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    Dwindy1
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    Dwindy1
    Lifetime Points: 42683



    Location:
    About Me: I'm a sports fanatic living on the west coast of Florida. I'm a rare bird that moved here from the left coast a couple of years ago. I advocate an even playing field in all of life's endeavors.

     

    The Last Word on the 2009 NFL Draft

    Friday, May 8, 2009, 02:49 PM EST [General]

    2009 NFL Draft Analysis
    You've seen the rest, now take a look at the be all, end all best...


    You want to know how your team did in the 2009 NFL Draft?
    Every team's draft picks are analyzed and rated (check out the second portion of this article) resulting in the following rankings:

                                        The Winner!                The Loser!


      Overall Draft Rating                      By Conference Draft Rating
    TEAM                               Net         AFC TEAM                    Net
    Philadelphia Eagles    2.33        Baltimore Ravens     1.57
    Minnesota Vikings       2.00        Cincinnati Bengals    1.42
    New York Giants          1.80        Miami Dolphins          1.33
    Atlanta Falcons            1.67        Indianapolis Colts     1.22
    Baltimore Ravens       1.57         Tennessee Titans     1.08
    Cincinnati Bengals     1.42          Pittsburgh Steelers   0.90
    Miami Dolphins           1.33          Houston Texans        0.78
    Indianapolis Colts      1.22          Cleveland Browns     0.44
    Seattle Seahawks      1.13          New York Jets             0.25
    Tennessee Titans      1.08          Jacksonville Jags     -0.10
    Detroit Lions                1.00           Buffalo Bills               -0.44
    Pittsburgh Steelers     0.90          San Diego Chrgers  -0.56
    New Orleans Saints   0.80          New England Pats    -1.15
    Houston Texans         0.78           Denver Broncos         -1.45
    Tampa Bay Bucs        0.71           Kansas City Chiefs   -2.00
    Arizona Cardinals      0.67            Oakland Raiders       -2.13
    Chicago Bears           0.50   
    Cleveland Browns     0.44              By Conference Draft Rating
    St. Louis Rams          0.38            NFC TEAM                     Net
    Green Bay Packers   0.33            Philadelphia Eagles    2.33
    New York Jets            0.25            Minnesota Vikings        2.00
    San Francisco 49ers 0.25           New York Giants           1.80
    Jacksonville Jags     -0.10           Atlanta Falcons              1.67
    Carolina Panthers    -0.25           Seattle Seahawks         1.13
    Buffalo Bills                -0.44           Detroit Lions                   1.00
    San Diego Chargers -0.56          New Orleans Saints      0.80
    Washington Rdskns -1.14          Tampa Bay Bucs            0.71
    New England Pats    -1.15           Arizona Cardinals          0.67
    Dallas Cowboys        -1.23          Chicago Bears                0.50
    Denver Broncos         -1.45          St. Louis Rams              0.38
    Kansas City Chiefs   -2.00          Green Bay Packers        0.33
    Oakland Raiders       -2.13           San Francisco 49ers    0.25
                                                              Carolina Panthers        -0.25
                                                              Washington Rdskns    -1.14
                                                               Dallas Cowboys          -1.23    
    By Division Draft Ratings                                                                                                                       AFC East                       Net               NFC East                        Net
    Miami Dolphins          1.33              Philadelphia Eagles    2.33
    New York Jets             0.25              New York Giants          1.80
    Buffalo Bills                -0.44              Washington Rdskns  -1.14
    New England Pats    -1.15              Dallas Cowboys          -1.23
        
    AFC North                     Net                NFC North                      Net
    Baltimore Ravens      1.57               Minnesota Vikings        2.00
    Cincinnati Bengals    1.42               Detroit Lions                  1.00
    Pittsburgh Steelers    0.90              Chicago Bears               0.50
    Cleveland Browns     0.44               Green Bay Packers       0.33
        
    AFC South                    Net                NFC South                       Net
    Indianapolis Colts     1.22               Atlanta Falcons               1.67
    Tennessee Titans     1.08               New Orleans Saints      0.80
    Houston Texans         0.78              Tampa Bay Bucs           0.71
    Jacksonville Jags     -0.10               Carolina Panthers       -0.25
        
    AFC West                      Net              NFC West                        Net
    San Diego Chargers -0.56            Seattle Seahawks         1.13
    Denver Broncos          -1.45            Arizona Cardinals         0.67
    Kansas City Chiefs     -2.00           St. Louis Rams             0.38
    Oakland Raiders         -2.13           San Francisco 49ers   0.25

    Looks like those AFC West teams are locked in a death match to see who can be the biggest embarassment to their fans...

    Okay, here is every team's 2009 draft choices analyzed on a per player basis and the inevitable number crunching that goes with the territory...

    Note: The top portion of each team's analysis deals with the pick number verses the average player rating. Pay attention to the area identified by <1st 3 Rounds Net. That rates each team's picks in rounds one through three since this is when the very best players are still available. The higher the number the better a team has done. The Overall Net> rates all the selections a team has made.

    The lower portion of each team's analysis deals with how well the team's draft selections
    meshed with their needs at the time of the draft. Each level corresponds directly to the selection in the upper portion of the team evaluation. For example, Arizona used their first round pick (No. 31 overall) to select Chris Wells out of Ohio State as displayed in the upper section. The section below displays that running back was one of Arizona's big needs. The selection yieldedgood value and earned a DRate (Draft Rating) of 5, the highest given. A short explanation for eachindividual rating is given. The abbreviation "OB" stands for "On the Board".

    The following team need and draft rating number system comes into play here...

       TEAM NEED PRIORITY
    Priority explained-                                                                                                                                    1 = A team has an Absolute Need for a certain position player in the draft. It must be filled.
     2 = A Big Need that should be filled, not necessarily must be filled.
     3 = Need selection for starter or back-up performer.
     4 = Mid Need usually bolsters bench with good developmental players.
     5= Low Need that doesn't necessarily need a player but may be filled by the best available athlete.
     6 = Very Low Need usually filled in 6th or 7th round if at all.
     7 = No Obvious Need.

       DRAFT RATINGS
    Rate explained-                                                                                                                                        5 = Excellent selection based on Priority and Value.
    3 = Above average rating for Priority and Value.
    0 = No positive or negative value.
    -3= Poor selection on Priority and/or Value.
    -5= Poorest rating. Head scratcher.


      Team by team, Round by round, Pick by pick Evaluations:
    Rnd. Pick Arizona Cardinals    Rate
    1    31 Chris Wells, RB, Ohio St.   23
    2    63 Cody Brown, OLB, Connecticut  101
    3    95 Rashad Johnson, FS, Alabama  78
    4   131 Gregory Toler, CB, St. Paul   373
    5   167 Herman Johnson, OG, LSU   63
    6   204 Will Davis, DE, Illinois   299
    7   240 L. Stephens-Howling, RB, Pittsburgh  385
    7   254 Trevor Canfield, OG, Cincinnati  92
     -13 <1st 3 Rounds Net              Overall Net> -229
    Rnd. Need Arizona Cardinals    DRate
    1     2 Highest Priority met w/Good Value  5
    2     3 Reach - 9th Rated OLB w/ 7 & 8 Avail.  -1
    3     4 Good Value - Higher Needs bypassed  3
    4     3 37th Rated CB w/Nos. 8, 9 & 11 Avail.  -5
    5     3 Excellent Value - No. 1 Rated OG  5
    6     4 27th Rated DE w/Nos. 13-18 Avail.  -4
    7     2 Relative Unknown w/good picks avail.  -4
    7     3 Good Value Rated into late 3rd round  4
    A couple of reaches & only a couple of question marks...  3
         Cardinals Net> 0.67
       
    Rnd. Pick Atlanta Falcons    Rate
    1     24 Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi   19
    2     55 William Moore, SS, Missouri   47
    3     90 Chris Owens, CB, San Jose State  115
    4    125 Lawrence Sidbury, DE, Richmond  66
    5    138 William Middleton, CB, Furman   377
    5    156 Garret Reynolds, OT, N. Carolina  260
    6    176 Spencer Adkins, ILB, Miami   352
    7    210 Vance Walker, DT, Georgia Tech  128
     -12 <1st 3 Rounds Net              Overall Net> -390
    Rnd. Need Atlanta Falcons    DRate
    1     4 Good Value on Mid Priority Pick  3
    2     3 Good Value on Need Position in 2nd R.  3
    3     1 Absolute Need Met, but in 3rd Rnd.  2
    4     3 Excellent Value - 7th DE in 4th Rnd.   5
    5     1 2nd Pick on Absolute Need   2
    5     3 Reach - 23rd Rated OT w/ 9 & 11 Avail.  -3
    6     2 Reach - 31st Rated ILB w/ 10 & 12 Avail. -3
    7     4 Good Value on Mid Priority Pick  2
    Very Good Early Selections, a couple of reaches late  4
         Falcons Net> 1.67

    Rnd. Pick Baltimore Ravens    Rate
    1    23 Michael Oher, OT, Miss.   8
    2    57 Paul Kruger, DE, Utah   68
    3    88 Ladarius Webb, CB, Nicholls St.  182
    5   137 Jason Phillips, ILB, TCU   142
    5   149 Davon Drew, TE, East Carolina  281
    6   185 Cedric Peerman, RB, Virginia   118
     -90 <1st 3 Rounds Net              Overall Net> -160
    Rnd. Need Baltimore Ravens    DRate
    1     4 Good Value on Mid Priority Pick  4
    2     3 Slight Reach - High Energy Player  2
    3     3 20th Rated CB w/Nos. 8, 9 & 11 Avail.  -3
    5     5 Low Need - 9th ILB w/4, & 6-8 Avail.  -3
    5     4 Reach- Mid Need - 16th TE w/6 & 9  -2
    6     6 Special Teams?     -4
    Absolute Need (WR) not addressed & only 6 picks  -5
         Ravens Net> -1.57

    Rnd. Pick Buffalo Bills    Rate
    1    11 Aaron Maybin, OLB, Penn St.   25
    1    28 Eric Wood, C, Louisville   53
    2    42 Jarius Byrd, CB, Oregon   59
    2    51 Andy Levitre, OG, Oregon State  77
    4   121 Shawn Nelson, TE, So. Mississippi  69
    5   147 Nic Harris, SS/OLB, Oklahoma  122
    6   183 Cary Harris, CB, USC   151
    7   220 Ellis Lankster, CB, West Virginia  265
     -82 <1st 3 Rounds Net              Overall Net> -18
    Rnd. Need Buffalo Bills    DRate
    1     3 Slight Reach - Good System Fit  4
    1     3 Slight Reach w/ No. 2 Center Avail.  3
    2     7 Low Need Reach-1 of 3CBs taken???  -4
    2     2 Reach - Need Pick (after taking a CB?)  -2
    4     3 Excellent Value on Need in 4th Rnd.  4
    5     4 Mid Need Defensive Player   -3
    6     7 Good Value on Low Priority   1
    7     7 Big Reach on Low Priority   -3
    25th Ranked Offense in '08 takes 5 defenders in 8 picks?  -4
          Bills Net> -0.44

    Rnd. Pick Carolina Panthers    Rate
    2    43 Everette Brown, DE, Florida St.  18
    2    59 Sherrod Martin, FS, Troy   91
    3    93 Corvey Irvin, DT, Georgia   175
    4   111 Mike Goodson, RB, Texas A&M  180
    4   128 Tony Fiammetta, FB, Syracuse  164
    5   163 Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma  46
    7   216 Captain Munnerlyn, CB, S. Carolina  131
     -89 <1st 3 Rounds Net              Overall Net> 8
    Rnd. Need Carolina Panthers    DRate
    2     2 ++ Value - Top Priority in 2nd Rnd.   5
    2     6 Reach for Injury Prone FS - Low Need   -4
    3     2 Big Reach- High Priority - #7, 9 & 10 Available -3
    4     7 Reach on Low Need w/#'s 6-10 Available -3
    4     7 Another Reach on Low Need...  -3
    5     3 Excellent Value - Top Rated OG in the 5th Rnd. 5
    7     4 Excellent Value on Mid Need   3
    Why the RB & FB selections when Defense should be the priority? -2
         Panthers Net> -0.25

    Rnd. Pick Chicago Bears    Rate
    3     68 Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose State  57
    3     99 Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Okla.   54
    4    105 Henry Melton, DE, Texas   239
    4    119 D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt   39
    5    140 Johnny Knox, WR, Abilene Christian  192
    5    154 Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio St.  65
    6    190 Al Afalava, FS, Oregon St.   267
    7    246 Lance Louis, TE, San Diego St.  390
    7    251 Derek Kinder, WR, Pittsburgh   397
     56 <1st 3 Rounds Net                             Overall Net> -328
    Rnd. Need Chicago Bears    DRate
    3     3 Good Value on Need Position in 2nd Rnd. 5
    3     2 Good Value on High Need in Late 3rd Rnd. 3
    4     3 Big Reach on 19th Rated DE w/7 & 11-15 Avail.  -4
    4     3 Excellent Value on Need in 4th Rnd.  4
    5     2 Reach on Speedy High Need WR  0
    5     5 Excellent Value on Low Need OLB  2
    6     4 Big Reach on Mid Need - #12 FS w/5 & 6 Avail. -3
    7     6 Huge Reach on Very Low Need...  -4
    7     2 Big Reach on 3rd WR taken...   -2
    Considering QB Acquisition for early pick and value in 3rd round... 4
         Bears Net> 0.50

    Rnd. Pick Cincinnati Bengals    Rate
    1     6 Andre Smith, OT, Alabama   12
    2    38 Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC   11
    3    70 Michael Johnson, DE, Ga.Tech  36
    3    98 Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri   64
    4   106 Jonathon Luigs, C, Arkansas   82
    5   142 Kevin Huber, P, Cincinnati   206
    6   179 Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan   150
    6   209 Bernard Scott, RB, Abilene Christian  367
    7   215 Fui Vakapuna, RB, BYU   372
    7   249 Clinton McDonald, DT, Memphis  179
    7   252 Fred Brown, WR, Utah   398
     89 <1st 3 Rounds Net                             Overall Net> -313
    Rnd. Need Cincinnati Bengals    DRate
    1     1 Absolute Need filled with 1st Pick...  5
    2     3 Good Value in 2nd Rnd. On Need Position. 5
    3     4 Good Value on possible star/possible bust 3
    3     4 Good Value on Mid Priority Pick  3
    4     2 Good Value on High Need in 4th Rnd.  5
    5     7 Reach for Booming Punter   0
    6     5 Value Pick on Low Priority Defense  -1
    6     3 Risky Big Reach on Good Player w/Problems -3
    7     3 Big Reach on Need Position   -1
    7     4 Good Value on another Defense Position... 0
    7     4 Relative Unknown w/good picks avail.  -3
    What happened to the Bungles? Good Draft for team that needs one 4
         Bengals Net> 1.42

    Rnd. Pick Cleveland Browns    Rate
    1    21 Alex Mack, C, California   32
    2    36 Brian Robiske, WR, Ohio St.   51
    2    50 Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Georgia  90
    2    52 David Veikune, DE, Hawaii   95
    3   104 Kaluka Maiava, OLB, USC   170
    6   177 Don Carey, CB, Norfolk State   264
    6   191 Coye Francies, CB, San Jose St.  70
    6   195 James Davis, RB, Clemson   125
     -109 <1st 3 Rounds Net                             Overall Net> -71
    Rnd. Need Cleveland Browns    DRate
    1     5 Slight Reach on Low Need...   2
    2     4 Slight Reach on Mid Need - Local Player  3
    2     4 Reach on 2nd WR in 2nd Round  0
    2     3 Reach for #9 Rated DE w/4, & 6-8 available. -3
    3     1 Reach on Abs. Need on #15 OLB w/7, 10 & 12  -4
    6     3 Big Reach to fill Need Position   -2
    6     3 Excellent Value - 2nd CB pick   2
    6     3 Good Value on Need Position in 6th Rnd. 3
    Several Trades for picks & players improve this draft.  3
         Browns Net> 0.44

    Rnd. Pick Dallas Cowboys    Rate
    3    69 Jason Williams, OLB, W. Illinois  116
    3    75 Robert Brewster, OT, Ball St.   235
    4  101 Stephen McGee, QB, Texas A&M  107
    4 110 Victor Butler, OLB, Oregon State  198
    4 120 Brandon Williams, DE, Texas Tech  133
    5 143 Deangelo Smith, FS, Cincinnati  119
    5 166 Michael Hamlin, SS, Clemson   109
    5 172 David Buehler, K, USC   200
    6 197 Stephen Hodge, OLB, TCU   282
    6 208 John Phillips, TE, Virginia   196
    7 227 Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati   71
    7 229 Manuel Johnson, WR, Oklahoma  330
     -207 <1st 3 Rounds Net                            Overall Net> -279
    Rnd. Need Dallas Cowboys    DRate
    3     5 Trade down for #11 OLB w/#7, 9 & 10 on board? -4
    3     3 Huge Reach in 3rd Rnd. For 25th OT  -5
    4     4 Slight Reach for Mid Need QB   0
    4     5 Reach for Low Need OLB   -2
    4     4 Slight Reach for Mid Need DE   -1
    5     2 Good Value for High Need CB   3
    5     2 Good Value for High Need SS   3
    5     7 Slight Reach for Low Need   -2
    6     5 Big Reach for Low Need OLB   -4
    6     6 Value Pick on Very Low Priority Position -2
    7     3 Excellent Value on High Need CB  4
    7     2 Reach on High Need WR Postion  -2
    Am I missing something here?  Jerry's running the draft?  -4
         Cowboys Net> -1.23

    Rnd. Pick Denver Broncos    Rate
    1    12 Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia  14
    1     18 Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee  27
    2    37 Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake F.   33
    2    48 Darcel McBath, SS, Texas Tech  99
    2    64 Richard Quinn, TE, N. Carolina  162
    4   114 David Bruton, FS, Notre Dame   106
    4   132 Seth Olsen, OG, Iowa   308
    5   141 Kenny McKinley, WR, S. Carolina  149
    6   174 Tom Brandstater, QB, Fresno St.  213
    7   225 Blake Schlueter, C, TCU   285
     -156 <1st 3 Rounds Net                            Overall Net> -431
    Rnd. Need Denver Broncos    DRate
    1     4 Mid Need Offensive selection w/12th pick... -3
    1     2 Slight Reach for High Need DE  3
    2     3 Value Pick for Need Position CB  3
    2     3 Reach for #4 SS w/1 & 3 on the board  -2
    2     5 Reach for #8 TE w/2-7 on the board  -3
    4     3 Good Value for #4 FS   3
    4     4 Huge Reach for 17th OG w/1,2 & 4 Available. -5
    5     4 Slight Reach for Mid Need WR  -2
    6     6 Reach for Very Low Need QB  -4
    7     4 Reach for Mid Need Center -  2
    Count em, 6 Offensive Picks with the 29th rated Defense in '08??? -4
         Broncos Net> -1.45

    Rnd. Pick Detroit Lions    Rate
    1     1 Matthew Stafford, QB, UGa   4
    1    20 Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Ok. St.  26
    2    33 Louis Delmas, FS, W. Michigan  48
    3    76 DeAndre Levy, OLB, Wisconsin  205
    3    82 Derrick Williams, WR, Penn St.  75
    4   115 Sammie Hill, DT, Stillman College  157
    6   192 Aaron Brown, RB, TCU   277
    7   228 Lydon Murtha, OT, Nebraska   218
    7   235 Zach Follett, OLB, California   111
    7   255 Dan Gronkowski, TE, Maryland  210
     -146 <1st 3 Rounds Net                            Overall Net> -94
    Rnd. Need Detroit Lions    DRate
    1     1 Absolute Need is met with No. 1 pick  5
    1     4 Slight Reach for Mid Need TE   2
    2     4 Slight Reach for Mid Need FS   2
    3     3 Big Reach for #18 OLB w/7, 8, 10 & 12 Avail. -4
    3     6 Value Pick for very low need WR  -2
    4     3 Reach for Need Postion   0
    6     5 Big Reach for Low Need RB   -3
    7     2 Value Pick for Big Need OT   2
    7     3 Excellent Value for Need Position  3
    7     4 Value Pick for Good Athlete   2
    Two questionable picks but overall a good draft for new mgmt. 4
         Lions Net> 1.00

    Rnd. Pick Green Bay Packers    Rate
    1     9 B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College   6
    1    26 Clay Matthews, OLB, USC   24
    4   109 T.J. Lang, OG, Eastern Michigan  123
    5   145 Quinn Johnson, FB, LSU   189
    5   162 Jamon Meredith, OT, S. Carolina  52
    6   182 Jarius Wynn, DE, Georgia   359
    6   187 Brandon Underwood, FS, Cincinnati  172
    7   218 Brad Jones, OLB, Colorado   384
     5 <1st 3 Rounds Net                             Overall Net> -271
    Rnd. Need Green Bay Packers    DRate
    1     1 Absolute Need filled with 1st Pick...  5
    1     5 Value Pick Upgrades D & Special Teams 3
    4     4 Slight Reach for #6 Rated OG - Mid Need -3
    5     3 Reach for Need Postion in 5th round  1
    5     3 Excellent Value for Need Position  4
    6     2  Big Reach for 32nd Rated DE w/13-18 Available. -5
    6     4 Value Pick for Mid Need FS   2
    7     5 Big Reach for #35 OLB w/10 & 12 on Board. -3
    Up and down draft with questionable late picks on Defense  -1
         Packers Net> 0.33

    Rnd. Pick Houston Texans    Rate
    1    15 Brian Cushing, OLB, USC   15
    2    46 Connor Barwin, DE, Cincinnati  43
    3    77 Antoine Caldwell, C, Alabama   85
    4   112 Glover Quin, CB, New Mexico   353
    4   122 Anthony Hill, TE, North Carolina  185
    5   152 James Casey, TE, Rice   55
    6   188 Brice McCain, CB, Utah   255
    7   223 Troy Nolan, FS, Arizona State   216
     -5 <1st 3 Rounds Net                            Overall Net> -272
    Rnd. Need Houston Texans    DRate
    1     1 Absolute Need filled with 1st Pick...  5
    2     4 Value Pick for Versatile Defender  4
    3     4 Slight Reach for Mid Need OL.  2
    4     3 Huge Reach for 33rd CB w/6,8 & 9 Available. -5
    4     4 Reach for Mid Need Blocking TE  -2
    5     4 Good Value on Older Receiving TE  2
    6     3 Big Reach for 27th Rated CB.   -3
    7     4 Value Pick for Mid Need FS   2
      Excellent Early Picks, What happened later? 2
         Texans Net> 0.78

    Rnd. Pick Indianapolis Colts    Rate
    1     27 Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut  30
    2    56 Fili Moala, DT, USC    60
    3    92 Rod Powers, CB, Auburn   209
    4    127 Austin Collie, WR, BYU   102
    4   136 Terrance Taylor, DT, Michigan  146
    6   201 Curtis Painter, QB, Purdue   249
    7   222 Pat McAfee, P, West Virginia   261
    7   236 Jaimie Thomas, OG, Maryland   168
     -124 <1st 3 Rounds Net                            Overall Net> -128
    Rnd. Need Indianapolis Colts    DRate
    1     4 Bolstered Run after Top RB was hurt last year. 4
    2     2 Slight Reach to fill Big Need at DT  3
    3     4 Big Reach for #24 CB a Mid Need pick...  -3
    4     1 Absolute Need - Good Value - Possible star 4
    4     2 2nd DT Taken. Steady Player   2
    6     7 Reach for Very Low Need QB  -3
    7     7 No Comment...    0
    7     5 Good Value in the 7th Rnd. OG Low Need 1
    They could have taken a LB or two... Not a bad draft.  3
         Colts Net> 1.22

    Rnd. Pick Jacksonville Jaguars   Rate
    1     8 Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia   2
    2    39 Eben Britton, OT, Arizona   41
    3    72 Terrence Knighton, DT, Temple  219
    3    73 Derek Cox, FS, William & Mary  326
    4   107 Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona   96
    5   144 Jaret Dillard, WR, Rice   120
    6   180 Zach Miller TE, Nebraska Omaha  319
    7   250 Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty   67
    7   253 Tiquan Underwood, WR, Rutgers  245
     -396 <1st 3 Rounds Net                           Overall Net> -309
    Rnd. Need Jacksonville Jaguars   DRate
    1     1 Absolute Need filled with 1st Pick...  5
    2     1 I guess they got tired of OT problems  3
    3     2 Big Reach to fill Big Need w/18th Rated DT -4
    3     4 Huge Reach fills Mid Need w/16th FS w/options -5
    4     3 Value Pick for Need Position WR  2
    5     3 Value Pick for Need Position WR  2
    6     5 Big Reach for Low Need TE   -3
    7     5 Excellent Value on Low Need RB  3
    7     3 3rd WRs? No CBs? The Jags need a CB... -2
    Is this make/break for the Jags current mgmt? Gruden anyone? -2
         Jaguars Net> -0.10

    Rnd. Pick Kansas City Chiefs    Rate
    1     3 Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU   22
    3    67 Alex Magee, DT, Purdue   98
    4   102 Donald Washington, CB, Ohio St.  226
    5   139 Colin Brown, OT, Missouri   329
    6   175 Quinten Lawrence, WR, McNeese St.  63
    7   212 Javaris Williams, RB, Tennessee St.  229
    7   237 Jake O'Connell, TE, Miami Ohio   350
    7   256 Ryan Succop, K, South Carolina  399
     -50 <1st 3 Rounds Net                             Overall Net> -825
    Rnd. Need Kansas City Chiefs    DRate
    1     2 Slight Reach to fill Top Priority at DE  4
    3     4 Reach for Mid Need DT... Upgrade?  1
    4     5 Big Reach - Low Need -  #26 CB taken   -5
    5     4 Huge Reach - Mid Need - #31 OT w/7, 9 & 10 OB -5
    6     3 Another Huge Reach - 43rd WR rated 363 overall -5
    7     4 Slight Reach for Mid Need RB   -1
    7     3 Big Reach for Need Position TE  -3
    7     7 Mr. Irrelevant... A Kicker   0
    Reaches everywhere. Is new GM a Guru? Will Cassel pan out? -4
         Chiefs Net> -2.00

    Rnd. Pick Miami Dolphins    Rate
    1    25 Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois   16
    2    44 Pat White, QB, West Virginia   72
    2    61 Sean Smith, CB, Utah   34
    3    87 Patrick Turner, WR, USC   136
    4   108 Brian Hartline, WR, Ohio State   309
    5   161 John Nalbone, TE, Monmouth   387
    5   165 Chris Clemons, FS, Clemson   160
    6   181 Andrew Gardner, OT, Georgia Tech  202
    7 214 J.D. Folsom, OLB, Weber State  382
     -41 <1st 3 Rounds Net                            Overall Net> -652
    Rnd. Need Miami Dolphins    DRate
    1     2 Value Pick for Big Need CB   5
    2     6 Slight Reach for Exciting Potential Super Star 3
    2     2 Good Value for big CB - Possible Star  4
    3     2 Reach for Big Need Possession WR  2
    4     2 Big Reach for #37 WR w/10, 13 & 16 on board -2
    5     5 Huge Reach-Low Need #22 TE w/9 & 11-15 Avail -3
    5     4 Value Pick for Mid Need FS   2
    6     3 Slight Reach for Need Position OT  1
    7     3 Big Reach-Need OLB - #34 w/10, 11 & 16 Avail. -3
    Good early, takes chances late in the draft... Where's the DT? Solid...3
         Dolphins Net> 1.33

    Rnd. Pick Minnesota Vikings    Rate
    1    22 Percy Harvin, WR, Florida   17
    2    54 Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma   60
    3    86 Asher Allen, CB, Georgia   79
    5   150 Jasper Brinkley, ILB, S. Carolina  130
    7   231 Jamarca Sanford, SS, Mississippi  270
     6 <1st 3 Rounds Net                            Overall Net> -13
    Rnd. Need Minnesota Vikings    DRate
    1      1 Absolute Need filled with 1st Pick...  5
    2      3 Slight Reach for Need Position OT  3
    3      3 Value Pick for Need Position CB  3
    5     4 Value Pick for Mid Need ILB   2
    7     4 Reach for 13th Rated SS w/6-8 Available  -3
    All in all a very good draft for only 5 picks, but they still need a Center 2
         Vikings Net> 2.00
       
    Rnd. Pick New England Patriots   Rate
    2    34 Patrick Chung, FS, Oregon   62
    2    40 Ron Brace, DT, Boston College  50
    2    41 Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut  28
    2    58 Sebastian Vollmer, OT, Houston  159
    3    83 Brandon Tate, WR, North Carolina  117
    3    97 Tyrone McKenzie, OLB, USF   93
    4   123 Rich Ohrnberger, OG, Penn State  385
    5   170 George Bussey, OG, Louisville  395
    6   198 Jake Ingram, LS, Hawaii   274
    6   207 Myron Pryor, DT, Kentucky   238
    7   232 Julian Edelman, WR, Kent State  391
    7   234 Darryl Richard, DT, Georgia Tech  262
     -156 <1st 3 Rounds Net                            Overall Net> -937
    Rnd. Need New England Patriots   DRate
    2     3 Reach for Need Postion   3
    2     4 Reach for Best available Mid Need DT  2
    2     2 Good Value for High Need CB   4
    2     4 Big Reach for #16 Rated OT w/5, 7 & 9-15 Avail. -3
    3     4 Reach for Questionable WR   -3
    3     1 Value Pick for Absolute Need OLB  3
    4     4 Huge Reach for Mid Need #23 OG w/1 & 2 Avail. -5
    5     4 Huge Reach for Mid Need #24 OG w/4 & 8 Avail. -4
    6     7 Reach for a Long Snapper   -1
    6     4 Reach for #21 Rated DT w/9-11 on the board. -3
    7     4 Big Reach for #46 WR w/17, 21 & 22 Available -3
    7     4 Reach for #22 DT w/9, 10 &14 on the board. -3
    How can I question Belichick? I'd like to see his rating system... -2
         Patriots Net> -1.15
       
    Rnd. Pick New Orleans Saints   Rate
    1    14 Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St.   9
    4    116 Chip Vaughn, SS, Wake Forest  80
    4   118 Stanley Arnoux, OLB, Wake Forest  343
    5   164 Thomas Morstead, P, MSU   286
     5 <1st 3 Rounds Net                           Overall Net> -306
    Rnd. Need New Orleans Saints   DRate
    1     2 Value Pick addresses Big Need  4
    4     2 Good Value in 4th round for Big Need  3
    4     4 Huge Reach on 29th Rated OLB w/7,10&12 Avail. -3
    5     6 Big Reach for a Low Need Punter  -2
    4 picks addressed 23rd D. plus TE Shockey. No RB, Edgerrin James? 2
         Saints Net> 0.80
       
    Rnd. Pick New York Giants    Rate
    1    29 Hakeem Nicks, WR, N. Carolina  40
    2    45 Clint Sintim, ILB, Virginia   45
    2    60 William Beatty, OT, Connecticut  31
    3    85 Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly  103
    3   100 Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin  89
    4   129 Andre Brown, RB, N.C. State   74
    5   151 Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston St.  108
    6   200 DeAndre Wright, CB, New Mexico  380
    7   238 Stony Woodson, CB, South Carolina  393
     11 <1st 3 Rounds Net                           Overall Net> -226
    Rnd. Need New York Giants    DRate
    1     2 Slight Reach to fill Big Need at WR  3
    2     3 Need Pick At ILB    3
    2     2 Good Value filling a Big Need late in the 2nd Rnd. 4
    3     2 Slight reach for the big possession WR  2
    3     5 Value pick for slow 235 Lb. Low Need TE... 2
    4     4 Good Value for Mid Need RB   3
    5     7 Good Value for Very Low Need QB  1
    6     4 Big Reach-#39 Rated CB w/9, 16 & 22 Available. -2
    7     4 Big Reach-#41 Rated CB w/22, 25 & 30 Avail. -2
    Other than OLB, they did a good job filling their needs...  4
         Giants Net> 1.80

    Rnd. Pick New York Jets    Rate
    1     5 Mark Sanchez, QB, USC   10
    3    65 Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa   56
    6   193 Matt Slauson, OG, Nebraska   324
     4 <1st 3 Rounds Net                           Overall Net> -127
    Rnd. Need New York Jets    DRate
    1     2 Moved up to fill their 2nd Highest Need  4
    3     5 Value Pick for Low Need RB   3
    6     4 Big Reach-19th Rated OG w/4, 8 & 9 Available -4
    Everyone's Happy in NY! But no WR? No blocking TE? Only 3 Picks? -2
                       Jets Net>   0.25

    Rnd. Pick Oakland Raiders    Rate
    1     7 Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland  21
    2    47 Michael Mitchell, FS, Ohio   325
    3    71 Matt Shaughnessy, DE, Wisconsin  132
    4   124 Louis Murphy, WR, Florida   83
    4   126 Slade Norris, OLB, Oregon St.  374
    6   199 Stryker Sulak, DE, Missouri   290
    6   202 Brandon Myers, TE, Iowa   372

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    2009 NFL Schedule Analysis

    Friday, April 17, 2009, 01:21 PM EST [General]


    Hey NFL Fans!

    You're all aware that the 2009 NFL Schedule was released last Tuesday and we were immediately given the conventional Strength of Schedule (SOS) rankings. I'm sure you heard the disclaimer about the Pittsburgh Steelers having the toughest SOS going into the 2008 season and yet they ended up winning the Superbowl. That tells me the conventional SOS is flawed. The turnover rate concerning each team's management and talent from season to season is great, a look at the turnarounds some of the teams had from 2007 to 2008 are testament to that. On top of this, the conventional SOS simply looks at last season's team records. There should be a lot more to it than just that...

    Using an unusual set of measuring sticks, here's a different look at who got the most benefit out of the 2009 NFL Schedule, and who it appears has their work cut out for them...

    First, the measuring sticks and what they're worth:

    If a team is:
    1. On the road- Against a Top Team = -5             
    2. On the road- Against a Low Team = -2
    3. On the road- X-Country against Top Team = -7
    4. On the road- X-Country against Low Team = -3
    5. On the road- Coming off Bye Week vs. Top Team = -3
    6. On the road- Coming off Bye Week vs. Low Team = 1
    7. On the road- Off Bye X-Country vs. Top Team = -5
    8. On the road- Off Bye X-Country vs. Low Team = -1
    9. At home- Against a Top Team = 3
    10. At home- Against a Low Team = 7
    11. At home- Against a Top Team travelling X-Country = 5
    12. At home- Against a Low Team Travelling X-Country = 7
    13. At home- Coming off Bye Week vs. Top Team = 5
    14. At home- Coming off Bye Week vs. Low Team = 7
    15. At home- Off Bye vs. Top Team travelling X-Country = 5
    16. At home- Off Bye vs. Low Team travelling X-Country = 10
    17. First six weeks of season- Non hot weather teams play at hot site = -7
    18. Last six weeks of season- Non cold weather teams play at cold site = -7
    19. Play Top Team off their Bye at your home = -3
    20. Play Low Team off their Bye at your home = -1
    21. Play Top Team off their Bye at their home = -5
    22. Play Low Team off their Bye at their home = -1

    Here are the special criteria concerning Top/Low Teams (in alphabetical order) and the weather site designations used in these measures:

    Top Teams - Weather Type       Low Teams - Weather Type
    1. Arizona - Neutral (Dome)       17. Buffalo - Cold
    2. Atlanta - Neutral (Dome)        18. Cincinnati - Cold
    3. Baltimore - Moderate             19. Cleveland - Cold
    4. Carolina - Hot                        20. Denver - Cold
    5. Chicago - Cold                       21. Detroit - Neutral (Dome)
    6. Dallas - Neutral (Dome)          22. Green Bay - Cold
    7. Indianapolis - Neutral (Dome) 23. Houston - Neutral (Dome)
    8. Miami - Hot                            24. Jacksonville - Hot
    9. Minnesota - Neutral (Dome)   25. Kansas City - Cold
    10. New England - Cold             26. New Orleans - Neutral (Dome)
    11. New York Giants - Cold       27. New York Jets - Cold
    12. Philadelphia - Cold               28. Oakland - Moderate
    13. Pittsburgh - Cold                  29. St. Louis - Neutral (Dome)
    14. San Diego - Moderate          30. San Francisco - Moderate
    15. Tennessee - Hot                    31. Seattle - Cold
    16. Washington - Moderate         32. Tampa Bay - Hot

    The foundation has been laid out... So hold on tight, here are the results:

       OVERALL (Best Schedule to worst)
      Arizona Cardinals       31
      Houston Texans         27
      Cleveland Browns      26
      Baltimore Ravens       24
      Minnesota Vikings     23
      Green Bay Packers    22
      Pittsburgh Steelers     21
      Cincinnati Bengals     18
      Philadelphia Eagles    18
      New England Patriots 16
      Tennessee Titans       16
      Dallas Cowboys        14
      Indianapolis Colts      13
      Chicago Bears           12
      Seattle Seahawks      12
      Kansas City Chiefs    11
      San Diego Chargers    8
      Washington Redskins   6
      Jacksonville Jaguars     5
      New York Giants        5
      New Orleans Saints    4
      New York Jets           2
      Miami Dolphins          1
      Buffalo Bills                0
      Oakland Raiders         0
      San Francisco 49ers  -3
      Tampa Bay Bucanneers  -3
      Detroit Lions              -8
      Denver Broncos       -11
      St. Louis Rams         -15
      Atlanta Falcons        -20
      Carolina Panthers     -25


                           BY CONFERENCE
                NFC                                  AFC 

                              
    Arizona Cardinals 31          Houston Texans 27
    Minnesota Vikings 23        Cleveland Browns 26
    Green Bay Packers 22       Baltimore Ravens 24
    Philadelphia Eagles 18        Pittsburgh Steelers 21
    Dallas Cowboys 14           Cincinnati Bengals 18
    Chicago Bears 12              New England Pats 16
    Seattle Seahawks 12         Tennessee Titans 16
    Washington Skins   6         Indianapolis Colts 13
    New York Giants   5         Kansas City Chiefs 11
    New Orleans Snts  4          San Diego Chargers   8
    Tampa Bay Bucs  -3          Jacksonville Jags   5
    San Francisco 49ers-3       New York Jets   2
    Detroit Lions  -8                 Miami Dolphins   1
    St. Louis Rams  -15           Buffalo Bills   0
    Atlanta Falcons  -20          Oakland Raiders   0
    Carolina Panther -25         Denver Broncos -11


                         BY DIVISION
    NFC EAST                            AFC EAST 
    Philadelphia Eagles 18          New England Pats 16
    Dallas Cowboys 14              New York Jets   2
    Washington Skins   6            Miami Dolphins   1
    New York Giants   5            Buffalo Bills         0

    NFC NORTH                       AFC NORTH 
    Minnesota Vikings 23         Cleveland Browns 26
    Green Bay Packers 22        Baltimore Ravens 24
    Chicago Bears 12              Pittsburgh Steelers 21
    Detroit Lions  -8                Cincinnati Bengals 18

    NFC SOUTH                      AFC SOUTH 
    New Orleans Saints   4     Houston Texans 27
    Tampa Bay Bucs  -3        Tennessee Titans 16
    Atlanta Falcons -20          Indianapolis Colts 13
    Carolina Panthers -25       Jacksonville Jags   5

    NFC WEST                        AFC WEST 
    Arizona Cardinals 31       Kansas City Chiefs 11
    Seattle Seahawks 12       San Diego Chargers   8
    San Francisco 49ers-3    Oakland Raiders   0
    St. Louis Rams   -15       Denver Broncos   -11


    Now we all know the standings won't look anything like this once the upcoming season is in the books, but it may give us all an indication why teams like the Houston Texans or Cleveland Browns get it turned around or why the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos have a tough time...

    The schedule makers played a big role in role in it!

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    Sports Headlines I'd Like to See

    Friday, April 3, 2009, 01:48 PM EST [General]

    We all have our pet peeves... So without further ado, here are some sports headlines I'd REALLY LIKE TO SEE!

    NFL Ends Part-Time Referees

    Full-time Refs should make for higher quality officiating says Goodell

    NCAA Adopts Division One Football Championship Playoff Format

    Over the loud objections of the major college football post-season bowl game officials the NCAA retakes control of major college football

    MLB Fires Selig!

    Citing one scandal after another the owners of MLB tossed out the commish. Selig claims he won't go quietly as a scapegoat for the owners' failings...

    MLB Shoulder the Blame for Drug Use

    Immediately after firing Commissioner Selig the owners have begun their effort to "come clean" in regards to performance enhancing drug use. Consider releasing all names of those that have tested positive over the years

    MLB to Implement Full Salary Cap

    Saying the richest teams annually being in the playoffs is bad for the game, steps are being taken to level the playing field.

    NBA to Shorten Season to December thru March, NHL to Follow Suit

    In a move to clearly define the winter as the season for the major indoor sports league spokesmen claim the shorter season is expected to raise fan interest

    Let me add one non-sports headline we would all benefit from:

    US Congress Passes Insurance Reform

    While staring down the American Bar Association, Congress today sent to the President a monumental change that will put more spendable income back into the pockets of every American by imposing payout limits on all liability, personal injury and malpractice lawsuit awards. This will act to lower the premium payments on homeowners, health, auto and business insurance policies across the land. In a statement issued after the bill was passed, the ABA, America's strongest self-interest lobby representing thousands of attorneys promised to fight this change all the way to the US Supreme Court...

    Have a nice day everybody!

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    2009 NFL DRAFT 101

    Saturday, March 28, 2009, 10:40 AM EST [General]

    NFL DRAFT 101 - Offensive Tackles

     Alright Pro Football fans, here is the 2009 NFL Draft from the perspective of one very important position and the ripple effect it will have across the selection process.

    First, here are the top 50 players available... These are all players that could possibly be drafted in the first round.

    Offense
    Position           Overall Rank         Name / School
    Quarterback

                                          4            Matt Stafford   Georgia
                                        11            Mark Sanchez   USC
                                        39            Josh Freeman   Kansas State
    Running Back

                                        16            Knowshon Moreno   Georgia
                                        28            Donald Brown   Connecticut
                                        29            Chris Wells   Ohio State
                                        36            LeSean McCoy   Pittsburgh
    Wide Receiver

                                          6            Michael Crabtree   Texas Tech
                                        13           Jeremy Maclin      Missouri
                                        20            Percy Harvin   Florida
                                        22            Darrius Heyward-Bey Maryland
                                        25            Hakeem Nicks   North Carolina
                                        46            Kenny Britt          Rutgers
    Tight End

                                        27            Brandon Pettigrew Oklahoma State
                                        48            Jared Cook     South Carolina
    Off. Tackle

                                          2            Jason Smith    Baylor
                                          3             Eugene Monroe    Virginia
                                          9             Michael Oher     Mississippi
                                        17             Andre Smith     Alabama
                                        32             William Beatty  Connecticut
                                        40             Eben Britton    Arizona
    Offensive Guard

                                        45             Duke Robinson   Oklahoma
    Center

                                        33             Max Unger     Oregon
                                        34             Alex Mack     California

    Defense
    Position            Overall Rank          Name / School
    Def. Tackle

                                          5             B.J. Raji    Boston College
                                        19             Peria Jerry    Mississippi
                                        30             Evander Hood    Missouri
                                        50             Ron Brace    Boston College
    Defensive End 

                                        10             Everette Brown  Florida State
                                        18             Tyson Jackson   LSU
                                        38             Robert Ayers   Tennessee
                                        42             Michael Johnson   Georgia Tech
                                        47             Connor Barwin   Cincinnati
    In. Linebacker

                                        12             Rey Maualuga   USC
                                        21             James Laurinaitis  Ohio State
                                        44             Clint Sintim    Virginia
    Out. Linebacker 

                                          1             Aaron Curry    Wake Forest
                                          8             Brian Orakpo   Texas
                                        15             Brian Cushing    USC
                                         23            Aaron Maybin   Penn State
                                         24            Clay Matthews   USC
                                         37            Larry English     NIU
    Cornerback

                                          7             Malcolm Jenkins  Ohio State
                                        14             Vontae Davis        Illinois
                                        26             Darius Butler   Connecticut
                                        31             D.J. Moore   Vanderbilt
                                        35             Alphonso Smith   Wake Forest
                                        41             Sean Smith    Utah
    Strong Safety            

                                        43             William Moore   Missouri
                                        49             Louis Delmas   Western Michigan


     Next we need to take a look at each of the 32 teams' needs in this draft in terms of highest to lowest, one through seven...

    Team Needs, Presented in Alphabetical Order

                        Rounds/Priorities
         Team  1 2 3 4 5 6 7
    Arizona Cardinals -OLB RB CB SS DE OG C
    Atlanta Falcons  -CB OLB TE DT FS SS OT
    Baltimore Ravens -OT WR DE TE CB K OLB
    Buffalo Bills  -DE OG TE C WR OLB FS
    Carolina Panthers -DT DE OT CB QB OG C
    Chicago Bears  -OT WR DE CB QB FS OG
    Cincinnati Bengals -OT OG RB WR OLB ILB C
    Cleveland Browns -OLB TE CB RB DE WR SS
    Dallas Cowboys  -WR OT QB FS DT CB OG
    Denver Broncos  -DT DE CB WR OG OLB FS
    Detroit Lions  -QB OT ILB OLB CB DT OG
    Green Bay Packers -DT DE CB TE RB SS OT
    Houston Texans  -OLB DT CB RB FS DE TE
    Indianapolis Colts -WR DT ILB OLB RB OT CB
    Jacksonville Jaguars -WR DT OT CB OG SS C
    Kansas City Chiefs -DE OG WR OLB DT RB ILB 
    Miami Dolphins  -CB WR OLB OT DT OG SS
    Minnesota Vikings -WR C QB CB OT DT TE
    New England Patriots -OLB CB ILB SS FS WR C
    New Orleans Saints -RB CB FS SS DT DE OLB
    New York Giants  -OT WR DT OLB RB ILB CB
    New York Jets  -WR QB DE ILB TE OT CB    
    Oakland Raiders  -SS WR FS OT CB OG DE
    Philadelphia Eagles -OT FS TE RB CB DE C
    Pittsburgh Steelers -OT OG WR DT DE C CB
    St. Louis Rams  -OT ILB WR C SS DT CB  
    San Diego Chargers -SS OG DT DE RB OLB OT
    San Francisco 49ers -OT OLB QB RB FS DE WR
    Seattle Seahawks -OT OLB FS RB WR SS QB
    Tampa Bay Buccaneers -WR DT OLB OT QB DE OG
    Tennessee Titans -WR DT OT OLB OG CB RB
    Washington Redskins -OT OG ILB DE C OLB RB

     Okay, so we've got fifty of the top prospects all lined up as well as the player needs of all thirty-two NFL teams, all based upon a composite of several nationally known ranking services and the latest rumors.


     So, how do the team needs balance out against the number of top prospects?

    Take a look at this:

    The # of Teams represents how many teams have their top need at each position given while the line of numbers just below the need number is the number of prospects that play each position out of the top fifty prospects in this year's draft:

    Top Need ----  QB RB WR TE OT OG C Total
    # of Teams -    1     1     7     0  10    0   0  19
    # of Prospects- 3    4     6     2    6     1   2  24
    Net -                    2    3    -1     2 - 4      1  2    5 
     
    Top Need ----  DT DE ILB OLB CB SS FS Total Grand Total
    # of Teams -     3     2    0     4      2    2    0    13         32
    # of Prospects- 4     5    3      6     6    2    0     26         50
    Net -                    1     3    3      2     4    0    0     13        18

     The need for offensive tackles and wide receivers in the first round exceeds the number of top prospects that are available at those positions. How far down into the draft will the teams that need an OT have to go to get them? Here is a look at the rankings of the #7 through #10 tackles:


    Position                    Overall Rank              Name / School                   Round?
    Offensive Tackle             53              Jamon Meredith  So. Carolina    2 to 3
                                               56               Phil Loadholt   Oklahoma           2 to 3
                                               86               Fenuki Tupou   Oregon               3 to 4
                                             102               Xavier Fulton     Illinois                    4

    This is just to fulfill the ten first round offensive tackle needs. There are two teams that have offensive tackles as their second highest need and three more with OT as their third highest need in this draft. You see where this is going? 

     Half of the teams with an offensive tackle as their top need have an absolute need. Here's a run down on when the ten teams that need an OT have their selection: (The five with an absolute need are in italics and red)

    Team                   Selection Number
    St. Louis Rams                 2
    Seattle Seahawks            4
    Cincinnati Bengals          6
    San Francisco 49ers     10
    Washington Redskins  13
    Chicago Bears               18
    Philadelphia Eagles  21 & 28
    Baltimore Ravens  26
    New York Giants   29
    Pittsburgh Steelers  32

     With this much demand for top quality OT's, it makes very good sense that the teams picking first should fill their top need with the best tackles available. It's either that or risk getting stuck with a potential bench warmer later in the draft.

              Looking at Seattle, just as with nine other teams this year, the Seahawk's highest need is for an OT, but it's not an absolute need at this time. For this reason, I'm hearing a lot of speculation coming from the peanut gallery concerning what the Hawks should do with the number four pick in the 2009 draft, and it's almost unanimous that they shouldn't take the OT.  It's almost as if the teams that also need an OT and happen to be further down in the selection order are wishing out loud that the Hawks will pass on filling their highest need. They want them to pick off some hot shot wide receiver or running back. The reasoning is that they say new Head Coach Mora needs to "make a splash". Well, the way I see it, that is just so much hot air!
              Think about this... This is the first time in years that the Seahawks have had a pick in the top ten let alone a top five selection. One of the very best players this team has had over the past few years is their left tackle, Walter Jones, a top draft pick that turned out to be a perennial Pro Bowler. Walter is still a very good player, but like it or not, he's on the down side of his brilliant career. Seattle's management needs to insure the Seahawk's future while the gettin' is good! Top left side offensive tackles are few and far between and they happen to be one of the most critical ingredients a team needs when trying to assemble a winning program. Just ask the guy who assembled the 2008 Miami Dolphins... 

             

             With this in mind, here is the first round of my 2009 Mock NFL Draft:

    Pick #  Team  Player/Position/School
    1 Detroit Lions  Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
    2 St. Louis Rams  Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
    3 Kansas City Chiefs Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
    4 Seattle Seahawks Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
    5 Cleveland Browns Everette Brown, DE, Florida St.
    6 Cincinnati Bengals Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
    7 Oakland Raiders Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
    8 Jacksonville Jaguars Michael Oher, OT, Miss.
    9 Green Bay Packers Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St.
    10 San Francisco 49ers Brian Orakpo, OLB, Texas
    11 Buffalo Bills  Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
    12 Denver Broncos  B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
    13 Washington Redskins  Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC
    14 New Orleans Saints Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
    15 Houston Texans  Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
    16 San Diego Chargers Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
    17 New York Jets  Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
    18 Chicago Bears  Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
    19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
    20 Detroit Lions  Aaron Maybin, OLB, Penn St.
    21 Philadelphia Eagles William Beatty, OT, Connecticut
    22 Minnesota Vikings Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
    23 New England Patriots Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut
    24 Atlanta Falcons  Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Ok. St.
    25 Miami Dolphins  Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
    26 Baltimore Ravens Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
    27 Indianapolis Colts Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
    28 Philadelphia Eagles Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
    29 New York Giants  Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
    30 Tennessee Titans James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio St.
    31 Arizona Cardinals Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
    32 Pittsburgh Steelers Max Unger, C, Oregon

     In this rendition, the teams that had an OT as their top need and yet went with a different position player are as follows:

             San Francisco went to their second highest need in taking a possible freak pass rusher, a guy that will warm the heart of Mike Singletary, Brian Orakpo who played for the University of Texas. I have them picking up OT Augustus Parrish out of Kent State in the fourth round with the 111th pick of the draft.

     
             Instead of an opening round offensive tackle, Washington grabs off Rey Maualuga, the beast of a middle linebacker from USC, to anchor their defense. I've got them taking OT Fenuki Tupou out of Oregon with their second pick of the draft, the 80th selection overall in the third round.

     
             Chicago uses their 18th pick in the first round to take a wide receiver that could turn out to be the best in this draft, Jeremy Maclin out of Missouri. This took care of their second highest team need. I have the Bears parlaying their third round supplementary pick (no. 99 overall) into OT Xavier Fulton from the instate University of Illinois Fighting Illini.

     
              Baltimore also fulfilled their second highest need with another top wide out, Darrius Heyward-Bey from Maryland. The closest I have them coming to fulfilling their top priority is with the 123rd pick overall in the fourth round when they select the eighth best offensive guard in the draft, T.J. Lang who played college ball for Eastern Michigan.


             Finally, the Steelers, with needs up and down their offensive line, settle for the best lineman available with their 32nd pick at the end of the opening round by taking Max Unger out of Oregon. Max is listed as a center but can also play guard and right tackle. Not a bad pick for the world champs. They follow up by getting huge Herman Johnson from LSU, the second rated guard in the draft, with their second pick, number 64 overall at the end of the second round. I've got the Steelers having to wait until their 132nd selection overall in the fourth round before getting their OT when they pick up Gerald Cadogan out of Penn State.


     There were two teams that selected OT's in the first round even though the position wasn't considered their greatest need:


             The Jacksonville Jaguars couldn't resist taking Mississippi's big left tackle, Michael Oher, with their first pick in the draft, even though their needs list had an OT as third highest. Oher, the third ranked OT in the draft is noted for having a mean streak, the type of player that I think Jacksonville could use. The Jags fill their top need for a fast wide out in the fourth round when they take Jaret Dillard (4.45 40 yd. dash time) out of Rice University.


             Lastly, I've got Bill Parcells and his Miami Dolphins snatching up the University of Arizona's OT, Eben Britton, to compliment their first round left OT pick from last season's draft, Jake Long. Britton will make defenses think twice about overloading the left side of Miami's offense when attempting to stop the run. 


              Well, there you have some insight into the 2009 NFL Draft and how several teams' needs to fill a certain position effects darn near every other phase of the selection process.


              P.S. The Seahawk brass better toe the line and do the right thing taking the second or third best offensive tackle in this draft. Who knows when they'll have a draft pick this high again...


     

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    Wonder How Much A-Fraud paid Brett to Announce Yesterday???

    Thursday, February 12, 2009, 11:57 AM EST [General]

    It was a valiant effort, but Alex Fraudriguez paying Brett Favre to announce his retirement yesterday just to get the spotlight off of his sorry hind end didn't work. It appears the vultures continue to circle over his prone body...

    I was interested to hear Roy Oswalt's comments on this issue. He stated in so many words that as a professional baseball player who has not taken performance enhancing drugs, he feels cheated. He now can't be sure whether the teams he played for should have been in the playoffs and World Series and he's not sure whether his personal records would have been better if he had been facing players on a level field without PED's... He stated that it's simply not fair.

    I'm now hearing several theories on the subject of baseball's records. Some are saying that every player implicated (whether actually proven to have used PED's or not) should be banned from the record books. Others think there should be two separate sets of record books, one for the pure players and one for the cheaters (my word not theirs)... Other's simply want to do the touchy / feely thing wishing to take the easy way out, forgive everyone and move on. I think you can tell what I think of that idea...

    What do you folks think oughta happen to these guys that cheated? Anything?

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