Monday, April 30, 2007

Top Ten Fantasy: Issue 4

The Draft can shake things up. Changes are in bold.

Quarterback
1. Peyton Manning - Peyton is easily the best. He's not on Madden '08, and the Colts got him a great slot receiver in Anthony Gonzolez.
2. Drew Brees - I wish I could make Brees 1A, as he will now throw to speedy Tennessee Alum Robert Meachem.
3. Tom Brady (Previously 4) - Randy Moss! He's throwing to Randy F-ing Moss! He had a good year with Brown, Gaffeny, and Caldwell, he'll do unbelievable things with Moss, Stallworth, and Washington.
4. Carson Palmer (Previously 3) - Brady's electrified recieving corps knocks Palmer down a peg.
5. Donovan McNabb (Previously 6) - Andy Reid has said McNabb is 'ahead of schedule' and has 'no need to worry' about Kolb being Philadelphia's first pick. You wouldn't lie to us, would you, Andy?
6. Marc Bulger (Previously 7) - Rutgers Fullback Brian Leonard will provide nice pass protection that will complement the Rams explosive offense.
7. Michael Vick (Previously 5) - I love rushing quarterbacks, they get you those few precious points in tight contests, but Vick can't seem to get away from trouble. Bulger and McNabb have better weapons anyway.
8. Matt Leinhart - Arizona fans rejoice! The drafting of Penn State Tackle Levi Brown to protect Leinhart's blind side almost made me put him above vick. Get ready for a very productive year from number seven.
9. Ben Roethlisberger (Previously 10) - It KILLS me that Dwayne Jarrett was taken right before the Steeler's second round pick. I think Big Ben Roethlisberger has something to prove this year, and word on the street is third rounder TE Spaeth has solid hands.
10. Philip Rivers (Previously Unranked) - Rivers now has a weapon out of LSU in Craig, and developed great rapport with Antonio Gates towards the end of last season. They have offensive minded coach Norv Turner at the helm. You can bet they'll score some serious point-age.

Late Round Flier Special: Jon Kitna - I know this seems like a really weird pick, but it makes sense once you think about it. Kitna, who threw for over 4,000 yards last year, has Calvin "The Next Jerry Rice" Johnson to throw to in addition to Mike Furrey and Roy Williams. And you know the Lions will be playing from behind often.

Dropped Out: Vince Young - I feel bad for Titans fans. Their Rookie Of The Year QB gets the cover of Madden (almost guaranteeing a down year) and Tennessee fails to draft a major recieving threat.

Running Back
1. LaDanian Tomlinson - Is there a rank higher than one? Because there is now a #1 recieving threat in San Diego.
2. Steven Jackson (Previously 3) - He now has Leonard to open huge holes to run through.
3. Larry Johnson (Previously 2) - Another stalwart of the KC line just retired, and LJ's on the trading block. Love the guy as a runner, but he doesn't deserve #2.
4. Brian Westbrook (Previously 5) - Tony Hunt was a great pick. I love it. No more Westbrook fumbles in the fourth quarter, and the Philly Halfback will take alot less of a beating with a bruiser to spell him.
5. Frank Gore (Previously 4) - Gore should do well this year, but Norv Turner's departure isn't good. The D-Jax acquisition does help him. Think of him as a safer pick now.
6. Rudi Johnson - Cincy picked up Kenney Irons, but this won't threaten Johnson's workload as much as you'd think.
7. Willie Parker - I like the idea of moving to more multiple tight end sets. This means better blocking for FWP.
8. Shaun Alexander - I can't like the fact that the best reciever the Seahawks had was traded. There is alot more pressure on Alexander now.
9. Willis McGahee - The Ravens did the smart thing and drafted a few OL's this weekend. McGahee should bloom this season.
10. Maurice Jones-Drew - He can post eye-popping yardage totals, and that's that.

Late Round Flier Special - Michael Bush - Yes, he is playing in Oakland, where they won't have alot of time to hold on to the ball, but he has been called 'The Steal of the Draft' and 'A future star'. Perfect MJD candidate for this year.

Wide Reciever
1. Marvin Harrison - He can only benefit with Gonzolez on the field. Really.
2. Chad Johnson - Chris Henry got suspended, and Chad can go back to scoring TD's.
3. Larry Fitzgerald - Fitzgerald should be #1c if he stays healthy.
4. Steve Smith - With Dwayne Jarrett on the roster, you have to believe that Smith will have less defenders to deal with. We can only hope.
5. Reggie Wayne - Peyton didn't get Madden '08, so Reggie's production will be great.
6. Terrell Owens - T.O. is getting his Bonus. A paid T.O. is a happy T.O.
7. Javon Walker - Jay Cutler is coming into his own, and Walker will reap the benefits.
8. Roy Williams - You have to wonder if opposing defenses will dare to double cover Williams while Calvin Johnson is on the field.
9. Anquan Boldin - The drafting of Levi Brown makes Arizona's offensive stock soar.
10. T.J. Houshmanzadeh - Again, Chris Henry won't be around for half the season, and I can only be elated by that.

Late Round Flier Special - Calvin Johnson - If CJ even lasts until the late rounds of your draft, you have to take him. He is a number three WR candidate based simply on the fact he has been called "uncoverable".

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Mark's Mock (Picks 17-32)

Here's Part two - remember, this is what i'd LIKE to happen, not what will.

17. Jaguars - Brandon Merriweather - Jax will ignore character issues and take the Miami standout at their own risk to compensate for the loss of Grant.

18. Bengals - Darelle Revis - Pittsburgh is more likely to take the hometown cornerback, but if he is somehow passed up for Poz (I can only hope) instead, Cincy will take him in an instant.

19. Titans - Ted Ginn Jr. - Even though he is an injury concern, I'd love for Young to have a speedy weapon like Ginn in Tennessee.

20. Giants - Lawrence Timmons - The Giants don't have any linebackers, do they?

21. Broncos - Jamaal Anderson - One slight move in a draft can completely change a player's stock. Anderson would be a steal for Denver here, who needs help at DE.

22. Cowboys - Dwyane Jarret - I really don't know who else to put here.

23. Chiefs - Robert Meachem - For LJ's sake, the Chiefs have to get a threat downfield. Huard can have another great season if he is properly equipped with this Tennessee standout.

24. Patriots (from Seahawks deal for Deon Branch) - Jon Beason - The Pats take Beason a little earlier than they'd like to as LBs are flying off the board.

25. Jets - Chris Houston - New York needs help in the secondary and will get it with Houston.

26. Eagles - Aaron Ross - The Birds love D-Linemen in the first round, but they have so many losses at secondary they almost have to take the Texas standout.

27. Saints - Jarvis Moss - New Orleans takes Moss in 'Best Player Available' mode, and hopes that conerback depth will be their ally.

28. Patriots - Anthony Spencer - With a deep draft for Wide Receivers, the Patriots stay defensive.

29. Ravens - Justin Blalock - Baltimore needs a young quarterback, but no one is worth taking this early. Here's to patching up the line.

30. Chargers - Dwayne Bowe - Like the Chiefs, they need a reciever to complement their great running back.

31. Bears - LaMarr Woodley - Chicago takes out Lance Briggs insurance.

32. Colts - Reggie Nelson - It's absurd to think Nelson will fall this far, but the Colts will take the best defensive player available.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Mark's Mock (Picks 1-16)

This is not necessarily what I think will happen tomorrow, but here's how I would like to see the first round go:

1. Raiders - JaMarcus Russell - Oakland needs to start with the foundation of a good team: a franchise quarterback. Russell is a physical freak and deserves to fill that role.

2. Buccaneers (Trade 1st round pick, 2nd round pick for Detroit's 1st) - Calvin Johnson - If Tampa snatches up this phenom, whoever is behind center will put on a great show. Think of what Bush did for the Saints.

3. Browns - Brady Quinn - As much as I hate the Steeler's chief rival getting such a quality signal caller, Quinn is the best fit.

4. Lions (Traded down) - Gaines Adams - Millen has to go defensive here, trading down will take off alot of pressure.

5. Cardinals - Adrian Peterson - I really really wanted my "third team" to take Joe Thomas here, but when I thought about it, I love the idea of this offense being even more potentially explosive. I'll say they take OL's in subsequent rounds if not Thomas here.

6. Dolphins (Traded 1st round spots with Washington) - Joe Thomas - Most have the 'phins taking Levi Brown at nine, but most teams (Arizona not included) consider Thomas to be the better tackle. I could see them skipping ahead three spots via the second-pick desperate Redskins.

7. Vikings - LaRon Landry - Much to the Falcon's dismay, the player hailed as "The Next Ed Reed" won't last past seven. Childress is an offensive-minded coach, but there isn't an offensive player worth taking at seven on the board.

8. Falcons - Amobi Okoye - Okie (My nickname) will be scooped up by his college coach, and will likely be a force to be reckoned with by his third year. He's a good candidate for the fading falcons d.

9. Redskins (Traded with Miami) - Alan Branch - The washington brass might find Okoye too big of a risk to take at 6, so they take an arguably equitable DT at nine, and pick up a second round pick in the process.

10. Texans - Levi Brown - Matt Schaub has my vote of confidence, but only behind a retooled line. Let's hope the houston front office doesn't screw another draft up.

11. 49ers - Adam Carriker - There's no doubt SanFran will go defensive in the first round. They got Vernon Davis as a downfield threat last year, and will focus on giving QB smith weapons later. DE is a need, and with the two best DT's off the board, they will take Carriker.

12. Bills - Patrick Willis - Does Buffalo have ANY LB's on the roster? With Spikes and Fletcher gone, they will have big holes to fill fast.

13. Rams - Leon Hall - St. Louis' defense was terrible last year. The Secondary will welcome the Michigan corner with open arms. Nuff said.

14. Panthers - Greg Olsen - A little high? Maybe. But I'd like Carolina to realize they lost a key component in their offense when Kris Magnum retired. Olsen is the only TE worth drafting this high.

15. Steelers - Paul Posluszny - Remember this is what I WANT to happen, not what will. The possibility of Poz in black and gold heightens if a team is willing to trade up to 15. Tennesee maybe?

16. Packers - Marshawn Lynch - They have no other choice. With Ahman Green in houston, Farve is a sitting duck or interception machine unless they have a threat in the backfield.

Monday, April 16, 2007

WTF Am I Doing?

The Extended Hiatus will end on April 28th, the NFL Draft.