May

9

Bears Banter Volume 6 - Round 2

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Check Out The Freshest Segment Of Bears Banter Featuring Columnists Eric Cook & Ron Norman. Site Editor Russ Loede Leads The Bears Gab Staff Through 7 More Sure-Fire Questions In The 2nd Part Of 3 Series Inside Volume 6 Of Bears Banter. Acquire The Most Reliable Bears Insight/Knowledge On The Web As You Read This Newest Issue From Bears Gab: Bears Gab - Bears Banter Volume 6, Round 2

May

3

Bears Gab: Bears Banter Volume 6 (Part 1 of 3)

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Check Out The Freshest Edition Of Bears Banter Featuring Columnists Eric Cook & Ron Norman. Site Editor Russ Loede Leads The Bears Gab Staff Through 7 Sure-Fire Questions In The 1st Of 3 Segments Inside Volume 6 Of Bears Banter. Acquire The Most Reliable Bears Insight/Knowledge On The Web As You Read The 1st Part Of This Newest Issue - Bears Banter Volume 6: Post-Draft Edition

Apr

30

McShay’s Winners And Losers in the 2008 NFL Draft

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Apr

29

Don’t Bet on Early Draft Picks Meaning Early Success

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The 2008 NFL Draft is in the books, and while rookies around the league will make an impact, it has not changed the landscape in the odds to win the Super Bowl, as the Pats remain the heavy favorite in that regard at 5/8. Some of the higher draft picks that should have the biggest impact have not changed odds on their teams, and have not made ticket holders make plans to have to spend extra cash on their teams once the NFL Playoff Schedule is out.

If you check the NFL Playoff Brackets from a year ago, you’ll see that those teams were mostly in the bottom of the draft, with only New England having a high pick, and that was from a deal with the Niners from a year ago. So when it comes to sports betting 101, don’t get too caught up with players like Long, McFadden and Ryan - the bottom line is they are still on teams that will likley be watching the playoffs from home in 2009.

Apr

28

Expected Saints Deal for Shockey Doesn’t Get Done

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Shockey

The deal that a lot of people thought was going to done did not on draft day, as the Saints and Giants were unable to pull a deal off for tight end Jeremy Shockey.  It was a deal that was talked about a lot leading up to draft day, and many thought it was going to go down early in the draft.  The deal was supposed to include a second-round pick going to the Giants from New Orleans, but reports say that the Giants wanted more, and that’s when the deal broke down.

“There was a lot of talk but very little activity,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.  Could the deal still get done?  Probably not, considering the thing the Giants wanted were draft picks, and now that the draft is done and gone, the Giants will likely keep their tight end and go into the season with he and second-year TE Kevin Boss.  As for the Saints, they will keep the looking for tight ends, but who knows if they will find one the quality of Shockey.

Apr

28

The Greatest Draft Pick of All-Time

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The NFL Player Selection Meeting - The Draft. The off-season gridiron event that keeps fans buzzing about football at a time the NBA is in playoff action and the Boys of Summer take to the fields.

Beyond all the analysis and predictions, there seems to be a particular area of critique - The Great Busts of the Draft. Cautionary reminders for teams and fans both how detrimental a single selection can be for a franchise.

It’s an easy topic because there have been so many players, from college superstars or combine phenoms to talented players out-of-place in a system or injury-plagued — its too easy a topic.

The true beauty of the draft is when a team can make a single pick’s value, the player and other deals, pay-off in a legendary and genius way, And yes, luck and timing help a lot also.

It’s not only a question of “WHO” is the greatest player ever drafted, but for this critique, “WHAT” was the greatest draft pick ever made: A draft pick that’s value carried well beyond a single day in April or the following seasons of pigskin play.

Fundamental logic arrives at a simple and obvious conclusion: The Greatest Draft Pick of All-Time would be The Greatest Professional Football Player of All-Time - Syracuse fullback Jim Brown, selected in November 1956 (The first four rounds were held then, followed in April by the rest of the selection rounds).

The Browns actually “settled” for the versatile college athlete at No. 6 of the first round after the Pittsburgh Steelers selected QB Len Dawson at No. 5. The Packers had two picks that off-season, No. 1 and 4, drafting Paul Hornung and Ron Kramer.

Brown retired to Hollywood and the great value of that pick ended in 1965.

Others may cite the 1955 9th round selection of Johnny Unitas, the father of legendary quarterbacks, but that “pick” extinguished its bloodline when he was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers in camp; or the following year (1956), when a 17th round pick of the Green Bay Packers became the modern era’s first superstar quarterback - Bart Starr - thanks to the arrival of a guy named Vince Lombardi three years later.

But let’s keep this to the modern era of the Draft, beginning in 1967 when the merger between the NFL and AFL was well underway, as exemplified by a single, common draft between the two leagues. No longer was there a competition for college talent, thus only one professional football team would have rights to a player.

Ask John Elway and he might well say the Broncos’ sixth round selection in 1995, Georgia running back Terrell Davis (196th overall), who many credit for getting the franchise its two Super Bowl victories.

Today’s football fanatic need not look too far back (2000) to find the 6th Round selection of Michigan quarterback Tom Brady (199th overall) to make their case. Certainly, that pick is still paying dividends for the Boston-area team.

In the 1976 Draft, the Dallas Cowboys had amassed 22 picks in the 17-Round Draft, including two 2nd round and three 3rd round selections. Using their own pick in the third (87th overall), the team selected its second wide receiver of the round, Cal-Riverside’s Michael McColly Johnson.

The Greatest Draft Selection in NFL History - Butch Johnson.

It’s not a flippant remark. Butch Johnson was the team’s star return man on kickoffs his first three years (79 for 1832 yards, 23.2 avg.) until moving permanently to the receiving corps.; he was only the second player to score a touchdown in consecutive Super Bowls (XII and XII) [Jim Kiick was the first in VII and VIII]. But Butch was never the featured receiver with Drew Pearson and Tony Hill on the roster. He had his best year in 1981 with 41 receptions for 552 yards and 5 touchdowns (In 1983, he caught 41 passes for 561 yards).

Before the 1984 season, Butch was traded to the Houston Oilers, but for various reasons was cut and signed with the Denver Broncos for his final two seasons in the league. But Butch’s value was still with the Cowboys, in the form of a 1985 fifth round selection via Houston.

The Oilers’ pick was second overall in the fifth round, and Dallas, having missed the playoffs (1984) for the first time since 1974, rolled the dice, using the 114th pick overall for former Georgia running back and current New Jersey Generals’ and USFL star Herschel Walker.

Ah, now you understand …

The USFL won its court case against the NFL … to the tune of $1 (trebled to $3 because of the legal circumstances), and its victory died a quiet death. Walker joined the NFL and the Cowboys after the legendary verdict, sharing the backfield at times with Tony Dorsett and Timmy Newsome, Herschel had solid seasons in 1986 (12 rushing TDs) and 1987 (891 yards rushing). Dorsett moved on to the Broncos in 1988, and Walker responded with 361 carries for 1514 yards in a miserable 3-13 campaign.

The following season, the Cowboys were in full rebuilding mode with rookie quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Steve Walsh, and chose to reload as well. Vikings’ General Manager Mike Lynn snookered Jerry Jones’ new regime in Dallas by acquiring the missing piece for the Minnesota franchise - Herschel Walker.

One of the most infamous trades in league history was made possible with a 1976 draft selection. Now you know the rest of the story, but let’s lay it out nonetheless.

On October 12, 1989, head coach Jimmy Johnson lost Walker and welcomed five players: RB Darrin Nelson, DE Alex Stewart, DB Isaac Holt, and linebackers Jesse Solomon and David Howard.

But that wasn’t all. Dallas received conditional 1st and 2nd Round draft picks in 1990 and 1991, and a 1st Round pick (and a conditional 3rd round pick) in 1992. Essentially, an 11-for-1 deal.

Nelson was not happy, and an ugly series of transactions took place before the dust officially settled, and Nelson returned to Minnesota via Dallas via San Diego. The Cowboys wheeled and dealed those players and draft picks for the next three drafts. The 1992 Draft officially ended the bookkeeping-end of the deal, and in May, the Vikings waived Hershel Walker, who had become little more than a special teams players in the Minnesota system.

But the bloodline of that 1976 draft pick was still very much alive on the Cowboys’ roster.

You don’t want to know the gory details of all the transactions following that day in October 1989 (including some wild deals with Bill Parcells’ New England Patriots). Ultimately, the Cowboys’ 1992 roster was comprised of RB Emmitt Smith, DT Russell Maryland, S Darren Woodson and cornerbacks Kevin Smith and Clayton Holmes.

The selection of Butch Johnson in the third round of the 1976 Draft ended with three Super Bowls victories almost 20 years later, and in the form of the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.

That’s value. And that’s why Michael McColly Johnson is the greatest draft pick in NFL history.

Apr

27

The Good, The Bad, and the Shocking in the 2008 NFL Draft

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Henne

The NFL Draft continues as day two is upon us. Day one was filled with a lot of trades, some great picks, and some shocks.  Here is a quick rundown of the good, bad, and downright shocking of day one of the NFL Draft.

The Good:

The Chiefs - Herm Edwards has to be thrilled with the first few picks of his team, as he admits there is rebuilding to be done, but so far, KC has done the best job of doing it in a hurry.  They have DT Glenn Dorsey fall to them at five, move up and grab a solid guard in Brandon Albert at 15, and then get a solid corner in Brandon Flowers from Virginia Tech at 35.  They may struggle early in 2008, but don’t count the Chiefs out very long.

The Bad:

The Titans - For a team that needs playmakers at the wide out spot, passing on guys like Devin Thomas, Malcom Kelly and DeSean Jackson I think was a mistake.  They wanted a breakout runner, and got it in Chris Johnson from East Carolina, but I think in the end they will regret not grabbing a wide out to help out Vince Young.

The Shocking:

The Panthers - The move to take RB Jonathan Stewart at 13 was a bit of a shock at first, but then they were aggressive in moving back in the first round and taking Pitt tackle Jeff Otah at 19.  Getting first-round talent in round three at ILB Dan Conner from Penn St. was another surprise.

The Good:

Miami - They did the right thing in round one with Jake Long, then got a gift when they were able to get run-stopping stud Phillip Merling from Clemson at 32.  They then added QB depth with Chad Henne from Michigan later in round two.  Bill Parcells wants to get this thing turned around in a hurry, and so far he’s done a nice job with GM Jeff Ireland.

The Bad:

Baltimore - Sorry, I may be wrong in the end, but right now, I am not a big fan of the move to move up and grab Delware QB Joe Flacco.  I realize he has a lot of size and can flick his wrist and throw a ball 70 yards, but look at who he’s played. There have been other tall QB’s that seem like Flacco that have been total busts: Dan McGwire, Andrew Walter and Scott Mitchell come to mind.  I guess the new staff has determined that Troy Smith is not the QB they want, they better hope Flacco is.

The Shocking:

Green Bay - They start the draft with a wide out in Jordy Nelson, which isn’t a bad pick at 36, but the surprise is passing on some other solid talent to take QB Brian Brohm at 56.  Want to make Aaron Rodgers look over his shoulder in a hurry?  Take a name QB somewhat early in the draft, and low and behold, that’s exactly what the Pack did.  We’ll see if it makes Rodgers better, or panic a bit.

Apr

27

The Last Time a Team Had This Pick

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Though writer George Santayana wasn’t concerned with the NFL Draft, his famous quote, “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” should be something positive to build on at the 2008 Selection Meeting.

The last time NFL franchises selected players in the same (or similar) overall picks, things weren’t so bad actually. So, if they learned from their own history, one club may get a Hall of Famer, several Pro-Bowlers, and the rest solid starters for years to come.

Listed below is the 2008 Draft Order, in parentheses the last time the franchise had the same (or similar) overall pick, who is was, and how the player selected contributed. This goes only back to the era of the modern, common Draft of 1967 when the NFL-AFL merger was well-underway.

1. Miami Dolphins (2005, #2) – RB Ronnie Brown (Auburn)

Brown’s value is up in the air, following an injury that required reconstructive knee surgery. … The Dolphins have held the No. 1 overall pick only once, but that was in the AFL’s 1966 Draft, when the expansion Dolphins were allowed the top two overall selections.

2. St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (1983) – RB Eric Dickerson (SMU)

The Dicker, as he was known to fans of Nintendo’s legendary video game “Techmo Bowl” is one of the game’s all-time greats, surpassing O.J. Simpson’s single season rushing mark of 2,003 yards (1973, 14 games) with 2,105 in his second season (1984, 16 games). He finished his career with 12,359 rushing yards. The Rams can only wish this year’s pick can be half as successful.

3. Atlanta Falcons (1991) – DB Bruce Pickens (Nebraska)

Pickens played four seasons between 1991 and 1995 (did not play in 1994), starting 9 of the 48 games he played.

4. Oakland/LA/Oakland Raiders (1998) – DB Charles Woodson (Michigan)

The Heisman Trophy winner was a four-time All-Pro (1998-2001) for the Raiders during his eight season with the Silver & Black. He has been a starter for the Green Bay Packers the last two seasons. He has 29 career interceptions in addition to his punt return skills.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (1984) – DL Bill Maas (Pittsburgh)

A starter and two-time Pro Bowl player with the Chiefs during his nine seasons in Kansas City, retiring after 1993 in Green Bay, with 40 career sacks.

6. New York Jets (1976) – QB Richard Todd (Alabama)

Starting QB for 94 of his 102 games with the Jets in eight of his 10 NFL seasons.

7. New England Patriots via SF (1996) – WR Terry Glenn (Ohio State)

Glenn, an Pro Bowl receiver in 1999, is going entering his 13th Season (in Dallas) … The Patriots, thanks to SpyGate, forfeited their own first round pick; luckily, they had made a deal with the 49ers for this pick.

8. Baltimore Ravens (1999, #10) – DB Chris McAllister (Arizona)

A history that dates back only to 1996, this is the closest pick for the franchise. McAllister, who suffered a knee injury last season, has been a major contributor to the Ravens defense.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (2002, #10) – OT Levi Jones (Arizona State)

Started 79 of 84 games during his career with the Bengals.

10. New Orleans Saints (1997) – OG Chris Naeole (Colorado)

Lineman has started 150 of 154 games during his 11 seasons in the NFL (six with the Saints, five with the Jaguars).

11. Buffalo Bills (2007, #12) – RB Marshawn Lynch (California)

Rookie started 13 games, rushing for 1,115 yards and 7 TDs.

12. Denver Broncos (1971) – OT Marv Montgomery (USC)

Started 53 games in nine NFL seasons.

13. Carolina Panthers (2005, #14) – S Thomas Davis (Georgia)

Converted to a LB, Davis started all 16 games in 2007 for the Panthers.

14. Chicago Bears (2004) – DT Tommie Harris (Oklahoma)

Starter for the Bears from Game 1, Harris has been a Pro-Bowler the last three seasons and has 19.5 career sacks.

15. Detroit Lions (1982) – LB Jimmy Williams (Nebraska)

A starter for the Lions in his second season until he went to Minnesota in 1990, Williams retired in 1993 (in Tampa Bay) with 27.5 sacks and 13 interceptions.

16. Arizona/Phoenix/St. Louis Cardinals (1982) – OT Luis Sharpe (UCLA)

Started every game (189) at LT during his 13-year career (Pro Bowl three times).

17. Minnesota Vikings (2006) – LB Chad Greenway (Iowa)

Season ending knee-injury in 2006, started all 16 games in 2007.

18. Houston Texans (2005, 16th) – DT Travis Johnson (Florida State)

In the Texans brief history (since 2002), Johnson has been a serviceable defender.

19. Philadelphia Eagles (1993) – OG Lester Holmes (Jackson State)

A starter in 38 games in four seasons with the Eagles, Holmes would go on to play for the Raiders and Cardinals, starting all 56 games he appeared.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978, #22) – OG Ray Snell (Wisconsin)

Started 42 games in six NFL seasons (four with Tampa Bay).

21. Washington Redskins (1981, #20) – OT Mark May (Pittsburgh)

Converted to a guard, May was a versatile lineman, starting most every game he was available to play before retiring in 1993. He was recognized by the Washington franchise as one of its 70 Greatest Players (for the team’s 70th Anniversary)

22. Dallas Cowboys via Cleveland (1997) – TE David LaFleur (LSU)

Played four NFL seasons, retiring in 2000. … Cowboys acquired this pick from Cleveland for its 2007 first round pick, used by the Browns to select Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn. The last time Cleveland had the 22nd Pick Overall, it was used on a very influential player – DB Hanford Dixon (Southern Mississippi) of the Dawg Pound fame.

NOTE: This is the first season since 1990 the Browns have not had a First Round Pick. That year, the team’s first selection was Michigan RB Leroy Hoard in the Second Round (45th Overall). In fact, Cleveland won’t have a pick until the Fourth Round.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers (1993) – DB Deon Figures (Colorado)

Figures played four seasons in Pittsburgh, but had his best season in 1997 with the Jaguars, starting 12 games and five interceptions. He retired after the 1998 season.

24. Tennessee Titans/Tennesse Oilers/Houston Oilers (1989, #23) – OT David Williams (Florida)

A solid starter during his nine seasons in the NFL, retired in 1997 with the Jets.

25. Seattle Seahawks (2005) – C Chris Spencer (Mississippi)

After a slow start, Spencer has started 29 of the last 32 games (two seasons) in Seattle.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars (1999) – DB Fernando Bryant (Alabama)

Cornerback has started all-but-one game he has appeared in during nine seasons, the last four with the Detroit Lions.

27. San Diego Chargers (1987, #24) – RB Rod Bernstine (Texas A&M)

Bernstine brought back the term “H-Back”, fluctuating between TE and RB over his nine-year career, but never really as an impact player.

28. Dallas Cowboys (1978) – DE Larry Bethea (Michigan State)

Solid backup on the Cowboys’ defensive line for his entire six-year career.

29. San Francisco 49ers via Indianapolis (1998) – DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State)

Backup defensive back, contributing more on kickoff and punt returns for the four teams he has played for during his career. McQuarters returned punts for the Giants in 2007.

NOTE: The Colts, one of two teams without a First Round Pick currently, last had the 29th pick in 2003, selecting CB Marlin Jackson (Michigan), a starter in all 16 games for Indianpolis last season.

30. Green Bay Packers (1997) – OG Ross Verba

Solid, versatile lineman during his eight seasons, last playing for the Lions in 2007 (starting the seven games he appeared).

31. New York Giants (2006, #32) – DE Mathia Kiwanuka (Boston College)

Serviceable defender, converting from DE to LB in 2007.

The Super Bowl Champion Giants would be selecting 32nd, but the forfeiture of the New England’s own pick leaves only 31 First Round Selections.

Apr

27

NFL Draft Round One Recap

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Apr

26

Site Editor Matt Loede Compares His Mock Draft to What Happened in Round 1

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Matt Ryan a Falcon

Rounds 1 and 2 of a busy Draft Day are in the books. Tons of deals, tons of O-lineman and corners taken, other than that, just another draft - right? It was pretty interesting to say the least to see it go so fast. Here is how it went down, along with my picks and some thoughts as to the picks:

1. Miami
My Pick: OT Jake Long, Michigan - Not much to say here, he will be a cornerstone to the Dolphins future, which can’t get much worse than it is right now.
The Pick: OT Jake Long, Michigan - Long is going to be a good pro, no doubt about it, and should be as successful as Joe Thomas was last year.

2. St.Louis
My Pick: DE Chris Long, Virginia - The Rams have to get more pressure on the QB, and Long could be the guy to help that trend a great deal.
The Pick: DE Chris Long, Virginia - This is a good way to get this franchise headed back in the right direction, and Long is a quality guy as well.

3. Atlanta
My Pick: DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU - A game-changing player on defense, Dorsey is always at full-speed, and will be a big help the Falcons struggling defense.
The Pick: QB Matt Ryan, Boston College - Falcons want to get back on track in a hurry, and feel that a franchise QB is the way to do it. We’ll see.

4. Oakland
My Pick: DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State - I still think they could take RB Darren McFadden, but they already have upgraded Rob Ryan’s defense, and with Gholston that trend will continue.
The Pick: RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas - Al Davis loves big name, playmaking guys on offense, and McFadden fits the bill. We’ll see if he produces like Adrian Peterson did in his rookie year.

5. Kansas City
My Pick: QB Matt Ryan, Boston College - My first stretch, but the Chiefs have a later pick with the Jared Allen deal, and they realize that they had better get a QB in there, and Ryan’s the pick of the litter.
The Pick: DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU - Chiefs had the best day of anyone, and Dorsey will lead their defense for years to come.

6. NY Jets
My Pick: RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas - I think the best talent on the board, this game-breaking back will have a huge following with the Jets, and by mid-season will make Thomas Jones and Leon Washington afterthoughts in the running game.
The Pick: DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State - I still feel the Jets wanted McFadden, but Gholston will help their defense a great deal and make plays as a LB in the 3-4

7. New England (Trade gave the pick to the Saints)
My Pick: OT Ryan Clady, Bosie State - If there is a deal in the first round, it’s here. If not, the Pats will look to add some muscle to the O-line, a spot that gave them issues down the stretch last season with Clady.
The Pick: DT Sedrick Ellis, USC - Saints love what Ellis brings to the table, and he should upgrade a big need on their D-line right off the bat.

8. Baltimore (Trade gave the pick to the Jaguars)
My Pick: G Branden Albert, Virginia - The Ravens O-line has been breaking down over the past few seasons, and Albert will show the teams desire to change that. With questions at QB, they need protection and an ability to help out the running game, so Albert makes sense.
The Pick: DE Derrick Harvey, Florida - Jacksonville needed help on the D-line and needed to get it younger, so moving up here is a bit much, but they have that much value in Harvey.

9. Cincinnati
My Pick: DT Sedrick Ellis, USC - Cincy’s defense has been its weak spot over Marvin Lewis’ tenure, and Ellis is a for-sure pick here to try and upgrade and to try and start to reverse that trend.
The Pick: OLB Keith Rivers, USC - At least I had the USC part right. Rivers is a physical LB that can make plays, a player that the Bengals need a great deal.

10. New Orleans (Pick went to New England)
My Pick: DE Derrick Harvey, Florida - The Saints need help on defense as well, and while some have them taking a LB or CB, I think D-line is also an area of need, and Harvey is a good fit for them at 10.
The Pick: LB Jerod Mayo, Tennessee - Had Mayo going a lot further down than this, but the Pats know how to draft, and they need to get that defense younger and better, so he makes sense for them here.

11. Buffalo
My Pick: WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State - The #1 wide out in the draft, Thomas will have an impact for the Bills in his rookie year. Buffalo needs playmakers, and Thomas at 6-2 can make life tough on opposing corners.
The Pick: CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy - The more I thought about this yesterday, the more I thought they should go corner, so this is a good deal for them as they get the #1 guy on the board in terms of CB’s.

12. Denver
My Pick: OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt - The Broncos struggled rushing the football last season, which is something you don’t normally see, and with Williams added to the mix, they will try to get back to smash mouth football. Plus he fills a need with Matt Lepsis retiring.
The Pick: OT Ryan Clady, Bosie State - Denver needs to get that O-line back up to snuff, and while Williams was the pick I thought they would go with, Clady was higher on their board.

13. Carolina
My Pick: OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh - The Bears would like him at 14, but the Panthers also need help on the O-line, and Otah will fill that need. A smart and physical player that has been steady in workouts.
The Pick: RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon - Didn’t understand this one at first, but when they went back into the round and got Otah later, it made sense. Stewart gives them another dimension in the running game with DeAngelo Williams.

14. Chicago
My Pick : RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois - Time for the Bears to admit the mistake of letting Thomas Jones go and giving the ball to Cedric Benson full-time. They will do that with the investment pick of Mendenhall, who is quick and has good size and bulk to carry the load for the Bears.
The Pick: OT Chris Willliams, Vanderbilt - Williams reportedly dropped off a lot of boards due to some neck injury that’s been swept under the rug. Here’s hoping for the Bears sake that is not the case.

15. Detroit (Trade gave the pick to the Chiefs)
My Pick: OLB Keith Rivers, USC - Rivers is a tough player and one that can bring some much needed attitude to the Lions defense. With great speed and burst, Rivers is a player that can step right in and make an impact for the Lions on defense.
The Pick: G Branden Albert, Virginia - Chiefs got back into the round with a deal with the Lions, and start the rebuilding of their O-line with this tough guard who will step in nicely.

16. Arizona
My Pick: CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy - The Cardinals do have needs elsewhere, but they could use a solid shutdown corner, and McKelvin fills that need. He’s the top corner and also can return kicks if the Cards want to use him in that role.
The Pick: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee St. - A player that can become a solid corner right away, will help the Cards secondary and will have plenty of chances to show off his skills.

17. Kansas City (Pick went to Detroit)
My Pick: DE Phillip Merling, Clemson - With moving Jared Allen earlier in the week to the Vikings, the Chiefs rebuild that area with Merling, who has great quickness and is a natural pass rusher, which the Chiefs now need.
The Pick: OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College - Lions need help on that line, and getting Cherilus to protect Jon Kitna and help that running game was a very solid pick.

18. Houston (Trade gave the pick to the Ravens)
My Pick: CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida - The Texans need a corner to help their front seven, and Jenkins is just the guy for them at 18. Has good cover skills, but not great in run support.
The Pick: QB Joe Flacco, Delaware - Guess the Ravens love playing with fire. Flacco has a lot of talent, but he could be the next Kyle Boller. A QB that has shown ability, but again, look at who he’s played.

19. Philadelphia (Trade gave the pick to the Panthers)
My Pick: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee St. - The run on corners continues here with the Eagles, as they nab this special talent to help a secondary that wants to help out free agent stud Asante Samuel.
The Pick: OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh - The Panthers got this one right, and they felt getting getting back in the round and getting Otah was a good move, I agree.

20. Tampa Bay
My Pick: WR DeSean Jackson, Cal - The Bucs need some playmakers on offense, and while Jackson isn’t size-wise the biggest wide out in the draft, he can make plays with his speed and stretch the field for Jeff Garcia and company.
The Pick: CB Aquib Talib, Kansas - Still felt the Bucs should have went offense here, but they felt that Talib was too good to pass on. He’s got a tainted past, here’s hoping the Bucs did enough homework on him.

21. Washington (Trade gave the pick to the Falcons)
My Pick: WR Limas Sweed, Texas - Jim Zorn wants to run 3 and 4 wide out sets, and Sweed would fit the mold. Sweed didn’t show elite speed at the combines, but makes up for it with excellent size and long arms.
The Pick: OT Sam Baker, USC - The run on lineman continued with the Falcons getting a tackle to protect new QB Matt Ryan. Showed the team really does have a “win now” attitude, which will hopefully translate to fans in the seats at the Dome.

22. Dallas
My Pick: CB Aquib Talib, Kansas - The Cowboys would love to have a wide out here, but don’t want to spend that high of a pick on one. They will go with Talib, who will start as a reserve and eventually take over a starting spot in 2009.
The Pick: RB Felix Jones, Arkansas - The real no-brainer of the draft, Jones is a good fit for the Cowboys, and should be a solid backup to Marion Jones and a good change of pace back.

23. Pittsburgh
My Pick: OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College - Pittsburgh gave the farm to QB Ben Roethlisberger this offseaeson, now they need to give him some studs up front to block for him and to open holes for back Willie Parker. Cherilus fills that role nicely.
The Pick: RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois - The Steelers were thrilled to see Mendenhall fall this far. He’s a great inside runner that will complement Willie Parker. Could be the next Barry Foster, who was a great Steelers power back in the early 90’s.

24. Tennessee
My Pick: WR Malcom Kelly, Oklahoma - While the Titans haven’t had a playmaking wide out forever, Kelly will give them a young option that can make plays at 6-3, 224. Not the fastest wide out in the draft, but does have long arms to help out Vince Young’s off the target throws.
The Pick: RB Chris Johnson, E Carolina - Don’t like this pick, and still think the Titans could have and should have used it on a wide out. They had better hope Johnson works out.

25. Seattle (Trade gave the pick to the Cowboys)
My Pick: RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon - With the Hawks dumping Shaun Alexander this week, the team needs to start looking at options to help out Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett at RB, and Stewart fits the mold. They will also look long and hard at tight ends at this spot.
The Pick: CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida - Cowboys move up and take a solid corner in Jenkins, who will fill a role they need and could be a starter within two seasons.

26. Jacksonville (Pick went to Houston)
My Pick: DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina - The Jags need defensive ends and tackles, and with Marcus Stroud gone to Buffalo, Balmer will fit nicely here for the Jags. He’s the #3 DT on the board, and had a great senior season to put him in this spot for a team that he can thrive on.
The Pick: OT Duane Brown, Virgina Tech - Brown is a big boy that will help them build up their o-line in pass protection. O-line’s been the Texans issue for years, and this pick helps.

27. San Diego
My Pick: CB Brandon Flowers, Virgina Tech - Corner is an area that the Chargers can use an upgrade in, and Flowers is a good player that can fill that. He is a big hitter and is aggressive, and while sometimes inconsistent, he will get plenty of time to learn in the Chargers system.
The Pick: CB Antonie Cason, Arizona - Close enough, right? Cason was rated higher on their board, and while everyone knew they would take a corner, it was just a matter of which one.

28. Dallas (Pick went to Seattle)
My Pick: RB Felix Jones, Arkansas - Jones isn’t the back from Arkansas that the Boys want, but they will take him here. The Cowboys need depth at RB and Jones will be a good backup for Marion Barber.
The Pick: DE Lawrence Jackson, USC - The Hawks really should have taken a TE here, but instead, felt that rushing the QB was more of a need. I think in the end this one is a mistake.

29. San Francisco
My Pick: LB Jerod Mayo, Tennessee - A sure tackler, Mayo will upgrade a Niners defense that needs more players like last years stud Patrick Willis. Mayo is a bit undersized, but makes up for it with his quick and physical play.
The Pick: DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina - Defense is the order of the day for Mike Nolan and the Niners, so while I felt they could have used a LB here, they thought front line help on the line was needed more, plus Balmer has a lot of upside.

30. Green Bay (Trade gave the pick to the Jets)
My Pick: CB Antonie Cason, Arizona - The Pack could use some depth at the corner spot, and Cason could fall to them here at 30. He’s the Jim Thorpe award winner, and while he has just average speed, he’s got good instincts and is productive when he has a shot.
The Pick: TE Dustin Keller, Purdue - This should have been the Hawks pick, but when they passed on Keller, the Jets took charge and jumped back into the round. He’ll have a solid career with the Jets.

31. New York Giants
My Pick: WR Mario Manningham, Michigan - A big play threat that can help the Giants stretch the field. Manningham can eventually take over for Amani Toomer, and can be a solid #2 receiver opposite Plaxico Burress.
The Pick: S Kenny Phillips, Miami - Phillips is a guy that can make plays for the Giants in the secondary, and after a crash course he will fit in with Tom Coughlin’s defense.

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