Wednesday, October 27, 2010

76ers Open Season With a Loss

By: Jake

So its been awhile since we've last posted anything on here (I know thats an understatement) so I thought what better way to spend the waning hours of the night than writing about the Philadelphia 76ers? Since nothing came to mind right away, a 76ers article was about to be made. So here it is:

Watching the Sixers tonight brought back a lot of emotional memories, so it was a really fun experience, until the Heat broke out to a game high 26 point lead. A lot went into that so I'll get to that later. As the game began you could hear the fans really getting into the game. Loud boos came from the stands whenever #6 on the Heat touched the ball. In case you've been living under a rock for the last few months, #6 would be none other than the Lebron James. So on top of the boos for Lebron, I heard a smattering of boos for Bosh too. In front of a sellout crowd for the first time in awhile, the Sixers kept it close the entire first half thanks to the recurring theme of many Heat turnovers. The deficit for the Sixers at half was only 8 despite being greatly overwhelmed by the talent on the Heat. Brand and surprising rookie Evan Turner, who had struggled mightily during the preseason ended up leading the team in rebounds and played major roles in keeping the game closer than it should be given the talent disparity. The Sixers had actually gained the lead before someone turned on 100% 3-Point shooting for James Jones of the Heat, as he drained 3 from downtown and completely changed the way the game was trending. Jones finished the game a devastating 6-9 from long distance and was a real momentum killer.

The Heat stretched their lead to 26 in the 3rd Quarter and seemingly went into Cruise Control, and the Sixers took advantage, cutting the lead to 8 with under a minute to go in the game. After a steal, an offensive foul all but doomed the Sixers, and they ended the game losing by 10. However, from this loss there were a few notable developments in the play of certain players. Most notably, the #2 overall pick in the draft, Evan Turner came off the bench to lead the Sixers with 16 points and he collected 6 rebounds which was good enough for 2nd on the team this night. Turner looked very comfortable on the court and showed a lot of what the Sixers saw in him at Ohio State, where he won National player of the Year. Turner was thrown into the fire defensively as well, having to guard the likes of Lebron and Dwayne Wade in his first ever professional game, and he responded very well in that category as well. Another interesting note was the ineffectiveness of Jrue Holiday. Holiday was projected by many to have a breakout year this year, but tonight's game wont be one of his signature performances, lets just put it that way. Jrue turned the ball over 5 times and only shot 22% from the field scoring 6 points on 2 late game 3 pointers. Thaddeus Young and Lou Williams turned in great performances off the bench, both with 15+ pts. This was a very noticeable trend as the bench outscored the starters 57-30.

Given the circumstances, all in all there were a lot of positives to take from this game. Turner and the bench looked really good in their time on the court, and the newly dubbed Wells Fargo Center was sold out for the first time in a while. The Sixers take on the Atlanta Hawks at the WF Center on Friday and we'll see how this team responds against another high quality opponent, as well as see if new Head Coach Doug Collins feels the need to make any lineup adjustments.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Month 1 as a Pirates Fan

By: Jake

For this year in the MLB I decided I'd change from being a fan of the World Series favorite St. Louis Cardinals to a younger team who I could really get behind and call my own, so I chose a team with one of the best young players in the MLB, Andrew McCutchen. Its been quite the up and down month as the Pirates started off with two quality wins against the Dodgers but then things have gone down from there. They went on to lose 5 of their next 7, giving up 59 runs in the process. The abysmal pitching was horrifying to watch and the offense didn't really make much noise except for McCutchen and Garrett Jones who homered 3 times in the first 2 games. Andy LaRoche was solid at the plate too but didn't supply the power he was supposed to. After that abysmal slide, the Pirates came home to sweep the division foe Reds and give fans another glimmer of hope. This didn't last long as the very next game the Bucs were shutout in front of their home crowd 8-0 and 20-0 respectively and it was the start of a disastrous 7 game losing streak during which I questioned my transformation into a Pirates fan. But through the tough times one thing gave me hope, #22 in CF. Andrew McCutchen leads the league in stolen bases and still manages to put up solid power numbers especially for a leadoff hitter. He wasn't always the leadoff hitter though. Pirates Manager John Russell had at one point had 20 different line ups through 22 games giving very little stability to the team. This complete lack of a consistent lineup was partly due to trying to jump start the offense but also due to the fact that there aren't really many staples in the line up besides McCutchen and LaRoche. Even Aki Iwamura was subbed out for times to see if a player like Bobby Crosby or Ronny Cedeno could provide more pop. The outfield has been shifted around numerous times as Garrett Jones switches from RF to 1B depending on the troubled young Jeff Clement's status for the game. Even the backstop has been rotating for the Pirates. Ryan Doumit has been playing very well this year, but youngster Jason Jaramillo is almost too good not top play plus he has the arm to throw out runners which is something Doumit lacks.

Overall, this team has been frustrating to watch, but something tells me they'll put something close to a respectable season together once SP Ross Ohlendorf comes back from the DL and a kid from AAA like Brad Lincoln is called up to contribute. I remain optimistic as I am with all my favorite teams and especially can't wait to travel to Pittsburgh and see the best stadium in the MLB in PNC Park. I'll be sporting a brand new black McCutchen jersey by then hopefully.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

2010 Jaguars Draft Recap


By: Jake

In what was the most insane first round of an NFL draft I’ve ever seen, the Jaguars may have made one of the most intriguing picks in Tyson Alualu. Alualu was a late riser on the boards right before the draft and was kept pretty much a secret by most NFL insiders but was rumored to go to the Dolphins at pick 12 and the Jaguars couldn’t risk not getting their disruptive DT that they wanted. The Jaguars had no 2nd round pick due to trading it to the Patriots for the pick that yielded Derek Cox last year, but their 3rd round pick was a questionable one. DT D’Anthony Smith was another pick very few knew about but added another body to the much deprived Defensive Line who only recorded 12 sacks last year and gave up a lot on the ground. Smith, a 6’2” 305 lb run stuffer from Louisiana Tech should be extremely good depth at DT and could get significant time if John Henderson is traded in the near future. The next round the Jaguars were able to execute a great trade in which they exchanged their 4th for the Raiders 5th and MLB Kirk Morrison. The Raiders could not work out a contract with Morrison and he became expendable after the team used their 1st round pick on MLB Rolando McClain. Morrison was exactly what the Jaguars needed at MLB after they rotated Durant, D. Smith and even sometime Russell Allen at MLB last year. Morrison has never missed a game in his Pro career and has recorded triple digit tackles in every year also. At 28, he’s a young player who will fit perfectly in the Jags defense and allow Smith and Durant to be even more effective on the outside. Morrison’s deal however is only 1 year deal and the Jaguars will need to resign him next year if they want to keep his services for any longer duration of time.

With no 4th round pick the Jaguars had to wait until the 4th round to pick again and they didn’t hesitate to add more depth and talent to the D-Line as they chose De/OLB Larry Hart from Central Arkansas and Austen Lane from Murray State. Of those two, the more recognizable name is Lane who stands at 6’ 6” and 276 lbs and recorded 12 sacks last year with 22 TFL. Lane was given a 3rd round pick grade by CBS Sportsline so it looks like the Jaguars got great value here in a position of need. 6th round pick Deji Karim from Southern Illinois represents the 4th player in a row taken from a small school. When looking at him, many Jaguars fans can’t help to see a little Maurice Jones-Drew in him, as even his number was similar to MJD’s (31). The 5’9” RB scored 20 times in 2009 and averaged 7.1 ypc in his Senior year at S. Illinois along contributing 2,339 all purpose yards for the Salukis that year. Karim will likely be the Jaguars opening day Kick Returner according to GM Gene Smith. With their final pick in the draft the Jaguars selected their PR for next year in CB Scotty McGee from James Madison.

Tyson Who? You'll See


By: Jake

Although the Bills started the cascade of surprising picks and questionable trades drafting RB CJ Spiller, the Jaguars definitely raised some eyebrows with the next pick selecting DT/DE Tyson Alualu of Cal. The Hawaiian defensive tackle was thought by many to have a low first or high second grade on him by many experts, yet the Jaguars went ahead and chose him with the 10th pick in the 2010 draft. A few other teams like Miami and Tennessee were also rumored to have an interest in him, which likely scared Jaguars GM Gene Smith into picking him instead of pulling a similar trade to that of the 49ers who traded back 3 spots and only netted an extra 4th rounder. The Dolphins picked at 12 and the Jaguars did not feel like they could have come out of that scenario with Alualu and the extra 4th so he was the pick at #10. Another curios thing to think about is what would the situation have been if the Bills and Raiders had not drafted two of the Jaguars most highly thought of prospects in Spiller and Rolando McClain who the Jaguars were supposedly very high on? All of that is a moot point now as many Jaguars fans are getting more and more used to the pick and beginning to accept Alualu and his awesome last name into the Jaguars family. And frankly after they watch the tape on him, its hard to blame them for their optimism. Gene Smith had an extremely good draft last year, taking two immediate starters on the O-Line, a starting CB who led the team in INT, and a WR who recorded the most receptions for a rookie in Jaguars history, surpassing Maurice Jones-Drew’s record set n his rookie year. On top of those players, he also took TE Zach Miller who was really looking like his fellow Zach Miller in Oakland with his speed and YAC ability throughout the season. Smith didn’t stop there with the productive picks, as 7th round pick Rashad Jennings was the spell back for Maurice Jones-Drew out playing RB Chauncey Washington who many were high on coming off the 2008 campaign.

Some Jaguars fans are worried however, abut the lack of an exciting player being chosen with the #10 overall pick as sagging ticket sales is something they’re beginning to grow weary of hearing about. Many believe a sexy pick like QB Jimmy Clausen who was available at that pick would have boosted revenue and brought an excitement to the team that is needed to sell out a stadium. GM Gene Smith ahs other ideas about that way of approaching the draft, ““I’m not trying to win a popularity contest. I’m about winning a Super Bowl,” he said at the press conference after Day 1 of the draft. And while some people are skeptical of the pick, others like Vic Ketchman of Jaguars.com is happy with the pick and the way that Gene Smith is attacking the draft. In his article about the Alualu pick, he stated that Gene knows that you build a team from the inside out and drafting outstanding DTs and OT’s is the way you win the battles in the trenches and ultimately the game. It is widely known that the Jaguars were worst in the league in pass rushing last year as they recorded only 14 sacks the entire year even after drafting Des with their two first round picks two years ago. The selection of Alualu and the addition of Aaron Kampman in the offseason were clearly direct attempts to fix that gaping hole in the defense that prevented the Jaguars from being effective on the defensive side specifically against the pass. Whether or not this pick will end up being the right one will only be answered in time and at this time we can only speculate. This Jaguars fan however, remains optimistic and trusts the man making the decisions.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Lack of New CBA Raises Questions



By: Jake


In the NFL, there is a looming Collective Bargaining Agreement end in sight and it will cause many hectic things to come into place in the NFL world. One specifically is the lack of a salary cap on teams in the league. This salary cap has been an item that has placed all of the teams on a level playing field and kept the league competitive, bringing in more and more fans as such a high majority of the teams were constantly competitive. However, one of the things that may come of this lack of agreement is the implementing of a rookie salary cap.


Year after year, we see many young players becoming some of the highest paid players in the league even though they have proven nothing in the NFL. With the opportunity to fix this problem, the NFL and the NFLPA have the chance to fix a problem that has been bugging the heck out of fans who constantly see their teams shell out monstrous contracts to players who have done just as much in the NFL as they have. Every year the contracts get bigger too, only adding to the pressure to get something done I this golden opportunity. This also comes at the time where commissioner Roger Goodell just got his contract extended and has built a reputation of a strong handed leader who does not tolerate any wrong doings from players. The rookies coming in this year have a valid gripe about an implementation of this sort.


Why should they be the first rookie class to be put up to this rookie pay scale? They did just as much to get where the previous class did and they are losing out on money because of unlucky timing? That does not seem fair and it is something that the NFLPA will argue very animatedly. The incoming rookies will also set the standard of how future rookies will handle the new system if one does come into place. As of now nothing is for sure, but many fans are hopeful for something to restrict these money hungry rookies who sometimes take it to the extreme and hold out into a team’s training camp, therefore causing much confusion and strife amongst the team and the new players.


All in all, there are a ton of things that need to be ironed out with the forming of the new Collective Bargaining agreement in the NFL, but at the forefront is the rookie salary Cap. Although it may not be fair to the incoming class of players, it needed to be done sometime along the line.


Thursday, January 28, 2010

Why Tim Tebow Will NOT Be a Jaguar


By: Jake

As I look at more and more mock drafts, I'm getting a little scared seeing that some people still believe that Tim Tebow will be the Jaguars 1st pick in the draft. So as a respectable Jaguars fan, I must explain to the masses (our readers) why he will not be in a Teal uniform next year.

1. Tim Tebow is not worth the 10th/11th overall pick much less a first rounder. He has mechanical issues that need to be addressed majorly, he has huge problems taking snaps from center, and he hasn't played in a pro-style offense before.

2. The Jaguars have other needs. The interior O-Line needs some help protecting Garrard, the D-Line needs someone who can actually get pressure, a stud LB would be welcome, and Safety could use an upgrade for sure.

3. Winning teams attract fans, not gimmicky QBs who run for most of their yards. If the Jaguars want to build a deeper fanbase, they should build a winning team that will attract fans.

4. Selecting Tim Tebow woud cause a schism among fans and a QB controversy is not what the team needs right now. They need one guy they can all get behind and cheer for without him having to look over his shoulder at a guy waiting in the wing.

5. He is not god like everyone says he is.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The Too Early Mock Draft

By: Jake

It's been a while since we've posted on here, mostly due to school and other things, but what better way to come back than with an NFL Mock Draft? I can't think of any....

With the First pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select.....
Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska
While this may be hopeful thinking, a DT as explosive and disruptive as him does not come along very often. The Rams would be making a very big mistake passing on the consensus best player in this draft class. The Rams have spent their last few 1st round picks on D-Line with Adam Carriker and Jake Long, but what better way to build a dominant defense than stacking your D-Line with young players? Plus, James Laurinaitis looks like a stud in the Middle Linebacker position.

2. Detriot Lions: Russell Okung
, OT Oklahoma State
With Matt Stafford getting constantly abused last year and him getting injured as a result, O-Line has to be a priority even for the Lions. Okung is the best OT in the draft and the Lions should take this opportunity to fix the porous O-Line that almost wrecked their #1 overall pick last year. Nowadays, LT is a vital position and the Lions should take the opportunity to replace Jeff Backus and protect Stafford's backside.

3. Tampa Bay Buccanners: Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma State
The Bucs reach a little here, but they used last years 1st round pick on a QB, so its in their best interest to give him the best weapons possible. Dez Bryant has been out of football for a year, but he's still a huge talent and by far the best WR in the draft. Antonio Bryant could possibly leave this year and how fitting that another Bryant replaces him, they wont even need to make a new jersey.

4. Washington Redskins: Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma
The Jason Campbell experiment is over and a new regime is in. The Redskins will pull a New York Jets here and draft a new QB for the new coach. Some might have Claussen here, but Bradford will be cleared by his doctors and have a great week at the combine and impress the scouts all over again. Braford was stellar at Oklahoma and has great potential to turn this dismal franchise around especially with emerging target Fred Davis really stepping up. That connection should be good for times to come.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry, DB Tennessee
The Chiefs get a steal here and Berry is the obvious pick. They already have a stud CB in Brandon Flowers and Berry will holster the secondary as the Chiefs hope their previous 1st round picks of Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson mature into pressure that will make life much easier for Berry and Flowers. With players like Jon McGraw and Mike Brown currently holding starting jobs as Safeties, Berry makes even more sense than if he was just the best available player.

6. Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Claussen, QB Notre Dame
This guy is going to look good in lime/blue... uhh whatever color their uniforms are. Hasselbeck has 1 more year in him and it will allow him to learn the system in Seattle. It has worked for many QBs in the league and no doubt Claussen will benefit from riding the pine for one year and having a mentor in Matt Hasselbeck. Once again, a new Head Coach will draft a QB to be his franchise figurehead. The Seahawks have a pick in 8 more slots, so they can wait to fix some of their defensive problems.

7. Cleveland Browns: Rolando McClain, LB Alabama
The Browns are stuck between a rock and a hard place here with no stud players left that fill a need. I highly considered Joe Haden here, but there is more of a drop off in LBs from McClain to the next LB than from Haden to the next CB. McClain and D'Qwell Jackson will make a nice pair of LBs and if Shaun Rogers can stay healthy maybe the Browns Defense can stop the run and give the Offense some more opportunities (God knows they need them)

8. Oakland Raiders: Bruce Campbell, OT Maryland

The Raiders may actually make a smart decision for once as maybe they learned their lesson about drafting workout freaks. However, I could easily see Al Davis taking Jason Paul-Pierre after he posts astounding numbers at the combine. For some reason, I'm giving the Raiders the benefit of the doubt here and saying maybe Al Davis forgets to take his meds and sleeps through the draft. Then maybe the GM's could do what they're really paid to do.

9. Buffalo Bills: Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma
The Bills were 30th in the NFL last year in rush defense, giving up more than 155 yards over game on the ground. They have a big man in Stroud, and McCoy would be perfect to pair with him and they would each take some pressure off each other. McCoy is a monster in the middle and could be a difference maker right away if he can beat out Kyle Williams who had a solid year last year and racked up 4 sacks along with 66 tackles. The fact that Stroud is aging and on the decline is another factor that supports this pick.

10. Jaguars (win coin toss)
If this is the situation when the Jaguars come to pick, I can definitely see them trading back to recoup the 2nd round pick they traded away last year to get William and Mary CB Derek Cox. If they do pick, it will be between Derrick Morgan and Joe Haden. So since I'm not making an imaginary trade, the Jaguars select......
Joe Haden, CB Florida
Haden is the Best available player here and at this point he would make Rashean Mathis expendable. Mathis could be worth a 2nd round pick and many Jaguars fans would be much happier if GM Gene Smith had more picks in this draft after his stunning draft class last year.

11. Denver Broncos: Taylor Mays, S Southern California
The broncos Defense started out very well but to say they faded is an understatement. They finished 26th in run defense last year and are starting Renaldo Hill and Brian Dawkins at Safety so its clear that unit could use an injection of youth. Also, Mays would have the best mentor in the business in Brian Dawkins. Mays was dominating in college and in a system like the Broncos, where Dumervil is constantly adding pressure, Mays would be highly successful.

12. Miami Dolphins: Golden Tate, WR Notre Dame

The Dolphins are in dire need of a legitimate threat of a WR. Devone Bess and Ted Ginn are more supporting receivers than a all in one receiver who can do it all. Tate is a receiver who can do it all. He has the speed and the hands as well as the route running ability to get open on the next level. Tate also was dangerous after the catch as he constantly broke through the tackles of DBs and ran for great Yards After Catch. If the Dolphins want Henne to be successful and lead them to a division title or more, he needs the weapons to throw to who can hold onto the ball, not just run fast.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davis, OT Rutgers
The 49ers offense was among the worst in the league mostly due to inconsistent QB play. So one way to fix that is to give him more time. The 49ers could help out Alex Smith by taking Davis here and pairing him with the other young tackle Joe Staley. Davis and Staley could be bookend Tackles and give Smith more time as well as opening holes for one of the best RBs in Frank Gore. The 9ers have another pick later in the round, so they have the luxury of taking whoever they want here.

14. Seattle Seahawks: CJ Spiller, RB Clemson
The Seahawks strike gold in the first round grabbing their RB and QB of the future. Spiller is an electric runner with astounding playmaking ability. The Seahawks had some good success with Justin Forsett later in the year after Julius Jones failed to make an impact, but it looks like forsett is best utilized as a 3rd down back. Spiller will come in right away and be a part of this new offense and regime up in Seattle. Spiller can also return kick, something Seahawks fans were missing last year. Forsett averaged only 24 yards per return last year, so look for spiller t take over those duties fairly quickly.

15. New York Giants: Brandon Spikes, LB Florida
The Giants defense was abysmal last year and Antonio Pierce was injured for most of the year. So with injury problems at LB, which left Chase Blackburn starting at one point will force the Giants to address the need of LB with the fierce LB out of Florida. Spikes has a mean streak (as evidenced by his eye gouging incident) and thats something important in a LB (as long as they can control it). Spikes was a tackling machine at UF and theres no reason to think anything will change at the Pro level with the D-Line in front of him and supporting LB cast.

16. Tennessee Titans: Brandon Graham, DE Michigan
The Titans struggled getting pressure on the QB last year as they ranked 18th in sacks recorded. On top of last years struggles, Kyle VandenBosch is a FA and its likely he wont be back. This leaves a wide open hole for someone to step in and even if its not Graham right away, he could develop into a good pass rusher with the experience he will get this year due to the absence of Vanden Bosch.

17. San Fransisco 49ers: Sean Weatherspoon, LB Mizzou
I struggled between Brandon LaFell and Weatherspoon, but went with Weatherspoon even though he could be a bit of a reach. Weatherspoon will have one of if not the best LB in the game to learn from, and Willis is one of the few playmakers on the team and he can't do it all himself, sot he 49ers take Weatherspoon to compliment him and provide the Defense with a legitimate OLB with a nose for the ball. Weatherspoon also can put pressure on the QB, which is an added pressure. He had 5 sacks last year playing in an undermanned defense at Mizzou.

18. Pittsburgh: Brian Bulaga, OT Iowa
The Steelers O-Line was a mess last year and they yielded the 2nd most sacks of any team during the 2009 campaign. While some of that may be due to Big Ben's penchant for holding on to the ball for in ordinate amounts of time, 50 sacks is wayyy too many for a QB to take in one year. Ben has already been through enough in his life, his protection is an absolute necessity at this point. A solid OT, Bulaga can play either side his rookie year and the Steelers can bench either Willie Colon or Max Starks. Bulaga should start right away and make a big difference in Big Ben's protection.

19. Atlanta Falcons: Derrick Morgan, DE Georgia Tech
The Falcons don't have much in the way of pressure on the QB outside of John Abraham, so they snag up Derrick Morgan who is a great value here at 19. Morgan would start right away and benefit form the double teams placed on Abraham. Morgan is probably the best pure DE in this draft as he can get to the QB, but has some problems with the run sometimes.

20. Houston Texns: Earl Thomas, S Texas
The Texans were severely lacking on Safety position and it showed. There was just no prescense at Safety that scared anyone or made them pay for going deep. They were constantly out of position and in the wrong places. Earl Thomas will finally give them someone respectable back there with a starting job lined up for him. It should be easy for the Texans fans to get behind this pick because they seriously need some playoff football and came so close last year.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Iupati, G Idaho

Iupati is by far the best Guard prospect in the draft and he's been very impressive against the best competition that Idaho faced. The Bengals could use some more beef on their O-Line and Iupati is the guy at 21 for the Bengals. A road plow of a guard, Iupati can pass protect and pave the way for the surprising Cedric Benson. Anyone remember when Rudi Johnson was a top 10 RB? Whatever happened to him?

22. New England Patriots: Jason Paul-Pierre, DE South Florida
Paul Pierre will have a monster combine and his stock will rise from a 2nd round pick to late first round and Belicheck will pounce on the idea of being able to use him anywhere he wants. Also, DE fills a need that the Pats have. Their line is very old and Paul Pierre is a key to the longevity of the Patriots defense along with Jerod Mayo who had a down year last year. Expect him to bounce back and Pierre get elevated sack numbers because of it.

23. Green Bay Packers: Sergio Kindle, OLB Texas
The Packers are going to lose Aaron Kampman in the offseason and their Defense was lit up on National TV against the Cardinals due to little pressure on Warner. Kindle could come in and help Raji shore up the D-Line and finally get some consistent pressure on opposing QBs. Everyone knows the Offense is set up but the once feared D is not doing its job anymore.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: Jerry Hughes, OLB Texas Christian
The Eagles suffered many injuries at the LB position this year and it really highlighted their need for depth at all linebacking positions. Hughes played extremely well at TCU and constantly made plays behind the line. In the NFL today you can never have too many players who get pressure on the QB so Hughes is a great selection for the Eagles here. Now they just need to decide what they're going to do about McNabb and Westbrook.

25. Baltimore Ravens: Arrelious Benn, WR Illinois
The Ravens Offense has surprised people with its explosiveness, but thats mainly due to ray rice and his abilities. The WRs on that roster don't scare anybody and Flacco is coming up on the prime of his carreer where he needs a go to receiver who can be a playmaker. Benn fits the bill here at 25 and his speed should be something to take the pressure off of Rice and Flacco.

26. Arizona Cardinals: Brian Price, DT UCLA
The Cardinals have 3 great RBs in their division (Gore, S. Jackson, and now Spiller), so stopping the run will be an important factor in if they repeat as division champs again next year. Price has the size to plug the holes and speed to get to the passer. He will be a steal if they get him this late in the first round.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Damian Williams, WR, Southern California
With Roy Williams constant disappearing and no real other threat except Miles Austin, the Cowboys will take the best available WR here to keep Romo happy and fans in the seats. Wide receivers from USC haven't fared well in the NFL, but that won't stop someone from taking him in the first round if the need is there and its the right value.

28. San Diego Chargers: Patrick Robinson, CB Forida State
The Chargers could use some youth at CB as Jammer isn't getting any younger and Cromartie has been up and down in his career. Robinson is the 2nd best CB in the draft and the Chargers have the luxury to take
what they need at pick 28.