High Calibers 2009 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

Here is Mock Draft 2.0, this takes into account the Jay Cutler trade and the affect it can have on the rest of the draft.

1. Detroit Lions, Matt Stafford, QB, UGA Bulldogs- The Detroit Lions are in a situation where any position that they draft can be an upgrade to what they currently have. The offensive line is just about as weak as the defensive line, which Matt Millen brilliantly deteriorated by trading mammoth nose tackle Shaun Rogers to Cleveland for Leigh Bodden, the same Leigh Bodden whom was released earlier in the off season. The lone bright spot on the team is linebacker Ernie Sims, but how much longer can an awful team hold on to star players for. What I am trying to say is that the Lions are just bad and that it is time to start over and how does a team start over your asking, it’s quite simple, by drafting their new franchise quarterback. Stafford is a pocket passer with a cannon where there should be an arm, as for his accuracy, it has been questioned but most NFL scouts believe that he has what it takes to make it at the next level. Barring a trade for Jay Cutler (which Josh McDaniels has now denied) Matt Stafford will be the number one draft choice.

2. St. Louis Rams, Jason Smith, Baylor Bears- The Rams are looking to start rebuilding their franchise from the ground up. The release of the oft injured Orlando Pace and the geriatric Torry Holt further proves the point. So who does St. Louis take to begin the rebuilding process? I still believe that Marc Bulger can be a good quarterback in the league, he just needs to stop getting sacked so often. Steven Jackson showed flashes of domination near the end of the season and there really is no great running back to take this early. With Michael Crabtree suffering a foot injury and not recording a 40 yard time he is seen as a liability at number two overall, add to the fact that there is pretty good depth at the receiver position and that Jake Long did not slip to them in last years draft this looks like it will be an offensive tackle. With Michael Oher not looking like a top ten prospect anymore, this choice is between Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe. Jason Smith tore it up at the combine and has the speed to get out in the open and block the run as well which fits the Rams scheme perfectly.

3. Kansas City Chiefs, Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest Demon Deacons- Well the Chiefs have their quarterback of the future, now they just need to fill in the holes around him. However, the huge news in KC is the transition to a 3-4 defence and we all know thanks to John Madden that the best offense is a great defense. Glenn Dorsey may not be a perfect fit at nose tackle but the Chiefs cannot give up on him after one year. As far as the secondary is concerned there is no one good enough to take at number three which leaves the linebackers and the defensive ends. If the Chiefs figure out that Tamba Hali wasn’t a good fit at RE and throw him back over to his natural LE position then linebacker is the way to go, and the one guy that everyone wants at linebacker is Aaron Curry. Curry is the defensive playmaker that KC needs and has needed for a while he can make an immediate impact on a struggling defense.

4. Seattle Seahawks, Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia Cavaliers- The Seahawks signed TJ Houshmandzadeh or however you spell his name some what negating the need to risk the fourth overall draft pick on Michael Crabtree. This pick will either be used on a DT or an OT. The Seahawks need to focus on protecting their franchises quarterback which is why I can really only see this pick as an OT. With Jason Smith gone the only logical choice is Eugene Monroe.

5. Cleveland Browns, Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas Longhorns- Eric Mangini… Really…. Mr. Mediocre is coaching the underachieving Browns. Wow. Anyways, mock draft not my personal rifts. Mangini tried to build a team in New York through the secondary, and once again I will say it, there is no talent good enough to take this high. Brandon Pettigrew didn’t do enough at the combine to make himself a top ten selection and I just can’t see Crabtree going here because of the sheer brutality of the Browns defense. So which front seven man goes here. It comes down to between Everette Brown and Brian Orakpo and what it will come down to is the fact that Eric Mangini drafted Vernon Gholston last year and will probably be very cautious about drafting a hybrid player such as Everette Brown. Hence Brian Orakpo goes at number 5.

6. Cincinnati Bengals, BJ Raji, NT, Boston College Eagles- With the top two tackles off the board this becomes a very intriguing situation for the Bengals. What most people seem to be missing is the fact that the Bengals will be getting Keith Rivers back this year negating the need for an OLB and with no proven studs at MLB. The defensive line could stand for an upgrade so why not go with one of the biggest monsters in the draft. BJ Raji is a guy who can decimate the run and has the ability to bring a heavy pass rush, great fit for a team who couldn’t do any of that last year. Yes, BJ Raji has apparently failed a drug test, which pretty much makes him a lock to play for the Bengals.

7. Oakland Raiders, Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech Red Raiders- I don’t even have to explain this pick but I will. Al Michaels loves flashy players and Jamarcus Russell needs a go to guy who can defend himself on the Las Vegas strip and actually make it to training camp, being able to get open and catch a ball would also help the passing attacks chances.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars, Jeremy Maclin, WR, Mizzou Tigers- With BJ Raji off the board the Jags will have to wait until a later round to find a replacement for Marcus Stroud. This is a very good thing as it turns out for Jack Del Rio and his offense because now they can go after a wide receiver to help David Garrard and the passing game. Now although it may be very early Jeremy Maclin may be the missing piece in the Jacksonville puzzle. He has great speed and good hands which is all Garrard will need to kick the offense into the next gear.

9. Green Bay Packers, Everette Brown, DE/OLB, FSU Seminoles- The Packers need someone to get to the quarterback whose name is not Aaron Kampman. But if you’re a defensive coordinator wouldn’t you want to bring in a player who can play at end and at linebacker. Everette Brown is the best player at the position, he is fast, strong and knows how to get to the quarterback.

10. San Francisco 49ers, Mark Sanchez, QB, USC Trojans- Its time for the Niners and Mike Singletary to start thinking about who the next franchise quarterback will be. Mark Sanchez is the best bet at this selection. Sanchez may not have the strongest arm in the quarterback class but he is pretty accurate and has proven that he can produce in big game situations. Mark Sanchez may just be the prayer that SanFran fans may be looking for after the Alex Smith debacle.

11. Buffalo Bills, Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State Nittany Lions- Well for the second year in a row the Bills find themselves selecting at number 11. So who will they take this year? Brandon Pettigrew is still outside of his draft range and there are some very good tight ends available later in the draft. The major problems in Buffalo lie in the front seven on the defensive side of the ball. This is the same situation as Green Bay was in, so naturally I have them taking a similar player in Aaron Maybin. Maybin runs the risk of being a one year wonder, but the fact that a 253 pound man can run a sub 4.65 40 is worth that risk. He could take some pressure off of Aaron Schobel and Kawika Mitchell.

12. Denver Broncos, Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU Tigers- The only offensive position I could see being drafted here is running back, however with the way that Denver has been stocking up on running backs I doubt that this happens. Instead I can see Josh McDaniels trying to make Denver as much like New England as possible. Denver has a very small D line as compared to same of the more defensively gifted teams in the league. I never thought of Tyson Jackson as a very good defensive end because I always saw an end as someone who got to the quarterback, but Jackson adds a new dimension, he is a great run stopping end which is exactly what Denver a newly converted 3-4 team needs.

13. Washington Redskins, Michael Johnson, DE, GTech Yellow Jackets- The Redskins are a team that can be good but just needs a little bit of help. Mainly they need some help along the front seven as it seems most teams do in this draft. Michael Johnson is an athletic freak who can get to the quarterback which is something Washington could improve on. Adding a person of Johnson’s talent could help the Redskins in the tough NFC East.

14. New Orleans Saints, Malcolm Jenkins, FS/CB, Ohio State Buckeyes- The Saints should be good on the offensive side of the ball for the first round. Where the Saints are not good however is in the defensive secondary. Now despite all the downside surrounding Malcolm Jenkins I still believe he is the best bet for the Saints. He will most likely play free safety in the pros but could possibly play corner if the Saints need him too.

15. Houston Texans, Brian Cushing, OLB, USC Trojans- Offense, check, defense, not so much. If the Texans ever want to become contenders they need to build a better defence. I mocked Clay Matthews here originally, but I keep waking up in the middle of the night due to the same nightmare…… Brian Cushing hitting me in the open field and making me cry in front of millions of people. Cushing is a versatile player who can step into Reliant Stadium and actually be reliable.

16. San Diego Chargers, Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC Trojans- San Diego is good on offense, the secondary is alright, but once again it’s the front seven that could use some work. With Shawn Merriman returning this season the Chargers will probably target a MLB or a DT and with some depth at DT, Rey Maualuga is the best choice here for the Chargers. A great run stopper and a huge intimidator Maualuga can immediately make a difference for the bolts.

17. New York Jets, Clay Matthews, OLB, USC Trojans- The Jets have an interesting predicament here. There are a number of holes that need to be filled but some positions can be addressed in later rounds. The quarterback position is probably the most pressing position because of the departure (for now at least) of Brett Favre, Josh Freeman is available here but the Jets have invested time and money in Kellen Clemmens and Brett Ratliff, plus the Jets could take a chance and go for WR/QB threat Pat White in a later round. Running back could be a possible pick but there is a lot of depth in this draft. What needs to be taken into account is the hiring of Rex Ryan as the new Jets head coach and coming from a team known for its suffocating defence Ryan will probably try to make his new job just like his last job. So with that being said the position that most needs to be upgraded on the Jets D is the OLB position especially after the whole Vernon Gholston debacle last year, and Clay Matthews is the best backer available at this position.

18. Denver Broncos, Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois Fighting Illini- With pick number two of round number one the Broncos continue the defensive upgrade by bringing in a young corner to learn from Champ Bailey and eventually take over as the teams defensive shut down player. Davis is good but his attitude and work ethic are apparently not as good. Josh McDaniels proved he doesn’t accept poor attitudes so look for Davis to be traded later in the draft.


19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State Wildcats- First of all thank you Derrick Ward for making this a much tougher draft choice. Now that Ward has signed it comes down to two positions, quarterback and outside linebacker. The Bucs parted ways with Jeff Garcia and brought back Chris Simms. I’m sorry I just need a minute to figure this out; you release a former Pro Bowl QB, and bring back a QB who you released last year and who has not proven himself as a starter yet. My apologies Mr. Ward this pick is actually very easy. The Bucs need to go with a new QB to usher in the new era in Tampa. Josh Freeman could quite possibly be a good starter in the NFL, there have been some questions about his accuracy but lets not forget that Rex Grossman started in the NFL as well as a Super Bowl. Point made? I think so.

20. Detroit Lions, Andre Smith, OT, Alabama Crimson Tide- This is essentially a no brainer especially with a talent like Smith on the board. If the Lions do snag Matt Stafford at numero uno they need to draft their OT of the future here to protect him and Smith could very well be that guy. His work ethic and attitude could be detrimental especially going to Detroit but that will have to be a risk Detroit takes to get the best OT available.

21. Philadelphia Eagles, Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss-With this being the first of two picks in the first round for Big Reds boys and a talent like Oher slipping this far the Eagles need to swoop in and grab him (get it like an eagle would). McNabb needs a new guy to block for him in the future not Winston “Swiss Cheese” Justice.

22. Minnesota Vikings, Alex Mack, C, Cal Golden Bears- Now call me crazy but I like the Vikings secondary, so it’s tough for me to mock a DB here. The next position of need QB and it just so happens that there is no great talent available at this point. This leaves the interior offensive line. Duke Robinson could be a possibility but with his stock slipping quickly the Vikings will go with Alex Mack especially with Matt Birk not performing up to standards. Mack has great football sense and is a beast in the middle. He can also slip outside to guard if the Vikes decide to keep Matt Birk.

23. New England Patriots, Darius Butler, CB, UConn Huskies- Secondary should be the theme here for Sweat Suit Billy and the crew. The signing of Fred Smoot is essentially useless, and the secondary showed weakness last year. Darius Butler could be one of the next great Patriots, fast, good ball skills. He may not be as good as Davis or Jenkins but going to a football powerhouse like the Pats he could learn a lot and get better fast.


24. Atlanta Falcons Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State Cowboys- The Atlanta Falcons have replaced Michael Vick, now all they need to do is replace Alge Crumpler. Brandon Pettigrew would be a great fit in Atlanta and could really be a go to guy in Atlanta once teams start doubling up on Roddy White.

25. Miami Dolphins, Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest Demon Deacons- Miami needs defense like Ricky Williams needs to pass his next drug test. James Laurinitis could be a great pick here but with Joey Porter putting up monster numbers the secondary could go for a first round upgrade. Cornerback is the most pressing need in the Dolphins current situation. Alphonso Smith was part of a pretty good defense and has the abilities that the Dolphins need to bring back their secondary.

26. Baltimore Ravens, Percy Harvin, WR, Florida Gators- Joe Flacco has surprised me; I didn’t think he would last ten snaps in the NFL, mostly because I didn’t think he would be able to see through that jungle of a unibrow. But now that he has proven that he can in fact see through it he is going to need a receiver to throw the ball to. Percy Harvin is a great wide receiver that can also bring an added dimension to the running game.

27. Indianapolis Colts, Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss Rebels- The Colts are a team that can beat any team in the NFL, as long as they don’t have to face a team with a good running game. Hence the selection of Peria Jerry. A lot of mocks have a wide receiver going here, but the wide receiver pool is a lot deeper than the defensive tackle pool and if Jerry does fall to 27 the Colts should not even hesitate to take him.

28. Philadelphia Eagles, Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee Volunteers- The Eagles need to think about the D Line here. Robert Ayers is the best guy available, he is flying up draft boards and proved at the combine that he can play with the big boys.


29. New York Giants, Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland Terrapins - The Giants proved that their offense struggles when they don’t have Plaxico Burress in the line up, so with Plax gone Eli Manning is going to need a new wide out. Darrius Heyward-Bey may officially become the King of the Combine with the performance he turned in. There will not be a talent like DHB at the bottom of round 2 so the Giants need to grab him here.

30. Tennessee Titans, James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio State Buckeyes- The Titans picked up Nate Washington in free agency negating the need for a wide receiver in round 1. One player that I think the Titans could reach for here as an upgrade is James Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis is a great talent who played amazing for Ohio State and could help out the Tennessee Titans defense.

31. Arizona Cardinals, Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State Buckeyes- The Cardinals must take Chris Wells here if by some chance he actually does fall this far, no questions asked. The Cards need a compliment runner to Tim Hightower and Wells could be that guy.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers, Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma Sooners- The Steelers must protect Ben Roethlisberger and keep the running backs healthy. Duke Robinson comes from a school that knows a thing or two about protecting the running back. Robinson is the best interior linemen available and could be an immediate upgrade to what the Steelers have right now.

Go... Oilers?

It seems at least a couple times every year I find myself in a tough predicament. Although I have my loyalty as a Flames fan, every now and then the Flames are able to benefit with a win by their most hated rivals. No time more important than tonight.

With the 9th place, 36-33-9 Oilers taking on the surging 3rd place 42-25-10 Canucks, the Flames have never needed the provincial rivals so badly. An Edmonton win tonight puts the Flames right back into the Northwest Division lead and takes away Vancouver's game in hand, placing the Flames' playoff destiny squarely in their own hands with four games remaining.

A Vancouver win, on the other hand, means the Canucks face a fairly easy road to the division title. With games remaining only against the 15th place Avalanche (twice), the 14th place Kings, and the Flames, these extra two points could be what separates Calgary and Vancouver by mid-April.

Which brings me back to my predicament... I can't stand the Oilers, I spend all season laughing at their every downfall. Through text messaging owners and poorly advised stick measurements, I truly love to see these guys fail. Now I'm cheering for them in a game that will keep their dim playoff hopes alive, and I'm not sure how to feel about this. But the enemy of my enemy is my friend, so Go Oilers!

...at least tonight, let's hope Mac T's bunch of bumbling idiots return for the home and home series April 10th and 11th.


SP

An Early Look at 2010

I got a call from a good friend of mine last night inviting me over to his house for pizza and the Flames game. Now before I explain the events that transpired allow me to give you a little bit of background about me. I am a Flames fan, I am a hockey fan, but I am a realist. So last night when Kipper got yanked in favour of Curtis McElhinney, my friend and I both looked at each other and said “09” and with that the game was over, and we were playing NHL 09.

The reason I am writing about this is because of something that happened while we were playing. We were online playing as Team Sweden, and the poor soul matched up against us chose Team Canada. Well roughly 25 minutes later Team Canada had been dropped 7-3 with Wade Redden finishing -4. This prompted my friend and I (the two victors I might add) to both question Wade Reddens possible involvement in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, and that’s when the idea to make a potential roster for Team Canada hit me. So sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Goaltenders-

Martin Brodeur (Montreal, QC)- Brodeur has proven that he is the greatest goaltender of all time and with what looks like one more season in the tank Brodeur will more than likely get the nod to start in Vancouver.

Roberto Luongo (Montreal, QC)- Luongo is a great goaltender, but Brodeur is just that much better. Bobby Lu will be able to step in against weaker teams and give Brodeur a break, and if by some act cruel act of God Martin Brodeur gets injured, Luongo is a capable back up.

Cam Ward (Saskatoon, SK)- I know, I know, Steve Mason is the greatest thing since sliced bread. He does however have one huge flaw…. he is young. Sure he has led Team Canada to a WJHC gold medal but the Olympics is a whole different level with a whole different group of players. Cam Ward has won a Stanley Cup and is a good goalie, remember he is a reserve goalie which means his chance of seeing action is almost zero.

*If you think Carey Price should be on the team, stop reading, walk away from your computer and jump in front of a bus.

Defensemen

Jay Bouwmeester (Edmonton, AB)- I hate Jay Bouwmeester, but Steve Yzerman sure doesn’t and that’s why he is on this list.

Dan Boyle (Ottawa, ON) - Dan Boyle has really proved himself this year, he can be a power play quarterback and has stepped up his play in the defensive zone. If his numbers can stay consistent next season he should make this team.

Mike Green (Calgary, AB)- As much as I would like to say no, his 28 goals, 37 assists and 16 power play points make me say yes, yes , oh sweet Lord yes.

Duncan Keith (Winnipeg, MB)- Duncan Keith is a defensemen that will put up points and keep the puck out of his own net. If he continues to improve he will make this team no problems.

Chris Pronger (Dryden, ON)- Pronger is a wrecking machine who knows a thing or two about playing defence and winning titles. Experience will be key on the blue line for Team Canada and Prongs brings that to the table.

Sheldon Souray (Elk Point, AB) - Souray makes this team as the seventh defensemen. He has one of the best slap shots I have ever seen and is clutch when the game is on the line; he also adds a physical dimension to a teams defence. Am I crazy for making this pick, maybe just a little.

Shea Weber (Sicamous, BC)- Weber has transformed into one of the best defensemen in the NHL. A huge hitter with great defensive sense and just the right offensive touch, should play well on the world stage.

Forwards

Michael Cammalleri (Richmond Hill, ON)- This pick is totally based on the year that Cammo is having and if Iginla makes the team there is a very good chance they could be playing together given their terrific chemistry.

Sidney Crosby (Cole Harbour, NS)- As much as I hate him he does have a place on this team, however if he is given any sort of captaincy I will boycott Team Canada.

Shane Doan (Halkirk, AB)- Doan has captained international teams before, he has veteran leadership and the skill to be a lower line player.

Simon Gagne (Ste. Foy, QC)- Gagne is back, and he is back with a vengeance. 30 goals while staying relatively healthy, that could be huge for the Canucks (as in Team Canada not Gaycouver).

Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK)- Getzlaf shined at last years WHC, he showed great chemistry with Nash and Heatley and those three guys pretty much wrote their names on the roster with their performance.

Dany Heatley (Calgary, AB)- See above for reasoning.

Jarome Iginla (Edmonton, AB)- An early favourite to wear the C for Team Canada, Iginla is a solid player who scores, passes, hits, he does everything. This is essentially a lock as far as I’m concerned.

Vincent Lecavalier (Ile Bizard, QC)- One of Canada’s premier players, lots of skill, lots of speed, if paired with St. Louis he could be even more potent.

Rick Nash (Brampton, ON)- Nash is almost automatic in international play, if the coaching staff breaks up the Heatley-Nash-Getzlaf line in Vancouver, I might just cry.

Mike Richards (Kenora, ON)- Canada is known for being a more physical team in the Olympics which sometimes leads to more penalties. Richards is a short handed whiz and a great fit for this team.

Marc Savard (Ottawa, ON)- Savard is a great set up man, and if paired with some of the great scorers on this team he could really tear it up.

Martin St.Louis (Laval, QC)- Maybe this is a bit of a reach but I like Marty St. Louis, he is fast, has good hands, and a wicked accurate shot. The entire package needed to play the international game.

Joe Thornton (London, ON)- Great set up man, has size to overwhelm smaller opponents, great fit in international hockey.

Coach

Mike Babcock (Saskatoon, SK)- Two weeks ago I would have said Brent Sutter, but now word on the street is that Sutter is falling out of love with coaching which could affect his choice to coach or not. Babcock has done a great job with the Wings and has won a Stanley Cup so he has the experience in crunch time.



Just a couple of points to close out this article:

· Scott Niedermayer was not included on this team because I believe he will choose not to participate in the Olympics.
· Cammalleri is a long shot to make the team but I think be may be selected as a reserve
· My choices for captains are as Follows
Captain- Jarome Iginla
Assistant Captain- Shane Doan
Assistant Captain- Chris Pronger

Tight western conference race makes tonights Canucks vs. Blues game one to watch

This one should be solid.

With the Canucks three points back of the Flames for the Northwest division lead and the Blues two points back of the Oilers for the eighth and final seed in the playoffs, both teams are going to come out hungry in this one. Both teams have really heated up down the stretch with the Canucks going 7-2-1 in their last ten games and St. Louis going 6-3-1.

The success of the Canucks can mainly be attributed to the incredible play of Roberto Luongo, who comes into this game with a 2.39 GAA and a .918 save percentage. His return has solidified the Canucks as a solid team in the west that some believe could be a cup contender. Also not to be looked over is the play of Alex Burrows this season, if this guy doesnt become team captain at some point in his career the Canucks are crazy, 24 goals, 19 assists and currently sits at a plus 16, look for him to be hot tonight.

St. Louis comes into this game in a position I didnt really expect them to be in around late march, fighting for a playoff berth. But Chris Mason has been HOT, posting similar numbers to Luongo with a 2.43 GAA and a .917 save percentage. Mason is having a career season and would hate to see it go to waste by missing the playoffs. The real turnaround for the Blues this season came when Mason stepped between the pipes to relieve Manny Legace of his starter job, a move that has paid dividends for the Blues. Not to be forgotten in the positives this season for St. Louis is the play of rookie T.J Oshie. Oshie is behing only Patrik Berglund in plus minus with a plus 13 with 11 goals and 21 assists. This guy has a promising career ahead of him.

So look for a solid outing tonight between two teams fighting for playoff positioning in a real dogfight of a western conference. Vancouver won the last game 3-0, but I would imagine the Blues reeeeeaaaally want these two points.

High Caliber's First Ever NFL Mock Draft

Welcome to the first ever High Caliber NFL Mock Draft. This draft is based on the current NFL Draft order and is based on what a team’s greatest weakness is and the best talent available. So without further adieu I give you, Mock Draft 1.0

1. Detroit Lions, Matt Stafford, QB, UGA Bulldogs- The Detroit Lions are in a situation where any position that they draft can be an upgrade to what they currently have. The offensive line is just about as weak as the defensive line, which Matt Millen brilliantly deteriorated by trading mammoth nose tackle Shaun Rogers to Cleveland for Leigh Bodden, the same Leigh Bodden whom was released earlier in the off season. The lone bright spot on the team is linebacker Ernie Sims, but how much longer can an awful team hold on to star players for. What I am trying to say is that the Lions are just bad and that it is time to start over and how does a team start over your asking, it’s quite simple, by drafting their new franchise quarterback. Stafford is a pocket passer with a cannon where there should be an arm, as for his accuracy, it has been questioned but most NFL scouts believe that he has what it takes to make it at the next level. Barring a trade for Jay Cutler (which Josh McDaniels has now denied) Matt Stafford will be the number one draft choice.

2. St. Louis Rams, Jason Smith, Baylor Bears- The Rams are looking to start rebuilding their franchise from the ground up. The release of the oft injured Orlando Pace and the geriatric Torry Holt further proves the point. So who does St. Louis take to begin the rebuilding process? I still believe that Marc Bulger can be a good quarterback in the league, he just needs to stop getting sacked so often. Steven Jackson showed flashes of domination near the end of the season and there really is no great running back to take this early. With Michael Crabtree suffering a foot injury and not recording a 40 yard time he is seen as a liability at number two overall, add to the fact that there is pretty good depth at the receiver position and that Jake Long did not slip to them in last years draft this looks like it will be an offensive tackle. With Michael Oher not looking like a top ten prospect anymore, this choice is between Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe. Jason Smith tore it up at the combine and has the speed to get out in the open and block the run as well which fits the Rams scheme perfectly.

3. Kansas City Chiefs, Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest Demon Deacons- Well the Chiefs have their quarterback of the future, now they just need to fill in the holes around him. However, the huge news in KC is the transition to a 3-4 defence and we all know thanks to John Madden that the best offense is a great defense. Glenn Dorsey may not be a perfect fit at nose tackle but the Chiefs cannot give up on him after one year. As far as the secondary is concerned there is no one good enough to take at number three which leaves the linebackers and the defensive ends. If the Chiefs figure out that Tamba Hali wasn’t a good fit at RE and throw him back over to his natural LE position then linebacker is the way to go, and the one guy that everyone wants at linebacker is Aaron Curry. Curry is the defensive playmaker that KC needs and has needed for a while he can make an immediate impact on a struggling defense.

4. Seattle Seahawks, Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia Cavaliers- The Seahawks signed TJ Houshmandzadeh (or however you spell his name) some what negating the need to risk the fourth overall draft pick on Michael Crabtree. This pick will either be used on a DT or an OT. The Seahawks need to focus on protecting their franchises quarterback which is why I can really only see this pick as an OT. With Jason Smith gone the only logical choice is Eugene Monroe.

5. Cleveland Browns, Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas Longhorns- Eric Mangini… Really…. Mr. Mediocre is coaching the underachieving Browns. Wow. Anyways, mock draft not my personal rifts. Mangini tried to build a team in New York through the secondary, and once again I will say it, there is no talent good enough to take this high. Brandon Pettigrew didn’t do enough at the combine to make himself a top ten selection and I just can’t see Crabtree going here because of the sheer brutality of the Browns defense. So which front seven man goes here. It comes down to between Everette Brown and Brian Orakpo and what it will come down to is the fact that Eric Mangini drafted Vernon Gholston last year and will probably be very cautious about drafting a hybrid player such as Everette Brown. Hence Brian Orakpo goes at number 5.

6. Cincinnati Bengals, BJ Raji, NT, Boston College Eagles- With the top two tackles off the board this becomes a very intriguing situation for the Bengals. What most people seem to be missing is the fact that the Bengals will be getting Keith Rivers back this year negating the need for an OLB and with no proven studs at MLB. The defensive line could stand for an upgrade so why not go with one of the biggest monsters in the draft. BJ Raji is a guy who can decimate the run and has the ability to bring a heavy pass rush, great fit for a team who couldn’t do any of that last year.

7. Oakland Raiders, Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech Red Raiders- I don’t even have to explain this pick but I will. Al Michaels loves flashy players and Jamarcus Russell needs a go to guy who can defend himself on the Las Vegas strip and actually make it to training camp, being able to get open and catch a ball would also help the passing attacks chances.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars, Jeremy Maclin, WR, Mizzou Tigers- With BJ Raji off the board the Jags will have to wait until a later round to find a replacement for Marcus Stroud. This is a very good thing as it turns out for Jack Del Rio and his offense because now they can go after a wide receiver to help David Garrard and the passing game. Now although it may be very early Jeremy Maclin may be the missing piece in the Jacksonville puzzle. He has great speed and good hands which is all Garrard will need to kick the offense into the next gear.

9. Green Bay Packers, Everette Brown, DE/OLB, FSU Seminoles- The Packers need someone to get to the quarterback whose name is not Aaron Kampman. But if you’re a defensive coordinator wouldn’t you want to bring in a player who can play at end and at linebacker. Everette Brown is the best player at the position, he is fast, strong and knows how to get to the quarterback.

10. San Francisco 49ers, Mark Sanchez, QB, USC Trojans- Its time for the Niners and Mike Singletary to start thinking about who the next franchise quarterback will be. Mark Sanchez is the best bet at this selection. Sanchez may not have the strongest arm in the quarterback class but he is pretty accurate and has proven that he can produce in big game situations. Mark Sanchez may just be the prayer that SanFran fans may be looking for after the Alex Smith debacle.

11. Buffalo Bills, Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State Nittany Lions- Well for the second year in a row the Bills find themselves selecting at number 11. So who will they take this year? Brandon Pettigrew is still outside of his draft range and there are some very good tight ends available later in the draft. The major problems in Buffalo lie in the front seven on the defensive side of the ball. This is the same situation as Green Bay was in, so naturally I have them taking a similar player in Aaron Maybin. Maybin runs the risk of being a one year wonder, but the fact that a 253 pound man can run a sub 4.65 40 is worth that risk. He could take some pressure off of Aaron Schobel and Kawika Mitchell.

12. Denver Broncos, Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU Tigers- The only offensive position I could see being drafted here is running back, however with the way that Denver has been stocking up on running backs I doubt that this happens. Instead I can see Josh McDaniels trying to make Denver as much like New England as possible. Denver has a very small D line as compared to same of the more defensively gifted teams in the league. I never thought of Tyson Jackson as a very good defensive end because I always saw an end as someone who got to the quarterback, but Jackson adds a new dimension, he is a great run stopping end which is exactly what Denver a newly converted 3-4 team needs.

13. Washington Redskins, Michael Johnson, DE, GTech Yellow Jackets- The Redskins are a team that can be good but just needs a little bit of help. Mainly they need some help along the front seven as it seems most teams do in this draft. Michael Johnson is an athletic freak who can get to the quarterback which is something Washington could improve on. Adding a person of Johnson’s talent could help the Redskins in the tough NFC East.

14. New Orleans Saints, Malcolm Jenkins, FS/CB, Ohio State Buckeyes- The Saints should be good on the offensive side of the ball for the first round. Where the Saints are not good however is in the defensive secondary. Now despite all the downside surrounding Malcolm Jenkins I still believe he is the best bet for the Saints. He will most likely play free safety in the pros but could possibly play corner if the Saints need him too.

15. Houston Texans, Clay Matthews, OLB, USC Trojans- Offense, check, defense, not so much. If the Texans ever want to become contenders they need to be able to stop the pass, however with a lot of depth at the corner position the Texans should look to address the outside linebacker position. Clay Matthews is flying up draft boards after a good showing at the combine and looks to be the best player at the position.

16. San Diego Chargers, Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC Trojans- San Diego is good on offense, the secondary is alright, but once again it’s the front seven that could use some work. With Shawn Merriman returning this season the Chargers will probably target a MLB or a DT and with some depth at DT, Rey Maualuga is the best choice here for the Chargers. A great run stopper and a huge intimidator Maualuga can immediately make a difference for the bolts.

17. New York Jets- Brian Cushing, OLB, USC Trojans- The Jets have an interesting predicament here. There are a number of holes that need to be filled but some positions can be addressed in later rounds. The quarterback position is probably the most pressing position because of the departure (for now at least) of Brett Favre, Josh Freeman is available here but the Jets have invested time and money in Kellen Clemmens and Brett Ratliff, plus the Jets could take a chance and go for WR/QB threat Pat White in a later round. Running back could be a possible pick but there is a lot of depth in this draft. What needs to be taken into account is the hiring of Rex Ryan as the new Jets head coach and coming from a team known for its suffocating defence Ryan will probably try to make his new job just like his last job. So with that being said the position that most needs to be upgraded on the Jets D is the OLB position especially after the whole Vernon Gholston debacle last year, and Brian Cushing is the best backer available at this position.

18. Chicago Bears, Andre Smith, OT, Alabama Crimson Tide- The Bears defense played well enough last year that I don’t think they need to worry about drafting a defensive player here. There are some offensive positions that need addressing mainly wide receiver and offensive tackle. However with the retirement of John Tait, John St. Clair going to Cleveland and Lovie Smith putting his job on the line with Kyle Orton, the Bears will need to find another tackle to take in the first round. Andre Smith has shown that his attitude and drive may be detrimental factors but if there is one coach who can keep his pants on and motivate his team its Lovie Smith. Andre Smith can still be a great tackle in the league he just needs some help.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State Wildcats- First of all thank you Derrick Ward for making this a much tougher draft choice. Now that Ward has signed it comes down to two positions, quarterback and outside linebacker. The Bucs parted ways with Jeff Garcia and brought in Ryan Sims (thanks to Trevor for pointing out my mistake of originally citing Chris Sims) a quarterback who is yet to prove himself in the league. My apologies Mr. Ward this pick is actually very easy. The Bucs need to go with a new QB to usher in the new era in Tampa. Josh Freeman could quite possibly be a good starter in the NFL, there have been some questions about his accuracy but lets not forget that Rex Grossman started in the NFL as well as a Super Bowl. Point made? I think so.

20. Detroit Lions, Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss Rebels- This is essentially a no brainer especially with a talent like Oher on the board. If the Lions do snag Matt Stafford at numero uno they need to draft their OT of the future here to protect him and Oher could very well be that guy.

21. Philadelphia Eagles, Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee Volunteers- The Eagles need to think about the front seven on both sides of the ball. However with this being their first of two picks in the first round for Big Reds boys and the teams in between the picks all being possible drafting grounds for D linemen, the Eagles will probably go for the best defensive linemen available. Robert Ayers is that guy that will be targeted and more than likely wont be available for pick number two.

22. Minnesota Vikings, Alex Mack, C, Cal Golden Bears- Now call me crazy but I like the Vikings secondary, so it’s tough for me to mock a DB here. The next position of need QB and it just so happens that there is no great talent available at this point. This leaves the interior offensive line. Duke Robinson could be a possibility but with his stock slipping quickly the Vikings will go with Alex Mack especially with Matt Birk not performing up to standards. Mack has great football sense and is a beast in the middle. He can also slip outside to guard if the Vikes decide to keep Matt Birk.

23. New England Patriots, Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois Fighting Illini- Secondary should be the theme here for Sweat Suit Billy and the crew. The signing of Fred Smoot is essentially useless, and the secondary showed weakness last year. Vontae Davis could be one of the next great Patriots, fast, good ball skills, he has been rumoured to have an attitude problem but if there is one team with veteran leaders who would straighten that out quick it would be the Pats.

24. Atlanta Falcons Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State Cowboys- The Atlanta Falcons have replaced Michael Vick, now all they need to do is replace Alge Crumpler. Brandon Pettigrew would be a great fit in Atlanta and could really be a go to guy in Atlanta once teams start doubling up on Roddy White.

25. Miami Dolphins Darius Butler, CB, UConn Huskies- Miami needs defense like Ricky Williams needs to pass his next drug test. James Laurinitis could be a great pick here but with Joey Porter putting up monster numbers the secondary could go for a first round upgrade. Cornerback is the most pressing need in the Dolphins current situation. Darius Butler has been on the rise on most draft charts and has the abilities that the Dolphins need to bring back their secondary.

26. Baltimore Ravens, Percy Harvin, WR, Florida Gators- Joe Flacco has surprised me; I didn’t think he would last ten snaps in the NFL, mostly because I didn’t think he would be able to see through that jungle of a unibrow. But now that he has proven that he can in fact see through it he is going to need a receiver to throw the ball to. Percy Harvin is a great wide receiver that can also bring an added dimension to the running game.

27. Indianapolis Colts, Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss Rebels- The Colts are a team that can beat any team in the NFL, as long as they don’t have to face a team with a good running game. Hence the selection of Peria Jerry. A lot of mocks have a wide receiver going here, but the wide receiver pool is a lot deeper than the defensive tackle pool and if Jerry does fall to 27 the Colts should not even hesitate to take him.

28. Philadelphia Eagles, Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma Sooners- And now for the update on the offensive line. With Correll Buckhalter outskies in Philly and with Brian Westbrook battling injuries all over his body its time for Andy Reid to bring in a guard to help the run and keep Westbrook safe. That player is Duke Robinson a mountain of a guard who comes from Oklahoma, a school that knows a thing or two about protecting running backs.

29. New York Giants, Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland Terrapins - The Giants proved that their offense struggles when they don’t have Plaxico Burress in the line up. So if Plax is done in New York, Eli Manning is going to need a new wide out. Darrius Heyward-Bey may officially become the King of the Combine with the performance he turned in. There will not be a talent like DHB at the bottom of round 2 so the Giants need to grab him here.

30. Tennessee Titans, James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio State Buckeyes- The Titans picked up Nate Washington in free agency negating the need for a wide receiver in round 1. One player that I think the Titans could reach for here as an upgrade is James Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis is a great talent who played amazing for Ohio State and could help out the Tennessee Titans defense.

31. Arizona Cardinals, Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State Buckeyes- The Cardinals must take Chris Wells here if by some chance he actually does fall this far, no questions asked. The Cards need a compliment runner to Tim Hightower and Wells could be that guy.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers, Max Unger, G/C, Oregon Ducks- The Steelers must protect Ben Roethlisberger. Max Unger is a player that can play all three positions along the interior line which can help the Steelers. With Max Starks resigning, this pick should be an interior lineman and Unger is the best one available.

If you the readers liked this mock and want some more, or if you think i'm totally brain dead, make sure to check out http://walterfootball.com/ for more, Walter has a four round draft with great information.

Canucks catching up to the Flames???

Well this is awkward...

A few weeks ago we Flames fans were hoping the 'Nucks could hear us laughing from so far down in the standings. Now they sit only five points back in the Northwest division with a game in hand.. That 11 point lead sure deteriorated quick didn't it? However, I'm still confident the additions of Olli Jokinen and Jordan Leopold will be enough to keep the Flames at the top through till mid-April.

Although, Luongo has been insane and Kiprusoff is starting to look like a goalie who has played in 64 games this season. Good thing we have a backup that can shoulder the load for Kipper so he can take a bit of a breather... We still have CuJo right? No? This could be a problem. If Keenan doesn't find a way to give Kiprusoff a break while still winning enough games to keep Vancouver at bay, we could be looking at a first round upset at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets. They're sure to be pumped up for their first ever playoff appearance and our goaltending is going to need to be on point.

If we rest Kipper and let McElhinney take the load for the last few games of the season, Vancouver will pas the Flames and we'll have to face Chicago in round one. A young team headed into the playoffs knowing the cap is going to tear them apart soon and they're going to have to think about winning now is going to be a tough opponent. Anybody remember what the pens did last year? It's not going to be a fun first round for whoever goes up against the Blackhawks.

It is entirely possible that when the Flames head to GM Place to take on the Canucks on April 7, they'll be playing for the third seed in the Western Conference. This should be a great game, as can be said for pretty much the whole remaining schedule for both teams. Neither has an overly easy schedule, although Vancouver does get to beat the crap out of the terrible Avalanche twice more this season.

This should be a solid dogfight right to the end of the season, anybody else praying for a Flames vs. Canucks second round matchup?

SP

Intro

Ok, here we go...

I'm gunna give this blogging thing a shot and see if I can give a little perspective on sports for the normal fan, not too deep into aspects that don't really matter, just telling the stories and why they're relevant to me.

As far as my interest in sports, I'm all about hockey. I follow the NHL religously and there's always some sort of storyline I find intriguing. NFL football is right up there with the NHL for me, with such a short schedule, every game matters and the analysis always brings up some cool drama in each game. I'm really going to make a solid effort to follow MLB this year, but that effort has fallen short many times before.

Which brings me to basketball... A sport I always loved to play but never really got into watching. This could be a by-product of the fact there's no pro basketball team anywhere near me, and canadian college ball never gets the exposure of our neighbours to the south. But I've heard great things about the March Madness tournament, and being laid off gives me the perfect opportunity to put in some hours and enjoy some basketball.

So, chances are if you're going to be reading this blog, you're a sports fan, no doubt. But not quite hardcore enough to really care about the really indepth analysis. You just want to know what's going on, and why it's important.

I'll talk about the debate on fighting in hockey, steroids in baseball, criminal activity in football, and whatever else I think is going to be worth your time in reading.

Hopefully I can get some decent thoughts up on here, check back often.


SP