by John V. & Andy | May 1, 2015 | NFL Draft
We splashed our random thoughts on day one up on screen as they happened in our first-ever semi-live draft blog. Now, after a few hours of sleep, we’ll take a more nuanced look at the first night of the NFL Draft.
There were very few reaches or surprises in day one of the NFL draft.
Two QBs went in the first two picks and, as expected, they were the only ones to go. The biggest stretches may have been OL Brandon Scherff to Washington at five, OL Erick Flowers to the Giants at nine and S Damarious Randall to Green Bay at 31.
Randall I think is a reach – his Saturday production was far less than his offseason workouts. And those guys have a tendency to fall. The linemen I have less problem with – look at the Cowboys with Zack Martin last year – they aren’t sexy picks, but when there aren’t a bunch of guys out there you really like, going with an offensive lineman can be a safe, solid fallback pick.
Two teams with two picks made some interesting moves. The Browns shored up their trenches on both sides of the ball, with nose tackle Danny Shelton at 12 and OL Cameron Erving at 19. Those picks are much less sexy than the Johnny Manziel pick was last year, but both show a preference for substance. (more…)
by Andy, John & Tony | Apr 30, 2015 | NFL Draft
Well, there were a couple bedtimes for the kids tonight, so we’re not getting here right at the start. No surprises in
the first couple picks anyway though, so it’s all good. Tony, John Vomhof Jr. and I will be sharing our relatively useless opinions (except to us) throughout the night. (more…)
by Andy | Apr 28, 2015 | 2014 season, 2015 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts
Under the lead of Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati has gone 31-16-1 the last three seasons, making it to the postseason five out of the last six years. But during his 12 year tenure, the Bengals are 0-6 in the playoffs, and the team came no closer to ending that drought in its appearance last year against Indianapolis.
So what’s next for the Bengals? Are Lewis and QB Andy Dalton the duo that will take this team on to the next step, a deeper run in the playoffs? Or is this minor run of solid-but-not-spectacular football as good as it gets under their watch?
Jason Marcum, editor and social media manager at Cincy Jungle, shares his insights.
Zoneblitz: Cincinnati finished 10-5-1 in 2014, made the playoffs for the fifth time in six years and again didn’t win a playoff game. How would you assess the season? (more…)
by Andy | Apr 24, 2015 | 2014 season, 2015 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts
It’s too early to determine whether the Philadelphia Eagles will be better or worse in 2015 than 2014, but the team certainly isn’t going to be boring.
The Eagles started the offseason by trading the starting RB (LeSean McCoy)and QB (Nick Foles) from last season’s 10-6 team in separate deals, acquiring QB Sam Bradford and LB Kiko Alonso in those transactions. The Eagles have since added RB DeMarco Murray from Dallas and lost WR Jeremy Maclin to Kansas City for good measure.
Then, as the smoke appeared to be clearing, news broke that Chip Kelly had added the lightning rod, Tim Tebow, to his mix of potential starting QBs – which also currently includes Mark Sanchez and could by this time next week include Marcus Mariota, in the minds of many.
So how will it all shake out? Are the Eagles better or worse than they were when the new league year started? And is Chip Kelly worthy of the trust bestowed upon him to make these decisions? Brandon Lee Gowton, manager and editor-in-chief at Bleeding Green Nation, shares his thoughts.
Zoneblitz: Philadelphia went 10-6 for the second consecutive season under Chip Kelly, but missed the playoffs this time around. What’s your assessment of the season? (more…)
by Andy | Apr 22, 2015 | 2014 season, 2015 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts
The 21st century has not been kind to the Buffalo Bills, but things may be turning around.
A solid defense powered Buffalo to a 9-7 record in 2014, good for just the second better-than-.500 season the Bills have had since 1999.
But change is again in the air. Doug Marrone exited his job as head coach, leaving room for the large personality of Rex Ryan, whose bravado sometimes overshadows the fact that he’s coached in two AFC Championship games, to take over the top job. And the Bills traded for Matt Cassel to push EJ Manuel and provide options at QB, and for star RB LeSean McCoy, who should lead the team’s ground attack.
Can the new leadership get Sammy Watkins, McCoy and the offense to gel enough to match the team’s defensive prowess? Or is the hope of a turnaround premature? Matt Warren, an editor with Buffalo Rumblings, shares his thoughts.
Zoneblitz: Buffalo didn’t break the playoff drought, but did finish above .500 for the first time since 2004. How would you assess the 2014 season? (more…)
by Andy | Apr 20, 2015 | 2015 season, NFL Draft
It’s that time of year again. After a couple months of dormancy, NFL fans perk up for a few weeks toward the end of April for the annual NFL draft.
There’s a lot of activity in the blogosphere regarding the draft right now too, so we decided to join the fray. This is the fourth consecutive year we’ve done this – thanks to those who have participated from the start and those who are joining anew this season.
With that, here is our fourth annual Zoneblitz Team Blogger Mock Draft.
(more…)
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100% agreed Paul you hit the nail on the head in terms of the aafc
Interesting that the PFHOF has often included (and once had career stat boards in the Hall) that included AAFL stats…
agreed 100% brian in terms of bobby boyd considering the last couple of years with the rejections of baughan and…
ill be honest i dont see the records held by the 48 49ers anytime soon am i crazy to think…
Paul Brown now credited with 7 championships and 222 wins. “Among the other changes: Marion Motley will now be fourth…