Life of a Successful One

Well it’s that time again.  Late April.  NFL Draft looming in the coming week. And although the Labor situation is not looking close to getting resolved, my favorite part of the NFL season is upon us.  Normally I have plenty of time to examine combine results and formulate my own opinions of team needs and who’s draft stock is rising and falling. But alas, the curse and suffering of being a medical student has caused me to lose connection with my once enjoyable hobby to the point of me not knowing the majority of all the top draft prospects and who will be requiring their services once the season is back on.  However,  I am not totally in the dark as instead of providing a mock draft that is not completely my own and just bits and pieces of those I’ve seen from my colleagues Big-Al and Warsh, I will be listing my opinion of the draft and trends that absolutely hope will not take place in the coming week.

1.  Cam Newton going #1 to Carolina.

Don’t get me wrong. Cam dominated in his lone full season of college football, garnering the Heisman and a national championship.  But this message is for new Panthers coach and former Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera…….I know new regimes mean new qb’s……but Please…….don’t draft Cam Newton number one overall.  He’s already got an ego the size of the solar system on a bad day. Don’t give him more fuel.

2. The Patriots will have the best draft of anybody. AGAIN.

It’s like clockwork. Every year the Pats dump players that they feel have worn out their welcome to unsuspecting teams for draft picks that have turned into outstanding drafts the past few years.  This year the Pats pick at 17 and 28. Having a late pick in the first round is a prime example.  I’d be willing to put money on the Pats trading down into the second round so another team can get the QB they want. They always do it, they always get the players they want, and Bill Belichick is an evil sweatshirt wearing GENIUS.

3.  Mark Ingram getting drafted in the first round

Mark Ingram is the number one running back on all boards.  He’s durable, doesn’t fumble, has no character issues and comes from a pro style college system under the lion Nick Saban.  For the past 3 months all the mocks have had Mark going to the Dolphins at 15 which would be a good fit for him. But lately his stock has been falling recently to the point of if he’s not taken at 15 by Miami or 17 by New England he may drop out of the first round.  There is a surplus of linemen in this year’s draft and if anyone will suffer it will be Mark.

4. Which teams need a qb and which teams will draft one?

Panthers (Can Jimmy do it? This guy doesn’t think so?)

49ers (Alex Smith is NOT the answer)

Seahawks (Seriously Pete? CHARLIE WHITEHURST?)

Bengals (whether Carson walks or not, they need one.)

Bills ( Ryan Fitzpatrick is a great backup. That’s it.)

Vikings (Tarvaris Jackson, The King of Pop said it best: This. Is. It.)

Titans (The Vince Young Experiment is finally over. Too bad Jeff Fisher had to go with him.)

Jaguars (Is Garrard really the answer?)

Cardinals (You cut Leinart, for Derek Anderson, Max Hall, and John Skelton…..the sad part is that Leinart was your best terrible option.) Oxymoron!!!

Redskins (So McNabb is not working out, Do you really want to trust another NFL offense to REX GROSSMAN?)

Broncos (Looks like John Fox is immune to Timmy Tim’s charm…..Brady Quinn anyone? Sorry Al, That’s a terrible joke.)

Dolphins (Chad Henne is terrible. And Parcells isn’t there to protect him. Plus Chad Pennington tore his ACL playing BASKETBALL……..why does he suffer so?)

Tons of teams could use a qb…..only a few of these teams will pull the trigger on one.

5. Whoever gets Patrick Peterson will NOT be sorry.

This guy is a special player. He will instantly make your secondary better and his contributions on special teams are invaluable.  He is a great cover corner who is willing to come up and make the stop on the run.  We’ll be hearing his name a lot for years to come.

So that about does it, now to see how the scenarios unfold this week in the Draft. Shouts to Warsh and Big Al for attending in Person!! Make sure you boo Goodell enough for me too!!