Raiders Get Crabtree- An Updated Top 10 Mock Draft

Here’s an updated Top 10 Mock NFL Draft. I have Michael Crabtree falling to the Raiders once the draft actually starts, all Pro Day events, and obviously visits have been completed.  

I believe after Stafford’s Pro Day he has become the top rated QB. USC’s Pro Day is typically last if not one of the last and Sanchez is expected to shine. If he does he could move himself up into the same discussion with Stafford.

1: Detroit- QB Matt Stafford- Calvin Johnson anyone?  Culpepper can only do so much and Stafford/Johnson could be QB/WR partnership for years. Johnson will make any QB look better and I believe Stafford is headed to be a bust but he fulfills a major need that has to be addressed. If Stafford succeeds elsewhere and they pass on him then it will another PR blunder. Obviously this pick can be Sanchez too with Seattle taken who is left over.

2: St Louis- LT Eugene Monroe fills an obvious need with Pace leaving. This team has needs across the board, but LT must be solved.

3: Kansas City- DT BJ Raji is immediate upgrade over Glenn Dorsey. Using Dorsey as a NT is like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. Dorsey is barely over 300 lbs and 6’. Most 3-4 NT’s tend to be 6’2” 320 lbs or bigger. They could sign Curry, but if Dorsey is getting bulldozed Curry won’t be doing anything.

4: Seattle: QB Matt Sanchez could sit for a year and provide this team a future solid QB if not Pro Bowl. He’s raw therefore he needs to sit a year (Carson Palmer), but with Hasselback being injury prone and 33 Sanchez could fill the need in ’10.

5: Cleveland- OLB Aaron Curry would be a great fit for Mangini & Rob Ryan’s new 3-4 D and he’s the best available D player if not the best available player left in the draft.

6: Cincinnati- LT Jason Smith would help solidify a need spot for Cincy, they could also go D here.

7: Oakland- WR Michael Crabtree is the obvious pick because he’s the best player available and fills a major need. Crabtree is the only WR who should immediately come in and make an impact. I highly doubt it will be a Pro Bowl impact, but if he can make any impact the rest of the offense should shine.

8: Jacksonville- WR Jeremy Maclin fills an obvious need and really helps the Special Teams. Having both Maclin would allow Jones-Drew to sit out punt returns and also grow as a WR. I don’t believe Maclin won’t put up much stats in terms of WR this year, but I do believe he’ll grow as the season progresses and should be good after a year under his belt.

9: Green Bay- DE turned OLB in a 3-4 Everette Brown would help provide some pressure along with their other OLB Aaron Kampman.  

10: San Francisco- LT Andre Smith would fill a major need. There are only a handful of coaches that’ll be able to coax Smith into becoming dominant (take Nick Saban for example) and I believe Singletary would get through to him to perform. Andre Smith has the most potential out of all of the LT’s, but does he have the desire?

Minnesota Vikings: Analyzing the Defense

The Strength of the Minnesota Vikings Team is their Defense.  Lets take a position by position analysis of this unit. 

Defensive Tackle – This is where the defense starts, and Leslie Frazier’s scheme is built around these Kevin William and Pat Williams.  When they are both in the game at the same time, the defense clicks.  However the depth at the position leaves a lot to be asked for.  Fred Evans and Letroy Guion are decent enough back ups but we need to find a replacement for Jimmy Kennedy.  They also experienced very good results using Robison here on third down by having the four best pass rushers on the field at the same time.  

Defensive End – This is probably our deepest position on the team.  Everyone knows Jared Allen, but Ray Edwards and Brian Robison are very good players too.  Hopefully we will be getting Kenechi Udeze back as well. If everyone can stay healthy, the Vikings will be able to battle the Giants for the best defensive line in football.

Linebackers – Chad Greenway is becoming a star and should be a cornerstone of the defense for years to come.  Ben Leber is a very solid player who rarely makes mistakes.  However, neither of these guys compare to the way EJ Henderson was playing last year before he got hurt.  Just getting him back and having him for a whole season should take the defense to the next level. 

Cornerbacks – Our defense consistently ranks toward the bottom of the league in passing.  This is more due to the system than the players.  The system is designed to take away the deep passes, and allow the d-line and linebackers to create havoc near the line of scrimmage.  The scheme will allow short passes all day long.  Cedric Griffin and Antoine Winfield are perfect for this scheme because they are two of the best tackling corners in the game.  Charles Gordon was playing phenomenal until he got hurt, hopefully we will get him back.  Benny Sapp and Karl Paymah are better than average and will compete with Gordon for the nickel and dime roles and depth. 

Safety – Our defense was hitting on all cylinders once Madeui Williams recovered and returned to the lineup.  He is a great pickup if he can stay healthy.  Darren Sharper is gone, but he was not really a fit for the system and I believe it will be addition by subtraction.  That role is to be the last line of defense and to protect against the big play.  Tyrell Johnson is faster and a surer tackler than Sharper and should be a good fit for that position in our defense.  Depth is a question at safety with Husain Abdullah, the top backup at both positions, and Michael Boulware returning from injury, being unsure if he will even make the squad.  I expect a mid round draft pick, third or fifth, to be spent on this position for depth. 

Last year, injuries plagued the vikings defense.  Madeiu Williams missed the first half of the season.  EJ Henderson missed the last 3/4 of the season.  Jared Allen was plagued by minor injuries all season long.  Pat Williams missed the last two most critical games.  Charles Gordon had a horrendous injury.  Heath Farwell was lost, not to mention Kenechi Udeze battling cancer, and Darrion Scott making poor life choices. 

Once this unit gets back to full strength and can stay that way, it will be one of the most dominant defenses in recent history.  We have more talent across the board than the Giants, Ravens, and Steelers, if only we can stay relatively healthy for the season.  Go Vikes!

 

 

 

San Francisco 49ers: Front-Office Finally Starting to Fill in the Holes

It is no secret that Mike Singletary’s 49ers are an in-your-face, pound the rock type of team, with their best offensive weapon being their stud tailback Frank Gore. However, Gore needed some extra room to run on the right side of the offensive line last year. The 49ers’ right tackle position was like a game of musical chairs, with Tony Wragge, Adam Synder, and Barry Sims all spending time at the position.

With the four other offensive line positions set in stone for the upcoming season, the 49ers needed to find one more offensive tackle to complete the group. They did that yesterday by signing former Pro Bowl tackle Marvel Smith, formerly of the Steelers.

The 30-year-old tackle is listed as 6’5″, 321 pounds, went to the Pro Bowl in 2004, and helped the Steelers win their fifth championship in Super Bowl XL against Seattle.

Smith is also a native of Oakland and his agent Ken Zuckerman said that playing professionally in the region he grew up in “has been his dream.”

However, the 49ers signing a local, stout offensive tackle may seem too good to be true, and there are some down sides to Smith. The former Steeler played only five games last season with back and shoulder problems that have affected his performance. Yet, according to the 49ers, Smith performed well in his physical and looks healthy and ready to return to his Pro Bowl form.

Smith’s signing will give the 49ers the ability to draft heavily on the defensive side of the ball, especially with their No. 10 overall pick. A ball hawking free safety or a pass rusher is the best bet with the first round pick.

Depending on whether or not Isaac Bruce retires and if the 49ers address WR more in free agency, the 49ers may draft a receiver at some point. But the majority of their picks should be addressing the defensive side of the ball.

The 49ers now have a complete offensive line with Pro Bowl caliber talent at each position. Barring moving tackle Joe Staley back to the right side and having Smith play left, the offensive line will look as follows:

Joe Staley LT, David Baas LG, Eric Heitman C, Chilo Rachal RG, Marvel Smith RT

For as much complaints about the 49ers’ drafting abilities of late, three of the five starting lineman have been drafted since 2005. Baas was the second round pick the year, Alex Smith was the overall No. 1, Staley was drafted in 2007, and Rachal in 2008.

Combined, the offensive line weighs a collective 1,599 lbs, which averages out to about 320 pounds, plus an average height of 6’4-and-a-half inches.

Expect Frank Gore to put up numbers this season near or better than his 2006 production when he ran behind Larry Allen and the supposed to be right tackle Jonas Jennings, who was recently released from the team.

In 2006, Gore carried the ball 312 times for 1,695 yards, which comes out to a 5.4 yards per carry average, and eight touchdowns. With the current offensive line and the new offensive system that is actually going to center around No. 21 Frank Gore, it isn’t far-fetched to think the 49ers tailback could go over 2,000 yards on the ground alone and reach double digit touchdowns for the first time in his career.

Smith’s presence on the right side of the offense improves the 49ers’ chances at the playoffs dramatically if he can stay healthy. Not only is he a force, but he will also be able to mentor RG Chilo Rachal on that right side of the 49ers line.

49er fans have been calling for some big-time noise in free agency, and the front office has finally delivered with a stud new tackle replacing what was formerly a revolving door at the righ tackle position.

And trust me 49er fans, you’re no longer going to be yelling at No. 77 for those atrocious false start and holding penalties, you’re going to be praising him for destroying defensive ends and paving the way for Frank Gore to spring to the next level.

Seattle Seahawks: Inside the Draft

From the very first talks of the draft, everyone was certain Seattle would take Michael Crabtree for the fourth overall pick. Since then, talks have opened up to Aaron Curry, Andre Smith, Brian Orakpo, and other high rated prospects. We need to consider what Seattle Needs and what Seattle Wants. So, I’ll sort them out and tell you why. 

 

Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech: Want

Michael Crabtree is a very talented receiver. By far, he has the most TDs of any receiver entering the draft, and he looks like he would be the best fit for the NFL and would make an immediate impact on whatever team he went to. However, does Seattle really need him?

The Seahawks have a very talented receiving core. Despite the loss of Bobby Engram, Nate Burlesson and Dieon Branch provide a range of options for Matt Hasslebeck and a very talented offense.

Then, T.J. Houshmandzadeh brings a whole new element of stardom and talent to their game, as well as replaces Engram. As for the whole argument of looking to the future, Seattle has a good backup plan, too, with a speedy receiver out of Oregon and two other promising WRs that got some needed playing time last season.

The Seahawks don’t need Crabtree, they just want him to get headlines and some attention. 

 

Aaron Curry, LB Wake Forest: Need

Aaron Curry is a needed attribute to Seattle. The first thing I think about is replacing Julian Peterson using the draft, and the best guy for doing that is indeed Curry.

In almost every prospect rating, he is the No. 1 overall. He has stats about equal to that of Pro Bowler Julian Peterson’s when he was in college, and could replace him without nearly any notice or effect on the Seattle defense.

He is very strong, 25 reps in his bench press, and pretty darn fast for a LB, the fastest time for an LB at 4.25 seconds on 40 yd. dash and the fastest shuttle run at 11.35 seconds.

So, the Seahawks need Aaron Curry hands down to replace Peterson, and to think ahead to the next generation. 

Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia: Need

I know what you’re thinking. “Seattle doesn’t need a running back, they’ve got Jones and Ducket.” That may be true, but both of those runners are inside runners that like to power their way through the middle and knock some guys down.

They don’t have an outside, fast runner that they had last year with Morris, who is now gone. To add some balance to the Seahawks running game, a young Knowshon Moreno would be the perfect thing. With a six yd. per carry average and 16 TDs in ’08, Moreno would complement Seattle’s power running duo nicely, adding a whole new layer of skill to their game. 

Andre Smith, Jason Smith, and Eugene Monroe, OTs: Want

These are the three best offensive tackles in the draft. They’re all fast, with all running under 5.30 in the 40 yd. dash, they’re pretty strong and durable, each getting over 20 in the bench press, and they can jump pretty far, getting eight feet and 9’3″ on the long jump.

Those are impressive stats, but does it matter when you don’t really need an OT? The Seahawks only allowed 35 sacks last season, and haven’t lost any of their guys from the front line. Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe’s stats are impressive, but they don’t need them.

Andre Smith has been questioned lately, making Seattle think he’ll be trying twice as hard and performing twice as hard to prove himself. Still, Seattle better steer away from OTs this year. 

 

Brian Orakpo, DE-LB Texas: Need

Brian Orakpo, as I see it, is exactly what Seattle needs right now. He plays LB, which Seattle needs to replace Peterson, and DE, a position that Seattle needs to add young energy to. Orakpo seems like the best guy for the job.

He had 11 sacks last season and one shared sack, 32 tackles and eight shared tackles, and 112 lost yards off a total of 17.5 tackles for losses. With these incredible stats and a motivation to get better, the Seahawks could move Orakpo around from DE to LB and he would perform at the same skill level.

Orakpo is definitely what Seattle needs and most likely what they should take in the first round of the draft. 

 

Aaron Maybin, DE Penn State: Want

Aaron Maybin has very impressive stats. Totals of 49 tackles, 20 tackles for losses, and 12 sacks prove he’s a vicious player who is ready for the NFL. He fits Seattle’s need for adding youth to the defensive line, but he could be more.

Brian Orakpo has nearly the same stats, maybe a little worse, and he plays LB fitting another need. Maybin is a skilled player, but in the end, he’s all stats and doesn’t really fit all Seattle’s needs. Maybin is a Want because of his slightly better stats from Orakpo, not a need. 

 

My consensus? I’d say the best way to go for Seattle is Brian Orakpo. He’s like putting Aaron Curry and Aaron Maybin together, fitting in to two needs of Seattle’s while still putting up incredible stats. If he’s gone, I’d go for Curry, then Crabtree, then Moreno. If they’re all gone, my choice would be Maybin, even though he’s more of a want than need. 

 

Mike Bradley: Devendorf Syndrome: Players We Love to Hate

Add to that his god-awful Old Spice commercial, and it’s enough for even a non-racing fan to hate his guts.

49ers Bound and Determined to Be Laughingstock Of the NFL

Let me preface this article by saying that I am not one of those that has the opinion that Matt Stafford is the second coming of Joe Montana, or John Elway.  I was never very impressed by his career at Georgia.

Yes, he put up good numbers, but he didn’t strike me as a quarterback that could put a team on his back and carry them to victory.  I don’t see him as being the quintessential first round pick that so many have, since his combine workouts.  Based on what I’ve seen of his play, he might be a decent backup somewhere, and four or five years down the road, might turn into a Trent Dilfer style. The type that doesn’t help the team much, but doesn’t hurt the team much either.

Having said that, the recent announcement that the San Francisco 49ers are going to stay away from drafting him because their team therapist doesn’t think Stafford is handling his parents’ divorce perfectly, is laugh out loud funny.

This once very proud franchise, one that in the interest of full disclosure, I spent my formative years openly rooting against, has fallen on very hard times thanks to some colossal mis-management.

Since Steve Young left, it’s charitable to say that their quarterback situation has been in a state of flux.  Their last first round pick at the quarterback position was Alex Smith, and he has been a universal disappointment.  The team has been unwilling to go after, or unable to land a high profile established quarterback to man the helm, with Shaun Hill, and J.T. O’Sullivan taking all the snaps a year ago. 

This season, the quarterback battle appears to be between Shaun Hill, and the aforementioned Alex Smith.  Which is why these comments by head coach Mike Singletary are so head scratchingly bizarre.

“If you’re going to look at drafting a guy in the first round, and you’re going to pay him millions of dollars, and asking him about a divorce about his parents, if that’s going to be an issue, uhhh, then you know what, maybe he doesn’t belong here.”

Let me get this straight, because the quarterback didn’t feel comfortable discussing a deeply personal matter with a person he didn’t know, and who he did know would most likely report whatever he told them to the team, that means he doesn’t belong on the 49ers?

It isn’t like the kid is stupid.  Thanks to leaked information, we know that Stafford scored one of the highest scores, on the famed Wunderlic, of any of the incoming rookies, posting a 38.  This blows away the other quarterbacks in competition for a first round draft slot, as Mark Sanchez scored a 28, and Josh Freeman scored a 27.

So if you are going to ignore the glowing reviews of Stafford’s physical performance at the combine, and pro-day workouts, and pay special attention to his mental acuity, why does the Wunderlic not carry more water with Singletary and staff?

When Singletary arrived on the scene, the team instantly began playing better football, winning four of their last five games—he seemed to have the team going in the right direction.

That’s why it’s hard to understand how passing up a quarterback who, by accounts from people who admittedly know more than I do, could be a franchise quarterback because he didn’t answer a personal question to their liking, is a step in a right direction.

From here that seems like a way to become the next incarnation of the Detroit Lions.

 

Michael Vick Returning To NFL? Maybe In Dog Years

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It seems like only yesterday, former Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick walked into Surry County Circuit Court to face sentencing on running an elaborate dog fighting operation.

On that day, and for months prior to it, media members throughout the country snapped photos of animal rights activists and outraged citizens screaming obscenities at the former Hokie, while holding giant “Neuter Vick” and “Kick Vick” signs.

Although that day was more than a year and a half ago, and in a little less than four months, Michael Vick’s life goes on, outside the load-bearing walls of the Leavenworth Penitentiary.

Considering the heinous nature of Vick’s crimes, not to mention the enormous response it garnered from PETA members and dog lovers everywhere, one has to question whether Vick’s life will ever return to normal.

The notion of “time healing all wounds” may be true in most instances, but the wounds Vick inflicted on canine lovers remain quite fresh.

Take NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as exhibit A.

Goodell suspended Vick four months before he was formally sentenced to his 23-month jail stint, but it appears Goodell remains quite hesitant to consider reinstating him in 2009 and beyond.

“Everyone makes mistakes, but he has to show that genuine remorse in his ability to be a positive influence to correct the things that he did wrong publicly,” Goodell told USA Today after this past Wednesday’s annual meetings wrapped up in Dana Point, Calif.

In short, Vick’s paying his debt to society may not have been enough.

The question becomes, then, what does Goodell consider “genuine remorse?”

Is genuine remorse publicly apologizing, a la Jason Giambi or Andy Pettitte, after their “juice issues?”

That seemed to be enough in the eyes of baseball fans, as both players are now free and clear of the baggage steroid use typically carries with it, especially for those who refuse to acknowledge their mistakes or whose apologies seem disingenuous (see Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens).

Or does “genuine remorse” involve apologizing to those specifically hurt by the scandal, as Kobe Bryant did to the woman he allegedly raped in 2004?

Even though Bryant was never suspended by the NBA, that seemed to be enough for fans and endorsement companies, as Kobe Bryant’s jersey is now back among those top sold, he’s resumed, once-terminated endorsement deals, and is the cover man for a veritable smorgasbord of video games (e.g. Guitar Hero commercials and NBA ’09: The Inside).

Based on the public outcry then and the dismay of his being released now, animal cruelty is an issue that resonates with people, more than shootings and more than murder charges.

For example, to avoid jail time, Ray Lewis pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and a misdemeanor after a Jan. 31, 2000 incident he was involved in, which left two men  dead.

Despite his legal flap and one-year probation sentence, Lewis was never suspended by the NFL, was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year the very same year, and has been a Madden NFL cover boy.

Adam “Pacman” Jones, despite his numerous off-the-field legal issues—virtually all of them involving a gun—was given full reinstatement after a one-year suspension in 2007.

While it’s true, the Cowboys have since cut ties with Jones (due to some damning information about Jones’ involvement in a 2007 strip club shooting that they’d previously not known about), there didn’t seem to be any real “genuine remorse” shown by Jones, and Cowboys fans considered Jones’ “debt to society” enough of a payment to justify his return.

These cases aside, Goodell’s hesitancy to reinstate Vick is best illustrated by the country’s current banking crisis: There’s lots of money on the sidelines, and banks know that if they make loans they could vastly improve their financial state, and in so doing, the country’s economy. But due to fear of the unknown, and their desire to learn from history’s tough lessons, their loath to make loans.

Similarly, Goodell knows what a talent Vick is and knows that Vick’s return to the NFL could be a huge boom for the brand, both from an intrigue and financial perspective.

Though like the banks, Goodell is afraid to pull the trigger for fear of being burned again, either by fan reactions, or Vick himself.

While the economy will eventually bounce back—at least that’s what the pundits and prognosticators keep assuring us—the same eventuality can’t be applied to Vick.

And based on the public outcry leading up to Vick’s sentencing and his July 20 release, my guess is his eventual forgiveness will be measured in dog years, taking seven years for the public to forgive what other crimes would take only one.

By that time, the dog fighting wounds will have scabbed over, but they’ll have been replaced by an aged body.

Then, it will be Goodell expressing “genuine remorse,” as Vick will be a shell of what he once was.

 

Ryan Moats Saga an Unfortunate Reality: Police Are Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Over the past few days, public outcry has reached its peak in reaction to Ryan Moats’ recent altercation with a Dallas police officer, while Moats and his family were desperately trying to reach his dying mother-in-law in the hospital.

I might find myself on an isolated island on this one, based on the reactions I have seen on TV, in the newspapers, and on talk radio shows.  In my eyes, of course officer Robert Powell was in the wrong when he didn’t know when to call it quits, and allow Moats and his family to enter the hospital. 

For that, he should admit fault.

Where I find issue with all of this is part of what I think is wrong with America today.  Police officers, who we as a public have entrusted with protecting our society and enforcing the law, have come under intense scrutiny in recent memory.

And typically, the American public refuses to see things through the officer’s eyes before passing judgment.

Police brutality is a hot topic, and far too often when a police officer enacts force, the general public reacts harshly toward the officer. 

Does the average person truly understand how challenging it is to be a police officer, needing to maintain a respected level of authority while simultaneously tip toeing the line of being a “nice [guy]”? 

I don’t believe so. In fact, I think the average American takes officers of the law for granted, and jumps at the opportunity to criticize these hard working men and women at the drop of a hat.

Officer Robert Powell was undoubtedly following police procedures on the night of Mar. 17, when he attempted to pull over the vehicle Moats was operating, due to Moats running a red traffic light.

I have not read the Dallas Police Department’s written procedures recently, but I am assuming that it must instruct officers to stop a car if it passes through a red traffic signal. I don’t think it’s far fetched to make that assumption.

If we take things one step further, if a police officer attempts to pull over a vehicle which illegally passed through a red traffic signal, and the vehicle continues driving thereby disrespecting the police officer’s authority, I think any rational individual would understand if the officer grew irritated and suspicious at this activity.

I am in support of Officer Powell up until the point where a nurse came out of the hospital, and informed police that Moats’ mother-in-law was in the process of dying. It is then that my support withdraws.

In spite of disagreeing with Powell’s decision to continue after the nurse informed him of the situation, I can still step back and objectively understand what was going through Powell’s head during the pursuit and ensuing confrontation.

It is with some shock that I’ve read the reaction of fellow police officers in Powell’s department, and the Dallas Police Chief, as they have done nothing to stand by their fellow officer.

I find that a bit outrageous, certainly demotivating to fellow officers, and encouraging of similar questioning of police officers by the general public.

Had the occupants of the Moats vehicle remained inside the vehicle, and calmly and respectfully spoke to Officer Powell, perhaps this could have been avoided. I believe Powell was performing routine procedures to determine the situation, before allowing the law breaking Moats to move on.

Powell drew his gun at one point of the confrontation, which has also drawn scrutiny, but I believe this to be standard procedure. Especially when law-breaking individuals are reacting unfavorably towards an officer.

Let’s take a minute here and flip the scenario around, for objectivity purposes.  Let’s say Officer Powell sees a car pass through a traffic signal, illegally.  Officer Powell attempts to stop this car, and it proceeds on without stopping.

The occupants of the vehicle get out of the vehicle, and confront the officer stating that someone is dying in the hospital. 

Officer Powell lets the individuals go, and it then turns out that these same individuals were dangerous criminals, and they proceed to later commit a crime (or crimes) that same night.

Would the general public criticize Powell, saying that he should never accept such an excuse for breaking the law, without first performing some due diligence?  And that its his lack of due diligence which lead to further crimes being committed?  I am assuming so. 

But the general public doesn’t acknowledge this painful double standard.

The situation with Moats and Officer Powell reminded me of a night out after work, as some co-workers and I stood witness to a long-distance high-speed police chase on TV, while talking shop at a local watering hole. 

As we watched, cameras followed a car in the midwest speed down a public highway for over 30 minutes, weaving in and out of public traffic at speeds of over 90 miles per hour.

Lives were put in danger by these criminals, and several vehicles narrowly missed being hit by the speeding get-away car. When police finally caught up to the vehicle, the officers were not “nice” to the assailants.

In fact, the officers in question used a small amount of force in throwing the criminals to the ground. 

Upon seeing this force, some co-workers of mine reacted unfavorably. 

“Police brutality. They shouldn’t be treating those people like that!“

My jaw dropped. These two dirt bags just drove through traffic at over 90 miles per hour, nearly took the lives of many innocent bystanders all while disrespecting the authority of police in leading them on what seemed like an endless chase.

And the police should be “nice” and “gentle” to these jerks? Are you kidding me?

I’d be all for the officer pummeling someone in this scenario, and even shooting them.  If you’re willing to drive your vehicle at over 90 miles per hour, running away from the police, through public, you do not deserve to breathe another minute, let alone be treated “nicely” by the police.

Similarly, when Cedric Benson was arrested for boating while intoxicated in 2008, the public’s reaction was to believe that Benson was sober, and that police were in the wrong. The public didn’t need any facts, the public simply drew a conclusion due to the public’s lack of respect for police officers.

These examples are not close to the Ryan Moats scenario. I understand that, and I am not saying these are remotely close to the same. I am simply supplying these examples to enhance my observation that the American public fails to see things objectively, from the police officer’s perspective.

That’s the difficult and rigid double standard police officers are held to. Their work is far from easy, presents on-the-fly tremendously difficult decisions which can be life-or-death. Yet Americans don’t care. 

It’s become painstakingly obvious: Americans don’t appreciate or respect police officers. Americans are a me-first, “he must be in the wrong” type society in this day and age. As a result of this, police officers are the first to be criticized when being involved in a controversial situation.

Breaking News: NFL Owners Approve Rule 0.5

Vince Wilfork’s day’s are numbered in New England.

With the NFL Owner’s approving the new rule 0.5, players like him will be having a tough time finding work.

The rule that has been on the table for years now finally has been approved and will revolutionize how the defensive game is played.

Under NFL Rule 0.5, Article 3, Section B, midgets only count as one-half of a player on the field.

This opens up an entirely new sets of lineups.

The 8-3, the 6-4, and many other defensive formations will arise from this new rule.

Imagine the possibilities.

Offensive lines will be overwhelmed, and the need for elusive quarterbacks will become even more necessary than ever, as the “two-hand touch” rule will apply to the midgets.

This is in line with the commissioner’s new thought of less physical, longer seasons.

Worried about the long-term health of players like Vince, many owners have opted out of signing contracts with “biggie” lineman, as they will now be called.

The NFL owners believe the move will allow for longer seasons, generate more public interest, and ultimately increase revenue.

The Commissioner was also stated as saying, “this decision was made with the fans in mind. The fans want to see the starters play more, and with this move, they will be able to more often…since, there are more of them.”

The 2009 season is going to be here sooner than you think, and now it seems, will be more interesting than ever!

NFL Draft: A Closer Look at the Combine’s Quarterbacks

We all know that the combine has produced great failures and great players; this is my diagnoses of the combine.

I will start with the quarterbacks. Please read my next article on the halfbacks.

This year’s quarterback bunch is going to be weak compared to next year, but it’s still pretty strong. 

 

Rhett Bomar, 6’2″,  225 lbs.

The ex-Bearcat is an amazing athlete, who threw for 3,355 yards, 27 touchdown passes, and lead the Bearcats to Holiday Bowl as a redshirt freshman.

Positives: Bomar has a quick release and big arm. He keeps defenses honest and has good mobility.

Negatives: He is a bit cocky, stays on one receiver too long, and tries to force things.

NFL Potential: He will be an adequate starter in the NFL.

 

Nate Davis, 6’1″, 226 lbs.

Nate Davis is a little difficult to get a grip on, with 9,233 yards and 74 touchdowns. Nate “The Great” Davis played in a spread offense, which inflated his stats.

Positives: Davis has a big arm, leadership, poise, and NFL accuracy to all levels of the field.

Negatives: He has to convert to a pro-style offense. He also has a learning disability and is shorter than most scouts like.

NFL Potential: He will someday be a great quarterback but needs time to develop.

 

Mark Sanchez, 6’2″, 227 lbs.

Mark Sanchez is an excellent talent, but it’s hard to see what he will do at the next level because of all the talent that was around him at USC.

Positives: Sanchez reads defenses well and rarely throws into coverage. He has shown rare accuracy on the roll out and distributes the ball all over the field.

Negatives: He doesn’t have much experience. He runs a bit hot and cold: He has a tendency to score touchdowns in bunches. He isn’t a finished product yet.

NFL Potential: He needs time to develop, but Sanchez will be a great quarterback.

 

Matthew Stafford, 6’2″, 225 lbs.

Matthew Stafford was a top quarterback in college and has all the potential to be in the NFL. Stafford will most likely be drafted in the top three for sure.

Positives: Stafford has excellent bulk and strength. He can perform with a leaky line. He is durable.

Negatives: He can get fundamentally lazy and has shown sloppy footwork. He needs to work on judging receiver distance.

NFL Potential: Stafford can be a five-star quarterback.

 

Pat White, 6’0″, 197 lbs.

Pat White is an amazing athlete who can get points on his feet or in the air. Many draft experts have said he should switch to receiver.

Positives: White has excellent speed and vision with the ball in his hands. He will also take and deliver big hits, despite his wiry frame. He will look off the safety before throwing to his primary target. He is a leader.

Negatives: White lacks prototypical quarterback size and is not strong enough to take a lot of hits. He does not always secure the ball and will keep it in his strong hand, even when he runs right. He lacks patience in the pocket.

NFL Potential: He can be a starter in the league, but he needs time to develop.

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