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Ndamukong Suh Headlines Too Early 2010 NFL Mock Draft

Published: January 7, 2010

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The Journey to the draft is about to begin.

Well, actually, it already has begun for 20 NFL teams. The playoffs begin Saturday, Jan. 9, and will go all the way to Sunday, Feb. 7 when a new champion is crowned.

That being said, we already know the top 20 draft order, except for some coin flips that will determine certain draft positions.

I will also unveil my formula of what I would do if I were the GM, and what I think the team will do.

Let’s not waste any more time and dive right into the (Too) Early 2010 NFL Mock Draft.

1. St. Louis Rams

What I would do—Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame

I am not backing down on this pick yet. Does Ndamukong Suh make sense? Of course he does, but the Rams need a face of the franchise, and they need to get Steven Jackson some help.

What they will do—Suh, DT Nebraska

Can you blame them? No, and if they make this pick I will not chastise them one bit. I just think the need for a quarterback trumps them taking another defensive lineman early.

2. Detroit Lions

What I would do— Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State

The Lions have 120 million reasons to make this pick. It may not be popular or sexy, but Matt Stafford is already struggling with injuries, and getting a potential franchise LT would be a nice start.

What they will do—Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma

No Suh, no problem for Detroit. I don’t know why they like Jeff Backus and his eight sacks given up this year, but they do. So apparently, they will go with defense, and wait until Stafford’s arm falls off before they decide to protect him.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What I would do—Suh

What a fit that would be. Suh is one of the top two or three prospects in the draft, so why do I have him falling to three? Because the other two teams have glaring needs that can be filled with excellent prospects.

What they will do—Eric Berry, S Tennessee

Again, there is nothing wrong with this pick. If he is there, they take him and then needn’t worry about the safety position for the next five to six years. I can’t really see any problems with this working out for them.

4. Washington Redskins

What I would do—Berry

Was talking with a buddy of mine the other day, and he was more than disenchanted with the idea of a QB being taken at four. I couldn’t agree more, but hey, I am a writer and not an NFL exec. Berry would be a great QB for the defense that, really, is not that far away from being top five in the league. Does he get them there? Maybe, but if he fell to them there is no way they should pass him up.

What they will do—Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma

New coach, new QB? Seems to have worked for other teams around the league, and Bradford is the accurate, ball control passer that Mike Shanahan likes.

5. Kansas City Chiefs

What I would do—Anthony Davis, OT Rutgers

Davis is already climbing most boards, and while I am not a fan of the so-called board climbers, I do see the ability; especially with all the athleticism he possesses.

What they will do—Okung

I guess it will depend on the week with who is going here. Okung is still the best OT prospect in my eyes, but he was off the board in my draft scenario; so Davis is the pick.

6. Seattle Seahawks

What I would do—Bruce Campbell, OT Maryland

Campbell is a bruiser, but more than that, he is a good-looking prospect at a need position for the oft-injured Seattle Seahawks offensive line. On top of that, if they are not intrigued with any of the QB prospects, then they need to find someone to keep Matt Hasselbeck upright.

What they will do—Anthony Davis

Just a better prospect in my eyes than Campbell. Will fill the same need though.

7. Cleveland Browns

What I would do—Bradford

Mike Holmgren will surely shake things up, and that means getting a franchise player. The rest of the AFC North have their franchise passers, and are usually fighting for playoff position as the Browns sit watching. A defensive player crossed my mind, but I think Bradford has the ability to be special.

What they will do—Joe Haden, CB Florida

Nothing wrong with this pick here, just not one I would make. They need help on the defensive side of the ball and Haden should be a shutdown corner; but I just think that a franchise QB is too much to pass up.

8. Oakland Raiders

What I would do—Haden

Haden would be a great addition to the Raiders secondary and give them two great CBs.

What they will do—Bruce Campbell

Well, I don’t think the Raiders are interested in any of the QB’s on the board, and with Ryan Mallet not having declared yet, I think they go OT, which is not a bad thing. Campbell would bring toughness and add a nasty streak back to the Silver and Black.

9. Buffalo Bills

What I would do-McCoy

Chances of him falling this far are low, but in my eyes, this could happen. Of course that is why I am behind a computer and not in a luxury box watching the game every Sunday. McCoy is the second best DT prospect and he would be a welcome addition to the Bills defensive line.

What they will do—Derrick Morgan, DE Georgia Tech

Morgan is a fringe top 10 prospect. I guess that makes sense why he would be at No. 9 then. Morgan is an intriguing prospect because he has the size and speed that teams love, but with the switch to a 3-4 defense he may fall a little. The Bills, though, would love his ability to hold up against the run and rush the passer, so this may be where he ends up.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars

What I would do—Rolando McClain, LB Alabama

McClain is just a guy that gets the job done. He possesses so much talent to go along with his tremendous leadership ability that I don’t see how the Jags pass him up.

What they will do-Tim Tebow, QB Florida

I have fallen into the trap of believing Tebow is going to Jacksonville. I spent a couple of months trying to figure out how this makes sense, at all, and why the Jags would “waste” a pick on a project at QB. Then the last two home games happened and I realized they need to do whatever they can to keep that franchise there, even if it means making a reach at the 10th selection.

Tebow has a following like few others, and in Florida sports history, he is one of the most revered players ever. So even though I don’t agree with it and don’t like it, I will begrudgingly put him there…for now.

My early thoughts of WHAT I WOULD DO with the 11-20 picks:

11. Denver Broncos : Terrence Cody, NT Alabama

12. Miami Dolphins: Dan Williams, NT Tennessee

13. San Francisco 49ers: C.J. Spiller, RB Clemson (I will note this one before I get killed by the Niners fans. If they are moving to a more spread formation to suit Alex Smith, then I say get him a back who fits that mold better.)

14. Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Morgan

15. New York Giants: Mike Iupati, OG Idaho

16. Tennessee Titans: Taylor Mays, S USC

17. San Francisco: Trent Williams, OT Oklahoma

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB TCU

19. Atlanta Falcons: Donovan Warren, CB Michigan

20. Houston Texans: Earl Thomas, S Texas

A little more in-depth look at 11-20 will come next week.

Thanks for the read.

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Too Early NFL Draft Preview: Seattle Seahawks

Published: December 8, 2009

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I don’t think you can call this Seattle Seahawks team/season a disappointment.

No, not when you have started five different players at left tackle, and played stretches without your starting quarterback, as well as losing their best defensive player for the year.

No, the best way to explain this season for the Seahawks is injury-plagued.

Now I know this will not comfort Seattle fans, as they are without a doubt, some of the best fans in the NFL, but the truth is, no one is making the playoffs with the number of SIGNIFICANT injuries the Seahawks have had this year.

The Seahawks, in my opinion, have over achieved this year, winning games with a patch work line while trying to find a RB that can help open up the passing game and keep teams honest, all while trying to keep Matt Hasselbeck standing.

So naturally you would think the Seahawks are looking for a left tackle to plug into the giant hole that soon to be Hall of Famer Walter Jones has left at the position.

The problem, there is only one tackle worth taking in the top 15 in this years draft.

Depth wise the draft looks good at the tackle position, as there appears to be about 10-12 tackles that can start or push for a spot, but do the Seahawks really want to reach with a possible top 15 pick?

The way I see the season playing out, the Seahawks seemed to be locked into the 9-15 range in the draft, and those seven picks could yield a plethora of different talent.

So where do the Seahawks go?

To start there is one offensive line prospect that seems to be the consensus number two offensive line prospect in the draft.

Trent Williams has enormous upside, and while he may not be the Walter Jones mold of left tackle (few really are), he has shown the ability to be a steady producer at the next level. Is there a chance Williams falls out of the top 10? Doubtful, but stranger things have happened. I am not even convinced there is a big gap between Trent Williams at 10 and Charles Brown or Anthony Davis towards the end of round one with their second first round pick.

What would the next option be? How about a defensive end.

There are some intriguing prospects that all have huge talent, but come with even bigger question marks.

Carlos Dunlap has shown flashes of being a complete game changer, but can he be trusted to show up every week?

Greg Hardy was the top defensive end prospect coming into the year, but injuries have scared many scouts and teams away.

Then I see some wild cards that could become intriguing prospects for this team.

Jake Locker is the one that gets the most publicity, being a local product and a hot prospect, but I think Sam Bradford would get some consideration depending who is still on the board.

Two other wild cards that I liked early, but have fallen off a little are C.J. Spiller and Jahvid Best.

Spiller would probably have to be taken with the early first round pick, and Best would most likely be there for the second first round pick.

With the emergence Justin Forsett, the need for a RB may take a back seat.

So what about the man in the picture at the top of the page?

Well I think if Taylor Mays was to fall to whatever pick the Seahawks have early, they would jump at the chance.

In a division with Frank Gore and Steven Jackson, a run stuffing safety would work perfectly. Add in the ability to morph Mays into and Adrian Wilson like blitzing maniac, and you have yourself another great piece to add to a defense that has talent, when healthy.

Where do the Seahawks go? No idea.

The needs at OT and along the defensive line are evident, but is there going to be a player worth taking that would not be a reach?

With two first round picks I believe they will address the offensive line need. With the second pick, well that is a nice pick to have in order to add talent to a team with lots of it, now if they can just stay healthy.

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Too Early NFL Draft Preview: St. Louis Rams

Published: December 7, 2009

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As another season comes to an agonizingly slow close for the St. Louis Rams and their fans, I will look into the my crystal ball to see how they will be going to get their future back into place.

To start, we need to know the positions of strength, so we can rule out those prospects.

We also need to know what makes the most sense going forward.

To me—and I am no expert nor will I claim to be—they need a franchise player to come in.

They have a more-than-dominant running back. Steven Jackson is a special player with amazing talent, but he needs help, and, more importantly, incentive to stay.

The Rams have looked better along the offensive line this year, only allowing 28 sacks, but more importantly helping get Jackson to over 1200 yards through 12 games.

Conversely, the defense has not played well against the run and they will need to address the situation in the off season.

There are some nice names that could be plugged into the defensive line and make an impact, more so than there is at the top of the draft.

That, and I really don’t think the Rams are in a position where drafting another interior lineman will put them over the top.

So where do they go with their first pick?

I would love to see them take a quarterback, and this is a relatively strong draft at the position.

Jimmy Clausen is the most NFL-ready QB, and would be a welcomed addition to the Rams’ team.

Jake Locker is the most intriguing of the prospects, as he possesses the most overall talent. But he has not shown enough, at least to me, to warrant a top-three selection.

Sam Bradford has been on many teams’ radar for a long time, but there are still questions about his shoulder.

If the Rams are not completely infatuated with Clausen or Locker, they could look to trade the pick to a team that is and draft Bradford in the 6-10 range.

If a QB is not the pick, which I really think it should be, they would have a couple of incredible talents to choose from.

Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry is the best prospect in the draft. He will be a game changer from the time he comes into the league.

Ndamukong Suh has been the most dominant college defensive player this year, and would fit in nicely on the Rams’ defensive front seven.

Beyond those five players, I do not think there is anyone that would address any immediate needs for the Rams.

But that is just the first round of the NFL draft. Where could they find help in free agency and round two of the draft?

A couple of names really stand out:

Johnny Jolly and Ryan Pickett. Both have been outstanding this season, and would thrive in a Steve Spagnuolo coached team.

One or the other would look great in a Rams uniform next year, and would immediately address the inability to stop the running game.

Can they get someone like Jolly or Pickett to come to St. Louis though?

If not, look for the Rams to draft a defensive lineman in one of the first three rounds of the NFL draft.

As I said, Suh would be great, but only if they are not sold on Clausen or, to a lesser extent, Locker.

Players like Marvin Austin, Arthur Jones, Sergio Kindle and Corey Wootton could all be available early in the second round.

The Rams are not as far away as their record indicates, and I really think the addition of a franchise quarterback could not just put them back on the path to respectability, but get them back in the playoff picture in a couple of years.

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Too Early 2010 NFL Mock Draft: Top 14

Published: November 27, 2009

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One week later and we are ready to continue on in the journey towards the NFL draft. This will definitely be rehashed from the last two articles, but there has been some movement on my big board and in the standings.

So who is going where now and what has changed? We will soon find out.

A couple of things to point out—this is what I am projecting now for the teams. As we near the draft I will begin to unveil a different feature which includes what I would do if I was the GM of that team and what the team WILL do.

Also, these picks are as of the standings right now, not where I project they will finish at the end of the year.

Let’s get started.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Well, the feel good stuff all went out the window rather quickly. After a complete whooping delivered at the hands of the Saints, there is no denying this team needs help all over the field.

I am a big proponent of starting your franchise on the offensive and defensive line, and with no sure fire things on the offensive line, I think the Bucs get back to their defensive minded approach and go defense.

With the first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska

2. St. Louis Rams

The Marc Bulger era is over. They still have Steven Jackson but he needs immediate help. They have some nice weapons that they are developing on both sides of the ball, but need some more.

They are several players away from being a playoff contender. So what is a team to do?

Add a player that can be the face of the franchise for years to come. This is a quarterback driven league, and in my eyes, this guy is the most polished, NFL ready QB in the draft.

With the second pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame

3. Cleveland Browns

I have no idea how to project this team. The offense looked like they were finally clicking and the defense gave up what seemed like 4 million points to the Lions.

Seriously, the Lions. So this week, we move the best player in the draft up to the number three slot. A game changer on defense who could be in the Bob Sanders, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu mold.

With the third pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Eric Berry, SS Tennessee

4. Detroit Lions

The investment into Matthew Stafford will most assuredly have an effect on this pick. How they do not draft someone to protect that investment would be a great question.

While I have been down on the OL prospects this year, one player has been consistent enough over the last couple of years, and has the POTENTIAL to be a corner stone on the left side of the OL for years to come.

With the fourth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State

5. Oakland Raiders

A quarterback is becoming more and more of an option here. Would they really pull the plug on the former first overall pick JaMarcus Russell? Maybe not yet, but they also have so many needs all over the place that they will likely go best available here.

There are some franchise changers here, but I am not sure this franchise can be changed overnight. I have them taking the most physically impressive player in this draft.

With the fifth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Taylor Mays, FS USC

6. Washington Redskins

What to do with this team? So many busted draft picks are littering the field. The defense is solid, and I could see someone added there, but as we go forward I think the OL will need to be addressed.

As I have said two or three times already, this draft is not stocked with as much OL talent as there have been in the past drafts, but there is a local kid who looks to be climbing up the draft boards.

With the sixth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Bruce Campbell, OT Maryland

7. Seattle Seahawks

Could this really be the scenario that plays out for the Seahawks? Could they really have to make a choice between the local kid and the need of a OL?

I have no idea what they would do, but for this version of the Too Early draft I have them taking the local kid with all the talent in the world.

With the seventh pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Jake Locker, QB Washington

8. Kansas City Chiefs

Playing really well as of late they are getting close, at least to me, to being a team on the rise.

Of course when you say that you really never know what could happen.

I have no idea where they need to go, because as I watch them play I see weakness along the interior of the line, but do you really draft an interior lineman in the top 10?

Also, there is no nose guard worth taking. I am at a loss, so I am going on gut, that they are going to address the OL.

With the eighth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Bryan Bulaga, OT Iowa

9. Buffalo Bills

I think the Trent Edwards era is over. I also don’t know if they would take a QB with a bad shoulder, even if it is surgically repaired.

So they take a dominant force along the defensive line, and look to improve on their terrible run defense.

With the ninth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Gerald McCoy, OT Oklahoma

10. Tennessee Titans

The offense has come along nicely, and the need for another weapon for Vince Young is definitely there.

But, there are no can’t miss WR prospects this year, so I think they look to the defense and look to improve the defensive backfield.

With the tenth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Joe Haden, CB Florida

11. San Francisco 49ers

The OL needs help. I am convinced that the need for an OL is the reason for both Alex Smith and Shaun Hill’s poor play at times.

There is another OT that is worthy of being picked this high, and I think they pull the trigger on one that is slowly falling down the draft boards.

With the eleventh pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Trent Williams, OT Oklahoma

12. New York Jets

Well they looked great early, but have struggled mightily of late. What can be done to help? First solution is to get Mark Sanchez some weapons. No RB or WR has been taken yet in my draft, but that ends here, with a speedy, deep threat added to the Jets repertoire.

Also, are they really going to bring back Braylon Edwards? They need a big time WR and I think that this guy is flying up into the top 15 of the draft. Of course, it is still early.

With the twelfth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Damian Williams, WR USC

13. Denver Broncos (From Chicago)

Looked great early as well, but have struggled as of late, and there is a guy that I think Josh McDaniels would love to work with here.

Of course all that matters is that he shows up and proves to still have the good arm strength and pinpoint accuracy that had many believing he was going to be the number one pick last year.

With the thirteenth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma

14. San Francisco 49ers (From Carolina)

So with their second pick in the first round, I truly believe the 49ers look to add a pass rusher to their defense.

They are improving greatly along the defensive side of the ball and a pass rusher is really all they lack to take the next step.

So who do they look for? I think they look for someone who can be a tweener pass rusher who may be injured, but he is still a first round lock.

With the fourteenth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss

Come back next week as we continue to preview the draft and delve a little deeper into the needs of each team as well.

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Too Early 2010 NFL Mock Draft: Top 12

Published: November 19, 2009

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One week later and we are ready to continue on in the journey towards the NFL draft. Some of this will definitely be rehashed from the last article , but there has been some movement on my big board and in the standings.

Wait, I don’t have a big board, well there are some mistakes I made, which is what the “experts” mean when they say there has been movement on their boards.

So who is going where now and what has changed?

Let’s get started.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

They are playing with heart and fight, they just lack talent right now. I was not a fan of the Raheem Morris hiring or the drafting of Josh Freeman, but both seem to have this team on the right track.

They still need help at numerous places, but to me the key to the Bucs success has always been having a great defense. That is why I am sticking with my first pick for them.

With the first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska

2. St. Louis Rams

Nothing has changed to me and they need to get Steven Jackson help. Marc Bulger is not the problem, but he is also not the answer and the Rams need to begin looking forward into what they can become.

Adding a potential franchise quarterback will hopefully keep Jackson around when his contract ends, and keep the franchises hopes alive with it. That is why I am sticking with my first pick.

With the second pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame

3. Detroit Lions

The team at the number three pick may have changed, but the pick will not. The Lions need an OL help, and with the best one on the board, they can protect their $120 million investment.

With the third pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State

4. Cleveland Browns

After the last couple of games, I would not be shocked to see them go with a new quarterback, as it does not appear either Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson is the future.

I am not going to jump on that bandwagon just yet, as I see more pressing needs on the team, especially in the secondary. That, and you cannot pass on a player like this guy, who does it all and can be the corner stone on which you build your defense for years to come.

With the fourth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Eric Berry, SS Tennessee

5. Oakland Raiders

As usual, the wild card team of the bunch. Which way will Al Davis lean? I have no idea, neither does anyone in the organization. I say they take the local product and big hitter, but hey, you never know.

With the fifth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Taylor Mays, FS USC

6. Kansas City Chiefs

Well in the famous words of Herm Edwards, “You play to win the game.” Even if that means giving up draft position. The Chiefs have played… ok in the wake of fiery new coach Todd Haley.

What they need is help along the OL. Is there an OL worth taking this high? I am not sure, so I would look for them to take a Richard Seymour type DE.

With the sixth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Carlos Dunlap, DE Florida

7. Washington Redskins

They won again, and the more they win, the more the pick will be flip flopped. That being said, i see no reason at this point to change the pick right now and I keep them with the most intriguing QB prospect in the draft.

With the seventh pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Jake Locker, QB Washington

Note: They could be looking at a RB depending on what happens in free agency this off season, as I see them going hard after Ronnie Brown and Pierre Thomas.

8. Tennessee Titans

They are playing great right now and seem to be on the right path back to the top. In the scenario I have created, they get that big presence back in the middle of their defensive line.

With the eighth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma

9. Seattle Seahawks

The Hawks would be ecstatic to see a solid OL prospect still on the board here. They have had at least four, and maybe even five left tackles this year.

With the ninth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Trent Williams, OT Oklahoma

10. Buffalo Bills

Could this be the spot for what was supposed to be the number one pick in this years draft? Is this still too high for someone coming off of major surgery on their shoulder? I say yes, but I don’t see how the Bills pass on this opportunity.

With the tenth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma

Note: You would think with three potential top 10 picks that the Sooners would be having a better season—it shows you how important their QB was.

11. San Francisco 49ers

Again, nothing has changed in my mind with this pick. The 49ers need help along the offensive line, but they also need a pass rusher. So do they reach for an OL prospect, or do they stick with someone I think will be an elite pass rusher in the game. Well for now it is my mock draft so.

With the eleventh pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Sergio Kindle, OLB/DE Texas

12. New York Jets

Well they looked great early, but have struggled mightily of late. What can be done to help? Getting Mark Sanchez some weapons. No RB or WR has been taken yet in my draft, but that ends here, with a big threat over the middle being added to the Jets repertoire.

With the twelfth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma State

Come back next week as we continue to preview the draft and delve a little deeper into the needs of each team as well.

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Too Early 2010 NFL Mock Draft: Top 10

Published: November 10, 2009

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I know it is early, but we can already see what teams will be fighting for playoff spots, and which teams will be looking for help to get there next year.

The first round will only go the top 10 picks, maybe a couple of more, but these projections are based off of the standings right now.

Things will obviously change, as team needs change throughout the season, but this is what I have thus far.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sure they won, finally, but they are still have earned the number one pick with their play. Where to start with their needs? Actually let’s talk about what they will not be looking for:
1. Quarterback- They will not be taking a quarterback early in this draft.
2. Running Back- They may not have a great running back, but they have three good ones who they have paid. Add in that there is no clear cut Adrian Peterson type back this year and that means this will not be the pick.

Other than that, they need it all. You could say DB is still a strength, but no one knows when Aqib Talib will punch someone else. That being said you don’t draft a DB with the #1 pick, so I say:

With the first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska

This would be a great step in recovering what was once a dominant Tampa Bay D.

2. St. Louis Rams: Man this team needs help. What made this team great? A quarterback. So with early draft picks at RB, OL, DL, WR and LB littering the field, they need someone that can lead.

I am not a huge fan of this guy, but I can’t deny his fabulous talents. He would look good moving over from South Bend:

With the second pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame

3. Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs have not had nearly the success they had hoped with the Todd Haley hire and the bringing in of Matt Cassel. That being said, they still have talent, but they need help along the offensive line and at running back.

As I said, there is no running back that jumps out at you as being #3 overall pick worthy, so I think they look to bolster the OL:

With the third pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State

Okung has not had the year he wanted too, but he still is the best o-line prospect for this draft.

4. Detroit Lions: The Lions would love to be able to grab Okung, but with him off the board at this point, they will look to the other side of the line. The defensive line has looked, well not good this season. So adding a potential star would be a huge boost”

With the fourth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma

McCoy came into the season as one of the top DL, and he has not let that position slip at all.

5. Cleveland Browns: Well, I would say quarterback is a need, but I am not even sure Eric Mangini knows that yet. So what does a team that looks horrible on offense do in a relatively weak offensive draft? Probably reach for a player here, but I would like to see them go with one of the better defensive players in the draft:

With the fifth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Taylor Mays, FS USC

6. Washington Redskins: Would they look to replace Jason Campbell, or would they look to continue to bulk up their defense? Could they draft an offensive linemen? I don’t know what is going to happen with this team, and to an extent, I am not sure who the pick here would be. For now, I give them the hottest QB prospect in the draft:

With the sixth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Jake Locker, QB Washington

I know that would not be a popular pick right now, but with the way Steve Sarkisian is turning him into a credible top 10 pick, I don’t know if the Redskins can pass him up.

7. Tennessee Titans: What a rough start to the year for the Titans. With the insertion of Vince Young into the starting lineup, the need for a QB has lessened. They still need help along the defensive line and defensive backfield. That is why I think they stay local:

With the seventh pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Eric Berry, SS Tennessee

Adding a playmaking safety to a struggling defense can be the shot in the arm that the team really needs.

8. Oakland Raiders: I don’t know what to say. I have no idea who they will pick, so I have no idea how to diagnose their issues. I could see them taking a WR or maybe even a QB. Here, I give them what they need, in my mind:

With the eighth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Trent Williams, OT Oklahoma

I thought they should have taken Eugene Monroe last year, so I will give them a solid, potential Pro Bowl offensive linemen this year.

9. Seattle Seahawks: I am sure the Seahawks would love to draft an OT or local boy Jake Locker, but both of those players are off the board. They need a running back as well as an offensive linemen, but I don’t see another linemen worth taking this high, so they go with the who was supposed to be the best running back in the nation this year.

With the ninth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Jahvid Best, RB California

They could also go with CJ Spiller out of Clemson, but I really think they would love Trent Williams or maybe even Russell Okung to fall here.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Another team in desperate need of an offensive lineman. I am not sure what they would do here with the reinsertion of Alex Smith into the starting role.

What I would do is look to improve on the porous pass rush defense, and look for an impact DE. That is why:

With the tenth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft: Sergio Kindle, OLB/DE Texas

Would fit perfectly in the 3-4 scheme the 49ers are running and would really help the pass rush. Could also see Carlos Dunlap being picked here, but he is more of a prototypical 4-3 end, and Kindle should excel in the 3-4 stand up role.

That is it for the first 10 picks of the 2010 NFL draft. This was using the NFL.com league wide standings and that is how I chose the Seahawks and 49ers as the ninth and 10th selections.

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Treating The Arizona Cardinals Bipolar Disorder

Published: November 9, 2009

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Having worked at a pharmacy for 5 years before setting out on my journey to become a hack, amateur writer, I learned a few things about bipolar disorder. (Note, this is not to make light of serious illness whatsoever)

From what I have seen of the Arizona Cardinals this season, they qualify as a team suffering from just that.

From laying an egg in week one against the now fledgling San Francisco 49ers, to the bed wetting on national TV in week three to the still undefeated Indianapolis Colts, to the utter shellacking they received at the hands of a down, but not yet out Carolina Panthers, this team has had more ups and downs than a roller coaster at Six Flags.

Those defeats can all be quantified and understood as the depression episodes in this diagnosis. But, somehow, these losses were all understandable to most NFL fans. I mean this is the Arizona Cardinals we are talking about. A team with no real idea of a winning tradition or how to sustain success. They were a walking joke last year up until they went to the Super Bowl.

Those lows are not just lows, but some of them were downright embarrassing.

The loss to San Francisco was on the day they raised the banner for winning the NFC Championship the year before.

The Colts game? That was supposed to show the country that they were for real, and should not be considered a one year wonder.

The Panthers game? I don’t know how to even quantify that loss other than to say that looked more like the Cardinals of 2001 than the Cardinals of 2009.

Yet, for all the lows, there have been more highs.

A thorough drubbing of the Seattle Seahawks, in Seattle, where the Cardinals just do not win.

A franchise altering win, on the road, against what was thought to be at the time, the second best team in the NFC against the New York Giants.

Then Sunday November 8, 2009 occurred. The Arizona Cardinals, beat the Chicago Bears.

Now they didn’t just beat the Bears, they made them look like a bottom tier team in the NFL.

If you asked me if the Cardinals were going to win that game, I would have said yes, I could see them pulling a win out in Chicago. If you asked me would I be upset with a close loss on the road? I would have said no, as long as they played like they deserved to be on the field.

If you would have told me that Kurt Warner would throw 5 touchdowns and the running game would come alive and the Cards would win by 20 points I would have laughed at you.

Looking back through the season, I can tell you, with certainty my diagnosis of this team and what they need to remedy them.

They need Kurt Warner to play like a Pro Bowl quarterback, and not the 38 year old, coming off hip surgery.

This team goes as far as their bipolar quarterback. Just look at the difference in his numbers from the losses to the wins.

Losses:

v San Francisco- 288 yards 1TD 2INT

v Indianapolis- 332 yards 1TD 2INT

v Carolina- 242 yards 2TD 5INT

Total- 862 yards 4TD 9INT

Compare that to the wins:

1313 yards 12TD 2INT

What do those numbers tell you? That when Kurt Warner is good, the Cardinals are hard to beat.

What else do those numbers tell you? This team is an extension of their quarterback, more so than most teams in the NFL.

As long as Kurt Warner stays healthy and upright, the Cardinals are a top team in the NFC.

Also, don’t let those lows get you too low, because with this team, their will be a high right around the corner.

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Week Two NFL Power Rankings: Don’t Worry It’s Early

Published: September 22, 2009

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Power rankings are a funny thing, especially this early in the year. We don’t really have a gage on how good the good teams are nor can we tell how bad the supposed good teams are.

So the way I break it down, still 1-32, is into categories for each team. Not so much power groupings, but more of categories of what I think we can expect to see from each team as the year goes on.

Also, I am taking this season thus far into account only. So if you see some crazy stuff that you don’t agree with, remember we only have a small portion of the season to work with.

I will not make comments on every team, but I will give you one thing I want to see for every team.

On to our rankings:

For You Diehards, It’s Still Early

32. Cleveland Browns: A bad start to the Mangenius’ tenure. First, I didn’t think they would be this bad on defense, as I thought they had the personal to at least get stops, but when your offense is as bad as the Browns offense has been, it is hard to stay fresh.

I am most interested to see how long the Quinn era lasts before Mangini pulls the plug. I have the over/under at four. I will take the under.

One thing I would like to see is James Davis get healthy and get a chance to run the ball. While I am not a Clemson fan, I think he has the ability to be a good back in this league.

31. Detroit Lions: I am not a fan of putting a rookie quarterback behind a bad offensive line, and that is exactly what is going on up in Detroit. I am pretty sure we have seen this before, oh yeah the Joey Harrington era. Looked good on the touchdown drive against the Vikings, and that is about all I can say so far this year. As both the defense and offense are at the bottom of the league.

One thing I would like to see is Calvin Johnson get more balls thrown to him. That guy is too good to just be getting 8 balls in two games.

30. St. Louis Rams: One thing I would like to see is Jason Smith get back and stay healthy. A franchise left tackle was what got the Rams on the right track the last time.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: One thing I would like to see is Larry Johnson continue to run hard. He has all the making of the next great back until he was run into the ground. Hopefully he is healthy and is successful this year.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They didn’t just come out and say they were rebuilding, but they really didn’t need to. The offense has been surprisingly effective lead by Byron Leftwich. But the defense, the staple of the Bucs for about a decade, is abysmal.

One thing I would like to see is Derrick Brooks come back to the organization in some capacity. He is has been a major player in Florida for more than 15 years and needs to be somewhere in that organization.

They Really Aren’t This Bad…Are They?

27. Carolina Panthers: Jake Delholmme looked better this week, and the pass defense is still dominate. But they are giving up 168 rush yards per game, and need to find someone, anyone to help them stop the run.

One thing I would like to see is the Williams/Stewart combo to get more yards rushing per game. I realize they were down in the first game, but they need to own the time of possession with those two in the backfield.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars: One thing I would like to see is Maurice Jones-Drew continue to develop into one of the top running backs in the league. He is amazingly electric with the ball is in his hands.

25. Miami Dolphins: One thing I would like to see is the wildcat run more often. Did you see how dominate the Dolphins were when running this at the Colts?

24. Tennessee Titans: They definitely do not deserve to be this low right now, but they are 0-2 and even though one loss was to the Super Bowl champs, they are atrocious against the pass right now. On the bright side their offense has looked great, and Chris Johnson continues to become a special player.

One thing I would like to see is the defense get better against the pass. I had hoped that Haynesworth’s departure would not affect the pass defense as much as it has.

A Bunch of Teams at 1-1

23. Oakland Raiders: One thing I would like to see is JaMarcus Russell become more consistent. He has the arm strength and good footwork but seems to lack vision some times.

22. Buffalo Bills: I will be the first to say I have been pleasantly surprised by the Bills play. That being said, I still do not buy into this team completely. Fred Jackson, Trent Edwards and the rest of the offense have been good, but the defense…not so much.

One thing I would like to see is Fred Jackson to continue to get ample carries even when Marshawn Lynch comes back.

21. Houston Texans: I am not sure what to make of the Texans. They beat a good Titans team, and lost to what seems like a good Jets team. Matt Schaub has looked dynamite, but Steve Slaton has left something to be desired. And the defense, oh the defense. I think Chris Johnson is still running.

One thing I would like to see is the running backs getting it going. The offense is good and if the running game gets back to where it was last year, they will be tough to stop.

20. Cincinnati Bengals: One thing I would like to see is Carson Palmer cutting down on the interceptions. Both selfishly, he is one of my fantasy league quarterbacks and for the fact that they could be a good team if he can keep the turnovers down.

19. Washington Redskins: One thing I would like to see is Jason Campbell and company score a touchdown on a long drive. They have looked good on both sides of the ball, but only between the 20s on offense.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Hasselbeck’s injury plays a part in this low of a ranking, that and there is a lot of 1-1 teams out there. If Hasselbeck can come back within a couple of weeks, I think the Seahawks can be ok, but we saw what happened last year. Add in that they have a lot of injuries along the defensive side of the ball and this could get ugly again.

One thing I would like to see is a healthy Seahawks team. As a Cardinals fan I would like to see a team at full strength so if the Cards do win the division again, there are no excuses.

17. Chicago Bears: One thing I would like to see is a WR step up and become a threat for Jay Cutler. The Bears defense still has some life, even without their leader, but they will need a big boost from the offense and more specifically Matt Forte and a WR.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Looked better in week two, but still have a propensity to give up the big play on defense. Run defense has looked incredible against two of the better backs in the NFL, and the running game seems to be improving.

One thing I would like to see is Chris “Beanie” Wells hold onto the ball. The kid has amazing natural talent, but if he continues to put the ball on the turf, he is useless.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles looked great in week one, not so much in week two. They need McNabb to be effective against good teams, or they may need to look to Garcia, maybe even, GULP, Mike Vick. The defense was lit up by the best offense in the NFL, so I will not read too much into that, but I will pay a little more attention.

One thing I would like to see is McNabb back and healthy. It is good for the NFL when all four teams in the NFC East are competitive, and I don’t know how competitive the Eagles can be without McNabb.

14. Green Bay Packers: One thing I would like to see is BJ Raji get healthy. He can be a dominate force on the inside of a 3-4 defense and really help his team get to the top.

13. Dallas Cowboys: The disappointment from Sundays loss will be bitter. That may not be a good thing for their next opponent, because this Cowboys team seems to be a little more level headed than previous ones. Tony Romo needs to find a way to limit mistakes in big games and big moments.

One thing I would like to see is the Cowboys defense step up and play up to what their offense is doing.

12. San Diego Chargers: One thing I would like to see is the Chargers defense come back to life. Having all those weapons on offense is no good if they are unable to stop anybody.

11. New England Patriots: Where to even start with the Patriots? They seem to be out of sync both offensively and defensively. Tom Brady has faced unrelenting pressure since Super Bowl 42 and has not been the great Tom Brady of old…yet. The defense is what really concerns me, as I am not sure what to expect.

One thing I would like to see is the Patriots offense of old for just one or two games. I don’t expect the dynamic offense of two years ago, but just show us something.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers: One thing I would like to see is the Steelers form any semblance of a running game. They have not looked good running the ball the first two games and the Steelers need to run the ball to be the Steelers.

It’s Only Two Games, so They Deserve This Spot…For Now

9. Denver Broncos: One thing I would like to see is Brandon Marshall become a dominate WR again. I don’t know what it is going to take, but I believe Marshall has the talent to be a top 10 maybe even top five WR in this league.

8. San Francisco 49ers: The Niners have looked great defensively in their first two games. They have really taken to Mike Singletary’s approach and have come to ready to lay the wood. Offensively, well Frank Gore had an amazing game on Sunday, but looked human week one. I think we can expect him to land somewhere in between.

One thing I would like to see is Glen Coffee get a couple more carriers a game. I know that Frank Gore is the man, but he needs a break too, or else he may not be effective much longer.

On The Cusp

7. New York Jets: One thing I would like to see is me have the stones to actually make the pick I wanted to in my preview. I love this Jets team, I like the way they are built on both sides of the ball and I think that Sanchez could be a legit star. I wanted to say this team would be a Wild Card team, but I chickened out, so far, and it is only two games, they look to be for real.

6. Atlanta Falcons: Tony Gonzalez has added a new dimension to an already potent Falcons attack and I am excited to see where it takes them. The defense has looked good and if these two units can continue to grow together, they should improve on last year’s finish.

One thing I would like to see is Jerious Norwood healthy. Turner has looked like he is a little worn down from last year, and Norwood would give the offense another piece and make them even more explosive.

The Fab Five

5. Indianapolis Colts: One thing I would like to see is more of rookie Donald Brown. He has looked good in his spot duty and should be worked into the offense a little more each week.

4. Minnesota Vikings: The Favre experiment has worked out nicely so far. He is deferring well to the running game, and seems not to be forcing the ball too much. Of course, he has yet to face any real competition and I want to see if old Favre comes out and starts flinging the ball around the field.

One thing I would like to see is how they play against some good competition. They had an easy opening two weeks and getting San Francisco at home is still not a huge test. I am really looking forward to week four when they take on Green Bay.

3. Baltimore Ravens: One thing I want to see is if this offense can keep it up all year. They lit up a bad Chiefs defense and the Chargers defense has not looked good at all this year. The defense looks to be there still, so if Joe Flacco and others can keep it up, this team could be special.

2. New Orleans Saints: Sure they pounded a horrible Lions team, but the dismantling of the Philly D, in Philly was more than impressive. This offense is amazing and the defense seems to have the ability to make plays in order to give that offense even more time on the field. This team has all the makings of doing something great.

One thing I would like to see is the pass defense tighten up and more importantly see a significant pass rush. The run defense has looked great, and they will be in a lot of shootouts with the offense they have, so improving the pass defense is a must.

1. New York Giants: I know it is early, and I know the scope of the season is small, but this is the team I believe is the best in the NFC. On top of that they have all of the makings to make another run to the Super Bowl.

One thing I would like to see is Brandon Jacobs get going again. They need, much like the Steelers, to be able to run the ball as the season progresses in order to let their dominating defense have a chance to rest.

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Arizona Cardinals: Why a Trade with Baltimore Makes Too Much Sense

Published: July 14, 2009

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What happens when something just makes too much sense?

Is it just so obvious that it cannot happen, and therefore, we, as fans and reporters, get too hyped up about these things?

I am sure you are aware of where I am going with this. The Arizona Cardinals and the Baltimore Ravens each have a disgruntled star player.

Each of these players are overshadowed by either a better or more-established player on their own team.

Both of these players want that spotlight on them so that they can show the world what they can do.

They also want to be paid accordingly.

I, of course, am talking about Anquan Boldin and Terrell Suggs.

Boldin has been quite vocal for the past two seasons about his displeasure with his current contract.

He has sulked and pouted as well as fired his agent. No matter what he does during the offseason, the man has never let his contract status affect his play on the field.

He is one of the toughest receivers in the NFL. On top of that, in multiple seasons, he has shown his ability to be a No. 1 receiver.

Suggs, much like Boldin, has played in the shadow of a legend, Ray Lewis.

I am sure it was great when he first came into the league, learning from one of the best players to patrol the middle of the field in the last decade.

Yet, Suggs has been expecting a nice long-term deal for the last two seasons, and instead, he has had the franchise tag placed on him both years.

It is not that Suggs wants to leave Baltimore; rather, he wants a long-term deal.

The problem, as Cardinals fans know, is that the longer a player goes without that guarantee, the more and more disgruntled they become.

That is why I propose a trade.

The Ravens are in need of a wide receiver now more than ever. The sudden retirement of Derrick Mason has put an even bigger hole in the already feeble offense of the Ravens.

There is already talk that the Ravens are putting together a bigger and better package than what they offered pre-draft for Boldin.

I don’t know if any of this talk means anything, but I know that the Ravens will come after Boldin hard because the only other top-flight wide out available is Plaxico Burress.

So I say, why not talk a big trade? Why all this nonsense about the Ravens offering the Cardinals draft picks and bit players for something they desperately need?

Why not make a blockbuster?

I know, the NFL does not do blockbuster trades. Since 1995, here are the biggest blockbusters:

1996: The Rams trade Jerome Bettis to the Steelers. All they get is draft picks.
1999: The Colts trade Marshall Faulk to the Rams. Again, all the Colts get is draft picks.
2004: The biggest player-for-player trade in the last decade, the Redskins trade Champ Bailey to the Denver Broncos for Clinton Portis.
2007: Oakland trades Randy Moss. They get…a draft pick.
2008: Green Bay trades Brett Favre to the New York Jets; they get a conditional draft pick.

So, what I am going to propose would be on scale with the Bailey-for-Portis deal.

Trade Boldin for Suggs. Sign each one of them to the long-term deal they want.

This is not going to happen. If I read correctly, the Ravens cannot trade Suggs after Wednesday, July 15. If I am wrong, please someone correct me, but that is the way I read it according to the franchise tag rules.

The Cardinals need a pass rusher. The Ravens need someone that can catch the football for the up-and-coming Joe Flacco and allow him to continue his growth as a player.

Neither team seems to want to meet the needs of their disgruntled player. Both players have shown interest in playing somewhere else. So why don’t the teams give them a new place to play?

I know dreaming is free, but sometimes common sense costs a lot.

NFC West Preview: 10 Questions for 2009

Published: July 8, 2009

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The NFC Worst. A moniker that has been very accurate the last few years.

I mean, the division had three of the first 10 picks of the draft.

So is their a chance for the division to shed that label?

Can the NFC West continue to make noise in the playoffs when they get there?

Those are good questions to ask…but they are not questions that can just be answered. They are questions that will be answered within the 10 questions we pose here today.

NFC WEST: 10 BURNING QUESTIONS

Biggest Free Agent Pickup

There were some great acquisitions throughout the offseason in the NFC West. The Cardinals were able to bolster their secondary with the addition of Bryant McFadden.

The 49ers took a bit of risk in my mind and picked up Marvel Smith. Is Smith washed up? Maybe. Is he an upgrade over what they had on their roster? Yes. So you really can’t get to up in arms about a two year contract.

The Rams made two smaller, yet solid pick-ups that I would identify as their best. The signing of James Butler gives new coach Steve Spagnuolo a familiar face in his new secondary.

Along with Butler, the Rams signed a new lead blocker for their offense, Mike Karney. Karney is a prototype fullback and should help clear lanes for Steven Jackson, who will no doubt have more pressure on him to carry the offensive load.

The best signing of the free agent period to me was that of T.J. Houshmandzadeh by the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks were desperate for a new target for the returning Matt Hasselbeck.

Some big names and games came into the NFC West this offseason via free agency, but to me the clear winner was the Seahawks and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Coach on the Hot Seat

To me this question is a little loaded. This is a division with basically three new coaches, along with a coach that took one of the most inept franchises in sports to the Super Bowl.

So how could anyone be on the hot seat?

It is simple really, in the win now or go home NFL the 49ers are putting all their eggs in the Mike Singletary basket.

Let me first say that I think Singletary will no only make it through the year, but he will have the 49ers making a run at the playoffs.

That being said, no coach is in a worse situation.

The 49ers organization and their fans are expecting a winner or at least visible improvement. Yet, the front office decided to stand pat in the quarterback department.

Before 49ers fans get up in arms I have a question for you…Are you really satisfied going into the season with Shaun Hill and Alex Smith?

Do you want Michael Crabtree coming into your offense with those guys throwing to him?

I like the way the team is built, outside of the quarterback spot.

Maybe I am wrong and Hill or Smith will be not only competent game managers, but able-bodied play makers. To me though, Mike Singletary has the most pressure to win now and is in the worse situation to do so.

But, like I said earlier, I don’t expect anyone to be fired from this division, I just believe Singletary is in the worst situation. (Again, due to expectations, not roster and players.)

Player on the Hot Seat

I am going to take a cop out here, and actually choose one position on each team that is on the hot seat.

Every quarterback position in the division is on the hot seat. Not in the sense that they are going to lose their jobs, but in the sense that every team has a quarterback that has something to prove.

The Cardinals and Kurt Warner hope to prove that they were not a flash in the pan type team.

Warner hopes to show that it was not lightning in the bottle last year, but more of a triumphant return to the top of the quarterback heap in the NFL.

The Seahawks and Matt Hasselbeck are back to prove that last year was a fluke.

They are out to prove that they are still top bird in the division.

Not only that, but Hasselbeck has to prove that his back is healed and he can still play the game of football.

The Rams passed on a potential franchise quarterback in Mark Sanchez. They did so in order to get Marc Bulger some help along the line and drafted Jason Smith.

The Rams have a new coaching regime in place and that usually means one year to prove that you are the guy at the QB position.

Can Bulger get back to being the calculated gun slinger that earned him that huge payday from the Rams?

Can he get the Rams back to relevance?

I have gone over why I believe the 49ers QB situation is on the hot seat.

They, too me, are the one team that is literally a position away from being big time contenders.

The problem is that position is the quarterback.

Can Alex Smith or Shaun Hill step up and deliver?

These questions put the QB position on the hot seat in the NFC West.

Biggest Rookie Impact

Each team landed a big time draft pick in the first round. The Cardinals and 49ers had potentially great players fall into their laps in Chris Wells and Michael Crabtree respectively.

The Rams took the safe choice and drafted a potential left tackle for the next decade in Jason Smith.

Those are all great choices, but to me the Seahawks drafted not only the biggest impact rookie in the division, but in the entire draft.

Aaron Curry not only has the physical skills to make a big impact, but he will be playing in a defense that allows him to be a play maker.

The Seahawks boast one of the best front sevens in the league and the addition of Curry can only improve that.

Curry will not only be the rookie of the year in the division, but I have him as the rookie of the year in the NFL.

Breakout Player

Another category that will likely get me called out as a homer. I really don’t care because I think this is pretty accurate.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is probably the best young corner back in the NFL. He has all the tools to not only be a good corner, but to become a shut down corner.

He is young and still needs to put on some bulk, but as he showed at the end of the year and through the playoffs, he has the potential to be one of the bests in the game.

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