. Now they at least look the part of a top 10 team and have been considerably better. Plus how bad were they to begin with? Their two losses are to Clemson and Texas A&M, granted both were at home but both are also at least top 15 teams. Again another example of living in the moment. Those are just two examples off the top of my head that show how we as fans can be prisoners of the moment far too often than not. 

Let me hit you with some reality and reason on why you again need to stop crowning champions and playoff teams after seven weeks. 

First of all I'm not buying that there will be a two loss team in the playoff, many analysts who get paid to talk about this sport and fans have already marked it down that a two loss team will get in and its easy to see who they are talking about. LSU, Auburn and Tennessee. It won't happen. LSU has the following left on their schedule in this order, Bama at home, Arkansas away, Florida home, and Texas A&M away. They have looked great the past three games, but remember who they have beat. Missouri, Southern Miss and Ole Miss; Ole Miss might be consider a good win, but I am saying no its not, two weeks ago I made the mistake saying Ole Miss is the second best team in the SEC and an outside playoff contender, but that loss at Arkansas ended their season. So Saturday night you had a deflated Ole Miss team who is playing for nothing against a rejuvenated LSU team who had their horse back. I won't take away from them that they have looked great, but let's be rational about their wins. Then you have Auburn. Auburn looks better than anyone in the SEC outside of Bama. They have two losses though and have this as their remaining schedule, Ole Miss away, Vandy at home, Georgia away, Bama A&M home and Bama away. All look to be relatively easy outside of Bama. Auburn has the best chance out of anybody if their is a two loss team to get in. Tennessee has the easiest schedule of the three two loss SEC teams, but they could possibly not win their division. However, as bad as the fan in my thinks Florida winning out, reality is different. Tennessee's chance to make it in is that A&M continues to win, Florida loses one more game, and they somehow pull off an upset in the SEC title game. 

The biggest reason why I don't see it happening is that only an SEC team can get in with two losses and all of these scenarios would have Bama losing at least once. It won't happen. LSU would have to win out and hope Bama also loses to Auburn. Auburn would have to win out, and I just gave you the scenario for Tennessee, who I even think is losing one more game, but that is for another conversation. 

Here is another reason why it won't happen. Unless absolute chaos happens it is looking more and more like the PAC 12 is going to have an undefeated team, the Big 12 has two teams undefeated right now that could make the possibility of having an undefeated team possible. The ACC has Clemson playing their biggest game of the year this week against FSU and if they are to get past that, they will win out and go. The Big Ten has Michigan and Nebraska right now and both look like they are headed for an undefeated title game barring a loss by either one. Look, I know it sounds cool, but it won't happen, no way a two loss team gets in. Ohio State could end up with a Big Ten title and one loss, Bama could have one loss and an SEC title if the cards fall right if they slip against LSU, Louisville needs Clemson to lose twice, but they could have one loss and an ACC title. Sorry but too much has to happen and I don't care how great they look right now, it just isn't enough for me to say that its almost certain there will be a two loss team. 

There is SO MUCH that is still going to happen before November 30th comes around. The top ten, hell the top 25 is going to be dramatically different. Can we just agree to enjoy and take the wins and losses for what there worth? They are apart of an overall resume that can be debated on after the regular season and conference championships are decided. For now, stop being a prisoner of the moment.

NBA is almost back...I'm here for it

MLB postseason is starting to reach its end, the NCAA and NFL football seasons are in full swing, so why not get ready to add another sport to the already full plate of a sports fan. The NBA season begins October 25th and I for one could not be more excited. The NBA is often looked at as boring and methodical. Lack of defense and too heavy leagues are the reasons I usually get from the uninterested. This is not for those people. This is for those who appreciate the profound skill of these professional basketball players.
Let's see where do I start?! There are so many storylines going into this particular season. Kevin Durant is on the Warriors in case you haven't heard! (sarcasm). The West is deep, but due to a spread of good teams, few elite teams. The East is a lot more interesting and gradually getting deeper as a conference. Two of the leagues big market teams project to be "interesting" in the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. Oh and that guy named LeBron James, he is and his team are poised to defend the title with NO pressure whatsoever on them.

So let's have some predictions shall we? I'll give you my predictions for the upcoming NBA season. If these are anything like my college football or NFL predictions go ahead and start laughing.

Western Playoff Teams (not by seeding):
Warriors
Clippers
Thunder
Spurs
Trail Blazers
Grizzlies
Rockets
Jazz
Eastern Playoff Teams (not by seeding):
Cavs
Raptors
Celtics
Pacers
Knicks
Bulls
Hawks
Pistons/Bucks/Heat
Western Conference Finals:
Warriors vs. Spurs
Eastern Conference Finals:
Cavs vs. Celtics
NBA Finals:
Warriors vs. Cavs Round 3
NBA Champion:
Cavs

MVP: LeBron James
Coach of the Year: Brad Stephens/Bill Donovan
Scoring Title: Russell Westbrook
Comeback Player: Blake Griffin
Rookie of the Year: Kris Dunn

The popular pick for MVP is Westbrook but I'm not buying it. His team will be a low seed and I think  a secocnd round exit on the playoffs. LeBron hasn't held the MVP trophy in a while and he is playing with NO pressure at all for the first time in his whole career, that's frightening.
Go ahead and call me bias on the Celtics, I know they haven't made it out of the first round the past two years but this isn't about experience. They have a deep roster and added veteran talent and have one of the top 5 coaches in the league. I have been wishing the past two years for a playoff birth from them and now I am expecting a 2 or 3 seed.
Westbrook will barely win the scoring title while also having a terrible FG percentage. Harden was my next pick for that title and I think he now goes from one of the best SG to one of the best PG. the Rockets may give up 100 points every night, but they will score 115.
Kris Dunn is my pick for ROTY only because Jaylen Brown won't get the minutes to as well as Brandon Ingram. I did not agree with the Jaylen Brown at number 3 for the Celtics, but man was I wrong and the world will soon see why. This kid will be around for a long time. He might end up being the best one out of this whole draft. By the way, the Timberwolves will be good but I don't see them beating out the Jazz and Rockets for the final two spots. I wouldn't be surprised if they make it in though.
Finally, the Warriors will have bumps and chemistry issues. The shots are going to come from KD and Curry plain and simple, I want to see how that sits with Draymond and Klay as time passes. But they will find their way and make it to the Finals again. That's where the Cavs show how and why they won last year. It's about size and pace of play. LeBron is going to again dictate the pace of game and punish them in the paint even more so than he did last Finals. They have no answer. If the Warriors are hot shooting throughout the series then I could see them winning it all but I think the Cavs play too good of defense for that to happen. The Cavs have no pressure at all even though they are the ones defending the crown. The Warriors have everything to lose, including KD. Here is my theory, take it as you may, but if the Warriors lose, KD will leave. If they win, he will stay and take less money for Curry to resign as well. A lot of intriguing storylines heading into this season to say the least. Can't wait to see how it plays out.

The SECOND BEST time of the year in sports is happening right now

In case you are misinformed or late to the party. Sports are at one of its two peaks right now. It's obvious that sports go on all year long, but there are two primetime periods for the sports world and one is happening right now. Baseball is in its postseason and about to begin their version of the final four which are the league championship series. You have both college football and the NFL in the middle of their respective seasons. One is halfway over and one is a week beyond a quarter of the way over with. Finally, in roughly two weeks the NBA is back which will be followed by college basketball.

So many good storylines going on in each of the big three respective sports as well. In the MLB postseason you have the dominant Cubs continuing to grow and pursue a title, the Blue Jays have let go of a horrible September and can't lose, the Indians battling injuries just manhandled the favored Red Sox, and no one really cares about the Dodgers/Nationals series because the winner will have to lose to the Cubs. In college football the playoff picture is starting to come to frutition; however I believe the top 25 will look completely different come the first week of November. In the NFL you have only one undefeated team that remains where this point last year we still had what? 4-5 teams still undefeated? And then in basketball you have two seasons about to begin where you arguably just had the best NBA Finals to recent date happen as well as the best national championship game in NCAA. I know what some of you are saying. Umm Kyle, how does it get better? It's simple, March. March through May is by far the best time for sports and if you disagree then we'll just have to agree on disagreeing even though you're wrong. Be excited sports fans and enjoy. Unless your teams suck like mine. Then just try to live vicariously through others.

Red Sox play 10 innings of actual baseball in a series that only had 27 innings

The Boston Red Sox had their 2016 campaign come to an abrupt end after being swept by the Cleveland Indians. In Game 1 the Red Sox showed some heart and fight only to be out coached and played in the end. Porcello gave up three homeruns in one inning however the Sox fought back only to have their manager John Farrell bring in Drew Pomeranz who immediately gave up and RBI which all but put the nail in the coffin for the Red Sox. In Game 2 the Red Sox dressed and went through BP and then decided to not play and were embarrassed in all aspects of the game. Price continued his playoff issues by giving up a three run homerun to a lefty that had not hit a homerun off of a lefty all season. Then Corey Kluber decided to remind the baseball world that he won a Cy Young Award and shoved it against the Red Sox. However, the Red Sox obliged his effort by helping him in not swinging the bat or working counts or even remotely trying to play the game of baseball. Balls were going through the legs, off of gloves. Let's just say it wasn't their night. Then in game 3 the Red Sox decided to show up just enough to give the fans hope, but ultimately were a base hit away from at the very least tying the game and sending it into extras. So the Indians aka the Red Sox of Ohio completed the three game sweep and are now set to take on Toronto in the ALDS.
Okay the gloomy and frustrating reality of the situation is over. Besides the fact that the Red Sox lost the ALDS and Big Papi all in one night and besides the fact that they were out coached by their former coach, and besides the fact that they didn't play 1/4 as good as their capable of all is not lost. There are some things that obviously need tweaking and pulled/plugged within the roster but the core of this team is solid and here to stay. Pedro is barring the injury bug has some quality years left in the tank along with Hanley as well. Outside of those two position players, there is extremely talented youth throughout the roster. Mookie, who may or may not be MVP this year, Xander, JBJ, Shaw, Benintendi, Moncada all form a great nucleus moving forward. Another bat is needed to replace Papi.  We will get to see what the Red Sox front office is leaning towards more when the World Series ends, but don't be surprised if Edwin Encarnacion is in the Red Sox uniform by Opening Day. There are some interesting names to consider also, Matt Holiday is another name. With the position players not being to big of an issue I think you have to focus hard on what you have in your starting rotation and bullpen. You have a closer and you have 2 quality starters. You have a young lefty starter who will continue to grow and learn from Price and Porcello as well. I think you have to sure up the bullpen at the very least. Kimbrel, Smith, Kelly, Barnes, Ross and Uehara (who is old and needs to be monitored) all are fine, but would it really hurt to add another arm or two? If you want to make the smartest move, you sure up the bullpen and then go for another quality starter, either a number 2 or number 3 guy. Price and Porcello you can count on, but how much can you count on Buchholz, Rodriguez, Pomeranz, Wright? You can't. They proved all year long you can't. Last but not least, the manager situation needs to be addressed. Look I know I'm not an MLB manger or executive, but Farrell continues to pull the wrong strings or fails to pull any at all. This team was out coached and out prepared time and time again this year and without question in these three games. Francona made Farrell look like an idiot. It wasn't even close. I'd like Dombrowski to look at that situation more. I realize that players play and coaches coach, and he didn't lose the series for the Red Sox, but he sure as hell didn't help. Go back and look at the one run losses this year or the ultimate late inning collapses this year. That's not players to an extent, that's coaching. That's not being able to manage the game in front of you. It obviously didn't end the way myself and other Red Sox fans would have liked, but there is so much to be proud of this year. Won the AL Easy after being dead last, saw our very own legend have an amazing final season, had a cy young and MVP candidate on our team. Saw the birth of the new Red Sox era with the killer B's. It was a great year for the Red Sox no matter the outcome and the future looks even brighter.

The Boston Red Sox and Carolina Panthers seasons ended on the same night

October 10, 2016
This is the night where two teams from two different professional sports organizations had their season end on their home fields. But that's just the problem, they are from two completely different sports. I'm admittedly a fan of both of these teams, it's no secret and I'm proud to support both of through the good times and the terrible times. The Red Sox's season ended tonight by the score of 4-3  in what was David "Big Papi" Ortiz's last game to the hands of Coco Crisp and the Cleveland Indians/former Red Soxs. That hurts, but I can move past this knowing they made the playoffs after finishing in last place in the AL East the year before. They have a young team, money to spend, and hopefully will move on from a lackluster MLB manager in John Farrell. Am I upset that they got swept and didn't show up all series? Hell yes, but at least they put themselves in position to have a chance. That leads me into the Panthers.
I was so far off on this team, this coaching staff, this whole organization. That's my fault, I bought into the hype. They have proven to still be searching for who they are and have proven that they have overachieved in a god awful division for the past three NFC South titles. I can understand injuries, which they have had a lot of. I can even get past the fact they didn't resign the best corner on their roster, possibly top five in the league, to a max contract. However I can't ignore the arrogance. What you saw last year was not arrogance, that was pride and confidence. From the front office to the coaching staff, to the players there is a disgusting and disturbing level on entitlement. I will put most of the blame on the coaching staff. Yes, Ron is a two time coach of the year, but guess what, so are the likes of  Mike Smith, Lovie Smith, and Marvin Lewis. That means nothing. Defensively, I can't put too much blame except for the fact that they can't get a stop when needed to save their life. The secondary is terrible, but that's to be expected when you lose your backbone of that group over cap room that isn't being used to be productive somewhere else. The problem is on the offense. The offensive line is terrible, actually it's not terrible for Derek Anderson which is perplexing, but the wide receivers are underwhelming (yes even Kelvin Benjamin), and Mike Shula Jr. is awful. In the past 6 games he has been absolutely out coached and has looked unprepared comepletely. So I sadly state to my fellow Panther fans again, this season is over. Get Cam healthy, keep playing the rookies in the secondary so they can hopefully learn from being punished every Sunday, get Jonathan Stewart healthy and finally cut back on Luke and Thomas Davis's snaps. Davis has two more good years left if that and Luke is the only competent one outside of Davis on our defense. Maybe, just maybe the front office and coaching staff will take this reality check and cash it in by getting actual needs. Like offensive linemen, a defensive end, and an offensive weapon. I'm not going to hold my breath. Last years draft was a fail, the whole offseason was. Sorry to tell it like it is and add insult to injury, but the 2016-17 season is a wrap. Keep Pounding, or Keep Losing.