The Good: The Wang-Pettitte 1-2 punch has been pretty solid for the Yankees (even though the Tigers did do a number on Pettitte). Mussina hasn’t been too bad either, but the Yankees really needed both Wang and Pettitte to be near their best in order to bring some stability to a rotation that has many questions about it. The bullpen is another “Good”, I mean who expected to see so many different faces actually do a pretty good job. We all knew about Joba and Mariano, and LaTroy Hawkins is not going to make me forget Jeff Nelson but Bruney, Traber, and even Farnsworth have been surprisingly good. Let’s hope their arms don’t fall off by the time August rolls around. Finally, the last “Good” is a “Good” because of how much I like him…my man, Hideki Matsui, give it up for him. Last year he was past his prime, ineffective, figured out by opposing pitchers, and almost traded. But he is conceivably having a revival here. Last year was not a bad statistical year for him but people talked about him being done, so seeing him come out like this has been nothing short of awesome.

The Bad: Robinson Cano has just been horrible, he might have to be bumped down to ugly is this continues. But the reason why he won’t be bumped is because May should be a lot better. He started last April pretty bad as well and recovered nicely. Hopefully, he can do that this year as well. To win games you need good pitching and good hitting. Good hitting requires scoring runs and scoring runs means hitting in those RISPs. The Yankees just look bad at doing just that. If the bases are loaded with no outs I expect the Yankees to get no more than 2 or 3 runs, not 6 or 7 that you would expect out of this lineup but just 2-3 with one being walked-in. The last ‘Bad’ is run differential, the Yankees are a -8. With THAT lineup? Its pretty sad, considering the Yankees ended April with a 14-15 record, they should be pretty happy to have that record with that run differential. A -8 is equivalent to something like 3 games, so the Yankees should be 11-18.

The Ugly: The injuries are mounting. A-Rod, Posada before, and now there is Hughes(not that big of a loss considering his struggles) and Bruney. Not to mention Betemit. Those are a lot of bodies, the only positive is that its only May. The Hughes-Kennedy experiment has looked pretty awful. The only bright spot is that they are young and talented and will help the Yankees, just not this year. Hughes is hurt, nothing major, and it might be a little blessing to get him away from the mound a bit and get him refocused. These young guns need to get their groove back because the alternatives aren’t that much better. The last ugly is one that will not be saved or get better regardless that ‘its only May’ and that is Hank. Can he please shut-up…please. If the losing gets worse the Yankees season will go from bad to ugly with this guy.

Best Pick: I have to go with getting Mike Jenkins, for two reasons. One, the most consistent weakness of last year’s Cowboys was the past defense. With the starters missing games due to injury and never being fully healthy and not being able to trust your safeties with coverage respondsibilities, getting a quality CB, the top cornerback according to some people, was a great pick up for this team. And second, if Pacman Jones is reinstated, then last years scenario of having both starters injured doesn’t seem to bad. A Jenkins-Jones starting combination does not sound too bad at all. This weakness can now be considered more of a strength, thus great pick.

Worst Pick: Now I am not saying that Martellus Bennett will be a horrible player and will become a bust. What I am saying is that getting a TE in the second round when the Cowboys could have added a NT, a safety, or an Olineman of any kind doesn’t seem to make the most sense. I am sure the Cowboys really liked Bennett and envision him to be a great option during any of the two TE sets the Cowboys will play. But you can get good quality TE’s later in the draft than you can a NT, or a C for example. The Cowboys just seemed to pick based on a not so great need than talent.

Most Surprising part of this Draft: To me it really is how the Cowboys really set themselves up nicely for next year’s draft. Believe me, all those trades that helped the Cowboys accumulate extra picks for next year was done for one reason: so the Cowboys can package some picks to move up in the draft or to trade for an impact player. Of course, in that package will be the first round pick. But if the Cowboys win the Super Bowl they could package their first round plus two or three other picks to move from the 32nd to something like the 22nd. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? I didn’t expect to see that out of the Cowboys.

Most Disappointing part of this Draft: The what-might-have-been once again visits the Cowboys. From not selecting Randy Moss, Julius Jones instead of Steven Jackson, Demarcus Ware over Shawn Merriman, and now Felix Jones over Rashard Mendenhall will be with us Cowboys fans. Now I personally think the Cowboys won the Ware-Merriman argument, and I am not all that saddened about not getting Steven Jackson, but it does seem the Cowboys always have to be reminded about these decisions. Now here is another that won’t go away and you just know those Steelers fans won’t shut their mouth about it either.

Why this Draft was a Good One: Basically, the Cowboys filled all their holes. They needed two cornerbacks after Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones left, hello Jenkins, Pacman, and Orlando Scandrick. They needed a new TE after Anthony Fasano left, hello Bennett. Julius Jones and Tyson Thompson out, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice in. Filling Akin Ayodele’s open spot is Zach Thomas, so that is covered. Really only that is left is that special teams monster now that Keith Davis is in Miami. Everything else seems covered.

Why this Draft was a Bad One: You can’t ever really analyze how a player will do, because it is IMPOSSIBLE. All that can be done is analyze a player’s collegiate career, measure the talent, look at the team that drafted them, and basically take into account what the ‘experts’ say about each prospect. I did all that as best as I could and what I see is that this draft only looks to have one player capable of being an NFL starter for a long time and that is Mike Jenkins. Not to say the other players can’t, but can Felix Jones take the pounding of an NFL back? As long as Witten is a Cowboy, Bennett won’t be a starter. Can Tashard Choice be a starter despite his lack of break-away speed and injury history? And are Scandrick and Walden any better than guys that play only to allow your starters a breather every now and then? Who knows how many of these guys can/will be starters but as of right now, there is no expectation to see any of them as starters next season.

Overall Draft Grade: B+

The way I see the Yankees season going is a 2nd place finish in the AL East with a 92-70 record. I would like to see the Yankees go in as a Wild Card but I am afraid that Cleveland or Detroit will fill that role with the other winning the AL Central. The main reason I feel that the Yankees will fall sort of a playoff berth (and probably fall short by only 2-3 games) is because of the reliance on Pettitte and Mussina pitching. Pettitte I trust to pitch well, but I also trust Andy not too be healthy for the whole season. And as far as Moose goes, he will have his brilliant moments, but to me this smells like a Kevin Brown type year for him. All of which means that Wang, Kennedy, and Hughes will probably have to shoulder more of the load that they might not yet be experienced enough to do.

 Hitting/Defense- The line-up should again lead the entire league in runs scored. Should be over 900 runs again. A-Rod should have another MVP-type season with around 50 hrs, 140 rbis, and an OBP of over .400. Helping A-Rod would be the consistent Jeter, and Posada just coming off a career year offensively. I expect Cano to take the next step and hit over 20 homeruns, with over 100 rbis and runs each. Melky now going into his third full season can see a nice spike with his offensive numbers. The five guys I just mentioned are really going to be the horses to this offense, and each are good fielders despite all the talk about how statistically Jeter is among the worst fielding shortstops, he can still get the job done. But there are sore spots and I think they belong to Giambi and Damon, and to some extent Matsui. Giambi’s bat is not worth him playing first base he is horrible defensively. Damon did not look right at all last year and really has lost a step or two in center, and Matsui also shows some signs of slowing down even though I think he had a decent to good offensive year last season and he was injured for most of last season. The only question mark I have about the lineup is Abreu, I don’t what to make of him other than he will provide some help offensively, probably around 20 homeruns, and over 100 rbis, but he will walk a bunch and stikeout and the worst times, he is a stable outfielder though. I would really hope the Yankees do go to the bench and play Duncan and Belemit more because I think they could really produce despite the limited action.

 Pitching- The pitching is where the biggest questions are. Wang will hopefully get to 20 wins, as he has been the most consistent Yankees pitcher the past two seasons. Pettitte did pitch well enough last year, especially in September, really providing the Yankees an awesome boost. But after those two, it seems pretty unpredictable to say what will happen. Hughes and Kennedy are both young and inexperienced, I think this season will be more about them learning how to pitch in the major leagues than becoming saviors, that has to wait for a later time. As long as they look good and are not pitching too many innings, I think they can really shine. Moose unfortunately is going to have to prove himself despite having a pretty good resume. He was just horrible last season and he is only a starter because the Yankees didn’t pursue any one during the offseason and Joba is not in the rotation….yet. I can only hope that Moose can have a better season than last, doesn’t have to be an All-Star, Cy Young type season, and I won’t complain if it is. The bullpen outside of Mariano and Joba seems shaky, like it has for the past 6-7 seasons. But I do like the addition of Hawkins as long as he is not the closer for any games with a cushion under 3 runs.

Overall: Great offense, a decent defense (good if Giambi is not playing first and either Matsui or Damon look like they did 2 seasons ago) keep the Yankees a competitive team fighting for the postseason. But a pitching staff with youth, inexperience, two veterans with plenty of concerns, and a bullpen that has the last two innings figured out but will probably struggle with the middle relief will keep the Yankees from making it in the postseason this time around.

This is the most excited I have been for a Yankees season in some time. The reason is pretty simple: youth.  Finally the Yankees are following the same formula that helped build a dynasty, even if that formula is being used slightly different this time around.

In 1996, the Yankees had a 22 year old rookie shortstop, a 24 year old 2nd year starting pitcher, and a 26 year old 2nd year set-up man. In 1998, a 26 year old catcher who was in his first year as the everyday starter, a 26 year old 3rd year pitcher that made 14 starts, and a three bench players with the oldest being 26 had over 60 at bats each, made their debut. From 1996, the year of the first of four World Series, to 2000, the last, the average age of the Yankees starters was 30.25. From 2001, where in my opinion the Yankees losing the World Series gave George the feeling he just HAD to sign Jason Giambi which in turn started the trend of over-paying for older past-their-prime players, to 2006, before the recommintment to youth with Joba, Hughes, and Kennedy joining the team in 2007, the average age of the starters was 31.91.                                            
                                                  
                                                  
     That doesn’t look like such a big deal but 2001’s average age was still pretty low and that was still a very good team, and 2006’s average age was almost identical to the average age of 1999 with Cano, Melky, Wang becoming prominent starters and Bernie not being counted as a starter helped the team’s average get younger. So from 2002, with Giambi now part of the team, to 2005 that average age was 32.36, more than a full 2 years older than the World Series teams. This does cause problems when you consider that the biggest culprit in that spike in age was the pitching. The line-up at times did feature older veterans like Sheffield, Tino (the second time around), Giambi, Tony Womack, and Rueben Sierra, the Yankees did sprinkle in some youth with Cano, Melky, and Andy Phillips who at 30 could be considered young compared to the rest of the line-up. But the pitching had no such successful infusion, with Kevin Brown, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens (second time around), David Wells (ditto), Jon Leiber, and Al Leiter (for 10 games) part of the rotation the Yankess tried to get some young arms in there like Javier Vasquez, Jeff Weaver, Carl Pavano, and Shawn Chacon, none of them were really any good.                                             
                                                  
    So now with a rotation that features three guys under 30 with Wang, Hughes, and Kennedy, and another under-30 pitcher, Joba, possibly moved into the rotation in the near future, the Yankees are injecting youth where they have failed to do so for some time. They still need to produce but from what I have seen so far, they all have the talent. This will be an exciting season because for the first time in a long time I don’t have to worry about how old the team is.

My Cowboys Draft (basically what I hope to see realistically happen)

RD 1
Pick 22: Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahmoa

                  The Cowboys I think would want to pick the WR or CB that would be highest on their overall board, I believe that will be Malcolm Kelly (who I believe the Cowboys will see as one of their top 3 WRs in this draft) when the Cowboys get here, I don’t foresee Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie or Aqib Talib, the top two corners in this draft available so the ‘Boys take a risk of drafting Kelly and hope that their third, fourth, or fifth choice of CB will be available at 28.
Pick 28: Mike Jenkins CB South Florida

                  I would like this pick very much if the Cowboys could pull it off and get lucky. He is quick, by most accounts has good coverage skills, and has the play-making ability to be a KR/PR. That speed could really come in handy for a defensive backfield that does not feature much speed besides Terrance Newman.

RD 2
Pick 61: Jamaal Charles RB Texas

                  His speed and burst is good, what I think the Cowboys need to counter Marion’s style. He is also a pretty good receiver out of the backfield which would be a great addition to have since the Cowboys do like to get the RBs involved in the passing game. I would prefer if available at this slot Chris Johnson from ECU or Ray Rice from Rutgers, but I don’t think they will be available at this spot for the Cowboys to take.

RD 3
Pick 92: Roy Schuening OG Oregon

                  I do think the Cowboys might go Oline a little too early, they tend to go too early on a position or two every draft, I think the 3rd round is the most likely to do it since the previous three picks addresses the most obvious needs. Schening I expect to be a future starter, hopefully with the Cowboys, he was a four year starter, strong, physical very good at run-blocking. Needs to work on his pass-protection and not the fastest but I do think when Kyle Kosier is gone which shouldn’t be in the too distant future, he should make a strong push for that starting spot. 

RD 4
Pick 126: Ahtyba Rubin DT Iowa St.

                  What Rubin provides that is sorely needed for the Cowboys at the NT position is a stout run stopper who does a great job taking on multiple blockers. I really had no idea who of the DTs available in this draft I wanted the Cowboys to take until I did a little research and found out that this guy is the best pure run stopper out of every one in this draft. More than one ‘expert’ said it including Mel Kiper for what its worth. So I say, lets throw those ‘experts’ a bone and pick him up 

RD 5
Pick 164 Josh Barrett S Arizona St.

                  Barrett I see has being a nice pick-up for the defensive backfield and the special teams. Keith Davis becoming a Dolphin has left a void behind Roy Williams and on the special teams. Barrett is a fast, hard-hitting, instinctive (as the ‘experts’ describes him, maybe another way to say he makes good plays while playing out of position sometimes) safety that could help fill that void.

           RD 6 

Pick 169 Ben Moffitt ILB South Florida              The Cowboys will get another player from USF and I think this one would be a really nice pick up for the Boys. Mainly, the Cowboys don’t know what they have at ILB, yes Akin Ayodele and Bradie James are the starters. Backing them up for sure will be Kevin Burnett and Zach Thomas. Booby Carpenter is also a possibility but he keeps switching positions. Burnett has been inconsistent and also does give up quite a few big plays. While Zach Thomas is no guarantee to make the team, and if he does who is to say he will stay healthy. They probably need one more ILB and I like this Moffitt guy.

 

RD 7
Pick 238 Cody Wallace C Texas A&M

                        I was looking to get a backup QB for Romo but I pretty much felt that the Oline should be addressed again and get as many bodies as possible going into to training camp. I have my doubts that Wallace will be available in the 7th round but its always hard to predict teams needs along the Oline. So for arguments sake, he is available and the Cowboys give him a chance.

The NFL draft is close by, already the rumors of who is going where have been rampant. Mock Drafts have already hit their 4th version, and the blogs are filled with updates on all prospects, pro day workouts, and how a team’s free agent acquisitions have impacted the team’s draft strategy. It is no surprise at all that teams that generally draft well are the teams that we frequently see winning divisions and making the playoffs. There is no debate that with the current structure of the NFL, building through the draft is the safest, cheapest, and most sustainable strategy that can build, and reload a team from season to season.  I will have my own mock draft a week or two before the real one occurs, but until then I am going to just discuss my beloved Cowboys’ draft needs, the top 5 draft needs specifically. And conclude it with my own Cowboys Draft, at least one that is close to the reality.

 

1. CB- To me this is the biggest need. Last year, the greatest weakness of that Cowboys’ team was the secondary, specifically the health of the starting CBs and, of course, Jacques Reeves. The opponents passing game was pretty simple, dodge Demarcus Ware and throw it at whoever Reeves was covering. Reeves didn’t get any better as the season went along, even with his extended mount of playing time with at least one of the starters out of the lineup for what seemed like three quarters of the season. Cutting Aaron Glenn before the season started turned out to be an absolutely horrible mistake as the secondary only had ONE DB with good coverage skills, Terrence Newman. Ken Hamlin and Anthony Henry I consider having above average cover skills and Roy Williams is pretty much god-awful at covering anything. Reeves was basically Roy Williams Jr, and all Cowboys fans rejoiced when he was cut. This draft class has plenty of good corners and the Cowboys would be wise to pick up one or even two. They NEED someone who can become a very good cover corner (Newman) and not one that is good at bumping and being physical and play the Cover-2 but gets burned on a one-on-one situation (Henry). Newman does a great job of locating the ball, staying with his man, and using his natural speed to close gaps between him and the receiver once the ball is thrown. The Cowboys need a CB who is more Newman than Henry, therefore, that CB pick needs to be in the first or second round where those types of CBs are usually taken. Plus age is going to be a problem for the CB position in 2-3 seasons, so the Cowboys will be best served to strike now.

 

2. WR- This was pretty obvious when TO got hurt in the Carolina game last season. The passing game was no where near the same. The offense basically sputtered and couldn’t get the ball in the end zone, their running game basically became the Cowboys bread-and-butter on offense and that proved not to be nearly enough, especially in the playoff game against the Giants. TO is 35 and you can bet that despite his great physical shape, sooner or later that age factor will play in his performance and abilities. Terry Glenn could very well be retired by the time next season rolls around, and Patrick Crayton is at best a #2 receiver, and does not have the burst, speed, or big-play ability to become a #1 or anything more than a player that can get you some around 40-50 catches for 500-700 yards and 4-8 tds. Hardly game-breaking numbers. With such young guys like Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, and Isiah Stanbeck, they do have the youth that could counter the age of TO and Glenn if he was to return, but there is no confusing the impact of any of those three young guys to a young receiver that can also be a game breaker like a Calvin Johnson this past season or a Marques Colston last season. That is basically what the Cowboys need, a young receiver that can no doubt be a #1 once TO is gone or hurt, someone who has game-breaking speed and who doesn’t drop important passes, ala Crayton.

 

3. RB- I know some people have the RB position either #1or 2 on the list of Cowboys priorities but I feel the you can strike gold in the later rounds more often with RBs than either CB and WR. Marion Barber, by the way, was a 4th round pick just to drive that point home a little more. Plus, the problems the Cowboys had down the stretch didn’t have as much to do with the running game than the passing game and pass defense. I was sad to see Julius Jones leave the Cowboys, not because he was all that great, he didn’t get the job done the past two seasons, but because of the promise he did show, those flashes that had Cowboys fans talking ‘the next Emmitt.’ He went from the ‘next Emmitt’ to the ‘make believe starter’ to a Seattle Seahawk. I don’t believe Marion Barber is a 300 carry back, if that’s how the Cowboys use him, expect him to average 100 yards a game in the beginning of the season, 70 yards a game near the end of the season, and a career that is just about done by 28 years of age. His running style does not permit him to be that 300 carry back. Us Cowboys’ fans are used to that one guy, Dorsett, Walker, Smith, but that is not the case anymore, the Cowboys need a two-headed monster at the RB spot. Most people think the Cowboys need a back with speed and big-play ability that can also catch out of the backfield. I tend to agree with that, but I am not against getting a back that is more similar to Barber as long as they can get 10-12 carries a game and get about 40-60 yards a game as well. As long as they are moving the ball on the ground I don’t care who is running it or what ‘style’ back they are.

 

4. DT- The 3-4 defense has to have a huge, unmovable, goliath for that defense to function properly. Jason Ferguson was that guy until he got hurt and was lost for the season. Now Jay Ratliff did a good job filling in, and Tank Johnson wasn’t too bad either, but neither guy gives me much comfort, this is a position that needs a good 2-3 man rotation. Ratliff wore down near the end of the season, and I think Johnson still needed to get his football legs under him. Next year, we might see a better Ratliff, more prepared for the task than he was last year basically thrown to the fire due to a lack at depth at that position, and maybe next year Johnson also is in better shape to man that position, maybe even start. I would feel a little more comfortable if the Cowboys had a third option beside Remi Ayodele. With the contract extension Ratliff signed with the Cowboys this past season, I have no doubts that he will be a prominent player somewhere on that defensive line. If the expectation is that Ratliff is going to be the starting NT for the ‘Boys, with Johnson has the backup, the Cowboys need to shore up that position by getting a young NT soon, someone who can than be the backup to Ratliff once Johnson is gone. What the Cowboys have in rotation with their LBs and DEs has worked splendid for them, a great mixture of youth and experience. I bet you can name, if you are a knowledgeable Cowboys fan, at least 5 linebackers and 4 DE that contribute to the Cowboys rotation at those positions. Not so much for DT. That needs to change, draft a NT.

 

5. OT- Coming up with a fifth need was pleasantly difficult. The choices were, a back-up QB, another LB, a safety, a player who could specialize in kick and punt returns, but when it comes down to filling needs, you can never go wrong with the o-line. I think OT is the hardest of the O-line positions to find suitable players and that is why I chose an OT as the fifth priority, but getting an OG or a C is just as good for depth reasons. I personally would like for the Cowboys to draft a C because the Cowboys really don’t have a true C besides Gurode, Cory Proctor who is the back-up C has played more guard and it better at that than C, so getting a true C in the draft would be nice.

 

My Cowboys Draft (basically what I hope to see realistically happen)

RD 1

      Pick 22: Malcolm Kelly             WR              Oklahmoa

                  The Cowboys I think would want to pick the WR or CB that would be highest on their overall board, I believe that will be Malcolm Kelly (who I believe the Cowboys will see as one of their top 3 WRs in this draft) when the Cowboys get here, I don’t foresee Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie or Aqib Talib, the top two corners in this draft available so the ‘Boys take a risk of drafting Kelly and hope that their third, fourth, or fifth choice of CB will be available at 28.

     

Pick 28: Mike Jenkins            CB             South Florida

                  I would like this pick very much if the Cowboys could pull it off and get lucky. He is quick, by most accounts has good coverage skills, and has the play-making ability to be a KR/PR. That speed could really come in handy for a defensive backfield that does not feature much speed besides Terrance Newman.

 

RD 2

      Pick 61: Jamaal Charles          RB            Texas

                  His speed and burst is good, what I think the Cowboys need to counter Marion’s style. He is also a pretty good receiver out of the backfield which would be a great addition to have since the Cowboys do like to get the RBs involved in the passing game. I would prefer if available at this slot Chris Johnson from ECU or Ray Rice from Rutgers, but I don’t think they will be available at this spot for the Cowboys to take.

 

RD 3

      Pick 92: Roy Schuening          OG            Oregon

                  I do think the Cowboys might go Oline a little too early, they tend to go too early on a position or two every draft, I think the 3rd round is the most likely to do it since the previous three picks addresses the most obvious needs. Schening I expect to be a future starter, hopefully with the Cowboys, he was a four year starter, strong, physical very good at run-blocking. Needs to work on his pass-protection and not the fastest but I do think when Kyle Kosier is gone which shouldn’t be in the too distant future, he should make a strong push for that starting spot.

 

RD 4

      Pick 126: Ahtyba Rubin       DT       Iowa St.

                  What Rubin provides that is sorely needed for the Cowboys at the NT position is a stout run stopper who does a great job taking on multiple blockers. I really had no idea who of the DTs available in this draft I wanted the Cowboys to take until I did a little research and found out that this guy is the best pure run stopper out of every one in this draft. More than one ‘expert’ said it including Mel Kiper for what its worth. So I say, lets throw those ‘experts’ a bone and pick him up.

RD 5

      Pick 164 Josh Barrett        S          Arizona St.

                  Barrett I see has being a nice pick-up for the defensive backfield and the special teams. Keith Davis becoming a Dolphin has left a void behind Roy Williams and on the special teams. Barrett is a fast, hard-hitting, instinctive (as the ‘experts’ describes him, maybe another way to say he makes good plays while playing out of position sometimes) safety that could help fill that void.

 

RD 6

      Pick 169 Ben Moffitt        ILB       South Florida

                  The Cowboys will get another player from USF and I think this one would be a really nice pick up for the Boys. Mainly, the Cowboys don’t know what they have at ILB, yes Akin Ayodele and Bradie James are the starters. Backing them up for sure will be Kevin Burnett and Zach Thomas. Booby Carpenter is also a possibility but he keeps switching positions. Burnett has been inconsistent and also does give up quite a few big plays. While Zach Thomas is no guarantee to make the team, and if he does who is to say he will stay healthy. They probably need one more ILB and I like this Moffitt guy.

 

RD 7

      Pick 238 Cody Wallace       C       Texas A&M

                  I was looking to get a backup QB for Romo but I pretty much felt that the Oline should be addressed again and get as many bodies as possible going into to training camp. I have my doubts that Wallace will be available in the 7th round but its always hard to predict teams needs along the Oline. So for arguments sake, he is available and the Cowboys give him a chance.