Monday, March 31, 2008
With God on our side...
And So It Begins...
2008 MLB Predictions
Fans and the media tend to believe there are a few dominant teams in baseball this year (Red Sox, Tigers, Mets). This seems to be the thought every year. My how quickly we forget. While the Sawx did win it all last year and were thought by many to be the best team, there were many surprises in 2007. Seriously, how many people had the Diamondbacks winning the N.L. West and the Rockies storming back to claim the N.L. Wild Card and then make the World Series? Maybe 2% of the population, maybe less? I think the same will happen this year. There will be one or two dark horse teams that no one thinks can go anywhere but they will challenge for a division championship...or even a World Series. To show you what I'm thinking, here are my 2008 MLB Predictions:
East
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Rays
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles
Central
Detroit Tigers
Cleveland Indians (Wild Card)
Minnesota Twins
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals
West
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners
Oakland Athletics
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies (Wild Card)
Atlanta Braves
Washington Nationals
Florida Marlins
Central
Chicago Cubs
Milwaukee Brewers
Cincinnati Reds
St. Louis Cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates
Houston Astros
West
Los Angeles Dodgers
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
American league
Los Angelese Angels of Anaheim
National League
New York Mets
SLEEPERS
American League
Texas Rangers
National League
Cincinnati Reds
AWARDS
Rookie of the Year - American League
Clay Bucholz, SP, Boston Red Sox
Another Possibility - Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays
Rookie of the Year - National League
Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds
Another Possibility - Jay Bruce, OF, Cincinnati Reds
Cy Young - American League
Justin Verlander, SP, Detroit Tigers
Another Possibility - Erik Bedard, SP, Seattle Mariners
Cy Young - National League
Johan Santana, SP, New York Mets
Another Possibility - Brandon Webb, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Most Valuable Player - American League
Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers
Another Possibility - Grady Sizemore, CF, Cleveland Indians
Most Valuable Player - National League
Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
Another Possibility - David Wright, 3B, New York Mets
So apparently I don't have any faith in the Phillies either. Well that's not true. I really believe that they will push the Mets all year and it wouldn't surprise me if the Phillies are in first for a large portion of the summer. But unfortunately I think the Phillies pitching is too weak to win a second straight N.L. East championship. But they will make the playoffs! Yay wild card! Also, I think the Braves are being overvalued. They are talented but not as much as some of the "experts" say. At least, in my opinion. It should be a GREAT seven months. Welcome back baseball, welcome back.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sports Fountainhead Blogger Pool - Standings (After Elite 8)
1st: Eric Wertz - 40 correct, 20 wrong (92 points)
2nd: Tom Sabbatelli - 42 correct, 18 wrong (91 points)
3rd: Jonathan Donati - 40 correct, 20 wrong (86 points)
4th: Justin Raffauf - 38 correct, 22 wrong (81 points)
5th: Joey Mays - 34 correct, 26 wrong (60 points)
For the first time ever all 4 #1 seeds reach the Final Four. This is of course great for all the bloggers since each of us have a #1 winning it all. These standings will still change a lot since the next round is worth 16 points/game correct and the championship is worth 32 points for a correct prediction. Stay tuned.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Sports Fountainhead Blogger Pool - Standings (After Sweet 16)
1st: Eric Wertz - 37 correct, 19 wrong (68 points)
2nd: Tom Sabbatelli - 39 correct, 17 wrong (67 points)
3rd: Jonathan Donati - 37 correct, 19 wrong (62 points)
4th: Justin Raffauf - 35 correct, 21 wrong (57 points)
5th: Joey Mays - 33 correct, 23 wrong (52 points)
Point distribution: 1 point/winner round one, 2 points/winner round two, 4 points/winner Sweet 16, 8 points/winner Elite Eight, 16 points/winner Final Four, 32 points/winner National Champion.
Each blogger still has their National Champion in the Elite Eight so anyone can come out on top. As a reminder, Eric and Tom chose North Carolina, Jonathan and Justin took Kansas, and Joey went with UCLA.
Friday, March 28, 2008
"Experts" Have No Faith in Phillies
The Phillies have lost Aaron Rowand, Michael Bourn, Chris Roberson, Jon Lieber, Kyle Lohse, Freddy garcia, Antonio Alfonseca, and Jose Mesa. Rowand was the biggest contributor of the bunch with Bourn a close second. Lohse performed admirably down the stretch after he was acquired but was asking for way too much money to be brought back. To fill in the voids created by those departures, the Phillies acquired Geoff Jenkins, So Taguchi, Eric Bruntlett, Kris Benson, Brad Lidge, Chad Durbin, Travis Blakley, Pedro Feliz, and Chris Snelling. Shane Victorino will be sliding to center field full time in 2008 with a platoon of recently added Geoff Jenkins and the sturdy Jayson Werth in right field. Lieber/Garcia and Lohse are being replaced by moving Brett Myers back to the rotation from closer (where former Astro Brad Lidge will eventually call home) and by either Durbin or Benson.
The Phillies won 89 games in 2007, one more than the Mets, and won the NL East title for the first time since 1993...I was 8 the last time the Phillies were a champion of some sort. Wow. Anyway, the additions seem to at least balance the subtractions. So a team that won 89 games last year will struggle to do so this year? According to the "experts", yes. Only Tim Kurkjian has the Phillies winning more games in 2008 (91). Keith Law administers a low blow with a Phillies win total of only 83. Ouch.
With some added punch at third (and better defense, too!) in Pedro Feliz and a guy with more range in center (yes I am serious) I don't see the Phillies regressing much. The rotation looks to be the same, talent wise. Myers, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick, and either Adam Eaton (God no), J.D. or Chad Durbin, or Travis Blakley will be the main rotation. It's nice to know that we have many options for replacements when the inevitable injury occurs. They may not be amazing replacements. Mostly spare parts. But there are serviceable arms available.
The bullpen is shaping up as well. J.C. Romero and Tom Gordon return. Ryan Madson is back from injury. Brad Lidge was brought in to fill the void left by Myers. Unfortunately he is already injured and unavailable until the second week of the season. The bullpen should perform as well as they did last year.
It is all about the start for the Phillies. For the last few years the teams has started very poor (3-11 in 2007). They usually play their best ball from June-August. But in order to topple the Mets and hold off the Braves the Phillies must shoot out of the gate and never look back.
I will withhold my prediction for the Phillies until I post my 2008 MLB Predictions Monday morning. Let's just say the experts won't agree.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Sports Fountainhead Blogger Pool - Standings (After Round 2)
1st: Tom Sabbatelli - 33 correct, 15 wrong
2nd: Jonathan Donati - 32 correct, 16 wrong
3rd: Justin Raffauf - 31 correct, 17 wrong
4th: Eric Wertz - 30 correct, 18 wrong
5th: Joey Mays - 29 correct, 19 wrong
So there has been some movement but remains anyone's game. Each place is separated by only one. Should be an interesting Sweet 16!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Sports Fountainhead Blogger Pool - Standings (After Round 1)
1st Place: Tom Sabbatelli - 23 correct, 9 wrong
T-2nd Place: Jonathan Donati - 22 correct, 10 wrong
T-2nd Place: Joey Mays - 22 correct, 10 wrong
4th Place: Justin Raffauf - 21 correct, 11 wrong
5th Place: Eric Wertz - 20 correct, 12 wrong
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Sports Fountainhead Blogger Pool - Brackets
UPDATE: E has requested that we use a different bracket than the original listed. I have uploaded his second bracket as well.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Pryor to OSU
Yankees/Rays saga
All the tension started a few days before the Duncan slide because no name Rays minor leaguer Elliot Johnson crashed into no name Yankees minor leaguer Francisco Crivelli, breaking the wrist of the young Yankees catcher. Now, just as Rays manager Joe Maddon said, it was a "hardball" play and it was not a dirty play at all. I just wanted to make that clear. However, I do believe that Yankees manager Joe Girardi was also correct in saying that the play was "uncalled for." To put it in perspective, the play occurred in the top of the ninth and the Rays were already winning. Bowling over a catcher in a clean, yet dangerous play is completely unnecessary. Players routinely get hurt during such plays and spring training is not the time for that.
The two teams played a few days later and this all went down. The game actually began with a Yankee pitcher being ejected after hitting a Ray but that was a little lame...even the Ray batter said he didn't think the pitcher was throwing at him. However, it was a later even that got things started. After a hit down the line, Shelley Duncan tried to stretch a single into a double and slid into second with a cleat in the air, nearly hitting Rays infielder, Akinori Iwamura in the groin. After doing that, Rays outfielder Johnny Gomes came flying in trying to take out Duncan and the whole scrum ensued. Now, Duncan to this day stands by the fact that the slide was clean. While I understand his point (he said he was going to the glove to knock the ball out), it was obviously done with a little bit of malicious intent. And I don't have a problem with that.
Friday, March 14, 2008
How Sweet It Is...Henne to Dolphins?
I scour many Dolphins websites and the local Miami/South Florida newspapers trying to catch up on a team I am always disconnected from. It's hard to be tied to a team and living so far away from the organization and the rest of the fan base. But I maintain my loyalty, never wavering, despite their recent dismal results.
One of the ways I try to deal with the distance is by always knowing what is happening, through the newspapers and websites. Come draft time, I always know the team needs and the best prospects available. I have been watching the NFL Draft since 1995...I was 10. Recently, I started creating my own mock. I did so for the 2007 draft but did not have a means to show it to the public. Now that have this blog I can show it and have 6 times so far for the 2008 draft. My personal accuracy for 2007 was over 25%. You may scoff at that but I am proud to say that I predicted 1 in 4 first round picks correctly. After all, I am an amateur and have done very little film study. I don't get paid to do this so I can't invest 8+ hours a day on it (although I wish I did and could).
When it comes time for the Dolphins to draft, I know a few things will happen:
- They will trade away draft picks for crappy or washed up veterans (A.J. Feeley, Trent Green).
- They will need a QB and either won't take one or will take the wrong one (the jury is still out on John Beck).
- They will not take any player that I have grown to like, whether he be a Penn State graduate or a player from Wilson High School (Kerry Collins & John Gilmore who, coincidentally, fulfill both criteria here).
Based on the level of interest the Dolphins have shown in Flacco and Henne I fully believe the Dolphins will end up with one of these two quarterbacks with one of their second round selections...WHAT!?!? Sweeeeet. Not only would selecting Chad Henne fulfill items two and three on that draft list, I FREAKIN' PLAYED FOOTBALL WITH HIM...FOR 8 YEARS! I would actually know a Miami Dolphin.
I want this to happen. Not only because I've played football with him and because he is from Wilson. I honestly think he is going to be a better pro player than uber overrated Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco. In my opinion, Brian Brohm, Chad Henne, and Josh Johnson (yeah, who?) will be the best 3 QBs from the 2008 draft. You heard it here first.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Conference tournament predictions: Southland
FIRST ROUND
1 Stephen F. Austin
8 Texas San Antonio
4 Southeastern Louisiana
5 Northwestern State
3 Sam Houston State
6 McNeese State
2 Lamar
7 Texas Arlington
SEMIFINALS
1 Stephen F. Austin
4 Southeastern Louisiana
2 Lamar
3 Sam Houston State
CHAMPIONSHIP (Sunday 3/16 on ESPN2):
1 Stephen F. Austin
3 Sam Houston State
Watch out for SFA in the Big Dance, as they knocked off Oklahoma on the road earlier this season.
Conference tournament predictions: SEC
All tournament games in Atlanta, GA
FIRST ROUND
W4 LSU
E5 South Carolina
E3 Vanderbilt
W6 Auburn
E4 Florida
W5 Alabama
W3 Ole Miss
E6 Georgia
QUARTERFINALS
E1 Tennessee
W4 LSU
W2 Arkansas
E3 Vanderbilt
W1 Mississippi State
E4 Florida
E2 Kentucky
W3 Ole Miss
SEMIFINALS
E1 Tennessee
E3 Vanderbilt
W1 Mississippi State
W3 Ole Miss
CHAMPIONSHIP (Sunday 3/16 on CBS):
E1 Tennessee
W1 Mississippi State
Conference tournament predictions: Big 12
All tournament games in Kansas City, MO
FIRST ROUND
8 Texas Tech
9 Oklahoma State
5 Baylor
12 Colorado
6 Texas A&M
11 Iowa State
7 Nebraska
10 Missouri
QUARTERFINALS
1 Texas
8 Texas Tech
4 Oklahoma
5 Baylor
3 Kansas State
6 Texas A&M
2 Kansas
10 Missouri
SEMIFINALS
1 Texas
4 Oklahoma
2 Kansas
6 Texas A&M
CHAMPIONSHIP (Sunday 3/16 on ESPN)
1 Texas
2 Kansas
Conference tournament predictions: Big Ten
That said, I don't think they get past Illinois in the first round. We've beaten the Illini the first two meetings, but both were very close games. That tells me that the third may not go our way.
All tournament games in Indianapolis, IN
FIRST ROUND
8 Iowa
9 Michigan
6 Minnesota
11 Northwestern
7 Penn State
10 Illinois
QUARTERFINALS
1 Wisconsin
8 Iowa
4 Michigan State
5 Ohio State
3 Indiana
6 Minnesota
2 Purdue
10 Illinois
SEMIFINALS
1 Wisconsin
4 Michigan State
2 Purdue
3 Indiana
CHAMPIONSHIP (Sunday 3/16 on CBS):
1 Wisconsin
3 Indiana
Conference tournament predictions: ACC
All tournament games in Charlotte, NC
FIRST ROUND
8 Wake Forest
9 Florida State
5 Miami FL
12 NC State
6 Maryland
11 Boston College
7 Georgia Tech
10 Virginia
QUARTERFINALS
1 North Carolina
9 Florida State
4 Virginia Tech
5 Miami FL
3 Clemson
6 Maryland
2 Duke
10 Virginia
SEMIFINALS
1 North Carolina
4 Virginia Tech
2 Duke
3 Clemson
CHAMPIONSHIP (Sunday 3/16 on ESPN):
1 North Carolina
2 Duke
Conference tournament predictions: Status report
Tournaments completed by Wednesday 3/12
ATLANTIC SUN
Predicted champ: Belmont
Actual champ: Belmont
Record: 6-1
BIG SKY
Predicted champ: Portland State
Actual champ: Portland State
Record: 4-1
BIG SOUTH
Predicted champ: Winthrop
Actual champ: Winthrop
Record: 7-0
CAA
Predicted champ: George Mason
Actual champ: George Mason
Record: 8-3
HORIZON
Predicted champ: Butler
Actual champ: Butler
Record: 8-1
MAAC
Predicted champ: Siena
Actual champ: Siena
Record: 7-2
MISSOURI VALLEY
Predicted champ: Drake
Actual champ: Drake
Record: 8-1
NORTHEAST
Predicted champ: Robert Morris
Actual champ: Mount St. Mary's
Record: 4-3
OHIO VALLEY
Predicted champ: Austin Peay
Actual champ: Austin Peay
Record: 6-1
SOUTHERN
Predicted champ: Davidson
Actual champ: Davidson
Record: 7-3
SUMMIT
Predicted champ: Oral Roberts
Actual champ: Oral Roberts
Record: 6-1
SUN BELT
Predicted champ: Western Kentucky
Actual champ: Western Kentucky
Record: 6-1*
*Posted predictions after opening round
WEST COAST
Predicted champ: Gonzaga
Actual champ: San Diego*
Record: 5-2
*Tournament was played on San Diego's home court, despite them being the 3 seed. Congrats to the Toreros, but you can't convince that they would have beaten Gonzaga and Saint Mary's back to back anywhere else.
OVERALL
Champions: 11-2
All games: 82-20
So yeah, either the tournaments are very predictable or I'm starting to know way too much about college basketball. We'll see what happens through the big conference tournaments this weekend.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Beaver Stadium: bigger than The Big House...eventually...and for only two years
Beaver Stadium will officially become the largest stadium in the United States soon when Michigan removes regular seating. You can read the article from the Centre Daily Times for more details, but basically UM doesn't have enough handicap seating. Therefore, they must remove some regular seating to adjust. The final seat count? 106,201 for The Big House and 107,282, per the Associated Press. This is to be put into effect immediately and The Big House will have more handicap seating for the 2008 season. Beaver Stadium will not hold the title of Biggest Stadium in the Country for long, however. Michigan is already underway with a large construction duty that is increasing the size of The Big House by at least 5,000 seats. The renovations are expected to be completed by the start of the 2010 season. Hmmm...I think it is time for Penn State to make Beaver Stadium a bit bigger.
2008 NFL Mock Draft, Version 6.0 (now with THREE rounds)
1 | |
Jake Long | The Dolphins biggest weakness is currently the offensive line. They released starting RT L.J. Shelton and backups Anthony Alabi and Joe Toledo. Vernon Carey is underrated at LT but may be best suited for the right side, where he can show off his stronger run blocking abilities. Jake Long is a poor man’s Joe Thomas. Thomas graded higher in almost all categories last year than Long did this year. Each OT is a monster. With the Dolphins large need along the o-line and the fact that Jason Taylor is still a Dolphin, Jake is the pick over Chris. If Taylor and/or Joey Porter is traded/released, then Chris will more than likely be the pick.
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2 | |
Chris Long | Chris Long falls to the Rams and they are more than happy to take him. Long is a bit undersized to play DE in a 3-4 so he is a perfect fit for the Rams 4-3. With 2007 first rounder Adam Carriker inside at DT, teamed with 2007 fifth round selection Clifton Ryan, and now Long on the outside, the Rams have a young and formidable defensive line. Long may start as a rookie and will certainly be in the DE rotation with Leonard Little and James Hall. One of the prominent DT’s could go here, allowing Carriker to move back to DE, his position at Will Also Consider: |
3 | |
Matt Ryan | Despite my dislike of Matt Ryan, some team will be foolish enough to take Ryan in the Top 10. And he will set the franchise back five years. It seems more and more likely that it will be the Falcons. The current QBs on Will Also Consider: |
4 | |
Glenn Dorsey | The Raiders are an interesting pick because no one really knows what Al Davis is thinking…ever. Dorsey and McFadden are arguably the most talented prospects in the 2008 draft and neither has been selected. Until now. Both most likely will not slip past the Raiders. In terms of need, the Raiders should go DT. Warren Sapp has retired and Tommy Kelly, who was just signed to a very lucrative contract, is returning from an ACL tear. The Raiders defense struggled in 2007 after being one of the best in 2006. They had a rough time stopping the run. Dorsey can help immediately (as long as he stays healthy). Will Also Consider: |
5 | |
Leodis McKelvin | The kid from
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6 | |
| The Jets are a bit of a mystery due to their recent splurging in the free agent pool. They filled one of their OLB positions with Calvin Pace. They acquired a nose tackle (Kris Jenkins) and added to more cogs to their offensive line (Alan Faneca and Damien Woody). They could use more offensive line help, primarily at RG and another young tackle. But the FA signings let them look elsewhere for the time being. And it isn’t at RB. The Jets have Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, as well as Jesse Chatman (another FA signee). This probably means no McFadden. So where do the Jets turn? Honestly I think it means a trade, most likely with Will Also Consider: |
7 New England Patriots (from | |
Darren McFadden | If a team were to trade up with the Jets and Gholston falls to seven I don’t think the Patriots will hesitate to snag the man from Will Also Consider: |
8 | |
Ryan Clady | The Ravens signed Kyle Boller to a one year extension last season and is back, along with the healing Steve McNair, for 2008. Troy Smith is a project but showed a ray of hope at the end of this past season. New coach John Harbaugh may want to start fresh but no QBs are available here. While the Ravens have invested many draft picks in recent years in the offensive line, none had the potential of Clady. Clady could push Adam Terry as the starting RT this year and then slide over to LT whenever Jonathan Ogden decides to retire. Some secondary help is also needed and they could grab Rodgers-Cromartie or Talib. Will Also Consider: |
9 | |
Sedrick Ellis | A player that Will Also Consider: |
10 | |
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | So the Saints drastically underachieved as I assumed they would. Their defense was atrocious in 2007 and did not give their offense any help at all. They have brought in two new MLBs (trade for Jonathan Vilma, signed FA Dan Morgan) which should improve a dreadful run defense. They have no glaring needs for a DE. They could use a DT such as Kentwan Balmer but the organization may feel burned from the disaster that was Johnathan Sullivan. LB Keith Rivers or CBs Talib could also be the choice but DRC is rising up draft boards just like McKelvin. Even though the Saints have signed free agent CBs the past two offseasons (Jason David in 2007 and Randall Gay in 2008) neither truly fits
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11 | |
Malcolm Kelly | The Bills need a possession receiver to pair with speedster Lee Evans. They can grab him in Malcolm Kelly. Kelly was a huge presence for redshirt freshman QB Sam Bradford at
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12 | |
Chris Williams | Mike Shanahan never shies away from draft day deals and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him call Will Also Consider: |
13 | |
Kentwan Balmer | The Panthers need an heir apparent to the aging Jake Delhomme but with Coach John Fox back for at least one more year the Panthers can, and will, wait to grab him. The Panthers need some help along the defensive line and in the secondary. With the trade of Kris Jenkins to the Jets, there is a huge void at DT. Ma’ake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis are only slightly above average and have reached their peak. A youthful player is needed and Balmer has the talent to sufficiently replace Jenkins. The end positions could use some addressing with the loss of Mike Rucker but the Panthers signed Tyler Brayton and are high on the potential of Charles Johnson. Despite his awful year in 2007, Julius Peppers is still a force.
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14 | |
Jeff Otah | Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton were resigned meaning that the bears will not be taking a QB in round one. The Bears biggest need is along the offensive line. The starters are getting older and they played very inconsistently in 2007. Fred Miller was released so there is a hole at tackle. Otah is a bit raw but most likely start immediately. Some experts think the Bears will take another RB to challenge Cedric Benson. I think that is a waste. Not many RBs should be taken early and this draft is deep. If the Bears really want to take another back, do so in round three where you could get great value in Ray Rice or Mike Hart. Will Also Consider: |
15 | |
Keith Rivers | The Lions addressed some of their secondary needs by acquiring Leigh Bodden in the Shaun Rogers trade and signing former Buccaneer Brian Kelly. They may be able to pass with these additions for now. They should add a young CB but could do that in round two. The Lions should focus on their defensive front seven. The loss of Shaun Rogers will hurt. Linebacker depth is also a question with Boss Bailey in
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16 | |
Derrick Harvey | The Cardinals are a 3-4 team now and just lost two linebackers (starter Calvin Pace and backup Daryl Blackstock). They could really use a replacement. Derrick Harvey is an ideal rush OLB candidate and would fit
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17 | |
Phillip Merling | With the signing of Bernard Berrian and Madieu Williams the Vikings have eliminated to areas of need at WR and S. Sure they could use some depth but I would be surprised if they used a day one pick on those positions. After numerous first round picks on Des they may go that way again. Kenechi Udeze, Ray Edwards, and Erasmus James all have potential but none have provided the constant pass rush the Vikings need. What makes matters worse is James is always injured and Udeze is fighting cancer. Merling has slowly risen up boards and could go even higher in April. Will Also Consider: |
18 | |
Rashard Mendenhall | Some draft analysts are saying tha Mendenhall has significantly closed the gap on Darren McFadden and is just as good a prospect. I don’t know about that. He has cemented himself in the first round but I don’t know if he is better than Darren. The Texans have lacked a great running game since Domanick Williams’ (formerly
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19 | |
DeSean Jackson | The Eagles should be looking for replacements for Jon Runyan and William ‘Tra’ Thomas but there are no candidates left worthy of the 19th pick. Despite Andy Reid's obsession with big men in the early rounds, he should grab a receiver here. Jackson is a more polished receiver than Ted Ginn was a year ago (9th to Miami). Jackson fills the need for more playmakers on offense, something Donovan McNabb craves. Will Also Consider: |
20 | |
| Michael Clayton had a phenomenal season as a rookie. Too bad that was in 2004. He was brought back to earth with injuries and inconsistent play over the last three seasons and is now the Buccaneers third WR. Their starters, Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, though still productive, are on the wrong side of 30. Some new blood is needed and Will Also Consider: |
21 | |
| The Redskins need some help along both lines and at WR. The best value at this juncture lies with Will Also Consider: |
22 | |
Mike Jenkins | The Cowboys will be looking for some secondary help. Terence Newman is a great number one but Anthony Henry is declining and may be better suited as a nickelback or safety. Jenkins probably doesn't fall this far in April. He has the shut down skills that some teams love. Jenkins would allow Henry to be primarily a nickelback and help solidify the Cowboys weakness in '07, pass coverage. Will Also Consider: |
23 | |
Branden Albert | The Steelers will be searching for offensive line help. Unfortunately for them a lot of teams are. The premiere OTs are gone by pick 23 so they look to the interior where the just lost stalwart Alan Faneca. Albert has been slowly on the rise and may squeak into the first round. Will Also Consider: |
24 | |
Mario Manningham | Surrounding Vince Young with weapons is a necessity. Manningham provides a vertical threat, something currently missing in Tennessee. Roydell Williams and Brandon Jones are being asked to do too much. They are adequate 2nd and 3rd receivers but not a huge threat. Manningham can be. He needs some fine tuning but with the right coaching he could thrive. Jeff Fisher is a coach that can bring the best our of his players. Will Also Consider: |
25 | |
Devin Thomas | Bye bye Shaun. With the signing of T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones, Alexander’s days in Deion Branch hasn’t done a lot for Matt Hasselbeck. D.J. Hackett is a free agent and Bobby Engram is a great slot WR but not much else. Adding Thomas would give this offense a shot in the arm. A trio of Branch, Thomas, and Engram would do wonders for Hasselbeck and the new running game of Duckett and Jones. Will Also Consider: |
26 | |
Quentin Groves | The Jaguars really don’t have any glaring weaknesses. They have stocked the WR position with the additions of Troy Williamson and Jerry Porter. They re-signed Maurice Williams. The defensive front seven may be the weak spot. I am told the Jaguars are high on their young LBs so they’ll pass on Dan Connor, though they will still consider him. They traded Marcus Stroud but signed Jimmy Kennedy. Kennedy is a rotational guy and never lived up to his first round status (Rams, 2003). That’s why the Jaguars could reach and grab Also I think, if Stewart fell this far, every team would consider him. The Jaguars have a great ground game with Jones-Drew and Taylor but Will Also Consider: |
27 | |
Pat Sims | The Charges don’t have any glaring needs. Depth is an issue however. Jamal Williams is aging and there aren’t any suitable replacements. There is little depth at DE as well. I have them selecting Sims, who is a DT, but the Chargers will move him to DE in their 3-4. Olshansky and Castillo, both DTs in college as well, usually do not make it through an entire 16 game season plus playoffs. Adding Sims at DE adds quality depth. The Chargers really need an ILB for their scheme but no one available fits. Connor is undersized. Their best bet is to snag Jerod Mayo or Curtis Lofton in round two...but they don't pick again until round five. Based on their needs and the few picks they have, San Diego is a good candidate to trade down to a team that wants to secure Brian Brohm (Baltimore? Carolina? Chicago?). San Diego needs more picks. Will Also Consider: |
28 | |
Jonathan Stewart | Here is evidence that you do not always have to panic and trade draft picks to fill a need. Who would have guessed that Stewart is available this late? Stewart fits quite well for the Cowboys. He is a string more powerful finesse runner and will fill the spot vacated by Julius Jones. Marion Barber has never carried the full load so why would he start now? Plus, Barber is a bruiser which will wear him down quickly. Stewart provides the home run threat Jerry Jones craves. It is like a match made in heaven…at a discounted rate! Will Also Consider: |
29 | |
James Hardy | Will Also Consider: |
30 | |
| The CBs seem to be sliding a little, which makes teams like the Cowboys and now the Packers extremely happy. Talib can learn from two premiere, albeit old, shutdown corners. Talib will be a nickelback as a rookie but provide needed depth and security for the future. The Packers have very few glaring weaknesses so if a team, say Will Also Consider: |
31 | |
Forfeited | This selection has been forfeited by the Patriots as a consequence for taping signals of the New York Jets.
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32 | |
Dan Connor | I still can’t believe the Giants beat the Patriots. Wow. Anyway, the Giants have holes to fill on their defense with the defections of Reggie Torbor (
Will Also Consider: |
ROUND 2
Pick | Team | Player, Position, College |
33 | | Kenny Phillips, S, |
34 | | Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech |
35 | | Sam Baker, OT, USC |
36 | | Gosder Cherilus, OT, |
37 | | Fred Davis, TE, USC |
38 | | Carl Nicks, OT, |
39 | | Brian Brohm, QB, |
40 | | Jerod Mayo, LB, |
41 | | Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame |
42 | | Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana |
43 | | Curtis Lofton, LB, |
44 | | |
45 | | Joe Flacco, QB, |
46 | | Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue |
47 | | Erin Henderson, LB, |
48 | | Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue |
49 |
| |
50 | | Early Doucet, WR, LSU |
51 | | Felix Jones, RB, |
52 | | Chilo Rachal, OG, USC |
53 | | Antoine Cason, CB, |
54 | | Anthony Collins, OT, |
55 | | Mike Pollak, C, |
56 | | John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame |
57 |
| Ali Highsmith, LB, |
58 |
| |
59 | | DeJuan Morgan, S, |
60 | | Roy Schuening, OG, |
61 | | Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech |
62 | | Andre Caldwell, WR, |
63 | | Darrell Robertson, DE/LB, Georgia Tech |
64 | | Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU |
ROUND 3 | ||
65 | | Patrick Lee, CB, |
66 | | Tavares Gooden, LB, |
67 | | Steve Justice, C, |
68 |
| Thomas DeCoud, S, California |
69 | | |
70 |
| Charles Godfrey, CB, |
71 | | Chris Ellis, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech |
72 |
| Marcus Harrison, DT, |
73 | | Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech |
74 |
| Andre Woodson, QB, |
75 | | Heath Benedict, OG, Newberry |
76 | | John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame |
77 | | Jamaal Charles, RB, |
78 | | Marcus Griffin, S, |
79 | | Jermichael Finley, TE, |
80 | | Justin King, CB, |
81 | | Jason Jones, DE, |
82 | | Terrell Thomas, CB, USC |
83 | | Lavelle Hawkins, WR, |
84 | | John David Booty, QB, USC |
85 | | Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt |
86 | | Letroy Guion, DT, |
87 | | Dre Moore, DT, |
88 |
| Jack Williams, CB, |
89 | | Red Bryant, DT, |
90 | | Mike McGlynn, OG, |
91 |
| Ray Rice, RB, |
92 | | Martellus Bennett, TE, |
93 | | John Greco, OT, |
94 | | Jordy Nelson, WR, |
95 | | Chris Johnson, RB, |
96 | | Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech |