Telling It All Podcast With Ben Goodman - Patriots-Falcons Super Bowl LI Recap

Topics Include: The Atlanta Falcons Dominate First Half (2:37). The Patriots Comeback/Falcons Collapse (7:33). The Falcons 4th Quarter Play-Calling (16:30). The Inevitable Patriots Touchdown In Overtime (22:30). Tom Brady As the Greatest Quarterback Of All-Time (26:40). The Devastating Loss For The Falcons (29:30). Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal 2017 Australian Open Finals (34:00). Carmelo Anthony Trade Speculation (39:30).

SoundCloud Podcast Homepage: https://soundcloud.com/ctellallsports

Possible Future Frank Caliendo Impersonations

By now, almost everybody has seen ESPN's 30 for 30 mockumentary on Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman starring comedian Frank Caliendo.

 

Not only does Caliendo look like all of the analysts and coaches that he impersonates in the video, but it is incredible how spot on he is with all of their little mannerisms and specific idiosyncrasies. David Hasselhoff could take some notes (it probably wouldn't help him anyway to be honest).

Here are some of Caliendo's other very impressive impersonations that I found after a quick youtube search:

 

  

 

This got the staff at Cory Tell All Sports thinking (Ok, it got me thinking) about some impersonations of sports analysts and athletes that we (and by that I mean I) would love to see in the future. After hours of deliberating and thinking, which would make the John Isner-Nicolas Mahut match look like an appetizer, here is what I have come up with as some of the funniest coaches in sports that could, and absolutely should, get mimicked by Frank Caliendo.

  

Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell: 

In a sport that could not be any more captivating to fans and players alike, Jim Caldwell could not look any more emotionless on the sidelines. He is a coach that is so lifeless and stoic that he makes Bill Belichick, a man who reportedly smiled a total of 7 times during 115 minutes of press conferences this season despite the fact that his team went 12-4, won the AFC East for the 11th time in 13 years, and made their 8th AFC Championship game since 2001, look euphoric with every word he utters to the media. I'm sure Lions fans, a group of supporters that have seen a total of one playoff victory in the last 57 years, are just going to be overjoyed with every Matt Stafford side-arm interception throw, followed by the inevitable Jim Caldwell expression that makes Jon Fredersen in Metropolis look like he wears his emotions on his sleeves. I think this impersonation could provide some challenges for Caliendo just because I'm not sure if he could be as unemotional and impassive as Caldwell. I'm taking odds on Jason Dufner cracking a simile before we get some kind of passionate cry from Detroit's new head coach on the sidelines. Jim Caldwell makes Jean Dujardin in The Artist look like a loud and impassioned character. Detroit fans seem to have found the reincarnation of Darryl Rodgers, or Marty Mornhinweg, or Rod Marinelli (we might be here all day if I continue). I could definitely see Caliendo having some fun with the deadpan nature of Jim Caldwell.

New Orleans Saints Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan:

This one is an absolute no-brainer for me. Anything involving the always entertaining Ryan brothers and a coach that needs to get a haircut before he can receive an interview for a head coaching job is an obvious choice for a Frank Caliendo impersonation. Jason Isaacs in Harry Potter, Daniel Day Lewis in Last of the Mohicans, David Bowie in Labyrinth, and Nicolas Cage in Con Air are likely jealous of Ryan's mop. In terms of football, there is no doubt that Ryan is one of the best coordinators in the NFL with his all so effective 3-4 defensive scheme. In 2012, with Steve Spagnolo at defensive coordinator and no injury based bounty system (I mean alleged injury based bounty system), the Saints defense was just atrocious, as they were the 2nd worst in the league in passing yards allowed and points allowed and worst in the NFL in rushing yards allowed and yards allowed. Ryan, however, transformed their defensive play this year, bringing them up to 2nd in the NFL in passing yards allowed and 4th in the league in yards allowed and points allowed. The thing that makes Ryan so easy for a Caliendo performance is his very vibrant and vociferous personality. Over the past year, Ryan has bought drinks for Saints fans after victories against the Falcons and Cowboys, got #RobRyanface trending on twitter after the Patriots came back to beat the Saints in week 6, been named the Grand Marshall in the Mardi Gras parade, and taken so much attention away from Sean Payton that some people may have forgotten he returned to the sidelines this year after his great work as the offensive assistant on his son's sixth grade team in Texas. Caliendo should definitely impersonate Rob Ryan, at the very least just to try to pull off his untidy, sloppy hair.

San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich:

Coach Pop has had the same calculated and gruff demeanor ever since he became the Spurs coach in 1996-1997, and he has provided some of the best quotes and moments for NBA fans during his time in San Antonio. In the 2007-2008 Western Conference first round, for example, Popovich decided to employ the hack-a-shaq strategy, making Shaquille O'Neal, a career 58.2 percent free throw shooter, go to the free throw line fourteen times during the last five minutes of each half in game 5. As a joke, the always cunning and comical Popovich decided to foul Shaq five seconds into the first game of the following season, reminding the great center of his inability to knock down key free throws and his team's postseason failures the previous year. The hack-a-shaq tactic, which was evidently a very shrewd strategy, is just one of the many great Pop moments, as the coach loves to show his brusque, blunt attitude to the media. Just look at this youtube video of some of Popovich's funniest lines. Pop's rather surly personality has been reflected in his basketball team's toughness and intensity. The Spurs have been in the playoffs every year since 1997-1998, which has only been eclipsed by five teams for a longer postseason stretch (Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers from 1950 to 1971, Portland Trail Blazers from 1983 to 2003, Utah Jazz from 1984 to 2003, Boston Celtics from 1951 to 1969, and Los Angeles Lakers from 1977 to 1993). In fact, only Phil Jackson (11), Red Auerbach (9), John Kundla (5), and Pat Riley (5) have more NBA titles than the legendary Popovich. There would be nothing better than seeing Caliendo take on Pop's grumpy nature in his next sports impersonation video.

Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll and Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon:

I'm grouping these two guys together because they just have too many similarities to ignore, and their upbeat coaching styles and personalities would be great for a Caliendo impersonation. First, both of these guys are on the older side for coaches in the professional ranks, especially nowadays where the Seahawks have an average age of 26 years old and the Rays have pitchers on the roster that are just 22. In fact, Pete Carroll at 62 is the second oldest coach in the NFL only behind 67 year old Tom Coughlin (inset Giants joke here about how Coughlin has lost his team, or how Big Blue has a non-existent pass rush, or about how Eli Manning has now lead the league in interceptions three times but somehow has more Super Bowl wins than Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Fran Tarkenton, Warren Moon, Dan Fouts, and his brother combined). Joe Maddon at 60, meanwhile, is only younger than Ron Washington (61) and Terry Collins (64), which is saying something since everybody knows that baseball is an old men's game (the MLB didn't install some kind of magical system to make sure calls on the field were actually correct until 28 years after the NFL did so in 1986). However, you would never know that Carroll and Maddon were two of the oldest guys in their respective professions from watching them, as they are two of the funniest and most entertaining coaches in the business. Players love to play for the Seahawks and the Rays because of Carroll's and Maddon's animated and lively coaching styles. Seahawks linebacker Heath Farwell said about Carroll, "A lot of guys can relate to him, and understand we're going to have a lot of fun here. We're going to play hard and practice hard, but we're going to have a lot of fun doing it. It's a great atmosphere." Meanwhile, Maddon is known for his wildly fun and outrageous antics that include bringing in a 20-foot snake to the club house, wearing a helmet to a post-game press conference, walking Josh Hamilton with the bases loaded, and recently making a parody of Mike Gundy's infamous I'm 40 rant from 2007. I would love to see Caliendo try to bring the passion and zeal that Caroll and Maddon exude in his next comedic video.

South Carolina Gamecocks Head Coach Steve Spurrier:

Not only is Steve Spurrier one of only two active coaches, along with Frank Beamer, to have more than 200 career FBS victories, but the old ball coach has also had some the best lines of any coach in the history of sports. Spurrier has become notorious for chiding some of his main rivalries, particularly Tennessee and Georgia along with Florida St. when he was at Florida from 1990 to 2001 and Clemson in his time with South Carolina. One of Spurrier's more famous lines during his time in Gainesville was, "You can't spell the Citrus without U-T," referencing the fact that Tennessee often ended up in the second-tier Citrus Bowl, playing in the game three out of four years from 1993 to 1996. In 2012, Spurrier was asked about his thoughts on South Carolina's game against Georgia being moved from its normal week 2 spot to week 6. He replied, "I don't know. I sort of always liked playing them that second game because you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended," making fun of Georgia's poor disciplinary history (the Bulldogs had three notable stars get three game suspensions in 2011 including former top 20 recruit Isaiah Crowell). This year when Spurrier was asked about coaching at Tennessee for the 14th time in his career he joked, "Will be the 14th time I've coached in Neyland Stadium. I've coached there more than some of their head coaches." Spurrier was humorously alluding to the fact that n the last five years, the Volunteers have had four different head coaches (Lane Kiffin, Derek Dooley, Jim Chaney, and Butch Jones). However, my personal favorite Steve Spurrier line is when he asked about his offensive line this season and he replied, "Our offensive line [is] pretty good at everything except for blocking. Unfortunately, that's all we ask them to do." Spurrier's brutal honest gives us some classic lines, which I would love to see Caliendo emulate in his next video.

Top 10 Most Intriguing NFL Games

The release of the NFL schedule has become its own holiday, as the gaiety surrounding the unfolding of the pro football slate leaves fans in presentiment over the season to come. There are a few things about this year's schedule that are very conspicuous, including the multitude of players returning to their old stomping grounds, and the prodigious number of impressive prime time matchups. While the NFL is very unpredictable, it appears as if the schedule sets up very well for the Chargers, Cowboys, and Steelers. Meanwhile, the Saints, Packers, and 49ers all figure to have a much more rigorous regular season slate. Here are 10 NFL regular season games that should be amongst the most fascinating of the year:

Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos in Week 1:

The anticipation for the first game of the NFL season is a unique phenomenon. After nearly 7 months without an NFL game (not counting the preseason as an official contest), the opening kickoff is a sight that all football fans so desperately welcome. However, the opening night of the NFL will have a little different feel this season. First, due to a scheduling conflict with the Baltimore Orioles and Major League Baseball, the Ravens will not open up the 2013-2014 season at M&T Bank Stadium. The defending Super Bowl Champions have hosted the NFL kickoff game every year since 2004, but due to traffic and parking issues that would have been created if the Orioles and Ravens both had home games, the Ravens will head to Denver in week 1. The game will also feel a little abnormal because of how different the Baltimore Ravens will look on both sides of the ball. The Ravens were depleted in the offseason, as the team lost center Matt Birk (retirement), wide receiver Anquan Boldin (traded to 49ers), middle linebacker and team leader Ray Lewis (retirement), linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (signed by the Dolphins), outside linebacker Paul Kruger (signed by the Browns), cornerback Cary Williams (signed by the Eagles), safety Ed Reed (signed by the Texans), and safety Bernard Pollard (cut and later singed by the Titans). However, Baltimore did add pass rusher Elvis Dumervil, who will open up his 2013 campaign against his former team, along with safety Michael Huff, who will have his work cut out for him against the great Peyton Manning.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets in Week 1:

Oh how serendipitous this week 1 game has turned out to be. No offense to either the Bucs or the Jets, but typically a matchup between these two out of conference teams doesn't conjure up to much excitement or emotion. However, the Revis saga in New York has finally come to a conclusion, as the Jets traded the all-pro corner to who else but their week 1 opponent, Tampa Bay, for the 13th pick in this year's draft and a 2014 conditional pick. Revis, who signed a 6-year, 96 million dollar deal with the Bucs, will try to revamp a Tampa Bay secondary that ranked dead last in passing yards allowed per game in 2012. Along with newly acquired safety Dashon Goldson, who signed a 5-year, 41.25 million dollar deal in the offseason, the Bucs are hoping to fill up gaps that were wide open for opposing quarterbacks last season. However, for Revis, his return to New York will be more than just about improving his new team's secondary; it will be about showing the Jets his dissatisfaction with how he perceived he was treated in the form of a shutdown defensive performance. Revis was very frustrated with New York's handling of his trade rumors, and their unwillingness to comply with some of his demands concerning his injury. Thus, when he visits MetLife Stadium, Revis will be looking for personal revenge, which should provide a thrilling contest between two teams that may not even be in playoff contention come January.

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins in Week 1:

The Eagles-Redskins week 1 divisional matchup on Monday Night Football has two main headlines that will both prove to be very compelling. First, football fans around the country are fascinated to see what Chip Kelly has in store with his innovative and inventive offensive schemes. The former Oregon head coach likes to run his hurry-up offense, which creates havoc for defenses that have difficulty containing the speed and pace of their opponents. The Eagles certainty have very dangerous weapons, which fit quite nicely into Kelly's offense, as he will use the quickness of LaSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin to spread out defenses and exploit any holes deep in the secondary. Kelly's up-tempo style has never been seen before in the NFL, so coaches around the league will be watching to see how his offense will fare against a defense that ranked 5th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game last season. The other major storyline is obviously Robert Griffin III, and whether he will be able to return for the opening week of the season a little more than 8 months after tearing his ACL in the team's playoff loss to the Seahawks. If the gifted QB is able to play in week 1, all eyes will be on his mobility. Although RGIII can certainty be a very proficit pocket passer, his athleticism gives him an added dimension that is so difficult to account for defensively. If Griffin lacks the quickness that he possessed before the surgery, it could attenuate his unique ability to allude defenders and make plays with his feet.

Denver Broncos at New York Giants in Week 2:

Any time that two brothers rise up to play at the highest level of professional sports, it creates a unique interest amongst fans who are struck by the fortune of theses siblings. Whether it is the Lopez twins of the NBA or the Upton brothers of the MLB, relatives reaching the apex of sports is a very attractive commodity. However, when two brothers have combined to win 3 of the past 7 Super Bowls and are future hall of famers, it reaches a whole new level of fascination. Although Eli and Peyton have admitted that they are uncomfortable playing against each other, the Manning battle will be one of the most watched NFL games all season long. In their two previous meetings, Peyton has come out the victor in each occasion. In 2006, Peyton and his Colts knocked off Eli and the Giants 26-21 and in 2010, Peyton topped Eli once again in a 38-14 blowout. From now until their week 2 battle, Peyton and Eli will both be fielding a lot of questions about facing off against one another. However, while it is such a cliche, the game will come down to Peyton and the Broncos offense against the Giants defense and Eli and the Giants offense against the Broncos defense. Nonetheless, a Manning duel is good for the NFL and for its fans; just maybe not the best thing for the Manning family.

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks in Week 2:

Before Jim Harbaugh came to San Francisco and before the Seahawks were blessed to have Russell Wilson fall in their laps, the NFC West was the laughing-stock of the NFL. From 2004 to 2011, the NFC West never had more than one team with a record better than .500 and in 2010 the Seahawks became the first team to ever win a divison despite having a sub .500 record. However, coming into the 2013 NFL season, by many accounts, the two best teams in the NFL reside in the NFC West. Not only do the 49ers and Seahawks have rock solid defenses to go along with their huge offensive lines and fearless running backs, but they also have dynamic duel threat quarterbacks in Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson that can single-handedly propel their team to a victory. As if having top 5 defenses in 2012 wasn't good enough, both teams drastically improved in the offseason on the other side of the ball. The Seahawks made a very daring move by acquiring Percy Harvin from the Vikings and then signing him to a new 6-year, 67 million dollar contract. Although Harvin's toughness and willingness to persevere through difficult stretches has been questioned, there is no doubt that the offensive speedster is a very unique and talented wide out when on the field. San Francisco also made a significant upgrade with the acquisition of Anquan Boldin, who was arguably the biggest reason behind the Ravens Super Bowl run last season. Boldin's matchup with Seattle corners Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner could be the determining factor in the team's first divisional matchup in Seattle.

Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3:

Eagles fans are notorious for their nature to become disgruntled with not only the opposing team, but with their own team. The booing and petulance of the Philadelphia fan base is sometimes seen as vile and iniquitous, and former head coach Andy Reid was at the end of many of those taunts, specifically towards the end of his tenure with the Birds when the team failed to make the playoffs two straight years. When Andy Reid returns to Lincoln Financial Field, this time as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, the reaction from the Eagles crowd should be very interesting. There are some supporters of Reid who have very fond memories of all the Eagles accomplished with him at the helm. In 14 seasons with the team, Reid led the Eagles to the playoffs 9 times (2000-2004, 2006, 2008-2010). Philly also reached the NFC Championship game 5-times including four in a row from 2001 to 2004. However, there are some fans who refuse to forgive Reid for his numerous errors in terms of clock management in late game situations, and that are still very bitter that the Eagles never won a championship despite all of the great teams that Reid had at his disposal. Chip Kelly's arrival in Philadelphia, along with the addition of Alex Smith in Kansas City, has given both clubs a reason to look forward to a positive season, but for one game, there will be a lot of looking back.

Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts in Week 7:

For 14 incredible years, Peyton Manning was the Colts and the Colts were Peyton Manning. While Indy obviously had other legendary superstars like Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Dwight Freeney, Manning meant more to the Colts than any other quarterback to a team in NFL history. Just look at 2011 when the Colts, without Manning due to his neck surgery, went 2-14, the team's fewest wins since they went 1-15 in 1991. The city of Indianapolis was so devoted to Manning that ticket sales were originally down for the beginning of last season due to people's resentment that the Colts let Manning go. The former number 1 pick was held in such high reverence from the Colt faithful that it was difficult for many to move on. While Andrew Luck more than proved last season that he is worthy of all the praise he has received, there will always be a special place in Indy for Peyton. Although it will be very difficult for Manning to play against his former club, the affection from the fans for all Manning accomplished with the team will be a spectacle to see. There have only been a few times in the history of sports that a superstar of the same ilk as Manning has returned to the city he once patrolled in another uniform. Thus, the matchup between the Broncos and Colts will not only be a high quality football game between two playoff teams from last season, but it will also be a matchup with unique emotion.

New England Patriots at Houston Texans in Week 13:

There is really no way around this statement: the Patriots absolutely owned the Houston Texans last season. In their regular season matchup in Foxborough, the Patriots clubbered the Texans 42-14. When the same two teams met in the Divisonal Round of the AFC Playoffs, the Patriots dominated once again at Gillette Stadium, this time coming out on top 41-28 in a game that wasn't even as close as the score indicates. In both contests, Tom Brady picked apart the Texans defense, which instead of mixing up coverages, continued to rely on man-to-man defensive schemes. Despite the fact that Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning are all-pro secondary players, it is a very perilous plan to play one coverage against a quarterback of the caliber of Brady. By not giving him different reads, Brady was able to sit in the pocket and become comfortable with the same defensive look over and over. Futhermore, the Pats limited the pressure of J.J. Watt on the quaterback, which gave Brady added time in the pocket that most QB's don't get against Watt and the Texans. This largely explains why Brady was able to throw for 296 yards and 4 touchdowns in the first game and 344 yards and 3 touchdowns in the second encounter. The Texans will greatly benefit from playing the Patriots in the friendly confines of Reliant Stadium. However, if J.J. Watt is unable to disrupt Brady's rhythm, it could be another long day for the Texans against New England.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens in Week 13:

Any time the Steelers and Ravens square off, you can expect the smash-mouth, physical style that these two teams always bring to the field. Over the past 10 years, no rivalry in the NFL has been more meaningful than the clashes between Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Since the formation of the AFC North in 2002, the Steelers or the Ravens have won the division 9 of the 11 times. As previously mentioned in this article, the Ravens are going to look like a much different team this season. However, the Steelers have also made some significant changes after finishing 8-8 in 2012, their worst record since a 6-10 campaign in 2003. Without some of the usual Pittsburgh suspects like running back Rashard Mendenhall, wide receiver Mike Wallace, linebacker James Harrison, and cornerback Kennan Lewis, the Steelers are going to have a fresh face in 2013. The relationship between Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley, which at times was a very strenuous and arduous partnership, will have to improve in order for the Steel Curtain to find success in 2013. In their matchup with the Ravens in the finale of the Thanksgiving Day games, the Steelers will have to prove that they can run the ball on a Baltimore defense susceptible to the ground game in order to open up the down field attack for Big Ben.

Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers in Week 14:

While there are a multitude of interesting matchups on this year's schedule due to the storylines of players returning to former teams or brothers squaring off once again, the Falcons-Packers game is so compelling just because of the high quality that both teams play at. Atlanta and Green Bay's championship aspirations were both cut short by the San Francisco 49ers last season and each team will be Super Bowl or bust once again in 2013. This late-season contest, which could possibly decide home-field advantage for the NFC in the playoffs, has the very real possibility of being an offensive slugfest. With Julio Jones quickly becoming one of the best wide outs in the NFL, the Falcons now have the most explosive wide receiver tandem in the league with Roddy White and Jones. Futhermore, with the return of Tony Gonzalez, despite his constant suggestions that he was going to retire, the Falcons could certainty pick apart a Green Bay defense that lacks a true shutdown corner. Much like the progression of Jones, the emergence of Randall Cobb has added a totally new dynamic to an already loaded Packers offense. Cobb's quickness and ability to play in the slot provides a perfect mix for the smooth route running ability of Jordy Nelson and the intermediate game of Jermichael Finley. Additionally, Atlanta is a nice matchup for a Packers offensive line that greatly struggles with the pass rush, as the Falcons registered the 2nd fewest sacks in the NFC in 2012. The Falcons-Packers week 14 contest could be the most enthralling and back-and-fourth game all season long.

The Jets Should Start Tim Tebow

Timothy Richard Tebow. Just uttering the name of the former Heisman Trophy winner steers up controversy, emotions, and heated arguments amongst fans and naysayers. Never in the history of the NFL has a backup quarterback, who has completed just 5 passes through the first 10 weeks of the season, been the talk of every radio show and television newscast in the country. Mark Sanchez has had to answer more questions about Tim Tebow than anybody could have imagined when Woody Johnson and Mike Tannenbaum traded for the polarizing QB from the Broncos back in March.

Although Rex Ryan continues to say Tebow will have an expanded role in the Jets offense, week after week Tebow is only on the field for a few snaps each game. With the Jets sitting in a 3-6 hole and in grave danger of being out of playoff contention with 5 or 6 games left in the season, it is time they turn the ball over to Tebow. Not only does the two-time college National Champion give the Jets a wide range of play choices with his dynamic ability to both pass and run, but Mark Sanchez has played so poorly the last couple of weeks that the Jets absolutely need a change behind center.

The struggles of Mark Sanchez, especially in the last two Jet losses, is the main reason gang green need to make a change at quarterback. If the Jets do in fact make a switch behind center, it would be more about Mark Sanchez losing his role due to his poor play rather than Tim Tebow taking over the quarterback job.

There have been glimpses this season where we have seen an effective Mark Sanchez, specifically in the Jets 29-26 overtime loss to the Patriots in Foxboro. Although the Pats secondary does rank dead last in the AFC in passing yards allowed per game and has been getting torched all season, Sanchez looked in rhythm with his receivers and was throwing the ball on time all game long.

However, moments of promise have been few and far between for Sanchez and the team's offense. Aside from the Patriots game, the Jets passing attack has been extremely lackluster. No team in the NFL fears gang green's air attack whatsoever, as only the Jacksonville Jaguars have thrown for less yards in the AFC than the Jets. Sanchez is also the only NFL starting quarterback to have thrown for less than 140 yards in more than two games this season, as he failed to eclipse the 140 yard mark in games against the Steelers, 49ers, Colts, and Seahawks. Not only has Sanchez held on to the ball for too long in the pocket, which has resulted in sacks and turnovers, but the former USC quarterback's accuracy has also failed him, as he ranks dead last in the league with a 52 percent completion percentage.

As a duel threat quarterback, Tebow can bring unique qualities to the Jets that the inept offense has been lacking all season long. Although Mark Sanchez is mobile in the pocket and can move around to evade sacks, Tebow can extend plays like no other quarterback in the NFL, which would allow the Jets poor receiving core more time to create separation down the field. Tebow's running ability would also prove to be a weapon for the Jets rushing attack, which is averaging just 3.8 yards per carry through nine games. With defenses keying on Tebow's running prowess and stacking the box, it would leave openings in the secondary for the Jets much-maligned receivers as well.

Obviously, Tebow has his limitations as a passer. Although his ability to throw the deep ball is very underrated, his accuracy is a source of concern. However, Tebow would bring something different to a Jets offense in need of a change, as the offensive attack has sputtered all season long.

While Mark Sanchez deserves the lion's share of the blame for the Jets 3-6 start, there have been a multitude of failures for the Jets not only on the field, but in management as well as in the front office.

Frankly, the Jets just don't have the talent that was there when they reached the AFC Championship game in back-to-back years in 2009 and 2010. While the Jets "ground and pound" style was in the top four of the NFL in both of their playoff years, only four other AFC teams have rushed for fewer yards per carry than the Jets this season. While Thomas Jones and LaDainian Tomlinson were proven running backs, Shonn Greene is nowhere near a top flight NFL back. The Jets also have limited talent and big play ability with their wide receivers. Whereas in 2010 gan green had Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery, and Brad Smith at their receiver positions, with Holmes out for the season this year, the Jets receiving core of Stephen Hill, Chaz Schilens, Jeremy Kerley, and Clyde Gates is almost laughable to think about. Although Stephen Hill, who the Jets drafted in the second round from Georgia Tech, has electrifying speed, he has dropped far too many passes in his rookie campaign.

The Jets coaching staff has also miss managed their use of Tebow in their "wildcat" package. The former Florida QB has not had nearly enough snaps to make the plays that he is capable of making, as the Jets continue to use their dynamic playmaker for just seven snaps per game. Also, when Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano does use Tebow behind center, he is way too conservative with his play selection. Rather than let Tebow sit in the pocket and observe the field and allow him to make plays, Sparano continues to have Tebow fake the ball to the running back and run it straight up the gut, which every defense player is expecting, for three or four yards.

If Jets owner Woody Johnson and general manager Mike Tannenbaum brought Tebow in to be a factor rather than to sell hot dogs, PSL's, and make the back pages of the news, than why has Tebow's role been so small in the offense? Also, if Tebow is going to be rarely used, why bring him into the fold and create a tremendous amount of pressure on Mark Sanchez?

If the Jets fail to beat the St. Louis Rams this week, their season will essentially be all but over and considering how poorly Sanchez has played in the Jets last two losses to the Dolphins and Seahawks, gang green need to turn to Tebow. With the Jets three games out in the AFC East as well as three games behind the Steelers and Colts in the AFC Wild Card, it is now or never for New York.

The Packers Defense Proved A Lot In Their Win Against The Bears

Despite becoming just the 6th team in NFL history to finish the regular season with at least 15 wins, (along with the 1984 San Francisco 49ers, the 1985 Chicago Bears, the 1998 Minnesota Vikings, the 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers, and the 2007 New England Patriots) everything wasn't chocolate and roses for the Green Bay Packers defense. While Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense was praised for their record-shattering season, the team's defense was not anyway near the club's offensive prowess.

It is fair to say that the teams playing the Pack last year were almost always trailing by the second half, so the opposing clubs were forced to throw the ball and match the Packers offense output. Due to the proficiency of the green and gold offense, opposing teams had to expand their offense in order to not get to far behind, and that made life much more difficult for the Packers defense. 

However, with their lethal offense, the Packers defense just had to be in the middle of the road amongst NFL teams, but their defensive unit really struggled to find its form last year.

Although the Packers defensive numbers were a little inflated because teams racked up yards when they were well down in the second half, the green and gold were still dead last in the NFL in defensive yards per game (411.6) and passing yards per game (299.8). 

Not only did the Pack have major trouble in the secondary, but they also had real problems getting to the quarterback. Only the Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had less sacks than the Packers last year, which sorely missed defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins, who went to the Eagles in free agency. Jenkins's absence on the d-line had a direct affect on B.J. Raji as well as Clay Matthews, as they both faced more and more attention and double teams. After combining for 30 sacks in 2010, Matthews and Raji didn't even reach double figures in their combined sack total last year.

While many people, including myself, thought that the Packers were going to be significantly better on defense in 2012, they showed little improvement in their 30-22 week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field.

Although Clay Matthews came back to life with 2.5 sacks and Charles Woodson certainly didn't look like he was in his 15th year in the league, the team's defense still showed major signs of concerns. Picking on cornerbacks Jarret Bush and either M.D. Jennings or Jerron McMillian (whichever one was in the game), Alex Smith completed 20 of 26 passes and had 211 yards and 2 touchdowns. Frank Gore also averaged 7 yards per carry and the 49ers racked up 186 yards on the ground. 

Going into their week 2 game against the Bears with a 0-1 record, the Packers, and specifically their defense, was facing tremendous pressure to put up a big performance, and they did just that against their long time division rival from the Windy City.

In their 23-10 Thursday night victory at Lambeau, the Packers made a loud statement to the league that they could win games behind their defense and without a huge night from their MVP Aaron Rodgers. Although Cedric Benson had a nice game on the ground with 81 yards and Donald Driver reached the end zone in his 14th straight year in the league, the night was all about how good the Packers defense looked against a quality Bears offense.

Chicago, who were coming off of an impressive 41 point performance against the Colts, where their new offense acquisitions, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and Michael Bush, had a combined 4 touchdowns, were shutdown by the Packers. 

Although the Pack definitely benefited from the Bears o-line struggles, specifically at left tackle with J'Marcus Webb, they proved that they have a very dynamic pass rush. Jay Cutler, who will likely see Clay Matthews in his nightmares for the next week, had no time in the pocket to survey the field for his receiving threats, and was constantly getting pressured and hit. Green Bay sacked Cutler 7 times, their most sacks in a game in 7 years, and Clay Matthews was all over the field and was credited with 3.5 sacks on Cutler, the most by a Packer since Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila had that many in 2005.

The Packers relentless pressure on Cutler forced the Bears QB to make several poor decisions, which led to 4 interceptions and allowed the Packers secondary to have their best performance in more than a year. Cutler never looked comfortable in the pocket, which really helped the Packers defense. Tramon Williams, who had 2 interceptions, held Brandon Marshall to 24 yards on 2 catches, which is just the third time in the last four and a half years that Marshall has not had at least 3 catches in a game. The Packers also limited the Bears to 4.1 yards per carry, as the Bears longest run of the game was a 12 yard QB scramble by Jay Cutler.

The Pack showed their ability to be one of the top defenses in the league and they will have a chance to follow up their terrific performance with another one next week when they take on the Seattle Seahawks and rookie quarterback Russell Wilson on Monday Night Football.

The Most Surprising NFL Teams

1. Cincinnati Bengals: After a disastrous 4-12 season in 2010 and Carson Palmer refusing to play any longer for the Bengals and asking owner Mike Brown for a trade, the Bengals have had one of the most impressive turnarounds of any NFL team this season. Their great success has been led by their first round pick A.J. Green and their second round pick Andy Dalton, who have formed an incredible connection on the offense side of the ball. A.J. Green has over 1,000 receiving yards and is just the fourth player since 1999 to have over 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie, joining just Anquan Boldin in 2003, Michael Clayton in 2004, and Marques Colston in 2006. The only passer ratings better than Dalton's 81.0 since 1999 are Matt Ryan's passer rating of 87.7 in 2008 and Ben Roethlisberger's passer rating of 98.1 in 2004. The Bengals, who started 6-2, now sit at 8-6 and are currently tied for the final AFC Wild Card spot with the Jets.

2. Denver Broncos: After a 1-4 start, most Broncos fans were turning to the NFL draft in April and hoping that their team would get the number 1 overall pick and be able to take Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. And then Tebow-mania began. Since Tim Tebow took over as the Broncos starting quarterback, Denver is 7-2 including a 6 game win streak that they went on before they fell to the Patriots last week. Tebow, the most polarizing figure in the NFL, has captured the attention of the nation by his incredible 4th quarter comebacks. In his first start on the road in Miami against the Dolphins in week 7 with the Broncos down 15-0, he led two touchdown drives plus a two point conversion in the final 5 minutes of the game before a Matt Prater field goal won the game in overtime. In week 11 against the Jets, Tebow led a 95-yard touchdown drive in the final 5 minutes to top the Jets 17-13. In week 14 against the Bears, with the Broncos down 10-0 with under 5 minutes remaining in the game, Tebow threw a touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas before setting up a Matt Prater field goal with seconds remaining in regulation. The Broncos would win the game in overtime after another Prater field goal 13 to 10. Currently, the Broncos sit atop the AFC West at 8-6.

3. Detroit Lions: Although many people really liked the Detroit Lions this off-season and predicated that they would make the playoffs, the Lions are still a surprise considering that they finished at the bottom of the NFC North last season at 6-10. They key to the Lions success has been a healthy Matthew Stafford. After missing a total of 19 games in 2009 and 2010, Stafford has played in all 14 games this season with the Lions and his connection with Calvin Johnson, also known as Megatron, has been deadly. Stafford, who ranks in the top 5 of nearly every passing category, has thrown 14 touchdown passes to Megatron. Only the Packers, Saints, and the Patriots have scored more points this season than the Lions, who have scored 24 pointsor more in 9 games this season. If the Lions win one of their final two games against the Chargers or the Packers on the road in Green Bay, they would clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 1999.

4. San Francisco 49ers: Jim Harbaugh, the former Stanford head coach, has changed the culture in San Francisco. After a 6-10 season in 2010, the 49ers are currently 11-3 and have already clinched their first NFC west title since 2002 and just their second since 1997. The 49ers have been led by an incredible defense. They have allowed just over 13 points per game, which is the best in the NFL and is 6 points better than the Seahawks, who rank 2nd in the NFC in points allowed per game at 19.5. The 49ers defense is led by their great linebackering core of NaVorro Bowman and the always great Patrick Willis. Alex Smith has also had a career saving season. The former numer 1 pick is having his best season in the NFL in his 7th year in the league, as Harbaugh has instilled a lot of confidence in his quarterback. Smith has taken great care of the ball this season and has made plays when he has needed to. Smith has thrown just 5 interceptions this season.

NFL First Round Mock Draft

1. Carolina Panthers - Cam Newton, Quarterback, Auburn

2. Denver Broncos - Von Miller, Linebacker, Texas A and M

3. Buffalo Bills - Marcell Dareus, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

4. Cincinnati Bengals - A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia

5. Arizona Cardinals - Blaine Gabbert, Quaterback, Missouri

6. Cleveland Browns - Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama

7. San Francisco 49ers - Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, LSU

8. Tennessee Titans - Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle, Auburn

9. Dallas Cowboys - Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle, USC

10. Washington Redskins - Robert Quinn, Linebacker, North Carolina

11. Houston Texans - Aldon Smith, Defensive End, Missouri

12. Minnesota Vikings - Jake Locker, Quarterback, Washington

13. Detroit Lions - Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska

14. St. Louis Rams - Corey Liuget, Defensive Tackle, Illinois

15. Miami Dolphins - Mike Pouncey, Center, Floirda

16. Jacksonville Jaguars - Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive End, Purdue

17. New England Patriots - Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, California 

18. San Diego Chargers - J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Wisconsin

19. New York Giants - Anthony Castonzo, Offesnive Tackle, Boston College

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Da'Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson

21. Kansas City Chiefs - Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle, Colorado

22. Indianapolis Colts - Gabe Carimi, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin

23. Philadelphia Eagles - Jimmy Smith, Cornerback, Colorado

24. New Orleans Saints - Muhammad Wilkerson, Defensive End, Temple

25. Seattle Seahawks - Andy Dalton, Quarterback, TCU

26. Baltimore Ravens - Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End, Iowa

27. Atlanta Falcons - Akeen Ayers, Linebacker, UCLA

28. New England Patriots - Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama

29. Chiacgo Bears - Derek Sherrod, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State

30. New York Jets - Phil Taylor, Nose Tackle, Baylor

31. Pittsburgh Steelers - Aaron Williams, Cornerback, Texas

32. Green Bay Packers - Danny Watkins, Guard, Baylor

Top 10 NFL Matchups (Let's Hope We Have A Season)

1. New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers in Week 1: The last two Super Bowl Champions should provide a show on the opening night of the NFL. The Saints had a very disappointing end to their season last year when they were ousted in the NFC Wild Card Game, as they allowed 41 points to the Seahawks. They will look to sure up their defense this year when they play the defending champion Green Bay Packers. It will be one of the best quarterback matchups of the year when the two former Super Bowl MVP's, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, met up at Lambeau Field on September 8th.

2. New York Giants at Washington Redskins/ Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets in Week 1: The two cities that were directly affected by the terrorist attacks on September 11 will be hosting games on the 10th anniversary of those attacks. Giant’s spokesman Pat Hanlon said, "For nearly 10 years, we have felt an obligation to use our platform to make sure none of us ever forget the tragedy and heartbreak and courage and heroism of Sept. 11. That responsibility becomes even greater." The always shy Rex Ryan said, "That stadium is going to be full of emotion, not only the people from the area but in the entire country. [It's] The fact that it's the 10th anniversary of 9/11."

3. Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons in Week 2: The Falcons home opener will be against a very interesting opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles. Oh yes, Michael Vick will return to Atlanta for the first time as a starter. Emotions will obviously be high especially with the game being on at primetime on Sunday night. Vick had 6 very memorable seasons with the Falcons before was implicated in an illegal dog fighting ring. The Eagles open the regular season for the first time since 2002 with two road games.

4. Indianapolis Colts at New Orleans Saints in Week 7: The Sunday Night primetime game on October 23rd will feature a Super Bowl rematch from 2010 when the Saints beat the Colts 31-17. It will also feature a great quarterback battle between Drew Bress and Peyton Manning. Bress isn't the only one who sees New Orleans as special in this match up as well. Peyton's dad Archie played for the Saints and Peyton was born, grew up, and played high school football in New Orleans. The last time Peyton was playing in New Orleans against the Saints was in 2003 when the Colts beat the Saints 55 to 21 and he tied his career high throwing 6 touchdowns in one game. 

5. San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8: Many people including myself were very surprised that Norv Turner retained his job after the Chargers failed to make the playoffs and were only 9-7 with all the talent that they had in their team last year. Although they scored the second most points in the league with 441 and were in the top 10 in points allowed, they missed out on the playoffs. The Chargers will try to take back the division title from the very surprising Kansas City Chiefs, who after a 4-12 season in 2009, won the AFC West at 10-6 last year. The Monday Night Football Game will be the second meeting between the teams and will be critical in the division race.

6. Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9: Since 2002, the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Baltimore Ravens have won the AFC North 7 out of the last 9 years. They have dominated the AFC North. Whenever the Ravens and Steelers met you can always expect great defense, extremely hard-hitting, and the two teams playing to get on top of the division. Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton said, "The last few times we've played them [the Ravens] it always comes down to close games, and when you're in games like that, it's very emotional. You learn to start disliking a team even more." The Ravens will have even more incentive to knock off their rivals, as the Steelers ended their season last year in the Divisional Playoffs.

7. San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens in Week 12: Thanksgiving commemorates a feast that the pilgrims shared with their "brothers" the Native Americans. On Thanksgiving, Jim Harbaugh and his San Francisco 49ers will met his brother John Harbaugh and his Baltimore Ravens. They will become the first pair of brothers to meet as head coaches in NFL history. The game has allowed the Harabuagh family to have a little bit of fun. The brothers dad Jack Harbaugh said when asked if he was going to attend the game, “No way. And Jackie [Harbaugh, his wife] and I have talked about it, and we will not be within two time zones of that venue, I promise you. We’re going to stay as far away from that as we can. We’ve seen these two guys compete for about 47 years, so… we’ll allow other people to enjoy it with us here in Milwaukee, [where we will be] watching on television.” John Harbaugh said though, "My dad and mom said they're not going to be within three time zones of the game, but we'll get them there somehow. What we're going to do is try to get Jim over to the house, get him some turkey, get some of that tryptophan working and get him a little bit tired for later."

8. Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots in Week 13: Many people consider this game the biggest rivalry in the NFL even through the teams aren't in the same division. The Pats have won more than 10 games ever year since 2003 and the Colts have won more than 10 games every year since 2002. These two teams have been the models of consistency in the NFL and they are lead by two of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Brady and Manning have won 6 of the last 8 MVP's including the last 4. 

9. Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos in Week 14: While the Colts and Patriots rivalry has been going on for the last ten years, a new rivalry will have its first square off in Denver on December 11th. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will finally return to the scene of the crime. Before the 2009 season, Cutler requested to leave Denver saying, "Really, it's best for me to move on. "Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said after they dealt Cutler to the Bears, "Obviously, the trade went through with another team. We moved on. I'm very disappointed. I'm very disappointed." Cutler will definitely face a very hostile crowd in Denver, as emotions are still very high over his departure. 

10. Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers in Week 16: The Packers-Bears rivalry dates all the way back to 1921 and they have played each other in the regular season and playoffs a record 182 times. Jay Cutler will return to Green Bay for the first time since he had to leave the NFC Championship game with a knee injury, which he has heavily criticized over. The Week 16 game that is primetime on Christmas will certainly have a big impact on the NFC North division crown.