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Wednesday, August 14, 2013

2013 Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears

Continuing my blog analyzing 2 teams per day, alphabetically one from the AFC and one from the NFC.
I comprised my list of eligible players for the NFL draft and gave them statistical values based on other pro scouts and guru's, like Mike Mayock, Gil Brandt, and Todd McShay.  I also factored in things such as awards won, All-American Team status, etc., and used that value to have a better understanding of how good a player is, a consensus if you will.

For the ratings a team receives I will be using helmets instead of stars and they mean the following:
5 Helmets: Definate Playoff team/SuperBowl contender
4 Helmets: High Playoff probability
3 Helmets: Playoffs aren't entirely out of question
2 Helmets: Slim to no playoff hope
1 Helmet:  This team is now on the clock for the 2014 NFL Draft.

For Baltimore and Arizona, click here.
For Buffalo and Atlanta, click here.
For Cincinnati and Carolina, click here.

And now for two teams known for grinding it out...

Cleveland Browns 

2012 Review:
Record: 5-11-0, Finished 4th in AFC North Division 
Scored 302 points (18.9/g), 24th of 32 in the NFL.
Allowed 368 points (23.0/g), 19th.
Differential of -66 points (-4.1/g), 24th.

Takeaway/Giveaway Differential +3 (0.2/g), 12th.

Coached by Pat Shurmur

 Offensive Coordinator: Brad Childress
 Defensive Coordinator: Dick Jauron
 Other Notable Asst.: Gil Haskell (Senior Advisor)
Special Note:
On August 2, team owner Randy Lerner sold the controlling interest of the Browns to Tennessee businessman Jimmy Haslam. Haslam is the owner of Pilot Flying J travel centers and was previously a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The amount of the sale was in excess of US $1 billion

Round Selection Player Position College
1 3[a] Trent Richardson RB Alabama
22[b] Brandon Weeden QB Oklahoma State
2 37 Mitchell Schwartz T California
3 87[c] John Hughes DT Cincinnati
4 100 Travis Benjamin WR Miami (FL)
120[c] James-Michael Johnson LB Nevada
5 160[d] Ryan Miller G Colorado
6[e] 204[f] Emmanuel Acho LB Texas
205[f] Billy Winn DT Boise State
7 245[f] Trevin Wade CB Arizona
247[f] Brad Smelley FB Alabama
NOTES:
^[a] On Draft Day, The Browns acquired the Minnesota Vikings' first-round pick (No. 3) for their own first- (No. 4), fourth- (No. 118), fifth- (No. 139) and seventh- (No. 211) round selections.
^[b] The Browns acquired the Atlanta Falcons' 2012 first- (No. 22) and fourth- (No. 118, traded to Minnesota) round selections and 2011 first-, second-, and fourth-round selections for Cleveland's 2011 first-round selection.
^[c] The Browns traded their third-round pick (No. 67) to the Denver Broncos for their third- (No. 87) and fourth- (No. 120) round picks picks.
^[d] The Browns acquired the Denver Broncos' fifth-round selection, as well as a 2011 sixth-round selection and RB Peyton Hillis in exchange for QB Brady Quinn during the 2010 offseason.[29]
^[e] Although the Browns have two sixth-round selections, they traded their original selection in this round to the Minnesota Vikings for DE Jayme Mitchell.[29]
^[f] Compensatory selection[29]

Undrafted Free Agents

Pos Player College Signed Released
CB Mike Allen James Madison April 30[30] May 30[31]
G Matt Cleveland Idaho April 30 [30] August 26[32]
WR Josh Cooper Oklahoma State April 30[30] August 31[33]
CB Emanuel Davis East Carolina April 30[30] August 26[32]
LB JoJo Dickson Idaho May 14[34] August 26[32]
C Garth Gerhart Arizona State April 30[30] August 31[33]
S Tashaun Gipson Wyoming April 30[30]
DE William Green Florida April 30[30] August 31[33]
WR Antwuan Reed Pittsburgh April 30[30] August 26[32]
WR Bert Reed Florida State April 30[30] August 26[32]
WR Jermaine Saffold Missouri State April 30[30] August 26[32]
G J.B. Shugarts Ohio State April 30[30] August 31[33]
LB Andrew Sweat Ohio State April 30[30] May 14[23][35]
RB Adonis Thomas Toledo May 14[34] August 31[33]

Supplemental Draft

On July 12, 2012, the Browns selected WR Josh Gordon of Baylor with a second round pick in the supplemental draft. The Browns will forfeit their second round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.[36] Gordon became only the second player drafted by the Browns in the supplemental draft, the other being QB Bernie Kosar in 1985.

 2013 Preview:
Coached by Rob Chudzinski

 Offensive Coordinator: Norv Turner
 Defensive Coordinator: Ray Horton
 Other Notable Asst.: Ken Flajole (Inside Linebackers) and Gil Haskell (Senior Advisor)

 2013 Draft with DT's Grades:
Team Overall Round Round Pick Player Position School Grade


Browns 6 1 6 Barkevious Mingo OLB LSU 171.32 Average= 87.42
Browns 68 3 6 Leon McFadden CB San Diego State 94.39
Browns (from Browns through 49ers) 175 6 7 Jamoris Slaughter SS Notre Dame 28.46
Browns (from Dolphins ) 217 7 11 Armonty Bryant OLB East Central 64.05
Browns (from Bengals through 49ers) 227 7 21 Garrett Gilkey OT Chadron State 78.89

2013 Undrafted Rookies:
Eastern Kentucky OT Aaron Adams; Arkansas State QB Ryan Aplin; Northern Illinois WR Perez Ashford; Stephan F Austin CB Josh Aubrey; Notre Dame C Braxston Cave; Youngstown State RB Jamaine Cook; Central Arkansas WR Dominique Croom; Iowa WR Keenan Davis; UTEP WR Michael Edwards; Hawaii DE Paipai Falemalu; LSU OT Chris Faulk; Florida International OG Caylin Hauptmann; Eastern Michigan FB Garrett Hoskins; Utah DT Dave Kruger; Wisconsin-Platteville SS Ryan McWethy; Stephen F. Austin WR Cordell Roberson; Illinois DE Justin Staples; Kansas State TE Travis Tannahill; Delaware SS Ricky Tunstall; Temple OT Martin Wallace

DT's Draft Grade: C

Notable Free Agents Lost:
Scott Fujita, LB, Free Agent
Chris Gocong, LB, Free Agent
Frostee Rucker, DE, Arizona
Alex Smith, TE, Cincinnati
Phil Dawson, K, San Francisco
Josh Cribbs, WR, Oakland
Benjamin Watson, TE, New Orleans

Notable Free Agents Acquired:
Paul Kruger, LB, Baltimore 

What to Watch for in 2013:

This team's record is not a true indicator of how well they played last year.  Bill Parcell's once said "You are what your record says you are", however in Cleveland's case, they lost 5 games by a touchdown or less and another 2 games by 10 points or less; pending a play or two each of those games going Cleveland's way, this team could have stacked another 7 W's in the win column and been a serious play-off team possibly with the bye and home-field advantage.  Looking forward to 2013; Barkevious "Kiki" Mingo drafted sixth overall under new general manager Michael Lombardi and company should be very interesting to watch.  He was the 3rd highest outside linebacker on my board behind Jarvis Jones and Dion Jordan.  This team is a ground and pound offense behind sophomores at running back Trent Richardson, quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Josh Gordon make up an aerial attack that still leaves something to be desired.   The defense last year kept this team in most games and should do the same this year with improvements through free agency and the draft.  Watch for Cleveland to make a push in their division with Pittsburgh losing key components this non-playing season.  Members of the Dog Pound should never give up hope as long as Cleveland has a team.  

Rating for 2013 NFL Season:
3 Helmets out of 5. 






~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Chicago Bears
Can anyone replace this legend?
2012 Record: 10-6-0, Finished 2nd in NFC North Division

Scored 375 points (23.4/g), 16th of 32 in the NFL.
 Allowed 277 points (17.3/g), 3rd.
 Differential of 98 points (6.1/g), 6th.

Takeaway/Giveaway Differential +20 (1.2/g), 2nd.

Coached by Lovie Smith

 Offensive Coordinator: Mike Tice
 Defensive Coordinator: Rod Marinelli
 Other Notable Asst.: Bob Babich (Linebackers) and Jeremy Bates (Quarterbacks) 
2012 Draft Review:
Round Selection Player Position College
1 19 Shea McClellin Defensive end Boise State
2 45 Alshon Jeffery Wide receiver South Carolina
3 79 Brandon Hardin Safety Oregon State
4 111 Evan Rodriguez Fullback/Tight End Temple
6 184 Isaiah Frey Cornerback Nevada
7 220 Greg McCoy Cornerback/Kick Returner TCU
Draft Day Trades
Round Overall Team Received
2 50 to St. Louis Rams St. Louis's second round pick (45th overall)
5 150

2013Outlook:
Now Coached by Marc Trestman

 Offensive Coordinator: Aaron Kromer
 Defensive Coordinator: Mel Tucker 
2013 Draft with DT's Grades:
Team Overall Round Round Pick Player Position School Grade


Bears 20 1 20 Kyle Long OG Oregon 130.02 Average= 107.06
Bears 50 2 18 Jon Bostic ILB Florida 101.34    
Bears 117 4 20 Khaseem Greene OLB Rutgers 145.35    
Bears (from Falcons) 163 5 30 Jordan Mills OT Louisiana Tech 93.49    
Bears 188 6 20 Cornelius Washington DE Georgia 92.95    
Bears (from Falcons) 236 7 30 Marquess Wilson WR Washington State 79.21    

2013 Undrafted Rookies:
LSU RB Michael Ford; Rutgers WR Mark Harrison; Oklahoma CB Demontre Hurst; Iowa State WR Josh Lenz; LSU C P.J. Lonergan; Montana State DT Zach Minter; Memphis WR Marcus Rucker; Georgia Southern DT Brent Russell; Oklahoma P Tress Way; N.C. State CB Curtis Wilson  

DT's Draft Grade:  B

Notable Free Agents Lost:
Brian Urlacher, ILB, Retirement
Andre Gurode, C, Oakland

Notable Free Agent Acquisitions:
Leonard Pope, TE from Pittsburgh
Martellus Bennett, TE from NY Giants
Tom Zbikowski, S from Indianapolis
D.J. Williams, LB from Denver
Sedrick Ellis, DE from New Orleans
Jermon Bushrod, T from New Orleans
  
What to Watch For: 
With the retirement of Brian Urlacher the Bears defense now has to prove they can go out and win without
him.  The coaching change to Marc Trestman from longtime coach Lovie Smith will also be interesting to watch.  Rookie Kyle Long should bring some intensity to this offensive line which time will tell if it helps keep Cutler upright or not.  Brandon Marshall, Jay Cutler and Matt Forte should remain solid options for most fantasy football leagues with the exception being Cutler unless you can get him in later rounds.  Julius Peppers, Henry Melton and Lance "Bam Bam" Briggs still anchor this defense with Charles "Peanut" Tillman being one of the better corners in the league.  The Bears drafted Bostic and Greene with consecutive picks and clearly showed they understand the void left by Urlacher's departure.  Injuries usually do this team in as well, either at RB, offensive line, or on defense.  Did this team make enough moves in the non-playing season to compete with Minnesota and Green Bay for the NFC North?

Rating for 2013 NFL Season: 3 Helmets out of 5.     

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Review of 8 teams Previewed thus far by Draft Grades: 



Overall Team Average Grade
6 Cardinals 61.81 A-
9 Panthers 60.30 A-
11 Bengals 57.04 B+
13 Bills 55.16 B+
15 Bears 53.53 B
18 Ravens 52.78 B
25 Falcons 49.04 C+
30 Browns 43.71 C
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Monday, August 12, 2013

2013 Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers

Continuing my blog analyzing 2 teams per day, alphabetically one from the AFC and one from the NFC.
I comprised my list of eligible players for the NFL draft and gave them statistical values based on other pro scouts and guru's, like Mike Mayock, Gil Brandt, and Todd McShay.  I also factored in things such as awards won, All-American Team status, etc., and used that value to have a better understanding of how good a player is, a consensus if you will.

For the ratings a team receives I will be using helmets instead of stars and they mean the following:
5 Helmets: Definate Playoff team/SuperBowl contender
4 Helmets: High Playoff probability
3 Helmets: Playoffs aren't entirely out of question
2 Helmets: Slim to no playoff hope
1 Helmet:  This team is now on the clock for the 2014 NFL Draft.

For Baltimore and Arizona, click here.
For Buffalo and Atlanta, click here.

Cincinnati Bengals


 2012 Review:
Record: 10-6-0, Finished 1st in AFC North Division 
Scored 391 points (24.4/g), 12th of 32 in the NFL.
 Allowed 320 points (20.0/g), 8th.
 Differential of 71 points (4.4/g), 10th.

Takeaway/Giveaway Differential +4 (0.2/g), 11th.

2012 Coaching Staff:
Coached by Marvin Lewis

 Offensive Coordinator: Jay Gruden
 Defensive Coordinator: Mike Zimmer
 Other Notable Asst.: Hue Jackson (Secondary)

2012 Draft:
Round Selection Player Position College
1 17[a] Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama
27[b] Kevin Zeitler G Wisconsin
2 53 Devon Still DT Penn State
3 83 Mohamed Sanu WR Rutgers
93 Brandon Thompson DT Clemson
4 116 Orson Charles TE Georgia
5 156 Shaun Prater CB Iowa
166[c] Marvin Jones WR California
167[d] George Iloka S Boise State
6 191 Dan Herron RB Ohio State
Notes
^[a] The team acquired this first-round selection and a conditional 2013 second-round selection in trade that sent quarterback Carson Palmer to the Oakland Raiders.
^[b] From Saints through the Patriots.
^[c] The team acquired this fifth-round selection and a 2013 sixth-round selection in a trade that sent wide receiver Chad Ochocinco to the New England Patriots.
^[d] The team acquired this fifth-round selection in a trade that sent linebacker Keith Rivers to the New York Giants.[2]
The team also traded its seventh-round selection (#228 overall) and cornerback David Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for safety Reggie Nelson.

2013 Outlook
2013 Coaching Staff:
Coached by Marvin Lewis

 Offensive Coordinator: Jay Gruden
 Defensive Coordinator: Mike Zimmer
 Other Notable Asst.: Hue Jackson (Running Backs)

2013 Draft with DT's Grades:
Team Overall Round Round Pick Player Position School Grade


Bengals 21 1 21 Tyler Eifert TE Notre Dame 196.08 Average= 114.08
Bengals (from Raiders (Menelik Watson)) 37 2 5 Giovani Bernard RB North Carolina 168.63
Bengals 53 2 21 Margus Hunt DE Southern Methodist 138.67
Bengals 84 3 22 Shawn Williams SS Georgia 111.37
Bengals 118 4 21 Sean Porter OLB Texas A&M 117.46
Bengals 156 5 23 Tanner Hawkinson OT Kansas 72.14
Bengals 190 6 22 Rex Burkhead RB Nebraska 65.64
Bengals (from Patriots) 197 6 29 Cobi Hamilton WR Arkansas 106.63
Bengals (Compensatory Selection) 240 7 34 Reid Fragel OT Ohio State 90.46
Bengals (Compensatory Selection) 251 7 45 T.J. Johnson C South Carolina 73.73

2013 Undrafted Rookies:
Indiana DT Larry Black Jr.; Stanford CB Terrence Brown; New Mexico-Highlands OLB Jordan Campbell; NW Missouri State DE Travis Chappelear; Central Oklahoma LS Bryce Davis, Southern Illinois OLB Jayson Dimanche; Kentucky DE DeQuin Evans; Eastern Kentucky WR Tyrone Goard; Indiana State WR Justin Hilton; Arkansas State LB Brandon Joiner; Arizona State OT Dan Knapp; Auburn RB Onterio McCalebb; Michigan WR Roy Roundtree; Oklahoma State PK-P Quinn Sharp; Minnesota CB Troy Stoudermire; Auburn OL John Sullen; Virginia Tech LB Bruce Taylor

DT's Draft Grade: B+

Notable Free Agents Lost:
Manny Lawson, LB, Lost to Buffalo

Notable Free Agents Acquired:
James Harrison, LB, Acquired from Pittsburgh
Alex Smith, TE, Acquired from Cleveland

What to Watch for in 2013:
My take on the Bengals is first you think of the offense, with A.J. Green, Gresham, and Dalton running that offense.  The top 3 picks for this team should all do well by the middle of the season pending injuries.  Mike Zimmer, the defensive coordinator, almost always gets the most out of his players and now he has Margus Hunt on the defensive line to play with next to Geno Atkins and company.  My player to watch in specific is Giovani Bernard, the rookie running back.  Bernard is a slasher, someone who can cut mid stride and make people miss.  He's dynamic and should do well in this system if he can stay healthy.

Bernard making a cut in practice.


Rating for 2013 NFL Season: 4 Helmets out of 5.  
This team will make the playoffs depending on their division, someone has to make it someone has to sit it out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Carolina Panthers

2012 Record: 7-9-0, Finished 2nd in NFC South Division 
Scored 357 points (22.3/g), 18th of 32 in the NFL.
Allowed 363 points (22.7/g), 18th.
Differential of -6 points (-0.4/g), 18th.

Takeaway/Giveaway Differential +1 (0.1/g), 16th.

Coached by Ron Rivera

 Offensive Coordinator: Rob Chudzinski
 Defensive Coordinator: Sean McDermott


2012 Draft Review:

The Panthers did not have a 3rd round selection.[a]
Round Selection Player Position College
1 9[b] Luke Kuechly LB Boston College
2 42[c] Amini Silatolu G Midwestern State
4 103[d] Frank Alexander DE Oklahoma
104 Joe Adams WR Arkansas
5 143 Josh Norman CB Coastal Carolina
6 207[e] Brad Nortman P Wisconsin
7 216 D.J. Campbell S California
NOTES
^[a] The team traded its third-round selection to the Chicago Bears in exchange for TE Greg Olsen.
^[b] The Panthers finished with the same record and strength of schedule as the Miami Dolphins. This selection is the 9th, based on a coin toss at the NFL Scouting Combine won by Miami in March.
^[c] The Panthers finished with the same record and strength of schedule as the Miami Dolphins. This selection is the 40th, based on a coin toss at the NFL Scouting Combine in March won by the Miami Dolphins.
^[d] The team traded its sixth-round selection (#180) and their third-round selection in 2013 to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for their fourth-round selection (#103).
^{e } The Panthers received one compensatory pick for the 207 pick overall.
Exact numbers of the selections from rounds 4–7 will be determined after compensatory selections are awarded at the NFL owners' meetings in late March.[5]
2013Outlook:
Coached by Ron Rivera

 Offensive Coordinator: Mike Shula
 Defensive Coordinator: Sean McDermott 
2013 Draft with DT's Grades:
Team Overall Round Round Pick Player Position School Grade


Panthers 14 1 14 Star Lotulelei DE Utah 217.07 Average= 120.60
Panthers 44 2 12 Kawann Short DT Purdue 143.22
Panthers 108 4 11 Edmond Kugbila OG Valdosta State 53.16
Panthers 148 5 15 A.J. Klein ILB Iowa State 88.75
Panthers 182 6 14 Kenjon Barner RB Oregon 100.79


2013 Undrafted Rookies:
San Jose State WR Michael Avila; Wofford FB Eric Breitenstein; Louisiana Tech QB Colby Cameron; Rice TE Taylor Cook; Sam Houston State WR Trey Diller; USC DE/OLB Wes Horton; William & Mary DL Bryan Jean-Pierre; South Carolina LB Damario Jeffery; East Carolina OG Robert Jones; Colorado State P Pete Kontodiakos; Alabama S Robert Lester; Abilene Christian K Morgan Lineberry; Jacksonville State G Tori Mobley; Georgia Tech LS Tyler Morgan; Wheaton OT Jesse Peterson; Michigan DE Craig Roh; Louisiana Lafayette CB Melvin White; Penn State FB Michael Zordich

DT's Draft Grade: A-

Notable Free Agents Lost:
Chris Gamble, CB, Free Agent
Louis Murphy, WR, Lost to NY Giants

 Notable Free Agent Acquisitions:
Domenik Hixon, WR from NY Giants
Chase Blackburn, LB from NY Giants

 What to Watch For:
The Carolina Panthers are very young across the board except for at wide receiver where Steve Smith
seems to defy time and still produces with prime numbers.  The team had a very solid draft with the few picks that they did have.  I was expecting more trading on draft day moving the team down the board to pick up a few extra picks, but that was not the case.  Carolina stuck with the picks they had and were content to get solid players with them.  Star Lotulelei should be a very good player for this team and will help Luke Kuechly out on that defense, he could be the star they need to get over the hump, pun intended.  If Cam Newton improves his accuracy just a bit and makes slightly better decisions this team could be playoff bound as a Wildcard team.

Rating for 2013 NFL Season: 3 Helmets out of 5.  







~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Review of 6 teams Previewed thus far by Draft Grades:

Overall Team Average Div. 2 Grade
6 Cardinals 61.81 A-
9 Panthers 60.30 A-
11 Bengals 57.04 B+
13 Bills 55.16 B+
18 Ravens 52.78 B
25 Falcons 49.04 C+
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Thursday, August 8, 2013

Views...

I'm doing this post just as an interesting way to go in the future and look back at this.  In a year or two I'd like to take a look back at where this blog started and how it's grown.  Here are the current countries and their pageviews that have clicked on my little blog about sports so far.

EntryPageviews
United States
170
Russia
43
United Kingdom
4
South Korea
4
Canada
2
Germany
2
Netherlands
2
Brazil
1
Switzerland
1
Hungary
1

How or why I have people looking at my blog from other countries, I don't know but I don't mind either.  Hopefully it's something that interests everyone that clicks on it.

Thanks,


Romans 12:10

New International Version (NIV)
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Posted by at No comments:

2013 Buffalo and Atlanta Previews, NFL Hall of Fame, MLB Suspensions

I'm going to do this blog analyzing 2 teams per day, alphabetically one from the AFC and one from the NFC.
I comprised my list of eligible players for the NFL draft and gave them statistical values based on other pro scouts and guru's, like Mike Mayock, Gil Brandt, and Todd McShay.  I also factored in things such as awards won, All-American Team status, etc., and used that value to have a better understanding of how good a player is, a consensus if you will.

For the ratings a team receives I will be using helmets instead of stars and they mean the following:
5 Helmets: Definate Playoff team/SuperBowl contender
4 Helmets: High Playoff probability
3 Helmets: Playoffs aren't entirely out of question
2 Helmets: Slim to no playoff hope
1 Helmet:  This team is now on the clock for the 2014 NFL Draft.

For Baltimore and Arizona, click here.


Now onto Buffalo and Atlanta.


Buffalo Bills  
2012 in Review
2012 Record: 6-10-0
2012 Division Rank: 3rd in AFC East Division
Scored 344 points (21.5/g), 21st of 32 in the NFL.
 Allowed 435 points (27.2/g), 26th.
 Differential of -91 points (-5.7/g), 25th.


Coached by Chan Gailey


Offensive Coordinator: Curtis Modkins
Defensive Coordinator: Dave Wannstedt
Other Notable Asst.: Bob Sanders (Linebackers)

2012 Draft Review
Round Selection Player Position College
1 10 Stephon Gilmore Cornerback South Carolina
2 41 Cordy Glenn Guard Georgia
3 69 T. J. Graham Wide receiver NC State
4 105 Nigel Bradham Outside Linebacker Florida State
124[a] Ron Brooks Cornerback LSU
5 144 Zebrie Sanders Tackle Florida State
147[b] Tank Carder Inside Linebacker TCU
6 178 Mark Asper Guard Oregon
7 251[c] John Potter Kicker Western Michigan
Notes
^[a] The team acquired an additional fourth-round selection (#124 overall) in a trade that sent wide receiver Lee Evans to the Baltimore Ravens.
^[b] The team acquired an additional fifth-round selection (#147 overall) as part of a trade that sent running back Marshawn Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks.
^[c] Compensatory selection.

2012 Undrafted free agents

Stanford safety Delano Howell, Missouri State running back Chris Douglas, Virginia Tech cornerback Cris Hill, Colorado State offensive lineman Paul Madsen, Florida State punter Shawn Powell, Texas offensive lineman David Snow, Penn State safety Nick Sukay, Mercyhurst safety/long snapper Ian Wild, Texas A&M linebacker Garrick Williams and Richmond quarterback Aaron Corp.[11] Corp was later released.

2013 Coaching:
Coached by Doug Marrone

 Offensive Coordinator: Nathaniel Hackett
 Defensive Coordinator: Mike Pettine
2013 Draft Picks with my Grades:
Team Overall Round Round Pick Player Position School Grade

Bills (from Rams (Tavon Austin) 16 1 16 EJ Manuel QB Florida State 142.13 Average= 110.31
Bills 41 2 9 Robert Woods WR USC 145.18
Bills (from Rams (Tavon Austin)) 46 2 14 Kiko Alonso ILB Oregon 123.31
Bills (from Rams) 78 3 16 Marquise Goodwin WR Texas 113.10
Bills 105 4 8 Duke Williams SS Nevada 89.32
Bills 143 5 10 Jonathan Meeks SS Clemson 24.73
Bills 177 6 9 Dustin Hopkins K Florida State 136.95
Bills (from Rams) 222 7 16 Chris Gragg TE Arkansas 107.77

My Draft Grade for 2013: B+

Undrafted Free Agents for 2013:
Syracuse OG Zach Chibane; Georgia Tech DE Izaan Cross; Towson FS Jordan Dangerfield; Missouri CB Kip Edwards; Richmond RB/FB Kendall Gaskins; Eastern Washington WR Brandon Kaufman; Lane CB Vernon Kearney; Stony Brook WR Kevin Norrell; Howard LB Keith Pough; USC CB Nickell Robey; Tennessee Tech WR Da'Rick Rogers; Catawba CB Jumal Rolle; Albany FB Drew Smith; Cal DL Aaron Tipoti; Washington State QB Jeff Tuel; Pittsburgh C Ryan Turnley

Notable Free Agents Lost:
Nick Barnett, LB 2013 Team: Washington
Andy Levitre, OL 2013 Team: Tennessee
All 3 QB's on roster last year are now gone.

Notable Free Agent Acquisitions:
Manny Lawson, LB, Cincinnati
Kevin Kolb, QB, Arizona


What to Watch For:

With Buffalo you never know what you're going to get.  They have talent on both sides of the ball, first on offense with C.J. Spiller and Stevie Johnson; on defense they have Jairus Byrd and Mario Williams.  I expect EJ Manuel to start by week 5 for this team and on defense Kiko Alonso is pretty much alone as far as the defensive rookies go.  I was very intrigued by Robert Woods and think he'll be a perfect match, maybe not this year, but in the future, opposite of Johnson.

Rating for 2013 NFL Season:  2 helmets out of 5.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Atlanta Falcons

2012 in Review
2012 Record: 3-13-0
2012 Division Rank: Finished 1st in NFC South Division
Scored 419 points (26.2/g), 7th of 32 in the NFL.
 Allowed 299 points (18.7/g), 5th.
 Differential of 120 points (7.5/g), 5th.

Takeaway/Giveaway Differential +13 (0.8/g), 5th. 


Coached by Mike Smith

 Offensive Coordinator: Dirk Koetter
 Defensive Coordinator: Mike Nolan

2012 Draft Review:
The Falcons did not have a first- or fourth-round selection.[a]
Round Selection Player Position College
2 55 Peter Konz C Wisconsin
3 84 Lamar Holmes OT Southern Miss
5 157 Bradie Ewing FB Wisconsin
164 Jonathan Massaquoi DE Troy
6 192 Charles Mitchell S Mississippi State
7[b] 249[c] Travian Robertson DT South Carolina
NOTES
^[a] The team traded its first and fourth-round selections, as well as its first-, second-, and fourth-round selections in 2011 to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Cleveland's first round selection in 2011, used to select wide receiver Julio Jones.
^[b] The team traded its original seventh-round selection (#229 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for cornerback Asante Samuel.
^[c] Compensatory selection.
 
2013 Coaching Staff:
Coached by Mike Smith

 Offensive Coordinator: Dirk Koetter
 Defensive Coordinator: Mike Nolan

2013 Draft Picks and My Grades:
Team Overall Round Round Pick Player Position School Grade

Falcons (from Redskins through Rams) 22 1 22 Desmond Trufant CB Washington 143.47 Average= 98.07
Falcons 60 2 28 Robert Alford CB Southeastern Louisiana 118.17
Falcons 127 4 30 Malliciah Goodman DE Clemson 92.20
Falcons (Compensatory Selection) 133 4 36 Levine Toilolo TE Stanford 79.23
Falcons (from Bears) 153 5 20 Stansly Maponga DE TCU 73.43
Falcons (Compensatory Selection) 243 7 37 Kemal Ishmael SS UCF --
Falcons (Compensatory Selection) 244 7 38 Zeke Motta SS Notre Dame 103.73
Falcons (Compensatory Selection) 249 7 43 Sean Renfree QB Duke 76.29

 My Draft Grade for 2013: C+

Undrafted Free Agents:
Boston College LB Nick Clancy; Fresno State WR Rashad Evans; Texas Tech QB Seth Doege; Syracuse DL Dan Googins; UCF OG Theo Goins; UCF DE Cam Henderson; SMU WR Darius Johnson; Alabama State OL Terren Jones; Utah DB Moe Lee; Northern Illinois WR Martell Moore; Eastern Washington OT Will Post; Indiana DL Adam Replogle; Georgia State RB Donald Russell; App State DB Troy Sanders; Utah P Sean Sellwood; Valdosta State OT Ryan Schraeder; Tennessee-Martin WR Quentin Sims; Kentucky C Matt Smith; Colorado State CB Momo Thomas; Arkansas Pine-Bluff OLB Brandon Thurmond; Arkansas RB Ronnie Wingo; Delaware LB Paul Worrilow; North Carolina K Casey Barth; Texas State LB Joplo Bartu; Maryland FB Devonte Campbell; Ohio DT Neal Huynh; McNeese State OT Alec Savoie

Notable Free Agents Lost:
John Abraham, DL, Lost to Arizona
Dunta Robinson, DB, Lost to K.C.
Brent Grimes, DB, Lost to Miami
Tyson Clabo, OL, Lost to Miami
Michael Turner, RB, Lost to Free Agency

Notable Free Agents Acquired:
Steven Jackson, RB, from St. Louis
Osi Umenyiora, DL, from NY Giants

What to Watch For:
The Atlanta Falcons of 2012 were on the verge of a SuperBowl appearance and fell a game short.  Tony Gonzalez returns for another campaign after FINALLY tasting a playoff win.  Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, and now Steven Jackson comprise one of the most explosive offensive units in the NFL.  Key loses to the secondary may make every game a shoot out for this team.  After listening to the Rich Eisen Podcast interview with Brian Banks, you can't help but pull for this young man.  Here is the link for the Brian Banks Podcast if you haven't already heard it.  If the link doesn't work, you can go here to find the direct page.  http://richeisen.nfl.com/2013/06/25/rich-eisen-podcast-brian-banks/  I personally think this is one of the 2-3 teams to beat in the NFC and potentially the NFL this season.

Rating for 2013 NFL Season: 5 helmets out of 5.

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NFL Hall of Fame Ceremony:
The NFL held it's annual enshrinement this past weekend and it did not disappoint.  The speeches weren't as super motivational as some of the past goes, but per Deion Sanders request, I won't rank them.  These guys, like their speeches, are each unique and inspirational in their own special ways.  If you're an NFL fan, this event should be a kick-starter for your season every year.  On The Rich Eisen podcast Rich states that there is a "playing season and a non-playing season", the Hall of Fame induction ceremony every year is used to kick off the playing season.  Dallas defeated Miami in this years Hall of Fame game which usually shows you a variety of guys that may or may not appear in the NFL this year or even years to come.  The stats are kept for practice purposes basically and the score truly doesn't determine anything in the long run, but just to see football again makes this a special game.  Ten million at home viewers for this years game couldn't be wrong.  Go back and watch the speeches, you can also look up previous enshrinee information at http://www.profootballhof.com/default.aspx .

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MLB Suspensions
In other news this past week, Major League Baseball suspended 13 players with the most famous being Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees for their involvement in a BioGenesis clinic in Florida.  A-Rod got hit the hardest with the other players all taking the same 50 game suspension.  Rodriguez on the other hand is suspended a total of 211 games.  Here is an excerpt from ESPN.com about the suspensions:

The players' union made a late appeal to MLB for a deal for Rodriguez but was told there would be no more negotiations. He will be punished under the Joint Drug Agreement and other areas of the league's collective-bargaining agreement but will be allowed to play while he appeals.

The other players, initially confirmed by FoxSports.com, who have agreed to the suspensions without the right to appeal are:

• Nelson Cruz, Rangers outfielder
• Everth Cabrera, Padres shortstop
• Jhonny Peralta, Tigers shortstop
• Antonio Bastardo, Phillies reliever
• Francisco Cervelli, Yankees catcher (on DL)
• Jordany Valdespin, Mets outfielder (minors)
• Jesus Montero, Mariners catcher (minors)
• Cesar Puello, Mets outfielder (minors)
•  Sergio Escalona, Astros pitcher (minors)
• Fernando Martinez, Yankees outfielder (minors)
• Fautino De Los Santos, free-agent pitcher
• Jordan Norberto, free-agent pitcher

Beyond Rodriguez, the suspensions come with potentially stiff consequences for at least two of the players and their teams. Cruz, Cabrera and Peralta were each All-Stars this season, with Cruz's Rangers and Peralta's Tigers contending for playoff berths. 

Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun was the first player to reach an agreement with MLB on a suspension for his connection to the Biogenesis case. The 2011 NL MVP accepted a season-ending 65-game suspension last month.
   
I personally think MLB should be a bit harsher especially towards Braun who lied about this very case last year when confronted with it.  The players should be held more accountable.  Pete Rose was banned for life from the game and the Hall of Fame for betting on the game, these guys are doing worse than that in my opinion, cheating is cheating and using illegal drugs or substances to make yourself play longer, have better hand-eye coordination, hit harder, run faster, etc is the same as cheating.  These suspensions were a great "start" for MLB but I don't think it was enough to deter others from trying it in the future.  With advances in technology and human growth hormones (HGH) and other medicinal practices advancing, you do leave a century old sport in the proverbial dust.  All we, the fans, ask is that the playing field be evened out.  Year after year this comes up, from Mark McGwire to Barry Bonds and now this, when will it stop MLB? 

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Closing Thoughts:
I leave you with a passage from a book I read once, "Chicken soup for the Sports Fan's Soul".  This story describes sports to a T.  I wish you all a great day and a better week, month and year than you've ever had before.  God Bless.

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