The Greatest Spartans Of All Time

I’ve recently been asked who the greatest Spartan athletes of all time were. No, I did not come up with a top ten, nor a top five. To be honest, I felt it too difficult to rank and thus compare the careers of the likes of Charles “Bubba” Smith, Scott Skiles, Andre Rison, Steve Smith, Lorenzo White, Percy Snow, and even Kip Miller among others. Instead, I narrowed it down to two. While you may have beef with my runner-up, I don’t think anyone’s arguing with my leader of the pack.

Though he would have been unfit to take over Gerard Butler’s role as King Leonidas in the movie 300, Earvin Johnson is indeed the unquestionable leader of all Spartan greats. Living up to his nickname, “Magic” did things with a basketball never seen before by Spartan and basketball fans alike. Jenison Fieldhouse (MSU’s basketball facility prior to the Breslin Center’s existence) became not only a place to watch basketball games, but also a place to watch Magic.

Johnson’s 1979 team defeated Larry Bird and Indiana State to win the program’s first ever NCAA national championship in basketball. It was that year that he solidified himself as an iconic figure in the land of green and white, and it was then that he put the school’s basketball program on the map.

As evident by his success in the NBA following a career at MSU, winning one title wasn’t enough for the 6’9 point guard. He had to go and win five more, and unanimously categorized himself as an all-time great in the process. And as if his 1979 Big Ten MVP and NCAA tournament MVP were not enough, he proceeded to mess around in the League and earn himself three regular season MVP’s and three NBA Finals MVP’s to go along with five rings, twelve all-star appearances, 9 all-NBA first team selections, four NBA assists titles, and two NBA steals titles among many other things (such as gold medals, a retired jersey number, two statues in his honor, and consideration for being the greatest point guard to ever pick up a ball). It isn’t just Magic’s resume, moreover, that makes him the greatest Spartan athlete to ever live. His personality is what puts him over the top.

Magic has a personality that has allowed him to transcend time and keep himself a consistent poster child of the NBA despite retiring 17 years ago. Whether you know him for advocating for AIDS, intensifying the most fervent chapter to the NBA’s fiercest rivalry (Celtics vs. Lakers), his wide-sized smile, or his dazzling ball handling skills and sky hook (which he stole from Kareem after the big man tried it in a game of H-O-R-S-E against Johnson), you certainly know who he is. He’s an iconic figure, who will forever be remembered by the basketball gods, Lakerland, and most importantly, Spartan Nation. He is without a doubt, the greatest Spartan athlete of all-time.

Who trails Magic, you ask? Well, to answer that, we have to leap sports and consider the pigskin. For me, I simply need to meander across my family tree to find the answer.

Brad Van Pelt is your man.

He was not only one of the greatest Michigan State athletes to ever compete, but he was also the busiest. Brad earned seven varsity letters while playing football, basketball, and baseball at MSU. He did not just participate in each sport, but flourished in all three. He did not coast, but he worked his tail off and wound up an All-American or honorable mention All-American in all three of America’s favorite sports.

Brad Van Pelt was described by many as all business come game time, and did not have the boisterous personality to transcend the game like Magic has done with basketball. The unfortunate part about the career of my father’s cousin is that it’s often forgotten or ignored by the younger generation. If he would have played in the ESPN era, however, then his name would surely be remembered by sports fans of all generations. While a number of people my age have never heard of Brad, a number of people twice my age won’t stop asking me about him. This is because the Owosso, Michigan native played at State from 1969-72, which is certainly before my time. I did, however, get to meet the man and have also been fortunate enough to hear plenty of Brad-based stories from my Dad, who seems to admire the former man of steel.

Brad was great on and off the field. While he was a light-hearted, easy-going person when the pads were off, he was as tough as nails under the lights. He excelled in three sports (which played an intricate role in me putting him #2 to Magic), but ultimately made the football field his domain, as well as the platform for which he would make a career out of.

After being the first defensive back to ever win the Maxwell Award (which goes to College Football’s best player nationwide), he was selected in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft and went on to enjoy a 14-year NFL career in which he was voted to five Pro Bowls. He was a man-among-boys, standing about 6’5 and 230 pounds (which was more significant in the 70s and 80s than it is today). BVP was also the hardest-hitting safety in college football when he wore the Spartan helmet, and an even harder hitting linebacker when he played for the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants in the NFL.

Brad spent most of his professional years with the G-Men in New York, an organization that didn’t take his talents for granted. In 2011, just six years after he was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, The Giants honored their former linebacker at halftime of a game against the Packers by inducting him into the New York Giants Ring of Honor.

He’s my second greatest Spartan, moreover, not for what he did in the NFL but for what he did while still a Spartan. And he certainly did a lot. Brad Van Pelt is currently in the College Football Hall of Fame as well as the Sports Hall of Fame at Michigan State. It’s safe to say such honors are well deserved. Though Brad is no longer with us today, his legacy lives on with the Michigan State University football program, who’s current dominating defense surely would have made him proud.  I am honored to say I am related to the greatest Spartan football player who ever lived.

NBA Award Predictions

The NBA season is now just hours away. Those of you who know me probably understand my excitement level right now. And if you’ve read my past articles, you can probably pick up that I find pleasure in making predictions and ranking the greatest talent the world has to offer in my sport. So once again, I’m back at it, making predictions on the six major NBA awards. Here they are:

Rookie of the Year:

My pick: Victor Oladipo — Victor Oladipo has to be the favorite to win the ROY award. Though a decent shooter, outside shooting should be Oladipo’s primary area of concern heading into the season. He has to shape up his shot and gain comfortability with the deeper three point line that is 23 feet and 9 inches from the rim. If his shooting touch improves, he has all-star potential. The 21-year old has Tony Allen-like abilities on defense, yet has a more polished offensive game than T.A. does. While he may not be the type of guy to go out and get buckets on a nightly basis, he will certainly at least make a name for himself as a defensive stopper. He brings to the table what guys like Avery Bradley of the Celtics brings and what former NBA journeyman James Posey once brought. He’s a bulldog with a lock-down mentality. Oladipo will be a difference maker on defense, and a playmaker on offense.  I can’t wait for his first matchup with Dwyane Wade, the very man he was compared to throughout his collegiate career at Indiana University.

Coach of the Year:

My pick: Gregg Popovich — Gregg Popovich has won four championships and two Coach of the Year awards. He has an excellent chance to up those numbers two five and three when the 2013-2014 NBA season concludes. While Doc Rivers and Tom Thibodeau will be right on his heels, I favor coach Pop because of the current standing of both his team and the Western Conference as a whole. There are possibly more good teams in the West than ever before. So that means the aging Spurs should be counted out, right? Wrong. The fact of the matter is the West has twelve teams who will legitimately be vying for a playoff spot this year, but not one of them is dominant. It’s not like the East, where Miami clearly reigns atop the league. Nor is it like in years past, when Chris Webber’s Sacramento Kings or Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers were favored heavily. I picked the Thunder to finish the regular season with the best record but even OKC has problems of their own, such as a lack of any offensive threat from the post, the turnover plague, and no proven third scorer (a void James Harden left them with when he headed to Houston). San Antonio, moreover, is often the forgotten team, but they have essentially the same squad they had months ago, when they were just one possession away from being crowned world champions. I like them to make another postseason push, and as a result, I like Coach Pop, basketball’s best coach, to take home some more hardware.


Most Improved Player of the Year:

My Pick: Anthony Davis – I almost stuck with the Spurs theme and selected Kawhi Leonard to win Most Improved, but he ‘s already begun to make his mark on this league. Instead, I went with former Kentucky Wildcat Anthony Davis, who has potential oozing out of his pours on a daily basis. I’m not selecting AD because I believe in the power of the Pelican in it’s first year as mascot, but because the Pelicans have found Davis a little help this season. New Orleans is actually starting to look like a basketball team again, and though they won’t make the playoffs, they do have some formidable talent at the guard positions with Erica Gordon, Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, and youngster Austin Rivers. They have very little talent (other the Davis), however, at power forward and center. This is why he’s my pick. He’ll be playing heavy minutes and it’s his show to run down low. He’s already shown tremendous improvement throughout the preseason. Last season he poured in 13.5 points per game and grabbed 8.2 rebounds per contest, though his scoring total should skyrocket to 18 or 19 PPG this season. He has guards to run the pick-and-roll with, and that’s what he does best. I expect him to make a living catching lobs (after setting ball screens) much like Andre Drummond (another candidate to win Most Improved Player) of the Pistons will be doing this season. This uni-brow can play! He’s got length, athleticism, and most importantly, he’s extremely versatile. Look out for Anthony Davis to have a coming out party in 2014.


Defensive Player of the Year:

My pick: Dwight Howard — While the best defensive player in the league is actually Dwight’s teammate (Patrick Beverly), Howard has got to be the favorite to  earn back his Defensive Player of the Year honors. This, like the rest of Dwight’s future, depends on his health. While I am as hard on Dwight as anyone, I also give him props when his props are due. Though I was critical of his level of play last season,  his Lakers were 10th in the NBA on defense (in regards to points per possession) when he was on the court, and 29th when he wasn’t. Team Lakeshow surrendered 107.8 points per 100 possessions with D12 on the pine. Despite these numbers, he still didn’t even play to half his potential last season. Injuries had something to do with that. If he can avoid those injuries and gain his freak-like strength and athleticism back, then he should control the paint for a team that often gets beat (from the wing positions) by dribble drive penetration. Last season Dwight would pick up fouls in such situations as the back-line helper. This season, he’ll need to turn those fouls into blocks and rebounds if Houston is planning on being as good as they think they are. While I don’t think a deep playoff run is in store for the Rockets in 2014 (nor do I think they’ll ever win a championship until “Superman” improves his footwork, touch, and free throw shooting), I do think another Defensive Player of the Year Award is inevitable for Mr. Howard if he can find ways to stay off the bench.


Sixth Man of the Year

My pick: Harrison Barnes — While the sexy pick to take home the 6th man award this season is Jamaal Crawford, I went with Harrison Barnes because I believe he’s in the perfect situation to make a name for himself as a high energy guy off the bench. Barnes won’t start over newly acquired Warrior Andre Iguodala.  I won’t call him “AI” because that nickname should be retired along with Allen Iverson’s greatness, but Iguodala and Barnes will sometimes play alongside one another. This means two strong, athletic, outstanding defenders will be on the court simultaneously. This will allow Barnes to demonstrate his versatility because he will be able to match-up against three, or sometimes even four, different positions. The main reason I like Barnes to win 6th Man of the Year, furthermore, is because of the way he finished last season. He made a believer out of me as well as Warrior Nation. While averaging just single digits during the regular season (9.2 PPG), Barnes upped his average (when it mattered most) in the playoffs to 16 PPG. I believe if he can put up similar figures, perhaps 15 PPG in 2014, then he’s got a real opportunity to runaway with the 6th Man Award when the season nears its end.


Most Valuable Player

My pick: Derrick Rose — I believe D-Rose will come back looking more like Adrian Peterson and less like Robert Griffin III, who also went through rigorous rehab regimes in order to return to their sport following an ACL injury.  From what I’ve seen thus far in the NBA preseason, Rose looks like he’s playing like he did in 2011 when he won the MVP. While I don’t think a 1 or 2 seed is in store for the Bulls this regular season, Chicago is my pick to make it’s long awaited return to the NBA Finals this year. And clearly, much of that has to do with Rose’s return. When healthy, he’s better than Westbrook. He’s better than Parker. And even though CP3 is more of a “true” point guard, he’s better than Chris Paul. Rose is more valuable to his team than any one player is to their team, outside of maybe Kobe to the Lakers or Melo to the Knicks. When I first heard him say he was more explosive than before and had increased his vertical by five inches following his injury, I thought he was just trying to use some positivity to psych himself up for the season….then I saw him play. He wasn’t lying. Rose looks healthier than ever, and that’s a scary thing for opposing franchises. He admits he’s never taken such care of his body as he has in the past year, and maintains that what he’s learned through his rehab process will only make him better. I believe him. Now that Derrick Rose is paying attention to detail like never before, I expect nothing less than a dominant season. His team is elite defensively, but is no stranger to scoring droughts. Rose is the one guy Chicago has who can end those droughts. He has the ability to dominate offensively, and not just in transition. It’s only a matter of time before we see him do it. Not one ESPN analyst, however, picked him as an MVP candidate….Not that he needed another chip on his shoulder.

College Basketball: VP's Preseason Top Ten

College basketball is upon us. With the season tipping off this week, I thought it was the appropriate time to reveal my top ten teams heading into what I expect to be a season of much parity (which should only increase the madness of March Madness). Not surprisingly, the teams at the top are no strangers to playing favorite. A handful of traditional powerhouses lead the way once again as the 2013-2014 season begins.

1. Michigan State Spartans: I really hate to do this, but I have to pick my MSU Spartans as the most likely candidate to win a championship. I honestly tried not to pick Tom Izzo's bunch, but just couldn't ignore the potent roster. Coach Izzo's  resume speaks for itself, and unfortunately for the rest of the Big Ten Conference, he's got quite a versatile roster to manage. Denzel Valentine, who his coach deems the hardest worker on the team, will certainly be the x-factor while having to fulfill more play-making duties when starting point guard Keith Appling is out of the game.  MSU will need Branden Dawson to be their "easy-bucket guy," and get points around the rim the way Raymar Morgan used to do because the loss of Derrick Nix down low will certainly have an impact. On another note, watch Gary Harris shine this season as he preps for a run at the NBA lottery.

2. Kentucky Wildcats: Kentucky plays Michigan State on November 12th. If they can steal that one early in the season, I may have to swap my 1 and 2 rankings as a result. John Calipari isn't messing around this year; he scheduled North Carolina, Michigan State, Louisvile, and Baylor all as non-conference opponents before SEC play gets underway. Clearly he wants his young squad tested. And though young, this team should will be loaded and dynamic. Once again, Kentucky has brought in the nation's top recruiting class led by the Harrison twins. Coach Cal's teams are never out of the picture for long, and they'll be right back in the thick of things this season.

3. Duke Blue Devils: My top five is filled with teams that have basketball masterminds running the show. But Coach K is in a league of his own. The best coach in America has a very coachable, gritty group to teach in 2013-2014. The back court looks good with Quinn Cook, Tyler Thornton, Rasheed Sulaimon, and Andrew Dawkins serving as leaders. All eyes, however, will be on highly touted freshman Jabari Parker. One Sports Illustrated magazine unfairly and incorrectly labeled Parker the next LeBron. If we hold him to that standard, his freshman season will be regarded as a failure. We ought to watch Parker objectively, and wait and see how the 18-year old handles playing multiple positions for the Blue Devils. Despite having talent, I believe in Duke more for their coaching and discipline than for the skillsets on their roster.

4. Arizona Wildcats: Sean Miller added the McDonald's All-American game MVP, Aaron Gordon, to the roster. As a result, things are looking up for 'Zona. Gordon, who was twice named Mr. Basketball in the state of California, also won two state championships in the Golden State. Gordon was also the leading scorer and rebounder for the US U-19 team that took home the gold medal this past summer. So, much like in Kansas and Kentucky, their is a talented youth movement hoping to do big things on the court down in Southwest America.

5. Kansas Jayhawks: Kansas might have the youngest team in America, yet is still favored to repeat as Big 12 champs. After losing McLemore and Withey to the NBA, Bill Self went out and got himself some reinforcements. One of those reinforcements comes in the form of a 6-8 guard from Canada named Andrew Wiggins. Yes, a 6-8 guard is correct. So if any one college player is to be so bold as to compare himself to two-time NBA champion LeBron James, Wiggins would be the one to do so (in years to come that is). He'll most likely go number one in next year's NBA Draft, but whether or not he can lead a team as a youngster or not remains to be seen. The Jayhawks' greatest challenge will be how disciplined they can be in close, late-game situations.

6. Louisville Cardinals: Losing Gorgui Deng and Peyton Siva hurts. Those are the type of departures that separate a national title type team from a conference title type team. Right now, I'm acknowledging Louisville's limits and deeming them a conference title type team. They've got their coach in Pitino. They've got an excellent core of returnees with Russ Smith, Chane Behanon, Luke Hancock,  Wayne Blackshear, and God willing, Kevin Ware all coming back to school. But Peyton Siva was the catalyst. Much like the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA realized the importance of Westbrook come playoff time last season, I believe the Louisville Cardinals will also gain a higher level of appreciation for what Siva did for their program as this season unfolds. Can he be replaced? Can a freshman point guard come in and lead a team that just won a national championship? I just don't know.

7. Virginia Commonwealth Rams: Shaka Smart's squad had an up-and-down year last season. Consistency was nonexistent. That must be the focus of this year's squad, which returns four of its top five scorers from a team that despite lacking consistency, showed an all-around explosive level of talent. Darieus Theus and Troy Daniels were the only key guys to leave VCU, which means this team that's played together for some time now should have on-court chemistry second to no team. This should be the best team Shaka Smart has ever coached. Don't be surprised if the Rams have another Final Four run up their sleeves when March comes around.

8. Wichita State Shockers: It's time we give teams like Wichita State and VCU their due before the season, rather than after. This Wichita State team could be better than last season's team that stormed all the way to the Final Four. Cleanthony Early, who notched 25 points and 10 rebounds against the defending champion Lousiville Cardinals in the NCAA tournament last season, is back. As is Ron Baker, who might be college basketball's best shooter. Evan Wessel, another lights out shooter, will be returning from his redshirt year. Together, Baker and Wessel should be responsible for creating tremendous floor spacing on offense for WSU. The Shockers are set on the wings, and brought in two transfers to control the paint down low. The biggest question mark for this team is whether or not Fred VanVleet can be the floor general that Malcom Armstead was last year.

9. Oklahoma State University: The Cowboys return their top scorers, top assist men, and top rebounder for the upcoming season. Travis Ford has himself a takeover-the-game-at-any-moment type player in Marcus Smart. Smart, one of the NBA's top prospects, averaged 15.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 4.2 APG as a freshman. I wouldn't be surprised to see his scoring average peek closer to 20 PPG in year two of his college career. It might need to if Oklahoma State plans on stealing the Big 12 title away from the Jayhawks.

10. Florida Gators: You can't lose Mike Rosario, Erik Murphy, and Kenny Boyton and still be in the top five. But starting center Patrick Young is returning, as are a host of other roll players from last season. Donovan also earned himself a superb recruiting class that will be looking to provide some fire power immediately. While quite the contrary is true in football, the SEC is far from a juggernaut of a conference. Kentucky should be the only in-conference threat to this restructured team from the Sunshine State. If the Wildcats stumble, an SEC title is once again realistic for Florida.

Pay is for Professionals

     In today's wealth-driven society, college athletes are no different than anyone else insofar as they too have money-chasing instincts and aspirations. Over the past three years, especially, the debate on whether or not collegiate athletes should be paid or not has crept its way to the forefront of popular discussion in the sports world. Not only are people starting to go to bat to try and get things changed for these 18 to 22-year old's, but these athletes have begun speaking up for themselves. What they do not realize, however, is the effect such a change would have on the purity of their sports. Paying college athletes could potentially ruin the sports that we know and love for years to come.
     Before long, the games would be dominated in number by those who don't play for the love of the game, but for the money that comes with the game. When the reason for playing is altered, so too is the game. Sure, if the NCAA were to start paying its players it could start with a small stipend, but stipends would lead to an increased number of Reggie bush-like scandals, because it would only be a matter of time before schools start surreptitiously increasing their "stipends" and using their "stipends" to purchase some wheels for the new freshmen on campus. Furthermore, stipends most likely would (eventually) lead to salaries and contracts and negotiations and so forth. And if the amount of money being granted to players would defy the odds and not increase annually -- if it stayed small -- then should that small amount really be enough to create a fuss and debate about this matter in the first place?
     Paying players would create an unnecessary, extra incentive for high school athletes to push toward the collegiate ranks. I deem it unnecessary because college athletics are built for those who are completely in love with their sports. The die-hard athletes who dedicate their lives to the sports are the athletes who bring the most passion to the games. Those who chase money -- well -- they chase money. They might certainly like and enjoy their sports, but they don't eat, sleep, and breathe them. When athletes can sacrifice their bodies and give their coaches, selves, fans, and teammates their all in each competition knowing they won't make a single cent doing so, that's when special happens. Special doesn't happen when people play a sport for the sake of making money...and if we begin to pay our athletes, the amount of money they will be making would certainly increase over time, and as a result, they will both subconsciously and consciously be drawn to "Mr. Green".
     Scholarships should be enough for college athletes. Why do they need a stipend to simply play the game they love? Sure, they entertain sports fans nationwide. So do six-year old's playing little league. Will we need to pay our toddlers to play too? You might laugh at such a statement but the politics and snowball effect that would follow paying college athletes could make such an erroneous situation possible. Sooner than later, high school athletes would also be asking for paydays. Why should college ball players get it and not those in high school? Just because they're not on video games?
     Rather than demanding money for having their jersey number put on a college football game, athletes should consider it an honor (rather than something they ought to demand cash for). Further more, if college athletes get paid, at what level do we draw the line?
     Does every team get an equal amount of pay? Does that mean NCAA D3 athletes deserve to make as much as NCAA D1 athletes? If so, then what is the purpose behind paying them? And if not, then players will without a doubt make their way to whatever schools fill their pockets to a satisfactory level. As a result, rivalries would be ruined.
    Rivalries are arguably the best part about college sports. Do we really want athletes avoiding their favorite schools in order to go elsewhere because more money might be elsewhere? If this occurs, the amount of guys and girls playing for schools they've had tremendous pride in since childhood would be diminished, and therefore the intensity and genuineness of the passion in various rivalries would also  decreased.
    Lets consider the rivalry Duke and North Carolina have in basketball. For the sake of such a rivalry, its best when Duke recruits future Blue Devil players who are genuinely in love with the school and grew up as honorary members of the Cameron Crazies from inside their homes, and UNC brings in guys and girls that simply hate royal blue and love baby blue. This allows the passion to remain in the rivalry. What if, however, each team brings in players who simply join the school because the money drew them there. Would the passion still exist? This is a question I hope we never have to answer, because if the answer is no, then rivalries would surely take a hit...which would be to the disadvantage of sports fans everywhere. If schools begin divvying their wealth amongst their athletes, then it won't be just rivalries being ruined, but sports as a whole will take a hit. College athletes are already getting scholarships, so any further pay should remain solely for professionals.
    

    

Updated NFL Power Rankings

The second quarter of the 2013-2014 NFL season is already underway, and now that us football fans have had a handful of games to judge the talent and chemistry of this year's crop of new-look (and familiar) teams, it's time to rank 'em. Here are my updated NFL power rankings:

1. Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning is well on his way to the record books. His offense is clicking on all cylinders, and shows no signs of slowing down. It's only a matter of time before Denver separates itself from the overachieving Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.

2. New Orleans Saints: We already know about the offense, which is currently putting up more than 400 yards per game. It's the on the other side of the ball, surprisingly, where the team is also making noise. Rob Ryan has done a great job changing the culture of the New Orleans' defense.

3. Seattle Seahawks: Seattle sent a message in week 2 with their 29-3 victory over San Francisco. They followed that up with another blowout against the lowly Jaguars and a hard-fought victory over a solid team from Houston. Now that the Colts have finally handed Seattle their first loss following all such victories, we'll see what kind of resiliency they have.

4. Green Bay Packers: I know they are only 2-2, but don't sleep on the Pack. Though Aaron Rodgers has passed the torch for league's best player back to Peyton Manning, he's still not a guy you want to bet against. Green Bay's offense is 4th in passing yards, and 5th in rushing yards. That's not too shabby.

5. Indianapolis Colts: In his 21 games played thus far in his young NFL career, quarterback Andrew Luck has led his team to 9 come-from-behind victories. He is the real deal, and with wins over Seattle and San Fransisco, he's proven he can beat the best.

6. San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers have gotten back to controlling the line of scrimmage, but they better figure out their passing game. Kaepernick completed only 6 passes in the team's victory over Houston on Sunday.

7. Kansas City Chiefs: Who would have thought KC would be 5-0 at this point? Their unblemished record thus far shows how much of a difference a head coach can make in this league. Well done, Andy Reid.

8. Detroit Lions: Detroit is currently first in the NFC North, and should be favored against the Browns next Sunday. Detroit has some badd men on defense and Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson are two of the deadliest offensive weapons this league has to offer.

9. New England Patriots: All four of New England's wins have come against bad teams. The offense, which scored only 6 points against Cincinnati, is scarce on playmakers. They do, however, still have Brady and Belichick.

10. Chicago Bears: After starting 3-0, Chicago has been humbled by two high-powered offenses (Detroit and New Orleans). Luckily for them, they get the winless Giants next weekend.

11. Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengal defense held Tom Brady to 6 points on Sunday. The concerns lie with the offense. Is Andy Dalton really their quarterback of the future? His offense has scored only 19 total points in the last two games.

12. Baltimore Ravens: The defending SuperBowl champs are only 27th in the league in rushing yards. They've got to find a way to get Ray Rice going. They'll certainly need him next Sunday against Green Bay.

13. Dallas Cowboys: Dallas was the first team to go toe-to-toe with Manning's Broncos. Romo played the best game of his life, and is still being scrutinized because of his one pick. The timing of the pick was horrific, and although Romo lacks the "clutch gene", he should not be blamed...The defense did NOT force a single punt the entire sixty minutes of game play!

14. Miami Dolphins: Despite losing their last two, the Dolphins have shown the ability to beat good teams. Getting the bye next week will do them good, since injuries seem to be a factor in Miami.


15. Houston Texans: I was too high on Houston coming into the season. They are still a good football team, but if Matt Schaub doesn't change something quickly then a quarterback change is inevitable. Throwing four pick-sixes in four straight games is unheard of.

16. Arizona Cardinals: If you'd have asked me if I thought Arizona would have a winning record through the first five games, I'd have said no. The Cardinals have overachieved thus far, but I'm still not buying Carson Palmer as their quarterback.

17. Cleveland Browns: Cleveland is undefeated since trading Trent Richardson. Willis McGahee owns the backfield now. The former Miami Hurricane needs to up his average of 2.6 yards per carry if Cleveland expects to continue winning games.

18. Tennessee Titans: Tennessee has a solid defense, a winning record, and a formidable rushing attack. Their passing game, however, needs some serious help. They'll be back under .500 soon enough after their upcoming games against the Seahawks and 49ers.

19. The Vikings are currently at the bottom of one of the league's toughest divisions, but finally tasted success in week 4 and should be favored in their next two. It's only a matter of time before recently signed Josh Freeman takes the reigns.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Even with a sub-.500 record, the Eagles are tied with Dallas for first place atop the surprisingly weak NFC East. Coach Kelly's up-tempo offense leads the NFL in rushing yards and trails only Denver in total yards. All concerns with this team lie on the defensive side of the ball.

21. New York Jets: Rex Ryan's troops are second in the league in yards allowed. Their defense is the real deal. On offense, the team ranks 13th in the NFL in yards per game. That's much better than expected. Well done Geno.

22. Atlanta Falcons: Though only 1-4, I still believe Atlanta is a decent team. This is perhaps the most talented 1-4 team the NFL has seen, and their schedule is about to become much more favorable. Matt Ryan's offense is still third in the league in passing yards. The running game needs to keep up.

23. Oakland Raiders: Terrelle Pryor looks like he did while playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He has a free pass to scramble, and consequently, Oakland is in the top ten in rushing yards per game. The Raiders are a below average football team, but with that being said, they are better than previously expected.

24. Philip Rivers and company are 5th in the NFL in yards. While the running game has much room for improvement, the offense is not the problem. The Charger defense is 27th in the league in yards allowed. This needs to change if the team is to find consistent success.

25. Carolina Panthers: Carolina's defense is 3rd in both points and yards allowed. They also have an effective rushing attack on the offensive side of the ball. Cam Newton's inability to get the team's passing attack going, however, remains their biggest problem.

26. Washington Redskins: Hopefully Pierre Garcon is done talking about his quarterback's weaknesses via the media. He should take a page out of the Spring Arbor University men's basketball team's book and give up social media (see my last article). The chemistry in the nation's capitol has been better.

27. Buffalo Bills: C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson are a tough, explosive 1-2 punch out of the backfield. But the reality is Buffalo has both quarterback questions and a nonexistent passing game. Rumor has it a quarterback off the practice squad will be starting next Sunday against a ferocious Cincinnati Bengals defense. Good luck, kid.

28. St. Louis Rams: Prior to playing the bottom-feeders of the league from Jacksonville last week, the Rams were averaging only 17 points and 47 rush yards per contest. Such numbers are pitiful. Nevertheless, with upcoming games against the struggling Texans and Panthers, opportunities for Ram victories will be present.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Due to severe offensive lines problems, Pittsburgh cannot run the ball effectively, nor can they stop the run effectively. It is in the trenches where Pittsburgh has always been great, and it is in the trenches where Pittsburgh now struggles.

30. Tamp Bay Buccaneers: Perhaps a change in scenery at the quarterback position could be good for the Bucs. Quite frankly, the available options to replace Josh Freeman don't look too sexy on paper, but it couldn't get much worse in Tampa.

31. New York Giants: In the early going, many of the offensive struggles could be pin-pointed on a weak o-line. But in the last game against Philly, Eli Manning should take much of the blame for a number of the offensive woes. And unfortunately for the G-men, the problems on the defensive side of the ball are equivalent to those of the offense. This team is in trouble!

32. Jacksonville Jaguars: A winless season for the Jags is not out of the question. I am starting the over/under for how much they will lose by in Denver next Sunday at 60 points.

No More Tweeting for the Cougars

     SPRING ARBOR, MI -- The Spring Arbor University (SAU) Men's Basketball team has made a pact to avoid all social media for the entire 2012-2013 season. This means for seven months, the SAU cagers must abstain from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, Snapchat, and even MySpace for those daring enough to reminisce.

     The initial idea belonged to head coach Ryan Cottingham, who passed the challenge to his team just ten days before the grind of preseason workouts began.

     Having played for Coach Cotts myself, I know that nothing he does is unintentional. Once again, there is method to his madness. The purpose behind the team's agreement is to not only accomplish something together as a unit, but also to avoid any potential distractions from the world of media (a world notorious for distraction).

     Team captain and lone senior Rob Hogans likes where his coach's head is at. "Coach is having us do this so we can avoid distraction. It gives us no excuses to have our focus wooed away from the court and the classroom. It also encourages us to spend more time investing in one another rather than sitting on Facebook each night. I'm all for it," said Hogans.

      There is no denying that with the increase in popularity of various social media mediums these days, athletes have fallen victim to the realm of controversy and distraction with their usage of such mediums.

      We've seen Chad Ochocinco get fined by his own team while with the Cincinnati Bengals for tweeting at half-time. Basketball superstar Kobe Bryant has often been criticized for calling out the toughness of his teammates via social media (which surely had little to no positive repercussions for team Lakeshow's chemistry last season). And big man Amar'e Stoudemire was hit with a $50,000 bill last season for using a gay slur on Twitter.

     The list of players getting in trouble for their use of the media is unfortunately growing at a rapid pace. While the guys on Coach Cottingham's roster wouldn't be dealing with the heavy fines professional athletes are hit with, they can at least sleep comfortably knowing they have dislodged themselves of the looming negativity that Facebook and Twitter often create.

     We will see no public complaints about playing time, vented frustration, arrogant trash talk, or even the latest drama in the love lives of various teammates (which is all over social media these days) from the SAU players. This young team has it's priorities right. They are focused solely on the betterment of themselves and their squad, which is precisely why they're conceding social media until late March.

     While seeing a tweet from Coach Cottingham is about as rare as a Tim Tebow sighting in the NFL, for some of the players, it won't be that easy.

     Freshman big man Jimmy Kodet admits temporary withdrawals are to be expected: "There are times I will probably miss it, because social media has been my way of keeping friends and family updated. Sometimes I go to where the Facebook app on my phone once was, and then remember I no longer have it. It's what I would do with my down time, so it will take getting used to. But I'm definitely excited and ready for the challenge," said Kodet.

      Kodet is not the only Cougar who will be forced to make adjustments. Every player and coach on the roster has a Facebook, and all but four of them have a Twitter account. I follow each one of them on both social media platforms and admit it is an unusual, unique feeling not being able to contact my former teammates very easily (I am in Australia so my ability to text or call them is also limited).

     For the first year in four years, Rob Hogans will not be able to post his patented "Gameday" tweets on days the Cougs take to the hardwood. Luckily for fans of SAU basketball, the team can still be followed on saucougars.com, or on the team's twitter account @SAU_menshoops.

     As for the individual players, that becomes more personal. All the ladies out there now have an excuse to ask for the players' phone numbers, because texting and emailing exist as the most convenient way to contact each individual. But remember girls, no distracting them! That would defeat the purpose of the team's pact.

    This commitment to avoid social media should only reap positive benefits for SAU. It remains to be seen if this off-the-court decision will translate directly and effectively to what happens on the court. Perhaps we'll find out on the 1st of November, when SAU tips off the season by playing host to the Tigers of Grace Bible college

Smith finds new beginning at SAU

SPRING ARBOR, MI -- Lansing Community College transfer Montel Smith is the newest member of the Spring Arbor University (SAU) men’s basketball team. For Smith, playing under head coach Ryan Cottingham comes as no surprise.  “I came to SAU a couple years ago for work, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how I could see myself playing basketball here. Clearly, that was no coincidence,” said Smith.         The 6’4 wing from Lansing maintains that he is already feeling comfortable on SAU’s small campus. After Growing up near Michigan State University, home to one of the nation’s largest campuses, Smith finds relief in the idea that getting lost won’t be an issue now that he’s found solace in small college America. “I love the people here. I love the small college atmosphere. And thank God I can go from class to class without getting lost.” Though not the biggest of universities, SAU certainly does not lack in athletic prestige. The Cougars play in the Crossroads League, which is consistently among the most competitive basketball conferences in NAIA division II. The parity of the Crossroads League is undeniable. Whether facing the team in first or in tenth, blowouts are a rarity, which has Smith excited. “I know the teams in this league are real competitive and I love that. We’re going to have to compete every time we step on the floor, and I can’t wait.”  If the Cougars are to make it to Branson, which Smith acknowledges is the goal, they’ll certainly have to.  Smith’s on-court role on the team is yet to be seen, but he believes he is prepared to do whatever it takes to get W’s. “I’m not exactly sure what my stats will look like this year. While it would be ideal to average double figures, I know Coach Cotts will first and foremost want me to play hard-nosed defense and rebound the ball. If the other team can’t score they can’t win, so defense, without a doubt, comes first.” “Offensively I’m just preparing myself to be able to do whatever coach asks of me. If he wants points, I’ll look to score. If he wants assists, I’ll pass the rock. Really, I’m just looking forward to my fresh, new start.” Now in Spring Arbor, a fresh start is exactly what Smith has been granted. We’ll see what he makes of it in 44 days, when the Cougars open up the season at home against the Tigers of Grace Bible College.

VP's Preseason NFL Power Rankings

The NFL season is just hours away, and I’m ready for some football. While preseason thoughts matter very little, the following list should show how each team will fair in this much anticipated 2013-2014 NFL season. These are my carefully considered power rankings:

1. San Francisco 49ers: In just his third season, Colin Kaepernick is as hungry as any player in the league. Unless someone exposes them early, I’m convinced he’s leading a team of no weaknesses. San Fran’s Superbowl hopes confide in Kap’s health, and whether or not he can remain on the field even after a full 16-game season.          
 
2. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan finally got a playoff win under his belt. Now that Stephen Jackson and Usi Umenyiora sure up an already talented roster, there should be a lot more of those to come.

3. Denver Broncos: Preseason injuries to the defense are the only thing holding this team back. Manning’s offense should have no problem outscoring others, especially with new acquisition Wes Welker thrown in the mix. Manning’s been known to turn slot receivers into stars, not that Welker needs any help with that.

4. Green Bay Packers: The Green Machine still has something no other team has, and that’s the best player in football. Aaron Rodgers, now catching up to Bill Gates in another category ($$$), could very well lead the league in passing yards this season.

5. Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson was dynamite in year one. Year two should be much of the same. New addition Cliff Avril adds depth to the team’s blue collar defense, which can’t afford a day off if Seattle is to give the 49ers a run for their money in the NFC West.

6. Houston Texans: J.J. Watt is quietly becoming the best defensive player in the NFL. Houston is balanced and dangerous on both sides of the ball. If Watt’s teammates pick up on his contagious level of passion and intensity, watch out, because the Texans are for real.

7. Detroit Lions: Stafford has no shortage of pass-catchers. Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush ought to be fantasy football stat stuffers, and Detroit’s D-line might be the best in football. Whether or not they have discipline, like with most Lions teams, remains the most daunting question facing this team.

8. Chicago Bears: This Cutler-led attack could be the best Bears offense in a decade, and the defense still has Julius Peppers and Lance Briggs. Starting middle linebacker D.J. Williams, however, is no Brian Urlacher.

9. Washington Redskins: RG3 is as talented as they get. The fate of their season depends solely on his health. He has got to stay healthy and on that field. I repeat: HE HAS GOT TO STAY HEALTHY ON THAT FIELD!

10. New York Giants: You never know what you’re going to get with New York, but they always seem to surprise at just the right time. Eli has the necessary offensive weapons to make another playoff push this year. They’ve just got to get there first.

11. New England Patriots: Seeing New England out of the top ten is atypical, but it’s not because of Brady or Belichick, who are the among the few guys on the roster keeping them near a single digit ranking. I wouldn’t be surprised if they made a postseason push just because they are the Patriots, but their lack of weapons on offense is both alarming and tough to ignore.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Last season, Adrian Peterson had 33 runs of 20 yards or more. To put that in perspective, most TEAMS average around 12 per season. The comeback athlete of the year might be enough just by himself to get his guys in purple to the postseason.

13. Baltimore Ravens: The defending Superbowl champs fell out of my top ten because they not only lost the greatest on-the-field leader in football of all time in Ray Lewis, but also big-bodied pass catcher Anquan Boldin. Maybe Joe Flacco could have shared a little of that hard-earned cashflow.

14. Indianapolis Colts: ESPN analyst Mike Greenberg has the Colts in the Superbowl. While I love Andrew Luck as well as the overall youth on this reshaped Indianapolis team, I’m not ready to go that far. If Indy can win the games they ought to, and then pull off some timely upsets, they should be neck and neck with Houston in the AFC South and at least claim a wildcard spot.

15. Cincinnati Bengals: Marvin Lewis’s squad won seven of it’s final eight games last season.  Momentum is certainly on their side. If you’re a fan of young, electric wide receivers, make sure to watch A.J. Greene. He’ll help serve the development of quarterback Andy Dalton.

16. New Orleans Saints: Sean Payton’s a master at his craft, and he’s back. But I don’t know if Payton’s high-powered offense led by Drew Brees will be enough to make up for the many holes of the team’s shaky defense. But certainly, time will tell.            

17. Philadelphia Eagles: Chip Kelly is as unorthodox as they come. No one knows what to expect from him, but I’m buying his ingenuity and inventiveness on offense. Michael Vick is the perfect QB for his system and I’m not sure why there was ever a battle for the position in the first place.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Former Eagle coach Andy Reid has taken over, and KC is adjusting to a new culture, new head coach, and new starting quarterback. Alex Smith is getting a second chance. Alex, let’s see what you’ve got!

19. Dallas Cowboys: Dallas has talent, but the roster looks much too familiar. They seem to have the same players they’ve had for five seasons now, and Cowboy fans are still waiting on results. I’d say it’s do or die time for Tony Romo, but he just got himself one big fat check. It is, moreover, do or die time for “America’s team”.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Fans of the steel curtain better hope the preseason is no indication of things to come. The Steelers look awful throughout the preseason, and much of that has to do with bumps and bruises. An improved running game and a healthy Roethlisberger are vital keys to Pittsburgh’s success.

21. St. Louis Rams: Coach Fisher’s team is not studded with big name players,  but consists of a bunch of blue collar workman-like guys trying to earn respect for their franchise. It’s been a few years since the Rams flirted with relevancy. Perhaps this could be the year.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The clock is ticking on Josh Freeman. It’s about time he lives up to the hype that once preceded him. On the other side of the ball, Darrelle Revis returns to action in hopes of changing the culture of what was a soft-minded secondary.

23. Arizona Cardinals: The Cards have weapons at the skilled positions. But Carson Palmer is on the decline and injuries to the offensive line aren’t helping. Expect mediocrity out of ‘Zona.

24. Carolina Panthers: After starting so poorly, the Panthers finished last season on a four-game winning streak. Could those four meaningless wins be a sign of things to come? If so, Cam Newton must not sustain his skills and abilities, but improve them if he hopes to take his team to the next level.

25. Tennessee Titans: I’m not sold on Jake Locker as an NFL quarterback. But Chris Johnson is the team’s wildcard. Which Chris shows up will have a tremendous impact on the team’s success in one direction or another.

26. San Diego Chargers: On a franchise normally rooted in offensive principles, I see an improving defense and a slowly weakening offense. Phillip Rivers is still a top tier quarterback who can put up numbers, but the players around him (minus Antonio Gates) seem to be getting worse each season.

27. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill will be an average quarterback at best. Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline will serve as his formidable targets, but the offensive line is the key. The big bruisers up front have to protect their young gun under center.

28. Cleveland Browns: The Cleveland management did a good thing when it reached an agreement with Norv Turner. The offensive-savvy coach should be a good fit for Brandon Weeden’s style of play. But when it’s all said and done, the Browns are still the Browns.

29. Buffalo Bills: I’m convinced the Bills will never be good until they become the New York Bills. E.J. Manuel is being thrown in the wildfire from the get-go. I like his athleticism. Do I like him as a long-time quarterback in this league? Not a chance.

30. New York Jets: For the sake of those who don’t care about the media drama that constantly seems to be surrounding the Jets, let’s hope Mark Sanchez doesn’t see the field this year. While the butt fumble was entertaining, there’s no need for a round two (not that Geno will do much better).

31. Jacksonville Jaguars: Maurice Jones-Drew. Yup, that’s all they’ve got. Somebody should get Gabbert out of there and find the Jags a real quarterback. Shoot, they might as well sign Tebow and give him a shot just so people don’t forget about the organization.

32. Raiders: Terrelle Pryor was just named the team’s starter. His experience as an NFL quarterback is about the same as mine. It’s looking like Oakland will be in for yet another long season.