Introducing...#QuickTakes!

Hey there, readers! Do you ever get tired of long, fact-filled sports articles? I do too, and I’m the one writing them! That’s why I’m introducing #QuickTakes, articles that will only feature my first reaction to breaking news, based solely on emotion! No more endless statistics and boring logic! And you get in on it too, just leave your own #QuickTakes in the comments section or tweet me (@GSRudy). Let it begin!

 1.      Pro Bowl changes- Okay, so this morning it was announced that the Pro Bowl will now feature a fantasy draft-type system, with Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice acting as captains, among other changes. BUT THEY STILL HAVEN’T SCHEDULED IT AFTER THE SUPER BOWL. WHY SHOULD PLAYING IN THE SUPER BOWL COME WITH THE PUNISHMENT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GO TO THE PRO BOWL? IT’S NOT FAIR. NEXT.

2.      Training camp fights- Apparently, there was a brawl at Tennessee Titans training camp involving 20 players. Here’s my question: why only 20 guys? The other 70 guys clearly aren’t committed to the team if they won’t fight for (with?) their teammates. Cut them all.

3.      Brandon Jennings is now a Piston- whatever. I don’t really care. The real tragedy is that Monta Ellis, who also left Milwaukee recently, didn’t go back to the Warriors. He and Steph Curry were one of the NBA 2k shooting combos of all time. It will always be 2012 at my house!

4.      Steve Nash tried out for a soccer team- Pancakes. Jokes. Movies. Slinkys. Inflatable flailing men. Steve Nash. What are…things that flop? WINNER.

That’s our first #QuickTakes in the bag, folks. I’m looking forward to reading all of yours. In fact, I might even choose a few of my favorites to feature on the next article. See ya!

Tribute to Tedy Bruschi, the Perfect Patriot

It’s the day! It’s the day! It’s the day! Are you wondering why I’m jumping around like Stuart Little’s brother? Because today is THE DAY! Tedy Bruschi, and man who was once called “the perfect player” by Darth Belicheck himself, is being inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame today. Even if you are not a fan of football’s greatest franchise, it’s a good bet that you recognize the impact Bruschi has had on the league. So reminisce with me. Videos will accompany where available.

Tedy helped the Patriots win the AFC conference title five times, with three Super Bowl victories in four years. Bru (as us Patriots fans are prone to chant) delivered one of my favorite highlights in the last of these victories, in Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles. In the fourth quarter, with the Patriots leading 24-14, Bru snatched an interception from Donovan McNabb and snuffed out the Eagles’ drive, which was moving into Patriot’s territory (at the 2:06:30 mark in the video below. Or watch the whole game if you enjoy reliving greatness). Never mind, I had a video but Blogger hates me and won't upload it. Sorry, folks. 

During Tedy’s tenure as a Patriot, their rivalry with the Indianapolis Colts was at an all-time high. Postseason after postseason saw Tom Brady and Peyton Manning duke it out for AFC dominance. Except for that ridiculous anomaly in 2006, the Patriots always managed to come out on top. On one such occasion in 2004, Bru helped to shut down Indianapolis by recovering two fumbles, one that he forced by ripping the ball straight out of the hands of running back Dominic Rhodes (at 2:43 in the video below). New England won the Super Bowl that year, their third in a four year span. 

For many years, the Patriots vs. Lions Thanksgiving game were a staple of the NFL. Spoiler alert: these games didn’t go Detroit’s way. On thanksgiving 2002, Bru once again showed up with a 27 yard pick-six to seal the Lion’s fate. And in those beautiful throwback uniforms, no less. My, my. (A few seconds into this tribute video, the other highlights are great as well).

Tedy wasn’t just a warrior on the field, but away from it as well. Shortly after winning a third Super Bowl and playing in the Pro Bowl, Bruschi’s world (as well as the NFL’s) came crashing down when he suffered a stroke in 2005. It was a scary moment for coach, players, and fans alike. The prospect of losing a man like Bru in such an unfair way shocked New England’s community and fan base. However, Tedy fought through this, like so many other circumstances, and returned to once again take his place among his teammates on October 30, 2005.

Bruschi was truly the consummate Patriot. He will always be remembered for these moments and many, many, more as he became a fan favorite through the years. New England will never forget the chants of “BRUUUUUUUU” and throwing snow for him in 2003. I am elated to see him being inducted to the team’s Hall of Fame and my only regret is that I couldn’t be there in person. I’m confident that this will soon be followed by his induction to the NFL’s Hall of Fame, which I believe he will be eligible for this coming year. Tedy Bruschi, Mr. Patriot. You can tune it to Bruschi's induction at 5 p.m. EST on Patriots.com

Divisional Analysis: AFC East

I’m excited. Let me say that again, I’M EXCITED. This morning I turned on my T.V. and you know what I saw? Footage of Tom Brady throwing a football. And this was no Super Bowl replay my friends, it was a live look-in at the Patriot’s training camp, which started today. On top of that, they are practicing in the rain, which obviously means that it will rain during at least five games this season and New England will be the only team prepared for it. And the Patriots aren’t the only team starting training camp, practice jerseys are popping up all over the league. Football is nigh, people. Nigh! (A word which in this case means right around the corner).

You’ve probably forgotten, but there are actually three other teams in the AFC East besides the Patriots. I know, it’s hard to tell. However, this season those other teams might make you take notice, and the squad with the best chance of that is the Miami Dolphins. Miami wasted no time during free agency signing Danell Ellerbe, Mike Wallace, and Brent Grimes, among others. Second-year QB Ryan Tannehill, who was respectable as a rookie, and with an upgraded receiving corps, should only improve. Personally, I was shocked when the Dolphins decided to release RB Reggie Bush, who was coming off of two solid seasons, but apparently sophomore Lamar Miller is THAT good. There are plenty of training camp storylines here as well. With Jake Long now gone, someone will have to seal the left side and protect Tannehill. It also stands to be seen how so many free agents on defense will mesh. I don’t see Miami unseating New England, but they might be able to snag a wild card spot.

Here’s a name you might remember: Rex Ryan. The somehow-still head coach of the Jets has made headlines in the past for making bold, Joe Namath-esque claims (without the payout). In 2013, Ryan has slimmed down and shut his mouth. His team also began training camp today in New Jersey, and the battle to watch there couldn’t be more obvious. New Jersey drafted quarterback Geno Smith in the second round, and he is determined to earn the starting job. Meanwhile, that Sanchez guy still wants to be the starter. Outside of the quarterback competition, there are at least 13 wide-open starting positions. This team is so up in the air, I doubt I could name more than five of their players. But hey, the Jets re-signed Braylon Edwards, so….yeah. If they’re lucky, the Jets might pull off a 6-10 season.

Did you know that Buffalo has a professional football team? No, really, they do! They were even really good inthe 90’s! Unfortunately, the Buffalo Bills have been bottom-feeding in the AFC East for quite some time now. However, they have taken steps toward improvement. Buffalo recently ousted the Coach-Quarterback duo of Chan Gailey and Ryan Fitzpatrick, who will never be remembered for anything besides perpetuating mediocrity. Buffalo made E.J. Manuel the only first-round quarterback in the 2013 draft, and hired former Syracuse coach Doug Marrone. A rookie quarterback and rookie coach usually spell rebuilding for a team, and the Bills certainly have time to wait. It remains to be seen if Manuel will beat out Kevin Kolb to start in training camp, and keep your eye on RB C.J. Spiller. There’s no competition for his job, he’s just really exciting to watch. Buffalo will probably end up last in this division again, but things are looking up for the long-term.

My absolutely unbiased intuition says that New England is still tops in this division, but the Bills, Dolphins, and Jets may be able to avoid getting swept for a second year in a row. And seriously, don’t count out Miami; they could really make some noise this season. That noise might be booing, but it’s noise either way. As always, the comments section welcomes you with open arms. 

Divisional Analysis: NFC North

The AFC North may be the AFC’s best division, and their NFC counterparts just might be the most competitive in their conference. In recent history the Packers have dominated this division, but the gap is a lot smaller than you think. In 2011, the Bears almost supplanted Green Bay in the NFC Championship. Just last season, the Vikings bested the Packers in week 17, earning a playoff berth, even though they couldn’t repeat that feat the very next week. As for the Lions, well, they have a love/hate relationship with the playoffs. Bottom line here is that Green Bay may be the only team in this division not playing better than they were in 2012. Let me show you.

First, let’s have a look at Green Bay. They’ve been the power here for a few years, but a case can be made that their throne is crumbling. Exhibit A: Greg Jennings. Green Bay’s primary playmaker departed in free agency this season, and on top of that, defected to Minnesota. Not only do the Packers have to replace his production, they’ll have to figure out how to stop him too. Now, James Jones did have 14 touchdowns last season, but will his production change without Jennings and Driver drawing coverage? Green Bay isn’t much of a defensive, power-running team, but their second-round draft pick was running back Eddie Lacy, so it looks like they want to add some balance to this squad. Look out for Lacy in training camp, as he’ll be trying to beat out James Starks for the top job.

Now, about that team Greg Jennings signed with? They’re not looking too bad for 2013 either. Besides snagging Jennings from the rival Packers, Minnesota traded with the Patriots to move up in the draft and draft Cordarelle Patterson from Tennessee, who looks like he’ll be able to contribute immediately in the receiver department. Christian Ponder is no Trent Dilfer, but he still needs all the help he can get. If Ponder can develop a more potent passing game, defenders will be forced out of the box and Wolverine/Superman/Adrian Peterson may rush for 3,000 yards. The defense should also be better as ex-Packer Desmond Bishop has also defected and safety Harrison Smith is always improving. Bishop will have to battle with incumbent starter Erin Henderson in training camp, which should bring out the best in both players. Sounds like a win-win for the Vikes. It will be tough to replace the skill and leadership of veteran corner Michael Jenkins though, and they may miss the playoffs because…

The Detroit Lions look like a team ready to return to the postseason. The thing about being bad (horrible) for a long time is that wisdom in those situations can help you in the long-run. Case in point, Detroit used all those high draft picks on some pretty good players. You know, like Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh, and Nick Fairley. Stafford & Johnson are already one of the league’s best connections, and Suh & Fairley have the chance to dominate in 2013. On top of that, Detroit’s running back woes seem to be over now that they’ve signed Reggie Bush, who put together two good seasons in Miami and can be very productive and take some of the pressure off of Stafford’s shoulders, who threw the ball 727 times in 2012 (an NFL record).  The Lions will be looking for a complement to Megatron in camp, and it appears that Ryan Broyles will emerge as that no.2 receiver.

Of course, the power shift in this division is still dependent on the Chicago Bears. Though they’ve been inconsistent and unbalanced (heavily unbalance in the favor of the defense), the Bears have the ability to play well and possibly make a playoff run. Chicago is hoping that their moves to improve the offensive line will pay off, which will give Jay Cutler more time to throw and help Matt Forte in the running game. However, defense has always been Chicago’s strong suit, and that doesn’t seem to be changing in 2013. The team will miss Brian Urlacher, but in recent seasons his impact was diminishing anyway. Second-round draft pick Jon Bostic will begin his attempt to replace Urlacher (not to mention win a starting job) when training camp opens up (and he will because he’s a Gator, obviously). A new coach in Marc Trestman adds a whole new level of uncertainty, though. The Bears may not be riding as high as the Blackhawks when the season ends, but Jay Cutler’s scowl might even disappear for a whole day.

Green Bay’s dethroning may still be in the development stages, so don’t be surprised to see the Packers win this division. However, the North should be close this year, and I don’t see any teams getting swept. And hey, no matter what happens, at least we get to witness Adrian Peterson before he goes back to Krypton.    

Divisional Analysis: AFC North

I’m excited to see how the West will be won, but now it’s time to head North. North as in AFC North. For years this division has featured some of the NFL’s (and history’s) best defenses, and even features the 2012 (Baltimore) and 2008 (Pittsburgh) Super Bowl champions. The AFC North is currently experiencing some changes, as the Bengals and Browns are improving and Baltimore and Pittsburgh are…not. As we move closer and closer to the start of the season (training camps are opening! :D) we’ll have more and more to talk about. Let’s get into it!

This may surprise you, but the most interesting team in this division right now is the Cincinnati Bengals. They may not be interesting in personality (bracing myself for a very hum-drum Hard Knocks), but they are quite the story. Third-year quarterback Andy Dalton has led the Bengals to back-to-back playoff appearances (both first-round losses to Houston) and it looks like he’ll do it again. Cincinnati drafted TE Tyler Eifert, who will be an immediate help for Dalton’s passing game and will allow veteran TE Jermaine Gresham to do more blocking, which he excels at. They also drafted RB Giovani Bernard to back up the Law Firm, and they’re expecting him to be the more explosive of the two ball-carriers. Rumor has it that Bernard may even take the top spot, so watch out for that when training camp rolls around. With an improved defense led by Geno Atkins and newly-acquired veteran James Harrison, the Bengals have done enough to convince me that they’re tops in the AFC North. On a side-note the best thing about this team will always be Ochocinco. 

Remember Super Bowl XXXXVII when the power went out and the referees missed a prominently displayed holding violation at the end of the game? Yeah, the game that the Ravens won. Well shortly after, there was a mass exodus out of Baltimore. Ray Lewis, Paul Kruger, Ed Reed, Danell Ellerbe, and even Anquan Boldin bolted for greener pastures. On the plus side, the team signed former Broncos DE Elvis Dumervil. So, there’s that. Unfortunately for the Ravens, it appears that the other teams in this division are upgrading while they are not. The training camp alert here is wide-receiver watch; Baltimore has yet to establish a number two receiver after Torrey Smith. A losing record? That’s drastic, but Ray Rice may feel that he’s going nowhere fast with all that running this season.

What is the most-mocked team in sports history? If you answered the Cleveland Browns, you’re correct! Any sports fan knows that “God hates the Browns” and everyone’s “taken the Browns to the Super Bowl”. As unfortunate as Cleveland has been historically and recently, it seems their fate may finally be changing. Cleveland has signed veterans Paul Kruger and Des Bryant to add to a defensive unit that collected 38 sacks and 36 tackles for loss in 2012. Trent Richardson has emerged as a solid starter at running back, but Cleveland’s wide receiver situation has yet to be figure out. The real intrigue of training camp, though, is what role recently-signed draft pick Barkevious Mingo will find himself in. also, who will be starting opposite Joe Haden in the secondary? A rookie head coach and plenty of unanswered questions will most likely keep Cleveland out of the post-season, but this team is taking strides in the right direction.

Finally, the Once and Future King (anybody?), the Pittsburgh Steelers. Every year analysts talk about how old and slow the Steelers are, and every year they get pissed off and go to the playoff purely out of defiance. However, they’re steadily slowing down. They missed the post-season in 2012, losing games to the Bengals and the Browns. And in 2011 well, we all remember 2011. So what’s their status? Are they reloading or falling deeper into the rabbit hole? It certainly appears to be a dark hour, as Mike Wallace, James Harrison, and Casey Hampton bolted, to name a few. For a team that has relied so heavily on their veteran nucleus, it remains to be seen what will happen to Pittsburgh now that the nucleus has been decidedly broken up. It’s not all doom and gloom for the Steelers though, rookie Jarvis Jones represents hope for the defense and Le’veon Bell may be a solid replacement for Rashard Mendenhall. There should be a great training camp battle for #1 receiver now that Mike Wallace is in Miami. And hey, if this is the end of Pittsburgh’s dominance, they can always take after Raider fans and cling tightly to the past.

I say the Bengals win this division. They’ve convinced. After that, I have no idea. You know something’s wrong when I can’t even confidently say that the Browns will be in last place. As always, I’m eager for your thoughts. Don’t be afraid of the comments section. Check back soon for NFC North analysis!

Divisional Analysis: NFC's Best

After our short break from the NFL to honor my man Mike Miller, we’re back to divisional analysis with the NFC West, or as I like to call it, the NFC’s Best. This division, only a few years removed from sending a 7-9 team to the playoffs (although that team did thrash the defending champs and give us one of the best playoff moments of all time), now features the NFL’s best young quarterbacks and top defensive units. This may also be the league’s most competitive division, a distinction usually reserved for the NFC East. There’s much to be excited about between the 49ers, Seahawks, Rams, and Cardinals.

Let’s start at the top. The 49ers are fresh off of a Super-Bowl appearance, a game they would have won had the referees not blatantly ignored Michael Crabtree being held on the final play. Despite that disappointment, 2013 is looking up for San Francisco. They’ve retained arguably the NFL’s best coach in Jim Harbaugh, recently awarded ESPYS best breakout athlete Colin Kaepernick, and the best defense in the league. Unfortunately, Michael Crabtree suffered and ACL tear and safety Dashon Goldson left for Tampa Bay, but GM Trent Baalke wasted no time in recovering, trading for ex-Baltimore receiver Anquan Boldin and drafting LSU safety Eric Reid, who joins a defensive unit that already features All-Pros Patrick Willis, Navarro Bowman, and Aldon Smith. Not to mention that Frisco also just drafted Tank Carradine, standout defensive end at that other Florida college. No telling when the Raiders will catch up, between Kaepernick’s 49ers and Steph Curry’s Warriors, it looks like the Bay is back.

Staying at the top, although slightly less at the top, we have the Seattle Seahawks. In 2012, they very well could have made it to the Super Bowl, if not for some questionable decision-making by head coach Pete Carroll. Despite their playoff loss to the Falcons (who were trying really hard to lose), Seattle took the NFL by storm last season. Their elite play on offense, defense, and special teams led them to amazing touchdown after ridiculous comeback after highlight reel. NFL analysts doubted Russel Wilson’s ability coming into the season, but he quickly quieted their concerns. His rookie-sensationism was aided by the success of Beast Mode (also sometimes goes by Marshawn Lynch) and the running game. When the offense wasn’t dominating (which was rare), Bobby Wagner, under-rated rookie linebacker, and the defense kept the team in games. From top to bottom, the Seahawks are stacked. Seattle lost return specialist Leon Washington to the Patriots, but they nabbed this off-season’s best free agent in all-purpose all-star Percy Harvin. With veteran corner Antoine Winfield now added to the defense, it’ll be no surprise if the Seahawks make a deep playoff run this season.

I’ll group together this division’s bottom half, the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams. But don’t be fooled, the NFC West isn’t as top-heavy as it seems. Both the Rams and Cardinals have made moves that will benefit them in the 2013 season, but the Cardinals look to be in better shape. Arizona brought in last season’s Coach of the Year, Bruce Arians, who was left in charge of the Colts while Chuck Pagano dealt with leukemia. Arians was the architect behind Ben Roeslithberger’s success (something we saw fade under Todd Haley’s stewardship) and most recently Andrew Luck’s breakout rookie campaign. Conversely, St. Louis’s biggest move this offseason was losing Danny Amendola to the Patriots in free agency, but don’t count them out. The Rams have a talented core of young players and if the offensive line can manage to protect Sam Bradford, they may be a playoff contender in 2-3 years. And here’s something, amidst St. Louis’ 7-8-1 record in 2012, their two games against the 49ers resulted in a win and a tie. Arizona and St. Louis are teams I would classify as “On the Come Up”.

There you have it, folks. That’s just about all you need to know about the NFC West for now, as we not-so-patiently wait for the season to start. As always, comments are welcome. And seeing as how I’ve yet to receive a comment through 18 articles, there may just be something good in it for my first commenter. 49 days till kickoff!

NBA Interlude: A Farewell to Mike Miller

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Why am I in such distress, you ask? Because yesterday, at around 3:00 in the afternoon, I heard a rumor that the Heat were going to release Mike Miller through their amnesty clause. It was a beautiful day in San Diego, but I could see only dark clouds. Are you kidding me?! This is unacceptable! Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem (just picked up his jersey) are my heroes, but Miller is a close third. This article may seem like an irrational reaction, but I mean every word I’m about to say!

Alright, let’s talk about what really matters, Finals performance. Did we already forget when Miller hit those seven three-pointers in the 2012 Finals?? That was a classic performance!

He really gave us a lift in that game, and ultimately, that series. And even this past season, the one-shoe shot he hit in game six! That came at a crucial time for the Heat, and gave them the energy to force overtime and, ultimately, game seven. Mike Miller: Clutch, Accurate, Well- Maintained Hair.

Miller even went back-and-forth visiting his new-born, ailing daughter while playing in the 2011 playoffs, that’s dedication. And hey, in game seven of the Finals against the Spurs, Miller had 0 points in 19 minutes of play. Chris Bosh had 0 points in 28 minutes of play. Has Bosh ever hit seven three-pointers in one game? Don’t think so. If anyone should be amnestied, it’s Bosh before Miller! (I said we’d get a little bit irrational.

Mike Miller. Miller the Killer. Mike Milli Millz. A Gator, A Heat (singular of Heat…?), a Hero. Farewell, my friend. 

Divisional Analysis: AFC West

Here we go, it’s time to make some offseason predictions and prognostications. In the next few weeks, I’ll be doing division-by-division analysis of what we should be talking about in this upcoming season. And trust me, with so much change going on in the league, there will be plenty to talk about. We’ll be discussing divisional trends, such as the running back resurgence in the AFC East, and things we’re all wondering, like the question of who will be the AFC North’s top dog. So without further ado, buckle up my friends.

Let’s start with the AFC West, home to the Chargers, Raiders, Chiefs, and Broncos. Fun fact about this division: every team was a charter member of the AFL, back when the Super Bowl didn’t exist and people still respected the Browns. Three of these four teams will feature new head coaches, Dennis Allen (Oakland), Andy Reid (Kansas City), and Mike McCoy (San Diego), who will all be hoping to make a push for the playoffs.  Meanwhile, John Fox will be teaching Rahim Moore why running forwards is better than running backwards.

So what’s the big story in the the AFC West (read: AFC Worst)? I look to Oakland, where the shroud of the dark side has been lifted. Allen and GM Reggie McKenzie are doing things a little differently now that Al Davis has passed (and may he rest in peace). For starters, (get it, like starting players?) the Raiders traded for former-Packer-Seahawk Matt Flynn. You may remember him as the man who threw six touchdowns against the Lions, signed with Seattle to become their starter and then was usurped by the Prophet himself, Russell Wilson. It remains to be seen if Flynn is a viable starter, but he’s a step better than any Oakland quarterback in the past decade. There were also the signings of Tracy Porter and Charles Woodson, two players who will help the defense tremendously. The jury is still out on the decision to jettison Davis’ last draft pick, Darrius Heyward-Bey, but it looks like Oakland may finally be moving towards success.

Staying along the lines of resurgence, we’re getting dangerously close to seeing the Kansas City Chiefs back at the top of the AFC. Or the AFC West, at least. And even that hasn’t happened since 1997. 2003 was barely the top for them, and 2010 was really just a “well, somebody has to win this division” situation. The last time KC really dominated, their quarterback came by way of the 49ers after having his job taken because of injury. And look, that just so happens to be their situation again! I’m not saying Alex Smith is anything to close to Joe Montana, but the Chiefs definitely made good with that trade. In addition, and probably my favorite move of theirs this year, Kansas City brought in Andy Reid, a huge upgrade over Romeo Crennel. Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator, yes. Architect of a Chiefs, comeback, not so much. Reid will bring years of playoff experience and knowledge of how to build a winner to the Chiefs organization, and he may even guide them to as many conference championship games as he coached in Philadelphia, although hopefully he’ll win more this time.

Even I stop reading articles when they’re too long, so here’s some quick-takes on a few of the specific groups in the division who will be on the come-up this season:

Kansas City Chiefs- Defense, Back Seven. Usually teams talk about their front seven and refer to the secondary as a separate group, but I see hope in Kansas City’s back seven- the DBs and linebacking corps. Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson, Brandon Flowers, and Eric Berry will be making play after play on the defensive end in 2013.

Denver Broncos- Receivers. Let’s not kid ourselves, no matter which group I choose in Denver we all know they’ll be making plenty of highlights. However, I chose the receiver group because lately all I’ve heard is Von Miller this and that. Denver’s defense isn’t as scary as they want you to think (see: Rahim Moore), but honestly, the receivers are. If it wasn’t for Peyton Manning and his secret passion for throwing ill-timed interceptions, the combination of Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas, and Wes Welker would be unstoppable.

Now, I feel weird about closing this article without saying anything about the Chargers, they are my home team and all, but I don’t even feel comfortable speculating on their season. The other day my cousin asked me what I thought about their chances this year, and I didn’t know what to say. Mike McCoy looks like a good coach, Philip Rivers is still a human, and San Diego’s young receivers are on the rise. This team could really go either way. BUT, before I forget, I did tell a friend that if the Chargers open this season 5-0 I will buy a Rivers jersey. You’re now accountable for holding me to that. UPDATE: A positive thought i just had for all the Chargers fans, Mike McCoy was Tebow's O-Coordinator during that amazing run in 2011. Also, he was Peyton Manning's coordinator last season, which means that, not only is he pretty good, but now you've also taken away one of your primary rival's important assets. 2013 is looking a little brighter now, right San Diego?

There you have it, folks. The 2013 AFC Worst in a nutshell. The Broncos will most likely take the crown for a third year in a row, but don’t count out the Chiefs just yet. The Raiders are still a few years away, and the Chargers have a defense to improve before they can return to dominance. As always, the comments section is welcome and waiting. 

Before We Get Into The Offseason...

Alright folks, now that we’ve fully re-immersed into the football mentality, there’s a lot to talk about this summer. Teams have begun training camps, big-name stars are recovering from injuries, and a few free agents are still floating around out there. However, there are a few things you need to know about me before you read what I’ll be writing about all of these topics. You know, just so it isn’t awkward when you read something you may not have been expecting.

Okay, the basics. I am a die-hard fan of the New England Patriots. As a kid, I rooted for the Miami Dolphins, Ricky Williams jersey and all, in obedience to my Miami-native father. During that time, I also knew nothing about football or sports in general. See the correlation here? Only someone who knows absolutely nothing about sports should be rooting for the Dolphins. Anyway, around 2006 I took an interest in football, thought the Patriots looked pretty cool knowing nothing about all their recent success, and became a fan. Ipso facto, there it is. Never, ever, use the word bandwagon in my reference. Accept the glory of the Patriots.

On that same thread, let’s clear the air about Aaron Hernandez. Don’t expect any jokes from me. Aaron was by far my favorite Patriot. Why? It’s not completely explainable, but he was one of the best at Florida (an allegiance from my father that I stuck with, as well as the Heat and Rays if I cared about baseball in the slightest) and seeing him get drafted by New England was a hope realized. His talents made him exciting to watch, his touchdown celebration was fun to imitate, and his frequent injuries kept me in suspense. In an interview yesterday, Deion Branch said the news about Hernandez’s arrest left him “shocked”. I agree, and like Branch, I “love [Aaron] to death”. Every American is innocent until proven guilty. If anyone has a Hernandez jersey they’re looking to get rid of, the comments section is the place for you.

Now, here’s where things get a little more complicated. My favorite football player is not a member of the Patriots. In fact, a lot of the guys I really love to watch don’t suit up in Boston. I blame this on Bill Belicheck’s desire to completely eradicate personality from his team. There is only football. There is only the Kremlin. Anyway, this brings us to who my favorite player IS. His name is Russel Wilson, the Magic Man (it’ll catch on!!). Wilson was one of my favorite guys to watch on Saturdays when he was the quarterback at Wisconsin, even though I often confused him with Taylor Martinez. Upon his arrival in Seattle, I predicted they would win the Super Bowl (Twitter: @GSRudy) in the next three years. You will hear a lot about Russ and the Hawks from me, so get used to it.

A related subject, I often pick up secondary rooting interests during the off-season, based on free agency and the draft, or just the emergence of certain players that I liked. For this reason, I will usually openly support one or two random teams, mostly on twitter. Examples of this are: Skinny Josh Freeman and his Bucs, Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, and the Bengals, and of course Russ-Magic and the Hawks. Why does this happen? Because, quite honestly, sometimes success is boring. For the most part, New England is often mechanical, bland, and uniform. Sometimes I need some excitement, some doubt, something to love or hate. Can you blame me?

Shifting gears, here’s a list of things/people that I hate and will frequently make jokes about: The New Jersey Jets, Rex Ryan, Mark Sanchez, Antonio Cromartie, Norv Turner, The NCAA, Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning, Joe Flacco, Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs, Brandon Meriwether, and believe me, the list goes on. These are people and/or organizations who have at some point (or repeatedly) pissed me off and now they are the butt of many of my jokes or random, spiteful comments. Don’t let the rants catch you off guard.

And now, some of my beliefs. First of all, Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback ever. I will not listen to alternative arguments on this subject, he just is. Second, Russel Wilson is football’s messiah. He is the best player in the NFL. Accept this truth. Embrace it. Third, Bernard Karmell Pollard was created by Satan to destroy the Patriots. We all know it’s true. Also, the Immaculate Reception should have been ruled an incomplete pass, the Pro Bowl is presently a waste of time, and the Super Bowl should only be hosted by a rotation of San Diego, Miami, Tampa Bay, and occasionally Phoenix. There’s more, of course, but you don’t have the time.

Before I finish this article off, just know that this blog fully endorses Tim Tebow. At Florida, he was a personal hero of mine. A Christian guy winning National Championships! I watched every game of his magical run in Denver, and it broke my heart last year when I had to turn away from him because he had been banned to New Jersey. But now he’s back, and a Patriot at that! So, just expect to be hearing a lot about that. You’ve been warned.

I hope that you feel a little more prepared to read my articles now. There are some things you may never understand, like my sense of humor, or the words I make up. But now you’ve got a little more insight into my mind. Any comments, or more likely questions, are welcome in the comments section.