Draft Notes

The NFL Draft is now only a week away, so I wanted to talk about a couple of topics concerning it.



The Broncos have been interviewing most of the QB’s that will be considered in the 1st to 2nd round. People are now starting to wonder if they will pick a Quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick. I think there is a possibility that Denver could although I think they should stick with Tebow. My theory is that if they let Tebow start this year and he fails then the Broncos can get Andrew Luck next year, who Elway originally wanted. If he succeeds then they have a franchise. Another option I think would be smart to do is trade down to either the 49ers or Titans pick (since both is interested in drafting Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert, who will most likely not get to their picks), that way they could pick up a couple of extra picks and still could probably get either Dareus or Fairley.



I think the Panthers probably pick Newton with the No. 1 overall pick. I personally don’t think Newton has the tools or character to become a franchise QB, but I think the Panthers will take the chance, because if he does do well they have a franchise QB and if he doesn’t, he still sells a lot of jerseys and give the Panthers needed exposure.



Someone most haven’t been talking a ton about is Blaine Gabbert. Most think he will be a top 5 pick but their still isn’t much buzz about him. I think Gabbert has the best work ethic of any other QB in this draft, while I think accuracy wise he is second behind Ryan Mallet. Of all the QB’s in this class I think he has one of the top 3 strongest arms and he doesn’t have character issues, which helps since most of the QB’s that are better in other areas have major question marks when it comes to character. I personally would take Gabbert in the 5-15 range, but I still think he is the best QB in the draft class and I wouldn’t take any of the other QB’s higher then the 15th pick. I think the main problem for Gabbert will be being accurate deep which, given the right coach, I think he can fix.



Here is my updated top QB’s in this class

1. Gabbert: Good arm strength, good accuracy, great character, great work ethic, good potential and played in a spread offense.

2. Mallet: Great arm strength, great accuracy, bad character, decent work ethic, great potential and played in a pro style offense.

3. Ponder: Decent arm strength, good accuracy, good character, good work ethic, good potential and played in a pro style offense.

4. Newton: Good arm strength, bad accuracy, bad character, decent work ethic, great potential and played in a spread offense.

5. Locker: Great arm strength, bad accuracy, great character, great work ethic, great potential and played in a pro style offense.

6. Dalton: Good arm strength, good accuracy, good character, good work ethic, good potential and played in a Spread/Pro Style offense.

7. Kapernick: Great arm strength, decent accuracy, good character, great work ethic, great potential and played in a pistol offense.

8. Stanzi: Decent arm strength, decent accuracy, good character, good work ethic, decent potential and played in a pro style offense.

My 2011 NFL Mock Draft

First Round




1. Panthers: Cam Newton/QB/Auburn: I personally am not a Newton fan, but that won’t stop Jerry Richardson from seeing that whether or not Newton does well, it will bring in a lot of fans and sell a ton of jerseys.



2. Broncos: Marcell Dareus/DT/Alabama: John Fox is a conservative coach and so he goes with a safe player in Dareus who he can build his defense around.



3. Bills: Blaine Gabbert/QB/Missouri: I know this sounds wired with Fitzpatrick just coming off a good season, but they draft C. J. Spiller when both Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson had been coming off good seasons. The Bills have been looking for the next Jim Kelly ever since he retired and I think Buffalo can’t get themselves to pass on another QB after the success that Sanchez, Flacco, Bradford and Ryan have had.



4. Bengals: Da’Quan Bowers/DE/Clemson: As I said before, it sound wired since they need a wideout, but this kind of thing always happens in the draft. The Bengals need a dominate defensive end to help their defense out and the Bengals will look past the injury issues.



5. Cardinals: Von Miller/OLB/Texas A&M: Don’t be surprised if the Cardinals make a trade for a veteran like Kolb or someone with this pick, but Miller will be hard to pass up and will be the perfect player for the Cardinals new defensive coordinator to build his Pittsburgh type defense around.



6. Browns: A. J. Green/WR/Georgia: I think Holmgren likes Robert Quinn, but with Green slipping this far they can’t pass on a future pro bowler. Colt McCoy needs some help and Green can provide that right away.



7. 49ers: Robert Quinn/OLB/North Carolina: They think about Patrick Peterson, but with one of the premiere pass rushers still on the board they go with Quinn.



8. Titans: Nick Fairley/DT/Auburn: They have been trying to replace Albert Hayesworth and I think Fairley is the closest player to him in this draft. They are some character issues with Fairley, but I think they Titans will hope he can get over them and that his former college “D” line coach (who is now with the Titans) will be able to get as much production out of him as he did in college.





9. Cowboys: Patrick Peterson/CB/LSU: The Cowboys will be trying to trade down so they can get an offensive lineman and pick up some extra picks and expect the Cowboys to get a lot for this pick if Peterson is still on the board. Meanwhile, if they can’t trade down I doubt Jerry Jones can pass on Peterson who in some people’s minds is the best player in the draft.





10. Redskins: Mark Ingram/HB/Alabama: Ingram will fit perfectly in Shanahan’s rushing attack and will give Washington a player to build around on the offense. This is kind of high for Ingram, but as I said before these things always happen in the draft.





11. Texans: Aldon Smith/OLB/Missouri: Smith will remind Wade Phillips to much of DeMarcus Ware and that is why is get him here at 11. Smith is a raw player but is already showing that, even before he has developed that he can play at a pro bowl level. I think the potential of Smith will, be too hard to pass up here.



12. Vikings: Cameron Jordon/DE/California: The Vikings will think Locker, but I think instead they replenish their defensive line and get a huge defensive end in Jordon, plus, some say he is one of the more NFL ready players in the draft.



13. Lions: Prince Amukamara/CB/Nebraska: The Lions get a Nebraska player last year and you saw how that worked out, so they go with another on this year and begin to finish their quick turnaround of their defense.



14. Rams: Julio Jones/WR/Alabama: The Rams want another pass rushing defensive end, but they can’t ignore Bradford’s need for some guys to catch the ball. It will be funny to see Oklahoma QB passing to a Alabama Wide receiver and then a Texas QB (Colt McCoy) passing to a Georgia Wide receiver.



15. Dolphins: Ryan Mallet/QB/Arkansas: The Dolphins need help at QB very badly, so the Dolphins will look past Mallet’s character issues and hope he gets past them and can become their next franchise QB.



16. Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan/DE/Purdue: The Jaguars like high motor players and that is exactly what they will get in Kerrigan. They started the revamping of their defensive line last year and will finish it off this year.



17. Patriots (from Raiders): J. J. Watt/DE/Wisconsin: I think the Patriots will look to draft down here, but if they can’t, with their effort to build a blue collar defense Watt will fit in perfectly.



18. Chargers: Anthony Castonzo/OT/Boston College: The Chargers are looking for some extra pass rush but with all the better defense ends and outside linebackers gone at this time they decide to upgrade their offensive line and give Phillip Rivers even more time to tarn defenses apart.



19. Giants: Tyron Smith/OT/USC: Eli Manning needs help and they will bring smith in to give Manning a little more time in the pocket to hopefully cut down on his interceptions.



20. Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn/DE/Iowa: Clayborn will be a perfect fit for the Buccaneers and add yet another talented young player to their roster. Clayborn would have been a top ten pick if not for his injuries, so the so the Buccaneers will be thrilled to get him here.



21. Chiefs: Gabe Carimi/OT/Wisconsin: The Chiefs may go with a pass rusher here but with the improvement of Matt Cassel and with the No.1 rushing game in the league the Chiefs will want to continue that success and add another big guy to their offensive line.



22. Colts: Nate Solder/OT/Colorado: The Colts have been looking for a franchise left tackle ever since Glenn left and they will try to see if they can develop Solder into that guy to keep Manning upright.



23. Eagles: Mike Pouncey/OL/Florida: With the Eagles choosing to stick with Vick, they will need more guys to help Vick from getting banged up like he did last season. Jamaal Jackson has not played a full season in a long time and the Eagles will hope Pouncey will have as much success as his brother across the state.



24. Saints: Akeem Ayers/OLB/UCLA: The Saints need a linebacker and Ayers can be both a coverage linebacker and a pass rushing one, which will be nice for Greg Williams to get a versatile player.



25. Seahawks: Corey Liuget/DT/Illinois: The Seahawks need more help on the defensive line and with the news of Matt Hasselbeck wanting to return that will stop the Seahawks from at lease drafting a QB in the first round.



26. Ravens: Jimmy Smith/CB/Colorado: I think it will be a battle between Smith and Texas CB Aaron Williams, but I think Smith has too much potential to pass up.



27. Falcons: Torey Smith/WR/Maryland: Smith has great speed and can play in the slot or kick out to the No. 2 receiver spot. The Falcons need some more speed on the offense and Smith can bring that. Also the Falcons are another team that could go Aaron Williams.



28. Patriots: Danny Watkins/OL/Baylor: I think the Patriots will try to trade down one again here, but if they can’t Watkins would be the perfect player to step in immediately and play any position on the offensive line.



29. Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson/DE/Temple: The Jets need some more big men and some more pass rusher and Wilkerson can do both. Rex Ryan could look at an outside linebacker here, but there aren’t really any huge prospects here.



30. Bears: Derrek Sherrod/OT/Mississippi State: The Bears need someone to protect Jay Cutler so they get Sherrod here who I think it a bit of a reach here in the draft, but they need one too bad to pass on him.



31. Steelers: Aaron Williams/CB/Texas: Williams can play multiple positions which will be perfect for the Steelers defense. Ike Taylor is getting older so they need all the help they can get.



32. Packers: Justin Houston/OLB/Georgia: I think the Packers will try to trade down to a team trying to get a QB, but if they can’t Houston will still be a nice player to put opposite Clay Matthews.

Note: These are not the players I think they should draft, but the players I think they will draft.

What's the hype?

Everyone is totally in love with Cam Newton and personally I can’t see why. If you look at last years class Tim Tebow was practically a clone of Newton except Tebow didn’t like to cheat. But then everyone said he was only worth 3rd or 4th round pick, while they think Newton is a top ten pick. The only guy that put Newton in that range was former Houston GM Charlie Casserly, who said he wouldn’t draft Newton till the mid 4th round. If you look at Newton he has arm strength and is a good runner, but what QB coming out of college doesn’t?



The key to being a good NFL player is accuracy, you look at Sam Bradford from last year and her was known for being accurate, as was Matt Ryan. Then you look at the strong armed and good runners that came out and you have guys like JaMarcus Russell and Achilles Smith, to only mention a few. I think another problem with Newton is that he was only in College for a year and Achilles Smith was also a one year wonder in college. I think if Newton would have stayed in college for longer teams would have figured him out and slowed him down.



I personally think that out of all the dual threat QB’s that have come out over the past 3 or 4 years the only one I’d say has potential to maybe turn it around is Vince Young and that is because he has nice accuracy. Another thing to look at is how many dual threat QB’s have won super bowls and that number is ZERO. Donovan McNabb was the only one to get their and he still wasn’t able to win it. Many look at Josh Freeman as an example of a good dual threat QB that is succeeding in the NFL, but how often does Freeman run? Not very often.



Another thing that isn’t in Newton's favor is his character issues. First he was dismissed from the University of Florida for stealing a students laptop and then through it out the window when the police came to arrest him. Then when he was being recruited but Mississippi State his fathers asked for 250,000 dollars, but Mississippi State refused, so Newton went to Auburn. Some say he didn’t know anything about it, but how can your favorite school give you a scholarship and then it just happened that Newton decided to go to Auburn right after they refused to give his father the money?



I think if people wanted to say that Tebow was a 4th round pick then they need to say that Newton is, because Tebow showed he was a consistent winner for 3 years and he showed he has character, both of which Newton does not have.

Gabbert's Pro Day Report

Blaine Gabbert needed a good pro day at Missouri to assure scouts’ that he was the best QB in the draft and that is exactly what he did. Gabbert had by far the best pro day for a quarterback this year and only had one uncatchable ball in his fifty attempts, while Cam Newton had eight. He also showed of his footwork, as well as his arm strength.

In attendance at his pro day was the Lions GM, the 49ers GM, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, Titans GM, Titans Head Coach Mike Munchak, Titans offensive coordinator, Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier, Bills GM and Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan to only name a few. The word from his pro day so far is that he majorly impressed everyone and that a lot of the coach’s and GM’s present, said they were changing their plans to say longer in Columbia, Missouri so that they would be able to spend more time with Gabbert.

There is also news that the Panthers may be open to trade their number one overall selection to be able to compile some more draft picks, this meaning that if a team with a later pick wanted to move up to take Gabbert that would be possible.

Super Bowl Champs!

     The Green Bay Packers become the 2010 NFL Champions with their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. After finishing the season with a 10-6 record they made the playoffs as a Wildcard team. They drove all the way through the playoffs to face the Steelers in the Championship who had also won the Super Bowl as a Wildcard team in 2005. The Steelers were attempting to get their 7th Super Bowl win in the teams history and the Packers their 4th.

     The game with both teams having the ball once but both couldn't score. Then after the Steelers punted the ball back to the Packers Aaron Rogers led them down the field and took the led on a 29 yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson to go up 7-0. The Packers then Kicked the ball of and a few plays later Steelers Quarterback Ben Rothlisberger was intercepted by Packers safety Nick Collins who returned the ball 37 yards for the Touchdown putting Green Bay up 14-0 with 3:20 left in the 1st quarter.

     During the early moments of the second quarter the Steelers were able to get on the board with a Shaun Suisham field goal to make the score 14-3. The Packers quickly responded by adding another touchdown with a 21 yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings to make the score 21-3. The Steelers got the ball and in the closing moments of the 1st half drove down the field and scored on a 8 yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward making the Halftime score 21-10.

     The Steelers scored a touchdown early in the third quarter to make the score 21-17 and closing the Packers lead to 4 points.

     The Packers finally answered the Steelers score early in the fourth quarter with a score of their own on a 8 yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings to give Green Bay Quarterback Aaron Rogers 3 touchdown on the game and making the score 28-17. The Steelers wouldn't go away though and scored a touchdown on a long 25 yard pass to Mike Wallace, then the Steelers went for the two point conversation and completed it with a 2 yard run from Antwaan Randel El to make the score 28-25.

     The Packers then conducted a long drive which ended with a field goal to increase the Packers lead 31-25. The Steelers then drove down the field but in the end was not able to get a first down and keep the drive alive giving the Packers a 31-25 win.

     The Steelers suffered from bad plays with Roethlisberger through two interception and Halfback Rashard Mendenhall was stripped on the ball on the Packers 31 yard line. The Packers had their share of scares as All-Pro Cornerback Charles Woodson was taking to the locker room before halftime and was not able to return the game. The young corners for the Packers played extremely well and held Roethlisberger back without their best defensive player on the field.

     Aaron Rogers was also able to get rid of the conversation that he won't be able to fill Brett Favre's shoes after his departure from Green Bay in 2007. Rogers has now won the same amount of Super Bowl's as Brett Favre did and is in prime position to win many more.

     The Packers were many people's preseason favorite to win the Super Bowl but after a season filled with injuries, with Quarterback Aaron Rogers suffering two concussions and the Packers leading rusher Ryan Grant and many others being injured and ruled out for the entire season, the Packers were able to redeem the team potential in the postseason with a Super Bowl win. After all it doesn't matter how you start but how you finish. 

Draft Chatter

     Well the NFL draft is around the corner and although the NFL has started the lockout the draft will still go on. Now that most pro days are over for most of the high profile players (that is except for top QB Blaine Gabbert from Missouri who will conduct his on March 17) we have are beginning to see how the draft may turn out.

     Most are saying at the moment that Blaine Gabbert is the best QB, although QB Cam Newton out of Auburn has impressed many with his talents, but the question is still with his accuracy, character issues and playing the spread offense in college. The other QB's also have some of the same issues with Washington's QB Jake Locker not being extremely accurate, Arkansas's QB Ryan Mallet having character issues and Missouri's Blaine Gabbert coming out of the spread offense. The problem with Newton is that he shows great potential but instead of having one problem like most on the board he has all three. Also the spread he ran in college was more run based while Gabbert's was more pass based.



left to right: Gabbert, Newton, Locker and Mallet



     Gabbert meanwhile is considered very accurate, has good character and has the football IQ and work ethic to be able to convert to the NFL pro style offense, but some still have questions about how he handles Important moments in games and weather he can lead the team in a comeback when the pressure is on. Mallet meanwhile has defiantly the best arm of the class and used the pro style offense in College, but many people think he won't be able to be the leader on the team and the face of the franchise, as well as not making good decisions in the pocket when under pressure. Locker has a good arm decent accuracy and played a pro style offense in college, but scouts don't like how his accuracy is not very good in the pocket and he looks to run the ball before finishing his reads.

     The defensive class this year is very deep and has a very good class of defensive lineman such as Marcell Dareus out of Alabama, Da'Quan Bowers out of Clemson, Von Miller out of Texas A&M, Robert Quinn out of North Carolina and Nick Fairley out of Auburn to just mention a few.

     There are also some top notch cornerbacks in Patrick Peterson out of LSU and Prince Amukamara out of Nebraska. The linebacker class is a little shallow as is the offensive line class with no real standouts in those positions. The wide receiver class only has two big time receivers in A. J. Green out of Georgia and Julio Jones out of Alabama but it has great value in the later rounds.

Eventful January

Well, as most of you saw the Packers beat the Steelers in the Super Bowl and it was quite the exciting game. I am sorry I haven't been able to post in a long time. We have been traveling and I just haven't found the time to post. I will try to catch up with our Playoff predictions and Final Power Rankings as soon as possible, as well as a NFL Mock draft I am working on.