Saturday, March 28, 2009
Red Sox set rotation
The Red Sox announced the starting 4 in their rotation today. Josh beckett will get the call for the opener. Jon Lester will be in the number two slot. Lester is getting older and better every year. He is basically a 1A and would be a number one starter for alot of teams in the major league. Daisuke Matsuzaka is in the 3 spot. I figured Lester would get the nod over him. Despite his excellent year last year going 18-3 with a 2.90 era and 154 strike outs, he just makes me nervous. He gets in alot of jams. But i guess the sign of a good pitcher is being able to get out of those jams. Either way he's a great number 3. Tim Wakefield is back in the number 4 spot. The knuckle baller is always consistently eating innings. he has his days when the knuckleball isn't working. But for the most part he pitches well and can throw off a team for a few days. Battling for the # 5 spot will be Brad penny and Clay Buchholz. Clay has looked really sharp in spring training. I'd like to see him get the job for now. Penny could use the Early part of the year getting back into form after injuries. Also John Smoltz should be healthy in the next couple of months. he is said to be ahead of schedule. Depth is not an issue on this team. This may be the best starting rotation in baseball. What are your thoughts on the Sox rotation?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
WBC comes to an end
The World Baseball Classic ended in another Japan Victory. The only game i watched was a USA loss to Japan in the semi-finals. The only reason i watched it was becuase i had to for highlights for work. I really have no interest in the WBC. My biggest problem with it is the rosters. Alot of the players from these teams aren't even from the country they play for. Almost the whole Italy team is from the USA. Mexico has a bunch of players from the USA also. If they want to have a true World Baseball Classic I think the players should be from that country. Not because their name ends in a vowel and they are from Bristol Connecticut. I know Italy wouldn't have a shot with players from they're country but shouldn't that be what its about. the country with the most talented players? I also would pay more attention if it were played in February. What are your thoughts on the WBC? Did you watch? The ratings were up from the first WBC.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Pats seek Vet Taylor
I heard from a credible source that the Patriots are interested in unrestrcted free agent Jason Taylor. Taylor is entering his 12th season in the NFL. He is coming off a down year having injuries and a less productive year. Taylor would be a great addition to the Patriots pass rush. He is a hard working Veteran and a future hall of famer. I think they should also draft a younger player to learn from the vet. Bill Belichick met with Taylor in Miami to discuss the future of the two partys. What do you think of Jason Taylor possibly playing in New England?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Round 1 NFL Mock Draft
This is an Early mock draft I have put together. This will change after free agency and the pro days have come to a close closer to the draft. I will put a out a final mock the week of the draft.
1. Lions - Mathew Stafford - QB - Georgia
The lions could elect to go with Jason Smith or Aaron Curry but i think they want to build with a franchise QB and select a OL later.
2. Rams - Jason Smith - OT - Baylor
The O-line is awful. Pace is 100 and hurt alot. Smith is the guy here unless the Lions take him #1.
3. Chiefs - Aaron Curry - LB - Wake Forest
It wouldn't surprise me if they traded down. Scott Pioli takes over and they just got Vrabel. But Curry could be the understudy to the old Patriot if they stay at 3.
4. Seahawks - B.J. Raji - DT - Boston College
Could just as easy take a OT because Walter Jones is getting old. I figured Crabtree here until they signed Houshmandzadeh.
5. Browns - Brian Orakpo - DE/LB - Texas
Browns need help in the pass rush.
6. Bengals - Michael Crabtree - WR - Texas Tech
Even though he just had surgery i think scouts love his size and production in college. Losing Housh helps his stock here. Jonathon Stewart had surgery before the draft and had no problem being on the field week one.
7. Raiders - Jeremy Macklin - WR - Missouri
He had a horrible combine. He was very productive in college. The Raiders also need O-line help. But with Al Davis anything is possible!
8. Jaguars - Michael Oher - OT - Mississippi
Alot of people thin Mark Sanchez lands here. I don't see it. The need a stud tackle and Oher is that guy.
9. Packers - Vontae Davis - CB - Illinois
The Packers D-backs are getting older. I think you'll see Davis end up a safety later in his career.
10. 49ers - Andre Smith - OT - Alabama
If he didn't just leave the combine with out telling anyone I think he'd be gone already. he also had some disciplinary issues at Bama. Hmm.. Perhaps he may be a Raider in my final mock.
11. Bills - Everett Brown - LB - Florida State
He could fill the need as an end or linebacker.
12. Broncos - Brian Cushing - LB - USC
Denver need defense. This is a good start. Teammate Rey Mauagula could get a look here as well.
13. Redskins - Eben Britton - OT - Arizona
With the recent signings filling needs. Tackle becomes the main focus.
14. Saints - Malcom Jenkins - CB - Ohio State
The Saints defensive backs are horrible. They could go with another corner here. Jenkins didn't have a great combine. He was great at OSU.
15. Texans - Peria Jerry - DT - Mississippi
After signing a D-End the focus goes on defensive tackle where Travis johnson has been a disappointment.
16. Chargers - Rey Mauagula - LB - USC
Many speculate runningback here. Darren Sproles is back and so is Tomlinson. Mauagula is the best talent here if he is still available.
17. Jets - Mark Sanchez - QB - USC
Favre is gone and Sanchez should land here.
18. Bears - William Beatty - OT - Connecticut
Chicago is depleted at the position. Beatty is a great fit and will have two young tackles after drafting Chris Williams in the first round in the 08' draft.
19. Buccaneers - Clay Matthews - LB - USC
Derrick Brooks is gone. Mathews should plug right in.
20. Lions - Alphonso Smith - CB - Wake Forest
They will hope an O-tackle of value is still here but Smith is a talent and they need plenty of it!
21. Eagles - Knowshon Moreno - RB - Georgia
He will be a great fit here. This will help out Westbrook to stay healthy and Correll Buckhalter just signed with denver.
22. Vikings - Hakeem Nicks - WR - North Carolina
They could flirt with Taking center alex mack due to Matt Birk's age. But i think they would like the 6'5'' Nicks here to go along with new QB Sage Rosenfels.
23. Patriots - James Laurinaitis - LB - Ohio State
There are so many ways to go here. Larry English and DJ Moore could also land. But I think Laurinaitis would look great next to Mayo. he is a tackling machine.
24. Tyson Jackson - DE - LSU
Atlanta need Linebacker help but i think the best value is Jackson here. Jackson is big and fast.
25. Dolphins - Larry English - DE/LB - Northern Illinois
English will move to outside linebacker in the Miami scheme. That is if he's still around.
26. Ravens - Alex Mack - C - California
The Ravens need a center. Mack is going to be an all-pro. No brainer here.
27. Colts - Darrius Hayward-Bay - WR - Maryland
Had the best combine showing of all. Harrison is gone. They could use defensive help also.
28. Eagles - Kenny Britt - RB - Rutgers
At 6'3' 218lbs and the big east all time leading receiver with 3,043 yards in 3 seasons. Britt would be a great target. If Moreno is gone before they select, Runningback Chris Wells could be an option here.
29. Giants - Brandon Pettigrew - TE - Oklahoma State
Pettigrew is 6'5'' 265lbs, he can catch and is a great blocker. He be a nice big target for Eli and a roadgrater for Jacobs.
30. Titans - Evander Hood - DT - Missouri
Albert Hansworth is gone leaving a giant void.
31. Cardinals - Robert Ayers - DE - Tennessee
They could flirt with Lesean McCoy or Donald brown here. But they lost D-end Antonio Smith via free agency.
32. Steelers - DJ Moore - CB - Vanderbilt
I'm sure they'd love Mack to fall here. Moore is very talented and will replace McFadden who is a free agent.
That's my early round 1 mock draft. Look for the final 2 round mock draft in late april!
1. Lions - Mathew Stafford - QB - Georgia
The lions could elect to go with Jason Smith or Aaron Curry but i think they want to build with a franchise QB and select a OL later.
2. Rams - Jason Smith - OT - Baylor
The O-line is awful. Pace is 100 and hurt alot. Smith is the guy here unless the Lions take him #1.
3. Chiefs - Aaron Curry - LB - Wake Forest
It wouldn't surprise me if they traded down. Scott Pioli takes over and they just got Vrabel. But Curry could be the understudy to the old Patriot if they stay at 3.
4. Seahawks - B.J. Raji - DT - Boston College
Could just as easy take a OT because Walter Jones is getting old. I figured Crabtree here until they signed Houshmandzadeh.
5. Browns - Brian Orakpo - DE/LB - Texas
Browns need help in the pass rush.
6. Bengals - Michael Crabtree - WR - Texas Tech
Even though he just had surgery i think scouts love his size and production in college. Losing Housh helps his stock here. Jonathon Stewart had surgery before the draft and had no problem being on the field week one.
7. Raiders - Jeremy Macklin - WR - Missouri
He had a horrible combine. He was very productive in college. The Raiders also need O-line help. But with Al Davis anything is possible!
8. Jaguars - Michael Oher - OT - Mississippi
Alot of people thin Mark Sanchez lands here. I don't see it. The need a stud tackle and Oher is that guy.
9. Packers - Vontae Davis - CB - Illinois
The Packers D-backs are getting older. I think you'll see Davis end up a safety later in his career.
10. 49ers - Andre Smith - OT - Alabama
If he didn't just leave the combine with out telling anyone I think he'd be gone already. he also had some disciplinary issues at Bama. Hmm.. Perhaps he may be a Raider in my final mock.
11. Bills - Everett Brown - LB - Florida State
He could fill the need as an end or linebacker.
12. Broncos - Brian Cushing - LB - USC
Denver need defense. This is a good start. Teammate Rey Mauagula could get a look here as well.
13. Redskins - Eben Britton - OT - Arizona
With the recent signings filling needs. Tackle becomes the main focus.
14. Saints - Malcom Jenkins - CB - Ohio State
The Saints defensive backs are horrible. They could go with another corner here. Jenkins didn't have a great combine. He was great at OSU.
15. Texans - Peria Jerry - DT - Mississippi
After signing a D-End the focus goes on defensive tackle where Travis johnson has been a disappointment.
16. Chargers - Rey Mauagula - LB - USC
Many speculate runningback here. Darren Sproles is back and so is Tomlinson. Mauagula is the best talent here if he is still available.
17. Jets - Mark Sanchez - QB - USC
Favre is gone and Sanchez should land here.
18. Bears - William Beatty - OT - Connecticut
Chicago is depleted at the position. Beatty is a great fit and will have two young tackles after drafting Chris Williams in the first round in the 08' draft.
19. Buccaneers - Clay Matthews - LB - USC
Derrick Brooks is gone. Mathews should plug right in.
20. Lions - Alphonso Smith - CB - Wake Forest
They will hope an O-tackle of value is still here but Smith is a talent and they need plenty of it!
21. Eagles - Knowshon Moreno - RB - Georgia
He will be a great fit here. This will help out Westbrook to stay healthy and Correll Buckhalter just signed with denver.
22. Vikings - Hakeem Nicks - WR - North Carolina
They could flirt with Taking center alex mack due to Matt Birk's age. But i think they would like the 6'5'' Nicks here to go along with new QB Sage Rosenfels.
23. Patriots - James Laurinaitis - LB - Ohio State
There are so many ways to go here. Larry English and DJ Moore could also land. But I think Laurinaitis would look great next to Mayo. he is a tackling machine.
24. Tyson Jackson - DE - LSU
Atlanta need Linebacker help but i think the best value is Jackson here. Jackson is big and fast.
25. Dolphins - Larry English - DE/LB - Northern Illinois
English will move to outside linebacker in the Miami scheme. That is if he's still around.
26. Ravens - Alex Mack - C - California
The Ravens need a center. Mack is going to be an all-pro. No brainer here.
27. Colts - Darrius Hayward-Bay - WR - Maryland
Had the best combine showing of all. Harrison is gone. They could use defensive help also.
28. Eagles - Kenny Britt - RB - Rutgers
At 6'3' 218lbs and the big east all time leading receiver with 3,043 yards in 3 seasons. Britt would be a great target. If Moreno is gone before they select, Runningback Chris Wells could be an option here.
29. Giants - Brandon Pettigrew - TE - Oklahoma State
Pettigrew is 6'5'' 265lbs, he can catch and is a great blocker. He be a nice big target for Eli and a roadgrater for Jacobs.
30. Titans - Evander Hood - DT - Missouri
Albert Hansworth is gone leaving a giant void.
31. Cardinals - Robert Ayers - DE - Tennessee
They could flirt with Lesean McCoy or Donald brown here. But they lost D-end Antonio Smith via free agency.
32. Steelers - DJ Moore - CB - Vanderbilt
I'm sure they'd love Mack to fall here. Moore is very talented and will replace McFadden who is a free agent.
That's my early round 1 mock draft. Look for the final 2 round mock draft in late april!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Cassel and Vrabel sent packing
I was pretty shocked when i heard Mike Vrabel was traded along with Matt Cassel. He was one of those lunch pale hard working guys who was always counted on to make a play. I was also shocked when i heard they only got a second round pick for them. Although it is a high one. This led me to believe they are clearing cap space. Vrabel is 34 and Cassel is set to make 14 million. I also thought maybe they didn't think there was alot of drop off in value between players in the draft. If you can draft a guy in the second round and get first round talent then you just save a boat load of cap room. Maybe a Vince Wilfork deal is on the horizon. He is easily the most valuable player on the defensive line. This deal makes linebacker a top priority in the draft. They should get a couple of them in the first four picks. I'd like to see them grab a corner and a runningback as well.
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