It’s a sad day for baseball and especially for fans of the St. Louis Cardinals. It has been confirmed that 22-year-old Oscar Taveras has died as a result of a car crash in his hometown of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. His girlfriend was also killed. There are no details at this point in time, but the Cardinals are investigating.
He was signed at 16 by the Cardinals and spent six seasons in the minor leagues, including a .386 batting average in the Midwest League in 2011, the highest in 55 years.
He spent 2012 with the Double-A Springfield Cardinals and finished the year with a .321 batting average, 23 homeruns, and 94 RBI, earning him the Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year, as well as the Texas League Player of the Year.
He entered 2013 with high hopes as he joined the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds as the third-best prospect in all of baseball, but was limited to only 46 games after a bad ankle sprain, which would eventually require season-ending surgery. In limited action, he still hit .306 with five homers and 32 runs batted in.
Taveras entered 2014 one spot higher in the overall prospect rankings at number two. Initially, it was thought that he would start the year with the big club, but a few more problems with the ankle put him back down in Memphis to start the season. But after hitting .325 with seven homers and forty knocked in over 49 games, he finally made his major league debut on May 31st. This is what happened in only his second major league at-bat.
After that, Taveras struggled a bit in the majors and was sent back down to Memphis, where he continued his solid play until being called back up a short time later. Over the rest of this season, you could really see him getting used to big league pitching and he was a very good outfielder as well. Over 80 games, he hit .239 with three homeruns and 22 RBI. On paper, those numbers don’t look spectacular but that’s really not bad at all for a rookie, especially for someone that young. He also had a big game-tying homerun in this year’s NLCS Game 2.
As a Cubs fan and a resident of central Illinois where the Cubs and Cardinals basically split the fan base 50/50, I’ve had numerous conversations about this kid and the future he was destined to have for a great organization. I was really looking forward to watching him play and match up against all the great prospects the Cubs have coming up. The Chicago-St. Louis rivalry is one of the best in all of sports and I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for what they do in St. Louis and Oscar Taveras was part of that. He had the potential to be one of the next great Cardinals and this really is a loss not only for the St. Louis Cardinals, but a loss for baseball fans everywhere. From myself and everyone here at Binge Media, our deepest sympathies go out to the Taveras family and friends, the St. Louis Cardinals organization and their fans all over the world. What are your favorite Oscar Taveras highlights? Did you ever get a chance to meet him? If you’d like to share your thoughts, comment below or follow and tweet @BingeSports or @THElukenorris.
Welcome to the October 19th edition of Working the Weekend with Luke. Back on August 16th, I began a countdown of my all-time favorite trilogies. I’m sure you’ve loved some of it, and I’m sure you’ve hated some of it. I know there are many of you out there that have been waiting for The Lord of the Rings trilogy to make an appearance, but if you know me at all, you know that will never happen. I’m sorry to disappoint, but it’s just not for me and never will be. Get over it.
I think I’ve had a nice mix here. I’ve had some comedy. I’ve had some drama. I’ve certainly had some 80’s. I’ve even had some animation. So before I get to number one, let’s take a look back from #10 to #2.
Certainly not the way you think that Vito would go out. A tragically beautiful scene.
The last scene of the original is so freaking good. While Michael and his new persona are the focus, it’s Diane Keaton’s reaction that really makes the scene. Watch it again and you’ll see what I mean.
How amazing is Robert DeNiro as a young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II? You wouldn’t think it possible for anybody to match the performance put on by Brando, but DeNiro’s portrayal is one of the reasons so many people argue that the sequel is superior to the original.
I haven’t mentioned him yet, but I can’t not mention Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen, the voice of reason in organized crime. Could you imagine anyone doing it better?
“I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart.”
And that’s what you get, Fredo. There’s a reason you were passed over.
The final shot. Do you think he realizes what a monster he’s become? Beautiful.
A little different look for the third installment, which most people hate. I think it gets a bad rap because of what it had to live up to. The first two movies are hard for ANY film to match up with. Take the third for what it really is and you’ll enjoy it much more.
I think Andy Garcia did a very admirable job in the final film. Again, it’s not an easy task to jump into a franchise like this, but he pulled it off nicely. And a shoutout to Talia Shire, who stars in my two favorite franchises.
Sofia Coppola is lovely as Mary Corleone. I came across this picture today and just had to include it. It’s another reminder that these are not gangster movies. These are movies about family, which is why the next picture is so heartbreaking.
Told ya.
The fact that the final installment gets hated on is very unfortunate because the ending is perfect. Michael made choices throughout his life that he’s had to live with and in the end, they cost him everything. He’s had to watch everyone he cared about die and at the end, he is alone. His punishment was actually living longer than the people he loved. Absolutely perfect.
So there you have it. There’s no clip today as I wanted today to be only about the countdown. So what did you think? Was it a good list? Was it a bad list? What would you leave in? What would you take out? What would #1 be on your trilogy list? Leave some answers below or follow me on Twitter and tweet @THElukenorris. As always, thanks for reading and I’ll see you here next weekend. In the meantime, check back as I’ll be back with Binge Media Sports coverage of the World Series. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday evening. I’m going to watch The Godfather. No, seriously.
Welcome to the September 28th edition of Working the Weekend with Luke. Hopefully, your part of the world is as beautiful as mine has been this weekend. Leaves are turned and falling to the grass which makes for some nice piles for my daughters, yet it’s warm enough to put on the shorts. So I hope you’re making the best of the good weather if you have it. I know I’d like to, so I’ll get to a few things and let you be on your way.
NEIGHBORS
So I finally got around to watching Neighbors last night. Between two kids and work and the outrageous pricing, I really don’t get to the theater much anymore, so even as excited as I was when I saw the trailer earlier this year, I decided to wait until the DVD release. Now, the way it usually goes with me and comedies is that they continue to get funnier with more viewings and I’m hoping this one follows that same recipe, because the first showing left me wanting a little more from it.
I should have known better than to expect something different than usual from Seth Rogen’s acting, so that one is on me, but it’s starting to get a little tiresome. Even Adam Sandler breaks out of his normal style occasionally, but hey, if I was making that kind of money doing the same shit over and over, why change it up?
I will say that I enjoy Dave Franco much more than his brother. He’s got some really good scenes in the movie and any chance I have to take a shot at James Franco, I’m going to take it. So that’s really all for that.
The most pleasant surprise of Neighbors, however, is Zac Efron. I think he makes the entire movie work and is just straight up hysterical. From the opening to the dance-off (which is a really good scene overall) to the end, he played this part perfectly. Hopefully, he continues to keep doing things like this, because I think he’s got a real knack for it.
Overall, I did like Neighbors. I just don’t think I love it yet. But hey, it won’t keep me from watching it over and over until I do.
BINGE MEDIA SPORTS IS NOW ON TWITTER
If you’re new to this column, then you may not know that I’m also the writer for Binge Media Sports. Actually, I wrote a little piece on some MLB topics just yesterday and if you missed it, just click HERE to check it out.
The big news today is that this morning, Binge Media Sports now has its own Twitter account. So if you’d like to add a little more social media to your life, look no further than @BingeSports. I’ll keep you posted on the world of sports and when I can, send out some live tweets during the big events. Binge Media Sports. All the balls. All the time.
TRILOGY COUNTDOWN
After taking a week off, the trilogy countdown continues today with #4. On a quick side note, I want to thank all of you who took the time to read last week’s edition. If you missed it, I wrote about the two year anniversary of my father’s passing and did a Top 10 list about the movies that I connect to him. You can check it out HERE.
But now on to the countdown.
#10-THE INFERNAL AFFAIRS TRILOGY-IF YOU MISSED IT, CLICK HERE
#9-THE NAKED GUN TRILOGY-IF YOU MISSED IT, CLICK HERE
#8-THE LECTER TRILOGY-IF YOU MISSED IT, CLICK HERE
#7-THE MAN WITH NO NAME TRILOGY-IF YOU MISSED IT, CLICK HERE
#6-THE KARATE KID TRILOGY-IF YOU MISSED IT, CLICK HERE
#5-THE BACK TO THE FUTURE TRILOGY-IF YOU MISSED IT, CLICK HERE
#4-THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY
BATMAN BEGINS, THE DARK KNIGHT, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
If you know me, then you know I prefer DC to Marvel, even with all the success Marvel is having right now. It’s mainly due to my infatuation with Superman, but there’s no Superman trilogy so I’ve got Christopher Nolan’s trilogy at #4.
After the monstrosity that was Batman & Robin which gave us Batnipples and the third Caped Crusader in four movies, the franchise was in desperate need of a reboot and we got a good one. But who would be the new Bruce Wayne? Who had the face and the talent to play a rich guy with a secret?
Patrick Bateman…err, Christian Bale was the answer. We got an all new origin story in Batman Begins and early on, we knew that this was going to be a lot darker than the previous versions we’d seen. And we got some Liam Neeson and Ken Watanabe to boot, not to mention Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman.
And I haven’t even mentioned Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon, which really revived his career, and I think we can all be thankful for that. Throw in Cillian Murphy’s chilling portrayal as Scarecrow and you’ve got yourself one damn fine opener.
So how do you follow up a good movie? With a great one, of course. The Dark Knight is probably the best of the trilogy and gives us a few new problems to deal with. He wouldn’t have been my first choice, but Aaron Echkart did a great job as Harvey Dent a/k/a Two-Face. Christian Bale continued to do a great job as Bruce Wayne/Batman, although I can’t understand why he continued to talk in the Batman voice to Rachel, but I suppose that’s neither here nor there. But let’s be honest. What makes the movie great is the guy that nobody wanted for the villain.
Remember when word got out that Heath Ledger had been cast to play Joker? Remember how many people hated the choice? Oops. Ledger was brilliant and there’s not much more to say than that.
Now, I know most people were disappointed with The Dark Knight Rises? I will admit that it wasn’t as good as the second film, but I really enjoyed it. Maybe it’s because I could look at this all day…..
….or maybe it’s because Tom Hardy is a straight-up badass as Bane…..
….but I thought this was a great ending to a great trilogy. Are there a few questions that may need answering? Sure. But as a whole, The Dark Knight Trilogy was beautifully written, perfectly cast, and greatly executed. It’s got the ability to stand on its own as a story and you really don’t have to compare it to any other Batman that we’ve seen. But we all know that’s not going to happen as we know what we’re getting next year.
My guess is that the same people who are bashing Affleck are the same ones who were bashing Ledger. But that’s another topic for another day.
That’ll do it for this week’s edition of Working the Weekend with Luke. Make sure to check back next week as the countdown gets animated next week with #3. Again, don’t forget to start following Binge Media Sports on Twitter and while you’re there, hit me up @THElukenorris.
But before I go, you know you want your Beverly Hills, 90210 clip of the week. Yep, it’s from the pilot and yep, Brandon’s hair is dope.
It’s been a while, and for that I apologize, but welcome back to Binge Media Sports. I won’t keep you long on this beautiful Saturday morning (it is here anyway), but with the 2014 MLB regular season coming to an end, I just wanted to touch on a few things before I move on with my day. There are baseball stories all over the place right now with teams still fighting for playoff spots and positions and I’ll get to some of that in a minute, but I’ll start with my first goodbye of the day.
GOODBYE TO DEREK JETER
Let me just start by saying that I’m not a Yankee guy at all and for years, Derek Jeter annoyed the hell out of me for no particular reason. Maybe it was all the winning or all the beautiful women or the Brett Favre thing where I hate him only because he doesn’t play for my team, but it really did take me a long time to really see what this guy means to baseball.
In an era that’s been tainted by steroids and egos and assholes (here’s looking at you A-Rod), Jeter has been the face of the game’s biggest franchise for twenty years, and he’s done it with class and style. I know baseball is the biggest numbers game there is, and he’s got stats to back up a Hall of Fame career. Hell, you can just look at 3,463 hits and be impressed. He was never the biggest homerun hitter (260 entering the weekend), but with a career average of .309 and where he hit in the lineup, he wasn’t supposed to be. The greatness of Jeter, however, can’t be defined in only numbers. Believe me, the extra 200 hits in the postseason alone doesn’t hurt, but it was his clutch play that allowed the Yankees to be…well, the Yankees. In a minute, I’ll put up a highlight package and I want you to notice how many of these came in the playoffs. There’s one play in particular that I’ll always remember and it’s on the reel. It was a postseason game against Oakland and the rightfielder had missed both cutoff men on a throw to the plate. Mind you, Jeter was a shortstop so he had no reason to be where he was as the throw was coming in, but he knew the throw wouldn’t make it in time, so he sprinted to the other side of the field and flipped the ball to Posada to nail the less talented Giambi at the plate. Seriously, who does that? Derek Jeter does. From a Yankee hater……thank you Derek. You’re what baseball is supposed to be. Why couldn’t you be a Cub though?
HELLO TO THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Welcome back to the playoffs, KC. After almost three decades away, the Kansas City Royals are back in the playoffs for the first time since winning it all in 1985. I really don’t have much to say, but as a guy who’s always liked the Royals for some reason, kudos to you.
GOODBYE TO PAUL KONERKO
Unfortunately lost in the hoopla of Jetermania is Paul Konerko, the longtime captain of the Chicago White Sox, who will also retire after this weekend’s series with the Royals. After short stints in LA and Cincinatti, Konerko was traded to the South Side in late 1998 and has been a staple ever since. Simply put, he was a player that just did it the right way. He was the ALCS MVP in 2005 on the way to the White Sox putting the Black Sox scandal behind them after more than eight decades and winning the World Series.
After Frank Thomas left, Konerko became the face of the franchise and for sixteen years has been one of the most respected players in all of baseball. And this is coming from a Cubs fan. I despise the White Sox, but Konerko is a guy that you just can’t help but give that respect to. He turned down lucrative offers over the years from LA and Baltimore to remain in Chicago, which is always nice to hear. The guy isn’t even officially done yet, but there are already plans in place to retire his No. 14 and a statue will also be placed inside whatever the Sox are calling that stadium these days. With a career .279 average, 439 homeruns, and 1412 runs batted in, Paul Konerko will eventually get some looks for the Hall of Fame and deservedly so. Did you know all of that? Probably not. Konerko wasn’t flashy. He was a quiet guy who got his job done, and that’s the only way he wanted it. If you haven’t seen the farewell/thank you video he made, follow the link below. So from a Cubs fan to a White Sox player….thank you Paul.
The dog days of summer are finally over and the MLB playoffs are just about here. We’ve got a few things to figure out over the weekend. What we do know is that the Red Sox and the Yankees will not be a part of this, so ESPN will have to figure out what to do with themselves, but I’m very excited about this year, minus the Cubs not being there, of course, but I do like the direction they’re headed. But I digress and that’s for another day.
Sure, we’ve got some teams that we’re used to. The Cardinals are there AGAIN, which annoys me to no end, but what are you going to do? They know how to win and they know how to win late. The Giants and Dodgers will be around and if you’ve never seen Clayton Kershaw pitch, do yourself a favor and tune in for that. It’s nice to see the Nationals turn things back around after a disappointing 2013 and I’ll be watching the former Expos with great interest this year. But it’s hard not to root for the Pirates as well. After a 20 year playoff drought, they’re back for a second straight year.
Over in the AL, things should be very interesting. The Angels and their 20 billion dollar payroll lead the way and Detroit is trying to hang on to the Central, but the aforementioned Kansas City Royals are still fighting this weekend to take that top spot and avoid the wild card game. Baltimore dominated the East this year and rounding out the AL will more than likely be the A’s, who had the best record in baseball for a while before hitting a rough patch.
It’s nice to see some different teams for once and if these past few weeks have been any indication, we’re in for some great baseball come October.
Who you got in the playoffs? Do you have anything to say about Derek Jeter or Paul Konerko? Did I miss somebody? Let me know below or follow me and tweet @THElukenorris. Make sure to come back tomorrow for another edition of Working the Weekend with Luke as I get back to the trilogy countdown with #4. Until then kids.
Let’s finish this up. The start of football that matters is upon us and here is the last in my series of previews. Today, we’ll take a look at the divisions that gave us our two Super Bowl teams from last season, the AFC and NFC West divisions. If you’ve missed the previews of the East, click HERE. If you missed the North, click HERE. If you missed the South, click HERE. So let’s get to the West.
DENVER BRONCOS
LAST SEASON: 13-3, WON THE AFC WEST, LOST THE SUPER BOWL TO THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2014 PREVIEW:Okay, so the Super Bowl was a little embarrassing, but the Broncos aren’t going away. The offense will be as potent as ever as Peyton Manning and company remain an overall favorite to win the whole thing. Even with Eric Decker heading to New York, the receiver position may be even better. Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker remain and are always consistent, and they’ve added Emmanuel Sanders. Throw in Julius Thomas and we may see yet another record-breaking season from the offense.
Not to be outdone, the defense added defensive end DeMarcus Ware, safety T.J. Ward, and cornerback Aqib Talib. And don’t forget that the Broncos made their run last year without Von Miller. He’ll return to an absolutely loaded defense. The Broncos are the easy favorite to win this division.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
LAST SEASON: 11-5, FINISHED 2ND IN THE AFC WEST, LOST WC ROUND TO THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
2014 PREVIEW: Running back Jamaal Charles has become arguably the best in the league, and he’ll need an outstanding season if the Chiefs want to repeat what they did last year. He’s lost some help up front on the line, but if anybody can make adjustments, it’s head coach Andy Reid. He still has conservative yet effective quarterback Alex Smith, but the receiving core is somewhat limited. Dwayne Bowe has lost a step, A.J. Jenkins is young, and Donnie Avery drops a few too many. Charles will be the workhorse here, but his effectiveness may open a few passing lanes for Smith.
The defense gave out a little towards the end of last season and there’s a little uncertainty that the Chiefs can do what they were doing to open last year. Eric Berry has shown a lot of versatility as he can roam from safety to linebacker, but they lost their best corner in Brandon Flowers and the ability to get to the quarterback may be an issue this year. Most people weren’t expecting 11 wins last year, and I wouldn’t count on a repeat performance.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
LAST SEASON: 4-12, FINISHED LAST IN THE AFC WEST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: At least the Raiders had draft picks this year. That’s about the only positive thing I can see coming from Oakland this year. After a battle in the preseason with longtime Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, rookie Derek Carr won the starting job. He’s got talent, but his inexperience will show, especially early in the season. But who is he throwing to? At least they’ve got a running game. Or do they? Darren McFadden just can’t seem to stay healthy. They did sign Maurice Jones-Drew and that may help matters a little, especially catching passes out of the backfield, but he’ll have a lot of work to do to get back to his leading rusher in the league form.
They’ve got big names on defense like Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley, and Charles Woodson, but all three are just past their prime. Rookie Khalil Mack may be fun to watch, but in this division, no defense means very few wins. Another 4-12 may be in the works and that may be being nice.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
LAST SEASON: 9-7, FINISHED 3RD IN THE AFC WEST, LOST DIV. ROUND TO THE DENVER BRONCOS
2014 PREVIEW: The Chargers reeled off four straight victories at the end of last season to sneak into the playoffs, and even got a win over the Bengals before falling to Denver. They’ll enter 2014 with some confidence, especially quarterback Philip Rivers, who had a nice comeback season in 2013 to silence a few critics. He’ll need to be at his best to get San Diego into the playoffs again, but has weapons in the always consistent Antonio Gates, along with second year man Keenan Allen, who was thrown to in big spots last year and is looking to become the main target for Rivers.
The defense will get a few players back from injury this season as Dwight Freeney looks to get back to form, as does linebacker Melvin Ingram. San Diego also made a big free agent pickup in acquiring cornerback Brandon Flowers. The Chargers finished at 9-7 last year and an identical record may be in the cards.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
LAST SEASON: 10-6, FINISHED 3RD IN THE NFC WEST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: Last season, the Cardinals were a casualty of the system. They finished with a better record by two games than the North-winning Packers, but didn’t make the playoffs. The chip on their shoulder could play a big part in the 2014 campaign. If Carson Palmer can play to his potential in his twelfth year, the Cardinals could be dangerous on offense. He’s still got Larry Fitzgerald to throw to, and if Michael Floyd can continue to improve, it could open up some running lanes for Andre Ellington, a second year back who averaged 5.5 yards per carry in a limited role last year.
The defense took a big hit when Darnell Dockett went down with an ACL injury and linebacker Daryl Washington was suspended for the year, but they’re still pretty strong. The hope is that Tyrann Mathieu can return from a torn ACL and LCL and be the player everyone thinks he can be. They signed cornerback Antonio Cromartie to play opposite All-Pro Patrick Peterson, who may be the best man-to-man corner in the league. If all goes well for Arizona, they could be a factor this season.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
LAST SEASON: 12-4, FINISHED 2ND IN THE NFC WEST, LOST NFC CHAMP. TO THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2014 PREVIEW: Can a team that’s reached the NFC Championship three years in a row get better? When your head coach is Jim Harbaugh, you don’t really get a say in the matter. Play well or you’re off the field. The athleticism of quarterback Colin Kaepernick leads an offensive attack that includes the veteran Anquan Boldin and Kaepernick’s favorite target, the dangerous Michael Crabtree. You also can’t forget about tight end Vernon Davis, who still performs at a high level, as does running back Frank Gore, who will be mentoring Carlos Hyde. That’s a ton of players that can burn you.
The defense will have a different look this year as the Niners lost a few players, especially at cornerback. Last year’s freak injury to NaVorro Bowman won’t help matters any, but guys like Ray McDonald and Ahmad Brooks will be looking to pick up the slack. Throw in the immense talent and intelligence of safety Eric Reid, and the defense should still be better than average. Harbaugh won’t settle for anything less than the Super Bowl, and it’s a real possibility.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
LAST SEASON: 13-3, WON THE NFC WEST, BEAT THE DENVER BRONCOS TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL
2014 PREVIEW: There’s not much I can say about Seattle that you don’t already know. They’re the defending Super Bowl champs. They have the biggest home field advantage in sports. They’re loaded with talent. You know the names: Russell Wilson will only continue to get better. Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas have signed long-term deals and are basically the best at what they do at cornerback and free safety, respectively. Percy Harvin will be back healthy and Marshawn Lynch is a beast. Did I miss anything? The Seahawks have a solid chance to repeat.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
LAST SEASON: 7-9, FINISHED LAST IN THE NFC WEST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: Poor St. Louis. Just when things are starting to turn around under head coach Jeff Fisher, the 2014 season may already be lost. The season-ending injury to quarterback Sam Bradford has changed everything. What’s worse is that his huge salary is hindering the Rams’ ability to go out and get a comparable solution. They recently signed Case Keenum, but the starting job will go to Shaun Hill, but can he effectively get the ball to Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, and Brian Quick? I’m sure the quarterback situation will be a question all season.
If the Rams are going to win games this year, it’s the defense that’s going to do it. The strongest piece comes with the front line, which may be the best in football, anchored by defensive end Robert Quinn, who has become arguably the most feared end in the league. Unfortunately, it may not be enough. The Rams have been moving in the right direction for a few years now, but with yet another injury to the most important position on the field, St. Louis will likely find themselves at the bottom of this division.
Now you’re ready for some football….almost. I’ve previewed all 32 teams, but I haven’t yet given you my picks. Check back with Binge Media Sports as I give you my full season predictions leading all the way to the Super Bowl. Make sure to cast your votes (as soon as we get it fixed) in every division and check back each and every week to pick each and every game of the year. And as always, you can justify your picks in the comments section below or follow me and tell your friends to follow me and tweet @THElukenorris all season long.
Welcome back to Binge Media Sports as I continue my look at the upcoming 2014 NFL season. We’ve gotten halfway through with previews of teams from the East (click HERE) and teams from the North (click HERE). Today, we head to the South so let’s get to it.
HOUSTON TEXANS
LAST SEASON: 2-14, FINISHED 4TH IN THE AFC SOUTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The offensive talent is there. Arian Foster still has the potential to contend for the rushing title, but he also might catch a few more passes this season out of the backfield as Bill O’ Brien has changed up the offense. Houston also has one of the top receivers in the league in Andre Johnson. The question is who is going to get him the football. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been named the starter, but if he struggles, will the newly acquired Ryan Mallett get his chance. After years of backing up Tom Brady, you figure he had to learn something, right?
On the defensive side, the Texans have the best player in the league in defensive end J.J. Watt, who if you haven’t heard, just got a $100 million dollar extension. The hope is that he doesn’t turn into Albert Haynesworth and let the money go to his head. He’ll be joined by the overall number one pick, linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. There’s always an adjustment from college to the pros, but Clowney has the tools. I don’t see the Texans winning this division, but I’m quite certain that they’ll get more than the two wins they got last year.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
LAST SEASON: 11-5, WON THE AFC SOUTH, LOST IN DIVISIONAL ROUND TO THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2014 PREVIEW: Remember when the loss of Peyton Manning was supposed to set the Colts back by about six or seven years? Well, nobody told Andrew Luck. He’s got this team poised to make a deep playoff run in 2014. After an injury-plagued 2013, Reggie Wayne is still one of the smartest receivers in the league and should be healthy come Week 1. Hakeem Nicks will be looking to make a statement after being cut loose by the Giants, and T.Y. Hilton makes for a hell of a third option. Trent Richardson has to have a better season than he did last year, but he’ll be splitting time with Ahmad Bradshaw. Andrew Luck has options now, and that may lead to an MVP, maybe even a Super Bowl run.
The defense will have to pick it up, especially the first four games as Robert Mathis will be out to a failed PED test. But the addition of former Raven Arthur Jones brings more power to the front line. The secondary isn’t the strongest in the league, but even if they’re average, the offense may just pick up the slack anyway. The Colts are the clear favorite in this division.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
LAST SEASON: 4-12, FINISHED 3RD IN THE AFC SOUTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The Jags have added some offensive weapons at receiver in Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson to help out Cecil Shorts. For the time being, Chad Henne will be throwing them the ball, but he’s really just warming up the seat for the number three overall pick, Blake Bortles. The highly touted pick is still making his case to be the starter. They’ve got some interesting running options in Toby Gerhart and the versatile Denard Robinson. I’m not sure if this offense could be really good or really bad, but it will certainly be interesting to watch the progression.
Things are picking up on defense. They signed defensive end Red Bryant away from the Seahawks and he creates a ton of problems for the running game and also stole Chris Clemons, who can really attack the quarterback. The problem is that the rest of the team, while talented, is very young and are still a few years away from being dominant. The Jags are doing all the right things for the future, but it’s not in the cards for them to compete in 2014.
TENNESSEE TITANS
LAST SEASON: 7-9, FINISHED 2ND IN THE AFC SOUTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The quarterback situation is an interesting one in Tennessee. Jake Locker will be your Opening Day starter, but can he make it through an entire season? In three seasons, he’s started a total of 18 games. That kind of inconsistency will knock you out of the league pretty fast, so he needs a good year. Charlie Whitehurst is considered the backup for now, but sixth-round pick Zach Mettenberger out of LSU looked pretty good in the preseason. Whoever it may be, they’ll have decent, but not spectacular options to get the ball to in Justin Hunter, Nate Washington, and Kendall Wright.
Switching to a 3-4 this season, the defense will still struggle. There’s really no other way to say it. Outside of Jason McCourty on the outside, and Jurrell Casey on the inside, there’s really nothing to be overly hopeful about this year. The Titans were able to win seven games last year, but I don’t even know if they can reach that in 2014.
ATLANTA FALCONS
LAST SEASON: 4-12, FINISHED TIED FOR LAST IN THE NFC SOUTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: Last year certainly wasn’t what the Falcons had in mind. Injuries hindered Atlanta last year as Julio Jones went down after a few weeks, Roddy White was never at full strength, Steven Jackson missed quite a few games, and the list goes on and on. With all those pieces back and healthy for 2014, quarterback Matt Ryan looks to move the Falcons back in the right direction. Expect a little more potency on the offensive side of the ball.
The defense has the talent to be good, but it’s another case of youth. Cornerback Desmond Trufant is quietly becoming one of the most dangerous in the league, but he’s only in his second year, as is Robert Alford on the other side. And with underrated defensive end Jonathan Babineaux leading the front line, the Falcons should be improved. They’re in a very tough division, but should at least double their win total from a year ago.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
LAST SEASON: 12-4, WON THE NFC SOUTH, LOST DIVISIONAL ROUND TO THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
2014 PREVIEW: With the Falcons moving forward, the Panthers may take a step back this season. They surprised everyone with twelve wins last year as they won this tough division. But with the loss of many key players, including locker room leader Steve Smith, Cam Newton will really have to step up and take control of this team. He’s still a huge threat to run the ball, but at some point that will go away. Jonathan Stewart’s health may still be an issue and the receiving core is not what it was a year ago.
The Carolina defense, however, is very strong. At defensive end, you have Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy, who alone had 15 sacks last year. And if you don’t watch a lot of Panthers football, do yourself a favor and tune in just to watch middle linebacker Luke Kuechly. In only his third year, he’s become the model for what a middle linebacker should be. The secondary may be a little weaker, which doesn’t help in this division. Overall, the Panthers are going to have to work very hard to repeat what they did last year.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
LAST SEASON: 11-5, FINISHED 2ND IN THE NFC SOUTH, LOST DIV. ROUND TO THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2014 PREVIEW: The Saints are ready to go. Sure, they lost Darren Sproles to Philly, but Drew Brees still has plenty of weapons to work with, the first being his experience. He knows how to win in this league. Couple that with the amazing talent of tight end Jimmy Graham, target receiver Marques Colston, and Pierre Thomas out of the backfield, and you’ve got a recipe for putting up big yardage and big point totals.
Rob Ryan’s boys are starting to take a ton of pressure off of the offense. They don’t have a lot of household names on that side of the ball. Akiem Hicks is developing quite nicely, and they’ve got some speed on the inside, but the great thing about this defense is that they all work together in the schemes that Ryan gives them. The Saints will once again look to win this division.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
LAST SEASON: 4-12, FINISHED TIED FOR LAST IN THE NFC SOUTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: When Jay Cutler went down in Chicago, 35-year-old Josh McCown stepped in and played extremely well in his absence. He played so well that Tampa and new head coach Lovie Smith named him the new starter after he signed a two-year deal. He’ll certainly have to use his knowledge and experience to work with the young guys he has alongside him. Doug Martin is hoping to bounce back from injury and get back to his rookie year form, where he ran for nearly 1,500 yards. Rookie receiver Mike Evans will look to learn from Vincent Jackson, but will be another threat in this offense.
Lovie Smith has always been a defensive-minded coach. He’s got some decent talent to work with in Adrian Clayborn and Clinton McDonald, and let’s be honest. The Bucs have nowhere to go but up. If they can stay healthy, there’s a chance that they could go from worst to first. But with all the talent in this division, they’re really going to have to play to their best each and every week.
Almost home kids. Check back next time for previews of the AFC and NFC West, which includes the two participants from the Super Bowl, the Seahawks and the Broncos. I’ll also be looking at the 49ers, Cardinals, Rams, Chiefs, Chargers, and Raiders. Who do you have in the South divisions?. Let us know below or follow me and tweet @THElukenorris.
Welcome back to Binge Media Sports coverage of the 2014 NFL season. Last time, we looked at the teams in the AFC and NFC East divisions. If you missed it, click HERE. We’re still having some trouble with the voting option, but hopefully it will be fixed soon. Today, we’ll be covering the North divisions, so let’s get to it.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
LAST SEASON: 8-8, TIED FOR 2ND IN THE AFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: After a disappointing 2013, the Ravens look to get back on track and a few key free agent signings will give QB Joe Flacco more options. The running game was dreadful last year and if you haven’t heard, Ray Rice will miss the first two games of the season due to his suspension (don’t even get me started on that fiasco). Bernard Pierce will be the lead back in his absence. However, the offense this year may come through the air. The signing of longtime Panther Steve Smith is huge. If you’ve ever listened to him talk, then you know he thrives in situations in which people tell him he can’t do something. At 35, he’ll be looking to prove he’s got some gas left in the tank. With speedster Torrey Smith on the other side, and Owen Daniels and Dennis Pitts at the tight ends, you may see more passes this year from Flacco.
Baltimore fans are still getting used to not seeing Ray Lewis and Ed Reed dominating the defensive side of the ball, but the Ravens still have some good players. Terrell Suggs can still get to the quarterback and Elvis Dumervil is proving to be a nice pickup as well. Ravens football may look a little different these days, but I expect them to contend for this division.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
LAST SEASON: 11-5, WON THE AFC NORTH, LOST IN THE WILD CARD ROUND TO THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
2014 PREVIEW: So QB Andy Dalton got the big money contract. The question is whether or not he can live up to it. Don’t get me wrong, I think Dalton is a very efficient quarterback, but he’s not even close to being in that top tier. He’s also lost his offensive coordinator, Jay Gruden, who’s gone on to be the head coach in Washington, so he’ll have to learn a new system as well. A.J. Green is his best option to throw to, but I think this season, he’ll be handing the ball off a little more. Giovani Bernard is still young, but is very exciting to watch, and second-round pick Jeremy Hill will get his share of touches as well.
The defense is still very solid. However, much like the offense, they’ll have to get used to a new coordinator, as Mike Zimmer took the head coaching job in Minnesota. They’ve lost a few players to injury and free agency, but their 4-3 package is one of the best in football. The Bengals have made the playoffs for three straight seasons. If they can figure out all the new things they’re trying to do, they’ll be in a position to contend in this division.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
LAST SEASON: 4-12, FINISHED 4TH IN THE AFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The big question here is obvious. How many games will it take before Johnny Manziel takes over the starting quarterback job? While Brian Hoyer is more experienced, Manziel will continue to get the press. But no matter who the quarterback is, who are they throwing to? The talented yet moronic Josh Gordon is lost for the entire year due to another drug-related issue, leaving Miles Austin as perhaps the best option, and that’s if he can stay healthy. The run game is decent, however, with Ben Tate running behind a good offensive line.
The defense is going to have to try to keep the Browns in games. They’ve got a solid ground defense as Jabaal Sheard can get to the quarterback and Paul Kruger can stop the run. On the outside, you’ve got Joe Haden and rookie Justin Gilbert, but I just don’t think the Browns have enough quite yet. If they do improve upon the four wins they got last year, it won’t be by much.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
LAST SEASON: 8-8, FINISHED TIED FOR 2ND IN THE AFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: A .500 record doesn’t sit well with Steelers fans and I’m looking for Pittsburgh to get back to the smashmouth style that defined them for years. One of the reasons for that is that Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t have an upper level wideout to throw to. Antonio Brown is efficient enough, as is newly acquired Lance Moore, but I think they’ll rely heavy on Le’Veon Bell out of the backfield. I will say that Big Ben has become a lot smarter in the way he approaches a game, and it will certainly help this offense.
Always the staple in the Steel City, defense will play a big part in Pittsburgh’s success this season. Troy Polamalu is still the big name here, but others are vying for that top spot. Lawrence Timmons is proving to be a great linebacker, both against the run and the pass. They drafted Ryan Shazier from Ohio State, and Jarvis Jones is crazy athletic. Overall, I think the Steelers are well balanced, and their continuing rivalry with the Ravens should make this a very interesting division race.
CHICAGO BEARS
LAST SEASON: 8-8, FINISHED 2ND IN THE NFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: This is another case of the often criticized quarterback getting the big contract, and Bears fans seem to be torn on Jay Cutler. You can’t deny the big arm as it may be the strongest in football, and you can’t deny the weapons he has. Alshon Jeffery has become a dangerous threat, which should open the door for Brandon Marshall to play one-on-one a little more. Anchored by Kyle Long, the offensive line should give Cutler plenty of time to throw and provide some room for Matt Forte to sliver through. If these pieces can stay healthy, Chicago could have one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL.
The health issue was a major problem for the defense last year. D.J. Williams and Lance Briggs combined to start thirteen games last year, not what you want from your linebackers. The defensive line will have a completely different look to it, with the biggest signing being Jared Allen, who surprised everyone by accepting the Bears’ offer. Cornerback Charles Tillman can still produce on the outside and will look to mentor first-round pick Kyle Fuller. The Bears have the talent. The question will be if this is the year they can finally put it all together.
DETROIT LIONS
LAST SEASON: 7-9, FINISHED 3RD IN THE NFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: A new offensive system in Detroit will define the season for the Lions. They’re another team that has talented skill players. QB Matthew Stafford is still trying to live up to his full potential. Luckily, he has the best wide receiver in football to throw the ball to. Calvin Johnson remains the biggest threat in the NFL and combined with a solid 1-2 in the backfield in Reggie Bush and Joique Bell, the Lions will put up some points.
The problem they have is much like the problem the Dallas Cowboys have. They can’t stop anybody. Sure, Ndamukong Suh is a beast, albeit a dirty one, but until some of these first-round picks can learn how to play in this league, Detroit will hover around that .500 mark for a while.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
LAST SEASON: 8-7-1, WON THE NFC NORTH, LOST WILD CARD ROUND TO THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
2014 PREVIEW: As someone who roots for the Cowboys, but also pulls for Chicago, it pains me to say that the Packers are going to be really good. The Packers won the division last year, even with QB Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines for seven weeks with a broken collarbone. They did so by pounding the football with the surprising Eddie Lacy, who will become an even bigger force this season. All that’s going to do is open up the passing lanes for a fully healthy Rodgers. With Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb to get the ball to, expect an MVP type of season from Aaron Rodgers.
The defense should be pretty solid as well. They brought in Julius Peppers to fill a void at defensive end, and resigned cornerback Sam Shields to a hefty contract, and in this division, you need a great corner to match up with guys like Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall. As I said above, if the Bears can stay healthy, they’ll compete, but I still have to believe that the Packers are the slight favorite in this division.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
LAST SEASON: 5-10-1, FINISHED 4TH IN THE NFC NORTH
2014 PREVIEW: Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is going to have to wait his turn as he’ll spend his time with a clipboard watching Matt Cassel control this offense that has Adrian Petersen and not much else. Norv Turner is going to have to work some of his magic for this offense to thrive.
There’s not much to say about this Vikings defense either. Rookie linebacker Anthony Barr could be fun to watch, but do the names Linval Joseph, Fred Evans, and Sharrif Floyd really get Vikings fans excited? Expect another season like last year.
Okay, we’re halfway there. Next time we’ll be looking at teams from the South. So if you or someone you know is a fan of the Panthers, Saints, Falcons, Bucs, Colts, Titans, Jags, or Titans, make sure to check back with Binge Media Sports for all your NFL needs. When we’re up and running with the vote, who are you going with in the North? Let me know why @THElukenorris.
And here we go. Welcome to the first of a series of previews as Binge Media Sports coverage of the 2014 NFL season begins. Each preview will give you a look at eight teams, four from the AFC and four from the NFC. I’ll tell you how they did last season, followed by a quick look at the highlights (and lowlights for some) of the team this year. We are having some issues on the site with the voting options, but as soon as the boys sober up from Lawlapalooza, I’m hopeful we can get it taken care of. I’ve been told to leave the title of the poll up, so the plug-in team can see what they’re dealing with, so know that I’m not a moron and just forgot to list the teams. I may end up making the vote its own post later next week, so just keep checking in. But let’s move ahead with at least the previews. We’ll start today with the teams in the AFC and NFC East. Enjoy.
BUFFALO BILLS
LAST SEASON: 6-10, FINISHED 4TH IN THE AFC EAST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: Wide receiver Sammy Watkins is the biggest addition to a Buffalo (not Toronto, sorry Bon Jovi) team that is still looking to break through just to get to .500. It’s been almost a decade since they’ve done that. The question remains whether or not last year’s first round pick, QB EJ Manuel can get Watkins the ball. He’s still got some improving to do, but a nice 1-2 running back combo in CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson may open up the field a bit.
The defense is on the rise. CB Stephen Gilmore comes back from a broken wrist and could very well become a top corner in the entire NFL if he can play to potential. On the line, they’re still waiting for the Mario Williams signing to pan out, but the real beast is Kyle Williams. He’s made three of the last four Pro Bowls and d0uble teams on him could allow everybody else to step it up.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
LAST SEASON: 8-8, FINISHED TIED FOR 2ND IN THE AFC EAST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The Dolphins are looking to get beyond the Richie Incognito drama that plagued them last year. They’ve started that process by completely overhauling the offensive line to protect QB Ryan Tannehill, who got knocked around in the 2013 campaign. WR Brian Hartline seems to have become his favorite target, even though they still have Mike Wallace, who still has to be laughing at all the money he was given. A new system that allows Tannehill to move around a little more should help everybody.
The defense is the strong suit of this team. A solid line that includes Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon, who finished with 11 1/2 sacks in just his second year, mixed with a decent secondary should keep Miami near the playoff hunt throughout the season.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
LAST SEASON: 12-4, WON THE AFC EAST, LOST AFC CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE DENVER BRONCOS
2014 PREVIEW: Even with the hodgepodge of receivers he had to work with last year, QB Tom Brady still led the Pats to the second best record in the AFC and a spot in the AFC Championship, eventually losing to rival Peyton Manning. It seems that no matter who they put on the field, they find a way to get things done. If the injuries can remain limited, especially to Shane Vereen and Rob Gronkowski, the offense should be very sharp.
The dangerous thing about New England this season is the upgrade on the defensive side of the football, the biggest addition being perennial All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis, who signed after a very short time in Tampa. He can change the way an entire offense plays, which may help if they run into the Broncos again in the playoffs. I’ll go ahead and cast my vote here. The Patriots will win this division and are a strong contender for the Super Bowl. (How happy did I just make Jack?)
NEW YORK JETS
LAST SEASON: 8-8, FINISHED TIED FOR 2ND IN THE AFC EAST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: J.E.T.S., J.E.T.S., J.E.T.S., JETS, JETS, JETS!!!!! That’s about as excited as anyone can get about the green and white this season. Sure, they brought in some big names to fill the back page in Michael Vick and Chris Johnson, but neither are anywhere near their prime. Instead, Jets fans get Geno Smith and Chris Ivory, who just aren’t ready to compete for this division.
The defense doesn’t help much. Muhammad Wilkerson is a monster and 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year Sheldon Richardson is up and coming, but the secondary is atrocious. They’ll squeak out four or five wins, but is that enough to save Rex Ryan’s job again?
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Before I write anything, just know that I root for the Dallas Cowboys, but I’m still a professional, so I’ll still talk about the positive aspects of the other teams that I despise so much in this division. I just wanted you all to know how painful it is for me. Let’s continue.
DALLAS COWBOYS
LAST SEASON: 8-8, FINISHED 2ND IN THE NFC EAST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The offense is there. Bash Tony Romo all you like, but the guy puts up numbers. TE Jason Witten may be the most consistent player on this team and maybe one of the most consistent in the league. Year after year, he continues to produce. The maturity of wideout Dez Bryant has made him one of the best receivers in football, and he could have his best year yet. RB DeMarco Murray could be an All-Pro if he could only stay healthy, but that’s a really big if. Throw in arguably the best offensive line in the league, and the Cowboys could put up 35 a game.
The problem is that they’ll give up 36. After the worst year in franchise history on that side of the ball, something has to change. Just when the offense would do something great, the defense would do something equally awful to hinder any momentum. Throw in the fact that DeMarcus Ware moved to Denver, and there could be real trouble in Big D. People have been waiting for years for this team to realize its potential, and we may have to continue to wait. The talent is there, but the coaching is not. As a fan, I hope they surprise me, but if I had any big money to throw around, the easiest bet in football right now is an 8-8 finish.
NEW YORK GIANTS
LAST SEASON: 7-9, FINISHED 3RD IN THE NFC EAST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The Giants are moving to a West Coast offense. What? After ten years of playing in a system, Eli Manning looks to bounce back after a dreadful 2013. It will be interesting to see if this new style can limit his interception total. He’s got some good receivers in Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle to get the ball to.
The defense could go either way depending on injuries. Jason Pierre-Paul is getting older and didn’t have a great year last year, so he’ll be looking to get the defensive line back on track. They didn’t get to the quarterback much last year, which you have to do in this division. The secondary isn’t spectacular, but can be very efficient. But here’s the thing about New York. Every time I count them out, they end up going on a run and sneaking into the playoffs. We’ll see if the new schemes can get them back on track.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
LAST SEASON: 10-6, WON THE NFC EAST, LOST IN THE WILD CARD ROUND TO THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
2014 PREVIEW: Head coach Chip Kelly surprised everyone last year by making a smooth transition to the NFL. He won’t be able to sneak up on teams anymore, but they’re still going to be very good. Quarterback Nick Foles became a star last year, yes you read that right. In his ten starts, he threw for 27 touchdowns while only throwing 2 picks. Mix that kind of passing efficiency with a strong 1-2 punch at running back and you’ve got a recipe to win football games. LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles can change an entire game with the ability to run and catch passes out of the backfield. Look for this offense to score a ton of points.
The defense isn’t terrible either. It could certainly be better, but part of the reason that they give up so many yards is because the offense scores so quickly. But some free agent signings like Malcolm Jenkins and the improvement on the corners of Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams could move them in the right direction. The Eagles have to be considered the favorite in this division. (I just threw up in my mouth a little.)
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
LAST SEASON: 3-13, FINISHED 4TH IN THE NFC EAST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The biggest topic in the offseason was actually just the team name itself. On the field, all eyes will obviously be on Robert Griffin III. New head coach Jay Gruden is looking to limit how much RG3 runs the ball, but we’ll have to wait and see if that becomes a reality. He’s a hell of an athlete, but he’s got to learn how to throw the football. Former Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson gives him another option opposite Pierre Garcon. Injury will always be a question for Griffin, but they’ve got a great backup in Kirk Cousins, who may still end up on another team.
Defensively, the ‘Skins need to improve. There’s really no other way to say it. The numbers aren’t as bad as the rival Cowboys’, but something needs to change. They take a ton of chances on defense and have a tendency to get burned. I think they’ll get more than the three wins they got last year, but not by much.
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8 down, 24 to go. Next time I’ll take a look at the North Divisions, so I know my loyal Illinois readers will be excited about the Bears preview, but I’ll also be looking at the Packers, Lions, Vikings, Bengals, Steelers, Ravens, and Browns. There will certainly be plenty to discuss with those teams. Again, I really hope our voting system gets fixed quickly and I’ll let you know as soon as it does. If you want to leave a vote in the comments section, feel free to do so and we can punch it in later, and I know I’ll have at least one Pats vote (yes, Jack, I’m talking to you). But if you’re thinking upsets or otherwise, let me know below or follow me and tweet @THElukenorris.
As of this writing both of my fantasy drafts this year are in the books. This, being year 2 of my fantasy football life, was a much stronger draft than last year. For instance, I took my boy Tom Brady in the first round last year. Yep, I know. As such, I had a format this year, stuck to it and was rewarded because of it. I lucked out and got first pick of the draft, had to take my boy LeSean. He was my go-to horse last year and the fact that I lucked out and grabbed him in both of my teams this year is fantastic. I am flirting with the idea of dropping Brandon LaFell and picking up Josh Gordon, just in case that suspension gets lifted at some point, but we’ll have to see what happens. Fellow Bingers, whaddayathink (looking at you, Norris)?
So this fantastic thing is happening where I want a few years for a show to blossom, then pick it up once it’s hit its stride and fall in love with it. Such is the case with Parks and Rec. I was a big fan of The Office when it was airing, up until about Season 5 where things really dipped off. I tuned in for Michael Scott’s last episode and then came back again for the series finale, but felt ultimately that show just went on too long. Having said that, Parks and Rec just looked like an unoriginal ripoff of a show that was a remake of another show.
I’m glad to say that while this show is most definitely trying to capitalize on that format it does have its own identity and style. In fact, I would say that if one were to stop watching The Office around Season 5 and then pick up Parks and Rec, you’d have a better time than hanging around to the end of The Office. Ron Swanson is a solid Dwight Schrute stand-in with some fantastic comedic timing, Aziz Ansari is perfect as a doucebag and any time Louis CK shows up in anything, no matter how terrible, it gets some respect. I’m almost finished with Season 2 and will continue watching in between episodes of another show I’m currently hooked on…
Yes, if you listened to the Binge Cast this week you know I’ve jumped back into The Wire for viewing #3. How am I feeling about this? Well, The Wire is such a dense story that I often forget how amazing it is. I fully admit I’ve never been able to get through The Sopranos. I think I tapped out somewhere at the start of Season 3 and never went back, a lot of which has to do with the fact that it couldn’t compare to The Wire. Still criminally underrated by comparison, it is really impressive how well the tone and theme of this show holds up today. To see someone tackle the failure of the American dream in such a logical, concise and unforgiving way makes this, in my estimation, the greatest TV drama ever made, even though I still would probably call Breaking Bad my favorite. Without going into details, Season 1, once again, delivered at every turn. I’ve always loved the way the series opens on the story about Snot Boogie with McNulty, and how that story compares to the rest of the season. It’s a great conversation that doesn’t wait to let you in on what’s going on, but rather challenges you as an audience member to pay attention and invest in this story. Moreno and I will have some commentaries for you soon, so keep an ear out for those, as well as our daily blogs and this week’s Strain commentary. Check out the video below for some footage of Kupka when he was younger and, as always, Binge On!
