Frustration in the NFL

 Frustration In the NFL 

  This time, I am going to take a break from the Top 5 In the NFL and talk about frustration. This year in the NFL there has been plenty of frustration in both players and teams. Some dreams dashed by injuries, players not having a good year, and bad coaching staffs. 

paraorkut.com

   In 2004, Philip Rivers was drafted by the New York Giants. But he didn't stay there for long. He soon went to the Chargers and then had to wait a short but painful two years before he would eventually get to start. One year it was Drew Brees starting, then when Brees left, Doug Flutie took over, then finally it was his time to start. And what a way to make a statement. Throwing over 3,000 yards and 22 Touchdowns. Ever since then, he has never missed a game. I feel sorry for Rivers. He had high hopes, the fans had high hopes, and every football fan had hopes. I thought he was going to have a year better than last year. But so far his stats are:

• 13 Touchdowns
• 15 Interceptions
• 6 Fumbles
• 80.2 Passer Rating 

 These stats are pitiful. Last year he had a great year. Near 5,000 yards passing, 30 Touchdowns, and 13 Interceptions. No where near as good as last year. Major disappointment. But don't get me wrong. When the real Rivers comes to play, he is the best on the field. But when he doesn't play, he is as bad as a 3rd String QB. Every QB is entitled to mistakes, expect a better year next year.




 theheismanwinners.com

 Disappointment Number 2 is Sam Bradford. This guy had such high hopes this year. He almost took his team to the playoffs last year but lost in the deciding game against Seattle. He although did win Offensive Rookie of the Year. This year has been a total opposite of last year. He has played 6 out of 9 games. Here are his stats

• 3 Touchdowns
• 3 Interceptions
• 3 Fumbles
• 72.3 Passer Rating

 This is disappointing. I understand being injured for a few weeks contributes to this, but still what about the 6 game he did play. Is it him or just his Wide Receivers lack of catching ability. Only two years of experience doesn't give us much to predict by. I guess we will see how the rest of the season goes for him.

carolinapanthersblog.com

 The final frustration has got to be the Carolina Panthers. I mean look at it. A huge draft pick Cam Newton who has done wonders for his team's offense. Then the season is ruined by injuries. Training camp, David Gettis tears his ACL. Game one, tragedy. Jon Beason is injured for the season with an Achilles injury. Then the next week, Thomas Davis is a out for the rest of the season. Then just recently, Offensive Lineman, Jeff Otah is out for the season with a knee injury. This team was ruined due to injuries. Hard to stop the run and have a chance at the pass if you do not have any good Linebackers. Another problem is the secondary. It stinks. They have only had 5 Interceptions this year. If this team was healthy you better believe that they would be a serious contender this year. But Newton has impressed me. He has faced these star defenses for the first time and he has handled them very well. Just imagine how he will do with another year of experience under his belt.

The Top 5 Quarterbacks in the NFL: 2011

The Top 5 Quarterbacks in the NFL: 2011

Quarterback Number 5-Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

 My Number 5 Quarterback is Ben Roethlisberger from Pittsburgh. This guy has done a great job in the 7 years that he has been playing in the NFL. He has gone to three Super Bowls, XL, XLIII, and XLV, and has won two, XL and XLIII. So is it safe to say that he is a vet? Yea I would say so.

si.com

 So far this year, he has had an average year. As usual, he has had interception trouble. Last year was an exception with only 5, he usually reaches double digits. His rushing the football has also caused some issues with holding on to the football. Here are his stats this year:

• 2,300 Passing Yards
• 14 Touchdowns
• 7 Interceptions
• 6 Fumbles
• 95.7 Passer Rating

 Like I said average stats. The 6 Fumbles is definitely something that Tomlin needs to work on with his QB. His passing yards are nice and so are the Touchdowns.
 
 I personally expected more TD's. I mean look at all the weapons. Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, and Hines Ward. This guy possibly one day could be in Canton.



Number 4-Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

 The Number 4 Quarterback is Matthew Stafford out of Detroit. Only 3 years of football and he has missed a good deal of it due to injuries in his first two years. Both the same injury. Shoulder injuries in 2009 and 2010. So far this 2011 season he has made it mostly injury free. A little scare with an ankle injury but he played through it.

the-storms.org

  

  It is hard not to have a great year when you have such great teammates as Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Brandon Pettigrew, and Jahvid Best. Each one of these guys is a key part of Matthew Stafford's game. Here are his stats:

• 2,179 Passing Yards
• 19 Touchdowns
• 4 Interceptions
• 2 Fumbles
• 99.1 Passer Rating

 A very good year for Matthew Stafford and it is only halfway through the season. I am partial to the Lions, so I believe that they have a good chance of becoming a Super Bowl team.


 Matthew Stafford is very young and has a very nice looking future in the NFL. It is a little early to say there is a spot in Canton with his name on it, but I wouldn't rule it out.







 Number 3-Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

  QB Number 3 is Drew Brees of the Saints. This guy is without a question a veteran in the NFL. 11 years and only two teams is very good. He was drafted in 2001 by San Diego and a few seasons of shine. But he never really did anything worth while until 2006 when he went to New Orleans. Having a season better than he had with San Diego. Then a few years later in 2009, he helped lead his team to a Super Bowl win against Indy.

 worldbestsports.com

  This year has been a very good year for Brees. The only problem has been his Interceptions. He normally has a little problem with coverage reading. I also believe he needs some better receivers. Now here are his stats so far through this year:

• 2,746 Passing Yards
• 19 Touchdowns
• 10 Interceptions
• 0 Fumbles
• 100.6 Passer Rating

 Like I just said, Interceptions are his only problem. He would be the perfect QB if he could just improve his amount of Interceptions.
I expect that he will go to another Super Bowl before too long. They have the talent on their team. The time just needs to come.














Number 2-Tom Brady, New England Patriots

  The QB Number 2 is Tom Brady from New England. Brady is so popular, even some people who don't even like football know who this guy is. The worst thing happened for Brady in 2008. The first game of the Regular Season, he gets injured. Out for the season. That allowed Matt Cassel, who now plays for the Chiefs, to step up and show what he had. So far Brady has kept injury free since and has had a very good career so far. A special highlight was last year, only throwing 4 Interceptions on the season.


www.free-extras.com

 This year is not like last year for Brady. His season is good but not perfect. More interceptions and less touchdowns than usual. It seems like with the right pressure he gets rattled easier than usual. To show how the year has gone, here are his stats:

• 2,361 Passing Yards
• 18 Touchdowns
• 8 Interceptions
• 1 Fumble
• 104.4 Passer Rating

 Is Brady losing his touch? I think 12 years in the NFL is catching up to him. If he does get injured, I think they have a solid backup, Ryan Mallet out of Arkansas. So at least if something does happen to Brady, they have some insurance. I think we will see a few more years of Brady.







Number 1-Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

We have finally reached the Number 1 Quarterback, Aaron Rodgers from Green Bay. This guy has had quite a career. From playing at a nothing college, to going to California, then in the NFL being in the shadows of Favre, to now when he helped win his team a Super Bowl. He is so young and I know, and you all know that he will be there for a while. All the weapons he has is unbelievable. Another Super Bowl is in the making.

coolspotters.com
This year has been another great year for Rodgers. His team is undefeated. And the way his stats look he will be a threat for the rest of the season if everything goes there way. Well, let me show you the stats that prove he is number 1:

• 2,372 Passing Yards
• 20 Touchdowns
• 3 Interceptions
• 1 Fumble
• 125.7 Passer Rating

 WHAT NUMBERS. The guy has only 3 Interceptions on the year. QBs from other teams average around more than 5 right now. This guy is going to be around for a long while. Expect it.








That will do it for another edition of the Right Field. Until next time.

The Top 5 Linebackers In the NFL: 2011

The Top 5 Linebackers In the NFL: 2011

Number 5-James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers
  James Harrison from Pittsburgh is the Number 5 Linebacker. This guy has gotten a lot of mess from the NFL for the past few years because of his rough, or I should say amazing, playing style. Just how aggressive he is, brings fear to whoever has the ball.

cleveland.com
  He was the one who pretty much brought on the whole "fining players for hard hits". So I guess you could say he is a pioneer of aggressive play. When I show the stats, you will see that they
 are low. That is mainly due to a right broken orbital socket. Yea, I know, painful. But for playing only 4 games these are good stats, here they are:

• 23 Tackles
• 2 Sacks
• One of these sacks against Indy the other against Seattle
• Both sacks combined for 13 yards of loss

 Like I said he only played 4 games. More like 3 and a half because he was taken out halfway through the game. A statement was issued by Harrison, saying that it was up to the doctor's whether he was clear for play or not. If he does come back then that will be a good break for the Steelers defense. Hall of Famer? If he can keep up the rate he has had from the past 4 years, with more than 10 sacks a year, then he will be.




Number 4-Von Miller, Denver Broncos

 The Number 4 Linebacker is Von Miller, out of Denver. It is for sure that Denver has found them a very good Linebacker that always has the scent of the football. This guy had extremely high hopes coming out of Texas A&M. Probably the thing that the Broncos liked was the nose for the QB. Rookie year:

bloblog.stack.com
Last year he had 10 sacks and the year before 17. So it is obvious he gives QB's nightmares. Very understandable that the Broncos used their first draft pick on him. Here are his stats for his

• 26 Tackles, 21 were solo

• 6 Total Sacks
• Has had at least one sack 5/7 games
• 2 Forced Fumbles

This guy has a huge future in the NFL. Rookie year and he has done so well. The sky is the limit at such a young age. A lot of teams would give up their best players for a player like him. When you can get to the QB and can get to the football, that is potential for a long playing time in this leauge.



Number 3-Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens

 Perhaps, one of the most aggressive Linebackers I have ever seen. He is a tackle machine and it is understandable why. Look who he has as his mentor. LB Ray Lewis. You can not go wrong if  he is on your side.

espn.com

 Last year, Suggs had 11 sacks and it is looking like he will break it this year. His team's defense is looking like playoff material.  So to show how he has been doing this year, here are his stats this year:

• 33 tackles, 26 solo
• 6 sacks
• 2 Forced Fumbles
• 1 Interception

 Every bit of this 6'3'', 260 lb Linebacker makes people hurt. He is a weapon in himself. And I would not want to face him play after play. Expect a few more years of this guy and a possible Hall of Fame spot.


Number 2-Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49er's

 This guy is a definite vet in the football world. He has been playing the game since 2007. He has been Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007 and he has been to the Pro Bowl every year since the year he has been in the league. Willis has also been known has one of the hardest hitting defensive players ever. Now here are his stats for this year:

espn.com

• 54 Tackles, 43 Solo
• 1 Sack
• 1 Forced Fumbles
• 2 Fumble Recoveries

 Now most of you are thinking one sack, is that all? Sacks do mean something. But tackles mean something too. If you can get to the ball carrier, that is almost as good as a sack. I think after only 5 years of play, this guy will have a bust of him in Canton one day. Count on it.





Number 1-Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens

 At last we have reached the Number 1 Linebacker in the NFL. It is Ray Lewis out of Baltimore, this would make my second Linebacker out of Baltimore in this post. There is an easy reason why Lewis is the number one linebacker. He has: Been in the NFL 16 years, has been to the Pro Bowl 12 times, has one Defensive Player of the Year, etc.

espn.com
  Do I believe that Ray Lewis is done after this year. No I don't. Even though this guy is getting up in age, he still has alot in him. Here are his stats:

• 55 Tackles, 43 Solo
• 2 Sacks
• 2 Forced Fumbles
• 1 Interception

 Halfway through the 2011 season, it has gone very well for Lewis. He is more than halfway to 100 tackles, and it is highly possible that he could exceed that amount. Kinda makes a person excited to see such a player.

Well that will wrap it up for another edition of the Top 5 Countdown. Stay tuned for another post of Right Field.