Well the draft is over and next up is minicamp after minicamp. The funny thing about that is NFL fans gobble this stuff up. No other sport would practices like these be attended so well and be so much on a sports fan's radar. The NFL is the king in all of the sports world yet for some reason a lot of their athletes arent happy. Contract squabbles are common on almost every team and I don't get why. These players make more then we could ever dream of. Sure they put their body's on the line for our entertainment but that was their choice. Sheldon Brown, Mike Sellers among others arent happy with their contracts. Just shut up and play for the love of the game and try not to squander that 10 million dollars you already have.
Elsewhere it's playoff time in the NHL and NBA. Geez, could the NBA playoffs be any longer. It's one of a few things i'd change. First off, three game series in the first round and five the rest of the rounds. I'm getting sick of seeing the same teams, same plays and same storylines. It's time to move on to the next round.
Secondly, the superstar treatment goes out the window. I dont care if you are Dwight Howard or Peja Stojakovic or Chris Anderson....a foul is a foul is a foul. Rajon Rondo hacked Brad Miller maliciously but it wasn't called the flagrant like it should have been.
Next, get rid of the rule that you can advance the ball after a timeout. Pointless. Why are rewarding people for that stuff. Also, reduce the number of timeouts. The end of these games take forever. Finally, with regards to rule changes, make the bonus available after 7 fouls like in college basketball. Not five...comes too quickly and greatly reduces the flow of the game.
The NBA needs to take it's cue from the NHL where someone else is a star every night. The goalies, the wingers, the defensemen all come up big on different nights. Sure most of the players arent American but c'mon it's a great sport if you give it a chance. Those of you in Richmond, Vs. is channel 2 on your cable box. Find it and watch and thank me later.
Baseball time...We're about 20 games in or so in the season. I'd say about 20-25 more before the monotony of the season begins to set in. Fortunately soon comes interleague which adds a little spice to the season. Count me as one who likes it and wishes it was expanded more. Take a picture Mariners, Blue Jays fans...your teams stay in 1st place won't be that long.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Broseph's Mock Draft
Alright, everyone else has a mock draft. I'm going to do one as far as I can until I get bored with typing or until I just run out of intelligent things to say. Some would stop now thinking I have nothing intelligent to say.
1) Detroit Lions -- Matt Stafford, QB Georgia - It's the logical pick but I'm 100% sure he's not the #1 talent in this draft. The Lions would have been better served stinking next year and drafting Sam Bradford instead. Of course, there's nothing to say they couldn't go 0-16 next year too.
2) St. Louis Rams -- Eugene Monroe, OT, UVA - The Rams had success drafting former Hoo Chris Long so they go back to the well and take someone from the offensive side of the ball. They are looking to replace Orlando Pace and can't go wrong with Monroe.
3) Kansas City Chiefs -- Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest - The number one defensive player in the draft goes to the worst defense in the draft. Last year, KC had an obscenely low total of sacks. Curry will help change that.
4) Seattle Seahawks -- Mark Sanchez, QB, USC -- This mock draft i'm doing will not feature any trades. The Skins will NOT get Sanchez so don't worry. In the end, I think logic wins out and the team stays where they are. Seattle drafts their QB of the future since Matt Hasselbeck is on the other side of his NFL career.
5) Cleveland Browns -- BJ Raji, DT, Boston College -- Pair off this big man with Shaun Rogers and it's going to be tough to run up the middle on the Browns. Raji played well at Boston College. Crabtree could go here and if he did then Braylon Edwards could be on his way out to the Giants.
6) Cincinnati Bengals -- Andre Smith, OT, Alabama -- It's a match made in heaven as the troubled NFL franchise takes the best player with the checkered past. Smith's actions during the combine and the picture that has scared little children of his flabs of skin make him attractive to the ugly rose of the NFL. Smith's talent isn't in question, his decision making is.
7) Oakland Raiders -- Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri -- Speed speed speed. That's what Al Davis wants in his players and certainly in his wide receivers. Maclin's a do it all player who will help the Raiders on offense and the special teams as well.
8) Jacksonville Jaguars -- Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech -- Crabtree will not fall much more. The Jaguars offense desperately needs weapons especially with losing Matt Jones. Crabtree's talent isn't denied by anyone but his injury caused some to be scared off especially since they didnt get to "kick his tires."
9) Green Bay Packers -- Jason Smith, OT, Baylor -- Smith is the best of the remaining OL right now and it fills a big need on Green Bay who wants to have Aaron Rodgers survive another season. Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton are getting up in age.
10) San Francisco 49ers -- Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss -- Oher's an athletic tackle and being written in a book helped this guy's stock. The 49ers need a mauling run blocker so they'll go after the athletic Oher.
11) Buffalo Bills -- Brian Orakpo, DE/LB, Texas -- The Bills Defense gets a boost for a front line that didnt get enough sacks or pressure on the quarterback. Orakpo is flexible enough to be on the line or rushing from the edge.
12) Denver Broncos -- Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State -- Maybin's quickness helps the Broncos defense which was absolutely horrible last season. Maybin or Tyson Jackson could go here. Depends on what they value more on their draft board.
13) Washington Redskins -- Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee -- Sorry no Sanchez, no Crabtree, nothing too exciting. That D-line is aging and in need of some youth. Ayers can get up the field after the quarterback. It's the smart pick and I think the team should pay for the medical bills of it's fans for putting them thru the Sanchez saga.
14) New Orleans Saints -- Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State -- Jenkins helps the leaky secondary of New Orleans. Beanie Wells has been rumored here but they need more help on the defensive side of the ball. Jenkins can play either corner or safety for New Orleans too.
15) Houston Texans -- Everette Brown, DE, FSU -- The Texans need a rush end to complement Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye. Brown fits that and fits in with Houston's scheme.
16) San Diego Chargers -- Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State -- Need some thunder to go with Lightning in Darren Sproles. Wells injury concerns are an issue but he'll fit right in to be groomed until LT is ready to give up the reigns.
17) New York Jets -- Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State -- The Jets need a quarterback and moving up get Sanchez will cost too much. Why not get the talented yet raw Freeman and groom him to take over next year after one year of Kellen Clemens?
18) Denver Broncos -- Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi -- The defense gets another stud. This time it's a beefy defensive tackle who penetrates the gaps and causes havoc in the middle.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Brian Cushing, OLB, USC -- Derrick Brooks' replacement has been found in one of the three linebackers that come from USC to be drafted early in this draft.
20) Detroit Lions -- Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU -- Well I completely forgot about this guy so why not have the Lions take him. Hey, sometimes good players are forgotten about and fall farther then they should. Jackson's a great addition to a defense that needs all the help it can get.
21) Philadelphia Eagles -- Donald Brown, RB, UConn -- The Eagles have professed their love for Knowshon Moreno as much as I have for Megan Fox on the air. That usually means that they arent taking him. Brown is a nice complement to Westbrook. Brandon Pettigrew could also be the pick here after Philly fell short in their pursuit of Tony Gonzalez.
22) Minnesota Vikings -- Percy Harvin, WR, Florida -- The Vikings need weapons. Despite Harvin's drug use and injury history, he's one of the most explosive wideouts in the draft. Coach Childress has to step outside the box here with this pick.
23) New England Patriots -- Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois -- Best player on the board who will help the Patriots now. The best cornerback in the draft and despite a checkered past, Coach Belicheck will roll the dice with this good cover corner.
24) Atlanta Falcons -- Clint Sintim, OLB, UVA -- The Falcons got their tight end already so they'll bolster the linebacker corps.
25) Miami Dolphins -- Darrius Heyward Bey, WR, Maryland -- Heyward Bey can stretch the field real well and will help a WR core that needs a little more. Chambers and Ginn are nice but we saw last year that the depth wasn't there. Camarillo, London and now Heyward Bey make this a nice group to compete in the AFC East.
26) Baltimore Ravens -- Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers -- Another team that needs a boost to their wide receiver corps gets on in Britt who has great hands and will be able to catch Flacco's deep bombs. Derrick Mason needs help and gets it in Kenny Britt.
27) Indianapolis Colts -- Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia -- No more Dominic Rhodes in Indy. Joseph Addai is injury prone so why not add Moreno to the mix and Peyton Manning's team will run the ball a little more.
28) Buffalo Bills -- Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State -- Best TE in the draft goes to the team that needs it the most. They could go Tackle here and take Eben Britton but Pettigrew is good for the offense both blocking and catching.
29) New York Giants -- Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC -- Maybe a Plaxico Burress in training? He's tall, fast and able to be the red zone presence that Eli Manning needed last year against the Eagles.
30) Tennessee Titans -- Rey Maualuga, LB, USC -- They needed a WR but the last run prevents them from getting who they want. Maualuga strengthens an already tough defense and joins Cushing as the USC linebackers taken in the 1st round.
31) Arizona Cardinals -- Clay Matthews, LB, USC -- Arizona wants a running back since Edge is most likely splitsville at the end of the season. Unfortunately the top three are off the board so they'll defense as well. Matthews is the most flexible of all the USC linebackers and has the pedigree to succeed in this league right away.
32) Pittsburgh Steelers -- Max Unger, C, Oregon -- Offensive line help is needed for the defending champions. Unger is able to play multiple positions on the OL. Could also see Alex Mack go here as he's the most talented Center in the draft.
Other Predictions:
Lawrence Sidbury to the Dolphins -- They love their small school guys. Jim Reid gets Sidbury to join him in Miami.
Pat White to the Patriots -- It's crazy enough that it just might happen. White's the biggest wild card in the draft and Bill Belicheck is the right man to take the risk.
Temple will have more players drafted then the U. 1-0 will be that score. Small victory for the up and coming Owls.
1) Detroit Lions -- Matt Stafford, QB Georgia - It's the logical pick but I'm 100% sure he's not the #1 talent in this draft. The Lions would have been better served stinking next year and drafting Sam Bradford instead. Of course, there's nothing to say they couldn't go 0-16 next year too.
2) St. Louis Rams -- Eugene Monroe, OT, UVA - The Rams had success drafting former Hoo Chris Long so they go back to the well and take someone from the offensive side of the ball. They are looking to replace Orlando Pace and can't go wrong with Monroe.
3) Kansas City Chiefs -- Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest - The number one defensive player in the draft goes to the worst defense in the draft. Last year, KC had an obscenely low total of sacks. Curry will help change that.
4) Seattle Seahawks -- Mark Sanchez, QB, USC -- This mock draft i'm doing will not feature any trades. The Skins will NOT get Sanchez so don't worry. In the end, I think logic wins out and the team stays where they are. Seattle drafts their QB of the future since Matt Hasselbeck is on the other side of his NFL career.
5) Cleveland Browns -- BJ Raji, DT, Boston College -- Pair off this big man with Shaun Rogers and it's going to be tough to run up the middle on the Browns. Raji played well at Boston College. Crabtree could go here and if he did then Braylon Edwards could be on his way out to the Giants.
6) Cincinnati Bengals -- Andre Smith, OT, Alabama -- It's a match made in heaven as the troubled NFL franchise takes the best player with the checkered past. Smith's actions during the combine and the picture that has scared little children of his flabs of skin make him attractive to the ugly rose of the NFL. Smith's talent isn't in question, his decision making is.
7) Oakland Raiders -- Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri -- Speed speed speed. That's what Al Davis wants in his players and certainly in his wide receivers. Maclin's a do it all player who will help the Raiders on offense and the special teams as well.
8) Jacksonville Jaguars -- Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech -- Crabtree will not fall much more. The Jaguars offense desperately needs weapons especially with losing Matt Jones. Crabtree's talent isn't denied by anyone but his injury caused some to be scared off especially since they didnt get to "kick his tires."
9) Green Bay Packers -- Jason Smith, OT, Baylor -- Smith is the best of the remaining OL right now and it fills a big need on Green Bay who wants to have Aaron Rodgers survive another season. Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton are getting up in age.
10) San Francisco 49ers -- Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss -- Oher's an athletic tackle and being written in a book helped this guy's stock. The 49ers need a mauling run blocker so they'll go after the athletic Oher.
11) Buffalo Bills -- Brian Orakpo, DE/LB, Texas -- The Bills Defense gets a boost for a front line that didnt get enough sacks or pressure on the quarterback. Orakpo is flexible enough to be on the line or rushing from the edge.
12) Denver Broncos -- Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State -- Maybin's quickness helps the Broncos defense which was absolutely horrible last season. Maybin or Tyson Jackson could go here. Depends on what they value more on their draft board.
13) Washington Redskins -- Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee -- Sorry no Sanchez, no Crabtree, nothing too exciting. That D-line is aging and in need of some youth. Ayers can get up the field after the quarterback. It's the smart pick and I think the team should pay for the medical bills of it's fans for putting them thru the Sanchez saga.
14) New Orleans Saints -- Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State -- Jenkins helps the leaky secondary of New Orleans. Beanie Wells has been rumored here but they need more help on the defensive side of the ball. Jenkins can play either corner or safety for New Orleans too.
15) Houston Texans -- Everette Brown, DE, FSU -- The Texans need a rush end to complement Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye. Brown fits that and fits in with Houston's scheme.
16) San Diego Chargers -- Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State -- Need some thunder to go with Lightning in Darren Sproles. Wells injury concerns are an issue but he'll fit right in to be groomed until LT is ready to give up the reigns.
17) New York Jets -- Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State -- The Jets need a quarterback and moving up get Sanchez will cost too much. Why not get the talented yet raw Freeman and groom him to take over next year after one year of Kellen Clemens?
18) Denver Broncos -- Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi -- The defense gets another stud. This time it's a beefy defensive tackle who penetrates the gaps and causes havoc in the middle.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Brian Cushing, OLB, USC -- Derrick Brooks' replacement has been found in one of the three linebackers that come from USC to be drafted early in this draft.
20) Detroit Lions -- Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU -- Well I completely forgot about this guy so why not have the Lions take him. Hey, sometimes good players are forgotten about and fall farther then they should. Jackson's a great addition to a defense that needs all the help it can get.
21) Philadelphia Eagles -- Donald Brown, RB, UConn -- The Eagles have professed their love for Knowshon Moreno as much as I have for Megan Fox on the air. That usually means that they arent taking him. Brown is a nice complement to Westbrook. Brandon Pettigrew could also be the pick here after Philly fell short in their pursuit of Tony Gonzalez.
22) Minnesota Vikings -- Percy Harvin, WR, Florida -- The Vikings need weapons. Despite Harvin's drug use and injury history, he's one of the most explosive wideouts in the draft. Coach Childress has to step outside the box here with this pick.
23) New England Patriots -- Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois -- Best player on the board who will help the Patriots now. The best cornerback in the draft and despite a checkered past, Coach Belicheck will roll the dice with this good cover corner.
24) Atlanta Falcons -- Clint Sintim, OLB, UVA -- The Falcons got their tight end already so they'll bolster the linebacker corps.
25) Miami Dolphins -- Darrius Heyward Bey, WR, Maryland -- Heyward Bey can stretch the field real well and will help a WR core that needs a little more. Chambers and Ginn are nice but we saw last year that the depth wasn't there. Camarillo, London and now Heyward Bey make this a nice group to compete in the AFC East.
26) Baltimore Ravens -- Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers -- Another team that needs a boost to their wide receiver corps gets on in Britt who has great hands and will be able to catch Flacco's deep bombs. Derrick Mason needs help and gets it in Kenny Britt.
27) Indianapolis Colts -- Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia -- No more Dominic Rhodes in Indy. Joseph Addai is injury prone so why not add Moreno to the mix and Peyton Manning's team will run the ball a little more.
28) Buffalo Bills -- Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State -- Best TE in the draft goes to the team that needs it the most. They could go Tackle here and take Eben Britton but Pettigrew is good for the offense both blocking and catching.
29) New York Giants -- Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC -- Maybe a Plaxico Burress in training? He's tall, fast and able to be the red zone presence that Eli Manning needed last year against the Eagles.
30) Tennessee Titans -- Rey Maualuga, LB, USC -- They needed a WR but the last run prevents them from getting who they want. Maualuga strengthens an already tough defense and joins Cushing as the USC linebackers taken in the 1st round.
31) Arizona Cardinals -- Clay Matthews, LB, USC -- Arizona wants a running back since Edge is most likely splitsville at the end of the season. Unfortunately the top three are off the board so they'll defense as well. Matthews is the most flexible of all the USC linebackers and has the pedigree to succeed in this league right away.
32) Pittsburgh Steelers -- Max Unger, C, Oregon -- Offensive line help is needed for the defending champions. Unger is able to play multiple positions on the OL. Could also see Alex Mack go here as he's the most talented Center in the draft.
Other Predictions:
Lawrence Sidbury to the Dolphins -- They love their small school guys. Jim Reid gets Sidbury to join him in Miami.
Pat White to the Patriots -- It's crazy enough that it just might happen. White's the biggest wild card in the draft and Bill Belicheck is the right man to take the risk.
Temple will have more players drafted then the U. 1-0 will be that score. Small victory for the up and coming Owls.
Monday, April 13, 2009
One Week In....
One week already into the baseball season and basically everyone except the Nationals are in it. Kudos go out to the Orioles who are playing good baseball right now. Their lineup is quite formidable although it's not enough to beat the Rays or Red Sox. Any team with Mark Hendrickson and/or Adam Eaton in their rotation won't survive.
Notice I didn't put the Yankees up there. I'm just not convinced right now. They have a lot of holes and older players who i'm not convinced will make it the whole season. Mark Teixeira already is out with a wrist injury. Jorge Posada's knees are already an issue. This team will go as far as CC, AJ, Joba and Chien Ming Wang can take them. Also, they need a quick return by A-Rod because this lineup isn't as formidable as the older bronx bomber days.
In the NL, my Marlins are lookin good early. They will be a factor so fans of other NL East teams need to realize that. They have the best rotation in the division and if they can field even a little bit, they will be there in the end. The Phillies and Mets started slow but we know they will be there in the end. Atlanta (as i predicted on the show) will be there too. Their lineup is fierce from Chipper to McCann to Schafer who has been a godsend in CF. Heck, if Francoeur can put something together, they may surpass Philly as the best lineup in the NL East. Washington will get better. They have shown they can hit the ball, they just havent done it when it mattered yet. One hit here and there and this team has 2 or 3 wins.
As an aside, it's stanley cup playoff time. For those of you who stopped reading my blog post at the word Stanley, I urge you to sit and watch one game, one period and tell me that you don't find it exciting. Heck, we'll welcome you even if you are a bandwagon jumper to watching NHL hockey. The whole Washington Capital fanbase are bandwagon jumpers. They didn't know that city had a hockey team until they made the playoffs. I'm goin San Jose-New Jersey in the Stanley cup finals with the Sharks taking it all.
Oh yeah, NBA playoffs start next week..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Notice I didn't put the Yankees up there. I'm just not convinced right now. They have a lot of holes and older players who i'm not convinced will make it the whole season. Mark Teixeira already is out with a wrist injury. Jorge Posada's knees are already an issue. This team will go as far as CC, AJ, Joba and Chien Ming Wang can take them. Also, they need a quick return by A-Rod because this lineup isn't as formidable as the older bronx bomber days.
In the NL, my Marlins are lookin good early. They will be a factor so fans of other NL East teams need to realize that. They have the best rotation in the division and if they can field even a little bit, they will be there in the end. The Phillies and Mets started slow but we know they will be there in the end. Atlanta (as i predicted on the show) will be there too. Their lineup is fierce from Chipper to McCann to Schafer who has been a godsend in CF. Heck, if Francoeur can put something together, they may surpass Philly as the best lineup in the NL East. Washington will get better. They have shown they can hit the ball, they just havent done it when it mattered yet. One hit here and there and this team has 2 or 3 wins.
As an aside, it's stanley cup playoff time. For those of you who stopped reading my blog post at the word Stanley, I urge you to sit and watch one game, one period and tell me that you don't find it exciting. Heck, we'll welcome you even if you are a bandwagon jumper to watching NHL hockey. The whole Washington Capital fanbase are bandwagon jumpers. They didn't know that city had a hockey team until they made the playoffs. I'm goin San Jose-New Jersey in the Stanley cup finals with the Sharks taking it all.
Oh yeah, NBA playoffs start next week..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Putting College Ball to bed.
Was it just me or did this tournament lack excitement? The final 4 featured a couple of blowouts and the title game also wasn't very close. What's even odder was the fact that I chose to watch the Twins/Mariners game and House instead of the title game. Granted, I had a bigger interest in baseball for certain reasons but still, this was the National title game.
Heck, even One Shining Moment lacked the excitement that it always carries when you know the tourney is about to end. So looking back at the 2008-09 season here's what stuck out:
- VCU ended two eras with another CAA title and a heartbreaking loss. I'm thinking the Shaka Smart era continues with much success and hits the ground running early and often next year.
- The Richmond Spiders will be the scariest team in this city next year with the potential that they showed at the end and adding Dan Geriot. It's not out of the realm of possibility that they win the conference especially with Sean Miller taking his expertise elsewhere.
- The Hokies were well....the Hokies. They came up short in their quest for a tournament bid by virtue of some close losses and odd play. The face of the franchise will change next year.
- The Hoos hired Tony Bennett who I've said on the record will be an outstanding hire. Winning is winning no matter if it's by scoring 50 points or 80 points.
And now it's time for baseball and eventually the NHL and NBA playoffs. I'm sure most eyes will go to the Great American Pastime as they should but don't forget about the postseason in those other two sports. While I dislike the NBA, i'll be checking in from time to time and the NHL is exciting stuff when we hit this time of year.
Heck, even One Shining Moment lacked the excitement that it always carries when you know the tourney is about to end. So looking back at the 2008-09 season here's what stuck out:
- VCU ended two eras with another CAA title and a heartbreaking loss. I'm thinking the Shaka Smart era continues with much success and hits the ground running early and often next year.
- The Richmond Spiders will be the scariest team in this city next year with the potential that they showed at the end and adding Dan Geriot. It's not out of the realm of possibility that they win the conference especially with Sean Miller taking his expertise elsewhere.
- The Hokies were well....the Hokies. They came up short in their quest for a tournament bid by virtue of some close losses and odd play. The face of the franchise will change next year.
- The Hoos hired Tony Bennett who I've said on the record will be an outstanding hire. Winning is winning no matter if it's by scoring 50 points or 80 points.
And now it's time for baseball and eventually the NHL and NBA playoffs. I'm sure most eyes will go to the Great American Pastime as they should but don't forget about the postseason in those other two sports. While I dislike the NBA, i'll be checking in from time to time and the NHL is exciting stuff when we hit this time of year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
