Thursday, April 29, 2010

Drew Brees Is Awesome

OK, I know we're not exactly breaking news or giving hard hitting opinion with this article - but, I came across a couple sweet videos about the reigning Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees that are worth seeing. And, what the heck, since I'm a Saints fan and I am still basking in the glow of the Super Bowl XLIV victory... why couldn't I just put together an article featuring the divine revelation that is Drew Brees.

First, here's the highlights from the Super Bowl where he tied a record for completions including going 29/32 in the last 3 quarters and 7/7 on the final drive to 7 different receivers.
Yes, he's an accurate quarterback. But, how accurate is he? This is a mind-blowing Sport Science clip that shows the amazing precision in which Drew Brees can throw a football, even more accurate than Olympic archers. Wait, sorry, my high school Physics teacher would scold me for confusing precision and accuracy. What I mean to say is he is both accurate, and precise! Wow, I'm a nerd. I feel like the Alton Brown of sports blogging.

Yes, obviously the guy is a great QB, yada yada yada. We knew that, but did we know Drew Brees could do this...

Or this...
Home runs from both sides of the plate! He beat Andy Roddick in tennis as a youngster, he can dunk a ball over the goal posts, he can outdo Olympic athletes, and now this?

What's next for this guy? He's already known for his work on and off the field. He's got a trophy wife and what the nation considers to be the cutest kid in the universe. Hello, he led the Saints to the Super Bowl title for God's sake! Now he's taking on the Madden Curse. The SI jinx was nothing for this guy, the Madden Curse will be like a walk in Audubon Park. My bet is that he'll be able to break it pretty easily... and by that I'm hoping that he overcomes the jinx that I just put on him. Perhaps that nickname of Breesus is really justified.

Well... I take that back... he can truly earn that nickname when he leads the Cubs to a World Series title, then we'll know he's the second coming and the apocalypse is near. 2012 is right around the corner you know and let's face it, they can use a switch hitter in the middle of the lineup...

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Special Comment: Dez's Momma

You are an NFL team being visited by one of the top receivers in the upcoming draft and being a position of need, you are interested in said player. You want to know his vitals, measurables, stats and knowledge of the position. Additionally, if you are Jeff Ireland, GM of the Miami Dolphins, you want to know if his mother was a former prostitute because OBVIOUSLY, that can effect his ability to go up and get a pass or run a crossing route across the middle against linebackers and safeties. I mean look at the logic; Jerry Rice's mother, assumingly, was never a prostitute and he is a Hall of Famer. The same for Irvin, Swann, Warfield, Larg...wait.

What about Quincy Morgan, Kevin Johnson or Andre King of the Browns? They failed so their mother's must have been prostitutes, right? That is the reason why Jeff Ireland asked that quesiton; if your momma is on the corner waiving down "Johns" then you can't be a good NFL receiver.

I hope by now you are able to recognize the utter sarcasm in the above paragraphs. This is so insanely stupid and baffling by Jeff Ireland. He says, "My job is to find out as much information I can about a player before drafting him". So, what does his mother possibly being a prostitute have to do with anything? What correlation is there between Bryant being suspended for having contact with Primetime and his mother being a prostitute? Nothing. Nada.

The suspension Dez Bryant underwent while at Oklahoma State had everything to do with his off-field troubles revolving around a mistake due to a dinner with Deion Sanders and the NCAA wanting to make an example of him. But for some reason with Bryant, his past, his mom, his character "issues" have been magnified to the point of ridiculousness. Bryant hasn't been accused of any crime, never been implicated in a sexual assault, never been imprisoned because of drug trafficking, never been convicted of dogfighting, never been arrested for DUI, never had an issue with guns like a lot of other NFL players.

He also never was involved in an academic scandal, stole laptops, punched a guy on the field after the game, pleaded guilty to assault, shaved points, or been involved in some sort of Hatfield and McCoy war with the Ok St basketball team like some college athletes have. So why is Dez Bryant subject to character scrutiny of unheard of levels? And why is he asked about his mom being a prostitute?

The pre-draft interviews are a job interview for these guys and can potentially cost them millions of dollars if they do poorly. Much like the real world; if you were applying for a job as an accountant and your future boss asked if your mother was a prostitute, that would be a violation of law and the boss would be severely reprimanded. But this is where the Shield is different. Will Ireland be disciplined by the Dolphins or the league? I don't think so. Why? The image factor.

The league, after Pacman Jones, Big Ben, and Vick ran rickshaw over the conduct policy, is trying to reform it's image. They want more Tebows and less Bens, and I think this mindset is why Ireland felt the need to ask such a question. The paranoia over the conduct policy and Dez Bryant as an accused diva wide receiver with a troubled past is making teams do unusual things; like asking if your mother was a former prostitute.

Was race a factor? Don't go there. This had nothing to do with Dez being black and had all to do with his NCAA suspension and a hyper-sensitization of league personnel due to all of the recent scandal and the NFL's conduct policy. Tim Tebow would never be asked this; neither would Gerald McCoy. Only because of Dez's suspension, rumor mongering, and sensationalism was he asked this insane, idiotic, and inappropriate question. But Dez Bryant's situation speaks to a larger, systemic problem within the league when a guy like Ben Roethlisberger can consistently have run-ins with the law and have his team stand by him... and a guy like Dez Bryant is given a career black mark even before he plays an NFL down.

SHAME ON YOU, Mr. Ireland, SIR.. and shame on the NFL! Your ineptitude is indeed apparent in this situation, and it must make me wonder; is your mother a prostitute?

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

RSS Quick Hit: Big Ben's Brain



Much has been made about the suspension of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, its fairness, its impact on the Steelers and the youth of our nation. However, one new angle on Big Ben's suspension, and the root of its cause, made us at RSS almost fall out of our chair. In Sunday's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review an article appeared, which, at least threw out the theory, that Big Ben's deplorable behavior might not be a flaw in his character...but alas, a flaw with his brain.

You see, the article, which interviewed several medical "experts" at least suggests that Big Ben's history of concussions might be responsible for his poor judgement, and "the inhibition that keeps most others from displaying inappropriate social behavior". Why do I feel like the "experts" asked about a link between Big Ben's concussions and allegations of sexual abuse have a lot in common with this guy...



Now, don't get me wrong. Concussions are an absolutely serious problem in all of sports, the NFL especially. The tragic cases of Mike Webster and Andre Waters among others shows there is a definite link to multiple concussions and serious medical issues. But, trying to explain Big Ben's drunken rendezvous with college coeds is a bridge too far. To group such poor behavior by the face of the Steelers with a serious medical condition is ludicrous and is only meant to protect Big Ben's image. It's much kinder for NFL fans to think of Big Ben's behavior as a side effect of getting hit too much in the head than the simple truth that he might just be an immature, entitled pro athlete.

This isn't a new phenomenon, but it is recent. Just look at the cases of Steve Phillips and Tiger Woods. Steve Phillips wasn't just a creepy old guy who wanted to have some fun with a 22-year old production assistant, he was a sex addict.

Tiger Woods wasn't a poor family man who had to have sex with over a dozen mistresses, he's a sex addict. It's too hard for public figures these days to actually admit they were wrong, or admit they aren't the person many people thought. Instead, there must be some type of label that can explain away the behavior, and soften the blow. It's pathetic.

In the case of Roethlisberger, his constant "behavioral issues" aren't a new phenomenon. Anybody stupid/arrogant enough to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, or have a bodyguard drag a girl to a bathroom shows that he doesn't think the rules of society apply to him. Dating back to his days at Miami (OH), Big Ben has had stories told of his poor treatment of women and elevated treatment of himself. Look, if you live in Ohio, someone knows someone who has a Big Ben story...and where there's smoke, there's fire. If all the Deadspin/TMZ rumors are believed to be true, Big Ben's morals and attitude might be in question, but not his mental health. Sure, I may be proven wrong, but if that's the case, as the great Jerry Glanville once said, I'll be selling groceries.

Do you agree with our analysis of Big Ben's brain? Let us know by leaving a comment. And while you're here, feel free to peruse all of our draft coverage from the past week. Also stay tuned as we shift into full gear for the NBA and NHL Playoffs with our Round 2 Resets. Until next time, it's bye for now!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

2010 NFL Draft Grades - NFC

Our last act in covering the 2010 NFL Draft will be to hand out draft grades. A lot of folks say that it's stupid to grade drafts now. Let me tell you something - that sentiment is stupid. We live in a world of now! I want to know how these teams did the day after and so did you. Of course, we won't know the true impact of these picks for a few years, but we can at least guess (that's what we're supposed to do, right?). So, our Draft Grades will break down like this:

A - great job with most of your picks, multiple impact players that addressed areas of need
B - got good value in picks with either the best player available or players that can see the field early and often, made the most of your picks
C - some hits and some misses, leave you saying eh
D - made an ok pick here and there, but reached and/or didn't fill any needs
F - massive reaches, bad deals, missed opportunities, bad fits - your dog could have picked better

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys
1st Round Pick - Dez Bryant (WR-Oklahoma State)
Notable Pick - Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (4th, CB-Indiana...PA)
-The Cowboys made one of the flashiest moves of the draft by trading up for Dez Bryant. He instantly adds more glitz, glamour, and controversy to the Cowboys... like they were lacking in those areas. Sean Lee can also fit in on the inside of the 3-4. The Cowboys didn't have that many picks, but they seemed to make the most of them.
GRADE: B

NY Giants
1st Round Pick - Jason Pierre-Paul (DE-South Florida)
Notable Pick - Chad Jones (3rd, S-LSU)
-The G-Men needed a MLB in the worst way. They got one... in the 4th Round. Ehh. They also picked boom or bust prospect Jason Pierre-Paul. But, the Back 7 is where the Giants needed help, not on the edge where Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyora, and Mathias Kiwanuka reside. Others may consider New York's draft stellar, but I don't see it. Even if JPP blossoms, there are still many questions for this defense.
GRADE: C

Philadelphia Eagles
1st Round Pick - Brandon Graham (OLB/DE-Michigan)
Notable Pick - Nate Allen (2nd, S-South Florida)
-Philly had a whopping 13 picks! While it's insane to expect most of them to develop into anything special, there might be a few gems in this class. When the Eagles traded up in R1 we thought it was for a safety - it ended up being DE/OLB Brandon Graham. But, the Eagles got that S in R2 with Nate Allen. The later rounds are littered with role players that can find a place in this squad - Trevard Lindley, Mike Kafka, Riley Cooper, and Charles Scott.
GRADE: A-

Washington Redskins
1st Round Pick - Trent Williams (T-Oklahoma)
Notable Pick - Perry Riley (4th, LB-LSU)
-In just these draft picks, the Redskins didn't have too much to work with. We'll give them props for the first guy in recent memory to have his nickname included in the draft announcement with Trent "Silverback" Williams. If you include Donovan McNabb with these guys, then the grade goes way up. He should thank the Skins brass for making the safe pick and providing him with at least one competent lineman.
GRADE: B

NFC North

Chicago Bears
1st Pick (#75) - Major Wright (S-Florida)
Notable Pick - Dan LeFevour (6th, QB-Central Michigan)
-For once, the Bears maximized their mid-round draft picks by taking players at need positions and selecting players who weren't developmental projects. In fact, some of their picks reminded me of the best Bears draft picks of the last 15 years. Major Wright has already gotten many comparisons to former S Mike Brown and Corey Wootton is finally an inspired selection at DE, along the lines of Alex Brown. Their latter-round picks also aren't throwaways with CMU QB Dan LeFevour, a great value in the 6th round who can learn under Mike Martz and T J'Marcus Webb picked in the 7th round knocked out OL Coach Mike Tice's tooth in a private workout! Adding draft picks who can contribute immediately with free agent signings, the Bears maximized what little value they had in this year's draft.
Grade: B+

Detroit Lions
1st Round Pick - Ndamukong Suh (DT-Nebraska) & Javhid Best (RB-Cal)
Notable Pick - Mr. Irrelevant Tim Toone (7th, WR-Weber State)
-The Lions might have only got 2 or 3 impact players from this year's draft, but they'll have a huge impact nonetheless. None more so of course than the most dominant college defender in the last 5 years - Ndamukong Suh. Suh instantly improves Detroit, and so does Cal dynamo Javhid Best. Best won't be asked to carry the load, which will suit him just fine. The rest of the Lions draft isn't much to write home about, but their first 2 picks certainly are.
GRADE: B

Green Bay Packers
1st Round Pick - Bryan Bulaga (T-Iowa)
Notable Pick - Morgan Burnett (3rd, S-GT)
-Everybody slobbering over Bryan Bulaga being a "natural" Packer is forgetting one thing - he fell for a reason. Yes, he presents good value, but this isn't someone that dropped because of character concerns, but on-field issues. Their 2nd Rounder Mike Neal was a big reach, and Morgan Burnett was a nice pick in R3. Watch out for Mel Kiper fav James Starks from Buffalo as a surprise revelation.
GRADE: C+

Minnesota Vikings
1st Pick (#34) - Chris Cook (CB-Virginia)
Notable Pick - Toby Gerhart (2nd, RB-Stanford)
-The Vikings blew a chance to get an apprentice for Brett Favre, and they traded out of R1 and lost out on the corners with 1st round grades. They ended up getting poor value with Chris Cook and then made a puzzling pick w/ Toby Gerhart. Gerhart offers no complement to Adrian Peterson except being bigger and being a poorer pass catcher. Everson Griffen was a value pick, but again, hard to see him on the field much behind Jared Allen and Ray Edwards.
GRADE: D

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons
1st Round Pick - Sean Weatherspoon (LB-Missouri)
Notable Pick - Mike Johnson (3rd, G-Alabama)
-I like the Falcons picks. I'm not raving about them, but I like them. Weatherspoon is the best OLB in the draft, 2nd rounder Corey Peters helps the DL rotation, and Mike Johnson can be the Falcons' answer for Jahri Evans and should be a solid starter in the league. Two late round Big XII picks - Kerry Meier and Dominique Franks could also bloom.
GRADE: B

Carolina Panthers
1st Pick (#48) - Jimmy Clausen (QB-Notre Dame)
Notable Pick - Greg Hardy (6th, DE-Ole Miss)
-Making the most of your picks is exactly what Carolina did with Jimmy Clausen falling into their laps at #48. They pay a 1st Round talent who is a pro-ready QB 2nd Round money. Sure, his character might ensure he does no more in the league than Brady Quinn, but at #48 it's still a great or lucky pick. Panther fans should also be juiced about SECers Brandon Lafell, Eric Norwood, and Greg Hardy. However, this draft is brought down a letter grade by a wasted pick on trying to catch lightning in a bottle with App St QB/WR Armanti Edwards and the redundant pick of Cincy QB Tony Pike.
GRADE: B-

New Orleans Saints
1st Round Pick - Patrick Robinson (CB-Florida State)
Notable Pick - Al Woods (4th, DT-LSU)
-For many years I've seen the Saints pick the best player available, and they did it again this year. However, the 2010 draft might have been one trip to the well too many. The Saints are already 4 deep at CB and T, and yet that's where they went in Rounds 1 & 2 with Patrick Robinson and Charles Brown. TE Jimmy Graham and C Matt Tennant are also players picked with an eye towards the future. The track record for the Super Bowl Champs is that these players will end up being big time players like other BPAs (Will Smith, Deuce McAllister, Robert Meachem) - but there will be minimal impact this season except from LSU DT Al Woods. The feeling of Saints fans is very wait and see with this draft. Oh well, I'll just pop in my Super Bowl Highlight Tape and get over it.
GRADE: C+

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1st Round Pick - Gerald McCoy (DT-Oklahmoa)
Notable Pick - Arrelious Benn (2nd, WR-Illinois)
-Tampa Bay had one of the Top 5 Drafts in the league. Championships are built from the inside out, and the Bucs have replaced their poo poo platter in the middle of the defense with two bonafide studs in McCoy and Brian Price. They also drafted Arrelious Benn, who could very well end up being the next Anquan Boldin as a big, physical receiver drafted in the 2nd round. Remember, Benn was a potential high first-round pick until nagging injuries and terrible QB play spoiled his last season at Illinois.
GRADE: A-

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals
1st Round Pick - Dan Williams (DT-Tennessee)
Notable Pick - O'Brien Schofield (4th, OLB/DE-Wisconsin)
-Arizona was one of the teams that got lucky with Dan Williams, regarded as the best DT in this class, falling to them near the end of R1. However, the wise picks didn't stop there: TCU LB Daryl Washington, Citadel WR Andre Roberts, and Wisconsin OLB O'Brien Schofield are all solid selections. Overall, a nice showing from the Cards... although Matt Leinart is still no sure thing at QB these days. Let the John Skelton Era begin!!
GRADE: B

St. Louis Rams
1st Round Pick - Sam Bradford (QB-Oklahoma)
Notable Pick - Mardy Gilyard (4th, WR-Cincinnati)
-The Rams held their pick at every spot in this draft. They filled needs at QB, T, and WR on offense. But... you're left with this feeling that the Rams could have done more in trading down from their perch on either Day 2 or 3 to pick up extra picks. In holding serve, the Rams did enough to walk away feeling good... but they could have made some more moves.
GRADE: B-

San Francisco 49ers
1st Round Pick - Anthony Davis (T-Rutgers) & Mike Iupati (G-Idaho)
Notable Pick - Taylor Mays (2nd, S-USC)
-SF did what they needed to do - bolster their offensive line with two steady 1st Rounders. But, the noisemaker in this class is Taylor Mays, already taking verbal shots at his old head coach and new division rival. A couple others to keep an eye on are massive Miss St. RB Anthony Dixon and PSU LB Navarro Bowman. SF continues the strong drafting done by NFC West teams.
GRADE: A-

Seattle Seahawks
1st Round Pick - Russell Okung (T-Oklahoma State) & Earl Thomas (S-Texas)
Notable Pick - Golden Tate (2nd, WR-Notre Dame)
-But, with all of these strong classes, Seattle is without a doubt the best. The Seahawks are a near-unanimous choice as the best draft in 2010. With the additions of Leon Washington and LenDale White in the backfield, this is an easy A. Thomas, Okung, and Tate could end up being the elite players at their position from these rookies. The only question left... will this draft class be enough to overcome the anointing of Charlie Whitehurst as franchise QB?
GRADE: A



2010 NFL Draft Grades - AFC

Our last act in covering the 2010 NFL Draft will be to hand out draft grades. A lot of folks say that it's stupid to grade drafts now. Let me tell you something - that sentiment is stupid. We live in a world of now! I want to know how these teams did the day after and so did you. Of course, we won't know the true impact of these picks for a few years, but we can at least guess (that's what we're supposed to do, right?). So, our Draft Grades will break down like this:

A - great job with most of your picks, multiple impact players that addressed areas of need
B - got good value in picks with either the best player available or players that can see the field early and often, made the most of your picks
C - some hits and some misses, leave you saying eh
D - made an ok pick here and there, but reached and/or didn't fill any needs
F - massive reaches, bad deals, missed opportunities, bad fits - Matt Millen could have picked better

AFC East

Buffalo Bills
1st Round Pick - C.J. Spiller (RB-Clemson)
Notable Pick - Terrell Troup (2nd, DT-UCF)
-Buffalo did a poor, poor job with this draft. I like CJ Spiller, but he does not fill an area of need. Their 2nd pick Terrell Troup was a reach, and there is nothing about the other picks that say, hey that's the guy that's going to turn this team around! Worst of all, Buffalo passed multiple opportunities to take a legit QB in Colt McCoy or Jimmy Clausen. Oh well, at least they'll have a chance to take Jake Locker next year.
GRADE: D-

Miami Dolphins
1st Round Pick - Jared Odrick (DT-Penn State)
Notable Pick - Koa Misi (2nd, DE/OLB-Utah)
-Miami traded down 16 spots in R1 to select Odrick, who will most likely fill in at DE in the 3-4. Misi will be the one from this draft class seen to provide a pass rush for the Dolphins defense. Let's face it, this offseason for Miami will be judged on what they can get out of Brandon Marshall. Their draft was decidedly average.
GRADE: C

New England Patriots
1st Round Pick - Devin McCourty (CB-Rutgers)
Notable Pick - Taylor Price (3rd, WR-Ohio)
-The Pats also nabbed big name college players in TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, and MLB Brandon Spikes from Florida. They also made 7, yes, 7 trades to go along with 12 picks (4 in R7). None of the late rounders will contribute, but the Pats could realistically get contributions from their first 7 picks! That's a big infusion of youth that will serve the Pats well. Gronkowski and WR Taylor Price from Ohio jump out as players that can step in right away. Bill Belichick is proving to be a draft weekend master, accumulating 2 1st & 2nd Round picks next year as well.
GRADE: A-

NY Jets
1st Round Pick - Kyle Wilson (CB-Boise State)
Notable Pick - Joe McKnight (4th, RB-USC)
-The Jets picked up 2 likely Day 1 starters in Wilson at Nickel back and Vladimir Ducasse at guard to come in for Alan Faneca. Those are 2 good picks, but replacing Leon Washington with a more celebrated version of Garrett Wolfe (Joe McKnight) wasn't the best move. The Jets draft consisted of only 4 picks and they made some good moves and some bad. In the end, they'll balance out. Because Wilson fell to them, they just break above average.
GRADE: C+

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens
1st Pick (#43) - Sergio Kindle (OLB/DE-Texas)
Notable Pick - Terrence Cody (2nd, DT-Alabama)
-The Ravens also picked 2 TEs (Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta) to step up for an aging Todd Heap. Do the Ravens really need 2? A lot of folks are raving over this Ravens draft (thank you, thank you)... but there are a lot of question marks for me. They traded out of R1 and both R2 picks - Kindle & Cody - have health issues. Kindle has issues revolving around his knee and Terrence Cody should be kept away from all seafood buffets in Baltimore.
GRADE: B

Cincinnati Bengals
1st Round Pick - Jermaine Gresham (TE-Oklahoma)
Notable Pick - Jordan Shipley (3rd, WR-Texas)
-The Bengals filled their most pressing needs at TE and WR with Big XII stars. Jermaine Gresham was the top TE from this class, and both Jordan Shipley and Dezmon Briscoe can be producers at the next level. Of course, the Bengals took the biggest character risk in the draft with Carlos Dunlap, but in R2 it's less of a scandalous pick.
GRADE: B+

Cleveland Browns
1st Round Pick - Joe Haden (CB-Florida)
Notable Pick - Colt McCoy (3rd, QB-Texas)
-Haden, Ward and Asante provide the much needed secondary depth. Montario Hardesty is an underrated, hard-nosed runner that will get carries beside Jerome Harrison. Also, 6th rounder Carlton Mitchell could turn heads in minicamp. Wait, there was another guy wasn't there? Oh yea, that McCoy guy was drafted too, right? The Browns get penalized for passing McCoy up so many times, but finally getting it right in R3. He's the QB of the future the Browns so desperately need, even though they needed dumb luck to find him.
GRADE: B-

Pittsburgh Steelers
1st Round Pick - Maurkice Pouncey (G/C-Florida)
Notable Pick - Jonathan Dwyer (6th, RB-GT)
-Maurkice Pouncey was something of a simple selection in that it wasn't a steal or reach. He'll be a steady pro, but not a Pro Bowler. In the next 6 rounds, the Steelers selected a bunch of guys that look more likely to be in the UFL than pal around with Ben Roethlisberger. Taking 3 outside linebackers was interesting. They did get a steal with Jonathan Dwyer in R6, but he might be the only one that ends up being a factor besides Pouncey.
GRADE: D+

AFC South

Houston Texans
1st Round Pick - Kareem Jackson (CB-Alabama)
Notable Pick - Ben Tate (2nd, RB-Auburn)
-The top 2 picks, Jackson & Tate, were reaches that filled needs. There were players at both positions that we had rated higher, and 95% of draftniks had higher as well. Sure, Jackson and Tate might turn into Deion Sanders and Emmitt Smith, but it's unlikely. A couple later picks like Garrett Graham and Trindon Holliday can pitch in on special teams, but I'm not enthused about this draft class.
GRADE: C-

Indianapolis Colts
1st Round Pick - Jerry Hughes (DE/OLB-TCU)
Notable Pick - Pat Angerer (2nd, LB-Iowa)
-When you're the Colts, it's always tough to get too excited about the depth of draft picks because it's almost impossible to find spots for guys to play a role on such a deep and talented team. The same is true this year. They didn't add someone of note in the defensive secondary or the O-Line. Jerry Hughes is a good pass rusher, but how often will he be able to get in ahead of Mathis and Freeney? Maybe Kevin Thomas from USC becomes the Nickel corner, but aside from that, this might be a forgotten draft class.
GRADE: D+

Jacksonville Jaguars
1st Round Pick - Tyson Alualu (DT-California)
Notable Pick - D'Anthony Smith (2nd, DT-La Tech)
-We've reached the bottom of the barrel here. The Jags' draft was the worst in the league. Alualu was a ginormous reach at #10. They then follow that pick with another DT. Is David Garrard still the man? Who's helping out MoJo Drew? Who's catching passes? The Jags could have traded down in R1, still gotten Alualu, and maybe drafted somebody that could help out this offense. They failed to do so.
GRADE: F

Tennessee Titans
1st Round Pick - Derrick Morgan (DE-Georgia Tech)
Notable Pick - Myron Rolle (6th, S-FSU)
-Tennessee made the most of their picks (while also getting rid of LenDale White). Derrick Morgan steps right into the lineup for Kyle VandenBosch. He's a more reliable pick than Jason Pierre-Paul and could play from Day 1. The Titans also got another WR to help out Vince Young in Damian Williams from USC. Also pay attention to two late round picks - Myron Rolle of course, and Robert Johnson from Utah. Both could be fixtures in the Titans secondary for years to come. The best draft in the AFC South.
GRADE: B+

AFC West

Denver Broncos
1st Round Pick - Demaryius Thomas (WR-Georgia Tech) & Tim Tebow (QB-Florida)
Notable Pick - Eric Decker (3rd, WR-Minnesota)
-The grades on Denver will vary on 1 thing - what do you make of Tim Tebow? He's the one player that will define this draft for Denver and the McDaniels Era as a whole. Aside from Tebow, the Broncos got 2 quality WRs in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker. However, Denver's biggest problem down the stretch was defense and that wasn't addressed till Round 5!! The Tebow hype won't hide Denver's biggest weakness forever.
GRADE: B if you talk yourself into TebowMania... F otherwise

Kansas City Chiefs
1st Round Pick - Eric Berry (S-Tennessee)
Notable Pick - Dexter McCluster (2nd, WR/RB-Ole Miss)
-We said one thing before this draft. Kansas City. Needed. Playmakers. They got them in a big way. Eric Berry will control centerfield for a decade, Javier Arenas can be the next Dante Hall, and Dexter McCluster is a poor man's Reggie Bush. Jon Asamoah can also start at guard as well. These players won't make the Chiefs Super Bowl contenders, but it's a start on the way back up.
GRADE: B+

Oakland Raiders
1st Round Pick - Rolando McClain (LB-Alabama)
Notable Pick - Bruce Campbell (4th, OT-Maryland)
-For once, the Raiders had a draft that made sense. That will let you know what a strange weekend it was. Rolando McClain will lead the defense from Day 1 and Lamarr Houston can start too. Then, Oakland got the player many (including us) thought they were targeting in R1 - T Bruce Campbell from Maryland. The icing on the cake is a competent starting QB in Jason Campbell for next to nothing. Perhaps no other team did more to right the ship than the Raiders this weekend.
GRADE: Considering who's running things... A

San Diego Chargers
1st Round Pick - Ryan Mathews (RB-Fresno State)
Notable Pick - Cam Thomas (5th, DT-UNC)
-We're higher up on Mathews, but trading up to 12 to get him was unnecessary. As we've seen with Matt Forte in Chicago, high RBs can be a roll of the dice even from year to year. UNC DT Cam Thomas fills the big shoes of Jamal Williams in anchoring the 3-4 defense. However, like Denver, San Diego's draft will depend on one player - Ryan Mathews running from the shadows of LaDanian Tomlinson. Good luck.
GRADE: D+




2010 NFL Draft Day 3 Thoughts

We're back with Final Day Coverage of the NFL Draft and Rounds 4-7. This won't be as much of a live blog, but thoughts throughout the day. We'll be back Monday with our much anticipated Draft Grades. Already today we've seen some surprises, steals, and slides as teams look for the next All-Pro late round gem.

*Round 7 has come and gone, Mr. Irrelevant finally announced after a rambling speech and a classic chant of "Overrated, Overrated" from the NYC crowd. The pick is Tim Toone from Weber St. who evidently had a "priority free agent" grade. Ironically I think I have a priority free agent grade too. With that, we draw to a close our live coverage of the NFL Draft. Thanks for everyone who dropped by for our thoughts, we'll try and make sense of it all with our Draft Grades coming soon! Bye for now.

*The Bengals just made my favorite pick of R6 by grabbing Kansas WR Dezmon Briscoe. In fact, I was stunned Briscoe's teammate went in R5 to Atlanta before Briscoe. Briscoe put up massive numbers at Kansas. All you need to know about Briscoe is that he put up 14/242/2 in the Border War against Mizzou this year. He and Jordan Shipley can help improve a declining Cincy passing game.

*Jonathan Dwyer is finally drafted in R6 by the Steelers. With the loss of Willie Parker, he should be able to get some carries behind Rashard Mendenhall.

*Well, while we're all talking our teams, I have to say the Bears pick of Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour was certainly a surprise. With Jay Cutler still a few years shy of 30, there really wasn't a need for a developmental QB. If anything, the Bears should've been looking for an experienced backup, instead of what they currently have in Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez. But...after you consider LeFevour's success in college, and his makeup, he could be a guy that can be at worst a solid backup, and can maybe even start in a few years if Cutler falls flat. The best part though, seeing LeFevour being interviewed in his home outside of Chicago with a Walter Payton jersey hanging in the background. That's one of the special moments of the draft when a kid can go to the team of his childhood, you could tell it was a special moment for LeFevour.

*Brother Yohey here. I have to say I am quite pleased with Cleveland being able to snag USF WR Carlton Mitchell. He is a player that they have worked out and should be able to get the chance to catch on with the team. The receiving core of Massaquoi and Robiskie need time to develop, and with Mitchell and hopefully the addition of some veteran WR would make the Browns receiving core much improved. McCoy to Mitchell in the future? Possible.

*By the way, one last thought on the Millen/Jaworski/Poland controversy, I understand that we live in a world that is too PC a lot of the time. But, any time you use a word that's defined in the online Racial Slur Dictionary - an on-air apology is a good idea.

*A couple of guys to note: Jonathan Crompton (QB-Tenn) who for some reason is a favorite of Ron Jaworski. He goes to the Chargers, which means he won't throw a pass for 4 years and then be mysteriously traded away as a franchise QB. RB Anthony Dixon finally goes to SF, although as a giant power back he isn't that much of a changeup for Frank Gore. Also, if ever healthy, DE Greg Hardy from Ole Miss could be a steal for Carolina.

*Maybe we just need to start a blog on Stupid Things People Say?

*Oh, and Round 6 has started. In the last 4 days we've had Lawrence Frank drop the F-bomb and S-bomb, Jon Gruden say dumb@$$ on air, and now Matt Millen using an ethnic slur. This has been a banner weekend for ESPN. Odds are that the next ESPN personality to swear/say something stupid is Mel Kiper Jr. as he seeks to destroy Todd McShay.

*By the way, almost on cue (see below a few paragraphs) Rex Ryan has hogged back the spotlight.

*WTF was that with Matt Millen and his apology?? The only thing I remember Millen and Jaworski talking about was fried bologna sandwiches - is that offensive to Polish people? Was it something else?? Did anybody remember anything offensive that was said there?? Maybe I might have missed something that was actually offensive. Wow. That was insanely awkward. Hundreds of folks at ESPN have said much worse over the years. Simply bizarre.

**Update: I didn't catch it... sorry, I might have tuned out after the thrilling bologna sandwich analysis. But, evidently Millen called Jaworski a "Polak" which, of course, is a derogatory term - apology probably justified, especially in the hyper politically correct age. Maybe Millen was watching an episode of All in the Family and thought it was a good idea to say again on National TV. (Insert screaming Lions fans begging for their own apology)

*Just to chime in on Y1's Saints parade - the Browns make one of the best picks of Round 5 with one of my guys to watch Larry Asante. Cleveland reached for TJ Ward in R2 at the same position, and Asante might end up being a better player.

*The Saints make another move up for C Matt Tennant from BC. It's not a bad developmental pick with Jonathan Goodwin there although I'm not a fan of giving up a 2011 4th Rounder. Tennant had a 2nd round grade from a lot of folks, so it is somewhat of a steal. Also, don't forget that Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks came from the mid to late rounds of the Draft. The fascinating thing is that the 158th Pick was held by 6 different teams!! Not to be Jayson Stark, but that has to be a record, right?

*I know the Seahawks are having a great weekend, but 2 Pete Carroll interviews? There are 31 other coaches in the league. Rex Ryan has got to be considering a drastic step to get the spotlight back on himself - eat Pete Carroll. Yes, I know 2 fat jokes in a row is rather harsh, but it's Day 3, give me a break!

*Wow. Jason Campbell is a Raider. It's a move that certainly makes sense, especially when you consider that Bruce Gradkowski was pencilled in as the starter. At least JaMarcus Russell has more time on his hand to pursue his true calling - eating KFC Double Downs.

*My goodness, can ESPN please mix up the music coming in and out of break just a little bit? I think I've heard Empire State of Mind 78 times.

*A 5th Rounder worth watching that could end up starting early on is 3-4 DT Cam Thomas going to San Diego, who let Jamal Williams go in the offseason. Thomas was great value at that spot and fills a need - to me, those have always been the best sort of draft picks, right?

*At Pick 146, a lot of players that we highlighted are still available - QBs Jarrett Brown and Tony Pike, RBs Jonathan Dwyer and Anthony Dixon, WRs Dezmon Briscoe and Danario Alexander, DE George Selvie and Ss Kurt Coleman and Larry Asante.

*I'm somewhat surprised at all of the veteran trades and the lack of value that teams are getting back. Players that have produced in the league are being acquired for nothing less than moving up a few picks in Round 5...

-Lendale White & Leon Washington to Seattle: Low risk moves that could pay big dividends. White is reunited with Pete Carroll and he also gets a playmaker in Leon Washington. With Justin Forcett as the steady down to down back, the Seahawks now have a complete backfield.

-Kirk Morrison to Jacksonville: Morrison became expendable after the arrival of Rolando McClain in Oakland. It's a solid move for the Jags to pick up a veteran LB. But again, it's not Tim Tebow.

*By the way - did you know which local market had the highest ratings for the Draft? Jacksonville! Home of the Jags... and Tim Tebow! You don't think there is a correlation there? Yes, eh might have been a reach, yada yada yada, but still, Tim Tebow might have put enough butts in the seats to ensure the Jags stay in Jacksonville.

-Other big names left to watch throughout the day include Marshawn Lynch, Albert Haynesworth, Jamaal Brown, John Henderson, and Jason Campbell.

*The obsession with QBs in the later rounds is a little overblown. For every Tom Brady there are 7 Giovanni Carmazzis. I'm high on Dan LeFevour and I know Brother Yohey likes Mike Kafka, but none of these guys are going to make or break a draft Monday morning. Trying to project any as a future Pro Bowler is near impossible.

*I absolutely love the Saints' trade up to get LSU DT Al Woods in Round 4. Their major detriment on defense was an inability to stop the run. A run stuffing DT was the Saints' #1 need - and while it came a few rounds later than anticipated, the Saints got that guy in Woods. Now, with Alex Brown replacing Charles Grant and the drafting of Woods, the need has at least been addressed. Mark it down, by the end of the season Al Woods will start at DT for the New Orleans Saints. You can rarely say that for a 4th Rounder going to a Super Bowl team.

*Not sure what to make of New England and Baltimore doubling up on TEs in the draft. Aaron Hernandez (NE) and Dennis Pitta (Bal) already drafted TEs yesterday. I suppose with so many picks and talent already on the teams, maybe they think that at least one of their picks will develop.

*With Todd McShay and Mel Kiper on set together, look for any clues that might solve one of the great mysterys in sport, do these guys really hate each other? At least it will make Day 3 interesting. Also, I like Trey Wingo much more than Chris Berman, but his bromance with Jaws is rather annoying.

*I'm going to count our Mock pick of Oakland nabbing Maryland OT Bruce Campbell at #8 as correct. Hey, we got the team and player right, we were only 98 picks off... speaking of Campbell - that Sport Science feature was awesome. Fantastic move by ESPN to pick up that franchise from the ever disappearing Fox Sports Net.

*While St. Louis probably should have used the leverage with the 1st pick of Day 2 to move down and get more picks, they made the right call with WR Mardy Gilyard to start Day 3. Gilyard has the goods to contribute right away - on special teams especially.

Friday, April 23, 2010

2010 NFL Live Draft Blog - Day 2

10:08 - I think wow is the right word, that really took all interest out of the rest of the night for me. With that, the 3rd round ends with a whimper. 7 hours of live blogging has taken a lot out of us, but we'll be back tomorrow with our winners and losers after some sleep. Until then, it's bye for now!

9:58 - Wow. I don't know what this is. Storytime with Stevie??? TJ is falling asleep on set. Thank God the end of Day 2 is nearing. This will be put in the Smithsonian as mailing it in. Besides hearing Steve Young talk about being on BYU's JV team and Chris Berman going bodysurfing... this is maybe the worst 3 minutes of TV I've ever seen. Please let the Saints pick a DT or OLB.... or with a lot of high TE's on the board I can see that as the selection.

9:53 - Yeahhh boy! What a shot by Pierce, that's the Captain of old! Since Garnett's suspension the Celtics have played like a different team...and that injury Dwyane Wade went down with doesn't look too promising. Who would of thought the Cavs would have more 1st round trouble than the Celtics? Meanwhile on ESPN's draft coverage Andy Reid is being interviewed by Berman...so, we're not missing much, except for the usual McNabb praise by Andy Reid and the pumping of Kevin Kolb, he of the less than 5 career starts.

9:49 - And Pierce hits the stepback J to win the game at the buzzer!! What a clutch shot by the Celtics captain! Wow, is the demise of the Celtics greatly exaggerated? Maybe they can give the Cavs a run?

9:46 - In other sports news, the Celtics have the last shot tied at 98 with the Heat!

9:43 - Per Gruden's request, the Browns starting QB's since they have returned to the league: Detmer, Couch, Pederson, Wynn, Holcomb, Garcia, McCown, Dilfer, Frye, Anderson, Quinn, Gradkowski, and Dorsey.

9:41 - Ok, we can say the Browns were patient and complement Mike Holmgren, but the Browns are very very lucky. If teams like the Bills and 49ers hadn't passed on McCoy several times, many would be skeptical of the strategy of the Brownies. But, everything worked out, they got many of their needs filled, and got the QB they coveted after Bradford.

9:34 - The Browns pick is in, and the triumvirate of power in Berea taps,... it is MACK BROWN!!! Colt McCoy is the man for the Browns. WHAT A WAY TO ANNOUNCE THAT PICK! The kid falls into your lap 50+ places after he was slotted to go. Wow. What a way to go with Cleveland. They gambled on passing on him for obvious positions of need (CB, S, RB) then realized that they couldn't wait any longer. This is a far cry from the Phil Savage era of exchanging 6th round picks to move 1 slot, mortgaging the 2008 future for Quinn, Rogers and Williams. This regime seems to have the patience and fortitude to stick put and not let the unknown affect their choices. Nice little understory here; the QB/WR combo of McCoy and Shipley stay in the same division. Should make for interesting games 2 times a year.

9:29 - Brother Yohey here with an installment as the Browns pick is at 85, as the Bengals take Jordan Shipley; solid pick for them. I liked the kid. Now to see if this is where the Colt McCoy saga ends; or do the Browns go with Taylor Price, WR from Ohio then gamble on McCoy later on in the round. This has been one of the most intriguing drafts in some time; good time.

9:23 - By the way, we're multitasking with an Office Trivia game. This indeed is the life. Cleveland is 3 picks away and it's looking more and more likely that Colt McCoy will be there. I will walk to Cleveland and slap Mike Holmgren upside the head if he passes on McCoy again.

9:19 - The later rounds are when Mel Kiper shines. It's also refreshing to hear Steve Young stay silent for more than 37 seconds at a time. It doesn't look like Tom Jackson wants to powerbomb him off the stage tonight.

9:17 - I was really hoping the Broncos would pick Colt McCoy there...

9:14 - Much to my chagrin, Adam Schefter is reporting that the Saints have not had a conversation with the Redskins about Albert Haynesworth. I don't know - maybe a Haynesworth for Brown trade makes too much sense for both teams to work. Also, Damian Williams is a good pick for the Titans at #77, although USC hasn't really had a great track record with WRs recently. Who knows, maybe Mike Williams' corpse will have a revival in Seattle.

9:09 - Also a decent pick after the Bears as the Giants snap up S Chad Jones from LSU. Both of these guys should be solid competitors...maybe we'll actually get some analysis of some of these picks at some point? That's what ESPN does best, shove the same story down our throat the entire latter rounds.

9:05 - And the Florida graphic while interviewing Tim Tebow gives away the Bears pick as S Major Wright! And of course, we don't get the official announcement until minutes later...boy is ESPN off with their graphics. Anyway, there was a question whether a S of Wright's caliber would fall to the Bears, but he did and Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo look like they've finally gotten a 3rd round pick right! Major should step right in and compete for one of the two starting spots in the revolving door of the Bears safety positions.

8:59 - Sneaky good picks by the Ravens with TE Ed Dickson from Oregon and G Jon Asamoah from Illinois going to the Chiefs. And, what is this?! The Chicago Bears at pick 75 are finally on the clock! Safety has to be the pick, especially with Major Wright and Chad Jones on the board. Of course, due to the trades of Jay Cutler and Gaines Adams, the Bears didn't have a pick in the 1st two rounds. But, much like Cutler last year, this year's draft will be determined by how well Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor perform. Last year, they might have been overrated, but this year due to all the injuries, they might be one or two moves away from being in the playoff hunt!

8:51 - Also on the board is workout wonder Bruce Campbell... who we had going to the Raiders at #8. Whoops. Also two bits of news coming out are Taylor Mays' possible feud with Pete Carroll and rumors of possible microfracture issues with Sergio Kindle - leading to his drop to Baltimore in R2. If Kindle is healthy, he could be one of the steals of the draft.

8:46 - Hard to believe Colt McCoy is still n the board. Early in the 3rd round he is simply amazing value. There's no risk in the third round and Cleveland is losing their minds if they don't use a 4th or 5th rounder to pass Buffalo. Also in the 3rd round, Everson Griffin and Eric Decker would be good bets to make an impact right away. Also start to look for names that you need to Wikipedia to know... like the Raiders pick of Jared Veldheer. Gazuntite.

8:44 - Three CB's at the top of Round 3 as Chris Berman gives his typically hard-hitting interview with Pete Carroll. Again, this is a time I'd like to have NFL Network, where they would hopefully focus a little bit more on the players entering the league instead of the guys we already know.

8:37 - And after Y1's typical draft disappointment with the Saints, we're on to Round 3! Of course, ESPN is already throwing away the current picks. We're currently being subjected to back-to-back interviews with Jerry Jones and Jimmy Clausen. Gruden jokes that Mel Kiper is Clausen's agent...but, that actually is a point of contention due to Kiper's close relationship with Clausen's actual agent. Also nice to know Claussen isn't hanging up on people as he did with Peter King last night...although, to be fair, I'd hang up on Peter King, too.

8:30 - And... Charles Brown?? The OL from USC is a good value pick, but much like yesterday, the Saints have a surplus of good players at that position. Jermon Bushrod, Jon Stinchcomb, and Jamaal Brown are all there at tackle. Like yesterday, this tells me that Jamaal Brown might have seen his last days in a Saints uniform ala Darren Sharper. I understand taking the best player available philosophy, but if that player doesn't see the field what's the point? Oh well, they just won the Super Bowl, I can't complain that much... who am I kidding, sure I can!

8:29 - Saints on the clock! I'm really hoping they go OLB or DT in this spot, but I'm not sure there are any left that would be a good 2nd round pick in this spot. Honestly, they could go any direction here except QB or Special Teams. They may even try to pick Ricky Williams again.

8:25 - Questionable pick there with Brandon Spikes. He ran such a low 40 time that he was considered a Day 3 pick. Belichick can make magic happen, and his speed won't be as big of a deal in the 3-4 I feel... but it's still a reach.

8:24 - Nice of Y1 to let me know he's joining me. Anyway, a great underrated draft moment in 1995 with the Jets crowd clamoring for Warren Sapp only for the Jets to take Kyle Brady. The Jet fans have always been more accurate than Eagles fans in terms of their reactions. Does it mean I'm getting old if I actually remember this moment?

8:17 - Y1 back from the golf course. If you want an update, I made a few pars and am encouraged by my new putting stroke... although I'll get the yips again in a couple weeks most likely. Anyways, I really like Golden Tate's value at #60 for the Seahawks. They're having one of the best drafts so far. He's a guy that could develop into a solid #1 WR... although they still badly need a running back.

8:15 - I don't know BY, Hardesty is a hard runner, but do you really trust Jake Dellhomme and Seneca Wallace to handle the QB spot. If you're a Browns fan you have to hope whatever project Holmgren takes in the later rounds pans out to be the next Brett Favre. Meanwhile the Seahawks nab Golden Tate, a terrific pick. It almost hurts to say it, but haven't the Seahawks and Lions had the two best drafts so far this year? And of course, Gruden loves him, who woulda thunk it?

8:09 - And trading up to the 59th spot, the Browns take... Monatrio Hardesty? I must say that I am intrigued by this pick. His stats show that he produced well at Tennessee and the Toupee likes him so we will have to see how this pans out. It helps out the offense and will supplement the RB position with Harrison and Jennings. In Holmgren and Heckert I trust; now back to the couch of solitude.

8:02 - Ok, so on to the picks I liked and dislike so far in Round 2

Like:

(1) Nate Allen the S from South Florida going to the Eagles. Many thought they traded up yesterday to take Earl Thomas, but Allen isn't far off, and pairing him with DE Brandon Graham is a nice defensive package.

(2) Arrelious Benn going to the Bucs is a big boost to their long moribund WR core. Again, Benn would've easily been a 1st round pick if not for the terrible QB play at Illinois last season, he has all the physical tools.

(3) Taylor Mays going at 49 to the 49ers is a great steal for them. Sure, there are questions about his coverage skills, but if there was a Mike Singletary type of safety in this draft, it was Taylor Mays.

Dislike:

(1) The Rams could've gotten a bounty for their 33rd pick, instead they opted to play it safe with T Roger Saffold. I don't like the move. They could've stockpiled more picks and gotten a T later.

(2) Brian Price, the DT from UCLA going to the Bucs seems a little much after picking Gerald McCoy 3rd overall. For a team with many, many needs, doubling up at DT seems foolish.

(3) Toby Gerhart to the Vikings may be as dumb of a pick as Tebow to the Broncos. I loved loved loved Gerhart in college, but this is the big time, and I'm not sold he'll be productive. But, the worst part of the pick is Gerhart is the same style of back as All Day AP. The Vikings needed a shifty change of pace back to catch passes out of the backfield like Chester Taylor. Instead, they take another bruiser. I really don't get what the Vikings have done so far.

7:57 - Before looking at the picks so far, I think it's shocking that both Colt McCoy and Golden Tate are still out there for the taking. If I'm looking for a QB (Browns, Bills, 49ers) now would be a good time, because there's a big gap back to the rest of the field. As far as Tate, he's a dynamic playmaker and returner and would be a big boost. Meanwhile, the Ravens take Mt. Cody, a fitting pick if there ever was one for the DT from Alabama.

7:55 - Good evening everyone, Y2 here back to restore order to the universe. Although, I must commend Brother Yohey for losing his solo blogging virginity. We'll give him a ride on the pine while I dive in o the late 2nd round!

7:44 - The detested Bungles go with Carols Dunlap. HA! TYPICAL LOSERS!! The take a guy who got a DUI before the SEC Title game. Makes you have to wonder if he can focus. The Bengals can say they are changing but they are still the same losers. Mike Brown just doesn't learn.

7:32 - First D'OH! moment for Mort in comparing McCluster to Wes Welker. Little early there Morth boy. Had a little 6 degrees of Matt Cassell there. Appears the Vikings have jumped into the Texans 52nd slot and they are showing Toby Gearhart. Very interesting, but they need someone to replace Chester Taylor. The Freak John Randle is on board with Goddell to announce the Vikes take Toby Gerhart. Solid pick for them. Kid is going to be a great player; at least he can hold onto the ball. Better ramp it up AP.

7:24 - Now the big names start to move a little bit. Taylor Mays will stay in state and play for Samurai Mike. They get some desperatlely needed secondary help and Mays could even play some LB if need be. The kid is huge. On a side note, Kiper's love of Clausen has been overhyped and one has to wonder if ESPN is hyping up these kids for the sheer value of ratings. They prop these kids up based on visual perception and don't actually interview the kids at all or get privy to the information TRUE team personnell have. Evidently, Clausen wasn't all that he was cracked up to be, which explains his precipitous fall. This may be a black eye for Kiper and for me, that won't be all that bad. Can I give it to him?

7:18 - Does Carolina go QB here? Matt Moore looked good at the end of the season but what do you do when this falls into your lap? The Panter brass go with Jimmy Clausen, and the wait is over for the Golden Boy. Kiper Jr. is happy that his boy finally goes, although 44 places below where he had it ranked. For a kid who had no real talent at ND, he comes to a situation with Stewart/Williams in the backfield and Steve Smith at WR. Great situation for this kid.

7:12 - Giants go with Linval Joseph to solidify their line, and we still have no Clausen or McCoy picks. They should be going off the board sometime shortly, don't they!? Not with Arizona, who takes Daryl Washington from TCU fame. Joining Berry and Haggans in Arizona makes their defense comporable and a force in the NFC West.

7:08 - Bronco pick is in, announced by Floyd Little, and they decide to go with Zane Beadles, Utah OL. The kid has interesting hair, to say the least. I have to comment on his hair because I have no idea who he is. But how about this little nugget. 10 years after Jim Brown is drafted 6th overall, Floyd Little, another 'Cuse RB great, goes 6th in 1967. Good lineage there.

7:05 - Raiders take Lamarr Houston, second straight Longhorn defensive player to go. The Big 12 is having the best draft, hands down. All these players going high in the draft is just amazing. The Raiders are reforming their defense and may be on the right track in building their team for success and the future.

7:02 - Ratbirds now on the clock and you just know they are going to get someone good and who will produce for them. They need a TE with Heap falling off as of late but you never know what the Wizard of Oz will do. Nasty suit by Ray Lewis as he is there to announce the pick, which is LB Sergio Kindle from Texas. Great. Just what their defense needs; MORE help. Their back 6-7 is alreay the most dangerous in football and this kid will inject some youth, fire and skill there. Great.

6:56 - Raiders are in with their pick but it appears the Pats have snagged the pick (sneaky Beli-cheat). Stupid channel change to the Deuce along with the introduction (I like this song by the way). Roger finally jaunts out 5 minutes later with the Pats taking Arizona TE Rob Gronkowski. Green room boy goes and as my 2nd rated TE, I am pleased. Pats needed to replace the loss of Benjamin Watson and this kid is a great addition to the locker room. Boy is HUUUGE!!!!

6:51 - Bills go with Torell Troup, UCF DT. This is the part of the draft I love; I have no idea who many of these people are but if the guy is a 2nd rounder. Bills don't go QB with either of their picks so far. Somewhere, Brady Quinn is popping a bottle bubbly, for he doesn't have the longest ND drop in draft history.

6:49 - The Walrus is on TV and will shed his wisdom onto the nationwide audience. He is going against his offensive grain with 2 straight defensive picks. Outfield playing in the background is a nice touch. Rob Ryan and Mangini have to be pleased with having two defensive players to mold into their system and the lack of talent in the secondary is being helped greatly. No more Hank Poteat/Terry Cousin nightmares. Holmegren says QB is on the radar with a later pick (Kafka)?

6:47 - Quickly come the Dolphins with Nutrislim Marino announcing the pick of Koa Misi, Utah LB. Mel says he is a solid 3-4 OLB who can rush the passer and play with a high motor. Nice to see a good Michigan highlight thrown in there showing Misi crush Threet, although it was 2 seasons ago. Buffalo not wasting time either with their pick in.

6:45 - It is official and the Bucs go with Benn. It will be great to see how this kid plays with a better QB at his disposal. The Juice was spoiled this past season and Benn couldn't show his true skills. Freeman is light years better and should allow Benn to flourish and really test the NFC South. McCoy, Price and Benn; good draft so far for the Bucs.

6:42 - Shot of Benn on the phone with the Bucs, presumably. Freeman looks to get his weapon at WR that they need. This should be interesting to see how this move corresponds with the fall of Clausen and McCoy.

6:39 - The pick is in and the Walrus/Hecko/Mangenious triumvirate go with TJ Ward, Oregon safety. Honestly never heard of they guy but when Jim Brown announces your name, you got something going for you. Good licks put on guys with the films they showed. Mays still on the board and the Bucs just traded up to the Raiders spot.

6:35 - I really have no idea where they are going to go with this pick in Round 2. So much intrigue and secrecy at Fort Berea makes it so exciting. Shot of the Greatest Football Player Ever, Jimmy Brown. I want those days to come again sooo bad.

6:33 - Philly goes Nate Allen. Good safety pick for a team that lost their heart and soul in Dawkins. Donovan McNabb for Nate Allen; I bet the kid would never have thought his career would start this way. Now for my Brownies; so mucn indecision on where to go. Safety? Offense? Trade?! Man I love this stuff.

6:28 - They go RB here with McCluster; Cassell is to stay. Jamaal Charles will get a battery mate behind him in one of Y2's players to watch. KC now has their own Sproles. What does this say about Clausen though? Will he even go before Colt McCoy? This is going to get really interesting. Philly now on the clock, and I can see them taking Taylor Mays after taking LB help in Brandon Graham in round 1.

6:24 - Gruden sees Clausen coming to KC, but Cassell has to make one wonder. They signed him to a huge deal and I'm not sure that the Pioli of Patriot fame would be willing to admit a bad decision. Gave up too much for him to let him be cast aside.

6:20 - Now for the Bucs; is this where Benn or Tate go? Freeman needs some weapons with Bryant leaving in the offseason. The Bucs go defense with Brian Price at DT. They have the aging Chris Hovan on the line and have to think that he would be the heir apparent to Warren Sapp. I guess Y1's dream was slightly correct with Price at least staying in the division. Raheem Morris got himself a good player with a great motor (Thanks, TJ). Have to wonder how this fits in with them taking McCoy earlier in the draft; intriguing to say the least. At least the middle of their line will be stout.

6:14 - JC! The Favre talk is not needed. They will fit it in when they can because Berman has the most obvious mancrush on Favre. Let's hope this is the start of the end for him. Roger says it is Chris Cook, Virginia DB. Surprise,but a needed pick. The injuries to Griffin and Winfield last year and how they got carved up in the playoffs, this will help out their secondary and he should fit in nicely. Berman exhales.

6:11 - Time for the Vikings first pick of the night. I see Berman having a Ralph Wiggum-esque heartbreak if the Vikes go Clausen.

6:10 - Rams to OT with Saffold. Solid pick to protect Bradford's blindside with all the rushers that he will go up against in the NFL. Protect the investment. Rams seem to know what they are doing here. Side note: Kiper needs to settle down; he is getting way too worked up over a guy who wasn't even his highest rated QB.

6:05 - Did Steve Young just praise Detriot's draft strategy? My how things have changed from Matt Millen's reign.

6:03 - The Rams have to be looking at WR help for Bradford. They have Donnie Avery but that is about it. Bradford, Jackson and maybe Benn for the future? I've seen some say Brian Price but they can't go DT and DT to start out.

6:02 - We are underway! The Don has spoken.

5:55 - Quick rundown of how the first 5 picks are going to go (barring any trades): Arrelious Benn, Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, Sergio Kindle and Taylor Mays. Also, the more I hear, I don't see Cleveland going QB and staying with defense.

5:52 - Part of me wonders if the Jaguars Team Shop has run out of Alualu jersey's. As one famous WCW announcer said in the midst of the "Monday Night Wars" when Mankind won the WWF Title, "That'll put some butts in the seats".

5:49 - Homer pick prediction: Browns take McCoy at 38, standing pat, and Brett Favre, to Berman's dismay, will have Jimmy Clausen as his back up. I know that we all expect Favre to play until he is 60 but it is time, Chilli.


Hello, everybody! Brother Yohey here to start the live blog for tonight's draft festivities. My bretheren will return here at some point to join me to analyze the picks in rounds 2 and 3 tonight, but until then, let's have some fun with some quick questions going into tonight's festivities:

Where will Clausen wind up? McCoy? Mays? Kindle? Who is going to be wheeling and dealing for the next couple of hours? Will Mel Kiper Jr's broken heart over Clausen be mended by some team? Let's Get It On!!

Winners & Losers From Day 1 of the NFL Draft

With Day 1 in the books and Day 2 coming tonight, let's take a quick look at some Winners & Losers from the 1st Round of the NFL Draft.

WINNER - Detroit Lions
-All of us really like what the Lions did yesterday. They took the best player in the draft at #2 in Ndamukong Suh, and traded up a couple spots to grab Cal dynamite RB Javhid Best. Slowly but surely, the Lions are starting to accumulate impact players on both sides of the ball. In Matt Stafford's 2nd year, don't be surprised to see them improve to 5-7 wins.

LOSER - Jacksonville Jaguars
-The Jags made the reach of the draft with Tyson Alualu. Reports all over the league is that jaws were collectively dropped with this pick. Sure, he might end up as a good player, but the Jags could have traded down at least 10 spots and gotten something in return to help rebuild the team. Also, Alualu ain't causing a mass of people to get Jags season tickets.

LOSER - Jimmy Clausen/WINNER - Tim Tebow
-Who would have thought that JC QB would be taken before the Golden Boy himself? I'm really disappointed ESPN didn't have a picture in picture of Clausen throwing a temper tantrum at his home. With Tebow going before Clausen - it's obvious that character now means as much as any skill set on the field in the NFL. We saw it all night as players with even the slightest character questions slipped. Meanwhile, Tebow is the big winner not only by going in the first round, but by going to a coach in Josh McDaniels that wants to marry his future to him. As I said last night, Tim Tebow will start in this league by 2011.

WINNERS - Al Davis & Jerry J0nes
-The two most notorious owners in the league actually both made excellent picks last night. Oakland went in an unorthodox direction by picking a great MLB in Rolando McClain instead of reaching for someone with potential. Jerry Jones got the steal of the draft with a motivated and angry Dez Bryant at the end of the first round. Two wise move from two crazy old guys.

LOSER - ESPN
-ESPN was way off their game last night. Case in point this video...

That wasn't the only screw up as far as coverage was concerned. Several times throughout the night there were botches with open mics, missed segues, graphics, and anything in between. Also, Steve Young needs to be pulled for talking way too much. It seemed like everyone on set was just begging him to shut up, and so were many at home. Chris Berman celebrated his new ESPN contract by making an @$$ of himself in the video above and professing his undying love for Brett Favre. Not a banner evening for the worldwide leader.

Best 5 Value Picks - Chiefs: Eric Berry, Seahawks: Russell Okung, Titans: Derrick Morgan, Cardinals: Dan Williams, Jets: Kyle Wilson

5 Wait and See Picks - Bills: CJ Spiller, Giants: Jason Pierre-Paul, Texans: Kareem Jackson, Broncos: Demariyus Thomas, Saints: Patrick Robinson

5 Teams That Did Good - 49ers (2 starting OL), Chargers (starting RB), Seattle (2 starters), Bengals (finally got a TE), Falcons (got the best OLB in the draft)

5 Teams That Did OK - Saints (surplus but talented pick at CB), Colts (Jerry Hughes doesn't see the field much with Freeney/Mathis), Eagles (had a bigger need and perhaps a better player with Earl Thomas over Brandon Graham), Browns (Haden is good, but could have moved down and gotten a CB or moved up for a more elite player), Packers (Bulaga is a good value pick, but isn't defense a bigger need for a team that allowed over 50 points in a playoff game)

2 Teams that Did Bad - Carolina and Chicago... for not having a 1st round pick (or 1 & 2 in Chicago's case) in the deepest draft in years.

One Bold Prediction - Someone will trade up to #33 for a QB. But, it will be the Browns moving up for Colt McCoy, not Jimmy Clausen. Clausen goes to neither Minnesota or Buffalo... but Kansas City where an old friend is waiting for him.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

2010 NFL Draft Live Blog



It's time! When we Yoder Bros started RSS a little under a year ago, this was one of the events that we had our eye on...live blogging the NFL Draft! And now that we're finally here, we'll be around all night bringing you coverage of the picks, the teams, and of course, the unintentionally funny moments from ESPN's coverage!

POSTGAME

Best Pick: Ndamukong Suh (2nd - Detroit) Javhid Best (30th - Detroit)
-Who would've ever thunk that Detroit would claim both of our choices as Best Pick?! They're the big winners so far with impact rookies on both sides of the ball.

Worst Pick: Tyson Alualu (10th - Jacksonville) Tim Tebow (25th - Denver)
-Alualu was simply a jawdropping reach, while the jury is certainly out on Tebow as a brilliant or crazy pick.

Biggest Surprise: Nobody Gets Jimmy Clausen
-He's going to have a rough night's sleep in sunny SoCal. The Rams will get a lot of calls over the night and will wield a lot of power with the 33rd pick tomorrow. Don't be surprised if someone moves up to get him over the night.

Best Player Available: Sergio Kindle (OLB Texas) Arrelious Benn (WR Illinois)
-Benn is a physical monster and would be a wise pick in the first half of R2. Likewise, Kindle is a surprising fall to Friday and will make for a great value pick for a team looking for an edge rusher.

That'll do it for our draft coverage. Thanks for joining us throughout the night for our Live Blog of the NFL Draft! It's been a lot of fun and we've seen plenty of surprises and interesting stories throughout the night. It'll be another fun night tomorrow with R2 and R3 coming up and we'll hope to join you at some point in the evening with our thoughts as we'll try and pick up the draft action in progress. Bye for now.


11:05 - And with that all said... the Saints go corner with Patrick Robinson from Florida State. I would have much rather have seen them go with either a DT or an OLB... but, as was seen in the middle part of last season, the Saints really suffered without Tracy Porter and Jabari Greer. That's a corner the last 2 years in the 1st 2 rounds. It's amazing how in 1 calendar year the Saints secondary has gone from the team's weakness to a team strength.

This tells me that the Saints aren't too sure Darren Sharper is coming back and they're thinking about moving Malcolm Jenkins to safety. The signings of Alex Brown and Jimmy Wilkerson removed the need at DE, and there are in-house options at OLB, so maybe DT is the pick in R2. We'll collect ourselves and be back with a recap in just a few minutes!

11:01 - Washington is a better fit for the 4-3, but Kindle, as a 3-4 outside rush guy would bring a skill set the Saints D doesn't have. Gregg Williams does play the 3-4 quite a bit, and pass rush is a need, here comes Breesus!!!!

10:58 - BTW, Drew Brees makes history as the first active player to announce his team's pick. You've gotta love the guy - especially the Madden spoof commercial making fun of his son's headphones. Brees will break the Madden Curse because he's not afraid to take it on, he tweeted this earlier today...

Here's what I have to say about the Madden curse: Destiny is more powerful than a curse. Whatever is meant to be will happen. Faith #fb

10:57 - And finally it is the Saints turn! Let me bask in SB glory one more time (dramatic pause) ok... as beat reporter Jeff Duncan tweets, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Saints trade down in this spot with so many good defenders left and both McCoy and Clausen on the board. We've seen Mickey Loomis go best player available many times before (McCallister, Meachem, etc)... so maybe Taylor Mays? I'm hoping for either Brian Price or Darryl Washington at DT and OLB respectively, but anything is possible.

10:55 - Interesting pick to pair TCU DE Jerry Hughes with Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney. I guess you can't have too many pass rushers, but I feel like addressing their aging OLine or their injury prone defensive back 7 might have been a better pick.

10:53 - And now we catch Jon Gruden swearing coming back from break! With Lawrence Frank's epic comments on First Take yesterday, this is not a good week for ESPN and the FCC. It does seem much more normal to hear Gruden swear though. Wow, ESPN has been terrible tonight coming in and out of breaks, hot mics, etc. Shockingly bad.

10:50 - I think Cleveland has to go for it here and not risk waiting until the 2nd round tomorrow. I wouldn't wait with QB needy teams like Buffalo willing to get ahead of you in R2. Do it now and give up just a bit to secure Clausen. It makes all the sense in the world with 2 QBs still on the board for the Browns to make a move now and get one of these QBs. It's a much better move than Ricky Williamsing your draft for Sam Bradford.

10:48 - The possibilities are amazing when you don't pick a WR every year in the first round. Somewhere Matt Millen is throwing his shoe at the TV and cursing out the Lions for not drafting Mardy Gilyard.

10:45 - And out of left field... Detroit is now on the clock??? Well, if this was Jimmy Clausen it would be the draft shock of the millennium. Javhid Best on the phone in what would be a sneaky great move for the Lions for a home run hitter on the turf in the dome. Best has highlight reel capabilities and adds a threat the Lions offense hasn't had since Barry Sanders.
Meanwhile, Chris Berman is losing the last shred of respect I had for him by throwing all journalistic integrity out the window and patting the Vikings brass on the butt for passing on a QB. When Favre breaks down this year, I won't be the only one laughing.

10:43 - Well, I didn't believe it when we did our mock, but Jimmy Clausen is sitting there at #30 waiting for the Vikings to take him. In one sense, the pick is the only way for the Vikings to go. Tavaris Jackson isn't your QB of the future, so why not have Clausen learn under Favre, who hopefully could embrace a young QB this time...although, Favre may really think he can play forever. Once again, Gruden makes a great point that the Vikes could use a RB as a replacement for Chester Taylor. Meanwhile TJ and Berman of course take the angle that drafting a QB for the future would be an insult to Brett Favre, as if the franchise will collapse on itself when Favre leaves...

10:39 - Friend of the program Vernon Gholston breathes a huge sigh of relief - looks like he has another year to prove himself. And now Clausenpalooza 2010 is back on! Here we go...

10:37 - He's been the best DB left for a while in this NFL Draft. He should've gone sooner but he is now getting the chance to open up some real estate next to Revis Island. Is there a better CB to learn from in the league? As Gruden points out - Revis, Cromartie, and Wilson is a sick nickel package.

10:34 - Looking ahead a little to my beloved Saints, it's looking pretty good for them to grab either a DT or OLB at #32. I had Brian Price tabbed originally, but with both Kindle and Hughes dropping to the end of R1 they would be good picks - although I have a feeling one of them will be picked by the Jets.

By the way, what's weirder? Robert Downey Jr. as a superhero or Mickey Rourke as a supervillian... Iron Man II anyone?

10:32 - Sensible pick for the Fins as they go with Jared Odrick, the DLineman from Penn St. You know, the more I listen to Gruden, the more I wish Steve Young and Tom Jackson would shut up. Teams who move back can learn a lot from Bill Parcells though, moving back, accumulating picks, and still picking up a quality player in an area of need. Meanwhile, there are still a lot of talented defensive players on the board for the Jets, Vikings, Colts, and Saints...oh, and that Clausen guy, too. Everyone thought the story tonight would be where Tebow would go in Round 2, but it might be Clausen who stews all night long.

10:26 - Brady Quinn is wondering what happened to his bright future tonight. The stars were aligned when he went to Cleveland, but a broken finger and a bad year later, he's a backup for Tim Tebow after being traded for a 6th rounder, conditional pick, and Peyton Hillis. 2 pretty boy QB's in one place, but it looks like only 1 is destined to see the field. Brady Quinn is among this draft's biggest losers.

1o:23 - Again, it looks like right block, wrong house. The Pats pick CB Devin McCourty from Rutgers. Wow. A lot of teams had Wilson as the highest rated CB on their boards. Puzzling why he's dropping after the great performances he had in Boise's biggest games. A corner makes sense for the hoodie, but again I'm not sure it's the right one.

10:21 - Anyways, like I wanted to say 30 minutes ago... I would expect the hoodie to pick a versatile front 7 player to move around his defense. Sergio Kindle would make a lot of sense here, as would Boise CB Kyle Wilson, who some had going as high as #7 in this draft.

10:20 - If I'm Jimmy Clausen... why would I want to go to Minny and carry around Brett Favre's bags for a year or 2 and deal with that drama. We saw what a horrible teammate Favre was for Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, and it will be the same in Minny for any unlucky young QB that gets to not learn at the feet of the master.

10:18 - OK, so Williams is a fine pick. But here's the situation. Minnesota at 30 is the next possible destination for Clausen. However, will they use a 1st on a QB? They haven't since Culpepper in '99. I can see them going more developmental in R2 or R3. That leaves Cleveland the option of trading to #31 for Clausen. Too good to be true??

10:16 - Steve Young talks... too much.

10:14 - Schefter reporting that Dan Williams will go to Arizona at #26. That's also a fantastic value pick for the Cards if it comes off. Also, our pal Jimmy Traina of SI has the frantic Berman clip from tonight.

10:12 - As much as I disagree with Kiper's Clausen love, I agree with his H-Back assessment of Tebow. Also, as a fellow neckbearder, I feel bad for Kyle Orton, he'll be out of Denver before you know it. At least Tim Tebow has experience with coaches with a God complex.

10:11 - OK, with Tebowmania aside - the biggest nonloser QBs are Sergio Kindle and Dan Williams. Shocked that the best DT in the draft is still available at #26. I'm quietly saying prayers that he falls to the Saints.

10:09 - I knew someone was going to trade up into R1 to take Tebow. It was destined to happen. However, we really need a camera on Jimmy Clausen throwing a chair through his porch door. Someone give me a live shot to LA!! I see Tebow's 1st year in Denver very similar to his first year in Florida. He'll play in GL and situational spots. Then, when the Broncos have had enough of Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn, Tebow will step in and start in 2011.

10:08 - Mel Kiper needs to get over his mancrush on Jimmy Clausen and say that Tebow will be a good pro. I think Gruden knows more about QBs than Kiper. After all, didn't Kiper say that JaMarcus Russell was going to multiple Pro Bowls??

10:07 - Mass chaos on the ESPN set as they don't know who's on the clock, but we see Tim Tebow on the phone putting on a Denver Broncos hat! Safe to say the Broncos have traded up to take JC QB himself, Tim Tebow. So, I guess PFT was right! And, I'll also stick by my guns that its Josh McDaniels ego (same with Jon Gruden) that thinks Tebow can be molded into an NFL QB. I'm not convinced. I love Tebow as a person, I like him as a situational Wildcat type, but mark my words, he'll never make a Pro Bowl as a starting QB, and the Broncos will regret this pick long after McDaniels and Tebow are gone from Denver.

10:03 - Glad to see ESPN has not cut out the mics at the ESPN set during the military ceremony! And we have Berman silently waving his arms looking mad as hell! Hahahahaha... this is amazing! We've got to show this Youtube clip, right? We are a family friendly blog, so I'll link to Berman and this video that has some NSFW language, but is absolutely hilarious.

10:01 - Did Deion Sanders make that pick? I like taking the best player available, which is clearly Bryant, in this case. This is the one time I'd like to have NFL Network to see Deion talking about the suspension and Michael Irvin guffawing non-stop. That would be quality TV. It's hitting on 17 at the BlackJack table, but in this case I think it's what Dallas has to do.

10:00 - Sure, Bryant could be a great talent, but Dallas has other needs, especially with Miles Austin. It does give them a scary 3 WR set with Bryant, Austin, R. Williams, and Witten. But, they didn't lose in the playoffs at Minnesota because a lack of offensive skill players. Yes, it's a great steal, but does it really solve any of their problems for a team that wants to win now?

9:57 - Only the little green man inside Belichick's hoodie knows what's going on here. With Mathews gone, my guess is another toy for his front 7 that could move around.... well, wait a second. Dallas has traded up to #24. Dez Bryant?? That would be the Jerry Jones move.

9:54 - While Yohey's going out on limbs, I will too. Seattle will acquire Marshawn Lynch via trade with Buffalo this offseason. It makes too much sense not to happen, so it probably won't.

9:53 - I know we're talking Bryant to the Ravens, but if you're New England and have an aging Randy Moss and injured Wes Welker - why not Bryant? At least Bill Belichick could teach him the Patriot way, whatever that is.

9:52 - GB goes OL with Bryan Bulaga, a player we had much earlier. Seems like a good value pick (regardless of Berman's lazy and pathetic stereotyping of the white midwesterner going to Green Bay). I'm calling a stunner now - if Jimmy Clausen falls past Arizona, and maybe even Minnesota... Cleveland will trade back into R1 to get him.

9:50 - Even though I think the Bryant/character stuff is overblown, WR is a smart pick for Denver. Let's face it, Kyle Orton (or Brady Quinn) needs all the help he can get. But, it is amazing that a project like Thomas could surpass a talent like Bryant on character issues. If Schefter's report is correct, the Ravens are getting the steal of the draft at #25 in Dez Bryant. As for Tebow, he can probably pack it in for the evening.

9:49 - Well, nevermind about that Tebow buzz...that's what you get for trusting a dirt sheet like PFT. As for the Broncos, this is the smart pick after trading Brandon Marshall. You knew McDaniels wasn't going to go with the WR with character issues, so Thomas, the WR from Ga Tech was the correct pick.

9:46 - This is the thing about ESPN, they always find the worst time to take commercials. Every year, they always take one before the Bears and Saints pick, and it drives us Yoders crazy!

9:45 - And Denver has swooped back in to the 1st round...and ESPN goes to commercial? Don't they know this could be Jesus Christ Quarterback himself Tim Tebow? If Tebow goes here ahead of Clausen I'll be shocked. But, don't put it past the ego of Josh McDaniels to think he can be the guy to make Tim Tebow an All-Pro QB.

9:42 - (bowing thankfully) Well, if you'll see our mock draft I called this the lock of the 1st round. And, even with Dez Bryant still there, the Bengals have never had a playmaking TE who could stretch the field and be a weapon in the passing game. As Mel brings up, durability and injury is an issue, but if he stays healthy, he can be a big time player.

9:40 - Dez Bryant to Cincy is my prediction. Sure he has character issues, but when has that ever bothered Mike Brown and the Bengals? The pick is in...and it's Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma

9:37 - What?!? No! I had the position right... but the Texans go with Kareem Jackson at corner from Alabama. I think most people had Wilson more highly rated, but an Alabama defender is never a bad selection... unless it's 1200 pound Eyjafjallajokull Cody.

9:34 - Anyone ever thought that Earl Thomas and Brandon Graham would be higher Twitter trending topics than LeBron James? Or Justin Bieber?? The NFL Draft is a wondrous thing. By the way, the "no means no" chant is now a Top 10 all-time draft moment. Well done NY fans, well done.

9:31 - Through 18 picks - we have 14/18 names correct (and a shoddy 5 to the correct team, hey it's our first day give us a break!) We had Campbell, Bulaga, 'Spoon and Bryant going in the Top 18. Out of those 4, I would expect Bryant to go first. Atlanta was reportedly high on Graham, and they go with... Sean Weatherspoon! As a Saints fan, that was my dream pick... and it kinda sucks to see him go to a division rival.

9:30 - Awkward moment of the night with the Steelers on the clock. The crowd chants "No means no" as a child from the Make a Wish foundation comes out to announce the pick...a brilliant strategic ploy by Commish Goodell. Let's see David Stern top that! With the actual pick, the Steelers help their OLine with Maurkice Pouncey, the C/G from Florida. Definitely a solid pick, the current Steelers OLine could learn some protection tips from Big Ben's bodyguards.

9:26 - Clausen in Black and Yellow? Much stranger things have happened. If not, look out Denver and Minnesota. With Iupati gone, Maurkice Pouncey makes a lot of sense, or secondary help.

9:25 - The steam is coming out of Mel Kiper's ears cause his golden boy is falling. The 49ers could have used a defensive impact player, but building from the inside out with a tackle and guard in the first round and Frank Gore in the backfield is never a bad thing.

9:23 - The Cavs have cut the lead to 2. Kyle Wilson here would look good in a Niner uniform. We had Haden in that spot, but it seems like the place to go. Once SF passes on Jimmy Clausen, we'll see if anyone trades up to get him. Clausen's fall also hurts McCoy and Tebow. The longer Jimmy waits, the longer Tim and Colt wait too.

9:20 - Darn. The Titans do go defense with Derrick Morgan. He will assuredly shore up their D-Line after losing Vanden Bosch to Detroit. The top DE on the board will do great in Titan country. I just wonder if Vince Young could use a legit WR. It's now or never for Clausen...

9:19 - A night of surprises would continue if my pick comes through here with Dez Bryant. When it happens I would love to wax poetically.

9:16 - As I thought - the JPP pick means Osi Umenyora is certainly on the trade block. I don't get it. You have needs at LB and secondary, and you pick a defensive end with a lot of potential? That's a bad pick from the Giants. Kyle Wilson or Weatherspoon would have made a lot more sense. With rumors of the Titans getting Haynesworth back, is hometown boy Dan Williams the pick here?

9:15 - You'd think with Osi and Justin Tuck the GMen would rather go MLB, but they pick the pass-rushing project Jason Pierre-Paul out of South Florida. Again, a guy with the athleticism, but does he turn into a great pass rusher, or a Vernon Gholston? It's too hard to tell, so I'm not sure I like this pick. And there's Berman with some joke about a Bob Dylan song for some reason. Anyway, rumors at PFT are flying that the Broncos are trying to maneuver to take Tim Tebow!

9:12 - We're trying to break a little news here too that you might not see on ESPN. PFT is reporting the Broncos slide back in R1 is for one man - Tim Tebow.

9:08 - With all of this activity and unexpected moves it's almost impossible to have a chance to make fun of Chris Berman... or make fun of our lack of correct picks after the Top 6. I think we've got a good chance with the Giants and Sean Weatherspoon though - although they might look to Kyle Wilson as well. FYI, LeBron has the look goin with the Cavs down 9 and 9 to go, while Chi leads and Pitt is tied in the Stanley Cup, I promise we'll cover those soon, maybe...

9:04 - Without a premier RB, Seattle should go D. Earl Thomas is on the phone so it looks like he is the pick... and he is. It's what the Eagles should have done 10 minutes ago. At least the New York fans drowned them out this year. Great pick for their secondary. The kid has the mental game and is great at anticipatory moves. Good picks to start the Carroll era in the great northwest.

9:02 - Things are really interesting now as Seattle could go with DLine help, a corner like Kyle Wilson, or a new toy for Charlie Whitehurst in Dez Bryant. Or, they could shock everyone and take Golden Boy Jimmy Clausen! If I'm Seattle though, I'm trading down to pick up an extra pick.

8:57 - And the Eagles pick Ear... whoa! Brandon Graham??? Huh?? I think we're entering the Twilight Zone now. Graham will probably a solid pick, but pass rushers in the mid first round are perhaps the biggest guessing game as to whether they will succeed or not. Obviously Adam Schefter has been thrown a curve here and struck out like Ryan Howard. By the way... how good was that Michigan defense anyways?

8:53 - Now the Eagles are trading up! This draft has had unprecedented activity! Schefter is calling Earl Thomas (who we had at #7) as the pick. I like this move a lot. It fills a need with an impact player who will move into the lineup right away. Meanwhile, I'm not sure I'm in love with Denver accumulating 3rd and 4th rounders. On SD, it's a bit of a reach, but they needed a RB like Mathews - hoping he'll be the Matt Forte of this year's class. If I'm a fan I'd rather have my team make the move and trade up rather than wait, hope, and settle.

8:47 - Big move up from the low 20s by the Chargers. Thinking they want a 3-down back like Ryan Mathews or a 3-4 NT like Dan Williams. The pick is in...and its RB Ryan Mathews of Fresno St. He's a guy I've liked a long time, a hard runner who should be dependable. Sure, it might be a reach for a player who was projected in the 20s, but without LT it's a smart move for the Bolts.

8:43 - SF trades up 2 spots to select Anthony Davis. Boy, I didn't think Miami needed a OT, so I'm not sure why the trade up is necessary? We had the pick at 13, so I'm going to count it as a correct pick!

8:41 - I feel like we need Fran Fraschilla at this point. This is the random foreign guy going in the 1st Round of the NBA Draft. Nobody, absolutely nobody had Alualu going #10 to Jax. I'm stunned. This draft has gone from predictable to having no idea what is going on! This is a reach by at least 20-30 picks and will be the reach of the draft. Oh well, at least Alualu will fill out that upper deck in Jacksonville!

8:37 - Not so sure about Spiller for ROY, but I give the Bills credit for acting quickly. I think I smelled burnt rubber through my HD from Commish Goodell. And what the heck just happened? The Jags pick Tyson Alualu...a DT from Cal??? Who?? We get the WTF look from everyone on the ESPN set as the camera immediately goes to Mel Kiper who tells us he was a late 1st early 2nd at best. Rolando McLain wasn't a reach to be, but this is Stretch Armstrong compared to that pick! And now the 49ers are moving up!

8:35 - If Clausen doesn't go here at 10, the fall begins.

8:34 - Wow. I'm stunned. We heard that the Bills might be shopping Lynch, but I am absolutely floored that they would take Spiller in what is clearly not a need position. This is probably more of an indictment on the rest of the OL/DL prospects too. Even though I like Spiller, I'm not sure he's a good pick for Buffalo.

8:33 - Right away the Bills are picking and they go with C.J. Spiller?! Wow, another curveball. As Brother Yohey just said, business is picking up...and Marshawn Lynch's days in Buffalo are officially numbered.

8:32 - And the Raiders go with Rolando McLain?? Wow, that's one guy that was never attached to the Raiders in any mock draft that we ever saw. But, that said he should be one of the least riskiest picks of the draft. So, maybe the Raiders stumbled on to something. Of course, Mel uses the R-word for the 1st time in analyzing the pick.

8:27 - With the large stockpile of picks the Brownies have it wouldn't be a shock to see them later tonight. Now the Raiders are on the clock. We have them taking the athletic freak OT Bruce Campbell from Maryland. Right now, it wouldn't surprise me to see anyone from Bruce Campbell to George Blanda being the pick here for Crazy Al Davis.

8:25 - I'm not too disappointed with Haden. They needed secondary help with their lack of depth (even after trading for Sheldon Brown) and playing in an SEC defense will help. Earl Thomas would have been my preference (as you can see from the mock) but what can you do?

8:22 - I can't tell if Haden is crying because he's happy he's being drafted... or crying because he might have to go play for Eric Mangini in Cleveland!

8:19 - McShay going with the dreaded touchscreen live is a big risk... I wonder if Mel Kiper has that thing sabotaged. Michael Smith is reporting that Cleveland is deciding between Wilson and Haden. We thought they might go S, but it looks like they're going corner. They should try and trade back... but I don't think there is worth anyone trading up for at this spot. Browns fans are loving that 4 gm win streak now!

8:17 - The tide of the draft depends on this pick. They could go Clausen and chnge the draft that way, they could pick a surprise defender, maybe a shock like Spiller, or a trade. A lot can happen. True, and Browns fans should thank whatever God they pray to that Eric Mangini is no longer pulling the strings.

8:14 - Looks like Okung is the pick. Wow. Gruden predicts CJ Spiller as Rookie of the Year, even before he's picked. It depends on where it goes, but once again I think Gruden is on to something. Okung is indeed the pick. Thanks to Yohey's pick at #4 we're only 4/6 but have nailed the 6 players so far. Who says this mock draft stuff is hard...

8:12 - Winner so far: Oklahoma and the Big XII. Loser: Bob Stoops. How has this guy lost so many big games with this kind of talent??? I'm guessing w/ Williams gone Okung is the pick. Although Pete Carroll could do something crazy here.

8:09 - Don't question the popularity of the NFL. Draft fever has hit my non-NFL fan friend Katie - she's now quoting Jon Gruden - Eric Berry is ready to come into the league and an impact hitter. The apocalypse is nearing...

8:07 - F%&$! That was my hope and dream that my Browns would take Berry. Now who? Clausen? Thomas? Wilson? Haden? Kosar??

8:06 - Eric Berry is now playing the role of happy man on the phone. Just like Y1 said, KC needs playmakers and Berry is the biggest playmaker left. That's the smart and safe pick for the Chiefs. Hey, 4 out of 5 picks correct ain't bad. Unfortunately, the Browns now appear screwed.

8:03 - Word on the street was Williams fits the Skins' schemes better. I never thought they would consider Berry with the pressing need at OL and to protect Donovan McNabb that was always the right pick. Now it gets interesting with Kansas City picking. Berry is too good of a player to pass up here I think.

8:00 - Brother Yohey here, this is the first break point of the draft. And the Redskins don't waste any time going with Trent Williams, the OT from Oklahoma. We had the 'Skins taking Okung, but Williams is more athletic and made a late rise. And what the heck is up with Silverback?!? Is he looking to already line up a WWE nickname if his a career is a bust.

7:57 - Although the Bucs and Lions will only combine for about 6 wins next year, McCoy and Suh have a chance to be Pro Bowl quality linemen within 2 years.

7:55 - And the 3rd pick to the Bucs is Gerald McCoy. A lot of emotion from McCoy which is great to see as a dream is realized! And there's a bearhug for the Commish! Here's betting none of these Top 3 ever get called in for a personal conduct review...they all seem like quality human beings.

7:53 - The first of many awkward interactions between Berman and Gruden as the former reminds the latter he was fired by the Bucs. For a look at what the Bucs might be thinking right now, check out our friends at Real Fake Sports!

7:51 - Kiper reminds us that Suh was the #1 player available on his board. Meanwhile Suh was serenaded by chants of Suuuuuuhhhhhh from the crowd. One area the draft has already improved on is the post-player interview. When not being hit on by a drunk Joe Namath, she asks good questions while Bradford and Suh gave very polished interviews. Fans in Detroit and St. Louis should be very happy!

7:47 - The 2nd pick is in and its Suh for the Lions. Clearly the right pick, and if Suh can improve on his dominant performance last season, he can quickly become one of the most dominant D-linemen in the league. And, even better news, we're 2 for 2 on our mock draft!

7:37 - Bradford is on the phone. The pick is in. And the Rams select... Tim Tebow! OK, just kidding. It's Bradford and it's the Rams. Nice job out of ESPN to spoil the pick before the announcement. Banner start. It looks like Bradford has that weird Eli Manning face when he got picked by the Chargers. Even though he has the Rams jersey and hat, the night is still young...

7:34 - Gruden added to the draft coverage is a huge plus. So is Adam Schefter... at least there are a couple worthwhile people amidst the 75 ESPN has covering the draft.

7:32 - And we're underway with the Commish's suckup. We know Bradford will be the pick, but will it be St. Louis or Cleveland?? Apparently the Browns are trying to make a move, but I think it would be silly to mortgage the future with all the needs that they have at the moment. And the Rams are on the clock!!!

7:23 pm - We get the usual video package discussing the transformation of spread QBs to taking snaps under center. Isn't that the most overrated draft debate every single year? Unless Sam Bradford goes out in his 1st preseason game and trips over his center 8 times and wets his pants, I'm not too concerned

7:15 pm - Ok, so this "most valuable picks thing" or whatever is kinda cool... but it does seem a little silly to deem undrafted John Randle as one of the most valuable draft picks of all time, doesn't it?

7:00 pm - Already, we have some good competition for Dumbest Quote of the Night! In the last hour we've had these gems:

(1) Trent Dilfer stated Jimmy Clausen t wa the safest pick in the entire draft! Has he ever heard of Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy?

(2) Cris Carter stated Dez Bryant was the safest pick of the entire draft!? Do either of these guys know the meaning of the word safest? Isn't Dez Bryant the guy with all the character issues?

(3) Ron Jaworski lauded Clausen's QB skills and downplayed the importance of character issues, as long as he was a good QB. Umm, somehow I feel if we were talking about a black WR, say Dez Bryant, Jaws might be singing a different tune.