Mock Draft 3.0

With the Super Bowl upon us and the bowl season done, it is time for another look at the 2009 NFL Draft.

1. Detroit Lions -- Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
--Nothing new has changed here. The Lions need a franchise quarterback and they need one right now! There are plenty of options for offensive lineman and they can grab one with their second pick. Stafford has all of the tools and looks like he could develop into a great quarterback.

2. St. Louis Rams -- Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
--Another pick with no change. The Rams clearly need help on the line and Smith, in my opinion, is the best prospect in the country. He will be a dominant force for years to come.

3. Kansas City Chiefs -- Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
--If I am the Kansas City Chiefs, I am sticking with Tyler Thigpen...at least for one more year. I think this is too high to take Sanchez and with McCoy and Bradford both going back to college, the Chiefs would be better off with Thigpen and getting a solid position player instead. Kansas City needs somebody that can generate pressure on the quarterback. With new GM, Scott Pioli, I think they will turn to a 3-4 defense. If they draft Aaron Curry, chances are they move him inside, therefore I see a DE. Orakpo didn't have a great game against Ohio State and isn't participating in the Senior Bowl. I will probably change this pick when I see a better option, but right now I say Orakpo.

4. Seattle Seahawks -- Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
--Unless something goes wrong in the top three (like the Lions taking Crabtree number one), I see him ending up in Seattle. No wide receiver had more than 50 catches last year, and the leader, Bobby Engram is 36 years old. Outside of Deion Branch, the cabinet is bare.

5. Cleveland Browns -- Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
--The Browns definitely need help on their front seven. Most notably at linebacker and defensive end. If Curry goes before the number five spot, Orakpo or Brown would be the next choice for the Cleveland. Malcolm Jenkins could also be an option here depending on what happens with the first four picks.

6. Cincinnati Bengals -- Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
--The reason for the Bengals struggles. They can't protect the passer and they can't run the ball. It all starts with the offensive line and they need this unit to improve vastly. Monroe would solidify the tackle spot and be a key component.

7. Oakland Raiders -- Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
--The Raiders need offensive line help almost as bad as the Bengals. My guess here is that Monroe goes first, which would leave the Raiders to select Oher. If Crabtree somehow fell here or the Raiders could move up, he would be a perfect fit.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
--I can't believe I have three lineman in a row...especially in the top 10. But, the Jaguars are yet another team who needs help on the line and guess which position has the most prospects? You guessed it, offensive tackle.

9. Green Bay Packers -- B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
--The Packers need some beef in the middle of their defense. Raji fits the bell and is a very good player. His stock continues to move up and with a good Senior Bowl performance, might even go higher.

10. San Francisco 49ers -- Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
--With Bradford back at Oklahoma and Stafford off the board, and the 49ers biggest need being a QB, Sanchez makes the most sense. Shaun Hill is not the long term answer and Sanchez could sit a year or two and develop. This would be a good situation for both teams.

11. Buffalo Bills -- Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
--The Bills need some help to get pressure on opposing QB's. Brown would fit that need perfectly and would be a solid pick at number 11. His stock is also rising and with some good outings, could move into the top 10.

12. Denver Broncos -- Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC
--If Maualuga makes it here, the Broncos should be estatic. The defense needs a major upgrade and the Broncos could always grab a running back in the second round. They would be hard pressed to pass on him.

13. Washington Redskins -- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
--Washington definitely needs help on the defensive line. Raji would have been the perfect choice, but he continues to move up with each performance. I still think Johnson would be the correct choice here.

14. New Orleans Saints -- James Laurinitis, ILB, Ohio State
--Another pick that stays the same. Laurinitis is hurting himself by not being in the Senior Bowl, but I still think the Saints can't afford to pass him up, especially if Vilma leaves.

15. Houston Texans -- Malcom Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
--If Jenkins happens to slip this far, the Texans would more than gladly take him. They need help in the secondary and Jenkins can be a shutdown corner.

16. San Diego Chargers -- Chris 'Beanie' Wells, RB, Ohio State
--With LT starting to slow down and Darren Sporles heading towards free agency, the Chargers need to find a running back and find one fast. They really need a linebacker and help on the defensive line, but I don't think they can pass on the chance to take Wells or Knowshon Moreno.

17. New York Jets -- Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
--It wasn't complete Brett Favre's fault that the Jets collapsed. Their pass defense was horrible towards the end of the year and Davis could step right in and play.

18. Chicago Bears -- Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
--All the talk was that Maybin was going to stay in school. Well, he didn't. The Bears like to upgrade on their offensive and defensive lines and Maybin would be a good fit. They really need a receiver to go along with Hester...but the two best on the board are Maclin and Harvin. I think they would want more of a possession guy.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
--With the emergence of Antonio Bryant last year, the Bucs need one more play-maker. Joey Galloway is not getting any younger and Maclin would be a good threat. I could also see them going after Moreno if he was still here, but Maclin is still the choice.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas Cowboys) -- Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
--Taking Stafford first is the smart move, the second smart move would be to grab an offensive lineman. Britton has been up and down, but remains the best tackle on the board.

21. Philadelphia Eagles -- Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
--Donovan McNabb finally found a deep threat in DeSean Jackson. LJ Smith isn't a great tight end and certainly doesn't have the abilities of Pettigrew.

22. Minnesota Vikings -- Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
--Sticking with Smith for this spot. Vikings need to upgrade their secondary to keep teams from throwing left and right, up and down, and everywhere else on them.

23. New England Patriots -- Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
--The Patriots linebackers are getting old. The secondary needs help as well. Cushing looks like a perfect fit for Patriots system and can inject some youth into the team.

24. Atlanta Falcons -- Terrance Cody, DT, Alabama
--The Falcons have a big need for DT. Cody would be the perfect fit for this team and he would be able to force two blockers on him at all times.

25. Miami Dolphins -- D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
--The secondary needs a face lift and Moore can provide at least part of that. This would be a good starting point for this up and coming team.

26. Baltimore Ravens -- Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
--The Ravens desperately need help at cornerback and receiver. With most of the top corners gone, Harvin would be a good weapon for Flacco to use.

27. Indianapolis Colts -- Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
--When Darren Sproles can through the MIDDLE of your defense, you know you have problems. Jerry would be a good fit and maybe will cause someone besides Bob Sanders to make tackles.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) -- Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma
--The next need for Eagles is someone that can push the line forward so they can get a couple first downs when it is third and short. Robinson could fill that need on the interior.

29. New York Giants -- Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
--We all saw what happened to the Giants when Chedder Plex left. The Giants need a big receiving threat and Nicks fits it perfectly.

30. Tennessee Titans -- Victor Harris, CB, Virginia Tech
--The Titans don't draft receivers, even though they really need them. The next biggest need is probably at corner. Harris stays at this spot for now.

31 & 32 Pittsburgh Steelers & Arizona Cardinals -- Alex Mack, C, California & Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia
--Why am I putting these two teams together? I can't J--- the Steelers!!! These two teams need help on the offensive line and the backfield in their respective positions. Two more picks that make sense!

President Obama

Congratulations to President Obama as he is about to take office. It truly is a significant time in American history. I hope he can succeed and lead our country into a better place than what it is now. Whether you are a democrat or republican, whether you agree or disagree, whether you hate him or love him, the fact is, he is our President. Now, only if he can solve the biggest debate that plagues us all...




DOWN WITH THE BCS!! GO OBAMA!!!


One other note, President Obama is the 44th President of the United States of America. What's so special about 44? Oh, it was just the number on the jersey of famous athletes such as: Hank Aaron, Jerry West, George Gervin, Willie McCovey, John Riggins and it was the college jersey of Jim Brown and Ernie Davis. So, is 44 the best number in all of sports?

Here are a few more options:

#5: Johnny Bench, George Brett, Joe DiMaggio, Paul Hornung, Brooks Robinson, Hank Greenberg, Albert Pujols

#14: Ernie Banks, Pete Rose, Bob Cousy, Otto Graham, Don Hutson, Oscar Robertson

#21: Roger Clemens, Roberto Clemente, Tim Duncan, Deion Sanders, Sammy Sosa, LaDainian Tomlinson, Warren Spahn, Dominique Wilkins

#23: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Ryne Sandberg, Don Mattingly, Pete Maravich (college)

#24: Barry Bonds (Pirates), Willie Mays, Manny Ramirez, Ken Griffey Jr., Rick Barry, Kobe Bryant, Rickey Henderson, Moses Malone (Rockets)

#32: Jim Brown, Julius Erving (ABA), Magic Johnson, Shaq (Heat, Suns, Magic), O.J., Karl Malone, Steve Carlton, Sandy Koufax, Kevin McHale

#33: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Sammy Baugh, Patrick Roy, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, Tony Dorsett

#34: Charles Barkley, Earl Campbell, Shaq (Lakers), Hakeem Olajuwon, Walter Payton, Nolan Ryan, Herschel Walker

B(c)S National Championship

It all comes down to this. This is what we have waited an entire college football season to see. The two undefeated ...errr... best...ahhh... deserving ...ummm...highest ranked teams are ready to face each other. The FLORIDA GATORS versus the OKLAHOMA SOONERS. Once again, the B(c)S National Championship game will feature two teams coming in with controversy. Okay, okay, I understand...it's a moot point. But, to you all of you BCS pundits out there, I do have this. If the regular season is supposedly an elimination each and every week, then why was Florida not eliminated after their loss AT HOME to Ole Miss. And to you Oklahoma, you lost to Texas at a NEUTRAL site. You both should be eliminated if every week does really matter, correct? Okay then, on to the game....

BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Januray 8, 8:00 PM EST, Fox
Florida (12-1) vs. Oklahoma (12-1)

What you should know: Anything and everything possible. You have been fed every little possible detail about both teams that you don't know what matters anymore.

What you need to know: EVERYTHING! The biggest thing in my mind about this game is who is playing and who is not. Percy Harvin is playing. DeMarco Murray is not. Huge playmakers on both teams and one playing and one isn't. What about quarterbacks? Did you know that both teams feature a Heisman Trophy winner? Oh wait, you knew that...SPEED KILLS. Florida is FAST, FASTER, and FASTEST. You can practice and practice and practice but the one thing you cannot imitate is SPEED. Ask Alabama how being more strong and powerful than Utah turned out for them. Offense wins games, defense wins championships. Oklahoma has the third ranked offense in NCAA. Florida has the the seventh ranked defense. Oklahoma's defense ranks 62. While Oklahoma was busy impressing the voters , I mean scoring points in bunches, the Gators were busy completing dominating other offenses. And guess who had a better scoring average between the two? That's right Florida did 32.4-29.5. WATCH OUT!

What you might not know: I really don't know. You should know everything. You should know Oklahoma has lost FOUR, count em FOUR BCS games in the past FIVE seasons. Even Ohio State hasn't been that bad!! How about this one. Oklahoma has allowed four kickoff returns for touchdowns this year. Remember, SPEED KILLS!

What you will know after the game: Everyone thinks Florida is just going to walk over Oklahoma. Florida is faster, more experienced, plays better defense, etc. I remember two eerily similar games in which this was the case and one of them involved the Gators. Remember that National Championship that Ohio State was supposed to win? Yeah, the Gators stole that one? How about when USC would just overmatch Vince Young and Texas, how did that one turn out? You heard it hear...Oklahoma will come out in this game, use the motivation factor and it will propel them to.....




....who am I kidding...GATORS...BIG....45-23.


And then UTAH SHOULD BE CROWNED THE REAL CHAMPIONS!

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