Now just 32 months after the fact, Dom's Dish rejoins the interwebs with this special NFL Draft issue. Why, you ask? Because I finally have about 90 minutes to put some stuff together, with some humor (that's a new ingredient to this blog), and I need to force myself to gain some knowledge on this draft thing again. We'll recap and relive some of the things we missed these last 32 months and of course, go around the balls. Oh yeah, August 19, 2009 was shortly after the Michael Vick signing, we'll recap that too fo sho in the posts to follow!
Ah, the NFL draft. In the last 12 months, we've suffered 2 pro sports lock-outs, blockbuster trades, epic National Championship games, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Droughts and wild fires across this great nation of ours. After all the uncertainty, I finally feel at peace to know that the NFL is having a "regular" off-season complete with a Draft, mini-camps, hold-outs, and training camps to start on time. There will be no more excuses for Mr. Ham Sandwich heading up the Eagles, no more punishments to hand down from the NFL Commish, and more importantly, no more talk of that guy Tim Tebow....suddenly I think I've lost my touch, its getting worse as I type this. But alas, I digress. So much has happened in the sports world the last few months, that I seriously, I mean seriously, had to think for a minute who won the last Super Bowl. Hashtag-Not-Brady - ah yes, Eli and the Giants. More and more over the past 10-15 years, we are seeing the teams that get hot at the right time, sneak into a playoff system (in all sports) and win the ultimate prize. Most go up against the Goliath teams that have been there all year - the true underdog stories win most times, epitomizing TEAM sports. This year we learned of all the trouble a possible 1998 #1 overall pick has been having in his life since football - the Ryan Leaf story - but still the best story of all is a "made for TV movie" - "The Brady Six". As I prepare to watch NFL Combine highlights, and read the countless stories on "character" and "pure talent", the more it makes one realize two things: The Combine is a Meat Market and The Draft is a Crap Shoot. How else can you explain Tom Brady falling to #199, Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, JaMarcus Russell or even Eli Manning?
When drafting, teams feel pressure. More so, the General Manager, Owner and Head Coach feel pressure. From fans, local media, national media, agents, draft experts, their own players and many other sources. Draft experts like Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, Jr. often get the top picks right (at least the order). Teams sometimes listen too much, other times, tune out the noise. The main thing is there is no right answer in that exact moment.....but there sure is a WRONG answer in the weeks, months and years that follow. It's much like us Fantasy owners who look back at the draft at the end of the season and remember how stupid we were for drinking so much at the draft, or the HOW DID I NOT SEE THAT moments that we all have. The only difference, we think, is that the coaches, GM's and owners aren't a 6-pack deep on some week night/weekend in April...we think. (How else can you explain Christian Ponder as a Top 12 pick in 2011?) Regardless, it's a lot of fun for us football fans out there to play GM and dream big when OUR team grabs that missing piece who will wind up an All Pro or Rookie of the Year and lead "us" to the Lombardi Trophy. From the Adam Schefters' of the world, breaking the news on potential picks and trades, to Boomer, Kiper and McShay analyzing the draft, this week is one of the best of the year, a week that allows our dreams to grow and hopes be high. Here we go....
First, everyone knows by now about Peyton in Denver. But do you remember Michael Bush to the Bears? The ESPN Free Agent Tracker has all your reminders and answers. While the QB's and RB's make the headlines, don't forget those Offensive Linemen and Linebackers that moved around. Teams surely draft on need at those top positions, but where will they find a 3rd or 4th round gem in a position they might be a little thin at? This goes hand in hand with who is still on the roster: NFL.com current team rosters
Although I'm clearly partial to the Worldwide Leader in Sports, ESPN for their 2012 Draft Coverage featuring Scouts, Inc (as an Insider), there's always the NFL.com folk, and the SI peeps including Peter King.
Got some time on your hands to go next level? Forget the numbers themselves, whose contract is up next season and your team will take a flyer on a future position of need? NFL 2012 Team Salaries
So, let's break down my favorite team. The scenario seems the same for the past few years, or cycles of years. Big Free Agent signings one year, re-sign your own the next and have a good draft, then start getting cute for a few years in the draft and sign mediocre free agents. Fortunately, this is the second year in that cycle for the Birds. They filled 2 positions of need with trades/free agency: MLB (no, not Major League Baseball) and former rookie of the year out of the SEC, DeMeco Ryans (might have been my favorite player in the 2006 draft); and a replacement LT in Demetress Bell (another position, for about 20 minutes last week I couldn't for the life of me remember who the Left Tackle was that tore his achilles just a few weeks ago.....do you remember without google-ing it?) Oh and clearing some cap room with Asante Samuel was nice just today, while resigning some key cogs: DeSean, Todd Heremans, Trent Cole, and Evan Mathis. Dropping Jamaal Jackson and trading away Winston Justice were necessary moves. A backup QB in Trent Edwards was signed, but I'm not sold on the three QB's being the three on the roster throughout the season. Needs? First off, for the love of everything holy, can they sign LeSean McCoy to like a 3 or 4 year deal? In order of need and importance: DT, SS, MLB, OL depth, RB, QB, CB, TE. Sure the Eagles could use an outside backer, but why not draft a MLB that can get on the field right now and learn alongside DeMeco?
With another 10 picks to spare, the Eagles will be guaranteed to make at least one trade, and I'm not sure what the Asante trade means for overall philosophy, but I say they stay at 15 with one of those top 4 need positions. Sure, all the talk was of them talking to Cleveland, but I think it's a smoke screen....unless it is for.....RB Trent Richardson from Alabama - minds would be blown!! After the first, perhaps make a move back into the late 1st or stock pile some picks from the late 2nd to 4th rounds where the clear value usually is. Barring injury, the only starter positions that may not be on the roster right now would be DT #2 and a SS. (I don't trust the health or age of Mike Patterson, and don't think anyone on the roster can win the SS position - how about that, replacing McNabb was easier than B-Dawk).
My suggestion on picks for the Eagles....stay away from DT. While they faired ok with Mike Patterson, Broderick Bunkley didn't live up to the potential. Aside from Ndamukong Suh in 2010, and Haloti Ngata in 2006, not many 1st Rd DT's have made an immediate impact in a 3-4 or 4-3. Since this is really the all-in year for Andy Reid, he can't afford to miss on another 1st Round pick. McNabb, Corey Simon, Fred-Ex, Lito Sheppard, Jerome McDougle, Shawn Andrews, Patterson, Bunkley, Jeremy Maclin, Brandon Graham and Danny Watkins. First round picks - I can't even call that average, 4 lived up or exceeded expectations: McNabb, Maclin, Andrews (before he went AWOL) and Lito. Simon and Bunkley fell short and filled a hole in the middle, 2 fell WAY short - Fred-Ex and McDougle, and jury is still out, though not looking promising on Graham and Watkins. It's not time to gamble this year, take the safe pick. I am always a fan of taking a big time player from a big time program - SEC preferred and Alabama has a few. If Mark Barron, the Safety is available at 15 or anywhere in that area, you go get him. Don't stretch and take some kid from a small school or Boise because he's a project and has huge upside. Notre Dame alum have not worked out all that well for the Eagles, take a football player this time. Others I like: David DeCastro, G, Stanford; Hightower (ILB), Upshaw (OLB) and Kirkpatrick (CB) all out of Alabama. All positions of need that can step in right now having had big program/ big game experience.
In the later rounds....well, it just depends. In the late second and third round, the Eagles can afford a few stretches before getting back to solid, best-available type players in the 4th and 5th rounds where they've had a more success in the past. 6th and 7th are where the true luck comes in. (Jason Kelce, 6th 2011; Kurt Coleman, 7th 2010). You may find an occasional starter but Tom Brady and Maques Colston are the rarities that get overlooked.
Regardless of past performance, the NFL draft tomorrow will give us hope - hope of finding the next Peyton Manning or Ray Rice or Larry Fitzgerald. There's no such thing as a lock - a lot can go wrong - but the dawning of a new day and hours of analysis and waiting will give us something to talk about for the next 2 weeks or more. Whoever your team is, remember, not every pick will pan out. Even the geniuses only get it right some of the time. Follow me on Twitter tomorrow night during the draft for commentary on the picks and other analysis: @DomsDish
As I look back on the time away I realize that putting these together takes more time than I have. I may not pump one out a week, but I will make the time for you my readers to get some of the information you need to keep abreast in sports over the next few months. With 2 sports in playoff mode, one just getting started, and another always having something to talk about, plus those other sports, they'll be plenty for me to comment on. I promise to add more humor and pump these out faster.
Around the Balls:
White-stitched- The Yankees made a pretty big trade this off-season for a rising pitcher. Michael Pineda was big and strong in Seattle, then he arrived in NY as fragile cargo. He's now done for the season with a shoulder injury - a labrum tear (same injury Drew Brees had many years ago) - and will have surgery in the near future. I am being told by medical experts and baseball guru's that the throwing shoulder is an important part of a pitcher's mechanics. Who knew? $200 M plus for the team's payroll yet again - the starting rotation may be suspect, but at least the Yanks can hit...well except Yu Darvish. Cheer up Yanks fans, Andy Pettite is on his way to save the day. The year is 2002, right? No? Could be worse, could be the BoSox.
Big-brown-oblong- With all the draft talk in place and up above, "News" broke that Andrew Luck would be the 1st pick of the Colts in this year's draft. Anyone remember "Suck for Luck"? One thing is for certain - under the "New Deal" Luck will not be receiving Matt Stafford money - 6 for $72M. The Colts, who have been handcuffed in recent years by their big name players: Manning, Wayne, Freeney or Harrison, now just have Freeney and some cap numbers. Can lightning strike twice and will Andrew Luck be the full time rookie starter that Manning once was? Let's just hope Winston 6-sack Justice is not the one protecting his left side. With all the turnover in that franchise, they've got to be better than last year's 2-14 record, right? Right??
Be sure to follow me on Twitter @domsdish for breaking news from the Insiders I follow, and anecdotal information on subject ranging from sports and national news to NJ, comedy, music, life with kids, and of course, #asparaguspee.
