Manti Teo, straight or gay?

Manti Teo got drafted by the Chargers, but the bigger story I keep coming back to is what he's gone through in the last few months.

Fair warning, this is about to get weird

Manti Teo was a story that I couldn't put down when it came out. This was one of the truly bizarre and unexplained sports stories that I have seen in my lifetime.

Put it up there with the Tiger Woods Thanksgiving night fiasco. Remember that one? Here's my version:

What happens when your Sweedish supermodel wife found out you were cheating on her with half of the USC cheerleading squad? Well naturally she gets thrown into a rage worthy of the Norse gods and started swinging your Nike-sponsored-seven-iron around like it was Mjolnir. So she goes all valkyrie on you and cracks you upside the head before smashing out the windows of your car. Can you imagine the string of Sweedish profanity that rolled out of her mouth that night? This is why the Englishmen got obliterated by the vikings in 1066. Naturally, your golf game suffers after this type of event.

More or less.

In my mind, I picture Elin Woods on that night to look something like this

But back to Teo. This is a story I can't shake, because we don't know the actual events. As you may have gathered, what I can imagine is often more entertaining than reality.

Here's what went down in a nutshell: Manti Teo carried on an exclusively online and over the phone relationship with someone he thought to be a woman for upwards of four years. Teo had a relationship not only with her, but with her family over the phone and was actively involved in her life. They would text, call, Skype, etc. before and after every game. He then cried on national television in a TV spot before a game where he was talking about how his girlfriend had cancer, and eventually died. This was heavy, inspirational stuff.

Only it turns out the girlfriend wasn't real. Or was played by a man. Or a troupe of dancing bears. Or something. Or was perhaps the most elaborate cat-fishing scheme in the history of ever. And apparently he continued to talk about his fake dead girlfriend (and gain publicity) after he KNEW she wasn't who he believed she was. And that's about how much we truly know.

I mean, I had an imaginary friend when I was a kid and his name was Shiloh.  We used to play checkers with each other every day and bless his heart, Shiloh'd always let me win!  And that ain't normal   There's something odd in that but maybe that's what it takes to make you feel like you're connected with somebody.  I don't know   But I know when that redhead starts getting kooky that something about me feels alive inside.

I think Teo got sucked into an unenviable situation and he didn't know how to get out of it.

The bigger questions to me though, is why and how he got sucked into this situation. I don't know Manti Teo or anything about him or his family, I'm conjecturing, on a situation I truly know nothing about first hand. But what do I think?

The only possibility that makes sense to me is Manti Teo is gay, and he might be struggling with it mightily. I'm also going to say I don't have a problem with it whatsoever if this is the case.

The first thought a lot of people had when they heard about the whole Teo deal was: why did an All-American linebacker at the University of Notre Dame need to go on the internet to meet a girl? Notre Dame is as steeped in football tradition as any school in the country. Rudy, the Kipper, Golic, and on and on.

RUDY! Get the idea?

You see, what had happened was...

Where I went to school, I witnessed a football program that won 5 games in my four years of attendance. This is not a joke. Even with a truly terrible football program like we were, there were (mostly freshman) girls who would throw themselves at any football player who would give them the time of day.

So Teo couldn't find a date on Notre Dame's campus? Why? Maybe he's shy, or awkward, but that doesn't really fit for a guy who's the face, heart, soul and voice of the most visible football program in the country. No, there's a loneliness there. He developed this relationship online because it was ultimately safe. He could express himself in a way he wouldn't be judged.

If you listen to the interviews and transcripts from conversations Teo had with various media outlets leading up to the national championship game, one thing is clear to me. He is in love with this "girl" he was talking about. As someone who's getting married in five months, I feel like I at least recognize what love looks like. Teo would wax poetic about staying up all night talking to this person, writing letters, sharing the most intimate side of himself. His feelings were 100% genuine, regardless of whether the person was real or imagined.

My question is then, if he was in love with a person who he had never met, never had any sexual encounter with anyway, does it make him less in love with that person when he finds out it is a man? Clearly this guy on the other end of the phone returned his feelings. Isn't that, attraction to the same sex, the single defining difference between what makes us straight or gay?

Further, why in four years did he never want to meet this girl? With all the resources at his disposal (and don't tell me Notre Dame wouldn't arrange for him to get out to see his dying girlfriend) At this point you could try to sell that perhaps he's one of the most naive people on the face of the planet, to the point of being child like, or maybe he's a pathological liar, or just freaking nuts. Any of those may be true, who knows.

I say he believed the lie because he wanted to. Because it was easier than facing the truth.

If I'm allowed to reflect: I can't fathom what it must be like to be gay. Like most straight men, looking at another man is a sexual context simply isn't possible for me. Being gay really isn't the point though, I imagine that comes naturally if that's the way you're wired. I've written here how much attention a college athlete, and let alone a Heisman trophy candidate at a major school receives. The pressure must be enormous, and add to that a struggle with figuring out who you are is enough to make anyone do crazy things. Ever had 26 million people watch one of your games?

At 21, which Teo is, you are supposed to be a seeker, supposed to find out who you are. Hell, at 27 I'm still seeking just as much, if not more than I was then. Find your place in the world and find what fits, what makes you happy and then go do that.

Can you imagine the backlash if he were gay? If it were you, how would you handle that in the face of the national media? In a culture that has not been wholly accepting (to put it mildly) of someone of an opposite sexual preference? Can you imagine if he had won? The first gay Heisman trophy winner. How's that sound?

The pressure would be tremendous from both sides. The gay community would expect him to be the champion to the cause, and he would face constant scrutiny from the dissenting opinions who are against such things. On top of this he's trying succeed as a football player, where so much of translating ability into production stems from having the self confidence to do so.

How easy is it to perform at a high athletic level when the world is watching? Ask Tiger.

I've come this far, so I might as well say it.

If what I've conjectured is true, and if you can see it any other way please tell me, it was easier for Teo to take part in/somewhat invent this elaborate lie because the scrutiny and pressure he would have faced by coming out would have crushed him. It still might. The machismo, bravado, whatever you want to call it, the perception around male athletics needs to change if it prevents someone from being who they are, preventing them finding out who they are.

The Tiger story calmed down, and this one has too. I really doubt we will ever know where his head was during this whole event, but its a conversation worth having. I truly wish him the best of luck in his career.

Unless, of course, he plays for the Falcons, Bucs, or Saints, in which case I will come up with all kinds of smarmy quips, as is part of my charm.

"There are 12 men on the field! Oh wait, we're not counting Manti Teo's imaginary friends."

THE VOICES!!!! AHHHHH!

-Joel

How to Fix the Charlotte Bobcats

The title in itself seems impossible, and many of my friends ask me why on Earth I give any emotion to a Michael Jordan led front office.  The fact is, I am a basketball fan.  I am also a partial season ticket holder down in Charlotte, so I feel "invested" if you will.  I have seen many games this year, and have followed the team closer than ever before.  As a fan, of course I have opinions on what the team needs to do to get going in the right track.

So for fun, lets all pretend (for fun) that his Airness himself called me to offer me his job, the GM position, and all-around bad ass for the Cats.  Of course I take the position (I will even do it for 75% of the salary I am entitled to, because I am a team player), wouldn't you?  My #1 task: to turn the franchise into a team with a larger fan base, who finishes above .500 for more than 3 consecutive seasons and competes in the playoffs.  Sounds easy right?

Step 1: Find a Head Coach

We used the term "head coach" a little loose last season

So we are in the same situation we were a year ago at this time. You are kidding me!  You mean being the first team ever to hire an assistant coach on the college level to be the head man on an NBA team didn't work out?  Damn.  Thought we had something there.

Back to reality.  Yes, anything over a 7 win season was going to be an improvement.  I will even admit a 7-5 record to start the season had me fairly optimistic in the coaching experiment.  However, a disastrous December quickly discouraged everyone in the organization, including Dunlap, who was visibly irritated with the team.  It was time to go our separate ways (cue Journey music bed).

What do we need in a new head coach?  We need someone who has everything Dunlap lacked: experience, respect, and most importantly, ability.  The job looks much more appealing this year than it did last year.  We have a top 5 pick this year, probably one next year as well, a ton of potential cap space, and the expectations are in the basement, so surpassing them should be no problem.  If it were me, I bring in a head coach with name recognition, like a Jackson (long shot), Sloan (even longer shot), or a Van Gundy (Stan may think on it, but Jeff likes the booth where he can say whatever he wants).  

Step 2: The Draft

I am not an expert like Chad Ford, but I have followed the players going into the draft this year pretty closely over the past few months.  The one thing I am noticing, it is a weak crop.  The top rated guy coming out, Nerlens Noel, is recovering from ACL surgery, so who knows where he will be when the season starts.  The next best guy is McLemore, who disappeared in the NCAA tournament against a UNC team who, as a Tar Heel fan I can say, was not good on the defensive side of the ball.  After that, everyone has too many holes to be labeled a "Star".

Remember this stellar pick? Reminds me of my Dad's
senior class photo from 1975

In a draft full of role players, why would you use a top 5 pick on someone who will not be a long term starter for your organization?  Here is my vote, trade back or out.  Getting rid of draft picks when you are in the rebuilding process is not textbook, but our draft history is not awesome, and you could argue that Kidd-Gilchrist was our best draft pick ever!

In my opinion, Trey Burke is the only guy I would use a top 5 pick on in this draft.  If he goes, trade back to late lottery, or even late first round.  Pick up a player the caliber of Glen Rice Jr, Jeff Withey, or Steven Adams, and get a first round pick next season.  Look, the "buzz" around the 2014 draft class is that this will rival the 2003 class for best class ever.  The Miami Heat currently have more than one player from that draft class, and look how good they are!  Why not stock pile picks for next year, trade back to get proven college role players who will at nothing else work hard and do their job, and get 2 studs next year.  I think a line up with 2 guys like Andrew Wiggins and Aaron Gordon looks pretty promising.

Step 3: The Roster

Franchise savior, or hilarious actor? You decide!

It is no secret that the roster we currently have is weak.  Let's face it, any roster where Josh McRoberts as your best player down the stretch would not compete for a national championship, let alone a playoff spot.  Nothing against McRoberts, his game elevated down the stretch to levels he did not even reach at Duke.  However, if you think he is the answer to our issues, you are a moron.  In fact, there are exactly ZERO post players on our roster now who are the answer to our problems.  The Biz is the only player I would hold onto in the post.  I say trim the dead weight of Tyrus Thomas using the amnesty exception, and let everyone who is an unrestricted free agent move on, except McRoberts, although his price tag may be higher than it should after what he did for us down the stretch.  Consider matching Gerald Henderson with a qualifying offer, but do not over pay him, we use the term "shooting" guard very loosely with him.  That drops Thomas, Mullins, Diop (FINALLY), Gordon (assuming he does not exercise his player option), and Reggie Williams.  Hello $21 million in cap space!

What are we going to do with all that cap room?!?! Sit on it!  Unless we can land someone like Al Jefferson, do not offer a max deal to anyone!  The free agent pool for 2014 is as impressive as the draft class of 2014 compared to this year.  We need to set ourselves up to have a HUGE off season in 2014, so sign some veteran players to 1 year deals and promise them playing time.  Bring in guys who will either compete for a chance to come back in 2014 or guys who can help develop Kemba, Kidd-Gilchrist, or Biyombo.  As far as I am concerned, these are the only guys who have a spot on the team past next season as of right now.

Step 4: The Team

Fear me!

It is no secret that the Bobcats name is bad.  I mean, who is afraid of a cat?  I know we just revamped the logo and the color scheme and all, but we still have the same feeling with our fan base: Bobcats = Sucks.  The best teams and mascots have history, recognition, and are something the fans love being a part of!  Therefore, as pretend Owner/General Manager/Badass of the team, we are changing our name back to the Hornets (WOOOOOOHOOOO goes the crowd from the Hornets Nest)!  That should stir up a "buzz" (pun totally intended) about this franchise now.  I can see the shirts now.  "The Buzz is Back". 

Look, there are going to be some serious changes made to the team in 2014.  Hype up the name change and let the 2 first round picks we get in 2014 (per my great trades made during this draft) be the face of the new Hornets.  New team, new look, new vibe!

New Jordans

Plus, think of the marketing!  We need a stronger fan base. Right now, the hornets classic colors are popular (purple and teal), so lets take advantage!  Jordan is a brand alone, so sell Jordan shoes, socks, shorts, shirts, hats, belts, anything we can in those colors with our team name on them.  Everyone likes retro, so lets sell the crap out of it! 

The 4 step plan is fool proof.  Increase fan base, get better results from the team, get a head coach who knows what he is doing, it all sounds so simple.  The questions is, why has it not been done yet! 

Follow my plan, and we could be here again Charlotte!

-Matt

  

Fixing the Carolina Panthers

My how quickly things change. What started as a season with Superbowl aspirations has quickly left the Carolina Panthers as the worst team in football. Here are the five quickest steps to turning around a miserable season.

5. Start Luke Keuchly at Middle linebacker. I put this one as number 5 because it should be obvious at this point, and it's about two things: the play of Keuchly and the absence of Jon Beason. The rookie is an average football player at weak side linebacker, but in the last few games where Beason has been out, he has played outstanding, instinctive football in the middle. Panthers fans, myself included, will frequently talk about Beason as one of the best linebackers in the game. He absolutely was two years ago. Beason is coming off a major surgery and has been hurt for most of the year. Beason has played outside before, and its time for him to go back to that role.

26 tackles in the last two weeks should speak for itself

4. Hire Cecil Newton as a 'coaching consultant.' Cecil Newton, you say? The guy most famous for shopping his son's football services to SEC teams for upwards of $200,000? Exactly. Cam Newton is quite possibly on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He is just not wired to lose, combined with the fact that he's not that good at winning games. Quite a conundrum we have here, don't you think? Cecil seems to be one of the few people who can really get through to Cam, so bring him in and let him do just that. Maybe he can tell Cam what we all so badly want to.

"Take that freaking towel off you head and lead your team"

This is a typical day at the office at this point

3. More Brandon LaFell. Steve Smith still has it, believe that. If you don't, just check out the double and triple teams he gets on every play. If you're doing simple math, two guys covering one guy means that there's going to be a one on one match up on the other side. LaFell has been able to take advantage of those this season for the most part. He's not a burner, but has what it takes to be an excellent possession receiver. An awfully useful thing for a team as bad on third down as the Panthers are. 

Use this man

2. Stop being so cutesy with offensive play calling. I've praised offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski in the past for his play calling innovation. This year, however, everything looks like it's supposed to be a gadget play, or some sneaky call that is supposed to catch defenses off guard. Our offense is primarily focused on the read-option, which if you don't know is what every level of football from pop-warner on up to college features now. If you don't know, read-option puts the ball in the hands of your biggest, fastest guy (Cam Newton) and on run plays he has option of giving the ball to the running back or keeping it himself. Aside from last year in Carolina, this type of system HAS NEVER worked in the NFL. Defenses are too big, too fast, too disciplined. If you want to run the ball, power formation and hit somebody. 

The Panthers read option this year is striking fear into the hearts of  opposing teams.
Fear that looks sort of like this!

1. Cam Newton simply put, must play better. The offensive rookie of the year last year, Newton may be the best athlete at the QB position right now, and from everything you read he works as hard as anyone. So when it comes down to game time we need more out of him if we're going anywhere in this league. More leadership, more accuracy, better decisions, fewer turnovers. This one may be simple to prescribe, hard to come through, but playing the way he currently is, Cam Newton will not be a winner at the NFL level.

Greatness is in you kid, we could just use some right now

-Joel

Triple Crowning Achievement

That was a proud moment...

I have a confession to make.  I am a Detroit Sports fan.  At times, especially here in North Carolina, I have cheered in silence.  For the Pistons, there has been little to be happy about since we beat the Lakers All-Star starting 5 in the '04 finals almost 10 years ago.  The Lions are finally worth watching (after going win-less), I used to only boast I liked the Lions on draft day, until they would draft yet another Wide Receiver who was a flop.  The Red Wings are the real deal, but have not won Lord Stanley's Cup since 2008 which most would consider disappointing.

Then, we come to the Tigers.  Although we went out and spent a LOT of money, our pitching is suspect at best, we have a closer that makes me sweat more than a snow cone in Phoenix, fans are looking for a managerial change, and we backed our way into the playoffs, I still consider this season a success.  Why?  Three reasons: Triple. Crown. Boom.

Let me put into perspective what Cabrera did this year.  He lead his team in BA, RBI, HR, R, and OPS.  The Triple Crown has not been won in 45 years (Carl Yastrzemski was the last winner).  He is only the 10th player to ever win the award since RBIs became an official stat (1920).  He is the first infielder to win the award since Lou Gehrig in 1934, and he changed positions this year from 1st base to 3rd, so his entire focus could not be on hitting (not that his D was gold glove caliber, but he sure can knock a ball down).   

To win the triple crown you have to be able to hit for power, hit for average, stay healthy, and get hits with people on base.  That is exactly what he did.  Cabrera game in and game out got big hit after big hit for the Tigers.  I am fully confident he will keep it going on in to the playoffs!  Let's go Tigers!  Get that championship!

See you in October Miggy!

-Hammer

Hottest Women in Sports

Wells wanted to write this, but I beat him to it, feel free to debate the topic. 

Writing this blog post was a challenge, let me tell you. I open myself up to the scrutiny of the masses by goggling beautiful athletic women to put in one place on the internet for you, and what do I get? Well your undying respect and admiration of course. Like Brunce Wayne at the end of The Dark Night, I am what Gotham needs, and its pictures of women in sports. You're welcome.

The other challenge, I mean the one where you don't think I'm a perv, is as a guy, my brain is beautiful woman challenged. Take almost any athletic looking girl and do her up like they do in Maxim or Gear or any of those near-booty-showing magazines, and we are going to think they are attractive. At that point, we're looking at the girls' faces as much as we're reading the articles. What? It's where I get my weather.

Point is what makes a girl attractive to me in sports is being GOOD at sports. If being pretty is your only talent, I have no use for you. So the challenge I pose: The hottest women in sports, with their athletic gear on, as to not spoil the fun. I'm also going to stay away from Russian Tennis players, who quite frankly deserve their own list.

5. Alex Morgan, F, USA Soccer.

The stary eyes, the legs.  Mostly the legs.

Sports cred: The 23 year old Morgan is USA Soccers dynamo up front. She resembles a gnat on offense. She's pesky, quick, and seemingly all over the place. Has a nose for the goal, as evidenced by her 32 international goals. And all of our stolen hearts.

Hottie cred: Does it spoil my rule for this game if I tell you she posed in the last swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated in Body Paint? Again, I'm taking the high road, but It will be really hard for you to find that on google.  

4. Elena Delle Donne, F, Delware

Kind of like a stretched out Helen Hunt...you get it

Sports Cred: One of the best women's basketball players I have ever watched. Led the nation in scoring last year with 28 ppg. Ever watched a girl drop 50 in a game, and have those 'Oh and she's kind of gorgeous moments?'

Hottie Cred: Ok.. So women's basketball is a tough sell. Baggy clothes, manish hairdos, grunting. Fine, I'll cave, what if I told you 6'5, volleyball player, Elena Delle Donne.

...and there goes your imagination

 3. Serena Willaims, Tennis.

Don't you freakin judge me!

See, you are starting to come around

Sports Cred: 15 major championships and a gold medal. Best women's tennis player, EVER..

Hottie cred: I'll be honest, this one didn't take off for me until recently. It was during the Olympics where Serena didn't drop a set, and to be honest everyone looked like they were afraid of her, and who could blame them. 

By the time the final round rolled around,
she was practically snarling

Whatever you think about her, you can't help but look at the body. I mean has there ever been one like that? Don't know what I'd do, but I'd dare not turn her down. Plus she might be stronger than me, which could provide for some unique experience.

Need further proof? Standing next to Sharapova
with no make up, who looks better?

2. Natalie Gulbis: Golf

IT'S IN THE HOLE!  Caddyshack reference, and obviously
applicable here.  Now who is the pervert!

Sports Cred: A few wins here and there...Ok fine I cheated on this one.

Hottie Cred:

Lets just say I respect her for her swing...

1. Jennie Finch, P, USA Softball (retired)

I mean was there ever any doubt? 

Beauty hath a name, and it be Jennie Finch

Sports Cred: Can throw an 85 mph rising curve ball. If that doesn't do if for you I don't know what does. You see that picture(and ones like it on the internet in um, less clothes,) and you think Jennie Finch is an angel. Then you see pictures like this:

Schwaaaaa?!?

And your jaw hits the floor.

Hottie Cred: What makes Jennie Finch so hot, aside from near perfect bone structure, natural blonde hair, blue eyes and a taned, toned body, is that she DOESN'T CARE THAT SHE'S HOT. Finch could have made truck loads of cash endorsing make up or bras or other wierd stuff girls buy, but she was like, 'nah, not for me.' So she's hot, obviously, but she's cool, too. My poor brain could never comprehend such information.

Agree with my list? Think I should have posted bikini pictures? Feel free to share your thoughts.

-Joel

Oh, to be a Cincinnati Sports Fan

Beautiful Cincinnati

Things are looking up in Cincinnati! Now, I know what you’re thinking, a new Skyline Chili downtown? King’s Island is re-opening the Son of Beast? Maybe the Cincinnati Zoo is getting a panda? Nope. Things appear to be heading in the right direction for both of Cincinnati’s major professional sports teams. Let that wash over you for a moment. You heard me right, the perennially hapless Cincinnati Bengals and numbingly mediocre Cincinnati Reds seem to be set up for a period of success.

It is difficult to be a Cincinnati sports fan. The Bengals have won a grand total of one playoff game in my 22 years on this earth. By comparison, the Reds seem like world-beaters having won a World Series when I was 10 months old and having gone to the NLCS when I was five. I don’t remember a single pitch or touchdown from any of those games so I have not been able to enjoy those summer days at the ballpark or Sunday afternoons in the fall like many people have. 

Joey Votto, the Real Deal

With this in mind, optimism in Cincinnati must always be experienced cautiously. We know it’s just a matter of time before Carson Palmer blows out a knee or Al Leiter shuts down the Reds to win the Wild Card. However, it appears that for the first time in a long time, both the Reds and Bengals will be relevant. Both franchises have an exciting crop of young talent that figure to contend in their respective leagues for years to come.

The Reds turnaround started in 2008. A team that went 74-88 hardly seems like something to remember, but 2008 was the year Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, and Johnny Cueto became everyday players. Led by Votto’s MVP season, the 2010 Reds went on to win their first division title since 1995. After a mediocre 2011 season, this year’s version of the team appears poised to recapture the division crown and make run in the playoffs as Jay Bruce continues to improve, Johnny Cueto becomes a bona fide ace, and Joey Votto continues to be Joey Votto. 

Billy Hamilton is so fast, it is amazing we found a picture of him in motion

The scary thing for the rest of the league is the Reds look like they could be getting even better. The Reds have already locked up Votto, Bruce, and Gold Glove second baseman Brandon Phillips long term. Rookies Zack Cozart, Devin Mesoraco, and Rookie of the Year candidate Todd Frazier will be solid contributors to the team for some time. While the Reds farm system isn’t deep after the trade for Mat Latos, it appears to have just the players the Reds need to fill some holes on their major league roster. Tony Cingrani, who made his major league debut Sunday throwing 3 innings and striking out 5, appears to be the top of the rotation left-handed starter the Reds have coveted for so long. He should pair nicely with Johnny Cueto and Mat Latos to make a formidable trio of starters. Reds farmhand Billy Hamilton could become one of the most exciting in the Majors in a few years. Splitting time in A and AA ball this season, Hamilton set a minor league record stealing 155 bases while sporting an on-base percentage of .410. He should fit nicely at the top of the Reds order. Fans in the Queen City think the Reds could be contending for World Series like the days of the Big Red Machine over the next handful of years.

Last year Green was a HUGE fantasy sleeper for me, So good, I hope he can duplicate this season

The Bengals have long been the laughing stock of the NFL. The Bengals players became more well know for spending time in the Hamilton County Jail than playing meaningful games in December. The Bengals have shown signs of life beginning off and on since 2005 but have never put together good seasons. Things are changing for the better, though, with the additions of Andy Dalton and AJ Green. Bengals fans are hoping for a Peyton Manning-Marvin Harrison type relationship for the young stars. The offense should continue to make strides this year after lagging behind a top-10 defense the last few years. Key to the Bengals success has been finally stringing together a few solid drafts. Aside from the Green and Dalton picks, the Bengals have added key contributors like DT Geno Atkins and DE Carlos Dunlap in later rounds.

This incarnation of the Bengals inspires a much more positive vibe in Bengals Country. As much as players like Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson/Ochocinco contributed to the franchise, they were part of a losing culture that needed to go. These young players have brought in a new era of Bengals football. Assuming, and this is a big assumption if you follow the Bengals, that they continue to draft well, the team should ascend into the ranks of their division’s best the Ravens and Steelers.

Smart money will be to take all I just said with a grain of salt. It’s entirely possible the Bengals are picking in the top 5 of next years draft and the Reds continue to play second fiddle to the St. Louis Cardinals. Such is the life of the Cincinnati sports fan. For the time being, however, days are a little sunnier in the city by the river.

-Andy

Five Things You Need to Know about the Carolina Panthers this Season

It was a Sunday night, and I had just cracked a cold one. My Fourth, to be exact. I was watching College Football, and while more entertaining the Candian football which I watched last week, the college game still makes me jones for Pro Football. I'm also probably one of the biggest Panthers fan you will meet, so when I talk pro football, the Panthers are the Sun around which all other teams orbit. You follow? So want to follow the team? Want to impress your friends with five well-informed thought points? Sure you do, and here are the five most important things to know about the Panthers going into the 2012 football season.

1. Cam Newton is an absolute superstar. Say, hypotetheically, you don't watch football (shame on you). Even the untrained eye can appreciate the biggest guy on the field also being the fastest and most elusive guy on the field. In a league full of some of the most superior athletes on the planet, Cam can make them look like they are standing still. Over 4,000 yards passing and 700 yards rushing plus 35 overall touchdowns are Madden-like stats that actually happened. As a rookie Newton was arguably top 10 at his position, year two promises to be even better.

Go on and try to stop that man.

2. Ryan Kalil, the teams center, took out a full page ad in the Charlotte Observer last month proclaiming the Panthers would win the Superbowl. Safe to say optimism is high. The Panthers performed reasonably well last season under rookie head coach Ron Rivera to finish with a 6-10 record. Going from missing the playoffs to superbowl would not be completely unprecidented, but certainly not very likely. Even still, win or lose, the Panthers will be reminded of this statement all year. So confidence is high, but so are expectations. How will a young team fare with that weight?

3. A couple exciting rookies are in the mix. Rookie middle linebacker Luke Keuchly seems unspectacular at first glance, until you hear his name called on a tackle on ALMOST EVERY PLAY. Carolina made the two-time national leader in tackles the #9 overall pick in the NFL draft, and if he stays healthy he will start for the Panthers for a decade. He will be an interesting player to watch because where he is truly gifted is in football instinct.

Now 3a, if you will. Joe Adams, return man out of Arkansas. As much as I would like to describe his skills in detail, I'll save it. If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is a video worth? I think about things like this. Anyway watch, and you will understand why he will be fun to watch.

4. The defense has a shot to be better than last year, but could still be terrible. Carolina gets a few starters back, including DT Ron Edwards, and LBs Jon Beason and Thomas Davis. Beason, when healthy, is an All-pro. Davis also has the skills, but who know how much he has left after a third consecutive ACL tear on the same knee (ouch). Last year teams could run, pass, or score off special teams against the Panthers. For Kalil's superbowl prediction to have any legs, they can't give up as many points.

***As a note, I find shouting at your television is most helpful on defense.

5. Offensive Coordinator Rob Chudzinski is a play-calling savant. OK, so you can't actually watch Chudzinski (Though with all the camera angles from NFL network, presumably a 'coaches bathroom cam' is on the way), but his plays are inventive, and more importantly utilize the best weapons on the team. Johnathan Stewart and Deangelo Williams on the field at the same time for the first time, EVER. Last year we saw some read option, traditional pro style pocket passing, end arounds, direct snaps, and all sorts of X's and O's junk that is only supposed to work in a video game. Or Little Giants.

Enjoy it, Panthers fans, because if the team executes like they did last season, he's getting a head coaching job, and soon.

So there you have it, five tips for your Carolina Panthers, but don't take my word for it and watch every minute of every game they play, and obsess over the details during the week like I do. Like normal people do...

-Joel