Green Bay Packers Open Against Hated Bears

The NFL has granted the Green Bay Packers a primetime match up for the first week of the 2009 season.

That game will be played on Sunday Night Football in Lambeau Field, against their hated rivals: The Chicago Bears.

As a Packer fan, this gives me some excitement, in a boring off season so far.

We will get to see, no matter where we live, how the new defense will work out.

We must not forget though, that this years opponent is a lot different that last years.

The Packers opened their 2008 season against the Minnesota Vikings, a game they won 24-19, in front of the largest regular season crowd in Lambeau Field history (71,004).

That was a different Vikings team, than the one who won the division by seasons end.

The Vikings were led by unproven quarterback Tavaris Jackson.

He stumbled coming out of the gate, making only two starts, out of the teams first 13 games.

In those first two games, Jackson could only accumulate 308 yards passing, and one touchdown. That was enough for the team to move in another direction.

The rivalry between the Packers and the Bears, stretches over a century long, and I for one am glad: When they play each other, they leave it all out on the field.

Any team could win the game, regardless of their record, or superstars.

Twice a year, you get to witness history. 

Even with this hatred toward each other, being at a game against the Bears in Lambeau is one of my most favorite pasttimes.

Talking smack, while sharing a beer with your arch nemesis.

Good people, are born in the Midwest.

But, in the end I will always chant: Bears still suck!

So for all of you who want to see how the game of football is really played.

Just tune into NBC at 7:30 CT. on September 13, 2009, and you will see history., the

A Firm Foundation for the Oakland Raiders

It’s great having an X’s-and-O’s coach who understands how to build a winning team. It’s not always about flashy players, big names, and even bigger egos. Instead Mr. Davis and coach Cable have thus far focused their off-season efforts on enhancing the offensive line, the foundation of any good team.

 

Out of five offseason acquisitions, Khalif Barnes, Erik Pears, and Samson Satele are offensive linemen. Also, of the six Raiders resigned, Chris Morris and Cooper Carlisle are on the OL. These were all good moves, but by no means do they give us a dominating, permanent offensive line.   

 

Admittedly, the Raiders have to address needs at other positions, but it would be prudent to continue the good off-season work and acquire one or two more key linemen, considering:

 

• Khalif Barnes only signed a one-year contract with the Raiders.

• Cornell Green’s domestic battery arrest is likely to draw a league suspension.
• Paul McQuistan, a fan favorite due to his mean streak, is coming back from a serious knee injury and may not be 100 percent.
• The production provided by John Wade (age 34), Cornell Green (age 32) and Cooper Carlisle (age 31) may be diminishing.
• One of the three premier OT prospects in the draft, Eugene Monroe, Jason Smith, or Michael Oher should be available when we draft seventh.  

 

We could select Michael Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin with our seventh pick, but how will this benefit the team overall, considering we already have several stars at skill positions on offense?  Will adding a star WR create synergy with them?

 

In my opinion, investing in premier OL players will more dramatically improve the team, and make our current stars shine even brighter. Here’s why:

 

• Last year our running backs were often hit in the backfield or strung out at the line, due to our inadequacy at line of scrimmage. Imagine a future where Justine Fargas breaks through the line cleanly over four times a game with his hell-bent-for-leather running style, daring DBs to get in his way.  Picture Darren McFadden breaking through the line cleanly four or more times a game and making the defense try and tackle him in open space down field. Highlight reel stuff!

• Last year’s 10th rated rushing attack was a tribute to our players and the zone blocking scheme, but only resulted in nine rushing TDs. A line that can consistently pop Michael Bush through in short yardage situations results in first downs, rushing TDs, and keeps our opponents on the sideline where they belong!
• JaMarcus Russell would benefit tremendously by having more time to set up in the pocket and read through his progressions. It would also give him better opportunities to spot openings and scramble for first downs.
• Zack Miller would be freed up to range down-field earlier and not have to stick around and help with the blocking as much.  

 

The Raiders will undoubtedly address needs in other key positions, including WR, S, DT, DE, and OLB, but I hope they continue to pursue enhancements to the OL. These investments build a firm foundation for future success, and allow our current offensive stars to shine even brighter.

Tony McDaniel Acquired By Miami Dolphins

 

Although the Dolphins organization is big on keeping and acquiring draft picks, the team apparently felt Tony McDaniel was just too good to pass up, deciding to ship their own seventh-round pick (232nd overall) to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for the fourth-year defensive lineman.

Background

A Columbia, S.C. native, McDaniel played three seasons at the University of Tennessee before declaring for the NFL draft following his junior campaign. He finished his collegiate career with 33 tackles (six for a loss) and one sack.

Undrafted in the 2006 NFL Draft, McDaniel signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars and went on to make the active roster. He appeared in 11 games as a reserve defensive tackle as a rookie, recording 16 tackles, a sack and two pass deflections.

McDaniel appeared in four games for the Jaguars in 2007 before breaking his wrist in an October contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The injury landed him on season-ending injured reserve as he finished the season with five tackles.

In 2008, McDaniel appeared in 10 games for the Jaguars, including his first three NFL starts. He recorded 16 tackles, half a sack and two pass deflections on the season. A toe injury in December landed McDaniel on injured reserve once again.

The Miami Dolphins acquired McDaniel from the Jaguars on March 19, 2009. He will wear No. 78 (most recently worn by guard Pedro Sosa in the preseason) and will compete with Lionel Dotson and Rodrique Wright for a reserve defensive end spot in the Dolphins’ 3-4 scheme.

McDaniel has two years remaining on his contract, with base salaries of $1 million (2009) and $1.855 million (2010).

Analysis

This is a good move for the Dolphins, who simply decided not to wait to use one of their three seventh-round picks in April’s NFL draft. Essentially, the Dolphins chose to take a 24-year-old with three years of NFL experience to compete for a backup job at defensive end, rather than use the pick on a rookie.

McDaniel possesses great size for a 3-4 defensive end at 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds. He’s strong with great agility and athleticism. The lanky defensive lineman doesn’t quite have the bulk to be a 3-4 nose tackle, though he could probably play it if needed.

On the downside, McDaniel has battled wrist, hip, knee and toe injuries in his three seasons as a pro and failed to progress as Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio had hoped. He might never be a starter in the NFL and, though he has a good shot at making the Dolphins in 2009, he’s certainly no lock.

All in all, this is a solid, low-risk trade for the Dolphins. McDaniel won’t be asked to do much with Miami’s top three ends—Kendall Langford, Phillip Merling and Randy Starks—all set in stone. He’s still young with a bit of upside, providing healthy competition to Lionel Dotson and Rodrique Wright in camp just as a seventh-rounder would have done.

 

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Chris Nelson is a journalism major at Georgia State University. He operates his own Miami Dolphins blog, which can be found here.

The Top NFL Free Agents Still Available

With a big chunk of the 2009 NFL Free Agency list and period gone, I would like to take a look at the best availabe free agents left. A note to NFL General Managers: it is not too late to make improvements to your team. With all of the big paychecks and the press conferences, it is easy to forget about some of the veterans that could still produce as well as teach.

Here are six free agents still on the market that I think can still bring something to the table. Most have had some disappointing 2008 seasons in which injuries and inconsistent play have put them in this position. These are the players that can get back up and once again be elite, not to mention some possible future Pro Bowlers.

Giants Draft Predictions: Who’s in Blue in 2009

It seems obvious to me that the Giants have made little effort to sign or trade for a wide receiver because they’re waiting for March 31, 2009 to roll around. It’s a day that N.Y. fans know all too well as Plaxico Burress’s court date.

However, Burress’s fate has not stopped Jerry Reese from adding numerous defensive players this off season. In fact, these additions have the Giants faced with a new problem.

OK, so it’s not really a “problem,” but a decision. Though they have 10 picks in the 2009 draft, the Giants most likely cannot afford 10 more contracts (and definitely cannot fit 10 new players on their squad). There has been talk of the Giants acquiring Braylon Edwards from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for picks, but nothing has been proposed.

As in the past few years, it seems that Reese’s intentions are to build through the draft. In order for the logistics to work out, it seems the team will need to trade up once or twice in this draft to lower their total number of picks and increase the number of players they have to choose from.

Here’s how I see it playing out:

 

Round 1, Pick 20 (via trade with Lions): Rutgers WR Kenny Britt

The trade would look something like this: the Giants acquire the 20th overall pick while the Lions acquire the 45th overall, 60th overall, 200th overall, and WR Sinorice Moss.

There are reports that Detroit is looking to trade this pick, and while they may not need Moss, they’d get three picks instead of one and a former second-round receiver looking to prove himself.

Meanwhile, the swap would lower the total picks the Giants have to eight yet preserve their original first rounder. They’d also make roster space by trading Moss.

The move up would allow N.Y. to select Britt after the Bears elect not to pick him with 18th selection. Yes, Kenny is scheduled to work out for the Bears, but so are other receivers.

Though he’s 6’3″, 210 pounds, Britt ran the 40 in 4.40 seconds at the Rutgers Pro Day, which shows improvement on his NFL Combine time. He has the size and height to be molded into a Plaxico Burress-type player.

So if Plaxico does not come back for the 2009 season, Britt will be a great addition to the receiving corps. If Burress does return, teams can just try to stop Burress, Smith, Britt, Hixon, and the rest of this corps. This pick makes so much sense for the Giants, but it appears that they will not be able to wait for the 29th pick to get the wideout.

Of course, if it looks as if Britt will slide to 29, the Giants will wait it out. This guy could be a future Hall of Famer; you heard it here first!

 

Round 1, Pick 29: UConn OT William Beatty

The Giants will select this offensive tackle who started all 13 games his senior year after missing the previous campaign. He pushed the 225 a staggering 27 times at the combine.

The Giants’ offensive line was amazing last year, as they blocked for two 1,000-yard rushers and the team took the number one ranking in rushing yards. But New York needs depth, as Kevin Boothe was very inconsistent in his backup role.

The Giants could look for a linebacker here, but they signed Boley this offseason. Besides, at 29, all the first-round linebackers will most likely be chosen already.

 

Round 3, Pick 91: Oregon State CB Keenan Lewis

The Giants need another corner to add depth and to eventually mold into their third corner on the depth chart. They terminated the contract of Sam Madison which makes the position one of need.

According to reports, Lewis can play safety as well, and that makes him an even better pick. He could add depth to either position, depending on what the Giants need when training camp comes along.

His 40 time is just under 4.50 seconds, which is not blazing, but scouts say he makes up for his lack of raw speed with quick decision making and great instincts.

 

Round 3, Pick 100 (compensatory): San Jose State CB Christopher Owens

This guy ran a 4.40 at his pro day, and if he is available here, the Giants can be forgiven picking two cornerbacks within ten slots of each other.

The reason is that CBs currently on the roster Aaron Ross and Corey Webster are still a bit unproven. Both play well at times, but if the Giants can add some legit depth behind them, it may make for a better training camp as all the cornerbacks try to prove they are starters.

This also makes a good pick if the Giants indeed choose Lewis and opt to use him as a safety.

 

Round 4, Pick 115 (via trade with Jets): Pittsburgh MLB Scott McKillop

The trade would look something like this: the Giants acquire 115th overall pick while the Jets acquire the 129th and 151st picks. This would allow the G-Men to trim their count to seven picks and snag a future starting linebacker.

Of course, McKillop may not be available here, as he performed well at the combine, but some still have him around the middle of the fourth.

Reading through the negatives posted on draft projection sites, it seems his physical strength may be in question. I say give him a weight room and a New York Giants strength coach, and he will build.

It seems he has trouble shedding blocks, and some scouts also worry about him bringing down NFL backs. These issues could easily be addressed by adding some strength during the offseason.

Now remember that he’ll be learning from one of the best middle linebackers in the game, Antonio Pierce. If Pierce can teach him how to be a “quarterback of the defense” as Antonio is now, McKillop could be one of the best in two or three years.  

 

Round 5, Pick 164: Rutgers WR Tiquan Underwood

Alright, so only two scouts from the Giants attended the Rutgers Pro Day, but they noticed more than Kenny Britt. They realized that Underwood would be a steal in the fifth round, where he fell on most boards due to his poor performance during Rutgers’ 1-5 start.

They also realized how Mike Teel’s performance hindered him in college. With a little observation at the pro day, it was quite obvious the Scarlet Knight QB was off the mark: His throws were everywhere from overthrown to underthrown to (occasionally) on target.

But Underwood was quite on the mark when watching the ball into his hands and turning quickly after catching. Plus, he’s fast: He ran a 4.41 at the Combine. While he only measures in at 6’1″, when watching him play, he reminds me of a young Amani Toomer.  It would be interesting to see the two receivers make it on the same NFL team and battle it out for playing time.

This pick would also be additional insurance in the case of Burress not being able to return.

 

Round 7, Pick 238: Florida State K/P Graham Gano

The Giants should pick a kicker in the seventh round for two reasons.

One is that you can actually get a very good kicker in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. The second is that Lawrence Tynes played very little last year, and Jeff Feagles is nearing the end of his career.

Gano can perform both kicking and punting duties. And while the Giants may have been planning to only have two legs on their roster this season, the smart decision may be to have three again.

Gano could have a long career in the NFL, and the whole thing could be in Giants blue. He made five out of seven field goals of 50 yards or longer and was perfect from 49 yards in, leaving him 24-of-26 on the season last year.

While he may not beat Feagles for the punting job, it could be his when the 43-year-old retires. Gano averaged 42.7 yards per punt last year and 43.3 in 2007.

Tom Brady Is the Standard Used to Grade Manning

Josh Deemers, 37, of Indianapolis, Indiana wrote another piece for BleacherReport, comparing Manning to Brady.

“This article is different from my other 503,” said the BleacherReport Senior Writer. “This time I compare them in night games when leading in the 3rd quarter in October on even numbered days.  I can see how this can be confused with the when leading in the 3rd quarter in night games in October on odd numbered days since the raw data is similar.”

“So what is the result?” I ask.

“I figured with the media’s constant praise of Brady you’d have to ask,” he said. “It is not even close. Peyton is a laugher. The interceptions are the same and Peyton has more yards and more touch downs.”

“What if they are trailing?” I asked.

“Get out of my room!” he said. “I knew I should not have invited a Patriot humor writer to dinner. You’re gonna miss my mom’s meatloaf.”

I apologized. (Hey, I like meatloaf.) I tried a different tack. “What media?”

“You know,” he said.

I didn’t say that if I did I wouldn’t ask, because these mid-western types might think pointing out the obvious is rude.

“Is that the same media that insisted Brady was a ‘system quarter back’ or the media who elects Peyton MVP in 2008 when he did not lead the league in any passing category?”

Apparently that was rude, too, as he just pointed at the door.

As I left, I asked what else he had planned.

He kept pointing at the door and said he was going to prove that Tom Brady is the worst quarter back in the league, “well, except for Roethlisbergerr.”

Josh Deemers is fictional and quotes are made up. Any resemblance to any writer here is unfortunate. This is satire/humor despite an ignoramus editor who might remove the humor tag while I’m sleeping.

Oh, I spelled out ‘quarter back’ because Bleacher Report thinks readers are too stupid to figure out what a QB is and then an ignoramus who signed up yesterday can change the tags that are kind of important.

For editors: Peyton Manning plays for the Indy Colts in the AFC South; Tom Brady Plays for the New England Patriots in the AFC East.  Removing those tags proves something about you.

2009 Fantasy Football Preview: Top Three Quarterbacks

This article covers the top three quarterbacks in the 2009 NFL season.

I will be breaking down each quarterback with statistics from last year.

Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts)

I was going back and forth between Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers, but Rivers will not be on this list.

Manning helped his team win nine games in a row last year to get to the playoffs.

In 2008, he had 4,002 yards, 27 touchdowns, and a 95.0 passer rating.

There are plenty of reasons for Manning to be on this list.

Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys)

In 2009, Tony Romo will not struggle like he did last year.

I think he will throw for 20 touchdowns, along with 10 interceptions.  His passer rating should be 90.0.

I would get him.

Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)

Last year, Drew Brees failed to get the record for most passing yards in a season by 16 yards.

Brees finished the season with 5,069 yards passing, 34 touchdowns, and a 96.2 passer rating.

This guy is the bomb!

In 2009, he can get you points. I bet you will get close to the championship.

 

That wraps this up.

The quarterbacks all should do well and get you points. If you get a chance, draft one of these players.

Please leave a comment below.

 

Chicago Bears Sign Offensive Tackle Kevin Shaffer

A week ago, the Chicago Bears failed to re-sign offensive tackle John St. Clair, as he chose to take a deal from the Cleveland Browns.  At that point, the Bears didn’t have many options to play offensive line or to fill the hole left by St. Clair, which can be seen in more detail here.

On Wednesday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bears addressed that need by signing the man that St. Clair replaced in Cleveland, offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer, to a three-year deal.  Financial terms have not yet been disclosed.

Shaffer, a seventh round pick by the Falcons out of Tulsa in the 2002 draft, has played in exactly 100 NFL games, starting 86 of them.  Shaffer has spent the last three seasons starting at both left and right tackle for the Browns, playing in 47 of their 48 games.

Shaffer, 29, was released by the Browns two weeks ago, so it is entirely possible that the Bears’ front office knew they had him as a backup plan in case St. Clair decided to leave town.  Either way, the signing gives the Bears additional options on their offensive line, as their other new signing, Frank Omiyale, can now be inserted at both guard and tackle as necessary.

In addition, the signing of Shaffer puts less pressure on the Bears to draft an offensive lineman with a high draft pick next month.  Based on reports that the Bears have looked at wide receivers Darrius Heyward-Bey, Hakeem Nicks, and Kenny Britt, it appears that wideout is their current focus for the first round of the draft.

The Bears received an additional selection in the third round of the draft this week as compensation for the departure of Bernard Berrian prior to last season.  This might be a perfect spot to look for depth on the offensive line.

Whichever direction the Bears go next, whether in free agency or in the draft, it is encouraging to see them making moves of any kind, rather than standing pat.

Now, about our backup quarterbacks…

2009 NFL Mock Draft: First Round With Analysis

Round One

1. Detroit (0-16):  Matthew Stafford; Quarterback, Georgia

Detroit needs a face of the franchise. There really is no clear cut top player in this draft class, and Detroit would be wise to go with a future franchise quarterback. In a deep offensive lineman class, they can get a solid big later in the draft, possibly with their second first round pick. Matthew Stafford has had a very impressive offseason, and he could be the gunslinger the Lions have lacked for so long.

2. St. Louis (2-14):  Jason Smith; Offensive Tackle, Baylor

Now that Orlando Pace has officially been released, the Rams can look to their left tackle of the future. Depending on what Detroit does, they will have their choice of top tackles. I personally think they should go with Jason Smith. Out of the top three offensive tackles in this draft, Smith has the best feet, and that is critical in today’s game and protecting a quarterback.

3. Kansas City (2-14):  Aaron Curry; Outside Linebacker, Wake Forest

I’m a big fan of Aaron Curry. He is undoubtedly the best senior prospect in this draft, maybe the best prospect overall. Kansas City just traded for Mike Vrabel, who will likely play middle linebacker. A trio of Vrabel, Derrick Johnson, and Curry could be absolutely terrifying for opposing offenses.

4. Seattle (4-12):  Eugene Monroe; Offensive Tackle, Virginia

Monroe could easily go number one in this draft, meaning this is great value for Seattle.  Prior to signing T.J. Houshmandzadeh, this pick was Michael Crabtree all the way. Now, Seattle can focus on their big men on offense. They could target Aaron Curry since they recently traded Julian Peterson, but with him off the board this is the next best option.

5. Cleveland(4-12):  Brian Orakpo; Outside Linebacker, Texas

Willie McGinnest is nearing the end of his career, and Kamerion Wimbley has not played up to his rookie potential. Brian Orakpo is a great pass rushing defensive end who seems ready to make the switch to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. 

6. Cincinnati (4-11-1):  Andre Smith; Offensive Tackle, Alabama

While Andre Smith may not have gotten off to the greatest start by no-showing the Combine, he is still a dominant left tackle. Cincinnati has stated their interest in Smith, and it is unlikely that he will fall any further than the sixth overall pick. If he does, it will be an absolute steal.

7. Oakland(5-11):  Michael Crabtree; Wide Receiver, Texas Tech

Whether or not Oakland is the one making this pick remains to be seen, but it is unlikely that Crabtree will go any longer without hearing his name called. He is a big-play receiver, and while he doesn’t have elite speed, he makes up for it with great leaping ability.

8. Jacksonville(5-11):  Rey Maualuga; Middle Linebacker, USC

Maualuga had a chance to work with the Jacksonville staff at the Senior Bowl, and the recent signing of Mike Peterson in Atlanta almost makes it seem like a no-brainer for Jacksonville to take a middle linebacker with this pick. Maualuga is a great run-stopper, and can have a Jerod Mayo type of impact on the Jaguars.

9. Green Bay(6-10):  B.J. Raji; Defensive Tackle, Boston College

Green Bay is making the switch to the 3-4, and that means a dominant nose tackle is needed.  Justin Harrell has not developed as expected, but he should get every opportunity.  If the pick is not Raji, it should be Malcolm Jenkins, as the Packers’ DB’s are getting a bit long in the tooth.

10. San Francisco(7-9):  Aaron Maybin; Outside Linebacker, Penn State

Manny Lawson has not been great since his rookie season, and on the other side the 49ers lack a pass rush as well.  Maybin is a dual-threat tweener who could instantly upgrade any team’s pass rush.  Patrick Willis on the inside and Maybin on the outside would be a great combination.

11. Buffalo(7-9):  Brandon Pettigrew; Tight End, Oklahoma State

Buffalo let Robert Royal go to the Browns, and a replacement is needed. Pettigrew is the best tight end in the draft, and is somewhat of a utility man. He is a better blocker than a receiver, but he can catch the ball with the best of them.

12. Denver (8-8):  Tyson Jackson; Defensive End, LSU

Denver is making the switch to a 3-4 defensive alignment, and right now they don’t really have the personnel up front to make that transition. Jackson is very athletic for his 6’4″ 295 pound frame, and is considered the best five technique the draft has to offer.

13. Washington(8-8):  Michael Oher; Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss

The Redskins made a huge splash and filled a big need this off-season by signing DT Albert Haynesworth, changing the focus of the draft to the offensive front.  Oher was once considered a top five pick, and could be a great value here.

14. New Orleans (8-8):  Malcolm Jenkins; Defensive Back, Ohio State

Jenkins has been very good the past four seasons at Ohio State. He helped his draft stock with a strong pro day, but scouts are still in doubt as to what position he may play at the next level.  With the Saints, he would be an excellent fit at free safety.

15. Houston(8-8):  Brian Cushing; Outside Linebacker, USC

Houston did a great job at the start of the off-season by signing defensive end Antonio Smith to pair with Mario Williams up front, but there is still a hole at outside linebacker.  Cushing is going to be the defensive rookie of the year in my opinion, and this would be a great pickup for Gary Kubiak and the Texans.

16. San Diego (8-8):  Chris Wells; Running Back, Ohio State

San Diego sorely missed a bruising presence at the running back position, and Chris Wells compares very favorably to former Charger Michael Turner. Wells prefers to run over people, and that is what I love about him. He would be an excellent addition to San Diego’s backfield.

17. New York Jets (9-7):  Mark Sanchez; Quarterback, USC

Brett Ratliff, Kellen Clemens, and Erik Ainge. Any of those names ring a bell? Mark Sanchez likely wouldn’t start right away, but he is an upgrade over any of those other quarterbacks. New York could struggle this season, but if Sanchez develops, watch out for them in 2010.

18. Chicago(9-7):  Jeremy Maclin; Wide Receiver, Missouri

For years, Chicago has lacked a playmaker at the receiver position. Kyle Orton had a very good season last year, and could be primed to break out in 2009 if given the correct weapons. Matt Forte was a great pick last season, and the Bears would do well to add a dynamic receiver like Jeremy Maclin.

19. Tampa Bay (9-7):  Peria Jerry; Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss

Aside from the Bucs releasing virtually their entire defense, they really have no defensive tackles anyway. Jerry is a great pass-rushing defensive tackle, and would be a great addition alongside Gaines Adams up front.

20. Detroit (from Dallas) (9-7):  Everette Brown; Defensive End, Florida State

At this point, Everette Brown is an absolute steal. Detroit traded its top pass rusher in Cory Redding to the Seahawks, and Brown would be a great pass-rushing option off the edge. 

21. Philadelphia(9-6-1):  Knowshon Moreno; Running Back, Georgia

Brian Westbrook is injury prone, and Correll Buckhalter bolted for the Broncos. Moreno is a playmaker at running back who added muscle mass over the off-season. He could end up being a thousand yard back in time, but with Philly he would be a change of pace.

22. Minnesota(10-6):  Percy Harvin; Wide Receiver, Florida

Harvin could help the Vikings on a number of different levels. He is extremely versatile and deadly after the catch. He would be a great possession receiver on one side with the deep threat Bernard Berrian on the other. 

23. New England(11-5):  Vontae Davis; Cornerback, Illinois

Davis really shouldn’t fall this far, but his lack of great coverage skills are enough to warrant falling out of the top 20. He has great speed and size, and the Patriots have been known for developing cornerbacks in their system. This would be a great pick for them.

24. Atlanta(11-5):  James Laurinaitis; Linebacker, Ohio State

Atlanta lost two of their three starting linebackers to free agency in Michael Boley and Keith Brooking. Mike Peterson was signed, but he is aging. I like Laurinaitis here because he can play both the inside and outside, and would team well with Curtis Lofton.

25. Miami (11-5):  Hakeem Nicks; Wide Receiver, North Carolina

Ted Ginn has developed into a good deep threat, but a possession receiver is needed.  Nicks has been compared to Anquan Boldin, and rightfully so. He is a very tough and physical receiver with big play ability. 

26. Baltimore(11-5):  Darrius Heyward-Bey; Wide Receiver, Maryland

Derrick Mason is aging, and Mark Clayton has not developed into the premiere receiver Baltimore had hoped. Heyward-Bey has “boom or bust” written all over him, but he is worth the risk here. Joe Flacco would be getting a big and fast target, who could also help out in the return game if needed.

27. Indianapolis (12-4):  Clay Matthews; Outside Linebacker, USC

Indy really needs help at defensive tackle, but there is nobody worth taking with this pick. Clay Matthews is a great consolation, and he would likely start at outside linebacker immediately. He is also a great special teams player.

28. Philadelphia (from Carolina) (12-4):  Eben Britton; Offensive Tackle, Arizona

The Eagles signed Stacy Andrews away from the Bengals, but there is still a hole at the left tackle spot. Eben Britton may be a bit of a reach here, but he has the potential to be a decade-long starter in this league. Not great, but very good.

29. New York Giants(12-4):  Kenny Britt; Wide Receiver, Rutgers

With Plaxico Burress’ situation in doubt, the Giants are going to have to add another big receiver to take his place. Britt reportedly ran a 4.44 second 40-yard dash at his pro day, and would be a great pick for the Giants, who have also been rumored to be interested in Cleveland receiver Braylon Edwards.

30. Tennessee(13-3):  Alphonso Smith; Cornerback, Wake Forest

Cortland Finnegan was a pleasant surprise last year, and the Titans would be wise to add a ball-hawking cornerback on the opposite side of him. Alphonso Smith may be small, but he has a nose for the football.

31. Arizona (9-7):  Donald Brown; Running Back, UConn

This is one of my favorite picks thus far. I love what Donald Brown brings to the table at the next level. He was superb for UConn, and could be a great starting running back in this league.

32. Pittsburgh (12-4):  Alex Mack; Center, California

If there is one hole on the Super Bowl champs, it is on the offensive front. Ben Roethlisberger hit the dirt far too many times, and Alex Mack would be a good way to start rebuilding that line.

Dawkins Loss Still Reverberates Throughout Eagles Country

It’s late March, and all is quiet in Philadelphia. 

Why?

Because it’s not football season.

Sure, the baseball world champions will start a new season after their championship run last year.  But it is the pigskin that Philadelphians really covet.

The gridiron has been empty for some time now, in another wallowing defeat that stole the rug right from under each Philadelphia Eagle fan that thought this could be the year.

After suffering through what was initially thought as a down year, then suddenly making the last seed in the playoffs, and then miraculously making it to the conference championship game and getting beat in heartbreaking fashion yet again, Eagles fans went through a lot in only a one month span.  The ups and downs were a true thrill ride.

It wasn’t enough to make real Eagles fans forget about the Birds’ shortcomings. 

The Eagles were inconsistent at best throughout the year, finished with a less than commendable 9-6-1 record, barely squeaked into the playoffs, and lost to the Cincinnati Bengals.  When a team does that, it’s not an accomplishment.  It’s an embarrassment.

That is the very reason why, even though the team would eventually get to the Conference game in the NFC, the fans feel so distraught with the way management has handled this offseason and others in the past. 

They failed to recognize the contributions of team leader Brian Dawkins, who lead the team into the playoffs.  He was the leader of the team.  Not a heartless, selfish quarterback who turns to his mother as a metaphorical fullback. 

Dawkins was a fan favorite in Philadelphia for his tenacity and willingness to lay his body on the line for countless bone-crushing hits.  The team offered the player around a $3 million, one-year contract.  The safety felt this was a slap in the face, and quickly signed with the Denver Broncos.

When the team was floundering with a .500 record, some fans came to grips with the hope that the team would implode and take on a horrific record so that the current regime of head coach Andy Reid, team president Joe Banner, and general manager Tom Heckert would be out by years end. 

Although Super Bowl visions would be dancing in their head when the Birds beat the Giants in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, they would soon realize that this would all be a fallacy. The same problems persisted throughout the game: the Eagles lack of playmaking wide receivers.

The management of the team, however, categorically denies this obvious weakness.  Quarterback Donovan McNabb’s lack of clutch performances might be solved once they bring in a skilled, big bodied receiver.

The reply from the management upon hearing this suggestion?

Malarkey.

“We feel like we are good at wide receiver,” Reid is often heard saying. This really enrages fans in the city, because it touches on a nerve that makes it seem that Reid thinks he is all-knowing.  Just by looking at his fingers (no giant championship rings), you can tell that he does not hold all of the answers.

Maybe that’s why the Eagles are so hated these days. 

Of course, Philadelphians will follow the squad until the end.  But the management certainly has become clueless in fan relations.

Maybe the Eagles will acquire a game-breaking wide receiver to complement the speedster Desean Jackson.  Maybe the Eagles weren’t the idiots they were made out to be in the Dawkins situation.  Maybe it is the fans’ fault for all this mess.

The fact is, management makes it seem like they have won numerous Super Bowls and have been tremendously successful in recent years. 

With the way the team handles its players and fans, the squad still has a lot of ground to cover before it is anywhere near the respect that a certain baseball team has earned. After failing to win a Championship for this city again, they might want to rethink their self-proclaimed brilliance.

Why? Because that’s one of the only things Philadelphia fans respond to.

Results.

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