An Early Look Into Super Bowl LII Contenders

June 24, 2017 shawnep Leave a comment

New England Patriots

Although I hate to admit it, the Patriots can even be stronger than ever coming off of a miraculous Super Bowl LI victory. In 2017, the Patriots are looking to mirror their 2007 undefeated campaign to go on to the Super Bowl. They recently acquired WR Brandin Cooks from the New Orleans Saints, adding him as a deep threat to Tom Brady’s arsenal of power offense. With Cooks, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell and a healthy Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots offense could be dominant on the passing end.

Mike Reiss ESPN — Brandin Cooks (pictured) leads a deep Patriots receiving core going into the 2017 season

After trading away two notable linebackers last year in Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones, the Patriots pass-rush fell to 24th overall and was ranked 16th overall in sacks. Still, these lackluster numbers didn’t stop New England from winning the Super Bowl. Hoping to improve their defensive line, the Patriots were able to re-sign LB Dont’a Hightower and added recent third-round pick in Derek Rivers along with Kony Ealy from the Panthers. With new additions and with the same core players returning to repeat glory (save for LeGarrette Blount), it does not seem that anything will slow the team down from having another Super Bowl run.

Atlanta Falcons

We all know the Falcons as the team that gave up a 28-3 lead to the Patriots in the last Super Bowl, but it was pretty impressive watching the team control the field for three quarters from all sides of the ball. The duo of reigning MVP Matt Ryan and two-time All Pro WR Julio Jones are some of the best in the business. Jones, who put up big numbers in the playoffs last season (19 catches, 334 yards, and 3 touchdowns) against the top teams in the league, helps the offense thrive and win games. With additional help from Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, the offense has a sure chance of taking that trip to Minnesota for the next Super Bowl.

Matt Ryan (pictured) will be returning this season with only one thing on his mind: a Super Bowl.

With the departure of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan who left the Falcons to take a gig as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, there is question as to whether the Falcons offense, who were the highest scoring team last season, can repeat the same production. The Falcons hired Steve Sarkisian from the Alabama Crimson Tide to replace the role of Shanahan as offensive coordinator. Fortunately for the Falcons, Sarkisian believes in a play-action and hurry-up offense (no huddle system), the same scheme that Matt Ryan thrives in. Additionally, Sarkisian knows how to work a two-back system, which fits the dynamic duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Only time can tell if the Atlanta offense will stay the same, but on paper, it does not seem like they will regress from their previous season.

New York Giants

If there is one team that can upset the Patriots in the Super Bowl, it would be the New York Giants. The Giants are looking strong and have a solid shot to sneak into the Super Bowl. Eli Manning’s offense improved with the addition of first-round TE Evan Engram, who everyone is raving about at practices. Also, coming in from the other side of New York, Brandon Marshall hopes to make his first playoff appearance in his long career. Marshall will work alongside Odell Beckham, who he calls, “the biggest superstar in history of football.” Beckham, who has 288 catches for 4,122 yards and 35 touchdowns in his three-year career, is the heart of the Giants’ offense. If he can keep his emotions in check, their receiving tandem has a shot of leading one of the most dominating offenses in the league.

Odell Beckham Jr. (right) leads the Giants into another season, but this time has the help of former Jets WR Brandon Marshall.

The Giants’ secondary is also filled with many strengths. 2016 first-round pick Eli Apple is developing into a strong corner with a lot of potential to shine. With additional help from Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the Giants secondary does not look too shabby. Also, with safety Landon Collins and a powerful defensive line that includes newly re-signed Jason Pierre Paul, the Giants are looking to do some damage.

Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr: $25 million man? The Raiders’ season ended last year when Carr broke his fibula before the playoffs. The 12-4 Raiders looked promising and had a shot to be Super Bowl contenders. Carr is now at the level of a consistent Pro Bowl quarterback and has solidified himself last season as one of the top quarterbacks in the league. To live up to his $25 million contract, Carr will have to continue to prove himself, and he has enough firepower to do so. Carr has the help of gifted pass-catchers in Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree and Jared Cook. With the new addition of Marshawn Lynch in the backfield, the Raiders have a shot at being one of the best offenses in the league. Lynch has been one of the top running backs in first-down percentage and rushing touchdown percentage on goal-to-goal carries, so with his help, the Raiders will be able to put even more points on the board. Beast Mode is looking promising at practices despite a year off of football, giving the Raiders a chance to bounce back and take over the AFC. If the Raiders end up taking a trip to the Super Bowl, hopefully they remember to give the ball to Marshawn, especially if they are one yard away from goal line.

Marshawn Lynch (left) came out of retirement to play for the Raiders, and QB Derek Carr (right) could not be more excited about his new weapon.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Big Ben and company have one of the strongest offenses in the league. Over the past four seasons, Steelers WR Antonio Brown has averaged 120 catches for 1,579 yards and 11 touchdowns. Brown has the highest amount of receptions, yards and touchdowns since the start of the 2013 season, more than any other receiver in the league. With that and the help of Steelers elite running back, Le’Veon Bell, who averages 157 yards a game and 105 rushing yards per game (an NFL best), the Steelers offense seems almost unstoppable. Veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who had 29 touchdowns last season, has a chance to lead one of the best offenses in the league to the Super Bowl. The Steelers also have rookie receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and RB DeAngelo Williams who will both help improve the offense. The offense also receives enormous help from their center, Maurkice Pouncey, who helps pave the way for Bell to work his magic while also allowing the second fewest sacks in the league last season. Last but not leas, first round pick T.J. Watt will help improve what seems to be a shaky defense. When the time comes for the Steelers, it will be their offense making big plays and leading the charge on the road to the Super Bowl.

soccer

Umar Farouk Osman Wins Gatorade Men’s National Player of the Year Award

June 23, 2017 Ben Zeltser 1 Comment

For the third time in six years, the prestigious Gatorade National Soccer Player of the Year award has been presented to a promising Ghanaian talent. Umar Farouk Osman came to America to not only play soccer, but to build relationships, live out his dreams and for an unprecedented education.

Osman received the award directly from 2015 recipient, Jack Harrison, who currently plays as a winger for NYCFC of the MLS. At the young age of 20, Harrison currently ranks second on the team in goals, only behind former international Spanish superstar David Villa, exemplifying the bright future that lies ahead for any recipient of the Gatorade National Men’s POY Award.

Gatorade National Boys Soccer POY Photo 1 — Jack Harrison (right) presents the award to Osman (left). Photo by Gatorade.

When discussing Osman’s potential and future, Harrison said, “We both came to the states for an education, but at the same time, we were able to be here because of soccer. Through his hard work and dedication, he’s driven himself to this award and hopefully to many other things as well.”

Harrison also said, “I played against him before. (He) showed immediate talent and (he’s) got lots of potential. (Umar’s) very exciting to watch.”

Osman’s journey began in Ghana, where he faced immediate competition. Umar said, “There are ten regions in Ghana and the soccer scouts travel around the 10 region (circuit) to recruit soccer players. I traveled around the 10 regions to compete against over 400 kids. Out of the many soccer players, they chose 11 of us to go to Right to Dream for the finals tryouts.”

Right to Dream is a highly selective charity academy in Africa that helps young, talented soccer players reach their true potential. Founded in 1999 by Tom Vernon, the goal was to provide children and their family with the opportunity to build a better life for themselves through the sport of soccer. The program has since grown to become a residential international school that offers scholarships to players like Osman all across Africa.

Right to Dream has been highly successful on the international stage. In 2015, their U15 squad (pictured) beat Genoa 4-3 in the Manchester United Premier Cup World finals to take home the trophy. Photo by News Ghana.

Recent developments include the opening of a women’s program in 2013 and the installation of a $2.5 million all-purpose facility in 2010, which has led it to gain acclaim as one of the best training academies in the world. Right to Dream has since established partnerships with several American high schools, such as The Hotchkiss School, where Osman has attended.

“At Right to Dream, I was assessed in terms of my character, soccer ability and academics. I was at Right to Dream for about three years before heading over to the states. During my three years, I was challenged in many ways. I had to compete every single day to earn a starting spot on the team and if my grades weren’t good enough, I didn’t get to practice with my teammates,” Osman said.

His goals and his aspirations are high, and he is only able to reach that high with the strong support system that he has. Osman said, “My mom is my biggest motivation. She supported (me) in every decision I made. She allowed me to leave home at the age of 10 to go chase my dreams. It’s hard sometimes, but my mom knows I’m in safe hands, so it’s all good.”

Chasing Osman’s dreams have not come without some hardships. In his first game for Hotchkiss, a private school in Connecticut, Umar broke both his clavicles and missed most of the season. He responded to such adversity by scoring a total of 63 goals and assisting 45 times to conclude his high school soccer career. Not too shabby for a 5’9”, 150 lb midfielder out of Ghana.

7452.full — Photo by The Hotchkiss School

Outside of his mother, Osman has plenty of people in his life to look up to, both on and off the pitch. He said, “Jack Harrison and Tom Vernon (founder of Right to Dream) are my biggest inspirations. My inspirations (when) growing up and learning how to play soccer were David Silva and Lionel Messi, although I support Manchester United. (In Ghana), Asamoah Gyan is a player everyone is looking up to. He’s done a lot for the national team and he cares about his country.”

Osman will be thinking about such contributors when deciding what to do with the $1,000 grant that he receives on behalf of Gatorade along with his award. This money goes to a cause of Umar’s choice, with the opportunity of raising that sum to $10,000 by writing a short essay about the subject.

On the pitch, Osman describes his biggest skill set to be his speed and his fearless mentality when attacking defenders. Other coaches have been quick to laud his size, technical skill, and his dedication to playing both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively.

Osman is slated to attend the University of Michigan and play for their men’s soccer team. He said, “I will have to stay at school and work extra. I really want to be a professional soccer player in the near future. I’m planning on getting my degree first before going pro. I’m excited for that because Michigan has the right facilities and faculty to help me attain my dreams in life.”

Umar has developed a close relationship to his community upon arriving in the States, showing the content of his character. “Shout out to the Black Rock team for winning the state cup this year and for representing Connecticut in Nationals. I really had a good time playing with the guys. They’ve been very supportive, especially Theo, Noah, Cole and Stephen. They’ve always been there for me and couldn’t have asked for a better teammates,” he said. Sounds like Osman has found a home away from home.

“It means a lot to me to win this award and it tells me whatever I’m doing, people are watching and they appreciate what I’m doing. Winning this award serves as a stepping stone to work extra harder (towards) achieving my dream. My next goal is to settle in college and get used to the style of play and then move from there,” Osman said. Umar plans to play in the MLS, and hopes to stay close to his friends in the process.

**Cover photo by USA Today.