Serena: Just How Great Is She?

Serena Williams just completed her 2nd "Serena Slam", and has to be considered a heavy favorite going into the US Open at the end of August.  She is currently dominating the sport of tennis in a way no other athlete in all of sports is able to do.  In fact, she is only one Grand Slam title away from tying Steffi Graf for most in the modern era. So, I thought to myself the other night, who are two other dominant modern athletes that we can compare her to?  From that, I got to thinking about why she is dominating tennis like she is.  Is she on top because she is simply able to raise her game above the level of her excellent competition, or is she the best because her competition really isn't that good, and she is just so far ahead of them it isn't fair?

The all-time great dominant athletes that I think Serena can be compared to are 1990s Michael Jordan and 1999-2002 Tiger Woods.  The interesting thing about these comparisons is that, usually, an all-time great tends to fall back to the pack as they get older.  With Serena, it is the exact opposite.  When she began her career, there was legitimate competition that she couldn't always beat.  Remember, while Serena was the first of the two to win a Grand Slam title, it was Venus Williams who first took the tennis world by storm with her power and athleticism.  After Serena's win in the 1999 US Open, she didn't win another til 2002. Serena took a bit longer to blossom fully, and had some serious competition to deal with.

Much like Michael Jordan played against a slew of other Hall of Fame players (Ewing, Barkley, Olajuwon, Stockton & Malone), Serena dealt with some great opponents early on.  Venus Williams, Martina Hingis, Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, and Justine Henin all beat Serena and won numerous Grand Slams.  In 2002, however, Serena was able to raise her game and took the 3 final Slams of the year, followed by the Australian Open in 2003, thus completing her 1st Serena Slam.  Much like Jordan, even faced with extremely good competition (particularly from Henin, who owned a 6-6 record against her) Serena was able to win 8 Slams through the end of 2007.

Then, things started to change.  Serena was still an excellent tennis player, but the competition started drying up.  Venus only won 1 more Slam title, at the 2008 Wimbledon.  Henin abruptly took an early retirement to concentrate on other endeavors, despite the fact she was the #1 ranked player in the world. Hingis, Davenport and Capriati retired after successful and long careers.  There was a sudden void for a true rival to Serena.  Even when Maria Sharapova burst on the scene to win the three titles in 5 years, she only beat Serena in one Slam finals.  Furthermore, Sharapova has not beaten Serena in a head to head match since 2005.  Serena owns a record of 18-2 vs the 2nd best player of this generation in Sharapova, who herself has a career Grand Slam.  It was only occasional injuries and illness that kept Serena from advancing deep in Slam tournaments.

It is during this time, from 2008 until now, that we see years similar to the first dominant years of Tiger Woods' career, which is what makes Serena so interesting.  Tiger came onto the PGA Tour and set it ablaze, hitting farther, putting better, and just having an overall game that dominated all comers.  There were some that won majors, sure.  Vijay, Phil, Paddy, Ernie Els:  All of them won a few majors, yet none of them came close to touching Tiger.  Then, over the past few years, Tiger's fallen back to Earth.  This is what happens with phenoms.  The game, the time, and the competition all eventually catch up.  But not Serena.

New tennis players have come and gone.  New challengers have arisen.  Yet Serena Williams is still at the top of her game. She has her 2nd Serena Slam.  She only needs to win the US Open to get a true Grand Slam (all 4 titles in one calendar year).  She is Jordan at his peak.  She is early Tiger.  We are seeing something special on the tennis courts every time she plays.  How great is she?  She may be the greatest of all time.

JFLANland 2015 NFL QB Rankings

There has been a small amount of controversy here in the DC area about Andy Benoit (of MMQB) and his rankings of the NFL quarterbacks.  Many seem to think that RG3 deserves to be a bit higher.  I am not one to defend RG3 anymore, considering his injuries and regression, but having him as the #31 QB out of 32 does seem a bit odd.  So, I have decided to publish my own list, and here it is.  Note- this is based mostly on recent performance, though expectations for next year do come into play a little-

1. Aaron Rodgers
I think he is the best in the game today.  2-time MVP, Super Bowl champ. Would have made it back last year if not for a backup tight end ruining an onside kick.

2. Tom Brady
He could be the greatest ever, and he is coming off of his 4th Super Bowl.  Deflating balls don't add up to all that success.  He is just damn good.

3. Peyton Manning
Everyone pointed to his offense going down at the end of that year.  That was because the Broncos ran more, not because of Peyton.  Still one of the best ever, even if its most in the regular season.

4. Andrew Luck
Everyone had super high hopes for Luck, and he has delivered.  Living up to the billing as the next Peyton Manning is a hard job, but I see no reason why he can't.

5. Drew Brees
The best QB in Saints history, playing with no defense and (now) with fewer weapons.  Yet still manages to throw for around 5,000 yards every year.

6. Russell Wilson
Would he have been higher on this list if they win another Super Bowl?  Maybe.  The kid just wins, knows how not to get hit, and needs to get paid.  If Seattle doesn't want him, a bunch of other teams will.

7. Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben used to just be a guy you couldn't tackle.  Now, he is coming off his best statistical year, and already has 2 rings.

8. Tony Romo
Everyone makes fun of him, but he seems to have gotten that 4th quarter failure bug out of his system.  If Dez had caught that ball (he didn't), then what are we saying about Romo beating Rodgers in Green Bay?

9. Joe Flacco
All he does is get his team to the playoffs every year.  He has a ring.  He is consistent.

10. Philip Rivers
Without Rivers, the Chargers could very well be a 2-14 team.

11. Matt Ryan
It certainly helps when you have great wideouts, but Ryan is a great QB.  What Kyle Shanahan will do with him is the better question.

12. Matt Stafford
When healthy, he slings it as well as anyone.  Again, having Megatron helps a lot.

13. Cam Newton
Crazy athlete with a big arm that got his team to the playoffs last year.  Could fine tune his touch a little, but you cannot deny the natural skills.

14. Alex Smith
He has gotten better under Andy Reid, even if their wideouts don't catch touchdowns.  I wish he was allowed to let it fly a little more,

15. Ryan Tannehill
He has gotten better every year in Miami.  Still behind Luck and Wilson in his draft class, but Tannehill shows every sign of a QB growing in confidence.  He could make a big leap this year.

16. Andy Dalton
The playoff success isn't there, but the Bengals are in the thick of the AFC North every year thanks to Dalton and his consistent play.

17. Eli Manning
A guy with two Super Bowl rings should be higher, but Eli has started throwing picks at an alarming rate.  Hopefully Odell Beckham's great hands will bring those numbers back to earth.

18. Colin Kaepernick
It will be interesting to see what Kap can do on a team that appears to be falling apart.  His past success was pretty astounding.  Without his coach there, could he fall back to the pack in the 20s?

19. Teddy Bridgewater
As Kap is falling, Bridgewater is rising.  I like the kid a lot, and with Minnesota adding weapons, Teddy could take a step up in the eyes of many.

20. Derek Carr
I love Derek Carr.  I have him this low because of two things- First, I don't want to play favorites.  I could move him up to 15, but he only played one year.  I just really really like him.  The second reason?  He still plays on the Raiders.  I hope that he is able to turn that franchise around.  At least he has a #1 WR in Amari Cooper now.

21. Jay Cutler
See what I said about Eli's INTs, take away the two rings, and then take away Brandon Marshall.  Yeah.

22. Nick Foles
This guy threw for 7 touchdowns in a game.  He is a lot better than I thought he would be.  I am still not sure what the Eagles were doing trading him away for a guy further down on the list.

23. Carson Palmer
The old guy who falls under the "When he's 100%, he's awesome" category.  Bruce Arians has given him weapons, and they improves the line.  The Cardinals could win the NFC West.

24. Robert Griffin III
So here is RG3, the young guy in the "When he's 100%, he's awesome" category.  What is alarming to those of us in DC is that he may never be 100% healthy again.  Two ACL tears have limited his mobility.  He gets hurt on non-contact plays.  What's worse is that his time away from the field has cause a regression in his reads and mechanics.  This is a make-or-break year for him.  Personally, I will be paying close attention to a lot of the NCAA QBs this year, cause RG3 may not be long for DC.

25. Sam Bradford
When he's 100%, he's...  Well, I don't know.  He has never been healthy for long enough.  When he played 16 games his rookie and 3rd year, he was ok.  That might be a reflection on the Rams roster over his play.  However, he was hurt his 2nd year, his 4th year, and missed all of last year.  Maybe Chip Kelly can keep him healthy?

26. Josh McCown
A journeyman in every sense of the word, McCown (the pride of Sam Houston State!) is in Cleveland now.  His three year contract probably means he will begin the year as the starter.  However, the Browns offense is less than stellar, and he may just be keeping the seat warm for Johnny Football.

27. Brian Hoyer
Cleveland's old QB is now in Houston with former fellow-Patriot Bill O'Brien as his coach.  He has a good running back.  He has some decent young receivers.  He has a solid defense.  Hoyer could improve a lot this year, and would need to in order to be successful.

28. Matt Cassell
Another former Pat, now taking the helm in Buffalo.  Kyle Orton retired, and EJ Manuel has been a bust in every possible sense of the word.  Now that Rex Ryan is the coach, the offense of the Bills will probably take a backseat to the defense.  Ryan got the Jets to the playoffs with Mark Sanchez.  Can he work wonders with Cassell?

29. Geno Smith
Geno had some flashes of brilliance in his career.  However, the Jets have been looking to replace him for a while.  I think he will start the season of Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he has to be great to keep his job.  A decent QB would be able to put up numbers throwing to Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker.  Is Geno a decent QB?

30. Blake Bortles
He is very young, and was on a very bad team.  While Bridgewater and Carr showed a ton of potential and talent, Bortles seemed to only throw Pick-6's.  I'm not ready to give up on him yet, but he needs more pieces around him.

31. Jameis Winston
32. Marcus Mariota
Why are these two at the bottom of the list?  Cause they haven't played a game in the NFL yet!  I am not saying I expect them to be this low all the time.  I think they are both going to be successful QBs in this league for a number of years.  However, it is unfair right now to put anyone else below them.  By the end of this year, both could be in the top 20.  At this moment in July, they have to be at the bottom.

There is the list.  Debate away!

A Solutions-Oriented Post About the Name of DC's NFL Team

The other day, ESPN panelist and new Washington Post contributor Kevin Blackistone wrote a piece about the Washington Redskins.  It was much of the same sound arguments opponents of the team's nickname have had for years, though I was rather disappointed that Mr. Blackistone made little to no mention of the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks and their fans, some of whom decided going red-face with headdresses was a good way to celebrate at their parade, but I digress.  We all know the arguments against the team's name.  They are solid arguments, and they are mostly correct.  The name does need to change.  But I am not here today to discuss those arguments.  I am instead here, in a solutions-oriented manner, to tell you why another name is infinitely better in every way anyway.  It is an alternative that has been a round for a couple of years, ever since the Washington City Paper decided to use it.

That's right- The Washington Pigskins!

So, what follows is my list of ten reasons why this name is so much better than the Redskins anyway.  Hope you enjoy, and then join the movement.

- It's not racist.  That's pretty much self-explanatory.  Plus, the change would mean more attention would be paid to the team and not the name, which could force the powers that be to put a good product on the field.

- It is football-relevant.  The first footballs were made from pigs' bladders and then covered in leather.  See? Football!

- It has team history.  The Hogs were the offensive linemen that helped Washington win 3 Super Bowls between 1982-1992.  They were local celebrities.  Grown men were willing to put on dresses, sunhats and snouts and go to games as the Hogettes. If there was ever a fan tradition that needs to live on, its the Hogettes.

- The team still can be called the Skins.  I don't know about you, but I almost never call the Redskins "The Redskins".  I call them the Skins.  Everyone I know calls them the Skins.  This way, you get to keep that nickname, and lose the whole racism part.

- It fits the song "Hail to the Redskins".  "Hail to the Pigskins! Hail Victory! Hogs on the Warpath! Fight for Old DC!"  See?

- Pigs are actually terrifying creatures.  Yes, we all think of Babe or Charlotte's Web whenever we think of pigs.  But they can be voracious and mean.  As any fan of the film Snatch can tell you, a group of hungry pigs can eat a 200 pound man in about 8 minutes.



I don't know about you, but the idea fo being chased and eaten by angry hogs is rather frightening to me.  Surely its scarier than any of the bird mascots in the NFL.  What the hell can a Cardinal really do to you anyway?

- Snyder could make more money with new merchandise.  This one isn't as much about the fans as it is for team business.  You change the name and the logo, you can sell a ton of new gear.  The DC fan base is loyal to a fault.  Hell, we've supported this franchise for the past 23 years since they won a Super Bowl, and they have usually been a laughingstock.  They will certainly buy new uniforms, new hoodies, new shirts, new everything.  Give us more things to buy!  We want to show our fandom!

- Snyder can make more money by selling old jerseys as throwbacks when the team wears them ones game a year.  The only thing we like more than new merchandise is throwback merchandise.  I own a John Riggins jersey.  He retired a few months before I was born.  It not only hearkens back to a time when Washington was successful, but gives the fan a feeling of nostalgia.  We'll certainly spend our money for that comfortable feeling.

- We could have a lovable mascot!  The Skins do not have a big foam-headed mascot, for good reason.  However, the kids love mascots!  Look at the rest of DC sports.  GeeWiz, Talon, Slapshot, Screech, and the Racing Presidents!  We have great mascots.  The teams sell stuffed versions of these mascots.  A funny-looking hog decked out in burgundy and gold would be an instant must-buy for any die hard Skins fan with a little one at home.

And, what might be the absolute best (non-race related) reason to change the name to the Pigskins,

- It would piss off Jerry Jones royally.  Jerry Jones, owner/GM/President/Emperor of the Dallas Cowboys is a proud graduate of the University of Arkansas.  Arkansas, for those that don't know, has the nickname "The Razorbacks".  Their symbol is a wild hog.  Their mascot is a hog.  Their whole world is about hogs and pigs.  Imagine how steamed Jerry would be if his franchise's biggest rival changes their team name to the same as his alma mater.  He would be so angry, he may go and build another billion dollar stadium to re-inflate his ego.  Anything to annoy the rival owner is reason enough to change the nickname and mascot.


I hope I have been able to convince you that there are reasons aside from the obvious to change the name of the Washington, DC football team.  It is the right thing to do socially, of course, but it is also the right thing to do because Pigskins is just a better name.  It is better for marketing, for mascots, for sales, for football-relevance, and for annoying the Cowboys.  I don't think it gets any better than that.  I can see the headlines now if the Pigskins ever win the Super Bowl again- "HOG WILD!"  "THAT'S SOME PIG!" It'd be wonderful.  I think its time for a change to the Pigskins.  Embrace it, DC.  Another headline, if the team squeaks out a tough win?

"That'll do, Pigskins.  That'll do."

FIFA Fraud- Will This Change Things?

          As any fan of the movie The Untouchables can tell you, the way Eliot Ness finally brought Al Capone down was on a tax fraud and evasion charge.  While it wasn't the most illegal thing that Capone had done wrong, it was a surefire way to put him behind bars, thus ending his reign as the king of Chicago crime.  Now, almost a century later, the same tactics are being used by the United States government.  However, Chicago is no longer the venue.  Instead, it is Switzerland, and playing the role of organized crime is FIFA.

          The United States Department of Justice has decided to press racketeering, bribery, wire fraud, and money laundering charges on a number of FIFA officials for, as US Attorney General Loretta Lynch says, over two decades.  Lynch specifically singled out officials from FIFA, CONCACAF (the governing body of North American, Central American, and Caribbean soccer, including the United States), and CONMEBOL (the governing body of South America) in this sting, and said that over $150 million a piece had been made by some of these corrupt individuals through their illegal activities.  One even requested a knighthood in exchange for his vote.  It is a case that could shake the very foundations of FIFA and international soccer to its core.  The question, however, is this- Will it have enough of an impact to make any real difference?

          While Eliot Ness went after the head of crime, the USDOJ has gone after some in high ranking positions, but not the main guy.  This is probably because the DOJ's jurisdiction is limited.  It may also be because FIFA head Sepp Blatter, widely rumored to be the most corrupt official in an extremely corrupt organization, cannot be directly tied to anything.  He even went as far as to say that today he welcomed the investigation and says misconduct has no place in his sport.  If Blatter cannot be linked to the widespread fraud involved in FIFA, then surely it happening on his watch would be enough to make sure he isn't re-elected in a vote currently scheduled for next week, right?  Even that may not be the case.  Chicago Tribune columnist Phillip Hersh believes that the only way to make any kind of real change and take out Blatter is to have major international sponsors pull their support and their money.  Hersh's view is probably the correct one, and since a major sports outfitter is currently tied in with these charges, having used bribery to gain exclusive rights to dress the Brazilian national team (hi, Nike), that money could dry up quick.

          If the money goes away, and if Blatter is ousted, the first question I would have is about the 2022 World Cup.  FIFA insists that it will go on as planned in Qatar, despite allegations of bribery and corruption by officials to bring the tournament to such a ludicrously inhospitable environment for the sport. Furthermore, why give the massive international event to a country whose team has never qualified for the tournament in the first place?  Even these nonsensical actions cannot be considered the worst part.  My main concern is how Blatter and FIFA continues to support a country that is relying on slave labor and heinous working conditions in order to construct its stadiums.  Numerous workers have already died, and one report suggests that the death toll could reach over 4,000 by 2022.  

          FIFA is actively supporting a country that condones slavery.  They are actively supporting a country that endorses antisemitism, racism, and homophobia on a massive level, all while launching a campaign that calls for the end of discrimination within the sport.  It is a hypocritical position, and only makes sense when you hear these chargers of corruption and bribery.  The Qatar World Cup goes against everything that FIFA says they represent, but goes along with everything this DOJ case shows they truly are.  I hope that this case will change things.  I hope that the beautiful game won't be veiled by ugly corruption for another decade.  I hope that this case is just the first in many dominos that will clean up FIFA top to bottom.  

Fraud charges brought down Al Capone.  Is it enough to bring down Blatter?

The Legend of 44: Did Syracuse Make a Mistake?

       Yesterday, my Alma Mater, Syracuse University, announced that it would be un-retiring the football jersey number 44.  44 has been retired for a decade, and represents the greatest of Syracuse football history.  Jim Brown, the greatest football player of all time, wore it.  Floyd Little, a NCAA and NFL Hall of Famer wore it.  Ernie Davis, the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner, wore it.  It is the number that defines excellence in central New York.  Hell, it is even part of the school's official zip code, 13244.  So the question is, then, why are they bringing it back?

       Well, Floyd Little thinks it is a great idea.  He has been on board with this idea for a while.  He even thinks that his grandson Blaze Jones (a perfect running back name) will attend Syracuse in a couple of years and earn the chance to wear the famed number.  Many fans think bringing the number back is exactly what the team and the program needs.  Let's face it: Cuse has been mediocre at best for most of the past decade.  When I arrived on campus in 2004, I expected some big things from the football team.  We went 6-6, lost our bowl game 51-14, fired our coach, hired Greg Robinson.  Robinson then went 5-37 over the next four seasons, including the only two double-digit loss seasons in the school's history.  We sucked.  Doug Marrone and Scott Shafer have allowed to (mostly) recover from that dark period, but we still max out at 6 or 7 wins.  The pro-restore feeling is that bringing 44 back will remind the players what an excellent program this once was, and motivate them to bring it back.
       There are some former players, however, that don't agree with that sentiment.  Donovan McNabb is the leader of that group.  He called the move disrespectful, and thinks it is a mistake.  Syracuse.com writer Bud Poliquin tends to agree, saying that making the number a perk instead of honoring its legacy is a mistake.  So what do I think?
       I don't have an issue with bringing such a hallowed number back into play for the team.  It is entirely possible that Syracuse will regain some of its former greatness on the football field in the future.  Added revenue from the ACC, upgrades to the practice facilities, and stronger recruiting could bring a forlorn program back to prominence.  We may have even found the first player worthy of wearing it in 2016 RB commit Robert Washington, a 4-star recruit who (unfathomably) chose Syracuse over the likes of Alabama, Michigan, and Florida.  He even understands and appreciates what the number means to the entire Syracuse community.  So I say let Washington wear it... if he earns it.
       Look, there is no bigger supporter of Syracuse then I am, but right now we are not a program worthy of having that number.  We do not have a single player worthy of that number.  Last year, we went 3-9 and didn't have a player drafted for just the 2nd time in 50 years.  That isn't a high point.  Could this be the jolt the program needs?  I think it could be.  Yet it is still way too early to tell.  If Washington comes in, runs for 1,000 yards, and gets us to a bowl game, then he is worthy.  Until then, let's make sure 44 isn't just given away because it can be.  There is a legacy there greater than anything this program has seen in 20 years.  We can't tarnish that.
       And hey, we always have the number 39 to give out.  If it was good enough for Walter Reyes and Larry Csonka, it should be good enough for a freshman.

JFLANland's 2015 NFL Mock Draft- Round 7

The last round!  Its almost over.  Just a few picks left!

Round 7

1 (218)- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ben Heeney, ILB, Kansas

2 (219)- New England Patriots: Adam Snead, OG, Oklahoma

3 (220)- Jacksonville Jaguars: Geremy Davis, WR, UConn

4 (221)- Oakland Raiders: Julian Wilson, CB, Oklahoma

5 (222)- Washington Redskins: Cam Worthy, WR, East Carolina

6 (223)- New York Jets: Deandrew White, WR, Alabama

7 (224)- New York Jets: Kaleb Eulls, DT, Mississippi State

8 (225)- Atlanta Falcons: Miles Diffenbach, OG, Penn State

9 (226)- New York Giants: Josh Robinson, RB, Mississippi State

10 (227)- St. Louis Rams, Tony Washington, OLB, Oregon

11 (228)- Minnesota Vikings: Austin Shepherd, OT, Alabama

12 (229)- Cleveland Browns: Lorenzo Doss, CB, Tulane

13 (230)- New Orleans Saints: Bryan Bennett, QB, Southeastern Louisiana
          Drew Brees is getting older.  A 7th round flyer on a local kid isn't a bad option.

14 (231)- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Craig Mager, CB, Texas St

15 (232)- Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Murphy, RB, Missouri

16 (233)- Kansas City Chiefs: Da'Ron Brown, WR, Northern Illinois

17 (234)- Buffalo Bills: Edmund Robinson, OLB, Newberry

18 (235)- Houston Texans: Martin Efedi, DE, Memphis

19 (236)- Dallas Cowboys: DeAndre Smelter, WR, Georgia Tech

20 (237)- Philadelphia Eagles: Bobby McCain, CB, Memphis

21 (238)- Cincinnati Bengals: Xavier Cooper, DT, Washington State

22 (239)- Pittsburgh Steelers: Tello Luckett, WR, Harding

23 (240)- Detroit Lions: Patrick Miller, OT, Auburn

24 (241)- Arizona Cardinals: Cameron Clear, TE, Texas A&M

25 (242)- Carolina Panthers: Leon Orr, DT, Florida

26 (243)- Dallas Cowboys: Deontay Greenberry, WR, Houston

27 (244)- Indianapolis Colts: Andy Gallik, OC, Boston College

28 (245)- New York Giants: Josue Matias, OG, Florida State

29 (246)- San Francisco 49ers: Bobby Hart, OT, Florida State

30 (247)- Green Bay Packers: Martrell Spaight, OLB, Arkansas

31 (248)- Seattle Seahawks: Blake Bell, TE, Oklahoma

32 (249)- Atlanta Falcons: Malcolm Bunche, OG, UCLA

33 (250)- Denver Broncos: Deion Barnes, DE, Penn State

34 (251)- Denver Broncos: Blaine Clausell, OT, Michigan State

35 (252)- Denver Broncos: Damian Parms, S, Florida Atlantic

36 (253)- New England Patriots: Jesse James, TE, Penn State
          A coach that has bent the rules gets a player named after an infamous outlaw? Perfect.

37 (254)- San Francisco 49ers: Michael Dyer, RB, Louisville

38 (255)- Indianapolis Colts: Aaron Davis, OLB, Colorado State

And Mr. Irrelevant in the JFLANland 2015 NFL Mock Draft...

39 (256)- Arizona Cardinals: Takoby Cofield, OT, Duke


THERE YOU HAVE IT!  All done.  7 Rounds.  256 players.  No kickers or punters (Sorry.  I just don't know where to draft one when there are other needs).  This is a massive labor of love, because I love doing it.  I love watching the entire draft every year.  Is it strange?  Sure.  But its still better than most of what is on TV these days.

Thank you so much for reading, especially if you went through all 7 rounds.  It is nice to think someone else cares as much as I do.  I will update this if there happens to be any big trades before Thursday night.  I will also find some time in my busy schedule to break down some picks I like and dislike.  Finally, I will be live-tweeting the draft @JFLANland, so give me a follow.

Enjoy the Draft my friends.  So many great careers will start this weekend.  Let's hope they all become great men as well.  The NFL needs it.

JFLANland's 2015 NFL Mock Draft- Round 6

Almost done, kids.  The true draft nuts stick around to watch these picks like me.

Round 6

1 (177)- Tennessee Titans: Titus Davis, WR, Central Michigan

2 (178)- New England Patriots: Tyler Varga, RB, Yale
          Boola Boola

3 (179)- Oakland Raiders: Kurtis Drummond, S, Michigan State

4 (180)- Jacksonville Jaguars: Reese Dismukes, OC, Auburn

5 (181)- Seattle Seahawks: Zack Hodges, OLB, Harvard
          Pats draft an Ivy League man, the Seahawks match.

6 (182)- Washington Redskins: Anthony Jefferson, S, UCLA

7 (183)- Chicago Bears: Jamon Brown, OT, Louisville

8 (184)- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alani Fua, OLB, BYU

9 (185)- Atlanta Falcons: David Cobb, RB, Minnesota

10 (186)- New York Giants: Chris Conley, WR, Georgia

11 (187)- New Orleans Saints: Jordan Richards, S, Stanford

12 (188)- Buffalo Bills: Gerald Christian, TE, Louisville

13 (189)- Cleveland Browns: Robert Myers, OG, Tennessee State

14 (190)- San Francisco 49ers: Dez Lewis, WR, Central Arkansas

15 (191)- Miami Dolphins: Chris Hackett, S, TCU

16 (192)- San Diego Chargers: Tyeler Davison, DT, Florida State

17 (193)- Kansas City Cheifs: Trent Brown, OG, Florida

18 (194)- Buffalo Bills: Shane Carden, QB, East Carolina
          He may not be the answer at QB, but he can't be that much worse than what the Bills have.

19 (195)- Houston Texans: Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech

20 (196)- Philadelphia Eagles: Ryan Russell, DE, Purdue

21 (197)- Cincinnati Bengals: Mario Alford, WR, West Virginia

22 (198)- Arizona Cardinals: Amarlo Herrera, ILB, Georgia

23 (199)- Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Mahina, TE, BYU

24 (200)- Detroit Lions: Audrey Walker, OG, USC

25 (201)- Carolina Panthers: Vince Mayle, WR, Washington State

26 (202)- Cleveland Browns: Malcom Brown, RB, Texas

27 (203)- Denver Broncos: John Miller, OG, Louisville

28 (204)- Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Lott, DT, Tennessee-Chattanooga

29 (205)- Indianapolis Colts: Lynden Trail, DE, Norfolk State

30 (206)- Green Bay Packers: Cedric Reed, DE, Texas

31 (207)- Indianapolis Colts: Damien Wilson, ILB, Minnesota

32 (208)- Tennessee Titans: Ellis McCarthy, DT, UCLA

33 (209)- Seattle Seahawks: Shaq Mason, OC, Georgia Tech

34 (210)- Green Bay Packers: Antwan Goodley, WR, Baylor

35 (211)- Houston Texans: Louis Trinca-Pasat, DT, Iowa

36 (212)- Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Auburn

37 (213)- Green Bay Packers: Charles Gaines, CB, Louisville

38 (214)- Seattle Seahawks: Frank Clark, DE, Michigan

39 (215)- St. Louis Rams: Kevin White, CB, TCU

40 (216)- Houston Texans: Zach Zenner, RB, South Dakota St.

41 (217)- Kansas City Chiefs: Imoan Claiborne, CB, Northwestern State


One round left.  So close.