Top 10 SEC Tight Ends

The Tight End is one of the most important skill positions on the Field, but is often over shadowed by the other skill positions such as quarterback, running back, and wide receivers. To be a good effective tight end you need to be able to block well enough to handle a blitz off the end as well as the ability to run routes and catch passes. Here is my top 10 tight ends in the SEC:

SEC Top 10 Tight Ends

10. Chase Clement, LSU: The Tigers don't have a lot of experience at TE this season, but Clement should be very capable of moving into the starting roll. Clement is a big TE at 6'5" 251 and should provide a lot of help in trenches opening up holes for LSU running backs.

9. Nehemiah Hicks / Michael Lamothe / Hutson Prioleau, Texas A&M: The Aggie's are very deep at TE as you can see with three guys that could all be starters in the SEC. All three guys had over 100 yards receiving last year as they split duties. Not sure how the new coaching staff at A&M will handle them all, but I'm sure they will utilize them.

8. Jamal Mosley, Ole Miss: A good sized TE at 6'4" 260lbs who had 12 receptions for 166 yards last season. In new HC Huge Freeze offence Mosley is expected to have an even bigger role in 2012.  

7. Malcolm Johnson, Mississippi State: Last year the 6'2" 230lbs freshman proved he can play in the SEC. I think by the time Johnson is a senior he will be one of the top TE in the SEC as long as he don't have the "sophomore slump". 

6. Justice Cunningham, South Carolina: The Gamecocks have a couple good TE's, but 6'3" Cunningham is the Gamecocks top option. Last year Cunningham hauled in 18 reception for 142 yards.

5. Mychal Rivera, Tennessee: Everyone is looking the Tennessee and Tyler Bray to really open it up and sling it around this year. Bray will surly be looking to hit his 6'3" 244lbs TE early and often. Last year Rivera was Tennessee second leading receiver and I look for him to stay on that track.  

4. Micheal Williams, Alabama: The big 6'6" 269lbs TE will become a bigger target in 2012 as Brad Smelly has moved on to the NFL. In 2011 Williams and Smelly split duties as Williams caught 16 passes for 191 yards. Alabama loves to throw their TE and with Williams now being the main man look for him to more that double his 2011 numbers. 

3. Jordan Reed, Florida: Look for the very athletic 6'3" 239lbs TE to be very active in 2012 as one of the Gators top targets. We don't know which QB will get the starting job, but what we do know is it will be a true sophomore who will be looking to play it safe and dumping it down to Reed will be a good options as they grow in the offence.

2. Chris Gragg, Arkansas: At 6'3" 236lbs he's not the biggest TE, but he's fast, sure handed, and will be a big player maker this year for the Razorbacks. Gragg easily beat linebackers who try to cover him in 2011 as he racked up 518 yards on 41 receptions. Now that the hogs are thinner at WR I look for Gragg to really increase his receptions

1. Phillip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn: His name almost doesn't fits on his jersey, but the 6'5" 250lbs TE is a major threat in the red zone catching 7 TD passes last season. Lutzenkirchen is the only TE in the SEC that I would consider the leader of his offence as most everything the tigers do on offence seems to some way flow through him.



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-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Georgia Preview

We are now only 34 days from the kickoff of the college football season, and its time to preview our #3 team in our SEC Power Poll. Last years SEC East Champions the Georgia Bulldogs look to be on the path to return to the Georgia Dome.

#3 Georgia

Last season started off extremely rough losing their first two games all be it to two top ten teams, but Mark Richt was already on the hot seat from his 6-7 2010 campaign. Most teams would have folded up after that 0-2 start, but Georgia had a little more fight in them than that winning their next 10 games and going to the SEC Championship. Now the expectations are extremely high with a lot of that talent returning in 2012.

On Offence QB Aaron Murry threw a whopping 35 TD's last season while racking up over 3000 yards passing. One of their key WR Malcolm Mitchell has moved to defence, but Tavarres King is one of the SEC's top go to guys and 6' 5" Marlon Brown should finally become a good target for Murry. The offence suffered another loss at RB during the off season with All SEC Freshman Isaiah Crowell getting removed from the team. They do have a capable back in Ken Malcome, but I think the Bulldogs lean on the passing attack this year. The weakness will be in the trenches as Georgia offencive line will be lacking in experience. 

As good as Murry is the strength of the the team will be its defence. Last year they ranked 5th in total defence only giving up 277 yards per game and in 2012 they return 9 starters. The only depth issues coming in is their secondary, but with the move of WR Malcolm Mitchell to CB will help in that department. I really like what DC Todd Grantham has done with this 3-4 defence. 

   Returning Starters (15)

Offence: 6

Defence: 9

ST: 0

Georgia 2012 Schedule and Preview

• Buffalo W
• @ Missouri W
• FAU W
• Vanderbilt W
• Tennessee W
• @ South Carolina ? L
• @ Kentucky W
• Florida ? W
• Ole Miss W
• @ Auburn ? W
• Georgia Southern W
• Georgia Tech ? W

I have Georgia going 11-1 and in a tight battle with South Carolina for the SEC East, both teams have no room for mistakes. I think Georgia is a slightly better team, but playing @ South Carolina is the reason I'm picking the Gamecocks in that one. Games that could be trick is their rivalry games VS Florida, @Auburn, and Georgia Tech. Any one of these games could become losses for the Bulldogs.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @PatrickP13 

Top 14 SEC Quarterbacks for 2012

The SEC looks to maybe have it's best Quarterback class from top to bottom in years. The SEC is not known as a strong QB conference, but this year could be the exception. A few weeks ago I ranked the top QBs in the nation: Top College Quarterbacks for 2012 today I turn my focus to the SEC QBs

TOP 14 SEC Quarterbacks

14. Max Smith / Morgan Newton, Kentucky: Last year Kentucky had horrible QB play from start to finish. It started with Morgan Newton who was %47.7 passing before getting injured. That gave Max Smith a chance to run the offence, Smith was slightly better at %54.9 but had 4 INT's to go along with his 4 TD's.

13. Jameill Showers, Texas A&M: Its a good thing Showers has a solid RB to hand the ball off to, because entering the SEC with no real experience can be a daunting task for anyone. The 3 star will try to fill the shoes of NFL first round pick Ryan Tannehill.

12. Clint Mosley / Kiehl Frazier, Auburn: Much luck Kentucky in 2011 Auburn never got good play from any of their quarterbacks. They enter 2012 with a QB battle between Mosley and Frazier, by the numbers Mosley is the more experienced passer 66 out of 108 that's %61.0 for 800 yards with 5 TD's and 3 INT's. Mosley can run the ball some, but Frazier is clearly the better runner rushing for 327 yards in 2011, but was only 5 of 12 passing for 34 yards.

11. Bo Wallace, Ole Miss: Ole Miss is trying to turn a new leaf with new HC Huge Freeze who brings the NJCAA player of the year with him to Ole Miss in Bo Wallace. The 6'5" junior college transfer has worked with Freeze in the past and will not have much of a learning curve. The issue for Wallace and Freeze is will there be enought talent around them to win some games their not supposed to? 

10. Jacoby Brissett / Jeff Driskel, Florida: Both Brissett and Driskel where thrown in to action unexpectedly in 2011 and there numbers showed that. Both players where big time blue chippers out of high school, and with the whole off season to really learn the offence will show in 2012 for who ever wins the job. I look for Florida to make major improvements on offence this year. 

9. Zack Mettenberger, LSU: Les Miles and all the offencive coaches at LSU seem to be all grins when Mettenberger name comes up. There has been a lot of buzz coming out of swamps saying this is the year that LSU really opens up it's passing attack. Mettenberger looked good in the spring game, but he still hasn't faced a full slate of SEC defenses and until he does his skill set will be an unknown. 

8. Jordan Rodgers, Vanderbilt: The Rodgers family has the gene poll for making good QBs as little brother Jordan Rodgers tires to get out of big brother Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers shadow. Jordan seems to have all the physical skills to be a big time QB, but he threw 10 INT's last year and only 9 TD's a stat he needs to flip flop. 

7. Tyler Russell, Mississippi State: Now as the full time QB in Dan Mullan system should improve Russells numbers in 2012. Last year Russell started the last half of the season going 69 of 129 %53.5 for 1034 yards. The one thing he will be missing is the mobility usually needed for Mullans offence. 

6. Tyler Bray, Tennessee: At 6'6" Bray stands tall in the pocket and is a pure passer. Last season before missing four games with injury was 147 of 247 %59.5 for 1983 yards. If he doesn't go down with injury then he could have easily been a 3000 yard QB which is where I project him in 2012.

5. Conner Shaw, South Carolina: The under rated duel threat QB really took to the ole ball coaches offence as he came in mid season for struggling Gracia. Shaw threw for 1448 yards hitting %65.4 of his passes and also added 525 yards with his legs. In 2012 Shaw will have an entire season to work with, and could very easily become one of the top QB's in the SEC. 

4. James Franklin, Missouri: Clearly the best duel threat QB in the SEC throwing for 2865 yards and rushing for 981 in 2011 and accounting for 36 TD's, but that was facing Big 12 defense. In the SEC thing won't come as easy for Franklin, and I would be shocked if he reached the same numbers he set in 2012. 

3. AJ McCarron, Alabama:  The Junior is fresh off a National Championship and in that Title game AJ was solid hitting 24 of 34 passes %67.6 for 234 yrds and had six games where his accuracy was over %70. In 2011 McCarron 219 of 328 %66.8 for 2634 yards with 16 TD's and only 5 picks. In 2012 I look for McCarron to be able to open it up a little more, and get very close to the 3000 yard mark.

2. Aaron Murry, Georgia: The junior two year starter from Georgia is looking to take his team back to another SEC Championship game. Now with out RB Isaiah Crowell gone I look for Murray to take this team on his back, and put up huge numbers. In 2011 as a sophomore Murray was 238 of 403 %59.1 for 3149 yards with 35 TD's and 14 INT's.

1. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas: If Wilson was in any other conference besides the SEC then he would have thrown for over 4000 yards in 2011, but he will have to settle for 277 of 438 %63.2 for 3638 yards with 24 TD's and 6 INT's. The tricky part of 2012 will be figuring out how much all the coaching change over will affect them. With Paul Petrino now calling the plays I think Wilson will be just fine and get very close to the 4000 yard mark. 

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Penn State might be on life support, but they are not dead.

It's not the happiest of times in Happy Valley PA as the NCAA has slammed Penn State with the worst penalty since SMU got the death penalty in the 80's. Everything about the Penn State case was unprecedented the crime, cover up, Freeh reports, and the way the NCAA handled it all.

Penn States Punishment:

• $60,000,000 Fine
• 4 year bowl ban
• 40 scholarships lost (10 a year for four years)
• 5 years of probation
• Wins vacated from 1998 until 2011 (112 wins)

Some say this is worst than the death penalty in which I completely disagree. The death penalty would have shut the football program down for two years. Everyone knows that the football program is the money maker for the athletics programs, and if you shut it down your not talking about a $60,000,000 fine your talking hundreds of millions in losses. Also no football means in two years you have to start all over getting players basically having an all freshman team taking you at least five years to get back up to a full roster. It took SMU 20 years just to get back to being competitive and there still not were they where before the death penalty
Over the past few years USC and Alabama have been hit very hard by the NCAA, but not to the same level as Penn State, but it's the closest thing we have to draw comparisons too. It took Alabama a few years, but there stronger than ever. USC might still have some down years ahead, but right now there in the hunt to be a national title contender. Penn State will take double the amount of time that it took Alabama, but they will come back from this even if it takes 10+ years.

New head coach at Penn State Bill O'brien put out a statement today that was very telling of his character, and I think he will really help this program move forward.

Bill O'Brien

 "Today we receive a very harsh penalty from the NCAA and as Head Coach of the Nittany Lions football program, I will do everything in my power to not only comply, but help guide the University forward to become a national leader in ethics, compliance and operational excellence. I knew when I accepted the position that there would be tough times ahead. But I am committed for the long term to Penn State and our student athletes. I was then and I remain convinced that our student athletes are the best in the country. I could not be more proud to lead this team and these courageous and humble young men into the upcoming 2012 season. Together we are committed to building a better athletic program and university."

Although it might be faint, but Penn State still has a heart beat, and in ten years the football powerhouse will be back on the national level.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on twitter @Patrickp13

South Carolina Preview

#4 South Carolina

We are 41 days away from the South Carolina Gamecocks kicking off the college football season vs Vanderbilt. South Carolina checks in as my #4 team in my SEC Power Poll.

This is the golden age for the South Carolina Gamecocks as they come off of back to back very successful seasons and 2012 is shaping up to be the same. There's lots of reasons for the ole ball coach Steve Spurrier to be happy these days as he finally has a stable quarterback; one of the best running attacks in the SEC; and a SEC quality defence.
Last year after the Auburn lost Spurrier made a move to change quarterbacks to Connor Shaw who took the Gamecocks to a 7-1 record to finish out the season. During that time Shaw proved to be a dual threat QB hitting 123 of his 188 attempts that's %65.4 for 1448 yards with 14 TD's and 6 INT's on the ground; Shaw ran for 525 yards and added 8 more TD's.
To go along with the solid play of Shaw the Gamecocks have the best running back in the SEC in Marcus Lattimore who ran for over 800 yards in 7 games before getting injured. Also in the back field with Lattimore is Brandon Wilds who really started to show flashes of an solid SEC back in the later half of the season.
Last season South Carolina was 3rd in total defence, but they lose 6 of those guys including Melvin Ingram, but I don't look for this defence to slip to far being lead by preseason all SEC DE Jadeveon Clowney. They will have some work to do in their pass defence.

  

Returning Starters (14)

Offence: 7

Defence: 6

ST: 2

Schedule and Predictions

• @ Vanderbilt W
• East Carolina W
• UAB W
• Missouri W
• @ Kentucky W
• Georgia ???? W
• @ LSU L
• @ Florida ? W
• Tennessee W
• Arkansas ? W
• Wofford W
• @ Clemson ? W

I'm saying 11-1, but I really think they will lose one of there swing (?) games in @ Florida or Arkansas paving the way for Georgia to once again lose to South Carolina, but win the east. The reason I'm taking South Carolina over Georgia is the fact that the game is in South Carolina and the two teams are very equal. There is differently a chance that this team could be pretty close to running the table if the ball bounces their way in 2012

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Preseason All SEC Team

During SEC Media days from Hoover Alabama the media has releasted their Preseason all SEC team --> ESPN.COM (All SEC TEAM) One thing I didn't ever think I would see is that there is not one Gator on the media list (how the mighty have fallen). Thats not the case on my Preseason All SEC Team as I think Jonathan Bostic of Florida is a first team player.

Here is the Dominate365 All SEC Team 

First Team Offence:

QB: Tyler Wilson Arkansas

RB: Marcus Lattimore South Carolina

RB: Knile Davis Arkansas

WR: Da'Rick Rodgers Tennessee  

WR: Ryan Swope Texas A&M

WR: Cobi Hamilton Arkansas

TE: Phillip Lutzenkirchen Auburn

C: Barrett Jones Alabama

OG: Gabe Jackson Mississippi State

OG: Chance Warmack Alabama

OT: DJ Fluker Alabama

OT: Alex Hurst LSU

Second Team Offence:

QB: Aaron Murray Georiga

RB: Eddie Lacy Alabama

RB: Christine Michael Texas A&M

WR: TJ Moe Missouri

WR: Tavarres King Georiga

WR: Emory Blake Auburn

TE: Chirs Gragg Arkansas

C: TJ Johnson South Carolina

OG: Larry Warford Kentucky

OG: Josh Williford LSU

OT: Chris Faulk LSU

OT: Xavier Nixon Florida

First Team Defence:

DL: Sam Montgomery LSU

DL: Jesse Williams Alabama

DL: Corey Lemonier Auburn

DL: Jadeveon Clowney South Carolina

LB: CJ Mosley Alabama

LB: Nico Johnson Alabama

LB: Jarvis Jones Georgia

LB: Jonathan Bostic Florida

CB: Prentiss Waggner Tennessee
CB: Jonathan Banks Mississippi State

S: Robert Lester Alabama

S: Eric Reid LSU

Second Team Defence:

DL: John Jenkins Georiga

DL: Sharrif Floyd Florida

DL: Barkevious Mingo LSU

DL: Anthony Johnson LSU

LB: Sean Porter Texas A&M

LB: Jelani Jenkins Florida

LB: Zaviar Gooden Missouri

LB: Alonzo Highsmith Arkansas

CB: Tharold Simon LSU

CB: Dee Milliner Alabama
S: Bacarri Rambo Georiga

S: Matt Elam Florida

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Top College Quarterbacks for 2012

We are 45 days away from the start of the college football season and thought I would have a little fun today and list my top 12 QB's for the 2012 season.



Top Quarterbacks for 2012

Dave Martin/Associated Press

10. AJ McCarron: The Junior is fresh off a National Championship and projected by some to be a dark horse for this years Heisman. In the Title game AJ was solid hitting 24 of 34 passes %67.6 for 234 yrds and had six games where his accuracy was over %70. In 2011 McCarron 219 of 328 %66.8 for 2634 yards with 16 TD's and only 5 picks. In 2012 I look for McCarron to be able to open it up a little more, and get very close to the 3000 yard mark.






9. Bryn Renner: The 6' 3" 215lbs Junior for North Carolina is a pure pocket passer going 239 of 350 %68.3 for 3086 yards with 26 TD's and 13 INT's. Last year VS James Madison Renner was 22 of 23 %95 which is simply amazing numbers even if it ageist James Madison. Now with another year under his belt in 2012 I think Renner is out for another solid year.

8. Tajh Boyd: Was another sophomore who had a break out season in 2011 as he lead Clemson on their "Shock the world tour", and with all the young talent around him in 2012 I think Boyd's number will only get better. In 2011 Boyd was 298 of 499 %59.7 for 3828 yards with 33 TD's and 12 INT's he also added 218 yards on the ground.

7. Aaron Murray: The junior two year starter from Georgia is looking to take his team back to another SEC Championship game. Now with out RB Isaiah Crowell gone I look for Murray to take this team on his back, and put up huge numbers. In 2011 as a sophomore Murray was 238 of 403 %59.1 for 3149 yards with 35 TD's and 14 INT's.

6. Collin Klein: No one saw Kansas State and Klein going 10-3 last season, and the Wildcats won't have the luxury of sneaking up on anyone this year, but I don't think that will stop Klein from getting his numbers. Klein is not a pure passer as you can see by his numbers in 2011 161 of 281 %57.3 for 1918 yards with 13 TD's and 6 INT's, but Klein makes up for it on the ground rushing for 1141 yards and adding 27 more TD's!



Geno Smith

5.Geno Smith: Now in the BIG12 Smith will have new defences to learn that will hinder his performance a little, but Smith is a legit Heisman candidate. In 2011 Smith had a monster year going 346 of 526 %65.8 for 4385 yards with 31 TD's and 7 INT's. If Smith puts up 2/3 of them numbers in 2012 in the BIG12 then West Virgina could be in win the conference in their first year.
4. Landry Jones: I think Jones at 6' 4" 229lbs could be the most talented and NFL ready QB this year, but with the off season issues that lead to three of his WR's being suspended indefinitely will affect Jones numbers in 2012. Jones will still have Kenny Stills to throw to and he will still put up big number much like his last three years at Oklahoma. In 2011 Jones was 355 of 562 %63.2 for 4463 yards with 29 TD's and 15 INT's.

3. Denard Robinson: The 6' 1" 193lbs Senior will not project well in the NFL, but he is the most electric QB in FBS college football right now. Robinson will have his chance to show if he belongs in the Heisman race week one when he faces off against Alabama (SEC Defence). Robinson passing numbers in 2011 where average 142 of 258 %55.0 for 2173 yards with 20 TD's and 15 INT's, but Robinson gets it done with his legs rushing for 1176 and 16 more TD's. 

2. Tyler Wilson: If Wilson was in any other conference besides the SEC then he would have thrown for over 4000 yards, but he will have to settle for 277 of 438 %63.2 for 3638 yards with 24 TD's and 6 INT's. The tricky part of 2012 will be figuring out how much all the coaching change over will affect them. With Paul Petrino now calling the plays I think Wilson will be just fine and get very close to the 4000 yard mark.


Matt Barkley

 1. Matt Barkley: Over the last three years the USC senior has become the best passer in College Football. Barkley is extremely accurate and hands down the front runner for the Heisman. In 2011 Barkley was 308 of 446 %69.1 for 3528 yards with 39 TD's and 7 INT's also note USC didn't play in conference championship or bowl game last year. This season Barkly is sure to hit the 4000 yard mark and punch his ticket to New York and maybe the National Championship.

 

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Arkansas Preview

#5 Arkansas

We are 48 days from the start of College football and up to number five in our SEC Power Poll ------> The Razorbacks of Arkansas. Outside of Happy Vally PA has any other team in college football had a worst off season? Right before the #1 LSU vs #3 Arkansas game last season if you was to tell me that Bobby Petrino would be fired during the off season I would have never believed you. I wouldn't have even been able to come up with something that would make him friable. Who could have ever seen this coming The Bobby Petrino Story (Dominate365) but lets fast forward now that Petrino is gone and John L. Smith has stepped into a "one year" deal as Head Coach. Usually with this much turn over I would rank a team even lower, but I believe there is enough talent in Fayetteville to keep the Hogs in the upper half of the SEC for at least one more year.

Breaking down the numbers on offence last season the Razorbacks where 29th in the nation, but number 1 in the SEC. A large part of that success was due to returning of 2012 Heisman hopeful QB Tyler Wilson. The bad news for this offence is they loss some key WR's but get RB Knile Davis back who could also be a Heisman candidate in 2012. I know Bobby Petrino and UAB's Garrick Mcgee where the masters behind that offence, but before Bobby was fired he hired his little brother Paul Petrino who is also a offensive guru. So I really believe that they will be fine on offence in 2012.
The Defense is 2011 wasn't that bad at 47th in the NCAA, but they lose half of the defense including two lineman, two linebackers, and two DB's so they will be hurting in every layer of their defense.

Returning Starters

Offence: 7

Defence: 6

ST: 2

Schedule and Predictions

• Jacksonville State W
• La. Monroe W
• Alabama L
• Rutgers W
• @ Texas A&M ? W
• @ Auburn ? W
• Kentucky W
• Ole Miss W
• Tulsa W
• @ South Carolina L
• @ Mississippi State ? W
• LSU L

I think the Razorbacks will be 9-3, but they have three very trick road games @ Texas A&M @ Auburn and @ Mississippi State I wouldn't be shocked if the slipped up and lost one of those games. Also to note Alabama and LSU are both home games this year, but I just don't think they will be able to win either of those games. The main thing that is hard to predict for Arkansas is how will all the off season firings and arrest effect them in 2012? Will it make for a season to forget or will they bond together and take a it's me VS the world attitude.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Joe Paterno the Legend turned disgrace

Paul Vathis/Associated Press

Though the whole Jerry Sundusky scandal that turn Penn State in to a very un-happy valley I wanted to believe in Joe Pa. I wanted to think that he did the right thing and followed the right steps. I wanted him to be able to finish out the season the way a living legend should. I was shocked by his firing, shocked by his quick death, but now I'm even more shocked at his involvement. I've held back judgement on him as long as I could, waiting for the facts to come out, but now that these new facts are facts and I'm blown away in discuss.

If you haven't yet heard what the latest investigation revealed you can read about it here www.nytimes.com . To touch on it briefly Joe Paterno knew as far back 1998 and thought out the years helped in the cover up and failed to stop Jerry Sunducky from stealing the innocence away from more children. All for what? To avoid bad publicity!

Joe Paterno had the power to stop this, he had the power to save that innocence, but instead he tried to protected his self, his friends and the school. In doing that Joe Paterno and the Penn State powers to be created an environment that took no regard for safety of our most defenceless members of society. 

The history book where all set to write Joe Paterno as a legend, but now we know the truth. A truth hopefully others with his power will be able to learn from.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

One of my favorit days in Baseball...The Home Run Derby

As I mentioned in previous blogs baseball is a "newspaper sport" , but there are a few special parts of the season that become must watch TV. Between opening day and the World Series you have the All Star break, and in the break you have the Home Run Derby which to me is a must watch part of the season.

I know the derby doesn't really count for anything but bragging rights, but the home run is the most exciting part of the game (after the stadium dog of course). The home run is what made baseball, and the reason Babe Ruth is still a house hold name. The home run made a former cotton picker from Mobile Alabama into one of the greatest all time, but no one talks about Hank Aaron's three Golden Gloves Awards. The home run "saved" baseball as the country started back watching after the strike of 1995 for the excitement of Mark Mcgwire and Sam Sosa chasing Roger Maris's home run record. 

So it's only natural that the Home Run Derby becomes one of my favorite parts of the long MLB season. This years derby has an impressive lineup of hitters:

• Robinson Cano 20 HR
• Prince Fielder  15 HR
• Carlos Beltran 20 HR
• Carlos Gonzalez 17 HR
• Jose Bautista 27 HR
• Matt Kemp 12 HR
• Andrew McCutchen 18 HR
• Mark Trumbo 21 HR

I'm rooting for the young very talented Andrew McCutchens to make a bigger name for him self, but I'm picking the Broxn's Bomber Robinson Cano to win yet another Home Run Derby.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Florida Preview

#6 Florida

We are 55 days away from the start of the college football season and it's time to preview my #6 team on my SEC Power Poll, but first in case you missed it here is the rest of the Power Poll so far. #14 Kentucky #13 Ole Miss #12 Tennessee #11 Vanderbilt #10 Texas A&M #9 Mississippi State #8 Missouri #7 Auburn 

Step back in time just a few short years ago the Florida Gators where on top of College Football winning two national championships, and being lead by the one and only Tim Tebow. Now fast forward three years later, and somehow Florida has slipped to the middle of the pack. Where did all the speed and talent go? Was Tebow really that good? Now coached by Will Muschamp who's compassion is on a different level than most coaches, but it will take a little more than jumping around and screaming your head off to get the Gators back to Atlanta. 

Lets breakdown last years Gator team to see what they will need to improve on to turn the swamp. The Gator's where great on defense last year finishing 8th in the nation, as they should be with defense being Muschamps speciality. The even better news is Florida returns 10 starters back to what could be the best defense in the nation in 2012.

 Its a totally different story on offense where the Gator's made the switch from the spread to more a pro style offense finishing 105th in total offense! 2012 offense will be better than 105th, but is 60th enough to really up the win total of 7-6? The first question they will have to answer before moving forward is who will be their starting QB? Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett will be the two choices for the starting role, but can either of the former 4 stars become a true leader of this offense? Driskel was forced into last years Alabama game, but didn't play well and was injured; Brissett started a couple of games in 2011 due to injury, but was only 18 out of 39 %46 for 206 yards with 2 TD's and 4 picks. There is one player maker I think Florida can really build there offence around this year in WR Andre Debose.

Returning Starters: 18

Offence: 7

Defence: 10

ST: 1

Schedule and Predictions

• Bowling Green W
• @ Texas A&M ? W
• @ Tennessee W
• Kentucky W
• LSU L
• @ Vanderbilt ? W
• South Carolina L
• Georgia L
• Missouri ? W
• Louisiana W
• Jacksonville State W
• Florida State L

W = WIN / L = LOOSE / ? SWING GAME

I have the 2012 Gators going 8-4, but there are three games @ Texas A&M (There first home SEC Game) @ Vanderbilt and Missouri at home that are must wins to insure a good season. If the Gators where to lose these games then I think it would end up being a disastrous season down in the Swamp. 

 



-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13