Sporting Fools
Sporting Fools
Sporting Fools
Sporting Fools
The frequent and occasional humorous musings behind two of the World's greatest underappreciated sports minds.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Mock Draft: Day TwoYou miss Day One? You suck!
Back for more on Day 2 of the Mock Draft.
LenDale White meet 'the second round', you two should get acquainted as soon as possible.
No movement yet, but the first round has just begun.
6. San Francisco - A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
Strengths: Sideline-to-sideline tackler with great range; Team leader and much smarter than most Ohio State linebackers (Andy Katzenmoyer anyone?); had a Leif Garrett mullet going during the season.
Weaknesses: A lot slower than you might think, especially on the blitz; girlfriend could be a camera hound (HEY IT'S BRADY QUINN'S SISTER!!!!)
Why This Pick: The Niners need a lot of everything and Hawk is a good start. He's ready to play and will give them some stability at that spot.
7. Oakland - Michael Huff, DB, Texas
Strength: A big defensive back prospect that can play either safety or cornerback; A playmaker who is also a tackling machine.
Weaknesses: Well he can play either safety or corner and it's hard to know which one he will excel at; He could get stronger.
Why This Pick: This is a surprise, most had Oakland taking a quarterback, which they eventually will, but this team needs an Extreme Makeover: Defense.
We've got a trade!
Buffalo trades the 8th pick overall to Baltimore (crowd starts riot) for the 13th pick overall.
The other details of the trade momentarily
8. Baltimore - Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt (Crowd starts another riot and a "Fuck You Boller" chant)
Strengths: A gamer, actually made Vanderbilt games worth watching even if someone didn't have money on them; Great leadership ability.
Weaknesses: Well he didn't win much in college and usually he took a beating in the process; mechanically unsound; looks like Joey from "Who the Boss".
Why This Pick: Have you seen Kyle Boller play?
Other details of the trade. Baltimore gives up its fourth round selection (111th overall) and receivers Buffalo's fifth round selection (143rd overall)
9. Detroit - Crad Greenway, LB, Iowa
Strengths: Smart player who was well coached under Kirk Ferentz at Iowa; Natural leader and a rangy tackler; grew up on a hog farm.
Weaknesses: Maybe a little too amped up at time; will grow to hate Detroit; needs strong supporting cast to shine.
Why This Pick: Rod Marinelli loves him some defense and he's going to rebuild that side of the ball one brick at a tile.
10. Arizona - Winston Justice, OT, USC
Strengths: Name is Winston Justice; part of a line that destroyed competition for the last three years; A multi-tool lineman, has the size and speed you want.
Weaknesses: Still quite raw; Was suspended in 2004 for some character issues; will have tough time getting a date without Matt Leinart.
Why This Pick: The Cardinals could use more defense, but they need to keep Kurt Warner upright first.
Back for more on Day 2 of the Mock Draft.
LenDale White meet 'the second round', you two should get acquainted as soon as possible.
No movement yet, but the first round has just begun.
6. San Francisco - A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
Strengths: Sideline-to-sideline tackler with great range; Team leader and much smarter than most Ohio State linebackers (Andy Katzenmoyer anyone?); had a Leif Garrett mullet going during the season.
Weaknesses: A lot slower than you might think, especially on the blitz; girlfriend could be a camera hound (HEY IT'S BRADY QUINN'S SISTER!!!!)
Why This Pick: The Niners need a lot of everything and Hawk is a good start. He's ready to play and will give them some stability at that spot.
7. Oakland - Michael Huff, DB, Texas
Strength: A big defensive back prospect that can play either safety or cornerback; A playmaker who is also a tackling machine.
Weaknesses: Well he can play either safety or corner and it's hard to know which one he will excel at; He could get stronger.
Why This Pick: This is a surprise, most had Oakland taking a quarterback, which they eventually will, but this team needs an Extreme Makeover: Defense.
We've got a trade!
Buffalo trades the 8th pick overall to Baltimore (crowd starts riot) for the 13th pick overall.
The other details of the trade momentarily
8. Baltimore - Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt (Crowd starts another riot and a "Fuck You Boller" chant)
Strengths: A gamer, actually made Vanderbilt games worth watching even if someone didn't have money on them; Great leadership ability.
Weaknesses: Well he didn't win much in college and usually he took a beating in the process; mechanically unsound; looks like Joey from "Who the Boss".
Why This Pick: Have you seen Kyle Boller play?
Other details of the trade. Baltimore gives up its fourth round selection (111th overall) and receivers Buffalo's fifth round selection (143rd overall)
9. Detroit - Crad Greenway, LB, Iowa
Strengths: Smart player who was well coached under Kirk Ferentz at Iowa; Natural leader and a rangy tackler; grew up on a hog farm.
Weaknesses: Maybe a little too amped up at time; will grow to hate Detroit; needs strong supporting cast to shine.
Why This Pick: Rod Marinelli loves him some defense and he's going to rebuild that side of the ball one brick at a tile.
10. Arizona - Winston Justice, OT, USC
Strengths: Name is Winston Justice; part of a line that destroyed competition for the last three years; A multi-tool lineman, has the size and speed you want.
Weaknesses: Still quite raw; Was suspended in 2004 for some character issues; will have tough time getting a date without Matt Leinart.
Why This Pick: The Cardinals could use more defense, but they need to keep Kurt Warner upright first.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Mock Draft: Day OneThere's no doubt that Draft Preview 2006 is going the be the greatest draft preview since 2005.
What I am doing this year is looking at the Draft in blocks of five picks and doing a little more analysis on them than last year.
The first five picks belong to the Texans, Saints, Titans, Jets and Packers. The popular opinion is that the Saints hold the key to the first round because they could go one of several directions. It would appear that the Jets or possibly the Raiders would be the most interested in the second slot.
However in my draft there is no early movement. The Jets, with a new GM and new coach, is growing a philosophy that "more is better" and with seven of the first 117 selections they can fill several holes with quality talent.
So without further adieu, he is Day 1 of the Mock Draft.
1) Texans - Reggie Bush, RB, USC
Strengths: Possibly the most exciting running back to come out of college since Barry Sanders; Seems to have better character than O.J.; Almost unstoppable in NCAA 2006.
Weaknesses: At 6', 202 pounds he's a little small. Leaving L.A. for Houston is bound to make him a little depressed.
Why This Pick: The Texans have a dozen holes to fill, but you can never have enough playmakers. Bush is a home run hitter and home run hitters put asses in the seats.
2) Saints - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
Strengths: He's a left tackle you can build a line around; His name is D'Brickashaw; He might have the best footwork of any tackle prospect EVER (including Orlando Pace or Tony Boselli); Very heady and smart.
Weaknesses: Maybe a little too methodical and passive; 305 pounds might be a little on the small side.
Why This Pick: New Orleans has a strong offense already and Sean Payton knows what a strong lineman can do to boost the quality of the unit and the team.
3) Titans - Vince Young, QB, Texas
Strengths: At 6'5, 240 he's a huge prospect at the position; Has possibly the greatest big-game performance in college football history; Great character, he actually cared that he didn't win the Heisman and turned it into a national title.
Weaknesses: Throws like a bitch; After doing the interview and banquet circuits he might be a little out of shape; Underdeveloped, probably needs two years of seasoning.
Why This Pick: It would seem odd that Norm Chow wouldn't convince the Titans brass to pick Matt Leinart here, but this pick makes sense because Chow has so much more upside to work with and the time to do it. With Billy Volek set to play next year (if Steve McNair doesn't come back) there isn't a big rush.
4) N.Y. Jets - Matt Leinart, QB, USC
Strengths: Only lost two games in his career; Possibly one of the ten coolest guys on earth (seriously who WOULDN'T hang out with this guy knowing the amount of trim that flocks to him); Mechanically sound decision maker who can play immediately; Is friends with Alyssa Milano.
Weaknesses: Not much in the way or arm strength or mobility; Is friends with Paris Hilton; Is friends with Nick Lachey; New York tabloid media will mess up his game.
Why This Pick: The Jets find a quarterback that will not melt under the microscope that is New York. Leinart might not have to play this year, but he becomes their QB of the future.
5) Green Bay - Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State
Strengths: Maybe the scariest defensive player in the draft; At 6'7 and 295 pounds the fact that he hasn't fully developed yet is almost frightening; Speed makes Julius Peppers look slow; Will crush Brett Favre if Favre pulls the same shit on him that he pulled on Javon Walker
Weaknesses: Lazy as hell, everything he has accomplised to this point is on raw talent; Still needs to understand what he has to do at his position.
Why This Pick: Well Green Bay could pick anyone short of a punter and not go wrong. Williams may eventually become a 3-spot defensive tackle.
What I am doing this year is looking at the Draft in blocks of five picks and doing a little more analysis on them than last year.
The first five picks belong to the Texans, Saints, Titans, Jets and Packers. The popular opinion is that the Saints hold the key to the first round because they could go one of several directions. It would appear that the Jets or possibly the Raiders would be the most interested in the second slot.
However in my draft there is no early movement. The Jets, with a new GM and new coach, is growing a philosophy that "more is better" and with seven of the first 117 selections they can fill several holes with quality talent.
So without further adieu, he is Day 1 of the Mock Draft.
1) Texans - Reggie Bush, RB, USC
Strengths: Possibly the most exciting running back to come out of college since Barry Sanders; Seems to have better character than O.J.; Almost unstoppable in NCAA 2006.
Weaknesses: At 6', 202 pounds he's a little small. Leaving L.A. for Houston is bound to make him a little depressed.
Why This Pick: The Texans have a dozen holes to fill, but you can never have enough playmakers. Bush is a home run hitter and home run hitters put asses in the seats.
2) Saints - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
Strengths: He's a left tackle you can build a line around; His name is D'Brickashaw; He might have the best footwork of any tackle prospect EVER (including Orlando Pace or Tony Boselli); Very heady and smart.
Weaknesses: Maybe a little too methodical and passive; 305 pounds might be a little on the small side.
Why This Pick: New Orleans has a strong offense already and Sean Payton knows what a strong lineman can do to boost the quality of the unit and the team.
3) Titans - Vince Young, QB, Texas
Strengths: At 6'5, 240 he's a huge prospect at the position; Has possibly the greatest big-game performance in college football history; Great character, he actually cared that he didn't win the Heisman and turned it into a national title.
Weaknesses: Throws like a bitch; After doing the interview and banquet circuits he might be a little out of shape; Underdeveloped, probably needs two years of seasoning.
Why This Pick: It would seem odd that Norm Chow wouldn't convince the Titans brass to pick Matt Leinart here, but this pick makes sense because Chow has so much more upside to work with and the time to do it. With Billy Volek set to play next year (if Steve McNair doesn't come back) there isn't a big rush.
4) N.Y. Jets - Matt Leinart, QB, USC
Strengths: Only lost two games in his career; Possibly one of the ten coolest guys on earth (seriously who WOULDN'T hang out with this guy knowing the amount of trim that flocks to him); Mechanically sound decision maker who can play immediately; Is friends with Alyssa Milano.
Weaknesses: Not much in the way or arm strength or mobility; Is friends with Paris Hilton; Is friends with Nick Lachey; New York tabloid media will mess up his game.
Why This Pick: The Jets find a quarterback that will not melt under the microscope that is New York. Leinart might not have to play this year, but he becomes their QB of the future.
5) Green Bay - Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State
Strengths: Maybe the scariest defensive player in the draft; At 6'7 and 295 pounds the fact that he hasn't fully developed yet is almost frightening; Speed makes Julius Peppers look slow; Will crush Brett Favre if Favre pulls the same shit on him that he pulled on Javon Walker
Weaknesses: Lazy as hell, everything he has accomplised to this point is on raw talent; Still needs to understand what he has to do at his position.
Why This Pick: Well Green Bay could pick anyone short of a punter and not go wrong. Williams may eventually become a 3-spot defensive tackle.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Ok, You've Waited......The Draft preview and mock draft is coming tomorrow. I don't think Cesar is taking part in this so I'll pick 5 players a day.
Right now on Mel Kiper's mock draft (which is an Insider story), he has Jay Cutler dropping all the way down to 10th, I have him dropping too, but not as bad.
How about those Mets! I really wish we could play the Nationals more this season.
Otherwise the pitching line of the night had to go to Baltimore's Daniel Cabrera:
5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 9 BB, 10 Ks
That doesn't include the three wild pitches. Gotta love the Devil Rays, only 7 of 26 batters that faced Cabrera hit the ball fair.
Draft party starts tomorrow.
Right now on Mel Kiper's mock draft (which is an Insider story), he has Jay Cutler dropping all the way down to 10th, I have him dropping too, but not as bad.
How about those Mets! I really wish we could play the Nationals more this season.
Otherwise the pitching line of the night had to go to Baltimore's Daniel Cabrera:
5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 9 BB, 10 Ks
That doesn't include the three wild pitches. Gotta love the Devil Rays, only 7 of 26 batters that faced Cabrera hit the ball fair.
Draft party starts tomorrow.
