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.
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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.

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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

Changes Under Way for the Rams

Remember the Mike Martz years? The old saying is “you get a little good with the bad” right? Well that’s exactly what that era in Rams’ history was. You had the “Greatest Show on Turf” years when we dominated the league... but we also had times when you had to ask yourself what the hell is Mike doing? He is an offensive genius and I cannot deny him that.

Then came along Scott Linehan. A complete change from Martz, Linehan was calm, cool, and collective. After years with the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins, Scott had finally landed his first head coaching gig EVER. Expectations where high and the fans were looking for the glory years once more. Trust me, I was one of them.

Well that was then and this is now. Now Scott Linehan is fired. Last week Monday, Chip Rosenbloom gave Linehan the (expected) boot. Scott Linehan took control of an 8-8 team in 2006, and was fired September 29, 2008, after the team started the season 0-4 following a 3-13 performance the previous season. Linehan’s combined Rams’ record halts at 11-25 in three years. He was 1-1 in the playoffs, playing both games in his first season in ’04.

His firing was inevitable following a 0-4 start in which the Rams’ were arguably the worst team in the NFL. Losses to the Eagles (38-3), the Giants (41-13), the Seahawks (37-13), and the Bills (31-14) brought the combined score to umm about 116-29... making us the team with the worst offense and defense in the NFL J. It was so bad that I was convinced that Mizzou could beat them. The Rams’ have lost 17 of their past 20 games (8 in a row), most of them being absolute blow outs. During the Week 4 game against the Bills, signs even read “Congress: Bail out the Rams!!!”

It was no doubt that the Rams’ wanted Scott out as well. Two days after Linehan benched team QB Marc Bulger, Bulger and RB Steven Jackson publically ripped Linehan. Jackson saying, “I just don't like it at all. There are more people that can take the blame for this. I don't think it's fair that one person takes the blame. You don't put your head guy, the general, the staple center, and you bench him with no excuse. It's not right,” and Bulger reportedly saying, “I can’t and won’t ever play for that man again.” So now, Scott, you have your two biggest stars tired of you, what else could go wrong…. except for being fired!

Since then, Bulger (Rams’ highest paid player ever) has regained his job and will be starting Week 6. Speaking of, the road ahead is not easy. The Rams play the 4-1 Washington Redskins this week, followed by the 4-1 Dallas Cowboys the week after.

Linehan needed to be fired but he is not the only one. The team can also blame recent drafts, as well, for the recent suckiness. This year’s past draft was the best I have seen in a long time for the Rams after drafting future stars Chris Long, Donnie Avery, Justin King, and Keenan Burton but before that the drafts were awful. Sure, in 2007 we got Adam Carriker who has turned out to be not half bad but we also drafted Brian Leonard? Jon Wade? Who is he? In 2006, (the punk who always gets us pentalized) Tye Hill? Joe Klopfenstein? Claude Wroten? Again in 2005, Alex Barron is not playing like a 1st rounder three years ago. The rest of that draft class you ask? There are no current starters besides Barron. These guys are supposed to be really good by now! What’s going on, front office?

Back to the Linehan being fired... Who took his spot? Good ole Jim Haslett. Our former Defensive Coordinator who allowed 116 points! Hooray! Now, don’t get me wrong... I kinda like the guy but that sentence just does not sound right, “Defensive Coordinator who allowed 116 points!” I am just saying, some have a legitimate excuse to think he is the wrong man for the job. Believe it or not, Rosenbloom actually insists that Jimmy is, in fact, not the Interim coach but the full time, all out coach of the Rams. With Haslett taking the reins, former assistant coach and LB coach Rick Venturi will now take the Defensive Coordinating job.

In a recent St. Louis Post Dispatch interview with Haslett, they discuss a variety of things Haslett is going to change off the field to create more discipline that really impressed me. Take a look:

You’ve already made some interesting decisions. You wanted the bushes trimmed around the practice field, and you wanted some boxes and stuff cleared out of the lobby. Why?

“[…] The main lobby is not a holding center for boxes and stuff. If you are a guest and you walk in, the main lobby is the first thing you see. You don’t have stuff thrown all over your living room – boxes and garbage thrown around. And when the players walk onto the field, the bushes are about 10 feet high – they’re overgrown and there are weeds. That doesn’t mean you’re going to win or lose games, but I think it’s the appearance that, hey, this is a nice organization […].”

Also, you’ve taken the benches out of the indoor practice facility. Why?

“We are not sitting on benches. We’re not sitting on helmets. This is not the Greatest Show on Turf anymore where guys could just sit around and get up and practice. We’re not that type of team anymore. […] I don’t want guys sitting on helmets. I don’t want guys sitting on the railings. Sitting on bags. Sitting on the benches. You’re only out here for two hours. Concentrate on what you’ve got to do, and I don’t think we need to sit down.”

What is your general football philosophy? How do you go about the business of winning games?

“First of all, you’ve got to have good players. You’ve got to have the right type of players. I like guys that are tough, hard-nosed guys. That like playing the game. I don’t think you draft guys now unless they love the play the game. The money should not be an issue. On the field, I think field position’s big in the National Football League. You have to play well enough on defense. You’ve got to know what you have on offense. You’ve got to know what kind of players you have. Can you score a lot of points? Are you a grind-it-out football team? There’s more than one way to skin a cat. […].”

You can see the rest of this interview at www.stltoday.com.

For me, that is the best attitude the guy could have. He thinks outside of the box and knows what needs to be done off the field as well as on it in order to win football games. The dude knows what he is doing and has been in this situation before. In 2000, Haslett was hired in New Orleans to try and rejuvenate a 3-13 team the year before. Not only did he improve the team, he led them to a 10-6 record, their first ever playoff win, and a ton of accolades for himself including the AP Coach of the Year.

Who knows how this will all play out. Haslett has the swagger and the right mindset to turn the talent we have into some victories. We may be worse than before, or we just might decide to stop jacking around and get something done with this season before it’s too late.


Justin Hulsey
StLDieHard24@gmail.com