Final Thoughts on the Chargers' Draft

The NFL draft is a once a year thing, just like me updating this blog, so since they're so alike I thought I might use one to talk about the other one.

After surfing the net to look at draft grades, I found one that was the closest to what I thought about our draft (before I read anyone else's opinions). To make it easier on me, I'll just c/p that part (it's from cbssports):

Best pick: Third-round pick Donald Butler is a quality inside linebacker who could move one of the starters aside and take their job.

Questionable move: Trading so many picks to move up to draft running back Ryan Mathews in the first round. He better be LaDainian Tomlinson.

Third-day gem: Cam Thomas is a big nose tackle who the Chargers got in the fifth round. I think Thomas might push for time right away.

Analysis: I think to move up and trade so many picks to get Mathews was too pricey. They did make up for it later in the draft with some nice picks.

Grade: B-

When it comes down to it, draft grades and analysis are really educated guesses. Only time will tell the actual quality of a team's draft. So I do agree with the initial grade, but to me the Chargers' draft could turn out to be a "C" draft or even a "A" draft. It makes sense to average those out, getting my "B" grade.

Now time to talk specifically about Ryan Mathews, b/c that's the person everyone seems to care about most, even though Cam Thomas could really be the key player of this draft. In my personal opinion, Ryan Mathews needs to gain 1,200 total yards and 7 TD's in his FIRST year to live up to his 12th pick price tag. I came up with those numbers two different ways. One way is a little complicated and involves math, which I doubt you guys would care about. The other is simple and makes sense. Knowshon Moreno was the 12th overall last year. He split time at some points in the season and started as well in the Denver backfield, but tallied 1,100+ total yards and 9 total TDs. So, Mathews should at least hit 1,200 and 7, being the featured back. Of course, a big part of his production really depends on his pass protection and 3rd down ability to make the catch out of the backfield. Those numbers shouldn't be too difficult to reach considering we play in the AFC West and our elite passing attack should open up the run game. That's all I have to say for now. Is it football season yet??

I Guess This Is The Life Part

Hey friends, it has been awhile I know. I've been busy with my last semester of college, winning my main fantasy football league to complete my dynasty of a PQ fantasy championships in all 3 major sports (sorry guys, had to plug that), and playing MW2 whenever I'm not sleeping, eating or at the gym. But I finally found the time to update this thing and for good reason. I wanted to tell you My Big Plan.

My plan to....TAKE OVER THE WORLD!....jp. My post-college plan. Before I dive into it, there's two reasons why I'm blogging about this. One is to let people know so everyone doesn't have to keep asking me the big question that everyone asks after you graduate, "So, what are you gonna do now??". The other reason is for myself. I learned in my exercise class that if you're trying to lose weight it's a good idea to let other people know, that way you feel like you're being watched and will be more likely to stay on your weight loss program. Well, I'm just applying that same concept to my "life program". So, if I stray away from my plan, I can always look at this entry and hopefully get back on track. And when I say "stray", I mean negatively stray, because you never know, I can get my big break as a professional football player and that would be a positive stray....jp of course. So here goes my big plan, I must warn you, it's not exciting.

I plan on becoming an actuary. I won't go into details of what an actuary is other than they work with insurance. You can google the description if you're really interested. But here's an idea of what I'm getting myself into.

"Actuaries are responsible for massive amounts of other people's money. Billions of dollars. It makes sense for actuarial examinations to have very high standards. And actuaries are paid very well, while having prestigious, comfortable jobs, with low stress levels, and no unemployment. There has to be a catch, and the catch is: it is hard, very hard, to become a fully qualified professional actuary."

So, the good is obvious from that quote. And the bad is what I'm going to start preparing for soon. I plan on taking my first test this year on probability. This test as a pass rate between 30-40 percent, so passing on your first attempt is both difficult and important. So, it's that "simple". I need to study like I've never studied before and pass test after test (around 7 exams throughout my career). I also plan on finding a normal job in the near future because these tests and study material aren't cheap. Ideally, it would have something to do with statistics or being an actuary, but in the job market nowadays, I might have to take whatever job I could find. So this is going to be a long process that's going to take patience and diligence and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens. I'm probably 70% looking forward to the future and 30% scared. And I understand that things don't always go according to plan, so whatever happens from this point on, all I hope for is what everyone hopes for...happiness (cliche, but true).

Week 4 Power Rankings

Come up with rankings using an algorithm and personal knowledge. Enjoy:

1. Saints
2. Giants
3. Colts
4. Patriots - May not be as dominant as they used to, but still getting it done.
5. Ravens
6. Vikings - Favre is back!...for now (until he throws 3 int's in a game).
7. Eagles
8. Jets
9. Falcons
10. Bengals
11. Broncos - Play the Patriots next week, they're for real if they can stay undefeated then or at least keep the game close
12. Bears
13. Cowboys
14. 49ers
15. Packers
16. Jaguars
17. Steelers
18. Chargers - Hopefully the bye week will help them re-group. Big game the week after against the Broncos.
19. Cardinals
20. Texans
21. Dolphins
22. Titans
23. Seahawks
24. Bills
25. Panthers
26. Bucs
27. Browns
28. Lions
29. Redskins
30. Chiefs
31. Raiders
32. Rams

Week 3 Power Rankings

I've been a little busy, so I've been neglecting posting my power rankings each week. But every week I update my power rankings algorithm. My algorithm is based off points, sacks and turnovers for both sides of the ball. Being a statistics major, I understand that mathematical modeling isn't always accurate (esp. this early in the season). So, I basically use the algorithm to supplement my knowledge of football and make adjustments accordingly. For example, Denver Broncos are the top of my rankings by far, but they really haven't played anyone other than the Bengals. They don't belong above teams like the Saints or Ravens (spoiler alert!). So, I moved them down how I see fit. Well here you go for your viewing pleasure, I'd usually comment on every team, but since I made you read this, I won't say much about each team:

1. Saints - Week 3 they showed they can win even with Drew Brees having an off week.
2. Ravens
3. Eagles
4. Giants
5. Colts
6. Jets - My new favorite non-Charger team. I have a coach crush on Rex Ryan, quarterback crush on Mark Sanchez, tight end crush on Dustin Keller, DB crush on Revis and WR Jerricho Cotchery is helping out my fantasy team a lot, haha.
7. Patriots
8. Vikings
9. Falcons
10. Bengals - They should be 3-0. There offense has always been playoff caliber, but there defense was the always the question. Now there defense is performing great, getting to the QB and keeping points off the board.
11. Cowboys
12. Bears
13. Packers
14. 49ers
15. Broncos - Their defense is elite through 3 weeks, but will it last? Let's hope for the Chargers' sake it doesn't.
16. Chargers - I'll keep saying this until we improve...GET THE TO QB!
17. Jaguars
18. Steelers
19. Cardinals
20. Titans
21. Seahawks
22. Bills
23. Texans
24. Dolphins
25. Panthers
26. Lions - I'm optimistic, haha.
27. Redskins
28. Raiders
29. Bucs
30. Chiefs
31. Rams
32. Browns

FML- Hybrid

I'll have these "hybrid" posts when I don't have too much to say about one thing. So, feel free to skip to any part of the FML you'd like. Each segment is pretty short anyways.

Football - I've been kind of been avoiding writing about football after this past weekend. I was kind of sad since SC lost. They always win big games then lose in the Pacific Northwest, it's so annoying. It'll be extremely hard for them to make it to the National Championship, but I still love them and Taylor Mays. On top of that, I'm sure you all know, the Chargers lost. Everyone is making a big deal of the play calling and w/e, blah. I think the defense is our biggest problem. We're not physical enough *cough cough* safeties and D-line. Also, I track league averages on an Excel just for fun. And in three basic (but important) defensive stats which include points allowed, sacks and TO margin, the Chargers are all below average. For w/e reason we can't get to the QB like we used to. And our TO margin is actually zero, which isn't bad but it's definitely not good either. I'm NOT saying we're doomed, all I'm saying is that the Chargers need to figure out a way to put more pressure on the opposing QB. Lastly, the last play call of the Ravens game wasn't as horrible as everyone makes it out to be. What was horrible was the execution. I'm not sure if it was Rivers fault for not making a pre-snap read on Ray Lewis or the pulling guard (I think it was a guard) who didn't recognize the blitz. Bottom line it was poor recognition/execution. But I remain optimistic since the season is still early and the Chargers are usually slow starters anyways.

Music - I'm sure most of you know that Blueprint 3 and Kid Cudi's new album are solid albums. But some of you might have missed out on Only Built for Cuban Linx Part II from Raekwon. His first Cuban Linx album was classic (DL that too) and this one is really good as well. No gimmicks, just the same ol' Wu rawness (is that a word?) and lyrics. I'm bobbing my head to it at the moment.

Life - I could of probably put this in the 'music' segment, but I needed to put something here. I've watch plenty of music video spoofs from In Living Color, MAD TV, SNL, etc. This one probably has to be one of the best if not the best. Affion Crockett is on point w/ his CB, Jay and Kanye. He even got Kanye's dance down, lol. Watch the credits too, b/c this dude got more moves than Chris Brown, haha. Anyways, here's the vid plus a bonus one from Aries Spears that's sick also.

Feelings and Thoughts on Week 1

• MNF football predictions: NE 35 Buff 13....SD 28 Oak 10...the lone TD will come from Zach Miller
• Cowboys look good w/o TO and w/o Jessica Simpson.
• Cutler throws 4 picks. It wasn't all his fault, b/c he has young WRs, but still, you suck.
• No Dungy, no Marvin Harrison, no problem. It's business as usual in Indy. By business I mean, they make the playoffs only to lose to the Chargers :)
• Welcome to the Twilight Zone (I've told ppl this crazy stat, but keep reading this, there's more weirdness): Santonio Holmes finished Thursday's game against the Titans with the same stat line that he had in the Super Bowl. 9 for 131, 1 TD. He caught the GW pass with 35 seconds left in the Super Bowl, the same time that Plax caught his GW pass in the Super Bowl before. Santonio scored the last TD of the 08-09 season and scored the opening TD of the 09-10 season. dooo dee doo dooo (that's suppose to be the Twilight Zone song)
• Denver had their own version of the "Immaculate Reception"Also, watch Stokley do a classic madden run out the clock move, who says video games are pointless. Denver's version. Steeler's version
• Can't take credit for this quote, but I thought it was funny/clever "Carolina is already in playoff from". Think back to the playoff game against the Cardinals when Delhomme threw like 5 ints. He did about the same this Sunday.
• Detroit was Detroit and New Orleans was New Orleans. Brees is playing arena football out there. But big shoutout to Kevin Smith. This guy will never get the recognition he deserves since he's on the Lions, but he's one of the best young stars in the league.
• Cardinal player catches 12 passes for 121 yards, wow Fitz is soo good, wait it wasn't Fitz? Okay, Boldin is sooo goood, wait not him either? Then who??? Mr. Hightower (not Steve Harvey)
• Flacco is the real deal. I don't get to watch Baltimore games a lot, but from what I saw against the Chiefs he looked poised. Add a great arm and above average mobility, this guy can do big things this season and the rest of his career. But I hope I'm wrong, b/c he plays the Chargers next week.
• Braylon Edwards had a play showing that he might actually have hands (league leader in drops last year), scooping up a ball an inch off the ground. Too bad he stepped out of bounds first which meant no catch and no TD. But it's the thought that counts.
• What's kind of ironic is that, even though he's a veteran, I think the best way for Favre to be successful in Minnesota is to act like a rookie quarterback. Meaning he needs to keep it simple, manage the game and protect the ball. Why? b/c of the best runningback in the world (much respect to LT still) . My friend said he can watch this ALL DAY, I agree.
• DeSean Jackson is one of the most explosive players in the NFL and he showed it on Sunday. McNabb got hurt, not a big surprise. McNabb will probably comeback in a couple of weeks, but if he doesn't...Vick leads the Eagles to the Super Bowl!? Maybe, maybe not, but it makes for a great storyline.
• Like Flacco, Matt Ryan is showing no signs of a sophomore slump.
• Mark Sanchez is growing up right before my eyes even though he's the same age as I am. But I've kept my eye on him since his #1 QB ranking coming out of high school in 2005, waiting his turn at SC before showing why he was #1 when he actually started. This week he played like a veteran with all the confidence in the world.
  
• Houston was anemic. They should pick it up next week against their division rival Tenn. At least I'm hoping, b/c I have Schaub in one fantasy league and Slaton in three, haha.
• Eli had a good game w/o Plax. Osi whosyourmomma, jk, Umenyiora, had a nice welcome back game getting a sack, fumble force and recovery leading to his own TD, this guy can do everything himself.

F M L

Welcome to FML. I know, not the most original blog title, but it makes sense for me.

F - Football, probably the easiest thing for me to talk about. I plan on doing predictions, power rankings and basically anything else you would find in a football blog. I consider my overall football knowledge to be far from an expert, but far from an average fan. That's just a fancy way of saying I'm in the 70-75th percentile as far as football knowledge goes, so I'll never BS basically. Of course, I'll write about other sports also, but I didn't want to name my blog SML, b/c then it would lose that word play element.

M - Music, my other passion. I can't play any instruments and couldn't tell you the difference between this note and that note, but I love listening to it b/c that's about all I can do, haha.

L - Life. I don't really like blogging about life just b/c it's hard for me to get my point across in a blog. It's a lot easier for me to talk about life then write about it. But there will occasions where I might have to get some "life" things off my chest and I'll do it here.

The irony of my blog title, is that I that I really hate the phrase "FML", so I flipped it to mean something else. Stay tuned for upcoming entries.