The First Half of the NFL Season

With every NFL season comes new story lines, excitement and intrigue. Here are a few things that have caught my attention at the mid-point of the NFL season.

There will be a new Super Bowl Champion

The Seahawks just aren't the same team as a year ago. They've lost talent in Percy Harvin, Golden Tate, Chris Clemons, Red Bryant, Brandon Browner, and Walter Thurmond. In addition, the locker room has had some issues and talks of Marshawn Lynch being the next to go are now surfacing. As if repeating as champs isn't hard enough, losing talent and having distractions certainly doesn't help. I see a new champion being crowned come February. 

How about Arizona?
The Arizona Cardinals are off to a 7-1 start, the best in the NFC, and in a conference that seems to be up for grabs, the Cardinals are trying to become the first team ever to host a Super Bowl. Currently 4-0 at home, if the Cards could lock up the #1 seed in the NFC, this very well could become a reality. With 5 division games left however, two each against Seattle & St. Louis, it is imperative for Arizona to make the most of this opportunity. 

University of Phoenix Stadium (azcardinals.com)

New Stage

It is always interesting to see how rookies adapt to the NFL. In a draft that saw so much depth at wide-out, I'd have to say this is the position that I've been impressed with the most. First rounder’s Sammy Watkins (BUF), Mike Evans (TB), Kelvin Benjamin (CAR), and Brandin Cooks (NO) have all been stellar for their respective clubs, while other WR’s such as John Brown (ARI) and Jarvis Landry (MIA) have made significant contributions as well. As for others, due to injury, this season has seen undrafted standout RB Brandon Oliver become relevant for the ‘Bolts. QB’s such as Derek Carr and Teddy Bridgewater have had their ups and downs although with time, have significant potential given weapons around them. As for Johnny Manziel…he's still waiting for his chance. 

Big Ben is ELITE

For whatever reason, Ben Roethlisberger never gets the recognition he deserves of being a top-5 quarterback in the NFL. Most analysts have some order of Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Andrew Luck, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning. In my opinion, he needs to be mentioned in the same sentence as the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Not only is he a rare specimen for the position (6’5”, 241 lbs.), but he is unconventional when it comes to his style of play. He is a scrambler and pocket-passer in one, which makes him so hard to defend (just ask the Colts and Ravens who were dissected for 6 TD's a piece in consecutive weeks - an NFL record for a QB). He continues to lose weapons at wide-out every year (i.e. Emmanuel Sanders & Mike Wallace), yet gets the most out of the skill players he’s dealt (Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant) and makes them better in the process.

For those who only look at stats, here are Ben's numbers compared to Brady and Manning this season to date:

Roethlisberger: 231/338, 2,720 yards, 68.3 CMP%, 22 TD, 3 INT, 110.6 Rating

Brady: 214/334, 2,392 yards, 64.1 CMP%, 22 TD, 3 INT, 103.5 Rating

Manning: 208/309, 2,572 yards, 67.3 CMP%, 24 TD, 5 INT, 112.0 Rating

And let us not forget, Big Ben has 2 Super Bowl rings to add to his resume.

Big Ben in the season opener (Gettyimages.com)

What were the Browns thinking?!

After passing on Julio Jones in the 2011 Draft, you would think the Browns would have learned their lesson come 2014.

Let’s take a look at what Cleveland received from that trade with Atlanta:

Pick 21 (2011) - Phil Taylor (Currently on team, injured)

Pick 59 (2011) - Greg Little (Released, currently with Cincinnati)

Pick 124 (2011) - Owen Marecic (No longer in NFL)

Pick 22 (2012) - Brandon Weeden (Released, currently with Dallas)

The final pick Cleveland got in exchange from Atlanta (Fourth rounder, Pick 118)? They used it in a package to trade up for Trent Richardson (Traded, currently with Colts).

The only player left from that trade is Phil Taylor, and after what looked like some promise from the massive nose tackle in his rookie season, injuries have plagued his progress.

Phil Taylor career stats (43 games): 67 solo tackles, 7 sacks, FF, FR

Julio Jones career stats (42 games): 227 receptions, 3,471 yards (15.3 avg.), 23 TD’s

Enter 2014. With a chance to snag arguably the best talent in the draft (Sammy Watkins), in a position of desperate need nonetheless, Cleveland decided to pass yet again. In turn they chose Justin Gilbert, a highly touted defensive back who is doing nothing to support his high draft choice.

Sammy Watkins numbers to date (8 games): 38 rec., 590 yards (15.5 avg.), 5 TD’s

Justin Gilbert on the other hand: 20 solo tackles, 5 pass deflections

Only time will tell if the Browns made the right call, but right now it’s not looking too good. Watkins looks electric, while Gilbert looks far from a shutdown corner. Could you imagine what could have been with the duo of Josh Gordon and Sammy Watkins?! Ohhh my!

Touché Cleveland. Touché. 

The Jaguars and Raiders are still awful

Jacksonville hasn't had a winning record since ’07, while Oakland hasn't seen more wins than losses since ’02. In the past two and a half seasons combined (2012-present), the Jags are a putrid 7-33 (.175 winning percentage), while the Men in Black aren't much better at 8-32 (.200)! Every other team in the league during this time span has had at least 12 wins or more. Watching both of these teams play this year (due to them playing my Phins), I must say; it could be awhile before these franchises turn it around. Good luck if you’re a fan of either!

What would be a column without talking about my Phins?!

The Dolphins are an open-field tackle away from being 6-2. Nonetheless, football is a game of inches, and as a result, the Phins currently sit at 5-3. Although it took quite a few weeks, the offense seems to be clicking and if QB Ryan Tannehill can continue to play at such a high level, and the defense can continue to be dominant, I’m excited to see what’s in store for the rest of the season. 

Winning 4 of its last 5 games, including 3 in a row, a huge showdown with Detroit awaits this week in the Motor City. The key for Miami will be containing arguably the best defensive line in the league, along with Megatron, who will be back from his ankle injury.

From the day he was selected in the second round of the 2014 draft, I knew Jarvis be a special talent. He is one of my favorite players to watch every Sunday. Jarvis "Juice" Landry (miamidolphins.com)

Buckle up! We’re only half way through the season! The second half is set to unfold and I can guarantee it will be better than the first!

Until next time, GO PHINS!!