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It has been a crazy past few days for the University of Washington Huskies.
First, news comes out that Nick Montana - son of one Joe Montana - is coming to play for the Huskies. Huge news. Not to mention the great job and effort on the part of new head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff to pull this off - I mean really, how do you get anyone to come to a 0-12 program? Let alone a guy with that pedigree. Not only should Nick be a great player for the Huskies - but he'll ease future recruiting. I mean honestly - how big of a bargaining chip is that? "Do you want a guy named Montana throwing you the ball?" Yes.
Montana is obviously the future at QB for the Dawgs. But not to be outdone in the local newspapers - current Husky QB, Jake Locker, was drafted in the recent MLB draft. This shouldn't surprise many people - Locker had to tell pro teams NOT to draft him out of high school back in 2006. This time around, however, Locker may sign with the Angels (who got him in the 10th round) and remain at UW for his final 2 years of eligibility. He'd lose his scholarship - but the Angels would compensate for that (last year's 10th rounders got a signing bonus ranging from $10,000 to $600,000). This move could help the university - as they would have a scholarship free to use on someone else. Who knows - if he gets pushed by Montana - or the fans chanting for Montana - maybe he picks up his bat and glove a year earlier than expected...
Either way - seems like things are on the rebound for the Huskies - and I would say any problems this creates are good problems to have.
Having successfully fought off the urge to release version after version of my updated NFL mock draft - with less then 24 hours remaining until the big event - I can no longer hold out. Sifting through the rumors and speculation at this point is a challenge that even the best of us cannot avoid. I'll try my best...
Here it is - without further ado - my final 2009 NFL Mock Draft:
#1 - Matthew Stafford, QB
Detroit Lions
Having heard that Detroit is in the minority of viewing Stafford over Sanchez - Stafford would be wise to get a deal done with Detroit prior to draft day to avoid a Brady Quinn style draft board slide. They have holes elsewhere for sure - and Aaron Curry has been labeled the 'safest' pick in the draft - but Atlanta's homerun with Matt Ryan last year gives the edge to Stafford
#2 - Jason Smith, OT
St. Louis Rams
Last season after the Miami Dolphins agreed to terms with Jake Long, the Rams asked the league for permission to start contract talks with eventual pick Chris Long. They were denied. This year, however, the league gave them the go ahead to talk to Smith if Detroit makes an official statement prior to the draft.
#3 - Tyson Jackson, DE
Kansas City Chiefs
It's a 50-50 here for me between Jackson and Aaron Curry - IF they don't trade out of this spot. I think the Chiefs are looking for more of a pass rusher - and the edge in that department goes to Jackson. I still think it is very likely they trade out here.
#4 - Aaron Curry, LB
Seattle Seahawks
Watching Curry fall into their laps at #4 makes new Head Coach Jim Mora and his defensive mind spin. Not expecting Curry to drop to them - the Seahawks might have already had Michael Crabtree jerseys made up. Having Curry available at this spot will also garner a ton of trade down options for Seattle - and they may bite.
#5 - Michael Crabtree, WR
Cleveland Browns
Rated as some as the top overall athlete in the draft, Crabtree doesn't get by the WR needy Browns here. Stallworth may get a few games in prior to his legal proceedings - but they shouldn't count on it. Braylon Edwards is likely on his way out of town - along with Brady Quinn. Having Crabtree on the roster might change some minds.
#6 - Eugene Monroe, OT
Cincinnati Bengals
An easy pick for the Bengals here as they were probably expecting to get the 3rd rated tackle in the draft as it was. They will gladly take the #2.
#7 - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR
Oakland Raiders
Al Davis is just about the hardest person to nail down prior to the draft. A typical Al Davis draft pick will have no rhyme or reason. Al Davis like them fast. May be a tad early to take Bey here - but the Raiders aren't known for making the safe pick. Jeremy Maclin is also an option here.
#8 - B.J. Raji, DT
Jacksonville Jaguars
Replacing Marcus Stroud with the highest rated DT to enter the draft in this decade is a solid move for the Jags.
#9 - Andre Smith, OT
Green Bay Packers
This may be the biggest shock of the first round - let alone the top ten. Player evaluators around the league don't see eye to eye sometimes with the media - and I think the Packers get a great OT here. However, I feel Buffalo might try and get in front of the Pack to take Smith.
#10 - Aaron Maybin, DE
San Francisco 49ers
To alleviate some of the added attention Patrick Willis will see the 49ers need to add a body on the edge.
#11 - Michael Oher, OT
Buffalo Bills
Assuming they don't move up to take an OT, they will gladly take Oher here.
#12 - Rey Maualuga, LB
Denver Broncos
I think they will try pretty hard to move up the boards to get B.J. Raji, but if that doesn't happen and Maualuga is on the board he's a Bronco.
#13 - Mark Sanchez, QB
Washington Redskins
Benefactors of team needs of those in front of them, the Redskins are able to hold onto their #13 spot and grab Sanchez.
#14 - Malcom Jenkins, CB
New Orleans Saints
The Saints grab the top CB in this year's draft to shore up the secondary and take some pressure off of Drew Brees and company on the other side of the ball.
#15 - Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB
Houston Texans
Houston keeps Orakpo in Texas. They will most likely use him as an OLB rather than DE.
#16 - Chris Wells, RB
San Diego Chargers
How is that pick for making it harder on LT? Having a 1st round RB should make or break LT's career in San Diego - any decision would be better then the unknown they currently have.
#17 - Knowshon Moreno, RB
New York Jets
Missing out on Sanchez and Stafford - they might take a long look at Josh Freeman here, but the need in the backfield trumps.
#18 - Peria Jerry, DT
Denver Broncos
Switching to a 3-4 means you need size in the middle of your defensive line.
#19 - Vontae Davis, CB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa 2 defensive secondary could use some fresh legs.
#20 - Eben Britton, OT
Detroit Lions
Having taken Stafford at #1, the next most obvious thing to do is to protect him. Match Britton with last year's pick, Godser Cerlius, and you have the makings of a solid line.
#21 - LeSean McCoy, RB
Philadelphia Eagles
Not much behind Westbrook anymore, and he might not make the full season as is.
#22 - Brian Cushing, LB
Minnesota Vikings
Having no more elite tackles on the board, they switch to the defensive side of the ball and take Cushing.
#23 - Everette Brown, DE
New England Patriots
I may have let Brown slip way too far here - but if he really does, the Pats don't let him stay on the board any longer.
#24 - Robert Ayers, DE
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons just got a Pro-Bowl TE in Tony Gonzalez. This may shift their sights to the other side of the ball where they need help on the edges.
#25 - Hakeem Nicks, WR
Miami Dolphins
He's visited Miami enough this off season to file as a state resident on his W-2 already. I'd be shocked if he's on the board and the Dolphins pass on him.
#26 - Brandon Pettigrew, TE
Baltimore Ravens
A big, athletic, pass-catching TE that can block with the best of them? That just sounds way too Baltimore Raven to not be the pick.
#27 - Jeremy Maclin, WR
Indianapolis Colts
Looking to get younger at the WR spot has to be at the top of the Colts wish list.
#28 - Evander Hood, DT
Buffalo Bills
Getting an OT at #11, they jump to the DL and take some size to shore up the run defense.
#29 - Percy Harvin, WR
New York Giants
The Giants loved sitting back this far in my mock and watching Harvin fall into their laps at #29. Could be a stretch come tomorrow.
#30 - Juaquin Inglesias, WR
Tennessee Titans
Not making a free agent move this off season to pick up a WR will result in them going WR here. However, at this point they could still land Anquan Boldin.
#31 - Donald Brown, RB
Arizona Cardinals
The Edge is closer to retirement than his prime. Hightower isn't the answer. At #31 you have to go with what you have to go with.
#32 – Clay Matthews, LB
Pittsburgh Steelers
Toss up for me here. Something about Matthews just seems Steeler-ish to me. I think if they are both still on the board, Vontae Davis and Darius Butler get a look as well.
Ryan Moats was en route to the hospital after getting a call from hospital staff that his mother-in-law was dying. Naturally, Moats and family loaded into the car and sped off to the hospital to be there for any last moment they might be able to have with her. In doing so, Moats encountered a red light very close to the hospital. At this point he stopped; checked for traffic; then proceeded to go through the red light. At this point a police officer, Officer Robert Powell, attempted to pull over the vehicle as his dashboard camera rolled.
After watching the video and reading the article, I have come to the conclusion that the officer was initially correct in his actions - however - once he was aware of the situation he could have handled things very differently.
From the police officer's point of view - yes, a traffic violation had occurred. He pursued the vehicle and followed it all the way to the hospital's emergency room entrance. This should have been the officer's first clue that this situation could have a little more behind it then he first thought. Then when a rightfully hysterical woman got out, he - again correctly - may have drawn his gun if he felt threatened. Than at this point, however, he was made aware of the reason for the erratic driving and non-stopping for the police car. From there, he should have let them go. The car was parked - he was parked behind it, it wasn't going anywhere. If he really wanted to verify the situation at this point could have simply waited (15 seconds or so based on the video) for backup to arrive and then he could have gone into the emergency room to check in with staff there. From there, if he still wanted to issue the tickets - running a red light, fleeing, parking illegally, or even arresting him - he could have easily done so.
Having never been in Moats situation of rushing to the hospital as a close family member was dying - I could in no way begin to describe what I would be feeling. Emotionally, I would have been at my wits end. I have to give Ryan Moats credit for maintaining his composure and getting through this without further incident. At several points in the video you can hear the officer be told of the situation - yet there is no urgency on his part. In fact, at one point a nurse comes out and even tries to explain that it was their fault for giving Moats the terrifying phone call - all to no avail. Moats is an NFL running back for the Houston Texans - had he wanted to get into that ER I'm relatively certain that - barring a gun or a taser - he could have.
Inevitably, this will somehow be twisted into a race issue. This fact is very sad and only adds to the tragic story that this is turning out to be for all parties involved.
It seems that this is far from over and even Dallas Police Chief, David Kunkle, has spoken out against his officer's actions. Again, I feel the officer was well within his rights to react initially how he did. But once he assessed the situation using common sense (they sped into an ER for crying out loud - and judging by the video he was patrolling or 'hiding' as he puts it VERY close to a hospital) he should have acted differently. "To serve and protect" is a motto often associated with the police force - and in this case, Officer Powell did both the Moats family and his department for all the controversy this is sure to kick up, a huge disservice. One can only imagine that if the tables ever turn for Officer Powell and he has to rush to the hospital to get to a dying family member's death bed that he would want to go there as fast as possible as well. But as Officer Powell said - "attitude is everything" - hopefully his attitude changes to one of compassion - especially for a person in his job - after the swarm of negative attention comes down on him from this.
It's been long rumored that Bobby Engram was headed out of Seattle. The signing of TJ Houshmandzadeh made it even more evident that the veteran slot WR was on his way out.
At 36, Engram had been the Seattle Seahawks most reliable WR over the past few years. That being said, he has had his fair share of time on the sideline battling injury. Engram, the Seahawk's single season receptions leader with 94, adds instant depth to Kansas City's passing offense
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Being a 'guaranteed' top 10 pick in the NFL draft in January does not guarantee you will hold the same status come the NFL draft in April. Why is that?
After a college football season wraps up - early January if you are on a good enough team - you could be considered the consensus #1 pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Then, with a Senior Bowl - if your a senior - a combine, and a Pro Day left standing between you and being drafted - your stock could have plummeted to a mid-1st rounder - or worse. On only three days of physical workouts. Ridiculous
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The rebuilding phase begins today, with National Signing Day 2009, for the University of Washington. With new head coach Steve Sarkisian taking the reigns, all eyes in Seattle will be on his progress with the Husky football program.
Today is his first exam
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Since my last attempt at a mock draft there have been a few changes - the very least being my former #1 overall pick deciding to stay in school for another year (That's a different story - but does he know how much he's risking by doing that? Ask Matt Leinart. Not to mention that the NFL is VERY close to capping rookie contracts. Anyway, I digress...). The following mock draft is my second attempt at a mock, and this time I have a little more to work with in terms of a (almost) complete draft order and a few senior bowl workouts. Enjoy!
#1 Detroit Lions
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With all but four teams turning their full attention to the 2009 NFL draft, here is an early mock draft for the first 20 picks in the 2009 NFL Draft. Based solely on team needs, this mock draft doesn't assume any trade ups or downs. As the time draws nearer, and situations change, I will update the board as I see fit.
#1 Detroit Lions
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To get the best out of the Bowl Season, having a pool is a great way to add extra excitement - not that any more of that is needed. Use the following formula to get a great pool together.
This year, there are 34 total bowl games. Using this formula, you can use all or some of the games to the same result
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Love it or hate it, the BCS is the way college football crowns its national champion. Heck, it's even crowning conference champions now. Ever since its creation, the BCS has had critics - and every year there has been a controversy. How can a few computers determine who is better than who - if those teams have never met nor played the same opponents? Well, if the economy gets much worse - a college football playoff may be on the horizon.
This year there will be 34 bowl games. 34. Including the mouthful matchups of the "Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl" and the "San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl". To be clear - there are 34 sponsors that fork over a ton of cash - I won't even venture a guess at the amount - to sponsor a bowl, and therefore make sportscasters everywhere stumble over the name of the bowl before diving into the matchup. What happens when those sponsors have to cut their advertising budget? I can bet the exec's at magicJack's might consider cutting budgets to the magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl if they keep getting matchups like this year - South Florida vs. Memphis. Or the funding for the Motor City Bowl - you think it continues in this economy with the high national viewership they will pull with the game featuring Florida Atlantic and Central Michigan? The economy is forcing everyone to cut corners - and the NCAA bowl system may just take a hit
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