Bleacher Report - Articles by scott serles

NBA Draft 2008: GM For a Day

scott serles — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:30:57 -0400

On the eve of the NBA Draft, I was given the assignment of what I would do if I was in charge of the War Room.

Quite simple, really. I would trade young, unproven commodities for The Big Ticket (Kevin Garnett) and Jesus Shuttlesworth (Ray Allen). No, but in all seriousness, the NBA Draft is absolutely the biggest crapshoot in all of the four major sports.

College All-American players eventually end up starring in Greece, high school phenoms rule the league, wasted draft picks on European players that are soft and sometimes unknown college role players become the final cog that catapults a contender into a World Champion.

This draft will be no different than any other. ...

There are only seven players in this year's crop that I feel have an NBA-ready game and really popped off the screen last year in college.

If I was GM of any NBA franchise, (preferably the Lakers) here is how I would rank them on my draft board. Remember, as you read this, I am the same guy who said the Lakers blew it by trading for Pau Gasol instead of Jason Kidd, so my credibility may come into question.

1. Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis—Will one day challenge Chris Paul as the NBA's best point guard.

2. O.J. Mayo, SG, USC—Will be a better pro than collegian; his game is special.

3. Micheal Beasley, PF, Kansas St.—May not be ever be 20/10 guy, but has the skills to dominate at the next level.

4. Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana—10-time NBA All-Star and may be considered the elite player from this draft.

5. Bill Walker, SF, Kansas St.—If he is fully recovered from nagging knee injuries and regains his explosiveness, he could develop into a dangerous NBA scorer.

6. Brandon Rush, SF, Kansas—A slasher, he will become the Rush brother we thought the other two would be.

7. Jamont Gordon, PG, Mississippi St.—6'4" college point guard; will probably be a 2 in the pros.

The rest of the names called tomorrow night are just guys. Guys who will linger in the D-League or Turkey or ride the bench for the Clippers.

Remember how great J.J. Reddick and Adam Morrison were in college? Do any of you remember Chris Washburn? He was the guy selected third in the 1986 NBA Draft, right after Len Bias.

For every Allen Iverson, there is a Michael Olowokandi; for every Kobe Bryant, there is a Jonathan Bender.

So if Rose, Mayo, Beasley and Eric Gordon are gone when it is my turn to pick, and if it is too early to reach and select Rush, Walker or Jamont Gordon, I am trading my first-round pick and two journeyman veterans to the Denver Nuggets for Allen Iverson, who is in the final year of his deal, so that he can get his ring.

I would also look into making a deal with Minnesota for Sebastian Telfair, whom I thought at times last year looked like he was ready to become a solid NBA point guard. Don't believe me? Look at his stats.

Oh yeah, and I would bring back Penny Hardaway.

—Scott Serles

NFL Late Round Gems and Priority Free Agents

scott serles — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:51:46 -0400

I was simply going to title this article "Marcus Vick," but I am having a hard enough time getting anybody to read what I wrote as it is.

Then I thought about calling it "The Oakland Raiders Suck!" so I will be guaranteed at least 3,500 views on Bleacher Report, which is funny because the bulk of my articles involve the St. Louis Rams, a team that has won a championship in the last 10 years. Call me bitter...

So this article is simply called "NFL Late Round Gems and Priority Free Agents"—another list by yours truly of 10 players who will either be late round draft picks or undrafted priority free agents who I believe could one day end up in Honolulu.

A little background about myself first. I have sat glued to the TV since I was seven years old watching the NFL Draft. Every year it seems I wait and wait for that one college player who I think could make a difference in the NFL. I wait and I wait and I wait...You get the picture.

The first time I remember this happening was in the mid-80's, waiting for Oklahoma Sooner option quarterback and all around bad-ass Jamelle Holieway to be drafted. It never happened. I was young and naive at the time, but I really believed there was a place in the NFL for an option QB. I still think he would have been a great punt returner.

A bit more recently, I waited for former Ohio State wide receiver Ken-Yon Rambo to be selected. I honestly didn't think I was going to wait all that long. Heck, The Sporting News even had him going in the first round in their annual draft guide's mock draft. He went in the seventh.

In 2006, it was Marcus Vick. I thought Vick was a good college quarterback and I still believe he could make it as a returner or a receiver in the NFL, but the guy simply can't stay out of trouble.

Last year Notre Dame running back Darius Walker declared early for the draft and wound up undrafted. He did end up signing with Houston and he actually played pretty well down the stretch for the Texans.

So here is my list. I believe all 10 of these players to be decent pro prospects, but for one reason or another they will go undrafted or picked right before Mr. Irrelevant himself.

A quick reminder: Kurt Warner, Tony Romo, Willie Parker and Green Bay Packers surprise Ryan Grant all went undrafted.

1. Tony Temple, RB, Missouri

Temple will get overlooked because of his measurables and his lack of breakaway speed, although he was a very productive college back.

In this year's Cotton Bowl against Arkansas, Temple saved his best performance for last, breaking the Cotton Bowl record for yards gained in a single game. Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were the marquee names, but Temple ran away with the show.

Temple's hard-nosed running style might get him a look on draft day, but his lack of elite speed tells me that I shouldn't hold my breath. I will probably end up scouring that section in the newspaper that lists NFL transactions and free agent signing a few days after the draft has concluded.

2. Darnell Jenkins, WR, Miami

In the tradition of Rambo, Vick, and Darius Walker, this guy is the reason I will be watching the entire draft. Jenkins is a personal favorite whose toughness and game speed should warrant a late round pick.

However, a 2006 knee injury, a pedestrian 40 time, and a few dropped passes may cause a few teams to take him off their draft boards.

Big mistake.

Critics argue that he wasn't a very productive college receiver, but did anyone notice who was throwing him the ball during his tenure at "The U?" Kyle Wright, Kirby Freeman, and Brock Berlin. Those three would make Wes Welker look unproductive.

I pray that Jenkins is a Ram by the end of April 27, 2008.

3. Zackary Bowman, CB, Nebraska

This guy was a first round lock before tearing his ACL in 2006 and his patellar tendon last season. Now, it looks as if he could go undrafted altogether.

If Bowman is fully recovered, he has the size, instincts, and quickness to be a shut down NFL corner...but that is a big if.

There will be a team out there who takes a flyer on him on potential alone, and if (there is that word if again) he is at 100 percent, I could see him playing in Hawaii at the Pro-Bowl one day.

4. Shannon Boatman, OT, Florida State

The guy is massive, 6-foot-6, 320 lbs. and is very strong at the point of attack. With all of the terrible offensive lineman who suited up for NFL teams last season, the Rams alone started such notables the likes of Brandon Gorin, Claude Terrell, Milford Brown, and Nick Leckey. All of them at the same time during a few games last season, hence the 3-13 record.

If those four clowns can earn an NFL check, somebody is going to have to give this monster of man a roster spot. Now it is a question of just how badly he wants it, which is the reason why he may be selected so late in the first place.

5. Louis Rankin, RB, Washington

I have always been impressed with Rankin's speed and his hands out of the backfield. When he ran it often times looked like the opposing defenders were running in slow motion. He glides.

The one concern I have is that he played in the Pac-10, a notoriously week conference in terms of defense. So is he really that good or were the other teams' defenses just that bad?

Regardless, he will probably go undrafted. He is not very strong and kind of reminds me of the football version of JD Drew in terms of playing hurt.

With that said, I think he could end up being an excellent kick returner for some team down the road. Preferably a Midwestern team who wears blue and gold with horns on their helmets. Anyway I digress.

6. Brandon Coutu, PK, Georgia

Kickers rarely get much love on draft day, but a good kicker can sometimes be the difference between your team being 10-6 in the playoffs or 8-8 playing golf.

Ask the 2006 Rams, who went 8-8 and were beat twice by last second field goals from Seahawk kicker Josh Brown.

Coutu was clutch for the Bulldogs, every year it seemed like he made the long field goal to ice the game for Georgia.

Rarely do I pay attention to kickers—most of us don't. Coutu really stood out in my mind when I think of great college kickers. Come to think of it, besides Mike Nugent of Ohio State fame who now kicks for the Jets and Steve Christie (William & Mary), Coutu is the only collegiate place kicker I can remember.

(As a side note, Josh Brown was recently signed by the Rams to be their kicker.)

7. Glen Sharpe, CB, Miami

It seems to me that Sharpe had been at Miami for a decade. He has had a ton of injuries (knee, hamstring), but when he was on the field, it looked like he had NFL potential.

Sharpe has good size to match up against the bigger NFL receivers and the closing speed to gamble and cover the Steve Smith's of the world. To me, he is the prototypical NFL corner.

On draft day, the injury concerns will raise a red flag and Sharpe may go undrafted. If he can catch on with a team where he can eventually end up on the practice squad and be taught the nuances of the position, Sharpe could end up a solid pro.

8. Jack Ikegwuonu, CB, Wisconsin

"Ike" as he is known as to Badger fans and local police alike, had the misfortune of tearing his ACL after declaring for the draft. That incident, coupled with an arrest and a criminal case pending for a burglary charge, has sent this one-time first round pick spiraling down draft boards.

When healthy and not behind bars, Ike was one of the premier corners in the country. Because of that talent I could see a team on draft day rolling the dice on Ike.

Heck, even Jimmy Johnson once gambled on Cecil "The Diesel" Collins on draft day. I imagine someone will give Ike a look and, if they are patient,(hopefully they don't have to be too patient, like a three to five year bid patient), he could one day end up with Bowman in the Pro-Bowl.

9. Kirk Barton, OT, Thee Ohio State University

Did you honestly think you were going to make it through one of my lists without me mentioning a Buckeye? (By the way they signed Terrelle Pryor, so sorry Michigan.) Anyway, Barton was a four-year starter at an elite college program; he will get some looks.

Barton's weakness is his footwork, which is slow and was exposed in the National Championship game against Florida. He will need time to develop and may be a practice squad player his rookie year. A move to guard may also be beneficial.

With the lack of offensive line depth league-wide, Barton should carve out a nice niche for himself somewhere in the NFL. He is just going to have to wait a while to hear his name on draft day, if he hears it at all.

10. Brent Schaeffer, QB, Ole Miss

I don't know if this guy is on any NFL team's radar, but he should be. For those of you who don't remember Schaeffer, a.k.a. "Little Vick", he was once the starting quarterback at the University of Tennessee, where he started as a freshman and was considered one of the most exciting players in the county. During his brief stint at Tennessee, he was actually ahead of the Vols Erik Ainge on the depth chart when they were both true freshman.

An on-campus fracas got him booted from the Volunteers and he ended up playing at a JUCO, eventually becoming the prize recruit for newly crowned Rebels head coach Ed Orgeron at Ole Miss.

For two seasons at Ole Miss, Schaeffer played behind an awful O-line and was never able to show the promise he displayed at Tennessee. He was even briefly benched last season in favor of Seth Adams. Seth Adams?!

With quarterback play in the NFL at an all-time low, teams are falling over themselves to sign Gus Frerotte. Schaeffer's mobility and laser arm could surprise more than a few NFL teams in desperate need of a QB.

If Kordell Stewart could start in the NFL, and with some team likely to draft Erik Ainge, someone should take a serious look at #7. He is better than both of them ever were or are ever going to be.

He most likely will end up in the AFL or Canada, but I will be watching every pick glued to the TV, just like I have for every draft since I was seven, hoping someone will call out his name.

Scott Serles

St. Louis Rams' Seven Round Mock Draft

scott serles — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 06:21:45 -0400

Being a Rams fan this time of year is usually very painful. The Rams executives in charge of the draft have notoriously made some terrible draft picks. In this decade alone the Rams have selected in the first round in “suck”cession—Trung Candidate (2000), Damione Lewis, Adam Archuleta, and Ryan Pickett (2001), Robert Thomas (2002), Jimmy Kennedy (2003), Alex Barron (2005), and Tye Hill (2006).

The only standout came from the 2004 Draft with the selection of franchise running back Steven Jackson. And it is too early to say whether last year’s first round pick Adam Carriker, will become a solid NFL pro or become another bust like the aforementioned bums. All of these recent draft nightmares got me to thinking who I would take if I were in charge of the Rams War Room. So for all you Rams fans out there here is whom I would take if I were given the keys to the franchise.

First Round: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State

The Rams need to add another pass-rusher opposite Leonard Little. Little, who is 34 and recovering from off-season toe surgery, has had a stellar NFL career since being drafted by the Rams in the third round out of Tennessee. But besides Little, the Rams have such notables as Victor Adeanyju and Eric Moore to man the right defensive end position. Gholston, who I favor at this point over Virginia DE Chris Long, has the ability to get to the quarterback and make plays. After an outstanding career with the Buckeyes, Gholston has really opened scouts eyes with his performance at the Combine and at his Pro Day in Columbus.

The knock on Gholston is that he tends to take plays off and is a bit raw in regards to his technique. Some will argue that the Rams should take a Long, (Chris or Jake) or perhaps Glen Dorsey. But I think that Gholston is more of a playmaker than Chris Long is at this point. He embarrassed Jake Long for a sack this season when the Buckeyes played Michigan, and Glen Dorsey’s injuries has forced me to re-evaluate the top prospects and send Gholston skyrocketing up draft boards and end up with the Rams at pick number two.

Second Round: Branden Albert, OG, Virginia

Imagine the Rams surprise when Virginia OG Branden Albert falls into their laps at pick #33. The Rams up to that point probably had a wide receiver penciled in for the second round or possibly even a cornerback. I am thinking Mario Manningham or Justin King, but Albert is too good to pass up.

The Rams offensive line was decimated last season by injury and depth on the line is a priority for the Rams heading into the draft. And although the Rams signed Jacob Bell in free agency to play guard, the selection of Albert allows starting right guard Richie Incognito to slide over and play center, the position he played in college.

If Albert happens to be scooped up before pick 33, I would then consider taking a receiver, Manningham, Michigan State’s Devin Thomas and LSU’s Early Doucet should all be available and capable of one day filling the shoes of future Hall of Fame receiver Isaac Bruce, but…

Third Round: Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech

…the reason I was able to pass on a receiver in the second round and take the best guard in the draft was because I was gambling that Virginia Tech speedster Eddie Royal would be available. Royal is a threat to score every time the ball is in his hands. His speed and his playmaking ability were the two primary factors on why I passed up some of his more accomplished contemporaries at the receiver position.

Royal is also a dangerous return man a luxury that the Rams have lacked since Tony Horne skipped town in 2000. Under Torry Holt’s tutelage, Royal should improve as a route runner, which will allow him to optimize his speed and create space. With the addition of Al Saunders as Rams offensive coordinator, Royal could be used in various creative ways to get more involved in the offense. Ultimately, I envision him developing into a legitimate No.1 Receiver in the NFL, in the Steve Smith (Carolina) mold.

Fourth Round: Tommy Blake, DE, TCU

Going into his senior season Blake was regarded as a top twenty-five prospect. After being diagnosed as bi-polar and seeing his weight balloon from 255 to 287, Blake’s stock has taking a hit, falling all the way to the Rams at the beginning of Round Four.

The lack of depth at defensive end and Blake’s pure talent give me enough reason to take a flyer on Blake. At 3-13 the Rams are not in a position to pass up someone with his potential. If he plays up to his ability, Blake coupled with Gholston could wreak havoc on NFL quarterbacks for years. If he reverts back to his senior season form, he ends up in the trash heap pile with the rest of wasted potential the Rams have exhausted a draft pick on. (See Claude Wroten, Eric Crouch, and Lawrence Phillips)

Fifth Round: Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii

Rams starting quarterback Marc Bulger took a beating last season behind a patchwork offensive line. The team signed 38-year-old Trent Green, who is coming back from a series of concussions that ended his season early in Miami, to be his back up. The third string QB is Brock Berlin, who hasn’t been a good signal caller since high school. Maybe we could sign Joe Germaine, who’s tearing up the AFL to come back and suit up for the Rams? Simply put, the Rams need to develop a young quarterback, as either an insurance policy for Bulger or somebody to one day take over the reins as the starter.

Colt Brennan is an intriguing prospect, before the Sugar Bowl against Hawaii; he was regarded as a first day NFL draft pick. After that game, questions about the level of competition he consistently played against and that fact that he played in June Jones’ high-powered offense caused his stock to slip in the eyes of many. What caught my attention in regards to Brennan were his live arm and his moxie. The kid has confidence and is a talented thrower. I would be anxious to see if he could develop under the guidance of Al Saunders and head coach Scott Linehan, who was a college quarterback himself. I firmly believe that Michigan’s Chad Henne is the premier QB of this class, but I would have had to step up and probably take him at pick #33 in the second round, so I believe Brennan in the fifth to be a nice consolation prize.

Sixth Round: Jamie Silva, FS, Boston College

The Rams two starting safeties last season, Corey Chavous and O.J. Atogwe are awful tacklers. While both possess above average ball skills, the number of missed tackles alone has led me to take Jamie Silva in the sixth Round. When I would watch BC play last season, Silva’s play made me stand up and take notice. While his college teammate, Matt Ryan got all the pub; I feel it was Silva who at times was the best player to suit up for Boston College.

Silva is a strong tackler who is always around the ball. I don’t envision him starting right away, but he can make the team with strong special teams play and should eventually blossom under the coaching of defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. But most likely he will end up on the practice squad, the Rams recently re-signed veteran safety Jerome Carter to back up Chavous and Atogwe and Ron Bartell can play either the safety or the cornerback position. Silva will definitely have to make his presence felt on special teams during the pre-season to make this squad.

Sixth Round (from Denver): Darnell Jenkins, WR, Miami (Fla)

I have to admit that Jenkins was one of my favorite players in college football last season. He possesses the toughness to go over the middle and plays a lot faster than his timed speed at the Combine and at his Pro-Day (4.57). A 2006 knee injury, slow 40 times and a couple of dropped balls last season are the reasons why he is available for the Rams to take in the 6^th Round.

Jenkins could develop into a nice slot receiver and he will bring his toughness to a receiving corpse that has been labeled “soft” and “finesse” by many around the NFL for years. As great as Holt and Bruce are, both of them will avoid contact at all cost after the catch, not Jenkins, he plays with courage, which was no doubt influenced by his tough upbringing as a kid in the Miami area of Liberty City.

I look for Jenkins, not right away, but someday to be a player like they had in Az Hakim and what they thought they had in Shaun McDonald. I know some of this is coming across as biased, but I am not the only one who holds Jenkins in high regards, his teammates at “The U” voted him team MVP. Enough said.

Seventh Round: Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise St.

Scandrick is a raw talent that was worth taking a look at in the seventh round. His speed is what is so intriguing to me about him, 4.33 timed 40 at the Combine will get him drafted by someone, and the Rams need cornerback help.

Fakhir Brown is a solid NFL corner, not a shut down corner, but a legitimate starter; the starter on the opposite side, Tye Hill is injury prone, too short and honestly not very good. I can’t believe the Rams took Hill over Antonio Cromartie in the ’06 Draft. Ron Bartell is a serviceable back up who plays well when given the opportunity to start. Last year’s third round pick, Jonathan Wade has yet to show the coaching staff that he is ready to handle the nickel back duties full-time. With Mike Martz, now in San Francisco and Arizona’s arsenal of weapons, cornerback play could decide the NFC West.

You might ask me, if I felt so strongly about the cornerback position, why didn’t I address this need till the seventh round?

The answer is simple, if I was truly in charge of the Rams draft, I would have traded our second round pick, #33 overall to the Atlanta Falcons for cornerback D’Angelo Hall. The Falcons would probably end up selecting Michigan quarterback Chad Henne with the 33^rd pick, which would really get under my skin if skin if I controlled the War Room.

So I would like to thank you for allowing to indulge myself and once again play fantasy GM, I am quite sure there will be a score of you who disagree immensely, but I would still stick with the 8 guys who I have touched on.

Any of you who suggest that the Rams should take Jake Long in the first round will be kicking yourself five years from now when he is suiting up for the Ottawa Roughriders of the CFL. I am only kidding, but I still think he is just ok.

Scott Serles

Top Ten Players for the 2009 NFL Draft

scott serles — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:40:20 -0500

As I'm watching countless hours of game film to compose my 2008 Mock Draft, I caught a glimpse of the future.

Here are my top ten draft eligible college football players for the 2009 Draft.

1. Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State

Boone probably would have gone late in the first round in this year's draft. Another year in Columbus pushes him to the top of my list.

This 6'8", 330-lb behemoth has the bulk to dominate games in the NFL and on film he seems to display rare athleticism for a man his size. If Jake Long is a top-five selection, Boone goes number one in 2009.

2. Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State

I am going to catch a lot of heat for being a Buckeye fan and projecting two Ohio State players to go this high in the 2009 Draft. But the tape doesn't lie.

Beanie has breakaway speed, power, and most impressively, quick feet that makes him elusive with the ability to cut on a dime. Wells should provide some lucky NFL team with 30 carries a game and average 4.5 ypc. My only concern will be how he holds up health-wise his junior year, because the Buckeyes are going to once again ride him all the way to the Big Ten Championship.

3. Myron Rolle, S, Florida State

I usually don't project safeties to go this high in the draft—although in 2005, I had Sean Taylor as the No. 1 player on my board, but Taylor was the best defensive player I have ever seen play college football. (Too young to have seen LT.)

Anyway, Rolle is the closest thing I have seen to Taylor. Physical, aggressive and a heavy hitter. Some will argue that USC's Safety Taylor Mays is a better pro prospect, but right now Rolle holds the higher grade.

4. Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

Maualuga is explosive and brings the wood every Saturday. He needs to play with more control at the next level and improve in coverage, but he should hear his name called early on Draft Day 2009.

He is probably best suited at MLB in a 4-3 scheme in the pros. His athleticism and instincts should allow Maualuga to have a successful NFL career.

5. Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

There are two receivers I am excited to watch play at the next level—Harvin and Penn State's Derrick Williams. Both of them are prototypes of a new generation of NFL wideouts.

No matter where Harvin lines up in the NFL, offensive coordinators will need to find ways to get the ball in his hands. I would love to see him play for the 49ers and see what Mike Martz could do with his rare athletic ability.

6. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

I know what you're thinking, another Buckeye, but Jenkins would of been a mid first round pick in this year's draft, had he not returned for his senior season.

Jenkins has the size and speed to take on receivers the likes of Randy Moss and Terrell Owens in the NFL. Another year in Columbus, can only improve his draft status.

7. Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma

Loadholt, well he is a load at 6'8" 350 lbs. This is a projection clearly based on upside. If he is able to improve his footwork and show his ability to pass block he could end up as a top ten pick.

Right now Loadholt is a project, but a solid senior season for the Sooners should garner him some attention from the NFL Scouts.

8. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

Smith was a prep legend coming out of Huffman High School in Alabama. Most people consider him the best pro prospect in college right now. Some scouts have said that Smith is the best college offensive lineman to suit up since Orlando Pace. Lofty praise, I know.

While there is no denying Smith's talent and measureables, I still feel that Smith is still a bit raw and needs a solid junior year for the Crimson Tide before he ascends to the top of this list.

9. James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State

Yes, more Buckeyes. "Little Animal" would have been a top 10 selection in 2008, but I am glad he came back for his senior season.

Laurinaitis has some work to do in coverage and probably needs to bulk up some more to be able to withstand the pounding of a 16 game NFL season.

10. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

The 2007 Heisman trophy winner will probably end up being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 Draft. I am still trying to determine whether Tebow is a great QB or simply a system quarterback.

The spread offense is very effective in the college ranks, but nobody runs the spread in the NFL. Another Urban Meyer protege—Alex Smith—ran the spread at Utah and was No. 1 overall in 2005. Smith is now one more poor season away from being labeled a bust by many NFL insiders.

If Tebow is No. 1 overall, then Chase Daniel should go No. 2.

2008 NFL Mock Draft: Who's No. 1?

scott serles — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:15:16 -0500

Composing a mock draft is no easy task. There is plenty of time between now and the end of April for players stock to fluctuate. During this time of year everyone is a draft expert and knows exactly what players their team needs in order to take them to the next level. When compiling a mock draft list, if you don't project the right player for some guy's team there is bound to be backlash.

I have studied tapes of college games I TiVoed over the course of the 2007 college football season. I have watched the college All-Star games and scrutinized NFL teams' depth charts to try and provide fair and balanced analysis for draftniks across the country.

I am sure there will be many out there who will disagree with my projections, but this is the way I see it as of Feb. 21, 2008.

Note that this mock draft is written on the first day of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, so I am sure there are some players on this list that will see their stock rise or fall over the next few months.

1. Miami Dolphins—Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

With Bill Parcells first draft at the helm of the Miami Dolphins, he will look to take a franchise quarterback that the 'Fins have lacked since Dan Marino was setting records in Miami.

Watching tape of Ryan last season, I feel he lacks the arm strength to make all of the NFL throws. He is also interception prone. The Dolphins selected John Beck last year in the second round as their quarterback of the future. Parcells pick here will tell us exactly what he thinks of Beck's talent.

I personally believe that if the Dolphins end up selecting Ryan, he will go down as another quarterback who was picked first overall who never lived up to his lofty draft status. A better move here would be Chris Long, but all signs point to the Dolphins selecting Ryan.

2. St. Louis Rams—Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Fans in St. Louis will rejoice if Miami selects Ryan No. 1 overall. This will give the Rams the option of selecting the best defensive player in the draft. As a lifelong fan of the Rams, draft day has not been very memorable, but the Rams will have a hard time screwing this one up.

The pick is either Long or Glenn Dorsey (rumor has it the Rams brass are very high on him). Long is a once-in-a-generation type player who can change the course of a franchise with his ability to dominate games, ala Reggie White.

I hope to be celebrating after this Rams selection, instead of crying as I do most years.

3.* Atlanta Falcons—Jake Long, OT, Michigan

Atlanta is a franchise that has had a well publicized run of bad luck. With the selection of Jake Long from Michigan, Arthur Blank and company hope to reverse their fortune.

Long will start immediately at right tackle for the Falcons, protecting the blind side of a yet to be determined starting quarterback. Long is an enormous prospect, but I feel he is overvalued if he ends up being selected this high. He is not very athletic—Vernon Gholston, a speed rusher, burned Long for a sack this season.

Long dominated weak competition in the Big Ten which is cause for concern. How the Falcons passing on Darren McFadden will go over with their fans remains to be seen.

4.* Oakland Raiders—Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

Al Davis will think long and hard about selecting Arkansas' Darren McFadden, but the Raiders were soft against the run last season and Sedrick Ellis, not Glenn Dorsey, will end up donning the silver and black next season.

Ellis' stock is skyrocketing up draft boards and I believe when April rolls around he will have replaced Dorsey as the No. 1 DT in the draft. Ellis is quicker and more athletic than Dorsey and plays with a nastiness that is a Raider prerequisite.

With the emergence of Justin Fargas late last season and the subsequent retirement of Warren Sapp, the need for a premier defensive tackle is more glaring than the need for a running back.

5.* Kansas City Chiefs—Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

Imagine the Chiefs surprise when the player that many experts feel is the best player in the draft falls to them at No. 5. Dorsey did not participate in any postseason All-Star games and it looks as if he will be absent during the Combine. He played injured for a better part of the 2007 season and those lasting images will stick in the minds of many player-personnel directors around the NFL.

The Chiefs have many needs on both sides of the ball, but if Dorsey falls, his selection is a no-brainer.

6. New York Jets—Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

I have a feeling that if McFadden slips past the top three selections there will be a flood of trade talk with the team that ends up holding the fourth pick. But if he is available at number six, the Jets would have to take him, wouldn't they?

I realize they have Thomas Jones and Leon Washington on their current roster, but Jones is not getting any younger and Washington is used more in third down situations and as a kick returner where he excels. Ultimately I think that the Jets need a playmaker at receiver like DeSean Jackson, so I could see them trading this pick to move down and get him. But right now, barring any trades, pencil in RUN-DMC.

7. New England Patriots—Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

With Asante Samuels pending free agency and Ellis Hobbs getting burned weekly by opposing receivers, cornerback is a position of need for the AFC Champs. Talib, to me, projects as the No. 1 corner in the draft. This evaluation is not based solely on his performance in the bowl game versus Virginia Tech.

I paid particular attention to Talib all season. I live in Missouri and was able to catch several Kansas games on TV this season and Talib was the best player on the field in every game I caught, except the game against Missouri (Jeremy Maclin and Chase Daniel). Talib has the size and playmaking ability that should make him a successful NFL player.

8. Baltimore Ravens—Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville

Most feel that the Ravens need a franchise quarterback in order to compete in a tough AFC. I am not one of those people.

I think Troy Smith showed enough flashes late last season that makes the selection of a quarterback in the first round unnecessary. But that doesn't mean that they are not going to take one.

Brohm is a polished passer, ready to take over an NFL offense. He played poorly at times last season for a loaded Cardinals offense, which has caused his stock to slip. If he can regain some of his 2006 form, Brohm could be a steal for the Ravens at No. 8. But I am willing to bet that in three years Smith will be the starter, not Brohm.

9. Cincinnati Benglas—Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State

The Bengals desperately need help on the defensive side of the ball, and Gholston should provide immediate relief. Gholston has an explosive first step and could possibly post 4.5 times in the 40 at the Combine.

The knock on Gholston is size and consistency. He often disappeared in games for the Buckeyes and he needs to bulk up in order to play DE in the NFL. He may be better suited at rush linebacker for the Bengals, but I am on record saying that Gholston will be a Pro-Bowl player and will be a steal at this point in the draft. In my evaluations, I feel he is the second best defensive player in the draft, behind Chris Long.

10. New Orleans Saints—Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

The Saints have needed a shut-down corner for years, and if McKelvin is sitting there at No. 10, the Saints have found their man. McKelvin has all the tools to become an elite NFL corner: speed, agility, playmaking ability, cover skills, burst.

His lone setback would be the level of competition he played in at Troy. I don't see any other option for the Saints if McKelvin is available.

11. Buffalo Bills—Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma

The Bills need somebody to line up opposite deep threat Lee Evans to make plays. Josh Reed would be the fourth option on most teams and Rosoe Parrish is better suited in the slot.

Kelly gives quarterback Trent Edwards a big target that also had the speed to stretch the field. The combination of Evans and Kelly could be lethal. Offensive coordinator Turk Schonert should give opposing defenses fits with a game plan that features two viable deep threats.

12. Denver Broncos—Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.

The Broncos offensive line has been one of the more consistent units in the NFL for years now, but they are beginning to show their age and need a youth movement on the O-Line.

Boise State's Clady possesses a great combination of size and athleticism that you covet in a left tackle. When I watch Clady play, he reminds me a little bit of a poor man's Orlando Pace, only not as strong. Clady should put the Broncos running game back into elite status in the NFL.

13. Carolina Panthers—Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt

The Panthers are in desperate need of a young quarterback to groom and one day replace Jake Delhomme, but taking a QB here would be an enormous reach and there are plenty of options available in the second round: Andre Woodson, Chad Henne, Joe Flacco, John David Booty, and Josh Johnson just to name a few.

Starting tackles Jordan Gross and Travelle Wharton will hit the open market, leaving a possible void at the tackle position. Vandy's Chris Williams is a bit of a reach at No. 13, but he has the size NFL scouts covet.

14. Chicago Bears—Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan

The Bears are also a team in need of help at the quarterback position, and I am sure they will address this in round two. The Bears also lack any playmakers on the offensive side of the ball besides Devin Hester. Because of Hester, the Bears will likely pass on the more talented DeSean Jackson and select Manningham, who is an Isaac Bruce clone.

Manningham's selection this high in the draft is contingent on his 40 time at this week's combine. I speculate he will run in the 4.45-4.48 range, making him a legitimate No. 1 receiver in the NFL.

15. Detroit Lions—Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

The Lions are in need of help on the defensive side of the ball, having given up 444 points last season. So what do they do? They fire the offensive coordinator. I am beginning to believe that this franchise will never get it together.

Selecting Mike Jenkins out of South Florida is a step in the right direction. Jenkins has good size and timed speed. The knock on him is toughness and some red flags in terms of character, but the Lions are desperate for secondary help and Jenkins should fit into their scheme nicely.

16. Arizona Cardinals—Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (FL)

The Cardinals could be tempted to take one of the highly touted running backs left on the board, but in a division that boasts pass happy offensive coordinator's Al Saunders and Mike Martz, the secondary position will be addressed early on draft day.

Standout safety Adrian Wilson's contract status is uncertain, so selecting Miami's Kenny Phillips fills a need. The Canes have a strong lineage of players who played the safety position and Phillips is a physical player along the lines of Ed Reed and Sean Taylor, and has outstanding size to speed ratio.

17. Minnesota Vikings—DeSean Jackson, WR, California

I will be shocked if Jackson doesn't come off the board before pick 17. I could easily see him end up at No. 6 with the Jets if he runs the 40 in the 4.3 range.

But if he does last this long it is because of his thin frame and inconsistent play in 2007. Jackson is the definition of a playmaker—go to youtube and check out some of his punt returns for touchdowns to get a feel for his ability. He also has a great set of hands.

The problem is Minnesota has used high draft picks on a pair of South Carolina receivers (Troy Williamson and Sidney Rice) and neither one has begun to pay dividends. So the Vikings are probably wary of taking another receiver this high. Whoever ends up with Jackson is getting the most exciting player in college football last season.

18. Houston Texans—Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

Here is another guy I will be shocked to see fall this far down draft boards. Stewart is a well-built back with speed and quick feet. The Texans will look even smarter now for passing on Reggie Bush for Mario Williams if they are able to scoop up Stewart at 18.

Houston currently has Ron Dayne (slow), Ahman Green (beat up), and Darius Walker (promising, but a bit slow for an every down back) on the roster at running back. The selection of Stewart should be the move for the Texans here.

19. Philadelphia Eagles—Keith Rivers, LB, Philadelphia

The Eagles need to surround their starting quarterback with more weapons. Kevin Curtis can stretch the field, but he is not a No. 1 receiver. They are probably hoping that DeSean Jackson or Mario Manningham will still be around when they pick at 19, but the Eagles organization usually sticks to their draft board and selects the best player available regardless of need.

In this case, that is USC linebacker Keith Rivers, who should provide the Eagles with depth on the weak side. Limas Sweed is also an option here, but his injury problems should cause the Eagles to search elsewhere for a big time receiver.

Isn't Randy Moss a free agent?

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina

Tampa, for better part of a decade, has been known for their defense. Coach Jon Gruden's defense last year was the main reason for the Bucs push into the playoffs.

The selection of Balmer should solidify Tampa's run defense even more, and he should continue to follow in the footsteps of great Buccaneer DTs. Balmer is a strong, athletic d-tackle who enjoyed a breakout 2007 season for the Tar Heels. If they can keep him motivated and coach him up, he could be a force in the middle for years to come.

21. Washington Redskins—Philip Merling, DE, Clemson

Merling is an enormous defensive end with the quickness to get to the passer. With the departure of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the Redskins can no longer rely on his scheme in order to be successful on the defensive side of the ball. Williams got the most out his players and I think the Redskins are going to miss him more than they think.

The Redskins are going to have to gravitate towards player with talent and instincts, and Merling fits that mold. Offensive tackle Jeff Otah could also be an option for the Redskins, but right now Merling is the pick.

22. Dallas Cowboys—Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are getting up there in years. The Cowboys could use a receiver they can groom and possibly even spell one of the two in case of injury. Owens is still an elite receiver and Glenn has the best hands of any receiver right now in the NFL, but both have had their share of injuries last season.

Sweed, who was also injured for most of 2007, is a bit of a health risk, but, like Owens and Glenn, when he is healthy he is dangerous. I actually have Sweed ranked as my No. 2 receiver overall behind DeSean Jackson, but his wrist injury will cause some teams to back off and Sweed to go sliding down draft boards.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers—Chilo Rachal, OG, USC

Alan Faneca is a free agent and the notoriously frugal Steelers will not give him the money he will command on the open market. Rachal is the No. 1 rated guard on most draft boards and should be able to fill in nicely and make the departure of Faneca sting a little less.

Virginia's OG Branden Albert could be another option for the Steelers who historically replace star players who leave in free agency through the draft.

24. Tennessee Titans—Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida

The Titans ultimately would like to select a playmaker to help Vince Young in the passing game, but they may have to trade up to get the guy they want. With that said, DEs Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy are free agents and unless they re-sign them (I imagine Odom will be re-signed) they will need to replace them through the draft.

Derrick Harvey, who dominated Ohio State in the National Championship game in 2007, saw his stock fall dramatically during the '07 season. He might have been a top 15 selection had he come out after Florida's championship season. Harvey could still be selected in the top 15, but I expect him to be there for the Titans at No. 24.

25. Seattle Seahawks—Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

Shaun Alexander is in the twilight of his career and the Seahawks will look to the future by selecting Mendenhall at 25. The future is now—Mendenhall is a budding star who not only ran all over Big Ten competition, but was the only bright spot for Illinois in the ass-whooping handed to them by USC in the Rose Bowl.

Mendenhall should be the starter in the backfield for Seattle on opening day. With his power and speed, I expect him to go for 1,500 yards and 10 TDs during his rookie campaign.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars—Early Doucet, WR, LSU

With Matt Jones likely headed toward the trash heap and Ernest Wilford departing via free agency, the Jags will look to take a receiver (again) in the first round.

LSU's Doucet had a disappointing senior season because of injury and inconsistent play that has caused his stock to drop from a potential top 10 pick to the end of the first round. Doucet will be nothing more than possession receiver in the NFL. Ideally he could become the equivalent of a Cris Carter, but he is more likely to be another Keenan McCardell, which isn't bad either.

Reggie Williams played well in spurts last season and, teamed with Doucet, will give Jags QB David Garrard a vast array of weapons for 2008.

27. San Diego Chargers—Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (FL)

The Chargers have a wealth of riches at almost every position and boast one of the deepest rosters in the NFL. Few remember that the Chargers selected CB Paul Oliver in the fourth round of the supplemental draft last season. Oliver, had he played last season at Georgia, would have been the first corner selected in the 2008 draft.

The Chargers are in the unique position to select the best player available regardless of need. Campbell is another player whose stock has taken a hit over the past year. Once regarded as a top 10 player, he too has fallen to the bottom of the first round. If Campbell can play like he did in 2006, the Chargers have once again hit the draft jackpot and can add more firepower to an already deep talent pool.

28. Dallas Cowboys—Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

Julius Jones will be gone and the Cowboys are trying to re-sign Marion Barber as I type this. I will be surprised if Jerry Jones doesn't trade up to try and land Darren McFadden, but if they have to "settle" for his Arkansas teammate, that ain't bad either.

At times last season, Jones outplayed McFadden and had it not been for the fact that he shared the same backfield as No. 5, Jones probably would have gotten some Heisman buzz.

Jones is lightning quick and excelled as a kick-returner for the Razorbacks. He should provide the Cowboys with the same dichotomy that Julius Jones/Barber did, only if Julius didn't suck.

Don't be surprised if the megalomaniac Jerry Jones bets the house on McFadden when he could have stayed put and selected someone who is just a notch below at pick 28.

29. San Francisco 49ers—Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian St.

Here is the wild card in the first round. With the addition of "Mad" Mike Martz as offensive coordinator I imagine he will do what he did in St. Louis on draft day: demand that they select receivers with speed. Jackson fits that description

I watched Jackson in awe this season. When he turned it on nobody could catch him. If he posts a 4.3 40 at the Combine he will enter end of the first round territory where Martz will beg those in charge of the War-Room to give him some toys to play with in his high powered offense.

Remember that in the 2000 Draft Martz selected a burner at the end of the first round named Trung Canidate. It was picks like Canidate that eventually got Martz fired, so stay tuned.

Whatever happened to Antonio Bryant? I thought he was a legit No. 1 NFL receiver. Bring him back.

30. Green Bay Packers—Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.

Charles Woodson and Al Harris form a respectable cornerback tandem, but they were exposed in the NFC title game when Plaxico Burress schooled them for four quarters. Both are on the back end of their stellar careers, so look for the Packers to infuse the secondary with some youth for 2008.

Rodgers-Cromartie is a small school standout who has been listed on some people's draft boards as their No. 1 cornerback. If the last name sounds familiar his cousin is Antonio Cromartie, one of the best, if not the very best, cornerback in the NFL, so the pedigree is there. Like his cousin, he is a standout athlete with exceptional leaping ability and outstanding speed, and also like his cousin he has a slight frame that he needs to add bulk to.

As a Rams fan I must admit that I hope he falls to the top of round two. This guy is impressive, but they probably would pass on him like they did his cousin and select some midget cornerback from Clemson instead.

31. New York Giants—Dan Conner, LB, Penn St.

The Giants have built a championship team mostly through the draft. They are another team that can sit back and simply take the highest rated player on their draft board, which is a time-tested strategy that has worked for Jerry Reese and company.

Conner is a tackling machine who is athletic and physical and should fill the possible void left by free agents Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor. A tad undersized, but so was Zach Thomas.

*order will be determined by coin flip

Christian Hosoi: Rise Above

scott serles — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:00:58 -0500

I have taken a recent sabbatical from Bleacher Report and writing in general for about a month now.

Personal problems and the holidays are partly to blame, but the true reason for my absence (not that I was missed) is that I lacked inspiration from anything going on in the world of sports.

Truth be told, I am a college football fanatic. I also enjoy the NFL and the NBA, but football season is over, and I live in St. Louis, which is far removed from the professional basketball universe, making it a bit more difficult to follow with the same unabashed enthusiasm as I enjoyed when I lived in California.

A lot of my professional sports heroes—Michael Vick, Lenny Dykstra, etc.—have really been letting me down lately, sp I began to look outside of the four major sports for someone, something uplifting to raise my spirits and inspire me again to write interesting pieces that people may enjoy. That is when I stumbled across the story of Christian Hosoi.

For those of you who are not familiar or too young to remember, Hosoi was an 80's skateboarding legend and main rival of today's face of the sports Tony Hawk. He was best known for his flamboyant style and "huge airs" that made vert-skating in the 80's so popular.

He was the epitome of California cool: stylish, laid back, famous, and popular with the ladies. In the 80s he reigned supreme in the world of skateboarding winning several competitions, with a plethora of sponsors and all the riches that came along with his success.

He began experimenting with drugs at an early age, often just weed and alcohol, but this soon turned into harder drugs and an addiction to crystal meth. As popularity in vert skating in the early 90s waned and more of the focus in the industry was paid to a rawer form of the sport, called street skating, Hosoi's star was beginning to fade. Although Hosoi's transistion to street skating was smoother than some of his 80s contemporaires, such as Gator Rogowski and Jeff Grosso. Hosoi's drug intake was slowly taking it's toll on his psyche and his bank account.

With Tony Hawk leading the resurgence in skateboarding and action sports in the mid 90s and with the advent of the X-Games it would only seem reasonable that Hosoi would be one of the torch bearers and enjoy the acclaim as a skateboarding icon along with Hawk.

But, Hosoi was no where to be found. His low-point came in 2000, when he was arrested in a Honolulu airport for trafficking crystal meth with the intent to distribute. This was Chrsitian's third brush with the law and he received a five year sentence in federal prison.

While behind bars, Hosoi had an epiphany and with the help of his supportive girlfriend Jennifer, (now wife) he turned his life over to the lord.

Soon after his imprisonment, the emergence of a "Free Christian Hosoi" campaign was adopted by many in the action sports community and some heavyweights in the music industry such as self-professed fans the Red Hot Chili Peppers who famously wore the "Free Hosoi" T-shirts in an awards show performance.

In 2004, Hosoi was released on parole for good behavior. With the support of his family and many within the skateboading collective, Hosoi was able to continue to spread the word of his newfound faith without coming across too "preachy" and remain sincere even after he paid his debt to society. Many other men and athletes, preach their faith but often come on to strong and discourage those in search for their higher power. It remains a testament to the man, that he was able to transform himself so dramatically and still earn the respect of many of his peers.

Today, Hosoi enjoys the family life with his wife Jennifer and his two children Rhythm and Classic. He also owns the skateboard company Hosoi Sk8boards and has a lucrative shoe deal with Vans.

This is a story of redemption, most of us deserve a second chance in life and it is what we do with this opportunity that helps build character and allows us to live a happy, more meaningful life.

Let's hope that the Maurice Claretts and Michael Vicks of the world can turn the poor choices they have made in life into a positive on down the road after they have paid their debt.