Raks New England Sports Blog

Update Mock Draft #4…. March 29, 2008

Numerous Changes and now

With a Round 2!

 1.Miami Dolphins - Chris Long- DE- Virgina   The more and more the draft gets closer the more I think that Chris Long is the pick. I think Chris Long is a franchise player who will be a staple of that Miami defense for a while.  Perfect edge rusher for the 3-4 scheme.

2. St. Louis Rams- Jake Long- OT Michigan- Chris Long would have been the ideal pick; Jake, no relation to Chris, will be an anchor and mainstay on the St Louis Line.

  3. Atlanta Falcons- Matty “ICE” Ryan  QB Boston College        With the void that Mike Vick left the Falcons desperately need a QB and Joey Harrington, Chris Redman  and/or  Byron Leftwich are not going to cut it. WIth the signing of Micheal Turner that rules out McFadden at this spot; Ryan will be the future in Atlanta.  Other possiblites include Dorsey or Ellis and then taking a QB in second round.

4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden RB  Arkansas       The Raiders have many needs and even though Justin Fargas came on big at the end of the year (and now has resigned with Oakland) McFadden is the pick here. Paring McFadden with Russell could spell great things in the future. I love McFadden and think he ll be next years Adrian Peterson.

 5. KC Chiefs- Ryan Clady- OT Boise State- KC will be upset that Jake Long will not last until thier pick but need an OT so bad that they reach just a little but on Ryan Clady.  

6.  NY Jets- Veron Gholston- OLB/DE Ohio State       The Jets have been one of the busiest teams in the NFL with the addition Clavin Pace, Alan Faneca, Damien Woody. Gholston is impressing scouts and is roaring up the draft borad. The Patriots are also eyeing Gholston, so the Jets do two good things here block him from the Pats and fill a need.

7. THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS-  Kieth Rivers OLB USC     Every other mock draft I have gone with a CB, not this time. The Pats have not been busy in Free Agency but most of the moves they have made have been CBs. With the addition of Jason Webster and Frenado Bryant, they expect one of those players to slide into a starting role along with Ellis Hobbs.  My hunch is that they do not take a CB at number 7 and pay him the kind of money that they could have gave to a proven star Assante Samuel.            

 They will hope that Gholston drops, but I highly doubt it. The two other options are Kieth Rivers or speedy Derek Harvey.           

Rivers or Harvey will take the OLB spot and give more flexibilty to move Adalus Thomas inside or outside.    

Other possiblites: CBs- Aquib Talib, Leodis McKelvin,  DRC, Again I hope the Pats to trade down. There is more value by gaining picks than picking at 7 for the Pats. If on draft day  Matt Ryan or Darren McFadden slip to pick 7 then teams will be calling the Pats to trade down. Lets hop it happens! Possible teams to trade with: Ravens- to grab a QB, Dallas to grab Mc Fadden, Panthers to grab Ryan, Ditto with the Bears.

8. Baltimore Ravens – Glenn Dorsey LSU DT –Yes they need a QB, Boller sucks, McNair is over the hill.  But Dorsey is too good to pass up here, look for the Raves to pick up a QB in Round 2 or trade up to grab Ryan.

 9. Bengals - Sedrick Ellis- DT- USC Bengals need help on defense and fast. Ellis is quickly moving up everyones draft board. Defense is the pick here. Solid Pick for the Bengals. – Another Possibility – Derek Harvey DE/OLB FLA

10. Saints –Derek Harvey- DE/OLB- Fast outside rusher that Saints could use, will have big impact on an improved saints defense

11. Bills- Malcom Kelley- WR- Oklahoma Bills could use a big WR to go along Lee Evans. Kelley is the first WR off the board because of that height.

12. Broncos- Jeff Otah OT- Pittsburg -Broncos have a big need at the Oline and have not addressed it in FAgency. 13. Panthers  - Chris Williams OT- Vandy – Need a tackle, get a tackle. Also could move up for Matt Ryan, or take Brain Brohm at this pick.

14. Bears-  Brian Brohm- QB – Lousiville-  Bears just signed Orton and Grossman to one year deals, meaning they are on their way out. A QB is a must in this draft and a high need. If Brohm falls here I can not see the Bears passing him up. OT is a possibilty here too.

15. Lions- Rashard Mendenhall- RB Illinois Kevin Jones and TJ Duckett are gone, leaving RB very slim. Now if Johnathan stewart had not need surgery which will keep him out 4-6 mths he would have been the pick but the Lions go with the Illnois RB.

16. Cardnals- Leodis McKlevin –CB Troy Cardinals are extremely thin at CB and McKlevin is the first off the board. They will have multiple options at CB here. 

17. Minnesota Viks- Phillip Merling - DE Clemson Viks filled a need with WR Berrian now they go to the Defensive side of the ball with Merling who gives them a legitmite rusher. DE is a big need for them

18. Texans- Jonthan stewart- RB- Oregon- They want a Stud OT here but with most of them off the board they take a chance on stewart and his injury.

19. Eagles- Deshawn Jackson WR- California A gamebreaker in Jackson is just what McNabb and the Eagles need. Also gives Philly a Punt and kick returner who they desperatly needed last year.

20. Buccaneers- Mario Manningham- WR Michigan To Play along side aging Galloway

21. Redskins Clais Campell DE Miami Skins need a compliment to Andre Carter because Daniels is old and they have no other viable options behind him. The tandeom of Campell and Carter could be disrupting defenses for years to come, will help the defense tremendously by having constant pressure on opposing QBs.

22. Cowboys- Felix Jones RB Arkansas With Julius Jones gone Marion Barber needs a running mate. While Jones is not the Arkansas RB that Jerry Jones covets he will do. Cowboys will be tempted to trade up for McFadden too. 

 23. Steelers- Brendan Albert- G Badly need help on the interior OL because of the lost of Faneca.

24. Titans- Limas Sweed- WR Texas Gives Young someone to throw to, the fellow texan comes to tennesee.

25. Seattle- Fred Davis- TE USC Fill a big need at TE with Pollard leaving and Davis gives them another threat on offense.

26. Jags. – Kentwan Balmer- DT NCST Fills a interior need, Another addition to a solid defense

27. Chargers- Kenny Phillips- S – Miami Safety a need to be filled

28. Cowboys- DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE CB Could bloom into a star with the Stars.

29. Niners- Dan Connor LB Penn State Are kicking themselves they traded away a Top 10 pick. Issac Bruce and Bryant Jonhson fills the WR need for now. So they go with Dan Connor who can play Inside or Outside. 

30. Packers- Aquib Talib- CB Kansas Gives them depth at Corner behind Harris, woodson and Blackmon.

31. Giants- Quentin Groves- DE/OLB Auburn With the loss of Wilson and Mitchell that means this pick will either be Safety or LB. Groves played DE in college but projects as a OLB.  

 Second Round

32. Miami- Mike Jenkins – CB- SFLA

33. Rams- Early Doucet- WR- LSU

34. Falcons- Gosder Cherlis- OT- BC

35. Chiefs- Devin Thomas  WR_ MSU

36. Jets- Antionie Cason- CB- ARIZONA

37. Falcons- James Hardy- WR- Indiana

38. Ravens- Joe Flacco- QB – Deleware

39. Niners- Carl Nicks- OL- Nebraska

40. Saints- Erin Henderson- OLB- Maryland

41. Bills- Dustin Keller- TE_ Purdue

42. Broncos- Pat Sims- DT_ Auburn

43. Panthers- DeJuan Morgan- S- NC State

44. Bears- Sam Baker- OT- USC

45. Lions- Curtis Lofton- ILB- Oklahome

46. Bengals- Lawerence Jackson- DE USC

47. Vikings- Dre Moore- DT

48. Falcons-Trevor Laws- DT- ND

49. Eagles- Jerod Mayo- ILB Tenn

50. Cards- Ray Rice- RB _ Rutgers

51. Skins- Andre Caldwell- WR- Fla

52. Buccs- Reggie Smith- CB- Okla

53. Steelers- Eddie Royal- WR- V Tech

54. Titans- Red Bryant- DT- T AM

55. Seahawks- Heath Benedict- OT Newberry

56. Packers- Tom Zibokowski- S ND

57. Dolphins- Xavier Adibi- OLB VTech

58. Jags- Thomas DeCloud- S -Cali

59. Colts- Cliff Avril- LB_ Purdue

60. Packers- Tony Hills- OL- Texas

61. Cowboys- Earl Bennet- WR_ Vandy

62. Pats – Brandon Flowers CB – V TechIf Flowers falls this far it would work out perfectly for the Pats. He is a border line 1^st/2^nd round pick and with numerous solid CBs on the board he could slip to here. A playmaker who played on an excellent defense, Flowers would be a great pick up here. CB and LB are two of the biggest needs for the Pats and by taking Rivers and Flowers in the first and second the Pats could then take best available throughout the rest of the draft.

63. Giants- Tyvon Branch- CB- UCONN 

According to the Boston Herald, TE Benjamin Watson underwent ankle surgery in the past couple weeks. The injury occured in the game vs Dalllas and now after the surgery there is question if he will be able to return before training camp.

“It was definitely an issue, but everyone has issues, stuff they fight through,” he said.  “It was a nagging thing.  Right now, it feels good.

“I’ve had some time to rest since the season ended.  It was bothering me during the season from that initial injury.  But that’s what the offseason is about.  Rest and rehab.”

The Pats have David Thomas and Stephen Spach as other TEs on thier roster, look for them to maybe draft a young TE in the middle to late rounds also.

Amid rumors that Phil Martelli, (the current St Joes coach) will become the next PC coach, Martelli has responded.

sjuhawks.cstv.com

I have not indicated an interest in Providence,” Martelli told the Daily News. “Providence has not indicated an interest in me. I’ve not talked to anybody at Providence and Providence has not talked to anybody here at Saint Joseph’s, or to me or to my family.”

“It’s just one those [things] and it’s running wild,” Martelli said.

Numerous names have came up when talking about this job. It is a big east job so many will be attracted to it. Martelli would be a good fit. His teams are tough, play hard and always seems to get the most out of them.

 Globe

In a world of looking for the big pay day and cashing in, many players when they hit free agency take the team with the highest bid, but not Jabar Gaffney.

When Gaffney’s contract expired after the 2007 season, he told his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, he was only interested in re-signing with the Patriots. Perhaps he would have been swayed had another club called with a megabucks offer, but it turns out Gaffney didn’t even seriously listen to other suitors.

“Everybody has their own feelings on how to handle their situation, and for me it was about being in a place where you have a chance to win,” Gaffney said yesterday at Gillette Stadium after finishing his work on the third day of the Patriots’ offseason program.- globe

Its a breathe of fresh air when you have these kind of guys on your team. Gaffney will be a solid number 3 this year and put up career numbers. He fits the Pats and the Pats fit him. I m sure both are glad hes a Patriot, i know i am.

Rajon Rando breaking Steve Nash’s ankles…..as the celts go on to crush the suns.

http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=bd92e79f-cfb2-479a-a9d3-6553b0214515

Patrtiots

• Patriots resigned both OL Welsey Britt and LB Pierre Woods to one year deals
• Patriots have NO intrest in Pacman “thug life” Jones- Thank YOU!
• CBS Sportsline Preview: http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10732981

Red Sox

• Cubs signed OF Reed Johnson which lessens the chance that they trade for CoCo
• JD Drew injured again

Just a few years ago Joe Mazulla was leading Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, RI) in a comeback victory in the Rhode Island State Championship over Cranston West, now he is leading West Virgina in the NCAA tourney.

Against Duke Mazulla was the heart and soul of the WV. He scored 13 pts, grabed 11 boards and had 8 assists.

 Because the shortest player on the roster from the smallest state in the union played the biggest game of his career, seventh-seeded West Virginia is headed to the Sweet 16 for the third time in the last four years. And the TV darlings from Duke departed another NCAA Tournament well short of their goal.

Joe Mazzulla, a 6-2 sophomore guard from Rhode Island who has yet to start a college game, drove the Blue Devils to distraction in the second round of the West Regional at the Verizon Center yesterday. When early foul trouble among front-line players forced the Mountaineers to utilize a three-guard offense, the reserve provided a brilliant demonstration of versatility and determination that nearly resulted in a triple-double. In addition to scoring 13 points, he had eight assists and grabbed 11 rebounds, seven more than any player wearing a Duke uniform, in a 73-67 victory - newsday

Even Coach K was raving about Joe:

That kid was fabulous,” said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, whose team barely survived its first-round game against 15th-seeded Belmont Thursday night. “He looked like a mini-Jason Kidd out there, getting rebounds and assists and points. The star on that court today was No. 3. I told him that when we shook hands.”- newsday

His name was even brought up in the show Around the Horn on espn today, hes come a long way from a small state.

According to Profootballtalk.com and the Globe the Patriots are close to a deal with another Corner Back. This time it in 9 year pro Fernando Byrant. Last year Bryant played for the Lions where he started all 16 games registering 69 tackles, 2 picks and 1 forced fumble. The former first round pick has 109 career starts with Jax and Detroit.

pic- madison.com

 Personally I think this is great pickup. He is a starter and a solid player who could thrive in this system. When you can go out and get a corner who has started 109 out of 110 of his career games it is a good pick up because you can never have too few corners. Speaking of DBacks here is Mike Reiss’s snapshot of the Patriots corner backs:

Fernando Bryant (5-11, 184) — Veteran is expected to sign a one-year free-agent deal, and will look to turn back the clock to his days with Dom Capers with the Jaguars (1999-2000), when he was a highly touted first-round pick.

Ellis Hobbs (5-9, 195) — Returning starter who will look to work his way back following offseason surgery (hernia, groin).

Brandon Meriweather (5-11, 200) — First-round pick in 2007 has position flexibility to line up at safety and corner.

Tim Mixon (5-9, 184) — Practice squad player in 2007 will look to emerge.

Mike Richardson (5-11, 190) — Sixth-round draft choice out of Notre Dame in 2007 spent last year on injured reserve.

Lewis Sanders (6-1, 210) — Veteran signed a one-year deal as a free agent and is the tallest of the current crop.

Antwain Spann (6-0, 195) — Mostly a special teams presence.

Jason Webster (5-9, 187) — Veteran signed a one-year deal as a free agent and hopes to turn back the clock to his 49er days (2000-2003), when he worked his way into a top free agent.

With all these additions to the DB’s itll be intresting to see who they target with the 7th pick.

 The NCAA tournament starts tomorrow and if you are like me the first two days of the tournaent are two of the best days of the year. When I was in junior high and high school I used to save up my “sick days” to act sick on these two days so I could catch all the afternoon games. Whether you are skipping work or school, its a must. If you cant get out of work early you can always watch the games online http://ncaasports.com/mmod/welcome which is equipped with a boss botton that acts like a spread sheet. Tomorrow I will be skipping and I will have the ultimate NCAA tournament set up (which Ill take a picture of and post it). This includes a TV for one game, my laptop for another game and my girlfriends laptop for game three, in between all of those will be homemade buffalo wings, bacon and chive dip and a tall glass of gatorade. I cant wait!!

With all that being said here are my picks:

FINAL FOUR PICKS

East Region: Louisville- everyone is on UNC but they can not defend. Louisville has the coach, the defense and the big man to make the final four

Midwest- Kansas- Best all around team, great guards, bench, defense and adequate big men

South- Texas- THey have beat UCLA, Kansas, and Tennesee. Great defense and Augustine and Abrams are one of the best backcourts in the nation. Plus their region is played in Texas

West - UCLA- Have the easiest out of the four regions. Have experience, a big man and a lethal back court. Ben Howland stresses defense and their defense is oustanding

Championship - Kansas over Texas- rematch of Big 12 championship game.

Here are a few upsets (must be at least a 11 seed) that I like in the first round:

#11 St Joes over #6 Oklahoma

St Joes is a gritty team from Philly who does take shit from anyone. They are lead by Pat Cathletis and Ahmad Nives. Oklahoma has two key players hurting (Longar Longar and Blake Griffin). St Joes Recently beat Xavier twice and arent going to be afraid of Oklahoma, they also beat Nova by 22 points.

#13 Winthrop over #4 Wash State

Wintrop is a senior heavy team and is in its 4th straight trip to the big dance so they wont be scared of the lights. Both teams have a similar style of intense defense (both rank in top 25 in defense). Winthrop shocked Notre Dame last year and will do the same to WSU this year. They have the experience and guard play to upset the Cougars.

Other teams to watch out for posible runs in the tournament

Butler- Got screwed with a 7 seed while being ranked inn the top 10.  Aj Graves and Mike Green are a dynamic backcourt and they arent afraid of anyone. Could see a possible upset over Tennesee in the second round and a long run in the tourney

Davidson- Led by Stephen Curry this team can play, They have a 23 game winning streak and i see a win over gonzaga with an outside chance of beating Gtown

Update!: Pay Dispute Settled, Sox to go to Japan…….good for the sox players sticking up for thier coaching and training staff!

According to multiple clubhouse sources, the Red Sox will be holding a players-only meeting later this morning concerning the issue regarding the coaches potentially not being paid the $40,000 allocated the players. The sources indicated that the players will be issuing a mandate to Major League Baseball that if the coaches aren’t paid, then the team will not be getting on the plane later today for Japan.” – 3.19.08, The Bradford Files

updated

Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell confirmed to the Boston Globe’s Jackie MacMullan that the team voted unanimously this morning not to make the scheduled trip to Japan or play its final exhibition game against the Blue Jays this afternoon unless the coaches, training staff, and equipment staff were going to be compensated for making the trip to Japan.- bostondirtdogs.com

Good for them sticking up for their coaches and other personal. Could be a team bonding moment.