2008 NFL Draft Needs Coming

by | Apr 21, 2008 | NFL Draft

We’re finally getting around to posting what we think are the biggest areas of need for the upcoming NFL draft–unlike the draft publications, we’ve tried to wait and let everything like the Jared Allen situation play out before we make our calls.  We reviewed the draft publications (including an updated little guide book from Pro Football Weekly–which was a smart move on their part, although I would say pricing it at $20 is ridiculous–I can’t think of any reason I would have bought it if I wasn’t blogging about the draft).

So starting this morning you’ll see two posts a day with draft needs for each team, by division–one in the morning, one in the afternoon.  Are we off base, did we miss something?  Let us know with your comments!

AFC East Draft Needs
NFC East Draft Needs
AFC North Draft Needs
NFC North Draft Needs
AFC South Draft Needs
NFC South Draft Needs
AFC West Draft Needs
NFC West Draft Needs

2008 NFL Mock Draft

Steve McNair Retiring

by | Apr 17, 2008 | NFL Breaking News

While checking out ProFootballTalk for their take on the the Jared Allen situation (which is largely the same as ours–that is, blatently re-wordin all of Jay Glazer’s information–although we were able from making any comparisons of Glazer to furry rodents), we noticed that they are also reporting that Steve McNair has told the Ravens that he will retire.

It was probably time, too–the Ravens have to have been considering a QB in round one of the draft, even if McNair had returned–with his injury history, and only the generally regarded bust Kyle Boller and last year’s rookie project Troy Smith as the only QBs on the roster, they couldn’t have felt too comfortable.

Still, I tend to think that the Ravens would much prefer to find a replacement for Jonathon Ogden, who apparently has also been considering retirement–they have a couple guys with some potential, but after 10 years of having LT locked down by one of the best, the thought of losing Ogden has to be scary for the Ravens and their QBs.

Chiefs Dealing Jared Allen?

by | Apr 17, 2008 | 2008 Trades, NFL Draft

Thanks to the regulars over at RandBall, who clued us into the latest goings on in the life of a former Minnesota Golden Gopher kicker AND pointed us to a Jay Glazer article on the possibility of the Chiefs trading Jared Allen.

Apparently Allen is flying to Minnesota this week, and planning to meet with Tampa Bay next week, leading up to the NFL Draft on April 26th.

Two sticking points to the deal would be the new team agreeing to a contract with Allen, and working out compensation with the Chiefs. Both the Bucs and the Vikes have plenty of cap room, and need for a pass rushing DE. It is thought that a 1st round pick along with a 2nd or a 3rd would likely be the asking price for Allen–the Vikes pick 17th in round one, and the Bucs pick 20th.

We’ll definitely be keeping our eyes on this one, as a deal would have significant implications on the draft needs and predictions for all teams.

Spring of Their Discontent in Tampa?

by | Apr 10, 2008 | Contract Squabbles

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started this offseason with $44 million in cap space, and quickly added Jeff Faine, Ben Troupe, Warrick Dunn, Antonio Bryant, Marques Douglas, Teddy Lehman, Eugene Wilson, and a handful of other free agents.

Now comes word that RB Earnest Graham, who filled in admirably last year when Cadillac Williams went down with a torn platellor tendon, wants his share.  And maybe a little extra for his trouble?

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NFL Draft Pubs Reviewed

by | Mar 25, 2008 | NFL Draft

***UPDATE*** ZoneBlitz.com’s take on 2008 NFL Draft Needs have started going live–check them out here.

I’m sure all of you readers (both of you) have been wondering why it’s been all Andy as of late, and no Tony. Well, truth be told, I’ve been busy working my real job, working behind the scenes here at ZoneBlitz (you have no idea how much time went into making all of the links on the page red), and actually taking a trip down to Florida to catch a little spring training action.

That’s right, the guys at ZoneBlitz are actually baseball fans too. Kind of.

Anyway, the week before I left, I finally swung into my local bookstore, and grabbed a few draft publications. Why? Even though I know they are outdated before they even go to print, and largely useless when it comes to team needs and mock drafts, I do it every year, because I’m a sucker.

But this year, they actually serve another purpose…

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