Bleacher Report - Articles by James Christensen

Chad Johnson Brings World Peace

James Christensen — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:06:53 -0400

In addition to Chad Johnson deciding to return to the Bengals, there were some other interesting nuggets of news out there:

Palestinian and Israeli officials were seen shaking hands and heard saying, "Yeah, we were just screwin' around."

Roger Goodell invited Pacman Jones over for a BBQ and some strippers.

Dan Rather rejoined CBS.

Two football fans compromised: apparently Bud Light both "tastes great" and is "less filling".

Colin Cowherd subscribed to The Big Lead.

Hatfield and McCoy? "We all good."

Bob Barker and Happy Gilmore played a quick nine.

Keith Olbermann made a wry, pithy remark about a four-letter sports station that included no four-letter words.

George Steinbrenner tried to fire Billy Martin (hell, not everything is hunky-dory).

NFL Fines We'd Like To See

James Christensen — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:09:46 -0400

With the NBA implementing fines for flopping next year, we thought of a few fines we'd like to see created in the NFL.

We've already got fines for hitting QBs and collaring people by their horses, but you will now be fined for the following things:

You do the little "throw the flag" dance after some CB brushes you
You call a fake audible, and you're not Peyton Manning
You hire Bryant Gumbel to do anything involving the NFL
The phrase "I think Ricky Williams is ready to play this year" crosses your lips
You catch yourself singing along to "This is My Country"
Your chica's booty weighs more than you can rush for in a game
You line Roy Williams up at safety
Roy Williams covers you for an entire play
You wear white Michael Jackson gloves
Your name is Chris Berman
You give Tom Brady a dirty look
You allow Mercury Morris to speak
You say the word "disrespect" more than once a month
You celebrate quarterback "hits," even on completions

Please add your own in the comments below!

What Would Ricky Williams Do with Lombardi Trophy for a Day?

James Christensen — Sun, 25 May 2008 10:03:26 -0400

There has been a lot of talk about the Stanley Cup lately, but we at NE Patriots Draft must ask, where is the love for the Lombardi Trophy?

We get to see it on the field after the Super Bowl and maybe at the parade, but then it goes under lock and key.

We can only speculate then, what these players, coaches, and owners would do if they were granted 24 hours with the most prized possession in the NFL.

Chad Johnson: The Lombardi trophy would undoubtedly be part of some lame touchdown celebration.

Maurice Jones-Drew: Shine it up real nice and use it as a full-length mirror.

Ricky Williams: We know it is cliche and all, but we're pretty dang sure he'd try to smoke it.

Shaun Alexander: He probably wouldn't, but he should melt it down and make a knife and spoon to go with the big fork sticking out of his back.

Peyton Manning: About 16 different commercials.

Al Davis: Two words: Vertical routes.

Jon Gruden: He'd give it a tryout for the eighth and final QB spot on the roster.

Reggie Bush: He'd cut right, then left, and lose three yards with it.

Donovan McNabb: This is too far-fetched, we know No. 5 isn't ever going to win this.

Matt Leinart: One Word: Kegstop.

LT: They would stay classy. It's a full-time job people.

Herm Edwards: Sign it as a starting right guard.

Vince Young: Probably something NSFW.

Tom Brady: Put it back on his mantle.

Please comment and add your own!

NFL: How You Know Your Offseason Is Sucking

James Christensen — Sun, 11 May 2008 07:53:45 -0400

Chiefs fans have had fun with their inordinate amount of draft picks. Patriots fans feel OK with their additions and subtractions. Even the Raiders look like they are a better team, and that is saying something.

Other people, teams, and fans haven't had such a great offseason. Here are a few ways you know that your NFL offseason is sucking:

Rex Grossman is still your starting quarterback.
You're a Bengals fan, but not a bondsman.
You had Pacman Jones in the "NFL Player to get arrested at Lake Travis" pool.
Mel Kiper Jr. says you are having a great offseason.
You are the Senior Senator from the great state of Pennsylvania.
DeSean Jackson is your new go-to receiver.
You're a mustard salesman, and you were hoping to get a boost from the NFL Draft. (Lame "Mayo" Joke)
J! E! T! S!
Two words: Tomase, John.
You know Adarius Bowman, but you're not his dealer.
You're Adarius Bowman.
Matt Leinart didn't help you with any of your kegstands.
(Afraid to insert Marvin Harrison joke)
Your team president didn't even draft a WR. (Lions Fans only)
Mario Manningham beat you in truth or dare.

16. You're already looking at this.

2008 Patriots Draft: A First Look

James Christensen — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:11:09 -0400

While we won't put a final grade on this draft until 2013, we can start to evaluate now how the draft addressed the Patriots' perceived roster needs and if the Patriots were able to get good value at their picks.

Mel Kiper, Jr. gave us a C+, as he feels that we reached on our picks at linebacker and better options were available at corner.

I'm sure Belichick was quite upset to hear that. (Note sarcasm.)

Need

The Patriots came in with needs across the back seven on defense. Belichick and Pioli addressed that need early and often with the picks of Mayo, Wheatley, Crable, Wilhite, and Ruud.

Mayo will be in the ILB rotation immediately, while Crable will bring much needed depth to the OLB position.

Wheatley will probably contribute mainly as a slot corner to begin with, while Wilhite might crack the dime or quarter rotations. Ruud and Wilhite might help on special teams as well.

Considering that the Patriots scored a bazillion points last year, they didn't have many needs on the offensive side of the ball. Some felt that they needed to look at their offensive line, but free agency and development can help there.

Kevin O'Connell obviously doesn't fill a need for starting QB, but he does help bring competition and upside to a below-average backup QB corps.

Matt Slater should contribute on special-teams and is, at best, a homeless man's Troy Brown.

Value = Need x Rarity

The Patriots had Jerod Mayo as the number one linebacker on their board, so regardless of whether experts have labeled him a reach, Belichick got his guy.

Because Rivers was off the board at 10, ILBs were incredibly rare. Therefore, the Patriots got excellent value for the pick: high need, high rarity.

Wheatley was a slightly different story. Cornerback was definitely a high need area, but the rarity was low, as Charles Godfrey, Terrell Thomas, Justin King, and others were still on the board.

Belichick obviously had Terrence rated higher than the others, and we are not inclined to argue. Even with the low rarity, still a good value.

The O'Connell pick presents a lot of opportunities for the Patriots. He could be a good backup, or he could eventually replace Tom Brady because of injury or retirement.

Another option would be to treat him like Matt Schaub, who brought two second round picks to the Falcons from the Texans. His present value is low, but in the future that could grow exponentially.

NE Patriots Draft Grade: Incomplete (Check back in five years.)

Draft Day: An Exclusive Interview with Vince Wilfork

James Christensen — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:09:16 -0400

Each year, tons of fans and friends get together to watch the draft, hopeful that this year will be the one that everything falls into place. For others, Draft Day can mean a whole lot more. Vince Wilfork was kind enough to chat with www.nepatriotsdraft.com for a while before this year's big day.

NE Patriots Draft: What was your experience like on Draft Day? Were you excited to go to the Patriots?

Vince: Draft day was an amazing experience. It was a little nerve wracking when I didn't get to go where I thought I was going in the draft. But everything happens for a reason. I went to a great team and won a superbowl my rookie year.

NE Patriots Draft: Could you tell our readers a little bit about your draft day Fundraiser?

Vince: My draft day fundraiser was started when I was drafted. it was a way for me to open up the experience to the fans and the public. It was a great event. I used that event as a way to help other people avoid going what I went through when I lost my father to diabetes. So all of the funds raised went to the Diabetes research institute. Since then I have been doing the event every year. This will be my fifth year and what I hope to be our best year. Last year we raised over $40,000.00 for the cause and we hope to pass that this year. You can get information and buy tickets at http://www.pinzbowl.com/ and for any one who wants to donate they can email me at fans@vincewilfork75.com for more information.

NE Patriots Draft: What type of skill set do the Patriots look for when drafting/acquiring guys to play behind you? Does their ability to shed guards matter more than speed?

Vince: The Patriots know what they are doing trust me. They want someone who is a complete package but they have to be stout in the middle.

NE Patriots Draft: Are there any fellow players from "The U" this year that could be Patriots?

Vince: I am not sure the Patriots have their game plan set up and every year we try to figure it out and just give up because what we think never happens. But I would love another hurricane to be on the field with me.

NE Patriots Draft: What is the best part of the off-season? And the worst?

Vince: The best part of the off season is being able to spend time with my wife and kids. I miss so much of their lives while in season., The worst part would be that it doesn't last too long.

NE Patriots Draft: What are you looking forward to most in the 2008 season?

Vince: I am ready to get back with my guys and move forward, It is a new season, and we all start off at 0-0.

Interview with NFL Draft Expert Rick Gosselin: The Mozart of Mock

James Christensen — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:14:14 -0400

Cubism had Picasso, the piano had Mozart. The virtuoso of the NFL Draft doesn't reside in Bristol, New York, or Los Angeles, he lives in Dallas, Texas.

Rick Gosselin has received the top scores over the last three years for both the first-round mock draft and the Top 100 draft prospects list.

Rick was kind enough to spend some time talking with NE Patriots Draft:

NE Patriots Draft: What brought you to covering the NFL draft? What interests you most about the process?

Gosselin: I became the NFL writer for the Dallas Morning News in 1992 and, as part of my job, the newspaper asked me then to grade drafts. If I was going to be fair in assigning grades to teams, I needed to know what I was talking about.

So I started pouring myself into researching players and creating my own draft board. I talk to NFL talent evaluators and try to build a board that reflects the league consensus at each position.

My network of sources has grown over the last 18 years. Obviously, the more information you can collect, the smarter you can look. That said, mock drafts are mostly luck. If there's one trade or one surprise pick, especially early in the round, the board takes off in a different direction.

I always felt if you could score direct hits on 8-12 picks (of the 32), you had a good mock. But I put more stock in how I fare on my Top 100 board than on my mock. The Top 100 runs on the Friday before the draft both in the Dallas Morning News and on our website dallasnews.com.

That's a truer indication of whether you have a handle on the draft, moreso than accurately identifying a dozen of the first 32 players in a 255-pick draft. What interests me and challenges me the most is starting from scratch every February and trying to figure out where a whole new class of players fits in a draft.

NE Patriots Draft: We know you don't want to give away your secrets, but what makes your mock drafts more successful than others on a consistent basis?

Gosselin: I talk to the people that evaluate talent for a living. I'm a writer, not a scout. I can't tell you the difference between Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm. But NFL talent evaluators know the difference, so I talk to them.

Their input allows me to build a fairly accurate draft board. I'll research 500 players leading up to the draft (200-plus players won't even be drafted) and try to build a a board that reflects the value of each player. Then, when I do my mock, I try to match up the value at the pick with the need of the team.

NE Patriots Draft: In your first mock draft, you have the Patriots taking Vernon Gholston. What do you make of the reports that he is this year's Mike Mamula?

Gosselin: There are no sure things in any draft, be it the first overall pick or the 255th pick. You find that the higher a player is on the draft board, the more he gets criticized and picked apart leading up to the draft.

No one cares that a pass rusher from Emporia State in the sixth round might be the next Mike Mamula. But put that label on a guy who got 14 sacks at Ohio State and folks will pay attention.

Gholston also might be the next Hugh Douglas. History says a guy who collected 14 sacks at Ohio State should be a pretty good player.

He also has the measurables the NFL likes, which is why he sits near the top of the draft board with the label best pass rusher in the draft. I gave him to the Patriots in my first mock because I thought he was a terrific value at the seventh overall pick.

NE Patriots Draft: Do you feel like the new drug information will hurt the stock of prospects like Manningham, Jackson, and Talib?

Gosselin: It depends how accurate the information is. In today's NFL, teams research the backgrounds of players as much off the field as they do on the field. Sure, past drug issues can impact a player's draft standing. So can past injuries.

Each team trusts what it has researched on its own in terms of character issues, not what it might read in a newspaper, hear on the radio or see on television. By and large, teams have already researched those problems before they ever become public knowledge.

NE Patriots Draft: Thanks for your time, Rick.

Patriots Puzzle Pieces: Base Defense

James Christensen — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:18:58 -0400

Here is the first of two installments projecting the starting defense for the 2008 New England Patriots. We will project the current starters prior to the draft, and detail which positions need attention in April's draft. Base defense is up first and then we will look at third down defense, including the nickel, dime, and "Cali" packages.

Defensive Line

The strongest part of the Patriots defense starts at the point of attack. Barring injury, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, and Richard Seymour will man the trenches for New England. None of the Patriots defensive linemen put up incredible numbers, but they allow the linebackers to fly around the field untouched by pesky guards and tackles. Vince Wilfork has really blossomed into a force and the Seymour/Warren combination is well above average. Unless we end up getting Sedrick Ellis or Glenn Dorsey in the mid-teens, don't expect us to address the defensive line depth until late in the draft, as Jarvis Green, Mike Wright, and Le Kevin Smith have proven to be excellent role-players.

Linebackers

The much-maligned portion of the defense, our linebackers are getting up in age. Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, and Adalius Thomas are all over 30, but each is still productive. We are projecting that Bruschi will start inside with the newly-acquired Victor Hobson. Hobson played outside for the Jets, but will fit better inside in the Patriots 3-4 and is good in short-zone coverage. This allows Vrabel and Thomas to display their rushing abilities off the edge. Pierre Woods, T.J. Slaughter, and Eric Alexander bring some depth to the linebacking corps, but none are ready to start. Expect the LB position to be addressed often during the draft, although perhaps not as high as many think. Good value seems to be available at this position in the 2nd-4th rounds.

Defensive Backfield

With the loss of Randall Gay and Asante Samuel, the Patriots are searching for bodies. Prior to the draft, we expect the adequate but not spectacular Ellis Hobbs and Fernando Bryant to start at corner, with a chance of Brandon Meriweather switching in from safety. Rodney Harrison will once again be delivering punishment from the strong safety position, and expect James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather to battle for the free safety spot. If Meriweather moves to corner, expect Sanders to easily beat out the rest of the competition. Lewis Sanders, Jason Webster and Tank Williams bring experience, but they are not enough from preventing the Patriots from spending at least one first-day pick on a d-back, and more likely two picks in the first three rounds.

2008 NFL Draft: Agent Analysis

James Christensen — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:18:00 -0400

While the NFL doesn't have anyone that comes close to Scott Boras, it does have a few personalities that some organizations are wary of, including Tom Condon, the Poston brothers, and Drew Rosenhaus.

The only problems I could see are with Dan Connor and Rosenhaus. If the Giants pick Connor as the 31st pick, they may have an issue with the 31a and 31b debacle. The logjam of CAA clients at the top could also be interesting. The Patriots should be in the clear with their targets, save for Gholston.

Here is a list of the top prospects in the 2008 draft and their agents.

Chris Long—Select Sports Group
Jake Long—Creative Artists (Condon)
Vernon Gholston—Creative Artists (Dogra)
Matt Ryan—Creative Artists (Condon)
Jonathan Stewart—Creative Artists (Condon)
Derrick Harvey - Creative Artists (Condon)

Glenn Dorsey—Blue Equity
Keith Rivers—Athletes First
Brian Brohm—Athletes First
Darren McFadden—Greengross Athletic Management
Leodis McKelvin—Enter-Sports Management
Branden Albert—France AllPro
Aqib Talib—France AllPro

James Hardy—Maximum Sports
Mike Jenkins—Maximum Sports
Sedrick Ellis—Maximum Sports
Dan Connor—Drew Rosenhaus
Kenny Phillips—Drew Rosenhaus
Devin Thomas—Drew Rosenhaus

Ryan Clady—JL Sports
Philip Merling—Athletic Resource Management
Lawrence Jackson—Octagon
Chris Williams—ProFiles
Jeff Otah—Lock, Metz, and Malinovic

And a few that Patriots fans may be interested in:

Antoine Cason—BTI Sports Advisors
Charles Godfrey—Octagon
Chevis Jackson—Octagon
Terrell Thomas—Octagon
Cliff Avril—Sports Stars
Tracy Porter—Maximum Sports

NFL Draft: Surprise Party

James Christensen — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:47:00 -0400

What's Bill got up his sleeves?

Each year, Bill Belichick surprises the fans, media, and other NFL teams with his ever-changing personnel gameplan. One year he builds through the draft and low-cost veterans, the next he is a big-spender in free agency. One year he is moving up in the draft, the next year he is trading down and stockpiling extra picks. What draft day surprises might Belichick have in store for us this year?

Patriots finally select an ILB on day one

This would shock me. I wrote an entire piece on why Belichick won't draft an ILB on day one. Not only does the New England coach place a high value on veteran linebackers, there just isn't a can't miss prospect at that position this year. What isn't surprising is that Belichick won't overspend on need.

Patriots trade UP, not down

With all the talk about trading partners for the Patriots moving back in the first round, wouldn't it throw everyone for a loop if we skipped over the Jets and swapped picks with the Chiefs? Chris Long is the only player in this draft that the Patriots brass would spend other picks on to move up and draft. It would probably cost us a late third or early fourth round pick to get it done.

Patriots select a Guard at No. 7

It was pretty surprising when Belichick drafted Logan Mankins with the 32nd pick of the 2005 draft, as Bill's reputation stated that he didn't value interior linemen. With the emergence of Mankins into a pro-bowl guard, look for Branden Albert from Virginia to get some looks if the Patriots are picking at No. 7. I don't have him rated as a top ten prospect, but his versatility in playing both guard and tackle, and his tie-ins with Belichick fave Al Groh, make him a good replacement for the oft-injured Stephen Neal.

Patriots pass on Vernon Gholston at No. 7

If Vernon Gholston is still on the board at No. 7, excited Patriots fans will be jumping for joy at getting this year's combine star. Gholston is a physical specimen with good football skills, although he would have to be transitioned into playing OLB in the Patriot's 3-4 scheme. If Bill and Scott don't think that is possible, expect them to either trade down, or take the best available player.

New England Patriots: Bill Belichick Won't Draft a LB on Day One

James Christensen — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 13:33:00 -0400

For the past three to four years Patriots fans and draft guru's alike have been prognosticating early selections being used to address the dearth of youth at the inside linebacker position. Each year they have been proven wrong, with a 5th round pick, Ryan Claridge in 2005, being the highest spent on the position.

This year, pundits have the Patriots looking at Curtis Lofton, Jerod Mayo, Dan Connor, and Keith Rivers (a true OLB) to help the aging, but still productive Tedy Bruschi and as of yet unsigned Junior Seau. Here are three reasons why none of these will be donning the Flying Elvii in 2008:

With the exception of Rivers, the top LB prospects all have a tough time shedding blocks. In New England's 3-4, they are going to be taking on guards, and an ILB for Bill Belichick needs to shed the guard and still have enough strength to finish the tackle. While Lofton has shown better skills at this than Mayo and Connor, who really need to be protected to do their best, a la Ray Lewis, his lack of ideal size may inhibit him from doing so on Sundays.

While it isn't their fault, nobody that is going to be picked in the 2008 NFL Draft has any experience in the NFL. The Patriots brass has shown time and time again that they prefer linebackers with experience. The linebackers make the majority of the pre-snap adjustments and their football IQ has to be off the chart -- something very tough for a rookie to do in the Patriots intricate system.

If Belichick loves anything, it is value, and if the Patriots are drafting an ILB on day one, the value just isn't there. They have four accomplished linebackers that can play inside in Bruschi, Seau, Vrabel, and Thomas. Granted, each of them are on the wrong side of thirty and Vrabel and Thomas are better suited to play outside. Why pick the best LB in a poor class when there are two better prospects next year in Laurinaitis and Maualuga?

Don't be disappointed when your dreams for a fresh face lining up behind Vince Wilfork are dashed. Coach Belichick knows what he needs, and he doesn't need to reach for an ILB this year.

2008 NFL Mock Draft: Round Two

James Christensen — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:15:00 -0400

Round 1 available here

Round 2

32. Miami Dolphins – Joe Flacco – QB - Delaware

John Beck is not Bill Parcells' guy. Joe Flacco will be. He’s got a big arm and adequate mobility and reminds me of Drew Bledsoe back when both of his legs worked. Brohm won’t get picked on account of his size, and Henne has lots of question marks. The Dolphins still could get more athletic in their defensive backfield, but they have another pick later in the second round to get that done. Neither Flacco nor Brohm will be available with their next pick.

33. St. Louis Rams – Calais Campbell – DE - Miami

Campbell can step in and upgrade the run defense on day one. What is keeping Calais out of the first round is his still-emerging pass rush ability. With Leonard Little moving closer to retirement, the time is now to find a running mate, and future replacement.

34. Atlanta Falcons – Brian Brohm – QB - Louisville

Most people felt like Bobby Petrino would be intent on selecting his former quarterback as they were floundering last season. Well, the Falcons will have to settle for just one of the pair, and luckily, they are going to get the good one. Brohm brings good accuracy and decision making, to a team that was lacking in both. Since this is the first of three second round picks for the ATL, they can take care of the QB position first, and fill holes at CB and on the line later in the round.

35. Kansas City Chiefs – Brandon Flowers – CB – Virginia Tech

The Chiefs start a run on defensive backs with the Hokie prospect. Ty Law is gone and Patrick Surtain has a LOT of experience, which is both good and bad. Flowers is a guy who could blossom in a system like Kansas City. With Allen and Hali rushing the quarterback for at least another year, Flowers should have some help.

36. New York Jets – Reggie Smith – CB / S - Oklahoma

The Jets play against the Patriots. The Patriots throw the ball. The Jets need to improve their defensive backfield. Revis, their first round pick in 2007 was picked on last year, finishing in the top five for CB target rate. He did improve in the latter stages of the year, but Reggie Smith would be a welcome, versatile addition to Mangini’s defense.

37. Atlanta Falcons – Antoine Cason – CB - Arizona

Chris Houston needs some help and DeAngelo Hall is wearing silver and black. Cason is a solid prospect that, despite poor measurables, plays football really well. He dominated competition in the PAC-10, and should be a reliable corner from day one.

38. Baltimore Ravens – Justin King – CB – Penn St.

With the corners for the Ravens getting older, King would be a welcome infusion of youth to go with the rest of the aging defense. His cover skills would benefit from the mentoring of the talented McAlister and Rolle, and he would also be helped out by the pass rush of Terrell Suggs and company.

39. San Francisco 49’ers – Sam Baker – OT - USC

The 49’ers have a lot of holes across their offensive line, with the defection of Kwame Harris and company. Sam Baker is not the solution to their blocking woes, but he is a start. Look for San Francisco to further address their line on the second day of the draft.

40. New Orleans Saints – Dan Connor – LB – Penn St.

Connor should complete a transformation of the linebacking corps, including the Jonathan Vilma acquisition. With DRC onboard as well, the Saints defense should start to perform up to the level of their offense.

41. Buffalo Bills – Lawrence Jackson – DE - USC

The Bills get a steal here with Jackson. His pass-rushing abilities will be needed to get to Tom Brady and company in the AFC East. Finding a running mate for Lee Evans would also be a concern, but Jackson’s value is higher here than an Early Doucet or Andre Caldwell.

42. Denver Broncos – Pat Sims – DT - Auburn

Judging by their interest in signing Rogers and Robertson this spring, the Broncos are looking to upgrade at DT. While Pat Sims didn’t play for the Browns, the Broncos brass should be impressed with his hard-nosed interior play at Auburn.

43. Carolina Panthers – Anthony Collins – OT - Kansas

The Panthers filled a need on the d-line in round one, so they turn to the o-line in round two. Collins was a productive blocker for Kansas and should be able to firm up a line that had a down year in 2007. Trying to find a replacement for Keyshawn (Jarrett isn’t working out) would also be a possibility.

44. Chicago Bears – Chad Henne – QB - Michigan

Da Bears need a “Da quarterback”, not a “Duh quarterback”. Andre Woodson and Chad Henne will vie to be selected after the triumvirate of Ryan, Brohm, and Flacco are selected. Neither Henne nor Woodson may be the answer, but the Bears need to find a reliable option to put under center.

45. Detroit Lions – Jonathan Stewart – RB - Oregon

Although the Lions don’t have much luck picking players from Oregon, see Joey Harrington, Jonathan Stewart should solidify a running game that just hasn’t produced. If Mayo is still on the board late in the first round, expect the Lions to explore trading up to grab him.

46. Cincinnati Bengals – Chris Johnson – RB – East Carolina

Is it just me or did Rudi Johnson and Shaun Alexander look the same last year? Chris Perry is always hurt and Kenny Irons isn’t getting healthy anytime soon. After just missing out on Jonathan Stewart, the Bengals burn another pick on a RB, this time the speedster Chris Johnson. If the Bengals are going to draft somebody, he has got to be able to outrun the cops, right?

47. Minnesota Vikings – Chris Ellis – DE – Virginia Tech

With Kenechi Udeze and Erasmus James, two former first round draft picks, battling health problems, the Vikings need to invest in a pass rush specialist for their defensive line. Ellis fits the bill and should do well to team up with the big boys in the middle. The Vikes will be tempted to pick a QB here, such as Andre Woodson, but they may wait a round and see what happens. With Malcolm Kelly in the fold, the Vikings brass may elect to give the reins to Jackson for one more year.

48. Atlanta Falcons – Carl Nicks – OT - Nebraska

With their fourth pick of the day, the Falcons keep checking off needs, this time shoring up their offensive line. Nicks is a talented blocker that has experience in a pro-like system in Nebraska.

49. Philadelphia Eagles – Marcus Harrison – DT - Arkansas

The Iggles like to draft linemen, and Harrison, when his head is on straight, is a force rushing the passer and stopping the run. Cornerback could also be a spot to look at if they trade Lito Sheppard prior to or during the draft.

50. Arizona Cardinals – Ray Rice – RB - Rutgers

Edgerrin James has yet to acclimate himself to the dry air and lack of Peyton Manning in Arizona. Ray Rice would be a powerful, smart addition to the backfield. His receiving skills would benefit Matt Leinart or Kurt Warner, whoever takes the field this fall.

51. Washington Redskins – Early Doucet – WR - LSU

Things couldn’t have played out much better for the Redskins. They get a great athlete to fill a need at safety in the first round, and follow it up with getting Early late. He is an elite athlete that can help Moss and Cooley get open as well. The ‘Skins could use some help on their defensive line as well, but all the prospects left, such as Laws and Rubin, would be reaches at this point.

52. Tampa Bay Bucs – Andre Caldwell – WR - Florida

Contrary to evidence, Joey Galloway can’t play at this level forever, and Michael Clayton isn’t showing what it takes to be a #1 WR. Reche’s little brother from nearby Gainesville would be a dynamic addition to an offense that has struggled to find a dependable number two option.

53. Pittsburgh Steelers – Erin Henderson LB - Maryland

The Steelers never can have enough LB’s for their system, and Henderson would be a good fit. Jordy Nelson from Kansas St. would also be an option here if they want to go out and get a big WR.

54. Tennessee Titans – Curtis Lofton – LB - Oklahoma

Lofton presents a great value for the Titans here. After passing on Mayo and Connor in the first round, the Titans will be ecstatic to get a quality LB here. Lofton provides the smarts and leadership that the Titans need on defense. If Jevon Kearse can hook himself up to the rejuvenation machine for one season, the Titans will be real tough.

55. Seattle Seahawks – Dustin Keller – TE - Purdue

The Seahawks already added one weapon on offense, but with Marcus Pollard getting up there in age, Dustin Keller would provide Matt Hasselbeck with a TE that can stretch the seam for years to come. Adding defensive depth would also be a possibility here, but with Coach Holmgren probably having one year left, he wants to go out in style.

56. Green Bay Packers – Fred Davis – TE - USC
With the emergence of Donald Lee, Bubba Franks was expendable. Fred Davis however, can help stretch the field and make the power-o play-action a real threat in their offense. Aaron Rodgers would love to have three security blankets out there with his two TE’s and Donald Driver.

57. Miami Dolphins – Tracy Porter – CB - Indiana

Watching game film this off-season, Bill Parcells was sure to see Randy Moss jumping over and around the Dolphins hapless secondary. After addressing their needs at QB and the d-line, the Marine Mammals get good value in Porter here. He is athletic enough to go against the Moss’ and T.O.’s of the world.

58. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dajuan Morgan – S – NC State

Donovan Darius isn’t walking in that door, and Reggie Nelson needs some help so he can back up his big mouth. The Wolfpack prospect Morgan brings the ball skills and athleticism needed to improve the Jaguars defensive backfield.

59. Indianapolis Colts – Chico Rachal – OG - USC

This is a match made in heaven: Jake Scott out, Chico Rachal in. Jeff Saturday will be a great mentor to this outstanding guard prospect from USC. The Colts will run to the podium with this pick. With no #1 pick due to trading up for Tony Ugoh last year, the Colts will be relieved to fill their lone dire need so well.

60. Green Bay Packers – Ahtyba Rubin – DT – Iowa State

This Cyclone prospect has been shooting up draft boards over the last few weeks. The Packers need to bolster a defensive line that is missing some names from last year. Rubin is a disruptor in the middle and should help Kampmann get to the passer.

61. Dallas Cowboys – Terrell Thomas – CB - USC

After upgrading at RB and WR, the Cowboys need to find a replacement for Jacque Reeves. Terrell Thomas isn’t the type of cornerback that you can put on an island, but opposite Terrance Newman, Thomas can be given plenty of help – hopefully not from Roy Williams though.

62. New England Patriots – Charles Godfrey – CB/S - Iowa
Having already addressed the cornerback position in the draft, one would expect the Patriots to bolster their aging linebacker corps or the right-side of their offensive line. Bill Belichick, however, has made a living of doing things different. Charles Godfrey played for Kirk Ferentz, a former assistant of Bill’s during his Cleveland days, and he possesses one of the most precious commodities in Belichick’s mind: versatility. Godfrey started off as a hard-hitting safety and transformed into a very consistent cover corner, as he gave up a total of zero TD’s during his stellar senior season. While he has a few odd hang-ups, Godfrey would be an excellent addition at corner or safety.

63. New York Giants – Patrick Lee – CB – Auburn
With the departure of Gibril Wilson the defensive backfield for the NFL champions could use an influx of talent. Lee provides an athlete that can cover well and provide adequate run support.

NFL: Pre-Season TV Commentator Rankings

James Christensen — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:38:00 -0400

This is not an all-inclusive list, merely some of the more interesting and polarizing figures in the NFL commentary business, and the official NE Patriots Draft take on the them.

The Great

Dick Vermeil: Coach Vermeil brings a certain gravitas to any game he graces. Like a fine wine, he just gets better with age. Please come back Dick. Please. I'll tend the grapes for you, just come back.

Cris Collinsworth: Collinswoth can come off as arrogant at times, but his analysis is the best in the game. Pointing out coverages and correctly explaining who made the mistake are right in his wheelhouse. He would be number one if he wasn't paired with such a dolt.

The Good

Gus Johnson: Gus instantly brings a game to the next level. His analysis and calls are middle of the road, but if the game gets close and Gus' voice gets higher, I start getting goose bumps.

Ron Jaworski: When paired with the right people, Ron can take it to the next level. Paired with who he is now, being placed here is kind.

Tony Boselli: It's rare to get a guy from the trenches that can speak so well about all aspects of the game.

Phil Simms: I think I might be the only one, but I really like his Philosophy comments and analysis of the game. His game has dropped a bit in the last few seasons, but he is still a solid commodity for CBS.

The Bad

Jim Nantz: His voice annoys the heck out of me. End of story.

Troy Aikman: Troy gets downgraded for his partner here. He offers some good analysis and insight, but he just doesn’t have enough panache to overpower the machine that is Joe Buck.

Joe Buck: Joe Buck. Joe Buck. Buck, Joe. That is all I hear when I'm watching a game done by this baseball announcer. He just doesn't get our sport yet, and overpowers Troy Aikman.

MNF Team: PTI was old a couple of years ago, but Tony Kornheiser still thinks he's hilarious. Mike Tirico seems lost, trying to muddle between the good, but misplaced, analysis of Jaworski and the incoherent analogies and pop culture references of Tony Kornheiser. See ya later knuckleheads.

John Madden: Boom! Tough actin’ Tinactin! Captain Obvious is still heading up the booth on Sunday Night Football for NBC. His mastery of the mundane and misuse of the telestrator is legendary. What happened here, is that NE Patriots Draft didn’t like John Madden, and they put him under the Bad header. Boom!

The Bryant Gumbel

Bryant Gumbel: Not only did Al Gore invent the Internet, he also plays for the San Francisco 49ers. I don't have the space to list all the gaffes and mistakes that drag Cris Collinsworth down on the NFL network in this off-season, let alone this article.

New England Patriots Re-Sign Pierre Woods

James Christensen — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:15:00 -0400

Pierre Woods, originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan, was re-signed by the Patriots today. Although terms of the deal were not disclosed, one can assume it was for close to the minimum salary.

Pierre has been a special-teams standout the last two years, leading the team with 21 tackles. Woods' big 6'5", 25o lb. frame is ideal for the Patriots 3-4 system.

While Pierre has only played sparingly on defense, recording four tackles, Bill Belichick hopes Woods can follow in the footsteps of former Patriot Tully Banta-Cain, who played sparingly in his first couple of years after being a 7th round pick in 2003. He later became a pass-rush OLB, totaling 5.5 sacks in 2006, and signed a FA contract with the 49'ers last season.

NFL Draft: Survey Says...

James Christensen — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:04:00 -0400

It's time to play the Feud! The good people over at 199overall.com have an excellent database of all the mock drafts happening. They have compiled a list of who the pundits, http://www.nepatriosdraft.com/ included, think the Patriots will be drafting this spring.

Here are the results:

Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy ------------------------------- 42 votes

Mike Jenkins , CB, South Florida ------------------------- 21 votes

Vernon Gholston, OLB, Ohio State ----------------------- 19 votes

Keith Rivers, LB, USC ----------------------------------- 11 votes

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State ----- 11 votes

It's not surprising to see two corners at top and another one at number five, although I am still unconvinced that any of these defensive backs warrant a Top-10 pick.

My hunch is that Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli feel the same way and will either take Gholston, Dorsey, Ellis, or trade down and target one of the CB's on this list.

There are also some great options for corner help that could be available in the second round, and for both of our third round picks, including Patrick Lee, Charles Godfrey and Justin King.

Antoine Cason and Brandon Flowers may still be available in round two, but we would probaly have to trade up from #62 to get them.

New England Patriots: Needs Assessment

James Christensen — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:15:00 -0400

William Glasser, creator of Choice Theory, defines the four human needs as Survival, Love, Power, and Freedom. The Patriots have similar needs a month before the NFL Draft and a month after the onset of Free Agency.

Survival

As we saw in Superbowl XLII, the offensive line is key to Tom Brady and ultimately the Patriots' survival. While there were some holes exposed in that game, the o-line had a great year. An upgrade would be possible at RT where Nick Kazcur had a tough time with some of the quicker DEs in the league. Expect an OT prospect to be taken with one of our two third-round picks.

Love

The Patriots fans love the skill players for the Patriots. We are obviously set with starters at QB, RB, WR, and TE, however, each position could use an infusion of quality depth. Chris Johnson, a tailback from East Carolina, could be in the Patriots' plans late in the first day.

Power

The front seven of the New England, especially the defensive line, are the power behind the Patriot's defense. The difference between the line and the linebackers is that the former sports five guys on the upside of their career, while the latter sports no starters on the good side of 30. That is taking nothing away from Bruschi, Thomas, Vrabel, and Seau, who played their guts out last year. Look for multiple LB's to show up on the draft board in Foxboro.

Freedom

Asante Samuel and Randall Gay gained theirs this off-season, signing nice contracts in the NFC. Cornerback is still a concern, despite bringing in free agent help in Fernando Bryant. Expect Pioli and Co. to target some versatile CB/S hybrids in this years draft, perhaps even with the No. 7 pick.

With approximately $10 million dollars in cap room, the Patriots still control their destiny for the 2008 season. The NFL draft should help flesh out what that destiny will look like.

2008 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

James Christensen — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:21:00 -0400

NE Patriots Draft -
Mock Draft 2.0

1. Miami- Chris Long - DE/LB - Virginia

I think they will be trying to trade down here, but in lieu of that, they will select the safest pick. Miami can't afford another bust a la the Ricky Williams fiasco or some of their questionable draft picks lately. Yep, looking at you Ted G.

2. St. Louis- Jake Long - OL - Michigan

Can we all agree that Orlando Pace just isn't going to play all 16 games anymore? This pick would cause Steven Jackson and Marc Bulger to breathe a sigh of relief. Jake is a lot less risky than Dorsey here.

3. Atlanta- Matt Ryan - QB - Atlanta

If they believe Matt Ryan is the man, they should take him. I just don't think there is a first-round QB in this draft. Glenn Dorsey and Jamaal Anderson would make quite an inside/outside tandem here, but Ryan could solidify their QB position for the next 10 years.

4. Oakland- Vernon Gholston - DE/OLB - Ohio St.

With Justin Fargas locked up, they really don't need McFadden. Gholston is an absolute beast that should really make the Raider D something to be scared of.

5. Kansas City- Ryan Clady - OT - Boise St.

At this point KC will be burning up the phones to get out of the Top 5. If they are forced to pick here, I think they reach and grab the best remaining OL. Their line needs to help Brodie and LJ and Clady would be a step in the right direction.

6. NY Jets- Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas

If Clady and both the Longs are gone, the Jets will take the most dynamic playmaker left, and that is the TD from anywhere threat from Arkansas. He might have the best arm on the team as well.

7. NE Patriots (From SF)- Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU

If Dorsey is here, the Patriots will scoop him up in a heartbeat. He doesn't really fit in a typical 3-4 system, but Belichick's version is fluid enough to accommodate such a talent.

8. Baltimore Ravens- D. Rodgers-Cromartie - CB - Tenn St.

Baltimore gets what many scouts believe is the best CB prospect in 2008. McCalister and Rolle aren't getting any younger, and with Ryan off the board, cornerback becomes their most pressing need.

9. Cincinnati Bengals- Sedrick Ellis - DT - USC

With the departure of Justin Smith, Cincinnati needs to hit on a defensive prospect here. The explosive Ellis really made some cash during the post-season, impressing scouts with his quick first step and explosive power.

10. New Orleans Saints- Leodis McKelvin - CB - Troy

After the failed Jason David experiment, the Saints need someone that can cover people deep. The speedy and solid McKelvin, along with the experienced Randall Gay from the Patriots, will help shore up a shaky secondary.

11. Buffalo Bills- Mike Jenkins- CB - USF

AFC East teams need cornerbacks and DL that can rush Tom Brady. With the Bills taking the extremely quick Jenkins, each AFC East team has addressed playing against the Patriots offensive juggernaut.

12. Denver Broncos- Jeff Otah - OT - Pitt

Bringing in Otah will bolster a line that is in transition. The huge Otah will help get the line back to the glory days of TD and company.

13. Carolina Panthers- Derrick Harvey - DE - Florida

The once vaunted D-Line from Carolina has fallen on hard times as of late. Harvey's playmaking ability, even if he was a bit slower than most thought at the combine, would be a welcome addition to Julius and company.

14. Chicago Bears- Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Illinois

My father always told me to fold a losing hand sooner rather than later. The Bears need to fold on Cedric Benson, or at least bring in some help. Mendenhall is a three-down back that could be a real help to whatever QB the Bears put out there this year.

15. Detroit Lions- Philip Merling - DE - Clemson

The Lions need some help across the defensive side of the ball, but a speedy DE prospect like Merling would do a lot to offset the loss of Shaun Rogers. Merling is a bit raw, but—cliche alert—his upside is huge.

16. Arizona Cardinals- Keith Rivers - LB - USC

The sure-tackling Rivers would join an improving Cardinal defense that is looking to build a contender in the weakened NFC West.

17. Minnesota Vikings- Malcolm Kelly - WR - Oklahoma

We will see this year if Tarvaris Jackson is the man or not. With the two-headed monster of Peterson and Taylor, along with the solid trio of Berrian, Allison, and Kelly, and their great line, Jackson will be out of excuses.

18. Houston Texans- Chris Williams - OT - Vanderbilt

The monstrous Williams should keep Matt Schaub healthier than he was last year. Houston is a team that is close to getting them over the hump, and this skilled mauler will help them reach their goals.

19. Philadelphia Eagles- Kenny Phillips - S - Miami

Brian Dawkins worked out for the Eagles, and I feel like Phillips could be that sort of dynamic player. With Asante Samuel not requiring tons of help over top, Phillips will be comfortable from day one in Philly.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Aqib Talib - CB - Kansas

Aqib falls a bit, bu the Bucs will be happy to grab this skilled defensive back. His times won't be that impressive, but his ball skills and instincts more than make up for his lack of top-flight speed.

21. Washington Redskins- James Hardy - WR - Indiana

The third Big Ten prospect to be selected, Hardy brings quite a skill set with him. His lone on-field problem--getting off press coverage--may be a problem, but the red zone target he creates for Jason Campbell is a hard thing to turn down.

22. Dallas Cowboys (From CLE)- Jonathan Stewart - RB - Oregon

If Jerry Jones can't go up and get McFadden, he will target either Felix Jones or Stewart here. The Oregon prospect's turf toe surgery shouldn't limit him past early summer. Provided they hang on to Marion the Barbarian, Stewart and Barber would be a heck of a tandem.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers- Devin Thomas - WR - Michigan St.

Hines Ward might not agree, but Big Ben was right when he asked for more receivers. Devin Thomas is a solid choice that has done well for himself at the combine. The Steelers had pretty good luck with some other MSU WR prospect as well.

24. Tennessee Titans- Desean Jackson - WR - Cal

With Pacman doing Pacman-esque things as of late, the Titans are going to be in the market for a dynamic return man. While the small-framed Jackson may never be a No. 1 receiver at the NFL level, he should be able to contribute right away as a special-teamer.

25. Seattle Seahawks- Dustin Keller - TE - Purdue

If they can't get Jonathan Stewart here, a local Oregon boy, look for the 4.5 fast Keller to stretching the seam for Coach Holmgren in 2008.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars- Quentin Groves - DE/LB - Auburn

While Drayton Florence isn't the long-term answer, he allows the Jags to go a different direction in the first round, and possibly take a Charles Godfrey in the second or third round. Groves' explosive potential, albeit underwhelming play at times, is hard to pass on at 26.

27. San Diego Chargers- Gosder Cherilus - OT - BC

The Chargers have no glaring needs, although safety could be another choice here. The OT's have started to get lots of love lately in the draft and I wouldn't be surprised to see Cherilus drafted here.

28. Dallas Cowboys- Limas Sweed - WR - Texas

Local boys are becoming a trend for the Cowboys this year. With Sweed's wrist problems pushing him down a bit, the Cowboys get a potential steal with this future replacement for Terrell Owens.

29. San Francisco 49'ers (From IND)- Antoine Cason - CB - Arizona

Taking a cue from the Ravens of a few years back, the Niners are going to try and build around an undeniable MLB and some good CB's. Cason fits the bill here across from Nate Clements.

30. Green Bay Packers- Brandon Flowers - CB - Virginia Tech

With Charles Woodson and Al Harris still licking their wounds from the beating Plaxico gave them in the NFC Championship game, the Pack needs to bring in some help in the backfield. Another option would be Balmer from NC to shore up the d-line.

31. Pick Forfeited -- SpyGate or something? I haven't really heard much about this.

32. New York Giants -- Dan Connor - LB - Penn St.

With Kawika Mitchell gone, the G-men need a versatile LB to fill some gaps. Connor brings the smarts necessary to get the job done.

New England Patriots: Salary Cap Savvy?

James Christensen — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:42:00 -0400

Randy Moss and Tom Brady get all the headlines, but do they get all the money? Let's see if the heralded Patriots Front Office staff lives up to the billing in looking at the distribution of how they spend their cap dollars. Let's start with the offensive numbers:

Offense

Line - 14 %
QB - 12.4%
WR - 11.9%
RB - 6.9%
TE - 2.1%

You can see how the Patriots have leveraged well constructed rookie contracts with their offensive linemen and running backs to keep their cap numbers. Tom Brady eats up 12 percent of the cap number himself, but it is still a good deal. Moss and Welker both have cap-friendly deals that spread the hits pretty evenly.

Defense

Line - 15.8%
LB - 11.1%
DB - 8.3% (Fernando Bryant not included)

Bill Belichick likes big guys. There are less linemen on the roster, but they make substantially more on average than their defensive counterparts. Three first-rounders manning the trenches contributes to this, but even two of the backups, Mike Wright and Jarvis Green, either make more or as much as guys like Tedy Bruschi. With Asante gone, the DB number has gone substantially.

Others

K/P - 1%
Dead Money - 7.4%
Cap Room - 9%

Corey Dillon's generous contract contributed 3.85 million to the "dead money" amount, while Roosevelt Colvin and Kyle Brady contributed $1.8 and $1.0 million, respectively. The 10+ million dollars of cap room should be enough to sign our rookies, but look for a creative deal if we end up picking at No. 7.

Tom and Randy got theirs, but you can see that the Patriots' priority lies within inches of the ball on the offensive and defensive line. Mr. Pioli and company have lived up to their reputation.

Charles Godfrey: Just Waiting to Get Hazed

James Christensen — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:44:00 -0400

Charles Godfrey just wanted to show how much of a fan he was. That prompted him to take the plunge and get a nice Texans tattoo on his right hand. If he would get drafted by the Texans, no problem. If he gets drafted by the Patriots, however, Rodney Harrison and Co. might have a thing or two to say about it. Let's see what Godfrey brings to the table.

I had the joy of watching Godfrey in person for the last four years in the friendly confines of Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. He showcased his versatility at Iowa, playing well at both safety and corner. His ball skills are great, and his coverage skills are exceptional. He gave up zero TD passes in 2007. Coming from the safety position, he can also hit with the best of them, although his technique stays sound even when he "lays the wood".

At the scouting combine, he ran a 4.43, while putting up a respectable 14 reps along with solid times in the cone drills. His older brother, Ell Roberson -- former QB for Kansas St. -- showed the same type of quicknes during his days for the Wildcats.

Look for the Patriots to target Godfrey with their first of two 3rd Round picks -- his signing bonus might even pay for the tattoo removal.

4-3 vs 3-4: Glenn Dorsey's Big Impact

James Christensen — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:32:00 -0400

When the Patriots are on the clock, there should be some pretty good options available to them. One of those could be the massive DT Glenn Dorsey from LSU. Bil Belichick and VP Pioli have always expressed the desire to pick the best player available, and Glenn could fit that description.

How Dorsey would mesh with our 3-4 defense is another question. Dorsey is more suited to playing in the 4-3. Let's take a look at our options if Dorsey is selected.

Stay with 3-4

Big Vince Wilfork tires out over the season, and even though Dorsey wouldn't be a natural fit at NT for the Patriots, he and Vince would make a heck of a platoon.

Switch to 4-3

Imagine being an AFC East QB or RB and seeing these four faces in front of you: Seymour, Wilfork, Dorsey, Warren. Nobody would rush on us, and our LB's would be fresher as the rotation would be down to three. Jarvis Green could sub in for Dorsey and then bring Seymour inside and move Green outside on passing downs.

Hybrid System

Bill was way ahead of the fad for Hybrids. He played 0-7, 1-6, 2-5, 3-4 and more against the Eagles in their Superbowl Victory. Imagine this lineup on running downs:

Defensive Line: Seymour, Dorsey, Wilfork, Warren

Linebackers: Thomas, Bruschi, Vrabel

And this lineup on passing downs:

Defensive Line: Warren, Seymour, Green

Vrabel, Bruschi, Seau/Nickelback, Thomas

No matter who Belichick and Pioli decide on, look for some innovations with their new toy.

How Signing Cornerback Fernando Bryant Helps the Patriots

James Christensen — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:45:00 -0400

It isn't getting a whole lot of press, but the Fernando Bryant signing has a huge impact on the draft and season as a whole. Bryant is a solid corner who. while he isn't known for making big plays, doesn't give them up either.

He will struggle in the Red Zone against bigger, stronger receivers, but few corners don't.

Off the field, what Bryant brings is flexibility for the Patriots on draft day. Before Bryant, we only had one option for starting CB opposite Ellis Hobbs, and that was talented, but unproven, Brandon Merriweather.

The Patriots no longer have to reach for a CB, and we can take a project like Cromartie without hurting our present. At this point, I think picking a CB at #7 would be out of the question.