An New Era May Be Upon Us

Colin Kaepernick. Robert Griffin. Russell Wilson. Who will be next? A new style of quarterback could be taking over this league. Strength and speed is now teamed up with incredible intelligence and decision-making ability. This past season RGIII, Russell Wilson, and Colin Kaepernick have taken the league by storm with their incredible talents to run and pass effectively. When looking at this years most memorable moments all three(RGIII, Kaepernick, and Wilson) have each stamped their seal in our memory banks.

Since Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts took down the New York Giants in the 1958 NFL Championship game, pocket passers have defined this league. Even this year, three of the four quarterbacks left in the playoffs are prototypical pocket passers. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers aren’t going anywhere and are still the best the game has to offer. However, in this past season these three quarterbacks burst into the league and are changing the way professional football is played.

When Michael Vick was drafted in 2001, he was said to be the “Next Big Thing.” He was hyped to the level of Lebron James, Bryce Harper, or Kobe Bryant. He was a duel threat star that could run a 4.4 second 40 yard dash and pass the ball 60 yards with the flick of his wrist. Everyone wanted him. Though they didn’t know it at the time, Atlanta traded two draft picks that turned into future Hall of Famers (LaDainian Tomlinson and Drew Brees) for the rights to the first overall pick. Though he turned into one of the most exciting players in the league for a few years, Vick did not pan out as the quarterback who would change the NFL forever. The whole world knows what happened to Vick off the field but his on the field talent never equaled what most predicted of him. Vick could never put all of his skills together. There were glimpses throughout his years in Atlanta and later Philadelphia, (insert clips) but a bad attitude for much of his career and inconsistency derailed his game in big moments. What is happening now in the league is far different from what Vick did for the NFL however.

The difference between Vick and the new crop of dual-threat quarterbacks are that along with the arm strength and speed similar to what Vick possessed, they have the accuracy, the decision making and the ability to win that Vick never seemed to have in his career.  They also all have great humility with which keeps them grounded and is the backbone of their dedication to their craft. They also have coaches that are changing the way offense is run in order to cater to their star athletes.

More and more offenses are running from out of the shotgun or pistol formation. Before this would never have worked as defenses could pin back their ears and come for the quarterback. Defenses are having trouble defending the read options that these quarterbacks and offenses are running. With their ability to make quick decisions on whether to hand the ball off, run themselves, or pull the ball back and throw, quarterbacks are becoming a nightmare to game plan against. What quarterbacks like Kapernick, RGIII, and Russell Wilson have proven is that their elite decision making skills, along with their athleticism, are making them nearly unstoppable.

After decades of the best athletes being moved from the quarterback position once they enter college or the NFL, the truly elite ones are becoming successful. It will be interesting to see what the games most valuable position looks like in five, ten, or twenty years. Coaches will be more and more willing to take chances on duel-threat quarterbacks and defenses will have to adjust accordingly. There are other athletic quarterbacks in the league that can rise to the heights these youngsters have as well however. Someone like Cam Newton, who showed an ability to succeed in the NFL, can join this group of elite dual-threats but he will need to become a better leader and learn how to really win in the NFL.  By no means will this be the end of elite pocket passers, but as the game continues to evolve, wave of incredible athletes that will take snaps under center in the National Football League could be just beginning.

10 Reasons to Look Forward to 2013 for Philadelphia Fans

Anyone who followed sports this year (and probably most who didn't) knew Philadelphia had a rough 2012 on the sports front. I am going to be honest it took me longer than I would have liked to come up with 10 things for fans of the city of brotherly love to look forward to. However, with a new year beginning, it's time to turn the page on last year and look towards a future that may not be as bleak as some would think.

10.) Bryce Brown and LeSean McCoy

Though the Eagles have a lot of positions to rebuild this offseason, running back is certainly not one of them. LeSean McCoy has proven himself over the last three seasons and is one of the top running backs in the league. When Shady went down with a concussion halfway through the season, rookie Bryce Brown stepped up and dominated with both power and speed. Whoever the Eagles eventually hire will be able to build a running attack that is as good as any in the league.

9.) Jrue Holiday

This season Holiday has burst out of the gates. Averaging 19 points and 9 assists, Holliday is playing at an All-Star level. After being highly touted coming out of high school, Holliday had not lived up to his early fame until now. Along side shooting guard Evan Turner, the 76ers have a young backcourt that they fans can be excited about for years to come.

8.) New Phillies

The Phillies didn't make the major moves that some had expected (Josh Hamilton) but they did make some great additions that will help the team this season. Ben Revere is a young speedster that will fill the vacancy left in centerfield and can consistently get on base. Former Ranger Michael Young is a proven hitter that is a career .301 hitter. At 36, he is aging, but will be a great addition to the clubhouse. Finally, a more under the radar pickup, Mike Adams is a true 8th inning setup man that this team lacked last season and will help to bridge the gap to Jonathan Papelbon in the 9th inning.

7.) A New Regime for the Eagles

Since 1999, Andy Reid has patrolled the Eagles sidelines. He was a great coach for the first ten years of his career but in the last four years, he began to hurt the team. The team should respond well to fresh face and the new strategy that he brings with him. Much of the fan-base was angered that the past two seasons roster on paper, had immense amount of player talent that was been wasted. It will be interesting to see what changes will be made to better utilize the talent on the roster and what adjustments in personnel the new head coach will make.

6.) Andrew Bynum's Debut

Let me first say that even if he never plays for the Sixers it was still worth to take a shot on him (that is, unless Nik Vucavic continues dominating in Orlando and becomes a star). With that being said, reports surfaced today saying that Bynum could be back as early the All-Star break. As long as the Sixers don't plummet too far down the standings (no promises there) Bynum's return could have a huge impact on the Eastern Conference playoffs. There are still a lot of question marks surrounding Bynum and his knees but as this is a post about optimism, I will refrain from mentioning that he could easily re-injury himself bending down to tie his shoes (Oops). Fans are almost equally as excited to see how dumb his hairstyle can get. 

5.) The Eagles Draft

The Eagles haven't had a selection this high since 1999 when they picked Donavan McNabb with the second overall draft pick. With the fourth choice they will be able to choose an impact player that will start right away. Look for the Eagles to take an offensive tackle like Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel or a cornerback like Dee Milliner out of Alabama. It would also not be surprising if they looked to trade out of the fourth pick to try to grab another first or second rounder and rebuild this team. Also, the management hopefully will have hired a coach by that time (no guarantees). 

4.) Claude Giroux

Giroux proved last year that he is one of the most exciting players in the NHL. With 93 points he was third in the league in points and second in assists(68). This year he will look to continue to grow as he is expected to be named the Philadelphia captain. With most of the young core back around him, he again should be one of the best, most exciting players in the league.

3.) A Healthy Phillies Team

The 2012 season for the Phillies is one that most fans will want to forget. With Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Roy Halladay all out for significant time, the team was never able to recover from early season struggles. With all three healthy coming into the year, look for the Phillies to be back at the top of the NL East once again. 

2.) Flyers vs. Penguins

Last year's opening round playoff matchup between these two cross-state rivals was one of the most intense and exciting rounds of hockey in recent memory. The series featured plenty of goals and even more fighting and big hits. Both these teams hate each other, from the fans to the players to the coaches. Even the star players like Giroux and Sidney Crosby got into it. This is now the NHL's best rivalry and with the teams squaring off this Saturday on Opening Day, fans should expect more of the same. We can only hope for another playoff matchup this coming year and after missing nearly half the season already, these match ups should be as intense as ever.

1.) 2012 is over

The number one reason Philadelphia fans should be excited for the 2013 season is that the 2012 season is done. The Phillies and the Eagles, the two most popular teams in this city, performed dreadfully during last year leaving many of the fans feeling hopeless. However, a new year should bring optimism to all and hopefully all four of the major teams in this town can return to their winning ways.