Free To Wait

On Monday morning, June 6, WR Plaxico Burress was released from Oneida Correctional Facility, located in Rome, New York (roughly 450 miles northwest of New York City). He just completed 20 months of a two year sentence, and wants to return to playing the game he loves. He dawned a Philadelphia Phillies baseball cap upon leaving the prison grounds, perhaps not so subliminally telling the world where he wants to play next.

                                                         Plaxico Burress
Teaming up with a fellow convict in Philly would add to the story of both Burress, and of former dog killer Michael Vick, and add a big target for the QB in the red zone. The Eagles don't have a regular receiver above six feet tall to rely on deep in opposing territory. Riley Cooper is the exception, at 6-3, but I said "regular", as in a top three target.

There are many questions about Burress coming out of prison. Is he in shape? How much has he slowed down after being away from the game? And to me, his physical abilities are not the issue. The only issue going forward is how quickly the players and owners can decide on a CBA so that Mr. Burress can sign with a team. He is going to be the most motivated player since Vick last year once a team takes a gamble on him. He has more to prove than anyone going into this season, and is eager to get started.

So now it does become a waiting game. In the mean time, we can speculate all we want on the right fit for Burress, and the need that certain teams have for a receiver of his size and experience. He will be 34 in August, and some "experts" have said that's a problem. However, his two years behind bars should have him pretty fresh, I would think. That was the question two years ago after Vick was released from prison, and all he did was get better. I don't think you'll find an analyst out there who will say Vick didn't improve as an all around quarterback since his arrest.

                                                          Michael Vick
We now begin the speculation on where Burress could wind up. My thought is that yes, he wants to be an Eagle, and that may be the best fit for all parties considered. There are also a handful of teams that need an upgrade in a hurry, and could land the 6-5 receiver if they are able to sell him and super agent Drew Rosenhaus, who says his client has dropped 15 pounds and is "stronger, healthier, and faster than he's ever been".

If that turns out to be true, the list of interested teams would increase sevenfold. He was a menace over the middle and in the red zone before being incarcerated, and to add speed to the equation would mean that Burress could jump right back into the role of being an elite receiver in this league. He would be wise to stage a field day of sorts -as top overall pick in 2011's draft Cam Newton did- to hype his abilities. Maybe run some routes, run the 40 yard dash, and lift his shirt to show everyone that he's no longer packing heat (I would find that hilarious).

                                                         Drew Rosenhaus

In addition to the Eagles, the St. Louis Rams would also be a good option for Plax. They have an imperative need for a top flight wide out, and have the golden armed Sam Bradford to throw to him. If I were Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, I would sell the weak secondaries of the NFC West to Burress and Rosenhaus, and put Bradford on a throne with a crown on his head. Bradford put up very good numbers as a rookie, and his offense is meager to say the least. The offense would benefit wonderfully with the presence of Burress. Spagnuolo also spent some time in New York in 2007-08 as the Linebackers Coach, so they have the connection of knowing each other already.

Also in need, the Cleveland Browns may come calling. They have a pretty decent package to offer him as well, what with the stellar running game, and a good offensive line to protect whomever will be the signal caller. It will most likely be Colt McCoy, who performed fairly well also, in comparison to fellow rookie Bradford. He completed 60 percent of his passes, but only tossed six touchdowns. The upgrade to the group of receivers would surely improve their chances in the defense-heavy AFC North. I haven't heard any analysts mention Cleveland to this point, but we're only in the early stages of estimation, so we will see how this option pans out. Keep your ears up, Dawg Pound.

I'll give you all one more possibility for now, as I see it, and this one may be a stretch. The New England Patriots. His style of play -especially if he's faster than before- is perfect for Tom Brady and company. They love to spread the field, and while it remains to be seen whether he can be a deep threat, his big frame is suited well for Brady's play calling. Brady may throw over the middle more than anyone in football, where -as was stated earlier- Burress excels. Like the Eagles, the Patriots lack a big body in their core of receivers. Brandon Tate, at 6-1 and 195 pounds, is their biggest target spread out wide. This option scares me, and I truly hope he doesn't end up in Foxborough. That's all Brady needs is another ring.

What's Next After Tressel?

As a life-long Buckeye fanatic, I was shocked to get a text from ESPN on the morning of May 30, telling me that Ohio State coach Jim Tressel had resigned. I was even more annoyed that the text woke me up from my slumber at 6:07am, so that just added to the misery. My first thought about the situation -ok, it was more of a hazy, incoherent blur- was "we need to get Meyer".

Referring of course, to Urban Meyer, the former head coach at Florida and Utah. He was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, and coached briefly at Ohio State as a graduate assistant between 1986-87, helping out with the tight ends and wide receivers. He has already stated that he will not be pursuing any coaching jobs this fall, that he is happy working at ESPN for now. That works out fine, because the interim coach will be former Bucks nose guard Luke Fickell.

Fickell is actually from Columbus, where the university sits, and played for the Buckeyes from 1993-96. He had been on Tressel's coaching staff since the 2002 season, and has a close relationship with the players on the team. He served as the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator from 2005-10, so I believe he can handle this team. It will be difficult dealing with the fallout from Tressel, and now the deeper investigation into star QB Terrelle Pryor.

To expect another BCS berth this season is probably a big reach, and that will most likely doom Fickell. Anything less than a ten win season as the Buckeyes head coach is borderline unacceptable anymore. And he can thank Tressel for raising the bar so high. I do believe, however, that his tenure will be judged by a single game this season. That would be the November 26 battle at Michigan Stadium (I can't believe I just posted a link to the UofM website). If the Buckeyes are 11-0 at that time and lose to the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, it may spell the end of the Fickell reign in Columbus.

Either way, it's my opinion that there is no way Fickell survives as head coach after this season. With the plethora of great names at the Buckeyes disposal, they will no doubt get a high profile replacement. Let's go over the rest of those names now.

We've talked about Meyer, who will be number one on that list, but let's delve a bit deeper into the choice. They shouldn't -and won't- even look elsewhere until they know that Meyer doesn't have any interest in becoming the next Head Buckeye.

His coaching style is different than that of the Ohio State staff. Coach Tressel used more of a pro style system, tweaking it some to fit the abilities of Pryor. He called most of the plays for the offense, so there will certainly be a transition stage, especially while Pryor and the other offensive players are suspended.

I don't think they'll change the offense much -if at all- when (and if) #2 returns, so in that aspect, the offense wouldn't change much if Meyer takes over. It would become a true spread offense. They do have the number four ranked QB out of high school coming in with the 2011 class, Braxton Miller, out of Wayne HS in Huber Heights, Ohio. He is an athletic runner, and ran the spread offense in high school. That may help in getting Meyer to step away from his ESPN job and onto the field where his college coaching career first began.

Number two on the list would be Jon Gruden, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders head coach. He won Super Bowl XXXVII with Tampa Bay against The Raiders, and is also from Ohio. Sandusky, Ohio actually. Home of the world's greatest amusement park, Cedar Point.

Can you imagine the positive impact Gruden would have on a college campus? He's a great motivator, he knows the game as well as anyone around. And let's face it, he's just cool. There's no way Gruden would put anything but the best product on the field every Saturday. He demands the best out of his players at all times, and if the players don't respond, they won't play. There's no guarantee he would accept, as he is quite happy with his position, also at ESPN -as an NFL analyst and Monday Night Football announcer- like Meyer.

Being a former NFL head coach, his brand of offense would definitely differ from that of Urban Meyer. Gruden ran the West Coast offense as a coach, and it is almost nothing like the Spread offense. It is my belief that an offense run by Gruden would better prepare Buckeye NFL hopefuls for their transition onto the highest stage in the sport. That would be a great recruiting sales pitch for the coaching staff.

Next on the list would have to be Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Bo Pelini, coincidentally also from the Buckeye State. Among a handful of football coaches from Youngstown, Ohio, Pelini also played for Ohio State on defense, and would bring a toughness back to Ohio Stadium that many say Tressel got away from during his tenancy on the Buckeye sideline.

Yes, the defense has remained absolute throughout the years, but Tressel did not run the defense. His offenses had been called ultra conservative and weak. It was largely true. In the 2002-03 season, the year the Buckeyes last won the National Championship, their defense gave up just over 13 points a game -2nd among BCS eligible teams. The offense, on the other hand, was challenged at times. They averaged a little over 29 points per game -41st in that stat. In fact, in the next season's NFL Draft, there were five Buckeyes taken off the championship team, and all of them were defenders.

Granted, there are a smattering of players from that offense currently still on NFL rosters, as they were drafted in later years (WR Michael Jenkins and TE Ben Hartsock, notably). But offense hasn't been the focal point of the team for years, as there are 23 former Buckeye defenders currently on NFL rosters, compared to only 12 from the offensive side (not including the 2011 Draft).

However you look at it, a massive change is in store for Ohio State and their beloved football program, and that change has already begun. Whatever the next move is, know it will be the right one. There won't be a "RichRod" type of disaster in Columbus, because for one, the coaching talent which is readily available to them is far superior to that which Michigan had, and Ohio State will lay tons of money on the table to get the man they want. Welcome back to The 'Shoe, Urban.

O!-H!-I!-O!

AFC North Draft Review 2011

Today, we will take a look into the future of the AFC North as it pertains to the 2011 Draft. Although the two Ohio teams will still be weaker this coming season, look for this draft to be the key that opens the door to a changing of the guard in the years to come.

Let me begin by saying that I love the brand of smash mouth football this division plays. With hard hitting defenses and impact runners like Peyton Hillis, Rashard Mendenhall, Ray Rice, and Cedric Benson -all of whom topped 1000 yards rushing in 2010, you truly get "three yards and a cloud of dust" on a weekly basis. With the option to see a great play action fake that ends up going 72 yards for a score, you can never get enough of AFC North action. Let's go!

Cleveland Browns:
Everyone who cares knew the Browns were going to take WR Julio Jones with the sixth overall pick. Then, they traded that pick to the Atlanta Falcons, who promptly took Jones. They received much in return though, getting Atlanta's 27th overall pick, their 2nd, and 4th round picks in the 2011 draft, and their 1st and 4th rounders next year.

They then traded the 27th pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 21st pick and took Baylor DT Phil Taylor. Taylor is of the large variety, at over 6'-3" and 335 pounds. He will play Nose Tackle in the 3-4 defense, anchoring a line that struggled in 2010. He compares to Vince Wilfork of the New England Patriots (and even looks like him a bit), and should start early in Cleveland. Phil is fairly athletic for his size, and can even serve as a lead blocker on short yard situations if needed.

Their second round selection is a good one, and underrated as a player, I believe. DE Jabaal Sheard out of Pittsburgh didn't get a lot of attention from draft "experts", and he should prove quickly that he deserved it. He is very fast off the edge, and has a plethora of moves to get him to the quarterback. He might have trouble early on with the bull rush, as most tackles in the NFL are stronger and more skilled (especially if on the right side of the defense) at defending against it. He most likely will depend on his length and speed to get to the QB throughout his career.

The inordinate amount of talent at the defensive end position saw him drop out of the first round. But I promise you, this kid could have been taken anywhere from 15-20, and it would not have surprised me at all. He is a potential all pro in the next five years.

The Browns made up for not taking Jones, grabbing North Carolina WR Greg Little with the 59th overall pick early in round three. Make no mistake, however, there is nothing "little" about him. Greg is 6'-3" 230lbs, and runs a 4.5sec 40 yard dash. He is incredibly strong, stiff-arming linebackers to the ground with little problem (pun completely intended).

He was among those suspended at North Carolina before the 2010 season for taking money from agents, and missed the entire year. Had he played, Little may have been the third receiver taken, probably by Kansas City, who took Johnathan Baldwin instead. He will battle for a starting spot immediately, as Cleveland does not have a true number one receiver. This gives them the deep threat they have needed for years, and will create even more running room for Hillis.

Other notable draft selections to Cleveland include TE Jordan Cameron from Southern California, and DB Eric Hagg out of Nebraska. Cameron is big and athletic, and with an aging Ben Watson getting slower as the years move along, he may wind up getting a lot of playing time as the season progresses. Hagg has a nose for the football. He is smart, and could prove to be a great 7th round pick in the years to come. Oh, and he hails from my high school Alma Matter. Go Eagles!

Draft Grade: B-

Pittsburgh Steelers:
Pittsburgh typically drafts very well, and their success of late is almost solely the result of drafting. They don't do much shopping for free agents, and they don't make trades. The success of the Steelers defense will depend on the health of all pro S Troy Polamalu for now. And with that in mind, they got defensive in the 2011 draft.

First, it was Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward, who is the son of a former NFL power RB, the late Craig "Ironhead" Heyward. Cameron has a high motor, and is powerful enough to handle pretty much any offensive lineman in the league. I watched many of his games, being a Buckeye fan, and if there is one knock on him, it is that he is at times too aggressive, and can over pursue and find himself out of position. That is deadly in the NFL. However, as defensive minded as this team is, I have little doubt that will be taken care of quickly. He can play any position on the line, which will come in handy for Dick LeBeau and his quirky but always strong defensive scheme.

Their second round choice was University of Florida OL Marcus Gilbert. He has the ability to start right now, and if Max Starks can't stay healthy and/or Flozell Adams struggles as he did a year ago, that's just what will happen. Gilbert is agile for his massive frame (6'-6'' 330lbs) and is durable. He can play on either side of the line, and can fill in at Guard if the need arises. He will be an anchor on this line for the next decade, health pending.

Going back to the defensive side, they took DB Curtis Brown from Texas. Brown is extremely athletic, boasting the best vertical leap of all cornerbacks at the combine, at 39.5 inches. He displays good speed, and can help out on special teams in the return game. I don't see him starting this season, but he can step into the nickel role and contribute by shutting down an opposing offense's 3rd receiver. He is an average sized back, no eye popping vital stats to speak of. He is just a solid football player, and can make an impact on this defense in a few year's time.

Other notable players drafted by Pittsburgh are OLB Christopher Carter from Fresno State, and Cortez Allen, a CB out of The Citadel. Carter played DE in college, and finished 7th in the NCAA in sacks last season with 11. He is much too small for the position in the NFL, so will make the switch to outside linebacker. Allen has above average height for a cornerback, at almost 6'-2'', and is quick off the ball in coverage. It appears to me he gets turned around easily, but his athletic ability and DB coach will help work that out.

Draft Grade: C+

Baltimore Ravens:
As it turns out, Baltimore does care about the offense and its performance. The receivers they have drafted since 2008 combined for exactly zero catches last season.

We'll get to that in just a minute, as Colorado CB Jimmy Smith was their first selection. This makes an already stout defense even better in the years to come. He has great size and speed, and that combination could see him in the Pro Bowl before too long. There are questions about his character, but don't most great DBs in the NFL have a character flaw or two? This shouldn't be a problem. If anything, it brings more attitude to the most animated defense in the league.

Maryland WR Torrey Smith is an outstanding athlete. He shows good adjustment to the ball while it's in the air, and has great leaping ability, with a 41 inch performance in the vertical at the combine. Smith is a reliable punt returner, and can be a third receiver in his rookie season. He has good hands, but catches the ball up against his body a little too much. That could be problematic with Joe Flacco -who has an Abrams Tank Cannon for an arm- throwing to him.

In the third round, the Ravens chose OT Jah Reid out of Central Florida. With Michael Oher inhabiting the left side of the line, it makes sense to draft a lineman who is familiar with the right side at the tackle position. Reid played there while in college, and will continue to do so throughout his career. 6'-7'' and 330 pounds, he is the ideal size for the spot. He has admittedly had weight problems in the past, so this could be a concern, especially with the lockout in full effect for the moment. I don't know much about his work ethic, but if he shows up to camp out of shape, you'll know why.

Other notable selections by the Ravens are Indiana WR Tanden Doss, and Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor. Doss is a physical receiver, and a crisp route runner. He should challenge Torrey Smith for that third receiver role. Taylor is being brought in to be a backup, getting the chance to learn from a great professional. This is a good situation for him to be in, as he needs work if he wants to become a starter in the league.

Draft Grade: B-

Cincinnati Bengals:

The Bengals may have done more for their future than any other team in the division. They made it clear the direction they intend to go, and I believe the choices they made on draft weekend were the first step in turning things around in Cincy.

With their number 4 overall pick, they took Georgia's A.J. Green, an outstanding WR with great speed and top notch elusiveness. He is Dez Bryant without the attitude. He will replace troubled veteran Chad Johnson sooner than some think, and will earn his spot with no trouble. He has excellent hands and catches the ball away from his body. He will win most jump ball opportunities in the red zone, and displays awesome adjustment skills while the ball is in the air.

They then picked their replacement for Carson Palmer, taking fellow redheaded QB Andy Dalton out of TCU. Dalton is ultra accurate throwing only 24 interceptions in his 1,001 passing attempts, and has adequate arm strength to perform in the NFL for years. He did nothing but win in his college career, racking up 29 wins for the Horned Frogs. He shows above average ability to escape the rush, but is most certainly a thrower first. He stands strong in the pocket, and can take a hit and get right back up.

In the third round, they picked up Dontay Moch, an OLB out of Nevada. He has impressive speed for his size. At 250lbs, he ran a 4.4sec 40 at the combine. Along with his 42 inch vertical and 128 inch standing broad jump, he was among the best performing athletes at his position during the combine. His play on the field, though, is why he was drafted by the Bengals. They need a spark plug at linebacker, and he is nothing short of that. He plays with high energy and great intensity, and can be the leader of a leader-less defense in a matter of a couple NFL seasons.

Other notable picks for Cincinnati include S Robert Sands from West Virginia, and OG Clint Boling from Georgia. Sands is big and plays that way. He uses his size well, knocking away passes easily. He lacks top end speed, but he can play close to the line and help out in the run game, as Adrian Wilson of the Arizona Cardinals does. Boling was a four year starter at Georgia, and has great football instincts. He is an above average run blocker, but lacks the strength as of now to dominate in pass protection. Nonetheless, he should start from day one at either of the guard positions.

Draft Grade: B+

Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Talk Time

Recently, on many different forums, people have been discussing the need for the Arizona Cardinals to trade for quarterback Kevin Kolb of the Philadelphia Eagles. While that should be an option, it should not be the only one being talked about. In fact, Kolb should be a last resort for Arizona in the event that they don't get any other quarterbacks in this column and still feel the need to add one. I hope you open your minds and jump off the Kolb bandwagon. Don't get hurt, it's a long way down.

I've heard all the talk about how he did tremendously well in his handful of starts. And how he's only 26, and can be "the guy" for the next decade. I couldn't disagree more. There are a couple of main reasons as to why he performed so sufficiently in the starts he made.

First off, he was the backup to Donovan McNabb for four seasons, and knew the offense very well. Head Coach Andy Reid has run the same system in Philly since McNabb became the starter early in his rookie campaign in 1999.

In some of his best games, he had to play catch up most of the time, having to throw down field to keep his team in the game. For instance, in week 2 of the 2009 season, Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints lit up the Eagle defense, forcing Kolb to throw 51 times (31-51 for 391 with 2tds and 3ints -most importantly, the last one coming inside the red zone late in the 4th that went 97yds for six).

His career numbers are not impressive for someone who is reportedly worth a first round pick in next year's draft. In order to be profitable in a new offense, he needs to be able to study plays and work with his new receivers, and will have needed to be on the roster already. Before Kolb can be traded to anyone though, the lockout needs to be lifted, as no deals can be made while it is in place. The longer the lockout lasts, the less of a chance he has to succeed in any new system.

Kolb did earn the starting job to begin the 2010 season, but went down with a concussion in the first game of the year. Michael Vick stepped in and proceeded to silence all critics in leading the Eagles to the playoffs in the first year A.D. (After Donovan). And even after Vick went down with the rib injury, he could not gain the starting role again. When Vick came back it was his job once again. Much can be said about that as well.

A better option would be Kyle Orton from the Denver Broncos. He is less than two years older than Kolb, and has proven he can move the ball over a full NFL season without too many costly interceptions (only two ints in the red zone in two seasons with Denver). The lockout situation would still hurt his early performance, as it would for any new quarterback, but his ability would take over and not be much of a problem throughout the season -unlike the aforementioned Kolb.

It has also been said that John Elway wants Tim Tebow to be the future of the Denver Broncos organization at QB, not Orton. He has even said that Brady Quinn has a chance to win the starting role this season. If that's the case and Elway wants Orton out of the Mile High City, then Arizona would most likely have a chance to get him at a much cheaper rate than that of Kolb.

Arizona can't ask for a better reason to pull the proverbial trigger on the Orton deal than that. If they can get him for a third rounder in next year's draft (hypothetically), then they need do that as soon as possible.

Another option for the Cardinals is Carson Palmer from the Cincinnati Bengals. This would mean more for the future of the quarterback position in the desert than any other deal they could make. Carson is 31, and assumedly has but a few years left in the league, especially with the injuries he has had in the past. This may not make sense right now, so read on, minions.

John Skelton, to me, is a future star in this league. He does need some work, however. And what better way to train him than to bring in a veteran who is virtually identical in size and stature, who can lead the offense on the playing field and mentor the youngster on -and off- the practice field?

Palmer wants out of Cincinnati so badly that he's already found a buyer for his mansion in Indian Hills, roughly 14 miles northeast of  Paul Brown Stadium. He has even threatened to retire from the game completely if they refuse to trade him.

The Cardinals would most likely have to give up a first round pick to get him. But in this instance it would be worth it, because the real obligation of Cardinal ownership should be to develop young talent and stop letting them go elsewhere to turn into all pro players (see Thomas Jones and Kyle Vanden Bosch). I believe Skelton will be such a player.

If Arizona does this right, they will go get either Orton or Palmer, and help mold Skelton into a true professional. And for the record, coaxing Kurt Warner out of retirement to be the QB for a season, then become the quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator wouldn't hurt, either. But that's more of the fan in me speaking than anything. Have a good day, everyone.

NFC West Draft Review 2011

Going into the draft, there were many speculations on how many quarterbacks would be drafted by NFC West teams with their respective number one picks. First were the Arizona Cardinals at #5, who some say have the biggest need at the position. They shied away from the much discussed QBs and took the best player available to them. Then just two picks later, the San Francisco 49ers did the same, selecting for a need they have on the defensive line. Next up at #14, the St. Louis Rams, who have the smallest need for a quarterback, also chose a defensive lineman. No surprise there. But then you have the Seattle Seahawks, a team with an aging field general who has no contract for the upcoming NFL season. Every expert who would be heard ensured us that they'd draft a quarterback, simply because their leader may not return next year, and the backup option is a notch below mediocre. With their #25 pick, they added an offensive lineman. And not even the best on the draft boards. Intriguing. Let us now look at each team and their selections.

Arizona Cardinals:
Most experts said they need to take a QB with their first choice. And if not then, at least  in the second or third round. They ignored everyone and drafted the best available players throughout the entire draft. First up was most likely the best player in the draft, and certainly the most athletic, making CB Patrick Peterson from LSU the number five overall pick. My thought on this is, no matter who they would have drafted in the later rounds, the Cardinals would have had a top 10 draft class just because of this pick. He is a complete game changer, said to be the next Charles Woodson, and will take some pressure off of Dominique Rogers-Cromartie. The Cardinals defense scored a league best 12 touchdowns last season, and that may actually increase with Peterson now roaming the secondary. He likely will start at corner from day one so that DRC can move to the second corner spot, giving Arizona one of the top corner duos in the league. Greg Toler will play the nickel corner and be among the best options there as well.

In the second round with the 38th overall pick, they took RB Ryan Williams from Virginia Tech. Many (including myself) at first thought the Cardinals had lost their minds with this pick. However, looking deeper at the choice, Williams is a hard runner who has tremendous balance and a nose for contact. He won't shy away from a hit, and will catch the ball out of the backfield. He reminds me a lot of Maurice Jones-Drew in that he runs low to the ground with the power to run over a member of the secondary, and also has the speed and agility to get by linebackers regularly. If Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower (who is a restricted free agent) don't produce early, Ryan could and should find himself starting by mid-season. Perhaps earlier.

Rob Housler, the overall number 69 pick early in the third round, is a TE from Florida Atlantic University. He might be the best tight end to come out of this draft class, based solely on his athletic ability. He is 6'-5" 250 pounds, and has run a 4.45sec 40 Yard dash. Arizona has a great need for such a player at this position. When he puts on some NFL bulk and works with Offensive Line coach and Hall of Famer Russ Grimm, he will become a better blocker as well. Keep this in mind: Tight Ends do not make the Pro Bowl based on their blocking ability. He is an immediate threat in the passing game, and will force defenses to shy away from blitzing their linebackers constantly, as they will need to focus on where he is on the field. That should create open lanes for Arizona's talented receiving core, and make quarterbacking this offense a bit less difficult.

Other notable picks for Arizona are DE Sam Acho from the University of Texas, and ILB Quan Sturdivant from North Carolina. Acho will play outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. Sturdivant has a high football IQ, and knows offensive schemes well (he played quarterback in high school). He can be a future leader on the defense if he wants to be. Both could earn starting roles before the season ends.

Draft Grade: B+

San Francisco 49ers:
The 49ers did their defense a favor with the number 7 overall selection, taking DE Aldon Smith from the University of Missouri. Smith is long and athletic, standing just over 6'-4'', and weighing in at 263 pounds. He ran a 4.74sec 40, and bench pressed the standard 225 pounds 20 times. I find this to be fairly weak, because as a senior in high school, I did this same weight 23 times. Granted, I graduated at 5'-10'' and had much shorter arms, but it seems that this draft class did not perform as well in the weight room as past years' classes did. That being said, he is a great pick for this struggling defense. Justin Smith was the bright spot on the defensive line last season, producing 8.5 sacks, but he will be 32 on September 30 (we share the same birthday, 5 years apart). While he can still perform at a pretty high level, he only has a few years of solid work left in his legs, I would believe.

They did address the QB situation with the 36th pick, taking Colin Kaepernick out of Nevada. Colin is an athletic runner, and throws the ball well across his body. I'm not sure if he is the answer to the offensive problems for San Francisco, but he does give them some different options. I doubt new coach Jim Harbaugh will want to run the Pistol while in the bay area, but perhaps he'll let Kaepernick mess around with it against his defense in training camp and practice. Maybe he will strike gold. Kaepernick shows decent arm strength when given time, but loses accuracy -as most young QBs will- when pressured, and sometimes looks to take off down the field before trying to find a receiver. He has said he considers himself a throwing quarterback who can run, and intends to be that in the NFL. When the Smith duo fails again, he is willing to step in and save the day. But will he be able? Only time will tell.

San Francisco added speed to their secondary in the third round. DB Chris Culliver from South Carolina University is a threat in the kick return game, and if Ted Ginn Jr. cannot stay healthy, Culliver would be a good replacement on the goal line for the return team. He is a big hitter who loves contact, and isn't afraid to blitz off the corner. Solid form when tackling, he may be able to teach some things to the other corners on this team. He also is a character, and could be a leader in the years to come. The 49ers may have gotten a great deal taking him with the 80th pick in the draft. Culliver may replace the aging Nate Clements if he performs well and shows the work ethic needed to get better every day.

Other notable drafted players include RB Kendall Hunter from Oklahoma State and WR Ronald Johnson. Hunter is an small, elusive back, and Johnson actually reminds me of Anquan Boldin. He has a good first move after the catch, and has great hands. Solid pick.

Draft Grade: C

St. Louis Rams:
Scouts thought that Robert Quinn out of North Carolina would go in the top 10 of the draft, and when he didn't, I was shocked. The Rams were more than pleased to get him at 14. A pure pass rusher with good speed and the ability to get to the quarterback even when being held, he will start immediately opposite Chris Long. This should scare the pants off every tackle in the NFC West, and if they're not scared off, they'll fall when Quinn blows by them and pounds their QB. At 6'-4'' and 265 pounds, his 4.62sec 40 is terrifying (fastest among DEs). He will be a perennial Pro Bowler, and also help take some of the heat off of a secondary that did not cause a single defensive touchdown all of last season.

Their second round pick of Lance Kendricks, a TE out of Wisconsin, gives QB Sam Bradford a good check down option that he didn't get much consistency out of in his rookie year. Kendricks is strong, and sure handed. He is solid in the run block, and understands coverages well, it seems. He has the ability to go up and get the ball at its apex, and adjusts well to a misplaced throw. If he can remain healthy, St. Louis can plug him into the starting TE spot for years to come. Daniel Fells led the TE corps with 41 receptions, and the group as a whole combined for 70 catches a year ago, so Bradford clearly likes finding them, even though it was an injury-prone bunch.

Further addressing the need for pass catchers in the third round, the Rams took WR Austin Pettis from Boise State. I love this pick for their sake. Sure, trading up to get Julio Jones would have been interesting, but in Pettis, you get an experienced, athletic football player who has excellent hands and wonderful quickness off the ball. He explodes off the line of scrimmage, and is fearless running routes to the middle of the field. It's almost as if he enjoys the contact, much like Hines Ward. He has the mentality of a number one receiver, and expects the ball regularly. Luckily for him -and for the entire Rams organization-, his quarterback can grant that wish. He could be the second or third best talent in his draft class at WR when all is said and done.

Other notable players drafted by the Rams include WR Greg Salas from Hawaii and S Jermale Hines (second pick-6 in the video) from THE Ohio State University. Salas is strong and tough, like Pettis, and will be useful pretty early for the Rams. Hines is big for a Safety, but quick and agile enough to play the position well. Has room to get bigger, so he may wind up at OLB.

Draft Grade: B

Seattle Seahawks:
Everyone in the bar I watched the draft from collectively said "WHO??" when the Seahawks picked OT James Carpenter out of Alabama with their number 25 overall pick. I had to give them some background on him quickly before Berman and Co. could beat me to it. He will probably start in this league for 10 years, but it certainly was not the popular pick. His first step back in pass coverage is quick and deliberate, as it should be. He helped RB Mark Ingram win the Heisman Trophy in 2009, but to me, he lacks the strength to handle the best pass rushers in the league.

Seattle did not have a second round pick, but took another offensive lineman in the third round (no. 75), C/OG John Moffitt from Wisconsin. I do like this pick slightly better than Carpenter, as Moffitt can probably start at all five positions on the line. That versatility will prove useful for Coach  Pete Carroll. My "expert" opinion says that he will end up under center. He's a good leader among the giants up front, and can be that early on in his career. Think Maurkice Pouncey when you think about how he can impact an offensive line. He won't start from day one as Pouncey did, but his adaptability on the line is much the same.

Other notable players drafted by the Seahawks include OLB K.J. Wright from Mississippi State, and WR Kris Durham from Georgia. Wright plays bigger than he is, but has a lot of room to get better if he puts the work in. Durham is a big target at 6'-5'', and has decent speed and hands to be capable of being a fourth receiver on this team.

Draft Grade: D-

NFL Throwing Curveball In 2011

   Today, the NFL announced that they will propose some changes to the rule book for the upcoming campaign, including being more stern with illegal hits. Especially those on "defenseless players". They will reportedly now begin suspending "repeat offenders" -that is, players who continually lead with their helmet while tackling- for illegal hits. Hello, James Harrison, this is for you. Learn how to tackle properly, sir.

   Here are some of the specifics for the new emphasis defining a defenseless player:

• A receiver attempting to catch a pass
• A QB in the act of throwing
• A punter or kicker during a kick
• A player fielding a punt or kick
• A runner "in the grasp" in which forward momentum has been stopped

   And my favorite:

• A QB after a change of possession

  For the layman, after he throws an interception or his team fumbles, he can run after the defender who has the ball, but if he gets blocked in a way that sends him flailing through the air, this is wrong. Uh, WHAT?! He is part of the defense when the other team has possession and he is on the field. Any hit he receives is just another part of football. Don't give me this garbage about "he's defenseless". If that's the case, then he should either retire because he is a baby, or don't throw a pick. To suggest that the quarterback can't be hit while attempting a touchdown-saving tackle is to suggest that they are less than men, that they are special. Why not just strip quarterbacks of all pads and helmets and give them flags to wear around their waists?

   The other major change being advocated is to move the spot of a kickoff from the 30 yard line up to the 35. Now every kickoff will be a touchback, and they wish to move the start of possession after said touchback from the 20 to the 25. However, all other touchbacks will still be placed at the 20. Again, this is ludicrous. Differing rules just makes things complicated for everyone. However, the fans would be most affected by such changes. The reason I believe football is so popular is the simplicity of its rules. If you start changing your product too much, the consumer (fans) will get confused and lose interest. Bad idea for all parties. I will agree that some things need to change. But too much change would be a shock to the system of the collective fan base, and ultimately damming to the league.

   One change being solicited that I back fully is that now all scoring plays -touchdowns, field goals, safeties, and extra points- will be subject to review by an official sitting in front of a TV watching the game from somewhere in the stadium. This is an extension of the "2 minute" rule now in place, extending throughout the entire contest. This eliminates the need for a coach's 3rd challenge in the event that he is successful on his first two challenges, which they are also looking in to. The 3rd challenge was rarely used, and is a joke. Great job to whomever came up with that.

   Oh, and how can I apply for the booth review position? You wanna talk about an awesome job? This guy gets to sit in a room and watch football, and when he sees a scoring play that is questionable, he tells the ref on the field, who stops play so the "review expert" can get a better look at the play. That is awesome! And, he will be employed by the NFL, so you know his bank account balance has at least six digits in it.

   It seems as though the NFL is putting too much into making the game of football safe. Normally, that would be good for a sport. But when it comes to football, there will always be injuries, and there will always be big hits. Trying to take away part of the game that cannot be taken away will hurt the game deeper than the labor discussions and the lockout ever will. Eventually, players will just stop trying to make tackles, because there will be so many rules on where and how you are supposed to hit another player. Football is brutal. We as fans know that, and you know the players are aware of that. They take a risk every time they step onto the field, and they do this willingly. So it isn't right to change the game in the manner in which the NFL is attempting.

NFC West Draft Needs (First Selection Only)

I find myself getting itchy and antsy when I think about the possibility of there not being an NFL season come August. In the past, this would have nearly killed me. Literally. But now, I think I will just share some of my thoughts on how the teams from the NFC West should draft when the time comes. Sure, they won't listen to me, but I'm going to do it anyway. For my own sake, and for yours, if you're jonesing like I am. We will speak of the teams in the order they will make their picks when the draft begins on April, 28. The numbers in parenthesis reflect the team's record, followed by their respective first round draft position.

Arizona Cardinals (5-11, 5)
   The Cardinals' quarterback play in 2010 was, um, forgettable (you know I'm being nice). Many -in fact, most- "NFL Draft experts" say that they need to take a QB with their #5 pick. They would be wrong. For the bigger problem last season was their inability to get to the opposing quarterback and cause hurried and inaccurate throws. They only generated 33 sacks as a team, which is a hair over two per game and down from 43 in 2009. To achieve those type of numbers again, they need to upgrade the linebacking core, which was led by Joey Porter and Clark Haggans (5.0 sacks each). Compare that to should-have-been-defensive-player-of-the-year Clay Matthews, who had 13.5 all by his lonesome, and you can see that I'm right. Put that together with the fact that Porter and Haggans -who were teammates at Colorado State in the late '90s- are a combined age of 67, and you have a recipe for defensive disaster in 2011 if they don't address the need in late April.

   Who should they take at #5? Von Miller, Texas A&M. He had 28 sacks in his final two seasons as an Aggie, and is much like the aforementioned Matthews. They're the same height, and Matthews has about 10 pounds on Miller. Both are lightning quick off the ball, and get around or run through offensive linemen with little trouble. Miller is smart, and he is a leader. Causing pressure in the backfield is essential to the success of a defense. Without Clay Matthews, for example, the Packers don't even sniff the playoffs last season, let alone get in and dominate everyone en route to hoisting up the Lombardi Trophy. A great pass rushing linebacker takes pressure off of the secondary, it allows your corners to relax a bit (see Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) and your safeties to be able to drop into coverage more often without the need to play up at the line of scrimmage.

San Francisco 49ers (6-10, 7)
   The 49ers also have a need for a quarterback, but unlike Arizona, they need to address this with their first pick. Cam Newton will most likely be there, but I am not sold on him one bit. He can run like the wind, but as stated in a previous entry, he needs much work in the throwing department. San Fran cannot afford to wait for him to develop into a true QB, as their leading receiver was tight end Vernon Davis, who had only 56 catches in 2010. They have a fairly talented receiving core, which starts with Michael Crabtree. He led the team with 101 targets (passes attempted for him), but only managed to catch 55 of them. That is just terrible.

   Who should they take at #7? Blaine Gabbert, Missouri. He has the size (6'-5'' 235lbs) and the arm to produce at a high level for a number of years. Gabbert reminds me of Matt Ryan in that he can step right in and run the offense with success and be a leader immediately. His completion percentage last season wasn't ideal, but if you watched any of the Tigers' games (you probably did not), you would have seen many drops by receivers. This was the norm for Missou in 2010. But as long as Gabbert can get the ball out on time and to the hands of Crabtree, the 49er offense will be vastly improved. And with Frank Gore returning healthy, defenses beware.

St. Louis Rams (7-9, 14)
  I envy the Rams because they are in the unique position in the NFC West of actually NOT needing a QB. The defense was decent enough in 2010, so they can address a need or two later in the draft. They only caused 14 interceptions, but made up for it by forcing 27 fumbles. That's only one less than Super Bowl runner up Pittsburgh Steelers, who pride themselves in having one of the best defenses in the NFL every year. Quite impressive. No, what they need more than anything is a big target for Mr. Golden Arm to throw to. Danny Amendola caught almost 90 passes in 2010, but for less than 700 yards. They need a deep threat in the worst way.

   Who should they take at #14? Julio Jones, Alabama. Many found out just how good an athlete he is at the NFL Combine, when he blew away the competition, running a 4.39 in the 40 yard dash, and an amazing 11'-3'' broad jump, just 2'' off the combine record. His speed and leaping ability aside, he has probably the best set of hands among wide receivers in this draft, and many have compared him to the great Larry Fitzgerald -myself included. So for the Rams, this seems like a no-brainer.

Seattle Seahawks (7-9, 25)
   The Seahawks won the NFC West in 2010, then won a playoff game on Wild Card Weekend in mid-January. Therefore, they have a lower pick in the first round than a 7-9 squad should probably have. They -like everyone in the division but St. Louis- need a QB, because Matt Hasselbeck will be 36 on Sept. 25. And let's be honest, how many more years will he be able to endure 30 sacks per and still get up? Be that as it may, their best bet will be to sign a younger free agent or trade for one once the new CBA is signed. They need help in the secondary. The defense as a whole collected only 12 interceptions all of last year, and unless that changes, things will only get worse on defense for them.

   Who should they take at #25? Chimdi Chekwa, THE Ohio State. I would have said they should draft Prince Amukamara out of Nebraska, but he likely won't be available at 25. For some, this may be a stretch. Not for me. As you know, I am a Buckeye, born and bred. I watched this young man from the time he was a freshman through the 2011 Sugar Bowl, and let me tell you, he will shine on Sundays. His 4.4 second 40 ranked him 3rd among corners in the draft, and having worked with head coach Jim Tressel's staff for four years, he is a mature defender who stays home when in a zone defense, and is constantly in the hip pocket of his assignment when running man to man. He possesses poise beyond his years, and the ability if you ask it of him to blitz from his corner position.

Broncos' Fox Says Orton Is His Guy

The Denver Broncos introduced John Fox as their new Head Coach on January 14, 2011, and he will be making the personnel decisions for them from now on. He started by telling the world that his quarterback would be Kyle Orton, not highly touted youngster Tim Tebow. I get what Fox is trying to do, because with Orton, you have a leader who knows the offense, and he's a nice fit. Orton's stats were very good last year, throwing for 3,653 yards and 20 TDs. They were much the same in '09 (3,802 and 21), so the production is there.

With Tebow's quarterbacking style, they would need to completely overhaul the offensive scheme. And that, my friends, is why he won't be the immediate starter. As a bruising runner who throws when he needs to, the offense would look more like the Gator offense he ran so well for three years. That may not be a bad thing, but it isn't what a new Head Coach wants to deal with as he walks in the door for the first time.

Fox, I'm sure, will be working furiously to develop an offense more suited for the former Gator throughout the season, so that when Tebow takes over, the transition will be a bit more seamless. I'll be honest, I have never liked Tebow much, but that's neither here nor there. Fact is, he's a first round draft pick, and he's good. They can't avoid playing him for too long, or their fans may riot. All Fox is doing is buying himself some time to personally develop Tebow to be darn sure the 23 year old is ready to put the mile high franchise on his back and run.

So how long of a leash does Orton have? If 2011 starts as 2010 did when they went 2-6 in the front half of the season, the plug may be pulled and Tebow would likely take over. From now until then, there is ample time for the coaching staff to devise a plan of attack for Tebow. Of the quarterbacks in the league with similar styles, I believe he can be the one to successfully orchestrate a loosely option-based offensive system. He has the size, power, speed, and mostly the toughness to run it profitably for years. Until then, Kyle Orton will be feeling Tim Tebow's hot breath on his neck.

I don't know about you, but that's not the sort of pressure I would want going into a season if I'm Orton. I'm sure he knows his days as the Broncos field general are numbered, and he's going to need to play for his future this season. I do know that some needy franchises would welcome him with open arms right now ::Cardinals, cough::, so he should strongly consider playing the best football of his life in the season to come. Anyone want a mansion in the Denver metropolitan area?

NFC West Woes Soon Will End

Recently, some of the NFL's top reporters have said some pretty gruesome things about the NFC West. In the past 3 years, the divisions in the NFL who have had the honor of playing the four teams that make up the division have been dominant, leading to bloated records. In 2008, the AFC North went 11-5 against them. 2009 saw the AFC South (which was relatively weak in '09) compile a 12-4 record. Worse still, this past season, the NFC South put up gaudy numbers in route to going 13-3 against the weakened western footballers. So the reports have been correct. They have been a doormat in the recent past.

That, however, will start to change sooner than most think. The San Francisco 49ers got rid of  "Hothead" Coach Mike Singletary and brought in Jim Harbaugh to bring some much needed order to the squad. That may make a positive difference just as quickly as last year's hiring of Pete Carroll by the Seattle Seahawks did, when after going 5-11 in '09, they won the division (albeit with a 7-9 losing record), then won a playoff game at home against the New Orleans Saints, shocking the entire football world. They became the first team in NFL history to win a playoff game with a losing record.

The St. Louis Rams drafted their quarterback of right now and the future with Sam Bradford, and don't be messing around thinking this kid will be a dud. Not gonna happen. Dude's amazing. When they get themselves a solid receiving core and a decent line, we're looking at the second coming of "The Greatest Show On Turf". Lastly, the Arizona Cardinals have done something about that underachieving defense, hiring Ray Horton as their Defensive Coordinator. Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt is friends with Horton from their days in Pittsburgh, and yes, he may have gotten possibly his third choice to fill the position, but the hire is still a big deal. Horton brings young energy with him, reportedly hiring Deshea Townsend as an assistant to help with the Defensive Backs, though Townsend hasn't yet filed official retirement papers with the NFL.

 As metal gods Judas Priest once said, "You've got another thing coming". That is, if you're the NFC East, anyway. They have the misfortune of playing the NFC West next season. The success I speak of remains to be seen, of course, seeing how there may not be a full season of football next year. The CBA talks have resumed under federal supervision, though, and NFL Commish Roger Goodell is more optimistic now than he was a week ago, when meetings were cancelled due to heated arguments over certain issues being discussed. God willing, if everything works out between both sides and there is football in the late summer, we're looking at a different NFC West monster. Yeah, I said it. They're gonna be monsters next year.

For The Love Of Some Trees

Harvey Almorn Updyke, Jr, is 62 years old, lives in Dadeville, Alabama, and loves his University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team. He also strongly dislikes the football team at the University of Auburn. This became apparent when, after Auburn beat Alabama in the annual Iron Bowl, he allegedly poisoned two 130 year old oak trees at Toomer's Corner in Auburn. He likely wouldn't have been caught if it weren't for a phone call he made to a local radio station. He posed as "Al from Dadeville", and admitted to poisoning the trees with a herbicide called Spike 80DF because he saw a Cam Newton jersey on the statue of head coaching great Paul "Bear" Bryant.

To me, this seems fairly drastic, considering the damage both pranks had done. It's funny, yes, but uncalled for. If the Bryant statue had been torn down by Auburn fans, we're having a different conversation right now, but not for putting a player's jersey on it. He may have some mental or psychological issues, it seems to me. If you've heard the audio of the phone call (I can't find it online yet), you probably agree that something is a tad off with this guy. He has been arrested and charged with first-degree criminal mischief, and if he's convicted, he's looking at anywhere from one to 10 years in prison. I hope it was worth it, sir.

I find myself thinking about what I would do if I were in the same position that Updyke was in, witnessing the defilement of his beloved team's property (I was born in Toledo, Ohio and raised a Buckeye. O-H!), and I can say that I relate to him a bit. I don't think I would stoop to his level of nonsense, but sure, if some Michigan fans did something to The 'Shoe or anything around it, I would retaliate if given the opportunity.

I'd like to hear some of your thoughts on this one. Would you have done what Mr. Updyke did to get back at your team's arch rival? Have you participated in such shenanigans?

Making Things Difficult

 For those not familiar with who Jerry Richardson is, he is a former NFL wide receiver who played for the Baltimore Colts from 1959-60, catching passes from the great Johnny Unitas. His career was mediocre, grabbing 15 passes for 171 yards and 4 touchdowns in two years, including a score in the 1959 championship game. After 35 years away from football, he became the second former player to have a majority ownership of an NFL franchise when his home state of North Carolina was awarded the Carolina Panthers. George Halas was first with the Chicago Bears.

He is among the owners participating in labor talks with NFLPA reps on the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The meetings have halted between the two sides, partly because of the actions and words of Mr. Richardson the day before Super Bowl XLV. Players say he seemed annoyed just having to be there the weekend of the Super Bowl. He ripped Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, causing some of the other owners and commissioner Roger Goodell to become uncomfortable. It appears he just has a very negative attitude toward the players and their requests, and the CBA situation in general. Taking steps back when you should be moving forward is not the way to get next season going on time. Something has to give, and it needs to be Jerry Richardson giving up his place at the negotiation table.

The NFL cannot afford a lockout, not for any length of time. Remember what happened to hockey when the NHL lost the 2004-05 season? They're only now beginning to recover from that. So, what we are talking about is a $1 billion that the owners want the players to give them off the top of $9 billion estimated revenue the NFL piles up every year. They already get $1 billion off the top, and now they want to double it. Something is wrong with that. Just a thought, but why can't both sides agree that money is not the main issue with the CBA? The issue is player safety, and the fact that the owners want to add two games to the season, while dropping two games from the preseason. They say it's the same amount of games, so it's not an added safety hazard. However, taking away two light-hearted preseason games and replacing them with two more meaningful games in which players are giving up their bodies is hardly the same thing. Get rid of Richardson, and a deal gets done. But, I don't make those choices. Here's to hoping someone in the owners circle has some common sense.

The Cam-Man Can! ....Or Can He?

Many people have recently been raving about Cam Newton and his "media workout", which was a brilliant choice by the big dude.  Having a bunch of sports reporters out to watch him play catch with no defense at all makes him look like a light-footed version of Peyton Manning (note to self: He is no Peyton Manning).  Brilliant, yes, because with the media singing his praises from the mountain tops, he has all but guaranteed himself a top-10 draft selection. He'll be drafted in the top-10, then just like JaMarcus Russell after a handful of despicable years, he will be hated by fans and subsequently released.

That's no knock to his college career, which was great....but quite brief. After riding the bench behind Tim Tebow for two years at the University of Florida, he transferred to Auburn University (after a certain issue with Mississippi St.), where he sat out a year.  Then he proceeded to have one of the best college football seasons in the history of the glorious game, leading the Tigers to a National Championship win over the University of Oregon in Glendale, AZ.  Yes, he piled up amazing numbers in the SEC, but I'm not convinced he's any good based on a media workout/funday.

There were numerous occasions in the title game in which Newton missed wide open receivers by a lot when he was pressured by the Ducks defense.  And that's okay, it happens all the time, but what it shows me is that when a fast defensive front 7 gets in his face and there is no running lane, he rushes his throws, causing inaccuracy. I'm sure which ever organization drafts him will work on speeding up his release and progression, but it won't do much good.  Don't get me wrong, if my favorite team got the chance to draft him, I might be okay with that....in the 4th round.  Why not, at least they didn't waste our first round pick and possibly 3-5 years of mediocrity and pissed off fans on him.  If it works out, they are geniuses, and if not, no big deal.

Many quarterbacks have had outstanding college careers that don't translate well to the NFL, so if and when this happens to Mr. Newton, nobody should be surprised.  When you look at those who failed in the League after torching college defenses to ashes, it opens your eyes to the difference in college and pro athletes. Tim Couch was a top overall selection, and while he wasn't terrible, he never lived up to his draft status.  Most of you should know who Matt Leinart is.  National Champ at USC, number 10 overall choice by Arizona, so far an NFL dud. Don't get me wrong, I'm not basing my opinion of Newton on the failure of quarterbacks past, but I feel that his game is too unproven. When he hits the field in the NFL he will be shocked at the speed and power he witnesses.  He will no longer be able to run through every arm tackle and the little 5'-9" 170 pound corner coming on a blitz.

In closing, as this is my first post, I would like to thank you for reading.  I hope you found it interesting, and feel free to follow me and come back.  I'm just gettin' started here on the Express