Good blog post about Kaepernick

Former Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick could be the one who benefits the most from the recent quarterback events with the San Francisco 49ers.

Here’s a good blog post about Kap and how he’s ready to step into the starting role when called upon. I’m sure all the Nevada fans would love to see Kaepernick start this season. Head coach Jim Harbaugh is undeniably good at developing quarterbacks. And, Kap sitting a year will do him some good. This is a team with a great defense and numerous weapons on offense, including Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Mario Manningham, Michael Crabtree and Randy Moss.

Colin’s ready that’s for sure. He’s got the right mentality. There might be a few growing pains early on, but remember Big Ben won a Super Bowl in his second year.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Report: Manning to Broncos

Multiple media outlets are reporting that Peyton Manning wants to go into negotiations with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are reportedly going to try and trade Tim Tebow.

I think Manning is making a mistake here. I think San Francisco would have been a much  better fit. The Niners are already close to being a Super Bowl team. Put Manning on that roster with Wayne, Frank Gore and that defense? I shudder to think how good they could be. Thankfully, Manning’s going to the Broncos. Denver’s a lot farther off from being a Super Bowl team than San Fran. Can you even name any of their receivers?

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Dolphins trade Brandon Marshall

The Miami Dolphins appear to be gearing up for a serious run at signing Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne. The Fins traded talented and troubled wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears for three third round picks.

For Miami, it clears cap space. Marshall reunite with Jay Cutler on the Bears that features Matt Forte but almost no other weapons (aside from Devin Hester’s returns). It could be a good move for the Bears, but I doubt it. I think most receivers (cough cough, Randy Moss and T.O.) have shown that talent doesn’t outweigh being a troubling force in the locker room.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

 

Colts and Peyton Manning part ways

It’s official. The Indianapolis Colts released Peyton Manning today. Jim U=Irsay appeared at a press conference with Manning announcing the decision.

I understand why the Colts came to this decision. Manning’s injury leaves a lot of risk. He’s 36, And former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is apparently the best thing since sliced bread and all theirs for the taking.

If I were the Colts, I’d be praying that Manning doesn’t play another down of football. They better pray that Manning can’t throw the ball well anymore, that he lost some of his ability during the layoff. Because if he can and Manning goes to another team and makes them a contender and even win a Super Bowl, the Colts will look like idiots. I know you have the “quarterback of the century” coming up from Stanford. But in the NFL, there are no guarantees. And Manning built that franchise, much like Brett Favre revived the Packers. Trust me, there’s no worse feeling than seeing your former franchise quarter succeed with another team. This might be the “right” decision in their minds, but this is a mistake. Manning will play again. I think he does have at least another couple years of great football left in him. The Colts’ problems go far beyond just the quarterback and coach. And, as great as Luck supposedly is, he’s no Peyton Manning and he won’t be as good as Peyton Manning, at least early on in his career.

McIlroy-Woods just what golf needs

This was almost the perfect scenario for golf on Sunday. Rory McIlroy had the lead in the final round of the Honda Classic, a chance to become the No. 1 player in the world was at stake. Then, a couple groups ahead of him, cheers and more cheers. Former No. 1 player Tiger Woods in the midst of a final round 62 to get to 10-under for the tournament, including finishing birdie-eagle on the final two holes. I desperately wanted a Tiger-Rory playoff. The drama would be perfect. It’d be one of those events I’d stop whatever I was doing to tune in.

Alas, Rory held off Tiger for a two-shot victory. Good news for golf, McIlroy needs to be the No. 1 player and he needs to hold on to it. He’s been playing very well and very consistently, excluding the collapse he had at the Masters. He has the charisma and the image to be golf’s new golden boy. Even better news for golf? Woods looks close to putting his game together. Sunday showed why you can’t forget about him. He gets on a run like that for a tournament, the other players better just get out of the way. Woods still transcends the game, he can still draw in the viewers. How do you get more people to watch on Sunday? Woods and McIlroy neck in neck, battling for a tournament, or even better, a major. Roger Federer had Rafael Nadal. Mohammad Ali had Joe Frazier. Sports are that much better with rivalries. Think of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady facing off in the playoffs.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Report: Peyton cleared to play

ESPN is reporting that Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning has been medially cleared to play. You can read their story here. According to the story, one source told Manning that “if you were my son, I’d tell you to play.”

Obviously, some big news for Manning. The story reports that Manning was told to continue a rehabilitation program. The question will be if and when Manning returns to the high level of play that led him to sign a $28 million per season contract. The Colts and Manning’s future together is still unclear, but this is a big hurdle that Manning has apparently overcome in his attempt to come back from his neck injury.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

NFL quarter-season review

So we’re four weeks into the NFL season. Here are my thoughts about what we’ve seen so far.

Being a Packers fan, things are certainly looking good right now. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers seems to be taking his game to an even higher level from last season’s playoffs. The defense, while losing Nick Collins is a big hit, is still playing solidly enough to get the job done. And running back James Starks looks to be taking over Ryan Grant’s role.

The Lions are finally experiencing success and have yet to lose a game. One thing is for sure, this ain’t your father’s Lions. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is staying healthy, Calvin Johnson is dominating and the defensive line is arguably the best in the league. However, outside of Johnson, the Lions don’t really have a great offensive weapon and getting behind in all these games is going to eventually catch up with Detroit. It needs to start games better or the losses will begin to come.

The Eagles’ supposed “dream team” has been anything but. From blowing leads to Michael Vick complaining (or just putting it out there as he said) about the refs, this team is off to a disappointing 1-3 start. Well, Philly, in a division where there’s no dominant team you’re still in it. But, don’t expect any miracles and they will be in a dogfight (pardon the pun) to make the playoffs this season.

Since when did the Patriots become so one-sided? Isn’t Bill supposed to be a genius defensively? Right now, I could pass against New England’s secondary. Tom Brady is nice, Wes Welker even better, but until they get something resembling an NFL defense, New England will fizzle again come playoffs time.

Does the Colts 0-4 start mean Peyton Manning should win the MVP award again?

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Colts add veteran quarterback

The Indianapolis Colts have been telling us all along that quarterback Peyton Manning will be all ready to go for the team’s season-opener against the Houston Texans. But, just in case, the team added veteran quarterback Kerry Collins.

Here’s the thing. The Colts knew about Manning’s injury all along, obviously. Why not add Collins before the final two preseason games? It was obvious the other QBs on your roster, Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovsky and undrafted rookie Mike Hartline weren’t going to get the job done in case Manning couldn’t go. So you wait until now when Collins has to learn a new offense, and has just two preseason games to prepare? I know Manning’s injury, at least they want us to think, isn’t serious at all and, at most, he might just miss the first game of the season, breaking his consecutive start streak. But, if you feel you need to bring in a veteran quarterback this close to the season, I think something is more serious than they’re letting on.

Lukas Eggen can be  reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.