2008 NFL Mock Draft 1-6

NFL Draft season is a few very short months away, despite the fact that it's a leap year. And I'm sure many of you out there are wondering just where we think your favorite players are going to land. So, since we don't know exactly who's coming out, who did what at the combine, and what the draft order is I'm going to go very slow so I don't have to eat too many of my own words. So I have today's top 6 picks. It is important to note draft positions 3, 4, and 5 are depending on a coin toss to be done in February, so this could all change in a month.

Fins – Miami still has Jon Beck and Trent Green, I would assume they’re gonna try at least one more year before making another QB run. I feel like if you’re in the position you can use help in pretty much every position. Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas are getting old. I think they’re gonna need to take the best player available and in my opinion that player is LSU’s Glenn Dorsey.

The Lou – I also think that what I think about Miami easily could be said for the St. Louis Rams. Dorsey will most likely be off of the board (barring trades or something else of that nature) so you gotta think who’s the next best player available. Once again, in my opinion, the 2nd best available also happens to be the 2nd best Defensive player in the draft and the 2nd best DLineman in the draft. Howie’s son Chris. He has (warning way overused draftday term) tremendous upside and potential. He’s a little thin but bulk can be easily added and you know he has the genetics for it (look at Howie). There is also potential for him to be the reverse Urlacher with the same result. Instead of bulking up and moving up a weight-class, Long could potentially drop down a class and play some OLB in the NFL.

ATL – Atlanta's pick will be made most likely by their new coach signifying where the future of this program is. There are a few solid picks to make here for Atlanta with an aging veteran line-up and a lack of a pro bowler. I love Warrick Dunn but he’s going into his 12th NFL season. That’s a lot of miles for a Running back, especially the featured back in a run first offense like Atlanta has used over the years (2006 = Vick = bad passer, 2007 = no Vick = no QB). I wouldn’t mind seeing Warrick get a little help here in the backfield and possibly in the form of Razorback Darren McFadden, saying he goes to the draft which most people are suggesting. Of course this is the pick that has the most opportunity to change of the first 3. Atlanta needs a QB too and Brian Brohm, Matt Ryan, and Andre Woodson could be good pro QBs. If they can address the QB position in the off season and McFadden comes out this should be a lock, but if there’s still a QB question in the air, this one could surprise many.

Raider Nation – Next season will be JaMarcus’ first full season for Oakland after selfishly holding out for half of the 2007 season he will finally get a chance to learn to O and show whether or not he can run it. He has the potential, especially after sitting out his rookie season to be a HUGE bust in the NFL. I for one HAD nothing against him, but I hope Karma bites him in the ass and he fails due to his selfish nature. Too bad for Oakland. But back to the draft. QB looks to be in pretty good control, for now, with JaMarcus and Daunte Culpepper so Oakland can address any one of it’s lacking areas. There are 3 picks that easily make sense here and to no one’s surprise they’re all on defense. Warren Sapp has announced his plans on retiring and though he hasn’t been his old Pro Bowl form since leaving Tampa he will be missed. Buckeye End Vernon Gholston could be a good pass rushing fit here to help out the line, but if you’re looking to replace Sapp, Trojan Tackle Sedrick Ellis makes a little more sense. There is an outside chance that Buckeye Laurinaitis might skip his senior year but I think the Tigers left a bad taste in his mouth and will want some redemption making him unavailable.

KC – I think it’s down to 2 picks for the Chiefs right here. Either stick with the Croyle/Huard melodrama that’s been unfolding since Trent Green’s injury in the 2006 season and hope one of them finally pans out meaning that a QB is not needed or go for the revival and bring in one of the aforementioned QBs. This could weigh a lot on what Atlanta does with their pick. Also This pick could be appealing to some for trade purposes, especially if Brohm, Ryan, and Woodson are all still available. Saying that they don’t trade the pick it’s either Matt Ryan or some protection in the form of Michigan Monster Jake not Howie’s son Long. Tentatively I’m going to say Kansas City will be going Jake Long because I definitely think that would make the most sense for them.

J-E-T-S - I think the team from Jersey will (depending on how things fall in front of them) take the first QB of the draft. Matt Ryan could be heading to New York in place of Chad Pennington. I think it's actually very smart and lucky pick for the Jets if Ryan slips this far in the draft. It will also be interesting to see how Ryan plays pro ball. That will be one of the things I'm most interested in following as this year's crop of Juniors and Seniors takes to the NFL. This pick has major potential for the Jets, especially if Brohm and Ryan are coming into the draft at pretty similar projection as far as NFL impact and both are still available. New England (7), Cincinatti (9), and New Orleans (10) don't look to be needing new QBs and Baltimore (8) could take it's pick between Ryan and Brohm. The Jets could potentially trade this one away and pick up a few helpful players/picks and still have a chance to get the leftover of Ryan/Brohm or possible Woodson later and gain some much needed help in other areas or picks. Of course if Ryan or Brohm go earlier anywhere else, or one of the 3 top QBs falters in the months to come/combine, it might be safe to use the pick there, in which case if Ryan is still on the board, that's the pick. If he went earlier then most likely it's Brohm.

And before you say anything, yes I know. I have 4 Linemen in my top 5 picks and no quarterbacks in what could be a strong NFL QB class. I feel that these are the positions that a team must build around. Your QB can be the 2nd coming of Marino, but if he's getting sacked before he gets in his dropback it doesn't matter much. Same holds true for a running back. He could be the next Barry Sanders but if there aren't any holes to hit, his career and numbers will fall short of expectations. And if you don't have a solid defensive line then your linebackers will get eaten alive and your defense will give up 35 pts a game. It's the way of the game, and if you think I'm wrong, then make your site and tell me why you think Brohm, Ryan, McFadden will go 1, 2, 3. I'm not saying my picks are what will happen, I'm saying they're what should happen.

Continue here for picks 7-12. I will continually update these at least once per week.

UPDATE: after some more research, and James Laurinaitis deciding to stay, picks 1-13 have been updated here at 1-13 version 2.0.

Don't forget to keep up with the draft action with picks 14-20.

Finally an updated 1-31 for the 2008 NFL Draft

More after the jump...

You are One Pathetic Loser

With all the talk recently about how great Boston is as a sports city right now, and being a Chicago fan who is close friends with Cleveland fan, it’s time to show 4 teams from the top 5 losing cities of the last 10 years. (MLB seasons of 1998-2007, NBA, NFL, NHL, seasons of 1997/98-20006/07). There is a chance that there is a city that has more of a losing tradition, if that is the case please let me know. I tried to pick cities with teams in all 4 major sports. Of course, as you’ll notice, there are some stretches the Columbus Blue Jackets being included for Cleveland Hockey, the Florida Panthers and Marlins representing Miami since they both are based in Miami, I think. As for Minnesota, all of the teams are named after the state but again operate out of Minneapolis, I think. And I picked the Cubs for Chicago rather than the White Sox. Buffalo is not included because the Sabres have been decent at times, and there are no other Buffalo teams other than the Bills. I could put the Knicks in there and then pick between the Mets and the Yankees, but neither team is really even near Buffalo, plus New York has professional football and Hockey teams that would make more sense. I thought about including New York but the Yankees seriously destroyed the cities chances in the late 90s. Please let me know if you think that I have made any mistakes with that said, here are the 5 worst cities, in order from worst to best (of the bottom).

Cleveland, Ohio: Home of the Browns, Blue Jackets, Cavaliers, and Indians. Their Total Losing score (which will be explained later) a whopping 229.5. Taking home the worst of the worst, which though a terrible thing to be known for, is also actually a mark for True fans to say look at how bad we are, and I still pay to go to games. I still root with passion. Unfortunately next year when this list is accumulated, I think Clevleland might be replaced by one of the teams lower on the list that is quickly on the rise.

Chicago, Illinois: Home of the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, and birthplace of most of the US soil Domschke's. Their Total Losing Score a respectable 205.8. Last years Super Bowl run and the 1997-98 NBA Championship keeping them from the top spot, which they should take over next year with the Bears and Bulls keeping alive at the bottom of their respected divisions right now.

Phoenix, Arizona: Home of the Cardinals, Coyotes, Suns, and D-Backs. Their Total Losing Score 172.2. The Cardinals (69.2) and Coyotes (51.9) really did their part to bring down the city but unfortunately for them the Suns have had success, sans title, and the D-Backs have had moderate success with a title.

Minneapolis, Minnesota: Home of the Vikings, Wild, Timberwolves, and Twins. Their Total Losing Score 163.2. It could be a lot higher had it not been for the Moss years for the Nordics, and Garnett’s ability to lead his team to first round playoff losses and 3rd place finishes in the NBA. If I had included this year, the Wolves record would definitely bring down the Minnesota total. Yet another city that could be gunning for the top spot, but the Vikings are Wild Card elligible right now.

Miami, Florida: Home of the Dolphins, Panthers, Heat, and Marlins. Their Total Losing Score a dismal 145.9. Again if we used this seasons numbers they would be much higher with the Dolphins and the Heat both last in their respectable divisions. Unfortunately for Miami the Heat were a playoff team almost every year in a weak conference and they won the title a couple years back.

A Brief overview of the process.

Without getting too in depth I took the overall regular season and playoff records as well as season finishes of each of these teams over the last 10 complete seasons. Successes were subtracted from the total and Failures were added to ensure the highest number at the end was the worst. From there I devised a simple formula and plugged away. Also, as far as hockey is concerned, since we had expansion teams, strike seasons, and rule changes as far as ties and overtime losses. Because of this for the hockey losing percentage it is only counting games with an end result, ties are not included in the final tally (since that is the way that hockey plays the game now). Also, overtime losses are considered losses. So to clear this up we'll take the Blackhawks 10 year record of 269-345-80-44, subtract the ties (80) completely, and add the Overtime losses (44) to the total losses (345). From there the record stands at 269-389. I divided 389 losses by the 658 total games with a decision. And the total was .591, their losing percentage. The formula took all things into consideration.

(Losing Percentage x 100) – (Playoff Appearances) + (Last Place Finishes) – (Championships x 10) – (1st Place Finishes) – (Playoff Series Wins) + (Seasons Not Played x .5) – (Championship Appearances)

And yes, Championships x 10, because if you win it all, that's the opposite of being a losing city. Perhaps that will be adjusted if I get enough complaints.

To Plug in Numbers to show how this works we’ll use the Browns (the highest Total Losing Score of all teams):

(.687 x 100) – (0) + (5) – (0 x 10) – (0) – (0) + (2 x .5) – (0) =
68.7 + 5 +1 = 74.7

Another example, the Heat, the lowest Total Losing Score:

(.431 x 100) – (8) + (0) – (1 x 10) – (6) – (8) + (0 x .5) – (1) =
43.1 – 8 – 10 – 6 – 8 – 1 = 10.1

The Following are the Total Losing Scores for Each Team Involved out of the Maximum 110 (10 straight winless seasons and last place finshes):
Browns: 74.7
Blue Jackets: 68.5
Cavaliers: 49.1
Indians: 37.2
Bears: 51
Blackhawks: 60.6
Bulls: 45.6
Cubs: 48.6
Cardinals: 69.2
Coyotes: 51.9
Suns: 22
D-Backs: 28.5
Vikings: 33
Wild: 53.2
Timberwolves: 34.8
Twins: 42.2
Dolphins: 36
Panthers: 58.6

Heat: 10.1
Marlins: 41.2

I guess It's true what they say. Cleveland really is the Mistake by the Mi-lake...for now. And I just gotta throw in the new Cleveland motto...Believe-land.

More after the jump...

Bill Parcells to Hotlanta Update - Parcells saying Miami

Just informed - Bill Parcells decided to not go to the Falcons. He decided not to join the Arthur Blank in Hotlanta and decided to continue talks with Miami who first contacted him almost 10 days ago. I guess that things in Florida as opposed to Georgia. What do the Falcons have to do to get someone to agree to any jobs in their franchise? Blank has been swinging for the fences going after Cowher and Parcells but striking out twice now. Do we have a new hopeful for a winless team next year in the Falcons? One can only hope.
More after the jump...

NFL Weekend Wrap-up

The NFL had all but faded away in the big picture of sports. Few cared about the professional gridiron with everything else going on. The college football season that was (upsets, ever changing polls, bowl season for many) and the college football season that wasn’t (Hawai’i, among a few other programs being shafted in the championship picture, Michigan losing it’s first 2 games after being a preseason #5). The Mitchell investigation stealing time away from the NFL stories on many a radio, internet, ESPN, and blog posting. Tiger being the best in the game, again. So many sports stories taking the front page, a lot forgot about America’s true past-time. And then this weekend happened.

1) The Miami Dolphins win, ending they’re stretch at the most futile team to step on the turf. The game winning TD in overtime against the Ravens, a 64 yard TD pass to Greg Carmarillo. His 4th career reception came at a very opportune time for the Fins. They managed not only to avoid the 0-fer mark but they also managed to squeak out a win in the 14th game, so as not to tie the previous mark of 0-14 by the 76 Bucs. Did I mention that this win came at the hands of the Ravens team who 2 weeks ago almost, and could have beat the Patriots if not for a few stupid penalties. My personal favorite quote from the affair came from the former Fins DE Jim Mandich, in attendance with most of the rest of the ’72 Fins celebrating their 25th anniversary of the season, "One-and-15, is just another forgotten, bad season… you had the perfect-season Miami Dolphins, and the fear in the back of your head that it could be the win-less Miami Dolphins in the same building, was something I didn't want to talk about for a long time.” Pretty much summing up the fact that his ’72 team was incredible, and that this team was destined to lose the next two, the winner of 2007’s backhanded compliment award. If only the Ravens could have pulled out that win 2 weeks ago, even more glaring. They could have been responsible for ending both perfect seasons.

2) The Jacksonville Jaguars are 10-4 after a good victory over the once mighty Steelers (0-2 in the last 2) and primed to make a strong playoff push in the increasingly comparable AFC. Who saw that at the start of the season? I’ve always thought Del Rio would be able to do something there, it looks like he’s finally doing something right.

3) The Cleveland Browns. Now 9-5 after an 8-0 whooping of Buffalo in a winter wonderland, play the Bungles and the Niners, pretty much ensuring their second playoff appearance since they re-entered the league. You have to cheer for this Browns team. Destined to mediocrity over the last few years, and starting as an expansion team with a storied history not too long ago. The only downside is how this team will falter in the playoffs. I think this would be the best story if they could pull off a Super Bowl win after all that has gone wrong in Cleveland over the last 25 years, but history is not on their side. If you look at major accomplishments over the last quarter of a century featuring a team from Cleveland, they are usually involved on the right side of the post-game column.

4) The fourteenth game of the century this season, once again featuring the Patriots, in the epic battle of Man-genius vs. the Hoodie. In what many thought was going to be the biggest blowout since the forward pass was invented (it opened in Vegas at 27.5) the Pats pulled out a simple 20-10 victory. And Embattled Chad Pennington actually outplayed the GQ Cover Boy Tom Brady.

5) Carolina beat Seattle, further confusing everything in NFC playoff picture, under the apparently competent arm of Matt Moore (official ESPN.com picture at right), their 4th starting QB of the season. The undrafted Free Agent completed 19 passes for 208 yards and no INTs. Is this the next Tony Romo? Probably not but if it is I get credit for calling it first.

6) Jon Kitna might need to ask for a little more help from the Guy Upstairs. The Lions, who tricked many after the 6-2 start to the season, have returned to the real Matt Millen era Lions we all know and love after losing the last 6, most recently to the Bolts 51-14.

7) Bromo needs to stop bringing girls to the game to watch him. With the gorgeous Jessica sitting in a suite upstairs in her pink Number 9 jersey, Bromo put on a show with 0 TDs and 3 Picks in Dallas’ second loss of the season. In last year’s December Philly game in Dallas when Carrie Underwood was in attendance, Romo’s boys lost and he posted a sub 50 QB rating. This year, same game, new gal-pal, the star of Blonde Ambition hitting the shelves at the Hollywood Video near you, Romo posted a career low 22.2 rating. In those two games combined he’s 27 for 65 for 356 yds 1 TD and 5 picks. Stop playing the Eagles in December at home. Stop bringing your blonde, singer girlfriends to the game. Stop throwing picks. Although I didn’t mind the camera flashing on either one of them repeatedly.

That’s a quick overview of this weekends NFL action and now you’re all caught up ready for post season action. Bears V. Nordics tonight, Orton is starting. Are you ready for some football? Stay tuned for a more in depth breakdown of the dismal Cleveland luck of recent years. If I don’t get to it sometime soon, I’m sure 4 Real might make a guest appearance to put one up.

More after the jump...

Why Being Really Lonely Is Sometimes Super Awesome

Well, that's not exactly true but I find that quote from that show so funny I decided to make it the title for an article. And with that some quick hits:

Alone...

...On a Thursday night in an important football game THE University of Arizona Kitty Kats vs Oregon Ducks, all the spotlights are on them. F*&K the Ducks. Don't overlook U of A on this one. Here in the Stoops era the Cats have been very VERY inconsistent, and it seems like they never win when they're supposed to, on the flip side to that they have a habit of winning big when they're not supposed to. Don't get me wrong, I don't really foresee my beloved Kitty Kats taking down the Number 2 team in the country led by Heisman Candidate Dennis Dixon, but our boys know when to show up big for big games. Yeah Stoops record over the last 4 years (12-22) is not the greatest. But upon closer inspection:
2004, His first season defeats #20 ASU
2005, Defeats #7 UCLA 52-14 in a seriously impressive win (as I have mentioned before, great game)
2006, An impressive upset of #8 Cal (as well as a victory @ #25 Wazzu)
These all share a few characteristics:
Ranked Opponent: #20, #7, #8
Huge Games: Rivalry game, Homecoming, Homecoming
Where: Home, Home, Home
TV: Yes, Yes, Yes
Lets look at tonight's game:
Ranked Opponent: Check, #2
Huge game: Check, Big Thursday Night Game
Where: Check, Home
TV: Check, ESPN

And let's not forget Oregon is # 74 in Total Defense allowing over 400 ypg (yards per game) and over 5.4 ypp (yards per play) and they're 105th against the pass allowing almost 13 yards per completion and almost 270 ypg. Meanwhile in lowly Tucson, the Kitty Kats are 9th in the Nation in Passing offense averaging 316 ypg in the air. If the Arizona Defense led by Spencer Larson and Antoine Cason can shut down Dixon and Jonathon Stewart at all, they have a serious chance. Plus Arizona's passing attack centers on a couple of deep bombs to break up the Defense and short passes meaning serious Time Possession, limiting Oregon's time with the Ball will work out for Arizona.
By no means am I guaranteeing an upset, but it wouldn't be the first time Stoops Troops made some noise on the big stage.

Alone...

...at the bottom of the Eastern Central Division, the Chicago Bulls. It's time to make some noise and move up. No more trade talks, it's time boys you always start slow, well now's the time for that yearly push. Not likely though seeing that they are beginning their tumultuous November Road Stretch.

Alone...

...at the bottom of the NFL, The Miami Dolphins, really pushing for the 0-16, Running the table in the opposite direction, something many of us have been waiting a long time for, we just need a little help from a few teams (the Pats losing, and everyone else beating the Fish) and The Dolphins will not only have the only undefeated team in NFL history but on its' historic 25th Anniversary, they will have the only 0-16 team ever.

Alone...
...Atop the NBA the Boston Garnetts. This team is incredible. Three stars forming together at the perfect time for some outrageous chemistry and selflessness leaving them to dominate everyone else. I knew this team was going to be good, but not this good. And I have always liked Garnett so good for him. On a sidenote my early pick for GM of the year...not Danny Ainge who picked up Garnett and Allen to forge this unholy union, but other Former (and possibly current) Celtic, Minnesota GM Kevin McHale for guaranteeing a successful Celtics team with that trade. How did he let that deal happen. I know what he was thinking, I can take a job in Minnesota, sit around for a few years and the *BAM* ship my best player to the Celtics. I half expect to walk into his office and see a complete replica of the Parkay floors and Celtic Green everywhere. He's like Sting, everyone thinks he's joining the NWO then *BAM* hits Nash (or was it Hall) with a bat and stays a good guy.

Alone...
...at work. I just heard Star Wars Yoda impersonations between two of the guys I work with. Having a conversation. Why do I work at a software company. I'm the only one here under 30. I hate this place.

Alone...
...in the thought that Colt Brennan is not overrated and unfortunately plays for an underrated Hawaii team. This guy is a class act and will be a good pro quarterback in a pass first offense. Expect him to make some waves on Sundays.

Alone...
...in the thought that Reality TV needs to go bye-bye, especially the Dating shows. These people aren't looking for love. There is what one successful one out of all the Bachelor/Bachelorette/Flavor of Love/I Love New York/Joe Millionaire, etc shows. These people are looking for fame, and shame on you, America, for giving it to them.

Alone...
...at the bottom of their storied tradition, Notre Dame, playing for it's second win of the season, and it's not week 3 or 4. There are rebuilding years and there are tear it down, play somewhere else for a year and come back years. This is the latter, everyone knew it was going to happen, but who would have guessed they were going to lose 2 to the service academies. The fact that GaTech (6-4, 3-4) was ranked #21 after beating them and that team hasn't really impressed again all season, and really didn't deserve to be 21st, and especially didn't deserve to be 15th after defeating Samford to go 2-0.

I guess being lonely sometimes is Super Awesome (Pats, Celts, and hopefully another Huge Upset at Arizona Stadium tonight). As Always GO CATS!!
More after the jump...