Dolphins Go Long at #1

by Tony | Apr 22, 2008 | NFL Draft

Well, contrary to ProFootballTalk’s belief that the Jake Long contract talks were a ruse to get someone else to agree to a lower deal, Miami has apparently agreed to terms with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long.   Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the deal is 5-years, $57.5 million, with $30 million guaranteed.

PFT points out that it’s less money than JaMarcus Russell got last year, but it’s also one less year. Personally, I think the comparison is moot anyway, as you’re comparing a tackle to a quarterback.

More importantly, Long will avoid the holdout that Russell had last year, and will likely step right into the lineup on day one, protecting presumably John Beck’s blind side.

The St. Louis Rams are on the clock, and can negotiate with other rookies.

And most importantly, the ZoneBlitz.com Mock Draft, coming on Friday, is 1 for 1–we never fell for the ruse talk, and would have guessed Jake Long 2 months ago, if forced to have made a guess.  Our pick for #2 overall spot is that the Rams will go DE Chris Long, meaning both Howie and his son will play for franchises that used to be in Los Angeles.

NFC North 2008 Draft Needs

by Tony | Apr 22, 2008 | NFL Draft

NFC North 2008 Draft Needs, Team by Team

Green Bay Packers
Top Needs: SLB, DB, G
One might think that the retirement of Brett Favre (which you may have heard of in the news) might cause QB to be higher on the list, but Aaron Rodgers has looked ok in his limited action—and Favre has all but admitted that he’s a phone call away if Rodgers were to get hurt. A lot of experts consider Guard the top need, as the Packers played musical chairs at Guard last year, and no one seemed to want to sit down. Still, the combo of guys they have played decent in 2006, and they may be given another chance in 2008. If the Packers can upgrade from Brady Poppinga, they would be foolish not too—he tries hard, but just comes up short a little too often. Cornerback initially looks like it should be set with Charles Woodson and Al Harris, but both are getting old, and there isn’t much depth that appears ready to start—and the physical style of Harris and Woodson appeared to wear them down as the season went on, and they got burned in the NFC Championship game. Safeties Nick Collins and Atari Bigby are both limited as well.

Minnesota Vikings
Top Needs: DE, T, QB
As of the writing of this, the Vikings are still talking to Jared Allen and the Chiefs, which would immediately move DE down the list on needs (not to mention cost them probably two of their top three picks in the draft). They also got good news on Kenechi Udeze’s health last week, and while it isn’t likely, it isn’t as certain that he won’t be able to suit up in 2008. Beyond DE, the Vikings definitely need some help at tackle—LT Bryant McKinnie has always been inconsistent, and is facing legal issues that some have speculated may lead to his eventual release, and RT Ryan Cook was inconsistent last year. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson still hasn’t proven himself to be a quality NFL starter, and if the Vikings do land Allen, will face even more scrutiny as the defense would definitely be playoff caliber, and backup Gus Ferrotte hasn’t looked good since before his first tenure with the team a few years.

Chicago Bears
Top Needs: RB, WR, QB
In reality, the Bears could use help pretty much across the board—especially on offense. Bears fans can’t be happy with the decision to trade Thomas Jones to the Jets last year—especially given that Cedric Benson hadn’t proven himself before the trade, and looked dreadful after it. The only reason that the Bears might not go RB right away in the draft would be their pitiful WR corps—after Bernard Berrian bolted and Mushin Muhammad was cut, their top WR going into camp will be Marty Booker, Mark Bradley, and Devin Hester. The Bears have known that they have a quarterback situation for the last two years, and their best solution for it so far has been to trade the most proven QB on the roster to the Bucs—but it’s not like Brian Griese was going to be a long term solution. Whoever they draft will battle Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton, who both signed one year deals, for the starting job, and likely will see the field, given the status of the Bears OL, which is also aging. The Bears will also have to worry about injury and attitude problems on the defense. But at least they don’t have to worry about special teams—unless the NFL finally decides to start enforcing clipping.

Detroit Lions
Top Needs: DL, CB, LB
What the Lions really need is a General Manager that will stop drafting WR in the first round. At least taking Calvin Johnson last year was taking the top talent on the board (that didn’t have injury concerns)—if he goes WR this year, the Fords should try to fire him before Goodell gets the name out of his mouth. The Lions addressed their top need of Cornerback by getting Leigh Bodden from Cleveland, but opened a potentially bigger hole at DT to do so—they weren’t that strong across the line to begin, and Chuck Darby isn’t going to help as much as they might think. And even with Bodden, they still could use some help at the other CB spot, where Travis Fisher has been oft injured. Most teams likely wouldn’t consider the loss of Boss Bailey or Teddy Lehman all that major, but for the Lions, it leaves an already weak unit even weaker—Paris Lenon will likely win a starting spot again by default, but Ernie Sims is really the only proven LB on the team.

AFC North 2008 Draft Needs

by Tony | Apr 22, 2008 | NFL Draft

AFC North 2008 Draft Needs, Team by Team

Pittsburgh Steelers
Top needs: OL, DB, DE
Alan Faneca left, Marvel Smith has struggled, Sean Mahan did not play well last year, Kendall Simmons has had his ups and downs and while Willie Colon has a some skills he hasn’t fully developed either. That right there is pretty much the entire line that often failed to keep Ben Roethlisberger upright and create running room for Willie Parker. At defensive back Anthony Smith was the clown that ran his mouth and then got schooled by Randy Moss. He’s not a starter but the guys ahead of him haven’t been terribly durable. At defensive end the Steelers have the solid Aaron Smith but many publications say there is concern he is slowing down.

Cleveland Browns
Top needs: CB, OLB/DE, RB
The Cleveland Browns might have boring uniforms but this organization is a popular pick to be one of the league’s most exciting young teams this season. They need to improve on a defense that struggled through most of a 10-6 season in 2007 and they have taken several steps to do so by adding DTs Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams to a line that couldn’t stop the run. Now they need to replace CB Leigh Bodden, traded to Detroit in the Rogers deal. He was a largely unknown but respected and improving piece that was tough to see go. Improving the pass rush with a complement to LB Kamerion Wimbley would also help. On offense the Browns are largely set after adding Donte Stallworth to the WR rotation. Jamal Lewis had a resurgent season last year but he’s getting up there in age. A running back that could step in to give him a breather would be a useful piece to the puzzle.
Cincinnati Bengals
Top needs: WR, LB, DT
After a couple years where it looked like the Bengals were trending upward the bottom could be close to falling out. Carson Palmer might not have any wide receivers left with Chris “If I can’t give high school students beer then I’ll kick out your back windshield and punch you in the face” Henry (finally) released and Chad Johnson trying to whine his way out of town. T.J. Houshmandzadeh still remains but he’s skipping off-season workouts, leaving Palmer to work with a handful of receivers that will likely be bagging groceries when the season starts. The team also needs to start adding some defensive talent, primarily along the line, where Justin Smith left, and at linebacker, where the team last season was forced by injury to employ several guys who should have been bagging groceries with the guys now catching practice passes from Palmer. Could be a tough year ahead in Cincy.

Baltimore Ravens
Top needs: QB, LT, CB
Kyle Boller hasn’t developed, Steve McNair is retired and Troy Smith is a long way from being ready to take the helm as a starter for the Ravens, my early guess for the number one pick in the 2009 draft. No quarterback coupled with the likely retirement of likely Hall-of-Fame left tackle Jonathan Ogden leave the Ravens lacking at two of an offense’s most important positions. The Ravens still have some cogs especially on defense. But cornerbacks Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister are aging and they don’t have anyone waiting in the wings. Safety is also a possibility as Ed Reed is the only sure thing. Couple the question marks with a brutal schedule and the 2008 season is likely a building one for new coach John Harbaugh.

NFC East 2008 Draft Needs

by Tony | Apr 21, 2008 | NFL Draft

NFC East 2008 Draft Needs, Team by Team

New York Giants
Top Needs: DB, LB, QB
One would expect the defending Super Bowl Champions to have relatively few holes, but that’s not totally the case with the 2008 Giants.  Their defensive backfield wasn’t really that good in 2007, and lost Gibril Wilson to the Raiders.  Sammy Knight helps some, and last year’s top pick Aaron Ross will likely be an ok starter, but depth is still a huge concern, and none of their safeties are all that special.  Linebacker is more of a depth concern, although losing Kawika Mitchell doesn’t help.  Both positions are aided by the Giants’ strong pass rush, which may be aided by the move of Mathias Kiwanuka back to DE.  Quarterback isn’t a high need, with Eli Manning having started every game over the last few years, but top backup Jared Lorenzen has no experience and is a couple Big Macs away from being a backup in the CFL.

Dallas Cowboys
Top Needs: CB, RB, QB
The Cowboys were the class of the NFC last season, and depth may end up being a larger concern than specific holes.  They lost nickel back Jacques Reeves, and would likely prefer to find someone to bump Anthony Henry to that role.  Not surprisingly, Julius Jones bolted as well, after Marion Barber took most of the important carries over the last two years.  There are concerns over whether Barber can handle a feature back role, but while he hasn’t done it dating back to college, there’s also not really any evidence of injury history or wearing down.  Still, with Jerry Jones at the helm, he’d likely break his plasticized smile if he could find a way to snag Darren McFadden—and the ‘boys have two first round picks.  A lot of people consider WR a top need as well, and they may take one at some point, but finding a “project” quarterback should be towards the top of the list too, as Brad Johnson is their top choice if Jessica Simpson causes Tony Romo any more problems.

Philadelphia Eagles
Top Needs: LB, OL, DL
The Eagles finished in 4th place in the NFC East last year, and unless something dramatic happens, will probably finish worse than 8-8 in 2008.  The team cut Takeo Spikes in March, and while they’ve added Rocky Boiman, that hardly seems like an upgrade.  Chris Gacong and Omar Gaither are apparently decent, but hardly household names—this draft was the first I’d even heard of them.  The Eagles offensive line is getting old fast, especially at tackle, and Winston Justice hasn’t shown that he’s up to the task yet.  If they fail to get some young projects, they could find themselves mirroring the Chiefs recent OL decline.  On the defensive line, its mostly a quality depth issue—Trent Cole and Juqua Thomas are decent pass rushers, but may not hold up long against the run, especially if they can’t take a breather.  Broderick Bunkley and Mike Patterson are decent up the middle, but there’s not much behind them—and Patterson apparently has an affinity for little green plants that could land him in some trouble.

Washington Redskins
Top Needs: DL, WR, LB
The Redskins have plenty of holes as well, and in addition to the positions listed could use a couple of younger offensive lineman, and some more depth at safety.  But their defensive line is probably the weakest overall, with an aging Phillip Daniels likely being the biggest hole.  The ‘skins have been looking for a compliment for Santana Moss since they’ve had him, and Antwaan Randle El just isn’t going to cut it as a #2 WR.  Linebacker is a concern as well, with Rocky McIntosh ending the year on IR, Marcus Washington fighting injuries, and team defensive leader London Fletcher creeping up there in age.  Fortunately, one thing that the Redskins appear to have going for them is owner Dan Snyder finally appearing to have backed off from meddling—but let’s see how long that holds up with newbie Jim Zorn leading the team instead of Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs.