tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72458208064296905372024-03-05T10:51:09.483-06:00The Cognitive CacophonyA clear and calm voice in the midst of all the noise.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-47893679113202996832014-07-11T15:20:00.000-05:002014-07-11T15:20:32.569-05:00LeBron James and the American Monomyth or Why I Love LeBron's Return Home<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2f343b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 26px;">"I’m coming home." With these words, LeBron James completed the narrative cycle that began half a decade ago. The NBA's biggest star's decision to return to Cleveland is being called, "The Redemption", but his choice resonates with NBA fans across the league for a larger reason: the most powerful person in the game has finally lived up to the hero trope that we have projected on him.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2f343b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 26px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2f343b;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 26px;">By returning home, James becomes the embodiment of the Campbellian archetypal hero, having completed his hero's journey and riding to the aid of his home town. The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell describes the monomyth, or the basic pattern in storytelling around the world. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2f343b; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 26px;">In summary, the monomyth story is as follows:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2f343b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 26px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A hero ventures forth from the world of common day at the urging of a wise man, into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In James we see each part of this story fulfilled. The year before the infamous decision to leave Cleveland, James watched as he was surrounded by players who can only be described as common. These were players of inferior talent or players who's prime had passed them by. There were rumors of James wanting to see major changes or he would consider leaving.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Next we see the </span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">entrance</span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> of the wise man who encourages the hero to embark on this journey, a roll neatly filled in by Pat Riley.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Next the hero must enter a region of supernatural wonder with fabulous forces. I would submit that Miami would seem like a supernatural paradise when compared to Cleveland and the combined powers of Wade and Bosh as fabulous forces when compared to the level of talent James was surrounded by.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">A decisive victory must be won. you could argue that James tenure in Miami was not decisive, however I would say that 2 championship and 4 finals appearances were major victories for a player who's greatness was continually questioned until he became a champion.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">And here the story ended, until today. The monomyth unfinished, the narrative circle left open, and the </span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">tenuous</span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">existence</span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> of the monomyth parallel </span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">teetering</span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> on the edge of </span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">destruction</span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> should James go somewhere other than </span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Cleveland</span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> or stay in Miami.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">But today the journey arc of the story closes and James brings not only his talent but his knowledge of how to win, and his ambition to find success in his hometown. I wish him well in the next part of his story, for the bestowing of boons will not be a simple path, but I know that he has made the right choice. He has upheld the highest tradition of being a hero, coming home again to change to common world.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Good Luck LeBron. (I still hope my Bulls beat you)</span></span></span>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-66488192410180534322013-04-24T21:30:00.002-05:002013-04-24T21:30:28.582-05:00Mock Draft Version 3 with 1st round trades and 2nd Round<br />
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1 Kansas City – Eric Fisher OT<o:p></o:p></div>
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The talk that the Chiefs prefer Fisher is just too loud to
ignore.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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2 Jacksonville –Luke Joeckel OT<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jaguars are going to pick the best player available, so
Joeckel is just too good to pass up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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3 Arizona (from Oakland) – Lane Johnson OT<o:p></o:p></div>
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Arizona has to fend off Cleveland, Detroit, San Diego, and
Philadelphia and does so by trading up to number 3. They get the left tackle they
desperately need.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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4 Philadelphia – Dion Jordan OLB <o:p></o:p></div>
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Eagles get Chip a familiar face to build around.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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5 Detroit - Ezekiel Ansah DE<o:p></o:p></div>
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A powerful defensive line gets better.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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6 Cleveland – Dee Milliner CB<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cleveland wants to move back, but with Arizona jumping to 3
there isn’t a player worth moving up for.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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7 Oakland (from Arizona) – Sharrif Floyd DT<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oakland pulls a major coup getting picks and the guy they
were targeting the whole time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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8 Buffalo – Jonathan Cooper OG<o:p></o:p></div>
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This pick could get traded or Buffalo could go QB here, but
I think they take a player who could be a future hall of famer even if it isn’t
a sexy pick.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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9 NY Jets – Barkevious Mingo OLB<o:p></o:p></div>
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Saints may want this pick, but they do not have enough picks
to get it done. Jets start rebuilding their spotty defense.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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10 Tennessee – Chance Warmack OG<o:p></o:p></div>
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Titans pick a potential hall of famer to block for CJ2K<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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11 San Diego – D.J. Fluker OT<o:p></o:p></div>
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Chargers fill a major need with a top athlete.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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12 San Francisco (from Miami) - Kenny Vaccaro S <o:p></o:p></div>
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Miami can’t find anyone to fill a need, so they trade out to
build up more picks. 49ers get the best safety in the draft.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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13 NY Jets (from Tampa Bay) - Star Lotulelei DT<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Jets get a bigtime talent who falls and suddenly their
defense is beginning to take shape.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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14 Carolina – Sheldon Richardson DT<o:p></o:p></div>
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Panthers take an athletic defensive tackle to fill a big
need.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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15 Pittsburg (from New Orleans) – Jarvis Jones OLB<o:p></o:p></div>
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After failing to trade up the saints get a solid pass
rushing outside linebacker.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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16 St. Louis – Alec Ogletree OLB<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fisher adds a major piece to a good young defense.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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17 New Orleans (from Pittsburg) – Manti Te’o ILB<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Saints solidify the middle of their defense.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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18 Atlanta (from Dallas) - Tyler Eifert TE<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Falcons jump up to grab a new weapon for Ryan<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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19 NY Giants – Desmond Trufant CB<o:p></o:p></div>
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With most of the linebackers off the board, the Giants
strengthen a weak secondary.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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20 Miami (from Chicago) – Tavon Austin WR <o:p></o:p></div>
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Miami moves back up in order to get a falling Austin.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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21 Cincinnati – John Cyprien S<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cincinnati fills the biggest hole in their defense.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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22 St. Louis – Sylvester Williams DT<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fisher puts the finishing touch on his developing defense.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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23 Minnesota – Cordarrelle Patterson WR<o:p></o:p></div>
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Vikings pick a WR with major upside.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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24 Indianapolis – Kyle Long OG<o:p></o:p></div>
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Colts find some protection for Andrew Luck.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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25 Minnesota (From Seattle) – Kevin Minter ILB<o:p></o:p></div>
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Minnesota fills the biggest need on their defense.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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26 Green Bay – Menelik Watson OT<o:p></o:p></div>
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Green Bay solidifies a terrible offensive line.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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27 Houston – Robert Woods WR<o:p></o:p></div>
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Texans take the most polished WR to put across from Johnson even if his measurables were lacking.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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28 Denver – Xavier Rhodes CB<o:p></o:p></div>
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Denver addresses the issue that kept them from advancing in
last year’s playoffs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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29 New England – Justin Hunter WR<o:p></o:p></div>
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New England picks a WR to mollify Brady.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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30 Dallas (from Atlanta) – Cornellius (Tank) Carradine DE<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dallas gets a versatile pass rusher to strength a weak
defense.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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31 Philadelphia (from San Francisco via Miami via Chicago) –
E.J. Manuel<o:p></o:p></div>
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Philadelphia jumps back in to get their QB of the future<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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32 Buffalo (from Baltimore) – Ryan Nassib QB<o:p></o:p></div>
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Buffalo trades back in to get their coach his old QB<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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2<sup>nd</sup> Round<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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33 Jacksonville – Gino Smith QB<o:p></o:p></div>
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34 Miami (from KC via SF)– Bjoern Werner DE<o:p></o:p></div>
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35 Chicago (from Philadelphia)- Zach Ertz TE<o:p></o:p></div>
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34 Detroit – Terron Armstead OT<o:p></o:p></div>
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37 Cincinnati (from Oakland) – Blidi Wreh-Wilson CB<o:p></o:p></div>
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38 Oakland (from
Arizona) – Jonathan Jenkins DT<o:p></o:p></div>
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39 NYJets – Justin Pugh OL<o:p></o:p></div>
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40 Tennessee – DeAndre Hopkins WR<o:p></o:p></div>
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41Baltimore (from Buffalo) – Matt Elam S<o:p></o:p></div>
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42 Kansas City (from Miami) – Arthur Brown ILB<o:p></o:p></div>
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43 Tampa Bay – KaWann Short DT<o:p></o:p></div>
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44 Carolina – Quinton Patton WR<o:p></o:p></div>
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45 San Diego – Larry Warford OG<o:p></o:p></div>
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46 St. Louis – Shamarko Thomas S<o:p></o:p></div>
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47 Dallas – D.J. Swearinger S<o:p></o:p></div>
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48 Pittsburg – Cornelius Washington OLB<o:p></o:p></div>
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49 NY Giants – Corey Lemonier DE<o:p></o:p></div>
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50 Chicago – Sio Moore ILB<o:p></o:p></div>
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51 Washington – Johnthan Banks CB<o:p></o:p></div>
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52 Vikings – Darius Slay CB<o:p></o:p></div>
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53 Cincinnati – Khaseem Greene LB<o:p></o:p></div>
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54 Miami (from Indianapolis) – Margus Hunt DE<o:p></o:p></div>
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55 Green Bay – Monte Ball RB<o:p></o:p></div>
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56 Seattle – Gavin Escobar TE<o:p></o:p></div>
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57 Houston – Jesse Williams DT<o:p></o:p></div>
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58 Denver – Damontre Moore DE<o:p></o:p></div>
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59 New England – B.W. Webb CB<o:p></o:p></div>
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60 Dallas (from Atlanta) – Travis Frederick OL<o:p></o:p></div>
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61 Chicago (from SF via Miami) – Brandon Williams DT<o:p></o:p></div>
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62 Baltimore – Markus Wheaton WR<o:p></o:p></div>
Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-72746283358665515952013-04-17T21:14:00.002-05:002013-04-17T21:14:26.747-05:002013 NFL Mock Draft Version 2<br />
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2013 Mock Draft Version 2 with trade projections</div>
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<br /></div>
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1 Kansas City – Luke Joeckel OT <o:p></o:p></div>
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Trade rumors abound, but the serious contenders to move up
just don’t have enough picks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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2 Jacksonville – Dion Jordan OLB<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jaguars need a difference maker on defense, Jordan is the
best fit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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3 Cleveland (Via Oakland) – Dee Milliner CB<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cleveland moves up to snag the corner they crave.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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4 Miami (Via Philadelphia) – Eric Fisher OT<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Dolphins have the picks to make a big more and Philadelphia
is looking for value.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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5 Detroit – Ezekiel Ansah DE<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lions come up short in the Milliner derby but still walk
away with a quality defensive addition.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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6 Oakland (Via Cleveland) – Sharrif Floyd DT<o:p></o:p></div>
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Raiders get the picks they need, and still get their guy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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7 Arizona – Lane Johnson OT<o:p></o:p></div>
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No brainer for the Cardinals to upgrade its terrible
offensive line.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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8 Philadelphia (Via Buffalo) – Geno Smith QB<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eagles jump back into the top ten to snag their quarterback
of the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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9 New York Jets – Barkevious Mingo OLB<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jets have to do something to help their defense, Mingo is
the safest pick.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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10 Tennessee – Chance Warmack G<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Titans get the safest player in the draft.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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11 San Diego – Jonathan Cooper G<o:p></o:p></div>
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Chargers get all the upside of Warmack at a cheaper price.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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12 Buffalo (From Miami via Philadelphia) – Tavon Austin WR<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bills get a playmaker to pair with Johnson.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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13 Tampa Bay – Star Lotulelei DT<o:p></o:p></div>
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Buccaneers benefit from a top 10 talent falling.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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14 Carolina – Sheldon Richardson DT<o:p></o:p></div>
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Carolina gets the guy they have been targeting all along.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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15 New Orleans – Jarvis Jones OLB<o:p></o:p></div>
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Saints find a dynamic pass rusher from the outside.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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16 Saint Louis – Kenny Vaccaro S<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rams plug a major hole in their secondary with the best
safety in the draft.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
17 Pittsburg – Cordarrelle Patterson WR<o:p></o:p></div>
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Steelers gamble on Pattersons huge upside to replace
Wallace.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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18 Dallas – Sylvester Williams DT<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cowboys shock the world by making a safe pick.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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19 New York Giants – D.J. Fluker OT<o:p></o:p></div>
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An athletic tackle to protect a grateful Eli.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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20 Arizona (Via Chicago) – Matt Barkley QB<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cardinal get their QB of the future, Bears recoup some
picks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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21 Cincinnati – Alex Ogletree ILB<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bengals value potential more than they fear character issues.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
22 Saint Louis – DeAndre Hopkins WR<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rams reach for a weapon in a make or break
year for their not-so-young-anymore quarterback.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
23 Minnesota – Justin Hunter WR<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vikings try to replace Harvin’s productivity with a big
target.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
24 Indianapolis – Xavier Rhodes CB<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Colts bolster a weak secondary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
25 Minnesota (Via Seattle) – Manti Te’o ILB<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vikings fill a major need with a solid leader.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
26 Green Bay – John Cyprien S<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Packers address their biggest weakness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
27 Houston – Menelik Watson OT<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the top four wide receivers off the board the Texans
reinforce their offensive line.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
28 Denver – Kevin Minter ILB<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Broncos fill a big hole in the middle with a solid player <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
29 New England – Keenan Allen WR<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Patriots reach for a often injured but very productive wide
receiver to mollify Brady.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
30 Atlanta – Tyler Eifert TE<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Falcons address next year’s biggest need while getting
another weapon for Ryan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
31 San Francisco – Cornellius (Tank) Carradine DE<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An aging defensive line gets an infusion of talented youth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
32 Buffalo (Via Baltimore) – Ryan Nassib QB<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After missing on Smith, Buffalo jumps back into the first
round to get a quarterback their new coach is very familiar with.<o:p></o:p></div>
Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-68839076299326185732013-04-10T00:00:00.000-05:002013-04-17T21:14:47.853-05:002013 NFL Mock Draft Version 1<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2013 Mock Draft Version 1<br />
<br />
1 Kansas City – Luke Joeckel OT<br />
The Chiefs solidify the core of what could be an explosive offense.<br />
<br />
2 Jacksonville – Dion Jordan OLB/DE<br />
A team with many needs invests in a player with huge upside.<br />
<br />
3 Oakland– Shariff Floyd DT - Trade Possibility<br />
If the Raiders keep this pick they need a sure thing.<br />
<br />
4 Philadelphia – Eric Fisher OT – Trade Possibility<br />
Eagles fix a hole in the oline, but may trade back if the right offer comes along.<br />
<br />
5 Detroit – Ezekiel Ansah DE<br />
The best 4-3 lineman available is a must for the Lions in a increasingly offensive-minded NFC North<br />
<br />
6 Cleveland – Dee Milliner CB<br />
The Brown plug the biggest hole in their defense.<br />
<br />
7 Arizona – Lane Johnson OT<br />
The worst o-line in the league gets an instant upgrade.<br />
<br />
8 Buffalo – Geno Smith QB<br />
The Bills need a franchise QB, the only question is: do they move up to try to get Smith?<br />
<br />
9 New York Jets - Barkevious Mingo DE/OLB<br />
A hot name to an over the hill defense.<br />
<br />
10 Tennessee – Star Lotulelei DT<br />
While they need a guard, Star’s upside is too much for the Titans to pass up.<br />
<br />
11 San Diego - Jonathan Cooper OG<br />
The Chargers take a versatile guard to strengthen a weak unit.<br />
<br />
12 Miami – Xavier Rhodes CB<br />
The Dolphins need a corner to challenge the receiver talent in the AFC East.<br />
<br />
13 Tampa Bay – Travon Austin WR<br />
Trade possibility, but the Bucs can’t pass up the opportunity to finish building an elite receiver corps.<br />
<br />
14 Carolina – Sheldon Richardson DT<br />
Panthers steal a big time talent in the middle of the first round.<br />
<br />
15 New Orleans – Jarvis Jones OLB<br />
Major upside talent with the speed and power to frighten NFC South quarterbacks<br />
<br />
16 St. Louis – Kenny Vaccaro S<br />
Rams fill a major defensive hole after cutting Mikell and losing Dahl.<br />
<br />
17 Pittsburg - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR<br />
Steelers replace Wallace and give Big Ben a big target.<br />
<br />
18 Dallas – Chance Warmack OG<br />
Cowboys can’t pass up this much value at such a huge need position.<br />
<br />
19 New York Giants – D.J Fluker OT<br />
Giants nab an athletic tackle to protect Eli.<br />
<br />
20 Chicago – Arthur Brown LB<br />
Expect the Bears to trade back, but if they keep the pick Brown has the potential to secure the middle of the defense for a decade.<br />
<br />
21 Cincinatti – Desmond Trufant LB<br />
Bengals begin the rebuild of the defense that is holding them back.<br />
<br />
22 Saint Louis (from Washington) – Sylvester Williams DT Trade Possibility<br />
May trade back but Fisher’s love for powerful defensive tackles will make it hard for him to pass Williams up.<br />
<br />
23 Minnesota – Keenan Allen WR<br />
Vikings try to replace Harvin with the best of the rest of the receivers<br />
<br />
24 Indianapolis – Blidi Wreh-Wilson CB<br />
Colts add a solid piece to a defense in transition.<br />
<br />
25 Minnesota (from Seattle) – Kevin Minter ILB<br />
Vikings add a solid middle linebacker to fill their biggest need.<br />
<br />
26 Green Bay – Menelik Watson OT<br />
Packers try solidify a shaky offensive line with another late 1st round tackle.<br />
<br />
27 Houston – DeAndre Hopkins WR<br />
Texans try again to fill the spot opposite Andre Johnson<br />
<br />
28 Denver – Manti Te’o LB<br />
Broncos get a leader for great value.<br />
<br />
29 New England – Justin Hunter WR<br />
Trade possibility, but after a tough offseason for Brady, the Pats give him a new weapon.<br />
<br />
30 Atlanta – Tyler Eifert TE<br />
Falcons give Ryan a new weapon and address next offseason’s biggest need with one pick.<br />
<br />
31 San Francisco – Cornellius Carradine DE<br />
Trade possibility, but I think the 49ers stay put and strengthen their impressive defense.<br />
<br />
32 Baltimore – John Cyprien S<br />
Ravens plug the hole left by Reed.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-82184977182201119942012-06-12T10:45:00.003-05:002012-06-12T10:47:46.348-05:00Thoughts on a Past Love<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1dv" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently, I was talking with a friend about Albert Pujols and his chances to break Bond's home run record. It lead me to a sad realization:</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1dv" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1dv" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those records don't mean anything to me anymore.</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1dv" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like baseball broke my trust</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1dv" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of my love for that game that I grew up with has died</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1dl" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not sure i will be able to revive it</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1dl" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even when my Cubs were good I was still holding back</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1dl" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the things that enthralled me as a kid was the idea of these epic numbers and the idea of watching someone approach them</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1dk" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But now the numbers seem smaller</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1ez" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And mean less</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1ez" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of what made baseball so magical for me is that it was such an old game with so much tradition</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1ez" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almost anything amazing that happened had happened before</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1e5" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But when you got to see something that had never happened before in baseball</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1e5" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You knew it was something that you would likely never see again in your life</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1e5" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in that context every game had to opportunity to be The Game that changed baseball history forever</span></div>
<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":1e4" style="margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now changing baseball history is like turning the page of a newspaper</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almost simplicity itself to do, yet somehow you still end up with dirty hands</span></div>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-46959266986970184942012-04-28T14:19:00.004-05:002012-04-28T14:23:08.845-05:002012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down Day Two TradesSince there is a new CBA in the NFL, the traditional draft pick value chart is out of date. I have taken it upon myself to make a new one and I will be breaking down all of the trade deals to see who came out on top.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trade 1: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">New
York Jets acquire No. 43 pick from Seattle Seahawks for No. 47 pick, No. 154
pick and No. 232 pick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under the Old Value Chart: This trade is even<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under my chart: Jets underpay by the value of an early
6th<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trade 2: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chicago
Bears acquire No. 45 pick from St. Louis Rams for No. 50 pick and No. 150 pick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under the Old Value Chart: Bears under pay by the value
of a late 6th<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under my chart: Bears underpay by the value of a mid 6th<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trade 3: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Green
Bay Packers acquire No. 51 pick from Philadelphia Eagles for No. 59 pick and
No. 123 pick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under the Old Value Chart: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Packers under pay by the value of a late 5th<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under my chart: Packers overpay by the value of a mid 7th<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trade 4: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Tampa
Bay Buccaneers acquire No. 58 pick and No. 233 pick from Houston Texans for No.
68 pick and No. 126 pick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under the Old Value Chart: Buccaneers underpay by the
value of a late 5th<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under my chart: Buccaneers overpay by value of an early
5th<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trade 5: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Green
Bay Packers acquire No. 62 pick from New England Patriots for No. 90 pick and
No. 163 pick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under the Old Value Chart: Packers get a steal and underpay
by the value of an early 4th<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under my chart: Packers get a steal and underpay by the
value of a mid 4th<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trade 6: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Denver
Broncos acquire No. 67 pick from Cleveland Browns for No. 87 pick and No. 120
pick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under the Old Value Chart: Broncos underpay by the value
of a late 4th<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under my chart: Broncos overpay by the value of a late
7th<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trade 7: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Buffalo
Bills acquire No. 69 pick from Washington Redskins for No. 72 pick and No. 217
pick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under the Old Value Chart: Bills underpay by the value of
a late 7th<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under my chart: Bills underpay by the value of an early
7th<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trade 8: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">San
Diego Chargers acquire No. 73 pick from Miami Dolphins for No. 78 pick and No.
183 pick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under the Old Value Chart: Chargers overpay by the value
of a late 7th<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under my chart: Chargers underpay by the value of a late
7th<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trade 9: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Baltimore
Ravens acquire No. 84 pick from Atlanta Falcons for No. 91 pick and No. 164
pick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under the Old Value Chart: Ravens underpay by the value
of a mid 6th<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="background-color: white;">Under my chart: Ravens get a steal and underpay by the
value of a late 5th<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trade 10: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">San
Francisco 49ers acquire No. 97 pick in 2012 and a fifth-rounder in 2013 from Indianapolis
Colts for No. 92 pick in 2012 draft.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Under the Old Value Chart: This trade is even</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;">Under my
chart: This trade is even</span>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-23246617982437031862012-04-27T18:36:00.002-05:002012-04-27T18:36:27.592-05:002012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down First Round Trades Buccaneers and BroncosSince there is a new CBA in the NFL, the traditional draft pick value chart is out of date. I have taken it upon myself to make a new one and I will be breaking down all of the trade deals to see who came out on top.<br />
<br />Trade #9 Denver trades the 31st and 126th pick to Tampa Bay for the 36th and 101st picks <br />
<br />Under the old system: This trade is dead even.<br />
<br />
Under my chart: This trade is dead even.<br />
<br />
Eye Test: A dead even trade. Enough said.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-46473502583017373472012-04-27T18:25:00.002-05:002012-04-27T18:25:30.061-05:002012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down First Round Trades Ravens and VikingsSince there is a new CBA in the NFL, the traditional draft pick value chart is out of date. I have taken it upon myself to make a new one and I will be breaking down all of the trade deals to see who came out on top.<br />
<br />Trade #8 Baltimore trades the 29th pick to Minnesota for the 35th and 98th picks.<br />
<br />
Under the old system: Vikings overpay by a mid 6th rounder to move back in to the 1st.<br />
<br />
Under my chart: Ravens win as Vikings overpay by the value of a late 4th round pick.<br />
<br />
Eye Test: Vikings reach for a need. Ravens win the pick, unless the Harrison Smith turns out to solidify a weak secondary.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-79988791947240753242012-04-27T18:08:00.002-05:002012-04-27T18:08:33.025-05:002012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down First Round Trades Broncos and PatriotsSince there is a new CBA in the NFL, the traditional draft pick value chart is out of date. I have taken it upon myself to make a new one and I will be breaking down all of the trade deals to see who came out on top.<br />
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Trade #7 Denver trades the 25th pick to New England for the 31st and 135th picks <br />
<br />
Under the old system: Patriots slightly underpay for the ability to move back into the first round by the value of a early 5th round pick<br />
<br />
Under my chart: This trade is nearly even.<br />
<br />
Eye Test: Another surprise by the Patriots. Both teams get good value. "Eye" have to call this one a tie.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-71559360443694725172012-04-27T17:59:00.000-05:002012-04-27T18:38:16.408-05:002012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down First Round Trades Patriot and BengalsSince there is a new CBA in the NFL, the traditional draft pick value chart is out of date. I have taken it upon myself to make a new one and I will be breaking down all of the trade deals to see who came out on top.<br />
<br />
Trade #6 Cincinnati trades the 21st pick to New England for the 27th and 93rd picks <br />
<br />
Under the old system: The value of this trade is even.<br />
<br />
Under my chart: The Bengals narrowly win this trade by the value of a mid 5th round pick.<br />
<br />
Eye Test: The Patriots surprise everyone by trading up, but this is a good deal for both teams. The eye test shows this as an even trade.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-27634074785913175722012-04-27T17:52:00.001-05:002012-04-27T17:52:16.630-05:002012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down First Round Trades Seahawks and EaglesSince there is a new CBA in the NFL, the traditional draft pick value chart is out of date. I have taken it upon myself to make a new one and I will be breaking down all of the trade deals to see who came out on top.<br />
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Trade #5 Seattle trades the 11th pick to Philadelphia for the 15th, 114th, and 172 picks <br />
<br />
Under the old system: The Eagles win the trade by underpaying by the value of an late third round pick<br />
<br />
Under my chart: The Eagles win the trade by the value of a mid third round pick.<br />
<br />
Eye Test: Another desperation trade, the Seahawks top targets were both taken in the top 10. While it was smart to move back, the Seahawks didn't move far enough back for who they picked and failed to maximize the value of their pick. Eagles take advantage of a team known to make mistakes under pressure.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-66005128494597572632012-04-27T17:37:00.003-05:002012-04-27T17:39:49.048-05:002012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down First Round Trades Rams and CowboysSince there is a new CBA in the NFL, the traditional draft pick value chart is out of date. I have taken it upon myself to make a new one and I will be breaking down all of the trade deals to see who came out on top.<br />
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Trade #4 St. Louis trades the 6th pick to Dallas for the 14th and 45th picks <br />
<br />
<br />
Under the old system: Dallas wins this nearly even trade by the value of a late 4th round pick<br />
<br />
<br />
Under my chart: St. Louis gives back any value it gained for this draft in the Washington deal. Dallas wins the trade by the value of a late 2nd round pick<br />
<br />
<br />
Eye Test: This deal was made from desperation. All of the Ram's first tier targets had been taken already so they had to get out of the 6th pick. Dallas takes advantage of this and gets a good player at a great value. Dallas wins.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-34126033551646749152012-04-27T17:26:00.005-05:002012-04-27T17:26:52.363-05:002012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down First Round Trades Buccaneers and JaguarsSince there is a new CBA in the NFL, the traditional draft pick value chart is out of date. I have taken it upon myself to make a new one and I will be breaking down all of the trade deals to see who came out on top.<br />
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Trade #3 Tampa Bay trades the 5th pick to Jacksonville for the 7th and 101st picks <br />
<br />
Under the old system: The trade nearly breaks even, but Jacksonville win the trade by underpaying by the value of an early 4th round pick<br />
<br />
Under my chart: Tampa Bay got robbed. Jacksonville should have had to give up an early second round pick to swap spots. Jacksonville wins the trade.<br />
<br />Eye Test: I don't understand why Tampa made this deal. Perhaps they didn't like Claiborne, perhaps they just wanted more picks. Regardless of the reason why the trade was made, Jacksonville clearly comes out on top.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-16477392816452073092012-04-27T17:15:00.001-05:002012-04-27T17:15:08.202-05:002012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down First Round Trades Browns and VikingsSince there is a new CBA in the NFL, the traditional draft pick value chart is out of date. I have taken it upon myself to make a new one and I will be breaking down all of the trade deals to see who came out on top.<br />
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Trade #2 Minnesota trades the 3rd pick to Cleveland for the 4th, 118th, 139th, and 211th picks <br />
<br />
Under the old system: The Vikings gets robbed in this deal by the value of a late second round pick. Cleveland wins the trade<br />
<br />
Under my chart: I would say that the Browns underpay for the Viking's pick by the value of an early 4th round pick. Browns win the trade<br />
<br />
Eye Test: I think this too is a win-win for both teams. The Browns had 13 picks coming into the draft so giving up 3 late round picks is not particularly damaging. The Vikings get 3 extra picks and still get the player who everyone thought that they were targeting anyway. The eye test says in spite of the difference in value, the Vikings in the trade.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-33057167957193968842012-04-27T17:04:00.002-05:002012-04-27T17:16:25.975-05:002012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down First Round Trades Rams and RedskinsSince there is a new CBA in the NFL, the traditional draft pick value chart is out of date. I have taken it upon myself to make a new one and I will be breaking down all of the trade deals to see who came out on top.<br />
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Trade #1 St. Louis trades the 2nd pick to Washington for the 6th, and 39th picks in 2012 plus a first round pick in 2013 and 2014.<br />
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Under the old system: According to the draft value chart, the value of the 2013 and 2014 picks add up to the same value of the 41st pick this year. A clear undervaluing of those picks and as far as pure value of the picks the Rams should have gotten more. Washington wins the trade.<br />
<br />
Under my chart: I would say that the Redskins overpaid for the 2nd overall pick by the value of a late second round pick in this year draft. While overpaying this much is reasonable when you are talking about getting a franchise quarterback, the Rams come out on top in this trade.<br />
<br />
Eye Test: I think this is a win-win for both teams. The Rams get picks, the Redskins get a quarterback who should start for a decade. But the luster will be off this trade by the time the next two drafts roll around so I have to give a slight edge on this trade to the Rams.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-58784772751018594792010-12-03T10:26:00.002-06:002010-12-03T17:42:25.997-06:00Remembering Ron SantoThis morning I heard the sad news of Ron Santo’s passing. Honestly, it hit me pretty hard, because even though I know that he has been in poor health for a long time, he was still expecting to analyze Cubs baseball on the radio again this season. I am grieving as a fan for him more than I grieved for Harry Carrey, which surprises me. I think it was because Harry had retired before he passed away. So I had time to process his loss as a broadcaster before I had to grieve his loss as a person. With Ronnie I have to grieve both his loss as a broadcaster and his loss as a person at the same time.<br /><br />I think the reason that I and so many other Cubs fans related so strongly to Ron was because he expressed exactly what we were feeling on the air. When the Cubs won there was no one more ecstatic than Ron Santo. When the Cubs lost there was no one more despondent. During the ups and downs of every game, Ron bellowed in agony or cheered relentlessly with the rest of us. He was that fun, strange baseball uncle who most of the time made little sense but made up for it with mirth, personality, and passion. He taught us about the game, and showed us that it was ok to let our guard down and authentically live and enjoy the emotions of the game, good and bad.<br />Ron was never there to be an intellectual like Steve Stone, he was there to be the biggest Cubs fan of us all and to lead the fans in cheerleading our favorite team. Should he occasionally teach us something, that was a plus, but he was there to make what many consider to be a slow and monotonous game an accessible if not engaging experience.<br /><br />We feel like we know Ron because his love and our love was so real that even though most of have never met him in person we feel that we have an intimate connection to the man that supersedes the paltry things like a two-way relationship and face to face contact.<br /><br />I grew up listening to Ron Santo. I loved how he related the game. In 1998 when Brant Brown dropped a fly ball my best friend and I were watching the game on TV with the television broadcast’s sound turned off and the radio broadcast on. The cry of horror that escaped from Ron’s lips matched our own and that memory alone cements Ron’s legacy in my mind.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TJfslft_oDk?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TJfslft_oDk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />As a person he always seemed pleasant but also intensely passionate. Other players and media types have called him a jerk and ignorant and maybe he was these things as well. But one of the great professional tragedies of Ron’s life is that because of his personality he was denied an honor that should be his, induction into the baseball Hall of Fame. It makes me sick that he did not live to experience this honor, but I do believe that with his death the veteran’s committee will finally relent, having exacted their revenge for his alleged misdeeds, and induct him.<br />The other great professional tragedy is that, like so many other Cubs fans, he did not live to see a Cubs World Series Championship. It was my hope that I would get to hear his joy of finally experiencing a championship. It makes me sad to think that if I am ever lucky enough to see the Cubs win it all, I will not be able share that with Ron.<br /><br />My condolences go out to all Cubs fans, but more to Ron’s friends and family. We will all miss him. Be sad for your loss today, but tomorrow be hopeful just like Ron always was. Be happy, donate to the fight against Juvenile Diabetes, and cheer for the Cubs just a little bit harder, because without Ron we all need to step up to fill the silence he left behind.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-18187272987032974012010-10-21T06:56:00.002-05:002010-10-21T06:58:03.464-05:00OK so this is a bit ambitiousObviously I am not able to keep up with a daily blog right now. So I am going to try to scale it back to once a week. I should have a new post soon, but for right now I am really excited that that the Rangers are doing so well against the Yankees.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-2708281939362590912010-10-15T19:55:00.004-05:002010-10-15T20:10:56.587-05:00SorrySorry it has taken me so long to get back to this blog. After the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">internet</span> outage we had, my wife and I got a puppy and this has been taking up all of my time.<br /><br />On to the post.<br /><br />Welcome to one of the best sports weekends of the year!<br /><br />Look at what you have to watch this weekend. Hockey is back in full swing. The final four of major league baseball will be playing 5 games this weekend. College football on Saturday, NFL on Sunday. There is even a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nascar</span> race Saturday night if that is your thing.<br /><br />As I write this the Rangers are beating the Yankees 3-0 in game one of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ALCS</span>.<br /><br />So who I am cheering for this weekend?<br /><br />Rangers and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Phillies</span>. Which kind of hurts me because the baseball fan in me wants to see the Yankees and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Phillies</span> for the benefit of the game. The sports fan in me wants to see the Giants vs the Yankees based on the history. The underdog in me is rooting for Giants/Rangers.<br /><br />However I think Rangers/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Phillies</span> would have the best baseball. Could Cliff Lee single <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">handedly</span> win the world series for the Rangers so that he could get paid the largest contract in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">MLB</span> history from the Yankees next year. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Phillies</span> are the best team in baseball and of all of the teams still playing I think are the most deserving to hold up that trophy.<br /><br />Enjoy this weekend, there are not many this great left.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-22438450917355219452010-09-29T09:37:00.002-05:002010-09-29T09:52:21.312-05:00Can 3-0 Not Mean Much?Sorry for the long layoff guys. Between <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">internet</span> issues and traveling to a wedding I have had no time to do a post.<br /><br />There are 3 undefeated teams left in the NFL, but what does that mean. Well the NFL says that a team that starts 3 - 0 has a 78% chance to make the playoffs, but at least one team who started 3-0 in each of the last 3 seasons has not made the playoffs.<br /><br />So this year who is in, who is out, and what does 3-0 mean this year?<br /><br />The three undefeated teams are the Chicago Bears, the Pittsburgh <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Steelers</span>, and the Kansas City Chiefs. There is only one team on this list that 3-0 means something: the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pittsburgh</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Steelers</span>.<br /><br />The Pittsburgh <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Steelers</span> are missing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">their</span> first, second, and third string Quarterbacks, but still are undefeated. Furthermore this team has played good teams. This team will make the playoffs, and I think is a serious contender to play in the Super Bowl.<br /><br />The Bears and the Chiefs can may make the playoffs but neither team is ready to make a move towards being a serious contender. The Chiefs will play some real competition this week and I predict a huge loss.<br /><br />The Bears are another thing all together. It is possible that they will go 7-0 before they play a team who can really compete with them. This does not mean they are good, it means that this is a down season in the NFL, and a team that can start 7-0 based on schedule could also go 7-9 when they get to playing the big boys in the second half.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-71336872528778943162010-09-20T11:12:00.001-05:002010-09-20T11:13:23.078-05:00Internet OutageI currently am without internet. Once I get my internet access back I will continue to post a daily post on sports.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-21291930237735353752010-09-17T10:12:00.002-05:002010-09-17T10:39:49.788-05:00NFL Week 2 picksMiami @ Minnesota -5.5 +/- 39.5<br />Minnesota to win and cover. Take the over.<br /><br />Arizona @ Atlanta -6.5 +/- 43.5<br />Atlanta to win but not cover. Take the under.<br /><br />Baltimore -2.5 @ Cincinnati +/- 39.5<br />Baltimore to win and cover on the road. Take the under.<br /><br />Kansas City @ Cleveland -1.5 +/- 38.5<br />Kansas City wins the upset. Take the over.<br /><br />Chicago @ Dallas - 7.5 +/-40.5<br />Dallas will win and cover, and take the over.<br /><br />Philadelphia -6.5 @ Detroit +/- 41.5<br />Philadelphia to win but not cover on the road. Take the under.<br /><br />Buffalo @ Green Bay -13.5 +/-43.5<br />Green Bay covers, and while they could score 42 points by themselves I still take the under.<br /><br />Pittsburg @ Tennessee -5.5 +/- 37.5<br />Tennessee wins and covers, but I still like the under.<br /><br />Tampa Bay @ Carolina -3.5 +/- 39.5<br />Tampa Bay pulls the upset on the road. Take the over.<br /><br />Seattle @ Denver -3.5 +/- 40.5<br />Seattle wins big, take the over.<br /><br />St. Louis @ Oakland -3.5 +/- 37.5<br />Oakland wins but does not cover, take the under.<br /><br />New England -2.5 @ NY Jets +/- 38.5<br />New England wins and covers on the road. Take the over.<br /><br />Jacksonville @ San Diego -7.5 +/- 45.5<br />San Diego covers, take the under.<br /><br />Houston -2.5 @ Washington +/- 43.5<br />Houston wins and covers, take the under.<br /><br />NY Giants @ Indianapolis -5.5 +/-48.5<br />Indianapolis covers and take the over.<br /><br />New Orleans -5.5 @ San Francisco +/-43.5<br />New Orleans wins but does not cover, take the under.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-46900275521457652502010-09-16T12:44:00.007-05:002010-09-17T09:52:09.760-05:00Derek Jeter Hit By Pitch, Fair or Foul?The events of last night have the sports world in an uproar.<br /><br /><br /><br />Derek <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jeter</span> took an inside pitch that seemed to hit him near the hand or wrist. In a big show of pain he hopped around and was awarded first base. The problem? The ball never hit him, it hit the end of his bat. Technically this was a foul ball and a strike and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jeter</span> should have continued his at bat, but instead he was on first base when the next batter hit a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">home run</span> giving the Yankee's a lead.<br /><br />This situation raised two questions: Should baseball expand instant replay and did Derek <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jeter</span> cheat?<br /><br />Baseball is a game of statistics and history. This is why there is so much resistance to adding and expanding instant replay. The historical side says mistakes have always been part of the game and technology removed the charm of the human element. They say it will slow down the game. They say that it will be overused. They say it will take away from the umpire's authority.<br /><br />The replay supporters say that the fans want to see the correct calls. The players deserve to have the came called <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">accurately</span>. They say it would take less time than manager <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">arguments</span>. They say that technology is to the point where it would be noninvasive.<br /><br />I would not mind seeing more replay, provided it was done correctly. No replay on balls and strikes, and stop making the umps go watch a video. Have an ump in a booth watching the game and on close plays where the on field ump gets it wrong he radio's down the correct call.<br /><br />Easy right?<br /><br />Now what about is Derek <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jeter</span> a cheater. The answer is I don't know. But I have no problem with what he did. I think that is the difference between gamesmanship and cheating. In my opinion cheating is using something outside of the game to get an advantage in the game. Examples include <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">HGH</span>, steroids, corked bats, foreign substances on the ball, using video cameras to steal signals, etc. Gamesmanship is using the rules or situations of a game to an advantage in the game. Faking getting hit by the ball is not cheating, it is just smart play.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-17546538720787296152010-09-15T17:34:00.000-05:002010-09-15T17:35:21.520-05:00Interview!Check out my interview on my friend Abby's blog!<br />http://abbyminard.blogspot.com/2010/09/interview-with-aspiring-author-andy.htmlAndyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-55298568181516389122010-09-14T17:48:00.003-05:002010-09-16T12:51:12.318-05:00Reggie Bush Gives Up His HeismanIt true, Reggie Bush has volunteered to give up his Heisman Trophy. What is not clear is if he was told that it was going to stripped away from him tonight by the Heisman trust tonight anyway. However, I do think it is the right move to get in front of this and give up the honor to remove the distraction from your team.<br /><br />Again I must appologize for the brevity of my post today but I am under the weather, but I will be back tomorrow better than ever.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245820806429690537.post-72357961381233203832010-09-13T17:46:00.003-05:002010-09-16T12:51:59.371-05:00Breaking Fantasy Football AdviceMy entry today will be short and sweet due to massive time constraints. If you play fantasy football start Legedu Naanee today. That is all.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.com0