Reviewing the Bob Alvis Sports Predictions for 2012

Reviewing 2012

Before we look ahead to 2013, let's look back and see how I did for 2012.

* We will be on the path for the super fight between Manny Pacquiao and FloydMayweather Jr. The two guys will fight in November, but each will take a tune up fight before then. Manny Pacquiao will take a tune up with Timothy Bradley, while Floyd Mayweather Jr. will take on a game Erik Morales.

Result: 1 out of 3 right. Pacquiao did take on Timothy Bradley which turned out not to be a tune up, as Pac Man was "defeated" by Bradley. Mayweather fought Cotto, not Morales and neither fought each other (and they probably never will). Overall this prediction gets a FAIL.

* Concussions and injuries will force Sidney Crosby to retire from the NHL, with all of asking how good could he have been..

Result: FAIL. No if's and or but's about this one.

* Peyton Manning will retire before the 2012 NFL season, leaving the Colts no choice but to select Andrew Luck.

Result: Yea, Peyton Manning is really on the road to retirement with the Broncos having home field advantage in the AFC. But, hey things have worked out for that Luck guy too. FAIL

* Golf's Majors winners will include Tiger Woods (Masters), Rory Mcllroy (U.S. Open), Lee Westwood (British Open) & Mike Weir (PGA Championship).

Result: Well, Rory won a major. It just wasn't the U.S. Open,  If you consider finishing 40th in the Masters a victory, then Tiger was a winner too. Rory finished the U.S. Open in two days this year (when you finish it in two days, that's not good) and wasn't around for the weekend. Lee "The Best Player Not to win a Major" Westwood didn't get it done at St.Anne's and finished 6 over, tied for 45th. Finally, it's hard to win when you don't play. Mike Weir was not in South Carolina for the PGA Championship. FAILURE on so many levels.

* No man or woman will win more then one tennis major.

Result: Four different men won majors. Women, however was a different story, as Serena Williams won the last two majors (Wimbledon & the U.S. Open). Close but no cigar, FAIL.

* Dale Jr. will win the Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin will win the Sprint Cup Points Championship

Result: Really close on the Dale Jr. part. He finished 2nd. But, that just means he was the 1st loser. Denny Hamlin did make the chase, but finished 6th. FAIL but this one wasn't a miserable fail. I got a date with the pretty girl, she just didn't invite me inside.

* Albert Pujols struggles, and hits no better then .280

Result: Well, I was looking good on this one for a while. Pujols struggled mightily to start the season, but finished with a batting average of .285. FAIL. However, the girl at least invited me inside on this one.

* Robert Griffin III leads the Washington Redskins to the playoffs.

Result: Touchdown! The Redskins defeated the Cowboys in Week 17 to make the Playoffs. Albert Morris had a lot to do with this one too though. SUCCESS!

* Cowboys will fire Jason Garrett after the 2012 season, and replace him with Lovie Smith. Ron Rivera will leave Carolina and take over for Smith in Chicago.

Result: Incomplete. Even though I don't think Garrett will get fired on the last calendar day of the year, I don't think it is impossible that all of the above could happen. Likely? Probably not, but impossible. The inmate is still on death row and the governor is still in his office, so he could pick up the phone.

* Miami Heat win the NBA Championship over the Memphis Grizzlies in 5.

Result: 100 % right on this one, EXCEPT it was the Oklahoma City Thunder.  Also, the Grizzlies did go 7 games in Round 1 with the Clippers, and who knows, maybe the Grizz could have beaten the Spurs. I'm great at rationalizing aren't I? Fail, but I refuse to put it in all caps.

* North Carolina wins the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship over Kentucky.

Result: Kentucky did there part. They were there and WON the National Championship over Kansas, who defeated North Carolina in the Regional Final. Fail, but again there have been worse ones I have whiffed on. 

* Virginia will win the ACC Coastal in football in 2012.

Result: I could have said I forgot to add the Tech to this one and I would have still been wrong. MASSIVE FAIL.

* LSU beats Alabama for the National Championship next week.

Result: If points were rewarded for not crossing the 50, then LSU would have blown out the Tide. FAIL

* Green Bay & Pittsburgh meet in a Super Bowl rematch with the Packers winning 27-17.

Result: Giants & Patriots had other ideas. FAIL

* The Boston Red Sox finish 4th in the AL East. The Red Sox will be involved in a blockbuster trade with the Texas Rangers at the trading deadline, or in the off-season and will acquire either Elvis Andrus or top SS prospect Jackson Profar.

Result: Close on the blockbuster trade, except it happened during the season and it was with the Los Angeles Dodgers, not the Texas Rangers and the Red Sox gave away a ton more in terms of talent, then what they received. Also, the Red Sox did not finish 4th. They finished last. FAIL on the prediction, but SUCCESS on the happiness.

* The Yankees win the World Series over the Cardinals in 6 games.

Result: Tigers beat the Yankees in the ALCS, Giants beat the Cardinals in the NLCS. So, close, but no cigar! Fail, but I have  bombed on bigger levels.

* MLB Award winners include John Danks (A.L. Cy Young), Roy Halladay (N.L. Cy Young), Prince Fielder (A.L. MVP as a member of the Texas Rangers) & Troy Tulowitzki (N.L. MVP)

Result: Tulowitzki was hurt most of the year, Halladay just flat out sucked this season. Fielder's teammate Miguel Cabrera won as a Detroit Tiger and John Danks started 9 games. Give me a "F", give me an "A", give me an "I", give me a "L". What's that spell? Fail. Louder. FAIL!

* With the success of Cam Newton & Robert Griffin III in the pro ranks, Logan Thomas will be a projected Top 5 pick after the 2012 season, but he will come back to Virginia Tech and win the Heisman Trophy his Senior Year and be the number 1 pick of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Result: All I can say to this one is things need to get better in Blacksburg. 

Coming later this morning, the 2013 Bob Alvis Sports Predictions

What Does Your NFC Team Need to Do Before 2012?

With the regular season now over in the NFL, I thought I'd give my take on what each team needs to do (or what I think they will do in the off season). I'll break them down division by division (and I will include teams in the playoffs)

Dallas Cowboys

First off, I think Jason Garrett stays. One more bad year (aka not making the playoffs) and then I think Garrett could be on some thin ice. Part of the problem with this year's squad was every running back they had seemed to get hurt. I heard even Tony Dorsett was having knee problems. I think the Cowboys would be well off to try and trade Miles Austin. If you could get a 3rd round pick or better for Miles, I would do it. Defensively and up front on the offensive line is where they need help, and that's where they should be looking to address the problems.

New York Giants
If the Giants don't beat the Falcons, I think one can make a case for Tom Coughlin to be fired. The Giants have been like the hare the past few years and have finished the race like the tortoise. I think the Giants do have a budding star on their team in Victor Cruz though. He has established himself as one of Eli's trusted targets, to where I think the Giants could look at dealing Nicks or Manningham if it could net them something of worth in return. I think another thing the Giants should look at doing is continue to get younger on the defensive side of the ball.

Philadelphia Eagles
If this team had a full off season, I think they would have been better this season then their 8-8 record. If I was in charge of the team, I would want a DEFENSIVE guy as my defensive coordinator and not a former offensive line coach. I don't see Andy Reid being fired, but I don't see this team as the dream team either. Vick was overpaid when he got his contract extension. DeSean Jackson is a free agent, and I would look at replacing him with another Jackson (Vincent). Otherwise, I think the Eagles will be fine, but at the start of next season, will probably still be looking up at the Packers.

Washington Redskins

Let's just get this out of the way early; Rex Grossman is not the quarterback of the future. Can they get Robert Griffin III? Maybe, maybe not. It depends if the Vikings (I know they selected Christian Ponder in Round 1) or the Browns decide they need to select a quarterback. If they don't, then the Redskins will either need to explore a trade, or probably taking a quarterback later then Round 1. Free Agents they could opt for could include Jason Campbell (don't see that road being travelled again), Kyle Orton or Matt Flynn. Other then that, I think the Redskins have firmly decided on Roy Helu being the man at running back. I think they could use upgrades at WR. Defensively, they could use upgrades too (you give up 34 points to the Eagles in the last week, you need to do some upgrades).

NFC North

Chicago Bears

Re-sign Matt Forte and getting Jay Cutler healthy would be a start. Also, I think the receivers really need some upgrades (I would have signed Terrell Owens in the off season). There are several options at free agency that are better then what the Bears have right now (Dwayne Bowe, Pierre Garcon and others). Defensively, I think the Bears might want to look for a couple of players, because you don't want to have a situation to where that defense gets old real quick and that could happen if you totally neglect it.

Detroit Lions
First off, I don't think you panic because of Week 17. Flynn had a career day and the Packers offensive players could change their jerseys to where everyone says TNT because they are very explosive. You don't need to mess with the defensive line if you are the Lions but might want to address the linebackers and secondary. Also, I'd be a little concerned with the running game. Best is proving to be injury prone, plus with concussions you never know. I'd look for a durable running back, but it doesn't have to be a 1,000 or 2,000 yard rusher, but someone that is going to at least keep defense's honest.

Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers is the man. I don't think the Packers need an upgrade at running back. If I am a Packers fan, the only thing that worries me is the defense. I would just tell them bear down and not rely on the offense to score 80 points every game. Other then that, the only thing that will stop Green Bay is Green Bay.

Minnesota Vikings
I don't think the Vikings need to fire Leslie Frazier. I don't think the Vikings need to draft a quarterback. I do think the Vikings need some help up front and on the defense. Even with Adrian Peterson out for a while, maybe for the first few games of next year, I think the Vikings can get by. I think a WR would help out Ponder a lot and long term, I believe the Vikings can be okay.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons
One thing is for sure, they are set at a lot of the offensive skill positions. I always think teams can improve up front on both ends of the ball. Defensively, they could probably look to use some secondary help, especially with the NFC South being a pass happy division with Drew Brees and Cam Newton leading the way. I would also re-sign Curtis Lofton, so you don't have to add linebacker to that need list.

New Orleans Saints
Re-sign Drew Brees I believe is probably a formality. After that, (Guard) Carl Nicks & Wide Receiver Marques Colston are priorities. Defensively, they have to get better. I think counting on out shooting people is a recipe for disaster. But, don't ignore Brees. Get that done and then you can take care of everything else.

Carolina Panthers
For one, hope that Cam Newton's 2nd season is as good as his first. That probably won't happen, but another WR wouldn't hurt things. I think a Robert Meachem (New Orleans) or a guy like Mario Manningham (NY Giants) would help things. Defensively, they need to work on some things too finishing 24th against the pass and 25th against the run.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Make a good hire as head coach. I think Mike Sherman would be a good hire. After that, I think you need to look at the defense, the offense, the special teams. I don't think the Buccaneers were a big problem on the field this year, as much as their attitude was the problem with the team's quitting attitude. The Falcons could have probably hung 70 on them if they had wanted to in the regular season finale. Your leaders need to be leaders, and you need to make a good hire at head coach. I do think Raheem Morris will be a good head coach one day, but right now is probably a little too soon.

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers
Biggest overachievers in the league this year. Jim Harbaugh should definitely be the Coach of the Year in my opinion. The 49ers not giving up a rushing touchdown or 100 yard rusher until Week 16 is incredible. I think eventually the 49ers will need to look at upgrading at quarterback and adding a veteran wide out since Braylon Edwards certainly didn't pan out. David Akers could be the team's MVP.

St. Louis Rams
Again, another team where the head coach hire is critical to the success of the franchise. They have a franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford. Steven Jackson isn't getting any younger but I don't think he needs to be replaced, yet. Wide Receiver I think is a position of need, retaining Brandon Lloyd wouldn't be a bad start. Defensively, I think they should look in the secondary, but again this is a team that had problems getting Josh Brown on the field, for PAT's or field goals, so that means your offense is what needs the work.

Arizona Cardinals
Kevin Kolb being injured for most of the season doesn't help. While we are on topic of Kevin Kolb, after what happened Week 1 of his starting career when he was playing for Philadelphia against Green Bay, and he was taken out with injury (I believe concussion) and replaced by Vick, never got the job back, Kolb's career may never be the same. I think Arizona has to give him some time though and not say "We are done with you. It's John Skelton's team now". I think the loss of Steve Breaston also hurt. Beanie Wells finally was the running back that they thought he would be, and they also have Ryan Williams waiting in the wings next year. Defense might need some upgrades. They also have one of the biggest game changers in the league in Patrick Peterson (more as a return man right now, although I think he can be a dynamic corner as well).

Seattle Seahawks
First and foremost, re-sign Marshawn Lynch. Lynch had an outstanding season (he's in my top 10 of MVP candidates in the league). I think they need a quarterback, Tavaris Jackson is not the long term solution. I will admit, I was wrong on Pete Carroll. I didn't think he would succeed as a NFL coach again, with his rah-rah attitude, but it has been working. Seattle is a tough place to play and the defense has been tough as well. Seattle could be in competition in this cluster we call the NFC West.

It took me a week to write this (starting and stopping), so we'll see how long it will take me to get the AFC done. Stay tuned

Sports Predictions for 2012

Am I right a lot? Not near as much as I think I am. But, I did decide let me try to look into my crystal ball and make some sports predictions for the next 12 months. I hope to get 2 right.

* We will be on the path for the super fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. The two guys will fight in November, but each will take a tune up fight before then. Manny Pacquiao will take a tune up with Timothy Bradley, while Floyd Mayweather Jr. will take on a game Erik Morales.

* Concussions and injuries will force Sidney Crosby to retire from the NHL, with all of asking how good could he have been.

* Peyton Manning will retire before the 2012 NFL season, leaving the Colts no choice but to select Andrew Luck.

* Golf's Majors winners will include Tiger Woods (Masters), Rory Mcllroy (U.S. Open), Lee Westwood (British Open) & Mike Weir (PGA Championship).

* No man or woman will win more then one tennis major.

* Dale Jr. will win the Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin will win the Sprint Cup Points Championship

* Albert Pujols struggles, and hits no better then .280

* Robert Griffin III leads the Washington Redskins to the playoffs.

* Cowboys will fire Jason Garrett after the 2012 season, and replace him with Lovie Smith. Ron Rivera will leave Carolina and take over for Smith in Chicago.

* Miami Heat win the NBA Championship over the Memphis Grizzlies in 5.

* North Carolina wins the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship over Kentucky.

* Virginia will win the ACC Coastal in football in 2012.

* LSU beats Alabama for the National Championship next week.

* Green Bay & Pittsburgh meet in a Super Bowl rematch with the Packers winning 27-17.

* The Boston Red Sox finish 4th in the AL East. The Red Sox will be involved in a blockbuster trade with the Texas Rangers at the trading deadline, or in the offseason and will acquire either Elvis Andrus or top SS prospect Jackson Profar.

* The Yankees win the World Series over the Cardinals in 6 games.

* MLB Award winners include John Danks (A.L. Cy Young), Roy Halladay (N.L. Cy Young), Prince Fielder (A.L. MVP as a member of the Texas Rangers) & Troy Tulowitzki (N.L. MVP)

* With the success of Cam Newton & Robert Griffin III in the pro ranks, Logan Thomas will be a projected Top 5 pick after the 2012 season, but he will come back to Virginia Tech and win the Heisman Trophy his Senior Year and be the number 1 pick of the 2013 NFL Draft.

I think that's a good start, if you want to bet on any of these predictions, my advice to you is don't.