Bleacher Report - Articles by jason willis

Chuck Liddell Looks to Restore Order at 205

jason willis — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:05:07 -0400

Chuck Liddell is getting ready to "go to work." The former light-weight champion wants his belt back and he knows that the landscape in the UFC needs some tilling. Where does he start? In the backyard of "Sugar" Rashad Evans. Evans is undefeated and is very excited to be fighting the "Ice Man."

The winner of this fight will place himself nicely in line for a possible title fight with light-weight champion Forrest Griffin. “That’s a bridge we’ll have to cross when this is over,” Liddell said. “We’ll talk about what’s in my future after this fight.”

Obviously Liddell will not allow himself to look beyond the talented Evans. Good thing too, although Chuck is the favorite in this fight, Rashad is making a career out of overcoming the odds.

No matter what happens in this fight, the 205 class is stacked with talent and the next eight to 12 months is going to be very interesting. You still have Rampage Jackson and Wanderlei Silva out there, and don't forget Anderson Silva cracked the glass window of the 205 and was very impressive.

Can Chuck restore order? Hmmm!

NFC East Predictions: Strap It on Tight 'Boys, the East Is Coming

jason willis — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:15:55 -0400

The defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants came out of the league's toughest division last year, the NFC East. Three teams made the playoffs from the big, bad, bruising east: the Giants, Cowboys, and Redskins. The Eagles were left on the outside looking in but have improved themselves this year.

NFC East's Order of Finish

DALLAS COWBOYS

In Romo, the Cowboys have a quick starter. He, in his short career, has generally heated up early, only to fizzle out towards the end of the year before losing in the playoffs. Is this the year things finally change for Romo and the Cowboys? I hate to admit it, but I believe it is. I think the 'Boys will win fewer regular-season games than last year but finally get the playoff wins they need. 12-4, NFC TITLE GAME

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

The 'Skins could be very good this year, or they could be just okay. Nobody really knows. The quarterback is the real question. One thing that most people agree with is that the defense will keep this team in every game.

The addition of Jason Taylor will bring an immediate impact with pressure on the passer. This is something Washington hasn't had in years. London Fletcher, Marcus Washington, LaRon Landry and Andre Carter will ensure the success of the defense, but what about the offense?

Can the offensive line give Campbell the time that he needs to get in a groove. He has to get rid of the ball faster than he has in the past. He now has the offense around him to be a productive quarterback, if the line gives him the right amount of time to do so.

He doesn't need to be great like Romo, he just has to be steady. If he can complete 60 percent and put up a descent TD-INT ratio, this team can make the playoffs. 10-6, Playoffs

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Let's just say it all together; I know we don't want to but we have to. The Eagles may be back. It was fun beating up on them when we had the chance, but those days may be over. We can still win, but we can no longer just beat them up. They have improved with the addition of Asante Samuel, they still have Brian Dawkins and probably the best defensive coordinator ever.

Mr. McNabb is healthy again, not to mention Westbrook can carry this team whenever he gets ready. They had a good offseason and every player feels like they have something to prove. Want to talk about motivation, how about being the only team in your division not making the playoffs last year? 9-7, Playoffs

NEW YORK GIANTS

This team has lost some of its zeal in my opinion. The defense is without five of its starters from the Super Bowl. The secondary is in question, with several pieces missing. Osi and "Gap Tooth" are gone from the D-line, and Shockey is marching with the Saints in New Orleans. Hmmm...makes you think this is the team that will be on the outside looking in this year. 7-9, MISS PLAYOFFS

Will the Washington Redskins Take a Giant Step Forward in Week One?

jason willis — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:37:25 -0400

Well, let's look at some quick facts. Our All-World safety is still hobbled by a hammy, and Jason Taylor may or may not be ready for opening day. Jansen seems to think he is supposed to give the defensive end a step before he starts his play. Samuels is getting pushed around like he is on the downside of his career, and our two, young receivers have been slowed by injuries.

Have I forgotten anything?

Oh yes, thanks for reminding me. Jason Campbell has been consistently inconsistent for the last couple of weeks. Gosh, you're right, I haven't even gotten to the linebackers yet.

I know, us DIEHARD FANS (and I am one) keep saying how great we have looked in the preseason. Really, but what does it mean to be good in the preseason. Someone told me today that we were 3-0 before this game against Carolina.

So what? Being 3-0 in the preseason is like being the tallest midget in the circus, it means nothing. Go 3-0 in the regular season and we might have something.

Can we turn it around?

Maybe.

We certainly have some talent. We have to get healthy first. Having LaRon back in the lineup will certainly help. He gives us great run support, and not to mention that the Giants' receivers will think twice about running across the middle to catch a floater thrown by Eli.

Jason Taylor will be fine, according to all reports. He wants to keep his active starting-streak alive; he'll be ready. Good thing, too, we need him to put pressure on the quarterback.

I hear Marcus Washington will also be nearly 100 percent for the first time, and with the addition of Taylor, he will be able to play his traditional position of linebacker, something that he hasn't been able to do in a while.

Our defense is better than what it was showing in Carolina. The defense won't be the cause for concern this year. We will be a top-10 unit again. Count on it.

The concern will be the quarterback play. Campbell can be a descent passer, if he has the time to do so. He has been showing signs of holding on to the ball too long, and he has always had the tendency of fumbling.

Take it from this 'Skins fan, my wife won't put up with another year of me cussing on a Sunday afternoon because Campbell fumbles when a defensive player yanks on his jersey. If Jansen and Samuels can return to the All-Pro form of years past, and Campbell can get rid of the ball to the productive receivers that he now has...who knows.

Maybe, just maybe, we can take a Giant step forward in Week One.