Top 5 college QB's

The college football QB battle

The QB's entering the 2014 NFL draft are relatively good but the question is... Who's the best? I put together this list to answer those questions.

1. Blake Bortles

Blake Bortles has it all, he has big hands helping prevent turnovers, he has good accuracy, he has good throw power, and he can break tackles. To me he is the number one college QB.

Verdict: He can be one of the top 5 QB's in the NFL eventually if he practices hard. I believe he could be a great option for the jaguars.

2. Teddy Bridgewater

Teddy Bridgewater is spot on every throw he has good throw power he has...I'm going to say it Peyton Manning level awareness the only thing that puts him behind Blake Bortles is his hands.

Verdict: Teddy Bridgewater has the best accuracy in college football and should be drafted high. I believe he'll be the answer to the Vikings QB problems.

3. Johny Manziel

He's a decent choice at QB he makes some good throws his scrambling is going to be some of the best in the NFL he marks just below 6 feet tall which may affect how high he is drafted.

Verdict: He needs to stop throwing sidearm and to stay in the pocket more if he can learn not to do those he could be a franchise QB. I'm not sure if he's going to do amazing but he could be a short term option for the raiders.

4. Derek Carr

He has amazing accuracy his throws aren't too fast but he can make deep throws when he needs to.

Verdict: He should be a good choice at QB for a team that needs a QB and he could turn into a passing monster. It looks like the browns are going to take him so I guess that's who I think he'll be drafted by.

5. A.J McCaron

He can throw bullets he can throw accurately that's pretty much all you could want out of an NFL QB right?

Verdict: I think most people are under rating him he has potential to be an elite. I believe that he could be a good second round pick for the texans.

The Sports Kid's NCAA Tournament Guide

NCAA selection Sunday is in two weeks. That's the day when the NCAA selection committee decides who will be in the tourney, and who will be staying home. Although the field of teams have not yet been announced, here is my list of Top-5 championship-contenders in order of their chances of bringing home the storied title:

5. #2 Wichita State Shockers 30-0 

I had to include this season's only undefeated team on my list. Sure they play in a weak Missouri Valley Conference, but they also have another one of the nation's best teams in the form of Evansville [OK maybe that's not true but I do wish it was.] Anyway, although they've only beaten one ranked-team all year [St. Louis,] the Shockers could be a dark-horse. Under veteran coach Gregg Marshal the Shockers shocked the world last year, making the final four as a #9 seed and giving eventual-champion Louisville a run for it's money. Part of Wichita State's success is that while all the big-name schools have seen players come and go after just 1-2 years, the Shockers are made up of mostly Seniors and Juniors. In other words, they have great chemistry. It will be difficult to win against powerhouse schools since they are so used to playing [and winning against] mediocre ones, however don't be too quick to rule out another final four run. 

Prediction: Lose in Sweet 16

4. #5 Kansas Jayhawks 22-6 

I just could't do it. My preseason pick to win the title, I just couldn't leave Kansas off my list. Although it was a down regular season by Kansas' standards, they possess two players [Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins] who, if they catch fire, there is no stopping them. I foresee one of Kansas' two studs going a at least a semi-hot streak in the tournament and leading Kansas AT LEAST back to the Sweet 16 for a second consecutive year, and if Wiggins is hitting shot, and Embiid is manning the post like we know he can, then I would not be surprised at all to see coach Bill Self cutting the net in April. 

Prediction: Lose in Elite 8

3. #1 Florida Gators 26-2 

The Gators are back from an improbable Elite 8 run last year, the Gators appear poised for another deep playoff run. They're undefeated in conference play this year at 15-0, and they also swept rival Kentucky in the season-series. Many are hailing Florida the best team in the country, and while I don't quite buy ALL that, they are definitely one of the top contenders. 

Prediction: Lose in Final Four 

2. #18 Michigan State Spartans 22-6

Perhaps the most experienced and best overall team in the tournament, the Spartans are led by [in my opinion] the best coach in College Basketball in Tom Izzo. Michigan State showed flashes of greatness in the regular season, but those flashes came mostly when the team was fully-healthy, and it was not very often that they were fully-healthy. If they did have everyone at full-strength I believe they would win the National Championship with the guidance of Izzo and solid play of Adrien Payne and Gary Harris, however, it is unlikely that they are fully-healthy.

Prediction: Lose in Championship Game 

1. #4 Syracuse Orange 26-2 

The Orange began the season undefeated, and stayed that way a while before finally losing to Maryland. They have one of the best coaches in the game in Jim Boehim, the best player in the game in  Freshman Tyler Ennis, and a more-than-worthy sidekick for Ennis in Forwad C.J. Fair. I think that the Orange will be the ones cutting the net when it's all said and done come April.

Prediction: Win National Championship 

Well that's the list, but there are other powerhouses who could make a serious run at the title [Kentucky, Arizona, Duke, Louisville] and as always there are dark-horses [New Mexico, Iowa, Ohio State, Iowa State, Virginia.] 

Please welcome our newest writer:

Please welcome The Sports Kid's Sports Blog's newest writer: Milo. Milo is a self-acclaimed expert on the NFL, and is one of the few people (along with myself) who believes that Eli Manning is better than Peyton Manning. A Whovian at heart, he is also in the Lego movie making business. You can find his YouTube channel, it's mytardisisacanofsoda. 

The East's Two-Way Battle

In the East there are two legitimate title-contenders: the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat. The Toronto Raptors are a nice story, and the Brooklyn Nets could win a game or two in a playoff series against one of these teams, but neither is going to disrupt the simple truth: barring a major injury Indiana and Miami will meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. Regardless of Dwayne Wade's health, or who has the #1 seed, these two teams are a lock for the Eastern Conference Finals.

And no one's even that close. The #3 Raptors are a whopping 10 games back from Miami. Besides Indiana and Miami there are only two other teams in the East with a winning record [Toronto and Chicago.] It is possibly the worst East of All-Time.

So we know who the final two teams will be but who will win? Well, if Dwayne Wade is "fully" healthy I'd say the Heat, but if Wade is not healthy then I'd have to lean toward Indiana. But I also think a crucial factor in determining who will win and advance to the Finals is who gets the #1 seed and thus home-field advantage in a series that will likely go to seven games. In Game 7's of an NBA playoff series, the home team almost always wins.

Although it looked as if the Pacers had the East's #1 seed locked up at midseason, Miami has really come on since the All-Star break cutting down Indiana's lead to 1.5 games. It'll be interesting to see who ends up snagging the coveted seeding.

And until we see who ends up getting the #1 seed, and the status of Dwayne Wade's knees, it's difficult to project which team will have the upper-hand in June.

Sochi medal count

The 2014 Winter Olympics are over and the final medal count is in. Not surprisingly the host country, Russia, led the final medal count with 33 medals, 13 gold, 11 silver, and 9 bronze. The U.S. got second in the medal count with 28, 9 gold, 7 silver, and 12 bronze. Canada and Netherlands followed with 25 and 24 and Germany got 19. For the full medal count click here.

NBA Power Rankings #10/Playoff Picture/Award Picks

Power Rankings

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 43-14

Russell Westbrook is back, and it's time for Head Coach Scott Brooks to begin to re-assert his back from injury Point Guard into the lineup. 

Last Ranking: 1

2. Miami Heat 40-14

Injury-prone Center Greg Oden is proving to be a valuable rotation player, but come on, he's not stopping Roy Hibbert if if Hibbert is at his best. 

Last Ranking: 3

3. Indiana Pacers 42-13

After more than a few mediocre games, Indiana no longer looks as invincible as they did at 17-0.

Last Ranking: 2

4. Houston Rockets 37-18

The Rockets have climbed all the way up to #3 in the West standings, and they have the NBA's most underrated player in Chandler Parsons. 

Last Ranking: 5

5. Los Angeles Clippers 38-20

It was a nice win over Oklahoma City last week for them, but the Clippers still lack a championship-caliber defense to pair with their high-octane offense.

Last Ranking: 6

6. San Antonio Spurs 40-16

With Manu Ginobli getting worse by the second, the Tim Duncan retirement rumors haven't helped either. 

Last Ranking: 4

7. Portland Trailblazers 37-18

The Trailblazers don't look like a championship-caliber team, and it also looks as if they'll fail to secure home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. 

Last Ranking: 7

8. Memphis Grizzlies 31-24

If they get into the playoffs, the Griz will be a major dark-horse in the crowded West. 

Last Ranking: 11

9. Golden State Warriors 34-22

When their shooters are hot, the Warriors are legitimate title-contenders. Unfortunately, they're not always hot. 

Last Ranking: 10 

10. Phoenix Suns 33-21

Point Guard Goran "The Dragon" Dragic is having a breakthrough season in his second stint in Phoenix and is (in my opinion) the 3rd best Point Guard in the NBA (behind only Stephen Curry and Chris Paul in no particular order.)

Last Ranking: 

11. Dallas Mavericks 34-23

Monta Ellis has rejuvenated his career in Dallas, and has been a borderline All-Star this year. 

Last Ranking: 8

12. Chicago Bulls 29-26

Derrick Rose's health is still a major ? mark and now it's become time to start evaluating Shooting Guard Jimmy Butler and whether or not he should be given long-term money. 

Last Ranking: 13

13. Toronto Raptors 31-25

Oh by the way, on my top Point Guard's list Raptor Kyle Lowry is #4.

Last Ranking: 12

14. Brooklyn Nets 25-28

Newly-acquired-former Sacramento King-Shooting Guard Marcus Thornton could prove to be a valuable young asset to a Brooklyn team that is among the NBA's oldest. 

Last Ranking: 14

15. Washington Wizards 28-28

Perhaps freshly-acquired Andre Miller can provide a substantial backup Point Guard figure for the Wiz. 

Last Ranking: 16

16. Minnesota Timberwolves 27-28

This team is fully healthy, yet they're still out of the playoffs (currently) in the tight West.

#why?

Last Ranking: 17

17. Charlotte Bobcats 27-30

Although I personally liked Ramon Sessions, the former-supposed savior of the Lakers has left Charlotte to go to Milwaukee. He was originally drafted by the Bucks.

Last Ranking: 18

18. New Orleans Pelicans 23-32

Anthony Davis is a top 15 NBA player, but he needs his supporting cast to stay healthy. 

Last Ranking: 19

19. Detroit Pistons 23-33

No major deals at the deadline for Detroit, who are suddenly fine with mediocrity. 

Last Ranking: 22

20. Atlanta Hawks 26-29

All the way down #7 in the East the Hawks have shown us something we all already know: you can't lose your best player (Al Horford) and not miss a beat. 

Last Ranking: 14

21. Denver Nuggets 25-29

Center Javale McGee is out for the season and things are looking rather bleak at the moment for Brian Shaw & co.

Last Ranking: 20

22. Utah Jazz 19-36

Trey Burke is my pick to win Rookie of the Year, because since Burke came back from injury the Jazz have been nearly .500.

Last Ranking: 23

23. Cleveland Cavaliers 22-35

Adding Spencer Hawes did...what exactly? This teams best-case scenario is getting hammered by Indiana or Miami in the first round.

Last Ranking: 24

24. New York Knicks 21-35

With no moves at the deadline, it looks as if the team will finish the year below .500.

Last Ranking: 21

25. Sacramento Kings 19-36

The rumors that Point Guard Isaiah Thomas was going to be traded proved to be false. 

Last Ranking: 25

26. Boston Celtics 19-38

As Rajon Rondo returns to All-Star level, Jared Sullinger has quietly been a borderline All-Star. 

Last Ranking: 26

27. Los Angeles Lakers 19-36

Since Kobe Bryant and Lebron James gave their NBA Mount Rushmore's, I'll give you mine (in no particular order:) Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Reggie Miller. 

Last Ranking: 28

28. Orlando Magic 17-41

The Magic were wise not to make a panicky deal at the trade deadline. 

Last Ranking: 27

29. Philadelphia 76ers 15-41

Philadelphia definitely helped its chances of getting the #1 overall pick in the draft by trading two of their three best players at the trade deadline. 

Last Ranking: 29

30. Milwaukee Bucks 10-45

RAMON SESSIONS IS COMING BACK TO MILWAUKEE!

Last Ranking: 30

Playoff Picture 

East

1. Miami Heat (Last Week: 2)

2. Indiana Pacers (1)

3. Brooklyn Nets (7)

4. Chicago Bulls (5)

5. Toronto Raptors (3) 

6. Washington Wizards (6)

7. Charlotte Bobcats (8)

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (N/A)

Conference Quarterfinals 

(1) Miami over (poor) (8) Cleveland 4-0

(2) Indiana over (7) Charlotte 4-0

(3) Brooklyn over (6) Washington 4-3

(4) Chicago over (5) Toronto 4-3 

Conference Semifinals 

(1) Miami over (4) Chicago 4-1

(2) Indiana over (3) Brooklyn 4-1

Conference Finals 

(2) Indiana over (1) Miami 4-2

West 

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Week: 1) 

2. San Antonio Spurs (2)

3. Houston Rockets (4) 

4. Los Angeles Clippers (3)

5. Portland Trailblazers (5) 

6. Golden State Warriors (8)

7. Memphis Grizzlies (N/A)

8. Phoenix Suns (7)

Conference Quarterfinals 

(1) Oklahoma City over (8) Phoenix 4-1

(7) Memphis over (2) San Antonio 4-2

(6) Golden State over (3) Houston 4-3

(4) Los Angeles over (5) Portland 4-2

Conference Semifinals 

(1) Oklahoma City over (4) Los Angeles 4-2

(7) Memphis over (6) Golden State 4-2

Conference Finals 

(1) Oklahoma City over (7) Memphis 4-1

NBA Finals 

Game 1: Thunder

Game 2: Thunder

Game 3: Pacers 

Game 4: Pacers 

Game 5: Thunder 

Game 6: Thunder 

Oklahoma City over Indiana 4-2

Finals MVP: OKC SF Kevin Durant

Award Picks 

League MVP: SF Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder 

Defensive Player of the Year: SF Paul George, Indiana Pacers 

Rookie of the Year: PG Trey Burke, Utah Jazz 

Coach of the Year: Steve Clifford, Charlotte Bobcats 

Most Improved Player: SF Chandler Parsons, Houston Rockets 

6th man of the Year: PG Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder 

Granger to 76ers

To most, this years trade deadline was a disappointment. But since I'm an avid Pacers fan, it was interesting to me. The Indiana Pacers traded Danny Granger and a second-round draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for Evan Turner and Davoy Allen. 

Granger is on the wrong side of age 30 and has not been playing well in his 24 games for the Pacers. 

Turner has been averaging 17.4 points per game and shooting %39 from the field, but he is just a %29 three-point shooter. 

It made sense for Philadelphia because they want to make their team bad enough to get a top draft pick, and Granger is not under contract in 2015. 

It made sense for the Pacers because they needed a younger backup to Lance Stephenson-Paul George to go with Forward "Casual Rasual" Butler. 

Although Indiana will not be able pay Evan Turner the $10 million per year as he will likely demand when he hits the open market. But if something happens and Indy can't re-sign Lance Stephenson  Turner is nice insurance. Plus, they needed another ball-handler.

NBA Trade Deadline News

The NBA trade deadline is today at 3:00 P.M. Here's what's happened so far:

Los Angeles Lakers Point Guard Steve Blake has been traded to the Warriors for reserve Shooting Guard's MarShon Brooks and Kent Bezamore. It was a good move for both teams as Golden State got a solid backup Point Guard for starter Stephen Curry in Blake, and the Lakers made themselves bad enough to contend for a top-three draft pick.  

The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded backup Forward Earl Clark and 2 second-round draft picks to the Philadelphia 76ers for Center Spencer Hawes. Once again, it was a good move for both teams, as the Cavaliers got a big man that can shoot the 3, and the 76ers added more draft picks. 

The Sacramento Kings have traded Shooting Guard Marcus Thornton to the Brooklyn Nets for Shooting Guard Jason Terry and Forward Reggie Evans. It was a better deal for the Nets, since they are getting a promising young player, while the Kings are getting two washed-up players past their prime.

NBA Power Rankings #10/NBA Playoff Picture

Power Rankings 

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 43-12

Kevin Durant is the NBA's leading MVP candidate, but as with Lebron James in Cleveland, the Thunder are not legitimate title contenders until we see significant improvement in Russell Westbrook's knees. 

Last Ranking: 1

2. Indiana Pacers 40-12

Even though he didn't win the Slam Dunk Contest, Paul George still proved he belongs with the NBA's elite. 

Last Ranking: 2

3. Miami Heat 37-14 

As good as Chris Bosh has been, Miami will need Dwayne Wade to be a factor in the playoffs in order to three-peat as champions. 

Last Ranking: 4

4. San Antonio Spurs 38-15

The Spurs have been the Spurs this year. Without many national headlines, San Antonio is quietly seeking its fifth championship of the Greg Poppovich era. 

Last Ranking: 3

5. Los Angeles Clippers 

Witt Chris Paul back, the Clippers have finally hit their stride. 

Last Ranking: 5

6. Houston Rockets 36-17

The Rockets moved up to #3 in the West, and Dwight Howard/James Harden is proving to be quite a dynamic duo. 

Last Ranking: 7

7. Portland Trailblazers 36-17

Down to #5 in the West, the Blazers are not looking as good as they did to start the season. 

Last Ranking: 6

8. Dallas Mavericks 32-22

Monta Ellis has propelled Dallas back to playoff contention in one of Dirk Nowvitszki's final years.

Last Ranking: 9

9. Phoenix Suns 30-21

Even without Eric Bledsoe, the Suns appear poised to make the playoffs, led by All-Star snub Goran Dragic. 

Last Ranking: 8

10. Golden State Warriors 31-22

The Warriors appear slightly overrated but are still deadly when their shooters are hot. 

Last Ranking: 10

11. Memphis Grizzlies 29-23

Without Marc Gasol for the first chunk of the year, Memphis will struggle to make the playoffs. 

Last Ranking: 11

12. Toronto Raptors 28-24

All-Star snub Kyle Lowry has quietly been the NBA's third-best PG (this season) and the Raptors are the third-best team in the East because of it. 

Last Ranking: 12

13. Chicago Bulls 27-25

This team is astounding. No matter what happens, they always find a way to win. They are #4 in the East despite losing Derrick Rose and Luol Deng. 

Last Ranking: 15

14. Brooklyn Nets 24-27

Moving up in the standings, the #7 in the East Nets are starting to look like the team we all expected them to be after acquiring Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in the offseason. 

Last Ranking: 16

15. Atlanta Hawks 25-26

After finally losing their grip on the East's #4 seed, the Hawks are reeling. 

Last Ranking: 14

16. Washington Wizards 25-27

John Wall has finally developed into the franchise player Washington expected him to be when they drafted him. 

Last Ranking: 13

17. Minnesota Timberwolves 25-28

Even with the team fully healthy (finally,) the T-Wolves are still not (currently) a playoff team.

Last Ranking: 17

18. Charlotte Bobcats 23-30 

Al Jefferson continues to impress in his first season with the Bobcats, who he has headed for the playoffs. 

Last Ranking: 19

19. New Orleans Pelicans 23-29

If the team could stay fully-healthy for a full season, they would make the playoffs. Alas, they have not been healthy this year. 

Last Ranking: 18

20. Denver Nuggets 24-27

Perhaps the most injury-riddled team so far this year, Denver has been a major disappointment in Year 1 of Brian Shaw's first stint as a Head Coach. 

Last Ranking: 21

21. New York Knicks 20-32

It's become evident that Coach Mike Woodson has to go, but the teams real problem is the front office. 

Last Ranking: 20

22. Detroit Pistons 22-30

Any team that starts three big men that can't shoot (Josh Smith, Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond,) is not likely to be a playoff team. 

Last Ranking: 22

23. Utah Jazz 19-33

Utah has been relevant since Trey Burke came back from injury, but will not be a playoff team for a few more years. 

Last Ranking: 24

24. Cleveland Cavaliers 

Congratulations to Kyrie Irving on winning the All-Star game MVP. Now back to reality and a terrible season with the Cavs.

Last Ranking: 28

25. Sacramento Kings 18-35

Demarcus Cousins is still developing, but he if he becomes elite it could elevate Sacramento into the playoffs in a few years. 

Last Ranking: 26

26. Boston Celtics 19-35

Even with Rajon Rondo's return, Boston is still mediocre. 

Last Ranking: 25

27. Orlando Magic 16-38

Orlando is a strong draft away from the playoffs. That said, they're worse-than-mediocre this year. 

Last Ranking: 23

28. Los Angeles Lakers 18-35

Perhaps 40 games without an injury was too steep of a hope. He didn't even get to 5 before going back down. 

Last Ranking: 27

29. Philadelphia 76ers 15-39

We're finally seeing the 76ers we expected when the season started.

Last Ranking: 29

30. Milwaukee Bucks 9-43

N/A

Last Ranking: 30

Playoff Picture 

East 

1. Indiana Pacers (Last Week: 1)

2. Miami Heat (2) 

3. Toronto Raptors (5) 

4. Brooklyn Nets (7) 

5. Chicago Bulls (5)

6. Washington Wizards (4)

7. Atlanta Hawks (7) 

8. Charlotte Bobcats (8) 

Playoff Picture

East 

1. Indiana Pacers (Last Week: 1)

2. Miami Heat (2)

3. Toronto Raptors (5)

4. Brooklyn Nets (3)

5. Chicago Bulls (6) 

6. Washington Wizards (4) 

7. Atlanta Hawks (7)

8. Charlotte Bobcats (N/A) 

(1) Indiana over (8) Charlotte 4-1

(2) Miami over (7) Atlanta 4-0

(6) Washington over (3) Toronto 4-2

(4) Chicago over (5) Brooklyn 4-3

(1) Indiana over (4) Chicago 4-1

(2) Miami over (6) Washington 4-1

(1) Indiana over (2) Miami 4-3

West 

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Week: 1) 

2. San Antonio Spurs (2)

3. Los Angeles Clippers (4)

4. Houston Rockets (5)

5. Portland Trailblazers (3)

6. Dallas Mavericks (8)

7. Phoenix Suns (6)

8. Golden State Warriors (7) 

(1) Oklahoma City over (8) Golden State 4-2

(2) San Antonio over (7) Phoenix  4-1 

(3) Los Angeles over (6) Dallas 4-0

(4) Houston over (5) Portland 4-3 

(1) Oklahoma City over (4) Houston 4-1

(3) Los Angeles over (2) San Antonio 4-2

(1) Oklahoma City over (3) Los Angeles 4-2 

NBA Finals  

Game 1: Pacers 

Game 2: Thunder 

Game 3: Thunder 

Game 4: Pacers 

Game 5: Pacers 

Game 6: Thunder 

Game 7: Thunder 

Oklahoma City over Indiana 4-3

Finals MVP: OKC SF Kevin Durant