NFL Mock Draft 2008

Alright, so for the first time in Shane history, I'm gonna attempt a mock draft. I really think that this draft class is one of the weakest in recent memory. There are no outstanding players or superstars that I have seen, and I don't see very many of these players becoming legit pros. I like the defensive backs as well as most of the linemen, both offensive and defensive and defensive, that I see, though most of the skills offensive players won't really become greats. Anyways, the draft is tomorrow at like 3pm, and I have a Royals game at like 4pm, so I might skip my game because I hate that team anyways... or I might just miss the beginning which is like the best part. Anyways, I'm gonna try to do all 31 first round picks (Patriots lost theirs to the spygate thing), but I might get bored or whatever, but I should definitely finish the top ten. Alrighty though, here it goes....

#1 Overall, Miami Dolphins select Jake Long, OT
This was an easy one because, well, they already signed him like three days ago. But yeah, they could have taken anyone and it would have made sense to everyone, because, well, they don't have anyone. Haha, but yeah, alot of holes they need to fill, and they chose the offensive line.

#2 Overall, St. Louis Rams select Chris Long, DE
Yeah I'm seeing a back-to-back Long selection going down here. They wanted Jake more than Chris, but they'll settle for second best. He'll be a decent pro with a Pro Bowl or two, but I don't think were looking at a future Hall of Famer like his dad was.

#3 Overall, Atlanta Falcons select Matt Ryan, QB
Yeah, I really do think that Matt Ryan is wayyy overrated, and is maybe like the fifth best QB in the draft, but hey, I'm predicting who they'll take, not who's the best. He won't be an absolute bust, but he'll be a decent career backup at best. They need help at QB, but this guy is not the answer.

#4 Overall, Oakland Raiders select Darren McFadden, RB
I think that Darren will be an average NFL running back, comparable to today's Julius Jones. He'll be a starter, have his moments, and maybe even make a Pro Bowl or two, but he definitely won't be worth the money that they'll be forced to pay him. Jerry Jones will pat himself on the back in a few years because he resisted the temptation to trade up to get him.

#5 Overall, Kansas City Chiefs select Ryan Clady, OT
This monster from Boise State will try to help fill the voids left by the departed Will Shields and Willie Roaf who helped average runningbacks like Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes become among the elite. He'll never be as good as those two were, but he'll help fill the void, one that both KC and LJ want filled ASAP.

#6 Overall, New York Jets select Vernon Gholston, DE
This former Buckeye, I think, will never become great or live up to the hype of the number six overall pick. Honestly, he had one good game against Michigan and did well at the combine, and all of a sudden he's a top ten pick... Sports Illustrated even had him going number one overall... I really don't get these scouts anymore...

#7 Overall, New England Patriots select Glenn Dorsey, DT
I'm almost sure that the Pats will trade this pick for multiple lower picks, and try to pickup Aqib Talib or another DB, but I'm not going through all that trade BS on here. Dorsey is one of the few players in this draft that I think can really excel at the pro level. More than anything though, I just think that they don't want to pay Richard Seymour the big dollars when his contract expires next year... and if Dorsey proves he can carry the load, they'll be able to feel comfortable about letting Seymour go.

#8 Overall, Baltimore Ravens select Jeff Otah, OT
With Pro Bowler Jonathan Ogden's career nearly over, the Raven's need to be able to fill that void... whenever he does retire. And I don't want to hear all this crap about how the Ravens need a QB now that Steve McNair retired. They have Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, who right now is the most underrated player in the NFL... plus Kyle Boller wasn't too bad last year either. I like their options at QB, they just need to protect him.

#9 Overall, Cincinnati Bengals select Sedrick Ellis, DT
With Odell Thurman being reinstated, the Bengals pass over Ellis' USC teammate, linebacker Keith Rivers, to help their pass rush. However, with Chris Henry gone and Chad Johnson now saying he's not going to go to any team activies, they might want to think about trading down and picking up some WRs, or just taking Devin Thomas...

#10 Overall, New Orleans Saints select Mike Jenkins, CB
Yeah, I'm pretty sure we can all agree that the Saints need defensive help more than anyone, especially pass defense. They'll also pass over Rivers because of the fact that they picked up LB John Vilma over the offseason... and maybe Jenkins can teach New Orleans' CB Jason David a thing or two about how to defend somebody.

#11 Overall, Buffalo Bills select Devin Thomas, WR
This Michigan State alum isn't the number one receiver in the draft, though the scouts seem to think so, so I guess he's going first. Lee Evans could use him so Evans isn't double covered every play, and it would open up the passing game for second year QB Trent Edwards as well as the running game for second year RB Marshawn Lynch.

#12 Overall, Denver Broncos select Keith Rivers, LB
Finally going at number twelve, Rivers will be a great addition to a defense that should be one of the top five in the league... at least on paper. He'll be a help in getting the defense off the field in three plays, and getting the ball back in the hands of Jay Cutler.

#13 Overall, Carolina Panthers select Derrick Harvey, DE
With Julius Pepper's sack total slipping last year, they need someone to help him out on the other side so that Peppers isn't double teamed every down. He should help a hungry Panthers team get back to the playoffs, and help Peppers once again lead the league in sacks.

#14 Overall, Chicago Bears select Branden Albert, OG
Instead of taking a running back to replace Cedric Benson, they'll take a lineman to try (and fail) to help the hapless RB. He's a versatile lineman that will fill well into the Chicago system and so well in it as well, though Benson is one person he cannot help.

#15 Overall, Detroit Lions select Rashard Mendenhall, RB
Detroit is happy to get what they think is the second best running back in the draft, though they're looking at someone who will need a few years to develop... and living in Detroit, I know patience is one thing that the fans don't have. They want to win, and they want to win now, though this kid isn't the answer. Just enjoy the Pistons, Wings and Tigers.

#16 Overall, Arizona Cardinals select Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB
The Cardinals need defense more than they need offense, and this is the top defensive player on their board at the time, so they picked him. I think this kid will be an above-average pro, and he will definitely help out the Cards defense... and maybe even help them get in the playoff race. Plus, coach Whisenhunt loves him.

#17 Overall, Kansas City Chiefs select Phillip Merling, DE
After trading away last year's sack leader to the Vikes for this pick and a pair of third rounders, they need to replace Jared Allen on the defensive line. Merling will never be as good as Allen, but he can fill the void.

#18 Overall, Houston Texans select Felix Jones, RB
The player who everyone thought was going to Arkansas alum Jerry Jones and the Cowboys, is stolen at the eighteenth overall spot by the Texans. Ron Dayne and Ahman Green aren't the longterm answer, or even the now answer. Jones will prove to be an excellent pick, and the fans might even forget about the 2006 Mario Williams mix up.

#19 Overall, Philadelphia Eagles select James Hardy, WR
Donovan McNabb's whining about not having enough weapons to be a contender ends up helping him as the Eagles listen and go out and take a wide receiver. He will never be that great of a WR, and McNabb only plays the first half of every season anyways, but hey, they did what their franchise quarterback asked, right?

#20 Overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Chris Williams, OT
Since Carnell Williams was injured last year and will probably never be the same, he, Michael Pittman and Michael Bennett will need some extra help, and Williams will provide them with that needed help as they try to compete for a playoff spot.

#21 Overall, Washington Redskins select Limas Sweed, WR
Jason Campbell and/or Todd Collins will need more weapons than they had last year in order to make a playoff run. They also could have taken a DB with the loss of Sean Taylor plus the fact that there are so many good ones on the board, but they pass over them for to fill a needed void.

#22 Overall, Dallas Cowboys select Aqib Talib, CB
With their offense basically set and Felix Jones already off the board, they decide to try to help their pass defense which fell victim to the Giants horrible QB Eli Manning last year in the divisional round of the playoffs. When teams look back on this draft tens years from now, they'll be wishing that they didn't pass over Aqib.

#23 Overall, Pittsburgh Steelers select Gosder Cherilus, OT
The Steelers need to fill the void in the offensive line left by Alan Faneca, and this pick will help fill it, though not completely. Though over time, he will become a reliable and elite player, and will have success because the fact that he's a hard working player that happens to be 6'7" and 315 pounds.

#24 Overall, Tennessee Titans select Leodis McKelvin, CB
Yes, they need a wide receiver like no other, but this pick would completely help fill the void left by Pacman Jones because of the fact that he's an elite player that had dropped very far on the draft board, and he's an excellent returner, just like Pacman. I honestly hope that the trade with Dallas doesn't go through and Pacman stays a Titan and we just pick a WR such as DeSean Jackson or Mario Manningham. But my guess is, thats not going to happen.

#25 Overall, Seattle Seahawks select Kenny Phillips, S
Coming from Miami, you already know this guy is legit. After losing Michael Boulware to the Minnesota Vikings, they could use some help in the defensive backfield, and Phillips will more than help the Hawks.

#26 Overall, Jacksonville Jaguars select Kentwan Balmer, DT
This Tar Heel is almost locked up to become a Jaguar... unless someone nabs him earlier. It's simple, Jack Del Rio is all about running and stopping the run, and this guy will definitely help them stop it. And with the loss of Marcus Stroud on the defensive line, this guy won't be passed over by the Jags.

#27 Overall, San Diego Chargers select Jerod Mayo, LB
He may have slipped on some people's boards, and this may be early on others. He will prove to be a great pick, and will team up with Shawne Merriman to form one of the most feared linebacker duos in the league.

#28 Overall, Dallas Cowboys select Malcom Kelly, WR
They picked up a defensive back with their first pick, so they pass over the rich crop of DBs to pick up a partner for TO. Kelly will help spread the field to open up TO and make things easier for both Tony Romo as well as Marion Barber and the Cowboys' running game.

#29 Overall, San Fransisco 49ers select DeSean Jackson, WR
The 49ers need more weapons for Alex Smith, and Jackson will definitely help out the third year QB. There are many questions about his height, though he will be just like Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers and silence those critics, though his stats won't be off the charts like Smiths are because of the fact of who's throwing to him.

#30 Overall, Green Bay Packers select CB Brandon Flowers, CB
He's not the fastest CB on the board, though he is the toughest. Charles Woodson is getting old and Al Harris got torn up last year by Plaxico Burress in the NFC Championship Game, so the Packers assess this need in the first round.

#31 Overall, New York Giants select Tyrell Johnson, S
After losing Gibril Wilson, the defending champs need to fill that void to keep their top-notch defense... well, top notch. He won't be as good as Wilson, or Kenny Phillips for that matter, though he will help the Giants pass defense stay among the elite.


Wow, I can't believe I just did all 31 picks. Crazy stuff. This years wayyy underrated player that will become elite in the NFL is Dennis Dixon. Last year it was Troy Smith, and don't see how he dropped so far after winning the FREAKING HEISMAN. I guess that award doesn't mean anything anymore. With Dixon, I can see it with the whole injury thing, but still, he would have won the Heisman and a National Title if he wouldn't have torn that ACL. Whichever team that takes him will be very lucky, as long as they give him a chance. Yeah, I'm done though. Peace.

NHL Recap

Yeah, so I did pretty well in Round One of the NHL playoffs with my picks. I had the Wings and Avs winning, though I had the Calgary over San Jose upset that ended up not working out, though that went to Game Seven, so that was a pretty good pick. But I really can't believe that the Stars beat the Ducks in the first round. I really thought that the defending champs would go to at least the conference finals again, and definitely make it out of Round One. Though the early exit really surprised me, especially because they basically have the same roster intact from their Cup Champ team of last year. Whatever though, because I really hate the Ducks, and they really piss me off when I watch them because they really don't play the game the right way, mainly because they're so dirty. And most of all, I freakinggg hate Chris Pronger with his messed up teeth, and always taking cheap shots at everyone. Last year what he did to Holmstrom when the Ducks played the Wings really just made me finally hate him to no end. I also really dislike the Flames and Jarome Iginla because they're a dirty team too. I remember last year when they played the Wings in the first round, and they put their backup goalie in (I think it was MacLennan or something like that), and like 30 seconds after he was put in, he went up and two-handed some Red Wing, it might have been Holmstrom, but I can't remember. And Iginla is just a little whiney hack, but he does have a really cool name.
As for the East, I had the Rangers over the Devils in a semi-upset which was 5 over 4. Then I had the one seed Montreal advancing over Boston, and I had the Penguins over the Senators as well as my boys the Flyers over the Capitals. I was really pissed that I had to miss the Game Seven OT game with the Flyers and Caps, because I had my own game, though I did see the Double OT game, which was Game Four I believe. But yeah, the Pens had the sweep, which I really didn't expect, and it took the top seed Canadiens seven games to knock off the eighth seed Bruins. The whole Avery-Brodeur thing in the NY-NJ series was pretty funny too. But really, I'm just happy my Flyers moved on to the second round, and this is the year after they finished dead last in the league. That was like, the most insane turnaround ever. And I realized why so many people were rooting for the Caps... and it was basically because with them as a three seed and the Pens as a two seed, it would have been the all-hailed Crosby-Ovechkin matchup that everyone would want to see. Oh well though... the Fly Boys are in town, and they're ready to beat someone down. Haha, but yeah, here are my second round picks for the NHL playoffs:

#1 Red Wings over #6 Avalanche in 6
The Wings are too good on the offensive side of the puck to lose this series. They will score at least three every game during the series, and the only reason that they will lose a game is because Chris Osgood is the biggest flake of a goaltender that the NHL has ever seen... and the Wings blow on the road, so I'm sure the Avs will win one or two in Colorado.

#4 Stars over #2 Sharks in 6
Toughest pick out of the four series. I like both teams, and if this would have been a first round matchup, I would have taken the Sharks, but the Stars showed me a lot during that win over Anaheim... especially that they can survive a physical series, and Turco can win in the playoffs. Plus, the Sharks are tired from seven games against a tough and physical Calgary team.

#6 Flyers over #1 Canadiens in 7
My Fly Boys can easily take this series. Though they're like Xavier, and they won't easily take it, they'll wait till the last second, and snatch it away from the top seed. Casey Price, Team Canada's goalie, is way too young (20 years old) to show up a veteran Flyers team thats back with a vengeance.

#5 Rangers over #2 Pengiuns in 6
I like both teams, but come on, look at the vets on Team NYR. They have Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Brendan Shanahan, Jaromir Jagr, and Hendrik Lundqvist between the pipes. I mean, the Pens have alot of talent with Malkin and Crosby, and I like Fleury in net, though none of it will be enough to stop the mighty Rangers.

But yeah, thats about it... I hope you had fun. Haha, but yeah, Go Flyers. And nice job by the Tigers sweeping the Rangers to get somewhat back on track at 10-13. And really nice job on the win last night where they killed Texas 19-6. Nationals are dead last in the MLB and Drake's Pirates are getting better, but there is no chance at a playoff berth for them this year. And Owen's freaking Marlins are sitting on top of the NL East, over the Mets, Braves, Phillies and.... Nationals. Haha, yeah, Im done though. PEace.

Philly Two Punch

Well, my boys the 76ers won Game One of Round One against Detroit. I really don't think they they'll win another game in the series because the Pistons will get their stuff together, but I would love for them to be able to. It was kinda funny when in Game One 'Sheed like literally went into the Sixer's huddle and started joking around with them when there was like thirty seconds left in a four point playoff game. I guess the Pistons just weren't taking them seriously enough and they paid for it. The thing is though, is that the Pistons are my second favorite team after the Sixers, and I really wanted them to go back to The Finals this year, and I would hate to see my hometown boys get knocked out in the first round in a Red Wings like playoff choke (i.e. 01 Kings, 03 Ducks, 04 Flames, 06 Oilers). I really do think that the Pistons will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals to play the Celtics in the all-hailed match up, despite the 0-1 hole they're in right now. But in other, and better, news, my Philly Flyers finally put away the Washington Capitals in overtime of Game Seven. Despite going up 3-1 in the series, the Flyers let it go to the seventh game, which proved to be a mistake, and pretty costly, though it thankfully didn't cost them their season. They could have been better rested then the Canadiens who had their own Game Seven, but instead the Fly Boys are just and tired as Team Canada. But really, despite Montreal being a one seed, I really believe that the Flyers can take the series and go to the Eastern Conference Finals the year after finishing dead last in the league. If they do beat Montreal, I don't really know how well they'll do against New York or Pittsburgh, but after that series one win, this season can already be deemed a success. The Wings and Av's series looks good too, and with the Sharks and Stars playing on the other side, I'm deeming this a "cool year." Mainly, that just where the conference finals will have cool teams, or teams that I like in them, not homo teams. As for the East, the Rangers are kinda gay, but I think overall we can deem this a pretty cool year with some new teams making the finals on both sides. As for the MLB, well, the Nationals are dead last in the league, and I gotta tell you, thats exactly what I expected. Thats about it now though dog. I'm out. Peace.

NBA Playoff Time

Alright, it's time for some advanced NBA playoff predictions for the first time ever. I kinda chalked it up in the East, but I took a chance in the West. Actually I pretty much chalked the whole thing up but one series. Oh well, it'll be cool when I'm right though...
First Round Matchups:
#1 Celtics over #8 Hawks in 4
This will be a joke of a series. The Boston Three Party will completely own the Hawks in this 1-8 matchup. Bibby will do all he can along with his playoff rookies, which is basically everyone but him. Al Horford and Marvin Williams will get some much needed playoff experience in this one, but it won't really even be worth watching.

#2 Pistons over #7 Sixers in 5
The Pistons will once again easily make their way into the second round. The only thing that I had a hard trouble deciding was whether to make it in 4 or 5 games. Pistons big time in this one, but the Sixers might pull out a lucky one at home for the fans... their first playoff game without AI in over a decade, though the new AI, Andre Iguodala will show sparks of greatness and give Sixers fans like myself great hope for what the future could hold.

#3 Magic over #6 Raptors in 6
I really like coach Stan Van Gundy in the playoffs, and I think his presence alone on the bench is an advantage for the Magic. In the end what will decide this series is the fact that Dwight Howard will outplay Chris Bosh and the signing of Rashard Lewis will prove to have paid off in this series win for Orlando.

#4 Cavaliers over #5 Wizards in 6
The Wizards won't be swept in the first round by the Cavaliers like they were last year, but I really don't see them winning this one either. The Wiz have Agent Zero back and are ready for action, though the defending Eastern Conference Champions aren't going down in the first round, and LeBron will easily outplay Gilbert Arenas.

#1 Lakers over #8 Nuggets in 6
I really like this Nuggets team, and I don't know how they aren't one of the top four teams in the West with the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Marcus Camby, Nene, J.R. Smith, etc. Whatever, they won't get it done because they just won't, even though they have wayyy more talent than the top seeded Lakers. Kobe will show why he's the real MVP.

#7 Mavericks over #2 Hornets in 6
What might seem like a big upset to some, really isn't an upset at all. Just a year ago the Mavericks were the top seeded team heading into their first round matchup against the Warriors., with pretty much the same team that they have right now.... plus now they have Jason Kidd. So I don't know how they wouldn't at least make it to the second round... Chris Paul will show some sparks of greatness, but it won't be enough to get the Hornets into the second round.

#3 Spurs over #6 Suns in 7
Yes, Shaq is a winner and all with his four rings, but I didn't like that trade at all. They'll miss Matrix Marion oh so dearly, plus, they're playing the freaking Spurs. Tim Duncan will never allow his team, especially this team with Parker and Ginobili, to be knocked out in the first round.

#4 Jazz over #5 Rockets in 6
I know that the Rockets had their big 22 game win streak and all, but I never really liked this team. And now that they don't even have Yao anymore, so now I really don't like them. Tracy McGrady will still be sitting in front of his TV when the second round rolls around, as he once again will fail to advance past the first round. Deron Williams will be the hero of the series for the Jazz as they once again defeat the Rockets in the first round.

Prediction Time

Alright, so it's time for my NHL first round playoff predictions bro...
First Round Matchups:
#1 Red Wings vs #8 Predators
#2 Sharks vs #7 Flames
#3 Wild vs #6 Avalanche
#4 Ducks vs #5 Stars

#1 Canadiens vs #8 Bruins
#2 Penguins vs #7 Senators
#3 Capitals vs #6 Flyers
#4 Devils vs #5 Rangers

I know it's a lot shorter of a post than last time, but hey, I got it down for the second year in a row, right? And how about them Tigers, huh? 1-8, not bad, not bad. Just for this, I'll put my MLB predictions of who will make the playoffs, and even though it's a week into the season, I won't change anything.
Playoff Qualifiers:
Red Sox
Tigers
Angels
Yankees

Mets
Cubs
Diamondbacks
Padres

I then have the Red Sox over the Tigers in the ALCS and the Mets over the Diamondbacks in the NLCS, and the Red Sox winning it all again this year over the other New York team in the World Series, four games to one. But yeah, thats about it. I'll make sure to get my NBA predictions up, as well as some second and third round predictions up this year. And here's one more: the Nuggets will grab the final avaliable playoff spot, knocking the Warriors out of the playoffs.

Kansas vs Memphis

Wow, this is a really gay national championship game, I'm not gonna lie. Despite being a diehard Heels fan, and them having an amazing season, I took Kansas to win the Final Four game against the Heels because I knew that they were just too good defensively and just too strong and deep for the Heels to handle. Brandon Rush also continues to improve every game, and I really think that he should win MOP if Kansas wins the national title, not only for his great offensive play, but also for being so stellar on the defensive side of the ball. Memphis has a great duo with Chris Douglas-Roberts and Derek Rose, as well as a great one-loss record. However, I really believe that Kansas will destroy Memphis on both ends of the floor because of Memphis' poor free throw shooting as well as weak defense. This is the NCAA final, not the Confrence USA final. Kansas 83 Memphis 74. Brandon Rush gets MOP with a game high 24 points. He then declares for the NBA Draft 5 weeks later with his greatly improved draft stock because of his performance in this year's March Madness event, ensuring the Heels smooth sailing on their way to the 2009 title.

Heel's Recap 2008

Well, the Heels had a pretty good season if you ask me. 34-3, an ACC Championship in the tournament and the regular season, as well as a trip to the tournament's final weekend in San Antonio. I thought that they should have cut down the nets in San Antonio as well, but their 07-08 season is nothing to hang their heads about. In fact, if you want to look at the positive side, then the whole not winning the national championship will make it more likely for Tyler Hansbrough to return for his senior season. I would also think that Ty Lawson would come back to try to improve his draft stock for next year because he missed some valuable time this year with his ankle injury. The only player that I think might jump to the pros would be sharpshooter Wayne Ellington, but I don't think he would be a top ten pick, so it's likely he'll return. I think if all goes well and those three players return, we're looking at another final four run and maybe even farther for next season. Anyways, it was a great effort by all the Heels of 2008. (Directly from ESPN blog)