More mock? MORE MOCK! I'll only comment on the interesting picks from here on out.
1 (65). Houston Texans- Ja'Wuan James, OT, Tennessee
2 (66). Washington Redskins- Bashaud Breeland, CB, Clemson
3 (67). Oakland Raiders- Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida
4 (68). Atlanta Falcons- CJ Fiedorwicz, TE, Iowa
Tony Gonzalez might actually be retired now. Atlanta has a big need at TE.
5 (69). Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Scott Crichton, DE/OLB, Oregon State
6 (70). Jacksonville Jaguars- Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State
My alma mater, Syracuse, was beating PSU when Robinson was out of the game. Then he came in, and we lost.
7 (71). Cleveland Browns- Robert Herron, WR, Wyoming
8 (72). Minnesota Vikings- Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
Peterson's backup left for Jacksonville, so they need another talented workhorse running back.
9 (73). Buffalo Bills- Crockett Gillmore, TE, Colorado State
10 (74). New York Giants- Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina
11 (75). St. Louis Rams- Ka'Deem Carey, RB, Arizona
12 (76). Detroit Lions- Carl Bradford, OLB, Arizona State
13 (77). San Francisco 49ers- Dominique Easley, DT, Florida
14 (78). Dallas Cowboys- Antone Exum, CB/S, Virginia Tech
15 (79). Baltimore Ravens- Dion Bailey, S, USC
16 (80). New York Jets- Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice
17 (81). Miami Dolphins- Ed Reynolds, S, Stanford
18 (82). Chicago Bears- Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska
19 (83). Cleveland Browns- Ahmad Dixon, S, Baylor
The Browns have so many picks in the first 3 rounds. If they don't hit on at least 2 guys, they are cursed.
20 (84). Arizona Cardinals- Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
Hill might be the biggest running back I have ever seen.
21 (85). Green Bay Packers- Marcel Jensen, TE, Fresno State
22 (86). Philadelphia Eagles- Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma
23 (87). Kansas City Chiefs- Jon Halapio, OG, Florida
24 (88). Cincinnati Bengals- AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama
Andy Dalton thinks he is a franchise QB? Then let him beat out a proven winner.
25 (89). San Diego Chargers- Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers
26 (90). Indianapolis Colts- Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas
27 (91). New Orleans Saints- Cameron Fleming, OT, Stanford
28 (92). Carolina Panthers- Kendall James, CB, Maine
29 (93). New England Patriots- Andre Williams, RB, Boston College
Blount is out, Ridley fumbles, and Vareen gets hurt. Tom could use a good running game.
30 (94). Sand Francisco 49ers- Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina
31 (95). Denver Broncos- John Urschel, OG, Penn State
32 (96). Minnesota Vikings- Preston Brown, ILB, Louisville
33 (97). Pittsburgh Steelers- Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State
34 (98). Green Bay Packers- Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State
35 (99). Baltimore Ravens- Dri Archer, RB, Kent State
Ray Rice was awful last year, and Dri Archer could be the next Darren Sproles.
36 (100). San Francisco 49ers- Logan Thomas, QB/TE, Virginia Tech
A very similar QB to Kaepernick, he may also be used as a tight end across from Vernon Davis.
Keep an eye out the rest of the night for Rounds 4 and 5. One more day til the Draft!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
JFLANland 2014 NFL Mock Draft- Round 2
Hope you enjoyed Round 1. On to Round 2 we go. I will be giving less analysis with these picks, concentrating Once again, the Houston Texans are on the clock-
1 (33). Houston Texans- Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
Texans get their QB in Round 1, and a very good DE in Round 2.
2 (34). Washington Redskins- Morgan Moses, OT, UVA
The Skins' first pick is used on someone to play right tackle and protect RG3.
3 (35). Cleveland Browns- Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi State
4 (36). Oakland Raiders- Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
5 (37). Atlanta Falcons- Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
Matt Ryan needs protection whenever possible.
6 (38). Tampa Bay Buccaneers- David Yankey, OG, Stanford
7 (39). Jacksonville Jaguars- Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
The Jags get their QB of the future in Round 2. He can sit behind Henne for a few months.
8 (40). Minnesota Vikings- Keith McGill, CB, Utah
9 (41). Buffalo Bills- Jimmy Ward, S, Northern Illinois
Jarius Byrd is in NoLA, so safety is a big need.
10 (42). Tennessee Titans- Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
The first RB off the board goes to the team that lost Chris Johnson
11 (43). New York Giants- Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA
12 (44). St. Louis Rams- Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
Here is the tackle! The Rams get the top WR, top safety and a talented (if oft injured) tackle.
13 (45). Detroit Lions- Terrence Brooks, S, Florida State
14 (46). Pittsburgh Steelers- Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State
15 (47). Dallas Cowboys- Stephen Tuitt, DT/DE, Notre Dame
16 (48). Baltimore Ravens- Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin
May not be the next Ray Lewis, but can start right away.
17 (49). New York Jets- Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame
More weapons for a team without any.
18 (50). Miami Dolphins- Brandon Thomas, OG, Clemson
19 (51). Chicago Bears- Deone Buchanon, S, Washington State
20 (52). Arizona Cardinals- Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
My favorite QB in the draft. Best situation for him, may go to them in Round 1.
21 (53). Green Bay Packers- Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford
22 (54). Philadelphia Eagles- Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU
23 (55). Cincinnati Bengals- Jack Mewhort, OT/G, Ohio State
24 (56). San Francisco 49ers- Marcus Martin, OC, USC
25 (57). San Diego Chargers- Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
26 (58). New Orleans Saints- Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida
27 (59). Indianapolis Colts- Cyril Richardson, OG, Baylor
The Colts use their first pick on protection for their franchise QB. He gets hit too much.
28 (60). Carolina Panthers- Joel Bitonio, OT/G, Nevada
29 (61). San Francisco 49ers- Trent Murphy, OLB, Stanford
Navarro Bowman is coming off a terrible injury, and Aldon Smith may be in jail. San Fran needs a pass rush.
30 (62). New England Patriots- Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
31 (63). Denver Broncos- Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
A great change of pace back to team with Montee Ball.
32 (64). Seattle Seahawks- Josh Huff, WR, Oregon
That's Round 2. I will be posting Rounds 3-5 tomorrow, and then the Main Event happens Thursday! Get pumped!
1 (33). Houston Texans- Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
Texans get their QB in Round 1, and a very good DE in Round 2.
2 (34). Washington Redskins- Morgan Moses, OT, UVA
The Skins' first pick is used on someone to play right tackle and protect RG3.
3 (35). Cleveland Browns- Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi State
4 (36). Oakland Raiders- Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
5 (37). Atlanta Falcons- Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
Matt Ryan needs protection whenever possible.
6 (38). Tampa Bay Buccaneers- David Yankey, OG, Stanford
7 (39). Jacksonville Jaguars- Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
The Jags get their QB of the future in Round 2. He can sit behind Henne for a few months.
8 (40). Minnesota Vikings- Keith McGill, CB, Utah
9 (41). Buffalo Bills- Jimmy Ward, S, Northern Illinois
Jarius Byrd is in NoLA, so safety is a big need.
10 (42). Tennessee Titans- Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
The first RB off the board goes to the team that lost Chris Johnson
11 (43). New York Giants- Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA
12 (44). St. Louis Rams- Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
Here is the tackle! The Rams get the top WR, top safety and a talented (if oft injured) tackle.
13 (45). Detroit Lions- Terrence Brooks, S, Florida State
14 (46). Pittsburgh Steelers- Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State
15 (47). Dallas Cowboys- Stephen Tuitt, DT/DE, Notre Dame
16 (48). Baltimore Ravens- Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin
May not be the next Ray Lewis, but can start right away.
17 (49). New York Jets- Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame
More weapons for a team without any.
18 (50). Miami Dolphins- Brandon Thomas, OG, Clemson
19 (51). Chicago Bears- Deone Buchanon, S, Washington State
20 (52). Arizona Cardinals- Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
My favorite QB in the draft. Best situation for him, may go to them in Round 1.
21 (53). Green Bay Packers- Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford
22 (54). Philadelphia Eagles- Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU
23 (55). Cincinnati Bengals- Jack Mewhort, OT/G, Ohio State
24 (56). San Francisco 49ers- Marcus Martin, OC, USC
25 (57). San Diego Chargers- Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
26 (58). New Orleans Saints- Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida
27 (59). Indianapolis Colts- Cyril Richardson, OG, Baylor
The Colts use their first pick on protection for their franchise QB. He gets hit too much.
28 (60). Carolina Panthers- Joel Bitonio, OT/G, Nevada
29 (61). San Francisco 49ers- Trent Murphy, OLB, Stanford
Navarro Bowman is coming off a terrible injury, and Aldon Smith may be in jail. San Fran needs a pass rush.
30 (62). New England Patriots- Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
31 (63). Denver Broncos- Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
A great change of pace back to team with Montee Ball.
32 (64). Seattle Seahawks- Josh Huff, WR, Oregon
That's Round 2. I will be posting Rounds 3-5 tomorrow, and then the Main Event happens Thursday! Get pumped!
Monday, May 5, 2014
JFLANland 2014 NFL Mock Draft- Round 1
IT'S HERE! After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, I have finally finished my 2014 Mock Draft. It will be 5 rounds long, because even I, a total draft nerd, is clueless once we get to the 6th round. This will probably be completely wrong, but this is what I would do if I was GM of every team. It may not mean I take players I like the most, but it will mean that I mock the players I think will fit in with their team the most. So, without any further stalling and explanation, here is Round 1! The Houston Texans are now on the clock.
1. Houston Texans- Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Yep, him. Johnny Football. I know that Clowney is a freak. I know that Mack is a sure thing. But the Texans need a QB more than anything else. This is a QB league, and this is a Texas QB. I hate to admit it, but the guy has impressed me. He stayed out of trouble, had an awesome pro day (in pads!), and can come in and start Day 1 or sit behind Keenum/Fitzpatrick for a bit. Plus, this guarantees that Reliant Stadium will be sold out every week, and a ton of Texas residents will buy Manziel jerseys. Its win-win, and (again, can't believe I am saying it) it is the right pick.
2. St. Louis Rams- Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
I am not completely sold on taking a receiver this high ever, and I would love it if they took a tackle instead to protect their oft-injured QB, but this draft is deep on receivers and offensive lineman. I'll play it risky and hope I can get a quality OT later in this round or in Round 2.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
I could say that the Jags should take a QB here. Chad Henne is fine, and the Jags might not be sold on a QB in this draft yet. However, Clowney is the premier physical talent in this draft. If he falls to 3, I imagine Jax's phone ringing off the hook. Since I don't predict trades, I'll have them taking the freak with their first pick.
4. Cleveland Browns- Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
Cleveland want Johnny Manziel. Their owner loves him. But he is gone, so Cleveland could either take the best player available on the offense or defensive lines, or panic and take a QB. Its Cleveland. They will panic. Luckily for them, Bortles might have the highest ceiling of any QB in the draft. If he gets the right coaching (which I am worried about since it is Kyle Shanahan at OC for them now), then he cold be something special for a team that needs a franchise passer.
5. Oakland Raiders- Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
Its hard to believe someone this talented can fall to #5, but this draft will be a crazy one. Some folks are saying Robinson is the next Larry Allen. If that isn't reason enough to take this man with a Top 5 pick, I don't know what is. He fits a need, and can anchor your line for the next decade.
6. Atlanta Falcons- Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
Falcons fans may want Clowney, but it is Mack that is widely considered the most complete player in the draft. He will come in right away to help a defense that has to deal with Brees and Newton twice and year. Another OT could be a possibility here, but not if Mack falls this far.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Ok, honesty time: I am in no way sold on Mike Evans. I think he is overrated. He got away with a ton of offensive pass interference, and was the benefit of Manziel's escapability. He is a gifted athlete, but I think he will fail to live up to his ability. That being said, Tampa lost Mike Williams, so they need another WR opposite Vincent Jackson.
8. Minnesota Vikings- Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
I do not accept that the guy who was the #1 QB going into the year, and only lost 1 game, is somehow going to slip into Round 2. I think this is a massive smokescreen by half the teams in the league that all want the guy. Bridgewater is ready to play in the NFL now, and is an upgrade over Ponder and Cassell. Put him with Adrian Peterson, and you FINALLY have an offense that can compete in the NFC North.
9. Buffalo Bills- Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
It seems like every year I mock the Bills taking a tackle in the first or second round. It also seems like every year they don't listen to me, and tackle remains one of their biggest needs. Well, here you go, Buffalo. Matthews can play both tackle positions extremely well. He can pass and run block. He is the right pick. Take him. Please.
10. Detroit Lions- Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
Again, secondary seems to be one of the Lions' biggest needs each year. The only reason they aren't able to win their division is that their defense cannot stop anyone from throwing on them. Gilbert is the best corner in the draft, though passing on local boy Darqueze Dennard might be tough. Speaking of...
11. Tennessee Titans- Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
If Gilbert is the #1 corner, Dennard is 1A. Fits a major need,and might be the best player available.
12. New York Giants- Eric Ebron, TE, UNC
Difficult pick, but the Giants lost so many weapons on offense. Eli needs help.
13. St. Louis Rams- Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
A bit of a swerve. Arguably the top safety, filling another major need. Tackle will come eventually.
14. Chicago Bears- Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt
The best defensive tackle in the draft goes to a team who used to run on defense. He can help the Monsters of the Midway get back to the way they were.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers- Marquis Lee, WR, USC
Mike Wallace left before last season. Emmanuel Sanders left this season. They need weapons.
16. Dallas Cowboys- Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
The Cowboys defense was awful. They need a proven winner who can clog the middle of a line.
17. Baltimore Ravens- Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Any time you can get a top 10 talent at 17, its awesome. The Ravens get possibly the tought OT in the entire draft. He can slide in at left tackle to protect Flacco, and move Eugene Monroe over to the right side, thus improving the entire line.
18. New York Jets- Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU
Can you name a WR on the Jets besides Eric Decker? Neither can I.
19. Miami Dolphins- Zach Martin, OT, Notre Dame
Due to Johnathan Martin and Richie Incognito leaving Miami, the Fins need a ton of OLine help.
20. Arizona Cardinals- Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
Super-talented buy raw rusher. Needs seasoning, but could be fantastic.
21. Green Bay Packers- Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
The best safety in the draft to a good team that needs him. Win-win.
22. Philadelphia Eagles- Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Losing DeSean Jackson hurts, even if they kept Cooper and Maclin.
23. Kansas City Chiefs- Davonte Adams, WR, Fresno State
I am of the opinion that Adams might be the best WR in the draft. I think 23 is a steal for him. Plug him in opposite Dwayne Bowe, and you have two tall playmakers that can catch anything.
24. Cincinnati Bengals- LeMarcus Joyner, CB, Florida State
I am expecting a mini run on corners in the late 1st/early 2nd. Joyner is solid, and fits a need.
25. San Diego Chargers- Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
The big nose tackle can anchor a defense that has to deal with Peyton and Jamaal Charles.
26. Cleveland Browns- Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
The Trent Richardson pick turns into the corner that can start opposite Joe Haden.
27. New Orleans Saints- Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn
Ford thinks he is better than Clowney. He can prove it in Rob Ryan's blitzing system.
28. Carolina Panthers- Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Can you name a Panthers' WR? Exactly.
29. New England Patriots- Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
Gronk gets hurt, and he who shall not be named is in jail forever. Pass-catching TE is needed.
30. San Francisco 49ers- Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
They lost Carlos Rogers, and need to be able to cover receivers.
31. Denver Broncos- CJ Mosley, ILB, Alabama
A major need filled with the best player available at the position. Win for the Broncos.
32. Seattle Seahawks- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
They have some wideout depth (not a ton), but they need better tight end receivers.
That's it for Round 1. Keep an eye out for Round 2!
1. Houston Texans- Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Yep, him. Johnny Football. I know that Clowney is a freak. I know that Mack is a sure thing. But the Texans need a QB more than anything else. This is a QB league, and this is a Texas QB. I hate to admit it, but the guy has impressed me. He stayed out of trouble, had an awesome pro day (in pads!), and can come in and start Day 1 or sit behind Keenum/Fitzpatrick for a bit. Plus, this guarantees that Reliant Stadium will be sold out every week, and a ton of Texas residents will buy Manziel jerseys. Its win-win, and (again, can't believe I am saying it) it is the right pick.
2. St. Louis Rams- Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
I am not completely sold on taking a receiver this high ever, and I would love it if they took a tackle instead to protect their oft-injured QB, but this draft is deep on receivers and offensive lineman. I'll play it risky and hope I can get a quality OT later in this round or in Round 2.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
I could say that the Jags should take a QB here. Chad Henne is fine, and the Jags might not be sold on a QB in this draft yet. However, Clowney is the premier physical talent in this draft. If he falls to 3, I imagine Jax's phone ringing off the hook. Since I don't predict trades, I'll have them taking the freak with their first pick.
4. Cleveland Browns- Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
Cleveland want Johnny Manziel. Their owner loves him. But he is gone, so Cleveland could either take the best player available on the offense or defensive lines, or panic and take a QB. Its Cleveland. They will panic. Luckily for them, Bortles might have the highest ceiling of any QB in the draft. If he gets the right coaching (which I am worried about since it is Kyle Shanahan at OC for them now), then he cold be something special for a team that needs a franchise passer.
5. Oakland Raiders- Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
Its hard to believe someone this talented can fall to #5, but this draft will be a crazy one. Some folks are saying Robinson is the next Larry Allen. If that isn't reason enough to take this man with a Top 5 pick, I don't know what is. He fits a need, and can anchor your line for the next decade.
6. Atlanta Falcons- Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
Falcons fans may want Clowney, but it is Mack that is widely considered the most complete player in the draft. He will come in right away to help a defense that has to deal with Brees and Newton twice and year. Another OT could be a possibility here, but not if Mack falls this far.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Ok, honesty time: I am in no way sold on Mike Evans. I think he is overrated. He got away with a ton of offensive pass interference, and was the benefit of Manziel's escapability. He is a gifted athlete, but I think he will fail to live up to his ability. That being said, Tampa lost Mike Williams, so they need another WR opposite Vincent Jackson.
8. Minnesota Vikings- Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
I do not accept that the guy who was the #1 QB going into the year, and only lost 1 game, is somehow going to slip into Round 2. I think this is a massive smokescreen by half the teams in the league that all want the guy. Bridgewater is ready to play in the NFL now, and is an upgrade over Ponder and Cassell. Put him with Adrian Peterson, and you FINALLY have an offense that can compete in the NFC North.
9. Buffalo Bills- Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
It seems like every year I mock the Bills taking a tackle in the first or second round. It also seems like every year they don't listen to me, and tackle remains one of their biggest needs. Well, here you go, Buffalo. Matthews can play both tackle positions extremely well. He can pass and run block. He is the right pick. Take him. Please.
10. Detroit Lions- Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
Again, secondary seems to be one of the Lions' biggest needs each year. The only reason they aren't able to win their division is that their defense cannot stop anyone from throwing on them. Gilbert is the best corner in the draft, though passing on local boy Darqueze Dennard might be tough. Speaking of...
11. Tennessee Titans- Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
If Gilbert is the #1 corner, Dennard is 1A. Fits a major need,and might be the best player available.
12. New York Giants- Eric Ebron, TE, UNC
Difficult pick, but the Giants lost so many weapons on offense. Eli needs help.
13. St. Louis Rams- Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
A bit of a swerve. Arguably the top safety, filling another major need. Tackle will come eventually.
14. Chicago Bears- Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt
The best defensive tackle in the draft goes to a team who used to run on defense. He can help the Monsters of the Midway get back to the way they were.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers- Marquis Lee, WR, USC
Mike Wallace left before last season. Emmanuel Sanders left this season. They need weapons.
16. Dallas Cowboys- Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
The Cowboys defense was awful. They need a proven winner who can clog the middle of a line.
17. Baltimore Ravens- Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Any time you can get a top 10 talent at 17, its awesome. The Ravens get possibly the tought OT in the entire draft. He can slide in at left tackle to protect Flacco, and move Eugene Monroe over to the right side, thus improving the entire line.
18. New York Jets- Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU
Can you name a WR on the Jets besides Eric Decker? Neither can I.
19. Miami Dolphins- Zach Martin, OT, Notre Dame
Due to Johnathan Martin and Richie Incognito leaving Miami, the Fins need a ton of OLine help.
20. Arizona Cardinals- Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
Super-talented buy raw rusher. Needs seasoning, but could be fantastic.
21. Green Bay Packers- Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
The best safety in the draft to a good team that needs him. Win-win.
22. Philadelphia Eagles- Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Losing DeSean Jackson hurts, even if they kept Cooper and Maclin.
23. Kansas City Chiefs- Davonte Adams, WR, Fresno State
I am of the opinion that Adams might be the best WR in the draft. I think 23 is a steal for him. Plug him in opposite Dwayne Bowe, and you have two tall playmakers that can catch anything.
24. Cincinnati Bengals- LeMarcus Joyner, CB, Florida State
I am expecting a mini run on corners in the late 1st/early 2nd. Joyner is solid, and fits a need.
25. San Diego Chargers- Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
The big nose tackle can anchor a defense that has to deal with Peyton and Jamaal Charles.
26. Cleveland Browns- Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
The Trent Richardson pick turns into the corner that can start opposite Joe Haden.
27. New Orleans Saints- Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn
Ford thinks he is better than Clowney. He can prove it in Rob Ryan's blitzing system.
28. Carolina Panthers- Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Can you name a Panthers' WR? Exactly.
29. New England Patriots- Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
Gronk gets hurt, and he who shall not be named is in jail forever. Pass-catching TE is needed.
30. San Francisco 49ers- Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
They lost Carlos Rogers, and need to be able to cover receivers.
31. Denver Broncos- CJ Mosley, ILB, Alabama
A major need filled with the best player available at the position. Win for the Broncos.
32. Seattle Seahawks- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
They have some wideout depth (not a ton), but they need better tight end receivers.
That's it for Round 1. Keep an eye out for Round 2!
Monday, April 28, 2014
A Quick Note, and Wise Words from Keith Law
Hello true believers (yes, I just ripped off Stan Lee)
Apologies for not writing more. While I love this hobby, real life stuff has gotten in the way a bit. Nevertheless, I have completed three rounds of my NFL Mock Draft, should be doing at least one more round soon. Expect that to be up by this weekend if life doesn't throw any surprises my way. It should be a good draft, because so far we have no clue who is going where. That is fun. Makes for a better viewing experience.
Now, this is what I missed- the Wizards are in the playoffs and doing well, Syracuse basketball is over and may struggle next year, the Skins don't have a first round pick but picked up good free agents, the Caps fired Oates and GM GM, Donald Sterling is racist, Michael Pineda likes pine tar, The Undertaker lost at WrestleMania 30, the Ultimate Warrior passed away, and it looks like winter finally ended.
Oh, and then there are my Nationals... (grumble....)
Bryce Harper will be out until July with a torn thumb ligament. He got this sliding into 3rd while stretching out a double to a triple. Bryce Harper has always hustled. Never doubted that for a second. But Matt Williams, our inexperienced new manager, didn't see it that way this year. He benched the 21 year old and then publicly embarrassed him in front of the entire world by calling him out for not fake hustling out a routine grounder to the pitcher. I, for one, am incensed over the entire situation. The Nats already have a rash of injuries, and now the team loses Bryce for 2+ months.
It seems I am not the only one who is upset. ESPN writer Keith Law agrees with me. Here is his Insider column, for all of you.
Monday, April 28, 2014
The mishandling of Bryce Harper
The Washington Nationals went a little off the board this winter with the hiring of manager Matt Williams, a respected coach with the Arizona Diamondbacks and former All-Star who had a grand total of zero games of professional managerial experience.
That inexperience has shown all over the place, as Williams has demonstrated that he's in way over his head so far -- never more so than in his mishandling of the team's most talented player, Bryce Harper, who is now headed for surgery on his thumb and will be lost until at least early July.
Leaders do not make their points at the expense of their best subordinates, but that is exactly what Williams did when he chose to pull Harper from a game on April 19 because Harper didn't fully run out a routine ground ball back to the pitcher. Harper was coming off an injured quad and, from what I'm told, battling the flu on the day when he chose, wisely, not to run out a ground ball so routine that had the pitcher rolled the ball to first base he still would have had beaten Harper by a few feet. Asking any player to run that ball out shows an emphasis on superficial, meaningless behavior over actions that actually increase the team's chances of winning a game. No one ever scored an extra run by showboating for the cameras, but that is exactly what Williams wanted Harper -- who was injured and sick -- to do.
Harper singled out
Williams' tirade on "lack of hustle," directed at a player who is hustle incarnate, was a low point for the Nationals this season, but Harper's injury, which came as he tried to stretch a double into a triple by -- wait for it -- hustling, is a new nadir. It's bad enough that the inexperienced manager felt the need to heap dispraise on Harper in a public forum; it's worse that those empty criticisms might in any way have led to Harper taking more of a risk than usual and tearing that thumb ligament.
On top of that, Williams seems to have it in for Harper, treating him more harshly than he has treated other players who've committed similar or graver mistakes. On April 18, the Nationals played an ugly game, making three errors -- two by Ian Desmond -- and misplaying several others. Williams didn't bench anyone during the game for sloppiness or lack of focus, and more importantly, he didn't throw any of his players under the bus after the game, refusing to even tell the media what he'd said to them after the shoddy performance. “That's for me and my team, and nobody else's business,” he told reporters. So why did Williams feel so willing to degrade Harper to the media after Harper's perceived lack of hustle?
On April 20, a day after The Benching, Jayson Werth batted with two outs in the bottom of the first inning, checked his swing, and grounded out to first base … but clearly gave up on the play before first baseman Matt Adams threw the ball to pitcher Shelby Miller. Williams didn't bench Werth, didn't call him out during or after the game, didn't do anything. Why is Werth immune to criticism for failure to false-hustle but Harper gets publicly shamed for it?
Of course, after Harper's injury, Williams was quick to point out that Harper "plays the game hard." But that was always the case; it's just that Harper also plays it smart, and doesn't waste time with false hustle -- probably because false hustle has yet to win any team a ballgame. The entire incident has highlighted that the Nationals organization made a mistake in hiring a manager with zero experience in Williams, who spent the first few weeks of the season trying to figure out how far down in the lineup he could bury Harper.
Source of injuries
The Nationals took a calculated risk in 2010 when they chose to move Harper, who played catcher as an amateur, out from behind the plate immediately after signing him, removing him from the middle of the field and from a position he'd played since childhood -- and a position he played well. Although catcher is normally a more injury-prone position than the outfield, Harper's unfamiliarity with the outfield and with playing on a corner could have been a factor in several of his injuries in pro ball, including his collision with the outfield wall in Los Angeles last April.
The move to right field may have gotten Harper to the majors faster, but it put him at a position with a much higher baseline (replacement-level) against which we measure his performance, meaning that the Nationals may have left a lot of value on the table by shifting him to the outfield. It's probably too late to return Harper to catching -- although I don't doubt that Harper could do it, as he still has the athleticism and the arm -- so why are the Nationals so willing to further devalue the guy who should be the franchise player by claiming he doesn't hustle and perhaps driving him to overdo it in response?
Washington has to do without Harper for at least the next two months now, and there's no internal replacement likely to come close to his level of production. Before he returns, however, the organization has to come up with a better plan for managing their most valuable asset -- and if that means finding a manager better able to do that, so be it.
Apologies for not writing more. While I love this hobby, real life stuff has gotten in the way a bit. Nevertheless, I have completed three rounds of my NFL Mock Draft, should be doing at least one more round soon. Expect that to be up by this weekend if life doesn't throw any surprises my way. It should be a good draft, because so far we have no clue who is going where. That is fun. Makes for a better viewing experience.
Now, this is what I missed- the Wizards are in the playoffs and doing well, Syracuse basketball is over and may struggle next year, the Skins don't have a first round pick but picked up good free agents, the Caps fired Oates and GM GM, Donald Sterling is racist, Michael Pineda likes pine tar, The Undertaker lost at WrestleMania 30, the Ultimate Warrior passed away, and it looks like winter finally ended.
Oh, and then there are my Nationals... (grumble....)
Bryce Harper will be out until July with a torn thumb ligament. He got this sliding into 3rd while stretching out a double to a triple. Bryce Harper has always hustled. Never doubted that for a second. But Matt Williams, our inexperienced new manager, didn't see it that way this year. He benched the 21 year old and then publicly embarrassed him in front of the entire world by calling him out for not fake hustling out a routine grounder to the pitcher. I, for one, am incensed over the entire situation. The Nats already have a rash of injuries, and now the team loses Bryce for 2+ months.
It seems I am not the only one who is upset. ESPN writer Keith Law agrees with me. Here is his Insider column, for all of you.
Monday, April 28, 2014
The mishandling of Bryce Harper
The Washington Nationals went a little off the board this winter with the hiring of manager Matt Williams, a respected coach with the Arizona Diamondbacks and former All-Star who had a grand total of zero games of professional managerial experience.
That inexperience has shown all over the place, as Williams has demonstrated that he's in way over his head so far -- never more so than in his mishandling of the team's most talented player, Bryce Harper, who is now headed for surgery on his thumb and will be lost until at least early July.
Leaders do not make their points at the expense of their best subordinates, but that is exactly what Williams did when he chose to pull Harper from a game on April 19 because Harper didn't fully run out a routine ground ball back to the pitcher. Harper was coming off an injured quad and, from what I'm told, battling the flu on the day when he chose, wisely, not to run out a ground ball so routine that had the pitcher rolled the ball to first base he still would have had beaten Harper by a few feet. Asking any player to run that ball out shows an emphasis on superficial, meaningless behavior over actions that actually increase the team's chances of winning a game. No one ever scored an extra run by showboating for the cameras, but that is exactly what Williams wanted Harper -- who was injured and sick -- to do.
Harper singled out
Williams' tirade on "lack of hustle," directed at a player who is hustle incarnate, was a low point for the Nationals this season, but Harper's injury, which came as he tried to stretch a double into a triple by -- wait for it -- hustling, is a new nadir. It's bad enough that the inexperienced manager felt the need to heap dispraise on Harper in a public forum; it's worse that those empty criticisms might in any way have led to Harper taking more of a risk than usual and tearing that thumb ligament.
 | |
| An injury suffered on a bases-clearing triple against the Padres on Friday will hold Bryce Harper out until at least early July, according to multiple sources. |
On April 20, a day after The Benching, Jayson Werth batted with two outs in the bottom of the first inning, checked his swing, and grounded out to first base … but clearly gave up on the play before first baseman Matt Adams threw the ball to pitcher Shelby Miller. Williams didn't bench Werth, didn't call him out during or after the game, didn't do anything. Why is Werth immune to criticism for failure to false-hustle but Harper gets publicly shamed for it?
Of course, after Harper's injury, Williams was quick to point out that Harper "plays the game hard." But that was always the case; it's just that Harper also plays it smart, and doesn't waste time with false hustle -- probably because false hustle has yet to win any team a ballgame. The entire incident has highlighted that the Nationals organization made a mistake in hiring a manager with zero experience in Williams, who spent the first few weeks of the season trying to figure out how far down in the lineup he could bury Harper.
Source of injuries
The Nationals took a calculated risk in 2010 when they chose to move Harper, who played catcher as an amateur, out from behind the plate immediately after signing him, removing him from the middle of the field and from a position he'd played since childhood -- and a position he played well. Although catcher is normally a more injury-prone position than the outfield, Harper's unfamiliarity with the outfield and with playing on a corner could have been a factor in several of his injuries in pro ball, including his collision with the outfield wall in Los Angeles last April.
The move to right field may have gotten Harper to the majors faster, but it put him at a position with a much higher baseline (replacement-level) against which we measure his performance, meaning that the Nationals may have left a lot of value on the table by shifting him to the outfield. It's probably too late to return Harper to catching -- although I don't doubt that Harper could do it, as he still has the athleticism and the arm -- so why are the Nationals so willing to further devalue the guy who should be the franchise player by claiming he doesn't hustle and perhaps driving him to overdo it in response?
Washington has to do without Harper for at least the next two months now, and there's no internal replacement likely to come close to his level of production. Before he returns, however, the organization has to come up with a better plan for managing their most valuable asset -- and if that means finding a manager better able to do that, so be it.
I wholeheartedly agree, Mr. Law. I may trust Matt the Bat coming off the bench, but so far Matt the Manager has shown himself to be a fool. Either he needs to learn fast, or he needs to dust off his resume.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
5 Amazing Reasons You Should Get the WWE Network
With my Syracuse Orange now out of the NCAA Tournament, and with Nationals opening day still just over a week away, I can turn all of my attention to my new obsession, the WWE Network. It is awesome. Truly wonderful. There are so many excellent reasons why every wrestling fan should pay the very reasonable $10 a month to get this new streaming service. I have tried to do my best to boil it down to 5, and here they are.
1. All of the pay-per-views are included. No longer will you have to pay $50-$70 for 3 hours of entertainment which doesn't always live up to the hype. Instead, you can stream them all on the WWE Network for no extra cost than your subscription fee. It should be awesome.
2. All of the old PPVs from WWE, WCW and ECW are available. You have the chance to watch all of the best matches ever. The other day, I was able to watch the first World War 3 PPV from WCW. You can watch the birth of the nWo at Bash at the Beach. You can stream the 1998 King of the Ring, and watch Mick Foley vs the Undertaker in that epic Hell in a Cell. It is fantastic.
3. You can appreciate all the stars that have retired or passed. There are few things better than watching an Owen Hart match. One of them might be watching a Randy Savage match. They have both passed away, but their legacy lives on in their matches. HBK will always be the showstopper even now, after he retired, because you can watch his amazing matches on the WWE Network.
4. The original content is great. Countdown shows (which I clearly love), panel discussion that provide backstage views of the business, specials that highlight the old school side of wrestling from the territory days: Its all there. If you are just a fan, or a historian of the wrestling business, you will find something that will entertain you for hours.
5. Its just fun. That's all it is. "Sports Entertainment". So many people look down on the entertainment that is pro wrestling, and then they go out and rot their brains with reality TV. WWE is an entertainment company. Pro Wrestling is an entertainment business, and people love it. WWE Raw is the longest running weekly episodic television show in history. There are no reruns, there is no offseason. Every week, these folks put out a product that entertains millions of people around the world. Lots of folks will never get it. But a lot of us do. I was hooked the first time I saw wrestling, and will be a fan forever. That's why I got the WWE Network. If you love wrestling, you should too.
1. All of the pay-per-views are included. No longer will you have to pay $50-$70 for 3 hours of entertainment which doesn't always live up to the hype. Instead, you can stream them all on the WWE Network for no extra cost than your subscription fee. It should be awesome.
2. All of the old PPVs from WWE, WCW and ECW are available. You have the chance to watch all of the best matches ever. The other day, I was able to watch the first World War 3 PPV from WCW. You can watch the birth of the nWo at Bash at the Beach. You can stream the 1998 King of the Ring, and watch Mick Foley vs the Undertaker in that epic Hell in a Cell. It is fantastic.
3. You can appreciate all the stars that have retired or passed. There are few things better than watching an Owen Hart match. One of them might be watching a Randy Savage match. They have both passed away, but their legacy lives on in their matches. HBK will always be the showstopper even now, after he retired, because you can watch his amazing matches on the WWE Network.
4. The original content is great. Countdown shows (which I clearly love), panel discussion that provide backstage views of the business, specials that highlight the old school side of wrestling from the territory days: Its all there. If you are just a fan, or a historian of the wrestling business, you will find something that will entertain you for hours.
5. Its just fun. That's all it is. "Sports Entertainment". So many people look down on the entertainment that is pro wrestling, and then they go out and rot their brains with reality TV. WWE is an entertainment company. Pro Wrestling is an entertainment business, and people love it. WWE Raw is the longest running weekly episodic television show in history. There are no reruns, there is no offseason. Every week, these folks put out a product that entertains millions of people around the world. Lots of folks will never get it. But a lot of us do. I was hooked the first time I saw wrestling, and will be a fan forever. That's why I got the WWE Network. If you love wrestling, you should too.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
What I Learned from the NFL Scouting Combine
As you all know, I am a NFL Draft nut. I love it. I am happier on NFL Draft weekend than I am on Thanksgiving. I don't have to travel, I get to eat food I really enjoy (sorry, just not huge into the traditional spread), and the Cowboys and Lions are only occasionally talked about. So the Scouting Combine the past few days is like the official beginning of the Draft year, which makes me a very happy man. Here are some of the players I liked/disliked and things I learned watching the Combine this year:
- Blake Bortles took full advantage of being the only top QB on display this year. With Manziel, Bridgewater and Carr opting not to throw. Was he perfect? No. But he got stronger as the day went on with unfamiliar wide outs. He showed great agility in the running/jumping drills, and a strong arm. He has prototypical QB size at 6-5, 232. He could fit right into the style that Bill O'Brien brings to the Texans.
- We knew that Jadeveon Clowney was a freakish athlete. He ran a 4.5 40 and a defensive lineman. The question as always been about his drive, his motor, his heart, etc. As a Redskins fan, I know the pain of getting a guy with a ton of talent that really doesn't care much about football (Hellooo Albert Haynesworth). He would scare the bejesus out of me if I was considering him. If I were a team in the Top 5, I would use the thought of drafting him as trade bait, because I know there are other GMs that would love him more than I do. Could he be a Hall of Famer? Of course. He has that talent. But I'd rather have a guy with no questions than one with a ton of them.
- That guy, by the way, would be Khalil Mack, OLB/DE, Buffalo. Mike Mayock says he is the best player in the draft at any position. I know he looked damn good at the Combine.
- If all of the Top 5 teams didn't have questions at QB, then this could be known as the year of the Offensive Tackle. Greg Robinson from Auburn, Jake Matthews from Texas A&M, and Taylor Lewan from Michigan are amazing. I, personally, would rate all three of them higher than I would Eric Fisher or Luke Joeckel, the top 2 picks from the 2013 draft. They all show up the tape, and they all had amazing workouts, Robinson especially. Some folks were comparing him to Hall of Famer Larry Allen. That's high praise.
- I don't know if I have ever heard of a defensive lineman being underrated when he won pretty much all of the awards he was up for, but that was the case with Pitt's Aaron Donald. He is an amazing college DT, and should make an impact in the pros. He doesn't have the same size as Louis Nix III, the Notre Dame nose tackle who has drawn comparisons to Vince Wilfork, but he may be more talented and more explosive. He benched 225 lbs 35 times, which is 14 times more than athletic freak Clowney did. He probably secured a place in the first round, and made himself a nice chunk of change.
- The WR class is extremely deep. Lots of guys impressed, but if I am a team with a need in the late 1st or early 2nd round, I am looking at Davonte Adams from Fresno State.
- My favorite MLB- Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA. He may not be a top talent, but I thought he had a great combine. Excellent size, looked fluid in all of his movements, and showed surprisingly good hands for a linebacker. In the modern NFL, possessing the ball may be the most important aspect. I think he could be a steal in the 4th or 5th
- Michael Sam will be able to handle the media frenzy and any slurs thrown his way. His press conference and Q&A with the press over the weekend was fantastic. His combine wasn't terrible, but showed that he can compete. He is a pass rusher, and in a pass first league, they are always needed. Someone will draft him, and he will make a positive impact both on and off the field
- History was made. Rich Eisen ran a sub-6 40 yard dash. Amazing.
More to come from Pro Days as the Draft nears, and my 2014 NFL Mock Draft will be coming in April!
- Blake Bortles took full advantage of being the only top QB on display this year. With Manziel, Bridgewater and Carr opting not to throw. Was he perfect? No. But he got stronger as the day went on with unfamiliar wide outs. He showed great agility in the running/jumping drills, and a strong arm. He has prototypical QB size at 6-5, 232. He could fit right into the style that Bill O'Brien brings to the Texans.
- We knew that Jadeveon Clowney was a freakish athlete. He ran a 4.5 40 and a defensive lineman. The question as always been about his drive, his motor, his heart, etc. As a Redskins fan, I know the pain of getting a guy with a ton of talent that really doesn't care much about football (Hellooo Albert Haynesworth). He would scare the bejesus out of me if I was considering him. If I were a team in the Top 5, I would use the thought of drafting him as trade bait, because I know there are other GMs that would love him more than I do. Could he be a Hall of Famer? Of course. He has that talent. But I'd rather have a guy with no questions than one with a ton of them.
- That guy, by the way, would be Khalil Mack, OLB/DE, Buffalo. Mike Mayock says he is the best player in the draft at any position. I know he looked damn good at the Combine.
- If all of the Top 5 teams didn't have questions at QB, then this could be known as the year of the Offensive Tackle. Greg Robinson from Auburn, Jake Matthews from Texas A&M, and Taylor Lewan from Michigan are amazing. I, personally, would rate all three of them higher than I would Eric Fisher or Luke Joeckel, the top 2 picks from the 2013 draft. They all show up the tape, and they all had amazing workouts, Robinson especially. Some folks were comparing him to Hall of Famer Larry Allen. That's high praise.
- I don't know if I have ever heard of a defensive lineman being underrated when he won pretty much all of the awards he was up for, but that was the case with Pitt's Aaron Donald. He is an amazing college DT, and should make an impact in the pros. He doesn't have the same size as Louis Nix III, the Notre Dame nose tackle who has drawn comparisons to Vince Wilfork, but he may be more talented and more explosive. He benched 225 lbs 35 times, which is 14 times more than athletic freak Clowney did. He probably secured a place in the first round, and made himself a nice chunk of change.
- The WR class is extremely deep. Lots of guys impressed, but if I am a team with a need in the late 1st or early 2nd round, I am looking at Davonte Adams from Fresno State.
- My favorite MLB- Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA. He may not be a top talent, but I thought he had a great combine. Excellent size, looked fluid in all of his movements, and showed surprisingly good hands for a linebacker. In the modern NFL, possessing the ball may be the most important aspect. I think he could be a steal in the 4th or 5th
- Michael Sam will be able to handle the media frenzy and any slurs thrown his way. His press conference and Q&A with the press over the weekend was fantastic. His combine wasn't terrible, but showed that he can compete. He is a pass rusher, and in a pass first league, they are always needed. Someone will draft him, and he will make a positive impact both on and off the field
- History was made. Rich Eisen ran a sub-6 40 yard dash. Amazing.
More to come from Pro Days as the Draft nears, and my 2014 NFL Mock Draft will be coming in April!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
JFLANland's Super Bowl Pick
I don't think I have been this torn on a Super Bowl pick in a while. On the one hand, I think that the Seahwaks have an advantage is almost every relevant stat and trend. The top defense usually beats the top offense. Their style of football is more conducive to an outdoor night game in 40 degree temperatures. They have the kind of secondary that can completely cancel out Thomas, Decker and Welker. Every number tells me to pick Seattle.
However, I love Peyton Manning. I wholeheartedly believe he is the greatest quartback of all time. No other QB has had to win multiple championships with his numbers to prove that. !arino has none. Favre only has 1, and now has one fewer appearances in the big game than Peyton does. He has been stellar this season, and I believe has the drive and leadership to will his team to a victory today.
So, what is my pick? Do I go with the numbers and my head, or do I pick my the better story and my heart...
The heart wins. Give me Denver, 27-23.
Enjoy the Super Bowl, everyone!
However, I love Peyton Manning. I wholeheartedly believe he is the greatest quartback of all time. No other QB has had to win multiple championships with his numbers to prove that. !arino has none. Favre only has 1, and now has one fewer appearances in the big game than Peyton does. He has been stellar this season, and I believe has the drive and leadership to will his team to a victory today.
So, what is my pick? Do I go with the numbers and my head, or do I pick my the better story and my heart...
The heart wins. Give me Denver, 27-23.
Enjoy the Super Bowl, everyone!
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