2009 NFL Draft Evaluations

The 2009 NFL draft may lack the marketability and wow factor of players in previous drafts, but many consider this draft to be deeper top to bottom then others, meaning success can be had if managed correctly. It can also highlight how the idea of NFL parity is somewhat of a myth because of the current draft setup (top drafting teams must spend millions more than teams lower in the draft for a somewhat negligible talent difference) and because you still have teams that have no idea what they are doing (here’s to looking at you Oakland).


Best:

The Redskins, much maligned for their free agent spending and emphasis on getting big names rather than smartly acquiring talent, practically had Brian Orakpo fall into their laps. The Broncos, who had almost as bad a draft as the Raiders, passed up on the highly touted Orakpo to take a running back, as if new coach McDaniels didn’t see that his roster was already littered with running backs to choose from. Did you see the way Washington practically ran to the podium after the announcement of the Denver pick? Probably the fastest I have seen a team turn in a 1st round card. Considering Orakpo was ranked higher than his counterpart at the #3 pick, Tyson Jackson, you have to like teaming up Orakpo with new signee Albert Haynesworth.

I also thought the Ravens had a surprisingly good draft. While many would argue they still lack a big play wide receiver, the Ravens understand what their success is based on, and reloaded again with big guys up front in Michael Oher and gritty linebackers in Phillips and Kruger. Nothing flashy about these picks, but I guarantee you the Ravens will get production out of this group and continue to terrorize teams on defense and with their speed and toughness.


Worst:

For a model on what not to do, please see the Raiders of Oakland. It’s hard to feel more sorry for a team than the Detroit Lions, but the Raiders are a close 2nd. There’s almost no analysis to give because the picks they made in the 1st and 2nd round were so laughably bad that even ESPN didn’t know what to say. Why? Well they didn’t even have a profile on the Raiders 2nd round pick, Michael Mitchell, who wasn’t invited to the Combine.

I looked up Mitchell, not knowing him myself, and while he looks very explosive, he also lacks basic football traits. He doesn’t wrap up on tackles, and he plays too high. Mitchell might make a few flashy plays, but he will get swallowed up by a league that features much superior athleticism compared to the talent he played against at Ohio. While the Heyward-Bey pick created more controversy, the Mitchell pick was worse. The Raiders are drafting for speed, and while speed is an important trait, there’s a reason Usain Bolt isn’t in the NFL, as you must have football talent to match that speed.

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Joseph Kelley
opethguitarist@gmail.com
FANdemoniumSports.blogspot.com

2009 NFL Draft Preview

With the 2009 NFL Draft quickly approaching, there are some huge questions that need to be answered. In two weeks, they will be… but if you can’t wait that long, we will give you some good ole Draft analysis from RANdemonium Sports.

From strengths to weaknesses and everything in between, this is the stuff you need to know about the prospects that will shape the NFL for years to come.


FS’ MOCK DRAFT (1-10)

Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
This is a similar situation that Atlanta had when they pondered over the No. 3 pick in last year’s draft. All the way up leading to the big day, they had Glenn Dorsey in mind. But when it came down to it, they realized that you need a QB to succeed. With the scrubs that they had leading their club, they knew that the Matt Ryan pick was the best one. Turned out ok, eh? In the draft, if you do not have a franchise QB, you do not pass one up. The Lions have no identity, and nothing to look forward to. With Matthew Stafford, they get a big, athletic, strong, QB that has star potential. Some scouts compare him to Peyton Manning. You cannot pass him up with the first pick.

St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
At the end of the 2008-09 season, nobody really knew who the Rams were going to take. Most knew that they needed an offensive line to protect a pretty good QB in Marc Bulger, but others pointed toward the best overall player in the draft, linebacker Aaron Curry. Either way, you cannot go wrong. However, the Rams have NOTHING on the o-line. You cannot move the ball if your QB is on his back two seconds after every single snap. With protection, Bulger can turn into the QB he was a few years ago. Smith is incredibly athletic ( a former tight end ) and is exactly what you look for in a lineman. With this pick, the Rams will have something to build upon and may become last season’s Miami Dolphins? Hopefully!

Kansas City Cheifs: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
With the Matt Cassell trade, the center of focus goes from QB to defense. There are all kinds of top prospects in this draft, but this guy is above all. It is pretty unanimous that he is as good as it gets in 2009. Some may argue that the combine is overrated, meaningless, and whatever… but nevertheless, Curry nailed the combine and really put his name on the top of every GM’s list. He is the complete OLB with amazing work ethic and strives to do one thing. Win. The Chiefs would be stupid not to get Curry. Unless the Rams take a value-over-need approach on the 25th, it looks as if Curry will land in KC.

Seattle Seahawks: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
This is another pick that is almost set in stone. The only way it would head in a different direction was if the Rams took Monroe. That would leave the ‘Hawks with another lineman in Jason Smith, who I have just a notch over Eugene. For the longest time, it looked like Seattle was going to have the perfect pick and draft Michael Crabtree or, Mizzou’s wideout, Jeremy Maclin. However, when the Seahawks signed former-Bengel receiver TJ Houshmandzadah, it opened up the spectrum for this top-5 pick. There are many directions the organization can take but offensive tackle looks like the best bet. Do not close your eyes on quarterback though. With Hasselbeck battling injury and aging, I would not be surprised at all if they pull the trigger on Mark Sanchez.

Cleveland Browns: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Here is, finally, a pick that could go a few different ways. The Browns have the QB position set with Quinn and Anderson, the defense is shaking so they may take a LB (Orakpo), but I see them going with the young but stellar Crabtree at WR. Crabtree has Larry Fitzgerald-like game and will be a star in the NFL for years. He has great speed, height, and bulk, with long arms. He can get up there to snag the ball where others cannot. Crabtree has the intangibles to be a top-tier wide receiver for a long time. After scoring 40 touchdowns in only two years, Crabtree will take his enormous potential to Cleveland in an attempt to rejuvenate the team. I can really see Quinn and Crabtree locking in with great chemistry. Both are young with All-Pro talent. Cleveland won’t regret this pick, and I think that is all they can ask for right now.

Cincinnati Bengels: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Cincy takes a real leap of fate here as they snag another troubled player. I am predicting this, but I am not advising this.

Oakland Raiders: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Mizzou
He will have to adjust from the spread offense to the NFL-style system, but Maclin’s big-play capability and explosiveness will help him fit right in.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Orakpo, LB, Texas
Some view Brian as a high-risk, high-reward type of player. He is a super-athletic, versatile, DE-capable kind of guy with incredible strength. However, his durability is a concern.

Green Bay Packers: BJ Raji, DT, Boston College
This is a pretty simple pick for the Packers here. They need a defensive tackle, Raji is the best one available, and will be available with the No. 9 pick. He’s a massive, powerful player who will excel in GB’s defense.

San Francisco 49ers: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
Let’s be honest with ourselves here… Alex Smith is not getting it done. O’Sullivan is not an NFL starter whichever what you look at it, and Mark Sanchez provides the Niners with hope, and something to build on.


FS’ POSITIONAL RANKINGS

QB
1. Matthew Stafford (Projected 1st Rd. pick: Detroit Lions)
2. Mark Sanchez (San Francisco 49ers)
3. Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
4. Nate Davis
5. Rhett Bomar

RB
1. “Benie” Wells (Philadelphia Eagles)
2. LeSean McCoy (Arizona Cadinals)
3. Knowshon Moreno
4. Donald Brown
5. Shonn Greene

WR
1. Michael Crabtree (Cleveland Browns)
2. Jeremy Maclin (Oakland Raiders)
3. Percy Harvin (New York Jets)
4. Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants)
5. Kenny Britt (Chicago Bears)

OLINE
1. Jason Smith, OT (St. Louis Rams)
2. Eugene Monroe, OT (Seattle Seahawks)
3. Michael Oher, OT (Detroit Lions)
4. Andre Smith, OT (Cincinnati Bengels)
5. Duke Robinson, OG

DLINE
1. BJ Raji, DT (Green Bay Packers)
2. Brian Orakpo, DE (Jacksonville Jaguars)
3. Everette Brown, DE (Buffalo Bills)
4. Tyson Jackson, DE (Washington Redskins)
5. Peria Jerry, DT (Indianapolis Colts)

REST OF DEF (LB/SECONDARY)
1. Aaron Curry, LB (Kansas City Chiefs)
2. Malcolm Jenkins, CB (New Orleans Saints)
3. Vontae Davis, CB (Baltimore Ravens)
4. Rey Maualuga, LB (San Diego Chargers)
5. Brian Cushing, LB (Houston Texans)

Justin Hulsey

StLDieHard24@gmail.com

FANdemoniumSports.blogspot.com

One Man Found; Search Continues for Two NFL Players

The search for four men – two NFL football players – that have been missing since Saturday night is a fourth of the way over.

The one man found was former USF football player, Nick Schuyler. The other three include another past South Florida Bulls player William Bleakley, Oakland Raiders’ Marquis Cooper, and the current free agent Corey Smith.

Cooper is a five-year journey man linebacker, a 2004 third-round pick, and has played for a total of six NFL teams. Corey Smith is known as an undrafted seven-year veteran defensive end, and has spent the past three years with the Detroit Lions.

The four were out on a fishing trip off the coast of Florida on Saturday. Later that evening, Schuyler said that they anchored the boat as a storm rolled in. As seas got rough, the boat evidently flipped over, and Nick ended up being the only one that held on.

Since then, Schuyler, who was wearing a life vest, had been hanging onto the 21-foot vessel found by a Coast Guard cutter 35 miles off Clearwater. Nick was conscious but weak as the Coast Guard reached him. He is now reportedly in a serious but stable condition at the Tampa Bay General Hospital. Coast Guard Capt. Tim Close described the situation and the events that led to it as he stated that Nick may not have lasted another 24 hours.

Coast Guard photos showed Schuyler wearing a yellow jacket and orange life vest and sitting on the hull of the capsized boat as a rescue cutter approached. A helicopter lowered a basket to haul him aboard. The search area is now "substantially smaller," based on where they found the boat and Schuyler, Close said. Searchers had previously covered 16,000 square miles of ocean.

There were multiple reports saying that Cooper was found, BUT CG officials insisted that he has in fact not been located yet. Search & Rescue teams remain confident that all three men will be found soon.

We can hope for a few things:
1) The three remaining men missing are all together.
2) The men have found something to float on, or have found land (39 degrees in Tampa today).
3) More importantly - The three will be found, and soon.

Let’s remember that all four of these guys are either former college players and current trainers (Schuyler/Bleakley), or they are NFL vets (Copper/Smith). They are obviously extremely fit and strong dudes; we know that without even ever seeing them. They should be able to survive in the elements for quite a while and – in a worst-case scenario – swim to live.

We can only hope and pray that the other three-fourths of the puzzle are put together quickly.

Justin Hulsey

StLDieHard24@gmail.com

FANdemoniumsports.blogspot.com

NFL Free Agent Market

Now that the Super Bowl is over and the Pro Bowl has been played, it is time to start the NFL off-season. On Feb. 27, players will be able to declare free agency and every team in the league is looking to improve no matter if you are the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Dallas Cowboys. Here is my list of the top players who will be available free agents in a few short weeks.

1. Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers
Peppers has stated on more than one occasion that he wants out of Carolina. He has a wide range of skills that allow him to be an end in a 4-3 scheme or an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Peppers is strongest in pass-rush situations but he is no slouch against stopping the run and even dropping back into pass coverage every now and again. Do not be surprised to see Peppers sign with a team such as the Denver Broncos who are looking for a pass rusher or the Seattle Seahawks who could use him opposite Patrick Kerney.

2. Terrell Suggs, OLB/DE, Baltimore Ravens
There is not enough money to go around in Baltimore. Several players on the dominant Raven's defense will be free agents this off-season and without each players taking a pay cut, not everyone will be able to stay. Suggs has talked about keeping the defense together but there is no realistic way to make that happen. He is the best of the group and one of the youngest so I expect Baltimore to make him their top priority to sign him to a long-term deal.

3. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans
Haynesworth is one of the few defensive tackles who can dominate a game. He can excel in a three- or four-man front, and he has the quickness and athleticism to attack from the edge off stunts and twists. The only reason Haynesworth is third on this list and not first his because of his tendecy to have the injury bug bite him at least once every season. Some say that this season is a fluke due to several subpar seasons, but look for him to have similar seasons with whatever team he lands on.

4. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders
Considered the NFL's best cover corner, Asomugha's remarkable speed, quickness, and ball skills. He is so highly regarded around the league that offensive coordinaters often avoid his side of the field. The guy is a game-changer from so many perspectives. Many teams in the NFL are looking for a shutdown corner to turn their defense into a consistent contender including the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints.

5. Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants
Jacobs is the key to making the offense work in New York and they know that. With Derrick Ward also on the market, look for the Giants to focus on resigning Jacobs to a long-term deal. With the future for Plaxico Burress in question in New York, the Giants must sign Jacobs and make sure their key offensive weapon stays with them. However, the Giants have two solid running backs that take the back seat to Jacobs. I wouldn't be surprised if they went with the cheaper guy in Ward or Bradshaw.

6. Jordan Gross, T, Carolina Panthers
Though he sufered through injury and a bit of inconsistency this season, Gross is quick, agile and can play anywhere on the line. He has a mean streak so I could see him fitting in with a team such as the Steelers who need a major upgrade on the offensive line in order to protect their franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

7. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Houshmandzadeh is by far the best wide receiver on the free agent market. He is rumored to be a target for every team from Seattle to Jacksonville. I would not be surprised if he returned to the Bengals since a healthy Carson Palmer will be back under center next season. If he bolts, it will be for warmer weather in either Miami or Jacksonville.

8. Ray Lewis, ILB, Baltimore Ravens
There have been rumors of Lewis landing with the Cowboys or Jets and those are both possiblities. As I stated earlier, the Ravens do not have enough money around and Lewis does not want to take a pay cut to stay with the team. Look for him to be somewhere else next season playing behind a big defensive line that can protect him and allow him to pursue the ball.

9. Karlos Dansby, OLB, Arizona Cardinals
Dansby has already had the franchise tag placed on him once by Arizona and he was the most productive part of the defense in 2008. He has spoke about returning to the Cardinals but I would not be surprised if the right amount of money lured him away from the desert. Miami's Bill Parcells is a fan, and former Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the new head coach in Kansas City, is a fan as well.

10. Chris Simms, QB, Tennessee Titans
He is a tough quarterback with smarts and experience as a starter. Simms is able to fit into any system and be a solid starter or a quality backup. With Kansas City and Detroit both looking for a quarterback, Simms could be a top target. He may not have the appeal of other QBs out there, but I assure you, Simms knows what he is doing. I believe he is extremely underrated but will land a starting spot soon.

Cory Guinn

cryguinn@yahoo.com

http://www.thejaystick.blogspot.com/