Teams to Look for in Super Bowl LII

(Photo: Getty Images)

New England Patriots

                There is a reason that the Patriots are first on my list. Seeing as though they are the defending champs, they are fired up to get back into the swing of things. With the addition of wide receiver Brandon Cooks, Brady should have no excuses when it comes to his passing game. On top of that, the Patriots offense will have Gronkowski back in the lineup after an injury sidelined him last season. Don’t sleep on this team! They are loaded on both sides of the ball, and can definitely repeat what they did last year.

Seattle Seahawks

                Injuries didn't allow fans to see the true potential of this Seattle team last year. With Russell Wilson back healthy, this team has the potential to win 12 or more games. The defense had some issues last year in terms of consistency, but they have the talent to be great. Watch out for this Seattle team to take down the defending champs in the big game this year.

Green Bay Packers

                Aaron Rodgers, without a doubt, one of the best quarterbacks of his generation. With the addition of Martellus Bennett, the Packers offense will be locked-and-loaded to take down any competitor. The only thing that separates this team from Seattle is their defense. We’ll have to wait and see if using four of their draft picks on the defense was a good move. If the defense can do their job, this team has the potential to go deep into the playoffs.

Pittsburgh Steelers

                If this Steelers can prevent injuries, they’ve got the best shot to take down the defending champs in the AFC. This defense has some serious talent, especially on the line. Drafting T.J Watt should give this Pittsburgh team a good boost on the pass rush. He may be the answer to slowing down an elite quarterback, like Brady. If the trio of Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown can stay healthy going into the playoffs, I like this team’s chances against anybody.

Atlanta Falcons

                Putting last year’s Super Bowl in the past, Atlanta has the potential to make it to Minnesota in February. It wasn’t a fluke that they made it to where they did last year. This team has some serious talent on both sides of the ball. With almost every player returning from last season, they should no problem with getting off to a good start.

Luke Cahill
Staff Reporter
 

Aaron Hernandez is Acquitted in Double Murder Trial

(Photo: Stephan Savoia)

               Don’t cry over spilled milk, unless you happen to be an NFL star, of course. On April 14 former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez was acquitted for double murder over what prosecutors are saying was a result of anger provoked by a spilled drink. The 27 year old is already serving a life sentence for a murder committed in 2013. Dodging the first-degree murder charges, Hernandez was charged only with unlawful possession of a gun, adding four to five years to his existing sentence.

               The families of victims Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado are crushed by the outcome of the trial, and feel especially upset with how the defense portrayed the deceased men as drug dealers and gang bangers. "These were two hardworking, humble, Cape Verdean immigrants," according to their lawyer, who feels, "It was unnecessary and it was wrong, and it shouldn't have been done."

               From a different perspective, one of Hernandez’s defense lawyers, Jose Baez remarked, "I wish he'd called me (for the first trial). I think there are plenty of flaws in that conviction. If they are exposed properly, he certainly can and should get a new trial." And this is not Baez’s first time going to court for a famous case - he is known for representing Casey Anthony in the acquittal of the death of her daughter in 2008. Baez and his team of defense attorneys theorize that Hernandez’s friend Alexander Bradley played an important role in the murders and that he was a negative influence in Hernandez’s life.

Alanna Shingler Staff Reporter