A Real American Comes to the NFL

It was the story of the 2008 NFL Draft. Army safety Caleb Campbell was drafted in the 7th Round by the Detroit Lions, and thought that he would be able to serve his commitment to the Army domestically. Instead, the Army balked at their policy and forced Campbell to withdraw from the Lions and serve his time overseas, though the Lions promised they would be there for him when he was finished. Now that his commitment is over, the Lions have kept their promise and signed Campbell to a contract. This is simply fantastic. I know that, if Campbell makes the team, I will have a soft spot in my heart for the Lions. They stuck to their word. If only the US Army had too.

Round 7 Thoughts and Draft Thoughts

Don't have any real thoughts about Round 7, other than the Redskins did well to add some depth on the O-line. Would have liked to see that earlier, but maybe these two guys can help restore the line to something that can protect McNabb.

As far as my thoughts for the entire draft, it boils down to the two teams that won- Seattle and Baltimore. I think they will both be competitive this season, Seattle getting back to the playoffs and Baltimore in the running for a Super Bowl.

Teams that didn't do well, in my mind, were the Jaguars, Bills and Broncos. The Jags reached on Alualu and didn't end up with Tebow, the man they wanted in the 2nd Round. The Broncos did get Tebow, though they didn't need him and took him too early. As for the Bills, they got an explosive player in CJ Spiller, but until they trade Marshawn Lynch, Spiller will only be seen on special teams. Furthermore, they did very little to help on the O-line. They better get production out of Wang from VTech, or else their QBs will all get injured.

In the end, it was 15 hours of draft fun. I enjoyed it. Let's do it again next year!

Round 6 Thoughts

I only have one real thought from Round 6. It is a crime that Myron Rolle had to wait till the last pick in the 6th round to get drafted. The man has excelled at everything he has ever tried. #1 recruit, all-ACC player, and oh, by the way, a Rhodes Scholar! Insane that a man who decided to be amazing in everything both on and off the field was doubted.

Some people said that he was too smart. One coach asked him what it was like to desert his team. These men, these coaches, are completely worthless human beings. Myron Rolle will be so successful in the league and after his playing days are over that he will be able to buy and sell these chumps however he likes. I hope that one coach develops a brain condition (other than his obvious stupidity), and that Myron Rolle is his neurosurgeon. I know Myron won't do this, because he is too good of a person, but I would botch the operation and leave the coach a vegetable. It wouldn't be that much of a change from the idiocy he displayed already.

Myron Rolle is an excellent pick for the Titans, a bargain in the 6th round, and will be successful in his NFL dream. He will then leave and be successful in everything else he does. If he decides to run for office, he has my vote.

Starting Over in Oakland

The Redskins traded Jason Campbell to the Oakland Raiders today, for a 4th round pick in the 2012 draft. This is a great trade for both teams, I feel. The Raiders get to move forward from the JaMarcus Russell mistake. He is now, in my mind, the biggest draft bust ever. He was #1 overall, and now he is no higher than 3rd on the teams depth chart, if he stays on at all.

Campbell gets to go to a new team, away from Dan Snyder, to a team that I think could be on the rise. They have a great defense, they have sured up the offensive line, and they have a bunch of young receivers. I think that they can compete in the AFC West. They also gave Campbell an extension, paying him $4 million in the 2011 season. I think it is a great move.

The Redskins thought they could only get a 6th or so pick for Campbell. Instead, they get the 4th rounder, albeit 2 years from now. Maybe they will keep it, who knows. It is a victory if they don't trade it away by the end of the draft today. Everyone gets to move forward, and it might be the best situation for all involved... except Russell.

Round 5 Thoughts

Still drafting. Two picks I really like from the 5th round-

- John Skelton, QB, Fordham to the Cardinals. It isn't that I love Skelton, cause he is apparently raw, and has very little accuracy. I just love the Cards taking a QB. I would have taken Tony Pike or Dan LeFevour, both of whom are still available.

- Arthur Jones, DT, Syracuse to the Ravens. Love it. My man coming to my other team. The Ravens got a steal here if Jones can stay healthy. That D-line is ridiculous now. Love the pick. No one will run on them.

Round 4 Thoughts

I love two of the first three picks of Round 4:

- Mardy Gilyard to the Rams. They have no receivers, and Gilyard is an instant playmaker.

- Mike Williams to the Bucs. They got 2nd year QB Josh Freeman two weapons now in Arrelious Benn and Williams. They are already saying that these two will be the starting wideouts. If Williams' head is right, he is the steal of the draft. He can be Brandon Marshall.

Interesting Pick:

- Mike Kafka, QB, Northwestern to the Eagles. He will be the most popular man in town when the Eagles start out 2-6 and they turn on Kevin Kolb.

Round 3 Thoughts

No huge thoughts on Round 3, but the biggest is Colt McCoy. How the hell did he fall that far? The Browns are amazingly lucky that they were able to pass him over 4 times and still get their future QB. I think McCoy can be Drew Brees. Maybe not as amazing to turn around a terrible franchise to Super Bowl winners by himself like Drew did, but I see Cleveland making the playoffs with Colt at the helm within 5 years.

Round 2 Thoughts

Some thoughts from Round 2 of the NFL Draft:

- The Ravens are amazing. Sergio Kindle is a top 15 talent, and they get him in the second round. Then they add the biggest man I have ever seen, Terrence Cody. It will be impossible to run up the middle on the Ravens. Cody and Ngata? Amazing.

- Jimmy Clausen fell all the way to the Panthers. I can't believe it, but he is going to a good team. It will be a good spot for him, and I see him beating out Matt Moore for the job at least by Week 8.

Picks I love:

- Toby Gerhart to the Vikings. He might give Peterson a run for his money.
- Golden Tate to Seattle. The Seahawks are winning this draft, hands down.
- The Ravens picks.
- St. Louis adding Roger Saffold to help protect Sam "Franchise" Bradford.

Picks I hate:

- None, really. Teams filled needs really well.

First Round Thoughts

Here are my thoughts on Round 1 of this year's NFL Draft:

- Top 3 picks as expected. No surprises. Suh will be great. Love McCoy's emotion already.

- Ugh. Ok, so the Skins took a tackle. It just wasn't the right one. Russell Okung has been the top tackle all year. He is a top left tackle. Instead, the get Williams. He won't be a bust. He will just be a right tackle or guard within 3 years. Not a huge fan of the person, big fan of the position picked.

- Eric Berry and Okung are fantastic picks. Great job.

- Picks 7, 8, 9 and 10 confuse the hell out of me. Not saying the players are bad, by any means. I am just saying all of them, except Spiller, would have been available later on. Spiller just went to a team that already has two running backs.

- Love the 49ers draft so far. They are sticking with Alex Smith, so they might as well protect him. They add a bookend RT in Anthony Davis and a monster guard in Mike Iupati.

- I think Jahvid Best went a little high.

- I, for the life of me, do not understand what the Broncos are doing. Tim Tebow in the first round? I understand the pick of Demaryius Thomas cause they needed a WR. But Tebow? What the hell?!? They just got the best fullback in the draft in the first round. Go figure.

- Jimmy Clausen is going to be a steal in the second round, I think. Same goes with Colt McCoy and Sergio Kindle from Texas. I still think Minnesota should take one of the quarterbacks, or Taylor Mays from USC.

That's all I got right now. Round 2 starts at 6 pm Friday. Be there.

Mock Round 3

Here is the last of it. I am not doing any more because even I don't know that much. I have other things going on. I will edit as the trades demand. Enjoy!

Round 3

1. St. Louis Rams- Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU
2. Detroit Lions- Selvish Capers, OL, WVU
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Corey Wooten, DE, Northwestern
4. Kansas City Cheifs- Al Woods, DT, LSU
5. Oakland Raiders- Damian Williams, WR, USC
6. Philadelphia Eagles- Sean Lee, LB, Penn State
7. Cleveland Browns- Thaddeus Gibson, OLB, Ohio State
8. Buffalo Bills- Gene Atkins, DT, Georgia
9. Miami Dolphins- Torell Troup, DT, UCF
10. Jacksonville Jaguars- Perrish Cox, CB, OK State
11. Chicago Bears- John Jerry, OG, Ole Miss
12. New York Giants- Ricky Sapp, DE, Clemson
13. Tennessee Titans- Amari Spievey, CB, Iowa
14. Carolina Panthers- Taylor Price, WR, Ohio
15. San Francisco 49ers- Dexter McCluster, RB, Ole Miss
16. Denver Broncos- Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
17. Houston Texans- Joe McKnight, RB, USC
18. Pittsburgh Steelers- Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee
19. Atlanta Falcons- Zane Beadles, OG, Utah
20. Cincinnati Bengals- Alex Carrington, DE, Arkansas State
21. Cleveland Browns- TJ Ward, S, Oregon
22. Green Bay Packers- Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
23. Philadelphia Eagles- D’Anthony Smith, DT, Louisiana Tech
24. Arizona Cardinals- Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama
25. Arizona Cardinals- Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati
26. Dallas Cowboys- Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas
27. San Diego Chargers- Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma
28. Cleveland Browns- Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon
29. Minnesota Vikings- Jerome Murphy, CB, USF
30. Indianapolis Colts- Edwin Veldneer, OT, Hillsdale
31. New Orleans Saints- Chad Jones, S, LSU
32. Cincinnati Benglas- Perry Riley, OLB, LSU
33. Tennessee Titans- Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse
34. Atlanta Falcons- Dorin Dickerson, TE, Pitt

NFL Mock Round 2

Only a few notes in this one, with some big college names going, including 2 more QBs-

Round 2.

1. St. Louis Rams- Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
2. Detroit Lions- Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State

Kevin Smith is recovering from a devastating knee injury. Ryan Matthews is a first round talent who has fallen to the Lions. Again, they are happy to take him.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
4. Kansas City Chiefs- Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

The explosive Notre Dame playmaker is reunited with his former head coach, now the team’s OC, Charlie Weis.

5. Philadelphia Eagles- John Asamoah, OG, Illinois
6. Cleveland Browns- Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

This could be the steal of the draft. He is a perfect fit for the system, and has a great arm. If he develops his accuracy, he could be Drew Brees.

7. Oakland Raiders- Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

Al Davis can’t pass on this workout warrior twice.

8. San Diego Chargers- Jahvid Base, RB, Cal

They are all about the passing game, so the Chargers take an explosive Reggie Bush-type player.

9. Buffalo Bills- Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

Chan Gaily is installing a spread offense. Tebow could thrive in that system. He is an amazing athlete, and already has the Jim Kelly seal of approval.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
11. Denver Broncos- Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota

The Broncos get their replacement to Brandon Marshall in a big receiver and compliment to Eddie Royal.

12. New England Patriots- Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
13. Denver Broncos- JD Walton, C, Baylor
14. New York Giants- Brian Price, DT, UCLA
15. New England Patriots- Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
16. Carolina Panthers- Tyson Alalu, DT, Cal
17. San Francisco 49ers- Daryl Washington, OLB, TCU
18. Kansas City Chiefs- Roger Saffold, OT, Indiana

The Chiefs passed on Bulaga at 5 to take Eric Berry. They still get a solid O-Tackle to help Brandon Albert and keep Matt Cassel upright.

19. Houston Texans- Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas
20. Pittsburgh Steelers- Patrick Robinson, CB, FSU
21. New England Patriots- Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati

Two words: Instant Playmaker

22. Cincinnati Bengals- Linval Joseph, DT, ECU
23. Philadelphia Eagles- Nate Allen, S, USF
24. Green Bay Packers- Chris Cook, CB, UVA
25. Baltimore Ravens- Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU
26. Arizona Cardinals- Cam Thomas, NT, UNC
27. Dallas Cowboys- Major Wright, S, Florida
28. Seattle Seahawks- Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech
29. New York Jets- Navarro Bowman, OLB, Penn State
30. Minnesota Vikings- Vladimir Ducasse, OG/C, UMASS
31. Indianapolis Colts- Koa Misi, OLB, Utah
32. New Orleans Saitns- Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina

THE MOCK HAS LANDED!

It is here, finally, three days before the event starts in prime time. Here is the mock draft. Just a few things to mention before I start. 1- I think this is what most of the teams will/should do. But things change. 2- I cannot predict trades, so this is the mock barring any trades made before tonight and the Draft starting. I will try to edit as much as I can if things change before Thursday. ENJOY, and comment telling me how crazy I am.

JFLANland’s 2010 NFL Mock Draft

Rounds 1-3

Round 1

1. St. Louis Rams- Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

The Rams have passed on too many QBs in the past. It is their biggest need. They are handcuffed into taking Bradford.

2. Detroit Lions- Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

The best player in the draft. The Lions are thrilled he falls to 2

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

The consensus Top 3 are gone. The Bucs hope McCoy is the next Sapp

4. Washington Redskins- Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

The Skins need value and need production. Okung is the safest pick in the draft, guaranteed to anchor the O-Line for ten years.

5. Kansas City Chiefs- Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

The first true wild card spot. The Chiefs have a lot of needs, including O-Line, but Berry is the best player on their board. Kiper says he is the next Ed Reed.

6. Seattle Seahawks- Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

Matt Hasselbeck isn’t getting any younger. Walter Jones is probably retiring. A new OT helps fill that sizable void.

7. Cleveland Browns- Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

I have a feeling Mike Holmgren watched how productive last year’s talented problem receiver, Michael Crabtree, was in SF. The Browns have nothing, Bryant is an explosive compliment to Josh Cribbs.

8. Oakland Raiders- Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

Dare we say it, but I think the Raiders don’t take the sexy pick and draft a solid DT. I might also be predicting they trade for Jason Campbell, so no go on Clausen.

9. Buffalo Bills- Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

Another wild card spot. Chan Gailey is installing a spread offense, and Clausen doesn’t fit. Bulaga could be a top 5 talent, and fill the biggest need in Buffalo.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars- CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson

I think that the Jags miss Fred Taylor. CJ Spiller can return kicks and be Robin to Mo-Jo Drew’s Batman. That can help their dismal passing game.

11. Denver Broncos- Earl Thomas, S, Texas

Dez is gone, so they address a defense issue. Brian Dawkins can’t play forever.

12. Miami Dolphins- Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan

Todd McShay calls him the most underrated talent in the draft. It will be a tough decision for Miami between Graham and Morgan.

13. San Francisco 49ers- Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

The 49ers want someone to go opposite Joe Stanley. Davis has the talent to be a left tackle, but might be best as a bookend right tackle. Again, no joy in Clausen-ville

14. Seattle Seahawks- Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

The Seahawks traded for Charlie Whitehurst, so I don’t see them drafting a QB in round 1. Derrick Morgan is Kiper’s pick for the most underrated man, and fills a big need.

15. New York Giants- Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

The Giants have made little secret that they want McClain. They get their man.

16. Tennessee Titans- Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, USF

An explosive pass rusher with more upside than many of his counterparts. He could be Mario Williams or Jevon Kearse.

17. San Francisco 49ers- Joe Haden, CB, Florida

San Fran is ready to take Clausen, but they are amazed when Haden falls to them. They have him rated higher, and want to ride out the Alex Smith express, so they go with Joe.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers- Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida

They don’t need much, but a center is one of their biggest needs. Now I wonder who he will be hiking the ball to…

19. Atlanta Falcons- Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas

Need pick and best player available. Gives John Abraham a little competition, and might fire him up a smidge.

20. Houston Texans- Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

Dunta Robinson took the money and ran to Atlanta. Hello replacement.

21. Cincinnati Bengals- Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

Carson Palmer can never have too many weapons apparently. He hasn’t had a true Gates-style TE yet.

22. New England Patriots- Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU

Just seems like the type of guy the Pats love. Hughes is a hard worker, and a versatile, tenacious defender. He and Jared Mayo will stick together for a while.

23. Green Bay Packers- Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho

Aaron Rogers got sacked the most last year. The Franchise has to be upright if you are going to win.

24. Philadelphia Eagles- Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama

Filling needs with a lot of picks

25. Baltimore Ravens- Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech

They are committed to giving Joe Flacco numerous weapons, including a young receiving he can develop with.

26. Arizona Cardinals- Sean Witherspoon, LB, Missouri

They need to replace Karlos Dansby.

27. Dallas Cowboys- Charles Brown, OT, USC

They need to replace Flozell Adams

28. San Diego Chargers- Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama

They need to replace Jamal Williams. They need a running back also. More on that later.

29. New York Jets- Taylor Mays, S, USC

Rex Ryan will pick defense, and safety is the biggest need.

30. Minnesota Vikings- Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

And the waiting finally ends! Ok, let’s be honest, there is no way that Clausen lasts this long. Someone will trade back into the first round to take him. But, if magically someone doesn’t, then the Vikings won’t be able to pass up on their next franchise QB, especially with McNabb negotiating an extension in DC.

31. Indianapolis Colts- Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

They need someone in the middle to go with Mathis and Freeney. Odrick could be that man.

32. New Orleans Saints- Everson Griffen, DE, USC

The Super Bowl champs take the best player available, helping them in their pass defense. The pass rush should help out that secondary.

The Nats Win!

The Nats are above .500 for the first time in 2 seasons, when they started 3-0 in 2008 (only to lose the next, like 18). Old Man Livan Hernandez threw a gem today, going all 9 innings and shutting out the Brew Crew 8-0. That wraps up our 2nd series win of the year. We go for the sweep tomorrow at Nats Park. Its an amazing this what the Nats can do when they don't have to play Philadelphia every day.

The Entire Ginn Family is heading to San Fran

Talk about a failed experiment. The Dolphins have shipped former #9 overall pick Ted Ginn Jr out to the 49ers for a 5th round pick. A bust in everything except the return game against the Jets, Ginn will now likely be the speed slot receiver for Mike Singeltary. They have some good WR and TE options out west. If only they had a QB to go with them. They look to be committed to Alex Smith, but if Jimmy Clausen falls to them, do you think they can pass on a pro style signal caller?

A Bryce Harper Update

Here is an update on future National Bryce Harper from MASNsports.com:

Nats likely to take Harper with No. 1 pick

By Ben Goessling,

With baseball's First-Year Player Draft still almost two months away, the perception in some circles around the game is the Nationals won't have as easy a choice with the No. 1 pick this season as they did last year, when they took right-hander Stephen Strasburg first overall.

That's not how the Nationals are approaching it.

Barring an injury or a drastic change, the Nationals will likely take 17-year-old catcher Bryce Harper with the first pick in the June Draft. According to a source familiar with the situation, they see Harper as being head and shoulders above anyone else in the 2010 draft class and believe he could reach the majors within 2 1/2 years.

Harper, who has been called "the LeBron James of baseball," completed his GED in December 2009 so he could play junior-college baseball and be eligible for the 2010 draft, rather than finish high school. He is currently playing at the College of Southern Nevada, where he is batting .422 with a .516 on-base percentage, .891 slugging percentage, 15 homers and 42 RBI in 39 games.

The Nationals are pleased with Harper's arrangement, as it makes him easier to scout than he would be if he was in high school. He is already playing with a wood bat, and the junior-college level of competition is higher than what he'd face in high school. What's more, Harper is getting pitched to at Southern Nevada, where most high school teams would pitch around him.

Washington has scouted Harper for the last several years, though its top executives have not watched the 6-foot-3 catcher play yet. The Nationals believe he is as surefire a talent as Jayson Heyward, the outfielder selected by the Atlanta Braves out of high school in 2007 who is starting his rookie year with the team.

According to the source, the Nationals will take the best player available, and the decision is almost as cut-and-dried as last year's decision to take Strasburg.

Harper's advisor, Scott Boras, got Strasburg the richest deal ever given to a draft pick last summer, when he agreed to a four-year, $15.1 million deal with Strasburg just before the Aug. 17 deadline. Boras has said he does not consider Harper to be in the same class as Strasburg, though many scouts see him as a similarly rare talent. It's likely negotations for Harper would be lengthy; the Nationals have not made detailed inquiries about his salary demands, but intend to sign him if they do indeed draft him.

General manager Mike Rizzo has historically preferred college players, but took high school shortstop Justin Upton with the first pick in the 2005 draft when he was with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Harper, who also throws a 96-mph fastball, was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated last year, and could project at a number of different positions. He has become an Internet sensation after video surfaced of him hitting a 502-foot home run (albeit with an aluminum bat) at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., last year.

If the Nationals take him, he could eventually pair with Strasburg to give the team two of the most highly-touted (and handsomely paid) prospects in the history of the draft. Right now, it appears that is what the team plans to do.

Been a While

Sorry it has been so long, but there was a tragedy in my life, the loss of a dear friend. At 23, he left us far too young, and so my interest in sports and blogging has waned recently. But I need to try to bring things back to something close to normal for me, so here are some thoughts on what has been happening in the sports world.

- McNabb is out of Philly and now on my team. I love it. Just make sure we get some O-line help. I'd love to draft Okung or move down to get more picks for more linemen. If we really don't care about draft picks either, trade next year's 2nd rounder to the Ravens for Jared Gaither, who can be a franchise tackle.

- The Nats are off to a 3-3 start. Already 3/63rds of the way to not losing 100!

- Lefty won the Masters, and I think everyone was happy for him, considering what he has been through with his wife and mother both battling breast cancer. Notice how he stuck by them and has no controversy surrounding him. Are you paying attention Tiger?

- The Caps won the President's Trophy and will now be taking on Montreal in the first round. Hopefully, in a week, we will be talking about a sweep by Ovie and the boys.

- The NBA regular season is apparently still going on. The Thunder, Bobcats and Hawks are all in the playoffs. What is the world coming to?

- Everyone should see the play Mark Buerhle made on opening day. It was insane, and will be the play of the year... AND IT CAME ON OPENING DAY!

- The NFL Draft is in a week and a half. When I find time, I will mock a 1st round for you, my 6 loyal readers.

Might do some more today, or some tomorrow.

A Quick Thought on Colt McCoy

Colt McCoy had his pro day yesterday, and by all accounts did a great job. I see no reason to doubt his ability, and compare him favorably to Drew Brees. In an ideal world, for me, if the Redskins are seriously considering taking a new QB in the draft this month, I would like to use the #4 pick on Russel Okung, OT from Oklahoma State, and then the 37th pick on McCoy. This, in my opinion would be a great first 2 picks.