Sunday, April 22, 2012

2012 NFL Mock Draft 17-32

Continued...
By: Steve Johnson and Mike Duncan

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) (from Raiders)
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8)
Chandler Jones, DE/OLB Syracuse

19. Chicago Bears (8-8)
Quinton Coples, DE UNC

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7)
David DeCastro, G, Stanford

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)
Lamar Miller, RB Miami

22. Cleveland Browns (4-12) (from Falcons)
Reuben Randle, WR, LSU

23. Detroit Lions (10-6)
Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

25. Denver Broncos (8-8)
Michael Brockers, DT LSU

26. Houston Texans (10-6)
Kendall Wright, WR Baylor

27. New England Patriots (13-3) (from Saints)
Nick Perry, DE/OLB USC

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1)
Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise St

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
Amini Silatolu, G Midwestern St

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)
Coby Fleener, TE Stanford

31. New England Patriots (13-3)
Devon Still, DT PSU

32. New York Giants (9-7)
Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford

2012 NFL Mock Draft 1-16

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

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

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.