Sunday, February 26, 2017
It is Time for Tiger Woods to Retire
Author: Richard Pyle
Editor: Nicholas Petersen
It’s Time for Tiger Woods to Retire If you’re a fan of golf and the PGA, you can’t help but hope that Tiger Woods will make one last run at The Golden Bear’s 18 majors - he trails Nicklaus by only four. His biggest obstacle? Three back surgeries in two years.
When Woods first announced a back surgery in 2014, people assumed that he’d take the rest of the season off and return in 2015. That wasn’t the case. Five months later he entered the Bridgestone Invitational and had to withdraw due to spasms stemming from the procedure. That was the start of a pattern for Tiger, as he has tried several times to come back far earlier than was wise. His most recent attempt was in the fall of 2015, following his third surgery. And when he decided to try to compete again this past summer, we were reminded - on multiple occasions - of his previous withdrawals. Tiger’s surgeries are impossible to overlook, and he must know that on some level.
That’s why it’s so baffling that someone with such an illustrious career would continue to put himself in situations where he could further damage his health. Perhaps it’s because he is afraid of hurting his “image.” Perhaps he’s afraid that he can’t retire because of his fan following. I say that golf is all that he knows, all that he loves, and he believes that maybe there’s some hope that he can continue to play on a competitive level. His health won’t let him, and he’s kidding himself if believes that he’s the same player everyone feared in the past.
Tiger Woods doesn’t owe the world of golf a damn thing. He’s been the face of the PGA for nearly two decades and in some ways he still is. The ratings are lower when he’s not on television. Why? Because everyone wants to see the “what happens next” scenario, to see if he does have one more run in him, or to relive the glory of days gone by. And that’s his problem - if he’s the face of the PGA, he’s the face of its past. The face of today is young Jordan Spieth. Speith has taken the golf world by storm, having nearly completed the coveted Grand Slam only to lose the Open Championship by a few strokes and the PGA Championship to a red hot Jason Day. If Tiger’s being honest with himself, he knows that the torch was passed to Speith several years ago.
Look, don’t get me wrong - he’s one of the greatest to ever play this game and I’m not diminishing what he’s done over the course of his remarkable career. He had one of the greatest runs in the history of the game. It’s just that this problem - while deeply unfortunate - shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Tiger, it’s time to retire. I understand if you don’t want to do it and I don’t blame you for holding on. But if you do decide that it is time to call it a career, let me be the first from our team to say “thank you.”
Thursday, February 23, 2017
NFL MOCK DRAFT 2017: TOP 5 PICKS
AUTHOR: PETER DIPAOLA
EDITOR: NICHOLAS PETERSEN
PICK 1.) CLEVELAND BROWNS- MYLES GARRETT, DE, TEXAS A&M
The Browns need to improve their pass rush, especially in the AFC North where they face Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, and Andy Dalton. Grant holds the top grade, a 7.8, from nfl.com, and with the skill set he developed in college, this selection makes sense for the Browns. A player with Garrett’s ability and potential would be a welcomed addition to a team that went 1-15 in 2016.
PICK 2.) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- MITCH TRUBISKY, QB, NORTH CAROLINA
San Francisco’s new Head Coach, Kyle Shanahan, is an offensive minded coach. Couple that with the 49ers need for a quarterback and Trubisky makes perfect sense - he fits the type of offense that Shanahan will want to run, and he is the top rated quarterback heading into the draft according to nfl.com. He might not be the day one starter if the 49ers want to groom him and give him time to learn, but a second overall pick isn’t out the of the realm of possibility.
PICK 3.) CHICAGO BEARS- JONATHAN ALLEN, DE, ALABAMA
Chicago plays in a competitive NFC North, where the top two quarterbacks in the division are Aaron Rodger and Matthew Stafford. Both of them led their teams to the playoffs in 2016. Getting a defensive end at the third spot would help John Fox reclaim the signature song of the great Bears teams of the past: a stout defense. Jonathan Allen is listed at 6'3" and 291 pounds, his size and skills are a good match for the Bears. He lead Alabama, known for their elite college defenses, in 2016 with 10.5 sacks. If the goal is the glory of the Bears teams of the past, this is a good place to start.
PICK 4.) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- LEONARD FOURNETTE, RB, LSU
Jacksonville needs to help Blake Bortles, as Jacksonville ranked 22nd in rush yards in 2016 and 23rd in total yards. Developing a running game is the place to start, and Fournette would give the Jaguars a legitimate option at running back. Nfl.com has him listed as the second best grade - 7.1 - heading into the draft. At just 22 years old, he will have plenty of time to help the Jaguars before he would turn 30 and "hit the wall" like so many running backs seem to do.
PICK 5.) TENNESSEE TITANS- MARSHON LATTIMORE, CB, OHIO STATE
Tennessee ranked 30th in passing yards in 2016. Obtaining a cornerback at number five would make a difference for the defense overall. There are plenty of talented receivers in the AFC, especially in the AFC South. Lattimore’s 4 interceptions, 9 passes defended and a defensive touchdown in 2016 at Ohio State, suggest that his abilities would make him a welcome asset to the Titans who need to work on their passing defense. If Tennessee wants to compete for their division and go the distance in the playoffs, then beefing up their secondary for the long haul is a requirement. Lattimore can help them do that quickly.
MARSHON LATTIMORE'S STATS: http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/marshon-lattimore-1.html
EDITOR: NICHOLAS PETERSEN
PICK 1.) CLEVELAND BROWNS- MYLES GARRETT, DE, TEXAS A&M
The Browns need to improve their pass rush, especially in the AFC North where they face Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, and Andy Dalton. Grant holds the top grade, a 7.8, from nfl.com, and with the skill set he developed in college, this selection makes sense for the Browns. A player with Garrett’s ability and potential would be a welcomed addition to a team that went 1-15 in 2016.
PICK 2.) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- MITCH TRUBISKY, QB, NORTH CAROLINA
San Francisco’s new Head Coach, Kyle Shanahan, is an offensive minded coach. Couple that with the 49ers need for a quarterback and Trubisky makes perfect sense - he fits the type of offense that Shanahan will want to run, and he is the top rated quarterback heading into the draft according to nfl.com. He might not be the day one starter if the 49ers want to groom him and give him time to learn, but a second overall pick isn’t out the of the realm of possibility.
PICK 3.) CHICAGO BEARS- JONATHAN ALLEN, DE, ALABAMA
Chicago plays in a competitive NFC North, where the top two quarterbacks in the division are Aaron Rodger and Matthew Stafford. Both of them led their teams to the playoffs in 2016. Getting a defensive end at the third spot would help John Fox reclaim the signature song of the great Bears teams of the past: a stout defense. Jonathan Allen is listed at 6'3" and 291 pounds, his size and skills are a good match for the Bears. He lead Alabama, known for their elite college defenses, in 2016 with 10.5 sacks. If the goal is the glory of the Bears teams of the past, this is a good place to start.
PICK 4.) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- LEONARD FOURNETTE, RB, LSU
Jacksonville needs to help Blake Bortles, as Jacksonville ranked 22nd in rush yards in 2016 and 23rd in total yards. Developing a running game is the place to start, and Fournette would give the Jaguars a legitimate option at running back. Nfl.com has him listed as the second best grade - 7.1 - heading into the draft. At just 22 years old, he will have plenty of time to help the Jaguars before he would turn 30 and "hit the wall" like so many running backs seem to do.
PICK 5.) TENNESSEE TITANS- MARSHON LATTIMORE, CB, OHIO STATE
Tennessee ranked 30th in passing yards in 2016. Obtaining a cornerback at number five would make a difference for the defense overall. There are plenty of talented receivers in the AFC, especially in the AFC South. Lattimore’s 4 interceptions, 9 passes defended and a defensive touchdown in 2016 at Ohio State, suggest that his abilities would make him a welcome asset to the Titans who need to work on their passing defense. If Tennessee wants to compete for their division and go the distance in the playoffs, then beefing up their secondary for the long haul is a requirement. Lattimore can help them do that quickly.
MARSHON LATTIMORE'S STATS: http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/marshon-lattimore-1.html
Monday, February 13, 2017
Potential Landing Spots for Victor Cruz
Author: Peter DiPaola
Edited by: Nicholas Petersen
Victor Cruz has been released by the New York Giants and is free to sign to any NFL team that offers him a contract. Here are some potential suitors for the seven year, 30 year old, NFL veteran.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cleveland went 1-15 in 2016. It’s pretty clear that they need help across the board. While Cruz can’t cure all that ails the Browns, he can help their passing game by providing veteran leadership to a young team. And if Terrelle Pryor walks during free agency, Buffalo would need more help at receiver to supplement young Corey Coleman, their soon-to-be second year wideout. It would also benefit the Browns 2017 quarterback (whoever that poor soul is) to have a proven veteran like Cruz catching his passes.
BUFFALO BILLS
Buffalo ranked 30th in passing yards in 2016, partly due to wide receiver injuries. While Cruz does have a history of injuries, he did manage to play in 15 games in 2016. If he can stay healthy in 2017, he could be a welcome addition to the Bills who face Sammy Watkins entering his 4th season. Pairing Watkins and Cruz - assuming that both stay healthy for a full season - could open up the Bills passing attack. But to make that happen, Buffalo - like the Browns - will need a serviceable quarterback under center.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Kyle Shanahan, an former offensive coordinator, is now the head coach of the 49ers. The 49ers had their share of passing game struggles in 2016, making themselves dead last in passing yards, 19th in passing touchdowns (21) and 29th in completion percentage. With a new coach and a new offense, a talented receiver could shake off some of the offensive woes that plagued the 49ers in 2016. Having a proven veteran at receiver would help, but with uncertainty (I’m being kind…) at quarterback for the 49ers, having any receiver with the talents of Cruz will help.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Los Angeles was ranked 31st in both passing and rushing yards in 2016 along with being ranked dead last in points per game and total yards per game. Los Angeles does not have a first round pick due to trading up in 2016 to get quarterback Jared Goff. With a young quarterback and new head coach the Rams need all the help they can get in free agency and the draft - Cruz could be a good fit for a Rams offense in need of help.
TENNESSEE TITANS
The AFC South could be up for grabs (again!) in 2017, and Tennessee could use some more help in order to win that division. Unlike the other teams mentioned before, the Titans have a coachable quarterback in Marcus Mariota. Obtaining Victor Cruz would bolster the Titans 25th ranked passing offense and give Cruz the best possibility for working with anything other than a middling talent in the game’s most important position. Tennessee ranked 3rd in rushing yards in 2016. If Cruz can come in, stay healthy and show some of the speed and versatility he did in New York, it is possible that special things could happen when he gets open in play action situations.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars (Tom Coughlin connection) and the Philadelphia Eagles.
*ALL STATS ARE FROM WWW.NFL.COM*
Edited by: Nicholas Petersen
Victor Cruz has been released by the New York Giants and is free to sign to any NFL team that offers him a contract. Here are some potential suitors for the seven year, 30 year old, NFL veteran.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cleveland went 1-15 in 2016. It’s pretty clear that they need help across the board. While Cruz can’t cure all that ails the Browns, he can help their passing game by providing veteran leadership to a young team. And if Terrelle Pryor walks during free agency, Buffalo would need more help at receiver to supplement young Corey Coleman, their soon-to-be second year wideout. It would also benefit the Browns 2017 quarterback (whoever that poor soul is) to have a proven veteran like Cruz catching his passes.
BUFFALO BILLS
Buffalo ranked 30th in passing yards in 2016, partly due to wide receiver injuries. While Cruz does have a history of injuries, he did manage to play in 15 games in 2016. If he can stay healthy in 2017, he could be a welcome addition to the Bills who face Sammy Watkins entering his 4th season. Pairing Watkins and Cruz - assuming that both stay healthy for a full season - could open up the Bills passing attack. But to make that happen, Buffalo - like the Browns - will need a serviceable quarterback under center.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Kyle Shanahan, an former offensive coordinator, is now the head coach of the 49ers. The 49ers had their share of passing game struggles in 2016, making themselves dead last in passing yards, 19th in passing touchdowns (21) and 29th in completion percentage. With a new coach and a new offense, a talented receiver could shake off some of the offensive woes that plagued the 49ers in 2016. Having a proven veteran at receiver would help, but with uncertainty (I’m being kind…) at quarterback for the 49ers, having any receiver with the talents of Cruz will help.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Los Angeles was ranked 31st in both passing and rushing yards in 2016 along with being ranked dead last in points per game and total yards per game. Los Angeles does not have a first round pick due to trading up in 2016 to get quarterback Jared Goff. With a young quarterback and new head coach the Rams need all the help they can get in free agency and the draft - Cruz could be a good fit for a Rams offense in need of help.
TENNESSEE TITANS
The AFC South could be up for grabs (again!) in 2017, and Tennessee could use some more help in order to win that division. Unlike the other teams mentioned before, the Titans have a coachable quarterback in Marcus Mariota. Obtaining Victor Cruz would bolster the Titans 25th ranked passing offense and give Cruz the best possibility for working with anything other than a middling talent in the game’s most important position. Tennessee ranked 3rd in rushing yards in 2016. If Cruz can come in, stay healthy and show some of the speed and versatility he did in New York, it is possible that special things could happen when he gets open in play action situations.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars (Tom Coughlin connection) and the Philadelphia Eagles.
*ALL STATS ARE FROM WWW.NFL.COM*
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