Sunday, January 19, 2014

Russel Wilson's inexperience can be Seahawks's undoing

Wilson is good no doubt about it, He, Collin Kaepernick and to some extent Andrew Luck are the examples of Quarterbacks who can make plays with their legs and still  able to throw accurate passes. However Wilson has not yet achieved the level in which he can read the defense and make an in-game  adjustments

What make Peyton  Manning an awesome quarterback is his ability to read defense. Here is Mark Sanchez from the postgame interview after Indianapolis Colts defeated  New York Jets in AFC Championship game 2010
In one pre-snap read, Manning identified a blitz from the middle safety and called an audible that adjusted their protection scheme. A middle-safety blitz? That's like picking out a needle in a haystack.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/indianapolis-colts-quarterback-peyton-manning-satchel-holds-key-success-greatness-article-1.194218#ixzz2qrDBJe4e

In  Seahawks 34-7 win against Arizona Cardinals on week 7,  there are plays in which Cardinals used  a quick player to  blitz through the middle of Seahawks' offensive line. One of the result is  Marshawn Lynch got sacked immediately after he got the ball.  Wilson failed to make any adjustment.

Wilson is a studious QB, if he stays diligent he will no doubt incorporate an ability to read defense and make adjustment to his game.

One more thing, all the talk about Seahawks's home field advantage reminds me of Denver Nuggets's home court advantage in NBA. Being in a very high altitude make it difficult for visitors to get a win in Denver. However came the playoff the  advantage disappear because opponents prepared themselves better and acclimate themselves to play in high altitude.

That said Seahawks defense  and Marshawn Lynch are very good. Unlike altitude, the noise in  CenturyLink is not sometihing that opponent can just easily adjust themselves to. But cardinals has proven that Seahawks is not indestructible there.





Sunday, January 5, 2014

San Fransisco 49ers @ Greenbay Packers Playoff Wildcard Edition

    Aaron Rodgers is very good but he will have to face  the equally good 49ers defense.  I doubt Rodgers can score in every drive.  In my opinion  the best way for  Packers to  win is by eating the clock through occasional running game. 49ers rely heavily on running game, even their Quarter back runs often. pass offense is ranked only above New York Jets and  Tampa Bay Buccaners. 
This will ensure a low scoring game because the possession will be limited and this favors the Packers because Rodgers is a good passers. In fourth quarter with  5 or 4 minutes left Rodgers  can make  long touchdown ,  49ers then has to play catch up andhas to hurry  their time consuming running game.
    However  49ers receivers which consist of Anquan Boldin , Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree can't  be underestimated and they can catch  pass that Kaepernick  occasionally throws.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Kansas City Chiefs @ Indianapolis Colts Wildcard Macth preview

In the last 8 games, the only playoff team that Colt defeated was Chielf. Colts lost to Rams, Cardinals and Bengals. So i don't buy the Colts Hype.Luck is good  unlike another first overall pick Cam Newton, Luck can throw accurate passess consistently, but his time to be great  hasn't come yet.

This is playoff,  Colts can't hope that opposing team to lower their guard  that Luck will pull off another  magical  4th quarter comeback. Chiefs can be expected to rely on Jamaal Charles to produce time consuming running game,  so  giving Chiefs an early lead will be a bad idea. Colts will have face a bigger obstacle if  Justin Houston can play and Tamba Hali is healthy.
However  the game will be played on Lucas Oil Stadium and  Luck can still throw and this is football,  a hard hit on a  player can change the course of the game.  Chiefs lost their first half lead in the second game against Denver Broncos when  Broncos start delivering hard hits on their receivers.
I think Chiefs will win this game.


Thursday, January 2, 2014

NBA Prediction 3 January 2014

Philadelphia 76sixers @ Sacramento Kings
Spencer Hawes and Thadeus Young will have a good offensive game.Kings will win it because  because Demarcus Cousins will have a monster number in the paint.  Question is  Will Isaiah Thomas give Cousins the ball ?. Thomas will be guarded by  Michael Carter Williams, who when engaged is a good defender.

Memphis Grizzlies @ Phoenix Suns
I tend to think that Suns will win it. GrizzliesKosta Koufous is agile and  will match  favourably against Miles Plumlee. Koufous is also a good rebounder and roll man. Grizzlies is ravaged by injuries while Suns have the luxury of having both or either Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe on the court.