Bleacher Report - Articles by Brian Hutchison

Fantasy Football: Top Sleepers at Each Position

Brian Hutchison — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:31:45 -0400

Football season is just around the corner and fantasy drafts have already begun. Fantasy magazines are lining the front row at your local book store and ESPN is calling out this years fantasy studs, and duds.

After winning 50 percent of my leagues last year, I feel I now have some legitimacy to my fantasy football opinions. (If you are wondering; Yes, my record was 1-1)

Rookie running backs were definitely the surprise of the league last year for fantasy players, and don't hesitate to pick some up this year as well.

Although I don't see any of the rookie running backs having as much impact as Matt Forte or Steve Slaton, players like Donald Brown, LeSean McCoy, and Shonn Greene could be in store for big years.

Now, here is a list of players who might not be first round picks, but could help out your fantasy football team tremendously.

Quarterback - Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer is looking fantastic in camps this offseason and is getting a lot of work in with his recievers. We all heard about Chad Ochocinco's plans of moving in with Palmer to further their friendship and better their chemistry. Although Palmer's wife decided that wouldn't be a very good idea, it still shows me that Chad is really serious this year about making the Bengals relevant again. The other good thing about Palmer is that he is being drafted between rounds 7-9. I beleive he has just as much value as players like Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rogers, who are being drafted between rounds 4-6.

Runningback - Felix Jones

In Jones' first five games as a rookie he averaged a whopping 8.9 yards-per-carry. He has a knack for making big plays and is a dangerous weapon in a very dangerous offense. Jerry Jones has recently said Jones will touch the ball between 12-15 times per game this year. That's almost double what he was getting last year before his injury. Jerry Jones has also said he is thinking about using Jones and Marion Barber on the field at the same time, using Jones to split out as a reciever or run some type of wildcat offense. The main reason for this it to cut down on Barber's touches to keep him fresher for the postseason. You can pick this guy up between rounds 6-8 and he could potentially be used as a number two runningback.

Wide Receiver - Lee Evans

Who is the most excited about the signing of Terrell Owens? Lee Evans. He finally has a legitimate receiving threat lining up on the opposide side of the ball. He will no longer recive all of the defensive attention nor face double teams all game long. He has amazing speed and is a true deep ball threat. If teams put too much attention on T.O. and Marshawn Lynch, Evans will find a way to beat you deep. Don't be worried about Trent Edwards, either. He is entering his second year in the NFL and has progressed majorly since his arrival in the league. He should do just fine this year.

Tight End - John Carlson

John Carlson had a great rookie year last season, leading the Seahawks in all major reciving categories. The Seahawks have also announced that Carlson will be used as an every down player. (He only played on 1st and 2nd downs last season) He is also expected to have more plays drawn up for him this year, requested by one of his biggest fans, Matt Hasselback. Don't worry too much about the signing of TJ Houshmandzadeh. He might take some of Carlson's catches, but he will also open up field, giving Carlson more room to run after the catch.

Defense - New England Patriots

The Patriots suffered so many injuries last season they didn't even look like the real Patriots. With Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour, Adalius Thomas, Ty Warren, and an improved secondary all coming back for 2009 expect the Patriots to regain their scary, intimidating defensive prowess. Jerod Mayo stepped up as a rookie last season and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. The Patriots offense will also be much imroved with Tom Brady coming back from injury. This will allow them to attack opposing offenses in much better field position than they did last season.

Red Auerbach: Making Sense of the Symbolism Surrounding the Legendary Coach

Brian Hutchison — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:39:23 -0400

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate Phil Jackson on his run to win his 10th championship as a head coach. Phil is about to erase the name of Red Auerbach from the record books for breaking his record for most NBA championships by a head coach. Just remember—records are meant to be broken, but legends can never die.

The color red symbolizes energy, strength, power, and love. These words also symbolize Red Auerbach as a person and what he brought to the game of basketball.

In Red's first season coaching the Boston Celtics, he brought with him a new style of play that had never been seen before in the NBA. Fans were witnessing what we now call a fast break offense.

Opposing teams have never seen anything like this before and were not used to the constant running up and down the court. Energy is the key factor in running a successful fast break offense and Red made sure his team was always very conditioned.

Red is also credited for helping break the color barrier in the NBA by drafting Chuck Cooper in the 1950-51 draft. Chuck Cooper was the first black player to be drafted into the NBA. Red had to have possessed a lot of strength by going against the norms and drafting a player who he thought would best fit his team, despite his African-American roots.

Red was a very powerful man in the NBA and put his power to very good use. Moments before the 1956 draft it is reported that Red sat down with the Hawks head coach and persuaded him into swapping their first round picks, which he used to draft William "Bill" Russell.

Just as a sidenote—Red also drafted Tommy Heinsohn and K.C. Jones in that same draft. All of which are now currently in the hall of fame.

Red not only had a love for the Boston Celtics, but a love for the game of basketball. He loved to watch college basketball and could possibly be the most talented recruiter in the history of the game.

He had the final decision on drafting players such as Bill Sharman, Bill Russell, Tommy Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, John Havlicek, and Larry Bird.

Red even drafted Bird a year before he was eligible to play just to make sure he would be a Celtic.

According to three-musketeers.net, the color red also signifies the color of the sun: a symbol of energy, radiating its vitalizing life-force into human beings.

I believe Red Auerbach is like the "Sun" of basketball. He revolutionized the game. He gave a definition to the word "Dynasty." He made people want to watch and follow the NBA. His knowledge, tactics, and accomplishments have been radiating through every single player, coach, manager, president, and fan since his arrival to the league.

He has passed on his wisdom, wit, and energy and shined his light on the rest of the basketball world to keep it alive.

R.I.P., Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach, 1917-2007

"You will always be remembered for giving the basketball world a light"

Rondo, Allen for Stoudemire: Could It Actually Be a Good Move for Boston?

Brian Hutchison — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:42:34 -0400

Trade Rumor: Boston Celtics trade Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen to the Phoenix Suns for Amare Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa, and the Suns' 14th overall draft pick.

I realize this is just a rumor going around without any credible source, but it had to have started somewhere right?

Even if this trade was never talked about by the Phoenix Suns or the Boston Celtics, it still gives us fans something to discuss. And discuss we shall.

When I first heard this rumor, I thought no way in hell this would ever happen. It would be worthless for both teams and a terrible move for the Celtics. Why would the Celtics want to trade one of our youngest players with so much potential to be great?

However, after standing at a conveyor belt for eight straight hours today at my miserable job, I had plenty of time to think this possible trade over. And over. And over.

If this trade does indeed happen, I would actually be very excited as a Boston Celtics fan.

Hear me out...

The Celtics would have to make a big change on defense. Instead of using the traditional man-to-man defense, the Celtics would run a zone defense.

Kendrick Perkins would park his big body in the middle of the paint. Amare Stoudemire on one block, and Kevin Garnett on the other.

Stoud and Garnett are both long and athletic enough to patrol the baselines, and have enough shot-blocking ability to control the lane. Imagine opposing teams trying to take the ball to the basket, only to have either Amare and Perk step up, or KG and Perk. Either way, it's going to be tough.

Think about the potential Garnett and Stoudemire have to be a dominating force down low on offense. Give them some time to work on some plays together, and they could be very a very unstoppable duo. They are both excellent passers, and can both knock down an open jump shot. If they could even run a simple pick-and-roll play together, it would be seemingly impossible to cover the both of them.

Another part of this rumored trade involves shooting guard Leandro Barbosa. Barbosa is arguably the quickest player in the entire league. He and Stephon Marbury would play at the top of the key in their zone defense. They are both quick enough to contend any three point shots, and smart enough to play in a zone.

This is where it gets interesting. Paul Pierce will be the sixth man off the bench. Before you stop reading, please continue to hear me out. Garnett, Stoudemire, Steph, Barbosa, and Perkins are a good enough team to keep the start of any game close, if not have the lead.

After four or five minutes, Coach Rivers will substitute a fresh Pierce into the game. The opposing defense will be tired and Pierce should take full advantage. Not only would Pierce be a great energy boost off the bench, but Doc could also give Amare or KG an early rest to leave most of the scoring to Pierce.

Think about this: If you take five minutes off of Paul Pierce's minutes per game average, he would save about 400 minutes of playing time during an 82 game season.

That would be huge come playoff time. This postseason, he appeared a bit sluggish at times and appeared to be slowing down. If he could have taken back 400 minutes from the regular season, he probably would have played much better in the playoffs.

Kevin Garnett would also save a lot minutes with the addition of Stoudemire. Glen Davis and Leon Powe proved they are worthy of coming into a game and not missing a beat. They can keep up the scoring and provide a huge energy boost.

If Pierce coming off the bench is too ridiculous to propose, you still have two options: Take out Perkins and move Amare to the center position, or take out Marbury and let Barbosa handle the point. Either option could still work.

The key factor to this rotation is Stephon Marbury. I still have faith he can be an All Star-caliber player, in the right conditions. He is a great shooter, passer, and ball-handler. The thing I like about Steph the most is that he is a true point guard. He understands the game of basketball and has a lot of experience in the league. Give him a full offseason working out and practicing with the team, and I believe he could be used as a starting guard.

In conclusion, I highly doubt this trade will ever happen. The Suns want Steve Nash to stay for another two years and Boston already has a starting power forward.

I love Ray Allen, but considering his age and inconsistency, I wouln't be too upset if he was dealt to another team. Rajon Rondo is one of my favorite players and has an unbelievable future ahead of him. I would be very surprised if Boston traded him after such an impressive postseason. He is a triple-double machine, and is already a top-five point guard in this league. If he can develop a jump shot, he will be absolutely impossible to cover.

A lot of things would need to go right for Boston in order to make this a productive trade. I simply just wanted to shine some light on the positives if it were to go through.

Will the Boston Celtics Ever Change Their Uniform?

Brian Hutchison — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:10:02 -0400

The Boston Celtics are one of the most storied franchises in the history of sports. Their green and white uniforms can be recognized by almost anyone, from any generation.

In 2005, the "new era" Celtics decided they needed to modernize their jerseys a little bit when they decided to introduce an alternate away jersey. It was a darker shade of green with black numbers. It also brought back the vintage look of having "Boston" across the chest, instead of "Celtics."

Now, there is talk that the Celtics might introduce an alternate home jersey, as well. The current day Celtics are blended with new age players, a new look, and a new style of play.

This leads people to believe that the Celtics should hop on the NBA bandwagon and "modernize" the team by introducing new uniforms all together.

When I picture the Kelly Green and Celtic White (Yes, I made the second color up) uniforms, I think of tradition and success.

The Celtics have the title of holding the most NBA championships of any team. This uniform, although slightly altered over time, has been around since day one. It has covered the shoulders and soaked up the blood and sweat of NBA legends such as Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Kevin McHale, Tom Heinsohn, John Havlicek, and Larry Bird.

I am a firm believer of the saying, "If it aint broke, don't fix it."

Other great franchises such as the Chicago Bulls, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chicago Bears, and the New York Yankees will probably never change their uniforms.

These are the greatest franchises in the history of sports. And when a current player puts that uniform on, they feel a sense of pride. Like they need to prove they are worthy enough to sport the historic uniform.

It's tradition.

It's history.

It's the Boston Celtics.

If you change the uniforms, you are in a way, moving on from the past. Moving into the future with a new look and feel. The Boston Celtics don't need a new look and feel. They are doing fine with the historic look and feel.

For the past 60 years, the Boston Celtics have created a reputation for success. By wearing these uniforms, they are also honoring the ones who have succeeded before them.

I will be very disappointed if the Celtics ever decided to change their uniforms to make them look more modern.

It will forever change the legacy and tradition that comes along with the "Kelly Green" and "Celtic White."

Stephon Marbury Keeps His Apartment In Boston

Brian Hutchison — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:23:30 -0400

As reported by The Boston Globe, Stephon Marbury gave us a sign today that he is thinking about re-signing with the Celtics by keeping his Waltham apartment. The apartment is located near the Celtics' training facilities in Boston.

Stephon Marbury has already been seen working out and working on his shooting in the nearby facility. Even the day after the Celtics season ended, Marbury did not take a break from basketball.

He hit the court and continued working hard.

There have been numerous reports that Steph wants to join Flip Saunders in Washington next season. If this is true, then we will need to find another point guard to spell Rajon Rondo in the offseason.

Even though Steph had a short and inconsistent season with the Celtics, you have to remember he did not play in a game for over a year. It should have been expected that he would need some time to shake off the rust and get back in playing shape.

I really like Steph as a player and think he has several more years left in the tank. If he does decide to stay in Boston (and works out with the team for a whole year), I think he can be a large contributor. He has tons of experience and endless amounts of talent.

I really hope Steph decides to re-sign with Boston this season to help them return to the NBA championship next season.

Do The Orlando Magic Have Enough Tricks Up Their Sleeve to Beat LA?

Brian Hutchison — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:21:53 -0400

The Orlando Magic have been the surprise team this year in the NBA. But, do they really have enough firepower to upset the almighty Los Angeles Lakers?

This series will be all about the matchups. I would be surprised if the Lakers played the same starting five they used against the Denver Nuggets.

Andrew Bynum has been getting the start at center, moving Pau Gasol to the power forward position. That would mean Gasol would cover Rashard Lewis, which would be a mismatch on both sides of the ball.

Lewis is far too quick for Gasol to come out to the perimeter to cover, and Lewis would get eaten down low trying to cover Gasol.

I think the better matchup would be starting Lamar Odom at the power forward position. Odom and Trevor Ariza will take their turns trying to guard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu.

I wouldn't even be surprised if Phil Jackson gave Kobe Bryant some time guarding Hedo or Rashard.

Although he doesn't have the size they do, you can't deny his aggressive defense and will to win. Jackson had him covering Carmelo Anthony last series because it appeared no one else wanted to.

Derek Fisher vs. Rafer Alston will be an interesting matchup. Alston is quicker, but Fisher is stronger. Due to Fisher's experience and ability to lead, I give Fisher the slight edge.

Stan Van Gundy might also alter his starting five. Mickael Pietrus is a better defender than Courtney Lee and is a better player to cover Kobe Bryant. Pietrus might not get the start, but I'm positive he will play more minutes.

The Lakers have better matchups against the Magic than the Cavs did, with Odom, Bryant, and Ariza all capable of guarding Hedo and Rashard. The key matchup to this series will be Dwight Howard in the post.

Gasol is an above-average defender, but I don't think he is big enough to keep Howard away from the basket.

I already discussed the mismatches if they brought in Bynum, but when they do I still don't believe he will be able to contain Howard.

Howard will come out to the top of the key to set high pick and rolls and Bynum simply doesn't have the speed to help fight off the screen and then get back to Howard.

This will be a great series. I don't really see any team with an obvious advantage. Kobe will be Kobe and Superman will be Superman. The Lakers are the more experienced team, but Orlando is quicker and is deadly behind the arc.

I think Kobe knows his chances of winning a ring with out Shaq are running low. If he wants to carve his name into the ultimate tree of greatest players ever, he needs to win it all this year.

The 10 Most Underpaid Players in the NBA

Brian Hutchison — Sat, 30 May 2009 16:50:05 -0400

The title pretty much explains it. These ten guys are hard workers, great players, and bring a lot to their team and city. Without these guys, their teams would not even be close to what they are. However, they are paid like average players. Their are several other players on their team that made more money than they did, even though they didn't contribute nearly as much. I will only be looking at what these players made this season. These salaries came from Hoopshype.com. With out further adu, your NBA's Top 10 Most Underpaid Players...

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Could Jonas Jerebko Be the Next James Posey for the Boston Celtics?

Brian Hutchison — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:59:54 -0400

The Boston Celtics' biggest problem this year was astonishingly on the defensive side of the ball. The loss of Kevin Garnett was not the only reason why.

Even with Garnett in the lineup, the Celtics' defense appeared to be lacking something this season.

That something was perimeter defense. The loss of James Posey proved to be a disastrous mistake. He was the only true shut-down defender on the team, and it showed come playoff time.

Posey was so valuable because he could come in and cover the opposing teams best player, whether that was the point guard or the power forward.

After doing some extensive research in this years NBA draft, Jonas Jerebko looks like the guy who could fill that role the best. He is an overseas player who plays with high intensity and specializes on the defensive side of the ball.

Jerebko is tall enough (6'8") to guard forwards, and quick enough to take on guards. He can fight off high screen picks very well (How Hedo killed us in the playoffs) and his length proves hard for smaller players to shoot over.

His offense is what scouts are calling his glaring weakness. However, watching some tapes and reading interviews with his teammates, it looks like he has a lot of potential.

There is a current video on YouTube of him shooting uncontested three point shots, and he made 12 of 19. He shot with good form and showed a lot of upper body strength. Scouts said he gained over 25 pounds of muscle in just this past year.

Jerebko grew up playing the point guard position. He had a growth spurt in recent years to move him more into the small forward position. This experience obviously gave him a lot of time handling the ball and leading his team.

He admits once he moves to the NBA he will definitely be a role player. I can see him coming off the Celtics bench as an energy booster and defensive specialist.

Jerebko is already being compared to players like Matt Harpring and Matt Barnes. If you remember last season, it was Barnes that Boston made a push for to help out on the defensive side of the ball. This guy is a very hard worker and has a great personality.

Various scouting reports and mock drafts have Jerebko being drafted somewhere in the second round. Unfortunately, Boston has the third to last pick in that round.

If they realize what kind of potential this guy has, and how badly they need a player of his type, they should highly consider trading up to select him.

NBA Faces of the Franchise: The All-Time List

Brian Hutchison — Mon, 18 May 2009 04:00:03 -0400

After reading Josh Danhi's article, "NBA Faces of the Franchise" I have decided to take it one step further and make a list using players from all time. I realize this list will be very controvercial and I would love to debate any of my picks with you. Some of these picks were much harder than others, but I based my picks off of what that player brought to the team and city, stats, awards, team success, and overall fan favoritism. I hope you enjoy!

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The NBA's 2009 All-Underrated Team: Starring LeBron James

Brian Hutchison — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:19:14 -0400

Professional athletes are not only rated by their physical ability, but also by their character and personality. They are judged by how well they can lead their team, or how well they can play their role. Media does their job well. They will air what the public wants to see. And what the public wants to see doesn't always classify as greatness. Sometimes, we would rather see a risky behind the back pass turnover, or a missed under the legs dunk in the playoffs. So, while we are watching these attention starved players on ESPN highlights, there are great players out there doing their job the right way, the way the game of basketball should be played. With fundamentals, not windmills. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the 2009 NBA All-Underrated Team...

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The Faces Behind the New England Patriots 2009 Coaching Staff

Brian Hutchison — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:05:55 -0400

The New England Patriots change their coaching staff more than some people change their underwear.

It seems like almost every single year the Pats are looking for new coaches to step in.

After working under head coach, Bill Belichick, some coaches believe they have the ability to go out and coach their own team. See: Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, Todd Haley, and finally, Josh McDaniels.

But you have to ask, do the Patriots just get lucky by continuing to sign such sought after coaches, or does Belichick just make these guys look so good?

The combined 2008 total record of Weis, Crennel, and Mangini was 20-25. Not really what they were used to in New England.

However, we still have to value the hard work these guys put in to help make New England such a successful football program. Now, let's take a glimpse of what the 2009 New England coaching staff has in store for us.

Who knows, one or more of these guys could be head coaches on different teams in 2010. So, let’s get to know them and love them while we have our chance.

Everyone already knows Coach Belichick, so I am going to focus on the other coaches on the staff who aren’t already known to the public.

2009 Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Line Coach- Dante Scarnecchia

More commonly referred to as Scar, Coach Scarnecchia is the face of hard work. He will tell you himself he is not a talented coach. He shows up to work in the morning, and leaves late at night.

He spends multiple hours watching tape, coming up with the schemes, and visualizing how he can make his team better.

Although, most people do not see him around, you will always be able to find him cooped up in his office with a pencil in his hand and a pile of notes on his desk.

Here is a quote I found written by Michael Smith, writing for the Boston Globe.

"I don't know many guys that can outwork him," said Jeff Davidson, former New England's assistant offensive line and tight ends coach. "I think that's the No. 1 thing that you'd say about Dante, that he works unbelievable hours. That, to me, is what makes him a great coach."

One of Scar’s most talked about stories was his work with offensive lineman, Stephen Neal. Neal, a college wrestler, came to New England with hardly any football experience. Coach Belichick made it Scar’s project to transform the raw player into a quality lineman.

He had a lot of natural athleticism, but it was Coach Scar who really turned him into a football player. He spent several hours a day with Neal, working on his technique. Here is a quote a pulled from the Portland Express Herald.

"He doesn't accept the fact that you're making mistakes, doesn't accept the fact that I got beat on this play," said Neal. "He demands the best from you on every play. And even if you do a good job and your technique could be a little cleaner, he's going to let you know."

Scar’s coaching career started in 1970, when he was the offensive line coach at California Western University.

During the next 11 seasons, Scarnecchia spent time at Southern Methodist University, University of Pacific, and Northern Arizona. In 1982, the head coach at Southern Methodist University, Ron Meyer, accepted the head coaching job for the New England Patriots.

He brought the much respected, Coach Scarnecchia, along for the ride. He coached the tight ends and special teams for the next seven years.

Scar has outlasted Dick McPherson, Bill Parcells, and Pete Carroll as a Patriots coach. His most noted contributions to New England has been his success as the offensive line coach.

He also has experience as the defensive assistant, special teams, tight ends, and now assistant head coach.

Coach Scar is Belichick's most trusted assistant. He is one of the most respected figures in the New England organization. I am very excited to see all of his hard work translate to success in 2009, and hopefully he can win another championship with the Patriots.

Defensive Coordinator- Dean Pees

Coach Pees, also known as the coach in red, has been New England's defensive coordinator since taking over for Eric Mangini's job in 2006.

Ever since his first year in New England, Pees has sported a red shirt on the sidelines. It is said he does this so his elderly mother can see him easier on T.V when the camera zooms past the Patriots sideline.

Besides looking good in red on the sidelines, Pees is also a very talented coach. In Pees' first year with the Patriots, he broke a franchise record for fewest points allowed per game over the course of a season.

However, Pees' defense has taken a lot of criticism in the past for losing close games in the final minutes. The 2006 AFC Championship game was lost at the end of the game by the defense. The New England defense also let the New York Giants drive down the field to lose Super Bowl XLII in the final minutes of the game.

Pees' coaching career started out at the high school level. After six years on the high school field, Pees was asked to be the defensive coordinator for the University of Findlay. He worked for Findlay for three seasons before taking the same coordinator job for Miami University(Ohio).

After impressing a lot of people with his work at Miami, Pees was hired as a secondary coach at the Naval Academy. He spent three years there until joining up with Nick Saban as the defensive coordinator for the University of Toledo.

After four years with Toledo, Pees was lured to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to coach under legendary coach, Lou Holtz.

Coach Pees finally got an opportunity to be a head coach when Kent State offered him the job to help rebuild their organization. Pees' first year at Kent State he led the Golden Flashes to a 6-5 finish, which was their best record in 14 years.

After turning around the Kent State football program in only six years, Pees was offered the linebackers coach for the New England Patriots in 2003.

This will be Pees' year to turn the New England defense back to the powerhouse it once was. They souped up the suspect secondary, and have some of their key linemen back. I expect the man in red to step up big this year and sport one of the best defenses in the league.

Wide Receiver Coach- Bill O' Brien

According to the Boston Globe, Coach O' Brien is the most likely candidate to take over Josh McDaniel's job as the offensive coordinator.

This opinion probably comes from his promotion last year to assist McDaniels with the offense. It has been said that O'Brien did call offensive plays at times during the season last year to get him ready to take over as the coordinator.

Coach O'Brien has been a part of the Patriots organization since 2007. He was brought on board after coaching for 14 seasons at the college level.

His first coaching gig came as a tight end and linebackers coach at the University of Brown. He then moved on to coach the Georgia Institute of Technology as an offensive assistant coach.

After seven years at Georgia Tech, he landed the spot to become the running backs coach for the University of Maryland. Only two years after arriving to Maryland, O’Brien accepted the offensive coordinator position at Duke University.

This was O’Brien’s last stint as a college coach. After two years at Duke, he was offered a job to become an offensive assistant for the Patriots in 2007.

Linebackers Coach- Matt Patricia

Patricia, dubbed the next great coaching prodigy under Belichick, is the youngest coach on the Patriots’ staff. He joined the team in 2004 and has quickly gained respect from the entire program.

His first role with the Patriots was to break down film, scout players, and help Coach Scar with the offensive line. Patricia’s second season with the Patriots he spend most of his time coaching the offensive line.

In 2006, his third season with the Pats, he was assigned the position of linebackers coach. Last season, when Coach Pees spent time in the press box, Patricia was relaying the defensive calls from the sideline.

Coach Patricia earned a lot of respect for his coaching success with Jerod Mayo. Coming into his rookie season, Patricia spent a lot of time working with Mayo, looking over game tapes and helping him in practice.

Before joining the Patriots, Patricia coached six seasons in the college ranks. His coaching career started as an offensive assistant for his alma miter, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

After three seasons, he became the defensive line coach at Amherst College. He only spent two years at Amherst before joining the Syracuse Orangemen as an offensive graduate assistant. He spend two seasons at Syracuse before moving on to join the Patriots coaching staff.

Patricia’s future looks very bright. He is only 34 years old and already has a lot of coaching experience on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. I would not be surprised if Coach Patricia would keep getting promoted up the ladder and eventually become a head coach for another NFL team.

The rest of the staff

Head coach- Bill Belichick

Defensive line coach- Pepper Johnson

Running backs coach- Ivan Fears

Tight ends coach- Pete Mangurian/ Shane Waldron

Wide receivers coach- Chad O'Shea

Defensive backs- Josh Boyer

Hutch's Sit Down Comedy: Discussing This Week In the NFL (HUMOR)

Brian Hutchison — Sat, 09 May 2009 17:32:40 -0400

So, the St Louis Rams just recently dropped their best linebacker, Pisa Tinoisamoa. This move really confuses me. They admitted the 6’1, 240 lbs. linebacker just wasn’t big enough for their new scheme.

I’m going to make it my business to call them out on this. How are you judging players when you say big? Because the player who is expected to take over for him, Chris Draft, is only 5’11, 236 lbs. I mean the only reason I could think of why he was cut was because the rest of the people in the organization were tired of trying to pronounce his name.

But that my friends, is what the point of a nickname is. Think about, if everyone would just start calling him something like Pisa Pizza, they would not only have a guy with a sweet nickname, but then they wouldn’t have to release their best linebacker!

Who else is sick of hearing about Brett Favre? I mean, will he ever just go away? The most recent report from rotoworld.com is, "If you put your finger in (Favre's) shoulder it goes right through." That’s disgusting, Brett.

I mean for a guy they call the Iron Man, being able to poke my finger right through you isn’t a good sign. My finger is about 4” tall and weighs as much as a nickel. If that’s poking through you I wouldn’t even want to watch what would happen if you got hit by a guy like Ray Lewis. I mean, would you blow up, or just kind of crumble to the ground in pieces? Either way, I think that may be some sort of sign that your playing days might be over, Iron Man.

Lions running back, Kevin Smith, has recently said on his blog, Smith34.com, That the team "will definitely make the playoffs this season". After reading this statement my jaw dropped. but after reading his next statement, it completely fell off its hinges.

"Believe it or not we weren't far off last year. Almost every game we could have won."

I am very excited to see the enrollment numbers to Smith’s college alum, University of Central Florida. If I was a father about to send my son or daughter off to UCF, I would seriously be questioning the legitimacy of their professors. I mean, he was only a rookie last year, could his brain seriously be this damaged already?

You were the first team in NFL history to not win a single game over the course of an entire season! Maybe playing for the Lions was just too much for this young kid to handle. I can imagine it was a very tough experience to go through.

New England's Play Calls Will Have No Restrictions In '09

Brian Hutchison — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:54:46 -0400

New England's offensive play calls will be dramatically altered this season, the reason being the comeback of Tom Brady.

Last year, with Matt Cassel under center, the Patriots were limited to certain play calls. Cassel didn't have the Brady's arm and the Patriots had to call plays with that in mind.

According to NFL.com, the Patriots averaged 33 passing attempts per game and 32 rushing attempts per game last year.

In 2007, the Patriots averaged 37 passing attempts per game, and only 28 rushing attempts per game.

Meaning, New England threw the ball on 57% of their plays in 2007, apposed to only 50% in 2008.

Also, in 2007, 62% of the teams first downs came from passing plays. Opposed to only 52% in 2008.

New England even averaged 11 more points per game in 2007 then they did in 2008.

As you can see, when Tom Brady is under center, the Patriots are going to throw the ball much more. They are also going to score faster and much more frequently

When Matt Cassel did drop back to throw the ball last year, more than likely it would be thrown within five to 20 yards. New England ran a lot of screen plays for Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris. This helped Cassel adjust to the speed of the NFL and give him confidence in his ability.

Cassel's main target in 2008 was Wes Welker. Welker is known for his crafty route running and quick slants. This was the perfect match for Cassel. Welker finished the season with 111 catches for 1,165 yards. These totals were within 1 catch and 10 yards from his previous season in 2007.

Randy Moss, on the other hand, had only 69 catches for 1,008 yards. Moss, the speedy down field playmaker, was in a way, too good for Cassel. Cassel could not air the ball downfield and let Moss make plays the way Brady could.

Moss and Welker's touchdown totals were both cut in half with Cassel starting.

With Tom Brady back in the mix, expect the Patriots to come out swinging in 2009. There is no reason this years offense couldn't have the capability to put up similar numbers to what they did in '07.

The offseason additions of Joey Galloway, Greg Lewis, and Fred Taylor will help.

I expect Randy Moss to have another comeback season. The whole offense will flourish with their MVP quarterback back in the mix.

New England will probably run three receiver sets with Moss, Welker, and Greg Lewis. With their offseason acquisitions, Chris Baker and Alex Smith, I also expect them to run two tight ends at a time. Baker and Smith are better blockers then their current starter, Ben Watson.

I bet all three will split time this season.

Brady will go back to utilizing the shotgun formation like he did in '07. They lost their only valuable fullback, Heath Evans, so I doubt they will use a fullback at all this season. An extra tight end on the line sounds much more beneficial to this years new passing attack.

Lewis and Moss will run a lot more deep routes this year than last I believe the Patriots will use a lot of four receiver sets.

Galloway and Moss running deep routes side by side could prove to be very dangerous and hard to cover for opposing defenses. Especially, with Welker running drag patterns across the middle.

The safety will have to make a lot of tough decision this year with all of their offensive weapons. Expect Moss to see a lot of single coverages. Brady will take full advantage of them if they are there.

New England has a scary offense, loaded with speed. I am very excited to see how Belichick uses it.

Popular Songs Altered for an NFL Twist (Humor)

Brian Hutchison — Fri, 08 May 2009 23:47:25 -0400

Jessica Simpson - "These Boots are Made for Walking"

Covering (you guessed it) the Dallas Cowboys:

You keep sayin' you're going to win.

Well, Tony Romo, I ask when?

You have all the best talent, in the league.

I can't possibly imagine, what else you need.

If you keep choking, this won't fly.

The Boys' will keep losing, and I will cry.

My boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do.

If you keep on choking, I'm gonna' walk all over you.

R. Kelly - "I Believe I Can Fly"

Covering the Arizona Cardinals:

I used to think that we could never win.

And the playoffs will never be happenin'.

But now I know the true meaning of an underdog.

We made it to the Bowl' and we get snubbed.

Did that referee really make that call?

That sent me back home to the rodeo hall.

I believe we can soar.

I believe Fitz can always score.

On any single play that he wants to.

Just fly down the field passed you know who.

I believe we can soar.

Beach Boys - "Surfin' USA"

Covering the Miami Dolphins:

If everybody ran the wildcat.

In the NFL.

Then everybody'd be like the Dolphins.

What the hell?

You see them running that college formation.

I hope I don't sound like I am hatin'.

But with that pick of White, Pat.

I don't have to cheat to realize that.

You will be using that play to the max.

And you'll be losin' in the NFL!

You're team isn't good and Brady's back.

You had a fluke year and that's a fact.

Keep runnin' that play and you will see.

We'v figured that out, so what if we had to cheat.

And you'll be losin' in the NFL!

P. Diddy - "Bad Boys for Life"

Covering the Cincinnati Bengals:

I'm the definition of half football and half jail.

I'm either going out for the pass, or i'm waiting for my bail.

You ask if i'm a good team and I'll say yup.

My only problem is that I'm probably locked up.

I have a good QB, throwing to Ochocinco.

But when it comes to my D, you don’t even want to know.

We got some nice players, rockin' the stripes.

But when it comes down to it, I'm still a bad boy for life!

Queen - "We Are the Champions"

Covering the Pittsburgh Steelers:

We'v won our rings.

That makes six.

We make black and yellow look good.

And we get chicks.

Losing seasons.

We'v had a few.

But we are great for many reasons.

Winning is just what we do.

We are the champions - my friends.

And we'll keep on playing - till' the end.

We are the champions.

No time for losers, Cause we are the champions.

Of the world!

Brian Hutchison - "Off the Top of My Head"

Covering the New York Giants:

I still can't get over that Super Bowl game.

Yes, I'm a Pats fan, can you feel my pain?

We were perfect the entire way.

Then came the most unbelievable play.

What ever happened, to the guy who caught that ball?

Is he still in the league? Or did he fall?

It's ok. I'm not bitter anymore.

You guys deserved it. It was a fair call.

All I have to say is wait til' this year to start.

Brady's back, and his passes are a form of art.

Get your squad ready. Ready for battle.

Hop on your horses and strap up the saddle!

AFC East: Possibly The Most Overrated Division In Football

Brian Hutchison — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:57:55 -0400

For the past several years, the AFC East has been dominated by the New England Patriots. However, the Miami Dolphins won the division last year and proved they can compete with some of the best teams in the league.

2009 should be the year that the AFC East finally demands respect from around the league. Here I'll discuss each team's offseason transactions, including rookies taken in the draft. I will also take a look at each team's success last year and try to determine if that will translate over to 2009. I will give each team a grade and compare the division to the rest of the top divisions in the NFL.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills made one of the most talked about transactions of the offseason with the acquisition of Terrell Owens. Owens will line up opposite Lee Evans, giving Evans a lot more room to operate downfield and go against single coverages. This will also spread the field for running backs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson to catch balls out of the backfield.

Trent Edwards is entering his third season in the NFL. The Stanford graduate still has a lot of room for improvement and the addition of Owens will only help. One of Edward's biggest problems last year was his offensive line. They hardly gave him much time to make decisions in the pocket. By trading their best offensive lineman from last year, Jason Peters, they will continue to struggle blocking for him. If the offensive line can step up this year and let Edwards make some accurate throws in the pocket, he could be in line for a sleeper year.

The Bills' defense raises a lot of concerns. They made a good pick in the draft by selecting the defensive end out of Penn State, Aaron Maybin. He should be able to add much-needed pressure from the outside. He's not known for his success against the run and the Bills linebacker core isn't either.

Depending on the status of safeties, Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson, the Bills could actually field a very underrated secondary this year. Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin are solid corner backs and Ashton Youboty is a young, talented back up.

Last year, the Bills finished the season 7-9. Their notable wins were against the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. The Bills started off the season with a 4-0 record, leading many to believe this was their year to finally make the playoffs.

I am giving the Buffalo Bills a C. Although they will field a better team then they did last year, their schedule is much tougher. They will keep a lot of games close, but I only see them winning five or six games this year.

New York Jets

The New York Jets had an amazing offseason. Drafting Mark Sanchez number five overall was a great move. I don't think Sanchez is as good as Matt Ryan was last year coming out of college, but he should have a quality season. He ran an NFL-style offense at USC and played against NFL-caliber defenders. He has tremendous accuracy on the run, which will help him progress quickly in the big leagues.

The Jets' key loss was wide receiver, Laveranues Coles. Chansi Stuckey is currently the Jets' number two wideout, with Brad Smith and David Clowney third and fourth. They also lost their second tight end, Dustin Baker. This won't help Sanchez along with his development. I expect to see them utilize their strong running game, led by Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and rookie Shonn Greene.

Their offensive line is big, fast, and powerful. Ferguson, Faneca, and Mangold will manhandle opposing defenses on the left side. Brandon Moore and Damiem Woody will hold their own on the right side.

They also just added blocking specialist Tony Richardson. He helped Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson run for crazy yardage totals back in Kansas City. His presence will be big.

The Jets finished last season with a 9-7 record, with Brett Favre completely falling apart at the end. It's hard to predict how much better Sanchez will do, but I see them producing a similar record this year. Their schedule isn't too hard. I give the New York Jets a B, and predict they will win ten games this season.

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are the most over-rated team in the division. They had what I would call a 'fluke' year last season. They shocked the rest of the league with their wildcat formation and gained a lot of success with it. This year, the Dolphins will come back down to earth and prove they are not a playoff team. Miami had a very easy schedule last year, and won a lot of very close games. This year they have a much tougher schedule in store.

They also had the worst offseason of any team in the division. They did not acquire any big names from free agency and reached for every pick they made in the draft. Their first pick, Vontae Davis, will either prove to be a boom or a bust. He has all of the physical attributes needed to succeed at this level, but I'm not convinced he has the right mindset to do it, especially if he follows the footsteps of his brother, Vernon. They are probably going to use Pat White as a wildcat formation player, and as a wide receiver. Teams are eventually going to catch on to their tactics, and shut them down.

Ted Ginn Jr. needs to step up as a quality No. 1 receiver. He has let those who had high hopes for him down. Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess haven't impressed much either.

Once again, the Dolphins will need to rely on their rushing attack, led by Ronnie Brown. He's a stud running back and running behind the mammoth, Jake Long, sure does make it easier. The tandem of Brown and Ricky Williams proved to be hard to stop last year. I think they will only get better this year behind an improved offensive line.

Miami's defense surprised a lot of people last year. Joey Porter is a beast in the middle and can disrupt almost any play he gets around. Miami has also talked about bringing back all-pro end, Jason Taylor. This would add even more pressure from the outside. Adding Gibril Wilson will also add help to the secondary.

I am giving Miami a C. They are equally as talented as the Buffalo Bills and face a very similar schedule, playing in the same division. They will have similar records, winning a maximum of seven games this year.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are going to win the AFC East with ease this year. Their starting roster is simply too strong for the rest of this division to compete with.

Tom Brady is a huge upgrade over Matt Cassel. Cassel did a good job last year at what he was asked to do, but this is Brady's team and no one knows how to operate this offense like him. He makes every pass look so effortless. He demands the opposing defense to respect the pass, opening up large running lanes. He has enough weapons surrounding him this year to once again lead the league in touchdown passes.

They literally filled all of their holes from last year during a very productive off season. Signing Shawn Springs, Leigh Bodden, Fred Taylor, Joey Galloway, and Greg Lewis was simply unrivalled. Coach Belichick knows exactly what he needs to do to assemble another championship team.

The Patriots' secondary is now loaded with with a mix of experience and young talent. Brandon Merriweather will probably be asked to step up and be the leader of that secondary.

They also have a lot of team leaders on the defensive side of the ball. Tedy Bruschi demands respect from anyone in the middle of the field and JeRod Mayo and Adalius Thomas will be ruthless defenders on the outside.

Vince Wilfork will be playing for a new contract this year, so expect monster numbers out of him. He will be able to clog the up the middle running lanes with the best of the best.

The Patriots are my favorite to win the Superbowl this year. I predict they will win 12 or 13 games this season. I give them an A. This team is poised for greatness.

Final Word

There is a lot of talk that the AFC East is going to be a very tough division this year, but I disagree. This year is not this division's peak.

Buffalo has way too many question marks on the defensive side of the ball and Trent Edwards is not yet good enough to make up for it.

Miami had a breakout season last year with one of the easiest schedules in the league, but they will come back down to earth this year. When Ted Ginn Jr. is your No.1 receiver, you know you will have some problems against the best teams in the league. Their defense is good, not great.

New York is the biggest question mark in the division. Their team success pretty much revolves around the success of rookie quarterback, Mark Sanchez. If he has a Matt Ryan-type season, which is unlikely, the Jets will have a very good season. If he plays like an average rookie quarterback, they will be an above-average team at most.

New England has its question marks also. I am assuming Tom Brady will be 100% at the start of the season, like all clues indicate. If Brady falls again, the Pats will fall like a pile of crumbling rocks. They will have an average season, primarily because of their coach, Mr. Belichick. If Brady stays healthy, he will be adding another ring to his hand this year.

My Official B/R Interview with Randy Moss (HUMOR)

Brian Hutchison — Thu, 07 May 2009 07:02:56 -0400

Me: Hey Randy! So, how does it feel to be catching balls in practice from Tom again?

Randy Moss: It feels great, man. Having Giselle back and getting to see her again everyday. I'll be out on a deep route, man, and I'll glance over and see her eye'n me up. You can bet your life I won't be droppin that pass, man.

Me: So now with Tom back in the lineup, what are your expectations for 09'?

Randy Moss: Man, Having Tom and Giselle back is definitely a good thing for us. She's making the whole team better. No one wants to look dumb in front of her, you know?

Me: I hear you. I see you're turning 33 this year. How do you stay in such good shape?

Randy Moss: Fear

Me: Fear?

Randy Moss: Fear of getting traded back to Oakland, man. I'll tell you what. Coach B is a hell of a coach. I let the new rookie Darius Butler beat me in a sprinting drill. I looked over and saw Coach digging for something in this old box. He pulled out my old Oakland jersey and just pointed to it. I came in first for the rest of the drills, man.

Me: That's good to hear Randy. Are you still staying out of trouble?

Randy Moss:Well, I'll be honest with you. My kid was having a father-son pee wee football game last week. He wanted me to come out and play. I guess they were raising money to buy new equipment, there was a pretty decent show up.

Man, I scored on the very first play of the game. I ran straight into the endzone and turned around and mooned the crowd. Unfortunately, there was a cop standing right there to slap an indecent exposure fine on my ass.

Me: (Laughing) I thought you would have learned your lesson, Randy! How's the Randy Moss Motorsports racing team going?

Randy Moss: Very well, thanks for asking. We just won our first first place finish the other week, man.

Me: Wow, you must be a pretty talented coach yourself.

Randy Moss: I like to think so, man. I don't have many tips to tell my drivers. I just tell them to go out there, put the pedal to the metal, and turn left. It's really not as hard as it sounds to be a racing coach.

Me: What do you make of Brett Favre wanting to come back to football?

Randy Moss: Funny you ask that. I was just at his son's birthday party a few nights ago. He was turning 50 so I guess a group of people wanted to throw him a surprise "over the hill" party.

Me: His son just turned 50? So how old would that make Brett?

Randy Moss: Brett doesn't like to talk about his age. But did you hear how his dinner went with Coach Childress last night?

Me: No. Tell me about it.

Randy Moss:The first thing Coach said to Brett when they sat down was, "Mr. Favre, Sir. You have always been my favorite player growing up as a kid." Then he pulled out this football card and said, "Could you please sign this 1937 Brett Favre Rookie card for me?"

Favre let out a hush laugh and a small cloud of dust poofed from his mouth. "Sure kid," Favre replied.

(All of a sudden Randy sat up straight from his slouch, brushed his cornrows to the side, and started talking much more clearly and polite.)

Me: Randy, I noticed you are acting a bit different from earlier in the interview.

Randy Moss: ( Nods his head and gives a wink of his eye)

(Now standing at the front door was Ms. Bunchen and Coach B. And yes, he was pointing at a raiders jersey in his hand.)

Me: Thanks for the interview, Randy. Go win a Superbowl ring this year and make us proud!

With Tom Brady Back Under Center, the Patriots Look Primed for Another Ring

Brian Hutchison — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:44:33 -0400

With the upcoming NFL season slowly approaching, I am getting very anxious to see what the New England Patriots have in store for us. The Patriots will field a much different team from a year ago, and they are the early favorites to win it all.

Let's take a look at the top position battles this season, their upcoming schedule, and some possible obstacles that could hurt our run to the Superbowl.

Top Position Battles in '09

Running Back

The most exciting addition the Patriots made this offseason was the acquisition of running back, Fred Taylor.

The Pats ran a much more conservative offense last year, trying to adjust to the loss of Brady. There were only three teams who ran the ball more times per game than New England in 2008. Although I don't expect us to run the ball as much this year, we could use another hard nosed runner in the backfield.

I have not been impressed with the development of Laurence Maroney, and am starting to believe he might not be the answer we all made him out to be.

The best way to run in New England is by committee. The tandem of Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, LaMont Jordan, Laurence Maroney, and BenJarvis Green Ellis proved to work well for us.

As a team, they averaged over 140 yards per game and over 4.4 yards per carry. Although I believe Fred Taylor might be the most talented of the group, Laurence Maroney has the most upside, giving him the early edge to start on opening day.

With the release of LaMont Jordan, I also see Laurence Maroney getting the first chance on goal line carries.

The Pats will most likely go back to their pass happy offense this year. Kevin Faulk is the best back we have at catching the ball out of the back field. This reason alone leads me to believe that Faulk will see the most plays this year in the backfield.

Expect all five running backs to split carries based on who Coach Belichick believes is best suited for that situation.

Wide Receiver

The wide receiver position is going to be fun to watch this season for Patriots fans.

Randy Moss will once again flourish as a No. 1 accomplice to Tom Brady. Wes Welker will also be a great threat in the slot position. But we already know about those guys.

The new acquisitions, Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis, will be battling for that No. 3 spot, opposite Moss. This battle will greatly depend on who can work better with Brady in camps.

Galloway is 37 years old and is coming off of an injury plagued season. Galloway depends on his speed to get open down field so if he comes into camp lacking this speed we are used to I wouldn't be surprised if he gets buried in the depth chart.

Lewis is a lot younger and has more potential to be a speedy down field threat. The other player who might battle for this spot is rookie Brandon Tate.

Unfortunately, he is coming off of a very serious ACL injury and might miss the entire season. He also tested positive for marijuana at the rookie combine. I don't expect to see him play much more then maybe special teams this year.

Lewis has what it takes to be the No. 3 receiver in an offense that suits him much better than what he had in Philadelphia. I am giving Lewis the early edge.

Cornerback

This is probably the toughest position to break down right now for the Patriots.

Coach Belichick has a lot of talent to work with this year and I am anxious to see how he utilizes it. Recent additions Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden are the most experienced of the group, which will probably make them day one starters.

However, last year's rookies, Jonathan Wilhite and Terrence Wheatley also impressed me.

The guy I am the most excited to watch this year is rookie Darius Butler. He had an excellent career at the University of Connecticut on both sides of the ball. He was their starting corner back but also played wide receiver, indicating how good his hands are.

He has tremendous speed and athleticism, jumping 40" in the vertical jump, and recording a 4.46 in the 40 meter dash. The cousin of Ravens running back Willis McGahee, he can play in both man to man and zone coverages. He has a good nose for the ball and is a great open field tackler.

Give Butler some time learning behind Springs and Bodden, but if one them should get hurt, Butler will make some noise this year.

In Depth Look at New England's 09' Schedule

According to ESPN.com, the Patriots have the third hardest schedule in the NFL this season. Their opponents went 151-105 last year for a .580 winning percentage.

Does this worry me? Not at all. Our first game of the year comes against the Buffalo Bills on the first Monday Night Football game of the year. This should prove to be an epic battle between Randy Moss and Terrell Owens.

However, Bills starting running back Marshawn Lynch is out through suspension. The Bills offense will need some time adjusting to the new look offense. New England will start off the year with an exciting win.

Their next game will be against the New York Jets. It will be Mark Sanchez's second career start and it will be against a very scary defense.

Expect a lot of big plays on defense, giving New England a 2-0 start. Their next five games before their bye week are Atlanta, Baltimore, Denver, Tennessee, and Tampa Bay, with their only away game at Denver.

Without Jay Cutler under center I do not see them as much of a threat this year. Tennessee is the best team we will play before our bye week, but without Albert Haynesworth, their defensive line won't nearly be as scary as it once was.

We should be undefeated leading up to our bye week.

The five games after bye week are against Miami, Indianapolis, New York, New Orleans, and Miami.

The Colts game is in Indianapolis on a Sunday night. The Saints game is in New Orleans on a Monday night. This will be a very tough stretch for New England.

I think we will split games with Miami, and come out of this five game stretch with two losses. I mean, you can't expect us to go undefeated every year can you?

Our last four games come against Carolina, Buffalo, Jacksonville, and Houston. We should win the first of those three. The last week of the year I believe Houston will be fighting hard for a playoff birth. They have a strong team this year and will surprise a lot of people.

New England will be sitting around 13-2, having clinched the playoffs weeks before. We will most likely rest some of our starters for most if not all of the game. Houston will play this game like it's their last, which it could very well be, and sneak in a last week win.

The overall projected record for 2009 is 13-3. And when it comes to playoffs, well, let's wait for the season to start before I make these predictions.

Possible Obstacles We Could Face in 09'

The most obvious obstacle New England will face in 09' is the health concerns of Tom Brady.

We have seen Carson Palmer and Peyton Manning both come back from similar knee injuries. We must also feel very comfortable with the progress of the injury or we wouldn't have sent his backup Matt Cassel to Kansas City.

I believe this is a prime example of "We must trust in Belichick." He knows what he's doing. If he thinks Tom is fine, then I think Tom is fine.

Another issue is keeping our front seven healthy.

According to NFL.com, the Patriots recorded 47 sacks in 2007. Last year that number dropped to 31. They also had seven more forced fumbles in 2007.

With Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour, and Adalius Thomas all coming back healthy this year, I believe our 2009 numbers will look more like they did in 2007.

Our defense must get pressure on the quarterback, forcing quicker throws and giving our secondary more opportunities for interceptions. We need to get the intimidation back in our defense.

Last year when the Dolphins smoked us for 38 points in the second week of the season, opposing teams gained a lot of confidence when lining up against us. New England's defense starts with a ferocious front seven. We need these guys to step up in a big way this year.

Jerod Mayo should once again lead the team in tackles and I expect him to keep progressing as one of the best linebackers in the league.

With Adalius Thomas coming back from injury, this group of linebackers will once again bring fear to opposing teams.

Overall Outlook for 2009

I predict the New England Patriots will not only win the Superbowl this year, but do it in their old, dominating fashion.

Their offense is loaded with talent and speed, and should start where the 2007 team left off. They will be an aggressive, up tempo offense, that will score a lot of points and will get criticized for running up the score.

Tom Brady will have an exceptional year, throwing many touchdowns to Randy Moss and Wes Welker.

Our defense will be big, tough, fast, and scary. Our front seven will be able to shut down the run, and our secondary has the depth and talent to run with the best.

Brandon Merriweather will explode onto the scene to be our best safety. He has learned from Rodney Harrison how to play tough, hard nose football.

It is now his turn to come in and be the leader of this secondary. We have an exciting mix of experienced veterans and talented young prospects.

Coach Belichick will once again show the world why he is simply a mastermind when it comes to coaching.

The Patriots will once again show the world why we are a dynasty. Success is what the New England Patriots stand for. We have a very prestigious organization that is built around it.

Matt Cassel Headed to Kansas City

Brian Hutchison — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:52:08 -0500

The Boston Globe confirmed that Matt Cassel is expected to join the Kansas City Chiefs in a trade that also involves New England's Mike Vrabel.

There is now speculation that there is a third team involved in this deal. It should not affect where Cassel will be playing next year but could be a factor in what New England will receive in the deal.

Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez have both publicly said they wouldn't mind playing for a new team next year. I would have loved to see Johnson in a Pats uniform next year, but with the recent signing of Fred Taylor I don't see that happening. The Patriots also just signed Chris Baker, so I don't see Gonzo coming over either.

This is great news for Patriot fans. It not only means that we will be getting more picks to build for the future, but it also tells us that coach Bill Belichick fully expects Tom Brady to be ready for the start of next season.

I expect the Patriots to sign a veteran quarterback, such as Jon Kitna, as a backup.

I will report back with any updates.

DeAngelo Hall Could Be Next Big Name in Foxborough

Brian Hutchison — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:27:13 -0500

According to the Boston Globe, the Patriots might be interested in signing DeAngelo Hall this offseason. They had a significant interest in signing him last year after the Raiders let him go but as we all know, he eventually signed with the Redskins instead.

The Patriots aren't going to do much spending this offseason with most of their cap money going toward players who are already on the roster. However, Coach Belichick knows he must upgrade his secondary if the Pats plan to regain their reputation as a dynasty.

A lot of people liked what they saw in Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite last year, but I still don't feel safe starting one of them opposite Ellis Hobbs.

The Patriots are also targeting a defender in the first round of this year's draft. The most common name being thrown around is Brian Cushing, LB of USC.

With the additions of a premiere cornerback and another potential stud at linebacker, Patriot fans should have a lot to look forward to next season.

What If Peyton Manning Had Been Drafted By the Kansas City Chiefs?

Brian Hutchison — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:26:43 -0500

What if Peyton Manning would have been drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs?

With the 27th pick of the 1998 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Peyton Manning, quarterback of the Tennessee Volunteers!

With much excitement and anticipation from the Kansas City hopeful, the Chiefs are the early favorite to win this year's Super Bowl.

In Manning's first year with the Chiefs, he leads them to a respectable 7-9 finish. Throwing for 12 touchdowns and 38 interceptions, it was the spectacular play of Bam Morris and Kimble Anders to lead the team to seven wins.

Unfortunately, Peyton Manning was involved in a serious collision during training camp the following season. He ran full force into fellow teammate Derrick Thomas. His leg was so badly broken he was forced to amputate it.

Playing on one leg that season, Manning got out to a pretty rocky start. Opposing defenses almost seemed to target the limp quarterback's true leg, forcing him to read the defense and throw within a second after the snap.

Finishing the season with a 2-14 record the Chiefs decided that Manning might not be the franchise player he was hyped up to be. He was released at the end of the season with career numbers of 13 touchdowns and 56 interceptions.

He did however, sign a very lucrative long term deal with the New England Patriots as a quarterbacks coach.

Once again, fortunes fell the opposite way of Manning to start off his new job. The Patriots drafted Tom Brady, and he was so good that Belichick decided they didn't need a quarterbacks coach anymore. Manning was later assigned the role of water boy.

It's amazing the stories and careers I can make up using the legendary "What If" scapegoat isn't it? However the beans may fall or the dice may roll, reality is factually and yes, the truth can hurt.

Brett Favre Needs To Retire in Order To Salvage His Legacy

Brian Hutchison — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:25:20 -0500

With another Favre infested offseason approaching, talks have begun to spread whether Brett Favre is starting to lose his once-spectacular reputation.

Favre has always been regarded as the toughest quarterback ever, but he is showing a lot of weakness by continuing his career in the NFL. He needs to realize that he is no longer the same quarterback he once was.

He is either in denial about thinking he can still play, or he is just taking advantage of his prestigious resume. Any team who would sign Favre knows they will be placed into the national spotlight. And Favre knows this.

Not only is Favre a below average quarterback, but since he his Brett Favre he is still being paid as an elite. According to USA Today, Favre has the fourth highest base salary for any quarterback in the league. Yes, more than your Bradys, Mannings, Brees’, Rivers, Cutlers, and Warners—any of whom I would much rather have on my team than Favre.

Favre’s shoulder has been a major concern now for quite awhile. However, his mind is what bothers me. He is starting to make the same rookie mistakes he made what seems like a century ago, when he actually was a rookie.

He is still lobbing balls high into the air when being rushed, and still throwing into triple coverages. It’s almost as if he doesn’t notice there is a defense playing in the game also.

I am not taking anything away from his career as a Green Bay Packer. He was a legend. Keyword being was.

Remember when Michael Jordan came out of retirement to join with the Washington Wizards? Neither do I, but it happened. Jordan was lucky that he didn’t embarrass his legacy like he easily could have. The missed dunk in the All-Star game didn’t help.

What I’m trying to say is that Favre has nothing left to prove. He has a ring. Has a billion records. And a bank account that can last him the rest of his life. If what he is still playing for is the love of the game, then he needs to respect what he has accomplished and put it to rest.

Open Your Eyes: Stephon Marbury's Respected Career Has Been Ruined By The Media

Brian Hutchison — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:22:37 -0500

The media has struck again and this time they turned the whole world on a once respected professional athlete.

The only thing people read or hear about comes from the same source. The media. They tell you what they want you to hear and you all believe what they are telling you is true.

Did you know that Stephon Marbury has made "Sporting News List of NBA Good Guys" on three separate occasions?

Did you know Marbury was one of the NBA's most generous donators to the Hurricane Katrina Fund?

Marbury currently has seven barbers on hire to give free haircuts to kids growing up in his hometown in New York. He donated over 3,000 pairs of his famous brand of basketball shoes to every varsity basketball player in New York City.

Every summer Marbury selects 300 inner-city kids based off of grades to a four day basketball camp. He also hosts several basketball tournaments to give inner city players experience with playing against competition overseas.

Does this really sound like the greedy villain the media makes him out to be?

Stephon Marbury used to be thought of as a young, talented point guard in the NBA. Paired with his good friend, Kevin Garnett, Marbury led the Minnesota T'Wolves to the playoffs during his first two years with the team. Minnesota was an exciting young team who everyone loved to watch and had potential to be a great team.

Marbury then played the next few years with New Jersey and then Phoenix. Playing with Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, Marbury quickly became an NBA All-Star. What many of you don't know is that Mike D'Antoni was hired as the Suns' head coach in 2002. From the very start Marbury and D'Antoni never seemed to get along. D'Antoni traded Marbury a year after accepting the head coach position.

Now, once again playing under D'Antoni, Marbury is back in the doghouse. D'Antoni has already shown he would rather run a seven man rotation rather than subbing in Marbury. It's not only embarrassing but also very unprofessional that D'Antoni will sit a good player out of spite. Would you want to play for someone who will so quickly throw you under the bus like that?

The media has ruined the career of a great player. He has always given back to his community and served as a great role model for years. Please don't give in to the media. Open your eyes and form an opinion for yourself.

Jarett Dillard Deserves Respect as One of College Football's Top Receivers

Brian Hutchison — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:12:07 -0500

Jarett Dillard is a name that has gone unmentioned for far too long. Although Dillard produced big numbers in high school, Rice University was the only Division I college to offer him a full scholarship.

It wasn't because of how he played the game, but his 5'11, 185 pound frame that scared off other Division I schools.

Dillard was brought in to be a speedy down field blocker for a Rice team that ran a spread offense and a lot of option plays. After an impressive freshman year, Rice brought in a new coach and decided to utilize Dillard's talent more effectively.

In Dillard's sophomore season, Rice University made an amazing turnaround and qualified for a bowl game, the first time since 1961. Dillard's 21 touchdowns led the nation and his 1,247 yards earned him All-American honors.

In 2007, Dillard's junior season, opposing teams began double- and triple-teaming him. Many scouts considered this a down year for the Rice Owl's standout receiver, even though he broke numerous school and NCAA records with 1,057 yards and 14 more touchdowns. This moved Dillard into the top 8 in the NCAA career touchdown receptions in only his junior season.

Dillard exploded in his final season as an Owl, crushing numerous NCAA records. His 20 touchdown receptions helped shatter the NCAA career mark with 60 total touchdowns.

Dillard also finished in ninth place on the NCAA career receiving yards list with 4,138, and moved in the top ten in career receptions. The Owls finished the season with a 9-3 record, giving them a bid to play in the Texas Bowl against Western Michigan. Rice beat them 38-14.

If you would have seen any of Dillard's games this year you would probably agree that he gets open with his blazing speed and precise route running. His 43-inch vertical more than makes up for his smaller body.

Dillard stated that he wants to raise that number to 47 inches once he enters the NFL. The best vertical jump in last years NFL combine was only 38.5 inches by Keenan Burton. Michael Jordan's top recorded vertical was 48 inches.

Many people suggest that Jarett Dillard never played against tough competition in the Conference USA's Western Division. However, some of Dillard's best games came against teams outside of the division.

Against Texas this year, Dillard caught nine balls for 158 yards and a touchdown. At Tulsa, he caught seven balls for 142 yards and a touchdown.

And in the East-West Shrine Game, he blazed past East's starting cornerback to haul in a 35-yard touchdown grab from Texas A&M's Stephen McGee.

I think Dillard has the intangibles to have a very successful receiver in the NFL. He has the sure hands to be a chain mover and the quickness and agility to be a deep threat. Dillard will probably be best suited as a slot receiver in an up tempo offense.

Think of him as a DeSean Jackson or a younger version of Isaac Bruce. I hope teams don't sleep on him in this year's draft because he has the potential to be a very talented receiver in the NFL.

Kobe Bryant: The Most Overrated Athlete in Sports History?

Brian Hutchison — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:55:02 -0500

For someone whose name comes up in such discussions like "Who is the best player ever?" and "Who will be the next Michael Jordan?" Kobe Bryant still has a long way to go.

Sure, I'll admit Bryant has been a prolific scorer throughout his career, but he has shown me nothing that would have me compare him to Michael Jordan.

Let's take a look back to the year 2000, the year L.A. won its first championship with Bryant. During the regular season, Bryant averaged almost 29 points and five assists per game. How did these stats translate over to the NBA Finals? They lowered to 15 points and four assists per game.

Shaquille O'Neal, on the other hand, raised his scoring average, from 28 in the regular season to 38 in the finals.

In 2001, the Lakers once again won the NBA Finals. Any thanks to Kobe? Sure, but his scoring average dropped in the clutch once again, forcing O'Neal to step up and raise his scoring, from 27 per game in the regular season to 33 in the finals.

The Lakers achieved a "three-peat" in 2002, winning their third straight NBA championship. Let's look how Bryant deemed "The Next MJ" stepped up his game to lead his team to the title.

Oh wait, we can't. For the third straight time, Kobe's scoring and assists declined in the series. Bryant once again hopped on O'Neal's humongous shoulders and rode him through the finals. And O'Neal, not Bryant, won the NBA Finals MVP award.

Kobe Bryant has never shown any signs of being a team leader. Nor a team winner. When Jordan led his team to six NBA titles; he wasn't the second option. He took over the game and demanded the ball in clutch situations. Bryant simply passed the ball underneath to O'Neal and watched him manhandle anyone who got in his way.

Without O'Neal, Bryant would have no rings. Plenty of scoring titles, but no rings. He wouldn't be considered one of the best players ever. And people would laugh in your face if you said he might be the next Michael Jordan.

If Bryant couldn't even be the best player on his team during his championship runs, then how can anyone say he is the best ever?

2009-2010 Fantasy Football Projected First Round

Brian Hutchison — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:16:17 -0500

I know it's early, but yesterday my friend from school asked me a simple question that led to a rather large debate.

He asked me whom I would take if I had the No. 1 pick in next year's fantasy draft. Quickly, I responded with, "Adrian Peterson."

Then, he asked, "What if you had the second pick?"

After a minute of thinking about it, I could not come up with an answer. Next year's draft is going to be 10 times different than this year's. So many players came out and surprised the world of fantasy.

We tried to come up with how we thought next year's first round will go and this is what we came up with:

1. Adrian Peterson

A.P. is definitely the safest pick you could take at No. 1. He is a great player on a good team, and the surest bet to give you quality points every single week. He has the most explosive first step in the league and has the possibility to score on every single play.

2. Clinton Portis

CP26 (you heard that here first) has been producing quality fantasy points for years now. He runs behind a huge offensive line, and his supporting cast is starting to step up, relieving some of the pressure for him to carry the load.

With the emergence of Santana Moss and Jason Campbell, opposing defenses need to respect the pass more. This is doing wonders for Portis' rushing average, giving him bigger holes to run through.

3. Brian Westbrook

I know, I know. He isn't having the best season, but Westbrook remains a top fantasy player. He is the best dual threat (running and receiving) player in the league. He is still a very dangerous player.

Unfortunately, he has been hampered by injuries all season. I predict Westbrook and the Eagles will be back next year playing like they have something to prove.

4. Marion Barber

The Barbarian will once again be a solid fantasy player next year. He is a hard runner and gains a lot of tough yardage.

Barber's fantasy appeal went down this year when Tony Romo got hurt. With Brad Johnson under center, opposing defenses loaded the box to force him to make plays. If Dallas can stay healthy next year, expect them to be the highest-powered offense in the league. Barber will flourish.

5. Peyton Manning

It's hard to say who will be the first quarterback taken in drafts next year. So far, Warner, Rivers, and Cutler are currently ahead of Manning in fantasy points. The difference between Manning and these guys is that Manning has been doing this for years.

I would feel much safer with Manning under center than anyone else. He is consistent and as long as he's with the Colts they will always be a high scoring team. He has an OK line and great targets to throw the ball to.

Look for Anthony Gonzalez to step up next year, in his third year, and be a solid receiving threat.

6. Michael Turner

I hate to admit it, but the guy puts up numbers. At the start of the season, I was saying Turner is the most overrated back in the league. However, he still leads all running backs in fantasy points.

Atlanta's offense has greatly approved with Turner and Matt Ryan now in the mix. Roddy White has also emerged as a fantasy stud. I just don't think they're going do to it again. I could be wrong, but I would feel a lot safer with the five guys above.

7. Matt Forte

Sure, he's a rookie, but you couldn't tell by watching him play this year. I was one of those lucky Forte owners this year, and he is easily my best player. He has great field vision that will only get better with age.

Although Orton and company stepped up this year, Forte is the main guy in Chicago. He will once again see a lot of plays go his way. He is great at catching the ball out of the backfield, and until the Bears get a decent receiver, he will continue to catch a lot of balls.

The thing I like most about Matt Forte is his schedule. He plays Detroit twice, Green Bay twice, Houston, New Orleans, St. Louis, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. Yes, please.

8. LaDainian Tomlinson

It's hard to take LT out of the first round. He's coming off a down year, but still showed signs he can play. He's still a great player in a pretty good offense.

LT was hampered all year with a turf-toe injury that limited his ability to make sharp cuts. He has never really been plagued by injury, so I am expecting him to come back next year at full strength and ready to go.

9. Frank Gore

Gore as been a pretty consistent player this year. You know what you're going to get with him: about 1,200 yards and eight to 10 touchdowns. His schedule shouldn't be too tough next year, either. If Shaun Hill can continue to play well, expect Frank Gore to keep producing.

10. Drew Brees

Brees is on pace to beat Dan Marino's passing-yards record this season. He has done this even with his top two receiving threats missing most of the year. Once Marques Colston and Reggie Bush come back healthy again next year, Brees will have no other choice but to keep racking up the passing yards.

Brees has been another very consistent quarterback throughout his career, so you can bet he is going to be a pretty safe pick in next year's draft.

11. Thomas Jones

You can't deny, Thomas Jones is having a very good year this year. He is running behind a much-improved offensive line, who should all be back again next year. The Jets as a whole are playing with a lot more confidence this year. Their defense is also improving, giving Jones more time on the field.

The Jets' new high-powered offense is usually on top in most games. This gives T. Jones more opportunities to run the ball to wind down the clock. Plus, he gets the goal line carries.

12. Anquan Boldin

This was a tough pick. However, I couldn't think of any other player who has deserved a first-round pick over Boldin. He has definitely been playing with something to prove this year. He has emerged as the top wideout in the league with his great hands and ability to run after the catch.

The Cardinals are having one of their best seasons ever, and Boldin is the biggest reason why. Warner says he wants to play another three years, and as long as his huge arm is lobbing balls up to 'Quan, he will remain at the top.

He, like all wide receivers, is a risky pick, but a risk I wouldn't mind taking.

Other Players Who Could Fall into the First Round

Tom Brady
Brandon Jacobs
Kurt Warner
Tony Romo

Magic and Kareem: The Most Powerful 1-2 Punch We Have Ever Seen

Brian Hutchison — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:10:05 -0500

The best 1-2 punch in the history of the NBA is easily Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Magic is considered by Larry Bird, "The best player there ever was." He was the tallest point guard ever, and currently holds the highest assists-per-game average in NBA history. Abdul-Jabbar, known best for his famous "sky hook," was the most prolific scorer we have ever seen. When Abdul-Jabbar retired from the league, he had the most points, blocks, MVP's, All-Star appearances, and seasons played, ever.

In 1969, Lew Alcindor (Abdul-Jabbar) was selected number one overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. After going 27-55 a year before, the Bucks won 56 games and placed second in the East in their first year with Alcindor. As a rookie, Alcindor averaged almost 30 points and 15 rebounds per game.

Alcindor played the next four seasons in Milwaukee, winning one championship, and earning two NBA MVP honors. In 1975, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers to pair up with Johnson. Nobody realized how great of a dynasty this would eventually become.

The first year Magic and Kareem played together, the Lakers won 60 games in the regular season, and went on to win the NBA championship. After Kareem was injured in game five of the series, the young rookie (Magic) was asked to step in and play center. Not only did Magic win the opening tip off, he went on to score 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. Magic was the first rookie to ever win an NBA finals MVP award.

The Los Angeles Lakers went on win four more titles in the 1980's. Not only is this an unbelievable feat, but remember they did this in one of the most competitive decades we have ever seen. Some other NBA greats that were playing in their prime during the 1980's were; Dominique Wilkins, Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley, and George Gervin.

Magic and Kareem scored a combined:

9 NBA MVP's
21 NBA All-Star selections
5 NBA finals MVP's
19 NBA All-First teams
5 NBA championships
56,094 career points (4,761 more than Jordan and Pippen)

The rest of the best (in no particular order):

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen
Karl Malone and John Stockton
Bill Russell and Bob Cousy
Julius Erving and Moses Malone
Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant
Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton

Russell, Cousy, Havlicek: Best "Big 3" Ever

Brian Hutchison — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:20:38 -0500

Here it is guys. All of this "Big Three" talk in Boston got me thinking. I believe these are the best "Big Three's" in the history of the league.

I hope I didn't leave any obvious teams out. Please leave a comment if you think I am missing someone or if you think I am way off base with whom I have mentioned below. I will be waiting to back up any of my picks with rock hard stats. Let's hear some feedback!

I also want to mention that I looked very closely at all three players. Every player on my list is a part of the "50 Greatest Players of All-Time." These guys are all legends of the game and have made the league what it is. (This is the reason why I don't have Jordan and Pippen in my top three.)

Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and John Havlicek

The Boston Celtics dominated the NBA during the late 1950's and early 1960's. It was largely due to these three hall of fame players. There are 25 NBA championship rings owned between these three men. All three are a part of the "50 Greatest Players of All-Time." All three have won finals MVP's. There will never again be a greater dynasty than what these three guys have put together in Boston.

Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy

The Los Angeles Lakers were considered one of the greatest teams of all-time during the "Showtime Years" in the 1980's. They won five titles in 11 years. Magic and Kareem are widely considered two of the greatest players to have ever played the game.

This usually leaves Worthy go unnoticed. What people don't know is that Worthy made seven all-star teams during his career, and landed himself the NBA finals MVP in 1988. These three outstanding players have 17 NBA championship rings between them.

Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, and Dave DeBusschere

These three players will always be remembered by winning the NBA championship in the 1969-70 season. In this magical season, the Knicks won a then-NBA record 18 wins in a row. One of the most famous moments in history came in game seven of that championship series when team captain, Willis Reed, limped out onto the court after tearing a muscle in his leg the previous game.

The New York Knicks won another championship again in 1973. Many believe they should have won more, but it's also not their fault they had to play in the era dominated by the Celtics and Lakers. All three men are Hall of Fame players, and are all included in the "50 Greatest Players of All-Time."

Other notable "Big 3's"

Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor

Larry Bird, Robert Parrish, Kevin McHale

Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman

Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton, Detlef Schremph

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili

Celtics-Knicks: Brian Scalabrine Finally Secures Decent Minutes

Brian Hutchison — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:22:50 -0500

Man, it's always good to see the Celtics beat up on the Knicks. I'm still a little bitter about the Super Bowl, so I love it when we beat any New York team.

We finally got to see some decent minutes from Brian Scalabrine. He played okay, scoring eight points, three rebounds, and an assist. He also hit a huge three-pointer with 1:14 left after New York was starting to make a run.

Powe also had a nice game coming off the bench. With Pierce on the bench for the entire second quarter, Powe and Ray Allen took care of most of the scoring.

It was a higher scoring game than most people might have expected. The final was 110-101. Overall, I am very pleased to see how well our team can still play without KG.

The Chevrolet Players of the Game were:

Paul Pierce—20 points, eight rebounds, and two assists
Wilson Chandler—23 points, seven rebounds, and one assist

"I'm just real curious to see what those guys will be saying if we weren't in a basketball league and didn't have referees," Knicks forward Quentin Richardson said.

"I mean, it wouldn't be the same story. I mean, they are the world champions and rah, rah, rah, but the tough part I don't factor.

"I come from a neighborhood where you can say what you want to say, but until you do something, it don't mean nothing."

Okay, tough guy, why don't you stop running your mouth and go out there and do something then? You want to see tough? Try getting stabbed 11 times in the back and coming back less than a month later to play in the opening day game. You wish you had half the toughness Paul Pierce has.

NBA Players Don't Play to Win, They Play for the Money

Brian Hutchison — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:41:37 -0500

Do NBA players these days play to win, or has money and fame taken over professional basketball?

The game of basketball will never again be what it used to be. There will never again be players like Pete Maravich, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, or Michael Jordan. These players played simply for the fact that they loved the game of basketball. They came out every night and gave everything they could to win. They played with heart. They played with emotion. They weren't complaining about how many millions of dollars they thought they deserved, they just wanted to play.

Today's generation of players is all about the money. When a player's contract is up after the season, that player usually has the best season of their career. Why? Because they are trying to earn a new contract next season, with an added bonus.

Look at Baron Davis last year. He was appearing to be near the end of his career and had not played a full season in the past seven years. Davis comes out in his contract year and plays all 82 games. He leads his team in one of the biggest first round upsets in NBA history, and earns himself a 5-year, $65 million contract with the L.A Clippers. So far this year, Davis has only been scoring 16 points per game, his lowest average since his sophomore year in the league.

When you finally think it can't get any worse than this, players like Josh Childress and Brandon Jennings, give up on the NBA and move to Europe to make a few more bucks.

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dirk Nowitzi are among other names debating the transition overseas for more money. It should be a privilege for these players to play with the best competition around the world in the NBA.

You will never be seen as one of the best if you are not playing with the best.

I know there are exceptions out there, and one of those exceptions is one my favorite players, Kevin Garnett. Garnett comes out every single game and plays it like it's his last. He plays with heart, passion, and a love for the game. Garnett played with a losing team for over a decade. Did he give up? Did he consider moving to Europe? No, he never gave up. He always worked hard. He always wanted to win. His hard work paid off, and Kevin Garnett won a championship ring last year as a team leader of the Boston Celtics.

People have been wondering why NBA viewer ratings have been plummeting now for the past several years. It's because fans are getting sick and tired of watching these "big shot" players come out and not play up to their full potential.

I would much rather turn the channel to a college game and actually watch players who are playing to win. They actually show some emotion, and you can tell the difference in the players faces of which team won and which team lost. Maybe the only possible solution to this problem is to expose it.

Ben Roethlisberger among Names to Start This Week in Fantasy

Brian Hutchison — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:22:51 -0500

If people like this, and if my predictions pan out to be pretty accurate, I will attempt to make my own version of "Fantasy Start Em' and Sit Em'" every week. However, just so it doesn't look like a rip off of that, I will discuss three players I believe you should start each week.

I won't come out here and tell you to start Adrian Peterson; you already know that. I will take a deeper look into it and give you some names you may not expect, but who will have monster weekends!

Matt Forte (vs. Green Bay)

Green Bay's rush defense was simply crushed the past four weeks. Adrian Peterson had his best game of the year last week against the Packers, racking up 192 yards on 30 carries with a touchdown.

The week before that they gave up 238 all-purpose yards to Tennessee's running backs, Chris Johnson and LenDale White.

In Week Seven, they gave up 114 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns to Dominic Rhodes. Dominic Rhodes! It doesn't help that in their last game their star middle linebacker, Nick Barnett, went down for a year.

Expect big numbers this week for Matt Forte!

Steve Smith and Jake Delhomme (vs. Detroit Lions)

Detroit has one of the worst pass defenses I have ever seen.

Last week they not only let Maurice Jones Drew run for three touchdowns in the first half, but David Garrard also had a pretty respectable day with 238 passing yards and two touchdowns.

In Week Eight, Kyle Orton was on pace to have yet another big outing against the Lions, however, he ended up getting injured and Rex Grossman had to come in. Orton played a full game a few weeks earlier in the season against the Lions where he threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns.

Week Nine was not much better for Detroit. Playing the Redskins, Jason Campbell threw for 328 yards and a touchdown.

As history shows, the Lions are a fantasy dream for owners with players on the opposing team. I am lucky enough to own Steve Smith and I'm expecting nothing less than greatness from him this week.

Ben Roethlisberger (vs. San Diego Chargers)

This is easily my gutsiest call of the week!

Roethlisberger, who has one touchdown and eight interceptions in his last three games, will reward fantasy owners this week for hanging on to him.

San Diego has the worst pass defense in the entire league. They give up 365 passing yards per game and have already allowed 17 passing touchdowns. To make things even better, they only give up about 100 rushing yards per game, which is actually pretty decent.

They are going to force Roethlisberger to throw the ball, which is great news for Big Ben! Not only is this game being played in Pittsburgh, but this is a huge game for the Steelers. They are currently tied for first place in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens.