Saturday, April 24, 2010

My 2010 NFL Draft Grades

No. 1 St. Louis Rams


Sam Bradford/QB/Oklahoma


Grade: A


I think Bradford is a good QB and the Rams made the perfect choice.





No. 2 Detroit Lions


Ndamudong Suh/DT/Nebraska


Grade: A


The Lions liked him all along and got their anchor for their defensive line.





No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers


Gerald McCoy/DT/Oklahoma


Grade: A


McCoy will fit perfect in the Tampa 2 defense and he reminds some of Warren Sapp





No. 4 Washington Redskins


Trent Williams/OT/Oklahoma


Grade B+


I think Williams has more potential of being a star then Okung does but Williams is a bit of a project while Okung can start right a way with out giving it a second thought.





No. 5 Kansas City Chiefs



Eric Berry/FS/Tennessee



Grade A



Berry is the next safety to join the ranks of Palumalu, Reed and Sanders. Everyone knows that if your defense is dominate you usually have a dominate safety. The Chiefs picked Berry over Okung because Berry could change the Chiefs defense immediately into a formidable group.



No. 6 Seattle Seahawks



Russel Okung/OT/Oklahoma State



Grade: A+



It was a steal to get Okung here. Everyone thought he wouldn't make it past Washington but he did and the Seahawks have to be thrilled.



No. 7 Cleveland Browns



Joe Haden/CB/Florida



Grade: B-



I thought they should have gotten a play maker like Earl Thomas and although his poor combine performance didn't effect my view on him I still thought that the CB position should have been addressed later and that Thomas was the pick here.



No. 8 Oakland Raiders



Rolando McClain/ILB



Grade: A



The reason I am giving the Raiders an A is because they finally drafted a truly talented player instead of reaching for one who is only a body builder. All in all I think McClain is the perfect player for the Raiders and will fit in well.



No. 9 Buffalo Bills



C. J. Spiller/HB/Clemson



Grade: B+



I think Spiller will be a good player but still they either needed Jimmy Clausen or an offensive tackle. What is the use of drafting a running back if their is nothing to run behind.



No. 10 Jacksonville Jaguars



Tyson Alualu/DT/California



Grade: C



I think they badly needed a DT but Alualu is a reach here. They should have traded down and got some much needed pick then draft him. In my personal option I thought they should have jumped on the chance to get Earl Thomas.



No. 11 San Francisco 49ers

Anthony Davis/OT/Rutgers

Grade: B-

Davis is a project and the 49ers need help now. I would have picked a more polished Offensive lineman like Brian Bulaga since Bulaga can play both Right and Left tackle well. As for Davis he is more set up to be a left tackle which is something the 49ers didn't need since they already have a good left tackle.


No. 12 San Diego Chargers

Ryan Mathews/RB/Fresno State

Grade: B

I think Mathews could be a great player but the Chargers gave up to0 much to get him.


No. 13 Philadelphia Eagles

Brandon Graham/DE/Michigan

Grade: B

I think Graham is better suited for the 3-4 and the Eagles gave up too much to get a situational player.


No. 14 Seattle Seahawks

Earl Thomas/S/Texas

Grade: A

They got the best tackle with the 6th pick and now get a top ten player with the 14th pick. What a great draft for the Seahawks.


No. 15 New York Giants

Jason Pierre-Paul/DE/South Florida

Grade: C+

First of all the Giants needed help right away and it will take a while for Pierre-Paul to develop. Also they didn't exactly need a defensive lineman. They needed to address their linebacking core or their holes in the offensive line.


No. 16 Tennessee Titans

Derrick Morgan/DE/Georgia Tech

Grade: B+

The Titans got the most NFL ready DE in the draft and he can be an immediate impact for the Titans and help rebuild a once dominate defense.


No. 17 San Fransisco 49ers

Mike Iupati/OG/Idaho

Grade: B-

There is a good side and bad side to this pick. The bad side is that they needed defensive help and didn't get it and also Iupati will be a little bit of a project. For the good Iupati will help their running game big time and help Singletary play more of a hard nose offensive scheme.


No. 18 Pittsburgh Steelers

Maurkice Pouncey/C/Florida

Grade: B+

They needed to upgrade their offensive line and did so. I think in a couple of years Pouncey will be one of the best centers in the league.


No. 19 Atlanta Falcons

Sean Weatherspoon/LB/Missouri

Grade: B+

They needed a pass rusher but they decide to go with a pure talented defensive player in Weatherspoon. He is the most intelligent Linebacker in the draft, has good character, was a defensive captain for 4 years at Missouri, He can give the defense a block in the middle and be a leader for that Falcons defense.


No. 20 Houston Texans

Kereem Jackson/CB/Alabama

Grade: B

I think Kyle Wilson would have been a better pick but Jackson is certainly the safer one.


No. 21 Cincinnati Bengals

Jermaine Gresham/TE/Oklahoma

Grade: B

They need a threat over the middle and and Gresham can be that. Carson Palmer has to be thrilled with this pick.


No. 22 Denver Broncos

Demaryius Thomas/WR/Georgia Tech

Grade A-

I think Thomas was a great pick here. He will bring some good character to the team and I think he is a GREAT receiver. I think he has the potential to be the next Calvin Johnson.


No. 23 Green Bay Packers

Bryan Bulaga/OT/Iowa

Grade: A

Which good luck for the Packers that Bulaga fell to 23. He was a top ten tackle and the Packers get a steal here. He fits the Packer mold perfectly and after playing at Iowa he won't mind the cold.


No. 24 Dallas Cowboys

Dez Bryant/WR/Oklahoma State

Grade: B+

The only bad thing about this pick is Bryant's character, but beside that he is a great fit for the Cowboys. A steal here for Jerry Jones and a replacement for T. O.


No. 25 Denver Broncos

Tim Tebow/QB/Florida

Grade: B

I think he was pick a little high for a project but he bring great character, leadership and I think he could potentially be the next Elway.


No. 26 Arizona Cardinals

Dan Williams/DT/Tennessee

Grade: A-

The Cardinals should be thrilled Williams was here at this pick. I think Williams is the next Wilfork and those kind of players are few and far between.


No. 27 New England Patriots

Devin McCourty/CB/Rutgers

Grade:B

I like McCourty but Kindle or Kyle Wilson should have been the pick here. I do think McCourty can be a good shutdown corner but they needed a play maker like Wilson.


No. 28 Miami Dolphins

Jared Odrick/DT/Penn State

Grade: B+

They get additional picks and get a good player in Odrick.


No. 29 New York Jets

Kyle Wilson/CB/Boise State

Grade: B-

I think Wilson is a great player but they didn't need another corner after trading for one. You wonder if this means they don't think Cromartie can do the job.


No. 30 Detroit Lions

Javid Best/HB/California

Grade: B

I think there are some injury concerns but overall a good pick for the Lions to add some speed although I would have addressed the offensive line.


No. 31 Indianapolis Colts

Jerry Hughes/DE/TCU

Grade: C+

I didn't like this pick at all. They needed offensive lineman or a defensive tackle like Brian Price out of California. Instead they get a situational player who still has to develop.


No. 32 New Orleans Saints

Patrick Robinson/CB/Florida State

Grade: B-

Wasn't crazy about this pick but still they get someone to help stop the pass.

1st Round Picks Grade (Alex)

1. Rams: Sam Bradford QB/Oklahoma Grade: A+

2. Lions: Ndamukong Suh DT/Nebraska Grade: A

3. Bucs: Gerald McCoy DT/Oklahoma Grade: A+

4. Redskins: Trent Williams OT/Oklahoma Grade: B+

5. Chiefs: Eric Berry SS/Tennessee Grade:A-

6. Seahawks: Russell Okung OT/Oklahoma St Grade: A+

7. Browns: Joe Haden CB/Florida Grade: C+

8. Raiders: Rolando McClain ILB/Alabama Grade: C+

9. Bills: CJ Spiller HB/Clemson Grade: C-

10. Jaguars: Tyson Alualu DT/California Grade: B+

11. 49ers: Anthony Davis OT/Rutgers Grade: A

12. Chargers: Ryan Matthews HB/Fresno St Grade: B

13. Eagles: Brandon Graham DE/ Michigan Grade: C+

14. Seahawks: Earl Thomas SS/ Texas Grade: A-

15. Giants: Jason Pierre-Paul DE/South Florida Grade: C+

16. Titans: Derrick Morgan DE/Georgia Tech Grade:A

17. 49ers: Mike Iupati OT/ Idaho Grade: B+

18. Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey C/Florida Grade: B

19. Falcons: Sean Witherspoon LB/Missouri Grade: B+

20. Texans: Kareem Jackson CB/Alabama Grade: B+

21. Bengals: Jermaine Gresham TE/Oklahoma Grade: B

22. Broncos: Demaryius Thomas WR/Georgis Tech Grade: B+

23. Packers: Bryan Bulaga OT/Iowa Grade: A+

24. Cowboys: Dez Bryant WR/Oklahoma St Grade: A-

25. Broncos: Tim Tebow QB/Florida Grade: B+

26. Cardinals: Dan Williams DT/Tennessee Grade: B-

27. Patriots: Devin McCourty CB/Rutgers Grade: B-

28. Dolphins: Jared Odrick DT/Penn St Grade: B+

29. Jets: Kyle Wilson CB/Boise St Grade: C+

30. Lions: Jahvid Best RB/California Grade: B+

31. Colts: Jerry Hughes DE/TCU Grade: C-

32. Saints: Patrick Robinson CB/Florida St Grade: B-

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Draft News

The latest draft new is that the Pittsburgh Steelers are shopping 2 time Super Bowl Champion QB Ben Roethlisberger. They called the Rams, 49ers, Raiders, Bills and Browns but the only team in that list I really see having a possibility trading for Big Ben is the Oakland Raiders. Oakland has shown that they are not as worried about Off-field issue's as other teams are. Also he would fit the rough and tough mold of a Raider. He fits the Raiders perfectly and he wouldn't have to worry about his incident if he went to Oakland. May personal opinion is that Big Ben will be a Raider before the draft is finished so don't be surprise if Big Ben is in Black and Silver next season.

Another rumor is that the Browns are interested in trading for the No. 1 overall pick from the St. Louis Rams so that they can draft QB Sam Bradford. This would be a good trade for both teams. On the Rams point of view they get more picks and still can get Jimmy Clausen, who they like as well. As for the Browns they their franchise QB and can have him train under Jake Delhomme.

The Key pick in the draft at this point is the No. 5 pick of the draft which belongs to Kansas City. If KC goes Berry then a few teams that didn't think they'd get any offensive lineman at their pick will draft O-line instead of anything else. While if they pick an O-lineman the teams would have to pick someone else which would affect the later picks in the draft.

End of Poll

Who will the Rams draft with the first pick?

Ndamukong Suh DT/Nebraska (4 votes)

Sam Bradford QB/Oklahoma (6 votes)

There were nine other answers but none of them were voted on.

Friday, April 9, 2010

The End of the Philly/McNabb era!

The Philadelphia Eagles just traded their long time starting QB Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins for the No. 34 pick in this years draft and either another second or third in next years draft. McNabb was drafted with the No. 2 pick overall in the 1999 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

When going into College only Syracuse and Nebraska offered him a scholarship. He was leaning towards going to Nebraska because he relished the thought of being coach by Tom Osborne. He finally picked Syracuse because he wanted to prove he was a pocket passer and Nebraska didn't use their QB's in the pocket very often.

He was redshirted his freshman year and then had a brilliant career starting every game for the next four years. He was elected Big East player of the Decade and lead Syracuse to the Orange Bowl in his senior year.

McNabb was the second QB chosen in the draft behind Tim Couch in a draft that was thought to be the best QB draft since the famous 1982 draft. But out of the 5 QB's draft in the top 12 that year only McNabb and Daunte Culpepper went on to succeed and in 2006 McNabb was the only QB who was with the same team that drafted him.
His first start ever was against the Washington Redskins on November 14 1999 when McNabb led the Eagles to a 35-28 win. He was the first rookie quarterback to start for the Eagles since 1972.

In 2000 McNabb finished second in the voting for NFL MVP behind Marshall Faulk. He led the Eagles to the Playoffs that year and in the first game they took down the favored Buccaneers 21-3 before losing to the Giants 20-10. He also made the Pro Bowl in 2000 and was named the Most Valuable Player of 2000 by CBS Sports.

In 2001 McNabb led the Eagles to win the NFC East and led the Eagles to the NFC Championship where they lost to the highly favored Rams. McNabb earned his second trip to the Pro Bowl in 2001 and broke the Eagles record with 2 consecutive 3000 yard seasons.

In week 11 of the 2002 season McNabb was sacked by Cardinals Adrian Wilson and broke his fibula in three places. He was sidelined until the playoff where he led the Eagles to a 20-6 win over the Falcons. In the NFC Championship a still hurting McNabb was not able to lead the highly favored Eagles to a win over the Buccaneers with a 27-10 loss.
In 2003 dispute a slow start and one of the worst wide receiving core's in the NFL he led the Eagles to the NFC Championship again. During the game McNabb had to leave because of injury after being hit while laying on the ground by linebacker Will Witherspoon. The Eagles lost the game 14-3 for their third consecutive loss in the NFC Championship.

In 2004 the Eagles majorly upgraded their receiving core by adding wide receiver Terrel Owens. McNabb throw for 31 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions in the season with help from Terrel Owens who caught 14 touchdown passes. They finished the season 13-3 and was the No.1 seed in the NFC going into the playoffs. After wins against the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons in which Owens did not play in due to injury the Eagles advanced to Super Bowl XXXIX.

The Eagles now where set to play the 2001 and 2003 Super Bowl Champion Patriots led by young quarterback Tom Brady. McNabb how ever was never able to get things going with 3 interceptions although he also through for over 300 hundred yards and 3 touchdowns. The final interception came on a final second Hail Mary which ended the game with a 21-24 defeat.

In 2005 everything went wrong, Terrel Owens said he refused to speak to McNabb, then McNabb was injured half way throw the season and finished the 6-10 season on injured reserve.

In 2006 McNabb again was sidelined by injury for the season after a 5-5 start. Also the Eagles lost Wide Receiver Terrel Owens after a fight with Donavan McNabb. But backup quarterback Jeff Garcia won 5 of the remaining 6 games to led the Eagles to a 10-6 finish and won the NFC East Division. The Eagles beat the Giants in their first game but then went on to lose to the Saints in the Divisional round 27-24.

In 2007 Injury sideline McNabb again after a poor season. After a loss on Monday night to the Dallas Cowboys Pam Oliver reported that McNabb would not return to the Eagles in 2008. McNabb how ever stated that he would be in Philadelphia in 2008 and that 2007 second round draft pick Kevin Kolb would have to wait a little longer before taking the starting job.

In 2008 many controversial comments led to question of who was the Eagles starter. But McNabb showed he wasn't done with a great first game. He stayed solid for awhile then he had an awful game against the Bengals in a 13-13 tie where he throw a career high three interceptions. In the following game McNabb was benched after a bad start against the Ravens. This was the first time besides injury he had been benched. They Eagles decided to start McNabb the next game on Thanksgiving day where he rebounded in a 48-20 win over the eventual NFC Champion Cardinals. In the final game the Eagles faced the Cowboys in a game which who ever won would advance to the playoffs. McNabb led the Eagles to a 44-6 blowout of the Cowboys this was now the 6th time in 9 years McNabb had led the Eagles to the playoffs. In the NFC Wildcard game against the Minnesota Vikings McNabb led the 26-14 win. In the Divisional Playoff game the Eagles beat their NFC East rival and No. 1 seed in the NFC the New York Giants 23-11 to advance to the NFC Championship. But after a great comeback by the Eagles the Arizona passing attack responded with a last second touchdown in a 32-25 win over the Eagles.

In 2009 the Eagles further upgraded their receiving core by adding Missouri star wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to the current core with rising wide receiver DeSean Jackson and veteran Kevin Curtis. In the first game, after throwing for 2 touchdown and running for another, McNabb broke one of his ribs that kept him out in the following game against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Saints in which Kevin Kolb was named starter in McNabb's absents. Kolb did a good job but the Eagles could not keep up with the Saints passing attack. But in week 3 Kolb was able to led the Eagles to a win against the Kansas City Chiefs. The following week was the bye week and the following week McNabb was able to return to the starting lineup. Once again in the season final the who ever won the game won the division but the Eagles where not able to beat the Cowboys and fell to 11-5. In the first game of the playoffs the Eagles had to play the Cowboys in a rematch in which McNabb was not able to get anything going against the Cowboys in a 34-14 loss. After the game Head Coach Andy Reid stated that McNabb would be the starting Quarterback the next season.

In the off-season Coach Reid was a believer in McNabb but the front office decided to trade McNabb to the division rival Redskins.

So McNabb, who could some day be a Hall of Famer, now ends a brilliant career in Philadelphia and starts a new one in Washington.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Butler advances to their First Title Game

(5) Butler beats (5) Michigan State 52-50 in a last second thriller to give Butler their first ever Championship appearance.

Gordon Hayward leads the way with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

With the score 50-49 Michigan State's Draymond Green was driving to the basket when Gordon Hayward stepped in and made Green take and awkward shot which missed and was rebounded by Butler forcing Michigan State to foul. They hit both free pointers and finished off the game 52-50.

After being down by 3 with a minute left in the first half Shelvin Mack hit a 3 pointer to tie it at the half. In the second half Butlers offense slowed down but rebounded and their defense was great.

Michigan State's problem was foul trouble as their most electrifying player that game was Green who fouled out at the end of the game.

27 year old Butler coach Brad Stevens will now lead his Butler Bulldogs into the National Championship to play the winner of the West Virginia/Duke game.