Eagles Make All the Right Moves in 2009 Draft

The last weekend of April is one of the best times of the year for die hard football fans.

Two straight days of Mel Kiper and the rest of ESPN’s NFL crew hosting the NFL Draft.

Thirty-two teams selecting players in hope that they will lead their team to the promised land in the near future.

Last weekend’s draft left fans full of surprises.

Former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford cashed in with the first overall pick ($41.7 million in guaranteed money) in hopes of helping the Detroit Lions turn around a disastrous season as they became the first team in history to go 0-16.

Mark Sanchez ended up replacing Brett Favre in New York after the Jets traded up to acquire the former Southern California quarterback with the fifth overall pick.

Everybody was interested to see what moves the Philadelphia Eagles would make in the upcoming draft.

After the Arizona Cardinals lowered their trade demands for wide receiver Anquan Boldin, the Eagles were one of several teams expressing interest in a possible trade.  The acquisition of Boldin would make Donovan McNabb happy, who told the organization in the offseason, he wanted to see what the team did before he signed a new deal.

The Eagles may have fell short in acquiring the big name wide receiver they wanted in Boldin. However, the team made enough moves this weekend to improve a team that fell a few big plays short of the Super Bowl last season.

When looking ahead to 2009 after this weekend, this team looks as if they could give any of the 31 other teams a run for their money.

A little over a week ago, the Eagles originally had two first round draft picks before trading the 28th overall pick to the Buffalo Bills to acquire left tackle, Jason Peters—hoping to improve their offensive line.

All week, it appeared that the Eagles were going to go after running back Knowshon Moreno out of Georgia.

Moreno seemed like the perfect fit for an Eagles’ offense in which he could work together with Brian Westbrook.

He could run.

He could catch.

Unfortunately, dreams of Moreno in Eagles’ green were shattered when the Denver Broncos selected him with the 12th overall pick.

The Eagles may have fell short in acquiring the running back they really wanted in Moreno. However, they still managed to have an excellent weekend between the selections and trades they made.

After this weekend, a few new names join the Eagles’ roster that could have an immediate impact in 2009.

 

First round 19th overall: Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri

The Eagles were disappointed that Moreno didn’t fall late enough in the first round for them to select him with the 21st overall saying.

A good friend once told me that when one door closes, another one opens. This popular saying worked out perfectly for the Eagles in the first round.

In most mock drafts, Jeremy Maclin was expected to be selected within the first fifteen picks. When the Eagles saw team after team pass on him, they knew they had to make a move by trading up to acquire the talented wide receiver.

Lucky for the Eagles, the Cleveland Browns were willing to swap their 19th pick with the Eagles for their 21st overall pick and a sixth round pick so they could draft Maclin.

Some fans were confused with the selection of Maclin, considering he seemed like another DeSean Jackson, who the team selected in last year’s draft.

If this is the case, why are people complaining?

Maclin finished his two-year career at Missouri with 2,315 yards receiving and 22 touchdowns.

He should fit in well with the Eagles West Coast offense with similar speed to Jackson (he ran a  4.46 40-time).

Look for Maclin to have an immediate impact for an Eagles’ offense that has apparently never had that big name wide receiver (minus Terrell Owens).

All of a sudden, Donovan McNabb has another wide receiver with blazing speed to play alongside Jackon and Kevin Curtis.

The Eagles may not have drafted their running back for “life after Westbrook” with Moreno, however, they were smart enough to trade up for a talented wide receiver that may have a bright future ahead of him in the city of brotherly love.

 

Second round 53rd overall: LeSean McCoy, RB Pittsburgh

In the 2007 draft, the Eagles selected Kevin Kolb out of the University of Houson as their quarterback of the future once McNabb decided to call it a career.

In the 2009 draft, they were looking into selecting a running back to fill in the shoes of Brian Westbrook when he was ready to call it a career.

With the 53rd pick in the second round, the team selected LeSean McCoy out of the University of Pittsburgh.

The Eagles may have been disappointed they missed out on their chance for Moreno.

However, McCoy has enough talent to carry their backfield in the future while playing alongside one of the most dangerous backs in the league during the process in Brian Westbrook.

Like Maclin, McCoy decided to enter the draft early after a superb two year career playing Division I football.

Last season alone, the 5′11”, 210 lb running back rushed for 1,488 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Panthers.

Over the last couple of years, teams with two star running backs have emerged as one of the most popular trends in the league.

McCoy will be seen as the replacement for Correll Buckhalter and most likely considered as the Eagles No. 2 running back behind Westbrook, giving the team a solid one two punch in the backfield.

Buckhalter signed a four year deal with the Broncos after spending his entire career playing in Philadelphia.

 

Fifth round 153rd overall, Cornelius Ingram, TE Florida

The 2009 NFC Championship game against the Arizona Cardinals left the Eagles in disappointment after overcoming a 21 point deficit to only lose 32-25.

However, the performance of tight end Brent Celek, who finished with 10 receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns, gave the team high expectations for what he could bring in the future.

After the departure of L.J. Smith to the Baltimore Ravens, the Eagles had a gap to fill in at the tight end position.

With the 153rd pick in the fifth round, the team selected tight end Cornelius Ingram out of Florida.

Despite the fact that that he missed the entire 2008 season due to an ACL injury, Ingram has shown in the past he has what it takes to be an impact player for a team.

In 2007, he recorded 34 receptions, with seven of them being touchdowns.

Not bad for a player whose main position is known for blocking.

If Celek can play as well as he did in the playoffs last season, there is no doubt that he can be considered the Eagles main option at tight end in 2009. 

Look for Ingram to compete for playing time next season with tight end Matt Schobel. He has similar speed to Smith and is capable of spreading the field to give McNabb another option to throw to.

 

Two fifth round picks dealt to New England for CB Ellis Hobbs

Sheldon Brown recently expressed how unhappy he was with his contract situation with the Eagles and requested a trade (it’s understandable for anyone making $3 million in one season to be upset).

Last weekend’s trade with the New England Patriots may be a sign of what’s to come for Brown in the future.

The Eagles traded the No. 137 and 141 overall picks to the New England Patriots in exchange for corner back Ellis Hobbs.

Hobbs spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Patriots and was on the team in 2005 when they defeated the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.

Whether or not this trade was made because of Brown has yet to be determined. Whether or not they decide to grant Brown’s request for a trade, the Eagles still managed to acquire another solid defender at the corner back position.

In four seasons with the Patriots, Hobbs recorded 198 total tackles and 9 interceptions.

Not only does he defend, but he gives the Eagles another option when it comes to returning kickoffs.

Hobbs will reunite with former Patriot corner back Asante Samuel, who signed with the Eagles through free agency last season. If Brown ends up being traded, look for Hobbs to compete with Joselio Hanson and Jack Ikegwuonu for the other starting position at corner back.

Oakland Raiders: The No Win Situation?

You know the ESPN people must have it pretty bad for Oakland when they want to label a guy a bust before he ever sets foot on the turf, right?

But, that’s Mel Kiper Jr. for you.

Mel, the soothsayer of all things football, couldn’t believe that the Raiders would bypass a sure star and a “can’t miss” prospect in Michael Crabtree.

But, considering that Tom Cable got to see Darrius Heyward-Bey up close and personal…and that Michael Crabtree turned crab apple at the thought of Silver and Black…what could they have done?

Let’s look at the possibilities.

Possibility number one is that the Raiders selected Michael Crabtree.

Michael simply hangs his head in disbelief, frustration, and refuses to wear the cap or even come out of the “green room.” While Mel and the boys are singing his praises, Michael is throwing a temper tantrum unseen since, well….Randy Moss threw one to get out of Oakland.

Mel’s ego is stoked, and even though he has no coaching experience in the NFL, he is deemed smarter than anyone else on the draft.

Well, maybe in 25 years you learn by making countless mistakes.

Probably not.

MIchael Crabtree elects to never sign with the Raiders, goes back home, and demands for the Raiders to trade him or let him go another year and reenter the draft, ALA Bo Jackson.

The Raiders not only get an F for the draft, they become a laughingstock for listening to Mel Kiper Jr.

Option number two is to trade out of the number seven spot, move down, and hope that DHB is still there, somewhere for them to draft him.

This is all fine and dandy, unless things truly go off center.

ESPN’s own Bill Williamson said that all four of the AFC West teams had head scratching picks in the first round. Oakland’s WR, Denver’s RB, even KC, who took a big body at No. 3, and the Chargers grabbed a run stuffer for their troubles.

What happens if say the Raiders trade down to 20 only to find out that the Broncos took Heyward-Bey at 17?

Not only do we miss out on our player, but we traded down, and missed every single player we wanted….real smart choice.

I don’t know what sort of grade Mel would have gone with then….Incomplete?

The last option, as it is, the Raiders went with.

Last month they saw something at a workout with Darrius that they liked.

Something good, besides speed.

Anyone who’s a watcher of the Raiders should also know that speed has it’s upside and it’s downside, but also, it’s how the player uses his talents.

Cliff Branch was a fourth round pick when we got him in 1972. Fast, he set the record for kickoff returns for TDs in Division I-AA with eight at Colorado.

Fourth round?

Fred Biletnikoff, a second round pick, was not known for speed and size, but simply for his ability to catch….or stick, depending on your opinion.

Of course, on the other end of the spectrum you could have a Carlos Francis, another speedburner prospect that the Raiders gambled on. Fast, the Raiders took a flyer on him for three years only to discover that he couldn’t catch a cold.

Where did he play? Texas Tech? Same as Crabtree? Hmm…

Maybe passing on Crabtree was a good thing.

We’ll have to wait and see.

Oakland made their choice for the first round pick….calling it a bust before the guy even gets to the field is a bit foolish. 

It’s even more foolish to think that just because a guy performs well in college that it translates to sure success in the pros.

Give me a call back on DHB in three to five years….we’ll regrade Mel’s mistakes then.

With the Second Pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks Select:

Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma,

Now, I don’t for a second think that the Seahawks will finish with the leagues second worse record.

Thanks to a recent robbery, courtesy of the Denver Broncos and their 2010 first round pick, in exchange for Seattle’s second round pick, they have the ability to trade up as they please.

They probably would have to go very high to get a guy like Bradford.

If Denver’s defense is a 2008 clone, if new QB Kyle Orton does not pan out, a pandemic, or in today’s case, swine flu, could wipe out the RB corps. Any number of things could happen that could yield the Seahawks a top ten pick.

It is not out of the question, and certainly can give the bright green donners’ something additional to look forward to in the upcoming season.

In a draft loaded with star power QBs such as the aforementioned Bradford, Florida’s Tim Tebow, and Texas’ Colt McCoy, the Seahawks could have their pick of Tebow or McCoy, and the ability to trade up and draft a true Franchise QB type like Bradford if they desire.

Homemade O’Dea Product S Taylor Mays could be had as well; it’s awfully early for too much speculation, but the recent trade gives the Seahawks a lot of options at literally choosing whomever they want in 2010.

Not to mention they land three starters: LB Aaron Curry, C Max Unger, and WR Deon Butler in this draft.

The latter can be a dynamic force in the offense, and in kick return, giving Nate Burleson more reason to stay healthy.

If the Seahawks can lock up CB Ken Lucas and get a deal done with now FA LB Leroy Hill, they could be poised to add some true star power to the QB, RB, and S position having addressed virtually everything else in 2009.

The future all of a sudden looks bright; the shadow of the 2005 Year of the Yellow Hankie has not quite passed.

The team has a chance to make a seamless transition at LB and CB with Curry and the imminent signing of former Seahawk Ken Lucas this year.

In 2010, we can pair Deon Grant with a very bright young stud and begin to look for our QB of the future—still having a luxury like QB’s Matt Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace on the roster.

As soon as the draft sinks in, we will all begin to focus on other things.

When we get near draft day 2010, the buzz around Seattle for Sam Bradford will be even greater then the intrigue of Mark Sanchez.

Sam Bradford for Seattle 2010!

Seattle Seahawks Continue Game of Musical Linebackers

Seahawk president Tim Ruskell thinks taking the franchise tag off linebacker Leroy Hill will hasten the completion of a long-term contract.

The question is: Will that contract be with the Seahawks or with some other team?

After the Seahawks drafted linebacker Aaron Curry fourth overall, they pulled the $8.3 million franchise tag off Hill, making him an unrestricted free agent who can now sign with any team.

“We know that obviously he is a free agent,” Ruskell said. “Had we not gotten Curry, it probably wouldn’t have been a possibility. We wanted to make sure we were in good shape that way in terms of our linebackers.”

“But, the tag just wasn’t working,” Ruskell added. “We were kind of leery putting it on originally, to be honest with you. Both sides felt that way.

“But, we thought it would help get a deal done quicker. When that didn’t work, then we started looking at other options, not knowing if Curry was going to be available to us.”

Ruskell said he thinks the removal of the tag will hasten contract talks, and he is willing to lose Hill if that’s how it works out. Hill reportedly has already turned down a six year, $36 million deal.

“We wouldn’t have done it if we didn’t say that we can handle losing Leroy,” Ruskell said.”We don’t want to, they [Hill and his agent] don’t want to, and we think we can get a deal done, but otherwise, we wouldn’t have done it.”

Ruskell said the money their linebackers were slated to make played a part, although it was not the major reason the Seahawks pulled the tag.

Last month, they traded Julian Peterson because they felt he was not worth his $6.5 million salary and $8.8 million salary-cap number.

Before trading Peterson, the Hawks had $20 million of the $127 million cap devoted to starting linebackers Peterson, Hill, and Lofa Tatupu. They saved a net $2.2 million by trading Peterson for defensive lineman Cory Redding.

But by drafting Curry, they would have been right back where they started, since he will be due $25 million in guaranteed money and would count at least $3 million in 2009, depending on how the Seahawks structure the deal.

Had the Seahawks not rescinded the $8.3 million franchise tender they offered Hill in February, they still would have had at least $14 million tied up in their top three linebackers.

“Obviously, we budgeted for that, and we could have gone through the season,” Ruskell said. “It would have taken away our flexibility to do anything else, and with the way the [salaries of] first-rounders look like they are going to be coming in, it would have been very tough to do.”

“It was not the overriding reason,” Ruskell said, “but it does allow us to still take a shot at Leroy and get some other things done. It gave us flexibility and it gave us options, and that’s really what ruled the day when we decided, ‘Let’s take the tag off.’ “

Hill might be lamenting his decision to not sign the tender, which would have guaranteed the $8.3 million but also would have required him to attend any mandatory team minicamps.

But now he will have a chance to see whether any other team will offer him the money he is seeking, which obviously is over $6 million per year.

Several teams could easily afford the 26-year-old linebacker. Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, and Green Bay reportedly have the most cap space, and all four could use a rising star at linebacker.

If the Seahawks lose Hill, they will be right back where they were after they traded Peterson, with D.D. Lewis being the probable third starter in 2009.

But coach Jim Mora is confident things will work out.

Mora talked to Hill on Sunday morning and said, “He’s very motivated to be a Seattle Seahawk. He told me this morning that this is where he wants to finish his career.

“I think he was a little shook up and maybe disappointed,” Mora added. “But in terms of being upset or mad, no. At least, that’s not the feeling I got in talking to Leroy.

“He sounded motivated to get something done, get it done quickly,” Mora said. “We talked about him possibly being here for minicamp this weekend. …

“Like Tim said, maybe this hastened the situation; and that’s our hope, because we certainly would like to have him here.”

Two former sports reporters freed from the constraints of traditional print media write about the hot topics on both the Seattle and national sports scene. No deadlines, no word count, no press box decorum — we’re Outside The Press Box.

 

 

Raiders’ Draft Went Heyward or Haywire?

I have to admit, by the time the Raiders had made their second round pick, I was shaking my head in disbelief. 

The salt the pundits were rubbing in my black and silver bleeding wounds didn’t make it any easier.

I could not for the life of me understand why they would choose Darrius Heyward-Bey so early in the 2009 NFL draft just to be different or rebellious. 

In fact, I couldn’t see why Al fell love with DHB even though he possessed the speed Al Davis has always maniacally pursued. 

And then it hit me. 

I don’t know if it was the Kool-Aid that everyone will swear I am drinking, but I finally got it. 

Al Davis could care less what spot he got his man.  He didn’t care if he could pick up extra value by trading down. He probably despises the glitzy spectacle it has become, right down to the mouthpieces that clairvoyantly declare winners and losers of the draft. 

After all, we all know how many of these “extra” picks actually make the final roster.

Al Davis wanted a vertical threat to go with his cannon armed quarterback, and he wasn’t about to risk it by trying to get cute and slide down. 

This is the guy he coveted all along, so what sense would it make to trade down and risk losing the player he desired for two players he didn’t want? 

I then reexamined Heyward-Beys football resume. 

There it was staring back at me. 

DHB ran a scorching 4.23 forty at 6-2 and 212 pounds in 2006.  To put it in perspective—Deon Sanders ran a mythical 4.19 back in the day. 

Get a stop watch out and time yourself clapping your hands together if you want to know the difference between 4.19 and 4.23. 

It is mind numbingly negligible. 

In a race it is Deon by a nose. 

This isn’t a comparison of athleticism, but just pure straight line speed.

The Raiders didn’t draft DHB to be the go to guy; they drafted him to be Cliff Branch. Branch never caught more than 60 balls, but averaged 17.3 yds per reception. The Raiders of old would pound the ball with the running game and line up Branch on the outside as if to say, “I dare you to put eight men in the box.”

Some might say that is living in the past, but the same wouldn’t say boo about the 49ers trying to recreate Jerry Rice, especially if they were trying to fit a player in the West Coast offense.

The knock on DHB is his inconsistent hands.

Ball catching skills can be improved. 

Route running can be tightened up, but straight line speed can’t be coached. 

Therein lies the rub.  Al does have a philosophy.

The Raiders have a scheme, and that scheme requires speed and explosion.  It isn’t as simple as coach Cable describes in his “pound the ball and then throw it over their heads” explanation, but that is the gist. 

Like any scheme, it does still work as long as you have the right personnel. 

And on draft day 2009, the Raiders did what most of us have loved about them for years—they went their own way by thumbing their noses at the Mel Kipers and Mike Mayocks of the world, and picked who they wanted. 

Someone who fit the scheme.

How the 2009 NFL Draft Impacts Fantasy Football

I love the NFL Draft, but what’s more important to me than where 2009’s prospects were drafted, is how they play on the field.

For something like fantasy football, you don’t (or shouldn’t) care about when a player is drafted and if it was a reach or a steal.  All that matters is where they play, who they play, and how many points they will get for your team when they do play.

Let’s take a closer look at how some of the top rookies will do, as well as some sleeper picks.

Quarterbacks

Mark Sanchez (NYJ) is the only rookie who has a chance at being a starter when the season kicks off (barring injury).

If Sanchez is the starter, I wouldn’t recommend taking him much higher than a kicker or defense, but it doesn’t mean he won’t be successful.  You can expect the Jets’ quarterback to play in a ball control style of offense much like Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens.

Sanchez might earn a spot start on a few fantasy rosters this season, but he should not be your regular starter because he won’t record enough fantasy value stats.

It will be interesting to see how the fantasy leagues handle Pat White (MIA).  Will he have dual eligibility?

Miami will use White eight to ten times per game, if not more, giving him an opportunity for a touchdown per game whether it’s through the air or ground —possibly even catching a pass from Chad Pennington as well.

I would not laugh at someone drafting White in the top 100 because of his fantasy ceiling, but he does carry risk.

Running Backs

Last year, rookie runners were pivotal in most owners’ playoff runs.  It doesn’t matter if they were picked in the beginning, middle, or end of the draft; all players are just one play away from the spotlight.

However, I don’t expect the same production out of this year’s group.

Denver made a power play drafting Knowshon Moreno and new head coach Josh McDaniels will use him a lot.  I like Moreno as a fantasy player because you don’t have to necessarily hand him the ball to be productive.  I see Moreno ranking in the top 75 prospects to start the season.

Other first-rounders, Donald Brown (IND) and Chris Wells (ARZ), should also be fantasy productive as well.  Brown will be behind Joseph Addai, but being a versatile back, expect it to be a shared backfield in Indy earning him a worthy mid-late fantasy round pick.  Wells should unseat Tim Hightower as the starter in Arizona, but he carries some risk entering the fantasy season, earning him a mid-to-late round pick as well.

With Brian Westbrook’s health in question LeSean McCoy (PHI) will take some of the load in Philly but unless Westbrook is injured, I don’t expect many touchdowns from him, making him a reach in fantasy drafts.

Shonne Greene (NYJ) was very productive last year in college, though his one-sidedness puts his rookie potential into question.  Thomas Jones has never been much of a touchdown machine, but in Rex Ryan’s philosophy I expect him to get a bulk of the red zone carries.  I would hold off on picking Greene until it looks like he will be a major part of the running game.

Another waiver wire sleeper to watch for is Andre Brown of the New York Giants. He ran a sub 4.4 forty at the combine and will be replacing Derrick Ward behind NY’s great offensive line.

If Willis McGahee cannot bear the load in Baltimore, Cedric Peerman will earn some touches.

Lastly, I like Rashad Jennings the seventh-round pick of Jacksonville. The Jags have both lost Fred Taylor and upgraded their offensive line.  Jennings will add some much needed size to the rotation and could earn some goal line carries.

Wide Receivers

We are looking at one of the thickest rookie receiver crops in a long time.

While I wasn’t a fan of the Darrius Heyward-Bey pick, the Raiders will attempt to get him the ball deep making him a good option as a fifth, maybe fourth receiver in your draft.  That being said, I think he will be a bust as a player, so beware.

Michael Crabtree (SF) lacks a trustworthy quarterback right now, but he will be working opposite Isaac Bruce, which will help him to get open. I like his chances of out producing DHB as a rookie.

Other speedsters Jeremy Maclin and Percy Harvin received warm welcomes form Philadelphia and Minnesota, respectively.  Whether it’s in the receiving, running, returning, or even the wildcat, Maclin will score touchdowns this year.  I don’t expect him to rack-up a ton of yards though.  Harvin will be used in many of the same ways Maclin will be, maybe in an even more diverse setting.  Teams are starting to stack the box against the Vikings, which will give Harvin plenty of space to work.  I like Maclin as a fifth receiver and late round pick, while I may take Harvin more towards the middle rounds as my rookie receiver with the highest ceiling.

The New York Giants drafted a very NFL-ready receiver in Hakeem Nicks and a project of sorts in Ramses Barden.  Nicks is the best receiver on the New York squad, and he should consume a lot of yards and catches with decent touchdown production.  Barden has great jump ball potential in the end zone and he should have a high YPC with limited receptions.  I would take Nicks somewhere after the 10th round and would wait on Barden before I roster him.

In Tennessee, Kenny Britt will get an opportunity to be the man but don’t expect the Titans to air-it-out much.  He’s a late-round grab at best.

Cleveland also added two good receivers in Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, and it doesn’t necessarily mean they are moving Braylon Edwards.  Robiskie is much more polished and should be the Brown’s second receiver while Massaquoi is more of an insurance policy competing for the third or fourth receiver position.  Depending on who’s throwing in Cleveland, Robiskie would be good as a very late pick because he’s ready to play right now.

Miami made an interesting selection in the third round with Patrick Turner out of USC.  Expect Turner to be used in an H-back role where the accurate Pennington can exploit him in mismatches.  If there’s nobody left, Turner could be a sleeper pick and he’s definitely a player to keep your eye on.

Chicago made the big offseason trade for Jay Cutler, and in the third round they added to his arsenal with Juaquin Iglesias.  This could be a very productive pick for Chicago. Iglesias has plenty of experience and Cutler has proven success with rookie receivers.  I don’t think he will be Rookie of the Year, but Iglesias is a strong fourth or fifth receiver for your roster. Also keep you eye on Chicago’s Johnny Knox.

I’m a big fan of short receivers because of they are great route runners and usually have to be very athletic to get as far as they have.  Apparently Jacksonville is thinking the same thing, going away from the giant receivers they had last year.  Mike Thomas and Jarett Dillard will be learning from and working along side Torry Holt, giving the Jags their best receivers since the Jimmy Smith-Keenan McCardell days.  I like Thomas, but Dillard was my top sleeper in the entire draft, so I will give him the nod if you’re choosing between the two.  Dillard could have Eddie Royal numbers, and I will be picking him late in the draft.

Anthony Gonzalez should be looking over his shoulder in Indianapolis because the Colts may have drafted Marvin Harrison’s replacement in Austin Collie out of BYU.  Collie has fantastic hands and he is a very good route runner and ball carrier.  He cannot run the go route like Harrison, and I cannot suggest him as a pick because he will start the season as the team’s sixth offensive weapon, but keep an eye on him.

The last potential deep sleepers are Brandon Gibson of the Eagles and Demetrius Byrd of the Chargers.  Neither player merits a pick but they could be instrumental in their teams’ success late in the season.

Tight Ends

With Daunte Culpepper under center in Detroit, Brandon Pettigrew will have plenty of opportunities to get big and make a first down, or touchdown catch.  Pettigrew should be on the board fairly late in the draft so if you’re not going to target one of the elite tight ends, be sure to include the former Oklahoma State Cowboy on your watch-list.

The Titans have been looking for a go-to tight end for a while, and they got a steal in the third round with the super athletic tight end Jared Cook.  This is primarily a receiving pick, which bodes well for fantasy players.  I wouldn’t expect Cook to be a draft pick, but if he emerges as the primary target down the middle of the field add him quick.

The New York Giants seem happy with Kevin Boss, but his stats may take a hit with the addition of Travis Beckum.  Considered an H-back in the NFL, Beckum may produce a touchdown here and there but nothing draft worthy.

Shawn Nelson is another H-back type in Buffalo with playmaking skills. It doesn’t look like there will enough balls coming his way for a pick this season though.

Cincinnati and Houston also added very good tight ends in Chase Coffman and James Casey, respectively.  Both players catch the ball very well and are worth keeping your eye on.

The last tight end pick that could impact the fantasy season is Cornelius Ingram going to Philadelphia.  Ingram hasn’t played football in over a year, but he could come down with the clutch catches for Philly that L.J. Smith couldn’t.

Gollumchick: He Wants His Precious

Bill Bellichick’s bulk, cloaked in frayed sweats, sharply contrasts the sinewy stature of Gollum in his loin cloth, but I imagine their inner workings are identical.

The 2007 season matured into the epic battle of Super Bowl XLII.  

Weekly installments of headlines streamed out of New England beginning with the week one taping incident.  The Pats rolled on through their historic season like an Ork Army—demolishing every formidable opponent under a hefty heap of offense.   

Finishing the season with a perfect record, Bellichick’s legion set it’s sights on the Lombardi.  

“We wants it, we needs it.  Must have the precious.”  

Eli Manning looked every inch Frodoesque as he stood tall against all odds and drove his team to victory against the Pats.  Bellichick marched off the field before the last seconds ticked off the clock.  

I picture him in the tunnel growling, “They stole it from us, sneaky little Hobbitses!”

The 2009 season has dawned, finding Gollumchick once again orchestrating his assault in the Pats’ draft war room.  

“Come to Smegol.”  

He has shown himself to be relentless.  

I think that this season he’ll do everything in his power to get his “precious.”

 

Former Boise State Back, Ian Johnson, Signs Deal with Vikings

Former Boise State running back, Ian Johnson, has signed a deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

The former WAC rushing touchdowns leader was not drafted, which came as a surprise to many.

Ian was regarded as one of the better power backs in the entire draft.

The Vikings desperately needed a third-down-back, and Johnson will be able to fill that need from day one.

Ian is 5’11,” 215 pounds, and ran the forty yard dash in 4.45 seconds.

He also recorded 26 bench reps at the combine.

He will be a tremendous compliment to both Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.

I can see Ian being a goal line runner for Minnesota.

It’s a shame that Johnson didn’t get drafted, but I feel very blessed that he is now a part of the Vikings.

Will Percy Harvin Be the Prize Possession for the Minnesota Vikings?

At 2:59 PM on Saturday afternoon, I began to ponder upon what colossal events would occur at this year’s extravaganza known as the NFL draft.

After the first 21 picks that seemed to take days, the Minnesota Vikings were finally on the clock with the 22nd overall pick.

Players like OT Eben Britton, OT Michael Oher, WR Hakeem Nicks, WR Kenny Britt, and WR Percy Harvin were still available.

I, personally, had expected Michael Oher to be the pick for the Vikings and was actually quite confident in this selection. The Vikings need a dominant right tackle, so I assumed Michael Oher would be the guy to do so.

The next thing I know, I was hearing, “with the 22nd pick in the 2009 draft, the Minnesota Vikings select Percy Harvin, wide receiver from the University of Florida.”

I was instantly befuddled by this selection. Don’t get me wrong, at first I liked the pick, but I thought there were certainly better options available at the time.

I immediately went to the computer to do some research on the former Florida Gator.

I was very impressed from what I saw. I always had known that Harvin was a great receiver and a tremendous kick-returner, but I had not known how big of an ego he had.

According to teammates of Percy’s, they say that he used to say he lived in “Percyland”.

To me, this seems like a guy who is very confident and cocky in his sense of football style. Will this extreme confidence lead to Percy being a locker-room distraction?

Brad Childress and Zygi Wolf have done a great job in removing the character players from the Vikings team. Bryant McKinnie is the only player on the Vikings roster that currently concerns me as far as character goes.

But don’t be shocked if McKinnie gets traded in the very near future as he has a large contract that can be removed in an instant.

If Percy Harvin wants to be a key factor to the Vikings offense, he must get rid of these bigheaded mistakes that he seems to often have.

As I’m sure you know already, Harvin tested positive for marijuana at the 2009 NFL combine.

I’m not a fan of players who go out and make bone-headed mistakes like this and it takes a lot for me to put this matter aside.

The last thing Minnesota needs right now is a player who does drugs for no reason whatsoever.

However, Harvin did have 1,929 receiving yards in his three seasons at Florida. He also registered 1,851 yards on the ground.

I doubt Percy plays that much for running back in Minnesota’s system, but he could potentially be a major key if the Vikings decide to run the wildcat formation.

Additionally, Minnesota plays on field turf, which will make it even easier for a speed player like Harvin to run on.

He should have an easy time burning defenders for the long ball. That is, if Sage Rosenfels can get it there.

Minnesota’s offense next year will be tremendous. They brought in a solid quarterback in Rosenfels, a great right tackle in Phil Loadholt, and a deep-threat in Percy Harvin.

I don’t see any of the teams in the NFC North having an offense that can match the Vikings.

Green Bay has a good passing game, but their running game, at times, is amongst the worst in the league.

To sum it up, I love the pick of Percy Harvin. He will be a great key to the Vikings offense in 2009.

As long as he works on his issues as a person, I am going to give him a chance to show his stuff.

You have one chance Percy. Be the kind of player that you have the potential to be. Don’t mess it up.

Grading the Dallas Cowboys’ 2009 Draft

Day one of the NFL Draft was not one to be had by the men of Irving, Texas.

In trading away their first round pick last year with the Detroit Lions for WR Roy Williams, and getting rid of their second round pick as well, the team failed to make much noise on day one.

So much for day two being “Jerry’s day.”

The team’s first pick in the draft would be at No. 69, and there was still an immense amount of talent left on the board.

First pick of the draft for the Dallas Cowboys was LB Jason Williams out of Western Illinois University.

I think this was a great pick for the Boys as the team let Kevin Barnett go in free agency.

The Cowboys led the league in sacks last year, and Williams is a great pass rusher off the edge.

This pick receives a B+ grade from me.

I do think the team should have addressed their concerns in the secondary before drafting a linebacker, and by giving up their second round pick, they lost a little ground.

But I can’t go that far against the grain when the team was able to pick up such a great player in this round.

The second pick of the draft for the Cowboys was OT Robert Brewster out of Ball State University.

The Cowboys again used this pick wisely in addressing a need on the offensive line. In my previous analysis of the Boys draft needs, I stated that there was a lack of depth on the offensive line.

This pick receives a B from me.

The fourth quarter of the playoff game against the New York Giants, that took place a couple of years ago, should still haunt the team as a day the offensive line fell apart.

According to NFL.com, Brewster is likely to move inside to guard.

The third pick of the draft for the Cowboys was QB Stephen McGee out of Texas A&M.

In watching post draft analysis, a few talking heads lauded this pick because of what happened with the Cowboys last season at quarterback.

For me, this is a bit of a wasted pick.

The Cowboys already picked up another QB in John Kitna during a trade with the Lions early this offseason.

McGee is a project at best.

Why waste a draft pick on a player that needs serious development and is at best your third string quarterback?

Again, we could have addressed a need at corner, offensive line, or safety with this pick.

Drafting McGee receives a D- grade from me.

The fourth pick of the draft for the Cowboy was DE Victor Butler out of Oregon State University.

Apparently, Butler was surely a pick for the special teams. This is not surprising as most teams build their special teams through later rounds in the draft.

Butler only started one year in college, but had an outstanding pro day, which caught the eyes of many teams in the NFL.

I give this pick a C+ grade because the team addressed a need on special teams, but still went away from team needs.

The sixth pick of the draft for the Cowboys was CB DeAngelo Smith out of University of Cincinnati.

Finally in the 5th round the team starts to address needs. 

I give this pick a B+ grade simply because the team needs help in the secondary.

Smith is very aggressive and has great awareness, but according to NFL.com, Smith may be moved to safety. This is a pick that could pay off well for the Boys as Smith has nice size standing at 5’11”.

The seventh pick of the draft for the Cowboys was FS Michael Hamlin out of Clemson University.

This pick seems familiar because of Hamlin’s similarities to former Cowboys’ safety Roy Williams.

I give this pick a B because it adds depth to the secondary, and Hamlin is a headhunter.

Hamlin has a nice build, standing at 6’2” and weighing in at 214 pounds.

His only drawback is his speed as he’s not a burner.

The Cowboys selected three times in the fifth round and chose two players that will add depth to their secondary.

Their last pick out of the fifth round you ask?

A kicker from USC.

The team already has one of the best kickers in the league in Nick Folk, so this is not a pick of value

The team did choose another corner, which brought their total up to four for the day.

However, with the release of WR Terrell Owens, the team only selected one wide receiver and that was with their seventh round selection.

Overall, I give the Cowboys a C+ for the decisions on the second day of the draft.

Throwing a pick away on a kicker and not selecting a wide receiver sooner was not in the best interest of the team.

Only one offensive lineman and choosing yet another tight end makes it seem as if Jerry is a little too high on his current team.

I guess we will find out come training camp.

-JH

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