The road to the NBA Finals is finally upon us and it promises to be full of twists and turns along the way. This is the Lakers' chance to prove that their surplus of talent was worth all of the money it cost and that their late season breakdown, winning only four of their last eleven games, was only a fluke. With the talent of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, etc, the Lakers are hoping to be able to get on track for another three-peat reminiscent of the consecutive championships they won from 2000-2002. This is the final year that Cleveland has to get LeBron James his first championship ring and convince him to not take his talents elsewhere. The Charlotte Bobcats finally made the playoffs since joining the league as an expansion team in 2004. For many teams, a lot rides on how the playoffs unfold and who stands above the rest, victorious in the end.
In the West, the LA Lakers (57-25) have earned themselves the number one seed. They will be pitted against the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-32), who sit at the bottom of the West with the number eight seed. Despite the unanimous feelings that the Lakers should win this series, they stumbled to the regular season finish line and are looking like a team suffocating under the pressure. The Thunder have been playing well and their star player Kevin Durant, who is playing in his first playoff game, is salivating at over the chance to knock Kobe Bryant and Co. off their high horses. The Lakers led the regular season series 3-1. I predict that the Lakers will win this series in six games.
The number two and seven seeds, the Dallas Mavericks (55-27) and the San Antonio Spurs (50-32), will battle it out in the first round this year. The Mavericks, who are coming into the playoffs with the best win streak in the West, are looking good and are feeling confident. However, the Spurs have a knack for knocking off higher seeded playoff teams, which could lead to the most likely upset this year. The Mavericks led the regular season series 3-1. I predict that the Mavericks will win this series in seven games.
The third seeded Phoenix Suns (54-28) will take on the sixth seeded Portland Trailblazers (50-32). Despite a talented roster, the Trailblazers look to be outmatched by both the athleticism and scoring ability of the Suns, especially with their star player Brandon Roy out due to an injury. The Trailblazers led the regular season series 2-1. I predict that the Suns will win this series in five games.
The final game in the West will be between the fourth seeded Denver Nuggets (53-29) and the fifth seeded Utah Jazz (53-29). With both teams pretty evenly matched, this series should come down to whose stars will shine brightest: Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups of Denver or Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer of Utah. Denver led the regular season series 3-1. I predict that the Nuggets will win this series in seven games.
In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers (61-21), led by all-star LeBron James, earned themselves the top seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs for the second year in a row. This will put them against the eighth seeded Chicago Bulls (41-41), who barely earned themselves a playoff spot with a win in their regular season finale. Despite their efforts to make the playoffs, they shouldn’t be much of a challenge for the dominant Cavaliers. The regular series was split, 2-2. I predict that the Cavaliers win this series in four games.
The second seeded Orlando Magic (59-23) will be matched up against the Charlotte Bobcats (44-38), a franchise that is getting its first taste of the playoffs this year. Orlando has the longest winning streak in the NBA heading into the playoffs, and shouldn’t have too much trouble dispatching a team that is just glad that its summer didn’t start as early as it usually does. The Magic led the regular season series 3-1. I predict that the Magic will win this series in five games.
The third seeded Atlanta Hawks (53-29) will face off against the sixth seeded Milwaukee Bucks (46-36). The Bucks are coming into the series looking to upset one of the hottest teams in the NBA without their best player, Andrew Bogut, who they lost to injury. Without Bogut, the Bucks will be lucky to win a single game against Josh Smith and his Hawks. The Hawks led the regular season series 2-1. I predict that Atlanta will win this series in four games.
The final game in the East will be between the fourth seeded Boston Celtics (50-32) and the fifth seeded Miami Heat (47-35). The Heat are one of the hottest teams headed in the playoffs, having won nine of their last ten, while the Celtics have only won three out of their last ten. Boston has struggled down the stretch and the Heat are looking to capitalize on their momentum. The Celtics swept the regular season series 3-0. I predict that the Heat will win this series in seven games.
As I predicted last year, I expect the Lakers to barely squeeze their way past the opposition in the West and stumble into the Finals purely due to their overwhelming amount of talent. As for the East, I again see the Cavaliers conquering everyone that stands in their way and going head-to-head with the Lakers in the Finals in one of the most highly anticipated matchups in NBA history.
Now, for you Lakers fans, brace yourself. I predict that the Cavaliers will come out victorious over the Lakers in six games. James (“The King”) will get his ring and will stay in Cleveland, which is where he belongs. Shaquille O’Neal, who hopped on the LeBron train at the beginning of this season, will taunt Kobe with his new shiny championship ring and will retire a happy man. Lakers fans will riot in the streets of LA and all will be right in the world.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Mock Draft 3.0
Here's my third try at this, after a few weeks of free agency, trades and some speculation on different draft prospects.
1. St. Louis Rams
Sam Bradford, QB- The Rams need a quarterback to rebuild around, and Bradford, as he showed at his Pro Day, can be that quarterback.
2. Detriot Lions
Ndamukong Suh, DT- Suh is a player that will drastically improve any defense he plays for, the Lions would be down-right stupid to pass him up.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gerald McCoy, DT- Much like Suh, McCoy will be a building-block for any defense and the Bucs need an anchor on the defensive line.
4. Washington Redskins
Russell Okung, OT- In light of the trade for McNabb, the Skins must now look for an insurance policy for their new quarterback.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Berry, S- Although an offensive lineman would be ideal, a player like Berry will be hard to pass up considering his game-changing ability.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Clausen, QB- Pete Carroll has a previous relationship with Clausen and will be looking for a building block to start his reign in Seattle.
7. Cleveland Browns
Bryan Bulaga, OT- With the quarterback position looking to be weak at the beginning of the season, what better of a way to help that then to bolster the o-line.
8. Oakland Raiders
Joe Haden, CB- The Oakland defense would love to have an outstanding player to line up across from Asomugha, and Haden could be that player.
9. Buffalo Bills
C.J. Spiller, RB- Spiller's stock continues to rise and the Bills won't be able to pass up such an electrifying player.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Derrick Morgan, DE- With the addition of Kampman, the Jags would love to have another outstanding pass rusher on the opposite side of the d-line.
11. Denver Broncos
Rolando McClain, ILB- McClain can be the leader that any defense needs to win Super Bowls, and with his help, the Broncos could get over the late season hump that kept them out of the playoffs.
12. Miami Dolphins
Dez Bryant, WR- Henne will be ecstatic when the Fins give him another weapon to work with.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Trent Williams, OT- With two first round picks, the 49ers look for the best value they can find and go with another one of the outstanding o-linemen in the draft.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Sergio Kindle, OLB- The Seahawks need help getting to the passer, and Kindle could be 2010's Brian Orakpo.
15. New York Giants
Dan Williams, DT- He's a monster inside and will help anchor this Giants defense for years to come.
16. Tennessee Titans
Kyle Wilson, CB- With some questions lingering in the secondary, the Titans take the next best cornerback off the board with Wilson to help patch some defensive holes.
17. San Francisco 49ers
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE- An athletic freak, the 49ers will add one of the most intriguing players in the draft to their roster to fortify their already solid defense.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Iupati, G- Despite other needs, Iupati will help anchor an aging offensive line and give the running game an extra spark.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Carlos Dunlap, DE- The Falcons struggled all year to get to the quarterback, and with the addition of Dunlap, should do a much better job at it this year.
20. Houston Texans
Earl Thomas, S- Possibly the best defensive back behind Berry, Thomas will add athleticism to a team that's on the cusp of becoming playoff worthy.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Jermaine Gresham, TE- The Bengals will add another weapon to their offense to help Palmer lead them back to the playoffs.
22. New England Patriots
Brandon Graham, OLB- This addition will help the Pats get pressure on the quarterback and make life easier on their mistake-prone secondary.
23. Green Bay Packers
Bruce Campbell, OT- They need an insurance policy for Rodgers after lack-luster pass blocking in 2009. Campbell will provide that and more.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Patrick Robinson, CB- With the loss of Sheldon Brown, the Eagles will look to rebuild a secondary that continues to be a weak point in a playoff caliber team.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Anthony Davis, OT- The run game struggled to get going in the playoffs, and now that there is a passing game, the offensive line should be improved to help Rice and McGahee.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Golden Tate, WR- With an imminent quarterback battle and an at-times poor offensive attack, the Cards will look to add an extra spark to their offense.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Maurkice Pouncey, C- The Cowboys need some help on the o-line, and Pouncey can come in and provide immediate support.
28. San Diego Chargers
Ryan Matthews, RB- The Chargers are desperate for a complement to Sproles at this point, and Matthews appears to provide just that.
29. New York Jets
Demaryius Thomas, WR- As Sanchez continues to grow, Ryan and co. will look to add some toys for him to play with.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Taylor Mays, S- The Vikings struggled at times at stopping the passing game, and Mays has proven that he can be an extraordinary playmaker when he's on his game.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Jared Odrick, DT- The Colts defensive line struggled to stop the run all season long and adding an anchor at DT will be one step in the right direction.
32. New Orleans Saints
Sean Witherspoon, OLB- Witherspoon is an excellent fit for this defense and could fill the void left by Fujita almost immediately.
1. St. Louis Rams
Sam Bradford, QB- The Rams need a quarterback to rebuild around, and Bradford, as he showed at his Pro Day, can be that quarterback.
2. Detriot Lions
Ndamukong Suh, DT- Suh is a player that will drastically improve any defense he plays for, the Lions would be down-right stupid to pass him up.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gerald McCoy, DT- Much like Suh, McCoy will be a building-block for any defense and the Bucs need an anchor on the defensive line.
4. Washington Redskins
Russell Okung, OT- In light of the trade for McNabb, the Skins must now look for an insurance policy for their new quarterback.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Berry, S- Although an offensive lineman would be ideal, a player like Berry will be hard to pass up considering his game-changing ability.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Clausen, QB- Pete Carroll has a previous relationship with Clausen and will be looking for a building block to start his reign in Seattle.
7. Cleveland Browns
Bryan Bulaga, OT- With the quarterback position looking to be weak at the beginning of the season, what better of a way to help that then to bolster the o-line.
8. Oakland Raiders
Joe Haden, CB- The Oakland defense would love to have an outstanding player to line up across from Asomugha, and Haden could be that player.
9. Buffalo Bills
C.J. Spiller, RB- Spiller's stock continues to rise and the Bills won't be able to pass up such an electrifying player.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Derrick Morgan, DE- With the addition of Kampman, the Jags would love to have another outstanding pass rusher on the opposite side of the d-line.
11. Denver Broncos
Rolando McClain, ILB- McClain can be the leader that any defense needs to win Super Bowls, and with his help, the Broncos could get over the late season hump that kept them out of the playoffs.
12. Miami Dolphins
Dez Bryant, WR- Henne will be ecstatic when the Fins give him another weapon to work with.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Trent Williams, OT- With two first round picks, the 49ers look for the best value they can find and go with another one of the outstanding o-linemen in the draft.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Sergio Kindle, OLB- The Seahawks need help getting to the passer, and Kindle could be 2010's Brian Orakpo.
15. New York Giants
Dan Williams, DT- He's a monster inside and will help anchor this Giants defense for years to come.
16. Tennessee Titans
Kyle Wilson, CB- With some questions lingering in the secondary, the Titans take the next best cornerback off the board with Wilson to help patch some defensive holes.
17. San Francisco 49ers
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE- An athletic freak, the 49ers will add one of the most intriguing players in the draft to their roster to fortify their already solid defense.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Iupati, G- Despite other needs, Iupati will help anchor an aging offensive line and give the running game an extra spark.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Carlos Dunlap, DE- The Falcons struggled all year to get to the quarterback, and with the addition of Dunlap, should do a much better job at it this year.
20. Houston Texans
Earl Thomas, S- Possibly the best defensive back behind Berry, Thomas will add athleticism to a team that's on the cusp of becoming playoff worthy.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Jermaine Gresham, TE- The Bengals will add another weapon to their offense to help Palmer lead them back to the playoffs.
22. New England Patriots
Brandon Graham, OLB- This addition will help the Pats get pressure on the quarterback and make life easier on their mistake-prone secondary.
23. Green Bay Packers
Bruce Campbell, OT- They need an insurance policy for Rodgers after lack-luster pass blocking in 2009. Campbell will provide that and more.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Patrick Robinson, CB- With the loss of Sheldon Brown, the Eagles will look to rebuild a secondary that continues to be a weak point in a playoff caliber team.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Anthony Davis, OT- The run game struggled to get going in the playoffs, and now that there is a passing game, the offensive line should be improved to help Rice and McGahee.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Golden Tate, WR- With an imminent quarterback battle and an at-times poor offensive attack, the Cards will look to add an extra spark to their offense.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Maurkice Pouncey, C- The Cowboys need some help on the o-line, and Pouncey can come in and provide immediate support.
28. San Diego Chargers
Ryan Matthews, RB- The Chargers are desperate for a complement to Sproles at this point, and Matthews appears to provide just that.
29. New York Jets
Demaryius Thomas, WR- As Sanchez continues to grow, Ryan and co. will look to add some toys for him to play with.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Taylor Mays, S- The Vikings struggled at times at stopping the passing game, and Mays has proven that he can be an extraordinary playmaker when he's on his game.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Jared Odrick, DT- The Colts defensive line struggled to stop the run all season long and adding an anchor at DT will be one step in the right direction.
32. New Orleans Saints
Sean Witherspoon, OLB- Witherspoon is an excellent fit for this defense and could fill the void left by Fujita almost immediately.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Mock Draft 2.0
After some research into players and moves by some NFL teams in the past few days, I decided to give this another go around. Also had to make sure that the draft order was correct. So here we go.
1. St. Louis Rams
Ndamukong Suh, DT- There is a solid chance that this pick could be traded considering the Rams have so many needs, but I still see them taking the best player on the board in Suh.
2. Detriot Lions
Gerald McCoy, DT- Much like the first pick, this one could be traded to fill the Lions' many needs, but one of those is DT and McCoy would be too hard to pass up.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Derrick Morgan, DE- Although Berry will definitely be considered here, the Bucs need a big time pass rusher and Morgan could give them just that.
4. Washington Redskins
Sam Bradford, QB- Jason Campbell's run in D.C. is over and new coach Mike Shanahan will be looking for the next franchise quarterback to build his team around, and his best option appears to be Bradford.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Anthony Davis, OT- The Chiefs need an insurance policy for Cassel as well as rising star running back Jamaal Charles, which Davis will provide.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Russell Okung, OT- Even though there is a more dire need a quarterback, the Seahawks need to find their replacement for aging left tackle Walter Jones.
7. Cleveland Browns
Eric Berry, S- With so many holes and none that stand out above the rest, the Browns will look to secure a player in the mold of Ed Reed who can be a superstar.
8. Oakland Raiders
Bryan Bulaga, OT- Although the last time they picked an Iowa offensive lineman, it was somewhat of a bust, the Raiders are desperate to find someone to block for all of the offensive talent they've drafted in recent years.
9. Buffalo Bills
Bruce Campbell, OT- With the offensive line talent flying off the board, the Bills won't hesitate to take the best option remaining, especially after losing Butler unexpectedly.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Carlos Dunlap, DE- Even with Pierre-Paul still on the board, the Jags should go for the supreme pass-rushing defensive end out of Gainesville, where the Jags have a tendency to draft out of.
11. Denver Broncos
Dez Bryant- Considering that the Broncos will most likely not have Brandon Marshall back, they need a spark plug who can spread the field and make plays in the passing game, which Bryant can deliver immediately.
12. Miami Dolphins
Rolando McClain, ILB- With the likely loss of Porter along with aging linebackers, the Dolphins shouldn't hesitate to take the proven McClain here.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Joe Haden, CB- With another pick only 4 spots down the board, the 49ers will take the best player available at this point, and Haden should be an excellent addition to the 49ers already solid defense.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Clausen, QB- With the OT position already solidified, Pete Carroll can now look towards rebuilding the Seahawks offense, starting with a new quarterback.
15. New York Giants
Brian Price, DT- The Giants defense is looking for a new anchor to hold down the front line, and Price can do exactly that.
16. Tennessee Titans
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE- The defensive line needs some help with the possible loss of Vanden Bosch, and with an outstanding defensive end like Pierre-Paul still on the board, he should be too hard to pass up.
17. San Francisco 49ers
Trent Williams, OT- The 49ers need some help blocking for Gore as well as to allow Alex Smith a chance to prove he can handle the starting role. With Williams in the mix, that should be a little easier to do.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Iupati, G- With the signing of Hampton, the need for a DT isn't as big and the Steelers can look towards solidifying Big Ben's protection.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Kareem Jackson, CB- The Falcons had a tough time stopping the pass this season, and will Jackson's help, might be closer to crossing that threshold into the playoffs.
20. Houston Texans
C.J. Spiller, RB- It will be a miracle for Spiller to get this far into the draft, but the Texans need a running back bad and he will be too hard to pass up.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Jermaine Gresham, TE- With the loss of some key offensive components last season, the Bengals will look to bolster their receiving corps by bringing in an outstanding, athletic tight end to help out Carson Palmer.
22. New England Patriots
Sergio Kindle, OLB- They need help at linebacker, especially with getting pressure on the quarterback, and Kindle fits the bill perfectly.
23. Green Bay Packers
Maurkice Pouncey, G/C- With most of the first round talent on the offensive line off the board, the Packers will take the next best player in hopes of bolstering an offensive line that struggled to protect Aaron Rodgers.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Taylor Mays, S- The Eagles are desperate to find the replacement to Brian Dawkins, and Mays' potential would make any team drool at this point in the draft.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Arrelious Benn, WR- Unless they bring in T.O., which is unlikely, they will still need some electric receivers to help out Joe Flacco and the Ravens' offense.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Dan Williams, DT- Williams is a steal at this point in the draft, and will help improve one of the Cardinals' biggest needs: the defensive line.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Earl Thomas, S- Thomas is a proven play maker who could immediate upgrade the athleticism of the Cowboys defense.
28. San Diego Chargers
Jahvid Best, RB- If they don't trade up in an attempt to secure Spiller, the Chargers will have to go for the next best option with Best, considering that they most likely won't have Tomlinson or Sproles going into the draft.
29. New York Jets
Golden Tate, WR- The Jets had a hard time finding a play making at the receiver spot this season that could catch big throws in the clutch, and Tate can do just that by giving Sanchez a big-time playmaker to throw to.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Jared Odrick, DT- Even with an outstanding defensive line, the Vikings need to find an eventual replacement for Pat Williams, and Odrick has done a good job of showing that he's NFL-ready.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Brandon Spikes, ILB- Although somewhat of a stretch, Spikes has shown glimpes of excellence and the Colts will need to find a replacement if they can't find a way to resign Brackett.
32. New Orleans Saints
Sean Witherspoon, OLB- An obvious fit for the Saints' defense, he should be able to come in and give immediate help to middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
So there you go, again. Another maybe coming once it gets closer to draft day.
1. St. Louis Rams
Ndamukong Suh, DT- There is a solid chance that this pick could be traded considering the Rams have so many needs, but I still see them taking the best player on the board in Suh.
2. Detriot Lions
Gerald McCoy, DT- Much like the first pick, this one could be traded to fill the Lions' many needs, but one of those is DT and McCoy would be too hard to pass up.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Derrick Morgan, DE- Although Berry will definitely be considered here, the Bucs need a big time pass rusher and Morgan could give them just that.
4. Washington Redskins
Sam Bradford, QB- Jason Campbell's run in D.C. is over and new coach Mike Shanahan will be looking for the next franchise quarterback to build his team around, and his best option appears to be Bradford.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Anthony Davis, OT- The Chiefs need an insurance policy for Cassel as well as rising star running back Jamaal Charles, which Davis will provide.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Russell Okung, OT- Even though there is a more dire need a quarterback, the Seahawks need to find their replacement for aging left tackle Walter Jones.
7. Cleveland Browns
Eric Berry, S- With so many holes and none that stand out above the rest, the Browns will look to secure a player in the mold of Ed Reed who can be a superstar.
8. Oakland Raiders
Bryan Bulaga, OT- Although the last time they picked an Iowa offensive lineman, it was somewhat of a bust, the Raiders are desperate to find someone to block for all of the offensive talent they've drafted in recent years.
9. Buffalo Bills
Bruce Campbell, OT- With the offensive line talent flying off the board, the Bills won't hesitate to take the best option remaining, especially after losing Butler unexpectedly.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Carlos Dunlap, DE- Even with Pierre-Paul still on the board, the Jags should go for the supreme pass-rushing defensive end out of Gainesville, where the Jags have a tendency to draft out of.
11. Denver Broncos
Dez Bryant- Considering that the Broncos will most likely not have Brandon Marshall back, they need a spark plug who can spread the field and make plays in the passing game, which Bryant can deliver immediately.
12. Miami Dolphins
Rolando McClain, ILB- With the likely loss of Porter along with aging linebackers, the Dolphins shouldn't hesitate to take the proven McClain here.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Joe Haden, CB- With another pick only 4 spots down the board, the 49ers will take the best player available at this point, and Haden should be an excellent addition to the 49ers already solid defense.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Clausen, QB- With the OT position already solidified, Pete Carroll can now look towards rebuilding the Seahawks offense, starting with a new quarterback.
15. New York Giants
Brian Price, DT- The Giants defense is looking for a new anchor to hold down the front line, and Price can do exactly that.
16. Tennessee Titans
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE- The defensive line needs some help with the possible loss of Vanden Bosch, and with an outstanding defensive end like Pierre-Paul still on the board, he should be too hard to pass up.
17. San Francisco 49ers
Trent Williams, OT- The 49ers need some help blocking for Gore as well as to allow Alex Smith a chance to prove he can handle the starting role. With Williams in the mix, that should be a little easier to do.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Iupati, G- With the signing of Hampton, the need for a DT isn't as big and the Steelers can look towards solidifying Big Ben's protection.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Kareem Jackson, CB- The Falcons had a tough time stopping the pass this season, and will Jackson's help, might be closer to crossing that threshold into the playoffs.
20. Houston Texans
C.J. Spiller, RB- It will be a miracle for Spiller to get this far into the draft, but the Texans need a running back bad and he will be too hard to pass up.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Jermaine Gresham, TE- With the loss of some key offensive components last season, the Bengals will look to bolster their receiving corps by bringing in an outstanding, athletic tight end to help out Carson Palmer.
22. New England Patriots
Sergio Kindle, OLB- They need help at linebacker, especially with getting pressure on the quarterback, and Kindle fits the bill perfectly.
23. Green Bay Packers
Maurkice Pouncey, G/C- With most of the first round talent on the offensive line off the board, the Packers will take the next best player in hopes of bolstering an offensive line that struggled to protect Aaron Rodgers.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Taylor Mays, S- The Eagles are desperate to find the replacement to Brian Dawkins, and Mays' potential would make any team drool at this point in the draft.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Arrelious Benn, WR- Unless they bring in T.O., which is unlikely, they will still need some electric receivers to help out Joe Flacco and the Ravens' offense.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Dan Williams, DT- Williams is a steal at this point in the draft, and will help improve one of the Cardinals' biggest needs: the defensive line.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Earl Thomas, S- Thomas is a proven play maker who could immediate upgrade the athleticism of the Cowboys defense.
28. San Diego Chargers
Jahvid Best, RB- If they don't trade up in an attempt to secure Spiller, the Chargers will have to go for the next best option with Best, considering that they most likely won't have Tomlinson or Sproles going into the draft.
29. New York Jets
Golden Tate, WR- The Jets had a hard time finding a play making at the receiver spot this season that could catch big throws in the clutch, and Tate can do just that by giving Sanchez a big-time playmaker to throw to.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Jared Odrick, DT- Even with an outstanding defensive line, the Vikings need to find an eventual replacement for Pat Williams, and Odrick has done a good job of showing that he's NFL-ready.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Brandon Spikes, ILB- Although somewhat of a stretch, Spikes has shown glimpes of excellence and the Colts will need to find a replacement if they can't find a way to resign Brackett.
32. New Orleans Saints
Sean Witherspoon, OLB- An obvious fit for the Saints' defense, he should be able to come in and give immediate help to middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
So there you go, again. Another maybe coming once it gets closer to draft day.
Saying Goodbye to Veteran RBs Becoming a Trend
First LaDainian Tomlinson and Jamal Lewis... Then Brian Westbrook... Now Thomas Jones. Who will be next to fall in the line of veteran running backs whos teams simply don't want to pay for their services anymore?
Maybe Ricky Williams or Clinton Portis will be getting the boot next. It seems that the NFL is evolving rapidly at the running back position. More and more, you see teams that have solid seasons from first and second year backs, which eliminates the need for these high-paid veterans to stay on payroll. There are so many talented running backs in the league that can get the job done, that more and more seasoned veterans are losing their jobs or becoming role players who are used to mentor these young players.
Take the New York Jets for example. This season, Thomas Jones ran for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns. His backup, third round draft pick Shonn Greene, amassed 540 yards during the regular season and became a crucial part of the Jets' playoff run. Now that they have come to the conclusion that Greene can handle the load offensively, there's no need to pay a veteran like Jones, who still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
Of course, most of these players will find jobs, they will get their chances to prove they still have some play-making ability, and will probably play out the remainder of their NFL careers with a different team. But in the business that is the NFL, times are-a-changing.
Maybe Ricky Williams or Clinton Portis will be getting the boot next. It seems that the NFL is evolving rapidly at the running back position. More and more, you see teams that have solid seasons from first and second year backs, which eliminates the need for these high-paid veterans to stay on payroll. There are so many talented running backs in the league that can get the job done, that more and more seasoned veterans are losing their jobs or becoming role players who are used to mentor these young players.
Take the New York Jets for example. This season, Thomas Jones ran for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns. His backup, third round draft pick Shonn Greene, amassed 540 yards during the regular season and became a crucial part of the Jets' playoff run. Now that they have come to the conclusion that Greene can handle the load offensively, there's no need to pay a veteran like Jones, who still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
Of course, most of these players will find jobs, they will get their chances to prove they still have some play-making ability, and will probably play out the remainder of their NFL careers with a different team. But in the business that is the NFL, times are-a-changing.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Mock Draft 1.0
As the 2010 NFL draft (April 22-24) draws nearer, there continues to be more and more speculation as to who will go where in this years draft. So, before the combine is over and players fall and rise based on their 40 yard dash times, I'm going to give my idea as to who each team will take with their respective picks.
1. St. Louis Rams
Ndamukong Suh, DT- With a team that needs help at basically every position except running back, the Rams will take the best possible player on the board.
2. Detroit Lions
Gerald McCoy, DT- In just about the same position as the Rams, they'll take the best player on the board in a draft dominated by outstanding linemen.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Derrick Morgan, DE- The Bucs are looking for a dominant defensive lineman to anchor a rebuilding defense, and Morgan should do a solid job of that.
4. Washington Redskins
Sam Bradford, QB- With Jason Campbell's run in D.C. just about over, the Skins are looking to find a new franchise quarterback and Bradford seems to be the best option.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Russell Okong, OT- Branden Albert has been inconsistent at best, so look for the Chiefs to give Matt Cassell better blocking by drafting one of the valuable tackles with their early pick.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE- In an attempt to bolster a weak pass rush led by 33-year-old Patrick Kerney, the Seahawks go for a proven force at defensive end.
7. Cleveland Browns
Joe Haden, CB- The Florida star will add immediately help in a defensive backfield that struggled to keep offenses out of the endzone all year.
8. Oakland Raiders
Anthony Davis, OT- It will be nearly impossible to give any quarterback a chance to run the Raiders' offense with Mario Henderson starting at tackle. Immediate upgrade with Davis.
9. Buffalo Bills
Bruce Campbell, OT- With the sudden lose of Brad Butler to the world of politics, the Bills will be looking to solidify the tackle position.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Brandon Graham, DE/OLB- Although it might be a little early for Graham to come off the board, this hybrid player can become a playmaker if given the time and opportunity.
11. Denver Broncos
Dez Bryant, WR- Following the likelihood that Brandon Marshall leaves, Bryant looks to be the best option at taking over the #1 receiver spot and could be the spark the Broncos offense needs.
12. Miami Dolphins
Rolando McClain, ILB- Even with a somewhat weak ILB class, the Dolphins are desperate and will take the best player available at the position, McClain.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Eric Berry, S- Considering they have a second pick only a few picks later, they take the best player on the board, Berry, who will be surprised to make it this far down without getting picked.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Clausen, QB- Even though a OT would be tempting, Carroll needs a QB to build his team around and should go with Clausen with his second pick of the round.
15. New York Giants
Brian Price, DT- Not the ideal position for Price, the G-Men need a DT desperately and will take the best available at this point.
16. San Francisco 49ers
Bryan Bulaga, OT- With numerous questions at the tackle position, the niners will solidify the offensive line and take the big Iowa boy with their second pick.
17. Tennessee Titans
Kyle Wilson, CB- With no outstanding DE talent still on the board, the Titans will strenghten their secondary with an excellent cover man in Wilson.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Dan Williams, DT- Nose tackle is a pressing need for the Steelers, and Williams should be able to fill that void relatively quickly.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Carlos Dunlap, DE- The Falcons had one of the lowest sack totals and will look to upgrade their defensive line with Dunlap.
20. Houston Texans
Earl Thomas, CB/S- With the lose of Dunta Robinson a big possibility, look for the Texans to draft some secondary insurance with a promising player in Thomas.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Jermaine Gresham, TE- Adding an extra offensive weapon will help give Carson Palmer another way to air the ball out and allow the Bengals another run at the playoffs.
22. New England Patriots
Sergio Kindle, OLB- A solid pass rushing linebacker who will allow the Pats to depend on someone other than Tully Banta-Cain to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
23. Green Bay Packers
Trent Williams, OT- With an offensive line that struggled to give quarterback Aaron Rodgers time to throw, adding a player like Williams will give the O-line and Rodgers some confidence.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Everson Griffen, DE- Trent Cole did an outstanding job at getting to the quarterback this year, and will do even better in 2010 with another good pass rusher on the other side of the line.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Mardy Gilyard, WR- Unless the Ravens make some blockbuster move to pick up a #1 receiver, Gilyard has proven that he can be a dangerous receiver, something Joe Flacco desperately needs.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB- With big names at OT off the board, the Cards will look to get some pressure from the linebacker position with outstanding pass-rusher Hughes.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Mike Iupati, G- Kyle Kosier is not getting the job done, and having a solid, new guard will only upgrade an already outstanding offense.
28. San Diego Chargers
CJ Spiller, RB- With the lose of Ladainian Tomlinson, the Chargers are going to be too tempted to pass up such a home-run threat with Spiller.
29. New York Jets
Jared Odrick, DT- The defensive line is getting old, so the Jets will inject some youth into the D-line with a young, promising player in Odrick.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Taylor Mays, S- The secondary was a major concern for the Vikings this past season, and the potential in Mays will be too hard to pass up this late in the round.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Charles Brown, OT- They need a franchise left tackle, and Brown should prove to be just that given the right amount of coaching and opportunity with the Colts.
32. New Orleans Saints
Sean Witherspoon, OLB- The Saints need to surround Jonathan Vilma with more talent, and they can do exactly that by picking an outstanding linebacker like Witherspoon with the final pick of the first round.
So there you go. Mock Draft 2.0 soon to come after the combine has concluded.
1. St. Louis Rams
Ndamukong Suh, DT- With a team that needs help at basically every position except running back, the Rams will take the best possible player on the board.
2. Detroit Lions
Gerald McCoy, DT- In just about the same position as the Rams, they'll take the best player on the board in a draft dominated by outstanding linemen.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Derrick Morgan, DE- The Bucs are looking for a dominant defensive lineman to anchor a rebuilding defense, and Morgan should do a solid job of that.
4. Washington Redskins
Sam Bradford, QB- With Jason Campbell's run in D.C. just about over, the Skins are looking to find a new franchise quarterback and Bradford seems to be the best option.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Russell Okong, OT- Branden Albert has been inconsistent at best, so look for the Chiefs to give Matt Cassell better blocking by drafting one of the valuable tackles with their early pick.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE- In an attempt to bolster a weak pass rush led by 33-year-old Patrick Kerney, the Seahawks go for a proven force at defensive end.
7. Cleveland Browns
Joe Haden, CB- The Florida star will add immediately help in a defensive backfield that struggled to keep offenses out of the endzone all year.
8. Oakland Raiders
Anthony Davis, OT- It will be nearly impossible to give any quarterback a chance to run the Raiders' offense with Mario Henderson starting at tackle. Immediate upgrade with Davis.
9. Buffalo Bills
Bruce Campbell, OT- With the sudden lose of Brad Butler to the world of politics, the Bills will be looking to solidify the tackle position.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Brandon Graham, DE/OLB- Although it might be a little early for Graham to come off the board, this hybrid player can become a playmaker if given the time and opportunity.
11. Denver Broncos
Dez Bryant, WR- Following the likelihood that Brandon Marshall leaves, Bryant looks to be the best option at taking over the #1 receiver spot and could be the spark the Broncos offense needs.
12. Miami Dolphins
Rolando McClain, ILB- Even with a somewhat weak ILB class, the Dolphins are desperate and will take the best player available at the position, McClain.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Eric Berry, S- Considering they have a second pick only a few picks later, they take the best player on the board, Berry, who will be surprised to make it this far down without getting picked.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Clausen, QB- Even though a OT would be tempting, Carroll needs a QB to build his team around and should go with Clausen with his second pick of the round.
15. New York Giants
Brian Price, DT- Not the ideal position for Price, the G-Men need a DT desperately and will take the best available at this point.
16. San Francisco 49ers
Bryan Bulaga, OT- With numerous questions at the tackle position, the niners will solidify the offensive line and take the big Iowa boy with their second pick.
17. Tennessee Titans
Kyle Wilson, CB- With no outstanding DE talent still on the board, the Titans will strenghten their secondary with an excellent cover man in Wilson.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Dan Williams, DT- Nose tackle is a pressing need for the Steelers, and Williams should be able to fill that void relatively quickly.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Carlos Dunlap, DE- The Falcons had one of the lowest sack totals and will look to upgrade their defensive line with Dunlap.
20. Houston Texans
Earl Thomas, CB/S- With the lose of Dunta Robinson a big possibility, look for the Texans to draft some secondary insurance with a promising player in Thomas.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Jermaine Gresham, TE- Adding an extra offensive weapon will help give Carson Palmer another way to air the ball out and allow the Bengals another run at the playoffs.
22. New England Patriots
Sergio Kindle, OLB- A solid pass rushing linebacker who will allow the Pats to depend on someone other than Tully Banta-Cain to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
23. Green Bay Packers
Trent Williams, OT- With an offensive line that struggled to give quarterback Aaron Rodgers time to throw, adding a player like Williams will give the O-line and Rodgers some confidence.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Everson Griffen, DE- Trent Cole did an outstanding job at getting to the quarterback this year, and will do even better in 2010 with another good pass rusher on the other side of the line.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Mardy Gilyard, WR- Unless the Ravens make some blockbuster move to pick up a #1 receiver, Gilyard has proven that he can be a dangerous receiver, something Joe Flacco desperately needs.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB- With big names at OT off the board, the Cards will look to get some pressure from the linebacker position with outstanding pass-rusher Hughes.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Mike Iupati, G- Kyle Kosier is not getting the job done, and having a solid, new guard will only upgrade an already outstanding offense.
28. San Diego Chargers
CJ Spiller, RB- With the lose of Ladainian Tomlinson, the Chargers are going to be too tempted to pass up such a home-run threat with Spiller.
29. New York Jets
Jared Odrick, DT- The defensive line is getting old, so the Jets will inject some youth into the D-line with a young, promising player in Odrick.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Taylor Mays, S- The secondary was a major concern for the Vikings this past season, and the potential in Mays will be too hard to pass up this late in the round.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Charles Brown, OT- They need a franchise left tackle, and Brown should prove to be just that given the right amount of coaching and opportunity with the Colts.
32. New Orleans Saints
Sean Witherspoon, OLB- The Saints need to surround Jonathan Vilma with more talent, and they can do exactly that by picking an outstanding linebacker like Witherspoon with the final pick of the first round.
So there you go. Mock Draft 2.0 soon to come after the combine has concluded.
Monday, February 22, 2010
LT Hits the Market
Sad, yet somewhat understandable news today for San Diego Charger fans as running back LaDainian Tomlinson was released before the March 5th deadline at which time the team would have had to pay LT $2 million in roster bonuses.
LT, who has spent all nine years of his illustrius NFL career on the Chargers, has struggled in recent years, ending this past season with a weak 3.3 yards per carry and only 730 yards on the ground. As age continues to become more and more of a factor for Tomlinson, the Chargers have decided that it was time to part ways with the player who ranks 8th on the all-time rushing yards list. Holding or sharing almost 30 Charger rushing records, he leaves the Chargers as their career rushing yards leader.
There are a few teams on the lookout for a solid running back this off-season, with those teams being the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, and Washington Redskins. A real option could be the Texans, who were a playoff caliber team that lost close games this season due to the lack of a strong, consistent running game.
Although his heart lies with San Diego and the Chargers, LT looks to have a few more years worth of gas in the tank. So whoever picks him up could have a quality running back or at least a strong backup who can help develope younger running backs.
Although his run at the career rushing yards record is over barring some sort of miraculous comeback, Tomlinson still looks to be a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame as well as being considered one of the best running backs of his generation.
LT, who has spent all nine years of his illustrius NFL career on the Chargers, has struggled in recent years, ending this past season with a weak 3.3 yards per carry and only 730 yards on the ground. As age continues to become more and more of a factor for Tomlinson, the Chargers have decided that it was time to part ways with the player who ranks 8th on the all-time rushing yards list. Holding or sharing almost 30 Charger rushing records, he leaves the Chargers as their career rushing yards leader.
There are a few teams on the lookout for a solid running back this off-season, with those teams being the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, and Washington Redskins. A real option could be the Texans, who were a playoff caliber team that lost close games this season due to the lack of a strong, consistent running game.
Although his heart lies with San Diego and the Chargers, LT looks to have a few more years worth of gas in the tank. So whoever picks him up could have a quality running back or at least a strong backup who can help develope younger running backs.
Although his run at the career rushing yards record is over barring some sort of miraculous comeback, Tomlinson still looks to be a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame as well as being considered one of the best running backs of his generation.
Friday, February 19, 2010
#1 QB in 2010 draft? Not Bradford or Clausen...
There have been many ideas as to who should be considered the best, most NFL-ready quarterback in this year's draft. Most experts and analyists would boil it down to 2 prospects: either Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen.
But in my opinion, no other quarterback stands out more for me than the one that no one expects to make an impact: Tim Tebow.
Sure, he stands out in COLLEGE football history because he ran for tons of touchdowns. Sure, he doesn't have the greatest arm in the world. Sure, he only won the Heisman in his sophomore year (a first by the way). He tore defenses apart during his run as Florida's quarterback. And when the passing lanes weren't open, he made defensive backs look slow and linebackers look like they were still in Pop Warner. Now it may not be that easy when he finally hits the NFL considering the speed and tackling ability of defensive players, but the type of player he is will allow him to elevate his level of play whenever his opposition becomes stronger. He is an outstanding player with all the physical tools as well as the mental ones to become a key component to any team's offense. In my opinion, he should be a top 10 pick. That, unfortunately, most likely will not happen due to many critics peeception that he is unproven as a throwing quarterback.
Others may argue that his display in the Senior Bowl is a bad sign, but I doubt there is a single player in the history of the NFL that has never had a poor game. Tebow will show up at the combine ready to provide a much better idea of the amazing potential that he holds as a quarterback than was shown at the Senior Bowl.
His work ethic is exceptional, shown by his dedication to becoming more comfortable taking snaps unders center before the Senior Bowl. He will work on any facet of his game that needs it and should become a starting quarterback in the NFL within three years.
Just check this out.
But in my opinion, no other quarterback stands out more for me than the one that no one expects to make an impact: Tim Tebow.
Sure, he stands out in COLLEGE football history because he ran for tons of touchdowns. Sure, he doesn't have the greatest arm in the world. Sure, he only won the Heisman in his sophomore year (a first by the way). He tore defenses apart during his run as Florida's quarterback. And when the passing lanes weren't open, he made defensive backs look slow and linebackers look like they were still in Pop Warner. Now it may not be that easy when he finally hits the NFL considering the speed and tackling ability of defensive players, but the type of player he is will allow him to elevate his level of play whenever his opposition becomes stronger. He is an outstanding player with all the physical tools as well as the mental ones to become a key component to any team's offense. In my opinion, he should be a top 10 pick. That, unfortunately, most likely will not happen due to many critics peeception that he is unproven as a throwing quarterback.
Others may argue that his display in the Senior Bowl is a bad sign, but I doubt there is a single player in the history of the NFL that has never had a poor game. Tebow will show up at the combine ready to provide a much better idea of the amazing potential that he holds as a quarterback than was shown at the Senior Bowl.
His work ethic is exceptional, shown by his dedication to becoming more comfortable taking snaps unders center before the Senior Bowl. He will work on any facet of his game that needs it and should become a starting quarterback in the NFL within three years.
Just check this out.
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