NFL

2012 NCAA Tournament: South Bracket Picks 2012 NCAA Tournament: South Bracket First Round No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 16 Western Kentucky Not that it really matters, but I like Western Kentucky to beat Mississippi Valley State in the “opening round.” Western Kentucky has a sub-.500 record, but it has played much better since the school…

2012 NCAA Tournament: Final Four Picks 2012 NCAA Tournament: Semi-Finals No. 1S Kentucky vs. No. 1W Michigan State I have three ones and a two here. Sorry for picking all chalk, but as I mentioned, all of the sleeper teams I liked (Memphis, St. Louis, Wichita State) were seeded poorly. I’d have no problem picking…

2012 NCAA Tournament: West Bracket Picks 2012 NCAA Tournament: West Bracket First Round No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 16 Long Island I was born and raised in Philadelphia, yet I never made a single trip into the state of New York. That’s why I’m picking Michigan State. 2012 NCAA Tournament Pick: No. 1 Michigan…

Strengths: Brute force in the trenches Makes plays behind the line of scrimmage Ability to collapse the pocket Power to push linemen aside Strength to hold ground against drive blockers Good pad level Disruptive Quick first step Plus athletic ability Has speed and power Strong pass-rusher Powerful bull rush Flexible to play nose tackle or…

Strengths: Secure, accurate shotgun snapper Quickness and athleticism Moves well laterally Ability to mirror speed rushers Quick feet Good knee bend Agile Phenomenal initial quickness to get to blocks off snap Plus athletic ability Mature Solid run blocker Gets to blocks on the second level Flexible to play any blocking scheme Reliable Ready to play…

Top Fantasy Quarterbacks: Tom Brady: 27-of-41, 276 yards. 2 TDs, 1 INT. Eli Manning: 30-of-40, 296 yards. 1 TD. Top Fantasy Running Backs: Ahmad Bradshaw: 17 carries, 72 yards. 2 catches, 19 rec. yards. 1 TD. Danny Woodhead: 60 total yards. 1 TD. Top Fantasy Receivers: Aaron Hernandez: 8 catches, 67 yards. 1 TD. Hakeem…

Strengths: Powerful jam Physical with receivers Adept at re-routing/disrupting timing of plays Strong Good tackler Gritty Intelligence Strong run defender Natural fit as a zone corner Understands zone concepts and landmarks Good at breaking up passes Reliable Weaknesses: Tight hips Didn’t produce interceptions Needs to improve recoverability Football speed? Must get more composure Can be…

2012 Offseason Quarterback Predictions Updated March 7, 2012 Follow me @walterfootball It’s another offseason, which means a number of teams will be searching for quarterbacks. Here are my predictions for how each quarterback-needy team will address the position this spring, in 2012 NFL Draft order (excluding the obvious Colts): Cleveland Browns: Sign Matt Flynn Everyone…