Friday, April 23, 2010
NFL Draftscout's best available
CBS sports' NFL draft scout page has posted thier best remaining available players as we enter rounds 2 and 3 of the draft this evening.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/13276994?tag=coverlist_active;coverlist_footer
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/13276994?tag=coverlist_active;coverlist_footer
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Eagles move up, draft Michigan's Graham
For weeks, fans have been hearing speculation about the Eagles moving up in the draft. I mean, why not, the Birds came into round 1 loaded with all the ammunition necessary to do just that. Lions at 10, Broncos at 11, Miami at 12 were all potential trading spots for the Eagles. Denver traded out of 11 and slid back to pick 13. Automatically, I got worried. The player I wanted, that most Eagles fans wanted, Texas safety Earl Thomas was still on the board. Lo and behold, it happens, all of the sudden the Eagles have struck a deal with Denver for the 13th pick. We got him! Mr Commisioner, "with the 13th pick in the 2010 NFL draft the Philadelphia Eagles select...DE from the university of Michigan, Brandon Graham.
To be honest, since I was feverishly tracking rumors via twitter and other media outlets, before Roger Goodell even opened his mouth I knew the Eagles were taking Graham. That might explain why reality and logic set in so quick for me on this one. I like the pick. The birds didnt take the guy I wanted, but I am ok with that and here is why...
The biggest deficency on this team was its pass rush. The front four were unable to get to the QB consistently enough without Defensive coordinator Sean Mcdermott dialing up a blitz. Football has always started with the offensive and defensive lines so we should not be surprised that Graham was the pick. The guy is a disruptive force having recorded 26 tackles behind the line of scrimmage as a senior in the big ten. Whether his skill set translates to success in the NFL remains to be seen but then again so is the case with everyone else drafted this evening.
A great pass rush will help make your secondary better. The less time your DBs have to cover the more aggressive they can be. The Eagles still have 6 picks left in this draft to address other needs including 2 2nd rd picks at #37 and #55.
A few names to consider on day 2
1) Nate Allen, safety from south Florida
2) Dexter McCluster, RB/WR from Ole' Miss
3) Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB from Indiana(pa)
4) Morgan Burnett, Safety from Georgia Tech
5) Darryl Washington, OLB from TCU
6) Taylor Mays, Safety from USC
To be honest, since I was feverishly tracking rumors via twitter and other media outlets, before Roger Goodell even opened his mouth I knew the Eagles were taking Graham. That might explain why reality and logic set in so quick for me on this one. I like the pick. The birds didnt take the guy I wanted, but I am ok with that and here is why...
The biggest deficency on this team was its pass rush. The front four were unable to get to the QB consistently enough without Defensive coordinator Sean Mcdermott dialing up a blitz. Football has always started with the offensive and defensive lines so we should not be surprised that Graham was the pick. The guy is a disruptive force having recorded 26 tackles behind the line of scrimmage as a senior in the big ten. Whether his skill set translates to success in the NFL remains to be seen but then again so is the case with everyone else drafted this evening.
A great pass rush will help make your secondary better. The less time your DBs have to cover the more aggressive they can be. The Eagles still have 6 picks left in this draft to address other needs including 2 2nd rd picks at #37 and #55.
A few names to consider on day 2
1) Nate Allen, safety from south Florida
2) Dexter McCluster, RB/WR from Ole' Miss
3) Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB from Indiana(pa)
4) Morgan Burnett, Safety from Georgia Tech
5) Darryl Washington, OLB from TCU
6) Taylor Mays, Safety from USC
Happ to the 15 day dl
Today J.A. Happ's bullpen session was cut short to 20 minutes. Obviously that was not what he or the Phillies had hoped for so Happ was subsequently placed on the 15 day DL. Nelson Figueroa will take Happ's place in the rotation and start saturday. With a roster spot open, the Phils activated LH reliever J.C. Romero.
Tonight's Flyers' line combos
Carcillo-Richards-Laliberte,
Hartnell-Briere-Leino,
JVR-Giroux-Asham,
Powe-Betts-Laperriere.
Only surprise here is that Laliberte and not Leino is on the top line. Of course that might change during the course of the game. Also, not real shocked that Giroux and/or JVR were not moved up. The 3rd and 4th lines have played so well that there is no reason to disrupt their chemistry. It will be interesting however to see who is out there on the power play units. Of course if this game plays out the way the last 2 have then we will most likely see the Flyers' penalty killers 3 or 4 times before the power play gets a crack at it.
Hartnell-Briere-Leino,
JVR-Giroux-Asham,
Powe-Betts-Laperriere.
Only surprise here is that Laliberte and not Leino is on the top line. Of course that might change during the course of the game. Also, not real shocked that Giroux and/or JVR were not moved up. The 3rd and 4th lines have played so well that there is no reason to disrupt their chemistry. It will be interesting however to see who is out there on the power play units. Of course if this game plays out the way the last 2 have then we will most likely see the Flyers' penalty killers 3 or 4 times before the power play gets a crack at it.
Flyers, Phillies, and NFL Draft, what a day?
Morning folks! Great day and night ahead for we sports fans here in Philadelphia. The day is sure to be choc-full of juicy rumors leading up to tonights NFL draft. Who will draft who, who will pick where, and the Eagles figure to play a prominent role in tonight's proceedings with just about anyone and everyone expecting the Birds to trade up to get one of the top 2 safeties available(Eric Berry of Tenn, or Earl Thomas of Texas).
Wait, theres more! Hope your remote control skills are up to snuff since the Phillies start @7:10, the Flyers look to eliminate the devils @7:30 which is the same time the draft will be getting underway. I for one, will place my main focus on the draft and the Flyers while occasionally checking up on the Phillies given the levels of importance. I am more likely to have an extra window open on my laptop to track the Phillies on ESPN or MLB.com.
I am curious to know your order of importance...
Wait, theres more! Hope your remote control skills are up to snuff since the Phillies start @7:10, the Flyers look to eliminate the devils @7:30 which is the same time the draft will be getting underway. I for one, will place my main focus on the draft and the Flyers while occasionally checking up on the Phillies given the levels of importance. I am more likely to have an extra window open on my laptop to track the Phillies on ESPN or MLB.com.
I am curious to know your order of importance...
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Phils' win, Halladay goes to 4-0
So my guess is Roy Halladay had last night's bullpen debacle front and center in his mind when he took the mound tonight against the Braves and figured he would just go out and throw another complete game and not take any chances. Then again, this is what Roy does, he shuts teams down. The result, a 2-0 shutout and a much needed night off for the bullpen. However make no mistake this wasn't a one man show. The Phillies flashed more leather than the Sons of Anarchy, high lighted by a Troy Glaus homerun robbing Shane Victorino in CF, a crucial bases loaded doubleplay to end the 7th inning and a great diving stab by Ryan Howard.
2 games, 2 top notch pitching performances from the starting staff but only 1 victory. Jamie Moyer goes for the Phils in the rubber match on thursday which means, even with a great Moyer outing, the bullpen is likely to get its 1st shot at redemption. They could have gotten that shot tonight, But Roy "Doc" Halladay had other plans.
2 games, 2 top notch pitching performances from the starting staff but only 1 victory. Jamie Moyer goes for the Phils in the rubber match on thursday which means, even with a great Moyer outing, the bullpen is likely to get its 1st shot at redemption. They could have gotten that shot tonight, But Roy "Doc" Halladay had other plans.
Gagne and Carter out for game 5 vs Devils
The thrill of victory has been cooled somewhat by the agony of "the feet". Coming off of last night's dominant 4-1 victory over New Jersey the Flyers got the news that both Simon Gagne and Jeff Carter will be out atleast for tomorrows game 5 with foot injuries. Replacing them in the lineup will be Ville Leino and David Laliberte.
Carter, coming off of his 2 goal performance last night will undoubtedly be missed, Gagne, however has been less than spectacular, but still there is a dropoff in talent that the Flyers must compensate for come thursday night.
Given what this team has shown against the Devils this season don't be surprised if they do just that.
Carter, coming off of his 2 goal performance last night will undoubtedly be missed, Gagne, however has been less than spectacular, but still there is a dropoff in talent that the Flyers must compensate for come thursday night.
Given what this team has shown against the Devils this season don't be surprised if they do just that.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
my top prospects part 2, the safeties
In the 1st installment of my top 10 we focused on the cornerback position. Here, we focus on the other half of secondary, the safety position.
1) Earl Thomas* Texas 5'10 207 4.43 21 dnj corner skills
2) Eric Berry* Tennessee 5'11 210 4.40 19 43" corner skills/ball hawk
3) Morgan Burnett G'Tech 6'1 210 4.51 16 dnj work ethic/ball skills/run support
4) Taylor Mays USC 6'3 232 4.31 24 41" freakish athlete/low prouctivity
5) Nate Allen S'Florida 6'0 205 4.50 16 smarts/instincts/atheticism
6) Darrell Stuckey Kansas 5'11 208 4.46 17 39.5" solid/fundamental
7) Chad Jones LSU 6'2 223 4.59 9 36" huge upside/knack for big plays
8) Major Wright Florida 5'11 205 4.44 14 37.5 goes for knockouts/doesnt wrap up
9) Reshad Jones Georgia 6'1 215 4.51 24 39.5 seek & destroy hitter
10) Larry Asante Nebraska 6'0 213 4.62 14 37.5 needs seasoning/early special teamer
1) Earl Thomas* Texas 5'10 207 4.43 21 dnj corner skills
2) Eric Berry* Tennessee 5'11 210 4.40 19 43" corner skills/ball hawk
3) Morgan Burnett G'Tech 6'1 210 4.51 16 dnj work ethic/ball skills/run support
4) Taylor Mays USC 6'3 232 4.31 24 41" freakish athlete/low prouctivity
5) Nate Allen S'Florida 6'0 205 4.50 16 smarts/instincts/atheticism
6) Darrell Stuckey Kansas 5'11 208 4.46 17 39.5" solid/fundamental
7) Chad Jones LSU 6'2 223 4.59 9 36" huge upside/knack for big plays
8) Major Wright Florida 5'11 205 4.44 14 37.5 goes for knockouts/doesnt wrap up
9) Reshad Jones Georgia 6'1 215 4.51 24 39.5 seek & destroy hitter
10) Larry Asante Nebraska 6'0 213 4.62 14 37.5 needs seasoning/early special teamer
Phillies @ Braves tonight, 1st pitch 7:10
The Phightins (8-5), look to get back in the win column tonight in the ATL. Kyle Kendrick takes the bump against the Braves (7-5) and righthander Tommy Hanson who so far is 1-1 with a stellar 2.38 era.
With Phils' pitchers Joe Blanton, Brad Lidge, and J.C. Romero progressing toward a return from the disabled list, coupled with the fact that waiver claim Nelson Figueroa has been solid, means this start is crucial to Kendrick's efforts to remain in the big leagues. I dont care how good the Phillies offense can be, the 27' Yankees could'nt score enough runs to support Kyle's current gargantuan 17.47 era.
If the Phillies bats are to get back on track in this series they have their work cut out for them to say the least with the Bravos slated to send Hanson, Hudson, and Lowe to the hill against Kendrick, Halladay, and Moyer. On paper the edge goes to Atlanta but last time time I checked they play games on grass so I say Phils take 2 out of 3 with atleast one game being of the 9-7 variety.
With Phils' pitchers Joe Blanton, Brad Lidge, and J.C. Romero progressing toward a return from the disabled list, coupled with the fact that waiver claim Nelson Figueroa has been solid, means this start is crucial to Kendrick's efforts to remain in the big leagues. I dont care how good the Phillies offense can be, the 27' Yankees could'nt score enough runs to support Kyle's current gargantuan 17.47 era.
If the Phillies bats are to get back on track in this series they have their work cut out for them to say the least with the Bravos slated to send Hanson, Hudson, and Lowe to the hill against Kendrick, Halladay, and Moyer. On paper the edge goes to Atlanta but last time time I checked they play games on grass so I say Phils take 2 out of 3 with atleast one game being of the 9-7 variety.
Flyers dance with the Devils in crucial game 4 tonight @7:30
Tonight in South Philly the Flyers will look to take a commanding 3 games to 1 lead in their best of 7 series with the New Jersey Devils. Such series' strangleholds are rarely overcome in the NHL. The last time the Devils were able to win 3 straight elimination games in a single series was a decade ago against...yep you guessed it, the Philadelphia Flyers. Anyway, that was then and this is now. The orange and black have had Jersey's number all season long and the 1st 3 games of this series have done nothing but supply further evidence to support that fact.
A quick glance at the final score of Sunday's 3-2 overtime thriller would suggest two evenly matched opponents, but anyone who watched the game saw just how much the Devils were outplayed. How much Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timmonen have dominated. How the Flyers have gotten offensive opportunities from all four lines and how, if not for Martin Brodeur, Sunday's contest would have been no contest at all. Sure, the once impenetrable Brodeur is no longer what he once was but make no mistake, he has kept New Jersey in this series.
For the Flyers to win game 4 and put their collective foot on the throats of the Devils they need only do that which they have already done. They must continue to out hit, out skate, and out work their counterparts, limit the legitimate penalty calls, and overcome the questionable ones. Do that, and barring an epic Marty Brodeur performance, the Flyers stand a great chance of pushing the favored #2 seed Devils to the brink of elimination.
Prediction: Boucher turns in his best performance to date. Flyers 3-1 sealing the deal with an empty net goal
A quick glance at the final score of Sunday's 3-2 overtime thriller would suggest two evenly matched opponents, but anyone who watched the game saw just how much the Devils were outplayed. How much Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timmonen have dominated. How the Flyers have gotten offensive opportunities from all four lines and how, if not for Martin Brodeur, Sunday's contest would have been no contest at all. Sure, the once impenetrable Brodeur is no longer what he once was but make no mistake, he has kept New Jersey in this series.
For the Flyers to win game 4 and put their collective foot on the throats of the Devils they need only do that which they have already done. They must continue to out hit, out skate, and out work their counterparts, limit the legitimate penalty calls, and overcome the questionable ones. Do that, and barring an epic Marty Brodeur performance, the Flyers stand a great chance of pushing the favored #2 seed Devils to the brink of elimination.
Prediction: Boucher turns in his best performance to date. Flyers 3-1 sealing the deal with an empty net goal
My top Prospects part 1, the Cornerbacks
The 1st installment of my top prospects available for the 2010 NFL draft will focus on the Cornerback position, a position that cannot be overlooked given the current state of affairs in the pass happy NFL. Ideally you would like your CBs to be no smaller than 5'10, between 180-200lbs with sub 4.5 speed.
Here is my top 10 cheat sheet.
1) Joe Haden Florida 5'10 193 4.52 18 35" ball skills/good in run support
2) Kareem Jackson Alabama 5'10 195 4.40 13 37.5 athletic/tough/passionate
3) Devin McCourty Rutgers 5'11 191 4.38 16 36" solid all around/return skills
4) Kyle Wilson Boise st. 5'10 193 4.44 25 Punt return skills
5) Patrick Robinson FSU 5'11 192 4.46 15 39" run support/tough kid/#2 CB
6) Akwasi Owusu-Ansah Indiana(PA) 6'0 205 4.32 -- 35.5 Hard worker/return skills
7) Jerome Murphy S'Florida 6'0 194 4.50 16 38" hard nosed/over aggressive
8) Myron Lewis Vandy 6'1 205 4.42 10 37" might project to safety
9) Brandon Ghee Wake Forest 5'11 190 4.37 15 37 questionable ball skills
10) Kevin Thomas USC 6'0 190 4.41 19 34.5 underachiever but amazing athlete
Here is my top 10 cheat sheet.
1) Joe Haden Florida 5'10 193 4.52 18 35" ball skills/good in run support
2) Kareem Jackson Alabama 5'10 195 4.40 13 37.5 athletic/tough/passionate
3) Devin McCourty Rutgers 5'11 191 4.38 16 36" solid all around/return skills
4) Kyle Wilson Boise st. 5'10 193 4.44 25 Punt return skills
5) Patrick Robinson FSU 5'11 192 4.46 15 39" run support/tough kid/#2 CB
6) Akwasi Owusu-Ansah Indiana(PA) 6'0 205 4.32 -- 35.5 Hard worker/return skills
7) Jerome Murphy S'Florida 6'0 194 4.50 16 38" hard nosed/over aggressive
8) Myron Lewis Vandy 6'1 205 4.42 10 37" might project to safety
9) Brandon Ghee Wake Forest 5'11 190 4.37 15 37 questionable ball skills
10) Kevin Thomas USC 6'0 190 4.41 19 34.5 underachiever but amazing athlete
Monday, April 19, 2010
My NFL Draft prospect rankings coming soon...
The 2010 NFL draft is fast approaching with round 1 taking place this Thursday evening starting @7:30 pm, rounds 2 and 3 on Friday night starting @6pm and wrapping up rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday with an early wake up call for we Draftniks @10am.
The draft's new 3 day format may be easier on NFL front office types, giving them even more time to hem and haw over their choices, and look at combine pictures of young men in their underwear, but for some of us working stiffs the old Saturday-Sunday marathon formula was better. Chase away the wife and kids, transform your living room, basement or den into draft headquarters, grab A yellow legal pad, multiple pots of coffee, and the draft guide of your choice and settle in cause this puppy would start at noon one day and end at 6 or 7pm the next.
It was a nice ritual. 9 to 5'ers, were off for the weekend anyway so it made for a nice 2 day reminder that training camp wasn't far away. For me, a guy making his living in the service industry, my dedication was as such that I would annualy take the weekend off of work which meant giving up a saturday shift and the a whole lot of dead presidents.
So, for all of us who will get done work Thursday and Friday and have to fight through rush hour traffic to get home in time I thought of something that I could provide to help make things less complicated, a top 10 list at each position. A cheat sheet if you will. I will give you heights, weights, forty times, reps, and verticals. Also will be a few, very few words to describe the player, i.e., 3-4 OLB etc.
Okay, enough for now, I'm going to sign off for now. Look for the 1st installment of my top tens to be posted sometime mid afternoon.
The draft's new 3 day format may be easier on NFL front office types, giving them even more time to hem and haw over their choices, and look at combine pictures of young men in their underwear, but for some of us working stiffs the old Saturday-Sunday marathon formula was better. Chase away the wife and kids, transform your living room, basement or den into draft headquarters, grab A yellow legal pad, multiple pots of coffee, and the draft guide of your choice and settle in cause this puppy would start at noon one day and end at 6 or 7pm the next.
It was a nice ritual. 9 to 5'ers, were off for the weekend anyway so it made for a nice 2 day reminder that training camp wasn't far away. For me, a guy making his living in the service industry, my dedication was as such that I would annualy take the weekend off of work which meant giving up a saturday shift and the a whole lot of dead presidents.
So, for all of us who will get done work Thursday and Friday and have to fight through rush hour traffic to get home in time I thought of something that I could provide to help make things less complicated, a top 10 list at each position. A cheat sheet if you will. I will give you heights, weights, forty times, reps, and verticals. Also will be a few, very few words to describe the player, i.e., 3-4 OLB etc.
Okay, enough for now, I'm going to sign off for now. Look for the 1st installment of my top tens to be posted sometime mid afternoon.
Eagles get Sims in rare NFL 3 way trade
Today in what is a rare occurence for the NFL, a 3 team trade was consumated between the Eagles, Lions, and Broncos. In the deal the Eagles sent their lone 5th round pick in the 2010 draft to the Lions in exchange for 26 yr old LB Ernie Sims. Detroit in turn shipped the Birds pick to Denver and recieved TE Tony Sheffler along with the Broncos 7th round selection in this weeks draft.
In Sims, the 9th overall pick in 2006 out of Florida St, the Eagles get an undersized, yet proven NFL linebacker. A commodity that would not have been available to them with the 5th rd selection they surrendered in this trade. lets consider this a no brainer and a job well done by the Eagles' front office for doing their homework and targeting Sims. At 6'0 225, and fast, Sims was a perfect fit in the Lions system circa 2006, however, lack of team success(0-16 anyone?) brings coaching changes and changes in philosophy.
Detroit's current regime is in search of bigger backers to fit their scheme. Sims, in the last year of his deal and coming off a season that saw him miss games(5) due to injury for the 1st time in his career, was a prime candidate to be moved this offseason.
I know its in our nature to determine who wins and loses in any deal, but this deal, in my opinion worked out well for all the teams involved The Eagles add proven talent at a need position. The Lions move a player that no longer fit their system for a Pass catching TE in Sheffler to go alongside injured and rehabbing 2009 1st rounder Brandon Pettigrew. The Broncos use a player they no longer had use for(Sheffler) to turn a 7th round pick into a 5th in a very deep draft.
My only disapointment stems from the fact that I didnt see this one coming.
In Sims, the 9th overall pick in 2006 out of Florida St, the Eagles get an undersized, yet proven NFL linebacker. A commodity that would not have been available to them with the 5th rd selection they surrendered in this trade. lets consider this a no brainer and a job well done by the Eagles' front office for doing their homework and targeting Sims. At 6'0 225, and fast, Sims was a perfect fit in the Lions system circa 2006, however, lack of team success(0-16 anyone?) brings coaching changes and changes in philosophy.
Detroit's current regime is in search of bigger backers to fit their scheme. Sims, in the last year of his deal and coming off a season that saw him miss games(5) due to injury for the 1st time in his career, was a prime candidate to be moved this offseason.
I know its in our nature to determine who wins and loses in any deal, but this deal, in my opinion worked out well for all the teams involved The Eagles add proven talent at a need position. The Lions move a player that no longer fit their system for a Pass catching TE in Sheffler to go alongside injured and rehabbing 2009 1st rounder Brandon Pettigrew. The Broncos use a player they no longer had use for(Sheffler) to turn a 7th round pick into a 5th in a very deep draft.
My only disapointment stems from the fact that I didnt see this one coming.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)