NFL Pick ‘Em – Week 1
ESPN.com won’t bamboozle me. These picks are straight up. No spread or anything
Are the Rams Overthinking the Draft Process?
The St. Louis Rams are completely over-thinking the draft process this year. The Rams have the first-overall pick in this year’s draft and are largely undecided on who to draft. Initial mock drafts after the regular season had them going with the best-available player, Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh. As time progressed, Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford worked his way back to the top of the mock draft. The Rams would be making a Sam Bowie-esque pick if they were to go with Bradford.
I understand the Rams have a dire need for a quarterback and drafted defensive linemen with two of their last three first-round draft picks (Adam Carriker, 2007 and Chris Long, 2008). Just because you’ve drafted that position with a high frequency in recent years does not mean you should pass up on a can’t-miss prospect like Suh. The Detroit Lions drafted wide receivers with three of four first-round picks before 2007 (Charles Rogers, 2003; Roy Williams, 2004 and Mike Williams, 2005). Matt Millen would have been an absolute fool to pass on Calvin Williams in the 2007 draft. The moral of this story is to not let past draft errors lead you to pass on can’t-miss prospects.
The Philadelphia Eagles are openly shopping Donovan McNabb and are only asking for a draft pick 42 or better. The Rams have the first-overall pick and the first pick in the second round. Why the Rams are not going after a six-time Pro-Bowl QB is beyond me. I know the money logistics are probably not possible, but the Rams should be able to do something with no salary cap heading into the 2010 season. If they trade for McNabb, they address their need for a QB and still have the first-overall pick to draft Suh. I do not doubt Sam Bradford’s potential as a serviceable NFL quarterback. I believe Suh will have the bigger impact from week one of the regular season and have a better career.
Quick Shots
Chargers Release LT – His days as a productive no. 1 running back are over. As much as I would hate this move (I’m a Dolphin fan), he could take a pay cut and sign with the Patriots. They always seem to take aging backs and use them well. Look at Corey Dillon, Antowain Smith and now Kevin Faulk. They are not Pro-Bowl caliber, but New England knows how to maximize their players’ strengths while minimizing their weaknesses.
Jose Canseco still wants to fight this guy? Herschel still looks like he can win another Heisman
Eagles Release Westbrook – He served his purpose in Andy Reid’s pass-happy offense, but injuries are starting to mount. Plus, it is time for Philly to commit to running the ball between the tackles again to make things easier for whoever the team decides to keep as their quarterback.
Canseco still wants to fight Herschel – I simply do not think Jose gets it. He may be doing MMA as a celebrity stunt, but Herschel Walker is dead serious out being a legitimate fighter. That reason alone proves why Canseco should fear for his life if he were to get in the ring with Herschel.
Ole Miss looking for new mascot – …who cares? GTHOM!!! 41-27, 80-75, 71-63
Tim Tebow’s NFL Future
I never thought I would be joining the club, but I guess I have to. I’m now in the Tebow Crush Conglomerate. Not because I like him, I still think people still glorify him a bit too much, but because a lot of people are still skeptical of his chances of being a legitimate NFL quarterback.
Tim Tebow is not built to have the same kind of success in the NFL as he did in college. But that does not mean he can't be a good pro QB.
I know the title says “Tebow’s Draft Stock” but his draft stock is irrelevant right now. Tebow, as of right now, is a project QB. You have to take the time to groom him into a serviceable QB. Yes, he has mechanics issues and hasn’t taken that many snaps under center. Who else had the same thing said about them coming out of college? Vince Young. Young had (and still has) that ¾ delivery and took majority of his collegiate snaps from the shotgun at Texas. Yet, he still went third overall in the 2006 NFL Draft because of his intangibles. STOP!!! I’m not about to suggest that Tebow should go that high. All I’m saying is no QB is unfixable unless they’re named Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, or Jamarcus Russell. Tebow is committed to becoming an NFL QB, and placed in the right situation; he can be a good, not great or legendary, but a good QB. Now, if Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson can win Super Bowls and if Mark Sanchez can get a team to the AFC championship game as a rookie, Tebow can produce similar results. All three have something in common, great defenses. Quarterbacks get too much credit for winning and receive too much blame for losing. Dilfer, Johnson, and Sanchez were given keys to a Mabach and were asked not to wreck it. Those defenses were asked to lead the way, and all the QBs had to do was manage the game. As evidence, Dilfer’s and Johnson’s Super Bowl stats:
- Dilfer: 12/25, 153 yds, 1TD, 0 INT
- Johnson: 18/34, 215 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Their respective opposing QB’s had less than stellar games. Kerry Collins threw 4 interceptions against the Ravens and Rich Gannon was picked off 5 times against the Bucs. Sanchez was in position to win, but Peyton Manning figured out the Jets defense. There is no reason to believe Tebow can’t be surrounded with a good defense. His mechanics can be fixed. He has a traditional throw, but he drops the ball down to waist-level before release, something that won’t be rectified by draft day but can be worked on in OTAs and training camp. Learning how to take snaps under center can be fixed with time and more reps. This is Tebow’s ideal situation: draft him in the third round and build a defense around him. If he has to throw the ball 35 times a game, he won’t pan out. Build a D around him and give him a productive running game. On occasion you can ask him to become a gunslinger, but you can’t expect that from him week in and week out.
NFL Picks – Conference Championships
’m not afraid to admit it. Yes, I’ve only picked ONE correct game in the playoffs so far (Colts over Ravens). No one is perfect, and I am far from it. But here comes the turnaround. The conference championships, Vikings/Saints and Jets/Colts.
AFC Championship Game – New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
The regular season rematch. Let’s pray the Colts don’t quit halfway through the third quarter. I know the Colts allowed the Jets to get into the playoffs by shutting it down, but in all fairness the Colts have won every game their tried to win. I know the Jets have the best defense, but I do think Peyton Manning will be able to spread the ball around against Revis and company. Revis may shut down Reggie Wayne, but no one else on that D can contain Dallas Clark, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon., not to mention Donald Brown and Joseph Addai coming out of the backfield. The Colts have too many weapons to stay stifled for a full 60 minutes. Colts win 20-10.
NFC Championship Game – Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
The two titans of the NFC go head-to-head for a trip to the Super Bowl. You really can’t go wrong picking either team. The Vikings have a swarming defense with an amazing pass rush. On offense, you have Brett Favre and all the drama he’s put everyone through. But he’s had a career year. He and Sidney Rice have been clicking, plus they have Adrian Peterson. He hasn’t had a 100-yard game since playing the Lions, but when Brett Favre plays like he has been, why do you need a 100-yard rusher? He helps provide offense balance along with Chester Taylor. The Saints, on the other hand, allow their offense to jump on opponents early, then their defense take advantage of obvious pass situations. But if there is a good day for Peterson to rush for 100 yards, the Saints rush D is the one to do it against. If the Vikings get down early, they should be able to still have balance on offense and stay in the game. I don’t think the Vikes will get down. The game will stay close with the men in purple coming out on top. Vikings win 31-26.
