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Does the Video Game Industry still Coincide with Film and Literature?

MTTG Staff
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Does the Video Game Industry still Coincide with Film and Literature?

Nowadays, it seems like there are as many video game-based movie blockbusters as there are original movies being released, whereas it used to be that every blockbuster movie came with a video game. Literature has always been a major influence in cinema, and yet its exploits that have come from video games or have been made into video games are seldom raved about. Here, we’ll be examining the trends of video games being adapted into film and literature, as well as the trends of movies and literature being made into video games.

Video game adaptations bigger than ever

doom game images
VG247, via Twitter

Videos games, be they PC, console, arcade, or mobile, have re-risen in popularity as bases for movies. In the past, the video game adaptation genre was frowned upon, with Doom (2005) being one of the go-to examples of a bad adaptation. However, the likes of Alone in the Dark (2005), Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997), and House of the Dead (2003) manage to go down as the worst critically, according to Gamespot. These films haven’t managed to discourage more modern movie writers, though, as the enhanced special effects and bigger budgets have been seen as a way to revitalize the seemingly doomed genre. Over the last few years, The Angry Birds Movie (2016), Rampage (2018), and Tomb Raider (2018) have all proven to be acceptable big screen adaptations of mobile, arcade, and console video games. Tomb Raider, in particular, was enjoyed by fans because it took a similar stance to the new video game series with a darker approach. However, it’s opening at theatres was less than half of that of Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001).

The world of literature has also, much more subtly, experienced some joy in video game adaptations. The best novel adaptations of video games appeal to game fans and tend to come from ones that boast a strong and diverse story themselves. For example, John Shirley’s BioShock: Rapture is the prequel to the phenomenal video game BioShock and rated as one of the best books of this adaptation genre by Barnes and Noble. As BioShock is set in such a thought-provoking arena, it makes sense that a book explaining its creation in depth would do well. Halo: The Fall of Reach is also considered to be a great novel adaptation of a video game, but many subsequent novels in the 13-book series have struggled to earn such acclaim among readers.

Movie and literature video games taking a smaller form

jurassic world chris pratt gaming images
GameSpot, via Twitter

It used to be that almost every blockbuster film received a video game release. One of the finest examples is The Lord of the Rings series of games. The extraordinary films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels – which will soon have an Amazon series – received video games to immerse fans in the events of the movie. Many other films not deemed to be major titles also received video game releases, such as King Arthur (2006). This form of game has all but died off now. New Statesman sees the fall of this genre as the result of game developers being pushed to work within the timeframe of cinema – which is much shorter than video game developers are used to – which resulted in many low-quality games. But, that’s not to say that movies don’t get their video game releases anymore; they just rarely materialize on AAA console games.

As they’re smaller and quicker to make, mobile and online casino games are how many films provide their fans with another way to experience the movie. The blockbuster hit Jurassic World rebooted series is a good example of this. The original series, Jurassic Park, came with many game adaptations based directly on the films and the universe that they’re set. But for the reboots, the dinosaur movie franchise started its new game series with a Jurassic World one, and then released the mobile game Jurassic World Live in a similar vein to the ever-popular Pokémon Go. Jurassic World is, however, one of the few major movies to have a console game as well, with Jurassic World Evolution. The only game provider that continually releases a movie tie-in game is Lego. Lego release a huge range of games from Marvel to Jurassic World is their own image. While they are enjoyable and conveniently-timed games, they don’t provide gamers with the same movie feel that official movie games used to on console and now do at online casinos and through mobile games.

witcher series gaming 2018
Metro Exodus, via Twitter

Although not as raved about as book adaptations that make it to the big screen, books adapted into video games have produced many great experiences. One of the finest examples is The Witcher series. Written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher novel series is based on a monster hunter who uses supernatural abilities. The video game allows for players to have many choices in The Witcher world to shape the protagonist. Metro 2033, famed for its thrilling storyline and post-apocalyptic setting, is a direct adaptation of Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novel of the same name. It’s difficult to name a video game that’s inherently disliked or deemed to be very bad that’s based on a novel because, by using good novels, video games tend to have a captivating story that’s brought to life through a new medium.

It seems as though literature and video gaming, although not as provocatively advertised, do subtly and consistently go hand-in-hand to either give fans more stories from the video game’s universe or bring a new way of experiencing an incredible story. As movies are also a visual medium, they have struggled in the past to gain the same level of acclaim as their video game counterparts, while video games have had to adapt to smaller screens to offer movie fans a relevant experience.

Roger Goodell’s NFL Shield Getting Tested

Shane Mclendon
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Roger Goodell’s NFL Shield Getting Tested

Roger Goodell loves to trot out the phrase, “we must protect the Shield”, in reference to keeping the NFL brand intact. He usually uses the phrase when talking about wayward players who are doing things to embarrass themselves, as well as the league. He will often tell players directly that they have a role in protecting the Shield.

The point is valid, as the NFL like any big corporation, must appear clean to the public. They must present themselves as a public good that is not only a money printing machine, but an entity that benefits everyone connected to it. That includes the players, the community, the stadium workers, sub contractors and the list goes on and on. That concept is being tested each time a lawsuit pops up from former players.

The Shield is going to have to endure numerous lawsuits and attacks on the character of the NFL.

The latest lawsuit involves former players who have alleged that they were pumped full of pain killers by team trainers, often illegally. The players say they were harmed by this practice by becoming addicted to the pain killers and are now suffering the ill effects of having the meds flow through their bodies for years. Were these players grown men who could have stopped at any time? Yes. Are doctors supposed to put patient care above their own paychecks? Absolutely. This is the problem with this lawsuit. There is responsibility on both sides. But the Shield faces the most damage that will come from the suit. Players have nothing to lose by joining the lawsuit.

As this latest attack on the NFL gains momentum, the NFL looks worse and worse. They have already agreed to pay out $765 million in the concussion lawsuit. The pain killer case is going to be lost by the NFL in my opinion. I don’t know if it will cost the league the same amount as the concussion suit, but a win for the players will not be chump change. However, public opinion is what is most important when it comes to these issues. As a kid, I could have never imagined the NFL as something that was harmful longterm to the players. I loved these guys who made big hits, threw game winning touchdowns, and played even when hurt. Hell, Ronnie Lott had part of his own finger amputated just so he would not miss a game! That toughness made him one of my all time favorite players. I loved the NFL, still do. But as a thinking adult I cannot ignore the fact that the players have been damaged for my entertainment.

The NFL is the most powerful sports league in the USA. They can certainly withstand lawsuit after lawsuit. They have pockets deeper than Hugh Hefner‘s roster of blonds. Withstanding public opinion turning will be harder for the Shield to endure. The more information that comes out about what it takes to stay on the field in pro football, the more enthusiasm that will be sucked out of many football fans. Only the coldest of hearts can ignore the bodily damage to their fellow humans in the name of entertainment.

The NFL is not going anywhere anytime soon. They are too powerful, too rich, and too popular. They will remain the #1 sport in America forever unless something totally outrageous happens. But the lawsuits will keep coming. The NFL is a great target for money-hungry lawyers and broke players who have blown through the cash they managed to make playing a game. The future crop of players could be diminished as well, if only slightly, as moms and dads decide that football is just too violent for their young kids to play. The NFL has been too violent all along, but we as fans have just been too busy being entertained by a great game to notice. The Shield will survive, but it is facing an onslaught that could not have been envisioned by anyone just a decade ago.

Josh Gordon Continues Path Of Screwing Up

Shane Mclendon
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Josh Gordon Continues Path Of Screwing Up

It sure would be easy for me to sit here and destroy Cleveland’s star wide receiver, Josh Gordon. He has made it very light work to write about his knuckleheaded activities. And anyone who is crushing this NFL baller is justified in doing so.

The guy is an outstanding player with tremendous upside. So as he screws up over and over again, it is going to be news. If there is nothing else going on in the NFL world, then the reports of his off the field blunders will get even more air time on ESPN and the like. What Josh Gordon needs is for Johnny Manziel to go on a week-long drinking binge and fly to Monte Carlo to marry Miley Cyrus. That would make the talking heads forget Josh Gordon ever had any problems at all.

Gordon’s latest incident was a DWI arrest in North Carolina. That is not good for anyone, especially a star NFL player who is already facing a possible year long suspension for reportedly failing a drug test. Should Gordon get his act together? Absolutely. Is he different than any other regular Joe who wastes talent and opportunity? Only in the magnitude of his potential losses.

How many people have you known over the years who had some skills that they just let dwindle while going through the motions of life? I know a few and there are opportunities that I myself have squandered. How many folks do you know who let drugs or alcohol ruin the good, although ordinary life they could have had? Again, I know some of those people. When the average person screws up with aDWI arrest or loses a job because of a failed drug screening, ESPN or FOX Sports is not going to be there to cover the story. But the result is the same, except in scope. The average person who makes these mistakes sufferers loss of income, shame, and has to deal with the legal system, which is a nightmare.

Sports fans and analysts love to criticize athletes like Josh Gordon. We all want to say that we would not be doing stupid things to ruin a chance to play a game for millions of dollars. But it happens everyday. We all want to hold athletes to a higher standard than average people, but I have seen beautiful young ladies who destroyed their appearance along with their lives with drug use. I have seen great artists, who just end up forgetting their craft, as life takes them over and pushes them into mundane jobs that smother their talent. I see young people who get married, get a mortgage, and get two car payments they cannot afford, thus chaining themselves to jobs they hate, just to keep up a miserable lifestyle.

All those scenarios are similar to Josh Gordon’s, as opportunities are wasted as well as talent. He is just playing at a high level in the most popular sport in America. His flippant attitude toward his opportunities is simply amplified. But he is just like a ton of other people we all know. Maybe that is why we give athletes such a hard time as fans. We see some of ourselves in them, both in their victories and in their defeats…..on and off the field of play.

HBO’s HARD KNOCKS Takes On Atlanta Falcons

Shane Mclendon
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HBO’s HARD KNOCKS Takes On Atlanta Falcons

A welcome sight to the start of football season is HBO’s Hard Knocks series. This year the Atlanta Falcons are being covered over a five episode series. Who would have ever thought that training camp would be such an interesting event to film? But if all these other reality shows like Duck Dynasty and Basketball Wives can get viewers, it makes sense that HBO could produce a high quality ‘reality series’.

Episode one of the Falcons camp had a few highlights that are worthy of mentioning. If you missed the first one, you can grab it at hbogo.com (have to log in with your cable service provider).

One thing I learned was that Steven Jackson is a big time traveler and an artist to boot. That was pretty cool to find out. The fact that he got hurt early in camp was not cool at all. 2014 is not starting off any better for the feature back than 2013.

Another odd fact that came to light was that one of the Falcons is married to a reality TV “star”. Defensive end, Kroy Biermann, is married to Kim Zolciak. She is apparently one of the high drama women of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta‘. I would go on a rant about how terrible all those women seem to be, but Kroy seems like a legit hard-ass, so I will move on. Biermann got into a scuffle with rookie first round draftee, Jake Matthews, on the first day of camp. So the veteran is clearly “likes to fight guy”.

Moving on, rookie linebacker Tyler Starr is in desperate need of a haircut. If he can play like Clay Matthews III, then he can grow it back to look like the Packers’ star linebacker. Until he proves he is at that level, he needs to clean it up a bit. Starr does have a hot fiance. Smoking wives of NFL players is common of course and HBO does a great job of showcasing them.

An underrated receiver could end up getting a lot of screen time on Hard Knocks. Harry Douglas gets little attention league wide since he plays with Roddy White and Julio Jones. Douglas is a likable character and openly admitted to using women’s deodorant. To be more specific, ‘Secret’, which is “strong enough for a man, but made for a woman”. It will be nice to get to know the third wheel in the receiving corps.

The highlight of the series could be star receiver Roddy White. The veteran is funny as hell and seemingly has free reign to do and say whatever he wishes. He is a great trash talker that loves to get under the skin of defensive backs. Safety, William Moore is a big target of White. Moore does not seem to be great at quick comebacks, so that makes him an easy target.

The funniest part of last Tuesday’s episode was Dezmen Southward‘s impersonation of the Falcons’ special teams coordinator, Keith Armstrong. The rookie had the entire team cracking up with his dead on portrayal of Armstrong.

Some more quick notes from the show:

– Mike Smith had a helluva mustache back in the first year of Hard Knocks with the Ravens.
– Harry Douglas can’t even spell “scared”.
– Training camp must suck for players.
– When punching a teammate during practice, make sure you aim at the neck….not the helmet. Also be sure you are striking a rookie.
– Bryan Cox is a mean SOB. I hope it carries over to the team.

Tom Hardy Reteams with Leonardo DiCaprio For THE REVENANT

Curt Johnson
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Tom Hardy Reteams with Leonardo DiCaprio For THE REVENANT

We may never know what happened to Tom Hardy and Leonardo DiCaprio at the end of Christopher Nolan’s “Inception,” but the two will be reteaming for Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s upcoming film “The Revenant.” 

Hardy had been attached to the project for weeks, but it hadn’t been made official as he has been quite the busy man lately. He’s now untangled himself to co-star in the movie based on Michael Punke’s same named book. The story revolves around Hugh Glass, a late 1800’s fur trapper who is terribly mauled by a grizzly bear and then left for dead and robbed. After surviving against these unbelievable odds, he does what any frontiersman would do: he seeks vengeance on those who did him wrong. Sean Penn was originally onboard for this film, and it’s assumed Hardy will take over that role.

Will Poulter (We’re the Millers) is negotiating to co-star in the film. Hardy may seem to have been MIA from the big screen lately, but he’s got a slew of films about to hit including Locke which has seen him receiving stellar reviews. He’s also pulling double duty playing gangster twins Ronald and Reggis Kray in Legend which is directed by Brian Helgeland. Other upcoming films will include The Drop with James Gandolfini and Child 44 which has Hardy playing alongside Gary Oldman and Noomi Rapace. One that I’m looking forward to seeing him in is “Mad Max: Fury Road” with Charlize Theron next May. Hopefully that will set off the Summer 2015 box office with a great big bang.

“The Revenant” is written by Mark L. Smith and director Alejandro González Iñárritu. Anonymous Content’s Steve Golin, Keith Redmon and David Kanter will produce the film along with Iñárritu, Arnon Milchan and James Skotchdopole, while Paul Green, Brett Ratner and James Packer will executive produce.

What It’s About

While exploring the uncharted wilderness in 1823, frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) sustains life-threatening injuries from a brutal bear attack. When a member (Tom Hardy) of his hunting team kills his young son (Forrest Goodluck) and leaves him for dead, Glass must utilize his survival skills to find a way back to civilization. Grief-stricken and fueled by vengeance, the legendary fur trapper treks through the snowy terrain to track down the man who betrayed him.

Deeper Info

Inspired by true events, THE REVENANT is an immersive and visceral cinematic experience capturing one man’s epic adventure of survival and the extraordinary power of the human spirit. In an expedition of the uncharted American wilderness, legendary explorer Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is brutally attacked by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team. In a quest to survive, Glass endures unimaginable grief as well as the betrayal of his confidant John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Guided by sheer will and the love of his family, Glass must navigate a vicious winter in a relentless pursuit to live and find redemption. THE REVENANT is directed and co-written by renowned filmmaker, Academy Award (R) winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman, Babel).

“The Revenant” will begin shooting on September 22, 2014 for a fall 2015 release date. The official USA release date is set for January 6, 2016 which is a strange month to put out a film of this magnitude. I best this one will easily win 3 Academy Awards, and the studio will be pushing this hard during fall 2015 for the Oscars.

tom hardy joins leonardo dicaprio in revenant movie

Andre Johnson & Houston Texans Upcoming Future

Chris Maurice
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Andre Johnson & Houston Texans Upcoming Future

For years Wide Receiver Andre Johnson has been considered one of the best receivers in the NFL and the saving grace of the Houston Texans offense; however, after 11 seasons in Houston, Johnson may find himself in a new uniform in 2014. Although Johnson is technically under contract with the Texans until 2017, he has not been participating in the team’s offseason activities despite the $1 million Roster Bonus that he would receive as part of his contract just for showing up to these workouts. He has not come out and demanded a trade, but if he has no plans to participate in team events this offseason the Texans may be forced to consider trading the frustrated Pro Bowler.

Johnson turns 33 years old this July, and after spending his entire career with the Texans, it is clear the aging receiver is tired of losing. After another pitiful season, multiple quarterback changes, and another coaching change, Johnson is starting to show his frustration. The Texans were considered possible Super Bowl contenders at the beginning of the season, but instead they ended up with the first overall pick in the draft after an embarrassing 14 game losing streak after starting the season 2-0. However, this embarrassment of a season was the fault of anyone but Johnson: with 109 receptions, 1,407 yards, and five touchdowns Johnson was seemingly unfazed by constant change at the quarterback position between an uncharacteristically bad Matt Schauband  Case Keenum. And with running back Arian Foster only able to play in eight games due to injury, Johnson was really the only offensive constant the Texans had this season.

The Texans most definitely need Johnson this season if they don’t want another first overall draft pick. After drafting University of South Carolina star defensive back Jadeveon Clowney with the first overall pick for this past season, the already impressive Houston defense is looking even better despite the firing of Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips. Clowney will be lining up along with established Pro Bowl defensive lineman J.J. Watt creating a problem for quarterbacks everywhere. However, although the Texans defense will be causing nightmares for opposing quarterbacks this season, Houston is having a quarterback problem of their own. The three current quarterbacks competing for the starting job this season are rookie Tom Savage (fourth round pick out of Pittsburg), Keenum, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Texans will need Johnson to help the eventual starting quarterback learn the system and be an always reliable target for that quarterback–especially if rookie Savage or second year Keenum ends up with the starting position. However, with his 33rd birthday approaching, Johnson should be thinking about winning a Super Bowl, not training a rookie quarterback.

There are plenty of teams out there that would like to add Johnson to their roster, and obviously Johnson would like to go to a team with an established winning record like the New England Patriots or Denver Broncos, but there is one problem–his massive contract. Johnson is on a 7 year $67.8 million contract that doesn’t end until 2017, which means in order to trade for Johnson a team would need to have a pretty large amount of cap room left to work with. The other problem is that Johnson is going to be 33 during the 2014 season and he’s not getting any younger. With so many young receivers out there it’s hard to imagine a team would be willing to trade a lot for a such a high value player and then pay out over $10 million a year for a player that will only have two or three good years left in him.

Nevertheless, there are some teams out there that are desperate enough to pay the high price tag to bring in an established Pro Bowl receiver like Johnson, one of them being the Cleveland Browns. Having had only two winning seasons since 1995, the Browns are willing to try almost anything to start winning again. By bringing in former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel interest in the Browns is higher than it has been in years. Fans in Cleveland are ready to win, and the Browns have the cap room to put together a winning squad. In fact, they may want to look at trading for Johnson, especially with Pro Bowl Wide Receiver Josh Gordonreceiving a one-year suspension for a repeat violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. This is a huge loss for the Browns: Gordon led the entire league this past season with 1,646 yards (that’s 154 yards more than Calvin Johnson). Gordon’s suspension will be even worse for the Browns if rookie Manziel ends up starting over current starter Brian Hoyer later in the season. Gordon was supposed to be the star receiver that would help Manziel in his transition from college to professional football, but with Gordon out the Browns will need someone else to fill in for him in this role. This vacancy is where Johnson would fit in perfectly. The Browns need a well-respected veteran receiver like Johnson to come in a show young Manziel the tricks of the trade as well as be a reliable target for him. The Browns also have the cap room to be able to pick up Johnson’s immense contract, something few teams can say.

The problem with the Browns, however, is that Johnson isn’t looking to train a young quarterback, if he wanted to do that he could simply stay with the Texans. Instead, Johnson wants to start winning now. It is very unlikely that the Browns will go from 4-12 to a playoff run in just one season, and the teams that win don’t have the cap room to bring in Johnson. If Johnson wants the best chance of winning, he should really consider staying in Houston. The Texans were 12-4 in 2012, and if Schaub hadn’t been injured they may have made a run in the playoffs. Johnson is rightfully upset by the inconsistency, but given his position, it may be best for him to stay where he is and give the team his best for the last few seasons of his career. The Texans have a lot going their way this season, and if they can get their quarterback situation settled, they just may be able to make another run at the playoffs this coming season with Johnson’s help.

Just What Is Sammy Watkins’ Fantasy Football Value?

Chris Maurice
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Just What Is Sammy Watkins’ Fantasy Football Value?

The Buffalo Bills have not exactly been known for producing great receivers lately. Buffalo hasn’t seen a top ten fantasy football receiver since 2006; however, the Bills are hoping to end the drought this season after trading their first and fourth round draft picks in 2015 to the Cleveland Browns to grab Clemson stand-out Wide Receiver Sammy Watkins with the fourth-overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Bills fans are excited to have Watkins on their team, and he is arguably the most well-polished receiver to come out of the draft since Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green came out of Georgia in 2011. The odds may be stacked against the rookie; but if any one can do it, Watkins can.

Watkins can expect to be targeted by second-year quarterback E.J. Manuel a lot this season. The Bills gave up a lot to draft Watkins and traded receiver Stevie Johnson to the San Francisco 49ers during the offseason, so Watkins will be the number one receiver in the offense immediately this season and get the majority of the targets. Watkins is also a huge threat after he catches the ball because of his break-away speed, so fans can expect a good number of yards after the catch from the young receiver.

Despite his speed and reliable hands, Watkins has a big downside that is discouraging fantasy owners from drafting him too early. Buffalo is not exactly suited for the success of Wide Receivers: the Bills ran the ball more than any other team in the NFL in 2013, while they ranked only 23rd in the league in pass attempts. On top of that, the Bills very rarely run Wide Receiver screens (tied for 30th in the NFL), while Watkins caught more than half of his passes at or behind the line of scrimmage during his 2013 season at Clemson. The Bills will definitely need to make some adjustments to better suit the offense for Watkins.

Watkins also has history working against him: wideouts in the NFL don’t typically do well during their rookie season. In fact, since 2005 only San Diego Chargers receiver
Keenan Allen and A.J. Green have managed at least 1,000 yards during their rookie season. If Watkins doesn’t follow their example, his value as a fantasy football receiver would be greatly diminished.

All things considered, Watkins is expected to have a great NFL career; however, his rookie season may not be a good indicator of that. Defenses know how dangerous Watkins can be, so he will most likely be lining up against the best cornerbacks in the league this season. Watkins will most likely see the most targets on the team, but in Buffalo that’s still not a lot.

Watkins really could be drafted anywhere in your league because of all the hype and uncertainty around him. You could probably get some value out of Watkins if draft him around the eight or ninth round. Don’t jump on Watkins too early this coming season; but if you can snag him late in the draft, he may just be worth the pick.

Forecasting NFL’s Biggest Rookie Busts For 2014

Chris Maurice
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Forecasting NFL’s Biggest Rookie Busts For 2014

Not every rookie drafted to the NFL lives up to the hype they received coming out of college. This past NFL season saw many rookies fall short of expectations, including the first overall pick Eric Fisher (offensive tackle, Kansas City Chiefs) and third overall selection Dion Jordan (defensive end, Miami Dolphins). This past draft was full of talent, but the question on everyone’s mind is which rookie will be this year’s biggest disappointment. Only time will tell, but here’s a list of five first-rounders who just may end up with that dreaded title:

Table of contents

Five First Rounders NFL

1. Dee Ford, 23rd overall, Kansas City Chiefs:

Looks like the Chiefs may be in for another disappointment this season from their first-round selection. There are two major problems with this selection by the Chiefs. First, Ford was an exceptional players while at Auburn University; but Auburn runs a 4-3 defensive front while the Chiefs run a 3-4. Adjusting from a college 4-3 to a professional 3-4 usually takes even the best players a year. Second, Kansas City is already home to the fierce pass-rushing duo of Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. Ford is going to have a hard time getting a lot of snaps this season if those two stay healthy, and when he does get on the field he’s going to be expected to live up to the standard set by them–that’s a lot to ask of a rookie defensive lineman still adjusting to a new system. Since drafting Hali first round back in 2006, the Chiefs have not had much luck drafting defensive linemen in the first round (anyone remember LSU standout and 2008 fifth overall pick Glenn Dorsey?). Ford definitely has potential, but it may take a few years or even a trade to a different team before he truly stands out.

2. Sammy Watkins, 4th overall, Buffalo Bills:

The young speedster out of Clemson University has a lot of pressure on him this coming season. Being the fourth overall pick is pressure enough for a rookie, never mind that the Bills had to trade their 2015 first and fourth-round picks to the Cleveland Browns in order to move up and draft Watkins. Watkins is one of the most anticipated rookies of this draft class behind only Jadeveon Clowney and Johnny Manziel. That is a lot of pressure for a player whose success at Wide Receiver will be partial determined by the play of second-year quarterback E.J. Manuel who is still a little shaky in the passing game. Another problem Watkins may face is the Bills running game: in 2013 the Bills ran the ball on 49 percent of their offensive plays. In fact, no Bills receiver was able to manage 600 yards this past season. The Bills gave up a lot to get Watkins, so anything less than spectacular from him this season will be a disappointment.

3. Blake Bortles, 3rd overall, Jacksonville Jaguars:

Bortles has some big shoes to fill as a quarterback drafted top three overall. The last three quarterbacks taken in the top three (Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck, and Cam Newton) all went on to have spectacular rookie seasons, with Luck and Griffin leading their teams to playoff appearances. That’s not going to be the case with Bortles. The poor kid got drafted to the Jaguars. The Jaguars haven’t had a winning season or a playoff berth since 2007, and since then they have developed into the laughingstock of the NFL. The last starting quarterback they drafted was Blaine Gabbert (tenth overall pick in 2011) and that didn’t exactly turn out well for them. Bortles may not even be starting Week One, the Jaguars seem to be leaning towards letting him adjust to the NFL and continuing with current starter Chad Henne. However, unless Henne plays spectacular football, you can expect Bortles to make a few appearances this season; but don’t expect much out of the kid.

4. Anthony Barr, 9th overall, Minnesota Vikings:

Barr is probably the most unprepared of any of the players on this list. As he finishes up the 20 credit hours he needs to complete his sociology degree at UCLA, Barr is not allowed to attend the offseason activities with the team in Minnesota. Instead, every day after his classes Barr watches film from that day’s practice on an iPad the Vikings gave him and tries to figure out where he’ll fit in the Vikings defensive scheme. Early indication suggests that Barr will be used as both a linebacker and pass-rush specialist. Barr may need some time adjusting to this role, and missing out on offseason opportunities to work with the coaches and teammates will only slow him down. At UCLA, Barr sort of relied strictly on his talent, but talent only gets a player so far in the NFL. Barr has a lot of potential and may very well be the next Von Miller, but don’t expect that kind of play from him this season. The Vikings don’t have much depth on defense, so Barr will most likely be starting this season. Barr has a bright NFL future, but this year probably won’t be a good indicator of that.

5. Johnny Manziel, 22nd overall, Cleveland Browns:

Before I go any further, let me just say that I love Manziel; and I think he will have a great professional career. With that being said, Manziel is the most hyped-up player coming out of college I’ve seen in years. Manziel definitely has the talent and work ethic needed to succeed in the NFL; however, he won’t turn a struggling Browns franchise into a Super Bowl contender in one year. Manziel is on this list simply because the expectations for him are way too high. People are expecting Manziel to be absolutely perfect, and he will receive a lot of criticism for every mistake he makes. Peyton Manning was 3-13 in his rookie season and look where he is now. Manziel has a bright future ahead of him, but you can expect some struggles in his first season with the Browns. If Manziel wins the starting job in Cleveland by the end of this season, 2014 should be considered a good year for him. Try to lower your expectations for Manziel and just enjoy watching his talent on display.

Best Bets For Fantasy Football Championship In 2014

Chris Maurice
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Best Bets For Fantasy Football Championship In 2014

With the 2014 NFL Fantasy Draft fast approaching more and more people are searching the web trying to get an idea of who the sleepers and busts are going to be this season. Hopefully this article will help you out a little: here is a list of the top three quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers, along with a few sleepers and busts for the 2014 NFL Fantasy season:

Table of contents

Quarterbacks

1. Peyton Manning:

This shouldn’t come as any surprise. The 38-year-old pocket passer is outplaying everyone. Manning knows that this may very well be his final season and that he needs to win a Super Bowl this season, so you can bet he’ll come to play. On top of that Manning will finally have a defense that will get stops and turnovers after the Denver Broncos brought in free agents T.J. Ward and Demarcus Ware. Don’t expect another 5,477 yard 55 touchdown season, but you can definitely count on another great season from “The Sheriff.”

2. Aaron Rodgers:

Rodgers always seems to be a safe pick (provided he stays healthy). Rodgers is in the prime of his career and leads a Green Bay Packers team with one of the best receiving cores in the league. On top of that Eddie Lacy has emerged as a running threat, only further opening up the passing attack of Rodgers. You can expect consistent numbers from Rodgers as always.

3. Matthew Stafford:

Stafford’s yardage totals are outstanding every year. Recently Stafford has had some problems finding the end zone, but with all the offseason improvements the Detroit Lions have made both for Stafford and his receiving core, he should be able to fix that. And on top of that the Lions still have Calvin Johnson to make Stafford’s job that much easier. Expect Stafford to put up big passing numbers as always.

Sleeper pick:

Robert Griffin III. Griffin rushed back too soon after his surgery last season. With an entire offseason to work with his new receivers and coaches as well as to get more comfortable with his movements, you may want to consider giving Griffin a second chance this season.

Running Backs

1. Adrian Peterson:

This should be obvious. Peterson is an absolute freak of nature, nothing has been able to slow him down yet, and don’t expect anything different this season. Peterson’s numbers fell slightly last season because of the lack of a passing threat, but with the addition of Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner and first-round draft pick Teddy Bridgewater, there will be a new scheme in Minnesota which should open up the power running game for him. Peterson should have no problem eclipsing 1,500 yards this season.

2. Matt Forte:

Forte has been one of the more consistent running backs in the NFL since he was drafted. With very few injury problems; large, consistent yardage; and a career year behind him Forte is looking good for this coming season. If you’re looking for a reliable and consistent running back, Forte is a no-brainer.

3. Jamaal Charles:

Charles is another safe pick because he gets yardage in both the running game and the passing game. In fact, Charles was involved in one-third of the Kansas City Chiefs total offensive yardage last season. Quarterback Alex Smith very often resorts to dumping the ball off to Charles and letting him do his thing. Don’t expect another 19 touchdowns this season, but Charles will most certainly provide your team with some big numbers and a few really big games.

Notable Mention: LeSean McCoy.

McCoy led the league in rushing yards this past season; however, with the addition of speedster Darren Sproles, McCoy may not hear his name called quite as often this season. McCoy will have a great year, but don’t expect another 1,600 yards in 2014.

Busts:

Knowshon Moreno. Moreno was considered a bust until Peyton Manning showed up in Denver. Moreno only did well this year because Manning’s immense passing game opened up the running game for him. Moreno really had an easy job in Denver, but he made the mistake of leaving and signing with the Miami Dolphins. Don’t expect much from Moreno without Manning at quarterback.

Wide Receivers

1. Calvin Johnson:

No explanation needed. The 6’5 wideout is unstoppable. Calvin Johnson has finished top three in fantasy points among receivers ever year since 2010, and don’t expect this year to be any different. It doesn’t matter how many people you put on him, “Megatron” is simply too good and too much of a matchup problem for defenses to stop.

2. Dez Bryant:

Bryant gets the second spot over A.J. Green simply because I trust Tony Romo more than I trust Andy Dalton. Bryant is Romo’s favorite target for good reason. The Dallas Cowboys are going to be passing the ball a lot this season, and you can expect a good amount of those passes to go Bryant’s way. Bryant has had double-digit touchdowns each of the last two seasons, and there is nothing to suggest that he’ll slow down at all this season. Bryant is one of the safest first-round picks you can make this season.

3. A.J. Green:

Like I mentioned, Green falls to third only because I don’t trust Dalton. With that being said, Green was the most targeted receiver in the league this past season behind only Pierre Garcon and Andre Johnson. Drafting a quarterback’s favorite receiver is always a good choice: Dalton may not be the best quarterback in the NFL, but you can expect a lot of yards out of Green simply because the ball is thrown his way so many times. Also, Dalton always looks Green’s way in the red zone, so double-digit touchdowns should not be a problem for Green this season.

Sleeper picks:

Roddy White/Julio Jones. Let’s not forget about the Atlanta Falcons dynamic receiving duo. The Falcons’ 2013 season was a mess due to injuries, with both White and Jones missing multiple games due to injury. In their absence, people seem to have forgotten how good these two are. They’re both coming off their injuries ready to get back to winning, and with Matt Ryan throwing them the ball they’ll have no problem racking up some big yardage. Don’t sleep on the Atlanta Falcons or their two-star receivers in 2014.

NFL 2014 Predictions: Quarterbacks Who Have To Do Well

Chris Maurice
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NFL 2014 Predictions: Quarterbacks Who Have To Do Well

Expectations in the NFL are sky high–especially for quarterbacks. Quarterbacks in the NFL tend to receive all the praise when their team is doing well but also all the reprimand when the team falls short. Here’s a list of four QBs under the most pressure to perform in 2014:

1. Tony Romo:

Let’s start with the obvious. It seems like Tony Romo is on the ‘Needs To Perform’ list every season. After yet another 8-8 finish and another January without football in Dallas, Romo is taking the bulk of the blame. His stat line wasn’t horrible this past season, in fact it was one of the best in the league with 3,800 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only ten interceptions; but in typical Romo fashion, these interceptions came at the worst times possible. Cowboy fans may still be hurting from the game-sealing interception he threw late in the fourth quarter in Week 17 of 2012 against the Washington Redskins. That one interception cost the Cowboys the game, the division, and a playoff berth. Although Romo only threw ten interceptions this past season, two of them were late in the fourth quarter with a chance to tie or win the game (Week Five vs. Denver Broncos and Week 15 vs. Green Bay Packers). The urgency for Romo to start winning is only amplified by his six-year $108,000,000 contract extension signed before the 2013 season. Romo’s cap hit in 2014 is over $11,000,000–in other words, the Cowboys cannot afford to keep missing the playoffs. Romo needs to start earning his very expensive keep.

2. Peyton Manning:

Here’s a name you probably weren’t expecting to see: Peyton Manning is coming off the best single-season passing performance by a quarterback in NFL history setting records for both passing yards (5,477) and passing touchdowns (55). The only thing keeping last season from truly being the greatest of all time is the Super Bowl XLVIII (48) loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Manning is now 0-2 in his last two Super Bowl and the owner of an NFL record eight one-and-done playoff losses, a clear smudge on his impressive legacy. Although Manning receives a lot more blame than he deserves, expectations are very high for Manning in Denver. Broncos General Manager John Elway brought Manning in as a quick fix for the purpose of winning a Super Bowl, and every season is Super Bowl or bust for Manning and the Denver Broncos. Manning is not getting any younger: with retirement looming, Manning will need to give it his all if he wants to exit on a victory.

3. Matt Schaub:

After a pitiful final season with the Houston Texans, Matt Schaub was fortunate enough to get a second chance with the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are
starting to get desperate–Oakland hasn’t seen a winning season since the Super Bowl XXXVII (37) loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in the 2002 season. Ten years of mediocrity is a lot to correct in one season, but Schaub is up for the challenge. During Schaub’s stint as starting quarterback for the Texans, he gradually turned the team around and led the young franchise to its first two playoff appearances ever in 2011 and 2012. Expectations in Oakland are high for Schaub. Fans there are passionate about their team and are tired of losing year after year. Schaub is basically playing for the future of his NFL career this season, and if he slips up Head Coach Dennis Allen will waste no time benching him for second round draft pick Derek Carr.

4. Brian Hoyer/Johnny Manziel:

Johnny Manziel has single-handedly renewed interest in Cleveland Browns football, and he hasn’t even taken a snap in the NFL yet. The Heisman Trophy winner has reached celebrity status, and it’s all eyes on Manziel this season. However, not everyone in Cleveland has bought into the Manziel-mania: the Browns have made it clear that Brian Hoyer will retain the starting job he had before his ACL injury suffered this past season. Hoyer was 2-0 in his starts in Cleveland this past season, and Head Coach Mike Pettine has made it clear that the job is Hoyer’s for the time being. However, Hoyer will need to play extremely well this season in order to remain the starter; you can bet that the first mistake he makes Cleveland fans will be begging for Johnny Football. This is a lot of pressure on Hoyer obviously, but even more pressure on Manziel. Manziel has basically been assigned the task of turning a team that has seen two winning seasons since 1995 into a playoff contender. That’s a lot to ask of a rookie quarterback. Manziel may be up for the challenge, but if Hoyer continues to play well we may never know. Either way, don’t expect the Browns to be the laughingstock of the NFL for much longer.

How To Get High-Value Quarterback In Fantasy Football Later Rounds

Chris Maurice
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How To Get High-Value Quarterback In Fantasy Football Later Rounds

Every year I get asked when the best time to draft a quarterback is. Fantasy owners want a good quarterback, but often they don’t want to spend a first, second, or third round pick necessary to grab Peyton Manning or Drew Brees off the board. It is possible to get a good, reliable quarterback in the later rounds; and here’s a few quarterbacks you may want to consider:

Tony Romo:

Romo always seems to get a bad rep. He’s not an elite quarterback in my book, but he does put up pretty good numbers. Romo finished top ten again this past season out of all fantasy quarterbacks. In 2012 Romo put up 4,903 yards and 28 touchdowns, and in 2013 Romo throw for another 3,828 yards and 31 touchdowns. Romo is coming off of back surgery which will probably scare away a lot of potential fantasy owners, but come ninth or tenth round if you still need a quarterback you may want to roll the dice and pick him up. Scott Linehan will be in charge of offensive play calling this season; and he will still have wide receiver Dez Bryant to throw to, so at the very least Romo should be able to maintain the same numbers he had last season. Be careful not to draft him to early, but Romo could be a high value starter if drafted in the late ninth or early tenth round.

Philip Rivers:

After regressing a bit in 2012, Rivers was back to form in 2013 finishing with 4,478 yards and 32 touchdowns this past season. Rivers probably won’t finish top five in the league among quarterbacks again this season, but there’s nothing stopping him from finishing top ten. Rivers shows no signs of slowing down, and young receiver Keenan Allen is coming off of an exceptional rookie season. Rivers probably won’t do as well as Romo, but if Romo’s off the board and you still need a quarterback, Rivers would be an exceptional choice. Even after his performance last season, Rivers isn’t expected to go until the ninth or tenth round in most leagues; but he may even drop as low as the 11th or 12th round. If you still need a quarterback come tenth round, don’t hesitate to pull the trigger on Rivers.

Jay Cutler:

Cutler did pretty well in his 11 games last season before and after his injury throwing for 2,621 yards and 19 touchdowns. However, with wide receiver Brandon Marshall in the prime of his career and Alshon Jeffery emerging as one of the top receivers in the NFL, Cutler is poised to put up the kind of numbers he had during his final season with the Denver Broncos this season. Cutler is seen once again as a risky pick because of his history as an injury-prone quarterback, but if he can stay healthy Cutler is definitely starter potential. If you still need a starter (or want him as a reserve) come the 11th or 12th round, Cutler should still be on the board; and you will have the potential to collect a massive reward from your selection.
Just like with quarterbacks, drafting a superstar running back like Adrian Peterson or Jamaal Charles requires an early first round pick; and if you don’t have one of the first three picks in your draft, you may not be able to snag them. Here are a few running backs you should consider picking up come the later rounds of the draft:

Lamar Miller:

After a pretty disappointing first season as the Miami Dolphins starting running back, Miller will have to compete with Knowshon Moreno just to retain his starting job. Moreno didn’t exactly help his case showing up to camp out of shape and reportedly dropping his very first pass. Moreno has really never been a great running back: his “breakout” season in 2013 was more because of Peyton Manning and the exceptional offense around him than anything else. Even if Miller is not the starter come Week One, you can expect him to take his job back from Moreno by midseason. Provided the Dolphins solved their offensive line crisis over the offseason, Miller should do pretty well in the games he plays this season. Miller should drop to the 14th round in most leagues, and he may even go undrafted in others, so there’s almost no risk in picking up the young back.

Trent Richardson:

Richardson is one of the sleepers in this year’s fantasy draft. After a good rookie season, Richardson was drafted high in 2013 only to disappoint everyone after being traded to the Indianapolis Colts. A lot of fantasy owners seem to have given up on Richardson and plan to avoid him in the upcoming draft, which means you may be able to swoop in and grab him in a late-round. The Colts had to send the Cleveland Browns a first-round pick to get the former Alabama superstar, so don’t expect them to give up on Richardson too easily. Richardson doesn’t have much competition in Indianapolis, so he should have no problem maintaining his starting job for the entire season. You can expect the Colts to give Richardson a lot of carries this season, especially in the red zone. Don’t draft Richardson too early because he still is a risky selection, but anything after the fifth or sixth round may just work out in your favor this season.

Ray Rice:

Rice’s fantasy stock is currently the lowest I’ve ever seen it. Rice is coming off a pitiful 2013 season during which he averaged a career-low 3.1 yards per carry, 660 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns; and on top of that, he’s going to be facing a suspension at the beginning of the 2014 season after the incident with his fiancée. However, things do appear to be getting better for Rice: the 27-year-old is still in the prime of his career, and he’s sure to get another 250 careers in 2014. Early indication suggests that Rice’s suspension will only be for the first two weeks, so you’ll have Rice for the majority of the season if you decide to pick him up. I get the feeling that Rice will be going undrafted in many leagues; so try picking him up after the draft and holding on to him until his suspension is up–you may be in for a treat.

2014 Fantasy Value Of Robert Griffin III: It’s A Risk With His Knee

Chris Maurice
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2014 Fantasy Value Of Robert Griffin III: It’s A Risk With His Knee

It doesn’t take a doctor to tell you that Robert Griffin III‘s knee could have used a few more months to heal. Griffin rushed back too soon without understanding the importance of the offseason that he was missing. The offseason between a player’s rookie and second professional season is arguably the most important of his career–specially for quarterbacks. Opposing defenses now have an entire season’s worth of film on the young quarterback, so failure to switch up play style could be detrimental. With his growth stunted by the knee injury he suffered in Washington’s Wild Card loss to Seattle and no offseason improvement under his belt, RGIII’s 2013 season was doomed from Week One.

Between his knee injury and the film teams had on him, Griffin’s greatest weapon, his legs, were almost a non-factor this past season. In 2013 Griffin’s total carries dropped almost 25% from 2012, and every other rushing stat of his fell in line. Managing only 489 yards in his 13 games this past season, Griffin was way down from the 815 yards and seven touchdowns he stunned the league with during his rookie season. With his scrambling threat neutralized, Griffin’s passing game took a big hit. Griffin was thrown into a situation where he was required to perform as a pocket passer without having had any time during the offseason to improve his passing–needless to say, he struggled greatly. However, with his sophomore slump behind him, Griffin is posed to make a spectacular comeback in 2014.

Griffin will have a lot more going his way this coming season. He will be coming off of his first real NFL offseason during which he has the chance to get comfortable scrambling again, improve his passing, develop a chemistry with his receivers, and mix up his style a little bit to keep defenses guessing. When asked about his quarterback in a recent interview with USA Today, Redskins receiver Santana Moss perfectly summed up the how much this offseason has helped Griffin: “You can see a more confident guy, especially in his legs.” Griffin has also been receiving a lot of praise from new head coach Jay Gruden. It’s no secret that Griffin and Mike Shanahan didn’t quite get along towards the end of their time together, so it’s refreshing to see compliments going back and forth between coach and quarterback again. Gruden is coming off a great stint as offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals where he worked wonders with QB Andy Dalton’s numbers. With a ready-to-work talent like Griffin and Gruden’s offensive genius, the possibilities are endless for the Washington Redskins this coming season.

Arguably the biggest key to Griffin’s success this coming season is the additions of former Eagles Pro Bowl Wide Receiver DeSean Jackson who is coming off a career season and former Cardinals receiver, Andre Roberts. Jackson and Roberts join fellow receiver Pierre Garcon (also coming off one of the best seasons of his career) to create a stacked receiving core sure to cause many problems for secondaries. Finally, with his knee back to 100%, his running threat back, and the power running of third-year back Alfred Morris, Griffin’s stats are set to soar this coming season. Gruden loves to pass so don’t be surprised if Griffin has over 500 attempts by the end of the season. With his new weapons around him, Griffin could be looking at 4000 yards and as many as 30 touchdowns through the air and another 500 yards and three touchdowns on the ground which would definitely make him a fantasy starter despite the interceptions and fumbles. Griffin should drop to the 5th or 6th round in most leagues because of the uncertainty surrounding him, leaving the first couple of rounds open to drafting your running backs, tight ends, and receivers. He may not put up Peyton Manning-esque numbers, but the idea of drafting a top ten quarterback in a late-round definitely makes Griffin worth the risk in many fantasy owners’ eyes. Don’t be afraid to give RGIII a second chance this year.

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