Former Hendricken and Rhode Island High School standout, Matt Sherry, drafted by the Bengals

(Rak, 21. Sherry 84 before Cranston West Game)

It seems like just yesterday we were getting yelled at together by our freshmen coach, telling us that we ran like our grandmothers. And after that we were walking out as Captains together in our final high school game vs Lasalle and now my former teammate Matt Sherry is in the NFL!

Former Hendricken and Rhode Island High School standout was drafted in the 6th round by the Bengals (thus making the Bengals my 2nd favorite teams).

Sherry played four years at Bishop Hendricken High School then taking his talents to Villanova. He became a captian in his 5th year. He lead his team in recieving and lead the America team in recieving in the Texas vs the Nation game earlier this year. 

CBS Sportsline: Sherry put on a show during his All-Colonial Athletic Association senior season, leading the team in catches (37) and yards (461) in a run-first system and also caught five touchdowns. His performance in the El Paso all-star game really cemented his chance as a potential late-round selection, showing the consistent hands a good reserve tight end must have to stay in the league.

Congrats to Matt Sherry! Take it to the house baby! YEA HAWKS! Good luck in the league, were proud as hell!

(Sherry 84, Tomillio 24, Petarudy 56, Rak 21 Captains)

 

Hendricken Hawks 2002-03 Senior Team

Also a good read:

Projo Matt Sherry Article

 

Bengals coach Lewis Talks about Sherry

Third Round Selection: Shawn Crable OLB Michigan

Solid, productive Player out of Michigan

Big and Fast will compete with fellow Michigan Wolverine Hobson at OLB and be a solid special teams player.

6-47/8

245

4.64

Strengths:
Has excellent size and a big frame with long arms…Very athletic…Fantastic timed speed…Nice quickness and agility…Strong and powerful…Terrific pass rusher and blitzer…Makes a lot of plays behind the line…Offers some versatility…He does an adequate job in coverage…Still improving and has upside…Had a big senior year.

Weaknesses:
Does not have a great motor…Work ethic has been questioned…Intelligence may be a concern…Slow to read and react…Needs to play with better leverage…Was only a starter for two seasons…Sub par ball skills…Pass rush repertoire is limited.

Notes:
Was a highly-regarded recruit coming out of the prep ranks…He could project to a 4-3 (SAM) or 3-4 scheme…A real interesting prospect with a unique set of physical tools…Presents a rare combination of production and triangle numbers…Talented but may need to be pushed in order to fulfill his potential…May have played out of position in college…His best fit might be a pass rushing outside linebacker in a 34.

---

Career Statistics
Year	GP	TKL	TFL	SACK	PBU	INT
2003	DNP	-	-	-	-	-
2004	5	6	1.0	1.0	2	0
2005	6	14	3.0	3.0	3	0
2006	13	37	11.0	6.0	3	0
2007	13	90	28.5	7.5	1	0
Totals	37	147	43.5	17.5	9	0

 

Rak’s NFL Draft Live Blog Part 1

Today I will attempt to live blog during the nfl draft. My reactions, projections, anaylisis, links video ect.

If you leave your comments and or questions Ill publish them in the Live Blog

 

12:50- Start of the Live Blog.

Quick Rumors- St Louis will select Long, Falcons are decieding between Dorsey and Ryan, but leaning towards Ryan and Raiders are going to select Mcfadden

1:06 – Pro Football Talk rumors that the Colts have high intrest in former Pats LB Rosie Colvin, giving him a homecoming from when he sold beer in the stands.

 ESPN Coverage of Draft: Patriots-

Chris Morentsen ” Pats definatly want to trade down and stock pile picks, theres a lot of possibities”

Merril Hodge ” They have options because they play both 3-4 and 4-3.”

 1:41-  NFL Network reports that the Ravens are working hard to move up into the number 2 spot to grab Matt Ryan

comment-I don’t think that the Rams are trading down that far- Brian Alexander

2:00-  Raiders talking about moving from 4 to 10.

 2:43-  Ravens not moving up because Rams offer was too rich

Pats Mock Drafts around the Web

Here is a list of what other sites think the Pats will do with the number 7 pick…

36 Different Sites with possibly more to come….

First is a percentage run down from the 36 sites that I took the picks from:

 

OVERALL RUNDOWN:

Keith Rivers OLB USC 37%

Leodis McKlevin CB Troy 22%

Brandon Albert OG/OT Virgina   11%

Ryan Clady OT Boise State   8%

Vernon Gholsten OLB Ohio State  5.5%

Sedrick Ellis DT USC 5.5%

Chris Long  DE Virgina 5.5%

Darren McFadden RB Arkansas 2.7%

Derek Harvy DE/OLB  Florida 2.7%

Raks New England Sports Blog-  Keith Rivers

 

Todd McShay (ESPN)- Keith Rivers OLB USC

2) CB Reggie Smith (Oklahoma)

Mike Reiss (Boston Globe)- Brendan Albert

The Sports Exchange- Keith Rivers

Clarke Judge (CBS Sports)- Keith Rivers

Prissco (CBS Sports) Keith Rivers

Charlie Casserly (CBS Sports) – Keith Rivers

NFL Draft Countdown- Derek Harvey DE Fla

NFL.com (Kriwin)- Brenden Albert

AnthlonSports- Sedrick Ellis

 

Sporting News -Brenden Albert

                     Round 2  Tyvon Branch

Rivals.com-  Keith Rivers

LA Times-  Rivers

Blast Mag-  Leodis McKlevin

USA TODAY:

    Bell- Ryan Clady OT

    Cobert McKlevin

    Davis Albert

   Harper Rivers

    Lehey- Clady

 

    Dang- Rivers

    Weismen- McKlevin

    Zucker-  McKlevin

Asocatied Press-  McKlevin

Comcast Sports-  Albert

Sports Illustrated (banks)-  Rivers (trade with Bengals)

NFL.com -  MckLevin

About.com- Clady

Pro Football Weekly-  McKlevin

Fox Sports – McKlevin

Z Report- Chris Long

NBC Sports- Ellis

 

 

PATRIOTS BLOGS

Pats Blog (Greg)- Vernon Gholsten

Pats Draft Insider – Chris Long

The Pats Show- Darren McFadden

NE Patriots Draft-  Rivers

 

 

Update Mock Draft #5…. April 22 2008 NFL DRAFT

Update Mock Draft #5 …. April 22, 2008

With a Round 2!

This is probaly my final mock draft with other small changes to come coming up to the draft.
Also i will be live blogging during the draft on everything that is in the NFL Draft.

 

 1.Miami Dolphins – Jake Long – OT- Michigan

I know I know going out on a limb there.

2. St. Louis Rams- Chris Long- DE _ Virgina-  Need help on def line and it all depends on what they do with Adam Caritaker (spelling) moving him inside or out. So its long or dorsey, im going LONGG.

  3. Atlanta Falcons- Glenn Dorsey- DT- LSU

A lot of people rate him the number one player in the draft so the Falcons will be pleased when he falls to number 3. If the Rams take Dorsey look for the Falcons to take Matt Ryan

Previous Mock Pick: Ryan QB- BC

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.

Previous Mock Pick: McFadden

5. KC Chiefs- Brandon Albert OL- Virginia  KC will be upset that Jake Long will not last until thier pick but need Oline help so bad. Albert seems to be the guy flying up draft boards this year.  

Previous Mock Pick: Clady OT

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.

Previous Mock Pick: Same

7. THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS-  Kieth Rivers OLB USC

     I am sticking with Rivers here. He adds youth to the Pats linebacking core, will slide into Rosie’s OLB slot. We all know how #55’s from USC play. This will move Adalias/ Vrabel to flex between inside and outside depending on the matchup.

 Before and many other mock drafts around the web have the Pats taking a CB. But with The Pats Free Agency  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. There are a number of other options

 Other possiblites:

DT- Sedrick Ellis  DT USC

OLB Derek Harvey FLA- OLB

CBs- Aquib Talib, Leodis McKelvin,  DRC,

IF available: Gholston, and Albert

Again I hope the Pats to trade down. There is more value by gaining picks than picking at 7 for the Pats. They will also save a load of money that they can use.

If on draft day  Matt Ryan or Darren McFadden slip to pick 7 then teams will be calling the Pats to trade down. Lets hope 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.

Previous Mock Pick: Same

8. Baltimore Ravens -Matt Ryan- QB- BC

The Ravens are estactic that Ryan slips til 8. I can even see them trading up with the Pats or Jets to make sure no one else trades up and grabs Ryan. Ryan will fit nicely into Baltimore.

Previous Mock Pick: Dorsey

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

Previous Mock Pick:Same

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

Previous Mock Pick: Same

11. Bills- Leodis McKlevin CB- Bills lost shut down CB Clemens and draft the best available CB on their board here.

Previous Mock Pick:  Kelly WR Okla

12. Broncos- Ryan Clady OT  Boise -Broncos have a big need at the Oline and have not addressed it in FAgency.

Previous Mock Pick: Otah- OT

13. Panthers  – Jeff Otah OT Vandy - Need a tackle, get a tackle. Also could move up for Matt Ryan.

Previous Mock Pick: Williams OT

 

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 must in this draft. Many people think taking Brohm is a reach here so they could trade down to secure him at another spot but I do not think they can wait til the second round to grab him because  he will be gone.

Previous Mock Pick: Same

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.

Previous Mock Pick: same

16. Cardnals- DRC -CB Tenn St    Cardinals are extremely thin at CB. They will have multiple options at CB here. 

Previous Mock Pick: McKlevin CB

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

Previous Mock Pick: Same

18. Texans- Chris Williams- OT- Vandy- Need help on O line badly. Williams is a beast and their answer.

Previous Mock Pick:  Stewart

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.

Previous Mock Pick:  Same

20. Buccaneers- Devin Thomas WR Mich St.  Another  guy moving up draft boards. Gives another option next to an aging galloway.

Previous Mock Pick: Manningham

21. Redskins Lawerence Jackson- DE USC Skins need a compliment to Andre Carter. Jackson stock is climbing and I think he will be a playmaker on the NFL Level

Previous Mock Pick: Clais DE

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.

Previous Mock Pick: Same

 23. Steelers- Godser Cherlius BC- OT Protected Ryans butt now will be protecting Roethesburgers butt

Previous Mock Pick: Albert OG

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

Previous Mock Pick: Same

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

Previous Mock Pick:Same

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

Previous Mock Pick: Same

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

Previous Mock Pick: Same

28. Cowboys- Malcom Kelley- Okla WR  Another Big WR to line up oppsite TO.

Previous Mock Pick: DRC CB

29. Niners- Jerod Mayo LB Tenn Are kicking themselves they traded away a Top 10 pick. Issac Bruce and Bryant Jonhson fills the WR need for now.

Previous Mock Pick: Dan Connor

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

Previous Mock Pick: Same

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.  

Previous Mock Pick: Same

 

Second Round

32. Miami- Mike Jenkins – CB- SFLA

33. Rams- Early Doucet- WR- LSU

34. Falcons- Sam Baker T- USC

35. Chiefs- Brandon Flowers CB-  V Tech

36. Jets- Antionie Cason- CB- ARIZONA

37. Falcons- Joe Flacco OB- Deleware

38. Ravens- Justin King CB- Penn State

39. Niners- Carl Nicks- OL- Nebraska

40. Saints- Erin Henderson- OLB- Maryland

41. Bills- Dustin Keller- TE_ Purdue

42. Broncos-Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon

43. Panthers- DeJuan Morgan- S- NC State

44. Bears-  Reggie Smith CB Okla

45. Lions- Dan Connor ILB Penn State

46. Bengals-Andre Caldwell WR_ Fla

47. Vikings- Dre Moore- DT

48. Falcons-Trevor Laws- DT- ND

49. Eagles- Chilo Rachel OG USC

50. Cards- Ray Rice- RB _ Rutgers

51. Skins- James Hardy WR Ind

52. Buccs- Red Bryant DT-T AM

53. Steelers- Eddie Royal- WR- V Tech

54. Titans- Clais Campell DE- Clemsom

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- Curtis Lofton- ILB- Oklahome

60. Packers- Tony Hills- OL- Texas

61. Cowboys- Earl Bennet- WR_ Vandy

62. Pats – Tyvon Branch

CB is a need and Branch has been impressive in coverage and return yards. Solid player who I like here.

63. Giants- Thomas DeCloud- S California

 

 

 

NFL Mock Draft Updated #4: 1st and 2nd Rounds!- March 28, 2008

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 

NFL Mock Draft: #3 Updated – March 15, 2008

Update Mock Draft #3….With most of free agency over, teams have addressed some needs or heighten those needs even more. Also their has been work outs and injuries that have either helped or hurt the players stock.

1.Miami Dolphins – Chris Long- DE- Virgina            Other possibilities are Matt Ryan and Jake Long. 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- Glenn Dorsey DT- LSU      Chris Long would have been the ideal pick; Dorsey adds an inside threat to a medicore defense

  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. While I wish that Matt Ryan (since I am a BC fan) does not end up here, he will probably be the pick. WIth the signing of Micheal Turner that rules out McFadden at this spot; Ryan will be the future in Atlanta.

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- Chris Long OT_ Michigan        With Willie Roaf and Will Shields  retiring there is a glaring hole at OT; They can hope and wish that Jake Long lasts til this pick if he doesnt Ryan Clady is the pick

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-  Aqib Talib CB Kansas   

     Patriots needs : CB and LB. I look for the Patriots to trade down here but if no one takes the bait Talib or McKlevin will fill a hole at CB.  Talib is a playmaker who is physical and loves to jump routes ala Assante. Although at the NFL Combine numerous scouts said his technique was flawed. The NFL Network anyalists were all over Talib’s footwork.Watching more and more film and reading more about the corners in this draft I am not too impressed. I would rate them:

1.       Aqib Talib a slight first, -

2.      Leodis McKelvin- Troy- Playmaker, Great tackler, excellent returner,

-3.      DRC (Tennesee St)- small school player roaring up draft boards, tall, agile, fast

4.      Mike Jenkins (S Fla)

I believe that they are all in the same catergory and could all be had in the first round so if we trade down we would be able to swoop one of them up later on in the draft while gaining more draft picks. *I will have more on these four CBs later on in the weekI also see them looking at Kieth Rivers OLB at USC with Colvin leaving. My hope is trade down, get some more picks. TRADE DOWN!

8. Baltimore Ravens – Brain Brohm- QB – LousivilleBoller sucks, McNair is over the hill.  The Ravens need a QB and Brohm it is.

9. Bengals - Sedrick Ellis- DT- USCBengals need help on defense and fast. Ellis is quickly moving up everyones draft board. Defense is the pick here. Kieth Rivers is also an option.

10. Saints – Keith Rivers OLB USCThe Saints did some work in FA too adding CB Randall Gay,  Dan Morgan and Johnathan Vilma which all help  their defense.  Rivers will add an outside rusher to an improved defense.

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

12. Broncos- Ryan Clady- OT- Boise -Broncos have a big need at the Oline and have not addressed it in FAgency.

13. Panthers  – Derek Harvey DE- FloridaPanthers could have lost both of there tackles to Free agency but the signed them back so OT is no longer the pick. DE Harvey will fill Mike Rukers spot

14. Bears-  Joe Flacco- QB – DelewareYes, Joe Flacco from Deleware. Bears just signed both Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman to one year deals and are set up for failure. Look for them to be the bridge to a new QB. While it might be a reach at 14 Flacco has been impressing scouts.

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 TroyCardinals are extremely thin at CB and McKlevin is the best on the board. 

17. Minnesota Viks- Phillip Merling – DE ClemsonViks filled a need with Berrian now they go to the Defensive side of the ball with Merling who gives them a legitmite rusher.

18. Texans- Chris Williams OT- VandyChris Brown sort of fills the RB need; OT is the pick.

19. Eagles- Deshawn Jackson WR- CaliforniaA gamebreaker in Jackson is just what McNabb and the Eagles need.

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

21. Redskins Clais Campell DE MiamiSkins need a compliment to Andre Carter.

22. Cowboys- Felix Jones RB ArkansasWith Julius Jones gone Marion Barber needs a running mate. While Jones is not the Arkansas RB that Jerry Jones covets he will do.

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

24. Titans- Limas Sweed- WR TexasGives Young someone to throw to.

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

26. Jags. – Kentwan Balmer- DT NCSTAnother addition to a solid defense

27. Chargers- Kenny Phillips- S – MiamiSafety 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 StateAre 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- Antoine Cason- CB Arizona Gives them depth at Corner behind Harris, woodson and Blackmon.

31. Giants- Quentin Groves- DE/OLB AuburnWith 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.  As the rounds go on look for the Giants to pick up my friend Chris Burnz of out Mariner Grille University, 6’3 with 4.3 speed (of course this is a joke so don’t go googling Chris Burnz, Mariner Grille Univesity)

NFL Mock Draft: Updated Round 1

 

1.Miami Dolphins – Chris Long- DE- Virgina            Miami will want to move down but I dont think there will be any takers. While they will take a look at Matt Ryan I dont think they pull the trigger. Before I went with Dorsey in this spot but his recent injury status I do not think that Tuna will take a chance on him, Chris Long is the guy. Perfect edge rusher for the 3-4 scheme.

2. St. Louis Rams- Glen Dorsey DT LSU

      Chris Long would have been the ideal pick but Dorsey is too good to pass up.

          

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 and Byron Leftwich are not going to cut it. While I wish that Matt Ryan (since I am a BC fan) does not end up here, he will probably be the pick.

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 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- Jake Long – OT Michigan

        With Willie Roaf and Will Shields gone LJ had trouble gaining yards. Jake Long is a beast and will help open holes for LJ.

6.  NY Jets- Veron Gholston- OLB/DE Ohio State

         The Jets need to fill a gap at OLB for the 3-4 scheme and even though Gholston played DE for the Buckeyes, experts say that he will move to OLB in the NFL. 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-  Aqib Talib CB Kansas

        I look for the Patriots to trade down here but if no one takes the bait Talib or McKlevin will fill a hole at CB. My feeling is that Assante will get big money on the FA market and leave the Pats. Talib is a playmaker who is physical and loves to jump routes ala Assante. Although at the NFL Combine numerous scouts said his technique was flawed. The NFL Network anyalists were all over Talib’s footwork.

I also see them looking at Kieth Rivers OLB at USC with Colvin leaving (if they trade down).  My hope is trade down, get some more picks. TRADE DOWN!

8. Baltimore Ravens – Brain Brohm- QB – Lousiville

Boller sucks, McNair is over the hill.  The Ravens need a QB and Brohm it is.

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. Kieth Rivers is alos an option.

10. Saints – LEODIS MCKELVIN CB Troy

Saints like the Bengals need help on defense and fast. Corner back is a need they gave up way too much through the air last year.

11. Bills- Malcom Kelley- WR- Oklahoma

Bills could use a big WR to go along Lee Evans.

12. Broncos- Ryan Clady- OT – Boise

Clady is a beast and is of great value here. He opened holes for Boise State RB Ian Johnson and should do the same for Travis Henry.

13. Panthers  – Jeff Otah- OT- Pitt

Panthers could lose both of there tackles to Free agency so a tachle is a must in the first round or they could be in trouble next year.

14. Bears-  Joe Flacco- QB – Deleware

Yes, Joe Flacco from Deleware. Bears just signed both Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman to one year deals and are set up for failure. Look for them to be the bridge to a new QB. While it might be a reach at 14 Flacco has been impressing scouts.

15. Lions- Mike Jenkins- CB

Corner back is a need for the lions and jenkins is the best on the board.

16. Cardnals- Johnathan Stewart- RB Oregon

 Two reasons for selecting a RB here. Edge is getting old and needs a running mate. Also two RBs is the new fade in the NFL. Stewart is the perfect fit here.

17. Minnesota Viks- Derrick Harvey- DE Florida

A stud DE and impact rusher is a need for the Viks.

18. Texans- Rashard Mendenhall- RB Illinois

19. Eagles- Deshawn Jackson WR- California

A gamebreaker in Jackson is just what McNabb and the Eagles need.

20. Buccaneers- Mario Manningham- WR Michigan

21. Redskins Linas Sweed- WR

22. Cowboys- Felix Jones RB Arkansas

With Julius Jones all but gone Marion Barber needs a running mate.

23. Steelers- Kenny Phillips S-Miami

We all know how bad Antony Smith is after the Patriots exploited him and they need a step up at Saftey.

24. Titans- Phillip Merling- DE Clemson

Odom and Leboy are FAs so Def Line is a need.

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. Calais Calvin- DE Miami

Another addition to a solid defense

27. Chargers- Reggie Smith DB Oklahoma

28. Cowboys- Early Douchet- WR – Lsu

Another weapon for Romo

29. Niners- Kieth Rivers- OLB USC

A steal this deep in the draft. I do not know if he will last this long but if he does the Niners will scoop him up to pair with Manny Lawson.

30. Packers- DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE CB

 The stud of the combines and work outs DRC gives them depth at Corner behind Harris, woodson and Blackmon.

31. Giants-Dan Connor- LB Penn State

Another steal this deep in the draft, one of the reasons why I want the Pats to trade down.