The Thursday After: a Draft Wrap up part 2- By Dr. Bill ChachkesFor Football Reporters Online/Gridiron Draft Guide/ SBS Media

I will admit you have to give the Giants credit for getting as many needs filled as possible. GM Jerry Reese knew he would need not one, but two receivers in this draft. In Hakeem Nicks(Rd1-29th overall), they get a natural talent at the position who runs pass routes well, has excellent speed, both before and after the catch. The one knock on Nicks is that he is only 6' 3/4" and some would have thought they would have gotten a taller receiver. Wait, they also got a tall receiver in the third round in Ramses Barden. The tallest receiver in this draft at 6'5-1/2" and 230 pounds, Barden is big enough to fill Plaxico Burress' shoes. he may not have the speed, but he has the body and the hands to play the jump ball game in the back of the endzone. Barden also runs good pass patterns and will help stretch the defenses. 2nd round selection Clint Sintim is an LB from Virginia who will help with depth on the defense. The other #2 selection OT William Beatty, will help the depth on an aging offensive line. 4th round choice TE Travis Beckum of Wisconsin will make the team simply because he will cost less then at least one of Kevin Boss's back ups. 5th round choice Rhett Bomar was a stand out QB at Oklaholma, but was dismissed for rules violations and finished his last two years at Sam Houston State. RB Andre Brown, and CB's DeAndre Wright, and Stoney Woodson will at least get into camp. Grade: B

The rest of the NFC:

Eagles: 7 Picks. Although Philly adds three quality starters in Maclin (Rd1), RB LeSean McCoy (Rd2), and TE Cornelius Ingram (Rd3), but little else after that. These three will contribute, and Maclin will be a star in the NFL like his new teammate DeSean Jackson. Ingram needs to improve run blocking. Grade B-

Cowboys: 12 picks. A half grade off for trading out of round 2 when they already gave up round one choice. LB Jason Williams, OT Robert Brewster, and QB Stephen McGee address needed depth. Large group of picks give camp roster extra bodies, but how much else? Grade D+

Redskins: 5 Picks. After DE Brian Orapko (Rd1) Washington didn't do all that well with only 2 picks in the first 3+ rounds. FB Eddie williams is already a" Bubble" player. CB Kevin Barnes, and LB's Cody Glenn and Robert Henson are reserves at best. Grade: C

Bears: 9 Picks. This group could have even been better if there was a choice in the first two rounds. 6 of the 9 picks should contribute though, and the WR trio of Juaquin Iglesias, Johnny Knox, and Derek Kinder give the receivers depth for new QB Jay Cutler. DT Jarron Gilbert has upside potential as a pass rusher. Grade: B-

Lions: 10 Picks. Give Detroit credit for getting the Stafford deal done, even if they paid a bit over what he's really worth. TE Brandon Pettigrew was the best of a weak class at his position, but could play a crossover role as an end/ receiver. Louis Delmas is a quality safety, but he was the only DB they selected. Grade: B+

Packers: 8 Picks. Six of this group will make the Packers roster this year. BJ Raji (Rd1) should be a force for years to come on the inside of defensive line. LB Clay Matthews is also a quality prospect, and FB Quinn Johnson will contribute. The offensive line will be helped by T.J Lang and Jamon Meredith. The only down side is the lack of a higher rated DB prospect. Grade: A-

Vikings: 5 Picks. The whole ball of wax here is Percy Harvin. "If" is the biggest two letter word in the universe and it applies to Harvin here. OT Phil Loadholt will be a contributor and could quietly be a draft steal, but there isn't much else to get excited about here. Grade: C+ if Harvin gets strait, otherwise, a C

Falcons: 8 Picks. First round pick DT Peria Jerry can play, but can he stay healthy? Atlanta needed defensive help just about everywhere, and they addressed that in this draft, taking only one offensive player in OT Garrett Reynolds. DE Lawrence Sidbury of FCS national champion Richmond university is a gift in round 4.
Grade: B+

Panthers: 7 Picks: Everette Brown could have been a low first or high second round selection in a different year. He will eventually develop into Julius Peppers' replacement. CB's Sherrod Martin and Captain Munnerlyn should provide added reinforcements to the defensive backfield. RB Mike Goodson and FB Tony Fiammetta will take some pressure of the passing game. No selections in the top 50 picks did hurt though. Grade: C+

Saints: 4 Picks (but made deals prior to this for Shockey and Vilma). CB Malcom Jenkins will have almost an instant impact on the defensive secondary.
Punter Tom Morestead will most likely make the team. The other two picks, S Chip Vaughn and LB Stanley Arnoux will be solid reserves. The lack of early selections hurts here. Grade: B-

Buccaneers: 6 Picks: Coach Morris will have his very own QB of the future in Josh Freeman. DL's Roy Miller and Kyle Moore are good selections. WR Sammie Stroughter will pay off down the road, but nothing will come of this class for 2009.
Grade: C-

Cardinals: 8 Picks. Just have to love what the Cards did in this draft. Chris Wells' anguish is Arizona's gain here. OL's Herman Johnson and Trevor Canfield will add depth, although Johnson was touted as the best Guard in the class. his size might force his move outside to tackle. S Rashard Johnson and CD Greg Toler will also help the Cards pass defense. Grade: B

Rams: 7 Picks. OT Jason Smith & LB James Laurinaitis fill glaring needs right off the bat. QB Keith Null(6th Rd) could become the 3rd QB. sadly, the Rams didn't go for a receiver until the 5th round, but got Hakeem NIcks' teammate Brooks Foster of North Carolina, a steady possession receiver, who might be able to develop some moves. Grade: B

49ers: 7 Picks. We can't say enough about Michael Crabtree, even if he can't do the Deion Sanders dance too well. He may wind up to be the lone starter in 2009 from this draft class, But they needed to get help for whomever the starting QB is. Grade B-

Seahawks: 7 Picks. When no one wanted to trade up to the 4th spot, the 'Hawks devided to reinforce their pass rush with Aaron Curry(Rd1). OC Max Unger in round 2 is also an instant starter. the rest of the picks are all contributors in some way this season. WR Deion Butler and TE Cam Morrah are great value picks. Grade: B+

Record 39 Million Fans Tune Into 2009 NFL Draft On NFL Network, ESPN & ESPN2
04/28/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/28/09



RECORD 39 MILLION FANS TUNE INTO 2009 NFL DRAFT
ON NFL NETWORK, ESPN & ESPN2

First-Round Coverage Outdraws All Weekend
Basketball, Hockey & Baseball Games

Fans Spend More Time on NFL.com


A record 39 million viewers tuned in to watch the 2009 NFL Draft on NFL Network, ESPN and ESPN2, according to Nielsen Media Research. The total audience for the 2009 NFL Draft is an increase of nearly 2.5 million viewers from 2008 and tops the record of 38 million viewers set in 2007. Total NFL Draft viewership has increased 66 percent from 2001 to 2009 (from 23.5 million to 39 million).

First-round coverage of the Draft drew a combined average viewership of 6.3 million viewers on ESPN and NFL Network – exceeding the average viewership of the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball (Yankees-Red Sox; 4.6 million viewers), FOX’s Saturday Baseball (Yankees-Red Sox and Cubs-Cardinals; 4.1 million) and all other weekend NBA and NHL playoff action (topped by NBA Playoffs First-Round Game 4 on ABC, Cavaliers-Pistons; 5.4 million viewers).

Fans visiting NFL.com on Draft weekend spent a record average of 45 minutes on the site – up 153 percent from a year ago. Visitors to NFL.com over the weekend increased 28 percent over 2008 while video streams accessed were up 65 percent. In addition, fans viewed three times more NFL.com Draft content on their wireless devices than a year ago.

More than 48,000 fans followed the NFL Draft via the NFL's Twitter pages. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's Draft tweets were read by 3,690 followers. NFL Network's Rich Eisen drew 4,383 followers and posted 309 updates throughout the network's two-day draft coverage. NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes had more than 1,500 followers.

Photos: New Jets QB Mark Sanchez, SBS Media's Fearless Leader Zennie Abraham, The "Docta" and one of his "grad students" of Football, Yardbarker.com's Dewey Hammond
The Monday After: a Draft Wrap up part 1 By D. Bill Chachkes for Football Reporters Online/Gridiron Draft Guide/SBS Media

The NFL Draft is where the wild things are. This year the Jets fans were more then just wild, They were wildly happy that owner Woody Johnson gave GM Mike Tannenbaum and Head Coach Rex Ryan the Green light to trade up for USC QB Mark Sanchez. But Is Sanchez what the NY Jets really need? While the Jets organization, most of the beat media, and even most fans feel that the USC Product was one of the only two QB's in this draft that could start sooner rather then later, I'm not totally convinced. Personally, i don't dislike him, infact he is very likeable, with a great sense of humor and a great personality, which he showed in the draft press conference Sunday when two of my writing partners, SBS media's Zennie Abraham and Yardbarker.com's Dewey Hammond were razzing him about his hair and the CAL-USC rivalry. It's not his ability, he has plenty. I just think the Jets gave up too much to get him in this economy, and the Jets already have three QB's, including one they won't let play the position (Brad Smith) who passed for over 5,000 yards in college. Maybe they will try the wildcat offense with slow guys. Meanwhile they did not address the issue of getting a fast receiver. Had they done so, any QB would have been good enough for one more year. Give the Jets a B to a B+ depending on how long it takes Sanchez to get it together and adjust to the NFL game, which his agent David Dunn says will happen smoothly.

Thoughts on the other AFC teams:

Bills: 8 Picks. LB Aaron Maybin (rd1) and CB Jairus Byrd are good solid choices, But OC Eric Wood wasn't even among the top 2 Centers, and the other Offensive Lineman Andy Levitre was only an after thought on many Draft expert's charts, including mine. Grade: C to C-

Dolphins: 10 Picks. I'd like to give big poppa Parcells the benefit of the doubt here(and so would at least one of my associates who knows him personally and spend a year following him as research on his book) regarding Vontae Davis, But ego runs in the family (see big brother Vernon). I love Pat White as a QB, but they need to add more speed at receiver for the wildcat to work well. Sean Smith is the biggest CB i have ever seen. no addition of a Stout DL would worry the Phins faithful. Grade: C+ unless White gets the help he needs.

Patriots: 12 Picks. S Pat Chung could play anywhere in the defensive backfield, and Butler is a shutdown CB. Got Depth and scored 2 picks next year by smart trades, but no true "impact" players here. Grade: B

Ravens: 6 Picks: Just on Mike Oher alone Ozzie Newsome and his personnel crew get the "A", but i have to take away a half a grade because CB Lardarius Webb could pass for a 15 year old H.S. player in his pads at 177lbs. soaking wet. Rb Cedric Peerman could develop into a good reserve/role player. Grade: A-

Bengals: 11Picks. If Andre Smith doesn't flake out from the stress, he could someday be in that Building in Canton. Rey Maualuga is the Troy Polumalu of inside linebackers, and TE Chase Coffman has the NFL pedigree through his dad. Add OC Jon Luigs and P Kevin Huber(if he continues to improve his hang time numbers). The issue as always in Cincy is will these guys act their age or their shoe size. Grade: B-

Browns: 8 Picks. Alex Mack is the best Center in this class. Add the two receivers, Robiskie & Massaquoi and LB Kaluka Maiava (who we all know is the nephew of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) and you have added enough depth at key positions. Kudos to the Mangeinus for doing the deal with his old team, but there aren't any Real great players here. Grade: C

Steelers: 9 Picks. While i like DT Ziggy Hood, OL Kraig Urbik and OC A.Q. Shipley are back-ups at best for now. CB Joe Burnett is a decent CB for where he was picked. The rest are just back-ups if they make it at all. Grade: C+

Texans: 8 Picks. Houston got one of the steals of round one with Brian Cushing, and Connor Barwin will combine with Mario Williams to greatly improve the Texans D. The only problem here is that no receiver or running back was chosen to help with depth. Grade B+

Colts: 8 Picks. Are you surprised that Donald Brown came of the board before Ohio State's Chris Wells? You shouldn't be, because Brown is more adaptable to more offensive sets. DT Fili Moala, WR Austin Collie, and QB Curtis Painter will help with depth, but they still need another DL from somewhere. P Pat McAfee could get teh job on his toughness alone. Grade: B

Jaguars: 9 Picks. Great use of draft slots to get the best players to fill needs. OT's Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton will help Maurice Jones Drew have a "career" year in 2009, plus adding three receivers (Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard, and Tiquan Underwood will add bench depth, but they are still missing an instant starter at the position to help veteran FA signing Torry Holt. Liberty;s Rashad Jennings is an undiscovered talent at RB. Grade: B+

Titans: 11 Picks. I'd grade them higher if i could but they didn't get someone who could even develop into Al Hanesworth's replacement. Sen'Derrick Marks is good but not good enough yet to do it alone. WR Kenny Britt and TE Jared Cook will add some zest to the passing game, and smallish RB Javon Ringer was a Michigan State stand out and quality person all around, who could be the next Dave Meggett talent wise. Grade: B

Broncos: 10 Picks. Although Ex-Georgia Bulldog Knowshon Moreno was the best RB in the Draft in my mind, Denver did little else to help other need areas, like the defensive line. Also didn't address the offensive line until late in the draft. Grade: D-

Chiefs: 8 Picks. Nice job of starting to rebuild the defense. RB Javarris Williams from Tenn. State in the Ohio Valley Conference was one of our "small school prospect unknown" and another steal at his position in round 7.Still need more help for QB Matt Cassel. Grade: B+

Raiders: 7 Picks. If Al Davis would only retire or at least let someone else handle the personnel side of things, maybe the raiders can move forward. While Darrius Heyward-Bey is a quality receiver he wasn't the 7th pick overall, and who the heck is Michael Mitchell? Grade: D+ if Heyward-Bey develops faster then expected, otherwise they get the big "F" again.

Chargers: 8 Picks. While I really like LB Larry English as a defensive player, there is no way he should have been a 1st round pick no matter how much you are worried about Shawne Merriman not being able to come all the way back. Explain to me why you also pick 2 OG's in a weak class for Guards? LSU's Demetrius Byrd is a better receiver then his slot would indicate. Seems to me like they had a Brain Cluster after Denver picked Moreno ahead of them. Grade: B-

Next: The Giants and the NFC

Live from Day Two of the NFL DRAFT-By Dr. Bill Chachkes Football Reporters Online/Gridiron Guide to the Draft/SBS Media


So lets go over some day one stuff. When people ask me 'Why do High Ranked players Drop?" I have to say most of the time it's just a team's preference. such as the case with Ole Miss Offensive tackle Mike Oher. Although at his Presser he told us "don't feel bad for me i was still taken in the first round," we have to feel a little sorry for him because he waited 3 hours(as if he were the Brady Quinn of this Draft).

Brian Cushing dropped a bit as well. We expected him to be a top 10 selection and he went 15th to the Texans. He wanted his doubters to know there was no foundation to their disbelief of his ability to play.

Another surprise was the Chris Wells of Ohio St. didn't go until the 31st. pick to Arizona, and that both Donald Brown of UConn and Knownshon Moreno of Georgia went ahead of him (Brown to the Colts at #27 and Moreno at #12 to Denver).

Cleveland took two Wide outs in round two. Brian Robiskie of Ohio St.
and Mohamed Massaquoi from Georgia. Both weigh about 210. Robiskie is 6'3" and Massaquoi is 6'2". So i guess Braylon Edwards is gone no matter what.

So before anyone starts asking me about Hakeem Nicks to the Giants at 29, they needed more then one receiver and he was the best one on the board. The Giants did address the lack of height at the position by selecting the tallest receiver in this draft, and one of my favorite players, Cal Poly's Ramses Barden. I'm having a great time these two days working with so many great people, like Black Athlete.com's Tony McClean & Yarbarker's Dewey Hammond, as well as our own director of scouting Mike Ingram, and our blogging partner Zennie Abraham of SBS Media.


More Day two stuff later.

 

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I'm in New York for the NFL Draft and its related events, one of them was held Friday, and called NFL Play 60 in Central Park.  This fun affair on a sun-drenched day served as the backdrop for media interviews with the nine top college football players invited by the league to attend the draft. 

Given that many of the reporters, bloggers, and columnists were not experiencing their first rodeo, as the saying goes, one would think the questions would be good ones.  Well, not at all.  In fact some of the most seasoned writers asked the stupidest questions and Georgia Quarterback Matt Stafford and Texas Tech Wide Receiver Michael Crabtree had to deal with them. 

Without naming names, there are two gentlemen in my video who fall into that category.  They were fixated on asking about something that doesn't even exist: the rookie salary cap.  There's a school of thought advanced by these writers and some NFL players that there should be such a limit on what first-year NFL players make.  But since the cap doesn't exist, and therefore doesn't impact this year's players, why raise the issue with them?  

That bit of logic was beyond the reach of our fearless journalist-type heroes.  They pressed on with the question and it only served to show how well-adjusted Stafford and Crabtree were as people, especially at their young place in life.  When Stafford, who appears to be headed to the Detroit Lions as their first pick as of Friday night, got the question, he deflected it, saying in so many words, "Ask the Commissioner."  Crabstree looked at the questioner as if he were from another planet - it's on the video - then said "I feel like what I do is fun.  I'm blessed to be here" to which the reporter said sarcastically "We're all blessed to be here" in one of those moments that answers the question "Why are newspapers dying?"  It had nothing to do with the real subject at hand: the new NFL rookies at the event and what they were all about. 

When the question bottle spun to me, or really when I made it do so, I wanted to know who these guys were and the best way to determine that is how they treat you when you ask a question about how they handle relationship difficulties.  More to the point, are their friends treating them differently since fame and the possibility of fortune came on to them? 

Stafford said he had the same friends throughout the affair.  Crabtree said he kept a tight circle of family and friends long ago.  An interesting difference as Crabtree seemed more prepared for the ills of the process and the ups and downs, were Stafford is more laid back about the whole deal and in a way almost "Brett Farve" like in his country-boy attitude.  I suppose both schools of thought work but we shall see as they grow in the NFL. 

Stafford's Favorite Passes

As to "favorite" passes Matt Stafford likes to throw, he thought long and hard before answering "skinny post" which should be a tip to the Lions braintrust as they plans the teams passing game.   Stafford also seemed determined not to be molded by the expectations of others.  For example, one reporter asked about how he would deal with making "all that money"; Stafford offered that he'd never seen that amount of money to know!  A great, simple answer! 

Crabtree Was "In A Daze" During 'The Catch' Against Texas

Michael Crabtree, one who's not a fan of passing game systems but of solid play ("Everyone has a system; the whole thing's overblown", he told me) is known for a jaw-dropping, quick-as-light catch and run that beat The Texas Longhorns last year.  Asked what was going through his mind at that time, he said "I couldn't hear nothing.  I was so focused, I couldn't hear nothing...I could see the whole field.  I could see the linebackers.  D-Line. I was like, hey, I can see everything."  Many teams hope he can bring that focus to the NFL and there's every indication he can. 

Indeed, if their play is as good as the way they deal with stupid media questions, Stafford and Crabtree will be all-pro players for a long time to come.

Photos from the NFL Draft Pre events-By Dr. Bill Chachkes for Football reporters online/SBS Media/Gridiron Draft Guide
(Photos By A.C.F. Chachkes for FRO/GIDG/SBS Media)

What a busy day! First The SBS/FRO-GIDG Team Stopped by the NFL Play 60 Event in Central Park, where we interviewed some of the Top Draftees (9 are here-the most since 1996), but we couldn't get to them all. We did Visit with Brian Cushing, and Eugene Monroe (both NY area local Products), as well as Mike Ohler, Matt Stafford, Josh Freeman, and Jason Smith.

All spoke to the youth in attendance at the event to "Stay in School, Eat Healthy, listen to your Parents, and Get 60 minutes of activity play a day."

Next stop was the EA Sports Madden 2010 event, which we attended to get interviews with Matt Cassel, Brandon Jacobs, Ray Lewis, and Larry Fitzgerald (their Photos above as well). Our last stop was at the Photo op. where the future draftees and NFL.com's Gil Brant were on top of the Radio City Marque. Some of our off the top impressions from the interviews: Matt Stafford knows he will be playing in he NFL, and it doesn't matter to him where, as long as it gets done tonight (and it has, Stafford will be the first overall selection with a 78 million dollar contract from the Lions according to ESPN.com). More on this later today as all the details are made available to us.

At the Ea Sports Draft event, Fitzgerald spoke about how he hoped Anquan Boldin reconsidered his trade request, as he felt the Cards were ready for another run towards post season. Brandon Jacobs echoed the same feelings."the Giants are not a team under construction, we are already built to win" he told us. Ray Lewis told us when he talks to young players coming out in the draft and they ask for advice he tells them to "make sure they act wisely with their newfound wealth."

It was a long Day and the Next two will be longer.



Our Audio interviews will be up after the weekend, but enjoy these photos for now.

Why the Jets should not draft a QB in the first round


The NFL draft is only a few days away and the topic of conversation around New York office water coolers seems to be centered on the New York Jets Quarterback situation. Despite the fact that their new Head Coach Rex Ryan is pro defense, the quarterback position is in dire need of an upgrade.

Right now the battle is between Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff. Clemens seems to be the early favorite due to his starting experience. However, he does not have a lock on the position. Ratliff is a bit raw but does have talent. Also in the mix is 2008 draft pick Erik Ainge, who will not get as many reps as the other two but will be given a chance. The starting position was left vacant by the retirement of Brett Farve in February. Most teams would have gone after a veteran back-up such as Jeff Garcia (signed with Oak), or Byron Leftwich (TB) but that is no longer an option. Now the only decent veteran options are Brad Johnson (Dal) and Gus Frerotte (Min).

Should they decide to draft a quarterback in the first round, this year’s draft has a few studs in Matthew Stafford (Georgia), Mark Sanchez (USC), and Josh Freeman (Kansas State). Stafford should be gone before the Jets pick (17) but a trade is a possibility for Sanchez. Freeman who at 6’6” is considered by many the best all around athlete of the three, may slip and will be very tempting. However the Jets are a team built for now, especially with the Defensive acquisitions made this off-season. Bringing in a rookie quarterback does not make any sense as it would just diminish the confidence of Clemens.

Overshadowed by the quarterback talk is a need for a number one receiver. With the departure of Laveranues Coles to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jets are left without a clear cut number one guy. Jerricho Cotchery and Chansi Stuckey are good receivers, but do you really believe they put fear into any defense? Wide receiver prospects are at a premium this season with Jeremy Maclin (Missouri), Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland), Brian Robiskie (USC), Hakeem Nicks (North Carolina), and Florida’s Percy Harvin available. Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech) who may fall due to injury concerns is also a possibility. Maclin is a speed burner, who had 55 first down catches last year. Robiskie is 6’3” with good hands, and is not afraid of getting physical. Heyward-Bey is 6’2” with outstanding leaping ability, which complements his versatility on the field. Harvin is fast but has had knee problems. His lack of size 5’11” is overlooked due to his aggressive nature and willingness to play hurt.

There are also trade possibilities as Braylon Edwards (CLE), and Anquan Boldin (ARZ) may be available before draft day. However they may cost a small fortune. Although Edwards has a tendency to drop passes, and Boldin is not necessarily a team player they both are viable options. Not to be forgotten are Brad Smith and David Clowney who are decent talents with potential, but need more work.

The Jets also have other concerns that need to be addressed. Depths at positions like Running back and Offensive Line have to be addressed. Leon Washington is coming off his best season. However with Thomas Jones turning 30, this has to be a concern. The starting offensive line is set, but they need to add an established veteran back-up to stabilize the back end.

Although the team’s needs seem to favor the Offense, the prognosis is that the Jets may continue to add depth to the defense first. If (Ohio State-LB) James Laurinaitis is available, look for him to be taken early. If not (Tennessee-DE) Robert Ayers, or (LSU–DE) Tyson Jackson are also possibilities. Whatever the Jets decide to do, it makes no sense for them to take a quarterback in the first round.

Giants try to pick up a free agent receiver and other pre draft notes


It seems that the reports hold some truth at least: The Giants want to swing a deal with the Browns to get Braylon Edwards, who is another talented but "difficult" to work with receiver. Edwards may have some problems working with new Browns and Ex Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini, which seems to be the main issue right now. The Browns want a #2 and a #5 pick in this draft, plus receiver Steve Smith. The Giants countered with the two picks plus receiver Dominik Hixon. What some people are missing is that Edwards isn't Burress. He's two+ inches shorter and 15 pounds lighter. Can he play the same "Jump Ball in the End Zone" game? Sure he can. But if Hixon also goes in the deal the Giants would still need to get another "taller" wide out in the Draft or Via Free Agency to help stretch the defensive backs.

I'll cast my vote for Brian Robiskie early, or Ramses Barden late. I prefer to see a team built through the draft rather then through free agency. To pick up one, two or three players that is is one thing, but there is no way you can get 20 players through free agency without going past the salary cap, at least this year. Now let's see if there still is a salary cap next year. Seattle Seahawks GM Tim Ruskell seems to agree with me that "there isn't really a franchise player in this draft." He told the Sporting News this weekend "(At #4), you think of who will make an impact on your team as quickly as possible-except for a QB. That guy your going to groom."
Right on Tim! Every team i've ever seen play that continually won in post season did so because a G.M or a scouting director took the time to build the team through the draft and not through trades and free agency.

Things are heating up for next weekend at the NFL Draft. We will bring you the latest news all week and from the draft both days.

Our Blogs are at: nflbiz.blogspot.com, and nfldraftmag.blogspot.com
Our websites are www.footballreportersonline.com and to order our NFL Draft Guide (E-Book-PDF) please go to www.gridirondraftguide.com

Last Thursday on our Internet radio show/ podcast at Football Reporters Online was our 2 Hr. mock draft show. This week we have out 2 Hr. Preview show Thursday night at 9pm eastern, and our 45 min. Day one wrap up sunday morning at 12:30 am, plus a two part total recap on Monday the 27th at 7:30 eastern (pt.1) and Thursday the 30th at our regular 9pm eastern slot (pt. 2). The Shows can be heard at www.blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters or on iTunes at Keywords: Football Reporters.

On Saturday and Sunday we will team up with Sports Business Simulations, Black Athlete.com, and Consensus Draft Services to bring you all the NFL Draft coverage you could need. I would love to hear from you at : askdrfootball@gmail.com or at 1-866-478-5982.

 

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A Message to Georgia QB Matt Stafford regarding the NFL Draft. 

Matt, one week from today you're going to be in New York for the NFL Draft as player and I as media .  Many people expect The Detroit Lions, holding the first pick in the player selection event, to make you the number one pick. I've got some advice for you:

Don't let 'em.

Matt Stafford (photo from Google Images)

Matt, the Detroit Lions are an organization of rich tradition, but a history of failure. The Lions have never reached the Super Bowl and playoff appearances have been few and far between.  And the ownership has focused more on hiring personalities than building a winning organization. You won't win there. 

Why? 

Take a look at the NFL coaches who have won.  All have one thing in common: they're known for systems.

Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers was known for one play, the Power Sweep, which the Packers ran to perfection winning Super Bowl's I and II. 

Chuck Noll was the four-time Super Bowl winning coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers who's system consisted of a trap-based running game and aggressive pass-blocking on offense and on defense the "4-3 Stack Overset" alignment. That was the basis for the Tampa Defense that was created by Coach Tony Dungy, who was a Steelers assistant.

Coach Dungy took that Tampa Defense to the Indianapolis Colts where he was reunited with his old college coach and now offensive coordinator Tom Moore, who installed a unique spread offense, and that team set NFL records for wins and playoff appearances, and won a Super Bowl. 

I could go on, and on.  Tom Landry was the father of the 4-3 Defense and "zone" pass coverage with the New York Giants in the 50s, then refined the concept, creating the "Flex Defense" as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys where he won two Super Bowls.

Coach Bill Walsh is the father of the West Coast Offense and won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers (and indirectly two more, as his system was still used after he left), and for good measure A Pac 10-Championship at Stanford. 

You getting the picture, Matt? 

Jim Schwartz as Lions' head coach and Scott Linehan as its offensive coordinator are not known for a system that works.  Name an NFL Quarterback that Linehan developed into a Super Bowl winner? 

None.

While Linehan is known as a coach who's pass-patterns Urban Meyer used for his spread offenses at Utah and Florida, it's Meyer who won with a new total offense he created, and not Linehan. 

Coach Linehan recently said they find the players and then make the plays for them, which means he's got no idea what he's going to do. 

Don't go to Detroit, Matt.  You won't win there.

So where should you go? 

Denver, where Head Coach Josh McDaniels has a proven, modern offensive system. And New England, where Bill Belichick has the best situational offense in the NFL.  You can learn of Tom Brady.  But if you go to Detroit, don't say I didn't warn you.  But if Linehan reveals his system as a result of this little attack of mine, maybe things will change. 

We'll see.

Good luck.

FOR USE AS DESIRED-From NFLMedia.com
4/13/09

MOST SINCE ’96! – NINE TOP PROSPECTS TO ATTEND NFL DRAFT

Nine top prospects will attend Day 1 of the 2009 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25, the NFL announced today.

This year’s group of nine college standouts – the most players in attendance at an NFL Draft since 1996 – includes the following invitees: Texas Tech WR MICHAEL CRABTREE, Wake Forest LB AARON CURRY, USC LB BRIAN CUSHING, Kansas State QB JOSH FREEMAN, Virginia T EUGENE MONROE, Mississippi T MICHAEL OHER, Texas DE BRIAN ORAKPO, Baylor T JASON SMITH and Georgia QB MATTHEW STAFFORD.

Two states with rich football traditions – Texas and New Jersey – will have strong representation at this year’s draft, as four Texans and two New Jersey natives will be at Radio City. Crabtree, Smith and Stafford hail from the Dallas area, while Orakpo grew up in Houston. Cushing (Park Ridge) and Monroe (Plainfield) were both raised in New Jersey.

Monroe may be an incoming rookie, but he’s already an NFL Draft “veteran.” Former Virginia teammate CHRIS LONG, who was selected No. 2 overall by St. Louis in 2008, invited Monroe to be one of his guests at Radio City last year.

2009 NFL DRAFT FACTS & FIGURES

WHAT:
74th Annual National Football League Player Selection Meeting.


WHERE:
Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, New York City (Between 50th and 51st Streets).


WHEN:
4:00 PM ET, Saturday, April 25 (Rounds 1-2).

10:00 AM ET, Sunday, April 26 (Rounds 3-7).



The first two rounds will conclude on Saturday by approximately 10:00 PM ET. In 2008, the first round consumed three hours and 30 minutes and the second, two hours and 23 minutes. The draft will resume on Sunday at 10:00 AM ET for the final five rounds, ending at approximately 6:30 PM ET. Rounds 3 through 7 took eight hours and 33 minutes in 2008.


DRAFTING:
Representatives of the 32 NFL clubs by telephone communication with their general managers, coaches and scouts.


ROUNDS:
Seven Rounds – Rounds 1 and 2 on Saturday, April 25; and Rounds 3 through 7 on Sunday, April 26.



There will be 256 selections, including 32 compensatory choices that have been awarded to 16 teams that suffered a net loss of certain quality unrestricted free agents last year.



The following 32 compensatory choices will supplement the 224 regular choices in the seven rounds – Round 3: New England, 33; Cincinnati, 34; Chicago, 35; New York Giants, 36. Round 4: San Diego, 33; San Diego, 34; Tennessee, 35; Indianapolis 36. Round 5: Pittsburgh, 33; New England, 34; San Francisco, 35; Dallas, 36; Tennessee, 37. Round 6: Tennessee, 33; New England, 34; Dallas, 35; Cincinnati, 36. Round 7: Tennessee, 33; Washington, 34; San Francisco, 35; Seattle, 36; Chicago, 37; Seattle, 38; Seattle, 39; Cincinnati, 40; Jacksonville, 41; Chicago, 42; Cincinnati, 43; Jacksonville, 44; Arizona, 45; Detroit, 46; Kansas City, 47.



Denver (Nos. 12 and 18), Detroit (Nos. 1 and 20) and Philadelphia (Nos. 21 and 28) have two selections each in the first round. Carolina, Chicago and Dallas do not have first-round picks. All other teams have one first-round selection.


TIME LIMITS:
Round 1: 10 minutes per selection. Round 2: Seven minutes per selection. Rounds 3 through 7: Five minutes per selection.


PLAYERS AT DRAFT:
The following players will be at the draft at Radio City on Saturday: Texas Tech WR MICHAEL CRABTREE, Wake Forest LB AARON CURRY, USC LB BRIAN CUSHING, Kansas State QB JOSH FREEMAN, Virginia T EUGENE MONROE, Mississippi T MICHAEL OHER, Texas DE BRIAN ORAKPO, Baylor T JASON SMITH and Georgia QB MATTHEW STAFFORD.


TELEVISION:
NFL Network and ESPN/ESPN 2 will televise the draft on both days.


INTERNET:
Exclusive coverage and behind-the-scenes features on NFL.com and team websites for draft weekend will include: Streaming video of NFL Network's draft coverage both Saturday and Sunday on NFL.com/LIVE; "Draft Tracker" with real-time selection information as well as exclusive pick-by-pick analysis from NFL.com's experts; video-on-demand content featuring the nine college players in New York; exclusive interactive features, including “Fan War Rooms” where fans can discuss their favorite team's picks, chats with NFL.com's analysts, "NFL Predict The Pick" game and a "Fan Ballot" that allows fans to grade their team’s picks; and in-depth coverage from each team website.

Pat White's 2009 NFL COMBINE Workout as a QB

Hot stove Football #2: Oh Plaxico oh Plaxico... and why did the NY Jets think they needed Jay Cutler?

By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Managing Partner Football Reporters Online

The Ny Jets never seem to be happy with what they already have. If they feel that Kellen Clemens will never run the Jets Offense on a regular basis, try trading him for the extra draft pick.Then people will take you seriously when you say you need a QB. Until then, people only see the Jets as further behind the Giants in PSL sales.
I'm not so sure they were ever seriously considered a factor in the "Jay Cutler" Saga. The three way deal between the Broncos, Titans, and the Jets was talked about for all of 5 minutes and then dismissed at least on NY sports talk radio.

The Giants are doing their "voluntary" off season workout program, and 59 of the current roster players are in attendance. Osi Umenoria is confident that his knee is close to 100%. He was also sure that his teammate Plaxico Burress would return to the Giants after getting probation. Guess that one went out the door with the last gasp of winter. Burress was released after he won his case against the Giants to recover his withheld roster bonus of one million dollars(think Mike Meyers' Dr. Evil when you hear that).

General Manager Jerry Reese has not yet made a major attempt at signing a receiver in free agency, but will certainly address that in the draft. The Giants had college prospect Percy Harvin in for a workout last week. but there have to be other names on the radar. One such name should be Cal-Poly's Ramses Barden.before the superbowl no one even knew who he was except for a handful of scouts. Barden is the only receiver in this draft at 6'5" or above (6'5-1/2"-229lbs) and while he is still a bit raw, he has the potential to go a long way in the pros. We wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Barden heard his name called mid to late on day two of this years draft. The other is Rutgers' WR Kenny Britt. I'm not so totally sold on Mr. Britt . Although he is 6'4", he only weighs about 212 pounds, hardly someone who can out muscle larger defensive backs over the middle. He can jump, but would need to learn the mechanics of the "Jump Ball" game in the endzone.

Up In Buffalo, Terrell Owens has already missed a "voluntary" off season work out with his new team of choice. So i ask you, is this the way to start off on the right foot with your new team and coaching staff? I woulkd think you'd want to do everything you can to show the people of upstate NY that you are happy to be there. Sure the workouts are "voluntary", but it is also "strongly suggested" that players attend.

Down I-95, the Eagles' QB Donovan McNabb isn't too happy that so many veteran players are leaving. One media vet tells us that it's been building up to this for years due to poor management on the part of the Eagles front office. You have to feel bad
for Donovan because he puts his heart and soul into trying to make the Eagles a winner. It's shameful that the front office won't give them the tools to do so.

Some of the area college programs have already released their schedules for 2009. The Liberty Cup match-up between Fordham University (Patriot) and Columbia University (Ivy) is sure to be hotly contested as always. Columbia's Head Coach Norries Wilson is one of the hardest working coaches to grace New York City's college football scene in some time. He also gives a great post game press conference no matter what the outcome of the game, and always has a high quality of Insight into all phases of the game. As a college player, coach Wilson played in two bowl games at the University of Minnesota as an offensive lineman. Fordham's head man Tom Massella has been around winning football for years, and while the Rams had a tough 2008, they were the 2007 patriot league champs. Both teams also work hard on the recruitment front each year. Circle your calendars for September 19th at 6pm at Fordham's Jack Coffey field.

The NFLPA elected a new executive director 2 weeks ago named DeMaurice Smith. Mr. Smith is a talented litigator, but has no other football related experience other then being a rabid Redskins fan. So maybe there is some truth to the story that the election may have been "jerrymanded" by player association lawyers Kessler and Berthlesen. At least one retired player who is part of the suit against the NFLPA to recognize the lack of health care benefits to retired players believes it is true, and has gone on record to anyone who will listen. There is even another story that the 28.1 million dollar settlement will be reduced by 50% to the players.

As comedy man Yakov Smirnoff says "what a country this America is"

From Detroit Free Press” The FREEP reports: The Lions will take Baylor OT Jason Smith, not Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, in this month's NFLDraft, according to National Football Post's latest Mock Draft. The projections do have the Lions drafting a quarterback though - former Sam Houston St. and Oklahoma gunslinger Rhett Bomar.

SportingNews.com: “When Cutler was a hot prospect out of Vanderbilt before the 2006 NFL Draft, in many minds, he was No. 3 on the list behind two big-name quarterbacks who were coming off a memorable duel for the college national championship: Texas' Vince Young and USC's Matt Leinart.
Although Cutler had the best mix for the NFL with his strong arm and athletic body, he saw both Young (No. 3 to Tennessee) and Leinart (No. 10 in Arizona) get selected before the Denver Broncos took him 11th overall.

Three seasons later, it was clear Cutler had risen to the top, as he seemed to have concluded Denver's search for John Elway's successor. Meanwhile, Young and Leinart were planted on their respective benches, in a similar situation to Minnesota's Tarvaris Jackson, who was taken at the end of the '06 second round.”

Philadelphia Inquirer | 04/04/2009: “Utah cornerback Sean Smith reportedly will visit the Eagles before the NFL draft on April 25-26.

According to ProFootballTalk.com, the Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks are among the teams that have visits scheduled with Smith, who at 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds is a giant by cornerback standards.”