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Big 12 Tournament: Friday Is Statement Day for Kansas Jayhawks

March 11th, 2010

I can't exactly say it's been a shaky year for the Kansas Jayhawks, but I'm sure you'd agree that it has been a roller coaster of emotions for Jayhawks fans nationwide.

From winning to losing to winning again, 2010 has gifted us with so many opportunities to see the Jayhawks shine, and has shown us all why they are National Title contenders.

But how far will they really go in the Big 12 Tournament?  Many folks are predicting a possible early exit, due to the Jayhawks lackluster play in recent weeks,  while others are expecting the same Kansas team to make a strong statement in their opening game against Texas Tech in two days time and let everybody know exactly why they are the No. 1 team in the nation.

Personally, I tend to agree with the second statement.  For a team with this much talent and this much poise to not upset some top contenders on their way to another title, falling short almost seems unimaginable.

However, let's keep in mind that this is college basketball, and if there is any word that is more present in the modern era of the game, it's the word "upset".

Fortunately for the Jayhawks, they haven't had it too tough in the past month.  With a loss to Oklahoma State, followed by a convincing win over first Kansas State and then Missouri, confidence is fairly high heading into the middle of March.

But what about Texas Tech?  Sure this isn't college football, but they can provide some exciting plays when they are at their best.  With a lousy 4-12 record on the year and only a handful of highlight reel plays, the Red Raiders have had their work cut out for them in 2010.

Forward Mike Singletary is one of the few notable players to post considerably decent stats on the year, with 14.9 points per game, accompanied by 6.8 rebounds.  If there is anyone else worthy of mention, it would have to be guard John Robertson, who will have the vital but unpredictable role of keeping Cole Aldrich and Xavier Henry at bay.

As for Kansas, well the coaching is there, the talent is there, and the fans are damn sure there.  All that is missing is a stellar performance and a night that sends Allen Fieldhouse into a frenzy as Kansas hopes to further continue it's long awaited 2010 journey.

Nearly every position is key for the Jayhawks, but none no more so than guard Sheron Collins, who hopes to have another impressive game as he continues to add to his point total of 15.3 per game. 

Highly criticised Cole Aldrich has been cold at times this season, but that occurrence tends to pop up when the Jayhawks play ranked opponents.  Luckily, Texas Tech is nowhere near the Top 25, so expect Alrdrich to have at least over 20 points.

All in all, Kansas is looking in tip top shape.  Arguably not No. 1 seed shape, but tip top shape nonetheless. 

At the end of the day, though, it is important that Kansas has established that connection with the rest of the league.  At times they have looked lazy and lethargic, now is not the time to let a surging Syracuse, Kentucky, or Duke take hold of the reigns. 

No. 1 is here to stay for Kansas, and they need to prove that this Friday.

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Posted in College Basketball, Kansas Jayhawks Basketball, NCAA, Preview/Prediction

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A Case For Bruce Campbell to The 49ers

March 6th, 2010

After his great combine performance, everyone is predicting that Bruce Campbell, the OT out of Maryland, will be headed across the bay to Oakland. If this is the case, then the 49ers would not have a choice on whether to take him. If the Raiders do not take him and he falls to thirteen should the Niners take him? I will try to make a case for why they should consider him.

The top to offensive tackles on the board in my opinion are Russell Okung and Brian Bulaga. If either one of them are available when the 49ers pick they should take them. After that it is a mix of guys who can only play right tackle (Trent Williams) or who have question marks after poor combine or Senior Bowl performances. So why not take the guy with the most upside?

The last player to come out of Maryland and impress the scouts with his combine performance was Vernon Davis. Davis had a ton of raw talent but struggled to put things together until this year. Under Mike Singletary, Davis went from an under-performing player to a great blocking tight end, and then to a great offensive weapon. Singletary could do the same for Campbell.

Players who have immense natural talent often get by in college without learning good technique because they can just out physical less skilled players on the other side of the ball. These players need a disciplinarian who will not accept them coasting through practice. They need a guy who will kick them off the sideline like Mike Singletary did to Vernon Davis when he thought he wasn't getting his best effort.

I am not saying that the Niners should automatically draft Campbell at thirteen but it is something to think about. This article will probably be in vain though because Al Davis will obviously draft him because he runs the fastest 40-yard dash.

 

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Posted in Football, Mike Singletary, NFL, Opinion, San Francisco 49ers, Vernon Davis

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2010 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Ndamukong Suh, Not Sam Bradford, the Answer at No. 1

February 27th, 2010

Every spring, hundreds of mock drafts are thrown about in an attempt to predict what the big boys running the NFL's 32 teams will do when the NFL Draft finally arrives in late April.

And within a handful of picks, the order—and nearly every mock draft available—is rendered useless.

This mock draft, however, takes a different approach. Instead of trying to predict what each team will do this April, this mock projects what each team should do on Draft Day.

 

1. St. Louis - Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska)

Taking Sam Bradford here is simply irresponsible. Suh projects much better than Bradford or Jimmy Clausen, and despite the desire to have a franchise quarterback, the Rams need a foundation for their defense.

 

2. Detroit - Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma)

While Russell Okung and Eric Berry may get a passing thought, McCoy is the clear answer to shore up a defensive line in dire need of some youth...and talent.

 

3. Tampa Bay - Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech)

If Bucs coach Raheem Morris truly is looking for a top-caliber pass rusher, he won't find much better in this draft than Morgan.

 

4. Washington - Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State)

Jimmy Clausen or Sam Bradford will likely be the pick here, but with the serious health questions surrounding Chris Samuels, offensive line is a much more pressing need.

 

5. Kansas City - Eric Berry (S, Tennessee)

There are plenty of needs on both sides of the ball for Kansas City.

Berry is an elite talent that has All-Pro written all over him and could potentially change an opposing team's game plan much like Ed Reed does in Baltimore.

 

6. Seattle - Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame)

Matt Hasselbeck isn't getting any younger and Seneca Wallace clearly isn't the future for Seattle. New coach Pete Carroll can sit Clausen for the 2010 season to allow Clausen to learn the nuances of the game from a seasoned veteran at the position.

 

7. Cleveland - Joe Haden (CB, Florida)

The guys currently filling Cleveland's cornerback depth chart could barely start for the Gators, much less a pro football team. Mike Holmgren could do a lot worse than Haden for his first-ever draft pick as president of the franchise.

 

8. Oakland - Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers)

Davis may have the most raw talent of any offensive line prospect in the draft, but character issues have raised a red flag with a few teams.

When have character issues ever stopped Al Davis, though?

 

9. Buffalo - Bryan Bulaga (OL, Iowa)

The Bills traded Jason Peters away before last year's draft and did nothing to replace him. After paying for that mistake for a year, it's time they start rebuilding the offensive line.

Drafting Bulaga is a great place to start.

 

10. Jacksonville - Jason Pierre-Paul (DE/LB, South Florida)

Anyone who argues Tim Tebow for the No. 10 pick is out of their mind. Not only is quarterback not an issue for the Jags, the pass rush needs to be upgraded quickly.

With Pierre-Paul, one of the class' elite rushers, still on the board, the guy who played college ball in St. Petersburg, and not Gainesville, is the choice.

 

11. Denver (via Chicago) - Rolando McClain (ILB, Alabama)

Dez Bryant gets serious consideration if Brandon Marshall leaves town, but last I checked, Marshall is still wearing a Broncos uniform. McClain is a top-five level player and will take Andra Davis' spot in the middle of Denver's defense.

 

12. Miami - Sergio Kindle (DE/LB, Texas)

Bill Parcells has a history of taking talented linebackers in the draft and has yet to do so in Miami. With need at the position higher than ever, Kindle gets the call.

 

13. San Francisco - Trent Williams (OT, Oklahoma)

San Francisco's offense is coming along nicely, but there isn't much to speak of up front outside of Joe Staley. Williams will look to continue the recent pro success of Sooner linemen.

 

14. Seattle (via Denver) - C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson)

Seahawks fans had better be ready for the future of Seattle football. Spiller, who is already garnering comparisons to Reggie Bush, becomes Pete Carroll's running back of choice to go along with future starter Jimmy Clausen.

 

15. New York Giants - Taylor Mays (S, USC)

Mays slips to the middle of the first round due to the nitpicking brought upon by his less-than-perfect senior season at USC. Kenny Phillips' future is uncertain and New York's strong safety position could use a player like Mays.

 

16. Tennessee - Dan Williams (DT, Tennessee)

The Titans sorely missed Albert Haynesworth last season. Williams, a space-eater of the Haynesworth variety, comes in to clog the middle of Tennessee's defense.

 

17. San Francisco (via Carolina) - Brian Price (DT, UCLA)

While Price isn't a Terrence Cody-type widebody built for the 3-4 nose tackle spot, his relentless motor fits Mike Singletary's style almost too well.

 

18. Pittsburgh - Mike Iupati (OL, Idaho)

Iupati is the prototypical Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman: Hard-working and versatile with a mean streak. The Steelers have gotten by with the lineman they have, but adding Iupati is a quiet upgrade.

 

19. Atlanta - Sean Weatherspoon (LB, Missouri)

There isn't a whole lot for Falcons fans to get excited about at linebacker. Weatherspoon is an intelligent player who often times finds his way to the ball in time to make the big play.

 

20. Houston - Earl Thomas (S, Texas)

Houston has spent plenty of first-round picks filling their front seven with young, talented players. With Mario Williams and Brian Cushing shoring up the first two levels, it's time the Texans lock up the future of the secondary.

Thomas helps them do just that.

 

21. Cincinnati - Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma State)

Carson Palmer's options aren't getting any younger. Laveranues Coles was a one-year fill-in and Chad Ochocinco needs a viable running mate.

Bryant, a potential top-five pick before the 2009 college season began, slips thanks only to his near-season-long suspension for violating NCAA rules.

 

22. New England - Brandon Graham (DE/LB, Michigan)

Bill Belichick likes players able to move around on the field, and Graham is just that. He can stand up and cause headaches for opposing offenses in New England's 3-4 and put his hand down to become a serious pass rush threat when the Pats switch run the 4-3.

 

23. Green Bay - Kyle Wilson (CB, Boise State)

With a gaggle of talented corners to choose from, Wilson gets the nod thanks to his willingness to, and strength in, playing the run. Wilson will learn the NFC North's bruising style from Al Harris and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Charles Woodson.

 

24. Philadelphia - Carlos Dunlap (DE, Florida)

With few holes to fill, the Eagles upgrade their sub-par pass rush with Dunlap. After some off-the-field issues, including a self-imposed suspension, the ultra-talented Dunlap slips to back end of the first round.

 

25. Baltimore - Patrick Robinson (CB, Florida State)

Most mocks have a receiver going to Baltimore, but a potential acquisition of Anquan Boldin or Brandon Marshall can remedy that.

Cornerback, once a strength in Baltimore, has quickly become a weakness and Robinson, the most talented corner not named Joe Haden, sets the Ravens back on track on the outside.

 

26. Arizona - Perrish Cox (CB, Oklahoma State)

Inside linebacker becomes a glaring need if/when Karlos Dansby leaves the desert, but much like Brandon Marshall and Denver, Dansby is still in town.

Arizona's pass defense was atrocious in 2009 and Cox could become Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie's running mate for years to come.

 

27. Dallas - Golden Tate (WR, Notre Dame)

Ideally, Earl Thomas would fall to the Cowboys at No. 27 to take care of their need at safety, but the NFL draft rarely goes ideally for any team.

Outside of Miles Austin, the Cowboys really don't have any reliable receivers. Tate steps in to end the failed Roy Williams experiment.

 

28. San Diego - Ryan Mathews (RB, Fresno State)

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past week, you know the Chargers are suddenly looking for help at running back. Mathews steps in to become the smashmouth back to complement Darren Sproles' quickness out of the backfield.

 

29. New York Jets - Arrelious Benn (WR, Illinois)

When Braylon Edwards and his serious case of the dropsies sit atop your wide receiver depth chart, attention is clearly needed.

Benn never really produced huge numbers at Illinois, but that could very well be attributed to the below average quarterback play in Champaign.

 

30. Minnesota - Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma)

Bradford becomes the new heir-apparent to the not-yet-retired Brett Favre. Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels are nothing more than place-holders behind Favre, and Bradford could learn the system in what may finally be Favre's final NFL season.

 

31. Indianapolis - Jared Odrick (DT, Penn State)

The Colts drafted, and subsequently failed, to improve the interior defensive line in last year's draft. With no other logical pick for the AFC champs, Odrick heads to Indy as the newest attempt to fill a long-standing hole in the middle.

 

32. New Orleans - Everson Griffen (DE, USC)

Until free agency hits, the Saints really don't have many holes. Darren Sharper may very well be out the door before his Super Bowl ring arrives, meaning safety will become a top priority.

Heading into this weekend's Combine, however, the biggest need for the champs is at defensive end, where Griffen can team with Will Smith.

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Posted in 2010 NFL Draft, Football, NFL, Opinion

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2010 NFL Rumors: Looking at Head Coaches and Their Quarterbacks

February 27th, 2010

I’m going to have to take Chris Rock to lunch one day.  It’ll be my way of saying thank you for his profound statements that I like to refer to.

He once said, “Men are only as faithful as their options.”  He was talking about men and their relationships with women.  I’m going to leave Tiger Woods alone and talk about NFL head coaches and their options at quarterback.

After the Dallas Cowboys completed their 120-minute torture session of the Philadelphia Eagles, Andy Reid quickly affirmed that Donovan McNabb was still his guy.

While many—myself included—believe this is a tactic to keep McNabb’s value high, Eagles fans who want McNabb gone ASAP were infuriated because this statement could very well be true.

I think this offseason is the last chance to get great value in return by trading McNabb. 

Having said that, if other teams aren’t willing to part with a first-round pick or even a high second round selection, I expect McNabb to be under center in Philly in the fall.

Because of that reasoning, I can understand the Eagles’ current stance on the matter.  Unfortunately, it started a trend of votes of confidence around the league that are a lot less believable.

The Eagles actually have three quarterbacks that could start in the league, which is making them a hot commodity for rumor mills. Joe Banner has stated that the Eagles could possibly bring McNabb, Kevin Kolb, and Michael Vick back in the final year of each of their contracts.

While I don’t agree with the thought, I could see McNabb and Kolb both on the roster.

Vick? Spare me the rhetoric!

I believe all men have the ability to redeem themselves if they desire to, so my thoughts on Vick in Philly have always been strictly football-based. 

The only way signing Vick makes sense football-wise for the Eagles is if they can trade him.  His contract is even structured to make him a bargain for a team that starts him in 2010. 

If Vick returns to Philly in 2010 behind McNabb and Kolb, it would be a complete waste of time.

The vocal support of quarterbacks currently on a team’s roster is spreading around the league the closer we get to the free agency/trading period beginning March 5.

After Kurt Warner announced his retirement, the Arizona Cardinals have expressed that Matt Leinart is their guy going forward.  Warner was supposed to be Leinart’s backup, but Warner beat him out and made a contender out of the Cardinals. 

After raising their standards after so many lost seasons, has Leinart learned enough under Warner to take over?

The Denver Broncos were quick to refute rumors that they were interested in McNabb.  Even though Kyle Orton had a productive year, if the opportunity presents itself would you prefer Orton or McNabb?

San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary said he feels good about Alex Smith as the starter, but he also said he always uses the word "probably" which is sort of noncommittal. 

I heard a 49ers fan call WIP last night stating that, with an extra first-round pick, the Niners have to make that deal for McNabb. He envisioned McNabb with Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, and Michael Crabtree as his weapons. 

The recent comment that had me say, “Are you kidding me,” is when Minnesota Vikings GM/Vice President of Player Personnel Rick Spielman stated the Vikings are “comfortable with Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels should Brett Farve retire."

After virtually begging Farve all the way into the start of the 2009 preseason to postpone his retirement, how confident are the Vikings in the quarterbacks behind him?

More so, should Jackson or Rosenfels want to play for an organization that publicly pursued a 39-year-old recovering from a torn tendon in his throwing shoulder as opposed to “going with the guys they had?'

The bottom line is, this is the time of year in the NFL where organizations are showing their poker faces. 

Nobody is going to know a team’s real intentions until March 5 when the official negotiations begin—and even then, you won’t get all of the details.

The blowup which led to Jay Cutler’s departure from Denver last year is a prime example of why front offices are currently supporting their current rosters.

Many fans and media are taking these comments literally.  I don’t believe a thing any of them are saying, but I understand. 

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Posted in Football, NFL

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2010 NFL Combine: Five Questions For Day One (LIVE From Lucas Oil Stadium)

February 25th, 2010

Filed 10AM EST: Lucas Oil Stadium

Workouts: Offensive Linemen , Tight Ends, Kickers, Punters, Long Snappers

Interview Schedule

10:00AM Scot McCloughan (San Francisco GM)

10:15AM Mike Singletary (San Francisco Head Coach)

10:30AM Jim Schwartz (Detroit Head Coach)

10:45AM Chan Gailey (Buffalo Head Coach)

11:00AM Kevin Colbert (Pittsburgh Director of Personnel)

Noon Jeff Ireland (Miami GM)

2:15PM Scott Piola (Kansas City GM)

 

Five Questions to Be Answered

1) Arm Lengths: Some of the top tackles in this draft (Veldheer, Bulaga) have shorter arms and could wind up as top guards.

2) Health Issues: Gresham and Gronkowski are top talents but need to be healthy to crack the first round.

3) Strength Issues: Ed Dickson has all the tools but is smallish for a true TE. He and others need to show that they can inline block at the next level.

4) Leg Strength: Top kickers/punters Leigh Tiffin and Zoltan Mesko can be accurate, but can the consistently get their teams field position?

5) John Clayton: How many people can he talk to in a single day? The man is insane!

 

Michael Schottey is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and Detroit Lions Team Correspondent for DraftTek.com. He is LIVE from Indianapolis this week with NFL Combine Updates. Follow him at Twitter.

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Posted in 2010 NFL Combine, Breaking News, Football, NFL

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