Featuring Trevor Utley, Andrew Sanford, & Lou Kessler
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By Trevor Utley & contributors Like the Premier League Preview, my attempt at a Crowdsourced NFL Preview blew up in my face like a trick cigar. Similarly, I took to an old route for an NFL Preview: fan predictions. I know the season is already a game old (if you can call what happened last night a game) but here are said predictions for your reading pleasure. Division winners, conference champions, Super Bowl champions, and various award winners (along with a bold prediction) are what you can peruse here. You'll quickly pick up how Patriots fans feel the 2014 season is going to end. I'd be remiss if I didn't include the work of those who actually contributed to the Crowdsourced Preview. Their team previews will be at the end of the article, plugs and all! TREVOR UTLEY, Colts fan (Twitter: @TREVORutley) AFC East- Patriots AFC North- Bengals AFC South- Colts AFC West- Broncos NFC East- Eagles NFC North- Packers NFC South- Falcons NFC West- Seahawks AFC Wild Cards- Chargers, Steelers NFC Wild Cards- 49ers, Saints AFC Champion- Chargers NFC Champion- 49ers Super Bowl Champion- 49ers MVP- Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers Offensive Rookie of the Year- Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers Defensive Rookie of the Year- Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Texans Coach of the Year- Mike McCoy, Chargers BOLD PREDICTION- Giants coach Tom Coughlin doesn't make it through the season. COLIN HECHT, Patriots fan (Twitter: @C_Hechta) AFC East- Patriots AFC North- Steelers AFC South- Colts AFC West- Broncos NFC East- Eagles NFC North- Lions NFC South- Saints NFC West- Seahawks AFC Wild Cards- Browns, Chiefs NFC Wild Cards- Panthers, Packers AFC Champion- Patriots NFC Champion- Panthers Super Bowl Champion- Patriots MVP- Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks & Cam Newton, QB, Panthers Offensive Rookie of the Year- Bishop Sankey, RB, Titans Defensive Rookie of the Year- Khalil Mack, LB, Raiders Coach of the Year- Mike Pettine, Browns BOLD PREDICTION- Wes Welker retires midseason. JOSH SOUZA, Patriots fan (Twitter: @JSouza1487) AFC East- Patriots AFC North- Bengals AFC South- Colts AFC West- Broncos NFC East- Eagles NFC North- Packers NFC South- Panthers NFC West- Seahawks AFC Wild Cards- Chiefs, Steelers NFC Wild Cards- Saints, 49ers AFC Champion- Patriots NFC Champion- Seahawks Super Bowl Champion- Patriots MVP- Tom Brady, QB, Patriots Offensive Rookie of the Year- Brandin Cooks, WR, Saints Defensive Rookie of the Year- Khalil Mack, LB, Raiders Coach of the Year- Sean Payton, Saints BOLD PREDICTION- At least five more 49ers are arrested. ANDREW DASILVA, Patriots fan (Twitter: @andrewdlsv) AFC East- Patriots AFC North- Bengals AFC South- Colts AFC West- Broncos NFC East- Eagles NFC North- Packers NFC South- Saints NFC West- 49ers AFC Wild Cards- Steelers, Chiefs NFC Wild Cards- Seahawks, Falcons AFC Champion- Patriots NFC Champion- 49ers Super Bowl Champion- Patriots MVP- Andrew Luck, QB, Colts Offensive Rookie of the Year- Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills Defensive Rookie of the Year- Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Texans Coach of the Year- Chip Kelly, Eagles BOLD PREDICTION- Carson Palmer's huge year will lead to nothing for Arizona. So that is one for the 49ers and three for the Patriots in terms of Super Bowl picks. There was a great deal of overlap in division winner picks but the award selections and bold predictions were diversified. My MVP pick, Aaron Rodgers, will look better over the next fifteen games than he did against the Legion of Boom last night. Trust me. As promised though, here are the previews of the Texans, Buccaneers, and 49ers done by fans as well as the Colts one done by yours truly. HOUSTON TEXANS Well for any self respecting Texans fan we all know how last season went down: in a blaze of failure, watching our team crumble to pieces as the laughingstock of the NFL for the entire nation to watch on live TV. We went from the playing in the playoffs against the Patriots the year before and being the AFC South champions, with very real Super Bowl aspirations, to watching our team crumble from the inside out one game at time. From our quarterback Matt Schaub breaking the record for most consecutive pick sixes to be thrown in a series of games (4) to our coach, Gary Kubiak, having a mini stroke on the sidelines and being promptly fired two games later, 2013 was a disaster. Needless to say, last season tested fans' resolve for a team that is only a decade old and the 2-14 record left a bitter taste in our mouths. So this season, is a year of redemption. With new head coach Bill O'Brien, versatility is what the Texans will be focused on going into the season. The quarterback situation is somewhat solved by bringing in Ryan Fitzpatrick from the Titans while Matt Schaub got shipped to Oakland as only his abysmal performance last season dictated he deserved. (Still laughing about that hahahahahhahaha). Second string quarterback TJ Yates was let go loving Case Keenum as second string signal caller (ED: He was one of the final cuts). With first round draft pick Jadeveon Clowney showing promise at training camp despite a small injury, to which coaches said was minor, the team holds their defensive hopes high. Brian Cushing, a major factor in the Texans defense on which we so heavily rely, is still on the PUP list. Seeing as how he has only played 12 games in the last two seasons, here's to hoping he actually gets back to being a full time member of a team that so desperately relies on him. And then there is JJ Watt. A superhuman football machine that Jesus himself sent down from the heavens when the clouds parted and the Texans asked for a player that will never get injured, plays excellent defense, and will dedicate the majority of his adult years to playing football for the great state of Texas. A powerhouse who exudes confidence and team spirit and has a nice smile to boot, The 2012 Defensive Player of the Year has remained the rock that the Texans need to survive a season like last years. I am going to go pray for JJ Watt's health and safety right now. Things are shaky at best for the Texans heading into the 2014-2015 season. But there is potential. Potential so long as they don't break under the pressure. More seasoned teams like the Patriots can function with rookies, injured players, and an aging line up due to experienced head coaches and long time veterans of the game. The Texans will be put to the test this season to see if the fledgling team can hang with the big boys. As always, we shall see. Season Prediction: 8-8 You can follow Carli Colonna on Twitter @ladycolonna. When your team hasn't sniffed the playoffs in 6 years and hasn't had a winning record in 4, you try to find reasons to be optimistic for the upcoming season. These reasons can span from new coaching and front office, to new talent, to crazy uniform theories that you've devised in your head and wasted the time to look up supporting statistics for. I'll touch on all three of these factors, and what they'll lead to in 2014. 1. NEW COACH First, I'll try some actual football analysis and look at the change in coaching staff and upper management. Lovie Smith is a man that real Bucs fans will recognize as the LBs coach under Tony Dungy from 1996-2001; the one who coached up a young Derrick Brooks and played a part in shaping him to be the Hall of Fame Linebacker that he is today. He followed the natural coaching progression, Coordinating the Rams Defense from 2001-2003, and eventually becoming a head coach for the Bears in 2004. From 2004-2012, he had a career regular season record of 81-63 and a postseason record of 3-3. Yup, definitely a Tony Dungy guy. Having a proven track record of bringing solid respectable football teams to the table, Lovie Smith is the perfect guy for the Bucs at this point in time. He brings in a solid support staff, flanked by OC Jeff Tedford, and DC Leslie Frazier. Tedford is the wild card here, as he's never proven anything at the pro level. He does have a lot to work with, which I'll highlight next. 2. NEW FACES When any team changes coaches and front office, they usually clean house and bring in some new players via free agency. The Bucs did just that by signing QB Josh McCown, LT Anthony Collins, C Evan Dietrich-Smith, G Logan Mankins, DE Michael Johnson, DT Clinton McDonald, S Major Wright, TE Brandon Myers, and CBs Alterraun Verner and Mike Jenkins, among others. Making way for these new players, they lost CB Darrelle Revis, LT Donald Penn, G Davin Joseph, and C/G tweener Jeremy Zuttah, among others. Overall, the strategy of new GM Jason Light was to replace a few great players with an abundance of good players, and build a team that is solid at all positions. He also adds an impressive draft class, highlighted by WR Mike Evans, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, RB Charles Sims and WR Robert Herron. Offensively, new QB Josh McCown has twin towers to toss the ball to in the aforementioned Evans and veteran Vincent Jackson. If Seferian-Jenkins pans out, this team may be difficult to cover. McCown has a pattern of success with tall receivers (see Marshall, Brandon: 2013 and Jeffery, Alshon: 2013). Along the trenches offensively, the Bucs lost Carl Nicks forever due to a faulty toe that's plagued him for years. This loss hurts, but Logan Mankins should do a fine job replacing him, and a much better job than him of staying healthy. This is breakeven, to possibly a slight upgrade at the position. Anthony Collins is a slight downgrade from Penn at LT in my opinion, but is still solid. The addition of C Dietrich-Smith may be the most underrated signing of the offseason. If he can remain healthy he will provide a stable line general for years to come (a crucial element to a successful offense, and something we haven't had since Jeff Christy circa the early 2000s). With a talented group of guys in the backfield led by Doug Martin, Tampa should have no problem running the ball. Defensively, you have a lot of incredibly talented players, and a couple of special ones. Gerald McCoy is considered by many to be the best in the world at what he does. Lavonte David may have similar status by years end, as he's already banked 2 phenomenal years as a pro. These two form the foundation for a defense that should play a lot better than they have. In order for this unit to be successful as a whole, however, guys like LB Mason Foster, DE Adrian Clayborn, SS Mark Barron, and CB Alterraun Vernor will have to provide solid consistent play. If this is the year that things start to click for these young guys, then this could easily be a top defense in this league for years to come. That remains a big if, and I'll believe it when I see it. 3. NEW LOGO AND UNIFORMS (I Have a lot of time on my hands) Bear with me as I take you back in time… 1. 1995: DT Warren Sapp and LB Derrick Brooks both drafted. 2. 1996: Record = 6-10 (not good). 1991-1996: Combined Record = 32-64 (again, not good). 3. 1997: the Bucs undergo a uniform and logo change. 4. 1997: Record = 10-6 (pretty good) with a playoff appearance. 1997-2002: Combined Record = 60-36 with 5 playoff appearances and a Superbowl Victory (again, pretty good). Now, back to the present…. 1. 2010: DT Gerald McCoy drafted. 2012: LB Lavonte David drafted 2. 2013: Record = 4-12 (not good). 2008-2013: Combined Record = 37-59 (again, not good). 3. 2014: the Bucs undergo a uniform and logo change. 4. 2014… 2014 Prediction The combination of a new front office and coaching staff, new players, and most importantly, new uniforms, will form the perfect shitstorm In Tampa Bay. Said shitstorm will lead the Bucs to a 10-6 record, a playoff appearance, success for years to come, and a slightly less depressing version of me on Sundays. You can follow Matt Falcone on Twitter @matthewfalcone and if you need a website for your small business check out mfwebsolutions.com. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS Let me quickly delve into my fandom with the 49ers. I have rooted for the team since '94 when they obliterated the Chargers to win their last Superbowl. I was eight years old then and for the past twenty years I have seen many up and down moments. This year, I am very hopeful due to some key additions through free agency and the draft. The two key free-agent acquisitions that will pay dividends for the Niners are Antoine Bethea and Stevie Johnson. Losing Donte Whitner was tough because he brought physicality to the team, however, Bethea brings experience, leadership, and statistically has averaged 100 tackles throughout his eight-year NFL tenure. When you factor in the penalties associated with Donte's physical play, it can only benefit the team going forward in a tight NFC West. The second free-agent that will prove to be crucial to the 49ers' success is Stevie Johnson. As a solid third wide receiving option, Stevie will lead to more opportunities for Vernon Davis and Vance McDonald in the end zone, along with creating open running gaps for Gore, Lattimore, and Hyde. The hope is that Johnson can stay healthy throughout a grueling season against the likes of Sherman, Patterson, and other formidable defensive pass coverage experts. Finally, the draft has proven very fruitful over the years for San Francisco, most recently with Eric Reid. The same I think will be said for Jimmie Ward, defensive back from Northern Illinois, who brings speed and an eye for the ball after getting an interception from Kaepernick the second practice into training camp. Lattimore and Hyde will be a great battle to look out for as they vie for the backup role to Frank Gore. Record Prediction: 12-4 Results: Superbowl Winners against the Patriots Al deCiutiis can be found on Twitter @ALpocalypseNow and his video game hijinx can be found at Tapped Gaming. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS The Colts are clearly the class of the AFC South but they are still the low man on the totem pole in terms of potential division winners in the AFC. They have a very imposing first string on both offense and defense but a lack of depth will surely be their undoing as their grueling schedule unfolds. Andrew Luck will continue his ascension into the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks in 2014. The third year Stanford product shows you something new each game and will be the face of this franchise for another decade plus. Injuries however are slowly depleting Luck's supporting cast. Running back Vick Ballard and starting guard Donald Thomas have already been lost for the season before the first preseason game has even been played. This puts even more pressure on starting RB Trent Richardson, who underperformed after his trade from Cleveland, and rookie lineman Jack Mewhort. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dwayne Allen are coming back from IR stints themselves and need to stay on the field for the Colts offense to flow. I'd talk more about the Colts offense but I'd end up just getting more and more angry at the thought of Trent Richardson running into the line for one yard and then getting up and acting like he just ran for a 99 yard touchdown. Defensively the Colts are decent but will be playing undermanned against some high flying attack the first two weeks. Robert Mathis will not be chasing Peyton Manning and Nick Foles in weeks one and two as he serves a four game drug suspension. 2013 first rounder Bjoern Werner has the unenviable task of filling in the shoes of Mathis, who had 19.5 sacks en route to Defensive Player of the Year honors last season. New signings D'Qwell Jackson and Arthur Jones are also upgrades against the run and pass. If Indy can find anybody outside of Vontae Davis to make plays in the secondary, their D will be much better than expected. If not, seeing Indy on the schedule will be a quarterback's wet dream. Predicted Record: 11-5 Trevor Utley can be found on Twitter @TREVORutley, here of course, and check out the Continuous Cardboard Fire on Tumblr. Image Credits: NFL Collage (lombardiave.com); Texans, Buccaneers, 49ers, Colts logos (wikipedia.org) By Trevor Utley If you are friends or follow me on Facebook than you've already seen this several times already and I apologize in advance but for those that don't belong to that "exclusive" club, consider this your open invitation to be a part of the Bleeding Your Colors experience. I thought it would be a good idea for the upcoming football (and futbol) seasons to do previews. I know what a revelation! This time though instead of it all being my ideas and prognostications about the upcoming campaign(s) I would let fans of the 32 respective NFL teams give you, the reader, their take on how their team will perform in 2014. Are the fans of first place teams (like my Colts which I will be covering) super confident? Are fans of teams that were towards the top of the draft board hopeful of a turnaround? I would love to have your feedback and input and will shamelessly plug anything you want plugged for your generous contribution of a couple of paragraphs. Below is a list of teams that are currently unaccounted for. If you can help please let me know. If you know of someone who is a fan of one of those teams and is willing to participate LET ME KNOW! Tweet me @TREVORutley, send me a message on Facebook, or e-mail me at [email protected]. All work should be e-mailed to me as soon as humanly possible and once again THANK YOU!! BUFFALO BILLS MIAMI DOLPHINS NEW YORK JETS CINCINNATI BENGALS CLEVELAND BROWNS BALTIMORE RAVENS PITTSBURGH STEELERS TENNESSEE TITANS DENVER BRONCOS SAN DIEGO CHARGERS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS OAKLAND RAIDERS PHILADELPHIA EAGLES NEW YORK GIANTS WASHINGTON REDSKINS CHICAGO BEARS DETROIT LIONS GREEN BAY PACKERS MINNESOTA VIKINGS ATLANTA FALCONS CAROLINA PANTHERS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS ARIZONA CARDINALS ST. LOUIS RAMS SEATTLE SEAHAWKS By Trevor Utley Here is Part II. And yes I am aware, the afternoon is not the previous night or morning. I'll be live tweeting tonight and tomorrow's coverage so keep an eye on @TREVORutley for my thoughts on each pick.
Round 4 1 (101). Houston Texans- Cyril Richardson, G (Baylor) 2 (102). Washington Redskins- Josh Mauro, DE (Stanford) 3 (103). Atlanta Falcons- Arthur Lynch, TE (Georgia) 4 (104). New York Jets- E.J. Gaines, CB (Missouri) 5 (105). Jacksonville Jaguars- Terrence Brooks, S (Florida State) 6 (106). Cleveland Browns- Daniel McCullers, DT (Tennessee) 7 (107). Oakland Raiders- Tom Savage, QB (Pittsburgh) 8 (108). Minnesota Vikings- Trevor Reilly, DE (Utah) 9 (109). Buffalo Bills- Preston Brown, LB (Louisville) 10 (110). St. Louis Rams- Dion Bailey, S (USC) 11 (111). Detroit Lions- Gabe Ikard, C (Oklahoma) 12 (112). Tennessee Titans- Bashaud Breeland, CB (Clemson) 13 (113). New York Giants- Brock Vereen, S (Minnesota) 14 (114). Jacksonville Jaguars- Travis Swanson, C (Arkansas) 15 (115). New York Jets- Victor Hampton, CB (South Carolina) 16 (116). Miami Dolphins- Billy Turner, OT (North Dakota State) 17 (117). Chicago Bears- Ahmad Dixon, S (Baylor) 18 (118). Pittsburgh Steelers- Terrance Mitchell, CB (Oregon) 19 (119). Dallas Cowboys- Will Sutton, DT (Arizona State) 20 (120). Arizona Cardinals- Craig Loston, S (LSU) 21 (121). Green Bay Packers- Will Clarke, DE (West Virginia) 22 (122). Philadelphia Eagles- Ka'Deem Carey, RB (Arizona) 23 (123). Cincinnati Bengals- Phillip Gaines, CB (Rice) 24 (124). Kansas City Chiefs- Aaron Murray, QB (Georgia) 25 (125). San Diego Chargers- Charles Sims, RB (West Virginia) 26 (126). New Orleans Saints- Christian Jones, LB (Florida State) 27 (127). Cleveland Browns- Bruce Ellington, WR (South Carolina) 28 (128). Carolina Panthers- Lache Seastrunk, RB (Baylor) 29 (129). San Francisco 49ers- Khairi Fortt, LB (California) 30 (130). New England Patriots- Jordan Tripp, LB (Montana) 31 (131). Denver Broncos- Crockett Gilmore, TE (Colorado State) 32 (132). Seattle Seahawks- Kevin Norwood, WR (Alabama) 33 (133). Detroit Lions (compensatory selection)- Yawin Smallwood, LB (Connecticut) 34 (134). Baltimore Ravens (compensatory selection)- Anthony Johnson, DT (LSU) 35 (135). Houston Texans (compensatory selection)- Kenny Ladler, S (Vanderbilt) 36 (136). Detroit Lions (compensatory selection)- Kendall James, CB (Maine) 37 (137). New York Jets (compensatory selection)- Devonta Freeman, RB (Florida State) 38 (138). Baltimore Ravens (compensatory selection)- Ethan Westbrooks, DE (West Texas A&M) 39 (139). Atlanta Falcons (compensatory selection)- Kelcy Quarles, DE (South Carolina) 40 (140). New England Patriots (compensatory selection)- Dontae Johnson, CB (NC State) Round 5 1 (141). Houston Texans- Nevin Lawson, CB (Utah State) 2 (142). Washington Redskins- Dakota Dozier, G (Furman) 3 (143). Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tre Boston, S (North Carolina) 4 (144). Jacksonville Jaguars- Caraun Reid, DT (Princeton) 5 (145). Cleveland Browns- Shayne Skov, LB (Stanford) 6 (146). Seattle Seahawks- Jordan Zumwalt, LB (UCLA) 7 (147). Atlanta Falcons- Bryan Stork, C (Florida State) 8 (148). Minnesota Vikings- Taylor Hart, DE (Oregon) 9 (149). Buffalo Bills- Mike Davis, WR (Texas) 10 (150). Jacksonville Jaguars- Jeff Janis, WR (Saginaw Valley State) 11 (151). Tennessee Titans- Justin Ellis, DT (Louisiana Tech) 12 (152). New York Giants- Shamar Stephen, DT (Connecticut) 13 (153). St. Louis Rams- Brandon Linder, G (Miami-FL) 14 (154). New York Jets- Jalen Saunders, WR (Oklahoma) 15 (155). Miami Dolphins- Shaquille Richardson, CB (Arizona) 16 (156). Chicago Bears- Deion Belue, CB (Alabama) 17 (157). Pittsburgh Steelers- Antone Exum, CB (Virginia Tech) 18 (158). Dallas Cowboys- Jon Halapio, G (Florida) 19 (159). Jacksonville Jaguars- Storm Johnson, RB (Central Florida) 20 (160). Arizona Cardinals- Max Bullough, LB (Michigan State) 21 (161). Green Bay Packers- Brent Urban, DE (Virginia) 22 (162). Philadelphia Eagles- Zack Kerr, DT (Delaware) 23 (163). Kansas City Chiefs- Jerick McKinnon, RB (Georgia Southern) 24 (164). Cincinnati Bengals- David Fales, QB (San Jose State) 25 (165). San Diego Chargers- Loucheiz Purifoy, CB (Florida) 26 (166). Indianapolis Colts- James Gayle, DE (Virginia Tech) 27 (167). New Orleans Saints- Telvin Smith, LB (Florida State) 28 (168). Carolina Panthers- Robert Herron, WR (Wyoming) 29 (169). New Orleans Saints- Deandre Coleman, DE (California) 30 (170). San Francisco 49ers- Adrian Hubbard, DE (Alabama) 31 (171). Denver Broncos- Seantrel Henderson, OT (Miami-FL) 32 (172). Seattle Seahawks- A.J. McCarron, QB (Alabama) 33 (173). Pittsburgh Steelers (compensatory selection)- Tajh Boyd, QB (Clemson) 34 (174). New York Giants (compensatory selection)- Brock Coyle, LB (Montana) 35 (175). Baltimore Ravens (compensatory selection)- Brandon Thomas, G (Clemson) 36 (176). Green Bay Packers (compensatory selection)- Ross Cockrell, CB (Duke) Round 6 1 (177). Houston Texans- Blake Annen, TE (Cincinnati) 2 (178). Washington Redskins- Ryan Grant, WR (Tulane) 3 (179). Jacksonville Jaguars- Jake Murphy, TE (Utah) 4 (180). Cleveland Browns- Devon Kennard, DE (USC) 5 (181). Houston Texans- Ricardo Allen, CB (Purdue) 6 (182). Atlanta Falcons- Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB (Coastal Carolina) 7 (183). Chicago Bears- Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB (Boston College) 8 (184). Minnesota Vikings- Anthony Steen, G (Alabama) 9 (185). Tampa Bay Buccaneers- De'Anthony Thomas, RB (Oregon) 10 (186). Tennessee Titans- Larry Webster, DE (Bloomsburg) 11 (187). New York Giants- Chris Watt, G (Notre Dame) 12 (188). St. Louis Rams- Zach Moore, DE (Concordia) 13 (189). Detroit Lions- Howard Jones, DE (Shepherd) 14 (190). Miami Dolphins- Jemea Thomas, CB (Georgia Tech) 15 (191). Chicago Bears- John Urschel, G (Penn State) 16 (192). Pittsburgh Steelers- Richard Rodgers, TE (California) 17 (193). Kansas City Chiefs- John Dowling, S (Western Kentucky) 18 (194). Baltimore Ravens- Charles Leno, OT (Boise State) 19 (195). New York Jets- Lonnie Ballentine, S (Memphis) 20 (196). Arizona Cardinals- Michael Schofield, OT (Michigan) 21 (197). Green Bay Packers- Michael Sam, DE (Missouri) 22 (198). New England Patriots- Xavier Grimble, TE (USC) 23 (199). Cincinnati Bengals- Jay Bromley, DT (Syracuse) 24 (200). Kansas City Chiefs- Ryan Groy, G (Wisconsin) 25 (201). San Diego Chargers- Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, OT (McGill) 26 (202). New Orleans Saints- Cairo Santos, K (Tulane) 27 (203). Indianapolis Colts- Russell Bodine, C (North Carolina) 28 (204). Carolina Panthers- Prince Shembo, LB (Notre Dame) 29 (205). Jacksonville Jaguars- Connor Shaw, QB (South Carolina) 30 (206). New England Patriots- Bennett Jackson, CB (Notre Dame) 31 (207). Denver Broncos- Wesley Johnson, C (Vanderbilt) 32 (208). Seattle Seahawks- Cameron Brate, TE (Harvard) 33 (209). New York Jets (compensatory selection)- Cassius Marsh, DE (UCLA) 34 (210). New York Jets (compensatory selection)- Denicos Allen, LB (Michigan State) 35 (211). Houston Texans (compensatory selection)- Will Smith, LB (Texas Tech) 36 (212). Cincinnati Bengals (compensatory selection)- Cotton Underwood, DE (Illinois State) 37 (213). New York Jets (compensatory selection)- Dez Southward, S (Wisconsin) 38 (214). St. Louis Rams (compensatory selection)- Dexter McDougle, CB (Maryland) 39 (215). Pittsburgh Steelers (compensatory selection)- Kapri Bibbs, RB (Colorado State) Round 7 1 (216). Houston Texans- Isaiah Crowell, RB (Alabama State) 2 (217). Washington Redskins- Trey Millard, FB (Oklahoma) 3 (218). Cleveland Browns- Devekeyan Lattimore, LB (South Florida) 4 (219). Oakland Raiders- James Stone, C (Tennessee) 5 (220). Atlanta Falcons- Colt Lyerla, TE (Oregon) 6 (221). Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jordan Lynch, QB (Northern Illinois) 7 (222). Jacksonville Jaguars- Ken Bishop, DT (Northern Illinois) 8 (223). Minnesota Vikings- Raijon Neal, RB (Tennessee) 9 (224). Buffalo Bills- Garrett Gilbert, QB (SMU) 10 (225). Carolina Panthers- Brett Smith, QB (Wyoming) 11 (226). St. Louis Rams- Matthew Paradis, C (Boise State) 12 (227). Detroit Lions- Deon Broomfield, S (Iowa State) 13 (228). Tennessee Titans- Aaron Lynch, DE (South Florida) 14 (229). Dallas Cowboys- John Brown, WR (Pittsburg State) 15 (230). Pittsburgh Steelers- Kirby Van Der Kamp, P (Iowa State) 16 (231). Dallas Cowboys- Philly Brown, WR (Ohio State) 17 (232). Indianapolis Colts- Devin Street, WR (Pittsburgh) 18 (233). New York Jets- Shaquil Barret, LB (Colorado State) 19 (234). Miami Dolphins- Alfred Blue, RB (LSU) 20 (235). Oakland Raiders- Matt Hall, OT (Belhaven) 21 (236). Green Bay Packers- Jay Prosch, FB (Auburn) 22 (237). Philadelphia Eagles- Rob Branchflower, TE (UMASS) 23 (238). Dallas Cowboys- Senorise Perry, RB (Louisville) 24 (239). Cincinnati Bengals- Josh Walker, G (Middle Tennesse State) 25 (240). San Diego Chargers- Chris Boswell, K (Rice) 26 (241). St. Louis Rams- Antonio Andrews, RB (Western Kentucky) 27 (242). San Francisco 49ers- Aaron Colvin, CB (Oklahoma) 28 (243). San Francisco 49ers- L'Damian Washington, WR (Missouri) 29 (244). New England Patriots- Michael Flacco, TE (New Haven) 30 (245). San Francisco 49ers- Daniel Sorensen, S (BYU) 31 (246). Denver Broncos- William Poehls, G (Montana) 32 (247). Oakland Raiders- Zurlon Tipton, RB (Central Michigan) 33 (248). Dallas Cowboys (compensatory selection)- Stephen Morris, QB (Miami-FL) 34 (249). St. Louis Rams (compensatory selection)- Kevin Graf, OT (USC) 35 (250). St. Louis Rams (compensatory selection)- Eric Ward, WR (Texas Tech) 36 (251). Dallas Cowboys (compensatory selection)- Chaz Sutton, DE (South Carolina) 37 (252). Cincinnati Bengals (compensatory selection)- Qua Cox, CB (Jackson State) 38 (253). Atlanta Falcons (compensatory selection)- Blake Jackson, TE (Oklahoma State) 39 (254). Dallas Cowboys (compensatory selection)- Antwan Lowery, G (Rutgers) 40 (255). Atlanta Falcons (compensatory selection)- Marcus Heit, LS (Kansas State) 41 (256). Houston Texans (compensatory selection)- Patrick Laird, WR (Army) By Trevor Utley The draft is less than an hour away so wet your palette with one last mock draft. Though I am aware that my first round will be drastically off due to the events leading up to the draft (failed drug tests, players getting late hype, recent free agent activity, etc.) but for entertainment purposes I've left it unaltered from my original evaluation. It'll be fun to see the meteoric rises up the board as well as the titanic falls (here's looking at you Teddy). Peruse these seven rounds (split into two parts) of prognostication at your leisure but make sure to check out my Twitter feed (@TREVORutley) as I live tweet each pick. Enjoy the draft and I hope your team gets their man.
Round 1 1. Houston Texans- Johnny Manziel, QB (Texas A&M) 2. St. Louis Rams- Jadeveon Clowney, DE (South Carolina) 3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Blake Bortles, QB (Central Florida) 4. Cleveland Browns- Teddy Bridgewater, QB (Louisville) 5. Oakland Raiders- Khalil Mack, LB (Buffalo) 6. Atlanta Falcons- Greg Robinson, OT (Auburn) 7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jake Matthews, OT (Texas A&M) 8. Minnesota Vikings- Derek Carr, QB (Fresno State) 9. Buffalo Bills- Sammy Watkins, WR (Clemson) 10. Detroit Lions- Justin Gilbert, CB (Oklahoma State) 11. Tennessee Titans- C.J. Mosley, LB (Alabama) 12. New York Giants- Taylor Lewan, OT (Michigan) 13. St. Louis Rams- Mike Evans, WR (Texas A&M) 14. Chicago Bears- HaHa Clinton-Dix, S (Alabama) 15. Pittsburgh Steelers- Zack Martin, OT (Notre Dame) 16. Dallas Cowboys- Timmy Jernigan, DT (Florida State) 17. Baltimore Ravens- Anthony Barr, LB (UCLA) 18. New York Jets- Eric Ebron, TE (North Carolina) 19. Miami Dolphins- Cyrus Kouandjio, OT (Alabama) 20. Arizona Cardinals- Aaron Donald, DT (Pittsburgh) 21. Green Bay Packers- Calvin Pryor, S (Lousiville) 22. Philadelphia Eagles- Darqueze Dennard, CB (Michigan State) 23. Kansas City Chiefs- Marqise Lee, WR (USC) 24. Cincinnati Bengals- Bradley Roby, CB (Ohio State) 25. San Diego Chargers- Justin Verrett, CB (TCU) 26. Cleveland Browns- Kyle Fuller, CB (Virginia Tech) 27. New Orleans Saints- Dee Ford, DE (Auburn) 28. Carolina Panthers- Brandin Cooks, WR (Oregon State) 29. New England Patriots- Ra'Shede Hageman, DT (Minnesota) 30. San Francisco 49ers- Kelvin Benjamin, WR (Florida State) 31. Denver Broncos- Kony Ealy, DE (Missouri) 32. Seattle Seahawks- Jace Amaro, TE (Texas Tech) Round 2 1 (33). Houston Texans- JaWuan James, OT (Tennesee) 2 (34). Washington Redskins- Ryan Shazier, LB (Ohio State) 3 (35). Cleveland Browns- Odell Beckham Jr., WR (LSU) 4 (36). Oakland Raiders- Cody Latimer, WR (Indiana) 5 (37). Atlanta Falcons- Morgan Moses, OT (Virginia) 6 (38). Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Martavis Bryant, WR (Clemson) 7 (39). Jacksonville Jaguars- Xavier Su'a-Filo, G (UCLA) 8 (40). Minnesota Vikings- Demarcus Lawrence, LB (Boise State) 9 (41). Buffalo Bills- Gabe Jackson, G (Mississippi State) 10 (42). Tennessee Titans- Carlos Hyde, RB (Ohio State) 11 (43). New York Giants- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE (Washington) 12 (44). St. Louis Rams- Joel Bitonio, OT (Nevada) 13 (45). Detroit Lions- Troy Niklas, TE (Notre Dame) 14 (46). Pittsburgh Steelers- Stephon Tuitt, DE (Notre Dame) 15 (47). Dallas Cowboys- Jimmie Ward, S (Northern Illinois) 16 (48). Baltimore Ravens- Lamarcus Joyner, CB (Florida State) 17 (49). New York Jets- Jordan Matthews, WR (Vanderbilt) 18 (50). Miami Dolphins- Chris Borland, LB (Wisconsin) 19 (51). Chicago Bears- Dominique Easley, DT (Florida) 20 (52). Arizona Cardinals- Carl Bradford, LB (Arizona State) 21 (53). Green Bay Packers- C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE (Iowa) 22 (54). Philadelphia Eagles- Davante Adams, WR (Fresno State) 23 (55). Cincinnati Bengals- Marcus Martin, C (USC) 24 (56). San Francisco 49ers- Keith McGill, CB (Utah) 25 (57). San Diego Chargers- Kyle Van Noy, LB (BYU) 26 (58). New Orleans Saints- Weston Richburg, C (Colorado State) 27 (59). Indianapolis Colts- Louis Nix, DT (Notre Dame) 28 (60). Carolina Panthers- Cameron Fleming, OT (Stanford) 29 (61). San Francisco 49ers- Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB (Nebraska) 30 (62). New England Patriots- Trent Murphy, LB (Stanford) 31 (63). Denver Broncos- Jeremy Hill, RB (LSU) 32 (64). Seattle Seahawks- Paul Richardson, WR (Colorado) Round 3 1 (65). Houston Texans- Scott Crichton, DE (Oregon State) 2 (66). Washington Redskins- Pierre Desir, CB (Lindenwood) 3 (67). Oakland Raiders- Allen Robinson, WR (Penn State) 4 (68). Atlanta Falcons- Kareem Martin, DE (North Carolina) 5 (69). Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Marcus Smith, LB (Louisville) 6 (70). Jacksonville Jaguars- Jeremiah Attaochu, LB (Georgia Tech) 7 (71). Cleveland Browns- Jack Mewhort, OT (Ohio State) 8 (72). Minnesota Vikings- Deone Bucannon, S (Washington State) 9 (73). Buffalo Bills- Walt Aikens, CB (Liberty) 10 (74). New York Giants- Andre Williams, RB (Boston College) 11 (75). St. Louis Rams- Marqueston Huff, S (Wyoming) 12 (76). Detroit Lions- DaQuan Jones, DT (Penn State) 13 (77). San Francisco 49ers- Ed Stinson, DE (Alabama) 14 (78). Dallas Cowboys- Brandon Coleman, WR (Rutgers) 15 (79). Baltimore Ravens- David Yankey, G (Stanford) 16 (80). New York Jets- Chris Smith, LB (Arkansas) 17 (81). Miami Dolphins- Antonio Richardson, OT (Tennessee) 18 (82). Chicago Bears- Jaylen Watkins, CB (Florida) 19 (83). Cleveland Browns- Tre Mason, RB (Auburn) 20 (84). Arizona Cardinals- Zach Mettenberger, QB (LSU) 21 (85). Green Bay Packers- James Hurst, OT (North Carolina) 22 (86). Philadelphia Eagles- Christian Kirksey, LB (Iowa) 23 (87). Kansas City Chiefs- Jared Abbrederis, WR (Wisconsin) 24 (88). Cincinnati Bengals- Jackson Jeffcoat, DE (Texas) 25 (89). San Diego Chargers- Jimmy Garoppolo, QB (Eastern Illinois) 26 (90). Indianapolis Colts- Bishop Sankey, RB (Washington) 27 (91). New Orleans Saints- Ego Ferguson, DT (LSU) 28 (92). Carolina Panthers- Dri Archer, RB/WR (Kent State) 29 (93). New England Patriots- George Uko, DT (USC) 30 (94). San Francisco 49ers- Logan Thomas, QB (Virginia Tech) 31 (95). Denver Broncos- Trai Turner, G (LSU) 32 (96). Minnesota Vikings- Marcus Roberson, CB (Florida) 33 (97). Pittsburgh Steelers (compensatory selection)- Donte Moncrief, WR (Ole Miss) 34 (98). Green Bay Packers (compensatory selection)- Rashaad Reynolds, CB (Oregon State) 35 (99). Baltimore Ravens (compensatory selection)- Jarvis Landry, WR (LSU) 36 (100). San Francisco 49ers (compensatory selection)- Terrance West, RB (Towson) PART II Coming later tonight or early tomorrow morning! By Trevor Utley The boys at Tapped Gaming are at it again. I'd featured a video from their Let's Play series of NHL '95 earlier in the year. This time I am plugging, in my humble opinion, the more entertaining series they provide called Fighting 40's. In this grueling test of wills, competitors not only have to win the game (in this case they are in teams of two) but also finish a 40 oz. usually of malt liquor. You must do both to be truly victorious. Their usual content is out of the scope of this blog but their latest installment featured a rematch of Super Bowl XLVII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens. Instead of the Madden series however they chose to go with NFL Blitz for XBOX 360. Needless to say it is quite a comical watch but I will provide you some spoilers outside of the victorious side: There is no blackout in this one. Sorry, I know I just ruined it for you. Everybody loves blackouts. Just ask Jaguars fans. By Trevor Utley The NFL Draft is still about a month out but mocks have been coming out as early as last year. I figured I would get my two cents in before the event takes place. It is a very deep draft but the picture in the top part of the board is still fairly foggy. Nevertheless I'll try to enter the mind of an NFL GM, no matter how horrifying of a "Being John Malkovich" trip that could be. (Take note that this mock does not try to foresee any potential trades that could occur during the draft weekend.) 1. HOUSTON TEXANS- Johnny Manziel, QB (Texas A&M) Yup, I'm going off the grid right away! I've seen UCF's Blake Bortles in this spot more and more recently but if I was in charge of the Texans I would have committed to taking Jadeveon Clowney months ago (which they may do). With that being said, from a marketing stand point alone Manziel is worth the risk. He also has an array of skills (no matter what Merril Hoge says) that should make Texans fans forget about the debacle of the season they just endured. He can singlehandedly take a game over and those abilities will help turn the Texans around in a weak AFC South. If it isn't the A&M product, I still expect the Texans to go quarterback here, most likely the previously mentioned Bortles. Fair warning though, if Manziel doesn't go in the top eight expect him to plummet into the late twenties like Aaron Rodgers did after Alex Smith was the first pick in 2005. 2. ST. LOUIS RAMS- Jadeveon Clowney, DE (South Carolina) Clowney is arguably the most prized asset this draft will produce. If you listen to detractors, he takes plays off and can be lazy in preparation for games. If you watch the Gamecock defensive end in action though, he is a force to be reckoned with that can change the course of a game by his lonesome. St. Louis' big need is offensive line so many pundits have Auburn's Greg Robinson as the pick at 2. I just think a talent like Clowney is too good to pass up and would instantly put the Rams' D-Line in the upper echelon, a trait you need to succeed in the NFC West. 3. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- Blake Bortles, QB (Central Florida) The Jaguars haven't had the best track record of giving their fans what they want recently. Since Jags' brass don't seem to want to give fan favorite Tim Tebow a shot, they NEED Bortles, a dynamic quarterback from within the state of Florida. The Central Florida starter combined for 31 TDs passing and rushing in 2013 and is considered to be the most well rounded quarterback prospect. Jacksonville has holes everywhere but I just can't see them passing up on Bortles at pick number three. They whiffed on their last quarterback (Blaine Gabbert, who was just traded) and just signed Chad Henne to a two year deal, but if they care about their fans and the future, Jacksonville won't hesitate to write Blake Bortles on the card they hand to the commissioner. 4. CLEVELAND BROWNS- Teddy Bridgewater, QB (Louisville) During the course of this season, the #1 pick spot was seemingly Bridgewater's to lose. Well, he lost it and is now the third quarterback off the board. Lucky for the Louisville signal caller I have that third quarterback getting selected with pick four and not sliding further down. Cleveland could go several directions with this pick but if they stand pat at four they need to go quarterback to avoid having to use another three-headed QB monstrosity like they did in 2013. If Teddy goes in the first three expect Cleveland to take either of the other two top flight QBs here seeing how they've cut ties with both Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell. 5. OAKLAND RAIDERS- Khalil Mack, LB (Buffalo) The Raiders are a mess and any pick they make here can't do anything but help. I take that back because the Raiders have been in this position in recent years and have blundered the pick, if they even had a first rounder. Therefore I whittled down this pick down to what Oakland will do against what they should do and decided on the latter. Mack is the safer pick than Clemson WR Sammy Watkins or Auburn OT Greg Robinson. Mack's combine affirmed his status as a top five pick and would be able to play either at outside linebacker or at defensive end for an Oakland defense that ranked 22nd in 2013. If Al Davis was still alive this pick would have probably been Dri Archer, the fastest guy at the combine. 6. ATLANTA FALCONS- Greg Robinson, OT (Auburn) There is a great deal of speculation that Atlanta is going to try to move up from this pick in an attempt to get Jadeveon Clowney but as I said in the opening this mock is not factoring in potential trades. For a team that throws as much as Atlanta does (Matt Ryan was second to Peyton Manning in 2013 in pass attempts per game and the total was 13th in NFL history) they don't protect the quarterback particularly well. Robinson would be an upgrade at the tackle position on either side but is better suited guarding Matty Ice's blind side at left tackle. Getting a player of Robinson's caliber at six would be a steal and there is a very good chance he may be off the board before this point. If that happens and Atlanta cannot maneuver up the draft to get Clowney, expect the Falcons to take another tackle in Texas A&M's Jake Matthews or Michigan's Taylor Lewan. 7. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS- Jake Matthews, OT (Texas A&M) Once Greg Robinson has been picked, if you need a stud offensive tackle Texas A&M's Jake Matthews is your man. Tampa's offense is a debacle and will be worse if Doug Martin cannot come back 100%. Even with a healthy Dougie Fresh in tow, the Bucs need to sure up on an offensive line that has more holes than a play-through of Portal 2. Matthews is a talent equal to former A&M mate Luke Joeckel, who went #2 to Jacksonville a season ago, and took over the left tackle position protecting my projected top pick Johnny Manziel. New coach Lovie Smith may want to put his stamp on the team with a defensive player, either Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert or UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr, but he shouldn't pass up a chance to protect Mike Glennon or Josh McCown this season and whomever is going to be under center for the Buccaneers going forward. 8. MINNESOTA VIKINGS- Derek Carr, QB (Fresno State) Some teams just don't learn. The Minnesota Vikings are one of those teams and like they did with Christian Ponder in 2011, they will reach for a quarterback in the "lottery" selecting Derek Carr. The younger brother of David Carr is no slouch by any means, but he is also a player that could be had in the late first round. Instead of trading down though and getting Carr for a better value, the Vikes will panic and take Carr at eight. Hopefully for his sake he is not thrown to the wolves early like Ponder was and given the proper time to develop into an NFL ready signal caller. If history repeats itself he will be battered by this point in 2016. 9. BUFFALO BILLS- Sammy Watkins, WR (Clemson) Bills fans as well as the front office will be doing backflips when they see the biggest home run hitter in the draft, Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins, on a plate for them at #9. First rounder from a year ago E.J. Manuel needs some weapons and the former Clemson Tiger is quite the weapon. He can play inside, outside, run the ball, and be a vital cog in the return game, all things the Buffalo offense need desperately. They may have some competition for Sammy if he has anything to say about it. If you look at Watkins' Instagram, he would like to be paired with Calvin Johnson in Detroit (cue Matt Millen joke). Sorry Sammy, you are going one pick too early. 10. DETROIT LIONS- Justin Gilbert, CB (Oklahoma State) Though the Lions let go of Matt Millen in 2008, the stigma still stays with the team that they will draft a wide receiver in the first round regardless of need. They're long shots to get Sammy Watkins without a trade and have been rumored to be looking at Texas A&M's Mike Evans. Where they need to be looking at is a player who can stop a wide receiver. That is where Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert comes in. He killed it on the field with seven interceptions and two touchdowns and entrenched himself as the top corner prospect with an impressive combine and pro day. He will help better a passing defense that finished 24th in the NFL last year. 11. TENNESSEE TITANS- C.J. Mosley, LB (Alabama) Tennessee has a new coach in Ken Whisenhunt and he is installing a 3-4 defense. With that they'll need a linebacker that can make tackles and Alabama's C.J. Mosley is that guy. Most of Tennessee's tackling was done in the secondary last year due to runners and receivers getting through the Titans second line of defense easily. Mosley led the Crimson Tide in tackles in both his junior and senior season. He was the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year (with Michael Sam) this past campaign and was a consensus All-American. Anthony Barr from UCLA is another name being bantered about with this pick but he is more of a pass rushing linebacker. I feel Mosley fits Tennessee's need more holding his line and making tackles while allowing the Tennessee secondary to focus on coverage. 12. NEW YORK GIANTS- Taylor Lewan, OT (Michigan) The Giants organization has had a great deal of turnover this offseason on both the roster and on the coaching staff. With all that moving and shaking, Eli Manning will be under more pressure than ever. Michigan tackle Taylor Lewan will help relieve some of that pressure on the younger Manning brother. The two-time and reigning Big Ten offensive lineman of the year and two-time All American will provide a rock at left tackle or line up on the right side opposite current occupant Will Beatty. If Lewan is not the pick then it gets real foggy here as the Giants have many holes to plug. When in doubt though, you'd assume the Giants will just add a pass rusher and Anthony Barr from UCLA fits that bill. 13. ST. LOUIS RAMS- Mike Evans, WR (Texas A&M) I have the Rams addressing the defensive side of the ball with the pick they got from Washington at #2. With their own pick, I have them going offense with the third Texas A&M Aggie to come off the board in wide receiver Mike Evans. If Sam Bradford is ever going to succeed in the Gateway City he needs to have some players to throw to. They spent a first rounder on Tavon Austin last season but still lack enough talent at the position to be able to adequately attack the brutal secondaries within their division. Evans shines on the big stage, breaking the 275 yard mark last season against both Alabama and Auburn and I think he'll relish facing Richard Sherman, Carlos Rogers, and Patrick Patterson two times apiece each season. 14. CHICAGO BEARS- Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S (Alabama) The Bears will always be a team that revolves around the defensive side of the ball. That's why it must have killed them that they were 30th in total defense last year struggling against both the run and the pass. The explosive Clinton-Dix can help in both aspects. Ha Ha (actual name Ha'Sean) ran into a bit of trouble during his time under Nick Saban but I think the Bears have enough leadership in their secondary to keep him in line. Marc Trestman may want some offensive firepower at this pick but with Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans already gone, trading down would make the most sense to try to get a wideout. At pick 14, Clinton-Dix is the best player available AND fills a need. 15. PITTSBURGH STEELERS- Zack Martin, OT (Notre Dame) It seems that every year the Steelers are playing fourth string offensive lineman by season's end due to injuries and poor play. Pittsburgh needs a stockpile of able bodied lineman and Martin more than fits the bill. The all-time leader in games played by a lineman at the Golden Dome, Martin was the 2013 Pinstripe Bowl MVP after defeating Rutgers. He played left tackle at ND but could play on either side of the line in the pros, even the guard spots, and most importantly is incredibly durable. With the glut of pass rushers in the AFC North, Pittsburgh is going to need all the help they can get. 16. DALLAS COWBOYS- Timmy Jernigan, DT (Florida State) The Cowboys were the worst defense in the NFL last season. They were the only team in the league to give up more than 400 yards a game and so far this off season have had four defensive lineman leave via free agency or be cut. Two of those four were starters in Jason Hatcher and DeMarcus Ware. Jernigan is coming off a National Championship with the Seminoles and would slide into the vacancy the former has left on the Cowboys' defensive front. The ESPN All-American led the National Champions in tackles for loss, recorded 4.5 sacks, and was an invaluable stopper of the run. These are all qualities that could help the Cowboys right away. I think Jernigan is the better fit for Dallas but they could also go the route of Pittsburgh DT Aaron Donald. But similar to the old Raiders' joke, until Jerry Jones dies there is no real way of predicting what Dallas will do. 17. BALTIMORE RAVENS- Anthony Barr, LB (UCLA) After the signing of Steve Smith from Carolina, the immediate need for wide receiver help in Baltimore evaporated. I would say after that offensive line is the next area to address. Unfortunately for the Ravens at #17 all the first round caliber offensive lineman are gone. Since those two options are gone it is time for Baltimore to dredge out the oldest cliché in the draft book: best player available. It is a novel concept most times but in this case it actually helps. Barr is a top 10 talent and for him to slide to the Ravens is too good a prospect to pass up. Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs aren't getting any younger and Barr could be the torch bearer of a new Ravens' linebacking corps for years to come. They could still go wide receiver here if Barr doesn't entice them (or is gone) and if so that'd most likely be USC's Marqise Lee. 18. NEW YORK JETS- Eric Ebron, TE (North Carolina) The Jets organization is committed for now with second year man Geno Smith at quarterback, even with the signing of Michael Vick. For that to work, they need to surround him with a substantially better supporting cast than they did last year. They've made one big stride already with the signing of Eric Decker from the Broncos but they still have much progress to make. ESPN All-American Eric Ebron is a playmaker that the Jets could insert into the starting lineup immediately. They've resigned Jeff Cumberland but Ebron is the top tight end prospect in the draft. He displayed great speed in UNC's offense and at the Combine. His yardage in 2013 usurped his previous two seasons combined. If John Idzik doesn't go with Ebron expect another pass catcher like Marqise Lee or Brandin Cooks. 19. MIAMI DOLPHINS- Cyrus Kouandjio, OT (Alabama) In the write up for the Ravens' pick I said that all the first round caliber was gone by pick 17. I stand by that statement but when a team's offensive line was as putrid as Miami's was last season a reach is necessary. Not to say that Alabama left tackle and All-American Cyrus Kouandjio is a bad player but at only 20 years old the Cameroonian is still an unfinished product. The Jonathan Martin/Richie Incognito fiasco turned what could have been Ryan Tannehill's emergent season into one in which he got sacked a league high 58 times. Kouandjio may take some time to develop into a top notch tackle, the reason why he could easily slip into the second round, but when (not if) he does Tannehill won't spend half of his dropbacks running for his life. 20. ARIZONA CARDINALS- Aaron Donald, DT (Pittsburgh) The Cardinals defense was really good last year allowing them to surprisingly almost make it back to the postseason at 10-6. They are stacked in the secondary but they are starting to get up in years in the front seven. Darnell Dockett has been a three time Pro Bowler for the Cards but he is 32 now and in the twilight of his career. Pittsburgh's Aaron Donald would be a perfect heir apparent to the career Cardinal in the middle of the defensive line. The consensus All-American was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and won countless other accolades including the Outland, Bednarik, Nagurski, and Lombardi Awards. Slipping to #20 is quite the coup for the Cardinals as many think Donald should be the first DT selected. Defense is the name of the game in the NFC West and to compete you can never have too much of it. 21. GREEN BAY PACKERS- Calvin Pryor, S (Lousiville) The Packers snuck into the playoffs last year somehow with Aaron Rodgers missing a good chunk of the schedule. With Rodgers back in full health, the offense should be back running on all cylinders. The defense however is continuing their overhaul. They brought back B.J. Raji and brought in Julius Peppers to sure up the defensive front. They resigned Sam Shields at corner and when healthy are perfectly content at linebacker. Safety is the one position they are lacking depth at. Lousiville man Calvin Pryor can step in and provide the Pack with a ball hawking free safety who isn't afraid to come up and crack some skulls in run defense. He had three interceptions last season and two forced fumbles en route to all-AAC honors. 22. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES- Darqueze Dennard, CB (Michigan State) The Eagles gave up the most yardage through the air last year. They continue to try to rebuild their secondary after their ill-fated attempt at a so-called "Dream Team." They have brought in two safeties so far in free agency and now will address the cornerback position with Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard. The 2013 Thorpe Award winner (Best Cornerback) snagged 4 interceptions and forced two fumbles, doing both in the game with archrival Michigan. The cousin of Patriots defensive back Alfonzo Dennard has been given the moniker of the "No Fly Zone" which could be a marketing challenge playing for a team named after a flying animal. There shouldn't be any challenge however with Dennard acclimating to the rigors of playing cornerback in the NFC East. 23. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- Marqise Lee, WR (Southern California) The Chiefs will be very disappointed that both first round safeties are off the board here as they desperately need a competent compliment to Pro Bowler Eric Berry deep in their secondary. However they will gladly accept their consolation prize of USC wide receiver Marqise Lee. Dwayne Bowe is more up and down than an elevator and Donnie "Dropsies" Avery is the #2 receiver. Jamaal Charles led the team in receiving last year. Lee would give Alex Smith a deep threat that has been lacking in Kansas City and take some pressure off the combustible Bowe in the passing game. If not Lee, Oregon State's Brandin Cooks or Florida State's Kelvin Benjamin could fit. 24. CINCINNATI BENGALS- Bradley Roby, CB (Ohio State) Cincinnati's defense is one of the better units in the AFC. Someway, somehow they were able to make it to the playoffs last year with the festering corpses of Pacman Jones and Terence Newman playing cornerback. The spent a high pick on Dre Kirkpatrick recently but he's been inconsistent and injury prone. Ohio State's Bradley Roby had eight games in 2013 on 5 tackles or more all the while intercepting three passes with one returned for a touchdown. He isn't the biggest corner but he makes up for it with blazing speed and superb technique. With Mike Zimmer's magic gone, they are going to need some youth in the defensive backfield. 25. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS- Jason Verrett, CB (TCU) If your fantasy team's quarterback was facing San Diego last year you had a lot of reasons to smile. Mostly that grin came from the knowledge of how bad the Chargers' secondary was. Though Justin Gilbert, Darqueze Dennard, and Bradley Roby are gone, Jason Verrett is still available. Though the former Horned Frog may be shelved until training camp, he is a above average cover corner who can make the field one sided with his great closing speed. Verrett makes the most sense but if San Diego does go in a different direction it should still be on defense. Defensive tackles Louis Nix from Notre Dame or Ra'Shede Hageman from Minnesota are the best options for San Diego. 26. CLEVELAND BROWNS- Kyle Fuller, CB (Virginia Tech) The run on corners continues with Virginia Tech's Kyle Fuller. Fuller's Hokie career has been quite the volatile affair but when he's healthy, watch out. Fuller is more a complete defender than your average cornerback. In his sophomore season he made half of his starts as a whip linebacker. His experience at the position makes him that much more lucrative pick for the Browns. Though he missed the last third of his senior season at Virginia Tech, Fuller will be completely healed before training camp and gives the Browns a Robin to Joe Haden's Batman. After taking Teddy Bridgewater with their own pick at #4, there is little doubt in my mind the Browns will be going defense with the pick they got from the Colts for Trent Richardson. 27. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- Dee Ford, DE (Auburn) The Saints need some defensive help. New Orleans was one of the worst defenses in 2012 by most metrics. Last year under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, the Saints leaped up all the way to 4th in the league in team defense. The more Santa Clausian of the Ryan brothers now needs some young blood to install into his 3-4 scheme. They were tied for 24th last year with 37 sacks. Dee Ford had 10.5 sacks for Auburn last season including two in the National Championship on Heisman winner Jameis Winston. The All-SEC selection could start right away or provide a stellar rotational player to attack divisional foes Cam Newton and Matt Ryan. 28. CAROLINA PANTHERS- Brandin Cooks, WR (Oregon State) The Panthers' receiving corps is hard to look at. They lost their top four wide receivers from last year and the replacements through free agency haven't done much to appease Panther fans' concerns about the position. Brandin Cooks may be just a shade under 5'10", but the 2013 Biletnikoff Award winner as the best wide receiver in the nation can fill the void left by his diminutive predecessor Steve Smith. The consensus All-American had 128 receptions for 1730 yards and 16 touchdowns last year and furthered his legend with a great showing at the Combine. If he isn't available at this point, which is quite possible, expect Carolina to still go wide receiver here with either Odell Beckham Jr. from LSU or Kelvin Benjamin from Florida State in an effort to keep Cam Newton's head from exploding. 29. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- Ra'Shede Hageman, DT (Minnesota) The Patriots were able to renegotiate with Vince Wilfork this offseason. Bringing their big nose tackle back into the fold will be huge in New England's efforts to return to the Super Bowl. However, Wilfork will turn 33 this year and is coming back from a torn Achilles' tendon. The Hoodie may be able to get by another year or two with #75 as the anchor of his defensive line but he needs to address the future in this draft. I think Golden Gopher Ra'Shede Hageman should be that future. He regressed a bit from his junior season but the 6'6" Hageman eats up double teams and can even slot outside as a pass rusher if necessary. New England loves versatility in its defenders and Hageman is extremely versatile for his size. 30. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- Kelvin Benjamin, WR (Florida State) They may have resigned Anquan Boldin in the offseason but the 49ers would be crazy to let Kelvin Benjamin get by them at pick 30. Benjamin had a stellar sophomore season (54 catches, 1011 yards, 15 TDs) but his three biggest games came in his final three games of the 2013 season, including an ACC Championship rout of Duke and a victory in the National Title Game. He may not be a burner but he is a mountain of a man at 6'4" and 240 lbs. which will provide the sometimes erratic Colin Kaepernick a nice target in the redzone. If not the former Seminole, look for Odell Beckham Jr. from LSU to be the pick. 31. DENVER BRONCOS- Kony Ealy, DE (Missouri) I know. I am well aware that the Broncos signed DeMarcus Ware this offseason. I am also quite cognizant of the fact that Denver's other main pass rusher, Von Miller, is coming off ACL surgery. Not to say that those are the only two rushers of the quarterback that Denver possesses, but when you have no glaring need, a player like Ealy at pick 31 is Christmas in May. Under the tutelage of the future Hall of Famer Ware, Denver may have themselves their next stud defensive end. Ealy had 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles for Missouri in 2013 alongside 2013 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year Michael Sam and I wouldn't be surprised if he was putting up similar numbers at altitude by 2015. 32. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS- Jace Amaro, TE (Texas Tech) The reigning Super Bowl champions don't have many weaknesses. The one glaring one though is the receiving corps. It was bare bones to begin with but with a stout rushing attack and a near unbreakable defense the champs were able to get by. The unit took a big hit with the offseason departure of Golden Tate to Detroit. I was waffling back and forth between LSU's Odell Beckham Jr. and the man I eventually settled on, Jace Amaro. The former Red Raider is quite arguably the best tight end available in the draft, but injury concerns drop him below UNC's Eric Ebron. That makes him an incredible value pick for the Seahawks at the bottom of the first round. Amaro was an unanimous All-American at tight end in 2013 piling up 106 receptions, 1352 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns. He may be listed as a tight end but Amaro was a semifinalist for both the Mackey (Best TE) and Biletnikoff (Best WR) awards. Seattle would best be using Amaro in an Aaron Hernandez (minus the murder) type of role since he is a below average blocker. Well that is my first draft of my first round NFL Mock Draft. I may make some revisions over the coming weeks or even do a less detailed seven round layout by NFL Draft weekend, May 8-10. I'll at least do a two round mock so that I can put a name next to the words "Indianapolis Colts" on a draft board. You better not suck this year Trent. For more NFL draft coverage keep it locked here to Bleeding Your Colors over the next month. I hope your team gets their man. Trevor Utley is bummed that the Colts don't have a first round pick. He won't lie though and say he didn't like the Trent Richardson trade when it happened. Fucking Predator. Image Credits: Johnny Manziel (texarkanagazette.com), Jadeveon Clowney (atlantablackstar.com), Blake Bortles (trbimg.com), Teddy Bridgewater (pictures.zimbio.com), Khalil Mack (nfl.com), Greg Robinson (wareagleextra.com), Jake Matthews (sportsillustrated.cnn.com), Derek Carr (sportsillustrated.cnn.com), Sammy Watkins (zimbio.com), Justin Gilbert (detroitnews.com), C.J. Mosley (media.timesfreepress.com), Taylor Lewan (isportsweb.com), Mike Evans (bleacherreport.net), Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (rolltide.com), Zack Martin (southbendtribune.com), Timmy Jernigan (binaryapi.ap.org), Anthony Barr (247sports.com), Eric Ebron (fanspeak.com), Cyrus Kouandjio (247sports.com), Aaron Donald (espn.com), Calvin Pryor (247sports.com), Darqueze Dennard (espn.com), Marqise Lee (college2pro.com), Bradley Roby (snimg.com), Jason Verrett (cstv.com), Kyle Fuller (fansided.com), Dee Ford (wp.streetwise.co), Brandin Cooks (walterfootball.com), Ra'Shede Hageman (Wikipedia.org), Kelvin Benjamin (rantsports.com), Kony Ealy (foxsports.com), Jace Amaro (fansided.com) By Trevor Utley Every network and cable pundit has weighed in on their thoughts of the crudely dubbed "N-word rule" that will be going into effect next season. For those who have been living under a rock, I'm sorry a rock crushed you to death and nobody has found your body. For those unaware of the NFL's newest policy, starting next year a fifteen yard penalty will be assessed for use of the "n-word" in any of its forms on the field of play. To me it seems to be a knee jerk reaction by commissioner Roger Goodell in response to the season long discourse surrounding the Richie Incognito/Jonathan Martin situation in Miami. That isn't to say racist language has any place in professional sports or even society as a whole and any attempt to rid one's surroundings of such language is quite commendable. I just think throwing a flag every time somebody drops a hard N on the field is a slippery slope.
Is this ruling just a start or an end game? Will there be amendments to the rule to include slurs against other races, creeds, and sexual orientations? Will the stating of the penalty have more force coming out of the mouth of white referee Ed Hochuli or black referee Mike Carey? Will there be discretion when determining whether an utterance is a penalty or will there be zero tolerance? I don't know. When it comes to the NFL and their rules, I never know. Nobody knows though. That is why all the outrage and speculation of how the rule will be enforced is unwarranted until we get to see it in action. I personally just want the league for once to be consistent in their outrage. It is going to be weird seeing a personal foul for language being thrown on somebody wearing a Redskins helmet. It will be sad to have players circumvent the system and continue to use countless other hateful words as long as they don't say the one that'll get them flagged and on the front of every sports page the next day branded as a racist. It is once again the NFL putting a band-aid on a cannon wound. I am not saying that racism is a rampant force that will burn the league to the ground but just banning one word, no matter the stigma or hate surrounding it, will have no effect on the Richie Incognitos and Riley Coopers of the world. It won't and if that is what Roger Goodell thinks he's doing with this decree he is substantially mistaken. I get it though. Goodell is trying to improve the image of his league. That is the task of any commissioner in any sport. I just think he is going about it the wrong way. Implementing a ban on the "n-word" is like handing in your homework with just your name on it. That is the way it is with a lot of Goodell's policies though. He wants you to know that HE is punishing you but leave you very foggy on the details why. I don't think Roger Goodell is trying to be a censor. If he was trying to be he would make his players play the game in complete silence, a move that wouldn't be fiscally responsible because of all the resources expended on such endeavors as in-game player mics and NFL Films series made entirely about player conversations. He is trying to once again be "ahead of the curve" when in reality he is not. Instead of being a commissioner with foresight, he is easily the most reactionary head honcho in all of American pro sports. In his defense, that is our culture here in the States. Why fix something that isn't broken? The thing is that those things may not be broken but they are bursting at the seems after years of shoddy spot repairs. Take rule changes out of the game entirely and Goodell's legacy comes down to three things: player conduct, concussions, and racism. With this rule, racism is lumped in with the first piece of his agenda, player conduct. The NBA has a perceived ignominy of being a league of thugs. Baseball's steroid era has made every person from now until the end of time up for conjecture into the validity of their performance on the field. Professional hockey's image has taken a beating from the general public with their labor disputes and lack of diversity. These have all done a number on the popularity and viewership of these leagues all the while, the grand poobah of American professional sports, the NFL grows amid all the murders, failed drug tests, and other general awfulness of a great deal of its members. Every once in a while Roger Goodell needs to prove that he "cares." I've never been a victim of racial abuse in any form. As a white male in this country in this century I am privileged to avoid such horrible acts in my everyday life. I can't even imagine what even the mildest of racial ignorance can do to one's psyche. I however am not deluded enough to think that banning one word or phrase from a workplace of any kind, even a professional football league, will do a lick of good. The NFL brass, NFLPA, and Roger Goodell need to take a deep look into the mirror and really delve into deeper issues within their organization. If racism is such a problem, the Redskins need to go first and players who demonstrate a history of racial intolerance should not be far behind. If concussions are a problem, make your players safer as best as you can and properly compensate the ones your game has already maimed cerebrally. Instead of fining a guy every time he wears the wrong socks during a game, focus on hashing out in collective bargaining harsher fine scales and other punishments to deal with players who get DUI after DUI, commit domestic violence, or worse but still come back to seven figure paydays as if they just took a week off with a cold. I know all change takes time. I just would rather it be wholesale and wholehearted instead of trying to make the front page of ESPN.com during the off-season. Follow me on Twitter at @TREVORutley, send me a friend request on Facebook, or check out my Tumblr THE CONTINUOUS CARDBOARD FIRE (maybe it will stop snowing so I can get back to that, ball's in your court Mother Nature). By Trevor Utley November 24th was the last time I posted something here on Bleeding Your Colors. I have rifled through every excuse I could think of to explain such a lengthy drought of content. The holiday season killed me. I sometimes work fourteen hour days. I had bigger things on my plate. In all reality though, it was just once again me not putting enough effort in and letting another venture go by the wayside. From here on out I will not let myself become a bust. I will not let myself fall into a vat of self loathing and just quit. I will not let myself become the writing equivalent of the 2014 Super Bowl. Speaking of the Super Bowl, you need not look further than the title of this article to ascertain my feelings about last night's debacle of a football game. I didn't watch firsthand some of the championship thrashings of the eighties but I have never seen such a talented team collectively shit themselves in such a big spot. Once Manny "Not Being Manny" Ramirez threw the ball ten yards over Peyton's head while Manning was shifting protections I knew it was going to be a slippery slope from there. I know 2-0 is by no means an insurmountable deficit but the tone was set from that point that the Big Orange had a 53 man case of the yips. The offensive line couldn't block a three man rush. Every time a Denver wideout caught the ball he ran backwards. Seahawk receivers seemed to always find themselves in acres of space. All this and the score was still just 8-0 after one quarter. NFL conspiracy theorists ran through all the scenarios of how a team could play so putridly and still come back. Then the snowball turned into an avalanche. The turning point of the first half was not Manning's horrendous interception to Kam Chancellor but Tony Carter's needless pass interference on Golden Tate as the beleaguered Denver defense was on the brink of forcing Seattle into a third straight field goal. Even if interference wasn't called a holding penalty was definitely in order as Carter held the former Notre Dame product during the entirety of his route and then mindlessly shoved him out of the back of the endzone as Russell Wilson's pass barely grazed his fingertips. A dumb penalty turned 3 into 7 as Marshawn Lynch, who was disappointing himself, plowed it in from the one. Denver's next possession is when the avalanche started to pick up steam. Manning was throwing fadeaway jumper screens the entire time as his offensive line did their best Back To The Future reenactment by fading out of the picture. The one time Manning had time to throw he got jumpy and completely overshot Demaryius Thomas. In retrospect it was probably better that he overthrew the new record holder for receptions in a Super Bowl because Zane Beadles was called for tripping. I missed the replay of the trip but with the way Denver was playing I didn't need to see it. The avalanche was barreling down the Rockies and the townspeople could not be saved. After a lovely bubble screen to Jacob Tamme got blown up for a loss and Knowshon Moreno somehow managed more than three yards on second down, Peyton "choked" again. Both tackles got roasted and Manning's pride got the best of him. Instead of taking the sack and pinning Seattle back or hell even giving the rocket launcher leg of Matt Prater a chance at a 56 yarder he moronically tried to dump off to his running back and johnny on the spot and soon to be Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith channeled Tracy Porter and took it to the house. I hope Malcolm Smith gets him some Larry Brown money. The only choking Peyton did on this play was on Cliff Avril's peen as Orlando Franklin forgot that he had to block on every play. Knowing the result of the play, I find it hilarious that this photo came from larrybrownsports.com. Just take the sack you fucking prick! As a football fan I sat during the Bruno Mars halftime show thinking, "22-0. Denver can come back from that. Seattle should be up 35. Peyton's gotten three scores in half a quarter before. They've played horrible but they get a three and out on this first series and put a quick seven up and we're on our way to the old Hollywood finish!" Then the avalanche wiped out the villagers and reduced the town to rubble. I ask of you John Fox, why in the blue hell would you have a kicker who had the most touchbacks in the NFL going away (yes I know he had more opportunities but his percentage was second in the league too) pooch kick it to Seattle's most dangerous open field weapon in young Percival Harvin? Once he got past first tackler I knew he was gone. Gone too were the last remote chances of a Denver comeback.
The Broncos just flat out gave up from that point on. The next drive got into Seattle territory in no time at all and even saw Richard Sherman get injured (the first time). After two Manning overthrows, a listless Montee Ball draw for a loss led to a punt. A punt down 29 in opposing territory during the fucking Super Bowl!? You could just turned the game off there. That is unless you wanted to see more commercials (which I swear the league was telling Seattle players to just stay down so they could run more spots). Malcolm Smith sealed his MVP by recovering record breaker Demaryius Thomas' sloppy fumble as fans clamored for a running clock to just end the misery. Though this game was ugly from jump street, it was a win for fans of the way football used to be. This game was a win for fans, like myself, that just want a winning team to become Shang Tsung and just stomp out the throat of the losing team and take their soul (not morph into them or shoot fireballs though). Seattle did just that and should be applauded for doing so. They scared Peyton's offensive line from the first snap of the game and made the quarterback who just finished the greatest regular season in NFL history look like his replacement in Indianapolis. I don't mean Andrew Luck. I was referring to the one year of Curtis Painter. What I couldn't wrap my head around at the time is how shocked so many people were by the result (Seattle winning not by the margin they won). Sorry New Englanders, this is not the point where I call Peyton Manning a choke artist who sucks in big games and shouldn't be in the conversation as a good quarterback Eli's better Tom Brady has three rings what a slob inbred horse face loser. It is the point where I bring up what the #1 offense vs. #1 defense matchup has done to some of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, HALL OF FAMERS EVEN!! Super Bowl I saw the AFL's high powered Chiefs and Hall of Famer Len Dawson get humbled by the Green Bay Packers 35-10. Mr. Dawson went 16/27 for 211 yards with 1 TD and 1 pick before getting pulled against a team that allowed 11.6 points per game. Super Bowl IV saw Dawson (and his now top ranked defense) took on a Hall of Famer in his own right (Canadian and NCAA) in Minnesota's Joe Kapp. Coming from the CFL Kapp led the surprising Vikings to a 12-2 record and the most potent offense in the NFL, including a game where he threw 7 TD's like Peyton did this year, but what did it get him against Kansas City's top ranked defense...2 picks, under 200 passing yards, and getting carted off the field in the fourth quarter and watching his backup throw an INT to add insult to injury in a 23-7 loss that should have been much worse. Super Bowl XIII was the one time this matchup wasn't a debacle. Hall of Famers Roger Staubach and his Dallas Cowboys squared off with Steel Curtain Defense (and some bald guy named Bradshaw at QB). This one was on its way to laughability until Staubach orchestrated two quick strike drives in the final half of the fourth quarter to make it a respectable 35-31. In terms of the game being a blow out when #1's collide, this is the outlier. Super Bowl XIX featured Hall of Famer Dan Marino (or Peyton Manning Beta Version to the hater nation) and the Miami Dolphins took on the immortal Joe Montana and his 49ers, who just so happened to boast the stingiest defense in the league along with a great offense. The Niners fell behind early 10-7 but then the Ronnie Lott led D shut down the record setting Marino while Montana and Roger Craig ran roughshod over a putrid Fins' D 38-16. Super Bowl XXIV is the one time the #1 offense prevailed though prevailed is a nice way of saying physically and mentally dismantled the opponent. San Francisco dropped a 55-10 drubbing on John Elway and the Denver Broncos who gave up an average of just 14.1 points that season. To be fair though San Fran had the third ranked D so it is a bit of a wash in that department. Remember when John Elway couldn't win the big one? Then that 6th round nobody Terrell Davis showed up and ruined Elway hating forever. It took just one year for the next incarnation of 1 v. 1 as the Giants took on the Bills in the first of Buffalo's four straight Super Bowl losses. Even with Jeff "Pornostache" Hostetler at the helm the Giants D was able to hold the trio of Buffalo HOF'ers (Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, and Thurman Thomas) at bay enough to win 20-19. Thomas had 135 yards rushing and Reed caught 8 of Kelly's 18 completions but when you leave a game at the feet of a kicker, you get what you get and you don't get upset. Pundits will always get caught up in the glamour of a flashy offense. As a Colts fan I've been caught basking in the glow more times than I care to admit. In the end though if you have the personnel to stop an overpowering offense and even slight competency in your own offensive huddle you can win a championship. If you have that personnel though along with an All-Pro running back, a burgeoning superstar at quarterback, a great return game, and a coach that lets all three play to their strengths you win 43-8. Trevor, like everyone else on the planet, didn't see that scoreline coming. If you did then it just means you are Biff Tannen. Image Credit: larrybrownsports.com By Trevor Utley
I was so close. I was so close to being back in the good graces of a winning record. Then Carolina/New England happened. Then New Orleans/Atlanta happened. Then I farted. Now we have another week of over/unders to endure. Enjoy? All picks made on the NY Post Line. Home team in all CAPS. THE OVERS Detroit/Tampa Bay OVER 48.5 Houston/Jacksonville OVER 43.5 Carolina/Miami OVER 41 Baltimore/NY Jets OVER 39 Tennessee/Oakland OVER 41.5 Arizona/Indianapolis OVER 45 NY Giants/Dallas OVER 45 Denver/New England OVER 54 THE UNDERS Green Bay/Minnesota UNDER 44 Kansas City/San Diego UNDER 42.5 Cleveland/Pittsburgh UNDER 40 St. Louis/Chicago UNDER 45.5 Last Day's NFL Record: 0-1 NFL Record for 2013: 19-21-1 Last Day's All Picks Record: 13-8 All Picks Record for 2013: 195-151-3 |
PUNTING ON FIRST DOWN
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