NFL Weekly Hits

Dates, Countdowns, Moves & Movies

Hawaii swapped for Arizona, one college dominates on the courts, Draft Day premier and draftee predictions continue, all a few of this weeks quick hits.  NFL announced that the 2015 Pro Bowl is going west for a year to Glendale, but back to the islands in 2016.  One week before SB49, The Pro Bowl is slated to be in Arizona at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday January 25, 2015.  It’s the first time since 2010 that the same venue will host both.

In other sports

Hoops to start, UCONN athletes dominates in all genders The Huskies take home their 4^th NCAA Championship in 16 years one day later the women finish 40-0 and clinch their 9^th title. It’s safe to say that UCONN has dynamite Basketball Program.  Congrats to all the Huskies! All the while Kentucky head coach, John Calipari is pursued by one of the biggest notable franchises in the NBA. The diamond is up and running full force with 150 plus or minus regular seasons games remaining barely making a dent into the long hall of a season. America’s past time is here, quote-un-quote, baseball is in full swing!

To the Draft

But hold your horses!! May 8-10 is less than a month away; yes the long anticipated NFL Draft is just around the corner. What we know is who has the first 3 picks , at least at the moment,             1. Texans 2. Rams 3. Jaguars.   But who'll be the first 3 picks? Trying to predict a teams picks is almost like guessing how many jelly beans are in a bowl, you can get ball park close but in actuality it simply a ton of predictions. Mock drafts, predictions vs. needs, through in trades, phone calls, coaches vs. GM’s, the saying “Your guess is as good as mine” has a lot of validity.

J.C. Copeland, Nationals MVP at NFLPA Bowl ©desireeastorga

But as always quote un quote it's a QB driven league btw I hate that I’m a minority I like defensive low scoring battles, smash mouth football. The role of the almost forgotten full back breaks my heart. People said that Ladainian Tomlinson had lost it after averaging 1,546 yards a year with 91 TDs in the 5 years that Lorenzo Neal was leading him and after that 1,100 and 11 TDs while Drew Pinnock paving lanes, but they failed to address the loss of a fullback, sure they had a “FB” truly a halfback, not a true FB, along with the loss of the O line. There has to be a run! I did pre-warn you! With that rant out of the way, I reached out to former NFL QB and current college analyst, Kevin O'Connell and asked him my random unpopular question, FB's?

@desiree_astorga if I have the pick I'm picking @GoAztecs Chad Young....I know scouts like J.C. Copeland from LSU and Jay Prosch from Auburn
— Kevin O'Connell (@KevOC7) April 10, 2014

Craig "Buster" Davis #FBF 2007 Chargers Rd 1 pick Photo ©desireeastorga.com

You can’t predict the multiple phone calls deals & trades going on even minutes before a pick, just like you can’t pick the bust either.

#FBF Chargers first pick in the 2007 draft was Craig "Buster" Davis, who inevitably was plagued with injuries. Following him at #30 were Sydney Rice and Steve Smith.  Coaches want to get the best 53 players on their football program, period, point blank, but picking the winning choice is a multi dimensional one that is much like a chess match throw in a little fortune telling to and you might be close.

Rams GM Les Snead, “I think the way to get it right is you make the right decision for the organization, and I like to say you make the best decision long term because the short term is by definition short—it won’t last as long,” Snead said. “But because this draft is really good, it’s a good chance for us to take some shots with picks in this draft to improve the team. Not only tomorrow and opening day, but also four and five years down the road.”

Changing positions? Recently the conversation came up with 2 draft prospects, 6’6” 260 pd Logan Thomas from Virginia Tech, who had a 35 vertical jump and ran a 4.6 flat at the Combine a few teams having him out to be a TE. Also, Troy’s 6’1” 208 pd QB, Corey Robinson whom at 30-32 broke Steve Sarkasian’s NCAA record for completions last season, Robinson is being sought after as a WR. I tend to think of Tim Tebow someone I never saw fit to be a QB but had an amazing magical precedence, leadership and a TE/RB physique. I think these assets could of brought a long-term spot as a TE on a roster for him. Is this what Teams scouts are seeing? Or am I completely of base?

Draft Day coming to a theatre near you......Friday!

No, its not May 8^th yet and your not in New York, you remember all the movie PR going nuts at all week at SB48, well the long anticipated premier of Draft Day is here, Friday April 11.  Rookie screenwriter Rajiv Joseph makes his film debut, starring no other than Kevin Costner. It's actually bizarre how much football media has covered the movie,

” Costner talks new film” – ESPN.

Talking sports movies with Kevin Costner this week on Unguarded. Great stuff on what he thought the… http://t.co/omqGkXLxnt
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 9, 2014

Latest edition of @TheEisenPodcast now available with the star of Draft Day, Kevin Costner: http://t.co/tJsHbbdV4E
— NFL Media PR (@InsideNFLMedia) April 9, 2014

Finally an extended happy 78th birthday wish to the one and only John Madden, HOFer, legend, Super Bowl Champ and my favorite all time color analyst.
I always dreamed to work with him and Al Michaels on MNF and wipe away his wax diagram and ask what about this John, as I took his wax crayon and did my own diagram.
Thanks for running around with me for a few minutes, only fitting to leave you with this.

“Coaches have to watch for what they don't want to see and listen to what they don't want to hear.” John Madden

Desiree

Photographer, producer, host, reporter, radio & TV, One-man-army, artist, skateboarder Time out with Desiree, the silver linings -An optimistic realist with intermittent football tourettes all the while searching for the 3rd dimension. TheDesireeSHOW

 

JAMEIS WINSTON, THE 78TH HEISMAN WINNER HAS BIGGER DREAMS

The most prestigious award in college football goes to Jameis Winston whose eyes are set on much much more; The NFL, MLB and Florida State.

Filled with determination, confidence, humility and a sparkle in his eye, the 78th Heisman winner becomes the youngest to date, the second freshman, the 3rd seminole, a dual athlete and a desire to be better than Bo.

Jameis Winston joins Florida State's Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke on the Heisman List with 79.20% of the vote. The 19 year old dons the honor 23 days shy of his birthday. But don't think for a moment that he's putting down his glove, bat or his books. He has a vision and his heart is set on more .

"Education's always first thing," Winston said. "So when people keep asking, 'Jameis, are you leaving next year?' and all this stuff, I say, 'I need my education.' That's what it's really about."

The outfielder and relief pitcher already was drafted in 2012 in the 15th round to The Texas Rangers, but decided to stay in college. He continues to play both for FSU.

"I don't feel I can play football without baseball," Winston said. "I don't feel I can play baseball without football."

He is encouraged by FSU Head Football Coach Jimbo Fisher stating he has no problem with his star quarterback's plan to play baseball. In fact, he thinks it might help create a diversion from all the hype that will follow him winning the Heisman.

With a select group of dual Athletes, specifically NFL/MLB connection he stands a good chance to join an exceptional list. Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders , John Elway, Dan Marino, Jack Del Rio, Ronnie Brown, Bill Parcell's and even more recent Jake Locker, Colin Kaepernick, Brandon Weedon, Matt Moore and Brandon Jones.

The 6' 4" Alabama native holds Bo Jackson, the 51st Heisman Winner, in the highest esteem. Ironically Winston and his 13-0 Seminoles will meet Jackson's alma mater, the Tigers (12-1) in the BCS Championship game on his 20th birthday, January 6th, 2013 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

"He's a way better athlete than I ever will be," Winston said. "But hopefully I can be to his standard one day. Hopefully I can be better than Bo."

No possible way not to mention, Seminole's two time super bowl champ Deion Sanders, who also chimed in on Twitter

DeionSanders ‏@DeionSanders14 Dec
Yes Jamies Winston wins the Heisman. #FlaState Truth

Deion who in 1989 hit a home run in the majors and scored a TD in the NFL in the same week. Sanders also drafted in high school chose Florida State and was drafted again by the Yankees in 1988. He is the only man to play in both the Super Bowl and the World Series.

"Football is my wife and baseball is my mistress." Sanders

And with the Auburn Tigers in the talks, I can't omit Ronnie Brown, the outfielder also Drafted out of high school to the Seattle Mariners, opted to pick school, the college experience and play football at Auburn, but told me "baseball was really my first sport."  Brown continues to play in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers.

Congratulations Jameis!!
With a good head on his shoulders, strong team of mentors and drive, he is sure to make his dreams come to life. I, for one, am looking forward to watching that happen.


Desiree Astorga
Photographer, Reporter, Producer, Host; TV/Radio
Time out with Desiree, the silver linings
An optimistic realist with intermittent football turrets all the while searching for the 3rd dimension.
The DesireeSHOW

HOLD OUT PANS OUT FOR BREES

Drew Brees patience paid off in one hundred million, ten year contract.

Today he signed the biggest contract in the NFL.

MLB contracts that have loomed above us, A-Rod, ($275 Million for 10 years) and Alex Pujols $240 Million 10 year, now almost pale as the leading QB statistically has now set a new bar.  

Guaranteed 60 million for the 1st three seasons and $40 million for the 2012 season commencing Monday.

Now, remember professional baseball players play 161 games a season. 

NFL players play 16 games in the regular season.

So many looming rumors of his somehow attachment to the "Bounty Games",  that occurred in New Orleans, now just go the waysides....

Congratulations Mr. Brees, average salary $20M, (2012)

Followed by;

2. Peyton Manning: $19.2M (2012)3. (tie) Tom Brady: $18M (2010)3. (tie) Peyton Manning: $18M (2011)5. Julius Peppers: $16.7M (2009)6. Mario Williams $16.67M (2012)7. Eli Manning: $16.25M (2009)8. Calvin Johnson: $16.21M (2012)9. Carson Palmer: $16.17M (2005)10. Larry Fitzgerald: $16.14M (2011)

At least New Orleans has their QB locked in!

All a great buzz that the season is starting!!

Football is HERE!

www.desireeastorga.com

6/15/2011 GETTING MY OWN SHOW ON KKSM 1320AM

Exciting news, will have my own show on KKSM 1320 am.
The new venture starts next week- I'm slotted for Thursday afternoon.

My show will cover sports and the arts, exactly what I'm all about.

NFL players to Pro Skaters, BMX riders, Raleigh Racers and back to MLB players with senior writers who cover MLB, Chargers, NFL, Skateboarding to name a few-  From ditches to fields to studios and homes.

Along with artists attached to sports, from Craig Stecyk to Ed Templeton, to Marvel Comics genius Mark Chiarella.

Please take a listen.