There's a draft in here

The draft has come and gone and the pundits are handing out their grades. Grading drafts immediately is a waste of time, even though it does make good reading. Saying that a team had a great 2009 draft because that team got so-and-so is like saying you wound up with the best looking of the homely girls at the dance. Whoopity do. Outside of a handful of guys, there aren’t many impact players.

I think Aaron Curry will be starter from day one, but since he’s not a pass rusher, you’re getting a really good linebacker. Jason Smith has all the measurables and attitude you want, but he never put his hand down as an OT; can he really step in from day one and contribute, like you expect the #2 overall pick to do? Tyson Jackson doesn’t strike me as the second coming of Ty Warren. Jeremy Maclin was a great pickup by the Eagles at 19 overall, but they already have a deep threat in Desean Jackson – and Maclin has to become a better route-runner, too.

The best you can do is evaluate how well teams used the draft process to improve their team. By that I mean, how well do teams use the draft process (packaging picks to move up; trading players from the current roster for picks this year; or, trading down and acquiring picks for the next season). I am not a fan of drafting for need, but teams that have needs should address them with value picks (i.e., the right player for their scheme, their system, at the appropriate point in the draft). Teams that “get” the concept of the draft are:

• Detroit: they need to get better up and down the roster and they should be, with the top QB, TE, and FS in the draft. I also like Derrick Williams, Lydon Murtha, and Zack Follet to compete for roster spots and playing time. Undrafted free agent potential gem: they signed only one, DJ Boldin, Anquan’s lil bro.
• New York Giants: the rich got richer. They knew what they needed but were confident in their talent base to get complementary players who either strengthen their schemes or add versatility (Clint Sintim is an intruiging prospect). Rhett Bomar is an interesting pick and one to watch. Surprised Jerry Reese took him but in the 5th round he represents good value. Look for DeAndre Wright to make the roster and make some noise.
• Philadelphia: the Eagles again demonstrated that they are a team that understands the pro draft process. They traded picks to acquire Pro Bowl players in Jason Peters and Ellis Hobbs. They got good value with Cornelius Ingram and Macho Harris. I’m not thrilled with the LeSean McCoy pick because of his attitude problems but if he can focus on football he could be a good pro. I don’t think a lot of the Eagles picks make their roster not because the players aren’t good (most of them aren’t special) but their roster is deep.
• New England: I’m not thrilled with their picks because they reached with Patrick Chung at 34th overall and Ron Brace has no heart (40th pick overall) but Darius Butler is a steal at 41st overall and Brandon Tate represents good value at 83 and they have depth to be patient as he rehabs his torn ACL. But NE clearly gets the point of the draft by using picks to trade for players or trade players for picks and it seems like everything Belichick does turns to gold. Undrafted free agent potential gem: Antonio Appleby, LB from Virginia needs to be motivated but he size to play inside in the NE 30 front.
  
  Teams that drafted well:
  
• Arizona: they knew their holes and filled them with value picks; the Cards seem to be getting the concept of the draft after all these years. Undrafted free agent potential gem: Michael Ray Garvin, Florida.
• Atlanta: Peria Jerry is a good fit at a need position but they need Lawrence Sidbury and William Moore to pan out in order to have a strong sequel to the 2008 draft. Vance Walker is a nice sleeper at DT. Undrafted free agent potential gem: Jose Valdez, G, Arkansas. They also signed John Parker Wilson. Is there another John Wilson out there? What gives?
• Buffalo: they need a LT after letter Jason Peters go and they failed to get one. However, Wood, Levitre, and Nelson should strength the OL. Jairus Byrd was good value with the 42nd overall pick. Cary Harris could add nice CB depth though he lacks speed.
  Chicago: it was a risky draft but I like what Jerry Angelo did. Undrafted free agent potential gem: none. They signed a bunch of uninspiring undrafted kids. Good for you.
  Cincinnati: I like what they did. They got the guy they wanted with Andre Smith, they got a slightly uncontrollable force with LB Rey Maualuga in the second, and added perennial underachiever Michael Johnson in he fourth. Decent value that addresses needs. Undrafted free agent potential gem: they only signed two, but these two should make their roster: Quan Crosby, WR from Texas, and Mike Lucky, RB Nebraska.
• Green Bay: they took BJ Raji which is a smart move for the team moving to the 30 look. Be advised that Raji is a two-down player but they have depth at NT to substitute on passing downs. But do you want a 2-down player for top ten money? Not me. Still, their run defense was awful in ’08 and the 3-4 doesn’t work without a NT. I like Clay Matthews’ versatility but moving up to get him doesn’t thrill me. TJ Lang and Jamon Meredith in the 4th and 5th rounds make this a better draft. Undrafted free agent potential gem: they signed a handful, but no one looks promising.
• Houston: I’d move them up into the “very good” list but I am skeptical about Cushing. I feel like he’s Mike Mamula Jr. I like Connor Barwin for where they got him and Antoine Caldwell was a great pick for the 3rd round. James Casey in the 5th adds versatility to their potent passing attack.
• Indianapolis: Bill Polian talks about taking the BPA and I think he did with Donald Brown. Brown has to develop pass blocking skills but he’s versatile and tough and will fight for PT right off the bat. I like Fili Moala but he’s a little soft. Jerraud Powers is a good pick and will complement the secondary. I love Austin Collie to the Colts. There, I said it. Curtis Painter is an intruiging pick because it says that Sorgipalooza is over. It is also a sign that Peyton is getting old. Ahem, getting older.
• Jacksonville: good draft by the rookie GM. They addressed their OL needs immediately by having both Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton fall into their laps. There is their starting OT tandem to 2018. Terrence Knighton was a bit of a stretch at 72 overall. I like Mike Williams (WR from Arizona) and Jarrett Dillard (WR from Rice) back to back 4th and 5th rounds but they’re kind of the same receiver. Zach Miller may finally bring a real man to the TE position – for years they’ve gone for tall skinny basketball types. Rashad Jennings is a good little back and kind of a steal for Jacksonville in the 7th round. Undrafted free agent potential gem: they signed over a dozen UFA, but only Brock Bolen, FB from Loouhvull, stands out.
• Minnesota: laugh all you want, but I think they got guys with both upside and immediate starter potential so therefore I like how they drafted. Yes they gave up too much for Sage Rosenfels (who will wear the number 2 because he has two kids, and because his style of play looks like he’s taking a number 2) but the Gus Bus frankly looked Christine-like last year. Undrafted free agent potential gem: they signed about a dozen and a few names stand out. Jon Cooper, C from Oklahoma, QB Sean Glennon from Virginia Tech are the notable UFA.
• New Orleans: they only had four picks but I think they got good value and will get contributions from all four players this year. Malcolm Jenkins will push to start at CB immediately and Chip Vaughn will see playing time in the secondary. Gregg Williams always gets defensive players in the first round wherever he coaches (check the stats). Undrafted free agent potential gem: RB from Wisconsin PJ Hill will compete in training camp for a roster spot.
• Pittsburgh: the Steelers have stable system and they find players to fit what the coaches need. Ziggy Hood is miscast in a 30 front. The world champions definitely know what they are doing with personnel. Undrafted free agent potential gem: Ramon Foster, OL, Tennessee. I’m sure they signed other good players, but only Foster jumps out at me now.
• San Diego: AJ Smith tends to know what he’s doing so while Larry English is a reach at 15 overall, he does give the Chargers some leverage for Shawne Merriman’s rookie deal expires. They didn’t have a second rounder because they gave it up to get Jacob Hester last year, but Louis Vasquez represents nice value at 113th. Smith added depth and quality players and didn’t do anything fancy. Undrafted free agent potential gem: Sam Allen, OL, Grand Valley State; Darry Beckwith, LB, LSU; Rashaad Jackson, NT, Clemson.
  Seattle: Solid effort as the team didn’t reach and went with quality players who should be able to contribute immediately, which is what a team picking in the top five needs. Undrafted free agent potential gem: they signed underachieving DE Michael Bennett (lil bro of Cowboys’ TE Martellus Bennett) from TAMU. He should be good for a few laughs.
• St Louis: the Rams didn’t blow me away with their picks. Time will tell the quality of this draft. Key is James Laurinitis – I don’t see him as a good pro MIKE or SAM backer. If he flames out, then this class is at risk. Still, DeVanney and Spags did a decent job their first time out. No glaring mistakes. Undrafted free agent potential gem: they signed 17 kids and I have no idea who they are.
• Tennessee: the Titans were able to address needs with value picks. They landed potential starters in Troy Kropog in the 4th and Javon Ringer in the 5th. Undrafted free agent potential gem: Mitch King, DT, Iowa. They also signed Chris Mortensen’s kid.
  
  Teams on the bubble:
  
• Carolina: I can understand trading away the 2009 first rounder for Jeff Otah, but trading away the 2010 first rounder for slidin’ Everette Brown is a puzzler. Supposed insurance for Julius Peppers, Brown is a solid kid but he’s no Peppers. I like their selections of Mike Goodson from Texas A&M and Tony Fiametta from the Cuse. Undrafted free agent potential gem: Marlon Favorite, LSU. I like Anthony Scirrito, S, Penn State, too. They also signed Penn State OL Gerald Cadogan. Cadogan has the size (6’7”, 300+lbs) to be an NFL OL. Why wasn’t he drafted? He was scouted as not being dedicated to football and “having other interests”. He cuts gospel records, plays the flute or something, and sang the national anthem for President Obama. Ross Tucker, who is a columnist for SI.com and has developed a real attitude somehow, ridiculed this assessment. Ross – NFL OL are supposed to have a bad attitude. I don’t want a gospel singer protecting my QB.
• Dallas: a lot of people hate this draft, but I understand the method to the madness. They took quantity over quality and were satisfied with their roster going into the draft so they looked to add players who would have the best chance to make the roster by contributing to special teams and then grow into starters. Jones also wanted to get younger at the bottom of the roster. The only real quibble I have is with the selections of Victor Butler (DE/OLB from Oregon State) and Brandon Williams (DE/OLB from Texas Tech) in the 4th round. I would’ve liked to see them go OL as there was good value at that position in that round. Undrafted free agent potential gem: Kevin Ogletree, WR from Virginia, and Greg Isdaner, G, West Virginia.
• Denver: I like their picks – Moreno, Ayers, Alphonso Smith, and Darcel McNBath could all be significant contributors this year – but they gave up a lot of picks to move up the draft board. Kind of silly. I like late-round picks Brandstater (QB from Fresno State) and Blaker Schlueter (C from Texas Christian) – I doubt these guys will make their roster, so other teams should scour the waiver wire for these guys. Undrafted free agent potential gem: they signed a bunch and the only one I know if Britton Colquitt, punter from Tennessee.
• Kansas City: maybe I should’ve expected more from the anointed one, Scott Pioli, he of the dual Belichick-Parcells connection. But Tyson Jackson is a reach at 3 overall, the Cassel trade, and Alex Magee from Purdue. I like Magee, but I’m not sure it’s what they needed at that position in the draft. Undrafted free agent potential gem: none signed because they were too busy firing all their scouts the day after the draft.
• Miami: might be surprised to see them on my bubble list, but when you draft Problem Child #1 with the your first pick, you’ve earned a spot in my book. The Dolphins have an insane schedule and I don’t think the coaches need to spend time teaching Vontae Davis to grow up and prepare for the Patriots passing attack. Then they took Sean Smith who has physical questions in the third and squeezed Wildcat White in the second, I don’t know; they seemed to draft a lot of luxury picks when they needed to continue to draft players to build a winning franchise. I don’t see Patrick Turner winning battles with AFC East corners. I don’t see a lot of impact starters here. A real boom-or-bust draft. Undrafted free agent potential gem: none signed?
• New York Jets: makes you wonder how Tannenbaum thinks. He had three picks after trading up and handing over three starters/key role players to the Brownies. It all hinges on Sanchez. And as I am skeptical on Sanchez, the Jets are on this list. I like Shonn Greene and the Slauson kid; they will push for starting time in ’09, they need more players. Undrafted free agent potential gem: they signed close to 20 UFA, so quanity has a quality all its own. I like Emanuel Cook, S from South Cakcalacky; Ty Steinkuhler, DL from Nebraska; and Zach Potter, DL from Nebraska (hey one of them has to be good, right?).
• Oakland: I don’t hate this draft as much as everybody else does. I see the logic in Heyward-Bey. Laugh him off, but pair him with Jamarcus Russell’s arm, and I don’t think that’s too funny. Add Louis Murphy, a good route runner on drags underneath or their TE, and you have something. Pundits don’t think the Raiders have receivers, and they don’t have proven guys, but I like Chaz SChilens development. Throw in a lead-draw with Run-DMC from a passing formation, and you have something there. Al Davis is crazy, but just because you’re crazy doesn’t mean you don’t have a plan or that you aren’t dangerous. Undrafted free agent potential gem: Oakland signed no UFA so maybe they are crazy and don’t have a plan? How do you sign no UFA?
• San Francisco: how the mighty have fallen. I’m not assessing the quality of the players they picked but whom they picked and where. Taking Diva Michael Crabtree at 10 overall is a risky move for a the Niners who are looking to rebuild their franchise yet again. Coffee in the second and McKillop in the third and Pascoe in the sixth are guys Samurai Mike wants and can build around. The selection of Nate Davis shows the inexperience of the new leadership team – he is clearly a developmental prospect and probably will never transition into a pro starter. It’s an even riskier prospect when you look at how SF has done developing QB after the Walsh era ended. Undrafted free agent potential gem: they signed about a dozen, none of whom I think will add any value to the rookie class.
• Tampa Bay: poor showing the first time out with Mark Domenik and Raheem Morris. They moved up when they didn’t have to for Josh Freeman. Time will tell if it was worth the cost but the Bucs need quality players. So far, they haven’t. Undrafted free agent potential gem: they only signed one, Rob Bruggeman, C from Iowa, and he should make the roster.
• Washington: the team drafted well but the lack of empty picks (picks that were traded for players who are no longer on the roster) tarnishes whatever they were able to accomplish. They filled a need and got value with DE Brian Orakpo. He looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane, but if they line him up to Prince Albert’s side, he could be ok. They went all defense with their first four picks which is a little puzzling when they need to get younger and deeper at the OL, could use a little versatility at the RB position, and are still looking for a legit NFL #1 receiver. Undrafted free agent potential gem: Chase Daniels and Edwin Williams, OL from Maryland should make roster pushes from the dozen or so UFA they signed.
  

Mock Draft V2

The draft talk is heating up. Here is my second take on the mock draft.

By the way, check out Billy the Kid, a heartbreaking documentary about a dorky 15 year-old kid in small town Maine. It was funny watching it how much I was reminded of my own trials and travails as an underclassman. Not that I was any different as an upperclassman (or now for that matter) but you lose some of your awkwardness at the age of 16 - or you care less about it.

1. Detroit: Matthew Stafford. No change. Detroit would trade down if anybody really wanted to move up. They could go with Eugene Monroe at take their chances later in the draft. I don't really like any QB other than Stafford and Sanchez as a potential franchise QB.

2. St Louis: Eugene Monroe No change. Monroe is the safest pick in the draft, whatever that means. Highly drafted OL bust as easily as QB. Monroe needs some more development but not much. He can step in on Day 1 and do fine. There aren't many complex defenses in the NFC West nor are there any dominant front sevens. Seattle will be a challenge but that's it.

3. KC: Aaron Curry. He's the best prospect in the draft hands down. He can play outside in either a 40 or 30 front, which Clancy Pendergrast reportedly will use as KC switches to a 3-4. Funny, most 40 teams show a 30 front a considerable percentages of snaps per game to mix up defensive looks.

4. Seattle: Jason Smith. This could change as there is more talk about the Seahawks going QB with Sanchez. I don't see it. They are poised for a big rebound but their OL is in shambles and just saying their OL is healthier is not a cure.

5. Cleveland: Orakpo. No change. I think he's Mike Mamula Jr, but we'll see.

6. Cincinnatti: Andre Smith. They are inviting everybody in for private workouts but I think it's a smoke screen. Chris Wells is reportedly a favorite. No way. Their OL is, to quote Silky Johnson, like the nation of Afghanistan: bombed out, and in tatters.

7. Oakland: Michael Crabtree. I'd take BJ Raji if I were the Raiders but if I was making that pick, I would be a senile old man in a track suit. I don't bash Al Davis - he is perhaps one of the greatest innovators in the history of the NFL. They could go Maclin here too or Derrius Heyward-Bey. Al loves speed. DHB is speed. May go with DHB in subsequent drafts.

8. Jacksonville: Jeremy Maclin. They aren't going with Sanchez. David Garrard is their man. At least for another year. They need OL help badly but they can get good value in the second round. Plus they might pick up some more picks if Denver trades up to take Sanchez. I don't think they will. Interstingly enough McDaniels made the deal with Chicago because he likes actually likes Kyle Orton.

9. Green Bay: Changing up and going Tyson Jackson. Green Bay could go BJ Raji but they have two guys at NT they like already though the key to a 3-4 is the NT and it's not like they are ferocious run defenders now. Michael Lombardi has the Pack taking Michael Oher. I don't see it. I think GB has linemen they feel they can run out to RT. Jackson is perhaps the best 30 front end in the draft. He's ready to contribute now.

10. San Francisco: Changing it up and going with Aaron Maybin. Maybin can play OLB and pressure the QB in a 30 front. They could go Sanchez but I don't see them taking a QB.

11. Buffalo: Buffalo is shopping the pick maybe to the Jets if Denver puts smokescreens up they are going for Sanchez. Otherwise I like them to take Everette Brown. Brown can be a RDE or WILL backer in a 40 front to generate pressure on the QB.

12. Denver: changing it to BJ Raji. They need a NT badly.

13. Washington: Sticking with Michael Oher though the desparation at DE is obvious when the best they could muster is a pair of 30 something retreads (Phillip Daniels and Reynaldo Wynn). I think these guys are serviceable and will provide good locker room presence, but the objective of the offseason is to get younger, stronger, and faster.

14. New Orleans: stick with Brian Cushing. Sean Payton gushed over Chris Wells at the NFL meetings and made some comments about how Wells would be a good fit with the Saints. They could still take a LB but there are good thumpers in the second and third rounds. They could also go for Malcolm Jenkins but they signed Jabari Greer.

15. Houston: I think they would like it if Brian Cushing were still around. They signed Cato June who will be their new WILL backer. They signed Shaun Cody so I don't see them going DL again in the draft. At this point with Malcolm Jenkins still around, they take him. Chris Wells is a good fit, too. Steve Slaton can't hold up for 16 games again.

16. San Diego: change to Chris Wells. They could go Knowshon Moreno but Sproles already fills that fastback kind of role. Wells is a big guy who also has speed and is a good pro prospect though Greg Cosell doens't really like him that much. And I respect Greg Cosell as much as any analyst.

17. Jets: Matt Sanchez. No change. If he's around this long.

18. Denver: Everette Brown is available at this point in this mock. so they go with him. They really don't have anybody who can run from the outside backer spot. There is talk of Evlis Dumervil being a "tweener" or hybrid player who puts a hand down or stands up and rushes - but he hasn't done either exceptionally well in his pro career. They could also go Robert Ayers - they also don't really have any DE who can play the 3 technique in 3-4.

19. Tampa: change to Peria Jerry. They would like to take a QB here and just might reach for Josh Freeman, whom Raheem Morris coached at K State. But they lost Jovan Haye, a young DT, in free agency and last time I looked, it was the defense that collapsed in the stretch. They could go LB too as they need to get better and deeper at that position.

20. Detroit: change to Rey Maualuga. They need LB badly as they DE, but the value with Maualuga at 20 overall is enticing. He can step in and be a thumper from the MIKE position from Day 1.

21. Philly: no change from Knowshon Moreno.

22. Minny: no change from Percy Harvin.

23. New England: change to James Laurinitis. I may go back on this one again. I have a feeling Belichick might have some bad juju left over from Andy Katzenmoyer. But Laurinitis played inside and could kick to ROLB in the Pats 30 front nicely. If anybody was mentally prepared for the NFL in this draft, it's him.

24. Atlanta: no change from Brandon Pettigrew.

25. Miami: change to Kenny Britt. Good size, good hands, good athleticism. The Fins need to work on their passing game.

26. Baltimore: change to Clint Sintim. Played in ILB in the 30 front and inside in high school. Natural leader and instinctive LB.

27. Indianapolis: there was a good interview published on Pro Football Talk with Bill Polian who said, repeatedly, that he takes the best player available. At this point, I;m not going to change from Donald Brown. He never blocked in college but he seems to be a very coachable kid who would pick it up quickly.

28. Philly: change to Cornelius Ingram. I'm not sure what I'm thinking here but Reid seems confident that either Todd Herremans or Shaun Andrews can slide to LT. Some say that leaves a hole inside, but they have depth to fill inside, too. Donovan McNabb wants weapons and the division rivals showed with Marty B that you can create mismatches with two athletic tight ends on the field.

29. Giants: change to Hakeem Nicks. Not crazy that he showed up almost 15 pounds over his listed weight to private workouts. He can catch and he is competitive, so he will be a good pro. It's not a done deal that the Giants will take a wide out so early in the draft.

30. Tennessee: no change from Max Unger. I don't see them going WR at this point with the top guys off the board. If Kenny Britt were around, I think he would go to Tennessee. They don't have many needs. They could do corner but I don't trust either Vontae Davis or Darius Butler, two guys flying up draft boards now. Both have character issues of one kind or another and Pacman was enough.

31. Arizona: change to Clay Matthews. I haven't been a fan of his but he's had great workouts and has trended upwards in his college career - consistently. His athleticism offers a lot of flexibility to a team like the Cardinals. Matthews might be a better fit as a ROLB in a 30 looks, but he could bulk up and be a nice WILL who can play in nickel situations. The more I think about it, the more I like him. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

32. Pittsburgh: changes to William Beatty. They lost Marvel Smith. Beatty is a little lean in his build and needs to build up some strength but he could be their starting RT by Week 1. They can't afford to ingore the holes in the OL anymore or Roethlisberger will need more reconstructive surgery.

Comments on Cutlergate

By now you are all inundated with Cutlergate and the fallout. I think Denver got the best of the deal and here's why.

1. Ownership is firmly in control. In the last few years of the Shannahan era, it was unclear whether Shanny or Pat Bolen was really running the show. Shanny earned Bolen two trophies and got John Elway over the hump. Shanny never produced after those trophies and the team got very sloppy and frankly suffered some very bad luck (Darrent Williams and Damien Nash, for example) and was spiralling out of control. Shanny had too much control, and when Bolen fired him, Bolen showed that he held the cards in the end.
2. McDaniels is secure (for now). One thing that probably convinced Bolen in his interview was that the Patriots experience showed him that the organization is the key to success and no one is bigger than the organization. This was the first test of McDaniels and it came before the pads ever went on. Bolen backed his play and McDaniels is the man. No one is bigger than the organization. One thing I don't like about McDaniels is that he cut long time Denver long snapper Mike Leach and replace him with New England LS Lonnie Paxton. Players can understand wanting to bring in "your guy" at a particularly critical position such as QB or FS, but long snapper is a bit too much. Don't overreach before you've done anything, Coach McDaniels.
3. Denver can do a lot with the draft picks Chicago gave them. Two #1s this year (their own and Chicago's) can be packaged and move them to the top ten where they can take Mark Sanchez. They have two #1s next year. If they stay put, they can get two impact players this year and have five of the top 100 picks in the draft. They have to draft well, but the opportunity to significantly improve their team and not just for a quick fix is there.

Mock V1

Actually, this about the 20th mock draft I've done but first I'm posting. I'm picking these mocks as how I see them going down. I'll throw in editorial comments as to what I think the team should take if the pick is different.




1. Detroit: Matttew Stafford, QB, Georgia. It's not the safest pick, but there are no really "safe" picks in the draft. Stafford has the maturity and the arm, no questions. But there are questions about his accurcy and gametime leadership. He did well at his pro day but scuttlebutt said he was trying to show off his arm strength throwing deep outs (in windy conditions) and was inaccurate. As you know the deep out is the money shot for QB meaning, if you can make this throw consistently, you will make a lot of money. If it was't Stafford, I'd take Eugene Monroe. The Lions have Gosder Cherilus and Jeff Backus as returning starters so there isn't a pressing need. Of course talking about pressing need with an 0-16 team is kind of a non sequitur, too.







2. St Louis: Eugene Monroe, OT, UVA. He's probably the best natural LT in the draft. He has good size and good footwork. He didn't embarrass himself against top competition this year. With the release of Orlando Pace, this is a natural choice. Not too many knocks on the kid.







3. KC: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forrest. The best pro prospect in the draft. He can play any linebacker position in either a 3-4 or 4-3 look. This is a great fit for the incoming management team. Clancy Pendergrast moves to KC to be Arizona Midwest or Dallas North with Todd Haley. The Chiefs announced that they will mix defensive fronts as Pendergrast has never coached a 3-4 defense but Scott Pioli likes it from New England. Read these posts from the Mile High Report on the 3-4. Excellent knowledge from this fan site on the MHR University page. Excellent. Made Jason Smith look bad when they played Baylor. Exceptionally mature. Read this expose from the Washington Post via Doug Farrar from Football Outsiders.







4. Seattle: The first wild card of the draft. They traded Julian Peterson for a DT, so they have a need at LB and they don't need a DL high in the draft though Ziggy Hood in the second round would be a nice steal. They need OL help badly. The talking heads focused on the injuries to the WR and the physical abuse Matt Hasselbeck endured but at the center of it all was the lost season that was their OL. If the draft unfolds as I've picked it so far, they will take Jason Smith from Baylor. Smith is a year or two away as he rarely put his hand down on the ground in the spread offense at Baylor. Mike Mayock compares him to Ryan Clady, the LT from Denver, and he may be, but Seattle doesn't or didn't run the same type of offensive line blocking scheme Denver did last year. The transition might not be as smooth for Smith in Seattle.







5. Cleveland: Another wild card. Mangini and Kokonis (referred to in this blog as Mankok) have brought over as many flawed defenders from the Jets as possible. They might have even brought over Chris Baker the touchdown maker for all I know. A lot of mocks have them taking Brian Orakpo from Texas. I thought about Malcolm Jenkins at this position until I read that he will likely move to FS. I don't think you take a FS in the top five. You need a guy to come in and lock down a money position. Orakpo is a pass rushing DE who can probably make the move to OLB in the 3-4. The knock on him is that he doesn't play the run. The big question is whether Mangini will remember the Gholston Folly and stay away from workout warrior, one-dimensional players. Vernon Gholston looked great in the weight room and at the combine but crapped out. The Jets now blame the poor rookie season on Mangini's complex defense but the fact is Gholston was a waste of a roster spot last year. Will Mangini fall in love with what I see as a similar player? Orakpo can get the QB, but he disappears at times and does not play with intensity you want to see from a top five guy.







6. Cincinnatti: Doesn't it always seem like they pick in the top 10? One thing I like about the English Premier League is that the bottom teams are relegated to a lesser league every year. The Browns would be a semi-pro team with player coach Jackie Moon by now. At this point, I think the Bengals take Andre Smith, the amazingly stupid and unmotivated manchild and one-time number one overall pick. The Bengals may go for Beanie Wells as they invited him in for a workout this week. They like to take backs in the first round and have a penchant for picking truly uninspiring ones. But the Bengals need help on the OL. Similar to Seattle, their offensive highlight were slim but in almost everyone,there was a Bengal OL missing a block, getting bull rushed, or just looking bad. Plus they let Stacy Andrews go in free agency.







7. Oakland: Come on. Like the Raiders will take anybody other than Michael Crabtree. They might, and if they do, a defensive lineman would be a good fit. BJ Raji from Boston College would be a nice pick here. Their run defense was truly awful but they showed grit when the Cable Guy took over.







8. Jacksonville: Another wild card. A lot of mocks have Mark Sanchez here. This puzzles me as their OL was awful but decimated by injuries, their WR were awful, and they cut their all time leading rusher who has signed with New England to join their cavalcade of running backs and provide veteran leadership and their feature back is five feet and nine inches in platform shoes. MoJo D is a favorite of mine but he can't stand up for 16 games. David Garrard is a good leader and a good QB, and I think there is good value in later rounds for developmental QB. Beanie Wells is an option if he's around to complement Drew. At eight overall, I'm royally stumped. OL and DL seem like the best options. BJ Raji could go here as they could use somebody to slap around John Henderson. I've cheked out other mocks because this is how uncertain I am about what Jacksonville will do. They don't have any real needs on defense. Malcolm Jenkins could go here but they are solid at four positions (and just signed Sean Considine to be their FS) there. Sanchez might be the best player available at 8. An OL is the biggest need but there isn't anybody left worth taking at 8. So I'll go with Missouri WR Jeremy Maclin. He also returns punts so he's a double weapon. Hopefully for Jacksonville he doesnt' do smack.







9. Green Bay: Kind of a surprise that they ended up in the top 10. They were hyped all year and were often favorites many weeks to win. Their defense was awful if you had to pick a culprit. Green Bay is another team moving to the 3-4 look. Key to the 3-4 is the nose tackle. BJ Raji is needed here to make it work. He can be the rock of their defense and make it work. If Raji's gone, then a 30 DE like Robert Ayers could work. Or a hybrid kind of player like Everette Brown. I'm going Raji.







10. San Francisco: I think they go defense here. QB was a big question going into the off season and the pundits are picking Sanchez here if he's available. A California kid would be a nice fit but they reworked Alex Smith's deal and aren't willing to cast him off. They lost JT O'Sullivan (do you really lose JT O'Sullivan?) and kept Shaun Hill who has the worst looking pass in the league but is a real competitor. I like Everette Brown here, from Free Shoes University, who will be an OLB in the Niners' 30 look. He can also put a hand down and make plays. A good all around kid from a bad character factory, I think he will flourish under Singletary's guidance.







11. Buffalo: They need a pass rusher badly. They generated no pressure last year whatsoever. If Everette Brown is gone, then I think they go with a defense end here like Aaron Maybin, Penn State, or Robert Ayers, Tennessee. Aaron Maybin might make more sense because he is atheltic enough to rush the passer. They won't be taking an offensive player in the first round or at least a skill guy.







12. Denver: In this mock, the best run stopper (which Denver needs and not only because it's going to a 30 front) is gone at this point. They have, through free agency, some good pieces on defense in place. They signed veteran depth for the defensive backfield and added young DT who can play nose. Here, Malcolm Jenkins makes the most sense as the best player available and somebody who can fill an immediate need (starter opposite Champ Bailey) and somebody to learn at the knee of Brian Dawkins. If they don't take Jenkins, then a defensive end like Robert Ayers make sense; they have to stop the run.





13. Washington: Rumor has it that Washington was favoring "the" USC linebacker. Which USC linebacker? They have three kids that might go in the first round, which may not have ever happened. Washington doesn't really need a LB (though teams always need depth at the position). They need to get younger, bigger, and stronger at OL, specifically OT. Michael Oher makes sense in this draft for them and is a good value at 13.





14. New Orleans: New Orleans has many needs. They could use talent at the OL. They could use a talented, 3-down RB. They could use a receiver with a pedigree. They could use a DB, but in the first round a safety to replace Kevin Kaesviharn eventually. They made a splash in free agency by signing Jabari Greer. They drafted Tracy Porter highly last year and he showed promise despite being hurt at the end of the year. In this draft I like Brian Cushing for them. Cushing can play any LB position (sort of) in a 40 front and would probably take the starting WILL backer spot from Scott Shanle. New Orleans is said to highly regard Cushing, too.





15. Houston: John McLain, reporter for the Houston Chronicle and respected authority on the Texans, had the Texans drafting a DL in the first round. I thought this suspicious as they have spent 3 or 4 #1s on DL. Then they signed Shaun Cody and McLain now reports that Houston won't take a DL. Their team is deep at several positions: WR, OL, QB, DL, and DB. They could use a DB because I don't trust Jacques Reeves (who played into a 5th round supplemental pick for the Cowboys somehow). Vontae Davis would be a decent pick for them but I don't trust him for some reason. They were so competitive last year because of Steve Slaton's emergence as a playmaker in the backfield. However, it's unlikely that Slaton can be a feature back and it's unlikely that any team would want to have a feature back anymore now that so many feature backs rarely finish a 16-game season intact. Knowshon Moreno, the best football playing running back in the draft would be a nice pick for them but he might be too much like Steve Slaton in style. I like Beanie Wells for the Texans. He has speed and power and would make a nice thunder and lightning (copyright all rights reserved, Tiki Barber and Mike Cloud) combo for the Texans.





16. San Diego Chargers: I like the idea of them taking someone like Knowshon Moreno. Yes, they have Darren Sproles and LDT but I don't think makes the other entirely effective. Moreno would make the Chargers running game a threat again. They could use another defensive back though they like Antoine Cason. So, when all else fails, take an energetic, ebuliant linebacker from USC. Rey Maualuga is a good fit in a lot of ways for the Bolts.





17. New York Jets: The Jets are in serious trouble. Think about what the Brett Favre experiment cost them. A lost season and another year of turnover in the organization. Mangini's personality or lack thereof is in truth probably as much a reason he's not around as Brett Favre's dead arm in December. Now the Jets have Kellen Clemens, Jay Ratliff, and Eric Ainge at QB. Laverneus Coles is gone but there isn't a top notch WR left and frankly it's probably more important to find the guy who's going to throw him the ball anyway. A DT would be a nice addition because you can't count on Kris Jenkins to stay healthy. However, Mark Sanchez, Man of Troy with 16 starts under his belt, is available and would be an instant upgrade over the current #2 and #3. Sanchez has the tools to be good but I don't know about his decision-making and game-readiness. He will need time to develop. Hopefully the Jets will give him the opportunity. One thing working for the organization is that Rex Ryan has lived with poor QB play from his Baltimore and knew how to weather growing pains of Joe Flacco last year.





18. Chicago: Chicago is an interesting franchise. They seem to be content playing mediocore football and when seasons break their way, make deep runs. Several blogs have them taking a receiver, but come on, Chicago is the place where receivers go to die. They could take a QB but they have made a commitment to Kyle Orton and oddly enough, the team kind of rallies around him. Jerry Angelo made public statements that the defense has to play better but the coaching staff has to coach better. The Bears, normally synonomous with a stout defense, were spotty and shoddy last year in all phases of the defensive game. Adding someone like Ole Miss DT Jeria Perry here would help quite a bit.





19. Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay could experience some significant growing pains under Raheem Morris. The team will respond to him, but I don't know if they have enough to be competitive this year. They folded under Gruden. They added KW2 and Derrick Ward and kept Antonio Bryant. They have an underrated, young OL. They need to bolster their defense as quickly as possible. It's like when Gruden left, he took the portrait of Dorian Grey with him. If Sanchez somehow falls to 19, then he would be a good fit. However, Tampa should wait until later and take player like Rudy Carpenter from Arizona State. At 19 overall, a DT like Ziggy Hood from Missouri would help immediately and help invigorate the team.





20. Detroit (from Dallas - thanks, Jerry!): Since they took an offensive guy at #1, I have them taking a defensive player. They need a DT. Since they traded Cory Redding to Seattle and added Julian Peterson and added Grady Jackson, but Jackson is old and fat and not as much a force. They would love it if Jeria Perry or Ziggy Hood fell to them, but I rate them higher than 20 overall. They don't need a LB and pairing up Cliff Avril with Julian Peterson could be scary for the other team, for once. I see the best value at cornerback with Alphonso Smith from Wake Forest. He's short but I'm not scared by short corners. Smith is smart and physical and very, very good.





21. Philadelphia: Knowshon Moreno, running back, Georgia. Brian Westbrook is getitng old (30? That counts as old) but it seems like he's been in the league since 1999 and is always on the injury report. As good as the Eagles are, they absolutely stink at drafting RB: Tony Hunt, Ryan Moats, and a bunch of other guys have been brought in over time to provide a relaible replacement to Westy. But Moreno is a great athlete who is also a great running back and player. Pundits talk about a "big back" to go with Westy a la Thunder and Lightning but they need a guy who fits their system. Moreno would be close to perfect.



22. Minnesota: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida. Minnesota has needs at safety but they can be addressed at the right talent value in the second round. Minnesota has problems at QB. One way to solve that would be take another QB. Some don't like the Sage Rosenfels trade, I do, but Rosenfels is a step above Gus Ferrotte somehow, in some sort of weird fuzzy football math. But another way to improve the production at that position is to give Tavaris Jackson weapons. Harvin is a guy who could be a nice weapon for Jackson - Harvin has gamebreaking speed and can take short and intermediate routes to the house.



23. New England: Larry English, LB, Northern Illinois University. New England could do DB and add youth to the influx of veteran corners they signed. Laurinitis would be a very nice addition to Jerod Mayo.



24. Atlanta: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State. I orignally had this pick going to the defense, which could use help at LB to fill the void created by Keith Brooking and Michael Boley. They added Mike Peterson, who will provide leadership. but isn't a playmaker. Defense is the need, but at 24, I'm not convinced at this point that there is value with the players available. Pettigrew is an intriguing option. He doesn't have to come off the field on running downs (i.e., he can block) and he can catch passes though he didn't do it much at OK State.



25. Miami: Miami is a tough one to call. Their offensive line, once their weakness , is now a building block of the team. They have a solid backfield and they will find out this year if they have the QB of the future. Miami could really use a receiver but I don't know of too many Parcells teams that take a WR in the first round. Hey, not everybody is made like Keyshawn. Defensively, Miami could make a play for LB Clay Matthews. Parcells like kids with NFL pedigrees. But Miami has this secret weapon in from Canada to line up next to Peasy. So one overachieving outside linebacker is enough. They could use a defensive back namely a corner. Wide receiver could be a good match for value and need here - Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina.



26. Baltimore: James Laurinitis, LB, the Ohio State University. Bart Scott's gone and taken his violent football to New York. Laurinitis isn't flashy like your standard Baltimore defensive player, but he's fundamentally solid and very mature. He could be a very good understudy to Ray Lewis. Big question mark is whether Laurinitis is another LB from Linebacker Junior College (Andy Katzenmoyer, Vernon Gholston, Anthony Schlegel, and Cie Grant).



27: Indianapolis: This is a tough call here given the way the picks have fallen in this draft. Indianapolis desparately needs help along the defensive line, predominantly at DT. However, only Peria Jerry and Ziggy Hood merit first round tags and even then, there isn't consensus in mocks that Hood is a first rounder (I think he is). The irony is, at this point the value picks are in the wide receivers - Hakeen Nicks, Kenny Britt, and Derrius Heyward-Bey are speedy guys who would be natural first rounders for Indy in almost any other year. The Colts could also go RB with Donald Brown as Joe Addai may have peaked. There are questions as to whether Brown can pass block, something that he didn't do at UCONN. They could get value from an offensive lineman here like Eben Britton or William Beatty. At this point, I like Donald Brown.



28: Philadelphia: I don't expect Philly to keep this pick. They haven't actually picked in the first round for a years now, so I expect them to trade their 21st pick and use this one. There is a lot of talk about them taking an OT, but they signed Stacy Andrews and feel they can move his brother Shaun to LT or Todd Herremans.



29: New York Giants: New York has over 10 picks and Jerry Reese has said that he doen't want to keep them all. Given the problems of Plexico Burress and their defensive free agent pickups, the natural move here is to take a WR. Kenny Britt is the pundits' favorite choice here. I'm not even sure the Giants need to take a receiver. Plex might be available at some point next year - he's not been found guilty yet - and the Giants just turned down a trade for Braylon Edwards because they wanted Steve Smith. I could easily see Reese packaging picks and trading up for an impact player, into the top five. I'm not sure there are that many impact offensive players, but Reese could do it, and he might be flush with recent success to try it. But all that aside, let's say the Giants take Kenny Britt from Rutgers. Rutgers with another Day One draft pick?



30: Tennesse: Here is another odd situation where value says WR but the team doesn't have a history of taking players at this position. I like a player like Hakeem Nicks or Kenny Britt here from Rutgers because even though they signed Nate Washington, there is a big need here. Maybe they will wait for either Vince Young to emerge or start another QB project before taking a receiver high. Despite losing Albert Haynesworth, they don't need to take a DT high because of young Jason Jones. I like taking a top interior lineman like Max Unger for Oregon. How is this for versatility - he started at tackle then moved to center but still pulls on outside running plays. Tennesee makes its hay by controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Kevin Mawae missed the divisional game against Baltimore and it showed.



31: Arizona Cardinals: Arizona took Tim Hightower last year and hoped he would be an Edgerrin James clone and while he had a nose for the end zone, he had little else going for him. Several mocks have the Cards taking Beanie Wells, but no way he falls this low. Arizona's running game is nonexistant especially losing the emerging 3rd down back JJ Arrington (and former #1 pick). However they lost Antonio Smith, a young defensive end who was a nice contributor in their super bowl run last year. They can make a move to replace him with either Robert Ayers or Tyson Jackson. Ayers had a nice senior year and may be a one year wonder, but he has more upside than Jackson. Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee.



32: Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers gambled big time last year letting their best OL leave (Alan Faneca) and not bringing in anyone near comparable. They nearly got their QB killed. Yet they won the Super Bowl, so the error went overlooked. Maybe not by Ben Rothlisberger, but by most media. There is good value with somebody like Alex Mack, C, California, but the Steelers need an OT. William Beatty will be a good addition for them.

Rejuvenate Your Fandom

The NCAA tourney is upon is so you can tune out your craving for football for a few weeks and then get ready for the draft. As Winter fades and Spring blooms, take a pause and gain perspective on your fandom. Read a few books on football. My favorite one is the Paper Lion, though George Plimpton was sort of ruined for me by Good Will Hunting. But there are a lot of great reads out there. There are many excellent sources of information online now, check out the links on this blog, if you can't find time to read books. If you don't want to buy them, get your library card and roll out to the library. Better yet, take your kids with you (if you have them) and spend some time together at the library. Speaking of kids, check out USA Football. Can you get involved with local football programs?



While you are on the reading kick, get smart on the rules. What is challengeable and what isn't? Get smart on schemes and strategies. Why is a 4-3 front better against the run than a 3-4?


If you have Netflix, check out their collection of NFL Films DVDs. I just watched "Eyeball to Eyeball". The title refers to a documentary on lineman. There are some other great shows on there - a documentary on Vince Lombardi and the original "6 Days to Sunday" with the 1976 New Orleans Saints leading up to their game at Green Bay (Milwaukee County Stadium, actually). 6 Days to Sunday has Hank Stram in his last coaching job, Chuck Muncie (pre-Chargers obviously), Sam Rutigliano (WR coach), Jim Garrett (father of Jason and John), and Archie Manning recovering from arm surgery. There is also the DVD "Big Game America" which has a documentary on Don Meredith's last game in the NFL and a wonderful documentary on the Pottstown Firebirds. A must see for any football fan.



Review this history of your favorite team. What was their starting lineup in 2004? In 1991? How many Hall of Famers do they have? Learn about them. Look at their record the first year you remeber following them - do you remember any of those games? What memories do you have of them? What events or friends or family do you associate with those? (Hopefully, all good memories). For me as a Cowboys fans, I looked at the starting roster of the 2005 Cowboys (9-7) and thought, how did they ever win 9 games with those guys? I remembered Solomon Page, whom I had buried in the depths of my memories. I forgot Larry Allen was a LT for a few years before going back to G. I forgot Dexter Clinkscale. I was painfully reminded of Phil Pozderac . . . wait . . . somewhere, he just stopped what he was doing, stood up, moved five yards backwards, and started again. I forgot Mike Hegamin, Crawford Ker, Tim Seder, Eric Bjornson, the Hambrick Brothers, and the seemingly endless train of smallish but quick linebackers ushered in and out under Jimmy Johnson until Parcells stopped that foolishness and brought in faster defensive linemen to be linebackers. But good and bad, these are the memories I have as a football fan and a Cowboys fan in particular. Strip away the marketing, the hype, and the instant gratification that marks our society and our love of football will be there, like Ray Nitschke standing with quiet, steely resolve in the mud awaiting the next paly. Because, if you're like me, you have experienced pride or dejection, unbridled joy and crippling grief from your favorite team over the years and these emotions are what shape you as a football fan.



So by now after St Patricks' Day (also known as the middle of March), the quiet solitude of February has given way and the echoing verve of April and May increases. The month off after the Super Bowl has provided sufficient respite to build up a healthy jonesin' for football, then get ready for the draft. Whom has your team signed - how may this affect their draft strategies? What overall picks (the 7th, 40th, 67th, etc., not just "a first, second, and third rounder, etc.)? Are your team's scouts going to any pro days? Check out mock drafts online. Try one yourself.



Oh - don't forget to get your brackets ready.

You Know It's Time When . . .

I was watching the NFL Network last night and knew it was time to reprioritize my TV time when they brought in Dhani Jones to "tackle the globe". When the heck did Dhani Jones get to tackle the globe? He can't even tackle Lamont Jordan, who is about the size of the southern hemisphere. I know Dhani was the advance man to Al Gore (advance meaning he showed up first and saved a seat for Al at the 7:30 show of An Inconvenient Truth) and is a big green advocate (oddly doesn't want to play for the Jets though he did play for the Eagles) but he has his own TV show on the Travel Channel.

So I switched over to the BC-Duke game and watched a Duke take a 9-0 run. A little better than Dhani but not much I suppose.

Free Agency and the Draft

It's two weeks into free agency and about 40 days to the draft. As teams anticipate a capless year, there will be extra scrutiny, or at least there should be, to pre-draft preparation. Teams that have top five draft picks should pay extra attention to the deals they're going to be shelling out; they will have to negotiate their rookie's salary carefully to give navigating room in 2010. The scenario I have in mind is the Detroit Lions who have to choose between Mattthew Stafford and Jason Smith or trading out. The Lions aren't typically free spenders so trading down and targeting one of the other first round-caliber tackles (Michael Oher, William Beatty, or Eben Britton) is an option especially as it would give the Lions extra picks and right now they need all the impact players (i.e., starters) they can get.

The other question is how accurately do free agent moves foreshadow draft intentions? Seattle needs receiver help badly (well, receivers whose knee cartilege can stand up to grass) and even though they signed TJ Houshmandzadeh, is that really addressing the need? Perhaps. Many mocks missed the fact that Seattle's offensive line evaporated last year. Injuries and age caught up to them. An OT would be a much nicer fit and it's amazing how you QB plays better from the upright position.

Dallas needs a safety and made room for one by cutting Roy Williams. However, they signed Gerald Sensabaugh formerly of Jacksonville this week. Sensabaugh is a good talent and appears much more comfortable playing safety than Roy Williams did and plus he played ST well for new ST coordinator Joe DeCamillis. Many mock drafts (mine included) had Dallas getting nice value with the 51st overall pick from a safety - Patrick Chung or William Moore perhaps. If I were Dallas, I'd go with either one if one was available at 51. Sensabaugh gives them 6 safeties on the roster (what they had at the end of 2008). I would like them to cut Ken Hamlin. There is a projected run on safeties in the second round, but I have to think someone - Chung, Moore, maybe Rashad Johnson - would be around. Maybe Dallas will luck out then and get somebody like Phil Loadholt, an OT who could also go to G if he's not quick enough.

I like Dallas' moves in the offseason - first addition by subtraction (Pacman, Tank Johnson, then TO) and then quality moves that made sense: trading for Jon Kitna, signing Keith Brooking, and signing Igor Olshansky. On the surface they traded a starting CB for a 35 year old backup QB, but Anthony Henry shouldn't have been starting last year. Against the Ravens he was dominated by Derrick Mason who had one arm. Seriously. Olshansky is a great fit in the Dallas 30 front. They won't lose much compared to Canty. Keith Brooking is a younger version of Zach Thomas (3 years) minus the migranes. Brooking can be exposed in coverage, true, but so can your mom. Brooking brings leadership and is a lunch pail kind of player and that is what Dallas needs now.

Speaking of safeties, the Eagles lost both Brian Dawkins and Sean Considine go in free agency and added Sean Jones and Rashad Baker over the last few days. Looks like they won't go after a safety in the second round, they will probably take a flier on one later. Even though they signed Stacy Andrews from the Bengals, they will go for an OT having dropped both starters from last year and are shopping Winston Justice on Craig's List.

Cleveland under ManKok has signed as many Jets as possible. However at five overall most mocks have them going for Malcolm Jenkins (I do) or Brian Orakpo (too inconsistent for the 5th overall but Mangini bit on workout warrior Vernon Ghoulston). Do the Browns go for another defensive player? They have no pressing OL needs and taking Crabtree might make sense if they traded Braylon Edwards instead of giving an honorable discharge to KWII. Do they keep going defense? I'd like to see them add franchise back; Jamaul Lewis is a very old 30 years and they have some nice guys who can get a few touches but they need somebody to pound the rock behind that OL.

Likewise, Tennessee needs a receiver badly. They haven't had any reliable receiver since Derrick Mason left. Two Derrick Mason references in one post, odd. Anyway, I have them taking a receiver in the first round or an OL, thinking how they couldn't do didley poo against the Ravens without Kevin Mawae. They signed Nate Washington (and there was much rejoicing), do they go back to the well in the draft? At the back end of the first round, I don't see too much greatness out there for receivers - Kenny Britt from Rutgers, Hakeem Nix, Mohammed Mossaqoui are all nice players but I'm not sure any of them are really exciting anybody too much. Plus, I'm not sure I trust any QB on their roster to relaibly get them the ball.

We've got a ways to go, and here are the teams I think have done the best and moves I like the most:

1. New England. Really like the Cassel and Vrabel trade. Signing Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden helps their secondary. Chris Baker is a quietly productive TE. He shouldn't have to come off the field on third downs but with the Pats offense, you never know.
2. New York Giants. An embarrassment of riches on the DL though the amount of money they paid Chris Canty is a little astounding to a 30 end moving inside the play tackle. Canty had very good games against the Giants, so maybe that's why. Michael Boley is a nice LB addition and Rocky Bernard is a great signing. Maybe they deal some DL depth on draft day for more picks?
3. Houston. Getting a fourth rounder for Sage Rosenfels (who's not bad, but he finds new ways to lose every week) and signing Antonio Smith from Arizona are great moves. Again, John McLain from the Houston Chronicle says Houston will draft a DL in the first round bu they would be better served with a running back to pair with Steve Slaton. I criticize Sage Rosenfels with one sentence and then praise the signing of Dan Orlovsky with the other. I don't know; Rosenfels is all he's going to be. Orlovsky has some room to develop. Kubiak better coach him up because Matt Schaub is like Glass Joe from Mike Tyson's Punchout.
4. Miami. If only for signing Gibril Wilson to pair with Yeremiah Bell. Should be fun to watch AFC East battles.
5. NYJ. Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard. It's early, but I'm believing in RexBall already. Get ready for some violent football.
6. WAS. It's a lot of money to shell out to Prince Albert and Deangelo Hall, but Haynesworth should change everything for the defense. They have a solid secondary and if Haynesworth produces even close to 2008 levels. then they are very good next year.

Teams about which I have some questions:

1. Denver. The way the bungled the Jay Cutler no-trade aside, I don't get why they sign a bunch of running backs who couldn't start for other teams when they have a bunch of guys that couldn't start for the Broncos in 2008. McDaniels should give Peyton Hillis more PT. He is a football player. Assuming his knee works next year. JJ Arrington will be a return specialist but those guys are nice to have but not a necessity. I like the Chris Simms signing. Why was he a free agent for so long? The Jabar Gaffney and Lonie Paxton (former NE LS) signinings were weird security blanket signings for the new coach.
2. DAL. I want to like their moves but I am still counting the Roy Williams deal against them. The 20th overall pick would be nice - they could take a WR if one fell to them (Percy Harvin would be intruiging) or draft a nice young linebacker like James Laurinitis. But now they are hanging out and I won't get to see whom Dallas takes until probably 4 PM Sunday the 26th. The draft starts at 12 or 1 on Saturday the 25th. Which is ok because the 25th is my son's birthday and I won't be watching the draft anyway.
3. Tampa Bay. Sure you sign Derrick Ward, franchise Antonio Bryant, and trade for KWII (a second rounder and a pick next year) but what good does that do when you have one of the Flying McCown Brothers (Luke, maybe Josh, who can tell?) under center. I would take Sage over both of those guys.

I'm back

For a while, there was Ray Ray. Now, Ray Ray's playah days are over, long over, and now he's a scout, stuck on the couch. The knees are creaky, the back is achy, and moves are gone. But that's ok; life progresses and either you evolve into the next phase or you don't.

Now on Sundays and Monday - and every day after that thanks to ESPN carrying college games every other day of the week - I take in as much football as possible. Ten, twelve hours a day aren't enough but it's about as much as my eyes can take.

So come back often my musings and insights for football fans.