Category Archives: Fantasy Sports

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 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!

2015 Fantasy Football: 5 ADP Values You Can’t Ignore

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2015 Fantasy Football: 5 ADP Values You Can't Ignore
31 Mar

May is slowly coming to an end, which means summer is just around the corner. Once summer hits, we’re not even two full months from the NFL being back on our television screens. The preseason isn’t always exciting, but it’s the anticipation that accompanies it that should get the blood flowing – especially for fantasy football nuts.

If you’re not doing so already, now is a good time to start filtering through or compiling your own projections, rankings and mock drafts for the new fantasy football season also football uniforms. We’ve come to help, too, as we’re ready to dive into the latest ADP (Average Draft Position) results over at FFC to see which guys you’ll want to target that could be steals on draft day.

Let’s not waste anymore time. Here are five guys you’ll want to grab up if they are still around at their given ADP:

Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers (ADP: 11th Round)

Say, what? It’s true that there are better pocket passers and the 49ers took a nose dive in 2014, but perhaps expectations for Kaepernick just got way out of whack these past two years. He wasn’t the stud we all thought he’d be, but he was still the 16th best fantasy passer in 2014 and was a top-10 guy (9th) in 2013. The regression warrants some pause, but he’s now being drafted in the middle of the 11th round in 12-team, standard drafts. That puts him on par with the sparest of spare fantasy quarterbacks and would have fantasy owners believing he’s no better than 16th again heading into 2015.

Considering Jimmy Garoppolo is being drafted ahead of him (the heck?) and Teddy Bridgewater is just one spot behind him, we may have to balk at this a bit. Yes, Kaepernick wasn’t what we wanted a year ago, but he showed us his upside in 2012 and 2013, and he just inherited Torrey Smith in free agency. I tend to think the Niners will give him a little more freedom and his numbers will slowly tick back toward a positive spot. That should keep him inside the top-15 and should give him a real crack at the top-10. Translation: he needn’t be going as late as round 11, but if he’s there, snatch him up.

Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams (ADP: 6th Round)

Gurley needs to overcome a knee injury and isn’t a total lock to be “the guy” or even healthy come week one. Then again, Rams head coach Jeff Fisher already admitted he is the guy and his rehab from a torn ACL has gone just swimmingly. The point? He’s a stud rookie running back that is probably going to beat all of his insane expectations when it comes to the health of his knee, will start from day one and just might crush souls in fantasy football in 2015.

Running back is the easiest position to transition from college to the pros and Gurley is a generational talent. If he starts like the Rams suggest he will (he was drafted 10th overall, after all), we just might have a beast on our hands. Why, then, is Gurley being taken as late as the middle of round six? Let’s clarify. Not only is he dipping into the middle of the sixth round and often even later, but teammate Tre Mason is oddly going a full round ahead of him, while Gurley is also still on the board when Isaiah Crowell and freaking Darren McFadden are being drafted. There is risk involved, to be sure, but if Gurley is hanging around in round five even, you have to jump all over him.

Brandon Marshall, WR, New York Jets (ADP: 5th Round)

Last year wasn’t kind to Brandon Marshall. Jay Cutler couldn’t hit him, the stud receiver missed three games and was banged up for much of the season. Despite everything working against him, Marshall still caught 61 balls for 721 yards and eight scores. While those were low numbers for how good we’ve come to expect Marshall to be, he was still fantasy football’s 34th best wide receiver. This year he has a chance at being reborn in New York. The Jets don’t have the best quarterback situation, but Marshall is still a #1 target and projects well in that role for 2015.

Marshall is 31 and could be in mild decline, but Chan Gailey’s offense bodes well for him. If Ryan Fitzpatrick wins the job, things could look ever better, as we’ve seen Fitzpatrick do fine work with his top target in the past. Regardless, Marshall helps round out a solid passing game for Gang Green and still has the goods to make plays on the ball. He’s not the elite WR1 he used to be, but he’s better than a mediocre fifth round option. He’s a strong WR2 that could easily go a round or two earlier in drafts. If you find him in round five, you’re doing it right.

Vincent Jackson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ADP: 7th Round)

It’s easy to see why people are scared of V-Jax going into 2015, as he tumbled to 38th overall among fantasy wide receivers after catching just two touchdowns in 2014. However, we know he’s better than that and that last year’s fall was far from all his fault. With a quarterback upgrade in Jameis Winston and Mike Evans around to take away double teams, we should see Jackson’s numbers rise back up in 2015. That may not make him a top-15 threat like he was just two years ago, but he’s too good to last all the way until round seven. At that ADP he’s being treated like the 29th best option. I think he’s closer to the top-25 due to his upside.

Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers (ADP: 13th Round)

A year ago a lot of fantasy football experts were talking up LaDarius Green and saying an aging Antonio Gates was on his deathbed. Green ended up being a total bust and Gates revived his fantasy value with an insane 12 touchdowns and a second place finish, just behind Rob Gronkowski. I’m not saying Davis is primed for a turn around like that, but he was not 100% last year and with just 50 targets, it’s beyond clear the Niners weren’t even trying to let him do big things.

Davis could surely be at the end of his rope, too. He’s past the age of 30 and 2014 had him looking pretty rough. But he’s better than that and I think he and the 49ers are going to find a way to help him be productive again. The top of the tight end position is shaky with multiple studs changing teams and we know Davis can still be good, as he popped off for 13 touchdowns just two years ago. With his ADP being all the way down in round 13, you can wait and take that chance.

NBA Rumors: Analyzing DeAndre Jordan’s Top Potential Suitors

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DeAndre Jordan's Top Potential Suitors
31 Mar

Now that the Los Angeles Clippers have been eliminated from the 2015 NBA playoffs, it’s time for them to join the other NBA teams that will be forced to look ahead to the summer. That process begins immediately with the Clips focusing on bringing back soon-to-be-free agent, DeAndre Jordan.

The big question, of course, is whether or not DJ wants to stay in L.A. There have already been rumors regarding his status with the team, what he’d cost and where else he could wind up. Los Angeles can offer him the most money and he is said to be seeking a max five-year, $100 million deal, but if a recent spat with Chris Paul (over free throws) can’t be smoothed over, it’s possible Jordan could be on his way out of town. Will he stay in California, head back home to Texas or go somewhere else, entirely?

Let’s take a look at DeAndre Jordan’s top potential suitors in free agency to find out:

Staying in L.A.

The Clippers can offer DJ the most cash, he’s third in the pecking order on a talented team and he was one win away from helping Los Angeles to their first trip to the Western Conference Finals in team history. Of course, there has been talk that a change of scenery could do him some good and if this rift with Paul is real, he could be looking for reasons to go elsewhere. But that may not mean he has to leave Los Angeles. That’s right, if DJ doesn’t want to return to the Clippers, he could just move over to the Lakers. The Lake Shows is trying to rebuild and if they want a quick fix at center, Jordan would certainly qualify.

Texas Bound

Jordan went to school at Texas A&M, so there has been logical chatter than he’d consider returning home to play for a Texas team. The Rockets have Dwight Howard so they’re out, but the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks could show interest. The Mavs are the real team to watch, though, as Tyson Chandler’s contract is up and the team could need an answer at the five spot. DJ could return home, keep a familiar role and continue to contend with a solid Mavs squad.

The Big Apple

If not L.A. or Dallas, why not New York? The Knicks are rebuilding much like the Lakers and they could use serious help anywhere. They’d prefer a quick rebuild and if they solidified the center spot for years to come (Jordan is just 26 years old), the rest could follow.

Other Options

The aforementioned locations are probably the front-runners to land DeAndre Jordan this summer. That being said, several other teams either could have a need for a new center very soon or already lack strength down low. The Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder are two teams that could quickly be on the lookout for a center, depending on what they do with their current guys – Brook Lopez and Enes Kanter. The Milwaukee Bucks also could make a move at center with Larry Sanders falling off the face of the earth, while the Boston Celtics badly need an upgrade.

A few additional teams could show interest depending on how free agency and the draft map out, but for the most part we should already have a good idea as to what Jordan’s free agency picture is going to look like.

Decision Time

Going to rebuild spots like the Lakers and Knicks sounds interesting, but Jordan would be taking less money and he wouldn’t be winning like he is right now. I think the Mavs are a real possibility if he decides to leave, but ultimately I think the rift with CP3 is overblown and he returns to L.A. with the Clippers. That’s where the money is and over time he’ll realize Paul is just competitive and that his heart resides in Lob City, too.

Think DeAndre Jordan is on his way out of town? Let us know where he’s headed in the comments below!

The 5 Worst Playoff Collapses in NBA History

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The 5 Worst Playoff Collapses in NBA History
31 Mar

The Los Angeles Clippers could have made history on Thursday night by advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time ever. Instead, they made history for different reasons. Up 19 at one point in the third quarter and up 13 to start the final period, the Clippers appeared lifeless to end the game as they got demolished 40-15 in the final quarter. The Houston Rockets were toast, yet they stormed back behind role players Josh Smith and Corey Brewer, while stars Dwight Howard and James Harden didn’t score a single point in the fourth.

Luckily, the Clips still have a game seven in Houston to lean on come Sunday, so they could still exorcise these demons. Some others team in past NBA playoff collapses wouldn’t be so lucky, while this is far from the most epic collapse, all-time, either.

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and take a quick look at quite arguably the five worst collapses in NBA playoff history:

5. Bullets Over Philly

This game is an old one not all of us can recall, nor was it one that really stood out in the general makeup of NBA history. It was truly insane, though, and it needs to make this list. The Washington Bullets were down 17 points to the #3 seeded 76ers with just over three minutes to go and they went on a crazy 18-0 run to end the game. The announcers don’t really do it justice, but the fact that Dudley Bradley banked in a game-winning three was just the icing on the cake.

4. Clippers Down Grizz

If we’re raking the Clips over the coals to start this thing, it only seems right to include their amazing comeback win over the Memphis Grizzlies in 2012. L.A. was down 27 points at one point in this game and still down 21 at the end of three. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin stepped up in the final quarter, though, as L.A. used a 26-1 run to win the final quarter (35-13) and steal the win.

3. The Truth Answers

Paul Pierce is one of the greatest NBA players in history. Love him or hate him, he’s been the definition of clutch time and time again, and that was absolutely the case in a crazy 2005 playoff game against the Nets. Down 26 at one point and down 21 to begin the fourth, Pierce went nuts and helped the Celtics storm back via a 41-16 drubbing in the game’s final period.

2. The Winning Ticket

The Big Ticket (Kevin Garnett) went to the Boston Celtics via trade in 2008 and restored all things of greatness for the franchise. He was clearly a huge part of their 2008 title run, and no game was more important than their crazy game four that saw Boston come back from a 24-point hole. Had the Los Angeles Lakers held onto their huge lead, this game could have pushed them to a title. Instead, it was Boston that used game four to earn them a championship.

1. Flash in the Mavs

Dwyane Wade and his Miami Heat were down 2-0 in the 2006 NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks and were specifically down 13 with roughly six minutes to go. Wade took over (42 points on the night), Gary Payton hit a clutch jumper and Dirk Nowitzki missed a free throw that could have tied the game as the Heat stormed back and made it a series. This game was high in scrutiny due to shady reffing, but the Mavs had their chances to fend off the Heat and take a commanding 3-0 lead. Instead, they squandered them and the Heat never looked back in a 4-2 series win.

What is the worst NBA playoff collapse ever? Let us hear your take in the comments below!

2015 NFL Draft: Analyzing the Top Winners and Losers

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2015 NFL Draft: Analyzing the Top Winners and Losers
31 Mar

The 2015 NFL Draft is officially behind us, which should allow us to move forward as we anticipate another exciting NFL season. The new season naturally could bring some new contenders to the field, and could have some other teams taken down a peg or two. We can’t know for sure who will rise or fall just yet, but we can clear up the picture by taking a look at who won and lost this year’s draft.

With that, let’s break down the top winners and losers of the 2015 NFL Draft:

Winners

Cleveland Browns

The Browns left the draft without an answer at quarterback, but the jury is still out on Johnny Manziel. They also failed to land an impact wide receiver, but appear to have addressed every other key need. Danny Shelton and Cameron Erving take care of needs in the trenches, while Nate Orchard helps their pass rush and Duke Johnson gives their running game a boost. Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu may be the steal of the draft when it’s all said and done. Cleveland still has some questions to answer, but they did a terrific job ignoring outside noise and just building out their team.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Gus Bradley enjoyed a fantastic 2015 draft, as he and his Jaguars secured an elite edge rusher in Dante Fowler with their first round pick. They didn’t stop there, as they got the bruising feature back their offense demands via Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon. Yeldon is a serious steal in round two and could be exactly what their balanced offense needs. Offensive guard A.J. Cann was another solid steal in round three, while the Jags continued to be all about value by snagging hometown product Rashad Greene in round five and space-eater Michael Bennett in round six. From top to bottom, the Jags may have had the best draft based on immediate impact and total value.

Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta needed a pass rusher and they got a total stud with Clemson edge rusher, Vic Beasley. He stands out the most in their 2015 draft class, but they landed stud corner Jalen Collins to give their shaky pass defense a major boost and also beefed up their running game with the electrifying Tevin Coleman. That’s three impact players for rookie head coach Dan Quinn in what should go down as a very solid draft.

Houston Texans

The Texans only miss in this draft was failing to acquire some much-needed offensive line depth, but they otherwise hit home run after home run. Kevin Johson is a fine cornerback prospect that will round out their secondary, Benardrick McKinney can pair with Brian Cushing in the middle of their 3-4 defense and Jaelen Strong can be a long-term Andre Johnson replacement. Kenny Hilliard was even a solid steal in round seven to provide the offensive backfield with more depth.

Miami Dolphins

Miami landed an impact wide receiver in DeVante Parker and a powerful defensive tackle in Jordan Phillips to pair with Ndamukong Suh for the future. Both picks were solid values, but their value didn’t touch their fifth round selection of running back Jay Ajayi. Ajayi has a shaky injury history but was insanely productive at Boise State and could be one of the top steals of this year’s draft. Overall, Miami did a fantastic job addressing all of their key needs with just seven picks.

Minnesota Vikings

Already a team seemingly on the rise, the Vikings beefed up a solid defense even more with key additions, Eric Kendricks and Trae Waynes. Those two are likely impact starters, while T.J. Clemmings was a steal in round four that could help a shaky offensive line. Minnesota already has the makings of a playoff contender, especially if Adrian Peterson stays in town.

Losers

Buffalo Bills

Rex Ryan’s first draft was quite underwhelming, as the Bills had just six picks to use and arguably grabbed zero impact players. Ronald Darby, their best prospect, comes in at a position the Bills were already stacked at (cornerback). Buffalo still has no answer at quarterback, either.

Carolina Panthers

Carolina might be teetering on the fence here, but they simply didn’t make a splash in this draft. They took Shaq Thompson and Devin Funchess, two guys without true positions, and failed to address defensive end or cornerback. If Funchess can’t be a wide receiver at the NFL level, they failed to land another impact wideout, too, while they waited until round four to take their lone offensive lineman in this draft.

Green Bay Packers

Ted Thompson reached for a safety when he had two already, then drafted a basketball player in round two. In round three he selected a wide receiver when the Packers already have at least three legit options and he later grabbed a quarterback when he has Aaron Rodgers. For a team that sorely needed a lot of pieces on defense, Thompson failed the Packers this year.

Indianapolis Colts

Indy reached for a wide receiver in round one and failed to land any legit impact players on defense. They were stacked at receiver and badly needed to improve in various spots on defense, so they’re an easy pick for this side of the winner/loser debate.

Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly and co. came out of the draft without Marcus Mariota, and after offering half of their picks and a bunch of their players to try to make it happen, they couldn’t even save face. The Eagles did land an impact wide receiver and addressed some needs, but no Mariota should leave fans quite disappointed.

While other teams had good or average drafts, the teams above best fit into a clear “winner” or “loser” slot. Think someone else deserves to be mentioned above? Let us hear it in the comments below!

Peyton Manning and 10 NFL Players Who Could Retire Soon

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The end is always just right around the corner. This off-season we’ve said goodbye to the likes of Troy Polamalu and Patrick Willis, while second-year linebacker Chris Borland even decided to hang’em up. That just goes to show that retirement is always an option and one that isn’t quite as far in the future as we tend to think. That’s especially the case with some of the NFL’s older stars, as each year brings another chance for them to call it a career.

Who mails it in after the 2015 NFL season? We can’t know for sure, but these 10 stars just might be ready to ride off into the sunset:

Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos

Manning was supposedly already thinking about whether or not he wanted to return for the 2015 season, so he may have one foot out the door. The 39-year old legend probably would like to pad his stats and go out on top with a second Super Bowl win, but this season could easily be his last, regardless of how his final game of the year goes.

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers

Rivers is an interesting case, as he’s refusing to extend his contract with the Chargers due to a lack of desire of playing in Los Angeles (where the franchise may move the team). It’s not known whether or not he’ll change his mind or what his actual motives are, but any uncertainty has to be paid attention to. Some think he’ll get traded, while others think he could just play out his final year in San Diego and call it a career. At just 33 years old, Rivers would be walking away from the game still in his prime.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Lynch is another peculiar case, as he’s very much in his prime and has helped the Seahawks reach back to back Super Bowls. In fact, he’s been a dominant force for basically his entire stay in Seattle and had the ‘Hawks given him the ball on the game’s final fatal play, he may have pushed them to their second straight Lombardi Trophy. Lynch isn’t necessarily old, but he’s an odd personality that is extremely tough to gauge and there have been whispers of him considering retiring in the past. If Seattle won another Super Bowl would he finally be ready to walk away at age 29? He’d still arguably be in his prime, but he’d leave the game on top, ala Barry Sanders.

Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Gore is quite a rarity, as he’ll enter 2015 as Indy’s feature back despite being 31 years old. Despite never truly looking to be on his last legs with the 49ers, Gore is obviously getting up there in age for an NFL running back and could be entering his career’s final stanza. Whether he wants to quit or not, a bad 2015 showing could mark the end of the road for the ageless wonder.

Steve Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Everyone seemed to think Smith was washed up after a down 2014 season, but it turns out all the soon-to-be 36-year old needed was a change of scenery. Smith signed with the Ravens last off-season and started the year as one of the league’s hottest receivers. He even finished in style, totaling 79 receptions, 1,065 yards and six scores. Smith looked plenty quick and athletic a year ago, but another NFL season could easily break him down. Going into 2016 at 37 years old, it’s possible he could call it quits.

Andre Johnson, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Johnson might be in a similar situation as Smith was, as he seemed to be being phased out of the offense in Houston, but could emerge as a dangerous weapon in Indy. However, even if Johnson enjoys a successful debut season with the Colts, the end could be near. Johnson will turn 35 before the 2016 season and has already visibly lost some speed and explosiveness. If he regresses further in 2015, he may not fulfill the three-year deal he signed with the Colts.

Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers

Gates could have a few good reasons to make 2015 his last NFL season. He’s already going to be 35 when the new season starts, his quarterback (Rivers) may not stick around for long and the guy behind him, LaDarius Green, continues to threaten to unseat him from his starting role. Gates looked about as good as ever in 2014, but constant foot issues could be another reason why he ultimately decides against playing beyond this season.

Charles Woodson, S, Oakland Raiders

Woodson looks like an easy retirement call at first glance, but he keeps trucking along at age 38. Woodson is somehow still a decent safety for a rising Raiders defense, but time is certainly running out on his career. Woodson’s current deal is only for one year and he’ll turn 39 during the 2015 season. If this isn’t his last year in the league, it’d be quite a surprise.

Jared Allen, DE/OLB, Chicago Bears

Allen spent 2014 with the Chicago Bears after bleeding purple with the Minnesota Vikings for six years and seemed to regress in his new city. Allen apparently dealt with a herniated disc, however, and at 32 years old was still able to rack up six sacks in his first season with his new team. While his debut season with the Bears wasn’t all bad, he’s now 33 and learning a brand new position as an edge rusher on the outside of Chicago’s new 3-4 system.

The saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” could ring true here if the aging Allen can’t transition successfully to the new defense. If that ends up being the case, he’d enter 2016 going on 34 and seemingly running out of gas. By that point, would Allen try to prove he still has gas left in the tank or just call it a career?

Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers

Smith might be the easiest call on this last, as he’s literally contemplating retiring as we speak. In other words, if he does in fact suit up for the 2015 season, there’s a pretty good chance it will be his last. The same probably goes for the likes of Reggie Wayne or Wes Welker if someone signs them, as well.

Did we miss someone or listed someone that you don’t think will be retiring anytime soon? Let us hear it in the comments below!

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

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

The NBA Draft is always about the lottery. Heading into the 2015 NBA Draft, no one will be thinking otherwise. The top players get plucked off of the draft board within the top-10 and we rarely see a truly elite prospect suffer a free fall down the first round. It does happen and can produce major value for the lucky NBA teams to snatch them up, but the elite talent usually speaks for itself: if you’re scouted as a potential future NBA star, you’re generally drafted like one, too.

Needless to say, it’s our duty to pay mind to which teams are in the lottery (the top 14 slots), what their main needs are, and which players are ranked in a manner that they might hear their name called in the first 14 picks. Of course, team needs can often throw a wrench in what we perceived to be accurate player stock. To get an idea as to which players we can safely expect to be taken in this year’s lottery, regardless of the eventual draft order, let’s break down the top 10 locks that should be drafted in the first half of round one on June 25th:

1. Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky

Towns is a bit of a freak. He’s not necessarily the most amazing athlete in the world, but for a 7-footer with his size and strength, well, he actually kind of is. Incredibly light-footed and nimble, Towns floats around the paint and can make buckets within five feet look simply effortless. He’s also a solid defender that can block and alter shots on a regular basis. Kentucky always seems to hold their top talents back due to amazing depth and that was somewhat the case with Towns. He should be unleashed at the NBA level and could quickly prove why he’s arguably the top overall prospect.

Likely suitors: Lakers, Knicks, Timberwolves

2. Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke

Okafor comes in just behind Towns, simply because he’s not quite as gifted physically. He might be the more NBA-ready player as we speak, though, due to ridiculous post footwork and a versatile set of go-to moves around the basket. He truly is a very refined post player and is tough to stop on offense, whether he’s going at you with his face-up game or backing you down. It’s his defense that will need work, as Okafor is not a big shot-blocker and he can commit lazy fouls. Despite that, teams are going to fall in love with his post game and ability to get easy points at will from day one.

Likely suitors: Lakers, Knicks, Timberwolves

3. Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Congo

Mudiay is an interesting case, as he’s been playing pro ball over in China for the past year and has flashed NBA ability when it comes to his athleticism and play-making ability. He has the makings of a very special point guard given his size, vision and flash, but he needs to work on his control and refine his shooting and shot selection. He might be a bit of a project initially, but he’s absolutely one worth taking on.

Likely suitors: Lakers, Knicks, 76ers

4. Justise Winslow, G/F, Duke

It’s all about consistency with Winslow, who 100% has the physical ability and talent to develop into a mega star at the next level. He just needs to work on his focus, awareness and control. Winslow quickly turned into a go-to guy during Duke’s wild run to a national title this past season and already packs a punch as an elite athlete and reliable shooter. Now that we know he has that killer instinct, as well, he’s a near-lock for the top-five.

Likely suitors: Magic, Kings, Lakers

5. Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona

Johnson is a very interesting prospect considering he’s already such a solid scorer despite not having a completely polished game. That’s fine, too, consider he’s still so young and just busting with potential. Johnson was a tremendous impact player in his first season with Arizona last year and displayed a highly versatile skill-set and NBA-level athleticism. The best part of his game is the fact that he’s a two-way player that seems tireless on the court.

Likely suitors: Magic, Hornets, Lakers

6. Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky

Notice a trend? Kentucky had a lot of really good players and Lyles is one of their better players you rarely hear about. He made his presence known during March Madness by taking over in spurts and brings elite versatility to the table. Lyles was held back by a heavy rotation and loads of talent on the Wildcats’ roster, but he’s a highly skilled player with great size and athleticism for the NBA four spot. His main knock is being more of a “jack of all trades” but that’s really not such a bad thing.

Likely suitors: Kings, Pistons, Hornets

7. Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky

Think DeAndre Jordan or Rudy Gobert when you think of Cauley-Stein’s upside. He’s pretty limited offensively at this point and may never develop into a top shelf post presence, but the kid is an elite defensive presence when it comes to cleaning the glass and swatting shots. He’s a man amongst boys thanks to elite size and length and may just need to pack on a little more muscle to be a true force at the highest level.

Likely suitors: Pacers, Lakers, Knicks

8. D’Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State

Russell didn’t look amazing during his NCAA tourney run this year, but it’s not always easy to look awesome when you’re mostly a one-man wrecking crew. Russell was just that for much of the 2014-15 college basketball season, as he was lights out from beyond the arc and was an extremely prolific scorer for being a freshman. Russell lacks elite athleticism but projects as a solid scorer and elite spot-up threat. He even offers some versatility that could have some teams using his size and play-making ability at the point. If he can prove he can play both the one and the two at the highest level, his draft value only increases.

Likely suitors: 76ers, Knicks, Heat

9. Kristaps Porzingis, F/C, Latvia

Never heard of Porzingis? Color yourself normal. While he’s far from a household name and may not be for a while, he has the makings of a legit NBA center and is going to be on everyone’s radar. Porzingis is an extremely efficient offensive player that can hit shots all the way out to the three-point line. His issues lie in strength and inside presence, were he’s quite raw. That being said, he’s a true 7-footer with room to build out into a beast for the right team.

Likely suitors: Pacers, Lakers, Knicks

10. Sam Dekker, G/F, Wisconsin

Mario Hezonja is a very similar player and could be argued into this final slot, too, as can Dekker’s more popular Badgers teammate, Frank “The Tank” Kaminsky. However, Dekker really turned up his draft stock with a killer March Madness run, and despite flaming out in the title game, he showed he has the goods to be a highly effective wing player at the next level. He’s probably a little more versatile than Hezonja and also has the athleticism and explosiveness to be a two-way player in the NBA. Already blessed with a solid handle and top flight outside shot, Dekker’s value rests in his ability to make an impact from day one. When you get down to the 10th guy in a lottery list it gets a little dicey, but if Dekker doesn’t find himself somewhere in the lottery this year, it’d be a mild shock.

Likely suitors: Thunder, Suns, Pacers

Think we missed a key guy that’s a lock to be taken in this year’s lottery? Let us know in the comments below!

*Photo courtesy of nbacrunchtime.com

Top 5 Moments from the 2014-2015 NBA Season (So Far)

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Top 5 Moments from the 2014-2015 NBA Season
31 Mar

Another year, another season, and then some. The 2014-2015 NBA season may be a few months shy from being over but we’re getting a head start on reviewing its highlights. The year’s already been packed with record-breaking plays and industry-changing moments, and while we’re sure there will be more to come, we’ve narrowed down our top 5 from this year’s NBA season—so far.

1. Russell Westbrook’s two-handed dunk: https://youtu.be/axfuXEBa-Bo

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook has had a phenomenal season and his play against the Philadelphia 76ers is nothing short of likewise. Sprinting cross-court, in less than five seconds no less, with an effortlessly beautiful two-handed dunk to boot, one might mistake Westbrook as a track-and-field all-star, or a superhuman. Or dare we say both?

2. Lebron James’ return to Cleveland

Arguably one of the most hated players in the NBA—the other being Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant, according to a number of polls —Lebron James isn’t a newbie to the media’s spotlight. So when he publicly announced his return from the Miami Heat to hometown Cleveland to play in the starting lineup for the Cavaliers, the news was widely received with overwhelming popularity and mixed emotion, some good and some bad, but we’ll let you decide for yourself if you haven’t already.

3. James Harden’s ankle breaking play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA3OYmI9uqM

Poor Ricky Rubio. That is all.

4. Klay Thompson’s record-breaking third quarter: https://youtu.be/Sc3m3BwfylA

Klay Thompson is the Golden State Warriors’ very own golden boy having broken records after shooting an unbelievable 37 points in one quarter alone, with 52 overall, against the Sacramento Kings earlier this year. His execution is strategic, his defense is calculated and his drive, unmistakably tour-de-force.

5. Steve Nash’s official retirement from the NBA

The basketball world said it’s woeful (albeit endeared) goodbyes to one of the most valuable players of the recent generation, point guard Steve Nash of the Los Angeles Lakers. With eight All-Star titles, two MVP awards and an approachable off-court demeanor that precedes him still, Nash’s exit was marked with a heartfelt, very human essay titled “Life After Basketball” published on The Players’ Tribune [http://www.theplayerstribune.com/steve-nash-retirement/]—his retirement still reluctant by many but respected by all.