Ok now that Matt Walsh has agreed to show the NFL his collection of Patriots memorabielia it's time to let the mind wander and try and decifer the advantages to taping your opponent. Also, lets not be crazy and think that the Patriots would have lost every game they played without the "tapes". They are still a good team, a very good team. I am not sold that they would have won a Super Bowl without that knowledge or "video enhancements" but they would have still been a great team... now with that being said, here is why the tapes were so important, to the development of Tom Brady from a inexperienced QB to a World Class QB.

 (IF THE Tapes are tapes of opposing defenses in practise and signals during a game)

1. the time in which Matt Walsh was employed 1997-2003 was the time period where Brady was inexpereinced young QB and the extra video of the defenses practise would allow him the oppurtunity to see exactly what he was going to see in a game, slowed down. Also the chance for the coaching staff to put him through similated circumstances in practise, and use this to incorporate the blocking schemes to protect him the best.

2. Watching video is key for a young QB, in high school, college, arena, canada and the NFL, but that's tape of game photage against a different team. Practise tapes would help that much more because thats the plan that team plans on implicating that week against you. It's one thing to go and watch game tape, and slow it down to see the nuances of each play, it's completely different to watch a tape of the team slowed down to learn the nuances of each play. If your watching them learn, it's usually easier to learn and decifer the differences.

3. If the taped the signals during a game, at halftime the signals would already have been disected thru the tapes and the actual game photage. It would not be hard to:
a see the signal
b relay to off coordinator
c call play and tell Brady what formation the defense will be in.
in that a young QB, would already know for certain what the team was gonna do. With that confidence and knowledge he shouldnt have had much problem learning to use his abilitys to find the weaknesses in th defense.

4. having the videotape of the weeks practise will almost always reveal any tricks or secret plays the opposition is thinking about running that week.  Therefore eliminating the element of suprise and wonder for a young Qb.

("love the hat, tom")

Now to brign this all together, the two most important things for a young QB are the gameplan and his confidence. Almost every QB who makes the NFL can throw the ball, but it takes the decision making you learn in your gameplan and the confidence in yourself, your abilitys and the play call to make it work on the field. His confidence was heightened through "video enhancements" therefore allowing him to concentrate on the other fascets of Quarterbacking in the National Football League.

The world knew that New England would have a good defense when Belicheck was hired, Belicheck is a defensive genius he has been his whole career (if you dont believe me watch the tape of Super Bowl 25) their offense however was a question mark. With these advantages as a young QB Brady's oppurtunity to truly understand the postition and reach the highest level of sucess were greatly increased, almost made simple. But his growth as a Qb can not soley be placed on "enhancements" he still had to do it every week, and take these advantages and in combination with his own abilitys still craft that into becoming a world class QB, because that is what he is a world class QB. He may go down as the greatest QB ever... but does he go down as with an asterisk or not is the question.

two things to note before responding...

1. I still believe Tom Brady would have been a good QB in this league, i thought so when he was at Michigan i couldnt believe that Drew Henson kept gettting snaps over him.

2. THIS is all being said IF the Patriots are guilty of taping practises, and signals.

(if it comes out that the didnt do this the, to quote HHH then "he's that damn good")

While dining at Quizno's yesterday i saw a captivating little fly hanging above my soft drink, as i shoo'd it away lightning hit the building and instantly transformed my soul into that of the Fly.

As i flew around Manhatten i couldnt help but see Hank Steinbrenner walking towards his office, realizing this could the greatest oppurtunity i will ever have to see the office's at Yankee's headquarters so i attach myself to his right shoulder. As he walked down the street Baby Boss was whistling the tune to "the Family Guy", and texting Roger Clemens. About a half hour later we arrive at his office. Hank stops to talk to his secretary, "do i have any messages Darlene?"

Darlene " No, but you have guests waiting for you in your office."

"Who's in there?" asks Hank.

"Oh i didnt catch their names, but one of them says he's known you since you were a child." replies Darlene.

"Must be Reggie, who's with him though?" Hank asks in a nervous conotation. Darlene starts shuffling paperwork on her desk, seemingly trying to ignore her boss. Hank repeats himself "Who's with him?"

"Sir, i dont know i didnt catch his name. He looked very pale though, almost see through and he spoke with a distant voice, very creepy." Darlene states but she never looks up at Hank.

"Dammit Darlene, did you let the ghost of Mickey Mantle in my office again? I thought i told you to tell him to leave me alone, that guy drinks all my 18yr scotch and smokes all my cuban cigars." Hank yells as he bursts into his office. "Hey there you old coot (nods his head to Reggie Jackson) and hello Mantle." his voice is very dry at this point.

i fly off of Hank's shoulder and place myself on the wall, listening to their boring conversation about put me to sleep, and if it wasnt for hank eating day old sugar toast i probably would have fallen asleep, but the urge to fly over and get some of that sugar toast kept me awake. They were discussing plans for all-star game weekend and how they would like to honor the Ghosts of the stadium as well as the living legends of yankees loir when the phone rings. "Darlene who is it?" Hanks shouts through his closed office door.

No answer from Darlene so Hank answers his phone via speakerphone. "You've reached the home of the whopper whats your beef?"

"Hi Boss, it's Brian (cashman) do you have a minute, we need to talk"

" Well ive got a little company, but what's up?" Hank answers him eagerly while making fake masturbation references with his hands.

"Oh is Reggie and Mick there again?" Brian says with a hint a intriuge in his voice. "Tell Reggie i said hello, and tell Mick to go easy on the Glenlivet, we dont need another incident like last month"

"hey Brian" says Reggie "Micks already drunk Brian i dont think we'll need the G.l.e.n.l.i.v.e.t. today" Reggie carefully spelled out Glenlivet so that Mick wouldnt understand him, he's easily excited when the coversation turns to liquor.

"Well Hank i hate to talk to you about this while you have compnay, but we need a solidified front as an orginazation to handle this latest media frenzy" -Brian

"Why what ever do you mean?" Hank replys with a very condisending tone to his voice.

"Hank you pretty much called me an #### and questioned are decision to place Joba in the bullpen for the time being, why in the name of Gehrig would you ever do that. Now every media outlet in America and one from Dubai has been calling me asking me what were gonna do with Joba." Brian franticly states.

"I didnt pretty much call you an ####, i Called You An ####." hanks says, "there's a big difference there, you savvy?" Hank covers the speaker as Reggie and him high five and light a cigar.

"Well then i quit" Brian states boldly

"Hang on just a minute" Hank picks up the phone "I was just kidding b-rye i didnt mean to hurt your feelings." again making masturbation jesters towards Reggie, Reggie has his hand over his mouth trying not to laugh.

"No really, you've underminded me for the last time. It was one thing when your dad did it ever other week, i had Joe Torre to help me take the attention away, but now all i got is this guy who looks like he could beat the #### out my grandma for sewing his pants crooked"

Hank pauses a second then replys " Ok, your right, here's what we'll do you can tell your media people that Joba is staying out of the rotation from now, and pretend like you stood up to me, is that better?"

"i am standing up to you" states brian in an very cautious voice.

"Ahh reggie isnt that cute he does have a set of balls" Hank now completely joking "It aint like your the general manager of the biggest sporting team ever, i mean why would you have a set of balls." Hank is now openly laughing at Brian.

"I dont have to take this" states Brian.

Hank replys quickly "Yes you do, if you didnt take this #### on a regular basis this team would fold under the weight of it's own cash flow"

"What?" Brian asks.

"you know what i mean b-rye, dont make me explain it to ya"

"yeah i know what it would me boss, once the team folded you would then hire Theo Epstein just to #### me off, is that what your getting at... ? huh Boss?"

"No i thought i might go a different direction with my insult this time." - Hanks says in between laughs. "I might just let myself be General Manager for a little while., what do you think about that?"

"I dont know, can i have a raise too."

"What you little flying #### dropping, where do you get off..." Hank gets interupted by laughter on the other end of the phone.

"just jerking your chain, but Joba's staying in the bullpen and that's final" - brian states inbetween laughter.

the Ghost of Mantle starts to talk but throws up a little Glenlivet instead, so Reggie speaks for him "I think what Mick is trying to say is that remember when your dad used to always tell the managers what to do, on everything and the team stunk?"

"yeah i do" Hank peers over his mojito that Darlene just brought into the office for him and does one of those "ok i gotcha..... hey b-rye you still there?"

"yup boss im still here"

"you can leave him in the bullpen for now, but you owe me 20 laps around the stadium for not getting Santana." scowls Hank

"yeah just let me get right on that one" Brian still laughing. "Oh and by the way, i was thinking about..."

Baby Boss stops him "that's your problem" he says with a smile.

Now Brian Cashman hangs up the phone without saying goodbye, now Brian has a dilema, does he quit, knowing that if he quits and Hank does his job that the Yankees will be run be the Ghost of Mantle and Reggie Jackson for the next five years. Meaning certain bottom feeding for the proud yankees, or Baby Boss will give Theo Epstien a $40 million contract to jump ship and make Mr. Cashman look bad... So Brian against his best judgement decided to #### his pride and alot of Hanks B.S. and stays with the team, called a press conference and everyone went home happy.

I for one caught a ride in Darlene's blouse, and she has delicious garbage to eat. Now if only i could get struck by lightning and switch back to myself.

After watching the A's versus the Red Sox's in Japan ealier this month i had and idea that might revolutionalize the collective bargaining agreement for Major League Baseball.

What about two major league teams playing in a different Major League ballpark, like for example the Los Angeles Dodgers playing the San Francisco Giants in Yankee Stadium. Or the Red Sox vs The Yankees playing each other in Pittsburgh. The idea isnt too radical, but think of the money that could be made. Now so far i have only given examples of team's rich in tradition and who carry a rivalry versus their opponent, but think of the Pittsburgh Pirates playing the Chicago Cubs in Minnesota, there are enough Cubs fans and Pirate fans in Minnesota to sell out the game (something that wouldnt happen in Pittsburgh) so the revenue would be higher for the game. Now much of that revenue would go to the Minnesota Twins franchise since they are the host city, that would help their bottom line and keep them a little bit more competitive in the ever robust Major League Baseball offseason. Now if your worried about the revenue lost by the Pirates for their home game lost just think of this, you could replace that home game with a game between the Mariners and the Orioles two teams with a few Pittsburgh ties and then the Pittsburgh Pirates could take the revenue for that game. This would allow people in different parts of the country to get a chance to see players from other teams and some possibly intense rivarlys. Another intriguing concept with this is the oppurtunity to increase the popularity of other teams in a somewhat regulated area (as in most pittsburgh residence are strictly Pirates fans, but a chance to see another team live might insight a few new fans of different teams).

i personally think that the idea could help level the playing feild between the haves (dodgers, yankees, red sox, etc...) and the have-nots (pirates, A's, Royals, etc..) and bring more money to the small markek teams.

As a baseball fan I have found it easy on occasion to heckle and blame Bud Selig for the problems America’s Pastime has encountered over the past 11 seasons. But I stand here today looking at all he has been through and been apart of as commissioner, and I think it will soon be time (if it isn’t already) for him to step down and Baseball to anoint a new commissioner. After quick discussion amongst friends over a few cocktails and obviously way too much time on my hands I tried to think who would be the best candidate for the next commissioner of baseball? A few names were spurted about during our conversation from the meaningful (Cal Ripken, Nolan Ryan and George W. Bush) to the ridiculous (Senator Mitchell, Tony Larussa and Pat Gillick) to the laughable (Roger Clemens, Mark Mcgwire, Ozzie Guillen and Steve Howe) I came to a conclusion that I think would be the perfect fit for baseball. He’d be a hit with the fans, the players and the owners… he is…. Joe Torre. Yes, Joe Torre and here is why…

 #1- He has a charming sense of humor, he once retorted to a question on his record breaking performance “"I'd like to thank Félix Millán for making all of this possible." (Regarding setting the NL record for most double plays grounded into in a single game, 4, July 21, 1975. Millan batted ahead of Torre in the lineup, singling in all four of his at bats.[

 #2- He has won as a player and as a coach. Personal honors (MVP in 1971) and as a manager (all those titles with the Yankees)

 #3- He sat in the hottest seat in the biggest pressure cooker in baseball and rarely did we see him sweat. Could you have imagined him on capital hill answer questions about integrity, something I truly believe he will never waver upon. As a manager of the Yankees he had to watch his words closely, yet was still an advocate for both sides of the issue. (Publicly defending Jason Giambi’s apology, publicly denouncing the myth that many clubs had knowledge of the steroid use amongst players)

 #4- He’s just so likeable, even if you hate him, he can still make you respect him.

 "He's always the same. That's the reason he's been so successful. He relays that to us in good times, bad times, and he's got the perfect mentality, I think, for a manager." Derek Jeter on Joe Torre

  #5- He’s seen both sides of the political issues inside of baseball. In his playing days he was a players representative for the union (if Im not mistaken) and was influential in the players getting the right to free agency. He also sat-in and helped keep the dialogue between the players and ownership during the 1995 strike.

 #6- He’s got the right mindset “"What I try to do is make sense, try to be as honest as I can possibly be and be able to communicate. I think that's the most important thing. Whether you're managing a baseball team or running a business, I think it's all about people." -Joe Torre

 #7- He’s never been bashful about making an important yet controversial decision. He batted A-rod 8th when he was struggling two seasons ago, he started Derek Jeter as a rookie, stayed with his coaching staff almost completely intact, resigned last season instead of taking one year offer stating "I just felt that the terms of the contract were probably something I had the toughest time with. The one year, for one thing; the incentives for another thing. I had been there for 12 years, and I didn't feel the motivation was needed. I just didn't think it was the right thing for me, or the right thing for my players.” I just don’t think that he would have settled for a tie in the All-star game nor would he have even allowed the thought that he would nor could have snubbed Barry Bonds on his route to becoming the home run king, he also wouldn’t have allowed baseball to crumble at the edges like it did before the Mitchell investigation. I believe he would have been forthcoming and had an investigation inquiry started on the subject way before Jose Canseco opened his mouth.

 #8- He was seen as a pillar of strength within the New York community during and after 9/11. His endearment to the tragedy and the community he lived in was evident in everything he did and said during that time. Almost political like in his approach throughout that period of time, he seemed to carefully think about his every statement and his whereabouts. Many still regard the first game back and the image of him and his team wearing the FDNY and NYPD hats as a form of healing and help within the mental aspects of the aftermath of the tragedy. (God bless those lost and those left behind)

  #9- the man has been a Manager in the American League and the National League. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but there is a quaint difference in the leagues and I think he and Tony Larussa probably understand this better than anyone in baseball.

 #10- he signed a three year contract with the Dodgers, but he also brought along his manager replacement in training, Don Mattingly. So it’s not inconceivable that Joe Torre if he has success this season stepping down earlier than his contract states to give Mattingly the position and accept the commissioner’s office. And if I am not mistaken Bud Selig just recently signed a two year extension a few months back, so the timing could work perfectly.

 Well those are my reasons why I think Joe Torre should be next in line to be the commissioner of America’s Pastime. Plus who wouldnt want a commisioner who's nickname is the Godfather?

So this weekend i was sitting at my favortie (and this small towns only place where you wont get stabbed by a drunken paroled fool) and i was approached  by this man in a Chicago Cubs hat slurring something under his breath that resembled "#### cardinals fan, you outta be shot... this is our year ####." Now for the record im not a Cardinals fan, but my entire family is and my uncle thinks that since he got me to love OU football when i was a kid by buying me a jersey every year, that maybe now that im an adult if he buys me a cardinals hat every year for christmas maybe ill start liking the team. Either way, if i was a Cardinals fan i might have taken offense to this beligerant ####'s statement (i would have taken offense if i were #### too, the ignorant drunk shoulda realized that if i was a cardinals fan then i probably would have been #### then he really would have been in trouble/ j/k) Now back to the point, instead of getting pissed off at him, i decided i'd have some fun with this and invited him and his double jack and coke a seat to discuss the upcoming year. Here is how our conversation went-

Drunk "The cubbies are gonna win it all man, it's our year"

King Baron- "well they do have a-

Drunk interupts me dead sentence "Were gonna #### win man. Your not listening to me. In the good name of all thats wonderful, for Haray Carey, for Ryne Sandberg, for all the little cubbies around the world... WERE GONNA #### Win. Your not listening to me." (that is a direct quote i wrote it down on a napkin so i wouldnt forget it. And i remind you this guy is spitting all over the place, never in my life have i seen so much saliva with noone having sex)

King Baron- "I think they got a shot"

Drunk (whispering now cause the barkeep just told him to keep it down)- Ryno man, the hawk, glenallen hill, mark whiten, man the hawk... he was so strong.... i loved the Hawk."

King Baron (baiting him now)- "Who's the Hawk?"

Drunk (top of his lungs) - The HAWK you mean you dont know who the HAWK is? He was the greatest Chicago Cub of all time, he was so tall, he could hit the little #### ball a mile without even swinging the bat. ( for the record i'd pay to see that) He's the #### Hawk you little ####...

i cut him off this time King Baron- "oh yeah i remember him, he was pretty good. He had a strong arm if i remember"

Drunk- "the strongest, he was sexy"

Even i was taken back at this point, this man all six foot three of him, who's homophoebic insinuations had taken up much of our conversation was now saying that Andre Dawson was sexy. I might have understood if he said that Ryno was sexy, i think... but Andre Dawson. Well whatever i digress.

(laughing) King Baron- "So is he your favorite player of all time?"

Drunk- "naaaa, he sucks" as he said that he literally fell off his barstool on to the peanut shell covered floor spilling his double jack and coke across his chest. He layed there for almost two minutes before i offered to help him. He sat back down and didnt say a word for over five minutes, he just had his eyes glued to his empty glass, i attempted to rekindle the conversation for the sake of it (i felt bad for this guy at this point)

King Baron -" are you alright man?" i waited a minute no response... "Hey Cubbie, are you alright?" still no answer but i can just slightly see his lips underneath his Cubs ballcap, and there wide open and moving as if he were talking. "i cant hear ya man" i shout but still no response, so i stand up and start to leave the table thinking i must have pissed this guy off, and he had considerable size on me so i thought dscretion would be the greater part of valore onthis occasion. As i started to walk away, i looked back at my new found drunken freind who will by all means try to forget this evening (if he ever remembers it).

i sit there with my freinds at the bar for awhile, and as i am prepared to leave i walk past my drunken freind again and decided i felt rude, i had never asked him his name. So i ordered a double jack and coke brought it to him and introduced myself... he didnt remember me at all... we were just talking five minutes, well maybe fifteen minutes before this and he had no idea who i was.

so i sat back down for a mintue, he looks up at my Cardinals hat and states "you #### #### the cardinals are ####.

King Baron- "relax buddy, have a good night."

he slams the drink i bought him and says at the top of his lungs (right as the jukebox died down) "I wanna marry Hawk.... He was so sexy"

i got up from the table and left laughing as hard as i could all the home. The bar i was at for fear that our drunken cubbie was gonna drive got him a taxi, now i just happen to be freinds with the only taxi driver in town and he was over my house last night and he was telling me how the ridiculously drunken Cubs fan tried to fight him through the cage on taxi because he had a Cardinals air freshener in the back seat. My buddie had to call the cops because this drunk kept kicking the safety window till he actuallt punctured the side of it.

i dont know why this is so funny to me, but i know i can never root for the cubbies again, he just brought down the good name of many a Cub fan in my eyes.

in keeping with the draft i already started, i will do a third rd next week to finish off day one. but i thought about just showing my favortie team (buffalo bills) and what i think they should do in each rd.

1. pick 11- trade down to number #15 (lions) and ge there second rd

1. pick 15- draft Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma. perfect compliment to Lee Evans. I know Malcolm and have seen him play, practise and in the film room, he has every intangible to be a physical, game changing receiver. ala T.O. or Plexigas

1. pick 18- trade up use your 2nd rd pick and the one you got from the lions to get it. Draft Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas. the best ballhawk in the draft, should have the oppurtunity to start from day one. if not he adds to an already decent, young, fast secondary.

2. traded away.

3. John Carlson TE, Notre Dame - every young quarterback needs a TE and a running back who can catch the ball. the bills drafted MArshawn #### and he can catch. Unfortunatley the Bills lost Kevin Everett during wk ! this year and his story no matter how griping is a sad one, but hopefully John Carlson can adequately fill the role the Kevin was hopefully going to fill as a pass receiving TE.

2nd 3. traded away in trading down.

4. Jordy Nelson - WR Kansas, best player available. he will be loved in buffalo with his work ethic and route running ability. I could see this guy being a Steve Tasker like player in the NFL a backup receiver (slot) and excellent special teams player.

5. Mike Gibson OG california the bills need depth at the offensive line, with some work this guy might just start in a season or two.

6. Paul Smith QB Tulsa- he's a talented qb who was #2 in the country in yards per game, if you got a chance to watch him in the pocket he shuffles his feet like Peyton Manning and goes through his reads effortlessly. His leadership skills are also second to none. He'd be a perfect backup Qb and could start somewhere with a couple years of polishing.

7. Tom Zwibtowski DB Notre Dame- he may be long gone, but i was reading somewhere yesterday that he might pursue his boxing career instead of playing pro football. if thats the case draft him then schedule a fight vs Money Mayweather so he can realize his talents belong on the football feild.

that's it offensive line depth, starting WR, starting CB, QB depth and WR and DB depth. nice draft. i'd be happy and the Bills would be in the playoffs.

in each league im going to select one person, and my reason for selecting them... kind of a stupid post, but it could be fun for any wrestling fans out there...

NFL- Terrell Owens, a perfect heel. the fans would hate him... or hate to love him. he's big, strong, quick, he talks a good game and heals quickly. so admirable traits for a would be WWE superstar. Plus he's comfortable in tights.

MLB- John Kruk- i know he's retired but give him earthquake's old ring gear and it'd be perfect. haha

NHL- Chris Simon - with the violence he brings to hockey, he might be too wild for wrestling. i mean it's just as important to not injure someone as it is to make it look like your kicking his butt... and im not sure he's capable of not hurting people. but it'd be fun.

Soccer- Zidane, he's already got a finishing move. The French Head Cracker

NBA- Shaq... screw Money Mayweather versus Big Show i wanna see Big Show Vs The Diesel Shaquille Oneal. i know he's gotten slow but he'd fun to watch and he's so damn big. No tights though please.

Nascar- Tony Stewart and or Car Edwards- Tony's got the fire and the popularity to probably actually be a draw. and car edwards back flip could be used as a finishing move i guess...

Tennis- James Blake- i dont know why but i'd love to see someone carry a tennis racket to the ring again ala jim cornetter circa 1980's

that's it just a quick one cause it was on my mind.

With the first pick of the second rd

33.Miami - Chad Henne QB- Michigan- Bill Parcells gets a quarterback he likes and some assurance that John Beck's days are numbered. If they pick Henne i would expect Beck to be traded on the secound day of the draft.

34. St. Louis - Mario Manningham WR - Michigan - i hope someone is smart enough to realize that 40 times at the combine are not all that makes a football player. he's got a knack for the endzone.

35. Atlanta - Curtis Lofton LB - Oklahoma - he has a nose for the football, he would have benefited from another year under God Stoops but hey what can ya do?

36. Kansas City - Anthnoy Collins OT - Kansas - he kept reesing from getting murdered now hopefully he can help get the cheifs back to having the outstanding offensive line that defined them in the nineties. plus some has to keep Matt Ryan standingl.

37. NY JETS - Early Doucet WR - LSU - they need WR he needs a team... hey there we go. i personally think that he could shine in NY. he's got the personality for it.

38. Atlanta - Trevor Laws Dt - Notre Dame - good fit to improve defense. new coach Mike Smith will want to leave an imprint on this team and noway better than a 304pd DT.

39. Baltimore - Joe Flacco QB - Delaware - the best QB in the draft and he's the fourth one drafted. I am a freind of Kyle Boller and i wish him the best, i do believe he will be a starting QB in this league but he's only gonna have one year left in Baltimore while they groom Flacco. Now let's just hope he's better than Shayne Falco, ya kow he's never been the same since the debacle in the sugar bowl.

40. San Fran - Ali Highsmith LB -LSU - now if they sign Takeo Spikes then i take this pick back and theyll select Chris Johnson, but something tells me that Takeo will go the Friggin Pats.

41. New Orleans - Pat Sims DT - Auburn - he plugs another hole in their gaping defense. if Morgan can stay healthy, and their quantitie over quality defensive backfeild plays more cohesively then this will have been a good pick... if not then they should have drafted a linebacker.

42. Houston (by way of Buffalo) - Reggie Smith DB - OU - he'll end up being a safety in the pros i believe, and he'll be a good one too. the mold of brian dawkins, ball hawking, sharp hitting, never out of position. A steal this late.

43. Denver - Calais Campbell DE- Miami - they got a DE which they thought about in the first rd. Shanahan oh Shanahan, where for out thou Shanahan? they guy is a genius granted, but you know what they say about a genius, there also a bit insane.

44. Carolina - Sam Baker OT - USC - upgrading their line in the first two rounds... this team could be strong this year.... i mean like Napolean Dynamite strong.... on a serious note, D.J. Hackett came cheap, and Williams is finally gonna get the rock. they could actually be good, i just dont understand this team really. They never ever go into a season and do anything close to what you expected. if there a super bowl pick they dont make the playoffs... bottom feeder they go to the NFC championship game or super bowl. But i think they need to take a serious look at John David Booty if he's there later, they need someone when Delhomme gets hurt.

45. Chicago - Andre Woodson QB - Kentucky - i think this guy could be the most overhyped person last season in college football. yeah he looked spectacular at times, but completely lost the next series. he needs time... he might get it in chicago, the book is not closed on Rex Grossman.

46. Houston -Jamal Charles Rb - Texas - Houston gets a home town kid, and a home state DB both good players, good draft so far.

47. Cinncinatti - Matt Forte RB - Tulane - with Kenny Irons coming back and Rudi Johnson still in the fold this is an intresting, un warranted pick. but he's a good person, staying with their new philosophy.

48. Minnesota - Tracy Porter CB - Indiana - still improving defense, still not helping Tavares Jackson. I wonder does Adrian Peterson have an arm? (actually i know he can throw a little but this is a joke) they would have been smart to draft John Carlson, but they wont.

49. Atlanta - Dustin Keller TE - Purdue - Mike Smith is putting together a team here... and now of em look, act, or smell like Michael Vick but a couple of em do got that Bobby Petrino smell. you'll see later.

50. Philadelphia - Dajuan Morgan FS - NC state - Donovan wanted Keller but he's gone, Reid wanted Anthony Collins and hes gone, Jim Johnson wanted Ali Highsmith but he's gone, the fans are chanting Justin King's name but they pick Dajuan Morgan... which has Lito Sheppard packing his bags.

51. Arizona - Kevin Smith RB- UCF - i like Kevin Smith alot, more than any RB in this draft not from Arkansas or Oregon, but he's going to the wrong team for his strengths. i hope that im wrong and the Broncos get him next rd, (even though my disdane for the broncos i would love to see him with that offense)

52. Washington - Josh Barrett DB- Arizona State- he's not and wont be Sean Taylor (noone can in the league right now) but he will be an adequate replacement and team with Laron Landry to form a dynamic duo.

53. Tampa - Justin King DB- Penn State- Brian Kelly out Justin KIng in. this kid's got wheels, and a nose for the ball. not afraid to get dirty, and JoePa to Gruden is a perfect transistion. At least two pro bowls before he retires (as long as he stays healthy) but like i said before i dont like Penn State but came away very impressed with him and oconnor.

54. Pittsburgh- Steve Slaton RB - WVU - first real intresting reach of the draft, but theyve reached in the second before and it's worked well for em. ( im not sure but wasnt hines ward, kordell stewart and antwan Randle el all second round picks? theres one guy who might tell me)

55. Tennessee - Marcus Harrison DT- Arkansas - you gotta wonder if they'll be able to sign Haynesworth to a long term deal, or even a deal at all without promising they wont Franchise him again next year. i doubt he comes back with a smile either way, so here's a jump on next year's replacement.

56. Seattle- Bryan Kehl LB -BYU - good head on his shoulders, reminds me of Isaih Kavenshyski (?) very intelligent linebacker. and hey Jim Mora's gotta have some say about the future right... he like's moveable linebackers and this guy's a movable liinebacker. hey!

57. Green Bay (from Browns) - MArtellus Bennett TE - Texas A&m- Brett Farve jumps up out of the cot in his backyard in LSU and starts immediatley throwing footballs across the Mississippi River, some kid gets this on camera posts it on youtube.com and the world whispers of a possible return.

58. Miami- Chilo Rachal G- the reason they didnt draft Jake Long in rd 1, they think this kid can start right away too. Im not so sure, but they big Tuna might get himself caught in a dolphin net.

59. Jacksonville- Andre Caldwell Wr- Flordia - the fans are happy, home school kid. I laugh cause they just run through receivers. just wait til Dallas drops Hurd like they did Jimmy Smith and turn him into a Hall of Famer. J/K actually i like this pick cause it means the end of Matt Jones (who? Matt Jones. who?) and possibly another addition to Dallas. maybe a little revenge for the Jimmy Smith situation.

60. Indianapolis- Cliff Avril- speedy defensive ends from Purdue always seem to pop up every year. the colts got a good one and he'll help if Freeney aint ready to rock right away this year. Peyton though...  he's Friggin' pissed off... straight slap'en Bill Polian's secretary, he punched his life partner in the face and Kicked Eli's dog fluffy. i dont know why he so pissed but hey well get back to this story but Paul Tagliabue errr i mean Erie County's own Roger Goodell is walking to the podium.

61. Green Bay- Ray Rice RB- Rutgers- (good pick here) Now that this debacle on the mississippi has made it youtube.com it aint long til ESPN gets ahold of it. Boomer grabs his cellphone and call's the Favre residence, brett's wife is overheard in the background chastising brett up and down. Brett says four words and hangs up the phone ... "i changed my mind!" The cheese and Beer start flowing in Wisconsin all the way down the Mississippi til Brett can smell the stench himself.

62. Atlanta - Harry Douglas WR - Louisville - Bobby Petrino's stench what did i say. but in reality i think this is a great pickup, he and Brohm will have the luxury of moving from the college level to the pros together. Atlanta has filled alot of needs today and they still got one more pick on day one. i know trading the overall #3 for a #1 & #2 this yr + #1 & #4 next year dont seem fair but look how they turned it. a team in salary cap hell, just stuck it's hand out from amidst the chemical vat to let the world know they havent died (glorious Batman reference i know)

63. New England - Xavier Adibi LB- Youth, speed. two things Belicheats boys lack. in all seriousness New England will also draft Stetzl and Hester from LSu, and Peyton Hellis from Arkansas and they all will contribute to the team. i hate the patiots but you have to give them credit they are always able to fill holes/cracks/specialtys with such ease.

64. NY Giants- Quintin Demps DB- UTEP- perfect pick, gibril wilson aint got nothing on this kid. he wont have to start right away too which will help their nickel and dime packages. The giants i know they won the super bowl, yet some people still dont believe in this team... i think they could be good for awhile to come.

well there's rd #2 not much in trades in rd #2 but that should change in rd #3 as it starts with one...

the dolphins have traded the first pick in the third rd to the Dallas Cowboys for Greg Ellis and Anthoney Fasano.

and with the first pick of the third rd the cowboys select- Adarius Bowman WR- Okla St.

"how bout them Cowboys?"

but dont get too excited Romo will throw a pick in the last minute of the NFC championship game to Charles Woodson, and Brett Farve and the Packers will go to the super bowl.

*****the camera's are back on Peyton Manning again as Michael Irvin is trying to get an answer out of him on why he went nuts earlier***

michael- "why you say mad man?"

peyton- "the draft always bones me, every year. last year Brady got the headlines cause he got Randy Moss, did you know i could cover Randy Moss, i just perfer to play on one side of the football ya know what im saying?'

michael - "yeah i gotcha"

peyton- "then this yr, of course Eli and I were finally gonna get to promote ourselves as the two most popular quarterbacks in the NFL cause brett retired... but just as we were about to unveil our new line of commercials together on youtube we get ousted by that damn hillbilly Farve. And now he wants to come back, ya know what #### Brett Farve... #### and the horse you rode in on."

michael- "i thought you two were freinds"

peyton - "we were, but if he aint gonna go into the world on non active football players then we aint freinds no more. i wanna be the best quarterback in the league ever."

michael - "im sorry to hear that peyton"

Peyton stands up and gives the DX salute to the camera (close up) walks off the stage and proceeds to kick  the packers helmet off their team table instantly breaking the arch in his foot and putting him out of action til late november.

gotta love the draft. now the storylines are for fun, but i truly believe the draft picks could go exactly this way. just a hunch though ya know.

1. Miami- Chris Long DE- Virginia – I didn’t really believe in this kid til I saw the combine, he had a Mike Mamula style combine without the 40 time.  unless a trade here Bill Parcells will love this kid.

2. St. Louis- Jake Long T– Michigan-  nice fit Best player in the draft

-There has been a trade- Atlanta gets the 22nd overall, boys 2nd rd this year and 1st and 4th next year. Dallas also receives Atlanta’s 5th rd selection in 09’

3. Dallas- Darren Mcfadden RB – Arkansas you can see the bulge in Jerry Jone’s pants. And a note of intrest Dallas has the most single mothers in the country, it’d be perfect fit for Darren “Reign Man” Mcfadden

4. Oakland- Sedrick Ellis DT – USC- you can see the fumes coming out Al Davis’s ears.

5. Kansas City- Matt Ryan QB– BC-you can see Herm Edwards right now as he helps Brodie Croyle clear out his locker (consequently Brodie Croyle gets traded to Minn for a fourth round selection) he’s gonna be a bust, by the way. 19 picks and he’s even considered for the first overall selection. You have got to be kidding me.

6. NY Jets- Vernon Gholston LB – OSU- He’s gonna be a stud in big games and a bust against weaker opponents, perfect for the Jets.

7. New England – Dominique Rodgers Cromartie  CB– I hate that there gonna get this kid.

8. Baltimore – Leodis Mcelvin CB – Troy- Harbaugh was a defensive backs coach, and you know how much Ozzie likes his defensive players.

9. Cincinnati – Glenn Dorsey DT– LSU- the first of many picks to clean up their image and get quality hard working, winning football players.

10. New Orleans – Mike Jenkins CB– SF-  Randall #### and Jason David are not the answer and they know it full well and with dan morgan and jonathan vilma they wont draft another linebacker

-there has been a trade- buff gets the lions 15th overall and there 2nd rd pick, as well as det’s 4th rd in 09, det gets #11 overall and 1 of the bills 2 3rd selection.

11. Detroit- Rashard Mendenhall RB- Illinois- they knew Chicago would draft him so this was necessary, they need a running game and this should do it.

12. Denver – Ryan Clady OT– Boise State- conventional wisdom, I hate Boise State by the way. Dame hook and ladder and statue of liberty play, I sware If I see that F’in Pontiac commercial with them ever again, I will rent a G6 and go all #### on it.

13. Carolina – Derrick Harvey DE– Florida- he gets to Carolina and steps off the plane, then pow Julius Peppers slaps the sleep out of his eye. I think this pick will motivate Juluis who may not love football, but he loves money and he’ll see this as one foot out the door.

14. Chicago – Jonathan Stewart RB– Oregon- a lot of people are sliding him down because of surgery, but he wont slide past the bears, not with mendenhall off the board. And I personally think they got the better player. Unless of course he comes from the Onterrio Smith line of carry on baggage and gets busted with his wizinator at the terminal.

15. Buffalo – Malcolm Kelly WR– the greatest college in America OU- they get the player they wanted and an extra second round pick to package later. And they coincindentally made me happy, im a huge bills fan and have major ties to OU, so im happy, and he’ll be perfect in a buffalo uniform as long as he doesn’t play the way he did against the buffaloes.

16. Arizona – Keith Rivers LB– USC-  he will be so good for this team, he could be the first step in the right direction.

17. Minnesota – Philip Merling DE– Clemson- they got whom they want. And didn’t have to move anywhere to get it. But hey it’s Minnesota maybe they’ll fall asleep and forget to send the card to the podium, or they’ll pick some unknown DE with a hard to spell last name.

-there has been a trade- Buff gets 18th pick and Houston gets both buffalo’s 2nd rd selections (theres and the lions) + a sixth round pick.

18. Buffalo – Aqib Talib CB– Kansas- the top ball hawk in the draft. The bills gave their second rd away but this was worth it. The two biggest needs on their squad and they filled them.

19. Philadelphia – Desean Jackson WR– Cal- it’ll take a couple of years before the Philly fans hate this guy. He’ll catch a lot of balls but I don’t see him shutting up about himself long enough for the fans to appreciate him. But Donavan will love him.

20. Tampa Bay – Kentwan Balmer DT– UNC-the perfect tampa 2 dt, well not perfect but close. He will do real well here. Gruden will be dissatisfied, since he wanted a wr, but it’s ok he’ll draft Colt Brennan in the fourth rd. plus he played for the best defensive line coach in football, all of football at UNC

21. Washington – Jerod Mayo – LB - Tenn- everybody thinks they’ll draft a wr but I don’t see that. I think Jim Zorn will get his old buddy Darrel Jackson to fill that void. Jerod Mayo may not fill an immediate need but let him learn for one year under London Fletcher and he’ll learn more than he learned at Tennessee

22. Atlanta – Brian Brohm QB- Louisville – Could be a steal, could be a bust. I don’t know but I do know one thing that if I had to pick a qb in this draft, it would be Flacco. Watch when he arrives in Atlanta his first question will be “so where’s Petrino?”

23. Pittsburgh – Brandon Alberts G- Virginia – everbody says he’s going there so I will follow suit. Since every year everyone already knows who the steelers will pick it would be nice if they threw a curve ball out there and selected Devin Thomas or something. Maybe James Hardy, he’d suit Ben Roethlesberger’s need for a tall wr. But they’ll pick alberts

24. Tennessee – Limas Sweed WR- Texas – I am and never have been a fan of Texas football products. It seems they lack intelligence (that could be due to my OU blood but hey you are who you are) a few examples… ok Michael Huff, Mike Williams, Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, Vince Young… etc. but I think this pick will help Vince Young tremendously. I also think they should trade for David Thomas in New England but hey what do I know. Haha

25. Seattle – Devin Thomas WR- Mich State- they’ll think about a TE but I think holmgren wants another top tier WR

26. Jacksonville – Kenny Phillips  S – Miami – good fit here. Jack Del Rio wants Balmer but he’ll have to hope to select Laws from Notre Dame in the second rd.

27. San Diego – Felix Jones RB- Arkansas – you can hear Ladanian Tomlinson letting out a sigh of relief cause he can still quit on his team when he wants cause they got a decent backup. Haha

- there has been a trade – Bengals get the 28th selection and Patrick Crayton the Cowboys get Chad Johnson, and boy oh boy do the Cowboys have the league talking right now. Coincidentally Tony Romo, Jessica Simpson, Ocho Cinco, Jason Witten, Bobby Carpenter and his Wife and Ashlee Simpson are all caught in the wine cellar of a Swanky New York resteraunt “hooking up”

28. Cincinnati- Fred Davis TE- USC- you can hear Carson Palmer sobbing uncontrollably all the way in NYC, and Marvin Lewis can be heard on Carson’s cellphone saying “well we lost Chad, but we got you another Trojan… hey how bout that? Come on big fella it’s not so bad, we still got T.J. and Henry. Stop crying buddy it’s gonna be alright.”

29. San Francisco – James Hardy WR – Indiana – everyone thinks cause they signed Bryant Johnson to a contract they wont draft a WR, but they only signed him to a one year deal… that leads me to believe theyre not done adding to their WR core. You know Mike Martz loves his receivers.

30. Green Bay – Brandon Flowers CB- Virginia Tech – depth and they don’t need anything else right here. Unless of course they want to draft Joe Flacco… I think they should but we all know they wont.

31. New England – the tapes they used already- cheaters! I hope you lose the seventh pick too, Belicheck looks more and more like used car salesman every day.

32. NY Giants – Dan Oconnor LB- Penn State- perfect fit for the Super Bowl Champs. He’ll fit right in behind that attacking defensive line. And he’s an upgrade over kavika Mitchell (whom the bills shouldn’t have signed, he’s a hack)

Ill start round two tomorrow…

Why, oh why do we listen to Mel Kiper Jr. ? If we look back in history we will find he doesnt get the pick right 65% of the time, so we listen to him because he's 35% right... no that's not why... do we listen to him because of his ridiculous jim kelly circa 1992 haircut? no that's not why... do we listen to him because of his willingness to argue with top team executives ? no but him vs bill polian over the drafting/not drafting of trent dilfer was and is hilarious. Or is it we listen to him because Mike Maycock's name just sounds like it'll gets on in trouble with the Megan Law? no that's definetly not it.... we listen to him because we have no choice... that's the only reason. ESPN feeds us Mel Kiper Jr. every single year. I've been watching the draft since 1988 when Thurman Thomas had to be woken up in the secound round when the Bills drafted him. Now im not sure if Kiper worked that particular NFL draft, but i have been watching him all day saturday in late april every year for so many years that he's like my crazy unlce Mel. Ya know the one that shows up in his Porsche but parks it around the corner so the repo man wont find it.  For six to eight hours on that saturday, i will roll my eyes when he speaks of the potential o####uy you've heard so much about by the day of the draft you'd think he was related to your sister, and im gonna soak it all in, so in ten years from now when one of the guys that mel kiper said wouldnt have a career is retiring i will remember why he's wearing a shirt that says "bite my million dollar #### Mel Kiper."

So again this year on April 26th i will subject myself to my annual draft day extravaganza with wings, pizza, pretzels, barq's root beer and a shot of tequila when the bills make their selection (it's a tradition bewtween me and a couple of buddies, dont ask) and indulge in the offersing of Mel Kiper Jr. who's quote on Ryan Leaf will forever leave him with no credability in my book "I think Ryan Leaf is more mature than Drew Bledsoe, he's very much a grown up 21 year old." now of all the things he has said that were pugnacious over the years that one took the cheese (cake whatever.

a few more examples... ("trev alberts will be a hall of famer", "wes welker is not worth a secound round pick i dont care how much you like his work ethic, but he has done nothing to show a value that high" or my favorite  "Ki-jana could be the next Bo Jackson" actually now that i think about it Ki-jana Carter was kinda like Bo Jackson flash in the pan that got hurt and lasted like 4 years in the NFL... j/k

Well as Mel Kiper gets his gel ready and updates his mock draft for the thirty fourth time on april 26, i will be watching intently to see him pour pounds of flour all over the colorful entourage of Boomer, TJ, Jaws, Mort and Keyshwan.

im out like Vick's partner in crime-

baron

All around the NFL, their are no-mame quarterbacks and afterthoughts leading their teams to victorys, while first overall selections and first round picks are trying to establish themselves or even find a job. while the media shines a light on the talents of a prosepective qb, they seem to forget the other facotrs that make a quarterback just that a quarterback and not a football player. ok let me explain something for everyone when it comes to quarterbacks.... qb's are not a proven commodity, never have been never will be... you can be horrible and hated one place, and adore and admonished in another... it's all about the supporting cast and what you can do with it...

a qb with the talent of Carr, you should always take a chance on in a non neccessary role and let me explain why.... when a qb gets shellshocked coming out of college (carr, tommy maddox, tim couch... etc.) getting sacked like 70 times a season and your unable to establish rythym it's very easy (especially with all the guaranteed money) to get relaxed and or accustomed to having no time and no oppurtunity. when that happens your fundamentals and basic qb thoughts leave your brain and you start trying to figure out how to cut corners and limit oppurtunitys for the other team (instead of trying to maximize oppurtunitys for your team) a change of scenery and possibly a different st of eyes watching you in practise and a different voice in your ear come gametime are all that seperates a washout from a comeback player.

you see unheralded qb's lead their teams all the time, qb's with papersack arms (pennington, kurt warner... etc)qb's with papersack heads (kitna, harrington, bledsoe...etc) and many other ailments but what truly defines the quarterback position is how you interact with those around you. do you make them better? are you and the coach on the same wave length? does your teamates believe in you? do you have the protection to make all your reads, and finally is the quaterback comfortable with the system he is in.... and you (as a gm or coach) never know how that particular qb will fit with you team. but when your faced with someone as talented as a David Carr or Joey Harrington even you have to take that chance... cause who knows when tommy maddox type of comeback will be there and for whom. so a million or two to take a waiver on david carr is good buisness...

but these intangibles are what seperates the qb position from being a football player. and this is why someone will give vick a shot at qb again when he gets out of jail. and intangibles is why rich gannon went from perenial backup to MVP, and why testeverde could have played til he was fifty, because so many coaches and gm's give up on good young qb's who just havent had it work for them yet.
jim kelly took three years to put up statistics that reflected his talents, peyton manning took three years, john elway was sproradic and inconsistent (brilliant one drive, ineffective the next) for the first six years of his carrer. Brett Farve flamed out in Atlanta, so far as his teamates nicknamed him pukely for his penchance of puking before practise. Steve Young was a greek god in the usfl, then a flop for the bucs before backing up montana and eventually leading the niners druing his hall of fame career.

then theres the other side of the coin, Rob Johnson never regained the confidence in buffalo he had at USC or Jacksonville. Akili Smith never got his feet under him in the NFL, he looked out of place from day one. Elvis Grbac was a all pro quarterback, who switched teams and never got his composure back, instead of being a cool customer in the pocket like the league had become accustomed to he started rushing his throws and second guess himself. which led to his demise. the best example i could think of though is Mark Rypien a man who went to Pro Bowl's, won a super bowl, had parades and accolades from everyone in washington, then all of the sudden as his running game went south... so did his production, he sought a new team and change of scenery to help this, but it did him no good, the confidence lost in failure was never reclaimed and subsequently led to him retireing.

the moral of this is... you can never have enough quarterbacks, and take a chance on someone who's got the talent because you never know when or where the right oppurtunity for him will be.

thank you