I've returned for what seems like ages since I last blogged. I promise starting today were gonna get back to twice a week. Lots to dive into today...I never disappoint.
THE HOT LIST:
1. NFL DRAFT: Where should the top 5 go?
2. Spring Football: Final Thoughts for 2010
3. Mike Anderson...is he on the hot seat?
1) Well I can say its about damn time to get the NFL draft over with. For the past 4 months all we've seen in numerous breakdowns of the likely top 5 players. Suh, McCoy, Colt, Bradford, Jimmy Clausen, Eric Berry and Russel Okung are likely to project as the first 7 or 8 picks of the NFL Draft. Who's really the best? Every year we really have to ask that question seriously and put our own team love aside for the players. Do you think that Stafford was really deserving of the #1 pick last season? Being the #1 pick is nice, it has its perks, teams will be generating 30 million dollar contracts for you to sign, but if you look at the track record of skill position players in the top 5 (that being QB's, RB's, and WR's) how many of teams have actually gotten the value of the money that they have put into these players. Look at how Jamarcus Russel from Oakland has struggled as a #1 pick, along with Alex Smith in 2005, David Carr in 2002, Michael Vick in 2001, and Tim Couch in 1999. Only Eli and Peyton Manning have won a superbowls in the last 12 years as being the #1 pick in the NFL draft. Remember any of these other players: Courtney Brown, Mario Williams, Carson Palmer, and Jake Long. All were #1 picks and only a handful have made the pro bowl and NONE have won a superbowl. If you look at the track record of coming into the league as the #1 pick...history has shown that it doesn't go well for you for a successful long term NFL career. Lets break down the Top five picks or who I think will be the top 5 on Thursday.
#1 St. Louis Rams select SAM BRADFORD-QB-OKLAHOMA
-The word on the street is that the Rams today dealt Adam Carriker to clear out some payroll for what the Rams hope will be the long term answer for them at QB. We've seen this time and time again...I personally don't think Sam will amount to much at the Pro level...his durability is a huge issue and I think that he doesn't posses a great arm that will translate well at the next level.
#2 Detroit Lions select NDAMUKONG SUH-DT-NEBRASKA
-The Lions would be elated to have a guy of this caliber fall to them at #2. Just like a few years ago when Calvin Johnson was on the board at the #2 pick, they pulled the trigger to draft clear amazing talent. I no doubt believe that Suh is a lock to be successful at the next year. He will need to learn to get better leverage against the pro lineman's who will be able to stand him up off the line, but I do expect Suh to learn the skill set to be really really successful at the next level...I mean just check out this video: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5073955
#3 Tampa Bay Bucs select ERIC BERRY-DB-TENNESSEE
-Tampa Bay likely will look long and hard at Gerald McCoy from Oklahoma, but I think they'll opt for a stable DB in their secondary with the likes of Barber getting older and likely to retire in the next few seasons. Remember this team did have Tim Crowder, Ryan Sims, Chris Hoyan, and Stylez White play last year....yes clearly there is no flashy names in this group, and it really could go either way with the two, but have Talib on your DB group with Barber makes it inticing for them to seriously look at Berry...no question that after last season in 2008 he was on the top of everyones boards but opted to stay in school for another season.
#4 Washington Redskins select GERALD MCCOY-DT-OKLAHOMA
-After the Bucs pass on McCoy it'll become a legit no brainer for them to take McCoy. He easily provides some depth and will get a nice counterpart to play along side in Albert Hanesworth. Having a high caliber player like this likely ensures that he'll stay in Washington for a few more seasons. Just the thing the Redskins need after acquiring Carriker, I think they would have the makings of a very talented front four.
#5 Kansas City Chiefs select RUSSEL OKUNG-OT-OKLAHOMA STATE
-The Chiefs likely will have some interesting options at #5 if things play out in this scenario. I think they'll opt for a sure thing like another lineman to help on what was a miserable year for them across the O line. The Chiefs need stable young bodies that they can build for long term successful run blockers. Couldn't tell you how many times I watched the QB get sacked due to a bad OL. They need the talent and Okung I think is the gem lineman that would be an absolute steal if he landed at #5.
2) After being in attendance for the 2010 Spring Game I have some final thoughts before we all get the FEVER for the 2010 season. I think it was clear that we saw that Taylor Martinez has some legit speed. He clearly showed on Saturday that he wasn't afraid to pull the ball down and run it. He's shifty, elusive, and flat out quick down the line. I was troubled watching him throw. I think that his delivery needs some work to go along with reading coverage and finding the open man. He did complete some throws but not many down field into openings in coverage. He's likely at this point of his career to pull the ball down and run than to throw. Cody Green looked ok from the standpoint of using his arm. I think clearly that is a facet of the game that he's really worked hard at and it showed on Saturday as he boomed a few deep balls down to Niles Paul. The troubling note was how slow his foot speed was in the pocket. I thought he'd would be a bit more polished in being able to be elusive out of the pocket to create plays. In a live game situation that maybe different, but when Shawn Watson stated that it would be an open fall QB competition, none of the QB's really shined yesterday. Defense looked challenged but having split up the two teams hurt in building some team unity on that side of the ball. I think that gets ironed out during summer drills and fall camp. Really didn't see much from Mike McNeil but I do think that his switch to WR will continue in the fall. For those of you who thought that Zac Lee wasn't going to be the starter, I think after the spring game he's still clearly the #1 guy heading into fall camp.
3. Well I think its official that Nebraska is having some major Husker Woes in Baseball. Nebraska lost another Big 12 conference series last weekend. The Huskers have dropped 11 of their last 12 series dating back to last season. Clearly I think we as fans are getting frustrated with the inconsistent of play of its team. This frustration has now spewed into wanting a change at the helm at the end of this season. An article in the OWH came out this week about Tom's opinion on the baseball program. Reading the article I got the sense that Tom was impressed with the amount of young talent on this team. He stated that he can relate to when he had young teams that really weren't consistent for him every weekend. From the article I got the very very distinct impression that regardless of what happens this season, Mike Anderson will likely keep his job after this year. Yes I know that some fans really don't want to hear that, but I stand by my assumption that Mike would have to have 3 bad years before losing his job. Clearly his gotten 2 bad seasons. He'd likely have to get off the snide next year in 2011 with a successful season or end up getting the pink slip if this team struggles like they have for the past 2 seasons.
Promise I'm coming back on Thursday.
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