1. Lions: Matt Stafford, QB, GeorgiaI think it’s a rule that if you don’t have a franchise quarterback and your picking this high in the draft you have to draft one. Developing behind the holy trinity of bad quarterbacks which is Kitna, Daunte, and Orlovsky might not be the best environment but things can only get better in Detroit.
If Matt Millen were still in the house this would be a lock for Michael Crabtree.
2. Rams: Andre Smith, OT, AlabamaThis guys agent knew he was going this high in September…wait…
3. Chiefs: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
10 sacks as a team…they need help here. With Tyler Thigpen playing well after he went under center I think they’re at least workable at that position but I could see them leaning towards Sam Bradford if he declares. Orakopo had 10.5 sacks in 11 games and the Chiefs had 10 sacks in 16 games as a team.
4. Seahawks: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
They signed Koren Robinson this season for the love of god. If Leroy Hill bolts in free agency then look for them to move to Aaron Curry. Wide Receivers are a big gamble at the top of the draft but I think Crabtree is a talent that really matches the needs of this team. I love Aaron Curry at this spot also but think they’ll go with Crabtree.
5. Browns: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forrest
I love Aaron Curry and think he’ll benefit from months of buzz because the guy is someone you can build a defense around. This will be the buzz guy leading into the draft because of his physical gifts, leadership, and toughness. He’ll be an inside backer in 3-4 or move to strong side if they switch to a 4-3 next year. Michael Jenkins could be an option here also. The Ohio State product and this is almost a lock if Curry goes to Seattle.
6. Bengals: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
The Bengals are simply awful. They need a RB because Cedric Benson is just as bad of a long term solution as he is a sober ride home from Big Island. I think they’ll go back to building the offensive line since they gave up 51 sacks last season. I could see them making another move to build up the defense. Aaron Maybin from Penn State will be a bust if he declares since he still needs another year. If he declares the eventuality of his failure will be too much for the Bengals to resist. No matter who they get look for Hines Ward to break his jaw by week 6.
7. Raiders: Taylor Mays, S, USC
Al Davis loves drafting defensive backs just as much as he loves drinking the blood of the homeless. They’ve gone defensive back 6 times since 98 and Michael Huff (1st round pick from 06) got benched this season. With that said I’m hoping that someone in Oakland talks sense in Al Davis and gives McFadden and Russel a lineman to bolster that poor offensive line or nabs Crabtree if Seattle passes.
8. Jaguars: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
David Garrard needs some support up from and this former tight end will bring some size and versatility to the line.
9. packers: Michael Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
The pack’s defense was miserable last year. Charles Woodson is old, 31 the dirty one is probably out of town so they’ll need somebody in the defensive backfield. Gerald McCoy, DT from Oklahoma could be an option here if he declares. They need some help on both sides of the interior line and because of their 6-10 record they’ll have plenty of options at this point in the draft. Did I mention the packers went 6-10?
10. 49ers: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
This is the point where the draft is pure speculation. If Bradford declares and gets passed on by KC then he’ll free fall from 3 to 10 where barring a trade with the Patriots for Cassell they’ll go QB. I could also see Singletary draft a linebacker like Laurinitis or Maualuga here also. The thing I don’t want to see…Singletary mooning the war room everytime someone disagrees with him on ESPN.
11. Bills: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
If there’s a defensive lineman worth the pick here then they’ll go that route but with limited options available I think they’ll reach for another target for Edwards. A great safety valve at tight end will really help the evolution of their QB. Another option could be Michael Oher, OL, from Ole Miss.
12. Broncos: James Laurinitis, LB, Ohio State
How is Shanahan unemployed? Millen-ish defensive roster couldn’t make up for his genius on the other side of the ball. The Wayzata native will be a great addition to this poor unit who will make an immediate impact on a defense that will still give up 20 points a game.
13. Redskins: Michael Oher, OL, Ole Miss
If he’s still available I don’t see them passing on a right tackle. Jon Jensen is turning 33 and Oher will be a great insurance policy on both he and Chris Samuels.
14. Saints: Ray Maualuga, LB, USC
If the Saints extend the contract of Jonathan Vilma they have to forfeit this pick to the Jets. I think they’ll let him go into free agency and make a play for him on the open market. By drafting Maualuga this give them the ability to do that. I think the pink thong will fit in well on Bourbon St.
15. Texans: William Moore, S, Missouri
Safety is just about the only need outside of another rusher to compliment Mario Williams. Within 2 weeks of the completion of the draft all the analysts will be jumping on the Texans bandwagon for 09.
16. Chargers: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
LT has seen his better days and it’s time to bring in a compliment back to him. After Darren Sproles performance on Saturday against the Colts make him millions in free agency as long as he doesn’t need to speak. If you didn’t see the on-field interview or the postgame press conference it’s worth a view. If you listen closely listen closely you can hear all Kansas State graduates ripping up their degrees. Seriously!! He looked like Ed Werder was just asked him what the square root of something was.
17. Jets: Sen’Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn
In stark contract to Thomas Jones, the collapse of the Jets can’t just be blamed on Brett Favre. Their defense needs some help and they’re going to get it with Marks. I think Terrance Cody, if he declares, will be the better player but at 6-5, 365 lbs their just isn’t enough snaps in a 3-4 defense for he and Kris Jenkins to co-exist. Marks is at 6-1, 295 lbs has the size to play tackle and the speed to play end.
18. Bears: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Florida players do great in Chicago, just ask Rex Grossman…
Berrian really was missed and Hester really isn’t going to be a #1 wide out. I think Harvin will add another dimension to the Bears if they don’t go D-line.
19. Buccaneers: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
After seeing Cadillac’s knee explode again on national television they’re going to need to go with another running back. Wells is the next best option behind Moreno and will make Ernest Graham that much better. Warrick Dunn is 34 and his spin move is like Seth Rogen’s dice move from Knocked up. It’s really all he’s got.
20. Lions: Terrance Cody, DT, Alabama
This guy is a beast. 6-5, 375 lbs. The Lions desperately need to be able to stop the run in the NFC North. This guys is in the mold of the great run stuffers of the NFL like Pat Williams, Kris Jenkins, Vince Wilfork, and a grand piano. If he doesn’t declare then I’d say they need to go with an offensive lineman. Their offensive line needs a ton of help and every expert will probably have them taking an offensive lineman but I think with the amount of picks they have they’ll be able to fill some holes in the later rounds.
21. Cardinals: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
If Boldin bolts in free agency then I’d move for Jeremy Maclin as the option here. The whole does Chase Daniel make Maclain look good or is it the other way around arguement ended in early September. Spikes is a great athlete who can help a defense that is very inconsistent.
22. Eagles: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
You can never have too many good corners. Asante Samuel is among the best in the league but Davis will add depth to an already great secondary. I think tight end is an option in the later rounds because of the depth of that position in the draft.
23. Vikings (FINALLY): Ciron Black, OT, LSU
Anyone else tired of seeing a turn-style at right tackle? The big needs at this point are cornerback, tackle, and quarterback. I’m really praying that QB gets addressed in the off-season because if T-Jack comes back as the starter I’m going to start forwarding my future medical bills for hypertension to Winter Park.
Hicks filled in well but you never know what McKinnie could get himself into this offseason also. I’d be just as happy if I saw us trade this first rounder to the Pats for Cassell.
24. Patriots: Brian Cushing, LB, USC
It really doesn’t matter who they Patriots draft because everyone is going to say it’s a great pick. I’m just throwing out Brian Cushing because he’s going to be a great pass rusher in a 3-4 defense in the pros. I’d say the smart money is on them getting a cornerback which they hopefully will at pick 23 and we’ll take Cassell.
25. Falcons: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
The really only weakness on this roster is at DT. They do need to improve their run defense.
26. Dolphins: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
Parcells builds around defense and offensive line. After addressing the o-line last year I’m thinking they’re going to go after another pass rusher to complement Jerry Porter.
27. Ravens: Trevard Lindley, CB, Kentucky
If Maclin or Harvey slip they won’t slip past the Ravens. They’re going to be looking for another weapon for Flacco but if that doesn’t happen then they’ll add a corner to their aging secondary. I still think Ray Lewis and 10 – 7th graders would be a top 10 defense.
28. Colts: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
There isn’t enough talent on my board for them to address their real need at DT so I’m thinking they’ll go with OT.
29. Eagles: Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma
The Eagles desperately need some help at tackle and I’m going out on a limb here because of Loadholt’s size, 6-8. 350 lbs. In realty this guy could slide into the second round but Andy Reid loves drafting players larger than him. It’s the oldest trick in the fat guy’s diet: You don’t need to lose weight if you just surround yourself with people bigger than you.
30. Steelers: Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma
If the Steelers don’t draft an offensive lineman Ben Roethlisberger has a legal right/obligation to punch Mike Tomlin in the zipper.
31. Giants: Darrius Hayward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Who’d thought a few months back that a need for the Giants would be WR? Hayward-Bey is a legit 4.3 guy with a decent frame (6-2, 205 lb). If they move Kiwanuka back to LB then I could see them making a move for a DE at this point. The Giants desperately need a red-zone option here but I don’t think there is an option. Look for Hakeem Nicks or Kenny Britt if they can improve their 40 times.
32. Titans: Victor Harris, CB, Virginia Tech
Nick Harper is getting old and the Titans are solid in almost every other aspect of the game. Wide out is still a need but Dr. Phil might be better at helping develop Vince Young than a shiny new toy at receiver.
The Raiders were once good for the league because they were the bad boys that won. The guys they brought in had records, both on the field and off. They were the Dallas Cowboys of the 90’s. Now they’re lead by star of the upcoming movie Zombieland Al Davis (opening Oct 2nd).
There are four open secrets in the NFL right now. The first is that Running backs are like NBA big men, porn stars, singers, wrestlers and female sideline reporters in HD: When it goes, it goes. You can’t stop it. There are a few exceptions but once a back hits 30 it goes away fast. The second is that Al Davis can no longer competently run an NFL team because he might have turned into a sea monster (more to come later). The third is that every pregame show has too many guys and the networks know this, only they won’t do anything about it because they all have made one of those Randolph and Mortimer Duke $1 wagers to torment us. The fourth is that anyone dating one of Visanthe Shiancoe’s ex-girlfriends now is being ridiculed endlessly by his friends and forced to change his fantasy team’s name to “Hallway Hot Dogs.”
It seems like everybody (including locally) is picking your NFC North Division Champs to fold this weekend. Let’s not forget that the Eagles are the same offense that put up 3 points against Washington the previous week! Just because they simply manhandled the Simpson-handler and his offense last week doesn’t mean they’re back. When Philly goes away from the run their offense doesn’t function well and last I checked our beloved purple are the best team in the NFL at stopping the run. Also…Williams Wall is back at full strength. Buckhalter and Westbrook are going to be non-factors inside the tackles. The Vikings are 6-2 at home this season. The Dome field advantage will be as loud as ever and we’re off to pummel the Carolina Panthers for the second time this season next week.
22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions including a 61 QB rating in the last 5 games. Let’s take a look at the history of the covers:
I have always thought that Tarvaris was where third downs went to die but after 6 quarters I’m patiently optimistic. I’m not sure if we’ve been witness to a turning point in the season and career of Tarvaris or yet another Minnesota sports build’em up only to tear them down. I’m hopeful but resistant to say T-Jack has learned anything in his time riding the much needed pine.
