Football

Las Vegas, and more specifically Bovada, is starting to roll out their 2013 NFL win totals, and our very own Arizona Cardinals came in at a paltry, to some fans, 5.5 wins on the season. To make matters worse, the juice is on the under, laying at -150 while the over is at +120. My good friend and fellow Cardinals fan KC Brackley responded the way Las Vegas is expecting many NFL fans, and more specifically Cardinals fans, to respond: @sethcoxfb They won 5 last year with a crap offense. They can win another one with Palmer — KC Brackley (@KCBrackley) May 22, 2013 KC and Cardinals fans aren't necessarily wrong with their line of thinking. If you take 2012 Carson Palmer, and replace the cavalcade of quarterback failures from the 2012 Cardinals with him, you may see a jump in wins for the team. The problem with this line of thinking is simply this: This is not the 2012 Arizona Cardinals. This rendition of the Cardinals has so many variables to it that most prognosticators aren't very high with their expectations for the Cardinals in 2013, and I tend to agree with them. You see, it isn't that the Cardinals have a worse roster, or are a worse team, it's that they are trying to grasp new concepts on offense AND defense, a very good defense mind you. One of the common misconceptions is that the Cardinals defense will stay at the same level as 2012 if not improve, and that's simply not the given that most are making it out to be. As we all know Bruce Arians brought his own defensive coordinator to the desert with him, and with that comes a new defensive scheme, one that has the defensive line licking their chops, but has me worried about how well the linebackers will handle their new found responsibility. Why am I so worried about a defense that was on the upswing in 2012? This was the typical front seven we saw in Arizona in 2012. It's really a 5-2 front, with the two outside linebackers standing up over the outside man on their side and two inside linebackers but we know it better as a 3-4 defense. In this typical front you'll see the goal of the defensive line is simple, maintain leverage in two gaps keep Daryl Washington and Paris Lenon clean so they can see the ball and get the ball. That means Dockett, or the LDE has a responsibility to occupy both the right tackle and/or the right guard on this specific play, the NT wants to likely occupy only the center, but could look to occupy either guard as well depending on the direction of the run, and the RDE, Calais Campbell, is looking to occupy the left guard and left tackle combo. Both outside linebackers have outside contain and the duty to pinch down on the outside and not let the tight ends get a clean release, this was a double tight end set so the Cardinals also brought down Adrian Wilson as a "fifth linebacker". On this run play we'll see all of the defensive line occupy their blocks, but because of the congestion the linebackers aren't clean, except for Wilson who stops Peterson for a two yard gain. Lenon was actually quite free on this play but his slow reaction time and poor read on his keys left him flat footed and unable to get up into and through the line to make a play. The defense is set up for the linebackers in the middle to make nearly all the plays, it's not a bad thing, that's just the way the defense is, and it's worked for the Steelers for years. Again, a look at what the defense was: As the play develops, we see what this defense afforded Daryl Washington: The guard couldn't get to Washington in time to make a play and Washington got into the backfield without a problem. Also notice again that Paris Lenon is free, but is behind the play and is unable to get into the action, thus why the Cardinals have brought in three different options to replace him, because let's face it, Lenon struggled mightily. In the 2012 defense you'll see the LDE head up on the tackle, and he has the responsibility of the gap on both s

Amie Wells caught up with Titans safeties Michael Griffin, George Wilson and Bernard Pollard.

When discussing proposed changes to the NFL calendar that would push the draft back to May, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he believed that such changes would be good for fans and good for the game. General Manager David Caldwell doesn’t think that it would be good for the Jaguars, however. Don Banks of SI.com…

Jets running back Chris Ivory is embracing an expected increase in his workload from his time with the Saints. He added: "I think more carries will allow my full potential to show. ... You kind of have to accept (sharing the ball). It was hard, I'm not going to say it wasn't hard. There were times when you don't like it, but you have to deal with it and accept your role." The biggest question surrounding Ivory is to what extent he can hold up with much more work on his plate. There are two big concerns. First, he has been injury-prone in his career. His running style is very physical which lends itself to taking big hits. Can Ivory be durable enough to hold up and smart enough to avoid hits when possible? The other question is whether Ivory will wear down even if he is not injured. He has never gotten more than 137 carries in a single season. Can he remain effective over a sixteen game season seeing the bulk of the work? Think of the difference between a starting pitcher and a reliever in baseball. A reliever knows his work is going to be limited so he can exert all of his energy with every pitch. If a starter did that, he would be worn out because he has to pitch deep into games. It's the same concept. Ivory will probably have to pace himself a bit more than he did in the past. Can he remain as effective? Can he keep something in the tank for December? How Ivory answers these questions could have a lot to do with the success the Jets have in 2013. Ivory is a really talented guy and could potentially be a steal if he answers the bell.

Dave George: Miami Dolphins' Ryan Tannehill starts getting acquainted with talented newcomers

The Gators receive a pledge from Lewis.

- Saints head coach Sean Payton is the highest paid coach in US sports, earning an estimated $8 million in 2013 according to Forbes, a publication that would quickly cease to exist if we ever stopped caring about lists of wealthy people. This news isn’t terrible interesting, but it gives us an excuse to post this old picture of Payton playing the bongos. (How big is his head, by the way? His poor adjustable hat is holding on for dear life.) Good news for the sweatshirt and sweatpants industries; Bill Belichick and Andy Reid are tied in second place earning approximately $7.5 million this year. - How did the year off football treat Payton? Supposedly he has reported back looking pretty ripped. Unsurprising, he seems like a guy who would go on a complete protein shake diet/do a few hundred pushups while on a conference call/lots of mirrors all around his bachelor pad type of bro. - Michael Crabtree promises he’ll be back with a Photoshopped image of him as the Terminator. Photoshop selfies from an NFL player? Don’t make us come and give you the same lecture we gave Ray Rice earlier this week. - How do we know it’s May in the NFL? ESPN shows ten minutes of Robert Griffin III stretching at Washington’s OTAs and then the Washington Post’s Sports Bog has a bunch of words on ESPN’s coverage of RG III (and then we wrote about it). - How else do we know it’s May in the NFL? The Jets are already eating their own. - Reggie Bush says it’s all business with the Lions and that he came to Detroit for work and not a vacation, two things no one has travelled to Detroit for in a very long time. - Some guy in Buffalo supposedly has a tattoo of O.J. Simpson’s mug shot on his leg. Going to refuse to believe this is a real thing and bury it down here in the bottom of this news roundup. - The Chicago Bears are going to retire Mike Ditka’s jersey number 89 during their Monday Night Football matchup with the Dallas Cowboys in December. Start buying up whisky now to handle that particular KSK MNF Live Brog, you’re going to need it. The post KSK Kontent Klearinghouse: Bongos, More Player Photoshopped Selfies and Bad Tattoos appeared first on Kissing Suzy Kolber.

The Turn On The Jets 12 Pack is back with an op-ed edition, clarifying a collection of early opinions on the 2013 New York Jets that I either see frequently criticized or questioned on Twitter or in the comment section. I encourage the disagreement, that is part of the fun this whole thing, no?  We are going to give our live chat plug-in a shot at 1 PM today. The kinks are still being worked out but we are giving it a go so we can troubleshoot for weekly editions. So come by at 1 PM, ask some questions in the post and let’s talk Jets, NFL or whatever else you want. Try to keep it PG-13. And check out these digital TV providers.  1. Joe McKnight Won’t Make The Final 53 - After the Mike Goodson and Chris Ivory acquisitions, I didn’t McKnight sticking on the final roster. My logic was that if the team was sold on McKnight’s ability, they wouldn’t have brought Goodson in who is basically a better version of him. Now due to Goodson’s legal issues there is obviously a much better chance of McKnight sticking around. I think people tend to overrate McKnight’s value as a kick returner and the difficulty of finding competent kick returners in general. Without question, McKnight has talent but if Goodson is available on day one of training camp, he is opening as the 4th running back and I don’t see him leap-frogging anybody in front of him. Maybe the Jets keep four halfbacks? Maybe Goodson is suspended? Maybe. But it is far from a slam dunk that McKnight is on the team in September, especially if he struggles picking up the playbook. 2. Vlad Ducasse Won’t Make The Final 53 - There is a belief among some Jets fans that Ducasse was good in his limited duty last season. I didn’t see it. The only reason he was rotating with Matt Slauson was because of pressure from the front office who wasted a 2nd round pick on him. Ducasse bounced between mediocre and average in his limited reps. If this coaching staff had any confidence in his ability, they don’t sign Willie Colon and Stephen Peterman and they don’t draft Brian Winters, Oday Aboushi and William Campbell to play guard. Ducasse is also behind Caleb Schlauderaff in terms of value because Schlauderaff can play center also. Unless there is injuries, Ducasse isn’t starting or being the backup swing lineman this year and he probably isn’t making the final 53. The new offensive staff and front office has no loyalty to him. 3. Geno Smith Will Start Week One - Yes, I have long been categorized as SANCHEZ APOLOGIST but I think the Jets second round rookie quarterback is going to start day one. There is going to be no hesitation from Rex Ryan to start a rookie, just like there wasn’t in 2009. All Smith needs to do is look competent in training camp and the pre-season and he’ll get the job. I’m sorry, I just don’t see Sanchez running away with the job enough to keep Smith on the bench. I’ve lost betting on Sanchez in the past and I’m not doing it again. 4. Brian Winters Will Start Week One - Another rookie starter. Willie Colon is going to start at one Guard spot, leaving the other spot basically between Winters and Stephen Peterman. Winters skill set and attitude should make an early impression on the Jets coaching staff and I think they let him roll from day one with Peterman being the backup/swing lineman. 5. Binky Offensive Player - Most Jets fans and writers (whether they want to admit it or not) have a “binky” player who they believe is better than most give credit for. On offense, mine is Jeremy Kerley who I think is a much more complete and talented overall receiver than many seem to. I see Santonio Holmes being the 1A option in the passing game this year with Kerley being the 1B option, with Stephen Hill and the tight ends well behind them. 6. Binky Defensive Player - Antonio Allen. I like the physicality Allen plays with and think he will make a impact in a numb

Well-traveled wide receiver heads north of the border.

One of the biggest moments a football fan can have in the offseason is when the calendar of their teams is announced. We all start getting anxious on the “how’s” and “why’s” regarding our team’s opponents. Well, it is time to make some previews and speculations on the 2013 schedule for the Dallas Cowboys. Coming from back-to-back 8-8 seasons the ‘Boys are all hyped up to make a better record this year. One that takes them playoff bound. At first glance it is a relief that we start and end the season at Cowboy’s Stadium, but it is not an easy schedule, just look at the final 4 games. So without further ado let us get started. Week 1 vs. NYG The Cowboys will win this game if the OL delivers and can stop JPP & Co. Therefore, not giving much time to Eli and his explosive  offensive. It is as easy as that. Just like 2012, if the running game is consistent, and they can give time to Romo, the Cowboys can get the first W in 2013. Week 2@ KC For starters the Chiefs were the worst team last year, with a 2-14 record. But we can’t overlook that KC got themselves one of the best OT available in the 2013 draft class in Eric Fisher. They  also got QB Alex Smith in free agency, so at least in paper they have to be a better team. Then again, it is a team under construction so the Cowboys will take their first road win against the Chiefs. 2-0. ( If I’m wrong and the team losses in the opener this is a key game to win, it is not good to start 0-2…just saying.) Week 3 vs. STL Beware of Tavon Austin, their first round selection. Sam Bradford is surely thankful for this explosive new weapon. Mo Claiborne and B. Carr will make a NO FLY ZONE and will not disappoint. 3-0. Week 4 @ San Diego Apart from the opener this is the first game that will help us to measure this team’s potential. Phillip Rivers leads a good team, they’ve got talent in both sides of the football. With the addition of (R) D.J. Flucker and Dwight Freeney the Chargers will be MUCH better. Rivers will exploit that with his arm and with the running game. 3-1. So far in the first quarter of the season we have a winning record, but the second quarter will prove if this team has what it takes to be a winner. Week 5 vs. DEN Well, there’s not a lot to say. The Broncos are possibly the best team in the AFC looking towards 2013, apart from being the team that most upgraded their roster, AND they have none other than one of the best plays callers in football’s history in Peyton Manning. So…to make this a little less painful…3-2 Week 6 vs. WSH The first bout. I don’t know about you guys but I tremble when I see RGIII. I mean, if he wasn’t a Redskin I’d love that guy, he’s a beast. Everytime he’s in the backfield I pray, no kidding. Let’s see if Monte Kiffin’s defense can stop him. (He’s probably the best suited guy for the job, knowing very well the pistol formation and no-huddle offenses). I’m gonna take a chance on this one and say that having home field advantage and a great game from #88 we will take this W. 4-2. Week 7 @PHI Two division games in a row, talk about hype, huh? Being honest I haven’t seen much of Chip Kelly, but player by player this is a good team. I would like to wait on my prediction on this one, given that there’s a new coach there and well those darn eagles always make things difficult for us. So my preview is purely based on my love for the Cowboys. Go get’em ‘boys!!!! 5-2 Week 8 @DET UGH! Tough game!!!  Let’s start with the defensive side of the ball. If it was not enough for the Lions to have Ndamukong Suh in there, they added Ziggy Ansah so, obviously regardless of the score I just hope every Cowboy survives that game. On the other side of the football, well MEGATRON and stuff…5-3. We’ve reached the half-way point of the season, and the Cowboys are still with a winning record, and proved their fans that they are ready for everything and everyone. Some tough games, but they’ve risen to the task. Wait for part 2… F