UFC Rio: The Picks

Brief explanation: I pick my fights with a confidence ranking from 1-the max number of fights. 1 is the lowest possible confidence rank. 

Rousimar Palhares (21-3) vs. Dan Miller (13-5, 1 NC) 

I took a little risk on this fight and went with Dan Miller. Miller is an exciting fighter and he took his last fight on short notice against Nate Marquardt, losing in an unanimous descision. Once again, Miller is taking this fight on short notice against another strong fighter in Palhares. Palhares is currently coming off a win (submission) from back in March on Versus 3 against Dave Branch. This will be an exciting fight, being ground out to a decision. 

Confidence: 1 point

Thiago Tavares (19-4-1) vs. Spencer Fisher (25-7) 

This will be an interesting fight. Both fighters have been very inconsistent in their past few fights and should be desperate for a win and they bring two completely different styles into the cage. Tavares is going to look to bring the fight to the ground and Fisher is one of the better strikers in the lightweight division and this is where I see him beating Tavares. Fisher's experience in the cage and striking > Thiago's ground game and inconsistency in the cage.
Confidence: 3 points

Luiz Cane (12-3, 1 NC) vs. Stanislov Nedkov (11-0)

Simply put, experience in the big boy league will trump the undefeated record Nedkov brings into his UFC debut. Cane possesses the punching power to knock his opponents out and has a black belt BJJ. I see this one ending early. Welcome to the UFC, Nedkov!

Confidence: 4 points

Ross Pearson (14-4) vs Edson Barboza (8-0)

This will be a great stand up battle. Pearson has only lost one fight (Cole Miller) since beginning his career in the UFC. Barboza is currently undefeated and faces his toughest competition yet in Pearson. Barboza is young, fast, and explosive but I think he meets his maker when he squares off against the more well-rounded Pearson. I look for this to be FOTN.

Confidence: 2 points

Minotauro Nogueira (32-6-1) vs. Brendan Schaub (9-1)

One fight I don't see experience playing a role. Big Nog has been great for the sport, but this can possibly be his last fight. Brendan Schaub can be deemed one of the better strikers in the heavyweight division. He has the accuracy and the knockout power to take down anyone in the heavyweight division. This is a HUGE stepping stone for Schaub and he can move one step closer to a title shot with a win over Nog.

Confidence: 6 points

Mauricio Rua (19-5) vs. Forrest Griffin (18-6)

A rematch that will most likely have a different look than the previous meeting. Griffin is coming off two wins and Shogun is coming off an embarrassing title loss to Jon Jones. I would still consider Griffin a hungry contender, but I think that Shogun will be looking for a big comeback this fight and that is the determining factor in what makes me choose Shogun over Griffin.

Confidence: 5 points

Anderson Silva (28-4) vs. Yushin Okami (27-5)

There is not a single doubt in my mind that Anderson Silva defeats Yushin Okami to remain the Middleweight Champion. I understand the whole marketing perspective of building up this fight, but  let's be real. I don't think Okami poses any possible threat to Silva and this ends very quickly, unless Silva decides to screw around again. Hearing Sonnen talk about Okami doesn't help his case either.

Confidence: 7 points

NFC North: WR Rankings

Based on the current depth charts of the teams, here is a look at what I think about the NFC North wide receiver groups. This will be based on receivers 1-4 on the depth chart.

1. Green Bay Packers

• Greg Jennings- 76 receptions for 1,265 yards- 12 touchdowns
• Donald Driver
• James Jones
• Jordy Nelson

The Green Bay Packers probably have one of the most lethal receiving corps in the NFL. Greg Jennings can be ranked in the Top 5 of wide receivers in the NFL as he has exceeded the 1,000 yard mark each season. The other reason for putting the Packers at the top is the depth that they have at this position. While Donald Driver might be nearing the end of his career, the Packers have talented back-up plans in Jordy Nelson and James Jones (and also added Randall Cobb through the 2011 draft).

2. Detroit Lions

• Calvin Johnson- 77 receptions for 1,120 yards- 12 touchdowns
• Nate Burleson
• Maurice Stovall
• Derrick Williams

Detroit Lions lean heavily on Calvin Johnson each season. He is a deep threat to any defense in the league and can make the impossible catches. From his 4 seasons, Johnson has notched two +1,000 yard seasons and that won't change this season. Nate Burleson is a mediocre wide receiver at best and will give you 50-60 catches in a season.  The Lions have a big drop off in production after those two players, but are looking to rely on rookie receiver, Titus Young.

3. Minnesota Vikings

• Percy Harvin- 71 receptions for 868 yards- 5 touchdowns
• Michael Jenkins
• Bernard Berrian
• Greg Camarillo

3 and 4 were a bit of a toss up, but the Vikings addition of Michael Jenkins puts them slightly above the Bears. Percy Harvin is an agile and reliable receiver (on the field). Percy has yet to hit a 1,000 yard season but as the number 1 receiver for the Vikings, I expect him to mark his first one with McNabb. With the addition of Michael Jenkins to the corp, the Vikings become a little better at wide receiver. 

4. Chicago Bears

• Roy Williams
• Johnny Knox- 51 receptions for 960 yards- 5 touchdowns
• Devin Hester
• Earl Bennett

The Bears are still trying to find their #1 wide receiver. In my opinion, it should be Johnny Knox because he has been anything but bad for the Chicago Bears. Knox is #2 on the depth chart behind Roy Williams now (could change by the beginning of the regular season) and I can't say much for Roy Williams and production. In Williams eight seasons in the NFL, he has posted one +1,000 yard season. Though Williams production has been lackluster in the past few seasons, he can possibly help the Bears in the Martz system. 

Hope you enjoyed this. Next up will be the tight end position.

- The Packer Meatball

NFC North: Offensive Line Rankings

To rank the offensive lines in the NFC North, I am simply looking at the stats from the previous year (rush totals and sacks given up) and the players. If a team kept each player on the line and added decent players through the draft, it will effect the ranking. I was a little shocked when I pulled up the stats of the NFC offensive lines.

1. Detroit Lions- The Lions had ranked 4th overall in sacks allowed (27), which far exceeds any team in the North. In total rushing yards, the Lions snuggle between the Bears and the Packers with 1,613 yards. The Detroit Lions starting offensive linemen are returning with the leadership of Dominic Raiola, making the Lions the top line in the North. One would think that with the injuries of the Lions quarterbacks, this offensive line doesn't deserve the top ranking. In my opinion, it is not always the offensive lines fault and a quarterback like Matt Stafford should be benefiting from the play of this offensive line.

2. Minnesota Vikings- Though the Vikings are aging, they still play exceptionally well. The Vikings didn't benefit from having a very immobile quarterback in Brett Favre last season as this didn't help them in the sack category (36). The offensive line of the Vikings helped rush for 1,942 yards and 16 touchdowns, which was the most in the NFC North. Of course, any current offensive line in the NFC North can do that with the help of Adrian Peterson. The Vikings are returning all of their offensive linemen and Steve Hutchinson and crew will benefit a little more this season with the addition (and mobility) of Donovan McNabb. Bryant McKinnie is one player that can be seen as a question mark with his mediocre play each season

3. Green Bay Packers- For the past couple of seasons, the Packers offensive line has been a shuffling game. Moving guys from position to position, the line was never concrete. Last season the Packers were able to settle rookie, Bryan Bulaga in at RT as the rest of the line stayed in tact. This season the Packers are working through camp to see which player (Lang, McDonald, and Sherrod) will take over at LG after the departure of Daryn Colledge. The Packers offensive line gave up 38 sacks and had an NFC North low of 1,606 total rushing. If the Packers can fill the question mark at LG and keep Chad Clifton healthy the entire season, they will undoubtedly have a better season.

4. Chicago Bears- The Bears offensive line had the highest amount of sacks given up last year in the entire league with 56. They ranked 9th in the NFC with 1,616 rushing yards. With the terrible pass protection and the numerous question marks along the offensive line, the Bears stand last. The recent departure of Olin Kruetz does not help the Bears. He may have been old, but he could block and he was an anchor of the entire team. The newest addition to the Bears, Gabe Carimi, has a lot riding on his shoulders. The good thing is he is good enough to carry the heavy load and will be a staple in the Bears offensive line for years to come.