Top 10 NFL Power Rankings: Week 11

 

1.      Houston Texans

2.      Denver Broncos

3.      Chicago Bears

4.      Atlanta Falcons

5.      Baltimore Ravens

6.      Green Bay Packers

7.      Pittsburgh Steelers

8.      San Francisco 49ers

9.      New England Patriots

10.    New York Giants

The Tribute: Shawn Bradley Lived for This

In this week’s edition of the edition of the tribute, I bring you T-Mac against the most dunked on player that ever lived; Shawn Bradley. I’m just playing guys, I don’t know if he has been but through the last 15 years it sure seemed like it. Bradley never could get out of his own way and haven’t you noticed he barely would contend the dunk. He would just look and say “uh oh” haha.

The Panic Button is Pushed: Welcome to LA

Former Lakers coach Mike Brown was fired last week only into five games of the season and many people have questions about it. Understanding this is a win now team Brown never had a fair shake on turning the team around to winning again. I just don’t understand why they brought him in anyway. Yes, Mike Brown was really good in Cleveland but let’s not forget he had the best player in the game LeBron James. Kobe isn’t that shabby himself, but you have a rundown and older star in Bryant. This firing did bother me because I think that they should have never brought Brown in the first place. He needed to coach a team like the Bobcats or a Sacramento kind of team because they won’t just fire him after a few games and he can get his feet under him. It has been a while since he coached the Cavs after LeBron’s departure to Miami.

Jerry Buss pushed that panic button because this is a win now team and they are seeking another championship for the club. They feel that this year with the additions to Nash and Howard, sky’s the limit this team. Also you have a rejuvenated Bryant that is seeking his 6^th ring. I want to touch on Kobe for a second guys on what I think his role in this firing was. As we all seen his facial expressions and after game interviews were you can tell he wanted Brown out. I think from the beginning when Brown was hired he was shocked and didn’t want him. Many people said it was because he loved Brian Shaw but I would disagree. I just don’t think he respected Mike Brown as a coach. If you’re not accepted by Bryant, good luck in having a successful coaching career while with the Lakers.  

As we all know Kobe isn’t loyal to anyone! The only thing he’s loyal to is winning and don’t get me wrong we all want to win but doesn’t he just rub you the wrong way? Great player and all and one of the best players we’ve ever seen but have a heart dude. Mike Brown did try his best but this team is new it take time to build the right chemistry. Let’s forget that Nash has been sidelined due to injury. I just think that they shouldn’t have pulled the plug so quick. Miami Heat was in the same situation the first season that the big 3 formed. They were barely a .500 team in the first 20 games but look at them now. I know it’s hard to compare these two teams but we have to start somewhere. Good luck to Mike Brown and his family and I hope he does find a coaching job in the NBA where he can become successful again. Like I said, I think Brown is a good coach but not for the Lakers. Do you think the firing of Brown was valid?

Put it to Rest: Sanchez Just isn’t That Good

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is in his 4^th season in the NFL and nothing has changed and we haven’t seen any kind of progress with the young former USC Trojan. Sanchez really does try to be a good quarterback but I’m sorry Jets fans, he just doesn’t have it in him. You know how I usually say it’s either you have it or don’t. It’s really that simple guys. I might be a New York Giants fan, but at the end of the day I’m a NY fan at heart. I want to see this Jet team succeed because when they don’t New York as a whole looks bad in football. Getting back to Sanchez, this guy does have a decent arm and can make some tough plays but he just isn’t as mobile as the great ones and he looks petrified on the field at times.

LaDainian Tomlinson future Hall of Famer and former Jet called out the quarterback and said that “he isn’t big time”. That must be a tough blow to Sanchez ego and you would think that would make him better at his craft but you guys were very mistaken. He ranks all the way at the bottom on mostly every category. I just don’t really see Sanchez on this team next season. His days are going to be up in the big apple. I can definitely see a trade happening very soon for this so-called franchise player. The biggest thing I have against Sanchez is that he is too focused on GQ magazines and people asking about him and Eva Longoria. Stay focused on the field and maybe you can be better for your team Sanchez!

So many people were caught up when the team went to the AFC championship game two years in a row and they thought that Sanchez was the truth but oh boy I can tell you he wasn’t the reason. The run game and the defense is what propelled this team to success. Also Coach Rex Ryan is doing everything in his power to protect the young quarterback but there is so much hiding his weaknesses. Ryan knows deep down that Sanchez isn’t the one but tell that to upper management. They don’t want to hear that. You can see they love Sanchez even though he is underachieving. Someone in the organization needs to give Sanchez a reality check and tell him where he is at as a quarterback and really see how they can turn it around to save his tenure with the team. Don’t get wrong, he can go to another team that isn’t a contender and pressure won’t be on him but will that help his career? I think not! Where do you see Sanchez in the next 3 years? Now that’s a question.

Where are They Now: Karl "The Mailman" Malone

Hall of Fame basketball player Karl Malone might be going on 50 years old but he looks like he could still lace up and get back on the court. “The Mailman” wasn’t just any NBA player; he was one of the best that we’ve ever seen. Teaming up with NBA legend John Stockton with the Utah Jazz, they had some great moments and years taking the league by storm. Not bad for a kid from Summerfield, LA; mainly a town that most never heard of. Being drafted in the NBA in 1985 wasn’t a given for Malone. He paid his dues by playing for Louisiana Tech University where they didn’t have much luck making the big dance which is the NCAA tournament. Once Malone arrived he changed that.

Malone is considered by many one of the best power forwards to ever play the game and I would definitely agree to that. Back in the early 90’s when I first started watching basketball I recognized Malone and he was just a different player that I’ve ever seen before. His game was aggressive with a bit of finesse to it, but this man looked like the incredible hulk. He looked like he could just bulldoze you out the way to get to the basket. Malone was a player that put a lot of effort and practice into his craft and he wanted to perfect it. Once was a two-time MVP of the league and he was almost 35 years old on his first one. That was a feat of itself. Many people don’t know that Malone ranks second in point scored in NBA history (36,928). You were probably wondering, where the hell all those points came from.

Looking back at Malone’s career I would say he was kind of underrated as a superstar. Many looked at him when he played for the Jazz as a really good player that plays with a great point guard, but he didn’t get the total respect that was deserved. Maybe it was because the NBA great Michael Jordan was getting most of the attention in the 90’s? Who really knows why but Malone was every bit of the competitor that could change any team. He wasn’t just the face of the Utah Jazz; Malone was the ambassador of the NBA. He was one of those rising stars. He may haven’t won a NBA championship but the career he had many that have won a championship would trade that in any day to be Malone. Don’t get me wrong guys, it is all about winning championships but Malone was in a different class and you know it!

Today Malone is just the same guy he was while he played for the Jazz and the one season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He is a businessman, father, husband and many others that I will go down the line. Malone as you know he loves to fish, hike, raise cattle and hunts. Malone is a great entrepreneur that as many businesses across the country. You would never think we would have another Magic Johnson in business because many athletes that retire from sports usually go broke in 5 years; not “The Mailman”. He believes that you just sit on the money that you have and don’t have anything else going you will lose it all. So today you can find Malone on TV commercials or making public appearances. Just maybe and I say just maybe you can find Malone in Utah hosting his own radio show for ESPN 700 and he is not just talking sports; he is talking life. Do you think Malone is one of the greatest NBA players that played the game?

The Tribute: We Miss the old Amar'e

This is what we remember of Amar’e Stoudemire of past. Not this player that is in his prime about 29 years old that has been injury prone for most of his time with the New York Knicks. When he was with the Phoenix Suns he was throwing it on dudes left and right and even at times he showed us some flashes with the Knicks. But we want the old Amar’e back or is that even me possible? Time will definitely tell with those knees and back. But in the meantime I’m just going to enjoy this dunk.

Rich & Spoiled: Young Cam Can’t Lead

Today was a big day for Cam Newton’s Carolina Panthers as they defeated the Washington Redskins 21-13. That doesn’t mean Cam is off the hook on this article. His attitude has been a major problem with the team and he is the news of the league recently. Last season there were questions about his lack of leadership and his mental state towards defeat. Nobody in the NFL or just any professional sport wants to lose, but someone has too. So far it has been him and the Panthers that have got the bad end of the stick. Losing helps players learn and while molding one. Cam needs to be more humble and be grateful of his situation in the NFL and being the franchise player of the team.

Cam Newton is a very special player that has all the talent in the world. We all noticed it when he led Auburn to the NCAA National Championship. This man is a strong quarterback that isn’t scared to rush or throw the ball with confidence. He may be young but his football IQ is very high. Last season being the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year you just knew this young player was on his way to great success. Newton did all of this with a very bad team. There were many things asked of him and for the most part he did what needed to be done, but that towel on his head mess when he loses or doesn’t get his way needs to change and now.

Wide receiver and teammate Steve Smith noticed his quarterback’s attitude towards losing against the Giants and he let him have it. Smith is known for his adversities that he’s faced through the years with the club but he needs the young Newton to be a leader (Collin, n.d.). I just don’t think he has it in him. You may feel different about that guys, but some have it and some don’t. I just don’t want to hear that he is young. You have players that is his age and even a rookie that show leadership qualities and don’t cry about everything. He was even quoted as being a bad teammate last season. Seems a bit like newly reinvented Terrell Owens; I’m just saying. If you want to run on the field and act like you’re ripping your shirt and become superman, you need to show more patience and leadership. Superman wouldn’t do it any other way! Having too much too young can hurt a person and I think that Cam’s case being young and rich. Tell me what you think of Cam Newton’s behavior?

References

Collin, J. Cam Newton: Will He Lead or Recede? Charlottevibe.com, n.d., http://www.charlottevibe.com/2012/09/cam-newton-will-he-lead-or-recede/, Retrieved 4 November 2012.