Fantasy Football 2015: I Don’t Play Fantasy Football For Money, But Here Are 5 Tips If I Did

Isaiah Crowell had an even more effective 2014 than his numbers (607 yards, 8 TD, 4.1 YPC) indicated and he's in line to be the feature back in Cleveland.
Isaiah Crowell had an even more effective 2014 than his numbers (607 yards, 8 TD, 4.1 YPC) indicated and he’s in line to be the feature back in Cleveland.

I make no secret about my dream job in sports: to be the General Manager of an NFL or MLB team. Until then, I get my fix playing and writing about fantasy sports and giving opinions on sports topics. Continue reading “Fantasy Football 2015: I Don’t Play Fantasy Football For Money, But Here Are 5 Tips If I Did”

MLB 2015: Want To Understand The Cardinals Espionage Accusations? Start With Jeff Luhnow And His Threat To The Cardinal Way

Jeff Luhnow, now General Manager of the Houston Astros, worked with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2003-2011
Jeff Luhnow, now General Manager of the Houston Astros, worked with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2003-2011

My Advice to understanding the St. Louis Cardinals espionage investigation is simple:

Get to know Jeff Luhnow. Continue reading “MLB 2015: Want To Understand The Cardinals Espionage Accusations? Start With Jeff Luhnow And His Threat To The Cardinal Way”

2015 NFL Draft: The Picks And Classes I Didn’t Like

Arik Armstead was chosen 17th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2015 NFL Draft
Arik Armstead was chosen 17th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2015 NFL Draft

I’ve highlighted the best of the draft, now it’s time to take a look at the teams I thought didn’t get it right. Some of the usual suspects (Jets, Browns, Oakland) won’t be mentioned this time around because I thought they made some pretty good picks overall.

Who made the worst list? Let’s see… Continue reading “2015 NFL Draft: The Picks And Classes I Didn’t Like”

2015 NFL Draft: The Picks And Classes I Liked

Vic Beasley was taken with the 8th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Vic Beasley was taken with the 8th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2015 NFL Draft.

2015 NFL Draft is in the books.

The first thing I am going to let you know is I don’t do “Draft Grades.” I’m not a teacher, and this was not a test. With that, what you will find here is my opinion/analysis of what teams I thought did the best addressing their needs and who didn’t.

That’s it. Pretty simple.

Onward then… Continue reading “2015 NFL Draft: The Picks And Classes I Liked”

2015 NFL Draft: Chip Kelly, Others Proving College Style “System” May Change NFL Culture

Chip Kelly is 20-12 with an NFC East title in two seasons as Philadelphia's head coach. It's his off the field moves that have drawn the most criticism. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Chip Kelly is 20-12 with an NFC East title in two seasons as Philadelphia’s head coach. It’s his off the field moves that have drawn the most criticism. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

It might be time to start giving head college football coaches the benefit of the doubt, again.

Why? Well, for starters, Chip Kelly sent the NFL offseason into a frenzy with a flurry of moves that many people couldn’t or didn’t want to understand. Of course these moves happened a year after an offseason in which Chip Kelly had already made moves others couldn’t or didn’t want to understand.

Then came the predictable chorus from naysayers. Continue reading “2015 NFL Draft: Chip Kelly, Others Proving College Style “System” May Change NFL Culture”

NFL Draft 2015: Washington Redskins Pick Up Robert Griffin III’s Option For 2016; What Needs To Happen Now

Robert Griffin III had his fifth-year player option picked up this week. Now they're really on the clock.
Robert Griffin III had his fifth-year player option picked up this week. Now they’re really on the clock.

It’s been three years.

Three years since I wrote an open letter to Mike Shanahan and the Redskins “Powers That Be” not to mortgage their future on Robert Griffin III. Continue reading “NFL Draft 2015: Washington Redskins Pick Up Robert Griffin III’s Option For 2016; What Needs To Happen Now”

First Impressions From the 2015 MLB Season and (Finally) My Division and Wild Card Predictions (Part One)

Kris Bryant, the #1 Prospect in baseball, has arrived in Chicago. They still have more young help on the way.
Kris Bryant, the #1 Prospect in baseball, has arrived in Chicago and they still have more young, top-flight prospects on the way.

It’s been almost three weeks since the season started and there are quite a few storylines to discuss. I figured I would break this into two parts and give a few first impressions starting with the National League. I also will (finally) dole out division predictions so without further delay let’s get to it. Continue reading “First Impressions From the 2015 MLB Season and (Finally) My Division and Wild Card Predictions (Part One)”

MLB 2015: Making Sense Of Craig Kimbrel Trade

Craig Kimbrel, 26, leaves Atlanta as the Braves all-time leader in saves (186)
Craig Kimbrel, 26, leaves Atlanta as the Braves all-time leader in saves (186) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America)

Before I even had the opportunity to hide an Easter egg the Braves pulled off a stunner of a trade. Craig Kimbrel, the undisputed best closer in Major League Baseball, is now a San Diego Padre. Continue reading “MLB 2015: Making Sense Of Craig Kimbrel Trade”

MLB Preview 2015: Top-5 Players Facing A Make Or Break Season In 2015

Bryce Harper (55 HR, .272 BA, .816 OPS) has put up solid numbers in his first three seasons. Unfortunately 2015 will need to be even better to buck the "Overrated" label levied by his peers.
Bryce Harper (55 HR, .272 BA, .816 OPS) has put up solid numbers in his first three seasons. Unfortunately 2015 will need to be even better to buck the “Overrated” label levied by his peers.

A make or break year for a baseball player isn’t always one that sees them going into free agency. It’s also one that changes perceptions placed on a player after a couple of inconsistent or down years. Continue reading “MLB Preview 2015: Top-5 Players Facing A Make Or Break Season In 2015”

MLB Preview 2015: A Tale Of Two Philosophies For Marlins And Padres In 2015

James Shields has averaged 14 wins, 33 starts, and a 3.72 ERA every season since 2007.
James Shields, 32,  has averaged 14 wins, 33 starts, and a 3.72 ERA every season since 2007. He signed a 4-year, $75 million dollar contract this past offseason to continue that production in Southern California.

This past Major League Baseball offseason was the most intriguing I’ve witnessed in years.

Of all the interesting moves that went down perhaps the most interesting were how two markets (Miami and San Diego) made themselves relevant in two very different ways.  Continue reading “MLB Preview 2015: A Tale Of Two Philosophies For Marlins And Padres In 2015”