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Hey guys! I'm back! This year I'm going to try something a little different - I'm going to try and pick out 2 to 4 games each week and let you know where to put your money if you're a betting man. I'll give a quick breakdown of why I like the picks, and I'll keep a running total of my W's and L's on the season that I will post with each new installment. If you've bet games before - you know that the NFL oddsmakers are very good at their jobs, so a majority of my picks will be from the NCAA ranks. But to start off the season I'll use the NFL's upcoming games - as Week 3 of preseason is supposedly the closest to "in-season" as it gets...
Here we go:
I like New Orleans -2 over Oakland on Saturday
The Saints went down a TD early in last week's matchup against the Texans - then ran off 38 straight points to cruise to a 38-7 victory. Keep in mind that was against the Houston Texans - a solid defensive team - and they were in Houston. Are they really only laying 2 points to Oakland?
With 3 QB's that all have a ton of starts under their belts - the Saints offensive squad shouldn't have much trouble carving up the Men in Black. On offense the Raiders are far from putting it together - not to mention the coaching staff's recent turmoil. As this is the 3rd preseason game, I expect the Raiders to try and play with their 1st-stringers pretty deep in this one - and that won't do much good.
Arizona -3 looks good over Green Bay on Friday
The Packers have looked pretty good this preseason - keep in mind they have played Buffalo and Cleveland though. Last week Aaron Rodgers back up, Matt Flynn, took a beating and is in doubt for this game. That puts the game in the hands of Brian Brohm, as the Pack would be wise to limit Rodgers here.
So far this preseason the Packers first team has won the games for them - but the 2nd and 3rd-stringers have done nothing to impress me. That shouldn't change against the offensive juggernaut that is the Cardinals passing game. If the first team keeps them close - this wager should be an easy pick up, as I expect the Cards to pull away in the 2nd half as GB rests it's proven starters - not wanting to see their key guys go down with an injury.
The ‘UNDER’ 41.0 for Minnesota at Houston on Monday
Brett Favre on a Monday night is usually good for the 'OVER'. Not here. He is still struggling to learn the offense - much less have his own teammates on his side. He's simply not on the same page with his supporting cast yet - and I expect Childress to use this game to try and work out the bugs. We know - and everyone knows - that Adrian Peterson can run the ball, so that shouldn't be the focus this week.
As mentioned earlier, Houston gave up 38 straight points to New Orleans last week. That defense is too good to let that happen again, and the coaching staff doesn't want to be embarassed two weeks in a row - I see the starting unit on the field for the better part of 3 quarters here. On the other side of the ball, the Minnesota defense isn't too shabby either. This has the makings of a great 'UNDER' play.
That's it for my free picks for this week. That being said, if you are interested in some of my other picks (about 6 -8 NCAA/NFL games a week) please contact me and I can show you a bit of what I have to offer.
Good luck!
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
[ Click here to read more ]
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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