Let’s get this out of the way: I’m a Detroit Lions fan.  At my own risk, I watch all sixteen Lions games of each NFL season. I am biased.

But let’s define “biased” in this situation. See, “biased” is typically thought of as positively favoring something. Not here. Definitely not here. If anything, I am negatively biased towards the Detroit Lions; I am cynical. I am a much, much harsher critic of the Lions than I am of other teams. They simply leave me no other choice. Year after year the fans, those who have been taught to follow the Lions since birth, just feel it – whatever it is (it’s false hope).

Then fans make a prediction: the Lions will make the playoffs (for the love of whomever or whatever you worship, please don’t even mention Super Bowl). The prediction is made because each year the Lions bring a talented group of players into the pre-season – a hungry group comprised of veteran free agents and raw rookies, all sought after and signed to a squad in need. But when the season is over, it always seems our eyes were much bigger than their stomachs.

2012

Calvin Johnson’s record-setting numbers were a product of an unbalanced offense.

The team’s 4-12 record in 2012 wasn’t caused by a lack of talent. Not entirely. It was an implosion. Of injuries, of stubbornness, of gameplans, of mechanics, of off-the-field drama, of unmet predictions and untapped potential.

These numbers tell the story:

• Minus-16 turnover margin. It wasn’t often the Lions would blitz a linebacker, safety or cornerback. Instead, defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham too often sent only four players each snap (the overhyped defensive line, which was met by five offensive lineman and a tight end staying in to block) and dropped the other seven (including alligator-armed, run-stopping MLB Stephen Tulloch) into zone coverage to be gouged by quarterbacks and receivers who took what the defense gave. Result: an exhausted defense and little time left on the clock.

• Twenty-third in rushing (4.1 yards/carry). Running back Mikel LeShoure, whether due to injury or lack of conditioning, did not possess the explosion required to keep defenses honest. Joique Bell added a different element to the running attack, a more elusive element, but still not enough to be a game-changer. There was no true threat. Result: see immediately below.

• 727 pass attempts (NFL record by QB Matthew Stafford) This is attributed to the lack of running game and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan’s scheme, which has quarterback Stafford on pace to throw out his shoulder by age 30. It’s true that Stafford has an elite arm and that it should be used. However, one should score more than 20 passing touchdowns when throwing that often. Result: see immediately below.

• 1,964 receiving yards (NFL record by WR Calvin Johnson) The dude’s an animal. I get that. Regardless of rounded-off slant routes and several mistimed drops near the endzone, Johnson put up stellar numbers because of the Lions’ propensity to throw the ball, his athleticism and the lack of receiving corps the Lions have. Like Stafford, the rare gifts Calvin Johnson possesses should be utilized. But, when he is responsible for nearly 40 percent of the team’s receiving yards and the next guy in line posts 59 receptions for 567 yards (TE Brandon Pettigrew), it concerns me.

The fix

Without even mentioning the (lack of) special teams in 2012, this is a lot to address. Right? Yes and no. Yes because the culmination of all that went wrong created that implosion. But no because, if nothing else, the Lions have one thing going for them: they will stick to their guns.

While the coaching staff has been reported to be on the hot seat, the big four in charge (general manager Martin Mayhew, head coach Jim Schwartz, Linehan and Cunningham) are still in Detroit, and seem to still be on the same page, wanting to pass the ball and rush the passer.

So, what’s the fix? Well, I’m going to sound like a true Lions fan here, but I believe the moves this offseason will be pivotal to the progression of the Lions.They have let go of players they needed to and have brought in players that should be able to exceed the holes the departures have left.

Key departures

DE Kyle Vanden Bosch

DE Cliff Avril

DT Corey Williams

WR Titus Young

LT Jeff Backus

Key additions

Reggie Bush could open up an element of the Lions’ offense that has been missing without Jahvid Best.

RB Reggie Bush

DE Ziggy Ansah

CB Darius Slay

G Larry Warford

S Glover Quin

Reggie Bush is the most popular addition and for good reason — he can give the Lions what running back Jahvid Best was supposed to: big play capability with both the running and passing game. Ansah may take some time to reach his full potential, but in a simple defensive scheme maybe – like Jason Pierre-Paul – he won’t. Warford will add a run-blocking presence to a rather pedestrian offensive line mostly in place to protect Stafford, while Slay and Quin add depth to an injury-prone secondary designed to let free safety Louis Delmas roam the middle of the field.

On paper, it can be argued that the Lions have made significant strides in attaining what it will take to compete for a playoff spot in the NFC. Yet there is a concern of mine that has not been addressed.

The CJ complex

The Lions will be better off and maybe make the playoffs if Johnson has 90 receptions and 1,300 yards – not 120 and 1,900. That means the other receivers (Nate Burleson, Ryan Broyles, Tony Scheffler,Pettigrew, Bush) stepped up, for once.

Assuming the Lions, by attempting 45 passes per game, will be able to score points quickly, the receiving corps needs to focus on eating up the clock and moving the chains. It’s crucial if they’re not willing to place the fate of the contest in Bush, LeShoure or Bell’s hands and legs.

Playoffs?!

Too many stars need to align for the Lions to make the playoffs. The Lions play in a tough division and the NFC, in general, is full of great teams. The San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons all are as close to shoe-ins to the NFL playoffs as possible, which leaves one spot open for whichever NFC East team wins the division.

While the chances are slim, I’d like to think the Lions have enough in their favor to make a run. At what, I don’t know, but I’d like to.  I’d really like to.

2013 prediction: 8-8

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins

What makes this match-up so intriguing is both teams have limited knowledge of each other. The last time these teams met was Oct. 15, 2011, with the Bruins winning in a shootout. Chicago has had home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs and it has been just that, posting a 9-1 record at United Center. Chicago’s offense will be a big element to this series with four players with six or more goals this postseason. Patrick Kane is on fire as of late. He had a hat trick in game 5 against the Kings which gave him four goals in the final two games of the series. Adding to the firepower of the Blackhawks is left wing Bryan Bickell, who had points in all five games against the defending champions. The Blackhawks’ offense must stay aggressive and attack the net if Chicago is to hoist the cup.

On the other side of the puck, the Bruins did nothing but shock the world to make it to the Cup Finals. Boston took the best team in the NHL and made them look like amateurs. Just like Pittsburgh, Chicago has a high-octane offense. Boston swept the Penguins with stout defense and superb goaltending by Tuukka Rask. Rask allowed only two goals in the four-game series against Pittsburgh. His save percentage has been near perfect and he posted two shutouts against the potent Pens. If that hasn’t impressed you, in game three against Pittsburgh, Rask racked up 53 saves. It wasn’t just Rask, though. Boston’s defense absolutely overpowered Pittsburgh’s offense, which is exactly needs to happen for the Bruins to end the series with champagne.

Unfortunately for Bruins fans,it ends here. Boston made a brilliant run this postseason, but Chicago’s offense has too many weapons to stop. I expect a seven-game series, with the Blackhawks showing the Cup off to its hometown fans at the end of game seven.

Prediction: Chicago in 7

Schedule:

Game 1- Wednesday, June 12in Chicago
Game 2- Saturday, June 15 in Chicago
Game 3- Monday, June 17 in Boston
Game 4- Wednesdy, June 19 in Boston
Game 5- Saturday, June 22 in Chicago
Game 6- Monday, June 24 in Boston
Game 7- Wednesday, June 26 in Chicago

Jake Locker – Tennessee Titans

Even though Locker has been injury prone, the former first-round pick is on the hot seat this season. When Tennessee drafted Locker they saw a big bodied, athletic and strong-armed QB who could be their future. Locker’s career record as a starting QB is 4-7, with all four wins coming against teams that did not make the playoffs. Locker has shown that he is athletic, running for 347 yards on 49 carries, an average of 7.08 per rush attempt. What really impressed Tennessee was his strong arm, which has been missing; Locker has had only two 300-plus yard games and seven games with fewer than 200 yards. Locker has 14 career touchdowns and has yet to have a three-TD game. Based on its schedule, the Titans do not have an easy path to the playoffs. If wind up with a top-10 pick in the 2014 draft, it may look at drafting a QB. Locker will need to have a stellar, injury-free, year to solidify himself as a franchise QB.

Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In the 2009 NFL Draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Josh Freeman with the 17thpick. Tampa Bay was hoping that he would be the key to getting the Buccaneers back into the playoffs. Freeman has started three and a half seasons; his record during that span is 24-32. He has been as mediocre as mediocre gets in his career: completing 58.7 percent of his passes, posting a 78-63 TD-INT ratio and a 79.8 QB rating. The only defense I have of Freeman is that he hasn’t necessarily had the best weapons around him. Either way, Freeman has been inconsistent his whole career and has yet to make the playoffs. With this being his fourth season as a starter, expect a lot of pressure on him to lead this team to the postseason. Otherwise, expect Tampa Bay to be looking for a different option next offseason.

Christian Ponder – Minnesota Vikings

Ponder was drafted by Minnesota with the 12^th pick in the 2011 draft and most experts thought it was a stretch for the former Florida State QB. Minnesota had a great season last year, going 10-6 and making the playoffs, mainly on the shoulders of Adrian Peterson. All Ponder had to do was not screw anything up and let Peterson score. He is never going to be a gun-slinger who throws for 4,000-plus yards and 30 touchdowns, but he can become a great game manager. What impressed me most about Ponder is he had eight games last season without an interception. The reason he is on the hot seat is this is a playoff-caliber team. If the Vikings fail to make it this year expect Ponder to lose his starting job. All Ponder has to do is play small-ball and limit the turnovers. He had only 12 interceptions last season and if he can keep that number at or below 12 this season, the Vikes can make another run for the playoffs.

Matt Schaub – Houston Texans

In 2007 the Texans traded two second round picks to Atlanta for Schaub, a former third-round pick of the Falcons. The Texans have become one of the top teams in the AFC with Schaub at the helm and are in a “win-now” mindset. Schaub’s record with Houston is 44-36 and 19-7 during the last two seasons. Schaub has thrown for more than 4,000 yards three times (2009, 2010 and 2012) while posting a QB rating higher than 90 over his last five seasons. In order for the Texans to lift the Lombardi trophy, it needs Schaub to step up in big games against the elite. Last year Schaub was 3-4 against playoff teams and 1-1 in the playoffs. He is a top-15 QB, but if the Texans want to elevate their game he will need to push himself into the top 10. This season will be a huge deciding factor for Schaub, anything short of the Super Bowl is a loss.

Ryan Tannehill – Miami Dolphins

I felt the Dolphins reached for former Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Tannehill posted a 7-9 record in his first season as Miami’s starter. He was limited by the lack of talent around him and none of his stats were jaw-dropping in his first season. He had one 300-plus yard game, a 12-13 TD-INT ratio and a 76.1 QB rating. This year the Dolphins have done nothing but impress in the off-season. Wideouts Mike Wallace and Brian Gibson join the re-signed Brian Hartline – moves that should improve Tannehill’s numbers. If those numbers don’t improve, the Dolphins brass could be looking for a new QB.

Could the Mavs be #1?

With the bitterness and animosity swirling in Seattle around the loss of the Sonics, I thought we could take a look at the NBA teams who won’t be getting relocated any time soon. In this statistical analysis we use each team’s ability to fill their home arena (ESPN average percentage of capacity) over the last four years. We did this to eliminate the obvious advantage for teams with larger capacity facilities. We used only teams that ranked in the top 10 in attendance in any of the past four seasons.

Amazingly, there are three teams in the NBA that averaged above their arena’s capacity over the past four years combined; one team over capacity in each of the last four seasons. As I compiled these stats I wondered…how could that be? How does a NBA team average more than their capacity (i.e 104.7%). Then I realized there is something known as “standing-room”, and these three teams have so much NBA clout with their fans they have up to 3,000 people standing to watch a game. The three teams who averaged over capacity the last four years? Come on, I’m not gonna spoil it for you…

#10 San Antonio Spurs (AT&T Center)

4-Year Attendance: 98.6%
Capacity: 18,581
Year Opened: 2002
Cost: $237 Million
4-Year Team Record: 58-24, 50-16, 61-21, 52-32 (221-93) .704%
Franchise: Tim Duncan

This year’s Eastern Conference champs have the best four-year record on our list, yet come in at #10. After winning 50+ games the last four years one might have thought they should have ranked higher, but it seems the small market franchise is not getting its money’s worth from their fans.

#9 New York Knicks (Madison Square Garden)

4-Year Attendance: 98.7%
Capacity: 19,033
Year Opened: 1968
Cost: $1.16 Billion (includes 2 renovations 1991 & 2012)
4-Year Team Record: 54-28, 36,30, 42-40, 29-53 (161-151) .516%
Franchise Player: Carmelo Anthony

The rejuvenation of the New York Knickerbockers 2013 NBA squad, who won 54 games and the Atlantic Division Title, couldn’t have come at a better time. The franchise just sank $980 million into the renovation of the aging yet iconic MSG, and will look to recoup some of that cost quickly by filling some very expensive seats.

#8 Miami Heat (American Airlines Arena)

4-Year Attendance: 98.8%
Capacity: 19,600
Year Opened: 1999
Cost: $294 Million
4-Year Team Record: 66-16, 46-20, 58-24, 47-35 (217-95) .696%
Franchise Player: LeBron James

The Heat enjoyed a pretty significant spike in attendance with the arrival of the “big three” in 2011. The Heat jumped from 90.5% to 100.9% from 2010 to 2011, raising attendance more the 10%. Throw out 2010 and the Heat would easily be in the top 5 in NBA attendance.

#7 Boston Celtics (TD Garden)

4-Year Attendance: 99.4%
Capacity: 18,624
Year Opened: 1995
Cost: $241 Million
4-Year Team Record: 41-40, 39-27, 56-26, 50-32 (186-125) .598%
Franchise Player: Paul Pierce

The Celtics have been ultra-consistent in filling the seats with exactly 100% of their arena filled in each of the last three seasons. Although the last two seasons have been down years for the once mighty Champs, the diehard Boston fans continue to flock to the Garden.

#6 Orlando Magic (Amway Center)

4-Year Attendance: 99.5%
Capacity: 18,846
Year Opened: 2010
Cost: $505 Million
4-Year Team Record: 20-62, 37-29, 52-30, 59-23 (168-144) .538%
Franchise Player: Jameer Nelson

How does the worst team in the NBA in 2013 rank in the top 10 in attendance over the last four years? Well this year’s attendance took a massive dip at 93.4%, however the three years previous Magic fans attended in force (102.1%, 102.6%, 100%). They will likely plummet off this list with another season like 2013, despite their glorious shiny new arena.

#5 Oklahoma City Thunder (Chesapeake Energy Arena)

Year Attendance: 99.7%
Capacity: 18,203
Year Opened: 2002
Cost: $224 Million
4-Year Team Record: 60-22, 47-19, 55-27, 50-32 (212-100) .679%
Franchise Player: Kevin Durant

Sonics fans may not like this, but since the franchise moved to OKC…the team has flourished. OKC has a franchise player in Kevin Durant who is also the new face of the NBA. The Thunder has had no issue filling seats, having 100% attendance the last two years. A fun, fast paced, and exciting style of play combined with a championship caliber squad…lands them in our top 5.

#4 Los Angeles Lakers (Staples Center)

4-Year Attendance: 99.7%
Capacity: 19,060
Year Opened: 1999
Cost: $517 Million
4-Year Team Record: 45-37, 41-25, 57-25, 57-25 (200-112) .641%
Franchise Player: Kobe Bryant

Say what you will about Lakers fans, but they show up to the arena with incredible regularity. For four straight years they’ve had 99.7% of the famous Staples Arena packed with rabid Laker fans. It will be interesting to see if the trend continues with the end of Kobe Bryant’s career in sight.

#3 Portland Trailblazers (Rose Garden)

4-Year Attendance: 100.8%
Capacity: 20, 636
Year Opened: 1995
Cost: $395 Million
4-Year Team Record: 33-49, 28-38, 48-34, 50-32 (159-153) .510%
Franchise Player: LaMarcus Aldridge

Blazers fans have to be the most impressive on our list. Granted there isn’t a whole lot going on sports wise in Portland, Blazer fans dedication is still impressive. With the lowest winning percentage on our list at barely .500% and no real franchise player, the Blazers still fill seats at an astounding rate. From 2010-2012 they were at 102.6% or higher, but dipped to 95.4% with a disappointing 2013.

#2 Chicago Bulls (United Center)

4-Year Attendance: 103.5%
Capacity: 20,917
Year Opened: 1994
Cost: $271 Million
4-Year Team Record: 45-37, 50-16, 62-20, 41-41 (198-114) .635%
Franchise Player: Derrick Rose

The United Center has 2212 standing-room-only seats that apparently are filled on a regular basis. The last three seasons the Bulls have seen 104.2%, 105.9%, and 104.6% attendance. The arrival of Derrick Rose and the re-emergence of the once mighty Bulls has brought Bulls fans back in full force. Not even the season-long absence of the Bulls best player kept patrons from filling the seats.

#1 Dallas Mavericks (American Airlines Center)

4-Year Attendance: 104.8%
Capacity: 19,200
Year Opened: 2001
Cost: $545 Million
4-Year Team Record: 41-41, 36-30, 57-25, 55-27 (189-123) .606%
Franchise Player: Dirk Nowitzki

This was a surprise at #1! I knew the Mavs had a very nice following since they won it all in 2011, but had no idea they would be #1 by a significant margin. The Mavs have nearly 2000 standing-room-only seats that are filled on a nightly basis and were the only team over 100% attendance in each of the last 4 seasons. We all know how Dallas Cowboys fans follow their club, now it’s apparent Mavericks fans go big as well…

2013 capacity and cost via Wikipedia

QFS Rating System

Percentages via ESPN.com

Stay tuned…we will release the Bottom 10 attending NBA Teams soon.

Talking with fans recently, I’ve been hearing from the majority that this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs have been the most exciting in years and I would agree. If you have not been able to catch a game, I suggest you check the schedule and watch. The remaining four teams left may look familiar to you because they are the last four Stanley Cup champions: the L.A. Kings (2012), Boston Bruins (2011), Chicago Blackhawks (2010) and Pittsburgh Penguins (2009). Let’s take a Quick Fix look at the conference finals and get my prediction on each series.

(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) Boston Bruins

Boston is looking to prove in this series that the regular season was a fluke; they lost all three games played against Pittsburgh. Both teams walk all over their respected opponents last series and are fully rested. An interesting aspect of this match-up is right wing Jarome Iginla who was traded to the Penguins at the trade deadline after he was rumored to be going to the Bruins. He is fourth in playoff points for the Penguins with 12 in 11 games. Pittsburgh is going to rely on amazing goaltending by Tomas Vokoun, who is 6-1 and has a .941 save percentage since replacing Marc-Andre Fleury in game five of the series against the Islanders. We already know Pittsburgh’s offense is one of the best in the league, and they showed that last series against Ottawa – so if Pittsburgh wants to win this series they will need to count of their defense and goaltending. On the other side of the puck, Boston will need to get their offense in gear if they want to keep up with Pittsburgh’s up-tempo offense. The Bruins will need to count on their fourth line of Campbell, Paille and Thornton – which combined for four goals and six assists last round against the Rangers. This is Pittsburgh’s series to lose, no matter which team ended up facing Pittsburgh they wouldn’t be able to handle the fire power. Expect high-scoring games in this series, making it a lot more appealing to watch.

Prediction: Penguins in six.

Schedule:

Game one: Saturday, June 1, in Pittsburgh
Game two: Monday June 3, in Pittsburgh
Game three: Wednesday, June 5, in Boston
Game four: Friday, June 7, in Boston
(If necessary) Game five: Sunday, June 9, in Pittsburgh
(If necessary) Game six: Tuesday, June 11, in Boston
(If necessary) Game seven: Wednesday, June 12, in Pittsburgh

(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (5) Los Angeles Kings

After clawing back against the Red Wings, the Blackhawks are to face the defending NHL champs and the best goalie in the playoffs thus far. Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick has been nothing short of amazing in the playoffs: leading the league by allowing 1.50 goals per game and posting a .948 save percentage and three shutouts. This matchup is the perfect example of power (Kings) against speed (Blackhawks). If Chicago wants to win, it needs to use its speed and high-octane offense to expose Quick. Left wing Bryan Bickell will be the key to Chicago’s offense in this series. Bickell has five goals in 12 games and has been on Chicago’s top line in practice. Bickell has flown under the radar, but has a high hockey IQ and can be the spark to this offense during this series. Los Angeles has the size and power to beat up the Blackhawks, but Chicago’s depth and talent will be too much for the Kings to handle. To rely on Quick to shut down this offense game after game will be tough considering the Kings do not have the high-octane offense to keep up with the Blackhawks.

Prediction: Blackhawks in seven.

Game one: Saturday, June 1, in Chicago
Game two: Sunday, June 2, in Chicago
Game three: Tuesday, June 4, in Los Angeles
Game four: Thursday, June 6, in Los Angeles
(If necessary) Game five: Saturday, June 8, in Chicago
(If necessary) Game six: Monday, June 10, in Los Angeles
(If necessary) Game seven: Wednesday, June 12, in Chicago

Babe Ruth made his major league debut with Boston 99 years ago and still, to this day, baseball has never seen a better all-around player. We at QFS wanted to know why Ruth was so much better than everyone else. How could a man be one of the best pitchers in the game and then move to the outfield and become such a dominating hitter that he hit more home runs than entire teams did?

At the turn of the twentieth century, young George Ruth rummaged about the streets near his father’s saloon in Maryland, causing havoc, chewing tobacco and sneaking liquor. At age seven, his parents, out of options, shipped him off to a Catholic boarding school called St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, where he would stay until he was of legal age.

Here’s the question: How does a little Hell raiser get sent off to a secluded, walled-in school for virtually his entire youth and emerge the undisputed greatest baseball player of all-time?

Luck/Opportunity

George Ruth was dropped at St. Mary’s in 1902. Although there is little doubt George was sent off to the boarding school against his will, it was the classic blessing in disguise. Baseball was fast becoming the most popular sport in America. According to Leigh Montville, in his book The Big Bam, “There was an importance to baseball that pumped through the school.”

As Malcolm Gladwell argues in his hit book Outliers, every high achiever gets a fortunate break at some point along the way. Ruth’s behavior as a youth got him sent away to a boarding school that just so happened to be obsessed with baseball. Had Ruth been well-behaved, sure, he probably would have discovered baseball, but would he have received the instruction, encouragement and competitive opportunities that St. Mary’s presented?

Practice/Discipline/Experience

A young, determined Babe Ruth

In Gladwell’s Outliers, he writes about The 10,000-Hour Rule; stating that in nearly every study measuring expertise or mastery, in any field, the magic number for reaching the master state is 10,000 hours. The argument is that nobody is simply born with the greatness gene and needs no work to achieve extraordinary status. The work must be put in.

Neurologist Daniel Levitin puts it this way: “Ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert—in anything. In study after study, of composers, basketball players, fiction writers, ice skaters, concert pianists, chess players, master criminals, what have you, this number comes up again and again. No one has yet found a case in which true world-class expertise was accomplished in less time. It seems that it takes the brain this long to assimilate all that it needs to know to achieve true mastery.”

Two classic examples are The Beatles and Mozart. The Beatles, in the late 1950s in Liverpool, England, were, by all accounts, a very average band. In 1960, by chance, the group was afforded an opportunity to travel to Hamburg, Germany to play five stretches in which the foursome worked the club scene eight hours a night, seven days a week. After a few years, the soon-to-be godly band reached its 10,000 hour mark, invaded the United States, and would go on to record an unfathomable twenty number one hit songs. In Mozart’s case, the celebrated composer began his quest at age six, but it wasn’t until he reached his early twenties (and 10,000 hours of practice, of course) that he began churning out the classics.

According to Montville, Ruth claimed to have played in over two hundred games per year, which would mean he hit the magical 10,000 hour mark at some point in his early teens. At twelve, Ruth played, and starred, on the varsity. He further mastered the game in the next six years, leading up to his release from the school and subsequently into the major leagues within a year.

Practice and a lucky opportunity, as we know, can’t be the only factors in Ruth’s unmatched success. The man had to have been born with some natural abilities in order to reach those heights. Physically, as a Columbia University study proved in 1921, Babe Ruth was a different sort of creature.

Superhuman?

In an article published in Popular Science Monthly entitled Why Base Ruth is Greatest Home-Run Hitter, Hugh S. Fullerton sums up the findings: “The scientific ivory hunters of Columbia University discovered that the secret of Babe Ruth’s batting, reduced to non-scientific terms, is that his eyes and ears function more rapidly than those of other players; that his brain records sensations more quickly and transmits its orders to the muscles much faster than does that of the average man. The tests proved that the coordination of eye, brain, nerve system, and muscle is practically perfect.

“In attention and quickness of perception,” Fullerton continues, “he rated one and a half times above the human average. In intelligence, as demonstrated by the quickness and accuracy of understanding, he is approximately 10 percent above normal.”

The study also measured the force with which Ruth crashed into a baseball with his fifty-four ounce bat.  Calculations showed, on average, when Ruth connected with the baseball on the sweet spot of his bat, the ball traveled “somewhere between 450 and 500 feet.”

The study proved what many had suspected: Ruth was born with better eyes, ears, intelligence and reaction time than the normal person. In addition, he was blessed with above-average size and strength. If ever a man were to crush more home runs than an entire opposing team, a man with those qualities would be at the top of the list.

The Perfect Home Run Swing

Ruth catching the bottom third of the baseball with every ounce of his weight into the swing.

A vital variable in the equation for Ruth’s home run hitting prowess was the tutelage of six-foot-six, 250-pound Brother Matthias Boutlier. Brother Matthias influenced The Babe in two major ways: instilling confidence and teaching him the perfect home run swing.

Let’s start with the swing. Drawing the glee of boys at St. Mary’s, Brother Matthias would fungo (tossing up the ball and hitting it) baseballs high and far. A specific swing path—a slight uppercut while hitting the bottom third of the baseball in order to generate maximum back spin—is necessary to hit soaring fly balls. Ruth emulated that swing, over and over again, for years. Combine the perfect deep fly ball swing with the physical gifts Ruth was blessed with, and you have the perfect home run hitter.

Confidence/Belief

“He was the greatest man I’ve ever known,” Ruth said on many occasions. “He was the father I never had.” Matthias and Ruth forged a healthy relationship built upon trust and encouragement. The Xaverian proved so influential and important to Ruth’s success that Ruth always showed gratitude; twice buying Brother Matthias a $5,000 car (Ruth gladly replaced the first one after it stalled on the train tracks and was demolished).

Think about it. Ruth was picked on when he first arrived at St. Mary’s. Then, Brother Matthias, the most respected figure in the place, chose little George, above all the other kids, to take under his wing. That alone must have shot George’s confidence through the roof.

That confidence, along with natural talent and superior physical ability, repetition (The 10,000 Hour Rule) and that lucky opportunity, created the perfect storm for George Herman “Babe” Ruth, a little hellion from nowhere, to grow up to tear major league baseball to pieces both on the mound and at the plate.

Through the first phase of his career, with the Boston Red Sox, Ruth quickly proved an ace southpaw pitcher, leading the American League in earned run average (1.75) and shutouts (9) in just his second full season. Ruth took the mound for five full seasons with Boston, never registering an ERA above 3.00. After being sold to the New York Yankees in 1920, Ruth promptly became the greatest slugger in baseball history, out-homering entire ballclubs and leading the league in home runs ten times. When the Sultan of Swat retired, he had clubbed 714 home runs—the man with the second most at the time had registered less than half of that amount.

In other words, Babe Ruth was ten times better than everyone else.

When it comes to fantasy football, it has always been about having a solid core of running backs. Although a growing number of teams are utilizing two or more running backs to carry the load, there are still plenty of promising young players to turn to early on in the draft. Here’s a look at the top five RB’s going into 2013 and beyond (must be 25 or under at the start of the 2013 season).

#5 Alfred Morris (Washington Redskins)

Age: 24
2012 Stats: 335 carries, 1613 yards, 4.8 ypc, 13 TD’s

Robert Griffin III was stealing the headlines in Washington last year, but fellow rookie Alfred Morris came up big for the Redskins as well. Heading into 2013, expect more of the same for the former 6th-rounder out of Florida Atlantic. He will need a healthy Griffin to help open up some holes for him, but look for Morris to continue to play well this season…and for years to come.

#4 Jamaal Charles (Kansas City Chiefs)

Age: 25
2012 Stats: 285 carries, 1509 rush, 236 rec, 5.3 ypc, 6 TD’s

Sometimes overlooked because the Kansas Chiefs are so bad, Jamaal Charles has quietly built a solid career. The one knock on him is that while explosive, he does not have the strength or consistency to get into the end zone as much as fantasy football owners would like. If Andy Reid can get him more red zone touches, he could move up this list.

#3 LeSean McCoy (Philadelphia Eagles)

Age: 24
2012 Stats: 200 carries, 840 rush, 373 rec, 4.2 ypc, 5 TD’s

Yes, LeSean McCoy struggled in 2012, but so did the rest of the Philadelphia Eagles. He should have most of that behind him and get back to his 2011 numbers with a new team philosophy. Chip Kelly will be looking to make him a huge focal point of the offense, which should only help him reach his potential.

#2 Doug Martin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Age: 24
2012 Stats: 319 carries, 1454 rush, 472 rec, 4.6 ypc, 12 TD’s

Coming out of college, Doug Martin received a lot of comparisons to Ray Rice. Even though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a bit inconsistent in 2012, Martin did his part. The “Muscle Hamster” started slowly but hit his stride after the first month of the season. A healthier offensive line should make him even more explosive.

#1 Trent Richardson (Cleveland Browns)

Age: 21
2012 Stats: 267 carries, 950 rush, 367 rec, 3.6 ypc, 12 TD’s

After a solid first season in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns will be looking to utilize Richardson more than ever in 2013. The team still does not have a potent passing game, so look for the former Alabama star to get tons of reps. If Cleveland can get a few more pass catching threats on their squad, opponents will be unable to stack the box against him. Norv Turner on the staff should only increase his touches and production in 2013.

No. 1: Adrian Peterson
Peterson is the best fantasy player in the game. Last year’s unbelievable season of 297 fantasy points proved that. Do not pass on AP.

No shock here: AP is elite on the field and in fantasy.

No. 2: Arian Foster
Foster has been an elite RB ever since he took over as the Texans’ starter. Last season he finished tied for second with 248 fantasy points. Foster is a lock to be elite again.

No. 3: Marshawn Lynch
Lynch went beast mode once the Seahawks added the read-option to their offense. He tallied 243 fantasy points on the season. Lynch will be even better this year if the read-option is not solved.

No. 4: Jamal Charles
Charles goes nuts whenever he gets more than 20 carries. In the five games last season he had topped the 20-carry mark, he averaged 23 fantasy points. I feel Charles may finally have a coach – Andy Reid – willing to give him the touches he needs to be elite.

Marshawn Lynch should set the pace for the Seahawks and stuff the fantasy stat sheet.

No. 5: Doug Martin
Martin surprised everyone last season, tying Arian Foster for second in overall fantasy points for a RB with 248. Martin has a tough task to repeat and a stagnant offense to do it in.

No. 6: Ray Rice
Rice had a down season last year with 207 fantasy points. If that’s subpar, he will be elite this season when the Ravens rely on him more in both the running and the passing game.

No. 7: Alfred Morris
Morris had a spectacular season last year showing he has the power and speed to be an every-down back, scoring 230 fantasy points. With RGIII back healthy, Morris will excel again.

No. 8: Trent Richardson
The spotlight of the Browns’ offense was on Richardson last season and he accrued 188 fantasy points and 11 touchdowns. This season Richardson will get all the carries and the great fantasy numbers that follow.

No. 9: CJ Spiller
Spiller is an explosive back with has huge upside entering the 2013 season after finishing seventh amongst RBs last year with 199 fantasy points. Health issues and Fred Jackson are the only things that have – and could again – hold Spiller back.

No. 10: Steven Ridley
Ridley showed that he is the Patriots top rusher with 191 fantasy points and 12 TDs last season. Ridley should remain the lead ball carrier, but he is a Belichick back.

No. 11: LeSean McCoy
He was a bust last season with 135 FPs, but this year will be different for McCoy. Chip Kelly is going to establish a running game, and it must feature McCoy or Vick will be injured quick.

No. 12: Matt Forte
Forte had a disappointing campaign with 167 fantasy points, 5 rushing TDs and only one receiving TD last season.  This year Forte should get back to being a dangerous receiver and ball carrier.

No. 13: Chris Johnson
Johnson is the best player on a bad team and it showed with his 162 fantasy points last year. However, his skill and speed make him a threat to be an elite back once again this season.

No. 14: Maurice Jones-Drew
The stalwart of the Jags’ offense was injured last season after a long hold-out and finished with a mere 56 fantasy points . MJD has a good chance to return to his old form next season.

No. 15: Steven Jackson
He joins one of the best offenses in all of football. In Atlanta, Jackson finally will have plenty of cracks at the end zone. Last year, Michael Turner scored in 11 different games for Atlanta, while Jackson only reached the end zone in four games with the Rams while still outscoring Turner in fantasy points.

Expect big things from McFadden … If he stays healthy.

No. 16: Frank Gore
Gore had a lighter workload last year to keep him fresh for the playoffs, but still scored 190 fantasy points while getting more than twenty carries only five times. Another light load this year with a similar amount of carries should keep him fresh and healthy this season.

No. 17: Reggie Bush
Bush joins a potent Lion offense that has been looking for a dynamic RB. Last season, Bush scored 159 fantasy points and six TDs. Reggie will be a huge threat in the air and on the ground, even if not near the goal line.

No. 18: Darren Sproles
The diminutive Sproles is the best receiving RB in the NFL. Last season, Sproles had seven receiving TDs and two 100-hundred yard games through the air. Next season, the Saints want to be more balanced – leaving Sproles more carries and keeping him an elite points-per-reception option.

No. 19: DeMarco Murray
He has been excellent when he has been on the field, scoring 104 fantasy points in 10 games last season. However, he has been injury prone his entire career dating back to college. I expect him to miss time again next season.

No. 20: Darren McFadden
McFadden is a great fantasy player every year – until he goes down. He had 101 fantasy points last season, right behind Danny Woodhead and Vick Ballard. Chances are he gets hurt once again next season.

All stats and fantasy points are based on ESPN’s standard fantasy scoring system

Can Silva top Velasquez this time around? It won’t be easy.

Silva knows what it is like to be doubted, however, and won’t be afraid of the moment. But, can he rise up to it and pull off one of the biggest shockers in UFC Heavyweight history?

Fighter Quick Hits:

Cain Velasquez (11-1-0)

·Last fight: Defeated Junior Dos Santos by unanimous decision in December to become UFC Heavyweight champion

·Nine wins by KO/TKO

·Has never lost a round on a judge’s scorecard

Antonio Silva (18-4-0)

·Last fight: Defeated Alistar Overeem by TKO in the 3rd round in February

·Has not had a fight go to decision in last six fights

·14 wins by KO/TKO

Keys to the Fight:

Wrestling
Both men have strong wrestling backgrounds, which has been the strongest part of each’s game early in their careers. While Silva has a black belt in jiu-jitsu, he has only two wins by submission and Velasquez has none – as neither fighter has proven to be too dangerous fighting from his back. If one of these fighters is able to enforce his will and gain the top position he will be in complete control of this fight.

Power vs. Speed
While both men have finished the majority of their fights by KO/TKO, it is pretty clear that Silva, who outweighs Velasquez by approximately 25 pounds, has the heavier hands while Velasquez possess the superior foot speed. In the first matchup between the two men Silva had no answer for Velasquez’s speed and was pummelled before the referee stopped the fight in the first round. In order to have a different result this time around Silva will need to cut off the ring and make Velasquez feel his power. If he can’t do that, Velasquez will have a lot of success again in this go around.

Stamina
Velasquez is known for his great cardio and energy throughout a fight, and looked strong in going five rounds in his last fight with Dos Santos. Silva, on the other hand, has only fought into the third round once in the past three years and has not fought anyone with the motor of Velasquez. This will make it even more vitally important for Silva to cut off the ring and either land a big right or use his weight advantage to lean on Velasquez and wear him down.

Prediction

We have seen this show before and it was not pretty. Silva will be a bit more tentative and stay at range early in the fight, but Velasquez has too much speed and skill for Silva. Silva will fight tough, but in the end Velasquez ‘s skill will prove too much for Silva to survive

Velasquez by KO in the third round

Rounds 7 – 9:

Jacquizz Rodgers (RB) Atlanta Falcons:

Even with the addition of Steven Jackson, the Falcons will be using a two-running-back system more than people think. Jackson has played nine seasons and has racked up 2,395 carries. As a running back, that is a big work load. Look for Atlanta to use Rodgers as a change-of-pace back and in passing packages. Last season, Rodgers ran for 362 yards on 94 carries, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. Not only that, he caught 53 passes for 402 yards, good for 7.6 yards per catch. Rodgers tallied 96 yards on 20 carries last postseason. That’s 4.8 yards per carry against two top defenses (Seattle and San Francisco). Look for Atlanta to start using Rodgers as a Darren Sproles type of player. That means a lot of yards in many different ways.

Brian Hartline (WR) Miami Dolphins:

The player who will most benefit from the Mike Wallace signing is Brian Hartline. Hartline emerged as Ryan Tannehill’s most trusted target last season, posting more than 70 catches and more than 1,000 yards. Wallace will be the flashier receiver on the Dolphins this season with his big play ability but Hartline will receive most of the targets from Tannehill. Expect Wallace to spread the field, leaving Hartline available more for short route passes. Hartline is going to be a solid flex or RB/WR option and he will be a must have for PPR leagues given that he will receive more targets than other receivers.

Eddie Lacy (RB) Green Bay Packers:

Green Bay as a plethora of running backs on their roster but one will emerge at the beginning of the season. Eddie Lacy is my favorite to win the starting job, if not get to number two on the depth chart. Either way, his power and explosive style of running will equal fantasy points. Lacy had more than 6 yards per carry in all three seasons at Alabama. The last game he played was in the National Championship game against the seventh-ranked Notre Dame defense. He racked up 140 yards on 20 carries, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown. Lacy will flourish in Aaron Rodgers’ offense; both running and receiving. The great thing about Lacy is he will fall in most fantasy drafts, which means not a lot of risk for a possible home run.

 Sleepers Rounds 10 – 12:

Rex Burkhead (RB) Cincinnati Bengals:

Not many have heard of Burkhead, a four-year player out of Nebraska who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. The Bengals have a lot of questions at RB, and drafted Burkhead for depth. Saying Burkhead will be the week one starter is a stretch, but he will see a lot of action as the backup and could possibly steal the starting job during the season. Watching him at Nebraska, Burkhead is a work horse and does everything at the running back position. In four seasons, he gained 3,329 yards on 5.2 yards per carry and scored 30 rushing touchdowns. Burkhead is very explosive out of the back on passing plays; averaging 8.5 yards per catch in his college career.

Monte Ball (RB) Denver Broncos:

It will be hard to judge which Denver running back to draft this year, but if you are looking for touchdowns then I would go with Monte Ball, the Broncos’ second-round pick from Wisconsin. With Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno on the roster, Ball will not get many opportunities to run the ball. I see Ball as a goal line and third-down back that will get a lot of opportunities to score, which is what he is good at. During his last two seasons at Wisconsin, Ball scored a total of 55 rushing touchdowns. Ball will be a vulture pick in this year’s fantasy draft. Bank on him getting a good amount of touchdowns but very few yards.