My Two Cents on the Draft

The draft is mostly speculation anyway. I mean, do we REALLY know how good any of these players are going to be in the NFL? There are different systems and rules and attitudes in the NFL then there are in college. Just the way it is. Not that I'm doubting anybody, but as exciting as draft day was the season is going to be even better, especially when those rookies and players nobody expected to make a difference, do.

As many of you know, I'm a Colts fan. So, I thought I would share my thoughts on how Polian and his team did on the greatest day of the offseason.

Pick 1: Donald Brown. Hopefully he'll be able to

provide the spark and intensity that was missing from the running game last year. I guess he was the nation's leading rusher last year and nobody picked him up before the Colts.

Pick 2: Fili Moala. Yes. I support this. Whole-heartedly. This is the position that the Colts really needed to fill. If Moala (and Taylor, who I'll get to later) can be effective inside,

this defense line will be a very impressive one.

Pick 3: Jerraud Powers. From his stats, he seems like a fairly small guy. But, that's what the Colts defense is like. Undersized, but fast. Hopefully he fits that description.

Pick 4: Austin Collie. I'm pretty sure everyone knew the Colts would pick a receiver at some point in the draft thanks to the departure of Marvin Harrison. I haven't heard much about this guy, but that's the way Polian works. He may not be the guy everyone is looking at, but Polian knows the system and how to find quality players for Peyton to throw to.

Pick 5: Terrance Taylor. I'm always happy when a team drafts someone out of Michigan (I'm also a U of M fan). If I remember this guy right, he's a pretty big boy who should definitely help with the run defense.

Pick 6: Curtis Painter. What? A QB? Why? I know Manning is going to be around forever, but really? Sorgi has barely seen any playing time, why do we need another QB? Oh well. I guess they know something I don't.

Pick 7: Patrick McAfee. After Hunter Smith left for Washington, we need someone to fill in. I don't know how easy or hard it would be to make a place kicker a punter. Maybe he already knows how to punt. Either way. Hunter Smith also did some holding. HEY. Maybe that's why they drafted Painter.

Pick 8: Jaimie Thomas. I support protecting Peyton Manning. And perhaps helping create space for the running game.

So there you have it. My draft analysis.

~Jared

Lions 2.0?

So the Detroit Lions released a new logo today. And I have to say I like it. Honestly, the logo confused me when I was younger. I had a hard time differentiating between where the head and the leg came together. But the white spaces had a lot and gives the logo more definition.

My question is will this "newness" be translated into the other aspect of the team? If nothing changes, this logo becomes irrelevant and hypocritical.

The Detroit Lions have never been a major competitor in any capacity. The mindset of this organization has never been to win a Super Bowl. This team was essentially a marketing ploy to football fans in Michigan and the Detroit area.

The Lions have the biggest struggle ahead of them. To me, and I'm sure to others, this season is the season to prove that they are serious about what their doing and that they deserve to be in the NFL.

If they do as bad as they did last year, I vote we demote them to the AFL. Just sayin'.

Seahawks in Control

The Seattle Seahawks have the 4th overall pick in this years draft and that gives them complete control over a lot of team's future. For many months it has been said that the Seahawks will take WR Michael Crabtree, regardless of the key signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh. I am beginning to think otherwise. 

Believe it or not Matt Hasselbeck is NOT the youngest QB in the league and his athleticism is on the decline. This opens a new door for Seattle. Whether Mark Sanchez is the best QB in the draft or not is still up for debate by many experts but I will tell you he is not. He is 2nd behind Stafford but this might not mean that he will go mid to late first round, he could go find himself moving north and wind up being the 4th overall player selected in 2009. 

If Mark Sanchez is selected 4th this could drastically change the draft boards. There are countless teams with QB needs ranging from Denver, Tampa Bay and Oakland to the Jets, San Francisco and possibly even Cleveland. This messes up a slew of possibilities for these teams, but this does help the outlook for 3 guys: Josh Freeman, Rhett Bomar and Pat White. Expect Josh Freeman to go mid-1st round and end up having the potential to start for a team with a huge chance at winning.

The Seattle Seahawks have to critically think through their pick this year because it could alter the future of many teams but more importantly it will alter the future of theirs. 

More Colts stuff...

Just so everyone's in the loop, there are two people contributing to this blog. Jared and Zachy B.  Zachy B wrote that last post. This is Jared.

Now, I'm a Colts fan. Even though I grew up in Michigan. Probably no surprised I dropped the Lions faster than you can say "0 and 16". 

And before you assume that I'm going to argue with Zachy B (who's a Cardinals fan), don't. I agree. Joseph Addai was not the same running back he was the first two seasons he was in Indy. He spent way too much time in the backfield. I was most impressed with him when he caught a pass for and took it 50 some yards. I don't remember what game, but your RB highlight should not be 1 PASS. 

Either way, my point in this entry is that the Colts have other issues besi

des running back that I think should be addressed before they give up on Addai. The Colts have several other running backs, like Chad Simpson and Micheal Hart, who could provide some rushing offense. 

The Colts weakness has almost always been their defense. However, their pass defense ranked in the top ten in the league last year. So I don't feel like they need to mess with the secondary too much.

It's the run defense that has always been the bigger issue. That's why I feel like DT and LB need to be their focus. They need some solid, tough guys to fill in the middle. Gary Brackett has been a staple in the MLB position for years, but he isn't going to last forever. And he needs some help from the outside guys too. Clint Session has got a lot of speed, and seems to be a very intense player, but I noticed in the San Diego playoff game that he didn't really wrap up people. And the Colts lost Keiaho to free agency. If they can find one or two more guys who have the speed to fit the system and the ability to tackle, they'd be a lot better off.

And DT is something that's been missing since 2005. That's the year they had Corey Simons and McFarland playing in the middle. That's also the year they had one of the best defenses in the league and ended with a 14 and 2 record. If they can find a couple of guys to play in the middle and fill in some of those running lanes, it could make a huge difference. 

The Truth about the Colts

The truth is they are a great team, a great team with great problems. The most overbearing of all of these problems is Joseph Addai. The word overrated does not do justice to how over valued he truly is. The Colts rank in the top 5 probably even the top 3 best ran organizations in the league. They are perennial Playoff contenders and have one of the best (if not the best) coaching staffs in the league. In my opinion the loss of the great Tony Dungy will not hamper the Colts ability to remain a good team. I say good because they are good not great. The reason is simple, Joseph Addai.

I can't help but wonder if Joseph Addai had played better against the Chargers in the playoffs if it would have been an Indianapolis and Arizona Super Bowl. The problem of Joseph Addai is too large to ignore. When he was drafted he was compared to Barry Sanders because of his stutter stepping in the backfield and then his burst to get out of the backfield, but there is a difference, Barry Sanders was productive. Addai is a one hit wonder and can be traded to benefit the future of the franchise. 

This upcoming draft class is heaven for teams that need a RB. The Colts need to look at Lesean McCoy or Beanie Wells in the early rounds and Rashad Jennings in later rounds. This is an opportunity for the Colts to win a Super Bowl once again and get Peyton Manning his well deserved rings.

Sophomore of the Year?

2008-09 Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan says he is ready for more. After throwing for nearly a year straight last year, Ryan put his arm to a much needed rest this off-season, but he is back to throwing at this point in this off-season.

Ryan led the falcons to 11 wins and their first playoff appearance since 2004 (remember Mike Vick?) after being ousted from the playoffs by the eventual NFC Champions. Matt Ryan has proven himself as the leader of the Falcons and I do not question that he will be a great QB in the NFL, my only question is "How great will he be?"

Matt Ryan threw some great balls last year and he also threw up some great numbers, he finished with 16 TDs and over 3,400 yards. I have seen people question Ryan's ability and whether he was the key to Atlanta's success or if it was the new found running game in Atlanta. Let me tell you this right now Matt Ryan is the QB of the future in the NFL. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have a limited number of years left in this league (I have a feeling they won't over stay their welcome like Griese or Garcia) and you can expect Ryan to grab the reigns as soon as they bow out. Matt Ryan can expected to lead the new generation of QBs with the help of Joe Flacco and the surprise of last season, Matt Cassel. My Sophomore of the Year Award is most likely going to Matt Ryan.

Draft Profile: Hakeem Nicks

Hakeem Nicks is listed by the Associated Press as the 4th best receiver in the draft. Nicks is a 6'2" 210 pound beast that resembles Anquan Boldin with just a dash of Steve Smith. He has the best hands in the draft and would be a contender with Michael Crabtree as the best receiver in the Draft if he was a bit faster. At the Combine he recorded 4.49 second 40 yard dash time. 

Hakeem Nicks has been projected to go anywhere from mid-1st to early 2nd round but I personally see him going 3oth overall to Tennessee. The Titans have a gaping hole at receiver and this kid is the answer. Tennessee has a rather interesting QB situation, with the proven veteran Kerry Collins currently leading the race for 2009 starter, but how can any team plan to have a passing game when their top receiver (Justin Gage) had 89 receptions... IN THE PAST 2 SEASONS!

The Titans have no choice but to draft this guy if he is still available by the 30th overall. This way no matter who starts at QB for the Titans in 2009 they have a big target that can make huge plays off of some very simple screen plays and a guy that can cut across the middle and has the hands to pull down the ball in traffic. Nicks is a must have for the Titans. If he slips to the second round expect Jacksonville to enthusiastically grab him with the 39th overall pick.

WR Bonanza

Boldin isn't the only WR available.

Ocho Cinco's time with the Bengals is running out. Of course, teams could see him as another TO and not even worry about it. But a team like the Jaguars could really use a big time reciever. And much like TO, I think when Ocho wants to play well and shuts his mouth and plays, he's tough to beat.

Braylon Edwards is also apparently available. He had a rough year last season, but the QB situation wasn't very stable and I don't think that helped any. Plus, the year before was a real breakout year for him so I think teams paid special attention to him. But, I think on a team like the Jaguars, a very run oriented team, Edwards could have a very successful year (as long as Jacksonville can keep a QB healthy).

As a Colts fan, the Jaguars have always scared me. They're a very physical team with a fantastic running game. If they could get their hands on a decent reciever, they could be a ton better.

Now for something completely different.

Effing Lions. They had a golden opportunity to obtain a proven, talented QB in Jay Cutler and they let him get away...to the Bears. Which I thought was ironic. Not only are they in the same division, but the QB situation in Chicago should be a soap opera. First it was Orton, then it was Grossman, then back to Orton, they threw Griese in the mix, then back to Grossman. Seriously. Holy Crap. I don't know that Jay Cutler will be able to fix that. I think they should work on their line and recieving core. Maybe even their running backs.

Anyway, back to what I wanted to say. The Lions. Fail. Now they'll probably draft a QB, expecting him to fix everything. That's the way it went with Joey Harrington. That worked out well, huh? And don't even try to bring up Daunte Culpepper. He needs to get in shape. Luckily they have a fantastic reciever in Calvin Johnson. Because that's what Culpepper needs. Someone he can launch the ball to without any kind of precision or touch. Oh well. Maybe they'll win a game this year. They can only go up.

I think I've said enough. I need to get caught up on my NFL news and come back.

Draft Day Speculation

It is coming down to the final stretch before the Draft and all of the "experts" and "analysts" are taking their best stabs at what Draft day trades are going to go down. I find it humorous yet at the same time this is one of my favorite times in the off-season. This gives one the chance to pretend some of the wildest scenarios will happen before the 25th.

My favorite speculation thus far has to be a trade involving the Arizona Cardinals and the Jacksonville Jaguars for the services of Anquan Boldin. Earlier in the off-season Boldin expressed a desire to have his contract restructured for more money, a deal Arizona will have a hard time doing in their current financial situation. This is where a hole lies in the plan. If Boldin does go to Jacksonville what will the Cardinals get for him? If Arizona asks for the Jaguars 8th overall pick (doubtful as it may be) how would they sign said pick? There is always the possibility of a couple middle round picks such as Jacksonville's 39th and 72nd overall. These would be better for Arizona than another first round, but remember this deal is imaginary and I highly doubt we will see it happen this season.

Another draft day speculation that I have seen involves division rivals the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Denver Broncos have found themselves with another mid-first round pick and have also found themselves without a QB. Speculation has it that Denver will try to trade the 12th and 18th overall picks for Kansas City's 3rd overall pick. This is probably the most likely of all of the speculated situations around the internet right now. Kansas City has more than one gaping hole and could use two mid-round picks whereas Denver needs to get either Stafford or Sanchez (Denver would prefer Sanchez, his playing style matches that of McDaniel's previous guys). 

With all speculation aside this off-season has already been an eventful one and I am sure there are more surprises in store. I hope that all will watch on April 25th as some of the NFL's greatest (and worst) GMs help to decide the futures of their teams.