Preview to NFL Draft!

Hello all. With the NFL draft approaching, I thought now would be a better time than ever to talk about prospects. Every year, the media is always focused on the headline players that go in the top 10 or 20 picks. Often overlooked, I like to talk about the underrated guys. These players have all the potential to be just as good as the “star” players. Why am I so confident? Here is a look at my track record:

2010- my top 5

1. FS Major Wright- Florida

2. QB Colt McCoy- Texas

3. WR Eric Decker- Minnesota

4. WR Emmanuel Sanders- SMU

5. DT Geno Atkins- Georgia

2013 analysis: Sans McCoy, each one of these players is a starter in the league. I thought Atkins was underrated, but never expected him to be the all pro, top five defensive player that he is today. Sanders, meanwhile, has been a productive slot receiver for the Steelers and looks to continue that trend in the upcoming years now that Wallace is gone. I predicted him to be right around where he is Decker, of course, had a monster year for Denver but has been “a solid #2 wideout in the league.” That is the exact quote that I used to describe his potential in 2010. McCoy, of course, seems to be the bust on the list although he was a starter for Cleveland not too long ago. I expected more out of him though as he was a great quarterback for the longhorns. Many people around the NFL still don’t know who Major Wright is but he has maintained his underrated status. He was the starting free safety for the Bears last year and, just like in college, prevented deep passes better than almost anyone in the league. He has been solid. Overall, I got pretty lucky with the Atkins and Decker picks but I shined light on some underrated players who turned into great players in the NFL.

2011- my top 5

1. CB Richard Sherman- Stanford

2. QB Christian Ponder- Florida State

3. RB Ryan Williams- Virginia Tech

4. DE Allen Bailey- UMIAMI

5. DE Muhammad Wilkerson- Temple

2013 analysis: I did not do as well with this class as I did the previous year. Wilkerson has actually become a solid NFL player, but I kind of cheated because he wasn't all that underrated. Although, he went later than I predicted him, so I guess that is the definition of underrated. Nonetheless, he is one of the best players on the Jets. Allen Bailey hasn’t reached a high level of success either, playing mostly as a backup for Kansas City. There is still time for him but he hasn’t impressed me the same way he did at Miami. Williams has the potential to be very good but, just like at Virginia Tech, injuries have kept him out of the spotlight. What saves me with this class are my top two guys. Ponder is a starter in the NFL and led his team to the post season last year. He has not put up the numbers that others have but I will go to my grave with the words I wrote in 2011, “he is the best QB in his class.” Sherman is one of my favorite players in the NFL mostly because of the way I praised him coming out of Stanford. I said, “put him in the right defense, and he can be a top 5 corner in this league.” And that has happened exactly as I planned. So, not a bad class, but not nearly as good as what I predicted a year before.

2012- my top 5

1. WR Mohammad Sanu- Rutgers

2. WR Stephen Hill- Georgia Tech

3. OT Jonathan Martin- Stanford

4.  LB Lavonte David- Nebraska
5. DE Vinny Curry- Marshall

2013 Analysis: It is too early to predict anything about these guys yet but I will say that all of them are off to great starts in their young careers. Sanu and Hill are big targets who got injured this year. Martin and David were solid and Curry is a rising role player

NCAA Bracket Sleepers

Hello all,

Normally, I stick to football. With March Madness approaching, many have asked me to do a post about who are good sleepers in the tournament. Here are just a few of my suggestions- sorry if they don't end up working out.

St. Louis (4th seed in midwest)-
I know the 4th seed doesn't seem like much of a "sleeper" pick but with a top heavy bracket, I think St. Louis qualifies. Also, it's ST. LOUIS! This team qualifies for a sleeper for being a relatively unknown team. The Billikens have a 27-6 record, which is good in itself. It is more impressive when you consider their 13-3, first place record in the Atlantic Ten. Nine out of those 10 teams earned postseason bids, which is an NCAA record. And, they are hot right now- 15-1 over their last 16 games. They also have a very good mix of tough defense and effective offense, allowing only 62.4 ppg and scoring 72.4. That's a double digit point differential, which is hard to do in a small program. So, lets review: St. Louis is a small, effective, under the radar team which plays in a difficult conference. That is the very definition of a sleeper! And, they have a relatively easy schedule. They play New Mexico and then either an overrated Oklahoma State team or an underachieving Oregon. I think they will make it to at least the sweet 16. The question is, can they beat Louisville?

Arizona (6th in the west)-
A 6th seed is also not a traditional sleeper, but Arizona is a team that is easy to overlook. They were 25-7 and 12-6 in the PAC 12 and certainly have the depth of a big team to do better. Their schedule starts off difficultly off the bat, against an underrated Belmont team and then a very difficult Ohio State team (probably.) However, Arizona could end up going very far depending on one player: Mark Lyons. When Lyons, a transfer from Xavier, was playing well the Wildcats were 14-0! He seemed to get lazy, content, and the Wildcats struggled. He has been pretty vocal recently as to why he needs to step up his game. I think this team has the potential to go TO THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP. Like I said, they have depth and are, possibly, the best defensive team in the game. With a weak west division, Arizona could do it.

Davidson (14th seed in the east)-
This is a very deep sleeper and is just kind of a guess. Davidson is an intense team that feeds off of the Cinderella pride. They were 26-7 but 17-1 in their division (given a rather weaker one.) When Jake Cohen plays well and Gardner playing NBA level defense, this team has a shot to make it deep into the east. I don't think they can beat Miami, and it will be tough against Butler. But, Marquette? The same Maquette that is 7-8 away from home? That shows much more mental weakness that physical ability. The former is where Davidson is the strongest.

Now, here are some FAQ's: 

Brian, who will win it all?
Miami- most balanced and experience team.

Who will be the first #1 seed to fall?
Gonzaga- their record is misleading, sos is 75th in the nation.

Missouri or Colorado State?
This is the matchup that most people have asked about- I'll take Missouri.

How do I follow your blog?
Click the button on the right! Please, if you read these, help me out!

Free Agency Updates 3/17/13

Here are some updates, enjoy!

ILB Daniel Ellerbe- Dolphins- C

Unlike Kruger, Ellerbe was indeed a product of a great Ravens defense. This is proven true by the fact that the Ravens offered about half of what the Dolphins paid for him. A 5 year, $35 mil is outrageous for a guy that didn’t start until Ray Lewis was hurt. This isn’t a failure because Ellerbe can be a productive middle linebacker in this league, when he reaches the height of his potential. But, don’t expect the next great linebacker, which is what the Dolphins paid for.

DT Desmond Bryant- Browns- D-

And the Browns get my first below passing grade of the year! Desmond Bryant is a thug who has no experience in a 3-4 and was never a great player for the Raiders in a 4-3. He was just your average starter statistically. Yes, he went to Harvard but was recently arrested so its not like the brains are there. And, he is young, so I guess he has time to improve. But I don’t see how throwing a 5 year, $34 mil with $15 mil guaranteed is a good idea, especially since the Browns already have 3 very good defensive lineman, all of which will probably start over Bryant (2 of which are younger than Bryant.) This makes no sense to me, but sometimes that’s what happens in the NFL (especially in Cleveland.)

OT Godser Cherlius- Colts- C+

To me, this is like putting a band aid on a broken wrist. How on earth does Godser Cherilus, a mediocre right tackle, get a 5 year, $34 mil contract? Cherilus is the classic example of a bad draft choice by Matt Millen. But, this move is not worth failing for a couple of reasons. First, the contract is only $10 mil guaranteed, so it doesn’t kill the cap. Second, Cherilus did have his best season last year, so maybe he is improving. Third, offensive tackle was a need for the colts, so maybe this is the short-term guy and the Colts are waiting it out. This is a bad deal, but its not egregious.

OT Jermon Bushrod- Bears- C

I actually feel bad for the Bears. Here they are, trying to get something done in free agency by signing a guy who was Drew Brees’ left tackle and statistically looks really good. But, look on film, and you will see the flaws. Yes, he gave up two sacks last year but he allowed more pressures than 28 offensive tackles last year. Drew Brees has a quick release, which is why he wasn’t sacked. Bushrod is an okay run blocker and is pretty mobile so this grade doesn’t deserve an F. But, for a 5 year, $36 mil deal with $17.7 guaranteed, Bushrod was definitely overpaid.

LB Phillip Wheeler- Dolphins- A-

The Dolphins want to win free agency, and they have had mixed reviews. One signing I did like was Wheeler. Wheeler isn’t a household name, but was a dynamic player for the Raiders last year (their only one.) He replaces the aging Kevin Burnett, and is a major upgrade. He is 28, versatile, and is best when stopping the run, which is something Miami could have improved on last year. For 5 year, $26 mil with $13 mil guaranteed, I think this is a pretty good deal.

LB Eric Walden- Colts- F

And the first F goes to the Colts. Walden was nearly cut by the Packers last year after a horrific end of the regular season followed by a bad playoff game against the 49ers. Walden would have to compete for backup on most teams, let alone deserve a 4 year, $17.5 mil contract with $8.6 mil guaranteed. Maybe the Colts think that he can maximize his potential on a worse defense with a worse coordinator having to play Arian Foster and Chris Johnson twice a year. Walden is actually worse than any 5^th or 6^th round scrug the Colts could have drafted. By the way, if a player is 27 and has been on 5 different teams, that’s probably a good reason to think he shouldn’t be given $17.5 mil.

TE Marty Bennett- Bears- B-

Bennett is one of the laziest players in the NFL, but has tremendous talent. In Dallas and New York, he had some amazing plays but was ultimately outbid by someone else who thought they could make him work harder in both situations. I don’t think Mark Trestman is more motivating than Tom Coughlin though. The contract is nice though, 4 year $20 mil for a guy with tons of upside is a good bet- just not a great one.

LB Quinton Groves- Browns- B+

Groves is a first round bust who got a chance to prove himself one last time in Arizona last year. He played well enough to earn a 2 year, $2.8 mil contract with the Browns. I don’t like that Cleveland is stockpiling mediocre players, which is ultimately what Groves has amounted to be thus far in the NFL. But, this is one of those signings that ultimately wont amount to much so its hard to give it a bad grade. It is an above average signing.

CB Greg Toler- Colts- D

Oh gosh. The Colts swing and miss again. Toler is a below average cornerback with a history of injury problems. He didn’t start for the 5-11 Cardinals last year. Why on earth would a 3 year, $15 mil contract solve that? Toler is a fine backup and can maybe step in a game or two against Jacksonville, but that’s about it. He is a scrug who got paid like he is worth something.

TE Jared Cook- Rams- B

Jared Cook has played, at best, inconsistently in his NFL career and, at worst, poorly. Cook is a name you hear more often then you should because he is athletic and can be put on the highlights. That being said, if there is one guy that can fix him, it is the guy that drafted him: Jeff Fisher. Yes, a 5 year, $35.1 mil deal with $19 mil guaranteed looks like way too much for him but here’s why I like the move. Cook is a big target, something that St. Louis doesn’t have. The defense will have to focus some attention on him so this will help ease the offense, if nothing else. And Sam Bradford is much better than Jake Locker, so that will help make this move better. Also, Cook took advantage of the media hype, so this move had a lot to do with the market as well. I may be taking a risk here, but I kind of like the move.

S Pat Chung- Eagles- A

This is the best move the Eagles have made in free agency in a long time. Chung is a low risk/high reward player who is a potential pro bowler. For New England, he was the only staple of the secondary and for a 3 year, $10 mil deal, is totally worth it. If Chung plays well, he can finally set the Eagles miserable secondary straight. If not, then he at least adds a veteran, stable and winning presence to a team with a lot of turmoil. Yes, he hasn’t been the healthiest NFL player, playing in 20 of the last 32 regular season games. But, that’s what the Eagles paid for: a guy who can play 70% of games at a high level. This is a great deal for both sides.

TE Delaine Walker- Titans- B

Walker will help with run blocking, but the Titans are a mess in the receiving game as well. Having a solid tight end for Locker is a must and Walker just doesn’t provide that for this team. He gets an A for Chris Johnson but a C for Locker, which gives this move a B overall. At 4 years, $17.5 mil with $8.6 guarenteed, the contract suffices for the talent level. If the Titans can lock down a more receiving tight end in the draft, then this deal makes sense. I’m a little nervous, though, about Walker as a starting receiving tight end for a team that needs that player.

*CB Chris Houston- Lions- C

I have never been a fan of Chris Houston. I thought he was a pedestrian corner in Atlanta and was too risky when he came to Detroit. He can get the picks, but he will also surrender touchdowns (watch the Atlanta game.) Giving him a 5 year, $25 mil contract is way overpriced, especially since they also need two more corners. I would rather just start over, since Houston has shown that he is too inconsistent to be a #1 cornerback in this league.

G Donald Thomas- Colts- A-

Phew! The Colts actually make a smart move here. The Colts spent 4 year, $14 mil on a guy who helped block Tom Brady last year, and did a pretty good job at it. He is young, athletic and fills a need. The question with him is whether he was more of a product of New England or if he is a genuine talent. This guy has the potential to be a 5-6 year fix with the Colts and, if nothing else, adds a veteran presence with relatively little cost.

 

FB Jerome Felton- Vikings- A

Great deal for a great player- 3 years, $7.5 mil for a pro bowl fullback. Makes sense.

DT Jason Jones- Lions- C+

Jones is a situational pass rusher and not much more. Detroit has a good defensive line but, in a 4-3, you can never have enough young pass rushers. A 3 year, $9.5 mil contract would be good if he was a starter, but I think is a little high for a guy who will only be in a few plays per game. If he produces 8 sacks next year, then it is worth it. But, more likely, he will produce 4-5 which is why this grade is a little below average. Just an example, he played the same role last year in Seattle, where he had only 3 sacks last year and 10 total tackles.

G Louis Vasquez- Broncos- A

What a great deal! The Broncos get the best player on San Diego last year (mind you division rival) who was also a borderline pro bowl player last year. Vasquez wont get the hype that other players will but he is certainly worth more because of his great size and mobility combination. He single handedly upgrades the Broncos from an average to a good offensive line. What’s more he signed a 4 year, $23.5 mil contract with only $13 mil guaranteed. And, he’s only 25! This may be the best deal in free agency so far.

WR Donnie Avery- Chiefs- C

Avery is explosive but is also unreliable. A 3 year, $11 mil deal is a lot to ask of a guy who will probably be the 3^rd wide out on the team. Sure, he fits into the Chiefs offense, but his reoccurring injuries along with his multitude of drops means this is a risky move for the Chiefs.

RB Rashard Mendenhall- Cardinals- A-

People give Mendenhall a hard time, but the truth is that it is not his fault. He played in only 6 games last year and, although only 25, plays like he is 31 because of his bad knees. That said, he has also rushed for 1,000 yards twice in his career so he is not totally worthless. As of now, he is best as a 5-10 carries a game back, which is how Arizona will use him. For a 1 year, $2.5 mil deal, I think Mendenhall is worth it. He wont put up big stats, maybe ever again, but he can be a very solid player in his role. And if he sucks, then cutting him would barely touch the cap.

FS Dashon Goldson- Buccaneers- B

This all depends on what the Bucs do with Ronde Barber. Goldson is a top 5 NFL safety and goes to a team that just spent a high first round pick on a safety. Sometimes, I think the Buccaneers have no idea what to do with their money. Cornerback was clearly a much bigger need for them. Back to Barber, though. Barber played well last year, but is 38! Goldson would help the back half of this secondary tremendously although he is not much of an upgrade over last year’s version of Barber. But, I think the Bucs understand that Barber will start declining and had to pounce on Goldson. And, I also understand that Goldson will make a corner’s job easier. But, the contract is pricy: 5 year, $41.35 mil with $22 mil guaranteed. This is a risky move and ultimately will end up pretty average for them. I think Goldson will protect against deep passes, but can’t do it all.

RB Reggie Bush- Lions- B

Reggie Bush is the most talked about player for someone who can produce so little. I mean, he is god for like 5 games, and then either injured or pedestrian for the rest of the year. He was used effectively as a scat back for the Saints, then was good for one season as the feature back in Miami. And then inconsistent play and injuries caught up to him and he rode most of last year on the bench. Bush, now 28, hopefully realizes he must return back to the scat back he was as a Saint. And the 4 year, $16 mil contract looks like that. But, I am still concerned about his reliability especially with only 2-3 more years of potential productivity. I could see Bush spending more time on the side line then on the field, and when on the field, not being as good as expected.

Free Agency Updates! 3/13/13

WR Mike Wallace- Dolphins- B+

Mike Wallace is a dangerous wide receiver who is a legitimate #1 threat in the NFL. He is a speedster who is also tall enough to grab balls over his head. Many that call him a one trick pony did not watch many Steelers games over the past few years. Yes, Wallace specializes as a deep threat but he can catch a curl or a slant pretty well too. But there are a few reasons why this move is a far cry from perfect. First, Wallace is inconsistent. He will explode one game and be gone for the next three. The Dolphins need him to show up every week due to their lack of talent elsewhere. Second, Wallace dropped the second most passes last year, which feeds into the inconsistency argument above. His locker room presence can also negatively affect the locker room and was probably one of the two main reasons that he was not franchised by the Steelers. The other reason was $- Wallace signed a 5 year, $65 mil contract with $30 mil guaranteed. That’s a lot of money to pay for a guy with the negatives listed above. In the end, I still think the positives outweigh the negatives, which is why this move gets a B+. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wallace flunks in South Beach, though.

LB Paul Kruger- Browns- A

This grade may be modified depending on the guaranteed $, but let’s assume the deal is a 5 year, $41 mil with $20 mil guaranteed (as it is projected to be.) Kruger was the defensive MVP for the Ravens last year but Ray Lewis overshadowed Kruger’s outstanding performance (especially in the Super Bowl.) Kruger had 13.5 sacks last year and was dominant in the playoffs. The Browns have needs almost everywhere so getting one of the top three free agents available was smart. The Browns are moving to a 3-4, so they need a rush linebacker. Why not get one of the best? Some will complain that Kruger’s inexperience and big contract are reasons to be wary of this deal. Kruger may not have the amount of starts that other guys have, but being apart of the Ravens’ organization has certainly prepared him to step into Cleveland and make a big impact. The contract is big, true, but it is not massive. And, if the deal ends up being $20 mil guaranteed, then cutting him after a few seasons if he doesn’t work wont hurt the cap as badly. I don’t know is Kruger will be a pro bowler, or even if this deal will work out. I do know, though, that Kruger was probably the most important player for Cleveland to get this off-season. The money is well worth it for a Super Bowl starter who just turned 27 and is entering his prime.  

G Andy Levitre- Titans- A

This grade also depends on the guaranteed $ but lets assume it is a 6 year, $46.8 mil with $24 mil guaranteed. Many would call Levitre the top player in the market and a top 3 guard in the league. The Titans have struggled with their offensive line, so locking up at least two guards was a must this offseason. One of them being Levitre is a big deal. For those that have wondered why Chris Johnson has struggled over the past two seasons, watch the tape. The Titans cannot block anyone. Levitre was a “break the bank” type player, so that’s why the Titans offered him such a massive deal. Also, if one is going to break the bank for a player, guard may be the safest position. Yes, a lot of players do go easy after getting big bucks, but that is less so for guards. And, like Kruger, the contract isn’t enormous so cutting Levitre in a few years will not kill the Titans. This move was a no brainer but of ultimate importance for the Titans.

Free Agency 2013

Hey all,

Been a while. Here is my thoughts  on the free agent moves so far this season. Trades are at the bottom of the page. Also, please comment on the post and follow the blog using your gmail. Enjoy!

Free Agency 2013

Signings

* indicates resign

QB Dennis Dixon- Eagles- Grade: A-

This move makes sense on two levels. First, Dixon makes sense in Kelly’s offense considering Kelly coached Dixon at Oregon. Dixon could be the starter and has the potential to be an RG3 like player (although, probably more like an RG2.) Secondly, though, the signing of Dixon puts pressure on Vick to perform, which I think was the ultimate goal of this signing. Many would consider Dixon a younger (but worse) version of Vick. For a relatively small contract, the only downsides are that Dixon hasn’t shown that much in the NFL and could make Vick under confident. The latter would be a big problem.

SS George Wilson- Titans- A-

The 32 year-old safety signed also a relatively small contract (2 years, 4 mil) that could be a nice short term fix for the Titans. Wilson is a pretty solid player who has been a rather stable part of the Bills uneven defense. The titans have a lot of offensive needs so securing a safety position with a solid veteran was a good call.  I will say, though, that considering the secondary problems with the Titans last year, it would have been nice to see them get a bigger upgrade than a declining veteran.

*OT William Beatty- Giants- B

The Giants had to resign Beatty, considering he was one of the few players who was consistent last season for them. But for 5 years and 38.75 mil, I think they overpaid. Beatty committed 11 penalties last year and was very pedestrian in run blocking. His pass blocking is what earned him this contract (only 3 sacks surrendered) but, to me, it does not warrant this kind of money for an above average right tackle. Also, this free agency and draft classes are deep in the tackle positions so this move seems like a waste.

*QB Joe Flacco- Ravens- B

Did Joe Flacco deserve to be the highest paid player in the NFL? No. Could the ravens have done anything differently? No. Enough said.

*WR Dwayne Bowe- Chiefs- C+

Bowe got a massive contract (5 years, 56 mil, 24 guaranteed) for someone who has completely relied on natural talent to make it in the NFL. He has character and work ethic issues but was “good enough” on the offseason issues to pass the test. The main reason for the C+ (as opposed to a B) is because of his hands- Bowe lead the league in drops last year and even though he had shaky QB play, great players make great plays and get great money. Unfortunately for Chiefs fans, Bowe only got the last one. I am considering moving this down to a C, but the guy does have some real natural talent and the stat sheet shows it.

*WR Brian Hartline- Dolphins- B-

Skeptics of Hartline will point to his one touchdown last year for a supposed #1 receiver as a reason this deal deserves an F. Yes, Hartline did get a 5 year, 37 mil contract but only 12.5 is guaranteed. Keep in mind that Mike Wallace/Greg Jennings/both will in Miami next year so Hartline will be able to move back into his role as a slot receiver next year.  And, Hartline posted a solid 74 receptions and over 1,000 yards meaning that he was used often. I don’t think this contract is ridiculous, but I cannot disagree with the  doubters: this is a below average move.

*QB Matt Moore- Dolphins- B+

Matt Moore may be the top free agent QB in this class (which says a lot.) Having a solid backup for Tannehill is important and Moore, who was there last year, seems like the right guy. Some may say that a 2 yr, 8 mil contract was a bit much for a backup but I think every penny is worth it to lock down a borderline starter as a solid veteran on your team. That being said, I’m surprised Moore accepted this offer considering the weak class, which is why I downgraded this move. Maybe there is something we don’t know but the fact that Moore reached for the money and low playing time is interesting.

*CB Leodis McKelvin- Bills- C-

4 years, 20 mil for a guy that is a below average starter with great speed is an example of something that is starting to define the thought process in the NFL. Yes, McKelvin has the tools to be a great player and certainly is a great punt returner. But he has been a bad corner, especially in zone. The only reason why I don’t fail this move is because of the tricks that he can offer. But, those can easily be found for a guy with far less money.

*FS William Moore- Falcons- A

The only downside to this move is that Moore is injured often, but that is a minimal risk considering he has only missed 8 games over the past 3 years (so only 17% of games.) When he plays, he is one of the best. Moore’s price tag may say 5 yr, 30 mil but only 14 of that is guaranteed which also means, if injury does become a factor, they can cut him with relatively little repercussion. Moore is needed stability for a secondary that may be losing some key players (Grimes, Robinson.) The Falcons needed to lock him down and they did.

DT Cullen Jenkins- Giants- B

3 yrs, 8 mil for a guy who, at one point, was a hot commodity in free agency seems like a bargain in theory. Jenkins’ play has declined as he has gotten older (though he is only 32)

and his comments to the media often create negative buzz in the locker room. Plus, it seems like the Giants always draft a defensive lineman so adding another is a waste of money. Jenkins may have a few good years left in him, but I would be surprised if he played consistently enough (and given the depth of the Giants, if at all) to consider this move an above average deal.

Trades-

Chiefs- QB Alex Smith- A-

49ers- 2013 2^nd round pick, 2014 conditional mid rounder- A

The Chiefs are brilliant. Looking at this poor draft class, it is clear that Smith is at least better than any of the 2^nd round prospects available if not also better than most of the 1^st round picks. Smith has played masterfully in Harbaugh’s offense so that confidence level and grown ability will certainly translate into an easy to understand Andy Reid offense. As for the argument about drafting a QB, I don’t really think the Chiefs apply. They are only 2 years removed from being a playoff team with a relatively similar group of players. And, with the 1^st overall pick, the Chiefs can now draft the best player available instead of being forced to draft Geno Smith who could end up being a bust. Smith could also end up being a bust in KC, which is why the grade isn’t an A. The 49ers do technically win the trade though because of their very brilliant move. Trading a backup QB for the 1^st pick in the second round is a no brainer and the conditional mid round pick makes things better. Collin Kaepernick is clearly the guy in SF.

Seahawks- WR Percy Harvin- B+

Vikings- 2013 1^st, 7^th, 2014 mid rounder- B+

The Seahawks found their playmaker. Harvin is arguable the most explosive playmaker in the NFL so this move certainly has appeal. The Seahawks apparently felt they were one player away from being a contender, and at 24 Harvin is certainly a long-term interest. Health and attitude issues are a concern though as is the value of Harvin: is he worth all of that? My answer is a tentative yes because, when Harvin is explosive, he can make this offense just as good as this defense. The Vikings get the same grade mostly because of what the lack of Harvin means. Yes, the Vikings get a prized 1^st rounder, but they lose a player who was the optimal fit in their offense. Both teams took a similar risk.

49ers- WR Anquan Boldin- B

Ravens- 2013 6^th round pick- B-

Maybe Boldin plays lights out in 2013 and I end up regretting this grade. Probably not, though, because Boldin is 33 and we have already seen him sacrifice his body for the Super bowl. What has he got to gain by playing a few more years on a team that doesn’t pass it all that often? Furthermore, Boldin’s attitude issues aren’t going away and his motivation slowly is. But, I still think he has a few more spectacular plays in him to make this an average move. The Ravens lose their disgruntled wideout, but only get a 6^th in return. I guess that is better than cutting the guy, but c’mon! The Ravens could have done a better job in marketing Boldin.  

Cowboys- Second Half of the Season

Well, I thought this may happen.

The cowboys are sitting at 3-5. The offense is miserable and the defense can't make stops when it matters. But, most importantly, the cowboys are the most unorganized, undisciplined, and overrated team in the NFL. After seeing the game tonight, I would be surprised if the team finished with a winning record this season. And it would literally take a miracle for the Cowboys to get into the playoffs.

It's over. It's done. Goodbye to 2012. Another year to inconsistency, hype and failure in the leadership department.

Thank God for fantasy football because my attention will be focused on three things for this football season:

1. My team

2. The Cardinals, Seahawks, Vikings and Buccaneers (teams that I secretly like)

3. The cowboys off season.

That's right, Cowboys fans. I am already in off season mode.

If I were the Cowboys GM, here are some things I would do to increase my chance of success this offseason.

1. Hire Sean Payton, offer Garrett offensive coordinator-
      This option has become increasingly more popular after speculation that the NFL has terminated Payton's contract, allowing him to become a coaching free agent next year. He has already worked for the Cowboys, lives in Dallas and has a respect for Jerry Jones (one of the few.) The point is that, hiring Payton would bring some discipline to the organization. That's the #1 priority for the unruly Cowboys. Offering Garrett the coordinator job back also makes sense and will allow him to focus on what he is good at, calling plays, and let Payton handle the management side of things. And if Garrett doesn't want the job, that's fine. Garrett is a nice addition but not a necessity for the Cowboys to work. I actually trust Romo over Garrett anyways. Romo can use his sandlot style playing and adapt to whoever is physically calling the plays- and that may end up being Sean Payton.

2. Draft a rookie QB in the 3rd or 4th Round-
   The Cowboys have 2 major holes on the team right now: interior offensive line and safety. Those are must picks in the first two rounds of the draft/free agency. Besides running back depth, I would say the next big issue on the Cowboys is the QB position. Look, I have stood behind Romo through thick and thin but I am getting tired of excuses. The cowboys need to pressure Romo into believing that his job is on the line. Orton, while a good backup, is just a backup and everyone knows that. Drafting a Landry Jones could do 1 of 2 things. Ideally, it makes Romo play better knowing that his job is on the line. Or, it could make him crumble under pressure which would merit a change in QB anyways. Plus, a 3rd or 4th rounder wouldn't be that much of an investment anyway. With Romo's contract set to expire in 2014, drafting a QB makes sense.

3. Dispose of Orlando Scandrick and Dez Bryant-
   Scandrick is one of the worst cornerbacks in the NFL. He can't tackle and he is too inconsistent in coverage. It's time for the Cowboys to move on from him. He also is very expensive so releasing or trading him would create some cap room. I'm not sure about the details of his contract but I do know this: I would rather have a 4th round pick and Mike Jenkins back then to have an overrated corner. Dez, of course, is probably worth a whole blog entry. He has potential but is also a dumb, unlucky and controversial receiver who is not helping the team. And, he is probably worth at least a 2nd round pick if not a 1st round pick. It seems like there are tons of talented receivers who would be great fits for the Cowboys. Bryant needs to go.

There are tons more the Cowboys can do and, after the season, I will probably know more specifics. The point is that the season for the cowboys is over. It's time to start thinking about the future.

Cowboys Season

Hello all,

After watching the Cowboys game last night (in person) I was disappointed. So I came home and did what i always do when I am sad, I researched. I still think that the Cowboys can go 10-6 but, it is going to require a lot. I've broken up the remaining 12 games into three sections, so here it goes:

MUST WINS
@Panthers- Week 7- the cowboys have to get hot early in order to combat Cam
vs.Browns- Week 11- If the cowboys mess up this one...
Reskins (x2)- we have to beat RG3 BOTH TIMES we face him. They have potential but not good yet.

Permissible Losses-
Eagles (x1)- we can lose 1 to the Birds and make the playoffs
@Ravens- Week 6- I have more confidence in Flacco over Romo- especially at home
@Falcons- Week 9- The falcons may be the best team in the NFL- the cowboys are far from it
vs. Steelers- Week 15- The cowboys are not mentally or physically as tough as the steelers

Games that will define the season- the boys have to win all of these to go 10-6. These games will show how tough the Cowboys are:

Eagles (x1)- My prediction is that one of the cowboys vs. eagles games will be close. Just a matter of can we score AND stop vick when it matters.
@Bengals- Week 14- The Bengals are not great but neither are the Cowboys. This one will be close.
vs. Saints- Week 16- The Saints look bad but they can score quickly. Be interested in seeing how bad they are vs. the boys.
vs. Giants- Week 8- I think this is the most defining game of the season for the cowboys. If they win this game, my prediction is that they make the playoffs. If they lose, they will be at home for a third straight year in January.