Wednesday, October 22, 2008
An Early Look at the Top of the 2009 Draft
AS SEEN ON NFLDRAFTBIBLE.COM
As we near the midpoint of the 2008 season, parity is the buzz word in describing the NFL. But what about those bottom-feeding teams that are already looking ahead to 2009? With them in mind, I decided to take a look at some of the teams who will be at the top of the 2009 draft: What are their needs and which college players could potentially fill them?
CINCINNATI (0-7)
The Cincinnati Bengals are an utter disaster and at 0-7, figure to compete for the first pick overall. As the amount of guaranteed money has skyrocketed in recent years at the top of the draft, the number one pick has become a less-valued commodity. With fickle owner Mike Brown likely unwilling to spend the kind of money required to sign a top pick, the Bengals might look to deal the pick. But most general managers agree that the first pick isn’t as valuable as it once was, especially when there isn’t a consensus number one pick, which looks to be the case again in 2009. The Bengals have a number of needs on both sides of the ball: running back, offensive line, and another impact player along the front seven, to name a few. Rookie linebacker Keith Rivers, a first round pick in 2008, performed well this year before he was lost for the season with a broken jaw on Sunday, but he could use some help. If the Bengals keep the pick, I could see them following the blueprint of the Dolphins in 2008 when they selected Jake Long first overall and had him agree to a deal prior to the draft. Cincinnati could select offensive tackle Michael Oher out of Mississippi, a potential franchise tackle that might remind Bengal fans of Anthony Munoz or more recently, Willie Anderson.
DETROIT (0-6)
The Bengals figure to be challenged for the number one pick by the perpetually inept Detroit Lions. With team president Matt Millen finally out of the picture in Detroit, the Lions hopefully will not spend another top pick on a wide receiver. By trading WR Roy Williams, the Lions have started the massive overhaul that is necessary by stockpiling draft picks. Most NFL observers believe that interim general manager Martin Mayhew received excellent value by picking up a first and a third round pick in addition to a sixth round selection for the former Pro-Bowl receiver. Detroit will likely look to trade down in the draft in an effort to gain more picks that can help bring in impact players to expedite the rebuilding process. The Lions need help at almost every position on defense and need to identify whether or not Dan Orlovsky or Drew Stanton is the quarterback of the future. The offensive line needs help too. It’s not hard to imagine the Lions targeting Oher, or perhaps trading down into the middle of the top ten and selecting a dynamic defensive talent for the front seven like LB Rey Maualuga of USC or DE Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech.
KANSAS CITY (1-5)
Speaking of a dysfunctional team, the once-proud Kansas City Chiefs have quickly become one of the worst teams in the NFL. The team recognized the need to rebuild before the 2008 draft by trading All-Pro DE Jared Allen to the Vikings for a bevy of picks. General Manager Carl Peterson probably should have dealt TE Tony Gonzalez before the trade deadline last Tuesday but Kansas City will need to continue to garner picks through any means in an effort to bring in some offensive talent. The Brodie Croyle experiment as the future franchise quarterback is officially over after he was knocked out for the season with a knee injury. The only thing he proved during his stint with Kansas City was his brittleness and his inability to lead the team to a win (0-8 in his career as a starter). The Chiefs need help for their porous offensive line but let’s not forget to acknowledge the front seven of the defense, which has been torched this season and is ranked dead last in stopping the run. The Chiefs could use a defensive playmaker like Maualuga, Johnson, or LB James Laurinaitis of Ohio State. If he was to declare for the draft, the Chiefs would have to take a look at Matthew Stafford, the dynamic junior quarterback from Georgia, in an effort to solve their recent woes at the quarterback position.
SEATTLE (1-5)
Unlike the three teams above, the Seahawks made the playoffs a year ago and were expected to contend in the weak NFC West in Mike Holmgren’s last season as head coach. Next year, Jim Mora Jr., who has already been tabbed Holmgren’s successor, will inherit a team in flux. Just three years removed from a conference title, the Seahawks are in need of a pass rusher, secondary help, and a future successor for QB Matt Hasselbeck. Injuries have been a factor in the team’s struggles this season but the bottom line is the team doesn’t have enough depth at the skill positions. A number one receiver has long eluded the franchise as Deion Branch hasn’t been the same player since he arrived via a trade from New England and Nate Burleson hasn’t proved he can stay healthy. A player like CB Malcom Jenkins from Ohio State or a safety like William Moore from Missouri to replace the aging Brian Russell would be excellent picks for Seattle. A speed rusher off the edge a la Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech could provide the Seahawks with a sack specialist in the mold of Julius Peppers. WR Demetrius Byrd of LSU could fill a need although he figures to go later on in the draft.
As we near the midpoint of the 2008 season, parity is the buzz word in describing the NFL. But what about those bottom-feeding teams that are already looking ahead to 2009? With them in mind, I decided to take a look at some of the teams who will be at the top of the 2009 draft: What are their needs and which college players could potentially fill them?
CINCINNATI (0-7)
The Cincinnati Bengals are an utter disaster and at 0-7, figure to compete for the first pick overall. As the amount of guaranteed money has skyrocketed in recent years at the top of the draft, the number one pick has become a less-valued commodity. With fickle owner Mike Brown likely unwilling to spend the kind of money required to sign a top pick, the Bengals might look to deal the pick. But most general managers agree that the first pick isn’t as valuable as it once was, especially when there isn’t a consensus number one pick, which looks to be the case again in 2009. The Bengals have a number of needs on both sides of the ball: running back, offensive line, and another impact player along the front seven, to name a few. Rookie linebacker Keith Rivers, a first round pick in 2008, performed well this year before he was lost for the season with a broken jaw on Sunday, but he could use some help. If the Bengals keep the pick, I could see them following the blueprint of the Dolphins in 2008 when they selected Jake Long first overall and had him agree to a deal prior to the draft. Cincinnati could select offensive tackle Michael Oher out of Mississippi, a potential franchise tackle that might remind Bengal fans of Anthony Munoz or more recently, Willie Anderson.
DETROIT (0-6)
The Bengals figure to be challenged for the number one pick by the perpetually inept Detroit Lions. With team president Matt Millen finally out of the picture in Detroit, the Lions hopefully will not spend another top pick on a wide receiver. By trading WR Roy Williams, the Lions have started the massive overhaul that is necessary by stockpiling draft picks. Most NFL observers believe that interim general manager Martin Mayhew received excellent value by picking up a first and a third round pick in addition to a sixth round selection for the former Pro-Bowl receiver. Detroit will likely look to trade down in the draft in an effort to gain more picks that can help bring in impact players to expedite the rebuilding process. The Lions need help at almost every position on defense and need to identify whether or not Dan Orlovsky or Drew Stanton is the quarterback of the future. The offensive line needs help too. It’s not hard to imagine the Lions targeting Oher, or perhaps trading down into the middle of the top ten and selecting a dynamic defensive talent for the front seven like LB Rey Maualuga of USC or DE Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech.
KANSAS CITY (1-5)
Speaking of a dysfunctional team, the once-proud Kansas City Chiefs have quickly become one of the worst teams in the NFL. The team recognized the need to rebuild before the 2008 draft by trading All-Pro DE Jared Allen to the Vikings for a bevy of picks. General Manager Carl Peterson probably should have dealt TE Tony Gonzalez before the trade deadline last Tuesday but Kansas City will need to continue to garner picks through any means in an effort to bring in some offensive talent. The Brodie Croyle experiment as the future franchise quarterback is officially over after he was knocked out for the season with a knee injury. The only thing he proved during his stint with Kansas City was his brittleness and his inability to lead the team to a win (0-8 in his career as a starter). The Chiefs need help for their porous offensive line but let’s not forget to acknowledge the front seven of the defense, which has been torched this season and is ranked dead last in stopping the run. The Chiefs could use a defensive playmaker like Maualuga, Johnson, or LB James Laurinaitis of Ohio State. If he was to declare for the draft, the Chiefs would have to take a look at Matthew Stafford, the dynamic junior quarterback from Georgia, in an effort to solve their recent woes at the quarterback position.
SEATTLE (1-5)
Unlike the three teams above, the Seahawks made the playoffs a year ago and were expected to contend in the weak NFC West in Mike Holmgren’s last season as head coach. Next year, Jim Mora Jr., who has already been tabbed Holmgren’s successor, will inherit a team in flux. Just three years removed from a conference title, the Seahawks are in need of a pass rusher, secondary help, and a future successor for QB Matt Hasselbeck. Injuries have been a factor in the team’s struggles this season but the bottom line is the team doesn’t have enough depth at the skill positions. A number one receiver has long eluded the franchise as Deion Branch hasn’t been the same player since he arrived via a trade from New England and Nate Burleson hasn’t proved he can stay healthy. A player like CB Malcom Jenkins from Ohio State or a safety like William Moore from Missouri to replace the aging Brian Russell would be excellent picks for Seattle. A speed rusher off the edge a la Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech could provide the Seahawks with a sack specialist in the mold of Julius Peppers. WR Demetrius Byrd of LSU could fill a need although he figures to go later on in the draft.
Monday, October 20, 2008
An Unpleasant Fact
AS FIRST SEEN ON NFLDRAFTBIBLE.COM
When Romeo Crennel was named Head Coach of the Browns in February 2005, Browns fans were generally pleased by the hire. After the disastrous Butch Davis era (a college coach in over his head), Crennel had the NFL coaching experience and Super Bowl pedigree many observers thought was needed to turn around the moribund franchise. Personally, I thought he would instill the values necessary to consistently win in the NFL: mental toughness and team discipline. But three plus years into his tenure, he has failed to implant those characteristics on his Cleveland team. And in his fourth year as head coach with a roster many pundits thought was talented enough to make the playoffs, the Browns are woefully short both on mental acuity and discipline. Yes, the time has come in Cleveland for a change at the head coaching position.
After a scintillating performance on Monday Night Football last week, the Browns and in particular, Derek Anderson were pathetic against Washington Sunday. The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Browns beat writer Tony Grossi described watching the team as comparable to "jamming a stick into your eye." Despite having time to throw, Anderson was tentative with his passes and out-of-sync with his receivers. His 14-37, 136 yard performance was atrocious and belied a player that lacks the mental strength to overcome adversity and perform with the game on the line. After keeping the ball and rushing for a first down at the Washington 36, Anderson ran to the sideline to get a play from the sideline because his helmet radio wasn't working. With the final minute ticking away, Anderson wasted 24 seconds by going to the sideline to get a play called instead of spiking the ball. Why weren't two plays called in the huddle before the sneak? Why didn't he think to spike the ball to stop the clock? His failure to pick up even a few yards in the final minute forced a 54-yard field goal try by Phil Dawson instead of a more managable distance. Anderson's lack of confidence leads to inconsistent play and at this point, it's enough to warrant a change at quarterback.
Anderson's inconsistency is a microcosm of the entire team's inability to consistently perform to their potential. And that falls squarely on the shoulders of the head coach. Braylon Edwards repeated mental breakdowns has led to him leading the league in drops. The team constantly commits mistakes that illustrate a lack of attention to detail. Last Monday night, it was the numerous illegal motion and false start penalties on offense. This week, the team looked confused about where to line up on several occasions and the receivers and the quarterback were often on the wrong page about passing routes. There is no excuse for a performance like Sunday's game against Washington.
Worse, Sunday's performance defines the Romeo Crennel era in Cleveland. The Browns failed to take control of a winnable game, fought hard and rallied, but ultimately lost when the team was neither able to execute nor manage the clock in the final moments of the game.
When Romeo Crennel was named Head Coach of the Browns in February 2005, Browns fans were generally pleased by the hire. After the disastrous Butch Davis era (a college coach in over his head), Crennel had the NFL coaching experience and Super Bowl pedigree many observers thought was needed to turn around the moribund franchise. Personally, I thought he would instill the values necessary to consistently win in the NFL: mental toughness and team discipline. But three plus years into his tenure, he has failed to implant those characteristics on his Cleveland team. And in his fourth year as head coach with a roster many pundits thought was talented enough to make the playoffs, the Browns are woefully short both on mental acuity and discipline. Yes, the time has come in Cleveland for a change at the head coaching position.
After a scintillating performance on Monday Night Football last week, the Browns and in particular, Derek Anderson were pathetic against Washington Sunday. The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Browns beat writer Tony Grossi described watching the team as comparable to "jamming a stick into your eye." Despite having time to throw, Anderson was tentative with his passes and out-of-sync with his receivers. His 14-37, 136 yard performance was atrocious and belied a player that lacks the mental strength to overcome adversity and perform with the game on the line. After keeping the ball and rushing for a first down at the Washington 36, Anderson ran to the sideline to get a play from the sideline because his helmet radio wasn't working. With the final minute ticking away, Anderson wasted 24 seconds by going to the sideline to get a play called instead of spiking the ball. Why weren't two plays called in the huddle before the sneak? Why didn't he think to spike the ball to stop the clock? His failure to pick up even a few yards in the final minute forced a 54-yard field goal try by Phil Dawson instead of a more managable distance. Anderson's lack of confidence leads to inconsistent play and at this point, it's enough to warrant a change at quarterback.
Anderson's inconsistency is a microcosm of the entire team's inability to consistently perform to their potential. And that falls squarely on the shoulders of the head coach. Braylon Edwards repeated mental breakdowns has led to him leading the league in drops. The team constantly commits mistakes that illustrate a lack of attention to detail. Last Monday night, it was the numerous illegal motion and false start penalties on offense. This week, the team looked confused about where to line up on several occasions and the receivers and the quarterback were often on the wrong page about passing routes. There is no excuse for a performance like Sunday's game against Washington.
Worse, Sunday's performance defines the Romeo Crennel era in Cleveland. The Browns failed to take control of a winnable game, fought hard and rallied, but ultimately lost when the team was neither able to execute nor manage the clock in the final moments of the game.
