Buffalo Bills 2015 Season Preview

The Buffalo Bills won nine games last season and just when you thought things might be on the upswing, head coach Doug Marrone quit over the winter.  These are Bills...  That could have been a huge hit to the team but I think the Bills turned that around with the hiring of former Jets head coach Rex Ryan.  I like him on many fronts.  While his 46-50 head coaching record isn't great, and it is what it is, he brings something to this team.  First he did take the New York Jets to the AFC Championship two years in a row after taking over as coach.  Yes those were his best two seasons.  Still he brings a big personality to the team.  This is something the team has lacked forever.  Will it win them any games?  Probably not but it is still a positive.  This is a guy who can have some fun while still understanding the pressures of running an NFL team. 

The offense should be better than last year.  It has to be, right?  It was pretty bad as EJ Manuel still hasn't developed into an NFL starting quarterback and the Bills had to go with veteran Kyle Orton in 2014 but has since retired.  Buffalo did pick up Matt Cassel to compete for the job.  It still doesn't look like Ryan knows who his starter will be but I'm betting he'll go with Cassel if Manuel hasn't clearly shown he is the guy.  Running back sees a huge upgrade with the trade for LeSean McCoy.  He is a durable stud who should produce in both the rushing and receiving games.  If healthy, Fred Jackson will be the more than capable backup.  Receivers Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and new tight end Charles Clay anchor the receiving corps.  The biggest questions will be on the offensive line.  Hopefully it can be better than last year.  This will be key to what was a horrible rushing attack and whoever the quarterback will be.  The good news is the offense was so bad you'd think it would have to improve this year.  I think the additions of McCoy and Clay will help.  I just don't know what the quarterback position will bring.  If nothing else Cassel is a capable quarterback with a 96-70 TD to interception rate and has won 10 games with two different teams.  I'm definitely in a wait and see mode when it comes to the QB.  It has been way too long since we've had a capable signal caller.

The defense was really good last year.  Fourth in the NFL in scoring allowed, third in passing yards allowed, sixth in interceptions and first in sacks.  This defense is the real deal with the defensive line, linebackers and defensive backs all playing well.  They are anchored by defensive end Mario Williams, tacles Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams, and cornerback Leodis McKelvin.  I don't know if they can be better than last year but there is no reason to think they can't be just as good.

Overall there is no reason to think this team can't be better than last year's.  The defense is excellent and the additions on offense should make a difference.  Unfortunately the unsettled quarterback position is probably the key to how the season plays out.  The schedule isn't an easy one but again their top notch defense should keep them in games.  Hopefully Rex Ryan won't disappoint and can get something out of Cassel or Manuel.  I'm thinking 9 wins is doable.  With good quarterback play they can get to 10 wins and compete for a playoff spot.  That may sound like I'm being overly optimistic but I am a Bills fan...

2015 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview

If nothing else this year should be fun for Michigan Wolverines' football.  It may not be fun for the football team or new coach Jim Harbaugh but it should be for everyone else.  While expectations are not too high this year, Michigan fans and the media will always expect more and everyone is excited for this year as Jim Harbaugh helms the team for the first time at his alma mater.  First the hiring of Harbaugh is a win.  He was immensely successful at Stanford and with the San Francisco 49ers.  While this may not equate to many wins in the immediate future it should help the Wolverines compete as well as bode well for the future.  I'm excited just for the excitement factor he brings.  Hopefully it will translate into a few wins. 

Quarterback will be Harbaugh's biggest task as Shane Morris battles Jake Rudock, a trasfer from Iowa, and a highly touted true freshmen.  Whoever wins the quarterback battle, they aren't expected to put up huge numbers which could hurt the team's progress this year.  The running game should be ok while the line does have issues.  So while the 112th ranked offense should be better this year it is hard to say how much better.  Each position will have to get better as there is not once group that can carry the others. 

The defense was very good last year.  Twenty-four of twenty-nine defensive players return this year which can only be a good thing.  The defense also adds freshman safety Jabrill Peppers who should be able to make an impact this year.  They will run both 4-3 and 3-4 sets this year.  I like teams that can do that successfully.  Hopefully this team can build on last year's success with the new schemes.  With the offense still an enigma the defense will have to be good keep the team in games. 

Overall I think this team should be happy with eight wins if they can get there.  Harbaugh won't be happy with that but he never is.  Hopefully his intensity and excitement rubs off on the players.  If so they could definitely get to a .500 record.  Their schedule is not that tough so there is hope.  I won't be too disappointed if they don't get to eight wins.  This about the future and hoping Harbaugh can return the Wolverines to national prominence. 

Baseball Hall of Fame Selections: Craig Biggio

Craig Biggio goes in to the hall of fame on his third try.  He had the magic 3,000 hits but may not have been that dominant player many look for when electing a player to the hall of fame.  He did go to seven all-star games but was never an MVP and didn't lead the league in any of the sexy categories.  Still he did get 3,000 hits, ended up 5th all-time on the doubles list, won four gold gloves, and finished second all-time in hit by pitches.  He also played his entire career with Houston which is not easy to do and did so during the great run the Astros made in the 2000's including making it to the World Series once.  I think he is well deserved of this honor.  He got 3,000 hits which is a magic number and has to be looked at for what it is.  Not all players do it the same way.  He deserved this and I'm happy he made it in.  

Baseball Hall of Fame Selections: John Smoltz

One of my all-time favorite Braves, John Smoltz, was elected to the hall of fame with 82% of the vote.  Smoltzy was a difficult candidate to gauge due to his dual role as a starter and a reliever.  He goes in as the only pitcher with 150 saves and 200 wins.  Like Pedro Martinez he didn't have the automatic numbers but I'll say that when I saw him I definitely thought hall of famer.  He played 21 seasons ending with a 3.33 ERA and over 3,000 strikeouts.  He was selected to eight all-star games and won one Cy Young award.  I really believed it might take a few year for Smoltz to be elected so this was a surprise.  He was a huge part of all those Braves teams that went to post season after post season for 15 years.  And when they needed a closer he said yes, reluctantly, and was dominant in his three years in that role.  In the post season he was just as good posting a 15 and 4 record in 209 innings with a 2.67 ERA.  As a Braves fan I couldn't be happier and I'm especially happy for Smoltz. 

Baseball Hall of Fame Selections: Pedro Martinez

Next in my look at those players recently voted into the baseball hall of fame is Pedro Martinez.  Pedro was another dominant pitcher though he didn't put up the gaudy numbers Johnson did.  Still he was about as dominant a hurler as there ever was in seven years from 1997 through 2003.  He ended his career with a .687 winning percentage, 3,154 strikeouts, and a career 2.97 ERA.  I'm glad voters didn't get hung up on his lack of total win numbers while voting him in with 91% of the vote. He had three Cy Young wins as well as eight all-star game appearances.  Pedro helped Boston win their first World Series championship in a gazillion years cementing himself as a Red Sox legend.  He is also famous for his "bout" with New York Yankees' coach Don Zimmer.  More funny than fight but people will always look back at that as a classic Yankees-Red Sox moment.  And of course Pedro had those jerry curls...  Very happy to see Pedro go in.  Well deserved. 

2015 Baseball Hall of Fame Selections: Randy Johnson

With baseball spring training coming up very soon I want to look at the new Baseball Hall of Famers who were named recently to be enshrined in Cooperstown.  This is a great class and I'm excited for each of them.  Randy Johnson was a no brainer.  Twenty-two years, 303 wins, 3.29 ERA, and 4,875 strikeouts.  He was selected to 10 all-star games and won five Cy Young awards.  He also added a World Series MVP while helping Arizona win their only title to date.  Definitely one of those guys who deserved 100% of the vote (he received 97.3%).  My favorite Johnson  moment was in an all-star game where a pitch got loose unnerving batter John Kruk.  On the next pitch Kruk bailed before the pitch ever came close to the plate.  It was great fun though Johnson as he was anytime he was on the mound wasn't in the mood to laugh.