Who did well?

The Kansas City Chiefs are getting the most attention because they had the most action in the first rounds. I think that making an impact in the draft is finding value past the first couple rounds.  The New York Giants did exactly that. In the third round the Giants selected a receiver with a lot of raw talent and pure potential in Mario Manningham. They also recognized an aging linebacking corps by adding an undervalued linebacker from Vanderbilt Jonathan Goff. The New York Giants also received big playmakers in the first two rounds to their secondary by adding a lurking free safety in Kenny Phillips (Miami) and a shutdown corner in Terrell Thomas (USC).

Jacksonville Jaguars Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a statement on draft weekend by selecting big names from big time programs. In the first round the Jaguars traded up to the Baltimore Ravens spot to grab a relentless Defensive End from Florida Derrick Harvey. In the second round, the Jags added another pass rusher from Auburn in Quentin Groves. Groves acquired 26 sacks in his career at Auburn and hopes to add some ferociousness to the already stacked Jacksonville D. Jack Del Rio also grabbed two USC Trojans in Thomas Williams and Chauncey Washington who made an impact for four years in one of the most successful universities in the nation.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft

I was also impressed with what the Bucs did at their positioning in the draft. The Bucs gave their Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin three new toys to play with and spent a first round pick on a Cover 2 corner Aqib Talib from Kansas. Talib is a strong and instinctive corner who can compete at the next level. He will be under the tutelage of one of his favorite corners in the league Ronde Barber. The Bucs also added a fierce competitor in Geno Hayes from Florida State. Hayes is a reliable tackler who has a nose for the football, but will lack the necessary coverage skills in the feared Tampa 2 defense.

San Diego Chargers Draft

A.J. Smith the Chargers General Manager added depth to an already stout secondary and versatility to the already great back field. In the first round the Chargers picked a 1^st team All American cornerback from the University of Arizona in Antoine Cason. Cason has all the intangibles of a successful corner in the league. A combination of speed, size, and ball skills Cason will fill the empty nickel back slot and add another weapon for San Diego’s scoring defense. The Bolts also added a violent runner in National champion Jacob Hester who also has the ability to catch the ball out of the back field and grind-it-out mentality to gain after contact yards.

Dallas Cowboys Draft

Jerry Jones again wined and dined the other NFL General Managers on draft day. The former oil tycoon made moves in the draft to acquire three first day picks who will all have an impact on the team. In the first round the Cowboys lived to their motto by building their team around the draft by adding Arkansas Running Back Felix Jones and a human highlight reel in South Florida’s cornerback Mike Jenkins. The Cowboys also filled a needed hole in the number two Tight End spot by getting Martellus Bennett right up the street from Texas A&M. Bennett who is known for more of his blocking skills could also a vertical threat for “Americas team”.

NFL Draft to Move?

Potentially the tradition of the one weekend in April inside Radio Music Hall could be coming to an end.

According to the LA Times, reports have shown that deals with the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles are being negotiated.

The draft would bring an official NFL event to Los Angeles in more than 14 years.

I think that it would benefit all 32 teams because there wouldn’t be a bias of chants coming from the crowd.

The Giants and Jets fans overwhelm the league event and create a stir of emotions among the crowd.

Draft Day On The Horizon

With less than a week away teams are finalizing their draft selections as well as manipulating their draft strategy.

Each team has a different way of tackling their personnel needs, but none are as efficient as draft day. The Indianapolis Colts are a perfect example of building a team around the draft.

The 2007 Super Bowl champions pay a majority of their players a minimal amount and sign their stars to large, long-term contracts such as Manning and Harrison.

The Colts also have exercised the ability to let players go when they are past their prime.

Three years ago they released All-Pro running back Edgerrin James. After an off-season of evaluating talent, they took a chance on a back out of LSU Joseph Addai.

Addai is now one of NFL’s elite backs who has an itch for the end zone.

“Draft day is where good teams make a run at the championship, says Mark Anderson football reporter for the Las Vegas Review Journal said in an interview.”

The defending world champion New York Giants utilized all of their draft picks in their magical season.

The draft single handedly propeled the Giants from being a playoff contender to winning the super bowl championship.

Each round is important because players that make an immediate impact can also be found in the later rounds.

“Marques Colston was a seventh round draft pick out of Hofstra and had a fine rookie season, says Anderson.”

The NFLs most valuable player for last season was also a late round pick out of Michigan.

“Tom Brady could go down as the best quarterback of all time, says Mike Abbate who is a diehard NFL fan.”

The most important characteristic of a player is deciding how far they will push themself to make an impact in the league.

“The NFL draft is like Christmas day for the fans because its like getting a new toy to play with, says Garrett Simpson local television personality says.”

Getting one of your favorite college athletes of the year on your team is what the ceremony is about.

Several acquisitions are made the day of the draft because teams trade players, picks, and location in the draft to benefit their team.

“The draft is also a glimpse into the future of what your favorite team is going to be like, says Abbate.”

Whatever your reason is for tuning into the draft it is sure to be packed with excitement.

This Saturday Roger Goodell the league’s commissioner will finally announce who is going where. Until then all we can do is wait.

Talks With Picks Have Begun

The Miami Dolphins who hold the number one pick in this years draft have begun contract negotiations with three different players.

Michigan’s Jake Long, Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston, and Virginia’s Chris Long.  A mishap happened in Dolphins General Manager Jeff Irelands press conference.

While talking with the media Ireland slipped saying “we hope the player that we pick will be pillar in our defense for a long time.”

Many critics have said the surefire number one pick should be the Offensive Tackle Jake Long, but after Irelands conference Chris Long has rocketed up many big boards.

Dixon Workout

Former University of Oregon Quarterback Dennis Dixon, who was once a Heisman hopeful worked out for NFL scouts yesterday.  The workout took place in the Oregon indoor facility where Dixon spent hours of his college career perfecting his multi-option offense.

Following his quick rehabilitation, he participated in a workout that entailed a series of short to long throws and showed off his mobility.

At the peak of Oregon’s triumphant run to the title, Dixon tore his ACL in the national spotlight.  As the speedy Quarterback fell to the ground, the Ducks national championship dreams crumbled as well.

Dixon hopes to make an impact in the next level and here his name called April 26th.

McFadden Ran For Miles (Toolbox)

The All SEC Running Back Darren McFadden is a sure first round pick in this years NFL draft. McFadden has the ability to make defenders miss and touch the end zone on every possession.

The former Arkansas back ran for 4590 yards in his three year career as a Razorback. The winner of the Walter Camp Award (best overall player in the nation) ran for more than 2.6 miles between the lines with the football in his hands.

He was complemented perfectly with a more of a power back in Felix Jones, who is also projected to be a first round pick.

The former Arkansas backs look to sprint onto the scene in the NFL.