Category Archives: Tyler Englander

Tyler Englander, Uncategorized

Venus and Serena: One of America’s Finest Sports Stories

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In January of 1998 a young Serena Williams made her major debut at the Australian Open. In the second round, the 16 year old Serena, faced off against her 17 year old sister, Venus. At the time, the two teenagers from Compton weren’t well known and were only beginning to fathom the possibilities of successful tennis careers. Nearly two decades later, the sisters will meet in a major final for the ninth time, this time down under in Melbourne. For Serena, it’s a chance to become the all time leader in majors in the open era, breaking her tie with Steffi Graf. For Venus it’s a chance to continue her incredible run in her first major final since Wimbledon in 2009. This friendly rivalry has given tennis fans so much joy over the years and early Saturday morning, the two sisters will provide sports fans with what might be their final chapter as competitors.

Serena will be looking to finally break her tie with Steffi Graf for most grand slam titles in the open era. Serena, gunning for her 23rd major, has been in the Australian Open final for the last three years, beating Maria Sharapova in 2015 and losing to Angelique Kerber in 2016. The thirty five year old world number two hasn’t dropped a set en route to this year’s final and is playing her best tennis since Wimbledon last summer.

For Venus, this match concludes an unlikely Aussie Open. Venus came into the tournament as the number 13 seed, and due to a combination of good play, and a relatively easy draw, the 36 year old has made her first major final since 2009. Venus’s career looked over in 2011 when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, and in 2013 when she suffered a back injury but she has made a surprise late career resurgence much to the delight of tennis fans around the world. Venus’s fight, drive, and determination is inspiring and it’s even more gratifying to see her rewarded with a chance to play for her eighth major championship.

Going into Saturday’s final, Serena leads the series between the sisters 16-11, but that number is even more relevant when you consider Venus is 2-7 against her younger sister since 2009. Over the later parts of their careers, Serena has been the better player winning 14 majors since Venus last won her last major at Wimbledon in 2008. The Williams sisters play a similar game, reliant on their serve and power. At this point in their careers, Serena is the better player and I would expect her to come away with her record breaking 23rd major title. Regardless of the outcome, Saturday’s final is a chance for tennis fans to revel in the rivalry that’s been consistently one of class, competition and love. Enjoy this matchup, because we may never see anything like it again.

NFL, Tyler Englander

It’s the Patriots, Then Everybody Else in the AFC

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Sitting atop the AFC at 11-2, the Patriots seem destined to make their seventh Super Bowl appearance in the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era. The Patriots haven’t lost against an AFC opponent since Tom Brady came back as their only loss was a one touchdown loss to Seattle. The Patriots proved in their Monday night win, that even without Rob Gronkowski their offense is lethal and capable of carrying the Pats to Houston for Super Bowl 51. With the Patriots in prime position, we take a look at who can derail the Pats chances of playing for their fifth Lombardi Trophy.

The biggest threat to the Patriots is Andy Reid’s Chiefs. Kansas City is paced by their defense and special teams. The Chiefs defense is led by Eric Berry and Justin Houston. While their statistics don’t jump off the page, their defense is filled with talented players who are capable of containing any offense. The Chiefs special teams has improved as of late, with speedy youngster Tyreek Hill returning a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in recent weeks. The Chiefs boast a plus eleven turnover rating, which is third in the league. If they continue to win the turnover battle, the Chiefs will be a tough out when it comes January.

Next up on the list is the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders, like the Chiefs have ten wins this season and possess one of the league’s most potent offense. Oakland who ranks sixth in total offense have one of the game’s best quarterbacks in Derek Carr and a good reliable running back in Latavius Murray. The black and silver also have one of the league’s best offensive lines led by all pro offensive guard Kelechi Osemele. The issue with the Raiders is defense. Oakland ranks 30th in the league in total defense, giving up over 24 points a game. If the Raiders defense doesn’t improve, then they will get into a slug-fest with the Patriots, a matchup that they will surely lose. In addition, Oakland leads the league in penalties, which is not a good formula going up against the Patriots, who constantly pounce on opponents mistakes.

The most intriguing team in the AFC this season is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers at 7-5 are leading the North, but need to play well down the stretch just to secure a spot in this years playoffs. What makes the Steelers so intriguing is the fact that they may have the most dangerous team in the AFC. The Steelers have the best running back and wide receiver in the league, with Le’veon Bell and Antonio Brown respectively. With Big Ben, who is still a top ten quarterback, the Steelers are capable of putting up scores in a bunch. If the Steelers big three are able to perform at a high level, they will be difficult for the Patriots to knock off.

Verdict: The biggest challenge for the Patriots will be their defense. The Pats defense struggled temporarily after losing Jaime Collins, but have recovered nicely in the last 3 weeks. If the Patriots are able to secure home field advantage, the AFC is all but theirs. Gillette Stadium is one of the greatest home field advantages in sports, due to the cold weather and roaring fans, and it will be awfully difficult for anyone to go into Brady’s house and knock him off. The Patriots will face tough opposition in the playoffs, but will use their skill and experience to hoist the Lamar Hunt Trophy as AFC Champions.

MLS, Tyler Englander, World Soccer

More Than Just at Game

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Tonight when the United States takes the field in Columbus, Ohio for a World Cup qualifier against Mexico, it will mean more than a soccer game. It will be the first time that a team representing that United States takes the field since Tuesday’s Presidential Election. While this is not the forum to discuss politics, this is a game our nation and our people need. Regardless of political affiliation, a large part of our nation is in a bad place right now and it needs something to pick them up. While soccer is not wildly popular in this country, this game between bitter regional rivals has the chance to bring people together and forget about the challenges that face this country, even if it’s only for a couple of hours.

Before I go into the importance of tonight’s matchup on the field, I want to discuss what the significance of it, off the field. Without going too deep into the politics of things,  many people are down and need a boost, especially minorities who feel let down given the nasty rhetoric of the election and that’s why this game is huge in the healing process. When the United States take the field tonight, fans will see a diverse roster with African Americans, Latinos and immigrants. Those watching tonight will see Americans of all types representing the nation that they love so very much. While one soccer game can’t heal the wounds of a nation, it could go a long way in making Americans feel better about where we stand.

Now we turn to the battle on the field. The United States and Mexico have endured a long and tumultuous rivalry that will surely continue tonight. Both teams are looking to secure two points to put them on the right track to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The most interesting storyline for tonight’s game is that Tim Howard will get the start in goal over Brad Guzan. The thirty seven year old goalkeeper has been impressive in club play while leading the Colorado Rapids to the MLS Western Conference Finals. That stellar play has been enough for him to unseat Brad Guzan, who was the U.S. starter at this summer’s Copa America Centenario. The United States has put together a talented side that includes veterans such as Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, and youngsters Christian Pulisic and Bobby Wood. The one notable omission from the roster is Clint Dempsey who is battling an irregular heartbeat. With that being said, the U.S. should have plenty of firepower considering Jozy Altidore is playing the best he has in years while leading Toronto F.C. to the Eastern Conference Finals in MLS.

The Mexicans, known as El Tri are looking to avenge an embarrassing seven goal loss to Chile the last time the played a meaningful game on U.S. soil during this summer’s Copa America.  El Tri are led by Juan Carlos Osorio who plays a three man back line and that could prove costly against a confident American side. However, the Mexicans have some firepower of their own with regional Legend Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Andres Guardado leading the attack.  

The United States have a serious home field advantage and that has to have Jurgen Klinsmann feeling good about his chances to come away with two points. Due to Mexico’s three man backline, the Americans will get their chances and come away with a 2-1 win to start World Cup qualifying.

MLB, Tyler Englander, Uncategorized

The Two Greatest Words in Sports: Game Seven

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After 2464 games played this season (including the postseason), the 2016 MLB season comes down to one game. One game to determine which team, the Indians or the Cubs ends their long World Series drought. The task is simple for both teams, win. All the work and preparation that started in February comes to conclusion on an unseasonably warm November night in Cleveland. Players and coaches have spent nine months preparing for a game that will most likely last three and half hours. With so many story-lines and the unpredictability of a Game Seven, it’s anyone’s guess who will hoist the commissioner’s trophy later tonight.

First, lets analyze the Cubs biggest advantage: momentum. The Cubbies come into game seven on a tear. Not only have they forced a game seven when it appeared they were down and out facing a 3-1 deficit, but there stars have been playing like stars. Since falling into that 3-1 hole, the Cubs have picked it up at the plate with Kris Bryant homering in two straight games and Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell getting off the schneid in a game six rout. While it’s not impossible for teams to switch momentum in a series (just ask the 2014 Giants who lost game six of the World Series by ten and came back the next night to win it all), it could prove difficult for the Indians to brush Game Six aside and get focused for Game Seven.

Now, let’s take a look at what will happen on the field. Both teams send Cy Young candidates to the mound for this all important game seven. The Indians send 2014 Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the mound for his third start of this World Series. Kluber will try to become the first pitcher since Mickey Lolich in 1968 to win three games in a single fall classic. The Cubs counter with 26 year old righty Kyle Hendricks who won a career high sixteen games this season. This matchup is interesting for several reasons. Kluber is on short rest and may not be able to pitch deep in the game, but that may not be a disadvantage for the Indians. Although not ideal, the Indians need to get only three good innings out of their ace before they turn it over to their potent bullpen. If the situation arises, Terry Francona could use his top three relievers, Bryan Shaw, Andrew Miller, and Cody Allen for six innings tonight. On the other hand, the Cubs need to get a little bit of length from Kyle Hendricks. While they do have both Jon Lester and John Lackey in the bullpen, their pen, particularly closer Aroldis Chapman have been taxed in this series. Chapman threw twenty pitches last night only two days removed from throwing 42 pitches in an eight out save in Game Five. While Chapman will be available tonight, you have to wonder for how long and to what degree of effectiveness. 

Prediction: Both teams have struggled at points to score runs in this series and I think that it continues to some extent tonight. With Kluber facing the Cubs for the third time in a little over a week, I would expect the Cubs to get good at bats off of him and maybe even score a couple of runs. With that being said, the Indians get a second look at Kyle Hendricks who didn’t give up any runs in 4.1 innings in Game Three. However, the numbers are a little deceiving for Hendricks because he allowed nine baserunners and needed a huge double play induced by Justin Grimm to get out of the fifth inning unscathed. I think both starters will struggle and that plays into the hands of the Indians. The Tribe have a superior bullpen and will be able to shut down the National League’s best offense. In my opinion, future Hall of Fame skipper, Terry Francona, will push all the right buttons and at the end of the night the Indians will be celebrating their first World Series title since 1948. 

NFL, Tyler Englander

It’s Dak’s Job in Dallas

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If you ask me, the Tony Romo era in Dallas should be over. The Cowboys are off to a 5-1 start and rookie quarterback, Dak Prescott looks to be the Cowboys quarterback of today and tomorrow. With Tony Romo expected to be back within the next couple of weeks, the Cowboys have a decision to make and that decision could alter the history of their franchise.

While Tony Romo has been an above average quarterback since he took the starting spot from Drew Bledsoe in 2006. Romo, a four time pro bowler, has led the Cowboys to the playoffs four times in his tenure, but that success has always been overshadowed by his inability to get the Cowboys over the hump and to a Super Bowl. Romo has been the face of the Cowboys for the last decade, but if the Cowboys are wise his face will be seen from the bench from now on.

Let’s start with the reasons Dak Prescott should start for the Cowboys. The first and most obvious reason is they are winning games. Prescott has lost one of his first six career games and his only loss was on opening day against the Giants. Prescott’s numbers are impressive as he has accounted for ten touchdowns on the ground and threw the air compared to one interception. Prescott was so impressive that he passed Tom Brady’s rookie record by not throwing an interception in his first 163 pass attempts. However, that streak came to an end when he threw a pick at Lambeau field on sunday against the Packers. Besides Prescott’s numbers, the young signal caller from Mississippi State has looked relaxed, proving the moment isn’t too big for him. After all, if you doubted Prescott’s mental makeup, going into a hostile environment like Lambeau field and coming out with a win is impressive for a rookie quarterback. The most critical reason to keep Prescott at quarterback is team chemistry. The young Cowboys like Prescott and star running back Ezekiel Elliott have inserted new life into a relatively old Cowboys roster. The Boys are playing better than they ever have with Romo and it would be senseless to interrupt what the Cowboys have going in Dallas.

While Prescott’s impressive start is enough to give him the job, there is also basis to believe that Tony Romo shouldn’t be the Dallas starter. First off, Romo is not a young guy anymore. At 36, Romo is well past his prime, and hasn’t played that much football in the last two seasons due to injury. Injuries is the number one reason that Romo shouldn’t start another game with the Cowboys. Romo has a long injury history, most notably his back. As his age, it’s hard for me to imagine that he will come back playing good football. Unfortunately for Romo, not everyone gets better with age. Romo only has a few more years left in the league and in my opinion, the Cowboys should get a headstart on moving on from him and let Dak Prescott continue to develop. While most believe that Prescott should be under center for the rest of the season, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dances to his own beat and that unpredictability could cost the Cowboys a chance at doing something special.

MLB, Tyler Englander

Remembering Jose Fernandez

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On Sunday Morning, I, like so many of you, woke up to the worst news possible. I read an update that said Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez died in a boating accident. I had to read it over several times before it sunk in. I became upset and depressed about a man that I had never met or seen play in person. Fernandez played in a small media market and yet still had a profound effect on so many people around the world. The reason this tragedy affected so many is because of the person Jose Fernandez was. On and off the field Jose Fernandez loved baseball and loved life and taught us all to enjoy every day to the fullest.

While Jose Fernandez’s achievements on the field are impressive and maybe even Hall of Fame worthy, ( if his success continued for the remainder of his career) I want to focus on what made us fall in with number 16, his intensity and all that made him the person he was.

The Jose Fernandez story that we appreciated starts with a young man living in oppressed Cuba.  Fernandez was arrested three times trying to defect from Cuba before being successful on his fourth try, achieving his goal of being free and having a chance to pitch in the major leagues. On one of those trips a woman fell from the crowded boat and was in danger of dying, but Jose jumped in to save the woman’s life. That woman was Fernandez’s mother. This event exemplified who Jose was as a person: He was unselfish and cared more about the well being of others than himself.

When Jose Fernandez took the mound he was tenacious, fearless, and fun to watch and that’s what we liked so much about him. He is the reason people love sports. We like people who battle and give their teams all they have to offer and that’s what Fernandez did. Fernandez passion was unmatched, he was fired up when he pitched and even more telling he was always on the railing cheering on his teammates. He was filled with positive energy and his smile and attitude were infectious.

It’s unfortunate now that when you think of Jose Fernandez you think of a man who died too young and in the most tragic way because Fernandez should always be remembered as someone whose love for baseball and for life was unmatched. He should be known as a joyful person who positively affected the lives of so many. The one lesson that Jose Fernandez taught us all is to live life to the fullest and do everything you do with heart and passion. Rest Easy Jose, your love for life will never be forgotten.

MLB, Tyler Englander

Analyzing the National League Wild Card Picture

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Much like the American League, the division races are all but over in the National League with the Nationals and Dodgers leading their divisions by a handful of games. In addition to that, the Cubs have already locked down the Central and seem to be on pace to reach one hundred wins. Although there is little intrigue in the division races, the National League has three teams fighting for two wild card berths in a race that will surely go down to the seasons final weekend. Currently the Giants, Cardinals and Mets are all tied atop the wild card standings but, only two will have the chance to play in October.

San Francisco Giants: The Giants, who held baseball’s best record at the All Star break have taken a huge 180. The Giants who are 23- 38 since the break are in free fall and in serious trouble with a week and a half to go. The Giants have struggled offensively since the break and their bullpen has been putrid. Just twenty days into the month, the Giants have lost five games when leading in the ninth inning, which is the most of any Giants bullpen ever in a single month. If the Giants want to battle in the Wild Card playoff, they will need to rely on lefties Madison Bumgarner and Matt Moore to get them there.

New York Mets: The defending National League champions have had a relatively quiet 2016, but they can change that by playing their best baseball for their final ten games. The Mets may be in the best position of any of the teams fighting for a wild card spot, due to the fact they have games remaining against the Braves, Marlins and Phillies. The Mets have relied on guys like Yoenis Cespedes to carry the load offensively and youngster Seth Lugo on the mound, with guys like Matt Harvey and Jacob Degrom out for the season. The Mets may also get a boost with Steven Matz expected to return as early as Friday from a bone spur injury in his left elbow.

St. Louis Cardinals: The Cards, just like the Mets have played their best baseball in the second half of the year. The Cardinals have a fairly favorable schedule the rest of the way, as the play the Reds and Pirates at home, but they still have to face the Cubs three more times at Wrigley. The Cardinals have pitching that should be good enough going down the stretch with 16 game winner Carlos Martinez and veteran Adam Wainwright leading their staff. Wainwright has struggled to go deep in games as of late but I would expect the veteran to rebound and help pitch his team into the postseason.

Prediction: I expect both the Cardinals and Mets to secure the National League’s two wild card spots for one reason, consistency. Both have been playing good baseball in the second half of the year and should continue that trend with relatively weak schedules the rest of the way. The Giants won’t make the playoffs due to the fact their bullpen puts too much pressure on their starting pitching and even when their starters to pitch well, they always find a way to blow it in the ninth.

 

MLB, Tyler Englander

Analyzing the American League Playoff Picture

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A baseball season that’s lasted nearly six months is coming down to the wire, with playoff teams yet to be determined. Due to the relatively new two team wild card format, sixteen teams are still “in it” which in my book is a team that is either in a playoff spot or four games out of one. With that being said, almost all of the excitement is centered around the wild-card race since all of the divisions have essentially been locked up. Today we will take a look at the teams in contention in the American League and tomorrow we will analyze the National League.

AL East: Boston Red Sox: Having pulled away from both the Orioles and Blue Jays within the last ten days, the Sox now have a four game lead on their AL East rivals. At this point with only twelve games remaining, anything but a division crown for the Mookie Betts led Sox would be a disappointment.

Prediction: Red Sox win AL East

AL Central: Cleveland Indians: The Tribe sit comfortably in the Central with a seven game lead over the Tigers. While the lead is large it might not be that secure. The Indians have lost two of their best starters, Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco to injury, and the Tigers still have four games against Cleveland to try and make up ground. Even with that threat, Cleveland will hold onto their lead and win the central.

Prediction: Indians win Central

AL West: With nearly a ten game lead on the rival Astros, the Rangers can throw it into cruise control until October. Barring one of the greatest collapses of all time, the Rangers can sit back until the division series begins.

Prediction: Rangers win the West

AL Wild Card: The wild card race in the American League is where things get interesting. Right now the Orioles and Blue Jays sit tied atop the standings as far as the wild card is concerned. While both teams should feel comfortable, they can’t get complacent because teams like Detroit, 2.5 games back, as well as Seattle and Houston sitting three games out of the picture. The team that should be concerned the most is the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays have the worst record of any team in September and is a team that relies on their offense, yet it’s last in baseball when it comes to runs scored this month.

As far as teams on the outside looking in, Seattle is in the best position. The Mariners have a relatively easy schedule with two of their final three series against the lowly Twins and Athletics. With that being said they have to take advantage of their two remaining games against the Jays. If they don’t win both of those the Mariners can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.

Prediction: Orioles and Mariners win the two AL Wild Card spots

 

Tyler Englander, World Soccer

The Legacy of Heather O’Reilly

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Tonight soccer fans will says goodbye to a legend. Her name is Heather O’Reilly, commonly known around the international soccer community by her initials HAO. Before everyone overreacts to the fact that I called her a legend, it wasn’t me, it was the greatest female soccer player ever, Mia Hamm, who uttered the high praise. The New Jersey native, burst onto the national team in a March 2002 friendly against Sweden, a year before O’Reilly even played a college game at North Carolina. Since then she has done everything, she’s won two college cups in chapel hill, captured Olympic Gold three times and most recently was part of the U.S team that won their first Women’s World Cup in sixteen years last summer in Canada. While some may argue that she was the beneficiary of playing on really good teams, her individual numbers speak for themselves.

The speedy winger has has amassed 230 international appearances, 46 international goals, and 54 assists, which is good enough for sixth all time. Maybe the most impressive thing about O’Rielly is she is a big game player. She has scored in Two World Cups as well as scoring in the Olympic Semifinals in both 2004 and 2008. However, her biggest moment may have come on a play where she didn’t find the back of the net. In the 123rd minute of a physical Olympic semi-final between O’Reilly’s Americans and Christine Sinclair’s Canadians, O’Reilly floated a cross into the box that found that head of American striker Alex Morgan. Morgan’s header found the back of the net and would send the U.S to the final where they went onto get revenge against Japan who beat them in the previous year’s World Cup Final.  

O’Reilly who often gets overlooked by fans because she doesn’t have the “finishing ability” of an Abby Wambach or the “tenacity” of a Megan Rapinoe but, O’Reilly was a star in her own right. She was a team player who never got caught out of position and most of all she was a competitor. She always gave her all on the field and that’s what fans will remember most about one of the greatest American soccer stars ever. O’Reilly’s character is best understood when she was left of the roster for the 2016 Rio Olympics. O’Reilly who was left off the roster in favor of an injured Megan Rapinoe, never complained. Instead she supported her teammates and worked her butt of just in case her number was called as an alternate. The point about O’Reilly is this, while she wasn’t the main reason that the U.S. had been successful over the past 15 years, it’s almost certain that without her the USWNT would be a fraction of what it is today. When O’Reilly takes the field tonight in Columbus for the final time, she can be proud of what she has achieved on the field as well as off, as her teammates and her have inspired a generation of Americans to believe that sports on the highest levels aren’t only reserved for men.

NFL, Tyler Englander

Analyzing the Most Interesting Teams Heading into NFL Free Agency

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By: Tyler Englander

With the new NFL league year beginning tomorrow, so too does free agency. All thirty-two teams have a plan in mind and we outline the most interesting teams heading into free agency.

Denver Broncos: We begin with the Super Bowl Champion Broncos. Coming off a championship year, the Broncos are in a peculiar position. With Peyton Manning announcing his retirement yesterday, the Broncos offseason plan depends on Brock Osweiler. The former Arizona State Sun Devil is entering free agency for the first time with a plethora of teams interested and a return to the mile-high city is in question. If Osweiler returns to Denver, the Broncos are in a pretty good shape considering that Osweiler isn’t a downgrade to Manning. However, if Osweiler leaves, the Broncos are in a position similar to that of the Texans and Rams who we will talk about later, a team with a great roster and no quarterback. The Denver defense has already lost a pair of key players with Malik Jackson heading to Jacksonville and Danny Trevathan expected to go to the Bears. While these are key players I wouldn’t expect John Elway to make a big move on the defensive side of the football to replace them.

Carolina Panthers: Next on our list is the team the Broncos beat last month in Santa Clara, the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers like the Broncos are in a good position heading into next season. The two areas where the NFC Champions may look to improve is the receiving corps and their secondary. With one-thousand-yard receiver Kelvin Benjamin set to return from an ACL injury, Carolina may look to add a supplementary receiver such as Travis Benjamin of the Browns or Marvin Jones form the Cincinnati Bengals. The secondary is another story. The Panthers could use another corner and one I would expect them to target is Adam Jones. Another area where the Panthers should look is a depth safety, and they should have another Bengal in mind, veteran Leon Hall.

New England Patriots: Depending on Denver’s quarterback situation, the case could be made that the Patriots are currently the best team in the AFC. With that being said, New England is still in need of some important pieces. The Patriots will undoubtedly be looking for a deep threat for Tom Brady to work with. A name like Mohammed Sanu comes to mind, however a dark horse candidate New England could look at is Percy Harvin. Although Harvin has bounced around a lot and struggled last year, he is still a young, talented player and could thrive in the right place. The Patriots will also look to grab a running back to take some of the load off of their thirty-eight-year-old quarterback. Names like Matt Forte and Chris Ivory come to mind and would be the Patriots preferred option, they could be out of their price range. A name that could interest the Pats at the right price is former Redskin Alfred Morris. Morris is a two-time pro bowler and has been above average since coming into the league.

Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans: The Texans and Rams are in a very similar spot heading into the new league year. They are teams with good young talent, especially on defense, but don’t have a quarterback. The Texans saw what Brian Hoyer could do and what he did was throw four picks in the wild card round. The Rams aren’t in better hands with Case Keenum. The name that comes to mind for both teams is the aforementioned Brock Osweiler. Although, Osweiler only played in eight games last year he showed the ability to be a good playmaker and it will only get better with experience. Plus, learning from Peyton Manning can’t hurt.

Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars: I bet you didn’t expect to see these two teams on this list. The reason they are is because they are two young, promising teams, with a ton of cap space. You have seen it already as the Jags have a deal in principle with Malik Jackson and the Raiders have the same with Kelechi Osemele. Both these teams are similar given there promising young quarterbacks, Blake Bortles for the Jags and Derek Carr for the Raiders and their young playmakers, Allen Robinson and Amari Copper. Both these teams need upgrades on the defensive end, specifically the secondary. With tons of cap space, both these teams can explore names like Eric Weddle, Sean Smith and Prince Amukamara. Although the Dolphins placed the transition tag on Olivier Vernon, meaning they can match any offer made by other teams, I could see one of these teams taking a shot at one of the game’s best pass rushers.

With the league’s new “legal tampering” period beginning Monday, the free agency frenzy has already begun and it’s only going to get more intense come three o’clock on Wednesday afternoon.

All thirty two teams have one goal and that’s to play in Super Bowl 51 and that process starts now.