411's NFL Round Up 4.08.08
Posted by Emmett Wilks on 04.08.2008
Weekly recap of the NFL this week, an updated Mock Draft, and reader mail in this weeks edition of NFL Round Up.
How's everyone doing at there? The countdown to the draft marches on and speculation about the Top 10 is getting really good. Seriously, I have not seen a any 2 identical Mock Drafts with the same Top 10 picks. This is shaping up to be a really good April.
QUICK NOTES
I admire the Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland of the Miami Dolphins for staying tight-lipped about their Draft options. This is a really big deal for the entire Dolphins organization, and keeping their needs and desires close to the vest is a good proposition. This draft will define the Fins for the next few seasons, and the Tuna is not going to screw it up. The new en vogue pick for the Fins this weeks is Michigan tackle Jake Long, or a least according to Mel Kiper, a guy who is right far more than he is wrong. To be 100 percent honest, I really, truly don't know what they are leaning towards right now. Trading is going to be very tricky, if not impossible, so they will want to get a bang for their buck. Smart money is still on Chris Long or Jake Long, with the long shot being Vernon Gholston, but I'd be pretty stunned if he went from a mid-first rounder to 1st overall in a matter of 6 months.
With all the nonsense going on in Oakland with owner/president/GM Al Davis, I would not be surprised if Davis finds it problematic to hire a new coach after he fires Lane Kiffin, which he is well on his way of doing. Kiffin has handled the situation extremely well. He's been handed a free agent laden team with a variety of question marks and has had little say on personnel. The likelihood is Kiffin is gone without a playoff appearance, which will not be easy. Seriously, would any coach want to have to deal with that situation?
Best moves of the week have to go to Jacksonville Jaguars. They resigned head coach Jack Del Rio to a five year extension, with an undisclosed amount likely around $2.5 to $3.5 million a year salary. I have always stated my frustrations about the unrealistic and counter-productive "WIN NOW" philosophy that hurts more NFL teams than it helps. Jacksonville is a strong contender next season in large part to Del Rio's leadership and decision making, the most import of which was…
David Garrard, who beat out perceived franchise star Byron Leftwich at the beginning of last season to steer Jacksonville to a 11-5 record, cashed in himself with a 7 year, $65 million contract. Garrard was set to receive around $2 million this season, so we can call this a generous raise. Despite missing three games with injury, Garrard tossed 18 TD's and just 3 INT last season. His contract is the richest in Jaguars history. Like I said, not a bad week for the folks in Jacksonville.
Have to say I am a little surprised about the lack of interest in Eagles corner Lito Sheppard. When healthy, Sheppard is among the NFL's top 10 corners in my opinion. The Eagles felt they could upgrade however with the free agent signing of Asante Samuel which has left Sheppard in limbo. My guess is teams with corner needs like are playing the waiting game with the Eagles. Still, the thought of a Sheppard/Samuel combo in Eagles secondary could be a scary prospect for NFC East offenses.
Word is going around in Cardinal Nation that 2005 first round pick Antrel Rolle looks to be switching from corner to safety. Rolle came off a very strong year at corner last year, but demonstrated his best potential will playing in the deep nickel position last year, where he made 4 of his 5 interceptions. Have always loved Rolle the player since his days at University of Miami, and believe he could be an elite safety. Only time will tell.
Guess what folks, this man is just as dumb as someone not in shoulder pads.
WE'RE NO ANGELS, JUST IDIOTS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE
With the Cincinnati Bengals release of receiver Chris Henry and back-up running back Quincy Wilson due to arrests, the whole issue of how to deal with unruly NFL players has gotten a bit out of hand. With the new-age of bad boys running around, like Adam "Pacman" Jones, Jamal Lewis, and the aforementioned Henry, I'm sure some people believe the NFL is nothing but a collection of hoodlums. But the NFL is just like the real world, where we all have to deal with the good, the bad, and the downright ugly sides of life. That and the realization that no matter how mush fortune someone attains, it may not buy a once of intelligence or wisdom. What I do not agree with is that these men should be held to a higher standard. Why? They play a game, professionally. They get paid incredibly well to run around a field with a ball. What exactly has necessitated them to be role models? Our culture has a strange notion of holding certain people to higher standards. But guess what, they are still people. And people do dumb and inexcusable things. When these guys get released from their teams for indiscretions and lawlessness, good, I support that fully. What I do not support are those self-righteous people who continue to insist that these men need to held to some artificial standard that no one else must be beholden to. Critics say "Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right." Well duh! Just about every job I know of is more or less a privilege. No one really has the right to do anything. If an ESPN commentator was arrested several times, they would be released. When a radio DJ utters some overtly racial epithet, they are fired. Heck, if a Wal-Mart employee got busted twice for weed, it would be in Wal-Marts right and interest to fire that person. Because all of our jobs are privileges, not rights. Chris Henry is an idiot. Plain and simple. He has been released and will be hard pressed to get another job in the NFL when his legal situations are dealt with. For me, that's enough. Teams make mistakes and draft immature and downright bad people sometimes. That's all. I refuse to read any more into this or make anything else out of the whole situation with bad seed NFL players.
MOCK DRAFT
1. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Chris Long: DE, Virginia 6-3, 266 lbs.
Just still can't see Jake overtaking Chris here. Miami's o-line was serviceable last season, while the defense was just plain old. Honestly, I just don't know.
2. St. Louis Rams Jake Long: OT, Michigan 6-7, 309 lbs.
Moves up this week for no other reason than left tackle is just more important the DT. There is a very good position to take an excellent player here.
3. Atlanta Falcons
.Glenn Dorsey: DT, LSU 6-1, 310 lbs.
You will actually be able to hear the singing and dancing of Falcons fans if he falls.
4. Oakland Raiders Darren McFadden Arkansas RB, 6-2, 212 lbs
Even if the character issues that have arisen have an ounce of merit, this is Oakland, the land of misfits and outcasts. My pick for rookie of the year.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
.Matt Ryan: QB, Boston College 6-5, 221 lbs.
It is just painfully obvious that neither Brodie Croyle or Damon Huard are the answers in KC. Ryan is the drafts best QB prospect, and KC will not let him get past 5 here.
6. New York Jets Vernon Gholtson Ohio State LB/DE, 6-4, 255
The shocking thing is, this guy still has an outside chance of taking the first overall pick.
7. New England Patriots Derek Harvey DE Florida 6-4, 258 lbs.
Two seasons ago, Richard Seymour was the best defensive lineman in football. In last years post season, he had 0 sacks, and 0 pressures. Harvey could compete for playing time right away (though is still small for a 3-4 end).
8. Baltimore Ravens Leodis McKelvin CB Troy, 5-11, 186 lbs
No tackle worth the pick here, I could see a trade down occurring for someone wanting Keith Rivers or Sedrick Ellis. McKelvin is my top CB, so he gets picked here.
9. Cincinnati Bengals Sedrick Ellis USC DT, 6-1, 308 lbs.
A player getting lost in the shuffle of the top 10. Still can't see him jumping over Dorsey, but he will not be leaving the top 10.
10. New Orleans Saints. Keith Rivers LB USC, 6-3 235 lbs
Major difference maker at USC, could be opening day starter for a host of NFL teams.
11. Buffalo Bills Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State, 6-2 180 lbs
Rodger-Cromartie has HUGE upside. Perhaps the drafts best overall athlete, he could provide a game-breaker on defense that New Orleans hasn't seen in ages.
12. Denver Broncos Ryan Clady OT Boise State, 6-6 317 lbs
They just have to go defense here, but Clady is tough to pass on. Though their history of finding talent on the lines late is well documented, I don't see a front seven defender worth the pick here.
13.Carolina Panthers Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma, 6-4 200 lbs
Big, strong, and physical. The best WR prospect of the draft and Carolina will be able to draft him right here.
14. Chicago Bears Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois, 5-11 225 lbs
Has looked stellar at combine workouts. May be taken sooner, but if available here, will not get past Chicago. Running backs will be in again this season after Adrian Peterson showed once again what a shot in the arm a young RB can be for a team.
15. Detroit Lions Aqib Talib CB Kansas, 6-2 197 lbs
The hole that Nate Clemens left turned out to be bigger than thought, with the 29th ranked passing D. Phillip Merling is also a good thought here.
16. Arizona Cardinals Phillip Merling DE Clemson, 6-4, 275 lbs.
Can't really see him falling this far, but if he does, a gift for the Cardinals for letting Calvin Pace get away. Jonathan Stewart would certainly be the other choice here.
17.Minnesota Vikings Limas Sweed WR Texas, 6-4 216 lbs
Sweed is best receiver here and Vikings will likely bite. Tarvis Jackson won't mind, as he will get a real shot to become THE guy in the twin cities.
18. Houston Texans Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon, 5-11 235 lbs
Running backs are the best shot of adrenaline a team can get with rookies, and Stewart could provide that with a team needing a breakout season
19.Philadelphia Eagles Jeff Otah OT Pittsburg, 6-6 340 lbs
I am pretty much reserved to the fact that they are going O-line here, with maybe Virginia guard Brenden Albert to pave the way for Shawn Andrews move to tackle. Most important thing, no wide receiver.
20.Tampa Bay Buccaneers Joe Flacco QB Deleware, 6-6 232 lbs.
He still sits here, but I feel less comfortable about it every day. We could really see the draft with only one QB in the first round if he falls. Astonishing.
21.Washington Redskins Mario Manningham WR Michigan, 6-0 190 lbs
Though spaced would have to be made on the roster, Manningham could be another playmaker the Skins have searched have failed to grab with Brandon Lloyd and Antwan Randel-El
22.Dallas Cowboys DeSean Jackson WR California, 6-0 170 lbs
A new toy for Tony Romo to play with. Dallas has all the pieces now, Jackson could be a spark the feather that tips the scale.
23. Pittsburg Steelers Devin Thomas WR Michigan St. 6-2 215 lbs.
One of the drafts most interesting prospects, Thomas has moved up into Top 15 in some mock drafts. He remains my 3rd WR, but Pittsburg won't be complaining.
24 Tennessee Titans Mike Jenkins CB South Florida, 6-0 200lbs.
Solid South Florida corner would be a very positive addition to Titans secondary
25.Seattle Seahawks Goserd Cherilus OT Boston College, 6-7 313 lbs.
Monster tackle could bolter line as he moves to more comfortable right side.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars Quentin Groves DE Auburn , 6-3 245 lbs
Tough SOB is a perfect fit for coach Jack Del Rio. Offense is squared away, now defense gets a nice boost.
27. San Diego Charger Branden Albert G Virginia, 6-6 309 lbs.
You can never be too strong at the O-line. Albert is a beast of a guard and could start right away for a San Diego team who is right a the door step.
28. Dallas Cowboys Dan Connor LB Penn State, 6-2 195
Dallas needs a boost at the LB position, and Connor is the best player here. He will likely need adjusting to NFL game, but relentless motor will make immediate impact on special teams if nothing else.
29.San Francisco From Indianapolis Calais Campbell DE Miami, 6-7 290 lbs.
Campbell would be well suited in a 3-4 scheme. Offense is the most major concern for San Fran, but it never Campbell could be an enticing prospect for Mike Nolan.
30.Green Bay Packer Fred Davis TE USC, 6-4 245 lbs
Davis is still my top TE, but Dustin Keller isn't far behind. Both viable options here with not tackles worth the pick at this spot.
31. New England Patriots
PICK FORFEITED
32. New York Giants Kenny Phillips S Miami, 6-0 201 lbs.
A great addition for the Champs. Phillips is a leader and great hitter. Not in the same class as Miami alums Ed Reed or Sean Taylor but a solid ball player.
READER MAIL
Haven't gotten to do mail in a while, but I received a couple of good quesitons this week.
Brian writes,
They say in the NFL speed kills and that it cant be coached...since this is an Olympic year. In your
opinion how would the elite receivers, corners, kick and punt returners and running backs do in short distance Olympic sprints? How would guys like Reggie Bush, LT, Devon Hester, fast Willy Parker and Ted Ginn do against premier world sprinters?
This is a very loaded question, so I'll go at it piece by piece. While you and I and everyone for that matter can be coached to get faster; via strength drills or learning proper running technique, there is an innate speed that certain men possess that is quite simply God given. The big difference is that football is a completely different sport than track and field. For a wide receiver and running backs especially, the notion of quickness is as important as speed. A sprinter starts from a power position and explodes is a straight line. Rarely do offensive skill players have to do this. Instead they change direction, and need to build speed quickly. That is quickness, how fast you can get to your top speed. That is what made Emmit Smith, Gale Sayers, and especially OJ Simpson so great. Those guys to get to their top speeds very quickly. But at there fastest, they would still be well behind sprinters like Maurice Green or Michael Johnson. And the even funnier thing, especially with Emmit Smith, was if you lined up the starting running backs of all the 28 NFL teams during his peak in the early and mid-90's, Emmit would likely have finished in the middle. Same with my greatest of all time, Barry Sanders, who gained his yards with remarkable escapabitity rather than outright blinding speed. Receivers are the same way. How many times, with the exception of Randy Moss, does a receiver run straight down the field with great speed. Rarely. He must rely on running tight, clean routes that have been designed to put him in a position where the defense is not. Jerry Rice, the best there ever was, was indeed very fast, but he was never THE fastest. With returners, that's a whole different game. Kick returners need to be able to read blocks and scheme more than anyone, and those windows are open for only a short time, which is why you often see the fastest straight line player manning that position. Punt returner is much more an art-form of shiftiness and quickness rather than flat out speed.
As for how the elite speedsters in the NFL would compete in Olympic spirits. How well did Michael Jordan do in baseball? It's a whole different sport, with techniques and nuances that you train for years to attain. Sure, these guys run 4.2 or 4.3 40's, but in the Olympics, you run 100 and 200 and 400 meters. I am sure with years of training they could compete, Willie Parker, Reggie Bush, Justin Fargas, Ted Ginn, and Hester coming to mind. But one never knows. If those guys elected to go with track instead of football, maybe they would be gearing up for the Olympics as we speak. I have always contended that had he chosen football, Allen Iverson would have been an All-Pro cornerback (he was an All-State Quarterback in Virginia during his high school years, but likely would have been too small for the position is college.)
JB writes,
What can you tell me about Malcolm Kelly? I know rather little about about the prospective future Carolina Panther.
This was of due to the fact I had Kelly as the Panthers pick this year. Firstly about Kelly, the guy is big (6-4, 217 lbs) and physical with great hands. Though he has not been able to run for scouts as of late, his speed I would suspect is probably around a 4.5. So, while not a blazer, he still is an excellent pro prospect. My favorite part about him is he is not afraid of contact, and I (sometimes overly) value toughness over finesse at all positions in the NFL.
Till next week, have a good one. Shot me any thoughts, criticisms, or questions this week. Take care.
