2009 Draft Class: Impressive Receivers

There are two pass catchers who I have my eye on as bona fide early entrants and first day picks in the 2009 NFL Draft. Texas Tech's Mike Crabtree and USC's David Ausberry.

But why talk about 2009 WR's? Because outside of Malcom Kelly and Eddie Royal no one in 2008 particularly excites me. There are some good recievers in this years class, but no Roy Williams or Santana Moss type 'cant miss' prospects.

Crabtree lit the turf on fire this year, and is simply the most exciting after the catch player I've seen since #5 was driving his Benz at USC.

Speaking of USC, they have a VERY impressive receiver in David Ausberry. At 6'5 with way better speed than former record setter Dwayne Jarrett, Ausberry is looking like a top 15 pick next year if Sanchez can get the ball to him enough in '09. Just remember who told you first.

McFadden for Barber deal?

As I stated a few days ago, the tuna is offically open for business. According to Pro Football Talk there is a deal on the table that is:

Rights to Barber, and either the 22nd or 28th pick, for the Dolphins' #1 Overall Pick.

In that scenario the Cowboys would select McFadden with the #1 overall selection. While I like McFadden a lot as a game breaker, Marion Barber is FAR more accomplished and is the 'sure thing' right now. I would not do this trade if I were Jerry Jones, but I know where this one is going...

Big Ben Talks, Hines Whines

Ben Roethlisberger has come out and told the media he would like to see the Steelers acquire a tall WR, and Hines Ward isn't having it. In a response Ward stated:

"I don't hear Tom Brady or Peyton Manning asking for that. I don't know, whatever he says. I have no idea. To me, it's a rare combination of receivers out there who are good and tall. We won a Super Bowl; we didn't have a tall receiver then. I don't see Tom Brady caring about who's tall or not. He got Randy this year, but he did it before without him."

I wonder... maybe if Hines would realize he's not the messiah of receivers the Steelers could keep a decent core around Ben. Hines is a classic egomanic WR but people tend to overlook that due to his hustle. He still talks too much trash for my taste, and now he's causing problems in the locker room. Will the Steelers draft a tall WR (Arkansas' 6'6 Marcus Monk maybe)or will Hines keep whining? Next time on As the Steelers turn....

Kenny Phillips Out of Round 1?!

The draft gets crazier and crazier as Senior Bowl week continues. The latest shocking development being Kenny Phillip's drop near to round two. His critics claim that Phillips has benefited from a weak safety class. Miami's horrible defensive year also doesn't bode well for the former High school Mr. Florida. Mel Kiper has KP currently #25 on his big board. But I think a team Denver with a need at safety Broncos will look at taking KP in round numero uno.

Rivals has Ryan #1?

I am dumbfounded. Rivals.com has posted a new mock that was featured on Yahoo! and Matty Ice is the #1 overall pick. I honestly don't see a team that just took John Beck in the second round last year starting all over before Beck even gets 10 starts under him. A few other problems with this draft include Brohm #5 to KC, and Campbell #8 to the Ravens.

Miami is Open For Business

Apparently, word coming from the Tuna is that they will explore trade options in the days upcoming to the draft. Interesting because I believe they will indeed stand pat and draft a quality defensive player. There is a considerable drop off after the first half as far as which players will be available. At DT you go from Sedrick Ellis to Okam, and at DE you go from Gholston and Harvey to the Calasis Campbells. If I were Miami I'd stand pat and select Jake Long and consider McFadden depending on his combine tests.

Scott Wright Finally Agrees With Me

Anyone who read my previous mock draft saw that I had Chris Long going #1 to the Tuna and now Scott Wright has updated his Mock draft and guess who he has going #1?

Great minds think alike... or do they? Parcells?

Prospect Breakdown: Owen Schmitt

Every year there is a player that everyone seems to love, and this year its WVU's toughman fullback Owen Schmitt.

Positives
As someone who's seen Schmitt play in person I can tell you that he is an excellent lead blocker and pass protector. He also has soft hands and runs with a reckless abandon. He is a team guy, everyone on his team loves to be around him and you can genuinely feel that. His elite strength has been documented as well.

Negatives

Schmitt is not a great athlete. He runs straight ahead and seldom any other direction. His head on style of play may get him seriously hurt in the NFL if he is unlucky.

Best Case Scenario: Mike Alstott
Worst Case Scenario: Mike Karney

Bottom Line: Even if you're not in desperate need of a fullback Schmitt is a great option at the top of round 3.

Tom Brady's 2000 Combine

Here is some oldschool footage of Tom Brady from the 2000 Draft Combine. Sometimes you just never know what you're going to get and they sure got a good one with that 5th round Quarterback from Michigan.

Darren McFadden Handcuffed in Arkansas

This is huge news regarding the potential #1 overall pick in the 2008 draft. Darren McFadden was handcuffed but not jailed following an altercation in Arkansas. Apparently his mother is defending him claiming that McFadden was defending his younger brother. I have a younger brother as well, and I know I would defend him if someone tested him/us but you have to make better decisions if you are looking at being the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Post Bowl Dream Draft

Here is my post bowl game dream draft for my team, The Denver Broncos.

== Targeted Positions==

RB- Selvin Young or Travis Henry? I expect Henry to stay with the team at a cheaper rate because he DID play well before his "problems" distracted him for pretty much the whole season. The only green I want you seeing in 2008 is the endzone Travis.

FB- Cecil Sapp a FB? I never liked that. Adrian Peterson has Tony Richardson, LT had Lorenzo Neal, Shaun Alexander had Mack Strong. If Paul Smith makes the roster in 08' this may get addressed though.

WR- This is a huge concern if Javon doesn't play in Invesco next fall. It is cheaper to keep him, but will he constantly run to the media every time Marshall shows him up in the statbook? I say plan as if he isn't going to be here.

LT- I really don't know if Ryan Harris will start for Lepsis or not. Right now I will assume he will, and Pears will man the other side.

DT- I have nothing positive to say about this group. Sam Adams is a fat waste of space, and the rest of the guys here are situational at best.

LB- I expect Ian Gold to be gone so this will be a need. I actually like Nate Webster as a serviceable SLB (or maybe all his post tackle celebrations tricked me). WLB will be a need, because DJ Williams just posted a Pro Bowl season at MLB that went unnoticed and he should ot be moved back.

CB- It's going to be too expensive to keep this group together. I'd love to see us get out of the Dre Bly situation and promote Foxworth because without adequate safety help there is only so much either can do. But with that said, I expect Foxworth to be a salary cap casualty so there may be an issue here.

FS- Lynch is getting older and is quietly a liability in pass coverage. There is no one on the current roster that is groomed to takeover for Lynch right now. I expect to see safety addressed on draft day.

KR- We need someone. Anyone.

==The Draft==

The rule of the NFL draft is that you must select the guy that will start for you. Last year my top pick was Anthony Spencer, along with Sidney Rice in the 2nd... so..

1. Sedrick Ellis, Southern California. The best DT on the board. Okam fans aren't going to be happy about this....

....but they will be happy about this...

2. Frank Okam, Texas. Of course there is possibly a couple of trades involved in us getting up about 5-10 spots or so. (Javon, future picks, etc.) Thinking with my Shanny hat on equals two DTs in the first 40 picks!

4. Marcus Griffin, Texas. A year later we address safety with a Griffin. His hands are better than his brother's, but he's a little slower timed.

4. Xavier Adibi, Va. Tech. He is small and quick like Ian Gold, but will come a lot cheaper. His speed can be utilized on special teams from day 1 if he doesn't start right away.

5. Mike Hart, Michigan. Hart's measurables are nothing to write home about but he proved he is a workhorse and was the only bright spot on the Wolverines for most of the season. Someone will look beyond his lack of measurables and take him if he slips in the 4th. Reminds me of a young Travis Henry, minus the Marley.

5. Dexter Jackson, Appalachian State. From here on out you are taking educated guesses basically, so I give Shanny the right to finally burn some on some WR's.

7. Jamal Lewis Georgia Tech. A safety that will compete in camp with Cargile and Rogers.

Hart, Brennan, and McFadden Bowl Out

Mike Hart, Colt Brennan, and Darren McFadden all had subpar bowl performances which might hurt their draft stock come April.

Hart had over 100 on the ground, but his two lost fumbles on the goal line almost cost Michigan the game. He doesn't fumble it ever, so to fumble on the biggest stage of his senior season twice didn't help him.

Colt Brennan looked like a boy amongst men against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The speed of the D caused Colt to throw 3 ints and NO Tds, which is baffling in Hawaii's offense. The Brennan supporters beg us not to compare him to Timmy Chang, but after a game like that I don't know how good Colt can be in the NFL.

Darren McFadden didn't have a horrible game but seemed to give a lackluster effort. In what will be his last collegiate game had had over 100 yards but didn't even play the 4th quarter.