Before we begin this blog with sports drivel, I want to thank all of the soldiers and people in the service for what they do for us. Without them, things would be much worse and people would have bigger worries then Brad Lidge's blown saves and travelling non-calls in the NBA playoffs. So on this weekend, when you are enjoying your beer and your burgers, remember those who helped it make it a good day.
Interleague play wraps up it's first weekend and I for one have enjoyed it. I get a lot of pleasure from seeing the two leagues play each other. The series in NY, Boston, Houston, Minnesota have all been highly enjoyable and something the sport needs. Heck, do you think Nats park would be as packed as it was on Saturday and Sunday if it wasn't the Orioles? People laugh at the White Sox/Pirates and the Braves/Jays series but they are just as enjoyable as any old Pirates/D-Backs or Padres/Brewers series so why not? I dont mind watching the AL pitchers hit...heck Orioles fans may ask for more of that with Danys Baez and Brad Bergesen getting hits. I'm 110% for Interleague and would love to see more of it. Those who are against it just don't get it. Stop living in the past and enjoy the present and future of baseball.
It's such an awkward time in football. You know it's bubbling deep in the NFL and NCAA fans' bellies which is why the letters O T and A mean something to us. It's amazing how much of a hold it has on us. It's why the NFL Network is a stop for most sports fans nowadays even if it's got nothing on. College Football Live and NFL Live are now regular staples on ESPN even though there is rarely new news. The season is coming.
The playoffs in both sports have been pretty good. I'll give the NBA credit in that these four teams still playing are great but all of these LeBron/Kobe commercials are making me sick. They are falling into the same trap the NHL did with Crosby and Ovechkin. Why aren't they marketing Howard and Carmelo? Those two are highly entertaining and a series featuring Denver and Orlando would be more enjoyable to me and some fans outside of LA and Cleveland. Plus, it's hard to watch a sport where every call is being bitched about. Every NBA player feels like they've never committed a foul. Stop crying and moaning. If you are a superstar, occasionally you do committ a foul.
Admittedly, i've checked out of the NHL playoffs for now. A Pittsburgh-Detroit Stanley Cup final will be exciting but my despise for both teams prevents me from wrapping my arms around it. Both are quality organizations but Cindy Crosby is a crybaby, Evgeni Malkin is ugly and the Red Wings inspire thoughts of Communist Russia.
That's all for now. I'm goin to watch the Twins and Brewers.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Baseball's Time To Shine
The NBA and NHL playoffs are rapidly heading towards their conclusions although the NBA surely has another month or two left. It's baseball's time to shine and so far this season hasn't let us down. Let's take a look at why this season has been very good:
1) Check out the standings...Right now Kansas City and Toronto are in first place and are giving those cities hope of a bright future. Heck, Zack Greinke might put up amazing numbers this year for the Royals bringing them the Cy Young Award. Toronto has Roy Halladay and a bunch of no-name starters making people scurry to baseball-reference.com to find out the difference between Scott Richmond and Richmond Virginia.
2) The Mets and Yankees are struggling. Granted the Bronx Bombers are headed in the right direction but the Mets are a mess. They have superstars but not super leaders. Their rotation is as mediocre as it gets and when they send Johan to the mound, they just don't score. Thank goodness there won't be a Subway Series.
3) The Texas Rangers are no longer a black hole for starting pitching. Scott Feldman and Kevin Millwood have led the charge as the Rangers are atop the AL West. Good for them. Josh Hamilton isn't even hitting much yet but the rest of the team is. I hope they keep it going.
4) The Nationals are a fascinating team. Check out these numbers: Relievers have a 6.68 ERA and are 1-13. Washington is 6-10 when they've scored 6+ runs this season whereas Pittsburgh is 14-0 in the same case. This is one of the best lineups in the NL with quite possibly the worst bullpen in the history of major league baseball. They don't draw but perhaps they should. If people are clamoring for offense so desperately, then why not go patronize the team with some of the best in baseball. Ryan Zimmerman should be in the NL All Star game. And with that, time for me to get on my soapbox. Vote for who belongs not your home team. I love the Marlins but im sure as hell not voting for Emilio Bonafacio or Cody Ross to go. I've got some sort of soul so here's who you SHOULD be voting for
AL
C: Victor Martinez, Cleveland (.401 on that bad team is pretty good) Also Acceptable: Joe Mauer, Mike Napoli
1B: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit (almost hitting .400 and 30 RBI's) Also Acceptable: Kevin Youkilis, Justin Morneau
2B: Aaron Hill, Toronto (leads 2B's in all major categories except SB's) Also Acceptable: Ian Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia.
3B: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay (Putting up obscene RBI Numbers) Also Acceptable: Michael Young
SS: Jason Bartlett, Tampa Bay(.384 5 HR, 22 RBI are by far the best here) Also Acceptable: NONE
OF: Adam Jones, Baltimore (.370 8 HR, 26 RBI from a relative unknown before this year), Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay (a terror on the basepaths and hitting over .300), Johnny Damon (.324, 10 HR....someone's benefitting from the new park) Also Acceptable: Jason Bay, Torii Hunter, Nick Markakis
SP: Roy Halladay (If the fate of the world depended on one game, I'd give the ball to this man) Also Acceptable: Zack Greinke
NL
C: Bengie Molina, San Francisco (hitting over .300 and represents the power in a weak Giants lineup) Also Acceptable: NONE really
1B: Albert Pujols, St. Louis (usually one of the few that the fans get right; Prince Albert just keeps rolling) Also Acceptable: Todd Helton (pretty nice numbers for him), Nick Johnson (what he's not hurt?), Joey Votto
2B: Orlando Hudson, Los Angeles (pretty nice pickup at the end of the FA for the Dodgers) Also Acceptable: Chase Utley, Freddy Sanchez, Felipe Lopez
SS: Hanley Ramirez, Florida (.343 6 HR, 20 RBI...i'm a homer so what) Also Acceptable: Cristian Guzman (NL's leading hit guy)
3B: Ryan Zimmerman, Washington (.358 10 HR, 31 RBI...shame he'll lose) Also Acceptable: David Wright, Aramis Ramirez (injured), Chipper
OF: Carlos Beltran (.378...hate rewarding big market guys but he belongs), Ryan Braun (gotta rep the Jews especially when they hit over .300 with power), Raul Ibanez (.357 13 HR...does the guy ever smile? Meanest homerun hitter ever) Also Acceptable: Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, Manny Ramirez
SP: Johan Santana
1) Check out the standings...Right now Kansas City and Toronto are in first place and are giving those cities hope of a bright future. Heck, Zack Greinke might put up amazing numbers this year for the Royals bringing them the Cy Young Award. Toronto has Roy Halladay and a bunch of no-name starters making people scurry to baseball-reference.com to find out the difference between Scott Richmond and Richmond Virginia.
2) The Mets and Yankees are struggling. Granted the Bronx Bombers are headed in the right direction but the Mets are a mess. They have superstars but not super leaders. Their rotation is as mediocre as it gets and when they send Johan to the mound, they just don't score. Thank goodness there won't be a Subway Series.
3) The Texas Rangers are no longer a black hole for starting pitching. Scott Feldman and Kevin Millwood have led the charge as the Rangers are atop the AL West. Good for them. Josh Hamilton isn't even hitting much yet but the rest of the team is. I hope they keep it going.
4) The Nationals are a fascinating team. Check out these numbers: Relievers have a 6.68 ERA and are 1-13. Washington is 6-10 when they've scored 6+ runs this season whereas Pittsburgh is 14-0 in the same case. This is one of the best lineups in the NL with quite possibly the worst bullpen in the history of major league baseball. They don't draw but perhaps they should. If people are clamoring for offense so desperately, then why not go patronize the team with some of the best in baseball. Ryan Zimmerman should be in the NL All Star game. And with that, time for me to get on my soapbox. Vote for who belongs not your home team. I love the Marlins but im sure as hell not voting for Emilio Bonafacio or Cody Ross to go. I've got some sort of soul so here's who you SHOULD be voting for
AL
C: Victor Martinez, Cleveland (.401 on that bad team is pretty good) Also Acceptable: Joe Mauer, Mike Napoli
1B: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit (almost hitting .400 and 30 RBI's) Also Acceptable: Kevin Youkilis, Justin Morneau
2B: Aaron Hill, Toronto (leads 2B's in all major categories except SB's) Also Acceptable: Ian Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia.
3B: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay (Putting up obscene RBI Numbers) Also Acceptable: Michael Young
SS: Jason Bartlett, Tampa Bay(.384 5 HR, 22 RBI are by far the best here) Also Acceptable: NONE
OF: Adam Jones, Baltimore (.370 8 HR, 26 RBI from a relative unknown before this year), Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay (a terror on the basepaths and hitting over .300), Johnny Damon (.324, 10 HR....someone's benefitting from the new park) Also Acceptable: Jason Bay, Torii Hunter, Nick Markakis
SP: Roy Halladay (If the fate of the world depended on one game, I'd give the ball to this man) Also Acceptable: Zack Greinke
NL
C: Bengie Molina, San Francisco (hitting over .300 and represents the power in a weak Giants lineup) Also Acceptable: NONE really
1B: Albert Pujols, St. Louis (usually one of the few that the fans get right; Prince Albert just keeps rolling) Also Acceptable: Todd Helton (pretty nice numbers for him), Nick Johnson (what he's not hurt?), Joey Votto
2B: Orlando Hudson, Los Angeles (pretty nice pickup at the end of the FA for the Dodgers) Also Acceptable: Chase Utley, Freddy Sanchez, Felipe Lopez
SS: Hanley Ramirez, Florida (.343 6 HR, 20 RBI...i'm a homer so what) Also Acceptable: Cristian Guzman (NL's leading hit guy)
3B: Ryan Zimmerman, Washington (.358 10 HR, 31 RBI...shame he'll lose) Also Acceptable: David Wright, Aramis Ramirez (injured), Chipper
OF: Carlos Beltran (.378...hate rewarding big market guys but he belongs), Ryan Braun (gotta rep the Jews especially when they hit over .300 with power), Raul Ibanez (.357 13 HR...does the guy ever smile? Meanest homerun hitter ever) Also Acceptable: Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, Manny Ramirez
SP: Johan Santana
Friday, May 8, 2009
Sports World Musings
So much going on across the board so let's go for some musings
MLB
- Manny's on illegal drugs. Oh well. I'm from the camp that I just don't give a crap. I go to baseball for a few things....some cash to spend if I'm doing well in my picks, some entertainment if my team is winning and a diversion if my life isn't going so hot. Yeah, i'd like to tell my kids that the players didn't cheat but is it really cheating if the majority is doing it. And don't think that because they havent been exposed, doesnt mean they didnt cheat. I just don't care anymore.
- The Nationals arent the worst team in baseball. Their record may say so but their lineup is better then a lot of teams' with better records. Their pitching staff is going to improve once Zimmermann learns to stop relying on his fast ball. Stephen Strasburg threw a no-no tonight and struck out 17. He'll be on this team in August and September. This will be a ticket you want to get so stay tuned to the show to get your tickets. This team will be around come August and September and won't be an easy win.
- The Yankees won't win the AL East. Their bullpen just isn't good enough for them to do it. Not every SP is CC Sabathia who can throw 130 pitches every time. The Red Sox or Rays will take it and the Jays will hang around the Wild card race too.
NBA
- I'm sorry, i'm just not a LeBron fan. Then again, I'm not an NBA guy so the thought of Kobe/LeBron NBA finals just doesnt interest me. I'd like a Suns/Magic "First to 120" series. I'm not interested in the close game in the 80's with many timeouts and "strategy" You can get me into a game with all these suspensions and all these issues that they've been having.
- Sixers Brass...if you are reading this. Please draft Eric Maynor. We need a point guard who can score and he fits the bill there.
NHL
- Begrudgingly I must give the NHL it's due. This Caps/Pens series has been pretty spectacular despite what it took to get here. I'm also glad that it's bringing new fans to the sport who see that it's pretty fun to watch especially played at it's highest levels. Finally, I'm also glad that they are seeing Sidney Crosby for what he is which is a pampered superstar who needs to get a reality check that there are others out there besides him.
- Finals prediction: Ducks - Caps.
NFL
- Signups are also taken here for my side of the Brett Favre argument. If he comes back AGAIN, do I get credit for calling it a 2nd time? And to play for the Vikings? Do you have any shame Brett? He was bad for the Jets and his wanting to get revenge against Green Bay may mean that the Packers sweep the Vikes. Would that finally end his career? God I hope so. Just stay away Brett.
MLB
- Manny's on illegal drugs. Oh well. I'm from the camp that I just don't give a crap. I go to baseball for a few things....some cash to spend if I'm doing well in my picks, some entertainment if my team is winning and a diversion if my life isn't going so hot. Yeah, i'd like to tell my kids that the players didn't cheat but is it really cheating if the majority is doing it. And don't think that because they havent been exposed, doesnt mean they didnt cheat. I just don't care anymore.
- The Nationals arent the worst team in baseball. Their record may say so but their lineup is better then a lot of teams' with better records. Their pitching staff is going to improve once Zimmermann learns to stop relying on his fast ball. Stephen Strasburg threw a no-no tonight and struck out 17. He'll be on this team in August and September. This will be a ticket you want to get so stay tuned to the show to get your tickets. This team will be around come August and September and won't be an easy win.
- The Yankees won't win the AL East. Their bullpen just isn't good enough for them to do it. Not every SP is CC Sabathia who can throw 130 pitches every time. The Red Sox or Rays will take it and the Jays will hang around the Wild card race too.
NBA
- I'm sorry, i'm just not a LeBron fan. Then again, I'm not an NBA guy so the thought of Kobe/LeBron NBA finals just doesnt interest me. I'd like a Suns/Magic "First to 120" series. I'm not interested in the close game in the 80's with many timeouts and "strategy" You can get me into a game with all these suspensions and all these issues that they've been having.
- Sixers Brass...if you are reading this. Please draft Eric Maynor. We need a point guard who can score and he fits the bill there.
NHL
- Begrudgingly I must give the NHL it's due. This Caps/Pens series has been pretty spectacular despite what it took to get here. I'm also glad that it's bringing new fans to the sport who see that it's pretty fun to watch especially played at it's highest levels. Finally, I'm also glad that they are seeing Sidney Crosby for what he is which is a pampered superstar who needs to get a reality check that there are others out there besides him.
- Finals prediction: Ducks - Caps.
NFL
- Signups are also taken here for my side of the Brett Favre argument. If he comes back AGAIN, do I get credit for calling it a 2nd time? And to play for the Vikings? Do you have any shame Brett? He was bad for the Jets and his wanting to get revenge against Green Bay may mean that the Packers sweep the Vikes. Would that finally end his career? God I hope so. Just stay away Brett.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Cleaning out the sports closet.
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.
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.
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.
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