Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Auburn football
Cam Newton to start at QB. Former Atlanta prep star went the juco route. From the AJC.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
NFL Draft
Rick Gosselin's top 100 prospects. From the Dallas Morning News. Well done with some surprises.
At the Mountains of Ram Madness
They traded Adam Carriker to the Redskins. The 25-year-old defensive tackle who they picked 13th overall just three years ago netted them a fifth round move up of about 30 spots. They also had to swap down their seventh round pick.
Un DAMN believeable!
Carriker missed all of last season and was never a particularly good fit as a 4-3 DT, somthing I questioned when he was drafted.
But they couldn't even get a late round draft choice outright for him? That's hard to believe.
The Rams GM said they made the move in part because of the depth they have at DT.
Un DAMN believeable!
They have under contract Clifford Ryan, 13-year vet Fred Robbins, second-year-man Dorell Scott and journeyman's journeyman Gary Gibson. That's not depth, that's a gaping maw ... a Lovecraftian abyss populated by loathsome freaks and beings unmentionable.
This team tries my very soul.
Un DAMN believeable!
Carriker missed all of last season and was never a particularly good fit as a 4-3 DT, somthing I questioned when he was drafted.
But they couldn't even get a late round draft choice outright for him? That's hard to believe.
The Rams GM said they made the move in part because of the depth they have at DT.
Un DAMN believeable!
They have under contract Clifford Ryan, 13-year vet Fred Robbins, second-year-man Dorell Scott and journeyman's journeyman Gary Gibson. That's not depth, that's a gaping maw ... a Lovecraftian abyss populated by loathsome freaks and beings unmentionable.
This team tries my very soul.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
NFL Draft by Espy
As soon as I finished it I started to make changes, but let's go with this one for now.
1. St. Louis – Bradford-QB
2. Detroit – Suh-DT
3. Tampa Bay – McCoy-DT
4. Wash – Okung-T
5. Kansas City – Berry-S
6. Seattle – Clausen-QB
7. Cleveland – D. Morgan-LB,DE
8. Oakland – McClain-ILB
9. Buffalo – Trent Williams-T
10. Jax – Earl Thomas-S
11. Den. – Dez Bryant-WR
12. Miami – Dan Williams-NT
13. SF – C.J. Spiller-RB
14. Sea. – A. Davis-T
15. NYG – Odrick-DT
16. Tenn. – Haden-CB
17. SF – A. Davis-T
18. Pitt. – M. Pouncey-C
19. Atl. – Pierre-Paul-DE
20. Hou. – Kyle Wilson-CB
21. Cin. – Jermaine Gresham-TE
22. NEP – Brandon Graham-LB
23. GB – Brian Bulaga-T
24. Phil – Taylor Mays-S
25. Balt – Jerry Hughes-OLB
26. Ari. Bruce Campbell-T
27. Dal. – Mike Iupati-G
28. SD – Ryan Matthews-RB
29. NYJ – Sergio Kindle-LB
30. Minn – Colt McCoy-QB
31. Indy – Brian Price-DT
32. NO – Sean Witherspoon-LB
A few comments:
The big mover here from my last mock is Odrick-DT to NYG. I have them looking at Bulaga and Haden too -- both are great values there -- but the need at DT is too big. I also looked at Jermaine Gresham, but Boss notched 5 TDs last season and they have to like that.
---
Kyle Wilson is too high but the Texans have to work on that secondary. They are a good prospect to trade down.
---
Dallas likes Bruce Campbell and may move up to get him. But reports are mixed on him and he could fall.
---
I drop Bulaga farther than most but he looks like a RT to me and there isn’t as much demand. At 23 the Packers would be thrilled to get him, even though they gave Tauscher a two-year deal.
---
Dez Bryant fits so well in Denver but he may not get that far. Cleveland could take him, but do they really want a rookie and two second year men as their top targets? He makes more sense for Jacksonville but they seem hot to fix the defense.
---
There’s a lot of talk in Cleveland about safeties. They would love Berry but seem to like Earl Thomas almost as much. My guess is Thomas could fall because some teams are looking at safeties in round two, players like Nate Allen, and Chad Jones..
---
Seattle can’t screw this up surely. I have them biting on Clausen early and getting their tackle at 14. But they could go after Spiller first to boost that lousy running game or look at Morgan and Pierre-Paul to play DE. They could also use a safety, so Berry makes sense with the first pick or Thomas with the No. 14 selection.
---
And oh yeah, wouldn’t Mount Cody be a great pick for the Raiders in Round One. He’s a run stopper like none other and Al Davis doesn’t give a damn what anyone else thinks. You heard it here first.
1. St. Louis – Bradford-QB
2. Detroit – Suh-DT
3. Tampa Bay – McCoy-DT
4. Wash – Okung-T
5. Kansas City – Berry-S
6. Seattle – Clausen-QB
7. Cleveland – D. Morgan-LB,DE
8. Oakland – McClain-ILB
9. Buffalo – Trent Williams-T
10. Jax – Earl Thomas-S
11. Den. – Dez Bryant-WR
12. Miami – Dan Williams-NT
13. SF – C.J. Spiller-RB
14. Sea. – A. Davis-T
15. NYG – Odrick-DT
16. Tenn. – Haden-CB
17. SF – A. Davis-T
18. Pitt. – M. Pouncey-C
19. Atl. – Pierre-Paul-DE
20. Hou. – Kyle Wilson-CB
21. Cin. – Jermaine Gresham-TE
22. NEP – Brandon Graham-LB
23. GB – Brian Bulaga-T
24. Phil – Taylor Mays-S
25. Balt – Jerry Hughes-OLB
26. Ari. Bruce Campbell-T
27. Dal. – Mike Iupati-G
28. SD – Ryan Matthews-RB
29. NYJ – Sergio Kindle-LB
30. Minn – Colt McCoy-QB
31. Indy – Brian Price-DT
32. NO – Sean Witherspoon-LB
A few comments:
The big mover here from my last mock is Odrick-DT to NYG. I have them looking at Bulaga and Haden too -- both are great values there -- but the need at DT is too big. I also looked at Jermaine Gresham, but Boss notched 5 TDs last season and they have to like that.
---
Kyle Wilson is too high but the Texans have to work on that secondary. They are a good prospect to trade down.
---
Dallas likes Bruce Campbell and may move up to get him. But reports are mixed on him and he could fall.
---
I drop Bulaga farther than most but he looks like a RT to me and there isn’t as much demand. At 23 the Packers would be thrilled to get him, even though they gave Tauscher a two-year deal.
---
Dez Bryant fits so well in Denver but he may not get that far. Cleveland could take him, but do they really want a rookie and two second year men as their top targets? He makes more sense for Jacksonville but they seem hot to fix the defense.
---
There’s a lot of talk in Cleveland about safeties. They would love Berry but seem to like Earl Thomas almost as much. My guess is Thomas could fall because some teams are looking at safeties in round two, players like Nate Allen, and Chad Jones..
---
Seattle can’t screw this up surely. I have them biting on Clausen early and getting their tackle at 14. But they could go after Spiller first to boost that lousy running game or look at Morgan and Pierre-Paul to play DE. They could also use a safety, so Berry makes sense with the first pick or Thomas with the No. 14 selection.
---
And oh yeah, wouldn’t Mount Cody be a great pick for the Raiders in Round One. He’s a run stopper like none other and Al Davis doesn’t give a damn what anyone else thinks. You heard it here first.
NFL Draft
Players climbing and falling. Pouncey up. Brandon Spikes down, down, down (but I bet he goes by mid round 3 if not higher).
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Falcons draft possibilities
Most of the focus on predicting the Falcons' 2010 draft is on the defense. Certainly the most gaping holes are on that side of the ball, but if the right offensive player were to fall down to their pick the Birds would do well to get him.
For instance, I'd like to see another wide receiver in camp, challenging Michael Jenkins for his starting job. Jenkins plays like a skinny tight end; he just isn't enough of a threat. Plus, Harry Douglas is coming off a serious injury. Trouble here is the wide receiver crop is thin at the top. It's Dez Bryant (still) and then a drop off. I do like Damian Williams of USC.
The Falcons could also take a left tackle and look at moving Sam Baker to the right side. He is overmatched against the better DEs. There are plenty of tackles at the top of this class and if a Trent Williams or Anthony Davis were to drop, Atlanta should spring on him.
Center is the one offensive position that the prognosticators have tied to the Falcons. Beat writer Orlando Ledbetter is pounding a drum for versatile Florida interior lineman Maurkice Pouncey. I like the team's veteran guards but there is no depth there and Todd McClure is entering his 12th season at center. Time to get his replacement.
On the other side of the ball, I wouldn't rule out another cornerback. Even with Dunta Robinson on board Atlanta could be better at this key spot. There are about four corners clustered on most draft boards: Kareem Jackson of Alabama, Patrick Robinson of FSU, Devin McCourty of Baylor and Kyle Wilson of Boise State. Jackson and Wilson are my picks.
Defensive end is a position of need as the clock seems to have run down on the Jamaal Anderson Experience. Everson Griffen of USC would be a really good fit. I'm hearing Brandon Graham, but I think a 3-4 team looking for an OLB to rush the passer will snap him up. Greg Hardy of Mississippi in a later round would be an interesting addition.
OLB is a positon of need many have focused on. Graham has been mentioned in that role. Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri was the hot pick for some time and Atlanta certainly did its due diligence in checking him out. I prefer Daryl Washington of TCU and maybe his Horned Frog teammate, Jerry Hughes.
One key here is the Falcons have made it clear they would like to acquire a second round pick. The best way to do so is to trade down. New England is a possibility, though it's hard to imagine them overpaying to move up three spots. However, Dimitroff usually gets what he wants, so let's look for a trade down by the Birds with them still getting a good OLB (Navorro Bowman of Penn State?) and the second rounder Dimitroff wants. If they stay put, look for the pick to be Pouncey (if he falls) or Daryl Washington.
For instance, I'd like to see another wide receiver in camp, challenging Michael Jenkins for his starting job. Jenkins plays like a skinny tight end; he just isn't enough of a threat. Plus, Harry Douglas is coming off a serious injury. Trouble here is the wide receiver crop is thin at the top. It's Dez Bryant (still) and then a drop off. I do like Damian Williams of USC.
The Falcons could also take a left tackle and look at moving Sam Baker to the right side. He is overmatched against the better DEs. There are plenty of tackles at the top of this class and if a Trent Williams or Anthony Davis were to drop, Atlanta should spring on him.
Center is the one offensive position that the prognosticators have tied to the Falcons. Beat writer Orlando Ledbetter is pounding a drum for versatile Florida interior lineman Maurkice Pouncey. I like the team's veteran guards but there is no depth there and Todd McClure is entering his 12th season at center. Time to get his replacement.
On the other side of the ball, I wouldn't rule out another cornerback. Even with Dunta Robinson on board Atlanta could be better at this key spot. There are about four corners clustered on most draft boards: Kareem Jackson of Alabama, Patrick Robinson of FSU, Devin McCourty of Baylor and Kyle Wilson of Boise State. Jackson and Wilson are my picks.
Defensive end is a position of need as the clock seems to have run down on the Jamaal Anderson Experience. Everson Griffen of USC would be a really good fit. I'm hearing Brandon Graham, but I think a 3-4 team looking for an OLB to rush the passer will snap him up. Greg Hardy of Mississippi in a later round would be an interesting addition.
OLB is a positon of need many have focused on. Graham has been mentioned in that role. Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri was the hot pick for some time and Atlanta certainly did its due diligence in checking him out. I prefer Daryl Washington of TCU and maybe his Horned Frog teammate, Jerry Hughes.
One key here is the Falcons have made it clear they would like to acquire a second round pick. The best way to do so is to trade down. New England is a possibility, though it's hard to imagine them overpaying to move up three spots. However, Dimitroff usually gets what he wants, so let's look for a trade down by the Birds with them still getting a good OLB (Navorro Bowman of Penn State?) and the second rounder Dimitroff wants. If they stay put, look for the pick to be Pouncey (if he falls) or Daryl Washington.
NFL Draft by Espy
Here are four players you have not heard too much about coming into the draft. They are rated highly, 2-3 round for the most. However, they haven't generated much publicity for some reason though I think any of the four could surprise and slide into the first round.
They are:
1. Daryl Washington-LB TCU. He's played inside and outside and looks like a fit in either a 4-3 or 3-4. He has good size and speed and was very productive. If the Rams took him with the first pick of round 2 I would be thrilled.
2. Tyson Alualu of California rarely gets mentioned but he has the size to play DE in a 3-4 and the strength and quickness to play inside or outside in a 4-3. I like him a 3-4 end and those are in demand this year.
3. Toby Gerhart was highly publicized during the season, and rightly so, but he has been forgotten about in the pre-draft process. He isn't a blazer like Best or McCluster but has good speed. He is big and strong and played a lot of hard nosed football in college. He would make a fine complimentary back for teams looking for a 1-2 punch and could be a lead back.
4. Tackle Roger Saffold has moved way up the draft charts and could move into the first round if a run on OTs clears out the top 4-5 guys early enough. He'd be a good fit in Dallas or Arizona.
They are:
1. Daryl Washington-LB TCU. He's played inside and outside and looks like a fit in either a 4-3 or 3-4. He has good size and speed and was very productive. If the Rams took him with the first pick of round 2 I would be thrilled.
2. Tyson Alualu of California rarely gets mentioned but he has the size to play DE in a 3-4 and the strength and quickness to play inside or outside in a 4-3. I like him a 3-4 end and those are in demand this year.
3. Toby Gerhart was highly publicized during the season, and rightly so, but he has been forgotten about in the pre-draft process. He isn't a blazer like Best or McCluster but has good speed. He is big and strong and played a lot of hard nosed football in college. He would make a fine complimentary back for teams looking for a 1-2 punch and could be a lead back.
4. Tackle Roger Saffold has moved way up the draft charts and could move into the first round if a run on OTs clears out the top 4-5 guys early enough. He'd be a good fit in Dallas or Arizona.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Mags
Some real good stuff in Sports Illustrated's print edition this week. Tom Verducci has a terrific profile of the Braves' Jason Heyward and that chick columnist of theirs slices and dices Tiger Woods nuts right off. There's also some good NFL draft stuff, including a feature on Eric Berry, "the draft's sure thing."
NFL Draft
Orlando Ledbetter's latest mock. He says Falcons want an OLB but may settle for Pouncey, the Florida lineman. I say they need a LT or a wide receiver as well. Sam Baker still looks shakey on the left side and I've never liked Michael Jenkins much.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
MLB
Keepin an eye on this guy. I saw this Florida prospect bashing the ball in Chattanooga last season.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Paul Finebaum
I am slow to post this and it's old, but Finebaum's views on the state of college beat reporting is interesting. And here's his more recent piece on the proposed 96 game NCAA hoop field. Finebaum can lob cliches with the worst of them, but you have to like a writer who still uses "cockamamie."
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
NFL Draft
Falcons to work out a pair of defensive linemen. Everson Griffen plays DE; Brian Price is a DT. Price next to a healthy Peria Jerry would be a nice, young combo. I like Griffen too. Both of these guys have rushed the passer well at times. They're not run pluggers. I have Price as my No. 3 DT.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
CHS
Black Brothers lead Chattooga to fast start. Dad Reagan and uncles Wendell and Jermaine were two-sport standouts at Chattooga.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
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