This was a weird week for the Heisman watch. I had to keep off hot players such as Kelly Bryant and Rashaad Penny while keeping on colder players such as Josh Rosen and Derrius Guice. I had a hard time deciding these rankings and honestly, I'm not 100% sure about the ones you're about to read. You could make an argument for just about every entry here, except for #1 (who is the consensus favorite pretty much everywhere). Nonetheless, let's get started.
10. Jalen Hurts, Alabama (Last Week: 9)- You could argue that Hurts does not deserve to be anywhere near the Heisman watch, but I could actually argue that 10 is too low of a spot for him. He's the quarterback of the #1 team in the country and he has yet to have a bad game this season (granted, it's only three weeks long). Against Colorado State, Hurts threw for two touchdowns and 248 yards while adding 103 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
9. Brice Love, Stanford (Last Week: 10)- Stanford may have fallen off the rankings but their star RB is still very much involved in the Heisman race. After all, the loss to San Diego State can in no way be blamed on him. The Cardinals' passing game was atrocious as starting quarterback Kelly Chryst went 9 for 20 with 72 yards, zero touchdowns, and two picks. The defense meanwhile, gave up more than 300 yards of total offense. Love on the other hand, ran for 183 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.
8. Josh Rosen, UCLA (Last Week: 6)- After all the credit Rosen got for engineering a comeback against Texas A&M in Week 1, he deserves a lot of the blame for the Bruins losing to unranked Memphis in a close game. Rosen did account for five touchdowns but he also threw two crucial interceptions that crippled the team.
7. Derrius Guice, LSU (Last Week: 3)- Guice has fallen off most other Heisman watch lists but I'm going to give him a little credit here. He finds himself in a similar position as Love. His team lost in Week 3 (to Mississippi State) but the blame really falls on the passing game and defense. Guice ran for 76 yards and 15 carries. It wasn't a great performance, but it's enough to keep him around.
6. Royce Freeman, Oregon (Last Week: 7)- I honestly did not expect Freeman to be around for this long. By this time last year any chance he had of going to New York had vaporized. Now, he finds himself knocking on the door of the Top 5. Against top-tier NFL draft prospect Josh Allen and Wyoming, Freeman ran for 157 yards and three touchdowns as his Ducks won 49-13. It must also be noted that Freeman caught a pass for 50 yards.
5. Lamar Jackson, LSU (Last Week: 2)- Yes, Louisville got pounded by Clemson, but Jackson was definitely not the reason why. He got almost no help from his teammates. The Louisville D was utterly dumbfounded by Dabo Swinney's offense and Jackson's receivers found themselves dropping catches far more than they probably would have liked. Despite all of the incompetence that could be found along the Louisville sideline, Jackson threw for three touchdowns and 317 yards while also adding 64 yards on 17 carries. Needless to say, those 64 yards were more than the rest of the team combined.
4. Sam Darnold, USC (Last Week: 4)- I always struggle with ranking Darnold. The only really great game he has had this year was in Week 2 against Stanford. In Week 3, he struggled against unranked Texas much more than he should have. Not only did it take USC two overtime periods to put away the persistent Longhorns, but Darnold's completion percentage was weak (57.14%), he accumulated -12 rushing yards, and he threw two interceptions. Still, USC pulled off the win and that's the most important thing.
3. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State (Last Week: 8)- It's easy to see a scenario where two quarterbacks from the Sooner State are invited to New York City. Rudolph is certainly doing his part to make sure that happens. The gunslinger threw five touchdowns in the first half as his Cowboys rolled past Pittsburgh.
2. Saquon Barkley, Penn State (Last Week: 5)- In terms of rushing, Barkley was pretty limited against Georgia State. After all, he only ran for 47 yards on 10 carries. That being said, he also caught four passes for 142 yards and one touchdown.
1. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma (Last Week: 1)- As I said in the intro, Mayfield is everyone's pick for the Heisman right now. The man who is drawing comparisons to Seattle's Russell Wilson had s sensational Week 3 as he threw for four touchdowns and 331 yards against Tulsa.
Thanks for reading everyone.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Friday, September 15, 2017
Heisman Watch Week 2
Week 2 was an interesting one in college football. #15 Georgia survived some ugly quarterback play from Jake Fromm to outlast #24 Notre Dame, #5 Oklahoma gained revenge on #2 Ohio State for last year's loss, and of course, the Heisman race continued.
We saw a number of memorable performances this week and unfortunately, we cannot rank all of them here. After all, doing so would completely defeat the purpose of this. Nonetheless, let's send a little love to some honorable mentions, including Ronald Jones II of USC and Kelly Bryant of Clemson. Let's get started.
10. Brice Love, Stanford (Last Week: NR)- Christian who? Love's early-season success has folks in Palo Alto already forgetting former Heisman runner-up and NFL rookie Christian McCaffrey. Against Stanford's loss to USC, Love ran for 160 yards and one score.
9. Jalen Hurts, Alabama (Last Week: 10)- Was Hurts outstanding against Fresno State? No, but he didn't have to be. The Crimson Tide coasted to an easy 41-10 win as Hurts went for 14-18 with 128 yards and one touchdown. Hurts also added 154 yards and two scores on the ground.
8. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State (Last Week: NR)- If you like a quarterback with big stats, then Rudolph's the guy for you. The Cowboy went 28 for 38 while racking up 335 passing yards and three scores.
7. Royce Freeman, Oregon (Last Week: 8)- Freeman and the entire Oregon Ducks team continues to fly under the radar, but Freeman is still making some Heisman buzz. Against Nebraska, Freeman carried the ball 29 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a pass for nine yards as the Ducks won.
6. Josh Rosen, UCLA (Last Week: 9)- Again, I might not be as high on Rosen as other writers are, but I still think he's very much in this Heisman race. Against Hawaii, Rosen had a dazzling game. He went 22 for 25 while throwing for 329 yards and five touchdowns.
5. Saquon Barkley, Penn State (Last Week: 6)- By his own top standards, Barkley had a quiet Week 2. Against Pittsburgh, Barkley had 14 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown. However, he is losing some of Penn State's Heisman buzz, as QB Trace McSorley is playing very well.
4. Sam Darnold, USC (Last Week: 4)- Darnold bounced back from his disappointing game against Western Michigan in Week 1 to impress against #14 Stanford. Yes, he did throw two interceptions, but he also went 21 of 26 for four touchdowns and 316 passing yards.
3. Derrius Guice, LSU (Last Week: 3)- Guice has had two great games this season but it still feels as if he's being overlooked in the Heisman race. In Week 2, he ran circles against Chattanooga as he ran for 102 yards and two scores on 15 carries.
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2. Lamar Jackson, Louisville (Last Week: 1)- Through no fault of his own, Jackson falls a spot. The man seems unstoppable, but another story has cropped up. Against UNC in Week 2, the reigning Heisman winner threw for 393 yards and three touchdowns while also running for 132 yards and three touchdowns. There's no doubt about him being an absolutely incredible player, there's just a little fatigue surrounding him. The Lamar Jackson story has been told, fans and the media have moved on to other things. It's a testament to how well Jackson is playing that he's still one of the front-runners. If he wants to regain the #1 spot, he'll need to beat Clemson, the reigning national champions, next week.
1. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma (Last Week: 2)- The man who has overtaken Jackson in our Heisman watch is the man who finished third to Jackson (and Deshaun Watson) in last year's Heisman race: Baker Mayfield of the Oklahoma Sooners. Beating #2 Ohio State was a monumental win for Mayfield. Every Heisman winner needs a defining game. For Johnny Manziel, it was his win over #1 Alabama. For Reggie Bush (who was later stripped of the award), it was against #9 Notre Dame in what is now regarded as one of the best college football games in history. This win over the Buckeyes could very well be that game for Mayfield. After all, he did throw for 386 yards and three scores as the Sooners won by 15.
Thanks for reading everyone.
We saw a number of memorable performances this week and unfortunately, we cannot rank all of them here. After all, doing so would completely defeat the purpose of this. Nonetheless, let's send a little love to some honorable mentions, including Ronald Jones II of USC and Kelly Bryant of Clemson. Let's get started.
10. Brice Love, Stanford (Last Week: NR)- Christian who? Love's early-season success has folks in Palo Alto already forgetting former Heisman runner-up and NFL rookie Christian McCaffrey. Against Stanford's loss to USC, Love ran for 160 yards and one score.
9. Jalen Hurts, Alabama (Last Week: 10)- Was Hurts outstanding against Fresno State? No, but he didn't have to be. The Crimson Tide coasted to an easy 41-10 win as Hurts went for 14-18 with 128 yards and one touchdown. Hurts also added 154 yards and two scores on the ground.
8. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State (Last Week: NR)- If you like a quarterback with big stats, then Rudolph's the guy for you. The Cowboy went 28 for 38 while racking up 335 passing yards and three scores.
7. Royce Freeman, Oregon (Last Week: 8)- Freeman and the entire Oregon Ducks team continues to fly under the radar, but Freeman is still making some Heisman buzz. Against Nebraska, Freeman carried the ball 29 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a pass for nine yards as the Ducks won.
6. Josh Rosen, UCLA (Last Week: 9)- Again, I might not be as high on Rosen as other writers are, but I still think he's very much in this Heisman race. Against Hawaii, Rosen had a dazzling game. He went 22 for 25 while throwing for 329 yards and five touchdowns.
5. Saquon Barkley, Penn State (Last Week: 6)- By his own top standards, Barkley had a quiet Week 2. Against Pittsburgh, Barkley had 14 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown. However, he is losing some of Penn State's Heisman buzz, as QB Trace McSorley is playing very well.
4. Sam Darnold, USC (Last Week: 4)- Darnold bounced back from his disappointing game against Western Michigan in Week 1 to impress against #14 Stanford. Yes, he did throw two interceptions, but he also went 21 of 26 for four touchdowns and 316 passing yards.
3. Derrius Guice, LSU (Last Week: 3)- Guice has had two great games this season but it still feels as if he's being overlooked in the Heisman race. In Week 2, he ran circles against Chattanooga as he ran for 102 yards and two scores on 15 carries.
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2. Lamar Jackson, Louisville (Last Week: 1)- Through no fault of his own, Jackson falls a spot. The man seems unstoppable, but another story has cropped up. Against UNC in Week 2, the reigning Heisman winner threw for 393 yards and three touchdowns while also running for 132 yards and three touchdowns. There's no doubt about him being an absolutely incredible player, there's just a little fatigue surrounding him. The Lamar Jackson story has been told, fans and the media have moved on to other things. It's a testament to how well Jackson is playing that he's still one of the front-runners. If he wants to regain the #1 spot, he'll need to beat Clemson, the reigning national champions, next week.
1. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma (Last Week: 2)- The man who has overtaken Jackson in our Heisman watch is the man who finished third to Jackson (and Deshaun Watson) in last year's Heisman race: Baker Mayfield of the Oklahoma Sooners. Beating #2 Ohio State was a monumental win for Mayfield. Every Heisman winner needs a defining game. For Johnny Manziel, it was his win over #1 Alabama. For Reggie Bush (who was later stripped of the award), it was against #9 Notre Dame in what is now regarded as one of the best college football games in history. This win over the Buckeyes could very well be that game for Mayfield. After all, he did throw for 386 yards and three scores as the Sooners won by 15.
Thanks for reading everyone.
Friday, September 8, 2017
Heisman Watch Week 1
The first week of college football has come and gone, bringing a lot of action and news with it. Alabama proved it was the best team in the country, Louisville and USC overcame scares, Jake Olson made history, and UCLA had a comeback for the ages.
Of course, all of that impacts our Heisman race. We only have one drop out from last week: Deondre Francois of Florida State, who suffered an injury against Alabama and will miss the entire season. That being said, let's get started.
10. Jalen Hurts, Alabama (Last Week: 10)- Like last year, Hurts was not the main reason Alabama beat FSU (the real reason was 'Bama's defense and special teams unit). Nonetheless, Hurts played decently well, as he threw for 96 yards and a touchdown while also adding 55 yards on the ground. Games like these will keep him in the Heisman conversation, but only on the outskirts. If he wants to win, he'll have to start doing a lot more.
9. Josh Rosen, UCLA (Last Week: NR)- I'm sure a number of you are surprised to find Rosen ranked so low. After all, other pundits have him as high as #1. I don't dispute that he had a great game against Texas A&M, there's just the problem that he had a pretty weak first half. He eventually rebounded to finish with four touchdowns and 491 passing yards, but the slow start prevents him from being ranked higher.
8. Royce Freeman, Oregon (Last Week: 9)- In limited playing time, Freeman racked up 200 total yards and four rushing touchdowns. Unfortunately, his performance did play a little under the radar as he was playing against Southern Utah.
7. Nick Chubb, Georgia (Last Week: 7)- Like Freeman, Chubb saw his time on the field limited. He did however, still run for 96 yards and two touchdowns. He'll need to have a big game against #24 Notre Dame next week if he wants to move up.
6. Saquon Barley, Penn State (Last Week: 8)- Barkley dazzled for the Nittany Lions as they rolled over the Akron Zips. He ran for 172 yards and two touchdowns while also catching three passes for 54 yards.
5. JT Barrett, Ohio State (Last Week: 5)- Barrett quietly had a great game as OSU picked up its first conference win of the season. He went 20 for 35 for 304 yards and three touchdowns while adding 61 yards and a touchdown on the ground. This isn't the first year Barrett has been inexplicably left out of the Heisman conversation, but it might also be the year he gets invited to New York.
4. Sam Darnold, USC (Last Week: 1)- If you just look at the stat line, then Darnold had a decent game. He threw for 289 yards and ran for a touchdown. But if you watched the game, then you know that the stats don't tell the full story. Darnold threw two picks, racked up -6 rushing yards, and struggled mightily against Western Michigan. This game didn't kill his chances of winning the Heisman, but it certainly hurt.
3. Derrius Guice, LSU (Last Week: 3)- Guice put up good numbers against BYU as he ran for 122 yards and two scores. It was a pretty quiet game but you can be sure that Guice will explode sometime soon.
2. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma (Last Week: 4)- Some quarterbacks threw a touchdown this week. Others ran for a touchdown. Baker Mayfield on the other hand, threw one incompletion. Honestly, I had no idea that was even possible.
1. Lamar Jackson, Louisville (Last Week: 1)- Yes, the Cardinals had a bit of a scare against Purdue, but Jackson once again played beautifully. In total, he accounted for two touchdowns and 485 yards. It seems like he has a really good chance of becoming a repeat Heisman winner.
Thanks for reading.
Of course, all of that impacts our Heisman race. We only have one drop out from last week: Deondre Francois of Florida State, who suffered an injury against Alabama and will miss the entire season. That being said, let's get started.
10. Jalen Hurts, Alabama (Last Week: 10)- Like last year, Hurts was not the main reason Alabama beat FSU (the real reason was 'Bama's defense and special teams unit). Nonetheless, Hurts played decently well, as he threw for 96 yards and a touchdown while also adding 55 yards on the ground. Games like these will keep him in the Heisman conversation, but only on the outskirts. If he wants to win, he'll have to start doing a lot more.
9. Josh Rosen, UCLA (Last Week: NR)- I'm sure a number of you are surprised to find Rosen ranked so low. After all, other pundits have him as high as #1. I don't dispute that he had a great game against Texas A&M, there's just the problem that he had a pretty weak first half. He eventually rebounded to finish with four touchdowns and 491 passing yards, but the slow start prevents him from being ranked higher.
8. Royce Freeman, Oregon (Last Week: 9)- In limited playing time, Freeman racked up 200 total yards and four rushing touchdowns. Unfortunately, his performance did play a little under the radar as he was playing against Southern Utah.
7. Nick Chubb, Georgia (Last Week: 7)- Like Freeman, Chubb saw his time on the field limited. He did however, still run for 96 yards and two touchdowns. He'll need to have a big game against #24 Notre Dame next week if he wants to move up.
6. Saquon Barley, Penn State (Last Week: 8)- Barkley dazzled for the Nittany Lions as they rolled over the Akron Zips. He ran for 172 yards and two touchdowns while also catching three passes for 54 yards.
5. JT Barrett, Ohio State (Last Week: 5)- Barrett quietly had a great game as OSU picked up its first conference win of the season. He went 20 for 35 for 304 yards and three touchdowns while adding 61 yards and a touchdown on the ground. This isn't the first year Barrett has been inexplicably left out of the Heisman conversation, but it might also be the year he gets invited to New York.
4. Sam Darnold, USC (Last Week: 1)- If you just look at the stat line, then Darnold had a decent game. He threw for 289 yards and ran for a touchdown. But if you watched the game, then you know that the stats don't tell the full story. Darnold threw two picks, racked up -6 rushing yards, and struggled mightily against Western Michigan. This game didn't kill his chances of winning the Heisman, but it certainly hurt.
3. Derrius Guice, LSU (Last Week: 3)- Guice put up good numbers against BYU as he ran for 122 yards and two scores. It was a pretty quiet game but you can be sure that Guice will explode sometime soon.
2. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma (Last Week: 4)- Some quarterbacks threw a touchdown this week. Others ran for a touchdown. Baker Mayfield on the other hand, threw one incompletion. Honestly, I had no idea that was even possible.
1. Lamar Jackson, Louisville (Last Week: 1)- Yes, the Cardinals had a bit of a scare against Purdue, but Jackson once again played beautifully. In total, he accounted for two touchdowns and 485 yards. It seems like he has a really good chance of becoming a repeat Heisman winner.
Thanks for reading.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
2017-2018 NFL Season Predictions
My, it's a wonderful time to be a sports fan. The race for the MLB playoffs is heating up, the NBA is mere weeks away, hockey is right around the corner, and of course, the return of football is on our doorsteps. If you're a college football fan then you have a little less time to wait, but pro football fans are getting ready.
The last NFL season was full of exciting and interesting stories. We had Tom Brady's suspension, the emergence of Matt Ryan as a truly elite quarterback, the injuries to star players such as Luke Kuechly and JJ Watt, and the declining ratings.
Now that the season is almost upon us, it's time to start making some predictions. Who will win Offensive Rookie of the Year? What new coach will have the most success? Which rising star will take the next step to becoming an elite player? And most importantly, who will win the Super Bowl? In this article, we'll cover each division and make our picks for the playoffs, Super Bowl, and individual awards. Let's get started.
AFC North:
The AFC North might be the toughest division in the AFC. There are three teams ready to make the playoffs (sorry Cleveland) and feasibly could all make it. Despite all that, the Steelers remain atop the division. With Martavis Bryant cleared to play the entire season, the Steelers' high-powered offense should be running at full speed. It's hard not to when you have the best running back and wide receiver in the game. There are still some questions about their defense, but the addition of rookie stud T.J. Watt should help mitigate some of those concerns.
In a toss-up between Baltimore and Cincinnati, the Ravens get the edge. Both teams had disappointing, injury-filled seasons last year, but at least the Bengals had their starting QB. The Ravens get Joe Flacco back while giving him a new weapon in Jeremy Maclin. Granted, Flacco is a better postseason QB than he is in the regular season, but he's still good enough to lead them to the playoffs. The Bengals will contend for a wild card spot, but losing two starters on the offensive line will hurt them.
In the basement of the division is the Cleveland Browns. The good news for Browns fans is that they will win more than one game last year. Losing Myles Garrett for two weeks does hurt, but the Browns defense is definitely better than last year. How well the Browns actually do depends on rookie QB DeShone Kizer. The former Notre Dame QB has been named the starter, but Cody Kessler is breathing down his neck.
AFC East:
The consensus Super Bowl pick this year is the Patriots. In fact, some experts have them going undefeated, which would make them the first team to do so since 1972's Larry Csonka and the Miami Dolphins. Going undefeated is a bit of a stretch (they might not even beat the Chiefs tonight), but the Patriots should handily win the AFC East. They added some weapons for Tom Brady, including Mike Gillislee and Brandin Cooks while also shoring up their defense. Even if Brady doesn't stay healthy, backup Jimmy Garoppolo has what it takes to lead them to the playoffs.
The Dolphins surprisingly made the playoffs last year thanks in good part to RB Jay Ajayi. Unfortunately, there are concerns about Ajayi's health for this season and if he can stay on the field. There are also concerns about new QB Jay Cutler. After all, the former Chicago Bear was retired in the summer before being brought in to replace the injured Ryan Tannehill. While Cutler did play well in the preseason, the regular season is a whole different beast.
The Buffalo Bills are reportedly looking towards the future, as they are apparently willing to trade their starting QB and RB (Tyrod Taylor and LeSean McCoy, respectively). That being said, they should still put together a decent season. Rookie WR Zay Jones is potentially poised to have a great year while the additions of fullbacks Mike Tolbert and Patrick DiMarco should help bolster the run game.
There is no doubt in my mind that the New York Jets will finish last in the AFC East and possibly the entire league. Their starting QB is perennial backup Josh McCown while losing a number of talented players, including WR Brandon Marshall, safety Calvin Pryor, and C Nick Mangold. It's going to be a long season for Jets fans.
AFC South:
Two years ago, the Tennessee Titans finished with the second-worst record in the league. Now, they're expected to win the division. That turnaround can mainly be attributed to QB Marcus Mariota. Though he has dealt with injuries, Mariota has played very well and shown that he can be a franchise QB. Armed with an offense that includes playmakers such as Corey Davis, Eric Decker, and DeMarco Murray, Mariota is poised to have a true breakout year. It also helps that the AFC South is arguably the weakest division in football (and has been for some time).
The Texans and the Colts will jockey for second place, but I'm giving the edge to Houston, who won the division last year, even with mediocre QB play. There are still injury concerns surrounding J.J. Watt and Will Fuller V, Tom Savage is very unproven, and their shutdown corner A.J. Bouye has departed. They could feasibly still contend for the division title, but it seems unlikely. The Colts on the other hand, will be without franchise QB Andrew Luck for some time, and backup Scott Tolzien has proven to be very ineffective. Their defense, which has been very good in years past, is feeling a bit depleted thanks to the losses of players like Robert Mathis and Mike Adams.
Remember last season, when the Jaguars were supposed to break up. Now, they're comfortably headed for a top 5 draft pick. New starting QB Chad Henne is extremely unproven while former elite WR Allen Robinson is coming off a very disappointing season. Their defense is also unproven, though CB Jalen Ramsey impressed in his rookie season.
AFC West:
Oakland could feasibly have won the Super Bowl last year, but a freak injury to QB Derek Carr derailed those plans. The weakest part of their game was undoubtedly the run game, but bringing back the retired Marshawn Lynch should help with that. Amari Cooper is poised to become an elite WR, safety Karl Joseph is on the up, and the addition of Cordarrelle Patterson certainly helps. Look for the Raiders to win this division handily.
The Chiefs drafted their QB of the future this year when they selected Patrick Mahomes, but Alex Smith is still their starter. Smith, a franchise QB in his own right, should be extra motivated this season to succeed. The losses of Jeremy Maclin (cut) and Spencer Ware (injury) hurt, but the Chiefs are still a solid bet to make the playoffs. Also, look for rookie RB Kareem Hunt to have a big year.
The only thing holding the Broncos back here is their QB play. Neither Trevor Siemian nor Paxton Lynch has proven themselves to be worthy starters, but the rest of the team is ready to go. The team is loaded with talent thanks to players such as Von Miller, Aqib Talib, Jamaal Charles, Devontae Booker, Demaryius Thomas, and Chris Harris Jr.
Some pundits have the Chargers making the playoffs, but I don't see them escaping this crowded division. The move to Los Angeles certainly has their fortunes up in the air, as they might not really have much fan support at home games. There is also concern over the defense's ability to make plays, Keenan Allen's ability to stay healthy, and whether Melvin Gordon can improve on his impressive season from last year.
NFC North:
Green Bay fans have been starved for another Super Bowl victory since they last won one in 2010. There's no reason why that year can't be this year. Aaron Rodgers is the best QB in the league, they added Martellus Bennett from the Patriots, their offensive line is great, their secondary has improved from last year, and Jordy Nelson is an elite WR. They should beat out Minnesota for the division title. QB Teddy Bridgewater is still out, so Sam Bradford will still be starting. Meanwhile, big things are expected of rookie back Dalvin Cook.
Although the Detroit Lions made the playoffs last year, that will be tougher to do this season, especially since their division has improved. Their offensive line was an issue last year, but they added two superstars in T.J. Lang and Rick Wagner. Their secondary is still a major issue, however. While they will contend for a wild card spot, it will be tough.
The Chicago Bears should improve on their mediocre year that saw them end up with the third spot in the draft (although they traded up one spot to nab Mitchell Trubisky). Both Trubisky and Mike Glennon should start this year, although Bears fans are clamoring for the former Tar Heel to start. The Bears are a better team than their record for last year suggests, although their defense is severely lacking. Being in a tough decision will also hurt their record.
NFC East:
This just might the best division in football. We start off with the Dallas Cowboys, last year's #1 NFC seed. Losing Ezekiel Elliot for six games will definitely hurt their record, but they're still good enough to win the division. Their defense is formidable, Dak Prescott is developing nicely, and their offensive line is the best in the world. Expect stiff competition from New York though, as they have gotten better this offseason by adding Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram. RB Paul Perkins looks to have a good sophomore year and Landon Collins could win Defensive Player of the Year. It'll be close, but the Cowboys narrowly win out.
Philadelphia started the season 4-0 last year but then cooled off significantly. This year they'll battle for a wild card spot but the division they play in will make things tough. Carson Wentz is coming along nicely, and the addition of Alshon Jeffery is a welcome one, but he doesn't yet seem capable of leading a team to the playoffs. Granted, that could change as soon as next year,
The Redskins shockingly won the division two years ago but now no one is picking them to win. It seems like this will probably be Kirk Cousins's last year with the franchise thanks to his problems with management. That could affect his performance and motivation this year, so be sure to keep an eye out for that.
NFC South:
Historically speaking, teams who lose the Super Bowl usually don't make the playoffs next year. That being said, the Falcons are talented enough to buck that trend. Losing offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to the 49ers will hurt, but seeing as the offense still includes Matt Ryan, Tevin Coleman, Julio Jones, Mohammed Sanu, Devonta Freeman, and Taylor Gabriel, things should be just fine.
Speaking of teams who lose the Super Bowl one year and miss the playoffs the next year, meet the Carolina Panthers. Granted, they lost star corner Josh Norman to Washington and defensive POY Luke Kuechly to an injury, things just seemed funky. But Kuechly is healthy now, they drafted Christian McCaffrey, and signed players like Matt Kalil and Julius Peppers. With a roster like that, the Panthers should contend for a wild card spot.
Coming in third is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs have an explosive offense featuring talents like Jameis Winston, Cameron Brate, Mike Evans, Doug Martin, and O.J. Howard. Their defense is more of a question mark, but their offense should be enough for them to win games. That being said, the distinction between them and the New Orleans Saints is not that great. Like the Bucs, the Saints have a top-notch offense with guys like Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, Mark Ingram, and Willie Snead. However, I think TB is on the rise and I rank them just ahead of the Saints.
NFC West:
This could be the year we see Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll make their third Super Bowl visit, and it's not hard to see why. Russell Wilson has evolved into an elite QB and has weapons such as C.J. Prosise, Alex Collins, and Doug Baldwin. The defense is arguably the best in the NFC with players like Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and Malik McDowell. They are a lock to win this division.
Besides Seattle, the only other team with a shot at making the playoffs is the Cards. They had a disappointing season last year, but look ready to bounce back. David Johnson is one of the best running backs in the league, Patrick Peterson is arguably the best cornerback in football, and Larry Fitzgerald defies the laws of time. If Carson Palmer can keep it together, the Cardinals should fight for a wild card spot.
Neither the Rams nor the 49ers will be in playoff contention this year, but I think the Rams are just a tad better. Jared Goff is better than Brian Hoyer, Todd Gurley is better than Carlos Hyde, and Aaron Donald could be the defensive POY. The 'Niners could take a big step with the addition of players such as Solomon Thomas, Elvis Dumervil, and Pierre Garcon, but it still won't be enough to escape last place in the NFC West.
NFC Seeds: 1. Seattle 2. Green Bay 3. Atlanta 4. Dallas 5. New York 6. Carolina
AFC Seeds: 1. New England 2. Oakland 3. Pittsburgh 4. Tennessee 5. Kansas City 6. Baltimore
NFC Playoffs:
Carolina and Atlanta will face off for the third time this season. I really believe that Carolina could have the upset here, but Atlanta's the safer pick. No one on Carolina can cover Julio Jones and the Atlanta defense is sneaky good. In the other wild-card matchup, I like Dallas over New York. The Giants may have an explosive offense but they won't be able to stop Zeke. In the next round, Seattle topples Dallas with their run-stopping defense while Atlanta picks holes through Green Bay's secondary. In the conference finals, Russell Wilson steps up and has a big game as the Seahawks move on to the Super Bowl.
AFC Playoffs:
We start with a bit of an upset as the Chiefs pick up the win on the road. The battle-tested Chiefs have too much experience for the upstart Titans to handle. Then, Pittsburgh handles their division rivals and heads to northern California to do battle with the Raiders. They put up a good fight but ultimately fall to Oakland. The Patriots are pushed to the limit by the Chiefs but pick up the win anyway. In the AFC title game, Touchdown Tommy lights up the Steelers' secondary to book a trip to Minnesota.
Super Bowl:
In a rematch from three years ago, we see two elite teams do battle. This should be an excellent game and it's really hard to pick a winner. I'm going to pick the Patriots though since they are the best team in football. Tom Brady will a record 5th MVP Award as Boston celebrates (and the rest of the nation weeps).
Regular Season Awards:
MVP: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
Offensive Player: David Johnson, Arizona
Defensive Player: Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Offensive Rookie: Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville
Defensive Rookie: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh
Coach: Mike Mularkey, Tennessee
Comeback Player: J.J. Watt, Houston
Thanks for reading everyone.
The last NFL season was full of exciting and interesting stories. We had Tom Brady's suspension, the emergence of Matt Ryan as a truly elite quarterback, the injuries to star players such as Luke Kuechly and JJ Watt, and the declining ratings.
Now that the season is almost upon us, it's time to start making some predictions. Who will win Offensive Rookie of the Year? What new coach will have the most success? Which rising star will take the next step to becoming an elite player? And most importantly, who will win the Super Bowl? In this article, we'll cover each division and make our picks for the playoffs, Super Bowl, and individual awards. Let's get started.
AFC North:
The AFC North might be the toughest division in the AFC. There are three teams ready to make the playoffs (sorry Cleveland) and feasibly could all make it. Despite all that, the Steelers remain atop the division. With Martavis Bryant cleared to play the entire season, the Steelers' high-powered offense should be running at full speed. It's hard not to when you have the best running back and wide receiver in the game. There are still some questions about their defense, but the addition of rookie stud T.J. Watt should help mitigate some of those concerns.
In a toss-up between Baltimore and Cincinnati, the Ravens get the edge. Both teams had disappointing, injury-filled seasons last year, but at least the Bengals had their starting QB. The Ravens get Joe Flacco back while giving him a new weapon in Jeremy Maclin. Granted, Flacco is a better postseason QB than he is in the regular season, but he's still good enough to lead them to the playoffs. The Bengals will contend for a wild card spot, but losing two starters on the offensive line will hurt them.
In the basement of the division is the Cleveland Browns. The good news for Browns fans is that they will win more than one game last year. Losing Myles Garrett for two weeks does hurt, but the Browns defense is definitely better than last year. How well the Browns actually do depends on rookie QB DeShone Kizer. The former Notre Dame QB has been named the starter, but Cody Kessler is breathing down his neck.
AFC East:
The consensus Super Bowl pick this year is the Patriots. In fact, some experts have them going undefeated, which would make them the first team to do so since 1972's Larry Csonka and the Miami Dolphins. Going undefeated is a bit of a stretch (they might not even beat the Chiefs tonight), but the Patriots should handily win the AFC East. They added some weapons for Tom Brady, including Mike Gillislee and Brandin Cooks while also shoring up their defense. Even if Brady doesn't stay healthy, backup Jimmy Garoppolo has what it takes to lead them to the playoffs.
The Dolphins surprisingly made the playoffs last year thanks in good part to RB Jay Ajayi. Unfortunately, there are concerns about Ajayi's health for this season and if he can stay on the field. There are also concerns about new QB Jay Cutler. After all, the former Chicago Bear was retired in the summer before being brought in to replace the injured Ryan Tannehill. While Cutler did play well in the preseason, the regular season is a whole different beast.
The Buffalo Bills are reportedly looking towards the future, as they are apparently willing to trade their starting QB and RB (Tyrod Taylor and LeSean McCoy, respectively). That being said, they should still put together a decent season. Rookie WR Zay Jones is potentially poised to have a great year while the additions of fullbacks Mike Tolbert and Patrick DiMarco should help bolster the run game.
There is no doubt in my mind that the New York Jets will finish last in the AFC East and possibly the entire league. Their starting QB is perennial backup Josh McCown while losing a number of talented players, including WR Brandon Marshall, safety Calvin Pryor, and C Nick Mangold. It's going to be a long season for Jets fans.
AFC South:
Two years ago, the Tennessee Titans finished with the second-worst record in the league. Now, they're expected to win the division. That turnaround can mainly be attributed to QB Marcus Mariota. Though he has dealt with injuries, Mariota has played very well and shown that he can be a franchise QB. Armed with an offense that includes playmakers such as Corey Davis, Eric Decker, and DeMarco Murray, Mariota is poised to have a true breakout year. It also helps that the AFC South is arguably the weakest division in football (and has been for some time).
The Texans and the Colts will jockey for second place, but I'm giving the edge to Houston, who won the division last year, even with mediocre QB play. There are still injury concerns surrounding J.J. Watt and Will Fuller V, Tom Savage is very unproven, and their shutdown corner A.J. Bouye has departed. They could feasibly still contend for the division title, but it seems unlikely. The Colts on the other hand, will be without franchise QB Andrew Luck for some time, and backup Scott Tolzien has proven to be very ineffective. Their defense, which has been very good in years past, is feeling a bit depleted thanks to the losses of players like Robert Mathis and Mike Adams.
Remember last season, when the Jaguars were supposed to break up. Now, they're comfortably headed for a top 5 draft pick. New starting QB Chad Henne is extremely unproven while former elite WR Allen Robinson is coming off a very disappointing season. Their defense is also unproven, though CB Jalen Ramsey impressed in his rookie season.
AFC West:
Oakland could feasibly have won the Super Bowl last year, but a freak injury to QB Derek Carr derailed those plans. The weakest part of their game was undoubtedly the run game, but bringing back the retired Marshawn Lynch should help with that. Amari Cooper is poised to become an elite WR, safety Karl Joseph is on the up, and the addition of Cordarrelle Patterson certainly helps. Look for the Raiders to win this division handily.
The Chiefs drafted their QB of the future this year when they selected Patrick Mahomes, but Alex Smith is still their starter. Smith, a franchise QB in his own right, should be extra motivated this season to succeed. The losses of Jeremy Maclin (cut) and Spencer Ware (injury) hurt, but the Chiefs are still a solid bet to make the playoffs. Also, look for rookie RB Kareem Hunt to have a big year.
The only thing holding the Broncos back here is their QB play. Neither Trevor Siemian nor Paxton Lynch has proven themselves to be worthy starters, but the rest of the team is ready to go. The team is loaded with talent thanks to players such as Von Miller, Aqib Talib, Jamaal Charles, Devontae Booker, Demaryius Thomas, and Chris Harris Jr.
Some pundits have the Chargers making the playoffs, but I don't see them escaping this crowded division. The move to Los Angeles certainly has their fortunes up in the air, as they might not really have much fan support at home games. There is also concern over the defense's ability to make plays, Keenan Allen's ability to stay healthy, and whether Melvin Gordon can improve on his impressive season from last year.
NFC North:
Green Bay fans have been starved for another Super Bowl victory since they last won one in 2010. There's no reason why that year can't be this year. Aaron Rodgers is the best QB in the league, they added Martellus Bennett from the Patriots, their offensive line is great, their secondary has improved from last year, and Jordy Nelson is an elite WR. They should beat out Minnesota for the division title. QB Teddy Bridgewater is still out, so Sam Bradford will still be starting. Meanwhile, big things are expected of rookie back Dalvin Cook.
Although the Detroit Lions made the playoffs last year, that will be tougher to do this season, especially since their division has improved. Their offensive line was an issue last year, but they added two superstars in T.J. Lang and Rick Wagner. Their secondary is still a major issue, however. While they will contend for a wild card spot, it will be tough.
The Chicago Bears should improve on their mediocre year that saw them end up with the third spot in the draft (although they traded up one spot to nab Mitchell Trubisky). Both Trubisky and Mike Glennon should start this year, although Bears fans are clamoring for the former Tar Heel to start. The Bears are a better team than their record for last year suggests, although their defense is severely lacking. Being in a tough decision will also hurt their record.
NFC East:
This just might the best division in football. We start off with the Dallas Cowboys, last year's #1 NFC seed. Losing Ezekiel Elliot for six games will definitely hurt their record, but they're still good enough to win the division. Their defense is formidable, Dak Prescott is developing nicely, and their offensive line is the best in the world. Expect stiff competition from New York though, as they have gotten better this offseason by adding Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram. RB Paul Perkins looks to have a good sophomore year and Landon Collins could win Defensive Player of the Year. It'll be close, but the Cowboys narrowly win out.
Philadelphia started the season 4-0 last year but then cooled off significantly. This year they'll battle for a wild card spot but the division they play in will make things tough. Carson Wentz is coming along nicely, and the addition of Alshon Jeffery is a welcome one, but he doesn't yet seem capable of leading a team to the playoffs. Granted, that could change as soon as next year,
The Redskins shockingly won the division two years ago but now no one is picking them to win. It seems like this will probably be Kirk Cousins's last year with the franchise thanks to his problems with management. That could affect his performance and motivation this year, so be sure to keep an eye out for that.
NFC South:
Historically speaking, teams who lose the Super Bowl usually don't make the playoffs next year. That being said, the Falcons are talented enough to buck that trend. Losing offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to the 49ers will hurt, but seeing as the offense still includes Matt Ryan, Tevin Coleman, Julio Jones, Mohammed Sanu, Devonta Freeman, and Taylor Gabriel, things should be just fine.
Speaking of teams who lose the Super Bowl one year and miss the playoffs the next year, meet the Carolina Panthers. Granted, they lost star corner Josh Norman to Washington and defensive POY Luke Kuechly to an injury, things just seemed funky. But Kuechly is healthy now, they drafted Christian McCaffrey, and signed players like Matt Kalil and Julius Peppers. With a roster like that, the Panthers should contend for a wild card spot.
Coming in third is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs have an explosive offense featuring talents like Jameis Winston, Cameron Brate, Mike Evans, Doug Martin, and O.J. Howard. Their defense is more of a question mark, but their offense should be enough for them to win games. That being said, the distinction between them and the New Orleans Saints is not that great. Like the Bucs, the Saints have a top-notch offense with guys like Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, Mark Ingram, and Willie Snead. However, I think TB is on the rise and I rank them just ahead of the Saints.
NFC West:
This could be the year we see Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll make their third Super Bowl visit, and it's not hard to see why. Russell Wilson has evolved into an elite QB and has weapons such as C.J. Prosise, Alex Collins, and Doug Baldwin. The defense is arguably the best in the NFC with players like Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and Malik McDowell. They are a lock to win this division.
Besides Seattle, the only other team with a shot at making the playoffs is the Cards. They had a disappointing season last year, but look ready to bounce back. David Johnson is one of the best running backs in the league, Patrick Peterson is arguably the best cornerback in football, and Larry Fitzgerald defies the laws of time. If Carson Palmer can keep it together, the Cardinals should fight for a wild card spot.
Neither the Rams nor the 49ers will be in playoff contention this year, but I think the Rams are just a tad better. Jared Goff is better than Brian Hoyer, Todd Gurley is better than Carlos Hyde, and Aaron Donald could be the defensive POY. The 'Niners could take a big step with the addition of players such as Solomon Thomas, Elvis Dumervil, and Pierre Garcon, but it still won't be enough to escape last place in the NFC West.
NFC Seeds: 1. Seattle 2. Green Bay 3. Atlanta 4. Dallas 5. New York 6. Carolina
AFC Seeds: 1. New England 2. Oakland 3. Pittsburgh 4. Tennessee 5. Kansas City 6. Baltimore
NFC Playoffs:
Carolina and Atlanta will face off for the third time this season. I really believe that Carolina could have the upset here, but Atlanta's the safer pick. No one on Carolina can cover Julio Jones and the Atlanta defense is sneaky good. In the other wild-card matchup, I like Dallas over New York. The Giants may have an explosive offense but they won't be able to stop Zeke. In the next round, Seattle topples Dallas with their run-stopping defense while Atlanta picks holes through Green Bay's secondary. In the conference finals, Russell Wilson steps up and has a big game as the Seahawks move on to the Super Bowl.
AFC Playoffs:
We start with a bit of an upset as the Chiefs pick up the win on the road. The battle-tested Chiefs have too much experience for the upstart Titans to handle. Then, Pittsburgh handles their division rivals and heads to northern California to do battle with the Raiders. They put up a good fight but ultimately fall to Oakland. The Patriots are pushed to the limit by the Chiefs but pick up the win anyway. In the AFC title game, Touchdown Tommy lights up the Steelers' secondary to book a trip to Minnesota.
Super Bowl:
In a rematch from three years ago, we see two elite teams do battle. This should be an excellent game and it's really hard to pick a winner. I'm going to pick the Patriots though since they are the best team in football. Tom Brady will a record 5th MVP Award as Boston celebrates (and the rest of the nation weeps).
Regular Season Awards:
MVP: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
Offensive Player: David Johnson, Arizona
Defensive Player: Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Offensive Rookie: Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville
Defensive Rookie: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh
Coach: Mike Mularkey, Tennessee
Comeback Player: J.J. Watt, Houston
Thanks for reading everyone.
Friday, August 25, 2017
Heisman Watch Week 0
It's the most wonderful time of the year. And no, I'm not talking Christmas, that over-commercialized bonanza. I'm talking of course, about football season. It's time for tailgating, wings, yelling at the TV, stressing over the waiver wire, and disappearing for the entire weekend. Of course, when we talk about football, college football specifically, then we have to talk about the Heisman Trophy.
The Heisman is the most prestigious individual award in all of American sports. Some past winners include Cam Newton, Carson Palmer, Charles Woodson, Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie, Earl Campbell, Tony Dorsett, Desmond Howard, and Marcus Mariota. This year's winner will have their name forever immortalized for future generations to read.
On a personal level, the Heisman race is by far The Sports Examiner's biggest and most popular attraction. We track the race every week and pick our winner at the end of the season. Last year's winner was QB Lamar Jackson. He had a sensational season, but it made for a slightly uninteresting race. Jackson was hot all season long and it became apparent that he would take home the award. Here's hoping we have a more interesting race this season.
Before we present our Top 10, here are a few honorable mentions. We have WR Calvin Ridley from Alabama, his teammate Bo Scarbrough, Longhorn QB Shane Buechele, Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph, QB Jake Browning from Washington, and new Florida Gator Malik Zaire. Let's get started.
10. Jalen Hurts, Alabama
When the season ended last year, Hurts was in the Top 5 of our Heisman watch. Admittedly, we were a little high on him, but it was hard not to be too impressed with him. After all, he did play for runner-up Alabama and put up numerous noteworthy performances throughout the year. That being said, the Crimson Tide defense was the real reason they were so successful, not Hurts. He did play well, but he wasn't even the most outstanding player on his own team. This year however, Hurts has a chance to contend for the gold. He plays for one of the best teams in the country, has weapons like Ridley and Scarbrough, and should be better than he was last year.
9. Royce Freeman, Oregon
It seems like Freeman always starts out as a Heisman contender, but never seems to actually follow through. That being said, he is a talented running back. In fact, he's one of the top 10 running backs in the country. He can be a bit inconsistent at times, but it's clear that he's very talented. He's a dark horse for sure, but he's still in the race.
8. Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Last year was a coming out party for Barkley. Penn State nearly made the playoffs and Barkley looked like a real beast. He's one of the five best backs in football and was a Heisman long shot last year. This year, he could become a real contender. I'm a little lower on him than most people, but even I can't rank him lower than 8.
7. Nick Chubb, Georgia
You could argue that Chubb is the best running back in college football. Everything we've seen from his first two seasons in the league. The only reason he isn't ranked higher is the same reason he has never been a Heisman finalist: injuries. A nasty leg injury cost him most of the 2015 season and also cut into his 2016 season. If he can stay on the field and produce, he should move up this list.
6. Deondre Francois, Florida State
I have to admit, I'm all in on this guy. As a freshman last year, he displayed poise, confidence, and leadership. On top of that, he has a great arm and is a sensational quarterback. He was a frequent name on our Heisman watch last season and will probably do the same again this year.
5. JT Barrett, Ohio State
Barrett has had an interesting career. He's competed for the starting job multiple times while also winning a national championship and winning a number of awards, including being Offensive MVP of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. Somewhat surprisingly, he has never been a Heisman finalist. Could that change this year?
4. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
A lot of people have this guy as their preseason pick to win the award, and it makes a lot of sense. Oklahoma is expected to contend for a national title, he was a Heisman finalist last year, and he is one of the top 5 quarterbacks in college football. Side note: my top five are Mayfield, Barrett, UCLA's Josh Rosen, USC's Sam Darnold (more on him later), and Lamar Jackson. The bottom five in my top ten are Francois, Browning, Buechele, Rudolph, and Michigan's Wilton Speight. If I was a batting man, I would certainly put money on Mayfield reaching New York City.
3. Derrius Guice, LSU
Can I just say that I was high on Guice before anyone else was? In fact, at the end of last year, I gave him the college football rising star award. In limited playing time last year (thanks to starter Leonard Fournette being injured), Guice got a chance to play and show the world what a special player he is. In my opinion, he's the second-best back in college football and will show the world that this season. By the way, I might just love LSU running backs, because Fournette was my preseason Heisman pick last year.
2. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
It might seem a little surprising to see that last year's winner is only #2 here. After all, shouldn't he be the consensus #1 pick? My issue is not with his performance, I believe he will continue to put up mind-blowing stats. My problem is that I believe the media is tired of him. The media was all over him last year (including me, I gave him two TSE awards last year) and are looking for a new story. There's a reason only one man has ever won two Heismans (that man being Archie Griffin). However, Jackson is too dynamic of a player to ignore. He will be invited back to New York City, but there's a chance he will not win.
1. Sam Darnold, USC
Remember when I said the media was tired of Jackson and needed a new story? Well they found one in Sam Darnold. I had the chance to watch him play at the Colisseum last year, and let me tell you, the hype is real. Darnold is the real deal and will definitely contend for the Heisman this year. That's why he is my preseason pick to win the 2017 Heisman trophy.
Thanks for reading everyone. Check back soon for our updated watch.
The Heisman is the most prestigious individual award in all of American sports. Some past winners include Cam Newton, Carson Palmer, Charles Woodson, Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie, Earl Campbell, Tony Dorsett, Desmond Howard, and Marcus Mariota. This year's winner will have their name forever immortalized for future generations to read.
On a personal level, the Heisman race is by far The Sports Examiner's biggest and most popular attraction. We track the race every week and pick our winner at the end of the season. Last year's winner was QB Lamar Jackson. He had a sensational season, but it made for a slightly uninteresting race. Jackson was hot all season long and it became apparent that he would take home the award. Here's hoping we have a more interesting race this season.
Before we present our Top 10, here are a few honorable mentions. We have WR Calvin Ridley from Alabama, his teammate Bo Scarbrough, Longhorn QB Shane Buechele, Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph, QB Jake Browning from Washington, and new Florida Gator Malik Zaire. Let's get started.
10. Jalen Hurts, Alabama
When the season ended last year, Hurts was in the Top 5 of our Heisman watch. Admittedly, we were a little high on him, but it was hard not to be too impressed with him. After all, he did play for runner-up Alabama and put up numerous noteworthy performances throughout the year. That being said, the Crimson Tide defense was the real reason they were so successful, not Hurts. He did play well, but he wasn't even the most outstanding player on his own team. This year however, Hurts has a chance to contend for the gold. He plays for one of the best teams in the country, has weapons like Ridley and Scarbrough, and should be better than he was last year.
9. Royce Freeman, Oregon
It seems like Freeman always starts out as a Heisman contender, but never seems to actually follow through. That being said, he is a talented running back. In fact, he's one of the top 10 running backs in the country. He can be a bit inconsistent at times, but it's clear that he's very talented. He's a dark horse for sure, but he's still in the race.
8. Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Last year was a coming out party for Barkley. Penn State nearly made the playoffs and Barkley looked like a real beast. He's one of the five best backs in football and was a Heisman long shot last year. This year, he could become a real contender. I'm a little lower on him than most people, but even I can't rank him lower than 8.
7. Nick Chubb, Georgia
You could argue that Chubb is the best running back in college football. Everything we've seen from his first two seasons in the league. The only reason he isn't ranked higher is the same reason he has never been a Heisman finalist: injuries. A nasty leg injury cost him most of the 2015 season and also cut into his 2016 season. If he can stay on the field and produce, he should move up this list.
6. Deondre Francois, Florida State
I have to admit, I'm all in on this guy. As a freshman last year, he displayed poise, confidence, and leadership. On top of that, he has a great arm and is a sensational quarterback. He was a frequent name on our Heisman watch last season and will probably do the same again this year.
5. JT Barrett, Ohio State
Barrett has had an interesting career. He's competed for the starting job multiple times while also winning a national championship and winning a number of awards, including being Offensive MVP of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. Somewhat surprisingly, he has never been a Heisman finalist. Could that change this year?
4. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
A lot of people have this guy as their preseason pick to win the award, and it makes a lot of sense. Oklahoma is expected to contend for a national title, he was a Heisman finalist last year, and he is one of the top 5 quarterbacks in college football. Side note: my top five are Mayfield, Barrett, UCLA's Josh Rosen, USC's Sam Darnold (more on him later), and Lamar Jackson. The bottom five in my top ten are Francois, Browning, Buechele, Rudolph, and Michigan's Wilton Speight. If I was a batting man, I would certainly put money on Mayfield reaching New York City.
3. Derrius Guice, LSU
Can I just say that I was high on Guice before anyone else was? In fact, at the end of last year, I gave him the college football rising star award. In limited playing time last year (thanks to starter Leonard Fournette being injured), Guice got a chance to play and show the world what a special player he is. In my opinion, he's the second-best back in college football and will show the world that this season. By the way, I might just love LSU running backs, because Fournette was my preseason Heisman pick last year.
2. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
It might seem a little surprising to see that last year's winner is only #2 here. After all, shouldn't he be the consensus #1 pick? My issue is not with his performance, I believe he will continue to put up mind-blowing stats. My problem is that I believe the media is tired of him. The media was all over him last year (including me, I gave him two TSE awards last year) and are looking for a new story. There's a reason only one man has ever won two Heismans (that man being Archie Griffin). However, Jackson is too dynamic of a player to ignore. He will be invited back to New York City, but there's a chance he will not win.
1. Sam Darnold, USC
Remember when I said the media was tired of Jackson and needed a new story? Well they found one in Sam Darnold. I had the chance to watch him play at the Colisseum last year, and let me tell you, the hype is real. Darnold is the real deal and will definitely contend for the Heisman this year. That's why he is my preseason pick to win the 2017 Heisman trophy.
Thanks for reading everyone. Check back soon for our updated watch.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
2016 Sports Examiner Awards
Last year, we presented the first ever The Sports Examiner awards. It was a humble affair, with only a handful of awards being given out. Some of the recipients last year included American Pharaoh, the Golden State Warriors, and Tom Brady. This year, we're taking our awards to a whole new level. We have a total of 53 awards in eight different categories. These categories range from soccer to individual sports. Let's get started.
NFL:
Player of the Year: Dallas's Offensive Line
There have been a lot of phenomenal players this year, including Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, David Johnson, Matthew Stafford, and Derek Carr. But can you really make a case for one of those individuals over the other? That's why we are giving this award to the best O-line in the country. Not only have they been instrumental in Dallas being arguably the best team in the league, but are also big reasons Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot are MVP contenders. It's an unconventional pick, but Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, Doug Free, and Ronald Leary are worthy of this award.
Last Year's Winner: Tom Brady
Rookie of the Year: Ezekiel Elliot, Dallas Cowboys
No rookie had a bigger impact on their team's fortunes than Elliot did. Drafted in the first round by the Cowboys, Zeke entered the season with high expectations, but he managed to exceed them all. He leads the league in rushing yards and is second in rushing touchdowns.only to LeGarrette Blount. Of course, Zeke also has a phenomenal offensive line to thank and another standout rookie, QB Dak Prescott. Don't be surprised if Elliot is one of the top vote-getters for the MVP award.
Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
You could make the case that Belichick is the greatest football coach of all-time, but we're looking just at 2016 here. Belichick has overcome Tom Brady's four-game suspension, the injury to Jimmy Garropolo, the injury to Rob Gronkowski, and other hurdles to lead the Patriots to the best record in the AFC. He's managed to make stars out of guys like Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell while relying on established talents such as Julian Edelman and Martellus Bennett.
Offensive Player of the Year: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta offense might be the most dangerous one in the entire league. It's full of explosive playmakers like Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, and Tevin Coleman. Spearheading the charge is Ryan, who is second in passing yards, third in passing touchdowns, and second in QBR. He's the main reason Atlanta is in prime position for a playoff spot.
Defensive Player of the Year: Von Miller, Denver Broncos
It all started in February, when Miller recorded six tackles and 2.5 sacks to become only the fourth defensive player of this millennium to win Super Bowl MVP. He's also been great this regular season this well. He's the star of a Broncos defense that led the league in sacks and is tied for second in forced fumbles (behind only Oakland). Miller has been instrumental in key games for the Broncos and is the front-runner to win the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Breakout Star of the Year: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Most of the top players and MVP candidates this season, such as Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, Detroit's Matthew Stafford, Oakland's Derek Carr, or Arizona's David Johnson, either met lofty expectations set at the beginning of the season or reached previous heights. No one had any real high expectations for Prescott, however. He was expected to backup franchise QB Tony Romo, and maybe see a little action along the way. That fell through when Romo was injured before the season started. Prescott has started every game since, even though Romo is now cleared. Thanks in large part to Prescott's play, Dallas has the best record in the NFC.
Comeback Star of the Year: DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans
Two years ago, Murray had an incredible season with the Dallas Cowboys. He led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns while winning Offensive Player of the Year. Unfortunately, that magic failed to reproduce last year in Philadelphia. Things changed when Murray found himself with the Titans. Behind a good offensive line (including rookie Jack Conklin), Murray is second in the league in rushing yards and has Tennessee, which posted an abysmal 3-13 record last year, contending for a playoff spot.
Play of the Year: Aaron Rodgers to Jeff Janis Hail Mary
With five seconds left to go in the game, the Packers found themselves down by seven against the Arizona Cardinals. Superstar QB Aaron Rodgers somehow managed to fire off a pass that was caught in the end zone by Jeff Janis. It was an incredible play that kept Green Bay's Super Bowl hopes alive. Unfortunately for the Packers, they ended up losing this game and were eliminated from the playoffs.
Rising Star of the Year: Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Wentz was selected #2 overall in last year's draft by the Eagles. The general consensus was that Wentz wouldn't start right away, as Sam Bradford had the starting job. Furthermore, it was agreed that Wentz first needed some experience. However, Bradford's demands for a trade were met, so Wentz was thrust into the starting role. He started off the season red-hot, as the Eagles won their first three games. They have cooled down significantly since then (they've lost eight of their last 10), but Wentz has excelled at times, and he has shown that he has what it takes to be a franchise QB.
Team of the Year: Denver Broncos
The Broncos beat the heavily favored Carolina Panthers to win the Super Bowl in February. They then capitalized on that momentum to fight for a playoff spot in the 2016-17 season. The team is full of star players, including Trevor Siemian, Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr., Emmanuel Sanders, and C.J. Anderson.
NBA:
Player of the Year: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
No, LeBron didn't win the regular season MVP (he came in third), but he did win something more important: Finals MVP. LeBron did the exact thing he returned to his hometown of Cleveland for- win an NBA title. Many thought it couldn't be done, but the greatest player of our generation proved the naysayers wrong and finally made amends for leaving his city a few years prior.
Last Year's Winner: Steph Curry
Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
Before you start making "Warriors blew a 3-1 lead" jokes, remember that the Warriors posted the best regular season of all-time. Yes, Kerr wasn't there the entire season due to medical issues, but it's still his squad.
Breakout Star of the Year: Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
When the New York Knicks selected Porzingis with the 4th overall pick in the 2015 draft, Knicks fans and players alike were upset. Porzingis was a relatively unknown, unpolished player, while more heralded players like Justice Winslow, Stanley Johnson, and Frank Kaminsky were still on the board. Porzingis's raw talent shone through, however, and he became one of the most talked about players in the league. During his rookie year, he averaged 14.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 1.9 BPG. He finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting to Karl-Anthony Towns and is widely considered to the future of the Knicks.
Rookie of the Year: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Expectations were high for Towns going into the 2015-2016 NBA season. After all, he had been picked #1 overall by the Timberwolves. Towns proved all of his fans right, as he averaged a double-double and won Rookie of the Year. It's painfully obvious to everyone who's seen him play that he is the future of the NBA,
Play of the Year: Kyrie Irving's 3-Pointer over Steph Curry in Game 7 of the Finals
There's so much to love about this play. First off, this is the play that pretty much sealed the deal for Cleveland's title win. D'Angelo Russell claims he has ice in his veins, but he's got nothing on Irving. The pressure he was feeling must have been enormous, yet he calmly drained the shot. Add the fact that it was over reigning NBA MVP Steph Curry, and you have the perfect recipe for a perfect play.
Comeback Star of the Year: Paul George, Indiana Pacers
While playing for Team USA ahead of the 2014 World Championships, George suffered a nasty leg injury. The video was watched on Youtube millions of times. The injury caused George to miss a lot of playing time, and his first full season back was the 2015-2016 one. He resumed his role as team leader and even was named an All-Star. He finished the season with 23.1 PPG and 7.0 rebounds per game as the Pacers made the playoffs.
Rising Star of the Year: Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
When the Pistons selected the freshman Drummond ninth in the 2012 draft, it was because of his size and raw potential. Since then, Drummond has evolved into one of the best big men in the league. Last season was by far his best one. He earned his first All-Star selection, took the Pistons to their first playoff berth since 2009, and lead the league in double-doubles and rebounds. He's also looking good thus far in the 2016-2017 season. Detroit is third in the division and Drummond is fourth in double-doubles.
Team of the Year: Cleveland Cavaliers
Who else would it be? They upset the heavily-favored Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Title and currently boast the best record in the Eastern Conference. They're definitely among the favorites to win the title next year.
MLB:
Manager of the Year: Terry Francona, Cleveland Indians
Francona won the AL Manager of the Year award after leading the Indians to a division title in the AL Central. He also took the Indians to the World Series, where they went to seven games with Chicago.
Pitcher of the Year: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
With his NL Cy Young this year, Scherzer became only the sixth pitcher in history to win Cy Youngs in both leagues (he won the AL one in 2013 when he played for the Detroit Tigers). He led the majors in strikeouts and led the NL in wins with 20.
Rookie of the Year: Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
Seager was the unanimous NL Rookie of the Year. He cracked the National League's top ten in batting average, slugging percentage, multihit games, and total bases. Our runner-up is Michael Fulmer of the Tigers, who posted an 11-7 record and won AL Rookie of the Year.
Player of the Year: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
Not only did Bryant help the Cubs win their first World Series in more than a decade, but he also won the NL MVP. He won the award after leading the NL in runs scored and WAR while coming in the top ten in home runs, slugging percentage, and RBIs. He also assisted with the final out in Game 7 of the World Series.
Hitter of the Year: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
The slugger ended his career with a great season, winning both the AL Hank Aaron Award and a Silver Slugger. He led the majors in OPS, slugging percentage, and doubles while hitting 38 home runs and recording a .315 batting percentage.
Team of the Year: Chicago Cubs
This is a pretty obvious award. The Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians in seven games to win the World Series, giving the franchise their first title since 1908. Anytime a team ends a 108-year drought, there's cause for celebration.
NCAAF:
Player of the Year: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
When the season began, Jackson wasn't even considered a dark-horse Heisman contender. He had been named the Music City Bowl MVP last year, but he was considerably behind players like DeShone Kizer, Dalvin Cook, Christian McCaffrey, Deshaun Watson, and Leonard Fournette. Then, in Week 1, Jackson accounted for eight total touchdowns. The rest was history. Earlier this month, Jackson won the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award, cementing him as the best college football player of the year.
Last Year's Winner: Christian McCaffrey
Coach of the Year: Nick Saban, Alabama
Saban's march to this award began in January when #2 Alabama beat #1 Clemson to win the national championship. The march continued during the 2016 regular season, as Alabama was one of only two undefeated teams, along with Western Michigan, and secured a spot in the playoffs.
Breakout Star of the Year: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
As I wrote above, Jackson was pretty much a complete unknown going into this year. Sure, some people knew of his talent, but I don't think anyone expected this. Jackson finished fifth in rushing touchdowns and twelfth in passing yards.
Rising Star of the Year: Derrius Guice, LSU
Leonard Fournette might be the most outstanding running back in college football. His backup might one day take that title. The sophomore increasingly saw more action as the year progressed. He finished the regular season with 14 scores and an average of 8 yards per carry. Now that Fournette and Stanford's Christian McCaffrey have declared for the draft, Guice should be the premier running back of 2017. The runner-up for this award is Alabama QB Jalen Hurts. Yes, his team made the playoffs, but that's more because of the defense than offense.
Comeback Star of the Year: James Conner, Pittsburgh
As a sophomore in 2014, Conner was one of the best running backs in the country. However, things took a tumble in 2015. Conner tore his MCL in the first game of the season and missed all of the 2015 season. Later that year, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. He finished chemotherapy in May and suited up again. He bounced back in a major way this year, rushing for 1,060 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Team of the Year: Alabama
Alabama has been miles ahead of any other team this year. Not only did it win the 2016 national championship, but it also boasts the best record of any collegiate team in the country. If you pay any attention to college football, their dominance is not surprising. Alabama has been one of the best, if not the best, teams in the nation for years now.
NHL:
Player of the Year: Sydney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Yes, Patrick Kane won the Hart Trophy (the NHL's MVP award) for the 2015-2016 season, but Crosby did finish second. Furthermore, he led the Penguins to a Stanley Cup victory and picked up the Conn Smythe trophy for his efforts.
Goalie of the Year: Braden Holby, Washington Capitals
This award was pretty obvious, seeing as Holtby won the Vezina Award (which is given to the league's best goalie). Holtby tied Martin Brodeur's season win record while becoming only the seventh goalie in NHL history win consecutive 40-win seasons. He finished the regular season eight in save percentage and sixth in saves.
Team of the Year: Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins won their second Stanley Cup in eight years (only the Chicago Blackhawks have won more Stanley Cups during that time). Their stellar play has extended into this season, where they find themselves atop the Eastern Conference and Metropolitan Division. Is it too soon to be thinking dynasty here?
Individual Sports:
Female Golfer of the Year: Ariya Jutanugarn
Jutanugarn had a great year in 2016. She won more money than anyone else on the LPGA tour, won five events (including the Ricoh British Women's Open), was named the LPGA's Player of the Year, and finished first in the final rankings.
Last Year's Golfer of the Year: Jordan Spieth
Male Tennis Player of the Year: Andy Murray
For years now, Murray has been making his ascent into the upper echelons of tennis royalty. This year, it seems like he has finally cemented himself as the best male tennis player alive. Highlights from this year include finishing the season ranked #1 and winning an Olympic gold medal.
Last Year's Tennis Player of the Year: Serena Williams
Male Golfer of the Year: Dustin Johnson
The American Dustin Johnson led the PGA in winnings by accumulating more than 9.37 million dollars. He also won three events, including the U.S. Open, was the best member of Team U.S.A.'s Ryder Cup win, and was named the PGA's Player of the Year
Last Year's Golfer of the Year: Jordan Spieth
Female Gymnast of the Year: Simone Biles, U.S.A.
Besides maybe swimming, gymnastics is the most popular summer Olympic sport. That might be the reason Simone Biles took over the American news and stole the hearts of viewers across the world. The incredibly talented Biles walked away from Rio with four gold medals, including one for the individual all-around.
Female Tennis Player of the Year: Angelique Werber
Last Year's Tennis Player of the Year: Serena Williams
Kerber ended the year at #1 in the WTA rankings. She has a lead of more than 2,000 points on #2 Serena Williams. The German also won a silver medal at the Olympics and won both the Australian and U.S. Opens.
Male Gymnast Player of the Year: Kohei Uchimura
Uchimura won the gold medal in the men's individual all-around competition in Rio. This win made him the first gymnast in 44 years to win back-to-back individual all-around golds on the Olympic stage. He also won a gold medal with the Japanese team.
Male Swimmer of the Year: Michael Phelps, U.S.A.
Phelps wasn't even supposed to be in Rio. He retired after the London Olympics in 2012 but made a comeback in 2014. He won four gold medals in Rio, further solidifying his claim as the greatest Olympian of all-time.
Female Track Star of the Year: Elaine Thompson
Thompson may not get as much recognition as her fellow Jamaican, but she's certainly deserving of more. At the Rio Games, she won the gold medal in the 100 and 200 meters while winning a silver as part of Jamaica's 4x100 relay team.
Male Track Star of the Year: Usain Bolt, Jamaica
Though there were questions about Bolt's condition going into these games, the fastest man in the history of the world proves all of his doubters wrong. Bolt won the seventh, eighth, and ninth gold medals in his career, cementing himself as arguably the greatest track star of all-time.
Female Swimmer of the Year: Katie Ledecky, U.S.A.
There may be no bigger star coming out of Rio than the teenage Ledecky. The star swimmer tore the house down in Rio. She won five gold medals and one silver while managing to break two world records.
Soccer:
Premier League Team of the Year: Leicester City
When one thinks of elite Premier League teams, one thinks of teams such as Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City. A year or two ago, Leicester City would have been nowhere near the conversation. Now, they find themselves Premier League champs in one of the greatest Cinderella stories in recent history.
Male Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo won this year's Ballon d'Or, given annually to the year's best soccer player. It's hard to disagree with that, as Ronaldo had a sensational year. He captained the Portuguese national team as it won the European Championship, giving Portugal its first-ever major tournament win. Ronaldo also became the nation's all-time leading scorer.
Last Year's Winner: Lionel Messi
Female Player of the Year: Melanie Behringer
The German men's team usually gets most of the love, but the German women's team claimed the gold at the Olympics. Leading the way was Behringer, who scored a tournament-leading five goals. She also helped Bayern Munich win the German championship.
Last Year's Winner: Carli Lloyd
MLS Player of the Year: David Villa, New York City FC
Winner of the Landon Donovan MVP Award, Villa tallied 23 goals and four assists for his club as they made it to the conference semifinals in the post-season. He is the first player to win both the award and the World Cup.
MLS Team of the Year: Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle won the 2016 MLS Cup, the first title in franchise history. They did so after beating Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas, and Colorado Rapids en route to the finals. In the finals, they beat Toronto FC in penalty kicks to secure the gold.
National Team of the Year: Argentina
Argentina spent much of the year as the #1 team in FIFA's rankings and ended the year in that position as well. They had a disappointing loss to Chile in the Copa America finals, but they also won four 2018 World Cup qualifying matches.
General Awards:
Legend of the Year: Muhammad Ali
Put simply, Ali was one of the greatest athletes to ever set foot on this earth. His legacy is among the greatest in sports history. Sadly, he passed away this year after battling Parkinson's Disease for 32 years. Along with men like Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens, Ali will always be remembered as one of the most iconic athletes of all-time.
Last Year's Winner: Kobe Bryant
Upset of the Year: Chicago Cubs & Cleveland Cavaliers Erase 3-1 Deficits
In a best-of-seven series, whoever wins four games first wins. Thus, when a team finds themselves down three games to one, they almost always lose. This year we saw two teams erase 3-1 deficits and win national titles. The first was the Cavs, who rallied back against the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA title. Cleveland found themselves on the opposite side a few months later, however, when the Cubs came back to beat the Cleveland Indians for the World Series.
Last Year's Winner: Holly Holm defeats Ronda Rousey
Moment of the Year: Chicago Cubs win the World Series
The play itself was a fairly tame one: Michael Martinez of the Cleveland Indians grounded out to Kris Bryant. But it was the final out of Game 7 in the World Series, giving the Cubs their first World Series win since 1908. It was a curse many thought they would never see broken.
Play of the Year: Kris Jenkins's Three wins Villanova the National Title
March Madness is easily the most anticipated annual tournament in sports. There are always upsets to be predicted and brackets to be busted. The best moment of this year's tournament came in the national title game. As time expired, Kris Jenkins of Villanova hit a three to give Villanova the 77-74 win over North Carolina. It was an awesome play that was the best of the year.
Last Year's Winner: Malcolm Butler's Super Bowl Interception
Franchise of the Year: Chicago Cubs
When this award was created last year, I gave only one rule: they had to have won a title during the calendar year. That means the Pittsburgh Penguins, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Broncos, and Chicago Cubs are eligible. The clear winner is the Cubs, who won their first title since 1908. It was the most infamous losing streak in all of sports.
Last Year's Winner: Golden State Warriors
Sports Star of the Year: The U.S. Olympics Swim Team
The biggest international event in sports is the summer Olympics. There cannot be any doubt of that. It takes place every four years and determines the best athletes in the world. There are always a few athletes that steal the international stage. In recent years that has included athletes such as Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, and Gabby Douglas. This year, there were a lot of individual standouts, but the real standout was the American swim team. There were so many great stories and accomplishments among these individuals that we had to recognize all of them. Michael Phelps won four gold medals, Katie Ledecky set two world records, Simone Manuel became the first black woman to win an individual gold for swimming at the Olympics, Nathan Adrian won four medals, and Anthony Ervin became the oldest person to ever win an individual gold medal for a swimming event at the Olympics. How can we choose one when there are so many great stories to be recognized?
Last Year's Winner: American Pharaoh
Thank you so much for reading. Be sure to check back soon for a new post.
NFL:
Player of the Year: Dallas's Offensive Line
There have been a lot of phenomenal players this year, including Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, David Johnson, Matthew Stafford, and Derek Carr. But can you really make a case for one of those individuals over the other? That's why we are giving this award to the best O-line in the country. Not only have they been instrumental in Dallas being arguably the best team in the league, but are also big reasons Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot are MVP contenders. It's an unconventional pick, but Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, Doug Free, and Ronald Leary are worthy of this award.
Last Year's Winner: Tom Brady
Rookie of the Year: Ezekiel Elliot, Dallas Cowboys
No rookie had a bigger impact on their team's fortunes than Elliot did. Drafted in the first round by the Cowboys, Zeke entered the season with high expectations, but he managed to exceed them all. He leads the league in rushing yards and is second in rushing touchdowns.only to LeGarrette Blount. Of course, Zeke also has a phenomenal offensive line to thank and another standout rookie, QB Dak Prescott. Don't be surprised if Elliot is one of the top vote-getters for the MVP award.
Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
You could make the case that Belichick is the greatest football coach of all-time, but we're looking just at 2016 here. Belichick has overcome Tom Brady's four-game suspension, the injury to Jimmy Garropolo, the injury to Rob Gronkowski, and other hurdles to lead the Patriots to the best record in the AFC. He's managed to make stars out of guys like Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell while relying on established talents such as Julian Edelman and Martellus Bennett.
Offensive Player of the Year: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta offense might be the most dangerous one in the entire league. It's full of explosive playmakers like Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, and Tevin Coleman. Spearheading the charge is Ryan, who is second in passing yards, third in passing touchdowns, and second in QBR. He's the main reason Atlanta is in prime position for a playoff spot.
Defensive Player of the Year: Von Miller, Denver Broncos
It all started in February, when Miller recorded six tackles and 2.5 sacks to become only the fourth defensive player of this millennium to win Super Bowl MVP. He's also been great this regular season this well. He's the star of a Broncos defense that led the league in sacks and is tied for second in forced fumbles (behind only Oakland). Miller has been instrumental in key games for the Broncos and is the front-runner to win the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Breakout Star of the Year: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Most of the top players and MVP candidates this season, such as Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, Detroit's Matthew Stafford, Oakland's Derek Carr, or Arizona's David Johnson, either met lofty expectations set at the beginning of the season or reached previous heights. No one had any real high expectations for Prescott, however. He was expected to backup franchise QB Tony Romo, and maybe see a little action along the way. That fell through when Romo was injured before the season started. Prescott has started every game since, even though Romo is now cleared. Thanks in large part to Prescott's play, Dallas has the best record in the NFC.
Comeback Star of the Year: DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans
Two years ago, Murray had an incredible season with the Dallas Cowboys. He led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns while winning Offensive Player of the Year. Unfortunately, that magic failed to reproduce last year in Philadelphia. Things changed when Murray found himself with the Titans. Behind a good offensive line (including rookie Jack Conklin), Murray is second in the league in rushing yards and has Tennessee, which posted an abysmal 3-13 record last year, contending for a playoff spot.
Play of the Year: Aaron Rodgers to Jeff Janis Hail Mary
With five seconds left to go in the game, the Packers found themselves down by seven against the Arizona Cardinals. Superstar QB Aaron Rodgers somehow managed to fire off a pass that was caught in the end zone by Jeff Janis. It was an incredible play that kept Green Bay's Super Bowl hopes alive. Unfortunately for the Packers, they ended up losing this game and were eliminated from the playoffs.
Rising Star of the Year: Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Wentz was selected #2 overall in last year's draft by the Eagles. The general consensus was that Wentz wouldn't start right away, as Sam Bradford had the starting job. Furthermore, it was agreed that Wentz first needed some experience. However, Bradford's demands for a trade were met, so Wentz was thrust into the starting role. He started off the season red-hot, as the Eagles won their first three games. They have cooled down significantly since then (they've lost eight of their last 10), but Wentz has excelled at times, and he has shown that he has what it takes to be a franchise QB.
Team of the Year: Denver Broncos
The Broncos beat the heavily favored Carolina Panthers to win the Super Bowl in February. They then capitalized on that momentum to fight for a playoff spot in the 2016-17 season. The team is full of star players, including Trevor Siemian, Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr., Emmanuel Sanders, and C.J. Anderson.
NBA:
Player of the Year: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
No, LeBron didn't win the regular season MVP (he came in third), but he did win something more important: Finals MVP. LeBron did the exact thing he returned to his hometown of Cleveland for- win an NBA title. Many thought it couldn't be done, but the greatest player of our generation proved the naysayers wrong and finally made amends for leaving his city a few years prior.
Last Year's Winner: Steph Curry
Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
Before you start making "Warriors blew a 3-1 lead" jokes, remember that the Warriors posted the best regular season of all-time. Yes, Kerr wasn't there the entire season due to medical issues, but it's still his squad.
Breakout Star of the Year: Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
When the New York Knicks selected Porzingis with the 4th overall pick in the 2015 draft, Knicks fans and players alike were upset. Porzingis was a relatively unknown, unpolished player, while more heralded players like Justice Winslow, Stanley Johnson, and Frank Kaminsky were still on the board. Porzingis's raw talent shone through, however, and he became one of the most talked about players in the league. During his rookie year, he averaged 14.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 1.9 BPG. He finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting to Karl-Anthony Towns and is widely considered to the future of the Knicks.
Rookie of the Year: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Expectations were high for Towns going into the 2015-2016 NBA season. After all, he had been picked #1 overall by the Timberwolves. Towns proved all of his fans right, as he averaged a double-double and won Rookie of the Year. It's painfully obvious to everyone who's seen him play that he is the future of the NBA,
Play of the Year: Kyrie Irving's 3-Pointer over Steph Curry in Game 7 of the Finals
There's so much to love about this play. First off, this is the play that pretty much sealed the deal for Cleveland's title win. D'Angelo Russell claims he has ice in his veins, but he's got nothing on Irving. The pressure he was feeling must have been enormous, yet he calmly drained the shot. Add the fact that it was over reigning NBA MVP Steph Curry, and you have the perfect recipe for a perfect play.
Comeback Star of the Year: Paul George, Indiana Pacers
While playing for Team USA ahead of the 2014 World Championships, George suffered a nasty leg injury. The video was watched on Youtube millions of times. The injury caused George to miss a lot of playing time, and his first full season back was the 2015-2016 one. He resumed his role as team leader and even was named an All-Star. He finished the season with 23.1 PPG and 7.0 rebounds per game as the Pacers made the playoffs.
Rising Star of the Year: Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
When the Pistons selected the freshman Drummond ninth in the 2012 draft, it was because of his size and raw potential. Since then, Drummond has evolved into one of the best big men in the league. Last season was by far his best one. He earned his first All-Star selection, took the Pistons to their first playoff berth since 2009, and lead the league in double-doubles and rebounds. He's also looking good thus far in the 2016-2017 season. Detroit is third in the division and Drummond is fourth in double-doubles.
Team of the Year: Cleveland Cavaliers
Who else would it be? They upset the heavily-favored Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Title and currently boast the best record in the Eastern Conference. They're definitely among the favorites to win the title next year.
MLB:
Manager of the Year: Terry Francona, Cleveland Indians
Francona won the AL Manager of the Year award after leading the Indians to a division title in the AL Central. He also took the Indians to the World Series, where they went to seven games with Chicago.
Pitcher of the Year: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
With his NL Cy Young this year, Scherzer became only the sixth pitcher in history to win Cy Youngs in both leagues (he won the AL one in 2013 when he played for the Detroit Tigers). He led the majors in strikeouts and led the NL in wins with 20.
Rookie of the Year: Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
Seager was the unanimous NL Rookie of the Year. He cracked the National League's top ten in batting average, slugging percentage, multihit games, and total bases. Our runner-up is Michael Fulmer of the Tigers, who posted an 11-7 record and won AL Rookie of the Year.
Player of the Year: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
Not only did Bryant help the Cubs win their first World Series in more than a decade, but he also won the NL MVP. He won the award after leading the NL in runs scored and WAR while coming in the top ten in home runs, slugging percentage, and RBIs. He also assisted with the final out in Game 7 of the World Series.
Hitter of the Year: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
The slugger ended his career with a great season, winning both the AL Hank Aaron Award and a Silver Slugger. He led the majors in OPS, slugging percentage, and doubles while hitting 38 home runs and recording a .315 batting percentage.
Team of the Year: Chicago Cubs
This is a pretty obvious award. The Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians in seven games to win the World Series, giving the franchise their first title since 1908. Anytime a team ends a 108-year drought, there's cause for celebration.
NCAAF:
Player of the Year: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
When the season began, Jackson wasn't even considered a dark-horse Heisman contender. He had been named the Music City Bowl MVP last year, but he was considerably behind players like DeShone Kizer, Dalvin Cook, Christian McCaffrey, Deshaun Watson, and Leonard Fournette. Then, in Week 1, Jackson accounted for eight total touchdowns. The rest was history. Earlier this month, Jackson won the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award, cementing him as the best college football player of the year.
Last Year's Winner: Christian McCaffrey
Coach of the Year: Nick Saban, Alabama
Saban's march to this award began in January when #2 Alabama beat #1 Clemson to win the national championship. The march continued during the 2016 regular season, as Alabama was one of only two undefeated teams, along with Western Michigan, and secured a spot in the playoffs.
Breakout Star of the Year: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
As I wrote above, Jackson was pretty much a complete unknown going into this year. Sure, some people knew of his talent, but I don't think anyone expected this. Jackson finished fifth in rushing touchdowns and twelfth in passing yards.
Rising Star of the Year: Derrius Guice, LSU
Leonard Fournette might be the most outstanding running back in college football. His backup might one day take that title. The sophomore increasingly saw more action as the year progressed. He finished the regular season with 14 scores and an average of 8 yards per carry. Now that Fournette and Stanford's Christian McCaffrey have declared for the draft, Guice should be the premier running back of 2017. The runner-up for this award is Alabama QB Jalen Hurts. Yes, his team made the playoffs, but that's more because of the defense than offense.
Comeback Star of the Year: James Conner, Pittsburgh
As a sophomore in 2014, Conner was one of the best running backs in the country. However, things took a tumble in 2015. Conner tore his MCL in the first game of the season and missed all of the 2015 season. Later that year, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. He finished chemotherapy in May and suited up again. He bounced back in a major way this year, rushing for 1,060 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Team of the Year: Alabama
Alabama has been miles ahead of any other team this year. Not only did it win the 2016 national championship, but it also boasts the best record of any collegiate team in the country. If you pay any attention to college football, their dominance is not surprising. Alabama has been one of the best, if not the best, teams in the nation for years now.
NHL:
Player of the Year: Sydney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Yes, Patrick Kane won the Hart Trophy (the NHL's MVP award) for the 2015-2016 season, but Crosby did finish second. Furthermore, he led the Penguins to a Stanley Cup victory and picked up the Conn Smythe trophy for his efforts.
Goalie of the Year: Braden Holby, Washington Capitals
This award was pretty obvious, seeing as Holtby won the Vezina Award (which is given to the league's best goalie). Holtby tied Martin Brodeur's season win record while becoming only the seventh goalie in NHL history win consecutive 40-win seasons. He finished the regular season eight in save percentage and sixth in saves.
Team of the Year: Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins won their second Stanley Cup in eight years (only the Chicago Blackhawks have won more Stanley Cups during that time). Their stellar play has extended into this season, where they find themselves atop the Eastern Conference and Metropolitan Division. Is it too soon to be thinking dynasty here?
Individual Sports:
Female Golfer of the Year: Ariya Jutanugarn
Jutanugarn had a great year in 2016. She won more money than anyone else on the LPGA tour, won five events (including the Ricoh British Women's Open), was named the LPGA's Player of the Year, and finished first in the final rankings.
Last Year's Golfer of the Year: Jordan Spieth
Male Tennis Player of the Year: Andy Murray
For years now, Murray has been making his ascent into the upper echelons of tennis royalty. This year, it seems like he has finally cemented himself as the best male tennis player alive. Highlights from this year include finishing the season ranked #1 and winning an Olympic gold medal.
Last Year's Tennis Player of the Year: Serena Williams
Male Golfer of the Year: Dustin Johnson
The American Dustin Johnson led the PGA in winnings by accumulating more than 9.37 million dollars. He also won three events, including the U.S. Open, was the best member of Team U.S.A.'s Ryder Cup win, and was named the PGA's Player of the Year
Last Year's Golfer of the Year: Jordan Spieth
Female Gymnast of the Year: Simone Biles, U.S.A.
Besides maybe swimming, gymnastics is the most popular summer Olympic sport. That might be the reason Simone Biles took over the American news and stole the hearts of viewers across the world. The incredibly talented Biles walked away from Rio with four gold medals, including one for the individual all-around.
Female Tennis Player of the Year: Angelique Werber
Last Year's Tennis Player of the Year: Serena Williams
Kerber ended the year at #1 in the WTA rankings. She has a lead of more than 2,000 points on #2 Serena Williams. The German also won a silver medal at the Olympics and won both the Australian and U.S. Opens.
Male Gymnast Player of the Year: Kohei Uchimura
Uchimura won the gold medal in the men's individual all-around competition in Rio. This win made him the first gymnast in 44 years to win back-to-back individual all-around golds on the Olympic stage. He also won a gold medal with the Japanese team.
Male Swimmer of the Year: Michael Phelps, U.S.A.
Phelps wasn't even supposed to be in Rio. He retired after the London Olympics in 2012 but made a comeback in 2014. He won four gold medals in Rio, further solidifying his claim as the greatest Olympian of all-time.
Female Track Star of the Year: Elaine Thompson
Thompson may not get as much recognition as her fellow Jamaican, but she's certainly deserving of more. At the Rio Games, she won the gold medal in the 100 and 200 meters while winning a silver as part of Jamaica's 4x100 relay team.
Male Track Star of the Year: Usain Bolt, Jamaica
Though there were questions about Bolt's condition going into these games, the fastest man in the history of the world proves all of his doubters wrong. Bolt won the seventh, eighth, and ninth gold medals in his career, cementing himself as arguably the greatest track star of all-time.
Female Swimmer of the Year: Katie Ledecky, U.S.A.
There may be no bigger star coming out of Rio than the teenage Ledecky. The star swimmer tore the house down in Rio. She won five gold medals and one silver while managing to break two world records.
Soccer:
Premier League Team of the Year: Leicester City
When one thinks of elite Premier League teams, one thinks of teams such as Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City. A year or two ago, Leicester City would have been nowhere near the conversation. Now, they find themselves Premier League champs in one of the greatest Cinderella stories in recent history.
Male Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo won this year's Ballon d'Or, given annually to the year's best soccer player. It's hard to disagree with that, as Ronaldo had a sensational year. He captained the Portuguese national team as it won the European Championship, giving Portugal its first-ever major tournament win. Ronaldo also became the nation's all-time leading scorer.
Last Year's Winner: Lionel Messi
Female Player of the Year: Melanie Behringer
The German men's team usually gets most of the love, but the German women's team claimed the gold at the Olympics. Leading the way was Behringer, who scored a tournament-leading five goals. She also helped Bayern Munich win the German championship.
Last Year's Winner: Carli Lloyd
MLS Player of the Year: David Villa, New York City FC
Winner of the Landon Donovan MVP Award, Villa tallied 23 goals and four assists for his club as they made it to the conference semifinals in the post-season. He is the first player to win both the award and the World Cup.
MLS Team of the Year: Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle won the 2016 MLS Cup, the first title in franchise history. They did so after beating Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas, and Colorado Rapids en route to the finals. In the finals, they beat Toronto FC in penalty kicks to secure the gold.
National Team of the Year: Argentina
Argentina spent much of the year as the #1 team in FIFA's rankings and ended the year in that position as well. They had a disappointing loss to Chile in the Copa America finals, but they also won four 2018 World Cup qualifying matches.
General Awards:
Legend of the Year: Muhammad Ali
Put simply, Ali was one of the greatest athletes to ever set foot on this earth. His legacy is among the greatest in sports history. Sadly, he passed away this year after battling Parkinson's Disease for 32 years. Along with men like Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens, Ali will always be remembered as one of the most iconic athletes of all-time.
Last Year's Winner: Kobe Bryant
Upset of the Year: Chicago Cubs & Cleveland Cavaliers Erase 3-1 Deficits
In a best-of-seven series, whoever wins four games first wins. Thus, when a team finds themselves down three games to one, they almost always lose. This year we saw two teams erase 3-1 deficits and win national titles. The first was the Cavs, who rallied back against the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA title. Cleveland found themselves on the opposite side a few months later, however, when the Cubs came back to beat the Cleveland Indians for the World Series.
Last Year's Winner: Holly Holm defeats Ronda Rousey
Moment of the Year: Chicago Cubs win the World Series
The play itself was a fairly tame one: Michael Martinez of the Cleveland Indians grounded out to Kris Bryant. But it was the final out of Game 7 in the World Series, giving the Cubs their first World Series win since 1908. It was a curse many thought they would never see broken.
Play of the Year: Kris Jenkins's Three wins Villanova the National Title
March Madness is easily the most anticipated annual tournament in sports. There are always upsets to be predicted and brackets to be busted. The best moment of this year's tournament came in the national title game. As time expired, Kris Jenkins of Villanova hit a three to give Villanova the 77-74 win over North Carolina. It was an awesome play that was the best of the year.
Last Year's Winner: Malcolm Butler's Super Bowl Interception
Franchise of the Year: Chicago Cubs
When this award was created last year, I gave only one rule: they had to have won a title during the calendar year. That means the Pittsburgh Penguins, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Broncos, and Chicago Cubs are eligible. The clear winner is the Cubs, who won their first title since 1908. It was the most infamous losing streak in all of sports.
Last Year's Winner: Golden State Warriors
Sports Star of the Year: The U.S. Olympics Swim Team
The biggest international event in sports is the summer Olympics. There cannot be any doubt of that. It takes place every four years and determines the best athletes in the world. There are always a few athletes that steal the international stage. In recent years that has included athletes such as Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, and Gabby Douglas. This year, there were a lot of individual standouts, but the real standout was the American swim team. There were so many great stories and accomplishments among these individuals that we had to recognize all of them. Michael Phelps won four gold medals, Katie Ledecky set two world records, Simone Manuel became the first black woman to win an individual gold for swimming at the Olympics, Nathan Adrian won four medals, and Anthony Ervin became the oldest person to ever win an individual gold medal for a swimming event at the Olympics. How can we choose one when there are so many great stories to be recognized?
Last Year's Winner: American Pharaoh
Thank you so much for reading. Be sure to check back soon for a new post.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
The Sports Examiner's 2016 Heisman Ballot
The Heisman finalists have been announced: Lamar Jackson of Lousiville, Deshaun Watson of Clemson, Dede Westbrook and Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma, and Jabrill Peppers of Michigan. All five of these players are extremely deserving. Instead of doing a final Heisman watch, we've decided to do a mock ballot. The Sports Examiner doesn't have an actual vote, but this is how we would vote. Let's get started.
Honorable Mentions:
J.T. Barrett, Ohio State- Barrett had an up-and-down season, but at the end of the day he led his team into the playoffs. Had he won the Big 10, there is a good chance that he would have been invited to New York.
Jake Browning, Washington- Browning had a hell of a season up until his run-in with USC. Not only did Washington pick up their only loss of the season, but Browning threw two picks and ran for -36 rushing yards.
Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma- Westbrook was easily the best wide receiver in college football this year, especially thanks to the brilliant play of QB Baker Mayfield. Whether or not he deserves to be a Heisman finalist is debatable, but he definitely deserves some love.
Jalen Hurts, Alabama- I had a really tough time with this one, but I have to leave Hurts off. Yes, he is the quarterback of the best team in the nation, but that doesn't automatically give him a finalist spot. He had too many weak performances to make the ballot.
Zach Terrell, Western Michigan- Terrell and Hurts are the only QBs to start for undefeated teams. Unfortunately, he plays for Western Michigan, so he really flew under-the-radar this season. He should still get some votes though.
Third Place:
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Out of all of the Heisman contenders, Peppers is the most unique. No one else had such a big impact on offense, defense, and special teams. There is probably no player that has made such a huge impact this year. Granted, his stats weren't eye-popping, but for Peppers that's not an issue. His Heisman candidacy is built on his all-world athleticism, not his yards per carry.
Second Place:
Deshaun Watson, Clemson
The first half of Deshaun Watson's season wasn't great, but Clemson was undefeated, so he hung around in the conversation. The second half of the season was a different story. Sure, Clemson lost to Pitt, but Watson played some lights-out football. I was very tempted to put him at #1, but I just couldn't do it.
First Place:
Lamar Jackson, Louisville
At the end of the day, I put Jackson at the top. No one else this year has been anywhere close to as outstanding as Jackson has. Sure, things got a little rough at the end, but that shouldn't erase everything else that happened.
Thanks for reading all our posts this season. Check back soon for more articles.
Honorable Mentions:
J.T. Barrett, Ohio State- Barrett had an up-and-down season, but at the end of the day he led his team into the playoffs. Had he won the Big 10, there is a good chance that he would have been invited to New York.
Jake Browning, Washington- Browning had a hell of a season up until his run-in with USC. Not only did Washington pick up their only loss of the season, but Browning threw two picks and ran for -36 rushing yards.
Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma- Westbrook was easily the best wide receiver in college football this year, especially thanks to the brilliant play of QB Baker Mayfield. Whether or not he deserves to be a Heisman finalist is debatable, but he definitely deserves some love.
Jalen Hurts, Alabama- I had a really tough time with this one, but I have to leave Hurts off. Yes, he is the quarterback of the best team in the nation, but that doesn't automatically give him a finalist spot. He had too many weak performances to make the ballot.
Zach Terrell, Western Michigan- Terrell and Hurts are the only QBs to start for undefeated teams. Unfortunately, he plays for Western Michigan, so he really flew under-the-radar this season. He should still get some votes though.
Third Place:
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Out of all of the Heisman contenders, Peppers is the most unique. No one else had such a big impact on offense, defense, and special teams. There is probably no player that has made such a huge impact this year. Granted, his stats weren't eye-popping, but for Peppers that's not an issue. His Heisman candidacy is built on his all-world athleticism, not his yards per carry.
Second Place:
Deshaun Watson, Clemson
The first half of Deshaun Watson's season wasn't great, but Clemson was undefeated, so he hung around in the conversation. The second half of the season was a different story. Sure, Clemson lost to Pitt, but Watson played some lights-out football. I was very tempted to put him at #1, but I just couldn't do it.
First Place:
Lamar Jackson, Louisville
At the end of the day, I put Jackson at the top. No one else this year has been anywhere close to as outstanding as Jackson has. Sure, things got a little rough at the end, but that shouldn't erase everything else that happened.
Thanks for reading all our posts this season. Check back soon for more articles.
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