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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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Last Week's NFL Winners And Losers By R.C. I promised you an article about the NFL combine a few days ago, but we're going to switch it up a bit. With free agency kicking off and some other juicy stories coming out this week, there is just too much to talk about. Besides, let's face it (as my trusty editor had already told me) most of what can be said about the combine has already been said, so there is no need to focus on it exclusively. Anyway, let's get on with it….  Winner: New England Patriots It's being reported that the Patriots have reached an agreement with Adalius Thomas, the former Ravens linebacker. He's a perfect fit for the 3-4 the Patriots run, and many wondered why they were allowing the younger Thomas to walk without the money he wanted while remaining committed long-term to Ray Lewis, a player obviously in the last throes of his career. Not only does it appear that the Patriots have landed Thomas, but they smartly slapped the franchise tag on cornerback Asante Samuel. This defense they are piecing together is going to be downright scary next year. These moves will also allow New England to address other issues in the draft, such as receiver. And, it just so happens that this is a great year to be in a market for receivers, as this draft is insanely deep at that position. Once again, New England is proving why it is the model NFL franchise as it makes all the right moves (again). Winner: Denver Broncos The Broncos traded two players they didn't even want (running back Tatum Bell and offensive tackle George Foster) and a late-round pick for a very solid cornerback in Dre Bly. While this normally would be a good trade, what makes this a great trade is the fact that Champ Bailey is already in a Broncos uniform. Champ Bailey is the game's best cornerback, so Dre Bly will be matching up against #2 WR's from now on, when he has the ability to be a feature corner. I can't even tell you how much I love this trade. Loser: The Baltimore Ravens Playmaking linebacker Adalius Thomas is (tentatively) gone to the Patriots. Fullback Ovie Mughelli is gone to the Falcons. Offensive tackle Tony Pashos is gone to Jacksonville. Jamal Lewis and his future hangs in the balance. All of these players are held in high regard and have been at the very core of Baltimore's team the last few years. The Ravens have quickly gone from a team that's close to a team that's, well, not so close at all. There are obvious holes now, and it's going to be hard for Baltimore's front office to plug them all this off-season. Loser: Adam "Pacman" Jones Is this guy an idiot or what? Not only does he incite a riot during the NBA's all-star weekend, it also comes out that Pacman is scheduled to appear in court in Georgia for taking a swing at a police officer while being questioned about possible marijuana possession. I mean, really? This guy is making serious cash to play a game and he's out trying to assault those who protect and serve over a possible misdemeanor marijuana possession charge? Somebody, please, get this guy out of the league. Lucky for Pacman he didn't connect with his punch, or he'd be in even deeper water. (By the way, does anyone else find it humorous that the NBA is getting all of the bad PR for Pacman's Vegas escapades? I mean, seriously, an NFL player loses his mind during his off-season, creates the biggest single PR disaster in recent sports history, and the NBA is the one catching all the flack. How does this happen? I haven't even heard that a single person affiliated with the NBA was at the strip club. Yet, since it happened during NBA all-star weekend, it's their fault. I'm not saying that the NBA all-star weekend wasn't a disaster, but you just have to love the knee-jerk reaction the mainstream media had to this story.) Winner: Nate Clements The former Bills cornerbacks signed with the 49ers, and the terms of the deal pretty much say it all: eight years, $80 million, $22 million guaranteed. For those of you scoring at home, that's the largest contract for a defensive player in NFL history. It should be pointed out that the 49ers are winners too, although depending on how the contract is structured they may wish they hadn't paid so much in a few years. With this addition the 49ers are off to a fast start in free agency, and it looks like they aren't done either. Winner: Former SEC Defensive Backs So, I lied when I said I was done talking about the SEC. Just one last time, I promise. At the combine there were a few SEC defensive backs that really showed out. Obviously, I have to start with Arkansas' Chris Houston. As if the blistering 4.32 forty-yard dash wasn't enough, he followed it up with a ridiculous performance on the bench press with 27 reps of 225 lbs. For a little perspective, the draft's top offensive lineman (Joe Thomas of Wisconsin) pounded out 28 reps of 225 lbs. For even more perspective, Houston out-benched 75% of all defensive lineman at the combine. Think about it: would you want a guy that runs a 4.3 forty that is as strong or stronger than most NFL lineman lining up across from you in press coverage? I think not, which is exactly why Houston is a lock for the first round and may even end up in the top 15. A few others that impressed included LSU's LaRon Landry, who will probably be a top 10 pick. Landry showed why he's the best safety in the draft by running a 4.35 forty. Another guy that will be taken in the first round is Florida's Reggie Nelson. While he was disappointed with his forty time (over 4.5), his draft stock does not seem to be falling. Apparently scouts are still sold on his instincts and ball-hawking skills, which they very well should be. Finally, Michael Coe of Alabama State (he is included here because he transferred from Arkansas last year to play at Alabama State when his dad got the head coaching job there) is hearing talk of being a possible first day pick. In summary, it looks like close to 10% of first round draft picks this year will be defensive backs from the SEC. Loser: Dwayne Jarrett After skipping the 40-yard dash at the combine, it has been widely reported that Jarrett would have run as slow as a 4.7. That is S-L-O-W. Let's put it this way, he's closer to an offensive lineman time with a 4.7 than an-elite wide receiver time. Or we could just say that it would be a very average time for a tight end. Jarrett is killing himself right now, and he can't afford to fall any farther with so many good receivers in this year's draft. Winner: Leonard Davis Davis has been an absolute disappointment since the Cardinals drafted him out of Texas with the second overall pick six years ago. Despite that, Davis appears to have divisional rivals Dallas and Washington in a bidding war over him. Dallas plans to move him from left tackle to right guard, to attempt to plug a hole there. While it may look like a good idea on paper, it could quickly become a trap as they will have to outspend the Redskins, and it doesn't even need to be mentioned that the Redskins ALWAYS way-overpay for free agents. That indicates the price tag might be pretty hefty. Some are saying he's going to get over $5 million a year and a huge guaranteed signing bonus. Not bad for a perennial "disappointment."  March 3, 2007 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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