By: Steve Johnson and Mike Duncan
1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. Washington Redskins (5-11) (from Rams)
Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13)
Matt Kalil, OT, USC
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11)
Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
6. St. Louis Rams (2-14) (from Redskins)
Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
8. Miami Dolphins (6-10)
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
9. Carolina Panthers (6-10)
Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
10. Buffalo Bills (6-10)
Stephon Gilmore, CB South Carolina
11. Kansas City Chiefs
Dontari Poe, DT Memphis
12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
Mark Barron, S, Alabama
15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)
Fletcher Cox, DT, Miss St
16. New York Jets (8-8)
Courtney Upshaw, OLB Alabama
View 16-32 here
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Possible Scenarios at 15 for Birds
By: Steve Johnson
Assuming the Eagles stay at 15 (which I don't believe they will) here are some possible scenarios that could happen.
DT Michael Brockers, LSU
Positives: Brockers is a massive man (6'5 322) with a huge wingspan (83 7/8) that can rarely be moved off the ball. Strong and big enough to push the line back, and wraps and throws down ball carriers.
Negatives: Not nearly as strong as he is big and would benefit from an NFL workout. He is still young, a 21 year old red shirt sophomore, that is still learning the game and would benefit from being in a rotation of veterans. Not the quick, pass rushing type of DT the Eagles tend to look for. He was among the worst in the 20 yard short shuttles posting times of 4.81 and 4.87 at the combine.
Overall: 15 would be a reach for Brockers, especially in a 4-3
DT Fletcher Cox, Miss St
Positives: The most productive DT in the draft this year. The perfect size (6'4 298), speed (4.81 40yd) and quickness (4.55 20yd) you look for in a 4-3 DT. Has and 80 1/2 wingspan and 10 3/8 hands. Quickly spins off blockers and wraps up tackles in space. Dominated in the strongest conference in college football.
Negatives: Only 1 full season of dominance. Explosiveness is in question (26 inch vert). Doesn't always use his hands to get off blocks.
Overall: The Eagles would love for him to fall to 15, but he is likely a top 10 pick, could see them moving up to grab him
S Mark Barron, Alabama
Positives: Great size (6'1 214) that he uses well to put a lick on ball carriers. Can tackle in space, spent most of his time down in the box in an NFL style defense. Has long arms and big hands, which helped him lead the SEC in interceptions as a sophomore. Two year captain, defensive play caller, and very high football IQ you look for in a team leader.
Negatives: Doesn't have the most fluid hips and sometimes gets caught in double moves. Sometimes plays too aggressive and can miss tackles going for the knockout blow. Durability issues prevented him from playing 100% the past two seasons.
Overall: Will probably be available at 15 and would instantly start. Eagles have used 2 straight 2nd rounders on safeties and might be too stubborn to give up on them.
LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College
Positives: A tackling machine, ended his career at BC with 532 tackles, broke his own records year after year. Sees the play development like you want your middle linebacker to. Moves before the play starts and makes all the defensive calls, making your defense better from day 1. A better athlete than i originally thought, ran a 4.60 40, 4.18 20 yard shuttle, and a 38 inch vertical jump. Is 6'3, could put on a little more weight at 242, but is stronger than you think (27 reps of 225). The perfect football guy, brings his lunch pale to work every day type of guy. Excelled in interviews and was described as "the type of guy executives would want their daughters to marry"
Negatives: What you see is what you get, will not get much bigger, almost as if he is maxed out. Short arms hurt him getting around blockers, gets wrapped up easily. Not great quickness and can get beat the second he misreads a play. Watched a lot of film on him, and not once did I see a huge highlight film hit.
Overall: Eagles traded for Ryan, but could use another guy at LB and Reid addressed that he "goofed" in undervaluing the LB position in the wide nine. Most likely will be gone by 15, meaning they would have to trade up
Assuming the Eagles stay at 15 (which I don't believe they will) here are some possible scenarios that could happen.
DT Michael Brockers, LSU
Positives: Brockers is a massive man (6'5 322) with a huge wingspan (83 7/8) that can rarely be moved off the ball. Strong and big enough to push the line back, and wraps and throws down ball carriers.
Negatives: Not nearly as strong as he is big and would benefit from an NFL workout. He is still young, a 21 year old red shirt sophomore, that is still learning the game and would benefit from being in a rotation of veterans. Not the quick, pass rushing type of DT the Eagles tend to look for. He was among the worst in the 20 yard short shuttles posting times of 4.81 and 4.87 at the combine.
Overall: 15 would be a reach for Brockers, especially in a 4-3
DT Fletcher Cox, Miss St
Positives: The most productive DT in the draft this year. The perfect size (6'4 298), speed (4.81 40yd) and quickness (4.55 20yd) you look for in a 4-3 DT. Has and 80 1/2 wingspan and 10 3/8 hands. Quickly spins off blockers and wraps up tackles in space. Dominated in the strongest conference in college football.
Negatives: Only 1 full season of dominance. Explosiveness is in question (26 inch vert). Doesn't always use his hands to get off blocks.
Overall: The Eagles would love for him to fall to 15, but he is likely a top 10 pick, could see them moving up to grab him
S Mark Barron, Alabama
Positives: Great size (6'1 214) that he uses well to put a lick on ball carriers. Can tackle in space, spent most of his time down in the box in an NFL style defense. Has long arms and big hands, which helped him lead the SEC in interceptions as a sophomore. Two year captain, defensive play caller, and very high football IQ you look for in a team leader.
Negatives: Doesn't have the most fluid hips and sometimes gets caught in double moves. Sometimes plays too aggressive and can miss tackles going for the knockout blow. Durability issues prevented him from playing 100% the past two seasons.
Overall: Will probably be available at 15 and would instantly start. Eagles have used 2 straight 2nd rounders on safeties and might be too stubborn to give up on them.
LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College
Positives: A tackling machine, ended his career at BC with 532 tackles, broke his own records year after year. Sees the play development like you want your middle linebacker to. Moves before the play starts and makes all the defensive calls, making your defense better from day 1. A better athlete than i originally thought, ran a 4.60 40, 4.18 20 yard shuttle, and a 38 inch vertical jump. Is 6'3, could put on a little more weight at 242, but is stronger than you think (27 reps of 225). The perfect football guy, brings his lunch pale to work every day type of guy. Excelled in interviews and was described as "the type of guy executives would want their daughters to marry"
Negatives: What you see is what you get, will not get much bigger, almost as if he is maxed out. Short arms hurt him getting around blockers, gets wrapped up easily. Not great quickness and can get beat the second he misreads a play. Watched a lot of film on him, and not once did I see a huge highlight film hit.
Overall: Eagles traded for Ryan, but could use another guy at LB and Reid addressed that he "goofed" in undervaluing the LB position in the wide nine. Most likely will be gone by 15, meaning they would have to trade up
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
2012 NL East Preview
By: Steve Johnson
How they'll finish
National League
East:
1. Phillies
2. Marlins
3. Nationals
4. Braves
5. Mets
The Phillies are still the team to beat in baseballs best division regardless of their injuries up front. Chase Utley will never be the same player but will play through his injuries, just as he did last year. He will be rested, but when he's on the field he'll give 110% every play. Manager Charlie Manuel has shown signs of the Phils playing small ball. Without the power they have had the past 5 years, they will have to use their speed and defense to win games. The Phillies won't win 102 games again, but as long as the Phillies still have Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels pitching from 60 feet, 6 inches, they will win enough games to win the division. The Marlins are the hyped team after making huge acquisitions in the off season to get Heath Bell and Jose Reyes to go along with future MVP Giancarlo (don't call him Mike) Stanton. It comes down to can they live up to the hype and can stud pitcher Josh Johnson return from his injury, oh and not to mention can Carlos Zambrano and Ozzie not kill each other. The Nationals are the young team that every scout is talking about, it's not a matter of IF but WHEN. Their top three starters of Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmerman, and Gio Gonzalez are going to be great. They return their two top hitters Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse, along with a more comfortable Jayson Werth. It's only a matter of time before the sports LeBron James gets called up in Bryce Harper. Watch for the Nats to make a splash and push for a 3rd place with the Braves. The Braves were one of the best teams in baseball going into September last year, so why do we have them so low? The Braves haven't done anything to make their roster better...and everyone else has. Jason Heyward has not looked like the hitter he was projected to be, having a terrible spring to follow up his horrendous 2011 season. There are questions about the Braves bullpen being worked too much last year, and still paying for it this spring. Now that the Braves starting pitching has gotten worse, could the bullpen be worked even more? The biggest question for the Braves, is if Ugly Dan can turn his good spring numbers into a successful season. Mets are a very bad team.
How they'll finish
National League
East:
1. Phillies
2. Marlins
3. Nationals
4. Braves
5. Mets
The Phillies are still the team to beat in baseballs best division regardless of their injuries up front. Chase Utley will never be the same player but will play through his injuries, just as he did last year. He will be rested, but when he's on the field he'll give 110% every play. Manager Charlie Manuel has shown signs of the Phils playing small ball. Without the power they have had the past 5 years, they will have to use their speed and defense to win games. The Phillies won't win 102 games again, but as long as the Phillies still have Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels pitching from 60 feet, 6 inches, they will win enough games to win the division. The Marlins are the hyped team after making huge acquisitions in the off season to get Heath Bell and Jose Reyes to go along with future MVP Giancarlo (don't call him Mike) Stanton. It comes down to can they live up to the hype and can stud pitcher Josh Johnson return from his injury, oh and not to mention can Carlos Zambrano and Ozzie not kill each other. The Nationals are the young team that every scout is talking about, it's not a matter of IF but WHEN. Their top three starters of Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmerman, and Gio Gonzalez are going to be great. They return their two top hitters Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse, along with a more comfortable Jayson Werth. It's only a matter of time before the sports LeBron James gets called up in Bryce Harper. Watch for the Nats to make a splash and push for a 3rd place with the Braves. The Braves were one of the best teams in baseball going into September last year, so why do we have them so low? The Braves haven't done anything to make their roster better...and everyone else has. Jason Heyward has not looked like the hitter he was projected to be, having a terrible spring to follow up his horrendous 2011 season. There are questions about the Braves bullpen being worked too much last year, and still paying for it this spring. Now that the Braves starting pitching has gotten worse, could the bullpen be worked even more? The biggest question for the Braves, is if Ugly Dan can turn his good spring numbers into a successful season. Mets are a very bad team.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Eagles-Cowboys Preview
Eagles-Cowboys Preview
By: Steve Johnson
QB- Both Tony Romo and Mike Vick are coming off Wins in their last games, Romo vs St. Louis, and Vick vs Washington. Vick is coming off a much needed bye week to get his offensive line healthy. Vick has hardly been the issue for the last place Eagle, while Romo has been much of the blame for the Cowboys 3 losses. If either Quarterback is given time, they will have a big game, but if the pressure is on it's hit or miss for both. Vick has been the more consistent Quarterback this year, and is waiting to have a breakout game on national television.
Advantage: Eagles
RB- Demarco Murray broke Emmitt Smith's rushing record last week going for 253 yards against the Rams, but that doesn't make him Emmitt Smith. The 253 yards was against the worst rushing defense in the league. Not to say Murray won't be a good player, but he is no Shady McCoy. This year McCoy has proved to be one of the better running backs in the league. He has three 100 yard games and 8 total touchdowns, compared to Murrays 1 Touchdown and his solo over 40 yard game.
Advantage: Eagles
WR/TE- Dez Bryant has yet to have a 100 yard game but both him and Miles Austin both have 4 touchdowns on the year, while Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson have a combined 5 touchdowns. With that being said the Eagles top two Receivers have outgained the Cowboys top 2 receivers 945 yards to 662 yards. Add in Eagles 3rd WR Jason Avant, who has more yards than both Cowboys receivers, and the Eagles have the advantage.The Eagles have consistently moved the ball down the field but turnovers have killed them all year, if they can cut down on turnovers they could torch the cowboys secondary. The Eagles can man up with the Cowboys Receivers, the problem is stopping Tight End Jason Witten, who has scored in 3 straight games and is clearly superior to Eagles Tight End Brent Celek.
Advantage: Push
OL- The Eagles offensive line has been banged up all year but has been exceeding expectations and playing much better as of late. Right Tackle Todd Herremans has been the most consistent and one of the best players on the team. Getting Left Tackle Jason Peters back is huge, especially having to line up opposite of DeMarcus Ware. The Cowboys line is young and inexperienced and really are the key to this game. If the Cowboys line can't slow down the Eagles pass rush, it could force Romo into making mistakes.
Advantage: Eagles
DL- Jay Ratliff is one of the best nose tackles in the league, and Defense Coordinator Rob Ryan has Ratliff and Ends Kenyon Coleman and Jason Hatcher playing great, but they do not have half the talent the Eagles ends have. The Eagles get back a healthy Trent Cole, arguably one of the best pass rushers in the game today. Defensive Line coach Jim Washburn made adjustments in tightening his wide 9 formation to help out the Eagles weak linebackers, and it clearly made a difference shutting down the Redskins run game. Jason Babin is 5th in the league in sacks with 7.
Advantage: Eagles
LB- This position isn't even close, the Cowboys have one of the best linebacker corps in the league. Demarcus Ware is 2nd in the league in sacks with 8, and he might not even be playing the best out of this group. Second year man Sean Lee has been playing great, causing turnovers and shutting down opponents run game. The Eagles are inexperienced and don't have the awareness you expect from the linebacking position. Rookie Brian Rolle has played better than expected, and is an upgrade over Casey Matthews.
Advantage: Cowboys
DB- Everybody knows about the moves the Eagles made this offseason, but it's the moves the Cowboys didn't make that could make an impact in this game. The Cowboys needed help in the secondary and didn't make any moves. The Eagles however, signed two pro bowl caliber corners, capable of playing man coverage vs the Cowboys Receivers. The Eagles safeties have been playing better since benching Page. Kurt Coleman is coming off a 3 interception game, don't expect another one, but it did give this group and team loads of confidence.
Advantage: Eagles
Special Teams- The Cowboys have yet to find a permanent kick returner and the Eagles have yet to make a big play from theirs. Where the Cowboys have the advantage is in the kicking game. Dan Bailey has been automatic, Eagles kicker Alex Henrey has not. Dallas Punter Mat McBriar is a pro bowl caliber Punter, Eagles Punter Chas Henry is not.
Advantage: Cowboys
Prediction: Eagles 31, Cowboys 23
It's the Eagles vs Cowboys, on Sunday Night Football, on Halloween Eve, after a snowfall...in October. Expect strange things to occur.
By: Steve Johnson
QB- Both Tony Romo and Mike Vick are coming off Wins in their last games, Romo vs St. Louis, and Vick vs Washington. Vick is coming off a much needed bye week to get his offensive line healthy. Vick has hardly been the issue for the last place Eagle, while Romo has been much of the blame for the Cowboys 3 losses. If either Quarterback is given time, they will have a big game, but if the pressure is on it's hit or miss for both. Vick has been the more consistent Quarterback this year, and is waiting to have a breakout game on national television.
Advantage: Eagles
RB- Demarco Murray broke Emmitt Smith's rushing record last week going for 253 yards against the Rams, but that doesn't make him Emmitt Smith. The 253 yards was against the worst rushing defense in the league. Not to say Murray won't be a good player, but he is no Shady McCoy. This year McCoy has proved to be one of the better running backs in the league. He has three 100 yard games and 8 total touchdowns, compared to Murrays 1 Touchdown and his solo over 40 yard game.
Advantage: Eagles
WR/TE- Dez Bryant has yet to have a 100 yard game but both him and Miles Austin both have 4 touchdowns on the year, while Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson have a combined 5 touchdowns. With that being said the Eagles top two Receivers have outgained the Cowboys top 2 receivers 945 yards to 662 yards. Add in Eagles 3rd WR Jason Avant, who has more yards than both Cowboys receivers, and the Eagles have the advantage.The Eagles have consistently moved the ball down the field but turnovers have killed them all year, if they can cut down on turnovers they could torch the cowboys secondary. The Eagles can man up with the Cowboys Receivers, the problem is stopping Tight End Jason Witten, who has scored in 3 straight games and is clearly superior to Eagles Tight End Brent Celek.
Advantage: Push
OL- The Eagles offensive line has been banged up all year but has been exceeding expectations and playing much better as of late. Right Tackle Todd Herremans has been the most consistent and one of the best players on the team. Getting Left Tackle Jason Peters back is huge, especially having to line up opposite of DeMarcus Ware. The Cowboys line is young and inexperienced and really are the key to this game. If the Cowboys line can't slow down the Eagles pass rush, it could force Romo into making mistakes.
Advantage: Eagles
DL- Jay Ratliff is one of the best nose tackles in the league, and Defense Coordinator Rob Ryan has Ratliff and Ends Kenyon Coleman and Jason Hatcher playing great, but they do not have half the talent the Eagles ends have. The Eagles get back a healthy Trent Cole, arguably one of the best pass rushers in the game today. Defensive Line coach Jim Washburn made adjustments in tightening his wide 9 formation to help out the Eagles weak linebackers, and it clearly made a difference shutting down the Redskins run game. Jason Babin is 5th in the league in sacks with 7.
Advantage: Eagles
LB- This position isn't even close, the Cowboys have one of the best linebacker corps in the league. Demarcus Ware is 2nd in the league in sacks with 8, and he might not even be playing the best out of this group. Second year man Sean Lee has been playing great, causing turnovers and shutting down opponents run game. The Eagles are inexperienced and don't have the awareness you expect from the linebacking position. Rookie Brian Rolle has played better than expected, and is an upgrade over Casey Matthews.
Advantage: Cowboys
DB- Everybody knows about the moves the Eagles made this offseason, but it's the moves the Cowboys didn't make that could make an impact in this game. The Cowboys needed help in the secondary and didn't make any moves. The Eagles however, signed two pro bowl caliber corners, capable of playing man coverage vs the Cowboys Receivers. The Eagles safeties have been playing better since benching Page. Kurt Coleman is coming off a 3 interception game, don't expect another one, but it did give this group and team loads of confidence.
Advantage: Eagles
Special Teams- The Cowboys have yet to find a permanent kick returner and the Eagles have yet to make a big play from theirs. Where the Cowboys have the advantage is in the kicking game. Dan Bailey has been automatic, Eagles kicker Alex Henrey has not. Dallas Punter Mat McBriar is a pro bowl caliber Punter, Eagles Punter Chas Henry is not.
Advantage: Cowboys
Prediction: Eagles 31, Cowboys 23
It's the Eagles vs Cowboys, on Sunday Night Football, on Halloween Eve, after a snowfall...in October. Expect strange things to occur.
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