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| Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
 Round 2 is underway and I’ll update as it goes along. The trades are fast and furious and there’s much less information available as we get deeper in the draft and I won’t do player-by-player analyses other than perhaps for the picks made by the Dallas Cowboys and really oddball news (like Philly taking Houston QB Kevin Kolb with their first pick).
ESPN DraftTracker:
33. Arizona Cardinals
Pick acquired from Oakland
The pick: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Scouts take: The saying it all starts up front is a football cliché that rings true more times than not and Arizona is having an excellent draft if you take that into account. In the first, the Cardinals got OT Levi Brown and trade up to get DT Alan Branch. Branch’s stock plummeted because of concerns about his work ethic and durability but he is an outstanding value here. He has the size, power and quickness to control the middle of the line of scrimmage and keep blockers off the linebackers.
34. Buffalo Bills
Pick acquired from Detroit
The pick: Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State
Scouts take: The exodus of Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher makes linebacker a substantial need and the Bills helped fill it by getting a first-round talent in the second round. Posluszny possesses rare instincts, he is relentless in pursuit and he knows how to bring ball carriers down in the open field. Even more impressive, he’s versatile enough to line up on the outside or the inside so the Bills can plug him in wherever they think he is most needed.
35. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The pick: Arron Sears, G, Tennessee
Scouts take: USC head coach Pete Carroll might feel a little slighted because either Steve Smith or Dwayne Jarrett, both USC receivers, would have arguably been better picks here. Where Arron Sears lines up will also have an impact on how strong of a pick this ends up being. If he lines up guard, he would be a valuable addition because he is quick and strong enough to eventually excel there. If they drafted him as an insurance policy for injury-prone Luke Pettigout, it’s a poor pick because he isn’t explosive or long enough to consistently hold up in pass protection on the edge.
36. Philadelphia Eagles
Pick acquired from Cleveland through Houston
The pick: Kevin Kolb, QB, Houston
Scouts take: This is too much of a reach to consider it a quality pick and considering this is the Eagles’ first pick of the day makes this even worse but it’s understandable. The reason is Kolb is an excellent fit for the West Coast offense and the future if the quarterback situation needs to be addressed since Donovan McNabb and Kelly Holcomb aren’t getting any younger.
37. San Diego Chargers
Pick acquired from Washington through Chicago and New York Jets
The pick: Eric Weddle, S, Utah
Scouts take: The Chargers are efficient if nothing else, as they have used their first two picks to fill their most pressing needs. Weddle’s lack of ideal speed, athletic ability and size separated him from the top three safeties in the draft but he is a football player who makes the most of his natural ability. That’s good news for a Chargers’ team that needs him to make an immediate impact.
38. Oakland Raiders
Pick acquired from Arizona
The pick: Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State
Scouts take: While the Raiders signed two tight ends during the offseason, neither can be considered a quality starter and there is a big drop off in talent at the tight end position after Miller. He isn’t quite as fast as Olsen but he has excellent body control and he tracks the ball well so he can make the occasional play downfield. Miller also has strong hands to develop into a productive red zone target and hang onto the bullets QB Jamarcus Russell is certain to be firing next year.
39. Atlanta Falcons
Pick acquired from Houston
The pick: Justin Blalock, G, Texas
Scouts take: Head coach Bobby Petrino wants a bigger, tougher offensive line and general manager Rich McKay appears to be listening. Blalock is a mauler who has the upper body strength to lock onto defender’s frame and the meanness to finish the block once in position. He should step into the starting lineup and give the Falcons a much-needed upgrade at offensive guard.
40. Miami Dolphins
The pick:John Beck, QB, BYU
Scouts take: Miami needed a quarterback and Beck, whose stock gained some steam heading into the weekend, has the tools to develop into an effective starter. He is smart, mechanically sound and accurate. However, Drew Stanton is still on the board and he would have been a better pick in our opinion.
41. Atlanta Falcons
Pick acquired from Minnesota
The pick: Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
Scouts take: Safety is Atlanta’s biggest weakness and getting Houston likely fills the hole there. The reason is Jimmy Williams can move from corner to safety and Houston can move into the starting slot opposite DeAngelo Hall. And the Falcons should be confident in his ability to start because he faced some of the best receivers in the nation at the collegiate and never backed down. Of course, his speed and ability to change directions quickly are reason to be hopeful.
42. Indianapolis Colts
Pick acquired from San Francisco
The pick: Tony Ugoh, OT, Arkansas
Scouts take: Again, Indianapolis needs help on the defensive side of the ball so this is puzzling. In fact, the only logical reason for taking tackle is to start grooming a possible replacement for Tarik Glenn. Ugoh played in a run-heavy scheme at the collegiate level and he doesn’t project as a starting left tackle. The only other possibility is moving him inside but he doesn’t have ideal lower body strength for a guard.
43. Detroit Lions
Pick acquired from Buffalo
The pick: Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan State
Scouts take:The Lions did well to get Stanton considering two quarterbacks had already gone in the round. Stanton doesn’t have elite arm strength or size but he is tough, moves well and can pick a defense part when he gets on a roll. He should play behind John Kitna for a year while he gets comfortable with the offense and develop a strong bond with first-round pick Calvin Johnson.
44. Minnesota Vikings
Pick acquired from Atlanta
The pick: Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina
Scouts take: The Vikings needed a receiver and Rice has the potential to develop into a playmaker. He is fast enough to stretch the field and he does a nice job of adjusting to the ball while it’s in the air. With that in mind, this can’t be called a bad pick but there are concerns about Rice’s ability to excel at the NFL level. He doesn’t have great bulk and he is a little soft so he will get pushed around at times. That’s why USC WR Steve Smith may have been the better pick here.
45. Carolina Panthers
The pick: Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
Scouts take: Mentor finally gets to play with protégé, as Dwayne Jarrett joins Keyshawn Johnson in Carolina. The truth is receiver isn’t a great need for the Panthers but Jarrett is a great value here and, oddly enough, he could eventually replace Johnson when the times comes for him to step down. It makes because both make up for their lack of ideal speed with fluid route running and by using their wide frame to shield defenders from the ball.
46. Pittsburgh Steelers
The pick: LaMarrr Woodley, DE, Michigan
Scouts take: Getting an outside linebacker that can get to the passer appears to be so important to the Steelers that they picked up two with their first two selections. Woodley’s stock dropped during the offseason, but he projected as a first-round pick at the end of the season and for good reason. He has good initial quickness, can shed blocks quickly and shows good closing speed once he turns the corner. The only concern is he has to work on his cover skills so he isn’t going to play an every-down role at outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme any time soon.
47.New York Jets
Pick acquired from Green Bay
The pick: David Harris, LB, Michigan
Scouts take: The Jets seem to be a completely different team in terms of the draft since Eric Mangini took over as the head coach. After jumping up to get Darrelle Revis in the first round, they jumped again to draft Harris. Harris doesn’t cover as well as Patrick Willis and he will need to be protected at times, but he is a stout run defender who rarely gets caught out of position and delivers some big hits. Just the idea of him lining up opposite Jonathan Vilma should keep opposing ball carriers up at night.
48. Jacksonville Jaguars
The pick: Justin Durant, LB, Hampton
Scouts take: The Jaguars reached for Durant because there are a number of higher rated prospects at outside linebacker, but they have addressed two of their top three needs. Though Durant has the athletic ability and explosiveness to develop into a quality starter, he is a small-school prospect so his ability to adjust to the speed of the game at the NFL level remains to be seen.
49. Cincinnati Bengals
The pick:Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn
Scouts take: Irons is a good value here because he runs hard between the tackles and he’s fast enough to break some long runs. His lack of size won’t be as much of a concern in Cincinnati because he will share caries with Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry. However, it’s important to note that the Bengals need an outside linebacker and a receiver so they didn’t fill any kind of a hole here.
50. Tennessee Titans
The pick: Chris Henry, RB, Arizona
Scouts take: With LenDale White having problems keeping his weight down and former Titan Travis Henry now wit Denver, the Titans needed a running back and Chris Henry has great upside. He possesses a rare bend of size and speed. With that said, Tennessee has yet to pick up a cornerback or a receiver and they are hurting at both positions. In addition, Henry’s lack of experience at the collegiate level should raise some red flags and Michael Bush is still on the board.
51. New York Giants
The pick: Steve Smith, WR, USC
Scouts take: The Giants couldn’t have done much better than getting Smith here. He is an excellent route runner for such a young player, catches the ball and can produce after the catch. Smith should replace aging Amani Toomer and complement Plaxico Burress well. Perhaps more importantly, he gives Eli Manning another legitimate target.
52. St. Louis Rams
The pick: Brian Leonard, FB, Rutgers
Scouts take: The Rams could have been better served taking a linebacker here because it’s a more pressing need. On the other hand, Leonard is a good choice here and they also need a back that can back Jackson up because undersized free agent signing Travis Minor is strictly a situational back. Leonard can pick up the tough yards between the tackles, catch the ball out of the backfield and line up at fullback at times.
53. Cleveland Browns
Pick acquired from Dallas
The pick: Eric Wright, CB, UNLV
Scouts take: From a talent standpoint, the Browns continue to have one of the strongest drafts. They have also addressed up some of the biggest weaknesses on the roster. Wright has the confidence, speed and quick feet to quickly emerge as a quality starting corner as a rookie. So why has he lasted so long? No player has more baggage in terms of character concerns than Wright so teams have been hesitant to pull the trigger. As a result, this looks like a boom or bust pick at this point.
54. Kansas City Chiefs
The pick: Turk McBride, DT, Tennessee
Scouts take: The Chiefs needed a defensive tackle and Turk McBride projected as a second round pick heading into today because he has the quickness to regularly disrupt plays in the backfield. However, it’s not a great fit. Kansas City’s priority should have been improving a mediocre run defense and McBride lacks the size to clog up the middle.
55. Seattle Seahawks
The pick: Josh Wilson, CB, Maryland
Scouts take: Kelly Herndon is a marginal No.2 cornerback who isn’t getting any younger so the Seahawks were wise to bring in Wilson. Wilson is a bit or a reach because he doesn’t have great size and he is inconsistent but he is still one of the best corners available. He’s fast enough to run with most any receiver and he is tough against the run for player his size.
56. Denver Broncos
The pick: Tim Crowder, DE, Texas
Scouts take: After taking Moss in the first round, Denver could have filled this need by taking a receiver or a linebacker. On the other hand, Crowder is a sound second round selection. He is a high-motor player with great speed for his size and sound instincts. Though he isn’t as explosive as Moss, he is bigger so he has a better chance of developing into an every-down player.
57. Philadelphia Eagles
The pick: Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame
Scouts take: While the Eagles still needing help at safety and corner, getting a defensive end was also on the to-do list this weekend because Javon Kearse and Darren Howard are aging and have underachieved. Abiamari lacks ideal top-end speed and has some problems holding his ground when teams run at him, but he has the strong upper body to keep blockers off him and the quick feet to develop a wide variety of pass rush moves.
58. Detroit Lions
Pick acquired from New Orleans
The pick: Ikaika Alma-Francis, DE, Hawaii
Scouts take:Alma-Francis is coming off a season-ending pectoral injury and he is raw so he will have to work on his technique. While he has the size and quickness to develop into an effective starter in time, the Lions have more pressing needs than end and adding a linebacker or possibly a cornerback makes a little more sense here.
59. Carolina Panthers
Pick acquired from New York Jets
The pick: Ryan Kalil, OC, USC
Scouts take:The bottom line is a team can’t go wrong by taking Kalil at this point. While Justin Hartwig is an adequate starter, Kalil represents an upgrade and could emerge as one of the best centers in the league. He is a technician who gets into good position and he’s strong enough to drive defenders off the ball when he gets under their pads. His pass blocking is just as strong if not better because he has excellent quickness and he has the quick feet to counter when defenders throw double moves at him.
60. Miami Dolphins
Pick acquired from New England
The pick: Samson Satele, OC, Hawaii
Scouts take: Satele is versatile enough to line up anywhere along the offensive line but he fits best at center and the Dolphins’ greatest need at offensive tackle. If they do indeed move him to tackle, defensive ends should have success exposing his lack of ideal lower body strength. In addition, he doesn’t have very long arms so he is going to have problems riding edge rushers past the pocket. In other words, this is a questionable pick.
61. Detroit Lions
Pick acquired from Baltimore
The pick: Gerald Alexander, S, Boise State
Scouts take: Although Alexander rarely makes mistakes when dropping into coverage, fills hard when he reads run and is versatile enough to line up at safety or corner, he doesn’t have great size or speed. In fact, he projects as a sub-package defensive back who makes his biggest contributions on special teams. Why not take DS Josh Gattis or DC/DS Tenard Jackson here? Both would have been better values.
62. Chicago Bears
Pick acquired from San Diego
The pick: Dan Bazuin, DE, Central Michigan
Scouts take: Bazuin is a good pick for the Bears’ Cover-2 schemes because he has the burst to turn the corner and can deliver the big hit when he gets to the quarterback but this is too much of a reach. First off, he doesn’t have great size and he will struggle when teams run at him. Secondly, he had a disappointing senior season and didn’t play in one of the premiere conferences. As a result, there are some concerns about ability to produce working against a considerably higher level of competition.
63. Green Bay Packers
Pick acquired from Chicago through New York Jets
The pick: Brandon Jackson, RB, Nebraska
Scouts take: The Packers lost out on the Marshawn Lynch sweepstakes so they were wise to take a back here. Only problem is they took the wrong back. On the positive side, Jackson is a balanced runner who bounces of arm tackles and can make defenders miss. On the negative side, he doesn’t have ideal size or speed for a primary back. With Michael Bush and Tony Hunt still waiting for calls, Green Bay probably should have taken one of them.
64. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick acquired from Indianapolis
The pick: Sabby Piscitelli, S, Oregon State
Scouts take: DC Daymeion Hughes is a perfect fit for the Cover-2 and would have been a strong pick here Piscatelli, on the other hand, doesn’t have the range to cover the deep half of the field. He’s tough against the run and can make plays in coverage but he just isn’t fast enough to excel in this scheme. In fact, some draft experts thought Piscatelli would have to move to outside linebacker to make it in the NFL.
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| Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
The Rams have selected Nebraska DE Adam Carriker with their first selection in the 2007 NFL Draft.
What the Experts Say:
Scout.com profile:
 Scout.com Player Evaluation: Hard-working and tenacious, Carriker is a smart prospect who could be used at a variety of positions. Looks like a perfect two-gap end, yet may also fit in at defensive tackle. His draft stock is soaring, and he may end up as a top 12 pick.
Biography: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors after his junior and senior campaigns. Totals last season were 52/16/7, with one interception and three pass break-ups. Junior totals included 43/17/9.5.
Pos: Physically impressive prospect who plays an intelligent brand of football. Instinctive and immediately locates the ball. Moves laterally with speed defending the run and has a burst upfield rushing the quarterback. Makes plays in all directions, immediately altering his angle of attack or redirecting to ball handlers. Flashes power and wraps-up tackling.
Neg: Stymied at the point of attack by a single blocker. Stands to develop more moves to disengage from opponents.
UPDATE Scouts.inc:
It’s the best of the best worlds for St. Louis fans, as the Rams filled a pressing need by drafting an excellent player and no one should be happier than Leonard Little. Though Carriker isn’t fast enough to consistently turn the corner, he has the quickness to prevent blockers from getting into good position and he already shows a good variety of pass rush moves. His ability to get after the quarterback should make it more difficult for teams to adjust their pass protections to account for Little. Carriker could have an even bigger impact on the run defense.
Few young players use their hands and shed blocks as well as Carriker. He’s also big enough to hold his own at the point of his attack and the non-stop motor to make plays in pursuit. However, no prospect is perfect and there is a reason he was the third defensive end taken in the draft so Carriker has to continue to work on his pass rush moves and work on his ability to protect his legs when blockers try to cut him.
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| Friday, April 27, 2007 |
The ultimate guides to the NFL draft are produced by Rick “Goose” Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News and ESPN’s Mel Kiper. Gosselin’s is the best, in my judgment, because it’s compiled by consulting the people who actually make the decisions: the scouts and general managers. He’s put out his top 100 prospects. Here are the top 40, which should theoretically take us well through the first round:
| 1-10 |
| Rank, player |
Position |
School |
| 1. Calvin Johnson |
WR |
Ga. Tech |
| Gosselin on Johnson: Since the NFL opened the door to underclassmen in 1990, juniors have gone first overall in 10 of 17 drafts. Come Saturday, make it 11 times. The Oakland Raiders are likely to select either LSU QB JaMarcus Russell or Johnson with the first overall choice. Both are skipping their senior seasons. It also will be the third consecutive draft an underclassman has gone first overall, following QB Alex Smith in 2005 (San Francisco) and DE Mario Williams in 2006 (Houston). A record 15 underclassmen were selected in the first round in 2005. Seventeen juniors carry potential first-round grades into this draft. At 6-5, 239 pounds with 4.35 speed in the 40, Johnson is the best of the bunch. |
| 2. Adrian Peterson |
HB |
Oklahoma |
| 3. JaMarcus Russell |
QB |
LSU |
| 4. Joe Thomas |
OT |
Wisconsin |
| 5. Brady Quinn |
QB |
Notre Dame |
| 6. Gaines Adams |
DE |
Clemson |
| 7. LaRon Landry |
S |
LSU |
| 8. Darrelle Revis |
CB |
Pittsburgh |
| 9. Levi Brown |
OT |
Penn St. |
| 10. Leon Hall |
CB |
Michigan |
| 11-20 |
| Rank, player |
Position |
School |
| 11. Jamaal Anderson |
DE |
Arkansas |
| 12. Patrick Willis |
MLB |
Mississippi |
| 13. Adam Carriker |
DE |
Nebraska |
| 14. Marshawn Lynch |
HB |
California |
| 15. Lawrence Timmons |
OLB |
Florida St. |
| 16. Robert Meachem |
WR |
Tennessee |
| 17. Reggie Nelson |
S |
Florida |
| Gosselin on Nelson: Since 1967, when the AFL and NFL merged drafts, there have never been four safeties taken in a first round. That could change with LaRon Landry, Nelson, Michael Griffin and Brandon Meriweather all toting first-round grades. The search is on for safeties with ball skills, and Nelson is coming off a six-interception season for the national champions. "His nickname is the Eraser," Florida CB Reggie Lewis said. "If I got in a situation where I was beaten, I knew I had the Eraser back there. With Reggie behind me, I knew I didn’t have any problems." |
| 18. Ben Grubbs |
G |
Auburn |
| 19. Ted Ginn Jr. |
WR |
Ohio St. |
| 20. Joe Staley |
OT |
C. Michigan |
| 21-30 |
| Rank, player |
Position |
School |
| 21. Amobi Okoye |
DT |
Louisville |
| 22. Aaron Ross |
CB |
Texas |
| 23. Jarvis Moss |
DE |
Florida |
| 24. Jon Beason |
OLB |
Miami-Fla. |
| Gosselin on Beason: The Hurricanes are no longer a college football power, but they remain a dominant force every April. They’ve had first-round selections in 12 consecutive NFL drafts, the longest current streak among the colleges. The next longest streak is five by Oklahoma. Miami also has had 22 players selected in the first round this decade – 10 more than runner-up Florida State. The Hurricanes can pad both totals with three potential first-round draft picks: Beason, S Brandon Meriweather and TE Greg Olsen. Beason has been compared to ex-teammate Jonathan Vilma, a No. 1 pick by the Jets in 2004. A bit undersized (6-0, 237), Beason packs a heavyweight’s punch in a middleweight’s body. |
| 25. Dwayne Bowe |
WR |
LSU |
| 26. Michael Griffin |
S |
Texas |
| 27. Paul Posluszny |
MLB |
Penn St. |
| 28. Justin Harrell |
DT |
Tennessee |
| 29. David Harris |
MLB |
Michigan |
| 30. Brandon Meriweather |
S |
Miami-Fla. |
| 31-40 |
| Rank, player |
Position |
School |
| 31. Greg Olsen |
TE |
Miami-Fla. |
| 32. Anthony Gonzalez |
WR |
Ohio St. |
| 33. Alan Branch |
DT |
Michigan |
| 34. Anthony Spencer |
DE |
Purdue |
| 35. Chris Houston |
CB |
Arkansas |
| 36. Ryan Kalil |
C |
Southern Cal |
| 37. Trent Edwards |
QB |
Stanford |
| Gosselin on Edwards: The pre-draft hype focused on the two elite passers at the top of this board, LSU’s JaMarcus Russell and Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn. But three quality quarterbacks factor into the second round: Edwards, Drew Stanton of Michigan State and Kevin Kolb of Houston. All could go quickly. Edwards went 26-0 in his final two seasons at Los Gatos (Calif.) HS and set a state record by completing 78.1 percent of his passes as a junior. But he played on some terrible teams at Stanford, winning only 10 of his 31 starts. He also took a beating, missing time with shoulder, thumb and foot injuries. Still, he’s 6-4, 231 pounds with a big arm. The NFL loves measurables at quarterback. |
| 38. Arron Sears |
G |
Tennessee |
| 39. Dwayne Jarrett |
WR |
Southern Cal |
| 40. Drew Stanton |
QB |
Michigan St. |
For 41-100, see his guide.
Mel Kiper is the most famous of the draft geeks and he’s good. He lives and breathes the prospects and knows them better than almost anybody. But that doesn’t mean his opinion–even if it’s right–will match up with that of the GMs and scouts on draft day. Here are his final projections for the 1st round:
We’ll check back tomorrow to see who got closest. It’ll take four or five years to know whose picks were best.
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| Wednesday, April 25, 2007 |
Clarence Hill reports that the Dallas Cowboys are bringing in St. Louis Rams running back Trung Canidate for a workout Thursday.
Canidate, drafted 31st overall by the Rams in 2000, has been out of football since 2003 because of a foot injury. He is now healthy and trying to make a comeback. According to a source, the Cowboys view his workout as more of a look-see, but if Canidate is impressive he could get an invitation to training camp.
The 5-foot-11, 212-pound Canidate has recently been timed in the 4.4-second range in the 40-yard dash.
Running back is an area of depth for the team but, if the price is right, it couldn’t hurt to take a look at Canidate. Still, unless Julius Jones is traded, it’s going to be hard to justify even veteran minimum for this guy.
Jones, a former 2nd round choice, finally stayed healthy for an entire season last year. Many argue that their third down back, Marion Barber, is really their best back. And speedster Tyson Thompson is back from injury and should compete for playing time.
He played for the Miami Dolphins in 2006. From Florida Today-
The Miami Dolphins have decided not to match the offer sheet punter Donnie Jones signed with the St. Louis Rams last week, instead choosing to accept another draft pick as compensation.
Miami gets the Rams’ seventh-round choice, the 225th overall selection. The Dolphins now have 10 picks in the April 28-29 draft, including four of the first 71.
“Having 10 picks not only will allow us to add youth to our football team, but it also will give us a great deal of flexibility over the course of the draft,” Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller said.
Another draft pick is good as long as (1)- The Dolphins draft a player who can produce. Not one single 2006 draftee made a mentionable contribution last season and (2) Miami doesn’t trade the pick away for some piece of junk player.
With kick returner Wes Welker and placekicker Olindo Mare departing, Dolphins’ special teams will be very different in 2007.
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| Sunday, April 15, 2007 |
Rick Gosselin has put together his first NFL Mock Draft of the 2007 season. He got himself into the sportswriters wing of the NFL Hall of Fame doing these, so he’s worth paying attention to.
| Team |
Player |
Pos. |
School |
| 1. Oakland |
JaMarcus Russell |
QB |
LSU |
| 2. Detroit |
Adrian Peterson |
RB |
Oklahoma |
| Matt Millen has struggled with top-10 picks in his stint as general manager of the Lions. Peterson would be a safe and popular choice. Detroit had success using first-round picks on Oklahoma runners Steve Owens (1970) and Billy Sims (1980). |
| 3. Cleveland |
Calvin Johnson |
WR |
Georgia Tech |
| 4. Tampa Bay |
Brady Quinn |
QB |
Notre Dame |
| 5. Arizona |
Joe Thomas |
OT |
Wisconsin |
| 6. Washington |
Gaines Adams |
DE |
Clemson |
| 7. Minnesota |
LaRon Landry |
S |
LSU |
| 8. Atlanta |
Leon Hall |
CB |
Michigan |
| 9. Miami |
Alan Branch |
DT |
Michigan |
| 10. Houston |
Amobi Okoye |
DT |
Louisville |
| 11. San Francisco |
Jamaal Anderson |
DE |
Arkansas |
| 12. Buffalo |
Marshawn Lynch |
RB |
California |
| 13. St. Louis |
Darrelle Revis |
CB |
Pittsburgh |
| 14. Carolina |
Patrick Willis |
LB |
Mississippi |
| 15. Pittsburgh |
Adam Carriker |
DE |
Nebraska |
| Carriker is the prototypical defensive end for a 3-4 scheme. But his true value lies is his versatility. With his size (6-6, 296), he can line up at any of the four positions along the defensive line. |
| 16. Green Bay |
Ted Ginn Jr. |
WR |
Ohio State |
| 17. Jacksonville |
Jarvis Moss |
DE |
Florida |
| 18. Cincinnati |
Reggie Nelson |
S |
Florida |
| 19. Tennessee |
Robert Meachem |
WR |
Tennessee |
| 20. N.Y. Giants |
Levi Brown |
OT |
Penn State |
| 21. Denver |
Lawrence Timmons |
LB |
Florida State |
| 22. Dallas |
Dwayne Bowe |
WR |
LSU |
| With two starting wide receivers in their 30s, the Cowboys need a young player to build a future downfield passing game for Tony Romo. Bowe is a physical receiver in the Michael Irvin mold. |
| 23. Kansas City |
Justin Harrell |
DT |
Tennessee |
| 24. New England |
Jon Beason |
LB |
Miami |
| 25. N.Y. Jets |
Aaron Ross |
CB |
Texas |
| 26. Philadelphia |
Chris Houston |
CB |
Arkansas |
| 27. New Orleans |
Dwayne Jarrett |
WR |
Southern California |
| 28. New England |
Michael Griffin |
S |
Texas |
| 29. Baltimore |
Joe Staley |
OT |
Central Michigan |
| 30. San Diego |
Anthony Gonzalez |
WR |
Ohio State |
| 31. Chicago |
Paul Posluszny |
LB |
Penn State |
| 32. Indianapolis |
Greg Olsen |
TE |
Miami |
At this point in the playoffs there are some interesting subplots to look at.
There’s not much history between Chicago and New Orleans at this level. (While Mike Tanier agrees that the Saints are the better story, he thinks that the Bears are the better team and will win.) However New England and Indianapolis have plenty of history between them in the past six seasons. Mike Tanier writes:
The lessons of history: Ancient scrolls tell us that Peyton Manning first faced a Bill Belichick-coached Patriots team in Week 6 of the 2000 season. Manning threw for 334 yards but was picked off three times, and the Patriots won 24-16. Two weeks later, the Patriots traveled to Indianapolis, and Manning threw three touchdowns in a 30-23 Colts win. At the time, any suggestion that Belichick or the Patriots “owned” the Colts would have been scoffed at. Then again, any suggestion that the 5-11 Patriots were a year away from the Super Bowl would also have been suitable for scoffing.
During that first Super Bowl run in 2001, the Patriots acquired their reputation as Manning killers. The Patriots swept the Colts and forced another three-interception effort from the normally unflappable Manning in one of the games. In 2002, the Colts moved out of the AFC East, but the two teams would find their destinies French-braided together in 2003. In Week 13 of that season, the Patriots out-dueled the Colts 38-34 in a game that ended with a goal-line tackle of Edgerrin James by Willie McGinest. When they met again in the AFC championship in New England, the contest wasn’t nearly as close: the Patriots built a 15-0 halftime lead and then coasted to a 24-14 win. Manning threw four picks and was sacked four times. The 2004 season brought another Patriots-Colts playoff battle, once again on an icy day in Foxboro. Manning had another substandard outing, and the Patriots won 20-3 en route to a third Super Bowl title.
But this isn’t just about how the two teams have played against one another. It’s also about Adam Vinatieri who left the Patriots as a free agent to play for the Colts. In his first decade as a pro, Vinatieri was an essential part of the Patriots’ dynasty. This is from his Wikipedia entry:
In the 2001 playoffs, during a blizzard against the Oakland Raiders in the final game at Foxboro Stadium, Vinatieri kicked a 45-yard field goal to tie the game 13-13 and send it into overtime. The Patriots then won the game on another field goal of 23 yards by Vinatieri. That 45-yard kick in driving snow is regarded as one of the greatest clutch plays (and greatest kicks) in NFL history.
In Super Bowl XXXVI he kicked a 48-yard field goal on the final play to give the New England Patriots their first Super Bowl victory, a 20-17 win over the St. Louis Rams. Two years later, and in an almost identical situation, he kicked a 41-yard field goal with 4 seconds left in Super Bowl XXXVIII to boost the Patriots to another championship (after missing one field goal and having another attempt blocked in the first half). This time, the Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers, 32-29, making Vinatieri the first player ever to be the deciding factor in two Super Bowl games (Vinatieri kept the balls used on both those kicks).
While Vinatieri was instrumental in defeating the Ravens this past week, he didn’t decide a game with little time left. Will he defeat his old team this week? And if he does will it be as time runs out?
There are two compelling storylines remaining for the Super Bowl.
If the Colts and Saints play each other it will be the team whose greatest quarterback was Archie Manning playing against the team (meaning the IndianapolisJ) Colts whose greatest quarterback is his son Peyton. Archie Manning – a member of the College Football Hall of Fame – owns just about every passing record of the New Orleans Saints. His son Peyton is, arguably, the best player ever to play professional football in Indianapolis.
There’s one other interesting story here. As coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tony Dungy led that beleaguered franchise to some sustained success. For his inability to get them to the Super Bowl, though, he was fired and replaced by Jon Gruden. The Bucs won the Super Bowl the following year against (Gruden’s old team) the Raiders. That must have stung. Getting to the Super Bowl would be vindication for Dungy. The Bucs won the Super Bowl but subsequently haven’t been as good as the Colts.
The other interesting storyline for the Super Bowl would be a rematch of the Bears and Patriots from Super Bowl XX in 1986. That victory came at a time of Super Bowl dominance by the NFC in which that conference won 15 out of 16 Super Bowls. The dominance has shifted as the AFC has now won 7 out of the last 9 Super Bowls. If the Bears of Mike Ditka, Buddy Ryan, Jim McMahon, Walter Perry, Richard Dent and Walter Payton were prohibitive favorites 21 years ago; I’d have to think that the Bill Bellichik/Tom Brady Patriots of today would be as much of a lock this year.
The Bears – despite their dominance that year – haven’t returned to the Super Bowl since then. The Patriots are now hoping to return to the Super Bowl for the fifth time in eleven years.
UPDATE: EnnuiPundit previews the AFC and the NFC.
Crossposted at Soccer Dad.
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| Wednesday, December 20, 2006 |
The Pats are looking at 45-year-old Sean Landeta to take over their punting chores.
The New England Patriots placed punter Ken Walter on injured reserve Tuesday with a knee injury — the second punter the team has lost for the season in the past month. Walter, 34, was signed by the Patriots on Nov. 22 to replace Josh Miller, who is out with an injured shoulder. Walter played in four games, punting 16 times for a 37-yard average with five punts inside the 20.
His loss also affects the Patriots’ field-goal unit; Walter was valuable as kicker Stephen Gostkowski’s holder.
Sean Landeta, a 22-year veteran who turns 45 next month, was in for a workout Tuesday and appears to be an option. Landeta punted for the Giants when Belichick was on New York’s staff in the 1980s.
If Morton Anderson can still kick field goals, why not?
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| Monday, November 27, 2006 |
Todd Archer compares Tony Romo’s fast start with those of other recent phenoms, Kurt Warner and Tom Brady.
In his first five starts, Tony Romo has energized the Cowboys much as Kurt Warner and Tom Brady did their teams in St. Louis and New England. Those quarterbacks won Super Bowls in their first season as starters. Here’s how their first five starts compared with Romo’s:
Kurt Warner, St. Louis, 1999
Record: 5-0
Result: Won Super Bowl XXXIV
Stats: 1,428 yards, 15 TDs, 3 INTs
Tom Brady, New England, 2001
Record: 3-2
Result: Won Super Bowl XXXVI
Stats: 1,023 yards, 7 TDs, 4 INTs
Tony Romo, Dallas, 2006
Record: 4-1
Result: TBD
Stats: 1,394 yards, 10 TDs, 2 INTs
The numbers are quite comparable, indeed. The Cowboys trail only the San Diego Chargers in points scored, and that’s with Drew Bledsoe at the helm the first five and a half games. Romo’s Cowboys have a chance to be something special, like Warner’s Rams and Brady’s Pats. There’s still a lot of football to be played this year, though, before that happens.
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| Saturday, October 21, 2006 |
According to the experts at Scouts, Inc., the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers have the best offensive line in football while the hapless Oakland Raiders have the worst. Here’s how they break down all 32 teams:
| NFL’s best offensive lines |
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1.
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Offensive line coach and former Steeler Russ Grimm does an outstanding job with this team’s line every year. This group didn’t lose a starter from last season and remains very solid across the board. Pittsburgh drafts linemen every year and builds depth from within as well as any team in the league. Overall, this group has not played as well this season. However, not well for them still makes them better than anyone else in the NFL.
Best player: OG Alan Faneca
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2.
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The Broncos employ a zone-blocking scheme. They like undersized offensive linemen who are light on their feet and can move well laterally. They do not have any real star power on the offensive line, but the fact that they have been together as a group for a while and play well together makes them one of the best units in the NFL.
Best player: C Tom Nalen
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3.
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This has the potential of being the top overall line in the NFL. Starting OC Rich Braham and LT Levi Jones have missed extended time this season and as a result, their pass protection has been a problem. When right, the right side of the line is very physical, while the left is athletic and nimble.
Best player: C Eric Steinbach
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4.
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The Colts use a zone-blocking scheme where the most important thing is for the linemen to stay on their feet. There is no one on the line that would jump out at you as a massive physical specimen. With one of the best O-line coaches in the business (Howard Mudd), the players just don’t make many mistakes. They are a better at pass blocking than run blocking.
Best player: OT Tarik Glenn
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5.
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The Eagles like big, tough, physical lineman who have the athletic ability to suit their up-tempo offense. These players must be good pass blockers first as the Eagles are a pass-heavy team. But they also have to be mean enough and big enough to open up holes in the run game. This group is a mix of young and old that has really put the time and effort into becoming one of the best lines in the league.
Best player: OG Shawn Andrews
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6.
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The Redskins like their offensive linemen to have good size and athletic ability to fit their man-blocking scheme. These players must be able to option around and pull to pickup linebackers and defensive backs on the second level because the Redskins are a heavy outside running team. Their lineman have to have the agility to run over obstacles and be good in space. This is a veteran group that is anchored by LT Chris Samuels.
Best player: OT Chris Samuels
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7.
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The Patriots have the best offensive line in the AFC East. They have a bunch of experience and have been together for several years. Rookie tackle Ryan O’Callaghan has done a nice job filling in for starter Nick Kaczur in New England’s mixture of zone and man-blocking schemes.
Best player: OT Matt Light
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8.
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The Jaguars, with new O-line coach Andy Heck, employ primarily zone-blocking scheme, but also will man block at times. Their interior (guards and center) has a lot of power and can get push using their explosive thrust. While they might lack stars, they don’t really have any weak spots, either. They are a better run-blocking team.
Best player: OT Maurice Williams
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9.
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Returning after missing the better part of the last two seasons with injuries center Matt Birk leads a revamped offensive line that includes free-agent addition Steve Hutchinson at OG and Bryant McKinnie at OT. While the strength of the offense, this unit has struggled at times this year with penalties, stalling drives at critical times.
Best player: OG Steve Hutchinson
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10.
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The biggest surprise in Chicago this season has been the explosive play of the offense and the line has been a big reason for that. The Bears’ offensive line has been solid in protection, allowing Rex Grossman to stand in the pocket and throw down the field. Center Olin Kreutz brings intensity and leadership to a veteran group. While solid in the run game, this group sometimes struggles to get to the second level to block linebackers to create big runs.
Best player: C Olin Kreutz
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11.
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Despite the loss of OG Steve Hutchinson, this is a good group. They’re just not as dominant as last year. They are providing good protection for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and opening good run lanes despite the absence of RB Shaun Alexander. Best player: OT Walter Jones
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12.
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This is one of the more underrated units in the NFL. General manager A.J. Smith has done an excellent job of extending contracts for the young players (OC Nick Hardwick and ROT Shane Olivea) to lock them up long-term. Rookie Marcus McNeill also looks like a budding star at LOT. This is a young group that possess a nice combination of size, strength and athletic ability. They will be in the top five in the near future.
Best player: C Nick Hardwick
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13.
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The Panthers rely on their power running game to setup the play-action pass. The Panthers’ offensive line takes a lot of pride in their smash-mouth rushing attack. Even with the injuries and reshuffling on the line, this unit has been more consistent over the last few weeks. However the loss of LT Travelle Wharton earlier in the season was a blow to this unit.
Best player: OG Mike Wahle
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14.
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The Falcons are the No. 1-ranked rushing unit in the NFL. The Falcons do a great job creating run lanes for RB Warrick Dunn in their zone-blocking schemes. Even though they are effective running the ball, they do have limitations on the interior of their offensive line in pass protection, which a defense can attack and exploit.
Best player: OT Wayne Gandy
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15.
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The Giants’ offensive line is a veteran group that has played together for a number of years. The Giants, like a lot of teams, like their lineman to be big and athletic. That’s especially true at the guard positions because they are called upon to pull on outside running plays and block on the second level in space.
Best player: OG Chris Snee
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16.
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Offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Doug Marrone has done an outstanding job of molding this unit of both veterans and younger players into one of the team’s most consistent units. This no-name unit has done a great job of keeping QB Drew Brees upright in the pocket, while creating space for running backs Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush.
Best player: OT Jammal Brown
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17.
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A big question mark at the start of the season, this unit is still a work in progress as far as pass protection goes because they’ve had trouble picking up the different pressure packages teams have used on them. They do a good job of coming off the ball and re-establishing the line of scrimmage in the run game on the defensive side of the ball. Still, the Cowboys need to be more consistent in pass protection.
Best player: OT Flozell Adams
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18.
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The Titans, under Mike Munchak, are primarily a man-blocking team that, traditionally, likes to grind out the yards with a mauling type line that gets push and creates running lanes. The Titans have changed, somewhat, this year to using the zone techniques that better fit their smaller, more athletic linemen. The core of their strength is in their second- and third-year players, which bodes well for the future if they can lock these guys up long term. Best player: OT Michael Roos
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19.
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Once one of the best in the NFL, this unit has hit hard times this year with the sudden retirement of LOT Willie Roaf and the suspension of ROT John Welbourn. The interior is still good enough, but ROG Will Shields is at the end of his career. Waters is now the best of the group and a solid player to build around. They have some young OTs in Jordan Black, Kevin Sampson and Will Svitek that are seeing a lot more time this season. If they can develop, the Chiefs will once again be among the top 10 offensive lines in the NFL. Best player: OG Brian Waters
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20.
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This makeshift offensive line has been playing well together despite losing center Andy McCollum, the veteran leader of this line, in Week 1. A young offensive line at C and RT, the surrounding veterans have helped elevate the run game, but they need to do a better job of protecting the quarterback against the three man rush. Best player: OT Orlando Pace
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21.
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The Jets’ offensive line has two rookie starters playing as good as anyone up front. The mixture of zone and man schemes employed by New York is similar to the Patriots OL philosophy. Ranked 21st in the league, the line is more effective as pass protectors than being physical run blockers. Rookies Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson give this line a lot of hope for its future effectiveness.
Best player: OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson
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22.
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The run game will be vastly improved once the arguably most consistent offensive lineman (Larry Allen) in the NFL returns from a knee injury. This unit has been marred by injury and has not had a chance to gel. There is good depth and ability at the center and guard spots, but the two tackles are not holding the corner as well as they should.
Best player: OG Larry Allen
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23.
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This is an aging, heavy-footed group that lacks depth. Ogden at left tackle is the only player of the group who is an above average starter for his position. The right side of the line in particular lacks quickness and mobility. The Ravens have three young guys — Chris Chester, Adam Terry and Jason Brown, who is the only one starting — who must progress for the unit to improve.
Best player: OT Jonathan Ogden
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24.
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The Buccaneers’ offensive line has struggled with consistency this season and they continue to hold this team back. There is hope for the future with rookies Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood starting on the right side, but the Buccaneers still have issues on the left side with LT Anthony Davis and the inconsistency at LG with Dan Buenning and Sean Mahan.
Best player: C John Wade
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25.
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The Browns’ offensive line has been a mess since Cleveland rejoined the league. The new regime spent big bucks on LT Kevin Shaffer and C LeCharles Bentley to build it towards respectability. But Bentley was lost in his first practice in Cleveland and Shaffer has not lived up to expectations. The interior of the line has not played well this year, which has really hurt their power running game.
Best player: OT Ryan Tucker
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26.
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The Packers have installed a completely new zone-run game scheme and the offensive line is beginning to show signs of consistency. Green Bay’s line has three rookies rotating at the two guard positions and a relatively inexperienced center, but a solid anchor in left tackle Chad Clifton. While the learning curve is steep, the offensive line is beginning to gel.
Best player: OT Chad Clifton
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27.
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This unit has been decimated by injury all season with center Dominic Raiola and LT Jeff Backus the only constants in the ever-changing lineup. Protection breakdowns, in most part due to a complete lack of continuity, have forced Jon Kitna to hurry throws that have resulted in several critical turnovers. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz was smart to stay committed to the run game in Week 6. Look for this group to continue running the ball or it will continue to struggle.
Best player: OT Jeff Backus
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28.
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Ranked in the bottom five in the league (28th), the Buffalo OL has regressed over the past two weeks. The Bills had some success protecting the passer in their man-protection scheme through Week 4 but have given up eight sacks in the past two weekends. The OL is not physically imposing and must be effective with technique and athleticism.
Best player: OT Jason Peters
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29.
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The Miami offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL. The Dolphins had given up 22 sacks prior to Week 6, but improved vs. the Jets with their primarily zone-blocking scheme. Moving left tackle L.J. Shelton to guard and starting Damion McIntosh at left tackle gives them their best combination up front. This line is not very good, but it has shown signs of being better since Joey Harrington became the starting QB.
Best player: OT Vernon Carey
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30.
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The Cardinals’ offensive line does not have an identity or attitude. Lack of viable veteran depth has hindered the progress of this unit and made the team limited in shuffling players into more productive positions. Left tackle Leonard Davis would be a much better player if he was at his natural guard spot.
Best player: OG Reggie Wells
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31.
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The Texans use pretty much the same blocking schemes as the Denver Broncos, where head coach Gary Kubiak came from. The Texans are trying to find or develop athletic linemen. This scheme requires the players to have time together and familiarity with one another, which, at this point, the Texans are lacking.
Best player: OG Chester Pitts
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32.
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This is hands down the worst unit in the NFL this season. The Raiders have two solid players in LOG Barry Sims and C Jake Grove. LOT Robert Gallery has been somewhat of a bust and the entire right side needs to be rebuilt. Although it’s not a great unit by any means, it’s important to note that the coaching staff in Oakland does a terrible job of playing to their players’ strengths.
Best player: OG Barry Sims
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