Sunday, May 24, 2009

Mike Singletary Speaks About Michael Vick

After months of silence, San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary has finally publicly spoken regarding the possibility of acquiring QB Michael Vick. "I don't want to say absolutely not...but I certainly don't want to say yes". As passive as this sounds, it is absolutely the most promising news we have heard regarding Vick possibly playing in the NFL once again. My most recent post dealt with the San Francisco seeming like an ideal spot for him to land, so this serves as even more encouragement for things to take shape.


Thursday, May 21, 2009

Potential Team For Michael Vick

On Tuesday at about 4 AM, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was released from prison at Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth, KS and taken back home to Hampton, VA by his fiancee. Most are expecting him to be re-instated by commissioner Roger Goodell, but it is an entirely different question if he will ever be a starter in the NFL again, much less effective as he once was. Thus far he has been linked to three teams, the Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, and San Francisco 49ers. The Raiders and Rams have both denied that they have any interest in him. Thus, if any team is most likely to sign him, it will be the 49ers. At this point it is just totally speculation though, they have not even publicly stated anything about the situation. But still, when one considers their situation, it would seem like an ideal place to end up.

San Francisco has arguably the worst quarterback situation in the league. Alex Smith has been an immense disappointment and has one more year to shed his bust label. Shaun Hill won some games last year, but is by no means even close to being a premier quarterback in the league. He seems to be just a "game-manager" at best, a poor man's Jeff Garcia. At his age he won't ever become a premier passer. This team has been disappointing for quite some time now and have not had a franchise quarterback really since Steve Young retired. They have the opportunity to bring in another left-handed, mobile quarterback now to bring them back to the promised land. In that weak NFC East, a quick turn around is possible.

After drafting WR Michael Crabtree this year, he will need someone to regularly get him the ball and I just don't see Smith or Hall being that guy. They could sign him to a 1 year contract, see how everything goes, and then go from there. With Mike Singletary as the new coach there, he will keep Vick in line to ensure that he focuses solely on rebuilding his football career. Also, San Francisco has a great running back in Frank Gore and drafted another running back in Glen Coffee to complement him. They should improve upon their already strong running game and will support Vick greatly. This will take lots of pressure off Vick when it comes to getting him accustomed to the game again.

There are multiple issues when it comes to signing Vick though. The first topic which has to be discussed is his actual effectiveness as a quarterback. Many teams in the league would never want him regardless of the legal issue because he is not a true pocket passer. We can go on and on debating as to whether his style of play can be just as effective as dropping back in the pocket, but what we do know is that he did win games and took the Falcons to the playoff multiple times and even won in the playoffs too with his style. He even once led his team to a victory at Lambeau Field to send his team to the NFC championship game.

Some other issues are his lack of accuracy and ball security. Even with his lack of pass attempts due to his constant rushing, he has never completed 60% of his passes in a given year. This is terrible for a player who was considered a "franchise quarterback" for a team for multiple years. Some of this may come from his gun-slinger's mentality and cannon of an arm, but other gun-slingers in the league, who actually attempt almost twice as many passes as him, can achieve at least 60%. Jay Cutler and Brett Favre are perfect examples of "franchise quarterbacks" who can stake that claim.

He averages four fumbles a season, which is a concern. He does not protect the ball when he rushes and puts himself at risk. Turning the ball over is unacceptable to head coaches in the NFL, so he will first have to work on this if he wants to snag a starting gig.

Most importantly, he has been out of the game for two years and will have to take huge mental strides to become a starter again. His instincts were not quite the best to begin with, so this will serve as the most challenging aspect to overcome.

You can say what you want about Michael Vick, but he was the most dynamic quarterback in the NFL when he played and knows how to win in the playoffs. The 49ers now have a receiver who has all the potential in the world to help Vick, a coach who will ensure that Vick gets his life straight and focuses on football, and a strong running game to support him. San Francisco has yet to comment on him, so this leads me to believe that they are at least somewhat interested. Only time will tell as the off-season progresses.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

2009 NFL Draft First Round Review

1. Detroit Lions- Matthew Stafford, QB- Georgia
A good selection in that they now have a very talented and accomplished franchise quarterback to develop. Some think the Lions are following the formula for failure though. His occasional mental lapses are a concern but he should be fine if he is given enough time to develop. Has a very solid receiving corps surrounding him but will need that offensive line improvement to avoid becoming a bust. Has lots of potential.

2. St. Louis Rams- Jason Smith, DE- Baylor
A fine pick. QB Marc Bulger needed more protection and now he will get it. Should be their franchise LT for years to come. RB Steven Jackson should look to benefit from his presence too after a few disappointing recent years.

3. Kansas City Chiefs- Tyson Jackson, DE- LSU
A somewhat surprising pick in that most scouts did not have Jackson rated this high. He is a true DE in a 3-4 scheme though, which is very hard to find, which increased his value. New GM Scott Pioli has made a name for drafting based on scheme so it makes sense he would covet Jackson's skill set. A very safe player who should be effective for them for years to come.

4. Seattle Seahawks- Aaron Curry, OLB- Wake Forest
A great selection considering that he is the best player in the draft. Needed to fill that WLB slot with Julian Peterson's departure. A little surprising that they did not take an LT considering Walter Jones' age and health. Will contribute immediately and be one of the best linebackers in the league for many years.

5. New York Jets- Mark Sanchez, QB- USC
Traded up and made a great selection. Only had to give up their first rounder, second rounder, and three reserves for their new potential franchise quarterback. Is considered a very safe pick, even considering his 16 collegiate starts, and should be a solid quarterback atleast.

6. Cincinnati Bengals- Andre Smith, LT- Alabama
A good but risky pick. Had a horrendous offseason. Very immature and could have serious weight and conditioning issues in the NFL. Was dominant in college though. This pick was based on his tape. Eugene Monroe would have been a safer pick, but the Bengals obviously viewed him as a better LT.

7. Oakland Raiders- Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR- Maryland
Very shocking, even for owner Al Davis. Was picked simply because of his speed. Not the best pick considering that Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin, with 4.4 speed, were available. Most think this pick was terrible. Would have been smart to trade back with the Jets and pick him at 17 because he still would have been there. However, the Raiders got their guy who will fit their scheme. Will complement QB Jamarcus Russell's big arm and has the most upside of any receiver in the draft, but a very risky pick, especially this high in the draft. Heyward-Bey does gets more criticism than he deserves. Could end up being the best receiver in this class given his blazing speed and good size, but has a steep learning curve.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars- Eugene Monroe, LT- Virginia
Good pick for the Jaguars. Needed to bolster that offensive line after their injury struggles, and then QB David Garrard's struggles, last year. Will learn from their new free agent LT Tra Thomas. Could have drafted DT B.J. Raji, considering their need and his skill, but Monroe is solid.

9. Green Bay Packers- B.J. Raji, DT- Boston College
Excellent pick for Green Bay. Will plug the middle and allow their new 3-4 scheme to flourish. Will take the pressure off every other defensive player. Should be very effective.

10. San Francisco- Michael Crabtree, WR- San Francisco
A no-brainer. Arguably the best player in the draft fell to them to fill the biggest need on their team. Should contribute immediately. One of the best receivers to enter the league this decade.

11. Buffalo Bills- Aaron Maybin, DE- Penn State
A somewhat risky pick but has lots of upside. A pure pass rusher. Has the quickest first step off the line in the draft. Very explosive. Will need to show he can defend the run. A one year wonder. Has lots of potential.

12. Denver Broncos- Knowshon Moreno, RB- Georgia
A questionable pick considering how many running backs are on the roster, including all the free agents they signed in the offseason. Also, running back is usually not a position that is valued this high. Moreno is a fine back though who should start and take pressure off new QB Kyle Orton.

13. Washington Redskins- Brian Orakpo, DE- Texas
An excellent pick. No one expected him to fall this far. Was the best player available and will fill a huge need at DE for the Redskins. Is very versatile and will also play OLB for them too. Should be a star in the league given his skill set, production in college, and work ethic.

14. New Orleans Saints- Malcolm Jenkins, CB- Ohio State
Great pick. Extremely solid, underrated cornerback. Will help to continue improve the subpar Saints secondary immediately. Does not have elite combine speed but did not show it at Ohio State. A very mature, and intense player who should become the leader of the defense within a few years.

15. Houston Texans- Brian Cushing, OLB- USC
Could be the missing link to a playoff berth. Will fill a need at OLB and start immediately. A very solid player with a great work ethic. .

16. San Diego Chargers- Larry English, DE/OLB- Northern Illinois
A surprising pick. A pass rusher was not a need for San Diego and most scouts had him rated in the late first or early second. Could have traded down to select him. Amassed many sacks in college but will need to learn how to drop back in coverage as the OLB in their 3-4 scheme. Will be an insurance policy for OLB Shawne Merriman.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Josh Freeman, QB- Kansas State
The new franchise quarterback for Tampa Bay. New head coach Raheem Morris, has obviously learned from his predecessor's mistake in never developing a young quarterback. Has a cannon for an arm and a huge 6'6" frame. Surprisingly athletic. Will need a few years to develop mentally. Has the most potential of any quarterback in the draft, but also the most bust potential.

18. Denver Broncos- Robert Ayers, DE/OLB- Tennessee
An excellent selection for the Broncos. Will play outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme and take pressure off the underrated DE/OLB Elvis Dumervil. Is projected to successfully learn the position by most scouts. Was not expected to be avaiable this late. Denver snagged the best player available to fill a huge need.

19. Philadelphia Eagles- Jeremy Maclin, WR- Missouri
Arguably the best pick in the draft thus far. The Eagles made a great move in trading up to grab the premier receiver. Projected as a top 10 pick, the Eagles improved upon their below average receiving corps to give QB Donovan McNabb yet another marquis receiver in the draft in consecutive years. Will need to work on his physicality and tweak his hands, but should help contribute immediately given WR DeSean Jackson's immediate success last year.

20. Detroit Lions- Brandon Pettigrew, TE- Oklahoma State
Although this pick was criticized by some because he is only a tight end, he is a top 10 player and a complete tight end, a rare find in today's game. He will not only help in pass blocking but will be a solid receiving threat for QB Matt Stafford for years to come. A great pick by the rebuilding Lions.

21. Cleveland Browns- Alex Mack, C- California
A very surprising pick. Already had an elite offensive line and Mack was not considered the best player available at this point. Probably could have gone elsewhere considering that they are rebuilding. Mack should be solid though.

22. Minnesota Vikings- Percy Harvin, WR- Florida
The Vikings got their guy. The most explosive first round pick since RB Reggie Bush. Unfortunately like Bush, he will need to work on the technical aspects of his position if he is to have an immediate impact, which Minnesota is expecting in him.

23. Baltimore Ravens- Michael Oher, LT- Mississippi
A surprising pick considering their solidarity on the offensive line. Baltimore even traded up to get him. Regardless, he was one of the best players available and has a ton of upside.

24. Atlanta Falcons- Peria Jerry, DT- Mississippi
A great pick for Atlanta. Jerry was one of the best players available and he will fill a huge hole at DT after Grady Jackson packed his bags for Detroit. They had been coveting all off-season.

25. Atlanta Dolphins- Vontae Davis, CB- Illinois
Another great pick in which a team got their guy. Davis is a freak athletically and has potential to be a premier cornerback in the league. The Dolphins need a corner and they got him at a huge bargain.

26. Green Bay Packers- Clay Matthews, USC
Yet another great pick to fill a hole. Green Bay traded up to snag a great pass rusher to play opposite DE/OLB Aaron Kampman in their new 3-4 scheme. Their defense is now complete after addressing their two biggest needs, which coincidentally are probably the two most important positions in a 3-4 scheme.

27. Indianapolis Colts- Donald Brown, UConn
A typical pick by president Bill Polian. Once again they drafted someone who plays an offensive skill position that is technically sound. Should contribute immediately due to that attribute and due to RB Joseph Addai's struggles last year. Should also figure into the passing game for QB Peyton Manning too.

28. Buffalo Bills- Eric Wood, C- Louisvile
Surprising they did not go with LT William Beatty from UConn given former left tackle Jason Peter's departure. Wood will help with the pass protection though. Was one of the best players available at this point.

29. New York Giants- Hakeem Nicks, WR- North Carolina
Along with WR Michael Crabtree, the most NFL-ready receiver in the draft. A very safe pick. Will step in and perform immediately, which is what the Giants need the most after releasing WR Plaxico Burress.

30. Tennessee Titans- Kenny Britt, WR- Rutgers
The Titans addressed probably their biggest need by selecting the very underrated receiver. Will be a great complement to free agent pick up WR Nate Washington. It's surprising they actually picked a receiver considering how long they have gone without picking one in the first round and after their signing of Washington. Great pick.

31. Arizona Cardinals- Chris Wells, RB- Ohio State
How did he slip this far? Unbelievable pick by the Cardinals. He was by far the best player available and will immediately be a star in the league. Will drastically improve their pitiful running game, which was really their only weakness last year.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers- Evander Hood, DT- UConn
Great pick by the Steelers. Is a very agile DT who will play DE in their 3-4 scheme, which probably fits him best. Hard to find these types of players. Should be very effective for them given his skill set.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Brett Favre Potential Re-Un-Retirement?

With all the rumors swirling around regarding Favre potentially returning to the NFL yet again, and Favre's and his agent Bus Cook's constant denials of the possibility, it turns out they have been untruthful yet again. Brett Favre just needs to man-up and admit that he cannot get over being retired, and cannot get over his severe bitterness toward the Green Bay Packers G.M. Ted Thompson. What strikes me is that why would the Vikings even accept him? Yes they do not have the greatest quarterback situation, but do the Vikings not realize that Favre wants to play for them mainly just because they are in the NFC North and he would get to face the Packers twice? If Favre comes back, it should be solely because of his love for the game, not because of any spite he may feel towards the Packers' front office.

Another huge issue is that it seems the Vikings are not even considering Favre's physical status. Even if his x-rays determine that he does not need surgery, that does not mean his biceps and shoulder are completely healed. Considering his age, I really doubt they have healed properly. Favre does not even know because, according to him, he has not touched a football in four months. Does that sound like someone who is truly coming back because of his love for the game?

Even if he is completley healthy, the Vikings have to realize that his age will most likely catch up to him again this year. Surprisingly though, they do not seem concerned. Did they not see how terrible he was last year when his body started breaking down? Although Sage Rosenfels and Tavaris Jackson are not ideal starting quarterbacks at the moment, Sage has never been given a chance to start but has shown lots of potential as a backup. Tavaris has improved every year too and could potentially develop into the quarterback the Vikings intended him to be as soon as this year given the new weapons they Vikings have going into this year. I really think it will be a bad move to sign Favre but it will surely be very interesting to see how the situation plays out.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Mark Sanchez Hitting It Big In The Big Apple

After having the top selling rookie jersey last week, and currently on pace to beat Oakland Raiders' RB Darren McFadden 2008 mark last year, New York Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez may have already sealed the starting quarterback job in the Big Apple. According to Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News, Rex Ryan "has made it abundantly clear, without saying so, that his plan is to make Mark Sanchez the opening-day starter" based on word around the Jets' training camp. Rex was in Baltimore in 2008 when QB Joe Flacco was the opening day starter and never looked back so it makes sense that he would think Sanchez could handle it too. Many questioned whether Flacco would be ready given that he played at the University of Delaware, a Division 1AA school, and due to the Ravens' lack of an ideal receiving corps surrounding him. Most experts originally figured Sanchez would not be ready anytime soon due to his 16 collegiate starts and the Jets' lack of an ideal receiving corps also.

If anything Sanchez would have an advantage over Flacco when it comes to starting immediately. He did play at USC which is immensely abundant in talent and runs a very complicated pro-style offense. Also, he is known as a poised, smart decision-maker with an unbelievable work ethic and amazing accuracy, which makes his learning curve much lower. Flacco was seen as more of a raw gun-slinger. Sanchez knows that the job is his to lose, especially afer the success of last year's starting rookie quarterbacks in Flacco and the Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan. Fortunately, he loves challenges like these and does all he can to impress those judging him. A perfect example of this was him deciding to throw at the combine when there was no need to, unlike Matt Stafford. Rumor is that he actually learned a significant portion (around 20 full plays) the night he got his playbook and executed each of them flawlessly the next day in his first day of training camp. Only time will tell, but I bet he will end up starting immediately given his attributes.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Josh McDaniels Continues To Surprise Us

In loom of of the whole "McJayGate" saga, Denver Broncos' new Head Coach Josh McDaniels continued his questionable decision making in the 2009 NFL draft. It seems as if he has no idea how franchises are supposed to be ran. With his first strange decision, he selected Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno with the 12th overall pick to join his already running back corps of Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington, LaMont Jordan, Ryan Torain, Peyton Hillis, and Selvin Young. Young has since been released to make way for Moreno. The young former Georgia running back is very talented but this move is quite questionable for a few reasons.

Fistly, they already have so many running backs who are all atleast somewhat effective. There are a few who actually have great potential based on what was seen of them previously. Also, Buckhalter, Arrington, and Jordan were all free agents signed in the offseason to big contracts. If they are making large sums of money, then they should be give the chance to prove their worth on the field to benefit the franchise economically. Secondly, the Broncos have serious issues that needed to be addressed on defense and could have grabbed an elite defensive player in the draft with that pick. Texas DE Brian Orakpo, who many viewed as a top 5 player in the entire draft, was sitting for them at that pick and they passed on him. Not only is he immensly talented but he has lots of experience in that complex 3-4 scheme and would have been a very safe pick. Thirdly, the running back position is not valued very high in the draft compard to other positions. A running back can be selected in later rounds and end up being very effective not only in the long run, but immediately. Perfect examples are Brandon Jacobs and Steve Slaton. If they wanted to take a running back who trumps all of the talent already on the roster, they could have waited a few rounds, or atleast til their second first round pick.

The second questionable decision McDaniels made was trading his 2010 first round pick for a 2009 second round pick to select Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith. Smith is also a very talented cornerback with elite ball skills whom many believed would have been a first round pick if it was not for his 5'9" height, but does McDaniels not remember all the drama that just went down a month ago with Cutler? His defense is in a rebuilding mode and his team was given two first rounders for Cutler. You can't just waste one of the four first rounders in this year's draft and next year's draft like that for lesser value. The Broncos are basically back to square one now with that deal and the Moreno selection. He will have a lot to prove once the season rolls around.

Seriously Al Davis?

In true Al Davis fashion, the Oakland Raiders' controversial owner selected Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey with the 7th overall pick simply because of his 4.3 speed which was tops at the NFL Combine, shocking everyone. In retrospect though, it's really not that surprising given his obsession for speed with his draft picks. Drafting Arkansas RB Darren McFadden when his running back corps was already very solid is another example of his preference of speed to talent and need when it comes to making picks. McFadden was one of the best overall players in the draft though so that move was not a bad one.

This year's pick is different though. Receiver was the biggest need for the Raiders and most expected Michael Crabtree or possibly Jeremy Maclin, given his speed, would be selected, but this was unfortunately not the case. What was most shocking is that Maclin's 4.4 combine speed, and faster game speed, was not explosive enough for his Raiders. If he wants to develop QB Jamarcus Russell and make sure he does not become a bust, he needs to pick the best receiver there is in the draft, and preferably someone who can transition his game into the NFL quickly, or in other words Michael Crabtree. Heyward-Bey's deep threat style will complement Russell's immensly strong arm, but Michael Crabtree may be the best receiving prospect to enter the draft this decade and would undoubtedly help with Russell's development.

Speed is something that cannot be taught, but history has proven that teaching receivers to develop hands and physicality is also something very difficult to teach. Just ask Troy Williamson and Peter Warrick, respectively, about those aspects in receiving. Heyward-Bey may be the biggest gamble in the whole draft given his boom or bust potential. At this point, Davis has gone all in with his chips and will either benefit greatly or (most likely) fail miserably with this QB-WR combination.



Saturday, May 2, 2009

Top 5 2009 NFL Draft Classes

1. Cincinnati Bengals- The Bengals got their new franchise LT in Andre Smith in the first round, which they surprisingly took over LT Eugene Monroe who went to the Jacksonville Jaguars two picks later. They obviously were just too impressed with his film and collegiate dominance and favored that over his questionable work ethic. He could end up being a steal for them after originally being pinned as a potential top overall pick before his horrendous off-season.

They then found ILB Rey Maualuga fall into their hands at the beginning of the second round. The sure-fire first rounder had inconsistent tackling at USC, displayed subpar speed at the combine and his pro day, and needs to work on his pass defense which is what allowed him to slip into the second round, surprising many. While Rey was certainly upset about it, the Bengals sure weren't. He will be now reunited with his former USC linebacker teammate Keith Rivers.

In the third round they decided to take a chance on the Georgia Tech DE Michael Johnson. His combination of 6'7" 270 lb. size and 4.68 speed could turn him into an all-pro, but his inconsistent motor could turn him into a nobody. His athletic prowess and motivational concerns are very similar to DE/OLB Vernon Gholston who struggled mightily with the Jets his rookie year. I think experts have been too critical and he will be an impact player in the NFL for many years to come. They then snagged Missouri TE Chase Coffman later in the third round and Arkansas C Jonathan Luigs in the fourth round. They each were given awards deeming the best player at their respective positions in college football last year. Both should become impact players and will help fill vital needs on this team.


2. Detroit Lions- The Lions picked Georgia QB Matt Stafford to be the new face of their franchise with the first overall pick, something they desperately needed in their rebuilding efforts. While many considered this to be the wrong move and that they are following the formula for failure, including myself previously, he has all the physical tools to be a franchise all-pro quarterback. Also, although he declared for the draft early, his mental prowess is also very impressive and he possesses a great work ethic and passion for the game. He will have many aerial weapons at his disposal in Detroit, including WR Calvin Johnson, but the Lions will most likely sit him this year to learn from veteran QB Daunte Culpepper which is probably the right thing to do. They will certainly need to get him an LT in the draft next year if they hope for him to step in as the starter in 2010 though. Time will tell to see how this pick ends up for the Lions.

With the twentieth pick in the first round, the Lions selected Oklahoma State TE Brandon Pettigrew. Most considered him a top 10 talent in the draft so this was a great selection for them. He will be a receiving option for QB Matt Stafford for years to come, and will also help in protecting him given his elite blocking ability. Being able to select him that late in the first made him a steal for the Lions. I expect him to become an impact player on this squad immediately.

They then took Western Michigan FS Louis Delmas with the first pick in the second round. He is a very versatile player who can play FS or SS because of his speed, consistent tackling, and ball skills. He is physically punishing and should help this defense out immediately. Finally in the third they took the speedy Penn State WR Derrick Williams. He will help spread the field with that speed and YAC ability and be a great complement to WR Calvin Johnson and TE Brandon Pettigrew. His return ability will also benefit Detroit immediately.

3. Green Bay Packers- Their success mainly came from just their two first round selections of Boston College DT B.J. Raji and USC OLB Clay Matthews. Snagging Raji with that 9th pick was crucial because he will serve as the foundation in their new 3-4 defensive scheme. A massive playmaker at NT is necessary for this type of scheme and wil take the pressure off every other player behind him and on the line as well. They can also move the disappointing DT Justin Harrel over to the end on the line where many feel he is better suited.

They then traded up to fill a huge need and get OLB Clay Matthews late in the first round who may be the best pure 3-4 scheme pass rusher in the whole draft. Elite pass rushers on the edge are also crucial in a 3-4 scheme, so they really scored with this pick. Not only should he be very effective but he will help take the pressure of DE Aaron Kampman making the switch to OLB in their new scheme. Their starting defensive front seven is now complete and have potential to be a very scary unit in 2009.

4. New England Patriots- The Patriots were at it again this year displaying why they have become so successful this decade. They are just simply brilliant when it comes to drafting. They were able to trade back multiple times and pick up four impact players in the second round and then a great receiver who slipped to the third round.

The Patriots selected Boston College DT Ron Brace, UConn CB Darius Butler, Oregon SS Patrick Chung, and Houston RT Sebastian Vollmer all in the second round. Each were considered top prospects at their respective positions. Butler may be the best CB in the whole draft, and Chung is a relentless and punishing safety. Their secondary was probably their weak spot on their entire team and should be drastically improved with these selectoins. Brace will serve as insurance for their defensive line which is already stellar and Vollmer will help the depth on that offensive line.

In the third round, they then were blessed to have the explosive UNC WR Brandon Tate fall to them. It was revealed that he tested positive for marijuana at the combine immediately before the draft, but for him to be available in the third was huge for them. He will compete with WR Joey Galloway as a starting receiver and will help immediately with the return game, as he is the NCAA's all time leading kickoff and punt return yardage leader.

5. Philadelphia Eagles- While addressing team needs they were able to select elite players at later picks which gave them great value. With the 19th pick in the 1st round, they were able to steal Missouri WR Jeremy Maclin, who most expected to go in the top 10. Not only was this a great move to trade up and grab the elite WR this late in the first round, but the Eagles desperately needed another impact receiver to start opposite WR Deasean Jackson. QB Donovan Mcnabb was surely thrilled with this pick as he has been complaining for more weapons for years now. Jackson transitioned to the pro game very quickly and all indications lead to that Maclin will also, especially under the help of Jackson.

Pittsburgh RB LeSean McCoy was then selected in the second round to help out with that running game. RB Brian Westbrook has been breaking down lately and they needed to get him a complement to help him out. Although McCoy is not the most ideal complement due to their similar styles, he is still very talented who many thought would be a first round pick at the beginning of the off-season. He has great pass catching ability and should fit into Philly's offensive scheme quite well.

In the fifth they took a chance on Florida TE Cornelius Ingram. He was considered one of the top TE prospects in this draft who was a solid second round pick, but there were many negative reports surfacing about his surgically repaired knee which forced him to miss all of the 2008 season. A fifth round gamble will certainly be worth it though, given him gamebreaking ability and the Eagles need for a pass catching TE.

CB Ellis Hobbs was also acquired after giving up a few late round draft picks to New England to replace Lito Sheppard. One must also not forget that they traded a first round pick to Buffalo for the young and former all-pro LT Jason Peters who will now serve as their franchise left tackle. These could be the pieces that push them over the edge and finally get them that Super Bowl victory.