2009 NFL Draft Grades: Cincinnati Bengals

A common trend among some of the worse teams in the league were injuries to key players. It happened to the Rams, Seahawks, and Browns. The Bengals were not immune, either. Cincinnati lost Carson Palmer for most of the year due to elbow issues and the offense clearly struggled. Since winning 11 games in 2005 the Bengals have won just 19 games over the last three seasons.

INTRODUCTION
The Bengals were horrid on offense. As in, the WORST team in The League. Numbers don't lie. Cincinnati was 32nd in points scored and total yards per game, 30th in passing yards per game, and 29th in rushing yards per game. So basically the defense didn't even have a chance. Giving up 13 points was the kiss of death. The defense was statistically average. They were 19th in points allowed, 12th in total yards allowed, 15th in passing yards allowed, and 21st in rushing yards allowed. A healthy Carson Palmer, improved line, and another player or two on defense could turn this team around much like the Ravens last season.

The Bengals, despite winning only four games, are giving Marvin Lewis another chance. And they are the first team examined not to axe their coach. However, that may not be a good thing. Lewis' track record with the draft is less than stellar. Much less. Will that change in '09?


DRAFT RECAP
Round/Pick/Overall
1/6/6 - Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
2/6/38 - Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC
3/6/70 - Michael Johnson, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech
3/34/98 - Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri
4/6/106 - Jonathan Luigs, OC, Arkansas
5/6/142 - Kevin Huber, P, Cincinnati
6/6/179 - Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan
6/36/209 - Bernard Scott, RB, Abilene Christian
7/6/215 - Fui Vakapuna, RB, BYU
7/40/249 - Clinton McDonald, DE, Memphis
7/43/252 - Freddie Brown, WR, Utah

BASED ON NEEDS

• DL - Check!
  
• OL - Check!
• RB - Check!
• S - Try again.
  

The Bengals made no moves prior to or during the draft. They used every one of their original seven picks plus the four compensatory selections (which cannot be traded). Cincinnati had to address some key positions in order to become competitive again in the AFC North. They needed some pass rushers at DE, run stuffers at LB, and protection for their RBs (also needed) and prize QB. They got all of those, sometimes twice over. They were unable to land some deep secondary help though.

GRADE: 90/100


BASED ON TALENT
Pick 1 - I was not a fan of Andre Smith. While he may possess insane talent at a high need position, his character concerns were a big red flag to me. If he stays motivated he could become a franchise-solidifying LT. If he loses focus, he'll be an instant bust. I would have gone Oher over Smith. Grade: 8

Pick 2 - Another player with supposed character concerns, though most of his problems are in the past where as Smith's were more recent. Maualuga did not deserve to drop this far based on talent alone and Cincinnati made the right move grabbing him here. Pairing him with '08 first round pick, and former USC teammate, Keith Rivers should do wonders for that defense. This pick is definitely better than the first. Grade: 10

Pick 3 - Wow, Cincinnati really doesn't care much about some flaws. Johnson was another player in the Smith mold, one that doesn't always give 100% and can be considered lazy. But he has massive potential and coul wreck havoc on opposing tackles a la Julius Peppers and Dwight Freeney. Score another for Who Dey. Grade: 9

Pick 4 - Chase Coffman was one part of the deep TE class of 2009. The Bengals haven't had a real threat at TE in years. Coffman will compete right away with veterans Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht for playing time. Another solid selection. Grade: 8

Pick 5 - Jonathan Luigs was somewhat of a forgotten center prospect in a deep class. He was generally rated 4th or 5th behind the likes of Alex Mack, Eric Wood, Max Unger, and occasionally A.Q. Shipley or Antoine Caldwell. However Luigs has the nasty streak and lower body strength that will make him excel at the next level. After losing their starting center in free agency, Luigs will have a chance to start from day one. Getting him round four was great. Grade: 9

Pick 6 - I'd never take a specialist in the draft just because their value to a team has nothing to do with their draft position. Many of the great kickers and punters were undrafted or converted soccer stars. Having said that, the selection of Huber doesn't warrant that low of a score. He was arguably the best punter available and is a local product. The Bengals punting job is unsettled plus they had 11 picks! It may have been more fruitful to trade a few to move up but that's just picking nits. Grade: 6

Pick 7 - While the Bengals weren't awful in pass defense, that was skewed a little because teams just ran all over them meaning less passing attempts therefore less yards allowed. Grabbing a late round CB, while needed, just isn't enough. Plus they needed a safety not a CB. Trent was a late round prospect so they won't be penalized for that. This is an average pick; not great but not awful either. Grade: 5

Pick 8 - With the last pick in round 6 the Bengals selected little known RB Bernard Scott. Scott was not expected to be drafted but went in round six. Someone like Rashad Jennings, who was believed to be a 3rd round prospect, would have been better. They needed RB depth but I'm not sure Scott (or the next pick) will add much competition for Cedric Benson and Kenny Watson. Maybe for DeDe Dorsey. Grade: 4

Pick 9 - Who? Fui Vakapuna was not even ranked by scouting services. And he was taken before Rashad Jennings?!?!? Come on Bengals, don't ruin a great draft. Grade: 2

Pick 10 - McDonald is more or less a training camp body but if he shows some flashes. He'll be fighting Chris Harrington and Jonathan Fanene for probably the last DE spot, if they carry six players at the position. If not he'll be on the practice squad for a year. He can also play DT but the Bengals have a lot of depth there as well. Grade: 5

Pick 11 - Their last pick, finally! Is Freddie Brown the next T.J Houshmandzadeh? He could be. He has the size (6-3, 215) to be a feature guy down the road but would need a ton of refinement in route running and proper technique. Plus, for his size, he's rather weak. A body fore training camp and a prime candidate for the practice squad. Without Brown included, the Bengals have 11 WRs. Grade: 5

GRADE: 71/110


OVERALL
The Bengals burst out of the gates with five straight great picks that add great depth and potential starters. After that they kind of faded and, based on their picks, were just grabbing straws. If they would have paid attention and went after some prime names that slipped in rounds six and seven this could have been the best class of 2009. We can't call that until the end of this month when all my grades are in.

FINAL GRADE: A-

WHY: Despite their falling off with the last few picks, you can't argue that the first five will provide immediate upgrades. Smith and Luigs will start from day one, as will Maualuga, and Johnson and Coffman will be rotational players and, most likely, starters by 2010. That is a great draft, one the builds championships.

NOTE: My "final grade" is weighted and is not a simple combination of "needs" and "talent".


SUPERLATIVES
Best Pick: Maualuga
Worst Pick: Vakapuna
Sleeper: Luigs
Instant Impact: Maualuga
Developmental: Brown


OTHER DRAFT GRADES - Cincinnati Bengals
CBS Sports (Prisco): B+
CBS Sports (Rang): A
ESPN (Kiper): B
NFL.com (Brooks): A-
NFL.com (Fan's): B
Walter: B

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ON DECK

2009 NFL Draft Grades: Cleveland Browns

The 2007 season was the Browns' best season since they surprsingly made the playoffs following the 2002 season. Of course a 10-6 record in '07 did not get them into the playoffs like a 9-7 one did in '02 but, still, the Browns were looking up. What happened in 2008? The team was a chic pick to win the AFC North last year but flopped completely, falling back to 4-12.

INTRODUCTION
So what was Cleveland's weakness in 2008? Surprisingly, it wasn't really the defense that let them down. The Dawg Pound should be mad at an offense ranked 26th or lower in four major categories. The team was 31st in passing yards and total yards a year after ranking 12th and 8th respectively. Derek Andersen never found the groove he was in during 2007 and also suffered through injuries. Compounding matters was the teams inability to score when they had a chance. The Browns averaged just over two TDs a game in 2008, ranking 30th in The League. The defnse employed a "bend but don't break (too much)" approach. They were 26th in yards allowed but were near league average in points allowed (17th). If the offense improves, the defense will as well.

The Romeo Crennel Era came to an abrupt end. After leading the organization to its first double-digit win total since 1994 during the 2007 season, Crennel was sent packing. He was replaced by a man from the same coaching tree in Eric Mangini, fired by the Jets after three lackluster years as their head coach. Crennel figures to stay away for football for a year while Mangini has filled Cleveland with Jets castoffs, through free agency and trades. Thankfully for Mangini and the Browns, the 3-4 defense was already installed in Cleveland. No tranisition period!

DRAFT RECAP
Round/Pick/Overall
1/21/21 - Alex Mack, OC, California
2/4/36 - Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State
2/18/50 - Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Georgia
2/20/52 - David Veikune, DE/OLB, Hawaii
4/4/104 - Kaluka Maiava, ILB/OLB, USC
6/4/177 - Don Carey, CB, Norfolk State
6/18/191 - Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State
6/22/195 - James Davis, RB, Clemson

BASED ON NEEDS

• LB - Check!
• CB - Check!
• S - Try again.
• OL - Check!
• TE - Try again.
• WR - Check!

Thanks to trading down a lot, the Browns stockpiled picks and left the 2009 draft after selecting eight brand-spankin' new prospects. Their biggest need appeared to be at OLB, where Kamerion Wimbley has done little and Willie McGinest is aged - and it is showing. They eventually filled this need, just not as early as people thought. Their trade with the Jets dropped them from the 5th pick all the way down to 17, where they then traded back with Tampa Bay to 19, where they traded back with the Eagles to 21. Yes, they were active. But with so many needs they needed the picks and successfully filled a few holes, though some were noticably left empty.

GRADE: 75/100


BASED ON TALENT
Pick 1 - I was a big fan of Alex Mack and definitely thought he should go at the end of round one. However, 21 was a tad early; they actually should have tried trading back a few more spots and landed him at 26 or 27. Mack is an instant upgrade over veteran Hank Fraley or could slide to guard if he's more needed there. Grade: 8

Pick 2 - Another mini-reach, I think Robiskie would have been available up through pick 43. But they got a guy who fills a big need, and a local product at that. Robiskie could become an immediate starter as he was the most polished WR in the draft, thanks to his pedigree and institution. He could succeed Braylon Edwards should he be traded in the offseason or can easily replace the departed Joe Jurevicius and the (soon-to-be incarcerated?) expected loss of Donte Stallworth. Grade: 7

Pick 3 - Another tall WR? Is Braylon Edwards already gone? After taking Robiskie at 36, the Browns take Massaquoi just 14 picks later. Perhaps they're just making sure at least one of them lives up to his billing. This is a curious pick though looking athe their depth without Edwards and Stallworth, not a completely unwarranted one. Grade: 6

Pick 4 - With their third pick in round two the Browns finally added a rush OLB in former Hawaii DE David Veikune, who wasn't expected to be taken on Day 1. His size (6-2, 257) makes him the perfect candidate to play opposite Wimbley. Though this was a slight reach, especially with Paul Kruger, Cody Brown, and Michael Johnson still on the board, I think he has potential. Grade: 6

Pick 5 - LBs go back-to-back for the Browns as they add the forgotten USC 'backer Kaluka Maiava. This was an odd pick because Maiava, who played OLB at USC, will have to slide inside for the Browns... but he is undersized for that as well. He'll need to add 10-15 lbs. to take on blockers. Grade: 4

Pick 6 - The CB from the small college had been rising on draft boards throughout April and was expected to be taken at this juncture. Carey has great intangibles but may be a little slow to stay at CB in the NFL. His transition to safety, should it happen, would fill another need for Cleveland anyway. Nice pick. The only better option here would have been Cary Harris or Coye Francies. Grade: 7

Pick 7 - Speaking of Francies, the Browns get him here. This was way late for the San Jose State product and he should have a huge chip on his shoulder. Originally considered a 2nd or 3rd round player, Francies fell due to character concerns. He and Carey could make a nice pair at CB or safety in the coming years. Grade: 8

Pick 8 - Six picks after taking Francies, they grabbed another tremendous value in James Davis from Clemson. They had only Jerome Harrison behind the injury-prone and older Jamal Lewis so adding a bruiser like Davis helps immensely. While he may not develop into a full-time player, his size and strength will allow him to snag a few carries from a winded Lewis. Now the Browns should look to add C.J. Spiller in 2010. Grade: 8

GRADE: 54/80


OVERALL
The Browns doubled-up at two positions of need, WR and CB. They also got some tremendous value late in Francies and Davis. The first few players were slight reaches as of now but could prove their draft status over the next three seasons. The Maiava pick was the strangest but, overall, the Browns filled needs nicely and have the start of a base that could make them competitive in the NFC North in 2010 or 2011.

FINAL GRADE: B

WHY: A majority of their needs were filled, but a safety should have been added instead of Maiava. Chip Vaughn or David Bruton would have been better in round four. It's also curious that the team didn't look to add any TE after trading away Kellen Winslow. However, it is understandable when looking at their depth. Steve Heiden has been serviceable for them, they added Robert Royal, and second year man Martin Rucker was a great pick in 2008. Getting Carey, Francies, and Davis with the final three picks definitely made this a better class than expected.

NOTE: My "final grade" is weighted and is not a simple combination of "needs" and "talent".


SUPERLATIVES
Best Pick: Francies
Worst Pick: Maiava
Sleeper: Carey
Instant Impact: Mack
Developmental: Veikune


OTHER DRAFT GRADES - Cleveland Browns
CBS Sports (Prisco): C
CBS Sports (Rang): B
ESPN (Kiper): B-
NFL.com (Brooks): B-
NFL.com (Fan's): B
Walter: C-

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ON DECK

2009 NFL Draft Grades: Seattle Seahawks

Though I felt Seattle would win the NFC West in 2008, I did mention that the Seahawks could have a down year in my final 2008 NFL predictions. I turned out to be right in that respect. The Seahawks demise came a year earlier than I expected, thanks to injuries aplenty. With an earlier faltering point the new head coach, Jim Mora (the lesser, er, Junior), can start the rebuilding plan. Seattle was a much better team than their 4-12 record would indicate.

INTRODUCTION
Despite not having a true feature back the Seahawks managed to average 110.5 rushing yards per game, good for 19th in the NFL. That is their offensive highlight. The lowlights are more abundant, mostly due to injuries. Hasselbeck, Deion Branch, and Nate Burleson all missed significant time which destroyed the passing game, which finished ranked 29th in The League with a measly 163.6 yards per game. They managed just 18.4 points per game (25th). Much like the Chiefs the defense was even worse. Though they were about average in rushing yards allowed per game (18th in The League), teams were able to throw at will. Opposing teams averaged a mind-boggling 259.3 yards per game through the air, ranking Seattle dead last in the NFL. They also allowed 24.5 points per game, matching their 25th ranking on offense. It's clear what needs to be upgraded here.

The 2008 season was known as Mike Holmgren's last and was, easily, his most forgettable 16 games on the job. Injuries riddled the offense and the defense had problems stopping most teams. Jim Mora, Jr. takes over and looks to maintain the status quo coaching and scheme wise. Don't expect much to change in the Pacific Northwest; but Seattle may have one last hurrah in them after this newly minted draft class.


DRAFT RECAP

Round/Pick/Overall

1/4/4 - Aaron Curry, ILB/OLB, Wake Forest
2/17/49 - Max Unger, OC/OG, Oregon
3/27/91 - Deon Butler, WR, Penn State
6/5/178 - Mike Teel, QB, Rutgers
7/36/245 - Courtney Greene, SS, Rutgers
7/38/247 - Nick Reed, DE, Oregon
7/39/248 - Cameron Morrah, TE, California

BASED ON NEEDS

• CB - Try again.
• OL - Check!
• QB - Check!
  
• S - Check!
  

Seattle made the standard seven picks during the 2009 NFL draft. They grabbed arguably the best interior o-lineman in somewhat local product Unger (Oregon), who will undoubtedly challenge a number of incumbents this season already. They found a new QB, Rutgers' Mike Teel, to fight with Jeff Rowe for the third string position and to eventually be the backup to either Seneca Wallace are a more touted rookie once Hasselbeck hangs them up. A steal in the 7th round, Teel's college teammate Greene could become Deon Grant's successor at SS. They needed a CB but may have shied away on one hoping that Josh Wilson or Kelly Jennings finally evolve into a competent #2. Looks like they'll be back for a corner or two in 2010.

GRADE: 80/100


BASED ON TALENT
Pick 1 - Aaron Curry was considered by many people to be the best defensive player in the entire draft. While he didn't play a flashy position or provide incredible pass rushing skills, his ability to diagnose a play, tackle, and cover makes him as much as a "can't miss" prospect as any. He'll be a wonderful outside linebacker for Seattle, and gives them a young trio that should be together for the next four to six years. Curry could have easily gone to Detroit or Kansas City. Their loss is Seattle's gain. Grade: 10

Pick 2 - The team needed offensive line help and is getting a good one in the former Duck. Unger can play center, guard and right tackle if need be. He'll more than likely push Spencer and Sims throughout training camp and is a definite future replacement for the aging Wahle. Another solid selection by Mora and Co. Grade: 10

Pick 3 - Like the Derrick Williams analysis, I'll try to keep my Penn State bias out of this grade. Deon Butler was a DB walk on at PSU. After his redshirt freshman season the coaching staff swapped him to WR and he never looked back. He simply outperformed Williams in every way as a WR. Butler has deceptive speed and solid hands. He's an ideal #3 WR and, with some technique refinement and added muscle, could become a solid #2. With injuries ravaging the WR corp last season, Butler will have a chance to play right away. He is already listed as the 4th WR on the depth chart. I'd expect him to stay there this season until Burleson and/or Branch is gone. Grade: 7

Pick 4 - After the Butler pick Seattle didn't have a selection until round six. There they took a developmental QB who has no chance at being more than a #2. Teel will fight with current #3 QB Jeff Rowe for the right to hold a clipboard and be the emergency QB on Sunday's. Teams are always looking for the next Tom Brady, a late round gem at QB. I doubt the Seahawks got one here and the reason thsi grade is lower is due to the belief that Teel may have gone undrafted. Teel is definitely a better option than Keith Null though. Grade: 5

Pick 5 - The Greene pick rates right up there with Curry and Unger. Greene, once considered a 3rd or 4th round pick, slid on draft day due to a perceived attitude issue. If that can stay under wraps he could easily become a solid replacement for Deon Grant. He is a hard hitting, ball-hawking SS in the Brian Dawkins mold. Getting him at 245 was a steal. Love it. Grade: 9

Pick 6 - Patrick Kerney is aged and can't stay healthy. Lawrence Jackson had a mediocre rookie season. Daryl Tapp and Baraka Atkins are rotational guys that can never be every down players. While I don't know if Reed will become a starter, he provides good depth and insurance should Kerney (or someone else) miss time. He is a little raw and undersized but a year at the NFL level should fix that. Grade: 6

Pick 7 - The Seahawks got their TE of the future last year in John Carlson but behind him they had some scrubs more worthy of special teams play. Morrah can become a great #2, though he needs to add some weight and muscle plus refined his blocking skills, which are sorely lacking. He should have stayed at Cal for another year but, with time, he would be an ideal weapon in the red zone. Grade: 7


GRADE: 54/70


OVERALL
They didn't take a CB which is really the only bad thing I can say about this draft. They made the right choice in taking Curry over Mark Sanchez, for sure. They now have an elite LB corp that will be around while the team recharges. Their choice of o-lineman was great, considering his versatility. I think they got a steal in Greene and he could turn out to be a starter in the not-too-distant future. A CB would have been nice, preferably in place of Teel or maybe even Reed. But they did add Ken Lucas and Wilson and Jennings are still young.

FINAL GRADE: A

WHY: They got the best defensive player in the draft at #4 plus. They answered questions at OG and OC with one player. They have a WR that will play this season and could be a main target by 2010. This is the best draft by far, just squeaking in front of division rival St. Louis. Perhaps the NFC West won't be a divisional laughingstock by 2010?

NOTE: My "final grade" is weighted and is not a simple combination of "needs" and "talent".


SUPERLATIVES
Best Pick: Curry
Worst Pick: Teel
Sleeper: Greene
Instant Impact: Curry
Developmental: Morrah


OTHER DRAFT GRADES - Seattle Seahawks
CBS Sports (Prisco): B-
CBS Sports (Rang): A
ESPN (Kiper): B
NFL.com (Brooks): B
NFL.com (Fan's): B
Walter: A+

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ON DECK

2009 NFL Draft Grades: Kansas City Chiefs

Over the last two season the Chiefs are 6-26. Yeah, not so good. With a 3-13 record in 2007 they were awarded the 5th pick in the 2008 draft. An identical record in 2008 got them the third pick overall in 2009. Will a 3-13 record in 2009 yield the #1 pick in 2010? It is a distinct possibility.

INTRODUCTION
For as bad as the team was, the rushing unit was actually average. While they didn't have much to show for it on the scoreboard (18.2 points per game, 26th in NFL), the team averaged 113.1 yards rushing per game, good for 16th in the league. It's the best thing I can say about this team. A meager average of 195.6 yards passing per game ranked the Chiefs 20th in The League. When combined with their rushing total the Chiefs ranked 24th overall in total yards. The offense was below average, no doubt. But the defense was abysmal. They ranked no higher than 28th in the four major statistical categories: 29th in points allowed (27.5/game), 28th in passing yards allowed (234.2/game), 30th in rushing yards allowed (158.9/game), and 31st in total yards allowed (393.2/game). A marginal improvement on that side of the ball will prevent the Chiefs from having a Top 5 pick for the third year in a row.

With two straight crappy seasons the organization had seen enough. Carl Petersen stepped down and Scott Piloi was hired to handle personnel decisions. Head coach Herm Edwards was, eventually, fired and was replaced by former Cardinals Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley. The addition of Pioli and Haley meant the team would have new schemes on both sides of the ball. The biggest change will be coming on defense, which will switch to the 3-4 alignment. This change in defensive philosophy can be seen throughout the Chiefs draft.


DRAFT RECAP
Round/Pick/Overall
1/3/3 - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
3/3/67 - Alex Magee, DT/DE, Purdue
4/2/102 - Donald Washington, CB, Ohio State
5/3/139 - Colin Brown, OT, Missouri
6/2/175 - Quinten Lawrence, WR, McNeese State
7/3/212 - Javarris Williams, RB, Tennessee State
7/28/237 - Jake O'Connell, WR, Miami (OH)
7/47/256 - Ryan Succop, K, South Carolina

BASED ON NEEDS

• LB - Try again.
• DL - Check!
• OL - Check!
• S - Try again.
  

The Chiefs ended up with eight picks over the two days of the draft. They grabbed two players that fit perfectly in their new 3-4 scheme. Jackson and Magee have the protoypicl size to play 3-4 DEs and will help create a great young rotation with last years first round pick Glenn Dorsey. Outside of those two players I have a tough time seeing this new regimes philosophy. No LBs, even though recently acquired veterans Zach Thomas and Mike Vrabel have a year, maybe two, left to play. Only one offensive lineman, and not until the 5th round? No help at safety, unless that's where they envision Washington playing. Another RB? Kolby Smith, Jamaal Charles, Larry Johnson, and one or two more couldn't cut it? Pioli and Haley definitely left many people bewildered.

GRADE: 55/100


BASED ON TALENT
Pick 1 - Tyson Jackson was the guy to get if you were in need of a 3-4 end. He has the perfect combination of size, strength, and speed needed plus his intangibles are through the roof. However, this is really high for him to go. Many people compare him to Richard Seymour, who went 6th overall in 2001 to the Patriots. Seymour, at the time, was held in much higher regard than Jackson. Time will tell if this reach pays off. Grade: 7

Pick 2 - Alex Magee is the second straight pick used on a 3-4 DE. If Glenn Dorsey is going to attempt to play nose, which I highly doubt, then this is an OK pick. If not, and Dorsey is to play 3-4 DE, then this was a wasted pick. Kansas City already has multiple players that fit in as 3-4 DEs but just one player who could maybe play NT (Ron Edwards). I like Magee as a player but they should have been finding an NT not another DE. Grade: 4

Pick 3 - A CB with their third pick? Did they forget about all their other needs, because CB certainly wasn't one of them, at least not this early. They got two strong CBs last year (Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr) plus signed veterans Travis Daniels and Ricardo Colclough. Plus, Washington was seen as a 6th or 7th round selection. Many believed he should have stayed at Ohio State for one more year. Grade: 4

Pick 4 - Finally an offensive lineman. Brown is a mammoth OT, one that will need at least two years of developing before he can step in at RT. It is a good selection, however, because the team can bring him along so that he's ready around the time they should start competing again. Brown or Barry Richardson will most likely supplant Damion McIntosh in 2010 or 2011. This grade will be a little lower because he doesn't provide much of an upgrade at any position immediately. Grade: 5

Pick 5 - Lawrence, despite only being a 6th round selection, is a bit of a reach. It is believed that he would have been available at pick 212 and probably even later. Instead of grabbing a developmental WR, which wasn't a big need, they could have gone with better prospects at NT (Myron Pryor), OL (Andrew Gardner, Matthew Slauson), or even grabbed a more ready WR (Brandon Gibson). Grade: 3

Pick 6 - With their first of three 7th round pikcs the Chiefs went with a RB from small college McNeese State. With this pick they could have gone for at least four safety prospects to provide depth at a need position: Curtis Taylor, Troy Nolan, Jamarca Sanford, and Courtney Greene were all available! There's a good chance Williams will start the year on the practice squad because of the availability of Larry Johnson, Jamaal Charles, and Kolby Smith. Grade: 4

Pick 7 - In a TE-heavy draft the Chiefs grab Tony Gonzalez's replacement with the 237th pick? They could have had Jared Cook, Travis Beckum, or Chase Coffman in the 3rd, Shawn Nelson in the 4th, and James Casey or Cornelius Ingram in the 5th! Instead they grab a hybrid TE/WR. Come on! Grade: 2

Pick 8 - This may, honestly, be their second best pick. The Chiefs have had kicker problems for the last few years. Could the Gamecock product solve that? While I'd never draft a kicker, Succop is Mr. Irrelevant, as in the last player selected in the draft. If Kansas City hadn't taken him here they may have lost him to some other team in UDFA. Succop will battle with Connor Barth for the kicking duties. I've also heard that Succop could punt as well, so they have a backup in case Dustin Colquitt can't go. Grade: 6

GRADE: 35/80


OVERALL
Two players that may start immediately sounds OK but when one of them is a kicker things didn't go as planned. With eight picks the Chiefs should have been able to find at least 2 or 3 starters immediately, much like Miami did in the 2008 draft (Jake Long, Kendall Langford, Donald Thomas all started the '08 season; Phillip Merling was a rotational DE as well). I can't see anyone but Jackson starting immediately but Magee could work into a deep DE rotation. No immediate help at OL, LB, or S? Bad showing. Even if Jackson does turn into the next Richard Seymour, this draft class looks like a dud. Check back again three years from now.

FINAL GRADE: D

WHY: They only filled half of their needs and grabbed mostly developmental players. Jackson is solid and could be a star. If they liked Magee so much, why didn't they pass on Jackosn and grab an OT or Aaron Curry at #3?

NOTE: My "final grade" is weighted and is not a simple combination of "needs" and "talent".


SUPERLATIVES
Best Pick: Jackson
Worst Pick: Lawrence
Sleeper: Brown
Instant Impact: Jackson
Developmental: Brown


OTHER DRAFT GRADES - Kansas City Chiefs
CBS Sports (Prisco): C
CBS Sports (Rang): C-
ESPN (Kiper): C-
NFL.com (Brooks): N/A (as of May 4)
NFL.com (Fan's): B
Walter: D

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ON DECK

Phillies Update - 5/3/2009

• The Phillies have a record of 12-10 as of the morning of May 2nd, 2009. They are in 2nd place in the N.L. East, 1 game behind the Florida Marlins.
• The Phillies swept the Marlins in Florida last weekend and took 2 of 3 from the Nationals before dropping the opening game of their series with the Mets Friday night. Last night the Phillies beat the Mets on a walkoff walk in the 10th.
  
• The scheduled starters for today's game were Joe Blanton for the Phillies and John Maine for the Mets. Blanton is 0-2 with a 8.41(!) ERA while Maine has gone 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA. However, the final game of the series has been postponed due to rain.
  
• Jamie Moyer, yesterday's starter, is tied for the team lead in wins with reliever Clay Condrey at 3.
• On offense, Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley have been the stars. Ibanez leads (or is tied for the lead) the team in runs (21), hits (31), doubles (6), home runs (8), total bases (63), RBIs (21), stolen bases (3), batting average (.360), slugging (.733), and OPS (1.157). Utley is the man at home runs (8), RBIs (21), walks (15), and OBP (.474).
• The Phillies have struggled at home, going 6-8 in their first 14 games. However they have the best road record in MLB at 6-2.
• For open discussions, previews, and recaps of every Phillies game head to Macho Row.
  
• The fine folks at The Fightins have a few posts for your enjoyment. [May 2 Game Recap, Madson Subtlety Jabs the Mets, and Bye, Mets Fans!]
• After a month of baseball, David Foley is revisiting his keys for the Phillies to repeat in 2009. [Phinally Philly]
• Phanamanda has a wonderful weekly write-up (every Friday) on the Phillies farm system, She also thinks, as many Phillies fans do, that Chan Ho must go. J.A. Happ, anyone?
  

Penn State Update - 5/2/2009

I missed last week's Penn State update due to the NFL draft but I'm back this week to give you the lowdown on all Nittany Lion athletes not running around for Joe Paterno.

• Since my last update, the men's volleyball team has stretched their winning streak to 11 matches. The defeated Ohio State in the regular season finale and George Mason in the EIVA Championship opener. The team, ranked 5th in the nation, plays Juniata tonight for the EIVA Championship. Regardless of the outcome of that match, the team is off to Provo, UT for the NCAA Championships which start Thursday and conclude next Saturday.
• Last weekend were the Penn Relays where the track and field team put on a stellar show. Today is the Jesse Owens Classic in Columbus, OH. Next Saturday is their last regular season event, the Penn State Open.
• The men's tennis teams three match win streak came to an end on April 19 when they lost, 5-2, to Northwestern in the regular season finale. The Big Ten Tournament started on Thursday and the Nittany Lions easily dispatched Purdue 4-0 in Ann Arbor, MI. Unfortunately the next day the team was swept by Illinois. Next weekend are the NCAA Regionals.
• The women concluded their regular season with two straight match losses at Wisconsin and at Northwestern, running their losing streak to five. The Big Ten Tournament began - and ended - for them on Thursday. The team fell to Minnesota, 4-0, in Madison, WI. Their season is over.
• The men's lacrosse team has extended their winning streak to five games after defeating Rutgers 9-4 on April 18 and St. Joseph's 17-6 on April 25. They play at Georgetown todat at 1 PM in the regular season finale.
• The women's lacrosse team started a wins treak of their own on April 19 when they hosted and vanquished Ohio State, 13-9. Last weekend they traveled to Johns Hopkins and won 12-11. Last night, in the American Lacrosse Conference Championships, the women beat Ohio State once more (11-7). Today the women play #1 Northwestern at 2 PM for the Championship. The ALC Championship are being played at Penn State this year. Home field advantage! Regardless of today's result, the women will travel somewhere next Sunday for the first round of the NCAA Championships.
• The men's golf team lead at the Boilermaker Invitational after one day of play but fell to, and finished in, second when all was said and done on April 19. Yesterday the Big Ten Championships began. After one day of play the team is tied for 6th. Play resumes today and concludes tomorrow.
• The women's golf team finished day one of the Lady Buckeye tied for 9th and finished in the same spot on the 19th of April. Last weekend, while I was home in Sinking Spring, PA, the women were here in West Lafayette, IN for the Big Ten Championships. The team was last reported to be in 11th place. Not good. Next weekend are the NCAA Regional Championships.
• After beating Indiana on April 17th the baseball started to slide. They lost five straight between April 18 and April 26, two to Indiana and all three to Illinois. They beat La Salle on April 29 but were absolutely hammered by Michigan State last night, 12-1. They continue their series with Michigan State today and tomorrow at 1:05 PM. Including the two remaining games versus Michigan State the team has only nine games left on their regular season schedule.
• The softball team had a double header at Minnesota on April 18th and the teams traded 1-0 victories. The team then split their two game series at Maryland before being swept by Purdue (2-0, 3-2). They had a double header this past Wednesday at Michigan State. The ladies took the opener 6-3 but fell in the night cap 3-2. They host Indiana today in a double header and conclude their regular season next Saturday.

2009 NFL Draft Grades: St. Louis Rams

The Rams were "awarded" the second pick in the draft for the second consecutive year thanks to another season of poor play. Scott Linehan got the axe and now Steve Spagnuolo steps in. Can he turn it around? A great first draft would help.

INTRODUCTION
The Rams were able to put together a mini win streak in October. Unfortunately it lasted a mere two games. And those were the only two games all season that St. Louis outscored its opponent. The culprit? Well, everyone. Not one Rams unit was good in 2008. They averages a meager 14.5 points per game on offense and allowed 29.1. Both of those numbers got the Rams ranked 31st in the league in the categories. They were no higher than 25th in any major offensive category. Their 19th rank in passing yards allowed per game looks OK - at least it isn't in the 20s - but really is a result of teams only need to run on them. St. Louis allowed 154.7 rushing yards per game, ranking them 29th in that category. Ouch. An offensive minded coach is gone and a defensive guru steps in. Will it matter? The Rams have plenty of holes to fill.

The Rams were only marginally better than the win less Lions in 2008. Like the Lions they need as many picks as possible to restock the cabinets with young talent. Well, St. Louis ended up with only seven picks, the same amount they started with. Unfortunately for them they could not get anyone to throw a pick or two at them for Torry Holt or Orlando Pace, who they cut. They made one pick in each round.


DRAFT RECAP
Round/Pick/Overall
1/2/2 - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
2/3/35 - James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State
3/2/66 - Bradley Fletcher, CB/S, Iowa
4/3/103 - Dorell Scott, DT, Clemson
5/24/160 - Brooks Foster, WR, North Carolina
6/23/196 - Kieth Null, QB, West Texas A&M
7/2/211 - Chris Ogbonnaya, RB/FB, Texas


BASED ON NEEDS

• OL - Check!
  
• LB - Check!
  
• WR - Check!
  
• CB - Check!
  
• TE - Try again.
  

With seven picks the Rams were going to have a difficult time filling all of their needs and they cam up just short. They were able to add arguably the best player in the draft, one who could be an OL cornerstone for the next decade a la Orlando Pace. Speaking of a Buckeye, Laurinaitis dropped to round two like other recent star college 'backers. He fills a big need for the Rams and was a no brainer here. It would have been nice to get a WR that could make a more immediate impact, like Donnie Avery last year, but Foster will have to do. It would have been nice to get some more OL and DL depth instead of grabbing a hybrid RB/FB in Ogbonnaya and a QB many people never heard of. Also, not getting any TE in a deep class doesn't seem right.

GRADE: 70 out of 100


BASED ON TALENT
Pick 1 - Jason Smith could very well be not only the best OT in the draft but the best prospect of the group. He has that much potential. While he'll start his career at RT, it's only a matter of time until he is the teams LT of the future. Grade: 10

Pick 2 - What a steal! I'm not a huge fan of Laurinaitis - I always thought he was overrated. But at the 35th pick I can't argue with his selection plus he feels a big void in the St. Louis defense. Probably would have done the same if I was working for the Rams. Grade: 10

Pick 3 - I liked Fletcher... but not as an early third rounder. Maybe in the early 4th and definitely by the 5th. There were a few other DBs I would have gone with before him, such as Kevin Barnes, Asher Allen, Lardarius Webb, and Chris Owens, who all went later in the third. I can't blame St. Louis too much; it was a need position and they got the guy they wanted. Grade: 6

Pick 4 - I like the Scott pick better than the previous one. In fact, I'd be more than happy swapping them. Scott has the size and speed that works great in a 4-3. Some 3-4 teams were looking at him as a possible NT. This was a solid pick. Grade: 8

Pick 5 - Another good value here for the Rams. I like this draft the more and more I look at it. Sure it would have been nice to get a WR that could make a big impact his rookie season. But Foster has the size and speed to eventually be a reliable #2 and good complement to the speedy and shifty Donnie Avery. Grade: 7

Pick 6 - I spoke too soon. Null? I had not even heard of him before the draft. He was taken over someone like Curtis Painter, Brian Hoyer, Graham Harrell, and Chase Daniel? I know some of them are system QBs but, still, take the guy from the school that Ryan Leaf used to coach at? I dunno about this one, especially since Kyle Boller and Brock Berlin were already on the roster. Grade: 2

Pick 7 - A true FB was signed (Mike Karney). A hybrid RB/FB already was on the roster (Brian Leonard). Why choose Ogbonnaya? He doesn't have much upside and is almost identical to Leonard. After a pretty impressive first five picks the last two definitely hurt the class. In the 7th the Rams could have grabbed some more secondary help (Captain Munnerlyn, Curtis Taylor, Mike Mickens), more OL or DL depth (Lydon Murtha or Ricky Jean-Francois), or a better RB in Rashad Jennings. Grade: 3

GRADE: 46/70


OVERALL
The Rams were able to fill four of their five big needs. Not only did they fill them, however, the filled them with some great potential. Ignoring the TE position is puzzling and there last two picks are forgettable, at least at the moment.

FINAL GRADE: B+

WHY: This is the best draft I've graded so far. OK, it's only the second one I did. But I really think it'll turn out to be a Top 10 class when all is said and done in three weeks. Their first five picks were great value and/or filled needs. By 2011 this class could be the headliners making the Rams competitive again.

NOTE: My "final grade" is weighted and is not a simple combination of "needs" and "talent".


SUPERLATIVES
Best Pick: Smith
Worst Pick: Null
Sleeper: Scott
Instant Impact: Laurinaitis
Developmental: Foster


OTHER DRAFT GRADES - St. Louis Rams
CBS Sports (Prisco): B-
CBS Sports (Rang): B-
ESPN (Kiper): C
NFL.com (Brooks): C+
NFL.com (Fan's): B
Walter: A+

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2009 NFL Draft Grades: Detroit Lions

I introduced this new feature yesterday. Today we get the first (and second) team draft recap and grade. Hm, where should I start?

INTRODUCTION

The 2008 Detroit Lions were the first team in NFL history to go win less, finishing the season an epic (in the wrong way) 0-16. They were terrible both on offense ranking 24th or lower in points scored, passing yards, rushing yards, and total yards per game. If possible, they were even worse on defense. The disastrous 2008 Lions were 32nd (read: dead last) in points, rushing yards, and total yards allowed per game (they were only 27th in passing yards allowed/game). How do you fix this train wreck? Well, like every organization, the coaching staff must go. And they did. Up next comes rebuilding the team. Everyone knows the best way to do that is through the draft, where every year a bevy of young college potential eagerly awaits their chance to show their skills to The League.

A team that failed to win a single game in a season must be devoid of talent. To rectify that they need as many draft selections as possible. Thanks to some trades by the past and current regimes, the 2009 Lions draft consisted of 10 picks when round seven concluded on Sunday, April 26th.


DRAFT RECAP
Round/Pick/Overall
1/1/1 - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
1/20/20 - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
2/1/33 - Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan
3/12/76 - DeAndre Levy, OLB, Wisconsin
3/18/82 - Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State
4/15/115 - Sammie Lee Hill, DT, Stillman
6/19/192 - Aaron Brown, RB, TCU
7/19/228 - Lydon Murtha, OT, Nebraska
7/26/235 - Zack Follett, OLB, California
7/46/255 - Dan Gronkowski, TE, Maryland


BASED ON NEEDS

• QB - Check!
  
• LB - Check!
  
• OL - Check!
  
• DL - Check!
  
• WR - Check!
  

The Lions did a good job of fulfilling their basic needs. However they have to be punished a tad for drafting only one offensive lineman. They should have added at least a guard and probably a center as well. The same can be said for the defensive side. Grabbing a big DT was nice but where's the DE? Did they really need two TEs and OLBs? Their LB weakness was MLB not OLB, where they acquired Julian Peterson and have Ernie Sims. If Levy (or Sims) can make the transition to MLB then this grade could go up.

GRADE: 85 out of 100


BASED ON TALENT
Pick 1 - While I would have gone with either Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe as Lions overlord, I can't fault the organization for hoping to find their QB of the future. It's a risky pick, as it always is with QBs, but a good selection nonetheless. Grade: 9

Pick 2 - Pettigrew was, to almost every team and scout, the best TE available. And it was a position that needed an upgrade. But they could have grabbed one of the OTs that people though could play LT. Michael Oher instead was selected by the Ravens at 23. Because the team still got a player that should start from Day 1 at a position that had questions they can't be punished too much. They just better hope Jeff Backus and Gosder Cherilus can make it another year as the tackle bookends. Grade: 8

Pick 3 - I like Delmas. I like him a lot. But I would not have taken him at 33. Look at some of these other names the Lions passed on: ILBs James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga, OTs Eben Britton and William Beatty, DE Everette Brown, and OC Max Unger. Any of those players would have been a better pick in my opinion. Grade: 6

Pick 4 - This is a terrible pick, especially if they have no expectations of him playing MLB. Levy was seen as a mid-round pick at best and the Lions pulled the trigger in round three. He could be a great special teams player but he won't make an impact immediately, something Detroit needs. At pick 76 overall the Lions could have grabbed a number of OL or secondary upgrades. Bad pick. Grade: 3

Pick 5 - We are! Penn State! I'll try my best to be objective here. The Lions, for once, did not take a WR in the first round. However they did need someone new after trading Roy E. Williams to Dallas last season and letting Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey go. Derrick Williams was, arguably, the best WR remaining and is someone who can make an immediate impact in the return game or should the Lions try the "wildcat". With that said, I have to question the pick a bit. Sure they lost three WRs in less than a year but they have Calvin Johnson, a budding superstar, plus they signed Bryant Johnson, Ronald Curry, and Will Franklin. They definitely had enough depth to get through the year and I feel this pick could have been used on a defensive lineman. Good value, but more of a luxury. Grade: 6

Pick 6 - Even though Hill is raw and didn't grade out well with the "experts" (Scouts, Inc. has Hill as a 59 overall), I like the pick. I was hoping Miami could grab him in the 5th round to be tutored as an NT. Anyway, the Lions needed a new DT after trading Cory Redding to Seattle in the Julian Peterson deal. Hill will get a chance to build strength and learn the system behind Chuck Darby and Grady Jackson, two seasoned veterans, and will work into the rotation with Andre Fluellen, another young DT. Even though a few DBs and DEs were available at this juncture, I like the Hill pick. Grade: 7

Pick 7 - I'm not as big a fan of this pick as the one before it. Brown seemed like a reach, especially with Clemson's James Davis and Liberty's Rashad Jennings still on the board. I'm not sure this was really a need position either. They have Kevin Smith as their starter and guys who can spell him in Maurice Morris, Brian Calhoun, and Aveion Cason. Brown seems like overkill. Grade: 4

Pick 8 - Finally, a tackle! After many thought they'd go OT #1 overall, and they were thinking about it, they don't take one until the 228th selection. Murtha was believed to be a target in the mid rounds but fell to the 7th for whatever reason. This is a nice value pick at a position of need. If they're patient he could develop into an above average starter at RT in two or three years. Grade: 7

Pick 9 - Another OLB? Odd. The pick of Levy was worse than this but taking Follett isn't much better. Fortunately for the Lions Follett's value here is much better than Levy's in the third round. A developmental guy that could challenge Levy to take over for Peterson in two or three years. The better pick would have been LSU DT Ricky Jean-Francois however, even after taking Hill. Grade: 5

Pick 10 - Gronkowski was the second TE taken by the Lions in the '09 draft and the second-to-last player taken in the entire event (Mr. Penultimate, if you will). This late in the draft it's really hard to argue against picks because the value is very subjective and teams are just going with developmental players or those who may have slid. Grade: 5

GRADE: 60/100


OVERALL
The Lions successfully filled all of their general needs though they didn't add a DE or MLB or any o-lineman until the 7th round. They had a few good picks (Stafford, Pettigrew, Hill, Murtha) and some bad ones (Levy, Brown). What do I think about the Lions 2009 draft after examining what they filled and with what talent?

FINAL GRADE: B-

WHY: They may have gotten a superstar QB and added a player that can help in both the running and passing games in Pettigrew. They have a developmental player at OT and DT, both of which were solid picks. Williams is an impact player, much like fellow Penn State alum Eddie Drummond, though Williams is a much better WR.

NOTE: My "final grade" is weighted and is not a simple combination of "needs" and "talent".


SUPERLATIVES
Best Pick: Stafford
Worst Pick: Levy
Sleeper: Murtha
Instant Impact: Pettigrew
Developmental: Hill


OTHER DRAFT GRADES - Detroit Lions
CBS Sports (Prisco): A
CBS Sports (Rang): B
ESPN (Kiper): B-
NFL.com (Brooks): C+
NFL.com (Fan's): B
Walter: C-

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