Bleacher Report - Articles by Marlon Oram

Top 10 MLB Prospects for 2010

Marlon Oram — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:03:52 -0400

With the post season of this fine MLB season nearing, September is coming. That is the month in which active rosters expand to 40 for a month. This got me to thinking of who are the top MLB prospects as of now in the minors. I will exclude any player with ML experience except for one exception. Here is my list of the 10 top prospects for the 2010 season.

Begin Slideshow

Final Updated 2009 NBA Mock Draft

Marlon Oram — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:36:11 -0400

There has already been a trade into the top five in tomorrow night's Draft, and there may be more. With the Draft just a day away and with trade rumors flying up in the air, here is the final mock before the Draft.

1. Los Angeles Clippers—Blake Griffin, Oklahoma (6'10", 251): Obvious pick here.

2. Memphis Grizzles—Hasheem Thabeet, UConn (7'3", 267): Defensive presence who could lead the NBA in blocks this year.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder—James Harden, Arizona St. (6'5", 222): Will make the Thunder a contender in a few years.

4. Sacramento King—Jonny Flynn, Syracuse (6'0", 196): Said to be to picked here. Will be a mistake if they pass on Rubio or Evans for another PG.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves—Ricky Rubio, Spain (6'4", 190)

6. Minnesota Timberwolves—Tyreke Evans, Memphis (6'5", 221)

7. Golden State Warriors—Jordan Hill, Arizona (6'10", 232)

8. New York Knicks—Stephen Curry, Davidson (6'3", 181): Will fit perfect in Mike D'Antoni's offense.

9. Toronto Raptors—Demar Derozan, Southern Cal (6'7", 211): Will give Toronto a Vince Carter-esque player.

10. Milwaukee Bucks—Jrue Holiday, UCLA (6'4", 199)

11. New Jersey Nets—Gerald Henderson, Duke (6'5", 214)

12. Charlotte Bobcats—Terrance Williams, Louisville (6'6", 213)

13. Indiana Pacers—Brandon Jennings, Italy (6'1" 170)

14. Phoenix Suns—James Johnson, Wake Forest (6'8", 257)

15. Detroit Pistons—B.J. Mullens, Ohio St. (7'0" 258)

16. Chicago Bulls—Dejaun Blair, Pitt (6'6", 277): I expect if this happens, Blair would be traded to the Blazers.

17. Philadelphia 76ers—Ty Lawson, UNC (6'0", 197)

18. Minnesota Timberwolves—Earl Clark, Louisville (6'10", 226): If the 'Wolves get these three with their first three picks they could be serious contenders in a few years. Man, if only they re-did that O.J. Mayo trade.

19. Atlanta Hawks—Jeff Teague, Wake Forest (6'2", 175)

20. Utah Jazz—Tyler Hansbrough, UNC (6'9", 234)

21. New Orleans Hornets—Eric Maynor, VCU (6'3", 164): I think he could emerge as the best PG in the draft. I wish my Lakers would trade up for him.

22. Dallas Mavericks—Marcus Thornton, LSU (6'4", 198): Ben Gordon-type player.

23. Sacramento Kings—Sam Young, Pitt (6'6", 223): Age (almost 25) has hurt his stock.

24. Portland Trailblazers—Darren Collison, UCLA: Considered a lock here.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder—Omri Casspi, Turkey (6'9", 211): A lot like Andres Nocioni.

26. Chicago Bulls—Nick Calathes, Florida (6'5", 185): With Kirk Hinrich likely to be traded (POR), the Bulls get an exact clone of Hinrich.

27. Memphis Grizzles—Taj Gibson, USC (6'10", 214): Rumors are that he will be pick No. 20.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves—Chase Budinger, Arizona (6'7", 206)

29. Los Angeles Lakers—Jonas Jerebko Finland (6'9", 220): Similar to Nocioni like Casspi. Lakers will probably trade down or sell pick or get Jerebko, who they are rumored to be in love with.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers—DeMarre Carroll, Missouri (6'8", 207): All-around hustler with solid rebounding and great defensive ability.

2009 NFL Draft Grades: NFC Winners and Losers

Marlon Oram — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:06:41 -0400

Yesterday, my picks for the AFC's winner and losers of the 2009 NFL Draft were out, now it is the NFC's turn. While the Detroit Lions chose Matt Stafford, who many experts project to be a bust, the Lions stand in neither of these lists. Some teams on the list made the list for surprising moves, reaches, drops, and other reasons. Unlike the AFC I chose 3 winners and 2 losers. Her is the list of the Draft's Winners and Losers:

Begin Slideshow

NFL Draft Grades: AFC Winners and Losers

Marlon Oram — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:07:21 -0400

The 2nd day of the 2009 NFL Draft ended on Sunday evening, and the jury was out. Who was the biggest winner of all the teams? The biggest losers? Who got the biggest steals? Who made the worst and biggest reaches? From A+ to F- are some of my grades of these teams. Without further ado, Here's my list of the 2 biggest winners and losers of the AFC on this weekend's NFL Draft.

Begin Slideshow

2009 NFL Mock Draft

Marlon Oram — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:04:49 -0400

With the 2009 NFL Draft just hours away, there is much speculation on who the Detroit Lions will select with the #1 overall pick. The options look to be either Georgia QB Matt Stafford or Aaron Curry of Wake Forest with a minimal chance at OT Jason Smith of Baylor. With that, here is my mock draft.

1. Detroit Lions- Matt Stafford (QB) Georgia- I think that Stafford will be a good quarterback in the league if he joins the Lions because of his elite arm strength, size, and ability to put the ball in tight spots. Also Calvin Johnson will help. Stafford has not signed a contract and LB Aaron Curry said he would take less money to be the 1st pick.

2. St. Louis Rams- Jason Smith (OT) Baylor- With future Hall-of-Famer Orlando Pace being released by the Rams, they have a big need for the OT pick. Smith possesses the athleticism, footwork, and strength to be a Pro-Bowl OT.

3. Kansas City Chiefs- Aaron Curry (OLB) Wake Forest- Curry may very well be the best athlete, as well as player in this draft. He looks to make an immediate impact and will help the Chiefs team that scored an NFL-low 10 sacks. Almost a lock.

4. Seattle Seahawks- Eurgene Monroe (OT) Virginia- While some believe that the 'Hawks will choose USC QB Mark Sanchez, I don't. They already have Matt Hassleback locked up at QB for the next couple of years and Sanchez won't make an immediate impact.

5. Cleveland Browns- Brian Orakpo (DE) Texas- I predicted this pick would be Orakpo about a month ago until Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree was said to had aroused the Browns front office. But, reports came out after a visit that he was a "diva" and a "mean guy." Orakpo could play LB but I feel he is best suited for DE. Pick could be traded.

6. Cincinnati Bengals- Andre Smith (OT) Alabama- Smith was projected to be the #1 pick months ago but his stock dropped after he packed on some weight and run shirtless during the combine. This did not impress NFL coaches. This would be a steal.

7. Oakland Raiders- Michael Crabtree (WR) Texas Tech- Suspected to make a dumb move cause of owner Al Davis, the Raiders will not. They will go smart and pick the best player available who could be the best in the draft. With the arm strength of Jamarcus Russell and the youth at WR with Johnnie Lee Higgins and Chaz Schilens Crabtree should help the offense dramatically. The Patriots might trade up for him.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars- Mark Sanchez (QB) USC- Sanchez will be perfect since Garrard has only a few years left in his career as a starter. Sanchez will develop for a year or 2 and learn the offense then take over.

9. Green Bay Packers- Everette Brown (DE/OLB) FSU- With Aaron Kampman moving to LB, the Packers can either put Brown at DE or LB. He will be a great pass rusher and will help the 'Packs defense well.

10. San Francisco 49ers- B.J. Raji (DT) Boston College- Coach Mike Singletary understands the importance of defense and this pick will show it. Raji is so strong and powerful that he could anchor a defense just like Albert Haynesworth has done. They will pick Sanchez if available.

11. Buffalo Bills- Michael Oher (OT) Mississippi- With the trade with OT Jason Peters to the Eagles, the need for an OT rises and Oher is a great one. I wouldn't be surprised if they go for defense like Maybin or Ayers with this pick.

12. Denver Broncos- Tyson Jackson (DE) LSU- Jackson is a very physical specimen with unbelievable strengthth. He will help the D-line in order for the Broncos to get a linebacker or other defensive player with the 18th pick.

13. Washington Redskins- Robert Ayers (DE) Tennessee- He doesn't have great speed or strength but he can flat out play. He had trouble with the law a few years ago and got suspended 2 games but he improved his work ethic and attitude.

14. New Orleans Saints- Malcolm Jenkins (CB/S) Ohio State- I originally had thought for them to get Chris Wells with this pick but I've heard from sources that they will be taking Jenkins and will move him to Safety.

15. Houston Texans- Clay Matthews (OLB) USC- Though I don't agree with this pick, I will expect it for many reasons. One is that the Texans will draft one of the USC LB's here and another is that Clay is a tough player that will help the whole defense became more physical. Also, his uncle is on the coaching staff.

16. San Diego Chargers- Brian Cushing (MLB) USC- Cushing has good size, strength, and speed. He played OLB in College but in the 3-4 defense the Chargers play, he will be better suited as an ILB. Some think Rey Maualuga has a chance going here, I think no chance. I don't see the Chargers going for a RB because I think they will draft Andre Brown (NC State) in the 3rd round. Possible trade down- maybe to Vikings so Minnesota can get QB Josh Freeman.

17. New York Jets- Josh Freeman (QB) Kansas St.

18. Denver Broncos (from Chi)- Rey Maualuga (ILB) USC

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Aaron Maybin (DE/LB) Penn St.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dal)- Jeremy Maclin (WR) Missouri

21. Philadelphia Eagles- Knowshon Moreno (RB) Georgia

22. Minnesota Vikings- Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR) Maryland

23. New England Patriots- Larry English (DE/LB) N. Illinois

24. Atlanta Falcons- Vontae Davis (CB) Illinois

25. Miami Dolphins- Darius Butler (CB) UConn

26. Baltimore Ravens- Hakeem Nicks (WR) UNC

27. Indianapolis Colts- Peria Jerry (DT) Mississippi

28. Buffalo Bills (from Phi)- Brandon Pettigrew (TE) Okla St.

29. New York Giants- Kenny Britt (WR) Rutgers

30. Tennessee Titans- Sean Smith (CB/S) Utah

31. Arizona Cardinals- Chris "Beanie" Wells (RB) Ohio State

32. Pittsburgh Steelers- Alex Mack (C) California

Kevin Garnett's Injury Causes Danny Ainge's Heart Attack (HUMOR)

Marlon Oram — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:44:20 -0400

As you wake up on this fine Thursday morning, you awake to find that the 2009 NBA Finals will be played by the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This news comes after the only threat to the Cavs, the Celtics, suffered an injury to their second best player and biggest defensive presence: Kevin Garnett.

There are no threats to the 2009 NBA champions the LA Lakers.

News broke out that he will not likely return to the team in time for the playoffs. Now, after the injury, the Celtics will struggle in the first round matchup against the Chicago Bulls, then probably have a second round exit against the Magic because of the trouble they will have with Dwight Howard.

The Celtics GM Danny Ainge suffered a heart attack this Thursday morning, probably soon after the hearing of the end of the Celtics championship chances for another decade or more. Ainge has been taken out of the hospital and is resting comfortably at home.

Ainge is expected to make a full recovery, but will be in the hospital the next few days and is expected to miss the Celtics opening round start against the Bulls on Saturday.

The Celtics are the defending champions, but not for long.

NCAA Tournament: Who's In/Out

Marlon Oram — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 03:36:52 -0400

With Selection Sunday just less than 14 hours away, there are only 3 at-large bids left for about seven bubble teams. Those bubble teams include Arizona, St. Mary's, San Diego State, Maryland, Penn State, Creighton, and Auburn. (This according to ESPN). All of these teams have a decent and deserving chance of making the tournament. With that, here are the teams I have in and out of the tournament.

Begin Slideshow

Top 15 Prospects For The 2009 NFL Draft

Marlon Oram — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:53:02 -0500

There are so many great prospects eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft, so I decided to list the 15 best prospects, give a brief summary for each, and write a comparison of who this player's style of game blends close to. Here is the list:

15. Aaron Curry

Curry plays OLB for Wake Forest. At 6'3", 250lbs he has the speed, size, and strength to thrive in the pros. Curry runs a 4.5 40 yard dash and is a senior.

Projection- top 10 pick.

Comparison-Keith Brooking [ATL]

14. Taylor Mays

Mays plays Free Safety for USC. Mays has all the athletic tools and the body to be the next great Safety in the NFL. Mays at 6'4", 230 lbs he runs a 4.39 40 yard dash. Mays is a junior.

Projection- top 15 pick

Comparison- Adrian Wilson [ARI]

13. Brian Orakpo

Orakpo plays DE for Texas. He is listed at 6'4", 260 lbs. His combination of strength and speed reminds me a lot of Osi Umenyiora. Orakpo is a senior. Orakpo run a 4.62 40 yard dash.

Projection- top 7 pick

Comparison-Osi Umenyiora [NYG]

12. Chris [Beanie] Wells

Wells plays RB for the Ohio St. Buckeyes. Wells combination of speed[4.5 yard dash], size[6'1", 235lbs], and strength gives him all the tools he needs to become a good NFL RB. Wells main concern is his blocking and catching ability. He is a junior.

Projection- top 20 pick

Comparison- Bo Jackson

11. Matthew Stafford

Most experts like Stafford's ability more than Sam Bradford. I am not one of them. Stafford is a QB from Georgia. He lists at 6'3", 230 lbs. Stafford runs between a 4.6 and 4.7. Stafford's only problem is that he is way too turnover prone whick will be trouble in the pros. If he wasn't that turnover prone he would probably be listed No. 1 or 2 on this list. He is a junior.

Projection- top 7 pick

Comparison- Jay Cutler [DEN]

10. Eugene Monroe

Eugene is a LT for Virginia. Listed at 6'6", 315 lbs he does not have the strength and durability to last long in the NFL. Eugene runs a 5.2 40 yard dash. Monroe is also a senior.

Projection- top 10 pick

Comparison- Branden Albert [KC]

9. Knowshon Moreno

Moreno is a RB for Georgia. He is listed at 5'11", 207 lbs. He runs a 4.47 40 yard dash. Not as good physically as Wells but I put him atop the RB's because he is a more pure runner than Wells. Moreno is an eligible Sophomore.

Projection- top 10 pick

Comparison- Carnell [Cadillac] Williams

8. Michael Oher

Oher is a great LT from Ole Miss. When Oher 1st came to Ole Miss he played Guard and was great but they decided to move him to LT where he is better at. Oher lists at 6'6", 325 lbs. Oher declared for the 2008 NFL Draft but dropped out. Oher is a senior.

Projection- top 5 pick

Comparison- Willie Roaf

7. Michael Johnson

Johnson is a DE from Georgia Tech. His great physical stature with his speed, size, and strength giving him all the tools he needs to be the next great DE. Michael is 6'6", 260 lbs and he runs a 4.6 40 yard dash and is a senior.

Projection- top 7 pick

Comparison-Mario Williams [HOU]

6. Rey Maualuga

This was probably the hardest decision for me to put Rey below Laurinatis. Rey is a MLB for USC. Rey stands at 6'2", 260 lbs and he runs a 4.55 40 yard dash. His cons include his attitude and leadership problems on the field. Is a senior.

Projection- top ten pick

Comparison- Junior Seau [NE]

5. James Laurinatis

James is an Ohio St. MLB. James stands 6'3", 245 lbs and he runs a 4.6 40 yard dash. James' strengths are his athletic ability with James being a former hockey star. James is a senior. His cons are his tendancy to try to deliver the big hit rather than just wrapping up the offensive player.

Projection- top 7 pick

Comparison- A.J. Hawk

4. Andre Smith

Andre is a LT for Alabama. He is listed at 6'4", 330 lbs and runs a 5.3 40 yard dash. Smith has the size and strength to be a star in the NFL but he doesn't have the speed or quickness needed to excel to a pro bowler. Andre is a Junior.

Projection- top 3 pick

Comparison- Orlando Pace [STL]

3. Malcolm Jenkins

Malcolm is a CB for Ohio St. He is also one of my favorites in this Draft because of his combination of brain, size, speed, and strength. Malcolm is a senior who runs a 4.4 40 yard dash. He is listed at 6'1", 201 lbs. He also is known for his physicality by getting into WR's heads.

Projection- top 5 pick

Comparison- Marlin Jackson [IND]

2. Sam Bradford

Sam is an eligible sophomore. He plays QB for Oklahoma. In just 2 years he has shown that he has the ability to take over games and become a superstar in the NFL. Sam is 6'4", 220 lbs and he runs between a 4.5-4.6 40 yard dash. His ability to throw his passes accurately and with power on it gives him the chance to be the #1 QB taken and maybe for the Lions the No. 1 pick in the Draft.

Projection- top 3 pick

Comparison- Eli Manning

1. Michael Crabtree-

Crabtree is hands-down the best WR prospect since Larry Fitzgerald. His ability to run a 4.4 40 yard dash and easily pass CB's will give him the chance to be the first WR to be selected No. 1 overall since Keyshawn Johnson. Crabtree is an eligible Sophomore. His only con is that he might be prone to injury cause he doesn't get down on 1st contact. Is listed at 6'3", 214 lbs.

Projection- top 3 pick

Projection - Larry Fitzgerald/Andre Johnson

Here are a few sleepers I think who will be in the late 1st, early 2nd round who could become good NFL players. Here are five:

Tim Tebow [Florida] QB
Myron Rolle [FSU] Safety
Percy Harvin [Florida] WR/RB/KR/PR
Vontae Davis [Illinois] CB
Jermaine Gresham [OK] TE

The 10 Greatest Multi-Sport Athletes of All Time

Marlon Oram — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:04:23 -0500

You might love and adore those athletes who are fantastic at one sport but not many give the appreciation deserved to those who play multiple sports well. Here is my list of the 10 greatest multi-sport athletes of all time:

10. Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon

Olajuwon was reputed to have been a top goalkeeping prospect in Nigeria before taking up basketball. He took up basketball at the age of 15 and played college basketball at the University of Houston. He was the first overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets, where he gained his credibility as one of the greatest shot blockers, stealers, and defensive players ever known.

9. Carl Crawford

Crawford attended Jefferson Davis High School in Houston, Texas and was a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. In baseball, he batted over .500 as a senior.Crawford was offered scholarships to play basketball as a point guard at UCLA or to play football as an option quarterback at Nebraska, USC, Oklahoma, Florida, and Tulsa.

He had originally signed a letter of intent to play football for Nebraska, but he turned down both offers in favor of a baseball career. Also is the cousin of New York Knicks PG Jamal Crawford.

8. John Elway

Considered to be one of the greatest QBs in football history and a Hall of Famer, Elway was also a very good baseball player. I won't go into his NFL career, as he owns numerous records and won two Super Bowls.

His baseball career includes being drafted by the Royals out of high school. At Stanford he hit .361 with nine home runs and 50 RBIs in 49 games as a sophomore. After that he was the first pick of the Yankees in 1981. He hit .314 with a club-high 24 homers with the Yankees' single-A farm club.

7. Dave Winfield

With his 6'6" and 220 pound muscular body frame, Dave was a Hall of Fame slugger in baseball, but check this out: He was drafted by four professional teams in three different sports. After college (Minnesota), where he played baseball and basketball, he was drafted by the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, the ABA's Utah Stars, the NFL's Vikings, and the San Diego Padres in baseball.

6. Jackie Robinson

Robinson was great in football and track in college, but ultimately made his name in baseball as a Hall of Fame player and the one who broke the color barrier in MLB. At UCLA, he became the first athlete in UCLA history to letter in four different sports in one year. Until 1947 he was presumed to be the only person ever selected to play in the college All Star games in both basketball and football.

5. Babe Didrikson

She was the greatest female athlete of all time. She was a great golfer (won 41 LPGA events and 11 majors) and an All-American basketball player, and she won two track and field gold medals in the 1932 Olympics. Who knows what else she would have done had she not died of cancer at 42. She could have been higher on my list if she hadn't died so young.

4. Jim Brown

Brown is the greatest football player of all time, regardless of position. He is also a Hall of Fame Lacrosse player; some consider him the greatest lacrosse player of all time. In fact, he got his scholarship to Syracuse as a lacrosse player and walked onto the football team.

He led Syracuse's lacrosse team to an undefeated season in 1957, leading the country in scoring. As a football player? In only nine years he became the all-time leading rushing leader in the NFL, and currently sits third on that list.

3. Deion Sanders

Nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion," Sanders played nine years in baseball, and will probably be a Hall of Fame football player when he becomes eligible. While he was a great football player—an eight-time Pro Bowl player who won two Super Bowls—he was also an above-average baseball player, and probably would have been better had he played the sport full-time.

Sanders is the only man ever to play in both the Super Bowl and the World Series, and he is the only man ever to hit a home run and score a touchdown in the same week.

2. Bo Jackson

He was drafted first overall in football but choose to play baseball first. He eventually came back to football before a hip injury ended his career. An All Star in baseball, he was the All Star game's MVP in 1989.

In football, he was on his way to a great career before he got hurt. What's remarkable is that he was the comeback player of the year in MLB after his injury. In terms of actual results, he probably shouldn't be ranked so high, but at his peak, he was an electric athlete who was the most popular athlete in the country at one point. Who knows what he could have accomplished had he stayed healthy.

1. Jim Thorpe

Thorpe is, hands down, the greatest multi-sport athlete of all time. He is considered one of the most versatile athletes in modern sports. He won Olympic gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon, starred in college and professional football, played Major League Baseball, had a career in basketball, and was the NFL's first ever president which now is called commissioner . What more could you ask of someone? No one will ever surpass him.

Honorable Mentions

1. Antonio Gates

Gates didn't play football in college because head coach Nick Saban wanted him to only play football, but he refused and only played basketball. He played as an undersized power forward for Kent State. Because of his size, NBA scouts didn't see an NBA future in him.

He was signed by the San Diego Chargers undrafted and is now the best TE in the league. He also led Kent State to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament in 2002. He has been to four Pro Bowls already.

2. Charlie Ward

A Heisman Trophy winning QB (won by the highest margin ever) in 1993 at Florida State, Ward is also a College Football Hall of Famer, and won a national championship, as well as numerous other awards. In college he also played point guard and led the Seminoles basketball team to the great eight and was a first round draft pick in 1994 for the Knicks.

Believed by most to be a better football player than basketball player, it was a shock when he announced he would only play football if he were drafted in the first round. He was not drafted at all in the NFL draft and subsequently chose basketball. He ended up having a very good, but not spectacular, 10-year NBA career, which was highlighted by his appearance in the '99 NBA finals.

Dishonorable Mentions

1. Michael Jordan

Jordan was one of the greatest ever in basketball and a terrible baseball player, never reaching the majors for the Chicago White Sox. He made the stupid decision to retire from the NBA to play baseball, which is the only reason he is on this list. Besides this mistake, he won six NBA titles, multiple MVP honors, and other great accomplishments.

2. Marion Jones

Jones is well-known for her multiple medals in Olympic competition, but in college she led the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team to a 92-10 record during her three years on the team, including a national championship in 1994.

An All-America point guard, she ranks fifth on UNC's all-time assists list, third in steals, and seventh in blocks, despite playing only three years. She is on this list because she had all her medals from the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia revoked because she took performance-enhancing drugs. She was subsequently sentenced to six months in prison in a check fraud case on her use of performance enhancing drugs.