Ryan Braun Finally Succumbs to Steroid Suspension

Well, the baseball police can breath a sigh of relief tonight.  They got him.  Ryan Braun will be suspended for the remainder of the season after getting essentially a plea deal for 65 games instead of the 100 a 2nd offense would get him.  It is breaking news, so the info is still rolling in, but it just seems like a good day for everyone involved.  MLB finally gets a guy who got off on a technicality.  The investigators now have confirmation that the Biogenesis information is factual and solid.  Even Braun should be OK with this, because we have seen that those who admit to use and take their punishment are easily forgiven by the masses (see Pettite, Giambi, McGwire as a coach), and those who choose to insist they are clean when people have proof that they are dirty (Clemens, Bonds, Sosa, and Palmeiro, which still breaks my heart) are hated.  Furthermore, Braun will not lose 100 games worth of paychecks.

It makes us as fans happy to know that Braun has been caught because of how mean and unapologetic he was when he got off on a technicality a few years ago.  He was, as ESPN's Tim Kurkjian called him, baseball's Lance Armstrong.  He was so vicious towards the man who supposedly mishandled his urine sample that we began to dislike him just for that.  Now that MLB has proven he is a liar, and now that Braun has admitted it, we can dislike him even more.

Yet at the same time, Braun is only 29 years old.  He still has a solid 5 to 10 years left in his career.  He can come back as a humbled man who has come to terms with his past mistakes.  He can be baseball's spokesman for the dangers of steroids.  He clearly has the ability to be an All Star player, but his decision to take steroid has sullied his name, damaged his reputation, and will cost him around $3 million in salary.  He should learn from Ray Lewis in the NFL.  The man did something wrong and then became the ultimate good soldier for his league.  This is the opportunity that Braun has before him.  If he can put together a decade of baseball with solid numbers when we know he is clean, as he should be after today, then he can return to the good graces of the baseball universe.

The Dog Days of Summer

Oh July, you are a cruel month.  Yes, it is in the middle of baseball season, but no other sports are going on.  On top of that, my beloved Washington Nationals have decided that they don't like scoring runs or winning, which makes sitting through 95 degree weather to see sloppy baseball an unpleasant experience.  Sure, last year it was much hotter; Probably a good 5 to 10 degrees warmer here in the DC metro area.  But winning seemed to mask all that heat.  The cool breeze of first place and a division title helped us forget how saturated our clothes and caps were in sweat and sunscreen.  This year?  Its just hot, and we can feel it.

The problem with warm weather, bad baseball, and not living up to expectations is that the combination causes great unrest.  Yes, the Nats are still better than the Marlins or Astros.  But this team, with virtually the same lineup, won 98 games last year and was one god damn strike call away from the NLCS (there were strikes thrown, ump.  Drew Storen still hasn't gotten over it).  At some point, heads have to roll and someone has to take the blame for this season so far.  Today, hitting coach Rick Eckstein was that man.  The Nats were near the bottom in almost all important offensive categories, so it seems like the logical thing to do since you can't fire the players.  But it probably won't be the last move.

There will be some major decisions coming from the Nats soon.  Do they try to salvage their season and catch the Braves by mortgaging their future, trading top prospects for another pitcher to solidify an oft-injured rotation?  Do they bring in another bat off the bench, or to replace a struggling starter?  I'm not so sold on those options.  At some point, we may have to accept that this just isn't the year.  Not every team expected to do well does.  Hell, most of the time the anointed preseason World Series favorite doesn't even get to the League Championship Series.  I don't want to ship out any prospect that can help us next year for a rental player.

No, instead of bringing in a new guy, we can just sit and hope.  Maybe this team, which has all the talent in the world, will finally start playing like everyone knows they can.  Maybe the excellent starting pitching will finally get the support of a newly-enthused offense, and the foundation of a lights out bullpen.  Maybe we have a huge 2nd half run in us, because the Braves have still left the door wide open for the Nats (or Phillies... yuck) to make a push for the NL East.  Maybe this is the first great comeback story for the Washington Nationals franchise!

Or maybe we're just a 2nd/3rd place, .500 team this season.  Its all possible.

Autumn will be here soon, and with the turning leaves and cooler temperatures will come either a glorious comeback or a relieving end to a disappointing season.  Til then, we have to suffer through the heat, through the sweat, through the dog days of summer.

JFLANland's 2013 NBA Mock Draft

I know I do a ton of mock draft rounds for the NFL.  Luckily, the NBA Draft is only 2 rounds, so it is a lot easier.  Here is my Round 1 Mock Draft.  I haven't researched this nearly enough, and as always there will be a ton of trades, but this is what I think teams should be doing/what they will do tonight.

1.  Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky.  I don't know if this is the right pick.  Centers coming off of injury, especially super-skinny centers, aren't exactly ideal.  Were I the Cavaliers, knowing I have a core of Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson and Cody Zeller for years to come, I add a small forward.  Otto Porter is the safe pick, but may not be a superstar.  Anthony Bennett could be Larry Johnson, but may also be a bust.  I'd take them both over Noel or Alex Len, to be honest.

2.  Orlando Magic: Victor Oladipo, SG/SF, Indiana.  He was one of the best players in college all year (except when he played Syracuse).  He could be a combo guard, or play SF in a small lineup.  He has a motor and solid defense.  Orlando just needs bodies that want to play right now, and Oladipo is a good fit.

3.  Washington Wizards: Otto Porter Jr., SF, Georgetown.  Otto Porter haunts my nightmares.  He destroyed my Syracuse Orange twice this past season (but not in the Big East Tournament, HAHA!).  He is the safe pick for an organization that can't afford a boom/bust guy like Anthony Bennett, as talented as he may be.  Wall, Beal, Porter, Nene, and Okafor? That is probably a playoff team.  Not a title contender, but the Wiz should be back playing basketball in May.

4.  Charlotte Bobcats: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas.  Interesting stat I read recently regarding the number of players from historically strong NCAA programs that succeed in the pros over the past decade or so.  Kentucky has a bunch.  Duke and Syracuse have a few.  Michigan State doesn't have many.  Kansas has virtually none.  Other than Kirk Heinrich and Nick Collison from the 2003 NCAA runner-up team, it is difficult to name a Kansas player who has a serious impact on their team.  Mario Chalmers may be closest, and he is at best #4 on the Heat.  Nevertheless, McLemore is considered the best pure scorer in the draft, and the Bobcats need everything.  Look for them to somehow mess up this pick though, because Michael Jordan is the worst owner/GM/President of Basketball Operations I have ever seen.

5.  Phoenix Suns: Alex Len, C, Maryland.  Another team that needs a ton of help.  They ended the year playing Luis Scola at center, and he is barely 6'9.  I think Bennett or one of the top 3 PGs could go here, but Len may fill the biggest need right away.  Not a huge fan of his, but he has potential.

6.  New Orleans Hornets Pelicans: Anthony Bennett, SF/PF, UNLV.  The rumors have the Pelicans taking a point guard here, but I don't really know why.  They have both Greives Vasquez and Eric Gordon, and though while they are both more natural shooting guards, should still be able to play together.  They have a bigger need at SF, where Al-Farouq Aminu only averages 7 points per game.  Bennett is a stretch PF, and could make one hell of a frontcourt with Anthony Davis.

7.  Sacramento Kings: CJ McCollum, PG, Lehigh.  That's right, Lehigh.  The Kings need a pointguard that can shoot.  MCW is the best pure passer and defender, but his J needs work.  Burke is a good scorer, but is undersized.  McCollum fits the mold that the Kings want.

8.  Detroit Pistons: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan.  I think Burke is the pick over Michael Carter-Williams for two reasons.  First, while MCW has the size and passing ability, he can't shoot the jumper as well as Burke. Second, Burke instantly has a built in fanbase in Detroit, having led Michigan to the NCAA Finals.  I don't know if I would pick Burke over MCW, but I am biased.

9.  Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SF, Georgia.  I know nothing about him, and the Wolves are a constant mess or disappointment.  Apparently this is the pick that will happen.

10.  Portland Trailblazers: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana.  JJ Hickson, the Blazers' starting center, is 6'9.  That won't do.  Zeller isn't ideal, and looked terrible against Syracuse's huge frontcourt in the Sweet 16, but he has a polished offensive game and a nose for the ball.

11.  Philadelphia 76ers: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh.  He is raw.  Very raw.  So raw that he may have to be the 9th man in your rotation for a year or two.  But he has the size and potential to be a great center.

12.  Oklahoma City Thunder: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse.  My boy MCW would be thrilled to land in this spot, I am sure.  Not only would he get to play right away due to the injury to Russell Westbrook, but he would be able to join a very talented young team.  Imagine a pass-first PG that plays defense to go with the offense of Westbrook at the 2 and Durant on the wing.  That'd be scary.  The Thunder could also reach for a big man, but they have other picks to fill that need.

13.  Dallas Mavericks: Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia.  He's foreign, and is probably trade bait.  That's all I got.

14.  Utah Jazz: Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil.  The Jazz may lose Al Jefferson and Paul Milsaps.  They need bigs.  I'm sure a 7-foot Brazilian dude will fit right in with the people of Utah...

15.  Milwaukee Bucks:  Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany.  He is bigger than Shane Larkin, and that may be all the difference.

16.  Boston Celtics: Kelly Olynyck, PF/C, Gonzaga.  The Celtics are rebuilding, and are looking at losing KG and Paul Pierce.  Rondo and Jeff Green will still be there, but they need a legit offensive weapon in the post.  Olynyck has the size and offensive ability to be a consistent scorer down low, and can also stretch the floor with solid mid-range and deep jumpers.

17.  Atlanta Hawks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Greece.  Not sure that will fit on a jersey...

18.  Atlanta Hawks: Mason Plumlee, PF/C, Duke.  He can play right now, unlike the Greek dude, and gives the Hawks a nice frontcourt with Al Horford.

19.  Cleveland Cavaliers: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA.  He is completely one-dimensional, and apparently has a bad attitude, but the Cavs need a scoring wing, and that is the only thing Shabazz does well.

20.  Chicago Bulls: Reggie Bullock, SG/SF, UNC.  A scoring wing player that can come in and help a team with a great defense, especially if they end up trading Luol Deng.

21.  Utah Jazz:  Shane Larkin, PG, Miami.  They went big with their first pick, now they need someone to get him the ball.  The only knock on Larkin, it seems, is his height.  If he plays well enough, everyone will forget how tall he is.

22.  Brooklyn Nets: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville.  The rumor is that the Nets are tryign to trade some of their big men, so this could be a replacement pick.  I wouldn't be shocked if new coach Jason Kidd tried adding a guard.

23.  Indian Pacers: Isaiah Canaan, PG, Murray State.  During the season, many of the experts said the Pacers were a point guard away from being contenders.  Well, they got to the Eastern Conference finals and pushed the Heat the entire series, so I think they have a damn good roster.  Canaan adds another scoring threat and some passing ability to a stacked team.

24.  New York Knicks: Mike Muscala, PF, Bucknell.  They won't do this.  No team will.  But Muscala looks like a complete PF, who has size, can play inside and out, rebounds, and can score.  The Knicks would be wise to pick a complete player who can help them instead of a one-dimensional one who hurts them in the playoffs.

25.  Los Angeles Clippers: Jamaal Franklin, SG/SF, San Diego State.  A natural scorer to help a team on the verge of greatness.  Doc Rivers will know how to use him well, especially paired with CP3.

26.  Minnesota Timberwolves: Tony Snell, SF, New Mexico.  More scoring is needed in Minnesota, so that's what they get.

27.  Denver Nuggests: Allen Crabbe, SG/SF, California.  Andre Iguodola may not re-sign, so the Nuggets need another scorer.  Crabbe is the best available, and has the size to play the 3 fairly well.

28.  San Antonio Spurs: Rudy Gobert, C/PF, France.  The Spurs love their international prospects.  They can keep him overseas for a year or two, like they did with Tiago Splitter, and bring him in when Tim Duncan finally calls it a career.

29.  Oklahoma City Thunder: Tim Hardaway Jr, SG, Michigan. The Thunder couple the MCW pick, a pass-first PG, with a dynamic offensive SG in Hardaway.  He could instantly become the new James Harden.

30.  Phoenix Suns: Glenn Rice, Jr., SF, NBDL.  Again, the Suns just need people that want to play and can score.  Alex Len helped up front.  Rice is a big time shooter, and will be a test to see if dominating the NBDL can translate to pro success.


Enjoy the draft!

How Great Would A Pacers-Grizzlies Final Be?

So, judging from the title of this post, I am sure that many of you are already upset.  Surely, the Heat will be in the NBA Finals.  You thought I really liked Tim Duncan (I do), so how could I pick against the Spurs?  The Pacers aren't even in the next round yet, and may not make it without George Hill.  I went to Syracuse, so how can I pick against Melo?

All valid points.  But I really want to see a Pacers-Grizzlies NBA Finals.

Let's assume for a moment that the Pacers are able to close out the Knicks and advance.  They are a tough young squad who may be able to beat the Heat once or twice.  Will they win the series?  Probably not.  But, if they did, and they got matched up with the Grizzlies, it would bring about one of my favorite things in the entire NBA- quality big men play.

Hibbert vs Gasol.  West vs. Randolph.

I am salivating at the idea of jump hooks and drop steps.

If you were born in the 1980s (like me) you have had a chance to watch some amazing NBA centers and power forwards for their entire careers: Shaq, Ewing, Kemp, Hakeem, Pau, Dwight, Duncan, The Admiral, KG, Zo, Rodman, Dikembe, Sir Charles, Malone.  It was a golden age for centers and power forwards.  However, recent NBA trends have gone with "smaller" lineups, though the players size is just the same.  LeBron James plays like a combo-guard, but has a body of a NBA center.  Dirk and Durant are both an eyelash under 7 feet, but they shoot 3's all night.  I miss the behemoths getting physical in the paint.  Wars on the blocks are always fun to watch for any real basketball fan.

The Pacers-Grizzlies brings a chance to see 4 all-star level giants going at it in the primes of their careers.  Does the NBA need the Heat Dynasty?  Yeah.  Would I love to see Tim get another ring?  Of course.  Would it be nice for Melo to have a NBA title to match his 2003 National Championship?  You bet.

But the fan in me wants to see Roy Hibbert post up the defensive player of the year in Marc Gasol.  I want to see Zeebo and West exchanging baskets, trash talk, and elbows.  It is what I love about the game.

Some Final Draft Thoughts

Just a few thoughts about how the 2013 NFL Draft went:

- I still have no idea what the Bills were doing taking EJ Manuel over Ryan Nassib.  The only reason Marrone has a NFL head coaching job is because of Nassib's play.  I, like some others, think that Manuel is a project, and the Bills can't afford to wait for him if they want to compete.  It isn't like Kevin Kolb and Tavares Jackson are the best QBs in the world.  Nassib could have stepped right into a system that he already knows and has played in for 4 years.  Of course, we found out later than Bills' Hall of Famer Bruce Smith is Manuel's godfather, so some strings could have been pulled there.

- Ryan Nassib now gets to backup Eli Manning.  The Giants had a weird draft.  It was as if they wanted me to start rooting for them.  Very happy for Cuse's Justin Pugh going #19 overall.  If Eli goes down, Nassib will be ready to go.

- Tyrann Mathieu got drafted.  If I'm the Cardinals,  I give him one chance.  Bill Polian said he wouldn't draft a guy with character issues like Mathieu.  He was a 6-time Executive of the Year.  I'd trust him.

- I think the Rams had the best draft.  Just from top to bottom, it was great.  The Bengals, Ravens and Vikings did well also.

- I thought the Skins did an OK job.  Drafting a corner and two safeties was smart.  However, even though I know Mike Shanahan is a RB guru, I don't think it was necessary to draft two running backs when we still have Alfred Morris.

- Manti Te'o to the Chargers was perfect.  He will stay away from the East Coast media, and gets a chance to play along some solid linebackers.  I think he will fit very well in the team and the community.

- I'm not entirely sure why the Eagles took Matt Barkley, unless Chip Kelly is completely redoing his offense, but the fact that he was available in the 4th round makes him a steal.

- Sorry, Geno Smith.  Learn everything you can from David Garrard, and wait until your contract with the Jets is up, or until they fire Rex.

- Eric Fisher was the #1 pick.  Central Michigan.  Crazy.

- My boy AJ Francis was not drafted, which baffles me.  However, he did sign with the Dolphins yesterday, so its all good.  Congrats AJ!


Time for OTA's and some more free agency.  Only a few months til preseason starts!

JFLANland's 2013 NFL Mock Draft: Round 4!

After all, it's only one more sleep til Draft Night!  WOOOOOOO!  So close.  Here is my final installment of my mock draft, since I have been busy the past few nights.  4th Round action.

A special shout out, by the way, to my boy and good friend AJ Francis.  AJ is a defensive tackle from the University of Maryland.  I believe he will hear his name called at some point this weekend, unless it happens during a commercial break.  I know of no kinder, more genuine, and more likable man than AJ.  He's a gem, and any team that drafts him is immediately getting a quality young man that can have a positive impact on their franchise.  He is projected in the 5th Round, but he'd be a steal there.  And you know I don't care for the Terps much, so he must be pretty special.

Anyway, here is Round 4:

1 (98). Jacksonville Jaguars- BW Webb, CB, William & Mary

2 (99). Kansas City Chiefs- Jordan Hill, DT, Penn State

3 (100). Oakland Raiders- Hugh Thornton, OG, Illinois

4 (101). Philadelphia Eagles- Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State

5 (102). Minnesota Vikings- Duke Williams, S, Nevada

6 (103). Arizona Cardinals- DaVonte Holloman, OLB, South Carolina

7 (104). Cleveland Browns- Dwayne Gratz, CB, UConn

8 (105). Buffalo Bills- Oday Aboushi, OG, Virginia

9 (106). New York Jets- John Simon, DE/OLB, Ohio State

10 (107). Tennessee Titans- Da'Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee

11 (108). Carolina Panthers- Josh Boyce, WR, TCU

12 (109). New Orleans Saints- Kayvon Webster, CB, USF

13 (110). San Diego Chargers- Xavier Nixon, OT, Florida State

14 (111). Miami Dolphins- Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State

15 (112). Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Nicholas Williams, DT, Samford

16 (113). St. Louis Rams- Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M

17 (114). Dallas Cowboys- Barret Hones, OC/G/T, Alabama

18 (115). Pittsburgh Steelers- Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin

19 (116). New York Giants- Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M

20 (117). Chicago Bears- Jeff Baca, OG, UCLA

21 (118). Cincinnati Bengals-Christ Harper, WR, Kansas State

22 (119). Washington Redskins- Jonathan Bostic, ILB, Florida

23 (120). Minnesota Vikings- Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

24 (121). Indianapolis Colts- Giovani Bernard, RB, UNC

25 (122). Green Bay Packers- Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford

26 (123). Seattle Seahawks- David Amerson, CB, NC State

27 (124). Houston Texans- Sean Porter, OLB, Texas A&M

28 (125). Denver Broncos- JJ Wilcox, S, Georgia Southern

29 (126). Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Denard Robinson, WR/QB, Michigan

30 (127). Atlanta Falcons- Earl Watford, OG, James Madison

31 (128). San Francisco 49ers- Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee Titans

32 (129). Baltimore Ravens- Jordan Mills, OT, Louisiana Tech

33 (130). Baltimore Ravens- Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State

34 (131). San Francisco 49ers- Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas

35 (132). Detroit Lions- Steve Williams, CB, California

36 (133). Atlanta Falcons- Nico Johnson, ILB, Alabama



That's all I got for this year, kids.  Enjoy the Draft.  I hope your team takes all the players you think they need.  Here's to Mel Kiper's hair!

JFLANland's 2013 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3!

Time for Round 3.  Still some teams with big needs out there.  Who will your team take?

1 (63). Kansas City Chiefs- Arthur Brown, OLB, Kansas State

2 (64). Jacksonville Jaguars- Brandon Williams, DT, Mizzouri-Southern State

3 (65). Detroit Lions- Terrence Williams, WR, Baylor

4 (66). Oakland Raiders- Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M

5 (67). Philadelphia Eagles- Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

6 (68). Cleveland Browns- Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell need some more competition.

7 (69). Arizona Cardinals- Mike Glennon, QB, NC State

The heir-apparent after Carson Palmer runs his course?

8 (70). Tennessee Titans- Stedman Baily, WR, West Virginia

9 (71). Buffalo Bills- Kevin Reddick, ILB, UNC

10 (72). New York Jets- David Bakhtiari, OT, Colorado

11 (73). Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati

12 (74). San Francisco 49ers- Khaseem Greene, OLB, Rutgers

13 (75). New Orleans Saints- Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State

14 (76). San Diego Chargers- Robert Alford, CB, SE Louisiana

15 (77). Miami Dolphins- Dallas Thomas, OG/T, Tennessee

16 (78). St. Louis Rams- Travis Frederick, C/G, Wisconsin

17 (79). Pittsburgh Steelers- Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Mississippi

18 (80). Dallas Cowboys- David Quessenberry, OT, San Jose State

19 (81). New York Giants- Brennan Williams, OT, UNC

20 (82). Miami Dolphins- Vance McDonald, TE, Rice

21 (83). Minnesota Vikings- Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers

22 (84). Cincinnati Bengals- Brian Schwenke, C/G, California

23 (85). Washington Redskins- Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse

24 (86). Indianapolis Colts- Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

25 (87). Seattle Seahawks- Brandon Jenkins, OLB, Florida State

26 (88). Green Bay Packers- Akeem Spence, DT, Illinois

27 (89). Houston Texans- Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State

28 (90). Denver Broncos- Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina

Lattimore is the most talented back in the draft, and would be a 1st Round pick if he didn't have an injury history.  The Broncos need help in the running game.

29 (91). New England Patriots- William Gholston, DE, Michigan State

30 (92). Atlanta Falcons- Jordan Reed, TE, Florida

31 (93). San Francisco 49ers- Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall

32 (94). Baltimore Ravens- Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech

33 (95). Houston Texans- Kiko Alonso, ILB, Oregon

34 (96). Kansas City Chiefs- Bennie Logan, DT, LSU

35 (97). Tennessee Titans- Bacarri Rambo, S, Georgia

Round 4 and maybe more coming soon!