Torrey Smith: Courage and Sports

I know what it is like to lose a loved one very suddenly.  My father passed unexpectedly from a heart attack two years ago.  One night, he was there.  The next morning, he was gone.  I really wasn't able to do anything constructive for a few days.  I was just numb.  This is why I was so amazingly impressed with what Ravens wide receivers Torrey Smith did last night on Sunday Night Football against the New England Patriots.

Smith's younger brother, Tevin Jones, died after a motorcycle accident at 2 am Sunday morning.  Smith, who was unsure up until game time if he would play, not only took the field but had one of the best games of his career- 6 receptions, 127 yards, 2 TDs.  It was one of the most awe-inspiring performances I have ever seen not just in football, but in sports in general.  Many people remember Brett Favre playing the Monday Night Football game the day after his father passed away following a heart attack.  Favre went out and passed for 399 yards and 4 touchdowns.  It may be the most heralded performance of Favre's career.  That is the type of game Torrey Smith had.

There really isn't any kind of overstatement or hyperbole that can be applied to what Torrey Smith had to do.  Sports writers/commentators/bloggers often overuse the word courage in regards to the games they cover.  In this case, it is applicable.  Smith's performance was courageous.  Obviously, he wasn't the only reason why the Ravens were able to win.  Ray Rice and Joe Flacco had huge games.  The Ravens defense came up with big stops when it mattered most.  Some Patriots fans may say the replacement officials had a huge hand in it as well, but the bad calls went both ways.  Yet in a game with so many huge storylines and stars coming in, Torrey Smith's courage in the face of amazing grief was the biggest story after.

Torrey will go through some hard times in the next few weeks.  Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy.  To be honest, I don't think it is something you ever get over.  Their absence is something that can never be filled.  It is just something you have to get used to, and Torrey will be able to do that.  Torrey will go on playing football, and being a huge weapon for the Ravens offense.  He not only has the support of his family, but of his team, Ravens fans, and sports fans everywhere.

I try not to mix religion with sports (or really with anything).  But I couldn't help thinking last night, as Justin Tucker's kick sailed just over (and inside) the imaginary upright, that Tevin had a little hand in keeping that kick good.  His older brother's inspiring and courageous performance certainly would have put a smile on his face.

10,000 Views

This blog recently passed 10,000 views.  Honestly, when I started writing a few years ago, I thought it would hjust be a way for me to write down all of my sports musings and rants.  I didn't think anyone would care about them, let alone read them.  So, thank you for taking the time to read, skim, browse, or whatever.  I really do appreciate it.  If you have any requests for a column or thought for a story, let me know through a comment or on twitter @JFLANland. 

Cheers,

JFLAN

5 Things I Learned From NFL's Opening Night

Here are the 5 things that I learned watching the Cowboys take down the Giants last night in the NFL Season Opener.

1.  The replacement referees are still a step below the real ones.  Last night, they did a fairly good job. Hell, I was rooting for them not to screw up.  But that is the problem- We shouldn't even be thinking about the refs, we should be concentrating on the football.  Every time there was a flag, the first thing you thought about was the refs making the call, not the player that committed the penalty.  I expect more than a few blown calls from around the League this Sunday.

2.  The Giants and Cowboys seem to always deliver entertaining games.  You could say this about any rivalry.  Being a Redskins fan, I would have liked to see the Cowboys lose, but it really doesn't matter yet.  It is Week 1.  It was a fun game.  Not going to crown the Cowboys or forget about the Giants after a game.

3.  Last year, Victor Cruz was a huge breakout start as a #3 wide receiver.  Kevin Ogletree's game last night makes you wonder if he can be that guy this season.  Dez Bryant will get the most coverage, but Ogletree could be the most valuable receiver on the Cowboys.  Cruz, meanwhile, dropped at least 4 easy catches last night that could have changed the outcome of the game.  Too early to worry?  Maybe.  But keep an eye on his performance.

4.  David Wilson had a fumbling problem at Virginia Tech and, at least by Giants standards, he has a fumbling problem in the pros.  Last night, he put the ball on the turf and lost it.  That one lost fumble matched the total lost fumbles by both Brandon Jacobs (0) and Ahmad Bradshaw (1) all of last season.  The Giants need Wilson as their change of pace back from Bradshaw, so he needs to learn how to hold onto the rock.

5.  Football is back.  Like I said, it was an enjoyable game.  Rarely is there a game that isn't fun, because America loves football.  It was a great way to start the season.  Sunday will be that first day to sit in front of the TV (and your computer to follow fantasy scores), and take in everything that is the NFL.  That is the best thing to learn each year- The NFL is back for another season.

JFLANland NFL Preview: Super Bowl Pick

I have written up my NFL Previews for both the NFC and AFC.  Here are the teams I have in the playoffs, by seed:

NFC
1. Green Bay Packers
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. New York Giants
4. Atlanta Falcons
5. Chicago Bears
6. New Orleans Saints

AFC
1. Houston Texans
2. New England Patriots
3. Denver Broncos
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Buffalo Bills


My pick for the NFC Champion is the Green Bay Packers.  I just think that they have too much offense not to succeed, and Aaron Rodgers probably hates the way last season ended.

In the AFC, I am picking the Denver Broncos.  Call me crazy, but I think there could be some magic in the marriage of Peyton Manning and John Elway.  Remember, this was a team that won a playoff game without a real QB.  Imagine what they can do with one.

And my pick to win Super Bowl XLVII:  The Denver Broncos.  I know, it is a stretch, and I am probably wrong.  But the season hasn't started yet, so I can't be wrong yet.  I just have that feeling that Peyton can win anywhere.  He'll win his 2nd Super Bowl in New Orleans, with the entire city behind him.

Enjoy the season, folks!

JFLANland NFL Preview: AFC

We've already looked at the NFC, so now it is time to preview the AFC.


AFC EAST

1.  New England Patriots
2.  Buffalo Bills
3.  Miami Dolphins
4.  New York Jets

The Patriots are the class of the division, as they have been every year of this Millenium.  However, the Buffalo Bills are quietly catching up with them.  Meanwhile, the Dolphins have a rookie QB and no receivers, and the Jets have two QBs and an angry receiver.  We'll leave them at the bottom.  (Actual sentence said by one of my best friends, who is a Jets fan: I wish the Jets would be contracted so that I didn't have to root for them anymore."  I think a lot of people in NY feel that way.)

Star to Watch:  Mario Williams.  Can he earn the big contract with the Bills?  Can he stay healthy?

Rookie to Watch:  Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Patriots.  He will help their pass rush a ton.  And no, I am not picking him just because he went to my alma mater, Syracuse.  He is that good.


AFC NORTH

1.  Baltimore Ravens
2.  Pittsburgh Steelers
3.  Cincinnati Benglas
4.  Cleveland Browns

Poor Cleveland.  They just don't stand a chance.  I like the Ravens in this division because they still have the best offensive player in Ray Rice, and the best defensive leader in Ray Lewis.  Couple that with the Steelers' transition to a new offensive scheme and O-Line issues in a division packed with good defenses, and Baltimore gets the nod.  Cincinnati could surprise us all and win the division, but I am not ready to pick them yet.  Need to see a 2nd year of success with Andy Dalton and AJ Green at the helm.

Star to Watch:  Ed Reed and Ray Lewis.  Is this their last season?  How long will Reed's beard get?  How many amazing speeches will Lewis give?

Rookie to Watch:  Mohamed Sanu, WR, Bengals.  The former Rutgers star can catch anything, and should see a lot of single coverage with AJ Green occupying the double teams.


AFC SOUTH

1.  Houston Texans
2.  Tennessee Titans
3.  Indianapolis Colts
4.  Jacksonville Jaguars

This seems to be a cake walk for the Texans.  The rest of the division is in rebuilding mode or complete wreck mode (thanks Jags).  If they stay healthy, the Texans will clinch the division by Week 12.  Jake Locker is taking over the team in Nashville, but he has an extremely difficult out of division schedule for a first year starter, featuring the AFC EAST and the NFC North.  They could start out 0-4 after facing the Patriots, Chargers, Lions and Texans.  Andrew Luck will do just fine, and will make sure the Colts win at least 3 games.  The Jaguars will probably be the worst team in football, so let the Matt Barkley countdown begin!

Star to Watch:  Dwight Freeney.  The Colts new 3-4 scheme moves the All-Pro defensive end to outside linebacker.  Will he be asked to cover and not just rush the QB?  Will it hurt his game?

Rookie to Watch:  Justin Blackmon, WR, Jaguars.  I have never liked taking Big XII wideouts because they don't become superstars (Michael Crabtree isn't that good, Dez Bryant has character/injury issues, for example).  Blackmon already has two DUI arrests, and now has no real QB to throw to him.


AFC WEST

1.  Denver Broncos
2.  San Diego Chargers
3.  Kansas City Chiefs
4.  Oakland Raiders

This division race is based entirely on the performance of Peyton Manning.  I think he will be great.  Maybe not 5 time MVP great, but certainly Top 5 or 10 QB great, which is enough to win this division.  He has good receivers, a solid running game, and a talented defense to back him up.  San Diego needs to show it can shrug off the early season struggles they have had under Norv Turner.  KC and Oakland enter with a ton of questions at almost every position.

Star to Watch:  Peyton Manning.  The biggest star in the NFL is back, but is he the same?

Rookie to Watch:  Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, Chargers.  I actually have a beer bet going with Baltimore blogger I Hate JJ Redick on who will have a better season, Ingram (from his alma mater of South Carolina) or Chandler Jones (from my alma mater, Syracuse).  They both should do well, but will Ingram be able to get to Peyton Manning before he gets rid of the ball?


My AFC Playoff Picks (ranked 1-6, 1 being the best record, 5 and 6 being the Wild Cards):

1.  Houston Texans
2.  New England Patriots
3.  Denver Broncos
4.  Baltimore Ravens
5.  Pittsburgh Steelers
6.  Buffalo Bills

Just missed: Chargers, Bengals, Titans

My Super Bowl picks are in my next post.

JFLANland NFL Preview: NFC

Hello and welcome to the JFLANland NFL Preview for the 2012-2013 season.  Football starts tomorrow with the Cowboys taking on the defending Super Bowl champion New York Football Giants.  This weekend is like Christmas for those of us who love football, and I figured it would be wise of me to make my predictions for the year.  We start in the NFC.


NFC EAST

1.  New York Giants
2.  Dallas Cowboys
3.  Philadelphia Eagles
4.  Washington Redskins

I think that the Giants will be able to ride their win through this season and take the NFC East crown.  Every team in the division has problems, so a team that knows how to win and can not only throw the ball but also get to the other teams' QBs like the Giants do can do well.  I think the Cowboys will be in the running for a Wild Card spot, and the Eagles will be hurt when Vick gets hurt.  However, I think Nick Foles will perform very well as a substitute, which means the Eagles will have a decision to make about Vick's contract in the offseason.  The Redskins are rebuilding.  I'll give them anywhere from 6-8 wins, but more likely 6.  RG3 will do fine, but it may not be enough to let Mike Shanahan get another season as the Skins' head coach.

Star to Watch: Tony Romo.  Does he have to win a division title to justify still being the starting QB in Dallas?

Rookie to Watch: Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins.  Mike Shanahan can make almost anyone into a 1,000-yard back.  It could be Morris' turn.


NFC NORTH

1.  Green Bay Packers
2.  Chicago Bears
3.  Detroit Lions
4.  Minnesota Vikings

I think this is the 2nd easiest call for who will be the best and worst teams in a division in the NFC.  We know the Packers are amazing, led by the amazing Aaron Rodgers and their powerful offense.  We know the Vikings just don't have the talent to compete in one of the hardest divisions in football.  The question is how well the Bears and Lions will do.  I love that Jay Cutler finally has real receivers in Chicago in the form of Brandon Marshall and rookie Alshon Jeffery.  However, their defense is another year older, and we don't know Brian Urlacher's health situation.  The Lions, meanwhile, won the offseason award for most run-ins with the law.  Will they be able to concentrate on football now that the season has started? 

Star to Watch: Adrian Peterson.  How does he bounce back from his knee injury?

Rookie to Watch: Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears.  He is big, strong, and quick for is massive frame.  Think a faster Antonio Gates.  He could be huge for Jay Cutler.


NFC SOUTH

1.  Atlanta Falcons
2.  New Orleans Saints
3.  Carolina Panthers
4.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I don't think any of these teams will be terrible.  This is a very difficult division to pick.  I am going with the Falcons because the Saints suspensions have to hurt them at some point, even though they still have Drew Brees and that offense.  Atlanta has weapons that are almost as good (better at WR with Roddy White and Julio Jones), and it is time for Matt Ryan to take the next step.  Cam Newton and Josh Freeman will look to have their teams back in contention for many games, but defensive issues and O-line questions may haunt both teams.

Star to Watch: The 3-headed RB in Carolina.  DeAngelo Williams, Johnathan Stewart and now Mike Tolbert.  Will they be able to create 1 solid rushing attack for the Panthers?

Rookie to Watch: Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers.  He has taken the starting job from LaGarrette Blount, and is a better all around back.  He is one of my big projected fantasy players as well.


NFC WEST

1.  San Francisco 49ers
2.  Seattle Seahawks
3.  Arizona Cardinals
4.  St. Louis Rams

This is the easiest 1st and 4th place pick in the NFC.  The 49ers owned the division last year, and only added offensive talent to their roster that is stacked with Patrick Willis and that defense.  The Rams are in the first year under a new coach, and while I love Jeff Fisher, I don't think he will turn them around in one year.  Seattle and Arizona need to sort out their QB issues if they want to compete with 49ers.

Star to Watch: Randy Moss.  What does one of the all-time greats have left in the tank for the 49ers?

Rookie to Watch:  Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks.  Pete Carrol is giving the kid a chance to begin the season.  How long can he hold on, knowing that the high priced Matt Flynn is ready to go behind him?


My NFC Playoff Picks (ranked 1-6, 1 being the best record, 5 and 6 being the Wild Cards):

1.  Green Bay Packers
2.  San Francisco 49ers
3.  New York Giants
4.  Atlanta Falcons
5.  Chicago Bears
6.  New Orleans Saints

Just missed:  Lions, Cowboys, Panthers.