2013 NFL PREDICTIONS

Before the blink of an eye, the NFL is only a matter of weeks away. For us baseball fans, I know it's hard to wrap our heads around the pigskin, considering that many teams are still competing for an October playoff spot. As much as we don't want to see the boys of summer end, the gridiron gang of fall is right around the corner. There's a great deal to look forward to in the NFL, such as the defending champ Ravens squad rebuilding or the Denver Broncos preparing for a chance at the Lombardi Trophy. Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick are two QB names that stand out in the NFC, as both the Seahawks and 49ers will fight for a division title. I've only mentioned four of thirty-two teams, and trust me, many other teams have an opportunity to make some noise this season. Here are my 2013 Bold Predictions, and even though it's August, are you ready for some football? Weekly NY Giants posts will be on the Giants tab on the homepage.

A-Rodmageddon

As the world knows, Alex Rodriguez has been suspended by Major League Baseball for 211 games, extending throughout the 2014 regular season. After listening to the press conference, both manager Joe Girardi and A-Rod's answers were black and white. The reporters attempted to press A-Rod's buttons with questions, but did not receive adequate responses. Rodriguez plans to appeal the suspension, a process that can last up to a maximum twenty-five days, as then it can be brought to an arbitrator which also last twenty-five days at the most. As of right now, Rodriguez can theoretically be active playing third base for the Yanks for fifty days.

Now, I don't feel like getting into the gorey details of this debacle, because to be blunt, I don't care. If you don't know the details by now from television, newspapers, or the radio, well you must live under a rock. Between the interviews and press conferences, Rodriguez has left our minds puzzled, which evidently suspects us to believe a banned substance was once is his body. According to Rodriguez, "There will be a time and place for this discussion", which questions my opinion on what information he can publicly address. The man is innocent to proven guilty, and regardless to the animosity and speculation, the guy has never physically failed a drug test. There is still no hard evidence that he is a cheater. Period.

Not only are the Yankees dealing with their own "wild card" wearing number thirteen in uniform, but the team remains only 4.5 games out of the second AL Wild Card position.  Rodriguez is in the lineup batting clean-up tonight in Chicago for the very first time since Game 4 of the 2012 American League Championship Series against Detroit. With the Yanks having the worst batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage at the hot corner in the entire league this season, it is only an upgrade to bring back Alex. Who knows what is in store for him this week. Nevertheless, an A-Rod hitting .240 with a few homers and a dozen RBI is a greater trade off than placing David Adams or Brent Lillibridge at third base.

As Yankee fans, we all love the attention that the media reports on the club. Popularity sells the product, but at this moment, I have hated the reports because of negative perspectives from analysts and fans. The days of Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire as the face of steroids have faded away, as A-Rod has taken the helm as the king. No player in the history of the game has been suspended for this length in regards to non-gambling misconduct. At this point, it's a win-win for the Yankees office. A-Rod either:  A.) plays the remainder of the 2013 season or  B.) will be denied the appeal. If the appeal is not granted, nearly twenty-seven million dollars will be returned to the Yankees next season, as that is the annual salary for Rodriguez in the upcoming season. Hopefully that money is not spent on attempting to keep Robbie Cano next year (I think it's best to let him test the market).

A-Rod is the "Reggie Jackson of the 2000s". Mr. October may not have taken steroids, but he was the ringleader of the Bronx Zoo, and it took nearly thirty-five years for A-Rod to bring the havoc back to the zoo once again. Bronx Zoo, meet "A-Rodmageddon".