Bleacher Report - Articles by John

2009 New England Patriots Training Camp Battles

John — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:52:37 -0400

The Patriots were busy once again in the offseason bringing in players and making trades in the draft. The roster is loaded right now and there are going to be some interesting battles in training camp for starting jobs.

Let's take a look at the offense first.

Offense

Tight End: Benjamin Watson vs. Chris Baker vs. David Thomas vs. Alex Smith

Edge: Either Baker or Smith. Both are blocking tight ends that can also catch the ball, unlike Watson as of lately. Watson needs to start securing the ball or he is going to remember fans of Reche Caldwell with all the balls that he dropped.

Watson is definitely the fastest out of the group, but should be used as a receiver instead. Thomas might end up being cut, either him or Tyson Devree because they are way too many tight ends on the roster.

Right tackle: Nick Kaczur vs. Ryan O'Callaghan

Edge: Has to go to Kaczur because he has the starting experience and nobody else on the roster can seem to play right tackle.

O'Callaghan was brought in because he was know to have a mean streak, but he is looking about as mean as a box full of kittens right now. O'Callaghan needs to start because Kaczur has been the weak link on the offensive line since he was brought in.

O'Callaghan either needs to start or light a fire under Kaczur to make him play better; like what happened last year when Jonathan Stewart mad DeAngelo Williams finally play up to his expectations.

Running Back: Sammy Morris vs. Fred Taylor vs. Laurence Maroney vs. Kevin Faulk vs. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

Edge: Either Morris or Taylor. Both are power backs, but have the speed to take it the distance. Maroney needs to step his game up or he will be out of a job at the end of the season.

Maroney can be a power back and definitely has the speed to take it the distance, but he struggles way to much at the line of scrimmage deciding which hole to run through and is often stopped at the line or behind it.

Faulk is a good third down back and pass blocker, but I don't know how much playing time he will se with the running back committee we have this year. Green-Ellis was a surprise off the practice squad last year and hope to see more of him.

Green-Ellis is similar to Morris in the fact that he is both a power back and has the speed to take it the distance. I don't know about anyone else, but he was a really good pickup for me last year in fantasy football that helped me win.

Right Guard: Stephen Neal vs. Jermail Porter

Edge: Goes to Neal. Has been the starter for years, but always seems to have a nagging injury that hampers his playing time. Neal is getting up there in age and the Patriots need a more consistent starter at right guard.

Porter is an unknown right now because he has never played football in his life, but as a collegiate wrestler he has a big upside because both Matt Light and Neal were both wrestlers in college too.

The right side of the line is really weak and it was evident in the Super Bowl loss to the Giants, after Neal went down in the first half the Giants defensive line went right through our offensive line like a knife through butter.

Defense

Safety: Brandon Meriweather vs. James Sanders vs. Patrick Chung

Edge: Goes to Meriweather. It is still unknown what position Meriweather and Sanders will be playing this season. Personally I think Meriweather is better suited for free safety because he has more range than Sanders and also makes more plays on the ball.

Sanders is better suited for strong safety because he has the build for it. Chung as of right now is a special teamer, but he could play in sub packages if he can learn the defense.

Outside Linebacker: Pierre Woods vs. Tully Banta-Cain

Edge: Banta-Cain...Back in 2006, BB utilized Banta-Cain on pass rushing situations and he ended up with 5.5 sacks in the 5 games he started. Woods showed promise last year, but was injured quickly with a broken jaw.

Banta-Cain gets the edge because of his pass rushing skills and that's what the Pats really need out of their outside linebackers which we lacked last year.

Inside Linebacker: Tedy Bruschi vs. Gary Guyton vs. Paris Lenon

Edge: Goes to Lenon. He may have played on the win-less Lions last season, but he is good in run support and can play in pass coverage. The only thing that might hamper him starting is if he can learn the defense or not.

Guyton showed promise last season for being an undrafted free agent and will play in a rotational role along with Bruschi.

Cornerback: Leigh Bodden vs. Jonathan Wilhite vs. Shawn Springs vs. Terrence Wheatley vs. Darius Butler

Edge: Goes to Bodden. Another player from the win-less Lions last season, but has the play making ability to be a play maker and star. Bodden is both physical and fast, something that the Pats have been missing for a long time. He is rated as the 15th corner in the league right now.

Wilhite played well last season for a rookie and should start again this season. Springs is a question mark because of his age and has lost a step, but he was only brought in because he has fared well against Terrell Owens in the past.

Wheatley played well last season until injured and was stride for stride with Marvin Harrison down the field, he also deflected almost every pass thrown to him in that game too.

In college Butler was known as one of the best cover corners and also played on offense. As of right now I see him as a return man and a sub package corner if he can learn the defense.

Other Notable Mentions

Backup Nose Tackle: Mike Wright vs. Ron Brace

Edge: Goes to Wright. Wright gets the edge because he knows the defense and has more durability than Brace. Wright has been a serviceable backup over the years and has also played defensive end.

Brace could be a dominant player in a few years after learning the defense and learning from Vince Wilfork. Brace would be an excellent fit for the rare 4-3 scheme that BB uses on occasion because of his size (6'3", 330 lbs).

Only problem with Brace is that his college coaches had said he has poor durability, if Brace wants be a dominant player he will have to work hard in training camp.

2009 Patriots: Why the Other 31 Teams Should Be Afraid

John — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:38:33 -0400

2008 Season Recap

The 2008 New England Patriots finished the season with a 11-5 record and surprisingly missed the playoffs because of how bad the New York Jets played against the Miami Dolphins in the last game of the season.

With Tom Brady gone for the season thanks to Bernard Pollard of the Kansas City Chiefs, Matt Cassel pulled the team through with trial and error. His first few games were aggravating to watch because of how many mistakes he made, but he eventually progressed throughout the season.

Now with Brady's knee injury healing and he is running again, Vegas has the Patriots as the favorite to win the Super Bowl in 2009. And why shouldn't they be the favorite?

Brady will be throwing to Randy Moss and Wes Welker again, the first year that Brady got to throw to Moss and Welker the trio beat NFL records of most points scored in a season and Brady threw the most touchdowns in a single season. Moss scored the most receiving touchdowns in a season and Welker had over 100 catches.

Now lets look at the both sides of the ball and see why the other 31 teams should fear the New England Patriots in 2009.

Linebackers

Last year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jerod Mayo has only left once since the offseason to see his family and has been spending all of his time at Gillette Stadium watching film and studying the playbook.

In a interview Mayo said that last year was good, but he wants to capitalize more on making "big plays" like sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles. He is also the coaches' favorite right now to wear the helmet with green dot, signifying that he is the only defensive player that the coaches can talk to in his helmet.

Adalius Thomas is coming back of a season ending injury and should be a force on the outside to bring back the Patriots' much needed pass rush. Tully Banta-Cain didn't have to wait long into free agency as he was signed quickly by the Patriots. Banta-Cain will most likely win the job in training camp to start opposite Thomas.

This should be Tedy Bruschi's last year in the NFL and will play behind Mayo. Gary Guyton did well last year even though he was an undrafted rookie free agent, but I'm unsure whether he will be playing on the outside or inside in 2009.

Eric Alexander, Shawn Crable, and Pierre Woods are all returning from season ending injuries and will most likely be playing special teams again unless Crable can prove to be a starter.

Secondary

Second round pick safety Patrick Chung is a hard hitting safety with good speed and coverage skills, but it a question mark whether he will be able to take the starting job from either Brandon Meriweather or James Sanders who both proved to be starters in the NFL.

The secondary is probably the scariest for opposing teams with Leigh Bodden, Shawn Springs, Jonathan Wilhite, Terrence Wheatley, and Darius Butler.

Bodden will win the starting job in training camp and is not like the normal Patriot corner. Bodden is 6'1" 193 punds, while the usual starting corners are around 5'9" to 5'10".

With Bodden and Springs the Patriots can play zone coverage more effectively. Butler, Wheatley, and Wilhite all provide good cover skills and should add more interceptions that the team lacked last season.

Defensive Line

The defensive line is bringing back all it's starters and most of the depth from last season.

Vince Wilfork is a force to be reckoned with in the middle, Richard Seymour and Ty Warren are no joke at defensive end and plug up holes quickly. Jarvis Green and Mike Wright add depth and versatility to the defensive line.

Second round pick Ron Brace should spell Wilfork and adds more depth to the defensive line. There are some questions though about Brace's durability.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

The electrifying Randy Moss and the "little engine who could" Wes Welker are one of the best tandems in the NFL as they proved in 2007. Add Joey Galloway, Greg Lewis, and Brandon Tate into the mix and defenses will have a very hard time defending the spread offense.

Tight Ends Chris Baker and Alex Smith should heat up the training camp battles and hopefully put the inconsistent Benjamin Watson on the bench. David Thomas has not been productive either so one of these tight ends will most likely be released at some point before the season starts.

Quarterback and Running Backs

Brady is returning from knee injury and has a lot of new weapons to throw to, he should be more dangerous than in 2007.

During the offseason the Patriots added veteran Fred Taylor who will take snaps with Sammy Morris, Lawrence Maroney, Benjarvis Green-Ellis, and Kevin Faulk.

Taylor, Morris, and Green-Ellis are all power backs. Maroney is more of a home run hitter when he wants to be and Faulk is perhaps one of the best receiving running backs and third down back in the NFL.

Offensive Line

The offensive line is still pretty solid with Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Matt Light, and Stephen Neal. Ross Hochstein can play all positions on the line and adds valuable depth.

The Patriots took a chance on drafting Jermail Porter. Porter has never played football in his life, but was an All-American Wrestler at Kent State. Wrestler's are experts at pushing people around and at 6'5" 310 pounds, Porter should be a dominant guard if he catches on quickly to the new sport.

Nick Kazcur should be released for his drug problems and for being the Achilles heal on the offensive line—he gives up too many sacks. He is going to get Brady killed next season, but other than that the line is solid.

Thanks for reading the article, and all you Patriots haters out there are just adding fuel to the fire for 2009 so keep the insults coming and don't cry when we beat your team 54-0.

Why the AFC East Will Be the NFL's Toughest Division in 2009

John — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:45:15 -0400

The AFC East has been a joke in recent years, with the Patriots dominating the division with little resistance from the other three teams. Last year, the division was tough, with the Dolphins and Jets having similar records to the Patriots. With the downfall of the Jets, though, it was between the Dolphins and Patriots.

The Jets didn't put up much of a fight against the Dolphins in the final game of the season, resulting in the Patriots missing the playoffs for the first time in years. The Bills also started off strong, but got lost along the way throughout the season.

During the offseason, a lot of talented players and coaches signed with AFC East teams. Rex Ryan was a big addition to the Jets, and will help out the defense a lot. Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard followed Ryan from the Ravens to the Jets.

The Jets traded for troubled cornerback Lito Sheppard from the Eagles, who should play well alongside Darrelle Revis. They also traded up to the fifth pick in the draft (which really surprised me and made me mad at the same time) to select their signal caller of the future—Mark Sanchez.

The Jets already have a good defense as it is, with players like David Harris, Darrelle Revis, Kerry Rhodes, Calvin Pace, Dwight Lowery, Kris Jenkins, Shaun Ellis, and not to mention Vernon Gholston, who Rex Ryan will turn into the next great outside linebacker in his defensive scheme.

The Jets will have the toughest defense this year, and it will be very interesting to see Rex Ryan and Bill Belichick try to out-wit each other on Sundays. The Jets also have a decent offense with Mark Sanchez, Thomas Jones, Dustin Keller, Leon Washington, Jerricho Cotchery, and of course their offensive line of all first-round draft picks.

The Dolphins had a great season last year. After going 1-15 the previous season, Bill Parcells has turned the franchise around and keeps on finding hidden gems in the draft to start for the Dolphins.

During the offseason, Parcells signed safety Gibril Wilson after the Oakland Raiders released him. The Dolphins will be tough to play against on running plays and passes over the middle because of hammers like Yeremiah Bell and Wilson.

The Dolphins also selected cornerbacks Vontae Davis (in the first round of the draft) and Sean Smith, who is a physical freak at corner, standing at 6'4" and 214 pounds. Both should play well along side veteran Will Allen.

Chris Clemons is another defensive player the Dolphins drafted that could be dangerous, because many scouts and analysts have compared his hitting style to Rodney Harrison.

The Dolphins have a good quarterback in Chad Pennington, and the offense is better because of it. Ronnie Brown is a good running back, too, and can be a pain to play against. Anthony Fasano was brought over from the Cowboys when Bill Parcells came to the Dolphins and has played well.

Ted Ginn, Jr. is a dangerous return specialist, and is taking a larger role in the offense now. Greg Camarillo is not a burner by any means, but is still dangerous because he has good hands and makes a lot of catches.

The Dolphins added wide receivers Patrick Turner, Pat White, and Brian Hartline. It will be interesting to see what the Dolphins do with White in their Wildcat offense that took the NFL by storm in 2008.

The Bills will be one of the toughest teams to play against (aside from the Patriots) in 2009 because of all their additions during the offseason and in the draft. The Bills have a good quarterback in Trent Edwards, but he still needs to mature in the offense.

With the addition of Terrell Owens during the offseason, Edwards should have plenty of targets to throw to. As of right now, the Bills have wide receivers Terrell Owens, Lee Evans, James Hardy, Josh Reed, and Roscoe Parrish, whom the Bills are trying to trade because of all the wide receivers they have.

The Bills also drafted tight end Shawn Nelson, who is the second-best blocking tight end in the draft behind Brandon Pettigrew. The Bills drafted Aaron Maybin in the first round, but it's unknown whether he can produce the numbers he did in college because of the speed of the NFL.

Marcus Stroud, Terrence McGee, Paul Posluszny, Donte Whitner, Kawika Mitchell, and Aaron Schobel are all good starters, and Maybin should become another sold starter.

With the return of Tom Brady from injury, the Patriots are yet again a favorite to make it to the Super Bowl. Brady will be throwing to Randy Moss and Wes Welker again, which will be scary to see if they can break their previous records from 2007.

During the offseason, the Patriots added speedster Joey Galloway. He may be up there in age, but he is still a speed burner and a deep threat.

The Patriots also traded for wide receiver Greg Lewis, and picked up tight end Chris Baker after the Jets had released him. Baker will most likely be the starting tight end, because he's more of a blocking tight end. This will let Benjamin Watson get more involved in the passing game.

The Patriots picked up running back Fred Taylor, who should play well for the Patriots, and should put up Corey Dillon-type numbers from his time with the Patriots. The Patriots' defense got a shot of youth in the draft when the Patriots selected Patrick Chung, Darius Butler, Ron Brace, and Tyrone McKenzie.

They also picked up cornerbacks Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs, after they were released form their respective teams. Bodden is not a typical Patriots corner because he's not short. He should take the starting job, unless Butler or second-year cornerbacks Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite progress more in training camp.

Chung should compete for the starting job against Brandon Meriweather and James Sanders, but if Chung doesn't start, he still adds talented depth to the secondary.

The Patriots defensive line received depth with the addition of Brace, who will play in a rotation with Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Mike Wright, and Jarvis Green.

Bill Belichick also brought back outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, who's a good pass rusher, but failed for the 49ers because they didn't have a coach like Belichick to maximize his skill.

It will be interesting to see how McKenzie plays, too, because the other outside linebacker position is still a question mark with Banta-Cain, Rosevelt Colvin, Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable, and Vince Redd.

In all, the AFC East in 2009 should be the most dangerous because all the teams have explosive offenses and talented defenses.

Ten Things That WIll Not Happen in the 2009 NFL Season

John — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:04:29 -0400

I made this article just to say that certain things will definately not happen because of personel changes and just to make a point to fans of other teams that only like to hear their own point of view. Most of these slides impoking a little fun at the athletes too just to make it a little more interesting.

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The New England Patriots 2009 Draft: Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios

John — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:56:47 -0400

The 2009 draft is approaching quickly and there is a growing number of mock draft articles, but this is not one of those articles. The draft is not controlled by the fans and these mock drafts articles are spreading like wild fire as though it's actually going to happen the way they predicted.

The draft is controlled by the GMs and coaches. The man behind the Patriots dynasty is none other than the man with the raggedy grey sweatshirt "BB" entitled on it. Bill Belichick loves versatile players and the draft has a good depth of versatile players.

The Patriots currently hold the the 23rd, 34th, 47th, 58th, 89th, 97th, 124th, 170th, 199th, 207th, and the 234th picks in the 2009 draft. So if you do the math, that's one first-round pick, three second-round picks, and two third-round picks. That's a lot of picks for the first day of the draft.

With all those picks it's very possible that Belichick will trade up to try and the player that best fits the Patriots complex defensive scheme. As of right now the Patriots have no major wholes except for outside linebacker because of the Matt Cassel trade which Mike Vrabel was also a part of.

While the Patriots only glaring need is outside linebacker they also need younger players to add depth to positions such as tight end, offensive and defensive lineman, linebacker, wide receiver, running back, corner back, and safety.

Players like Brian Cushing could excel under Belichick and right now that would be a very good possibility because of NFL analysts saying that Cushing will fall to the middle of the first round. With all the draft picks that Belichick and the Patriots have stockpiled up right now it is a big possibility that they could move up in the first round.

Rey Maualuga is another player that the Patriots are looking at, but many scouts say that he will not be a three-down linebacker because he is a liability in pass coverage. That is something that Belichick will not put up with and that means that Maualuga is not as versatile as people thought.

Aaron Curry would be the best player for the Patriots to draft because he can play in any defensive scheme and is good in pass coverage, but he will be drafted in the top three picks of the draft.

Brian Cushing would be a good draft pick for the Patriots if they trade up, but if not I believe Connor Barwin will still be available and everyone in the Patriots Nation is falling in love with the Patriots drafting him.

Connor Barwin's stock has been rising recently and analysts now have the Patriots selecting Barwin with the 23rd pick overall. Barwin played outside linebacker at Cincinnati and is very similar to Mike Vrabel's build, Barwin stands at 6'4" and weighs 256 pounds.

Barwin is also very quick for his size and ran a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day. Barwin has also played tight end and defensive end in his high school and college career, which is why I think that Barwin would be the perfect fit and pick for the Patriots in the first round.

Belichick loves versatile players as we all know and Barwin is about as versatile as a player can get, he is currently rated fourth out of this year's draft class and he should be available for the Patriots at 23.

Belichick also recently visited UConn's pro day to see corner back Darius Butler work out. Belichick rarely goes to college pro days and usually sends the scout or the positional coach for whatever player the Patriots are looking at the pro day.

Butler is the third-rated corner back in the draft class, but I think he could be the No. 1 or No. 2 corner back in the draft. Vontae Davis has character issues that teams need to worry about and he often takes to many chances or does his own thing instead of listening to the coach.

The No. 1 corner back in the draft is Malcolm Jenkins from Ohio State, but he ran a terrible 40-yard dash and will most likely be converted to free safety. The Patriots should be wary of him if he should fall to 23, anyone remember Michael Huff when he came out of college and he had everyone saying that he will be the best free safety?

Louis Delmas out of Western Michigan would be a good second round pick for the Patriots and has been compared by many people to Rodney Harrison. The only knock I could find on Delmas is that he only had 12 bench reps, so scouts wonder if he will be able to help out in run support.

If Delmas was drafted he might start over second year safety Brandon Meriweather who would most likely be bumped over to corner if this was to happen.

Patriot's right tackle Nick Kaczur has been the Achilles heel of the Patriot's offensive line since he was drafted. Phil Loadholt of Oklahoma is a behemoth and would definitely start at right tackle over Kaczur. Loadholt is 6'8" and 332 pounds; what a monster at right tackle that would be.

This will be Laurence Maroney's last year with the Patriots if he does not live up to his expectations for being a first-round pick. Sammy Morris, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Kevin Faulk are good running backs, but they need a young playmaker to replace Maroney. A third-down running back will also be a necessity because of Faulk's age.

Donald Brown from UConn could be a possibility and if the Patriots do not select a defensive player they might snatch Knowshon Moreno or Chris Wells if they should fall to them. Kory Sheets from Purdue would make an excellent third-down running back for the Patriots, Sheets is 6'0" and weighs 206 pounds.

While wide receiver is not a necessity right now it will be in a few years, Randy Moss and Joey Galloway are both up there in age, but Wes Welker is still young. Brian Robiskie is my favorite wide receiver in the draft and is projected to be drafted somewhere in the end of the first round or in the beginning of the second round.

Robiskie has hands like glue and if you watched any Ohio State games or the Senior Bowl he damn near caught everything thrown to him. Robiskie has good size at 6'2"-6'3" and weighs around 210-220 pounds, he also ran a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash so he is not a deep threat, but could play very well in the slot.

Patrick Turner is another interesting wide receiver, but I'm too scared of him turning into Dwayne Jarret who currently plays for the Panthers. Turner is a big wide receiver at 6'5" and weighs around 220-230 pounds, ran a 4.50-4.60 in the 40-yard dash so, again, not a deep threat, but could be used in the running game because of his size and could also play on special teams.

Many NFL scout are very wary of tall USC wide receivers entering the NFL after Mike Williams and Dwayne Jarret came out and never lived up to expectations.

The Patriots should be wary about Clay Matthews, though; I'm still not sold on whether he is a worthy of a first-round pick or not, but I don't think he would be that much of an impact player for the Patriots anyway.

I'm not saying all of this will come true, but these would be the best and worst case scenarios for the Patriots in the draft.

2009 Draft Wishlist: New England Patriots Draft Prospects

John — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:11:42 -0400

The Patriots dont have alot of holes this offseason, but need to add youth to many positions and mostly on defense. The offense isn't as perfect as some people would like to think either, their are alot of positions that could use some young playmakers. Chris Baker is a band-aid at tight end for the next few years because Benjamin Watson is not a blocking tight end and is more of a mismatch in the passing game for linebackers and safties. The offensive line needs to be upgraded as well, Nick Kaczur is going to get Tom Brady killed and Ryan O'Callaghan has not played up to his ability yet. Running back is also a concern because many believe this will be Lawrence Maroney's last year on the team unless he plays to his ability for being a high first round draft pick. The Patriots also need to find a third down running back to replace Kevin Faulk in the near future. Outside linebacker is a big concern with the departure of Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas' injuries. Thomas has played well, but many fans believe that he could play better. The defensive line could also use some young playmakers to add depth to the line.

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My 2009 NFL Mock Draft: Part Two

John — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 03:58:08 -0400

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford QB, Georgia

With Julian Peterson joining Ernie Sims, linebacker is no longer a glaring need for the Lions. They need to draft a franchise signal caller to learn under Daunte Culpepper for a year or two, so throw out Aaron Curry as the first pick in the draft.

2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith OT, Baylor

Orlando Pace was recently released and the Rams need to revamp their offensive line. Michael Crabtree is also a strong option because they released Tory Holt.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry LB, Wake Forest

Newly appointed general manager Scott Pioli has a knack for recognizing talent and Curry is probably the most talented player in the draft. Curry can play in any defensive scheme and is everything teams want in a linebacker.

4. Seattle Seahwaks: Brian Orakpo DE/OLB, Texas

With the departure of Julian Peterson to the Detroit Lions, the Seahawks will need a new young rusher off the edge. Who better than Brian Orakpo? He can play defensive end and outside linebacker, rushing the quarterback off the edge.

5. Cleveland Browns: Malcolm Jenkins DB, Ohio State

Newly appointed head coach Eric Mangini loves drafting corners in the first round in the draft, and the Browns could use a playmaker like Jenkins. Jenkins will probably convert to free safety in the NFL because of his top 10 talent.

6. Cincinatti Bengals: Michael Crabtree WR, Texas Tech

With T.J. Houshmanzadeh going to the Seattle Seahawks, the Bengals are in dire need of a talented young wide receiver and preferably one that has no arrest record. "Mr. Ocho-Cinco" has not been as productive as he has been in the past and will probably struggle without T.J. Enter Crabtree, and with Carson Palmer coming back off of injury this could be a highly potent offense.

7. Oakland Raiders: Jeremy Maclin WR, Missouri

Nobody will ever predict this pick because of how crazy Al Davis is, but hopefully newly appointed head coach Tom Cable can put Davis on a short leash and convince him to draft an offensive lineman in the first round to protect Jamarcus Russel. If Cable can't convince him, then look to see the Raiders draft the player with the fastest 40-yard dash time.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Eugene Monroe OT, Virginia

The Jaguars need a good lineman to protect quarterback David Garrard and give him time to get rid off the ball because last year he was sacked way too much. Running back is also a need, but not with this high of a pick.

9. Green Bay Packers: B.J. Raji DT, BC

The Packers are supposedly switching to a 3-4 defense scheme, which means that Aaron Kampman will be moving to defensive end and they will need a defensive tackle big enough for the new scheme. Raji would be perfect and will create havoc for offensive linemen in the NFL.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Sanchez QB, USC

The 49ers resigned quarterback Alex Smith, but I think it's just to groom a younger quarterback under him. Smith has never played well enough for being selected first overall in the draft, so Sanchez will make sense.

11. Buffalo Bills: Tyson Jackson DE, LSU

The Bills need to add younger players to their defensive line to strengthen their depth. Their defensive ends are aging and Jackson is a handful off the edge, which could create a lot of problems for offensive tackles.

12. Denver Broncos: Rey Maualuga LB, USC

B.J. Raji will be gone in the top 10, so the Broncos need to look at another position like linebacker. D.J. Williams is a good linebacker, but please, you could at least give the guy some help. The Broncos went out and signed Brian Dawkins, which will give them that motivational speaker and emotional leader on the field and in the locker room, but plug in Maualuga and it births the the start of a hard-hitting defense.

13. Washington Redskins: Michael Oher OT, Mississippi

The Redskins need to protect Julian Cambell, plain and simple.

14. New Orleans Saints: Knowshon Moreno RB, Georgia

The Saints released running back Deuce McAllister, and Reggie Bush is definitely not an every-down back in the NFL. Bush only weighs 205 lbs and gets tossed around like nothing, even by cornerbacks. The Saints need an every-down back and they can find it in Moreno. Moreno is the No. 1 running back in the draft right now and the Saints could definitely use him to make their offense better. Cornerback is also a big possibility here.

15. Houston Texans: Vontae Davis DB, Illinois

The Texans signed Antonio Smith in free agency to a multi-year contract, so defensive end is not a priority anymore. Cornerback is definitely a problem for the Texans and Davis could help them out a a lot. Davis is tall, strong, and fast. Davis can help out in run support as well as in the pass defense. Look to see Davis on many highlight reels this upcoming season.

16. San Deigo Chargers: James Lauranitis LB, Ohio State

The Chargers have good outside linebackers in Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips, but the inside linebackers definitely struggled last year. Enter Lauranitis, who has won the Butkus award twice and is a smart, hard-hitting linebacker. The Chargers could make a significant improvement on defense.

17. New York Jets: Josh Freeman QB, Kansas State

Everyone knows that the Jets are looking for a franchise quarterback, and they could definitely find that in Freeman; he is a big quarterback with a big arm. The Jets already have Dustin Keller as a safety blanket and all they need after they draft a quarterback is a wide receiver.

18. Chicago Bears: Percy Harvin WR, Florida

The Bears really struggled throwing the ball last year and immediately need a young, talented wide receiver. Harvin is not 6'5", but he is quick. Darrius Heyward-Bey could also be a option here because of his 40-yard dash time at the combine.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Clint Sintim OLB, Virginia

With all the quarterbacks and running backs with a first round grade gone by this point, the Buccaneers need to look at another need. The Buccaneers recently released outside linebacker Derrick Brooks and would need a starter quickly if they don't want to be taken advantage of by teams. Sintim is a good pass rusher and a strong tackler.

20. Detroit Lions: Andre Smith OT, Alabama

The Lions will already have gotten their future signal caller and now need to protect him. Smith's stock is falling, yet some scouts say he is still a first round talent. If Smith actually falls this far it would be a steal for the Lions.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Pettigrew TE, Oklahoma

Give Donovan McNabb a big target to throw to when in trouble and a target that will actually catch the ball. Pettigrew is an "old school" tight end; one who actually blocks and catches the ball. Pettigrew is a big guy and when he catches the ball he will get a lot of yards after the catch because it will take a few players to take him down.

22. Minnesota Vikings: Darrius Heyward-Bey WR, Maryland

Heyward-Bey blew up at the combine and had the fastest 40-yard dash time out of the receivers with a 4.3 flat. Minnesota could use a speedy receiver to go along with Bernard Berrian.

23. New England Patriots: Robert Ayers DE, Tennessee

The Patriots' defensive line is getting pretty old and Ayers is a big defensive end who would add valuable depth. Seymour's contract is ending after next season and the Patriots have to decide whether to re-sign Seymour or Wilfork. My guess is that the Patriots will pick Wilfork, so defensive end will definitely be a necessity.

24. Atlanta Falcons: William Moore DB, Missouri

Lawyer Milloy is ancient and Jimmy Williams is already with another team after being drafted in the first round only a few years ago. Moore will be a big upgrade for the Falcons' defense.

25. Miami Dolphins: Brian Cushing LB, USC

Parcells loves linebackers, and Cushing is a Parcell type of linebacker—blue collar, talented, and smart. Cushing will pair up with Channing Crowder and Joey Porter to make one of the better trio of linebackers in the league.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Michael Johnson DE/OLB, Georgia Tech

Johnson paired along with Terrell Suggs could make some of the most dangerous pass rushing specialists in the NFL, next to Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney. Johnson is athletic enough to play outside linebacker, as he showed in the combine.

27. Indianapolis Colts: Peria Jerry DT, Mississippi

The Colts need a young defensive tackle to help out in run support or else teams will run over the Colts' defense like in previous years. Mathis and Freeney are small and easily moved in the running game, but they are ridiculous at rushing the passer and chasing the ball carrier.

28. Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Wells RB, Ohio State

Brian Westbrook is getting old and the Eagles need another running back to help carry the load for Westbrook. Correll Buckhalter was a good backup, but he was not re-signed and left for the Denver Broncos. Wells is a downhill runner and will break many tackles in the NFL. Having Westbrook as his mentor would be a big upside for Wells as well.

29. New York Giants: Aaron Maybin DE/OLB Penn State

Another young outside linebacker who can rush the quarterback and create havoc.

30. Tennessee Titans: Brian Robiskie WR, Ohio State

Robiskie will catch anything that comes near him. If you watched the bowl game against Texas or the Senior Bowl, he literally caught everything. He is not the tallest or fastest receiver, but he is quick and has some of the best hands I have ever seen.

31. Arizona Cardinals: Eben Britton OT, Arizona

The Cardinals need to protect the quarterback better, which was evident in the Super Bowl.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Mack C, California

The only weakness I could find in the Steelers last year was their offensive line. Alex Mack could be a starter on day one either at center or at one of the guard positions. He will most likely start, but if not, he will add some good depth.

Tom Brady-Peyton Manning Debate: Not from a Colts Fan's Perspective for Once

John — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:55:53 -0500

I have read too many articles written by Colts fans with outlandish claims against the Patriots and Tom Brady. They are making it seem like Peyton Manning is playing for a really bad team like the Lions or something. Either people are watching too much ESPN and are getting brainwashed, or they have never heard of NFL NETWORK OR NFL.COM. I would highly suggest going to NFL.com for facts so you don't put yourself out there to be looking stupid.

Let's start with Super Bowls because they're what separate the two of them significantly. Brady has three Super Bowl rings within a four-year span. Manning has one, not to mention that was one of the worst Super Bowls I have watched. The most exciting thing was Devin Hester's kickoff return on the opening kick of the game.

When it comes to stats is where it gets nasty and arguments really heat up, because not everyone goes to NFL.com for facts. I had recently argued with a Colts fan about how Manning has had offensive weapons his entire career and a good offensive line.

Manning has only been sacked for an average of 18 times per year, while Brady has been sacked for an average of 29 times per year. Who has the better offensive line? Manning obviously does; he barely gets touched, which is why he has all day to throw the ball.

If you want to know where I got these facts, then I will provide you with the link. Just add up all the sacks and then divide by the number of years they have played to get the average.

http://www.nfl.com/players/peytonmanning/profile?id=MAN515097

http://www.nfl.com/players/tombrady/profile?id=BRA371156

Another outlandish claim that was made by a Colts fan was that the Patriots already had a top 10 defense before Brady came and is a reason for his success. This is funny because once again if you look in the 2000 season, the Patriots are ranked 20th overall in defense. So where are these facts coming from, Colts fans?

If Peyton Manning is SO MUCH better than Brady, which there have been many articles written about, then why are they all written by Colts fans? If you have neutral fans that don't support either the Colts or the Patriots saying that Manning is not better than Brady (there are a good number of these fans), then what do you do? They obviously go into delusional mode and just shut down all facts coming in on their comments.

Manning plays selfish offense, which is why he has put up the stats that he has. They do not run the ball and only do if they're on the goal line or really short yardage situations. Manning throws the ball for the entire game pretty much, not to mention that he has three wide receivers that were all drafted in the first round of the draft. But that doesn't matter, right? Because apparently Manning made them good.

That's BS; Reggie Wayne was a really good wide receiver at Miami University, and Anthony Gonzalez was a good wide receiver at Ohio State. Marvin Harrison was a good receiver at Syracuse, and not to mention Dallas Clark was also a first round draft pick. The Colts draft offensive players early and often to make Manning look better. Don't believe me? Fine, check this out.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?teamId=2200&type=team

The Patriots draft players to make a complete team and not a one-sided team like the Colts. The Colts defense isn't that bad though; Bob Sanders, Dwight Freeney, and Robert Mathis make a lot of plays and cause turnovers. Since Freeney and Mathis are edge rushers and are probably the fastest off the edge, they cause a lot of trouble for quarterbacks.

When Brady got Randy Moss, Donté Stallworth, and Wes Welker, he threw an NFL record 50 passing touchdowns, and the Patriots as a team set an NFL record for scoring 589 points in a season. Moss also broke Jerry Rice's record by catching 23 touchdown receptions.

Brady did that in the first year that he got offensive weapons of high caliber. Manning has had high caliber offensive weapons for his entire career and not done much with them.

Manning's running game has always been better than Brady's as well. Manning had running backs like Edgerrin James, Joseph Addai, and Dominic Rhodes, who all put up good numbers while they were on the Colts.

Meanwhile Brady has had Antwain Smith, Corey Dillon, Kevin Faulk, and Laurence Maroney. Corey Dillon was a good player, but the Patriots got him when he was already aging. Kevin Faulk is only good for receiving and pass blocking. Laurence Maroney has not showed he was worth a first round draft pick yet and seems to only dance around at the line of scrimmage.

This year was probably the best running game the Patriots have had in a while—but nowhere near as good as the Colts. Edgerrin James played for the Colts for seven years, and in five of those seasons James had over 1,000 yards rushing. Out of those five years where James had more than 1,000 yards rushing yards, James had four seasons where he rushed for more than 1,500 yards.

http://www.nfl.com/players/edgerrinjames/profile?id=JAM177189

This debate will continue until the end of time and far after both Brady and Manning are in the Hall of Fame. But, as an NFL fan first and a Patriots fan second, Brady is better than Manning because Manning has always had the supporting cast necessary to win, but only managed to win one Super Bowl. Manning is a good QB don't get that twisted, but too many people think he is the best ever and is supporting cast should be getting recognition instead. I mean Manning is already a house hold name, he has been in way too many commercials.

My 2009 NFL Mock Draft: Part One

John — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:34:50 -0500

The season is over now and everyone is dealing with withdrawal, and writing articles is one of the best ways to help. I made the article "Part One" because I will make another mock draft after free agency and the combine.

1) Detroit Lions: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

One of the most athletic tackles in the group. After the senior bowl, the top tackles showed that they could not handle the quick pass rushers off the edge, so Smith moves up to the number one tackle.

2) St. Louis Rams: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

The Rams' offensive line is old and they need a replacement for Orlando Pace. Smith is considered an elite tackle and will be drafted high. I considered putting Michael Crabtree here, but offensive line is more of a concern for the Rams.

3) Kansas City Chiefs: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

Kansas City needs a quarterback. Tyler Thigpen did a good job for them, but newly appointed GM Scott Pioli will want a franchise quarterback. I'm not big on the quarterbacks this year, but Sanchez is one of the few QB's this year that can throw past 20 yards. I also considered putting Aaron Curry here, but quarterback is more of a concern.

4) Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Easily the best wide receiver in the draft, and with Seattle's old receiving corps, they are in dire need of youth and a big playmaker. Crabtree obviously fits that role with his athleticism and big body.

5) Cleveland Browns: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Mangini will love this guy. Curry is a versatile linebacker with a motor that doesn't stop. The Browns need a talented linebacker, and with Andra Davis heading into free agency, they need to get younger at the position. I considered putting Malcolm Jenkins here, but the 5th pick is too high to take Jenkins and some have questioned his speed, so his draft stock is declining. Also, there will be a question if Jenkins will be playing corner or safety in the NFL.

6) Cincinnati Bengals: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

With Carson Palmer coming back off injury, the Bengals need to draft a offensive tackle to protect him. The Bengals are not known for having an elite offensive line, so if they plan to keep Palmer healthy next season, they need to draft a offensive tackle with their first pick.

7) Oakland Raiders: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

With new head coach Tom Cable, the Raiders will be butting heads in the war room come draft day. Al Davis will want the player with that fastest 40-yard dash time, no matter what position they play for, and Cable will want an offensive tackle to protect JaMarcus Russell. With Al Davis as the owner and the main guy calling the shots in the war room, this pick is nearly impossible to make.

8) Jacksonville Jaguars: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

With all the top offensive linemen gone, the Jaguars need to revive their 1-2 punch system with Fred Taylor getting old. Chris Wells and Maurice Jones-Drew could could be a two-headed monster that NFL teams will have a lot of trouble stopping. If there is a top offensive tackle left then the Jaguars could draft him, or trade down.

9) Green Bay Packers: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas

The Packers are aging in both their defensive line and in their secondary. Depending on what scheme the Packers go with next season, a defensive end will be needed. I considered putting B.J. Raji here because if they switch schemes a stronger interior defensive lineman will be needed.

10) San Francisco 49ers: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Shaun Hill had a good season this year, but Hill is no franchise quarterback by any means. Alex Smith was supposed to be their franchise quarterback, but has not showed much promise. I put Stafford here because I believe Mark Sanchez is better than Stafford. I considered putting DE/OLB Everette Brown here, but the 49ers are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback.

11) Buffalo Bills: Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State

Brown could play either defensive end or outside linebacker in the NFL, something that the Bills could use as a weapon on defense with their linebacker core needing an upgrade. Aaron Maybin is also a possibility here.

12) Denver Broncos: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

Maualuga is a tackling machine and the Broncos are dying to get one of those. D.J. Williams is a good linebacker for the Broncos, but he really needs some help because his teammates aren't doing it. With new head coach Josh McDaniels being an offensive-minded coach, his offense is already good (save for a running back), but their defense really needs help. B.J. Raji is also a big possibility here.

13) Washington Redskins: Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State

The Redskins need a quality pass rusher at defensive end or outside linebacker. Maybin could play either position for the Redskins. Maybin's stock is rising and he has proved that he can get by quality tackles. I considered a CB here, but I'm confident that they will resign DeAngelo Hall because he will want to stay close to home.

14) New Orlean Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio State

He's considered the top cornerback in the draft and the Saints could really use that with Mike McKenzie getting old. Only problem is that scouts are not sure if Jenkins will play safety or corner back in the NFL because they question his speed. I thought of putting OLB Brian Cushing here, but they need a young corner more.

15) Houston Texans: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

The Texans need a good defensive end to play opposite Mario Williams and to improve their defensive line, because Anthony Weaver has been a bit of a disappointment. A safety is also a possibility here.

16) San Diego Chargers: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

This could change if Chris Wells drops this far, but I don't see that happening. Either way, the Chargers need a running back to replace LaDainian Tomlinson because he is getting old and his numbers are slipping each year. Not to mention they need a running back that is not going to whine as much as Tomlinson.

17) New York Jets: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

I wasn't sure what to put here with new head coach Rex Ryan, but he is a defensive coach and he is pretty much already set defensively. The Jets need a quarterback and they are better off if Favre doesn't come back. As a Patriots' fan, I would love to see Favre come back so he can throw more interceptions. Josh Freeman could be the quarterback the Jets have been looking for since they got rid of Chad Pennington. This pick is up in the air.

18) Chicago Bears: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

The Bears need a deep threat at wide receiver since the departure of Bernard Berrian. The Bears will probably draft a defensive player to improve their strength, but wide receiver is definitely a need.

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

The Buccaneers need a wide receiver with Antonio Bryant going to be drawing double coverages next year after the good season that he had this year. Quarterback or linebacker is also a possibility here. The Buccaneers have too many needs at this point.

20) Detroit Lions: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

The Lions' secondary was one of the worst this year even with the addition of Leigh Bodden. They need a playmaking cornerback and they will find that in Davis. Linebacker is a strong possibility here also.

21) Philadelphia Eagles: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

The Eagles need a good wide receiver to survive if they make it to the playoffs next season. Tight end is also a strong possibility here, but wide receiver will be more appreciated by the fans with their first of two first round draft picks.

22) Minnesota Vikings: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

The Vikings' offensive line is pretty old and they might lose players to free agency. The Vikings will take the best offensive lineman available or look to see them draft a corner back because of aging Antoine Winfield, even though he made the Pro Bowl this year.

23) New England Patriots: Brian Cushing, LB, USC

The Patriots really need to get younger on their defense, especially with their secondary and linebacking corps. Brian Cushing or James Laurinaitis will be the top draft targets of the Patriots. Cornerback is also a strong possibility here, but they drafted two in last years draft.

24) Atlanta Falcons: William Moore, DB, Missouri

The Falcons need to get younger at the safety position with old man Lawyer Milloy still playing. Moore is one of the top safeties and will probably be the number one safety after the combine.

25) Miami Dolphins: James Laurinatis, LB, Ohio State

The Dolphins need to get younger at linebacker with Joey Porter aging and the uncertainty surrounding Channing Crowder. Parcells loves linebackers and if Brian Cushing falls down to the 25th pick, Parcells will snatch him up without even thinking. Corner back or safety is also a strong possibility here, but the Dolphins have too many needs so this pick is up in the air.

26) Baltimore Ravens: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest

The Ravens are really aging at the cornerback position with Samari Rolle and Chris McAllister still playing. Fabian Washington is a decent cornerback with good speed, but they need a young quick ball hawk like Alphonso Smith. Look to see the Ravens draft a linebacker with this pick because they can't resign Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Bart Scott.

27) Indianapolis Colts: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

The Colts have not had a good defensive tackle since Montae Reagor and Jerry will get double-teamed all day, so that could free up Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. I would put my money on the Colts taking a wide receiver in the first round because Peyton Manning seems to struggle when he is not throwing to first round talented receivers.

28) Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma

The Eagles need a tight end with the disappointment of L.J. Smith, who is probably leaving for free agency. The Eagles need more offensive weapons to take the heat off Brian Westbrook and DeSean Jackson if they want to survive in the playoffs next season.

29) New York Giants: Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia

The Giants need help at outside linebacker and also at inside linebacker with Antonio Peirce getting older. Clint Sintim runs on a high motor and can be counted on to make tackles. Wide receiver is also a strong possibility here, but all the top wide receivers will be gone.

30) Tennessee Titans: Michael Johnson, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech

The Titans could use someone like Johnson at outside linebacker and on passing situations because he will be a pass rushing demon in the NFL. Ron Brace is also an option here because they don't know if Albert Haynesworth will stay or not.

31) Arizona Cardinals: Louis Delmas, DB, Western Michigan

The Cardinals need to upgrade the safety position with Adrian Wilson getting older, and not much depth at the position which showed in the Super Bowl. This would also allow Antrel Rolle to move back to his original position at cornerback.

32) Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Mack, OL, California

The Steelers really need to improve their offensive line and Mack could be the answer. Mack is entering the draft as a center, but is versatile enough to play guard too. Cornerback is also a strong possibility here as D.J. Moore will probably be available here, but offensive line is a big need.

Tell me what you think so I can make improvements for my next mock draft after free agency and the combine.

New England Patriots Offseason Dos and Don'ts

John — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:30:38 -0500

Okay, this is going to be a very long offseason, just like it is every year. But, look on the bright side, the Pro Bowl is this Sunday and the combine is coming soon. But, then we have to wait a few months before the draft, which is going to be very tough.

Let's start with the Do's. Good thing we franchised Cassel so now teams can't sign him in free agency for nothing. Trade Matt Cassel, we barely have enough cap room as it is, and if we trade him, we could resign more players and go after some good free agents.

A lot of teams are looking for QB and may be desperate enough to trade a first round draft pick with this year's weak QB class.

James Sanders needs to be resigned along with Mike Wright, Pierre Woods, Ross Hochstein, and Jabar Gaffney. Rodney Harrison should be resigned to a one or two year contract because of his age, if he does not retire.

Hochstein, Woods, and Wright all add depth and versatility to the team. Sanders is reliable and better than the free agent safeties or in the draft. Gaffney is a clutch receiver and adds depth.

Lewis Sanders might get resigned too because he adds depth to the corner and safety position, Belichick loves guys that are versatile.

Lonnie Paxton is also another question, he has been the long snapper for awhile and has done a good job, so he would be another key resign.

Depending on Cassel, we can't do much in the next couple of months if we have not traded him. In the draft, with the 23rd pick, outside linebacker and cornerback are the biggest needs.

Brian Cushing would be ideal, but he will most likely be gone when it's the Patriots' turn to pick. Clint Sintim is another chance, but I didn't like what I saw from him in the Senior Bowl. Not to mention he didn't even start.

He didn't make many plays at all, all I saw was him chasing receivers and not catching them. Clay Matthews would be nice, but I don't think he would start, let alone get past Pierre Woods. Maybe Shawn Crable, but that's not saying much.

As for cornerbacks, I think Alphonso Smith will be available with the 23rd pick and he is ideal for the Patriots. He is undersized like all of our corners, but he is a ball hawk and will get a lot of interceptions. I'm not big on D.J. Moore, and Malcolm Jenkins will be long gone when it's NE's turn to pick.

Now for the dont's. I repeat, and I repeat again, DO NOT resign Deltha O'Neal. Goodbye and good riddance, all you ever did was let receivers run wild in the secondary.

Lamont Jordan, Larry Izzo, and Chris Hanson are all way too old at this point to resign. Do not sign O.J. Atogwe in free agency, he reminds me to much of Eugene Wilson. I have read a lot of articles about fans wanting the Pats to sign Atogwe and don't like that idea.

Atogwe is way to inconsistent and takes too many chances, I have seen him too many times get burned or juked and it turns into big yards after the catch. I've also seen him get run over a lot and is just a big risk at this point.

Rod Woodson: Taking a Look Back at the New HOF's Career

John — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 11:13:04 -0500

Rod Woodson has had a very long and exciting career as a defensive back who played originally as a corner, but then moved to safety. Woodson came into the league in 1987, and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round with the 10th pick overall.

He played cornerback for the Steelers for 10 seasons until he was let go because of disagreements over his contract and salary cap issues.

In his 10 seasons with the Steelers, Woodson started 125 games and tallied up 644 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, 21 fumble recoveries, and which went for a touchdown. Woodson also had 38 interceptions, with 779 interception return yards and five touchdowns.

In 1997, Woodson became a free agent and signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, converting from cornerback to safety. During his one-year tenure with the 49ers, Woodson started 14 games.

Woodson tallied up 43 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Woodson also had three interceptions for 81 yards.

After his year with the 49ers, Woodson signed with the Baltimore Ravens, playing four years for them from 1998-2001. Woodson won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2001. He tallied up 253 tackles, three forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries. Woodson also had 20 interceptions, which he returned for 380 yards and five touchdowns.

Woodson played his two final seasons for the Oakland Raiders from 2002-2003. During those two seasons, Woodson tallied up 110 tackles and four fumble recoveries for 64 yards. Woodson also had 10 interceptions, which he returned for 243 yards and two touchdowns.

Woodson was released in 2004 before the season because he failed a team physical. Woodson retired soon after.

On Jan. 31, 2009, Rod Woodson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

During Woodson's 17 year career in the NFL, Woodson started 229 games and tallied up 1050 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 20 forced fumbles, and 32 fumble recoveries, which he returned for 137 yards and a touchdown. Woodson also had 71 interceptions, which he returned for 1483 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Woodson also received numerous awards during his 17-year career in the NFL. He was named to 11 Pro Bowls and was the 1993 Defensive Player of the year.

Also, Woodson holds a lot of NFL records. Woodson's 12 interceptions returned and 1,483 interception return yards are just a few of them. Woodson's 11 Pro Bowls are the most by any defensive back. In 1994, Woodson was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team.

I'm not a Steelers fan, but I like Rod Woodson. He was a good player and is a good person. Not to mention he played defensive back for 17 years which is very admirable. Even if you hate the Steelers, you have to give Rod Woodson credit.

Is the University of Miami the Best Football Factory for the NFL Ever?

John — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:59:24 -0500

I think so, but let's take a look at all the talent that they have had over the years at the school and what these players have become in the NFL.

Running backs

Clinton Portis: Portis started his career with the Broncos, but currently plays for the Redskins. Portis has 9,202 rushing yards on 2,052 attempts and 72 rushing touchdowns for a 4.5-yard average.

He also has 233 receptions for 1,906 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns. Portis is a veteran of seven NFL seasons and has been selected to two Pro Bowls.

Edgerrin James: James started his career with the Colts, but currently plays for the Cardinals. James has 12,121 rushing yards on 2,982 attempts and 80 rushing touchdowns for a 4.1-yard average.

He also has 430 receptions for 3,345 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. James is a veteran of 10 NFL seasons and has been selected to four Pro Bowls.

Willis McGahee: McGahee started his career with the Bills, but currently plays for the Ravens. McGahee has 5,243 rushing yards on 1,332 attempts and 38 rushing touchdowns for a 3.9-yard average.

He also has 135 receptions for 907 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. McGahee is a veteran of six NFL seasons and has been selected to one Pro Bowl.

Frank Gore: Gore plays for San Francisco. He has 4,441 rushing yards on 939 attempts and 22 rushing touchdowns for a 4.7-yard average.

He also has 172 receptions for 1,425 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns. Gore is a veteran of four NFL seasons and has been selected to one Pro Bowl.

Receivers and Tight Ends

Michael Irvin: Irvin played his whole career for the Cowboys, and he is in the Hall of Fame. Irvin finished his career with 750 receptions for 11,904 yards and 65 touchdowns. Irvin was a veteran of 11 NFL seasons and was selected to five Pro Bowls.

Andre Johnson: In Houston, Johnson has 486 receptions for 6,379 and 33 touchdowns. Johnson is a veteran of six NFL seasons and was selected to three Pro Bowls.

Reggie Wayne: In Indianapolis, Wayne has 576 receptions for 8,129 yards and 53 touchdowns. Wayne is a veteran of eight NFL seasons and was selected to three Pro Bowls.

Santana Moss: Moss started his career for the Jets, but currently plays for the Redskins. Moss has 430 receptions for 6,541 receiving yards and 43 touchdowns. Moss is a veteran of eight NFL seasons and was selected to one Pro Bowl.

Jeremy Shockey: Shockey started his career for the Giants, but currently plays for the Saints. Shockey has 421 receptions for 4,711 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns. Shockey is a veteran of seven NFL seasons and has been selected to four Pro Bowls.

Kellen Winslow: In Cleveland, Winslow has 219 receptions for 2,459 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Winslow is a veteran of five NFL seasons and has been selected to one Pro Bowl.

Greg Olsen: In Chicago, Olsen has 93 receptions for 965 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Olsen is a veteran of two NFL seasons.

Bubba Franks: Franks started his career for the Packers, but currently plays for the Jets. Franks has 256 receptions for 2,300 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns. Franks is a veteran of nine NFL seasons and has been selected to three Pro Bowls.

Defensive Tackles

Warren Sapp: Sapp started his career for the Buccaneers, but then played for the Raiders. Sapp is retired and works for the NFL Network. Over 12 years, Sapp tallied 569 tackles with 96.5 sacks and four interceptions. Sapp was selected to seven Pro Bowls.

Vince Wilfork: In five years playing for New England, Wilfork has 260 tackles with 7.5 sacks. He has been selected to one Pro Bowl.

Jerome Brown: Brown started his career in Philadelphia, but he died in a car accident at the age of 27. His No. 99 jersey was retired soon after his death. Brown played in 76 games for the NFL and tallied 29.5 sacks and three interceptions.

Linebackers

Ray Lewis: In 13 years for the Ravens, Lewis has 1,636 tackles with 33.5 sacks and 28 interceptions. He has been selected to 10 Pro Bowls.

Jonathan Vilma: Vilma started his career for the Jets, but currently plays for the Saints. Vilma has 564 tackles with 3.5 sacks and seven interceptions. Vilma is a veteran of five NFL seasons and has been selected to one Pro Bowl.

D.J. Williams: In Denver, Williams has 479 tackles with 6.5 sacks and two interceptions. Williams is a veteran of five NFL seasons.

Jon Beason: In two seasons playing for Carolina, Beason has 278 tackles and four interceptions. Beason is a veteran of two NFL seasons and has been selected to one Pro Bowl.

Dan Morgan: Morgan started his career for the Panthers and was traded to the Saints; before he played a down for the Saints, he announced his retirement. Over seven years, Morgan tallied up 386 tackles with seven sacks and five interceptions. Morgan was a veteran of seven NFL seasons and was selected to one Pro Bowl.

Defensive Backs

Sean Taylor: Taylor started his career for the Redskins, but his career was cut short when he was murdered in his own home in Miami.

Taylor had 299 tackles with eight forced fumbles and 12 interceptions. He was a veteran of four NFL seasons and was selected to two Pro Bowls. Taylor was inducted to the Redskins' Hall of Fame.

Ed Reed: Reed has played seven seasons for the Ravens. He has 408 tackles with five sacks and 43 interceptions; he returned five for touchdowns. Reed has been selected to five Pro Bowls.

Antrell Rolle: In four seasons with Arizona, Rolle has 263 tackles with eight interceptions and four touchdowns.

Phillip Buchanon: Buchanon started his career for the Raiders, but was then traded to the Texans and released to be picked up by the Buccaneers. Over seven years, Buchanon has 296 tackles with 18 interceptions and five touchdowns.

Duane Starks: Starks started his career for the Ravens and released to be picked up by the Cardinals. Starks was then traded to the Patriots and released to be picked up by the Raiders.

Over 10 years, Starks has 203 tackles with one sack and 25 interceptions; he returned one for a touchdown. Starks was considered one of the elite cover corners in the league when he was with the Ravens.

Brandon Meriweather: In two seasons for the Patriots, Meriweather has 110 tackles with two sacks and four interceptions.

Special Teams and Coaches:

Devin Hester: Hester was drafted by the Bears as a CB/WR and became a star player on special teams. He has 94 kick returns for 2,141 return yards and 4 touchdowns. He also has 121 punt returns for 1,449 yards and seven more touchdowns. Hester is a veteran of three NFL seasons and has been selected to two Pro Bowls.

Jeff Feagles: Feagles started his career as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Patriots. Since then he has played for the Eagles, Cardinals, Seahawks, and currently plays for the Giants.

Feagles has 1,649 punts for 68,607 punt yards with a net average of 41.6 yards.

Jimmy Johnson: Johnson coached at Miami for five years and finished with a record of 52-9 and a one national championship. Johnson had one undefeated regular season with the Hurricanes, only to be beaten in the championship.

As you can see, the University of Miami has contributed to the NFL by providing many Pro Bowlers and Hall of Famers, not to mention future Hall of Famers.

People could argue that University of Southern California (USC) or Michigan could be first, but Miami has produced many NFL greats on all three sides of the ball; offense, defense, and special teams.

Spyhate: What Really Happened in "Spygate" and How It Was All Hyped Up

John — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:39:44 -0500

Everyone knows about Spygate and all the other fans of the 31 teams think that the New England Patriots are the biggest cheaters in the history in the NFL. People that like to make excuses say that, the Patriots only beat my team because they cheated?

If your truly believe that then you are helplessly ignorant because when the Patriots got caught with the misunderstanding of the rules, the NFL babysat us for the remainder of the season on the sidelines. A lot of good that did; the Patriots scored 36.8 points per game and went on to score 589 points for the season, which is now a record.

First, fans were complaining that the Patriots were cheating, soon after the fans and teams were complaining that the Patriots were running up the score on teams. Well when you just called a whole organization a bunch of cheaters did you think they would show mercy? Hell no, they ran that score up and shoved that Spygate in people's faces.

What you guys got on the Patriots now besides that they are not in the playoffs? So what we have been in the playoffs since 2000, we have to share with the rest of the NFL teams just like we have to share money with low-revenue teams like the Bills and Raiders.

I wouldn't give money to other teams that are calling us cheaters either, it's not my fault their team sucks.

Now let's look at the analysis of Spygate, because this needs to be clarified for all you simpletons out there. The Pats taped all sorts of things, and taped very little of defensive signals.

They also taped the game clock...is that cheating? They also taped the opposing team's cheerleaders...is that cheating? It has been stated by everyone, including Matt Walsh, who operated video cameras for the Patriots, that the Patriots did not use the tapes in the games to gain a competitive edge.

Furthermore, the fine was for where the filming occurred, not what was filmed. If the Pats had filmed from the media booth, there would never have been a fine. The NFL didn't fine the Patriots for "cheating"—it's camera placement-filming from a location not surround by three walls and a roof overhead (per the rule book).

Now take a look at how the media portrayed the incident, they did not deal with it in a professional manner at all. They all jumped to conclusions, but I do remember players speaking out against Spygate on NFL Total Access.

So if your going to keep on saying the Patriots cheated, then go ahead, there is nothing I can do to stop you, but I made this article to educate you so that you're not totally helpless.

E-Egotistical A-Arrogant G-Group of L-Lunatics E-Everyone S-Sympathizes With

John — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:55:12 -0500

I've about had it with some of these Eagles fans on this website. I'm only writing this article to blow off steam. THIS ARTICLE IS NOT ABOUT THE WHOLE EAGLES FANBASE, just the ones that piss me off. If anyone else has anger problems, writing is one of the better things to do to cool off and get everything off your chest.

All these top 10 articles I have read on this website are by Eagles fans, but the only problem is that it is not an actual top 10 list; it's a biased list by a biased fan. I'm not talking about the Eagles fanbase as a whole, just the ones that have gotten under my skin.

Take, for example, a top 10 article about fanbases in the NFL. I took a look at it like I would any other article and then questioned the author of the article about his reasoning. As an Eagle fan, of course he put his team in the top two.

Look at this picture for my article. That's a lot of empty seats, as you can see, so where are all the fans? Also take into account the fan's facial expression; he doesn't look like a happy camper at all. Another thing to look at is his posture; he has his head on his hands and seems very bored.

Now if my team hadn't won in a very long time, I would probably be as arrogant, egotistical, and pissed off as these people. It's a no-brainer they booed Santa Claus at a home game. I waited for six years until the Patriots won their first Super Bowl in 2002. So no, I'm not a bandwagon fan; I've been a fan since 1996.

And if football is making you do all these things, did you know that Pennsylvania has two football teams? Eagles fans should just become Steelers fans, but that would make them bandwagon fans, so of course they wouldn't do that.

This is why I sympathize with these Eagle fans (not all of you, just the ones that have gotten under my skin), because until they win a Super Bowl, they will continue to be bitter and biased as hell. Please God, let the Eagles win next year.

The Steel Curtain: More Like the Curtain of Biased Opinions and Ignorance

John — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:32:08 -0500

THIS ARTICLE IS NOT CALLING OUT THE WHOLE STEELERS FAN BASE AT ALL; this is an article for those Steelers fans who are biased and ignorant.

There seems to be a lot of those fans on the Web site for some reason. This article is dedicated to all those ignorant and biased Steelers fans whom I have been arguing with all week long on this Web site.

Yes, the Steelers are yet again in the Super Bowl, that is obvious, but all this arrogance needs to come to an end at some point. I don't hate the Steelers by any means, I think they are actually a good franchise in the NFL.

I am a Patriots fan and have been since 1996, which I like to call the not so good years. Either way, I still was there for them when they sucked, and I'm here now when they win, but all of a sudden I'm being called a bandwagoon fan now.

Some of these Steelers fans could be bandwagon fans because they are in the Super Bowl now and they are getting extry arrogant. Does their arrogance know no bounds?

When the Patriots went to the Super Bowl last year, I was not arrogant about it, and I thought the winner would be whoever plays the hardest for 60 minutes. The Giants came up on top and my hat goes off to them for it.

If your going to be an NFL fan you need to be open minded and not ignorant. Some of these fans are saying that Roethlisberger should be in the top three quarterbacks in the league; he is a good quarterback, but he is not elite like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

They also proclaim that the Steelers are the best franchise in NFL history with the win against Arizona. They are one of the elite franchises in the league but I wouldn't say the best.

When you make negative comments about someone's team make sure that they are facts because otherwise anything can be disproved. Like for instance, a Raider fan called my team a bunch of cheaters with no class.

I thought this was very ironic coming from a team that follows a certain code... Raider Rule No. 1: Cheating is encouraged. Raider Rule No. 2: See rule No. 1.

I also had an argument with a Steelers fan who called my team a bunch of cheap players, like Rodney Harrison. This was understandable because he was voted dirtiest player in the league by his peers either last year or the year before.

But, when the Steelers have players like Ryan Clark who has taken a bunch of cheap shots on players this year I thought it was funny. Anyone remember that "tackle" Ryan Clark made on Wes Welker and Willis McGahee?

Those are just two I can think of right now, but I'm sure if I look back at all the games I can find more.

The terrible towel is just annoying and demeaning to other teams. As a former football player I believe in something called sportsmanship which a lot of players and fans seem have to forgotten of lately.

But these Steelers fans can really get to you and when LenDale White and others stomped all over that yellow towel, I thought justice was served.

Tony Romo Is Not Singing High Hopes Anymore: Jerry Jones' Money Woes

John — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:14:31 -0500

If I was Jerry Jones I would be having a heart attack after all the money I have given out to these players and didn't get much production out of them. Not to mention the Cowboys traded away a first rounder and other picks to Detroit for Roy E. Williams and he did not have a good season by any means.

Williams finished the season with 19 receptions, 198 yards, and one touchdown. His longest catch was 38 yards. With Terrell Owens and Roy E. Williams on the same team you would think that it would cause a lot of trouble for defenses like it does with Arizona's wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The question for the offseason is will Jerry Jones put up with TO anymore?

There is no point to having two big name receivers and having to pay them both a lot of money if they don't put up the kind of stats you are used to seeing.

Another money problem is safety Roy L. Williams who has been inconsistent lately after signing a four year contract with the Cowboys in 2006.

The Cowboys need to trade the safety so they can get some more picks in the draft this year because they gave up three picks for Roy E. Williams. Jerry Jones recently gave a seven year $45 million dollar contract to Marion Barber which was another bad decision by Jones. Barber is not an every-down runningback and is more of a third down type of back or goaline situation.

Jerry Jones also gave TO a four year contract this year worth $34 million dollars who is now 35-years-old and doesn't leave a lot of room for the cap salary. Right now the Cowboys have around $6 million dollars in cap room, which is going to make it very hard to sign free agents and draft more players.

Jones gave a six year $50 million dollar contract to Terrence Newman who is now 30 years of age. Their franchise is going to be in a world of hurt if Jones keeps on handing out money like this.

The Raiders owner Al Davis is in the same situation, overpaying way too many players. Davis' biggest mistake this year was giving a six year contract worth $55 million dollars to Javon Walker who is 30-years-old right now.

As of right now I have no problem with how well Demarcus Ware, Tony Romo, Jason Witten, and Jay Ratliff have played. Tarshard Choice wasn't bad either.

MVP: Redefined as Whoever Plays Best in Half the Season Instead of 16 Games

John — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 06:37:41 -0500

Peyton Manning did not play well through the whole season. Yes he played well towards the end of the season, but certainly not good enough for MVP. Manning finished the season with 27 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 4,002 yards. A decent season with decent stats, but nothing special.

Philip Rivers or Drew Brees should have won MVP. Unfortunately the people that vote for the MVP are also the geniuses behind the voting for the Hall of Fame. They did a good job with this year's ballot, but other years' ballots left question marks across the board. Rivers finished the season with 34 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and 4,009 yards. Brees finished the season with 34 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and 5,069 yards.

Personally I think Drew Brees should have won MVP and I'm not even a Saints' fan. There should have been some running backs thrown in there for consideration too. Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner, or Thomas Jones would all have been acceptable candidates.

If You're Not a Patriot It's Treason: Free Agency Concerns For The Pats

John — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:32:19 -0500

The Patriots will have a few questions to address with their own personnel.

Will Rodney Harrison be back? On NFL Total Access he said he had been working out which I think means he is thinking about coming back.

I'm pretty sure Tedy Bruschi is going to hang up the cleats after a good long career, but nobody really knows because he is still under contract.

James Sanders is also another question mark, will the patriots resign him or let him go. Will they try and sign another safety in free agency?

In another article I heard fans talking about the Patriots should sign O.J. Atogwe from the Rams. I don't like Atogwe because he consistently misses tackles, gets juked or run over too much, and is not reliable in pass coverage. He reminds me a lot of Eugene Wilson, good riddance to him.

Larry Izzo is set to hit free agency, will the Patriots resign him, or will he retire?

As for exploring free agent options, the Pats needs to prepare for when Bruschi retires, which should be soon.

Jonathan Vilma the ILB from the Saints is set to become a unrestricted free agent and will not be resigned before free agency begins at the end of February because of a clause in the trade with the Jets.

Vilma would serve as a nice veteran who, at 26, is young enough to play alongside Mayo for years to come. Just think Mayo and Vilma in the middle together, both are fast and hard hitters.

Channing Crowder the MLB is also set to become a unrestricted free agent and is asking for a big contract.

While, the Patriots aren't known for paying big money to free agents, that might change this offseason with cornerback Nmandi Asomougha hitting free agency. He must be tired of losing by now and could make alot of money for other teams.

Cornerbacks Dunta Robinson and DeAngelo Hall are also set to be free agents. Any one of these cornerbacks would be valued highly in the Patriots secondary.

Julius Peppers is set to become a free agent and could definitely help the Patriots pass rush which was non-existent last season. Peppers is in his prime and Richard Seymour's contract is ending soon. Signing Peppers and letting Seymour go would allow us to resign defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, who openly stated he wanted to end his career as a Patriot.

The biggest question for the offseason is whether the Pats will resign Matt Cassel or trade him?

I say trade him and pick up a veteran quarterback in free agency because there are more than enough to pick from. I say trade Cassel and get a first or second round draft pick out of it to help get younger players. We could sign J.P. Losman from the Bills, Rex Grossman from the Bears, or Jeff Garcia from the Buccaneers.

The offensive line definitely needs to be upgraded. Matt Light is getting old, Nick Kaczur is going to get whoever is under center next season killed, and Stephen Neal is also getting up in age. Logan Mankins and Dan Koppen are the only starters I really like.

Ryan O'Callaghan is a nice backup.

Ross Hochstein is set to become a free agent and needs to be resigned because of his versatility at the different offensive line positions.

Good bye and good riddance to Deltha O'Neal who got paid this season to get burned by wide receivers. I was ecstatic when rookie cornerbacks Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite finally emerged because I was sick of seeing O'Neal mess everything up. Wheatley was put on injured reserve and Wilhite gained some experience this year and did a pretty good job.

The Patriots have not had a good tight end since Ben Coates, Benjamin Watson is more of a receiver than a tight end but has been dropping too many balls lately. Daniel Graham was a decent tight end but was more of a blocker. We need the complete package.

With L.J. Smith is set to hit the free agency and Tony Gonzalez wanting out of Kansas City, there are plenty of options. Even though Gonzalez is old, he still produces good stats and even made the Pro bowl this year.

In all, the Patriots offseason is going to be a long one. Hopefully Belichick and the Kraft family will make some good decisions that will help compensate for a coaching staff depleted by assistants leaving for coaching vacancies elsewhere.

Sorry, But Mark Sanchez Will Be Terrible in the NFL

John — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:56:20 -0500

Sorry USC fans. I don't mean to bash your team, but you have to admit Mark Sanchez is the worst quarterback to come out of USC in this decade. He is a one year starter and the only positive thing about him is that he is over six feet tall and he can throw further than twenty yards.

I don't see many quarterbacks in this years draft that will have productive careers in the NFL because the majority of them are 6'1 and 210lbs and they don't have Michael Vick's speed so they are in trouble. Also, the majority of the quarterbacks can't throw past twenty yards which was evident in the Senior Bowl tonight.

Mark Sanchez will be the No. 2 quarterback drafted this year in the first round and not because he has a lot of talent. The lack of talent of this year's draft is why Sanchez came out in the first place because he saw his chance to make some big money. If he stayed for his senior year at USC and entered the 2010 draft he would easily be drafted in the later rounds on day two of the draft. Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy would be the first quarterbacks drafted in that draft with other quarterbacks that would emerge to be better than Sanchez.

Sanchez will be like Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel. He will take years to groom under a good veteran quarterback.

New England Patriots 2009 Mock Draft

John — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:14:19 -0500

Obviously our most pressing need is on the defensive side of the ball, but the offense needs some youth also with aging offensive lineman and wide receivers. I think the Patriots should select and outside linebacker with the 23rd pick in the NFL draft.

At the 23rd pick all the top players will be gone. I think that Clint Sintim the OLB from Virginia would be a steal with the 23rd pick. He is a very good pass rusher off the edge and is currently rated as the No. 3 OLB in the draft.

His draft stock will rise after the Senior Bowl this Saturday so if that happens he could be gone by the time we are up to draft because a lot of teams need linebackers. Sintim has good size at 6'3 and 249lbs, he is also a sure tackler.

Another outside linebacker I like is Larry English the DL from Northern Illinois, he is 6'2 and 254lbs. He will convert to OLB in the NFL and is another sure tackler we could get in the second round.

Cornerback is another obvious concern, but i believe that will be addressed through free agency. Nnamdi Asomugha, Deangelo Hall, and Dunta Robinson will all be free agents and we could attain at least one of them.

Personally I'd like the Pats to get Hall who is the youngest of the group. The only corner worth drafting in the first round would be Malcolm Jenkins from Ohio State, but he will be drafted in the top ten picks.

The Wide Receiver position could use some added youth and depth. My favorite wide receiver in the draft is underrated Brian Robiskie form Ohio State. Robiskie is 6'3 and around 210lbs, he could be our No. 3 receiver much like Jabar Gaffney. Robiskie is bigger than Gaffney and also has better hands. Robiskie is also not afraid to block.

Shawn Nelson the TE from Southern Mississippi has also shown some big play making ability.

As of right now this is my mock draft for the Patriots in 2009:

23rd pick: Alphonso Smith DB, Wake Forest

48th pick: Phillip Loadhalt OL, Oklahoma

55th pick: Brian Robiskie WR, Ohio State

89th pick: Shawn Nelson, TE Southern Mississippi

What Frustrates Me Most About New England Patriots Haters

John — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 03:47:45 -0500

Where should I start? Patriots haters are mostly made up of sore losers who are mad because their favorite teams suck year in and year out. Most of them consist of Jets, Dolphins, Bills fans, but there are other haters that support teams that are not our rivals.

Why were there not so many Patriots haters in the 1990's when our team sucked? Probably because we were not winning yet and didn't have a hall of fame quarterback paired with a hall of fame wide receiver yet.

These haters only showed up when we won Super Bowl's and have been complaining ever since. So which is the next team to hate? If the Steelers win this year, are all the Patriots haters going to switch over and start ragging on the Steelers?

Patriots haters in this era are "bandwagon haters;" people who only hate the team that is consistently winning Super Bowls in that era.

Nobody hated us in our first Super Bowl victory against the rams, but when the second and third came that's when the jealously built up and thus today we have all these Patriots haters.

If your going to bad mouth a team you should be able to back up what you say. I can dismantle 80 percent of Patriots haters claims and arguments, then counter with something against their favorite team which will leave them in shock.

The New England Patriots Organization is run by great ownership in the Kraft family. The coaching is superb and all have become Belichick disciples. The personnel of the Patriots are blue-collar athletes; they work hard and spending time in the film room is the key.

Our team does not allow cry babies like LaDainian Tomlinson and Terrell Owens, also we do not allow show boaters like Chad Johnson or Shawne Merriman.

Merriman does "the Lights Out" dance every time he makes a tackle. "They have no class" said LaDainian Tomlinson, which i find hypocritical coming from a player that throws fits when things go wrong.

LT said we have no class because Ellis Hobbs did an imitation of Shawne Merriman's Lights Out Dance after making a big play, Hobbs was merely getting back at them because the chargers were provoking us.

Do you see any of our players throwing fits after a play goes wrong? I've seen LT throw numerous fits on the sidelines when a play didn't go as planned; he got in a yelling match with teammates and sometimes coaches. LT also got off the bench as soon as Philip Rivers sat down next to him.

Same goes for Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens who have all done the same thing as LT or worse.

So next time you whine about the Patriots please take some time and think of what you're doing. Do you really hate them? Or are you jealous because you team just went 0-16 or 1-15? If you're one of our rivals, then I understand because I hate your team equally, but if you hate them just because they win, then tell your team's owner to copy what the Patriots do.