Swimming with the Sharks

I am a Senior at Huntingdon College. I am a Sports Management major with a minor in Professional Communications. I want to go to The University of Alabama for a doctoral in Sports Broadcasting and a master's in Jounralism. My ultimate goal to work at ESPN as a College Football and NFL Draft analysis.

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A little wisdom and advice from a late round NFL pick to a Offensive Rookie of the Year.

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Underrated performance in Super Bowl LI – Patriots OT Marcus Cannon

There were many stars in Super Bowl LI that should be given credit. If there was one player that might not get a lot of attention (mostly due to position) that deserves a lot of credit it would be New England Patriots OT Marcus Cannon.

Cannon is a 6th year player in the NFL who was selected as 2nd team All-Pro this 2016-2017 NFL season. In the Super Bowl against Atlanta, Cannon was assigned to block Falcons star DE Vic Beasley Jr. Cannon would be blocking a player who led the NFL in the regular season in total sacks with 15.5 sacks and is one of the best players in the league in creating pressure in the backfield.

The Falcons Defensive Line did account for 5 sacks with 3 of them coming from DT Grady Jarrett from the inside. The other two were from the left side of the line from DE Dwight Freeney and OLB Courtney Upshaw. Cannon however did not allow much pressure coming from the right side of the Offensive Line as he made Beasley virtually invisible throughout the game. Beasley did not account for a tackle, a sack or more than one QB hit because he was outperformed by Marcus Cannon almost every play.

With the help of the Offensive Line, the Patriots offense accounted for 546 total yards with 442 yards in the passing game. Brady’s 442 passing yards were the most in the Super Bowl history along with his completions (43). In multiple pass settings, Beasley would try to beat Cannon on the outside with his speed which Cannon quickly countered. Beasley also tried to overpower him on bull rushes and aggressive swim moves and rips but Cannon kept his feet firm and moving.

 According to Pro Football Focus, Marcus had the 3rd highest grade in the Super Bowl game and the highest by a Patriots player. Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones had the highest grade in the game with 90.5 due to his extreme athleticism and ball catch-ability. Falcons CB Robert Alford had the 2nd highest grade of the game with a 86.7 score due to his 11 total tackles, 9 solo tackles, 3 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery and a 82 yard pick-six. Cannon had a grade of 84.9 because of his stellar performance mostly against Beasley. QB Tom Brady was the MVP of the game but you can’t give Brady credit without mentioning the fantastic blocking by Marcus Cannon.

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Out here for the 3rd day of the 2017 Senior Day practices. North Squad Wide Receivers.

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Imagine once healthy, a starting 5 featuring Chris Paul, J.J Redick, Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

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The New England Patriots open as a 3 point over the Atlanta Falcons. Interesting starting point but I feel like it may be the result in the end. My analysis to come!

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The latest Tweets from Michael Hanich (@MHanich79). Published sports analyst (145 articles). Hopeful ESPN analyst. Gulf Coast Media sports writer. Nerd expert. Orange Beach, AL

Hey guys, I will be live tweeting leading up to the game, after the game and all-throughout the game on Twitter. Join me as I will make posts from an unbiased, analytical standpoint. 

Here is the link to my Twitter where you can see my live tweets and sports analysis posts. If you follow, I will follow back.  

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(From left to right: Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly, Alabama QB Jalen Hurts and Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs.

When the 2016 All-SEC conference teams came out, there was much discussion if Alabama QB Jalen Hurts really should’ve been the 1st team Quarterback. There were a lot of people discussing that Tennessee Quarterback Joshua Dobbs should have been the 1st team Quarterback. After some research, I found a number of different counterarguments against Dobbs as the best conference QB.

               Hurts has thrown 2592 yards and 22 passing touchdowns while Dobbs has thrown for 2655 yards and 26 passing touchdowns. There is however, a bigger difference of who the better passer is by the number of interceptions thrown. Hurts has thrown 9 interceptions while Dobbs has thrown 12 interceptions. Hurts and Dobbs both have 7 games where they have 3 or more total touchdowns. Hurts has 12 rushing touchdowns and 841 rushing yards which is 3 more rush TD’s and 128 more rushing yards than Dobbs.

               In the preseason, Tennessee was predicted to win the SEC East division and possibly beat Alabama or LSU in the SEC Championship. Not only did Tennessee get too much hype but their Quarterback, Joshua Dobbs, had the hype of a Heisman Trophy dark horse. There were times where Dobbs played very well but there were a lot of times where Dobbs was very inconsistent. Dobbs had 4 games where he had a Raw QBR of below 50.0 (or 50%) and Dobbs had 2 games where he had below 100 passing yards (Virginia Tech and Alabama).

               Ole Miss Quarterback Chad Kelly and Joshua Dobbs both shared the selection in the 2nd team All-SEC conference. Kelly threw for 2758 yards and 19 touchdowns in the 9 games he played because he was hurt with an ACL injury. Kelly was a more efficient and consistent Quarterback than Dobbs in the long haul. Jalen Hurts was the most consistent and electrifying, playmaking Quarterback in the SEC. I am not saying Dobbs is a terrible Quarterback but I will say that main statistics are and should not be the only factor that should filter in a Quarterback’s position into an all-conference setting.  

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When two star Quarterbacks of the top teams in the nation recognize greatness.

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Denver Broncos QB Aqib Talib ruled out against the New Orleans Saints

Denver Broncos CB Aqib Talib officially ruled out of the game against the New Orleans Saints. Talib is arguably the best Cornerbacks for the Broncos.This might be a BIG game changer against the Saints. New Orleans and their QB Drew Brees rank 1st in the league in passing yards per game. The Broncos are 1st in the league in allowed passing yards per game but with Talib out, it will be difficult to contain some of the Saints' fast Wide Outs. This will also put more pressure on DE/OLB Von Miller to quickly create disruptions and sacks in the backfield. DE Derek Wolfe is also out for Denver. Watch for this game to become a more close game than the experts think.

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2017 NFL Mock Draft – first 4 picks - 11/10/16

So about 3 days ago, I did an analysis on the Cleveland Browns, their record and their potential first pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. I actually tried to create an early NFL mock Draft of all teams but it is hard to with the constant pace of NFL games being played on Sundays, Monday and even Thursdays. The records change within an instant with that changes the draft order. The NFL Draft order goes from worst to position in the playoffs.

Since it is hard to make an NFL mock Draft still within the regular season, I did only 4 teams for their picks and analysis. In order of the draft positions there is the Cleveland Browns (0-9), the San Francisco 49ers (1-7), the Chicago Bears (2-6) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6). Keep in mind that the Cleveland Browns play tonight against the Baltimore Ravens, so the record will change.

 Pick 1: Cleveland Browns (0-9) – DE Myles Garrett (Texas A&M)

With the Cleveland Browns (as of now) getting the 1st pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, they are the team who are the most vulnerable all throughout the roster and depth. If they were to draft the best player at any position of this next NFL Draft, it would not be a wasted pick. Even though they have one of the best Offensive Tackles in the NFL in Joe Thomas, they will need a player on the other side. The Browns are tied for 26th in the league in defensive sacks (14) and 31st in the league in allowed points per game (30.3). The Browns do not have a franchise Quarterback even though they have shown a favor into rookie Quarterback Cody Kessler. I have stated that the Browns should and will draft DE Myles Garrett (Texas A&M) because he has the most NFL potential as a collegiate athlete.

 Pick 2: San Francisco 49ers (1-7) – CB Deshaun Watson (Clemson)

Here starts the new analysis I have made. The San Francisco 49ers are 1-7 and have a lot of holes on offense. Quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick both have been inconsistent with the 49ers this season. The 49ers are currently 31st in the NFL in passing yards per game with 190.4 yards. The two 49er Quarterbacks combined have only thrown for 9 touchdowns. Some of the struggles are from the Offensive Line as former First Round pick (2010 NFL Draft), Anthony Davis, retired from the NFL (again) during the season. A lot of NFL analysts have Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer at the top of the Quarterback position rankings. I don’t believe that Kizer is the best Quarterback in the Draft. I believe that the 49ers will have a better franchise change if they draft Clemson QB Deshaun Watson, as he continues to be a dangerous passer. Don’t be surprised if I have Watson replaced with Mitch Trubisky (North Carolina) later on in the Draft process.

Pick 3: Chicago Bears (2-6) – OT Cam Robinson (Alabama)

The Chicago Bears (2-6) currently have the 3rd spot for the 2017 NFL Draft. Within the past couple of years, we have seen the decline of QB Jay Cutler. It was only a matter of time before head coach, John Fox, took Jay Cutler and replaced him with Brian Hoyer. Even with a position change, the Bears continue to struggle on offense. The Offensive Line has been terrible since Marc Trestman was the head coach from 2013 to 2014. There has not been enough power running the ball and protecting the Quarterbacks. The Bears are 24th in the league in rushing yards per game (96.6) and 31st in points per game (16.4). With a Quarterback taken off the board already in this mock draft, the Bears can take the best available Offensive Tackle. That Tackle would be Cam Robinson (Alabama).

 Pick 4: Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) – RB Leonard Fournette (LSU)

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the other team in the NFL that have a 2-6 record. The Jags have a franchise Quarterback and some stout, young Wide Receivers in Allen Hurts, Marquise Lee and Allen Robinson. Like the Bears, however, the Jaguars have had terrible Offensive Linemen, starting with former 1st round pick Luke Joeckel. The Jaguars rank in the bottom half of the league (32 teams) in almost every major offensive category except for passing yards per game. The Jaguars have spent the past two NFL Drafts getting a defensive star. With an Offensive Lineman taken in this mock Draft, the Jaguars could likely go next best player. Don’t be surprised if they pick RB Leonard Fournette (LSU) to spark up the offense. Jaguars General Manager, David Caldwell, likes to take a little bit of a surprise pick in these NFL Drafts.

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Cleveland Brown can focus their first overall pick in 2017 NFL Draft early

The Cleveland Browns as of right now are 0-9, which is the worst record in the NFL. If they continue the progress they have been performing all season, they will continue to loss and finish with a 0-16 record. This is an NFL team that has the least amount of talent and Pro-Bowl potential players.

The Browns are 23rd in the league in passing yards per game with 234.7 yards. They are also 20th in rushing yards per game with 106.3 yards. They are 29th in the nation in points per game with 18.7 scored each game on average. 

On defense, the Browns are much significantly appalling than their offense. The Browns are 31st in the league in allowed points per game with 30.3 points. The Browns have only accounted for 14 total sacks in 9 games, that is tied for 26th in the league. 

With the players they have starting at Defensive End, they have only accounted for 2 sacks. Rookie Carl Nassib (3rd round pick from Syracuse) has been injured most of the year and Jamie Meder, who does not provide consistent pass rush and tackling at the line of scrimmage. 

These are the multiple positions that need to be addressed in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft: the Defensive End, Quarterback, Cornerback, Guard, Inside Linebacker and Safety. 

If the Cleveland Browns continue to lose continuously, they will acquire the first overall pick for the 2017 NFL Draft. Of the players that I have analyzed, I believe these players could most likely be the first overall pick: DE Myles Garnett (Texas A&M), DE/DT Jonathan Allen (Alabama), QB Deshaun Watson (Clemson), CB Desmond King (Iowa), LB/S/CB Jabrill Peppers (Michigan) and DE DeMarcus Walker (Florida State).

Ultimately, I believe that DE Myles Garrett (Texas A&M) is worthy of being the first overall pick and will be the first pick in this next 2017 NFL Draft. Myles Garrett has the best pro-potential status in the NFL since Jadevon Clowney of South Carolina. Garrett is more healthier, faster and has more quick reactions than Clowney. Garrett will also be in a 3-4 defense where he can play Defensive End and Outside Linebacker in some situations. Garrett will be able to fit in the Brown’s defensive system more than Jonathan Allen & DeMarcus Walker who primarily fit in a 4-3 defensive front. Quarterback will be a position that will be needed to be addressed, but the Browns have made some positive outlook on QB Cody Kessler. Although the Browns do own a 1st round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles, so if a Quarterback like Mitch Trubisky (North Carolina) or Brad Kaaya (Miami) would be available, then it would be a completely successful 1st round for Cleveland.

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This is the most real Lamar Jackson memes now.

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Iowa St. AD: We feel like we can win without Paul Rhoads. 2016: Iowa State 1-8 including loss to Northern Iowa.

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(Insert sarcasm) sure Skip, sure

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Dallas Cowboys rookie Quarterback Dak Prescott might start week 1 of the 2016 NFL season before Jared Goff (1st pick of the 2016 Draft) and Carson Wentz (2nd pick of the 2016 Draft) get to.

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15 months ago, I said that Rams could be contenders with Nick Foles as their QB. As an analyst, I know some predictions may not always be right.

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Philadelphia 76ers trying to acquire Boston Celtics’ 3rd pick in the 2016 NBA Draft

The Philadelphia 76ers have already drafted LSU Tigers SF Ben Simmons. Now they are trying to acquire the Boston Celtics' 3rd in the 2016 NBA Draft. They open to trading either C Jahlil Okafor (2015 pick Round: 1 Pick: 3) or PF/C Nerlens Noel (2013 pick Round: 1 Pick: 6).

2015 - 2016 Philadelphia 76ers: 10-72 2015 - 2016 Boston Celtics: 48-34 (pick acquired from Nets)

#8 Jahlil Okafor: 17.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.2 APG #4 Nerlens Noel: 11.1 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.8 APG Celtics also interested in:Chicago Bulls SG Jimmy Butler, Utah Jazz SG Gordon Hayward, Milwaukee Bucks PF Jabari Parker and SG Khris Middleton.