NFL Rookie Most Likely To.....

Now that the NFL Draft is complete and the official offseason has begun, many fans are looking through the first round of picks and evaluating each player. I have decided to go in a different direction and have my own fun with the first round. The following few predictions have a great possibility to come true and do not be surprised if I am correct in my picks.

Here are the NFL rookies most likely to...

Pass for 3000 yards: Mark Sanchez, New York Jets
-Sanchez is coming in to lead and already decent team in New York. The Jets finished last season at 9-7 and were one win away form making the playoffs. With the running game in tact from last year, the coaching staff just wants Sanchez to keep them in the hunt.

Rush for 1000 yards: Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos
-Denver is a breeding ground for NFL running backs. Moreno is a solid back with decent speed and an amazing ability for find a hole to run through. Look for the lineage to continue as Moreno should have a solid rookie campaign.

Compile 1000 receiving yards: Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
-Crabtree is will start out as the #2 wide receiver but look for him to learn from Isaac Bruce and become the number 1 target no matter who the quarterback may be in San Francisco this season.

Make 80 tackles: Aaron Curry, Seattle Seahawks
-The Seahawks drafted arguably the best player in the draft with the 4th pick overall. Curry plays sideline to sideline on defense and with the loss of Leroy Hill look for him to get the majority of the stops in Seattle.

Get 10 sacks: Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins
-With newly aquired Albert Haynesworth occupying blockers in the middle on defense Orakpo will have one-on-one matchups which he should easily win. His strength and motor wil allow him to get in the backfield and be an immediate defensive prescence in the league.

Make 5 interceptions: Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans Saints
-Many believe that the Saints will move Malcolm Jenkins to safety and I agree. He has good size for a defensive back but not the elite speed needed to keep up in coverage. Jenkins instinct for the ball will allow him to roam freely in the middle of the field and pick off opposing quarterbacks with ease.

Score 10 touchdowns: Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles
-Maclin will be getting the majority of the long balls in Philly which should provide for some longs scores. His ability to return kickoffs and punts also gives him a better chance to score, which he is used to doing.

*comment section below this article, post a review at the bottom of the home page, follow on right sidebar under the article archive, and subscribe by sending me (StLDieHard24@gmail.com) your email*

Cory Guinn

cryguinn@yahoo.com

FANdemoniumSports.blogspot.com

Sunday Debate: Which Team Will Pull the Trigger on Mark Sanchez?

Welcome to the newest FANdemonium Sports segment. It is called Sunday Debates. Every Sunday, I will think of a hot topic subject in the world of sports. Today’s subject argues one thing. Where will NFL prospect Mark Sanchez be drafted this upcoming Saturday?

So I will show and analyze some of the teams that are considered top candidates to draft him and then give you where I think he will end up..If you want to view my take on any topic that is suitable for a Sunday Debate, let me know about it. Email me any suggestions (along with anything else you want) at StLDieHard24@gmail.com.I will make a “Sunday Debates” section on the right side of the page under the “It’s FANdemonium, baby!” section. There you will be able to view all of the Sunday Debates. Let’s get started with the fourth Sunday Debate.
-----
T-minus six days until the NFL Draft and things are starting to fall into place. Matthew Stafford will go first, Jason Smith will go second, there’s a 90% chance Aaron Curry will go to the Chiefs with the No. 3 pick, but then it gets a little hairy.

The reason for that is because teams ahead of you may take your guy and you have to change your entire view on your upcoming pick. It goes the other way as well. If the Lions, for some reason, take a player that doesn’t have the name of Stafford, St. Louis then has an entire different approach with the second pick. Do we stick with Smith and address what we need? Or do we take one of the best ever QB prospects to come out of the draft with a best-value approach?

After the first couple picks there are tons of questions as to what happens. WR Jeremy Maclin could go in the top ten, or he could fall into the Rams’ hand at the 35th pick. QB Josh Freeman could go in the first round, but he could also fall into Day 2! However, probably the biggest question on Draft day lies in quarterback Mark Sanchez.

He has been impressing scouts since the day he declared. Some may say that he has a better future than Mr. Superstar that will go to Detroit. Just the way he carries himself awes people. I listened to him on 101ESPN last week, and was flatout impressed. I do not like the Trojans, and was never a huge fan of Sanchez while he was in So Cal, but after hearing him talk with the guys on 101… I’m pulling for the guy all the way. I would love to see my Rams trade to get a spot where they would be able to draft him after their second pick. I think he can turn a franchise around as soon as he walks in. He’s a winner, on and off the gridiron.

With that said… who will draft him?? I don’t think anybody knows (unless Detroit wants him), but we can all give it a shot as to who will land Mark. There are a few candidates, so let’s take a look.


St. Louis Rams, 2nd pick
As a huge Rams fan, do I not condone this, but it is a possibility. Bulger is a pretty decent quarterback when he has a good line. Actually he is – statistically- a great QB with a good line. There lies the problem though. The Rams have no line. If you think Sanchez will be any better, still without an offensive line, you are wrong. STL needs to build from the inside out in this draft. The Rams will have to pick a QB at some point, but I don’t think Sanchez is that man. Look for the Rams to go hard after Josh Freeman in the second round, or trade up to get a mid-late first round pick to get him. Even with that in mind, I would not be surprised if the Rams really consider the USC QB.

San Francisco 49ers, 10th pick
The ‘Niners need a lot of positions in this Draft. Quarterback highlights the list. Who do they have now? Think about it… do you know? Most don’t. Well, it’s Shaun Hill and JT O’Sullivan. Two guys that would likely struggle as a high school QB… Lol sorry guys. Seriously though, that is sad and the 49ers won’t win more than four games without a new QB. The problem is, with San Fran drafting at the 10 spot, Sanchez may not be available. But if he is, you can bet that the 49ers will take him.

Seattle Seahawks, 4th pick
Mark Sanchez will likely be out there when the fourth pick comes around. So, the question is whether the ‘Hawks should take an offensive lineman or somebody to back up the aging Matt Hasselbeck. If they were to take Mark, he would probably be holding the clipboard for at least a year – baring injury. Sanchez could very well find himself in Seattle by the end of this week. This may be the best fit for Sanchez. If you look at it, there are more Ryan Leaf’s than there are Peyton Manning’s. What I am saying is, if you push him into the starting position… who knows how he will respond. He could be Matt Ryan, but he could also be a train wreck. Again, in Seattle, he would be on the sidelines for at least a year. Realistically, that may be the best thing for him.

Jacksonville Jaguars, 8th pick
If the Seahawks do not pull the trigger on the former Trojan with the fourth pick, he will “fall” to the Jags with the eighth, and I don’t think they can pass it up. David Garrard is the current QB, but people aren’t really sure what to think about that. He is by no means a franchise QB. It does kinda seam like he is just there until the Jags find the franchise guy they are looking for. That guy may just be Mark Sanchez. I’m not real sure about the situation if they take Sanchez and who would start the season as the first-stringer. My bet would be that they would have an “open competition” for the spot. Mainly just between those two. During Training Camp, if Sanchez excels, he may start the season. If not, he could be on the sidelines for the season, or until Garrard slips up. David Garrard really regressed last season and Jacksonville will likely pull the trigger on Sanchez for some insurance. You could chalk it up as lack of weapons, and Garrard simply not having any help, but he just did not seem the same as he did in his stellar 2007 season.

This Draft is full of questions, but I did my best to answer the No. 1 ‘?’ heading into Saturday. When it is all said and done, I really think Mark Sanchez will become a Jaguar.

*comment section below this article, post a review at the bottom of the home page, follow on right sidebar under the article archive, and subscribe by sending me (StLDieHard24@gmail.com) your email*




Justin Hulsey
StLDieHard24@gmail.com
FANdemoniumSports.blogspot.com

Which Team Will Pull the Trigger on Mark Sanchez?

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