Yet they are going to win the Super Bowl.

Even though I mock the prediction (and I’m calling it and saying they will not win the Super Bowl this year), I really liked the bravado of Mr. Kalil.  He took out a full page ad in the Charlotte Observer to proclaim his prediction and firmly believes in his teammates.  Despite rebuilding, the team just received resounding support from one of their veteran cornerstones.  Every player in that locker room just went “we can do this!”  I guarantee it.

This guy could be smiling all season long! Source: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Bravado, arrogance, self-confidence, and conceit all have some negative sides too them.  You’re either talking too much, not backing up your talk, looking down your nose at others, or so obsessed with the play you bring that you think you can win games entirely on your own.  Yet there is something refreshing about it all.  It displays the feelings you have about your team and yourself.

Terrell Owens was always fun to watch, not because he was good (which he was) but because he always thought that with the ball in his hands he could score a touchdown.  ”Get your popcorn ready” was as much a proclamation of confidence as saying the team will win a Super Bowl.  The only difference is that TO generally scores a bit more than a center.  While a continual distraction off the field, some of the players who jaw a lot tend to make impacts that are felt across the team, through the season, and into the post-season (they the team gets there).

Elite Eli Manning was able to claim he was elite in a press conference.  We all scoffed. Tom Coughlin’s job was on the hot seat, nobody knew of Victor Cruz, and Brandon Jacobs just was not impressing anybody anymore.  Yet in February it was the Giants hoisting the Lombardi trophy behind a superb season by the younger Manning.

There’s a time and place for self-confidence.  A lot of players confuse that time and place as being whenever they are in front of a microphone.  What is so irksome about Ryan Kalil’s proclamation is that he is not one of those guys.  He does not get in front of the camera each week and tell  everyone to watch him lay a DT on his ass.  He’s a quiet man, does his job very well, and right now he’s got a confidence that is tough to ignore.

Cam Newton is something special and the Panthers are building something great on the East Coast.  Who knows, this year may just be their year.

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

That kiss is blown toward Jacksonville, just in case you were wondering. Source: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

Laurent Robinson, Aaron Ross, even Lee Evans make the Jaguars a considerably more “sexy” team in the eyes of the fans and the league.  Maybe not Kate Upton sexy, but definitely much better looking.  Laurent Robinson isn’t quite Larry Fitzgerald or Julio Jones, but he has some skills, runs his routes well, and fills a very big need for the Jaguars.  Ross adds great depth or starter talent at the outside corner spot, and Evans could have a resurgence as a wide receiver.  That, or he will provide a mentorship role for the younger receivers on the squad (read: every receiver the Jags have).

Definitely not the sexiest free agency period, but combine it with the draft, and suddenly the Jags look like a 10.

Justin Blackmon was the sexiest pick of the draft.  Period.  Andrew Luck and RGIII were all but set at #1 and #2 but neither of them were picked because they were the sexiest player in the class (though RGIII came close), they filled needs for the Colts and Redskins and are very good quarterbacks.  Beyond that, not much.  Trent Richardson is a bruiser, but some questioned whether he should have been a top five or ten pick.  Matt Kalil is a lineman, great pick, but nothing flashy.

Then you have Blackmon.

Seriously, that look is kind of frightening if you're opposite him. WAY too much focus! Source: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

The kid has some serious game.  He catches the ball superbly, he has great body control and balance, and his ability to outplay defenders should not be underestimated.  In college he lit of scoreboards and highlight reels.  He made Brandon Weeden look like an All-Pro quarterback at Oklahoma State.  He has an easy smile, he’s easy to get along with by all accounts, and he has a cool confidence that just oozes out of him whether he is on the field or in a suit doing a presser.

The Jags followed Blackmon up with DE Andre Branch.  Branch is the kind of guy you want on your team because you know that whoever he runs into he is going to punish.  If he doesn’t get to the quarterback, he is going to make the opposing lineman wish he’d switch to the side of the line.  He’ll make the opposition want to take a breather.  Not the top ranked defensive end or defensive line talent in the draft, Branch looks and acts the part of a top NFL talent.  Watch some of his college tape, he’s got a sexiness that is only seen on the field.

Even if you don’t like picks 3-6 (we didn’t have a fourth rounder), the first two plus free agency will bring some serious attention to Jacksonville.  Maybe this year the Jags won’t be the small market team experiencing fan loyalty problems in Flordia.

Maybe this year the Jags are bringing sexy back (yeah).

- Luke N. Sims

Photo: Bob Rosato/SI

Well Jag fans, it looks to be an almost certainty that the Jaguars are out of the playoff race and unless Gabbert just begins to get it after the bye, they are definitely out. However, don’t look at this as a bad thing. We all knew that as soon as Garrard was cut, McCown bombed and Gabbert took the reins, that the season was in jeopardy. We knew a rookie QB was more then likely going to struggle, but little did we know how much. Now, it isn’t all his fault and I’m not the only one to think this (see: Country, Big Cat), but its obvious Gabbert and the offense need some help. So let’s stay upbeat and take a look ahead at the schedule and potential matches for the Jaguars in next years draft.  (more…)