Sportaholic Tennessee Titans vs. Carolina Panthers Preview

vs.

The Cam Newton express is up next on the Tennessee Titans docket. After losing to the Bengals and rookie QB Andy Dalton, the Titans get a crack at the #1 picked Newton and his superior athletic skill set. In other words, if the Titans thought Dalton was good, wait until they get a load of Newton. He seems to be one of those once in a generation stars who wins at every level of competition he plays in. He is able to do things most QBs should not be able to at 6”6 250 pounds. He is big enough to run over you and as the

Washington Redskins found out, and quick enough to juke you out of your shoes. The Titans will have their hands full not just with Newton but also his big time play maker at receiver, Steve Smith. Mighty Mouse has been brought back to life as Newton’s number 1 target in the Panthers offense. The Panthers are an exciting team to watch just because of these two guys.

The Titans of course are now sitting at 4-4 and if the playoffs started today they would be on the outside looking in. They have lost three of four and two of the losses have come at home. There last game against the Cincinnati Bengals was basically a sample of what the Titans have done this whole season. They have come out strong in most games, building leads in all but two games they’ve played this year only to give way eventually in the 2nd half. Dalton pickedhe Titans secondary to shreds in the second half as he brought the Bengals down from 10 points and threw 3 TDs passes to three different receivers. The Titans offensive line also had its troubles as they allowed Matt Hasselbeck take multiple sacks. Carlos Dunlap of the Bengals had two sacks and seemed to always be in Hasselbeck’s face.

The Titans also too often allowed the Bengals to convert on third down. They were 8/16 and it seemed they got every third down in the second half. The Titans did a decent job on RB Cedric Benson as he was held to just 78 yards on 20 carries. Speaking of RBs Chris Johnson showed glimpses of his old self as he had a few big gains in the first half. He gashed the Bengals for a 20, 18 and 12 yard runs in the 1st quarter. He also made a nice run after the catch on pass from Hasselbeck. Johnson faded in the 2nd half as the Bengals recognized he was getting loose and Johnson ended up finishing with 64 yards. Love him or hate him, the Titans have to continue to get Johnson involved as much as possible because when he finally does breakthrough he will add another dimension to this struggling offense.

The Panthers will present a totally different set of problems for the Titans. Newton’s scrambling ability has to have DC Jerry Gray’s attention. Newton has already broken former Titans’ Vince Young’s rookie record of rushing TDs with 7. And you also can’t sleep on Newton’s passing ability as he has already had put up two games of plus 400 yards and had another 374 yard passing game against the Chicago Bears.

Now lets breakdown the three key factors that will determine the game and make a final prediction for the Titans-Panthers clash.

1. Can the Titans control Newton’s big plays ability? As I stated above, this guy can drop an 80-yard pass or bust a 45-yard run on you at any moment. He has that big play mentality and seems to always be looking for his next opportunity. There hasn’t been a player drafted with his big play capability in my opinion since Michael Vick as they both have that combination of speed and a cannon arm. Newton has single handely transformed Carolina’s offense that finished last in terms of points and total offense last year, to a offense now that ranks fifth averaging 415.1 yards a game. Now of course when you are young player coupled with the fact that he is looking to make the over the top play, then you are going to make some over the top mistakes. Newton has thrown 11 TD passes and also 9 Ints. So his penchant seems to be big play or bust. The Titans have to take advantage of this as Newton’s feast or famine attitude can lead to big plays for the defense. On the flip side of the thinking if Newton gets into a groove early than he can unleash a barrage of explosive plays that the Titans may not be able to recover from.

2. How will Matt Hasselbeck and the Titans offense attack the Panthers porous defense? The Panthers come into this game giving up 8.35 yards per pass attempt, good for second worst in the league. They also give up 133.3 yards a game on the ground which is sixth most in the league and are tied for the most rushing TDs with 11. So that means that the Titans should have all kind of opportunities to make plays. OC Chris Palmer should have fun this week devising his offensive scheme against such a bad defense. Hasselbeck should have open passing lanes and should also look to get all his targets involved early. CJ has to find a way to get going against this defense as the odds are stacked in his favor. Everyone on the offense basically should have a big game. Tennessee has to come out and show some offensive creativity. There were too many times against the Bengals that it seemed the Titans got predictable. When your going against a team that isn’t very good on defense then you have a chance to do some things you don’t normally get to. I would love to see Johnson get a few opportunites in the wildcat offense with the ball coming directly to him. Maybe that would spark him. I also wouldn’t mind seeing Jake Locker get on the field and possibly run an option read with Johnson, similar to what Johnson and Vince Young did last year. Just a thought but a big unexpected play could spark the offense early and lead to some momentum.

3. How will the Titans respond coming off a lost? The last time the Titans lost they came out and whipped up on a winless Colts team 27-10 at home. This time they have to travel to Carolina and face a hungry team in the Panthers. Can they channel their emotions and pick up the win or will they fold down the strecth as they have seemed to do in all of their losses. The team as a whole has to right the ship because your getting to the point of the season when you either a contender or a pretender and the Titans are squarely on the bubble at 4-4. The leaders of the team have to stand up and tell their teammates the time is now to make their stance and don’t make this repeat of last year’s second half slide.

Prediction: Titans 23 Panthers 20



NOTES

TITANS: Club has won 12 of past 13 games against NFC…QB MATT HASSELBECK has 90+ passer rating in 6 of 8 games in ’11. Hasselbeck (189) needs TD pass to reach 190 career. Hasselbeck has 6 TDs vs. 3 INTs & 88 passer rating on road this season…In 12 career games vs. NFC, RB CHRIS JOHNSON averages 106.3 rush yards per game (1,275). Johnson totaled 110 scrimmage yards last week (64 rushing, 46 receiving). Johnson (4,964) needs 36 rush yards to join EDDIE GEORGE & HOFer EARL CAMPBELL as 3rd player in franchise history to reach 5,000 career…WR LAVELLE HAWKINSrecorded 1st career TD catch last week. WR DAMIAN WILLIAMS has 3 TD catches in past 5 games…TE JARED COOK is averaging 16.7 yards per catch in ’11 (19 rec., 317 yards)…CB JASON MC COURTY leads team with 67 tackles…S MICHAEL GRIFFIN has 2 INTs in past 3 games vs. NFC opponents…DT SHAUN SMITH posted 1st sack of season last week…PANTHERS: Total (415.1 yards per game) & pass (285.5) offenses rank 5th in NFL…Rookie QB CAM NEWTON has completed 40 of 58 (69 pct.) for 546 yards with 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 121.8 rating in past 2. Passed for 1,381 yards in Oct., most in NFL history by rookie in any month. Has 4 games with 290+ yards, tied with PEYTON MANNING (1998) for most by rookie in NFL history. Ties for 3rd in NFL with 7 rush TDs. His 7 rush TDs tie VINCE YOUNG (2006) for most in season by rookie QB since 1970…In career, when RB JONATHAN STEWART has 15+ att., team is 14-3 (.824). RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS has 4,574 rush yards & 983 rec. yards in career. Needs 17 rec. yards to become 1st player in franchise history with 4,000+ rush yards & 1,000+ rec. yards…WR STEVE SMITH leads NFC with 918 receiving yards. Has 5 100-yard games. In past 2, has 14 catches for 243 yards (121.5 per game) & TD. In only home game vs. Ten. (10/19/03), had 10 catches for 151 yards & TD (67 yards). TE GREG OLSEN has TD catch in 4 of past 6…DE CHARLES JOHNSON has 15 sacks in past 15. Rookie DT TERRELL MC CLAIN had 1st career sack in Week 8

Sportaholic College Football Weekend Setup 11/10/11

Clearly the slate of games this weekend will be overshadowed by the Penn State scandal that has jolted the college scene to its core. I’ve already spoken my piece on it(http://sportaholic2112.blogspot.com/2011/11/it-takes-lifetime-to-build-reputation.html) so I won’t rehash any of that. As difficult as it is, games will still be played this weekend and a few will make a difference in the national championship race. No game is bigger than Stanford-Oregon this weekend as the Pac-12 takes over for the SEC for game of the week honors. Speaking of the SEC, how good was that LSU-Bama tilt? I’ve got a mixed response from fans as some say that the game was boring. I say you don’t like football if you couldn’t enjoy that slugfest. That was an epic game and even though it was more of a defensive battle, that shouldn’t take away from the great performance that both teams put on. The game of the week in the SEC is Auburn vs. Georgia as the “Dawgs” look to continue their winning ways. Georgia is in the driving seat in the SEC East and it appears as if Mark Richt has saved his job for the meantime.

For the first time since LSU and Miss. State played there is actually a good Thursday night game with Va Tech and Georgia Tech doing battle in Atlanta. This game is important as Georgia Tech can stay alive in the Coastal Division with a win over the Hokies, which is always easier said then done against Frank Beamer boys.

.

Boise State will face their stiffest test since beating Georgia in week 2 as they take on TCU. Boise probably won’t make it into the championship game as their schedule has all but prohibited them from making any noise this year but they still will make a BCS bowl as an at-large bid



Can you even imagine what the atmosphere will be like in Happy Valley for their last home game of the year against Nebraska? If you got a chance to see the rioting and ruckus after Joe Pa was let go on T.V., then you know this one could get out of hand. Its going to be one of those most see moments as the game is mighty important for Penn State who is currently leading their division in the Big 10. Hopefully playing the game can began the healing process for the Nittany Lions and their entire community.

Stanford vs. Oregon – This is a very interesting game in terms of styles. Oregon and Stanford couldn’t’ be any different as the Ducks run a high powered spread offense predicated on tempo. Stanford of course is old school with its pro-style power offense featuring two tight end sets. One thing that thing that both teams like to do is run the ball as they come into the game with the #1 (Oregon 286.2 YPG) and #2 (Stanford 213.2 YPF) rushing offenses. They also have the 1st and 2nd ranked scoring offenses with Oregon dropping 47.0 PPG on opponents and Stanford coming in with 40.3 PPG. We can talk about the numbers all we want in this game but what I think it will essentially come down to is QB play and of course that means Mr. Everything himself Andrew Luck. He will be the difference maker as when two teams are closely matched as these two are. Darron Thomas of Oregon can make plays but isn’t consistent enough. If he played the game of life than the Ducks will have a chance but I will take Luck’s brilliance over a Thomas potential to have the game of his life.



The Pick: Stanford

Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech – The game of the Techs should be an entertaining on especially for a Thursday night affair. The Hokies looked as if they finally would give up their strangle hold on the ACC after being thrashed by Clemson (They have won the last 4 of 7 conference championships). But they have turned it around just in time for a showdown with the Yellow Jackets. Both teams have four wins in conference but Va Tech is ahead by percentage points as they only have that loss to Clemson and Georgia Tech has two conference losses. The Yellow Jackets will try as they always do to pound the Hokies on the ground as GA Tech averages 328 YPG on the ground. The Hokies defense looks to be up to the challenge as they lead the ACC in scoring defense at 15.4 pints allowed per game and are second in rushing yards allowed at 86.3. I don’t know how the Hokies will respond on the road playing such a physical opponent. Their offense is pedestrian even though QB Logan Thomas has come on of late. For some reason I just think the Yellow Jackets will too physical and too tough at home for the Hokies.



The Pick: Georgia Tech

Penn State vs. Nebraska - This will be one of the most emotional games ever played in college football. Joe Pa who coached the Nittany Lions since 1966 will not be on the sidelines which will be a surreal sight for all college football fans. I won’t to focus on the game so I won’t get into any of the scandal talk. The Nittany Lions are currently the only undefeated team in the Big 10 at 5-0 and could all but clinch the Leaders division. Its hard to say how the Penn State kids will play with everything that’s going on in Happy Valley, but I would think they are just foaming at the mouth to get on field and away from everything else. The Huskers are coming off a humiliating loss to Northwestern and gave up their chance to control their own destiny in the Legends division. Penn State has to play the way they have this season of defense, as they have been suffocating opponents. Nebraska has to get its run game in back into gear as it went Rex Burkhead and crew went silent against the Wildcats last week. Taylor Martinez did have one of his best passing games of the year but he needs balance in that offense for them to win. I believe just because of sheer emotions and all of the controversy surrounding the game its hard not to go for the home team in this one. I think they will come out and put together a great performance and take it to the Huskers.

The Pick: Penn State

Game of the Week: Stanford vs. Oregon: Easy pick this week as the winner of this game propels themselves right into the thick of the national championship race. Two high profile teams with powerful offense, this one should be fun.

Most intriguing game of the week: Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech: You have a chance for some real offensive fireworks here. These two combine for 80 points per game and have the 2nd and 3rd ranked passing teams in the pass happy Big 12. Should be an entertaining one to watch.

Under the radar game of the week: West Virginia vs. Cincinnati: No one really cares about the Big East in college football as they usually send a unworthy team to the Orange Bowl to smacked around. But this one should be good as they feature two great QBs in Geno Smith of West Virginia and Zach Collaros of Cincy. Someone has to get the BCS bid from the Big East.

Coach better get it right game: Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt: The winner of this game will be one game away from becoming bowl eligible. That means either Joker Phillips or James Franklin will lead their unlikely team to a bowl. Who ever loses this one won’t have that chance so this one is important. Can Joker find a way to sneak Kentucky team after such a horrendous start to their season or can first year man James Franklin slide Vandy through in his inaugural season? Coaches you better get this right.

Nashville Predators Look to the $49 Million Man for the Stanley Cup by Get Real Hockey

The Nashville Predators resigned goaltender Pekka Rinne to a 7-year $49 million dollar contract last week making him the highest paid player in franchise history. Not only does this signing mean that Nashville is willing to dip a little farther into the cap to keep a franchise and Vezina quality goaltender around. It also is the first step towards the important goal of keeping captain Shea Weber. The extension to Rinne’s contract says that Nashville is serious about taking steps towards winning the Cup sometime in the near future.






Rinne celebrated his new deal, signed on his twenty first birthday, by shutting out the Phoenix Coyotes 3-0. For Preds fans across the world this shut out was a welcome sight. Rinne has been absolutely outstanding so far this season, however, at times he has given up goals that were unlike the Rinne of last season. Rinne is already the franchise leader in shutouts and currently leads the league in shutouts, a trend that probably won’t be changing anytime soon. As the face of an organization that has struggled to get respected, and publicity the long term signing of Rinne is the best thing that has happened. Finally the Predators have proved to fans that they are ready to stop the recent trend in the revolving goaltending door. Over the course of franchise history almost every solid starting goalie has been pushed out by his backup. Examples are Dunham starting till Vokoun started shining, goodbye Dunham. Vokoun enjoyed a stellar career in Nashville until Chris Mason proved to be worthy as a starter, after Mason came Ellis, then Rinne. Last season the trend appeared it might continue on as backup Anders Lindback stepped up and played unbelievably when Rinne was injured.





This contract symbolizes several things that Predators fans everywhere can celebrate. The end of the revolving goaltending, that the Predators are willing to dig deep into their pockets to help make a run at the cup. Hopefully this is just the first of the Predators resigning the rest of the Big 3. As a Predators fan I can only hope that Suter and Weber will feel that this is an organization that is moving in the right direction to win a Stanley Cup in the near future, and the sign a long term contract just like Rinne has.





- Isaac Berky
 
Credits: http://www.getrealhockey.blogspot.com/

Make sure to tune in to the Sportaholic Radio Show this Saturday

Be sure to join me for the Sportaholic Radio Show this Saturday on Beatknockin.com as we are joined by former Whites Creek and Belmont great Brian”Penny” Collins as he helps us preview the upcoming college basketball season.




We also will touch on the Penn State-Joe Paterno fallout and of course NFL and Titans talk. Also as always the infamous “Diss of the Week”.



The Sportaholic Show is on each and every Saturday from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M. on Beatknockin.com. You can check me out on facebook at www.facebook.com/fanofsportaholic, Twitter at @Thesportaholic and on Noomizo.com/sports

It takes a lifetime to build a reputation and 10 minutes to ruin it: The Penn State and Joe Paterno saga continues

This is as sad of a story that I think I’ve ever wrote about. Joe Paterno, the man, the myth, the legend and everything he stood for has flown out the window at this point. You would have to be on Mars not to hear the scandalous allegations for the once rock solid program of the Penn State Nittany Lions. Former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been charged with over 40 counts of child molestation, including over nine victims who have been identified to this point. The attorney general of Pennsylvania’s report is just so damning its just no way that anyone in the hierarchy of PSU will survive this and that includes Paterno. There have been scandals all over the country including Miami with Nevin Shapiro, Ohio State with the Buckeye 5, North Carolina and John Blake, Tennessee and Bruce Pearl, USC and Reggie Bush and so on and so forth. But this is of a totally different realm. Joe Paterno stands for everything that is right about college athletics. Paterno has been the coach of Penn State since 1966 and doesn’t have as much as blimp of anything negative about his program. Before this story, Paterno was on the pantheon of all time great individual humans. And not just for college athletics but for everything and everyone that stood for moral decency. His teams are usually good as proven by their surprise 8-1 record this year and leading their division in the Big 10 at the moment. But Joe Pa means much more to people than just football which makes this story so unbelievable. Descriptions of Sandusky’s abuse in the attorney general’s report are just baffling.

You can read the entire report at: http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/uploadedFiles/Press/Sandusky-Grand-Jury-Presentment.pdf.

The stories of Sandusky’s “Cracking the back” and having Sandusky perform oral sex on him of victim one all the way to victim eight being seen in the shower while getting molested are just an unpleasant thought for anyone to fathom. Sandusky was a sexual predator who ran a charity organization for underprivileged children. How wrong does that sound? His charity “The Second Mile” was founded in 1977. And to top off everything was the fact that it was done right under Joe’s nose. For this to happen in Happy Valley, a place known for being above the fray of normal college shenanigans is another disheartening matter. It’s named Happy Valley for a reason as its has been voted year in and year one the best places to live in America.

Another shocking aspect of this story is how long the investigation has been conducted with the President Graham Spainer and Athletic Director Tim Curley of PSU having full knowledge that they may have a sexual deviant in the midst of their storied program. If you even have the slightest indication someone may be harming children then you should immediately call the police. There are no ifs ands or buts about it. I myself have a child and to just think of someone harming her is enough to stir up emotions and thoughts. Sports Illustrated’s Andy Staples wrote in his column about how a man in Baton Rouge, LA shot and killed a man 25 years ago for molesting his daughter. You know what the jury sentenced him to? Probation, that’s it. Now I’m not condoning any vigilante justice being served on Sandusky but it’s this particular case just shows the notion of thinking people have when it comes to children being molested. There is no mercy for child predators and why should there be?

Probably the most disturbing part of the entire thing is the way it seems that is a cover up by those in charge. There have been whispers and allegations of Sandusky’s conduct dating back to 1994. In 2009 a report surfaced about Sandusky when he volunteered as an assistant high school football coach at Central Mountain as reported by Pennlive.com High School in Clinton County. A 15-year old student told school officials that Sandusky had touched him inappropriately while they were alone in a gym. John DiNunzio, Keystone Central School District’s interim superintendent at the time, said the boy’s mother reported the incident to the school principal and head football coach. At that point, DiNunzio said he was notified. DiNunzio said he never spoke to the mother or the child. He said the principal and coach told him the boy alleged the “inappropriate” incident happened while the two were alone in a room on wrestling mats. “It was strictly a touching type of situation,” DiNunzio said of the allegations. DiNunzio, who is now interim superintendent with the Bellefonte Area School District, called Clinton County Children and Youth Services. Once it left his desk, he says, he never heard a word from police. “It’s been a hush-hush situation,” DiNunzio said. “I’ve actually called [the school] — they’ve said they heard nothing about it.”

Sandusky is a man who just couldn’t stop himself. To add even more or an insult to everything he did, he published a book titled: “Touched: The Jerry Sandusky Story,” It is just mind boggling that a man of his stature would engage in such explicit acts. He is credited with being a defensive wizard who helped turn Penn State to Linebacker U. He has coached greats such as Shane Conlan, Lavar Arrington, and Matt Millen yet he was molesting children all at the same time. There is nothing in my opinion worse than harming children in any kind of way. And for the administration and all involved to cover up this story for the betterment of the school sakes just shakes me to the core.

The saddest and most shameful part of the story is how this will disgrace the legend of Joe Paterno. His numbers are historic: Paterno holds the record for most bowl wins with 24 and bowl appearances with 37. He also coached Penn State to 39 winning seasons. He is the only coach with the distinction of having won each of the current four major bowls -- Rose, Orange, Fiesta, and Sugar. Paterno has also led Penn State to two national championships (1982 and 1986) and five undefeated seasons (1968, 1969, 1973, 1986 and 1994). He won Coach of the Year honors by the AFCA five times (1968, 1978, 1982, 1986 and 2005). On May 16, 2006, Paterno was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

But none of that matters anymore.

From now on every time you of Joe Pa, you are forced to think about this awful story. This is a man who built his legend on accountability, doing the right thing, and consistency. He didn’t show any of traits by not reporting the story to the authorities. Yes, he did report it to the proper chain of command but that’s just not enough when it comes to what is expected from college athletics elder’s statesmen. This story is a somber story for everyone involved including Paterno, the victims of Sandusky and the entire Penn State University. They all been stripped away their dignity and now will forever have to answer to this scandal.

Some people are saying let the legal system handle this and until Paterno’s is proven guilty that he has to be given the benefit of doubt. He has after all built up nearly half of century of good will. I want to give him that from the bottom of my heart but this case is just so horrific how can you? There were very few things that Paterno could do to ruin his legacy and near the top of that list would be being involved in something of this magnitude involving children. We the public have every right to ask question and get answers about something as sinister as this story is. I, just like everyone hate the fact that this has happened to Joe Pa but the smoke from Sandusky has been around Paterno for years and he never attempted to smell it and now it’s a full fledged uncontained fire that he can’t put out.

They say it takes a lifetime to build a reputation and 10 minutes to destroy it. Well Paterno’s 10 minute of hell has been unleashed and everything he built has come crumbling thanks to one man named Jerry Sandusky.

Sportaholic NFL Power Rankings Week 9

How underrated are the Chicago Bears? They are an old school physical team that doesn’t get much appreciation because of their style. Their almost polar opposite of the team they beat last night in the Philadelphia Eagles who of course are more style than substance. I remember watching last night and saying that this is just like that Bears team from last year that went all the way to the NFC Championship game and might even be better. Jay “Cut Dog” Cutler has cut down on the mistakes which has plagued his career, Matt Forte is running like he never has before which has a lot to do with this being his contract year and the defense lead by Urlacher and Briggs is always there. I like this team but they just happen to be in a tough division this year with Green Bay and Detroit. After seeing Philly hand it to Dallas, we all thought that it was time for them to get rolling. But after last nights game it still hard to put your finger on what kind of team identity they have. Lesean McCoy was held to just 71 yards and Mike Vick had 34 but I just can’t imagine Andy Reid coaching a run first team. Philly has to find a way to win games no matter how they do it from here on out. Just when you think you know what the Eagles are about, they go out and don’t live up to your expectations.

Evermore, just when you think you have it all figured out in the NFL, everything changes on you within the blink of an eye. New England was lighting up the league through the first quarter of the season, as Tom Brady and Wes Welker looked on their way to historic seasons putting up bountiful numbers each game. Now the Patriots have been exposed as a team that can only rely on Brady and nothing from their run game. The Buffalo Bills were the feel good story of the league as they were in the midst of a football revival and undefeated in upper New York as they upset the Pats and received more than enough accolades. Now the Bills are 5-3 and in a dog fight in a crowded and competitive AFC East division The Kansas City Chiefs were left for dead after pulling an 0-fer in the first month of the season. They lost their best offensive player in Jamal Charles and their best defensive players in Eric Berry. But now the Chiefs are getting the last laugh as they have forced their way back into the playoff picture (Even though they took an ugly loss to previous winless Miami).

Only a few teams have showed the mark of consistency. Green Bay of course, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly the New York Giants, equally stunning San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints. Those teams in my opinion have shown that they are the best teams in the NFL. Although those teams named are not prone to lapses every once in awhile as well. The Saints bombed against the Rams just a couple of weeks ago, The Ravens did the same against Jacksonville, and Detroit loss two in a row before righting the ship against the Denver Tebow’s, I mean Broncos.

Now for the rankings:

1. Green Bay Packers (8-0) – This is almost becoming redundant as the Packers continue to beat teams with their latest victim being the Chargers. I really thought San Diego would give them a good game which they did, but Aaron Rodgers just performed surgery on that defense going 21/26 for 247 yards and 4 Td passes. The only bad thing you can really say about the Packers is that their defense seems to rely too much on the fact that Rodgers will always bail them out. This was a top 10 ranked defense over the last past two season and now they seem to become a bend but the don’t break bunch as they know their offense will put up prolific numbers. Everything is good when your undefeated but a loss or two will shine the light on that defense. Mark my words.

2. Baltimore Ravens (6-2) – What a game they played against Pittsburgh as they always do. Joe Flacco finally stood up and made some plays at the end of a game. His 26-yard hookup with Torrey Smith with 8 seconds remaining was a thing of beauty. You can’t ask for more from the Ravens offense as they marched 92 yards on 13 plays, something that looked impossible to do at the time for Smith with all the problems he had in the game. This was the type of game that could get the Ravens on a roll and now they have won both games against their hated rival meaning they have no reason to worry about them for the rest of the year. Cincinnati on the other hand still surprisingly in the mix for the AFC North but come on now who do you really think is going to win that division?

3. New York Giants (6-2) – Facebook message I received after the game: Eli Manning owns Tom Brady! It was hilarious to think one of my buddies thought that Eli is better than Brady. Now I know Manning has beat Brady twice on game-winning 4th quarter drives, with one coming in the Super Bowl but really there is comparison in terms of overall numbers. Eli is having one of his best years in the league and that bodes well for the Giants as they usually play as good as Eli does. The thing that most impressed me was the Giants offense ability to overcome Ahmad Bradshaw’s injury as big Brandon Jacobs. With both Dallas and Philadelphia’s inconsistent play this year, the Giants could sneak up and take the division. They are in the midst of a grueling schedule as they face San Francisco, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Green Bay and Dallas all in consecutive weeks.

4. New Orleans Saints (6-3) – The Saints are another team who goes as their QB goes and luckily for them they have one of the best in Drew Brees. Its to the point that I’m surprised when he throws a pick nowadays. The Saints defense has really picked up its game as well. I was impressed with the way they are flying to the ball. They held LaGarrette Blount in check with just 72 yards and Josh Freeman as well. The Bucs always give New Orleans a good game but it wasn’t to be this time for them and probably for the division this year either.

5. Houston Texans (6-3)- Flying under the radar are the Texans, as they are just beating up teams with their running back duo of Arian Foster and Ben Tate. The combo combined for 239 yards on 31 carries. Matt Schaub job has been easy and it will continue to be as long as Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme is so effective. The Texans are clearly the best team in the AFC South at this point.

Yeah I know i didn't include Detroti or San Francisco but in my opinion, I have to see more work from those two teams.

Make sure to check out the Sportaholic Radio Show this Saturday from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M. as we run down the best football teams and much more on beatknockin.com.

Kirk Broussard lands Associate GM/Defensive Coordinator Job the West Texas Roughnecks of the Lone Star Football League

 Kirk Broussard lands GM/Defensive Coordinator Job the West Texas Roughnecks of the Lone Star Football League.

Coach Kirk Broussard and the West Texas Roughnecks of the Lone Star Football League, are pleased to announce the designation of Coach Broussard as their new Associate General Manager and Defensive Coordinator. Broussard is a native of New Orleans, LA and is known for his excellent motivational skills and his innate ability to relate to his players, which should serve him well in his new role. His playing career includes stops at Pasadena City College and Citrus College in California where he played as a free safety.

Coach Broussard has most recently served as a NFL coaching intern with the Minnesota Vikings in 2010. Prior to his experience in the NFL, Broussard had aided with the Mississippi Mudcats of the American Indoor Football Association. He handled offensive coordinator duties as well as director of player personnel for the Mudcats in 2008. Mississippi would finish with a record of 26-6 and back to back conference championship appearances under Broussard’s guidance. Broussard then took over at Itawmaba Community College running back coach in ’07. Broussard was also the director of pro palyer personnel for the NIFL Lakeland Thunderbolts in 06.



Coach Bru as he is affectionately known to his players, also runs “Under Rated Free Agents” which a service that runs football camps service that is designed to help over looked college players get a opportunity to work out for pro coaches around the southeast. In all Coach Broussard has helped over 53 players land various opportunities in the NFL, CFL, and AFL leagues.
The West Texas Roughnecks are currently coach by Brian M. Brents who is coaching his first season the team. The Roughnecks have two LSFL championships to their name with their last coming in 2006 as they scored a record 97 points in their win over the Corpus Christi Hammerheads.

Broussard has coach many players but none better than stand out Derrick White of the University of Georgia/Arizona Rattlers, Fred Reid of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Maurice Avery of the University of Memphis/NY Jets and B.J. Hall Toronto Argonauts. Said Coach Brossard: This is a great opportunity, The West Texas Roughnecks are a first class professional football organization. I can’t wait to get to work and bring another championship to the West Texas community. I look forward to coaching hard, developing talent, and embracing the West Texas Roughneck nation.”

For more information on Coach Broussard and the West Texas Roughnecks feel free to contact them via social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/coachkirkbroussard,

Twitter: http://twitter.com/kirkbroussard

http://westtexasroughnecks.com/

Credits: Carlos Paige of the Sportaholic (www.sportaholic2112.blogspot.com)