Can RGIII Resurrect His Career In Cleveland???

There was news out of Cleveland camp this week that they’ve agreed to an 2yr/$15 Million deal for Robert Griffin III to become the new QB for the Browns. They question goes can this help resurge a career that started off promising in 2012 when he was the #2 overall pick for the Washington Redskins. Well in my opinion yes it can for him schematically wise but the true question lies will the organization have the patience to let it play itself out. An organization that has had 24 starting QB’s since the 1999 season when they came back into existence after the original Browns left for Baltimore after the 1995 season.

RGIII’s career started off fast going 9-6 in his first year as a starter. Throwing for 3,200 yards, 20 TD Passes to only 5 INT’s, completing of 65% of his passes, Rushing for another 815 yards and 7 Rushing TD’s. Being named the 2012 Rookie of The Year and leading the Redskins to an NFC East Championship. But in the years after inconsistent play, coaching changes, and injuries haltered his play and ultimately led to his benching for the 2015 season after Kirk Cousins was named the starter during the preseason. Then ultimately leading to his release after the season.

Since the news came of him signing with the Browns has the debate been will things work out in Cleveland. RGIII still possesses the talent to be a productive NFL starting QB. He can still escape from the pocket and make plays on the run, still possesses the strong and accurate arm. Also he has had a year of rest to heal his body from the injuries that he suffered through rather it be the leg, knee, or the ankle injuries he suffered through.

Also the offensive system that Browns new head coach Hue Jackson runs will put him in spots to flourish as a player. Jackson’s system has done wonders for QB’s like Andy Dalton last season with Cincinnati, Jason Campbell in Oakland, Joe Flacco in Baltimore where he was the QB coach, & Carson Palmer in his first stint in Cincinnati. Hue Jackson is the type of coach that will help the players use the skills they’re best at while still tweaking with them a bit to make them that much better of a player.

But the organization is a whole different question within itself. The Browns organization has a history of firing coaches too quickly and not letting thing develop and work themselves out. Most coaches in Cleveland don’t last more than 2 seasons. Also having an owner who in danger of being indicted on Ponzi scheme charges can hurt. The new front office regime that the Browns have in place can also help a bit but it’s still a question that remains to be answered over time.

My answer to the question is a resounding yes. I personally have been a RG3 fan since college and I truly root for him to be successful. I truly hope it all comes together for him and he can enjoy the success that he enjoyed his 2012 rookie season. He has 2 years on his contract we’ll definitely be tuned in to see what comes next of RG3. 

The Chicago White Sox vs. Adam LaRoche

Much has been made recently about the situation going on with the Chicago White Sox & Adam LaRoche and his son Drake being at practices. The White Sox recently asked LaRoche to dial back his son’s time at the teams spring training facilities but instead of dialing it back LaRoche made the ultimate decision to retire. With his retirement LaRoche left $13 million on the table in the process. So the question remains which side are you on The White Sox or LaRoche’s

I would have to side with the White Sox organization in this particular case. This is the first case that I’ve personally heard of that a child was in the locker room environment day in or day out. It’s not the most comfortable thing to be in a locker room with the presence of kids each and every single day. Baseball provides a work experience that an everyday job has no comparison to offer which is the ability and the environment to have the kids in every day. It’s one thing to bring the kids to visit a few days at a time but, it’s a totally different discussion when it becomes such a presence that Adam’s son Drake has his own locker next to his father’s. To me I just think it’s a lil bit too much accessibility within the organization.

Adam LaRoche’s decision to retire is admirably as a family man but it also shows the fact that he quit on his teammates and the organization. But to me he over reacted to a decision that most organizations would’ve made the same call on. It’s a privilege not a right to be able to have your son in the locker room with day in and day out. He should’ve known or at least had a foresight to see that some players and people within the organization were going to feel a level of uncomfortably of having a kid in there every single day.

I have absolutely no problem with the organization’s stance on the matter. It’s not common at the work place to have one’s child there each and every day. A normal regular 9 to 5 job wouldn’t allow one of its workers to have their kids there each and every day. For him to overuse a privilege athletes have with having their kids there is something that I don’t agree with. To me it’s not like the organization was giving him a mandate on when and where he couldn’t have his kid there with him. They just asked something simple of him which was to use discretion and not have him there every day just every once in a while would’ve done the trick. To walk away for $13 million says more about where LaRoche stands as a father which is very commendable. But in my opinion he shouldn’t have just up & quit on his teammates and the organization that he also grew up within

The Chicago Bulls Issues

The issues with the Chicago Bulls are well documented and very easy for everyone to see. Whether its injuries, lack of identity, struggling to hit shots, lack of a small forward, age, etc. Its one thing after another and a team that had championship aspirations to begin the season might be on the verge of not only meeting those aspirations, but also be on the verge of missing the playoffs all together. The question that’s asked is that is it time for a new era in Chicago???

The injuries are a list long within itself. It’s a new injury every time you turn around with this Bulls team. Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol the list of names goes on and on. The Bulls haven’t been able to be together as a cohesive unit because of all the list of injuries. Leading to unavailability not having the on court experience to feel each other’s games and get to know a player’s strengths and weaknesses. Derrick Rose’s health hasn’t been consistent all season whether its hamstring, general soreness, knee, ankle, and beginning training camp with the orbital bone injury and having double vision for most of the first half of the season. Joakim Noah being out with a shoulder injury coming back the separating that same shoulder coming back hasn’t been there most of the season. Pau Gasol having an illness, foot injuries, and hand injuries. Nikola Mirotic being out nearly 2 months with an emergency appendectomy and having complications from that. Kirk Hinrich has missed time with injuries before he was traded to Atlanta. Taj Gibson has missed time due to injuries. Mike Dunleavy missed the first half of the year due to back surgery. Jimmy Butler missed nearly a month due to a knee sprain. They can’t be one cohesive unit when important parts of the lineup being out all at different times due to the amount of injuries.

There is also a lack of intensity and a lack of heart that we saw last season under coach Tom Thibodeau. The defensive pressure had been lacking most of the season despite having nearly the same roster as last season. The defense last season allow 97.8 PPG as opposed to this season allowing 101.5 PPG (as of March 14). The opponents field goal percentage are almost similar 44.2% last season compared to 43.8% this season (as of March 14). The Field Goal percentage numbers don’t tell it all. Opponents aren’t facing the same type of defensive strategies and tough pressure this year as compared to this year. There is also a lack of communication on the defensive end which is allowing easier shots to be taken and giving opponents more driving lanes to go right to the basket. Opponents are also shooting better from three point range this season as compared to last (35.3 % last season, 36.8% this season). Yes, people can point to the defensive anchor Joakim Noah being hurt as part of the defensive woes, but the strategy as a whole has also changed and not as strong of emphasis on defense as it was last season under Coach Thibs.

Coach Fred Hoiberg’s offensive system is more of a spread system but the way the Bulls roster is constructed it’s not necessarily made for a system to spread out the defense. The Bulls lack of consistent outside shooting this season has led to them not being able to come back from deficits. The interchanging lineups and also the lack of a true shot creator at the Small Forward position has been a long question for the Bulls since departure of Luol Deng and even maybe before that. With the Bulls teams since the 2010-11 season the Bulls haven’t been able to acquire a true swingman that is very versatile at the 3 position. In my personal opinion adding a player like a Rudy Gay is way overdue. His versatility to create his own shot, being able to hit outside shots and go strong to the hole, and also he is an underrated defender in his own right. His skill set and athleticism would be an asset to a Bulls team that is lacking of it. But the question is it too late to add a Rudy Gay at this stage of his career? Maybe so but there were still other small forwards that were to be had that the organization failed to bring in whether thru free agency or trade.

The firing of Tom Thibodeau might have been a mistake that just might have cost the organization dearly in terms of being top-tier contenders for a NBA Championship. Too many personal feelings and bad blood within the organization cost Thibs his job when maybe it shouldn’t have. Arguments can be made for the heavy load he put on his starters, or the lack of playing time the young players got, or lack of offensive strategy but the lack of heart and intensity the team shows towards Hoiberg can’t be denied. Hoiberg doesn’t quite have that emotional fire under him and doesn’t necessarily get the team to rally itself together as a unit like Thibs had the ability to. Which explains Hoiberg not having a technical foul the entire season and also not having ANY throughout his 10-year NBA career nor did he have any at Iowa State. The Bulls are a type of team that needs that emotional pull and fire lit under them when they’re going through adverse times and that’s something that Hoiberg hasn’t been able to bring to the Bulls team.

There’s going to be a lot of questions within the next 3-4 months of rather to make it work or make changes. My personal opinion firing Thibs was a mistake and his influence would have the Bulls as a higher seed rather than sitting at the 9^th seed currently with an even 32-32 record. Also I think that the multitude of injuries that the Bulls have experienced may have saved Hoiberg’s job for this season. The way this season had gone to this point might spell the end of the Bulls as we know them and might cause higher management to scrap the plan and retool/rebuild the roster. Let’s see what the next few months will bring with the Bulls as a team and organization.

Class Of 2020 Hall Of Fame???

The 2015-16 NFL season came as an ending mark for a few players that had remarkable NFL Careers. Names like Charles Woodson, Jared Allen, Marshawn Lynch, Calvin Johnson, & Peyton Manning. Players who’ve put up great numbers and were great impacts on their respective teams throughout their illustrious careers. The question is being all 1^st ballot Hall of Famers???

Peyton Manning’s case is by far the easiest case to make to be a sure 1^st ballot Hall of Famer. Even without the 4 seasons as a Bronco he would’ve been first ballot. By far one of the greatest QB’s if not THE greatest to ever play the game. He’s amassed so many records in his career it would take more than the 10 fingers and 10 toes to count them all but here I will list a few of his accomplishments:

·         2x Super Bowl Champion

·         5x NFL MVP (NFL Record)

·         Super Bowl XLI MVP

·         14x Pro Bowler

·         7x First Team All Pro

·         Career Leader in Passing Yards (71,940)

·         Career Leader in Touchdown Passes (539)

·         Tied for The Career Leader in QB Wins (186)

But his impact goes beyond the statistics he put up. The way the QB position is played has also changed due to his ability to call plays on the go and also read defenses. He is the true definition of a field general being the teams on field coach. His preparation for the game goes unmatched, watching countless hours of film to make sure he was prepared for anything thrown at him on the football field. Rather it was Zone Blitz, Cover 2, Cover 3, Man to Man, whatever the defense threw his way it just seemed like he was always thinking 2 steps ahead of the defenses he faced.

Calvin Johnson’s case to some would be up in the air because of the few 9 seasons that he played. But the numbers he put up in those 9 seasons are better than a lot of hall of famers in their first 9 seasons. Yes, longevity would help boost his case, but for his time in the league he was widely considered one of the best receivers if not THE best in the game. How his career went was very similar to another Detroit Lions legend, Hall of Famer Barry Sanders. Both had short careers, both were hampered from team success by bad teams, and in Calvin’s case being on the ONLY team in NFL history to have an 0-16 regular season (2008). His impact on the game was unmatched being 6’5 240lbs his speed, size, strength, catch radius, and leaping ability earned him the nickname Megatron. His NFL record 1,964 Receiving Yards in 2012 left him 36 yards short of becoming the first 2,000-yard receiver ever. Amassing totals of 731 Catches, 11,619 Yards, and 83 TD Catches.

For Marshawn Lynch, well his would very much be in the air, not for his on field success, but media members tend to hold grudges on players that aren’t accepted on them i.e. Charles Haley’s long wait to be a hall a famer. Marshawn’s on field prowess are no doubt hall of fame worthy but his career total numbers may not match other hall of fame Backs, but his impact on the field definitely matches. Not having 10,000 yards (9,112 Yards), only having 74 Rushing TD’s, 9 receiving, (83 total). His impact and presence felt on the field outweighs his numbers being a 2X Season Rushing TD leader, 5x Pro Bowler in 9 seasons, 2012 First Team All Pro, 2014 Second Team All Pro, and a huge part of 2 Seahawks Super Bowl appearances and XLVII Champion (Could’ve been 2-Time Champion If He Was Given the Ball at The 1 But That’s Another Story Within Itself).

Charles Woodson’s case is more clear cut Hall of Famer not as clear as Peyton Manning’s but nonetheless first ballot. He and Peyton could be even more forever linked as Woodson beat out Manning for the Heisman Trophy in 1997 and both were high selections in the 1998 NFL Draft. (Peyton 1^st Overall, Woodson 4^th Overall). Now both are retiring the same season after each playing 18 NFL seasons. Charles Woodson’s career had a fast start earning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1998 and also being named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 4 seasons as a Raider. Also being a huge part of a Raider defense that led them to a Super Bowl XXXVII appearance. But after that his career started to be hampered by injuries in 2004 & 2005 causing the Raiders to release him. Signing with the Green Bay Packers in 2006. His First 3 seasons in Green Bay were very productive with him earning his 5^th Pro Bowl in 2008. But 2009 was a breakout year for Woodson. Earning his first and only Defensive Player of the Year Award and another Pro Bowl nod. The 2010 season also saw major production from Woodson being a big part of a reckless abandon defense that helped him capture his 1^st Super Bowl Title in a 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers despite him breaking his collarbone in the 1^st Half. His Next season was another Pro Bowl nod but broke a collarbone again in 2014 leading to his release by the Packers. Returning to Oakland for the final 3 years of his career earning a Pro Bowl nod in the final season of his career. Here’s a list of some of Woodson’s career accomplishments:

·         9x Pro Bowler (1998-2001, 2008-2011, 2015)

·         4x First Team All Pro (1999, 2001, 2009, 2011)

·         4x Second Team All-Pro (2000, 2008, 2012, 2015)

·         AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2009)

·         AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1998)

·         NFL’s 2000’s All-Decade Team

·         65 Career Interceptions

·         20 Sacks

·         28 Forced Fumbles

·         13 Defensive Touchdowns

Jared Allen’s career numbers and impact alone on how offenses game planned for his presence on the field and his dominant speed rush off the edge should warrant him a Hall of Fame position but will it be 1^st Ballot? Yes, he should be retiring after 11 seasons with 136.0 sacks which ties him for 9^th on the All-Time list, 57 pass deflections, 31 forced fumbles, 6 interceptions and forced 4 safeties in his career. His most productive seasons as a pro came with the Minnesota Vikings in which his 2011 season saw him collect 22 sacks falling .5 sack short of the all-time record held by Michael Strahan. Through the 2010-2011 campaigns he totaled a sack in 11 straight games which is a Viking franchise record.  Allen fell 7 votes short of a Defensive Player of the Year award in that 2011 season. His sack production is in uncanny for a guy who only spent 11 seasons in the leagues and was regarded as one of the best to ever rush the passer. He spent his career with 4 teams (Chiefs, Vikings, Bears, & Panthers) helping the Panthers reach Super Bowl 50 in his final season. Here’s a list of some of Allen’s accomplishments

·         5x Pro Bowler (2007-2009, 2011-2012)

·         4x First Team All Pro (2007-2009, 2011)

·         2x NFL Sacks Leader (2007, 2011)

·         100 Sacks Club

·         Vikings Single Season Sack Record (22 in 2011)

·         50 Greatest Vikings

·         Most Career Safeties (4)

So the question is can this group of 2015 retirees be a potential 2020 Hall of Fame Class? The answer is yes. Now rather it happens or not is a question within itself but in my opinion it should be but more chances than not it won’t be. Peyton Manning is the most definite lock, but there’s going to be questions about the group over the next 5 years that waits to be answered.

Are The Cavs Stable Enough To Win A Title????

There Is A Lot Of Drama Going On Within The Cleveland Cavaliers Organization And Also Inside Of The Locker Room As Well. There Have Been A Lot Of Reports And Rumors Going Around The Organization That It May Be Too Much To Overcome To Finally Deliver Cleveland A Championship, A Championship The City Has Been So Desperate For Since The 1964 Cleveland Browns. Whether It’s Been LeBron Having Too Much Input, Reports Of Kyrie Irving & Kevin Love Being Unhappy, David Blatt's Untimely Firing, Or LeBron Taking Himself Out Of Games, One Day After Another It Seems To Be Never Ending Issues Surrounding The Team.

In My Humble Opinion I Think LeBron Has A Little Bit Too Much Control Around The Organization To Have His 100% Focused On Winning An NBA Championship For The City Of Cleveland. Whether People Want to Accept It Or Not One Of LeBron James' Reasons For Leaving Miami Is That Pat Riley Wouldn't Accommodate All Of His Wishes & Demands Like The Cavs Were Willing To Do In Order To Have Him Back In A Cleveland Cavaliers Uniform. Pat Riley Had Such A Strong Infrastructure And High Success Rate That LeBron Didn't Truly Have The Power Within The Heat Organization As He Desired. Therefore, Pat Riley's Power Didn't Mesh Well With LeBron Wanting Control Over The Long-term.

David Blatt Being Untimely Fired In The Middle Of A Season Where The Team Was 30-11 And Atop The Eastern Conference Also Had Effect On The Team. In All My Life Watching Sports I've Never Seen (Outside Of Scandal) A Coach Being Fired In The Middle Of A Season In Which The Team Was Playing At A High Level And Also Coming Off An NBA Finals Appearance. David Blatt Wasn't Brought In To Coach A Team With This Amount Of Expectations On It (LeBron Signed With Cleveland After Blatt's Hiring) But Yet He Still Did A Remarkable Job With The Team Despite All The Injuries And Issues. From The Outside Looking In He Wasn't Given The Opportunity To Put His Imprint On The Players Due To Players Not Allowing Him To.

Also Reports Of Kyrie Irving Being Unhappy With The Way The Organization Has Been Going The Past Few Years Has Also Surfaced. From Looking At Kyrie's Body Language And His Play On The Court, It Wouldn't Be A Surprise For The Rumor To Actually Be True. He Hasn't Truly Adjusted His Game For It To Mesh With LeBron & Kevin Love. He's Still Very Very Ball Dominate Having Games With 0 Or 1 Assist Playing More Than 25 Minutes As The Teams Point Guard. Rumors Have Him Being Upset With LeBron Having Too Much Control Over The Organization As Well As To Tyronn Lue Being LeBron's Coach And Not His. His Body Language On The Courts Looks As To Be Fed Up With Playing With The Cavaliers And Wanting Out.

As My Opinion I Don’t Think That They’ll Be Able To Win A Championship Not Due To Talent But Due To Overwhelming Pressure To Win. Also Not Being A Cohesive All Together Unit Like The Warriors Or Spurs Are. It’s Just Too Many Issues In Cavalier Land For Them To Overcome Them. Those Issues Will Ultimately Lead To Their Downfall This Year Yet Leading To More Issues In Cleveland