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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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Grading The Draft By R.C. Here is my synopsis of the NFL draft. Not every team is listed here; just the ones that I felt did a very good job or a very bad job. A lot of teams surprised me with very solid drafts, but there were (as always) plenty of picks to make a guy shake his head in disbelief.  Good Drafts Baltimore Ravens The Ravens needed some help on the Offensive line and a new Fullback after losing key players in free agency, and they got both. OL Ben Grubbs from Auburn is the perfect lineman: he's mean, strong, and will outwork everyone on the team. They also got Le'Ron McClain, who many call the best fullback in the draft. They also picked up Troy Smith, who I doubt ever produces, but is a great pick in the later rounds as you never know what he'll develop in to. Atlanta Falcons After losing Patrick Kerney in free agency, they really needed help on the defensive line. They got it in Jamaal Anderson, whom I believe was the best defensive end in the draft. He'll make an immediate impact, and probably be a pro-bowl player in three years. They also got Chris Houston in the second round, and I think he'll be a very solid player. He fits great in a situation like Atlanta, where he will be matching up with #2 receivers all year because he has DeAngelo Hall lining up on the other side of him. Dallas Cowboys The Cowboys got the player they wanted in the first round in Anthony Spencer. He'll move from defensive end to outside linebacker and give Dallas another pass rusher opposite of pro-bowler Demarcus Ware. On top of that, they got Cleveland's 2008 #1 pick, and still got a solid offensive tackle prospect with James Martin. They did all this in a series of trades that really led to great value, especially considering Cleveland will be breaking in a new quarterback and left tackle next year. They will be giving the Cowboys at least a top-10 pick, probably higher. Arizona Cardinals Don't look now, but the Cardinals are slowly but surely making all the right moves. Instead of going for the "sexy" pick in Adrian Peterson, they went to protect their franchise QB with OT Levi Brown. They then picked DT Alan Branch in the second round, who many people are down on because of his lack of production in college. I, personally, think he'll be very solid player for years to come. They then got LB Buster Davis in the third, and he'll contribute on special teams right away and will provide depth at linebacker. I really, really like what the Cardinals are doing and will be interested to see how far Ken Whisenhunt can take this team next year. Chicago Bears Getting TE Greg Olson so late was an incredible value. Now Chicago is really set on offense, and if Grossman can't get it done with these guys around him he has no hope. Olson is the kind of guy that can really hurt the Tampa-2 defense that so many teams are running today. Cleveland Browns The Browns had the best draft of anyone, by far. Not only did they get OT Joe Thomas, the safest pick outside of Calvin Johnson, but they also got their franchise QB in Brady Quinn. Some will point to the fact that they don't have a first round draft pick next year as a negative, but so what? Would they rather have waited a year to draft their franchise QB? With the trade that gave them Quinn they will have him in their system for a full year with game experience under his belt, as opposed to having to break in a new QB this time next year. Oh, and if CB Eric Wright stays out of trouble, they got incredible value with him in the second round. Many think he was the most talented CB in the draft, but he fell because of his character issues. San Francisco 49ers LB Patrick Willis was a great pick. This guy will be the next dominant LB in the NFL, mark it down. They also picked up OT Joe Staley when they traded back into the first round, and he will go a long way towards shoring up that offensive line. Those two guys right there made their draft, but they also picked up some good prospects in the later rounds that may pay dividends down the road. Minnesota Vikings When Adrian Peterson fell to them I can't imagine what the Vikings War Room looked like. Not only did they get their future RB there, they also got WR Sidney Rice in the second round. Rice was a great player at South Carolina, and he has the chance to be a great, great receiver in the NFL. He probably came out of school a little early, but I think he will contribute immediately. Indianapolis Colts Despite neglecting their defense in the first two rounds, I have to grade them high because I can't imagine what their offense is going to look like next year. With Anthony Gonzalez, their third WR will be better than some teams first WR in the years to come. On top of that, they got a great OT prospect in Tony Ugoh, who could contribute immediately if he works on his technique. If not, he still will probably be a good player in the future. On top of that, they got solid CB Daymeion Hughes out of Cal. He's not a burner or a lock-down guy, but since the Colts run the Tampa 2 they just need a sure tackler that is solid in zone coverage. Hughes is that guy, and will probably play next year.  BAD DRAFTS Cincinnati Bengals I was with them when they picked CB Leon Hall. Then, they went off and took Kenny Irons in the second round. I was speechless. While I think Irons will be a good NFL player, they already have Rudi Johnson. On top of that, their defense is horrible. This should have been a defensive pick. There were plenty of solid players that could have helped them now instead of later. Detroit Lions I give this grade to them mainly because of the position they put themselves in with their last 5-10 drafts. There should have been no reservation whatsoever in taking Calvin Johnson – he's probably the best talent the draft has seen in the last who knows how many years. But with taking 432 receivers with their first round picks the last few years, they failed to meet needs elsewhere and are still without a franchise QB. Then they pick Drew Stanton, who will probably be a good back-up quarterback, but not the franchise player the Lions needed. They really should have done all they could to trade back into the first round to get Brady Quinn after he started falling. Green Bay Packers They picked Justin Harrell with the 16th pick. He is a defensive tackle that many thought might fall out of the first round due to his injuries. On top of that, they don't even need a defensive tackle. I could go on, but why? Houston Texans HOW DO YOU PASS ON REGGIE BUSH? Oh, wait, that was last year? Amazing how fresh that is on my mind. Anyway, that pick last year shows you how much sense the Texans' front office makes. Amobi Okoye is an alright pick, but they really had bigger needs elsewhere. They didn't help their new QB at all, and you really can't look at any position and say that they got better. Terrible. Miami Dolphins While not as bad as the Texans' mistakes we discussed above, they did their best to surpass them. I can't even put into words how idiotic it was to pass on Brady Quinn. They should have had that pick in before their fifteen-minute clock started running. Yet, they take Ted Ginn, Jr. and there main reason seemed to be "oh, he is great in the return game." What? Go pick someone off of waivers to return punts, I'm pretty sure there is some AFL2 player that can get the job done for you. While I am exaggerating and the return game is a big key in every game – you can't let that talk you into taking a WR who is still hurt when there is a franchise QB still on the board. Philadelphia Eagles Not only did they help their division rival get a very good pass rusher to put opposite Demarcus Ware, they also picked QB Kevin Kolb in the second round with many other higher rated QB's on the board. It made McNabb mad, and rightfully so, as they passed up other players that could fill needs by taking a very average QB prospect. Tennessee Titans While not as bad as the Dolphins or Texans, this was a terrible draft. They should have further invested in Vince Young, who has absolutely no one to throw to. I thought they might go after a CB to replace Pacman, which would have been understandable but instead they picked a safety. They also picked what I consider to be a very average RB in Chris Henry in the second round. Why, Tennessee? They were a good draft away from knocking on the door.  May 4, 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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