F2:Tim Tebow: How He took the Nation by Storm

When Tebow came out of high school he was a highly touted player. He had actually committed to Florida over Alabama that just makes one wonder how history might be different. Tim Tebow took the college scene by storm and it wasn’t before long that Tebow became a legend down in Florida. Tebow won the Heisman in 2007 and led the Florida Gators to a National Championship. That season Tebow had one of the greatest seasons in NFL history rushing for 23 touchdowns and 895 yards. He threw for 3286 yards and 32 touchdowns that season as well. Two years later Tebow would help lead Florida to another Championship title, this time over the potent offense of the Oklahoma Sooners. Tim Tebow would end up beating the Heisman winner Sam Bradford in that game. But it wasn’t the game that was in the spotlight it was Tim Tebow’s emotional halftime speech he gave that was really the rallying cry for the Gators. Tebow would up getting drafted by the Denver Broncos. Tebow sat for much of his rookie season. The next season Tebow was jolted into the spotlight when the Broncos started off 1-4. Tebow led the Broncos on a magic carpet ride; the ride included a game against the Chiefs where he was 2 for 8 and still won the game. Against the Jets on Thursday Tebow rushed for a touchdown that Jim Leonard can still see in his dreams has Tebow juked him to get into the end zone and win the game with about a minute to play. Against the Bears Tebow beat the Bears on a touchdown pass and three field goals by Matt Prater that were all longer than 50 yards. Tebow helped the Broncos win the AFC West at 8-8 and they even won a playoff game over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tebow played great against the vaunted Steelers defense. He helped the Broncos get to overtime, where history was made. On the first play of overtime form the 20 yard line Tebow threw a slant to Demaryuis Thomas who took it the distance to score a touchdown. The next week Tebow went into New England and the Patriots found the secret for Tebow’s college style offense. Many thought Tebow would have another shot in Denver, but it turns out that John Elway the VP of Player Personnel wanted a different style of quarterback. That off season the Broncos signed the former 4 time MVP Peyton Manning. That was followed by Tebow being traded to the New York Jets. There we have just about seen everything from Tebow, he has played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and is even the personal protector on punt. I believe that Tebow has the ability to be a great passer in the NFL because he has determination, the work ethic and the passion to make himself into a great passer. After last season I thought that Tebow might be the chosen one for the Broncos, but John Elway thought differently, one must wonder when Tebow will be the chosen one or if he ever will be.

F1:Brett Favre-The Gunslinger

Brett Favre was one of the greatest players to ever step on the a NFL field. He wowed fans and spectators like no other player could. When Favre was drafted in the 1991 draft in the second round, they actually said that they drafted the wrong player. Favre’s first pass ever with the Falcons was an interception for a touchdown. After one year of with the Falcons, he was cut by the Falcons and he ended up signing with the Packers. The Packers starting quarterback, Don Majkowski, had the misfortune of being the stepping stone for Brett’s career. On one particular play Don ended up tearing his ankle, thus ending his season, and beginning Favre’s. In 1993 Reggie White signed with the Green Bay Packers, and together they propelled the Packers out of obscurity. Brett ended up leading the Packers to two Super Bowls and winning one of them against Drew Bledsoe’s Patriots. In 1995, 1996, 1997 Brett Favre had won 3 consecutive MVPs a feat that had never been achieved by any player. Favre was the face of the Packers for 11 more years. In the 2007 NFC Championship, in Green Bay, Favre had helped the Packers reach overtime in frigid temperatures. Favre ended up throwing an interception in overtime that ultimately coasted the Packers the game. Favre later retired in an emotional press conference. Favre later had the itch to play again. He wanted to come back, but the Packers had already chosen Rodgers as the starter, the Packers ended up trading him to New York. There Favre had achieved a feat that he had never achieved before, by throwing 6 touchdowns in a game. Favre had the Jets at an 8-3 record, but the Jest ended up going 1-4 down the stretch and failed to make the playoffs. One of the reasons for the failure down the stretch was due to the fact that Favre partially tore his rotator cuff and was not really capable to make all the throws. Favre then retired again, but wanted to play again, but the Jets had cut him and he ended up signing with the Minnesota Vikings. That season Favre and Vikings were fun to watch. The combination of him, Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, and Percy Harvin had the Vikings heading for the playoffs. That season on a when Favre had faced the Packers on Monday Night, it became the most watched Monday Night Football game ever. Favre got the better of Rodgers and Packers that night and later in the season when Favre beat his old team at Lambeau, where he was booed from the opening kickoff. Favre ended up leading the Vikings to a 12-4 record when they beat the Cowboys at home. The next game was against the Saints, in what I consider one of the most exciting games I had ever seen. Favre was beaten consistently by the Saint’s defense, but somehow he got the Vikings into a chance to win the game. In typical Favre fashion he rolled out and threw an interception, back across his body. The Vikings lost the game, and Favre retired again and decided to come back, but the Vikings never got back the same momentum from the season. Favre suffered injuries and his streak of 298 games came to an end when Arthur Moats hit him from behind, injuring Favre’s shoulder. Favre’s last game came against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night at Home, but because of the roof cave in the game had to be played outside in the cold at the University of Minnesota’s stadium. Favre took a hit from Corey Wootton of the Chicago Bears, who drilled him to the turf. Favre relied motionless, because Favre was knocked out with a concussion. Favre would retire at the end of the 2010 season. Favre finished his career with at the top of the list in Completions, Attempts, Yards, Touchdowns, Games Started, times sacked, and interceptions. When I look back at Brett Favre’s career, I think only he could do that, and he honestly was one of the most exciting players I have ever seen. He was so fun to watch because of the way he was on the field. Even at the age of 40 he was still jumping around, having laughs, and having fun even at 40 years old. There may be never another player like Brett ever again.

E1:Midseason Review

With the end of Week Eight of the NFL season coming to an end some notes should be made on the first half thoughts. The NFL every year is full of surprises and disappointments, this season is no subject. I have to say one of the teams that I am very surprised with is the Atlanta Falcons. I saw them as a good team already, but I didn’t see them as an undefeated 8-0 team. They have a very explosive team, with Matt Ryan leading the way at quarterback who is also an MVP candidate, Michael Turner leading the ground attack, and of course Julio Jones, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, and the underrated Harry Douglas. Some other teams that are very surprising is the Minnesota Vikings who are 5-3 in the “Black and Blue” division, the NFC North. They led by second year quarterback Christian Ponder who has really come around this year, as well as a resurgence of Adrian Peterson who tore his ACL in week 16. AP is leading the NFL in rushing and is a NFL Comeback Player of the Year nominee. Percy Harvin is really taking the NFL by storm because he is Minnesota’s Swiss army knife, because he does it all, he catches passes, returns kicks and punts, and even runs the ball a little. Harvin is also a midseason MVP candidate. Two other teams that are helping their cause include the Indianapolis Colts, who have doubled their win total win total from last year, with the help of Andrew Luck and veteran receiver Reggie Wayne, with four, and are in the early playoff picture. The team that joins them in that category as most improved includes the Miami Dolphins who have four wins this year too, which come on the shoulders of Reggie Bush, rookie Ryan Tannehill, and a solid defense. With the many surprises come the disappointments of the season so far. One team that has disappointed me and many other people is the Carolina Panthers. Last year they were one of the leaders in explosive plays and were led by rookie phenom. Cam Newton, but this year they have a total of one win. Their defense has been not great to say the least, they lost one of their best players, Jon Beason to a season ending injury. Cam Newton has already thrown 8 ints on the season. Another team that has been disappointing to watch was the Buffalo Bills. They spent a lot of money on defense, which includes Mario Williams, Mark Anderson, and Stephan Gilmore, and their defense is ranked 31^st in the NFL, although they are 4^th in the NFL in rushing. The Bills are just 3-5 and are on the verge of not being in playoff contention. Maybe t6he most disappointing team from the first half is the Philadelphia Eagles. They are loaded on talent and speed. They have Mike Vick, Lesean McCoy, Desean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin. On defense they have Jason Babin, Trent Cole, Demeco Ryans, and Nnamdi Asomugha. They suffer from turnovers, and an offense that can’t score points. Their o-line has not protected well and their stats show it. The Eagles at the end of the season last year won 4 straight games and many thought they would be a favorite this year, but they have not lived up to expectations. My midseason awards go out to:

MVP: Peyton Manning-Not only has Peyton Manning came back from 4 neck surgeries; he has come back with a vengeance. He has one of the best passer ratings in the NFL, with 109.0 passer rating. He has 17 touchdowns and only 4 ints. He also has the Broncos in the top 5 for offense, which is new territory from last year because the Broncos ran a wildcat/option/spread system. At this rate Manning could pass for 39 touchdowns.

Offensive Player of the Year: Percy Harvin-Harvin has done everything for the Minnesota Vikings. This year he leads the Vikings as well as the NFL in receptions. He will sometimes go into the game as a running back and carry the ball. Percy Harvin is also a deadly kick returner with a touchdown on the season for the Vikings. Harvin may be the next installment of “Slash”, (a.k.a Kordell Stewart), who played running back, wide receiver, quarterback, and returned kicks for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Defensive Player of the Year: Tim Jennings-Many people believe that J.J. Watt would win the Defensive Player of the Year because of how many pass deflections he has and that he has 9.5 sacks, but I believe that the award will go to Tim Jennings. Tim Jennings, cornerback for the Chicago Bears has picked off 6 passes and has returned one of them for a touchdown. He has helped solidify a good Chicago defense.

Head Coach of the Year: Bruce Arians/Chuck Pagano-At the end of last year the Colts were regarded as one of the worst teams ever. They had no defense, and really no offense. It really showed how Manning was the glue to the team. The team cut Peyton Manning and started over by drafting Andrew Luck. The Colts were seen as a team that would not be very good this year. It was later known that Chuck Pagano had leukemia. An emotional Week 7 win against the Packers really got them going. The Colts overcame a 21-3 halftime deficit to win the game. Bruce Arians/Chuck Pagano has the Colts sitting at 5-3.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Andrew Luck-The Colts rookie quarterback has helped the Colts get to a 5-3 record. In a week 9 game against the Dolphins, Andrew Luck broke a rookie record of 432 yards in a game that was previously set by Cam Newton. Luck has demonstrated a pocket presence and has showed the tools to win in this league. He also has made Colts fans forget that the Colts cut Peyton Manning in the offseason. If Luck can get the Colts into the playoffs you can guarantee Luck that award.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chandler Jones-This Syracuse Alumni has given the Patriots a pass rusher that they have missed since the departure of Richard Seymour. Jones has 6 sacks on the season and his far and ahead of all rookies in this category and his a favorite for the award.