2012 First Round NFL Mock Draft

Alright, (I would say ladies and gents, but lets be honest) Steve and Fodor, here is my 2012 First Round NFL Mock Draft.

1) Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck QB

I don't get how people write full paragraphs for this pick. It's a done deal. Everyone has known  he was going number one overall for like three years. He's a great college QB, we will see if that translates to the NFL.

2) Washington Redskins - Ryan Leaf err Robert Griffin III QB

He's nothing like Ryan Leaf. The only reason I said that is because it's two extraordinarily highly touted QB's getting drafted. Some say RGIII is better. He's got all the tools you'd ever want a QB to have. But, I do think he'll work a lot harder at his game and be more successful than Ryan Leaf ever dreamed of. But this is another obvious pick. Had to do something to create writing room.

3) Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil LT

Another obvious pick. It's going to happen. Get ready for it.

4) Cleveland Browns - Justin Blackmon WR

If you're the Browns who do you take? For me, if they are truly trying to make Colt McCoy better than they draft Justin Blackmon. Which is why I have them making that pick. But I could see them going another direction too.

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Trent Richardson RB

It's occurred to me that this draft really has some strong statement players coming out. Trent Richardson is the best RB product since what? Ronnie Brown (I wrote that and started laughing out loud)? The Bucs did say at one point that they need better production from the RB position. If I'm the Bucs, I'd never consider taking a RB this early. But, some of these GM's are dumb. So, oh well.

6) St. Louis Rams - Morris Claiborne CB

I think he'll be a bust. But everyone is high on this kid. So, that is why I have him mocked here. For me, its hard to imagine, but it appears, right now at least, that for three consecutive years, LSU will have the top CB in the draft (Peterson, Claiborne, Honey Badger next year). But that can always change.

7)  Jacksonville Jaguars - Melvin Ingram DE

The Lions got made fun of for always selecting WR's. The Jags need to be made fun of for selecting defensive lineman. While it would be admirable, they seem to be blowing top 10 picks on bad players at quite the large clip. Melvin Ingram is a high risk high reward player if you ask me. Either his athleticism will take over and he will be great or he will bust out. I don't see an inbetween on this guy. There is no, he'll be a solid starter. For me, he'll either be great or horrible. The perfect player for the Jaguars. What happened to the days of Fred Taylor, Jimmy Smith, Kennan McKardell, and Mark Brunell. This team is bad. And they wasted a pick last year on the guy everyone knew was going to be a bust too: Blaine Gabbert. He was the JaMarcus Russell of last years draft.

8) Miami Dolphins - Ryan Tannehill  QB

I'll give him props on his first name. This is a no brainer pick for the Dolphins. I think I'm going to root for this kid. Us Ryan's, we gotta stick together. There are only a few of us out there with that name in the US. By the way, did I mention that what I absolutely love about this kid is his name?

9) Carolina Panthers - Michael Floyd WR

The Panthers reach a bit in order to try to improve their offense. I don't know how I feel about Floyd, I think he can be a guy that can get you 1,000 yards receiving. But he won't be that guy every year. A solid number 2 receiver. Which, to me, means that he's being taken too early.

10) Buffalo Bills - Riley Reiff OT

It seems like they are going to let Bell go. Either that, or they will select Reiff to gain leverage on Reiff. Either way, I think they go with him here.

11) Kansas City Chiefs - Dontari Poe DT

Now that the genius behind the Chiefs drafting system has taken the GM job with another team, they draft another obvious bust. This kid flew up the charts because of his combine. Generally, that's a player that you don't take. Their NT is getting old. Will retire in a year or two. They desperately need a new one. And for whatever reason, they think this kid is going to be great. WRONG.

12) Seattle Seahawks - Kendall Wright WR

Luke Kuechly makes too much sense for them. That's why they select Kendall Wright. At this point we have the first monumental reach of the draft, and everyone is in disbelief. This is a Pete Carroll move. I do think they need help at WR though.

13) Arizona Cardinals - Fletcher Cox DT

He really should have been the first defensive lineman taken. However, for no reason other than poor drafting, he isn't drafted until he drops to the Cardinals. I'd be ecstatic if I were them. Congrats Arizona.

14) Dallas Cowboys - Luke Kuelchy

The Cowboys defense sucks, and like the Cardinals, they are just incredibly happy he dropped to them. After they make this pick, ESPN will be shouting Super Bowl Dallas! They have every position locked down now! THEY ARE GREAT! Except they won't be great. They may make the playoffs. But they won't be great.

15) Philadelphia Eagles - David DeCastro OG

Their offensive line was miserable last year. It caused Michael Vick to stay in the pocket and get sacked. Otherwise, he would roll out and sprint down the field, alas himself. I know they drafted a guard last year, but they go that position again. Especially since he is the top guard available.

16) New York Jets - Mark Barron SS

To me, this pick just makes too much sense. The Jets add more secondary help, ignoring the fact that their QB's suck. Really, you're going to put two shitty QB's on  the same team and think it makes you better. Thatt's like the Bears saying: Let's put Caleb Hanie and Todd Collins out there together. Because, while they both suck individually, they can do wonders together. In other words, Jets draft Mark Barron.

17) Cincinnati Bengals - Stephen Gilmore CB

The Bengals want to improve their defense, so they land Stephen Gilmore. A solid selection. Not the best CB available, but certainly their favorite CB. This is another position that I'm not too keen on drafting in the first round. There are just so many solid CBs taken in the later rounds. Same with guards and running backs. Unless you've got the ability to land a Champ Bailey, Adrian Peterson, or Stephen Hutchinson I just wouldn't draft these players this early. Late first round, fine, but not here.

18) San Diego Chargers - Courtney Upshaw -OLB/DE

He fits perfectly into their scheme and the Chargers desperately need a pass rusher. This pick just makes too much sense.

19) Chicago Bears - Quentin Coples DE

This just reeks of the Chicago Bears. I think he is the best DE in this class. For whatever reason, I think teams are being too harsh on this kid grading himself out at a C for his performance last year. Teams seem to be letting this, otherwise, top 5 pick plummet down their boards because he didn't give it his all last year. Here is what they are missing. He was answering HONESTLY when teams asked him to rate his performance. He was letting them know that there is still much more that he can do. And the C grade almost shows some regret for his performance over the past year.This kid is an elite prospect, in my mind. And he may end up being Julius Peppers 2.0. Except, this time, he lands on the Bears to start his career. I would be ecstatic if the Bears landed Coples. I'd also be ecstatic if the Bears got Stephen Hill, who I have a feeling will be Randy Moss 2.0 except without the attitude.

20) Tennessee Titans - Michael Brockers DT

The Titans land the best available defensive tackle. I wouldn't be surprised if they totally reached for a player. They showed last year that they don't care about where the kid is supposed to be taken, they will take who they want when they pick. So, I'm not too confident in this pick.

21) Cincinnati Bengals - Chandler Jones DE

They get the other player they were looking to draft at number 17. They improve their defense this year, so that they don't look quite as ridiculous in the playoffs.


22) Cleveland Browns - Jonathan Martin OT

The Browns continue to focus on helping Colt McCoy succeed. This year they land him a big name wide receiver and help protect his right side. This way, next year, when the Browns totally suck again, they can go ahead and draft another QB in the first round.

23) Detroit Lions - Mike Adams OT

The Lions focus their efforts in the first round this year to improve their protection. So that way, two of the best pass rushers in the league are slowed down a bit (Julius Peppers and Jared Allen). Yes, that was meant as a slight to the most overrated, steroid abusing, player in the NFL.

24) Pittsburgh Steelers - Cordy Glenn OG

The Steelers really need to protect Ben Roethlisberger. I was tempted to have them go with Donta Hightower. However, the Steelers really need to address their offensive line, and that is the way I think they go.

25) Denver Broncos - Stephen Hill WR

Ugh, I think the Broncos just got one of the best players in the draft. Like I said, I think Hill ends up being Randy Moss 2.0 minus the attitude problem and plus Peyton Manning. I think he is the best WR in this draft. With that said, watch him be a total bust.

26) Houston Texans - Mohamed Sanu WR

The Texans would like to add a compliment to Andre Johnson, so they reach just a bit and nab Sanu. I would mock Jefferey here, but I don't think he's done anything to help himself stay in the first round.

27) New England Patriorts - Whitney Mercillus DE

The Patriots try to improve their defense and pass rush. They could really use some help in that department and Mercillus could end up being a great defensive end. The Patriots are shocked he fell this far in the draft.

28) Green Bay Packers - Devon Still DT

The Packers desperately need interior defensive line help. Their lack of any sort of a pass rush was telling last year. It caused them to set records for being blown out in the playoffs. As it stands, they have absolutely no one who can effectively rush the passer. Last year, Matthews was getting manhandled by a single TE. He's so overrated it's unreal. I watched him on nearly every snap last year. He was nearly always getting single blocked and just manhandled. It was embarrassing.

29) Baltimore Ravens - Dont'a Hightower LB

Wow, the Ravens have yet another amazing pick. I think he's the best linebacker in the draft. The perfect future replacement for Ray Lewis.

30) San Francisco 49ers - Alshon Jefferey WR

The 49ers are in desperate need for a wide receiver. They need an offense, and for whatever reason, they are under the mistaken impression that Alex Smith can actually lead them somewhere. So, they go ahead and select Jefferey in the first.

31) New England Patriots - Dre Kirkpatrick CB

The Patriots not only land Mercillus, but they land the best CB in the draft in my opinion. I loved watching this kid fly around the field in the few Alabama games that I watched. It's shocking that he falls this far, but that happens to some people. This is a great selection for the Patriots.

32) New York Giants - Coby Fleener TE

The Giants add another weapon for Eli. They really haven't had all that much production out of the tight end position since Jeremy Shockey left. He's the perfect fit for the New York Giants, as they attempt to repeat as NFL Champions. But, we all know that won't happen. This will be the Bears pick next year.

ESPN is totally not the Eastcoast Sports Propaganda Network

Anybody out there see what was on ESPN during primetime last night. Boston Celtics vs the Orlando Magic on ESPN and Boston Red Sox vs Texas Rangers. “

Don’t worry, we are biased, we are just showing two Boston games cause………”

I understand ESPN is in the Business of making money and these two Boston teams draw ratings, but come on. Thankfully Hockey was on my new favorite network, NBC Sports.

Monday Trivia. NBA MVPs

Welcome back to Monday Trivia. As always, the answers will be up in the comments on Thursday.


Since 1990, 4 NBA teams have had 2 different players win the MVP award. Name the 4 teams and the 8 players who won the awards.

MLB Preview and Predictions

Time to fire up the old Laptop and do some MLB predicting based on my extensive baseball knowledge.


Before we get into the predicting, let’s quickly discuss the biggest offseason news. The addition of a 2nd Wild Card team. I am not sure if I am a fan of this or not. I understand it keeps teams competitive longer, and can make for exciting races toward the end. But the MLB Playoffs already drag on so much which causes the games to be played differently than regular season. I think that adding additional games and days off will make this worse.

The story line that is being told over and over again is How the Blue Jays and Orioles now have a chance to make the playoffs since there’s two wild card spots! It’s impossible for the Yankees and Red Sox to take all three spots. First off, I don’t hear the Rays complaining about the old system. Even though they play in the same division as the Blue Jays and Orioles, they’ve still managed to make the playoffs 3 of the past 4 seasons. Secondly, Boston and New York have only both made the playoffs in the same season 1 time in the past 4 years. So just stop this stupid story line now.

As you know this is a very pro White Sox site and I believe we all predicted they would win the World Series last year. As amazing as this sounds, I am predicting the White Sox will have a losing season and finish 4th in the AL central.

There has been a lot of turnover on the south side with the departure of Ozzie, Mark Buehrle taking their talents to south beach, Carlos Quentin heading back to the NL among others. This season will be about whether there is any life left in Adam Dunn & Alex Rios and if the young guys, Viciedo and Flowers can become regulars in the lineup. I think Dunn has a bounce back year, not to his peak numbers but hits around 30 HR and that Viciedo becomes a ROY candidate.

The pitching staff will need Peavy to stay healthy as the White Sox really don’t have another pitcher ready to be an every day starter. Danks and Flloyd should have solid years and it should be interesting to see how Chris Sale works as an every day starter.

White Sox record: 74-88


The rest of the League with some commentary.


AL East: Tampa Bay Rays

Joe Madden just keeps his team going. How they got into the playoffs last year shows they will always keep fighting. Red Sox and Yankees will still have good seasons and will make it to the Wild Card game. I think the Blue Jays will have a good year as well, but ultimately finish somewhere around 500

AL Central: Detroit Tigers

Everyone is picking the Tigers to win the division. As Mike Greenberg said, “Is there a more overwhelming favorite then Detroit to win their division?” Because of this, part of me thinks something wacky might happen and the Twins will somehow find a way to win the Division. Maybe the Royals will be so excited by the All-Star game coming to KC that they’ll play awesome and win the Division. That’s only a half joke, the Royals have a lot of young talent, if that talent plays well and they mature early, they could make some noise this season.

AL West: Rangers

I think this race will be the best in baseball. The Angels made a lot of offseason moves included stealing CJ Wilson from the Rangers. This one will come down to the wire. Also, look for Josh Hamilton to have a monster year in a contract year.


Wild Card Game

Angels over Yankees

ALDS

Angels over Tigers
Rangers over Rays

ALCS

Rangers over Angels


MVP: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
Cy Young: Jered Weaver, Angels
ROY: Matt Moore, Rays


NL East: Marlins

There’s too much excitement in Miami for the Marlins not to have a good year. New stadium that everyone is raving about with Fish Tanks, and Nightclubs inside. They brought in a ton of free agents and of course the always colorful Ozzie.

NL Central: Brewers

The BeerMakers did lose Prince Fielder, but return much of their playoff team from last year. I look for Zack Grienke to have a good year.

NL West: Giants

Big Time Timmy Jim and co. should have another good year, but the team’s success will be based of whether they can score any runs. The Diamandbacks have a good year, but only make the wild card. Dodgers are in too much limbo with the ownership situation to compete,

Wild Card Game

Diamondbacks over Phillies

NLDS

Marlins over Diamondbacks
Giants over Brewers

NLCS

Marlins over Giants


MVP: Joey Votto, Reds
Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, Giants
ROY: Bryce Harpe, Nationals


Finally

World Series Champion…………….Texas Rangers

Big Ten Bracket Challenge Winner!

After a great weekend of basketball it’s time to declare a winner for Mine and Fodor’s bracket challenge. To the surprise to no one who saw Fodor pick Indiana over Northwestern in the championship, I rolled to victory. I double his score and won 12-6.

Here is the break down.


Round 1 2 3 4 Total
Noffke 2 6 4 0 12
Fodor 2 4 0 0 6


Amazingly, there was only 1 time a lower ranked team defeated the higher ranked team which was when Ohio State beat Michigan in the semi-finals. I picked this right and got the lone bonus point for the tourney. According to CBS’ broadcast, this was the first time in Big Ten Tourney history that the 4 top teams all made it to the semi-finals.

Indianapolis Day One

Dearest Readers,

I write to you as a (partially) broken man. The Northwestern Wildcats could have punched their ticket to the schools' FIRST EVER NCAA Tournament today by beating Minnesota. Granted, Minnesota had the advantage of missing Ralph Sampson III (secretly, that dude is terrible), and getting Julian Welch back from injury (secretly, that dude is good). But this was the game for John Shurna to make himself a legend. This was the goddamned game for Northwestern to make The Leap.

Of course, it didn't happen. To quote some of my own text messages, being a Wildcats basketball fan is like being in an abusive relationship; every time the thing goes wrong, you know it's coming, you expect it, and yet you keep coming back for one more shot. You think this time, the f'ing thing will go right, everything will be okay, you'll get over the hump...

Northwestern made ONE field goal in the last NINE minutes of this game, including overtime. I don't blame Dave Sobelewski for missing his runner at the buzzer that would have won the game. It was a decent shot. I can't even really blame John Shurna for looking absolutely exhausted for the last twelve to fifteen minutes, because the whole game was on his shoulders and Rodney Williams is an extremely athletic defender who did a great job on the Big Ten's leading scorer today.

I don't even know what to do or say with this team. The NU part of my heart is broken tonight. Lucky for me, I'm a duplicitous bastard, and there are several other heart-parts to report on. So, enough Cat angst for the moment. To quote another text message: "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck."

How 'bout them Hoosiers? I think the first and most important thing is Verdell Jones. VJ3 has been a touchy subject for a lot of IU fans, including myself. His tendency to turn it over has been well documented. But then again, so has his ability to be a calming influence on this young team. So has his tendency, down the stretch, to hit huge shots and salt away big games.

Tom Crean in tears says a lot. This is a big loss for Indiana and we all wish the best for Verdell. He deserves to experience the tournament. He's been a huge part of the rebuilding process.

That being said, Indiana played really well today. Huge games from Christian Watford and Cody Zeller, who combined for twenty rebounds and over thirty points. If they can do that with regularity, IU is going to go deep in both this conference tournament and the NCAA's.

Jordan Hulls absolutely carried IU through a bad dry spell in the first and matched Tim Frazier, who is first team All Big Ten, shot for shot. That's also awesome. Oh, and Vic played fine. And the bench played well.

Tomorrow's slate of games is looking good. We start out with Michigan State vs. Iowa at noon. I'm a huge Draymond Green fan, but I've also been impressed with Iowa's improvement over the course of the season. They lost to Campbell in November. Uh, who? Campbell? Northern Iowa beat Iowa by twenty in December. They're not even making the NIT.

Yet Iowa pulled themselves together down the stretch and beat Indiana and Wisconsin at home, adding to a win over Michigan. 8-10 isn't bad at all in the Big Ten. Ask Northwestern how hard it is to have that kind of record this year. I think MSU is going to win tomorrow, but I would not be shocked if Matt Gatens, Aaron White, and the Hawkeyes made things extremely interesting.

Indiana-Wisconsin is a matter of pacing. If Wisconsin dictates the pace, expect a boring game with Cody Zeller contained. If Indiana can do their thing, they absolutely outclass the Badgers at this point in the season. Better offense, better depth, almost a wash on D, and Indiana is way hotter. I'm obviously hoping for an Indiana win and will be doing my best to be just a small part of The Sixth Man. Go Hoosiers. This game will kind of make or break our Big Tens experience this year as fans.

Michigan-Minnesota shoulda been Michigan-NU Round III. Damn it. I don't even want to talk about this. I'll watch the game. These teams are well coached and have good players. Yeah.

Ohio State-Purdue will draw almost as big of a crowd as IU-Wisco. I expect Conseco to be rowdy for this one, with OSU also adding the advantage of a loud and possibly drunken IU fanbase rooting for them for once. We tried to will Nebraska to victory today. It was like adopting a crippled puppy. Bo Spencer made things cute, for a little bit. Ultimately it was hopeless.

I rather expect that Purdue will be in the hopeless puppy role tomorrow against a motivated Ohio State team. William Buford needs to act like a senior, because he IS a senior. Sullinger doesn't have a lot of challenges in the post against the Boilers.

Revised picks? MSU over Iowa in OT, Indiana over Wisconsin, Minnesota over Michigan (hell, why not?), and Ohio State over Purdue. Sorry for no pictures, thanks for reading. I love you all.

Signing off from Indianapolis,

MF

The Cubs Win the World Series.....via PS3

Amazing how good CGI is, you can now make the Cubs look like a good team and actually believe it.