Sports book reviews by John Marsinelli

Hello all, I would like to introduce to you all a very good friend of mine.

John Marsinelli is a coworker, friend and a sports-a-holic such as myself. He is into reading and reviewing sports books. I've known John for a little while now and he continually tells me about the books he has read. So when I decided to reopen this, I figured I would ask him to join so that he can put his reviews out to the masses.

A little known fact about John is that he is a great kid, he constantly is doing things for charity, and is also training to run in the Christie Clinic marathon (which was cancelled this year due to the coronavirus).
John has aspirations to be a police officer and LOVES White Claws!

Lets all give John a warm welcome and I hope you all enjoy his reviews.

Thank you

Quara-What???

It's the year 2020, the world is in the midst of an pandemic. The world is fixing itself, while we are all home stuck inside. The grocery stores are refusing to sell alcohol to the outside states. The Government has acknowledged that aliens might actually exists. But yet we continue, we strive and push forward.

All sports (professional, and collegiate levels) are postponed. Yet we continue, we strive and push forward. In a time where first responders, Dr's, nurses are our heroes, we continue, we strive and push forward. In New England, we have 4 major sport teams that are our lively hood, Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, and of course the New England Patriots. Red Sox have recently won a championship, Celtics are relevant and the Bruins are having one of the best seasons they've had in a while, even better then their Stanley Cup run that ended in a game 7 loss last year. But the biggest sports news to come out of  New England is the departure of one of the greatest QB's of all time. That's right, if you've been living under a rock for the past couple of months, the Golden Boy Tom Brady has left the New England Patriots via Free Agency to a VERY unlikely team in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tom Brady, a 6 time Super Bowl champ, All time win, passing and MVP leader in Patriots history has left for the Tamp Bay Buccaneers. I have tried to comprehend what has happened, and all I can say is thank you. Thank you for all you've done Tom Brady, thank you for all the ups and downs. Thank you for all the championships. Thank you for hard work and dedication you've shown in your time here. Thank you for showing New England what it takes to be a winner. You've put it all out there and walked away a champion. You've earned the right to get paid as a elite QB, to have another team entrust in your abilities. Do I wish you ended your career in New England? absolutely, but not everything has a fairy tail ending. I am not salty, I am not resentful, and I don't hate you or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I am not upset at Bill Belicheck, or Robert Kraft for allowing you to leave.

If anything, it has rejuvenated my faith in the New England Patriots and put the unknown in me. Unknown on how the Patriots will play, the unknown of who the starting QB will be, if BB will prove that he can build a winning team with a bunch of players that went undrafted (again).
I will always be a Tom Brady fan, mainly for what hes done for the organization, I will also be following the Bucs, so I can see how well, or unwell they're doing with our QB.

For the sake of things, I'm not going to touch upon the Rob Gronkowski coming out of retirement to join Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. It's exactly what I would have expected in the year 2020 thus far.

Thank you for reading, I hope to have more posts coming soon.


  

AFC West Predictions

Welcome to the third installment of "Sports Blaggah's" NFL predictions. Today we are going to be looking into the AFC West

Denver Broncos (11-5) Now I know what you're thinking, 11-5 this year?? but they have Peyton Manning now. True but let's remember that this is just my predictions and Peyton hasn't played a actual game in a year. Let's take a look at the signings and some important games.

Mike Adams (S) signed/unrestricted free agent (two-year contract (through 2013)).

Lance Ball (RB) re-signed/exclusive rights free agent.

Peyton Manning (QB) signed (five-year contract (through 2016)).

Wesley Woodyard (LB) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (two-year contract (through 2013)).

Manny Ramirez (G) re-signed/unrestricted free agent.

Andre Caldwell (WR) signed/unrestricted free agent (two-year contract (through 2013)).

Tracy Porter (CB) signed/unrestricted free agent (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Brandon Stokley (WR) signed (one-year contract (through 2012))

Omar Bolden (CB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)

Malik Jackson (DE) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Derek Wolfe (DT) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Danny Trevathan (LB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Philip Blake (C) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Matt Prater (K) re-signed (four-year contract (through 2015)).

John Elway has gone out of his way to get Peyton so I feel that might have hurt them from getting some better FA's but hell he is John Elway so let him do his thing. Here are some of the important games for the Broncos Week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17

Week 1 is against the Steelers (Home)

Week 2 is against the Falcons (Away)

Week 3 is against the Texans (Home)

Week 4 is against the Raiders (Home)

Week 5 is against the Patriots (Away)

Week 6 is against the Chargers (Away)

Week 8 is against the Saints (Home)

Week 11 is against the Chargers (Home) this is the second meeting between these two teams 

Week 12 is against the Chiefs (Away)

Week 14 is against the Raiders (Away) this is the second meeting between these two teams

Week 15 is against the Ravens (Away)

Week 17 is against the Chiefs (Home) this is the second meeting between these two teams

This year is going to be a true test for the Broncos, even with Peyton Manning joining the team. I feel that the Broncos have improved but at the end of the day Tebow isn't here to throw the "hail mary". 

San Diego Chargers (12-4) The Chargers armed with Philip Rivers and a decent defense, the Chargers are setup to make a decent run this year. Lets take a look at their signings and important games.

Jared Gaither (T) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Jarret Johnson (LB) signed/unrestricted free agent (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Kory Sperry (TE) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Le'Ron McClain (RB) signed/unrestricted free agent (three-year contract (through 2014)).

Eddie Royal (WR) signed/unrestricted free agent (three-year contract).

Roscoe Parrish (WR) signed/unrestricted free agent (one-year contract (through 2012))

Luis Castillo (DE) signed (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Micheal Spurlock (WR) signed/unrestricted free agent (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Melvin Ingram (LB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (fifth year option)).

Kendall Reyes (DE) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

David Molk (C) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Ladarius Green (TE) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Johnnie Troutman (G) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Edwin Baker (RB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Garrett Brown (DT) signed (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Arthur Hobbs (CB) signed (three-year contract (through 2014)).

Brandon Taylor (S) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Ronnie Brown (RB) signed/unrestricted free agent (one-year contract (through 2012)).

LaDainian Tomlinson (RB) retired.

The Chargers seem to have all of their needs filled, and a legend called it quits. I am glad that LaDainian Tomlinson went out the same way he came in, classy.

Let's now take a look at the important games, week 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17

Week 1 is against the Raiders (Away)

Week 3 is against the Falcons (Home)

Week 4 is against the Chiefs (Away)

Week 5 is against the Saints (Away)

Week 6 is against the Broncos (Home)

Week 9 is against the Chiefs (Home) this is the second meeting between these two teams 

Week 11 is against the Broncos (Away) this is the second meeting between these two teams 

Week 12 is against the Ravens (Home) 

Week 13 is against the Bengals (Home)

Week 14 is against the Steelers (Away)

Week 16 is against the Jets (Away)

Week 17 is against the Raiders (Home) This is the second meeting between these two teams 

The Chargers are what I like to call "the comeback kings" every year they seem to be so far out but yet always find their way back into the playoff race. This year shouldn't be any different, I see them moving past the Broncos to win the division.

Oakland Raiders (8-8) Let me start off by saying that the Raiders had a pretty decent 2011 (for the Raiders that is) with a veteran and ex NE Patriot Richard Seymour, and veteran Carson Palmer leading the way I think the Raiders will stay .500 for most (if not all) this season. Let's take a look at their signings and their important games 

Ron Bartell (CB) signed (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Mike Brisiel (G) signed/unrestricted free agent (five-year contract (through 2016)).

Khalif Barnes (T) re-signed/unrestricted free agent.

Pat Lee (CB) signed/unrestricted free agent (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Dave Tollefson (DE) signed/unrestricted free agent (two-year contract (through 2013)).

Matt Leinart (QB) signed.

Tyvon Branch (S) re-signed/franchise (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Desmond Bryant (DT) re-signed/restricted free agent (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Jack Crawford (DE) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Christo Bilukidi (DT) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Nate Stupar (LB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Miles Burris (LB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Tyvon Branch (S) re-signed (four-year extension (through 2015)).

Raiders coasted through FA and the Draft so it's tough to really pinpoint their grade on it. 

Here are the Raiders important games,week 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17.

Week 1 is against the Chargers (Home)

Week 3 is against the Steelers (Home)

Week 4 is against the Broncos (Away)

Week 6 is against the Falcons (Away)

Week 8 is against the Chiefs (Away)

Week 10 is against the Ravens (Away)

Week 11 is against the Saints (Home)

Week 12 is against the Bengals (Away) This is going to be a very important game for Carson Palmer, as he will be able to get his sweet revenge against his old team.

Week 14 is against the Broncos (Home) this is the second meeting between these two teams

Week 15 is against the Chiefs (Home) this is the second meeting between these two teams 

Week 17 is against the Chargers (Away) this is the second meeting between these two teams

I have always felt that going to Oakland was a place where the NFL player dies (career wise) but they have seem to actual make themselves into a little force out there in Oakland. Look for the Raiders to make a legit playoff run in the coming years but not this year, as they are still in the "rebuilding" phase.

Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) With a defensive minded coach, Romeo Crennel is sure to whip the Chiefs into form. He defiantly has all the right pieces to succeed (unlike in Cleveland). Let's take a look at the signings and important games shall we?

Stanford Routt (CB) signed (three-year contract (through 2014)).

Amon Gordon (DT) re-signed (two-year extension (through 2013)).

Peyton Hillis (RB) signed/unrestricted free agent (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Kevin Boss (TE) signed/unrestricted free agent (three-year contract (through 2014)).

Eric Winston (T) signed (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Brady Quinn (QB) signed/unrestricted free agent.

Jovan Belcher (LB) re-signed/restricted free agent (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Travis Daniels (CB) re-signed/unrestricted free agent.

Jerome Long (DE) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Junior Hemingway (WR) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Cyrus Gray (RB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Devon Wylie (WR) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Jeff Allen (G) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

De'Quan Menzie (CB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Dominique Ellis (S) signed.

Rich Ranglin (G) signed.

Martin Rucker (TE) signed/unrestricted free agent.

Leon Williams (LB) signed/unrestricted free agent.

Donald Stephenson (T) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015))

I feel the Chiefs did an excellent job filling their holes, now it's time for the important games 

week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17

Week 1 is against the Falcons (Home)

Week 2 is against the Bills (Away)

Week 3 is against the Saints (Away)

Week 4 is against the Chargers (Home)

Week 5 is against the Ravens (Home)

Week 8 is against the Raiders (Home)

Week 9 is against the Chargers (Away) this is the second meeting between these two teams 

Week 10 is against the Steelers (Away)

Week 11 is against the Bengals (Home)

Week 12 is against the Broncos (Home)

Week 15 is against the Raiders (Away) this is the second meeting between these two teams 

Week 17 is against the Broncos (Away) this is the second meeting between these two teams.

The Chiefs have a decent shot at the division this year but between the Broncos, and the Chargers both improving they will most likely fall short. 

What are your thoughts?

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