Sadly, the NFL Draft has come and gone. I fortunately got to go once again and I had a blast!
But I'm not here to brag about the draft, I'm hear to break it down!
San Francisco 49ers
Rd 1 Pick 18: Eric Reed, S LSU
Rd 2 Pick 40: Tank Carradine, DE Florida State
Rd 2 Pick 55: Vance McDonald, TE Rice
Rd 3 Pick 88: Corey Lemonier, LB Auburn
Rd 4 Pick 128: Quinton Patton, WR Louisiana Tech
Rd 4 Pick 131: Marcus Lattimore, RB South Carolina
Rd 5 Pick 157: Quinton Dial, DE Alabama
Rd 6 Pick 180: Nick Moody, LB Florida State
Rd 7 Pick 237: B.J. Daniels, QB USF
Rd 7 Pick 246: Carter Bykowski, T Iowa State
Rd 7 Pick 252: Marcus Cooper, CB Rutgers University
Best Pick: Tank Carradine. He's going to come on strong as a rookie and I think he's going to outshine 1st round pick Eric Reed.
Sleeper: Corey Lemonier. I think Lemonier can make an impact at least as a situational guy. He's got great pass rushing ability.
Bust Potential: Marcus Lattimore. Obvious choice here. He's really a boom or bust prospect. I hope for his sake, he's not a bust, but he surely has the potential to be one.
Grade: B
Chicago Bears
Rd 1 Pick 20: Kyle Long, G Oregon
Rd 2 Pick 50: Jonathan Bostic, LB Florida
Rd 4 Pick 117: Khaseem Greene, LB Rutgers University
Rd 5 Pick 163: Jordan Mills, T Louisiana Tech
Rd 6 Pick 188: Cornelius Washington, DE Georgia
Rd 7 Pick 236: Marques Wilson, WR Washington State
Best Pick: Jonathan Bostic. I think Bostic will do an excellent job filling in for Urlacher.
Sleeper: Khaseem Greene. Greene was a stud at Rutgers and he was ALL OVER the field. I know I'm biased here, but it KILLS me that he's going to be playing for Chicago. I wanted to root for him, but now I can't.
Bust Potential: Kyle Long. I'm just not sold on Long. He's definitely the weakest of the Long family as far as football goes and I just don't think that's going to be enough to fix the offensive woes of the Bears.
Grade: C
Cincinnati Bengals
Rd 1 Pick 21: Tyler Eifert, TE Notre Dame
Rd 2 Pick 37: Giovani Bernard, RB North Carolina
Rd 2 Pick 53: Margus Hunt, DE Southern Methodist
Rd 3 Pick 84: Shawn Williams, S Georgia
Rd 4 Pick 118: Sean Porter, LB Texas A&M
Rd 5 Pick 156: Tanner Hawkinson, T Kansas
Rd 6 Pick 190: Rex Burkhead, RB Nebraska
Rd 6 Pick 197: Cobi Hamilton, WR Arkansas
Rd 7 Pick 240: Reid Fragel, T Ohio State
Rd 7 Pick 251: T.J. Johnson, C South Carolina
Best Pick: Tyler Eifert. Easy selection here as Eifert was one of the better players in the entire draft. He'll be able to learn slowly as Jermaine Gresham is slowly worked out of Cincy.
Sleeper: Sean Porter. This guy can play. Excellent rusher and he should fill in well on passing downs.
Bust Potential: Giovani Bernard. The guy has some serious deficiencies in pass protection. His big runs came out of shotgun formations. Those kinds of things are harder to do in the NFL.
Grade: B+
Buffalo Bills
Rd 1 Pick 16: EJ Manuel, QB Florida State
Rd 2 Pick 41: Robert Woods, WR USC
Rd 2 Pick 46: Kiko Alonso, LB Oregon
Rd 3 Pick 78: Marquise Goodwin, WR Texas
Rd 4 Pick 105: Duke Williams, S Nevada
Rd 5 Pick 143: Jonathan Meeks, S Clemson
Rd 6 Pick 177: Dustin Hopkins, K Florida State
Rd 7 Pick 222: Chris Gragg, TE Arkansas
Best Pick: EJ Manuel. Hard choice here because he can also be the biggest bust. If he plays to his potential, he could be similar to Colin Kaepernick.
Sleeper: Marquise Goodwin. The dude is FAST and can add a wrinkle to the offense. With the way the Bills are scheming now by taking Manuel, I think you see Goodwin develop into a deep threat early.
Bust Potential: Robert Woods. He's just solid. Not spectacular, not bad. I just fear that with Goodwin, Stevie Johnson, CJ Spiller, and Manuel in the fold, the Bills will be looking to be explosive and not solid.
Grade: B
Denver Broncos
Rd 1 Pick 28: Sylvester Williams, DT North Carolina
Rd 2 Pick 58: Montee Ball, RB Wisconsin
Rd 3 Pick 90: Kayvon Webster, CB South Florida
Rd 5 Pick 146: Quanterus Smith, DE Western Kentucky
Rd 5 Pick 161: Tavarres King, WR Georgia
Rd 6 Pick 173: Vinston Painter, T Virginia Tech
Rd 7 Pick 234: Zac Dysert, QB Miami (OH)
Best Pick: Sylvester Williams. I LOVEEEEEEE this pick. The guy is an absolute WALL. Great pick for the broncos.
Sleeper: Quanterus Smith. He was a sack artist before tearing his ACL which forced him to miss ample time. As long as he can stay healthy, he may be an absolute STEAL at 146th overall.
Bust Potential: Kayvon Webster. Small school guy who is quick but not amazing. I think 90th overall was a tad too high.
Grade: B
Cleveland Browns
Rd 1 Pick 6: Barkevious Mingo, LB LSU
Rd 3 Pick 68: Leon McFadden, CB San Diego State
Rd 6 Pick 175: Jamoris Slaughter, S Notre Dame
Rd 7 Pick 217: Armonty Bryant, LB East Central
Rd 7 Pick 227: Garrett Gilkey, T Chadron State
Best Pick: Barkevious Mingo. IF he can bulk up, he will be an absolute stud.
Sleeper: Janoris Slaughter. Another "IF" here. IF he can stay healthy, the Browns can move this guy all over the field and use him in different places.
Bust Potential: Barkevious Mingo. He's got the potential to be an absolute monster or just another athletic freak that couldn't put it together in the NFL.
Grade: C-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rd 2 Pick 43: Jonathan Banks, CB Mississippi State
Rd 3 Pick 73: Mike Glennon, QB North Carolina State
Rd 4 Pick 100: Akeem Spence, DT Illinois
Rd 4 Pick 126: William Gholston, DE Michigan State
Rd 5 Pick 147: Steven Means, DE Buffalo
Rd 6 Pick 189: Mike James, RB Miami
Best Pick: Jonathan Banks. He's a solid corner who should have little trouble complementing Darrelle Revis.
Sleeper: Mike Glennon. Watch out Josh Freeman. Mike Glennon may be coming to swoop in and steal your job.
Bust Potential: Akeem Spence. The guy gets too high for me. High and sluggish=bad in the NFL. That's Spence.
Grade: C
Arizona Cardinals
Rd 1 Pick 7: Jonathan Cooper, G North Carolina
Rd 2 Pick 45: Kevin Minter, LB LSU
Rd 3 Pick 69: Tyrann Mathieu, S LSU
Rd 4 Pick 103: Alex Okafor, LB Texas
Rd 4 Pick 140: Earl Watford, G James Madison
Rd 5 Pick 140: Stepfan Taylor, RB Stanford
Rd 6 Pick 174: Ryan Swope, WR Texas A&M
Rd 6 Pick 187: Andre Ellington, RB Clemson
Rd 7 Pick 219: D.C. Jefferson, TE Rutgers University
Best Pick: Jonathan Cooper. Easy selection here. He's the real deal.
Sleeper: Ryan Swope. The guy is Wes Welker and Danny Amendola. Awesome player and an insane value at 174 overall.
Bust Potential: Tyrann Mathieu. He's a big risk and hasn't played ball in a while. Hopefully former teammate Patrick Peterson can help him stay clean.
Grade: A-
San Diego Chargers
Rd 1 Pick 11: D.J. Fluker, T Alabama
Rd 2 Pick 38: Manti Te'o, LB Notre Dame
Rd 3 Pick 76: Keenan Allen, WR California
Rd 5 Pick 145: Steve Williams, CB California
Rd 6 Pick 179: Tourek Williams, LB FIU
Rd 7 Pick 221: Brad Sorenson, QB Southern Utah
Best Pick: DJ Fluker. May be the best guard in the draft.
Sleeper: Keenan Allen. WOW is this guy good. Can't believe he lasted as long as he did. San Diego is going to be sick this year on offense with him.
Bust Potential: Manti Te'o. He's just not very good. I don't see him being spectacular.
Grade: B-
Kansas City Chiefs
Rd 1 Pick 1: Eric Fisher, T Central Michigan
Rd 3 Pick 63: Travis Kelce, TE Cincinnati
Rd 3 Pick 96: Knile Davis, RB Arkansas
Rd 4 Pick 99: Nico Johnson, LB Alabama
Rd 5 Pick 134: Sanders Commings, CB Georgia
Rd 6 Pick 170: Eric Kush, C California
Rd 6 Pick 204: Branden Wilson, RB Kansas
Rd 7 Pick 207: Mike Catapano, DE Princeton
Best Pick: Eric Fisher. Easy to pick the best guy in their draft when he's the first guy off the board.
Sleeper: Travis Kelce. This guy dropped because of off the field stuff, but he's super talented.
Bust Potential: Knile Davis. He's a stud when healthy, but that hasn't been since 2011.
Grade: B
Indianapolis Colts
Rd 1 Pick 24: Bjoern Werner, LB Florida State
Rd 3 Pick 86: Hugh Thornton, G Illinois
Rd 4 Pick 121: Khaled Holmes, C USC
Rd 5 Pick 139: Montori Hughes, DT Tennessee-Martin
Rd 6 Pick 192: John Boyett, S Oregon
Rd 7 Pick 230: Kerwynn Williams, RB Utah State
Rd 7 Pick 254: Justice Cunningham, TE South Carolina
Best Pick: Khaled Holmes. I think Holmes was the best center in the draft. At pick121, he was a steal.
Sleeper: Hugh Thornton. I love the way Thornton plays. Tough as nails.
Bust Potential: Bjoern Werner. The guy is going to be asked to fill the shoes of Dwight Freeney and frankly, he doesn't come close in my opinion.
Grade: C-
Dallas Cowboys
Rd 1 Pick 31: Travis Frederick, C Wisconsin
Rd 2 Pick 47: Gavin Escobar, TE San Diego State
Rd 3 Pick 74: Terrance Williams, WR Baylor
Rd 3 Pick 80: J.J. Wilcox, S Georgia Southern
Rd 4 Pick 114: B.W. Webb CB, William & Mary
Rd 5 Pick 151: Joseph Randle, RB Oklahoma State
Rd 6 Pick 185: DeVonte Holloman, LB South Carolina
Best Pick: Travis Frederick. Not sexy, but the Cowboys have enough pretty boys. Frederick is another Wisconsin lineman who is sure to be a staple in the NFL.
Sleeper: B. W. Webb. I think the Cowboys are drafting to battle their division. Webb is a sick return man and can be used to play the speed guys in the conference like Victor Cruz and RGIII.
Bust Potential: Gavin Escobar. He can help in multiple TE sets, but he's just not a great blocker. I like his pass catching skills, but I don't think it was enough to warrant being taken so early.
Grade: C
Miami Dolphins
Rd 1 Pick 3: Dion Jordan, DE Oregon
Rd 2 Pick 54: Jamar Taylor, CB Boise State
Rd 3 Pick 77: Dallas Thomas, T Tennessee
Rd 3 Pick 93: Will Davis, CB Utah State
Rd 4 Pick 104: Jelani Jenkins, LB Florida
Rd 4 Pick 106: Dion Sims, TE Michigan State
Rd 5 Pick 164: Mike Gillislee, RB Florida
Rd 5 Pick 166: Caleb Sturgis, K Florida
Rd 7 Pick 250: Don Jones, S Arkansas State
Best Pick: Dion Jordan. The guy is the best defender in the draft. Miami moves up to get him and they're getting a real stud.
Sleeper: Jelani Jenkins. The Florida native should be a real stud if he can stay healthy.
Bust Potential: Dallas Thomas. I think that he's going to be a bit too slow to play against top talent. He'll be average, but not good.
Grade: B
Philadelphia Eagles
Rd 1 Pick 4: Lane Johnson, T Oklahoma
Rd 2 Pick 35: Zach Ertz, TE Stanford
Rd 3 Pick 67: Bennie Logan, DT LSU
Rd 4 Pick 98: Matt Barkley, QB USC
Rd 5 Pick 136: Earl Wolff, S North Carolina State
Rd 7 Pick 212: Joe Kruger, DE Utah
Rd 7 Pick 218: Jordan Poyer, CB Oregon State
Rd 7 Pick 239: David King, DE Oklahoma
Best Pick: Lane Johnson. The Eagles need tons of help on the OL to keep Vick upright. Johnson comes in and provides elite talent.
Sleeper: Matt Barkley. I think that Barkley can eventually contribute. I don't think it will be in 2013, but perhaps 2014?
Bust Potential: Zach Ertz. I'm not an Ertz fan at all. Big target, but I'm just not thrilled.
Grade: B
Atlanta Falcons
Rd 1 Pick 22: Desmond Trufant, CB Washington
Rd 2 Pick 60: Robert Alford, CB Southeastern Louisiana
Rd 4 Pick 127: Malliciah Goodman, DE Clemson
Rd 4 Pick 133: Levine Toilolo, TE Stanford
Rd 5 Pick 153: Stansly Maponga, DE TCU
Rd 7 Pick 243: Kemal Ishmael, CB UCF
Rd 7 Pick 244: Zeke Motta, S Notre Dame
Rd 7 Pick 249: Sean Renfree, QB Duke
Best Pick: Desmond Trufant. Awesome CB with NFL Bloodlines.
Sleeper: Malliciah Goodman. The dude is a high-motor player with lots of potential.
Bust Potential: Robert Alford. A small school guy who will be playing behind a couple other guys. I don't really like the pick.
Grade: C+
New York Giants
Rd 1 Pick 19: Justin Pugh, T Syracuse
Rd 2 Pick 49: Jonathan Hankins, DT Ohio State
Rd 3 Pick 81: Damontre Moore, DE Texas A&M
Rd 4 Pick 110: Ryan Nassib, QB Syracuse
Rd 5 Pick 152: Cooper Taylor, S Richmond
Rd 7 Pick 225: Eric Herman, G Ohio
Rd 7 Pick 253: Michael Cox, RB UMass
Best Pick: Justin Pugh. The guy has a mean streak and I think he fits perfectly with the G-Men
Sleeper: Damontre Moore. A former top prospect who came out flat this year. If he can get it back together, the Giants got a steal.
Bust Potential: Jonathan Hankins. He's a bit heavy and out of shape. I don't know if he will be able to shake off the chub and get into real NFL shape.
Grade: B
Jacksonville Jaguars
Rd 1 Pick 2: Like Joeckel, T Texas A&M
Rd 2 Pick 33: Jonathan Cyprien, S FIU
Rd 3 Pick 64: Dwayne Gratz, CB UConn
Rd 4 Pick 101: Ace Sanders, WR South Carolina
Rd 5 Pick 135: Denard Robinson, RB Michigan
Rd 6 Pick 169: Josh Evans, S Florida
Rd 7 Pick 208: Jeremy Harris, CB NMSU
Rd 7 Pick 210: Demetrius McCray, CB Appalachian State
Best Pick: Luke Joeckel. For a while the best player in the draft, but was overtaken by Fisher.
Sleeper: Ace Sanders. I love this guy's skill set. A late round guy who can contribute.
Bust Potential: Jonathan Cyprien. I will catch a ton of flack for this, but I just think Cyprien was overrated by the process. Bust is a bad word, but I think he will just be pedestrian. Given his hype, it's close enough to being a bust.
Grade: B-
New York Jets
Rd 1 Pick 9: Dee Millner, CB Alabama
Rd 1 Pick 13: Sheldon Richardson, DT Missouri
Rd 2 Pick 39: Geno Smith, QB West Virginia
Rd 3 Pick 72: Brian Winters, G Kent State
Rd 5 Pick 141: Oday Aboushi, T Virginia
Rd 6 Pick 178: William Campbell, DE Michigan
Rd 7 Pick 215: Tommy Bohanon, RB Wake Forest
Best Pick: Dee Millner. He's an excellent CB and should be able to complement Cromartie very well.
Sleeper: Brian Winters. Winters is a tough as nails guard and should help bolster the Jets offensive line.
Bust Potential: Geno Smith. I always thought Geno Smith was going to fall out of the first and boy was I right. The former WVU star is going to have trouble in the NFL and the Jets are the worst landing spot for him. He's got personality issues, can't play in the elements, and was overhyped from the start.
Grade: C
Detroit Lions
Rd 1 Pick 5: Ziggy Ansah, DE Bringham Young
Rd 2 Pick 36: Darius Slay, CB Mississippi State
Rd 3 Pick 65: Larry Warford, G Kentucky
Rd 4 Pick 132: Devin Taylor, DE South Carolina
Rd 5 Pick 165: Sam Martin, P Appalachian State
Rd 6 Pick 171: Corey Fuller, WR Virginia Tech
Rd 6 Pick 199: Theo Riddick, RB Notre Dame
Rd 7 Pick 211: Michael Williams, TE Alabama
Rd 7 Pick 245: Brandon Hepburn, LB Florida A&M
Best Pick: Darius Slay. I think Slay is one of the better CBs in the draft.
Sleeper: Larry Warford. Warford is a top 5 guard in the draft. It's just not a very sexy position.
Bust Potential: Ziggy Ansah. The guy has no stamina. Not fundamentally sound. Boom or bust type of guy.
Grade: C+
Green Bay Packers
Rd 1 Pick 26: Datone Jones, DE UCLA
Rd 2 Pick 61: Eddie Lacy, RB Alabama
Rd 4 Pick 109: David Bakhtiari, T Colorado
Rd 4 Pick 122: J.C. Tretter, T Cornell
Rd 4 Pick 125: Jonathan Franklin, RB UCLA
Rd 5 Pick 159: Micah Hyde, CB Iowa
Rd 5 Pick 167: Josh Boyd, DE Mississippi State
Rd 6 Pick 193: Nate Palmer, LB Illinois State
Rd 7 Pick 216: Charles Johnson, WR Grand Valley STate
Rd 7 Pick 224: Kevin Dorsey, WR Maryland
Rd 7 Pick 232: Sam Barrington, LB USF
Best Pick: Datone Jones. Jones will be an absolute stud. Aggressive hands and a high motor, it's what the Packers need on the DL. He should line up in front of Clay Matthews and the two should have a field day.
Sleeper: David Bakhtiari. He held his own against top talent in college and his pick has put Marshall Newhouse on notice.
Bust Potential: Eddie Lacy. As much as I love the pick, Lacy has injury problems. If he can't stay healthy, the Pack passed up a ton of other players with great talent in the 2nd round. He also has conditioning issues.
Grade: B+
Carolina Panthers
Rd 1 Pick 14: Star Lotulelei, DT Utah
Rd 2 Pick 44: Kawann Short, DT Purdue
Rd 4 Pick 108: Edmund Kugbila, G Valdosta State
Rd 5 Pick 148: A.J. Klein, LB Iowa State
Rd 6 Pick 182: Kenjon Barner, RB Oregon
Best Pick: Star Lotulelei. My mouth is watering just thinking about Luke Kuechly lining up behind Star.
Sleeper: Edmund Kugbila. I know I've been rough on the small school guys, but I think that Kugbila could be a good player.
Bust Potential: Kawann Short. I had to pick someone. Some injury concerns for Short may make his career "short."
Grade: C+
New England Patriots
Rd 2 Pick 52: Jamie Collins, LB Southern Miss
Rd 2 Pick 59: Aaron Dobson, WR Marshall
Rd 3 Pick 83: Logan Ryan, CB Rutgers University
Rd 3 Pick 91: Duron Harmon, S Rutgers University
Rd 4 Pick 102: Josh Boyce, WR TCU
Rd 7 Pick 226: Michael Buchanan, DE Illinois
Rd 7 Pick 235: Steve Beauharnais, LB Rutgers University
Best Pick: Logan Ryan. I'm not saying this because I'm a homer. I'm saying this because Ryan is an absolute stud.
Sleeper: Aaron Dobson. A lot of questions float around about Dobson's potential. What is for sure is that the dude can make some breathtaking catches. If he polishes himself up he can be a huge player in the NFL.
Bust Potential: Josh Boyce. Another guy who can run really really really really really really fast, but can't do much else.
Grade: B+
Oakland Raiders
Rd 1 Pick 12: D.J. Hadyden, CB Houston
Rd 2 Pick 42: Menelik Watson, T Florida State
Rd 3 Pick 66: Sio Moore, LB UConn
Rd 4 Pick 112: Tyler Wilson, QB Arkansas
Rd 6 Pick 172: Nick Kasa, TE Colorado
Rd 6 Pick 181: Latavius Murray, RB UCF
Rd 6 Pick 184: Mychal Rivera, TE Tennessee
Rd 6 Pick 205: Stacy McGee, DT Oklahoma
Rd 6 Pick 209: Brice Butler, WR San Diego State
Rd 7 Pick 233: David Bass, DE Missouri Western State
Best Pick: Sio Moore. He's the best player who doesn't have extreme baggage with him.
Sleeper: Tyler Wilson. Matt Flynn has the worst luck with QBs being on his team (JaMarcus Russell at LSU, Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, and Russell Wilson in Seattle). Wilson stuck it out at Arkansas and really made a name for himself. Let's see what he can do with Oakland.
Bust Potential: D.J. Hayden. What stinks is that Hayden is very good. He just had a major injury at practice and we're still not sure how he's going to hold up. I hope I'm wrong here, but this is a HUGE risk.
Grade: C-
St. Louis Rams
Rd 1 Pick 8: Tavon Austin, WR West Virginia
Rd 1 Pick 30: Alec Ogletree, LB Georgia
Rd 3 Pick 71: T.J. McDonald, S USC
Rd 3 Pick 92: Stedman Bailey, WR West Virginia
Rd 4 Pick 113: Barrett Jones, G Alabama
Rd 5 Pick 149: Brandon McGee, CB Miami
Rd 5 Pick 160: Zac Stacy, RB Vanderbilt
Best Pick: Tavon Austin. This guy is just dynamite.
Sleeper: Stedman Bailey. He's not Tavon Austin, but he's going to be another piece in the puzzle. Bradford is finally getting some help.
Bust Potential: Alec Ogletree. The guy can't play inside. He's going to get a ton of work outside, but he's easily blocked. Has potential in coverage. Just not violent enough.
Grade: A+
Baltimore Ravens
Rd 1 Pick 32: Matt Elam, S Florida
Rd 2 Pick 56: Arthur Brown, LB Kansas
Rd 3 Pick 94: Brandon Williams, NT Missouri Southern State
Rd 4 Pick 129: Josh Simon, LB Ohio State
Rd 4 Pick 130: Kyle Juszczyk, RB Harvard
Rd 5 Pick 168: Ricky Wagner, T Wisconsin
Rd 6 Pick 200: Kapron Lewis-Moore, DE Notre Dame
Rd 6 Pick 203: Ryan Jensen, C CSU-Pueblo
Rd 7 Pick 238: Aaron Mellette, WR Elon
Rd 7 Pick 247: Marc Anthony, CB California
Best Pick: Arthur Brown. I think Brown can come in and contribute right away for the Ravens.
Sleeper: Kyle Juszczyk. At 6'3" 240 pounds, Juszczyk can come in and contribute as a FB.
Bust Potential: Matt Elam. He's just way too inconsistent. He'll wreck a guy one play and then blow coverage 3 plays in a row. Just 5'10".
Grade: B
Washington Redskins
Rd 2 Pick 51: David Amerson, CB North Carolina State
Rd 3 Pick 85: Jordan Reed, TE Florida
Rd 4 Pick 119: Phillip Thomas, S Fresno State
Rd 5 Pick 154: Chris Thompson, RB
Rd 5 Pick 162: Brandon Jenkins, LB Florida State
Rd 6 Pick 191: Bacarri Rambo, S Georgia
Rd 7 Pick 228: Jawan Jamison, RB Rutgers
Best Pick: David Amerson. I think he's going to do a fantastic job in coverage for the Skins.
Sleeper: Phillip Thomas. An underrated safety prospect.
Bust Potential: Jordan Reed. Being dubbed Aaron Hernandez lite makes people excited about Reed, but I think that comparison is a little too high. He'll make some plays, but he'll never be a star.
Grade: C-
New Orleans Saints
Rd 1 Pick 15: Kenny Vaccaro, SS Texas
Rd 3 Pick 75: Terron Armstead, T Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Rd 3 Pick 82: John Jenkins, NT Georgia
Rd 5 Pick 144: Kenny Stills, WR Oklahoma
Rd 6 Pick 183: Rufus Johnson, LB Tarleton State
Best Player: Kenny Vaccaro. Best safety in the draft by far.
Sleeper: John Jenkins. HUGE man at 358 pounds. He can still move pretty well. He ran a 5.20 40 yard dash.
Bust Potential: Terron Armstead. I think that he got picked way too high. He's a physical freak, but he is fundamentally unsound.
Grade: C
Seattle Seahawks
Rd 2 Pick 62: Christine Michael, RB Texas A&M
Rd 3 Pick 87: Jordan Hill, DT Penn State
Rd 4 Pick 123: Chris Harper, WR Kansas State
Rd 5 Pick 137: Jesse Williams, DT Alabama
Rd 5 Pick 138: Tharold Simon, CB LSU
Rd 5 Pick 158: Luke Wilson, TE Rice
Rd 6 Pick 194: Spencer Ware, RB LSU
Rd 7 Pick 220: Ryan Seymour, G Vanderbilt
Rd 7 Pick 231: Ty Powell, LB Harding
Rd 7 Pick 241: Jared Smith, G New Hampshire
Rd 7 Pick 242: Michael Bowie, T Northeastern State
Best Player: Jordan Hill. Fundamentally sound defender who made his name on technique and not on physical talent.
Sleeper: Chris Harper. Chris Harper is a physical specimen. I think he can make an impact...he's very tough to bring down.
Bust Potential: Christine Michael. I just don't see him fitting in that well. Puzzling to see the Seahawks waste a pick on a RB when they already have a couple guys on their roster who are very good.
Grade: D+
Pittsburgh Steelers
Rd 1 Pick 17: Jarvis Jones, LB Georgia
Rd 2 Pick 48: Le'Veon Bell, RB Michigan State
Rd 3 Pick 79: Markus Wheaton, WR Oregon State
Rd 4 Pick 111: Shamarko Thomas, S Syracuse
Rd 4 Pick 115: Landry Jones, QB Oklahoma
Rd 5 Pick 150: Terry Hawthorne, CB Illinois
Rd 6 pick 186: Justin Brown, WR Oklahoma
Rd 6 Pick 206: Vince Williams, LB Florida State
Rd 7 Pick 223: Nick Williams, DE Samford
Best Player: Jarvis Jones. This guy just oozes Pittsburgh. He fits like a glove on this team. Excellent pick.
Sleeper: Shamarko Thomas. A relatively unheralded guy who will be a dominant force on the field. This guy isn't afraid of contact and will intimidate offensive players. I love the pick.
Bust Potential: Markus Wheaton. I really don't think Wheaton is the answer to replace Wallace. He is simply pedestrian.
Grade: B+
Houston Texans
Rd 1 Pick 27: DeAndre Hopkins, WR Clemson
Rd 2 Pick 57: D.J. Swearinger, S South Carolina
Rd 3 Pick 89: Brennan Williams, T North Carolina
Rd 3 Pick 95: Sam Montgomery, LB LSU
Rd 4 Pick 124: Trevardo Williams, LB UConn
Rd 6 Pick 176: David Quessenberry, T San Jose State
Rd 6 Pick 195: Alan Bonner, WR Jacksonville State
Rd 6 Pick 198: Chris Jones, DT Bowling Green
Rd 6 Pick 201: Ryan Griffin, TE Tulane
Best Player: DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins is an elite receiving talent and will have Andre Johnson taking the real heat off of him.
Sleeper: David Quessenberry. How the hell did Quessenberry fall to the 6th round? He's a 2nd-3rd round talent.
Bust Potential: D.J. Swearinger. The guy was a hard hitter, but I don't think he's that great of a safety.
Grade: C
Tennessee Titans
Rd 1 Pick 10: Chance Wormack, G Alabama
Rd 2 Pick 34: Justin Hunter, WR Tennessee
Rd 3 Pick 70: Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB UConn
Rd 3 Pick 97: Zaviar Gooden, LB Missouri
Rd 4 Pick 107: Brian Schwenke, C California
Rd 5 Pick 142: Lavar Edwards, DE LSU
Rd 6 Pick 202: Khalid Wooten, CB Nevada
Rd 7 Pick 248: Daimion Stafford, S Nebraska
Best Player: Chance Wormack. Elite talent on the offensive line.
Sleeper: Blidi Wreh-Wilson. Along with the coolest name in the draft, he has some real potential as a CB. Love the pick.
Bust Potential: Brian Schwenke. Many will take this as a steal, but I'm a bit weary of the guy. Senior Bowl and Combine propelled this guy.
Grade: B-
Minnesota Vikings
Rd 1 Pick 23: Sharrif Floyd, DT Florida
Rd 1 Pick 25: Xavier Rhodes, CB Florida State
Rd 1 Pick 29: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Tennessee
Rd 4 Pick 120: Gerald Hodges, LB Penn State
Rd 5 Pick 155: Jeff Locke, P UCLA
Rd 6 Pick 196: Jeff Baca, G UCLA
Rd 7 Pick 213: Michael Matui, LB Penn State
Rd 7 Pick 214: Travis Bond, G North Carolina
Rd 7 Pick 229: Everett Dawkins, Florida State
Best Player: Xavier Rhodes. He's got size and speed. Exactly what you need when you have to face Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, and Jordy Nelson twice a year.
Sleeper: Gerald Hodges. Possibly a good pick. Raw, but if he can get it together, he'll be solid.
Bust Potential: Cordarrelle Patterson. EXTREMELY raw. If he can put it together, he's got rare talent, but I don't think it can happen.
Grade: B
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Revisiting the 2003 NFL Draft
Since the 2013 NFL Draft is almost upon us, I think it's the appropriate time to look back 10 years ago to the 2003 NFL Draft and see what each player has accomplished from the first round.
#1. Carson Palmer
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Current Team: Oakland Raiders
Position: Quarterback
College: USC
Stats:
2568/4110 62.5 Completion % 189 TDs 130 INTs 7.2 YPA 86.2 QB Rating 7 Rushing TDs
Verdict:
Unfortunately, Palmer suffered from a severe knee injury early in his career and was never quite the same. Still, he quietly remains an adequate passer.
Grade: B
#2. Charles Rogers
Team: Detroit Lions
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Michigan State
Stats:
36 Rec 440 yards 4 TDs
Verdict:
Never lived up to the hype. Injuries hampered him, but he never blossomed into what he could have been.
Grade: F
#3. Andre Johnson
Team: Houston Texans
Current Team: Houston Texans
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Miami (FL)
Stats:
818 Rec 11,254 yards 56 TDs
Verdict:
A superstar and one of the cornerstones in the NFL since year one. In the Texans' second draft, the found a star and he's been a pivotal piece to their puzzle since.
Grade: A
#4. Dewayne Robertson
Team: New York Jets
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Kentucky
Stats:
280 tackles 16 Sacks 1 PD 3 FF 2 FR
Verdict:
While Robertson played just 6 NFL seasons, he averaged 47 tackles a year. He was a good run stopper and that's a trait not many NFL players have. Unfortunately, his 6'1" 317-pound frame wasn't able to hold up and he's out of the NFL.
Grade: B-
#5. Terence Newman
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Cornerback
College: Kansas State
Stats:
619 tackles 2 sacks 34 INTs 132 PD 8 FF 10 FR 3 TD
Verdict:
While many Cowboys fans will disagree strongly with me, Newman was actually a very good player for a long time. The fact that he's still going strong illustrates this.
Grade: A
#6. Johnathan Sullivan
Team: New Orleans Saints
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Georgia
Stats:
77 tackles 1.5 sacks 2 PD 1 FF
Verdict:
Didn't do much of anything. A big bust. Totals span 3 seasons.
Grade: F
#7. Byron Leftwich
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Quarterback
College: Marshall
Stats:
930/1605 57.9 completion % 10,532 yards 58 TD 42 INTs 78.9 QBR 10 Rush TDs
Verdict:
Leftwich gets an A for effort, and that's never been a question with him. He hasn't won a game since 2006 that he started, but he's put together some excellent performances. Unfortunately, his numbers and his talent don't indicate top-grade success.
Grade: C-
#8. Jordan Gross
Team: Carolina Panthers
Current Team: Carolina Panthers
Position: Offensive Tackle
College: Utah
Stats:
151 games started, 7 FR, 5 Tackles
Verdict:
A staple on the offensive line and just the second player from this draft to still be on the team he was drafted to. A quality starter who has missed just 9 games in 10 years.
Grade: A
#9. Kevin Williams
Team: Minnesota Vikings
Current Team: Minnesota Vikings
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Oklahoma State
Stats:
434 tackles 56.5 sacks 4 INTs 61 PD 8 FF 12 FR 4 TDs
Verdict:
1/2 of the Williams Wall and a stud defensive tackle. A versatile and durable player who missed just 4 games in 10 years.
Grade: A
#10. Terrell Suggs
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Current Team: Baltimore Ravens
College: Arizona State
Stats:
592 tackles 84.5 sacks 7 INTs 48 PD 25 FF 11 FR 2 TDs
Verdict:
A rare pass rushing talent who has a knack for the big play. A jack of all trades capable of making plays all over the field.
Grade: A
#11. Marcus Trufant
Team: Seattle Seahawks
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Cornerback
College: Washington State
Stats:
646 Tackles 2 Sacks 21 INTs 112 PD 5 FF 6 FR 2 TDs
Verdict:
A pretty solid corner with some durability issues the last 4 years. Hasn't been effective since 2008. Had a good run as a dominant corner, but fell off quickly.
Grade: B
#12. Jimmy Kennedy
Team: St. Louis Rams
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Penn State
Stats:
128 Tackles 8.5 Sacks 5 PD 2 FF 2 FR
Verdict:
Struggled his whole career. He had a nice season in 2005, but that was the best he could muster. Given the chance to start in 2006, he promptly came out flat. He was given the boot and then spent time on 4 teams before hanging up his cleats.
Grade: D+
#13. Ty Warren
Team: New England Patriots
Current Team: Denver Broncos
Position: Defensive End
College: Texas A&M
Stats:
374 tackles 20.5 sacks 7 PD 4 FF 6 FR
Verdict:
A pure run stopper, Warren was definitely a force for years. Unfortunately, injuries have slowed him down since about 2008.
Grade: B
#14. Michael Haynes
Team: Chicago Bears
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive End
College: Penn State
Stats: 62 tackles 5.5 sacks 1 INT 4 PD 1 FF 1 TD
Verdict: He was all but a bust. Limited productivity.
Grade: D+
#15. Jerome McDougle
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive End
College: Miami (FL)
Stats: 37 tackles 3 sacks 5 PD 1 FF
Verdict: The run of defensive ends gets continually worse. He's a flat out bust.
Grade: F
#16. Troy Polamalu
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Current Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Position: Safety
College: USC
Stats: 648 tackles 10 sacks 30 INTs 96 PD 8 FF 5 FR 4 TDs
Verdict: A playmaker and a star. He was part of some of the best defenses the league has seen. Good commercials too.
Grade: A
#17. Bryant Johnson
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Penn State
Stats: 314 Rec 3,938 yards 16 TD
Verdict: Made a bust of a career into a somewhat consistent disappointment. Gotta give him credit for that.
Grade: C
#18. Calvin Pace
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Outside Linebacker
College: Wake Forest
Stats: 497 tackles 42 sacks 3 INTs 23 PD 17 FF 10 FR 1 TD
Verdict: A solid, but unspectacular, NFL career.
Grade: B-
#19. Kyle Boller
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Quarterback
College: California
Stats: 871/1519 8,931 yards 56.7 completion% 48 TD 54 INT 5.9 YPA 69.5 QBR
Verdict: He's been a bust since year one. In his last 22 starts, he has 25 TDs compared to 34 INTs.
Grade: D
#20. George Foster
Team: Denver Broncos
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Offensive Tackle
College: Georgia
Stats: 57 starts 2 FR
Verdict: Missed 28 games in his career, was unspectacular.
Grade: F
#21. Jeff Faine
Team: Cleveland Browns
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Center
College: Notre Dame
Stats: 1 tackle 9 FR
Verdict: Solid center who did miss some time due to injury.
Grade: B-
#22. Rex Grossman
Team: Chicago Bears
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Quarterback
College: Florida
Stats: 863/1562 10,232 yards 55.2 completion% 56 TD 60 INT 6.6 YPA 71.4 QBR
Verdict: Sexy Rexy is a little better than his numbers indicate, in my opinion at least. He's a gunslinger so he's going to have a ton of picks and a low comp %. He's still a quality backup.
Grade: C
#23. Willis McGahee
Team: Buffalo Bills
Current Team: Denver Broncos
Position: Running Back
College: Miami (FL)
Stats: 1957 att 8.097 yards 63 TDs 4.1 YPA 202 rec 1,319 yards 5 TDs (rec)
Verdict: A great back when healthy. Has had 4 1,000 yard seasons, yet he has never started all 16 games. A good back.
Grade: B+
#24. Dallas Clark
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Tight End
College: Iowa
Stats: 474 rec 5,322 yards 50 TDs
Verdict: The second best receiver in this round and he's not even a wide receiver. Catching balls from Peyton Manning for 8 of 10 seasons in the league will help pad those numbers.
Grade: B
#25. William Joseph
Team: New York Giants
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Miami (FL)
Stats: 88 tackles 7 sacks 7 PD 2 FF 1 FR
Verdict: 6 year career and mustered just 17 starts (less than 3 a year). Embarrassing.
Grade: D+
#26. Kwame Harris
Team: San Francisco 49ers
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Offensive Tackle
College: Stanford
Stats: 55 starts 4 FR 1 TD
Verdict: An acceptable player. Nothing earth shattering about him.
Grade: C-
#27. Larry Johnson
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Running Back
College: Penn Stats
Stats: 1427 att 6,223 yards 55 TD 4.4 YPA 154 rec 1,373 yards 6 TD (rec)
Verdict: For a two year span, Johnson managed 3,500 yards on 750 carries and racked up 37 TDs on the ground. Close to 4300 total yards in those two years. Unfortunately, it was close to 900 touches and that kind of abuse can wear a player down.
Grade: B-
#28. Andre Woolfolk
Team: Tennessee Titans
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Cornerback
College: Oklahoma
Stats: 119 tackles 3 INT 18 PD 1 FF 1 FR
Verdict: An absolute disappointment. Just 11 starts in 4 years and minimal production.
Grade: F
#29. Nick Barnett
Team: Green Bay Packers
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Linebacker
College: Oregon State
Stats: 1,030 tackles 20.5 sacks 12 INTs 42 PD 6 FF 7 FR 2 TD
Verdict: The tackle champion of the first round is still going strong. At 31, it looks like Barnett will play another year if he can catch on with a team.
Grade: B+
#30. Sammy Davis
Team: San Diego Chargers
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Cornerback
College: Texas A&M
Stats: 173 tackles 1 Sack 3 INT 31 PD 1 FF
Verdict: Marginal production, but not the worst in the first round. His mediocrity keeps him above failing.
Grade: D+
#31. Nnamdi Asomugha
Team: Oakland Raiders
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Cornerback
College: California
Stats: 404 tackles 2 sacks 15 INT 78 PD 2 FF 1 FR 1 TD
Verdict: He's been crowned the best cornerback in the league at some points of his career, and others he's been ridiculed. I think it's somewhere inbetween. While he's very good, he was never great.
Grade: B
#32. Tyler Brayton
Team: Oakland Raiders
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive End
College: Colorado
Stats: 308 tackles 17.5 sacks 1 INT 16 PD 6 FF 6 FR
Verdict: A journeyman who made his mark recently in 2008 and 2009 for Carolina. Could have let his career die in Oakland, but got out after 3 unproductive years.
Grade: C
2003 Bests:
Quarterback: Tony Romo, Undrafted, Dallas Cowboys. Tony Romo has shown he's an extremely talented player. He's the champion of this draft.
Running Back: Willis McGahee, #23 overall, Baltimore Ravens. He made his mark in the league despite some rough injuries.
Wide Receiver: Andre Johnson, #3 overall, Houston Texans. No explanation needed, he's a star.
Tight End: Antonio Gates, Undrafted, San Diego Chargers. This was a good TE class. You can tell because Jason Witten was passed over for this award.
Offensive Tackle: David Diehl, #160 overall, New York Giants. Diehl has been one of the few bright spots for the line in NY.
Offensive Guard: Kris Dielman, undrafted, San Diego Chargers. He's done a fantastic job in the league.
Center: Dan Koppen, #164 overall, New England Patriots. He was named to the Patriots All-Decade team. Good starter.
Defensive Tackle: Kevin Williams, #9 overall, Minnesota Vikings. A fortified wall of defense for the Vikings.
Defensive End: Robert Mathis, #38 overall, Indianapolis Colts. 91.5 QB sacks is fantastic. 5 pro bowls to go with it.
Inside Linebacker: Nick Barnett, #29 overall, Green Bay Packers. No bias here, he was a very good backer for a long time.
Outside Linebacker: Terrell Suggs, #10 overall, Baltimore Ravens. Awesome player to put on the outside. Excellent rusher.
Cornerback: Terence Newman, #5 overall, Dallas Cowboys. I know, it's a lot of T-New love, but he's still kicking ass!
Safety: Troy Polamalu, #16 overall, Pittsburgh Steelers. What a player. One of the better players of the last decade.
Special Teamer: Josh Brown (K), #222 overall, Seattle Seahawks. Consistent kicker.
#1. Carson Palmer
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Current Team: Oakland Raiders
Position: Quarterback
College: USC
Stats:
2568/4110 62.5 Completion % 189 TDs 130 INTs 7.2 YPA 86.2 QB Rating 7 Rushing TDs
Verdict:
Unfortunately, Palmer suffered from a severe knee injury early in his career and was never quite the same. Still, he quietly remains an adequate passer.
Grade: B
#2. Charles Rogers
Team: Detroit Lions
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Michigan State
Stats:
36 Rec 440 yards 4 TDs
Verdict:
Never lived up to the hype. Injuries hampered him, but he never blossomed into what he could have been.
Grade: F
#3. Andre Johnson
Team: Houston Texans
Current Team: Houston Texans
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Miami (FL)
Stats:
818 Rec 11,254 yards 56 TDs
Verdict:
A superstar and one of the cornerstones in the NFL since year one. In the Texans' second draft, the found a star and he's been a pivotal piece to their puzzle since.
Grade: A
#4. Dewayne Robertson
Team: New York Jets
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Kentucky
Stats:
280 tackles 16 Sacks 1 PD 3 FF 2 FR
Verdict:
While Robertson played just 6 NFL seasons, he averaged 47 tackles a year. He was a good run stopper and that's a trait not many NFL players have. Unfortunately, his 6'1" 317-pound frame wasn't able to hold up and he's out of the NFL.
Grade: B-
#5. Terence Newman
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Cornerback
College: Kansas State
Stats:
619 tackles 2 sacks 34 INTs 132 PD 8 FF 10 FR 3 TD
Verdict:
While many Cowboys fans will disagree strongly with me, Newman was actually a very good player for a long time. The fact that he's still going strong illustrates this.
Grade: A
#6. Johnathan Sullivan
Team: New Orleans Saints
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Georgia
Stats:
77 tackles 1.5 sacks 2 PD 1 FF
Verdict:
Didn't do much of anything. A big bust. Totals span 3 seasons.
Grade: F
#7. Byron Leftwich
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Quarterback
College: Marshall
Stats:
930/1605 57.9 completion % 10,532 yards 58 TD 42 INTs 78.9 QBR 10 Rush TDs
Verdict:
Leftwich gets an A for effort, and that's never been a question with him. He hasn't won a game since 2006 that he started, but he's put together some excellent performances. Unfortunately, his numbers and his talent don't indicate top-grade success.
Grade: C-
#8. Jordan Gross
Team: Carolina Panthers
Current Team: Carolina Panthers
Position: Offensive Tackle
College: Utah
Stats:
151 games started, 7 FR, 5 Tackles
Verdict:
A staple on the offensive line and just the second player from this draft to still be on the team he was drafted to. A quality starter who has missed just 9 games in 10 years.
Grade: A
#9. Kevin Williams
Team: Minnesota Vikings
Current Team: Minnesota Vikings
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Oklahoma State
Stats:
434 tackles 56.5 sacks 4 INTs 61 PD 8 FF 12 FR 4 TDs
Verdict:
1/2 of the Williams Wall and a stud defensive tackle. A versatile and durable player who missed just 4 games in 10 years.
Grade: A
#10. Terrell Suggs
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Current Team: Baltimore Ravens
College: Arizona State
Stats:
592 tackles 84.5 sacks 7 INTs 48 PD 25 FF 11 FR 2 TDs
Verdict:
A rare pass rushing talent who has a knack for the big play. A jack of all trades capable of making plays all over the field.
Grade: A
#11. Marcus Trufant
Team: Seattle Seahawks
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Cornerback
College: Washington State
Stats:
646 Tackles 2 Sacks 21 INTs 112 PD 5 FF 6 FR 2 TDs
Verdict:
A pretty solid corner with some durability issues the last 4 years. Hasn't been effective since 2008. Had a good run as a dominant corner, but fell off quickly.
Grade: B
#12. Jimmy Kennedy
Team: St. Louis Rams
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Penn State
Stats:
128 Tackles 8.5 Sacks 5 PD 2 FF 2 FR
Verdict:
Struggled his whole career. He had a nice season in 2005, but that was the best he could muster. Given the chance to start in 2006, he promptly came out flat. He was given the boot and then spent time on 4 teams before hanging up his cleats.
Grade: D+
#13. Ty Warren
Team: New England Patriots
Current Team: Denver Broncos
Position: Defensive End
College: Texas A&M
Stats:
374 tackles 20.5 sacks 7 PD 4 FF 6 FR
Verdict:
A pure run stopper, Warren was definitely a force for years. Unfortunately, injuries have slowed him down since about 2008.
Grade: B
#14. Michael Haynes
Team: Chicago Bears
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive End
College: Penn State
Stats: 62 tackles 5.5 sacks 1 INT 4 PD 1 FF 1 TD
Verdict: He was all but a bust. Limited productivity.
Grade: D+
#15. Jerome McDougle
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive End
College: Miami (FL)
Stats: 37 tackles 3 sacks 5 PD 1 FF
Verdict: The run of defensive ends gets continually worse. He's a flat out bust.
Grade: F
#16. Troy Polamalu
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Current Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Position: Safety
College: USC
Stats: 648 tackles 10 sacks 30 INTs 96 PD 8 FF 5 FR 4 TDs
Verdict: A playmaker and a star. He was part of some of the best defenses the league has seen. Good commercials too.
Grade: A
#17. Bryant Johnson
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Penn State
Stats: 314 Rec 3,938 yards 16 TD
Verdict: Made a bust of a career into a somewhat consistent disappointment. Gotta give him credit for that.
Grade: C
#18. Calvin Pace
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Outside Linebacker
College: Wake Forest
Stats: 497 tackles 42 sacks 3 INTs 23 PD 17 FF 10 FR 1 TD
Verdict: A solid, but unspectacular, NFL career.
Grade: B-
#19. Kyle Boller
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Quarterback
College: California
Stats: 871/1519 8,931 yards 56.7 completion% 48 TD 54 INT 5.9 YPA 69.5 QBR
Verdict: He's been a bust since year one. In his last 22 starts, he has 25 TDs compared to 34 INTs.
Grade: D
#20. George Foster
Team: Denver Broncos
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Offensive Tackle
College: Georgia
Stats: 57 starts 2 FR
Verdict: Missed 28 games in his career, was unspectacular.
Grade: F
#21. Jeff Faine
Team: Cleveland Browns
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Center
College: Notre Dame
Stats: 1 tackle 9 FR
Verdict: Solid center who did miss some time due to injury.
Grade: B-
#22. Rex Grossman
Team: Chicago Bears
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Quarterback
College: Florida
Stats: 863/1562 10,232 yards 55.2 completion% 56 TD 60 INT 6.6 YPA 71.4 QBR
Verdict: Sexy Rexy is a little better than his numbers indicate, in my opinion at least. He's a gunslinger so he's going to have a ton of picks and a low comp %. He's still a quality backup.
Grade: C
#23. Willis McGahee
Team: Buffalo Bills
Current Team: Denver Broncos
Position: Running Back
College: Miami (FL)
Stats: 1957 att 8.097 yards 63 TDs 4.1 YPA 202 rec 1,319 yards 5 TDs (rec)
Verdict: A great back when healthy. Has had 4 1,000 yard seasons, yet he has never started all 16 games. A good back.
Grade: B+
#24. Dallas Clark
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Tight End
College: Iowa
Stats: 474 rec 5,322 yards 50 TDs
Verdict: The second best receiver in this round and he's not even a wide receiver. Catching balls from Peyton Manning for 8 of 10 seasons in the league will help pad those numbers.
Grade: B
#25. William Joseph
Team: New York Giants
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Miami (FL)
Stats: 88 tackles 7 sacks 7 PD 2 FF 1 FR
Verdict: 6 year career and mustered just 17 starts (less than 3 a year). Embarrassing.
Grade: D+
#26. Kwame Harris
Team: San Francisco 49ers
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Offensive Tackle
College: Stanford
Stats: 55 starts 4 FR 1 TD
Verdict: An acceptable player. Nothing earth shattering about him.
Grade: C-
#27. Larry Johnson
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Running Back
College: Penn Stats
Stats: 1427 att 6,223 yards 55 TD 4.4 YPA 154 rec 1,373 yards 6 TD (rec)
Verdict: For a two year span, Johnson managed 3,500 yards on 750 carries and racked up 37 TDs on the ground. Close to 4300 total yards in those two years. Unfortunately, it was close to 900 touches and that kind of abuse can wear a player down.
Grade: B-
#28. Andre Woolfolk
Team: Tennessee Titans
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Cornerback
College: Oklahoma
Stats: 119 tackles 3 INT 18 PD 1 FF 1 FR
Verdict: An absolute disappointment. Just 11 starts in 4 years and minimal production.
Grade: F
#29. Nick Barnett
Team: Green Bay Packers
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Linebacker
College: Oregon State
Stats: 1,030 tackles 20.5 sacks 12 INTs 42 PD 6 FF 7 FR 2 TD
Verdict: The tackle champion of the first round is still going strong. At 31, it looks like Barnett will play another year if he can catch on with a team.
Grade: B+
#30. Sammy Davis
Team: San Diego Chargers
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Cornerback
College: Texas A&M
Stats: 173 tackles 1 Sack 3 INT 31 PD 1 FF
Verdict: Marginal production, but not the worst in the first round. His mediocrity keeps him above failing.
Grade: D+
#31. Nnamdi Asomugha
Team: Oakland Raiders
Current Team: Free Agent, Still in NFL
Position: Cornerback
College: California
Stats: 404 tackles 2 sacks 15 INT 78 PD 2 FF 1 FR 1 TD
Verdict: He's been crowned the best cornerback in the league at some points of his career, and others he's been ridiculed. I think it's somewhere inbetween. While he's very good, he was never great.
Grade: B
#32. Tyler Brayton
Team: Oakland Raiders
Current Team: Out of NFL
Position: Defensive End
College: Colorado
Stats: 308 tackles 17.5 sacks 1 INT 16 PD 6 FF 6 FR
Verdict: A journeyman who made his mark recently in 2008 and 2009 for Carolina. Could have let his career die in Oakland, but got out after 3 unproductive years.
Grade: C
2003 Bests:
Quarterback: Tony Romo, Undrafted, Dallas Cowboys. Tony Romo has shown he's an extremely talented player. He's the champion of this draft.
Running Back: Willis McGahee, #23 overall, Baltimore Ravens. He made his mark in the league despite some rough injuries.
Wide Receiver: Andre Johnson, #3 overall, Houston Texans. No explanation needed, he's a star.
Tight End: Antonio Gates, Undrafted, San Diego Chargers. This was a good TE class. You can tell because Jason Witten was passed over for this award.
Offensive Tackle: David Diehl, #160 overall, New York Giants. Diehl has been one of the few bright spots for the line in NY.
Offensive Guard: Kris Dielman, undrafted, San Diego Chargers. He's done a fantastic job in the league.
Center: Dan Koppen, #164 overall, New England Patriots. He was named to the Patriots All-Decade team. Good starter.
Defensive Tackle: Kevin Williams, #9 overall, Minnesota Vikings. A fortified wall of defense for the Vikings.
Defensive End: Robert Mathis, #38 overall, Indianapolis Colts. 91.5 QB sacks is fantastic. 5 pro bowls to go with it.
Inside Linebacker: Nick Barnett, #29 overall, Green Bay Packers. No bias here, he was a very good backer for a long time.
Outside Linebacker: Terrell Suggs, #10 overall, Baltimore Ravens. Awesome player to put on the outside. Excellent rusher.
Cornerback: Terence Newman, #5 overall, Dallas Cowboys. I know, it's a lot of T-New love, but he's still kicking ass!
Safety: Troy Polamalu, #16 overall, Pittsburgh Steelers. What a player. One of the better players of the last decade.
Special Teamer: Josh Brown (K), #222 overall, Seattle Seahawks. Consistent kicker.
Friday, February 15, 2013
State of the Redskins Address
Since the State of the Union address was this past week, and I got a request to do an article on the Redskins, I figured I'd put one together on a Friday instead of going out and having a social life.
Washington is an extremely interesting and exciting team. Their Zone Blocking scheme was run to perfection last year with Alfred Morris and Robert Griffin III, but just how safe is this team from potential cap issues? Due to the penalty levied on the club by commissioner Roger Goodell, the Redskins are currently over the salary cap by just over $3 million. Let's take a look at their free agents first to get an idea of who they're in danger of losing and who they HAVE to make room for.
QB
Rex Grossman
RB
Darrel Young
WR
Brandon Banks
TE
Chris Cooley
Logan Paulson
Fred Davis
OT
Jordan Black
Tyler Polumbus
OG
Kory Lichtensteiger
C
Nick Sundberg
DT/DE
Chris Baker
Kentwan Balmer
Kendrick Golston
LB
Rob Jackson
Bryan Kehl
Chris Wilson
CB
Cedric Griffin
S
Tanard Jackson
Madieu Williams
P
Sav Rocca
Together, that's 97 starts walking out the door. I'd say the biggest ones close to leaving are Kory Lichtensteiger, Tyler Polumbus, Fred Davis, Madieu Williams, and Rob Jackson. So how do the Redskins keep those guys?
1) Cut DeAngelo Hall.
Hall is due to make $7,500,000 this year base with a $500,000 workout bonus. Josh Wilson played well last season and they have some young guys who can step in. There's also a wealth of CB help in the draft this year with possibly 3 CBs going in the 1st round. Unfortunately, the Redskins traded away their 1st rounder to get RGIII, so they'll have to wait until the second round to grab one. It's a risk to start a rookie at CB, but with the vet talent Washington has, it can be done.
This leaves Washington with roughly $5 million. They'll be able to get their rookies under contract, but what about the 5 guys up there? None of them are STARS, so they won't command a huge contract. What other cap wiggling can the Redskins do?
2) Cut Santana Moss
Santana is due a base salary of $4,150,00 with a signing bonus of $1,667,000 and a roster bonus of $350,000. Cutting him will save the Redskins an additional $4,500,000.
Now the Redskins are left with $9,000,000 in cap room. What else can they do?
3) Restructure Trent Williams
As it stands right now, he's counted as about $8,000,000 against the cap. If the redskins can get him to a 5 year, $50,000,000 deal with $15,000,000 guaranteed, they can cut his base salary down to $2,000,000, pay him the $500,000 he's owed from guaranteed money along with $3,000,000 in new signing bonus money. His cap hit would be about $5,500,000, a savings of $2,500,000.
I got Washington into the green by $11,500,000...what would you guys do as GM??
Washington is an extremely interesting and exciting team. Their Zone Blocking scheme was run to perfection last year with Alfred Morris and Robert Griffin III, but just how safe is this team from potential cap issues? Due to the penalty levied on the club by commissioner Roger Goodell, the Redskins are currently over the salary cap by just over $3 million. Let's take a look at their free agents first to get an idea of who they're in danger of losing and who they HAVE to make room for.
QB
Rex Grossman
RB
Darrel Young
WR
Brandon Banks
TE
Chris Cooley
Logan Paulson
Fred Davis
OT
Jordan Black
Tyler Polumbus
OG
Kory Lichtensteiger
C
Nick Sundberg
DT/DE
Chris Baker
Kentwan Balmer
Kendrick Golston
LB
Rob Jackson
Bryan Kehl
Chris Wilson
CB
Cedric Griffin
S
Tanard Jackson
Madieu Williams
P
Sav Rocca
Together, that's 97 starts walking out the door. I'd say the biggest ones close to leaving are Kory Lichtensteiger, Tyler Polumbus, Fred Davis, Madieu Williams, and Rob Jackson. So how do the Redskins keep those guys?
1) Cut DeAngelo Hall.
Hall is due to make $7,500,000 this year base with a $500,000 workout bonus. Josh Wilson played well last season and they have some young guys who can step in. There's also a wealth of CB help in the draft this year with possibly 3 CBs going in the 1st round. Unfortunately, the Redskins traded away their 1st rounder to get RGIII, so they'll have to wait until the second round to grab one. It's a risk to start a rookie at CB, but with the vet talent Washington has, it can be done.
This leaves Washington with roughly $5 million. They'll be able to get their rookies under contract, but what about the 5 guys up there? None of them are STARS, so they won't command a huge contract. What other cap wiggling can the Redskins do?
2) Cut Santana Moss
Santana is due a base salary of $4,150,00 with a signing bonus of $1,667,000 and a roster bonus of $350,000. Cutting him will save the Redskins an additional $4,500,000.
Now the Redskins are left with $9,000,000 in cap room. What else can they do?
3) Restructure Trent Williams
As it stands right now, he's counted as about $8,000,000 against the cap. If the redskins can get him to a 5 year, $50,000,000 deal with $15,000,000 guaranteed, they can cut his base salary down to $2,000,000, pay him the $500,000 he's owed from guaranteed money along with $3,000,000 in new signing bonus money. His cap hit would be about $5,500,000, a savings of $2,500,000.
I got Washington into the green by $11,500,000...what would you guys do as GM??
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Giants Cap Woes
The Jets aren't the only local team with salary cap woes. The New York Giants are in deep trouble right now too. Today, the Giants sit at about $2.5 million under the cap, but just a few days ago they had to make some big personnel decisions. So why were the Giants in this position to begin with?
Let's start with dead money. When players are signed to a contract, their signing bonus becomes prorated over the length of their deal, up to 5 years. The signing bonus money is paid up front to the player when they sign the deal. Since the money is paid in full to the player, the signing bonus figure counts regardless of whether or not the player is with the team. Thus, if you cut a player, any money left in the prorated signing bonus gets accelerated to the current cap figure. Before cutting Ahmad Bradshaw, Chris Canty, and Michael Boley, the dead cap for the Giants was actually extremely minimal:
Add in the 3 players who were cut recently:
So now, we can add up the Giants current cap figures with current contracts, add in the dead money, and subtract the $1,000,000 salary cap rollover and we can determine exactly how much money they have to play with:
Total Contracts: $113,574,892
+Total Dead Money: $6,771,306
$120,346,198
Total Cap Hit: $120,346,198
-Total Cap Rollover: $1,000,000
$119,346,198
Net Cap Hit: $119,346,198
-NFL Salary Cap: $121,500,000
$2,153,802
So there we go folks, the Giants currently have just $2,153,802 left in total cap space. Now lets go into why Bradshaw, Canty, and Boley had to go:
Let's start by posting each person's 2013 contract figures and then subtracting their dead money from what their cap hit in 2013 would have been to get a net cap hit figure:
Ahmad Bradshaw:
Base Salary: $3,750,000
Signing Bonus: $1,250,000
Workout Bonus: $250,000
Total Cap Hit: $5,250,000
Net Cap Hit: $2,750,000
Chris Canty:
Base Salary: $6,250,000
Signing Bonus: $1,700,000
Workout Bonus: $250,000
Total Cap Hit: $8,200,000
Net Cap Hit: $6,500,000
Michael Boley:
Base Salary: $4,250,000
Signing Bonus: $1,400,000
Total Cap Hit: $5,650,000
Net Cap Hit: $4,250,000
So in total by cutting those 3 guys, the Giants saved a total of $13,500,000. It's amazing how they're still just $2,153,802 under cap. They're going to be in BIG trouble if they don't make more room. Why? Here's a list of players the Giants are losing to free agency this year...
Brian Witherspoon
Osi Umenyiora
Lawrence Tynes
Justin Tryon
Justin Trattou
Adrian Tracy
Ryan Torain
Keith Rivers
Kenny Phillips
Kregg Lumpkin
Sean Locklear
Domenik Hixon
Victor Cruz
Jim Cordle
David Carr
Stevie Brown
Andre Brown
Kevin Boothe
Chase Blackburn
Rocky Bernard
Martellus Bennett
Travis Beckum
William Beatty
Ramses Barden
As good as the Giants have been at finding players, I'm not sure how the Giants will get themselves out of this mess. A lot of those players are reserve guys, but there are also big names like Osi, Cruz, Tynes, Blackburn, Bennett, Phillips, Brown, Bernard, and Beatty. David Wilson is the only RB left on the roster, they have no serviceable TE on the roster, and the WRs are going to be gutted. Just Ruben Randle and Hakeem "Always Hurt" Nicks left.
Unfortunately, I believe this is going to be a rough rebuilding year for the Giants. The typically level-headed Giants front staff seemingly went all-in trying to get a couple more championships. Unfortunately, it seems like this team is going to be in pretty rough shape.
Let's start with dead money. When players are signed to a contract, their signing bonus becomes prorated over the length of their deal, up to 5 years. The signing bonus money is paid up front to the player when they sign the deal. Since the money is paid in full to the player, the signing bonus figure counts regardless of whether or not the player is with the team. Thus, if you cut a player, any money left in the prorated signing bonus gets accelerated to the current cap figure. Before cutting Ahmad Bradshaw, Chris Canty, and Michael Boley, the dead cap for the Giants was actually extremely minimal:
- Osi Umenyiora-$1,000,000
- Greg Jones-$100,132
- Matt McCants-$66,174
- Martin Parker-$5,000
Add in the 3 players who were cut recently:
- Ahmad Bradshaw-$2,500,000
- Chris Canty-$1,700,000
- Michael Boley-$1,400,000
So now, we can add up the Giants current cap figures with current contracts, add in the dead money, and subtract the $1,000,000 salary cap rollover and we can determine exactly how much money they have to play with:
Total Contracts: $113,574,892
+Total Dead Money: $6,771,306
$120,346,198
Total Cap Hit: $120,346,198
-Total Cap Rollover: $1,000,000
$119,346,198
Net Cap Hit: $119,346,198
-NFL Salary Cap: $121,500,000
$2,153,802
So there we go folks, the Giants currently have just $2,153,802 left in total cap space. Now lets go into why Bradshaw, Canty, and Boley had to go:
Let's start by posting each person's 2013 contract figures and then subtracting their dead money from what their cap hit in 2013 would have been to get a net cap hit figure:
Ahmad Bradshaw:
Base Salary: $3,750,000
Signing Bonus: $1,250,000
Workout Bonus: $250,000
Total Cap Hit: $5,250,000
Net Cap Hit: $2,750,000
Chris Canty:
Base Salary: $6,250,000
Signing Bonus: $1,700,000
Workout Bonus: $250,000
Total Cap Hit: $8,200,000
Net Cap Hit: $6,500,000
Michael Boley:
Base Salary: $4,250,000
Signing Bonus: $1,400,000
Total Cap Hit: $5,650,000
Net Cap Hit: $4,250,000
So in total by cutting those 3 guys, the Giants saved a total of $13,500,000. It's amazing how they're still just $2,153,802 under cap. They're going to be in BIG trouble if they don't make more room. Why? Here's a list of players the Giants are losing to free agency this year...
Brian Witherspoon
Osi Umenyiora
Lawrence Tynes
Justin Tryon
Justin Trattou
Adrian Tracy
Ryan Torain
Keith Rivers
Kenny Phillips
Kregg Lumpkin
Sean Locklear
Domenik Hixon
Victor Cruz
Jim Cordle
David Carr
Stevie Brown
Andre Brown
Kevin Boothe
Chase Blackburn
Rocky Bernard
Martellus Bennett
Travis Beckum
William Beatty
Ramses Barden
As good as the Giants have been at finding players, I'm not sure how the Giants will get themselves out of this mess. A lot of those players are reserve guys, but there are also big names like Osi, Cruz, Tynes, Blackburn, Bennett, Phillips, Brown, Bernard, and Beatty. David Wilson is the only RB left on the roster, they have no serviceable TE on the roster, and the WRs are going to be gutted. Just Ruben Randle and Hakeem "Always Hurt" Nicks left.
Unfortunately, I believe this is going to be a rough rebuilding year for the Giants. The typically level-headed Giants front staff seemingly went all-in trying to get a couple more championships. Unfortunately, it seems like this team is going to be in pretty rough shape.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Just How Bad Are the Jets' Cap Issues?
I've had fun bashing the Jets in the past, but as I mentioned in my last post, I actually feel bad for their fans. GM Mike Tannenbaum and the rest of the front office have crafted some of the worst contracts in the league. The Jets have just 40 players under contract and are $18 million OVER the cap. I talked about Mark Sanchez last time, but let's go into greater detail about what options the Jets have. Using data gathered from sportrac.com, I've determined that the jets have 4 options for Sanchez:
- Cut Sanchez. This isn't exactly desirable, though. Sanchez has a guaranteed base salary of $8.25 million in 2013. He's also owed $2.5 million for his signing bonus from his rookie contract as well as $6.4 million accelerated from his extension contract's signing bonus. $8.25+$2.5+$6.4=$17,150,000 cap hit in 2013
- Roster Sanchez. Sanchez is owed his $8.25 million base. He's also owed the $2.5 million bonus from his old contract and 1/4 of his signing bonus from his extension, or $1.6 million. He's also owed a $500,000 workout bonus. $8.25+$2.5+$1.6+$500k=$12,850,000 cap hit in 2013
- Declare Sanchez a June 1st cut. How this works is that Sanchez is treated like he's on the roster for 2013 which means that any bonuses he acquired at the time of the cut are counted against the 2013 cap and any bonuses that are in the future come in 2014. Essentially, the Jets would have to pay his $8.25 million base, $2.5 million bonus, and $1.6 million bonus from the proration. The Jets would be off the hook for the $500,000 workout bonus. $4.8 million (3/4 of the extension signing bonus) would be accelerated against the 2014 cap. $8.25+$2.5+$1.6=$12,350,000 cap hit in 2013, plus a $4,800,000 cap hit in 2013
- Trade Sanchez. When a player is given a signing bonus, that money is paid up front. That money is then prorated over the duration of the contract. The team is obligated to pay for that signing bonus regardless of what happens to the player. Sanchez is owed a total of $8.9 million in bonuses if he is traded. This would be the easiest option if it were just $8.9 million the Jets had to worry about. Sanchez, unfortunately, also has a base salary of $8.25 million in 2013 which IS guaranteed. While that money IS transferable, it will be hard to convince another team that a QB who has severely underperformed is worth $8.25 million. The Jets will likely eat some of that money IF, and that's a big if, another team is willing to trade for him. You're looking at anywhere from $4-5 million the Jets would need to eat to trade Sanchez. $8.9+$4-5=$12,900,000-$13,900,000 cap hit in 2013
Given those options, my personal feeling is that the Jets will in fact declare him a June 1st cut. They don't want him on the roster anymore and they NEED cap space. This move will put the Jets $500,000 closer to being under cap, but it leaves them now with 39 players under contract in 2013. Let's look at some more options for the Jets to cut. As I go on and list players, I will show their individual savings in green as well as the total cap room in red.
- Calvin Pace: $5,810,000 base salary, $3,013,333 signing bonus, $2,500,000 roster bons, $500,000 workout bonus. If the Jets cut him, $3,013,333-$5,810,000-$2,500,000-$500,000=$5,796,667 savings, -$12,203,333 cap room if cut.
- Santonio Holmes: $11,000,000 base salary, $1,250,000 signing bonus, $250,000 workout bonus. Contract through 2015. If the Jets cut Holmes, $3,750,000-$11,000,000-$250,000=$7,500,000 savings, -$10,500,000 cap room if cut, -$4,703,333 cap room if Holmes AND Pace are cut.
- Eric Smith: $2,400,000 base salary, $600,000 workout bonus. If the Jets Cut him, -$2,400,000-$600,000=$3,000,000 savings, -$15,000,000 cap room if cut, -$1,703,333 cap room if Holmes, Pace, AND Smith are cut.
- Bart Scott: $6,900,000 base salary, $1,500,000 signing bonus, $250,000 roster bonus. If the Jets cut him, $1,500,000-$250,000-$6,900,000=$5,650,000 savings, -$12,350,000 cap room if cut, +$3,946,667 if Holmes, Pace, Smith, and Scott are cut.
- David Harris: $10,900,000 base salary, $2,000,000 signing bonus, $100,000 roster bonus. Contract through 2014. If the Jets cut Harris, $4,000,000-$10,900,000-$100,000=$7,000,000 savings, -$11,000,000 cap room if cut, +$10,946,667 cap room if Holmes, Pace, Smith, Scott, and Harris are cut.
- Jason Smith: $750,000 base salary, $11,250,000 roster bonus. If the Jets cut Smith, -$750,000-$11,250,000=$12,000,000 savings, -$7,000,000 cap room if cut, +$22,946,667 cap room if Holmes, Pace, Smith, Scott, and Harris are cut.
Unfortunately, I was unable to get data on Tim Tebow's contract, but I would have thrown him in there. If you designate Sanchez a June 1st cut, you can add another $500,000 to that cap number and it would come in at $23,446,667 freed up. The Jets would be down to 33 players under contract, but that leaves $1.1 million PER PLAYER available to get up to 53 guys. As it stands without cutting anybody, the Jets would have -$1,384,615.4 per player to sign the remaining 13 needed to get to 53. The Jets are in for a rude awakening in 2013. They will indeed be a rebuilding team. Rex Ryan will likely be gone as well as Tannenbaum. Say goodbye to the NY Jets you know. Perhaps the Jets sign a FA QB like a Vince Young, trade for Jason Campbell, promote McElroy to QB, or draft a QB. Any way you slice it, though, it's extremely unlikely Sanchez will play football for the Jets again.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Is there really a de-emphasis on running backs?
We always hear about the RB position being forgotten about, but how true is that? I set out writing this article trying to prove that the running game in the NFL is lacking, but evidence shows me that it's not even close to being true. The running game is as strong as ever, the pass has just taken over. Individual TEAMS may abandon the run completely, but as a whole there is NO league trend showing that rushing trends are down. Want proof? Here are the total rushing yards for the NFL for each of the last seasons dating back to 1991:
2011-59,978
2010-58,607
2009-59,739
2008-59,370
2007-56,790
2006-60,061
2005-57,583
2004-59,709
2003-60,341
2002-59,459
2001-55,440
2000-55,829
1999-52,819
1998-54,093
1997-54,260
1996-52,306
1995-51,886
1994-46,710
1993-49,295
1992-49,509
1991-48,237
So wait, the last 4 years are almost 10,000 yards less than the 2011 total? Why is that? Because there were only 28 teams! Still, the totals from 2002 on crush the totals of any era before it, so we're actually in an era of MORE rushing yards instead of less rushing. The difference is HOW the rushing yards are attained. In 2011, we have more of a "running back by committee" rushing attack because of durability issues. QBs are also a HUGE part of rushing totals. QBs racked up 5,955 yards in 2011, that's 10% of the total rushing stats for the league. In 1991, that total was 3,030 or just 6.2%.
There are also less traditional backs now than there were in 1991. 10 backs in 2011 broke 1400 yards from scrimmage compared to just 3 in 1991. All 3 of those backs in 1991 were over 1400 yards rushing while just 1 of the 10 backs in 2011 were over 1400 yards rushing. This demonstrates that backs now are expected to both receive and rush with the football. Rushing has also become more effective. YPC for the league in 2011 was 4.3 compared to 3.9 in 1991. From 1991 to 1999, the YPC number never reached higher than 4.0. From 2000 to 2011, the YPC number never dipped below 4.0 and it only hit 4.0 once. The NFL has shifted gears and has actually become more efficient rushing.
It's easy to slip in to the mindset that the run is dying in the NFL, but that would be a false idea. In 2011, 4.3% of passes went for TDs, the average yards per attempt was 7.2, and the average yards per game was 229.7. In 1999, only 3.7% of passes went for TDs, yards per attempt was 6.9, and yards per game was 199.1. Passing has DEFINITELY increased, but it's an illusion that rushing has decreased as a result. It is true that the running game may look different, it's still a viable option and will be for years to come.
2011-59,978
2010-58,607
2009-59,739
2008-59,370
2007-56,790
2006-60,061
2005-57,583
2004-59,709
2003-60,341
2002-59,459
2001-55,440
2000-55,829
1999-52,819
1998-54,093
1997-54,260
1996-52,306
1995-51,886
1994-46,710
1993-49,295
1992-49,509
1991-48,237
So wait, the last 4 years are almost 10,000 yards less than the 2011 total? Why is that? Because there were only 28 teams! Still, the totals from 2002 on crush the totals of any era before it, so we're actually in an era of MORE rushing yards instead of less rushing. The difference is HOW the rushing yards are attained. In 2011, we have more of a "running back by committee" rushing attack because of durability issues. QBs are also a HUGE part of rushing totals. QBs racked up 5,955 yards in 2011, that's 10% of the total rushing stats for the league. In 1991, that total was 3,030 or just 6.2%.
There are also less traditional backs now than there were in 1991. 10 backs in 2011 broke 1400 yards from scrimmage compared to just 3 in 1991. All 3 of those backs in 1991 were over 1400 yards rushing while just 1 of the 10 backs in 2011 were over 1400 yards rushing. This demonstrates that backs now are expected to both receive and rush with the football. Rushing has also become more effective. YPC for the league in 2011 was 4.3 compared to 3.9 in 1991. From 1991 to 1999, the YPC number never reached higher than 4.0. From 2000 to 2011, the YPC number never dipped below 4.0 and it only hit 4.0 once. The NFL has shifted gears and has actually become more efficient rushing.
It's easy to slip in to the mindset that the run is dying in the NFL, but that would be a false idea. In 2011, 4.3% of passes went for TDs, the average yards per attempt was 7.2, and the average yards per game was 229.7. In 1999, only 3.7% of passes went for TDs, yards per attempt was 6.9, and yards per game was 199.1. Passing has DEFINITELY increased, but it's an illusion that rushing has decreased as a result. It is true that the running game may look different, it's still a viable option and will be for years to come.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Why the Jets Need To Get Rid of Sanchez...but Can't
Unfair or not, part of being a 1st round draft choice gives you the burden of producing immediate success. Typically, a QB taken high is going to a team that is in desperate need of a passer. In 2009, the Jets traded their 1st and 2nd round picks and 3 players to the Browns to move up to number five and snag Mark Sanchez, QB from USC. The Jets were actually a pretty good team with a void at QB. With Brett Favre at QB in 2008, the Jets finished with a 9-7 record and narrowly missed the playoffs. After Favre retired from football (for the 2nd time) the Jets were faced with a hole at QB. With an inexperienced Kellen Clemens as the only QB on the roster, they either had to make a play for a QB or settle on Clemens.
On draft day 2009, Mark Sanchez was riding the hype train all the way to the top of the draft boards. He was ranked as the number two QB that day behind Georgia's Matthew Stafford. However, Mark Sanchez was a huge risk considering he had just 16 college starts. The Jets figured the inexperience was irrelevant and traded up to take him at #5 overall. With $28 million guaranteed in his rookie contract, Sanchez was expected to perform immediately.
His results? Disappointing. It's very true that despite backing into the playoffs his 1st two years, the Jets made it to the AFC title game, but looking at HOW the Jets did it, Sanchez doesn't deserve much credit at all. In 2009, the Jets were the 31st best passing offense. In 2010 they were the 22nd best. The reason the Jets won was clearly because of their #1 rushing and defensive units in 2008 and their #6 and #4 defensive and rushing units in 2010. In those two years Sanchez threw 33 interceptions and fumbled 19 times while scoring just 35 times.
It's easy to get caught up in the hype, however. The Jets were 20-12 over those two years and Sanchez scored 5 4th quarter comeback wins in those 20 wins so the Jets were playing exciting football. Success is the best deodorant. You win a ton of games and make them exciting and people tend to forget about the fact that you threw 4 INTs in a game last week. But the fact of the matter is that the Jets' QB situation is horrendous.
Here are some quick facts about Sanchez:
The biggest issue with Sanchez is that he's not getting better. Fans are comparing Sanchez to Eli's first 4 years and I think that's downright insane. After Eli's first season, he never dipped below 4% in TD %, a mark that Sanchez has only hit once in 4 seasons. They are both sloppy with the ball, but Eli took some HUGE steps forward and he also consistently puts up points. Sanchez has always look just downright bad with some flashes of good thrown in.
The Jets need a change at QB. I don't think it should be Tebow or McElroy. The Jets need new blood on their roster. As Mike Florio from profootballtalk.com pointed out, the Jets had to deactivate McElroy to give Sanchez some confidence. Sanchez is shaken and he's likely not going to recover.
What I find most offensive about the Jets, however, is Mike Tannenbaum. I don't think most fans know just how badly the Jets will suffer because of the horrendous deals he's cut. Currently, the Jets are going to be $20 million OVER the cap in 2013. The Jets front-loaded Sanchez's contract, so 2013 is a very cap heavy year for his contract. The Jets basically gave him a 2 year window to prove himself when he signed his extension in 2012. Unfortunately, after 1 season, he needs to go. If the Jets were to cut Sanchez, his guaranteed bonuses would accelerate to $17.1 million against the 2013 cap. Since his current 2013 cap hit would be $12,853,125, it would add another $4.25 million to the $20 million the Jets are currently over for next year. The Jets could cut Sanchez after June 1st as a "June 1st cut." This would actually save the Jets $500,000 in 2013, but it also pushes $4.8 million to 2014.
Essentially, the issue is that Sanchez can't be cut and no team would trade for him. Tannenbaum basically negotiated a contract that forces the Jets to at least roster Sanchez for one more year. The Jets are going to have to make some serious cuts this year. Guys like Santonio Holmes is definitely gone and David Harris may join him too. The Jets may even do something drastic like trade D'Brickishaw Ferguson. One thing is for certain, the Jets scouting staff and management may be the worst in the league. The contracts they gave are just downright terrible. I actually feel sympathy for Jets fans.
On draft day 2009, Mark Sanchez was riding the hype train all the way to the top of the draft boards. He was ranked as the number two QB that day behind Georgia's Matthew Stafford. However, Mark Sanchez was a huge risk considering he had just 16 college starts. The Jets figured the inexperience was irrelevant and traded up to take him at #5 overall. With $28 million guaranteed in his rookie contract, Sanchez was expected to perform immediately.
His results? Disappointing. It's very true that despite backing into the playoffs his 1st two years, the Jets made it to the AFC title game, but looking at HOW the Jets did it, Sanchez doesn't deserve much credit at all. In 2009, the Jets were the 31st best passing offense. In 2010 they were the 22nd best. The reason the Jets won was clearly because of their #1 rushing and defensive units in 2008 and their #6 and #4 defensive and rushing units in 2010. In those two years Sanchez threw 33 interceptions and fumbled 19 times while scoring just 35 times.
It's easy to get caught up in the hype, however. The Jets were 20-12 over those two years and Sanchez scored 5 4th quarter comeback wins in those 20 wins so the Jets were playing exciting football. Success is the best deodorant. You win a ton of games and make them exciting and people tend to forget about the fact that you threw 4 INTs in a game last week. But the fact of the matter is that the Jets' QB situation is horrendous.
Here are some quick facts about Sanchez:
- 16 of 59 starts had 2+ interceptions or about 27% of his games.
- He has been held without a TD pass in 17 of 59 starts or 29% of his games.
- 39 of 59 starts he has been held under 60% completions.
- 34 of 59 starts he has been held under 7.00 YPA.
- 15 of 59 starts he has been held under 150 yards passing.
- Just 12 of 59 starts have resulted in a 100+QB Rating.
The biggest issue with Sanchez is that he's not getting better. Fans are comparing Sanchez to Eli's first 4 years and I think that's downright insane. After Eli's first season, he never dipped below 4% in TD %, a mark that Sanchez has only hit once in 4 seasons. They are both sloppy with the ball, but Eli took some HUGE steps forward and he also consistently puts up points. Sanchez has always look just downright bad with some flashes of good thrown in.
The Jets need a change at QB. I don't think it should be Tebow or McElroy. The Jets need new blood on their roster. As Mike Florio from profootballtalk.com pointed out, the Jets had to deactivate McElroy to give Sanchez some confidence. Sanchez is shaken and he's likely not going to recover.
What I find most offensive about the Jets, however, is Mike Tannenbaum. I don't think most fans know just how badly the Jets will suffer because of the horrendous deals he's cut. Currently, the Jets are going to be $20 million OVER the cap in 2013. The Jets front-loaded Sanchez's contract, so 2013 is a very cap heavy year for his contract. The Jets basically gave him a 2 year window to prove himself when he signed his extension in 2012. Unfortunately, after 1 season, he needs to go. If the Jets were to cut Sanchez, his guaranteed bonuses would accelerate to $17.1 million against the 2013 cap. Since his current 2013 cap hit would be $12,853,125, it would add another $4.25 million to the $20 million the Jets are currently over for next year. The Jets could cut Sanchez after June 1st as a "June 1st cut." This would actually save the Jets $500,000 in 2013, but it also pushes $4.8 million to 2014.
Essentially, the issue is that Sanchez can't be cut and no team would trade for him. Tannenbaum basically negotiated a contract that forces the Jets to at least roster Sanchez for one more year. The Jets are going to have to make some serious cuts this year. Guys like Santonio Holmes is definitely gone and David Harris may join him too. The Jets may even do something drastic like trade D'Brickishaw Ferguson. One thing is for certain, the Jets scouting staff and management may be the worst in the league. The contracts they gave are just downright terrible. I actually feel sympathy for Jets fans.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
The Packer's Kryptonite: The Wide 9
As a Packer fan, I'm having serious doubts about the remainder of the season. Injuries are mounting, but unlike the 2010 season where guys were able to step up, the 2012 crop is decimated. One of the biggest injuries occurred back in 2011. 1st round pick Derrick Sherrod was finally starting to come into his own as the team's starting LT. Marshall Newhouse was busy getting beat every play and the Packers desperately needed help. Sherrod at 6'5" 321 pounds didn't lack the necessary skillset to play in the NFL, but he was having trouble with scheme. He was starting to get the hang of things when a catastrophic leg injury ended his season last year as well as the entire 2012 season.
Why this particular injury hurts us so badly is because teams have employed the "wide-9" look against us. In football, a defensive lineman's alignment on the offensive lineman is referred to as a "technique." You may hear a defensive linemen during the draft referred to as a, "4-3 3-technique defensive tackle." That is a guy who is lined up on the outside shoulder of the guard. Here's a full list of alignments:
0 tech--head up on the center
1 tech--inside shoulder of guard
2 tech--head up on the guard
3 tech--outside shoulder of guard
4 tech--inside shoulder of tackle
5 tech--head up on the tackle
6 tech--outside shoulder of tackle
7 tech--inside shoulder of tight end
8 tech--head up on tight end
9 tech--outside shoulder of tight end
Wide 9 tech--far outside shoulder of tight end
Bear with me, this is all coming together. The wide-9 is when a defensive player is lined up on the line of scrimmage completely away from the body of the TE or Tackle. Here's an example of the Giants lined up in that formation vs Green Bay in the regular season meeting last year:
Notice how Jason Pierre Paul is lined up outside of Marshall Newhouse in the left of the picture and Mathias Kiwanuka is lined up outside of Bryan Bulaga on the right? That's the wide-9. Marshall Newhouse just cannot compete with this kind of pass rush from elite pass rushers. In the next 5 games, he will have to face:
Jared Allen twice.
Kyle Vanden Bosch.
Kamerion Wimbley.
Julius Peppers.
I can guarantee that ALL of those guys will be lined up in the wide 9 technique frequently. The point of the wide-9 tech is to get your speed rushers upfield in obvious passing situations. It leaves you liable for some inside rushing between the A gaps thus it's not a viable alignment for all situations, but it's key when you get a one dimensional team like Green Bay. The defensive ends shoot for an area about 8 yards deep in the backfield, that's where the QB typically ends his dropback. A good example was from last Sunday's game between the Packers and the Giants. The Packers have the ball at their own 39 so Osi Umenyiora, lined up in the wide 9 tech, is shooting for about the 31 yard line. He gets a great step off the ball as Newhouse is basically flatfooted and barely gets touched. Where does the hit occur? At the 31 yard line as Rodgers is finishing up his dropback.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000100865/Umenyiora-sack-fumble
This is where Sherrod comes in. The best way to combat the wide-9 is to have an offensive tackle with long arms (35 3/8" for Sherrod) and a quick first step. Sherrod possesses both of those. The way it works in theory is to isolate the defender to the outside. If your lineman is quick enough and can create separation, the defender will rush himself out of the play allowing your QB to step up into a clean pocket and complete the pass.
In a way, the OL was doomed before the season even began. Without Sherrod, the Packers will continue to struggle because Newhouse struggles to get a quick first step and cannot consistently keep rushers outside. Pair this along with the loss of Bryan Bulaga and you have Newhouse at LT and Evan Deitrich-Smith at LG and the left side of the line is a complete and utter liability. With the loss of Cedric Benson, the Packers go into most games with no legitimate rushing threat thus teams can rush 4 men and drop 7 using 2 deep stafeties to take away the big play and the result is a QB who doesn't have more than 2-3 seconds to make a decision in the pocket. And you have the most sacked QB in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers.
I fear that this is too steep of an obstacle to overcome. Most good NFL teams have an elite pass rusher and this problem will be amplified come January if the Packers make the playoffs. I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. I just hope Rodgers doesn't get hurt before the end of the year.
Why this particular injury hurts us so badly is because teams have employed the "wide-9" look against us. In football, a defensive lineman's alignment on the offensive lineman is referred to as a "technique." You may hear a defensive linemen during the draft referred to as a, "4-3 3-technique defensive tackle." That is a guy who is lined up on the outside shoulder of the guard. Here's a full list of alignments:
0 tech--head up on the center
1 tech--inside shoulder of guard
2 tech--head up on the guard
3 tech--outside shoulder of guard
4 tech--inside shoulder of tackle
5 tech--head up on the tackle
6 tech--outside shoulder of tackle
7 tech--inside shoulder of tight end
8 tech--head up on tight end
9 tech--outside shoulder of tight end
Wide 9 tech--far outside shoulder of tight end
Bear with me, this is all coming together. The wide-9 is when a defensive player is lined up on the line of scrimmage completely away from the body of the TE or Tackle. Here's an example of the Giants lined up in that formation vs Green Bay in the regular season meeting last year:
Jared Allen twice.
Kyle Vanden Bosch.
Kamerion Wimbley.
Julius Peppers.
I can guarantee that ALL of those guys will be lined up in the wide 9 technique frequently. The point of the wide-9 tech is to get your speed rushers upfield in obvious passing situations. It leaves you liable for some inside rushing between the A gaps thus it's not a viable alignment for all situations, but it's key when you get a one dimensional team like Green Bay. The defensive ends shoot for an area about 8 yards deep in the backfield, that's where the QB typically ends his dropback. A good example was from last Sunday's game between the Packers and the Giants. The Packers have the ball at their own 39 so Osi Umenyiora, lined up in the wide 9 tech, is shooting for about the 31 yard line. He gets a great step off the ball as Newhouse is basically flatfooted and barely gets touched. Where does the hit occur? At the 31 yard line as Rodgers is finishing up his dropback.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000100865/Umenyiora-sack-fumble
This is where Sherrod comes in. The best way to combat the wide-9 is to have an offensive tackle with long arms (35 3/8" for Sherrod) and a quick first step. Sherrod possesses both of those. The way it works in theory is to isolate the defender to the outside. If your lineman is quick enough and can create separation, the defender will rush himself out of the play allowing your QB to step up into a clean pocket and complete the pass.
In a way, the OL was doomed before the season even began. Without Sherrod, the Packers will continue to struggle because Newhouse struggles to get a quick first step and cannot consistently keep rushers outside. Pair this along with the loss of Bryan Bulaga and you have Newhouse at LT and Evan Deitrich-Smith at LG and the left side of the line is a complete and utter liability. With the loss of Cedric Benson, the Packers go into most games with no legitimate rushing threat thus teams can rush 4 men and drop 7 using 2 deep stafeties to take away the big play and the result is a QB who doesn't have more than 2-3 seconds to make a decision in the pocket. And you have the most sacked QB in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers.
I fear that this is too steep of an obstacle to overcome. Most good NFL teams have an elite pass rusher and this problem will be amplified come January if the Packers make the playoffs. I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. I just hope Rodgers doesn't get hurt before the end of the year.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Grading the Packers Players Individually
Here's a little fun opinion piece I have for the Packers current roster. Enjoy!
Quarterbacks:
Aaron Rodgers
Stats-
Passing: 238/354 67.2% 2,619 yards 27 TD 6 INT 7.4 YPA 107.3 QB rating
Rushing: 36 Att 156 Yards 0 TD 4.6 Y/A
Grade: A-
Rodgers started out extremely slowly but has quickly returned to 2011/2012 MVP form. He's had a couple uncharacteristically bad throws, but he's on pace to have his 3rd sub 10 INT season in 5 years.
Graham Harrell
Stats-
Passing: 0/0 0% 0 yards
Rushing: 1 attempt 0 yards
Grade: F
He would get an incomplete, but he had trouble handling a snap that almost killed the Packers. Lost the ball inside the opponent's 5.
Running Backs:
Cedric Benson
Stats-
Rushing: 71 Att. 248 yards 1 TD 3.5 Y/A
Receiving: 14 Rec 97 yards 0 TD 6.9 Y/R
Grade: B-
Ced's stats don't look amazing, but compare them with the stats of the past couple years of Green Bay rushing and he actually gave life to a dormant aspect of offense.
Alex Green
Stats-
Rushing: 87 Att 272 yards 0 TD 3.1 Y/A
Receiving: 11 Rec 90 yards 0 TD 8.2 Y/R
Grade: C
His stats are similar to Benson's, but Green struggled in pass protection and gaining short yardage. He seemed hesitant at too many points. Most of his yardage came on a 41 yard carry. He averages just 2.7 yards a carry without that run.
James Starks
Stats-
Rushing: 48 Att 154 Yards 0 TD 3.2 Y/A
Receiving: 2 Rec 15 yards 0 TD 7.5 Y/R
Grade: C-
He just escapes a D because of his performance yesterday. He ran hard, but much of the season before that he was a healthy scratch. That's a big fall considering that the 2 backs ahead of him are a 2nd year 3rd round pick coming off of a knee injury and the ancient Ced Benson.
John Kuhn
Stats-
Rushing: 12 Att 38 yards 1 TD 3.2 Y/A
Receiving: 8 Rec 70 yards 0 TD 8.8 Y/R
Grade: B+
Kuhn continues to just be extremely versatile. On offense, he is an excellent blocking fullback and he has good hands as a receiver. He doesn't get the A because he's still not a great short yardage back, but he's getting there.
Johnny White
Stats-
Rushing: 0 Att 0 yards 0 TD 0 Y/A
Grade: INC
Hasn't seen action yet.
Brandon Saine
Stats-
Rushing: 0 Att 0 yards 0 TD 0 Y/A
Grade: INC
He had a productive period in 2011 where he gained 138 yards on 28 touches, but an injury has shelved Saine for the year in 2012.
Tight Ends
Jermichael Finley
Stats-
Receiving: 32 Rec 337 yards 2 TDs 10.5 Y/R
Grade: C-
His lack of production is inexcusable. I'd say more, but I'd get too angry.
Tom Crabtree
Stats-
Receiving: 6 Rec 183 yards 3 TDs 30.5 Y/R
Grade: A
Crabtree was a surprise this season. He was brought in specifically to be a blocking TE, but he's blossomed into a legitimate receiving threat. He's not going to line up every down as a pass catching TE, but he's officially a threat. That gives us some flexibility when we come out in 3 TE/2 RB formations. He's an asset.
DJ Williams
Stats-
Receiving: 4 Rec 37 yards 0 TD 9.3 Y/R
Grade: INC
He hasn't played enough to warrant a grade here. He's pushing for playing time and has the ability, he just needs to put it together.
Andrew Quarless
Stats-
Receiving: 0 Rec 0 yards 0 TD 0 Y/R
Grade: INC
Started the year on PUP list, just starting to practice.
Ryan Taylor
Stats-
Receiving: 0 Rec 0 yards 0 TD 0 Y/R
Grade: B
No stats and a B grade? Yup. Taylor is a special teams beast. He's a big reason why the Packers have a huge return game with Randall Cobb.
Wide Receivers
Randall Cobb
Stats-
Receiving: 54 Rec 574 yards 7 TDs 10.6 Y/R
Rushing: 8 Att 115 yards 0 TD 14.4 Y/A
Punt Returns: 19 Ret 211 yards 1 TD 11.5 Y/R
Kick Returns: 24 Ret 627 yards 0 TD 26.1 Y/R
Grade: A+
Cobb is one of the best players on the Packers and an example of how smart Ted Thompson can be. He's racked up 1,527 all-purpose yards on just 105 touches. This comes out to a whopping 14.5 yards per touch for Cobb. He's scored 8 total TDs and is a huge part for the offensive success the Packers have seen.
Jordy Nelson
Stats-
Receiving: 43 Rec 577 yards 5 TDs 13.4 Y/R
Grade: A
Nelson started out slowly, but he's back to his old ways. His big game came in week 6 when he racked up 122 yards and 3 TDs on 9 receptions. He's been held back with an injury, but he continues to be a big play threat.
James Jones
Stats-
Receiving: 42 Rec 495 yards 8 TDs 11.8 Y/R
Grade: A
Jones hasn't dropped a ball all season. Jones, whose name was synonymous with dropped-passes in Green Bay, has really stepped it up this season and is showing why he's back on track to return to the team in 2013.
Greg Jennings
Stats-
Receiving: 12 Rec 78 yards 1 TD 6.5 Y/R
Grade: INC
Jennings has been his old self this year when healthy...which has been just about never this season. He had surgery and will hopefully be back soon.
Donald Driver
Stats-
Receiving: 8 Rec 77 yards 2 TDs 9.6 Y/R
Grade: C
Driver is getting up there in years, but that hasn't stopped him from making some key grabs. He's been solid for the most part, but he's dropped a couple big catches.
Jarrett Boykin
Stats-
Receiving: 3 Rec 16 yards 0 TD 5.3 Y/R
Grade: INC
Gotten in for a few plays and made a couple key snags. Still young and raw.
Offensive Line
TJ Lang-B
Bryan Bulaga-A
Derrick Sherrod-INC
Josh Sitton-A
Evan Deitrich-Smith-C
Marshall Newhouse-C
Don Barclay-INC
Greg Van Roten-INC
Jeff Saturday-B
(Obviously it'd be boring to talk about who is the best run blocker vs pass blocker. The scores speak for themselves.)
Defensive Line
Jerel Worthy
Stats-
2.0 Sacks 8 Tackles 1 Assist
Grade: C
As a rookie 2nd round pick, I expected a little more production, but I can't hate the guy too much. He has gotten pressure and will only get better.
BJ Raji
Stats-
0.0 Sacks 1 PD 3 Tackles 7 Assists
Grade: D-
Gotta be hard on Raji. Since the Super Bowl run, he's racked up 17 tackles 3 sacks, 3 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery. Embarrassing.
Ryan Pickett
Stats-
0.0 Sacks 14 Tackles 17 Assists
Grade: B
Pickett has done an awesome job once again of being the thankless clog up the middle. As Raji struggles to maintain any shred of his old self, Pickett has been old reliable. Never amazing but never a liability.
Mike Daniels
Stats-
2.0 Sacks 1 Fumble Recovery 5 Tackles
Grade: C+
As a rookie, Daniels has contributed minimally. He's gotten some pressure in limited action, but has been out of place several times.
CJ Wilson
Stats-
2.5 Sacks 1 Pass Defended 12 Tackles 7 Assists
Grade: C+
He's been unspectacular, but solid. He gets blocked out of plays a lot, but has taken advantage of Clay Matthews taking attention away from him. I think the Packers will be happy when they can replace him, but he's an experienced vet.
Mike Neal
Stats-2.0 Sacks 5 Tackles 1 Assist
Grade: D+
This will only go up if he continues his play. He's coming off a suspension and a couple of seasons where he was injured for the year. The jury is out, but there's no doubt he's talented.
Linebackers
AJ Hawk
Stats-
1.0 sacks 47 Tackles 29 Assists
Grade: B-
AJ Hawk is never going to wow anybody, but man is he just solid. The guy is probably the most fundamentally sound player on defense. No surprises with him, just hard nosed football. In week 11 vs the Lions, he made some huge tackles and was in on a bunch of plays. I'll take that kind of output every week.
DJ Smith
Stats-
2.0 Sacks 4 passes defended 29 tackles 10 assists
Grade: B
DJ Smith has been one of my favorite Ted Thompson draft picks. Dude has racked up 53 tackles in just 9 starts and has been a stud. Unfortunately, Smith is on injured reserve so we'll have to wait for 2013 to see him suit up again.
Clay Matthews
Stats-
9.0 Sacks 1 PD 1 FF 21 Tackles 10 Assists
Grade: A
Clay has been hurt by another hamstring injury that's killed 1.5 games for him so far, but still he's back to his old self. He's a sack machine again and that's huge.
Erik Walden
Stats-
3.0 Sacks 1 INT 3 PD 20 Tackles 12 Assists
Grade: B
Walden has been a stud in limited action. The Packers have a ton of LBs, but due to injuries to DJ Smith, Desmond Bishop, and Nick Perry, many guys have gotten in. Walden's play will be key for the Packer's success.
Brad Jones
Stats-
1.0 Sacks 1 FF 20 Tackles 7 Assists
Grade: C+
Jones has been limited for most of the year buried on the depth chart and moved to a new position. Still, after 2 guys at his position were injured for the year, he hasn't been consistently good in replacement duty.
Desmond Bishop
Stats-
None
Grade: Incomplete
Bishop's injury in preseason has disrupted the defense completely. He's probably the most consistent player on the defense and his absence is easily noticed.
Nick Perry
Stats-
2.0 Sacks 1 PD 13 Tackles 5 Assists
Grade: C-
Perry had a few good flashes-aka the play where Andrew Luck basically died for a minute on the field-but other than that, he really struggled. One key area I noticed Perry struggling in is pass coverage. He was caught flatfooted a few times. He's going to have to dedicate A LOT of time if he wants to be a starter.
Dezman Moses
Stats-
2.0 Sacks 1 PD 1 FF 3 Tackles 3 Assists 1 TD
Grade: B
His high grade for relatively low stats is based off of his high propensity for big plays in limited action. He's been a pretty good special teams player, shown when he hustled to recover a blocked punt for a TD. He had an excellent strip/sack of Matthew Stafford yesterday that prevented the Lions from taking a lead late in the 2nd quarter.
Frank Zombo
Stats-
1 Assist
Grade: INC
Zombo has been a solid player over the years. An injury has kept him out until this past week, but expect him to turn it up as the season goes on.
Robert Francois
Stats-
NONE
Grade: D
He's a good special teamer, hence why he's on the roster still, but he hasn't done very well as a ILB. He's had plenty of chances to move up, but an OLB moved to ILB is taking his spot.
Jamari Lattimore
Stats-
NONE
Grade: INC
Can't break into the lineup aside from special teams play. Has been average there.
Vic So'oto
Stats-
NONE
Grade: INC
He's a pass rush specialist who struggles in all other areas of the game. The Pack hopes to develop him into a starter one day.
Defensive Backs
Morgan Burnett
Stats-
2.0 Sacks 2 PD 1 FF 1 FR 52 Tackles 24 Assists
Grade: C
Burnett has played okay as a FS, but is not the ballhawk he was drafted to be and has been. He racked up 3 INT last year, this year he has had 0. He has been constantly out of position, has poor tackling form, and has let a couple INTs slip through his hands. I admire his hustle, but that's about it.
Tramon Williams
Stats-
2 INTs 10 PD 37 Tackles 8 Assists
Grade: B+
Tramon is improving over his play last year. The shoulder injury seems to be healed and he's back to playing shut down corner. He dominated Brandon Marshall in week 2 and though Calvin Johnson had some big grabs vs him, the Packers definitely played a ton of zone with a safety over the top against Johnson. This changed Williams' style of play. The Pack was trying to avoid the big play. It didn't work largely in part to a couple of poor defensive plays by Burnett and some luck. Williams dominates in press-man coverage.
Charles Woodson
Stats-
1.5 Sacks 1 INT 5 PD 1 FF 25 Tackles 13 Assists
Grade: B
Woodson is aging quickly, yet he amassed those stats in just 7 games at a new position, Strong Safety. He continues to make plays with his instincts/smarts rather than football ability. He's solid for another couple years.
Casey Hayward
Stats-
5 INTs 14 PD 1 FF 24 Tackles 10 Assists
Grade: A+
The rookie out of Vanderbilt has been playing OUTSTANDING football. Sure, he's hit some rookie bumps, but he's made some incredible plays and has good positional awareness. He's in the running for DROY.
MD Jennings
Stats-
1 INT 2 PD 14 Tackles 10 Assists 1 TD
Grade: B
Jennings is still young, but he's made a few key plays. He picked off Matthew Stafford and returned the ball 72 yards for a TD showing return skills as well as awareness when he made the play. He's got a lot of room to improve, but he's started out well.
Sam Shields
Stats-
1 INT 3 PD 1 FR 15 Tackles 2 Assists
Grade: C-
Shields has played poorly since 2010. He can't keep depending on his speed and has to become more fundamentally sound if he enjoys employment.
Davon House
Stats-
1.0 Sacks 3 PD 10 Tackles 5 Assists
Grade: C+
He's been injured but he's shown flashes of good play. I'm a fan.
Jerron McMillian
Stats-
1 INT 5 PD 1 FR 9 Tackles 9 Assists
Grade: C-
He's a rookie, but with some opportunities handed to him early, he hasn't made the best of them all. Still, he's a promising young player who will hopefully develop into a starter one day.
Jarrett Bush
Stats-
1 FR 4 Tackles
Grade: B
This grade is completely based on special teams play. He has been absolutely dominant on special teams.
Sean Richardson
Stats-
1 Assist
Grade: INC
Burried behind 4 other guys.
Special Teams
Tim Masthay
Stats-
48 Punts 2135 yards 1 Blocked 44.5 Y/P
Grade: A
What a wonderful feeling to have an excellent punter. He's made some incredible kicks.
Mason Crosby
Stats-
FGM 11 FGA 18 61.1% 30/30 PAT
Grade: F
What happened, Mason?
Brett Goode
Stats-
NONE
Grade: A
Solid long snapper. No issues and makes some good special teams plays.
My notes-
-Ted Thompson is an AMAZING GM. For a team that went 15-1 last year, you'd think there wouldn't be much need for rookies to play, but that's not the case. Rookies have accounted for: 6 (50%) of all INTs, 2 (66.6666%) of all defensive/ST touchdowns, 8 (24.2%) of all sacks, 2 (33.3333%) of all forced fumbles, and 62 (16%) of all tackles.
-It's sad to see Woodson and Driver drop off. Driver was a rookie in 1999 and got a starting gig in 2002 where he proceeded to snag 7 1,000 yard seasons. He's had basically nothing this year. Woodson has had at least 1 TD every season with the Packers. He's in danger of breaking that streak. He's still being actively used as a pass rusher, though. 1.5 is the lowest number since he recorded 0 in 2007, but it's still a lot for a 36 year old DB. He's racked up 11.5 in 100 games with the Packers along with 38 INTs, 15 Forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, and 10 total TDs
-Aaron Rodgers' last 100 yard runner? October 10th, 2010. Brandon Jackson ran for 115 yards on 10 carries thanks in large part to a 71 yard scamper vs the Washington Redskins. Rodgers has had just 9 (including playoffs) games with a 100 yard rusher.
-Keeping on topic with Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Rodgers is 99th in passing yards, 92nd in pass completions, 113th in pass attempts, tied for 70th in passing TDs, 1st in career passer rating by almost 8 full points, tied for 234th in passes intercepted, 89th in times sacked, 4th in YPA, 1st in % of passes intercepted, 7th in percentage of passes gone for TDs. Those are all-time numbers.
-Active numbers-19th in passing yards, 18th in passes completed, 19th in passes attempted, 15th in passing TDs (the youngest guy ahead of him is Ben Roethlisberger who has 50 more starts but only 23 more passing TDs), 1st in passer rating, tied for 35th in number of passes intercepted, 16th in times sacked, 1st in YPA, 1st in INT%, 1st in TD%.
-Jordy Nelson's 15 TD season in 2011 ranked as the 3rd best effort by a Packer WR. Sterling Sharpe and Don Hutson are the only 2 with better numbers.
-
Quarterbacks:
Aaron Rodgers
Stats-
Passing: 238/354 67.2% 2,619 yards 27 TD 6 INT 7.4 YPA 107.3 QB rating
Rushing: 36 Att 156 Yards 0 TD 4.6 Y/A
Grade: A-
Rodgers started out extremely slowly but has quickly returned to 2011/2012 MVP form. He's had a couple uncharacteristically bad throws, but he's on pace to have his 3rd sub 10 INT season in 5 years.
Graham Harrell
Stats-
Passing: 0/0 0% 0 yards
Rushing: 1 attempt 0 yards
Grade: F
He would get an incomplete, but he had trouble handling a snap that almost killed the Packers. Lost the ball inside the opponent's 5.
Running Backs:
Cedric Benson
Stats-
Rushing: 71 Att. 248 yards 1 TD 3.5 Y/A
Receiving: 14 Rec 97 yards 0 TD 6.9 Y/R
Grade: B-
Ced's stats don't look amazing, but compare them with the stats of the past couple years of Green Bay rushing and he actually gave life to a dormant aspect of offense.
Alex Green
Stats-
Rushing: 87 Att 272 yards 0 TD 3.1 Y/A
Receiving: 11 Rec 90 yards 0 TD 8.2 Y/R
Grade: C
His stats are similar to Benson's, but Green struggled in pass protection and gaining short yardage. He seemed hesitant at too many points. Most of his yardage came on a 41 yard carry. He averages just 2.7 yards a carry without that run.
James Starks
Stats-
Rushing: 48 Att 154 Yards 0 TD 3.2 Y/A
Receiving: 2 Rec 15 yards 0 TD 7.5 Y/R
Grade: C-
He just escapes a D because of his performance yesterday. He ran hard, but much of the season before that he was a healthy scratch. That's a big fall considering that the 2 backs ahead of him are a 2nd year 3rd round pick coming off of a knee injury and the ancient Ced Benson.
John Kuhn
Stats-
Rushing: 12 Att 38 yards 1 TD 3.2 Y/A
Receiving: 8 Rec 70 yards 0 TD 8.8 Y/R
Grade: B+
Kuhn continues to just be extremely versatile. On offense, he is an excellent blocking fullback and he has good hands as a receiver. He doesn't get the A because he's still not a great short yardage back, but he's getting there.
Johnny White
Stats-
Rushing: 0 Att 0 yards 0 TD 0 Y/A
Grade: INC
Hasn't seen action yet.
Brandon Saine
Stats-
Rushing: 0 Att 0 yards 0 TD 0 Y/A
Grade: INC
He had a productive period in 2011 where he gained 138 yards on 28 touches, but an injury has shelved Saine for the year in 2012.
Tight Ends
Jermichael Finley
Stats-
Receiving: 32 Rec 337 yards 2 TDs 10.5 Y/R
Grade: C-
His lack of production is inexcusable. I'd say more, but I'd get too angry.
Tom Crabtree
Stats-
Receiving: 6 Rec 183 yards 3 TDs 30.5 Y/R
Grade: A
Crabtree was a surprise this season. He was brought in specifically to be a blocking TE, but he's blossomed into a legitimate receiving threat. He's not going to line up every down as a pass catching TE, but he's officially a threat. That gives us some flexibility when we come out in 3 TE/2 RB formations. He's an asset.
DJ Williams
Stats-
Receiving: 4 Rec 37 yards 0 TD 9.3 Y/R
Grade: INC
He hasn't played enough to warrant a grade here. He's pushing for playing time and has the ability, he just needs to put it together.
Andrew Quarless
Stats-
Receiving: 0 Rec 0 yards 0 TD 0 Y/R
Grade: INC
Started the year on PUP list, just starting to practice.
Ryan Taylor
Stats-
Receiving: 0 Rec 0 yards 0 TD 0 Y/R
Grade: B
No stats and a B grade? Yup. Taylor is a special teams beast. He's a big reason why the Packers have a huge return game with Randall Cobb.
Wide Receivers
Randall Cobb
Stats-
Receiving: 54 Rec 574 yards 7 TDs 10.6 Y/R
Rushing: 8 Att 115 yards 0 TD 14.4 Y/A
Punt Returns: 19 Ret 211 yards 1 TD 11.5 Y/R
Kick Returns: 24 Ret 627 yards 0 TD 26.1 Y/R
Grade: A+
Cobb is one of the best players on the Packers and an example of how smart Ted Thompson can be. He's racked up 1,527 all-purpose yards on just 105 touches. This comes out to a whopping 14.5 yards per touch for Cobb. He's scored 8 total TDs and is a huge part for the offensive success the Packers have seen.
Jordy Nelson
Stats-
Receiving: 43 Rec 577 yards 5 TDs 13.4 Y/R
Grade: A
Nelson started out slowly, but he's back to his old ways. His big game came in week 6 when he racked up 122 yards and 3 TDs on 9 receptions. He's been held back with an injury, but he continues to be a big play threat.
James Jones
Stats-
Receiving: 42 Rec 495 yards 8 TDs 11.8 Y/R
Grade: A
Jones hasn't dropped a ball all season. Jones, whose name was synonymous with dropped-passes in Green Bay, has really stepped it up this season and is showing why he's back on track to return to the team in 2013.
Greg Jennings
Stats-
Receiving: 12 Rec 78 yards 1 TD 6.5 Y/R
Grade: INC
Jennings has been his old self this year when healthy...which has been just about never this season. He had surgery and will hopefully be back soon.
Donald Driver
Stats-
Receiving: 8 Rec 77 yards 2 TDs 9.6 Y/R
Grade: C
Driver is getting up there in years, but that hasn't stopped him from making some key grabs. He's been solid for the most part, but he's dropped a couple big catches.
Jarrett Boykin
Stats-
Receiving: 3 Rec 16 yards 0 TD 5.3 Y/R
Grade: INC
Gotten in for a few plays and made a couple key snags. Still young and raw.
Offensive Line
TJ Lang-B
Bryan Bulaga-A
Derrick Sherrod-INC
Josh Sitton-A
Evan Deitrich-Smith-C
Marshall Newhouse-C
Don Barclay-INC
Greg Van Roten-INC
Jeff Saturday-B
(Obviously it'd be boring to talk about who is the best run blocker vs pass blocker. The scores speak for themselves.)
Defensive Line
Jerel Worthy
Stats-
2.0 Sacks 8 Tackles 1 Assist
Grade: C
As a rookie 2nd round pick, I expected a little more production, but I can't hate the guy too much. He has gotten pressure and will only get better.
BJ Raji
Stats-
0.0 Sacks 1 PD 3 Tackles 7 Assists
Grade: D-
Gotta be hard on Raji. Since the Super Bowl run, he's racked up 17 tackles 3 sacks, 3 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery. Embarrassing.
Ryan Pickett
Stats-
0.0 Sacks 14 Tackles 17 Assists
Grade: B
Pickett has done an awesome job once again of being the thankless clog up the middle. As Raji struggles to maintain any shred of his old self, Pickett has been old reliable. Never amazing but never a liability.
Mike Daniels
Stats-
2.0 Sacks 1 Fumble Recovery 5 Tackles
Grade: C+
As a rookie, Daniels has contributed minimally. He's gotten some pressure in limited action, but has been out of place several times.
CJ Wilson
Stats-
2.5 Sacks 1 Pass Defended 12 Tackles 7 Assists
Grade: C+
He's been unspectacular, but solid. He gets blocked out of plays a lot, but has taken advantage of Clay Matthews taking attention away from him. I think the Packers will be happy when they can replace him, but he's an experienced vet.
Mike Neal
Stats-2.0 Sacks 5 Tackles 1 Assist
Grade: D+
This will only go up if he continues his play. He's coming off a suspension and a couple of seasons where he was injured for the year. The jury is out, but there's no doubt he's talented.
Linebackers
AJ Hawk
Stats-
1.0 sacks 47 Tackles 29 Assists
Grade: B-
AJ Hawk is never going to wow anybody, but man is he just solid. The guy is probably the most fundamentally sound player on defense. No surprises with him, just hard nosed football. In week 11 vs the Lions, he made some huge tackles and was in on a bunch of plays. I'll take that kind of output every week.
DJ Smith
Stats-
2.0 Sacks 4 passes defended 29 tackles 10 assists
Grade: B
DJ Smith has been one of my favorite Ted Thompson draft picks. Dude has racked up 53 tackles in just 9 starts and has been a stud. Unfortunately, Smith is on injured reserve so we'll have to wait for 2013 to see him suit up again.
Clay Matthews
Stats-
9.0 Sacks 1 PD 1 FF 21 Tackles 10 Assists
Grade: A
Clay has been hurt by another hamstring injury that's killed 1.5 games for him so far, but still he's back to his old self. He's a sack machine again and that's huge.
Erik Walden
Stats-
3.0 Sacks 1 INT 3 PD 20 Tackles 12 Assists
Grade: B
Walden has been a stud in limited action. The Packers have a ton of LBs, but due to injuries to DJ Smith, Desmond Bishop, and Nick Perry, many guys have gotten in. Walden's play will be key for the Packer's success.
Brad Jones
Stats-
1.0 Sacks 1 FF 20 Tackles 7 Assists
Grade: C+
Jones has been limited for most of the year buried on the depth chart and moved to a new position. Still, after 2 guys at his position were injured for the year, he hasn't been consistently good in replacement duty.
Desmond Bishop
Stats-
None
Grade: Incomplete
Bishop's injury in preseason has disrupted the defense completely. He's probably the most consistent player on the defense and his absence is easily noticed.
Nick Perry
Stats-
2.0 Sacks 1 PD 13 Tackles 5 Assists
Grade: C-
Perry had a few good flashes-aka the play where Andrew Luck basically died for a minute on the field-but other than that, he really struggled. One key area I noticed Perry struggling in is pass coverage. He was caught flatfooted a few times. He's going to have to dedicate A LOT of time if he wants to be a starter.
Dezman Moses
Stats-
2.0 Sacks 1 PD 1 FF 3 Tackles 3 Assists 1 TD
Grade: B
His high grade for relatively low stats is based off of his high propensity for big plays in limited action. He's been a pretty good special teams player, shown when he hustled to recover a blocked punt for a TD. He had an excellent strip/sack of Matthew Stafford yesterday that prevented the Lions from taking a lead late in the 2nd quarter.
Frank Zombo
Stats-
1 Assist
Grade: INC
Zombo has been a solid player over the years. An injury has kept him out until this past week, but expect him to turn it up as the season goes on.
Robert Francois
Stats-
NONE
Grade: D
He's a good special teamer, hence why he's on the roster still, but he hasn't done very well as a ILB. He's had plenty of chances to move up, but an OLB moved to ILB is taking his spot.
Jamari Lattimore
Stats-
NONE
Grade: INC
Can't break into the lineup aside from special teams play. Has been average there.
Vic So'oto
Stats-
NONE
Grade: INC
He's a pass rush specialist who struggles in all other areas of the game. The Pack hopes to develop him into a starter one day.
Defensive Backs
Morgan Burnett
Stats-
2.0 Sacks 2 PD 1 FF 1 FR 52 Tackles 24 Assists
Grade: C
Burnett has played okay as a FS, but is not the ballhawk he was drafted to be and has been. He racked up 3 INT last year, this year he has had 0. He has been constantly out of position, has poor tackling form, and has let a couple INTs slip through his hands. I admire his hustle, but that's about it.
Tramon Williams
Stats-
2 INTs 10 PD 37 Tackles 8 Assists
Grade: B+
Tramon is improving over his play last year. The shoulder injury seems to be healed and he's back to playing shut down corner. He dominated Brandon Marshall in week 2 and though Calvin Johnson had some big grabs vs him, the Packers definitely played a ton of zone with a safety over the top against Johnson. This changed Williams' style of play. The Pack was trying to avoid the big play. It didn't work largely in part to a couple of poor defensive plays by Burnett and some luck. Williams dominates in press-man coverage.
Charles Woodson
Stats-
1.5 Sacks 1 INT 5 PD 1 FF 25 Tackles 13 Assists
Grade: B
Woodson is aging quickly, yet he amassed those stats in just 7 games at a new position, Strong Safety. He continues to make plays with his instincts/smarts rather than football ability. He's solid for another couple years.
Casey Hayward
Stats-
5 INTs 14 PD 1 FF 24 Tackles 10 Assists
Grade: A+
The rookie out of Vanderbilt has been playing OUTSTANDING football. Sure, he's hit some rookie bumps, but he's made some incredible plays and has good positional awareness. He's in the running for DROY.
MD Jennings
Stats-
1 INT 2 PD 14 Tackles 10 Assists 1 TD
Grade: B
Jennings is still young, but he's made a few key plays. He picked off Matthew Stafford and returned the ball 72 yards for a TD showing return skills as well as awareness when he made the play. He's got a lot of room to improve, but he's started out well.
Sam Shields
Stats-
1 INT 3 PD 1 FR 15 Tackles 2 Assists
Grade: C-
Shields has played poorly since 2010. He can't keep depending on his speed and has to become more fundamentally sound if he enjoys employment.
Davon House
Stats-
1.0 Sacks 3 PD 10 Tackles 5 Assists
Grade: C+
He's been injured but he's shown flashes of good play. I'm a fan.
Jerron McMillian
Stats-
1 INT 5 PD 1 FR 9 Tackles 9 Assists
Grade: C-
He's a rookie, but with some opportunities handed to him early, he hasn't made the best of them all. Still, he's a promising young player who will hopefully develop into a starter one day.
Jarrett Bush
Stats-
1 FR 4 Tackles
Grade: B
This grade is completely based on special teams play. He has been absolutely dominant on special teams.
Sean Richardson
Stats-
1 Assist
Grade: INC
Burried behind 4 other guys.
Special Teams
Tim Masthay
Stats-
48 Punts 2135 yards 1 Blocked 44.5 Y/P
Grade: A
What a wonderful feeling to have an excellent punter. He's made some incredible kicks.
Mason Crosby
Stats-
FGM 11 FGA 18 61.1% 30/30 PAT
Grade: F
What happened, Mason?
Brett Goode
Stats-
NONE
Grade: A
Solid long snapper. No issues and makes some good special teams plays.
My notes-
-Ted Thompson is an AMAZING GM. For a team that went 15-1 last year, you'd think there wouldn't be much need for rookies to play, but that's not the case. Rookies have accounted for: 6 (50%) of all INTs, 2 (66.6666%) of all defensive/ST touchdowns, 8 (24.2%) of all sacks, 2 (33.3333%) of all forced fumbles, and 62 (16%) of all tackles.
-It's sad to see Woodson and Driver drop off. Driver was a rookie in 1999 and got a starting gig in 2002 where he proceeded to snag 7 1,000 yard seasons. He's had basically nothing this year. Woodson has had at least 1 TD every season with the Packers. He's in danger of breaking that streak. He's still being actively used as a pass rusher, though. 1.5 is the lowest number since he recorded 0 in 2007, but it's still a lot for a 36 year old DB. He's racked up 11.5 in 100 games with the Packers along with 38 INTs, 15 Forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, and 10 total TDs
-Aaron Rodgers' last 100 yard runner? October 10th, 2010. Brandon Jackson ran for 115 yards on 10 carries thanks in large part to a 71 yard scamper vs the Washington Redskins. Rodgers has had just 9 (including playoffs) games with a 100 yard rusher.
-Keeping on topic with Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Rodgers is 99th in passing yards, 92nd in pass completions, 113th in pass attempts, tied for 70th in passing TDs, 1st in career passer rating by almost 8 full points, tied for 234th in passes intercepted, 89th in times sacked, 4th in YPA, 1st in % of passes intercepted, 7th in percentage of passes gone for TDs. Those are all-time numbers.
-Active numbers-19th in passing yards, 18th in passes completed, 19th in passes attempted, 15th in passing TDs (the youngest guy ahead of him is Ben Roethlisberger who has 50 more starts but only 23 more passing TDs), 1st in passer rating, tied for 35th in number of passes intercepted, 16th in times sacked, 1st in YPA, 1st in INT%, 1st in TD%.
-Jordy Nelson's 15 TD season in 2011 ranked as the 3rd best effort by a Packer WR. Sterling Sharpe and Don Hutson are the only 2 with better numbers.
-
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Realistic Look At the Bounty Situation
A few weeks back, we were presented with starting information. Led by Defensive Coordinator, Gregg Williams, the New Orleans Saints engaged in a 3-year bounty program where players were compensated by Williams and other teammates for knocking other players out of the game or forcing them to be taken off on a cart. These accusations were hard to handle for any football fan. It's difficult to accept the game that we're obsessed with has such a large black eye. As the shock set in, and we sobered up to the reality, we read that 22 to 27 players were accused of participating.
The NFL has the right to punish the coaches pretty much as they see fit. General Manager Mickey Loomis, Head Coach Sean Payton, and Defensive Coordinator (now with the Rams) Gregg Williams, all were dealt suspensions. Williams' suspension was the worst with the length being, "indefinite." The coaches appealed and were largely denied by commissioner Roger Goodell. Gregg Williams promptly apologized for the bounty incident and admitted guilt for the whole situation.
Why is the bounty system so bad, you may ask? It seems like something that would be the norm in football. It's an inherently violent sport and the whole goal of it is to knock the crap out of your opponent. You don't win by being reserved, you win by delivering big hits and intimidating the opponent. The bounty scandal, however, was wrong on a few different angles. First, intentionally injuring someone is against the rules. There is inherent violence incorporated into football and thus if you're a player, you accept those risks. Any injury sustained in the scope of the game is assumed by the player before stepping on the field. Intentionally injuring someone is grounds for both criminal and civil suits. There was a precedent set in the 1970s by the courts after a Denver Broncos player returned an interception for a touchdown and was struck by an opposing player after the play. The case was settled in court, but the courts made it a point to say that violence of that nature was not part of the game of football and therefore would be open to the legal system.
The next angle is salary cap circumvention. This provides an unfair advantage for teams that participate in a bounty system. Untaxed, unaccounted for income is against the league rules. The salary cap was implemented in 1994 to bring about competitive fairness among all franchises. Without this fairness, the league produces lopsided results as seen in the era leading up to the salary cap. From Super Bowl I to XXVIII (28 years) the league had 12 different champions. Since the league implemented the salary cap, 12 different teams have won in a span of 18 years. The difference is clear. The cap has been proven to be beneficial to many teams as it prevents one team from buying their way to a championship. The NFL has an interest in protecting the integrity of the salary cap in order to ensure that fans have optimism before every season.
Finally, the people involved have tarnished the shield. What I mean by that is, they gave the league a black eye. The league has been trying to combat stigmas of being a league full of thugs and cheaters. Under Goodell, this kind of conduct has been strictly prohibited. He has been extremely harsh in handing down punishment when players get out of line. The commissioner didn't hold back with these punishments.
So now we have four guys being punished. The initial reaction was, "What? What happened to 22-27 players?" Many chalked this up to the league lying. Why is there an 18-23 player discrepancy from the initial report? Why were the four players, Jonathan Vilma (16 games), Anthony Hargrove (8 games), Will Smith (4 games), and Scott Fujita (3 games) the only guys punished? Why were they the only guys? Why did some get more than others? Skepticism started to grow strong among some fans. I'm going to try my best to answer these questions.
I think the NFL is lying, they won't give out information to the public or the NFLPA. What does the NFL have to hide?
It would be nice to see the information. The NFL claims to have 18,000 documents and lots of first-hand accounts of the Saints bounty system. The issue arises from the first-hand accounts of the bounty system. The NFL likely offered them anonymity in return for their testimony on the Saints bounty scandal. If that's the case, the NFL has a duty to keep the identities a secret. Guys like Mike Florio from ProFootballTalk.com INSIST that the identities be leaked by the NFL. That's wrong and unethical. I doubt Florio has ever been in a football locker room. The last thing you do is rat your fellow players out. Whoever ratted on the Saints has essentially ruined their season by depriving the team of top leaders and coaches.
Goodell doesn't have the authority to do this. Why can he just suspend players with no evidence? Don't you have a right to face your accuser?
Yes, in the court of law you do. This is the NFL, a privately owned non-profit. They're bound by the collective bargaining agreement between them and the NFLPA. In the CBA, off-the-field issues are handled exclusively by Goodell. Cap circumvention and conduct detrimental to the league are both off-the-field issues. Goodell asked for the NFLPA to assist in player punishments, they declined. The NFL asked for the players to meet with him to defend themselves. They declined. He then imposed punishments and the NFLPA is all up in arms. The fans are buying it.
I understand it's a big deal especially for a guy like Vilma who is losing an entire season of his career. The players chose to ignore the commissioner and fight his decision in the public arena instead of privately defending themselves. This whole deal stinks of posturing.
Anthony Hargrove also signed a paper for the NFLPA admitting guilt in the bounty situation. They're now saying that he was misquoted and his words were exaggerated by the NFL. Again, this doesn't sit well with me. More posting?
Why only 4 players?
There are likely plenty of reasonable scenarios for this outcome. The most likely is that most of those players either had such a small role that it didn't matter or they gave up information in exchange for no punishment. The other explanation is probably that the league felt that suspending 27 players would be too detrimental to the league to have so many players miss time. That kind of mass suspension is unprecedented.
Why the different punishments?
Simple. Degree. Vilma allegedly contributed $20,000 over 2 games, Hargrove allegedly lied, and Smith and Fujita contributed in other ways.
The whole bounty scheme is a big black eye on the league which is why it's so perplexing to me that so many fans are quick to dismiss the league's story in favor of the NFLPA's. The league has legal and ethical reasons to police itself for things like the bounty system. They're obligated to take the accusations seriously and that's exactly what they did. The NFLPA has an interest in protecting its constituents. Who would be more likely to lie in this situation? The NFL stands to gain nothing by making things up while the NFLPA stands to gain everything.
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