Spurs Media Day

The Spurs Media Day begins today at 12:30. You can watch it live at spurs.com/live  or stay tuned here for updates.

Spurs Considering 7-Time All Star McGrady

The word out of San Antonio this week is that the Spurs have made plans to workout former all star Tracy McGrady. The 15 year veteran has played for four different teams in the last four seasons, and is a long way from averaging the 32.1 points per game as he did with Orlando in 2002-03.

With the Atlanta Hawks last season, McGrady put up 5.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 16 minutes per game. Even though he has been in the league as long as the aging Tim Duncan, McGrady entered the league as a teenager and is still only 33 years old. He played only 65 games over three seasons (2008-10), less than a full slate of one NBA regular season. 

NFL Preview: #1 Detroit Lions

2011 Record: 10-6

Key Draft Picks: OT Riley Reiff, WR Ryan Broyles

Outlook: It’s been four years since the Lions completed the worst season in NFL history with an 0-16 record in 2008. What a turnaround they have experienced since. Detroit made the playoffs last season for the first time since 1999 and even though they lost to New Orleans in the wild card round, they had an outstanding season. Six teams in the NFL had better records than the Lions last year, and all but one of the Detroit losses (Chicago) were to teams included in that list (Atlanta, San Francisco, New Orleans, and Green Bay twice). A high powered offense equipped with the unstoppable force that is Calvin Johnson, accompanied by an improving defense spells success again for Detroit.

NFL Preview: #2 New England Patriots

 

2011 Record: 13-3

Key Draft Picks: DE Chandler Jones, ILB Dont’a Hightower

Outlook: The Patriots dominated the AFC last season and cruised to the Super Bowl behind another great season from Tom Brady (5235 yds, 39 TDs and 12 INT). After the record breaking beat down of Tim Tebow and the Broncos in the divisional round, the Pats escaped Baltimore by a Billy Cundiff missed field goal. However, New England’s hopes for another Super Bowl title were dashed once again by the upstart New York Giants. In the offseason they signed deep threat Brandon Lloyd, conjuring comparisons of Brady’s 2012 possibilities to his record setting 50 touchdown 2007 season. Although BenJarvus Green-Ellis has moved on to the Bengals, the Patriot running game will be a successful committee affair (Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead) once again. The defense (second worst against the pass, only 17th best against the run) is about the only thing that might hinder this team from capturing the top seed in the AFC.

NFL Preview: #3 Green Bay Packers

 

2011 Record: 15-1

Key Draft Picks: DE Nick Perry, DT Jerel Worthy

Outlook: The Packers were the class of the NFL during the regular season, losing only once to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite their stellar record, the Packers were upset at home in the divisional round by the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants. The offense was nearly unstoppable for most of 2011 as quarterback Aaron Rodgers tossed a whopping 45 touchdown passes. Most of the Green Bay offensive weapons return this year, but their running game is once again in question. The Packers signed veteran running back Cedric Benson during training camp and reports have been positive. However, the Green Bay running game was only 27th last season and it was ultimately what led to their demise against the Giants (Rodgers was the leading rusher in that game). If they can improve their defense (last against the pass in 2011), Green Bay has a great shot at winning their division again and making a deep playoff run.

NFL Preview: #4 Philadelphia Eagles

2011 Record: 8-8

Key Draft Picks: DT Fletcher Cox, QB Nick Foles

Outlook: The self proclaimed “dream team” of 2011, the Eagles fought through many injuries last year on their way to an 8-8 record and missed the playoffs. Now with a healthy complement of players (although starting quarterback Michael Vick is slightly banged up already), Philadelphia looks ready to take the tough NFC East by storm. With arguably the best running back in the NFL with LeSean McCoy, the Eagles have multiple threats on the offensive side of the ball, and one of the most physically imposing pass defenses in the league.

NFL Preview: #5 Houston Texans

2011 Record: 10-6

Key Draft Picks: DE Whitney Mercilus, WR DeVier Posey, K Randy Bullock

Outlook: The Texans are coming off of their best season in franchise history. For the first time in their ten years, Houston won ten games, their division and made the playoffs. In the wild card round, they took down the upstart Bengals 31-10 before being eliminated the next week by the Ravens. What made the season even more impressive was that Houston made it to the divisional round with their third string quarterback T.J. Yates at the helm. Starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart both suffered season ending injuries during the latter parts of the regular season and the Texans were also without star wideout Andre Johnson for the better part of the season (he played only 7 games). Schaub and Johnson are now healthy, and Houston is in line to improve on their 2011 success.