Sports

Who will the Houston Texans draft at Number 1?- Sports Talk with the Straight Shuter

May 5, 2014 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Who will the Houston Texans draft at Number 1?- Sports Talk with the Straight Shuter

by Jesse Shuter

Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of http://image.123tagged.com/images/h/houston_texans_wallpaper-29894.jpg

With the NFL draft fast approaching the question on everyone’s mind is, who is going to go first? The Houston Texans are the proud, or embarassed (depending on the way you look at it) owners of the first overall pick in the draft. Similar to the 2012 Indianapolis Colts, they are actually a pretty solid team, they just need a quarterback. Unlike the Colts, there is no easy no brainer top notch quarterback in the draft this year. The best player in the draft is South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the Texans already have the best defensive end in football in JJ Watt. The next best players are Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins, Buffalo outside linebacker Khalil Mack, and Auburn offensive tackle, Greg Robinson. The Texans could use any and all of these men, but do not need one the same way that that they desperately require a new quarterback. This leaves the Texans with four options:

1) Draft Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney is clearly the top player, the Texans might be able to trade up and even wait for a quarterback in the second round, but there is no other player like Clowney. With Clowney across from Watt, the Texans would have the best and scariest pass rush in all of football, and would completely dominate on defense. The Texans are no stranger to taking a defensive end first overall as they did with now Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams.

2) Draft a Quarterback

At this point this seems to be the least likely option of the four. The top quarterbacks in this draft are Texas A&M’s Johnny “Johnny Football” Manziel, USF’s Blake Bortles, and Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater. At this point the only two I could see the Texans taking are Manziel and Bortles, and both of these men come with a huge risk factor. It would be a shame and a waste if they pass on Clowney, and take one of these men and they end up being a complete bust (which has happened to the Texans before with now free agent quarterback David Carr).

3) Draft a Different Top Prospect

The Texans have expressed interest in Khalil Mack, and could even be interested in Sammy Watkins here. Both of these men fill more of a need than Jadeveon Clowney, although may not be as talented, as Clowney has the very possibility of being the most elite defensive player in all of football.

4) Trade the Pick Away

This is looking more and more like what the Texans would love to do, although at the same time it is looking less and less likely to happen. The Texans have expressed interest in Khalil Mack, Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles, and would be open to a trade so that they can grab one and stockpile extra draft picks in the process. The problem is, no one want to give the Texans their picks since this is one of the deepest most talented draft classes in ages, and perhaps ever.

Photo courtesy of http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2014/0224/nfl_a_clowneyj_600x400.jpg

My Advice: Option 1, take Clowney. A player like this doesn’t come around every day, this would give the Texans the best pass rush in the league, and they can draft someone in the second round. Who knows maybe the quarterback they get end up being a star. At the very least they still have quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick who can hold them over until next year.

The Penn Relays

April 30, 2014 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

This weekend The University of Pennsylvania hosted the 120th annual track and field carnival, The Penn Relays. The Penn relays are series of local, national ,and international track and field events that take place over a three day period at Penn’s Franklin Field.

The stands of Franklin field were pack with fans. There were Jamaican high school and professional athletes competing in the event, and their were many cheering fans sporting Jamaican colors green and yellow.

All kinds of athletes compete in this track meet. From local high school runners to world class olympians. Many of the events are relay races, such as the 4×100 meters, 4×200 meters, 4×400 meters, 4×800 meters, 4x one mile and sprint and distance medley relays. There are also individual races, and field events such as pole vault, triple jump, long jump, high jump discus, shot put and javelin.

Many famous athletes have competed in the Penn Relays, such as Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix. The 2014 Penn Relays marked the fiftieth anniversary of Jamaican High schools competing in the Relays, they have been competing their since.

History was made at the 2014 Penn Relays. Many meet records were broken. The University of Texas broke the Penn Relays college women’s 4×400 meter record with a time of 3:25.05. Keturah Orji broke the women’s triple jump record with a 43-10.5. Andrew Hunter broke the Penn Relays and U.S. high school sophomore record in the 3,000 meters in 8:16.31, and Thomas Awad ran a 3:58.34 in the men’s Olympic Development Mile, making him the second student from University of Penn to run a sub four minute mile.

High schools and colleges from all over competed in the relays. During the fiftieth anniversary of Jamaican high schools first competing, four Jamaican high schools won relay events, Jamaica college in the boys 4×100 in 39.72, St. Jago in the boys 4×400 in 3:11.73, Calabar in the boys 4×800 in 7:37.36, and Edwin Allen in the girls 4×100 in 44.70 and in the girls 4×400 in 3:34.76. The University of Oregon mens team, one of the U.S’s best college running teams won both the 4xmile in 16:09.67 and the distance medley relay in 9:25.40.

Local schools from Pennsylvania also did well. Villanova won four relay events, the women’s 4×800 in 8:21.49, the women’s 4×1500 in 17:16.52, the women’s distance medley relay in 10:57.35, and the men’s 4×800 in 7:16.58. Local high schools also did well, West Chester Henderson won the high school boys distance medley relay in 10:03.77.

The Penn Relays also feature international competition in the U.S.A vs. the World Relays. The U.S.A won four of the six events, the men’s 4×100 in 38.57, the men’s distance medley relay in 9:28.27, the women’s 4×400 in 3:25.62, and the women’s sprint medley relay in 3:27.94.

The Penn Relays is a big exciting track meet, where athletes from around the world compete. It is also an historic event of The University of Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia.

Link to Penn Relays results and information

Franklin field, courtesy of runnerspace.com

Flyers Down…..But Not Out- Sports Talk With the Straight Shuter

April 28, 2014 by lpahomov 1 Comment

Flyers Down…..But Not Out- Sports Talk With the Straight Shuter

by Jesse Shuter

Staff Writer

Photo courtest of http://www.greatermediaphiladelphia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/975-the-fanatic-home-of-the-flyers-1170×600-1170×450.jpg

The Philadelphia Flyers have been battling the New York Rangers in the playoffs for a total of five games now in the first round of the 2014 NHL Playoffs. After the game sunday, the Rangers lead the series 3-2. That means that the Flyers will be once again trying to tie the series at home on tuesday the 29th of April.

The Flyers are in a bad situation because, had they won on sunday, they could win the series at home. Now the best case scenario is that they win at home on tuesday. Then they would have to win in New York, which they have only done once in the last eleven attempts, for them to win the series.

The Flyers biggest issues in the past, have been defense and goaltending. The interesting thing is that these are not their problems this time around. In fact one could argue that there goalie and defense situation is as good as it has been all season long. The issue is their offense. The Flyers get a lot of scoring chances that they fail to convert on. Some chances are even easy shots that players should be able to make, and stupid mistakes cost them the goal, and therefore them game.

Recently, many people have said that thing that the flyers are lacking is another all star forward. Many teams have there one-two punch of two incredible players that make their teams phenomenal. The Pittsburgh Penguins, for example, have Sidney Crosby (booooo) and Evgeni Malkin (booooo). The Chicago Blackhawks have Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. The Flyers have Claude Giroux and………..who else?

With forwards like Brayden Schenn, Sean Couturier, Jakub Voracek, Scott Hartnell, Wayne Simmonds, Vincent Lecavlier, etc. the Flyer have a pretty stacked core of forwards. But I agree that they need there star. The Flyer like to pass the puck. They like to pass the puck a lot, and sometimes that’s great, it sets them up for a goal. Other times, they pass and pass and no one scores and they lose. If they had an Alex Ovechkin, or Steve Stamkos, someone that they can get the puck to and trust them to fire the shot for a goal. That would be a Stanley Cup championship team. So now I have good news and bad news for Flyers fans. Bad news first, I don’t see a Steve Stamkos in our immediate future. The good news, the Flyers are still a Stanley Cup Caliber team without one.

Anyone that watches the Flyers will agree with me that lately the Flyers have been playing there best when they are down. That’s great, that means I am very confident we can win at home one tuesday. The Flyers then need to figure out how to translate that fighting power they get when they are desperate to a game where they are not in fact desperate for points. If they can do that, they can win it all.

Eagle Mock Draft- Sports Talk with the Straight Shuter

April 11, 2014 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Image Courtesy of http://image.cdn.ispot.tv/ad/7TFS/nfl-network-super-bowl-2014-scouting-combine-ft-deion-sanders-large-2.jpg

As a Philadelphia sports fan I have a ridiculous amount of interest in the Philadelphia Eagles, and by extension what they do in the NFL Draft. With this being head coach Chip Kelly’s second year, he now has established himself as the leader of this team, which also means he has a plan. Every head coach has a plan, but usually a coach doesn’t know what to expect in their first year, therefore Chip Kelly now knows what to do, and how to do it.

Round 1: 22nd Overall Pick

Justin Gilbert (Cornerback) Oklahoma State

Justin Gilbert is my favorite person in this draft. There is a very real, very likely chance that he is not available when the Eagles pick. However, the recent reports are that Gilbert has struggled with separating too much from wide receivers in game, I am not concerned, but NFL teams will be. In his latest mock draft ESPN draft expert Todd McShay, has him going 25th overall to the San Diego Chargers. This would obviously mean that the Eagles are passing on him. If he is indeed available at the Eagles pick and they don’t draft him………..AHHHHHHHHHH!

Round 2: 42 Overall Pick (From Buffalo Bills for Bryce Brown (Running back) and 5th Round Pick

Allen Robinson (Wide Receiver) Penn State

This is what everyone wanted to see! Now Washington Redskins’ wide receiver DeSean Jackson’s replacement does not come in the first round as many people expect, but in the second round. Allen Robinson reminds me of Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall. He is big, he has great hands, and he runs great routes. The downside to Robinson is his speed, but if he can produce for Penn State, I am certain he can produce for the Eagles. The only scenario I see different here is if the Eagles choose to go for Cody Latimer of Indiana or Jordan Matthews of Vanderbilt.

Round 2: 54 Overall Pick

Kyle Van Noy (Linebacker) BYU

The best part about the trade is that the Eagles manage to keep their own second round pick, which they can use on defense. I love Kyle Van Noy, I personally think he belongs in the first round, which is why once again he may not make it back to the Eagles, but the great thing is, since the Eagles have that other second round pick in this scenario, they could take Van Noy higher if they feel he may not make it back to them, and draft Jordan Matthews here.

Round 3: 86 Overall

Deonne Buccanon (Safety) Washington State

Buccanon is a very solid safety with excellent coverage skills. Yet another blessing pick for the Eagles, Buccanon is in my opinion one of the five safeties in the draft. After this pick the Eagles’ draft would officially be a success as every area of need is addressed, and addressed well. Now we get to start having fun.

Round 4: 122 Overall

Jeff Janis (Wide Receiver) Saginaw Valley State

Who is Jeff Janis, and where is Saginaw Valley State? Both very valid questions. Jeff Janis is a wide receiver prospect that exploded at the NFL scouting combine, very few people know who he is because after getting injured in high school, he went from a five star recruit to a nobody. Now, Jeff Janis has exploded back into the world of football, however his fame was brief as once again no one knows who he is. He is basically a faster and more explosive Eric Decker, who is a wide receiver for the New York Jets. This means that Janis is an above average number two receiver but not a great number one receiver. In the fourth round this would be an awesome pick.

Round 7: 237 Overall

Wesley Johnson (Offensive Lineman) Vanderbilt

Wesley Johnson is basically everything and anything on the offensive line. The Eagles might draft him in the seventh round so that they have insurance in case of injury to one of their offensive lineman.

If the Eagles follow this draft, look for them to be real contenders in 2014.

5 NFL Trades That Should Happen- Sports Talk with the Straight Shuter

April 4, 2014 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

5 NFL Trades That Should Happen- Sports Talk with the Straight Shuter

by Jesse Shuter

Staff Writer

NFL stands for National Football League. It is also known as the No Fun League, No Fair League, and many other names. My personal favorite is Not For Long. This is because the NFL is ever changing and always exciting. Trades are happening in football much more lately, and I love it. Change is fun, sometimes it stinks at first, but it always ends up making the game more exciting.

Now I want to start by saying that there is almost no chance of these trades happening. I am not delusional, I just think that they should happen, and would be fun to see.

Trade #1:

The Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson, Running Back and a 2014 4th Round Draft Pick

For

The New Orleans Saints: Mark Ingram, Running Back, Akiem Hicks, Defensive End, and a 2014 2nd Round Draft Pick

Woah, did I really just trade star and future hall of famer Adrian Peterson from his beloved Vikings. Yes…..I did. Peterson as you may have noticed just turned 29 years old and is exiting his prime. Now obviously he will still be a star, and it is great for contending teams to have a star workhorse running back. The Minnesota Vikings are not a contending team, and even if Peterson has three or four more great years, there is no way that the Vikings can win the Super Bowl in that time. They need to rebuild and who better to rebuild with than a 24 year old proven running back in Mark Ingram, who can replace the huge void left by Peterson, and 24 year old defensive end Akiem Hicks who can replace the void left by unrestricted free agent, now Chicago Bear, Jared Allen. The 2nd round pick helps a lot too. Meanwhile, the Saints who are on the cusp of a Championship, want to win now, while star quarterback Drew Brees is still throwing as good as anyone. Peterson is the difference between them and the championship. If this trade happened, not only could the Saints challenge the ex-champion Seattle Seahawks, but I could easily argue that they are better. It is also a relatively low asking price considering what you are getting Peterson. Not to mention Peterson gets to contend for the championship he deserves.

Trade #2:

The Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald

for

The Oakland Raiders: Denarious Moore and a 2014 2nd Round Pick

Hey, another franchise star says goodbye, in the world of the Straight Shuter. Larry Fitzgerald is declining and who better to take on a declining receiver that costs a lot of money than the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are trying to contend once again, but that isn’t going to happen if Matt Schaub has no one to throw the ball to. The Raiders Receivers quickly become 1: Fitzgerald, 2: James Jones, 3: Rod Streater. That looks pretty awesome to me. All they have to do is part with Moore and a pick. Meanwhile the Cardinals, get rid of a big contract, and get Moore to replace Andre Roberts who they lost in free agency. They can then use their first round pick on a receiver since the class is so deep, and all of a sudden they are fine, and they have tons of extra cash lying around.

Trade #3:

The New England Patriots: Stevan Ridley, Running Back

for

The Indianapolis Colts: Trent Richardson, Running Back

Both of these gentlemen require a change of scenery. Ridley continues to fumble to football and is quickly becoming a nuisance to Bill Belichick. He has talent, he just needs a new place where he can be utilized. The Colts meanwhile had traded for Richardson last year with their first round pick after his unbelievable rookie season. On the Colts he was an absolute bust. Belichick would love the opportunity to work with Richardson and fix him, the only problem with this trade is that the Colts may not be ready to give up on Trent.

Trade #4:

The Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Carr, Cornerback

for

The Houston Texans: NFL 3rd Round Pick, and Ricky Sapp, Linebacker

Ever since the Cowboys signed Brandon Carr, he went from elite to okay. Last time he was elite was on the Kansas City Chiefs under head coach Romeo Crennel, now Crennel is the defensive coordinator for the Texans. Carr could then re-establish himself as an elite corner. The Cowboys can use the extra pick to rebuild their flailing defense. They could add a replacement corner in the first or even the second round with how deep this draft is. Ricky Sapp, in my opinion is a very underrated player especially considering how few people actually even know who he is. I think given the right opportunity he can prove himself to be a solid starter, and even if he can’t the cowboys can use him when Sean Lee inevitably gets hurt.

Trade # 5

The Philadelphia Eagles: Evan Mathis, Offensive Guard and Bryce Brown, Running Back

for

The Buffalo Bills: 2014 First Round Pick (#9 Overall)

Now to be clear, I don’t want to see Mathis go, but if the Eagles are truly ready to let him leave, which again they shouldn’t, this is the way to do it. The Eagles can then draft Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans to replace the departure of DeSean Jackson. Meanwhile the Bills are really in need of a guard ever since they lost Andy Levitre the also have quite a few injury prone running backs (C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson), and especially with Fred Jackson nearing the end of his career it would be nice to have a reliable talented backup.