Bryce Harper wants to usher in a new age of baseball. (PHOTO: Rob Carr/Getty Images)

“Make Baseball Fun Again”.

An open letter to the MLB:

This was the slogan on the cap that Bryce Harper wore while taking questions after his Nationals’ Opening Day victory. The phrase on the hat is not a joke; Harper said just a few weeks earlier that the sport needs some new flare, and that they need to, you guessed it, “make baseball fun again.”

Harper was perhaps the biggest modern name to get involved in the ongoing fray between baseball’s old against the new. Others include Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench, who called Harper out directly, and Hall of Fame pitcher Goose Gossage, who called Jose Bautista “a disgrace to the game.”

This battle is no joke. Baseball is on the verge of loosing America for good or transitioning into the exciting game that the 21st century and its players want it to be. Players like Harper, Jose Bautista, and Ortiz have voiced their beliefs and are ready to leave the showmanship of the game behind and move on.

So while this issue rages on, how will it be decided? How is it possible for old-timers like Bench to keep baseball clean, polished, and censored while Harper is the one hitting 40 home runs and Bautista is flipping bats into orbit? The point is, it is not possible. There is no way for baseball’s past to “save” it from progressing into the future. The game has to become current, it has to transition, before it lets go of any hope of having an audience in twenty years. Look at the numbers – the average age of someone who watched a baseball game in the 2015 season was 53 years old. It’s happening before our eyes. Baseball is not fast enough, not flashy enough, and, to most, simply not entertaining enough.

Now this issue is not complete without mentioning that the league is trying to, if you will, win the country back. The MLB is continuing to make amendments to speed up the game with the so called “pace of play” rules. Umpires are told to expand their strike zones to induce more swings. The league is also trying to diversify (as of 2014 only 8.3% of players were African-American) and bring baseball back into America’s cities. But beyond the surface of baseball’s growing audience troubles is the civil war amongst the old and the new.

The main topic of the debate is celebrations. Bat flips are viewed as inappropriate and disrespectful towards pitchers. Most fans want the celebrations. After all, what’s the difference between a bat flip or a fist pump and a goal celebration in hockey or soccer? But the old-timers are heard around the game calling for ejections and bat flip bans. Also, why should pitchers be offended by bat flips? It is totally fine by me if you celebrate after a huge strike out. Fans love that – show that you’re competing.

As mentioned before, Goose Gossage and Jose Bautista skirmished, and Johnny Bench and Bryce Harper joined the fray. It’s a war between the baseball’s old and its new, its gentleman and its flashy lights, and only the players on the field can decide if baseball will move forward or be held back in the 20th century.

MLB, let the players play and let them celebrate. Let them hit and let them run wild. And for the game’s sake, please tell the guys in Cooperstown to stop fighting a battle they have to chance of winning. Make baseball fun again.

Here are a few notes from the first week of the 2016 season.

Trevor Story is the story. Sorry about the pun, but I had to. Trevor Story is unbelievable. Through his first four MLB games the new Rockies shortstop clubbed six home runs! Talk about taking advantage of a great opportunity. Jose Reyes goes down due to legal issues, and in comes Story who doesn’t skip a beat from the years of Troy Tulowitzki in Colorado. Who could’ve seen this coming?

It’s really cold. The season starts in April. Winter seems to end in May. Sadly, this first week of baseball has seen snow, sleet, and consistent 30 degree temperatures. There is not really a remedy to this, but the question must be posed: why did Houston open the season in New York? Why did two other warm weather teams in the Dodgers and the Padres open against each other? Why did two teams who play in closed roof stadiums in the Blue Jays and the Rays open against each other? What is the point of sending the Marlins on the road after two home games? If the Red Sox have to play the majority of their home games in the summer because it is cold in Boston in April, May, and September, then shouldn’t warm weather teams play more home games now? Worth thinking about.

There is finally a new, young group of shortstops. Correa, Lindor, Bogaerts, Seager, Addison Russell Brandon Crawford, (the injured) Jung Ho-Kang, and heres one you might not have heard of but should grab in fantasy, Eugenio Suarez. All of these guys are budding stars, and shortstops are back on the rise.

The post The Civil War In the MLB; And How This Year Decides Who Wins appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Manager John Farrell meets with his infield.

The past few years have been very tumultuous for the Red Sox, with two last place finishes and overall mediocrity seemingly erased by 2013’s surprising World Series victory. However, the failure of Boston’s big offseason splashes coupled with a miserable season a year ago have certainly raised some eyebrows. Already high expectations soared through the roof when the club landed LHP ace David Price. Mookie Betts and Xander Boegarts, the team’s future centerpieces, will seek to build off of very impressive 2015 campaigns. The 2016 season is Big Papi’s last, and the team has to make it count. Here are the Red Sox’s top five questions for spring trainging now that everyone has reported to camp.

1) Will Pablo Sandoval bounce back from a horrible 2015?

Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Pablo Sandoval: 3 time World Series Champ, World Series MVP, .294 career BA entering 2015, $19 million dollar contract. His resume was busting at the seams when the Red Sox signed him. Nothing was wrong with this acquisition. And then Sandoval shows up to camp out of shape in 2015, hits .245, and commits 15 errors in 123 games. Fast forward to 2016 with higher stakes entering the spring, and he shows up to Fort Myers out of shape yet again seemingly without a worry in the world. You can imagine Red Sox Nation’s reaction. Sandoval, the biggest storyline for the Red Sox in spring training, is the X-Factor to a potentially prolific Boston lineup if everything clicks. He will likely continue to dominate the Sox newsfeed well into the regular season, but he can silence all critics by producing. As Dustin Pedroia said in his first official news conference of 2016 on Monday, “You gotta put the work in” (Boston Herald). Sandoval has to improve upon a horrendous 2015 season for both the Red Sox to contend and his job security.

2) Will Hanley Ramirez’s transition to first base be replicate his previous switch to left field? If it does, uh-oh.

Hanley Ramirez’s situation is much like Sandoval’s. He was Boston’s other major signee of 2015, and he joined Sandoval on the failure list. His transition to left field, rather his attempted transition to left field, was simply disastrous. It seemed every day he was committing errors, taking playing time from Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rusney Castillo, or ailing from yet another sore muscle. Again we can quote Dustin Pedroia from the same Boston Herald artcle in which he discussed his faith in Ramirez,”He’ll be fine. He’s going to put the time in and all the work in and he’ll be fine.” Hanley’s fielding is not the only issue as well. After a monstrous April, he fell off of a cliff hitting only nine home runs after the season’s opening month in which he smashed ten. None of those 19 came after the All-Star break. Ramirez and Sandoval both desperately need bounce back years in 2016.

3) Price looks great at the top of the rotation, but how well can Joe Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Henry Owens/Roenis Elias round out the bottom?

The Red Sox starting pitching staff was a huge issue throughout all of 2015. Rick Porcello signed a monster (WAY too big) 4 year $82 million extension before he threw a pitch in a Red Sox uniform, and the team lacked an ace all year. The surprising early success of Eduardo Rodriguez was cancelled out by mediocre to bad seasons from Clay Bucholz and Wade Miley. Enter David Price, the $217 million dollar man who has never won a playoff game but always looks like a Cy Young finalist. In short, the Sox rotation is a roller coaster with one huge drop and a few bunny-hills at the end. Going pitcher by pitcher in one or two sentences:

1. We all know David Price from his days in Tampa and most recently Toronto, and if he doesn’t look like every penny of that $217 million dollar contract, Boston will be calling for his head.
2. Clay Bucholz, the longest tenured Red Sox starter by far, has been on the decline for what feels like years but somehow keeps many fans optimistic about him. He is a huge X-factor to the Red Sox pitching rotation, and 2016 has started well for him with numerous reports saying “his stuff looks great in Fort Myers”.
3. Rick Porcello needs to show Sox fans why he is worth $21 million. He needs to have control of his stuff all year, and he definitely needs to continue to raise his swinging strike percentage from 8.5%.
4. Eduardo Rodriguez was the lone bright spot of the Red Sox pitching staff last year, and he needs to build on a 3.85 ERA from 2015.
5. Joe Kelly is a puzzle; we know he has a nasty arsenal of pitches and his fastball can clock the upper 90’s but control has always been an issue. This year is make or break for Kelly.
6. Henry Owens or Roenis Elias would likely fill the sixth spot in a six-man rotation or take over if someone goes on the DL. Elias was acquired with reliever Carson Smith in a trade for Wade Miley. Owens shows great potential at times but a 4.57 ERA through 11 starts will not cut it. Both pitchers need a strong spring, Owens especially if he wants to crack the big league roster.

4) Will Rusney Castillo and Jackie Bradley Jr. finally break through and make the Red Sox outfield one of the best in the MLB?

Castillo managed to hit just five home runs in 80 games last year. For a $10 million player signed before he played in the bigs, that is never going to cut it. Like many other Red Sox players, highly paid or not, this season is also likely a make or break year for Castillo. If Rusney performs like the power hitting OF he was signed to be, the Red Sox outfield will boast one of the youngest, most talented trios in the league. That statement also gives the benefit of the doubt to Bradley Jr., who has always struggled to hit in the MLB but is easily one of the best fielders in the league. Bradley Jr. and Castillo are in the middle, mashing in Triple A but not producing at the major league level. If they can come through for Boston, the outfield will be great for years to come and that is not even mentioning how scary these two can potentially make the lineup.

5) Big Papi.

While other questions like the revamped bullpen and Brock Holt and Travis Shaw’s roles, those answers are pretty self-explanatory. There is one thing on all of Red Sox Nation’s mind heading into 2016. It is Big Papi’s last rodeo. One of the best Red Sox of all time, Ortiz announced his retirement in the offseason and has indicated that he has no intent of rethinking his plans. He is undoubtedly the leader of this team, and his energy, charisma, and clutch hitting are irreplaceable. The team has to make his last ride a memorable one, but Ortiz also has to pass the torch down to the younger guys in the organization. Pedroia will carry the veteran leadership role after this year, and hopefully young stars like Mookie Betts and Xander Boegarts will learn lessons from Papi. While Ortiz will ride off into the sunset in 2016, he needs to make sure that the team continues to move forward after he is gone.

2016 is a huge year for the Red Sox. It is a make or break season for a lot of guys on the team, and it can reveal a lot about what the next era of Red Sox baseball will look like without Big Papi. Not to mention, it is also Dave Dombrowski’s first year running the front office, and it will be interesting to see if his moves will pay off. Let’s hope for a great year of baseball.

The post The Top Five Red Sox Questions For Spring Training appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

(Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

As the Carolina Panthers roll into Super Bowl 50, they have become a household name in the sports world. But, after the confetti has settled and the football season is over, there is a new Panthers team that will continue to surprise everyone.

The NHL All-Star Game was this Sunday in Nashville, and coming out of the break, the Florida Panthers are not only leading the Atlantic division, but are the No.2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Led by All-Star 19-year-old defenseman Aaron Ekblad, goalie Roberto Luongo, and immortal 43-year-old RW Jaromir Jagr, the Panthers shocked the hockey community with their scorching hot first half. Coach Gerrard Gallant was also part of the All-Star festivities this weekend.

Reviewing the first half of the season for the Panthers, it was certainly symbolized by their incredible 12-game winning streak from December to January. That was a franchise record and it catapulted Florida into first place in the division. Needless to say, they turned heads all around the NHL.

Their ability to both space and clog the ice, play gritty and finesse the puck, and stellar goaltending so far from Luongo resulted in a +25 goal differential during the winning streak. They are +23 on the season, good for fourth in the league.

It goes without saying that the Panthers are a streaky team.  After the 12-game outburst, they dropped four in a row, all in disgusting fashion.

Attendance percentage at the often sparsely populated BB&T Center has risen from a measly 66.1% to solid 85.2%. South Florida is not a hockey market, but if you win, people will come. That’s a guarantee anywhere.

Coach Gerard Gallant runs the show at practice. (PHOTO via: Susan Stocker – Sun Sentinel)

A combination of veteran leadership and young future stars has been the main factor behind such on-and-off performances for the Panthers. This first half of the season exceeded anyone’s highest expectations. You can even make the point that more happened for this franchise from October to February than in the past three years combined (last place, second to last, third to last).

They locked up rising star C Aleksander for six years, and extended both coach Gerrard Gallant and GM Dave Tallon long term. The future is in place for the Panthers, but they are ready to win now.

The rest of this season for the Panthers will likely hinge on the February 29 trade deadline. If they sustain such a high level of success until then, there is no reason for Tallon not to make a win-now move. But they have to be careful.

A win-now trade means shipping the future out for one key player to some teams. That is exactly what the Panthers must avoid. You cannot send out high picks or rising prospects for that one missing piece. Not when your future is as promising as the Panthers.

“We’ll make a decision based on what the cost is and if it affects our future or not. Those are the two most important things. We want to make sure we don’t give up too much for a player we might not sign.” – Dave Tallon to Pierre Lebrun (mynhltraderumors.com)

A likely fit for the Panthers is Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd. Ladd’s camp and the Jets are reportedly on the same page with a six-year extension, but remain apart on money. The 6-foot-3 winger could be the perfect mix of size and skill to complete the Panthers, but as Tallon said, why trade the future for a player you might get 40 games out of? Speedy center Rocco Grimaldi would be the centerpiece of the return for Ladd.

Rumors about center Brandon Pirri also continue to circulate. Potential suitors include the Rangers, Predators, Wild, and others from the Metropolitan division. The Panthers reportedly want a gritty forward in return for Pirri’s scoring.

The Panthers are certainly the biggest surprise team of the season. In the Atlantic division that was supposed to come down to the Canadiens and Lightning, the Panthers have to take the ball and run with it. The time to do so is now, and there is no better way to send a message to the league than by beating the Capitals. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are still without goalie Carey Price, and the Lightning will begin to feel the implications in the locker room of rumors about Steven Stamkos.

While Carolina looks to pull off a one loss season, the Florida Panthers seem poised to make a deep playoff run.

The post Florida Panthers Look to Continue Success into Second Half appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Photo Credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images

After an unpredictable regular season, the NFL playoffs finally began on Saturday. The excitement was there, and where’s a better place to start than the 100,000 seat NRG stadium. And what does the NFL serve us on Saturday?

Seven unwatchable quarters followed by organized violence, chaos and tears.

That should about sum up the murder of the Texans and the self destruction of the Bengals. Those two games are not football, nor were they close to playoff caliber football. There is not much to say about Kansas City’s dominance, but after seeing the movie “Concussion” how are we supposed to accept what happened in the end of the Bengals game?

Watching Vontaze Burfict get charged up after his teammate, Giovani Bernard, went down was awesome. He stood up for his brother and took over the game with unmatched intensity. And then he lost control. The hit on Antonio Brown was truly terrifying. As Brown’s motionless body fell to the ground with his eyes closed all I could hear was Will Smith saying “tell the truth”.

It made me feel like I was supporting organized violence. That is not football. That is not what we will see in the rest of these playoffs.

We come back on Sunday with temperatures below zero in Minnesota and “You Like That” towels in Washington, hoping for a fun day of competitive football. And Hallelujah! We weren’t disappointed! Even though the Seahawks-Vikings game was by no means a great game, how can you blame the guys playing in subzero temperatures?

It was entertaining until the last moment and made you remember why you hate the Seahawks.

I, for one, did not expect a great game out of Washington and Green Bay, but it too was enjoyable and was close until Rodgers dominated the latter part of the third and fourth quarters. The Packers looked like a complete team and operated a masterful game-plan after the first quarter. Their offense came alive as if it had been sleeping all season.

All four road teams won on Wild Card weekend. Shows how much it means to win your division (see AFC South, NFC East).

Now the big boys are in. Next week Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Cam Newton, and Carson Palmer take the field. They lead the four best teams all at home. The Patriots are healthy. Cam does not lose at home. The Cardinals play the most exciting version of football in the league. And the Broncos, well, who knows what they can do with a strong QB. Thinking about the season, the Broncos sported a 12-4 record behind mediocre QB play.

I nailed the MLB playoffs, lets see if I’ve still got some gas left in the tank for these last seven NFL playoff games!

Chiefs @ Patriots

The spread: Patriots (-4.5)

Patriots MVP: QB Tom Brady   |   Chiefs MVP: WR Jeremy Maclin

Most recent meeting: 9/29/14 – Patriots rocked by Chiefs in Kansas City, 41-14: Going back a year to the last time these teams met, it was the fallout game for the Patriots. They fell to 2-3 after this loss, and for a week all you heard on TV was “is Brady done?” Of course, he responded by winning Super Bowl 49.

The pick: Patriots over Chiefs, 24-13. This game will likely be decided by the status of Jeremy Maclin. It was announced Sunday that he suffered a high ankle sprain in the third quarter of the Wild Card game, and he is questionable for Saturday.

After looking at the play, Maclin stayed down for a considerable amount of time, leading fans to fear that he tore his ACL. Luckily he didn’t, but taking into account Maclin’s rather fragile past and the fact that he beats DB’s with his speed and sharp routes, it is unlikely that he will play.

That leaves an already shallow KC offense without Jamaal Charles and Maclin. While their defense is strong and the Patriots may have some trouble scoring at first, I just do not see Brady losing at home to a banged up Chiefs squad. Likely coming back for the Patriots are key parts WR Julian Edelman and DE Chandler Jones, amongst others.

X Factor: Chiefs offense

Steelers @ Broncos

The spread: Broncos (-3)

Broncos MVP: CB Aqib Talib   |   Steelers MVP: WR Antonio Brown

Most recent meeting: 12/20/15 – Broncos fall in Pittsburgh, 34-27: When these teams met in Week 14, it was one of the best games of the season. It was an epic comeback from the Steelers and a meltdown from the Broncos on all fronts. Osweiler really struggled in the second half.

The pick: Steelers capitalize on Broncos’ mistakes, 17-7: This game hinges entirely on Peyton Manning. My pick will be completely wrong if he shows up like his old self, because if he does, I think that the Broncos would wallop Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh also cannot win without Big Ben, so if he goes down, they go down. The Broncos have handled their QB situation all wrong. Osweiler should start, with Manning waiting in the bullpen if Brock’s struggles continue.

If Peyton fails and the Broncos are forced to switch to Osweiler, it is more viewable as a desperate prayer than a strategic switch. Denver has the #1 defense, but the Steelers will muster up enough points to advance ti the AFC Championship game.

It is just difficult to envision the Broncos putting enough points on the board in this one. I think I speak for all when saying that I really hope Peyton’s career does not end like this.

X Factor: Peyton Manning

Seahawks @ Panthers

The spread: Panthers (-2.5)

Panthers MVP: QB Cam Newton   |   Seahawks MVP: WR Doug Baldwin

Most recent meeting: 10/18/15 – Panthers comeback in Seattle, 27-23: This Week 6 matchup was epic. The Panthers were surprising everyone and Cam Newton was not about to lose so early in the season. The Seahawks, on the other hand, fell to 2-4 and players verbally clashed on field. This was a season changing game on both ends.

Fans and the media alike realized that Ron Rivera had the MVP leading his team and with one of the top defenses in the league the Panthers would be a force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile, Seattle was faltering. Was the Legion of Boom dead? Did Russell Wilson simply not have enough help on offense? What was with Jimmy Graham?

While the last question has not and will not be answered this year, the other two certainly have. The Seahawks, entering the playoffs as the measly six seed, reminded us why we cannot stand them in their lucky win over Minnesota. Nonetheless, the Panthers are rested and 15-1, while the Seahawks have won six of their last seven.

The pick: Panthers win a shootout 31-28: The first meeting between these two teams was epic, and the second one will not disappoint.

This game, although it features top tier defenses, will be high scoring and tight until the end. Seattle will likely have feature back Marshawn Lynch ready to go as well.

The Panthers may have trouble scoring at first due to their lack of weapons, but will eventually break through. Cam Newton is simply uncontainable and Carolina’s defense will be able to shut down the explosive Doug Baldwin.

X Factor: Doug Baldwin

Packers @ Cardinals

The spread: Cardinals (-7.5)

Packers MVP: QB Aaron Rodgers   |   Cardinals MVP: QB Carson Palmer

Most recent meeting: 12/27/15 – Cardinals pummel Packers at home, 38-8: This one was not even close. Everything I love about the Cardinals was on display. Their exciting vertical offense was firing on all cylinders, and rookie RB David Johnson took over the game catching passes out of the backfield. The Packers did not stand a chance.

The pick: Cardinals crush Packers, 35-10: They don’t stand a chance in this one, either. The Cardinals are awesome. They keep coming at you, whether it be hail mary’s or unrecognizable blitzes.

My pick for Coach of the Year, Bruce Arians, has this team in complete control and they look like a legit contender. The problem is, without S Tyrann Mathieu, there is a huge hole in their secondary.

However, Green Bay does not have the weapons to exploit a downgraded Cardinals defense. The Packers may have turned some heads with a convincing victory over Washington, but lets remember who Washington really was, and who the Cardinals are.

X Factor: Packers secondary

AFC Championship Game: Steelers @ Patriots

The pick: Patriots over Steelers, 31-14: These two teams kicked off the NFL season way back in September, and the Patriots were ready to begin their quest to defend their crown. They won 28-21, but the game was not as close as the scoreboard suggests.

The Steelers seemed ready to begin rebuilding, with a weak offensive line and soft defense. Oh, how a season changes in 19 weeks. Pittsburgh will simply be too tired to win their third straight grueling road game, and expect Roethlisberger to be banged up after the Denver game.

Healthy New England will not have to move from their home turf. Do not expect Brady’s quest against the NFL to end at home, nonetheless against Pittsburgh. Let us remind ourselves what this season has been all about for him.

X Factor: Patriots offensive line. 

NFC Championship Game: Cardinals @ Panthers

The pick: Cardinals squeak out in the game we’ve wanted all year, 27-24: Ah, #1 vs. #2. The likely MVP vs. his potential runner up. Teams perfectly constructed on both sides of the ball. This game has it all.

In what will be the game of the year, the Cardinals will bombard the Panthers with their passing attack. Josh Norman is great, but he is only one. He can take Larry Fitzgerald, but what about Michael Floyd, John Brown, and Jaron Nelson?

David Johnson is also a nightmare for linebackers in coverage catching passes out of the backfield.

The Panthers simply won’t be able to hold Arizona’s passing game back. Again, Arizona is exploitable down the middle of the field without the Honey Badger, but Cam’s lack of weapons will defeat him.

X Factor: Both teams’ secondaries

Super Bowl 50: Cardinals vs. Patriots – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA. 

The pick: Patriots repeat in thrilling fashion, 37-31: This will be a shootout. It will be up and down all night. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I just do not see Tom Brady losing in these playoffs.

He is too motivated, he is at home, he feels like he has a point to prove, and his team is healthy. The fact that he, Terrific Tom Brady, feels like he has a point to prove is terrifying. Brady’s whole season has been driven by the fact that he is not a cheater. He hates the NFL and wants everyone to know that he is the greatest QB of all time.

In my eyes he is, and ring #5 will only strengthen his case. All season he did it without his receivers. They don’t have a running back, and they had half of an offensive line. It just did not matter. You cannot stop Brady.

This is by all means a great Arizona team, but they will finally run into someone who can play their fast game in the Patriots, and with a healthy receiving core the Patriots will be the team to exploit Arizona’s defense.

The Patriots, to the NFL’s dismay, will cap what was their season from the start on Super Bowl Sunday.

Super Bowl MVP: Tom Brady. 

 I am a Jets fan

The post NFL Playoff Preview: Predictions for Each Matchup Through Super Bowl appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Photo Credit: Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Well, there is not much more to say than “same old Jets”. A label that was almost entirely removed by Todd Bowles’ record breaking 2015 squad, the New York Jets reverted back to a painful form of play all too familiar to fans in their season-ending Week 17 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

While this puts a dark stain on how the 2015 season will be remembered, it is important to look at the positives of this year’s Jets. Building on a mostly successful campaign is huge, and while re-singing key parts is critical, there is certainly room for improvement.

Keeping in mind that it was Bowles’ first year as the Jets coach, 10-6 is a great start for any new leader. Bowles stayed quiet about the team’s affairs and kept everybody, from players to fans, focused on winning. This was a breath of fresh air for Jets fans. These new Jets were likeable and never made bad headlines, a polar opposite of the Rex Ryan era.

One thing that can be said for sure is that hiring Bowles was a terrific move. He always had his team under total control. Unlike Rex, it was not ground-and-pound. Instead the offense adapted to its passing strength.

Had New York made the playoffs, Bowles certainly would have received hard looks for Coach of the Year. Brandon Marshall teared up Jets record books, setting new WR team highs for touchdowns, receptions, and yards. Fitzpatrick set a new QB touchdowns record with 31. But, despite a successful season, Jets fans and players alike left this year’s campaign yet again with a sour taste of what could have been.

Jets fans are sick of being almost there. They do not want small improvements. No more steps in the ‘right’ direction. This is a team thirsty to contend now, not in three years when there are no more steps to take except for that great leap. In a battered 2016 AFC playoff field, the team’s health might have taken them a long way.

Instead, our focus shifts to the offseason. It will be busy for the Jets, with 23 players hitting the market. Pro-Bowl DE Muhammad Wilkerson, DT Damon Harrison, and ILB Demario Davis are just three of many key names. There’s not enough money for everyone, so some sacrifices will have to be made by second season GM Mike Maccagnan.

Investigating the Jets’ 2015 salary cap situation, 24 percent of the team’s spending is consumed by aging but crucial parts in LT D’Brickishaw Ferguson, C Nick Mangold, and of course, Revis island isn’t a cheap vacation.

Some interesting names also appear in the top ten of the Jets 2015 spending, such as RT Breno Giacomini and the seemingly invisible Dee Milliner. Seems odd that amongst the Jets top areas for improvement is the right side of the offensive line, yet Giacomini earns a hefty $5,125,000. Not to mention, Milliner’s five games and one tackle came for a $3,453,010 bargain.

Other, more deserved, big cap hits came from Cromartie, rookie Leonard Williams, Eric Decker, and Marshall. While the aforementioned contracts all carry into 2016, the Jets are faced with tough decisions as they will need to pick who celebrates payday in New York. A team with just $3 million in cap space last year does not have much wiggle room heading into this offseason.

Photo Credit: nydailynews.com

When viewing key parts of the team, Muhammad Wilkerson tops the list of free agents. Although the Wilkerson will likely be franchise tagged, that only keeps him a Jet for one more year at $14.8 million. It has been repeatedly noted the the front office and Wilkerson’s camp are not close on a lengthy deal. The Jets using the tag on Wilkerson would be more of a short term idea, with the long term goal of working out an extension over the coming season.

However, moving across the defensive line, Damon Harrison is also considering hitting the open market. Harrison saying he wants to get paid like the best nose tackle in football is a big concern for the Jets. A fan favorite, Big Snacks could end up costing the Jets more acquisitions this offseason, but he should remain the team’s first priority. The defensive line was the strength of the team all year, and it would be sinful of Mike Maccagnan not to make a huge effort to keep it together.

Step one is placing the tag on Wilkerson, and step two is going all-in on Harrison.

Is it wrong to call Ryan Fitzpatrick, age 33, one of the breakout quarterbacks of 2015? While he may have at most three years left, or worst case scenario he is done now, Fitzpatrick had a terrific 2015 campaign. The team rallied around him to try to push the veteran journeyman into his first playoff birth. He also won the fans over, always showing grit, heart, and determination on the field. Fitz gave the fans everything he had, leaving them to wonder if there is any gas left in the Fitzmagic tank.

While there may not be much, and stellar play cannot always be expected, the answer is yes. While Jets fans may not want to acknowledge it, becoming a great team is a multi-year process and Fitzpatrick is the best bet at QB for the time being. Fitz can be used as a bridge, of sorts, to the future (whatever that may hold at the QB position). And besides, anything is better than Geno Smith. .

One casualty of the Jets cap situation could potentially be loyal Jet Demario Davis. The third round inside linebacker has been with the team for four full seasons, but may not see the offer he likes, or anything close to it from the Jets. Davis struggled to stick with Todd Bowles’ defenses which feature linebackers in coverage schemes. He continually looked slow in coverage throughout the season.

Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale – USA Today

The Jets also have solid backups at inside linebacker in Erin Henderson and Jamari Lattimore, who will both likely re-sign. David Harris will continue to man the middle of the 4-3 defense. Davis’s snap counts decreased throughout the season, dropping considerably from a 99% mark in 2014 to 80% of defensive snaps in 2015.

Whether the team is prepared to roll with Henderson and the always solid, but aging Harris, or test the rest of the ILB market is a question that will be answered by their handling of Davis.

If the team is willing to bring back a key piece like Davis or make room for a number of other players, it would not be surprising to see cornerback Antonio Cromartie lost via trade. New York, first in cornerback spending in the NFL yet 13th in pass defense, seems content on moving on from the veteran.

He takes up a large spot in any organization, especially for a fading athlete at 31 for a price of $8 million dollars. He the highest chance of being traded out of anyone on the Jets for cap reasons, according to spotrac.com. That number only seems larger as it dwarfs Damon Harrison’s expected asking price of $4.5 million.

Another potential move is to attempt to ship TE Jeff Cumberland out of New York. His five receptions came at the steep price of $1.9 million, but if he were to be traded, the Jets would not retain a penny.

Other probable courses of action include attempting to trade, or releasing players with big contracts but no potential and injury dominated years. Amongst that category is CB Antonio Allen and S Jaiquawn Jarrett (both making $1.542 million). Trade packages for such players would include little to no return, or late picks.

Finally, running backs Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, and Stevan Ridley are all free agents. Powell is the one expected to return. It would probably not take much to resign Powell and Ridley, but the Jets seem content on potentially letting two or all three depart and possibly drafting a running back in the draft. That pick would be the gifted, but moody Ezekiel Elliot. Should he fall to the Jets, he would be hard to pass up.

As mentioned before, there is not much room in the Jets’ checkbooks. They glided through 2015 with only $3.1 million available. Space will be freed by the departure of some players making obscene amounts of money relative to their 2015 outputs, but it will be quickly gobbled up by key re-signings.

A positive is that they will travel into 2016 with significantly less dead cap money, just $500,000 as opposed to last seasons $8 million. That number can rise over the offseason.

So, moving into free agency, the Jets should have some room to work with. That being said, improvements are necessary, especially on the right side of the offensive line.

Ted Larsen 2015 cap hit:$2,435,000

Ramon Foster 2015 cap hit: $2,150,000

Brandon Brooks 2015 cap hit: $1,696,359

The acquisition of any of these guards would be an improvement over RG Brian Winters. Giacomini also did not have a strong year relative to his $5 million dollar price.

These guards would solidify an already strong offensive line, adding one more piece to a nearly complete Jets offense puzzle. While Winters is under contract for significantly less than any of the options listed below, and upgrade on the right side of the line is much needed.

Other free agency targets could include upgrades at linebacker and running back. Depending on Cromartie’s situation, cornerbacks may also bee a team need. Problems at linebacker will probably be resolved by the re-signing of Calvin Pace and a potential draftee. That leaves running back as a concern to be addressed in free agency, as a backfield featuring Bilal Powell and Zac Stacy is not exactly ideal.

The final question of the Jets offseason will be resolved on draft night in May.

Photo Credit: Brynn Anderson – Associated Press

20th overall is by no means a good pick in the first round of the draft, and when you miss the playoffs, it rubs salt in the wound. But, they can still find a key piece to the team, so this draft pick is crucial. It could become the last addition the team needs before they make a push for a Super Bowl.

They are projected to pick a variation of outside linebackers or speed back Ezekiel Elliot. Those picks hinge on what the Jets choose to do with their players at those spots in free agency. It is also not far-fetched to see them possibly picking an offensive linemen, depending on who is available.

The risky and possibly impossible pick: Notre Dame OLB Jaylon Smith. First thing’s first, Smith may not fall to the Jets. He also may slide past the Jets. Smith may not even declare as far as we know. To be concise, the freakish athlete’s NFL future is jeopardized to say the least.

Smith is the Jet’s perfect pick. Originally projected to be picked in the top ten or even five, Smith’s draft status is now in doubt because of bad tears in his ACL and MCL. This mirrors a situation similar to last year’s draft.

RB Todd Gurley tore his ACL in his final year at Georgia, and slid from the top three to tenth overall. The rest of the story has been told, and will likely culminate when Gurley takes home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors this February. Meanwhile Smith, described as a “LeBron James”- like athlete, won the Butkus award as college football’s top linebacker in 2015.

He would fit perfectly onto the edge of the Jets 4-3 formation alongside David Harris and a combination of Calvin Pace and Lorenzo Mauldin, and can slide into the middle at times. He is an outstanding athlete, coming in at 6-foot-2, 240 pounds and clocking a 4.67 40-yard dash.

He is versatile and demonstrated tremendous speed and power during his time at Notre Dame. Smith’s next few months are cloudy. He was projected to be picked very early but now could fall as late as 20th. If he slides and his recovery is anything like Todd Gurley’s, NFL GMs could wind up losing sleep over this one.

The safe and logical pick: Georgia OLB Leonard Floyd. Floyd is a monster. At 6-foot-4, 232 pounds, his lanky and agile frame makes him elusive to blockers. He is regarded as “surprisingly powerful” by CBS sports, and his raw talent makes him a surefire pick to develop in the NFL.

Playing in the SEC, there is no second-guessing if his athletic ability will translate well to the NFL.  Floyd could become a prolific edge pass rusher and tackler that will terrorize defenses for years to come under the coaching of Todd Bowles.

The Jets offseason will be busy. 23 free agents is no small task for Mike Maccagnan and co. Tough decisions concerning Demario Davis, Antonio Cromartie, the offensive line, and the draft will all receive mixed emotions no matter how they are handled.

In the end, it boils down to the fact that the Jets have a lot of wasted cap money. Contracts such as Dee Milliner, Antonio Allen, Jaiquawn Jarrett, and Jeff Cumberland all take up significant space. The handling of Cromartie’s $8 million will dictate a lot of what the Jets can accomplish.

Looking back at 2015.

My Jets Awards:

Photo Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

Team MVP and OPOY: Brandon Marshall (Jets single season records: 1502 yards, 14 TD, 109 receptions)

DPOY: Muhammad Wilkerson (64 TOT, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, seven passes defended(!))

ROY: Leonard Williams (63 TOT, three sacks)

Comeback Player: Erin Henderson – Henderson entered the season with a minimum one-year NFL contract, no guaranteed spot on the roster, and had taken a year off from football due to his recovery from a his drinking problem. Now entering the offseason, Henderson is likely to return and potentially start on Todd Bowles’ defense. The ex-Viking has repeatedly spoken about how fortunate he is to say that he is a Jet and that the organization took a chance on him. Henderson is the Jets’ Comeback Player of the Year, and is back up on his feet.

The offseason will be long and challenging, but you can bet that the Jets will come back with a vengeance in 2016.

As Bowles said in his final post game press conference of the season, “Every loss stings. It stings because it’s the last loss.”

All stats courtesy of ESPN and profootballreference.com, and snap counts from sportingcharts.com. Salary cap info via spotrac.com

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Photo Credit: cfbhuddle.com

This year’s Heisman Trophy winner seemed all but decided after his team’s 7-0 start. But then Alabama found a way to stop Leonard Fournette, forcing voters to look past his amazing numbers and consider other Heisman hopefuls.

What was looking like a race for second place earlier this year has shaped into a surprisingly entertaining bout for college football’s MVP award.

Headlined by the next NFL power back from Alabama, characterized by an out of nowhere polarizing offensive threat, and finally including what has come to be the ‘usual’ dual threat quarterback, this year’s contest is up for grabs.

The College Football Playoff is lucky to include two of these players.

The Favorite: Derrick Henry – RB – Alabama

Photo Credit: Kevin C. Cox – Getty Images

Henry seemed to be flying under the radar, overshadowed by Fournette until week eight. He dominated the highly anticipated contest between the country’s two premier running backs, posting 210 yards and three touchdowns to Fournette’s 31 yards.

Even in Alabama’s only loss this year against Ole Miss, he was the lone bright spot with a 127 yard effort. Scoring in every game this season, it is easy to see why so many are favoring Henry to take home the hardware.

Henry was the spark in a far from great Alabama offense all year. 2,083 all-purpose yards, good for an SEC record and 23 rushing touchdowns do not lie.

The Threat: Christian McCaffrey – RB – Stanford

Photo Credit: Thearon W. Henderson – Getty Images

McCaffrey is certainly the story in this year’s Heisman group. Finishing the season with a historic performance against USC, he stormed from a name to keep in mind to legitimate Heisman contender.

His 2,387 all-purpose yards shatters Derrick Henry’s, but Henry certainly faced stiffer competition in the SEC. McCaffrey, a 6-foot-1 sophomore was given just 42 rushing attempts last year, but burst onto the scene for Stanford in 2015.

He was a huge factor in the team’s PAC-12 championship win. Delivering more than just stellar performances on the ground, he will be an explosive weapon for the next few years at Stanford, if not in the NFL.

The Pick: Deshaun Watson – QB – Clemson

Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka – Getty Images

Watson should win this award because he has been nothing short of perfect this year. When the ball wasn’t moving in the air, he could win the game on the ground. When Clemson needed a big performance and a leader, he was there.

Coming off of a bright freshman campaign tarnished by injury, Watson and the Tigers came into the season ranked at #12. An early matchup with Notre Dame in Week 4 loomed in their way, but Clemson overtook both the Irish and their conference foe Florida State Seminoles.

Clemson has the two best wins out of any team in the country. That, coupled with an undefeated record and the best quarterback in the country, is the exact reasoning for their #1 ranking.

Watson has only one game where he did not throw for 100 yards (vs. ND), but made up for it with 93 rushing yards. His season total of 30 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions spells flawless. He has been the most consistent threat all year, and deserves every vote for the trophy.

Henry and McCaffrey both had unbelievable seasons and either one of them could very easily win the award. But when push comes to shove, Watson was the best player in college football this year.

We will see on December 14th.

Follow @jackrubin1527 on twitter for all things sports.

All stats courtesy of ESPN.

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

On the day of the 1996 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers traded established center Vlade Divac to the Charlotte Hornets for a skilled shooter that was drafted at thirteenth overall. The Lakers later signed arguably the most dominant payer in the league at the time in Shaquille O’Neal, but lacked talent surrounding him.

Enter Kobe Bryant, shooting guard out of Lower Merion High School, Philadelphia, PA.

19 seasons later, on November 29, Bryant announced his retirement from the NBA in a heartfelt poem via The Players Tribune.

Seventeen All-Star Games. MVP. Two Finals MVP awards. Two scoring championships. Twelve All-Defensive team selections.

Five-time NBA champion.

There is a lot to be said about Kobe Bryant. But in the end, it is simple. He is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Bryant will obviously be most remembered for his iconic scoring, but he was more than that, as shown by his 12 All-Defense selections.

So throughout the year as Kobe’s career is remembered, it is imperative to look beyond the superstar that he became, and see that he is the end of a long line of NBA greats.

It is easy to see. Basketball, as we know it, is changing. You look at the champion – and undefeated – Golden State Warriors and see a team composed entirely of players who can shoot the three. The game we love has distanced itself as far as possible from the days when Bryant entered the league, the days of Jordan and Olajuwon.

Kobe entered as an 18-year-old kid and started six games in his rookie 1996-97 campaign. The Lakers took a chance on him and although he only averaged 7.6 points per game in his rookie year, the potential was there. The Lakers offense was already designed around Kobe and he boasted unusual confidence in his game for a teenager.

Shaquille O’Neal dubbed him “showboat”, and had made it clear he did not sign up for a “babysitting” role with the Lakers. An early rift grew between the two. Bryant earned his first All-Star selection in his second year, and even though he only started one game, he saw his minutes jump to 26 per game. As his publicity expanded, Bryant became more of a one-on-one player.

Jordan’s Bulls still ruled the basketball world in Bryant’s first two seasons, but with the new millennium approaching, the NBA was about to see a power shift. Basketball was becoming more individual, and signs of less team play were evident. Bryant entered the 1999 season as the clear number one shooting guard on the Lakers, starting all fifty games played in the lockout shortened year. Although locker room problems continued to grow, the Lakers were making strides towards a title.

Still, they could not make the jump from a good team to a great one. Bryant and O’Neal continued to fight for the leading superstar role as their struggles pushed onto the court. They needed a coach to sort everything out, and in came Phil Jackson. He made it clear that things on the court would start and end with Shaq. Their elusive title finally came in 2000. And again in 2001. Then the three-peat in 2002.

Kobe became a full-fledged superstar. The Lakers were simply dominant in the beginning of the new decade and Bryant’s individual game had taken on a life of its own. With the floor spaced, he took over. He was clutch, he could drive, even shoot the occasional three. He was a game-changing shooter.

The Lakers reached the finals once again in 2004, but the team seemed (as later called by coach Phil Jackson) “soulless”. It was not all sunshine and rainbows for those championship teams, as even though they continued to win and play beautiful basketball, superstars Bryant and O’Neal were drifting apart.

From egotistical clashes to alley-oops, we saw it all out of this duo. During the first championship run of 2000, Shaq even singled out Kobe’s “selfish play” as the reason for a losing streak. O’Neal reportedly pitted the entire team against Bryant’s style of play, forcing Phil Jackson and his coaching staff to run the storied triangle offense. This would help the team to play together and allow for a smooth relationship on the court.

As the seasons rolled on, stories emerged that Shaq directed a lot of hate towards Bryant especially in practice, but Kobe sucked it up and continued. Kobe did not care what anyone said. When the day was done, he knew that if he trusted his abilities, he would take himself far.

O’Neal requested a trade in the 2000-01 season saying, “if the big dog ain’t me, then the house won’t get guarded – period.” He was sick of Bryant leading the team, but Jackson showed no concern. O’Neal won all three Finals MVP awards during the 2000-2002 championships.

Relations remained positive from the middle of the run, and on-court chemistry between the two climaxed in the classic game seven in Sacramento in 2002. In the 2003-04 season, Kobe was finally fed up. It was all about getting paid for both superstars, and it was clear only one was going to stay with LA.

It finally culminated after the Lakers lost in the 2004 Finals. One day after Shaq was traded to Miami, Kobe re-signed with the Lakers. The team chose to stick with their star and he deserved every penny of his $136 million dollar deal.

Fallout ensued. Jackson wrote a book blasting Bryant titled “The Last Season: A Team in Search of its Soul.” This tell-all addressed the 2004 season, but the Lakers made it clear that they would stick with Bryant. His publicity took a hit, and even though times were tough for the star, the Lakers built dominant teams around Bryant later on.

Professional basketball continued to change. It was easier to drive to the basket, more defensive fouls were being called. Most of all, the decline of the big man was easy to see. And with that, the amount of superstar guards skyrocketed.

The Lakers seemingly trudged through many good, yet mediocre seasons until 2008. Kobe was the best player in the league at this point and had been for many years. But even he changed. In 2009, he gelled with Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom to win a fourth championship. He went from a one-on-one shooter to an all-around team player, which was especially notable after a loss in the 2008 Finals against the Boston Celtics.

The apex came in the 2010 Finals, when Bryant was named MVP of the series. He not only averaged 29 points per game, but also pitched in six assists per. Bryant materialized with these teams and it was special to finally see him share chemistry with his teammates.

There is not much to say about Kobe that has not been said. A big part of his career was engulfed in off-the-court struggles with Shaq. But, beyond all of that, they were amazing on the court and Kobe continued that in his fourth and fifth championship winning seasons.

However, above all, Kobe is one of the last of his kind. Coming straight from high school and playing during the end of the real Jordan days, Kobe developed a ferocity that is not often seen in today’s NBA. The level of play has changed.

We always look for the next Michael Jordan but the fact is simple. Players like Jordan and Kobe are once in a lifetime. The mid-range, all-around guard is gone and the three-point shooter has taken over. Kobe has been there for it all.

His public image was revered, hated, and loved all at the same time. One of the greatest scorers in the history of basketball is retiring and will go out with a proper send-off.

One team for 20 years. Up there with the greatest players in the Lakers illustrious history.

The 90’s NBA is gone. Gone are the days of fierce compe

titors who drove to the paint and did not get a call. Gone are the days of the overpowering big man and gone are the days of smooth, team play.

Gone is Kobe Bryant.

(All stats courtesy of basketballreference.com : http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bryanko01.html)

(Achievements list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Kobe_Bryant#NBA_awards_and_accomplishments)

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Aaron Rodgers scrambles while under pressure behind his battered offensive line. (PHOTO: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

After being picked by many to win the Super Bowl this year, the Green Bay Packers have fallen into an inexplicable slump after a red hot start.

Sitting tied atop the NFC North with a Minnesota Vikings team, picked by many to finish last (shows what we know), the Packers are injured, beat, and panicking.

All eyes were on the Pack this weekend as they headed into TCF Bank Stadium to face the excited, young Vikings.

They did not disappoint.

The Packers showed that they were hungry. They squashed all negative speculations. They were dominant throughout the entire game. They looked like a contender. Aaron Rodgers brought it. Eddie Lacy had his best game of the season. But most importantly, the defense came to play.

The Packers defense, expected to be a weak link of the team, was dominant for six weeks but had seemingly fallen off of a cliff in the last three games. Holding the Vikings to 13 points and coming up with a big stop at all times necessary, this Packers defense will be the x-factor in how the NFC finishes out come the end of the season.

Coming into Sunday’s game in Minnesota, there was a lot wrong with the Packers team. The rushing game was non-existent, the defense was confused, and even MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers seemed out of sync.

At 27%, the team led the league in the percent of drives that they went three-and-out. Such a stat is an all-telling number of what life without deep-threat wide receiver Jordy Nelson has been like. If you prolong your drives, points go on the board, and that was the case for the balanced Green Bay attack as they scored on seven of twelve drives and only went three-and-out twice. The Packers offense was firing on all cylinders, as was the defense.

Heading into a fairly easy stretch of games that includes matchups with the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Oakland Raiders, the Packers should be able to sustain such success. They cannot lose winnable games against division opponents like Detroit and Chicago.

A Week 17 duel with the Vikings could decide who represents the NFC North in the playoffs. But their most important game comes in Week 16 against the Cardinals. As is the case with the Bears and the Lions, the Cardinals will certainly look to air it out against the Packers.

Green Bay’s season lies in the hands of their secondary and their offensive line. Aaron Rodgers will step up his play. While it has been tougher than ever for him to find open men this season, he is the least of their issues.

At 7-3, the rushing game can pick it up. Chicago and Detroit are both soft up front. Eddie Lacy and James Starks make for a dynamic rush and pass backfield. The secondary is the pressing issue for this team, alongside their horribly injured offensive line.

On Sunday, Corey Linsley went down. He was the last healthy starting offensive lineman on the Packers. That should offer a glimpse into how dire their situation is when it comes to protecting Rodgers. The Packers front five will need to step-up, but should certainly not be counted on. Lacy will have to do some hard, rough running and the passing game-plan will almost certainly need to be altered to fit quicker, smaller plays.

On the offensive line the problem is simple, they are not healthy and back-ups are playing for a first place team. However, in the defensive backfield, the issues are not as clear. They rank 22^nd amongst NFL defense in pass yards given up per game, and 21^st when referring to total yards. A trio of safeties and corners that includes Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Morgan Burnett, and Sam Shields is one that most NFL executives would love to have, but they cannot seem to find a groove this year.

Things did not really change on Sunday, as they surrendered 248 yards to a rather weak Vikings passing attack. Even though they came out with a convincing win, the secondary was still subpar. If they turn things around, the Packers will only become fiercer.

Sitting at 7-3, most teams would not have much to worry about. This Packers team is different. They are injured, confused, and playing just well enough to win games. Things are going to have to change for Green Bay.

Obviously, they cannot influence injuries, but strides can be made to help the ailing offensive line and especially the secondary. They have some winnable games coming up, and their fate will likely be decided in Weeks 16 and 17. There is still a lot to learn about a mysterious Packers team that is always a threat to represent the NFC in Super Bowl 50.

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Photo Credit: USA Today Sports

With the first round of winter meetings in Boca Raton, Florida over, rumors have certainly surfaced. Two major trades occurred with Andrelton Simmons and Craig Kimbrel both being moved. Putting all of the chatter off of the diamond aside, it is the time of year when outstanding play on the field is recognized.

The following American and National League MVP will be as follows:

AL MVP – Announcement Thursday 11/19

Finalists: Lorenzo Cain, Josh Donaldson, Mike Trout

The Prediction: Josh Donaldson

As usual, this year’s MVP finalists will bring about plenty of clamor regarding how the MVP award should be interpreted. Is it truly the best player’s award or who is actually most valuable to their team?

However, this one is actually quite simple. Lorenzo Cain was the most prominent figure in a tremendous contact hitting lineup, but that, coupled with his superb fielding is not enough to win him the AL MVP.

Mike Trout had another dynamic season, crushing a career high 41 home runs and accumulating seven outfield assists. Without the five-tool phenom, the Angels would certainly be in the cellar of the AL.

Both of the above turned in outstanding years, but Josh Donaldson was a superhero amongst All-Stars in Toronto. Solidifying a punishing 1-5 punch for the Blue Jays, Donaldson drove in a league high 123 runs alongside 41 home runs of his own.

He lead the league in total bases with 374. It’s a close race, but when you couple those numbers with an all or nothing attitude and you have your 2015 AL MVP.

NL MVP – Announcement Thursday 11/19

Finalists: Paul Goldschmitd, Bryce Harper, Joey Votto

The Prediction: Bryce Harper

This award was Harper’s to lose. Although none of the three candidates for the NL MVP made the playoffs, they all turned similar years.

Harper is only 23-years-old and should runaway with this award. While he might have a huge personality highlighted by some dugout episodes, we are lucky to watch him play. 42 home runs, only seven errors in the field, and a career high .649 slugging percentage will be enough enough to trump Goldschmitd’s amazing .321/.435/.570 line.

Votto walked an unearthly 143 times, but his stats alone do not come close to Harper’s MVP season.

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Senior Marcus Paige will look to lead North Carolina past Duke and to a championship. (PHOTO: Rich Barnes – USA TODAY Sports)

The college basketball season is nearly upon us, and although we are still months from March it is never too early to start looking at teams that can shake up the league and their respective conferences. Duke cut the nets down last year for Coach K’s fifth championship, but they are situated at number five in the preseason poll. North Carolina is the early top dog followed by Kentucky, but who knows what the rankings will look like come conference play and thereafter March. Duke won it all last March, but with the one and done rule no team is ever the same as it was last year. Obviously dominant teams will remain powers, but it is truly a new season of college basketball every year. The talent is amazing in the NCAA this year. Every team in the top 25 is a threat, and they seemingly all have a dynamic duo, trio or even a fearsome foursome. It is going to be a great year, and just like every year it will be impossible to predict. That being said, we can take a look at some exciting teams, players, and conferences to watch in the 2015-16 mens NCAA basketball season.

Best Conference: ACC

The ACC is by far the best conference in college basketball. With perennial powers such as Duke, North Carolina, Louisville, and Syracuse plus programs establishing their legitimacy like Virginia, and Miami there is no such thing as a sure win in this conference. North Carolina is #1 in the nation but will be without starting guard Marcus Paige for the beginning of the season. Duke won the National Championship last year. Virginia won the conference last year. A new year will bring new champions. Sleepers also include Note Dame, Florida State, NC State who all have have the capability of pulling off earth-shaking upsets. North Carolina will have to fight past Duke and vice versa in games that could determine the season. There is no shortage of talent and must watch games in the ACC.

Must watch Freshman: Ben Simmons – Small Forward – LSU

Simmons’ college debut has been long awaited, and rejoice Tiger fans because it is finally here. LSU comes in at 21 in the first national poll, but expectations are high as they are expected to be Kentucky’s main challenger in the SEC. Already touted to be the potential first pick of the 2016 NBA draft, Simmons is described by scouts as explosive and a ‘bullet like player‘. He is an all-around basketball player, a gifted athlete, and a must watch player in 2015. Look for Simmons’ game to make strides in his first year at LSU.

Best returning players: Guard Marcus Paige (UNC) and Guard Buddy Hield (Oklahoma)

Although there was a mass exodus of rising sophomore talent from the NCAA into the NBA during this offseason, there are two terrific players who are entering their final rides with their respective teams. Paige and Hield are both amazing leaders on their teams and will look to make their last seasons count.

Strongest starting five: North Carolina

There is a reason this category is not called best starting five or most talented. That is because those categories are two completely different beasts. Out of three incredibly talented North Carolina, Maryland, and Kentucky teams, North Carolina has the strongest starting five. Their combination of Marcus Paige, Brice Johnson, Kennedy Meeks and Justin Jackson, and Theo Pinson will take them the farthest. Paige will mis 3-4 weeks, but that could be a blessing in disguise for the Heels. He is obviously their best player, but they open the season with a weak schedule that could allow other players to assume bigger roles in his absence with more leeway in such games. Once Paige is back, they should be ready to roll into ACC play. Between experience, skill, and a mental game, Coach Roy Williams has an incredible group in this years Tar Heels, and they remain a deserving favorite.

Potential surprise teams: California, Indiana and Syracuse

Even though California is ranked 14, IU is 15, and Syracuse did not receive any top 25 votes at all, all three teams can fall in the similar category of under the radar. They all have low expectations which creates a stronger fan-base around the teams once they pick their games up, they all are built around their respective strengths, and they all have huge opportunities in their schedule to make some serious national noise. For Cal, this chance comes December 22 in Virginia, and not to mention their in conference games against Arizona. The Hoosiers play Duke early in their sixth game of the season, and if they survive rigorous Big 10 play, they could find themselves in a momentous game at home against Maryland on March 5 to conclude the regular season. For Syracuse, the chances are unlimited playing in the ACC which entails games with UNC twice, Duke, and Virginia, all of whom open the season in the top 6. Cal, Indiana, and Syracuse can make splashes with their young, talented teams in incredible games.

All in all, this year’s college basketball season will be interesting. Although UNC, Kentucky and Duke stand out, there is a plethora of threats just beneath them. If Carolina stays healthy, they will be tough to stop and two match-ups between the Heels and Blue Devils could decide the year. Kentucky need not be mentioned as much because it is Kentucky, a.k.a NBA day camp, and we exactly know what we will see out of the Wildcats in a very far from scary SEC. A team to watch out for is #3 Maryland. With the dual threat of Melo Trimble and Diamond Stone, the Terrapins will be straight up filthy. They could very feasibly win the Big 10 and snatch themselves a one seed in the tournament.New freshmen will rise, and great players will establish themselves. Although the tournament seems decades away, before we know it we will see another champion crowned.

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