NFL: If he builds it, they might end the lock-out

Thank you "Wolfman"

Field of Dreams 2: NFL Lockout with Taylor Lautner from Taylor Lautner

NFL Mock Draft Continued...

11. Houston Texans

Robert Quinn OLB/DE, North Carolina - The Texans hired former Dallas Cowboy Head Coach Wade Phillips to be their defensive coordinator. This is noteworthy because he runs a 3-4 defensive scheme, which means the Texans are going to be switching to that this next season. In order to have this scheme to work you have to have an edge rusher. Robert Quinn has drawn comparisons to DeMarcus Ware of the Cowboys. Wade turned Shawn Merriman and Ware into stars, and will look to do the same with Quinn.

12. Minnesota Vikings

NFL Mock Draft 2011!

The NFL Draft is fast approaching, and that means it is time for my annual mock draft!  I will break it up into 3 posts starting with the top 10 picks today.

1. Carolina Panthers 

Marcell Dareus DT, Alabama - The Panthers need a lot of help on the offensive side of the ball but this years draft is lacking in the offensive power of years past, therefore they will go with one of the best defensive players in the draft; Marcell Dareus.  Dareus was simply unblockable in Bama's bowl game against Michigan State, and has since done nothing but help his draft stock.  He is nothing short of a giant at 6'3" and 320 lbs!  In addition to that, their new head coach is a former defensive coordinator.

 2.  Denver Broncos

Da'Quan Bowers DE, Clemson- Last year the Broncos defense could not sack the QB if they were playing 2-hand touch.  When Elvis Dumervil got injured prior to the season the Broncos lost their only good pass rusher.  Last year their leading sack getter had only 5.5 sacks!  It does not matter who is in your secondary when you cannot pressure the QB.   Bowers is a perfect fit for John Fox's 4-3 defense that he will run in Denver.  Adding Bowers and getting Dumervil back from injury should provide the Broncos with a deadly due at DE.

3. Buffalo Bills

Cam Newton QB, Auburn - Every year there is a team that picks an over hyped player and this year is no different... thank you Buffalo.  Head coach-Chan Gailey has always loved playing with QBs that can make plays with their feet.  His best year as an offensive coordinator was with the Steelers in 2001 when he helped Kordell Stewart have the best season of his career.  Also when he coached at Georgia Tech he always had an option QB running the offense.  He will be begging for the Bills to draft Newton!  Newton has all the makings to be Vince Young 2.0, which is never a good thing, but his talent is out of this world and will be the pick for the Bills.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

A.J. Green WR, Georgia-  The Bengals primary need at this point is to give Carson Palmer a reason to stick around.  Chad Johnson is not the same game changing receiver he once was and in his own words it is time for him to "kiss the baby"!  Cincy needs to get Palmer surrounded by more football players and less reality TV stars.  Green is a game changing receiver that will have Palmer smiling again in Cincinnati.

5. Arizona Cardinals

Blaine Gabbert QB, Missouri-  The Cardinals are hurting in a bad way for a QB that can flat play.  They struck out a few years back with Matt Leinart, and now need to take their chances again this year with Gabbert - although I could very easily see them trading for QB Kevin Kolb from the Eagles.  If Kolb becomes a reality, look for them to draft Von Miller, OLB from Texas A&M.

6. Cleveland Browns

Nick Fairley DT, Auburn- The Browns would love to get A.J. Green at this point but because he is gone they will take Fairley.  Its hard to see them passing on Patrick Peterson but they selected James Harden last year and I find it hard to believe a team would invest that much money into such younger players that play the same position.  Fairley will help them rebuild their defense.

  7. San Francisco 49ers

Patrick Peterson CB, LSU- This is the best pick of the draft!  The 49ers get lucky and in my opinion land the best player in this years draft.  Years ago the 49ers signed Nate Clement to be their shut down corner and although he has been good, he has not lived up to his price tag.  Peterson will give them that shut down corner, and when paired with Patrick Willis... let's just say the 49ers defense will be solid for years.

8. Tennessee Titans

Corey Liuget DT, Illinois- This pick is a big time reach but their defense is in need of having a dominate DT.  At this point Liuget is the best remaining DT on the board.  They would benefit to trade down if this is the direction they go but thanks to the labor dispute, this years draft might not include any trades. 

9. Dallas Cowboys

Von Miller OLB, Texas A&M- The Cowboys 2 biggest needs are at DE and OL.  They will go with Miller because he is too good to pass up at this point.  Miller is drawing comparisons to Clay Matthews of the Packers.  Tyron Smith LT from USC would be a better pick but, interesting little fact; Jerry Jones has yet to draft an OL in the first round since he bought the Cowboys.  Also they could look at J.j. Watt DE from Wisconsin or Cameron Jordan DE from Cal.

10. Washington Redskins

Julio Jones WR, Alabama-  The Redskins need a serious upgrade at WR, and Jones will provide that.  A few years ago they attempted to take a couple WRs in Devon Thomas and Malcolm Kelly which have been a complete disappointment.  Neither of those guys have the talent or speed that Jones has.  The Redskins think they have their man in Jason Campbell, and now it is time to get him someone to throw to.

Jamarcus R. aint no J. Unitas!

2 Pac would be proud. As his over sized stomach tattoo recommended, the professional sports world is full on livin' a "THUG LIFE". So Gangsta!

Sports Science! Must See TV

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am not into science.... at all! The fact of the matter is that its boring and I do not understand any of it... then again that is why I work in sales. Over the course of the NFL Draft ESPN has been running a special that used to run on Fox Sports, called Sports Science. They have been taking players that are in the draft and running various tests with them.







Take look and let me know if I am the only one that LOVES this stuff!







DT, Ndamukong Suh the 2nd overall pick in the draft









OT, Bruce Campbell 4th round pick by the Raiders

Mountain West Players in NFL DRAFT

The NFL Draft has come and gone! And the Mountain West Conference had a good showing. In total there were 13 players drafted in last weekends draft from the MWC. Here is a break down school by school:




Utah:


OLB Koa Misi - Dolphins 2nd round 8th pick


OT, Zane Beadles - Broncos 2nd round 13th pick


WR, David Reed - Ravens 5th round 25th pick


LB, Sylvester Stevenson - Steelers 5th round 35th pick


DB, RJ Stanford - Panthers 7th round 16th pick









BYU: TE, Dennis Pitta - Ravens 4th round 16th pick




Undrafted but signed with a team


QB, Max Hall - Cardinals


FB, Manaase Tonga - Raiders


TE, Andrew George - Panthers









TCU: DE, Jerry Hughes - Colts 1st round 31st pick


MLB, Daryl Washington - Cardinals 2nd round 15th pick


OT, Marshall Newhouse - Packers 5th round 38th pick


Undrafted but signed with a team:


OT, Nic Richmond - Chargers


LS, Cling Cresham - Saints


CB, Rafael Preis - Saints










New Mexico:C, Erik Cook - Redskins 7th round 22 pick


Undrafted but signed with a team:


WR, Daryl Jones - Saints


WR, Victor James - Seahawks










UNLV:OG, Joe Hawley - Falcons 4th round 19th pick


Undrafted but signed with a team:


WR, Ryan Wolfe - Falcons


WR, Rodelin Anthony, Ravens


LB, Jason Beauchamp, Saints











Colorado State: OG, Shelley Smtih - Texans 7th round 18th pick


Undrafted but signed with a team:


OT, Cole Pemberton - Texans.


WR, Alfonso Greer - Cowboys


C, Adrian Martinez - Seahawks




Interesting to see that the Utes had the best showing in the NFL Draft. That is a good sign for the football program.

NFL Draft Day 1 Winners and Losers

Now I will admit with the new format of the draft there is not a ton to grade but here are some highlight picks that standout.




Winners-




Packers- LT Byran Bugala Iowa
They needed a offensive tackle in a bad way and they got one of the top in my opinion the 3rd best tackle in the draft at 23rd overall. His was projected to be a top 10 pick.




Cowboys - WR Dez Bryant Oklahoma St.
Ok so I favor the Cowboys just a little but this is a can't miss pick! The last time a receiver fell like this was in 1998 when Randy Moss fell to the Vikings at 21. What is even more similar is that in 1998 Kevin Dyson was picked by the Titans because he was a "better guy". Well tonight Demaryius Thomas was picked before Bryant because of the same reason.





Seahawks - LT Russell Okung Oklahoma St
In my mock draft I had them taking Trent Williams from Oklahoma but the luck out and land the number 1 tackle in this years draft! This is a steal!! He will be a starter from day one.




Losers-




Jaguars - DT Tyson Alualu California
This was completely on expected... He was projected to be at best a early 2nd round pick. The Jaguars could have traded down picked up more picks and still have landed their guy. The blew this pick!




Bills- RB CJ Spiller Clemson
The picked the one position that they were decent at! A running back!!! You have to be kidding?! This team has way to many pressing needs to be jumping on another RB. Hands down the dumbest pick of the draft.... and it is not because Spiller is worth of this pick but rather the team doesn't need him.




San Diego - RB Ryan Matthews Fresno St
They traded way to much to move up and get their guy! He will be a great player for them but great teams are always built by drafting a lot of good players and not just one good one.




Denver - QB Tim Tebow Florida and WR Demaryius Thomas Georgia Tech
They got decent value for Thomas but the reached way to high to get Tebow. He will be lucky to be a starting QB in 3 years.... Denver needs to learn how to manage players with big personalities and stop trading them all away. They are putting to much credence in character!

NFL Team Spotlight - Jets, Vikings, Colts, & Saints

Jets 29 - OLB Jerry Hughes, TCU

The Jets may look for a WR with this pick but with the pick up of Santonio Holmes I do not seem them using their first pick on that position. The Jets already have one of the leagues best defensive units and I think they will improve that with this pick. This is the year when the Jets put former number one pick Vernon Gholston on the bench. Replacing Gholston will be Mtn West product Jerry Hughes. Hughes can flat out get to the QB! He dominated the Mtn West Conference and will have similar success in the pros. If Hughes was in a BCS conference and had half the production he did at TCU; he would be a top 10 pick! This is the steal of the draft in my mind!

Vikings 30 - WR Dez Byrant, Oklahoma State

Ok I can hear the Viking fans saying this pick does not make any sense. They are already load at receiver with S. Rice, P. Harvin, and B. Berrian. The reason they take Bryant is because he is just to good to pass up. In addition to that this could help Farve decide if he wants to come back for another season. If Byrant is not here look for them to address the Cornerback position with this pick. Patrick Robinson from Florida State would be a good fit here as well.

Colts 31 - LT Charles Brown, USC

The Colts have a loaded roster and do not have many needs. One of the areas they will look to focus on will be the depth on the offensive line. Due to the amount of depth this team already has I see them taking the best available offensive line and that is Charles Brown. He might not start from day one but he gives them a great option and has a bright future.

Saints 32 - OLB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri

The Saints will look to either fill the pick with a DE or a OLB. Weatherspoon makes the most sense for them at this point in the draft. They just barely lost their starting OLB Scott Fujita to the Browns via free agency. In addition to that their starting LBs are getting up there in age with Jonathan Vilma being their youngest starter at 28 years old. Weatherspoon will come in and compete for a starting spot and that is what you look for with your first round pick.

NFL Team Spotlight - Pats, Packers, Eagles, Ravens, Cards, Cowboys, & Chargers

Patriots 22 - DL Jared Odrick, Penn State

The Pats could look to draft a young wide out like Dez Byrant with this pick. Dez would make a lot of sense given that Randy Moss is in the final year of his contract and it does not appear that they will resign him. Last year the Pats traded Richard Seymour to the Raiders and his lose was felt. For that reason they will select Jared Odrick from Penn State. In college Odrick play DT but will look to play at DE in the Pats 3-4 scheme.

Packers 23 - OLB Sergio Kindle, Texas

The Packers hired Don Capers last year to install the 3-4 defense scheme. Last year they had some good success but the one thing that did not catch on was the pass rush from the OLBs. Clay Matthews did a great job last year but Aaron Kampman did not make the transition from DE to OLB. Due to that Aaron has now signed with the Jaguars. Sergio Kindle is a college DE that has all of the tools to make the move to OLB in a 3-4 defense. The Packers will draft him with the expectation that he will become their dominate pass rusher.

Eagles 24 - S Earl Thomas, Texas

They Eagles need some serious help in the Secondary. They just barely traded Sheldon Brown to the Browns for draft picks, he was one of their starting cornerbacks last season. Do not be surprised if the Eagles pick up a cornerback with this pick. The other need is at Safety were they struggled last year with the lose of Brian Dawkins. Thomas is far to good to pass on at this point in the draft. He will start from day one with the Eagles. Big reason they lost last year to the Cowboys was because their safeties could not cover Jason Witten; that is something Thomas will be able to do.

Ravens 25 - CB Kareem Jackson, Alabama

The Ravens may also look to add yet another receiver with this pick. I find it hard to believe they will do this though since they just added Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth. For that reason they will look to add a CB to help Ed Reed in the secondary. They have not had a top flight CB since they release Chris McCalister a few years back. For that reason they will pick Jackson from Alabama. He will come in a contribute from day one.

Cardinals 26 - DT Dan Williams, Tennesse

This is the draft were the Cards look to add some depth on the defensive side of the ball. They have a couple of needs at OLB and also DL. They addressed the OLB with the addition of Joey Porter. For that reason they will look to add depth to the Defensive Line. They have a Bryan Robinson at NT but his 35 years old! That is too old! They need some young help and that is why they will select Dan Williams with this pick.

Cowboys 27 - LT Anthony Davis, Rutgers

There are 2 really big needs for the Boys and they are at Safety and Offensive Line. I would love this pick here but I am only doing it because Davis is one of the top LT in this years draft. It should be noted that since Jerry Jones took over the Dallas Cowboys they have never drafted a OL in the first round. That is why this pick could be more of a pipe dream then reality. If they do not pick Davis they will look for a Safety. They would love Earl Thomas but he will be gone by the time they pick. It would not surprise me if they picked S Nate Allen from USF, who is the best safety left on the board at this point. Then in the second round pick up OL Vladimir Ducasse from Massachusetts. Jerry Jones loves OL that can play multiple position on the line and that is what Ducasse is.

Chargers 28 - RB Ryan Matthews, Fresno State

The Charges have some need due to looses in free agency ie. RB LT and NT Jamal Williams. The lose of Williams leaves a big hole in the defensive line and look for them to address that position in the draft. They would love it if Dan Williams from Tennessee would fall to them here but he will be gone by the time they pick. As for RB you do not just let the best running back in Charger history go and not look to replace that position first! They need a big between the tackles type of running back and that is what Matthews is. This pick is all but a lock unless a player falls to them that they have rated highly ie. Dan Williams.

NFL Team Spotlight - 49ers, Steelers, Falcons, Texans, and Bengals

17. 49ers - S Taylor Mays, USC

The 49ers get their second pick in the 1^st round! Not a bad place to be in! Most people have them taking Mike Iupati from Idaho with this pick; however, I think he will get drafted before this pick. That is way I had them taking him at 13^th overall. With this pick they are going to address the secondary and take Taylor Mays from USC. Mays is what most people consider a workout warrior, meaning he performs better in a gym then on the football field. He is big at 230 pounds and fast running a 4.4 second 40 yard dash. He has a ton of potential and would be fans in the seats with having gone to college in California. His game is compared to former Cowboy S Roy Williams. That comparison means he plays the run great but struggles in his pass defense. I personally am not big on him and do not think he is going to be great… good probably but not great.

18. Steelers - C Maurkice Pouncey, Florida

The Steelers are looking to get the media focusing on their draft and not their idiot of a QB Ben Roethlisberger! Can I just say that he is arguably the most white trash QB in the league! Did you see his hair the other day when he read his statement?!@ What the hell was with that… sorry but I am just sick of hearing about him wrecking his motorcycle and sexually assaulting girls!! Wow I feel better now! Back to the draft; look for them to address their interior offensive linemen with their first pick. The would really love Iupati but are not disappointed to land Maurkice Pouncey from the University of Florida. He is versatile and can play guard or center in the NFL… I personally love this guy and think is going to start from day one.

19. Falcons - Brandon Graham, Michigan

The Falcons biggest need are defensive end and also cornerback. They address cornerback in free agency by signing Dunta Robinson for 6 years. For that reason look for them to address the DE position with their first pick. They struggled last year getting to the QB and that was due in large part to the bad season that John Abraham had. They ranked 28^th in sacks last year! In case you are wondering that is not good! The player I like for them is Brandon Graham from Michigan. Everyone has Graham moving to OLB in a 3-4 scheme in the NFL but I like him at DE in a 4-3 scheme myself. He is built just like Abraham only that he is younger, stronger, and quicker! He can help the Falcons from day one.

20. Texans - Devin McCourty, Rutgers

The Texans need to help their defense! Last year they provide that they have a good offense to make a run in the playoffs. I would like to say they will take Dan Williams from Tennessee but I see them looking into the secondary on this pick. They could take either a Safety like Earl Thomas or Cornerback like Kareem Jackson. I think they will go with Devin McCourty from Rutgers. He is arguably the most complete corner in the draft and would start for them from day one.

21. Bengals - Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma

The Bengals are looking to have a big next season! They already have a good defense and running game, now they only need the passing game to catch up. They have already started improving that with the addition of WR Antonio Bryant in free agency. Look for them to add a TE with their first pick. I love the pick of Jermaine Gresham from Oklahoma. This guy was a top 10 pick last year but came back for his senior season and got injured. They only reason he is still available is due to his injury. This is a steal for the Bengals and they get a top flight TE with their first pick.