By John Sarianides With the 2017 season kicking off tonight, here is my pre-season top 25. 1. Alabama Crimson Tide: An experienced offense makes the Tide the pre-season favorite to get back to the national title game. 2. Ohio State Buckeyes: J.T Barrett and a talented defense makes the Buckeyes a favorite to make the college football playoff once again. 3. Florida State Seminoles: The Noles return a bevy of…
By John Sarianides Led by rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys surprised the NFL in 2016 by going 13-3. Dallas was the number one seed in the NFC. The talent is in place for the Cowboys to replicate or even surpass that record in 2017. Obviously Dallas’ chances of doing that will hinge on what happen with Elliott and his six game suspension. Will he serve the whole…
By John Sarianides The New York Giants signed veteran receiver Brandon Marshall and drafted tight end Evan Engram to reinforce an offense that came up short in the playoffs last season. The Giants boast one of the top defense’s in the NFL so improving the offense was the focal of general manager Jerry Reese’s off-season. By adding Marshall, the Giants add a proven target that should complement Odell Beckham Jr….
By John Sarianides Each and every year, there is one program in each conference that surprises people and exceeds expectations. Here is one team in each conference that could surprise in 2017. America East SMU Mustangs: Chad Morris is one of the best recruiters in Texas. He is re-stocking the roster with some talented players. SMU won’t make it to a bowl game this season but a five win season…
By John Sarianides It is year two of the Doug Petersen regime in Philadelphia and the expectations are high in the city of brotherly love. The most passionate fan base in the NFL has high hopes for quarterback Carson Wentz and this team. General Manager Howie Roseman infused the roster with some talent this off-season adding veterans Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith and LeGarrette Blount. Jeffery and Smith are both proven targets who…
By John Sarianides The Washington Redskins made some changes on the offensive side of the ball this off-season. Gone are offensive coordinator Sean McVay and receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garçon. Replacing will be Quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh and free agent acquisition. Terrelle Pryor. There were also changes on the defensive side of the ball as linebackers coach Greg Manusky takes over as defensive coordinator. Manusky will keep the 3-4…
By John Sarianides Western Michigan was the surprise mid-major last season going 12-0 and getting to the Cotton Bowl before losing to Wisconsin. So, who will be this year’s surprise mid-major program? Here are five teams that could end up in the New Year’s Six. 1. Wyoming Cowboys: The Cowboys are seemingly everyone’s sleeper mid-major team it seems. Why not? Head coach Craig Bohl has coached at Nebraska and he built…
By John Sarianides The 2017 season has already kicked off but it kicks off in earnest this weekend. That begs the question. Who are the top Heisman Trophy contenders? There are several players to watch this season. Here is my list by position. Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Louisville: The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has a good chance to be the first repeat winner since Ohio State running back Archie Griffin in…
By John Sarianides The Detroit Lions signed quarterback Matthew Stafford to a five year, $135 million dollar extension last night. The deal includes $50 million in bonus money and $92 million guaranteed. Not bad for a quarterback who has never won a playoff game. The deal makes Stafford the highest paid player in league history at $27 million per season. Naysayers will immediately point to Stafford’s playoff record and say…
By John Sarianides Packers general manager Ted Thompson made it a point this off-season to upgrade a Packers secondary that was brutal last season. Between injuries and inconsistent play, Green Bay’s secondary was the single biggest reason the Packers failed to reach the Super Bowl once again. Thompson addressed the problem in April’s draft by taking Washington cornerback Kevin King in the second round and strong safety Josh Jones in…