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| Fla. "governor" Rick Scott |
By the way, is this clown who masquerades as "governor" of Florida any relation to "fire marshall Bill"?
Just asking.
 |
| Fire Marshall Bill |
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Lock This Clown Up For Treason Against U.S. Citizens
This moron needs to be locked up immediately for treason against the people of the United States (in particular the citizens of Florida) for illegal activity in attempted suppression of voting rights.
YES, lock up Florida "governor" Rick Scott and restore true democracy in the 'Sunshine" state.
By the way, is this clown who masquerades as "governor" of Florida any relation to "fire marshall Bill"?
Just asking.
By the way, is this clown who masquerades as "governor" of Florida any relation to "fire marshall Bill"?
Just asking.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUND
Give it up Trump!
The birther conspiracy theory you are toting around holds about as much credence (really less credence) than the 9-11 conspiracy theory that former President George W. Bush and VP Dick Cheney knew about the 9-11 attacks ahead of time and did nothing to prevent them for political gains.
Maybe Trump and the "Mittster" should start drumming up the 9-11 conspiracy theory while they hang out and speak to people and the media.
Just give it up Trump and you too Mitt.
Denounce this idiot once and for all and maybe (but I doubt it) he will just finally shut up and go away.
Romney needs to follow the classy example that John McCain put forth nearly four years ago when he denounced that batty old lady with the white hair and red shirt who accused Obama of being "an Arab."
Sunday, May 27, 2012
NFL - Sneak Previews
NFC North Division (sneak preview)
The Green Bay Packers went 15-1 and pretty much dominated everyone they played during the regular season, but then ran into a buzz saw that was the New York Giants in the playoffs, and they were blown out, 37-20 to a shocked crowd at Lambeau Field.
Meanwhile in 2011, the Detroit Lions finally broke through and made the playoffs after finishing the regular season at 10-6. This just three years after going 0-16.
After jumping out to a 7-3 start, the Chicago Bears limped to a 8-8 finish after losing quarterback Jay Cutler (broken thumb) and then leading rusher Matt Forte' (sprained knee) to season ending injuries in a three week period.
The Minnesota Vikings suffered through a miserable season, going 3-13 while watching their young QB Christian Ponder go through growing pains. Throw in the fact that running back Adrian Peterson, their best player, missed time with a torn ACL, and there you go regarding the 2011 season for the Vikings.
It looks to be a three-team race in the division in 2012, with Green Bay the obvious favorite. Chicago and Detroit appear to be looming large once again and this division could see three teams make the playoffs. Minnesota has some work to do to get back into contention this season.
Here's a breakdown (in capsule form) of the NFC North for the upcoming season.
CHICAGO BEARS
2011 Record: 8-8-0 (3rd Place)
Head Coach: Lovie Smith
Key Additions: WR Brandon Marshall; RB Michael Bush; QB Jason Campbell; WR-KR Eric Weems; LB Geno Hayes
Key Losses: RB Marion Barber
Offense: Quarterback Jay Cutler staying in one piece (Bears allowed 49 QB sacks in 2011) is the key to the offense. Getting Matt Forte' into the fold is important as well. He is still unsigned and the team needs him. If Cutler and Forte' are unavailable, the Bears did well to add RB Michael Bush and QB Jason Campbell as backups.
To bolster the air attack, they added WR Brandon Marshall, who enjoyed success with Cutler while they both played for Denver until 2008. The O-line has to do a better job of pass protecting, as they have allowed over 100 sacks in the last two seasons combined.
Defense: Age is creeping up on linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher as well as corner man Charles Tillman and DE Julius Peppers.
The team is looking for big things once again from this unit and they added first round pick Shea McClellin (DE) to bolster the front line. The secondary appeared vulnerable at times last season and pressure up front always helps as well.
Outlook: With a big play receiver in Marshall to go with a solid running attack, the Bears should put points on the board. The defense will have to maintain consistency this year as they allowed an unusual amount of high scoring at times last season.
Keeping Cutler and Forte' healthy is important and the Bears also have two excellent kick returners with veteran Devin Hester and newly signed free agent Eric Weems.
Look for the Bears to contend with Green Bay and Detroit in the division and barring injury to key players (on both sides of the ball) they may reach the post-season once again.
DETROIT LIONS
2011 Record: 10-6-0 (2nd Place)
Head Coach: Jim Schwartz
Key Additions: DE Everette Brown; CB Jacob Lacey
Key Losses: LB Bobby Carpenter; QB Drew Stanton; TE Will Heller; CB Eric Wright
Offense: With emerging star QB Matthew Stafford, the Lions are set to roar once again in 2012 as he put up huge numbers last year, throwing for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Wow!
The main target is All-Pro WR Calvin Johnson, along with Nate Burleson, Titus Young and tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler.
Jahvid Best (often injured) will be the primary running back and the Lions will look to have Mikel Leshoure (out all of last season) as well to form a one-two punch for the running game.
Defense: The Lions can play well defensively, but they have to find the consistency to improve.
They forced 17 fumbles to go with 41 QB sacks and scored seven touchdowns during the regular season.
Ndamukong Suh needs a bounce back year after being hit with suspension and getting a bad reputation as a dirty player. Along with DT Nick Fairley, the Lions can be a force up front.
The secondary has to improve as they gave up too many big plays last season and they were also torched big time in the playoff loss to New Orleans.
Outlook: Making the playoffs for the first time in 12 years was huge. The Lions must improve against the pass on defense and continue to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks to achieve more success in 2012.
The offense will put up big numbers again and this team could very well make the playoffs once again.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
2011 Record: 15-1-0 (1st Place)
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy
Key Additions: C Jeff Saturday; DT Daniel Muir; DE Anthony Hargrove
Key Losses: S Nick Collins; T Chad Clifton; QB Matt Flynn; C Scott Wells
Offense: Quarterback and league MVP Aaron Rodgers had a record setting year in 2011, passing for 4,643 yards with 45 TD passes and just six picks.
Rodgers has a plethora of receivers to choose from in Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Donald Driver, Jermichael Finley and Andrew Quarless. Though the Packers still have not signed free agent running back Ryan Grant, the ground game is decent with James Starks in tow.
The line will be revamped as Chad Clifton and center Scott Wells left via free agency. The Packers did sign veteran Jeff Saturday to snap the ball.
Defense: This unit was shellacked last season and it really showed in the playoff loss to the Giants.
Green Bay simply gave up too much yardage and big passing plays in 2011 and that has got to improve if they want to get back to the Super Bowl.
Pressure up front will be the key as they had just 29 QB sacks a year ago. Look for rookies Nick Perry (LB) and Jerel Worthy (DE) to make an impact along with free agent signees Anthony Hargrove and Daniel Muir.
Outlook: Super Bowl or bust is the mantra for the Green Bay Packers and they know what it takes to win it all.
The defense has to improve because they cannot always outscore the opposition. Look for Rodgers and company to put up the big numbers on offense again.
One area of concern has to be a serious injury to Rodgers, because backup QB Matt Flynn is gone (to Seattle) in the free agent market and the Packers are going with an untested reserve this season.
However, this team should win the division again and make a deep playoff run that just might result in a second Super Bowl title in three years.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
2011 Record: 3-13-0 (4th Place)
Head Coach: Leslie Frazier
Key Additions: TE John Carlson; WR Jerome Simpson; CB Chris Carr
Key Losses: G Steve Hutchinson; CB Cedric Griffin
Offense: Running back Adrian Peterson is coming off knee surgery and the team will hope to have him in the fold when camp opens up in August.
Other than that, things are just fine.
The Vikings have serious questions on offense without a true number one wide receiver.
Percy Harvin played very well last season, as he runs and catches the ball (he had over 1,200 yards from scrimmage last season) but the Vikings lack depth. They have Michael Jenkins and free agent signee Jerome Simpson in the mix.
Quarterback Christian Ponder got his chance last year after the team released veteran QB Donovan McNabb and will look to show more in 2012 after completing just 54 percent of his passes with 13 TD and 13 interceptions.
Defense: Jared Allen led the NFL with 22 QB sacks last season and he is the key up front for the Vikings defense, which started out pretty well, but faded out badly over the final ten games a year ago.
The run defense was fair but the pass defense was awful in the 2011 season and needs to improve with the likes of having to face Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler twice this season.
Outlook: Getting Peterson back healthy will be huge for Minnesota, along with improvement from second-year QB Ponder. The defense has to get better as well to keep the team in games.
Look for some improvement in the win-loss column, but there is no escaping the NFC North cellar this year.
Predicted order of finish for 2012- 1. Green Bay (12-4) 2. Chicago (11-5) 3. Detroit (9-7) 4. Minnesota (4-12)
The Green Bay Packers went 15-1 and pretty much dominated everyone they played during the regular season, but then ran into a buzz saw that was the New York Giants in the playoffs, and they were blown out, 37-20 to a shocked crowd at Lambeau Field.
Meanwhile in 2011, the Detroit Lions finally broke through and made the playoffs after finishing the regular season at 10-6. This just three years after going 0-16.
After jumping out to a 7-3 start, the Chicago Bears limped to a 8-8 finish after losing quarterback Jay Cutler (broken thumb) and then leading rusher Matt Forte' (sprained knee) to season ending injuries in a three week period.
The Minnesota Vikings suffered through a miserable season, going 3-13 while watching their young QB Christian Ponder go through growing pains. Throw in the fact that running back Adrian Peterson, their best player, missed time with a torn ACL, and there you go regarding the 2011 season for the Vikings.
It looks to be a three-team race in the division in 2012, with Green Bay the obvious favorite. Chicago and Detroit appear to be looming large once again and this division could see three teams make the playoffs. Minnesota has some work to do to get back into contention this season.
Here's a breakdown (in capsule form) of the NFC North for the upcoming season.
2011 Record: 8-8-0 (3rd Place)
Head Coach: Lovie Smith
Key Additions: WR Brandon Marshall; RB Michael Bush; QB Jason Campbell; WR-KR Eric Weems; LB Geno Hayes
Key Losses: RB Marion Barber
Offense: Quarterback Jay Cutler staying in one piece (Bears allowed 49 QB sacks in 2011) is the key to the offense. Getting Matt Forte' into the fold is important as well. He is still unsigned and the team needs him. If Cutler and Forte' are unavailable, the Bears did well to add RB Michael Bush and QB Jason Campbell as backups.
To bolster the air attack, they added WR Brandon Marshall, who enjoyed success with Cutler while they both played for Denver until 2008. The O-line has to do a better job of pass protecting, as they have allowed over 100 sacks in the last two seasons combined.
Defense: Age is creeping up on linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher as well as corner man Charles Tillman and DE Julius Peppers.
The team is looking for big things once again from this unit and they added first round pick Shea McClellin (DE) to bolster the front line. The secondary appeared vulnerable at times last season and pressure up front always helps as well.
Outlook: With a big play receiver in Marshall to go with a solid running attack, the Bears should put points on the board. The defense will have to maintain consistency this year as they allowed an unusual amount of high scoring at times last season.
Keeping Cutler and Forte' healthy is important and the Bears also have two excellent kick returners with veteran Devin Hester and newly signed free agent Eric Weems.
Look for the Bears to contend with Green Bay and Detroit in the division and barring injury to key players (on both sides of the ball) they may reach the post-season once again.
2011 Record: 10-6-0 (2nd Place)
Head Coach: Jim Schwartz
Key Additions: DE Everette Brown; CB Jacob Lacey
Key Losses: LB Bobby Carpenter; QB Drew Stanton; TE Will Heller; CB Eric Wright
Offense: With emerging star QB Matthew Stafford, the Lions are set to roar once again in 2012 as he put up huge numbers last year, throwing for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Wow!
The main target is All-Pro WR Calvin Johnson, along with Nate Burleson, Titus Young and tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler.
Jahvid Best (often injured) will be the primary running back and the Lions will look to have Mikel Leshoure (out all of last season) as well to form a one-two punch for the running game.
Defense: The Lions can play well defensively, but they have to find the consistency to improve.
They forced 17 fumbles to go with 41 QB sacks and scored seven touchdowns during the regular season.
Ndamukong Suh needs a bounce back year after being hit with suspension and getting a bad reputation as a dirty player. Along with DT Nick Fairley, the Lions can be a force up front.
The secondary has to improve as they gave up too many big plays last season and they were also torched big time in the playoff loss to New Orleans.
Outlook: Making the playoffs for the first time in 12 years was huge. The Lions must improve against the pass on defense and continue to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks to achieve more success in 2012.
The offense will put up big numbers again and this team could very well make the playoffs once again.
2011 Record: 15-1-0 (1st Place)
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy
Key Additions: C Jeff Saturday; DT Daniel Muir; DE Anthony Hargrove
Key Losses: S Nick Collins; T Chad Clifton; QB Matt Flynn; C Scott Wells
Offense: Quarterback and league MVP Aaron Rodgers had a record setting year in 2011, passing for 4,643 yards with 45 TD passes and just six picks.
Rodgers has a plethora of receivers to choose from in Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Donald Driver, Jermichael Finley and Andrew Quarless. Though the Packers still have not signed free agent running back Ryan Grant, the ground game is decent with James Starks in tow.
The line will be revamped as Chad Clifton and center Scott Wells left via free agency. The Packers did sign veteran Jeff Saturday to snap the ball.
Defense: This unit was shellacked last season and it really showed in the playoff loss to the Giants.
Green Bay simply gave up too much yardage and big passing plays in 2011 and that has got to improve if they want to get back to the Super Bowl.
Pressure up front will be the key as they had just 29 QB sacks a year ago. Look for rookies Nick Perry (LB) and Jerel Worthy (DE) to make an impact along with free agent signees Anthony Hargrove and Daniel Muir.
Outlook: Super Bowl or bust is the mantra for the Green Bay Packers and they know what it takes to win it all.
The defense has to improve because they cannot always outscore the opposition. Look for Rodgers and company to put up the big numbers on offense again.
One area of concern has to be a serious injury to Rodgers, because backup QB Matt Flynn is gone (to Seattle) in the free agent market and the Packers are going with an untested reserve this season.
However, this team should win the division again and make a deep playoff run that just might result in a second Super Bowl title in three years.
2011 Record: 3-13-0 (4th Place)
Head Coach: Leslie Frazier
Key Additions: TE John Carlson; WR Jerome Simpson; CB Chris Carr
Key Losses: G Steve Hutchinson; CB Cedric Griffin
Offense: Running back Adrian Peterson is coming off knee surgery and the team will hope to have him in the fold when camp opens up in August.
Other than that, things are just fine.
The Vikings have serious questions on offense without a true number one wide receiver.
Percy Harvin played very well last season, as he runs and catches the ball (he had over 1,200 yards from scrimmage last season) but the Vikings lack depth. They have Michael Jenkins and free agent signee Jerome Simpson in the mix.
Quarterback Christian Ponder got his chance last year after the team released veteran QB Donovan McNabb and will look to show more in 2012 after completing just 54 percent of his passes with 13 TD and 13 interceptions.
Defense: Jared Allen led the NFL with 22 QB sacks last season and he is the key up front for the Vikings defense, which started out pretty well, but faded out badly over the final ten games a year ago.
The run defense was fair but the pass defense was awful in the 2011 season and needs to improve with the likes of having to face Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler twice this season.
Outlook: Getting Peterson back healthy will be huge for Minnesota, along with improvement from second-year QB Ponder. The defense has to get better as well to keep the team in games.
Look for some improvement in the win-loss column, but there is no escaping the NFC North cellar this year.
Predicted order of finish for 2012- 1. Green Bay (12-4) 2. Chicago (11-5) 3. Detroit (9-7) 4. Minnesota (4-12)
Saturday, May 26, 2012
NFL - Sneak Previews
AFC North Division (sneak preview)
The Baltimore Ravens won the AFC North last year and advanced all the way to the Conference title game before losing at New England, 23-20 as kicker Billy Cundiff missed a usually routine field goal in the closing seconds.
The Pittsburgh Steelers had injury problems last season, most notably quarterback Ben Roehtlisberger, and limped into the AFC Playoffs as a wild card where they lost to Denver in overtime.
The Cincinnati Bengals finished a surprising 9-7 and made the playoffs last year with a pair of rookies leading the way. QB Andy Dalton took over as veteran signal caller Carson Palmer was sent packing to Oakland. Wide receiver A.J. Green had a big season as well and along with a resurgent defense, the Bengals enjoyed success.
The Cleveland Browns continued to rebuild as Colt McCoy and company suffered through a 4-12 season and another fourth place finish.
Looking ahead to 2012, not a whole lot appears to be different as the teams look forward to training camps in a couple of months.
Here's a breakdown (in capsule form) of the AFC North teams.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
2011 Record: 12-4-0 (1st Place)
Head Coach: John Harbaugh
Key Additions: WR-KR Jacoby Jones; QB Curtis Painter
Key Losses: G Ben Strubbs; LB Jarret Johnson; DE Cory Redding; S Tom Zbikowski
Offense: QB Joe Flacco had a good year (3,610 yards passing with 20 TD) as did RB Ray Rice (1,364 yards rushing and 12 TD) and along with wide receiver Anquan Boldin and deep threat Torrey Smith, should to continue to improve on a 15th ranked unit from last season.
Defense: This is the team strength, but they do have some age issues creeping up on them as All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis enters his 17th season and Terrell Suggs, last season's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, may not be available following an off season Achilles injury.
Rookie linebacker Courtney Upshaw (Alabama) may be tested early with Suggs being out. The secondary is solid as corner Ladarius Webb (five interceptions) and safety Bernard Pollard lead the way.
Outlook: Baltimore knows they have a good team but they always seem to fall short of the goal of the Super Bowl. Last season was especially disappointing with the AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots.
Flacco must remain consistent at quarterback and show he can take the team to the next level. In four seasons, he has led the Ravens to two conference title games, but the Ravens have to take the next step and get to the Super Bowl.
Look for another playoff appearance for the Ravens, but probably not the Super Bowl.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
2011 Record: 9-7-0 (3rd Place)
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis
Key Additions: RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis; CB Terrance Newman; G Travelle Wharton
Key Losses: RB Cedric Benson; LB Keith Rivers; G Nate Livings; WR Jerome Simpson
Offense: Quarterback Andy Dalton and wideout A.J. Green caught the league by surprise last year, so they need to be ready for an encore performance in 2012 if the Bengals are going to make the playoffs once again.
The line will be the key in pass protection for Dalton and opening the holes for new running back Green-Ellis, who comes over from New England as the Bengals didn't re-sign RB Cedric Benson this past off-season.
Defense: This unit got back to playing the type of football as they did in 2009, when the Bengals won the AFC North.
Defensive Tackle Geno Atkins led the way with 7 1/2 sacks last season and the linebacking corps are solid with Rey Maualuga and Manny Lawson leading way.
Outlook: Unlike 2009, when they were undefeated in division play, the Bengals could not beat the Steelers and Ravens last year and unless they prove otherwise in 2012, they will not win the division.
If Dalton can repeat his rookie success, the Bengals will contend in the division, but if he struggles at all, then a wild card will be their best shot at returning to the post-season.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
2011 Record: 4-12-0 (4th Place)
Head Coach: Pat Shurmur
Key Additions: DE Juqua Parker; DE Frostee Rucker
Key Losses: RB Peyton Hillis; G Eric Steinbach; S Mike Adams; OL Artis Hicks
Offense: The Browns are revamping the offense in 2012. Running back Trent Richardson was taken with the third pick in the NFL Draft and quarterback Brandon Weeden was chosen with the 22nd pick. the Browns also added offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz to help up front.
Weeden will compete with QB Colt McCoy for the starting spot and Richardson and Schwartz will be starting from day one.
Greg Little, Mohamed Massaquoi and rookie Travis Benjamin will be primary targets at wide receiver along with tight end Benjamin Watson and all-purpose player Josh Cribbs.
Defense: Cleveland had an improved defense last year, ranking fifth in the NFL by allowing just 307 points. They also had the league's second best pass defense in 2011. However, they must do a better job at stopping the run, where they finished 30th overall last season.
Defensive End Jabaal Sheard led the team with 8 1/2 sacks and Frostee Rucker comes over from Cincinnati to help on the defensive front.
Outlook: The Browns fell off last year, losing the final six games of the season after a decent start.
They didn't win a single division game and if they want to be considered serious contenders in the AFC North, they have to find a way to win against the division rivals.
The Browns will be relying on newcomers which likely means growing pains. However, they can be encouraged seeing what the Cincinnati Bengals did last year with rookie starters.
Look for some improvement from Cleveland, but not enough to turn the tide in this rugged division.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
2011 Record: 12-4-0 (2nd Place)
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
Key Additions: TE Leonard Pope
Key Losses: CB William Gay; LB James Farrior; WR Hines Ward; DE Aaron Smith; G Chris Kemoeatu
Offense: The offense revolves around QB Ben Roethlisberger and his health was an issue last season.
Big Ben threw for over 4,000 yards a year ago, but was sacked 40 times as well.
The offensive line has to do a better job of protecting him and opening holes for running backs Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman. The Steelers drafted two offensive linemen (guard David DeCastro and tackle Mike Adams) to shore up the O-line.
Mendenhall is coming off a serious knee injury and the Steelers may give rookie draft pick Chris Rainey a good look in training camp.
The wide receiving corps is solid with a pair of 1,000 yard receivers in Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace. Throw in Tight End Heath Miller, who is a clutch third down target for Roethlisberger, and the team looks set in that area.
Defense: The Steelers led the NFL in fewest points allowed in 2011 as well as leading the league in yards allowed.
However, they let Tim Tebow and company ring up 29 points in an overtime playoff loss to Denver.
Ouch!
There have been changes made up front, where Aaron Smith and nose tackle Chris Hoke are gone. Also shown the door was linebacker James Farrior.
The Steelers are loaded at linebacker with James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley and Larry Foote. This is definitely the heart of the defense.
The secondary should be solid once again with Troy Polamalu leading the way with reckless abandon.
Outlook: This team is solid enough to handle one of the league's toughest schedules as well as facing Baltimore and Cincinnati twice.
Roehtlisberger is the key to the offense and Harrison and Polamalu lead the way on the defensive side of the ball.
The Steelers lost twice to the Ravens last year and this year won't face them until late November, when the two teams face off twice in a three-week period.
Those two games in the short stretch will likely decide the division winner.
Pittsburgh knows what it takes to win and has been to the Super Bowl twice in the last four years with a Super Bowl win following the 2008 season.
Look for another strong season and a possible Super Bowl appearance as well.
Predicted order of finish for 2012- 1. Pittsburgh (12-4) 2. Baltimore (11-5) 3. Cincinnati (8-8) 4. Cleveland (5-11)
The Baltimore Ravens won the AFC North last year and advanced all the way to the Conference title game before losing at New England, 23-20 as kicker Billy Cundiff missed a usually routine field goal in the closing seconds.
The Pittsburgh Steelers had injury problems last season, most notably quarterback Ben Roehtlisberger, and limped into the AFC Playoffs as a wild card where they lost to Denver in overtime.
The Cincinnati Bengals finished a surprising 9-7 and made the playoffs last year with a pair of rookies leading the way. QB Andy Dalton took over as veteran signal caller Carson Palmer was sent packing to Oakland. Wide receiver A.J. Green had a big season as well and along with a resurgent defense, the Bengals enjoyed success.
The Cleveland Browns continued to rebuild as Colt McCoy and company suffered through a 4-12 season and another fourth place finish.
Looking ahead to 2012, not a whole lot appears to be different as the teams look forward to training camps in a couple of months.
Here's a breakdown (in capsule form) of the AFC North teams.
2011 Record: 12-4-0 (1st Place)
Head Coach: John Harbaugh
Key Additions: WR-KR Jacoby Jones; QB Curtis Painter
Key Losses: G Ben Strubbs; LB Jarret Johnson; DE Cory Redding; S Tom Zbikowski
Offense: QB Joe Flacco had a good year (3,610 yards passing with 20 TD) as did RB Ray Rice (1,364 yards rushing and 12 TD) and along with wide receiver Anquan Boldin and deep threat Torrey Smith, should to continue to improve on a 15th ranked unit from last season.
Defense: This is the team strength, but they do have some age issues creeping up on them as All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis enters his 17th season and Terrell Suggs, last season's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, may not be available following an off season Achilles injury.
Rookie linebacker Courtney Upshaw (Alabama) may be tested early with Suggs being out. The secondary is solid as corner Ladarius Webb (five interceptions) and safety Bernard Pollard lead the way.
Outlook: Baltimore knows they have a good team but they always seem to fall short of the goal of the Super Bowl. Last season was especially disappointing with the AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots.
Flacco must remain consistent at quarterback and show he can take the team to the next level. In four seasons, he has led the Ravens to two conference title games, but the Ravens have to take the next step and get to the Super Bowl.
Look for another playoff appearance for the Ravens, but probably not the Super Bowl.
2011 Record: 9-7-0 (3rd Place)
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis
Key Additions: RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis; CB Terrance Newman; G Travelle Wharton
Key Losses: RB Cedric Benson; LB Keith Rivers; G Nate Livings; WR Jerome Simpson
Offense: Quarterback Andy Dalton and wideout A.J. Green caught the league by surprise last year, so they need to be ready for an encore performance in 2012 if the Bengals are going to make the playoffs once again.
The line will be the key in pass protection for Dalton and opening the holes for new running back Green-Ellis, who comes over from New England as the Bengals didn't re-sign RB Cedric Benson this past off-season.
Defense: This unit got back to playing the type of football as they did in 2009, when the Bengals won the AFC North.
Defensive Tackle Geno Atkins led the way with 7 1/2 sacks last season and the linebacking corps are solid with Rey Maualuga and Manny Lawson leading way.
Outlook: Unlike 2009, when they were undefeated in division play, the Bengals could not beat the Steelers and Ravens last year and unless they prove otherwise in 2012, they will not win the division.
If Dalton can repeat his rookie success, the Bengals will contend in the division, but if he struggles at all, then a wild card will be their best shot at returning to the post-season.
2011 Record: 4-12-0 (4th Place)
Head Coach: Pat Shurmur
Key Additions: DE Juqua Parker; DE Frostee Rucker
Key Losses: RB Peyton Hillis; G Eric Steinbach; S Mike Adams; OL Artis Hicks
Offense: The Browns are revamping the offense in 2012. Running back Trent Richardson was taken with the third pick in the NFL Draft and quarterback Brandon Weeden was chosen with the 22nd pick. the Browns also added offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz to help up front.
Weeden will compete with QB Colt McCoy for the starting spot and Richardson and Schwartz will be starting from day one.
Greg Little, Mohamed Massaquoi and rookie Travis Benjamin will be primary targets at wide receiver along with tight end Benjamin Watson and all-purpose player Josh Cribbs.
Defense: Cleveland had an improved defense last year, ranking fifth in the NFL by allowing just 307 points. They also had the league's second best pass defense in 2011. However, they must do a better job at stopping the run, where they finished 30th overall last season.
Defensive End Jabaal Sheard led the team with 8 1/2 sacks and Frostee Rucker comes over from Cincinnati to help on the defensive front.
Outlook: The Browns fell off last year, losing the final six games of the season after a decent start.
They didn't win a single division game and if they want to be considered serious contenders in the AFC North, they have to find a way to win against the division rivals.
The Browns will be relying on newcomers which likely means growing pains. However, they can be encouraged seeing what the Cincinnati Bengals did last year with rookie starters.
Look for some improvement from Cleveland, but not enough to turn the tide in this rugged division.
2011 Record: 12-4-0 (2nd Place)
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
Key Additions: TE Leonard Pope
Key Losses: CB William Gay; LB James Farrior; WR Hines Ward; DE Aaron Smith; G Chris Kemoeatu
Offense: The offense revolves around QB Ben Roethlisberger and his health was an issue last season.
Big Ben threw for over 4,000 yards a year ago, but was sacked 40 times as well.
The offensive line has to do a better job of protecting him and opening holes for running backs Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman. The Steelers drafted two offensive linemen (guard David DeCastro and tackle Mike Adams) to shore up the O-line.
Mendenhall is coming off a serious knee injury and the Steelers may give rookie draft pick Chris Rainey a good look in training camp.
The wide receiving corps is solid with a pair of 1,000 yard receivers in Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace. Throw in Tight End Heath Miller, who is a clutch third down target for Roethlisberger, and the team looks set in that area.
Defense: The Steelers led the NFL in fewest points allowed in 2011 as well as leading the league in yards allowed.
However, they let Tim Tebow and company ring up 29 points in an overtime playoff loss to Denver.
Ouch!
There have been changes made up front, where Aaron Smith and nose tackle Chris Hoke are gone. Also shown the door was linebacker James Farrior.
The Steelers are loaded at linebacker with James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley and Larry Foote. This is definitely the heart of the defense.
The secondary should be solid once again with Troy Polamalu leading the way with reckless abandon.
Outlook: This team is solid enough to handle one of the league's toughest schedules as well as facing Baltimore and Cincinnati twice.
Roehtlisberger is the key to the offense and Harrison and Polamalu lead the way on the defensive side of the ball.
The Steelers lost twice to the Ravens last year and this year won't face them until late November, when the two teams face off twice in a three-week period.
Those two games in the short stretch will likely decide the division winner.
Pittsburgh knows what it takes to win and has been to the Super Bowl twice in the last four years with a Super Bowl win following the 2008 season.
Look for another strong season and a possible Super Bowl appearance as well.
Predicted order of finish for 2012- 1. Pittsburgh (12-4) 2. Baltimore (11-5) 3. Cincinnati (8-8) 4. Cleveland (5-11)
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Secretariat - Still The Greatest
With two-thirds of horse racing's triple crown now won, I'll Have Another will be chasing history at the Belmont Stakes (having won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes) as he tries to become the first triple crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. Seattle Slew also accomplished the feat in 1977.
However, when Secretariat won the triple crown of horse racing in 1973, he did it in dramatic fashion by winning the Belmont Stakes by a record 31 lengths.
Incredible!
Here is footage of the historic race at the famed New York track.
However, when Secretariat won the triple crown of horse racing in 1973, he did it in dramatic fashion by winning the Belmont Stakes by a record 31 lengths.
Incredible!
Here is footage of the historic race at the famed New York track.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Another Music Icon Passes
Donna Summer passed away from cancer today at the age of 63. She was best known as the "Queen of Disco" in the 1970's and early 1980's.
Here is a video of one of her best known songs from the 1970's.
Here is a video of one of her best known songs from the 1970's.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Sports Mystery Quiz Time
Can you name this Major League Baseball park (it no longer exists) and the team that played there?
(Hint: The team moved from this place to a much bigger venue in 1977)
(Hint: The team moved from this place to a much bigger venue in 1977)
Monday, May 14, 2012
JP Morgan Chase Bank CEO Jamie Dimon - America's Biggest Asshole
Take a good look America . . . this clown needs to be thrown into Federal Prison, pronto!
 |
| Jamie Dimon - glorified gambler (with other people's money) |
Sunday, May 13, 2012
In Other Words
(Note: A guest commentary today from Gene Lyons, who is a columnist for the Arkansas Times, a RED STATE at that, in a column titled 'Today's GOP: You can't reason with crazy' ... here are some words of wisdom on the political times in our country.)
After the comprehensive failures of President George W. Bush, conservatives faced a hard choice: rethink or go crazy. For too many, the election of Barack Obama appears to have made it a no-brainer. Millions have chosen the comforts of delusion, envisioning the ordinary give-and-take of politics in a democracy as an apocalyptic struggle between good and evil.
In a presidential election year, the evidence is everywhere. Two weeks ago, Florida GOP Rep. Allen West told a gathering of constituents that he knew of "78 to 81" congressional Democrats who are members of the Communist Party. Almost needless to say, West failed to name even one. Hardly anybody noticed, and certainly not the "severely conservative" presumptive Republican nominee, Mitt Romney.
Crackpot pronouncements from GOP stalwarts have grown almost too commonplace to remark upon. Just the other day, Romney pretended not to hear a woman in Ohio accuse President Barack Obama of governing outside the constitution. She wanted him tried for treason. Handed an opportunity to appear "presidential," Romney reacted with the manic unease of a used car salesman fearful of losing a customer.
Meanwhile, speaking of conspiracy theories, a Chicago-based right wing "think tank" called the Heartland Institute erected a billboard along the Eisenhower Expy. featuring a portrait of the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski.
"I still believe in Global Warming," it read. "Do you?"
The Heartland Institute, funded by oil and coal interests, must have thought millions of American voters are gullible enough to be swayed by such nakedly demagogic appeals.
Writing in the Washington Post, longtime congressional scholars Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein cautiously analyze what has been obvious to some of us for a long time: The main cause of the dysfunction in American politics has become the ideological extremism of the Republican Party.
In their new book, It's Even Worse Than It Looks: How The American Constitutional System Collided with the New Politics of Extremism, they flirt with the idea that both parties are equally responsible for Washington gridlock but ultimately conclude that the GOP has become "an insurgent outlier- ideologically extreme; contemptuous of the inherited social and economic policy regime; scornful of compromise; unpersuaded by understanding of conventional facts, evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition ... all but declaring war on the government."
No kidding. Sometimes it seems that the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 enabled paranoid thinkers to concentrate all their energies on the internal enemy. Newt Gingrich's "Contract with America" and the bombastic stylings of Rush Limbaugh began depicting Democrats as "sick," "treasonous" and enemies of "normal Americans" under Bill Clinton.
But it took the economic catastrophe caused by George W. Bush's policies followed by the election of Obama - not merely a black man, but a black Democrat with a foreign-sounding name - to bring that paranoia to epidemic proportions.
Longtime GOP congressional aide Mike Lofgren wrote last year in explaining his resignation, "the Republican Party is becoming less and less like a traditional political party in a representative democracy and becoming more like an apocalyptic cult, or one of the intensely ideological authoritarian parties of 20th century Europe."
For Obama to succeed where Bush had failed also had the potential to reduce the GOP to a powerless bloc of neo-Confederate whiners for a generation. So Obama had to fail at all costs.
Crazy can't be reasoned with.
Only defeated.
In a presidential election year, the evidence is everywhere. Two weeks ago, Florida GOP Rep. Allen West told a gathering of constituents that he knew of "78 to 81" congressional Democrats who are members of the Communist Party. Almost needless to say, West failed to name even one. Hardly anybody noticed, and certainly not the "severely conservative" presumptive Republican nominee, Mitt Romney.
Crackpot pronouncements from GOP stalwarts have grown almost too commonplace to remark upon. Just the other day, Romney pretended not to hear a woman in Ohio accuse President Barack Obama of governing outside the constitution. She wanted him tried for treason. Handed an opportunity to appear "presidential," Romney reacted with the manic unease of a used car salesman fearful of losing a customer.
Meanwhile, speaking of conspiracy theories, a Chicago-based right wing "think tank" called the Heartland Institute erected a billboard along the Eisenhower Expy. featuring a portrait of the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski.
"I still believe in Global Warming," it read. "Do you?"
The Heartland Institute, funded by oil and coal interests, must have thought millions of American voters are gullible enough to be swayed by such nakedly demagogic appeals.
Writing in the Washington Post, longtime congressional scholars Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein cautiously analyze what has been obvious to some of us for a long time: The main cause of the dysfunction in American politics has become the ideological extremism of the Republican Party.
In their new book, It's Even Worse Than It Looks: How The American Constitutional System Collided with the New Politics of Extremism, they flirt with the idea that both parties are equally responsible for Washington gridlock but ultimately conclude that the GOP has become "an insurgent outlier- ideologically extreme; contemptuous of the inherited social and economic policy regime; scornful of compromise; unpersuaded by understanding of conventional facts, evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition ... all but declaring war on the government."
No kidding. Sometimes it seems that the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 enabled paranoid thinkers to concentrate all their energies on the internal enemy. Newt Gingrich's "Contract with America" and the bombastic stylings of Rush Limbaugh began depicting Democrats as "sick," "treasonous" and enemies of "normal Americans" under Bill Clinton.
But it took the economic catastrophe caused by George W. Bush's policies followed by the election of Obama - not merely a black man, but a black Democrat with a foreign-sounding name - to bring that paranoia to epidemic proportions.
Longtime GOP congressional aide Mike Lofgren wrote last year in explaining his resignation, "the Republican Party is becoming less and less like a traditional political party in a representative democracy and becoming more like an apocalyptic cult, or one of the intensely ideological authoritarian parties of 20th century Europe."
For Obama to succeed where Bush had failed also had the potential to reduce the GOP to a powerless bloc of neo-Confederate whiners for a generation. So Obama had to fail at all costs.
Crazy can't be reasoned with.
Only defeated.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Hey Mitt Romney - You Are Full of Shit!
"Let Detroit Go Bankrupt."
That is a direct quote from Mitt Romney regarding the now surging Auto Industry... and Romney is now attempting to take credit for the success that the Barack Obama Administration policies put in place that allowed the Auto Industry to make the comeback.
Let's go to the video tape below and see the proof.
Mitt Romney ... You are full of shit!
That is a direct quote from Mitt Romney regarding the now surging Auto Industry... and Romney is now attempting to take credit for the success that the Barack Obama Administration policies put in place that allowed the Auto Industry to make the comeback.
Let's go to the video tape below and see the proof.
Mitt Romney ... You are full of shit!
Monday, May 7, 2012
WAKE UP!
What is wrong with the American people?
Unless the latest Gallup poll regarding the 2012 Presidential election between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, the assumed nominee for the Republican party, is way off, how in the hell is Obama only two points (47% to 45%) ahead of Romney?
That is ridiculous.
The election is still five months away but the fact this national poll states that the American people are that inept doesn't speak well about our country at all.
Romney cannot be trusted with the economy, yet he holds an advantage of 12 points over Obama?
C'mon people ... WAKE UP!
Stop being bamboozled by the right wing noise machine, headed by Karl Rove; the Koch Brothers funding via the Supreme Court's INSANE decision on the "Citizens (corporations really) United" case two years ago.
How do people trust Romney with the economy over Obama?
Check your history folks ... Romney and his cronies continuously outsourced jobs from Americans and sent them to countries overseas via Bain Capital by shuttering down the places where AMERICANS held those jobs.
Romney and company GAVE THEM AWAY to foreign countries for their own personal gain.
That is the way Romney rolls...
So, what makes people think his policies (as POTUS no less) will help the U.S. economy when all that will happen is more people will be jobless or else working for much, much less money than they were making when they had a real paying job prior to the VULTURE capitalists (SUCH AS ROMNEY) taking them away and sending them overseas for their own greed.
THAT IS FACT MY FRIENDS!
Look it up.
Romney is a complete idiot and has no business running for President of the United States...and why should he run?
Think about it... here is a guy whose personal wealth is in the hundreds of MILLIONS and he wants a job that pays about $400,000 annually?
Get real!
This guy is corrupt as they come and any American in the 99 percent who votes for Mitt Romney is a complete idiot.
WAKE UP AMERICA!
That is ridiculous.
The election is still five months away but the fact this national poll states that the American people are that inept doesn't speak well about our country at all.
Romney cannot be trusted with the economy, yet he holds an advantage of 12 points over Obama?
C'mon people ... WAKE UP!
Stop being bamboozled by the right wing noise machine, headed by Karl Rove; the Koch Brothers funding via the Supreme Court's INSANE decision on the "Citizens (corporations really) United" case two years ago.
How do people trust Romney with the economy over Obama?
Check your history folks ... Romney and his cronies continuously outsourced jobs from Americans and sent them to countries overseas via Bain Capital by shuttering down the places where AMERICANS held those jobs.
Romney and company GAVE THEM AWAY to foreign countries for their own personal gain.
That is the way Romney rolls...
So, what makes people think his policies (as POTUS no less) will help the U.S. economy when all that will happen is more people will be jobless or else working for much, much less money than they were making when they had a real paying job prior to the VULTURE capitalists (SUCH AS ROMNEY) taking them away and sending them overseas for their own greed.
THAT IS FACT MY FRIENDS!
Look it up.
Romney is a complete idiot and has no business running for President of the United States...and why should he run?
Think about it... here is a guy whose personal wealth is in the hundreds of MILLIONS and he wants a job that pays about $400,000 annually?
Get real!
This guy is corrupt as they come and any American in the 99 percent who votes for Mitt Romney is a complete idiot.
WAKE UP AMERICA!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Well Said
Obama said that the troops will remain in a joint effort with the Afghan government until 2024, but that we as a nation are on target as scheduled.
It's really simple ... there are numerous problems right here in the United States (as Obama mentioned in his address from Afghanistan) and congressional lawmakers need to focus there.
Yes!
The problem is the republicans in Congress continue to obstruct the president as well as the Koch brothers and the super PACs, led by Karl Rove, continuing to fund the extreme right wing agenda as they are hell bent on taking this country backwards while also destroying the middle class and kissing the asses of the top one percent wage earners.
However, the Obama Administration is having none of it and has fought back continually as the campaign starts to get revved up.
Osama Bin Laden was killed last year (one year ago today in fact) by the Navy Seal Team Six in Pakistan and it was President Obama who made the call and ordered the mission to take out the world's leading terrorist.
Above it all regarding the republicans, they know they no longer have their bogeyman in Bin Laden to scare the hell out of uninformed American voters.
That is the bottom line for the GOP and they know it.
They have no more "aces in the hole," and they are jealous of the president.
The Obama Administration delivered on the promise to take Osama Bin Laden out if given the opportunity and that is the fact.
Well said ... and enough said.
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