Words Of Wisdom From SI’s Peter King

Recently Playoff Bound Sports sat down with Sports Illustrated writer, Peter King. The draft was the main subject, as the draft was just recently concluded a couple of weeks ago. My first impressions of the Fins draft was not the best, but as I slowly researched these guys a little more, and saw their highlights and lowlights, I found that they all fit what the Dolphins want to do, and are all class act/high motor guys, something I have no problem with.

Without further ado, here is what King has to say:

Brant Houghton: What are some of your thoughts on the Dolphins draft?

Peter King: From the start, it was apparent that Ireland/Parcells were intent on getting the second-round pick back that they lost in the deal for Brandon Marshall. They talked to the Eagles about moving down, then made the deal to pick up the 40th pick, then got the two positions that were most important to them at 28 and 40–the versatile 3-4 defensive end, Jared Odrick, and the rush linebacker, Koa Misi. That’s the most important thing they did.

BH: Which player do you expect to produce the most in the long run, and which player fits what the Dolphins want to do the best?

PK: Scouts I talked to really like Misi. I think he’s got a chance to be the kind of versatile outside rusher and run player Tony Sparano really wanted out of this draft.

BH: Do you feel that the Dolphins reached at all for some of their picks?

PK: Not that I saw. Odrick at 28 was a guy a lot of teams liked in the teens, and Misi went about where he should go.

BH: If you had a chance to pick one player that would fit in the Dolphins system, and they failed to pick, who would it be and why?

PK: Derrick Morgan. The organization liked him a lot, and I think he would have been the picks had they stayed at 12.

BH: What is your take on the Dolphins decision to move Randy Starks to nose tackle, do you think the Dolphins should still pursue a true nose tackle in the near future?

PK: Starks is the kind of space-eater who should do well in that role. He’s the best guy they could have put there, for now, but they’ll continue to look for a better fit there.

BH: Who was the Dolphins best, and worst pick in this years draft?

PK: Can’t tell you the worst. But I like the offensive lineman from Ole Miss. John Jerry’s got the requisite meanness and is very hard to push around. If they hit on him, he could be a 10-year starter.

BH: What is your prediction for this Dolphins team for this year after the draft has concluded?

PK: I like the Dolphins, but I don’t like the division. they’ve got to go at least 2-2 against the Jets and Patriots to have a good shot to win the AFC East, and so much of that depends on the maturity of Chad Henne an the ability of the coaches to squeeze one more good combo-platter season out of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

From what it sounds like, King, and most of the scouts and people around the NFL are not as concerned with the Dolphins draft as myself. This consensus of mine is not just drawn from this interview, but from the multiple tapes, and reports I have watched/read on the Dolphins draftees, I can tell that our front office has their plans set in place, and it will be this years draft that will either solidify the Trifecta’s jobs, or throw them out the window. We would like to thank Peter King for the interview. If you don’t know where to read his stuff, check out the link, I guarantee you’ll love it!

Jeff Ireland Quotables Day 2

In his draft wrapup press conference, Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland revealed much more than the Dolphins new starting nose tackle.

To start things off, Ireland had a few comments on 2nd round draft pick, Koa Misi.

• Misi is “tough as nails … versatility is the thing … good pass rusher… gets out of trouble … stays on his feet”
• Misi “really like him in pass coverage. He’s tremendous.” … Also played ILB vs. Air Force … “great hands, quick hands”
• Misi: “has a nice repertoire of tricks … not cameron wake in terms of outside speed, but very creative rusher”
• Misi had 3 sacks vs. Alabama in the Sugar Bowl … “he terrorized that offense” … Ireland was at that game
• Misi was 275 as DT soph year. 244 at senior bowl, up to 251 at pro day … “can put it on and keep it on or take it off.”

On 3rd round pick, John Jerry:

• John Jerry will probably start out at left guard. Incognito “most comfortable at RG, don’t want to mess with that”
• “Really big player .. he’s humongous, actually … projected to play guard for us … like him a lot … high character”
• “Main thing that stands out with John Jerry is to see him move with people in front of him … big, powerful, run oriented guard”

On the Starks transition:

• “He’s 305-310. He’s about where Fergie is. Fergie is boxier, lower”
• “We’ve played Starks there last season a little bit. When he was in there he was very good. Body type to be a nose. Very powerful.”
• Starks to nose determined a long time ago. Even talked about at Senior Bowl when they saw Odrick
• “This has been talked about quite a bit .. in-house”

Loose Ends:

• Said they had an interest in FS Morgan Burnett. “He was on our board, we liked him very much.”
• Says would be comfortable with Culver and Clemons at FS.

The Dolphins draft is all starting to come together now with the announcement that Randy Starks will be making the transition to nose tackle. The Dolphins have drafted three versatile guys that can play more than one position on the field.

Tomorrow the draft will finish up with rounds 4-7 starting at 9 am eastern time.

Jeff Ireland Quotables

The Dolphins are known for their secretive way of going about their business in the off-season.

In general manager Jeff Ireland’s press conference following the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft tonight, Ireland gave the fan  base all the answers they needed, that have been gathering up over the course of the off-season. Here are some of the highlights of the press conference:

(On Jared Odrick) “Good inside pass rusher. Think he can be a pressure player. Long player. very powerful. productive. like his length. explosive. versatile”

“He’s a good inside pass rusher so we think he can be a pressure player from the inside,”

“The personality that we desire for this football team is perfect,” Ireland said of Odrick. “He’s actually a good football player too.” “high motor, high character guy … fits out mold of players … got a pretty good vision for him”

“Feel absolutely fantastic about Jared … He fits what we’re looking for””One of the things we wanted to do was get our 2nd round pick back,”

“There’s still good depth. We’ve still got good players on the board. Wasn’t a whole lot of difference between players at 12 and 28”

On OLBs taken in first round: “There were all the same kind of guy. Felt if we stuck to our board, we were going to get a good player”

(On JT) “I wish Jason the best. LIke him as a person, as a player. Had a great career here. We certainly didn’t mean any disrespect if there was” “We have great respect for Jason Taylor. We had a business plan in place. We stuck to the plan. There was constant communication” “Felt pretty good about communication between Gary and I … I wish him well”

On Marshall: “Having an explosive playmaker and helping out this young quarterback. We felt it was necessary.” “We did do lot of due diligence on his background and character.”

On Ginn: “Just didn’t feel Ted would get a fair shake if Brandon was getting all his reps”

On Smiley returning: “There’s always a possibility. I’d never say never”

“There were some offensive players in this year’s draft, especially the first round, we were considering”

(On trading for 2nd round pick) “We’re not going to be bored in the first part of the day tomorrow. We needed some other pieces to help this team,”

Ireland, who is usually very secretive, even in his press conferences, revealed all tonight. He discussed multiple topics, from the draft, to Jason Taylor, to Brandon Marshall. The Dolphins will have a busy day tomorrow with the 2nd and 3rd rounds coming up at 6 pm eastern.

2010 NFL Mock Draft: Playoff Bound Sports Edition

With the 2010 NFL Draft coming tomorrow night at 7:30 eastern time, we here at Playoff Bound Sports have decided to compile a mock draft of how we think this years draft will play out.

Here are some of the guidelines that we used for our mock.

• No trades allowed. This means that our thinking is based on who we think a team will take if their remain in their original drafting spot.
• Draft for the teams needs, not any X-Factor, or luxury player. We are not Al Davis!
• That’s pretty much it for the rules. We wanted to keep it simple.

2010 Mock Draft:

#1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford/QB- The Rams need to rebuild their offense from the ground down. They have running back Steven Jackson, but other than that, they have no other weapon to strike fear into opposing defenses.

#2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh/DT- The Lions are looking for someone to anchor their defense, and who better to do that than the best defensive tackle in the game. Suh changes games, and that’s the bottomline. He can get into the backfield on both run and pass plays. This guy is the complete package.

#3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy/DT- The 2nd best defensive tackle in the game. The Bucs would love to nab McCoy with their pick to be the next Warren Sapp.

#4. Washington Redskins: Russell Okung/OT- Now that the Skins have their quarterback, they need a left tackle to protect him. Okung is the most NFL-ready prospect at this time.

#5. Kansas City Chiefs: Bryan Bulaga/OT- The Chiefs need a little help everywhere, but mostly on their offensive line. Sure, Charlie Weis will try and bring Jimmy Clausen into town, but the Chiefs need a line before they can have any success.

#6. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Iupati/OG- The Seahawks once had a great offensive line, one of the best in the game. By selecting Iupati, they will try and get back to those days where they could pound the ball up the gut.

#7. Cleveland Browns: Jimmy Clausen/QB- The Browns have some playmakers, and showed some promise towards the end of the season, but they need a quarterback to groom for the future, even though vet Jake Delhomme will most likely start for them this season.

#8. Oakland Raiders: Eric Berry/FS- The Raiders are so unpredictable at this point, that no one knows who they will pick. Berry is a smart pick here for the Raiders, and he will be the best player on the board at this point. I would have no arguments if the Raiders went this direction.

#9. Buffalo Bills: Trent Williams/OT- The Bills will make an attempt to rebuild their trenches, and it all starts with the selection of Williams, who is an athletic tackle.

#10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rolando McClain/ILB- The Jaguars front seven has deteriorated over the years, and McClain could come in and make an instant impact. He is viewed as the best inside linebacker in the draft.

#11. Denver Broncos: Dez Bryant/WR- After trading Brandon Marshall, the Broncos need a receiver for Brady Quinn to throw to. The Broncos shouldn’t take too long in making this decision here, Bryant will be their guy.

#12. Miami Dolphins: Derrick Morgan/OLB- Numerous sources say that if Morgan is still on the board, that he will be Miami’s guy. The Dolphins are in desperate need of a pass rusher, and Morgan could fit the bill.

#13. San Francisco 49ers: Joe Haden-/CB Haden is the shut down corner that the 49ers need for their old and creaky secondary.

#14. Seattle Seahawks (Denver): Jason Pierre-Paul/DE- With their second pick in the 1st round, the Seahawks will look for that playmaker that can bring electricity to their stadium.

#15. New York Giants: Sergio Kindle/OLB- The Giants need to get back to their old pass rushing days of years past, and Kindle is viewed as the most complete and prolific pass rusher in the draft this year.

#16. Tennessee Titans: Dan Williams/NT- The Titans have been trying to get Albert Haynesworth back in Tennessee, but if they fail at this, Williams will be brought in as an insurance policy.

#17. San Francisco 49ers(Carolina): C. J. Spiller/RB- Spiller is the perfect back to complement Frank Gore. Spiller can bounce the ball outside, and provide the homerun threat that the 49ers desperately need on offense.

#18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey/C- The Steelers need help on the offensive line bad, and Pouncey provides versatility on the line.

#19. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Graham/DE- The Falcons pass rushers are getting old. Who better to come in, and carry the torch than Graham, who is known for his knack for getting to the quarterback.

#20. Houston Texans: Earl Thomas/FS- Thomas is a prolific ball hawk, that makes interception after interception. He has a knack for the ball, and would be a much needed playmaker in the back of the Texans secondary.

#21. Cincinnati Bengals: DeMaryius Thomas/WR- The Bengals need another receiver to complement Chad OchoCinco, and Thomas has some of the big play ability that the Bengals look for in their receivers. He is a freakish athlete, and will complete the Bengals offense.

#22. New England Patriots: Jermaine Gresham/TE- The Patriots lack the go to tight end in their offense, and Gresham could be the Pats answer to this problem. Even though Gresham has not played in a year, he is athletic enough to still be the best tight end in the draft. He will be a great addition to New England’s offense.

#23. Green Bay Packers: Everson Griffin/DE- Griffin will be the pass rusher that will fill the shoes of the since departed Aaron Kampman.

#24. Philadelphia Eagles: Sean Weatherspoon/LB- Weatherspoon can play both inside and outside linebacker, and is versatile and athletic enough to be the leader of the Eagles defense for years to come. He is a football, but his attitude has scared some teams off.

#25. Baltimore Ravens: Taylor Mays/S- Mays is a hard hitting safety who the Ravens will snatch up if he falls to them at #25. Mays is big enough that he can play some linebacker, and he hits like one too. He does not have the greatest ball skills, so a transformation to linebacker in the future could be in the plans for Mays.

#26. Arizona Cardinals: Rob Gronkowski/TE- If it were not for injuries, Gronkowski would be higher up on many mocks. He will be the final addition to the Cardinals offense, as they have yet to draft a tight end who can do both block, and catch the ball effectively.

#27. Dallas Cowboys: Arrelious Benn/WR- The Cowboys are in search of a receiver, and Benn will be their guy if DeMaryius Thomas is off the board. Benn needs some work on running routes, but adds the explosiveness, and great hands for teams to work with.

#28. San Diego Chargers: Jared Odrick/DT- Odrick will be a much needed run stopping force in the middle of the Chargers defense. Last year the Bolts struggled to stop the run, and Odrick could be the solution to this puzzle.

#29. New York Jets: Brian Price/DT- Price is the type of guy that Rex Ryan likes. Price is big, and can get into the backfield and disrupt plays on both passing and running downs. Price can take up multiple lineman, and still shed tackles. This man takes up space (like Ryan) and has the potential to be a force in the league, with the right mentoring.

#30. Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Wilson/CB- The Vikings are in desperate need for some young talent at the cornerback spot, and Wilson can double as both your starting corner, and your return man on kickoffs. The Vikings secondary is starting to get a little creaky, and Wilson will inject some much needed speed and youth into the lineup.

#31. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Davis/OT- The Colts have built their team around protecting Peyton Manning, and this year, their goal will be to build up the trenches with solid, reliable players such as Davis. The Colts struggled with injuries last year in the trenches, and will be looking for depth if nothing else.

#32. New Orleans Saints: Carlos Dunlap/DE- The Saints will be looking to add another pass rusher, and at the last pick in the first round, there are very few elite pass rushers left. But Dunlap knows how to get to the quarterback, and should gel with Saints defensive coordinator Gary Williams’ system.

So there is our official mock draft. Tell us what you think in the comments!

Dolphins Schedule Released!

Today at 7pm eastern time, all of the teams schedules throughout the league were released.

It was no different for the Dolphins, as their always challenging schedule came out on the teams website tonight.

Here is what it looks like in its entirety:

WK	DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	TICKETS	NETWORK
R1	Sept. 12	at Buffalo	1:00 PM		CBS
R2	Sept. 19	at Minnesota	1:00 PM		CBS
R3	Sept. 26	N.Y. JETS	8:20 PM		NBC
R4	Oct. 4	NEW ENGLAND	8:30 PM		ESPN
R5	Oct. 10	Bye Weekend
R6	Oct. 17	at Green Bay	1:00 PM		CBS
R7	Oct. 24	PITTSBURGH	1:00 PM		CBS
R8	Oct. 31	at Cincinnati	1:00 PM		CBS
R9	Nov. 7	at Baltimore	1:00 PM		CBS
R10	Nov. 14	TENNESSEE	1:00 PM		CBS
R11	Nov. 18	CHICAGO	8:20 PM		NFLN
R12	Nov. 28	at Oakland	4:05 PM		CBS
R13	Dec. 5	CLEVELAND	1:00 PM		CBS
R14	Dec. 12	at N.Y. Jets	4:15 PM		CBS
R15	Dec. 19	BUFFALO	1:00 PM		CBS
R16	Dec. 26	DETROIT	1:00 PM		FOX
R17	Jan. 2	at New England	1:00 PM		CBS

The schedule looks to be pretty rough in spots, but has the potential to be a cakewalk at stretches.

The first four weeks before the BYE will be crucial once again. The Fins begin their season in Buffalo, then take a journey to Minnesota to take on perhaps Brett Favre and his Vikings in Week 2.

Then the schedule gets interesting. In the two weeks before the BYE, the Dolphins have two divisional games, both in primetime. First, the Dolphins will come home, and play their first home game of the season against the New York Jets, and their newly signed traitor linebacker, Jason Taylor, on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

The Dolphins then stay at home for the first Monday Night Football game of the season, against the rival New England Patriots. I could easily see one of these two games being the game where the Dolphins break out their famous “orange jerseys”.

The Dolphins then have one more primetime game on their schedule, on November 18th, against the Chicago Bears, in Week 11. All of the Fins primetime games are home games.

To wrap up the season, the Dolphins end it by playing 3 rivals in the last four weeks, highlighted by the Week 17 “Divisional Week” that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has put in place. The Dolphins will play the Patriots during Divisional Week, and this could very well be the battle for the division. I would expect this game to possibly be flexed into primetime depending on how the teams fare during the season.

Every game for the Dolphins is key, but based on the schedule right now, I predict that the Dolphins will finish 11-5, and in the playoffs after regaining the AFC East crown.

The Fins will have to get out to a fast start, because while they do play some easy teams in the middle of the schedule, they play enough tough teams to realize, that if the Dolphins have a skid of consecutive losses at all during the season, they may have dug their grave.

The fact that the Dolphins have added some big playmakers to both their offense and defense can always keep a team in the game, but it also brightens the chances of getting wins for the team, that you didn’t think could happen. Games like these will be against the Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, and Green Bay Packers.

I see those three games as being the key to the season, as well as finishing first in their division.

The schedule has shaped out to be an exciting one, and it was worth the wait to finally see it. With three primetime games this year, all at home, the excitement among the Dol-Fans will be at an all new high!

This is just the beginning to what should be a great season for the Miami Dolphins!

Interview With Brian Hartline

Last season, the Dolphins 4th round pick, Brian Hartline, a receiver out of Ohio State University, splashed onto the scene in Miami, helped the Dolphins offense reach new levels of productivity.

In Hartline’s rookie season, he registered 31 catches, for 506 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Those 3 touchdowns were what led the Dolphins wide receivers last year, an impressive feat for a rookie. Brian also holds the longest reception by a Fins receiver, of 67 yards.

Despite this great season, Brian knows that there is still work to be done. Through his busy schedule, Brian sat down with Brant Houghton of Playoff Bound Sports, and answered a few of our questions.

With the help of both Hartline and Henne, the Dolphins passing game can reach all new heights!

Playoff Bound Sports: You were drafted in the 4th round by the Dolphins. Do you feel that there was any pressure on you to come into workouts, and perform right away and sort of “create a niche of your own” on the team?

Brian Hartline: Yeah, there always a little bit of pressure especially when you are a competitive guy trying to make an impression on your teammates and coaches.

PBS: How was training camp for you? There have been rumors that the Dolphins run a tough camp? Is this necessarily true?

BH: Yeah, I felt camp was pretty tough at the get go mainly because of the heat. I wasn’t used to playing in it and when you are constantly tired, it makes everything else that much harder.

PBS: What was the hardest thing from transitioning from college to the NFL?

BH: I felt it was just learning a new system and understanding this is an all-star league. You better have respect for every opponent because they are professionals too.

PBS: Who was your biggest help during your rookie year last year?

BH: I would say the receiver core as a whole. Teddy was a big help when I first came in but over the span of camp, the whole receiver room really helped the younger guys come along.

PBS: Can you give us a rundown of last season for you? Did you hit the infamous “rookie wall” at all last year?

BH: I didn’t feel like I hit a “rookie wall” but it did feel a lot longer then a college year. I was content with my rookie year, but I also have very high expectations for my 2nd year.

PBS: The receivers had an up and down year last year as a unit, not dominating in the statistical category such as touchdowns, or big gamebreaking plays. Do you feel that the statistics do not tell the whole story for your unit?

BH: I feel like we did a pretty fair job. I feel like we had a great running game with a young QB and some young WR’s. So in the end I feel like we tried to do what we could when given the opportunity.

PBS: Do you feel that as an offensive unit, that you will come into next season, with Chad Henne, and yourself having a year of experience under your belts, that the whole offense will benefit from this, and that you can be one of the best offenses in the league?

BH: Absolutely, I do not see why we can’t be one of the best offenses in the league. I feel like we have a great group of WR’s and a lot of eager guys wanting to take that next step.

PBS: On another note, what’s been the biggest difference for you, coming from Ohio State, to Miami?

BH: Just understanding this is a job and you were brought here to do your job. If you don’t do your job, they will find someone else that can.

PBS: What do you wish to accomplish before you career is over?

BH: My career started in Canton, Oh and I want it to end there.

PBS: What are your goals for the 2010 season?

BH: I want to be a starter and help this team reach it’s full potential. If you don’t reach your full potential it is no ones fault but the people involved.

PBS: Do you feel you can be a top NFL receiver in a few years?

BH: I want to be a top receiver next year, not in a few years. If you doubt yourself today, you’ll never reach your potential tomorrow.

PBS: Do you feel that the Dolphins are poised to be perennial playoff contenders throughout the next 10-15 years or so, such as the Patriots and the Colts have been doing this whole decade?

BH: I don’t see why not, but we need to prove that, not just talk about it. But in the end that is pretty tough to do. With the free agency market, teams can completely change over night. Your team one year can be completely different the next.

PBS: Thanks a lot for your time Brian! Is there any shout-outs you would like to make to fans, friends, family?

BH: Just want to thank my family, friends and fans for the support they have given me. I am forever indebted to you all. Thanks again and Go Fins!

We the fans all know what Brian can do on the field. He has instantly become a fan favorite with his great hands, and do everything attitude. I remember the first thing I ever read up on him was that he “loved to hit” on special teams. Those are the type of players that the Dolphins not only want in their organization, but us, the fans want to watch on the field as well. With the addition of Brandon Marshall, the Dolphins aerial attack should be fun to watch, and should keep every fan on the edge of their seats!

Good stuff Brian, thanks for participating in this Q&A with us, and we here at Playoff Bound Sports, and the rest of Dol-Phan Nation, wish you and the Fins the best of luck this upcoming year!

Mock Draft Among Blogs: Pick 32

By: MooseDenied: Saints Blog Representative

Up for some fun, Browns fans?

Back in 2006, the Browns signed free agent C LeCharles Bentley from the Saints. Later that spring, the Saints swapped 2nd round picks with the Browns and in the process acquired Jeff Faine. The Browns moved up 9 spots and selected LB D’Qwell Jackson with the pick acquired from the Saints.

Fast forward to 2010, the Browns have signed free agent LB Scott Fujita from the Saints. How interesting would it be on draft day to go ahead and complete the circle of life here? In my opinion, the situation’s just screaming for the Saints and Browns to reprise that 2006 draft day deal.

In the NLN Mock, Bradford and Clausen are off the board and St. Louis, Washington and Cleveland all passed on QBs in the first round. Colt McCoy is still out there, and St. Louis and Washington loom at 33 and 37 respectively, both selecting ahead of the Browns at 38. So I propose that the Saints trade pick #32, or in other words Colt McCoy, to the Browns for pick #38 and… the guy the Browns selected the last time they traded up with the Saints, D’Qwell Jackson.

According to the largely useless “draft value chart” the difference between the 32nd and 38th pick is worth 70 points, or the equivalent of a mid-4th round pick, so the Browns would be letting Jackson go for what most people would probably consider “less than he’s worth.” But I would assert that this is just further proof that the so-called “value chart” is stupid. “Value” isn’t a constant, it varies based on specific circumstances.

In this case, the Saints’ #32 pick carries a ton of extra value simply because we’re talking about a (potential) franchise QB for a team that certainly needs one, and the fact that the Browns would be jumping in front of not one but two other teams who are probably going to take said potential franchise QB if they get the chance. Or in other words, if the Browns want McCoy, and they should, trading up to 32 is their last best chance to get him.

On the other side of the equation, Jackson’s value is reduced based on the contentious situation involving his contract, which doesn’t seem to be heading to any resolution any time soon. Meantime, there doesn’t seem to be any indication that anybody’s interested in giving the Browns a 2nd to sign him as an RFA. And surely the Browns want no part of an unhappy Jackson undermining their efforts to change the culture in the locker room this fall.

Combine the added value at 32 based on the McCoy factor, and Jackson’s reduced value based on the disgruntled player factor, and the trade is a whole lot more equitable than the so-called “value chart” would indicate. The chart’s “mid-4th value” just doesn’t accurately reflect the realities of this specific situation.

And, hell, wouldn’t it be fun?

The Browns wash their hands of a bad situation and scoop the Rams and Redskins out of the lone remaining “franchise QB” prospect in the process. (And I do consider him a “franchise” type prospect, not a mid-round “project” type.) They do it while retaining all their picks, won’t have to use their 1st on a QB next year, and would be able to redshirt him as a rookie. If the Browns wait until next year to get their QB, they’d have to start him as a rookie, and if they go with a mid-round project this year, look forward to at least another year or two of the Jake Delhomme Experience. Nobody knows Jake like a Saints fan, and trust me, you won’t want any part of that.

The Saints don’t need a MLB, and Jackson might not be a good fit for SLB, but Gregg Williams will figure it out. Even if it means sliding Scott Shanle to the SLB and inserting Jackson at WLB.

All that being said, I understand that for the purposes of the NLN Mock, I have to go ahead and make a pick here. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the Saints’ primary needs are a pass-rushing LDE, big run-stuffing 1-tech DT, and OLB (emphasis on the strongside, but weakside will do just fine too if it were to come to that.)

Terrence Cody is completely off my personal board altogether, and I don’t see any 4-3 OLB (particularly SLB) candidates left on the board who are worthy of the 32nd pick. The value at 1-tech DT and OLB will be in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, in my opinion. (Given who’s already off the board, that is.) So that leaves DE.

Which works out well, because the Saints at least have bodies at DT and OLB. Meanwhile, since releasing Charles Grant at the start of free agency, the Saints have exactly 3 DEs on the roster. Bobby McCray is not a 3-down DE and has been a disappointment since the Saints brought him in from Jacksonville 2 years ago to be the 3rd down “pass rush specialist.” Jeff Charleston is a journeyman. The only legit full-time starter on the roster, RDE Will Smith, still has a potential 4-game StarCaps suspension looming. (Still??? Yep, still. Guh.) If nothing else, the Saints are in desperate need of warm bodies at DE.

So… Everson Griffen or Carlos Dunlap?

Meh, I’m not all that high on either one, to tell you the truth. Both are classic boom/bust types, and both carry concerns about their give-a-damn. Not exactly my kinda first round pick. Honestly, I’m tempted to just say screw it and go with the best center in the draft, Maurkice Pouncey. Can’t do that though, the Saints are just in too much trouble at DE right now. They might need to come out of this draft with two of ’em, for crying out loud.

With the 32nd pick in the 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs, the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints select:

***Everson Griffen, DE, Southern Cal***

Gregg Williams likes to throw in the occasional 3-4 look every now and then, and Griffen’s experience as an occasional standup 3-4 rush linebacker tips the scales in his favor. And for whatever reason, Sean Payton loves his former Trojans. Griffen would be the 3rd USC player taken in the 1st round by the Saints in 5 drafts under Sean Payton. (Reggie Bush, Sedrick Ellis)

No Logo Needed’s 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs:

1. St. Louis Rams:

Joe Sports Fan
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

2. Detroit Lions: The Wayne Fontes Experience
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucs Central
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

4. Washington Redskins: The Curly R
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs Report
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

6. Seattle Seahawks: Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

7. Cleveland Browns: No Logo Needed
Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee

8. Oakland Raiders: Just Blog Baby
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

9. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo Sports Now
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Black and Teal
Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears): Bronco Talk

Mike Iupati, G, Iowa

12. Miami Dolphins: Playoff Bound Sports

Earl Thomas, S, Texas

13. San Francisco 49ers: Niners Nation
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

14. Seattle Sehawks (from Denver Broncos): Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard
Charles Brown, OT, USC

15. New York Giants: Ultimate NYG
Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas

16. Tennessee Titans: Music City Miracles
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers): Niners Nation
Taylor Mays, S, USC

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Steelers Today
Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee

19. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcoholic
Sean Witherspoon, OLB, Missouri

20. Houston Texans: Houston Die Hards
Joe Haden, CB, Florida

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Bengal Stripes
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

22. New England Patriots: Blauhg: A New England Patriots Blog
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

23. Green Bay Packers: Lombardi Ave
Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU

24. Philadelphia Eagles: Iggles Blog
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

25. Baltimore Ravens: The Ebony Bird
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

26. Arizona Cardinals: Voice of the Cardinals
Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan

27. Dallas Cowboys: Blogging the Boys
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

28. San Diego Chargers: Bolt Hype
Tyson Alualu, DT, California

29. New York Jets: Jets Twit
Jared Odrick, DE/DT, Penn State

30. Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota Sports Zone
Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State

31. Indianapolis Colts: The Indy Football Report
Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers

32. New Orleans Saints: MooseDenied
Everson Griffen, DE, Southern Cal

Mock Draft Among Blogs: Pick 31

The Colts could go many different directions with this selection, and they have needs on the offensive line — particularly the interior offensive line — as well as the defensive line.

Yet, historically, Colts President Bill Polian stays away from defensive linemen late in the first round, and in the past, he has steered clear of interior offensive linemen in the first round with the belief that you can get quality at the spot later in the draft and even in collegiate free agency.

With the team letting Tim Jennings go in free agency, they need to address cornerback and while there are more pressing needs at other position, cornerback fits the Colts’ criteria of being a position that typically can make an impact early.

With the 31st pick in the 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs, the Indianapolis Colts select:

***Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers***

McCourty fits the Colts’ first-round philosophy in another way, too, being from a major conference school who started three seasons. He’s the sort of solid, low-risk pick who could make sense for the Colts.

The New Orleans Saints, and its representative

No Logo Needed’s 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs:

1. St. Louis Rams:

Joe Sports Fan
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

2. Detroit Lions: The Wayne Fontes Experience
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucs Central
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

4. Washington Redskins: The Curly R
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs Report
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

6. Seattle Seahawks: Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

7. Cleveland Browns: No Logo Needed
Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee

8. Oakland Raiders: Just Blog Baby
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

9. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo Sports Now
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Black and Teal Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears): Bronco Talk

Mike Iupati, G, Iowa

12. Miami Dolphins: Playoff Bound Sports

Earl Thomas, S, Texas

13. San Francisco 49ers: Niners Nation
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

14. Seattle Sehawks (from Denver Broncos): Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard
Charles Brown, OT, USC

15. New York Giants: Ultimate NYG
Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas

16. Tennessee Titans: Music City Miracles
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers): Niners Nation
Taylor Mays, S, USC

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Steelers Today
Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee

19. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcoholic
Sean Witherspoon, OLB, Missouri

20. Houston Texans: Houston Die Hards
Joe Haden, CB, Florida

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Bengal Stripes
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

22. New England Patriots: Blauhg: A New England Patriots Blog
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

23. Green Bay Packers: Lombardi Ave
Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU

24. Philadelphia Eagles: Iggles Blog
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

25. Baltimore Ravens: The Ebony Bird
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

26. Arizona Cardinals: Voice of the Cardinals
Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan

27. Dallas Cowboys: Blogging the Boys
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

28. San Diego Chargers: Bolt Hype
Tyson Alualu, DT, California

29. New York Jets: Jets Twit
Jared Odrick, DE/DT, Penn State

30. Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota Sports Zone
Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State

31. Indianapolis Colts: The Indy Football Report
Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers

32. New Orleans Saints: MooseDenied

MooseDenied, are on the clock.

Mock Draft Among Blogs: Pick 30

The Minnesota Vikings have virtually every starter returning next season, of course,  assuming quarterback Brett Favre comes back.  Although the 40-year-old quarterback has yet to announce anything, the gut feeling among everyone is that he will absolutely return.  Favre’s teamates would even support him skipping training camp if it meant he would come back.

The Vikings would love to address the “quarterback of the future” in this draft, but taking a quarterback prospect not named Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen would be considered a long stretch.  Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy are in the Vikings’ draft board, but they may be targeted later in the draft.  In fact, trading out of the first round is not out of the question.

Since quarterback is not likely addressed at #30, the Vikings have two other areas of strong need; cornerback and defensive tackle.

Defensive tackle Pat Williams is turning 38 next season, and the Vikings need to consider picking a player to succeed him.  The Vikings would love to take defensive tackle Dan Williams at #30, but he is an intriguing pick for many teams earlier in the draft.  Defensive tackle Terrence Cody will also get a strong consideration as well, but they would rather get him in the second or third round.

Both of the Vikings’ starting cornerbacks from 2009 are recovering from serious injuries.  Cedric Griffin suffered a torn ACL in the NFC Championship game, and Antoine Winfield missed half of the season and never got to 100% after fracturing his foot.  Winfield is also turning 33 next season.

With the 30th pick in the 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs, the Vikings select:

***Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State***

For a Vikings’ team that is arguably one of the Super Bowl favorites for next year, the Vikings are drafting a player that can help the team right away.  Robinson has great height and bulk, much like Griffin, the current starting right corner.  Robinson would provide depth and insurance in 2010 while being groomed to take over Winfield’s starting job down the line.

The Indianapolis Colts, and its representative The Indy Football Report, are on the clock.

No Logo Needed’s 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs:

1. St. Louis Rams: Joe Sports Fan
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

2. Detroit Lions: The Wayne Fontes Experience
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucs Central
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

4. Washington Redskins: The Curly R
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs Report
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

6. Seattle Seahawks: Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

7. Cleveland Browns: No Logo Needed
Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee

8. Oakland Raiders: Just Blog Baby
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

9. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo Sports Now
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Black and Teal

Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears): Bronco Talk

Mike Iupati, G, Iowa

12. Miami Dolphins: Playoff Bound Sports

Earl Thomas, S, Texas

13. San Francisco 49ers: Niners Nation
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

14. Seattle Sehawks (from Denver Broncos): Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard
Charles Brown, OT, USC

15. New York Giants: Ultimate NYG
Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas

16. Tennessee Titans: Music City Miracles
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers): Niners Nation
Taylor Mays, S, USC

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Steelers Today
Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee

19. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcoholic
Sean Witherspoon, OLB, Missouri

20. Houston Texans: Houston Die Hards
Joe Haden, CB, Florida

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Bengal Stripes
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

22. New England Patriots: Blauhg: A New England Patriots Blog
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

23. Green Bay Packers: Lombardi Ave
Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU

24. Philadelphia Eagles: Iggles Blog
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

25. Baltimore Ravens: The Ebony Bird
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

26. Arizona Cardinals: Voice of the Cardinals
Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan

27. Dallas Cowboys: Blogging the Boys
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

28. San Diego Chargers: Bolt Hype
Tyson Alualu, DT, California

29. New York Jets: Jets Twit
Jared Odrick, DE/DT, Penn State

30. Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota Sports Zone
Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State

31. Indianapolis Colts: The Indy Football Report
32. New Orleans Saints: MooseDenied

Mock Draft Among Blogs: Pick 29

With the number one defense in 2009, you would think the immediate need would be for the Jets to focus on getting Mark Sanchez weapons on offense, specifically at the wide receiver position.

With Notre Dame’s WR, Golden Tate off the boards in this draft, the next need is making the D-line young.  The Jets had issues with pressuring the quarterback last year, and Ellis and Thomas are getting up in age.

With the 29th pick in the 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs, the New York Jets select:

***Jared Odrick DE/DT, Penn State***

Jared Odrick is not a flashy player but is solid all around.  With a great work ethic and a pure love of the game, Jared is a smart and tough player who’s motor is constantly running.

He is an immovable force that hardly gets pushed around.  He can stuff the run as well as get in the backfield to pressure the quarterback.

Although he played mostly as defensive tackle in college, he will be used with the Jets as a defensive dnd and I believe will transition well.  He has great burst off the line and times the snap well.

Jared hardly gets pushed backwards and is always getting into the backfield.  Jared has improved every year and had his best year last season while being double teamed showing his pure strength and effectiveness.

The Minnesota Vikings, and its representative Minnesota Sports Zone, are on the clock.

No Logo Needed’s 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs:

1. St. Louis Rams: Joe Sports Fan
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

2. Detroit Lions: The Wayne Fontes Experience
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucs Central
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

4. Washington Redskins: The Curly R
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs Report
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

6. Seattle Seahawks: Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

7. Cleveland Browns: No Logo Needed
Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee

8. Oakland Raiders: Just Blog Baby
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

9. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo Sports Now
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Black and Teal

Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears): Bronco Talk

Mike Iupati, G, Iowa

12. Miami Dolphins: Playoff Bound Sports

Earl Thomas, S, Texas

13. San Francisco 49ers: Niners Nation
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

14. Seattle Sehawks (from Denver Broncos): Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard
Charles Brown, OT, USC

15. New York Giants: Ultimate NYG
Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas

16. Tennessee Titans: Music City Miracles
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers): Niners Nation
Taylor Mays, S, USC

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Steelers Today
Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee

19. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcoholic
Sean Witherspoon, OLB, Missouri

20. Houston Texans: Houston Die Hards
Joe Haden, CB, Florida

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Bengal Stripes
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

22. New England Patriots: Blauhg: A New England Patriots Blog
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

23. Green Bay Packers: Lombardi Ave
Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU

24. Philadelphia Eagles: Iggles Blog
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

25. Baltimore Ravens: The Ebony Bird
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

26. Arizona Cardinals: Voice of the Cardinals
Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan

27. Dallas Cowboys: Blogging the Boys
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

28. San Diego Chargers: Bolt Hype
Tyson Alualu, DT, California

29. New York Jets: Jets Twit
Jared Odrick, DE/DT, Penn State

30. Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota Sports Zone
31. Indianapolis Colts: The Indy Football Report
32. New Orleans Saints: MooseDenied