Month: September 2017

NFC West Preview

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

nfc-west

Annnnddddd last, but quite possibly least, the NFC West. Last season, this was the weakest division in the NFL, with only 1 team above .500. I don’t envision that changing — the weaker the quarterbacks, the weaker the division….

Last Season’s Standings:

Seattle Seahawks: 10-5-1

Arizona Cardinals: 7-8-1

Los Angeles Rams: 4-12

San Francisco 49ers: 2-14

From worst-to-first we go….

San Francisico 49ers

You may want to buckle your seatbelts, because this ride is going to get bumpy. The 49ers will battle the New York Jets for the worst offense the NFL has ever seen. They will also battle the Jets for the worst record in the NFL. Despite John Lynch’s successful 1st offseason as 49ers’ General Manager, this team is going to be BADDDDD!! They did draft good, young talent, so NFL fans can enjoy watching their improvement, but until they find a quarterback, expect the 49ers to draft in the top-5 every year.

Key Additions: Pierre Garcon, Elvis Dumervil, Malcolm Smith

Key Losses: Antoine Bethea, Glenn Dorsey, Torrey Smith

Los Angeles Rams

They can move across the country. They can change their name. Hell, they can even change their hair color and get a tattoo. Nothing will keep them from stinkin’ up the joint. The Los Angeles Rams (I’m still getting used to that) would have a solid defense IF Aaron Donald would show up. But Dave, he’s just one guy. I’m aware. But that ONE GUY happens to be the best defensive player in the NFL. Their offensive line is key. They must give Jared Goff time to find his new wide receivers, Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods. And they must provide running lanes for the super-talented Todd Gurley. Until those things happen, the Rams offense will stall, like a beat-up, old car.

Key Additions: Robert Woods, Andre Whitworth, Sammy Watkins (Trade) 

Key Losses: Kenny Britt, Greg Robinson, T.J. Mcdonald 

Arizona Cardinals

Everyone on the Arizona Cardinals is another year older. Profound right?? Cardinals quarterback, Carson Palmer, is 109. Seriously though, he’ll be 38 years old before season’s end. Larry Fitzgerald (34) is no Spring chicken either. This team will rely heavily on star running-back David Johnson. They will also hope and pray Johnson can repeat his performance from last season, 2,118 total yards and 20 total touchdowns. I’m sure there will be similar hoping and praying going on with the #1 overall pick in Fantasy Football drafts.

Key Additions: Jarvis Jones, Karlos Dansby, Antoine Bethea

Key Losses: D.J Swearinger, Calais Campbell, Jaron Brown

Seattle Seahawks

Who knew the New York Jets would play a role in someone winning football games?? Not me. Friday afternoon, the Jets parted ways with Sheldon Richardson, trading him to the Seattle Seahawks. Despite being a malcontent, Richardson is a special talent. He’ll help strengthen an already stellar defensive line. The only question is, how bad is this offensive line?? NFL experts project this offensive line to be one of the worst in the league. If Russell Wilson is afforded any time to throw, or room to run, this division will be a walk in the park.

Key Additions: Eddie Lacy, Luke Joeckel, Sheldon Richardson (Trade)

Key Losses: John Jenkins, Jermaine Kearse, Steven Hauschka

This Season’s Predictions:

Seattle Seahawks: 11-5

Arizona Cardinals: 7-9

Los Angeles Rams: 5-11

San Francisco 49ers: 3-13

 

As a whole, the NFC West stinks.

The Seahawks will win this division by default.

“That’s all I have to say about that.”

 

Who will win the NFC West?? Post your predictions in the comment section below.

 

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel called DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

I Don’t Do Deadlines

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 2 Comments

MLB: Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers

Deadline – the latest time or date by which something should be completed.

Can someone please pass this definition along to Major League Baseball?? While it is exciting to see trades happen on August 31st, it is confusing. Remember seeing Trade Deadline specials on ESPN and other programs on July 31st?? Yeah, me too. So, why are trades still happening a month later??

MLB has 2 different trade deadlines. Until July 31st at 4 P.M. EST, any player can be traded at any time. After this deadline, if a player is to be traded, they must ‘clear waivers’. This means, the given player must be offered to every team in reverse order. If any team decides to claim the player, they must take on the player’s current contract. Before the ‘claiming’ team officially acquires the player, the original team has the right to revoke the waiver, and retain the rights to that player (this is often the case). Once a player clears this waiver process, they can be traded to any team. August 31st is the ACTUAL TRADE DEADLINE, sort of. Players can still be traded, but any newly acquired player would not be eligible for the postseason.

Now that we got that out of the way, jeez, we can discuss the trades that happened on August 31st (yesterday):

  • Justin Verlander (SP) was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Houston Astros
  • Justin Upton (LF) was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Angels
  • Brandon Phillips (2B) was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Los Angeles Angels

 

And one player, Cameron Maybin, was actually claimed on waivers (which is rare). Maybin was on the Angels, but will now add depth to the Astros’ outfield. The Astros will pay the $1.5 million Maybin is owed for the rest of the season.

Justin Verlander

Verlander, 34, is still one of the better pitchers in MLB. After a slow start to the season, Verlander has returned to form since the All-Star Break. Over his last 6 starts he is 4-1 with a 2.36 e.r.a. With Lance McCullers Jr. still on the DL, and the Astros struggling, adding Verlander could be just what the Dr. ordered.

Verlander was acquired for 3 prospects.

Justin Upton

Also departing the Tigers, Upton will bring a solid, veteran bat to a struggling Angels lineup.

Upton’s season so far: .279, 28 home runs, 94 r.b.i.’s. Decceenntt.

Angels’ left-fielders so far: .244 with 7 home runs. Yikes.

Upton was acquired for a pitching-prospect and a player to be named later.

Brandon Phillips

The Angels didn’t stop there. After acquiring Upton, they gave the Atlanta Braves a call. And just 1-hour prior to the deadline, the Angels acquired Brandon Phillips.

Phillips’ season so far: .291, 11 homes runs, and 52 r.b.i.’s. Not bad for a 36-year old. 

Angels’ second-baseman so far: .196….need I say more??

Phillips was acquired for Tony Sanchez (Triple-A catcher).

 

All of these trades are bad for the Yankees. So I don’t like them. The Yankees won the 1st of a 4-game series last night against the Boston Red Sox. 1 down and 3 to go. Let’s Go Yankees!!

Who did the best at THIS trade deadline?? Post your reaction in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel called DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!