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UBOOLY Gets Stuffed With Technology: Hot Kids Tech Toys 2014

Jackie Warner
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UBOOLY Gets Stuffed With Technology: Hot Kids Tech Toys 2014

Did you know that there is a stuffed animal that can “come to life” by literally stuffing a smartphone into it? It is called Ubooly, and it’s set to be the perfect companion, friend, and teacher to every child!

Table of contents

How Much?

The Ubooly toy has a price of $29.95.

Who Would Buy This?

Parents are always on the lookout for educational toys that are wholesome, safe to play with, and look adorable. Well, Ubooly qualifies under all those criteria. Younger and older children alike will certainly find themselves having fun spending hours and hours with Ubooly.

ubooly with smartphone inside 2014 best christmas kids toy reviews

Things We Like

We are thoroughly impressed with the concept of a stuffed animal that can actually talk, listen, and communicate. And all you have to do is to install the app into your smartphone, which will then be inserted into the toy!

The material that the Ubooly toy is made of also gets our thumbs up. The memory foam is not only great to touch, it also acts as a protective cushion for the smartphone inserted inside the toy, even when Ubooly is being thrown about. Since it comes in three colors (green, orange and pink), kids can take their pick among them, depending on their personality.

Winning Features

But the real winning feature of the Ubooly is how it provides a lot of room for customization to suit the personality of the child. Parents also have a say on what lessons and activities can be added that Ubooly and their child can enjoy together.

It’s not a requirement, though, since Ubooly is already packed with hundreds of stories and games, all of which are designed to stimulate the child’s imagination, entertain him, and teach more than a few lessons along the way. It’s always fun to learn with someone, and you cannot find a better study or learning partner for your child than Ubooly!

Ubooly is marketed with children 4 to 10 years old in mind. However, even older kids and adults will find games and applications that are challenging enough for their more advanced tastes.

Things We Don’t Like

Unfortunately, the quality of smartphone used will also have to be factored in. The speaker and the mic will have to be functioning really well in order for Ubooly to be heard clearly and also understand what the child is saying. They will have a hard time communicating if the speaker and the mic are acting up.

Is It Worth The Money?

For only $29.95, you are practically getting a teacher, a friend and a playmate for your child. This is going to be one of the best purchases you’ll ever make for your child.

Where Can I Buy?

Aside from the official Ubooly site, the Ubooly toy will also be available here.

Final Thoughts

ubooly colors 2014 hottest kids toy reviews

Give your child the perfect present by giving him or her a friend that he or she can play with and learn with! You’ll be glad that you chose Ubooly! Check out our video review of the Ubooly and see what you think.

Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks For 2014 Season

Shane Mclendon
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Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks For 2014 Season

The 2014 NFL season is coming at us, and we’re still waiting to see if some of our favorite quarterbacks will be traded or staying with last year’s team. So naturally, we had to get moving on our Top 10 favorite quarterbacks for the upcoming season. We’ll also have our predictions on who will be making it to Super Bowl 2015 too.

If you have some high hopes for your NFL team this upcoming season, you had best hope to see your field general on this list. Without a top ten quarterback, it is very hard for an NFL team to make a playoff run, much less appear in a Super Bowl. That might seem obvious, but the passing game is becoming even more important with each rule passed to protect both receiver and quarterback. The guys on this list give their teams the best shot at riding on a ridiculous float through their city the week after the Super Bowl.

Table of contents

Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks

peyton manning top quarterback 2014 season

1. Peyton Manning –

Sure his team got embarrassed in the Super Bowl in 2013, but Manning is super consistent. He also has tons of offensive weapons around him again.

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2. Aaron Rodgers –

The Packers always have a post season shot as long as Rodgers is healthy. If their running game improves again this year, that will make #12 even more dangerous.

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3. Russell Wilson –

This guy may be the hardest working young QB in the league. He knows his role and takes it as seriously as the veterans on this list. He has a great team around him of course but he is the team’s clear leader.

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4. Tom Brady –

I fear that the golden boy’s Super Bowl chances are over, but with Brady, the Patriots always will have a puncher’s chance. It is amazing how well the team has done considering the generic receivers they have used over the past few years and the so-so defense. Brady has been the constant there.

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5. Drew Brees –

Everyone loves Drew Brees, even opposing fans seem to give him the credit he deserves. He is not just a likable guy, he is a fiery vet that is as accurate as Peyton Manning.

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6. Colin Kaepernick –

Having just signed a huge new contract, Kap will need to guard against complacency. He has shown what a dangerous weapon he is both passing and also running when called upon.

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7. Andrew Luck –

The Colts leader is all he was promised to be coming out of college. As he gets more and more NFL games under his belt, the worse chance opposing teams will have against the Stanford alum.

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8. Nick Foles –

Last year could have been an aberration as Foles lit the league on fire. But it is hard to imagine it being a fluke, the numbers he put up in 2013. Talent has to be the explanation. Either that or Chip Kelly is a true genius.

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9. Matt Ryan –

Just because the Falcons fell off the grid last season does not mean it was their franchise QB’s fault. Ryan did his job and he is a steady superstar that does not get the attention he deserves.

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10. Ben Roethlisberger –

He may not put up the numbers of a Manning or a Brees, but the guy does lead his team to plenty of wins. Last year was disappointing for the Steelers, but they finished strong and look to be much improved in 2014.

Steve Spurrier Rightfully Lets Underclassmen Do Their Own Thing

Shane Mclendon
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Steve Spurrier Rightfully Lets Underclassmen Do Their Own Thing

I think I like Steve Spurrier more with each passing year. He seems to be more player friendly than any big time coach that I have ever seen. He made a point of saying how he thinks underclassmen should not be talked out of going to the NFL if they have the itch to leave college early. Spurrier talked about the issue at SEC Media Days.

This is not the first time that South Carolina’s head coach has made statements that go against the status quo opinion of coaches. He said recently that he thought it was not only fair to pay players to play college sports, but that is was a great idea. You won’t hear most coaches say anything of the like, with their buttoned up attitude. These coaches have no trouble sleeping at night with their multi million dollar contracts while their roster is full of players with no cash in their pockets most of the time.

Spurrier has never been one to just go with the flow. He does his own thing with no regard to what people may think. That is refreshing in a sports world full of coach-speak and clichés. And if I were a high school player trying to make a decision on where to take my football talents, I would be drawn to a coach that really cared about the overall well being of the players. It is one thing to flatter a kid you are trying to recruit, but it is quite another to be a real proponent for the betterment of student athletes.

Was Spurrier right about his opinion? I would say so. He is right in a financial sense mainly, in that these underclassmen do deserve to make money playing in the NFL. And if they have a chance of getting drafted they have earned at least the shot to go pro whenever they choose. Will some of these guys get passed over by the NFL? Of course, but that could happen when they are seniors as well. It is also possible that some underclassmen will miss the draft, not get picked up as a free agent, and never return to school. That scenario does suck, but players know this is a possibility. They are young, but deep down they know there is no guarantee on a NFL career, no matter when they leave college.

Spurrier’s underclassman opinion also is the right advice in terms of coaches not wasting their time. If a guy has made his mind up to go pro early, then talking him into staying is a waste of time. Even if a kid can be pressured into staying an extra season, he may have mentally checked out and won’t be the player the team needs him to be. Were I coaching a football team, I would rather have a hungry player stepping into a starting role, than a guy with his mind somewhere else.

The horrific injury possibility is the biggest factor I see with this issue. No coach should want to be the man who convinced a star player to stay, only to have him get hurt and miss most of the season….not to mention destroy his draft stock. Marcus Lattimore having his knee twisted like a wet towel is something that has stuck with the Gamecock’s head coach. No one wants to see a player get injured in that fashion, no matter if they were headed for NFL riches or not. But mix in the loss of a family tree changing contract, then you can see why underclassmen should listen to the ole ball coach.

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.

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