The Pick Your Cornerstone QB Debate… I Want to Live in Mr. Rodgers’ Neighborhood

January 17, 2011

Read the opposing arguments from Babe Ruthless and Optimist Prime.

Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Jay Cutler, or Mark Sanchez?

In the TV hit game show Million Dollar Money Drop, if those are my four options, I’m putting the whole $1M on Aaron Rodgers.

It’s that simple. If I am running a professional football team with just one game left to win, and those are my four options, Aaron Rodgers is the guy I want under center, and for good reason. In the three seasons since taking over Green Bay’s drivers’ seat after what’s-his-name left, Rodgers has become one of the brightest young stars in the NFL.

In just a quick comparison between Rodgers and the guy he took over for (I think his name was Brett something… Favre, that’s it!) through their first three seasons as starters for the Packers:

  • Rodgers started 47 games, Favre started 47 games
  • Rodgers passed for 12,394 yards, Favre passed for 10,412 yards
  • Rodgers passed for 86 TDs, Favre passed for 70 TDs
  • Rodgers passed for 31 interceptions, Favre passed for 51 interceptions
  • Rodgers led the Pack to a combined record of 27-20, Favre’s record was 26-19

That’s right. Rodgers has already started off his career better than the greatest quarterback statistically to ever play the game. But the fact that he is already off to a better career than Favre at this point is only part of the reason why I would choose Rodgers as the field general leading my team into battle.

The REAL reason why Rodgers is the ONLY man I would want taking snaps for my team is not how he performs in the regular season, but how he performs in the post-season.

In three playoff appearances so far Rodgers has passed for 969 yards (323 yards per game average) with 10 touchdowns and only one interception. Oh yeah, he also has two rushing scores to add to that total.

It doesn’t matter who is on the field with him, Aaron Rodgers will find a way to get the ball into the end zone.

This season Rodgers has had to find ways to win without his Pro Bowl running back, Ryan Grant, and his favorite target, Tight End Jermichael Finley. Still, he managed to win games. Now he is leading the Packers into the NFC Championship Game as the hottest quarterback still playing.

Aaron Rodgers has already outgunned Michael Vick and Matt Ryan, two of the so-called top quarterbacks in the NFC. With those two out of the picture, and Tom Brady having fallen to the New York Jets, there is no quarterback left standing that can match Rodgers’ performance on the field.

Rodgers may not have the resume of Ben Roethlisberger, or the supporting cast of superstars like Mark Sanchez has in LaDanian Tomlinson and S’Antonio Holmes, but if I need one guy to win one game for me, Aaron Rodgers is that guy!

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The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate… Tradition, Stakes High For Week Three

September 23, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Babe Ruthless and Bleacher Fan.

Here I am, the last truly fervent college football devotee here at The Sports Debates, NOT writing about how some game on Saturday will be the weekend’s best. It almost makes me feel dirty. For me, college football is absolutely the greatest sport in America. The players may not have the refined athleticism of their professional counterparts, but, like the entire sport itself, its unrefined gray area on and off the field is what makes it so lovable.

But, everyone once in a great while, some of the traditions that hold so strongly for college football seep into some professional games. When tradition is augmented with talent, intrigue, and TRUE drama – not the mocked up stuff the sports media wants us all to believe is important – then the traits that make all college football games great are mirrored in the professional game. No game better encapsulates that idea than the matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday.

It has been a long four seasons for the Chicago Bears. Can you believe it has been four years since the Bears even made the playoffs? Of course, the team more than made the playoffs. The team won the NFC Central, the NFC, and then lost in the Super Bowl. But the team has lost its direction since by firing several defensive coordinators, hiring former NFL coaches as coordinators (and in one case as just the defensive line coach), and swapping players out with reckless abandon. Well, at least that is one perception of the Bears the past several seasons. The other perception is that it was a down on its luck team that succumbed to too many injuries too close together.

No matter what, it was clear the team stunk and the expectations beyond .500 were unwise.

The Packers, however, are a team that built toward success through strong draft cycles, player development, and a commitment to a core group of players that was exceptionally wise. While the Bears acted in mercurial fashion, the Packers have slowly built toward a team that is coming of age and poised to dominate its division with designs on extending its life deeper into the playoffs in 2010. While the expectations are high, the talent and ability of the team seems to be in lockstep.

Now, both teams – which relish the opportunity to play in a rivalry that is truly one the greater contests in sports – sit in a tie atop a surprising division, each boasting a 2-0 record.

The Bears must prove their record is not a fluke. If not for a stupid rule that prevented the Detroit Lions from beating the Bears in week one, the team would be sitting at 1-1. Boosted by a bogus rule, the team came out and beat a still talented, though struggling, Dallas Cowboys team. A quick glance at the Bears’ schedule reveals that the next two weeks will be very revelatory for the team. If the team can be 4-0 at the quarter pole of the season – or even 3-1 – suddenly the Bears become the team to beat in the division. With a primetime, Monday night matchup this week, and a Sunday night contest against the Giants next week, the Bears may fight through ha tough stretch and legitimately challenge the Packers for the division crown.

The Packers must prove their record is a sign of things to come. Their schedule reads very differently than the Bears’. While Chicago caught Dallas early and down, the Packers face off against them in week nine, right after a game against the Jets. The injury to starting running back Ryan Grant has shaken the team, but does not appear to have broken it. Brandon Jackson is a more than able backup running back on a team that is built around the passing game anyway. The defense is outstanding, with Clay Matthews playing stellar on defense thus far having recorded six sacks already.

The Bears and the Packers are eager to make a statement. This game is early in the season but crucially important if either team is to prove it can compete each week when it matters the most.

As inconsistent s the Bears have been in recent seasons, the Packers are now that consistent. Both teams need to win this game. Sure, it helps for one of have bragging rights and the tiebreak, but both teams have a real shot to have a special season, and both need a win this weekend to build momentum and belief. For week three, there is a lot at stake, making this game the best this weekend has to offer.

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The Best Game To Watch THIS Weekend Debate – Steelers Versus Bears… An OFFENSIVE Showdown?!

September 18, 2009

Read Sports Geek’s and Loyal Homer’s arguments about which game this weekend is the one that you CANNOT miss.

If I told you before the NFL season started that the week two matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Bears was the one to watch because of how the team’s respective OFFENSES were going to control the game, you would have laughed at me. However, after injuries last weekend to Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, that is exactly what the situation is shaping up to be.

The Bears and Steelers are both textbook examples of a “defense-first” mentality. Both organizations confidently feature their defenses, relying on their offenses to a much lesser degree. However, this weekend both are forced to take the field without their key defensive players (the Steelers will still have the NFL’s 2008 Defensive Player of the Year linebacker James Harrison on the field, but it is Polamalu who is undeniably viewed as the leader of their defense). The absence of Urlacher and Polamalu leaves gaping holes in each teams’ defense, and it will be up to their supporting cast to fill in those gaps.

This means that both teams also have an opportunity offensively to capitalize on their opponent’s defensive weakness.

No player on the field will be subject to more scrutiny or have higher expectations placed on him than Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Following the highly publicized drama around Cutler’s departure from Denver, and the subsequent praise bestowed on the Bears for “finally” bringing in a pro-bowl caliber quarterback for the first time in over 20 years, many expected Cutler to become the final piece of the Bears’ championship puzzle. However, a very disappointing performance against the Green Bay Packers during week one of the season has cast doubt on his ability to carry the team.

The leadership responsibility now lies solely on Cutler’s shoulders to help the Bears succeed offensively. With the matchup this weekend against a significantly less dangerous Pittsburgh defense than if Polamalu were playing, Cutler will have as good an opportunity as any to prove that he was worth all the off-season hoopla. I hope, for his sake, that it works out well for the Bears. If the fans in Chicago booed quarterback Rex Grossman during the 2006 season (the same year when the Bears actually played in the Super Bowl), what do you think they will do to an over-hyped, underperforming prima-donna who fails to live up to expectations (which is exactly how many fans in Chi-Town will perceive Cutler if he cannot perform satisfactorily), no matter how unrealistic those expectations are?

Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, the Steelers will be dealing with their own share of scrutiny and expectation. They may have a much more established offense than Chicago, with players like quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receivers Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes to rely on, but defense has always been the focal point of a Steelers’ game plan.

Last weekend, Pittsburgh struggled offensively for much of the game against the Tennessee Titans, including a late Hines Ward fumble that nearly cost the Steelers the game. This week against the Bears, they can ill-afford to repeat that performance because they will not have a defense that is at full strength to fall back on as a safety-net.

The Steelers-Bears matchup on Sunday in Chicago is going to present a unique test for both teams. On defense, we will find out which player’s injury was more costly to their team (Urlacher or Polamalu), and we will find out which team’s offense is better prepared to carry the load for a weakened defense that cannot be called upon to do everything.

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The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate – NFC North Battle Looms Large

September 11, 2009

Read Sports Geek’s argument that Notre Dame-Michigan is the best game of the weekend and Bleacher Fan’s argument that USC-Ohio State is the most best of the weekend.



The NFL is finally here! It is arguably my favorite league. Fantasy football has taken my love of the NFL to new heights over the past several years. I think many of you can say that, too! Hopefully, the Steelers-Titans game last night got everyone in the mood for NFL action this weekend. What a physical game that was!

In looking at the NFL schedule, I see intriguing games like Miami at Atlanta, Philadelphia at Carolina, and Washington at New York. However, the most important game of the weekend takes place in Green Bay as the Packers welcome long time nemesis Chicago to Lambeau Field.

The Chicago Bears come into the 2009 season with renewed hope and excitement. Those uplifting feelings are due to the fact that quarterback Jay Cutler will be taking the snaps. The quarterback position has been a merry-go-round the last few seasons with Rex Grossman, Brian Griese, and Kyle Orton playing hot potato with the position. Now, the Bears – and Bears fans – hope they have found a franchise quarterback in Cutler. Bears fans are some of the most passionate in the league, and you can bet the bullseye is squarely on the chest of Mr. Cutler.

Green Bay also comes into the season with renewed hope and excitement. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers quietly had a solid season in his first year starting, replacing that Favre guy. He finished the year with over 4,000 passing yards and 28 touchdowns with a 93.8 passer rating. (In fact, he was my number one pick on my fantasy team, so I hope he has a big year!) The Packers have tried to fix their problems on defense, and if you put a lot of stock into what happens in the preseason, then you feel good about how the defense looks at this point. Renowned defensive coordinator Dom Capers was hired to turn things around, and with him comes his patented brand of the 3-4 defense.

This is the best game because of the ramifications within the division. I see the Vikings, Bears, and Packers battling it out all season for NFC North supremacy. And, this is an intense rivalry. If the Bears were able to steal a game at Lambeau, it would be huge in terms of getting back on track and making a push to get back to the playoffs. The Packers need to win to hold serve and get a quality win at home against a division rival. In this division, you are going to have to win your games at home in order to contend for the division title. It is a Sunday night game on national television, too, and it is huge for either team to send a message to the rest of the league in saying, “Hey, we may have been down last year, but this is a new year and we are back.”

This game sets the tone for the rest of the season. Now strap on those pads, buckle those chin straps, and let’s place some football!!!

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Posted by Loyal Homer

The 2009 Toughest Division in the NFL Debate – Introducing the Tough and Challenging NFC North

August 31, 2009

Read Bleacher Fan and Loyal Homer’s arguments for which division in the NFL will be the toughest in the 2009 season.



The toughest division in the NFL this season has nothing to do with 2008, and everything to do with 2009. An influx of talent, and necessary culture of change for the better, must be unmatched in any other division. With the topsy-turvy “what have you done lately” nature of the NFL, the secret to forecasting the toughest division in the NFL lies with the division with the most untapped potential. That division, without question, is the NFC North.

Rather than rookies peppering the new talent landscape in the NFC North, the new players come with tremendous experience and physical ability. Taking that into consideration, along with the fact that we are naming the TOUGHEST division, how can anyone argue against a division that includes premier linebackers Brian Urlacher and A.J. Hawk? The NFC North is synonymous with toughness, and 2009 is no exception.

The Chicago Bears focused their offseason on a single position, and vastly improved their outlook for 2009 by remaking the quarterback position. Jay Cutler offers control (as he exhibited in the third preseason game IN Denver), talent, and leadership. General manager Jerry Angelo also brought in future hall of fame left tackle Orlando Pace to protect Cutler’s blind side and also get more push on the left side in goal line situations. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner has also tailored the offense to Cutler’s liking, giving him plenty of long ball opportunities (to avoid the desire to force one) while also creating excellent check downs to running backs Matt Forte and Kevin Jones. The Bears have great special teams, too. Oh, then there’s the defense. While they were riddled with injuries in 2008, the entire defense returns healthy. Perhaps most importantly, the Bears are avoiding indecision and transition now. Eliminating former quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman are big helps, but also getting rid of perpetually injured strong safety Mike Brown was important. Certainty and consistent are the friends of winning teams.

Speaking of which, perhaps the team with the most upside and potential for 2009 is the team with the least movement in the 2008-2009 offseason. The Green Bay Packers got better by playing together and getting more comfortable on both the offensive and defensive sides. They have needed no big offseason acquisitions, no splashy trades, no tough losses to free agency. They were steady from a personnel standpoint. Normally this brings words like “plateau” and “status quo” to mind. But the Packers will improve. They have quarterback Aaron Rodgers, in my opinion the best draft pick from 2005 draft. All he did was throw for over 4,000 yards last season with strong and steady wide receivers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. The running back position is more solid for 2009, too, with five capable running backs on the roster. Starter Ryan Grant is now a proven force in the league, but Brandon Jackson proved he is an excellent third down back and running option. Youngsters Kregg Lumpkin and rookie Tyrell Sutton are a good potential thunder and lightning type combination, and DeShawn Wynn has the type of balance and explosiveness all general manager’s seek.

The Minnesota Vikings were already strong on defense and special teams last season (how is this the first season where special teams coordinator is regarded as an “official” coordinator??). The offense needed to improve and become more consistent. It has, thanks to the late preseason acquisition of quarterback Brett Favre. Though some in the clubhouse have not welcomed Favre with open arms, his style and success will change all of that. Once open receivers are hit, along with the balance of running back Adrian Peterson, a good offense becomes a potentially big play offense. Playmaker Percy Harvin adds excitement to the mix, as well, improving the overall team speed and explosiveness. The defense was good last year and will remain good, frustrating good running games with the Williams brothers in the middle and creating havoc in the passing game with pass rush specialist Jared Allen.

And then there is the Detroit Lions. I will not insult anyone by saying they will be tough. But, three top notch teams in a division is pretty darn good. At year’s end, they will be better than any other division – this season’s version of the AFC East.

You may have read this entire article and still ask yourself, “How in the world can this moron pick a division that contained a 0-16 team as the toughest?” Simple – momentum. How can the Lions get any worse? That cannot. And there is a good chance they will be good. New coaches, fresh perspective, easy schedule, and low expectations. It is a good formula for surprising in the NFL. They will just have to get past the rest of their division, and that will be no easy task.

The reality and parity of the NFL dictates that it is impossible to forecast or predict anything. Making an unconventional, bold pick is the surest way to be labeled a moron in the preseason, and get forgotten when it actually happens. As I have pointed out before, bold is my middle name. I do not shy away from making a courageous proclamation. Especially when I feel I am right.

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Posted by Sports Geek

The Problem Wide Receiver Debate – Brandon Marshall Is Great

June 22, 2009



Read Bleacher Fan and Loyal Homer’s opinions.

Here’s an NFL fun fact – the wide receiver position is full of self-assured prima donnas. (Thanks, Captain Obvious). Certainly not all receivers overinflate their self-worth and value to a football team, but many do. Generally, fans have a hard time getting behind these types of players. Their vocal nature and occasionally controversial attitudes do not seem to fit with the limited role they play on the team – running routes, catches passes, and blocking (though not all receivers have warmed up to that “concept”). While all of these things are true about receivers in general, they aren’t true about Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall, a real, emerging talent who doesn’t fit the prima donna mold.

First, he is a talented receiver. At the tender age of 25 he has already cemented his status as a #1 receiver on his team, and a top 10 receiver in the NFL. Marshall has only played two – TWO – full seasons of professional football, but already averages well over 1,100 yards per season in those two years and is a tall yet speedy deep-threat all passing oriented offenses covet. His two years as a starter have produced over 100 catches a season while racking up well over 80-yards per game. It’s even possible to argue that Marshall’s stats would have been even better if not for a terrible running game in Denver during the 2008 season. In other words, Marshall saw a lot of double teams he would not have normally lined up against if the opposing defense had to respect the run. Plus, the great thing about Marshall is his age. He is still three to four years away from reaching his prime, placing his value at an all time high.

Second, he’s not prima donna. Unlike former New York Giants Plaxico Burress (who, besides Terrell Owens, is the most problematic, prototypical prima donna receiver ever) Marshall has never been a problem in the locker room or with the media. His “reasons” for seeking a trade now (and earning his way into this debate) are shaky. In other words, no one in the world believes that Marshall is demanding a pay raise and lacks confidence in the Broncos medical staff. Marshall is simply in an advantageous situation that his agent is trying to make the most of.

Former Denver quarterback Jay Cutler managed to force his way out of town by expressing his extreme displeasure with the new coach and dramatically changed situation. In that state of organizational tumult, Brandon Marshall’s agent, Kennard McGuire, sees an opportunity. McGuire has a roster of clients that includes, among others, Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Shaun Rogers. Rogers is a player who voiced some concerns this off-season about whether the new coaching staff in Cleveland wanted him around, even threatening to seek a trade because he was snubbed at a cocktail party. The obvious conclusion here is that McGuire has a vested interest in creating a situation where he is able to circumvent free agency and team ownership rights. Why would an agent want to do this? To make more money and gain leverage on the league. My point is that it’s not at all fair to judge Marshall as a prima donna when he’s nothing more than a pawn in a highly complex game of chess.

If McGuire is able to pull this trade off and find a situation where a team is able to make the worthwhile sacrifice to bring in Marshall’s talent, they’ll be a contender – immediately and for years to come. Not only will they have a #1 receiving threat with his best years ahead of him (unlike Burress), they will be able to create a more wide-open and balanced offense, and they’ll also have a player who is not the prima donna the media has made him out to be. Win-win-win.

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Posted by Sports Geek

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