You Are On the Clock: Oakland

This is everybody's favorite team to rag on. I can understand why of course. They have the most fickle (and senile) owner in sports. Al Davis fired Lane Kiffin after 20 games as head coach, and instead of letting it go, he actually held a press conference and made a case against him. It was as if Mr. Davis needed to explain to everyone why he fired Kiffin. But would it really be so different then any other firings by Davis? Kiffin didn't produce right away, and Davis feels that should be possible.

So now the Raiders have basically reversed everything about their previous off-season. Javon Walker restructured his deal. Gibril Wilson and DeAngelo Hall are gone. Kwame Harris is long gone. Justin Fargas took a pay cut. Tommie Kelly took a pay cut. The Raiders are trying to reverse everything that went wrong a year ago.

Still, the Raiders haven't had a terrible off-season. Adding Erik Pears, Khalif Barnes and Samson Satele will be a huge improvement for the Raiders who run zone blocking almost exclusively on the offensive line. If one thing is clear, Al Davis loves the extreme, because his secondary is almost totally man-to-man (which is why DeAngelo Hall failed miserably and Michael Huff may get traded).

Now the big news early in the off-season was the 3-year 45 million dollar deal that cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha signed pretty much broke the market wide open. At that point, it became evident that the Raiders had screwed over the Titans, because there was no way that Albert Haynesworth would accept a deal for only twelve million dollars per season when there was bigger money to be had.

And Washington ate it up and gave Haynesworth what he wanted, and his agent is the guy who gets to say, "I negotiated the 100 million dollar deal."

Regardless, the Raiders are a team constantly in flux because Al Davis doesn't accept anything less than the best, but doesn't realize that he himself is a detriment to his team.

With that being said, Oakland isn't terribly far off if JaMarcus Russell pans out, but I have many many doubts about that.

Oakland Raiders Team Needs:
OT
NT
WR
DE
OLB
OG
FS

For Oakland this isn't going to be an easy selection. There are two very talented players that Oakland is going to be looking at hard, among several others.

1. B.J. Raji, NT, Boston College
This one is going to be hard for Tom Cable to pass up, but if Al Davis passed on Dorsey a year ago, I'm sure he won't be too bothered passing on Raji. While Raji is a superior nose tackle to Dorsey, the Raiders are in the process of building around JaMarcus Russell. They are giving him a terrific three-headed attack to run the ball and now they just need some receiving threats. Still, the Raiders would be doing the right thing in drafting Raji though. Their run defense has struggled badly the last few seasons, and Raji would slide in with Tommy Kelly and certainly help out the struggling Kelly. Raji would have more impact on the Raiders then any other player as he'd open up some major holes for the linebackers and force double teams away from Kelly and Burgess. The Raiders don't lack talent, just good coaching and stability.

2. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
He's fallen this far after a disappointing off-season that included injury concerns and a poor combine weigh-in. Crabtree also doesn't necessarily fit what's best for Oakland's offense because he lacks the elite deep speed and height to go up for one of Russell's deep balls. On the other hand, Crabtree offers a serious upgrade to Javon Walker and Chaz Schilens. Russell has a lot to improve upon, and adding Crabtree could make him a more complete quarterback.

3. Michael Oher, LT, Ole Miss

While he's clearly not a top five pick like he was during the season, Oher is still a good bet to go in the first half of round one. He could easily go as high as the Top 10, and while Oher is a wonderful athlete he really isn't the best fit for a zone blocking system. Add in the questions about his football IQ and the fact that the Raiders already have signed Khalif Barnes and expressed major confidence in Mario Henderson (a mistake I think) it seems unlikely that the Raiders take Oher. Still, it's a definite draft day possibility.

4. Everette Brown, DE, Florida State

This would be a major upset pick if it happened, as Brown may not crack the Top 10 on draft day (though it is a legitimate possibility). Brown's combination of size and speed is one of the things that would have Al Davis running this pick up to the podium. Davis loves an athletic football player, and Brown's burst off the edge is unparalleled in this year's draft class. If Davis does fall in love, it could very well be Everette.

I don't think Oakland would be wrong to take any of these four players, but there is definitely a worst choice in my opinion. And he's the player I think Oakland will take. He's not the best fit, but if he pans out, he'll make the entire offense better.

With the 7th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft the Oakland Raiders select Michael Crabtree, wide receiver, Texas Tech.

You Are On the Clock: Cincinnati

There are so many teams just waiting to break out of their perpetual state of losing, and Cincinnati is no different. When healthy, they have one of the best quarterbacks in the league and a potent passing game.

But Cincinnati doesn't offer much else. Defensively, they've drafted okay in the secondary, but have been burned by a mediocre, if not bad front seven for most of Marvin Lewis' tenure is the team's head coach. Where Cincinnati in 2009 could differ from teams of the past, is that their interior line, for the first time in a very, very long time may not be a source of weakness, but a source of strength. The pass rush still needs a major overhaul, and the Bengals have to be seriously concerned about a chronic foot injury to former 1st round pick Jonathan Joseph.

The offensive line seems to have broken down, and it isn't helped by the departure of Stacey Andrews to Philadelphia. Andrews may have struggled this season (mostly due to nagging injuries and a position change), but Andrews has proven to be one of the better run blocking guards in the league when he's healthy.

At receiver, the Bengals are banking 28 million dollars on the abilities of Laveranues Coles matching T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Coles wanted that big pay day, and it came to my surprise that he got it. He's a major injury concern, and while he plays hurt, it limits his effectiveness substantially. Gone are the days where Coles could run a 4.17 40 yard dash. He's a possession receiver now, and the Bengals should think it a win if Coles plays in 14 games and breaks 700 receiving yards.

Cincinnati Bengals Team Needs:
OT
CB
DE
MLB
OLB
RB
FB
OG

Levi Jones has struggled immensely as the teams blindside protector. He plateaued it seems for one season and has gone back to his old ways. The Bengals struggled to run the ball for almost the entire season last year, so an offensive lineman seems like the way to go, but there are other possibilities.

1. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Obviously, the Bengals have filled their need at receiver. Crabtree would simply be a BPA pick at this point. Nobody seems to know what's going on in Chad Ocho Cinco's mind, and he's a total liability towards any idea of team stability. Coles isn't likely to last very much longer in his career, and Chris Henry has had a plethora of legal difficulties. The Bengals could easily select Crabtree, who probably wouldn't contribute much this year, and groom him as their future.

2. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

Cincinnati is going to have a hard time passing Raji up. While they signed Domata Peko to a long-term extension last June, their other defensive tackle Pat Sims, has a lot of potential, but may not necessarily wind up being as good as Raji. The rush defense was far better towards the end of the season during Cincinnati's three game winning streak, and Peko-Sims were a big part of that. While Sims could easily start and contribute in run support, the Bengals are still searching for pass rushing talent. Sims could become a run-support guy, while Raji would be a do-everything guy. The Bengals defensive line would certainly by deep and scary when it came to stopping the run if they took Raji, which is another situation where value comes into play.

3. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

While Smith would face some seriously scary pass rushers in the AFC North, he'd fair no worse then Levi Jones. And more importantly, he's a better run blocker then anyone you'll find in this draft class. Smith could play RT or guard with Andrew Whitworth moving over to LT. Chances are that Smith would play LT and Whitworth would stay at LG. Levi Jones' future is very much in question.

4. Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State
Cedric Benson struggled, as did the Bengals running game as a whole, but he finished with 282 yards and one touchdown in his final two games to earn a 2-year 7 million dollar deal to return to Cincinnati. I'm expecting Cincinnati to add competition at running back, but not with a first round pick, and certainly not in the Top 10. Still, that doesn't make this any less of a realistic possibility.

5. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
If Jonathan Joseph returns to full health, and the Bengals were to draft Jenkins, they'd stick him at free safety and have a very young, talented secondary. But Jonathan Joseph, who finally turned the corner (literally) last year has a chronic foot problem that may completely destabilize his long-term future in Cincinnati. Leon Hall did a terrific job this year at guarding the deep ball, improving exponentially in his last twenty four games with the Bengals. So far, the 2007 CB class is looking really good, and Cincinnati probably isn't going to feel the need to draft a guy who may wind up being no more then a #2 corner or free safety at 6th overall.

6. Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State

While I prefer Everette Brown, teams are in love with Maybin's potential. He's got a very high ceiling, but he's incredibly raw--coming out as a redshirt sophomore amid draft buzz created by ESPN's Todd McShay. Maybin put together a very good season for Penn State, leading the Big Ten in sacks with 12. After Maybin weigned in at 6'4'', 250, teams became enamored with him as a blind side pass rusher. He may very well go in the Top 10, and while I don't anticipate it happening, I also won't be stunned if it does.


Cincinnati will look at these six players, but Crabtree, Raji, and Smith make the most sense among the potential draftees. Marvin Lewis has expressed his faith in Pat Sims as the UT for Cincinnati, and the Bengals are going to walk a tight rope to keep Chad Johnson happy. With the woes of the offensive line last year, it becomes apparent how the Bengals need to pick.

With the 6th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select offensive tackle Andre Smith from Alabama.

You Are On the Clock: Cleveland

Cleveland has a fanbase that deserves a lot better then they've gotten. The Dawg Pound faithful have been treated to just two winning seasons in the ten years since Cleveland rejoined the NFL. Only once have they made the playoffs in that span.

But the Browns aren't terribly far off. Despite their major issues last season, the Browns have a lot of talent, but very little chemistry and zero discipline. Low and behold, the Browns hire former Jets head coach Eric Mangini who is a master of discipline. For one, at least there won't be Browns players accused of giving up on the season, because Mangini won't stand for it. It's his way or the highway, and he'll get that through your head after the first day of training camp.


Once again, the Browns aren't terribly far off. It may just be posturing to increase Anderson's trade value, but Mangini is a believer in open competition, and the Browns will have an open battle at quarterback to start the season. Quinn will likely be the starter, and there will likely be a draft day trade for Derek Anderson (low value), but if both are on the roster when training camp opens, the Browns will have an open competition for sure. My money is still on Quinn, who is a technician on the field, as opposed to Anderson who is a gunslinger with a big arm and below average short-to-moderate accuracy.

Mangini has brought over a slew of ex-Jets for depth purposes. David Bowens and C.J. Mosely will both be back-ups, but Eric Barton will likely start next to D'Qwell Jackson. The Browns are still searching for a valid pass rusher across from Kamerion Wimbley, who has struggled immensely since a great rookie year.

What the Browns need the most to get back to their old school winning ways is for Shaun Rogers to adapt to a 2-gap system (which Mangini should be able to accomplish), and for Corey Williams to drop about 10 pounds and do the same. These two have a ton of talent, but don't exactly fit the 2-gap 3-4 system that Romeo Crennel, and now Eric Mangini, are running. The Browns invested big money in these two, so they'd better adjust, because Cleveland needs to be able to stop the run this year.

In the secondary, the Browns have a lot of potential. Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright have shown flashes of brilliance, but neither have been able to put it all together. Brodney Pool has shown similar flashes, but has been dealing with injury problems. The Browns are expected to upgrade at safety during the draft.

Cleveland Browns Team Needs:
OLB (3-4)
RT
WR2
ILB (3-4)
SS
DE (3-4)
RB
RG
CB
C

Expect Mangini to try and get out of the fifth overall pick, but it's unlikely that he's going to be very successful unless the Seahawks pass on Matthew Stafford and he falls to Cleveland. In that case, the Browns might be able to get a QB starved team to trade up for Stafford.

But the Browns have some really good options to look at. They still have a lot of work to do, but I can imagine Mangini using similar smoke and mirrors from the 2006 Jets squad to hide the Browns potential flaws next season.

1. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Crabtree is a great compliment for Braylon Edwards, who is likely going to remain in Cleveland now that Kellen Winslow II is gone. Edwards was the right choice to stay in Cleveland as he has the longer shelf life, even though he has not endeared himself to the Cleveland fans, and may find himself out of Cleveland after this season. While Edwards is a terrific deep threat, Crabtree will get the tough yards and over the middle routes that Brady Quinn excels at. Crabtree would be lethal with Quinn as his quarterback, because Quinn can best utilize Crabtree's superb route running and soft hands. The Browns will look hard at Crabtree on draft day.

2. Brian Orakpo, OLB, Texas

Orakpo was a defensive end in college, finishing this season with 10.5 sacks, but he's going to play rush outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, and there's a very high probability that he winds up in Cleveland. He's considered the best pass rusher in the draft, and he's got quite a bit more size, but similar athleticism to Kamerion Wimbley. Adding a pass rusher will benefit Wimbley and Cleveland as a whole. They've been missing this for a very long time. One thing to note is that it's a very deep draft class for 3-4 outside linebackers.

3. B.J. Raji, NT/DE, Boston College

There is no one player who could have a bigger impact in Cleveland then B.J. Raji. He's built like Casey Hampton, but plays like Kris Jenkins. There are two main issues with Raji. He's built to play NT in a 3-4 or a 4-3, or UT in a 4-3. However, he really doesn't have the correct build to play defensive end. He's shorter than a standard 3-4 DE, and his arms are far shorter then the prototypical 3-4 DE. If, however, the Browns feel that Shaun Rogers can kick outside to play 3-4 DE (he'd have to lose a little weight though), then the Browns could kick Raji inside and have their true 2-gapper at nose tackle. Rogers wouldn't have to be as disciplined at DE, though it would still require a lot of gap control. Raji would be a big risk for Cleveland to take, but if they feel that Rogers can play DE, this pick may be worth it, because Raji is going to be an elite NT (or 4-3 UT even) in the NFL.

4. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
The Browns will entertain this notion briefly, before ultimately shooting it down. Smith would be a Hall of Fame right tackle in the NFL, but you don't take a player to play right tackle at 5th overall.

5. Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State

The Browns have a not-so-secret love affair with local college Ohio State, and Wells would be the eventual replacement for Jamal Lewis at some point during this season. The Browns still would need a scat back if they feel Jerome Harrison can't do the job. Wells would fit right in with Mangini's running philosophies.

6. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

The Browns will definitely entertain this one. Jenkins is an Ohio State graduate and a very physical corner who compares favorably to Nate Clements. Many think that his timed speed will limit him to free safety in the NFL, but there's no reason he can't play just as well as Darrelle Revis did for the Jets. This isn't a big enough need for Cleveland for them to take Jenkins this early, nor is he the best player available.

Two more names I want to throw out, but won't write about are Tyson Jackson (DE, LSU) and Evander "Ziggy" Hood (DE, Missouri). Both will play defensive end in a 3-4, and neither player is worth the 5th overall pick. I won't be surprised if Cleveland trades back to take either of these two players, or trades up to acquire one of them.

Be that as it may. It's decision time in Cleveland. Michael Crabtree puts way too much money in one position, B.J. Raji is too much of a risk for us, we won't draft a RT 5th overall, and CB isn't a huge need.

So it comes down to Brian Orakpo vs. Beanie Wells? In this case, the answer is obvious. The 3-4 defense is very specialized, and running backs are usually a dime a dozen. Beanie is talented, but Orakpo fills an enormous need and can excel from the rush linebacker position.

With the 5th overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns select Brian Orakpo, outside linebacker from the University of Texas.

You Are On the Clock: Seattle

Six wide receivers, five offensive linemen, two quarterbacks, and a starting running back to boot all got hurt this year for the Seattle Seahawks, who had dominated the mediocre NFC West for a very long time. But after a 4-12 crash down to Earth and the retirement of head coach Mike Holmgren, it's time for the Seattle Seahawks to reload.

The Seahawks still have confidence in Hasselbeck's ability, but they have not hidden their concerns about his health, and they don't believe Seneca Wallace is a viable long-term solution. They added T.J. Houshmandzadeh this off-season to a huge contract, which I think will blow up in their face, but it's unlikely that Seattle tries to upgrade the receiver position anymore, as they have their split end, flanker, and slot receiver all set.

The Seahawks also have to be concerned about their offensive line and running game. Walter Jones is coming off of a mediocre season (yet somehow made the Pro Bowl) and had microfracture surgery on his knee. The Seahawks may need to start thinking about getting their future blindside protector on the roster, unless they believe that Sean Locklear is their man. The Seahawks think highly of Locklear and center Chris Spencer, but both suffered season ending injuries, and Spencer is entering a contract year. In fact, Locklear, who got an extension last off-season, may be their only guarantee for the future on the offensive line.

On the defensive side of the ball, Seattle is a lot better off. They could have a lethal defense, and probably would have last year, but sometimes an offense can be so detrimental that it malaffects the defense. The most obvious example is an offense that can't stay on the field and causes their defense to have to keep coming out every couple of minutes. By the end of the year, it can add up to a defense having played an extra game or two.

Still, Seattle could have one of the deepest defensive lines in the NFL if they stay healthy next season. With young standout Brandon Mebane and Colin Cole will clog the middle effeciently, with potential breakout player Red Bryant backing them up. On the outside the Hawks will have Cory Redding returning to LDE, where he played his best football in Detroit. Redding is a terrific run stopping DE, and should excel if he stays healthy. Darryl Tapp will become a situational pass rusher, and Lawrence Jackson could take over at RDE if Patrick Kerney's second reconstructive shoulder surgery is career threatening. A return to full health for Kerney could be a game-breaker for Seattle.

LeRoy Hill was franchise tagged, and while his long-term future with Seattle is in question, he could have a huge year in Mora's defensive scheme playing a similar role to new Giants OLB Michael Boley.

The secondary needs a major overhaul. The team is expected to move to a Cover 2/Tampa 2 type of zone in the secondary, and while this will be fine for Marcus Trufant, it's going to create a hole at #2 corner. Josh Wilson will probably move to the slot, and Kelly Jennings (the 2006 1st round pick) may need to find a new home entirely. The Seahawks committed a lot of money to Deon Grant two off-seasons ago, and to Marcus Trufant last season. They're going to need to probably upgrade at free safety and #2 corner after having one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL last season (and worst pass rushes).

Seattle Seahawks Team Needs:
FS
QB
OT
OG
OLB
P

So now for Seattle, what's next?

1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

The Seahawks are going to give Stafford a seriously hard look. He's considered the elite prospect at quarterback this year, and Stafford's got an absolute cannon for an arm. Coach Jim Mora Jr. is on the record that he believes the position needs to be upgraded this off-season because of potential lingering injuries to Matt Hasselbeck. Stafford would have no problem throwing a fastball through the rain and wind of Seattle, but he isn't really the right fit for the Seahawks. They call for a lot of shorter, accurate passes and Stafford's arm would be put to waste. Considering that there's been some concern about Stafford's consistency and short and moderate passing accuracy their is major cause for concern here. Stafford could fall even further.

2. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Despite having over 90 million dollars tied up in their top three receivers, the Seahawks are going to give Crabtree a seriously hard look. Nate Burleson is expected to play split end next season according to SI's Bucky Brooks, and if he's right, then the Seahawks may need an upgrade. Burleson is coming off a torn ACL, and has only been running for a month. If the Seahawks feel that Burleson isn't going to be the same receiver (and he hasn't been all that great since one standout year in Minnesota), then it may be time to say goodbye to Burleson, who restructured his contract to stay in Seattle. While it's a lot of money to tie into the receiver position, Crabtree could be a truly special player with the Hawks, as he fits exactly what there system calls for--short, crisp route running and getting YAC.

3. Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

This could be a seriously scary match for the Seattle Seahawks, and they're going to give Sanchez the hardest look of any team picking so far. His best attributes are his pinpoint accuracy and poise in the pocket. His natural leadership is also highly valued (not as highly as Stafford's). His arm strength isn't elite, but neither is Matt Hasselbeck's, so he shouldn't have a problem in any bad weather. Plus, Sanchez needs a few years on the bench, and Hasselbeck/Wallace should be able to hold down the fort, because Sanchez really shouldn't start in the NFL until his 2nd or 3rd year.

4. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

This pick would give the Seahawks a ton of versatility at the tackle position because Walter Jones may be moving to RT after his current injury. Smith could be drafted, stuck at either guard position, and groomed as a future tackle when Jones finally does decide to hang it up. The other option, of course, is Jones retiring and Smith starting immediately at tackle, but I don't see that happening. Any team that adds Smith will have the capability to be a dominant run blocking squad.

5. Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State

I will say this for the record that I've always been a big fan of Chris Wells, and I'm glad that his stock has jumped back up after taking a major hit this season. At one point considered a serious Heisman contender, an injury derailed Wells' season. He still finished with respectable numbers: 207 carries for 1197 yards and eight touchdowns, but his stock took a huge hit. Wells looked really good against Texas during the Fiesta Bowl. He was hitting the open holes really hard, and looked fully recovered from his injury. He ran a sub 4.4 which got him back into the mix as a top ten pick. While I don't think Wells is going to be an Adrian Peterson, I think he's going to have a very good career in the NFL as long as he can stay healthy. The Seahawks Julius Jones tailed off quite a bit, and T.J. Duckett is not the answer. Maurice Morris was hurt most of last season, so Seattle could be seriously enticed by a running back.


With that being said I think the true debate here is Matthew Stafford vs. Mark Sanchez. Talent vs. System. Stafford has fallen into Seattle's laps unexpectedly, and they've got a chance to acquire a game breaker at quarterback. On the other hand, Mark Sanchez fits their system and their need perfectly. He doesn't have to start right away, and can eventually replace Hasselbeck without the team missing much of a beat.

Sanchez has a ton of talent, and he fits the system better. But Stafford's overall talent level is better, and he's not such a misfit in Seattle that he'd bust. There are things he needs to work on, and no player is a finished product. With Hasselbeck and Wallace ahead of him, he should be ready to lead Seattle at some point during his first season or early in his second season.

With the fourth overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford.

You Are On the Clock: Kansas City

If there was ever a team that could be ready for a bounce back year, it's Kansas City. They have a plethora of talent, but it hasn't all been properly utilized. Of course, it could be a slight problem now that Kansas City is moving to a 3-4 defense. Where will Glenn Dorsey and Tamba Hali fit into a 3-4 defense? Or even a hybrid defense?

And then there's the acquisition of Matt Cassel. This intrigues me as much as it concerns me. On the one hand, Haley wants to use a similar pass happy system in Kansas City that he used in Arizona. On the other hand, is Cassel going to be a waste because of his inability to throw deep? And what about Tyler Thigpen? Despite Thigpen's flaws, he put up some really good numbers in spite of an overwhelmingly weak offensive line, a terrible defense, and only two solid weapons in an overly conservative offense. And that was all from a guy who wasn't even a quarterback in high school and was a 7th round draft pick a few years back.

Todd Haley has said that he's going to open the quarterback job up as a competition, and surprisingly the Chiefs aren't going to give Cassel a contract extension. From the looks of things, they want to use this one-year 16 million dollar contract as a means of a tryout. If Cassel continues to play well, maybe he'll get a deal, but the Chiefs are playing with fire, and if Cassel is gone after the 2009-10 season then that would be a major waste of the 34th overall pick--especially when the early 2nd round is usually where a team can snag a guy who should have been in the first round and just happened to fall.

One would think that Kansas City has nowhere to go but up, but the defensive transition is going to cause a lot of question marks. In fact, Kansas City isn't a bad team per se, they are just a team with a ton of question marks.

Kansas City Chiefs Team Needs (In Order of Importance):

DE/OLB
MLB/ILB
OT
OG
C
WR
RB
NT
DT/E

You'll notice that I'm not very specific here. In the 3-4 defenses you often find today's 4-3 DE's moving to OLB, the 4-3 OLB's moving to ILB, and the defensive tackles moving to defensive end. The 3-4 is a very specialized defense, and when run properly it's nearly flawless as it can put major pressure on opposing quarterbacks and completely stuff the run.

But, it's a highly specialized defense, and there are some problems in Kansas City if they decide to use it full-time. Glenn Dorsey will probably move over to defensive end, because he's not stout enough to play nose tackle, but one has to ask whether or not he's tall enough or has long enough arms to play the defensive end role properly. Tamba Hali, Kansas City's 2006 1st round pick isn't even remotely big enough to play defensive end in a 3-4, where pretty much the entire defensive line is predicated on size and leverage, but he may not have quick enough hips or the coverage ability to play outside linebacker. His future as a full-time starter with the Chiefs is in question.

On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs drafted Branden Albert to play LT last year, even though he played LG in college at UVA. Obviously Albert has the skillset to play LT, but he struggled this year at times and may honestly be better suited moving back to LT. In this case, Kansas City could very well make it three teams in a row grabbing a left tackle. Consider the fact that Brian Waters wants out of Kansas City, the Chiefs offensive line is still going to be in disarray in 2009.

Either way, Kansas City needs to give Albert a hand on the left side of the line, they need to replace Rudy Niswanger at center, who Herman Edwards unwisely plucked from his career as a special teamer to a role as a starting center in an offense predicated on power running. The Chiefs could also do with replacing Adrian Jones and Damion McIntosh.

There's nothing really certain for the Chiefs. In this case, they should probably go best player available short of a quarterback.

Here are the players they will entertain:

1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Just for the briefest moment they'll entertain it and they'll shoot it down. They'd have about 100 million locked up in QB's if they decided to draft him.

2. Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
They're going to do more then entertain this one. The Chiefs need an outside linebacker opposite Derrick Johnson or they'll need an inside linebacker when they use 3-4 looks. It's not exactly common to see a 3-4 ILB taken this high, but he'll be playing two seperate positions and he's probably the safest pick in this draft when you combine his collegiate production, instincts, athleticism, and size. His role in Kansas City is muddled though, so it's not going to be any guarantee.

3. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Raji is a very good choice here if Kansas City is serious about moving to a 3-4. He'd help out Glenn Dorsey a lot as Dorsey would have much more freedom during 4-3 sets as the undertackle. Still, I can't imagine Kansas City locking this much money up into their defensive line, especially when there's no guarantee of what system they are going to be playing. A hybrid system makes it really hard on us mock drafters.

4. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

The Chiefs new offense is going to run a lot of three and four sets with receivers, so Michael Crabtree is a legitimate option here. However, I'm not sure Crabtree is the best compliment for Dwayne Bowe. If the Chiefs do select Crabtree, he'll mesh well as he is a superb route runner and he'd probably be the easy lock for offensive rookie of the year because Matt Cassel's best asset is his accuracy allowing for YAC, and Crabtree can pick up a lot of YAC.

5. Andre Smith, LT, Alabama

Could three offensive linemen really go in the first three picks? Usually I'd say no, but this year their may very well be six offensive tackles taken in the first round, with potentially two interior linemen going in the first as well. Smith is an outside shot, and he could play pretty much anywhere on the line. His pass blocking abilities against speed rushers has been questioned, but he is far and away the most dominant run blocker since Marcus McNeill in 2006. Wherever Smith goes, a team will find a position for him because of his punshing run blocking abilities, and more importantly his ability to play to the whistle. While his off-season has hurt him quite a bit, it would still shock me if he wasn't a top ten pick come April.

6. Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas

I'm not Orakpo's biggest fan, but his talent and skillset is undeniable. His collegiate production scares me. While had 10.5 sacks this past season, only 4.5 sacks came in conference against legitimate Big 12 competition. The Chiefs desperately need a pass rusher opposite Tamba Hali, and Orakpo can play DE in a 4-3 or OLB in a 3-4 which suits the Chiefs, but he's not worth the 3rd overall pick. I can't really see them grabbing him.

So what do the Chiefs do? They don't feel like a blank canvas so much as a canvas that somebody started painting on and then decided about halfway through they didn't like it.

It comes down to either Curry or Crabtree. We know how the NFL works. Curry has had the better off-season so he's the logical choice. How will the Chiefs be thinking on draft day?

We need to surround any one of our QB's with a solid offensive line and good weapons. Bowe, Crabtree, and Gonzalez would be good for whoever plays quarterback.

OR

The defense is really far off. We're not sure yet what system we want to use, and Curry can play in both of them. The offense we're using tends to inflate receivers stats, so perhaps we don't need to draft one this early.

To me, reasoning #2 is going to prevail here, and because Curry will probably make less then Crabtree would.

With the 3rd overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft the Kansas City Chiefs select Aaron Curry, linebacker, from Wake Forest.

You Are On the Clock: St. Louis

The Rams have gone a paltry 5-27 in their last two seasons. At some point something has to give. The Rams have far too much talent to have won five games in only two years. Admittedly, they've been stung hard by the injury bug, and they've held onto players they should have parted with a year too long (Orlando Pace), but the coaching has been absolutely atrocious. Scott Linehan made enemies out of his star players, which was probably the straw that broke the camels back. Besides Linehan's poor personnel decisions and mediocre game day calls, he lost the locker room.

Someone's going to have to instill some confidence in Marc Bulger, because all of last season it seemed like he played without much confidence or without any real flare to his game. Rams GM Billy Devaney said earlier this month that it's no secret Steven Jackson is their best weapon, and that they want to build the offense around him. So far, this isn't looking like a smokescreen. The Rams have added fullback Mike Karney and stud center Jason Brown. The Rams could move to a ball control offense.

On the other side, the Rams don't lack talent on defense, but they lack good coaching, experience, and depth. They've got some good young defensive linemen in Chris Long and Adam Carriker, but the linebacking corp. is stretched pretty thin. The secondary has some bright spots, but also needs some work.

St. Louis Rams Team Needs (In Order of Importance):
LT
MLB
NT
WR
LDE
OG
CB
QB

That list was longer, but as earlier noted, the Rams have done a good job filling needs by signing Jason Brown and Mike Karney, as well as re-signing Ronald Bartell Jr. The Rams are putting up a smokescreen around their pick however. They are trying to maintain a sense of flexibility by claiming Alex Barron, their struggling RT will move over to the blind side and that struggling left guard Jacob Bell will move and become an undersized right tackle.

It's not exactly a great idea. Bell just needs a great center next to him, which he's going to get with Brown. This can allow St. Louis to figure out what to do with John Greco and Alex Barron. Barron may very well be done, and it's a testament to their lack of talent that he's been starting this long.

So now, the Lions decide to copy what Miami did, and take a left tackle to start things off. St. Louis now has Matthew Stafford falling right into their laps. What do they do?

1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
2. Jason Smith, LT, Baylor
3. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
4. Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
5. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
6. Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

Once again we have six players to consider. Instead of Eugene Monroe we see Michael Crabtree on this list. St. Louis and Detroit have a lot of similar needs, which is after all how a team winds up being consistently bad year in and year out.

So while Stafford is going to have the most value to a franchise, seeing as he is considered a franchise quarterback, the Rams will have to take a good long look at him. Then they'll come to their senses and realize that they have way too much money tied up in Marc Bulger to justify giving 75-80 million to a rookie QB.

Then we remember that St. Louis wants to become a run oriented team. That somewhat diminishes the value of a quarterback, and it all comes back to the dollars and cents, so why would St. Louis want to spend the money on Stafford?

We move on down the list and see a great choice in Jason Smith. As noted earlier, Smith is a great all-around tackle and a superb pass protector. He's a better run blocker then Eugene Monroe, but his biggest flaw is his lack of experience at the offensive tackle position (like Jason Peters, he's a converted tight end). Smith isn't necessarily raw for being so inexperienced either, he will only get better through increased reps.

B.J. Raji would be a wonderful choice here. A 4-3 NT is probably the position where Raji could do the most possible damage. In a 3-4, he'd be asked to two-gap, and while Raji could do it, it'd waste his considerable talent. In this system, a one-gapping system, he'd be asked to cause as much havoc as humanly possible like Shaun Rogers did in Detroit. Plus, putting Raji on a line with Carriker and Long could be really dangerous. Even the aged Leonard Little still has it in him when he's healthy. Raji would make sense for new coach Steve Spagnuolo as he wants to have a lot of versatility on his defensive line.

Aaron Curry is another pick that would fit well for St. Louis. He is the safest player in the draft and fills a team need at strong-side linebacker. There's only one problem here, the Spagnuolo front has a tendency to devalue linebackers, so St. Louis taking one 2nd overall wouldn't be extremely useful.

Michael Crabtree would have been a more legitimate possibility if he hadn't had such a poor off-season. Injuries and workouts aside, Crabtree measured in at only 6'1'', and it's quite clear he's more of an Anquan Boldin then a Calvin Johnson. As good as Anquan Boldin was, he's not 2nd overall good. And with St. Louis putting their emphasis on the run, what's the point?

Mark Sanchez is included out of courtesy since he would be looked at for the same reasons as Matthew Stafford. Again their have been some rumors about St. Louis potentially coveting Sanchez over Stafford, but there's nothing guaranteed in the pre-draft rumors.

So what's the deal?

Jason Smith vs. B.J. Raji

Basically it's going to come down to desperation vs. philosophy, and the important of Steven Jackson vs. the Rams defensive line.


On the one hand, the Rams are desperate for a left tackle. They know that they can probably squeeze together a decent interior line with Jacob Bell, Jason Brown, and Richie Incognito/John Greco. However, Alex Barron has been a disaster with his inconsistent, penalty-ridden play. The Rams have got to find a replacement for him. This class is definitely tackle heavy, but none of them truly match up with the big four. Taking Smith would be a huge benefit to St. Louis' supposed "number one weapon" Steven Jackson. They've already committed to the running game by adding a top center and fullback.


Then there's philosophy. Spagnuolo can recreate what he had with the Giants defensive line by adding as many playmakers as possible, and Raji is most definitely a playmaker. Not only is he a playmaker, but defenses will struggle to handle a defensive line that has a bunch of players that you can't double team. The obvious key is Raji though, he'll elevate the play of Chris Long and Adam Carriker, the Rams last two first round picks.

So here's what it comes down to. Conventional wisdom would say the head coach is going to want his versatile defensive line, and when you consider the depth of the offensive tackle class, you'd think go take B.J. Raji and have one of the most dominant young defensive lines in football.

But Jason Smith is the pick here. The Rams know that they have no shot at winning if they don't have solid offensive line play, and Smith has shown he's a very quick learner. Smith-Bell-Brown-Incognito-Greco/Barron just need to gel.

With the 2nd overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft the St. Louis Rams select Jason Smith, offensive tackle, from Baylor.

You Are On the Clock: Detroit

Ask yourself exactly what you would do in the shoes of Detroit Lions General Manager Martin Mayhew. You are the guiding hand that will attempt to rebuild the most moribund franchise in sports. A team that completel collapsed dating back to 2007 and has won only one game in their last twenty four attempts.

You've got the first overall pick, a blessing and a curse--a double edged sword, both a reward and a punishment for going 0-16. On the one hand, you have the ability to take anyone you want. Whoever you think is the best player for your franchise, there is no other team standing in your way. The only thing that can hinder a beautiful marriage of 1st overall pick and team is the dollars and the cents.

So as we count down to the draft, which begins in thirty-one days, I am going to post individually who I think each team is going to select in the first round, and break down that team's thought process.

The Detroit Lions are on the clock.

I've seen some bad defenses in my day, but Detroit's takes the cake. Last in yards allowed (404.4 per game), last in yards per play (6.4 per play), 27th in passing yards allowed (232 per game), highest opposing QB rating (110.9), highest rushing yards per carry allowed, rushing yards per game allowed, and rushing touchdowns allowed.

Yes, they were really that bad. Injuries certainly didn't help, as Cory Redding was lost for most of the season, and the Lions dealt Shaun Rogers during the off-season. The secondary was completely roasted, with Leigh Bodden struggling to adapt to the Lions zone-heavy scheme.

Offensively, the Lions struggled as well. They were 30th in yards per game (268), 24th in passing yards per game (185), allowed the 2nd most sacks of any team (52), and were 30th in rushing yards. They were really that bad.

This off-season the Lions have done a relatively good job of improving their abhorrent talent level, but they still lack depth at just about every position. They added Julian Peterson from Seattle, who should add a very good pass rushing threat from the OLB position if he stays healthy. He will also benefit Ernie Sims, who has struggled without much talent around him. The Lions have also decided to mark Cliff Avril as 'untouchable' even though Avril is the type of defensive end that will struggle mightily against bigger run blocking tackles.

Free agency hasn't really been kind. Detroit has added nothing but stop gaps in Bryant Johnson (WR), Anthony Henry (CB), Philip Buchanon (CB), and Grady Jackson (DT). Jackson's effectiveness in particular has really fallen off.

Detroit still has so much work to do.

Detroit Lions Team Needs (In Order of Importance):
QB
LT
NT
DT
MLB
FS
CB
LDE
OG
SS
WR
TE
Scat Back

It's an ugly list, but Detroit is basically a blank canvas, and they have a lot of picks this year. Even more importantly, they have two first round picks.

First and foremost, the Lions explore the trade option for Jay Cutler. The Broncos and Cutler, who just a few days ago seemed to be in an irreparable relationship, may be moving towards reconciliation. Denver likely does not want Detroit's 1st overall pick. They'd be more interested in Detroit's 20th overall pick, their 2nd or 3rd rounder, and a 2010 1st rounder. Detroit will not even bother calling them back about this deal.

So now that moves us on to eligible players for the Lions to draft first overall.

1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia


Stafford has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL. Stafford has average size at 6-foot-2 inches and 225 pounds, but he has elite arm strength and can make any throw asked of him. He comes from a pro style offense in Georgia where he faced the most difficult defenses in the nation week-in and week-out. Add in his football smarts and Stafford could be a sure-fire home run.

On the other hand, Stafford lacks consistency. His accuracy is particularly a point of interest here, and his footwork has at times been sloppy, though three years at Georgia have improved that.

As Detroit's front office we have to ask ourselves if Stafford is worth the money that we'd have to throw at him. Matt Ryan received a 6-year 72 million dollar contract as the 3rd overall pick and first quarterback taken in 2008. 34.75 million was guaranteed. You can expect Stafford to get nearly 80 million with almost 40 million guaranteed. Should Detroit really spend that kind of money on an early-entry quarterback?

The answer is no.


2. Jason Smith, LT, Baylor


Smith's off-season could earn him a couple extra million dollars per season. At one point, Smith was considered the fourth best tackle available of the top four tackles, but he's launched himself into the debate as the best overall tackle in this class. He weighed in at 6'5'' 309 pounds, which is pretty good size for a left tackle. He's got a good frame to begin with, so if a team wants him to gain a little extra weight it shouldn't be a problem. Smith is an all-around excellent blocker, but his focus is on his superb pass blocking. Detroit gave up the 2nd most sacks in the league, and Jeff Backus hasn't panned out at left tackle. Smith would be a cheaper alternative to Matt Stafford. Last year Jake Long signed a 6-year deal worth 57 million dollars. Smith would likely get in excess of 60 with about 33 guaranteed.

Smith is one of the safer picks in the draft, and would probably take Jeff Backus' job immediately.


3. Eugene Monroe, LT, Virginia


Monroe measured almost exactly the same as Jason Smith, and he's one of the best run blockers in space in this draft class. His pass blocking is exceptional, and he's done a lot to rebound from his horrid start against USC and pass rusher Clay Matthews during the home opener. He's an even safer pick then Jason Smith, because Smith is a converted TE and lacks quite a bit of experience at the OT position. Monroe is about as safe as it gets.


4. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College


Raji is, in my opinion, the most dominant defensive tackle to come out since Kevin Williams. He's an absolute force on the inside, and could excel in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme with his superb size (6-foot-1 inch, 337 pounds) and leverage. Raji's got two big concerns. One, he doesn't have enough pass rushing moves. Even still, Raji can spin and swim, and has such an incredible combination of size, athleticism, and technique that this shouldn't be a concern. The other concern about Raji is that he missed a year of football on academic probation.

Raji's contract is going to be tough to determine if he is taken at first overall. Glenn Dorsey was the first defensive tackle taken last year and got a 5-year 33 million dollar contract, which is something of a shock when considering market value for the 5th overall pick. Chris Canty just got seven million a year from the Giants, which would seem to be what Raji would get, but Albert Haynesworth blew up the market with his 7-year 100 million dollar mega deal. I would expect if Raji is going to be taken first overall that his deal would be probably 6-years worth 50-55 million dollars. It's a tough one to call, because the market value on a first overall pick at defensive tackle is not set thanks to Albert Haynesworth vs. every other DT in the league.


5. Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest


Curry is maybe the safest player to draft in this class. The 6-foot-2 inch 254 pound behemoth is coming off a very good season with 105 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Curry can play either on the outside or the inside, but would probably be most dangerous as an outside backer in the NFL. The Lions just acquired Julian Peterson and still have Ernie Sims on the other side, so Curry may not fit into Detroit's plans. He's going to be great somewhere, but probably not with Detroit.

Still, he'd come at an affordable cost for the #1 overall pick, likely no more then 7-8 million per season.


6. Mark Sanchez, QB, USC


Sanchez going first overall would be shocking, but it has been bandied about, and the Lions must do their due diligence in finding the best player for their squad. As noted with Stafford, a quarterback will be the face of your franchise and can immediately cause incredible excitement. You just have to decide whether or not that's worth 80 million dollars.

Sanchez is superbly built for a west coast attack because of his pin-point accuracy and his usual calm demeanor in the pocket. Even so, Sanchez will get rattled by pressure because he's only been starting for a year. His lack of experience is his biggest flaw, and you never take a player first overall with that kind of a flaw. Sanchez will likely fall, and fall hard if the Lions don't take him.


So it's decision time. Who should the Lions select?




With the first pick of the 2009 NFL Draft the Detroit Lions select Eugene Monroe, Offensive Tackle, from Virginia.

Spiel's Mock Draft (March 23rd, 2009)

Yes, it's FINALLY here. I've been working on it for ages. My mock:

PROJECTED TRADE: The Denver Broncos trade Jay Cutler to the New York Jets for their 1st round pick, 3rd round pick, and 2010 conditional pick (as low as a fourth and as high as a first).

1. Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Rumor has it that the Lions have begun negotiations with the player that will be the first overall pick. One rumor from Chris Mortenson says that the Lions are honing in on Stafford. Another rumor (Pro Football Talk, the New York Post of football journalism) has said that the Lions prefer Sanchez over Stafford. One final rumor (KFFL) has mentioned that the Lions are going to go the Dolphins route and select Jason Smith first overall. Regardless of what happens, I think Stafford has the best shot after a very strong showing at his Pro Day, completing 45 of 50 passes to four different receivers. He is scheduled for a private workout with Detroit. The only thing that'll keep Stafford out of Motown is the dollars and cents. Matt Ryan got a 6-year 72 million dollar contract last year as the 3rd overall pick. Stafford would be a higher pick and a year after, so the market would have gone up. Detroit may not want to shell out close to 80 million for a quarterback who has never taken a snap in the NFL.

2. St. Louis Rams – Jason Smith, LT, Baylor
He's having the strongest off-season of any of the big four tackles, and he's a truly superb pass blocker. All he really needs is a little time in an NFL weight room and he should be a superb left tackle at the professional level.

3. Kansas City Chiefs – Eugene Monroe, LT, Virginia
If the Chiefs take Eugene Monroe, who played left tackle next to current left tackle Branden Albert at Virginia. Albert would move back to his natural position left guard and form a very strong left side for Kansas City. Aaron Curry certainly isn't out of the question, but the Chiefs have got to put a sustainable offense around Cassel/Thigpen this off-season. Larry Johnson still has not been released or dealt, but he still could be. Even if he remains, Kansas City will only be his home for one more season unless he puts up outstanding numbers, which he still could behind a rebuilt offensive line. Monroe compares favorably to D'Brickashaw Ferguson. He's a superb pass blocker that may struggle against the bull rush early in his career, and he's a guy who can run block best in space on pitches and sweeps.

4. Seattle Seahawks – Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
After Seattle dealt Julian Peterson, they can only be so fortunate to have a much younger and athletic version of Peterson fall into their laps. Like Peterson, Curry is a very good pass rusher. Seattle isn't a team with a ton of needs because they were so torn up by injuries last season. This is a situation where you go best player available.

5. Cleveland Browns – Brian Orapko, DE/OLB, Texas
Orapko has risen on many boards to the top available pass rusher. Personally, I'm not a big fan, as he only had 4.5 sacks in Big 12 play last season. But, there's no denying the talent level, nor the fact that Cleveland is scraping the bottom of the barrel to get a pass rusher.

6. Cincinnati Bengals – B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
After dealing Cory Redding, Raji could be the dark horse to go first overall to Detroit. He's an extremely talented linemen who creates enormous disruption and holds the point of attack very well. He could play nose tackle in either a 4-3 or the more difficult 3-4, so Cleveland may wind up taking him if Shaun Rogers stays a no show, but for right now I've got him falling into Cincinnati's lap, which would be an enormous boost to this franchise. Players like Raji do not come around too often, so Cincinnati would be foolish to pass him up if he fell.

7. Oakland Raiders – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
I'm still not the biggest Crabtree fan in the world, but you can't deny his extraordinary on-field production. Yes, he's not as big as he was listed and he's dealing with some injury concerns right now, but Crabtree compares favorably to Anquan Boldin. Boldin may have gone in the 2nd round of the 2003 draft, but it'd be pretty asinine to deny that he's put up 1st round production. Crabtree is no Randy Moss and he's no Larry Fitzgerald or Calvin Johnson. Those players come around so rarely. He's Anquan Boldin with better speed and a lot more hype. That's not a bad thing at all.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Khalif Barnes and Richard Collier were competing for the starting left tackle job entering training camp last season. Neither is still with the squad. Barnes, while never an elite player, was a servicable LT and a solid run blocker. Collier was actually favored to steal the incumbent's job before he was shot multiple times and lost his leg and had to retire from the NFL. The Jaguars signed Tra Thomas to a short deal, but there's no guarantee how long he'll hold up for. Smith hasn't had a great off-season because of off-the-field issues, but he's the most dominant run blocker that we've seen since Marcus McNeill in 2006. Smith can play just about anywhere on the line except for center, and while he may make a very good NFL left tackle, I can guarantee he'll be a Hall of Fame caliber right tackle. In the end, I think he'll wind up being a blind side protector on most teams.

9. Green Bay Packers – Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State
Brown's got superb burst and comes from a defense that has given 3-4 looks in the past, and has given players to NFL 3-4 defenses. The Packers desperately need an edge rusher in case the Aaron Kampmann experiment fails. If this works, the Packers could have one of the best front sevens in the NFL, because they've got a very compatible defensive line for the 3-4.

10. San Francisco 49ers – Malcolm Jenkins, CB/FS, Ohio State
Jenkins hasn't had the greatest off-season, timing very poorly in workouts. Still, he's the most physical defensive back available, and he can play either corner or free safety in San Francisco. Nate Clements was rumored to move to free safety, a move that made little sense. This move can keep Clements at corner and put Jenkins at free safety. San Francisco isn't that far off from competing in the NFC West.

11. Buffalo Bills – Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State
I'm personally not a fan of Aaron Maybin, but right now his stock is still quite high. There's no doubt that he's got elite measurables and incredible potential, but he's probably one of the most raw players to enter the draft since Alex Smith in 2005.

12. Denver Broncos – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
This is the move that will allow Denver to move Cutler. If Sanchez isn't taken first overall, he should be available for the Broncos at twelve. Jets General Manager Mike Tannenabum is aggressively pursuing Jay Cutler, so don't be surprised if Sanchez is in Denver by draft day.

13. Washington Redskins – Michael Oher, LT, Ole Miss
Oher has probably been the most unfairly criticized of all the players in this draft class. He was given a lot of scrutiny after "The Blind Side" delegated him as the next great left tackle in the NFL. Oher suffers from some consistency issues, but is a very good pass blocker and a punishing run blocker. He's got an excellent frame for the position as well. Washington would only be so lucky to grab Oher, because they don't need to play him at left tackle to start his career. He would most likely replace the aging Jon Jansen at right tackle.

14. New Orleans Saints – Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State
Wells stock has bounced back upward, but I've been high on him for a while. He looked fully healthy against Texas in the Fiesta Bowl, and New Orleans may not be willing to wait for LaDainian Tomlinson. They have a plethora of talent in New Orleans, and they need a power runner to compliment Reggie Bush.

15. Houston Texans – Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
The Texans have been trying to fill out the secondary since their inception, but they're nearly complete. He's a little raw, but Houston has a lot of defensive talent and could make a strong push for a wildcard next season if Matt Schaub could stay healthy.

16. San Diego Chargers – Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DT/E, Missouri
Hood has been on fire since the tail end of the 2008 season and fed the flames by posting very good workout numbers. With Igor Olshansky moving to Dallas, the Chargers will need a viable replacement, and teaming Hood with Williams (when healthy) and Luis Castillo will keep San Diego's defense afloat.

17. Denver Broncos (from New York Jets) – Michael Johnson, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech
This would be the Jets pick normally, and I don't like projecting trades, but I have projected a deal between New York and Denver. The Jets are aggressively pursuing Cutler and Cutler is pretty much ignoring any attempt by McDaniels to reconcile. Michael Johnson would be a terrific pick for Denver as they move to a 3-4 defense. Johnson could probably see a bit more success at the professional level as a standup linebacker, and he's got a great skillset and size combination.

18. Chicago Bears – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
While the Bears could take a defensive end here, this pick seems to make the most sense. Maclin isn't going to go as high as people claim he will, and I am concerned over the offensive system he is coming from, but Chicago needs to help out Kyle Orton a bit.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
The Bucs can't be content with Luke McCown as their opening day quarterback. Freeman is the perverbial Jay Cutler of this draft as he comes from an offense without a ton of talent and a lot of question marks about how he plays against superior talent. Cutler was able to disprove those criticisms, Freeman may not be as lucky.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas Cowboys) – William Beatty, LT, Connecticut
This is the player that not many are talking about, but could be better than any of the left tackles in this already stacked class. Beatty's got everything that you'd want in a left tackle: great frame, athleticism, superb footwork, long arms, and a great technique. What he lacks is bulk, so he probably won't start his first year in the NFL. He needs to gain a good 10-15 pounds to play LT in the NFL, but if he's able to carry the weight to his 6'6'' 291 pound frame and not affect his play he will be a great one for many years.

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Eben Britton, LT, Arizona
Britton's another linemen who has been forgotten, but like last year there is going to be a major run on offensive tackles in the first round. Philadelphia doesn't have Tra Thomas or Jon Runyan under contract. Shawn Andrews is kicking out to RT and Winston Justice is the projected starting LT, but I get the feeling Philadelphia isn't pleased with the idea of Justice starting without any insurance.

22. Minnesota Vikings – Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
Delmas has had a truly superb off-season, but he has a couple of striking questions about him--mostly his size. Still Delmas is a dark horse to be the first safety taken in a very weak year.

23. New England Patriots – Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
Cushing, already a superb pass rusher, knows the OLB position well. He has the size and would fit in well in New England. The only question marks for Cushing come in coverage.

24. Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Bad 40 time or not, Pettigrew is the best tight end available in this class. Atlanta has the biggest need here, and a tight end can be a young quarterback's security blanket.

25. Miami Dolphins – Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia
The Dolphins may look at Rey Mauluga here, but the return of Channing Crowder should be enough to suffice. Sintim comes from the UVA 3-4 and will be well versed already for this position in the NFL. Groh succeeded Parcells in New York in 2000, and has been churning out NFL ready players for years.

26. Baltimore Ravens – Rey Mauluga, ILB, USC
Baltimore has been great at churning out linebackers through late round picks in the past, but this one is simply too much to pass up. Mauluga's stock has taken a little hit, and with an aging Ray Lewis starting at one of the ILB spots, Mauluga could be a revelation for the Ravens.

27. Indianapolis Colts – Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
There doesn't seem to be a more set pick in the draft then this one. The Colts have a huge need at DT, and Ziggy Hood overtook Peria Jerry who has been sitting pretty in the late first round for months.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina Panthers) – Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
McNabb wants more help on offense, and the Eagles need a true #1 receiver who can go over the middle. Britt is my personal favorite receiver in this draft, and he would be joining a receiving corp. that has a lot of talent, but no true #1. Britt's improved every year since he enrolled at Rutgers, and is not afraid to go over the middle.

29. New York Giants – Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
DHB's stock soared for a few weeks, but it looks like he's going to level off at the end of the first round. The Giants have been collecting receivers on Day One in recent years, but there are no guarantees with Plaxico Burress.

30. Tennessee Titans – Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
Nicks is another player who I think will level out come draft day. His stock soared briefly, but he should round out around here for the Titans to snag.

31. Arizona Cardinals – Alex Mack, C, California
Another near-lock here. The Cardinals have been lacking a good center for more then a decade.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers – George “Duke” Robinson, OG, Oklahoma
His stock has decreased a lot, as many compared him to Branden Albert last year, but his awful performance in the BCS Championship Game dropped his stock and should allow Pittsburgh to grab him, and they desperately need him.



ROUND TWO COMING LATER TODAY

Six Teams that Could Show Interest in Cutler

Where will current Broncos starting QB Jay Cutler finish grazing peacefully?

From the looks of things, it won't be in Denver. Cutler requested a trade, and Josh McDaniels is going to attempt to fix this relationship one more time. I still don't understand the criticism of Cutler. He's been labeled as a toddler for his behavior, but it should be pretty obvious that Matt Cassel is not an upgrade for Jay Cutler in any way shape or form. Jay Cutler is one of the brightest spots on a team that is just a giant mess defensively and is going through a major coaching change after a decade and a half with the same man in charge.

But with Shanahan out, it seems that his quarterback is on his way out. There are definitely a few potential landing spots and I don't think Detroit is one of them.

1. New York Jets -- They are said to be eyeing the situation, and it would certainly make sense after the way the Jets pounced on Favre last year. But trading for Cutler would come at a very different price and a very different reason then for Favre. Favre was a one-year bandaid and an attempt to rev the engine and cause excitement. It worked partially, but overall blew up in this franchises face. Still, the Jets don't have a ton of holes and could have a top defense in the AFC. Cutler won't need a new contract if the Jets deal for him as he still has three years left on his deal, and this dispute between Cutler and the Broncos isn't contract related (Cutler makes almost 8 million a year). The Jets are the team that makes the most sense here. A twenty-five year old pro bowl quarterback just hitting his stride in an offense that has a well established offensive line and running game? Not even a potential Thomas Jones holdout could throw a wrench in this one. Cutler to the Jets seems like a match made in heaven.

2. Buffalo Bills -- Right after the Jets it's AFC rival Buffalo. Now wouldn't that create some stir? Cutler to Terrell Owens? Talk about putting Buffalo back on the significance map. The rumor has been that Buffalo has been floating Trent Edwards and their 1st round pick for Cutler. Edwards doesn't seem like a good fit for the McDaniel's offense though, and I don't see this one working out. Still, Cutler in Buffalo could be a beautiful match as well. Especially with Evans and T.O.

3. Carolina Panthers -- I don't understand why they haven't jumped into the mix at all. This would be a huge upgrade over Jake Delhomme and his failing arm. Cutler would be able to properly utilize Steve Smith, and maybe help Dwayne Jarrett make something of his career. If he can't, then it seems Carolina is still in need of a number two wide receiver. They haven't been mentioned once, but I think Carolina could wind up being a major player for Cutler. This is a team that probably thinks they are one player away from the Super Bowl. Why not get Cutler? If they do, I will just say it's doubtful that Julius Peppers would be involved in the deal. Denver would fit the bill for a 3-4 defense, but they've pretty much said they don't want to shell out 100 million for anyone.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- I think this one would be another good match since Tampa Bay has literally nothing proven at the quarterback position. Still, the Buccaneers receivers are pretty mediocre, and the addition of Kellen Winslow is a blessing and a curse, because there's no guarantees at all about how long Kellen's restructured knees will last. Returning to the south and a more temperate climate would probably be favorable for Cutler, but I can't imagine Tampa Bay giving up both of their first day picks via trade. This one doesn't seem likely to me even though if Denver does deal Cutler, I'd imagine they'd want him out of the AFC.

5. Detroit Lions -- I really can't see this one happening, because the value doesn't match up. Would the Lions deal for Cutler and swap first round picks with Denver? That seems more of a curse to Denver. They'd have to pay #1 overall money to an unproven player. Plus, neither Stafford nor Sanchez is exactly ideal for McDaniel's attack anyway. They'd probably wind up taking the top defensive player at first overall, and the real question is whether or not Aaron Curry is worth Jay Cutler and a mid-1st rounder? For Denver, it's definitely not. If they do deal Cutler, I'd wager they'd prefer to accumulate picks, not move up in the draft. If this deal were to work, they'd probably need the 33rd overall pick and a 2010 1st, which I highly doubt Detroit would be willing to give up.

6. San Francisco 49ers -- They seem content to let Shaun Hill and Alex Smith battle for the job so I won't make much of a comment here. What I will say though--for a team that's not all that far off this move would be helpful. Still, the Niners seem to be committed to a run heavy attack in 2009, so Cutler doesn't seem to make much sense.

Star Power Taking a Hit: Terrell Owens Heading to the Worst Market in the NFL

Terrell Owens is going to the Buffalo Bills. The deal is favorable towards Buffalo. They certainly didn't overpay, but it's not particularly favorable for their organization's stability or their head coach. Owens wasn't particularly awful in Dallas in terms of locker room issues, and is right now being used more as a scapegoat then anything else in Dallas (no team with that much talent should go 9-7).

But Owens to the Bills feels so odd. In San Francisco he had Steve Young and Jeff Garcia. In Philadelphia he had Donovan McNabb. In Dallas he had Tony Romo. All three of those teams had legacies, star power, a large media market, and pizazz. Buffalo has none of those things. San Francisco remains the only team to win five out of five Super Bowls (and the first team to hit that plateau I believe), Dallas has played in eight Super Bowls (winning five as well), and the Philadelphia Eagles are one of the oldest teams in the NFL, with one of the largest (and most volatile) markets in the country. Again, Buffalo doesn't have this. They have the only owner in the league whose largest asset is his team, which is why he struggles to pay top tier free agents to long term deals (in spite of the shared revenue policy and salary cap).

Buffalo is the only NFL city that's population growth is declining, and whose average age continues to rise. It's not ideal for an NFL franchise, and their biggest claim to fame in all their years of existence is being one of two teams to lose four Super Bowls. The big problem with that was those four losses in a row were consecutive. People will remember them for four straight blunders, and realize that their history was great in the early 90's, but that they don't have a ton of history besides that. Jim Kelly can do all he wants to try and save the Bills, but I have a feeling that the Bills may be the first team since the Browns "deactivated" their franchise and shipped off to Baltimore to move.

As previously noted, Owens has had a Hall of Fame quarterback, a borderline Hall of Famer, a perennial All-Pro, and spot Pro Bowler throwing him the ball in his career. Now he has Trent Edwards. He's 12-11 as a starter. Not world beating, but not awful. He doesn't throw a lot of interceptions either. This year he averaged one interception every 37.4 attempts. Now, part of this good fortune is that the Bills don't pass a lot (Edwards averaged 26.4 attempts per game, among the lowest in the league). Edwards knows how to take care of the ball, but his arm isn't particularly strong and he's playing in an offense designed to limit faults and flaws in a quarterback. In this new caretaking system, Edwards completion percentage skyrocketed. It rose 9.4% to the mid 60's, where a professional should be throwing. Part of it is acclimation to the NFL, but the other part of that is the system benefitting Edwards.

That's what makes adding Terrell Owens especially perplexing. Owens will not thrive in any system that depends on the short passing game. That's not T.O.'s game. He can go over the middle, but his forte is those 15-20 yard post patterns where Owens can use his great agility, size, and route running to beat his man.

Unless Buffalo is planning on opening up the offense for Owens, I can't imagine that this acquisition is going to be all that successful. Especially considering Dick Jauron's seat is hotter than anyone elses in the league. After three straight 7-9 seasons, including a 2-8 collapse this season, Jauron was able to keep his job when basically the entire team lobbied to save Sir Mediocrity.

So for Owens and Jauron, it's playoffs or bust. Owens will need to behave himself with only a one year deal, but if things aren't going the team's way, Owens is going to be a problem in the locker room. Buffalo's only consolation is that they only have to deal with him for one season, but it's make or break time in Buffalo. They have a young speedy defense anchored by big man Marcus Stroud, but the youngsters still haven't broken out of the "high ceiling" shell. Chances are though, with Marshawn Lynch in legal trouble and facing suspension, with the offensive line a shell of it's 2007 form, and it's receiving game entirely one dimensional, the Bills could be in trouble.

Now adding Owens does add that second dimension to the Bills offense. Evans is the deep threat, Owens is going to get you those 15 yard post patterns, but Owens is on the downside of his career, and it's most notable in his hands, which seem to be prone to butterfingers.

If Buffalo uses Owens right, and if Owens maintains his great physical condition, their offense may be a bit better. I can't see Owens fitting into Buffalo's offense all that well, which of course is the problem. Plus, Owens is going to hate the city itself. It's nothing like Philadelphia, Dallas, or San Francisco.

Only time will tell, but Owens receiving yards per game dropped by 35 yards from 2007 to 2008. And of course, my dislike for Trent Edwards as the Bills starting quarterback is another reason why I don't see the Bills, or Owens, succeeding. Again though, only time will tell whether Owens can thrive in the worst market in the NFL.

Ten Free Agents Your Team Should('ve) Stay(ed) Away From

1. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Seattle Seahawks -- Houshmadzadeh left Cincinnati amidst conflicting reports about whether or not he'd be re-signing.

Clearly, he didn't. And Seattle made one giant blunder. Despite their 4-12 mark, no team can claim injuries as an excuse like Seattle can this past season. Their offensive line, by year's end, didn't have a single player from the original starting line-up. At one point they had six injured wide receivers, and for a time moved Seneca Wallace over to receiver (before, go figure he got hurt). They lost their starting quarterback for a large portion of the season, their starting tailback, and had had injuries and suspensions plague their defensive lines.

It's definitely a year to forget. Once Seattle gets healthy, they'll be a competitive team again. There's just one problem: they splurged on a player who will be 32 by the end of September. He may have put up decent numbers in 2008 with Ryan Fitzpatrick as his quarterback, but his 9.8 yards per catch is a big red light for me. Especially because it was only 10.2 the year before that with Carson Palmer as his quarterback.

Yeah, I'm not a fan of this at all. Especially when you consider the differences in systems, climate, and personnel I think this is possibly one of the worst decisions of the off-season.


2. Derrick Ward, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- He played behind the best offensive line in the NFL with a power back and a scat back to steal carries from him. He's got at best one good season in him outside of New York. And Tampa Bay certainly didn't break the bank for him, but I can't see the reasoning behind adding him. What does he do that Earnest Graham doesn't do? Maybe it's an age thing, but if Tampa Bay wanted a new running back, there were better options. Draft one of the good looking first day scat backs and pair him with Earnest Graham as a replacement for Warrick Dunn. Ward is not that guy. I don't like what Tampa Bay has done this off-season so far, at all.


3. Laveranues Coles, WR, Cincinnati Bengals -- Compared with Houshmandzadeh, this was practically a steal. While Coles still got a contract worth seven million a year, it's a year shorter, and he'll be playing with a fully healthy Carson Palmer across from a hopefully motivated Chad Johnson. Coles' race has been run. He has had chronic lower body injuries over the past few years, and has at least one concussion to show for his time in New York, and the first concussion always makes the second one that much easier.

It's not that I don't like Coles as a solid replacement for Houshmandzadeh, it's that his baggage doesn't help Cincinnati out all that much. I don't think they gave Coles all that money to be a slot receiver, but he might be better off in the slot with Chris Henry at flanker. I won't go so far as to say this one is going to be a total bust like I feel #1 is going to be, or a partial bust like #2 could be, but this one reeks of injury bust.


4. Brian Dawkins, S, Denver Broncos

It feels weird saying it. Brian Dawkins is on the Denver Broncos. Say it to yourself. It's like seeing Favre in green and white. It's a strange twist to a Hall of Fame career. Dawkins contract is not a problem. It basically pays out like a 2-year 9 million dollar contract (officially it's a 5-year 27 million dollar deal) that protects the Broncos in case Dawkins runs out of gas.

Good thing to, because he's going to. He's 35, he's been in the same system for ten years, and he's about to join a team going through yet another defensive transition. He'll be starting from square one with the entire defense. There will not be anyone to cover for him (literally and figuratively) if he can't pick up the slack. Dawkins has kept himself in great shape for a 35-year old, but any player at that age has physical flaws, and they will come out in a totally new defense where almost the entire team is learning it.

It doesn't help either that Denver has one of the oldest defenses in the league. I don't know how they're expecting to stop the run this year. Well, at least they have that great offense. Broncos fans should just pray that Cutler doesn't get dealt and that Brandon Marshall doesn't get suspended for more then three games next year.


5. Chris Kemoeatu, OG, Pittsburgh Steelers

This one still doesn't make any sense to me. The Jets preferred Kemoeatu to Brandon Moore, and Pittsburgh valued him enough to extend his contract. What world are we living in where a player like Chris Kemoeatu is valued more then Brandon Moore?

What's insane is that not only is Kemoeatu's deal bigger, but that none of the guards broke the bank. I expected, if any of them, that it would be Moore. Dockery went back to Washington for a pretty tame price, and Kemoeatu and Moore each got deals averaging four million dollars a deal. That's why he's not higher on this list. He's being paid like an above average starter. At best, he's an average one. Still, as clearly seen, there were moves far worse then this one.


6. Dewayne Robertson, DT, Unsigned

Say it with me now. Dewayne Robertson is not a good football player. Rinse and repeat 1000 times before it sinks into your head NFL. He's a mediocre penetrator and just an absolutely god-awful run stopper. He can't take on or shed blocks at all. He's got arthritic knees that could basically go at any time. I doubt he's going to get any big money, but teams still want to give him legitimate playing time. Tennessee and Carolina are both visiting with him, seriously considering using this one dimensional bust in a rotation. Rotations won't work with Robertson. His best year (which was mediocre to a tee) came with John Abraham, Jason Ferguson, and Shaun Ellis all in the primes of their respected careers on the same defensive line. Since then, Robertson has never done anything remotely worth while. Avoid like the plague. THE PLAGUE.


7. Kwame Harris, OT, Unsigned

Released by the 49ers for a complete and total inability to pass block. Released by the Raiders after signing a large deal (which they structured smartly, making it more like a one year tryout) after being benched for Mario Henderson eleven games into the season. Without a single suitor so far this off-season.

Whatever the higher power in this world is, I thank him. If I could just not ever have to watch him start another game in my lifetime I'd be thrilled. The Kwame Harris train has left. It might have left in college. I'm not sure. Just pray your favorite team isn't the one that signs him.


8. Roy Williams, S, Unsigned

Williams was just recently released and he easily jumps his way onto the list. For now I'm listing him at safety, but he should be playing linebacker in the NFL. It's quite simple--if you can't cover in the NFL, you can't play defensive back. It took the Cowboys far too long to realize this. Mr. Horse Collar has not had any suitors yet, though he was just recently released. It will be very interesting to see what position he plays if he makes a roster next year, but if he plays safety, he's going to get toasted. Again. And again. And again. And again. Get the idea?


9. Kerry Collins, QB, Tennessee Titans

This guy wanted more money then Kurt Warner. Kurt Warner was a viable MVP candidate last season. Kerry Collins was a care-taker, a game manager. He did the bare minimum, and yet wanted more then what Warner got. Obviously at his age, with his declining arm strength, and based on his career and recent body of work he had no chance. He realized this quickly and capitalized on a two-year 15 million dollar deal. I am ready to guarantee that Collins loses his starting job halfway (at the latest) through the season. Nor do I see the Titans making the playoffs. They just lost their best defensive playmaker and their offense is as one-dimensional as ever. This is not a recipe for success in Tennessee.


10a. Michael Boley, LB, New York Giants

Note to self: become a professional athlete and hire Michael Boley's (or DeAngelo Hall's) agent. Boley got himself benched last season in Mike Smith's defense (and it wasn't an impressive defense to begin with) and still got a 5-year 25 million dollar deal. But there's a reason this is 10a. Because there's a good chance that this deal won't backfire. It's just astounding that he's getting what he did after three years of mediocrity, and one spectacular season (which wasn't even in the contract year). He fits the Giants aggressive defense far better then he did Atlanta's "read and react," but it still could be a disaster for Boley, who will be starting at weak side linebacker. The Giants defensive line is going to do most of the talking though. With Osi Umenyiora fully healthy and Justin Tuck and Chris Canty roaming the defensive line, the Giants defense could be a force. As long as Canty doesn't struggle with the transition to 4-3 DT, the Giants line could open up great things for Michael Boley.

10b. DeAngelo Hall, CB, Washington Redskins

He signed a 7-year 70 million dollar contract with Oakland. It was terminated after eight games. He signed for the veteran minimum in Washington for the rest of the year. After getting torched in Oakland's man-to-man dominant scheme, he played well enough in Washington, but enough to earn himself a 6-year 55 million dollar contract with 23 million guaranteed? Hello? Is there anybody in there Mr. Snyder? You're paying him a hair short of what Asante Samuel got. You've got to be kidding me.

Sure he could be successful in Washington, even though the second half of the year he was playing for a contract (again). Hall could have a good year, no question. Washington's a lot closer to Atlanta in scheme then Oakland is. He still won't be worth that kind of money. On the flip side, he gets to play with yet another good young cornerback in Carlos Rogers. The only problem is that Rogers can't stay healthy. His best run came in 2007, where Rogers (who can't catch a cold) was basically a shutdown corner (yes that term no one wants to use anymore) until he got hurt. Half a season of brilliant potential. I know it's in him if he can stay healthy.


I'm not guaranteeing that these guys will fail (well on Dewayne Robertson and Kwame Harris I am), but I am sure that every single player on this list will not be worth the money they got. The only player I'm not sure on is Michael Boley, but he's 10a. He doesn't get to share that spot on his own because he's right on the border. We'll see who is right next season.

Cutler: Denver's Unifying Piece

The deteriorating relationship between Jay Cutler and the Denver Broncos has been just a hair short of a total fiasco. The fact that he’s still on the team is pretty much the only silver lining that Broncos fans can cling to. The situation was handled so poorly from a public relations perspective that I’m not surprised that Cutler is lashing out about it--throwing a "temper tantrum" as Rotoworld described it.

Just step into Cutler's shoes. You are a 25-year-old quarterback who just threw for 4500 yards and 25 touchdowns. You went to your first pro bowl and you're in the best shape of your life to combat Diabetes and maintain a high level of play. And you might be traded for a guy with one good season to his name (while surrounded by Randy Moss and Wes Welker) because he happens to be buddy-buddy with the new head coach.

Of course Cutler is livid. The first thing the Broncos needed to do, when this came out, was deny it unequivocally. They were sent offers certainly, but why would they entertain them? Why listen? Mexico basically gave Germany the finger when they laughed about the ill-conceived Zimmerman Telegram way back during World War I. From the athletic perspective, this is ridiculous.

Certainly Denver couldn't seriously be trying to destroy team chemistry that much could they? Abandon the face of the franchise at age 25 because the new head coach's former quarterback is on the trade market? It's disgusting. Cutler has a right to be upset. Not everything that was said about this situation has been true, but like I said, it was bad enough that the Broncos entertained offers. There is no replacing a franchise quarterback at age twenty five, coming off the best season of his short career, and getting better each year.

And just to make matters a little worse, how could it be a legitimate question about who is better? And how could the answer, if the question is legitimate, be anything but Cutler? The PTI guys don't seem to agree though--citing Cassel's record. Football is a team sport unlike any other. Judging a player on wins and losses, even the quarterback, is like judging a goaltender for not carrying his team to the finals. They can only do so much in a team sport. Cutler's on a team with a high powered offense and zero defense. Cassel had a great offense and arguably one of the best defensive lines in the NFL.

I know McDaniels only saw Cutler during his poor showing against the Patriots in the fall, but surely he could put on some game film and realize that what he has with Cutler is an obvious home run. He may have a super talented offense, but Cutler is a boost for everybody. He has at least everything that Cassel has, plus the abiltity to accurately throw the deep ball. And he does it on a team that goes through defensive coordinators, systems, and linemen faster than Kobyashi can eat a hot dog.

Cutler takes the burden off of his offensive line with his mobility and his great pocket presence. His quick release puts defenses on their guard. He's a rising star, and he's almost ready to hit the plateau and stay there. After all, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are aging. It won't be long before they are in the twilight of their Hall of Fame careers. Jay Cutler is one of the few quarterbacks ready to step into the spotlight.

You don't give that up on a whim. He's got a little Favre in him, sure. He likes to take risks. But he's young, and his arm is just as lively as Favre's was. His risks usually pay off, because he's physically gifted enough to force it.

Franchise quarterbacks come around only so often. The hit-or-miss rate in the first round for quarterbacks is basically a coin flip. Denver has come out and finally, days after all of this, stated that Cutler will not be dealt.

It's about time. Yet, accredited reporter Michael Smith believes the trade talks are not yet done, while Josh McDaniels is attempting to mend the already sour relationship with Denver's star-in-the-making.

Send Jay Cutler anywhere, and he'll find success. He's at that point in his career where his on-the-field play is going to boost everybody's, and his skillset diminishes the need for a spectacular offensive line (not entirely, but enough that you get the point).

Without any other viable franchise quarterbacks on the market, it's extremely unlikely that Jay Cutler is dealt, but this relationship had better heal quickly. Cutler is entering the fourth year of his six year deal. Denver needs to make keeping him a priority, and in a time now, when Brandon Marshall's future with the team is uncertain, and the defense is going through yet another change, and the team as a whole is adjusting to life after Shanahan, Cutler is the key--the unifying piece.

Denver needs to get their act together, because as much as I liked the hiring of McDaniels, his regime is starting out on a sour note.

No more contrived trade talks. No more convuluted posturing. Rally around your quarterback Denver. He is the unifying piece, and if you're lucky, he's not going anywhere.