Sweeney Murti is reporting that Ian Kennedy, not Kei Igawa, will make the start on Thursday. Kennedy was unhittable in his one start at AAA Scranton, and he is by far the most appealing option. Igawa was average in AAA, and other options are similarly unappealing. The two best options on the 40 man roster are Chase Wright and Jeff Karstens, and Karstens isn't ready to pitch yet. Wright is a legitimate option, but he's still probably not ready for major league action again. Kennedy pitched well last season, and 7.1 innings of 1 hit ball with 8 strikeouts in his one AAA start is enough proof to show that he's the best option available. Options off the 40 man roster include Jeff Marquez, Dan Giese, Steven Wright, and Dan McCutcheon, but none of them are as talented or as ready for the majors as Kennedy. The Yankees had planned on using Kennedy as their 4th or 5th starter this season, and he did pitch in the majors last season, so they are not rushing him. This was part of his development, and the team hopes he can return to being the pitcher they hoped he would be. In short, he's the best option short-term and long-term for the Yankees' plans. Darrell Rasner will now start on Friday against the Mets.
Moving on to the NBA, game 4 of Boston and Cleveland tonight. A lot is on the line tonight. Boston wants to shut the naysayers up by proving they can win a playoff game on the road. I thought that criticism was ridiculous heading into this series, as Boston was 31-10 on the road in the regular season, but the Cavaliers blew them off the court on Saturday. Another win for Cleveland tonight, and the theory that Boston can't win on the road will gain even more steam. Cleveland isn't nearly as great a team as Boston, but they are dangerous. They have a superstar who can simply will his team to victory (just ask Detroit), a couple of three point snipers, and a big man who can score. They also play very good team defense. If they win tonight, which they very well might, LeBron James has the ability to steal a game on the road almost by himself. While he is under intense pressure to perform at a higher level than he has been, Boston is under much more pressure to win a game on the road. Sure, they can technically win the championship without winning a road game, but it would be much easier for them if they could get that monkey off their back now. The competition will only get better from here.
Mike D'Antoni (not D'Antonio) is the new head coach of the Knicks. A lot of people are criticizing the move on both the Knicks and D'Antoni's parts, but I don't really understand. Reports have said that D'Antoni and Jerry Reinsdorf did not get along, and combining that with the unwillingness of Chicago to pony up as much money as New York did, I can't blame him. He has absolutely no pressure, and he'll be making a boatload of money. From New York's side, he was the best coach available, and he plays a more exciting up-tempo style which will at least be fun to watch. The fans will take that, as long as Isiah's gone.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
The end of Kei Igawa?
With the struggles of Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, the Yankees had every right to give someone else a chance to start. Last season the Yankees gave the Hanshin Tigers $26 million dollars for the privelege to negotiate with Kei Igawa. "Shades" was terrible last season, as he allowed a lot of fly balls, a lot of walks, and all the while he didn't miss enough bats. But with Alan Horne and Humberto Sanchez still recovering from injuries, it made sense to give Igawa another start. After all, if they could get anything from that investment, they would be happy. Given that Igawa is a lefty, there is all the more reason to give him every chance to succeed.
But Friday may have been his last chance. Igawa had been having mild success in AAA, but none of that translated back to the majors. The Detroit Tigers had 11 hits in just 3 innings of work off Igawa. He had better control than expected, except for his still awfully wild off-speed pitches, but he had no strikeouts and the Tigers tagged him.
Manager Joe Girardi said the plan is for Igawa to make his next start Wednesday in Tampa, but that plan (hopefully) can change. That leads to the question of who else would start. Dan McCutcheon has been thought of as a possible reliever candidate later this season, but he may be able to help more as a starter now. Steven White has been around for a while. He throws pretty hard, but he didn't seem to impress as much this spring. Chase Wright can come back, too, but he showed he wasn't ready last season. He has pitched pretty well so far this season, but he still needs some more time to tune up. Jeff Karstens is the other main option, but he isn't ready to come back from his injury...
And speaking of injuries, wasn't it about time that another Yankee got hurt? Welcome to the disabled list, Jonathan Albaladejo! Alby hurt his elbow Friday, and early reports have not been very positive. Chris Britton is staying on the roster. This is the second time he has been sent down only to be called up the very next day due to an injury. Britton was bounced around all last season and seemingly denied a shot, and this year, it hasn't been any different. They traded Jaret Wright for him, and while I'm sure the managers do not like his wright, the guy has pitched pretty well when given a chance. Maybe with all these injuries, we can finally be forced to see what he can do. Maybe all those Yankees fans clamoring for Britton will finally get to see their hero in action. I like Britton, but we'll see. It's still likely that he's a placeholder until they feel someone else is ready. We will likely see more of Edwar Ramirez, who has yet to allow a run in his first four appearances this season. He showed flashes of brilliance interspersed with many walks and home runs. When he was on, his devastating changeup fooled hitters into many swings and misses. He has more potential to improve than anyone in the bullpen. Just look at how thin he is...
But Friday may have been his last chance. Igawa had been having mild success in AAA, but none of that translated back to the majors. The Detroit Tigers had 11 hits in just 3 innings of work off Igawa. He had better control than expected, except for his still awfully wild off-speed pitches, but he had no strikeouts and the Tigers tagged him.
Manager Joe Girardi said the plan is for Igawa to make his next start Wednesday in Tampa, but that plan (hopefully) can change. That leads to the question of who else would start. Dan McCutcheon has been thought of as a possible reliever candidate later this season, but he may be able to help more as a starter now. Steven White has been around for a while. He throws pretty hard, but he didn't seem to impress as much this spring. Chase Wright can come back, too, but he showed he wasn't ready last season. He has pitched pretty well so far this season, but he still needs some more time to tune up. Jeff Karstens is the other main option, but he isn't ready to come back from his injury...
And speaking of injuries, wasn't it about time that another Yankee got hurt? Welcome to the disabled list, Jonathan Albaladejo! Alby hurt his elbow Friday, and early reports have not been very positive. Chris Britton is staying on the roster. This is the second time he has been sent down only to be called up the very next day due to an injury. Britton was bounced around all last season and seemingly denied a shot, and this year, it hasn't been any different. They traded Jaret Wright for him, and while I'm sure the managers do not like his wright, the guy has pitched pretty well when given a chance. Maybe with all these injuries, we can finally be forced to see what he can do. Maybe all those Yankees fans clamoring for Britton will finally get to see their hero in action. I like Britton, but we'll see. It's still likely that he's a placeholder until they feel someone else is ready. We will likely see more of Edwar Ramirez, who has yet to allow a run in his first four appearances this season. He showed flashes of brilliance interspersed with many walks and home runs. When he was on, his devastating changeup fooled hitters into many swings and misses. He has more potential to improve than anyone in the bullpen. Just look at how thin he is...
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Quick update
Sorry that I haven't been quite on top of this as I would like to be. Exams this week at school along with a few other things can take up a lot of time. I finished up the NFL Draft first round preview yesterday, soon I will discuss all the Jets picks, and not to give that away, but I like pretty much all of the players selected, but there isn't one pick I can point to, and say it was a steal. A lot of the players have some boom/bust potential, but most of those players are hard workers, and I will take a team of guys who work hard and have a lot of potential to get better. That seems like a good combination for me.
I'll give updates on the Yankees in my next post. As I type, the Yankees lead Seattle 1-0 in the 2nd inning, with Mike Mussina on the mound against Felix Hernandez. I have been highly critical of the Moose, but 2 innings of no hit ball so far for him. With Hughes out until likely July and Kennedy struggling mightily, the Yankees need someone else besides Chien-Ming Wang (who is unbelievable with that slider) and Andy Pettitte to step up. Mussina is like a car whose gas light just came on. You know you've reached close to the end of the line, but you can still squeeze it out for some more miles. Right now, the Yankees are doing that with Mussina. With an 85 mph fastball, Moose is running on fumes, but he's trying to prove that you can't count him out.
I'll give updates on the Yankees in my next post. As I type, the Yankees lead Seattle 1-0 in the 2nd inning, with Mike Mussina on the mound against Felix Hernandez. I have been highly critical of the Moose, but 2 innings of no hit ball so far for him. With Hughes out until likely July and Kennedy struggling mightily, the Yankees need someone else besides Chien-Ming Wang (who is unbelievable with that slider) and Andy Pettitte to step up. Mussina is like a car whose gas light just came on. You know you've reached close to the end of the line, but you can still squeeze it out for some more miles. Right now, the Yankees are doing that with Mussina. With an 85 mph fastball, Moose is running on fumes, but he's trying to prove that you can't count him out.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
NFL Draft Review
Alright, time to review the NFL Draft. First, I'll go pick by pick in the first round with my analysis. Eventually, once the dust settles, I'll review the Jets' draft and their undrafted free agents.
1. Miami - OT Jake Long, Michigan
The least suspenseful pick of the first round (although to be fair, ESPN pretty much gave away the first 4 picks before the draft even started), Long was a great lineman at a school known for producing good linemen. The question remains: can he be an elite left tackle in the NFL? I believe he can be an elite right tackle, but you don't take that position #1 overall. Having said that, he's the safest pick in the draft, and Miami needed OLine help in the worst way, and he's a good fit for Miami.
Grade: B+
2. St. Louis - DE Chris Long, Virginia
He has everything you want from a defensive end. He has the motor, the bloodlines, the production, and the talent to be drafted in the top 5. St. Louis needed defensive line help going into the draft. The question here is whether or not it was worth taking Long over Dorsey. Dorsey was more dominant in college, though Long was fantastic as well. Personally, I would have chosen Dorsey, but Chris Long should be a great pro as well.
Grade: B
3. Atlanta - QB Matt Ryan, Boston College
He has a good enough arm, good enough size, good enough accuracy, and good enough production. The only thing great about his game are his intangibles, but he really doesn't have any negatives to his game besides lack of mobility. Ryan has a great chance to be a good quarterback. Is his upside good enough to warrant the #3 overall pick? Probably not, but Atlanta needed a quarterback badly, and Ryan is the anti-Vick.
Grade: C+
4. Oakland - RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
There is no doubt that Darren McFadden is one of the top 4 talents in the draft. In fact, he's probably the #1 talent. No one blends size, speed, and production like McFadden does, but there are many questions with this pick. With Justin Fargas, Lamont Jordan, and Michael Bush returning from a top 10 rushing attack last year, runningback was far from the top on their list of needs. McFadden also has some off the field issues and major fumbling issues, but the latter can hopefully be corrected. Either way, Glenn Dorsey should have been the pick here.
Grade: C+
5. Kansas City - DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
Carl Peterson and Herman Edwards could not be happier with Dorsey's fall down the draft board to 5th. With Jared Allen gone, the Chiefs need someone else to provide pressure on the quarterback, and Dorsey fills that role perfectly. Herm wanted a disruptive defensive tackle back in 2003 with the Jets with Dewayne Robertson. Five years later with a new team, he finally has his tackle. Dorsey will provide an inside pass rush to go with Tamba Hali from the outside. Best player available here fits their needs, too.
Grade: A
6. New York Jets - DE/OLB Vernon Gholston, Ohio State
This wasn't the Jets' first choice, but as long as one of the Longs, McFadden, or Gholston were available, the Jets were happy. Gholston fits the role of an edge rusher for the 3-4 to a tee. He's better standing up than with his hand down, and he has a lot of what a 3-4 pass rusher needs. He has the production, the size, and the speed, and unlike popular opinion, he is not a workout warrior. His draft stock has been this high for months; his great workout just cemented his stock. And if he does take plays off and he can still set the Ohio State single season sack record, imagine what he can do if a coach can get him to play every down...
Grade: A-
7. New Orleans Saints - DT Sedrick Ellis
The Saints and Ellis had been linked together for a while because New Orleans made it no secret they wanted to trade up. New England was more than happy to oblige, so the Saints get their man. Ellis is a great fit for New Orleans: he fills a glaring hole, and he was the best player available. The Saints considered the drop off between Ellis and the next best defensive tackle to be quite large, and they didn't give up a whole lot to move up. All in all, the Saints did exactly what they needed to do.
Grade: A
8. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Derrick Harvey, Florida
This was by far the most shocking move of the first round. With Matt Ryan gone, Baltimore had no interest in this pick. Jacksonville has desperately wanted a speed rusher for years, and the difference between Harvey and the next best pass rusher was huge. Harvey is pretty fast and has good size. He was also very productive on the college level. Despite all that, was it worth giving up 3 extra picks to move up for him? They could have stayed where they were and taken Lawrence Jackson or Quentin Groves. Harvey is better than both players, but by this much? One interesting quote I read justifying the trade by the Jacksonville front office was that they weren't even sure if 3rd or 4th round picks would have made their team this year. If that's the case, it's more understandable. Harvey has ability and he fits a need, but Jacksonville mortgaged a lot on him, and he'll need to produce.
Grade: C+
9. Cincinatti Bengals - LB Keith Rivers, USC
No doubt about it, Rivers was the best available fit for the Bengals in this spot. They sorely wanted Sedrick Ellis, but they also didn't want to trade up. As a result, the Saints leaped ahead of Cincinatti and grabbed their man. Time will tell if they made the right decision not trading up. With 10 picks in the draft, I would have traded up if I were them. Linebacker was a big need last year, but a tackle like Ellis would go a long way towards fixing that linebacker pick. I like the player, but you can't help but think they could have done more here.
Grade: C
10. New England Patriots - LB Jerrod Mayo, Tennessee
Trading down from the 7th pick was a no brainer. Mayo is a good player and a good fit here, but he's a little undersized and he might have been around a little later. His 40 time really moved him up the draft board to where New England felt if they wanted Mayo, they needed to pull the trigger here. The value isn't very good this high, and he might be a tad undersized for the 3-4. If this pick were 12 picks later, I would give it a great grade. As it is, the poor value downgrades the pick a little. At least they got another 3rd rounder.
Grade: B-
11. Buffalo Bills - CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy
This pick makes a lot of sense for Buffalo. McKelvin replaces Nate Clements who bolted for San Francisco last offseason. He is a phenomenal athlete who adds another great returner to go with Terrence McGee. He's the best cornerback in the draft, and while his ball skills leave a lot to be desired, the rest of his game is very worthy of this pick.
Grade: B+
12. Denver Broncos - OT Ryan Clady, Boise State
Denver needed an offensive tackle, and Clady is the best one available. He's a great fit for the Denver scheme and a very good value at 12. This pick started the run on offensive linemen, but Clady and Branden Albert were clearly the two best linemen available. This is exactly who Denver wanted with this pick, and they got him.
Grade: A
13. Carolina Panthers - RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
He's the 2nd best runningback in the draft, and Carolina has no clear #1 runningback. This selection largely negates the pick of DeAngelo Williams of 2006, but Stewart has everything you want from a runningback. His turf toe injury is a concern, and it is risky taking a back with a pre-existing injury, especially one who suffered through several injuries in college. He's a solid value at this pick, and John Fox has to be happy he could get a runningback, as it is evident that Carolina wants to become a running-oriented team again.
Grade: B
14. Chicago Bears - OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
Chicago obviously did not feel Joe Flacco was worth a pick this high like Baltimore did. Either that or they just viewed offensive line as such a glaring need for them that they would rather fill that. This pick makes a ton of sense for them though. No QB other than Ryan was worth this pick, and their offensive line is old. Williams is still a solid value at this point, as the offensive line run hasn't gotten in full swing yet. He's smart, very athletic, versatile, and a team leader. While he was never as dominant as he should have been in college, those traits hopefully will translate well to the next level with some better coaching.
Grade: B+
15. Kansas City -OG/OT Branden Albert, Virginia
Kansas City was so excited to see Albert dropping this far that they moved up 2 spots to secure him. The heavily considered him at #5 overall, but when Dorsey was there, plans changed. Albert is a steal here, not only because he's top 10 value, but also because at this point, the dropoff continues to grow between offensive linemen. Albert may be the last mid-first round grade quarterback remaining at this point, and he's a perfect fit for Kansas City, who fills it's biggest need in a big way.
Grade: A+
16. Arizona - CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee St
Another team that's extremely happy to see a player who fits their needs fall to them. Arizona has to love that DRC, one of the top 2 cornerbacks in the draft, falls to them at this point of the draft. They need a cornerback in the worst way, and he's as good as they could have hoped for at this point of the draft. Cromartie is a phenomenal athlete like his brother, though it's unfair to put those types of expectations on him. Little brother is still raw, but the athleticism and playmaking ability is there. If he's not ready to play a big role right away, he could start as kick returner.
Grade: A-
17. Detroit - OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
Bruising tackle best suited for the right side. Most people had Jeff Otah rated ahead of Cherilus, but Cherilus is more ready to play now, and the Lions probably think they can compete now if they can keep Kitna upright, which they couldn't do last year. A lot of people haven't liked this pick as much, but if Detroit thinks it can win now, Cherilus is the player on the board who can help them most on the offensive line. Taking Cherilus also shows a lot of confidence in Tatum Bell because Rashard Mendenhall was also on the board. The Lions preferred Stewart to Mendenhall, but Mendenhall may have been the best choice for them. They opted to go with a later round runningback, which I can't argue with. Kevin Smith compliments Bell well. Cherilus also might not be the best value here, but as long as they understand he's a right tackle, this pick should work out for them.
Grade: B
18. Baltimore - QB Joe Flacco, Delaware
Flacco is the quarterback that a lot of teams who wanted to get a quarterback seemed to fall in love with late. It makes sense. He's big, he's smart, he has a huge arm, and he works hard. He's any quarterback guru's dream. Baltimore will try to mold him into a great quarterback. He has every physical attribute you could hope for except foot speed. They moved up to jump in front of anyone else who might have wanted him, rumor has it a few teams were interested in moving up to get him, not just Baltimore. Once Matt Ryan was gone, Flacco was their man, and they went up and got him. There's something to be said for a team moving up to make sure it gets the player it wants. They already accumulated a few extra picks from Jacksonville, so they had ammunition. I actually like this pick for them. I hate to say it, but I do think they should give Boller another shot. They buried him pretty early, and while I certainly don't think he's the answer, I think he can get the job done as a starter while Flacco is groomed. They definitely aren't going anywhere this year if they want to start Flacco.
Grade: B-
19. Carolina - OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
Carolina trades up into the first round to get the big OT they wanted. The Panthers' FO realizes they have a short leash now, so they were willing to trade next year's first to get the best lineman on the board by far. After all, another losing season, and chances are there will be no next season for them. Otah is raw, but he's still good enough to start now. If I were in their shoes, I likely would have done the same thing. It's a pretty steep price, but I can't blame them at all. Otah is already a good player, and hes huge and athletic with the potential to be a lot more. He was once considered a possibility for Kansas City with the 5th pick. Good value.
Grade: B+
20. Tampa Bay - CB Aqib Talib, Kansas
Good cornerback, but is he the 3rd best one in the draft? He's an athletic playmaker, but he takes too many risks. He's extremely confident to a fault, thinking he can make a big play too often. If a coach can hone his natural ability and playmaking skills, he can get a lot out of Talib. A lot of people question if that's possible, however, and off field issues only raise more questions. He's very reminiscent of a DeAngelo Hall type. High bust factor, but if he becomes as good as he thinks he is, and he has the ability to, he can be a star. As is, someone like Antoine Cason or Mike Jenkins might have been a better pick, but Talib does have a greater upside than either player.
Grade: C+
21. Atlanta - OT Sam Baker, USC
Large and athletic, but not a round one grade. They needed an offensive lineman, so they felt they had to trade up into the first round to get him. Is Baker the best lineman left? Probably, but trading up to draft a reach is never a good draft philosophy. This is what you call reaching for a need on a pretty large level. Baker has the athletic ability to make the trade worth it because in the right scheme, like Atlanta's, he's a very good fit. On talent alone, this trade isn't worth it. Atlanta must have a higher grade on Baker than most. The one thing I will say about trading up to fill a need like this is at least they are putting a premium on the offensive line. Sometimes you can't put a price on the offensive line because if that position is weak enough, then the rest of your offense can't run well.
Grade: C
22. Dallas - RB Felix Jones, Arkansas
This was as easy a selection as anything in the draft. Jerry Jones's love for Arkansas players is well-publicized, so even though Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall was still on the board, Jones was the selection here. Is Jones a better all-around runningback than McFadden? Probably not, but Jones has every necessary skill you want from a complimentary back. This wasn't the best pick for most teams picking a runningback, but Dallas is different. Jones was born to be a change of pace back, and he compliments Marion Barber perfectly. Besides, Cowboys fans can still root for a Jones/Barber combination.
Grade: B
23. Pittsburgh - RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
Just like Dallas, Pittsburgh is a pretty well-set team with one good runningback who has a question mark going into the next year. Willie Parker has always been undersized, and therefore an injury risk. Parker quieted the doubters for a while, but a fractured fibula ended his season, so he's a question mark going into this year. Najeh Davenport is a good change of pace back, but Mendenhall is at another level. He's a downhill, between the tackles runner with enough speed to hit a home run. He's a good compliment to Parker, and he's a great value at this point. Runningback wasn't the biggest need for Pittsburgh, but there were no offensive linemen worthy of this spot. Philip Merling would have been a good fit here, but the Steelers decided to give Ben Roethlisberger more help.
Grade: B+
24. Tennessee - RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina
Most surprising pick of the first round for sure. Tennessee loves to draft runningbacks (Chris Henry last year, Lendale White the year before that), but Johnson simply makes no sense here. Not only does he play a position that is already filled by two other young runningbacks; not only did Tennessee have the pick of the litter of the wide receiver position, but Johnson isn't even a good value at #24. He's got amazing speed, great athleticism, and very good hands, but for the life of me, I can't understand this. He compliments LenDale White well, but this basically means they're giving up on Chris Henry, and Merling, Lawrence Jackson, Devin Thomas, Limas Sweed, and Kentwan Balmer all were available and all made more sense. Johnson has the potential to be an electrifying player, but chances are, he won't get there, and Titans fans will wonder why Devin Thomas isn't wearing a Titans jersey.
Grade: D-
25. Dallas - CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida
Dallas trades up to get the cornerback they want. I'm a little surprised they moved up because Antoine Cason, Brandon Flowers, and Jenkins were still on the board, and they were only three picks away, but Jenkins is the best of the three and Dallas had the depth and ammunition to go up and get him, so they did. Jenkins is strong, athletic, and physical, and he fits Dallas well. I like Jenkins a lot as a prospect, and Dallas apparently did, too.
Grade: B
26. Houston - OT Duane Brown, Virginia Tech
Brown was a late riser on many draft boards, and when Chris Williams was taken by Chicago and Baltimore was looking to trade up, Houston decided to move down and take Brown. Offensive tackle has been a need for Houston for a while, but Brown is not a first round value. He's a great athlete, but he needs to get stronger, and he's also not very experienced. If Houston is looking for him to contribute a lot as a starter this year, they might be disappointed. There is a lot to like about Brown as a developmental zone-blocking prospect. He's got good size, great athleticism, and good versatility, and at this point, he's the best offensive lineman available. While a lot of people don't like this pick at all, I applaud Houston for at least trading down to take the guy they wanted. He's still a slight reach, but offensive line is one position you can reach for.
Grade: B-
27. San Diego - CB Antoine Cason, Arizona
San Diego is a team without a whole lot of needs. I targeted them at cornerback before the draft because they could use another defensive back to replace Drayton Florence. Trading down could have been an option for them since they didn't have many picks, but Cason was the best player available at a position that they were looking to take, since there had already been runs on the offensive line and runningback. Cason is about all they could have done with this pick, and he makes a lot of sense for them. He's got great instincts and intangibles, and he uses them to make up for his lack of top speed. Good zone cornerback.
Grade: A-
28. Seattle - DE Lawrence Jackson, USC
I didn't really understand this pick either. Jackson will help their defensive line, giving them a bit of a pass rush from the edge, but I thought they had bigger needs than defensive end. Jackson is the best remaining pass rushing defensive end, but many scouts had Philip Merling ahead of Jackson on their boards. I thought this pick would either be Kentwan Balmer or Dustin Keller, but Seattle is a team that does not have a whole lot of needs, and those needs they do have (runningback, tight end, maybe a young offensive lineman) aren't good value here except for Keller. The tight end would have looked great in Seattle's offense, but instead Jackson will push Darryl Tapp for a defensive end job. At least they traded down to take Jackson.
Grade: C+
29. San Francisco - DE/DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
Balmer is a bit of a tweener who will likely play defensive end in the 49ers' 3-4 defense, but I really do not understand this pick. The 49ers' biggest needs were on the offensive line, their middle linebacking corps, and wide receiver. Granted, every offensive lineman who was a potential 1st round pick is gone by now, but Curtis Lofton would have made a whole lot of sense for San Francisco, and Devin Thomas might have even made more sense. Isaac Bruce is old, and Bryant Johnson has never been the man in any offense. With so much uncertainty at receiver, and Devin Thomas or DeSean Jackson or whichever receiver they could want available, it was shocking to see them take a defensive lineman. Mike Martz probably did not get a whole lot of say in this pick.
Grade: C-
30. New York Jets - TE Dustin Keller, Purdue
The Jets made a shocking move here, moving back up into the first round to secure Keller, a very athletic and productive tight end. Keller is essentially a wide receiver who happens to weigh 30 more pounds without losing the speed. He's not a great blocker at this stage, and with his smaller size, he might never be a good blocker, but he's everything the Jets needed on offense. He's a perfect compliment to Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery on the outside and Thomas Jones and Leon Washington in the backfield. He's versatile, hard-working, tough, everything coach Eric Mangini wants in a player. Was he worth trading up for? I don't believe so, but if he's used properly, this pick could end up looking great. If not, this is just another Jets' draft blunder. I like the player; I don't like the move-up to get him. Keller could have easily slipped a few more picks, and if he didn't, the Jets could have grabbed help elsewhere.
Grade: B-
31. New York Giants - Kenny Phillips - S, Miami
The Giants move up to the 31st pick because New England was caught cheating. There really isn't a whole lot to say about this pick. The Giants clearly wanted a safety with their first pick, and Phillips was #1 on their draft board. The Giants and Phillips have been linked together for a long time, so this pick was no surprise. He has everything you could want in a safety, and with some good coaching and improved technique, he could turn out to be a steal. His play did slip a little bit his junior year, which is something you don't like to see, but there's a lot to like with Phillips.
Grade: A-
1. Miami - OT Jake Long, Michigan
The least suspenseful pick of the first round (although to be fair, ESPN pretty much gave away the first 4 picks before the draft even started), Long was a great lineman at a school known for producing good linemen. The question remains: can he be an elite left tackle in the NFL? I believe he can be an elite right tackle, but you don't take that position #1 overall. Having said that, he's the safest pick in the draft, and Miami needed OLine help in the worst way, and he's a good fit for Miami.
Grade: B+
2. St. Louis - DE Chris Long, Virginia
He has everything you want from a defensive end. He has the motor, the bloodlines, the production, and the talent to be drafted in the top 5. St. Louis needed defensive line help going into the draft. The question here is whether or not it was worth taking Long over Dorsey. Dorsey was more dominant in college, though Long was fantastic as well. Personally, I would have chosen Dorsey, but Chris Long should be a great pro as well.
Grade: B
3. Atlanta - QB Matt Ryan, Boston College
He has a good enough arm, good enough size, good enough accuracy, and good enough production. The only thing great about his game are his intangibles, but he really doesn't have any negatives to his game besides lack of mobility. Ryan has a great chance to be a good quarterback. Is his upside good enough to warrant the #3 overall pick? Probably not, but Atlanta needed a quarterback badly, and Ryan is the anti-Vick.
Grade: C+
4. Oakland - RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
There is no doubt that Darren McFadden is one of the top 4 talents in the draft. In fact, he's probably the #1 talent. No one blends size, speed, and production like McFadden does, but there are many questions with this pick. With Justin Fargas, Lamont Jordan, and Michael Bush returning from a top 10 rushing attack last year, runningback was far from the top on their list of needs. McFadden also has some off the field issues and major fumbling issues, but the latter can hopefully be corrected. Either way, Glenn Dorsey should have been the pick here.
Grade: C+
5. Kansas City - DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
Carl Peterson and Herman Edwards could not be happier with Dorsey's fall down the draft board to 5th. With Jared Allen gone, the Chiefs need someone else to provide pressure on the quarterback, and Dorsey fills that role perfectly. Herm wanted a disruptive defensive tackle back in 2003 with the Jets with Dewayne Robertson. Five years later with a new team, he finally has his tackle. Dorsey will provide an inside pass rush to go with Tamba Hali from the outside. Best player available here fits their needs, too.
Grade: A
6. New York Jets - DE/OLB Vernon Gholston, Ohio State
This wasn't the Jets' first choice, but as long as one of the Longs, McFadden, or Gholston were available, the Jets were happy. Gholston fits the role of an edge rusher for the 3-4 to a tee. He's better standing up than with his hand down, and he has a lot of what a 3-4 pass rusher needs. He has the production, the size, and the speed, and unlike popular opinion, he is not a workout warrior. His draft stock has been this high for months; his great workout just cemented his stock. And if he does take plays off and he can still set the Ohio State single season sack record, imagine what he can do if a coach can get him to play every down...
Grade: A-
7. New Orleans Saints - DT Sedrick Ellis
The Saints and Ellis had been linked together for a while because New Orleans made it no secret they wanted to trade up. New England was more than happy to oblige, so the Saints get their man. Ellis is a great fit for New Orleans: he fills a glaring hole, and he was the best player available. The Saints considered the drop off between Ellis and the next best defensive tackle to be quite large, and they didn't give up a whole lot to move up. All in all, the Saints did exactly what they needed to do.
Grade: A
8. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Derrick Harvey, Florida
This was by far the most shocking move of the first round. With Matt Ryan gone, Baltimore had no interest in this pick. Jacksonville has desperately wanted a speed rusher for years, and the difference between Harvey and the next best pass rusher was huge. Harvey is pretty fast and has good size. He was also very productive on the college level. Despite all that, was it worth giving up 3 extra picks to move up for him? They could have stayed where they were and taken Lawrence Jackson or Quentin Groves. Harvey is better than both players, but by this much? One interesting quote I read justifying the trade by the Jacksonville front office was that they weren't even sure if 3rd or 4th round picks would have made their team this year. If that's the case, it's more understandable. Harvey has ability and he fits a need, but Jacksonville mortgaged a lot on him, and he'll need to produce.
Grade: C+
9. Cincinatti Bengals - LB Keith Rivers, USC
No doubt about it, Rivers was the best available fit for the Bengals in this spot. They sorely wanted Sedrick Ellis, but they also didn't want to trade up. As a result, the Saints leaped ahead of Cincinatti and grabbed their man. Time will tell if they made the right decision not trading up. With 10 picks in the draft, I would have traded up if I were them. Linebacker was a big need last year, but a tackle like Ellis would go a long way towards fixing that linebacker pick. I like the player, but you can't help but think they could have done more here.
Grade: C
10. New England Patriots - LB Jerrod Mayo, Tennessee
Trading down from the 7th pick was a no brainer. Mayo is a good player and a good fit here, but he's a little undersized and he might have been around a little later. His 40 time really moved him up the draft board to where New England felt if they wanted Mayo, they needed to pull the trigger here. The value isn't very good this high, and he might be a tad undersized for the 3-4. If this pick were 12 picks later, I would give it a great grade. As it is, the poor value downgrades the pick a little. At least they got another 3rd rounder.
Grade: B-
11. Buffalo Bills - CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy
This pick makes a lot of sense for Buffalo. McKelvin replaces Nate Clements who bolted for San Francisco last offseason. He is a phenomenal athlete who adds another great returner to go with Terrence McGee. He's the best cornerback in the draft, and while his ball skills leave a lot to be desired, the rest of his game is very worthy of this pick.
Grade: B+
12. Denver Broncos - OT Ryan Clady, Boise State
Denver needed an offensive tackle, and Clady is the best one available. He's a great fit for the Denver scheme and a very good value at 12. This pick started the run on offensive linemen, but Clady and Branden Albert were clearly the two best linemen available. This is exactly who Denver wanted with this pick, and they got him.
Grade: A
13. Carolina Panthers - RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
He's the 2nd best runningback in the draft, and Carolina has no clear #1 runningback. This selection largely negates the pick of DeAngelo Williams of 2006, but Stewart has everything you want from a runningback. His turf toe injury is a concern, and it is risky taking a back with a pre-existing injury, especially one who suffered through several injuries in college. He's a solid value at this pick, and John Fox has to be happy he could get a runningback, as it is evident that Carolina wants to become a running-oriented team again.
Grade: B
14. Chicago Bears - OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
Chicago obviously did not feel Joe Flacco was worth a pick this high like Baltimore did. Either that or they just viewed offensive line as such a glaring need for them that they would rather fill that. This pick makes a ton of sense for them though. No QB other than Ryan was worth this pick, and their offensive line is old. Williams is still a solid value at this point, as the offensive line run hasn't gotten in full swing yet. He's smart, very athletic, versatile, and a team leader. While he was never as dominant as he should have been in college, those traits hopefully will translate well to the next level with some better coaching.
Grade: B+
15. Kansas City -OG/OT Branden Albert, Virginia
Kansas City was so excited to see Albert dropping this far that they moved up 2 spots to secure him. The heavily considered him at #5 overall, but when Dorsey was there, plans changed. Albert is a steal here, not only because he's top 10 value, but also because at this point, the dropoff continues to grow between offensive linemen. Albert may be the last mid-first round grade quarterback remaining at this point, and he's a perfect fit for Kansas City, who fills it's biggest need in a big way.
Grade: A+
16. Arizona - CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee St
Another team that's extremely happy to see a player who fits their needs fall to them. Arizona has to love that DRC, one of the top 2 cornerbacks in the draft, falls to them at this point of the draft. They need a cornerback in the worst way, and he's as good as they could have hoped for at this point of the draft. Cromartie is a phenomenal athlete like his brother, though it's unfair to put those types of expectations on him. Little brother is still raw, but the athleticism and playmaking ability is there. If he's not ready to play a big role right away, he could start as kick returner.
Grade: A-
17. Detroit - OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
Bruising tackle best suited for the right side. Most people had Jeff Otah rated ahead of Cherilus, but Cherilus is more ready to play now, and the Lions probably think they can compete now if they can keep Kitna upright, which they couldn't do last year. A lot of people haven't liked this pick as much, but if Detroit thinks it can win now, Cherilus is the player on the board who can help them most on the offensive line. Taking Cherilus also shows a lot of confidence in Tatum Bell because Rashard Mendenhall was also on the board. The Lions preferred Stewart to Mendenhall, but Mendenhall may have been the best choice for them. They opted to go with a later round runningback, which I can't argue with. Kevin Smith compliments Bell well. Cherilus also might not be the best value here, but as long as they understand he's a right tackle, this pick should work out for them.
Grade: B
18. Baltimore - QB Joe Flacco, Delaware
Flacco is the quarterback that a lot of teams who wanted to get a quarterback seemed to fall in love with late. It makes sense. He's big, he's smart, he has a huge arm, and he works hard. He's any quarterback guru's dream. Baltimore will try to mold him into a great quarterback. He has every physical attribute you could hope for except foot speed. They moved up to jump in front of anyone else who might have wanted him, rumor has it a few teams were interested in moving up to get him, not just Baltimore. Once Matt Ryan was gone, Flacco was their man, and they went up and got him. There's something to be said for a team moving up to make sure it gets the player it wants. They already accumulated a few extra picks from Jacksonville, so they had ammunition. I actually like this pick for them. I hate to say it, but I do think they should give Boller another shot. They buried him pretty early, and while I certainly don't think he's the answer, I think he can get the job done as a starter while Flacco is groomed. They definitely aren't going anywhere this year if they want to start Flacco.
Grade: B-
19. Carolina - OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
Carolina trades up into the first round to get the big OT they wanted. The Panthers' FO realizes they have a short leash now, so they were willing to trade next year's first to get the best lineman on the board by far. After all, another losing season, and chances are there will be no next season for them. Otah is raw, but he's still good enough to start now. If I were in their shoes, I likely would have done the same thing. It's a pretty steep price, but I can't blame them at all. Otah is already a good player, and hes huge and athletic with the potential to be a lot more. He was once considered a possibility for Kansas City with the 5th pick. Good value.
Grade: B+
20. Tampa Bay - CB Aqib Talib, Kansas
Good cornerback, but is he the 3rd best one in the draft? He's an athletic playmaker, but he takes too many risks. He's extremely confident to a fault, thinking he can make a big play too often. If a coach can hone his natural ability and playmaking skills, he can get a lot out of Talib. A lot of people question if that's possible, however, and off field issues only raise more questions. He's very reminiscent of a DeAngelo Hall type. High bust factor, but if he becomes as good as he thinks he is, and he has the ability to, he can be a star. As is, someone like Antoine Cason or Mike Jenkins might have been a better pick, but Talib does have a greater upside than either player.
Grade: C+
21. Atlanta - OT Sam Baker, USC
Large and athletic, but not a round one grade. They needed an offensive lineman, so they felt they had to trade up into the first round to get him. Is Baker the best lineman left? Probably, but trading up to draft a reach is never a good draft philosophy. This is what you call reaching for a need on a pretty large level. Baker has the athletic ability to make the trade worth it because in the right scheme, like Atlanta's, he's a very good fit. On talent alone, this trade isn't worth it. Atlanta must have a higher grade on Baker than most. The one thing I will say about trading up to fill a need like this is at least they are putting a premium on the offensive line. Sometimes you can't put a price on the offensive line because if that position is weak enough, then the rest of your offense can't run well.
Grade: C
22. Dallas - RB Felix Jones, Arkansas
This was as easy a selection as anything in the draft. Jerry Jones's love for Arkansas players is well-publicized, so even though Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall was still on the board, Jones was the selection here. Is Jones a better all-around runningback than McFadden? Probably not, but Jones has every necessary skill you want from a complimentary back. This wasn't the best pick for most teams picking a runningback, but Dallas is different. Jones was born to be a change of pace back, and he compliments Marion Barber perfectly. Besides, Cowboys fans can still root for a Jones/Barber combination.
Grade: B
23. Pittsburgh - RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
Just like Dallas, Pittsburgh is a pretty well-set team with one good runningback who has a question mark going into the next year. Willie Parker has always been undersized, and therefore an injury risk. Parker quieted the doubters for a while, but a fractured fibula ended his season, so he's a question mark going into this year. Najeh Davenport is a good change of pace back, but Mendenhall is at another level. He's a downhill, between the tackles runner with enough speed to hit a home run. He's a good compliment to Parker, and he's a great value at this point. Runningback wasn't the biggest need for Pittsburgh, but there were no offensive linemen worthy of this spot. Philip Merling would have been a good fit here, but the Steelers decided to give Ben Roethlisberger more help.
Grade: B+
24. Tennessee - RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina
Most surprising pick of the first round for sure. Tennessee loves to draft runningbacks (Chris Henry last year, Lendale White the year before that), but Johnson simply makes no sense here. Not only does he play a position that is already filled by two other young runningbacks; not only did Tennessee have the pick of the litter of the wide receiver position, but Johnson isn't even a good value at #24. He's got amazing speed, great athleticism, and very good hands, but for the life of me, I can't understand this. He compliments LenDale White well, but this basically means they're giving up on Chris Henry, and Merling, Lawrence Jackson, Devin Thomas, Limas Sweed, and Kentwan Balmer all were available and all made more sense. Johnson has the potential to be an electrifying player, but chances are, he won't get there, and Titans fans will wonder why Devin Thomas isn't wearing a Titans jersey.
Grade: D-
25. Dallas - CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida
Dallas trades up to get the cornerback they want. I'm a little surprised they moved up because Antoine Cason, Brandon Flowers, and Jenkins were still on the board, and they were only three picks away, but Jenkins is the best of the three and Dallas had the depth and ammunition to go up and get him, so they did. Jenkins is strong, athletic, and physical, and he fits Dallas well. I like Jenkins a lot as a prospect, and Dallas apparently did, too.
Grade: B
26. Houston - OT Duane Brown, Virginia Tech
Brown was a late riser on many draft boards, and when Chris Williams was taken by Chicago and Baltimore was looking to trade up, Houston decided to move down and take Brown. Offensive tackle has been a need for Houston for a while, but Brown is not a first round value. He's a great athlete, but he needs to get stronger, and he's also not very experienced. If Houston is looking for him to contribute a lot as a starter this year, they might be disappointed. There is a lot to like about Brown as a developmental zone-blocking prospect. He's got good size, great athleticism, and good versatility, and at this point, he's the best offensive lineman available. While a lot of people don't like this pick at all, I applaud Houston for at least trading down to take the guy they wanted. He's still a slight reach, but offensive line is one position you can reach for.
Grade: B-
27. San Diego - CB Antoine Cason, Arizona
San Diego is a team without a whole lot of needs. I targeted them at cornerback before the draft because they could use another defensive back to replace Drayton Florence. Trading down could have been an option for them since they didn't have many picks, but Cason was the best player available at a position that they were looking to take, since there had already been runs on the offensive line and runningback. Cason is about all they could have done with this pick, and he makes a lot of sense for them. He's got great instincts and intangibles, and he uses them to make up for his lack of top speed. Good zone cornerback.
Grade: A-
28. Seattle - DE Lawrence Jackson, USC
I didn't really understand this pick either. Jackson will help their defensive line, giving them a bit of a pass rush from the edge, but I thought they had bigger needs than defensive end. Jackson is the best remaining pass rushing defensive end, but many scouts had Philip Merling ahead of Jackson on their boards. I thought this pick would either be Kentwan Balmer or Dustin Keller, but Seattle is a team that does not have a whole lot of needs, and those needs they do have (runningback, tight end, maybe a young offensive lineman) aren't good value here except for Keller. The tight end would have looked great in Seattle's offense, but instead Jackson will push Darryl Tapp for a defensive end job. At least they traded down to take Jackson.
Grade: C+
29. San Francisco - DE/DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
Balmer is a bit of a tweener who will likely play defensive end in the 49ers' 3-4 defense, but I really do not understand this pick. The 49ers' biggest needs were on the offensive line, their middle linebacking corps, and wide receiver. Granted, every offensive lineman who was a potential 1st round pick is gone by now, but Curtis Lofton would have made a whole lot of sense for San Francisco, and Devin Thomas might have even made more sense. Isaac Bruce is old, and Bryant Johnson has never been the man in any offense. With so much uncertainty at receiver, and Devin Thomas or DeSean Jackson or whichever receiver they could want available, it was shocking to see them take a defensive lineman. Mike Martz probably did not get a whole lot of say in this pick.
Grade: C-
30. New York Jets - TE Dustin Keller, Purdue
The Jets made a shocking move here, moving back up into the first round to secure Keller, a very athletic and productive tight end. Keller is essentially a wide receiver who happens to weigh 30 more pounds without losing the speed. He's not a great blocker at this stage, and with his smaller size, he might never be a good blocker, but he's everything the Jets needed on offense. He's a perfect compliment to Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery on the outside and Thomas Jones and Leon Washington in the backfield. He's versatile, hard-working, tough, everything coach Eric Mangini wants in a player. Was he worth trading up for? I don't believe so, but if he's used properly, this pick could end up looking great. If not, this is just another Jets' draft blunder. I like the player; I don't like the move-up to get him. Keller could have easily slipped a few more picks, and if he didn't, the Jets could have grabbed help elsewhere.
Grade: B-
31. New York Giants - Kenny Phillips - S, Miami
The Giants move up to the 31st pick because New England was caught cheating. There really isn't a whole lot to say about this pick. The Giants clearly wanted a safety with their first pick, and Phillips was #1 on their draft board. The Giants and Phillips have been linked together for a long time, so this pick was no surprise. He has everything you could want in a safety, and with some good coaching and improved technique, he could turn out to be a steal. His play did slip a little bit his junior year, which is something you don't like to see, but there's a lot to like with Phillips.
Grade: A-
Saturday, April 26, 2008
The Big NFL Draft Post!
The day is finally here. The NFL Draft, one of the most exciting moments of the year for a Jets fan like myself. Sure it's the same day as the biggest party of the year at Villanova, but to me, the biggest party of the year will be if Darren McFadden falls to the Jets. Then I will throw a party.
On the other hand, here's the 2008 macknova.blogspot.com mock draft!
1. Miami - Jake Long
2. St. Louis - Chris Long
3. Atlanta - Glenn Dorsey
4. Oakland - Darren McFadden
5. Kansas City - Branden Albert
6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston
7. New England Patriots - Derrick Harvey
8. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Ryan
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis
10. New Orleans Saints - Keith Rivers
11. Buffalo Bills - Devin Thomas
12. Denver Broncos - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
13. Carolina Panthers - Ryan Clady
14. Chicago Bears - Chris Williams
15. Detroit Lions - Jonathan Stewart
16. Arizona Cardinals - Rashard Mendenhall
17. Kansas City Chiefs - Phillip Merling
18. Houston Texans - Jeff Otah
19. Philadelphia Eagles - Mike Jenkins
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Aqib Talib
21. Washington Redskins - Calais Campbell
22. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones
23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Gosder Cherilus
24. Tennessee Titans - Limas Sweed
25. Seattle Seahawks - Kentwan Balmer
26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Quentin Groves
27. San Diego Chargers - Brandon Flowers
28. Dallas Cowboys - Antoine Cason
29. San Francisco 49ers - Duane Brown
30. Green Bay Packers - Kenny Phillips
31. NO PICK - PATRIOTS ARE DIRTY CHEATERS
32. New York Giants - Tyrell Johnson
As for the Jets, there are several different directions they can go in. ESPN's Michael Smith is reporting that Chris Long is the pick for St. Louis, so that's one option gone. Long would have made some sense, he's versatile, hard-working, and productive, and he has some experience in the 3-4. It's tough to project him in the 3-4 defense in the NFL though. Either way, he's gone now, so let's look at the other options the Jets have.
Runningback Darren McFadden
McFadden has been the man most linked with the Jets, and it makes a lot of sense. They put a lot of money into addressing the holes on their offense and defense, which puts them in the position to draft the best player available, and McFadden is the best player in the draft. He's got size, speed, quickness, and great hands, and he was extremely productive from the moment he walked on to the Arkansas practice field. The Jets need a playmaker on offense badly, someone who actually puts fear in the opposing defense. Right now, they do not have that player, and they have not had that player for years. If he reaches his potential, and he stays out of trouble, he could be a Hall of Famer and the superstar that New York covets.
Outside Linebacker Vernon Gholston
If the Jets are looking to get a pass rusher, look no further than Gholston. He's an athletic specimen with all the size, speed, and sack totals you want. Not too long ago, it was considered a lock that he would go in the top 5, but his stock has been slipping a little as some people are viewing him as a player who takes plays off and isn't passionate for the game of football, two things Eric Mangini does not like. If he's there and McFadden isn't, look for him to be the pick, unless the Jets find a trade partner who likes someone at #6 more than the Jets do.
Quarterback Matt Ryan
Ryan is a guy that scouts and fans cannot seem to come to a consensus. Some think he is the best pure QB prospect to come out in years, with the intelligence, intangibles, accuracy, and arm to succeed. Others don't think his arm is good enough and don't really see the big difference between Joe Flacco, Brian Brohm, and Ryan. In my humble opinion, Ryan is the best quarterback in the draft. It took me a while to come to that conclusion, but there really isn't anything you can hate about his game. Sure he doesn't have a Jamarcus Russell arm or athleticism, but that might not be necessary. Ryan has enough arm to be very successful, and while he isn't that mobile, a lot of quarterbacks don't need to run to be successful. If he's there at 6 and Gholston and McFadden are gone, he'll be the likely pick, but the Jets will likely look to shop this pick to see if they can stockpile picks and fill a different position round 1. The key to selecting Ryan is this. Do the Jets still feel Kellen Clemens is their quarterback of the future? If he is, then there's no chance they pick Ryan. If he's not, then they very well may make this pick.
Trading Down Options
The Jets would also love to move down if their top players are gone. Here are some guys they might target.
Jonathan Stewart: Word is the Jets really like him, and he might be the best pure runningback in the class, with size, speed, and power.
Leodis McKelvin: Has everything you look for in a cornerback except for maybe the hands. If he can work on that, he has the playmaking ability to be a star.
Derrick Harvey: The best pass-rushing option after Gholston.
Devin Thomas: Only one good year in college, but has everything you want in a receiver.
Round 2 Options
Joe Flacco/Brian Brohm: Either one would be a good way for the Jets to address the quarterback issue without spending a first round pick.
Limas Sweed/DeSean Jackson/James Hardy: The Jets need another receiver badly. They all fit the bill in different ways.
Lawrence Jackson: Good pass rushing prospect who should be there when the Jets pick. Word is the Jets like him, too.
Jerrod Mayo: Chances are he is gone, but if he's still there, he would be a perfect fit next to David Harris in the middle of the defense.
My Jets 7 round mock draft.
1. Vernon Gholston: DE/OLB, Ohio State
2. Jerrod Mayo: ILB, Tennessee
4. Keenan Burton: WR, Kentucky
4. Quinton Demps: S, UTEP
6. Jack Williams: CB, Kent State
7. Kirk Barton: OT, Ohio State
On the other hand, here's the 2008 macknova.blogspot.com mock draft!
1. Miami - Jake Long
2. St. Louis - Chris Long
3. Atlanta - Glenn Dorsey
4. Oakland - Darren McFadden
5. Kansas City - Branden Albert
6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston
7. New England Patriots - Derrick Harvey
8. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Ryan
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis
10. New Orleans Saints - Keith Rivers
11. Buffalo Bills - Devin Thomas
12. Denver Broncos - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
13. Carolina Panthers - Ryan Clady
14. Chicago Bears - Chris Williams
15. Detroit Lions - Jonathan Stewart
16. Arizona Cardinals - Rashard Mendenhall
17. Kansas City Chiefs - Phillip Merling
18. Houston Texans - Jeff Otah
19. Philadelphia Eagles - Mike Jenkins
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Aqib Talib
21. Washington Redskins - Calais Campbell
22. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones
23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Gosder Cherilus
24. Tennessee Titans - Limas Sweed
25. Seattle Seahawks - Kentwan Balmer
26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Quentin Groves
27. San Diego Chargers - Brandon Flowers
28. Dallas Cowboys - Antoine Cason
29. San Francisco 49ers - Duane Brown
30. Green Bay Packers - Kenny Phillips
31. NO PICK - PATRIOTS ARE DIRTY CHEATERS
32. New York Giants - Tyrell Johnson
As for the Jets, there are several different directions they can go in. ESPN's Michael Smith is reporting that Chris Long is the pick for St. Louis, so that's one option gone. Long would have made some sense, he's versatile, hard-working, and productive, and he has some experience in the 3-4. It's tough to project him in the 3-4 defense in the NFL though. Either way, he's gone now, so let's look at the other options the Jets have.
Runningback Darren McFadden
McFadden has been the man most linked with the Jets, and it makes a lot of sense. They put a lot of money into addressing the holes on their offense and defense, which puts them in the position to draft the best player available, and McFadden is the best player in the draft. He's got size, speed, quickness, and great hands, and he was extremely productive from the moment he walked on to the Arkansas practice field. The Jets need a playmaker on offense badly, someone who actually puts fear in the opposing defense. Right now, they do not have that player, and they have not had that player for years. If he reaches his potential, and he stays out of trouble, he could be a Hall of Famer and the superstar that New York covets.
Outside Linebacker Vernon Gholston
If the Jets are looking to get a pass rusher, look no further than Gholston. He's an athletic specimen with all the size, speed, and sack totals you want. Not too long ago, it was considered a lock that he would go in the top 5, but his stock has been slipping a little as some people are viewing him as a player who takes plays off and isn't passionate for the game of football, two things Eric Mangini does not like. If he's there and McFadden isn't, look for him to be the pick, unless the Jets find a trade partner who likes someone at #6 more than the Jets do.
Quarterback Matt Ryan
Ryan is a guy that scouts and fans cannot seem to come to a consensus. Some think he is the best pure QB prospect to come out in years, with the intelligence, intangibles, accuracy, and arm to succeed. Others don't think his arm is good enough and don't really see the big difference between Joe Flacco, Brian Brohm, and Ryan. In my humble opinion, Ryan is the best quarterback in the draft. It took me a while to come to that conclusion, but there really isn't anything you can hate about his game. Sure he doesn't have a Jamarcus Russell arm or athleticism, but that might not be necessary. Ryan has enough arm to be very successful, and while he isn't that mobile, a lot of quarterbacks don't need to run to be successful. If he's there at 6 and Gholston and McFadden are gone, he'll be the likely pick, but the Jets will likely look to shop this pick to see if they can stockpile picks and fill a different position round 1. The key to selecting Ryan is this. Do the Jets still feel Kellen Clemens is their quarterback of the future? If he is, then there's no chance they pick Ryan. If he's not, then they very well may make this pick.
Trading Down Options
The Jets would also love to move down if their top players are gone. Here are some guys they might target.
Jonathan Stewart: Word is the Jets really like him, and he might be the best pure runningback in the class, with size, speed, and power.
Leodis McKelvin: Has everything you look for in a cornerback except for maybe the hands. If he can work on that, he has the playmaking ability to be a star.
Derrick Harvey: The best pass-rushing option after Gholston.
Devin Thomas: Only one good year in college, but has everything you want in a receiver.
Round 2 Options
Joe Flacco/Brian Brohm: Either one would be a good way for the Jets to address the quarterback issue without spending a first round pick.
Limas Sweed/DeSean Jackson/James Hardy: The Jets need another receiver badly. They all fit the bill in different ways.
Lawrence Jackson: Good pass rushing prospect who should be there when the Jets pick. Word is the Jets like him, too.
Jerrod Mayo: Chances are he is gone, but if he's still there, he would be a perfect fit next to David Harris in the middle of the defense.
My Jets 7 round mock draft.
1. Vernon Gholston: DE/OLB, Ohio State
2. Jerrod Mayo: ILB, Tennessee
4. Keenan Burton: WR, Kentucky
4. Quinton Demps: S, UTEP
6. Jack Williams: CB, Kent State
7. Kirk Barton: OT, Ohio State
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
This is playoff hockey!
How can you not get excited watching this game? Flyers vs Capitals, starting the 3rd period as I type, tied 2-2. Ovechkin's scored, Philadelphia is trying to avoid blowing (another) 3-1 series lead. This is one heck of a game so far, both teams want it badly. The Caps killed off a nearly 2 minute long 5 on 3, and a 4 minute long power play in total in the first period. So much drama! And there's controversy, too, the Flyers' second goal was on a very, very borderline non-call when Capitals' goalie Cristobal Huet was knocked out of the play by his own teammate. It appeared that a Flyers' defenseman knocked him down, but the referee did not agree.
While I'm live-blogging, it's 2-2 Yankees vs Chicago White Sox right now. Jason Giambi hit a home run! Are you as shocked as I am? Last I checked, Jose Contreras is not Mike Timlin (though he's not much better).
The Hornets are killing Dallas, too. Thank you for taking Jason Kidd off our hands, Cuban! Devin Harris isn't a top point guard yet, but he's probably as good as Kidd is now, and he's also younger, cheaper, and less whiny. Kidd has 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 99-79 game. Chris Paul has abused him all season long. I know I should root for Kidd to win his championship, but not now. He quit on the Nets this year. I'm no fan of his right now.
Toronto up 2 against Orlando right now. Can't say I really care all that much, but it looks like a heck of a turnaround, as Orlando was up 17 after the first quarter. Whoever wins has a fighter's chance against Detroit (or Philly), but the Pistons should beat whoever wins. That's, of course, if they get past the feisty 76ers, who won game one of the series. Philadelphia is young and hungry, but Detroit will step up their play and take them out. As good as Philadelphia is, Detroit is more talented and more experienced.
As for the Hank Steinbrenner mini-breakdown, what can I say? Brian Cashman and the Yankees organization have a plan for Chamberlain to get him to only increase his innings incrementally, so he doesn't get hurt. If Hank doesn't understand that, that's a shame. It should not be hard to understand, unless Hank is just that knee-jerk in his reactions that he forgets these things and wants to win now. Either way, the Yankees are handling Joba just fine. His future is as a starter, and that future should start in a few months, and we can finally phase Mike Mussina out of the rotation. That assumes that Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy get their seasons turned around. Both have started off with ERAs above 8, but both are talented enough to pitch much better. If not, then maybe one will go back to AAA eventually. That would be very tough to see because both pitchers have plenty of talent, especially Hughes, but if their ERAs are this high in another month, then it's time to consider other options.
While I'm live-blogging, it's 2-2 Yankees vs Chicago White Sox right now. Jason Giambi hit a home run! Are you as shocked as I am? Last I checked, Jose Contreras is not Mike Timlin (though he's not much better).
The Hornets are killing Dallas, too. Thank you for taking Jason Kidd off our hands, Cuban! Devin Harris isn't a top point guard yet, but he's probably as good as Kidd is now, and he's also younger, cheaper, and less whiny. Kidd has 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 99-79 game. Chris Paul has abused him all season long. I know I should root for Kidd to win his championship, but not now. He quit on the Nets this year. I'm no fan of his right now.
Toronto up 2 against Orlando right now. Can't say I really care all that much, but it looks like a heck of a turnaround, as Orlando was up 17 after the first quarter. Whoever wins has a fighter's chance against Detroit (or Philly), but the Pistons should beat whoever wins. That's, of course, if they get past the feisty 76ers, who won game one of the series. Philadelphia is young and hungry, but Detroit will step up their play and take them out. As good as Philadelphia is, Detroit is more talented and more experienced.
As for the Hank Steinbrenner mini-breakdown, what can I say? Brian Cashman and the Yankees organization have a plan for Chamberlain to get him to only increase his innings incrementally, so he doesn't get hurt. If Hank doesn't understand that, that's a shame. It should not be hard to understand, unless Hank is just that knee-jerk in his reactions that he forgets these things and wants to win now. Either way, the Yankees are handling Joba just fine. His future is as a starter, and that future should start in a few months, and we can finally phase Mike Mussina out of the rotation. That assumes that Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy get their seasons turned around. Both have started off with ERAs above 8, but both are talented enough to pitch much better. If not, then maybe one will go back to AAA eventually. That would be very tough to see because both pitchers have plenty of talent, especially Hughes, but if their ERAs are this high in another month, then it's time to consider other options.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Hey, the Yankees can score, Devils game 3, and Tyreke
Every Yankees starter scored last night, and the Yankees mashed their way to a 15-9 victory over the Red Sox last night. Starter Clay Buchholz was knocked around for 8 hits and 7 runs in 3.2 innings, and Julian Tavarez and Mike Timlin could not stop the bleeding.
The list of Yankees with multiple hits last night is impressive: Jeter, ARod, Matsui, Posada, Giambi, and even Chad Moeller. Moeller went 3-4 last night, and after Jose Molina's early season hot hitting, the Yankees are finally getting offensive production from the backup catcher position after years of guys like Flaherty and Nieves who just could not hit. I don't expect Moeller to keep it up, but he doesn't have to as Molina isn't too far off from returning.
Chien-Ming Wang could not get anything going at all last night, though. After flirting with a no hitter in his last start against Boston, Wang struggled badly, allowing 9 hits, 3 walks, and 8 runs in 4 innings of work. His ERA more than tripled, from 1.23 to 3.81, but out of his first 4 starts, this is the only one he didn't pitch fantastically in. I'll write this off as an aberration, and I expect Wang to bounce back strongly.
One last note about that game: ARod jumped Willie McCovey and Ted Williams in the all-time home run race with the 522nd of his MLB career. He is now 15th all-time in home runs hit. In a couple seasons, he will be chasing Bonds. It's almost a foregone conclusion at this point. He never gets hurt, and he's as consistent as any player in baseball.
The Rangers beat the Devils 5-3 last night. It was a great hockey game, but once again, it feels like Martin Brodeur did not bring his total A game. He made at least one fantastic save to keep the game at 3-3, but soon gave up the lead on a bit of a soft goal by Marc Staal. An all-world goaltender should make that save. Patrik Elias did what he could offensively, scoring 2 goals, but despite that, he still scored a -3 +- for the game, which means he was on the ice for every Rangers goal. The Devils play again tomorrow (Friday) night. A win will keep them breathing, but it is a monumental task for this team to win 3 straight against a team that has owned them all season long.
Tyreke Evans declared yesterday. To no one's surprise, he chose Memphis over Villanova. He will likely dominate the ball for one season, then declare for the NBA after Memphis romps through CUSA. They lose Dorsey, Rose, and Douglas-Roberts, but with Tyreke, possibly Devin Ebanks, and some other solid freshmen, Memphis will make the tournament again. Calipari won't let them miss.
The list of Yankees with multiple hits last night is impressive: Jeter, ARod, Matsui, Posada, Giambi, and even Chad Moeller. Moeller went 3-4 last night, and after Jose Molina's early season hot hitting, the Yankees are finally getting offensive production from the backup catcher position after years of guys like Flaherty and Nieves who just could not hit. I don't expect Moeller to keep it up, but he doesn't have to as Molina isn't too far off from returning.
Chien-Ming Wang could not get anything going at all last night, though. After flirting with a no hitter in his last start against Boston, Wang struggled badly, allowing 9 hits, 3 walks, and 8 runs in 4 innings of work. His ERA more than tripled, from 1.23 to 3.81, but out of his first 4 starts, this is the only one he didn't pitch fantastically in. I'll write this off as an aberration, and I expect Wang to bounce back strongly.
One last note about that game: ARod jumped Willie McCovey and Ted Williams in the all-time home run race with the 522nd of his MLB career. He is now 15th all-time in home runs hit. In a couple seasons, he will be chasing Bonds. It's almost a foregone conclusion at this point. He never gets hurt, and he's as consistent as any player in baseball.
The Rangers beat the Devils 5-3 last night. It was a great hockey game, but once again, it feels like Martin Brodeur did not bring his total A game. He made at least one fantastic save to keep the game at 3-3, but soon gave up the lead on a bit of a soft goal by Marc Staal. An all-world goaltender should make that save. Patrik Elias did what he could offensively, scoring 2 goals, but despite that, he still scored a -3 +- for the game, which means he was on the ice for every Rangers goal. The Devils play again tomorrow (Friday) night. A win will keep them breathing, but it is a monumental task for this team to win 3 straight against a team that has owned them all season long.
Tyreke Evans declared yesterday. To no one's surprise, he chose Memphis over Villanova. He will likely dominate the ball for one season, then declare for the NBA after Memphis romps through CUSA. They lose Dorsey, Rose, and Douglas-Roberts, but with Tyreke, possibly Devin Ebanks, and some other solid freshmen, Memphis will make the tournament again. Calipari won't let them miss.
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