In depth 2013: Oakland Raiders

by | Feb 21, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

The first year of the post Al Davis–era in Oakland ended much the same way as much of the previous decade – with the Raiders on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. After a promising 2011 saw Oakland hit the .500 mark, salary cap issues and a lack of draft picks caused the Silver and Black to take a large step back in 2012.

Those same issues continue to plague the Raiders heading into 2013, as does a roster full of injury prone (Darren McFadden) and head case (Rolando McClain) athletes. So what can coach Dennis Allen and General Manager Reggie McKenzie do to get this team on the right track? And how long will it take?

Chris Shellcroft, editor of Just Blog Baby, tells Zoneblitz it could be a couple years or more before better times return to the Bay Area.

Zoneblitz: The Raiders dropped to 4-12 in 2012. What went wrong with the season and how did the results compare with your expectations heading into the year? (more…)

In depth 2013: Jacksonville Jaguars

by | Feb 19, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

A new owner, a second-year quarterback with his first shot at a full offseason of training, a new head coach and a defense that had played well in 2011 had fans and observers intrigued to see how 2012 would unfold for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Instead of rewarding the optimism, however, the Jaguars struggled mightily once again, dropping to a 2-14 mark that cost a bevy of team officials their jobs.

The 2013 season brings more change. Owner Shahid Khan immediately unveiled a new logo and hired Gus Bradley away from Seattle to become the new head coach. So what does the team need to do to make the improvements that will allow Jacksonville to contend for a playoff spot in the near future? Adam Stites, manager of Jaguars blog Big Cat Country, shared his thoughts with Zoneblitz.

Zoneblitz: What do you make of the Jaguars hiring Gus Bradley as head coach and David Caldwell as general manager? (more…)

In depth 2013: Kansas City Chiefs

by | Feb 17, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

Two years ago the Kansas City Chiefs were in the playoffs. I thought heading into the 2012 season, the Chiefs had a chance to rebound from a down 2011 season and chase the playoffs again. I have rarely been more wrong.

Last season was a disaster in Kansas City and it took down yet another coach. Andy Reid was brought in from Philadelphia as Romeo Crennel’s successor and the Chiefs have the top pick in the draft. Can a potentially exciting offseason rekindle the momentum this team had after the 2010 season?

Patrick Allen, senior editor of the Arrowhead Addict blog, joined us to share his thoughts.

Zoneblitz: This team had six Pro Bowlers but went 2-14. What went wrong in 2012? (more…)

NFL Playoffs: Zoneblitz picks the Super Bowl

by | Feb 1, 2013 | 2012 season, NFL Gambling, NFL Picks, Super Bowl

The Harbaugh Brothers, Ray Lewis and his alleged use of deer antler spray and idiot reporters asking players how ticklish they are – all the hype ends Saturday. Finally we get down to the intrigue of the game itself … and this year it’s a hugely intriguing game.

I am extremely curious to see if the Ravens, with several of their most important players aging, can keep up with the more youthful 49ers. I am curious to see whether Baltimore’s coaching staff can come up with a way to neutralize phenom quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

While the storylines off the field have been many, this year’s game on the field also is as intriguing a matchup as we’ve had in a few years. Here is how we see it playing out: (more…)

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Weekend Picks and Bets

by | Jan 20, 2013 | 2012 season, NFL Gambling, NFL Picks

It’s Championship Game day, which means it’s time for our picks. Last week, my picks were significantly better than in Wildcard Week, as I picked up 13 points in our format. Unfortunately, Andy picked up 13 points as well, so he still has a 24-20 lead. To keep things interesting (and to give me a shot at catching up), we’re going to up the ante with fewer games this week, and make regular picks worth 2 points, and best bets worth three.

Andy Tony
Baltimore @ New England
Straight up New England New England
Spread Baltimore +9 New England -9
Over/Under Over 51.5 Over 51.5
San Francisco @ Atlanta
Straight up San Francisco San Francisco
Spread San Francisco -4 Atlanta +4
Over/Under Over 49 Under 49
Best Bets: Baltimore @ New England: over 51.5 New England -115
San Francisco -4 San Francisco -115

Our game takes:

(more…)

ZB Notebook 1-13-2013

by | Jan 13, 2013 | 2012 season, NFL Random Thoughts

The Divisional playoff round is one of my favorite weekends of sport all year round and this year exemplified why. The Denver/Baltimore game and the Atlanta/Seattle contest provided extreme drama. The San Francisco/Green Bay game, which is the one I was not able to watch, introduced Colin Kaepernick as perhaps the league’s next great quarterback. And the Patriots/Texans game … well, nothing is perfect.

I was pretty surprised only by the results of the Ravens’ double overtime win over the Broncos. I had started to feel, like many, that Denver was the best team in the NFL. But the result, I think, does lend some credence to the possibility that the one downside to Peyton Manning’s selection of Denver as his later-career home is the potential for cold playoff games. No matter what anyone says, that could play havoc with his neck issues.

Nonetheless, the Ray Lewis retirement party carries on for one more week and I think the AFC Championship game rematch between his Ravens and the Patriots should be a fascinating game.

The NFC game also presents plenty of intrigue, with a rough, physical defense from San Francisco going up against the 2010s’ version of the 49ers of yesteryear, the Falcons. I’m already looking forward to it.

Can we hold off on Tebow talk?: I was tuning in Saturday morning to NFL Network for pregame information and before I got any information at all about the games coming up in mere hours, I was subjected to two segments on Tim Tebow’s future as an NFL quarterback. (more…)