NFL Mock Draft....

Alright, yesterday i gave you the guys you want on your draft board and guys that you don't...Now i figure it's time to do up a mock draft and see how i can do. I've never really attempted one of these but here we go...

1) Miami Dolphins -- Jake Long, Michigan -- Hey, I got one right!
2) St. Louis Rams -- Glenn Dorsey, LSU -- This pick will be a point of interest. I can see a trade here for some team desperate to get Matt Ryan or Darren McFadden. With Ryan though, a lot of boards have him falling therefore, in the end the Rams make a pick and help a woeful defensive line that needed a lot of help.
3) Atlanta Falcons -- Chris Long, UVA -- Listen, the smart pick for them is to take Matt Ryan but this team was a wreck defensively last year. Is Ryan really that much better then Brian Brohm? Not in my book and Brohm is a late 1st rounder...early 2nd rounder.
4) Oakland Raiders -- Darren McFadden, Arkansas -- Honestly, i think we see a record for fastest draft selection of all time. McFadden fits this team to a tee and would be an outstanding addition for an offense that needs a little pep...heck, i'm bettin we see him in the Razorback formation for the Raiders too.
5) Kansas City Chiefs -- Vernon Gholston, Ohio State -- Get rid of Jared Allen, replace him with the next best thing and pick up another 1st round pick? Sounds too good....this team has a lot of holes and a QB is always an option but how can you pass up on Gholston.
6) New York Jets -- Sedrick Ellis, USC -- This pick will not be made by the Jets. They wanted Long or McFadden and neither are here. Ellis may help them especially if they deal Robertson but I think somebody (Dallas, New Orleans, Miami, Philly) moves up to this spot.
7) New England Patriots -- Mike Jenkins, USF -- The Pats need to reduce the average age of their defense and this is going to do it. They need to improve at the corner position and it's been said that Beli-cheat loves this kid. I can see him or Talib going here.
8) Baltimore Ravens -- Matt Ryan, BC -- If the Ravens don't pick him here, he continues to free-fall Aaron Rodgers style. The Ravens clearly need a quarterback and Ryan is the most polished of the group.
9) Cincinnati Bengals -- Keith Rivers, USC -- This team needs to draft a jail warden but Rivers steps right in at a position of weakness for the Cats. Last year injuries ravaged them here but if you put Ahmad Brooks and Rivers together you got a nice deal.
10) New Orleans Saints -- Leodis McKelvin, Troy -- This team is dying for corners. Mike McKenzie's good but not enough. Troy's defense was as solid as they came in college and this guy was the reason why. McKelvin's size is a bit of a concern but he's proven himself.
11) Buffalo Bills -- Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, Tennessee State -- Another team that is need of help in the secondary. Wide receiver is a bigger need here but there's none that fit the bill.
12) Denver Broncos -- Branden Albert, UVA -- Time for the high riser to get selected. I'm sure the team would love to add another running back to it's stable but i'm sure there will be plenty around later on. Albert will fit in well in Denver which breeds solid offensive linemen like it breeds good beer.
13) Carolina Panthers -- Derrick Harvey, Florida -- Mike Rucker's retirement makes Harvey a good pick for them. The team needs OL help and could take Otah here or go wideout to help Steve Smith.
14) Chicago Bears -- Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh -- Man this was a tough one....this team needs Otah badly to help open holes for Benson but Rashard Mendenhall might be worth a selection here too...Should be noted Mendenhall's relationship with Ron Turner who is now in Chicago.
15) Detroit Lions -- Chris Williams, Vanderbilt -- The team throws the ball so much, they need someone to protect the quarterback. A lot of these offensive lineman are bunched together but I see the Lions taking the best one available. Another team who could be interested in Mendenhall is Detroit...their RB situation is up in the air now that Jones is gone.
16) Arizona Cardinals -- Aquib Talib, Kansas -- This team always will need defense and eventually they will get enough to catch up to the offense. This pick changes if they deal for Lito Sheppard in a Boldin/Philly deal which is being vehemently denied by the Cards.
17) Kansas City Chiefs -- Ryan Clady, Boise State -- The chiefs rebuilding project continues as they help the other side of the ball after taking Gholston earlier in the round. The team needs some youth on their line and this kid is as strong as an ox.
18) Houston Texans -- Kenny Phillips, Miami -- If any of the big 4 CB's are available, look for Houston to go defense....their not in this mock draft so they go for the next best thing...the #1 safety on most mock boards.
19) Philadelphia Eagles -- Felix Jones, Arkansas -- I'm callin my shot here....admitting this is a total pick with my heart but this team always looks years ahead. Obviously one of the big OL's would be what they take but their not there...if not an OL then Phillips but he's gone too. The team may prepare for the future without Westbrook with his replacement who can do almost as much.
20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- DeSean Jackson, California -- Wide receiver is a need here and while they already have a mighty mite in the shorter Galloway, Jackson's speed and ability is too much to pass on here. If Hardy was a little faster maybe he gets selected here and if Malcolm Kelly wasn't a little punk always complaining, he'd get picked too.
21) Washington Redskins -- Phillip Merling, Clemson -- Defensive line is a huge need. The age on the ends is concerning especially with the lack of them being able to stay healthy for too long. Merling fills a need and could be able to make an impact early.
22) Dallas Cowboys -- Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois -- Great change of pace back to pare off with Marion Barber. Rumors have it that the team has already made a jersey for Felix Jones but their divisional rival beat them to the punch. Mendenhall would look nice with a star on his helmet.
23) Pittsburgh Steelers -- Gosider Cherilus, BC -- The team gave up 47 sacks and has an older front line. The run on offensive linemen early hurt the Steelers but the BC product protected Matt Ryan well. The best protection for Big Ben is a helmet but that could be drafted in rounds 6 or 7.
24) Tennessee Titans -- Limas Sweed, Texas -- Pare off the texas wideout with the texas QB and the team fills a nice need. Titans need help on the offense because VY can't do it all himself.
25) Seattle Seahawks -- Jonathan Stewart, Oregon -- Local product makes it big with pro team in his area. The running back situation is messed up as it is so why not add another guy to it with a little youth and a little speed.
26) Jacksonville Jaguars -- Calais Campbell, Miami -- Hard to believe a team with a defense this good needs another guy but D-Line has been an issue for the Jags. They get pressure up the middle with their DT's but Campbell is a freak at 6-6 and could help out.
27) San Diego Chargers -- DaJuan Morgan, NC State -- Neither safety they have is that talented. Morgan has played well in the ACC and could be a nice little pick to help the defense. Obviously, any of the top RB's available go here to replace Turner but none are there.
28) Dallas Cowboys -- Reggie Smith, Oklahoma -- Well all of the corners they'd target are gone so why not go with a player familiar with Texas and playing there for rivalry games. Dallas could go WR here but none are left that are worth the first round selection. Again, Manningham could have gone here if he wasnt such a knucklehead.
29) San Francisco 49ers -- Pat Sims, Auburn -- The team needs a solid DT to help with the 3-4 and why not take one of the top ranked DT's left on the board. The team could go Quentin Groves as well but i think you go with the position with less depth.
30) Miami Dolphins -- Brian Brohm, Louisville -- Green Bay trades out of this pick to the best offer from Miami so the fins can take their QB. Baltimore and Atlanta are also options here to move up for Brohm. If the Packers stay here, i can see them taking Martellus Bennett from A&M to help in the mold of longtime TE Bubba Franks.
31) New York Giants -- Quentin Groves, Auburn -- A move like this helps move Kiwanuka to his original position of DE.

Teams who will be active: Philly (Lito and an itchy trigger finger after a bad season), Washington (Very itchy trigger finger...way too many picks for them), Dallas (Two 1st's always bring intrigue), Miami (Parcells is a great poker player with a lot of needs and players to deal including Jason Taylor)

NFL Draft Notes....

Alright, i'd like to call myself a connoisseur of the NFL Draft and my lack of a solid social life has given me time to study the list of players....I will give you five players your team should be happy to draft...and five guys you won't want on your team...My credibility in this background, which i'm sure no one will believe but I told my college buddies that Vincent Jackson was going to be a stud WR from simply watching his workout video on comcast....Anyways

Five Guys you want on your draft board:
1) Paul Smith, QB, Tulsa -- Now the size is definitely scary because he's a shrimp but the versatility is awesome. Last year he had better numbers then Tebow rushing and passing but got none of the credit. Ran a 4.75 40 but is only 6-1. Obviously, he's nowhere near the impact player of a Flacco or a Matt Ryan but I think he'll have a solid NFL Career.
2) Kevin Smith, RB, UCF -- Smith was one of the best RB's in the country last year and had games of 5 and 6 td's and 250 yards rushing. Kid is built like a bowling ball at 6-1, 211...4.55 40 yard dash...reminds some of a healthy Rudi Johnson...all i know is the kid has pedigree and can be had later on in the draft.
3) Matt Forte, RB, Tulane -- Sticking with the RB's...this kid is another one who is hard to tackle. He faced 10 in the box a lot last season but still managed to bust out when his team needed him. Forte also has durability getting a lot of carries last year as well. He's a nice third down back option and even a touchdown vulture as well.
4) Mario Urrutia, WR, Louisville -- First off, the kid's size stands out....reminds me a lot of Jackson...6'6 is hard to teach and great hands...just ask Brohm how good this kid can be. His speed could be a little better but 4.55 isn't too shabby. For a team like the Eagles or Skins, a tall drink of water like this would be an awesome change.
4a) Dexter Jackson, WR, Appy State -- Bonus player to the list as we head to the other end of the spectrum size-wise. This kid is a lightning bug and was a workout wonder. Appy State has a few fans in Michigan who can tell you how good this kid is. He's got Hester-like speed and can be a gamechanger.
5) Tommy Blake, DE, TCU -- If you watched E: 60, you saw Blake's story. Blake has an immense amount of talent but has dealt with bouts of depression which took him away from his team in his senior year when he could have been a 1st round pick. Yes, Ricky Williams was a headcase and a regretable pick for the Saints and you don't want to deal with problems like that but still...a 5th or a 6th round pick on this kid could be the best one you make. He played linebacker in a 3-4 and could be a DE in a 4-3.

Three guys you don't want:
1) Chad Henne, QB, Michigan -- Trust me...as a Michigan fan who suffered thru him for 4 years...this kid folds like a cheap tent in the clutch. Kind of a weak arm as well....you could do better then a kid like this. He has Kerry Collins written all over him.
2) Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia -- Wow, this kid has taken a tumble and probably should have stayed in school. He was a surefire 1st rounder at one point in his career and may not be a 1st day pick now. He's nothing special...for all the hype surrounding the mountaineers, he didnt live up to it in workouts.
3) Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech -- There is no denying his talent and his speed but what position is he? I certainly don't think he's a DE...maybe a LB but I really don't like his attitude. Kid has a very big opinion of himself. Ellis had the potential to be so much more then he was but his mouth got in the way. Hopefully, he could be a good early addition to someone's special teams.


Other Tidbits:

• I'm calling it now....Felix Jones will be a better RB then McFadden...There were times that Jones outshined McFadden in games. Jones has the speed to change games and can be used as a change of pace back. The one negative about Felix is the durability considering there were games he only got 8 carries.
• Colt Brennan...Man what a drop he has had. I still maintain he will start an NFL game in his career. You can't deny his accuracy...you can't deny the numbers he put up in college. Sure, you can point to Timmy Chang but then i point to Ty Detmer...granted Detmer's career wasn't anything special BUT he's still around and has had a long career.
  
• Tim Hightower and Arman Shields both have been getting a lot of interest thru pre-draft. Both of them should get drafted and I expect both to make impacts on their team. Shields has the makeup of a successful special teams player while Hightower could be someone who gets a few carries.
  
• I think one of the better local players will be Duane Brown. He did so much for the Hokies last year and has so many skill sets playing TE at one point and being instrumental at times for them on special teams. Whoever drafts Brown will be getting a kid who will make an impact early in his college career.
  

That's all for now....I may attempt a mock draft and post it here...

It's Been Awhile....

As pointed out by loyal fan Derby Bill, it's been awhile since i've updated this. Since then, VCU's season ended and the college basketball world was turned upside down by Billy Packer's proclamation that the game is over. Well the season's over and now the focus turns to baseball. I'm a Marlins fan and a Twins fan too. Love the "mid-major" baseball. These two payrolls together don't even equal the Phillies payroll who is in the 100 million range i'm sure. But something about them is sexy...I know their not the best teams but rooting for the underdog is better then rooting for Microsoft.

My focus also goes to the Stanley Cup playoffs where my Flyers get the Caps....I really think this is the best matchup for them and they should win in 6. Those of you who laugh at hockey need to turn on Vs. this week (channel 2 for those of you on Comcast) and watch the majestry of the NHL. Especially tune in when it looks like sudden death OT happens. That's so great that even if you don't have a rooting interest, your nervous for those teams out there.

Also, after a brief respite, the Sixers will be back in the playoffs and they are the picture of mid-major basketball. No real stars but hustle their asses off. I love this team almost as much as I did when they had AI. Seriously though, the NBA playoffs suck....7 game series' all of the rounds? No thanks...I don't need to watch the same old crap every game of the series...gimme hockey's playoffs.

Critical Day

Tomorrow is a critical day for VCU fans...There's a lot of teams who can get their NIT tickets punched. Villanova, Dayton, UMass, Arizona State and Oregon are all underdogs in their games and could be sent back to the bubble/NIT with a loss. I'm not even that convinced West Virginia is definitely in either. To me, their resume is thoroughly unimpressive. I really think that this will be the season the mid-major fights back.

Chances VCU gets in: 40% (There are way too many sites that have them last four out for them to not be hanging around.)

This is College Basketball

Before any of you kick the bucket...you must go to the Palestra.

Field of 65 Update....

Well i'm 1 for 1....granted most of you would have gotten this one too because Cornell had an overwhelming lead but I'm tied for 1st.

Conference tournaments begin this week and while most of you won't be watching the MEAC or Atlantic Sun, i'll be excited to see how those play out. The more results that come in, the more that VCU's resume looks good if they need to go the at-large route. Maryland, Syracuse, Houston, Southern Illinois all with bad losses over the weekend. Still need to have conferences like the MAC and West Coast hold serve though.

Maryland moves to the last 4 out....shame is that since they are in the almighty ACC, their chances only took a modest hit. Granted they are out right now.

My Field of 65

Alright folks it is done....The committee has a tough job this year. A few notes before i reveal my results

Last Four In: Maryland, Va Tech, Illinois State, Houston
Last Four Out: Kansas State, UMass, UAB, Ohio State

I didnt have Maryland in until they won tonight...Their schedule is modestly favorable and i'm thinking the committee gives the ACC the benefit of the doubt. The Hokies really would benefit themselves if they won at Clemson. The Terps took the place of Kansas State whose record isn't as good and will probably continue to fall off.

I really struggled putting in the last 10 teams and there is no reason VCU couldnt get an at-large if they lose in the CAA title game somehow. Their resume matches up with a lot of the other teams that i had when i got down to the 14 at-larges. The Rams have the quality wins and the good RPI. Plus all of the talk about helping Nova because of their BS call against G-Town...the ODU non-call should be a factor as well.

Alright to the field of 65
America East: UMBC
A-10 (2) : St. Joe's (tourney champ), Xavier
ACC (6): UNC (tourney champ), Duke, Maryland, Miami, Clemson, Va Tech
A-Sun: E. Tennessee State
Big 10 (4): Indiana (tourney champ), Wisky, MSU, Purdue
Big 12 (5): Kansas (tourney champ), Texas, Baylor, Texas A&M, Oklahoma
Big East (8): Louisville (tourney champ), Notre Dame, G-Town, UConn, Marquette, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, WVU
Big Sky: Portland State
Big South: Winthrop
Big West: Fullerton
CAA: VCU (duh)
C-USA (2): Memphis (tourney champ), Houston
Horizon: Butler
Ivy: Cornell
MAAC: Niagara
MAC: Kent State
MEAC: Hampton
MVC (3): Southern Illinois (tourney champ), Drake, Illy State (NOTE: 3 is a stretch but i'm covering my bases...most likely a 2 bid league but this scenario might bring 3)
Mountain West (2): UNLV (tourney champ), BYU
NEC: Wagner
OVC: Austin Peay
PAC-10 (5): UCLA (tourney champ), Wazzu, USC, Arizona, Stanford
Patriot: Navy
SEC (6): Tennessee (tourney champ), Miss State, Kentucky, Vandy, Arkansas, Florida
Southern: Davidson
Southland: Stephen F. Austin
Summit: Oral Roberts
SWAC: Alabama State
Sun Belt: South Alabama
WCC (2): Gonzaga (tourney champ), St. Mary's
WAC: New Mex State

Now with regards to VCU....They need to watch the Sun Belt, Southern, West Coast and Horizon league tourneys....They need to hold form. I'd say that Davidson, Gonzaga, St. Mary's and Butler all have precedence over the Rams.

As part of this pool i did...you also have to pick an elite 8, final 4, champ and a wild card so here they are:

Elite 8: UNC, Indiana, Louisville, Memphis, UCLA, Tennessee, Georgetown and Drake
Final 4: UNC, Louisville, G-Town and UCLA
Champ: UNC
Wild Card: Gonzaga

Thoughts? Tear it apart?