Sunday, April 26, 2009

Quick 2009 Draft Recap

I think this draft was a very good one for Jerry Angelo & Co. Bravo. Hopefully this all works out for everyone involved. Here's a quick rundown of who the Bears selected in this year's draft.

Notes: Bears traded their second round pick, 49th overall, to the Seahawks for the fifth pick in round four, the 68th overall, and the fourth pick in the fifth, the 105th overall.


Round 3
#4(68) Jarron Gilbert, DT/DE, San Jose St
#35(99) Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma
Round 4
#5(105) Henry Melton, DE, Texas
#19(119) D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
Round 5
#4(140) Johnny Knox, WR, Ab Christian
#18(154) Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio St
Round 6
#17(190) Al Afalava, S, Oregon St
Round 7
#37(246) Lance Louis, OG/TE, SDSU
#42(251) Derek Kinder, WR, Pittsburgh

More to come on who these guys are, where they came from and where they fit in tomorrow... or sometime this week... or tomorrow... or Wednesday... definitely by Wednesday.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

NFL Mock Draft

AWESOME NFL MOCK DRAFT SAUCE


1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
This was easy. Stafford signed a 6 year 41.7 million dollar deal on Friday night, so it's safe to say the Lions take him with the first pick.


2. Jason Smith, LT, Baylor
The Rams need help on their offensive line, and Jason Baylor is a good offensive lineman. I think they could/should pick Eugene Monroe here, but I just have a feeling this is the way they will go.

3. Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Is he the best player in the draft? Defensively, no question. He probably will have the most impact as a rookie this season.


4. Eugene Monroe, LT, Virginia
The Seahawks get lucky here at number four and pick up the best offensive lineman in the draft. If the Rams have taken him at two, the Seahawks probably take Mark Sanchez off the board.

5. B. J. Raji, DT, Boston College
The Browns would have loved to get Aaron Curry with the fifth pick, but they'll have to settle for the best defensive tackle this draft has to offer. However, watch for them to go with Brian Orakpo with this pick instead.

6. Andre Smith, LT, Alabama
Whether this is a good pick or not all depends on attitude. If Andre Smith decides he wants to be a good NFL player and puts in the effort, he will be. If he doesn't commit to the Bengal, look for this to be a bust.


7. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
This pick is made because the Raiders are dumb. And also because they don't like Michael Crabtree's attitude. And also because the Raiders are dumb. Heyward-Bey is really really fast, but also likes to drop passes. Maybe he gets over that, but then again maybe the Raiders are dumb.

8. Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
The Jets make a trade with the Jaguars here to move up and take the quarterback they so desperately need want. If the Jets don't get this trade done, watch for the Jaguars to take Michael Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin, even if they did just sign Torry Holt.



9. Malcom Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
At this point Michael Crabtree is still the best player on the board, however I think they're focused on upgrading their defense in this draft. Malcom Jenkins is the best DB in the draft, and this draft isn't very deep when it comes to DBs.


10. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
And the 49ers strike gold! They get possibly the best offensive player in the draft, and the best wide receiver to come out of the draft since Calvin Johnson.

11. Michael Oher, LT, Mississippi
The Blind Side gets taken here. Bills need offensive line help, and they're hoping the talk about Oher not having great work ethic is just that - talk.

12. Tyson Jackson, DE/LB, LSU
With the first of two first round selections, the Broncos go with the hybrid defensive end. He'll probably end up playing linebacker on that depleted defense.


13. Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
He has a great pass rush but will need to get better at defending the run. The 'Skins will play him on passing downs, he'll have a big impact.



14. Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
Everyone loves this kid, but I personally don't see it. I don't see him as an every down defensive end. He's a third down rush specialist... and you can get that in the fifth round, but who knows how this works out.




15. Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
This, to me, is one of those high risk-high reward situations. Vontae Davis is a work-out fiend. I think he ends up being a average-to-good cornerback with the potential to be great.



16. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
In San Diego's search for 'the next LT,' they choose Knowshon Moreno. He's the best running back in this draft. Solid pick.


17. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Mizzou
The Jags, using the pick they acquired from the Jets, get someone to put on the other side of Torry Holt. He'll battle Northcutt for the second receiver spot.


18. Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
With the Broncos getting another first round pick in their trade with the Chicago Bears, many would think that they would select a QB here. I think Josh McDaniels is too proud. He'll continue to upgrade the defense here with Maualuga.


19. Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
Having lost out in the Matt Cassel and the Jay Cutler sweepstakes, the Bucs go with a QB here, although I wouldn't be shocked if they went DT and Peria Jerry either.


20. Brian Orakpo, DE/LB, Texas
The Lions get their QB of the future and the best pure pass rusher in the draft all in the same round. Bravo, winless wonders.


21. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
With LJ Smith gone, the Eagles have to add some offensive help for McNabb. Pettigrew can come in and immediately upgrade them at the tight end position.



22. Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
The Vikings go with the biggest high risk-high reward player in this year's draft. They either get a good receiver or a good return man here. The former means it's successful, the latter means this pick was a bust.


23. Brian Cushing, LB, USC
The Patriots get exactly what they want here - a pass rushing outside linebacker. Cushing will come into this league ready to play that position and could learn to be a more well rounded linebacker in the future.

24. Clay Matthews, LB, USC
The Falcons get the third USC linebacker with the 24th selection. He's not as good as Mauagula or Cushing, but he'll probably end up being a decent linebacker.



25. Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
Dolphins get a weapon here for Chad Pennington. This selection will really solidify the Dolphins' position as a potent offense next season.



26. Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
After debating with myself for a while on whether the Ravens go offense or defense here, I, for some reason, decide on offense and Beanie. If they don't go with Beanie here they probably draft James Laurinaitis.

27. James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
The Colts take the best defensive player available on the board. They get a real Road Warrior here... a real Animal.



28. Robert Ayers, LB, Tennessee
The Bills, with the 28th pick, take the sixth linebacker in this draft. I didn't think six would go, but Ayers has really flown up the charts as of late.


29. Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
After the Giants fail to get Anquan Boldin, they'll draft a big, physical wide out. Kenny Britt is just that: he has unsure hands, but he will give you 100% everytime out there.


30. Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
The Titans add another nice piece to that already stellar defense. Smith is probably one of the last of the good cornerbacks left in this draft (DJ Moore being another).

31. Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois
I think Larry English will be a bust. Fortunately for Larry English, I don't work for the Cardinals.

32. Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
Pittsburgh takes a defensive tackle here. I'm not really sure they need one, but hey, why not?




That's my first round projection. My prediction for the Bears is wide receiver Mohammed Massaquoi out of Georgia. He's a pretty big and physical wide out with decent hands who needs some polishing, but he could turn into a solid receiver for years to come.

To see Bellweather's Mock Draft - Check this out.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Opening Week

I was going to write a post today talking about the opening week of baseball. How the Cubs look good and how the White Sox look, well, not so good. How Dewayne Wise should not be in the majors, let alone leading off for the White Sox. How Alfonso Soriano looks great, no matter where in the line up he's hitting. However, after hearing today's news, all of these ideas feel oddly vacant. The escape of sports lost some of its luster today. Life is short, and its all we have. I'm gonna take some time today and reflect on what sports has done for me in helping me share great moments with the people that I love. No matter what team it is I happen to be rooting for, I'm sure I have a memory or ten of that team creating a sincere moment for me to share with family and friends. Today I'm going to remember what it is exactly that I'm rooting for and what truly makes me a fan.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Chicago Bears trade for Jay Cutler

2009 1st and 3rd round picks, 2010 1st round pick, and Kyle Orton for this guy:


Bears also sign seven time pro-bowler and future NFL hall of famer Orlando Pace.

I can break this down six ways from Sunday and I might when I have more time, but there's one point I'd like to make right now:

The Bears have added a franchise quarterback to their team.

Teams with franchise quarterbacks are NEVER bad. This doesn't mean they're great, this doesn't mean they're going to win the Super Bowl. What this means is that given good health, Jay Cutler has put the Bears at the big boys table in the NFL for the next 5-10 years. Outside of Super Bowl 42, today is literally the biggest day in Bears history since Super Bowl 20.