#1 BoSox Roll - What a huge disappointment from a fans perspective. I was really looking forward to a great World Series that went at least 6 games. You can try and come up with the reasons why Colorado could not hang with Boston, but the fact of the matter is Boston was too good. Its amazing how these good teams end up "cruising" through the regular season with a 3.87 team ERA, then the get to the playoffs and turn it up a notch. With their backs against the wall they smoked the two best teams left standing seven games in a row. I wonder where Lowell will end up and how much this season will cost the team that signs him.
#2 Top 5 BCS Contenders - Last week these were my top five contenders: 1) Ohio State, 2) Boston College, 3) Arizona State, 4) LSU, and 5) Oklahoma. Looks like nothing changes, with these five, but BC looked very beatable and Arizona States victory was pretty impressive in Tempe. Problem with the Sun Devils is running the table looks pretty unlikely, but if they do it, how can you keep them out? Lets add two more top conteders to the list: 6) Kansas - could it be? 7) Oregon - its either them or ASU.
#3 Tom Brady? - This is shaping up into being the most dominant statistical seasons in the history of all of sports. Brady is on the way to having a Madden '08 season. Let's project his stats: 4862 yards/60 TDs/4 INTs/136.2 QB RTG/4 SUPER BOWLS. I think he's worth the $16 mil, I think Moss is worth the $8.25 mil, and I think Welker is worth the $0.5 mil. I'm not sure if next weeks game will even be a game. I'll take the Pats and give the Colts whatever it lands on. I'll even wait until Sunday to lay my money down.
#4 A Rod Says Thanks, But No Thanks To $72 Mil - This may be viewed as quite a gamble, but I guess it speaks for A-Rod's discontent in N.Y. I think Alex told Boras, "I don't care what is costs, get me out of the Bronx, and I'll cover what you lose." The Rangers will save $3 mil over the next three years, and will allow them to continue rebuilding after a nice set of trades near the end of last season. Although I have not recieved much support of my opinion that A-Rod will end up a Giant, but mark my words, its where he's going. The Giants are going to dump Zito and sign A-Rod to whatever he wants and make him a shortstop again. Expect it to be in the $30 mil range, and most if not all to be guaranteed.
In an ongoing installmant coinciding with the release of the rest of the foxsports mock draft I will continue to breakdown the players in the first round. If a player is still being drafted by the same team I will skip them and move on. This will give me more of a chance to prove my worth of evaluating college football players as I stare into my crystal ball.
So what I aim to do here is apply my expert opinion to the football draft. I am going to use the most recent mock draft released by foxsports and breakdown the picks. I won't go into much detail, just use what I know to shed a little light. I predict I'll be 70% effective with my predictions. Follow me as I lead you down a path of enlightenment. I will give a grade based on my prediction of their fist five years in the NFL also prediction is based on them going to the team they are projected to land on.
(The first three were based off of Peter Schrager's mock drafts. This one goes off of the NFLDraftScout.com's latest entry.)
2. Brady Quinn/Lions (A) - As stated in volume 1 Quinn is a great pro prospect. Despite his negative publicity, the kid never had a great offense to play with, and carried his team the last two years. Jon Kitna is not a bad mentor, he'll get 4-5 starts his first year. This is the pick Detroit needs to make.
3. Joe Thomas/Browns (B) - This doesn't seem to be the pick that makes sense. Why not go with Calvin Johnson?? At the least draft Johnson and trade him if they really don't want him. Thomas is a good player, but get a guy that touches the ball.
6. Amobi Okoye/Redskins (B+) - If the Skins are dead set on drafting a DL then this is the pick. Okoye gets a B+ only because he's a better choice than Branch. Still, look at the history of impact DTs. Is there such a thing unless Ray Lewis is standing behind you?
7. Leon Hall/Vikings (B) - The lack of testing in college is going to make the transition of this guy into the NFL very tough. I'm not so sure he's really a 7 pick. I would go ahead and take a versatile LaRon Landry here. Use the cover two and get the best overall DB in the draft.
8. Laron Landry/Falcons (B) - I suppose this means the Falcons are set on drafting this guy. Unless its a smokescreen to move up for the chance at Peterson. You know Petrino loves offense, and if they've made the decision to let Vick take them to the promised land, they'd better get some more offensive weapons. I'm just not so sure Norwood is the answer and Dunn is obviously on the last leg of his career.
9. Alan Branch/Dolphins (C) - Not sure what this pick is aimed to do for the Dolphins. Getting the second best DT inside of the first ten picks? Should they be looking for a replacement for Thomas??? That's what I'd be doing. Then again I'm not a rich guy that runs a football team like I know nothing about football.
10. Adrian Peterson/Texans (B) - Matt Schaub and Adrian Peterson for Laron Landry and... Someone must really know what they're doing because this one has me baffled. Let's see, David Carr never had a chance in Houston because they never had a line. Now they still don't have a line, but at least they have Schaub. I'm glad I'm not a fan of either team.
11. Robert Meachem/49ers (B) - According to Norcals website and 41 mock drafts polled, Meachem is the 4th or 5th best reciever in the land, yet he's going 2nd? I know he had a hot combine, but is this a gamble worth taking? You know Nolan goes on character as much as he goes on talent. I trust the guys evaluation abilities more than I trust his conservative wimpy coaching style. I believe this will happen. They'll take an o-lineman in round 2.
12. Patrick Willis/Bills (A) - The next Demeco Ryans? I'd suppose that's what they are aiming for. Their offense has been coming along nicely, I suppose its time to turn towards the defense. Replacing Nate Clements may be something they'll take care of later.
13. Darelle Revis/Rams (B) - I'd think about trying to find some recievers or trade down and get a tight end. The Rams have been quiet in the offseason so maybe they are just bracing for a losing season or two. Marc Bulger is good, but he needs help and more speed. Bruce just ain't what he used to be.
Here's a ranking of how I feel these teams are meeting their needs with these picks. This by far is the worst of the mock drafts I've seen. The only picks I really agree with are the Lions, the Redskins, and the 49ers. The other ones may happen, but I just don't get them. The more drafts I look at, the more I realize I'm as much of an expert as these guys that release this garbage.
In an ongoing installmant coinciding with the release of the rest of the foxsports mock draft I will continue to breakdown the players in the first round. If a player is still being drafted by the same team I will skip them and move on. This will give me more of a chance to prove my worth of evaluating college football players and stare into my crystal ball.
So what I aim to do here is apply my expert opinion to the football draft. I am going to use the most recent mock draft released by foxsports and breakdown the picks. I won't go into much detail, just use what I know to shed a little light. I predict I'll be 70% effective with my predictions. Follow me as I lead you down a path of enlightenment. I will give a grade based on my prediction of their fist five years in the NFL also prediction is based on them going to the team they are projected to land on.
3. Brady Quinn/Cleveland (A) - Now this is more like it. The most polished, NFL ready player in the draft. The Browns would add wins with this pick. They have some weapons on offense and Quinn can get the ball to them. I'd still like to see Quinn go to the Raiders though.
9. Amobi Okoye/Dolphins (A) - Learning from some of the best interior defensive players in the league would be perfect for this youngster. Put him next to Jason Taylor and I think you have an impact player right away. I believe this is the pick that will happen.
11. Adam Carriker/49ers(B+) - More of a Mike Nolan fit. A solid player and could fit in very well here. You could say the Niners need more speed in this position, all they need is production and I think this guy can give it.
12. Adrian Peterson/Bills (B) - Peterson still has the injury problem no matter where he goes. How many RBs are the Bills going to draft before they get it right. This could definitely help the offense if he stays healthy. I still like the pick.
15. Paul Posluszny/Steelers (A) - This guy is going to be a great player. The next Zach Thomas type of guy. Plus put him in a Steelers uniform, make him meaner, and maybe he's the next Jack Lambert. This guys a stud, should get drafted higher.
16. Marshawn ####/Packers (B) - I am hesitant about this player. His ankles bother me, plus, the shake and bake type of runners in college have a tough time in the pros unless your name is Bush. If he could alter his running style into a little more like Shawn Alexander he'll be a great pro. His ability to catch adds to his value. The running back pick makes a whole lot of sense for the Pack.
18. Leon Hall/Bengals (B+) - I guess his speed isn't the problem. I still hold to my contention that the lack of wide reciever talent in the Big Ten will have him unprepared to shut down many NFL recievers. Still the Bengals need help here and Hall should stay out of trouble and be a good safe pick.
19. Darelle Revis/Titans (B+) - It's amazing how a bad choice in a previous draft can really tie your hands. The Titans need to draft offense but PacIdiot has screwed Tennessee royally. I hope this guy has better character so Fisher can keep his job.
20. Lawrence Timmons/Giants (C) - This guy won't help the bad Manning, and since you sold your soul to get the bad Manning, you better do everything you can in every draft to cover your ####. Stupid pick, draft offense.
21. Jarvis Moss/Broncos (A) - There's a good chance this guy could go higher than this. With that being said, getting him at 21 would be a sweet deal. The Broncos offense is what it is, so drafting defense seems to be the way to go for the Mile High Horses.
30 Picks covered so far. Maybe I can be Mel's replacement when his head falls off from the weight of that hair being too much for his neck to support.
After a day of watching the NFL Network I am starting to wonder a few things:
1. Where are all the people shouting "Indy is the best team in football." My guess is crying into their bowl of cream of wheat. I'd be surprised if Indy got through round 1. The absolute only way Indy has a chance to make it through the playoffs is to A) secure home field advantage B) Get Vanderjagt back. Who in this room wants Manning over Brady?
2. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with the rest of the Bears season. The only team I'd compare them to is the Colts. Super start to a season and in the near future the season will be over. I understand loyalty and all, but does Lovie have any idea?? You have Griese and Orton (refer to last season) on the bench and your qb is playing worse than Alex Smith. The absolute only way Chicago has a chance to make it through the playoffs is to A) secure home field advantage B) secure home field advantage. Who thinks the Rams at home have a good chance tonight?
3. When is Brett Favre going to retire? His post game interview almost made me cry because I was throwing up.
4. Here are your not so usual power rankings, these are teams I would not want to play next week if had to win a game (excluding the obvious):
A - Miami (Can you say Joey Harrington comfortable in an offense for the first time in his pro carrer.)
B- Tennessee (I've been saying it since the minute last years national championship game ended, VY is a winner, enough said.)
C - Philadelphia (Why do people hate Jeff Garcia? Bill Walsh knows how to pick em.)
D - Buffalo (Football is better when the Bills are good .)
E - Pittsburgh (Maybe Big Ben's head doesn't hurt anymore.)
5. Drew Brees is the best qb in pro football as of right now. He is in an absolute zone. I was able to see him live in the G Dome a couple of weeks ago and I have never seen anyone that solid since I used to go watch Steve Young. Minus the escapability that's the closest you can come to comparing him to a recent quarterback (pocket presence, touch, accuracy on multiple routes). With those weapons (Bush) if their defense can just hold up, who is better in the NFC right now?
Published sports column contributor, but I'm about the 560th ranked blogger on this site. I'll keep most of my posts sports related. My sense of humor exists to amuse myself. This has happened by default because I rarely seem to amuse anyone else. I'm ashamed that my favorite professional sports teams are from the city of San Francisco.
Favorite sports listed from favorite to least favorite: duck-duck-
goose, red-light green-light, freeze tag, marco polo, and hop-scotch.
