AFC South – Draft Grades 2011

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AFC West – Draft Grades 2011

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http://nfldraftrage.com/ AFC West post draft analysis with grades. Denver gets most dynamic player in 2011 NFL draft. Chiefs gamble while San Diego plays it safe. Read more.

Who will be 1st pick overall in 2012

Andrew Luck (6'4 235 lbs) QB Stanford - most awaited QB to enter the NFL Draft in years.  He will enter the 2011 season as the Heisman trophy favorite. Luck passed for almost 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2010.  What we like about Luck is his quick release and accuracy combined with intelligence.  His mobility will surprise you and his toughness is unquestionable (see his video here: Andrew Luck Highlights). At Stanford, he is currently playing in a pro-style offense and received pro-style coaching from former head coach/NFL quarterback Jim Harbaugh. Luck will need his throwing motion refined at NFL level as he has tendency to hold ball at his waist and use wind-up motion before getting to his release point.

read full article here: Who will go number one in 2012?

AFC East – Draft Grades 2011

Buffalo Bills – The Bills came into this draft needing playmakers, especially on defense. They started out with a “bang” by landing an instant impact player in Marcell Dareus. Plainly put, Dareus is stud and should be able to do for Buffalo’s D what Suh did for the Lions D last year. In round 2 they were able to land a very good player and immediate starting cornerback in Aaron Williams. In round 3 they got versatile linebacker Kelvin Sheppard who will be in the rotation as a rookie and a starter shortly down the road.

Read rest of article here: AFC East Draft Grades

AFC North – Draft Grades 2011

Cleveland Browns – The Browns made the big trade with the Cards to acquire additional picks. The big question on the big trade is whether they would have been better off having Julio Jones on their roster or the players they got in return. Only time will tell.

The Browns were in need of a big play wideout and I can only imagine how much happier Colt McCoy would have been throwing to the strong, electric, precise route runner that Jones is.

 

Read Full Story here: AFC North Draft Grades

AFC North – Draft Grades 2011

Cleveland Browns – The Browns made the big trade with the Cards to acquire additional picks. The big question on the big trade is whether they would have been better off having Julio Jones on their roster or the players they got in return. Only time will tell.

The Browns were in need of a big play wideout and I can only imagine how much happier Colt McCoy would have been throwing to the strong, electric, precise route runner that Jones is.

 

Read Full Story here: AFC North Draft Grades

AFC North – Draft Grades 2011

Cleveland Browns – The Browns made the big trade with the Cards to acquire additional picks. The big question on the big trade is whether they would have been better off having Julio Jones on their roster or the players they got in return. Only time will tell.

The Browns were in need of a big play wideout and I can only imagine how much happier Colt McCoy would have been throwing to the strong, electric, precise route runner that Jones is.

 

Read Full Story here: AFC North Draft Grades

AFC North – Draft Grades 2011

Cleveland Browns – The Browns made the big trade with the Cards to acquire additional picks. The big question on the big trade is whether they would have been better off having Julio Jones on their roster or the players they got in return. Only time will tell.

The Browns were in need of a big play wideout and I can only imagine how much happier Colt McCoy would have been throwing to the strong, electric, precise route runner that Jones is.

 

Read Full Story here: AFC North Draft Grades

AFC North – Draft Grades 2011

Cleveland Browns – The Browns made the big trade with the Cards to acquire additional picks. The big question on the big trade is whether they would have been better off having Julio Jones on their roster or the players they got in return. Only time will tell.

The Browns were in need of a big play wideout and I can only imagine how much happier Colt McCoy would have been throwing to the strong, electric, precise route runner that Jones is.

 

Read Full Story here: AFC North Draft Grades

NFC East – Draft Grades 2011

Dallas Cowboys – at first glance it looks like Dallas dropped the ball a bit. Unable or unwilling to trade back a few spots (Jerry Jones feverously working the phone in war room) and didn’t produce a trade but Dallas went with a need pick and took Tyron Smith. Now let’s be realistic about Smith. In a normal draft with one-two stud LTs, Smith would have been a mid first round pick. Smith has the potential to play well but there is a big unknown as to his ability to move to the left side and anchor Romo’s blind side. He has the wingspan of a 747 and is athletic but needs to maintain his weight over 300 lbs and show he can play in more space on the left side. On paper Smith can be upgrade over Doug Free (who will move back to his natural position of RT). Round two is where things start to get interesting.

 

Read full version here: NFC East Draft Grades

Applauding Navy Seal Team 6 kill shot of Osama bin Laden

Navy Seal Team 6 in wee hours of Sunday shot and killed Osama bin Laden in a fortress-like compound.  The compound was around one kilometer (half a mile) away from the Kakul Military Academy, an army-run institution for top officers and one of several military installations.  It was built in 2005 at the end of a narrow dirt road with "extraordinary" security measures. The compound had 12 to 18-feet walls topped with barbed wire with two security gates and no telephone or Internet service connected to it. It raises questions over whether Pakistani security forces knew the whereabouts of the world's most wanted man. Hmmm…ISI safe house anyone??

Read Full Article here: Navy Seals kill Osama bin Laden

Round 1 Grades – NFL Draft 2011

1. CAROLINA PANTHERS:  Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

The real grade should be “incomplete” because this is a complete boom or bust pick. Carolina gambling again which is why they were in this position to be begin with. Grade: B

2. DENVER BRONCOS: VON MILLER, OLB, Texas A&M

The Broncos got the most dynamic playmaker in the draft. Mike Fox will put Miller on one side and Dumervil on the other and look out AFC West QB’s. Grade: A+

3. BUFFALO BILLS: MARCELL DAREUS DT, ALABAMA

Great player and better pick because they stayed away from Gabbert. The Bills needed a big time difference maker on D and they got one in Dareus. Grade A.

Read all 32 teams draft grades here: First Round Grades

Twas the night before the draft

Here are 5 myths (rumors) we’d like to address.

Myth 1: Carolina will draft Cam Newton with 1st pick

Rage reaction: If ESPN’s sport science with Marcell Dareus didn’t solidify him as an absolute beast in your mind then nothing will. You can view that video here: Sport Science - Marcell Dareus. He can play virtually anywhere along the defensive line. He is a human black hole that eats space around him. His quick first step and strong hand punch make him a nightmare match-up for any offensive coordinator. This is the best defensive line draft in terms of talent and depth that we have ever seen and he tops the list. Still not sold on Marcell going number one? Plug yourself into the GM chair for Carolina – Cam Newton left the University of Florida rather than face suspension or expulsion because of three instances of academic cheating and one instance of theft of a laptop to which he was suspended from the football team. Plus, he has only one season of success as a starter and the rumors about his father’s dealings with agents make him very suspect.

read rest here: twas night before Draft

Top 5 biggest 1st round bust - NFL Draft

1.  Ryan Leaf - Top pick overall who was 0-1 in playoffs and is more known for infamous outburst after playoff loss: "Just don't f---ing talk to me, all right!". Another on-camera incident involved Leaf confronting a heckling Charger fan during a practice session. Two coaches had to restrain Leaf and escort him off the field.  He finished his rookie year with QB rating of 39.  Leaf also allegedly lied about a hand injury in order to get out of practice so that he could play golf instead.  Leaf finished his career with 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.

2.  JaMarcus Russell - Another first overall pick who was basically a child in man's body.  Raiders signed him to a contract worth $61 million with $32 million guaranteed. In three seasons with the Raiders, Russell finished 7-18 as a starter before his release on May 6, 2010 after ballooning up to 290 lbs.  On September 26, 2010, Russell had moved to Houston, Texas, and was working out with former NBA standout and head coach John Lucas and was also consulting with him as a 'life coach.'  In April 2011, Lucas, who had become frustrated with Russell's lack of work ethic, reportedly severed all ties with the quarterback and asked him to leave the Houston area.

View Full Article here: Modern Draft Bust

Video Highlights 1st round - 2011 NFL Draft

See rest of video here: Video Highlights 1st round

Cam Heyward son of “Ironhead”

Cam Heyward (Ohio State) 6’5” 294 lbs DE

Cam Heyward Highlight Video

The son of the late Craig "Ironhead" Heyward who terrorized linebackers for years by brutally using his head as a battering ram.  While Cam plays on the other side of the ball, they have a similar mentality says Cam "We were both guys who just loved to pound".

Cam Heyward hallmark is his performances in big games and is projected to go late in round 1 of the NFL draft.  Some scouts have him going in the top 20.  Could be great value pick if he slides after undergoing an ulnar collateral ligament surgery – commonly known as Tommy John surgery – on Jan. 12.

If Heyward is chosen, he'll finish off a first round that should cause Big Ten offensive linemen to pat themselves on the back for surviving last year.

Read rest here: Son of Ironhead

2011 NFL DRAFT ORDER

2011 NFL Draft Order
Rounds 1-7
Pick	Overall	Team
Round 1
1	1	Carolina
2	2	Denver
3	3	Buffalo
4	4	Cincinnati
5	5	Arizona
6	6	Cleveland
7	7	San Francisco
8	8	Tennessee
9	9	Dallas

 

View full seven rounds here: Draft Order 2011

Big Nasty Defensive Tackles win Championships

"Too Beast or not too Beast"

Often, we hear the QB position is the most important to a team and the high percentage of "franchise tags" for QBs would support this.

But for my money, give me a disruptive force against the core of a offensive line - the middle.  You know the same location a QB starts the play and often the same location a running game tries to establish its toughness.

This is the era of disruptive DTs.  Attacking the underbelly of an offense line is good business in NFL (7 of the last 11 super bowl winners possessed dominant NT playing in 3-4 defense).  The smart teams have figured it out by drafting pressure DT who can play NT or DE in 3-4 alignment. They possess the strength/size to hold down NT role while having the athletic ability to slide over to DE to marauder opposing QBs. The line between DE and DT in 3-4 have narrowed considerably.  Even Bill Belichick moved the immovable NT Vince Wilfork to DE in spot situations in 2011.

Read full story here: Monster DT win Championships

Five Guys Who Should Just Shut Up!

We are a draft site but this has nothing to do with the draft. I’ll leave it up to the Bleacher Report to make up rumors about where Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert is going. With no free agency to speak of and all the lockout discussion on hold, everything has just been feeding more speculation than normal. I mean seriously, when some GM speculates their team may have an interest in this player or that payer, how do you take them seriously?

With that in mind, and being uninspired to speculate on the draft with a month to go, I thought I’d opine on five NFL folks, in no particular order of preference, I would like to permanently cease from speaking.

1. Jerry Jones. Is there another owner in sports who puts himself more in the limelight than Jerrah? He has been nothing but a media hog since he first took over the Cowboys. This past season was not one of his finest. Two years ago he builds the Taj Mahal of sports stadiums, thinking he’d be the first team to win a Super Bowl in the host city in 2011, then the roof collapses on his practice facility, then his 2011 team collapses faster than the roof, then he oversells seating at the Super Bowl nearly causing a riot and to top it off he storms out of the labor negotiations making him even more of an ogre.

Read rest here: 5 guys who talk too much

Mocking the GM’s – Who They Should Draft

The purpose of this mock draft is not to predict who each team will pick, but who they should pick. If you’re looking for who the likely choice will be, check out the site for Carl’s latest Mock. He’s plugged into and drilled down on all the rumors coming from all the teams’ camps.

1. CAROLINA PANTHERS: PATRICK PETERSON, CB, LSU

They can’t afford to get this pick wrong and neither QB is worthy, or more importantly, a sure thing. I believe they should go with Peterson. Dareus would be another good choice. They can add competition at QB later in the draft.

2. DENVER BRONCOS: MARCELL DAREUS DT, ALABAMA

Mike Fox is going D, so if Peterson is taken by the Panthers he will be happy to settle for “Dareus” and put his stamp on this defense.

3. BUFFALO BILLS: VON MILLER, OLB, Texas A&M

Another team who should forget about a QB in round 1. The Bills D needs help and more importantly it needs playmakers. Miller is the best defensive playmaker in the draft. He’ll be the Bills best pass rusher since Bruce Smith.

4. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

The Bengals need a complete makeover, especially the entire offense. Regardless of who they pick the Bengals are in for a rough season and Newton emerging might be the only thing that keeps Marvin Lewis employed after another pathetic showing. If they end up with the #1 pick next season, Andrew Luck will probably opt for a 5^th college season! So if Cam bombs they’re in the same place they’d be anyway!

Full article here: GM Mock Draft

Is Nate Solder the best OL in Draft?

Von Miller thinks so….

Question: Who is the best opposing player you’ve faced in your college career?

Von Miller: “Nate Solder.  He’s a beast!  When you’re that big and you’re that quick, it’s real scary for guys like me.  He can match you on every step.  And I went against other guys: Jason Smith, Trent Williams and Russell Okung.  All of those guys are great.  But Nate Solder’s excellent.”

read rest here:  Who is top OL in Draft?

Top 5 Bad Boys of the 2011 NFL Draft

By: Carl Hammill

NFL DRAFT RAGE

 

Here are some draftees that we would recommend avoiding if you are a GM who is faint of heart.  While we understand that past actions are not always a precursor to future behavior, the draft is littered with prospects with all the talent in the world who washed out because they never were able to appreciate the amazing opportunity that they stepped into.

Jimmy Smith CB Colorado 

   

Smith (6’2” 211 lbs) is a talented CB who is probably a top 15 talent but due to character issues will fall toward the bottom of the first round.  Smith failed a drug

 test and had two arrests for possession of alcohol as a minor while in college.  Smith skipped the senior bowl and followed that up with skipping his workouts two weeks prior to NFL combine.  His interviews with NFL teams went so poorly that many teams completely removed him from their draft boards.  Do you sense a trend?

Draft Rage Recommendation: Avoid. 

Cam Newton QB Auburn

Newton is a huge QB (6’6” 250 lbs) who is ultra talented with a rare combination of size, mobility and has cannon for an arm.  He is also the biggest enigma in this draft.  Newton was arrested after being found with a stolen laptop from a University of Florida (UF) student. He painted over the laptop and wrote "CAM NEWTON" on it, an attempt to show that it was his. He was subsequently suspended temporarily by the team after this incident. Cam Newton left the University of Florida after the fall semester in 2008 rather than face suspension or expulsion in part because of three instances of academic cheating.  Complete boom or bust.

Draft Rage Recommendation: Only if you have a strong stomach & job security. 

Titus Young WR Boise State

Young ran a blistering 4.39 40 on his pro day.  Few other WR^’s in this draft can take the top off a defense like Young.  However, in 2007 he was suspended for the first quarter of the Hawaii Bowl. In 2008 he was suspended for 10 games due to off-the-field issues. He has also been flagged multiple times for excessive post touchdown celebration. Consistency, unfortunately not the consistency you’re looking for.

 

Draft Rage Recommendation: Only if he brings his barber with him.

Jabaal Sheard DE Pitt

Pitt is on a role here.  Sheard (6’4’ 260 lbs) started all 13 games for Pitt as Defensive End.  He was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct following an alleged altercation outside La Fond Galleries.  Sheard picked up Parker and threw the 27-year-old through a glass door of a gallery.  Sheard then jumped on the bleeding Parker, who was on the ground inside the art store, and continued punching him before police subdued the two with pepper spray.  What’s an assault or two?

 

Draft Rage Recommendation: Why would you bring him into your locker room? 

 

Jonathan Baldwin WR Pitt

Another first round talent makes this list.  Baldwin (6’5” 230 lbs) is big receiver who can make acrobatic catches. Comparisons to Plexico keep rolling in. Baldwin was charged with misdemeanor indecent assault, summary harassment and summary disorderly conduct stemming from an alleged incident involving a female student on a bus in 2009.  A judge later dismissed the charges but the football program punished him internally.  Reminds me of another former troubled Panther Star Antonio Bryant, great talent, stupid guy. 

 

Draft Rage Recommendation: Worth the shot in the mid rounds.

 

Newton's Law

By: Steve Kleppin

NFL Draft Rage

 

Newton’s Law of Gravity 

We’re about a week out from the 2011 NFL draft and you may be asking what in the hell does Sir Isaac Newton have to do with the draft?  Nothing, but we could use some physics to explain how Mel Kiper’s hair seems to defy gravity.  And after reading the opening sentence, I am willing to bet that many of you probably thought that Sir Isaac Newton was either: a) Cam’s dad; b) Some 70’s funk singer; or c) some old English dude.  If you went with “c” you’d at least be in the ballpark. Sir Isaac was undoubtedly one of the most important figures in our understanding of physics.   I know you’re all saying who cares & where is the Cam Newton connection?   There is none, aside from their last name and the fact they’re both fascinating stories. 

 

Cam is a fascinating story for a lot of reasons. 

 

1. He is a freakish athlete, especially considering his measurables.
2. He came out of nowhere to lead the Auburn Tigers to a National Championship. 
3. The claims of his father’s dealings with college recruiters are just plain whacky.
4. He’s had his own off the filed disciplinary issues.
5. The history and damage caused by selecting a QB #1 when they don’t pan out.
6. The uncertainty atop this draft board.

 

There are a lot of rumblings pointing to Cam being selected very early, possibly #1 overall.  Again, it’s not a question of talent.  Look no further than Ryan Leaf, Alex Smith or JaMarcus Russell to see what happens when you spend the #1 overall pick on a QB & they either stink or have “issues”.  If you look at the draft order, most of the teams in the top half have some QB questions, while the lower half is pretty set.  Hmmmmmm   So assuming Cam goes in the top 15 or so, let’s look at 10 teams that could or should select a QB early.

 

1. Carolina.  This draft does not have a clear cut #1 overall, thank you Mr. Luck, which puts tremendous pressure on Carolina to get this pick right.  In my first Mock I thought they would avoid Cam and go the more conservative route.  If they draft Cam and he bombs, kiss three more years’ goodbye and we’ll see which QB the Panthers will be targeting with the #1 overall pick in 2014. 

 

1. Denver.  Not a consideration because I don’t think John Fox would take Cam Newton and they have their own whacky first round QB pick from last year to sort out. 

 

1. Buffalo.   To-Fitzpatrick, or to-not-Fitzpatrick, that is the question!  I like Fitzpatrick but Chan Bailey and company have been coy on this topic.  If they are enamored with Cam’s potential and he bombs this would sink Chan’s NFL head coaching career and put Buffalo with the #1 overall pick in 2014. 

 

1. Cincinnati.  Another team in need of new leadership at the helm.  They also have a history of taking players with checkered pasts.  Even though ownership likes Marvin Lewis and gave him a contract extension they can’t have too many more losing seasons, which looks very likely this coming season, so if I’m Lewis why not roll the dice and see if Cam can get you to the promise land. 

 

1. Arizona.  The Cards do need a new signal caller and Larry Fitzgerald has already told them who and who not to brig in.  I don’t see Whisenhunt taking on this big of a project, especially utilizing the 5^th pick in the draft to get him.  They may select a QB early, but not Newton and probably not one in round 1.  Wonder what Larry Fitzgerald would say?   Wonder if they consulted him first?   

 

1. Cleveland.  Very unlikely.  They are sending out smoke screens but the Browns hierarchy likes what they saw from Colt McCoy and thinks with some added strength and seasoning he can put them back into contention. 

 

1. San Francisco.  Yes they need a QB.  Remember the Alex Smith experiment?  The guy who plays great the last 3 games of every season to make you think he has a future & then proceeds to suck for the first 13 the following season.  I can’t see Jim Harbaugh rolling that big a dice in his first year.  Look for them to address QB in round 2.   

 

1. Tennessee.  The Titans need a QB.  I would be surprised if they take one this high.  Vince Young was the third overall selection in the 2006 draft and considering how that turned out I don’t see them gambling on Newton, there are just too many questions.  Maybe Gabbert, but that is for another article. 

 

1. Dallas.  Hard to take these rumors seriously.  Because of Jerry’s desire to make headlines on draft day people like to speculate but they sink or swim with Romo for the near future.

 

1. Washington.  This will be an interesting spot to watch.  I can’t see Shanahan taking Newton but I can see Snyder overruling everybody and going with the splash.  If Newton is available and the Skins pass, then you know Snyder has finally wisened up.  I wouldn’t bet on that though.  If he’s available at 10 grab your snack & grab a seat.

 

1. Houston.  Set.

 

1. Minnesota.  They are in need of a QB, and what would make Vikes fans forget the Favre years like adding a QB with their first pick?  Would Leslie Frazier want to take this on his shoulders after waiting so long to get a head job?  I would say they probably pass if he was available, and when a top talent starts to slide to this point, they usually keep sliding.  ESPN loves that and usually tracks the poor guy around the house while he starts to get weepy. 

 

1. Detroit.  Set.

 

1. St. Louis.  Set.

 

1. Miami.  Another interesting spot.  Like Alex Smith, Chad Henne shows enough at the right spots to tease you but I think the Fish have seen enough.  Given the relationship between the Dolphins ownership and management I think they should take a flyer on Newton if he’s there.  He’ll either make you look like geniuses and ensconce you in south Florida or he’ll just put the final nail in the coffin. 

 

1. Jacksonville.  Another potential suitor.  And at #16 this would be a good value pick for the Jags.  David Garrard is clearly not the long-term answer, but Newton could sit for a year or two behind Garrard and refine his skills for the next level.  I don’t see Cam slipping past the Jags.  

Race to the Edge - Quinn v. Miller

Photo finish heading into Draft

Debated, over analyzed, and self promoted (see Miller) this duo are vying for the spot as top pass rusher heading into 2011 NFL Draft.  But who has the edge? They both had terrific campaigns in 2009 (see table below).  Things got trickier in 2010 as Quinn was suspended and Miller played with an ankle sprain which limited his playmaking ability.  Let’s get into the numbers to see who rules the QB sack kingdom. 

 

The Physics

Name	Height	Weight (lbs)	40 time	225 lb reps	Vertical Jump	Shuttle
Robert Quinn	6’4”	265	4.60	24	34	4.31
Von Miller	6’3’	246	4.42	21	37	4.06

 

The Production

2009	Games	Sacks	Forced Fumble	Tackles (loss)	Tackles
Robert Quinn	12	11 (Soph)	6	19	52
Von Miller	12	17 (Jr)	4	21	44

Von Miller seems to have the edge in production, speed (40 time & shuttle) and explosiveness (vertical jump).  Robert Quinn has size and strength advantage and is younger (Quinn will turn 21 in May – Miller is 22).  It would have been interesting to see what Quinn would have done his Junior year.  What really stands out is the shuttle time by Miller (4.06) as we haven’t seen an edge rusher post that kind of number since DeMarcus Ware ran a 4.07 at combine in 2005.

We like Robert Quinn and feel he is a better fit for the Cardinals 4-3 defense and will be selected #5 overall.  However, Von Miller is the better athlete and is superior to Quinn in speed and explosiveness, and has similar size to other NFL edge rushers who have enjoyed considerable success (Clay Matthews, Trent Cole and Robert Mathis).  It wouldn’t shock us if Denver decides to go with Von Miller over Patrick Peterson at #2.

 

Where they Project: 

Robert Quinn: Raw athlete whose lateral movement and short-area burstwould make a transition to 3-4 rush linebacker possible.  Ideally he would play DE in 4-3. What is rare about Quinn is his burst off the edge at 265 pounds.  We see a player that is driven to succeed.  Many point out his brain tumor surgery as an area of concern.  We disagree wholeheartedly.  We think that overcoming such a huge obstacle (Quinn was told by doctors he would never play sports again) gives Quinn an advantage.  Lance Armstrong once wrote that winning became easy when compared to life and death outcomes.

Von Miller: With Miller standing up his junior year and rushing the QB from the hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position called the "joker” we feel he is perfect fit for 3-4 OLB.  Miller is capable of playing DE in a 4-3 as his size is very similar to Trent Cole of the Philadelphia Eagles who play a 4-3 defense.  But we think Miller can be a better player standing up and getting after it.