The Steelers Add Much-Needed Depth

There is a reason that the same teams remain at the top of the NFL—they draft well.

The Steelers, Patriots, Colts, Eagles, and Giants all had stellar drafts this weekend and showed why they are the class of the NFL.

I was particularly happy with the way the Steelers addressed their need for depth along both lines and in the secondary.

I thought the Evander Hood pick at the end of round one made sense for Pittsburgh.  From all reports, Hood is a great locker room presence.  He is a team player who makes everyone around him play better.

Hood will have an opportunity to contribute right away, most likely being worked into the rotation along the defensive line.  He adds much needed youth to this group and should have a good chance to crack the starting lineup in a few years.

The Steelers did a good job trading down at the end of round two and adding a couple of third round picks.  Their first pick of round three was guard Kraig Urbik who has good size and the ability to play tackle and center as well.  He could push Darnell Stapleton for the starting right guard spot.

Pittsburgh then added speedy Mike Wallace to compete with Limas Sweed for the No.3 receiver spot.  Wallace can really stretch the field and also gives the Steelers a kick returner they have been sorely lacking for years.

With their next two picks, the Steelers added some depth to the secondary by selecting cornerbacks Keenan Lewis and Joe Burnett.  Lewis has good size and does well in press coverage.  The Steelers coaches think he reminds them of Ike Taylor.  Burnett was a playmaker in college who also has good return ability.

With the addition of free agent CB Keiwan Ratliff, I think the Steelers did a fantastic job of adding depth to an important position.

At the end of round five, the Steelers selected big Frank Summers, who could become their new short yardage back.  He can also play some fullback. 

I like this pick.  Short yardage was a major issue last year and Summers will be given an opportunity to help the situation.

I’m not sure about Ra’Shon Harris in round six.  He only started for one year at Oregon and played inconsistently.  Still, with the Steelers lack of depth on the defensive line he will have a chance to catch on.

The Steelers’ first pick of round seven was one of my favorite picks they made in this draft.  Hard working A.Q. Shipley of Penn State gives the Steelers a backup at the center position. 

I am not worried about reports of his arms being too short to be an effective pro center.  He was an extremely efficient player for the Nittany Lions.  Don’t be surprised if Shipley ends up starting for Pittsburgh in a couple of seasons.  This was a good value pick.

With their final pick, the Steelers chose D.J. Johnson, a tight end who can also play fullback.  He could challenge Sean McHugh for a spot on the roster.  Johnson had a good yards per catch average of 16.2 for Arkansas State last year.

All in all, another solid draft by Pittsburgh.  They showed again why they remain one of the top teams in the NFL year in and year out.

Raider Nation: Best Fans in The NFL?

Over the years I have heard the debate on which NFL team has the best fans. However, in terms of style, there are no fans in the NFL that can compete with the Raider nation. For Raiders fans, it goes way beyond just “going to the game.”

What sets the Raiders fans apart from the rest of the NFL is that no team best represents their city/state better then the Raiders do Oakland, California.

Oakland, California is home to drugs, thugs, pimps, players, mac’s, slick talkers, and money walkers. Oakland for the most part is ghetto and only getting worst year by year.

In 2009, two major killings which were covered in the national media occurred in Oakland, California. 

The first was the Oscar Grant shooting on New Year’s Day, in which a cop shot Oscar Grant while he was handcuffed and laying face down.

Then in March the killings of four on duty Oakland Policemen during a routine traffic stop. In Oakland you always have to be on your toes, or you might get caught slipping.

This is the city the Raiders call home. While some teams represent their individual states (Tennessee, New York, Arizona), the Raiders rep the city of Oakland, population 398,000.

Compared to other NFL franchises locations, the city of Oakland is much smaller, thus giving it the us vs them attitude which we use at home and on the road.

The cities of Oakland and Long Beach, California, are the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States, with over 150 languages spoken in Oakland.

If you aren’t from Oakland, you have no business riding around the city at night just for fun. You will most likely get robbed, shot, stabbed, or get your car kicked in. Oakland is cut-throat—always has been, always will be. The Raiders are cut-throat, always have been, always will be

Located in East Oakland, some of the best known streets around the Oakland Coliseum are 98th AVE, Hegenberger, International, and 66th AVE.

It is without question the grimiest, dirtiest, nastiest stadium in the NFL. Walking through the Oakland Raiders parking lot during pre-game tailgate parties is an experience that true Raiders fans love.

Thousands and thousands of Oakland Raiders fans walking around wearing nothing but black. Any other team colors stand out like Wesley Snipes in a room full of white people.

There is only one true nation in sports (NFL, NBA, MLB) and it is located in Oakland, California. Over the last 10 years, you might have heard of Red Sox nation, Celtics nation, or Tar Heels nation. No disrespect to those teams, but the only nation is Raiders nation.

Only in Oakland will you see fans dress up so crazily and to such an extreme, in costumes, face paint, and with swords. Anything that is black, and anything that goes along with the pirate theme of the Oakland Raiders logo.

It’s not a few crazy fans, we’re talking about thousands and thousands of grown men, women, and little kids dressed in war gear ready to watch their beloved Raiders go to battle on the field.

Inside the stadium, walking around looking for your seats you will hear chants of “Raaaaaaaaaaaai-Deeeeeeeeeerrrrsss” over and over. Without question, you will also see tons of drunken fights break out. Raiders fans are so thugged out that they will fight right in front of little kids without a second thought.

Everything is out-dated at the Oakland Coliseum. The bathrooms are dirty and you might see a few Raiders fans smoking a blunt or taking shots of Hennessy in them.

Wearing the visting team’s jersey in NFL stadiums is for the most part OK, but not in Oakland, California. If you choose to show up at the Raiders game with a Broncos, Chiefs, or Chargers jersey, you are asking to be messed with. You will get food thrown on your jersey and people will get in your face and say cuss words to you, to the point that it becomes a fight.

However, last but not least is the actual game played on the field. After waking up, drinking all day, and making your way to your seats, when you see the Raiders take to the field wearing their black home jerseys and you hear those bells the Raiders play—nothing in the NFL beats that. No fan base, no team, nothing beats seeing the Oakland Raiders play live in Oakland.

Which brings me to my final point. As great as the fans of Raider nation are, they deserve better than the product which we pay to see every Sunday.

If you go to an Oakland Raiders game, you would think this is the home stadium for the defending Super Bowl Champions and not for a team who is 24-72 over the last seven years (or whatever it is).

Raiders games are so much fun—they’re loud and exciting. The city of Oakland is overdue for the Raiders to start winning again.

Regardless of the outcome, Raider nation fans will still be there, repping for the city of Oakland. There is too much pride in our franchise to think any other way. Real fans go to the games.

So, to answer which NFL team has the best fans? Come walk through the Oakland Raiders stadium or parking lot wearing a non-Raiders jersey and you be the judge…

Chad Ocho Cinco: Is He Only As Good As His Quarterback?

There was once a popular phrase around the NFL that asked how do you stop 85? This phrase was about Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, who now goes by the name Chad Ocho Cinco.

Throughout his career, Ocho Cinco has been nothing but a headache to opposing defenses. Other than his rookie season, he had never recorded less than 1,100 yards receiving. That was until last season.

2008 was a season to forget, not only for the 4-11-1 Cincinnati Bengals, but for Ocho Cinco himself. For the first time since his rookie campaign in 2001, he failed to reach the 1,000 yard mark for receiving. In fact, he didn’t even reach the 600 yard mark.

Last season, Ocho Cinco had 53 receptions for 540 yards and four touchdowns. Johnson played in 13 games but started just 10 of them. How does a player with the talent level of Ocho Cinco have such a disappointing season?

Many blame Carson Palmer’s absense for Ocho Cinco’s horrendous 2008 season. Palmer only played in four of the first five regular season games last season due to an elbow injury. While he sat on the bench, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick ran the offense.

It’s easy to assume that Ocho Cinco’s decline in statistics during 2008 was because of the quarterback situation.

Palmer is a former Heisman Trophy winner out of Southern California, which is well known as one of the best programs in all of college football. Fitzpatrick comes from Harvard University, which is well known for having one of the best academic programs in the country, but is not exactly a football production line.

Long story short—the two levels of competition each school faces on the football field is nowhere even close to each other. Southern California plays schools such as UCLA and Oregon, while Harvard plays schools such as Princeton and Yale.

Basically, Carson Palmer’s experience is at a completely different level to Fitzpatrick’s. If Fitzpatrick is the reason for Ocho Cinco’s 2008 season, does this mean he is only as good as the quarterback running the offense?

It’s obvious Ryan Fitzpatrick is no Carson Palmer. In 13 games last season, he threw for just 1,905 yards, eight touchdowns, and nine interceptions. During the 16 games he played in the 2007 regular season, Palmer threw for 4,131 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions.

In other words, Palmer’s average passing yards each game surpassed Fitzpatrick’s by more than 100. Not to mention he averaged a whole touchdown more per game.

Prior to last season, Ocho Cinco has been Palmer’s main target at the wide receiver position for the previous four seasons. In those four seasons, they had hooked up for over 5,000 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Unfortunately, Ocho Cinco failed to find that special connection when Fitzpatrick took over at quarterback. In the nine games the two played together in, they hooked up for just 470 yards and four touchdowns.

Besides Palmer, Ocho Cinco has had just three other quarterbacks throw to him during his eight year career; Jon Kitna (46 games), Gus Frerotte (three games), and Akili Smith (two games).

It’s hard to make comparisons between Ocho Cinco during his time with Frerotte and Smith as his quarterback considering they played a combined five games together. However, Kitna is a quarterback that makes a strong case for Ocho Cinco only being good as his quarterback.

In his first three seasons with the Bengals, Kitna threw for 9,985 yards, 54 touchdowns, and 53 interceptions. These may not be Peyton Manning-esque numbers, but they were still decent for an average quarterback.

It wasn’t until his second season with the Bengals that Ocho Cinco became a full-time starter at wide receiver. In his first two seasons as a starter with Kitna as his quarterback, he had 159 receptions for 2,521 yards and 15 touchdowns.

There have been numerous wide receivers throughout history who have improved their game because of the quarterback they played with. Some argue that Tom Brady has made Wes Welker a better wide receiver in New England. Others say Marvin Harrison’s career would not have been the same if he had never played with Peyton Manning.

Kitna and Palmer did an excellent job at getting Ocho Cinco the ball from 2002-2007. The fact that he was not able to put up the same type of numbers with Fitzpatrick at quarterback can’t help but make one wonder whether or not he is as only as good as his play caller.

There are other receivers whose numbers have decreased when the team’s starting quarterback has gone down. However, there are a number of wide receivers whose numbers are still impressive, no matter which quarterback is leading the way. Look at what Calvin Johnson did in Detroit last season.

Last season was a season to forget for the Detroit Lions, as they became the first season in NFL history to go winless and finish with a 0-16 record. The Lions found themselves with three different quarterbacks playing throughout the season with Daunte Culpepper, Dan Orlovsky, and Drew Stanton.

Despite the variety of quarterbacks, Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson still managed to put up superb numbers as he finished with 1,331 yards received and 12 touchdowns. He proved that no matter who was playing quarterback for Detroit, he was still capable of putting up solid numbers.

For the last couple of seasons, Chad Ocho Cinco has complained about how the Bengals will not grant his wish of a trade to a different team. Unfortunately for him, his disappointing 2008 season, in which he recorded just 540 yards receiving and four touchdowns, did not help his trade value.

It’s easy to sit here and blame Ocho Cinco’s statistics last season on the fact that the Bengals played the majority of the season without their star quarterback. However, if a wide receiver in the NFL is as good as he seems to be, he should have no problem putting up the numbers he is used to, no matter who is quarterback is.

With a healthy Carson Palmer and a fresh start to the 2009 season, Ocho Cinco will have a chance to recover from his horrendous campaign last year.

If the statement that he is only as good as his quarterback is true, Ocho Cinco should have no problem returning to his usual form, putting up big numbers, as long as Palmer is calling the shots at quarterback.

2009 Green Bay Packers Draft: What I Like and Don’t Like

Bengals Draft Analysis: Part One

Heading into the draft, many critics, and my fellow Bengals fans, were saying this was the most important draft for Marvin Lewis since he became the Bengals coach in 2003. 

A day after the draft has finished, the majority of the draft experts have given Lewis and the Bengals high draft scores, with some declaring their draft a victory. 

While reviewing the draft for the Bengals I’m going to break things down into four parts, giving details on the individuals drafted and how it effects the team’s future at the position.

With the sixth pick in the draft the Bengals selected offensive tackle Andre Smith out of Alabama. 

While it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that the Bengals were going to draft one of the four top rated offensive lineman, the question was which one would drop to them as well as who the team rated most highly. 

A dream solution occurred when both Smith and Eugene Monroe, who was rated higher, dropped down to them at the pick. 

Most people thought the team would go with Monroe, the more polished of the two, ready to jump into action, and someone with no character issues in the past. 

However, the Bengals have shown through their picks over the years that character issues are not going to stop them from picking the highest rated player on their board.  That player was Smith. Marvin Lewis stated that he was their No. 2 guy on the draft board and was just too good to pass up. 

Smith is considered a devastating run blocker who paved the way for the Crimson Tide to run wild on SEC defenses.  The reason he wasn’t rated as highly as Jason Smith and Monroe on some people’s lists is because they don’t see him as a left tackle in the future. At this moment, Smith lacks the agility and pass blocking skills necessary to be a bookend left tackle for the next 10 years.

The problem this creates is finding someone on the Bengals roster who has the skills to become a left tackle for next year. 

With word out of Cincinnati that last year’s starter, Levi Jones, is set to be released or traded, it basically leaves two people fighting for that last sport.  These two people are Andrew Whitworth, who would move over a spot from his current position at LG, and Anthony Collins who started the final six games there last year and held his own, only giving up a sack to Dwight Freeney. 

If ask me, I would chose Collins at that spot because he is basically a tackle only in the NFL and I consider him one of the top five offensive lineman on the team, so it’s tough to have him sitting on the bench.  You have to start Smith from day one on the right side of the line, and keeping Whitworth at LG solidifies the line for next year.

The biggest surprise on day one of the draft for me was that Rey Maualuga was sitting there at pick No. 38. 

Heading into the draft, Maualuga was the consensus No. 1 LB in the draft, but was passed over by teams in favor of two of his teammates and James Laurinaitis. While Maualuga brings questions when it comes to his speed and his maturity, one thing that you can’t question is that he is a tackling machine and a intimidating on the field. 

Maualuga brings the intensity and tenacity that the Bengals haven’t seen since Takeo Spikes left for Buffalo and Odell Thurman was suspended for his off the field problems.

Most of the analysts see Maualuga as only a two down back because of his speed.  While he is not the fastest LB, he has the closing speed you need at the position to get to the QB on passing downs, as well as showing in the past that he is able to stay with tight ends and receivers out of the backfield.

The pick of Maualuga basically guarantees this starting lineup, barring injury, for week one; Keith Rivers, Dhani Jones, and Maualuga.

This pick creates more depth for the line backing crew in general by moving both Brandon Johnson and Rashad Jeanty to the bench.  Both showed promise last year, with Jeantry making countless plays throughout the season, coming up with a career high 96 tackles. 

Johnson, who was overshadowed by fellow newcomers Cedrick Benson and Chris Crocker, had himself a hell of year, taking over from Rivers after his season-ending jaw surgery.  He produced 83 tackles as well as showing play making ability by coming up with two picks and 1.5 sacks. 

This pick also gives the team their heir apparent to Dhani Jones at MLB, where Maualuga is most comfortable and best suited.

The Bengals were clearly happy getting both of these guys in the first two picks. They will hopefully push the Bengals in the right direction, bringing the toughness which is sorely needed to compete year in and year out in the AFC North.

Jerry Angelo Is No Jackass

In the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears chose WR Johnny Knox. 

Knox is blazing fast.  While coming from Abilene Christian, a D2 school, Knox put on quite a show at the NFL Combine. 

The question is:

Should Jerry Angelo have chosen Johnny Knoxville instead?

Look at the resume:

Blasted with a fire hose.

Bitten by baby alligators.

Tall.

Shot by four men with paintball guns for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

Hit hard in the junk by a sledgehammer.

Won 100 yard dash in the Special Olympics for the movie “The Ringer.”

Has been punched in the face several times for “fun.”

He could go across the middle… and probably be the best option in the slot for the Bears right now.

Finally, let’s look at what the Bears’ current WR depth chart would look like with the gritty Knoxville on the roster.

1. Devin Hester

2. Joaquim Iglesias

3. Johnny Knoxville

4. Weeman

5. Party Boy (w/ boombox)

6. Rashied Davis

While the future for Knoxville in a Bears uniform looks bleak at best, it is possible he will still be invited to rookie mini-camp.

The Philadelphia Eagles Potential Offensive Lineup Looks Familiar

Let it be known, I have no problem with NFL team’s mimicking other team’s style of play as long as it’s productive.

For instance, Bill Walsh founded the West Coast Offense that so many teams continue to use almost thirty years later.  Tony Dungy’s “Cover 2” defense began to spread throughout the league when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl (even though Dungy was gone by then).  Rex Ryan has even resurrected his father’s “46” defense with much success.

Such is the case of the NFL because it’s the ultimate family-tree business.  A head coach grooms his assistants into head coach material.  When these coaches depart to run their own teams, they tend to take their mentors philosophy and tweak it into a form of their own, which they then use to groom their own assistant coaches and so on.

However, the key to success for these coaches is to find the right players to execute their plans to perfection. 

While Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid has implemented the West Coast offense in Philly, they’ve never fully had the pieces in place to execute it the way it’s needed.

They had Brian Westbrook to look like this decade’s Roger Craig, but it’s the other skill positions that were missing the past few years: A fullback who can catch, a balanced tight end, and wide receivers, who weren’t necessary as fast as they were quick.  All of the skill positions ran crisp routes such as slants, outs and flats.  Also, the offensive line wasn’t just productive but also balanced in run and pass blocking.

Although the Eagles signed Leonard Weaver to address their void at the fullback position, I still don’t see this as a West Coast team.  Their draft selections would’ve been different if that was the road they chose.  Their tight end pick would have possibly been Brandon Pettigrew, and their newest wideout would’ve been either one of the Giants’ draft picks (Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden) or Anquan Boldin.

The Eagles addressed their lack of weapons and holes on their offensive line.  The way this team is set up, they seem more equipped to run a spread/vertical offense similar to the Indianapolis Colts (particularly the 2006 Super Bowl Champ version).

Quarterback

Donovan McNabb is no Peyton Manning, but who is??  After years of petitioning for weapons, No. five’s 10th anniversary gift is an arsenal to work with.  He has the potential to break records with this group if he stays healthy.

Running Back

The Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy combo remind me of Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes.  Westbrook is the shorter, older Rhodes, and McCoy is the taller, fresher rookie like Addai.

Wide Receiver

Look at the prospective top three receivers.  With his size (6’1″, 200 lbs), rookie Jeremy Maclin is the exact same size as Reggie Wayne and with similar skills as well. 

While he’s definitely shorter, DeSean Jackson’s body type and style of play remind me of Marvin Harrison.  He just has to improve his route running.  Kevin Curtis could man the slot and be Ricky Proehl (who also did the same thing for the 1999 champion St. Louis Rams).

Tight End

Like I said, Pettigrew would’ve been the West Coast type tight end.  Instead the Eagles waited to select Cornelius Ingram.  Whether he starts or the birds stick with Brent Celek, either one could be a threat in the middle of the field like Dallas Clark.  The Eagles want their tight ends to be able to block, but getting down the field is more important.

Offensive Line

While McNabb is no P. Manning, Jamaal Jackson DEFINITELY won’t be mistaken for Jeff Saturday.  Having said that, he should improve with a healthy Shawn Andrews line up to his right.  Add Andrews’ brother, Stacy, Jason Peters, and a constantly improving Todd Herremans and this line can have the impact similar to Tarik Glenn, Ryan Lilja, Saturday, Jake Scott and Ryan Diem of the Colts.

After comparing the possible 2009 Eagles with the 2006 Colts, one can only hope they finish the season in similar fashion.

NFL Draft Analysis

The Real NFL Draft Grades

I’m grading the only way the NFL draft should be graded…based on the quality of the player’s name.

As you will see, there is absolutely no bias in these ratings whatsoever.

(Go Rice Owls!)

 

Arizona Cardinals – Grade: C+

Adding “Beanie” Wells and LaRod Stephens-Howling is about it. Herman Johnson sounds like it should be a dirty name, but I have no idea what a Herman is.

Honestly, I think I’m being a bit generous with a C+

 

Atlanta Falcons – Grade: A-

Peria Jerry might be the coolest name of the first round. They got great value selecting Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. in the fourth round.

How often can you get a butler that late?

The rest of the draft is mediocre, but come on, Peria Jerry alone gets them into the coveted A-range.

 

Baltimore Ravens – Grade: A

Two words: Lardarius Webb.

 

Buffalo Bills – Grade: D+

They got Nic Harris from Oklahoma and Cary Harris from USC, even though they had the chance to draft Victor Harris of Virginia Tech.

I’ve seen blacker names in hockey.

Carolina Panthers – Grade: A+

This is a great collection.

Corvey Irvin is fun to say, and he’s probably one of the worst.

Everette Brown, Sherrod Martin, and Tony Fiammetta all were drafted by round four. Then the Panthers found late round gems in Duke Robinson and Captain Munnerlyn.

I mean…seriously, a Duke and a Captain?

 

Chicago Bears – Grade: B

Al Afalava is nice, and Johnny Knox is pretty baller, but the depth is seriously lacking.

Cincinnati Bengals – Grade: B-

If you have 11 picks, you should hit somewhere.

Fui Vakapuna is another cute one, and I would never mess with anyone named Bernard Scott.

But what kind of crap is Jonathan Luigs?

Freddie Brown sounds like that kid in middle school who ends up being a mailman after flunking out of community college (no offense to either). And Rey Maualuga is not a cool name, no matter how many times I misspell it.

 

Cleveland Browns – Grade: A-

Mohamed Massaquoi has Larry Munson bonus points.

Got to love Coye Francies.

Alex Mack sounds like a center, which is nice if you are a center.

 

Dallas Cowboys – Grade: C

Buehler? Buehler? Buehler?

 

Denver Broncos – Grade: C+

Kenny McKinley is solid, and Darcel McBath makes me laugh for some reason, but too many David Bruton’s and Seth Olsen’s make this class just too dull for my tastes.

 

Detroit Lions – Grade: D-

Lydon Murtha is just a bad name.

Sammie Lee Hill might be the winner here, and it’s hardly a winner. Still, a D- proves that the Lions are moving up.

Green Bay Packers – Grade: D+

They drafted Brad Jones, who is better known as the goalkeeper of a bad soccer team.

Houston Texans – Grade: A+++

James Casey went to Rice.

I see no problem with this draft.

Indianapolis Colts – Grade: B-

Austin Collie is a mix of one of the five most liberal cities in the country and a pet dog.

Fili Moala and Jerraud Powers are the only things that rescue this from D-range.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars – Grade: A+++

Jarrett Dillard went to Rice.

I see no problem with this draft.

 

Kansas City Chiefs – Grade: B

They drafted South Carolina kicker Ryan Succup, who played alongside Smelley and Stoney at South Carolina.

Yeah, their cornerback was stoned, their quarterback smelled, and their kicker was a suck up.

 

Miami Dolphins – Grade: C-

Vontae Davis is a beast. Patrick Turner, J.D. Folson, Pat White, and Chris Clemons are not.

Although, Clemons is from Clemson.

Try typing that three times fast.

 

Minnesota Vikings – Grade: A+

They only have five picks, but the Vikings understand the draft.

Percy Harvin, Phil Loadholt, Asher Allen, Jasper Brinkley, and Jamarca Sanford—one of the best classes ever.

 

New England Patriots – Grade: B+

No one person stands out, but there’s a lot of depth here.

Sebastian Vollmer, Tyrone McKenzioe, Rich Ohrnberger, Myron Pryor, and Julian Edelman are all fairly decent names.

 

New Orleans Saints – Grade: F

Chip Vaughn sounds like he should be a golfer, Stanley Arnoux sounds like a banker, and they only had four picks.

This draft was awful.

 

New York Giants – Grade: B+

Ramses Barden.

Jesus, an Egyptian Pharoah?

They also took the aforementioned Stoner from South Carolina. Not bad.

 

New York Jets – Grade: D

They avoid an F only because they add to the ever growing list of ways to spell Sean (see Shonn Greene).

 

Oakland Raiders – Grade: A+

Al Davis is a genius.

Stryker Sulak is by far the best name in this year’s draft.

Slade Norris is a very close third.

What more do you need?

 

Philadelphia Eagles – Grade: A-

I like the selection of Cornelius Ingram in the third round.

Victor Harris sounds tough.

Moise Fokou has a last name you should yell aloud whenever you have fine company around.

Oh, they also got Fenuki Tupou and Paul Fanaika. But no matter how good this class is, Andy Reid will still find a way to screw it up.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers – Grade: A-

If I had a choice between being locked in a room with a dude named Evander Hood and hiring Mike Tyson and Michael Jackson to babysit my children, I’d look into that second, less risky opportunity.

 

San Diego Chargers – Grade: C+

Gartrell is a baller first name, but Larry and Louis are not.

 

San Francisco 49ers – Grade: A

Mike Singletary’s first draft class is very deep.

Michael Crabtree, Glen Coffee, and Ricky Jean-Francois will provide immediate dividends, but none of them stock up to TE Bear Pascoe.

You find me a name that puts Bear Pascoe to shame, and I’ll let your wife kick me in my groin without my jock strap.

Seattle Supersonics – Grade: Inc.

N/A

 

St. Louis Rams – Grade: B

If ever there was a linebacker who earned his name, it is James Laurinaitis.

Brooks Foster is a mid round steal, and Chris Ogbonnaya is a great final selection.

Tampa Bay Bucs – Grade: F-

Honestly, I don’t care who they draft. I’m still going to hate them.

 

Tennessee Titans – Grade: A+

They drafted Dominique Edison who shares a last name with the most important man of the past 150 years.

Sen’Derrick Marks, Gerald McRath, and James McCourtney all have more capital letters than words in their names.

 

Washington Redskins – Grade: C

Brian Orakpo isn’t that good of a name.

Marko Mitchell redeems it.

2009 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals Recap

One has to go back to 2003 (Carson Palmer, Eric Steinbach, and Kelley Washington) or 1998 (Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons) to find an NFL Draft which has generated the day after buzz on the Bengals 2009 draft, and even then I do not think it compares

(Remember we are talking about day after excitement).  

In an offseason of negativity and free agent departures, the Bengals went through the draft with the patience to let the draft come to them and selected top talents while also filling their top needs.

One can make the argument that no team drafted more sheer talent in the 2009 draft. 

That said, it is not a draft class without substantial risk.  After all, there is a reason why Andre Smith fell to No. 6 (immaturity/weight), Rey Maualuga fell to round two (maturity/freelancing), Michael Johnson a top 10 talent in round three (inconsistent effort), and Chase Coffman to late in round three (slow, poor blocker, injury). 

I don’t say this to be negative, but it is important to say this collection of talent is very much a high risk/high reward draft.

 

Pick by Pick breakdown:

1. OT Andre Smith, Alabama – Arguably the most talented offensive lineman in the draft, and a dominating run blocker who may or may not be athletic enough to play left tackle. 

At a minimum, he is the team’s starting right tackle and should provide an immediate boost to a stagnant ground attack.  Biggest concern is whether offensive line coach Paul Alexander can get the most out of him.

2. MLB Rey Maualuga, USC – A big hitting intimidator, Maualuga is the type of player Marvin Lewis has always wanted in the middle of his defense. 

Needs to stay out of trouble and stick to the scheme. Tremendous talent whom the team was thrilled to see fall to them in round two.

3a. DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech– Arguably most physically gifted defensive end in the draft, Johnson falls due to inconsistent effort and questionable desire. 

Fills a major need, but he will be a project for Mike Zimmer and D-Line coach Jay Hayes. 

Even if Johnson is only able to be a situational pass rusher, he could make a big difference for the defense.  His potential is well worth the risk of a third round pick. 

3b.TE Chase Coffman, Missouri – Excellent route runner with the best hands of any tight end in the draft.  Has the talent to be what everyone expected out of Ben Utecht last year. 

Despite the positives, he is far from a sure thing as he is slow and a poor blocker, which is generally not a good combination for a tight end.

4. C Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas– He is not the physical mauler that Max Unger or Eric Wood are, and the concerns with how he will deal with the nose tackles of the AFC North are legitimate.

But, he is also the fifth and final member of a highly touted center class and is known for his athleticism and high football IQ.  A great value in round four who will challenge for the starting job.

5. P Kevin Huber, Cincinnati – Best punter in the draft. 

As a left footer his kicks have a unique spin which has caused problems for returners.  Also, is known for his ability to change fields and pin the ball deep.

6a. CB Morgan Trent, Michigan – Has good size/speed combination and good coverage instincts.  Has the tools you look for in a developmental type.

Should battle for the dime job.

6b. RB Bernard Scott, Abilene-Christian – Like Jason Shirley last year, he is the team’s gratuitous character risk who will garner far too much discussion from the media. 

Despite his troubled past, he is the burst the team lacks in the backfield and was tremendously productive at Abilene. 

Has a lot of potential, but needs to keep his nose clean.

7a. FB Fui Vakapuna, BYU– The team was known to be interested in Vakapuna after his excellent pro day workout. 

Vakapuna is a big and strong runner who is making the transition to fullback. 

Shows good power, receiving skills, and a willingness to block.

7b. DT Clinton McDonald, Memphis – A nice sleeper pick. 

McDonald is an athletic and undersized defensive tackle with a knack for penetration. 

Had seven sacks as senior.  Good character guy.

7c. WR Freddie Brown, Utah – One of the stars of the Utes upset over Alabama with 12 catches and 125 yards. 

Has good size and is a possession receiver who is willing to make the tough catches over the middle. 

Will face an uphill battle making the roster.

 

Overall Grade: A- (but with a High Risk/High Reward asterisk) 

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