The Final Mock-April 5th 2008

Now that the combine is over and the pro days nearly complete it is time to attempt a mock draft update. Team needs are much easier to assess at this point as most of the free agent signings of any significance are complete. Heights, weights and forty times are included in earlier mocks. So here goes:
1.Miami Dolphins-Jake Long-OT-Michigan- Only 1 penalty in 4 years at Michigan. Solidifies either tackle position for the next decade. Parcells would probably like to trade out of this pick but I doubt there will be any takers

2.St Louis Rams- Vernon Gholston-DE-Ohio State- The smart money says Chris Long here but in a surpise the Rams go with the more athletic Gholston.

3.Atlanta Falcons- Glenn Dorsey-DT-LSU- Dominant at the point of attack and plays through injuries and pain.

4.Oakland Raiders-Chris Long-DE-Virginia-Son of hall of famer Howie Long gets to be a Raider just like his father. Excellent intangibles and measurables. Should be a 10 sack a year player
5.Kansas City Chiefs-Sedrick Ellis-DT-USC-Probably need an offensive tackle but the value at this point is Sedrick Ellis. All around DT who can penetrate in either the pass or the run
6. New York Jets-Darren McFadden-RB-Arkansas- Size and speed combination could have immediate impact on the Jets. He's this year's Adrian Peterson
7. New England Patriots- Leodis McKelvin-CB-Troy- Best Corner in the draft but I think the Patriots will try to trade down a few with this pick. Could also go with LB Keith Rivers.
8.Baltimore Ravens-Matt Ryan-QB-Boston College- Ravens go back to the quarterback well due to their need to find a solution at the postion but it would not surprise me at all to see this guy fall just like Brady Quinn and Aaron Rogers did in past drafts.
9.Cincinnati Bengals-Keith Rivers-LB-USC- fullfills one of their needs. River's pro day this past week solidfied himself in the top 15 picks in my opinon. Rivers is an excellent 4-3 linebacker.
10.New Orleans Saints-Dominque Rogers Cromartie-CB-Tennesee State- I don't like their free agent moves they made for the secondary and feel they still need to get better at the CB postion.
11. Buffalo Bills-Mike Jenkins-CB-South Florida- 4.38 forty, nice size and fits a definative need for the Bills
12. Denver Broncos-Ryan Clady-OT-Boise State- franchise left tackle is good value at this pick
13. Carolina Panthers-Derrick Harvey-DE-Florida- would not shock me to see the Panthers take Brian Brohm here but Harvey is good value and will solidfy the pass rush opposite Peppers
14. Chicago Bears-Rashard Mendenhal-RB-Illinois- Bears are slowly finding out Cedric Benson is not the answer but I can almost guarantee you that Mendhenall will have immediate impact
15. Detroit Lions-Jonathan Stewart-HB-Oregon- The need at running back is glaring. Stewart ran well at the combine and fills their need in the backfield but don't rule out another receiver! Just kidding
16. Arizona Cardinals-Aqib Talib-CB-Kansas- A real good value here. Has good ability to make interceptions and run them back. With Rolle moving to safety this pick makes sense
17. Minnesota Vikings-Phillip Merling-DE-Clemson- Has a sports hernia that has prevented him from working out but the Vikes need DE in the worst way. Udeze is out for the season battling luekemia and Erasmus James might never be healthy. Merling is a solid left end.
18. Houston Texans-Jeff Otah-OT-Pittsburg- This team has never been able to solve their talent level at the tackle position. Has raw ability to be a quality tackle at the next level at either tackle postion.
19. Philadelphia Eagles-Kenny Phillips-S-Miami- Brian Dawkins is on his last legs and Sean Considine and Quinten Mickel are average safeties at best. Kenny Phillips fits the bill for this team
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Desean Jackson-WR-California- Galloway is aging and Jackson although small is the best receiver of this draft class.
21. Washington Redskins-Brandon Albert-OG-Virginia- some draft pundits have Albert skyrocketing into a top ten pick. While he is the best pulling guard I have seen in a quite a while I don't buy that he's a top ten pick. Good Value for my skins at this point and fills a need within a year for this team.
22. Dallas Cowboys-Felix Jones-RB-Arkansas- Rumor has it the Cowpokes love either of the Arkansas backs. Jones averaged 9 yards a carry as a senior.
23. Pittsburgh Steeler-Chris Williams-OT-Vanderbilt- Marvel Smith has been strugling and Alan Faneca has left. Williams can play either guard or tackle at the next level
24. Tennessee Titans-Devin Thomas-WR-Michigan State- Big and fast and had an outstanding season as senior. Gives Vince Young someone to throw to.
25. Seattle Seahawks-Kentwan Balmer-DT-North Carolina- risky pick here with a lot of upside potential. Penetrating defensive tackle fits Seattle's needs
26. Jacksonville Jaguars-Limas Sweed-WR-Texas- The Jags having nothing but mediocrity at receiver. Sweed has some big time potential
27. San Diego Chargers-Reggie Smith-CB-Oklahoma- Can play corner or free safety and fits a need for the Chargers
28. Dallas Cowboys-James Hardy-WR-Indianna- Terry Glenn's career is winding down. Owens will be 35 years old by season's end. Malcom Kelly could be the pick here if he runs well on his pro day April 9th but Hardy fits the bill for a big receiver at nearly 6-6 with 4.47 speed.
29. San Francisco 49ers-Quentin Groves-DE-Auburn- I think he fits here as OLB in the 3-4 opposite Manny Lawson. Speedy pass rusher will make some sacks at the next level but might be a liabilty as a pure DE.
30. Green Bay Packers-Gosder Cherilus-OT-Boston College- With Tauscher and Clifton getting older a case can be made for a need at the tackle postion. Cherilus could also play guard
31. New York Giants- Dan Conner-LB-Penn State- Giants will get a starter in Conner. He might never be a pro bowler but he will help this team at a position of need.

Brett Favre

OK, where do I start with this one? Brett was a great player who's love for the game of football was evident with his enthusiasm on the field. I feel like he left on the top of his game. Prior to this season I felt his skills had diminished signficantly but this past season he played great and had one of his better years. So to leave the game after a great season and for having played 15 of his 17 years for just one team it is quite remarkable. I'm glad Brett left the game as the starter for the Green Bay packers and not some 2nd string quarterback who should have left the game 4 years prior. But quite frankly I'm also pleased that the soap opera of Brett Favre is over. I grew quite tired of the media pontifications of wether this was Brett's last season or last game. As if he's going to be banished to the shuffle board courts in Palm Beach before he's 39 years old. Gimme a break!

I know Brett had a great career but the crying athlete at the podium announcing his retirement at 39 years old should be a happy moment. We should all be so lucky to retire at 39 years old. I know Brett said it was never about the money but I guess his agent had other ideas. For most of Brett's career he was paid amongst the top five at his position including the 11 million he made last season. So spare me the " it was never about the money speech".

So goodbye Brett and cheers to a great career and all the football memories. I'm sure we'll see you in broadcasting very soon.

Free Agent Thoughts

We are only in day 2 of the free agent market. It appears that all the marquee free agents have already signed. Lance Briggs resigned with the Bears. Alan Faneca signed with the Jets. Justin Smith parlayed the two sacks he got last year into 20 million guaranteed with the 49ers. The Eagles signed Assante Samuel despite having two good corners already in Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard. A couple decent free agents are left in Antwan Odam and DJ Hackett but the market is drying up quick. Cleveland thinks they improved by signing Corey Williams, Shaun Rogers, and Donte Stallworth but they gave up 2nd,3rd, and 5th round picks for Williams and Rogers. While I do believe Williams is a good player I believe Shaun Rogers conditioning is a reason he was expendable by Detroit. Randy Moss is still out there but I think he'll want a ton of money and teams wonder which version of Randy Moss they would get should they sign him. I really don't see any teams that really helped themselves as this free agent class is the weakest I've seen.

Skins 7 round Mock

The Redskins have needs at cornerback, safety, Linebacker, Receiver, offensive line and defensive line. The organization's lack of attention to the defensive line has been a source of frustation for me. My 2 round mock below indicates the skins picking up an extra 3rd rounder by trading down in the first round. So here is my 7 round Redskins mock draft. It addresses most but not all the team needs. I have us waiting to get defensive line help until the 3rd round but there are three defensive lineman who should be there when we pick that I think might be good pros. Quentin Groves, Lawrence Jackson, and Calais Campbell. Groves probably works better in a 3-4 but Jackson and Campbell have some upside. At this point I think it is unrealistic that Derrick Harvey falls to us at pick 21.
Round 1- James Hardy-WR-Indiana- He'll be a good pro. Almost 6-6 and 220 lbs with 4.47 speed. 16 touchdowns as a senior. Gives Jason Campbell a big target to throw to
Round2- Tracy Porter-CB-Indiana- 5-11 188 lbs ran a 4.37 at the combine. He had 6 interceptions as a senior with 137 return yards. Carlos Rogers might not be ready for the start of the season. Springs is another year older. We still have Fred Smoot but without adding another corner we could be in some trouble in the secondary
Round 3-Shawn Crable-OLB/DE-Michigan. 6-5 245 lbs with 4.64 speed. Had 7.5 sacks las year. Could be the eventual replacement for Macus Washington and help our pass rush. I have us picking up San Francisco's 3rd rounder here
Round 3-Chris Ellis-DE-Virginia Tech-6-4 265 lbs with a frame to beef up to 280 lbs. 4.71 at the combine. 8.5 sacks as a senior
Round 5-Mike McGlynn-OT/G-Pittsburgh- 6-5 315 lbs- Started all four years in college. Played right tackle but will move to guard at the next level.
Round 6- Owen Schmitt-FB-West Virginia 6-2 247 lbs We'll need a backup to Mike Sellars
Round 7- Anthony Morelli-QB-Penn State 6-4 230 lbs. I don't think he was coached up very well at Penn State. Obviosly we have other needs but in the 7th round sometimes you can find some value at this position