McCarron Manziel Or Murray?

Who would you rather have Aaron Murray of Georgia, AJ McCarron of Alabama or Johnny “Football” Manziel of Texas A&M? I’m sure every will have their opinion, but the big question is who is the better quarterback of the three?

Well the media has spoken, releasing the All-SEC Preseason Teams during the of the SEC’s Media Day.

 According to the media, in this respective order: Manziel was voted the first-team quarterback, McCarron second-team quarterback and Murray was the third-team quarterback.

All three will be NFL quarterbacks that’s not of the discussion, but who is the better quarterback of the three?

Who would you rather have at the quarterback position for your favorite college football team?

Each of the three quarterbacks bring something to the table.

Aaron Murray of Georgia is on track to break every major quarterback statistic in the SEC. The three-year starter for the Dawgs is entering his senior season with the expectations in Athens being extremely high, coming off of a 12-win despite falling to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game 32-28. Murray has continued to improve after each season, increasing his completion percentage, yards and touchdowns totals. After coming off of his best season to date of 3,893 yards and 38 touchdowns, its highly possible that Murray can throw for 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns with the offensive weapons he’ll have in his arsenal. The question isn’t of Murray’s skill level, but of his ability to win the big game. We’ll find out sooner rather than later when the Dawgs travel to South Carolina to take on Clemson in their season opener.

When it comes to AJ McCarron of Alabama, one word and one word only comes to mind when I think of McCarron and that’s “winner”. The senior quarterback that leads the Crimson Tide, continues to get better year in and year out. As McCarron’s role increased his production has also increased, as a sophomore he managed the game, and that’s all he needed to do throwing for 16 touchdown passes and 2,634 yards. His junior season is where he took off, throwing 30 touchdown passes and on 2,933 passing yards, the best stat of all is his three interceptions. The guy not only goes through his progressions well, but he doesn’t make mental mistakes, decision making is what separates good quarterbacks from elite level ones, McCarron is an elite level quarterback. He once managed games, now he wins them.

This may not have been the best summer for Johnny “Football” Manziel, but I have no doubt in my mind come August he’ll be ready to go, if not suspended by the NCAA. Not only did Manziel set the record for SEC quarterbacks for having 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 running yards, the ultimate dual-threat quarterback. For those who may not know he also was the first freshmen to win the Heisman Trophy, that’s sort of a big deal. He took the SEC by storm in his first year leading A&M to double digit wins and a Cotton Bowl victory of the Oklahoma Sooners. Manziel finished the season with 26 touchdowns through the air and 21 rushing, he is one of four players to record 20 passing and rushing touchdowns in a season.

College football is here and the time is now the lights have never been brighter for the three quarterbacks. There will be plenty of great headlines, how will Manziel perform after his fun filled summer? Will McCarron three-peat? Is this the year Murray wins the big game?

The answers to the questions currently are unknown as of now, but they soon will be answered.

Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and College Football Blogger

Twitter:  @JTyree704

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes 

Top 10 Comparisons: Justin Tyree, Coaches Poll and AP

Justin Tyree’s Preseason Top 10 in comparison to the Coaches Poll Top 10 and AP.

Justin Tyree   Coaches Poll      AP

1. Alabama      1. Alabama      1. Alabama

2. Stanford      2. Ohio State   2. Ohio State

3. Texas A&M  3. Oregon       3. Oregon

4. Oregon   4. Stanford      4. Stanford

5. Ohio State        5. Georgia   5. Georgia

6. Georgia       6. Texas A&M      6. South Carolina

7. South Carolina    7. South Carolina  7. Texas A&M

8. Louisville   8. Clemson          8. Clemson

9. Clemson            9. Louisville          9. Louisville

10. Florida State           10. Florida           10. Clemson


Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and  College Football Blogger

Twitter:  @JTyree704

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes

A Successful Summer For The Charlotte Bobcats

        It’s now time to reflect on the summer that consists of the Charlotte Bobcats, the city of Charlotte, and fans of the Bobcats have reasons to smile.
       
        If I were to tell you Michael Jordan let Rich Cho do his job would you believe me?

        Well, you have no choice, Jordan let Cho do was he does best, and that’s build a franchise.

        This summer, the Bobcats did well in hiring a head coach in Steve Clifford, who brought in a solid group of assistants with Patrick Ewing headlining the group of Stephen Silas and Mark Price.

        Cho drafted well with the fourth overall pick in Cody Zeller, a seven-footer who can stretch the floor, along with having a very solid performance throughout the summer league. Though it was the summer league, it’s about what skills he put on display, putting the ball on the floor, running the floor well playing through contact and he was  able to stretch the floor knocking down the 15-footer.

         It gets better fans, the lack of a post player that can score has been answer, Al Jefferson is now a member of the Charlotte Bobcats. Jefferson averaged 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds over the course of last season for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

        The bad apple that was Tyrus Thomas has been removed under the amnesty provision clause, anytime you can get rid of negative energy with an expensive price tag of $8.6 million, you’ve made a step in the right direction. Josh McRoberts was resigned to fill that void at a much more affordable pay rate, and less headache.

        Then to conclude the summer, the Bobcats secured their core of young guns of Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Gerald Henderson. The young core played extremely coming down the tail end of the season.

        Going into the last season under the Bobcats name, it should be a good one.  I’m not screaming playoffs I’ll save that conversation for the summer of 2014, but for the upcoming 2013-2014 season you can expect an improvement in the win column from 21 wins to anywhere from 25 to 30 wins.

 

Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter:  @JTyree704

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes

Cho Goes Cody Zeller

Thursday night the Charlotte Bobcats selected Cody Zeller with the fourth overall pick.

Before you start to point the finger at Michael Jordan, remember Rich Cho drafted Zeller, not Jordan.

With a draft party filled with Ben McLemore supporters, the reaction from the fans during the selection inside Time Warner Cable Arena was not a pleasant one to say the least.

Rich Cho did say earlier in the week that the Bobcats would draft the best available player, rather than the team’s need.

Zeller being the best available player on the board can be argued.

Say what you want, but Zeller is a complete player, despite his struggles during the NCAA tournament.

Zeller’s sophomore season complied of averaging 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds, both down from his freshmen season, but made up for it with an above-average performance during the NBA Combine, slating Zeller as a top-10, but going fourth was a shock.

I can’t say I’m completely shocked by the pick, during the week I heard from a couple sources that the Bobcats were high on Zeller. I just didn’t see them drafting him at four knowing the talent that would be available of Nerlens Noel and Ben McLemore.

There are two things that people can expect from Zeller: he’ll start the first game of the season, and now Steve Clifford has the option of running the pick and roll with Kemba Walker and Zeller. Zeller at 7’0 can stretch the floor knocking down the 18-foot jumper, along with having a solid back to the basket game.

The Bobcats have been missing a low-post presence, Zeller may be able to fill that void, having Patrick Ewing on the coaching staff can not do anything but help Zeller rather than hurt him.

Popular opinion is not in favor of the pick, CBSSports gave the Bobcats a grade of D+, but don’t be surprised with Zeller has a solid rookie season.

Zeller must improve his aggressiveness to be successful, if not it will be a nightmare of a rookie season dating back to his last game at Indiana when he was bullied by the Syracuse big men.

One thing Charlotte should know is that it looks as if Gerald Henderson will be the Bobcats starting shooting guard in the upcoming 2013-14 NBA season, with the Bobcats passing on McLemore.

             With Zeller coming in that means somebody will be on the way out.

As of today the Bobcats starting lineup will consist of Kemba Walker, Gerald Henderson Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo.

Do the Bobcats match Byron Mullens qualifying offer? Or do the Bobcats decide to let Mullens walk and resign Josh McRoberts? McRoberts played well for the Bobcats down the back stretch of the season.

 Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter:  @JTyree704

Facebook:  http://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes

 

Game 2 Must Win For Heat

    LeBron James in the game one defeat led the way for Miami with a triple-double of 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists, usually that's enough for a win in, but unfortunately in game one of the NBA Finals that wasn't enough for the Heat to beat the San Antonio Spurs.

    For a game that was well played, going down to the wire, I was not a fan of the mood following the game.

    For LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Erik Spoelstra to bring up a fatigue is something that doesn't sit well with me.

    If Miami would have won, fatigue wouldn't have been brought up.

    When you reach the NBA Finals everybody is tired, but that's an invalid excuse to bring up after such a well played game.

    Yes, the Spurs took game one, but don't be a prisoner of the moment fan and rule out the Heat.

    I have the series going seven games.

    Sunday night's game two match-up I do believe is a must win for the Miami Heat.

    I say that because you have to protect your home court, and the way Gregg Popovich coaches, there will not be a lack of intensity just because they won game one, San Antonio is fully aware of what the Heat are capable of.

    The x-factor for game two will be which ball club can connect from three point land. San Antonio shot 30 percent connecting on 7-23 with Miami at 32 percent connecting on 8-25, whoever can get the three ball going will have the end going into crunch time, that being the final three minutes of the regulation.

    One thing that won't change is Chris Bosh's style of play. Bosh has been taking some criticism as of late, and rightfully so he hasn't played well. Bosh is a finesse jump shooting power forward who just happened to be 6'11, he's not going to bang in the post that's not his game, Heat fans can only hope he starts shooting better from the field.

    Knowing the hole that Miami can fall into losing game two, I fully expect for the Heat to come out and take care of business on their home floor traveling to San Antonio with series split at 1-1.



Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter:  @JTyree704

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
   

The Battle Of The Big 3's

    Tonight the NBA Finals will begin with the San Antonio Spurs traveling to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat.

    The battle of the Big 3's, Gregg Popovich's three stars versus Erik Spoelstra's three stars.

    Tony Parker versus LeBron James Manu Ginobili, versus Dwayne Wade and Tim Duncan versus Chris Bosh.

    This is an interesting match-up, because both teams play similar styles of basketball.

    Going into the season I believe the unanimous pick for the team that would end up winning the NBA Championship went to the Miami Heat, but the tides have turned.

    LeBron James is the best player in the NBA, but the team he plays on doesn't always end up performing like the best team in the NBA.

    Do I believe the San Antonio Spurs are the best team in the NBA? No.

    Do I believe the San Antonio have played the best basketball throughout the NBA Playoff's? Yes.

    The Spurs have had some help getting to the NBA Finals, sweeping a Los Angeles Lakers team without Kobe Bryant, a young Golden State ball club that just is not ready and a Memphis Grizzles team that simply wasn't a better ball club.

    The Miami Heat sweep the Milwaukee Bucks, made it interesting against the Chicago Bulls and beat the Indiana Pacers in game 7 playing their best basketball of the series.

    Miami's pressure defense versus Tony Parker will be the match-up that I believe will determine the series, with LeBron James ultimately guarding Tony Parker when it matters.

    Gregg Popovich is the Bill Belichick of the NFL in the sense of a master mind when given time to prepare for his opponents.

    I do believe the San Antonio Spurs are the better team right now, but when you have LeBron James anything is possible.

    Who are you taking? Greg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs? or LeBron James and the Miami Heat?

    The winner of game one of the NBA Finals has gone on to win the series 71 percent of the time.

    Game one of the NBA Finals, tip-off is at 9:00 p.m.


Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter:  @JTyree704

Facebook:  https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes

What If The King Comes Up Short?

    Monday night I expect for the Miami Heat to take care of business in the form of the Indiana Pacers, and advance to the NBA Finals to face the San Antonio Spurs, who have been patiently waiting.

    Just for good conversation sake, what if the LeBron James and the Miami Heat come up short?

    Following the Indiana Pacers victory in game six, Charles Barkley said that he feels both teams have pressure to win game seven, but I disagree.

    The Pacers have been playing with house money, outside of the organization and their fans, many did not have the Pacers making it to the NBA Finals.

    The pressure is paramount for the Miami Heat, this is the same team that's suppose to win "Not one, not two, not three, not four...not five...not six...not seven" NBA championships, according to LeBron James.

    The hatred for this team is rampant outside of the state of Florida, but when you make a statement of that stature you have to back it up with the performance on the floor.

    In the words of former President Theodore Roosevelt "Speak softly, and carry a big stick."

    Rightfully so James has been backing his statement with his performances throughout this post season, but the two other members of the "Big 3" Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh have not.

    If your on the court then you can play. Dwayne Wade does not get a pass for his poor performance tonight and throughout this series, despite not being 100 percent.

    As for Chris Bosh he just has not shown up to play, no excuse.

    Basketball is a team sport, it takes a good team to get the job done, but when you are a superstar sometimes you have to elevate your game if the supporting case is not getting the job done.

    James who is 1-2 in game seven's, must elevate his game tonight, putting his team on his back and getting the job done. James is fully capable of doing so, just ask the Boston Celtics about his 45 points 15 rebounds last season in a must win game six performance on the road.

    James has has his moment of shine throughout this series from hitting the game-winning layup to dropping 16 of his 30 points in the third quarter, but he has also come up short with two costly turnovers that resulted in a defeat.

    Which LeBron James will show up tonight? King James the four-time MVP, or the guy that struggles to close out games?



Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter: @JTyree704

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes