Why the Detroit Lions Did the Right Thing by Snubbing Their Nose at History

If you had a couple pieces of bad fish—once in 1990 and again in 2002—would that make you swear off fish forever? Even if those pieces of fish were purported to be some of the finest fish in the land?

The Lions will make Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft—another piece of fish that’s supposed to be delectable.

Well, dig in, I say!

My colleague and sometimes mentor Jerry Green, semi-retired from the Detroit News, likes to call the draft the NFL version of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey. I’ve always liked that analogy.

It’s also appropriate, because the folks who blab into microphones and type furiously onto keyboards about which team should pick which player at what time often become the donkey personified. Or, to be more accurate, the rear end of said donkey.

Some of these donkey posteriors showed up in Madison Heights on Monday, as the Lions unveiled their new logo and uniforms.

As team president Tom Lewand began to address the throng, chants of “Curry! Curry!” filled Dunham’s sporting goods store, where we all had gathered. It didn’t sound spontaneous.

The chant was for Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry, the fierce defender who’ll certainly be a pro-football star.

A few moments later, Lewand made mention of the draft, foolishly opening himself up to another verbal assault.

The “Curry! Curry!” chants started up again. It sounded like they came from the same group of donkey posteriors.

Lewand made a joke, laughing off the anti-Stafford sentiment that filled the building.
They kept at it throughout the unveiling.

This is as good a time as any to play some truth or dare.

Truth? I was a supporter of Curry. Still am, in a way. The Lions had one of the worst defenses in the history of the NFL last season. If you’re drafting for need, you could do a whole lot worse than Curry, who’s going to have some NFL city in the palm of his hand someday.

Go with defense, I wrote. You can pick up a quarterback later on. Some of the greatest of them were drafted in rounds that would make your head spin. I like to use Tom Brady as an example. Brady was so disregarded by everyone, including the Lions—who should have known better because Brady played in their backyard at Michigan—that he slipped all the way to the sixth round in 2000.

Joe Montana was snubbed for 81 picks before the San Francisco 49ers took a flyer on him in the third round in 1979.

Johnny Unitas, no less, was waived out of the league and was playing semi-pro ball when the Baltimore Colts found him and suited him up.

I could go on and on. But I won’t.

I was one of those who wanted to play it “safe” and draft Curry, rather than roll the dice on a quote-unquote franchise quarterback.

True confession time, like I said.

I wanted the Lions to roll over—all because they had a couple pieces of bad fish. I wanted them to swear off fish, until they could find some cheaper catches in the later rounds.

I’m changing my tune.

The Lions are drafting Stafford, and good for them. They’re doing so in the face of an inglorious history of drafting quarterbacks, especially in the first round.

But the Lions, for a change, aren’t letting history paralyze them. They’re not playing this draft “not to lose.” They’re playing to win it.

They see a potential great one in Stafford, and they’re going to draft him.

By the size of the reported contract, it looks like they’re going to spring for some malt vinegar and extra tartar sauce for their new prized fish.

The bad pieces of fish were Andre Ware, the gunslinger from the University of Houston (1990), and Joey Harrington, the piano-playing, optimistic kid from Oregon (2002).

Ware looked like a great fit for the Lions. He operated the frenetic run-and-shoot offense in Houston, racking up touchdown passes and yards like a video game QB.

The Lions had just switched to the NFL version of the run-and-shoot. They had Barry Sanders to run the ball. They had a cache of receivers; some of whihc were even mediocre. The others were…well, let’s just say that their hearts were beating.

So why not draft Ware to be the gunslinger?

But Ware held out of training camp, dickering over the dollars and cents required to be the team’s new gunslinger.

He missed precious, invaluable training camp time as his agents and the Lions played chicken with each other.

By the time Ware finally signed a contract and reported to the team, his rookie year was shot, for all intents and purposes. He’d end up spending the rest of it trying to catch up.

Remember the scene from The Shining when Shelly Duvall realizes that Jack Nicholson has been typing “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” over and over again?

One of the most frightening moments in film history, says me.

Well, Duvall’s horror is what the Lions felt when they learned that Ware lacked a key component to being a legitimate NFL quarterback: the ability to throw a ball anywhere near an intended receiver.

All that typing Nicholson was doing, and he wasn’t writing a book, as promised.

All that book learning Ware was doing, and when it was his turn to whip the football around on the field, the Lions became Shelly Duvall.

The other piece of bad fish, Harrington, lacked the mental toughness to even live in Detroit, much less be its quarterback.

You could add Chuck Long, from the 1986 draft, as another bad piece of fish.

OK, so three pieces of bad fish.

But the Lions aren’t swearing off fish. They’re gonna reel Stafford in with the No. 1 pick Saturday afternoon in New York.

It’s not a “safe” pick. Not at all. In fact, it’s fraught with danger.

But if you feel in your gut that Stafford is the quarterback of your dreams—the one that could wash away the stench from Chuck Long, Andre Ware, and Joey Harrington—then pick him, and do so with confidence, maybe even a little defiance.

Play the draft to win, not to “not lose.”

I’m proud of the Lions, for a change.

Giants Targeting Heyward-Bey

The Giants appear to be targeting receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey with their first round pick now according to the Daily News, who cite two unnamed sources familiar with the Giants’ plans.

New York would need to trade up to select the 6’2”, 210lb receiver from Maryland.  There have been mock drafts that have him flying off the draft board early to Oakland, who holds the seventh pick in the draft.  It’s a longshot Heyward-Bey will go that early, though.  Heyward-Bey could go to teams such as the Jets (17th pick), Eagles (pick 21), Vikings (pick 22), Dolphins (pick 25), Ravens (pick 26), or the Colts (pick 27).

Heyward-Bey ran a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, the best speed of any prospect this year.  The only receivers to post better times in the 40-yard dash are Rondel Melendez (4.24), Jerome Mathis (4.28), and Yamon Fingurs (4.3), according to TopEndSports.  40 yard dash times don’t exactly translate to success in the NFL, but it’s always something interesting to look at.

Heyward-Bey’s biggest strength is clearly his speed, his strength at running the reverse, and his ability to separate himself from defensive backs, but critics have said he needs to work on his route running skills.  There seems to be some concern as to whether or not he may just be a workout warrior, similar to Troy Williamson in the 2005 draft.

Last season Heyward-Bey posted 42 receptions for 609 yards with 5 touchdowns in 12 games for Maryland.

Sayre’s Day One Mock Draft, with Trades: Anquan Boldin, Braylon Edwards Moving?

The day is finally here, and I thought I’d give you guys an interesting mock draft with some crazy trades included.  Read to find out more…

ROUND ONE
1. Detroit (0-16):  Matthew Stafford; Quarterback, Georgia
2. St. Louis (2-14):  Jason Smith; Offensive Tackle, Baylor
3. Kansas City (2-14):  Eugene Monroe; Offensive Tackle, Virginia
4. Seattle (4-12):  Aaron Curry; Outside Linebacker, Wake Forest
5. Cleveland (4-12):  B.J. Raji; Defensive Tackle, Boston College
6. Cincinnati (4-11-1):  Andre Smith; Offensive Tackle, Alabama

*Projected trade:  New England trades their first round pick (23rd overall) as well as their second round pick (47th overall) to Oakland in exchange for their first round pick (7th overall)

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

*Projected trade:  New York Jets trade their first round pick (17th overall), third round pick (76th overall via New Orleans), and their fourth round pick (115th overall via Washington) to Jacksonville in exchange for their first round pick (8th overall)*

8. New York Jets (from Jacksonville) (5-11):  Mark Sanchez; Quarterback, USC

9. Green Bay (6-10):  Brian Orakpo; Rush Linebacker, Texas
10. San Francisco (7-9):  Aaron Maybin; Rush Linebacker, Penn State
11. Buffalo (7-9):  Michael Oher; Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss
12. Denver (8-8):  Tyson Jackson; Defensive End, LSU
13. Washington (8-8):  Robert Ayers; Defensive End, Tennessee
14. New Orleans (8-8):  Malcolm Jenkins; Defensive Back, Ohio State
15. Houston (8-8):  Clay Matthews; Outside Linebacker, USC
16. San Diego (8-8):  Rey Maualuga; Middle Linebacker, USC
17. Jacksonville (from New York Jets) (9-7):  Jeremy Maclin; Wide Receiver, Missouri
18. Denver (from Chicago)(9-7):  Knowshon Moreno; Running Back, Georgia
19. Tampa Bay (9-6):  Peria Jerry; Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss
20. Detroit (from Dallas) (9-7):  Everette Brown; Defensive End, Florida State
21. Philadelphia (9-6-1):  Chris Wells; Running Back, Ohio State
22. Minnesota (10-6):  Eben Britton; Offensive Tackle, Arizona
23. Oakland (from New England) (11-5):  Percy Harvin; Wide Receiver, Florida
24. Atlanta (11-5):  Brian Cushing; Outside Linebacker, USC
25. Miami (11-5):  Vontae Davis; Cornerback, Illinois
26. Baltimore (11-5):  Brandon Pettigrew; Tight End, Oklahoma State
27. Indianapolis (12-4):  Donald Brown; Running Back, UConn
28. Buffalo (from Carolina through Philadelphia) (12-4):  Larry English; Defensive End, Northern Illinois
29. New York Giants (12-4):  James Laurinaitis; Middle Linebacker, Ohio State
30. Tennessee (13-3):  Darius Butler; Cornerback, UConn
31. Arizona (9-7):  Michael Johnson; Defensive End, Georgia Tech
32. Pittsburgh (12-4):  Max Unger; Center, Oregon

 

ROUND TWO
1-33 Detroit:  Darrius Heyward-Bey; Wide Receiver, Maryland
2-34 New England (from Kansas City):  Connor Barwin; Rush Linebacker, Cincinnati
3-35 St. Louis:  Alphonso Smith; Cornerback, Wake Forest
4-36 Cleveland:  LeSean McCoy; Running Back, Pittsburgh
5-37 Seattle:  Louis Delmas; Safety, Western Michigan
6-38 Cincinnati:  Evander Hood; Defensive Tackle, Missouri
7-39 Jacksonville:  Sean Smith; Cornerback, Utah
8-40 Oakland:  Ron Brace; Defensive Tackle, Boston College
9-41 Green Bay:  William Beatty; Offensive Tackle, UConn
10-42 Buffalo:  D.J. Moore; Cornerback, Vanderbilt
11-43 San Francisco:  Kenny Britt; Wide Receiver, Rutgers
12-44 Miami (from Washington):  Hakeem Nicks;  Wide Receiver, North Carolina

*Projected trade:  New York Giants trade their second round pick (45th overall via New Orleans), and their fifth round pick (164th overall) to Cleveland for WR Braylon Edwards*

13-45 Cleveland (from NY Giants thru New Orleans):  Paul Kruger; Rush Linebacker, Utah

14-46 Houston:  Rashad Johnson; Safety, Alabama
15-47 Oakland (from New England thru San Diego):  Jamon Meredith; Offensive Tackle, South Carolina
16-48 Denver:  Patrick Chung; Safety, Oregon 
17-49 Chicago:  Mohammed Massaquoi; Wide Receiver, Georgia
18-50 Cleveland (from Tampa Bay):  William Moore; Safety, Missouri
19-51 Dallas:  Fili Moala; Defensive End, USC
20-52 NY Jets:  Josh Freeman; Quarterback, Kansas State
21-53 Philadelphia:  Brian Robiskie; Wide Receiver, Ohio State
22-54 Minnesota:  Alex Mack; Center, California
23-55 Atlanta:  Lawrence Sidbury; Defensive End, Richmond
24-56 Miami:  Pat White; Quarterback, West Virginia
25-57 Baltimore:  Clint Sintim; Linebacker, Virginia
26-58 New England:  Jairus Byrd; Cornerback, Oregon
27-59 Carolina:  Shawn Nelson; Tight End, Southern Mississippi
28-60 NY Giants:  Sherrod Martin; Cornerback, Troy
29-61 Indianapolis:  Derrick Williams; Wide Receiver, Penn State

*Projected Trade:  Tennessee trades their second round pick (60th overall) as well as DE Kyle Vanden Bosch to the Arizona Cardinals for WR Anquan Boldin*

30-62 Arizona (from Tennessee):  Shonn Greene; Running Back, Iowa

31-63 Arizona:  Duke Robinson; Offensive Lineman, Oklahoma
32-64 Pittsburgh:  Andrew Levitre; Guard, Oregon State

Mark Strotman’s Packers Draft Contest Picks

Minnesota Vikings Last Minute Mock Draft Plus Bonus Picks

With the 2009 NFL Draft a mere hours away, it’s time to take a last and final stab at how it might pan out.  I’ve put together a possible first round mock draft, plus the Vikes second and third round picks.  All picks contain explanations, feel free to criticize.  Without further ado….my final 2009 mock draft:

 

1.  Detroit Lions

QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia.  The web is abuzz with rumors that the Lions will pick Stafford whether they have a contract agreed upon or not.  This is one of the few locks at the top.

 

2.  St Louis Rams

OT Jason Smith, Baylor.  The Rams are actually torn between Smith and UV tackle Eugene Monroe.  In the end, they choose the cream of the crop.

 

3.  Kansas City Chiefs

LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest.  This is also a virtual lock.  The Chiefs have holes nearly everywhere, including linebacker, and Curry is probably the best player in this draft to begin with.

 

4.  Seattle Seahawks

OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia.  Maybe a suprise pick, but after nabbing free agent TJ Houshmanzadeh in the offseason, WR is not a huge concern.  The ‘Hawks were hoping Curry would fall, but OT is a need as well. 

 

5.  Cleveland Browns

DT BJ Raji, Boston College.  If Braylon Edwards gets traded, this pick may change.  Cleveland’s defense was miserable in ’08 and Raji is the best on the board.  They need to amp up that front, especially with Shaun Rogers a potential problem in the future.

 

6.  Cincinnati Bengals

OT Andre Smith, Alabama.  Most Bengals fans are thrilled that Crabtree is still available, but with Carson Palmer on his back half the time, who’s going to get him the ball?  Smith is a beast, and OchoCinco could be detrimental in Crabtree’s development.

 

7.  Oakland Raiders

WR Jeremy Maclin, Mizzou.  Yes, Crabtree is still on the board, but Al Davis is already in love with Maclin’s speed.  His ability in the return game doesn’t hurt.

 

8.  Jacksonville Jaguars

QB Mark Sanchez, USC.  This pick won’t be made by the Jags.  I’m not sure who’s going to be drafting here, but whoever it is will be going after the former Trojan.

9.  Green Bay Packers

OT Michael Oher, Mississippi.  The defensive front is an issue with the switch to the 3-4, but so is OT with a couple of aging and ailing vets.  Their young starting QB needs somebody to watch his back.

 

10.  San Francisco 49’ers

WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech.  And Crabtree’s fall ends.  The 49’ers could be in play to move up for Sanchez, but if they stay put, WR is a horrendous issue for them right now.  Crabtree won’t solve the problem, but he’ll help.

 

11. Buffalo Bills

DE Brian Orakpo, Texas.  The Billscan’t believe a talent like this lasted this far and run this pick to the podium.  Their pass rush was woeful last year and Orakpo is a stud at that.

 

12.  Denver Broncos

DE Tyson Jackson, LSU.  New coach Josh McDaniels is a Belichick disciple, meaning he’ll build from the interior.  Denver is making the switch to the 3-4, and Jackson is ideal for DE in this defense.

 

13.  Washington Redskins

DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State.  The ‘Skins are another team who could move up for Sanchez.  However, if that falls through, pass rush is a position of need.  Maybin would fit nicely alongside newly acquired DT Albert Haynesworth.

 

14.  New Orleans Saints

RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia.  Defense is always a possibility for the Saints, but Reggie Bush is not an every down back.  While Ohio State’s Beanie Wells is better between the tackles, Moreno is just a bit higher on draft boards.

 

15.  Houston Texans

OLB Brian Cushing, USC.  The Texans need some help at CB, but the front seven also need some tinkering.  Cushing moves into a linebacker corps already containing DeMeco Ryans and a front seven that has former number one overall Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye.

 

16.  San Diego Chargers

MLB Rey Maualuga, USC.  Two USC linebackers in a row.  San Diego could use help on the front three having lost Igor Olshansky to Dallas, but Tyson Jackson is already gone and adding a southern California guy as talented as Maualuga to play next to Shawn Merriman is too good to pass up.  Don’t believe the running back rumors, they’ll wait till later to address that.

 

17.  New York Jets

QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State.  New coach Rex Ryan can’t really feel he’s OK at QB, can he?  Freeman is a project, but has all the physical tools to be a good pro QB.

 

18.  Denver Broncos

DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee.  Having addressed the DE position for the 3-4 defense already, the Broncos select a OLB hybrid to rush the passer. Peria Jerry could be the pick as well, but he’s a little small to man the nose tackle in this scheme.

19.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi.  While Jerry doesn’t necessarily fit the scheme, he’s the second best defensive tackle in the draft and will fit into a nice rotation up front, before eventually taking over as the starter.

 

20.  Detroit Lions

MLB James Laurinitis, Ohio State.  The Lions found their leader on offense with their first pick, now they find they’re leader on defense.  Laurinitis slides in between Ernie Sims and Julian Peterson to give the Lions a very formidable LB corps.  OT will be addressed in the second round.

 

21.  Philadelphia Eagles

RB Chris “Beanie” Wells, Ohio State.  Two OSU players back-to-back.  Philly got their much needed LT when they traded for Buffalo’s Jason Peters.  Brian Westbrook will be on the wrong side of 30 for a running back and Wells gives them a solid breather guy who will eventually take over the reigns.  This is the kind of move good franchises make.

 

22.  Minnesota Vikings

WR Percy Harvin, Florida.  The Vikes did their due diligence Wednesday and flew to meet with Harvin in Florida to address character concerns.  He’s a phenomenal athlete who can impact the game in multiple ways.  In the end, the opportunity to put Harvin on the field and in the same offense as Adrian Peterson is too great to pass up.

 

23.  New England Patriots

CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State.  Jenkins’ freefall will end here.  Belichick always seems to draft a guy that shouldn’t have been there for him to draft in the first place, and Jenkins helps out there defensive backfield by being the best DB prospect in this draft.

 

24.  Atlanta Falcons

CB Vontae Davis, Illinois.  After Jenkins started to get close, the Falcons were getting excited. They’ll settle for the mercurial Davis, who addresses one of their biggest needs. 

 

25.  Miami Dolphins

OLB Clay Matthews, USC.  Wide receiver is probably a bigger need right now, but feel free to slap me if Bill Parcells drafts one of those in the first round.  Matthews is a solid player who is very coachable.  Both Parcells traits.

 

26.  Baltimore Ravens

WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland.  To be honest, this is kind of a homer pick for the Ravens.  They need a young receiver to stretch the field, and Heyward-Bey has blazing speed.  However, even with suspect hands and route-running, the home town thing wins him over as the pick. 

 

27.  Indianapolis Colts

DT Evander “Ziggy” Hood, Mizzou.  The Colts could easily justify picking a WR here, but that defensive front is atrocious.  Ziggy has good size for their system and they’ll find a good WR like OSU’s Brian Robiskie in the second round.

 

28.  Buffalo Bills

TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State.  The Bills can’t believe their luck.  They get the draft’s best pass rusher with the first pick, and still manage to nab Pettigrew, the drafts’ best at another position of need.

 

29.  New York Giants

WR Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina.  If the Giants don’t trade this pick to the Browns, Nicks is the choice.  He’s just the type of big target, red zone threat with good hands the G-men need to replace Plaxico Burress.

 

30.  Tennessee Titans

WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers.  No team in the draft needs a good WR as bad as these guys.  Britt is physically impressive, not afraid to go over the middle and will be a solid pro for a long time.

 

31.  Arizona Cardinals

RB Donald Brown, Connecticut.  The most glaring thing about the Cards’ during their Super Bowl run was their reliance on the pass and lack of a run game.  Brown gives them the every down-type guy they so desperately lack.

 

32.  Pittsburgh Steelers

C Alex Mack, Cal.  Count me among the many who think this pick will be used on an interior lineman.  QB Ben Roethlisberger just spent a season on his back because the line couldn’t keep him upright.  Mack can play center or guard, and he’ll be starting on Day One.

 

Bonus:  Minnesota Vikings last minute second and third round picks!

Second Round:  OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma.  The Vikes may have to move up to get him, but they’ll be glad they did.  Loadholt is a mauler in the run game.

 

Third Round:  C Antoine Caldwell, Alabama.  Anyone really think the Vikings want to go into next season with John Sullivan as their only center?  Caldwell is smart, can start tomorrow and will end up a pro-bowler at some point.  CB’s Macho Harris and Asher Allen could also be in play.

A Disturbing New NFL Trend: Insider Trading

Pats, Falcons, and Chiefs Have Cottage Industry Going

You would think with all of the fiscal shenanigans we’ve seen over the past years or so that no one would even attempt any moves that would appear inappropriate.

Think again.  In the cover of light, the New England Patriots and their two new “satellite” operations—the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons—are conducting business in such fashion that should draw a legion of red flags. What these three teams are doing can only be considered to be collusionary conduct.

Take it from me, I have been around the block a few times in my long career in the financial industry.  I have seen ponzi schemes, stock scams, junk bond improprieties, and yes—insider trading.  The latter is what is happening here.

The origin of this mess comes directly from the offices of the New England Patriots (surprise), and normally I wouldn’t care. But I have been trained to spot red flags, and I am seeing them waving brightly in the sunlight in this case. 

Thomas Dimitroff is the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons. He has long relationships with both Kansas City GM, Scott Pioli, and New England coach Bill Belichick that go back to when all three were employed by the Cleveland Browns.  Since then, the three have gone their separate ways, but it appears their business relationship is still intact.

The NFL doesn’t seem to mind, and fans may not know what to think when they see a Tony Gonzalez go from “untouchable” status in Kansas City to the Atlanta Falcons’ roster for practically nothing. It wouldn’t surprise me if that 2010 second round pick the Chiefs got in return for Gonzalez somehow ends up in New England.

Both the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants were heavily in the mix for Gonzalez—or so we thought.  Both teams have loads of draft picks and players to offer the Chiefs, but yet no trade was made.  The Falcons offer a future pick to Kansas City and a deal is struck. Go figure. Am I nuts, or does this seem a little fishy?

When Matt Cassel was traded from New England to Kansas City, many were shocked. Really?  That he was traded, or traded to Kansas City?  I wasn’t.  Pioli needed a QB in KC, and the Patriots were not about to pay Matt Cassel $14 million. 

The deal left many teams feeling shunned.  The Denver Broncos, whose new head coach (Josh McDaniels) comes from the Patriots’ coaching tree, thought they had a legitimate shot at landing Cassel in a three-way deal that would have included Jay Cutler being moved to Tampa. He should have known better.

It will be interesting to see how these three teams interact as time goes on.  I have seen the red flags, and now I urge you to follow them.

 

2009 NFL Mock Draft in Pictures: First Round

It is hours until the draft, and still there are many uncertainties, except for one, of course. The Lions have locked up Matthew Stafford to be their franchise quarterback, giving him a six year contract with over 40 million dollars in guarantees. Here is the greatest and lastest 2009 mock draft of the entire first round.

The PaP 11th-Hour 2009 Mock Draft

It will no doubt be apparent to all our regular readers that we at PaP have yet to produce a mock draft for the 2009 NFL draft, which takes place today at 8:30pm GMT (3.30pm ET).

This fact is largely because we hate being wrong, and with today’s news that Matt Stafford will indeed be the first overall pick in the draft, our chances of being right have skyrocketed.

Thus, we have decided to chuck in our two cents at the 11th-hour in the hope that we’re right. If we aren’t, our retractions can be swift and brutal. So, without further ado, here’s the PaP mock draft for 2009.

With the first overall pick, the Detroit Lions select Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia: This is a total lock and something we know will happen. Write it down folks, Stafford to the Lions.

With the second overall pick, the St. Louis Rams select Jason Smith, OT, Baylor: This pick makes total sense for the Rams. Alex Barron isn’t the answer at left tackle and with no Orlando Pace, Smith is his heir apparent.

With the third overall pick, the Kansas City Chiefs select Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia: The Chiefs do need help on the defensive front, but this is too high for Tyson Jackson (DE, LSU), for whom they wouldn’t mind trading down, and Aaron Curry has never played in the 3-4 defense before.

Pair Monroe with last year’s first-rounder Branden Albert, and the Chiefs can begin to repair their once-proud O-line.

With the fourth overall pick, the Seattle Seahawks select Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest: Lots of people have the ‘Hawks taking Mark Sanchez (QB, USC), but I can’t see them tying up that much money at one position with Sanchez and Hasselbeck.

My guess? The Chiefs started all the chatter about Seattle taking Sanchez so they could trade down. Curry makes this linebacking corps one of the best in the league.

With the fifth overall pick, the Cleveland Browns select Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas: The Browns are in dire need of a pass rusher and Orakpo is the best in the draft.

B.J. Raji (DT, Boston College) makes some sense but they already have Shaun Rogers and again, they won’t want to tie up that much money at one position.

With the sixth overall pick, the Cincinnati Bengals select Andre Smith, OT, Alabama: Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech) could be the pick here if Chad Ochocinco is traded, but as it stands, the Bengals need to get a running game and protect Carson Palmer. Were it not for off-the-field stuff, A.Smith would be the first tackle taken.

With the seventh overall pick, the Oakland Raiders select Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland: The Raiders do actually need a wideout but instead of taking the far superior Crabtree, Al Davis will insist (as always) on clocked speed. Heyward-Bey ran the fastest 40 at the combine, and he’s the pick due to Davis’ quite frankly mental draft strategy.

With the eighth overall pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech: If Crabtree is sitting there at eight, the Jags need to pick him. They have no legit offensive weapons apart from MoJo Drew, and Crabtree could be elite.

With the ninth overall pick, the Green Bay Packers select B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College: The Pack were horrible against the run in ’08 and they’re changing to the 3-4 defense. Raji is the only quality nose tackle available, and Green Bay would love him to be there.

With the 10th overall selection, the San Francisco 49ers select Mark Sanchez, QB, USC: If Sanchez slips to ten, the 49ers will jump on him at top speed. If someone jumps up to select Sanchez, they’ll look offensive tackle instead.

With the 11th overall selection, the Buffalo Bills select Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss: After trading Jason Peters to Philly, the Bills need a proper left tackle to replace him, and Oher is the last left tackle left in the draft. The pick makes itself.

With the 12th overall selection, the Denver Broncos select Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU: The Broncos have been awful against the run for some time, and the front seven figures to be their focus if they don’t trade up for Sanchez.

Jackson is the only true 3-4 defensive end in the draft, and the Broncs would leap at the chance to get him.

With the 13th overall selection, the Washington Redskins select Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee: After the mammoth acquisition of Albert Haynesworth, the ‘Skins need outside pass-rush help badly, and Ayers is the best DE available. Be warned ‘Skins fans, Snyder wants Mark Sanchez <gulp>.

With the 14th overall selection, the New Orleans Saints select Malcolm Jenkins, CB/S, Ohio State: The Saints’ pass D has been diabolical for years now, and Jenkins gives them the upgrade they so desperately need.

With the 15th overall selection, the Houston Texans select Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri: A bit of a surprise here, but if Maclin slips down to Houston, the thought of pairing him with Andre Johnson may be too tempting to pass up.

With the 16th overall selection, the San Diego Chargers select Rey Maualuga, LB, USC: The Bolts need middle linebacker help to take the heat off of Shawn Merriman and Shaun Phillips on the edges. Maualuga is a thumper who will remind them of Junior Seau.

With the 17th overall selection, the New York Jets select Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State: The J-E-T-S are in dire need of a future at QB, and Freeman is the last first-round signal-caller left on the board.

With the 18th overall selection, the Denver Broncos select Brian Cushing, LB, USC: After taking Jackson, Denver continues to rebuild its front seven with the athletic Cushing. Between the two of them, they should better the Broncos’ run D.

With the 19th overall selection, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss: The Bucs probably want Freeman, but if he’s gone, so Jerry gives them a disruptive interior force they’ve lacked since Warren Sapp left.

With the 20th overall selection, the Detroit Lions select Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DT, Missouri: This is a bit of reach, but since they traded Cory Redding to Seattle, Detroit needs a defensive tackle. Hood is the last good one available.

With the 21st overall selection, the Philadelphia Eagles select Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia: Personally, I think the Eagles should draft a receiver here like Percy Harvin (Florida), but it seems increasingly likely that Moreno is the pick. He’s super-quick and should be a nice compliment to Brian Westbrook.

With the 22nd overall selection, the Minnesota Vikings select Percy Harvin, WR, Florida: Harvin has had some off-the-field issues, but his gamebreaking ability can’t be overlooked. He’ll take the pressure off of Adrian Peterson and help the passing and return games.

With the 23rd overall seleciton, the New England Patriots select Clay Matthews, LB, USC: Matthews is a high-character, high-motor linebacker who can help Jerod Mayo galvanize what was an aging positional group.

With the 24th overall seleciton, the Atlanta Falcons select Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn. State: The Falcons lost Keith Brooking and Michael Boley in the offseason, and can use Maybin to rush the passer from multiple spots, including the now-depleted outside linebacker position.

With the 25th overall seleciton, the Miami Dolphins select Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers: The Fins need a complementing receiver to the speedy Ted Ginn who is now starting to emerge as a wideout. Britt is tall, strong and unafraid to make the tough catches in traffic.

With the 26th overall seletion, the Baltimore Ravens select Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois: Davis is another huge talent with off-the-field questions. The Ravens’ pass D broke down for much of last season, and they lost Corey Ivy in free agency. Davis is a great athlete who will instantly contribute in the nickel and dime packages.

With the 27th overall selection, the Indianapolis Colts select Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State: With all the top receivers gone, the Colts look elsewhere on offense. Joseph Addai had a bad year in ’08, and Wells is a bruising back who can complement Addai’s production.

With the 28th overall selection, the Buffalo Bills select Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State: If the Falcons hadn’t traded for Tony Gonzalez, they would have picked this guy, but instead the Bills get the best TE in the draft, whose size and speed combination could be deadly at the NFL level.

With the 29th overall selection, the New York Giants select Hakeem Nicks, WR, N.C. State: Since Plaxico Burress is no longer with the team, the G-men need a big target for Eli Manning. Nicks has got some of the best hands in the draft and has the frame to go up and grab the 50/50 jump balls.

With the 30th overall selection, the Tennessee Titans select Darius Butler, CB, UConn: The T’s need a wideout, but it’s not their style to draft one in the first round. They need D-line rotational help too, but there’s not much left. Thus, cornerback becomes the new priority. Butler is an athlete who will eventually replace Nick Harper.

With the 31st overall selection, the Arizona Cardinals select Donald Brown, RB, UConn: The Cards need to be able to run the ball better, and Edgerrin James is too old to be the answer here. Brown is an every-down back who can carry the load.

With the 32nd overall selection, the Pittsburgh Steelers select William Beatty, OT, UConn: Beatty becomes the third UConn player off the board in a row, and gives the Steel City help at tackle, where they just lost Marvel Smith.

 

So there it is, the PaP 11-th hour mock draft. Enjoy!

NFL Draft Live Blog

Fantasy Football Update: Tony Gonzalez Trade/Torry Holt and Tra Thomas Signing

by Derek of The Sportmeisters

Just days before the NFL Draft the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars have made moves that might affect the way they draft. What I am here to discuss today is the fantasy implications of those moves.

The Atlanta Falcons Trade 2010 Second Round Pick To The Kansas City Chiefs For TE Tony Gonzalez

WOW! This trade came out of nowhere. There have been rumors that Gonzalez has been asking for a trade for months now, but nothing was really ever said about it. Well, on Thursday he got his wish. This trade makes Atlanta’s offense an even bigger threat than it already was. Let’s see the guys that are affected by this move.

QB Matt Ryan – Ryan now has another weapon to throw to and, with a full offseason to get accustomed to each other, should develop a good rapport with Gonzalez.

I have yet to do actual rankings for this season’s fantasy draft, but this trade would put Matt Ryan up into my top 12 QBs, whereas, before the trade, he would have been outside my top 15. Ryan could be a nice sleeper to grab in the middle rounds.

RB Michael Turner – Turner was already a Top 10 RB, so this doesn’t really change his first round draft status, but it will help him improve his monster 2008 season by having one of the best blocking TE’s opening more holes or drawing the Safety out of the box, leaving only seven, instead of eight.

WR Roddy White – This is the guy that will move up the most on my draft board. White had a monster 2008 season and has proven himself to be an elite fantasy WR. Look for him to be one of the first WR’s taken in the second or third rounds.

WR Dwayne Bowe – This is the only guy that will be affected in Kansas City. Without Gonzalez, Bowe should see more balls thrown his way, especially with the new pass happy Offensive scheme of new Head Coach Todd Haley. Look for his draft status to rise, putting him in the fifth or sixth rounds.

TE Tony Gonzalez – Gonzalez would have been a top five TE anyway, but now, having a better Offense around him, he moves safely into my top three, behind only Jason Witten and Antonio Gates. Expect his draft status to stay around the sixth or seventh rounds.

The Jacksonville Jaguars Sign T Tra Thomas and WR Torry Holt

These moves look to be good ones for a team that had no real receiving threat last year and had the worst luck with an unhealthy O-Line. Let’s look at the fantasy implications of these moves.

QB David Garrard – Garrard gets a small boost from this, depending on if Holt can return to number ine WR form. He is still around number 15 on my board and this is without doing actual rankings.

Thomas will help keep Garrard off his back (he was sacked 42 times last year) and We will have to wait and see how Holt looks in OTA’s and Training Camp, so as of now, Garrard looks like a middle to late round sleeper/backup.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew – Jones-Drew already got a boost when the Jaguars released RB Fred Taylor and the signings of Thomas and Holt provide another. Thomas helps create holes for a team that was 18th in the NFL in Rushing. Look for MJD to be drafted very early, possibly in the first round.

WR Torry Holt – This all depends on his health. If Holt comes back to form, he could be a top tier fantasy WR. However, if he looks like he did last year, he will be just another bust. Wait and see how he looks in OTA’s and Training Camp before planning on drafting him and as of now, I would say he is a possible middle to late round sleeper.

Those are my thoughts on the latest news in the NFL. If you have any questions or just want to discuss anything about Fantasy Football, feel free to email me at Derek@Sportmeisters.com.

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