Tebow mechanics dicussed on Fox broadcast

by | Aug 29, 2010 | NFL Random Thoughts

I was one of many people who, a couple years ago, predicted that Tim Tebow would have to find another position if he was going to have a successful NFL career.

The jury is still out on his long-term prospects but it’s clear watching the Denver-Pittsburgh game on Fox tonight that he’s done a lot of work.

I preface this saying I am no expert on quarterback mechanics. But when he left Florida his throwing motion was put under a microscope. And it was clear even to a mere observer like me that his long, winding motion was going to hinder his chances for success.

His delivery still looks a little clunky, at least to me. But the long windup seems to have improved, at least some. His release appears quicker, again, at least to me.

He botched a short third-down pass to Eddie Royal in the middle of the third quarter that likely would have resulted in a first down. And in the fourth quarter he threw an ugly interception that set the Steelers up with a short field.

But in between, Tebow threw a couple bullets downfield in traffic that resulted in nice gains.

My guess is that he still has quite a ways to go before he’s ready to start in the NFL. I think Denver probably recognized that when they drafted him. Fox analyst Troy Aikman says it’s dangerous taking a guy who has played the position as long as Tebow has and completely reworking his mechanics as the Broncos appear to be doing with Tebow, and that process certainly is going to take time.

But even though this game is against a group of backups it seems as though he may have a better shot at making the transition to NFL quarterback than many originally believed. If he keeps leading drives like a couple of the ones he did in the third quarter, what it looks like won’t matter.

Fantasy football experts offer insight

by | Aug 28, 2010 | Fantasy Football

With the regular season a mere two weeks away fantasy football drafts are in full swing. We here at Zoneblitz are kicking off a marathon weekend ourselves with four between the two of us.

So, in our unending effort to gain an edge, to find that last minute sleeper that will bring us fantasy glory and obnoxious winnings, we sought out some advice from some of the experts of the industry.

We separately asked several folks questions on a multitude of fantasy topics. A couple responded right away. We’ll add to this document if and when anyone else responds, as well.

Here’s who they are:

Anthony Maggio is a veteran fantasy sports writer who has worked for Fanball and FFchamps.com. He currently covers the Minnesota Twins for www.foxsportsnorth.com. Follow him on Twitter @fsnorthmaggio

Michael Lambourne graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Finance and Psychology with a focus on behavioral economics, game theory, and entrepreneurship. Fantasy football was the perfect opportunity to combine his love for sports, especially football, with game theory and investment analysis. He has developed a passion for creating a detailed strategy to consistantly beat fantasy football. He has a website, fantasyfootballriches.com, and he’s written an e-book: The Expert Guide to Profitable Fantasy Football.

Zach Sundelius is a writer and editor at RotoWire.com.

And here’s what they had to say: (more…)

Does Roy Williams understand offense?

by | Aug 24, 2010 | NFL Random Thoughts

The Dallas Cowboys should be very good this year and I am on record as saying as long as they can keep Tony Romo upright, they have a chance to be tremendously exciting on offense.

That said, underachieving wideout Roy Williams may be jumping the gun a bit. He compared this year’s Cowboys’ offense to that of the 1998 Minnesota Vikings.

Easy Champ. The Vikings scored 556 points that season, second most in league history since the Patriots broke that mark in 2007.

While Dallas should be good, they were just 14th in points scored last season (361, for the record). Williams’ response to that, according to the Dallas Morning News? “We were a good offensive unit last year, very good, we just couldn’t score.”

Umm. Isn’t that the point?

You can put up hundreds and hundreds of yards. If you can’t put the pig in the end zone you aren’t going to win games. And if you don’t win games, nobody is going to mistake you for the 98 Vikings, the 07 Patriots or any other memorable team, Super Bowl champ or not.

Thanks for the laugh, Mr. Williams.

Favre arrives in Minnesota

by | Aug 17, 2010 | NFL News

The Pope? President Obama? The Dalai Lama?

Nope.

Brett Favre’s arrival in Minneapolis inspired the media firestorm Tuesday afternoon that included news helicopters, wall-to-wall radio and television broadcasts and endless chatter on the Internet.

Really?

Didn’t most of us know this was likely to happen sooner or later? After he supposedly tweeted his retirement to teammates a couple weeks ago he then untweeted the retirement a couple days later, more or less saying he would play if his ankle was okay.

So, yeah Favre is back. One facebook friend posted the following status: “What — no posts about Favre? Are you people working or something?”

More likely the vast majority of the population (not including local news networks, ESPN or local sports talk radio outlets) has seen the Favre circus enough times where they knew it was just a matter of time before he flew to town on the Wilf family’s private yet. This time he came accompanied by three teammates, sent to encourage him to join the team in suburban Minneapolis …

Or were they? He hasn’t yet said he’s playing. Perhaps those potential teammates forced him onto the plane against his will. Perhaps he’s flying into town to, yet again, announce his retirement.

More likely, Favre is back for the season. Hereth likely ends this part of the soap opera for another preseason. One Green Bay Packers blogger has summed it up best, so far: “The Fake Suspense is Over: Brett Favre Returns.”

Let the season begin.

49ers first round linemen pegged as starters

by | Aug 9, 2010 | Fantasy Football, NFL Random Thoughts

One of the teams I am most intrigued to get a look at this season is the San Francisco 49ers. With Kurt Warner’s retirement bringing uncertainty at quarterback for Arizona, the door is open for San Francisco to make a playoff run.

The 9ers sported a solid defense last season and Alex Smith provided some hope at quarterback that he not only might not be a complete stiff but also might actually be something resembling decent.

Couple that with a full training camp for last year’s holdout rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree and another year of experience for tight end Vernon Davis, who finally looked like a talented receiver himself last year, and there were already plenty of reasons for optimism.

What I liked best were this season’s first round draft choices, tackle Anthony Davis and guard Mike Iupati. I am a proponent of building offenses from the fat guys out and these two have the potential to really bring it for the red and gold.

I would expect some struggles early as those two figure it out on the job. But it looks based on a Fox Sports report like they’re both pegged for the starting lineups from the start of the preseason. Give them half a season to figure it out and guys like Frank Gore, Crabtree and Davis could be guys you want to have on your fantasy rosters for the second half of the season.

Mike Singletary might be on his way toward bringing this team back to its days of glory. I don’t expect a Super Bowl run this year, but I would be hugely surprised if San Francisco is not dramatically improved this season.