Lions/Bucs Draft Trade NOT Official

All day yesterday, there was a buzz online that the Lions traded their #2 draft pick to the Bucs for their #4 pick.

This likely could STILL happen but I figure it wouldn't until at least draft day (to see who the Raiders select with their top pick). The Bucs REALLY want to grab Calvin Johnson, and if he is available look for this trade to happen then.

As of right now, this is NOT official. No trade has formally happened. I was just watching Adam Schefter on the NFL network and by no means has this trade happened, at least not YET!

As I do, Schefter things this deal will go down if CJ is available. This is the guy Gruden wants, and is talked about as the best overall player in this years draft.

Rangers Trash Thrashers

The NY rangers are 1 game away to moving along in the post season and by the looks of the way Atlanta is playing this will be sooner than later.

Atlanta simply looks outmatched. Which is odd given the star-studded cast on Atlanta's roster. The Rangers just DESTROYED them last night with a 7-0 final.

It appears Atlanta will be the first team eliminated from the NHL Post-season. Let's see who the Rangers will play (talk about counting chickens before they hatch) :)

Until next time,

Brady Quinn vs JaMarcus Russell

There has been a HUGE debate on the forums as to WHO is the top QB in this years draft.

Brady Quinn or JaMarcus Russell

A lot of people Quinn will be a bust before he even takes a snap, while Russell gets all the praise for his huge game potential, cannon of an arm and is also a very accurate passer.

Everyone things Brady Quinn cannot win the big game and is going to be another Joey Harrington.

Well... like usual, I have to completely disagree.

In my opinion, Brady Quinn is MORE NFL ready than what JaMarcus Russell is.

Quinn played for Charlie Weis at ND and played in a very advanced NFL style offense. He is also very smart and didn't have a ton of talent around him. I strongly feel he will succeed in the NFL even though many people will likely disagree. I remember a few years ago, that Peyton Manning "could never win the big game" and "don't have the know-how to succeed in the NFL". Sounds pretty familiar.

There is no denying the physical tools that Russell has... but whos to say he won't be the next Culpepper or Leftwich? Both of these guys are often injured and their careers put in jeopardy, despite being very young. I've watched the video's of Russell and his passes look INCREDIBLE! Really dead-on.

The other options, whos to say BOTH of these QB's won't be stars in the NFL. I am always a big believer of innocent till guilty.... and these two gentleman hasn't even taken a professional (NFL) snap and there is already a big controversy.

I'm just going to go ahead and say BOTH of these guys succeed and both become NFL stars for whoever they end up with. The talent is there, the know-how is there and as long as the coaching is there at the next level, these kids will be fine!

I'd love to hear your opinions on Quinn and Russell... who you think will go where and why! Just as a stab in the dark (or from my Mock drafts) :) I'll say Quinn goes to the Browns and Russell drops to 6th (and the Dolphins trade up and snag him).

You can check my 2007 NFL draft predictions here.

2007 NFL Draft Predictions - 11 through 20

Last time I wrote about my 2007 nfl draft predictions (top 10) in this years up and coming draft! With less than 2 weeks away, it is very exciting to see who the next big stars will be in the NFL and who will end up where. All the speculation and hype can now be finished!

Without further a due, here are my picks for 11-20.

11. San Francisco 49ers Selects Alan Branch, Michigan

Why?: Branch is a HUGE tackle that will fit Mike Nolan's 3-4 scheme perfectly. He can be used as a rookie and be there for years to come. Everyone needs to stop the run, why not have this guy who would be the highest ranking left on the board at this time.

12. Buffalo Bills Selects Patrick Willis, Mississippi

Why?: The Bills just lost London-Fletcher, and Willis is the best middle LB in the draft. This guy is also a tackling machine! I figure the Bills have too many needs to not choose this guy.

13. St. Louis Rams Selects Adam Carriker, Nebraska

Why?: St. Louis needs help on Defense and a pass rusher is just what they need. It maybe temping to take someone like Leon Hall here, since their secondary problems are definitely still there. However, I think there are better CB's they could potentially take in the later rounds so I like Carriker here.

14. Carolina Panthers Selects Greg Olsen, Miami

Why?: Will give Carolina the best TE in the draft and take some pressure off Keyshawn and Steve Smith. He could end up being one of the better TE's in the league. The Panthers also could go for a LB here but I think the talent of Olsen is more than enough to take him here (especially given there is really only 2 high profile TE's in the draft).

15. Pittsburgh Steelers Selects Ted Ginn JR, Ohio State

Why?: Ginn is a speed wagon and would bring a lot of energy to the special teams. He would also make a great 2nd or 3rd WR. Pittsburgh is set at Running Back with Willie Parker, but still need a deep threat since Burress and Randle El has departed.

16. Green Bay Packers Selects Marshawn Lynch, California

Why?: Green Bay lost long time RB Green to the Houston Texans and it is time to draft a solid RB to fill the hole. Lynch is the 2nd best RB in the draft and although someone like Nelson would be interesting, I think RB or WR would be a far more pressing need. They also could decide to take someone like Dwayne Bowe or Robert Meachem.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars Selects Reggie Nelson, Florida

Why?: Deon Grant is gone and Safety is a very pressing need for the Jags. They need a starter in which Nelson should be able to give them for many years to come. They have taken RBs and WR's in the past few drafts using their higher picks, I think this year it will be time to address the defense.

18. Cincinati Bengals Selects Leon Hall, Michigan

Why?: A lot of draft boards have Leon Hall closer to the top 10 mark, however I feel he slips due to other defensive players going first. It is hard to judge if someone is going to be a great cover in the NFL, so most teams are a bit sceptical to spend a first round pick here. I think Hall is a good choice for the Bengals who are in deep need for a quality CB, and Hall appears to have the most talent out of the group.

19. Tennesse Titans Selects Robert Meachem, Tennesse

Why?: Tennesse just spent their 1st rounder last year on Vince Young so they now need someone to catch the ball he throws. Meachem is one of the best quality WRs in the draft and will make the Titans a better team. A home boy like Meachem is just what they need.

20. N.Y Giants Selects Paul Poslusnzy, Penn State

Why?: The Giants have a glaring need for a LB, especially given LaVar Arrington was a bust last season. This will solidify their LB position for many years to come.

Tomorrow, Ill post my remaining 2007 NFL draft predictions, the end of round one(21-32)! In two weeks, we'll see if they come true! :)

Until next time,

Battered Blue Jays

The Blue Jays are hurtin and bad.

Today, Toronto announced that both closer BJ Ryan and 3rd baseman Troy Glaus will be on the DL. Ryan is expected to miss four to six weeks.

This is a huge blow for a team who already lost Reed Johnson. Ryan's sprained elbow ligament is similar to the one A.J Burnett and Gustavo Chacin suffered last season.

For now, the Jays will move Jason Frasor to the closers role, Adam Lind is called up to replace Reed Johnson (and looked impressive in his first game yesterday), as well as McDonald and Smith sharing duties at 3rd.

Injuries are always apart of it. Right now the Red Sox look like the toughest in the division (mainly due to these injuries to both the Yankees and Blue Jays). It'll be interesting to see how this series with Boston goes tomorrow.

Virgina Tech Massacare SHOCKS the United States

I wish I had better news to report today, but this is just shocking and terrible to say the least!

From ABC.com... Virginia Tech officials say as many as 29 people are dead after a gunman opened fire on campus.This is viewed as one of the most horrific school shootings in U.S History.

I want to pass along my deepest sympathy and condolences to all the people of the community and to all the families who may have lost their loved ones in this tragic event. This is truly a sad and horrible day for American history, one that I wish we could all avoid.

New York Yankees Sports Information - Pavano and Mussina Join Wang on DL

Here is some New York Yankees Sports Information that will make people in the Big Apple cringe.

If it wasn't enough that Chien-Ming Wang started this season on the DL, the New York Yankees also lost two more starters due to injury. New York's pitching staff is severely depleted, and having lost 3 starters now is surely not going to make things any easier.

The Yankees need to invest in some young, strong pitching studs like Philip Hughes. Why the Yankees are still going with the "Carl Pavano crash test dummy" experiment is seriously beyond me! This guy has been injured every single year after signing mega-bucks to become a Yankee and has absolutely nothing to show for it. It is time to move on.

The Yankee trade rumor mill will surely be flaring for starting pitching help at this rate... I believe it is just a matter of time.

My Top Ten - 2007 NFL Draft Predictions

Hi everyone,

With the NFL draft just a very quick 1 week and 5 days away I wanted to post my 2007 nfl draft predictions for this year.

Tomorrow Ill post who I think will go 11-20 and then 21-32.

Here we go!

1. Oakland Raiders Select Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech

Why?: There are many reasons why I feel this would happen, mostly because apparently the Raiders are HUGE on this guy (and why wouldn't they be)? Johnson is the best WR prospect that has come out in the last decade. He has all the tools and will no doubt be a huge star in the NFL. The Raiders had Johnson ranked a 10 BEFORE they met with him. From what I hear, he only made an even better impression. Look for the Raiders to snag Drew Stanton with their no 33 pick overall (2nd rounder).

2. Detroit Lions Select Joe Thomas, Wisconsin

Why?: Detroit's main problem last year wasn't their QB. In fact, Jon Kitna even played pretty decent for the Lions given what he had to work with. The issue in Detroit is they cannot protect the Quarterback. There's a chance they could take a QB or Defensive phenom like Gaines Adams here, especially after signing some offensive linemen in the offseason but I think Thomas is just too good to pass up.

3. Cleveland Browns Select Brady Quinn, ND

Why?: YIKES! You all must be shocked! The Browns will take Quinn over RUSSELL? Have you lost your mind?? No, not really. The reason why I think the Browns would take Quinn over Russell is because Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis are close. Quinn played for Weis in ND and was his guy. Now he could be Crennel's guy. Brady Quinn also played in a "NFL style" offense in college, so you can argue he is more ready for the NFL than Russell is. In addition to all this, Brady Quinn has been a Browns fan all his life growning up and management wants them to take a home-school QB that the franchise can have for the next 10 years.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select Gaines Adams, Clemson

Why?: At 6-5, and 260 he is big defensive end that would be the eventual replacement for Simeon Rice and the Tampa Bay defense needs an some of youth. Adams should be a star and would only help the Bucs.

5. Arizona Cardnials Select Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas

Why?: Arguably the second best DE in the draft, the Cards really have not much to work with on Defense. Now that their QB is settled with Leinhart and they have 2 of the better WR duo you could ask for, it's time to address the defense. They may be tempted to take Levi Brown as their franchise LT, or trade back and still get him if they think that's their guy.

6. Washington Trades no. 6 to Miami Dolphins for no. 9 pick and no 60 (from Patriots). Miami selects JaMarcus Russell, Louisiana State

Why?: Miami makes this trade if Russell is still on the board. This would get them the QB they DESPERATELY need and after trading for Trent Green (Which seems to be well on its way) will give them a solid QB situation for many, many years. They would have to give up a 2nd rounder (from the Pats) in order to make this happen according to the point system. If Cleveland decides to take Russell instead of Quinn which is always possible, then Miami could jump up and grab Quinn.

7. Minnesota Vikings Select Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma

Why?: I realize this doesn't make much sense given Chester Taylor is a great RB and was very effective with the Vikings last year. Still, you can never have too many good Running backs and having a two-back duo has been popular in recent years (look at the Saints). Peterson is an outstanding back and I can't see him slipping past the top 10. Remember, the Saints still took Reggie Bush with the no. 2 overall pick when they had Deuce.

8. Atlanta Falcons Select LaRon Landry, Louisiana State

Why?: Landry is a very quality safety and something the Falcons need. They could elect to take a DE here (like Okeye) as well but I think safety is far more of a pressing need, especially given the talent of Landry. He should be a day 1 starter, is easily the best safety in the draft and should make an immediate impact with the club.

9. Washington Redskins (from Miami) Selects Amobi Okoye, Louisville

Why?: This kid is only 19 years old which still blows my mind. He is a great talent, and so raw that he can really turn out to be something special in this league. I don't figure he'll last past the top 10 and the Redskins should pounce all over him.

10. Houston Texans Select Levi Brown, Penn State

Why?: They just traded for Matt Schaub but there is no one to protect the Quarterback. If no one could protect David Carr, what makes you think they can protect Schaub any better? They need a franchise LT which Brown could give them.

So these are my 2007 nfl draft predictions, and some are far different than the "experts" I admit! Still, in my opinion I think this has just as good of a chance to happen as anything! It's completely up in the air and thats why I LOVE draft day and the NFL. Truly, absolutely anything can happen in this game we know and love.

Stop back soon to see 11-20, and please post your own Mock draft and comments!!

Many People are Asking... WHY are the Miami Dolphins About to Acquire Trent Green?

In case you haven't heard, the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins are in very substantial talks in a long discussed trade, to send QB Trent Green to Miami. Everywhere I look, on forums, comments, emails, you name it, the general feeling is WHY!??!

Why would Miami surrender a draft pick for a 37 year old QB, when they haven't had a reliable starting QB since Dan Marino retired.

The answer to this is SO SIMPLE please let me try to explain!

Last year we traded a 2nd round draft pick for Daunte Culpepper. Nick Saban made this trade, not Cameron, so really Cameron owes nothing. After the training camp Miami just had this past weekend, Culpepper could not even RIDE A BIKE! Think about that for the second. If you were the coach, and your player's knee (who arguably plays one of the most important positions) was so bad that he had to use a stationary bike and couldn't play in any of the mini camps, do you think the coach would have confidence that you'll recover in two short months? Let alone learn a new offense on the field by the time the regular season opens.

The short answer is 'no', and Cameron knows it. Why Trent Green? Who else is available? We could have went after David Carr (who's to say we didn't) but then you have the argument that you're getting someone else's castoffs. Jimmy Johnson has always said, NEVER trade or pick up other teams castoffs to try to build around. It simply doesn't work. Frankly no one knows how good David Carr is because he played for such a horrible team, still he is very unproven.

Trent Green is a pro-bowler, thrown for 3000 and 4000 yards many many a times in his career and is very smart, reads defenses well and most importantly is the PERFECT mentor. He also knows Cameron's system and is very familiar with QB coach Terry Shea from his days in KC. Do you want Daunte teaching a rookie QB, when the guy can not even get on the field himself? Trent Green is a stop gap, he'll start this year and if Miami is close to the playoffs he'll play the entire year. Next year (or the year after, whenever he's ready) the new QB we draft, whether its Quinn, Stanton, Edwards, Russell or whoever Cameron likes the most, they'll ACTUALLY be ready to go. They'll have a smart, older vet to show them the ropes.

Why everyone thinks "Trent Green is the be all and end all" of the dolphins blows my mind. It's not like they'll give in to the Chiefs and trade a 2nd rounder... I figure they'll settle on a 4th rounder but whatever they decide to do I'd rather have a healthy Trent Green grooming my QB and running the offense than a injured Culpepper, who might I add will make about 6.8 million this year (5.5 in salary, 1.3 in bonus money IIRC). I realize Green missed a lot of games last year due to a concussion, but this kind of injury is no where near what Culpepper sustained. Trent green injury history apart from that is pretty spectacular in recent years.

All my two cents on the matter of course, I would love to hear what other people think of the trade after seeing the other side of it (and hopefully what Dolphins management are thinking too). I really have faith in Cameron and has ability to change around this team. We are going in the right direction, just be patient (Raise your hand if you said this when Saban was hired as I may have). :)

Take care, and until next time!

Blue Jays Put Ryan on 15 Day DL

The Toronto Blue Jays announced today that closer BJ Ryan will go on the 15-day DL list due to a "sprained" elbow.

According to ESPN, Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi told them on Sunday that he doesn't necessarily believe Ryan blew out his elbow. The Blue Jays medical staff is "leaning more toward a strained tendon," Ricciardi said.

This happened just one day after Ryan had a meltdown against the Tigers, giving up 4 runs and a blown save in the 10-7 loss. Ryan only blew 4 saves all of last year.

Hopefully this isn't a serious issue, he's a great closer! I was a big fan of this signing when it happened and I think he'll be back and stronger than ever. Now, if only Josh Towers can pitch every game like he pitched today, then maybe the Toronto Blue Jays go to world series! :)

Until next time!