2012 Draft Review (AFC South)

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:22:00 -0500

Here’s a division-by-division recap of the 2012 NFL Draft and how each team helped itself. Next, the AFC South…

Houston Texans: Despite winning their first AFC South title and playoff berth, the Texans have some holes to fill via the free agent departure of DE Mario Williams, the trade of ILB DeMeco Ryans (Eagles) and the release of RT Eric Winston (who signed with Kansas City). Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the Texans totaled a team-record 44 sacks last season and the addition of Mercilus should make this unit even more potent. Brooks could be in the mix for the right guard job vacated by free agent departee Mike Brisiel (Raiders).

RD PLAYER/SCHOOL

Darrelle Revis Praises Tim Tebow-Can you Do That Without Slighting Mark Sanchez?

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:59:00 -0500

The New York Jets love the spotlight. Even one player's praising of a teammate has become controversial. Darrelle Revis spoke glowingly of Tim Tebow and his leadership skills. Revis loves the way Tebow competes and relates to his teammates. He also thinks that the leadership Tebow brings to the locker room translates to wins. There isn't a controversial element to be found in what Revis said, E-X-C-E-P-T for the fact that Tebow is not the starting quarterback. Mark Sanchez cannot be happy. The more praise that Tebow gets from within that locker room, the more fans are going to want to see Tim Tebow play. It is one thing for an owner, GM, or head coach to sing Tebow's praises, they had to make the decision to sign him and their collective backsides are on the line

2012 Draft Review (NFC North)

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:32:00 -0500

Here’s a division-by-division recap of the 2012 NFL Draft and how each team helped itself. Next up, the NFC North…

Chicago Bears: The 2010 NFC North champion Bears appeared headed back to the playoffs after a7-3 start in ’11 before injuries shelved QB Jay Cutler and later, RB Matt Forte. But while the offense had its issues, the defense fell off a bit from its performance the previous season. McClellin should aid a pass rush that’s been average at best in recent seasons despite the addition of DE Julius Peppers. Jeffery’s selection drew mixed reviews but lest we forget he’ll get a chance to learn behind WR Brandon Marshall. Chicago used 3 of its last 4 selections for secondary help.

Future of Football Pros? Get Creative

Tue, 08 May 2012 15:48:00 -0500

Andy Freeland and I met with some web-developers today. The discussion centered on how to improve Football Pros.com. Successful web-based football sites are centered around breaking news and commentary. Most breaking news is shared almost instantly in our society so it won't be hard to find. I can hire reporters to get involved in the process of breaking stories, and I probably will, but it is the commentary on the breaking stories that always interests me more and has always been our strong suit. The regulars on Football Pros.com could help me create an instant web/mobile based football information/commentary site that could be incredible. We will break some news, but our high quality fan-based commentators are really as good as anything else I read in newspapers and magazines. We

2012 Draft Review (AFC North)

Sat, 05 May 2012 11:41:00 -0500

Here’s a division-by-division recap of the 2012 NFL Draft and how each team helped itself. Today, the AFC North...

Baltimore Ravens: Perhaps looking for some guard help in the first round to replace the free agent departure of G Ben Grubbs (Saints), Ozzie Newsome traded out of the first round and landed Upshaw, who inexplicably slipped a few spots and in a case of timing is everything, will likely vie for substantial playing time what with the recent Achilles injury to NFL Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs. Osemele and Gradkowski find themselves in the mix for the starting left guard spot, while the 6-5 Streeter looks to develop behind Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith.

RD PLAYER/SCHOOL

2012 Draft Review (AFC East)

Wed, 02 May 2012 12:25:00 -0500

Here’s a division-by-division recap of the 2012 NFL Draft and how each team helped itself. Today, the AFC East…

Buffalo Bills: Chan Gailey’s team addressed one of its biggest needs via free agency, the lack of a pass rush, with the additions of DEs Mario Williams and Mark Anderson. Now Gilmore hopes to help a secondary that hopes to benefit from that expected added pressure as the former Gamecock figures to earn a starting job opposite Terrence McGee. The Bills used one-third of their draft on offensive line help with Glenn, Sanders and Asper, hoping to add some depth and youth to a unit that admittedly did allow the fewest sacks (23) in the NFL last season. Graham is best known for his speed and not only will help the offense

2012 Draft Review (NFC East)

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:26:00 -0500

Here’s a division-by-division recap of the 2012 NFL Draft and how each team helped itself. First up, the NFC East…

Dallas Cowboys: Dallas used its first 4 picks on defense and with good reasons. After giving up 33 touchdown passes in 2010, tied for the most in the league, the Cowboys made some improvement in this area last season numbers-wise. But it’s worth noting that while Rob Ryan’s unit allowed only 24 scores through the air, 9 of those came in the 4 losses to the Giants and Eagles. Combined with free agent addition CB Brandon Carr (Chiefs) and former first-rounder CB Mike Jenkins, the Pokes figure to be better in the secondary. And the additions of Crawford and Wilber hope to aid a pass rush that produced a respectable

TOP 10 ... BOTTOM 5

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:54:00 -0500

The 2012 NFL season has begun with the draft. I know everyone is grading and evaluating what their team did. I am not a believer in giving grades or winner/loser tags. How can anyone grade or give a winner/loser tag to teams when none of these athletes have stepped onto an NFL field? Just because a player is drafted high doesn't mean he will be a star or major contributor, conversely, just because a player is drafted late, or not at all, doesn't mean they won't be a star or major contributor (just ask Arian Foster, Fred Jackson, Tom Brady, James Harrison ... you get the point). Now, people can state what they liked or didn't like about their teams draft based on whether or not they addressed or didn't address their needs. Here are my top 10 likes and bottom 5 dislikes to the 2012 NFL Draft.

Where Should Colt McCoy Play in 2012?

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:32:00 -0500

With the Browns taking 28 year old (29 in October) QB Brandon Weeden in the first round, Colt McCoy's future is in doubt. When you draft a QB who has a small window of opportunity (5 years) in the first round you better get him on the field quickly. This pick speaks volumes to me, it says that the Cleveland brass does not think Colt McCoy is good enough to lead them to the playoffs. Thus the question, what is the best situation for McCoy, to stay in Cleveland and compete, or to go elsewhere and probably back up?

I think a great situation for Colt would be to go to Denver. He would back up Peyton while learning from one of the best. Denver has Caleb Hanie as their back up, they are going to draft a QB at sometime in this draft, so why not trade for a

Did You Miss Last Night? Here is What Happened

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:31:00 -0500

2012 NFL DRAFT TIME-STAMP ARTICLE

It’s the night truly about luck. It’s not just about the Stanford quarterback that is soon to be taken by the temporarily re-named Indianoplace Colts; but about the luck every other team will have over the next five years. It is also the time of year I re-visit one of my favorite articles; the NFL Draft time-stamp article. It happens, I write it, I quickly edit it and turn it in.

This year, as usual, Hack is here to end up hating what the Browns do and so I can get a few lines in about his reactions. Also here is New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton because, well, he has nothing to do. (He’s not here,