The big game is finally here. Patriots vs Falcons. #1 scoring defense vs the most explosive offense in football. Tom Brady, possibly the greatest of all time, vs Matt Ryan, the NFL MVP. Storylines abound, but you have had two weeks of all that. What is my pick?
Patriots 27, Falcons 24
I don't even know who I want to win this game, to be honest. I, like the rest of America, am tired of the Patriots being so good. It isn't that we hate them, it is just that most of us will never see our team (in any sports) be as dominant as the Patriots have been over the past 15 years. Yes, Brady may be the best ever. Yes, Bill Belichick may be the best coach ever. But every great empire has to come to an end eventually. Will I be angry if the Patriots win? Nope. But I won't be thrilled either.
Then there is Atlanta. The plucky underdog. The only team with a player from Syracuse (go Dwight Freeney!). I wouldn't be angry if they won either. But, Atlanta is an awful sports town. It is, I'm sorry. If you can't sell out World Series games, you don't deserve a championship in any sport. That said, the Georgia Dome sounded pretty loud during the playoffs. I also dislike Matt Ryan, since he went to Boston College (What? I hold grudges, and they killed the Big East. Let me be angry!). However, it is easy to overlook my grudge and admit how fantastic he and that offense have been this season. He deserved the MVP once Derek Carr went down. I'd be fine if the Falcons were hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the night.
In the end, I just don't think it is wise to bet against Brady and Belichick. That said, I won't be upset with the outcome, either way. This is the most unenthusiastic I have been about a Super Bowl in a while. Let's just hope it is a great game, much like all the other Super Bowls these Patriots have been in.
Enjoy the game!
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
When the Real World Gets in the Way
Hello friends.
The past 2ish weeks have been pretty awful in America, huh? Well, 2017 seems to be off to a pretty dismal start. So, as you have seen, I haven't been writing. I know I come on here every few months and apologize for it, but this time I just haven't been thinking about writing at all. Sure, I have started looking at some NFL mock drafts. I have some ideas for things to write this week too. But, on the whole, I can't concentrate as much on sports as I would like due to current events. So, I will try to do a bit better as we move forward. It is a good escape for me, and hopefully a couple of you like reading it as well.
Cheers!
The past 2ish weeks have been pretty awful in America, huh? Well, 2017 seems to be off to a pretty dismal start. So, as you have seen, I haven't been writing. I know I come on here every few months and apologize for it, but this time I just haven't been thinking about writing at all. Sure, I have started looking at some NFL mock drafts. I have some ideas for things to write this week too. But, on the whole, I can't concentrate as much on sports as I would like due to current events. So, I will try to do a bit better as we move forward. It is a good escape for me, and hopefully a couple of you like reading it as well.
Cheers!
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
The Importance of Sports as a Temporary Escape
Hello friends.
It has been almost exactly 3 months since my last post. In it, I discussed how the sporting achievements of the Rio Olympics (and there were many amazing ones) may have blinded us from the very real concerns about Rio as a viable host, the IOC selection process, and Ryan Lotche being a moron of epic proportions. Since then, I have been distracted by the real world. Sure, I have still been following sports. I got to enjoy my Nationals playoff push before they lost in the first round... again. Both my fantasy football teams are doing well. The Skins are being competitive, and have a winning record at the moment. Syracuse football, while probably not going to a bowl this year, at least has been more exciting to watch, and NCAA football has been quite compelling. NCAA basketball, the NHL, and NBA are all underway. Hell, the friggin Cubs won the World Series! So, sports have been there while I have been busy with work, and the election, the depression from that result, and trying to push forward. I have missed writing, but haven't really had much to say. I think that may change in the coming months.
You may not have the same political or world views as me (though you should, cause I'm awesome), but I think we can all agree that having sports as a means of escapism is exactly what the world needs right now. The entire Washington DC area, my home, has been walking around in a daze for the past week. The only things that seem to have snapped anyone out of it were the Skins' win over the Vikings this past Sunday, and the very exciting game between Georgetown and Maryland last night. It has helped us restore a bit of normalcy in what we fear may become increasingly frustrating and dark times. Sports are something familiar, with happy memories, even in cities like DC that haven't won anything since 1992. They are a security blanket that we can rely on to shield us from the Boogey Man of reality, even if just for a few hours.
This isn't to say that sports cannot play a very important part in the real and political worlds. History has given us many examples of how sports can be ahead of the curve when it comes to social issues, even when it lags further behind on some others. Recently, stories like the protests during the National Anthem, the gender pay gap in US Soccer, and leagues failure to act with immediacy regarding domestic violence issues have all been part of our national sports discussion. This is a good thing, because it means the conversations about these issues are at least being had in a wider forum, as they should be. What makes sports so special, though, is that after the off-field issues are discussed, there is still the on-field product to enjoy. We can sit back in our chair and yell at the refs instead of at each other. We can be united, temporarily, in the love of the game.
We shouldn't ignore the very real issues facing our country and our world. Lord knows there are a lot of them. We shouldn't accept the (my opinion) upcoming potentially-awful administration and the abhorrent platform it represents as the new normal. Americans, especially those in my generation and younger, should stand up and help make change whenever and however we can. But that can be exhausting, and sometimes we need a break. That is where sports can come in. We can rest, relax, recharge, and enjoy the games we have loved our entire lives. We can come together, with thousands of strangers, and actually agree on something for a while. And who knows, maybe we can even be inspired. That Cinderella team making the Final Four can show us nothing is impossible if we work hard enough. That improbable comeback in the final minutes can remind us nothing is over as long as we keep persevering. That cursed franchise that finally wins it all can prove to us that no matter how impossible it may feel, no matter how many times we are beaten down, we can still be victorious in the end. Sports can give all of this to us, and that is why it is such an important escape.
I'll be writing more soon, and I hope that my posts may help momentarily take your mind off your troubles.
The Cubs managed to get through 108 years of troubles. I bet we can make it through the next 4.
Friday, August 19, 2016
Olympic Tunnel Vision
In lead up to the Olympics, Rio's health risks, crime risks, lack of infrastructure, funding, and competency all over shadowed the athletics. Then Russia's entire team was almost kicked out, but was allowed to compete because the IOC is corrupt and has no spine. Since the games started, the athletes made us forget all of that. Team USA has looked amazing. Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky may as well be merpeople, they swim so fast. Simon Manuel made history. Kerri Walsh-Jennings got yet another Olympic medal. The Final Five stole our hearts. When you are in a bar and Jamaica's Usain Bolt runs in a final, the entire room stops what they are doing to watch the fastest man alive. Then these moronic uber-jock swimmers "got robbed" and we looked at crime again. Oh no! Ryan Lochte says he was robbed at gunpoint. Rio is the worst place in the world!
It turns out they were just drunken idiots who vandalized a bathroom, and were held by a security officer (with a gun) until an agreement was made to pay for the damages. Now that has overshadowed everything, from the awesome athletics to the genuine concerns that should still exist about Rio, such as the British athlete who legitimately was mugged, or the severed leg found floating on the sailing course. The later is particularly disturbing, because the police's response that "It was probably someone murdered by the drug gangs, who was dumped in one of the rivers that flows into the bay," seems rather nonchalant.
Why is it so impossible to be able to talk about or concentrate on more than 1 thing at once with the Olympics? Surely, we as logical, thinking creatures can comprehend the following ideas all together:
- Locthe et al are idiots;
- Rio still has a lot of crime, legitimate infrastructure concerns, and health risks;
- Not all people in Rio are criminals. A majority are great hosts, though some of their fans have no exactly acted in a welcoming or sportsmanlike fashion at times;
- The IOC is still extremely corrupt;
- Olympic athletes are amazing and awe-inspiring.
It has been an interesting two weeks. Hopefully, we will look back on the Rio Olympics as both a triumph of sport and a cautionary tale about idiocy, crime, or corruption. We should always be able to concentrate on more than one thing. When our worldwide tunnel vision latches on to one hot-button issue, or one TMZ-esque story, we miss everything else that could tell us so much more. Whether they be inspiring or disturbing, these things are still important parts of the entire scene.
Friday, July 15, 2016
WWE Raw/Smackdown Mock Draft
Hello friends. I am back. It has been a while, I know, but the real world got in the way for a while. I've missed the Stanley Cup finals (bah), and missed the NBA finals (well done LeBron), and most of the first part of the MLB season, but let's be honest: The biggest sports and entertainment news of the recent weeks has been the brand split for the WWE!
That's right, WWE is going back to Raw and Smackdown will have exclusive rosters, titles, and PPVs. Within the wonderful kayfabe (scripted) world of pro wrestling, Vince McMahon's two children will run the respective brands and compete with each other, hopefully making wrestling fans like me very happy. This upcoming Tuesday, on the premier of Smackdown Live (finally being shown live on the night it happens, instead of recorded for Thursday or Friday broadcasts), we will have the return of the WWE Draft. New storylines, new talent, new feuds: Everything is possible now! Because I am obsessed with all sorts of drafts, I decided to recruit my wrestling smart mark (or smark, which just means a fan obsessed with wrestling, the backstage stuff, etc) padawan Colin to conduct a draft. I will be representing Smackdown, and Colin will be in charge of Monday Night Raw. Just a quick note- we kept almost all of the talent at NXT off limits. There are a few people taken, but they are about to be called up to the main roster anyway. He let me have the #1 pick, and we've got 30 rounds to go through. Due to the depths of the draft, I will not analyze all the picks. Plus, if you don't like WWE, you don't care. So, let's get to it!
Round 1
Smackdown- Seth Rollins
Raw- John Cena
No surprises here. I take possibly the best wrestler and best overall talent on the roster. Rollins will be the face of Smackdown for years to come. Colin takes the overall face of the company for over a decade, John Cena. He gets to stay on the flagship show, appeal to the kids and the public at large, and continue to be Mr. WWE.
Round 2
Smackdown- AJ Styles
Raw- Brock Lesnar
I am thrilled, because AJ Styles and Seth Rollins are the two best wrestlers in the world. Visions of them headlining Wrestlemania are running through my head. Raw again goes with the biggest name, the crossover star Brock Lesnar. His appeal is undeniable, since his headlining fight for UFC 200 drew the biggest PPV buyrate the company has ever had. Even if he only appears 5 times a year, he is worth the pick.
Round 3
Smackdown- Bray Wyatt
Raw- Kevin Owens
Entirely possible that my current 2 favorite wrestlers went this round. I chose Bray Wyatt because he needs to be away from the Raw writers. With so much potential, Bray could be the new Undertaker. He just needs to be let loose, which is what I will let him do. Colin takes KO, who is on par with Rollins and Styles in terms of work rate. He is beloved by smarks everywhere, and could be the top heel on Raw forever.
Round 4
Smackdown- Cesaro
Raw- Dean Ambrose
I get another indy darling and an amazing worker. Raw gets the current WWE Champion, so Smackdown will have a tournament for our new title.
Round 5
Smackdown- Roman Reigns
Raw- Charlotte
I get Vince's favorite guy coming off of a wellness suspension. He will no longer play the good guy character Vince wants him to be. He isn't the next John Cena. He isn't the next Rock. But he can be the best villain in the world. Raw gets the WWE Women's Champion. Charlotte is fantastic, so no issues with that pick there.
Round 6
Smackdown- Finn Balor
Raw- Sasha Banks
Both are super popular, with more potential than anyone in the company. Both are future champions.
Round 7
Smackdown- Sami Zayn
Raw- The Miz
The kings of the midcard have started. Everything that Zayn can do in the ring, Miz does on the mic.
Round 8
Smackdown- The New Day
Raw- Enzo & Cass
Excellent tag teams, extremely over with the crowd, extremely entertaining. Plus, I get all 3 members of the New Day. Points for Smackdown!
Round 9
Smackdown- Becky Lynch
Raw- Randy Orton
I have started my Women's division with the Irish Lasskicker. I think her ring work is extremely underrated, so she will be given a chance to shine on Smackdown. Raw gets the 2nd most consistent WWE talent behind John Cena. Randy Orton is a no-doubt Hall of Famer, can fit anywhere on the card, and can be face or heel.
Round 10
Smackdown- Bayley
Raw- Dolph Ziggler
My Women's division foundation continues with the former NXT champion. We now each have 2 of the "4 Horsewomen" who made women's wrestling relevant again. In Ziggler, Raw gets a top wrestler who can put over anyone, and may finally get another shot at the WWE title with half of the roster out of the way.
Round 11
Smackdown- Rusev (with Lana)
Raw- Paige
Another female wrestler gone in Paige to Raw, and Rusev, who has a ton of potential, comes to Smackdown.
Round 12
Smackdown- Natalya
Raw- Alberto Del Rio
I think I get THE BEST female wrestler on the roster in Nattie. Raw gets a solid top-to-midcard guy in ADR, who gets to stay on the same show as his real life girlfriend Paige.
Round 13
Smackdown- Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows
Raw- Chris Jericho
AJ Styles' running mates, Anderson and Gallows aka The Club join the Phenomenal One on Smackdown. Chris Jericho, when he is around, is still an amazing talent who can work with anyone on the roster.
Round 14
Smackdown- Baron Corbin
Raw- American Alpha
Baron Corbin is the prototypical WWE superstar in size and stature. He has shown some promise in his short time on the main roster. American Alpha, while still on NXT, will be on the main roster very soon. The combined athletic ability and pedigree of Chad Gable and Jason Jordan cannot be overstated.
Round 15
Smackdown- Neville
Raw- Mauro Ranallo
The first big surprise of the draft! Announcer Mauro Ranallo drafted to be the voice of Monday Night Raw. His UFC/non-WWE background has been a welcome departure from Michael Cole's overselling, and he has been one of the best announcers on WWE TV since his arrival. In Neville, I get a high flyer with big match ability. While he is on the smaller size, his move set could make him a huge star.
Round 16
Smackdown- Emma
Raw- Nikki Bella
Round 17
Smackdown- Apollo Crews
Raw- Luke Harper
Round 18
Smackdown- Breezango (tag team of Tyler Breeze & Fandango)
Raw- The Dudley Boyz
Round 19
Smackdown- Corey Graves
Raw- The Undertaker
The legend that is the Undertaker may only wrestle once a year, but his impact will always be felt. As for my pick, I could not let the best color analyst in WWE join the best play by play guy, so I took for NXT superstar turned announcer Cory Graves. Undertaker, Graves. Get it?
Round 20
Smackdown- Braun Stroman
Raw- Mark Henry
Round 21
Smackdown- The Lucha Dragons
Raw- Sheamus
Round 22
Smackdown- Zack Ryder
Raw- The Big Show
Round 23
Smackdown- Dana Brooke
Raw- Naomi
Round 24
Smackdown- The Social Outcasts
Raw- Jack Swagger
Round 25
Smackdown- Renee Young
Raw- Darren Young
A history-making round, perhaps? I choose Renee to be the 1st ever female play-by-play announcer in WWE history. She has done it before on NXT, and has shown her skill hosting the PPV preshows. Raw gets Darren Young, most famous currently for publicly coming out of the closet last year. His brave decision and talent could allow him to be a trailblazer for equality in the industry.
Round 26
Smackdown- Summer Rae
Raw- Erick Rowan
Round 27
Smackdown- The Vaudvillans
Raw- Titus O'Neil
Round 28
Smackdown- Eva Marie
Raw- Golden Truth (tag team of Goldust and R-Truth)
Round 29
Smackdown- Daniel Bryan (GM)
Raw- Paul Heyman (GM)
Vince McMahon decided that each of his children would have to pick a GM to run their brand on a day-to-day basis. I chose former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, who is rumored to actually be the Smackdown GM that will be announced on Monday. Colin chose Paul Heyman, an ingenious way to keep the founder of ECW and possibly the best talker in the company around when his client Brock Lesnar is not.
Round 30
Smackdown- The Usos
Raw- Kane
Supplemental Announcer Free Agent picks (each show needs announce team of 2, plus backstage interviewer)-
Smackdown- JoJo for backstage
Raw- Byron Saxton for color commentary, Cathy Kelly for backstage
Rosters:
Smackdown Raw
Seth Rollins John Cena
AJ Styles Brock Lesnar
Bray Wyatt Kevin Owens
Cesaro Dean Ambrose
Roman Reigns Charlotte
Finn Balor Sasha Banks
Sami Zayn The Miz
The New Day Enzo & Cass
Becky Lynch Randy Orton
Bayley Dolph Ziggler
Rusev (with Lana) Paige
Natalya Alberto Del Rio
Anderson & Gallows Chris Jericho
Baron Corbin American Alpha
Neville Mauro Ranallo
Emma Nikki Bella
Apollo Crews Luke Harper
Breezango Dudley Boyz
Corey Graves The Undertaker
Braun Stroman Mark Henry
Lucha Dragons Sheamus
Zack Ryder Big Show
Dana Brooke Naomi
Social Outcasts Jack Swagger
Renee Young Darren Young
Summer Rae Erick Rowan
Vaudvillans Titus O'Neil
Eva Marie Golden Truth
Daniel Bryan (GM) Paul Heyman (GM)
The Usos Kane
JoJo Byron Saxton/Cathy Kelly
So there you have it! Almost every wrestler on the current WWE main roster was taken. I think that these shows would both thrive with their new talent. I'd like to thank Colin for participating in this little endeavor, and thank you for taking the time to read it.
That's right, WWE is going back to Raw and Smackdown will have exclusive rosters, titles, and PPVs. Within the wonderful kayfabe (scripted) world of pro wrestling, Vince McMahon's two children will run the respective brands and compete with each other, hopefully making wrestling fans like me very happy. This upcoming Tuesday, on the premier of Smackdown Live (finally being shown live on the night it happens, instead of recorded for Thursday or Friday broadcasts), we will have the return of the WWE Draft. New storylines, new talent, new feuds: Everything is possible now! Because I am obsessed with all sorts of drafts, I decided to recruit my wrestling smart mark (or smark, which just means a fan obsessed with wrestling, the backstage stuff, etc) padawan Colin to conduct a draft. I will be representing Smackdown, and Colin will be in charge of Monday Night Raw. Just a quick note- we kept almost all of the talent at NXT off limits. There are a few people taken, but they are about to be called up to the main roster anyway. He let me have the #1 pick, and we've got 30 rounds to go through. Due to the depths of the draft, I will not analyze all the picks. Plus, if you don't like WWE, you don't care. So, let's get to it!
Round 1
Smackdown- Seth Rollins
Raw- John Cena
No surprises here. I take possibly the best wrestler and best overall talent on the roster. Rollins will be the face of Smackdown for years to come. Colin takes the overall face of the company for over a decade, John Cena. He gets to stay on the flagship show, appeal to the kids and the public at large, and continue to be Mr. WWE.
Round 2
Smackdown- AJ Styles
Raw- Brock Lesnar
I am thrilled, because AJ Styles and Seth Rollins are the two best wrestlers in the world. Visions of them headlining Wrestlemania are running through my head. Raw again goes with the biggest name, the crossover star Brock Lesnar. His appeal is undeniable, since his headlining fight for UFC 200 drew the biggest PPV buyrate the company has ever had. Even if he only appears 5 times a year, he is worth the pick.
Round 3
Smackdown- Bray Wyatt
Raw- Kevin Owens
Entirely possible that my current 2 favorite wrestlers went this round. I chose Bray Wyatt because he needs to be away from the Raw writers. With so much potential, Bray could be the new Undertaker. He just needs to be let loose, which is what I will let him do. Colin takes KO, who is on par with Rollins and Styles in terms of work rate. He is beloved by smarks everywhere, and could be the top heel on Raw forever.
Round 4
Smackdown- Cesaro
Raw- Dean Ambrose
I get another indy darling and an amazing worker. Raw gets the current WWE Champion, so Smackdown will have a tournament for our new title.
Round 5
Smackdown- Roman Reigns
Raw- Charlotte
I get Vince's favorite guy coming off of a wellness suspension. He will no longer play the good guy character Vince wants him to be. He isn't the next John Cena. He isn't the next Rock. But he can be the best villain in the world. Raw gets the WWE Women's Champion. Charlotte is fantastic, so no issues with that pick there.
Round 6
Smackdown- Finn Balor
Raw- Sasha Banks
Both are super popular, with more potential than anyone in the company. Both are future champions.
Round 7
Smackdown- Sami Zayn
Raw- The Miz
The kings of the midcard have started. Everything that Zayn can do in the ring, Miz does on the mic.
Round 8
Smackdown- The New Day
Raw- Enzo & Cass
Excellent tag teams, extremely over with the crowd, extremely entertaining. Plus, I get all 3 members of the New Day. Points for Smackdown!
Round 9
Smackdown- Becky Lynch
Raw- Randy Orton
I have started my Women's division with the Irish Lasskicker. I think her ring work is extremely underrated, so she will be given a chance to shine on Smackdown. Raw gets the 2nd most consistent WWE talent behind John Cena. Randy Orton is a no-doubt Hall of Famer, can fit anywhere on the card, and can be face or heel.
Round 10
Smackdown- Bayley
Raw- Dolph Ziggler
My Women's division foundation continues with the former NXT champion. We now each have 2 of the "4 Horsewomen" who made women's wrestling relevant again. In Ziggler, Raw gets a top wrestler who can put over anyone, and may finally get another shot at the WWE title with half of the roster out of the way.
Round 11
Smackdown- Rusev (with Lana)
Raw- Paige
Another female wrestler gone in Paige to Raw, and Rusev, who has a ton of potential, comes to Smackdown.
Round 12
Smackdown- Natalya
Raw- Alberto Del Rio
I think I get THE BEST female wrestler on the roster in Nattie. Raw gets a solid top-to-midcard guy in ADR, who gets to stay on the same show as his real life girlfriend Paige.
Round 13
Smackdown- Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows
Raw- Chris Jericho
AJ Styles' running mates, Anderson and Gallows aka The Club join the Phenomenal One on Smackdown. Chris Jericho, when he is around, is still an amazing talent who can work with anyone on the roster.
Round 14
Smackdown- Baron Corbin
Raw- American Alpha
Baron Corbin is the prototypical WWE superstar in size and stature. He has shown some promise in his short time on the main roster. American Alpha, while still on NXT, will be on the main roster very soon. The combined athletic ability and pedigree of Chad Gable and Jason Jordan cannot be overstated.
Round 15
Smackdown- Neville
Raw- Mauro Ranallo
The first big surprise of the draft! Announcer Mauro Ranallo drafted to be the voice of Monday Night Raw. His UFC/non-WWE background has been a welcome departure from Michael Cole's overselling, and he has been one of the best announcers on WWE TV since his arrival. In Neville, I get a high flyer with big match ability. While he is on the smaller size, his move set could make him a huge star.
Round 16
Smackdown- Emma
Raw- Nikki Bella
Round 17
Smackdown- Apollo Crews
Raw- Luke Harper
Round 18
Smackdown- Breezango (tag team of Tyler Breeze & Fandango)
Raw- The Dudley Boyz
Round 19
Smackdown- Corey Graves
Raw- The Undertaker
The legend that is the Undertaker may only wrestle once a year, but his impact will always be felt. As for my pick, I could not let the best color analyst in WWE join the best play by play guy, so I took for NXT superstar turned announcer Cory Graves. Undertaker, Graves. Get it?
Round 20
Smackdown- Braun Stroman
Raw- Mark Henry
Round 21
Smackdown- The Lucha Dragons
Raw- Sheamus
Round 22
Smackdown- Zack Ryder
Raw- The Big Show
Round 23
Smackdown- Dana Brooke
Raw- Naomi
Round 24
Smackdown- The Social Outcasts
Raw- Jack Swagger
Round 25
Smackdown- Renee Young
Raw- Darren Young
A history-making round, perhaps? I choose Renee to be the 1st ever female play-by-play announcer in WWE history. She has done it before on NXT, and has shown her skill hosting the PPV preshows. Raw gets Darren Young, most famous currently for publicly coming out of the closet last year. His brave decision and talent could allow him to be a trailblazer for equality in the industry.
Round 26
Smackdown- Summer Rae
Raw- Erick Rowan
Round 27
Smackdown- The Vaudvillans
Raw- Titus O'Neil
Round 28
Smackdown- Eva Marie
Raw- Golden Truth (tag team of Goldust and R-Truth)
Round 29
Smackdown- Daniel Bryan (GM)
Raw- Paul Heyman (GM)
Vince McMahon decided that each of his children would have to pick a GM to run their brand on a day-to-day basis. I chose former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, who is rumored to actually be the Smackdown GM that will be announced on Monday. Colin chose Paul Heyman, an ingenious way to keep the founder of ECW and possibly the best talker in the company around when his client Brock Lesnar is not.
Round 30
Smackdown- The Usos
Raw- Kane
Supplemental Announcer Free Agent picks (each show needs announce team of 2, plus backstage interviewer)-
Smackdown- JoJo for backstage
Raw- Byron Saxton for color commentary, Cathy Kelly for backstage
Rosters:
Smackdown Raw
Seth Rollins John Cena
AJ Styles Brock Lesnar
Bray Wyatt Kevin Owens
Cesaro Dean Ambrose
Roman Reigns Charlotte
Finn Balor Sasha Banks
Sami Zayn The Miz
The New Day Enzo & Cass
Becky Lynch Randy Orton
Bayley Dolph Ziggler
Rusev (with Lana) Paige
Natalya Alberto Del Rio
Anderson & Gallows Chris Jericho
Baron Corbin American Alpha
Neville Mauro Ranallo
Emma Nikki Bella
Apollo Crews Luke Harper
Breezango Dudley Boyz
Corey Graves The Undertaker
Braun Stroman Mark Henry
Lucha Dragons Sheamus
Zack Ryder Big Show
Dana Brooke Naomi
Social Outcasts Jack Swagger
Renee Young Darren Young
Summer Rae Erick Rowan
Vaudvillans Titus O'Neil
Eva Marie Golden Truth
Daniel Bryan (GM) Paul Heyman (GM)
The Usos Kane
JoJo Byron Saxton/Cathy Kelly
So there you have it! Almost every wrestler on the current WWE main roster was taken. I think that these shows would both thrive with their new talent. I'd like to thank Colin for participating in this little endeavor, and thank you for taking the time to read it.
Monday, May 2, 2016
NFL Draft- 10 Takeaways from Days 2 and 3
Another NFL Draft has come and gone. It was a weird one, but full of some very memorable moments. Some players slipped, some teams reached, but in the end 253 young men got to hear their name called as they headed off to start their NFL careers. Here are a few of my thoughts on Days 2 and 3 of the Draft, covering Rounds 2-7.
1. Connor Cook fell because he lacked intangibles? That sounds fairly silly to me. Mel Kiper said in one of the draft podcasts that if Cook had Kirk Cousins' intangibles, he'd be a 1st round pick. As it is, he slipped to Oakland Round 4, pick 100, and is now the backup of an entrenched young starter in Derek Carr. It may be the worst possible situation for a player that could have been the heir apparent to Tony Romo in Dallas, or legitimate competition to RG3 in Cleveland. So, what are these intangibles that Cook lacks? Leadership, I suppose. Many teams were hung up on the fact that he wasn't a captain of his team as a senior starting QB. They see that, and deduce that he cannot be a strong leader in the huddle or the locker room. I have no idea if that is a legitimate issue. All I know is that he won a lot in college, and Michigan State QBs are better than average-good backup QBs in this league. At worst, Cook could be Drew Stanton. At best, he is Kirk Cousins (maybe even better). Now, barring an injury to Carr, we may never find out.
2. Last year, the Cleveland Browns had a massive need at receiver, and they drafted one- Vince Mayle. Vince was recovering from a broken thumb, was cut early in the regular season, and ended 2015 on the Cowboys practice squad. Cleveland then lost Travis Benjamin, their best wideout, to the Chargers this offseason. So, coming into the Draft, WR was still a big need for the Browns. Well, at least this new front office crew is trying. They drafted 5 (yes 5!) wide receivers! If they can hit on 3 of them, this is genius. They hit on 2, it is a solid draft class. Hell, if they hit on 1, he will be one of the best Browns wideouts in recent history. While I think the Corey Coleman pick was a reach with the other guys that were there, the Browns showing some effort in establishing an actual professional WR corps may be a good sign of things to come.
3. Some teams wish they had as good of a NFL Draft has the Ravens had in the 4th Round. Tavon Young, Temple; Chris Moore, WR, Cincinnati; Alex Lewis, OT, Nebraska; Willie Henry, DT, Michigan; and Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech. 5 picks that all fit needs. The Ravens need a ton of help in their secondary, and Young (and 7th Rounder Maurice Canady from UVA) can compete right away for playing time opposite Jimmy Smith. The same can be said about Chris Moore (and Keenan Reynolds, who I will get to), since Steve Smith and Breshaud Perriman are both recovering from injury. Alex Lewis can develop into a starting right tackle, or can bump inside to guard. He adds great depth behind #1 pick Ronnie Stanley. Willie Henry is a versatile D-lineman who fits the mold of a Ravens defender- tough, explosive, and even played for the other Coach Harbaugh at Michigan. Finally, Kenneth Dixon, #2 all-time in touchdowns in the NCAA, may be the most talented RB on the Ravens roster the second he suits up. It was a round played perfectly by Ozzie Newsome, and should provide immediate benefits.
4. A bit of homer-ism, but I am very happy for Stanford QB (and Gonzaga College High School grad) Kevin Hogan, who was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in Round 5. Let's look at the way they talk about Hogan- extremely smart, winner, great athlete, less than ideal arm strength. That sounds an awful lot like Alex Smith to me. Now he can develop and learn behind Smith, and under the tutelage of Andy Reid. It really was the perfect situation for a great young man who continues to make his fellow Gonzaga alums proud.
5. Round 2 began with some serious good feelings. Jaylon Smith and Myles Jack, both Top 5 talents whose stock was hurt due to knee injuries, were drafted early in the day. The joy on their faces is why I love the draft so much. Both of these young men will get a chance to live their dream of playing in the NFL. Smith will probably have to redshirt for a year in Dallas, but if he is able to recover to 80% of the promise he showed before his injury, then the Cowboys got a steal. The same can be said for Myles Jack in Jacksonville. He is healthy now, but there is a question about whether or not his knee will hold up over time. Even a 5-year career, with Jack's talent, makes his value exceptional where they drafted him. Speaking of the Jaguars...
6. The Jacksonville Jaguars won the draft, and they only took 7 guys. The Titans, with their commitment to protecting Mariota, and the Ravens, with the moves mentioned above, are right there with them, but the Jags ability to get both Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack to help improve a suspect defense is fantastic. 6 of the players that they took were on defense. Add that young talent to their free agent additions, and add that defense to their explosive young offense, the Jaguars could make the biggest jump in terms of wins next season, and will compete for a playoff spot.
7. I already mentioned Day 2's good moments. Day 3 provided a half hour of awesomeness in the form of picks 180 and 182. The first pick came in the form of Moritz Boehringer from Germany, a young man who became a fan of the NFL after watching Adrian Peterson videos on Youtube. Really, you have to see how it played out right here. A great moment. The kid is the 1st player ever to be drafted directly from Europe, and says he wants to be the NFL's Dirk Nowitzki. Not to be outdone, two picks later the Ravens drafted Keenan Reynolds out of Navy. Reynolds, the NCAA all-time leader in touchdowns, is the classiest, highest-character guy in the entire draft. He is a legend at the Naval Academy. I hope he is able to work out a deal with the Navy to serve his commitment concurrently, much as Patriots longsnapper and former Midshipman Joe Cardona has done. He clearly has a nose for the end zone, could be an excellent slot receiver and return man, and his QB background opens up the offense for some special trick plays. There could be no greater locker room presence than Keenan Reynolds, and it is thrilling to see he will get his chance to play so close to Annapolis. Everyone in Germany is rooting for Boehringer. Everyone in America should be rooting for Keenan Reynolds.
8. The Buffalo Bills made possibly the ultimate boom or bust QB pick when they took Cardale Jones in the 4th Round. We know that Jones has all the physical attributes, and showed flashes of brilliance in his first 3 games as a starter, winning the Big 10 Championship game, the National Semifinal, and the National Championship two seasons ago. However, last season he was inconsistent, inaccurate, and lost his starting job to JT Barrett. If he is able to sit and learn how to play in the NFL, and is able to work on his accuracy and mechanics, then this could be a major coup in Buffalo. They have Tyrod Taylor in place as their starter for the next 2 seasons, but have already said that they will not sign him to an extension. Furthermore, they said they will likely not pick up the 5th year option on backup EJ Manuel, a former 1st round pick from Florida State. This means that Jones has 2 full seasons before he is the only QB on the roster. He needs to take that time to learn, grow, and turn his game into that of a successful NFL starting signal-caller.
9. Punters and Kickers! Punters and Kickers! I don't always get picks right in my mock draft. In fact, I usually get them very wrong. But that I called Tampa Bay getting Florida State kicker Roberto Aguayo made me very happy. What is even better is that the Buccaneers actually traded up into the 2nd round to get him, ahead of my Round 3 projection. Aguayo is the most accurate kicker in NCAA Division I history, and the Bucs are in desperate need of kicking consistency. He never missed a field goal from inside 40 yards. That sounds perfect now that the extra point is a 35-yard kick. A thing of beauty taking a kicker that high. And then, 4 punters were drafted, most notably my man Riley Dixon from Syracuse. If you happen to follow me or @NunesMagician on twitter, then you know the deep, undying love Cuse fans have from Dixon. To see him get drafted by Denver, and have a legit shot at being their starter since their incumbent punter is set to make over $3 million next season, and count $4 million against the salary cap. Dixon is a talented and cheap alternative. Plus, he is super-athletic. He once hurdled an LSU defender on a fake punt! And I know Denver has some QB issues. Why wouldn't you want a guy that throws clutch TD passes to win games in OT? That's Riley Dixon!
10. The Redskins had a great, though not flashy, draft. Again, a bit close to home since I am a Skins fan. The Doctson pick surprised me, but I like it the more I look at it. Su'a Cravens was one of my favorite players in the draft, and if they Skins use him at strong safety, he could be a nightmare for players coming across the middle. He's also an excellent run defender. The same can be said about Matt Ioannidis, DT, Temple and Steven Daniels, ILB, Boston College. Both players were chosen to help improve the #28 rush defense from a year ago. Kendall Fuller, of the NFL CB Fuller family, should be a great pick if he comes back from a knee injury 100%. Adding Josh Norman and Fuller alongside Bashaud Breeland and Quinton Dunbar gives the Skins depth, youth, and talent at one of their biggest need positions. They can now afford to cut injured and disappointing CB Chris Culliver after June 1 and save $8 million on the cap. Nate Sudfeld is a big arm QB that needs a ton of refinement and coaching. He will be able to sit behind Captain Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy as he develops. Keith Marshall has blazing speed, and could be an excellent complimentary back and kick returner if he can stay healthy. Hell, Scot McCloughan was able to get 3 new draft picks for next year as well, getting a 2017 4th, 5th, and 6th for moving back in the Draft. Really, my only complaint about this draft is that the Redskins did not address their situation at center. Hopefully they are able to find some depth there. But on the whole, I love the class. Let's see how they develop.
I hope you all enjoyed the Draft as much as I did. It is one of my favorite sports weekends of the year. Now, let's take a break from football for two months, enjoy the NBA/NHL playoffs, the MLB season heating up, and the beginning of summer before mini-camps open in July.
1. Connor Cook fell because he lacked intangibles? That sounds fairly silly to me. Mel Kiper said in one of the draft podcasts that if Cook had Kirk Cousins' intangibles, he'd be a 1st round pick. As it is, he slipped to Oakland Round 4, pick 100, and is now the backup of an entrenched young starter in Derek Carr. It may be the worst possible situation for a player that could have been the heir apparent to Tony Romo in Dallas, or legitimate competition to RG3 in Cleveland. So, what are these intangibles that Cook lacks? Leadership, I suppose. Many teams were hung up on the fact that he wasn't a captain of his team as a senior starting QB. They see that, and deduce that he cannot be a strong leader in the huddle or the locker room. I have no idea if that is a legitimate issue. All I know is that he won a lot in college, and Michigan State QBs are better than average-good backup QBs in this league. At worst, Cook could be Drew Stanton. At best, he is Kirk Cousins (maybe even better). Now, barring an injury to Carr, we may never find out.
2. Last year, the Cleveland Browns had a massive need at receiver, and they drafted one- Vince Mayle. Vince was recovering from a broken thumb, was cut early in the regular season, and ended 2015 on the Cowboys practice squad. Cleveland then lost Travis Benjamin, their best wideout, to the Chargers this offseason. So, coming into the Draft, WR was still a big need for the Browns. Well, at least this new front office crew is trying. They drafted 5 (yes 5!) wide receivers! If they can hit on 3 of them, this is genius. They hit on 2, it is a solid draft class. Hell, if they hit on 1, he will be one of the best Browns wideouts in recent history. While I think the Corey Coleman pick was a reach with the other guys that were there, the Browns showing some effort in establishing an actual professional WR corps may be a good sign of things to come.
3. Some teams wish they had as good of a NFL Draft has the Ravens had in the 4th Round. Tavon Young, Temple; Chris Moore, WR, Cincinnati; Alex Lewis, OT, Nebraska; Willie Henry, DT, Michigan; and Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech. 5 picks that all fit needs. The Ravens need a ton of help in their secondary, and Young (and 7th Rounder Maurice Canady from UVA) can compete right away for playing time opposite Jimmy Smith. The same can be said about Chris Moore (and Keenan Reynolds, who I will get to), since Steve Smith and Breshaud Perriman are both recovering from injury. Alex Lewis can develop into a starting right tackle, or can bump inside to guard. He adds great depth behind #1 pick Ronnie Stanley. Willie Henry is a versatile D-lineman who fits the mold of a Ravens defender- tough, explosive, and even played for the other Coach Harbaugh at Michigan. Finally, Kenneth Dixon, #2 all-time in touchdowns in the NCAA, may be the most talented RB on the Ravens roster the second he suits up. It was a round played perfectly by Ozzie Newsome, and should provide immediate benefits.
4. A bit of homer-ism, but I am very happy for Stanford QB (and Gonzaga College High School grad) Kevin Hogan, who was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in Round 5. Let's look at the way they talk about Hogan- extremely smart, winner, great athlete, less than ideal arm strength. That sounds an awful lot like Alex Smith to me. Now he can develop and learn behind Smith, and under the tutelage of Andy Reid. It really was the perfect situation for a great young man who continues to make his fellow Gonzaga alums proud.
5. Round 2 began with some serious good feelings. Jaylon Smith and Myles Jack, both Top 5 talents whose stock was hurt due to knee injuries, were drafted early in the day. The joy on their faces is why I love the draft so much. Both of these young men will get a chance to live their dream of playing in the NFL. Smith will probably have to redshirt for a year in Dallas, but if he is able to recover to 80% of the promise he showed before his injury, then the Cowboys got a steal. The same can be said for Myles Jack in Jacksonville. He is healthy now, but there is a question about whether or not his knee will hold up over time. Even a 5-year career, with Jack's talent, makes his value exceptional where they drafted him. Speaking of the Jaguars...
6. The Jacksonville Jaguars won the draft, and they only took 7 guys. The Titans, with their commitment to protecting Mariota, and the Ravens, with the moves mentioned above, are right there with them, but the Jags ability to get both Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack to help improve a suspect defense is fantastic. 6 of the players that they took were on defense. Add that young talent to their free agent additions, and add that defense to their explosive young offense, the Jaguars could make the biggest jump in terms of wins next season, and will compete for a playoff spot.
7. I already mentioned Day 2's good moments. Day 3 provided a half hour of awesomeness in the form of picks 180 and 182. The first pick came in the form of Moritz Boehringer from Germany, a young man who became a fan of the NFL after watching Adrian Peterson videos on Youtube. Really, you have to see how it played out right here. A great moment. The kid is the 1st player ever to be drafted directly from Europe, and says he wants to be the NFL's Dirk Nowitzki. Not to be outdone, two picks later the Ravens drafted Keenan Reynolds out of Navy. Reynolds, the NCAA all-time leader in touchdowns, is the classiest, highest-character guy in the entire draft. He is a legend at the Naval Academy. I hope he is able to work out a deal with the Navy to serve his commitment concurrently, much as Patriots longsnapper and former Midshipman Joe Cardona has done. He clearly has a nose for the end zone, could be an excellent slot receiver and return man, and his QB background opens up the offense for some special trick plays. There could be no greater locker room presence than Keenan Reynolds, and it is thrilling to see he will get his chance to play so close to Annapolis. Everyone in Germany is rooting for Boehringer. Everyone in America should be rooting for Keenan Reynolds.
8. The Buffalo Bills made possibly the ultimate boom or bust QB pick when they took Cardale Jones in the 4th Round. We know that Jones has all the physical attributes, and showed flashes of brilliance in his first 3 games as a starter, winning the Big 10 Championship game, the National Semifinal, and the National Championship two seasons ago. However, last season he was inconsistent, inaccurate, and lost his starting job to JT Barrett. If he is able to sit and learn how to play in the NFL, and is able to work on his accuracy and mechanics, then this could be a major coup in Buffalo. They have Tyrod Taylor in place as their starter for the next 2 seasons, but have already said that they will not sign him to an extension. Furthermore, they said they will likely not pick up the 5th year option on backup EJ Manuel, a former 1st round pick from Florida State. This means that Jones has 2 full seasons before he is the only QB on the roster. He needs to take that time to learn, grow, and turn his game into that of a successful NFL starting signal-caller.
9. Punters and Kickers! Punters and Kickers! I don't always get picks right in my mock draft. In fact, I usually get them very wrong. But that I called Tampa Bay getting Florida State kicker Roberto Aguayo made me very happy. What is even better is that the Buccaneers actually traded up into the 2nd round to get him, ahead of my Round 3 projection. Aguayo is the most accurate kicker in NCAA Division I history, and the Bucs are in desperate need of kicking consistency. He never missed a field goal from inside 40 yards. That sounds perfect now that the extra point is a 35-yard kick. A thing of beauty taking a kicker that high. And then, 4 punters were drafted, most notably my man Riley Dixon from Syracuse. If you happen to follow me or @NunesMagician on twitter, then you know the deep, undying love Cuse fans have from Dixon. To see him get drafted by Denver, and have a legit shot at being their starter since their incumbent punter is set to make over $3 million next season, and count $4 million against the salary cap. Dixon is a talented and cheap alternative. Plus, he is super-athletic. He once hurdled an LSU defender on a fake punt! And I know Denver has some QB issues. Why wouldn't you want a guy that throws clutch TD passes to win games in OT? That's Riley Dixon!
10. The Redskins had a great, though not flashy, draft. Again, a bit close to home since I am a Skins fan. The Doctson pick surprised me, but I like it the more I look at it. Su'a Cravens was one of my favorite players in the draft, and if they Skins use him at strong safety, he could be a nightmare for players coming across the middle. He's also an excellent run defender. The same can be said about Matt Ioannidis, DT, Temple and Steven Daniels, ILB, Boston College. Both players were chosen to help improve the #28 rush defense from a year ago. Kendall Fuller, of the NFL CB Fuller family, should be a great pick if he comes back from a knee injury 100%. Adding Josh Norman and Fuller alongside Bashaud Breeland and Quinton Dunbar gives the Skins depth, youth, and talent at one of their biggest need positions. They can now afford to cut injured and disappointing CB Chris Culliver after June 1 and save $8 million on the cap. Nate Sudfeld is a big arm QB that needs a ton of refinement and coaching. He will be able to sit behind Captain Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy as he develops. Keith Marshall has blazing speed, and could be an excellent complimentary back and kick returner if he can stay healthy. Hell, Scot McCloughan was able to get 3 new draft picks for next year as well, getting a 2017 4th, 5th, and 6th for moving back in the Draft. Really, my only complaint about this draft is that the Redskins did not address their situation at center. Hopefully they are able to find some depth there. But on the whole, I love the class. Let's see how they develop.
I hope you all enjoyed the Draft as much as I did. It is one of my favorite sports weekends of the year. Now, let's take a break from football for two months, enjoy the NBA/NHL playoffs, the MLB season heating up, and the beginning of summer before mini-camps open in July.
Friday, April 29, 2016
10 Thoughts on Round 1 of the NFL Draft
Well, last night was a weird first round. Between attempted blackmail, prospects falling, cut off dress shirts, reaches, and the Cowboys, a lot of unexpected things went down. Here are the 10 big takeaways I had from Draft Night 1, and none of them involve the QBs taken at 1 or 2.
1. The Cowboys went for star power over need. Don't get me wrong here- Ezekiel Elliot is a great prospect. Hands down the best back coming out of college. Yet he doesn't fit any real need on Dallas. They have Darren McFadden and added my man Alfred Morris. That should be more than enough to keep their high powered offense going, if Romo can stay healthy of course. What they needed was help on the defense. They were middle of the road in every sense of the word last year, and they have lost Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory. I get that Joey Bosa went to the Chargers and he should have been the pick, but Jalen Ramsey or Deforest Buckner would have filled a bigger need that Elliot.
2. That was an interesting evening for Laremy Tunsil, huh? 10 minutes before the draft starts, someone hacks his account and posts an old video of him smoking weed out of a gas mask. Suddenly, he sees Ronnie Stanley and Jack Conklin get taken before him, and the presumptive #1 pick a month ago falls to #13. He lost millions of dollars. Next, the hackers post text messages of him asking coaches at Ole Miss for money to pay for his mother's electric bill. The idiocy of NCAA players not getting paid aside, this means Tunsil had to address those questions after being drafted, and said he did get money from them. I am unsure if this is different from the event which led to his suspension for improper benefits, but it is still a concern for a team. Now, however, he claims to be drug and issue free. For his sake, I hope so. South Beach isn't the best place for a guys with issues. The Dolphins are taking a risk on an extremely talented kid. If his issues are only with the NCAA rules and not with the NFL going forward, then getting Tunsil at 13 was a steal.
3. The first pick for the 49ers under Chip Kelly seemed to make some sense. DeForest Buckner is a great talent, played at Oregon, and fits a need. To be honest, the 49ers have needs everywhere. So I have no issue with that pick. I am extraordinarily confused, however, with trading back into the 1st round to take Joshua Garnett, the guard from Stanford. He or Cody Whitehair (who I like more) would have been there in the 2nd Round where they were picking (pick 37 overall). With all the great defensive talent that fell, there wasn't going to be a run on guards. To give up two picks, including a second, to move up was foolish.
4. Speaking of reaches, everyone seems to dislike the Giants pick of Eli Apple at 10. I had him going at 13, so it wasn't as much of a stretch to me. Where I had the problem was that they could have taken Vernon Hargreaves, or fit a more important need, like taking Tunsil to keep Eli Manning upright. If they were able, they could have traded back and probably still gotten Apple. Like I said, not as much of a stretch for me, but at least they now lead the NFL in guys named Eli.
5. The Titans won Round 1. By trading back from the #1 pick, they got a mighty haul, including a 1st and 3rd next year from the Rams. Then, they were still able to move up and get Jack Conklin, one of the top 3 tackles in the Draft. There is no denying Conklin's ability- just look at how good Michigan State was both running and passing behind him. He handled the likes of Bosa and Buckner quite easily. The question was where he was graded vs Tunsil. It seems like it was close enough that Tunsil's red flags pushed Conklin past him, since Conklin in an ultimate character guy. Now the Titans have him and Taylor Lewan entrenched at OT for years to come, making sure their franchise QB Marcus Mariota stays upright and healthy. A great draft so far.
6. Something about Ole Miss players and character issues, huh? Robert Nkemdiche's off the field issues were apparently supposed to cost him his chance at being drafted in Round 1. The Cardinals felt differently, and got a Top 5 talent (when he wants to play) at pick 29. Paired with Calais Campbell and Chandler Jones, Nkemdiche could make the Cardinals D-line the best in football. But the issues off the field for Robert (and possibly Jones too) have to be monitored. Its a boom or bust pick. If he can concentrate on the job paying him millions of dollars, then he should make fans in Arizona very happy.
7. Myles Jack is still on the board. This shocks me. I understand that he has some fairly significant questions about his knee. I also know he is a Top 10 talent. This isn't necessarily like Jaylon Smith, where teams aren't sure he'd ever be able to run at a high level again. Jack is running right now. The question is whether or not he needs microfracture surgery down the road. Now that he has fallen to Round 2, I think he is a complete steal. Long-term durability can be a concern for a guy in Round 1. Round 2, it is more than worth the risk. Expect Jack to be off the board fast. I'd personally like it (for my team) if he fell to the Redskins, but he won't last that long.
8. There was a run on WRs in the early 20s. The Texans traded up 1 pick (just to make sure another team didn't?) to draft speedster Will Fuller out of Notre Dame. The Redskins, now at pick 22, surprised everyone and took Josh Doctson from TCU, perhaps the most complete WR in the draft. I was very confused at first. WR isn't the biggest need the team had, but when a player like that comes to you, what harm is there in adding another weapon. Plus, Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson will both be free agents after the 2016 season. I doubt Washington will keep both of them, and even re-signing one may not be possible. Doctson comes in, can gain experience behind those veterans, then team with Jamison Crowder, Jordan Reed, and Kirk Cousins to form an excellent young passing attach. The Vikings didn't have to move at all and still got Laquon Treadwell from Ole Miss. They have Stefon Diggs as a deep threat, but needed that Anquan Boldin-type possession WR. Treadwell should build a great chemistry with Teddy Bridgewater. The surprise WR pick was Baylor's Corey Coleman to the Browns at 15. I'd put Coleman as the #4 WR at best, and had Cleveland getting him in the 2nd Round. He doesn't run routes well, and had too many drops in college. However, his speed and playmaking ability is undeniable, and he certainly fits a massive need for the Browns. Maybe RG3 convinced them to reach for his fellow Baylor Bear instead of going with a safer pick like Doctson or Treadwell?
9. The Broncos found their QB of the future, and his name is Brock Osweiler 2.0... I mean Paxton Lynch. Yes, the man who is comparable to Osweiler in his measurable is now under the tutelage of John Elway and Gary Kubiak. I thought the best spot for Paxton would be the Cardinals, since he has to sit for a while and learn how to play the NFL game. Now, unless the Broncos are prepared to enter the season with Mark Sanchez as their starter, they are going to have to throw the kid to the fire sooner than expected. Lynch has all the physical tools and a great mindset. The issues is adjusting to the NFL game. A Super Bowl championship certainly buys the franchise some time to take calculated risks, and this was a 6'7" one.
10. There are still some great players available. Myles Jack, Jarran Reed, A'Shawn Robinson, Andrew Billings, Reggie Ragland, Mackensie Alexander, Noah Spence, Vonn Bell... And that's just on defense! Heisman winner Derrick Henry is on the board. My top guard Cody Whitehair is still there too. QBs like Connor Cook and Christian Hackenberg need a home. A lot of talented guys will hear there names called on Day 2.
Hope you enjoyed last night's weirdness. Rounds 2 and 3 start tonight at 7 pm ET. I'll try to type up my reactions tomorrow tonight or during Day 3. Have a great weekend everyone!
1. The Cowboys went for star power over need. Don't get me wrong here- Ezekiel Elliot is a great prospect. Hands down the best back coming out of college. Yet he doesn't fit any real need on Dallas. They have Darren McFadden and added my man Alfred Morris. That should be more than enough to keep their high powered offense going, if Romo can stay healthy of course. What they needed was help on the defense. They were middle of the road in every sense of the word last year, and they have lost Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory. I get that Joey Bosa went to the Chargers and he should have been the pick, but Jalen Ramsey or Deforest Buckner would have filled a bigger need that Elliot.
2. That was an interesting evening for Laremy Tunsil, huh? 10 minutes before the draft starts, someone hacks his account and posts an old video of him smoking weed out of a gas mask. Suddenly, he sees Ronnie Stanley and Jack Conklin get taken before him, and the presumptive #1 pick a month ago falls to #13. He lost millions of dollars. Next, the hackers post text messages of him asking coaches at Ole Miss for money to pay for his mother's electric bill. The idiocy of NCAA players not getting paid aside, this means Tunsil had to address those questions after being drafted, and said he did get money from them. I am unsure if this is different from the event which led to his suspension for improper benefits, but it is still a concern for a team. Now, however, he claims to be drug and issue free. For his sake, I hope so. South Beach isn't the best place for a guys with issues. The Dolphins are taking a risk on an extremely talented kid. If his issues are only with the NCAA rules and not with the NFL going forward, then getting Tunsil at 13 was a steal.
3. The first pick for the 49ers under Chip Kelly seemed to make some sense. DeForest Buckner is a great talent, played at Oregon, and fits a need. To be honest, the 49ers have needs everywhere. So I have no issue with that pick. I am extraordinarily confused, however, with trading back into the 1st round to take Joshua Garnett, the guard from Stanford. He or Cody Whitehair (who I like more) would have been there in the 2nd Round where they were picking (pick 37 overall). With all the great defensive talent that fell, there wasn't going to be a run on guards. To give up two picks, including a second, to move up was foolish.
4. Speaking of reaches, everyone seems to dislike the Giants pick of Eli Apple at 10. I had him going at 13, so it wasn't as much of a stretch to me. Where I had the problem was that they could have taken Vernon Hargreaves, or fit a more important need, like taking Tunsil to keep Eli Manning upright. If they were able, they could have traded back and probably still gotten Apple. Like I said, not as much of a stretch for me, but at least they now lead the NFL in guys named Eli.
5. The Titans won Round 1. By trading back from the #1 pick, they got a mighty haul, including a 1st and 3rd next year from the Rams. Then, they were still able to move up and get Jack Conklin, one of the top 3 tackles in the Draft. There is no denying Conklin's ability- just look at how good Michigan State was both running and passing behind him. He handled the likes of Bosa and Buckner quite easily. The question was where he was graded vs Tunsil. It seems like it was close enough that Tunsil's red flags pushed Conklin past him, since Conklin in an ultimate character guy. Now the Titans have him and Taylor Lewan entrenched at OT for years to come, making sure their franchise QB Marcus Mariota stays upright and healthy. A great draft so far.
6. Something about Ole Miss players and character issues, huh? Robert Nkemdiche's off the field issues were apparently supposed to cost him his chance at being drafted in Round 1. The Cardinals felt differently, and got a Top 5 talent (when he wants to play) at pick 29. Paired with Calais Campbell and Chandler Jones, Nkemdiche could make the Cardinals D-line the best in football. But the issues off the field for Robert (and possibly Jones too) have to be monitored. Its a boom or bust pick. If he can concentrate on the job paying him millions of dollars, then he should make fans in Arizona very happy.
7. Myles Jack is still on the board. This shocks me. I understand that he has some fairly significant questions about his knee. I also know he is a Top 10 talent. This isn't necessarily like Jaylon Smith, where teams aren't sure he'd ever be able to run at a high level again. Jack is running right now. The question is whether or not he needs microfracture surgery down the road. Now that he has fallen to Round 2, I think he is a complete steal. Long-term durability can be a concern for a guy in Round 1. Round 2, it is more than worth the risk. Expect Jack to be off the board fast. I'd personally like it (for my team) if he fell to the Redskins, but he won't last that long.
8. There was a run on WRs in the early 20s. The Texans traded up 1 pick (just to make sure another team didn't?) to draft speedster Will Fuller out of Notre Dame. The Redskins, now at pick 22, surprised everyone and took Josh Doctson from TCU, perhaps the most complete WR in the draft. I was very confused at first. WR isn't the biggest need the team had, but when a player like that comes to you, what harm is there in adding another weapon. Plus, Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson will both be free agents after the 2016 season. I doubt Washington will keep both of them, and even re-signing one may not be possible. Doctson comes in, can gain experience behind those veterans, then team with Jamison Crowder, Jordan Reed, and Kirk Cousins to form an excellent young passing attach. The Vikings didn't have to move at all and still got Laquon Treadwell from Ole Miss. They have Stefon Diggs as a deep threat, but needed that Anquan Boldin-type possession WR. Treadwell should build a great chemistry with Teddy Bridgewater. The surprise WR pick was Baylor's Corey Coleman to the Browns at 15. I'd put Coleman as the #4 WR at best, and had Cleveland getting him in the 2nd Round. He doesn't run routes well, and had too many drops in college. However, his speed and playmaking ability is undeniable, and he certainly fits a massive need for the Browns. Maybe RG3 convinced them to reach for his fellow Baylor Bear instead of going with a safer pick like Doctson or Treadwell?
9. The Broncos found their QB of the future, and his name is Brock Osweiler 2.0... I mean Paxton Lynch. Yes, the man who is comparable to Osweiler in his measurable is now under the tutelage of John Elway and Gary Kubiak. I thought the best spot for Paxton would be the Cardinals, since he has to sit for a while and learn how to play the NFL game. Now, unless the Broncos are prepared to enter the season with Mark Sanchez as their starter, they are going to have to throw the kid to the fire sooner than expected. Lynch has all the physical tools and a great mindset. The issues is adjusting to the NFL game. A Super Bowl championship certainly buys the franchise some time to take calculated risks, and this was a 6'7" one.
10. There are still some great players available. Myles Jack, Jarran Reed, A'Shawn Robinson, Andrew Billings, Reggie Ragland, Mackensie Alexander, Noah Spence, Vonn Bell... And that's just on defense! Heisman winner Derrick Henry is on the board. My top guard Cody Whitehair is still there too. QBs like Connor Cook and Christian Hackenberg need a home. A lot of talented guys will hear there names called on Day 2.
Hope you enjoyed last night's weirdness. Rounds 2 and 3 start tonight at 7 pm ET. I'll try to type up my reactions tomorrow tonight or during Day 3. Have a great weekend everyone!
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