Jonathan Crompton may be the most polarized player in all of NCAAF much less the Southeastern Conference. The QB for Tennessee has thrown for 21 TDs, which ties him for the SEC lead, and 10 INTs. He also averages 216 Passing yards per game, in a season in which he hasn't broken the 100 passing yard mark in two contests and under 150 in another.
All that being said, and in light of the recent off field issues of the UT football program, I pose this question: Is Jonathan Crompton the kind of on and off field leader to take the Tennessee Volunteers to 9 wins in Lane Kiffin's first year as coach. That would require winning out in the regular season and a bowl win, most likely the Outback bowl against a Big Ten team (Wisconsin?).
Follow up: What does Jonathan Crompton's draft status look like? Erik Ainge who started for three and a half seasons at UT didn't go till late in the 2007 draft. Crompton I think has shown much greater physical ability. His ability to move the pocket, scramble, and a very underrated arm causes me to think he could go in the Fifth round of this year's draft. Obviously the season is far from over, and a lot can still happen. But if Crompton continues to lead the nation's "Toughest conference", amid a Heisman winner and current hopeful (Tim Tebow), in TDs, minimize INTs and pick up the yardage, this guy could play on Sundays.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
NFL Mid-Season Review
Hello Sports Fans. Its half-way through this NFL season and its time to hand out first half awards and analysis.
MVP
There are probably ten viable candidates for NFL MVP through the first half. Due to the League's love of offense, only three are really being mentioned thus far, and of course they are QBs. My first half MVP comes after a great deal of deliberation, and a whole lot of hesitation...
Brett Favre. Its true, I have a man-crush on Favre. I think he is one of the greatest, if not the greatest QB of all time. But the fact of the matter is, he's having a career year that shines amongst the luster of an already amazing career. He is j ust 600 yds off pace of Peyton Manning and 400 short of Drew Brees. The statistic that drops my jaw is his 16:3 td/int ratio. I'll admit, as much as I wanted to see Brett play again, I never thought his marraige to the purple and gold would turn out this well. One word of caution for Viking fans and Favre fans alike: Last season after the first half of the season people were talking MVP for Favre. How did that end?
Coach of the Year
There are many great candidates for this award as well. Two new NFL coaches have their clubs undefeated and a very respectable 6-2 (Jim Caldwell and Josh McDaniels respectively). However, My coach of the year through the first half goes to a guy who is somehow flying under the radar after an 8-0 start...
Sean Payton. His New Orleans Saints are 8-0, and all of the credit goes to Drew Brees or Greg Williams defense. Ultimately this guy is calling the shots, and he has yet to be off base this season. We knew his offense would be spectacular, and Williams has definitely improved the defense, but Payton is the one who brought this relationship to fruition and he should receive the credit. If his Saints continue on their regular season tear, its clear who should come out with Coach of the Year honors.
Defensive MVP
As a Denver Broncos fan I thought very hard about Elvis Dumervil. However his league leading 10.5 sacks have largely come in just three games. For this award I look for consistency and leadership.
With those Criteria in mind I award SS Darren Sharper of the NO Saints defensive MVP. He is probably the biggest reason for the Saints defensive surge and undefeated record. He has scored the most defensive touchdowns and is currently tied for the league lead in INTs with 7.
Comeback player of the Year
I thought long and hard about Cedric Benson of the Cincinnati Bengals. But then I realized in order to "comeback" you must be prominent first. Before this season at Cincy the only thing anyone remembered about Benson's career were his cripling fumbles in Superbowl XLI.
The first half CPY is Steven Jackson RB (St. Louis Rams). He won't get the acclaim due to his teams terrible record. However he is currently ranked third amongst the NFL's leading rushers. HE has struggled to find the endzone, but the endgame for this discussion is his career that has been devastated by injuries the past two seasons, and his immense success despite teams stacking the box to stop him.
Disappointment of the Year
My Disappoint this season is the Washington Redskins. After making a huge splash in the free agent market for what seems like the twentieth year in a row, they are once again at the bottom of the NFC East. Jim Zorn clearly isn't the guy at head Coach, and Daniel Snyder is too stubborn to fire him. Injuries are once again plaguing this team, and the 100 million dollar man Albert Haynesworth is not himself this year.
Rookie of the Year
Jerious Byrd of the Buffalo Bills shares the league lead in INTs with the wiley vet Darren Sharper. With number like those Byrd is pretty much a lock through the first half. Other standouts include Knowshon Moreno from Denver who leads rookie runningbacks in rushing yards and Mark Sanchez in New York, who has his club sitting in the thick of the AFC East race.
Surprise of the Year
Cedric Benson is exactly the player who deserves this award. Coming to Cincy out of obscurity being a failed no. 4 pick by the Chicago Bears, he currently sits second in NFL Rushing. Proving not only to be a workhorse between the tackles but also an explosive break away threat. His amazing first half performance has his Cincinnati Bengals in the Driver's seat of the AFC North.
Lets hear it sports fans... what do you think?
MVP
There are probably ten viable candidates for NFL MVP through the first half. Due to the League's love of offense, only three are really being mentioned thus far, and of course they are QBs. My first half MVP comes after a great deal of deliberation, and a whole lot of hesitation...
Brett Favre. Its true, I have a man-crush on Favre. I think he is one of the greatest, if not the greatest QB of all time. But the fact of the matter is, he's having a career year that shines amongst the luster of an already amazing career. He is j ust 600 yds off pace of Peyton Manning and 400 short of Drew Brees. The statistic that drops my jaw is his 16:3 td/int ratio. I'll admit, as much as I wanted to see Brett play again, I never thought his marraige to the purple and gold would turn out this well. One word of caution for Viking fans and Favre fans alike: Last season after the first half of the season people were talking MVP for Favre. How did that end?
Coach of the Year
There are many great candidates for this award as well. Two new NFL coaches have their clubs undefeated and a very respectable 6-2 (Jim Caldwell and Josh McDaniels respectively). However, My coach of the year through the first half goes to a guy who is somehow flying under the radar after an 8-0 start...
Sean Payton. His New Orleans Saints are 8-0, and all of the credit goes to Drew Brees or Greg Williams defense. Ultimately this guy is calling the shots, and he has yet to be off base this season. We knew his offense would be spectacular, and Williams has definitely improved the defense, but Payton is the one who brought this relationship to fruition and he should receive the credit. If his Saints continue on their regular season tear, its clear who should come out with Coach of the Year honors.
Defensive MVP
As a Denver Broncos fan I thought very hard about Elvis Dumervil. However his league leading 10.5 sacks have largely come in just three games. For this award I look for consistency and leadership.
With those Criteria in mind I award SS Darren Sharper of the NO Saints defensive MVP. He is probably the biggest reason for the Saints defensive surge and undefeated record. He has scored the most defensive touchdowns and is currently tied for the league lead in INTs with 7.
Comeback player of the Year
I thought long and hard about Cedric Benson of the Cincinnati Bengals. But then I realized in order to "comeback" you must be prominent first. Before this season at Cincy the only thing anyone remembered about Benson's career were his cripling fumbles in Superbowl XLI.
The first half CPY is Steven Jackson RB (St. Louis Rams). He won't get the acclaim due to his teams terrible record. However he is currently ranked third amongst the NFL's leading rushers. HE has struggled to find the endzone, but the endgame for this discussion is his career that has been devastated by injuries the past two seasons, and his immense success despite teams stacking the box to stop him.
Disappointment of the Year
My Disappoint this season is the Washington Redskins. After making a huge splash in the free agent market for what seems like the twentieth year in a row, they are once again at the bottom of the NFC East. Jim Zorn clearly isn't the guy at head Coach, and Daniel Snyder is too stubborn to fire him. Injuries are once again plaguing this team, and the 100 million dollar man Albert Haynesworth is not himself this year.
Rookie of the Year
Jerious Byrd of the Buffalo Bills shares the league lead in INTs with the wiley vet Darren Sharper. With number like those Byrd is pretty much a lock through the first half. Other standouts include Knowshon Moreno from Denver who leads rookie runningbacks in rushing yards and Mark Sanchez in New York, who has his club sitting in the thick of the AFC East race.
Surprise of the Year
Cedric Benson is exactly the player who deserves this award. Coming to Cincy out of obscurity being a failed no. 4 pick by the Chicago Bears, he currently sits second in NFL Rushing. Proving not only to be a workhorse between the tackles but also an explosive break away threat. His amazing first half performance has his Cincinnati Bengals in the Driver's seat of the AFC North.
Lets hear it sports fans... what do you think?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
ACTA hire, way off base.
Manny Acta has been named the Cleveland Indians' Manager for the 2010 season. As if Cleveland fans were not already disappointed in their team's lack of production (or trading back to back Cy Young winners in back to back seasons). Their reward is the Manager who was fired just over half way through this MLB season by the team with the worst record in the league.
In two and half years at Washington, Acta had a record of 158-252... a .385 winning percentage. Are Indians fans supposed to be excited about a coach whose career record is not losing but almost 100 games below .500?
Cleveland has seemed more like a farm team to larger market teams in the past couple seasons. And the addition of Acta makes it seem like they could be in that position for years to come.
In two and half years at Washington, Acta had a record of 158-252... a .385 winning percentage. Are Indians fans supposed to be excited about a coach whose career record is not losing but almost 100 games below .500?
Cleveland has seemed more like a farm team to larger market teams in the past couple seasons. And the addition of Acta makes it seem like they could be in that position for years to come.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
I'm Back!
After a short vacation, that just so happened to coincide with the Broncos' Bye week, I will be returning to the blog this evening with an assortment of opinions and stories.
Friday, October 16, 2009
NFL Forecast: Week 6
This week's NFL Picks.
Houston @ Cincinnati- Cincinnati
Detroit @ Green Bay- Green Bay
Baltimore @ Minnesota- Baltimore
New York Giants @ New Orleans- New Orleans Saints
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh- Pittsburgh
Carolina @ Tampa- Carolina
Kansas City @ Washington- Washington
St. Louis @ Jacksonville- Jacksonville
Arizona @ Seattle- Seattle
Philadelphia @ Oakland- Philadelphia
Tennessee @ New England- New England
Buffalo @ New York Jets- New York Jets
Chicago @ Atlanta- Atlanta
Denver @San Diego- San Diego
Houston @ Cincinnati- Cincinnati
Detroit @ Green Bay- Green Bay
Baltimore @ Minnesota- Baltimore
New York Giants @ New Orleans- New Orleans Saints
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh- Pittsburgh
Carolina @ Tampa- Carolina
Kansas City @ Washington- Washington
St. Louis @ Jacksonville- Jacksonville
Arizona @ Seattle- Seattle
Philadelphia @ Oakland- Philadelphia
Tennessee @ New England- New England
Buffalo @ New York Jets- New York Jets
Chicago @ Atlanta- Atlanta
Denver @San Diego- San Diego
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
NFL Power Rankings: Week 6
1. Indianapolis Colts (5-0): Peyton Manning is showing no signs of slowing down. Manning has thrown for 300+ yards in every game this season, without his No.2 receiver Anthony Gonzalez. With seemingly no one able to challenge them in their division, and a soon to be returning Bob Sanders, things are looking up for the Colts.
2. Minnesota Vikings (5-0): The Vikings are cruising against a relatively easy schedule. However, the Bears and Packers are not going to roll over and die this season.
3. New York Giants (5-0): The Giants continue to surge and look to remain undefeated this week.
4. (5) Denver Broncos (5-0): The Broncos move up one slot after taking down the Patriots this week. The defense continues to be stingy after halftime and the offense remains timely.
5. (4) New Orleans Saints (4-0): A bye week drops the Saints one slot this week. But Drew Brees and the boys will come out firing on all cylinders this week.
6. (13) Cincinatti Bengals (4-1): I'm not saying that the Bengals are going to the Superbowl, but this team has guts, and is in a prime position to win the AFC North.
7. (10) Atlanta Falcons (3-1): After dismantling this year's NFC darlings, the Falcons travel home and have to prove their value against the 3-1 Bears.
8. (9) Philadelphia Eagles (3-1): McNabb is back and the offense is finding a great rhythm. If Maclin continues to excel, this offense is scary.
9. (12) Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2): The Steelers have found their swagger on offense. Mendenhall is making a case to start and Polomalu will be back this week, restoring the spark to their Defense.
10. (7) Baltimore Ravens (3-2): This team has a chance to rebound with a clutch win at Minnesota.
11. (6) New England Patriots (3-2): A tough loss in Denver leaves this team with a lot of offensive questions.
12. (8) New York Jets (3-2): The "Sanchise" is looking like a rookie. Hopefully the Brayon situation continues to look promising.
13. (14) Chicago Bears (3-1): If they can go into Atlanta after a bye week and come away with a win, they establish themselves as contenders in the NFC.
14. (22) Miami Dolphins: Henne is looking like he belongs behind the center. The wild cat is torching opposing defenses, and I'm eating a lot of crow.
15. (11) San Francisco 49ers (3-2): Ouch, that home loss hurts. Hopefully Gore rejoins the team after a bye.
16. (15) Green Bay Packers (2-2): These guys just need to protect No.12. If Rogers has time, he is scary good.
17. (18) San Diego Chargers (2-2): The Chargers need to beat the Broncos this week at home.
18. (17) Dallas Cowboys (3-2): A barely win is still a win. But a barely win against the Chiefs is cause for concern.
19. (19) Arizona Cardinals (2-2): A good win, but this defense has a lot to worry about.
20. (25) Seattle Seahawks (2-3): If Hasselbeck is healthy, this team can score.
21. (17) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3): MJD needs to find his stride again after being held to 34 yards in week 5.
22. (20) Houston Texans (2-3): This team has the weapons to be a factor. But with the young defense faltering, its looking a lot like an 8-8 season.
23. (27) Carolina Panthers: (1-3): Its only one win, over a tumbling 'Skins team. But hopefully its only just begun.
24. (23) Washington Redskins (2-3): The team is tumbling and blaming the owner for it.
25. (24) Detroit Lions (1-4): They stuck around against a good Steelers team without the rookie or Megatron.
26. Tennessee Titans (0-5): They stay the same in hopes that the VY sighting last week is going to be a permanent change in Nashville.
27. (28) Cleveland Browns (1-4): Derek Anderson had 2 completions...2. but a win's a win.
28. (21) Buffalo Bills (1-4): That team that almost upset the Pats in week one feels like years ago.
29. (30) St. Louis Rams (0-5): With Bulger back at the helm in the fourth , they moved the ball surprisingly well against a stingy Minnesota defense.
30. (29) Oakland Raiders (1-4): At least in the past they could say "at least we have a good defense". After being throttled by the Giants in week 5 they can't rest easy on anything.
31. (32) Kansas City Chiefs (0-5): Cassel showed that he might be the real deal with 250 yards and 2 TDs.
32 (31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-5): The only thing that's looking up for this franchise is the No.1 pick.
2. Minnesota Vikings (5-0): The Vikings are cruising against a relatively easy schedule. However, the Bears and Packers are not going to roll over and die this season.
3. New York Giants (5-0): The Giants continue to surge and look to remain undefeated this week.
4. (5) Denver Broncos (5-0): The Broncos move up one slot after taking down the Patriots this week. The defense continues to be stingy after halftime and the offense remains timely.
5. (4) New Orleans Saints (4-0): A bye week drops the Saints one slot this week. But Drew Brees and the boys will come out firing on all cylinders this week.
6. (13) Cincinatti Bengals (4-1): I'm not saying that the Bengals are going to the Superbowl, but this team has guts, and is in a prime position to win the AFC North.
7. (10) Atlanta Falcons (3-1): After dismantling this year's NFC darlings, the Falcons travel home and have to prove their value against the 3-1 Bears.
8. (9) Philadelphia Eagles (3-1): McNabb is back and the offense is finding a great rhythm. If Maclin continues to excel, this offense is scary.
9. (12) Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2): The Steelers have found their swagger on offense. Mendenhall is making a case to start and Polomalu will be back this week, restoring the spark to their Defense.
10. (7) Baltimore Ravens (3-2): This team has a chance to rebound with a clutch win at Minnesota.
11. (6) New England Patriots (3-2): A tough loss in Denver leaves this team with a lot of offensive questions.
12. (8) New York Jets (3-2): The "Sanchise" is looking like a rookie. Hopefully the Brayon situation continues to look promising.
13. (14) Chicago Bears (3-1): If they can go into Atlanta after a bye week and come away with a win, they establish themselves as contenders in the NFC.
14. (22) Miami Dolphins: Henne is looking like he belongs behind the center. The wild cat is torching opposing defenses, and I'm eating a lot of crow.
15. (11) San Francisco 49ers (3-2): Ouch, that home loss hurts. Hopefully Gore rejoins the team after a bye.
16. (15) Green Bay Packers (2-2): These guys just need to protect No.12. If Rogers has time, he is scary good.
17. (18) San Diego Chargers (2-2): The Chargers need to beat the Broncos this week at home.
18. (17) Dallas Cowboys (3-2): A barely win is still a win. But a barely win against the Chiefs is cause for concern.
19. (19) Arizona Cardinals (2-2): A good win, but this defense has a lot to worry about.
20. (25) Seattle Seahawks (2-3): If Hasselbeck is healthy, this team can score.
21. (17) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3): MJD needs to find his stride again after being held to 34 yards in week 5.
22. (20) Houston Texans (2-3): This team has the weapons to be a factor. But with the young defense faltering, its looking a lot like an 8-8 season.
23. (27) Carolina Panthers: (1-3): Its only one win, over a tumbling 'Skins team. But hopefully its only just begun.
24. (23) Washington Redskins (2-3): The team is tumbling and blaming the owner for it.
25. (24) Detroit Lions (1-4): They stuck around against a good Steelers team without the rookie or Megatron.
26. Tennessee Titans (0-5): They stay the same in hopes that the VY sighting last week is going to be a permanent change in Nashville.
27. (28) Cleveland Browns (1-4): Derek Anderson had 2 completions...2. but a win's a win.
28. (21) Buffalo Bills (1-4): That team that almost upset the Pats in week one feels like years ago.
29. (30) St. Louis Rams (0-5): With Bulger back at the helm in the fourth , they moved the ball surprisingly well against a stingy Minnesota defense.
30. (29) Oakland Raiders (1-4): At least in the past they could say "at least we have a good defense". After being throttled by the Giants in week 5 they can't rest easy on anything.
31. (32) Kansas City Chiefs (0-5): Cassel showed that he might be the real deal with 250 yards and 2 TDs.
32 (31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-5): The only thing that's looking up for this franchise is the No.1 pick.
Get your brooms ready!!!
The first round of the MLB playoffs have produced 3 sweeps... While the games themselves have been pretty entertaining (see: history being made by the Angels and Phillies), I have to think that the parity of the MLB is diminishing.
The biggest surprise of the first round was the LA Dodgers sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals. LA came into the series with the most wins in the NL and the Cardinals had the worst record of all of the NL playoff teams. Still most experts picked the Cards to win the series. Ultimately this round proved that above all things, money wins championships.
The four divisional series winners are in the top 11 payroll teams in the MLB. The only team to lose that fell into this category was the Boston Red Sox.
My picks for the remainder of the playoffs are as such...
Phillies over Dodgers in 6
Yankees over Angels in 7
Phillies over Yankees in 6.
The biggest surprise of the first round was the LA Dodgers sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals. LA came into the series with the most wins in the NL and the Cardinals had the worst record of all of the NL playoff teams. Still most experts picked the Cards to win the series. Ultimately this round proved that above all things, money wins championships.
The four divisional series winners are in the top 11 payroll teams in the MLB. The only team to lose that fell into this category was the Boston Red Sox.
My picks for the remainder of the playoffs are as such...
Phillies over Dodgers in 6
Yankees over Angels in 7
Phillies over Yankees in 6.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
