Open Field Report

Article by Antwon "Smitty" Smith                   and  Marlin Malcolm  The 2018 NFL season has been nothing short of spectacular thus far and seems it'll be even better the second half of the year, but lets keep focus on who the top players ate so far in 2018. There have been some close races in all categories and will be all season. Let's take a look at my picks for NFL mid-season awards and tell me if you agree or disagree, let's go! Offensive Rookie of the Year  There have been some great play from first year rookies as QB's Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield seem to be adjusting to the next level but still have some area's they need to grow. One of the surprise picks of the first round Calvin Ridley is showing why he was one of the best receivers in college football and will take the reigns after Julio Jones. Saquon Barkley however is just another monster that will be unleashed once the Giants get their playbook to...

Article by Antwon "Smitty" Smith It's been a roller coaster ride for Florida State head football coach Willie Taggert in his first season in Tallahassee, but after a 49-point loss to Clemson, his seat may warm up just a little. The Seminoles fall to 4-4 on the season, which puts them one step closer to a losing season and missing a bowl game, something they haven't done in 36 years. Taggert a Florida State alum, is taking over for Jimbo Fischer who took the Texas A&M in the off-season signing a 10-year/$75 million dollar deal to coach in College Station. Fischer finished with an 83-23 record at Florida State and won a national championship with the Noles in 2015. Willie Taggert became the first black head football coach In the history of his alma mater Western Kentucky after being hired back in 2010 The downfall to Fischer leaving, Taggert has to coach the recruiting class that fit Jimbo's system, which is why the Seminoles look lackluster on bot...

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Article by Antwon "Smitty" Smith Todd Gurley is a man on a mission and his stats are showing the rest of the NFL why he's the top running back in the league right now. Gurley has 14 touchdowns through 7 games so far this season (11 rushing, 3 receiving) which tied an NFL record set by former Chiefs running back Priest Holmes. He accomplished the feat twice in 2002 and 2004. Priest Holmes ran for an astounding 62 touchdowns In a three season span from 2002-2004 He will be chasing Ladainian Tomlinson's NFL record of 31 (28 rushing, 3 receiving) set back in 2006. Tomlinson would go on to win NFL MVP that season and break Shaun Alexander's record set the season before in 2005 (Also won MVP) . Gurley is also trying to become to 10th running back in history to score 20+ in a single season. Two running backs have accomplished the feast twice, Priest Holmes and Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. The Rams are off to an explosive 7-0 start and they are aiming for ...

Article by Antwon "Smitty" Smith The New York Giants are headed down the same path that they've been accustomed to for quite a while now and the only way to change their franchise woes and direction is make moves that make sense. Catch my drift? It may be time to shake up their front office if they cannot make the proper moves to have this organization back at an elite level. They made some great off-season moves to bolster their roster by drafting talented running back Saquon Barkley, trading for Alec Ogletree and bringing in new head coach Pat Shurmur to give their offense a boost, but the same lingering problems keep rearing their ugly heads, which at this point is becoming a disgrace to Giants fans. Eli Manning is playing his 15th season in the Big Apple, but let's be real here, the execution and flow of the offense is off rhythm. Eli is a turnover machine which is putting the Giants behind early and coming from behind is not their forte. The 2-time supe...

Number 9 is #1 Congratulations to Drew Brees our new and active all-time leading passer. Who would have guessed that you would have accomplished this? True fans will admit that when we 1 st  saw you, we knew you had talent, but there was always “BUT”! When you got hurt, I was leery about your return to form. San Diego made a tough decision- one that  we all know worked in your favor; and I think sometimes (not every) that they scratch their heads (did we make the right decision).

Article by Antwon "Smitty" Smith The NFL season has been a puzzle early on and it will only get crazier week by week, but one thing for sure Bears defensive end Khalil Mack will be ready. Mack, who was traded from Oakland, has gotten off to the start the Bears expected when they signed him to 6-yr/$141 million dollar deal earlier in the month. Chicago is off to a 3-1 start and are looking frighteningly similar to the monsters of the midway from the mid-80's, which should scare opposing offenses. Mack came out the gate against Green Bay and hasn't slowed down since. He has 17 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and an interception. That's not even counting the heat he has put on the first 4 quarterbacks he's faced, so I asked myself sports fans that  are talking MVP, why not Mack? Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff and a couple of others are also off to fast starts, which start up MVP talks that last throughout the season. Offensive players always get t...