Saturday, May 10, 2008

2009 NFL Mock Draft

With the 2008 NFL Draft still freshly buried, it is time to begin our foray into the 2009 NFL Draft. NE Patriots Draft finished 4th out of 94 mock drafts in 2008 according to the Huddle Report.

We'll be using last year's order, with only future trades being noted. Check on our list of Prospects to Watch to read up on the selections.

Updated 5/11

1. Miami Dolphins - Rey Maualauga - LB - USC
A Bill Parcells type of guy, Rey will instantly be a 3-4 star.

2. St. Louis Rams - Michael Oher - OT - Ole Miss
The best OT prospect since Orlando Pace gets to learn from the best.

3. Atlanta Falcons - Michael Johnson - DE - Georgia Tech
Johnson should feel right at home in Atlanta and will bookend nicely with Jamaal Anderson.

4. Oakland Raiders - Fili Moala - DT - USC
Moala will finally fill the gap left by the departure of Warren Sapp.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Tim Tebow - QB - Florida
Provided that Brodie Croyle doesn't improve, Tebow would electrify Kansas City.

6. New York Jets - Michael Crabtree - WR - Texas Tech
After missing out on McFadden, Crabtree provides a homerun threat.

7. San Francisco 49ers - Malcolm Jenkins - CB - OSU
Nate Clements and Jenkins should allow the line more time to get to the QB.

8. Baltimore Ravens - James Laurinaitis - LB - OSU
Ray Lewis will be a free agent, and Animal Jr. needs the same sort of protection that Lewis does.

9. Cincinatti Bengals - Chris Wells - RB - OSU
Three Buckeyes in a row, Beanie instantly upgrades the Bengals bad-luck backfield.

10. New Orleans Saints - Andre Smith - OT - Alabama
Any team could use a big talent like Smith, especially a pass-happy Saints team.

11. Buffalo Bills - Vontae Davis - CB - Illinois
His brother says "Click-Clack" better, but Vontae plays football better.

12. Denver Broncos - Tyson Jackson - DE - LSU
He hasn't played for the Browns, but Shanahan loves d-linemen.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (From Carolina) - Knowshon Moreno - RB - Georgia
Moreno would bring a great compliment to Westbrook's game, and insurance as well.

14. Chicago Bears - Hunter Cantwell - QB - Louisville
Self-Explanatory need... Cantwell is inexperienced but talented.

15. Detroit Lions - Curtis Painter - QB - Purdue
Kitna and Stanton aren't the answer, and you can't waste those WR's.

16. Arizona Cardinals - George Selvie - DE - South Florida
After losing some rushers, Selvie would fill that hole quickly.

Picks 17-32

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2009 NFL Mock Draft (Part 2)

Picks 1-16

17. Minnesota Vikings - Matt Stafford - QB - Georgia
If Jackson doesn't work out this year, they have to pull the plug.

18. Houston Texans - CJ Spiller - RB - Clemson
A Felix Jones clone, Spiller really can change the pace.

19. Philadelphia Eagles - Percy Harvin - WR - Florida
We don't think Desean Jackson is the guy, maybe Harvin will be.

20. Tampa Bay Bucs - Lesean McCoy - RB - Pitt
Cadillac insurance policy.

21. Washington Redskins - Ciron Black - OT - LSU
Black would bring depth to an oft-injured line.

22. Dallas Cowboys - Myron Rolle - S - FSU
Myron can do what Roy Williams can't... cover people.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Travis Beckum - TE - Wisconsin
Beckum can't block, but boy can he catch the ball.

24. Tennessee Titans - Dace Richardson - OT - Iowa
When healthy, Richardson is a force that comes from the Ferentz factory.

25. Seattle Seahawks - Darius Hill - TE - BC
Hill runs well after the catch and unlike other 'hawks in the past, catches the ball.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Eugene Monroe - OT - Virginia
D-line this year, O-line next.

27. San Diego Chargers - William Moore - S - Missouri
Weddle needs help, and Moore can play both positions as well.

28. Dallas Cowboys - Max Unger - OT - Oregon
Flozell can't play forever.

29. Indianapolis Colts - Darrius Heyward-Bey - WR - Maryland
(Insert something about Marvin Harrison)

30. Green Bay Packers - Alex Mack - C - California
Rodgers will need some protection.

31. New England Patriots - Duke Robinson - OG - Oklahoma
Neal is getting older and we need a backup plan if Mankins doesn't resign.

32. New York Giants - Brian Cushing - LB - USC
Solid linebacker that will replace Mitchell easily.

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Friday, May 9, 2008

2009 NFL Draft: Players to Watch


During the next two weeks, NE Patriots Draft will be giving a conference by conference look at the 2009 NFL Draft prospects. Each part in the series will detail the top 6-8 prospects to watch from one of the BCS conferences, and we'll have one special day on the other conferences and divisions as well. These are the players that should glue you to your seats as you salivate for them to be on your team next year. Here is the schedule:

May 16th: Big 10 NFL Draft Prospects

May 18th: Big 12 NFL Draft Prospects

May 20th: Big East NFL Draft Prospects

May 22nd: PAC-10 NFL Draft Prospects

May 24th: ACC NFL Draft Prospects

May 26th: SEC NFL DraftProspects

May 28th: Small School NFL Draft Prospects

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Thursday, May 8, 2008

How You Know Your Offseason is Sucking


Chiefs fans have had fun, Patriots fans feel ok. 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:


  1. Rex Grossman is still your starting quarterback.

  2. You're a Bengals fan, but not a bondsman.

  3. You had Pacman Jones in the "NFL Player to get arrested at Lake Travis" pool.

  4. Mel Kiper Jr. says you are having a great offseason.

  5. You are the Senior Senator from the great state of Pennsylvania.

  6. Desean Jackson is your new go-to receiver.

  7. You're a mustard salesmen, and you were hoping to get a boost from the NFL Draft.

  8. J! E! T! S!

  9. Two words: Tomase, John.

  10. You know Adarius Bowman, but you're not his dealer.

  11. You're Adarius Bowman.

  12. Matt Leinart didn't help you with any of your kegstands.

  13. (Afraid to insert Marvin Harrison joke)

  14. Your team president didn't even draft a WR. (Lions Fans only)

  15. Mario Manningham beat you in truth or dare.

  16. Last but not least: No more #4

Thanks to my friends at Razzball.com for the idea for this post.

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Wednesday, May 7, 2008

2008 NFL Rookie Salary Cap


The Patriots will have just over 4.3 million dollars of room to sign their rookies, both drafted and undrafted, this summer. The Rookie Pool was created to slot 1st round selections and keep rookie contracts under control, but agents have countered with option bonuses and escelators. The Patriots rank 14th out of the 32 NFL teams in Rookie Salary Cap space. Expect all the 2nd-6th round choices for the Pats to sign first, therefore allowing Scott Pioli to know what he has to work with to sign Jerod Mayo.


KC $8,221,790
ATL $7,918,670
MIA $6,538,400
STL $5,997,510
CHI $5,791,190
CIN $5,555,750
CAR $5,371,570
BUF $5,351,820
BAL $5,045,770
NYJ $4,903,030
DEN $4,877,060
DET $4,815,910
WAS $4,543,890
NE $4,344,990
NO $4,295,240
PHI $4,256,320
OAK $4,119,700
DAL $4,095,120
GB $4,076,190
ARI $3,919,230
TEN $3,822,960
JAX $3,721,960
PIT $3,719,450
TB $3,699,370
SEA $3,674,960
NYG $3,521,820
HOU $3,477,820
SF $3,413,020
IND $3,305,300
SD $2,627,940
MIN $2,055,780
CLE $1,789,980

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