By Guest Blogger John Manuel & Friends:

Supreme Court of Sports Knowledge is back and so are Vic and the Matzie. Don’t be afraid to express your comments!

1- Biggest winner and biggest loser at the NFL draft?

Vic Vinegar: It will come as a huge shock to those of you that know me, but the Redskins were the biggest losers of the draft. That Kerrigan guy should be pretty good (as long as Tanya Harding and her hired goons stay away), but this was a team with a Top 10 pick and in desperate need of a QB of the future, and they did nothing. Who’s your QB for the next five years? Rex Grossman?? Really? DMac? Nope. Accept it Redskins fans, you will not make the playoffs….again. I would give runner-up loser to the Eagles for drafting a kicker in the fourth round. Unless that kicker is a dunkey (I know how I spelled it wrong) named Gus who can put it through the uprights from his own 10 yard line with Coach Don Knotts looking on, you don’t draft a kicker…ever. As far as winners go, I think the league’s bottom feeders did pretty well as a whole. Detroit, Buffalo, and Cleveland all did really well IMO.

Bob: The loser has to be the Chicago Bears. Their GM’s blunder for not getting the Ravens trade put through and ultimately getting the guy they wanted without giving away their fourth round pick exposed their draft room as looking like nothing more than a fantasy football draft with chicken wings and bud light cans strewn everywhere. If this GM does not get fired for thinking that the Chiefs were going to draft a guard that was not high on the draft boards and then botching a trade with the wizard of the draft, Ozzie Newsome, then the Bears owner is the worst in football. This must be the same GM who pulled off the Jay Cutler trade too.
Winner: Ravens: Anytime you get a physical shutdown corner plus Maryland wide receiver (both 1st rounders in my book) you had a great draft. Let’s look at a few Terps in the NFL, Merriman, Vernon Davis, Boomer, EJ Henderson, Erin Henderson, D’Qwell Jackson, Kris Jenkins, Lamont Jordan, Jermaine Lewis, Heyward-Bey and Randy White. Maryland produces. Torrey Smith may have been the steal of the draft.

Gib: I have to start by saying that handing out draft grades a few weeks down the road is pretty foolish. The fear of being foolish, however, rarely stops me.

Biggest winner: The Detroit Lions. Yes, the Matt Millen era is long behind us. I love the Nick Fairley pick in the first round. With Fairley and Ndamukong Suh (a big thanks to the inventor of spell check) on the defensive line they have turned what was already strength of the Lion’s defense into an absolute force of nature. NFC North quarterbacks should be warned – playing the Detroit Lions will be an absolute dogfight for two weeks a year for the rest of your careers. The boys in Honolulu blue also had two very nice picks in the second round when the team turned their attention to the other side of the ball. They picked up a nice WR in Boise State’s Titus Young to help try to keep coverage from collapsing to Calvin Johnson’s side of the field. They also recognized that, while Jahvid Best is a rare talent at tailback, Illini back Mikel Leshoure adds much needed depth to an obvious running back by committee approach.

Biggest loser: The Atlanta Falcons. I know plenty of people liked their draft, but I for one absolutely hated it. In order to move up 21 spots to grab Julio Jones in the first, Atlanta and Cleveland exchanged first round picks and Atlanta threw in its first rounder in 2012, a second rounder in 2011, a fourth in 2011 and a fourth in 2012. To me that’s a lot to give up for a WR with bad hands. It seems like Atlanta was trying to make a deal for A.J. Green and when it couldn’t – the Dirty Birds just pivoted and went after Jones, despite the fact that he appears to be significantly inferior to the Bulldog standout. Those who approve of the deal use the “Atlanta is one player away from the Super Bowl” defense, which can be debunked just by looking at the teams in the most recent Super Bowl. The Packers sustained a wave of injuries this year; however, they were able to overcome this with superior coaching and a deep roster that can only be assembled when draft picks are cherished and used judiciously. A team is never “one player away” from the Super Bowl, because each year you start all over with a different set of circumstances and injuries. We’ll never know who the Falcons would have drafted, but those picks could have improved the team significantly, even if the drafted players did not immediately replace front line players. Secondly, the Super Bowl losing Steelers have a roster full of impact WRs that they acquired in the mid rounds of the draft, headlined by the dynamic former third rounder Mike Wallace. WR is a position that can be upgraded on Friday or even Saturday of the draft and very few WRs are worth a top ten selection – certainly not one with a case of the dropsies. This will not go down as the second coming of the Herschel Walker trade, or even Ditka’s famous “all-in” for Rickey Williams, but, in my mind, Atlanta’s move was dumb nonetheless.

Matzie: Biggest Winner….Christian Ponder. Where in the hell did that pick come from? Leave it to the Minnesota Vikings to blow the No. 12 pick in the draft on an unknown QB. Hopefully they can fix the hole in their stadium roof because they certainly didn’t take any steps towards fixing their QB situation on draft day. Which leads me to part two….and would lead you to believe that the Minnesota Vikings are the biggest loser. No, they are the runner up to the NFL. Over the past decade, I can remember counting down the days to the draft and waiting with eager anticipation. Kinda like Marion Barry in a Washington D.C. hotel room. The league has eroded my enthusiasm for the NFL and all associated fan fare. All over splitting hairs with what equates to One Billion….Austin Powers pinky extended….dollars. In a nearly 20 Million Dollar industry, how much is this really worth?

Stinger: Biggest winner to me are the Detroit Lions. They added three parts that will pay dividends right away. Fairley, Leshoure and Young. Detroit has to now look good to somebody like Nnamdi Asomugha when free agency begins. Fairley could up being a bust but he could also end up being Warren Sapp.
Biggest loser to me was anyone watching at home. The suspense of the draft is gone. You know the pick before the announcement because every draftee is on camera and they show them taking calls. The commissioner doesn’t even need to go up to the podium anymore. If I was someone who was going to be picked in the late 1st or 2nd, I would have been on my cell crying or looking thrilled before Cam Newton was announced to see if you could fool ESPN or NFL Network…What’s this in the green room? Carolina is on the phone with Danny Watkins? Could this be the first pick in the draft?

2- Does the NHL offer the best playoffs?

Vic Vinegar: If I’d answered this question a week ago, I would have said yes. The NFL is my favorite of the pro sports, but can you imagine the drama that would have been created last year if the Ravens had to play the Steelers SEVEN TIMES in the playoffs last year? Even Osama Bin Mendenhall may not have made it through something like that. And while we’re talking about the Steel Town Taliban, can you believe that sh*t? Twitter is the best/worst thing to ever happen to pro athletes. Back to hockey…in the second round the “Annual Regular Season Champion Washington Capitals” pulled their usual spring face plant, the Flyers were down 3-0 to the Bruins (we have them where we want them…see 2010), and even the Red Wings were in danger of being swept. The first round of the NHL playoffs was unreal, but this round is pretty anticlimactic. I bet the NHL is salivating at the TV ratings explosion that would be a Tampa Bay vs. Vancouver Stanley Cup. Good times.

Bob: Yes, because they have three intermissions and start their games at 7pm. During intermission number one, I get to refresh my beer, put my daughter to bed, respond to some emails, make a snack and if your team is down 3 goals, you are still in it. During the second intermission, prime time TV is on, plenty of time to catch the end of Community or Helicopter Loggers. “I always worry that they will not get the job done in time.” And if your team is down only 2, you still have life. Third period is non-stop action. The hitting and speed picks up to a frantic pace and most games come down to the final three minutes. No sport is that dramatic, but it is the intermissions that make it so enjoyable.

Gib: I prefer the NFL playoffs over NHL playoffs. You get the sense that only the best make it to the NFL tournament where only 12 out of 32 franchises participate, rather than more than half of the teams making it to the postseason in the NHL (16 out of 30 teams qualify). I think the best playoff system has to raise the importance of the regular season first and foremost, and the NFL playoffs is a pretty exclusive club where mediocrity during the regular season does not earn you the right to participate – even though the NFC West does its best to shoot holes in my theory.

For my money, nothing beats the scenario where we have one game for all the marbles. A seven game series may be best for determining which team is better, but one “winner take all” game adds an element of “anything can happen” to the playoffs. This is the magical quality that makes the NCAA Basketball tournament what it is. Sure, a Game 7 in the NHL, NBA, or MLB is thrilling, but the majority of playoff match ups are decided without a Game 7.

Matzie: No. Plays a great third fiddle to the NFL and the NCAA tourney though. If it’s any consolation prize, it’s a much better league than it was 5 years ago. Even without the best player since Super Mario. That’s right….I’m talking about Sid the Kid. One of the NHL’s superstars that can win playoffs games…and cups.

Stinger: Yes, but since I posted this question the Caps got swept. The answers to this question probably were not that good since all Supreme Court justices’ teams have been eliminated. Saying that I still think the NHL is the most exciting. Almost all games are close and nothing beats sudden death overtime. Add to that the announcers are the best by far of any sport. Any sport where a fight can completely change the games momentum has my attention. I never thought I would be glued to a Nashville Predators playoff game but throw in a little Carrie Underwood and I am throwing “Community” and “The Office” on DVR.

3- Who is the best player right now in Major League Baseball?

Vic Vinegar: Not sure how anyone can say anyone but Pujols, until he struggles over a long period of time. The numbers he’s put up over the past 10 years are legendary. He plays good defense, plays every day, and seems like a good clubhouse guy.

Bob: Hands down, Jered Weaver. 6 wins in April. No Oriole pitcher has 4 wins by the break last year. He is on pace for 24 wins. His ERA is 1.39 and he is only two shy of the leader in K’s. And this guy has him on his fantasy baseball team. How you doing?

Gib: Despite his slump, Albert Pujols is still the best player in baseball right now. Over the last 10 seasons, Pujols has put up numbers that rival anyone who has ever played the game. His numbers this year are well below his career stats; however, he has shown signs of coming out his funk. If I could have any player in baseball on my squad for the rest of the year, it would be Albert. The man puts in the work and I think it’s very likely that he reverts to his old self any day now.

Matzie: Same player it was at the beginning of the season….Albert. One of the only power players not tarnished in the steroid era. He has a HOF skill set in any generation. Although he may very well be 49 years old. Which means he cheated in a different capacity. Forget Obama….I want to see Albert’s certificate of birth! Somebody call Donald Trump!

Stinger: Derrek Lee for sure. Joking. Although I really want to say Ryan Braun, I still have to go with Albert Pujols. Once he gets fully healthy he will go on a tear and the debate will be over. And the only question will be where he plays in 2012.

4- Should Jim Tressel still be the football coach at Ohio State?

Vic Vinegar: There isn’t a big time college football program (at least a good one) that doesn’t play in the fringes of what the NCAA considers legal. That being said, the NCAA usually seems to be harsher in the prosecution of the cover-up than they are in the prosecution of the infraction. He was suspended for the infraction. Now, it seems like something new and unseemly comes out every week about his program. How many other things has he covered up that haven’t even been exposed yet? I think he’s gone. But, in typical NCAA glacial speed, he will be fired sometime around 2014.

Bob: Yes, Ohio State is basically run like a professional team right now. They need a coach who can commit violations and not get punished. The University is strong than the NCAA and Jim Tressel’s sweater vests are the only reason they are not sitting out bowl games every year for suspensions.

Gib: There is so much I don’t like about the recent events in Columbus. I don’t like that the NCAA allowed the suspension of Terrell Pryor and four other Buckeyes to start after the team’s Sugar Bowl appearance. Even worse than that weak move, was the grandstanding by Tressel, who claimed that he looked each player in the eye and had them commit to coming back the following season so that they would not go early to the NFL and escape punishment. Tressel’s actions seemed a little self serving at the time, but in hindsight, the move seems downright hypocritical. Given how light-handed the NCAA dealt with the players in this issue, it makes sense why Ohio State believed that it could impose its own sanctions, by recommending a 5 game suspension for their coach and have it stick (of course, the university initially recommended that Tressel be suspended for OSU’s games against only Akron and Toledo – how very responsible of them).
The NCAA needs to go beyond this 5 game suspension and make a statement that rule breaking and lying about rule breaking will not be tolerated. The sanction against the coach should extend beyond the sanctions levied against the players involved. With that said, I think it would be asking a lot to have OSU fire Tressel. Coaches like the sweater-vested one do not grow on trees and university presidents understand this. For this reason, it’s up to the NCAA to dish out the punishment, which should be more severe than the five games the university self imposed. Maybe an eight-game suspension is closer to the right punishment?

Matzie: If he had not won a National Championship, Jim Tressel would’ve been gone. Which makes it even worse because any other coach would’ve been gone. Besides, he already had a second chance after the Maurice Clarett scandal. Yes, it did happen DURING the season and sources say Tressel knew about that too. That’s what you get when you sell your soul to the devil for a championship. See Carroll, Pete.

Stinger: Tressel should probably have been already fired for what he did. NCAA violations are always a tough subject for me after what they did to Maryland basketball in the late 80s. Hundreds of times since schools and coaches have done worse than Bob Wade and his staff and no school has been f’d by the NCAA like Maryland was. If Tressel is fired most of the blame I would throw at the players for the stupidity they showed trading in the memorabilia. Tressel was dishonest but is more of victim of trying to protect his players. He will get another job and Ohio State will probably just get probation and still be playing games on Jan 1.

5- Name your starting five from any basketball TV shows or movies.

Vic Vinegar: Hands down the best question of the week. I’ve tried to stock my starting five with a combination of scoring, gritty defense, positive team chemistry, and an ability to teach us all an occasional lesson about the important things in life.

G – Scott “Teen Wolf” Howard – Granted he won a Championship without having to go “Full Wolf”, but I would take him in his wolf-like state 9 out of 10 times with a game on the line. Brings ridiculous ball handling skills and mad hops to the floor. Wears a headband even though he is completely covered in hair, and learned a valuable lesson about being true to one’s self when things don’t go the way you want. Only concern with Howard is potential off the court issues. His antics with his best friend Styles (surfing on top of a van, participating in closet make-out parties) could alienate teammates.

G- AC Slater – If you notice, Bayside’s entire athletic program seemed to be dominated by Slater. He could throw touchdowns, hit home runs, pin grapplers, outrun anyone, and even keep Preppy’s from cracking too much wise. But it was his hoops exploits that went largely unnoticed. Unnoticed that is until a very special episode of “Saved by the Bell” where the whole gang decided to play in a charity wheel chair hoops game to make a disadvantaged youth feel special. You’d think this would be a heartwarming event. Wrong. Slater showed his killer on court instincts by dominating the game like a true champion does, highlighted by several STANDING block shots against a team of wheelchair confined disabled youths (evidence below).

AC Slater playing in Charity Basketball game.

F – Jimmy Chitwood – Can you get more clutch than Chitwood? Nope. That team was awful while he was sitting out. Just awful. He comes back, pretty much unstoppable. He is the straw that stirs the drink, the glue that holds the team together, the donkey eating a waffle (some of you might get that). Chitwood is also a character guy who liked nothing more than shooting hoops on his dirt court with a flat basketball.

F – Will Smith – In the “Courting Disaster” episode of Fresh Prince, Will went OFF against a rival High School in an oddly small gym with oddly low rims. Suspension of disbelief aside, he put up like 40 points that night. Dunks, three pointers, fadeaways off of Carlton’s head…you name it, he did it. Deadspin has done an amazing analysis of that historic evening here….http://deadspin.com/#!5784151/calculating-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-airs-usage-rate-and-what-it-can-tell-us-about-ball-hogs

C – Warren Coolidge – Every team needs an imposing force in the middle, and Coolidge brings the full package. While “White Shadow” was only on for three seasons, the 6’8″ man child Coolidge has quite the resume. Consider that all of this happened in one season…after one of his better games, he was almost tricked into signing with a crooked agent, he contracted a venereal disease from an apparently dirty fellow student, he tried his hand at acting, and if that weren’t enough, he also tried out for the Harlem Globetrotters (he later decided to stay in school after seeking the counsel of teammate Mario “Salami” Petrino). Coolidge isn’t afraid to do the “dirty work” inside if you know what I mean (and no, I’m not talking about the episode where he gets VD).

Bob: Jackie Moon, Teen Wolf, Jimmy Dolan/Kevin Bacon “air up there”, Hoosiers Jimmy Chitwood, Woody Harrelson (Semi-pro/White man can’t jump) and team manager Pedro from Basketball Diaries. I had to go with an all-white team because Hollywood cheats when it comes down to casting African American actors to play basketball. Only a real basketball player can be cast to play an African American basketball player because when it comes down to it, if we were to see Denzel or Forrest Whitaker play basketball, it would be so laughable it would totally ruin the movie. The only actor ever to be cast to play a basketball player (don’t quote me on that fact) was Omar Epps in Love and Basketball. The problem with that movie is that if I turned on the TV and started watching that movie, I could easily confuse it for Save the Last Dance. Going back to my team, Team manager Pedro from Basketball diaries is the difference maker over all other these teams in this blog. First, he steals all the jewelry from the opposing team, second he was the most loyal friend to the egotistical Doogie Howser. His skills as a people person and problem solver will go a long way with the mental quirks of Jackie Moon, Jimmy Dolan, and Woody Harrelson. By the way, the brilliance of this team selection is in the synergy I have created ala six degrees of Kevin Bacon. Teen Wolf is the only pick I wish I could take back, I’d take Meat from Porkies just to party with him afterwards.

Gib: Let’s start with our guards, which we conveniently recruit from the same movie, “White Men Can’t Jump.” Running the point is Sidney Deane (Wesley Snipes) who has the cockiness and flair you need to run the show. Management will make sure that his game check is sent directly to the IRS. At shooting guard we go with Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson), the degenerate gambler can flat out shoot and get in the opponent’s head. Our swingman, of course, is Jimmy Chitwood from “Hoosiers” (not sure who played him in the movie, but he sort of looks like the lead singer of Arcade Fire). While “the picket fence” probably didn’t outlive the 1950′s, we’ll find other ways to get him and his Kevin McHale haircut open. At power forward, the incomparable Jackie Moon from “Semi-Pro” (Will Ferrell) and of “Love Me Sexy” fame. The puke play will be lifted from the Tropics playbook and immediately incorporated into our offense which can only feature one half man/half wolf at center. Scott Howard of “Teen Wolf” (Michael J. Fox) is probably 5′ 8″ on a good day making him an odd choice for center. He IS a freaking werewolf though, so we can probably ignore the numbers and just play the kid in the paint.

Matzie:
1) Point Guard….Michael J Fox from TeenWolf. If he doesn’t get you with his killer crossover, he will shake you with his spasms. I know it’s wrong.

2) Shooting Guard….Woody Harrelson from White Men Can’t Jump. Even if he still can’t dunk.

3) Shooting Forward…Duane Martin from Above the Rim. If he’s OK by Tupac, he’s OK by me.

4) Power Forward…William Gates. I’m making this choice based on movie merit alone. One of the top 3 basketball movies ever made. This Bill Gates never made a Billion bucks or a software conglomerate. However, he had a lot of heart and basketball skill.

5) Center….Shaq from Blue Chips. No explanation necessary. One of the best of all time in film and reality.

Coach….Dennis Hopper from Hoosiers and a case of Wild Turkey.

Stinger:
Point Guard- Scott Howard aka the Teen Wolf. No doubt. But even though Howard was unstoppable in the final game versus the Dragons as himself. I want him as my point guard as the Wolf. The only tough decision here was who would I get to do the remake of “Win In The End”? Maybe Ruben Studdard. Its tough not to add the whole team, especially Chubby. Backup point guard would have to be “The Professor” from the And 1 Mixtape tour.

Shooting Guard- Everyone is expecting Jimmy Chitwood here. But we have a no babies rule on Stinger’s team. Chitwood was afraid to play most of the season and that cost his spot. Giving this spot to a downtown bomber who isn’t afraid to play a little defense with the psyche out. Joe “Coop” Cooper from Basketball. Rarely you find a defensive stopper combined with a long range bomber. Plus Yasmine Bleeth may hit the games.

Small Forward- The NBA playoffs have shown how important it is to have a fat guy who can step out and hit 3s. Zack Randolph has taken over the playoffs this spring. That’s why I go with Teddy Broadis from HangTime. That round mound can step it outside and will free the lane for Teen Wolf. Maybe not the popular choice but it’s all strategy.

Power Forward- All good teams have an enforcer and I think I got enough scoring so I would go with the gun waving madman from “White Men Can’t Jump” Raymond. No last name needed. You won’t see Andrew Bynum putting his shoulder into Raymond like he did to Nowitzki. Raymond was bringing guns to the arena when Gilbert Arenas was in diapers. He might even play games in the ski mask.

Center- Neon Boudreux from “Blue Chips.” My team doesn’t need to take the SATs so racist tests won’t be a factor. Derrick Rose would fit I guess also. The most dominating big man in basketball movie history completes my team. Although he may only have one game of college experience, that game was versus Bob Knight’s Indiana Hoosiers. Neon didn’t even want that Lexus so I know he would not be a questionable character to have. I could see him and the Teen Wolf becoming best friends on and off the court.

All this under the expert tactician coaching of “Teen Wolf’s” Coach Bobby Finstock.

By Guest Blogger John Manuel:

Supreme Court is back in session.  Justices have taken their seats and are ready to tackle today’s sports issues.  Here are the justices again.

The Matzie
Bob
Vic Vinegar
Gib
Stinger

Question 1:
Were you tired of the Melo trade talks and is the NBA getting ridiculous with all the players heading to 3 or 4 teams in the future?

The Matzie- Glad that the Melo drama is finished? Yes. Although, I think that Denver should have made this deal 6 months ago. I guess they were hoping for a change of heart. Melo and his not so beautiful bride always had an Empire State of mind. Denver was stuck and they got the best deal possible. Some decent prospects instead of nothing come summertime. As for the unbalance of power in the league? I’m all for it. It gives great publicity to the league and makes those teams interesting to watch. Which, I can’t say about the rest of the teams or the NBA as a whole. The solution, smaller market teams and those with only the power to star gaze are welcome to learn how to draft. Just ask San Antonio.

Bob-Absolutely, not. I love hearing the sound bites from Net’s Owner Mikhail Prokhorov in his best Dolph Lundgren voice, ”It was a fantastic meeting, trust me. No words, live music, excellent atmosphere. We looked into each other’s eyes. Just real man talk.” Safe to say, the new star of the NBA is indeed Mr. Prokhorov. Only a matter of time before he brings in some huge Russian cyborg to patrol the paint in the swamp.

Vic-Like most situations, Egyptian unrest and the wrongful, hateful persecution of Lindsay Lohan for example, I blame the media. The phenomenon of some big time player being disgruntled in the final year of his contract and wanting to move to a better situation is nothing new. What is new though is the manner in which agents and players use the media to communicate their messages. The media (ESPN in particular) are a bunch of suckers that treat this as “news” 24/7, and allow the players to save face (except for LeBron). I’m not a huge NBA guy, but the notion of too many teams being able to truly create “super teams” seems pretty unlikely with a salary cap system in place. We’re dealing with massive egos, and the list of guys of will truly take a backseat (and less money) to win a championship is a lot shorter than one would think.

Gib-Tired?  It’s always refreshing when little old Gotham lands a free agent.  Really, after missing out on free agent LeBron James and Cliff Lee recently on the baseball side of things, New York was beginning to feel like a city that actually had to compete on a level playing field in the NBA and MLB.  As for NBA players buddying up – I think LeBron forced the issue when he formed his own super group in Miami, now everyone else feels they have to do the same to compete.  This is a bad business model and the NBA needs to find a way to reduce this trend.

Stinger-It got old and it was great to see the Knicks get smoked on the trade.  Denver loses a top player but added a lot of pieces.  All the best to La La on her career now in NYC!  I had no issue with Melo the past month but I think my real issue is I hate the Knicks.  Actually I hate all New York teams.  Next up is Chris Paul or Dwight Howard to NY next season.  The Olympics crushed David Sterns NBA or did it?  Is this really bad for him?  As a Wizards fan, do we start shopping John Wall in the off season since we’re not LA, NY, Miami or Chicago?  Many questions to be answered about many players with crazy tattoos.

Question 2:

Where will Cam Newton go in the draft?

The Matzie- Cam Newton…..is a special talent. The type of player that is worthy of #1 pick status and money. However, the Panthers are stuck on Jimmy Clausen like Jim Carrey was Stuck On You.  They will draft Nick Fairley, who will be a great player but I don’t like the off the field wildness. That character trait just doesn’t seem to work in the NFL. Even if he does pan out, he is not the elite type of player that a franchise gets the opportunity to draft once a decade. Buffalo will relish this same opportunity and he will thrive in a young and soon to be up and coming team. You see Buffalo doesn’t understand everything but they know one of the most important rules. This IS a quarterback driven league. And neither Jimmy Clausen or Ryan Fitzpatrick is cutting it.

Bob- Not sure where, but a lot higher than people think. Michael Vick proved for the time being that an athletic QB can indeed make it in the NFL.  If McDaniels was still coach, I’d imagine he’d be drooling of the idea of pairing him and Tebow in the same backfield. Alas, not to be, but maybe McDaniels can convince the St. Louis Rams that they need him more than Sam Bradford. The man has the midas touch.

Vic-Me thinks that “Cameron the Entertainer” make a big blunder this week by touting his ambitions to become a multi media icon before he’s played a down in the league. Not sure where such bad judgment comes from (wait…stolen computer, academic dishonesty, daddy agent, etc…), but he’s setting himself up as Jemarcus 2.0 (minus the Drank problems). Have you ever had the Drank? I knew a guy my freshman year who drank a bottle of Robo and ended up in Leland hospital with a huge gas bubble in his belly instead of the mind enlightening experience he read about in “High Times”. Newton may have some pretty sick athletic talent, but the last 10 years are littered with QB’s who put up huge numbers in college but were just too stupid (see no common sense) to succeed at the next level. All that being said, I hope the Redskins draft him. Better yet, I hope they trade a bunch of picks to move up to get him. Then I will just sit back and watch the Snyder carnage continue for another several years…giggling.

Gib-Cam Newton is destined to be drafted higher than he should.  Too many teams have struck gold in the first round in the last few years – most recently the Rams with Sam Bradford – that there probably is a false sense of security settling in.  Still, Newton hasn’t played much football, and when he did, it was out of the gimmicky spread offense.  Plus, there is huge knucklehead potential here – he may see himself as “an entertainer and an icon” but I think he’s lucky he wasn’t declared ineligible by the NCAA this past season and he appears to be pretty immature.  So, which NFL team would draft a not-ready-for-primetime quarterback from Auburn and take him way too early?  That move sounds like it could be right in Dan Snyder’s wheelhouse.

Stinger- Cam Newton will end up the #1 pick by Carolina.  Dad Newton will use all his recruiting cash to hype Cam up so much the Carolina Panthers can’t pass him up.  It happens every year this time.  Teams get nervous taking a defensive player #1 overall and the QB’s rise.  Plus I last saw Todd McShay had him going 10^th so that means he will go 1 or 3 at the latest.  I would believe a mock draft by “The Situation” or Bieber before McShay.  I just don’t see anyone else going #1 overall.

Question 3:
Who is your early call for the World Series?

The Matzie- This is easy. The Phillies are the lone horse in this race and they are going to win by more than a nose. They have the best pitching rotation in the history of baseball. You are looking at FOUR # 1 pitchers on one staff. How are you going to beat Hamels, Holliday, and Lee with Oswalt pitching the 7 and 8th of every other game? It’s not happening. Now look at the Phillies lineup and you will see that there’s no chance and it’s really an unfair race. I’d be crying too….if I wasn’t a lifelong Phillies fan. Go Phils!

Bob-Orioles. Why? I say, Why Not?

Vic- How can you not pick the Phillies? Pitching wins championships, and the Phils have arguably assembled the best starting rotation in the last 20 years. Tell me that the O’s wouldn’t love to have Cole Hammels at the front of their rotation. Guess what? Cole Hammels is the FOURTH best pitcher on that staff. Couple that with an offense loaded with big bats, and you have a team that can beat you a bunch of ways. Assuming they can stay away from a bunch of injuries, I’d have to say they are the clear cut early pick to win it all.

Gib-Pitching wins championships and you can’t get much better than the staff in Philadelphia – I’ll take the Phillies.

Stinger-It crushes me to say but it has to be Boston and Philadelphia.  The Red Sox have the American league’s best staff and lineup and the Phillies have the best staff in a long time and probably the Nationals best lineup.  Praying for injuries.  Vince Coleman tarp remover type injuries for both.  I am really hoping for a demise of the Yankees this season.  Did you see the pics of Cameron Diaz on the beach with A-Rod?  Looks like Mr. and Mrs. Clemens may not be the only juicing couple.  New York will probably add Pujols by midseason and then all my hopes are crushed.

Question 4:

Who do you see in the Final Four at this point of the season?

The Matzie- Duke, Ohio State, Pitt and BYU. The first two are easy. Pitt will win the Big East, which is the BEST division in the country. As for BYU, they’ve beaten San Diego State TWICE and they have the best player in the country. That’s right…I said it, I meant it, I’m here to represent it. Jimmmmmmmmmer!

Bob- Duke, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and BYU. Note to reader, no Big East teams.  Enough talk that the Big East should have 11 teams in the tournament. Last year they got 8 bids (the most) and only 4 teams made it out of the first round. Big 10 got 5, and 4 teams made it out of the first round, 3 teams into the sweet 16.

Vic-I would LOVE to see Charlie Sheen in the Final Four. His radio rant the other day was epic. His “Thomas Jefferson was a pu**y” angle was beyond classic. I realize this question is about hoops, but c’mon, Sheen is gold. Anyone remember the time he bought an entire section of seats at Angels Stadium just so he could sit there alone with his glove on and catch a homerun ball?  Take a crazy idea like that and mix it with a three day coke and “paid talent” bender and this interview is the result. It reminded me of some of the Charles Manson parole board hearings over the years. On a side note, I’ll take Duke, Pitt, Texas, and Ohio State.

Gib-It’s a pretty mediocre field this year in college basketball – there are no truly great teams.  There is one great conference though, and I think they could cancel the NCAA tournament and just let the battle royale at Madison Square Garden in a couple weeks decide the national champion.  The Big East is going to have 3 solid teams in multiple regions for this year’s NCAA tourney – so my prediction may be just playing the percentages:  The Big East sweeps the regions and gets 4 teams to the Final Four.  If that wasn’t ridiculous enough – I will now say that the four teams that make it will be Notre Dame, Pitt, St. John’s and Syracuse.

Stinger-Ohio State, Texas, Syracuse, BYU.

Ohio State and Texas have played the best since conference play began.  The Big East will have 11 of the 68 teams so one of theirs will have to make it.  I like Syracuse to turn it on come tourney time.  Pitt always hits the brakes and I could have had Georgetown here until Chris Wright went down.  Duke will also go down.  And Kansas has to stop the sex romps between the men’s and women’s teams.  BYU has Jimmer and he can carry them in this year.  The teams are just not as good as in the past.  Jimmer improved his game by playing prison ball.  Word is that JR Rider took him for 36 though.

Question 5:

Which was a bigger event to you? A rookie winning Daytona or the Rock’s return to Wrestlemania?

The Matzie-I will go on record as saying that NASCAR is the biggest waste of time in all of Sports….if you can call driving a car a sport. Sorry Joe Campanella….even Dale JR sucks. And since I am a fan of all wrestling….I will take the Rock. Can you smelllllllll what the Matzie is cookin!

Bob- I have to say the Rock. I have not seen a Wrestlemania event in two decades but I would if old wrestlers came back to wrestle. Who wouldn’t want to see Magnum TA fight Ivan Koloff one more time only to have the match interrupted by Tully Blanchard and a 60 year old Baby Doll running into the ring to join the fray? Like the old adage says, “Put any sport on one side of a gym and a fight on the other, guess what people watch.

Vic-Let’s look at this a different way. Which participant was more excited about last week’s event? On one hand, you have a kid who is not old enough to rent a car winning a race where you drive in a circle at 200mph. This kid will be a chick magnet for years to come, and will be a legend should he never win another race. On the other hand, you have a gentleman who left the world of wrastling to become a film star. His movie career maybe not playing out to be as “huge” as he thought, he is forced to return to the squared circle in some sort of eye brow trick shame to stay relevant in the public eye. I go with the kid winning the race.

Gib-C’mon, we all know that one of these sports is completely rigged…….and for that reason I just cannot take Nasser seriously.  Give me the people’s elbow.

Stinger- It’s the Rock.  Daytona has already been forgotten.  The Rock should throw in his famous catch phrases in his movies so maybe someone would go see them.  Am I too old to remember Wrestlemania I?  Hogan and Mr. T versus Piper and Orndorff.  King Kong Bundy beat some nugget in like 6 seconds.  Now if Kamala or Mr. Fuji won the Great American Race I would go with the Daytona 500.

Ryan Mallett:

If Mallett ever figures it out upstairs he could be a franchise quarterback, but right now I don’t know if I could ever imagine that he’ll be able to do that. When it comes to throwing the ball, Mallett has the biggest arm and spins it with anyone, but he still needs to learn some touch.

Jake Locker:

Locker really impressed me throughout the day. He did great during all the workout drills, and showed perhaps the best speed of any quarterback. He also had a very good interview session, and showed he can handle the rigors of the media. The most impressive thing was his accuracy, which was vastly improved from his Senior Bowl performance (and season performance). Locker still has questions about doing it with pads on and in games, but its nice to see some improvement.

Colin Kaepernick:

Kaepernick tore it up in the athletic drills, and was officially the 2nd fastest quarterback at the combine. He was a bit inconsistent in the throwing drills, but overall showed a big arm, with a lot of accuracy. His motion and footwork aren’t the best, but the talent is very clear. Easily, he was one of the 5 most impressive quarterbacks at the combine.

Andy Dalton:

Dalton didn’t wow in any one area, but I saw good improvement from the Senior Bowl and pretty accurate overall.

Blaine Gabbert:

Gabbert didn’t throw, but he showed great athleticism and I thought answered some questions about him in the drills. Gabbert probably had as good of a combine as anyone, despite not throwing the ball.

Christian Ponder:

I thought Ponder looked the by as the best quarterback today at the combine. He tested well in all the athletic drills, and threw a nice spiral.

Ricky Stanzi:

Stanzi, isn’t the fastest quarterback or the biggest arm, but he shows nice touch and accuracy.

Josh Portis:

Portis is no doubt a late round guy, but he was pretty impressive and looks like a good developmental guy. His athletic drills were up there with anyone, and he displayed a strong arm and decent accuracy. He’s still raw but in the right system he could really develop.

Cam Newton:

Newton amazed everyone in the athletic drills and with a strong arm, but was really inaccurate in the short and intermediate drills. There is a lot of raw talent, but its a disappointing performance for a quarterback projected to be in the top 10.

Cam Newton:

All eyes will be on Newton, and when it comes to the workouts he shouldn’t disappoint. Newton is extremely athletically gifted. Newton needs to do the most work at the combine in the interview process, but putting up big physical numbers can’t hurt.

Jake Locker:

I’ll be interested to see what Locker’s accuracy looks like at this stage. I expect him to do very well in all the drills particularly the 40 yard dash, but the passing drills will tell the tale.

Colin Kaepernick:

Kaepernick is looking to prove his doubters wrong with a big combine. He should put up big numbers, and I also expect him to look good in the throwing drills as well. Kaepernick’s draft stock is rising and I think the combine will help launch it, into the 2nd round range.

Josh Portis:

Portis played the majority of his football at California University of Pennsylvania, but don’t necessarily consider him a small school guy. He started out at Florida and then Maryland, so he does have some recruiting chops. Portis is a raw passer, but he throws a good ball and shows a strong arm. Portis has exceptional speed and should do well in all the drills.

Christian Ponder:

I think Ponder will probably show himself to be the most polished quarterback in this draft. I think he is going to impress some people with his accuracy and deceptive arm strength. I think Ponder really could move up the draft boards if he shows that he is completely healthy.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN:

Tyron Smith:

Smith came into this combine with questions about his his size after playing at USC under 300 lbs, but weighed in at a 307 and just under 6’5″. I think Smith is going to impress all day ad really seal a top 15 pick.

Gabe Carimi:

Carimi doesn’t have the size and athleticism of some of his fellow linemen, but he is probably the toughest offensive linemen in this class. He should show well in the positional drills.

Marcus Cannon:

Cannon might be the biggest offensive lineman at the combine, but that doesn’t mean he’s not one of the better athletes. Cannon carries himself very well for his size and could prove that he could play RT.

James Carpenter:

Carpenter is flying up draft boards and I expect him to have a good overall combine.

Ryan Bartholomew:

Bartholomew is near the bottom of the center rankings, but he is an exceptional athlete and could really move up draft boards with his performance.

Brandon Fusco:

Fusco is the smallest school at the combine, but I expect him to have a big weekend and firm his status as one of the top centers.

Texans Look To Draft And Free Agency To Reshape Their Defense:

The Houston Texans last season ranked 30th in the league in total defense, and dead last in pass defense. It’s pretty clear that something had to be done to fix the defense, if Houston was ever going to be a serious contender. Enter Wade Phillips and a brand new 3-4 defensive alignment. Although, the 3-4 defense will be more aggressive and help put more pressure on the quarterback, the Texans lack the overall personnel to make the switch. The good news is that they seem to realize their talent deficiency, and are looking to prioritize fixing it this offseason. Considering how much the Redskins defense imploded, when they switched to the 3-4 with the wrong personnel, Houston is making a smart decision.

While things could change based on how free agency plays out, I’d expect the Texans to use their top 3 picks on the defensive side of the football. While corner back and free safety are near the top of their list, Houston has needs along the front 7 as well. Look for the Texans to target an outside rush linebacker, defensive end and a nose tackle as top priorities this offseason.

Draft Insider Gives A Preview Of Their Top 30 Prospects:

While the list has most of the usual suspects there are a few key surprises. Here’s my take on some of the notable ones:

OT Tyron Smith in the top 5: I like Smith as much as the next guy and can by a top 10 ranking even, but top 5 is way to rich. I believe top 5 tackles need to be guys who step in from day 1 and are franchise guys. Players like Jake Long, Chris Samuels and Joe Thomas. Smith is the best of this year’s class, but he’s not at that level.

Ryan Kerrigan in the Top 10: Kerrigan is a good player, who has a relentless motor and plays with a good head be he isn’t top 10 material. Not in terms of talent, or potential. Kerrigan had a disappointing Senior Bowl week, and didn’t show the ability to be a dominate pass rusher. While I still thin he will be a very good one, he is more of a late first round pick in my eyes.

Von Miller ranked in the bottom 5: I understand some people look to knock Miller because he doesn’t have the ideal size, but this kid can flat out play. Miller has the ability to be an elite pass rusher despite not having the traditional bulk. He is super quick and fast, which will give opposing left tackles fits. I think Miller is one of the best players in this draft class and will easily be a top 10 pick.

1. A.J. Green- Green is one of the most talented receiving prospects to come along in the last few years. He has an excellent combination of size and speed, and projects as a frontline receiver in the NFL. He was suspended by the NCAA for selling a game jersey last season, but he came back and put together a very good year. Top 10 talent, should be the first receiver selected, and is an outside shot at the number one pick.

2. Jon Baldwin- I have Baldwin higher than most and think he is right behind Green when it comes to talent. I know people like to knock him for his attitude or other factors, but I don’t totally see it. He might have given up on some balls last season and didn’t always display the greatest effort in chasing down interceptions (unfortunately there were a lot of them), but that seemed to be an epidemic at Pitt last season. When the team lost faith in Sunseri at quarterback, they collapsed. Of course i’d like to see Baldwin as more of a leader to overcome that, but we are talking about a 21 year old kid. Of the three big receivers who get lumped together, Baldwin had the best numbers (yards per catch), despite having probably the worst quarterback play. Baldwin is elite once the ball is in the air, and can out jump, out muscle and out track anybody. While I don’t expect Baldwin to have the best timed 40, he is plenty fast and will get separation in the NFL. His hands are maybe the best in this class as well, and is just a little less refined than Green. Top 10 Talent, could fall into the 2nd round, but I’m thinking he is a mid first rounder.

3. Julio Jones- Jones possesses the same skill set of Green and Baldwin, just slightly less talented (and its not by much). Jones does have one knock as his hands aren’t as good as Baldwin or Green, but they have improved. Top 15 talent, could be the 2nd receiver drafted, and should definitely be picked by the 20′s.

4. Tandon Doss- The more I see Doss the more I like him. Originally, I didn’t give him much credit, considering he played at Indiana, but he is an extremely talented receiver. I think there is a lot of promise there, and I love his size and speed. He could grow into a number one, and should be a very good starting receiver. Top 40 talent, should be a 2nd rounder, but he could fall to the 3rd round.

5. Torrey Smith- Smith is a good mix of size and speed, and looks like a great secondary receiver. He is very fluid in his breaks and constantly gets separation. Top 45 talent, could sneak into the first round given some of the hype, I believe he is more of a 2nd rounder.

6. Titus Young- Young is the most dynamic playmaker in this class and will make some people remember Percy Harvin or DeSean Jackson. He will be a great fit for teams looking for a vertical homerun threat. He still needs to be a little bit better catching the ball, and getting free, but he has a lot of potential. His speed alone will make him an asset early on in his career. Top 45 talent, should be a 2nd rounder, don’t be shocked if he cracks the top frame.

7. Greg Little- I loved Little and thought with a good senior year he could be a fringe first rounder, or at worst an early 2nd rounder. Little was suspended for the entire season, and didn’t get the chance for his stock to take off. While he was suspended for improper contact with an agent, by all accounts Little seems to have a pretty good head on his shoulders, and had a public apology for the incident (something that is definitely not always seen). I love his size and big play ability, that reminds me of Hakeem Nicks. He’s not the fastest receiver out there, but I do believe he will be successful. Top 60 talent, it’s hard to say where he will be drafted but I’m guessing he is more likely a 4th rounder. His talent is higher and his potential is off the charts, but missing a season and lack of refinement will keep him lower in the draft.

8. Leonard Hankerson- Hankerson initially disappointed me with his weigh-in at the Senior Bowl as I alway thought he was 6’3″, or at least just under, but he came in at less than 6’2″. Given a history of drops and only above average speed I was a little unsure of how he measured up. After a rough first day of practice, Hankerson really picked up his game and looked the best among all the receivers who were there. He also had a brilliant actual Senior Bowl game, and showed crisp route running and the ability to go find the ball. Top 70 talent, should be a third rounder, could sneak into round 2.

9. Vincent Brown- Brown initially I considered a late round wide receiver and didn’t give much thought to. Until that is I saw him Senior Bowl week. He caught everything thrown his way and even made Jake Locker look accurate at times. He’s not the biggest or fastest receiver, but he had the best combo of hands, route running ability and making adjustments to the football. He is moving up my draft board and looks to be a very good possession receiver at the next level. Top 75 talent, should be a 3rd or at worse a 4th rounder.

10. Jerrel Jernigan- Jernigan is a lot like Titus Young and in some ways reminds me of a young Santana Moss. He isn’t as refined as Moss, or dynamic as Young, but he has the potential to be. He is a small slot receiver, but has the ability to be an absolute weapon. He has great top end speed and if he runs a 4.3 or less at the combine his stock will soar. Top 85 talent, he looks like a 3rd rounder to me, but could move up with big time workouts.

1. Mark Ingram- Ingram isn’t what I’d call a franchise running back, but I do feel he is the best back in this class and still has first round talent. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but will have his fair share of long gains. He’s big enough to hold up running inside and should be a very good starting running back. Top 30 talent, should be the top back selected.

2. Ryan Williams- I’ve gone back and forth between Williams and Leshoure as the 2nd best back, but right now I think Williams makes more sense. He fits in to more systems, where as Leshoure is more of a power back. I like the leverage and elusiveness that Williams has, and still see a strong ability to break tackles. He still needs to be a bit more refined, but I love the potential. Top 40 talent, could even sneak into the 1st round.

3. Mikel Leshoure- Leshoure broke on to the scene this season in a big way, and really shined on a surprisingly talented Illinois team. He is a big strong running back, with good speed. He won’t make many people miss, but he does enough to ensure they don’t get great hits on him. He is strong enough to fight for that extra yard and should really help teams in rushing between the tackles. Top 45 talent, should be an early to mid 2nd rounder.

4. Daniel Thomas- Thomas seems to get overlooked in a lot of draft circles, because guys from bigger schools get more hype, but Thomas can play. He’s not s speed guy, but he is probably the toughest runner in this draft class, and the type of guy who can be a 25-30 carry a game type work horse. Top 50 talent, could fall to the 3rd round because he isn’t particularly flashy.

5. Jaquizz Rodgers- I love Rodgers and think he is likely to be one of the steals in this draft class. He is an exceptionally quick guy, with great speed and agility. He is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, and will also help in the return game as well. He’s not much of an inside rusher, but off tackle, he should be extremely dangerous. He might not be an every down guy, but he will be an x-factor type player, that always gives opposing coaches nightmares on having to account for him. Top 60 player, could fall as low as the 5th round. I’m guessing though he is in the mid 3rd round range.

6. Kendall Hunter- Hunter really jumped up in my list with his performance during Senior Bowl week. He showed not only his great speed, but good vision, toughness and acceleration as well. I was throughly impressed, but was really blown away with how well he did on the blitz pickup drills. Despite being one of the smallest backs there, he stonewalled a number of the best linebackers. He is a speed guy, who will have to face questions about his size, but I think he can hold up to an NFL pounding. Top 60 player, should be in the 2nd-3rd round mix.

7. Dion Lewis- Lewis burst on to the scene a year ago at Pitt, and while he didn’t have as good of a year this year, he still put up big time numbers. While he is a smaller back, he shouldn’t be put in the same class of some of the other backs. He is a tougher runner who does a great job making people miss. He isn’t really a home run threat, but he constantly picks up big chunks of yards. He has excellent vision and patience as a runner. Top 70 player, should be drafted early-mid 3rd, but could fall to the 5th or later do to questions about his size.

8. DeMarco Murray- Murray has great size and had a productive career at Oklahoma, but I’m not sure how he will translate into the NFL. He has good speed for his size and looks like a feature back, but I’m not sure if that will be the case. I think he isn’t strong enough, despite his size and he goes down to often on first contact. Top 80 player, could go higher in the mid-2nd round, boom or bust type of guy.

9. Shane Vereen- Vereen will get comparisons to his former Cal teammate Javid Best, and they aren’t far off the mark. He is a shifty speed back, who can help in the passing and return game as well. I don’t know if he has the overall skill set of Best, but he is pretty close. He is a guy, who will need to have a good combine/workout to jump up the rankings. Top 80 player, should be mid 3rd round, could fall into the 4th.

10. Jordan Todman- Todman burst onto the scene this year, and led the Big East in rushing. Despite being a small quick back, he has the build to make you believe he can shoulder a starting load. He has very good vision and hits holes with a lot of power. He needs to work on a few areas, but I really like the potential with him. Top 85 player, could be picked in the third round, but i’m guessing he is more likely a 4th rounder.

1. Blaine Gabbert- Gabbert is the top rated quarterback on my board. While I don’t think he is a Franchise Quarterback, who can step in from day one, I think he has the potential to develop into one in a couple of years. While there are the obvious questions coming from a spread offense, I love his size, athleticism and arm. I’ve always got the impression that he is a smart quarterback, which is why I think there is a high probability that he is at least a quality starter. Top 15 talent, will likely be 1st quarterback taken.

2. Cam Newton- While part of me has soured on Newton, it is hard to deny his physical tools and potential. Newton has a chance to be a combination of Vince Young and Josh Freeman, but he is going to have to keep an attitude like Freeman to ensure he succeeds. I do like the reports that he has taken well to coaching, considering he is as raw of a prospect that there is in this class. While I love the potential, if you start him too early he will likely develop the bad habits of Vince Young and he will never become a star. Top 25 talent, should be taken in the top 15.

3. Christian Ponder- Ponder nails down the third spot because his floor is pretty high. While he might not have the ceiling as some of the other quarterbacks, I think he is one of the safer bets to become a good starter in the NFL, and at worst should be a mediocre one. Ponder also gets the nod, because he is one of the closest to being able to start in the NFL. There is not a single area that Ponder will ‘wow’ you in, but he does everything well. Top 45 talent, likely early 2nd rounder.

4. Colin Kaepernick- Kaepernick certainly has the potential to be a star, and his intangibles are off the charts, but he is not without his drawbacks. He has very little experience in a pro style system, and has to work on quickening his release and cleaning up his footwork. I think between his physical skills, drive, and work ethic he will succeed in the NFL. I think he will need at least a year to be ready to start, and it could be closer to two years.Top 50 talent, likely will fall to the third round.

5. Ryan Mallett- Mallett has the big arm, and looks like a classic pro style QB, but there are some major red flags. A lot of people are question his character, and it sound like he brings a lot of baggage to the table. Even without that, there are questions about his play on the football field. His decision making isn’t the best, and he does not handle pressure well. Also he has no foot speed, making him basically a statue in the pocket. Top 60 talent, will likely be drafted higher in the 2nd round.

6. Jake Locker- I thought Locker would rank a lot higher, but his performance Senior Bowl week really sent his stock in a tail spin. Locker is way to inconsistent and inaccurate at this point in his career. And while he has some key intangibles, he can never seem to find his touch. I think he will need a good bit of work, and despite being a senior and coming from a pro style he will need 2-3 years to become successful. Top 75 talent, still will likely be picked high in the 2nd round.

7. Pat Devlin- Pat Devlin looks like a good mid-round quarterback prospect. He doesn’t have the biggest arm, but he is accurate and smart with his throws. He won’t have the impact of his Delaware predecessor, Joe Flacco, but he could develop into a very good quarterback. Top 75 talent, end of 2nd to early 3rd round pick.

8. Ricky Stanzi- Stanzi is what I’d define as an average quarterback. There isn’t anything special that he does, but he shows enough to make me believe he should be a quality backup at worst. I don’t think he’d ever be a great or very good starter, but he should at least be solid-to-good. Top 100 talent, likely an early 4th rounder.

9. Andy Dalton- I expected to see higher level of performance from Dalton at the Senior Bowl, and was disappointed in his practices all week. He has good size and a solid arm, but really struggled in his transition to a pro style system. He very well could develop into a good starter or better at the next level, but I have some questions if he will ever reach that level. Top 125 talent, 4th-5th rounder.

10. Nathan Enderle- I know I’m higher on Enderle than most, but I really like his potential. He has a good balance of size, arm and intelligence, and could really surprise some people. I think he will need a couple of years to develop, but he does have starting capability. Top 140 talent, likely 6-7th rounder.

If you followed us during Senior Bowl coverage it was pretty evident that I was enamored with one particular quarterback, and that was Colin Kaepernick. Scouts seem to be all over the place with Kaepernick, with some saying he is a 2nd rounder and others saying he is no better than a 5th round pick.I’m on the fence on this one, as I believe that Kaepernick is a mid-late 3rd rounder. At the same time though, I really believe he might have the best chance to be a star in the NFL.

PROS:

Work Ethic

Attitude

Values

Strong Arm

Accuracy

Speed

Quickness

Intelligence

Size

Leadership

Adaptability

I know people are afraid of him being a running quarterback, but Kaepernick has the arm strength, accuracy and the intelligence to be a great throwing quarterback at the next level. I was really impressed with his adaptability at the Senior Bowl and he really shined when others struggled. With the exception of Andy Dalton, every other quarterback there came from a pro style system. Yet Kaepernick was either first or second best (next to Ponder) among signal callers (personally I give the edge to Kaepernick, with the better week of practices). While it was apparent he was most comfortable working out of the shotgun, Kaepernick still looked good under center, and seemed to read defenses pretty well. When you combine his throwing skills with his size and speed, you have a heck of a prospect.

What really separates Kaepernick for me though is character. There is no doubt that Kaepernick wants to win, and wants to be a starting quarterback, but every interview I’ve seen with him or about him shows a very level headed and grounded kid. He is fiery on the field, but very normal off, he is confident in his abilities, but not cocky. He was not highly recruited out of high school (only one scholarship offer), and continuously doubted by the media, fans and scouts, yet has always proven them wrong.  He displays the most characteristics of what it takes to be a winner at the next level.

CONS:

Played in the Pistol offense

Needs better footwork coming from under center

Has an elongated release (a hitch in his motion)

Has the arm to make all the throws, but didn’t actually run them in college

Has to learn to read more complex defenses

Has learn when to run and when to throw at the next level.

While there are some significant concerns, none are what I’d call a deal breaker. Why? Because nothing on here questions what’s between his ears, which is the most important thing for a quarterback to have. Now I’m not saying these things don’t need to be worked on, just that given his track record of proving doubters wrong I’d bet that he works it out.

The footwork and release are the two most important, and it sounds like he is working on both this offseason. I’ll be interested to see how he throws at the combine and if the release is any cleaner (he has already said he wants to throw at the combine and welcomes the challenge). As for a lot of other things on this list they are things that ever quarterback shares, so it is just a matter of who can overcome them.

Final Thoughts:

As I alluded to before, the thing that separates Colin Kaepernick for me is not his arm, speed, size or strength, but rather his attitude and intelligence. When I hear of a quarterback who not only wants to throw, but says “I will do everything at the combine, there is nothing for me to hide from NFL teams. I want to go against my competition and have everyone see!” — sign me up.

If you need more evidence of his attitude and approach, check out this online chat he did with fans, which is where that quote came from.  While the questions of how he will translate into a pro style system are still there, he looked pretty good Senior Bowl week, and he only had a couple of weeks to train. Imagine how he could be with a full offseason and a good coaching staff. He will need a little bit of develop time, but I think his future is very bright.

On a personal note as a Redskins fan, this is the quarterback you should be targeting Mike Shanahan. Not Newton, not Mallett, and certainly not Locker. They have too many questions and baggage, despite having the big names. Go for the guy who wants to win and be apart of something and show your ability to develop him. If you get an extra 2nd round pick or an early 3rd, I’d very much consider pulling the trigger on Kaepernick, it could be a little high for him, but I believe in his ability to reach his potential.