Tebow Influential; Spurs-Warriors Tonight; Red Sox #1

Tim Tebow Named Most Influential
Former Broncos and Jets quarterback Tim Tebow was named the most influential athlete in sports by Forbe's magazine. The other three named were Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Jamaican track phenom Usain Bolt and Yankee's shortstop Derek Jeter. Current Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning finished fifth in the running. 

What is important to remember about this is that it isn't to be judged by the player's playing ability or stats, it is simply based on how much the player can be marketed. Tebow is good for this because of all his sponsorships and his christian following. Colin Cowherd offers some of his thoughts on it. Cowherd agrees with Tebow being top, but feels like Peyton Manning is much better for the top. Peyton Manning has numerous advertising contracts, more than Jeter, Bolt, and Phelps. Peyton Manning also appeals to the public more. Colin Cowherd used the example that Peyton Manning has kind of your "Average Joe" appearance and people across the United States like him.

In the mean time, Jacksonville Jaguars fans are intending to send a petition to President Barack Obama to call the Jaguars front office to take Tim Tebow. But the White House struck it down.

Spurs-Warriors Playoff Game Tonight

(Warriors Stephen Curry, Right, and Spurs Tony Parker, Left are an interesting match-up tonight. Photo taken from sportsillustrated.com)

The NBA Conference Semifinals continue tonight with a double-header. We all know the story in tonight's first match-up of the tournament. Miami is working on their second consecutive title, and LeBron James has been magical all season. Chicago is their opponent and they are wondering, "When will Derrick Rose come back?"But this Spurs-Warriors match-up could be a classic. 

The Golden State Warriors are coming off of the upset of the playoffs thus far by taking the Denver Nuggets out of the playoffs. The Warriors have been on a surprising run being led by fourth year player Stephen Curry, who is averaging 24.3 points per game in the postseason. The Spurs on the other hand have been the model of consistency for the NBA the last several years. They are being led, as usual, by Tony Parker who is averaging 20.3 points per game, and the Spurs were first in the league in the regular season for assists.


Red Sox No. 1 Team in MLB
The Boston Red Sox are now sitting atop the Power Rankings according to ESPN. The Texas Rangers are a close second, despite sweeping the Red Sox over the past three days. Yu Darvish has been very impressive for the Rangers this year as he leads the majors in strikes outs with 72. Teams that have found their way into the Top 5 are the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants. Detroit scored 37 runs in a sweep over the Astros. Bottoming out the Top 10 are the Colorado Rockies, who are 18-13 and signed Nolan Arenado, who hit a grand slam on Saturday.

Fun in the...Snow? The Enjoyment in Cold Weather Games.

Your hands are freezing. Your breaths are giving off steam. But inside you don't care because your body is filled with either the enjoyment of your team being up, or the frustration from your team trailing in the game. Football is not the only sport the endures cold-weather games. Conspiracy theories aside, much of the country is experiencing unseasonably cold weather. Major League Baseball fans are having to dig out their cold-weather gear again just to watch their favorite teams.  The Kansas City Royals are playing in low-40's degree weather right now.

For some fans it can ruin their experience at a game, personally I would be more worried about the game being delayed due to rain, or lightning if your watching the NFL. But after watching some nostalgic NFL films videos where they describe some of the games from the 1960's and 1970's at Lambeau Field described as the "Frozen Tundra," there is a sense of pride that goes with a fan who can sit through the cold weather to watch their team play.

My most prideful experience comes from the 2009 Homecoming Game for my soon-to-be alma mater. West Texas A&M University was playing their Homecoming Game in early October and the weather was forecasted to be cold. By halftime, half of the crowd had left the stadium as the temperature had dropped to 29 degrees, and even lower on the field. WT would win the game and my wife and I left with a cold that would bug us for a week, but it created a memory that we have not forgot and share to this day. It is not always the event that you go to that makes the memory, sometimes it is the conditions your attending in.

Just for you guys, here are some other cold weather games that you may remember watching on TV:

The Tuck Rule Game, 2000 AFC Divisional Round: 

Oakland Raiders at New England Patriots

NFL Network's Top 10 Cold-Weather Games:

#1 The Ice Bowl 1967 NFL Championship Game

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers 

Seahawks No. 1; Blackmon Suspended

Seahawks No. 1 in Post Draft Power Rankings

In a Post-Draft Power Rankings done by analysts at espn.com, the Seattle Seahawks have been crowned the No. 1 team in the NFL. The second and third place teams are, division rival and Super Bowl runner-up, San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos respectively. They are going into their second season with quarterback Russell Wilson at the helm and they also drafted former Texas A&M running back Christine Michael to help share the load with Marshawn Lynch. The team also acquired wide receiver Percy Harvin from Minnesota to give Wilson another target. I tend to agree with the Seahawks being one of the best teams, I just don't think they are no. 1, especially considering how the San Francisco 49ers finished. But this is definitely a team that has improved, benefiting from excellent drafting and a strong defense. Look for the Rams to also be better in that division as well. The Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens were placed eighth on the list, likely because of all the departing players.

Justin Blackmon Suspended
Jacksonville Jaguars Justin Blackmon has been suspended for the first four games of the 2013 NFL Regular Season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. It has not been revealed what the substance or occurence was but this is a blow to the Jaguars and Blackmon, who had a strong finish last season, including a Week 11 outing visiting the Houston Texans in which he had seven catches for 236 yards. Through his last four games he had 25 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns. Besides Blackmon the Jaguar receiving corp. has Cecil Shorts and Jordan Shipley. 

Here is the game at Houston for Blackmon:

Tim Tebow Cut By The Jets

The major news coming out of New York today is that polarizing quarterback Tim Tebow has been cut by the New York Jets. Tebow was one of the six quarterbacks on the Jets' roster, after they drafted rookie out of West Virginia Geno Smith. Tim Tebow was attempting to fix his much criticized throwing mechanics by working out with quarterback guru Chris Weinke and former Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde, according to ESPN. I find it hard to believe that Tebow's NFL career is over. Tebow has been a proven winner in the NFL despite having poor accuracy and dismal statistics to back up his wins. In 2011, he led the Denver Broncos to an 8-8 season, and a win in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, after incumbent starter Kyle Orton was benched when the team started 1-4. While many analysts believe that his hometown Jacksonville Jaguars won't pick him up (after all they did say they had no interest back in January). But they did not take a quarterback in last weeks draft, which says they either have faith in quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who will be in his third system and third offensive system, or they are going to be looking for a veteran to challenge Gabbert in training camp and the preseason. Arizona did not take a quarterback in the draft last week either, but they also have veteran Carson Palmer, whom they acquired from Oakland. Either way, his career may be over, but only time will tell if this is the last we hear about Tim Tebow. 

I had the pleasure of covering Tim Tebow's Speech at an area church in March. Here is the link to that story: http://bit.ly/15XRWVg


Here are some Tebow memories:

(Tim Tebow at Broncos training camp in his rookie season)

Cowboys Pick at #18; Broncos McCoy draws interest; Rams to Move?; 2013 Opponents

Cowboys to Pick at No. 18

Brandon George of Sports Day DFW reports that the Dallas Cowboys will pick with the No. 18 pick in the NFL Draft in April. The Cowboys have several holes they need to fill including their offensive line and some pass rush. Quarterback Tony Romo was running for his life all season and the Cowboys could never get a good run game going with second-year back Demarco Murray. A lineman may be more important offensively than the speculation of another pass rusher.

Broncos Offensive Coordinator McCoy to Interview This Week

The Denver Post reports that Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is set to interview with the Chicago Bears fired their head coach Lovie Smith. Mike McCoy interviewed for jobs last season but ended up staying in Denver and working with quarterback Peyton Manning. McCoy has been receiving high praise for his work with Tim Tebow last season in changing the offense from a conventional offense to a read-option style of offense.

Rams Could Move if Stadium isn’t Upgraded

Heartlandconnection.com reports that the St. Louis Rams could move if their stadium isn’t upgraded next season.

“The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, which runs the dome, and the Rams are at odds over bringing the dome up to top-tier status among the 31 NFL stadiums. Otherwise, the Rams could break their lease and potentially move after the 2014 season.”

This is very interesting as the city of Los Angeles is looking for an NFL team to move their as the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, and San Diego Chargers have all been named as a possibility to relocate to LA. The Rams and Chargers both have been in Los Angeles at one point in their franchise histories.

2013 Opponents

While the NFL Schedule will not be released until mid-to-late April, every NFL team knows their opponents. Michael David Smith ofprofootballtalk.com brings us the formula and a link to every team’s opponents.

“That’s because the NFL uses this formula to determine each team’s opponents:

1. Six games consist of home and away against three division opponents.
2. Four games are played against teams from another division within the conference on a rotating three-year cycle.
3. Four games are played against teams from another division in the other conference on a rotating four-year cycle.
4. Two interconference games are based on the prior year’s standings. So that the first-place teams play each other, the second-place teams play each other, the third-place teams play each other and the last-place teams play each other.”
And here is the link to the list of opponents: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/31/2013-opponents-determined-for-every-nfl-team/

Vick Expected to Start vs. Giants; Tebow Upset; Broncos No. 1l;

Michael Vick Expected to Start vs. Giants

(Image from CSMonitor.com)

Michael Vick may get one more chance for redemption to make his case to start either for Philadelphia or another team in the NFL. Rookie QB Nick Foles suffered a broken hand yesterday against the Redskins and will miss the showdown against the Giants. According to Michael David Smith of profootballtalk.com, Eagles head coach Andy Reid is leaning towards Vick over the team's other quarterback, Trent Edwards.

Tebow Upset About Not Starting

(Image from bleachereport.com)

Tim Tebow is finally showing some unsettled feelings about not getting the opportunity to start this season. Michael David Smith of profootballtalk.com reports that Tebow told ESPN's Adam Schefter that he is "more determined than ever to dedicate my entire off-season to becoming the best quarterback I can be next season." Tebow also expressed his unhappiness with Jets head coach Rex Ryan when he was told that second-year QB Greg McElroy would start in place of the incumbent Mark Sanchez and Tebow. Schefter also reports that Tebow told Ryan that he was willing to do whatever it took to help the team win. Smith brings up a good point about Tim Tebow. Smith says that if Tebow had to reassure the coach he would do what he could to help the team win, there are character questions to surface. Regardless of whether or not there are character concerns, Tebow is looking to start somewhere in the NFL and there is a good chance that Jacksonville is the only place that will take him, and it will be more to sell tickets and they don't have a good quarterback. (Sorry Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne)

Broncos No. 1
The Broncos have reached no. 1 on ESPN's Power Rankings after winning their tenth straight game on Sunday. Some changes happened from 2-10 though, most notably the Houston Texans who dropped four spots after losing to Minnesota yesterday, their second loss in three weeks. The Top 10 are 1. Denver Broncos 2. Atlanta Falcons 3. San Francisco 49ers 4. Green Bay Packers 5. New England Patriots 6. Seattle Seahawks 7. Houston Texans 8. Indianapolis Colts 9. Washington Redskins 10. Baltimore Ravens.
All ten of those teams would make for a great playoff field.

Kevin Kolb Out For Several Weeks; Holmgren Out Shurmur Next?; No Damage for Boys' Mo Clay and Jenkins; Manning Not Only Winner

Kevin Kolb Out For Several Weeks
Kevin Kolb is clearly the starter, or so we thought. ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Kevin Kolb is out for several weeks with a rib injury. The offensive line didn't do anything to help him, allowing twenty-three sacks in the last three games alone. With Kolb being injured, John Skelton gets another shot at being the quarterback and if plays like he did in relief of Kolb last season, he could finally solidify his role as the starter, but let's not forget, it was Skelton who was set to be the starter before he got injured and got replaced by Kevin Kolb. This could be good for fantasy owners, as John Skelton loves to throw to Larry Fitzgerald. (Who wouldn't?)

Holmgren Out in Cleveland, Shurmur Next?
Browns General Manager Mike Holmgren will retire at the end of this season according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Browns have not been very successful under Holmgren. The Cleveland Browns are 10-28 with Holmgren as General Manager and the outlook is not looking good for the Browns this year. One can assume that head coach Pat Shurmur is next right? It could be likely, but you didn't hear that from new Browns owner Jimmy Haslem according to Michael David Smith profootballtalk.com. Smith writes that Haslam said that in order for Shurmur to keep his job they need to have the team on the upside, but would not specify a record that would determine either way. 

“I don’t know that — I would never stand up here and say we have to have x amount of wins, or whatever,” Haslam said. “I think you want to see a positive direction."

On the surface the team does look better. But they are a young team that needs to learn to finish games. They have gone up early multiple times this year, but yet they still lost games against the Eagles and the Giants. Haslam seems like an owner that is hands on and wants to make a better team, this could be good for the Browns.
 
"It’s been a tough year for our coaching staff and our players because, I mean, let’s face it — arguably our best defensive player, one of our best players, missed four games,” Haslam said. “If Joe had played all four of those games, would we have won a couple more? It’s purely speculative, I don’t know, but it’s a young team — I think we’re the youngest or second youngest team. I think you want to see improvement, continued improvement, and you want to see them play hard. And if you’ve seen our team, we’ve played hard every game.”

No Structural Damage for Morris Claiborne or Mike Jenkins
There is some good news for Cowboys fans. According to Josh Alper of profootballtalk.com, corners Morris Claiborne and Mike Jenkins both showed no structural damage on their MRI's. This means they should be able to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Running back DeMarco Murray is showing to be doubtful even though his foot injury doesn't show to be as bad as feared. 

Personal Note:
Just as they did with "Tebow Time" last year, the media are putting the win against the Chargers on Peyton Manning's shoulders. That is not fair to the entire team. Yes Peyton Manning had three touchdowns all in the second half. But San Diego was driving to put more points on the board, but defensive end Elvis Dumervil knocked the ball out of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers' hand and defensive back Tony Carter scooped it up and ran it back for a touchdown. Had that play not happened, we would likely be talking about what is wrong with the Broncos and not what is so great about Peyton Manning. Let's not forget about the four interceptions that Rivers threw to Chris Harris, Tony Carter, and Jim Leonhard. Yes the offense put up 21 points, but the Chargers scored 24 points, so the defense was the difference between a win and a loss Monday night. But just with the scrutiny that comes with a loss, the quarterbacks get a lot of praise for their teams' wins.

(The Denver defense celebrates a big play. Photo acquired from http://sbn.to/V4bSLZ)