Bleacher Report - Articles by Mason Everett

Donovan McNabb to Detroit Lions Would Satisfy Fans' and Teams' Needs Alike

Mason Everett — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:20:38 -0500

At this moment, Donovan McNabb is on his way home wondering if he’s just played his last game as a Philadelphia Eagle. He knows the sports talk shows and local Eagles fans aren’t going to be very forgiving after this loss. They never are. He knows he didn’t have the best protection or receivers to work with, yet he’ll still be the one facing the fire. If the Eagles and McNabb were to finally part ways this offseason, most parties involved would be happier than before.

Also at this moment, Detroit Lions' rookie general manager Martin Mayhew is wondering what to do about having the top overall pick in the NFL Draft that’s just three months away. He knows that from now until the end of his time with Detroit, whenever that date may come, he will be judged by his first selection. He knows that whether he decides to select a strong-armed quarterback or a beastly left tackle, and sports talk shows and Lions' fans are going to criticize the direction the Lions are headed. They always do.

One single trade could put both teams in a better situation than the one they are dwelling in today: Detroit sends its top overall draft pick to Philadelphia for one of their first round picks (#22 overall) and Donovan McNabb.

Why this works for Detroit

Detroit has far too many holes on both offense and defense. If the Lions could make a move to turn their number one pick into multiple picks or players, they should. The big debate among Lions' followers is who to take between Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Andre Smith and Michael Oher. Not one of these players is head and shoulders above another yet none of them have much of a chance of making it to Detroit’s #20 overall selection in the first round.

Landing a quarterback and offensive line help is a step in the right direction, but this also neglects their NFL-worst defense. There is not one defensive prospect worth taking with top overall pick, and the Lions' defense needs more than one defensive player to make any differences.

The featured trade brings a veteran quarterback in need of a change of scenery to a team in need of serious leadership. Then, with the #20 and #22 picks in the first round, the Lions could look at building the offensive line and defense.

Why this works for Philadelphia

The Eagles could go a few different directions with this deal. First and foremost, they would be rid of the city’s favorite scapegoat in McNabb. Kevin Kolb, start warming up, this may be your time to shine.

Then, with the top pick in the draft, Philadelphia could take whom they see as the top offensive tackle in the draft. Tra Thomas is a free agent and is not getting any younger. A powerful, young tackle to protect the new kid in the pocket could equate success and build confidence in Kolb.

Or, the Eagles could use the top pick to replace McNabb. Could Stafford or Sanchez be the next promising arm to put the Eagles over the top? Philadelphia would still have another first round pick, #28 overall from Carolina, to fulfill other needs.

Both of these teams could have successful offseasons without this trade, but do the Eagles want to delay the replacement of McNabb any longer? I’m sure fans in Philly are eager to try Kolb, Stafford or Sanchez behind the center as opposed to “the guy who loses the big games.”

The Lions’ history of top draft picks doesn’t fare too positively. I’m sure the fans in the Motor City will immediately be haunted by visions of Joey Harrington if the top pick goes to Stafford or Sanchez.

For the sake of the fans and the futures of both teams, let’s hope Eagles general manager Tom Heckert and Mayhew get together for a cheese steak before April 25th and talk a little football.

Mace's 2009 NFL Mock Draft, Vol. I

Mason Everett — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:54:30 -0500

Do a little search on NFL mock drafts and Google will give you over 400,000 links to check out. Finding your favorite can be a little mind-numbing.

Half of the mocks available, even from reputable sources, aren't very up-to-date. This past Thursday, NCAA underclassmen faced a deadline of choosing to declare for the draft or return to school.

There are still mock drafts out there that have Sam Bradford and Ciron Black going in the first round. It's time to weed out the bad from the good and the old from the current.

This is why I am bringing you Volume I of my NFL Mock Draft for 2009.

1. Detroit – Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
2. St. Louis - Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
3. Kansas City - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
4. Seattle - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
5. Cleveland - Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
6. Cincinnati - Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
7. Oakland - Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
8. Jacksonville - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
9. Green Bay - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
10. San Francisco - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
11. Buffalo - Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
12. Denver - Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
13. Washington - B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
14. New Orleans - Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
15. Houston - William Moore, S, Missouri
16. San Diego - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
17. NY Jets - James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
18. Chicago - Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
19. Tampa Bay - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
20. Detroit - Eben Britton, Arizona
21. Arizona - Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State
22. Philadelphia - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
23. Minnesota - Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
24. New England - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
25. Atlanta - Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
26. Miami - Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
27. Baltimore - Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati
28. Indianapolis - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
29. NY Giants - Brian Cushing, LB, USC
30. Tennessee - Percy Harvin, WR/RB, Florida
31. Philadelphia - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
32. Pittsburgh - Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma

I will admit upfront that I am a Detroit Lions fan, but this mock has been put together based on team needs and not who I want to see on each team.

I haven't been too impressed with Matt Stafford, but as of today, that is who I am predicting my Motor City Kitties will be selecting first.

From what I have seen and the physical attributes I've read about, he reminds me of Cleveland's QB Derek Anderson. Both Stafford and Anderson can start for a handful of NFL teams, but neither would be worth the money the top overall selection receives.

Another issue to think about are the trades that will occur. Trades are inevitable in the NFL Draft, with eight taking place in last year's first round alone. This will obviously throw off the accuracy to any mock you find.

Finally, remember this is Volume I of my mock drafts. All mocks available right now are long-shots due to two factors: 1) team needs aren't clear yet because of factors such as free agency and retirement; and 2) the NFL Combine and individual player workouts have not taken place yet.

The Combine always has a major impact on different players' draft statuses. It can shoot a relative unknown to being a Day One selection or it can drop a favorite to an embarrassing later-than-expected pick.

Keep these issues in mind and check back often as more mock volumes are released.

Detroit Tigers Should Take a Serious Look at Michael Young

Mason Everett — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:05:47 -0500

Just when I was on the verge of asking someone to wake me when this humdrum baseball offseason was over, five-time All-Star Michael Young demands a trade. Yes! Something new to speculate on that doesn't involve "Manny Being Manny" or "is Peavy going to the Cubs this time?"

As a life-long Tigers fan, this also perks my interest. Yes, I know, due to some bad contracts, we're not really major players in the free-agent market. I will admit I'm as excited as any other male that we signed Misty May-Treanor's husband in hopes of seeing her in the players' wives section of Comerica Park, but I refuse to accept that as the highlight of our offseason.

Young is owed $16 million a year until 2013. That contract, combined with his decline in offensive production, makes him a tough pill to swallow for most teams. Given that information, we can eliminate most small-market and tight-budgeted teams in creating a list of suitors.

The shortstop-starved teams that could possibly afford this trade appear to be Seattle, Baltimore, San Diego, Minnesota, Toronto, and Detroit.

Sadly enough for Seattle and Baltimore, Young is in control of his destination and would probably veto any trade to those towns. San Diego is in the process of cutting payroll, so adding $80 million over the next five years wouldn't make much sense. That leaves Minnesota, Toronto, and the Tigers as the three top contenders. How does Detroit steal the deal from a division rival and the neighbor to the north?

Texas has hinted that if they were to trade Young, they would want a third baseman in return. Also knowing the Rangers previous discussions, they'd likely want pitching included in the deal.

The Twins do have young, MLB-ready pitching to dangle in front of GM Jon Daniels. What they don't have is an improvement over Travis Metcalf, whom the Rangers would have penciled in at third base if Young were gone. As for the Blue Jays, the desire to have an All-Star shortstop doesn't just make one appear. They do not have to goods to match up with Daniels' needs.

Who does have the supply to meet the Rangers' demand? Detroit just might be the best suitor. First, they have three third basemen that the Rangers could choose from. Hey, take your pick from the sure-handed Brandon Inge, Team USA's Mike Hessman, or Jeff Larish, whom Seattle wanted in a deal for J.J. Putz earlier this offseason. All three are MLB-ready and would likely be an upgrade to Metcalf.

Next, it's time to unload some pitching contracts. With the mention of unloading contracts, two names should come to mind: Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson. Does Texas want to take on the project that Willis has come to be, or maybe take on the steadiness of Robertson? I'll let them decide, as either would help get this deal done for both sides.

At this time, you may be thinking, "How does this help Detroit?" It does in a few ways. First, it's a better return on investment. Let's assume the trade being made is Young for Larish and Willis, as these are the players with the most potential.

In 2009, these two are set to make over $10 million. In 2010, their salaries would go up to over $12 million. Also in 2010, Placido Polanco is off the books at over $4 million. We can afford the $6 million this upcoming season and save a little cash by shifting Young back to second in 2010. (He has agreed to switch to second base for another team, just not third.)

The likeliness of any deal happening is not very high. Plus, Detroit would have to get creative with the budget from 2011-2013. That's fine, I'd still like to see the deal done. Young is a fan favorite down in Arlington and a true leader.

He would do well next to Inge and Polanco/Cale Iorg. He'd do even better behind a trio of Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello and Jeremy Bonderman compared to what he would behind Kevin Millwood, Matt Harrison and Eric Hurley.

Dave Dombrowski, it's time to heat this hot stove back up. Get on the horn, drop Daniels a line, and let him know we're a legitimate trade partner. Misty May can sell only so many tickets; recreate a quality product on the field to sell the rest.