Yardbarker

Yardbarker

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Post Draft Blues

The Counselor is IN:

I am sitting in my easy chair relaxing. I have a bla feeling and I am unmotivated to do anything. It is the post NFL Draft Blues.

The NFL Draft is the high point of the off season for NFL Fans. There is a level of Christmas morning anticipation the new players which our team will select. We ask ourselves questions like: "Will our team go and get that great player that I loved in college last year?"; "Will our team listen to the fans and focus on that one position?"; or "Will our GM (or owner) go make a crazy move and cause me to yell at the TV?"

I have been preparing for the Draft for several months. At Cowboys Pride, we have been examining mock drafts and prepping our owns. There is a sense of relief when you finally complete a project but there is also a let down.

I loved the Cowboys pick of Dez Bryant. He was worth moving up to select. I do think he is a huge talent and will upgrade the Cowboys all ready good receivers.

I am sure the Cowboys' other picks will work out. I think they were value picks. But I am discouraged that we did not meet the needs of the Free Safety and Offensive Line with early picks. I am sure some of my frustration has led to my blues.

The Counselor is OUT:

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

NFL Draft live thread for CowboysPride.net on Thursday evening

The Counselor is IN:

I will man the NFL Draft live thread for CowboysPride.net on Thursday evening. Grab your computer while you watch the Draft and tell me what you think. Historically, the Fantasy Sports Counselor has blogged the first round live. Instead, I will bring my thoughts and commentary to the live thread and give you a chance to response.

It should be fun. I will be live at Buffalo Wild Wings on Battlefield in Springfield, MO. If you are in the area stop by and see me. Watching the Draft, hanging with the guys, eat wings and drinking beverages, while giving my "expert" draft coverage should be a fun challenge.

At 9:00 pm, Doyle and I will take the Air Waves Cowboys Pride Radio on Blog Talk Radio for a two hour NFL Draft Extravaganza. We hope to bring the Cowboys pick to you live and give you our thoughts, cheers and or tears. I will keep the Live Thread section going while juggling everything else.

The Counselor is OUT:


Sunday, April 18, 2010

Larry's 2010 Mock Draft

The Counselor is IN:

1. STL: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Year in and year out, the Rams have passed on the top Quarter Backs. This year they will take one. They have passed on Stafford, Sanchez, Ryan, Flacco, and ect.

Other options:
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame- some analysts have Clausen ranked higher than Bradford.

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska- The Rams could opt for the stud DT and pick up a QB in the Second round or trade back into the first round. The rumors are that the Rams were impressed with Colt McCoy.

2. DET: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
I watched Ndamukong Suh dominate offensive lines in the Big 12. He was a man amongst boys in one of the best NCAA Football Conferences. This will make the Lions defense roar.

Other options:
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
McCoy is also a stud DT. You can make arguments that he is even better than Suh in certain aspects of his game and may be a better prospect. I think Suh goes first but would not blink if they go with McCoy.

Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
As my buddy Doyle has stated, Stafford is the franchise for the Lions. They need to start protecting him much better. Okung would be an ideal LT to start protecting Stafford. I think Suh is too much a stud for them to pass up and I look for the Lions to pick up a good lineman in the 2 round.

3. TB: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Tampa Bay’s Coach Morris wants to revamp the Buc’s Defense. They would love a Defensive Tackle in the mold of Warren Sapp and McCoy has a good chance of being this type of player. McCoy will be a great addition for the new Bucs D.

Other options:
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
If Suh is still on the board with McCoy, Morris will do a jig and have to select between stud A and stud B for his defense. If Detroit takes McCoy, then Tampa will be excited to have Suh instead of McCoy.

Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Berry should only be the pick if McCoy and Suh are both off the board. It is not ideal for Tampa but they would satisfied this stud Safety.

4. WAS: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
All Pro QB- check, a bunch of over the hill running backs- check, Left Tackle- NEED ONE! Williams is a better match than Okung with the Redskins zone blocking scheme according to some experts. I agree with their diagnosis.

Other options:
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Okung is regarded as the best Offensive Lineman in the draft. He could easily be the selection here.

5. KC: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
This would be a dream scenario for Kansas City. They need to shore up their sparse offensive line. He would allow Alberts to be moved to either RT or guard. This would help protect their investment of Matt Cassel.

Other options:
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa or Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Okung may already be off the board. If that happens, the Chiefs will have to pick between two very good back up options for tackle.

Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Safety has been a hole for the Chiefs for some time. Berry would instantly improve their defense. This is not out of the realm of possibility.

6. SEA: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
All Signs are pointing towards LT Walter Jones retiring. This is huge hole (pun intended) for the Seahawks line. I look for them to take the best tackle on the board. If the draft goes this way, I would expect them to select a great pick of Bulaga.

Other options:
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State or Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
One of the three big tackles should be left on the board. If they do not select Bulaga, then they should select either Okung and Williams.

Eric Berry, S, Tennessee or Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Seattle could use assistance at Safety. Berry is seen as the best but Thomas has been climbing up draft boards. Either one would instantly assist the Seahawks defense.

7. CLE: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Cleveland has a ton of needs but one of the glaring needs is for help at Safety. Berry is the best Safety on the board according to most experts. He is your pontifical Free Safety which can be a ball hawking center fielder or a guy that drops in the box for run support. Berry was projected as a top 5 pick but because of the needs at Tackle for many teams, Berry might just be available here.

Other options:
Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Thomas is shutting up the draft boards for many experts. I have heard that numerous teams have changed their ranking to put Thomas in front of Berry. If Cleveland ends of being one of these teams or if Berry is snatched up earlier, Thomas will be a great fit for their need.

Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame or Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Bradford will not drop to 7th but there is a lot of noise about Cleveland trading up for Bradford. If they stay pat, they could select Clausen. It does not appear they are very interested in Clausen but you can never trust what teams are saying before the draft.


8. OAK: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
The Raiders under Al Davis love players that perform well at the Combine. No player had a better Combine than Campbell. They have a huge need for a legitimate Left Tackle. That being said, you never know what the Raiders will do. They are the ultimate wild card in any draft.

Other options:
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Davis is a really talented Offensive Tackle and may have the most upside of any tackle in the draft. He has been knocked for being lazy and not a hard worker. This would be a better pick for the Raiders but what is the likely hood that the Raiders will take the Better Pick?

Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
The rumors are out there that Oakland has an interest in Clausen. That would mean that the Raiders would have to admit that Russell was a failure. This is a possibility and Oakland does like to make a splash at the draft.


9. BUF: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
I have gone back and forth several times with this pick. One moment I have Clausen penciled in and the next moment, I have Williams. Buffalo is changing to a 3-4 base defense. They have a mammoth need for a Nose Tackle. They will not find another nose tackle in this draft.

Other options:
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame Clausen continues to be on the other options list. He would clearly meet a huge need for the Bills as their QB. They need a face of the franchise. They have been down this road before and it sound like they are not completely sold on Clausen. This is one of the reasons I dropped him back behind Williams.

Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers or Any OT
If Davis is on the Board, he would be a good selection. They have a real need for their offensive line.

10. JAX: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Morgan is a great pass rusher. He is 6-4 and 272 pound and has good speed around the corner. The Jags only had 14 sacks last year. Morgan’s addition should add badly needed sacks.

Other options:
Joe Haden, CB, Florida or Earl Thomas, S, Texas
The Jags also have a need to shore up their secondary. Either Haden or Thomas would fit a need for this team. Both are good options and are about at the level for Jacksonville to pick between if they decide to go with secondary instead of DE.


11. DEN: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
The Broncos continue their conversion to the 3-4. They have huge need at inside linebacker. McClain is a perfect fit. The Broncos could select a WR or even Clausen but my money is on McClain.

12. MIA: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Look for the Dolphins to convert Pierre-Paul to an OLB in the lines of DeMarcus Ware. He has a ton of potential and a fierce motor. Plus he can do backflips and that moves prospects up my draft board.

13. SF: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Biggest need for the 49ers is cornerback. The best corner in the draft is on the board. It should not be hard to pull the trigger on this pick.

14. SEA: CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
The Seahawks need a running back. How about one who can run fast, catch the ball out of the backfield, and score touchdowns? I think Spiller will be a good fit for Seattle.

15. NYG: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
The Giants have several needs but aging linebackers need to be replaced. Weatherspoon is a great pick up for the Giants. As a Missouri Tigers fan, I hate to see Weatherspoon go to the Giants.

16. TEN: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
DE Kyle Vanden Bosh is gone. The Titans need some playmakers on the Defensive Line and Graham is a play maker.

17. SF: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
I doubt if San Fran is sitting around thinking about Clausen but if he falls to the 49ers at 17, they have to consider him. Alex Smith has not worked out the way they expected. Clausen is the most ready for the Pros of the QB prospects. This will give Ten Ginn someone to throw the ball to him. I am sure that Coach Singletary would prefer a defensive pick.

18. PIT: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
The Steelers could use an upgrade at Corner. Wilson is an outstanding prospect at Corner. They could go with a Defensive Lineman or even an Offensive Lineman but with Wilson still available, they should select him.

19. ATL: Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Griffen is a pass rusher and the Falcons need a pass rushing DE. This would be a good fit.

20. HOU: Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
The running game for Houston was anemic. Matthews is an upgrade for Houston. He should step in as the starter from day one.

21. CIN: Taylor Mays, S, USC
The Bengals could use an upgrade at both safeties. Mays can play either safety position. He is a hard hitting safety.

22. NE: Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State
Over the last few years, the Pats have lost their big time pass rushers. Odrick should help fill their need as a Defensive End.

23. GB: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Like many teams, the Packers are looking to upgrade their offensive line. Rogers would be happy if he could stay off his back. Davis was a top ten prospect before the Combine.

24. PHI: Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
Philly needs to upgrade their defense. They need help with their defensive line and their linebackers. Kindle is the best of the group that is left on the board.

25. BAL: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahome State
Bryant is a top five talent but has free fallen because of concerns about work ethic. This would be a steal for the Ravens and would give Flacco a great target. Wide Receiver is not the biggest need but Bryant would be too good to pass up.

26. ARI: Jerry Hughes, LB, TCU
Arizona could go several ways. They could use a left tackle but the best are off the table. They could use a top Defensive End but they are also gone. Breaston should be taking over for Boldin so that is not a huge need for them. They need help at Outside Linebacker so Hughes is a solid pick for them.

27. DAL: Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
The Cowboys need help on their offensive line. Iupati is a prefect fit for them. He may or may not be able to play Left Tackle for them but he sure could help at Guard and maybe Right Tackle. He is coveted by the Cowboys and many of their fans.

28. SD: Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
The one thing that the Chargers need more than a RB is a Nose Tackle. Cody will meet this need. The Chargers do have an early pick in the 2nd round and there will be a good running back at that point. I am not sure he will be available at the 8th pick in the second round (40).

29. NYJ: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Notre Dame
The Jets do have Edwards and Holmes at Wide Out but neither one of them have contracts past this season. Thomas can sit back, learn, and develop behind Edwards and Holmes. The Jets need to build up targets for Sanchez.

30. MIN: Nate Allen, FS, South Florida
The Vikings do not need many upgrades for starters. But safety is an area that they could use an upgrade both at Free and Strong Safety. Allen will be a great addition to the Vikings.

31. IND: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
Jeff Saturday is a great Center for Indy but is aging at 35 years old. Pouncey can help their O line, and one day replace Jeff Saturday. They might go with a Defensive Tackle instead. But I look for them to keep up the protection of Peyton.

32. NO: Brian Price, DT, UCLA
The Saints need help on the defensive side of the ball. Their biggest need appears to be at Defensive Tackle. Price may be a little raw but will bring huge upside at a position of need.

The Counselor is OUT: