Breaking Down the NFC East

1. Cowboys - yea they are the favorite in this division and have a tremendous offense but lets not jump the gun. Who knows if Miles Austin can put together a season like he did last, most of his production was from those 200 yard performances in 2 games I believe. Roy Williams sucks and everyone knows it, Dez Bryant is a guy a lot of people are saying is the real deal and expect him to be the #2 WR. That's a lot of pressure for a young kid, and Jason Witten is a beast. The running game needs to stay healthy and after last year Marion Barber III needs to prove he can bounce back from the injury. And if we know anything it's that the NFC East battle each other and you will lose a couple games in the division alone. Lets look at the Cowboys tough games that will be hard to win or WILL lose. Week 6 @Minnesota is a loss, Week 9 @Green Bay is a loss and Week 10 @ the Giants is a loss. That's 3 losses already, they play New Orleans on Thanksgiving and Indy THE WEEK AFTER!!! That's a ridiculous schedule, even if they beat the Giants twice this year with the games listed they lose 4 games. Then you know what happens, crazy plays and somehow they lose to the Skins one game and the Eagles can take them down in their house because of the nature of the game. People are verrrrrrry high on the Cowboys without being realistic, the schedule in front of them is very tough. I'd say at best 12-4, probably 11-5.

2. Giants - The mantra of Eli Manning is over rated of he stinks has become some sort of fad amongst NFL fans. I've even heard people say Eli was awful last year after posting his best statistical season of his career. Eli threw for 4,000 yards last year with a bunch of young kids and no "clear cut #1" with Plax gone. The running game for the Giants last year was beyond terrible and the amount of injuries they had on defense it was surprising they didn't lose more games. With Kenny Phillips, Aaron Ross healthy the defense will be improved. Osi and Tuck healthy + a new D coordinator in Perry Fuel the Giants are predicated on their health. Lets not forget they added Antrel Rolle and if Keith Bulluck can stay healthy he could be a good replacement for Pierce. This year the Giants have alot to prove and they have a bunch of ? but Eli is the real deal and people need to stop discrediting him. I got the Giants at 10-6 this year factoring in 2 losses to the Cowboys, 1 to Philly, and 3 to Green Bay, Indy, Minnesota.

3. Redskins - Many are saying this team will be awful and that even #5 will not change things. McNabb is a huge snag for the Skins but they are still lacking many pieces. Eagles fans have been calling Donovan a bum for years and are rejoicing that he is gone and that the Kevin Kolb Era has begun. Calling Donovan a bum is just stupid, the guy has a hell of an arm and took the Eagles to the Super Bowl and NFC Championships...yes he didn't win but he isn't a bad QB. Philly fans hate him for dumb reasons but he doesn't suck. The Redskins on the other hand are weird, new coach, new QB and A TON OF OLD +$+ RUNNING BACKS. Their defense should be ok but they have no WR threats and I don't see much success for them. 7-9 at best.

4. Eagles - I'm not buying the Eagles with Kolb, I think the one that will hate this move and suffer from it the most is Desean Jackson. The eagles are old on defense and just don't scare anyone anymore. I think they are slowly entering a rebuilding mode as the Redskins should be instead of loading the team with washed up players. Eagles will go 8-8 and everyone will call for Andy Reid to be fired.

Should be a interesting fight in the division as always, football is right around the corner.

Brewers Looking to Move A Prince?

The Milwaukee Brewers are fielding offers for star first baseman, Prince Fielder.

Fielder is having a rough 1st half of the season, although the power is still there with 19 homeruns, a low RBI total, 38 and a .266 batting average has sprung up trade talks. More of a factor is the price tag Fielder would command in the offseason when he becomes a free agent. Many believe Milwaukee will not be able to sign him back and are looking to get something for him now.

But where can he go? What would be the best fit for Prince Fielder?

Prince is not a terrible first baseman but maybe a DH spot in the AL would be more fitting. So lets take a look at teams that could use a power bat to put them over the top in the 2nd half of the MLB season.

1. Tampa Bay Rays - The Rays are dangerous right now and will be fighting the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for the AL East crown all year. Adding Prince to a line up with Crawford, Zobrist, Longoria, Upton, Pena would be an amazing fit. He could spell Pena at first, and hit homers all the time in the dome. Yes he more than likely would be a rental player for them but it would give them a great shot to win the AL East.

2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - The loss of Kendry Morales was a tough one to swallow and he may not be back all year. The Angels are in a world of hurt at the 1B position and could use a power bat to supplement the loss of Morales. Along with Hunter, Abreu, Matsui, Fielder would help them beat the Rangers in the AL West.

3. Chicago White Sox - A team in the thick of things in the AL Central they could use a bat to ward off the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins. Fielder could provide excellent protection around Paul Konerko who is having a great year, Carlos Quentin and Alex Rios.

Prince Fielder would be a great asset for any team, and could put them in prime contention to win a ring this year. Fielder will certainly look to have a better 2nd half, but I have a feeling if he continues to crush baseballs, teams, especially in the AL will take the sacrifice.

Decision Made, LeBron to Miami.

"The Decision" has been made, Miami wins. It looks like they will be winning for a very long time. LeBron James yesterday announced on national television that he was leaving Cleveland to go play with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh is South Beach.

While fans in Cleveland cried and burned his jersey, fans in Miami went crazy and rushed to buy season tickets. Fans in New York were upset as well, (I was in NYC last night after the decision and everywhere you looked someone was saying 'F*** LeBron') those in New Jersey and Chicago knew they had no chance.

On to the analysis. LeBron made this decision in order to win. I thought the best place for his to go would have been New York. It would have revitalized the NBA in a completely new way. Not only would there be dozens upon dozens of story lines heading into the season but rivalries galore. If LeBron went to New York imagine opening night of New York vs Miami, Bosh and Wade vs Amar'e and LeBron. Christmas; Kobe and Gasol vs Rose and Boozer. The big three in Boston vs Dwight Howard and the Magic, tons of possibilities.

Instead LeBron chose the championships and the best CURRENT opportunity to win not just one ring, but multiple rings. Tons of bitter Cleveland and New York fans are saying that LeBron took the "coward" way out and that he owed it to the city of Cleveland or he strung along New York, which is a load of crap. LeBron owes the city of Cleveland nothing, and I mean it, not one damn thing.

LeBron James single-handedly revitalized the city of Cleveland by restoring the basketball program, boosting the economy and putting basketball back on the map in that state. Before LeBron strolled along the only thing Cleveland basketball was known for was Michael Jordan draining a jumper and Craig Ehlo dropping to the court like a sack of potatoes. He played seven years in Cleveland took them to the playoffs and a NBA Finals, won multiple MVPs, all-star game appearances and many more accolades. He did not win a ring, but that isn't completely his fault. The organization never gave him the proper "Robin," an old Shaq doesn't count, Antwan Jamison is awful and Mo Williams doesn't even deserve to be called "Cat Woman." He did all that he could for that franchise and it was time to move on.

The worst part about this entire situation was the way it was handled and LeBron is receiving a lot of grief about it from fans and sports talk shows everywhere. This whole "The Decision" on ESPN was completely unnecessary for him to announce that he was going to Miami. The day before that, at 12:30pm on SportsCenter Bosh and Wade made their decision. If LeBron knew he was choosing Miami why not save face and just hop on SC with them and do the announcement like that. It would have saved him so much aggravation if it was handled in a more mild-manner sort of a way. Aside from that, the decision itself is not one people should be angry at. It was a decision to go and win, it was not about the money or the fame, it was simply about the rings.

Following LeBron's decision Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert made a fool of himself and put himself into a hole he wont be able to get out of in the near future. Gilbert issued and statement ripping apart James that made him look like a sore loser and cry baby. Gilbert called LeBron "a former hero" "narcissistic" and "disloyal." Also saying this bold statement:

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

YEA RIGHT DAN.


Today Miami introduced Wade, James and Bosh to the Heat fans where there was a "party" followed by a press conference. The press conference is what struck a chord with me the most. LeBron answered questions to which he forcefully stated that his decision was about the W column and getting championships. It was a prime opportunity for them to play together like they did in 2008 for the USA Olympic team where they won the gold medal. All three of them seemed to be on the same page mentally and really knew what they were getting themselves into. If this goes how it seems on the surface the NBA should be very, very scared. Yes the Los Angeles Lakers are the 2-time defending champions right now and they are the favorite for next year right now because we do not know who will fill out this Heat roster, but the Heat will be dangerous in 2010-2011.

The figures for the contracts came down of all three, LeBron James and Chris Bosh both agreed to six-year $110 million dollar deals. Dwyane Wade signed off on a slightly smaller deal of six-years $107 million dollars. Each took 15 million dollars less than they could have with other teams in order to play together and win. They left that money on the table so that a team could be built around them. In this case no one lied, it is about winning, it is not about the money, it is simply about the hardware.

Now that it is over, moves can be made and we can get on with out lives. NBA teams will focus on getting better, adding players to their rosters, the summer league and then the season will begin. LeBron's decision is one he will have to live with, and for his sake I hope he win 10 championships with the Heat. He has to or else he will be vilified for the end of time.

The great ones always want the ball in their hands at the end of the game, when the pressure is on. Well LeBron congratulations the weight of the world is on your shoulders with this decision, your move.

Kevin Durant Re-Ups with the Thunder

Shortly after Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh announced their decision to play for Miami, Kevin Durant dished some news of his own that went under the radar.

Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder agreed on a 5-year $86 Million extension. Last year Durant became the youngest scoring champion in NBA history.

Last year the Thunder shocked many as they went into the playoffs with such a young team, and gave the Lakers a fight. The Thunder have a core nucleus of Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook that seems to be ready to cause problems in the West for a long while.

Boozer Bulldozes his way Back to the East

Carlos Boozer has agreed to a 5 year $80 million deal with the Chicago Bulls.

A huge move for Chicago that solidifies their front court with a combo of Joakim Noah and now Carlos Boozer. Along with Derrick Rose this makes Chicago a great contender. It seems the one thing missing from this Bulls team is a solid shooting guard.

A key here is that the Bulls even with the signing of Boozer still have enough cap space to sign LeBron James.

I believe he will not sign with Chicago, regardless of that face, Boozer to Chicago is a great move.

Wade and Bosh Team Up In Miami

Well it wasn't a hour long special but Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh sat down and spoke with ESPN's Michael Wilbon to announce their destination.

Both will be playing together for the Miami Heat.

The big question now is will LeBron comes with them. Financially it will leave the Heat crippled but it could be the start of a dynasty.

Miami has limited financial wiggle room even without signing LeBron, but that does not matter at this very second. It is all about the foundation of Wade and Bosh. A dynamic duo that will be a force to be reckoned with.

Miami now has 4 players on their roster along with the two that signed today are also Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers. The Heat might want to get some more if they want to contend this year.

2 major dominoes have fallen, the biggest one of them all falls tomorrow at 9pm.

LeBron to Make Decision Thursday on ESPN

That's right folks, the moment you all have been waiting for will finally arrive Thursday on ESPN at 9pm.

LeBron James, the most prized free agent in the 2010 class will decide his suitor on live television, something we haven't seen before. It's almost like a college basketball player declaring his school by being in his high school gym and putting on a hat.

This will be the 2nd biggest television event this year, behind the series finale of LOST.