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Sunday, April 21, 2013

NFL Draft 2013 updated after Revis Trade

I promised I would update my picks if there were any trades and today Cornerback Darrelle Revis is headed to Buc country. Tampa Bay gives up 13th pick and conditional in 2014 for Revis. I also made change on Minnesota pick 23 because of breaking news about Keenan Allen drug test rumors from the combine. I think he will fall into the 2nd round.

So I have changed the following picks in my articles.

13. New York Jets from Tampa Bay Bucaneers-Jarvis Jones-OLB
Bucaneers got their corner in Revis and the Jets two picks. Jets got 13th pick first round this year and a conditional pick in 2014. Now what do the Jets do with this pick. I say improve your pass rush and take Jarvis Jones.

15. New Orleans Saints-Barkevious Mingo-OLB
Saints need lots of help on defense and they were hoping Jarvis Jones would fall to them. They settle for Mingo who has great potential. This is another player I think could have big boom or bust

17. Pittsburgh Steelers-Alec Ogletree-LB
I could see them taking Fluker but I would not pass up the youth and speed that Ogletree can add to the defensive side of the ball.

19. New York Giants-DJ Fluker-OT
They have to keep Manning upright to have an chance at all in this division. This Giants team needs help on both sides of the ball but they can't ignore teams putting pressure on Manning. Giants are definitely in danger of slipping behind everyone else in the division.

23. Minnesota Vikings-Justin Hunter-WR
I had to change this pick after word got out that Keenan Allen was red flagged for drug tests at combine. He will fall to the second round. So it is highly likely Minnesota could trade back and still get him. Minnesota desperately needs help at WR. I think they will reach here. I would trade back with a team looking for a QB and pickup a WR and a later pick. Remember they have a second pick in round one that they can get help at LB.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

NFL Draft 2013 Picks 17-32

Well let's pickup where we left off yesterday.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers-Alec Ogletree-LB
I could see them taking Fluker but I would not pass up the youth and speed that Ogletree can add to the defensive side of the ball.

18. Dallas Cowboys-Sylvester Williams-DT
This is worst care scenario for the Cowboys. They want to help the OL but all the top offensive lineman are gone. They could take Fluker but I think they will address this position in Free Agency. I dreamed that Cooper or Warmack fell to them but that is not going to happen.

19. New York Giants-DJ Fluker-OT
They have to keep Manning upright to have an chance at all in this division. This Giants team needs help on both sides of the ball but they can't ignore teams putting pressure on Manning. Giants are definitely in danger of slipping behind everyone else in the divison.

20. Chicago Bears-Manti Te'o-LB
This is safe pick at this point in the draft. Bears need a replacement for Urlacher. Te'o is not as athletic as Urlacher but is good against the pass and run. I think he can be a three down linebacker.

21.Cincinnati Bengals-Desmond Trufont-CB
Bengals are going with best player available and take Trufant. This definitely gives them a deep secondary.

22. St Louis Rams from Washington Redskins-Cordarrelle Patterson-WR
Rams took Vaccarco at 16 figuring a WR would be available. The gamble pays off.

23. Minnesota Vikings-Justin Hunter-WR
I had to change this pick after word got out that Keenan Allen was red flagged for drug tests at combine. He will fall to the second round. So it is highly likely Minnesota could trade back and still get him. Minnesota desperately needs help at WR. I think they will reach here. I would trade back with a team looking for a QB and pickup a WR and a later pick. Remember they have a second pick in round one that they can get help at LB.

24. Indianapolis Colts-DJ Hayden-CB
They need help on defense and Hayden is best player available at this point

25. Minnesota Vikings-Seattle Seahawks-Kevin Minter-LB
This is solid pick and I am not sure if he might be a better pick than Olgetree because of where they are getting him.

26. Green Bay Packers-Eddie Lacy-RB
Packers need to protect Rogers and one of the best ways to protect your QB and help the defense by shortening the game is by running the ball better. I didn't say more often just better.

27. Houston Texans-Robert Woods
The definitely need another weapon on offense and they need right tackle. I think they would have taken Fluker is he had fallen to them. They decide to go straight after the extra weapon on offense. Woods will be a nice complement to Andre Johnson.

28. Denver Broncos-Cornelius Washington-DE
They lost a great outside pass rusher in Elvis Dummervil and I think Washington can play with his hand on the ground and get after the QB. I really like this kid if he is put in the right defense where he can use his great athletic ability.

29. New England Patriots-Jonathon Cyprien-S
NE still needs help in the defensive secondary and they need a WR. Cyprien is best player available at these two positions.

30. Atlanta Falcons-Kyle Long-OT/G
This is solid pick because whats the point of bringing in Steven Jackson if you can't run the ball. Falcons have needs at right tackle and guard and Long can play either. His versatility makes him more valuable. If Long only played guard he would be mid second round. Falcons cut starting right tackle Tyson Clabo and starting Center Todd McClure retired. I would move Peter Konz from guard to center where he played at Wisconsin then plug in Long at guard.

31. San Francisco 49ers-Margus Hunt-DE
This is the a team with no great needs. I love this pick because it has vision in that Justin Smith was injured this past year and he is not getting any younger.

32. Baltimore Ravens-Tyler Eifert-TE
I see Ravens taking Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert to give Flacco another weapon. They lost Boldin at WR when they traded him to SF and he was practically a TE in that he was huge physical receiver. They could play Pitta and Eifert together.

NFL Draft 2013 Picks 1-16

Its that time of the year for the draft junkies. They are everywhere online. Of course everyone fancies themselves as experts.
I read some of these projections and I have to laugh. But the truth is no one is going to get every pick right and then if trades happen you can forget it. I am going to give it my best shot now and I will pick the second half of round one tomorrow. I will only makes changes before the draft if trades are made. Good Luck on your picks.

1. Kansas City-Luke Joeckel-OT
I feel bad for KC because they are one year late in getting a great QB. This pick is more about best player at important position than anything. They have to be thankful for the new Rookie Wage system. I can't imagine paying Joeckel the huge money that number 1's have gotten in the past.

2. Jacksonville Jags-Ezekiel-Ansah-DE
Jacksonville is the worst team in the NFL. They need help everywhere and you have to just take the best player on your board even if you have a serviceable player at that position. I think Ansah has super pass rush ability written all over him. He is very raw but its not like the Jag are going to the Super Bowl this season. They have time for him to develop.

3. Oakland Raiders-Star Lotulelei-DT
Star may still be the best player in this draft. Raiders having gaping hole in the center of their defensive line. I think this would be a great pick.

4. Philadelphia Eagles-Dion Jordan-DE
This just makes too much sense. Chip Kelly coached this young man so I think taking a player like this makes sense just from the familiarity stand point and he is a great pass rusher too. Never have enough pass rushers. Ask the Giants about that!!

5. Detroit Lions-Eric Fisher-OT
I understand why this pick because Jeff Backus has retired and you need to keep Stafford upright but they sure need help on defense. They have some stars on defense but they have disappointed. This is talented team but they are undisciplined.

6. Cleveland Browns-Dee Milliner-CB
I always believe when you can make one of the sides of the ball one of the best you go for it. I like what they have done on defense and I would take Dee because they will have two real good corners. If one of the big time pass rushers fell I might change my mind but in this scenario they are gone.

7. Arizona Cardinals-Lane Johnson-OT
Cardinals have a QB who can get the ball down field now but you have to protect him. Lane is the most athletic tackle in the draft and long term he may end up being the best tackle. I love this pick. The only problem is there are teams looking to trade up and get past them to get Johnson. No trades he is gone here.

8. Buffalo Bills-Chance Warmack-G
I just don't understand the Bills. They let a good guard go in free agency to Titans and now use 8th pick on guard. They should have kept their own player and used this pick to acquire another quality player. Now that we are here they have to take Chance. I believe this is the BEST pure football player in this draft. I love this guy. He will be Pro Bowl Player more than once in his career.

9. New York Jets-Geno Smith-QB
I am not sure if Geno will drop this far because teams just can't help themselves when it comes to quarterbacks. Philadelphia or Cleveland could reach and take him but in this scenario Jets have to take him. The Jets were fooled into believing Mark Sanchez was franchise QB. He is not and I did not like them trading up to get Sanchez in the first place. Sanchez is ok when you have a great defense and running game. They covered his flaws when they went to the AFC Championship twice. As the defense & running game weakened it became evident he could not carry a team. That is the definition of a franchise QB!! TAKE Geno!!!!

10. Tennessee Titans-Shariff Floyd-DT
I am not convinced on this player and I would take Cooper which would give them a great guard tandem, But after spending big money bringing Levitre in at one guard. I think they will go defensive line. Floyd is the guy this early in the draft that I think is high boom or bust factor.

11. San Diego Chargers-Jonathan Cooper-G
Copper is the 2nd best guard in the draft but not by much. San Diego is jumping up and down that he is still here. They would love to get Lane Johnson but would have had to move to far up. They get a good football player that will help their quarterback stay upright and help with the running game. He will make players around him more effective.

12. Miami Dolphins-Tavon Austin-WR
The slot receiver has come of age. This position just continues to put pressure on the defense. It dictates the defense to make choices and Austin is the ultimate slot receiver. He will be effective from day one not like a lot of first year receivers who are on the outside and are matched up with #1 and #2 corners. I love this pick. They will be giving their young QB another weapon. They can get a corner in the 2nd round.

13. New York Jets from Tampa Bay Bucaneers-Jarvis Jones
Bucaneers got their corner in Revis and the Jets two picks. Jets got 13th pick first round this year and a conditional pick in 2014. Now what do the Jets do with this pick. I say improve your pass rush and take Jarvis Jones.

14. Carolina Panthers-Sheldon Richardson-DT
Panthers desperately need an active defensive tackle who can make plays against the run. Richardson is their man.

15. New Orleans Saints-Barkevious Mingo-OLB
Saints need lots of help on defense and they were hoping Jarvis Jones would fall to them. They settle for Mingo who has great potential. This is another player I think could have big boom or bust

16. St Louis Rams-Kenny Vaccaro-S
If I am the Rams I wait till my second pick in the first round to go for WR. Vaccaro won't be there at the 22nd pick. Vaccaro is the best safety in this draft and will start from day one.

I want to point at certain players in this top 16 that I think will have huge impact from day one.

Eric Fisher, Chance Warmack, Jonathan Cooper, Tavon Austin and Jarvis Jones

Tiger has been Mastered

Tiger is the best golfer in the world again and even on a horrible day where he loses 2 strokes on one hole when he actually hit the flag, he proved it. He hits a great shot that hits the flag and ricochets into the water for a one stroke penalty. He then proceeds to drop his ball down and hit a second shot within 18" of flag. He gets a bogey but what composure he showed. He has nerves of steel.

He then wakes up and finds out they have added two penalty strokes for improper drop. His nerves of steel are definitely going to be tested. I just don't see how he can recover from this but that does not mean he is not still the best golfer in the world who had a run of bad luck on one hole and it actually ends up costing him 4 strokes.

I don't buy into this crazy notion he should withdraw from the Masters because he signed an incorrect score card. The powers to be did not decide to add a two stroke penalty until after he signed the card and they have changed the rule that allows him to stay in the Masters.

One final thought on one issue that needs to be address. I can't stand the fact that some nut sitting at home can call in and point out errors by players and/or officials. I play golf and love the sport but it is just the dumbest thing I have ever heard that a professional competition can be influenced by some yahoo sitting in front of his big screen TV and he probably stopped and rewound the shot a hundred times. Can you imagine any other sport allowing this to happen? Sheer Lunacy!!!!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Rutgers Chaos has meaning "Its the Money"

There are a few things to look at to put this in perspective. Let’s follow the timeline first:

In spring of 2012 assistant coaches expressed concern about Mike Rice.

Then end of June last year Eric Murdock brought Rice's behavior to the attention of AD Pernetti. Murdock was let go.

The New President Robert Barchi came on board at Rutgers in September 2012.

Then it gets interesting November 26th 2012 when AD Pernetti watches the tapes that show abuse of players by Coach Rice. One week after officially joining the Big Ten Pernetti finally acts on Rice's behavior.

Why is the timeline important? How long had Pernetti been talking with the Big Ten? If he started talking with Big Ten in the spring of 2012 was this a delayed cover up till Big Ten deal was put to bed.

The other thing gnawing at me on this is New President Robert Barchi was made aware of the situation in November and never asked to see the tapes. This is failed leadership or planned act on his part. Either way it is poor judgment and he should resign or Board should fire him. It just seems like one bad decision after another. I would hope someone at Rutgers can practice leadership skills and start making decisions that will help the kids.

It looks like the Rutgers chaos is about the Money! The huge money that will end up in the Rutgers coffers from the Big Ten deal.