The senior bowl is venue for NCAA standouts at their respective schools to put their skills to the test against their peers and more importantly impress scouts at the next level. Through the last 3 days of practice and weigh ins, there has been plenty of buzz surrounding a hand full of players. One of those players is the all world Florida Gator Tim Tebow. He is arguably the best college player ever. His intangibles make Joe Montana jealous and he just wins. However, intangibles can only compliment good QB skills that can translate to success at the next level. I will give you the players who have caught my eye whether good or bad at this year’s Senior Bowl Practices so far.
CB Kyle Wilson- If this guy wasn’t a 1st round pick before the Senior Bowl Practices, he is definitely getting buzz now. He hailed from the Boise State program that put out All Pro NFL Tackle Ryan Clady a couple of years ago. Wilson will be playing on the North team. In every situation he has been placed in, he has performed well. He shut down receivers in press coverage, jumped routes well, has great hip flexibility, and has good ball skills. He is clearly the best cover corner that will be playing in this game.
QB Tim Tebow- How can Tebow not catch your eye. He looks like a linebacker playing QB. Plus everyone is talking about him anyway. His 1st day left plenty to be desired. He fumbled snaps from the center and looked uncomfortable. However, I think people are overreacting about his 1st practice. He hadn’t worked with the center he was taking snaps from ever, so he should get a pass for that. Since then, he has looked much better at the under center ball exchange. The big problem with him is his throwing motion starts at this thigh and its unprotected. DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen, and James Harrison among others will have a field day causing fumbles on him if he doesn’t fix that. However, once the ball comes out, his arm is pretty live. He has good strength behind the throw and has a great deep sideline pass. Time will tell if he can work the intermediate throws consistently with accuracy.
DT Terrence Cody- Weighing in was a day that this man would like to forget and after seeing him, I would like to forget about it too. He is 370 pounds. He lost weight to get to that number. He doesn’t have an ounce of definition unless you count blubber and boobs as definition. His 1st day of practice wasn’t the best either. He didn’t assert is will in the combo drill or one on one drills. The second day was better. He actually looked unblockable at times. He bullrushed an Offensive lineman effortlessly into the backfield. Nothing has changed about how people view him though. He is a two down lineman who will need to drop another 25 pounds so he doesn’t seriously harm himself on the field.
WR Taylor Price- The University of Ohio receiver has shown the speed and technique to make me elieve he can a problem for corners at the next level. He caught a couple of quality passes on Kyle Wilson, the best corner in this senior bowl. He has solid size for a receiver and his speed in and out of breaks are what makes him a quality prospect that should get plenty of attention come draft time.
S Taylor Mays- I commend this kid for not being afraid of being criticized and participating in a senior bowl process that will no doubt analyze his game even deeper. It’s like Mike Mayock said, if God were to carve a safety with his bare hands, he would look like Taylor Mays. 6’3” 230 pounds and can run, hit, and has athleticism. Some question is lack of playmaking stats and point to lack of ball skills and recognition, others will point to lack of quality talent around him his senior year and change in defensive responsibility. Whatever side you’re on, Mays has plenty to prove at this senior bowl. So far, he hasn’t been nearly as bad in man coverage as I thought he would be. His hips aren’t as fluid as you would like and he definitely got beat a couple of times. However, he competed very well and for the most part held his own. He won’t fit in every system but if he can show in the game that he can consistently cover TEs downfield, he stock will shoot up.
OG Mike Iupati- He is the best guard prospect in the draft. He has the frame of a tackle 6’5” 325. However, he played at Idaho so he needed to see some better competition. The 1st day, he got dominated in the one on one drills by Jared Odrick, a 1st round prospect. He played extremely well however in the 11on 11 drills. The 2nd day was better for him as he dominated a variety of defensive linemen at guard during 1on 1 drills. At tackle, he had a rough day. He was very uncomfortable and a little slow out there. Brandon Graham killed him on an outside speed rush. At the end of the day, he could be a late 1st round pick partly because NFL teams don’t draft guards higher than that.
DE Brandon Graham- The Michigan prospect reminds me so much of a faster LaMarr Woodley who was a Wolverine is well. He is small in height 6’2” but he is bulky 260 and he really shined this past season for the wolverines and he is dominating pass rushing drills in the senior bowl practices. He shows a variety of pass rush moves and is really too fast for any of the tackles practicing against him. He will be a beast in the pros if he’s put in a good situation.
Honarable Mention
S Nate Allen- I like this kid. Showed the ability to cover in press in practice. He has solid ball skills and good range. His speed isn’t elite but he is a smart player who will be drafted in the 2nd round.
RB/WR Dexter McCluster- He is drawing comparisions to Percy Harvin and Darren Sproles. He runs routes like a pure WR. He is tough player that is shifty and has world class speed. He will be a steal for some team in the 2nd probably.
DT Cam Thomas- The UNC prospect has been very solid. He gets a solid base in combo drills and he collapses the pocket from the middle. Translates very well as a 3-4 Nose Tackle.
OT Vladimir Duccasse- Another small school prospect that’s getting tested against the big boys. He has been inconsistent. In one drill, he holds his own. In the next drill, he gets dominated. He may have to play guard at the next level because I’m not sure he can handle elite speed on the edge at the NFL.
WR Mardy Gilyard- He had a bad 1st day. He dropped easy catches. The 2nd day of practice was like night and day for him. He was running routes with confidence and was catching the ball with ease. He looked like the player I saw dominate at Pitt.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The NBA's Circle of Life
Hi, everybody! (Hi, Dr. Nick.) I realize this is primarily an NFL Draft blog but I am one of the sixteen basketball fans left in this country and so will thus feel periodically compelled to offer my thoughts on my first love, the NBA. I can only hope the remaining fifteen fans are among the readers of this blog but I am not particularly optimistic about that point. These NBA musings will eventually all be accessible on the NBA Talk page (see the navigation bar above). Anyway, what better topic to begin my mostly incoherent ramblings than the primary point of contention among irrational NBA fanboys everywhere...Kobe vs. LeBron. One disclaimer before we get to the post...I am a diehard Lakers fan and Kobe Bryant is my favorite athlete of all-time. Nice. I don't believe this affects my objectivity in forming opinions but it's only right to put that out there first thing and let you make your own judgment. But onto the post...
I believe there is some sort of saying/adage/Chinese proverb that gives us the (surely paraphrased) nugget of wisdom that we cannot properly evaluate the present/future if we don't understand the past. Where we have been determines where we are going. So let's take a trip down memory lane to start things off here...
In the midst of the Lakers' mini-dynasty at the beginning of the past decade, Shaquille O'Neal began calling teammate Kobe Bryant the best basketball player on the planet. While this mostly illustrates Shaq's false modesty and a decided ignorance of one Mr. Timothy Duncan from San Antonio, Kobe certainly became the league's premier perimeter player around 2001. He has remained the most skilled (but not necessarily the best) player ever since. Some time after Duncan's back-to-back MVP's in 2002 and 2003 and during Shaq's descent into obesity, it became standard operating procedure to refer to Kobe Bryant as the world's best player. The NBA was Kobe's world for much of the past decade but if you haven't noticed the 00s are over. Kobe's time is over. And the NBA seems to be better off for it.
Kobe Bryant's reign as the NBA's finest player was a dark time for the league. He kicked things off by being accused of sexual assault in Eagle, Colorado. He then played a part in the destruction of the league's dominant team (a team the league needed because it created almost as much interest as Michael Jordan had), a Shaq/Kobe/Phil Jackson combination in Los Angeles. Kobe spent his prime languishing away on otherwise terrible Lakers team (not much there once Shaq left) and the league suffered. The Spurs won three championships in a five year span, each NBA finals receiving terrible television ratings as fan interest dipped. Fans wanted to see the league's preeminent player and its greatest shot-maker but Kobe Bryant was nowhere to be found. There was only Tim Duncan left to bridge the gap and his maddening adherence to fundamentals, more maddening consistency and most maddening eye-bulging weren't going to get it done. Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward of all-time. Tim Duncan is not Kobe Bryant.
Meanwhile, in events unrelated to Kobe Bryant or the NBA's waning starpower, the league additionally suffered from exceedingly dubious officiating (see 2006 NBA Finals) and the Ron Artest Brawl in Detroit. Michael Jordan legitimized the NBA as a mainstream professional league but left a gigantic vacuum at the top of the league after his (perhaps premature) retirement. The next decade should have been about Kobe Bryant fulfilling his potential as Michael Jordan's heir (if not necessarily his equal) but Kobe was not up to the task. He may have started his career in promising fashion and consistently demonstrated his immense talent but Kobe's overall body of work was not consistent or successful enough to maintain the casual fan's interest throughout the 00s. The league struggled and there were whispers of the NBA falling back to a niche sport in the post-Jordan years. Since 1980 (Magic and Bird enter the league), the NBA has been steadily gaining popularity. Basketball emerged around the world as a sport that could catch on internationally in a way that football (and to some extent, baseball) never managed. But five years ago the NBA could not maintain interest in its' country of origin. What had happened? The circle of life had briefly failed the NBA. And now the aforementioned trip down memory lane is complete and we can move onto the actual post (yeah, five paragraphs in and we're just getting started)...
What is the common thread holding together the childhoods of all Generation Nexters? (I'd like to propose an official change to Generation Sexters but that's an issue for another time) Is it the brief but bizarre fascination with beanie babies? For everyone's sake I'm going to say no to that one. Is it the O.J. trial? Good guess, but not quite. The thread that has stood the test of time (or at least the past fifteen years) and pulls our generation together is...The Lion King. Nice. (Obviously. Circle of life reference last paragraph? Come on now. And what else is there...pogs?
Just like any great Disney movie, The Lion King reveals most of life's important lessons upon closer inspection. Never trust the creepy, menacing uncle because he probably has diabolic plans that center around your exile/death. Everyone needs a fat, funny, slightly gaseous sidekick. Meerkats are awesome. Hyenas? Not so much. Always try to avoid a thundering wildebeest stampede. Ooooh, my bad. Still too soon? Regardless of the value of these lessons, the most important message passed onto our generation from The Lion King centers around the circle of life. The strong rule the weak until they inevitably succumb to weakness themselves. This brings about a new generation of ruling strength and life continues in this fashion indefinitely (or at least until the end of the movie and its sequel). Like any great lesson, the circle of life applies to more than the jungle life of lions, hyenas, warthogs and Rafiki. So while the NBA only possesses passing similarities with the African jungle, the circle of life could not have been more evident last Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland during the Lakers-Cavaliers game. Or as it was better known as...Kobe vs. LeBron!! Part II!!
Despite his many admirers and rather vehement supporters, Kobe now quite obviously plays second fiddle to LeBron James. James burst onto the scene as a nineteen year old rookie in 2003 and has produced historically good statistics every year since. But it took James a few years to realize his potential as a player, as opposed to that of an athlete. Something seemed to click after the 2007 season (a regular season that he noticeably coasted through) and James has been the best player in the league ever since his single-handed destruction of the Pistons' stranglehold on the Eastern Conference in Game 5 the 2007 Conference Finals. But despite LeBron's domination, the LeBron vs. Kobe debate rages on.
In a way it's understandable; LeBron vs. Kobe is the most compelling individual matchup and "rivalry" since Magic and Bird battled in the 1980s. They should go down as two of the greatest ten players of all-time (at worst) and both are leading championship contenders near their respective individual primes. They both play on the wing but frequently handle the ball to initiate the offense and have very well-rounded games on both ends of the floor. Though they share these similarities and would thus seem to draw comparisons naturally, the debate continues for only two reasons; the complete restoration of Kobe's public image and Lebron's lack of championship rings.
Just as LeBron was ready to ascend to the top of the NBA world (king of the jungle you might say), Pau Gasol fell into the Lakers' lap and suddenly Kobe went from being a pouting gunner demanding a trade away from his mediocre NBA team to a mature, unselfish leader on the eventual Western Conference champions. Of course, Kobe didn't significantly alter his game during this time and you'd be hard-pressed to argue he improved as a player but the public's perception of Kobe was hastily modified by the Lakers' success and that made all the difference. Kobe was very likely a lesser player in 2008 than in 2006 when Kobe controversially shot (approximately) 437 times per game and carried the worst supporting cast in the league (other starters were Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown, Luke Walton and Smush Parker) to 45 wins and a near playoff series victory over a very good Phoenix Suns team. But most of the media places a huge emphasis on winning (not saying that is a terrible approach but other factors need to be considered) and consequently champions receive more (and sometimes undue) praise than superstar leaders of 45-win teams. And when there is a drastic change in win totals (Lakers improved by fifteen wins) the media must attribute this improvement to something new and/or improved. Nearly all of that improvement came from Pau Gasol being (not approximation, actual fact) 437 times better than Kwame Brown but Kobe, being Kobe, received a bit too much credit just as he had previously received a bit too much blame. And because of all of this Kobe received the 2008 MVP award and held onto the unofficial status as "best player in the world," both titles that LeBron thought within his grasp.
Whether LeBron's 2008 playoff series loss to the Celtics was particularly hard to swallow or the Redeem Team experience (and the exposure to Kobe's work ethic) particularly enlightening, LeBron spent the next twelve months dominating the league in a fashion not seen since young, motivated Shaq or, dare I say it, another #23 from Chicago. He was the best player on the Redeem Team that won the gold medal over a more than competent Spain team. He improved his shooting both from the free throw line (71% to 78%) and three point line (31% to 35%) while exhibiting a new-found appreciation for defense. LeBron's most impressive plays during the 2008-2009 season were not dunks, but blocks like these on opposing teams' fast break opportunities. He led a Cavalier team with only two other above average players (Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao), neither of whom are close to all-NBA performers, to 66 regular season wins. LeBron deservedly won his first MVP award and went on to average 35-9-7-2-1 in the playoffs. But Cleveland could not find its' way past the Orlando Magic and the subsequent media whirlwind over LeBron's refusal to acknowledge the Magic after the loss (and later Nike's confiscation of this rather underwhelming tape) put a damper on an otherwise historic season. Plus, the elephant in the room was not exactly sitting there quietly. Kobe Bryant was making quite a bit of noise of his own.
LeBron was Team USA's best player and (self-dubbed) leader but Kobe Bryant (and Jason Kidd) set the tone for the entire team. It was Kobe who laid the groundwork for Olympic gold in the qualifying Tournament of the Americas with his suffocating defense on Leandro Barbosa. And when Spain closed to within five points during the fourth quarter of the gold medal game, it was Kobe (the best player in the fourth quarter) who converted the ridiculous four-point play to give the U.S.A. breathing room. The NBA's 2008-2009 regular season saw a similar progression of events. LeBron was the league's most outstanding player throughout but Kobe hoisted the NBA Finals MVP trophy and won his first title as the best player on a championship team. LeBron has (somehow) become an even more efficient player this season and the Cavaliers have the best record in the league (again). But of the three analysts on TNT's studio show, only Charles Barkley gave the nod to LeBron as the game's best player (and that is a relatively recent development). Despite LeBron's MVP award and continued excellence it seems as if the TNT show is fairly indicative of the overall LeBron-Kobe debate and each side has a similar number of advocates. While not quite a traveshamockery, that there is even a debate at all shortchanges LeBron's complete (since I'm already using made-up words) badassness. That is all about to change.
Kobe passed the torch last Thursday. There was a changing of the guard. If you have another saying that describes the transition feel free to insert it here. Kobe started off hot and finished with 31 points but shot only 4-15 on field goals in the second half. LeBron managed a very productive first half despite not hitting his jumpshot but found his stroke in the fourth quarter and scored twelve straight points (many coming on eighteen footers). LeBron's hot streak was not an aberration, merely a return toward the mean because *gulp* he is now a good shooter. He shoots better than Kobe from three and posts only slightly worse percentages from 16-23 feet. Is a healthy Kobe Bryant the second best player in the NBA? Probably. Perhaps definitely (despite what those advanced statistical metrics reveal) considering his improved post game makes him more efficient than in years past. Has Kobe Bryant ever been as good as LeBron James is right now? Probably not. James is the single greatest athlete in NBA history, boasts exceptional vision, has a good/serviceable jumpshot, can defend multiple positions and is a very good rebounder. So...ummm...that pretty much covers everything. LeBron can do more things, more efficiently than Kobe ever could and has shown he has the ability to lead a team, too (his teammates love him). What more could you want? Oh, right. A championship.
Following the game last week the stories circulating around the internet seemed to focus on Cleveland's front court production (despite the Lakers talent advantage at power forward and center) and how the physical presence of Varejao and Shaq brought the big man match-up to a standstill. A very good point and a tip of my hat to journalists everywhere. But if the supporting casts played evenly who does that leave? Kobe and LeBron. The two went mano-a-mano down the stretch and LeBron came out on top. While it's always dangerous to read too much into one game (Orlando swept the regular season series last year against the Lakers and were easily dispatched in the Finals), this game showed the likely result of any game in which Cleveland neutralizes L.A.'s front court advantage. If LeBron and Kobe trade punches in the fourth quarter, more often than not it will be the Lakers looking like this. The Lakers can still win the title but it won't be because of Kobe Bryant's utter brilliance. He is no longer the best player in the game and while there has been debate about that very subject I have a sneaking suspicion that debate will be over in six months. LeBron James is the best player in the game and will not be denied again.
During their stint as teammates on the Dream Team, Michael Jordan had a discussion with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson about the greatest player/teams of all-time. I use the word "discussion" loosely. MJ concluded the conversation by saying that the 80s were over and it was his time now, that when everything was said and done he would go down as the greatest player who ever lived. Jordan proved himself a prophet over the next seven years, vanquishing all comers who couldn't throw a curve ball. The circle of life continued. A new superstar emerged with a combination of skill, athleticism, intelligence and desire never seen before. Just as importantly, Jordan played an exciting brand of basketball and was charismatic off the court. He captured the average fan's interest and sent the NBA's popularity through the roof. When Jordan retired there were two heir apparents that might be able to mimic Jordan's career arc (though not surpass it) and help maintain the NBA's popularity. (NOTE: I'm excluding Duncan, Garnett and Shaq because only Shaq had the necessary charisma and no one likes rooting for Goliath) Allen Iverson proved to be too shot-happy and had too many tattoos to appeal to corporate America. Kobe Bryant was handsome, spoke Italian and played the game with both flash and a composure that belied his young years. Kobe couldn't quite put everything together but the circle of life moved on and LeBron emerged as the rightful heir to Jordan (if we're going strictly The Lion King and Mufasa-MJ and LeBron-Simba does that make Kobe-Scar? I incidentally managed to compare Kobe to both Dumbo and Scar in the same post...I am the worst Lakers fan ever).
What will the game's evolution bring us in twenty years? Dwight Howard with Hakeem Olajuwon's footwork? The yeti from NBA Street (:50 mark)? I don't know who will be ruling the NBA jungle in 2030 but I know it will be something special because the circle of life continues.
I don't know how LeBron's career will unfold but if he has Jordan set in his sights I don't know who will stop him from being in the same conversation with His Airness. Kobe has been MJ-lite but King James seems to have already overtaken the former Prince of L.A. As a Lakers fan, I find LeBron entitled, arrogant and a bit annoying. As a basketball fan I am giddy about his future. Maybe in June the pundits will look back six months and find the turning point in the season on a cold January night. For all we know it could be a turning point in league history. The debate is over. Kobe's time is over. The future belongs to LeBron.
I believe there is some sort of saying/adage/Chinese proverb that gives us the (surely paraphrased) nugget of wisdom that we cannot properly evaluate the present/future if we don't understand the past. Where we have been determines where we are going. So let's take a trip down memory lane to start things off here...
In the midst of the Lakers' mini-dynasty at the beginning of the past decade, Shaquille O'Neal began calling teammate Kobe Bryant the best basketball player on the planet. While this mostly illustrates Shaq's false modesty and a decided ignorance of one Mr. Timothy Duncan from San Antonio, Kobe certainly became the league's premier perimeter player around 2001. He has remained the most skilled (but not necessarily the best) player ever since. Some time after Duncan's back-to-back MVP's in 2002 and 2003 and during Shaq's descent into obesity, it became standard operating procedure to refer to Kobe Bryant as the world's best player. The NBA was Kobe's world for much of the past decade but if you haven't noticed the 00s are over. Kobe's time is over. And the NBA seems to be better off for it.
Kobe Bryant's reign as the NBA's finest player was a dark time for the league. He kicked things off by being accused of sexual assault in Eagle, Colorado. He then played a part in the destruction of the league's dominant team (a team the league needed because it created almost as much interest as Michael Jordan had), a Shaq/Kobe/Phil Jackson combination in Los Angeles. Kobe spent his prime languishing away on otherwise terrible Lakers team (not much there once Shaq left) and the league suffered. The Spurs won three championships in a five year span, each NBA finals receiving terrible television ratings as fan interest dipped. Fans wanted to see the league's preeminent player and its greatest shot-maker but Kobe Bryant was nowhere to be found. There was only Tim Duncan left to bridge the gap and his maddening adherence to fundamentals, more maddening consistency and most maddening eye-bulging weren't going to get it done. Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward of all-time. Tim Duncan is not Kobe Bryant.
Meanwhile, in events unrelated to Kobe Bryant or the NBA's waning starpower, the league additionally suffered from exceedingly dubious officiating (see 2006 NBA Finals) and the Ron Artest Brawl in Detroit. Michael Jordan legitimized the NBA as a mainstream professional league but left a gigantic vacuum at the top of the league after his (perhaps premature) retirement. The next decade should have been about Kobe Bryant fulfilling his potential as Michael Jordan's heir (if not necessarily his equal) but Kobe was not up to the task. He may have started his career in promising fashion and consistently demonstrated his immense talent but Kobe's overall body of work was not consistent or successful enough to maintain the casual fan's interest throughout the 00s. The league struggled and there were whispers of the NBA falling back to a niche sport in the post-Jordan years. Since 1980 (Magic and Bird enter the league), the NBA has been steadily gaining popularity. Basketball emerged around the world as a sport that could catch on internationally in a way that football (and to some extent, baseball) never managed. But five years ago the NBA could not maintain interest in its' country of origin. What had happened? The circle of life had briefly failed the NBA. And now the aforementioned trip down memory lane is complete and we can move onto the actual post (yeah, five paragraphs in and we're just getting started)...
What is the common thread holding together the childhoods of all Generation Nexters? (I'd like to propose an official change to Generation Sexters but that's an issue for another time) Is it the brief but bizarre fascination with beanie babies? For everyone's sake I'm going to say no to that one. Is it the O.J. trial? Good guess, but not quite. The thread that has stood the test of time (or at least the past fifteen years) and pulls our generation together is...The Lion King. Nice. (Obviously. Circle of life reference last paragraph? Come on now. And what else is there...pogs?
Just like any great Disney movie, The Lion King reveals most of life's important lessons upon closer inspection. Never trust the creepy, menacing uncle because he probably has diabolic plans that center around your exile/death. Everyone needs a fat, funny, slightly gaseous sidekick. Meerkats are awesome. Hyenas? Not so much. Always try to avoid a thundering wildebeest stampede. Ooooh, my bad. Still too soon? Regardless of the value of these lessons, the most important message passed onto our generation from The Lion King centers around the circle of life. The strong rule the weak until they inevitably succumb to weakness themselves. This brings about a new generation of ruling strength and life continues in this fashion indefinitely (or at least until the end of the movie and its sequel). Like any great lesson, the circle of life applies to more than the jungle life of lions, hyenas, warthogs and Rafiki. So while the NBA only possesses passing similarities with the African jungle, the circle of life could not have been more evident last Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland during the Lakers-Cavaliers game. Or as it was better known as...Kobe vs. LeBron!! Part II!!
Despite his many admirers and rather vehement supporters, Kobe now quite obviously plays second fiddle to LeBron James. James burst onto the scene as a nineteen year old rookie in 2003 and has produced historically good statistics every year since. But it took James a few years to realize his potential as a player, as opposed to that of an athlete. Something seemed to click after the 2007 season (a regular season that he noticeably coasted through) and James has been the best player in the league ever since his single-handed destruction of the Pistons' stranglehold on the Eastern Conference in Game 5 the 2007 Conference Finals. But despite LeBron's domination, the LeBron vs. Kobe debate rages on.
In a way it's understandable; LeBron vs. Kobe is the most compelling individual matchup and "rivalry" since Magic and Bird battled in the 1980s. They should go down as two of the greatest ten players of all-time (at worst) and both are leading championship contenders near their respective individual primes. They both play on the wing but frequently handle the ball to initiate the offense and have very well-rounded games on both ends of the floor. Though they share these similarities and would thus seem to draw comparisons naturally, the debate continues for only two reasons; the complete restoration of Kobe's public image and Lebron's lack of championship rings.
Just as LeBron was ready to ascend to the top of the NBA world (king of the jungle you might say), Pau Gasol fell into the Lakers' lap and suddenly Kobe went from being a pouting gunner demanding a trade away from his mediocre NBA team to a mature, unselfish leader on the eventual Western Conference champions. Of course, Kobe didn't significantly alter his game during this time and you'd be hard-pressed to argue he improved as a player but the public's perception of Kobe was hastily modified by the Lakers' success and that made all the difference. Kobe was very likely a lesser player in 2008 than in 2006 when Kobe controversially shot (approximately) 437 times per game and carried the worst supporting cast in the league (other starters were Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown, Luke Walton and Smush Parker) to 45 wins and a near playoff series victory over a very good Phoenix Suns team. But most of the media places a huge emphasis on winning (not saying that is a terrible approach but other factors need to be considered) and consequently champions receive more (and sometimes undue) praise than superstar leaders of 45-win teams. And when there is a drastic change in win totals (Lakers improved by fifteen wins) the media must attribute this improvement to something new and/or improved. Nearly all of that improvement came from Pau Gasol being (not approximation, actual fact) 437 times better than Kwame Brown but Kobe, being Kobe, received a bit too much credit just as he had previously received a bit too much blame. And because of all of this Kobe received the 2008 MVP award and held onto the unofficial status as "best player in the world," both titles that LeBron thought within his grasp.
Whether LeBron's 2008 playoff series loss to the Celtics was particularly hard to swallow or the Redeem Team experience (and the exposure to Kobe's work ethic) particularly enlightening, LeBron spent the next twelve months dominating the league in a fashion not seen since young, motivated Shaq or, dare I say it, another #23 from Chicago. He was the best player on the Redeem Team that won the gold medal over a more than competent Spain team. He improved his shooting both from the free throw line (71% to 78%) and three point line (31% to 35%) while exhibiting a new-found appreciation for defense. LeBron's most impressive plays during the 2008-2009 season were not dunks, but blocks like these on opposing teams' fast break opportunities. He led a Cavalier team with only two other above average players (Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao), neither of whom are close to all-NBA performers, to 66 regular season wins. LeBron deservedly won his first MVP award and went on to average 35-9-7-2-1 in the playoffs. But Cleveland could not find its' way past the Orlando Magic and the subsequent media whirlwind over LeBron's refusal to acknowledge the Magic after the loss (and later Nike's confiscation of this rather underwhelming tape) put a damper on an otherwise historic season. Plus, the elephant in the room was not exactly sitting there quietly. Kobe Bryant was making quite a bit of noise of his own.
LeBron was Team USA's best player and (self-dubbed) leader but Kobe Bryant (and Jason Kidd) set the tone for the entire team. It was Kobe who laid the groundwork for Olympic gold in the qualifying Tournament of the Americas with his suffocating defense on Leandro Barbosa. And when Spain closed to within five points during the fourth quarter of the gold medal game, it was Kobe (the best player in the fourth quarter) who converted the ridiculous four-point play to give the U.S.A. breathing room. The NBA's 2008-2009 regular season saw a similar progression of events. LeBron was the league's most outstanding player throughout but Kobe hoisted the NBA Finals MVP trophy and won his first title as the best player on a championship team. LeBron has (somehow) become an even more efficient player this season and the Cavaliers have the best record in the league (again). But of the three analysts on TNT's studio show, only Charles Barkley gave the nod to LeBron as the game's best player (and that is a relatively recent development). Despite LeBron's MVP award and continued excellence it seems as if the TNT show is fairly indicative of the overall LeBron-Kobe debate and each side has a similar number of advocates. While not quite a traveshamockery, that there is even a debate at all shortchanges LeBron's complete (since I'm already using made-up words) badassness. That is all about to change.
Kobe passed the torch last Thursday. There was a changing of the guard. If you have another saying that describes the transition feel free to insert it here. Kobe started off hot and finished with 31 points but shot only 4-15 on field goals in the second half. LeBron managed a very productive first half despite not hitting his jumpshot but found his stroke in the fourth quarter and scored twelve straight points (many coming on eighteen footers). LeBron's hot streak was not an aberration, merely a return toward the mean because *gulp* he is now a good shooter. He shoots better than Kobe from three and posts only slightly worse percentages from 16-23 feet. Is a healthy Kobe Bryant the second best player in the NBA? Probably. Perhaps definitely (despite what those advanced statistical metrics reveal) considering his improved post game makes him more efficient than in years past. Has Kobe Bryant ever been as good as LeBron James is right now? Probably not. James is the single greatest athlete in NBA history, boasts exceptional vision, has a good/serviceable jumpshot, can defend multiple positions and is a very good rebounder. So...ummm...that pretty much covers everything. LeBron can do more things, more efficiently than Kobe ever could and has shown he has the ability to lead a team, too (his teammates love him). What more could you want? Oh, right. A championship.
Following the game last week the stories circulating around the internet seemed to focus on Cleveland's front court production (despite the Lakers talent advantage at power forward and center) and how the physical presence of Varejao and Shaq brought the big man match-up to a standstill. A very good point and a tip of my hat to journalists everywhere. But if the supporting casts played evenly who does that leave? Kobe and LeBron. The two went mano-a-mano down the stretch and LeBron came out on top. While it's always dangerous to read too much into one game (Orlando swept the regular season series last year against the Lakers and were easily dispatched in the Finals), this game showed the likely result of any game in which Cleveland neutralizes L.A.'s front court advantage. If LeBron and Kobe trade punches in the fourth quarter, more often than not it will be the Lakers looking like this. The Lakers can still win the title but it won't be because of Kobe Bryant's utter brilliance. He is no longer the best player in the game and while there has been debate about that very subject I have a sneaking suspicion that debate will be over in six months. LeBron James is the best player in the game and will not be denied again.
During their stint as teammates on the Dream Team, Michael Jordan had a discussion with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson about the greatest player/teams of all-time. I use the word "discussion" loosely. MJ concluded the conversation by saying that the 80s were over and it was his time now, that when everything was said and done he would go down as the greatest player who ever lived. Jordan proved himself a prophet over the next seven years, vanquishing all comers who couldn't throw a curve ball. The circle of life continued. A new superstar emerged with a combination of skill, athleticism, intelligence and desire never seen before. Just as importantly, Jordan played an exciting brand of basketball and was charismatic off the court. He captured the average fan's interest and sent the NBA's popularity through the roof. When Jordan retired there were two heir apparents that might be able to mimic Jordan's career arc (though not surpass it) and help maintain the NBA's popularity. (NOTE: I'm excluding Duncan, Garnett and Shaq because only Shaq had the necessary charisma and no one likes rooting for Goliath) Allen Iverson proved to be too shot-happy and had too many tattoos to appeal to corporate America. Kobe Bryant was handsome, spoke Italian and played the game with both flash and a composure that belied his young years. Kobe couldn't quite put everything together but the circle of life moved on and LeBron emerged as the rightful heir to Jordan (if we're going strictly The Lion King and Mufasa-MJ and LeBron-Simba does that make Kobe-Scar? I incidentally managed to compare Kobe to both Dumbo and Scar in the same post...I am the worst Lakers fan ever).
What will the game's evolution bring us in twenty years? Dwight Howard with Hakeem Olajuwon's footwork? The yeti from NBA Street (:50 mark)? I don't know who will be ruling the NBA jungle in 2030 but I know it will be something special because the circle of life continues.
I don't know how LeBron's career will unfold but if he has Jordan set in his sights I don't know who will stop him from being in the same conversation with His Airness. Kobe has been MJ-lite but King James seems to have already overtaken the former Prince of L.A. As a Lakers fan, I find LeBron entitled, arrogant and a bit annoying. As a basketball fan I am giddy about his future. Maybe in June the pundits will look back six months and find the turning point in the season on a cold January night. For all we know it could be a turning point in league history. The debate is over. Kobe's time is over. The future belongs to LeBron.
Monday, January 25, 2010
What We Learned: AFC Championship
We learned that Peyton Manning is in his prime. No wait, we already knew that. I guess we learned that he's really good? Actually, I'd argue we are witnessing the best quarterback ever. Now, people will say I'm crazy, but he plays against bigger, faster, stronger, and more complex defenses than any other great has. Johhny Unitas? Great quarterback, my Dad's favorite, but the game was simpler then. Terry Bradshaw? Please, he is a cool guy, but not even close. John Elway? Close, but he leads the Brett Favre 'somehow made that play' realm. In my lifetime, I'd rank them Peyton, Elway, Favre. Brady? Please no, I have been saying for years he is a product of the system. That debate is for another post though, let's get back to the AFC Championship. Peyton carved up the Jets defense starting in the second quarter. This is what we see from great units; the Muhammed Ali greatness. They may struggle early on and take some punches, but all the while, they are learning their opponent. Then, suddenly, they come out swinging and they cannot be stopped.
Peyton must also be teaching his receivers how to catch. Have we ever seen a receiver play with Peyton Manning that didn't have exceptional hands? Stokley, Harrison, Collie, Garcon, Wayne, Aaron Moorehead, Dallas Clark; they can all catch! It's not like the could when they were drafted, though, because Wayne is the only first-day pick! Everyone on the Colts' roster can make an amazing grab, and I think it's because Peyton teaches them exactly where to be, and puts the ball exactly where he told them he would. Even without a running game, this offense is nearly unstoppable, and he's not doing it the way Brady does, with underneath throws or bombs to 81; he's not a machine, product of teh system, he is the system, and he makes amazing decisions. As far as the draft goes, their offensive line is old and tired, and you could see how many times Peyton had pressure. They need to reload there.
On the defensive side, we learned that the 'horrible' defensive front of the Colts is actually pretty damn good. The best running game in the league was stifled by a Colt front that people thought would be their downfall. However, I still think their secondary is their biggest problem. With Bob Sanders always hurt, they need a new playmaker at safety. They haven't played a team with a passing attack yet, so when Mr. Brees rolls into town, look out. Both teams have tremendous troubles in their secondary, a decent pass rush, and a great offense. It will be a fantastic game.
On the Jets side, they played admirably, but were simply no match for Peyton. The Jet defense has the best corner in the league, but probably the worst 2nd corner in the league. Coleman stepped in for Lito Sheppard, and it didn't help one bit. Garcon and Collie, whomever Coleman or Sheppard were sticking, burned them at will in the second half. I actually don't think the Jets' defense is as good as they appear to be. A normally abysmal running game actually did fairly well against their front seven. They need some help on the D line. Players like Peyton Manning also expose teams that don't get 'true' pass rush. Anyone can blitz with exotic packages, but players like Manning will find the holes. That's why teams with great pass rushers (Colts, Vikings) have truly great defenses, because they can sit back in the secondary and still get pressure with their front four. As a result, look for the Jets to target a CB with their first pick, and some D line and LB help later on.
On offense, Sanchez took a big step forward. He played very well, making good decisions and making some tough throws look easy. I am not a big fan, but he showed me great ability last night against an underrated Colt defense. As far as the run game goes, with Thomas likely leaving, they need to find a RB. Shonn Green is decent, but way too slow to be an every down back. Jerome Bettises cannot work in this league anymore, defenders are just too strong themselves.
DRAFT UPDATE: TOP NEEDS:
JETS: CB, DT, S, RB, WR
COLTS: DT, CB, S, OLINE
Peyton must also be teaching his receivers how to catch. Have we ever seen a receiver play with Peyton Manning that didn't have exceptional hands? Stokley, Harrison, Collie, Garcon, Wayne, Aaron Moorehead, Dallas Clark; they can all catch! It's not like the could when they were drafted, though, because Wayne is the only first-day pick! Everyone on the Colts' roster can make an amazing grab, and I think it's because Peyton teaches them exactly where to be, and puts the ball exactly where he told them he would. Even without a running game, this offense is nearly unstoppable, and he's not doing it the way Brady does, with underneath throws or bombs to 81; he's not a machine, product of teh system, he is the system, and he makes amazing decisions. As far as the draft goes, their offensive line is old and tired, and you could see how many times Peyton had pressure. They need to reload there.
On the defensive side, we learned that the 'horrible' defensive front of the Colts is actually pretty damn good. The best running game in the league was stifled by a Colt front that people thought would be their downfall. However, I still think their secondary is their biggest problem. With Bob Sanders always hurt, they need a new playmaker at safety. They haven't played a team with a passing attack yet, so when Mr. Brees rolls into town, look out. Both teams have tremendous troubles in their secondary, a decent pass rush, and a great offense. It will be a fantastic game.
On the Jets side, they played admirably, but were simply no match for Peyton. The Jet defense has the best corner in the league, but probably the worst 2nd corner in the league. Coleman stepped in for Lito Sheppard, and it didn't help one bit. Garcon and Collie, whomever Coleman or Sheppard were sticking, burned them at will in the second half. I actually don't think the Jets' defense is as good as they appear to be. A normally abysmal running game actually did fairly well against their front seven. They need some help on the D line. Players like Peyton Manning also expose teams that don't get 'true' pass rush. Anyone can blitz with exotic packages, but players like Manning will find the holes. That's why teams with great pass rushers (Colts, Vikings) have truly great defenses, because they can sit back in the secondary and still get pressure with their front four. As a result, look for the Jets to target a CB with their first pick, and some D line and LB help later on.
On offense, Sanchez took a big step forward. He played very well, making good decisions and making some tough throws look easy. I am not a big fan, but he showed me great ability last night against an underrated Colt defense. As far as the run game goes, with Thomas likely leaving, they need to find a RB. Shonn Green is decent, but way too slow to be an every down back. Jerome Bettises cannot work in this league anymore, defenders are just too strong themselves.
DRAFT UPDATE: TOP NEEDS:
JETS: CB, DT, S, RB, WR
COLTS: DT, CB, S, OLINE
Thursday, January 21, 2010
I'm No Superman, But Tim Tebow Is
At this point, you’ve heard it all before. Tim Tebow was the first sophomore to win the Heisman trophy. Superman wears Tim Tebow pajamas. Tim Tebow has won two national championships. Tim Tebow is a man of his word. Tim Tebow holds numerous national, SEC and school records. Tim Tebow is the ultimate leader. Chuck Norris broke his foot trying to roundhouse kick Tim Tebow’s chin. Tebow is the football scholar athlete of the year in the SEC. Even the prospect of stillbirth cannot stop Tim Tebow. Tim Tebow is going to save the world one child at a time; he’s like a muscular Bono without an inclination to wear sunglasses indoors. Tim Tebow is one of the greatest college football players in history.
Many of my friends love Tim Tebow. They find him refreshing, a breath of fresh air. They respect him as a person and love the way he plays football. They proudly point out that Tebow is one of the most successful college athletes of all-time. Many of my friends are sick of Tim Tebow. They see him every time they turn on Sportscenter or surf around espn.com and they’ll soon see him in an upcoming Super Bowl commercial. To say that Tim Tebow is ubiquitous is perhaps an understatement. They point out that Tebow was a gimmick during the first Florida championship and that Dennis Dixon probably takes the Heisman won by Tebow in 2007 if not for a torn ACL. They wonder if Tim Tebow is really that much different than Colt McCoy...
Tim Tebow is a polarizing figure. His extraordinary success breeds dislike among the public in addition to bringing in hordes of admirers. Tebow’s religion serves as a divisive force as does his brash enthusiasm on the football field. His career at Florida has ended but the controversy continues. Jon Gruden, Bill Parcells and Tony Dungy have all waxed rhapsodic about Tebow’s ability and potential as an NFL player. Many other scouts can’t fathom a successful transition to the NFL quarterback position. For all of Tim Tebow’s skills, if he cannot improve his mechanics, pocket presence and accuracy he will not be an elite NFL quarterback. It is already certain (well, as certain as you can be) that he will not make the same impact at the NFL level. But that doesn’t mean Tim Tebow can’t make any impact whatsoever. Just as perceptions should be moderated somewhere in between adoration and hatred, Tim Tebow’s career (and draft status) will fall somewhere between elite and non-existent.
Tim Tebow has been great at Florida but that is not why he is Tim Tebow. It’s about intangibles. The unquantifiable “it.” It’s about leadership and determination. It’s about the (supposed) effect Tebow has on his teammates. Do these traits make him a more valuable NFL player? I don’t see it. The NFL is no different than any other sport at any other level. It is easier and more natural for great players to lead. Tim Tebow will be a great locker room guy but that does not mean he can transform the culture of a team (though he may able to change the culture at Jacksonville’s box office) if he is not a star player. And, with respect to three of the best coaches of the past decade, Tim Tebow is not an elite-level talent. His intangibles do not make his mid-round talent a first round draft pick. It’s nice not having to worry about posting bail for your players but talent wins out in the NFL.
A good offensive coordinator will find a use for Tebow. Whether in a version of the Wildcat, at the goal line or as a halfback, Tebow is too powerful and too good an athlete not to contribute in the NFL. But that makes him a specialist, not an invaluable franchise quarterback. And even though many seem to realize that it’s unlikely he will ever take the massive strides necessary to succeed as a quarterback, he will be drafted in the first round. It only takes one general manager to fall in love with Tebow. He is one of finest physical specimens the position has ever seen and a strong arm to boot. He has the intangibles so desired by coaches and front office personnel alike. Tim Tebow is alluring because he possesses the attributes that cannot be taught. And does any franchise want to admit that perhaps they can’t teach him the necessary mechanics, footwork and progressions? The sporting world is an egotistical one and that affects front office decision making as much as that of the players. In some ways Tim Tebow has already maximized his ability as a football player. That maximization aided Tebow in his massively successful college career. In other ways, Tebow has only scratched the surface as a quarterback. And that unfulfilled potential (and him being Tim Tebow and all) will vault him up draft boards around the league. Love him or hate him, you have to respect the fact that Tim Tebow has managed to have plenty of cake as quarterback of the University of Florida. And his upcoming signing bonus seems to point to him eating plenty of it, too.
Many of my friends love Tim Tebow. They find him refreshing, a breath of fresh air. They respect him as a person and love the way he plays football. They proudly point out that Tebow is one of the most successful college athletes of all-time. Many of my friends are sick of Tim Tebow. They see him every time they turn on Sportscenter or surf around espn.com and they’ll soon see him in an upcoming Super Bowl commercial. To say that Tim Tebow is ubiquitous is perhaps an understatement. They point out that Tebow was a gimmick during the first Florida championship and that Dennis Dixon probably takes the Heisman won by Tebow in 2007 if not for a torn ACL. They wonder if Tim Tebow is really that much different than Colt McCoy...
Tim Tebow is a polarizing figure. His extraordinary success breeds dislike among the public in addition to bringing in hordes of admirers. Tebow’s religion serves as a divisive force as does his brash enthusiasm on the football field. His career at Florida has ended but the controversy continues. Jon Gruden, Bill Parcells and Tony Dungy have all waxed rhapsodic about Tebow’s ability and potential as an NFL player. Many other scouts can’t fathom a successful transition to the NFL quarterback position. For all of Tim Tebow’s skills, if he cannot improve his mechanics, pocket presence and accuracy he will not be an elite NFL quarterback. It is already certain (well, as certain as you can be) that he will not make the same impact at the NFL level. But that doesn’t mean Tim Tebow can’t make any impact whatsoever. Just as perceptions should be moderated somewhere in between adoration and hatred, Tim Tebow’s career (and draft status) will fall somewhere between elite and non-existent.
Tim Tebow has been great at Florida but that is not why he is Tim Tebow. It’s about intangibles. The unquantifiable “it.” It’s about leadership and determination. It’s about the (supposed) effect Tebow has on his teammates. Do these traits make him a more valuable NFL player? I don’t see it. The NFL is no different than any other sport at any other level. It is easier and more natural for great players to lead. Tim Tebow will be a great locker room guy but that does not mean he can transform the culture of a team (though he may able to change the culture at Jacksonville’s box office) if he is not a star player. And, with respect to three of the best coaches of the past decade, Tim Tebow is not an elite-level talent. His intangibles do not make his mid-round talent a first round draft pick. It’s nice not having to worry about posting bail for your players but talent wins out in the NFL.
A good offensive coordinator will find a use for Tebow. Whether in a version of the Wildcat, at the goal line or as a halfback, Tebow is too powerful and too good an athlete not to contribute in the NFL. But that makes him a specialist, not an invaluable franchise quarterback. And even though many seem to realize that it’s unlikely he will ever take the massive strides necessary to succeed as a quarterback, he will be drafted in the first round. It only takes one general manager to fall in love with Tebow. He is one of finest physical specimens the position has ever seen and a strong arm to boot. He has the intangibles so desired by coaches and front office personnel alike. Tim Tebow is alluring because he possesses the attributes that cannot be taught. And does any franchise want to admit that perhaps they can’t teach him the necessary mechanics, footwork and progressions? The sporting world is an egotistical one and that affects front office decision making as much as that of the players. In some ways Tim Tebow has already maximized his ability as a football player. That maximization aided Tebow in his massively successful college career. In other ways, Tebow has only scratched the surface as a quarterback. And that unfulfilled potential (and him being Tim Tebow and all) will vault him up draft boards around the league. Love him or hate him, you have to respect the fact that Tim Tebow has managed to have plenty of cake as quarterback of the University of Florida. And his upcoming signing bonus seems to point to him eating plenty of it, too.
Small, Speed Wide Receivers
Emmanuel Sanders (SMU)-6’0” 191 lbs
Sanders projects as a very solid slot receiver in the NFL. He is 6’0” 183 lbs, but he has worked with Kennan McCardell at SMU. McCardell just happened to be 6’0” 191 and he played more than 15 solid years in the NFL. He runs crisp routes and has a strong burst up the field. Smaller, good route-runners can have very successful NFL careers.
David Reed (Utah)-6’0” 183 lbs
At just 6’0” 183, Reed is also working with Keenan McCardel at the Shrine game practices, and McCardell loves what he sees. Reed has better hands than Sanders, but is not as quick off the line. Both project as solid slot men in the NFL.
Jordan Shipley (Texas)-5’11”-190 lbs
Will be a good slot receiver in the NFL. Looks a lot like Anthony Gonzalez, and even more like Brandon Stokely. Either way, Shipley should have a strong NFL career because of his motor and study of the game. What he lacks in physical gifts he makes up with precise route running and smarts. He has great hands, and brings the ball into his body before trying to turn up field, something young receivers have troubled with in the NFL. He also can return kicks. If he hits his ceiling, he could be the next Wes Welker.
Jacoby Ford (Clemson)-5’8”-182 lbs
This guy is a clone of Ted Ginn, Jr. However, he is much stringer, which will make him much more effective in the NFL because he can escape the press of the more physical corners. Ginn struggles because of the fact that he cannot get off the line and run his routes effectively. Ford will be able to. The reason he may fall out of the top rounds is because of his lack of route running skills. He went deep on nearly every play at Clemson, so he never had to learn routes. Because of his quickness, elite speed (4.37 40 yard dash), and strength for his small size, he may very well turn out to be a steal in the draft.
Brandon Banks (Kansas State)-5’7”-149 lbs
Brandon Banks will only be considered for the NFL based on his blazing speed, as he is said to have been clocked at a 4.26 in the 40 yard dash. He doesn’t run routes well, nor does he have the greatest knowledge of the game, but I think someone will snatch him in rounds 6-7 because of his amazing speed. He is also a great kick returner, so he will get drafted based on that, too, as special teams is a growing fad in the NFL.
Mardy Gilyad (Cincinatti)-6’0”-187 lbs
Many people saw this guy play this year because of Cincinatti’s string year, and you saw that he can ball. He is not the speediest guy, but he is quick, and can maneuver well in tight holes in the zones. He also has long arms to keep the press block away from him. Can jump out of the building, but his hands are not super consistent. With the right team and quarterback, he could develop into a strong #2 receiver, but he is fairly raw at this point.
Sanders projects as a very solid slot receiver in the NFL. He is 6’0” 183 lbs, but he has worked with Kennan McCardell at SMU. McCardell just happened to be 6’0” 191 and he played more than 15 solid years in the NFL. He runs crisp routes and has a strong burst up the field. Smaller, good route-runners can have very successful NFL careers.
David Reed (Utah)-6’0” 183 lbs
At just 6’0” 183, Reed is also working with Keenan McCardel at the Shrine game practices, and McCardell loves what he sees. Reed has better hands than Sanders, but is not as quick off the line. Both project as solid slot men in the NFL.
Jordan Shipley (Texas)-5’11”-190 lbs
Will be a good slot receiver in the NFL. Looks a lot like Anthony Gonzalez, and even more like Brandon Stokely. Either way, Shipley should have a strong NFL career because of his motor and study of the game. What he lacks in physical gifts he makes up with precise route running and smarts. He has great hands, and brings the ball into his body before trying to turn up field, something young receivers have troubled with in the NFL. He also can return kicks. If he hits his ceiling, he could be the next Wes Welker.
Jacoby Ford (Clemson)-5’8”-182 lbs
This guy is a clone of Ted Ginn, Jr. However, he is much stringer, which will make him much more effective in the NFL because he can escape the press of the more physical corners. Ginn struggles because of the fact that he cannot get off the line and run his routes effectively. Ford will be able to. The reason he may fall out of the top rounds is because of his lack of route running skills. He went deep on nearly every play at Clemson, so he never had to learn routes. Because of his quickness, elite speed (4.37 40 yard dash), and strength for his small size, he may very well turn out to be a steal in the draft.
Brandon Banks (Kansas State)-5’7”-149 lbs
Brandon Banks will only be considered for the NFL based on his blazing speed, as he is said to have been clocked at a 4.26 in the 40 yard dash. He doesn’t run routes well, nor does he have the greatest knowledge of the game, but I think someone will snatch him in rounds 6-7 because of his amazing speed. He is also a great kick returner, so he will get drafted based on that, too, as special teams is a growing fad in the NFL.
Mardy Gilyad (Cincinatti)-6’0”-187 lbs
Many people saw this guy play this year because of Cincinatti’s string year, and you saw that he can ball. He is not the speediest guy, but he is quick, and can maneuver well in tight holes in the zones. He also has long arms to keep the press block away from him. Can jump out of the building, but his hands are not super consistent. With the right team and quarterback, he could develop into a strong #2 receiver, but he is fairly raw at this point.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Metric Mock Draft
The Metric Mock is based on a formula I have created that predicts the outcome of a draft. When compared to previous drafts, this formula works almost perfectly. It mixes the caliber of the players on the board when a team is picking and the team need. The players are graded on a 1-10 scale using film and notes from the 'experts' by Kyle, Addy, and myself. The team needs are ranked on a 1-10 scale. These two numbers are added to give a RAW SCORE for that player for that team.
(TEAM NEED+SCOUT GRADE)*HANDICAP=DRAFT SCORE
In order to correct for more/less important positions, we have created a handicap that gives quarterbacks a higher priority than tight ends, centers, and guards. To use the handicap system, we multiplied the RAW SCORE by the handicap numbers shown below:
QB, LT: 1
DT, DE, RB: .975
WR, RT, CB, LB, CB, S: .95
OG, C : .9
TE: .875
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1. St. Louis-Ndamukong Suh (DT)-19.21
Next highest score: Sam Bradford (18.65)
2. Detroit-Gerald McCoy (DT)-19.11
Next highest score: Russel Okung (19.1)
3. Tampa Bay-Derrick Morgan (DE)-18.04
Next Highest Score: Terrence Cody (17.84)
4. Washington-Russel Okung (OT)-19.6
Next highest score: Sam Bradford (18.9)
5. Kansas City-Anthony Davis (OT)-18.8
Next Highest score: Eric Berry (18.53)
6. Seattle-Jimmy Clausen (QB)-18.4
Next highest score: Sam Bradford(18.4)
7. Cleveland-Eric Berry (S)-17.58
Next highest score: Dez Bryant (17.29)
8. Oakland-Bruce Campbell (OT)-18.1
Next highest score: Terrence Cody (17.36)
9. Buffalo-Sam Bradford(QB)-19.15
Next highest score: Bryan Bulaga(19.0)
10. Jacksonville-Jason Pierre-Paul (DE)-17.36
Next highest score: Earl Thomas (17.01)
11. Denver-Terrence Cody (DT)-17.84
Next highest score: Joe Haden (CB)-19.24
12. Miami-Dez Bryant (WR)-17.29
Next highest score: Brian Price (DT)-16.29
13. San Francisco-Joe Haden (CB)-18.05
Next highest score: Brian Price (18.04)
14. Seattle-C.J. Spiller (RB)-17.75
Next highest score: Brian Price (17.55)/Trent Williams (17.55)
15. New York Giants-Rolando McClain (ILB)-17.75
Next Highest score: Earl Thomas (17.48)
16. Tennessee-Everson Griffen (DE)-17.75
Next highest score: Brian Price (17.06)
17. San Francisco-Brian Price (DT)-18.04
Next highest Score: Trent Williams (18)
18. Pittsburgh-Earl Thomas (S)-18.02
Next Highest Score: Trent Williams (18)
19. Atlanta-Donovan Warren (CB)-17.76
Next Highest Score: Carlos Dunlap (17.55)
20. Houston-Dan Williams (DT)-16.97
Next Highest Score: Perrish Cox (16.82)
(TEAM NEED+SCOUT GRADE)*HANDICAP=DRAFT SCORE
In order to correct for more/less important positions, we have created a handicap that gives quarterbacks a higher priority than tight ends, centers, and guards. To use the handicap system, we multiplied the RAW SCORE by the handicap numbers shown below:
QB, LT: 1
DT, DE, RB: .975
WR, RT, CB, LB, CB, S: .95
OG, C : .9
TE: .875
-----------
1. St. Louis-Ndamukong Suh (DT)-19.21
Next highest score: Sam Bradford (18.65)
2. Detroit-Gerald McCoy (DT)-19.11
Next highest score: Russel Okung (19.1)
3. Tampa Bay-Derrick Morgan (DE)-18.04
Next Highest Score: Terrence Cody (17.84)
4. Washington-Russel Okung (OT)-19.6
Next highest score: Sam Bradford (18.9)
5. Kansas City-Anthony Davis (OT)-18.8
Next Highest score: Eric Berry (18.53)
6. Seattle-Jimmy Clausen (QB)-18.4
Next highest score: Sam Bradford(18.4)
7. Cleveland-Eric Berry (S)-17.58
Next highest score: Dez Bryant (17.29)
8. Oakland-Bruce Campbell (OT)-18.1
Next highest score: Terrence Cody (17.36)
9. Buffalo-Sam Bradford(QB)-19.15
Next highest score: Bryan Bulaga(19.0)
10. Jacksonville-Jason Pierre-Paul (DE)-17.36
Next highest score: Earl Thomas (17.01)
11. Denver-Terrence Cody (DT)-17.84
Next highest score: Joe Haden (CB)-19.24
12. Miami-Dez Bryant (WR)-17.29
Next highest score: Brian Price (DT)-16.29
13. San Francisco-Joe Haden (CB)-18.05
Next highest score: Brian Price (18.04)
14. Seattle-C.J. Spiller (RB)-17.75
Next highest score: Brian Price (17.55)/Trent Williams (17.55)
15. New York Giants-Rolando McClain (ILB)-17.75
Next Highest score: Earl Thomas (17.48)
16. Tennessee-Everson Griffen (DE)-17.75
Next highest score: Brian Price (17.06)
17. San Francisco-Brian Price (DT)-18.04
Next highest Score: Trent Williams (18)
18. Pittsburgh-Earl Thomas (S)-18.02
Next Highest Score: Trent Williams (18)
19. Atlanta-Donovan Warren (CB)-17.76
Next Highest Score: Carlos Dunlap (17.55)
20. Houston-Dan Williams (DT)-16.97
Next Highest Score: Perrish Cox (16.82)
Sunday, January 17, 2010
WELCOME!
Illegal Notion is a blog based on what everyone starts wondering this time of year. Sure, some of you actually root for the good teams, and are still interested in the football side, but for most of us, the draft is the next big thing.
My name is KC, and Kyle, Addy and I run this blog. If you check out the navigation bar, we have all a draft fanatic needs. Big board, player grades, team needs, mock drafts, and then a section under construction for NBA talk. We would like to base what we write here and post here on the people who are reading this. Please leave comments, and check back often, we'll be putting out something new everyday.
Please give us your feedback and leave comments, we want this site to be based on our readers!
My name is KC, and Kyle, Addy and I run this blog. If you check out the navigation bar, we have all a draft fanatic needs. Big board, player grades, team needs, mock drafts, and then a section under construction for NBA talk. We would like to base what we write here and post here on the people who are reading this. Please leave comments, and check back often, we'll be putting out something new everyday.
Please give us your feedback and leave comments, we want this site to be based on our readers!
Big Board
BIG BOARD
Players are not ranked solely based on their grades. They are also ranked based on the value of their position in this draft.
A 10 does not mean they are perfect players, just that they are the players against which the rest of the class was evaluated.
1. Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska)-10
Relentless, blowing up the middle of the offensive line.
2. Eric Berry (S, Tennessee)-10
Ed Reed type playmaker.
3. Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahaoma)-9.6
Disruptive, high motor, strong against the run.
4. Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama)-9.7
Consistent, smart, hard hitter, leader of the best defense in the country.
5. Russel Okung (OT, OK State)-9.6
Huge and agile; prototypical LT
6. Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma)-9.4
Amazingly accurate, played under center more than is given credit for.
7. Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech)-9.5
Great pass rusher, but run stopping sets him apart
8. Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame)-9.4
Leader, doesn’t break under pressure, tested in West Coast offense.
9. Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers)-9.3
Very quick feet, hasn’t met full potential yet.
10. Joe Haden (CB, Florida)-9.5
Fluid Hips, great in run support.
11. Earl Thomas (S, Texas)-9.4
Great cover skills, great range, will be a huge impact.
12. Terrence Cody (DT, Alabama)-9.3
Disruptive, huge, Shaun Rogers-type DT.
13. Jason Piere-Paul (DE, USF)-9.3
6’5”, but cam get to the QB in a flash.
14. Bruce Campbell (OT, Maryland)-9.1
Raw, but has the size and the athleticism to grow to be the best OT in this class.
15. Donovan Warren (CB, Michigan)-9.1
Underrated corner, bigger than Haden with similar skill set.
16. Bryan Bulaga (OT, Iowa)-9.0
6’6” with amazing control of his weight.
17. Everson Griffen (DE, USC)-9.2
Gifted pass rusher, great first step.
18. Dez Bryant (WR, OK State)-9.2
Big wide Reciever+return man=great value
19. C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson)-9.2
Super fast; big play guy or feature back?
20. B.J. Price (DT, UCLA)-9.0
Amazingly strong, knows how to use his body to hold up the line.
21. Trent Williams (OT, Oklahoma)-9.0
Very long arms, can keep DEs in his frame.
22. Brandon Spikes (LB, Florida)-9.0
Great leader, strong tackling ability, but what about straight line speed?
23. Dan Williams (DT, Tennessee)-8.9
Tree-trunks for legs make him hard to move.
24. Taylor Mays (S, USC)-9.0
Struggles in coverage, but knows how to lay big hits.
25. Jermaine Gresham (TE, Oklahoma)-9.2
Missed entire season due to injury, but talented enough to stay in the top 25.
Players are not ranked solely based on their grades. They are also ranked based on the value of their position in this draft.
A 10 does not mean they are perfect players, just that they are the players against which the rest of the class was evaluated.
1. Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska)-10
Relentless, blowing up the middle of the offensive line.
2. Eric Berry (S, Tennessee)-10
Ed Reed type playmaker.
3. Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahaoma)-9.6
Disruptive, high motor, strong against the run.
4. Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama)-9.7
Consistent, smart, hard hitter, leader of the best defense in the country.
5. Russel Okung (OT, OK State)-9.6
Huge and agile; prototypical LT
6. Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma)-9.4
Amazingly accurate, played under center more than is given credit for.
7. Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech)-9.5
Great pass rusher, but run stopping sets him apart
8. Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame)-9.4
Leader, doesn’t break under pressure, tested in West Coast offense.
9. Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers)-9.3
Very quick feet, hasn’t met full potential yet.
10. Joe Haden (CB, Florida)-9.5
Fluid Hips, great in run support.
11. Earl Thomas (S, Texas)-9.4
Great cover skills, great range, will be a huge impact.
12. Terrence Cody (DT, Alabama)-9.3
Disruptive, huge, Shaun Rogers-type DT.
13. Jason Piere-Paul (DE, USF)-9.3
6’5”, but cam get to the QB in a flash.
14. Bruce Campbell (OT, Maryland)-9.1
Raw, but has the size and the athleticism to grow to be the best OT in this class.
15. Donovan Warren (CB, Michigan)-9.1
Underrated corner, bigger than Haden with similar skill set.
16. Bryan Bulaga (OT, Iowa)-9.0
6’6” with amazing control of his weight.
17. Everson Griffen (DE, USC)-9.2
Gifted pass rusher, great first step.
18. Dez Bryant (WR, OK State)-9.2
Big wide Reciever+return man=great value
19. C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson)-9.2
Super fast; big play guy or feature back?
20. B.J. Price (DT, UCLA)-9.0
Amazingly strong, knows how to use his body to hold up the line.
21. Trent Williams (OT, Oklahoma)-9.0
Very long arms, can keep DEs in his frame.
22. Brandon Spikes (LB, Florida)-9.0
Great leader, strong tackling ability, but what about straight line speed?
23. Dan Williams (DT, Tennessee)-8.9
Tree-trunks for legs make him hard to move.
24. Taylor Mays (S, USC)-9.0
Struggles in coverage, but knows how to lay big hits.
25. Jermaine Gresham (TE, Oklahoma)-9.2
Missed entire season due to injury, but talented enough to stay in the top 25.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Safety
1) Eric Berry-10
Playmaker. If I had to choose a player in this draft who would make the most on any defense that chose him, it would be Eric Berry. He is the best defensive prospect in recent history. This may not make sense, because I have Suh at the top of our board, but that's because DTs have more value than safeties. However, Berry will undoubtedly be a star. He has the speed and fluid hips to be the top cornerback in this draft, and he has the range and playmaking ability to be the best safety prospect I can remember. He can play the run, he can play zone, or man up in the secondary. Most of all, he just happens to be wherever the ball is on every down. Players like that don't show up very often. Dropping below the first pick, he will be a steal for whoever takes him.
2) Earl Thomas-9.4
3) Taylor Mays-9.0
4) Chad Jones-8.4
5) Reshad Jones-7.9
Playmaker. If I had to choose a player in this draft who would make the most on any defense that chose him, it would be Eric Berry. He is the best defensive prospect in recent history. This may not make sense, because I have Suh at the top of our board, but that's because DTs have more value than safeties. However, Berry will undoubtedly be a star. He has the speed and fluid hips to be the top cornerback in this draft, and he has the range and playmaking ability to be the best safety prospect I can remember. He can play the run, he can play zone, or man up in the secondary. Most of all, he just happens to be wherever the ball is on every down. Players like that don't show up very often. Dropping below the first pick, he will be a steal for whoever takes him.
2) Earl Thomas-9.4
3) Taylor Mays-9.0
4) Chad Jones-8.4
5) Reshad Jones-7.9
Cornerback
1) Joe Haden (Florida)-9.5
Joe Haden was a shutdown corner at Florida. He shut down Julio Jones in the SEC championship against Alabama, showing pro scouts that he can play against NFL caliber receivers, and play well. Although he sometimes struggles in zones, and will need to learn quickly in the NFL, he is very consistent in all other facets of the game. He plays the run well, and he plays the screen game well, as he reacts quickly and explodes towards the ball. In coverage, he has fluid hips and uses his hands well to keep receivers where he wants them. He is string enough to jam at the line and fast enough for go routes. All signs point to: shutdown corner in the NFL.
2) Donovan Warren (Michigan)-9.1
Warren is an excellent corner, and may push for Haden’s spot, as we get closer to April. He is bigger than Haden, and has similar ball skills. He is also a quick learner, as he played for three different defensive coordinators in his three years at Michigan. He is below Haden on this list because he is just overall a lesser candidate. In every facet of the game, Haden is a little more polished, in his hips, the run game, and breaking up passes he is very efficient, but does not match Haden’s abilities.
4) Perrish Cox (Oklahoma State)-8.7
If you haven’t figured it out yet, CB, and DBs in general, are the deepest positions in the draft this year. All five players on this list, and 4 out of the five in the list of safeties, could easily end up being the staple at that position for years to come for whichever team drafts them. Cox is a bit different because of his size. He is 6’0”, nearly 200 pounds, but he plays like a much smaller player. He mirrored good receivers all year, and also did a good job returning kicks. He is very efficient in zone, and in fact, a year ago many scouts thought he would only be a zone corner in the NFL. After 4 picks and 15 passes broken up this past season, he has proved he can stick 1 on 1 with receivers as well. With his size, he could be a Charles Woodson type player in the NFL, jamming receivers and sticking with them if they can break off the line. He may be the #2 corner in the coming weeks.
4) Javier Arenas (Alabama)-8.6
Arenas is high on my list because of his dynamic ability to return punts and kicks, as well as cover very well. He is small (5’8.5”), which has dropped him out of the top five on many lists, but his small size makes him incredibly fluid in and out of his cuts. He can mirror receivers VERY well, and that is a key in the NFL. Even with his height, he has good leaping ability, which allows him to knock away passes to taller receivers. Still, match him up with A Marques Colston, and he will struggle, so he may need to be matched on a team with a bigger corner. I can see Arenas sticking with elite slot guys like Wes Welker, and there are a lot of teams that could use that, for sure. He also has a knack for this big play, he’s not afraid to jump routes, and when he gets the ball in his hands, look out. He also just started in his Junior campaign playing corner, so he is a very fast learner, and NFL teams love that.
5) Brandon Ghee (Wake Forest)-8.2
Joe Haden was a shutdown corner at Florida. He shut down Julio Jones in the SEC championship against Alabama, showing pro scouts that he can play against NFL caliber receivers, and play well. Although he sometimes struggles in zones, and will need to learn quickly in the NFL, he is very consistent in all other facets of the game. He plays the run well, and he plays the screen game well, as he reacts quickly and explodes towards the ball. In coverage, he has fluid hips and uses his hands well to keep receivers where he wants them. He is string enough to jam at the line and fast enough for go routes. All signs point to: shutdown corner in the NFL.
2) Donovan Warren (Michigan)-9.1
Warren is an excellent corner, and may push for Haden’s spot, as we get closer to April. He is bigger than Haden, and has similar ball skills. He is also a quick learner, as he played for three different defensive coordinators in his three years at Michigan. He is below Haden on this list because he is just overall a lesser candidate. In every facet of the game, Haden is a little more polished, in his hips, the run game, and breaking up passes he is very efficient, but does not match Haden’s abilities.
4) Perrish Cox (Oklahoma State)-8.7
If you haven’t figured it out yet, CB, and DBs in general, are the deepest positions in the draft this year. All five players on this list, and 4 out of the five in the list of safeties, could easily end up being the staple at that position for years to come for whichever team drafts them. Cox is a bit different because of his size. He is 6’0”, nearly 200 pounds, but he plays like a much smaller player. He mirrored good receivers all year, and also did a good job returning kicks. He is very efficient in zone, and in fact, a year ago many scouts thought he would only be a zone corner in the NFL. After 4 picks and 15 passes broken up this past season, he has proved he can stick 1 on 1 with receivers as well. With his size, he could be a Charles Woodson type player in the NFL, jamming receivers and sticking with them if they can break off the line. He may be the #2 corner in the coming weeks.
4) Javier Arenas (Alabama)-8.6
Arenas is high on my list because of his dynamic ability to return punts and kicks, as well as cover very well. He is small (5’8.5”), which has dropped him out of the top five on many lists, but his small size makes him incredibly fluid in and out of his cuts. He can mirror receivers VERY well, and that is a key in the NFL. Even with his height, he has good leaping ability, which allows him to knock away passes to taller receivers. Still, match him up with A Marques Colston, and he will struggle, so he may need to be matched on a team with a bigger corner. I can see Arenas sticking with elite slot guys like Wes Welker, and there are a lot of teams that could use that, for sure. He also has a knack for this big play, he’s not afraid to jump routes, and when he gets the ball in his hands, look out. He also just started in his Junior campaign playing corner, so he is a very fast learner, and NFL teams love that.
5) Brandon Ghee (Wake Forest)-8.2
Defensive Tackle
1) Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska)–10
I can say to just look at the Big 12 Championship Game and end this profile right now, but I won’t do that. Lets just say this guy Suh is really good. He led his team in tackles for two seasons… A defensive tackle leading his team in tackles. Just think about how impressive that is to accomplish. Also, he racked up 12.5 sacks with 4.5 coming in the Big 12 Championship Game. He has natural, brute strength mixed with great quickness and feet. Most importantly, he has a motor that doesn’t stop. You just don’t see that too often from an interior defensive lineman. He projects well in a 3-4 and a 4-3 scheme with his 6’4” 300 pound frame. He sheds blocks effortlessly whether it’s a single or double team. He has great awareness and is extremely polished at this point. Scouts have compared this man to Reggie White and Joe Greene. I don’t know about creating a bust for a guy who hasn’t played a down in the pros but from what I’ve seen of him, he is ready to dominate in the pros barring injury.
2) Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma)– 9.6
If it wasn’t for that Suh fellow, McCoy would probably be the highest rated DT prospect. Between the incredible depth at defensive line and defensive back in this draft, teams could turn their entire defense around in two days. He is as large as Suh and also projects well in either a 4-3 or a 3-4. His best work however comes in the three technique. He has a great physique for a 300 pound man. He had an outstanding junior year which made it an easy decision for him to come out early. He is very quick, agile, and disruptive behind the line of scrimmage. He has a great motor to add to his physical talent. He will be a top 5 pick.
3) Terrence Cody (Alabama)–9.3
Cody has had a long road to travel to get to this point. Former JUCO player with bad weight problems and questionable work ethic. Its clear that Nick Saban has gotten the most out of him at this point to get him prepared for the NFL. Since more teams are switching to the 3-4, nose tackles are t a premium. Terrence Cody is the best nose prospect in this draft and will definitely make himself some money. He is a DOMINANT run stuffer and can easily take on multiple blockers. He made some season saving plays for Bama this past season including a couple of blocked field goals. There’s a bit of a problem however that he is already only a two down player and he isn’t even a pro football player yet. I would like my first round defensive player to play 3 downs. He doesn’t have much of a pass rush repertoire which only limits his abilities on the field. It will be interesting following his progression from now until April. I’m rooting for the guy.
4) Brian Price (UCLA)–9.0
He is a quality prospect for 4-3 teams only. He is 6’2 300 pounds with short arms who has made his mark in college as a 3 technique. He is strong, disruptive, and plays with a high motor. He can fire off the line of scrimmage quickly and has great awareness. Doesn’t have amazing speed but has small area quickness. He should be an intriguing prospect overall for teams running a 4-3 Defense.
5) Dan Williams (Tenn)-8.9
Dan Williams has great size to project as a nose tackle in the 3-4 scheme being that he’s 6’3” 327 pounds. He was able to play for a well respected D-Coordinator in Monte Kiffin and has put up very good statistics in the process (61 tackles, 8.5 TFL). He also lead the Vols D with nine QB hurries so theres no doubt he has held his own as a great player on the same Vols defense that had Eric Berry. He will help himself plenty with a solid combine and pro workout not to mention the need for nose tackles for teams running a 3-4. Look for at least five DTs to go in the first round.
I can say to just look at the Big 12 Championship Game and end this profile right now, but I won’t do that. Lets just say this guy Suh is really good. He led his team in tackles for two seasons… A defensive tackle leading his team in tackles. Just think about how impressive that is to accomplish. Also, he racked up 12.5 sacks with 4.5 coming in the Big 12 Championship Game. He has natural, brute strength mixed with great quickness and feet. Most importantly, he has a motor that doesn’t stop. You just don’t see that too often from an interior defensive lineman. He projects well in a 3-4 and a 4-3 scheme with his 6’4” 300 pound frame. He sheds blocks effortlessly whether it’s a single or double team. He has great awareness and is extremely polished at this point. Scouts have compared this man to Reggie White and Joe Greene. I don’t know about creating a bust for a guy who hasn’t played a down in the pros but from what I’ve seen of him, he is ready to dominate in the pros barring injury.
2) Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma)– 9.6
If it wasn’t for that Suh fellow, McCoy would probably be the highest rated DT prospect. Between the incredible depth at defensive line and defensive back in this draft, teams could turn their entire defense around in two days. He is as large as Suh and also projects well in either a 4-3 or a 3-4. His best work however comes in the three technique. He has a great physique for a 300 pound man. He had an outstanding junior year which made it an easy decision for him to come out early. He is very quick, agile, and disruptive behind the line of scrimmage. He has a great motor to add to his physical talent. He will be a top 5 pick.
3) Terrence Cody (Alabama)–9.3
Cody has had a long road to travel to get to this point. Former JUCO player with bad weight problems and questionable work ethic. Its clear that Nick Saban has gotten the most out of him at this point to get him prepared for the NFL. Since more teams are switching to the 3-4, nose tackles are t a premium. Terrence Cody is the best nose prospect in this draft and will definitely make himself some money. He is a DOMINANT run stuffer and can easily take on multiple blockers. He made some season saving plays for Bama this past season including a couple of blocked field goals. There’s a bit of a problem however that he is already only a two down player and he isn’t even a pro football player yet. I would like my first round defensive player to play 3 downs. He doesn’t have much of a pass rush repertoire which only limits his abilities on the field. It will be interesting following his progression from now until April. I’m rooting for the guy.
4) Brian Price (UCLA)–9.0
He is a quality prospect for 4-3 teams only. He is 6’2 300 pounds with short arms who has made his mark in college as a 3 technique. He is strong, disruptive, and plays with a high motor. He can fire off the line of scrimmage quickly and has great awareness. Doesn’t have amazing speed but has small area quickness. He should be an intriguing prospect overall for teams running a 4-3 Defense.
5) Dan Williams (Tenn)-8.9
Dan Williams has great size to project as a nose tackle in the 3-4 scheme being that he’s 6’3” 327 pounds. He was able to play for a well respected D-Coordinator in Monte Kiffin and has put up very good statistics in the process (61 tackles, 8.5 TFL). He also lead the Vols D with nine QB hurries so theres no doubt he has held his own as a great player on the same Vols defense that had Eric Berry. He will help himself plenty with a solid combine and pro workout not to mention the need for nose tackles for teams running a 3-4. Look for at least five DTs to go in the first round.
Defensive End
1) Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech)-9.5
At 6’4” 270 Morgan has a great frame to be a DE. He can set the edge vs. the run while also overwhelming offensive tackles with a nice variety of pass rush techniques. He’s only 20 yrs old so he has plenty of time to learn and reach his full potential. He had a rough time against Bulaga in the Orange Bowl but he has time to recognize his flaws and correct them. He is highly competitive and is good in pursuit. His inability to effectively drop into coverage however will not attract too many 3-4 teams as an outside linebacker. Ultimately, he will be the first DE taken off the board because of his production on the field his last two years registering double digit sacks.
2) Jason Pierre-Paul-9.3
3) Everson Griffen (USC)-9.2
I have to tell you. I watched at least 4 USC games this year. In a couple of those games, I forgot he was playing. Then he would make a couple of plays and I would say to myself who was that…. Oh that’s Griffen. At the end of the day, he is a good athlete that has good speed and can fly of the snap. He has great upside for any team that wants to give Griffen a shot. The problem is he is so inconsistent. He should dominate at times and doesn’t do it. I come out of some USC games not even thinking about him as a key player. His athleticism and the fact that he plays for USC will get him plenty of looks but time will tell if he will be a solid pro.
4) Carlos Dunlap (Florida)–9.0
This guy will be interesting to track throughout this pre draft process. He has his fair share of off the field and character issues that scouts will question. Ultimately, one thing they won’t question is the overall talent this kid possesses. He is a well built 6’6” 280 pounds that could play in the 4-3 and the 3-4. He dominated as a sophomore registering 9.5 sacks. He has long arms to disengage linemen and is versatile. He just doesn’t give your effort on every snap. It’s been said he is very lazy. When Dunlap does give effort, he’s a force. When he doesn’t, he becomes a waste of God given talent. We will see if some team takes a chance at drafting him high.
5) Greg Hardy (Ole Miss)-8.7
6) Jared Ordrick (Penn State)-8.0
His frame alone (6’5” 308) makes you think he is a 3-4 end. He has plenty of attributes that could make them a quality 3-4 end. Odrick can penetrate the line of scrimmage very well. He has a good motor and is very agile. He needs to get bigger so he can handle the run better. He will get some attention from scouts because of his potential to play the 5 technique and his success playing the 3 technique at Penn State.
At 6’4” 270 Morgan has a great frame to be a DE. He can set the edge vs. the run while also overwhelming offensive tackles with a nice variety of pass rush techniques. He’s only 20 yrs old so he has plenty of time to learn and reach his full potential. He had a rough time against Bulaga in the Orange Bowl but he has time to recognize his flaws and correct them. He is highly competitive and is good in pursuit. His inability to effectively drop into coverage however will not attract too many 3-4 teams as an outside linebacker. Ultimately, he will be the first DE taken off the board because of his production on the field his last two years registering double digit sacks.
2) Jason Pierre-Paul-9.3
3) Everson Griffen (USC)-9.2
I have to tell you. I watched at least 4 USC games this year. In a couple of those games, I forgot he was playing. Then he would make a couple of plays and I would say to myself who was that…. Oh that’s Griffen. At the end of the day, he is a good athlete that has good speed and can fly of the snap. He has great upside for any team that wants to give Griffen a shot. The problem is he is so inconsistent. He should dominate at times and doesn’t do it. I come out of some USC games not even thinking about him as a key player. His athleticism and the fact that he plays for USC will get him plenty of looks but time will tell if he will be a solid pro.
4) Carlos Dunlap (Florida)–9.0
This guy will be interesting to track throughout this pre draft process. He has his fair share of off the field and character issues that scouts will question. Ultimately, one thing they won’t question is the overall talent this kid possesses. He is a well built 6’6” 280 pounds that could play in the 4-3 and the 3-4. He dominated as a sophomore registering 9.5 sacks. He has long arms to disengage linemen and is versatile. He just doesn’t give your effort on every snap. It’s been said he is very lazy. When Dunlap does give effort, he’s a force. When he doesn’t, he becomes a waste of God given talent. We will see if some team takes a chance at drafting him high.
5) Greg Hardy (Ole Miss)-8.7
6) Jared Ordrick (Penn State)-8.0
His frame alone (6’5” 308) makes you think he is a 3-4 end. He has plenty of attributes that could make them a quality 3-4 end. Odrick can penetrate the line of scrimmage very well. He has a good motor and is very agile. He needs to get bigger so he can handle the run better. He will get some attention from scouts because of his potential to play the 5 technique and his success playing the 3 technique at Penn State.
Outside Linebacker
4-3 OLBs
1) Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri)-8.8
Prototypical 4-3 linebacker. Can play inside or out, as he has the reading ability and the tackling of an MLB, and the speed to play outside. Fantastic leader, he understands the scheme and will help others fit into place. Having said that, his own recognition skills are lazy at times, but he makes up for it with his speed and quickness. This helps him in coverage too, but no one in this draft covers like Bowman. Although he can be a leading-tackler in the NFL, you won’t see explosive hits. A small Derrick-Brooks is what he has been called by scouts. It’s not bad to be compared to a future Hall of Fame linebacker, but at Weatherspoon’s size (145 lbs), don’t expect the consistency of Brooks. Weatherspoon is simply too small to get around blocks in the run game, and can get engulfed in the second level. He may be a tackling machine, but you won’t see him blowing up many plays in the backfield. However, he is a Ray Lewis type motivator, a player that any team would welcome at the core of their defense. He may also fit inside in a 3-4 scheme, if he can add some bulk.
2) Navarro Bowman (Penn State)-8.7
I’ll start by saying the guy has dropped to #2 here because of his legal issues. He was arrested, suspended, and was suspended again after violating his probation. Other than that, they guy can play. His recognition skills are great, and he fills downhill hard once he makes his read. He is a good tackler, but because of his aggressiveness may overplay the run on play-action passes. Another huge plus with this guy are his coverage skills. Because of his great top-end speed, he can stick with tight ends and slot receivers with ease.
3) THIS LIST WILL BE ADDED TO AS PLAYERS DECLARE.
3-4 RUSH LBs:
1) Jerry Hughes (TCU)-9.3
With 9 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss in 3009, and 19.5 tackles for a loss with 15 sacks as a junior, Jerry Hughes is the #1 rush linebacker in this class. He has a quick first step, and can get into the backfield with his great timing and instincts. While he is explosive and quick, his top-end speed from sideline to sideline is just average. He may not get to runningbacks with a ton of consistency on the outside, but in the backfield and between the tackles Jerry Hughes explodes to the ball carrier, whether it be a half back or a quarterback.
2) Ricky Sapp (Clemson)-9.2
Ricky Sapp is a similar prospect to Kindle, with size and pretty good speed. He actually has more experience playing straight up at linebacker, so the transition will likely be fast. However, he suffered a torn ACL in his Junior campaign, so the injury worry drops him on the list. NFL teams may be weary of taking a rush linebacker with knee issues. However, when on top of his game, and since he has plenty of room to add weight to his frame, some have even compared him to DeMarcus Ware, so I believe he has the most upside of any outside linebacker on this list.
3) Sergio Kindle (Texas)-8.4
As a junior, he had 10 sacks, but as a senior he notched just 3 sacks. At the beginning of the year, he topped this list, but because of his slow senior season and slow recognition at times, I have dropped him on the list. He hasn’t dropped far though, because of his speed and size combination. He is 6-4 and over 250 pounds, but he may break the 4.5 barrier at the combine. If he does, look for him to jump into the first round. Also, he is very fluid dropping back into coverage, so the transition to OLB will be an easier one. With the success of Brian Orakpo, who was a similar player out of Texas, look for Kindle’s stock to rise as the draft approaches. Out of all the rush-linebackers, I believe Kindle has the highest bust factor because of his questionable motor.
4) Eric Norwood (South Carolina)-8.1
Tough prospect to grade out. He is a great leader, and unmatched intangibles in this position, but doesn’t have the frame and athleticism to keep up. He works hard, studying film to be able to read and react on film, but it doesn’t come as naturally as it should. He is a liability in coverage, but he wasn’t used much in this capacity at SC. His motor makes him get in the backfield faster than his quickness or agility, but a team running a 3-4 will be happy to add him to their ranks. He very much resembles a less powerful Rey Maualuga, as he doesn’t have the instincts to play inside linebacker, but also lacks the pure speed to play outside.
1) Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri)-8.8
Prototypical 4-3 linebacker. Can play inside or out, as he has the reading ability and the tackling of an MLB, and the speed to play outside. Fantastic leader, he understands the scheme and will help others fit into place. Having said that, his own recognition skills are lazy at times, but he makes up for it with his speed and quickness. This helps him in coverage too, but no one in this draft covers like Bowman. Although he can be a leading-tackler in the NFL, you won’t see explosive hits. A small Derrick-Brooks is what he has been called by scouts. It’s not bad to be compared to a future Hall of Fame linebacker, but at Weatherspoon’s size (145 lbs), don’t expect the consistency of Brooks. Weatherspoon is simply too small to get around blocks in the run game, and can get engulfed in the second level. He may be a tackling machine, but you won’t see him blowing up many plays in the backfield. However, he is a Ray Lewis type motivator, a player that any team would welcome at the core of their defense. He may also fit inside in a 3-4 scheme, if he can add some bulk.
2) Navarro Bowman (Penn State)-8.7
I’ll start by saying the guy has dropped to #2 here because of his legal issues. He was arrested, suspended, and was suspended again after violating his probation. Other than that, they guy can play. His recognition skills are great, and he fills downhill hard once he makes his read. He is a good tackler, but because of his aggressiveness may overplay the run on play-action passes. Another huge plus with this guy are his coverage skills. Because of his great top-end speed, he can stick with tight ends and slot receivers with ease.
3) THIS LIST WILL BE ADDED TO AS PLAYERS DECLARE.
3-4 RUSH LBs:
1) Jerry Hughes (TCU)-9.3
With 9 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss in 3009, and 19.5 tackles for a loss with 15 sacks as a junior, Jerry Hughes is the #1 rush linebacker in this class. He has a quick first step, and can get into the backfield with his great timing and instincts. While he is explosive and quick, his top-end speed from sideline to sideline is just average. He may not get to runningbacks with a ton of consistency on the outside, but in the backfield and between the tackles Jerry Hughes explodes to the ball carrier, whether it be a half back or a quarterback.
2) Ricky Sapp (Clemson)-9.2
Ricky Sapp is a similar prospect to Kindle, with size and pretty good speed. He actually has more experience playing straight up at linebacker, so the transition will likely be fast. However, he suffered a torn ACL in his Junior campaign, so the injury worry drops him on the list. NFL teams may be weary of taking a rush linebacker with knee issues. However, when on top of his game, and since he has plenty of room to add weight to his frame, some have even compared him to DeMarcus Ware, so I believe he has the most upside of any outside linebacker on this list.
3) Sergio Kindle (Texas)-8.4
As a junior, he had 10 sacks, but as a senior he notched just 3 sacks. At the beginning of the year, he topped this list, but because of his slow senior season and slow recognition at times, I have dropped him on the list. He hasn’t dropped far though, because of his speed and size combination. He is 6-4 and over 250 pounds, but he may break the 4.5 barrier at the combine. If he does, look for him to jump into the first round. Also, he is very fluid dropping back into coverage, so the transition to OLB will be an easier one. With the success of Brian Orakpo, who was a similar player out of Texas, look for Kindle’s stock to rise as the draft approaches. Out of all the rush-linebackers, I believe Kindle has the highest bust factor because of his questionable motor.
4) Eric Norwood (South Carolina)-8.1
Tough prospect to grade out. He is a great leader, and unmatched intangibles in this position, but doesn’t have the frame and athleticism to keep up. He works hard, studying film to be able to read and react on film, but it doesn’t come as naturally as it should. He is a liability in coverage, but he wasn’t used much in this capacity at SC. His motor makes him get in the backfield faster than his quickness or agility, but a team running a 3-4 will be happy to add him to their ranks. He very much resembles a less powerful Rey Maualuga, as he doesn’t have the instincts to play inside linebacker, but also lacks the pure speed to play outside.
Inside Linebacker
1) Rolando McClain (Alabama)-9.7
Rolando McClain is a top 3 prospect in this draft. He is explosive, relentless, and he has great instincts. He is also a fantastic leader, the heart and soul, of an Alabama defense that played very well this year. Also helping McClain’s cause is the fact that he played in a 3-4 scheme at Bama, so his transition will be seamless to the NFL. He will either play inside in a 3-4 or strong-side in a 4-3. I believe he could also play inside in a 4-3, but many say he does not possess the straight-line speed to play there. However, with his split-second reaction time and down-hill aggression, I completely disagree with these people, and think he could excel inside or out in either scheme. He will provide great versatility, leadership, and intimidation to whatever defense lands him in the top half of the first round.
2) Brandon Spikes (Florida)-9.0
Spikes was exposed a bit in coverage this past year at Florida. Because of his speed, he plays man fairly well, but he is very inconsistent in his zone play. Aside from this, he is the perfect prospect for an inside linebacker in the 3-4. He is aggressive and plays downhill against the run, and has the burst and strength to get to the quarterback if he is asked to blitz between the guard and center. He is a quick decision maker, but often is overly aggressive, can get swallowed up in blocks, or miss tackles with quicker ball carriers. His cousin is former NFL linebacker Takeo Spikes, so it is easy to make the comparison.
3) Daryl Washington (TCU)-8.0
Don’t be surprised when Daryl Washington is the steal of this draft a few years down the road. He is this low on the board because of his small size (228 lbs) but could be a very productive linebacker in the NFL. He is fast, very fast for a middle linebacker (could come in the 4.5s at the combine). His 40 time might not show it, but this guy can stick with slot receivers and also get to the quarterback in the blink of an eye. He lacks the instinct McClain and Spikes boast, but reacts quickly and explodes downhill. He is a very sure tackler, wrapping up with technique rather than going for big shoulder-blows that backs often bounce off of. Honestly, this guy reminds me of London Fletcher, so he may not fit in a 3-4, but I think he could be a pro-bowl middle linebacker in this league. For a third or fourth round pick? Someone is getting a great deal.
4) Sean Lee-7.8
Very similar to Paul Posluszny, and maybe a less-instinctive James Laurinitis. He is an average athlete that tackles very well, even if it is without much explosiveness. He is not very good in coverage, but he is there to tackle sideline to sideline and eat up the middle. He can do this, and do it well, but he will need help up front. Just as people said with Laurinitis last year, without good defensive line play, he will struggle. These guys are cerebral middle-linebackers, and if they all had the bodies to stick with their brain, they would be dominant. Lee, though, will still be a solid starter in the middle, a good value pick in the third or fourth rounds.
5) Pat Angerer-7.0
Angerer is a puer motor player with great speed and instincts. He is also small though, which is the reason for the low grade. He also is not a very effective blitzer. He reacts well, and can find receivers quickly on play-passes. He is very solid in coverage, almost more so than against the run. If nothing better, he will at least be a solid linebacker that plays on short-yardage passing downs, where he can take on a running back or tight end, but also be there in case of a draw play. There are not very many cover linebackers in the league, so if a team can make him more effective against the run, he could be a steal in the later rounds.
Rolando McClain is a top 3 prospect in this draft. He is explosive, relentless, and he has great instincts. He is also a fantastic leader, the heart and soul, of an Alabama defense that played very well this year. Also helping McClain’s cause is the fact that he played in a 3-4 scheme at Bama, so his transition will be seamless to the NFL. He will either play inside in a 3-4 or strong-side in a 4-3. I believe he could also play inside in a 4-3, but many say he does not possess the straight-line speed to play there. However, with his split-second reaction time and down-hill aggression, I completely disagree with these people, and think he could excel inside or out in either scheme. He will provide great versatility, leadership, and intimidation to whatever defense lands him in the top half of the first round.
2) Brandon Spikes (Florida)-9.0
Spikes was exposed a bit in coverage this past year at Florida. Because of his speed, he plays man fairly well, but he is very inconsistent in his zone play. Aside from this, he is the perfect prospect for an inside linebacker in the 3-4. He is aggressive and plays downhill against the run, and has the burst and strength to get to the quarterback if he is asked to blitz between the guard and center. He is a quick decision maker, but often is overly aggressive, can get swallowed up in blocks, or miss tackles with quicker ball carriers. His cousin is former NFL linebacker Takeo Spikes, so it is easy to make the comparison.
3) Daryl Washington (TCU)-8.0
Don’t be surprised when Daryl Washington is the steal of this draft a few years down the road. He is this low on the board because of his small size (228 lbs) but could be a very productive linebacker in the NFL. He is fast, very fast for a middle linebacker (could come in the 4.5s at the combine). His 40 time might not show it, but this guy can stick with slot receivers and also get to the quarterback in the blink of an eye. He lacks the instinct McClain and Spikes boast, but reacts quickly and explodes downhill. He is a very sure tackler, wrapping up with technique rather than going for big shoulder-blows that backs often bounce off of. Honestly, this guy reminds me of London Fletcher, so he may not fit in a 3-4, but I think he could be a pro-bowl middle linebacker in this league. For a third or fourth round pick? Someone is getting a great deal.
4) Sean Lee-7.8
Very similar to Paul Posluszny, and maybe a less-instinctive James Laurinitis. He is an average athlete that tackles very well, even if it is without much explosiveness. He is not very good in coverage, but he is there to tackle sideline to sideline and eat up the middle. He can do this, and do it well, but he will need help up front. Just as people said with Laurinitis last year, without good defensive line play, he will struggle. These guys are cerebral middle-linebackers, and if they all had the bodies to stick with their brain, they would be dominant. Lee, though, will still be a solid starter in the middle, a good value pick in the third or fourth rounds.
5) Pat Angerer-7.0
Angerer is a puer motor player with great speed and instincts. He is also small though, which is the reason for the low grade. He also is not a very effective blitzer. He reacts well, and can find receivers quickly on play-passes. He is very solid in coverage, almost more so than against the run. If nothing better, he will at least be a solid linebacker that plays on short-yardage passing downs, where he can take on a running back or tight end, but also be there in case of a draw play. There are not very many cover linebackers in the league, so if a team can make him more effective against the run, he could be a steal in the later rounds.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tight End
1) Jermaine Gresham (Oklahoma)- 9.2
Will be a matchup nightmare in the NFL. Very athletic with good hands and great in the red zone. Can line up as a receiver and may be utilized this way frequently in the NFL considering his mediocre blocking ability. Has the tools (strength, long arms) to be an effective blocker but the effort is not always there. Sometimes seems to lack focus and/or discipline and this is seen in lapses in route running and blocking assignments. Regardless of these issues and a knee injury that ruled Gresham out of his entire senior season, the overall physical package is too overwhelming for him to slip out of the first round.
2) Aaron Hernandez (Florida)- 8.8
Excellent receiving tight end with good hands and the ability to pick up yards after the catch. He became Tim Tebow’s go-to guy by the end of the season and improved throughout the year. If teams become wary of Gresham for some reason, Hernandez has enough ability to be the first tight end drafted. However, he lacks the upside of Gresham by a fair margin.
3) Anthony McCoy (USC)- 8.5
Not particularly productive at USC but possesses the tools to becoming a solid tight end in the NFL. Has good height and runs well. Has solid hands and is a good blocker. Willing to work hard and improve his game. Overall, very well-rounded but doesn’t have any elite skills that will stand out at the NFL level.
Will be a matchup nightmare in the NFL. Very athletic with good hands and great in the red zone. Can line up as a receiver and may be utilized this way frequently in the NFL considering his mediocre blocking ability. Has the tools (strength, long arms) to be an effective blocker but the effort is not always there. Sometimes seems to lack focus and/or discipline and this is seen in lapses in route running and blocking assignments. Regardless of these issues and a knee injury that ruled Gresham out of his entire senior season, the overall physical package is too overwhelming for him to slip out of the first round.
2) Aaron Hernandez (Florida)- 8.8
Excellent receiving tight end with good hands and the ability to pick up yards after the catch. He became Tim Tebow’s go-to guy by the end of the season and improved throughout the year. If teams become wary of Gresham for some reason, Hernandez has enough ability to be the first tight end drafted. However, he lacks the upside of Gresham by a fair margin.
3) Anthony McCoy (USC)- 8.5
Not particularly productive at USC but possesses the tools to becoming a solid tight end in the NFL. Has good height and runs well. Has solid hands and is a good blocker. Willing to work hard and improve his game. Overall, very well-rounded but doesn’t have any elite skills that will stand out at the NFL level.
Wide Receiver
1) Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State)- 9.2
The nearly season-long suspension handed down by the NCAA should not affect Bryant’s draft position and he should be the first receiver selected. A physical player with good size, Bryant is phenomenal while the ball is in the air. He has good hands and offers a solid target for his quarterback. May not become an elite number one receiver due to his lack of speed and a simply average ability to manufacture yards after the catch. Still very athletic and could be a good punt returner in the NFL, too.
2) Golden Tate (Notre Dame)- 8.9
Others have more upside than Tate because of his small size (5’11’’) and average burst but Tate has been dominant in Notre Dame’s West Coast offense. Does not possess Percy Harvin’s speed but is a better receiver and could emulate Harvin’s production and versatility at the next level in the right situation. Tate is very athletic and excellent with the ball in his hands. He adjusts well to the ball while it’s in the air and has produced more highlight-reel catches than any other receiver this year. May struggle to get off the line of scrimmage against physical corners but will be a playmaker in the NFL.
3) Damian Williams (USC)- 8.8
Most NFL-ready receiver in the draft because of his overall polish. Has very good hands and runs great routes. He is very shifty although not necessarily fast. Not a physical specimen but has good height and may add some additional strength. He won’t blow you away but the overall package makes him sneaky good and potentially great.
4) Arrelious Benn (Illinois)- 8.6
Terribly underwhelming junior year as Benn was hindered by nagging injuries and the floundering Illinois offense. He has all the tools but this season has struggled with simple tasks like, say, catching the ball. Only has seven touchdowns in three seasons at Illinois but his athleticism, size and speed give him a very high ceiling as a player. High risk/reward type player but will go in the first two rounds even after his disappointing junior year.
5) Brandon LaFell (LSU)- 8.5
Projects as a solid second receiver in the NFL. He has good size and uses it well, even excelling as a blocker downfield in the running game. He has large hands and has improved his pass catching. Does not have impressive straight-line speed and only average agility so will not be a big-play threat in the NFL. Smart player and very tough. Should develop into a quality red zone target.
The nearly season-long suspension handed down by the NCAA should not affect Bryant’s draft position and he should be the first receiver selected. A physical player with good size, Bryant is phenomenal while the ball is in the air. He has good hands and offers a solid target for his quarterback. May not become an elite number one receiver due to his lack of speed and a simply average ability to manufacture yards after the catch. Still very athletic and could be a good punt returner in the NFL, too.
2) Golden Tate (Notre Dame)- 8.9
Others have more upside than Tate because of his small size (5’11’’) and average burst but Tate has been dominant in Notre Dame’s West Coast offense. Does not possess Percy Harvin’s speed but is a better receiver and could emulate Harvin’s production and versatility at the next level in the right situation. Tate is very athletic and excellent with the ball in his hands. He adjusts well to the ball while it’s in the air and has produced more highlight-reel catches than any other receiver this year. May struggle to get off the line of scrimmage against physical corners but will be a playmaker in the NFL.
3) Damian Williams (USC)- 8.8
Most NFL-ready receiver in the draft because of his overall polish. Has very good hands and runs great routes. He is very shifty although not necessarily fast. Not a physical specimen but has good height and may add some additional strength. He won’t blow you away but the overall package makes him sneaky good and potentially great.
4) Arrelious Benn (Illinois)- 8.6
Terribly underwhelming junior year as Benn was hindered by nagging injuries and the floundering Illinois offense. He has all the tools but this season has struggled with simple tasks like, say, catching the ball. Only has seven touchdowns in three seasons at Illinois but his athleticism, size and speed give him a very high ceiling as a player. High risk/reward type player but will go in the first two rounds even after his disappointing junior year.
5) Brandon LaFell (LSU)- 8.5
Projects as a solid second receiver in the NFL. He has good size and uses it well, even excelling as a blocker downfield in the running game. He has large hands and has improved his pass catching. Does not have impressive straight-line speed and only average agility so will not be a big-play threat in the NFL. Smart player and very tough. Should develop into a quality red zone target.
Runningback
1) C.J. Spiller (Clemson)- 9.1
Electrifying in the open field with game-breaking speed and good elusiveness. He will be an excellent kick returner and can immediately step into the role of third down back on most NFL teams. Needs to improve on picking up blitzes. Spiller lacks the drive, size and physicality to receive short yardage carries and so it is unlikely he will be a successful feature back in the NFL. He would be better off getting fifteen touches a game in a platoon with a more physical back. Spiller may never be an elite NFL running back but he will make an immediate, and perhaps significant, impact (especially when taking into account his receiving skills and return ability) and should be taken in the middle of the first round.
2) Jahvid Best (California)- 8.7
Similar to C.J. Spiller in some ways, Best is a dynamic runner who lacks the size and strength to be effective running inside in the NFL. Will be a nice change of pace back because of his speed and vision. Needs to improve his pass blocking. Best’s scary fall and subsequent concussion may be an area of concern. Teams are (finally) cracking down on concussions and if Best finds himself prone to repeated head injuries that could put his career in jeopardy.
3) Jonathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech)- 8.7
Powerful runner who hits his holes hard. Doesn’t have much agility but his straight-line speed is good if not elite. Good stiff arm. Has the potential to be a feature back in the NFL and so could wind up having the most value of any RB in this class but Spiller is certainly more of a sure thing. Has been receiving carries in an unorthodox offense and that creates difficulty in evaluation and might make for transitional issues at the next level. Not much of a receiver. Looked better during his sophomore year than his junior and work ethic might not be a concern.
4) Ryan Mathews (Fresno State)- 8.2
Played in the WAC but still produced big numbers in his games against Cincinnati, Wisconsin and Boise State. Good size/speed combination and shows decent agility and improving vision. Missed significant time during both his freshman and sophomore years due to injury and sat out one game this season, as well. Led the nation in rushing and shows the ability to push the pile. Is a non-factor in the passing game. If he can stay healthy and gets his chance Mathews will be a productive player in the NFL and could be a sleeper in this year’s draft. His final draft position will depend a lot on his 40 time but he seems to play fast enough regardless of his official time.
5) Joe McKnight (USC)- 8.0
Heralded as the second coming of Reggie Bush, McKnight’s career at USC was disappointing considering the hype that surrounded his arrival. Good receiver and returner with very good top speed. Fairly elusive and has the size to run between the tackles but can’t seem to put everything together. Never earned a majority of the carries at USC until Stefan Johnson’s injury and has had fumbling problems. He takes this spot in part due to my belief that he will flourish once out of Bush’s shadow. McKnight has mentioned more than once the pressure he has felt to emulate the career of Bush and live up to the lofty expectations. The talent has always been evident but he no longer appears destined for stardom in the NFL.
Electrifying in the open field with game-breaking speed and good elusiveness. He will be an excellent kick returner and can immediately step into the role of third down back on most NFL teams. Needs to improve on picking up blitzes. Spiller lacks the drive, size and physicality to receive short yardage carries and so it is unlikely he will be a successful feature back in the NFL. He would be better off getting fifteen touches a game in a platoon with a more physical back. Spiller may never be an elite NFL running back but he will make an immediate, and perhaps significant, impact (especially when taking into account his receiving skills and return ability) and should be taken in the middle of the first round.
2) Jahvid Best (California)- 8.7
Similar to C.J. Spiller in some ways, Best is a dynamic runner who lacks the size and strength to be effective running inside in the NFL. Will be a nice change of pace back because of his speed and vision. Needs to improve his pass blocking. Best’s scary fall and subsequent concussion may be an area of concern. Teams are (finally) cracking down on concussions and if Best finds himself prone to repeated head injuries that could put his career in jeopardy.
3) Jonathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech)- 8.7
Powerful runner who hits his holes hard. Doesn’t have much agility but his straight-line speed is good if not elite. Good stiff arm. Has the potential to be a feature back in the NFL and so could wind up having the most value of any RB in this class but Spiller is certainly more of a sure thing. Has been receiving carries in an unorthodox offense and that creates difficulty in evaluation and might make for transitional issues at the next level. Not much of a receiver. Looked better during his sophomore year than his junior and work ethic might not be a concern.
4) Ryan Mathews (Fresno State)- 8.2
Played in the WAC but still produced big numbers in his games against Cincinnati, Wisconsin and Boise State. Good size/speed combination and shows decent agility and improving vision. Missed significant time during both his freshman and sophomore years due to injury and sat out one game this season, as well. Led the nation in rushing and shows the ability to push the pile. Is a non-factor in the passing game. If he can stay healthy and gets his chance Mathews will be a productive player in the NFL and could be a sleeper in this year’s draft. His final draft position will depend a lot on his 40 time but he seems to play fast enough regardless of his official time.
5) Joe McKnight (USC)- 8.0
Heralded as the second coming of Reggie Bush, McKnight’s career at USC was disappointing considering the hype that surrounded his arrival. Good receiver and returner with very good top speed. Fairly elusive and has the size to run between the tackles but can’t seem to put everything together. Never earned a majority of the carries at USC until Stefan Johnson’s injury and has had fumbling problems. He takes this spot in part due to my belief that he will flourish once out of Bush’s shadow. McKnight has mentioned more than once the pressure he has felt to emulate the career of Bush and live up to the lofty expectations. The talent has always been evident but he no longer appears destined for stardom in the NFL.
Quarterback
1) Sam Bradford (Oklahoma)- 9.4
Most accurate quarterback in the class. Has ideal height and a quick release. There have been questions about his arm strength but Bradford has shown he can make all the throws. Has most recently operated primarily from the shotgun but played under center freshmen year and has exceptional footwork so he should be able to adapt to any pro-style offense. Teams may have concerns about his durability but his recent shoulder surgery reportedly went smoothly and Bradford may be able to add weight to his current slight frame. He has not faced much of a pass rush while at Oklahoma so his pocket presence is a bit of an unknown. Bradford has franchise quarterback potential mostly due to his phenomenal accuracy and should (at least) be an above average starter in the NFL.
2) Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame)- 9.4
Neck and neck with Bradford to be the first quarterback off the board (I’ve changed my mind multiple times this fall). The former prep star has been in the spotlight for years but has handled it (relatively well). Accurate with good arm strength and an excellent pocket presence. He ran the West Coast offense throughout his collegiate career and has shown marked improvement each season. He played most of his junior season with torn ligaments in his big toe but still managed a very productive season. Has shown he can take a punch. Some teams may worry about his demeanor which at times comes across as Jay Cutleresque. Definite franchise quarterback potential.
3) Tim Tebow (Florida)- 7.6
There is a sharp drop-off after Bradford and Clausen and no other quarterback should be taken in the first round. Tim Tebow probably will get snapped up anyway. Tebow should be a productive NFL player in some capacity but whether that production comes at the quarterback position is still to be determined. Jacksonville may draft him with the tenth pick in hopes of generating some interest for the franchise but even if they don’t it only takes one franchise to fall in love with his running ability, size, leadership, work ethic and above average arm strength. Unfortunately, his accuracy is comparable to that of Dick Cheney (with a rifle) and his footwork and mechanics are suspect. Tebow may be an effective H-back and should have value in some version of the Wildcat offense but I don’t see him as a viable option at quarterback.
4) Colt McCoy (Texas)- 7.1
He has rewritten the Texas record book but that won’t ensure success in the NFL. McCoy has been a dual threat quarterback at Texas and while his agility and movement will be a strength at the next level he is not exactly the second coming of Mike Vick. McCoy has been very durable at Texas despite taking a number of hits but his size will be a concern in the NFL. He has an accurate arm but it’s not particularly strong and the deep ball and deep outs may give him some issues. He has not been under center at Texas and his footwork is not nearly as good as Sam Bradford’s so he will have more difficulty adjusting. Overall, McCoy’s upside is limited and should be a mid-round pick.
5) Jevan Snead (Mississippi)- 7.0
Snead has an excellent arm and showed considerable promise in his sophomore season. He’s got the necessary size and enough mobility to make a difference in the NFL. In short, Snead has all the tools to be a successful NFL quarterback. However, he regressed substantially this season and couldn’t consistently produce for Ole Miss. He threw as many interceptions as touchdowns (20) and only completed 54% of his passes as a junior. His potential will tempt teams (especially considering the lack of depth at quarterback in this year’s class) but it would take a great deal of maturation, the right situation and a few lucky breaks for Snead to develop into a successful NFL quarterback.
Most accurate quarterback in the class. Has ideal height and a quick release. There have been questions about his arm strength but Bradford has shown he can make all the throws. Has most recently operated primarily from the shotgun but played under center freshmen year and has exceptional footwork so he should be able to adapt to any pro-style offense. Teams may have concerns about his durability but his recent shoulder surgery reportedly went smoothly and Bradford may be able to add weight to his current slight frame. He has not faced much of a pass rush while at Oklahoma so his pocket presence is a bit of an unknown. Bradford has franchise quarterback potential mostly due to his phenomenal accuracy and should (at least) be an above average starter in the NFL.
2) Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame)- 9.4
Neck and neck with Bradford to be the first quarterback off the board (I’ve changed my mind multiple times this fall). The former prep star has been in the spotlight for years but has handled it (relatively well). Accurate with good arm strength and an excellent pocket presence. He ran the West Coast offense throughout his collegiate career and has shown marked improvement each season. He played most of his junior season with torn ligaments in his big toe but still managed a very productive season. Has shown he can take a punch. Some teams may worry about his demeanor which at times comes across as Jay Cutleresque. Definite franchise quarterback potential.
3) Tim Tebow (Florida)- 7.6
There is a sharp drop-off after Bradford and Clausen and no other quarterback should be taken in the first round. Tim Tebow probably will get snapped up anyway. Tebow should be a productive NFL player in some capacity but whether that production comes at the quarterback position is still to be determined. Jacksonville may draft him with the tenth pick in hopes of generating some interest for the franchise but even if they don’t it only takes one franchise to fall in love with his running ability, size, leadership, work ethic and above average arm strength. Unfortunately, his accuracy is comparable to that of Dick Cheney (with a rifle) and his footwork and mechanics are suspect. Tebow may be an effective H-back and should have value in some version of the Wildcat offense but I don’t see him as a viable option at quarterback.
4) Colt McCoy (Texas)- 7.1
He has rewritten the Texas record book but that won’t ensure success in the NFL. McCoy has been a dual threat quarterback at Texas and while his agility and movement will be a strength at the next level he is not exactly the second coming of Mike Vick. McCoy has been very durable at Texas despite taking a number of hits but his size will be a concern in the NFL. He has an accurate arm but it’s not particularly strong and the deep ball and deep outs may give him some issues. He has not been under center at Texas and his footwork is not nearly as good as Sam Bradford’s so he will have more difficulty adjusting. Overall, McCoy’s upside is limited and should be a mid-round pick.
5) Jevan Snead (Mississippi)- 7.0
Snead has an excellent arm and showed considerable promise in his sophomore season. He’s got the necessary size and enough mobility to make a difference in the NFL. In short, Snead has all the tools to be a successful NFL quarterback. However, he regressed substantially this season and couldn’t consistently produce for Ole Miss. He threw as many interceptions as touchdowns (20) and only completed 54% of his passes as a junior. His potential will tempt teams (especially considering the lack of depth at quarterback in this year’s class) but it would take a great deal of maturation, the right situation and a few lucky breaks for Snead to develop into a successful NFL quarterback.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Center
1) Maurkice Pouncey (Florida) –
He is a Rimington Award winner. Paired with his twin brother Mike at the Univeristy of Florida to form one of the better interior line combos in the country. He is blessed with great size (6’5” 310). He has a mean streak to him and is a team player. He is strong and athletic and plays through the whistle. Projects well at guard also which will only help his already great stock based on his position.
2) J.D. Walton (Baylor) –
Walton is a Rimington Award Finalist. Moves well in pass protection and holds his own well against big DTs. His run blocking is at his best at goal line because he can get his pad level low and drive defenders off the ball pretty well. Graded very well by scouts in every game he played. He is definitely a team player, leader on the team, and durable. Scouts love that.
3) Matt Tennant (Boston College) –
I don’t know how or why but it seems every one or two years BC will always put out quality O-line prospects. I guess Matt Tennant is just status quo. He is a little thin for a center standing at 6’4” 295 pounds. Needs to add strength so he can handle short nose tackles. He is very athletic and could receive interest for guard platy at the next level.
4) Eric Olsen (Notre Dame) –
Stands at 6’4” 310 pounds. Has the ability to start at all of the interior line positions.
He is a Rimington Award winner. Paired with his twin brother Mike at the Univeristy of Florida to form one of the better interior line combos in the country. He is blessed with great size (6’5” 310). He has a mean streak to him and is a team player. He is strong and athletic and plays through the whistle. Projects well at guard also which will only help his already great stock based on his position.
2) J.D. Walton (Baylor) –
Walton is a Rimington Award Finalist. Moves well in pass protection and holds his own well against big DTs. His run blocking is at his best at goal line because he can get his pad level low and drive defenders off the ball pretty well. Graded very well by scouts in every game he played. He is definitely a team player, leader on the team, and durable. Scouts love that.
3) Matt Tennant (Boston College) –
I don’t know how or why but it seems every one or two years BC will always put out quality O-line prospects. I guess Matt Tennant is just status quo. He is a little thin for a center standing at 6’4” 295 pounds. Needs to add strength so he can handle short nose tackles. He is very athletic and could receive interest for guard platy at the next level.
4) Eric Olsen (Notre Dame) –
Stands at 6’4” 310 pounds. Has the ability to start at all of the interior line positions.
Offensive Guard
1) Mike Iupati (Idaho) – 8.9
Since Mike Pouncey went back to school Iupati is clearly the best guard prospect right now. He is a mammoth of a guard standing at 6’5” 330. He really helped his stock this year by playing lights out in every facet of his game. He had a very impressive showing in the Humanitarian Bowl. He is extremely strong, athletic, and can be overwhelming to defenders trying to win a one on one battle in a phone booth. He can improve in pass protection against quicker DTs. He will be an intriguing prospect to watch in the Senior Bowl practices and game and is athletic enough to help his stock tremendously in pre draft workouts.
2) Vladimir Ducasse (UMass) – 8.7
He is versatile due to his ability to play guard and tackle. He has a large frame (6’5” 330). He is a small school prospect that has gotten some buzz with draft scouts. These are the kind of prospects that usually bursts on the scene and help themselves make tons of money at the pro level.
2) Mike Johnson (Alabama) – 7.9
One of the more versatile offensive linemen in the draft. He has played guard as well as tackle this past season and should get some serious looks from scouts since he was blocking for Heisman winner Mark Ingram. He has a good initial punch in pass protection and has good enough strength to anchor against big DTs. He can drive players off the line of scrimmage pretty well and can lock onto defenders but leans forward to reach too much. This can lead to defenders beating his initial surge. He is a hard worker and was a team leader at Alabama. He should be off the board by the 2nd round.
3) Jon Asamoah (Illinois) – 7.3
He doesn’t seem to have the girth that Johnson and Iupati have for a guard but he has made it worked for him being an honorable mention All Big Ten player. He has very good feet to get to the next level and attack the back seven defenders. He uses his long arms to pass protect, pulls/traps fairly well, and does a good job of moving with the momentum of the DTs out of the hole. He puts forth solid effort on each play on the field but definitely has room to get bigger and better.
5) Mitch Petrus (Arkansas) – 7.1
He was academically ineligible in 2008 which set him back in his growth. He doesn’t have much girth but is a natural knee bender when he pass protects. Doesn’t blow people off the ball in the run game but can turn defenders away from the hole. He can pull pretty well based on his straight line speed and agility to block defenders on the run. He has to get stronger and has plenty of room for improvement.
Since Mike Pouncey went back to school Iupati is clearly the best guard prospect right now. He is a mammoth of a guard standing at 6’5” 330. He really helped his stock this year by playing lights out in every facet of his game. He had a very impressive showing in the Humanitarian Bowl. He is extremely strong, athletic, and can be overwhelming to defenders trying to win a one on one battle in a phone booth. He can improve in pass protection against quicker DTs. He will be an intriguing prospect to watch in the Senior Bowl practices and game and is athletic enough to help his stock tremendously in pre draft workouts.
2) Vladimir Ducasse (UMass) – 8.7
He is versatile due to his ability to play guard and tackle. He has a large frame (6’5” 330). He is a small school prospect that has gotten some buzz with draft scouts. These are the kind of prospects that usually bursts on the scene and help themselves make tons of money at the pro level.
2) Mike Johnson (Alabama) – 7.9
One of the more versatile offensive linemen in the draft. He has played guard as well as tackle this past season and should get some serious looks from scouts since he was blocking for Heisman winner Mark Ingram. He has a good initial punch in pass protection and has good enough strength to anchor against big DTs. He can drive players off the line of scrimmage pretty well and can lock onto defenders but leans forward to reach too much. This can lead to defenders beating his initial surge. He is a hard worker and was a team leader at Alabama. He should be off the board by the 2nd round.
3) Jon Asamoah (Illinois) – 7.3
He doesn’t seem to have the girth that Johnson and Iupati have for a guard but he has made it worked for him being an honorable mention All Big Ten player. He has very good feet to get to the next level and attack the back seven defenders. He uses his long arms to pass protect, pulls/traps fairly well, and does a good job of moving with the momentum of the DTs out of the hole. He puts forth solid effort on each play on the field but definitely has room to get bigger and better.
5) Mitch Petrus (Arkansas) – 7.1
He was academically ineligible in 2008 which set him back in his growth. He doesn’t have much girth but is a natural knee bender when he pass protects. Doesn’t blow people off the ball in the run game but can turn defenders away from the hole. He can pull pretty well based on his straight line speed and agility to block defenders on the run. He has to get stronger and has plenty of room for improvement.
Offensive Tackle
1) Russell Okung (Oklahoma State) –9.6
Seemed that his decision to come back to Oklahoma state didn’t hurt his stock as he is the 1st tackle projected to be drafted. He has been the anchor of the Cowboy’s Offensive Line allowing just 1 sack the entire 2009 season. He has well enough feet to be a blindside protector on the pro level. He can mirror defenders and his long arms and frame can engulf defenders trying to come off the edge. His pad level can get lower in the run game in order to consistently drive his opponent off the line of scrimmage but has the strength to put players on the ground. When you add his physical talent, durability, and lack of character concerns, Okung will be a top five pick in the upcoming draft.
2) Anthony Davis (Rutgers)- 9.3
The junior is on top of a long list of underclassmen declaring for the draft. He has a huge frame (6’5”- 330) and he can just bully people in the run game. He has some athleticism that could translate to the left tackle position but can most certainly be a pro bowl right tackle in the NFL. His physical talents however don’t completely supersede what some scouts believe is his lack of maturity. He can do a lot for himself in the next couple of months to prove coaches and GMs otherwise.
3) Bruce Campbell (Maryland) – 9.1
As a former Terp, I can tell you that he has the potential to be a great left tackle on the pro level. He has superior athleticism for his 6’7” frame and can run and pass block very well. Scouts and GMs will be very intrigued with him. The thing that will raise serious question marks is his durability and experience. He hasn’t played a ton of games for a junior coming out early and scouts will have to do their homework to make sure their team is doing the right thing by drafting him.
4) Bryan Bulaga (Iowa)-9.0
Another junior prospect is making the jump to the pros. He definitely helped his stock after essentially shutting down one of best pass rushers coming out of college (Derrick Morgan) in the Orange Bowl. He is technically sound in pass and run blocking. He has the athleticism to be a pro bowl tackle at the next level. One thing to watch out for with him is his thyroid problem that caused him to miss a couple of games.
5) Trent Williams (Oklahoma) – 9.0
This is a player who I believe is a classic left tackle in college who will have to move to right in order to be successful. He pass protected well overall in college but struggled at times. His feet I fear won’t be quick enough to stop elite edge rushers in the NFL. He may only project as a very solid RT. He can engulf defenders in run blocking driving them pretty well off the line of scrimmage. His experience at a big time program blocking for a Heisman winning quarterback will make scouts consider him in the 1st half of the round 1.
Seemed that his decision to come back to Oklahoma state didn’t hurt his stock as he is the 1st tackle projected to be drafted. He has been the anchor of the Cowboy’s Offensive Line allowing just 1 sack the entire 2009 season. He has well enough feet to be a blindside protector on the pro level. He can mirror defenders and his long arms and frame can engulf defenders trying to come off the edge. His pad level can get lower in the run game in order to consistently drive his opponent off the line of scrimmage but has the strength to put players on the ground. When you add his physical talent, durability, and lack of character concerns, Okung will be a top five pick in the upcoming draft.
2) Anthony Davis (Rutgers)- 9.3
The junior is on top of a long list of underclassmen declaring for the draft. He has a huge frame (6’5”- 330) and he can just bully people in the run game. He has some athleticism that could translate to the left tackle position but can most certainly be a pro bowl right tackle in the NFL. His physical talents however don’t completely supersede what some scouts believe is his lack of maturity. He can do a lot for himself in the next couple of months to prove coaches and GMs otherwise.
3) Bruce Campbell (Maryland) – 9.1
As a former Terp, I can tell you that he has the potential to be a great left tackle on the pro level. He has superior athleticism for his 6’7” frame and can run and pass block very well. Scouts and GMs will be very intrigued with him. The thing that will raise serious question marks is his durability and experience. He hasn’t played a ton of games for a junior coming out early and scouts will have to do their homework to make sure their team is doing the right thing by drafting him.
4) Bryan Bulaga (Iowa)-9.0
Another junior prospect is making the jump to the pros. He definitely helped his stock after essentially shutting down one of best pass rushers coming out of college (Derrick Morgan) in the Orange Bowl. He is technically sound in pass and run blocking. He has the athleticism to be a pro bowl tackle at the next level. One thing to watch out for with him is his thyroid problem that caused him to miss a couple of games.
5) Trent Williams (Oklahoma) – 9.0
This is a player who I believe is a classic left tackle in college who will have to move to right in order to be successful. He pass protected well overall in college but struggled at times. His feet I fear won’t be quick enough to stop elite edge rushers in the NFL. He may only project as a very solid RT. He can engulf defenders in run blocking driving them pretty well off the line of scrimmage. His experience at a big time program blocking for a Heisman winning quarterback will make scouts consider him in the 1st half of the round 1.
AFC South
Houston Texans: CB (9), 4-3 DT (8.5), FS (8.5), RB (8), WR (7.5), OG (7)
Defense. This team is a blur on offense, scoring well, but their defense can’t hold up their end of the bargain. Dunta Robinson will probably be gone in the offseason, and even if he isn’t this team needs CBs badly. A playmaking safety could help sure up this more than shaky secondary. At DT, Okoye could reach his blitzing potential with a run-stopper DT next to him. RB is an issue because of injuries and lack of a between-the-tackles RB. They could use a WR across from Andre Johnson, especially because Kevin Walter probably won’t be back for 2010.
Indianapolis Colts: DT (9.5), CB (8.5), OT (8.5), OG (8), LB (7.5), QB (6.5)
The Colts are an elite team now, but this may be their last year there. The O line is deteriorating, and the defense is a long way from being elite, or even good, itself. However, with 4 or five more great years left in their QB…blanking on his name…they can reload for a few years and then start rebuilding. They need to start with a DT. Too bad their didn’t have a bad year, they need Suh or McCoy. They need to stop the run very badly, and that is also hard to do because of their habit of waiting until the later rounds to draft average, small linebackers. A Playmaker there would help. Their two rookie CBs are actually doing very well, but the Tampa 2 helps CBs VERY much, so a CB is also a need. On offense, they need a stronger LT over Charlie Johnson, and Ryan Diem at RT has been weak too. DeVan is a weak starter at guard, and is part of the problem in the run game.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C (9), OG (9), QB (8.5), DE (pass) (8.5), S (8.5), WR (8), DT/DE (run) (7.5)
The Jags have an unusual problem, and that is they give up too much pressure in the middle of their line. They had great tackle play from their two rookies Monroe and Britton, but the inside was manhandled in both the pass and run game. Guard and center are their top needs, but you don’t see that position drafted highly, so they may wait till the 2nd or 3rd round for those needs. Instead, in the first, they will likely go WR or S. Defensive back is a VERY strong position this year, so they could wait on that too. A top WR may be the pick in the first round, and unless a playmaking DT or S is there to help transform that inconsistent defense. They have a need at DE, but
Tennessee Titans: DE (9), DT (8.5), WR (8.5), CB (8), OLB (7.5) C (7.5), OG (7.5)
No one seems to want to admit it, but the Titans lost a LOT when they lost Haynesworth. Their secondary went from the best in the league to number 28, and their top 5 run D was pedestrian. They also let Odom walk, and now they are left with their top two needs that could have been retained. They need to get pressure on QBs and stop the run. They could also use a corner to help Finnegan in the secondary. To finish out the defense, Keith Bulluck is old, and they need to replace him. The same goes for the G and C positions on offense, the time is now to replace them. Finally, I think a very real need for them is a DeSean Jackson-type player at WR to help stretch the field and help in the return game.
Defense. This team is a blur on offense, scoring well, but their defense can’t hold up their end of the bargain. Dunta Robinson will probably be gone in the offseason, and even if he isn’t this team needs CBs badly. A playmaking safety could help sure up this more than shaky secondary. At DT, Okoye could reach his blitzing potential with a run-stopper DT next to him. RB is an issue because of injuries and lack of a between-the-tackles RB. They could use a WR across from Andre Johnson, especially because Kevin Walter probably won’t be back for 2010.
Indianapolis Colts: DT (9.5), CB (8.5), OT (8.5), OG (8), LB (7.5), QB (6.5)
The Colts are an elite team now, but this may be their last year there. The O line is deteriorating, and the defense is a long way from being elite, or even good, itself. However, with 4 or five more great years left in their QB…blanking on his name…they can reload for a few years and then start rebuilding. They need to start with a DT. Too bad their didn’t have a bad year, they need Suh or McCoy. They need to stop the run very badly, and that is also hard to do because of their habit of waiting until the later rounds to draft average, small linebackers. A Playmaker there would help. Their two rookie CBs are actually doing very well, but the Tampa 2 helps CBs VERY much, so a CB is also a need. On offense, they need a stronger LT over Charlie Johnson, and Ryan Diem at RT has been weak too. DeVan is a weak starter at guard, and is part of the problem in the run game.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C (9), OG (9), QB (8.5), DE (pass) (8.5), S (8.5), WR (8), DT/DE (run) (7.5)
The Jags have an unusual problem, and that is they give up too much pressure in the middle of their line. They had great tackle play from their two rookies Monroe and Britton, but the inside was manhandled in both the pass and run game. Guard and center are their top needs, but you don’t see that position drafted highly, so they may wait till the 2nd or 3rd round for those needs. Instead, in the first, they will likely go WR or S. Defensive back is a VERY strong position this year, so they could wait on that too. A top WR may be the pick in the first round, and unless a playmaking DT or S is there to help transform that inconsistent defense. They have a need at DE, but
Tennessee Titans: DE (9), DT (8.5), WR (8.5), CB (8), OLB (7.5) C (7.5), OG (7.5)
No one seems to want to admit it, but the Titans lost a LOT when they lost Haynesworth. Their secondary went from the best in the league to number 28, and their top 5 run D was pedestrian. They also let Odom walk, and now they are left with their top two needs that could have been retained. They need to get pressure on QBs and stop the run. They could also use a corner to help Finnegan in the secondary. To finish out the defense, Keith Bulluck is old, and they need to replace him. The same goes for the G and C positions on offense, the time is now to replace them. Finally, I think a very real need for them is a DeSean Jackson-type player at WR to help stretch the field and help in the return game.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: 3-4 NT (9), 3-4 DE (9), WR (9), CB (8.75), OG (8.5), 3-4 ILB (8)
The Broncos are the league’s most overrated team. They have a terrible defense, and their offense showed how bad it was late in the season. Kyle Orton is smart, he unfortunately is just more athletic than Shawn Bradley, and will never be a good QB. On defense, they need to stop the run. NEED to stop the run. A nose tackle for their new 3-4 defense, and 2 run-stopping Des would be great in this draft. Both are deep positions, and run-stopping Des often get drafted in rounds 2-4, so they could easier get three new D Lineman in the draft. They are set at OLB with Ayers and Dumervil, but they need a thumper at ILB. On offense, Marshall (WR) is gone, so they will be stuck without a real WR and their starting TE, so WR is also a huge need. Cornerback is listed as a need because they are aging in the secondary and need to reload.
Kansas City Chiefs: 3-4 NT (9.5), FS (9.5), OT (9.5), OG (9), 3-4 OLB (8.5), TE (8), SS (8)
They drafted offensive lineman heavily in the past two drafts, but Albert regressed in this last year. They will benefit from moving him into guard and drafting a new OT. On defense, they need playmakers. I believe that Eric Berry is PERFECT for this team. The only reason they will likely pass on him is that their D-Line is a sieve, and without a D-Line, no safety will make plays for you. So, 3-4 NT is the top need. They have holes pretty much everywhere else on defense, although Brandon Flowers has been solid at corner for them. Not a good team, lots of needs.
Oakland Raiders: OT (9) x2, QB (9), OG (8.75), 4-3 DT (8.5), LB (8), WR (8), CB (7.5)
Every year is their breakout year. Why to people say this? One player: Nnamdi Asomugha. He is just one guy, and the rest of their team sucks. Someone please find me the talent elsewhere. McFadden could be good, but is looking like a bust. Their O line is falling apart, they have a QB with the mind of a third grader, and the only player on their defense is #21. Not good. They need two new tackles, a new QB, a guard, and a DT and a new set of linebackers. If they want to win now, they need all of that now.
San Diego Chargers: 3-4 NT (8.5), RB (8.5), RB (8.5), 3-4 DE (8), OT (8), 3-4 OLB (7)
Not surprisingly, this team is very good. They are loaded with talent on the offensive side, but their D worries me. SO inconsistent, they let my weakling Redskins tromp down the field on them for more points than I can remember us ever scoring. Merriman is overrated. The new-age LaVar Arrington: injury prone freelancer. They had trouble stopping the run, so their top need is a new 3-4 NT, because Jamal Williams may not be back to capacity next year. A run-stopping DE would also help their cause. They also need a RB. Sproles won’t stick around again, and LT is like a Clinton Portis that actually tries.
The Broncos are the league’s most overrated team. They have a terrible defense, and their offense showed how bad it was late in the season. Kyle Orton is smart, he unfortunately is just more athletic than Shawn Bradley, and will never be a good QB. On defense, they need to stop the run. NEED to stop the run. A nose tackle for their new 3-4 defense, and 2 run-stopping Des would be great in this draft. Both are deep positions, and run-stopping Des often get drafted in rounds 2-4, so they could easier get three new D Lineman in the draft. They are set at OLB with Ayers and Dumervil, but they need a thumper at ILB. On offense, Marshall (WR) is gone, so they will be stuck without a real WR and their starting TE, so WR is also a huge need. Cornerback is listed as a need because they are aging in the secondary and need to reload.
Kansas City Chiefs: 3-4 NT (9.5), FS (9.5), OT (9.5), OG (9), 3-4 OLB (8.5), TE (8), SS (8)
They drafted offensive lineman heavily in the past two drafts, but Albert regressed in this last year. They will benefit from moving him into guard and drafting a new OT. On defense, they need playmakers. I believe that Eric Berry is PERFECT for this team. The only reason they will likely pass on him is that their D-Line is a sieve, and without a D-Line, no safety will make plays for you. So, 3-4 NT is the top need. They have holes pretty much everywhere else on defense, although Brandon Flowers has been solid at corner for them. Not a good team, lots of needs.
Oakland Raiders: OT (9) x2, QB (9), OG (8.75), 4-3 DT (8.5), LB (8), WR (8), CB (7.5)
Every year is their breakout year. Why to people say this? One player: Nnamdi Asomugha. He is just one guy, and the rest of their team sucks. Someone please find me the talent elsewhere. McFadden could be good, but is looking like a bust. Their O line is falling apart, they have a QB with the mind of a third grader, and the only player on their defense is #21. Not good. They need two new tackles, a new QB, a guard, and a DT and a new set of linebackers. If they want to win now, they need all of that now.
San Diego Chargers: 3-4 NT (8.5), RB (8.5), RB (8.5), 3-4 DE (8), OT (8), 3-4 OLB (7)
Not surprisingly, this team is very good. They are loaded with talent on the offensive side, but their D worries me. SO inconsistent, they let my weakling Redskins tromp down the field on them for more points than I can remember us ever scoring. Merriman is overrated. The new-age LaVar Arrington: injury prone freelancer. They had trouble stopping the run, so their top need is a new 3-4 NT, because Jamal Williams may not be back to capacity next year. A run-stopping DE would also help their cause. They also need a RB. Sproles won’t stick around again, and LT is like a Clinton Portis that actually tries.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: CB (9) x2, WR (8.75), OG (7), FS (7) Depth for aging defense (7)
The Ravens are in a similar position as the Dolphins. Their defense is getting old, and they need a WR to make their offense stronger. Their D-line has a collective age of over a century, so it’s time to fix that. They are also VERY thin at CB, although Webb has been a pleasant surprise, and may need safety help based on Reed’s health, so look for them to load up on secondary this year. An eventual replacement for Ray-Ray could be on the way too. McClain looks the part, but won’t be there when the Raven’s pick. On the offensive side, Flacco needs help. Heap has been barely serviceable, and Mason is a good WR, but is starting to look like John Clayton. They need a couple new WRs and maybe a pass-catching TE to help Flacco progress. Word is that Gaither (LT) may walk in FA, so look for them to find a starting OT too.
Cincinnati Bengals: S (9), DE (8.5), WR speed(8), DT (8), SLB (8), OT (8), TE (8)
The Bengals are a solid team, but they are in need of play-makers on both sides of the ball. The Saints have shown us the importance of such players, and the league will take notice. For this reason, don’t expect Berry to be on the board long come April. They need a deep safety to make some plays, and a speedy WR at the other end to help take some heat off of their possession guy Chad Ochocinco. The Jets showed the Bengals how 1 dimensional their offense is when Revis shut down 85, and that’s a shame, because I think the Bengals are better than that. Otherwise, a few defensive positions like SLB and DT could use an upgrade.
Cleveland Browns: WR (9), S (8.75), CB (8.75), QB (8.5), 3-4 OLB (8.5), TE (8), (R)OT (8), 3-4 DE (8), 3-4 ILB (7.5)
I was confused when the Browns moved up to get Brady Quinn. They weren’t good to start, and gave up a lot to get there. Probably because he could be a poster boy, but still, now they have a lot of money at a position of need. Never helpful. Maybe he would be better though, if they fixed their biggest problem at WR. When they had Braylon it was their top need, now he’s gone, and it’s just an exaggerated need. After QB and WR, they need a playmaker (or two) in the defensive backfield. Harrrison has been great, but do they keep him? If not, RB is another huge need. That, along with a run stopping 3-4 NT and a supporting 3-4 OLB (could use an ILB next to D’Qwell Jackson), and pressure will be easier to create, and then turnovers will roll in. More points on offense, more turnovers on D, they might win 5 games again next year.
Pittsburgh Steelers: FS (9.5), OT (9) x2, CB (8.5), OG (8), 3-4 NT (7), D-line/LB depth for aging vets (7)
Offensive line. I should leave it at that, but I’ll include help at safety and corner. Get those three things this offseason, and this team is great again next season. I say next season because if they don’t start to bring in young talent at LB and on the D line, their defense will be terrible in about 2 years. They also need a reload in the secondary, as they got burned by the pass all year. A couple new corners and a safety will help too. A VERY good team in some aspects, and a plain bad one in the secondary and offensive line.
The Ravens are in a similar position as the Dolphins. Their defense is getting old, and they need a WR to make their offense stronger. Their D-line has a collective age of over a century, so it’s time to fix that. They are also VERY thin at CB, although Webb has been a pleasant surprise, and may need safety help based on Reed’s health, so look for them to load up on secondary this year. An eventual replacement for Ray-Ray could be on the way too. McClain looks the part, but won’t be there when the Raven’s pick. On the offensive side, Flacco needs help. Heap has been barely serviceable, and Mason is a good WR, but is starting to look like John Clayton. They need a couple new WRs and maybe a pass-catching TE to help Flacco progress. Word is that Gaither (LT) may walk in FA, so look for them to find a starting OT too.
Cincinnati Bengals: S (9), DE (8.5), WR speed(8), DT (8), SLB (8), OT (8), TE (8)
The Bengals are a solid team, but they are in need of play-makers on both sides of the ball. The Saints have shown us the importance of such players, and the league will take notice. For this reason, don’t expect Berry to be on the board long come April. They need a deep safety to make some plays, and a speedy WR at the other end to help take some heat off of their possession guy Chad Ochocinco. The Jets showed the Bengals how 1 dimensional their offense is when Revis shut down 85, and that’s a shame, because I think the Bengals are better than that. Otherwise, a few defensive positions like SLB and DT could use an upgrade.
Cleveland Browns: WR (9), S (8.75), CB (8.75), QB (8.5), 3-4 OLB (8.5), TE (8), (R)OT (8), 3-4 DE (8), 3-4 ILB (7.5)
I was confused when the Browns moved up to get Brady Quinn. They weren’t good to start, and gave up a lot to get there. Probably because he could be a poster boy, but still, now they have a lot of money at a position of need. Never helpful. Maybe he would be better though, if they fixed their biggest problem at WR. When they had Braylon it was their top need, now he’s gone, and it’s just an exaggerated need. After QB and WR, they need a playmaker (or two) in the defensive backfield. Harrrison has been great, but do they keep him? If not, RB is another huge need. That, along with a run stopping 3-4 NT and a supporting 3-4 OLB (could use an ILB next to D’Qwell Jackson), and pressure will be easier to create, and then turnovers will roll in. More points on offense, more turnovers on D, they might win 5 games again next year.
Pittsburgh Steelers: FS (9.5), OT (9) x2, CB (8.5), OG (8), 3-4 NT (7), D-line/LB depth for aging vets (7)
Offensive line. I should leave it at that, but I’ll include help at safety and corner. Get those three things this offseason, and this team is great again next season. I say next season because if they don’t start to bring in young talent at LB and on the D line, their defense will be terrible in about 2 years. They also need a reload in the secondary, as they got burned by the pass all year. A couple new corners and a safety will help too. A VERY good team in some aspects, and a plain bad one in the secondary and offensive line.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: OT (10) x2, QB (9.5), DT (8), CB (8), TE (8), OLB (7.5), WR (7.5)
The Bills are not a very good team, nor will they be any time soon. They have tremendous holes on the offensive side of the ball, and a few on defense too. On offense, it starts with their terrible offensive line. They let Peters and Dockery walk, and the left side of their line fell apart, as they allowed 44 sacks, second only to Green Bay. Their right side wasn’t very good to start with, so look for them to go OT twice in the first three rounds, if not in the first two. The second greatest need is quarterback. Edwards is not the answer, and the new coach will decide who is. On defense, their run defense was despicable (4.8 YPC-tied for last in the league), so a DT to put next to Stroud could change that. Help at WR and OLB would also help, as they are thin at both positions.
Miami Dolphins: WR (9), NT (8), 3-4 OLB (8), 3-4 ILB (8)
The Dolphins are in trouble, as they have a budding offense and an aging defense. The linebacking corps are all on the wrong side of 30, and that has long been the staple of this team. Still, their top need is for a #1 WR, so if Dez Bryant is available, look for Miami to pounce on him. They also need to start revamping their front 7, so a 3-4 NT and ILB/OLB are also big needs. I predict they will come out of this draft with at least 5 players for their defensive front 7.
New England Patriots: 3-4 OLB (9), 3-4 DE (9), OT (8.5), RB (8.5), OG (7)
The Patriots are in trouble, much like Miami, but this time it’s on both sides of the ball. Their front 7 are older, and they need to start building around Wilfork and Mayo. Wilfork may not be resigned, though, and I’m not sure I would keep him, as he performed very poorly towards the end of the season, especially against the Ravens. Any time your linebackers have their hands on the backs of their D-Lineman, trying to see around them as they are pushed back 3 or 4 yards, you know you’re not going to be able to stop the run. The loss of Seymour really hurt. So, my top needs for them are 3-4 DE and OLB. On offense, their O-line is getting old. Light (OT) may be cut, and Mankins and Neal (OG) may walk in FA. Even if they didn’t leave, they still have a dire need for a new OT. Look for the Patriots to build in the trenches in this draft.
New York Jets: CB (8), WR (8), NT (7), OT (7), OG (7)
The Jets are a solid team. If they didn’t have an arrogant ass as their head coach, they would have won more games. They have a large need for a new CB. Sheppard has been targeted and burned all year. A young CB to put with Revis may give this team the best secondary in the league for the next 8 years or so. Is Kerry Rhodes the answer? If not, look for a few picks in this draft to be in the defensive backfield. The pool is tremendously deep for these positions, so teams in need for secondary help will find it well into day two of the draft. Jenkins (NT), though he has been playing great, is getting older and could use a young guy to spell him now and then. Faneca (OG) probably has a couple years left, but look for them to replace him soon too.
The Bills are not a very good team, nor will they be any time soon. They have tremendous holes on the offensive side of the ball, and a few on defense too. On offense, it starts with their terrible offensive line. They let Peters and Dockery walk, and the left side of their line fell apart, as they allowed 44 sacks, second only to Green Bay. Their right side wasn’t very good to start with, so look for them to go OT twice in the first three rounds, if not in the first two. The second greatest need is quarterback. Edwards is not the answer, and the new coach will decide who is. On defense, their run defense was despicable (4.8 YPC-tied for last in the league), so a DT to put next to Stroud could change that. Help at WR and OLB would also help, as they are thin at both positions.
Miami Dolphins: WR (9), NT (8), 3-4 OLB (8), 3-4 ILB (8)
The Dolphins are in trouble, as they have a budding offense and an aging defense. The linebacking corps are all on the wrong side of 30, and that has long been the staple of this team. Still, their top need is for a #1 WR, so if Dez Bryant is available, look for Miami to pounce on him. They also need to start revamping their front 7, so a 3-4 NT and ILB/OLB are also big needs. I predict they will come out of this draft with at least 5 players for their defensive front 7.
New England Patriots: 3-4 OLB (9), 3-4 DE (9), OT (8.5), RB (8.5), OG (7)
The Patriots are in trouble, much like Miami, but this time it’s on both sides of the ball. Their front 7 are older, and they need to start building around Wilfork and Mayo. Wilfork may not be resigned, though, and I’m not sure I would keep him, as he performed very poorly towards the end of the season, especially against the Ravens. Any time your linebackers have their hands on the backs of their D-Lineman, trying to see around them as they are pushed back 3 or 4 yards, you know you’re not going to be able to stop the run. The loss of Seymour really hurt. So, my top needs for them are 3-4 DE and OLB. On offense, their O-line is getting old. Light (OT) may be cut, and Mankins and Neal (OG) may walk in FA. Even if they didn’t leave, they still have a dire need for a new OT. Look for the Patriots to build in the trenches in this draft.
New York Jets: CB (8), WR (8), NT (7), OT (7), OG (7)
The Jets are a solid team. If they didn’t have an arrogant ass as their head coach, they would have won more games. They have a large need for a new CB. Sheppard has been targeted and burned all year. A young CB to put with Revis may give this team the best secondary in the league for the next 8 years or so. Is Kerry Rhodes the answer? If not, look for a few picks in this draft to be in the defensive backfield. The pool is tremendously deep for these positions, so teams in need for secondary help will find it well into day two of the draft. Jenkins (NT), though he has been playing great, is getting older and could use a young guy to spell him now and then. Faneca (OG) probably has a couple years left, but look for them to replace him soon too.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: CB (9.5), DE (9), OLB (9), WR (8), DT (8), OT (7.5), OG (7.5)
People jumped the gun when they went 11-5 last year. This is a decent team, but is not more than a .500 team either. They need ajor help on D. They could use an every-down DE opposite John Abraham, and OLBs behind them to help stop the run and cover TEs. They were torched all over the secondary, so two new CBs would help. They lost Boley (OLB) and a starting CB last year, so that didn’t help. The right side of their line has expiring contracts, so look for them to get some young talent for the Rt and RG positions.
Carolina Panthers: DT (9.5), DE (9), QB (8.5), WR (8.5), OT (8), OG (8), OLB (8), TE (7.5)
Can’t figure this one out. Looks dominant, then looks pathetic. I actually think they are closer to dominant than the latter. They have a great running game, a great MLB to lead the defense, and a great WR for big plays. The need help at DT and along the D line, especially because Peppers will probably be gone, unless they want to pay him 22 million for one year. Their linebackers are playing well, although they could use an OLB. They could also use a big WR opposite Steve Smith, a perfect landing spot for Golden Tate or Dez Bryant, but this may just be too lesser of a need to take them in the first round. OT and OG are also changeable, but not a huge need. The final question is their QB. I doubt journeyman Matt Moore is the answer, although he looked very good late in the season. They may wait another year to find their franchise QB.
New Orleans Saints: DT (9), CB (9), DE (8.5), S (8.5), WR (8), OT (8)
The Saints have a very good offense, but a bad defense. They got away with it early in the season with their complex blitz packages and coverages, but they have been exposed since. They need new CBs and a new run-stopping/pressure creating DT. Their secondary is their big weakness, so a couple of corners and a solid DT in this draft would actually make their overrated defense a very solid unit. On offense, look for them to add depth at OT, as Brees has faced more pressure than he would like late in the season. Opposite Will Smith, they could use some depth at DE to help create more consistent pressure without having to bring the house on every down.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT (9), DE (9), OLB (9), WR (8.75) x2, S (8.75), OT (8.5), RB (8.25), CB (8)
Bad team, and actually the team I project to have the most losses in the next two seasons. Usually, bad teams are fairly young. Here, the Bucs have an old defense and an old offense (besides Freeman, of course), so they need to do some major rebuilding. At CB, Ronde Barber may retire, so they have a need there, even though Talib looks like a star. They need help along the defensive line to help stop the run, and although their young DEs have shown flashes, they have been a disappointment overall. They need two WRs. Antonio Bryant is a decent #2, but he is not a #1 WR in this league. If Cadillac and Ward are not the answer at RB, look for them to get a new RB too. They missed Derrick Brooks dearly this year, so they will try and get a replacement OLB early too. Let’s see, that’s 1…2…yup, as long as they have 5 picks in the first round, they will be ok.
People jumped the gun when they went 11-5 last year. This is a decent team, but is not more than a .500 team either. They need ajor help on D. They could use an every-down DE opposite John Abraham, and OLBs behind them to help stop the run and cover TEs. They were torched all over the secondary, so two new CBs would help. They lost Boley (OLB) and a starting CB last year, so that didn’t help. The right side of their line has expiring contracts, so look for them to get some young talent for the Rt and RG positions.
Carolina Panthers: DT (9.5), DE (9), QB (8.5), WR (8.5), OT (8), OG (8), OLB (8), TE (7.5)
Can’t figure this one out. Looks dominant, then looks pathetic. I actually think they are closer to dominant than the latter. They have a great running game, a great MLB to lead the defense, and a great WR for big plays. The need help at DT and along the D line, especially because Peppers will probably be gone, unless they want to pay him 22 million for one year. Their linebackers are playing well, although they could use an OLB. They could also use a big WR opposite Steve Smith, a perfect landing spot for Golden Tate or Dez Bryant, but this may just be too lesser of a need to take them in the first round. OT and OG are also changeable, but not a huge need. The final question is their QB. I doubt journeyman Matt Moore is the answer, although he looked very good late in the season. They may wait another year to find their franchise QB.
New Orleans Saints: DT (9), CB (9), DE (8.5), S (8.5), WR (8), OT (8)
The Saints have a very good offense, but a bad defense. They got away with it early in the season with their complex blitz packages and coverages, but they have been exposed since. They need new CBs and a new run-stopping/pressure creating DT. Their secondary is their big weakness, so a couple of corners and a solid DT in this draft would actually make their overrated defense a very solid unit. On offense, look for them to add depth at OT, as Brees has faced more pressure than he would like late in the season. Opposite Will Smith, they could use some depth at DE to help create more consistent pressure without having to bring the house on every down.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT (9), DE (9), OLB (9), WR (8.75) x2, S (8.75), OT (8.5), RB (8.25), CB (8)
Bad team, and actually the team I project to have the most losses in the next two seasons. Usually, bad teams are fairly young. Here, the Bucs have an old defense and an old offense (besides Freeman, of course), so they need to do some major rebuilding. At CB, Ronde Barber may retire, so they have a need there, even though Talib looks like a star. They need help along the defensive line to help stop the run, and although their young DEs have shown flashes, they have been a disappointment overall. They need two WRs. Antonio Bryant is a decent #2, but he is not a #1 WR in this league. If Cadillac and Ward are not the answer at RB, look for them to get a new RB too. They missed Derrick Brooks dearly this year, so they will try and get a replacement OLB early too. Let’s see, that’s 1…2…yup, as long as they have 5 picks in the first round, they will be ok.
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