49ers, Seahawks strengthen positions as NFC elite

by | Mar 11, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Breaking News, NFL Random Thoughts

 

The new NFL league year kicked off with a bang today as word leaked around lunchtime that the Vikings were shipping Percy Harvin to Seattle.

That made Seattle the early leader in the race for “who had the best offseason” as long as the Seahawks can get Harvin signed to a contract that will keep the diva wideout’s whining to a minimum.

Not to be outdone, Super Bowl runner up San Francisco pulled the trigger a couple hours later on a deal that brought Anquan Boldin to the Bay Area in exchange for a sixth round pick.

Minnesota understandably got a better package for Harvin (A first and a seventh this year and, reportedly, a third next year) than Baltimore got for Boldin, but it was stunning to me that the Ravens couldn’t get more than they got for Anquan, who stepped up his play big time once Cam Cameron was replaced as offensive coordinator.

But the Ravens, coming off of a Super Bowl win, are cash-strapped and they got something for someone they otherwise would have cut. They are the day’s biggest loser, but they made a move they likely had to – the only question now is, with the Boldin trade and the retirements of Matt Birk and Ray Lewis, how far do they fall into rebuilding mode in 2013? (more…)

Where is Tebow destined to end up in 2013?

by | Feb 19, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Random Thoughts

Okay, the Tim Tebow frenzy always drives me crazy. It got particularly overblown this last season while he played the role of benchwarmer in the league’s largest media market. And he has started all of 14 games at quarterback during his three-year tenure in the NFL.

But he is a phenomenon and, now that the season is over and a new league year is on the brink of beginning, his believers will soon start wondering where he’ll land for season number four of his career.

For the record, I like Tebow as a person. I think he’s a decent man with a lot to offer the world. I also agree with those who say he is severely lacking as a passer. He works incredibly hard and he’s someone I’d like to see do well, but I’m not convinced he’s ever going to be much more than he was in Denver — a guy who, when teamed with a strong defense, a great running game and a kicker who can hit clutch, late field goals to tie and win games, can succeed.

But since we’re about to start hitting the time of year when people hunger for the latest on the NFL – whether it is tremendously newsworthy or not – we, too, will temporarily join the “Where will Tebow end up in 2013” fray.

Here are a few options: (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 Picks, 2012 Season, Week 16

by | Dec 20, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Picks

The NFL Rookie of the Year discussions to this point have primarily centered on RGIII and Andrew Luck. Those two certainly have shown that they’ll be forces opposing defenses will have to reckon with for years to come. In a traditional season, however, the work Russell Wilson has done in bringing the Seattle Seahawks to prominence this season would be in the mix as well.

Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and a hard-hitting defense have combined to put Seattle squarely in the playoff mix. With a pair of 50-point showings the last two weeks, the team is peaking at the right time, too.

Keith Myers, editor and lead writer for 12th Man Rising, acknowledges that injuries and suspensions make this week’s divisional tilt with the 49ers a challenge.

“The Seahawks likely go into this week’s game against San Francisco with their fifth and sixth string cornerbacks again playing very large rolls for the defense,” he says. “That’s not a recipe for success once the playoffs begin. Throw in significant injuries to two starting defensive linemen and there’s some concern when the opponents are better than the Cardinals and Bills.”

Still, he adds that this team is better than most people think and that it is going to be a tough out once the playoffs begin.

“The way the Seahawks’ offense is clicking right now, if they can get healthy on defense before the playoffs start, then there’s no team they can’t beat,” Myers says. “They may not win three straight road games to get to the Super bowl, but they’ll go into every game with a real chance of winning.”

This team has shown improvements throughout the last two seasons. With the steady play at quarterback both teams are getting from their youngsters, I think the 49ers and Seahawks are primed to create a rivalry for supremacy in the NFC West, not just this year, but for years to come.

Myers joined us as this week’s guest game picker. Last week’s guest blogger, Kim Constantinesco, not only has the best name of anyone who has ever participated in this segment. The senior editor for Predominantly Orange stuck with my brother pick for pick in week 15. Despite some close games decided in the last seconds, Constantinesco and Tony finished the week 9-7.

This allowed Andy to pick up a game in the standings, as the blind squirrel I’ve had doing my picks the last couple weeks found the nut 10 times. Tony’s got a three game lead over me and, due to a couple rough weeks in the middle of the season, the celebrity guest game picking bloggers are currently six back of the leader with two weeks to play. (more…)

NFL Picks, 2012 Season, Week 13

by | Nov 28, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Picks

In what should surprise nobody, the NFL Network just reported that the San Francisco 49ers will start Colin Kaepernick this weekend against the St. Louis Rams. Kaepernick’s passing numbers haven’t been overwhelming in the two games he has started since Alex Smith suffered his concussion. But he’s unquestionably jolted an already strong team into another gear.

Smith has developed into a very solid quarterback and he really doesn’t deserve yet another downside to a career that got off to a slow start, in part due to coaching and system changes. But keeping the athletic Kaepernick in the lineup makes all the sense in the world, agrees Steve Spooner, team editor at 49ers Gab.

“The 49ers are making the right move by sticking with Kaepernick,” he says. “He has the hot hand right now and has added an extra spark to the offense.”

Spooner joined Zoneblitz.com as guest picker for week 13. He follows Richard Hill from Pats Pulpit, who went 9-7 in week 12. It was a tough week with a couple of real upsets and a bunch more close calls. Tony and Andy both went 10-6, leaving Tony with a three-game lead for the season.

Week 12 Season
Tony 10-6 115-60-1
Andy 10-6 112-63-1
Celebrity Bloggers 9-7 109-66-1

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