Detroit Lions Season in Review

Holy mid-season collapse Batman. The Detroit Lions as a team have been a disappoint since maing the playoffs two seasons ago. Its more disappointing considering the offensive power they have. The defensive line could be one of the best. Their linebacking core and their defensive backfield are the weak spots on this team. However, the main reason for this mid season collapse is Matthew Stafford.

Don't get me wrong Matthew Stafford is the quarterback of this team. He is probably one of the best throwers in the league. The kid is a natural gunslinger. Personally, when I look at Stafford, I see a younger Brett Farve. That is both good and bad. Matthew Stafford can through as many picks as he can touchdowns. In order for this team to get better, Matthew Stafford has to be safer with the football. He has already said that he will not work with a quarterback coach. However, in order for him to get better he needs a mentor. Whether that will be new head coach Jim Caldwell or a veteran quarterback, Stafford needs to realize team will go as he goes.

Now let's look at the defensive side of the ball. The defense got used to the offense being able to outscore other teams in the beginning of the season.Once the offense started struggling the holes in the defense became apparent. Outside of the defensive line, this defensive lacks toughness and lacks leadership. The Lions need to sign a veteran safety to help with the corners. The corner position also needs to be upgraded. The Lions need linebackers who can cover the flats and hook the curls. All the pass defense has to do is hold up long enough for that powerful d-line to break through.

The Lions have the talent and weapons to make the playoffs. Time will tell if they will actually succeed.

Minnesota Vikings Season in Review

Minnesota Vikings Season in Review

The Vikings surprisingly were better offensively than you may think. However defensively Vikings may have been one of the worst teams in the league. The Vikings have been struggling to find a quarterback ever since Brett Farve retired...for real. They have tried quarterback after quarterback with minimal success. This year they tried out three different ones. 

Christian Ponder came in as the starter. He has moments where he flashes and everyone can see why the Vikings drafted him. But most of the time he can't hit the side off a bus. His injury was a blessing in disguise for the Vikings. When He got injured they were able to look at Matt Cassel. Matt Cassel stepped in and played decent ball for the Vikings. He was probably the best quarterback on that roster. Last but not least, probably the biggest fail, is former Tampa Bay Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman. Josh Freeman played awful in his one start. He played so bad, the New York Giants got their first win of the season. Greg Jennings showed his age in most of these games but he still does have the potential to be a number two receiver. Cordalle Patterson is an exciting player and can fit perfectly in the slot position. The Vikings need to find a receiver, one that can draw double coverage and can take some of the pressure off Adrian Peterson. 

Defense should be the main focus of this offseason. There defense was ranked in the bottom half of nearly all the defensive stats this year. Vikings nromally do have a good defense but the lack of an elite corner hurt this team. Safety position is also a concern for this team as they the middle of the field open. However the main probably with this team is that the Vikings will have to find a way to replace Jared Allen. Jared Allen is a special talent and had a nonstop motor. It will be interesting to see if the Vikings will draft his replacement since they pick at eight. 

The VIkings have major holes to fill before they can be a top team. Sorry Vikings fans but there is a good chance, you will have to wait at least two seasons before the Vikings will dominate the North again. 

Kap involved in suspicious activity

News broke today as we learned Colin Kaepernick was involved in suspicious incident per TMZ sports. You can read the article attached to this link  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/10/report-colin-kaepernick-investigated-for-alleged-sexual-assault/

Could Calvin Johnson be on his way out of Detroit?

Megatron turned in another great season in 2013. The guy is simply the best, if not, one of the best receivers in the league and maybe all time. The guy can do it all. He can beat the corner deep, he can beat the corner short. He can take a short slant to the endzone. He can catch a fly and run over the safety for a touchdown. The nickname is appropriate.

However, is it possible the Lions are willing to cut ties with him? Now before you dismiss this theory, look at the facts. The Lions went out and signed Golden Tate. Golden Tate is an underrated wide receiver who will flourish in a pass first offense. Golden Tate isn't a number one receiver but he is definitely a solid number two. So who will be the number one? Well the Lions are extremely high on Sammy Watkins. Sammy Watkins is expected to be a top 5 pick. There is a good chance the Rams will take Watkins with the second overall pick. If Lions want him, they may have to trade up to the number one overall pick. If they take him with the first pick, they will have a lot of money tied up in one position when they need clear help on defense. Sammy Watkins can step in and replace Calvin Johnson...maybe not immediately but in time he can. If they draft Watkins they will have 3 wide receivers. Who will play the slot role. Golden Tate will probably be the best to play the slot but he still isn't a natural slot. Now keep in mind this is just a theory.

Now that we looked at the facts, it may or not seem clearer to you. To me, if they draft Sammy Watkins, there will be an odd man out. Calvin Johnson is making the most amount of money on that team. He is there best player but the Lions have an extreme amount money tied up in offense. They need to improve their defense to be contender. As we saw in this past superbowl, defense wins championships. Other than the defensive line the Lions are in trouble defensively.

Chris Johnson released from Titans

We all expected it. We all knew it was going to happen. It finally became official.

Coming off his worst year as a pro, Chris Johnson was released from the Titans after spending 6 seasons with the Titans. Add him to the list of veterans who been released in this bizarre offseason.

Teams expected to be interested are the New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons.

If this would have happened a few years ago, Chris Johnson may have made a lot more money. Seeing as running back market has been decreasing, year after year, Chris Johnson may be better off looking for an one year "prove it" contract.

After years of losing seasons with the Titans, it is interesting to see whether Johnson will chase money or chase wins. But we do know, the chase for Johnson has begun.

Champ Bailey Signs with Saints

This offseason has been full of veterans who have changed uniforms this year. The latest is Champ Bailey. Champ Bailey will be playing in the Superdome for the New Orleans Saints. 

Bailey signed a deal on Friday, April the 4th. Contract details are still unknown.

Champ expressed willingness to play safety for a team that signs him. That will be unlikely with the Saints considering their talented safeties Kenny Vaccaro and their free agent prize Jarius Bryd. 

What Champ brings to this team is experience, and wisdom. He can help the younger corners improve their game, at the same time as him still getting chances to play. New Orleans defensive secondary can only get better with this addition. 

Cincinnati Bengals Season in Review

Cincinnati Bengals Season in Review

The Bengals won the division last year. At times they looked spectacular. At other times they looked like duds. A lot of times they dominated teams that looked better then they did but then struggled to beat some of the struggling teams. They managed to make it to the playoffs, only to lose to the Chargers. 

Bengals offense is decent. But at times they look sluggish. A lot of people like to blame the ginger, Andy Dalton, but, to fair he plays a lot of good games. It's hard to peg Andy Dalton. At times he can blow your mind and look like a top QB in this league. But other times he looks a little less than average. It will be interesting to see how the contract situation folds out. The owner is not sold on Andy Dalton, but Marvin Lewis is. AJ Green has to be one of the top receivers in the league. He caught 98 balls this season, and helped give the Begnals an 8th overrall ranked passing offense. The running game was only 18th in the league. BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a solid running back at best. Look for Giovani Bernard to carry the bulk of the load next season. Its odd when a team with a top 5 defense doesn't have a stop running game. 

Bengals defense is fearful. Their defense ranked in the top 5 in the NFL. They were the anchor for this team throughout most of the season. When the offense struggled the defense carried them through. The thing is about their defense, is their defense doesn't have stars. They have good players who play well together. It almost resembles Seattle's defense. 

This offseason has been a quiet one for the Bengals. The Bengals need to focus on a few things heading to this draft. First, this draft is deep in wide receiver depth, draft a wide receiver to help take the double coverages off Green. Next continue to improve the defense. Try to replace Michael Johnson. Last but not least, decide on Andy Dalton, whether he is the future for the Bengals or not.