Heres how I feel about the Browns pick - Yes Joe Haden might turn out to be a "shut down" corner, but I feel like this was a forgettable pick. 3 years from now when I am watching the draft, and ESPN shows the Browns last 5 draft picks I will say "OO yea i remember Joe Haden." Holmgren did not go out and put his stamp on the team and make a big splash or a pick that makes you stop and go WOW! I cant believe the Browns got THIS player. You can find flaws in any player so I am not going to say he is too slow (he ran a 4.6 at the combine) or too small (he is 5'10"), and I hope Haden turns out to be a fine player but rarely do corners drafted this high turn out to be superstars. Prove me wrong, Joe.
Note to Browns fans: Even though I am against this pick, we have to give him some time. Yes he will get beat. How quickly everyone forgets that Jets CB Darrelle Revis got beat like Rodney King his rookie year. It happens, especially to DBs. Lets hope that Haden can learn from Sheldon Brown and Eric Wright and be mainstay on a defense for years to come.
Picks I loved -
Raiders - Rolando McClain. All he did was dominate the SEC for 3 years. He learned in a pro style defense and he is just plain mean and I love that about him. By taking the best defensive player in the draft Al Davis proves he hasnt completely lost his mind.
Cowboys - Dez Bryant. Mr. Romo meet the new playmaker! Bryant's fall was similar to that of Randy Moss and Jerry Jones wasnt going to make the same mistake twice. Great Pick Cowboys!
49ers - Athony Davis, OT and Mike Iupati, OG. Drafting both these players will pay dividends in the years to come as I believe San Francisco will feel very comfortable getting the QB of the future in next years draft.
Lions - Suh and Javid Best, RB. Suh played like King Kong for Nebraska so Detroit hopes they are getting a dominant defensive player. But by adding Best, the Lions are helping Matthew Stafford more than any team has helped a #1 QB since Peyton Manning. Stafford already had WR Megatron (Calvin Johnson), Nate Burleson, RB Kevin Smith, and TE Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Sheffler. If nothing else this will be an exciting offense.
New England - They showed why they are better than everyone else, by trading back twice they were able to add a 3rd and a 4th round pick and they drafted a player that will help the defense that got shredded last year. Oh by the way they have 3 2nd round picks. This is why the Patriots are consistently good.
Picks I Hated -
I really didnt hate too many picks. I felt like a lot of teams picked players in areas of need for there team. That being said, I still dont know who Jacksonville picked. That is not the way to sell tickets, Jacksonville. Who is Aluala? Is he related to the guy the Cavs drafted last year?
I guess I will comment on the other big story lines from draft day -
Tim Tebow went to Denver. This pick if anything, shows me that Josh McDaniels values character over all else. He could have drafted Dez Bryant, but passed. He could have taken Clausen or McCoy but choose to pick Tebow. Its easy to pile on and say that this is the worst pick of all time but Denver does not need a QB and they are in a position to let Tebow develop slowly. Give this pick some time before final judgement.
Ben Roethlisberger did not get traded. No surprise here. Super Bowl winning QBs dont grow on trees.
Jimmy Clausen did not get picked - Oh my God. How did a Notre Dame QB not get drafted?!??!!? Look Clausen has a big arm, but he couldnt beat Navy and thats a red flag to me. By the way, QBs that leave school early have not had the history of success as if he would have stayed the extra year. This blogger is not mad that Clausen did not get picked.
Looking forward to round 2 my hope is the Browns add another defensive presence - LB Sergio Kingle from Texas, S Taylor Mays from USC, DE Carlos Dunlap from Florida, or S Major Wright from Florida. I do not feel like this Browns team is a QB away and McCoy and Clausen both need time to develop. Next years QB class could be stocked especially at the top of the draft with Jake Locker, that is who I would have my eye on.
Happy Drafting!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
NFL Draft Thoughts
As the draft is upon us, I must share with you my thoughts on the NFL Draft. I will give you some thoughts on the Browns, Big Ben, and some other players/teams of interest and I will mock the top 10 picks for tonights draft. But what makes the draft good for TV is that nobody knows what will happen. As much as Mel Kiper pretends to know, he really has no idea what teams will do usually after pick 3. So before you come back and grade my top ten picks, ask yourself did anybody know?
The Browns: I believe the Browns will not target 1 of the QBs in this years draft. They just cant do it. It would cost too much to get Sam Bradford and the town would run Holmgren out of town if he got rid of Brady Quinn if only to bring in Jimmy Clausen. I do believe the Browns are targeting Eric Berry or Earl Thomas, 2 stud safeties. I do not think it is out of the question for the Browns to trade up to take Eric Berry at pick 4 with Washington. It is not out of the question the Browns take CJ Spiller at #7. He is a game breaker, but considering the Browns needs, I do not think it will happen.
Big Ben: Look the guy seems toxic right now, but when he wins some games come October and November everyone will love him again. What he did was beyond disgusting, but NFL teams are only interested in winning games. Therefore, it is nonsense that the Steelers are even thinking about trading Roethlisberger. I will be the 1st person to say that the Steelers organizational structure won those Super Bowl titles, but you can only trade players that are replaceable and franchise QBs are a rare breed. Big Ben stays in Pittsburgh.
Random draft thoughts:
Jimmy Clausen - the guy should not be drafted high. He has a strong arm, but everything else just doesnt seem to be there.
Tim Tebow - Gruden loves him, therefore I must love him. That being said I think all the changes Tebow has made are fine during practice but once the real thing starts and NFL defenders are coming at him I believe he will revert back to his old form which is not a typical NFL delivery. He will work hard and be great in whatever community takes him, but I do not think he will be a great NFL QB.
Dez Bryant - what exactly did this guy do to be falling on NFL draft boards? He became friends with Deon Sanders. Why is that a crime? I personally dont understand why the NCAA suspended him. If the guy is a home run threat why not take him? It makes no sense to me. That being said I dont want the Browns to take him, go Defense Holmgren PLEASE!
Offensive Tackles - Trent Williams, Russel Okong, Anthony Davis, and Bryan Bulaga could go in the top 10. This could have teams trading up and down in the top 10 which will make for excitement.
Defensive Tackles - typically not a glam position, but this will feature picks 2 and 3 in the draft. Both should be studs.
TOP 10 Mock:
1. Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
2. Suh, DT, Nebraska
3. McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
4. Berry, DB, Tennessee (Washington trade down?? Cleveland trade up??)
5. Okung, OT, Oklahoma St
6. Spiller, RB, Clemson
7. Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
8. Bryant, WR, Oklahoma St
9. Williams, OT, Oklahoma
10. Thomas, DB, Texas
very heavy on prospects from the state of Oklahoma. Lets watch the drama unfold.
The Browns: I believe the Browns will not target 1 of the QBs in this years draft. They just cant do it. It would cost too much to get Sam Bradford and the town would run Holmgren out of town if he got rid of Brady Quinn if only to bring in Jimmy Clausen. I do believe the Browns are targeting Eric Berry or Earl Thomas, 2 stud safeties. I do not think it is out of the question for the Browns to trade up to take Eric Berry at pick 4 with Washington. It is not out of the question the Browns take CJ Spiller at #7. He is a game breaker, but considering the Browns needs, I do not think it will happen.
Big Ben: Look the guy seems toxic right now, but when he wins some games come October and November everyone will love him again. What he did was beyond disgusting, but NFL teams are only interested in winning games. Therefore, it is nonsense that the Steelers are even thinking about trading Roethlisberger. I will be the 1st person to say that the Steelers organizational structure won those Super Bowl titles, but you can only trade players that are replaceable and franchise QBs are a rare breed. Big Ben stays in Pittsburgh.
Random draft thoughts:
Jimmy Clausen - the guy should not be drafted high. He has a strong arm, but everything else just doesnt seem to be there.
Tim Tebow - Gruden loves him, therefore I must love him. That being said I think all the changes Tebow has made are fine during practice but once the real thing starts and NFL defenders are coming at him I believe he will revert back to his old form which is not a typical NFL delivery. He will work hard and be great in whatever community takes him, but I do not think he will be a great NFL QB.
Dez Bryant - what exactly did this guy do to be falling on NFL draft boards? He became friends with Deon Sanders. Why is that a crime? I personally dont understand why the NCAA suspended him. If the guy is a home run threat why not take him? It makes no sense to me. That being said I dont want the Browns to take him, go Defense Holmgren PLEASE!
Offensive Tackles - Trent Williams, Russel Okong, Anthony Davis, and Bryan Bulaga could go in the top 10. This could have teams trading up and down in the top 10 which will make for excitement.
Defensive Tackles - typically not a glam position, but this will feature picks 2 and 3 in the draft. Both should be studs.
TOP 10 Mock:
1. Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
2. Suh, DT, Nebraska
3. McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
4. Berry, DB, Tennessee (Washington trade down?? Cleveland trade up??)
5. Okung, OT, Oklahoma St
6. Spiller, RB, Clemson
7. Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
8. Bryant, WR, Oklahoma St
9. Williams, OT, Oklahoma
10. Thomas, DB, Texas
very heavy on prospects from the state of Oklahoma. Lets watch the drama unfold.
Friday, April 16, 2010
NBA Playoff Predictions
EAST
Round 1
Cavs over Bulls in 4. No real series here just a few tune up games before the real thing starts.
Celtics over Heat in 6. The C's must be disappointed to see D Wade coming to town. Fortunately for them, the Heat have assembled a worse supporting cast than the 1 the Cavs had around LBJ in 07 when they went to the finals.
Hawks over Bucks in 5. Hawks are athletic and without Bogut Bucks dont stand a chance.
Magi over Bobcats in 6. This will surprising be a series.
Conference Semi's
Cavs over Celtics in 5. Another yawner for the Cavs as King James rips through an old tired Celtics team.
Hawks over Magic in 7. Call this a gut feeling but I believe that the Magic will lose its magically 3 point touch it had in the playoffs last year against Cleveland and Atlanta will display the athletism and beat the Magic.
East Finals
Cavs over Hawks in 6. It will be a close back and forth series but when all is said and done this Cavs team is head and shoulders above the rest in the East. The difference between this years team and last years team is HUGE. This blogger will be very shocked if any team knocks the Cavs from the playoffs before the NBA finals.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Round 1
Lakers over Thunder in 4. Kevin Durant, twinning 50 games is nice but his is your welcome to the NBA moment.
Nuggets over Jazz in 7. This might be the best series in the playoffs. Deron Williams is a great player, if only he had a little bit more help.
Suns over Blazers in 5. Suns are on fire and the traditional post season meltdown will wait a series or 2.
Spurs over Mavs in 7. Another classic series. Spurs have too much talent to lose it.
Semi's
Lakers over Nuggets in 7. Nuggets can win this series. But the Lakers are the champs, and they have come out of the West the last 2 seasons for a reason. I believe in the Lakers veterans.
Spurs over Suns in 6. Same old result here - Suns had a great regular season only to see the Spurs in the playoffs, sorry about your luck Steve Nash.
West Finals
Spurs over Lakers in 6. Call it a gut feeling but I think this Spurs team has 1 more run in them. Manu is playing his best ball and Tim duncan is always a beast.
NBA FINALS
CAVS over Spurs in 7. The CAVS will win the first sporst championship for Cleveland since 1964. Lebron will have an epic series vaulting him into the greatest of all time discussion.
Round 1
Cavs over Bulls in 4. No real series here just a few tune up games before the real thing starts.
Celtics over Heat in 6. The C's must be disappointed to see D Wade coming to town. Fortunately for them, the Heat have assembled a worse supporting cast than the 1 the Cavs had around LBJ in 07 when they went to the finals.
Hawks over Bucks in 5. Hawks are athletic and without Bogut Bucks dont stand a chance.
Magi over Bobcats in 6. This will surprising be a series.
Conference Semi's
Cavs over Celtics in 5. Another yawner for the Cavs as King James rips through an old tired Celtics team.
Hawks over Magic in 7. Call this a gut feeling but I believe that the Magic will lose its magically 3 point touch it had in the playoffs last year against Cleveland and Atlanta will display the athletism and beat the Magic.
East Finals
Cavs over Hawks in 6. It will be a close back and forth series but when all is said and done this Cavs team is head and shoulders above the rest in the East. The difference between this years team and last years team is HUGE. This blogger will be very shocked if any team knocks the Cavs from the playoffs before the NBA finals.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Round 1
Lakers over Thunder in 4. Kevin Durant, twinning 50 games is nice but his is your welcome to the NBA moment.
Nuggets over Jazz in 7. This might be the best series in the playoffs. Deron Williams is a great player, if only he had a little bit more help.
Suns over Blazers in 5. Suns are on fire and the traditional post season meltdown will wait a series or 2.
Spurs over Mavs in 7. Another classic series. Spurs have too much talent to lose it.
Semi's
Lakers over Nuggets in 7. Nuggets can win this series. But the Lakers are the champs, and they have come out of the West the last 2 seasons for a reason. I believe in the Lakers veterans.
Spurs over Suns in 6. Same old result here - Suns had a great regular season only to see the Spurs in the playoffs, sorry about your luck Steve Nash.
West Finals
Spurs over Lakers in 6. Call it a gut feeling but I think this Spurs team has 1 more run in them. Manu is playing his best ball and Tim duncan is always a beast.
NBA FINALS
CAVS over Spurs in 7. The CAVS will win the first sporst championship for Cleveland since 1964. Lebron will have an epic series vaulting him into the greatest of all time discussion.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Opening Day Predictions!
I am back to blogging! It feels great, I have missed it. After a long hiatus, I have a lot of thoughts that I want to share with the world. This post is especially dedicated to Nick Pozek who did not believe that I would ever blog again.
First to my predictions for the 2010 Baseball Season:
AL East - Boston
AL Central - White Sox
AL West - LAA
Wild Card - Tampa Bay
AL MVP - Miguel Cabrera
AL Cy Young - Felix Hernandez
Cleveland Indians - 78 - 84 3rd in the AL Central. Good lineup, questionable pitching leads to mediocre season - but they will contend in the division with no real front running team.
NL East - Philadelphia
NL Central - St Louis
NL West - Arizona
Wild Card - Florida
NL MVP - Albert Pujols
NL Cy Young - Dan Haren
Playoffs:
ALCS - Boston over LA
NLCS - Philadelphia over Arizona
World Series - Phillies over Red Sox in 5
Have at it on my baseball predictions. Here are some random bonus thoughts on the sports world:
1. I am sure we all remember that legendary question we would ask as kids, If Tiger Woods slept with a women and noone was around to see it, would the world find out? Tiger answered that for all of us over the last few months, yes in fact we would find out about it. Non stop coverage in fact. But he is back to playing competitive golf and we will all be sure to get the analysis of whether the commentators think he is focusing on his birdie putt, or if he is thinking about that women in the 3rd row of the grandstands. You know where his head is at. No chance Tiger wins this week at Augusta, but I believe he will win a major this year.
2. Never have I ever been less excited for a college basketball championship game as I am this year. 2 similar teams, that took similar paths to get there - white boys, no NBA potential on either team, and neither team played a team with any real athletes or at least NBA potential this tournament. Duke should win, but I wont pick them in my blog. I pick Butler, if only because Duke struggled so mightily on the road this year and this is a home game for Butler. But let me make clear that I am not rooting for Butler because they are a "Cinderella." They are not. Butler is similar to Gonzaga. Gonzaga is a top 25 program, no longer the surprise pick. Butler is not George Mason. Actually I take back my Butler pick and I refuse to pick and watch. I want nothing to do with this game.
3. Bring on the real athletes. Watching the Cavs v. Celtics could not help but get you fired up for the NBA playoffs. What the NBA does is it markets its superstars better than any other league. It wasnt Cavs v. Celtics - it was Lebron v. Garnett. Garnett may have won yesterday, but no doubt about it Lebron was never more fired up than he was in that 4th quarter and the Cavs will own the C's come playoff time. More NBA playoff predictions at a later date.
4. Be sure to check back with more NFL draft thoughts, but the news of the day is that the Eagles traded Donovan McNabb to division rival Washington. Lets call this what it was, a salary dump. Kevin Kolb does not give Philadelphia a better chance to win this year. In fact, expect the Eagles to be drafting in the top 10 in next years draft. I dont think its the greatest move for Washington either, but they will be competitive with McNabb and Shanahan. The NFL is a quarterback league and Philadelphia threw the only chance they ever had at a Super Bowl out the window.
First to my predictions for the 2010 Baseball Season:
AL East - Boston
AL Central - White Sox
AL West - LAA
Wild Card - Tampa Bay
AL MVP - Miguel Cabrera
AL Cy Young - Felix Hernandez
Cleveland Indians - 78 - 84 3rd in the AL Central. Good lineup, questionable pitching leads to mediocre season - but they will contend in the division with no real front running team.
NL East - Philadelphia
NL Central - St Louis
NL West - Arizona
Wild Card - Florida
NL MVP - Albert Pujols
NL Cy Young - Dan Haren
Playoffs:
ALCS - Boston over LA
NLCS - Philadelphia over Arizona
World Series - Phillies over Red Sox in 5
Have at it on my baseball predictions. Here are some random bonus thoughts on the sports world:
1. I am sure we all remember that legendary question we would ask as kids, If Tiger Woods slept with a women and noone was around to see it, would the world find out? Tiger answered that for all of us over the last few months, yes in fact we would find out about it. Non stop coverage in fact. But he is back to playing competitive golf and we will all be sure to get the analysis of whether the commentators think he is focusing on his birdie putt, or if he is thinking about that women in the 3rd row of the grandstands. You know where his head is at. No chance Tiger wins this week at Augusta, but I believe he will win a major this year.
2. Never have I ever been less excited for a college basketball championship game as I am this year. 2 similar teams, that took similar paths to get there - white boys, no NBA potential on either team, and neither team played a team with any real athletes or at least NBA potential this tournament. Duke should win, but I wont pick them in my blog. I pick Butler, if only because Duke struggled so mightily on the road this year and this is a home game for Butler. But let me make clear that I am not rooting for Butler because they are a "Cinderella." They are not. Butler is similar to Gonzaga. Gonzaga is a top 25 program, no longer the surprise pick. Butler is not George Mason. Actually I take back my Butler pick and I refuse to pick and watch. I want nothing to do with this game.
3. Bring on the real athletes. Watching the Cavs v. Celtics could not help but get you fired up for the NBA playoffs. What the NBA does is it markets its superstars better than any other league. It wasnt Cavs v. Celtics - it was Lebron v. Garnett. Garnett may have won yesterday, but no doubt about it Lebron was never more fired up than he was in that 4th quarter and the Cavs will own the C's come playoff time. More NBA playoff predictions at a later date.
4. Be sure to check back with more NFL draft thoughts, but the news of the day is that the Eagles traded Donovan McNabb to division rival Washington. Lets call this what it was, a salary dump. Kevin Kolb does not give Philadelphia a better chance to win this year. In fact, expect the Eagles to be drafting in the top 10 in next years draft. I dont think its the greatest move for Washington either, but they will be competitive with McNabb and Shanahan. The NFL is a quarterback league and Philadelphia threw the only chance they ever had at a Super Bowl out the window.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
