Well-traveled coach Lou Saban dies at age 87 - ESPN

Well-traveled coach Lou Saban dies at age 87 - ESPN

Quick update to 2009 NFL draft order - NFC West - ESPN

Great excel spreadsheet for us draftniks.


Quick update to 2009 NFL draft order - NFC West - ESPN

ProFootballTalk.com - 2009 Compensatory Draft Picks

The seven round mocks can all start now:

ProFootballTalk.com - 2009 Compensatory Draft Picks

Ding Dong T.O. Is Gone

I woke this morning and flipped on ESPN Radio and caught the end of Mike & Mike discussing what team would he fit on. Not being sure who the “he” was that they were discussing I kept listening and when I heard them mention “maybe the Patriots where you can team him with Randy Moss and he’d be forced to behave” I had a good idea that “The Player” was no longer in Dallas. While some Cowboys fans have expressed anger and disappointment to me, I can actually say I was real happy as it showed to me that maybe just maybe the Cowboys have learned a lesson that team chemistry does mean something to overall success. I think it was the perfect time for many reasons: First, most teams have spent most of their free agency cash so there is less of a chance he pops up with a fellow NFC East rival, Second the top free agent wide receivers have landed elsewhere so his options are limited (you know the whole revenge factor thing) and finally the message needed to be sent to the rest of the team (especially the young guys) that no one is bigger than the team. Granted regardless of what Jerry does there are always those in the media who are critical of him as you will certainly read in some places how this is a bad move as it’s too hard to replace Owens but that’s nonsense. It was needed and now that it’s done the dark cloud is removed and the locker-room issues should go away with him too. Roy Williams can fill the number one receiver spot on the team with so much less drama the Dallas media will almost be bored. Contrary to what some will write Dallas still has a good number of draft picks (more likely coming when compensatory picks are announced in a few weeks) so I’m sure they may invest maybe a third or fourth round pick on a receiver who can help on special teams and be groomed for bigger things in years to come.

Hats off Jerry you had a great day getting rid of TO and cutting ties with SS Roy Williams! Maybe 2009 isn’t a lost season after all.

Please share your thoughts on the moves

The Latest Two Round Mock Draft

First Round:

1. Detroit: Aaron Curry OLB Wake Forest…Debate will continue up to 48 hrs. before they have to make the pick but for the Lions the lowest risk and safest pick is Aaron Curry. He almost immediately becomes the face of your franchise and leader of your defense ala Ray Lewis in Baltimore.

2. St. Louis: Jason Smith OT Baylor….The performance this young man put on at the combine convinced me that the Rams will have their heir apparent for Orlando Pace. Smith is a future Pro Bowler and an immediate starter for the team in 2009.

3. Kansas City: Eugene Monroe OT Virginia…With new QB Matt Cassel in town (as predicted in the last mock posted 2/4/09) they will need to focus on continuing to improve their offensive line. Monroe can team up again with last year’s top pick, Branden Albert, to help lay the groundwork for the best young line in the league.

4. Seattle: Matthew Stafford QB Georgia….With the signing of TJ to the roster the Seahawks have the rare chance to draft their future signal caller and enjoy the opportunity to let him sit and learn for at least a season before taking over.

5. Cleveland: Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio State….The new regime knows the importance of a shut down corner and this former Buckeyes star will be an instant fan favorite and starter.

6. Cincinnati: Knowshon Moreno RB Georgia…As the Bengals try to improve their offense and hope to solidify their running attack they will pounce on the top back in the draft. Moreno is multi-talented and will bring a dimension not seen in Cincinnati in a long time. (Still think Knowshon is the way to go even with bringing back Cedric Benson who can’t really be trusted)

7. Oakland: Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech….Talk about a HR threat for Al Davis. Crabtree will be healthy when it matters and instantly become the best wideout on the roster. Hopefully someday the Raiders will have an offense that can use McFadden and Crabtree correctly and if that happens the Raiders will be scary.

8. Jacksonville: Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri..Jags are the AFC version of the Lions when it comes to drafting wide receivers that don’t pan out (see Ernest Wilford, Reggie Williams, Matt Jones) so might as well try again with Maclin. The issue this time is Jeremy is one of the top character guys in the draft and should be a great addition and fabulous rookie for this team.

9. Green Bay: B.J. Raji DT Boston College….With recent free agent departures and playing in a division with Adrian Peterson , Packers would be wise to add the hard working, run stopping Raji as their top selection to help improve their defense.

10. San Francisco: Mark Sanchez QB USC…A pivotal spot in the draft as they could go several directions but this once proud QB producing franchise needs to get a signal caller under center that will excite their die-hard fans. Sanchez is that guy and should be the starter by the end of the season. They can focus on other needs in later rounds.

11. Buffalo: Brian Orakpo DE Texas….While Buffalo can use a tight end to open up the field and be a safety valve option for Trent Edwards there is not one worth the number 11 pick. Instead the Bills will focus on improving the defense and getting a guy like Orakpo accomplishes that in a big way.

12. Denver: Everette Brown DE Florida State…One thing is clear that McDaniels is in charge and improving the defense along with getting a competent signal caller are his focus. Brown would help create a consistent pass rush that the team seems to lack. Could use another #1 WR regardless of what some Broncos fans think.

13. Washington: Michael Oher OT Mississippi…Always the headline grabbing team when it comes to free agency, the Redskins will now need to focus on improving their offensive line if they have any hopes of making a real run. Oher is top talent and used to the headlines and attention something he’ll get a ton of in D.C.

14. New Orleans: Aaron Maybin OLB Penn State…Maybin made the most of his time at Penn State and will certainly be a welcome addition as the Saints hope to build a defense to mirror their offense.

15. Houston: Brian Cushing OLB USC....One area of weakness on the Texans is clearly the linebacking core so adding a guy like Brian will go along way from turning a liability into strength. Cushing is a workout maniac and will certainly star immediately for the Texans.

16. San Diego: LeSean McCoy RB Pittsburgh….The end is the LT tenure in San Diego appears to be coming sooner than later and Sproles is not an every down back but McCoy is and will make the transition from LT that much smoother. McCoy is explosive and has all the skills to be a huge star in the league.

17. NY Jets: Rey Maualuga ILB USC….As the Jets try to build a defense to duplicate the Ravens they have already had a great start with Scott and Leonhard on board.

The rest of the 1st round

18. Bears: Vontate Davis CB Illinois
19. Buccaneers: Percy Harvin WR Florida
20. Lions ( Dallas ): Andre Smith OT Alabama
21. Eagles: Chris Wells RB Ohio State
22. Vikings: D.J. Moore CB Vanderbilt
23. Patriots: Clay Matthews OLB USC
24. Falcons: James Laurinaitis ILB Ohio State
25. Dolphins: Larry English OLB Northern Illinois
26. Ravens: Robert Ayers DE Tennessee
27. Colts: Peria Jerry DT Mississippi
28. Eagles (Panthers): Tyson Jackson DE LSU
29. Giants: Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland
30. Titans: Evander Hood DT Missouri
31. Cardinals: Alex Mack C California
32. Steelers: William Beatty OT Connecticut

Second Round

1. Lions: Sean Smith CB Utah
2. New England (from Chiefs): Patrick Chung SS Oregon
3. Rams: Alphonso Smith CB Wake Forest
4. Browns: Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma State
5. Seahawks: Hakeem Nicks WR North Carolina
6. Bengals: Max Unger C Oregon
7. Jaguars: Duke Robinson OG Oklahoma
8. Raiders: Eben Britton OT Arizona
9. Packers: Clint Sintim OLB Virginia
10. Bills: James Casey TE Rice
11. 49’ers: Darius Butler CB Connecticut
12. Dolphins (from Redskins): Brian Robiskie WR Ohio State
13. Giants (from Saints): Jamon Meredith OT South Carolina
14. Texans: Connor Barwin DE Cincinnati
15. Patriots (from Chargers): Kenny Britt WR Rutgers
16. Broncos: Ron Brace DT Boston College
17. Bears: Michael Johnson DE Georgia Tech
18. Cleveland (from Buccaneers): Donald Brown RB Connecticut
19. Cowboys: Sen'Derrick Marks DT Auburn
20. Jets: Derrick Williams WR Penn State
21. Eagles: Chase Coffman TE Missouri
22. Vikings: Paul Kruger DE Utah
23. Falcons: Fili Moala DT USC
24. Dolphins: Victor Harris CB Virginia Tech
25. Ravens: Juaquin Iglesias WR Oklahoma
26. Patriots: Josh Freeman QB Kansas State
27. Panthers: Jarron Gilbert DE San Jose St.
28. Giants: Shon Greene RB Iowa
29. Colts: Louis Murphy WR Florida
30. Titans: Jairus Byrd CB Oregon
31. Cardinals: Herman Johnson OG LSU
32. Steelers: Eric Wood C Louisville

Please check back after the comp picks are announced at the end of the month for a full 7 round mock draft.

Shoot me an email at PatSchuster72@gmail.com if you want to be made aware of when it's officially posted.

Quarterbacks

Clearly the top two guys are Stafford and Sanchez and then a large drop off. Check back soon for complete breakdown until this here is the list of the guys available and most like the order they'll come off the board.

1. Matthew Stafford Georgia 6-3 236 4.8


2. Mark Sanchez USC 6-3 225 4.9


3. Josh Freeman Kansas St 6-6 248 4.8


4. Nate Davis Ball St. 6-1 218 4.8


5. Rhett Bomar Sam Houston State 6-2 224 4.8


6. John Parker Wilson Alabama 6-2 215 4.82


7. Tom Brandstater Fresno State 6.5 216 4.80


8. Graham Harrell Texas Tech 6-2 217 4.9


9. Brian Hoyer Michigan State 6-2 215 4.87


10. Hunter Cantwell Louisville 6-5 235 4.89


11. Curtis Painter Purdue 6-3 228 4.92


12. Cullen Harper Clemson 6-3 227 4.86


13. Rudy Carpenter Arizona St. 6-2 222 4.89


14. Stephen McGee Texas A&M 6-3 223 4.79


15. Nathan Brown Central Arkansas 6-1 217 4.8


16. David Johnson Tulsa 6-3 220 4.76


17. Mike Reilly Central Washington 6-3 215 4.78


18. Brian Johnson Utah 6-1 205 4.87


19. Chris Pizzotti Harvard 6-5 224 4.93


20. Mike Teel Rutgers 6-3 230 4.94


21. Willie Tuitama Arizona 6-3 224 4.94


22. Chase Daniel Missouri 6-0 218 4.78

Centers and Guards

The available players this year at guard and center look like a very talented bunch and we should hear alot of names being called on the first day. The player who stands out a little above the rest is California's Alex Mack. Great character, leader and smart...it's nice to see a guy like that get rewarded for his hard work.

1. Alex Mack California 6-4 312 5.1
2. Max Unger Oregon 6-5 299 5.2
3. Jonathan Luigs Arkansas 6-4 302 4.9
4. Eric Wood Louisville 6-4 304 5.1
5. Antoine Caldwell Alabama 6-4 307 5.1
6. Edwin Williams Maryland 6-3 311 5.4
7. Cecil Newton Tennessee State 6-2 294 5.2
8. A.Q. Shipley Penn State 6-1 297 5.1
9. Brett Helms LSU 6-2 282 4.9
10. Jon Cooper Oklahoma 6-2 275 5.1
11. Alex Fletcher Stanford 6-3 302 5.2
12. Robby Felix UTEP 6-3 295 5.2
13. Dallas Reynolds BYU 6-4 314 5.3

Guards

1. Duke Robinson Oklahoma 6-5 335 5.3
2. Kraig Urbik Wisconsin 6-6 323 5.3
3. Herman Johnson LSU 6-8 382 5.4
4. Andy Levitre Oregon State 6-3 306 5.2
5. Greg Isdaner West Virginia 6-4 322 5.2
6. Louis Vasquez Texas Tech 6-5 330 5.4
7. Trevor Canfield Cincinnati 6-5 311 5.1
8. Anthony Parker Tennessee 6-2 310 5.1
9. Jaimie Thomas Maryland 6-4 331 5.3
10. Ray Feinga BYU 6-4 336 5.3
11. Andy Kemp Wisconsin 6-5 315 5.2
12. Tyronne Green Auburn 6-2 305 5.2
13. Travis Bright BYU 6-5 316 5.4
14. Cedric Dockery Texas 6-3 314 5.3
15. Ryan Durand Syracuse 6-5 307 5.4
16. Roger Allen Missouri Western 6-3 318 5.5
17. Seth Olsen Iowa 6-5 304 5.3
18. Maurice Miller Mississippi 6-3 343 5.4
19. C.J. Davis Pittsburgh 6-2 312 5.2
20. Tim Henderson Northwestern St. 6-2 330 5.2
21. Nicholas Hennessey Colgate 6-5 296 5.3
22. Brandon Walker Oklahoma 6-3 298 5.2
23. Clif Ramsey Boston College 6-6 312 5.1

Safeties

No flashy names (so no picture) in this group just a hard bunch of players looking for their chance at the next level.

Free Safety

1. William Moore Missouri 6-0 223 4.49
2. Derek Pegues Mississippi State 5-10 193 4.49
3. Rashad Johnson Alabama 6-0 195 4.49
4. Louis Delmas Western Michigan 5-11 197 4.52
5. Darcel McBath Texas Tech 6-1 199 4.50
6. Sherrod Martin Troy 6-1 197 4.46
7. David Bruton Notre Dame 6-2 210 4.55
8. Brandon Underwood Cincinnati 6-1 192 4.54
9. Troy Nolan Arizona St. 6-1 207 4.62
10.Chris Clemons Clemson 6-1 210 4.60
11. C.J. Spillman Marshall 6-0 190 4.49
12. Curtis Taylor LSU 6-3 208 4.52
13. Marcus McCinton Kentucky 6-1 210 4.50
14. Lendy Holmes Oklahoma 6-0 205 4.54
15. Dre’Mail Hardin Stillman 6-0 195 4.64
16. Josh Pinkard USC 6-1 212 4.57
17. Eric Thatcher Pittsburgh 5-9 195 4.52
18. Will Dunbar UAB 6-0 195 4.58


Strong Safety

1. Patrick Chung Oregon 5-11 207 4.5
2. Kevin Ellison USC 6-1 224 4.6
3. Michael Hamlin Clemson 6-2 207 4.5
4. Emanuel Cook South Carolina 5-10 205 4.5
5. Chip Vaughn Wake Forest 6-1 218 4.5
6. Otis Wiley Michigan St. 6-2 210 4.6
7. Courtney Greene Rutgers 6-1 211 4.5
8. Keith Fitzhugh Mississippi St. 5-10 210 4.5
9. Trimane Goddard North Carolina 5-11 195 4.6
10. Terence Moore Troy 6-2 218 4.6
11. Al Afalava Oregon St. 5-11 213 4.6
12. Reshard Langford Vanderbilt 6-1 212 4.6

Tight Ends

Pettigrew is the only first round choice in the bunch but some of the guys with injury history such as Coffman, Ingram and Beckrum might turn into better pros if they can stay healthy but only time will tell if they have a long term future in the NFL.

1. Brandon Pettigrew Oklahoma State 6-5 257 4.82
2. Chase Coffman Missouri 6-6 252 4.83
3. James Casey Rice 6-4 235 4.68
4. Jared Cook South Carolina 6-5 240 4.58
5. Brian Mandeville Northeastern 6-6 255 4.78
6. Cornelius Ingram Florida 6-4 245 4.68
7. Travis Beckrum Wisconsin 6-3 237 4.63
8. John Phillips Virginia 6-6 251 4.82
9. Shawn Nelson Southern Miss 6-5 238 4.65
10. Bear Pascoe Fresno State 6-5 257 4.86
11. Jared Bronson Central Wash. 6-4 254 4.67
12. Anthony Hill North Carolina 6-5 264 4.86
13. Cameron Morrah California 6-4 252 4.74
14. Ryan Purvis Boston College 6-4 258 4.83
15. Davon Drew East Carolina 6-4 258 4.78
16. Dan Gronkowski Maryland 6-6 255 4.85
17. Kevin Brock Rutgers 6-5 255 4.79
18. Darius Hill Ball State 6-6 236 4.85
19. Branden Ledbetter Western Michigan 6-5 232 4.76
20. Kory Sperry Colorado State 6-5 252 4.86

Running Backs

Clearly three first round picks this year and a lot of first day selections. As always a good but not great crop of backs again available this draft. Here is the raw numbers I hope to have a full breakdown up before too long.





Running Backs

1. Knowshon Moreno Georgia 5-11 208 4.48
2. Chris Wells Ohio State 6-1 237 4.53
3. LeSean McCoy Pittsburgh 5-11 210 4.49
4. Shone Greene Iowa 5-11 235 4.58
5. Donald Brown Connecticut 5-10 210 4.49
6. Javon Ringer Michigan State 5-9 205 4.53
7. Rashad Jennings Liberty 6-1 234 4.50
8. Devin Moore Wyoming 5-9 190 4.38
9. Jeremiah Johnson Oregon 5-9 198 4.49
10. James Davis Clemson 5-11 207 4.48
11. Glen Coffee Alabama 6-1 204 4.53
12. Arian Foster Tennessee 6-1 232 4.56
13. Cedric Peerman Virginia 6-1 210 4.54
14. Ian Johnson Boise State 5-11 204 4.53
15. Andre Brown North Carolina State 6-0 224 4.60
16. Javarris Williams Tennessee St. 5-10 219 4.58
17. Tyrell Sutton Northwestern 5-8 210 4.50
18. Branden Ore West Liberty St. 5-10 212 4.48
19. Mike Goodson Texas A&M 6-0 198 4.43
20. Gartrell Johnson Colorado State 5-11 222 4.67
21. Aaron Brown TCU 6-1 196 4.49
22. Antone Smith Florida State 5-9 190 4.54
23. Bernard Scott Abilene Christian 5-10 197 4.5
24. Kory Sheets Purdue 5-11 203 4.54
25. P.J. Hill Wisconsin 5-11 236 4.59
26. Marlon Lucky Nebraska 5-11 212 4.57
27. Curtis Brinkley Syracuse 5-9 205 4.52
28. Brad Lester Auburn 5-11 192 4.53

Fullbacks

1. Brannan Southerland Georgia 6-0 242 4.6
2. Quinn Johnson LSU 6-1 251 4.6
3. Tony Fiammetta Syracuse 6-0 246 4.6
4. Travis McCall Alabama 6-2 276 4.7
5. Marquez Branson Central Ark 6-2 248 4.6
6. David Johnson Arkansas St. 6-2 271 4.7
7. Marcus Mailei Weber State 6-0 256 4.9
8. Eric Kettani Navy 6-0 231 4.6

Inside Linebackers

Not a great group this year with only two first round and likely first day selections available. Some players can develop but no sure fire stars after the first two guys.

1. Rey Maualuga USC 6-2 254 4.74
2. James Laurinatis Ohio State 6-2 240 4.59
3. Darryl Beckwith LSU 6-1 233 4.59
4. Dannell Ellerbe Georgia 6-1 236 4.63
5. Scott McKillop Pittsburgh 6-1 243 4.74
6. Gerald McRath Southern Miss 6-3 224 4.62
7. Jason Phillips TCU 6-1 236 4.58
8. Worrell Williams California 5-11 242 4.73
9. Antonio Appleby Virginia 6-3 250 4.72
10. Josh Mauga Nevada 6-2 245 4.65
11. Frantz Joseph Florida Atlantic 6-2 235 4.73
12. Andrew Schantz Portland State 6-1 225 4.75
13. Jasper Brinkley South Carolina 6-2 262 4.74
14. Anthony Felder California 6-2 231 4.76
15. Dominic Douglas Mississippi State 6-1 235 4.78
16. Maurice Crum Jr. Notre Dame 5-11 235 4.72

Defensive Line

Fairly deep group of defensive linemen this year with many first day selections in the bunch. Check back soon for the full breakdown.




Defensive Ends

1. Brian Orakpo Texas 6-4 260 4.73
2. Everette Brown Florida St. 6-4 252 4.65
3. Michael Johnson Georgia Tech 6-7 258 4.67
4. Paul Kruger Utah 6-5 265 4.68
5. Robert Ayers Tennessee 6-3 273 4.76
6. Tyson Jackson LSU 6-4 295 4.89
7. Connor Barwin Cincinnati 6-4 253 4.64
8. Mitch King Iowa 6-2 275 4.74
9. Jarron Gilbert San Jose State 6-5 287 5.09
10. Brandon Williams Texas Tech 6-5 252 4.76
11. Matt Shaughnessy Wisconsin 6-5 260 4.74
12. David Veikune Hawaii 6-2 255 4.89
13. Lawrence Sidbury Richmond 6-3 267 4.76
14. Phillip Hunt Houston 6-1 261 4.61
15. Michael Bennett Texas A&M 6-4 271 4.84
16. Orion Martin Virginia Tech 6-2 253 4.74
17. Derek Walker Illinois 6-3 270 4.79
18. Kyle Moore USC 6-5 265 4.89
19. Maurice Evans Penn State 6-2 265 4.76
20. Will Davis Illinois 6-3 262 4.76
21. Tim Jamison Michigan 6-3 265 4.83
22. Pannei Egboh Stanford 6-6 267 4.84
23. Ian Campbell Kansas St. 6-4 255 4.87
24. Jeremy Navarre Maryland 6-3 285 4.97
25. Stryker Sulak Missouri 6-5 240 4.69
26. Zach Potter Nebraska 6-7 284 4.98
27. Rulon Davis California 6-5 282 4.97
28. Kirston Pittman LSU 6-3 256 4.72

Defensive Tackles

1. B.J. Raji Boston College 6-2 334 5.15
2. Peria Jerry Mississippi 6-1 290 4.98
3. Evander Hood Missouri 6-3 298 4.99
4. Ron Brace Boston College 6-3 329 5.32
5. Sen’Derrick Marks Auburn 6-1 295 4.93
6. Fili Moala USC 6-4 303 5.14
7. Vance Walker Georgia Tech 6-2 295 5.02
8. Alex Magee Purdue 6-3 295 4.94
9. Dorell Scott Clemson 6-4 310 5.02
10. Corey Irvin Georgia 6-3 296 5.06
11. Clinton McDonald Memphis 6-2 289 4.76
12. Terrance Taylor Michigan 6-1 314 5.18
13. Chris Baker Hampton 6-2 308 5.08
14. Ricky Jean-Francois LSU 6-3 290 4.86
15. Sammie Lee Hill Stillman 6-4 331 5.20
16. John Faletoese Cal Davis 6-2 285 4.98
17. Khalif Mitchell East Carolina 6-5 302 4.95
18. Darryl Richard Georgia Tech 6-3 306 4.99
19. Demonte’ Bolden Tennessee 6-5 292 4.98
20. Terrance Knighton Temple 6-3 324 5.08
21. Roy Miller Texas 6-1 301 5.06
22. Will Johnson Michigan 6-5 286 4.82
23. Myron Pryor Kentucky 6-0 310 5.08
24. George Hypolite Colorado 6-1 290 4.98
25. Ra’Shon Harris Oregon 6-4 300 5.09
26. John Gill Northwestern 6-3 300 5.02