Join in this season premiere of the 2014 RX “Season of the Experts” and see what our panel of bodybuilding experts has to say about 10 of the upcoming IFBB-pro shows and the competitor’s abilities to place in on the top 10-list.
The panel will analyze and judge the competitors physiques and make a prediction where they think the athletes will place among a group of 10. The experts will compete against each other and will have their own scorecard. After the show they will win points for every correct answer and this will be registered and counted together.
Between the shows we will see how the experts stand in their point rankings and hopefully at the end of 2014 we will have our own "Season of the Expert’s winner.
May the best man win!
April 11 (Orlando, Florida) - Orlando Europa Pro: Men's Bodybuilding
Dave Palumbo:
Top-competitors list
1. Jon Dela Rosa
2. Justin Compton
3. Fred Smalls
4. Clarance De Vis
5. Keith Williams
6. Daniel Toth
7. An Nguyen
8. Dallas McCarver
9. Jeff Long
10. Ben White
11. Malcolm Marshall
12. Eddy Wilson
Placing:
1. Jon Delarosa
Analysis: I have Jon Delarosa winning 
this show. After a 4th place at last year’s New York Pro and 3rd at the Toronto Pro, Delarosa has proved to be consistent and ever-improving. With Chris Aceto in his corner now, I think Delarosa’s newfound conditioning coupled with his blessed shape and structure will be too much for these other competitors to overcome.
2 Justin Compton
Analysis; After winning his class at the 2012 NPC Nationals, Compton went on to place 5th at last year’s IFBB Chicago Pro, and he did it with an insane level of conditioning. After packing on some major size this past offseason, I feel Compton is just coming into his own. He’s got it all-- size, structure, and freaky conditioning. Expect Compton to push Delarosa to the wire and, possibly, even get a few first place votes.
3 Fred Smalls
Analysis; Smalls is one of those competitors who gets better from show to show. After finishing a disappointing 11th at this year’s Arnold Classic, Smalls moved up to 4th place at the IFBB Aussie Pro and he’s now gunning for his first Pro Victory in Orlando. I don’t think Smalls will have enough to overcome Delarose and Compton, but look for one of the IFBB’s most entertaining posers to bring down the house on Saturday night.
4 Daniel Toth
Analysis; Daniel Toth surprised a lot of people last year by sneaking into the top 6 at both the IFBB European Pro and FIBO Germany Pro. He has a huge structure and his conditioning is always top shelf. If he’s added more mass since last contest season, expect to see Toth be a force to be reckoned with in Orlando. I think he could be the surprise of the contest.
5 Clarence DeVis
Analysis; I’m the most unsure of this placement because Clarence Devis is such an unpredictable bodybuilder. If the Kai Greene-look-a-like shows up displaying ridiculously striated and flaring quads, monster arms and a sinewy, detailed, back, he’ll be very difficult to beat. If he shows up too heavy and lacking conditioning, he can wind up near the back of the pack. More than likely, he’ll fall some place in between. I’m banking on a top 5 placing this Saturday from one of the more entertaining bodybuilders in the business.
6 Jeff Long
Analysis; Jeff Long is one of those bodybuilders who can either look like Mr Olympia or the Pillsbury Dough Boy. I think Long is really taking his bodybuilding serious this year and I expect to see a near perfect Long onstage in Orlando. He’s got no weak body parts and his back, legs and arms are Olympia caliber. His Achilles heel seems to be his trouble with coming in shredded and full. If he dials it in this time around, Long can finish as high as first! More than likely, he’ll come in around 95% which should land him around 5th or 6th.
7 Dallas McCarver
Analysis: After winning the 2013 IFBB North America at 21 years of age, McCarver is finally ready to make his Pro debut. I think it was wise for McCarver to take the year off to add the necessary size to compete with the big boys. Whether he’ll have enough of what it takes to break the top 5 is questionable. I think McCarver will impress the bodybuilding world in Orlando but he’s not ready to shake up the pro ranks just yet. Give him another year and he’ll be a force to be reckoned with.
8 Keith Williams
Analysis; He’ll bring freaking conditioning, good presentation, and pro-level polish, but I feel his legs will be too small to match his upper body and that’ll keep him out of the running.
9 Ben White
Analysis; White was one of the most promising and naturally gifted bodybuilders a few years back. He won the IFBB Tampa Pro very convincingly and then was never able to duplicate that combination of size and conditioning. I don’t think White will return to his former glory here in Orlando, but if anyone can prove me wrong, it’s definitely the man they call “The Greatest”!
10 Malcolm Marshall
Analysis; No one will be bigger than Malcolm Marshall in Orlando. That’s a fact. But Marshall’s biggest hurdle is coming in full enough so that his legs don’t look too stringy while, simultaneously, bringing a level of conditioning that will rival his opponents. If I were a betting man, I’d say Marshall fails to hit his peak. However, my sentimental side that knows Marshall personally (and is secretly rooting for him) prays the planets perfectly align themselves this Saturday night.
John Hansen:
Top-competitors list
1. Jon Dela Rosa
2. Justin Compton
3. Fred Smalls
4. Clarance De Vis
5. Keith Williams
6. Daniel Toth
7. An Nguyen
8. Dallas McCarver
9. Jeff Long
10. Ben White
11. Malcolm Marshall
12. Eddy Wilson
Placing:
1. Jonathan De La Rosa
Analysis: De La Rosa had a great off season and added some quality mass to his shapely physique. The added size and improvement will be the key to putting him on top of this line-up. He’s placed well in tough competitions last year (New York Pro and Toronto Pro) so this will be his year to qualify for the Olympia with a win here.
2. Justin Compton
Analysis: Another competitor with great shape who just needs more size to hang with the pros. Justin was outsized at the Chicago Pro Show last year but after a good off season, he should be able to move to the top in less than stellar line-up. If Justin comes in sliced and full, he could be a dark horse for the victory.
3. Fred S
malls
Analysis: Currently the top performer in the sport, Smalls can hold his own in the smaller shows (taking 4th in the 2013 Prague Pro and 6th at the Australia Grand Prix this year) so he should be able to make the top three in this line-up if he comes in hard enough. Fred doesn’t have any outstanding strong points but he is balanced and just needs to come in shape.
4. Clarence De Vis
Analysis: If there is a real dark horse in the show, it is De Vis who has incredible thickness and shape but never seems to really dial it in to showcase his great physique. He always seems a little “watery” and not ripped or dry enough. If he can achieve his best condition every, he could easily make the top three. Even a little off; he will make the top five.
5. An Nguyen
Analysis: Nguyen’s best placing to date was the 2012 Chicago Pro Show where he took a strong third. He was off last year but he looks much improved in his pics leading up to this show. Nguyen has excellent shape too and his physique is very thick. He just needs show off that thickness with the right conditioning and he can pull off a top five placing.
6. Keith Williams
Analysis: Keith looked surprisingly good last year at the Chicago Pro Show and the Tampa Pro. He has been improving his size since he turned pro in 2012. He has an impressive upper body but his legs are a little straight up and down. He has a good shot at making the top five if he shows continued improvement and comes in top condition.
7. Jeff Long
Analysis: Jeff has potential plus with great thickness and size but he always competes too soft. If he ever really hit his peak, he is a potential pro winner but my gut instinct tells me he will be a little off again for this show and that will keep him out of the top five.
8. Daniel Toth
Analysis: Daniel doesn’t have the greatest shape but he typically shows up hard as nails. He placed very well in a couple European shows last year (5th in the European Pro and 6th at FIBO Germany) but only took 13th at the New York Pro and 9th at the Toronto Pro so he seems to do better overseas than in the States. Even in top shape with good hardness, it is his wider waist and protruding abs that will hurt his placing.
9. Dallas McCarver
Analysis: Dallas is a young, big kid who got his pro card at only 21 years old. He has lots of potential but he will need to both big and ripped to place in the top five. If he is big and smooth, he won’t come near the top five.
10. Ben White
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Analysis: A former Tampa Pro winner (2010), Ben looks much smaller in his pre-contest pics and that will not help him in a professional line-up. His conditioning also looks a little off so I predict Ben will be at the bottom of the show in this small pro contest.
Chris Aceto:
Top-competitors list
1. Jon Dela Rosa
2. Justin Compton
3. Clarance De Vis
4. Fred Smalls
5. An Nguyen
1. Jon Dela Rosa
Analysis: Delarosa. Plus is. His shape roundness, he will also be in very good condition. He has a great front double and side chest – he has the " right look" that makes him hard to beat. He also has more experience than other guys in the lineup and he has focus and confidence to win.
2. Justin Compton
Analysis:Compton. Nice wheels shape very good condition but from what I saw last year in Chicago he needs more size for his big frame. Delarosa roundness will likely negate comptons strengths
3. Clarance De Vis
Analysis:Clarence. Will be in very very good condition. Strength is muscle maturity. Great side shots and when he's on great back double. Kind of square looking in the front double which lends itself to a ( not blocky) but less then super v tapered look when stand next to Delarosa and Compton
4. Fred Smalls
Analysis:Smalls. Gets better with multiple shows which means he still don't have his plans nailed down. Should be at his best here and can easily move up. Problem right now is sometimes his legs look thin from behind. Absolutely has to be at his best or he will be 4th
5. An Nguyen
Analysis: An Nguyen Who knows. Been a while since we seen a great version of this kid. If he nails it he's easy in top call out. If he doesn't internet trolls will say they can beat him and that he sucks. I hope he nails it cause he has super body
Tad Inoue:
Top-competitors list
1. Jon Dela Rosa
2. Justin Compton
3. Fred Smalls
4. Clarance De Vis
5. Keith Williams
6. Daniel Toth
7. An Nguyen
8. Dallas McCarver
9. Jeff Long
10. Ben White
11. Malcolm Marshall
12. Eddy Wilson
Placing:
1 Jon Dela Rosa -
Analysis: Aesthetically one of the best shorter bodybuilders out there. He has made wonderful improvements this last year and I expect him to be in the top 3 in every show he chooses to be in this year. Jon has one of the best front double biceps out there in the industry and is so impressive from the front. He will be hard to beat if he is in top shape at this show.
2 Justin Compton
Analysis; Justin has looked sub-par in past shows but the stuff I h
ave seen this year puts him light years ahead of where he has been in the past. If he shows up in top form he will be a sure top 3 placer at this show. He has gained a ton of great lean mass and if he is in condition the day of the show, he will look very impressive.
3 Clarance De Vis
Analysis; Clarence is nicely proportioned and has great fullness and roundness in his physique. But I doubt he will have the “wow” factor enough to surpass Jon or Justin in this line up.
4 An Nguyen
Analysis; I have worked with An as his diet coach, and he is always concerned with size. But now he seems to have really put on the size he wanted. He is looking very impressive. He has the potential to win a show like this. Will he win this one, probably not given that Jon and Justin are looking very impressive. But I wouldn’t count An out just yet. He has a remarkable shoulder to waist ratio and great individual body parts. His failing is conditioning. While he usually comes in good shape, this game is won by guys who come in unbelievable shape.
5 Fred Smalls
Analysis; Fred is a great competitor, not a shining star just yet but look out if he continues to improve. We will see what he brings to this show.
6 Keith Williams
Analysis; Always looks sharp and in condition. But he always lacks leg depth and size especially in the outer sweep. He is aging and my guess is that we have seen just about the best from Keith. Great competitor, heart of a champion but the best will beat him.
7 Malcolm Marshall
Analysis; Big guy but a bit tall for his size at times. I see this as his best opportunity to do well at a pro show. He will need more size and he will need to make sure he comes in great shape to surpass some of his competition.
