This will be a quickie considering there is less than ten minutes until the Panthers should be on the clock (8 p.m. on ESPN).
I have been hearing time after time that this draft class is overrated at the quarterback position, and I couldn't agree more with that statement. First of all, there is no consensus No. 1 overall pick, not to mention a lack of elite talent.
According to Mel Kiper, Patrick Peterson, LSU CB, is the best player in the draft. However, that doesn't necessarily mean he will be the No. 1 overall pick (no CB has ever gone No. 1). I expect, because NFL franchises are often stupid, the No. 1 pick to be Cam Newton.
If I'm running the Panthers I easily look for the player I think is the most talented and draft BPA (Best Player Available, which is everyone). Carolina will most likely be the worst team in the league next year and will have the No. 1 pick again. Andrew Luck will be coming out of Stanford and be available to draft. This way, Carolina can get their franchise QB next year, and a highly talented player at a position of need this year.
Cam Newton is a high-risk high-reward player. He is obviously talented, but will those talents transfer to the NFL level? I won't be the guy that says no and have Newton become the next Donovan McNabb, or say yes and have him become the next Akili Smith.
As far as everyone else...I'm not as well versed this year compared to last year. I don't know why, maybe it's the lack of talent this year. Expect a lack of excitement as well because players cannot be traded, only picks for picks.
However, I do expect a lot of moving around, particularly because there are teams that will look to move up from early second round to late first round.
I'll come back after the draft and talk about any surprises. Enjoy!
Another Sunday has graced us, and I'm pumped. The Jets face the Bills today and if all is right in the football world, they will be 3-1 at days end.
I want to wish everyone a Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Everything goes pink in the NFL and I love it. My Jets hat is the sideline one from last year with the pink brim. I think it's great that the NFL participates and sells the gear.
Well, here are my three games to watch this week, so far this year I'm 6-3.
Game 1
Ravens at Steelers - Pittsburgh looks to improve to 4-0 without star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. That would be extremely impressive for a Pittsburgh team that seemed to struggle mightily at times last year. It has been an interesting start for both teams, the Ravens were able to squeak out a win against a Jets team that only beat themselves. They looked awful against the Bengals and only beat the Browns by a touchdown. The Steelers defense has looked phenomenal and their offense had a breakout game last week against Tampa Bay. I think Pitt's defense will give Flacco trouble, just like Cincy did, and that is going to lead to a few turnovers for Bmore. The Steelers remarkable run will continue at home against a team that hasn't beat them at Heinz field since the Harbaugh-Flacco combo started.
My Prediction: Steelers (-1) 23 Ravens 16
Game 2
Redskins at Eagles - You might be curious why this game is on here. One reason: Donovan McNabb. He is once again playing at Lincoln Financial Field, but for the other team and that makes for great headlines. Typically when a star player returns to play his former team, he beats them. This is going to be a different story, the Redskins aren't playing good football and they just aren't good in general. Vick is playing out of his mind and the Eagles just seem to be rolling on all cylinders on offense. The Skins will probably look to control the ball and run a lot more than they have. I don't think Washington has enough talent to compete with an Eagles team that seems to be clicking. Look for DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin to have big games for the Iggles.
My Prediction: Eagles (-5.5) 27 Redskins 17
Game 3
Pats at Fins - As a Jets fan, this is an interesting game. I think I've decided I would rather New England win (if a tie doesn't happen), because I feel like Miami could be more dangerous if they stick around. So putting them at 2-2 and 1-2 in the division would be a pretty solid hole. Everyone knows what the Pats are made of, and I think they are going to make the playoffs anyway. The Pats are extremely one-dimensional, much like the Colts, but they are so good at that dimension that it doesn't matter. Look for Chad Henne to try and duplicate a Mark Sanchez performance in week two, and Tom Brady will also try to duplicate Sanchez's week three performance. So basically, in the crazy world we live in, everyone is trying to be like QB Nacho Taco.
ESPN Analyst John Clayton came out with a list of the NFL QBs that he thinks are on the elite level, and I disagree with a lot of them. Let us break down the list and see where we stand.
Tom Brady, unfortunately, is a three-time Super Bowl champ. So clearly, he should be on the list. However, Joe Flacco has two years of experience on a team that is built primarily on the rushing game. This will be an important year for him because of all the weapons he now has on offense (i.e. Anquan Boldin/Donte Stallworth). Flacco is just too inexperienced to be given a crown yet, sorry bud.
No one will argue with Peyton Manning, end of story. Carson Palmer is on the edge for me because he is so talented, but he has yet to reach the next level. He hasn't done anything in the playoffs or put up 4,000 yard and 30 touchdown seasons every year, so this will be a make or break year for him. Top 10 yes, but not yet elite.
Phillip Rivers is definitely one of the best young QBs in the league, and if I had a top 10 list he would be on it. However, if I had an elite list, he wouldn't be on it. Roethlisberger has to be on it because he is a two-time Super Bowl champ. Schaub is a tough one though. I love this kid and all the amazing work he did for my fantasy football team last season, but given a few wasted seasons in Atlanta and then back to back injuries in 2008 and 2009, he has only put together one amazing season (4,700 yards and 29 TDs). If he can do it again, and again, he should be on the list but not yet.
Drew Brees is amazing and just continues to put down all of the critics, I absolutely love him. Favre, even though he screwed the Jets over, I can definitely admit is a great QB and most definitely elite when he is on the field. McNabb is someone you might not think about, but he only had one losing season his entire career in Philly and that should tell you something. He is a playmaker with his legs and his arm and will possibly bring some life to a dead Washington team.
Eli Manning I'm not really a fan of, but I do give him credit because he beat the Pats in the Super Bowl when people were talking about that New England team being the best of all-time. Not elite yet though...sorry. Aaron Rodgers is the man. He is a gun-slinger and reminds me of Favre. He is a playmaker and is only getting better, sitting on the bench behind Favre for a few seasons couldn't have hurt. He definitely belongs on the list.
Ever since Romo took over in Dallas he has done nothing but put up very impressive statistics, for an undrafted free agent nonetheless. The only question mark that could leave him off the list is what has he done for me lately...in the playoffs. He took it one step further last season and I think he belongs on the list because Dallas is a contender with him at QB.
Matt Ryan, see Joe Flacco.
So, in conclusion I've decided that John Clayton should be much tougher in his decisions and not just give it out to make sure the list if full. Just because a QB belongs in the top 10 doesn't mean he is elite.
Top 10: 1. Manning - The Best 2. Brees - Showed he can play with and beat the best 3. Favre - Who knows how long he'll play 4. Brady - Shown can be beaten...and embarrassed 5. Roethlisberger - Gosh he is ruining his career 6. McNabb - Sucks he hasn't won a Super Bowl...and got traded to Washington 7. Rodgers - Arguably the best young QB in the league 8. Romo - Proved he can win the playoffs...kind of 9. Rivers - Can't take over a game...yet 10. Palmer - This is his year...or he could be done
I’m sorry. On behalf of all Eagles fans everywhere, I’m so, so sorry. I know you’ve been booed since your selection as the number 2 pick in 1999 to play for the city of brotherly love. That you were never surrounded with enough talent to play to your ultimate potential, and that when you finally were given those weapons it was your first Superbowl appearance. And I know that it’s awful to finally have so many new weapons in Brent Celek, DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, and Jeremy Maclin. That being traded to play from Andy Reid, who doesn’t know that a run game exists, to Mike Shanahan, the man who basically invented the greatest running scheme known to modern NFL, must feel like heaven for your not-even-close to weary 33 year old frame. So how do you feel, Mr. McNabb? You’re being put in the middle of another offense that will ask too much of you, with Santana Moss and Chris Cooley to serve as your new Robin and Batgirl. Your net worth to the franchise that you brought to the NFC Championship Game 5 times and one Superbowl? A second round draft pick. Sure, you could be worth another pick next year. But ultimately you were just told, as the face of the franchise, that your worth is a backup middle linebacker. Ouch man. On a better note, you muscled your way to being in the same division. I hope you make the Eagles front office remember that you were the best player in Eagles history for a reason.
