Well, it's draft day. The only day I eat unhealthier than I do on Super Bowl Sunday. So, I thought I'd get my final round 1 mock up.
1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russell, QB LSU
Pretty much a guarantee at this point in time
2. Detroit: Calvin Johnson, WR GT
Although I expect him (or the pick) to be traded to Tampa Bay, Atlanta, or Denver
3. Cleveland: Joe Thomas, OT Wisconsin
The smart pick. So, that means Cleveland will probably go with Brady Quinn
4. Tampa Bay: Gaines Adams, DE Clemson
Either in Tampa or Detroit, Gaines is the pick here.
5. Arizona: Adrian Peterson, RB Oklahoma
Could be Levi Brown, but I think AD is just a better value
6. Washington: Brady Quinn, QB Notre Dame
I expect Quinn to be the pick, but Washington won't be the team. I see Miami or Chicago trading up to this spot to get Quinn.
7. Minnesota: Amobi Okoye, DT Louisville
Too much potential to pass up
8. Atlanta: LaRon Landry, S LSU
Possibly the best defensive player in the draft, even though they probably want Okoye
9. Miami: Levi Brown, OT PSU
If this is Miami's pick, it's easily Brown. If it's Washington, it might be Leon Hall
10. Houston: Leon Hall, CB Michigan
11. San Fransisco: Teddy Ginn Jr, WR OSU
His speed is too salivating, and his potential to be a game changing on offense and special teams too tempting. They still need to get another weapon for Alex Smith and he fits the bill
12. Buffalo: Marshawn Lynch, RB Cal
Need to replace McGahee, and the drop off after Lynch is astounding.
13. St. Louis: Jamaal Anderson, DE Arkansas
14. Carolina Panthers: Grego Olsen, TE Miami
Great Value, great talent, fills a need.
15. Pittsburgh: Patrick Willis, LB Ole Miss
Best LB in the draft to a team that really needs a playmaking LB. This would be a Steeler's fan dream come true (him or Levi Brown ... and no, it't not a coincindence that in my two mocks those are the two players they got). If he's gone, I imagine Darrelle Revis is the pick
16. Green Bay: Dwayne Bowe, WR LSU
They want Lynch or Ginn, probably in that order, but really need a playmaker on offense. Bowe is the next best one. Might try to trade down in this scenario, and will have to hope to find value in the 2nd or 3rd round for a RB.
17. Jacksonville: Reggie Nelson, S Florida
Too much value to pass this guy up at this point. Not the greatest need, but too much talent
18. Cincinnati: David Harris, LB, Michigan
19. Tennessee Titans: Dwayne Jarrett, WR USC
They hope Ginn falls to them, but Jarrett (and his size) isn't a bad consolation prize, especially with the connection to Chow
20. New York Giants: Lawrence Timmons, LB FSU
21. Denver: Adam Carriker, DE Nebraska
Great value, and it fills a need. What a coup for Denver
22. Dallas: Darrelle Revis, CB Pitt
Great steal. Revis could go top 15
23. Kansas City: Robert Meachem, WR Tennessee
Another team hoping Ginn or another top WR fall to them. Meachem isn't a bad catch, though, and fills a great need
24. New England: Paul Posluszny, LB PSU
Good value, good fit, fills a need.
25. New York Jets: Alan Branch, DT Michigan
Nothing but BPA here
26. Philadelphia: Joe Staley, OT Central Michigan
The Eagles are in a position to go for good value and depth, and Staley is an excellent choice
27. New Orleans: Aaron Ross, CB Texas
Good value pick, and helps the NO Secondary which looked suspect at times
28. New England: Jarvis Moss, DE Florida
A tweaner that could go top-15, and now gets to be used in both his positions by the Patriots. This is scary.
29. Baltimore: Trent Edwards, QB Stanford
Boller never panned out, and McNair is old. They make a minor reach to grab Edwards, but only because Staley is gone
30. San Diego: Chris Houston, CB Arkansas
Another step to improve the defense
31. Chicago: Ben Grubbs, OG Auburn
I'm half expecting the Bears to trade up for Quinn, but if they don't Grubbs is an amazing talent and an amazing value. They could also go WR (Sidney Rice), but there is better value in the 2nd-3rd rounds for WR.
32. Indianapolis: Brandon Meriweather, S Florida
Good value pick, and while the Colts don't have many needs, a good, versatile safety can only help.
And that's that ... we'll see if I get more than 10 right.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Random Thoughts
I know it's not just me, but I still have to make this statement:
The NBA Playoffs have way too many off-nights. The Cavaliers should be playing, at the minimum, game three tonight, not game two. Their series, if it ends in four, should be wrapping up Saturday or Sunday, not starting up in a new city for the first time. I sometimes wonder why more sports fans don't follow the NBA as closely as I do, and then something like this comes along to remind me why. Hope the large checks from TNT make it worthwhile to alienate some fan bases, David.
The Mavs and Spurs get a shot to even their series at home tonight. I won't be shocked to see San Antonio go down 2-0, but I'll be 100% shocked if it happens to Dallas. In fact, I think it's more likely that Dallas goes on a run and wins the next four against Golden State, then it is that Golden State wins even one more game. Avery will get his boys prepared, come in with a decent game plan, stick to it, and once they get the monkey off their backs and beat Don Nelson and the Warriors, they'll keep doing it.
I've come to the conclusion that Joe Thomas is simply the best available player in the NFL Draft. ESPN just posted a "risk study" on the "bust potential" for each position in the first round. Offensive Line ranked pretty safe. So, when you combine that with his skill and size, I just don't see how you would want a Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Brady Quinn, Gaines Adams, JaMarcuss Russell, or anyone else ahead of this guy. I'm a big fan of hanging on to your draft picks, but I'd give up quite a few to move up for a shot at taking this guy.
I'm wondering how to treat A-Rod's April. On one hand, he's on a record setting pace like nobody has any business being on. On the other hand, I hate to follow just about any story involving the Yankees or the Red Sox. And, on my mythological third hand, I'm comparing A-Rod's April this year to Chris Shelton's April last year. Just saying.
NFL Draft is this weekend. Party at my house Saturday if you can make it. Homemade, hand-battered beer batter onion rings! I'll try to get up a final first round mock before then, but no promises.
The NBA Playoffs have way too many off-nights. The Cavaliers should be playing, at the minimum, game three tonight, not game two. Their series, if it ends in four, should be wrapping up Saturday or Sunday, not starting up in a new city for the first time. I sometimes wonder why more sports fans don't follow the NBA as closely as I do, and then something like this comes along to remind me why. Hope the large checks from TNT make it worthwhile to alienate some fan bases, David.
The Mavs and Spurs get a shot to even their series at home tonight. I won't be shocked to see San Antonio go down 2-0, but I'll be 100% shocked if it happens to Dallas. In fact, I think it's more likely that Dallas goes on a run and wins the next four against Golden State, then it is that Golden State wins even one more game. Avery will get his boys prepared, come in with a decent game plan, stick to it, and once they get the monkey off their backs and beat Don Nelson and the Warriors, they'll keep doing it.
I've come to the conclusion that Joe Thomas is simply the best available player in the NFL Draft. ESPN just posted a "risk study" on the "bust potential" for each position in the first round. Offensive Line ranked pretty safe. So, when you combine that with his skill and size, I just don't see how you would want a Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Brady Quinn, Gaines Adams, JaMarcuss Russell, or anyone else ahead of this guy. I'm a big fan of hanging on to your draft picks, but I'd give up quite a few to move up for a shot at taking this guy.
I'm wondering how to treat A-Rod's April. On one hand, he's on a record setting pace like nobody has any business being on. On the other hand, I hate to follow just about any story involving the Yankees or the Red Sox. And, on my mythological third hand, I'm comparing A-Rod's April this year to Chris Shelton's April last year. Just saying.
NFL Draft is this weekend. Party at my house Saturday if you can make it. Homemade, hand-battered beer batter onion rings! I'll try to get up a final first round mock before then, but no promises.
Friday, April 20, 2007
NBA Playoff Preview
Been a while. Oh well. Sue me. Missed the boat on an MLB preview, but I'm here now for an NBA Playoff Preview.
We'll Start with the first round series.
(1) Pistons vs. (8) Magic
I'm just waiting for the media to start playing up Darko's return to Detroit. Wouldn't it be great if he hit a game winning shot or two?
The Big Question: Will the Pistons sleepwalk through a few games and give them away?
The Pick Pistons in 6. (So, yes, they will sleepwalk and give away two games)
(2) Cavs vs. (7) Wizards
A rematch from last years first-round, only
a) LeBron is no longer a playoff rookie
b) Some key members of the Cavs have developed nicely (Gibson, Andy, Sasha)
c) The Wiz are without some key players
The Big Question: How will Mike Brown handle his bench in the playoffs?
The Pick: Cavs in Five (Mike Brown uses Eric Snow too much in one game, and the Cavs lose ... probably game 3)
(3) Raptors vs. (6) Nets
Did you know that Vince Carter used to play for the Raptors, and then tanked his way out of town? Or that the Raptors have vaulted from #1 draft pick status to division champion status in one year? If you didn't, you'll know it soon after the media hypes it for a week.
The Big Question: How did a team as talented as the Nets only get the #6 seed in the Eastern Conference?
The Pick: Nets in seven (and Vince Carter hits the game winning shot in Toronto)
(4) Heat vs. (5) Bulls
(Bulls have home-court advantage)
Another rematch from last years playoffs. This one just as interesting as it was last year.
The Big Question: Will the hot/cold shooting of the Bulls and their lack of interior scoring kill them in this series, or in another series?
The Other Big Question: How's the shoulder, Flash?
The Pick: Bulls in 7 (after Big Ben hurts Flash' shoulder in game six)
(1) Mavs vs. (8) Warriors
Did you know that the Warriors are the only team the Mavs didn't beat this regular season? You will, by the time you watch five minutes of any coverage of the Mavs this week.
The Big Question: Will the Warriors, after more than a decade out of the playoffs, simply be happy to be there?
The Pick: Mavs in four (that happiness won't last long)
(2) Suns vs. (7) Lakers
Yet another rematch from last year. If the Lakers were fully healthy and fully gelled, this would be a good series. That's not the case.
The Big Question: How many games can Kobe win by himself?
The Pick: Suns in 5 (Kobe goes for fiddy in game three, and the Lakers win)
(3) Spurs vs. (6) Nuggets
This is the second-most intriguing match-up of the first round for me. The Spurs are a veteran team, with championship experience, and are built to succeed in the playoffs. The Nuggets are up-and-coming, and their terrific two-headed monster is finally starting to gel.
The Big Question: Can Marcus Camby be effective on Tim Duncan?
The Pick: Nuggets in six (I'm not betting against AI in the first round)
(4) Jazz vs. (5) Rockets
(Rockets have home-court advantage)
I hate Carlos Boozer.
The Big Question: Can T-Mac get out of the first round?
The Other Question: How long until we're sick of that question?
The Pick: Rockets in 5 (T-Mac will leave no doubt, and I really hope Yao neuters Boozer)
We'll Start with the first round series.
Eastern Conference
(1) Pistons vs. (8) Magic
I'm just waiting for the media to start playing up Darko's return to Detroit. Wouldn't it be great if he hit a game winning shot or two?
The Big Question: Will the Pistons sleepwalk through a few games and give them away?
The Pick Pistons in 6. (So, yes, they will sleepwalk and give away two games)
(2) Cavs vs. (7) Wizards
A rematch from last years first-round, only
a) LeBron is no longer a playoff rookie
b) Some key members of the Cavs have developed nicely (Gibson, Andy, Sasha)
c) The Wiz are without some key players
The Big Question: How will Mike Brown handle his bench in the playoffs?
The Pick: Cavs in Five (Mike Brown uses Eric Snow too much in one game, and the Cavs lose ... probably game 3)
(3) Raptors vs. (6) Nets
Did you know that Vince Carter used to play for the Raptors, and then tanked his way out of town? Or that the Raptors have vaulted from #1 draft pick status to division champion status in one year? If you didn't, you'll know it soon after the media hypes it for a week.
The Big Question: How did a team as talented as the Nets only get the #6 seed in the Eastern Conference?
The Pick: Nets in seven (and Vince Carter hits the game winning shot in Toronto)
(4) Heat vs. (5) Bulls
(Bulls have home-court advantage)
Another rematch from last years playoffs. This one just as interesting as it was last year.
The Big Question: Will the hot/cold shooting of the Bulls and their lack of interior scoring kill them in this series, or in another series?
The Other Big Question: How's the shoulder, Flash?
The Pick: Bulls in 7 (after Big Ben hurts Flash' shoulder in game six)
Western Conference
(1) Mavs vs. (8) Warriors
Did you know that the Warriors are the only team the Mavs didn't beat this regular season? You will, by the time you watch five minutes of any coverage of the Mavs this week.
The Big Question: Will the Warriors, after more than a decade out of the playoffs, simply be happy to be there?
The Pick: Mavs in four (that happiness won't last long)
(2) Suns vs. (7) Lakers
Yet another rematch from last year. If the Lakers were fully healthy and fully gelled, this would be a good series. That's not the case.
The Big Question: How many games can Kobe win by himself?
The Pick: Suns in 5 (Kobe goes for fiddy in game three, and the Lakers win)
(3) Spurs vs. (6) Nuggets
This is the second-most intriguing match-up of the first round for me. The Spurs are a veteran team, with championship experience, and are built to succeed in the playoffs. The Nuggets are up-and-coming, and their terrific two-headed monster is finally starting to gel.
The Big Question: Can Marcus Camby be effective on Tim Duncan?
The Pick: Nuggets in six (I'm not betting against AI in the first round)
(4) Jazz vs. (5) Rockets
(Rockets have home-court advantage)
I hate Carlos Boozer.
The Big Question: Can T-Mac get out of the first round?
The Other Question: How long until we're sick of that question?
The Pick: Rockets in 5 (T-Mac will leave no doubt, and I really hope Yao neuters Boozer)
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