Orange and Teal

Day Two Thoughts

I’ve had some time to digest all the draft picks and took a break with the wife to go see a movie. If you can handle watching it, go see United 93. Amazing movie no matter your politics. I’ve never been in a quieter theater ever. So back to the draft…

While the thought of Jason Allen being our first rounder still isn’t settling right (I just learned that besides the hip issue, he’s had two separate shoulder injuries in his career) the rest of the draft went as well as it could with the picks we had. I’m a bit surprised we didn’t take a DE/LB that could play the 3-4, but otherwise any starter from big programs is a pretty safe bet and I like Wright. Although, I’ll have to trust the scouts for finding Frederick Evans from SW Texas State. Overall it was ho hum. We can’t scream bloody murder or anything unless Allen goes down with an injury in preseason.

Big surprise of the entire draft for me is how far some of the QBs fell. And Drew Olson from UCLA wasn’t even picked. Sign him as a FA quick. Someone. I mean I understand Marcus Vick not being picked, but Olson? He had 3198 yards last year, 34 TDs and 6 INTs. Matt Leinart had more yards but less TDs and more INTs and a lot more to work with. Olson is a big guy too. I don’t get it. I also like Brett Basanez from Northwestern as a project type guy. Talk about no team around him. Geeze. 3622 yds passing and 423 rushing. Let’s just say Brodie Croyle would pray for those numbers (he had 2499 yds passing) let along Reggie McNeal, Bruce Gradkowski (who I like), Omar Jacobs etc. It may be about more than numbers but Olson is a missed opportunity.

And speaking of QBs, it doesn’t look like Harrington went anywhere over the weekend. The Browns passed on a trade for him. And I don't see him going to the Ravens since the McNair situation could happen this week allowing Kerry Collins to go to Tennessee instead of Baltimore and McNair to Baltimore. They’ll do it too. They did it to Eddie George. So Harrington might just get outright released if Millen keeps up with the indecision. Take the 6th rounder moron.

Overall winning teams in the draft to me: New England, Philadelphia and Denver all made great picks and will be even tougher in 2006.

Losers: Chicago not picking a tight end in a draft with one of the deepest tight end pools in recent memory has to be a huge mistake. Their first five picks were all defense, for a team with one of the best defenses in the league and noticeable holes at TE and WR. Buffalo really reached with their first rounder Donte Whitner and John McCargo. They then got great value in the same positions later on with Ko Simpson and Kyle Williams. Doh! Shoulda taken the best players available in the first Marv.

Glad to have all the new readers on board for the draft and I hope you stick around. Should be a great '06.

Day One Thoughts

The Dolphins did “ok” today. While I think Jason Allen is a reach at #16, Derek Hagan in the third round is just what we need, a tall WR that had three 1000+ seasons in his college career at Arizona State.

As for the other teams in the AFC East they all did well. The Patriots just kill me though with their Offensive upgrades, Brady has a whole new cast to play with. The Jets build a terrific OLine of the future but I don’t believe in Clemens as a NFL QB and their 3rd rounders are nothing interesting. But Buffalo did slightly worse adding depth to the secondary but nothing earth shattering. The Patriots could see instant results with their picks.

Around the rest of the league I just can’t believe the Bears did not take a TE in the second or third round letting every player slip by. It is their one big need and they didn’t address it on day one. Instead they took two questionable secondary choices and a DT when they already have a darn good DLine. Weird. Although not as weird as St. Louis taking two TEs in the draft. I guess that way you have a better chance statistically of one working out.

Tennessee fans should be jumping for joy. That is of course if they don’t mind sending their franchise QB out to pasture as if he was a bum. Kerry Collins is reportedly waiting in the wings too. Young and LenDale White help that struggling team tremendously.

Arizona, holy crap man. It’s like a fantasy draft since they got Lienart and Pope! Nice. Plus a decent guard.

Picks that puzzle me: Denver taking Tony Scheffler? Dallas taking Anthony Fasano with a 2nd rounder when they have Witten? The Saints take Roman Harper in the second round? Taking someone to block for your new superstars might’ve been a wiser move. Pittsburgh taking two safeties when they seem ok at that position.

Picks that don’t puzzle me: Brodie Croyle going to Kansas City. San Diego taking Whitehurst. Bucs loading up on OLine.

Also: What do the Dolphins do between one fourth round pick tomorrow and three seventh rounders? Ugh.

The David Thomas Dilemma

I knew it would be hard to watch a guy with my name on TV after I saw this TE in the Rose Bowl. But did the Patriots have to take him? I guarantee David Thomas will score more game-winning TDs against the Dolphins than any other player over the next ten years so this David Thomas (me!) can sit at home in shame. That’s just the way it is. Geeze oh flip.

Quick Recap, Including Ribs

Sorry to take so long to update but towards the end of round one the ribs were ready. My wife agreed they were some of my best work to date so I’m keeping the recipe handy. If anyone wants it just let me know.

I’m stopping the running tally now too. Time to take a seat and kick back for a few. My big winners for the draft unfortunately include the New York Jets and New England Patriots. The Jets shore up their OLine for the next few years and the Pats reload at skills positions. DAMN!

Otherwise I think Oakland drafted smart for once. Philadelphia is going to rebound. Pittsburgh filled a need. Only a few teams did poorly and I’d include the Dolphins in the middle ground of not exciting anyone. Crazy stuff. After the third round I’ll be back with more thoughts.

And #16 Is…Jason Allen???

I’ll be the first to admit this guy wasn’t’ even on my radar. He’s not the best available Pick. He’s not the best DB left in my opinion or most analysts. I’m so pissed. I don’t know if the ribs will taste as good now. I don’t get this at all. At all. Everyone vent in the comments below.

The Draft: Live Picks

It Starts Now...

1 Houston Texans
Mario Williams. Now we wait to see what happens with the rest of the Top 5 where this will have a major ripple effect, besides the #3 pick.

Update: Poor Mario Williams has lost his voice!

He just shook Vince Young's hand and Vince looked almost as big! [just keep hitting refresh to see the updates]

OK I'm watching ESPN because they keep the overlaying info up during the commercials. It's the little things. I guess I'll still flip back and forth.

2. New Orleans Saints

Reggie Bush has a new home. What do they do with the RB they have? I don't know. Why Kiper thinks any head coach will put Bush in a special teams package is beyond me. "Oh let's throw our franchise to the wolves even more than a RB normally does." Anyway...I don't care. Titans should pick Young. Jets will get D'Brickshaw and then Green Bay will have the first chance at a surprise pick.

3. Tennessee Titans

Man, its going fast now. Vince Young is the right pick. You know they like that style of play and he's a freak of nature size wise, speed, strength. Awesome. My pick as best career QB in this year's draft. NY Jets on the clock.

4. New York Jets

D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Steve Young said it "you can't get fired as GM if you pick the QB" And someone might get fired for this. How can you be happy with Ramsey and Pennington as your QBs? Fudge. I think this is a mistake as a money man too. You'd make jersey sales with Leinart etc. Plus he'd get a year behind Ramsey learning the system and not getting beat up. He's gonna go to Oakland now. Or does Green Bay do something crazy?! They only have two QBs. OK now it's interesting. Glad I'm not a Jets fan. Well, I'm always glad I'm not a Jets fan.

5. Green Bay Packers

A.J. Hawk. Not sexy. I think overrated. Sounds perfect for Green Bay to me. I don't think you pass on Vernon Davis. San Francisco certainly won't. Most boring pick of the day.

6. 49ers

Vernon Davis. Awwwwwwwwwww he's crying. That always bodes well. Nah I love this guy. Perfect pick for San Fran and no AJ Hawk made it really easy. The team seems to be building fast.

7. Oakland Raiders

Wow. Michael Huff. Oakland makes a semi-smart football move and takes the position they need. Although why they gave up Collins (10th best passing attack last year) is beyond me. And no Mr. Jackson, we don't have to "feel" for Matt Lienart/Mr. Hollywood. Loser.

8. Buffalo Bills

I'm so glad I'm not a Bills fan. Thank you Marv Levy for picking a loser. Whitner? Come on. You need DT help so Spikes can do what Ray Lewis does. I don't even like him for the Dolphins like Kiper just said. They'll stay in the bottom of the division.

9. Detroit Lions

Ernie Sims. Wow. Now that is a surprise. They missed out on an impact LB last year so this makes some sense. I thought they'd get a DT though.

10. Arizona Cardnials

Matt Lienart. This could be a match made in heaven and Warner is a guy Lienart could learn from. It also means Winston Justice is still circulating...

11. Denver Broncos

They trade!? Might be good for the Dolphins here. Jay Cutler. Interesting. So we assume St. Louis gets the 15th pick. I don't know what they'd want there if not a QB? I'll go with Holt saying they want a DB and they might take Jimmy Williams. Either way it should leave us a WR or Justice?!!?

12. Baltimore Ravens

I dont' understand a trade of one spot. You tell the other team who you want. And you should be happy with Bunkley. I guess we'll see what else they gave up for it. This is good though. Very good for the dolphins.

13. Cleveland Browns

By picking Wimbley the Dolphins are that much close to getting a very good OT!!!! OK I dont' want to jinx it but we're going to get one of the best players we really need in either a CB, WR or OT. This is great. Two teams left.

14. Philadelphia Eagles

Ok I've had quite a few Miller Lites by now so watch out for spelling errors. Bunkley. Smart. They need it. Justice now falls to 15. So we will at least get a shot at 1 of the top 2 WRs. Or Justice. Or Williams. Oh man. This is great. I'm happy with any of them.

15. St. Louis Rams

Tye Hill?! Wow. Who cares. We get whoever we want. Wooohooo!! Is this not the best possible position we could be in?

16. Miami Dolphins

See our full post on Jason Allen. Sigh.

17. Minnesota Vikings

Greenway makes sense for them. And the town.

18. Dallas Cowboys

Bobby Carpenter. They need a LB. Hey a LB is available. Let's take one. Ok. Done.

19. San Diego

Antonio Cromartie. The Chargers get a solid CB on a young explosive Defense. Nice. You have to think KC will take a WR right?

20. Kansas City Chiefs

Tamba Hali? Are you kidding me? I mean he had fallen way off the charts. And there are so many good CBs left and the Chiefs could use some. Does this mean New England picks a WR. Yes. The Patriots will get the #1 WR in the draft. UNBELIEVABLE.

Oh and ESPN is all excited to run the inspirational story. I guess I'm bitter at this point. Sorry.

21. New England Patriots

Laurence Maroney. Fine By ME! He might be great but I thought they needed something more in the WR department with Brady back there. I'm not upset with this at all.

22. San Francisco

Manny Lawson is exactly what the team needs to fill the hole left by Peterson leaving. That's it. Great draft for San Fran.

23. Tampa Bay

Wow. Davin Joseph. I can't believe they went with a Guard over Winston Justice. That kid must have something really wrong with him. And they still need help at WR.

24. Cincinnati

Jonathan Joseph over Jimmy Williams? OK. No skin off my nose. I don't see it but ok. Now I have to wonder what the Bears are going to do. The Giants could go DB as well.

25. Pittsburgh?

Another trade. Wow. I like this one though. You get at least one of the best WRs. You have a need for one. He could be terrific. And Ben needs help, always. You gotta like the move.

26. Buffalo Bills?

Another trade but this one for John McCargo? McCargo? That's a real name? This is just odd. Again ESPN does a horrible job filling us in on what the trade involves.

27. Carolina Panthers

You knew they had to go RB. Deangelo isn't my pick. I would've gone LenDale White, but either one is good for them. It also hurts the Colts' plans which is always good.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars

Marcedes Lewis is a solid pick. BTW Boomer must be getting tips. He's stolen the Commish's thunder about four times so far today on who he was about to announce. Now we wait to see what the Jets do.

29. New York Jets

Nick Mangold. Man rebuilding an Oline in a draft. Sounds smart to me. Wow. They're gonna be tought in two years if they have a QB, RB or WRs to score.

Rib Update

OK the Draft is moving pretty darn fast. I'm expecting the ribs to be ready somewhere in the 20s although they're looking and smelling dar good. First time with this exact recipe but I think it's a winner.

The Ribs Are Go

Ok they’re on the grill. 10 picks should be the perfect timing. It may take a little longer. I use the indirect, slow grilling method with lots of basting. Oh yeah.

WTF Was That?!?!

That intro had to be the dumbest thing I've ever seen. At least ESPN gave me a laugh at the start of this thing.

Who To Watch?

As the first half hour of pre-Draft analysis just finished on the NFL Network I’m torn on what coverage to tune into. Never having a choice before all I did was complain about how bad/annoying ESPN’s coverage was. Now the NFL Network looks to join the party and I like Rich Eisen. But they put Butch Davis in the studio for analysis along with Dan Reeves. I dig Reeves’ Southern accent and he’s pretty smart but Butch basically just told him he didn’t know what he was talking about and said Houston needed a better running game. Butch obviously doesn’t know the Texan’s RB with his same last name. He’s not too shabby. He’s not the next Barry Sanders but no one knows if Bush will be either. Boomer already said something stupid on Sports Center like “He’ll be the great back we all know he will be.” Sigh…this is a tough call. I think I’ll watch the intro on ESPN at least.

And did anyone see how huge Radio City is? Holy crap there’s a lot of press there.