Packers’ Ted Thompson Rocks Green Bay’s World

Did anybody see this coming?

The Green Bay Packers, after seeing B.J. Raji fall into their laps (and turning their backs on Michael Crabtree), pulled a rare move up the draft board.

Ted Thompson traded the Packers’ second-round pick and both their third-round picks for New England’s first rounder (26th overall) and a fifth-round selection.

Sure, if one bases evaluation solely on value points, the Packers were taken, but Ted Thompson got the object of his desire at 26: USC Linebacker Clay Matthews.

Again, I ask, did anyone see this coming?

According to Thompson, for weeks the Packers have been exploring trade possibilities to move up and select Matthews. He thinks Matthews is the best of the three USC linebackers and the perfect fit for Green Bay’s new defensive scheme.

Matthews is fast, athletic, and smart and made tremendous improvements in his game last season. He has come from being a walk-on at USC to having a great year as a starting linebacker for the Trojans. He is considered to have the most upside of the USC linebackers.

 

With B.J. Raji, the Packers filled a definite need on their defensive line. He is an amazing athlete for a man his size and a disruptor in the middle of the line. Can’t argue with the direction the team took with pick nine.

But what about this trade? Did the Pack pay too much?

On paper, it certainly appears to be the case. New England got a high second-rounder and two third-rounders for for a mere 15-spot fall.

But sometimes you have to overpay to get the guy you really want. I guess TT really wanted him…

Seahawks Second-Round Trade with Denver: How Good of a Deal It Can Be?

The Seahawks have made their first trade of the 2009 draft. They swapped their second-round selection (37th overall) to the Denver Broncos for Denver’s first-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft. And just to make it clear, that 2010 pick from Denver is the Broncos’ pick, not the Chicago Bears pick they recently received in the Cutler trade.

 

With the selection just acquired from the Seahawks, the Broncos selected cornerback Alphonso Smith from Wake Forrest.

 

This trade could be result in a huge boon for the Seahawks if (and only if) the Broncos don’t do that well in the 2009 regular season and end up receiving a top-10 pick in next year’s draft.

 

In that case, it could be great, especially if Seattle gets all of its top players healthy. With a little luck, the Seahawks could go deep in the Playoffs and still have a very high selection.

 

Either way, Seattle now has two first-round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Now That Matthew Stafford Is a Lion, What Are His Pros and Cons

“With the first overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Matthew Stafford!”

After an abysmal 0-16 season last year, the Detroit Lions have now chosen Matthew Stafford to become their quarterback of the future with the first overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.

They know that they will either reap the rewards or suffer the consequences. Here are the pro’s and con’s of choosing this player to become the future of the franchise.

 

Pros

The Lions need to have a face of their franchise since their terrible season last year, and the way to do that is to get a player like Stafford who will energize the team and will help make them better.

Also, he will produce money for the franchise, even though it won’t probably be from Detroit with the economic situation there.

If he turns out to become a truly great player, he could make them a Super Bowl contender years down the road (Seem’s funny now, but just wait). He was a great player at Georgia, which is a huge program, and that will definitely help him in the NFL. 

And finally, the most important pro is that he will energize Detroit in a time that they will need him to become a person that can provide hope to the city.

 

Cons

Now that he is the face of the franchise, a humongous amount of pressure will be put on him, which is almost never a good thing for a rookie.

He never has shown the passion of a player such as Tim Tebow while in college and has never really shown that he is a true leader on his team. Even though he won three bowl games at Georgia, he never really had a truly special performance in any of them.

When Georgia was ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason poll last year, Stafford’s team got blown out twice by Alabama and Florida. He never had a defining moment in college. He is going to Detroit, where almost no one has been able to do anything good the last several years, and he might be destined to do the exact same thing.

Finally, with the six-year contract reportedly contains $41.7 million in guaranteed money and carries a total value of up to $78 million that Stafford has signed, a lot of good or bad could come out of this. 

The Lions appear to know what they have just done, and they are ready for better or for worse, but definitely want the better to happen.  

Matthew Stafford could become the Lion’s savior or goat in this year’s draft, and only time will tell us that.

A Video Tribute: The 13 Best NFL Backs of the Last 25 Years

Forget those prima donna quarterbacks, give me a good tailback any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I love seeing a guy that can make the opposition look silly. I’m enamored of the north-south runners in particular because they don’t mind going straight up the gut and taking all comers as they make their way to the promised land.

So, this slideshow is more a video history. Great runs from the guys who made the game truly fun to watch.

In honor of the Detroit Lions having the first pick in today’s draft, I have made Barry Sanders my cover man.

Here’s my criteria: He was good at running the ball. He’s no longer playing the game but played between 1984-2009.

That’s it.

I will miss a few, no doubt, but the nature of a list pretty well establishes that from the get-go.

Let’s get it started.

Move Over Mel, McShay, and Mayock—My Mock Is Money

The 2009 NFL Draft is finally upon us. All of the speculation ends today as a new crop of college stars will have a long time dream finally come true, and hear their name called at Radio City Music Hall, in New York City.

I myself am hoping that the Dallas Cowboys have finally taken a look at my high school highlight film from 1996 and, fingers crossed, are willing to take a chance on a long shot. Nontheless, I’ve invited some family and select friends over, my cell phone is fully charged, and I’m just waiting on the call from Jerry Jones.

Looking at the draft, I can’t help but think that this one is going to be rather forgettable. Other than the impressive defensive ends and offensive tackles in this year’s class, I don’t see a lot of potential stars.

But then again, until the combine developes a desire drill, we’ll never really have a true idea of what is going to come of any prospect.

I think one of the better stroy lines of the day is who exactly is going to trade with Seattle to aquire the services of Mark Sanchez. I’m not sure if I would trade up for a quarterback with one year of experience, but fellow USC alumn Matt Cassel proved that experience can sometimes be overrated.

I look for San Fransisco, Denver, and the Jets to be in the mix as far as a potential deal to move up and retain Sanchez, but I’m just not sold on any of these QB’s. I don’t think anyone is overly impressed with this year’s class of signal callers.

Also be ready for the Giants and Eagles to be active today. Now that the Cardinals have lowered the asking price on Anquan Boldin to a second round pick and other considerations, I believe that one of these two teams will go after Anquan agressively. Either franchise could end up shipping picks to Arizona for the Pro Bowl receiver.

Nobody, including the networks experts, has any idea what is really going to go down today.

I do know that if Mel Kiper, Mike Mayock, or Todd McShay came to my house the weeks leading up to my fantasy football draft wanting to know who I was selecting, I’d lead them on the wildest of wild goose chases just for kicks. But I would never ever tip my hand.

Something tells me NFL general managers used the same tactics.

So since no one has a clue, but everyone has a mock draft, I thought I’d throw one up against the wall just to see if it will stick. Who knows, with enough luck, and of course hair spray, I could be the next Mel Kiper.

So without further delay, I give to you the one millionth mock draft that you have seen in the last 48 hours.

The 2009 NFL Draft Live Blog

Finally, the 2009 NFL Draft is here.

I’m sure you’ve mocked yourself out by now and all you care about is seeing how thew draft will fall out.

The chips, dips, and beverages have been bought.  I am in draft HQ with my buddies PJ and Scott – we have NFL Network on one TV and ESPN on the other.

During the draft we’ll be playing a mock draft game (1 point for correct team & pick number, half points for correct team or pick number) as well as predicting the players pick by pick.

I’ll also be playing ESPN’s Streak for the Draft game.

Throughout the day I will be updating you with all things important, analytical, speculative, and funny so be sure to check back often.

You can also interact by posting comments and I WILL respond.

1:04 PM (PST):  It looks like the Lions weren’t even going to let Goodell leave the stage.  There’s nothing better than watching the number one pick coming to the stage with boos from the New York fans.

1:25 PM: Jackson was the first blown pick in my mock, as we’re watching the highlights PJ is yelling, “BUST”.  Jackson won’t have great stats but he can be disruptive and make an impact on every down.  It looks like the Seahawks will be taking Curry, extending my Streak for the Draft to two.

1:39 PM: Like when the Ultimate Warrior used to run into the run to the ring the Radio City Music Hall is exploding.  Sanchez will be the next quarterback of the Jets. 

This is a huge move by Rex Ryan’s Jets.  NY will be playing the same style of defense Baltimore played last year.  The Jets will control the pace of the game and allow Sanchez to be successful by focusing on risk mitigation.

PJ’s dad, Lou, a lifelong Jets fan said this is the first time in 45 years he has been happy with the Jets pick. 

New York is making a statement.

1:56 PM:  Al Davis drops a bomb!  Oakland did it!  Heyward-Bey is a Raider and Al Davis has to hope DHB isn’t a bust because they may have just passed on the next great receiver for the most Jekyll and Hyde player in the draft.

2:21 PM:  Crabtree is going to SF and has a reason to put it on Oakland every time they meet across the Bay.  In the top ten this is easily the steal.  In two years he has had more experience running routes and catching passes in football games than most seniors.  “Draft Streak” is at 5.

2:36 PM: My Streak broke on the Moreno selection.  I really like the pick by Denver because Moreno is one of my top 10 players but I was almost certain they were going to draft defense.

3:13 PM:  The Browns have to have set a record for most trades in the first round.  It looks like they may be targeting Clay Matthews at 21 now.

I though Maclin would go at 17 so I am not surprised with the pick at 19.  Philly has made a very good pick here.  McNabb has another weapon to throw to and it was a great value pick.   

If Detroit goes heavy my “Streak” will be back to four.

3:51 PM: It looks like the Pats are looking at trading the pick putting my sixth pick streak in jeopardy.  Plenty of talent on the board, it looks like they are targeting a UConn player in the second round.

4:31 PM: The “Pittsburg Steelers world champion Super Bowl champions” draft Ziggy Hood to close out the first round.  Solid pick although there is a lot of corner back talent on the board.

So far it looks like the Raiders ad the biggest reach in the draft and because of it the 49ers get the biggest steal.

Until the second-round that is.

5:00 PM: Rey Maualuga is the steal of Day One no doubt.  You cannot get better value in a football player than this.  He is a Pro Bowl player and a difference player on D.

The Pats are up soon, is Connor Barwin their man?

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Sportmeister’s NFL Draft Previews: Denver Broncos

By Ryan of The Sportmeisters

The Broncos have been the soap opera of the off-season.

From firing long-time coach Mike Shanahan to the Jay Cutler tirade, Denver has kept the NFL interesting. Now that the draft is here, it’s time for first-year coach Josh McDaniels to really step up. They were able to grab another first-rounder in the draft, and while many expect them to grab a quarterback of the future, the Broncos need defensive help in the worst way. With Kyle Orton the incumbent starter, Denver might be better off fixing the defensive priorities first, and giving Orton a shot, or looking for a QB in 2010.

Denver Broncos Draft Picks:

Round 1, Pick 12 (12)

Round 1, Pick 18 (18)

Round 2, Pick 16 (48)

Round 3, Pick 15 (79)

Round 3, Pick 20 (84)

Round 4, Pick 14 (114)

Round 5, Pick 13 (149)

Round 6, Pick 12 (185)

Round 7, Pick 16 (225)

Round 7, Pick 26 (235)

Team Need 1: Defensive End

With two number one picks, many expect Denver to use the first one to fill the quarterback need if it’s still there.

Denver is switching to the 3-4, and needs to load up on defensive bodies first and foremost. None of the options the Broncos currently have can command double teams and give linebackers the opportunities to make the plays. That is why Denver needs to focus on a DE with one of their first picks. The best options are going to be Tyson Jackson, Robert Ayers, and Everette Brown, who will switch to LB most likely and play a flex role. At 12 and 18, one of those players should be available, giving Denver the chance to grab a quarterback that they so desperately want, but not ignore the pressing need here.

Team Need 2: Linebacker

Theoretically, if I was running the Broncos, I would use both my first round picks on a DE and an LB, but it’s highly unlikely that will occur.

Instead, Denver is probably going to wait until the second round to snatch a linebacker. With the 3-4 defense, they are going to need someone who can rush the pass from the outside opposite Elvis Dumervil, or they could look at a punishing tackler inside. Considering the great dropoff in talent with ILBs, if Denver cannot look to grab James Laurinaitis, they should wait until the later rounds to grab a project. This should force Denver to look at an OLB, and grab someone like Paul Kruger or Clint Sintim. With a load of picks, Denver should grab a lot of potential contributors to the 3-4.

Team Need 3: Running Back

As The Fantasy Guru Derek states, Mike Shanahan hates your fantasy football team.

Well, Shanahan is gone, but he leaves a gamut of running backs that are not a franchise player. Of Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington, Ryan Torain and Selving Young, it’s a who’s who of nobodies. Denver has a lot of picks, and could look to the later rounds at a Glen Coffee, Rashard Jennings, James Davis, among others. They shouldn’t waste a first-rounder, but should definitely fill this need to help Orton out.

Denver had a crazy off-season, but is ready to put it behind them and focus on the future. They are stacked with picks, so this is an imperative draft to make Josh McDaniels first season a positive one.

NFL Mock Draft: Expect Four USC Trojans in the First 23 Picks

1. Lions – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

2. Rams – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

3. Chiefs – Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

4. Seahawks – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia Tech

5. Browns – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

6. Bengals – Brian Orakpo, OT, Texas

7. Raiders – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

8. Jaguars – Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern California

9. Packers – Aaron Maybin, LB, Penn State

10. 49ers – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

11. Bills – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Miami

12. Broncos – BJ Raji, DE, Boston College

13. Redskins – Brian Cushing, LB, Southern California

14. Saints – Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

15. Texans – Malcom Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

16. Chargers – Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

17. Jets – Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

18. Broncos – Rey Mualuga, LB, Southern California

19. Bucs – Everette Brown, DE/LB, Florida State

20. Lions – Perla Jerry, DT, Mississippi

21. Eagles – Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

22. Vikings – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

23. Patriots – Clay Matthews, LB, Southern California

24. Falcons – Evander Hood, DT, Missouri

25. Dolphins – Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

26. Ravens – Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers

27. Colts – Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

28. Bills – Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

29. Giants – Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

30. Titans – Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut

31. Cardinals – Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut

32. Steelers – Eric Wood, C, Louiseville 

---

Five of my biggest under-the-radar NFL Draft Headlines:

Why the Raiders will select Maclin over Crabtree, if given the opportunity.

One of Owner Al Davis’ main priorities in this draft is a fast wide receiver.  Other than speed, Maclin and Crabtree are about even.  But, including speed, Maclin gets the edge over the Texas Tech receiver comparable to Lions’ receiver Calvin Johnson.

 

Clay Matthews, a for sure pick if still available for the Patriots?

Matthews’ dad, also named Clay, was coached under former Browns’ assistant coach, Bill Belichick, from 1991-1995.  Now in New England, Belichick shouldn’t hesitate to pick Matthews’ son in the NFL Draft.

 

Broncos go defense with both picks? 

It’s no secret Denver needs help on their line, and in their line backing corps.  With selections of Raji and Mualuga, the Broncos fill up those two voids in their defense, and can try to find a more legit starting running back in rounds two through four.

 

Chris Wells and Knowshon Moreno: The only two running backs?

In a class that’s not deep in running backs, the Saints and the Chargers both score by drafting the only two starter-worthy running backs in the draft.

 

Kenny Britt and Hakeem Nicks over Darius Heyward-Bey?

Heyward-Bey, out of Maryland, has a big frame, and decent speed, but that’s not enough as the Terp can’t find his way into the first round.

Minnesota Vikings: In Sage We Trust

I can say with a straight face that Sage Rosenfels could lead this team to a Super Bowl win.

I mean, come on, what’s not to like about him. He’s tall, intelligent, hard working, has a big arm, and a spotless off the field record.

Now, Childress has to make smarter play calls (spread out the field more), but I think that Sage will be the difference, not a right tackle or a receiver with more problems than Detroit’s front office.

Rosenfels has Comeback Player of the Year written all over him. He gave a decent Houston team a chance against us, at home, with basically no run support.

I shudder to think what AP could do with a decent, consistent pass game.

Granted, he did have a terrible breakdown against the Colts, but he played great football the first three quarters of that game. Hopefully, he learned from his mistakes.

I think Childress should give someone else the keys and see what happens. TJ was good at the end, but struggled in the playoffs. I will give him a little credit, though, against a tough Eagles D, but that interception was inexcusable.

Another factor is going to be Sidney Rice, all that he has to do is stay healthy and produce.

Now, to what everyone else is talking about—the draft.

I think that the Vikes will take Percy Harvin because he is a Randy Moss-esque steal. The Vikings won’t pass up the chance to have two playmakers on the field at the same time.

Thank you for reading, this is my first article so please give me some pointers.

Draft Day Dilemma and the Hope for the Super Bowl

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OK so my best friend and I are talking about today’s draft and all of the sudden I get the dreaded text message, “Baby I’m bored. Can we go somewhere today?”

I know some of you are thinking, “Are you mad? You can’t do this on draft day!” or “Dude she’s not worthy of you.” But before we go sports-uneducated girlfriend bashing I must say I have a plan.

First to note is the NFL Draft. ESPN’s coverage begins at 4 pm and the first round selections are 10 minutes each with the Eagles, so far, at No. 21. So if 21-1 still equals 20, and 20 x 10 still equates to 200 then I’m safe until 7 pm since, work with me now, three hours is 180 minutes and 180 < 200.

I know, no need to whip out the math from back in the day, but it plays into my master plan as a whole. I’m taking the girlfriend to the Philadelphia Zoo, and since it closes at 5 pm I have plenty of time to drop her back off at her place and meet up with my best friend to watch the draft.

Now we are draft ready and prepared for the future of the Eagles. I have a feeling they are going RB in the first round, WR in the second round, and TE in the third.

The most likely scenario is that we draft Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno at 21, but is there a possibility that the Eagles can get him as far down as pick 29? A few likely happenings could make that probable.

First there is the Michael Crabtree factor. The man has basically talked himself out of the top five, and if both the Jaguars and the 49ers pass on him then look for the Redskins and Jets to be in the mix. Unlike the Jets, the Redskins need major help in the trenches so it is feasible that the Jets could pluck Crabtree at 17.

Not necessary but maybe helpful is the love the Patriots have for USC LB Brian Cushing, enough so that they will trade their first and second to the Saints to draft him. The Hoodie traded up last year for USC LB Jerrod Mayo so do not put this in the realm of the impossible. That would give the Saints the viability to draft Beanie Wells at No. 23.

Then there is the love of Darrius Heyward-Bey by the Giants, leaving Eagles fans with disbelief of trading with a division rival on draft day. The way that trade would work is that the Giants give up 29, 45, 91, and 100 selections for the Eagles’ 21, 53, and 81 draft picks.

If the Saints do trade down then there would be no problem for the Eagles to trade down in the first and trade up in the second round at the same time. Moreno is still the guy and the birds are still in the hunt for a first round wideout, a la Hakeem Nicks.

Regardless of such possibilities, the Eagles still have a great chance of landing Anquan Boldin trade their second round selection to Arizona, along with a departure of (Reggie or Sheldon) Brown. The only variable of that trade would be the renegotiation of Boldin’s contract, he wants $10 million and the Eagles would prefer $8-9 million.

In the third, Andy Reid is looking for his favor prospect all offseason, Mizzou TE Chase Coffman. “Eagles TE Scouting” is really a telling sign for the team that rarely tips their hand in trades or drafting.  Coffman is an excellent receiver with toughness and blocking ability at 6’6” 250 lbs.

Though he sparingly lined up traditionally next to the tackle, there is no doubt Reid believes he would be the prototypical tight end in his offense. Imagine a more athletic Chad Lewis with this guy, Heath Miller (CBSSports.com), Jason Witten, or as one site stated “Coffman is a great all-around tight end who has the complete package” (Scout.com). Garry Cobb of WIP is thumbs up on this guy.

Between the four and fifth rounds, the Eagles will work on cornerbacks, with two of the fifth round selections trade for a fourth rounder. The later rounds are a tossup, but it would not be a surprise to see an offensive or defensive lineman from rounds five to seven.

At least I can do Dave & Buster’s 6 pm on. Freedom!

 

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