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NBA Finals: Top 5 Upsets in Finals History

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NBA Finals: Top 5 Upsets in Finals History
31 Mar

The 2015 NBA Finals are starting to get a little weird. The Cleveland Cavaliers are down two superstar players in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, yet they stand tall with a 2-1 series lead and all of the momentum. Despite being severely under-manned and facing what many thought to be the NBA’s best team (and top overall seed) in the Golden State Warriors, LeBron James’ band of misfits are now just two wins away from Cleveland’s first title ever.

Factoring in odds, talent and logic, the Cavs would go down as one of the better underdog stories in NBA Finals history, and would naturally put themselves on all-time lists that discuss NBA Finals upsets. It’s early, but it very well could happen. Whether it does or not, Cleveland’s 2-1 lead has us thinking NBA Finals upsets and which ones might be the best. Join us for the ride as we break down arguably the five biggest upsets in NBA Finals history. Which one is actually he most impressive? You be the judge:

Golden State Warriors over Washington Bullets (1975)

How can the Warriors not be on this list, right? Well, they’re here because they actually deserve to be. The 1975 Bullets were a 60-win team and entered this series as the favorite, but with a weird 1-2-2-1-1 series layout, there was extra importance placed on game one. Ricky Barry led Golden State to a close road win to take a 1-0 series lead and then blew up for 36 and 38 points in the next two games back out west to take a commanding 3-0 lead. The Warriors closed the deal with a 4-0 sweep in game four. They twice overcame 13+ point holes in the series and were paced by an explosive Barry (29+ points per game). Unfortunately, it’s also the last time they were crowned NBA champions.

Houston Rockets over Orlando Magic (1995)

Houston was an odd underdog, but only because they made themselves out to be. They were actually the defending champions, but had a pedestrian 47-35 regular season that saw them enter the playoffs as just the 6th seed. They were probably low on the title contender list, but anyone counting them out was fairly silly considering they still had the best center in the game in Hakeem Olajuwon. Of course, he’d end up facing off with the up and coming Shaquille O’Neal and the Magic in the Finals. This was that series that you look back and cringe over if you’re a Magic fan, as Nick Anderson missed four huge free throws in a row to lose game one. Olajuwon went on to score at least 31 points in the next three games as the Rockets pulled off the unlikely sweep.

Miami Heat over Dallas Mavericks (2006)

The Heat swung a huge trade to pair an aging but still effective Shaq with Dwyane Wade and it ended up working out pretty well. It didn’t at first, though, as Dallas orchestrated a flawless offense and Wade wasn’t able to kill them on the road in the first two games, with the Mavs taking a huge 2-0 series lead. Dallas was even in position to take game three and a perhaps insurmountable 3-0 lead, but blew the game late and gave the Heat life. Wade went on a tear from there, with 42 points in that huge game three, 36 points in game four and 43 points in game five. Overwhelmed by the rise of Wade, Dallas shrunk in game five and lost the series, 4-2. It was perhaps the most impressive NBA Finals comeback we’ve ever seen and one of the bigger upsets considering the hole the Heat dug themselves early on.

Dallas Mavericks over Miami Heat (2011)

The Miami heat were put together to win not five, not six, not seven, not eight…championships. They ended up winning two and appearing in four NBA Finals, with this epic 2011 loss to the stacked and explosive Mavs. Dallas wasn’t even necessarily the best team in their own conference, but they were truly lightning in a bottle and seemed to heat up at exactly the right time – at all times. Still, Dirk Nowitzki played the series of his life and the Mavs got huge shots from the likes of Jason Terry, Jason Kidd and Peja Stojakovic precisely when they needed them most. Considering Miami formed the “Heatles” with LeBron James “taking his talents to South Beach”, this was beyond a huge upset.

Detroit Pistons over Los Angeles Lakers (2004)

This one just might take the cake. The Lakers were already the Lakers and they need no real hype, but they added veterans Gary Payton and Karl Malone to the mix to help Kobe Bryant and Shaq shoot for one more title. Instead, they ran into the better true team in a feisty Pistons unit that thrived on ball movement and suffocating defense. On paper, there was no way the Lakers should have lost. They had the titles, all of the experience in the world and the star power. A clutch Kobe Bryant jumper helped them get one win, but the Pistons otherwise completely outclassed them in a surprising 4-1 series win.

Got another awesome NBA Finals upset that deserves to be on this list? Let us hear it in the comments below!

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2015 NBA Draft Rumors: Who is Headed Where?

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2015 NBA Draft: Karl-Anthony Towns and the Top Lottery Locks
31 Mar

The 2015 NBA Draft is just under three full weeks away, as we’ll finally learn where college basketball’s top prospects will play professionally on June 25th. With that date drawing closer, NBA Draft rumors are starting to swirl like crazy, with many of the biggest names being involved in all kinds of draft talk.

Who will the Minnesota Timberwolves take with the first overall pick? Will the Los Angeles Lakers trade their pick? Where will all the big names go? We won’t lay out our final 2015 NBA mock draft just yet, but in an effort to better understand everyone’s value and possible landing spots, let’s peruse the latest NBA rumors and see what just might stick come draft night.

Minnesota’s Potential Pick

There haven’t been any obvious rumors regarding the Timberwolves, who almost certainly have to have their pick down between the draft’s two best bigs – Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor. There is also an odd rumor that Minnesota could be interested in point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, but considering they already have Ricky Rubio (who they just signed to a big deal) and Zach Lavine, that doesn’t make much sense. That is, unless they want to move on from Rubio and think they have a good trade coming their way. The odds still rest with one of the big men, as Towns has the physical presence and upside and Okafor is probably the more polished scorer with better footwork. Either way, Minnesota probably can’t miss here.

Laker Options

Los Angeles is a tough team to gauge right now, because they probably aren’t trading their pick (although they haven’t said no to the idea), and they could be stuck just taking whatever big man the Timberwolves don’t. That’s not a bad thing, though, as both Towns and Okafor are NBA-ready bigs who can make a significant impact right now and also have bright futures as potential superstars. The odds suggest Okafor would fall into their laps at the two spot right now, but the team has also met and worked out Ohio State guard D’Angelo Russell. Russell has been talked up as a lead guard or a shooting guard (probably more ideal) and perhaps the Lakers view him as the long-term replacement for Kobe Bryant, who is expected to retire after the 2015-16 NBA season.

Knicks Eyeing Justise Winslow?

The Knicks are all over the map, which makes them one of the more interesting cases to follow during draft season. They really could use talent in any position and despite rumors that they’ll just abandon ship and trade down, the #4 pick could still get them a very solid player. They’ve been linked to Justise Winslow, who could be a great wing player at the two or three. If they plan on using Carmelo Anthony at the four then Winslow would be a great find at the three spot, although he seems to have the ability to play shooting guard if need be, as well.

Winslow is probably their best option at four, as he carries the highest upside, but they have reportedly also been linked to Kentucky big man Willie Cauley-Stein. That’s another move that makes plenty of sense, since the Knicks have absolutely nothing to speak of down low at the five spot. New York has also been tied to another Kentucky player in Trey Lyles, while point guard Emmanuel Mudiay would also deserve serious consideration.

Of course, they also have been tightly tied to Murray State point guard Cameron Payne, which could (and should) involve them trading down. Picking Payne at #4 would be insane considering he’s a mid-round prospect, at best, and the Knicks could acquire other assets by moving down in the draft. New York could have something else up it’s sleeve, but the latest buzz suggests them trading down is a real possibility.

OKC Likes Stanley Johnson?

The Oklahoma City Thunder are a weird lottery team, as they have a talented enough roster (when healthy) to make a championship run, yet they can load up with some more talent with the 14th overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft. They just might if they can find a way to get their hands on Arizona swing man Stanley Johnson, who they are reportedly smitten with. The main problem is he’s far too talented to slide to the 14th pick, which means they may have to consider making a move up in the lottery. Johnson could serve as a great scorer off the bench the way James Harden used to, while he could also project as a decent long-term replacement should Kevin Durant leave in free agency next year.

Got a hot NBA Draft rumor to add to the list? Let us hear it in the comments below!

Are Cleveland Cavaliers Doomed Without Kyrie Irving?

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Cleveland Cavaliers Doomed Without Kyrie Irving
31 Mar

The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped game one of the 2015 NBA Finals on Thursday night, as the Golden State Warriors pulled away in overtime to win 108-100. Cleveland had the Warriors on the ropes late in the game, but two last second shots by LeBron James and Iman Shumpert fell short.

Those two shots were part of an ugly 1-13 stretch to close the game, as the Cavs ran cold to end the fourth and didn’t make another basket in the extra period until James made a meaningless layup with just 15 seconds to go. As dispiriting as the game one loss was, there might not be anything worse than seeing Kyrie Irving exit the game after re-injuring his knee.

Irving had been dealing with a lingering knee issue throughout the playoffs, and even sat out two games during the Eastern Conference Finals. With a long lay-off after sweeping the Atlanta Hawks in that series, Irving and the Cavs seemed to think his knee woes were behind him. For the most part in game one, that indeed seemed to be the case, as Irving overcame a slow start to look very much like his explosive self. Irving contributed 23 points and eight assists, playing scorer and playmaker as needed as Cleveland dictated the pace for much of the game.

Too Many Minutes?

Irving looked to be fully healthy, but now that we know he sustained a knee injury, the debate opens up if the Cavs were far too liberal with his run in his first game back. After all, head coach David Blatt knew Irving wasn’t completely 100% before the Finals started, yet he decided to keep him in for 43 minutes, anyways. It’s an interesting move, especially considering how well backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova has played in Irving’s absence. In addition, Blatt could have slid James to the point for stretches to give Irving’s knees a break. He then could have had Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith both on the floor if he for some reason didn’t feel confident in Dellavedova playing big minutes on such a big stage.

In that same breath, Blatt probably rode Irving as hard as he did for two very good reasons: first, because Irving wasn’t complaining and felt good. Second, and probably the biggest one, is because he needed him. While the Cavs seemed to be in control and running the pace for much of the game, a huge reason why was because of Irving. With Irving playing less minutes, it’s highly possible, if not likely, Cleveland would have lost steam on the road in a hostile environment. Irving even ended up proving key on the defensive end, as he blocked a late Stephen Curry layup that in hind sight probably would have won the game in regulation.

Game 2 Availability?

The Cavs and Warriors play again on Sunday, which means Irving truly has two full days of rest and then will have to test his knee on Sunday at the latest. Considering he was limping visibly, left the stadium on crutches and seemd to be in a good deal of pain, Irving should be doubtful for game two. Irving is expected to get an MRI on Friday to see if there is any serious damage to the knee and if not, he would still have a chance to suit up for game two. The two main problems will be pain tolerance and Cleveland’s fear of seriously hurting one of their best players. There is no better time to risk injury than when you’re competing for a world title, but it’s possible Irving and the Cavs won’t want to chance it.

Impact

There’s the old saying “next man up” but losing Irving for the entire series or even a couple games could be catastrophic for the Cavs. LeBron James proved in game one that he can get his if he’s focused, but that actually played into Golden State’s plan. They preferred to play James straight up and take whatever points he got, rather than free up James by doubling him or focusing too much on him defensively to the point that it allows wide open shots from his teammates. Keeping James locked in offensively limits his play-making, which in turn keeps his teammates ill prepared and naturally cold from outside.

That was the game plan when Irving was around and it worked, even with Irving having a solid impact. Just imagine what Cleveland’s offense will have to try to do to compensate for Irving going forward if he’s out. There is no guarantee Irving is going to miss any time, but even if he doesn’t he could be severely limited or further his current injury. The Cavs were probably already playing with their backs against the wall and they let a winnable game one get away from them. Now they march ahead in these NBA Finals and it could be without their second best player. That’s bad news for my NBA Finals pick and it’s definitely bad news for Cleveland.

Think the Cavaliers are fine without Irving if he misses time? Let us hear your side in the comments below!

Zaquandre White Busts Off Amazing Tecmo Bowl Run

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Zaquandre White Busts Off Amazing Tecmo Bowl Run
31 Mar

There’s a pretty good chance you don’t have any idea who Zaquandre White is. That won’t last long. If you haven’t already seen it, now is as good a time as any to see one of the craziest runs ever, courtesy of Zaquandre White, the guy you never heard of until just a second ago.

Zaquandre White brought the days of Tecmo Super Bowl back to life in one play, as he evaded would-be tackler after would-be tackler during an insane run that went from bad to impossible to glorious in just a matter of seconds.

Breaking the Play Down

It truly is one of the better runs we’ve seen in some time and probably could be thrown into that “best run ever” argument. It’s obviously worth noting that it was done on the high school level and not in the pros or even college, but an amazing run is an amazing run. The beauty of this run is just how many times White looks dead to rights. When the play first starts, the right side of the line is no longer anywhere to be seen and White’s initial path to success is shut down by a defender. This forces him to juke left, where the rest of the defense lies, which naturally forces him further left in an effort to find anything worth salvaging.

From there, White slides through a weak ankle tackle, shakes off a defender that is draped on his back and holding his jersey and regains his footing enough to completely toss the defender to the ground. The situation looks even more dire after that, as the defense then swarms in on him, but two defenders sandwich him at just the right time so he is able to absorb both blows and spins out of the hit, keeping enough footing to stay up and turn back towards the right side of the field.

At that point, all White needs is a little juice to accelerate past the last legit defender and use proper angling and whatever speed he has left to win a foot race to the end zone. He gets a nice block in the back from #4, but overall does almost all of the heavy lifting on his own to create a play that would make Bo Jackson or Barry Sanders proud.

Why is this so cool? Any highlight where a running back can shed tackles and make a defense look silly is fun, but the change of direction, balance, awareness, vision and acceleration displayed on just one play truly was a sight to see. If you couldn’t see the video for some reason, hopefully our break down did it justice – although we’re pretty sure even Ernest Hemingway couldn’t accomplish that.

Who is Zaquandre White?

As interesting as this play was, it’s even cooler to discover that Zaquandre White isn’t just some random high school running back that got a little lucky. This four-star recruit is destined for Florida State and was already a highly touted high school prospect. Could we see White destroy college defenses and work his way to the pros? Perhaps. But regardless of what he does, this sick video will always be online for anyone to see. Even if he never has another great run, Zaquandre White will at least be known for that his custom football jerseys and  one insane run he put on tape that made him look like he was in a video game. And for that, we thank him.

10 Players Who Could Make Big Impacts on New NFL Teams

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10 Players Who Could Make Big Impacts on New NFL Teams
31 Mar

With NFL OTAs already starting, we can almost smell the new 2015 NFL season. With a new year comes change and possibly a move up for a few teams, and a lot of it could be because some key roster moves franchises made in free agency.

Everyone wants to believe their favorite team made the right moves and their new players will pan out, but every year there are huge pay offs and massive disappointments. Let’s focus on the guys that could actually pay off as we break down the top 10 faces in new places for 2015:

10. Mike Wallace, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Wallace crushed as a deep threat in Pittsburgh for years, but the minute he went to South Beach he couldn’t connect down the field. Blame that partially on Ryan Tannehill and partially on Miami’s system. Wallace is probably a one-trick pony, but Minnesota’s offense has a specific role for him that he should be able to thrive in. Now, the only question is if Teddy Bridgewater is ready to help everyone maximize their potential within Norv Turner’s vertical offense.

9. Torrey Smith, WR, San Francisco 49ers

The Niners lacked a true deep threat and now they have one after locking down Smith on a multi-year deal. Smith can stretch the field and also has the ability to operate as a possession receiver, so on paper he gives San Francisco exactly what their offense has been lacking. If Colin Kaepernick can make strides inside the pocket, the 49ers’ offense could soar to new heights. Of course so far this year the buzz about the 49ers has been their new black football uniforms.

8. Julius Thomas, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

Thomas was largely a red-zone threat with the Denver Broncos the past two years (24 total touchdowns), but in 2015 he takes the training wheels off and sees if he can’t be a serious weapon. Doing so in Jacksonville with second-year passer Blake Bortles is easier said than done, but that’s what he was brought in to do. If his game from the past two years translates to his new city, the Jaguars could suddenly have a somewhat dangerous offense.

7. Andre Johnson, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Johnson was being phased out of Houston, so he bolted for their division rivals, where with Andrew Luck he will be playing with the most talented passer he ever has in his career. He may be slowing down at 33, but he’s still quite good and in Indy he won’t be asked to do everything. As the #2 guy, Johnson could make a solid impact and help round out one of the league’s more potent offenses.

6. Brandon Marshall, WR, New York Jets

Marshall could be the guy that looked on his last legs due to injury a year ago, or he could get back to full health and dominate the AFC East. Considering Darrelle Revis is on his team, that’s certainly possible. Marshall is naturally regressing, but even mild regression could have him as a solid weapon for Gang Green. Just how solid could hinge on the development of quarterback Geno Smith, who no longer has the excuse of not having weapons in the passing game.

5. Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Gone are the days where Indy passes every down or hopes Andrew Luck can will them out of deep holes. With no clear answer at running back over the past three seasons, the Colts finally went after a proven commodity in free agency and came away with Frank Gore. He’s an ageless wonder that could break down at anytime, but at face value he’s a steady, competent lead back that could move the pile for another year or two.

4. Sam Bradford, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Bradford has shredded his knee in two straight seasons but as far as pure quarterback talent goes, he just might be the best pocket passer the Eagles have had since Donovan McNabb. Heck, considering he hasn’t had a chance to fully develop in the past two seasons, he could be even better. He’s a huge risk and he wasn’t lighting the league up before the injuries, but there is upside to be had here. We sure can’t knock the Eagles for going for it with this trade.

3. DeMarco Murray, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Murray could be a huge get for the Eagles, who traded away LeSean McCoy for a linebacker they needed and then still got a top shelf runner with this signing. The issue was McCoy danced too much around the line of scrimmage and too often sought out the big play. Murray brings moderate big-play ability but his main strength is being a north/south runner that takes what is blocked for him and doesn’t waste time making tough decisions: he just goes. We know he can carry a full load after pacing the NFL in rushing and leading the Cowboys to a division title a year ago. Now he’s in Philly. That might make the Eagles a problem for the rest of the NFC.

2. LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills

Shady McCoy is potentially the second biggest move, as the Bills swapped linebacker Kiko Alonso and him in a trade with the Eagles. It’s a smart trade for both parties if Alonso’s surgically repaired knee works out, but the big winner is obviously Buffalo if McCoy ends up fitting their scheme. Rex Ryan comes in trying to lead a run-heavy offensive attack that leans on it’s defense, and on paper that sets up McCoy for a huge workload and monster numbers. If he steps up to the plate in 2015, he could play a huge hand in getting the Bills back to the playoffs for the first time since Doug Flutie was a thing.

1. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Miami Dolphins

The biggest change in scenery might just involved Suh and the Fins. Suh was stolen from right under the Detroit Lions and he’ll slide into the middle of Miami’s defensive line to give them a nasty force that can put pressure on the quarterback and also help sniff out the run. Considering Miami’s defense was already solid and their offense has been on the rise, this could be the highest impact signing of the off-season.

Related: 2015 Fantasy Football: Top Wide Receiver Sleepers 

Ranking the Best Dual Threat Quarterbacks in NFL History

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Ranking the Best Dual Threat Quarterbacks in NFL History
31 Mar

Cam Newton just became a very rich man on Tuesday afternoon, as the Carolina Panthers handed the 26-year old quarterback a six-year contract extension worth roughly $103.8 million. Newton is slated to earn well over $60 million in guaranteed money over the next three seasons and is now entrenched as “the guy” for the Panthers for the foreseeable future.

It’s hard to blame the Panthers for handing out such a massive deal, as Newton definitely deserved to get paid after putting up solid stats through his first four NFL season and helped Carolina reach the playoffs in each of the past two years. Newton’s deal has some thinking about the Panthers in the Super Bowl, but all we can think about is how great of a dual threat quarterback he is and where he might rank with the other great dual threat passers in NFL history.

We decided to put it to a ranking:

Note: Our ranking considers athleticism, rushing ability and numbers, passing ability and success as a pro quarterback.

10. Kordell Stewart (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Stewart was never a great quarterback, but for a while he was a competent one. He was good enough to play a hand in the Steelers getting to a Super Bowl and he passed for over 14,000 yards, while running for another 2,874 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns on the ground. He’s not just on this list because he played quarterback and could run. He was one of the most versatile and dynamic players the league has ever seen. Slash would be much higher on this list had he been a better pure passer and not flamed out of the league, but we can’t ignore the impact he had as a dual threat runner.

9. Roger Staubach (Dallas Cowboys)

Stewart was a better athlete than Staubach and he had better rushing numbers, but Staubach was easily the superior pocket passer and he also won two Super Bowls. On top of being one of the better flat out quarterbacks the league has ever seen, he also contributed over 2,200 yards and 20 touchdowns with his legs.

8. Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)

Newton had to make our list, both for what he’s done already and what he still could very well do. Newton has tasted the playoffs at a young age and has plenty of time to add to his stats and playoff record. What he’s already done is astonishing, as he holds the record for rushing touchdowns in a season (14) and has rushed for at least 500 yards in every season he’s played. Newton has already made a name for himself as one of the best dual threat quarterbacks and he’s nowhere near finished.

7. Steve McNair (Tennessee Titans)

McNair was a highly effective and productive rusher early in his career, as he leaned heavily on that aspect of his game until he developed into a very strong pocket passer. That’s obvious by his career stats, as he put up nearly 3,600 yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground. McNair was actually even better through the air, though, and even helped his Titans to a foot within a Super Bowl win.

6. Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles)

McNabb never won a Super Bowl, but he got to one and played in three straight NFC title games. He was easily one of the more menacing quarterbacks to face in the NFC for most of his career and he was especially a terror on the run. McNabb had the athletic ability and build to run over or around defenders, while he also had a cannon that could keep the defense guessing. His running numbers aren’t good enough for a top-five spot, but his collective production and talent bring him awfully close.

5. John Elway (Denver Broncos)

Longevity and winning help Elway in the end, as the ageless wonder still used his legs in big moments even at the ripe age of 37. Elway ended his long, illustrious career with two straight Super Bowl wins, bt was known long before that as a deadly dual threat passer who has one of the league’s best arms. Elway ended his career high in the ranks as a rusher (3,407 rushing yards and 33 running scores), but his elite play under center has him cracking the top-five.

4. Randall Cunningham (Philadelphia Eagles)

The first true freak athlete to play quarterback, Randall Cunningham was a highlight reel runner who could avoid the rush or spring big plays with his legs. He had the best single season rushing performance by a quarterback and also had the most career rushing yardage before Michael Vick came along. Mostly known for his terrorizing days in Philly, Cunningham resurfaced later in his career with one magical season with the Minnesota Vikings. Cunningham will always be known as a special player and a legit top-five candidate for best dual threat passer of all-time, but injuries and inconsistency under center keep him from going any higher.

3. Michael Vick (Atlanta Falcons)

Criteria is a big thing with rankings. If you want to go by single-season or career rushing stats, then Vick should be #1 on this list. He holds all of the main yardage records and also has 36 career rushing scores. The problem? Vick was the definition of a tuck and run quarterback, as he relied almost solely on his athleticism for the majority of his career and never once topped 3,500 passing yards or 21 passing touchdowns. Vick also proved to be extremely fragile and struggled with accuracy, touch and reading defenses. More of a running back playing the quarterback position, Vick sticks at #3 due to an inability to have the necessary balance.

2. Steve Young (San Francisco 49ers)

Easily one of the more balanced dual threat passers of the modern era, Young brought the 49ers a Super Bowl post-Joe Montana and was a highlight reel waiting to happen when on the run. As gifted and productive of a runner as he was, though, he never abandoned the importance of accuracy and pocket presence and was routinely one of the highest rated passers in the league. It took him time to develop, but had he not spent so much time behind Montana, we could have seen an even greater player from a statistical perspective. Regardless, Young ranks third all time with over 4,200 yards on the ground and still holds the NFL record for quarterbacks with 43 rushing scores. The Michael Vick before Vick existed, Young wasn’t quite the athlete Vick was, but he was just as productive and a vastly superior passer.

1. Fran Tarkenton (Minnesota Vikings)

As great as Young and a lot of these other quarterbacks were, there still doesn’t seem to be a match for Tarkenton. Tarkenton never won a Super Bowl but he led his Vikings to the big game three times and when he retired he held the majority of the passing records in the NFL. On top of all of that, there truly was not a better scrambler to exist and Tarkenton even proved his worth as a true runner, piling on 3,674 rushing yards and 32 running scores.

Think another dual threat quarterback deserves the #1 nod more? Let us hear who it is in the comments below!

5 MLB Trade Rumors to Watch

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5 MLB Trade Rumors to Watch
31 Mar

The 2015 MLB season has hit the month of June, which means summer is finally here and before you know it, so will the MLB trade deadline. The deadline to move players via trade hits on July 31st, so we can probably expect to see a lot of chatter involving some big names heat up starting this month.

We’ve already heard a few whispers involving stars like Cole Hamels and Troy Tulowitzki, while Josh Hamilton already got dealt back to the Texas Rangers. More big moves are coming and it’s time to filter through some of the top MLB trade rumors we’ll want to be monitoring:

Johnny Cueto

Let’s be clear. Cueto isn’t officially on the market, but his agent does seem to think that’s not out of the question. Players set to hit free agency in any sport become expendable, because their current team is then in danger of getting either nothing or minimal compensation (draft picks or money) for losing them. The Reds are in an interesting position, as they’re just 22-27 through the first 49 games but still arguably have enough talent to turn things around. The closer we get to that not happening, though, the closer Cueto gets to hitting the trading block.

With just two months to go before the MLB trade deadline hits, we might start to see the Johnny Cueto trade rumors heat up. An obvious trading partner could be the L.A. Dodgers, who could use one last ace to push them over the top. They already boast two of the game’s top pitchers, but with Cueto as their third or possibly even second best ace, they’d suddenly look unbeatable on paper. Considering their pitching has floundered a bit in post-season play, this just might be a move they deem necessary to ensuring they can take the next step in a deep playoff run.

There is also a good chance someone else steps in and tries to land Cueto to help them turn their season around and then possibly try to lock him up, long-term. One team that matches that profile is the Boston Red Sox, who aren’t so far out of contention to swing a wild move, but badly need pitching help as they stand. Cueto isn’t a lock to be shipped, but his name is just now being tossed around and we might hear a lot more about him in the near future.

Troy Tulowitzki

The star shortstop has had his hand in trade rumors all season, as it’s been made clear that he wants to win and he probably won’t be doing that anytime soon with the Colorado Rockies. Tulowitzki is easily one of the top shortstops in the game and if he doesn’t want to waste his best years with a losing squad, he doesn’t have to. Numerous teams would love to pay a fair price to get his hitting and defense, not to mention his power. The big questions, of course, are is he really trying to get out of town, and if so, where could he be headed?

Tulowitzki already took some step backs from full blown trade demands, so it’s unclear if he’s actually willing to try to force his way out of Colorado. By all accounts, it sounds more like he’s disappointed that the Rockies can’t win, rather than upset with his position. Still, the situation could lead to the 30-year old shortstop playing elsewhere as soon as this year.

Cole Hamels

The Phillies have been terrible for a while now and they seem to be hitting rock bottom in 2015. They still have a top shelf pitcher in Hamels, though, and now could be a good time to ship him off for some assets. Hamels has no issues with departing, as he’d rather spend his days with a true contender than waiting and hoping the Phillies make the right moves to turn things around. That makes Hamels one of the top players on the move, as he could slide right in and round out any pitching rotation. He has somehow had a pretty good season with arguably the worst team in baseball, so it’s definitely worth wondering just how good he’d look with a winning ball club. The big question, then, is who would make a deal for Hamels? Contending teams like the Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros could take notice, while the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers also could be potential trade partners.

Ben Zobrist

It’s been made known that the Chicago Cubs have eyes for Ben Zobrist, who would provide great experience and versatility both as a hitter and defender. Zobrist’s current deal is up after this season, so the struggling Athletics are sure to be open to moving him so they don’t lose him for nothing. The Cubs are a surprise team that has playoffs on the mind now, and netting such a solid player for the rest of the year could help solidify their standing.

Yasiel Puig

Puig is probably the most interesting name in MLB trade rumors, because he’s a terrific talent and the Dodgers haven’t specifically said anything about wanting to trade him. The problem is, a hamstring issue robbed him of the past month and made it quite clear that the Dodgers have loads of serviceable talent behind him. Translation? As good as Puig obviously is, he could be expendable if the right deal can be made. That could very well be a deal that involves the aforementioned Johnny Cueto, someone like Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard or any numbers of top flight pitchers (especially ones with expiring deals). It’s an odd deal considering Puig can be so deadly offensively and is under team control for years to come, but it’s a move that could make a lot of sense if the Dodgers can vastly improve their pitching rotation.

None of these players are locks to be moved, but they’re atop the MLB trade rumors and could be playing somewhere else before the deadline hits. Think someone else deserves to make the list? Let us hear it in the comments below!

Related: 2015 MLB Free Agency: 5 Potential Landing Spots for Yoenis Cespeds

HBO Hard Knocks: Top Houston Texans Storylines to Follow

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HBO Hard Knocks: Top Houston Texans Storylines to Follow
31 Mar

The Houston Texans learned that they would be featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks show on Wednesday, giving die hard Texans fans and NFL fans alike an inside look at how an NFL franchise is run. Houston becomes just the 10th NFL team to take part in the popular HBO series, which goes behind the scenes of practice and preseason games without revealing any specific team plays or other crucial information.

While watching Hard Knocks doesn’t give participants’ opponents an extra edge, it does give fans an exciting front seat to the ins and outs of a pro football team. Last year fans got to watch the Atlanta Falcons up close and personal, with every fringe player and position battle taking center stage as must-see television.

That won’t be any different for this year’s version of Hard Knocks, and there are already plenty of story-lines to follow. Let’s break down the top reasons you’ll be tuning in to HBO’s Hard Knocks when it first airs on August 11th:

QB Battle

If you have two quarterbacks you usually don’t have any, as the old saying goes. There might be some truth to that depending on the situation, but in Houston they just don’t know what they have in Ryan Mallett and they probably know exactly what they have in his direct competition – Brian Hoyer. Hoyer started for the Cleveland Browns in 2014, and while he helped get the team to a 7-4 start, he also was barely passable as a starter at times and completely unraveled to close out the year.

While Hoyer came apart in 2014, he still offers a fairly stable veteran presence that the Texans may want to roll with. With a strong running game and a borderline elite defense, it’s possible all the Texans needs is safe play out of their passing game. Then again, if they want to be better than mediocre and actually be dangerous, they might want to roll with Mallett, who has the better arm and takes more chances.

Who ends up winning this battle could say a lot about how the Texans fare in 2015 and Mallett vs. Hoyer should dominate Hard Knocks all summer.

Andre Johnson Replacement

Houston parted ways with long-time wide receiver Andre Johnson this off-season and he promptly left to sign with the division rival Indianapolis Colts. It will be somewhat interesting to see if his name pops up at all, but even more interesting will be how the team’s passing game operates with him out of the picture. DeAndre Hopkins taking over as the team’s new #1 target is one part of the story-line, but it might be even more interesting to see who secures the #2 gig behind him.

Newly signed Cecil Shorts III is a leading candidate, but it would be nice if rookie Jaelen Strong could push him right away. The extra competition would make for entertaining television and in the long run could make the Texans better on offense, as well.

Brian Cushing’s Mouth

Brian Cushing is quite well known for his trash talk and simply being crazy, and despite seeing his play slip considerably in 2014, we’re bound to catch him jawwing off a good amount in training camp and games. Just as interesting as what Cushing has to say, is how he performs in what could be his last chance to prove he’s past numerous injuries that have held him back in recent years. Cushing is still a big hitter and sure tackler, but if he can’t improve in coverage, the Texans may have to move on from him after the 2015 season – or even during.

J.J. Watt, Period

As tough as Cushing comes off in workouts and on game day, no one in the league really seems as tough or dominant as J.J. Watt. Watt seems to capture the audience’s attention one way or another, whether he’s chasing down a quarterback for a sack, stuffing the run, returning a pick for a score or getting one of his trademark swats at the line. One of the top players in the entire league and easily the face of Houston’s franchise, Watt will be on full display on Hard Knocks.

Bill O’Brien’s Command

Known by some as a mini-Rex Ryan, O’Brien is a smart but emotional head coach who can be fun to watch. How he leads and controls his team could be interesting, especially how he goes about his business in training camp and leading into preseason games.

What else makes the Houston Texans worth watching on Hard Knocks? Let us know in the comments below!

2015 MLB Power Rankings: June Edition

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MLB Power Rankings: June Edition
31 Mar

We’ve taken some time in the early going of the 2015 MLB season to gauge who the favorites are to win the MVP and the World Series. Now it’s time to slow things down and check the pulse of the league for the here and now. Fans of the best and worst teams want (and need) to know if their team is ascending to be a big part of the MLB playoff race, or if they can bank on this truly being a long, grueling season. We’ll try to answer those questions and more as we funnel through every MLB team and where they stand as the month of June gets started:

30. Philadelphia Phillies

Philly doesn’t have the worst record, but they’re close, went 0-6 last week and might have the worst roster in baseball. Okay, they just do. Cole Hamels is surely on his way out of town and he might be the last big asset they have left on their team. It was predicted to be a long year for the Phillies this year and that hasn’t changed, as they kick off our first MLB Power Rankings of the year in the final spot.

29. Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers aren’t any better, as they continued their downward slide with a 1-5 mark last week and currently hold the worst record in the major leagues. They have more talent than Philadelphia and hypothetically could still turn things around. That’s extremely unlikely from what we’ve seen to this point, however, and it’s possible the Brew Crew could start taking part in some blockbuster trades to build for the future.

28. Miami Marlins

Miami’s would-be solid pitching rotation has left them for dead in 2015, while their power hitting is just too inconsistent to keep up with the top offenses they’ve come to battle. Dee Gordon and Giancarlo Stanton carry the offense, but Gordon lacks power and Stanton lacks efficiency. That sounds about right for this Miami squad, in general.

27. Colorado Rockies

Colorado oddly had a great 5-1 run last week, but their hot and cold offense hasn’t been enough to withstand their awful defense. They could keep fighting the good fight, but it appears fruitless with the other competition loaded up in the NL West.

26. Oakland Athletics

Oakland has just been terrible at winning close games, as they’re 3-15 in games decided by one run. That explains why they’re just 20-33, as they have the pitching talent up top and still have the bats to keep games close. They could easily turn things around if they found a way to close tight games, of course.

25. Boston Red Sox

Boston somehow stayed competitive early in the year but they’ve fallen flat lately with three wins in their last 10 and just a 1-6 mark last week. The Bo Sox have neither the bats nor pitching they were once known for and are destined to miss the playoffs in 2015.

24. Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto is a fantastic offensive team that simply lacks consistency and anything resembling defense. Jose Bautista’s “all or nothing” game defines them perfectly. Drew Hutchinson turned in a game last week which offered a glimmer of hope, but it’s not the norm for a Blue Jays squad that has given up 243 runs.

23. Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona has largely been about offense, but they’ve been walking in the murky waters of mediocrity all year long. That won’t do in the tough NL West. Paul Goldschmidt is AZ’s reason for hope, but he can’t do it all on his own.

22. Cincinnati Reds

The Reds stormed back last week with a solid 4-2 run but still remain back in the standings at just 22-27. The Reds continue to put up consistent runs and don’t have the defense to match the top offensive teams. There is enough here to hang around for another month, but we can probably expect a steady decline not too long after.

21. Chicago White Sox

Chicago has been a grand disappointment, as they were supposed to have a roster built to contend, yet to this point they sit at the bottom of the AL Central. The saving grace there is that the division is pretty tough and they’re only 23-26, but the offense just isn’t there. The pitching and bats should be better and so far there really isn’t an answer for why they’re not.

20. Baltimore Orioles

The story of the Orioles in 2015 is a lack of consistency, and we probably can’t see it any better than with power hitter Chris Davis, who can smack homers but can’t connect on a regular basis. This is Baltimore in a nutshell, as they do everything right, but only half of the time.

19. Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays continue to struggle to produce runs as a consistent rate, but they’re not giving up many on the other side. No one expected much out of Tampa Bay, but they continue to have life in a tight division and if their offense can wake up they might have a shot at first place.

18. Seattle Mariners

Seattle is hanging around as a competitive team for the moment, but it’s tough to cover much ground when you can’t score runs. Seattle brings decent defense to the table in spurts thanks to some good pitching up top, but their rotation as a whole isn’t great and their offense continues to leave them stranded too often.

17. San Diego Padres

Ever the inconsistent bunch, the Padres are merely keeping their heads above water in a very tough NL West division. They have the bats with Justin Upton leading the way, but pitching continues to be their main weakness. That’s unlikely to change in 2015.

16. Atlanta Braves

The Braves remain a fairly ho-hum team this year, as they can bring offense in a timely manner, but only half the time. They really don’t seem to have the talent or consistency to be a real player this year, yet they’re still just three games back in their division.

15. Cleveland Indians

Cleveland has turned on the heat lately, as they closed out May on a 17-5 run and at times have boasted solid balance. They’re winning games mostly off of their offense, though, and if their defense can’t pick it up they can probably forget about the playoffs.

14. Texas Rangers

The Rangers are an interesting group, as they’ve stayed afloat with great offense and ended last week hot with a 5-2 record. The return of Josh Hamilton and the stellar play of Prince Fielder makes the Rangers an offensive force, but their weak defense could keep them grounded all year long.

13. New York Yankees

New York has dipped recently with six losses in their last 10 games, but have stayed atop a pretty competitive AL East. Remaining there is possible given their elite offense, but their shaky defense ultimately is what will have them sink or swim in 2015.

12. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have come out of nowhere to be pretty competitive, as they’ve used solid defense and timely offense to stay in most of their games. They remain within striking distance of their division and have gotten some stellar play out of rookie Kris Bryant, but they badly need their bullpen to come through more consistently.

11. New York Mets

Experts basically said that if Matt Harvey could return to form, the Mets could have a chance. Here they are, just 0.5 games back from first in their division and on the brink of a playoff appearance. They have the arms to battle anyone defensively. Whether or not the offense shows up long-term will decide their playoff fate.

10. Detroit Tigers

Detroit stumbled this past week with four straight losses to the Angels and now they’re just the third best team in their division. That speaks to how good their division is, as they’re still one of the more balanced teams in the league. A lack of health being on their side has held them back, but the minute they’re 100% they’ll be a tough team to handle down the stretch.

9. L.A. Angels

The Angels are loaded with talent but the productivity has really only come in spurts. They used a nice four-game sweep of the Tigers recently to vault themselves into our top-10 and if it’s not just Mike Trout out their swinging for L.A., they could be quite dangerous. It’s going to take time to prove that’s a reality, though.

8. Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh has been a team on the verge for years now and despite a bit of a slow start over the first two months, they might finally be ready to hit their stride. They had a nice showing last week (5-2) and have some terrific pitching to lean on. If their bats can become more consistent, they could make a strong push for the wild card spot in the National League.

7. L.A. Dodgers

When at their best, the Dodgers can be argued as the most talented team in the league thanks to top-heavy pitching and elite offense. Los Angeles has a tough fight in the NL West on their hands, but to think they’re here with Yasiel Puig down for most of the past month, is quite impressive.

6. Kansas City Royals

After the sick run the big-hitting Royals went on last year (they got to the World Series), no one is shocked to see their offense back in action in 2015. They’ve slowed down a bit this past week, but they’re still one of the best teams around. If their pitching rotation ever rounds into form, they could really be dangerous.

5. Houston Astros

Houston has been fantastic this year, sporting a 31-20 mark and taking care of business both at home and on the road. Their awesome pitching has been a big reason why, while they’re also among the best at closing out wins. The only way they slow down is if they start giving games away.

4. Minnesota Twins

The Twins could be higher if we go simply off of the true definition of power rankings, but let’s not be too much “prisoner of the moment”. The Twins have been very good, and have largely used a 20-7 May to storm up to the top of the league. I’m not sold their pitching stays this hot, but if it does we could be looking at a trip to the playoffs for this Minnesota squad.

3. Washington Nationals

Few teams have the combination of power hitting and studly pitching the Nats do. A preseason favorite to make a run for a World Series, the Nats certainly still could behind the brash Bryce Harper and an extremely balanced Washington bunch.

2. San Francisco Giants

The defending champs came out of the gates as about as slow as a good team can, but they’ve rebounded in remarkable fashion. Their bats have finally come around to meet their solid pitching and it should scare the rest of the league that they’re already at this point after just 52 games.

1. St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals seem to always be in the mix for the playoffs and/or a great record and it never seems to make all that much sense. Regardless, the Cardinals sit atop the league with the best record (33-17). It may not stick, but as we enter June, they look like the best team on paper.

Think a different MLB team should be in the top spot? Let us hear about it in the comments below!

Posted in MLB

2015 NFL Position Battles: Predicting the Top Quarterback Battles

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Predicting the Top NFL Quarterback Battles
31 Mar

NFL organized team activities (better known as OTAs) get started on Tuesday afternoon, as teams are starting to move past the draft process and prepare for the new 2015 NFL season. With OTAs come the thought of competition and roster battles transitioning to new starters at various positions. Depending on how those position battles shake out, certain teams could rise or fall in the standings.

No other position is probably more important than quarterback, and we’re in for several quarterback battles once again in 2015. Let’s break all of the biggest ones down and see who the likely winner is, as well as how that winner may impact their team this season:

Tennessee Titans – Zach Mettenberger vs. Marcus Mariota

Some people felt the Titans didn’t need to spend the #2 overall pick in this year’s draft on Mariota. It turns out management did. Whether it was because they saw the athletic Mariota as their true franchise passer or the current regime just panicked, they made the call and Mariota is likely going to be the guy for quite some time.

The big question is whether or not Mettenberger can delay the inevitable and perhaps increase his own trade value in the process. While selecting Mariota can’t really be knocked, the Titans did have a solid prospect in Mettenberger, who displayed great pocket presence and a strong arm as a sixth round rookie a year ago. The best part? He actually was a legit first round talent heading into the 2014 NFL Draft, and had he not suffered a knee injury he may have gone in the top three rounds.

The future doesn’t have Mettenberger in Tennessee, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t make starts in 2015. However, the new regime got off to a slow start in 2014 and they needed a permanent answer under center – one that could save them now, as well as down the road. Because of that, Mariota will almost surely get the nod right away as a rookie.

Buffalo Bills – Matt Cassel vs. E.J. Manuel vs. Tyrod Taylor

Buffalo has been a bit of a wasteland when it comes to offense and especially when it comes to starting quarterbacks. E.J. Manuel was drafted in 2013 to be the guy that gets these Bills back to the playoffs, but he’s showed to be ever bit as raw as he was coming out of college. He’ll get a shot at stealing back his starting gig, though, but this figures to be a wide open competition with Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor getting a fair shake.

Cassel is the easy favorite as the best, most stable game manager of the group, while Manuel is shakier but has youth and upside. Taylor might be a fun dark horse to cheer for, though, since he’s been biding his time behind Joe Flacco the past four years. I think Manuel’s time is over and Cassel wins the gig, but keep your eye on Taylor as a mid-season starter.

Houston Texans – Ryan Mallett vs. Brian Hoyer

Mallett served under center briefly for the Texans last year, but he did well enough to convince Bill O’Brien to bring him back. He’ll compete with Hoyer to see who has the goods to lead Houston’s offense and the early lead is probably in favor of the younger Mallett. Hoyer is a “what you see is what you get” passer who is average at best and abysmal at worst. We know from past play that Mallett can also nose dive, but he has a cannon for an arm and untapped potential.

Hoyer probably has the better head on his shoulders and knows O’Brien’s system, so he has a decent chance to unseat Mallett. However, this is probably Mallett’s last real shot to prove he’s not just a big name with a big arm. I like Mallett to take over this competition and lead an underrated Texans offense into 2015.

Cleveland Browns – Josh McCown vs. Johnny Manziel

The Browns just had a quarterback competition last year and it went up in smoke. Johnny Football returns to try to win it again after failing to make an impression during his rookie season. He seems to have his head on straight this time around, though, and it’s fair to say McCown is no more formidable of a presence than Brian Hoyer was.

Manziel’s biggest competition really is himself, as he simply needs to stay focused and put in the work. He arguably has the talent to make a positive impact, and if he can learn the offense and execute consistently, he’ll find himself under center going into week one. McCown wasn’t added merely as an upgrade, after all. He was also signed because of his mentoring ability. That bodes well for Manziel and possibly the Browns, in general.

Think we got the winner of any of these quarterback battles wrong? Let us hear who you think is a lock to nail down the starting gig in the comments below!