Author: John Sarianides

Scouting Report: Counter Trap Plays Are the Foundation of the Steelers Running Game

January 21, 2017
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By John Sarianides The Pittsburgh Steelers run a variety of counter trap plays designed to take advantage of LeVeon Bell patient running style. Here are four examples of how the Steelers use counter plays out of compressed formations as staples of their running game. Tackle Wrap With a Built in RPO: The Steelers are big, strong and athletic along the offensive line. The tackle wrap play is a staple spread…

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NFL Draft: 20 Players to Watch For In the East West Shrine Game

January 21, 2017
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By John Sarianides The pre-draft process starts today with the East West Shrine game. There are several quality prospects playing in today’s game and a handful of them could be among the first one hundred players taken in April’s draft. Here are my top twenty prospects to keep an eye on in this game.  1. Cooper Rush, QB, Central Michigan (East): Rush has terrific size at 6-3 230. He is…

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NFL: Five Key Match-Ups to Watch in the AFC Championship Game

January 20, 2017
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Photo courtesy of Jared Wickerham/AP The Patriots and Steelers will be facing off for a second time this season. The Patriots won the first match up in Week 7, 27-16. Pittsburgh was without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger so needless to say, this should be a different game. Pittsburgh’s defense has vastly improved since that first match-up as well and they could pose problems for the Patriots come Sunday. Here are five…

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NFL: Five Key Match Ups To Watch In The NFC Championship Game

January 20, 2017
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The Packers and Falcons will be meeting for the second time this season in the NFC Championship game. The Falcons won the first match up 33-32. Here are five key match up to watch for in this game. Matt Ryan Vs. The Packers Secondary: Matt Ryan threw for 288 yards and 3 touchdown passes in the first meeting between these two teams. Ryan should put up similar numbers in this…

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Vallee’s View: Patriots Stumble into the AFC Championship Game

January 18, 2017
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Feature image courtesy of Jim Rogash/ Getty Images By Michael Vallee -Send In the Clowns:  It was supposed to be easy.  A laugher.  A joke.  Another gift from the AFC South.  The NFL equivalent of the proverbial walk in the park.  A mere tuneup before the real playoffs begin next Sunday.  In a week when most of the talk centered around such questions as, “How much will New England win…

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AFC Championship Week Means It is Officially Whining Week in New England

January 17, 2017
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It is AFC Championship week in New England. That means Patriots fans are going to whine about how their team is not getting any respect nationally and that Roger Goodell is a piece of excrement for not coming to New England.  By John Sarianides It is AFC Championship week in New England. You know what that means right? It’s whining week! That’s right. It is the yearly rite of passage…

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Josh McDaniels Made the Right Decision Staying in New England

January 16, 2017
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Josh McDaniels announced this morning that he is staying in New England and is no longer a candidate for the 49ers opening.  By John Sarianides Josh McDaniels announced this morning that he has withdrawn his name for consideration for the San Francisco 49ers head coaching opening. McDaniels cited relocating his family as the primary reason for withdrawing his name for the job. I believe McDaniels when he says that but…

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NFL: The Dime Package for Divisional Weekend

January 16, 2017
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Aaron Rodgers will haunt the Cowboys and their fans for a long time.  Here are ten thoughts from an up and down divisional weekend in the NFL.  By John Sarianides 1. The Seahawks are a shell of the team they were two years ago. They don’t have the aura of invincibility that they had in 2013 and 2014. It might be time Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider shook…

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NFL: Sunday Divisional Round Playoff Preview

January 15, 2017
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Divisional Sunday will start later as usual thanks to old man winter. The Packers will visit the Cowboys at 4:40 while the Steelers, Chiefs game has been pushed back to 8:20.  Here is three key preview for both games. By John Sarianides #3 Pittsburgh Steelers at #2 Kansas City Chiefs The Build Up: The Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs are meeting for the second time this season. The Steelers…

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