Now, I actually like Jake Locker(#28 on the Goodberry Board) but even his very own mother couldn't have liked him at #8 to Tennessee. In their defense, the Titans probably sought the very antithesis to Vince Young in a signal caller and Jake Locker is that. Kid's ultra-competitive, tough as nails, and may very well be the hardest working prospect out there. Plus, as evidenced by his turning down the big bucks last year to return to U Dub, he's also loyal and honors his commitments. There's no question that it would have required a handful of picks for Tennessee to move back up into the first round to get their man, had they not pulled the trigger at eight. He certainly wouldn't have been there at 40.

Minnesota, on the other hand... Ponder(#40 on same) at 12? Really, Vikings? There goes Sidney Rice's role as a deep threat- and that's making the rather precarious assumption that, if they keep him around, Joe Webb doesn't relegate the former Seminole to a steady diet of pine.

Biggest head-scratcher of the night, though, has to go to the Seattle Seahawks who went fishing on the bottom and came up with Alabama OT, James Carpenter(#60). I can't explain that one. Not even gonna try...

Without further ado- and after the jump, here are the remains of Mr. Goodberry's Big Board going into tonight(Joe, if you end up editing your board, please feel free to abort this particular trainwreck. Had some time on my hands this morning and itchy typing fingers):

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Hey, y'all. I'm IgnatiusJReilly and I carry a heavy burden. That's right. I'm a Cincinnati Bengals fan. No, it's okay, I don't need your spare change or a cup of soup and I'm not here to squeegee your windshields. So, anyhow, over at Cincy Jungle , we're in the midst of our almost traditional, second annual three-round mock draft and I, due to a schoolboy admiration for Jim Zorn and Steve Largent, an almost constant craving for ice-cold frappucinos, and an encyclopaedic knowledge of the early days of SubPop, have taken on the task of selecting for the Seahawks. There are no trades in this mock and, from what I understand, you all don't have a third round pick this year so what I'd like to do is solicit some opinions on what you guys are looking for in your first two picks this year. 

In most of the mocks I've looked at- ranging from so-called "expert" to kind of seedy looking lone forum posts, the pick at #25 seems to be UW's Jake Locker in a landslide. I wonder what your opinions are both on what you think the FO will do in regards to your starting QB position and what you would like for them to do? Is Matt Hasselbeck done? Might he have enough left in him to mentor a rookie that sits behind him for a year or so? Or is Charlie Whitehurst someone you see taking over under center when Matt calls it a day? Maybe even a QB besides Locker? 

Or, could a cornerback like Brandon Harris or Jimmy Smith- or even Prince Amukamara should he fall that far, to replace free agent Kelly Jennings? A #1 wide receiver like Jon Baldwin or Torrey Smith? #25 would also seem to be pretty deep in quality offensive tackles? 

Anyway, now that I've revealed my ignorance about all things Seahawk, I'd really appreciate any direction y'all might be willing to give. Oh, and one last thing; how would you all feel about reuniting Pete Carroll with his homeboy, Carson Palmer, say, for that pick at #25? #57? Can't blame a guy for trying. Thanks in advance, IJR.

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See, now ain't that sweet?

In this scenario, obviously, the CBA has been settled to even allow trades at all. We've managed to banish the whingeing Carson off to the Great White North for Minnesota's first-round pick(#12), Jordan is, well, just gone somewhere eminently forgettable, and Chad has fulfilled his dream of shagging fly balls from Tom Brady for the price of one of NE's two third round picks(#74). Our needs going in are pretty much universally accepted as; left guard, strong safety, and quarterback with, on a slightly lesser level, wide receiver, running back, and defensive depth in general. This time, I think I've got the jump figured out. See you there...

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With only two of either variety currently signed to the roster, it would appear that the safety position is most direly in need of address in this year's draft. And, while I could definitely see the relative newcomer, Reggie Nelson, penciled in to start at free safety- backed up by a later round pick up or by Brandon Ghee, the same cannot be said for either Chris Crocker or the strong safety position in general. Now, there is talk- without seeming confirmation in either direction, of Patrick Peterson being better suited to the life of an NFL safety and, while that may or may not be true or even feasible, he'd more than likely be a free safety and not strong given his ballskills, speed, and some hesitation to play the run aggressive enough. Personally, I think Peterson is a corner through and through and the prototype of what all cornerbacks will have to be with the advent of the new small forward/wide receiver. So, we'll ignore the LSU phenom for our purposes here and get to the bringers of the wood. In this year's class of strong safeties, only two have really distinguished themselves...

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DeAndre McDaniel Clemson 6'-0", 220lbs: DeAndre McDaniel is the closest thing this draft gets to a prototypical strong safety. According to Wes Bunting at the National Football Post: 

A smart, instinctive safety prospect who simply possesses that sixth sense to quickly decipher information and put himself around the football. Does a nice job not only reading the quarterback, but feels routes develop around him extremely well and has the type of fluidity to cleanly get out of his breaks and range on the throw. Possesses good ball skills in the secondary and knows how to go up, maintain concentration and come down with the tough grab...

Diagnoses the run very well from the deep half. Does a nice job reading his keys, staying patient and quickly attacking the line of scrimmage. Exhibits the ability to slip blocks well, even inside the box, and can generate some power on contact when asked to tackle downhill. Breaks down well in the open field and is a secure wrap-up guy. However, will occasionally overrun some plays in both the run and pass game, but for the most part is a solid open-field tackler.

McDaniel does come with a little baggage. After a seriously rough upbringing- his mother has been arrested some 50 times, DeAndre was charged with aggravated assault in an incident involving an ex-girlfriend. However, through intervention and counseling, something clicked for him. By all accounts, he's become over the subsequent three years a model student athlete, team captain, and a vocal team leader. He spends a lot of his own time reviewing film and made the All-ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2009-10.

Draft Stock: Anywhere from early 2nd to late 3rd and, despite our need for a good OG, I'd draft him at #35 without a second thought.

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 Ahmad Black Florida 5'-9" 185lbs.: By all rights, Ahmad Black shouldn't be in this conversation. On the surface, he's just all wrong. But despite the physical stature that screams nickel corner and the straight-line speed- a 4.82 in his first Combine 40, that just screams, period, Ahmad Black is a baller, plain and simple. According to NFL Draftscout/CBS Sports:

Read & React: Has very good instincts for the position. Reads the eyes of the quarterback and has good route-recognition skills. Good agility and straight-line speed for the position. Was recruited as a cornerback and only asked to move to safety at Florida to take advantage of his instincts, reliable open-field tackling and ball skills...

Zone Coverage: Has a smooth, low backpedal and typically maintains cushion before he is forced to change direction. Demonstrates the fluid hips and quick feet to turn and run efficiently without losing ground. Alert zone defender with good route recognition. Reads the eyes of the quarterback and gets good breaks on the ball...

 

Run Support: While not as big as scouts would like, shows good physicality and toughness in taking on and discarding blocks from receivers. Good agility to elude and balance to avoid cut blocks. Willing to crash down in the box and makes plays near the line of scrimmage. Squirts through gaps and is a generally a reliable open-field tackler.

Tackling: Provides surprising pop for his size. Very good agility to break down in space and make the secure stop. Doesn't shy away from contact with big ballcarriers. Can resort to duck-and-swipe tackles against bigger men, but wraps his arms securely around their legs to knock them over efficiently.

 

In short- haha, get it, in short?, Ahmad Black is a guy that plays bigger than his size would indicate and tends to come up bigger as the level of competition rises. A playmaker, another team captain, and, seemingly, the kind of guy that you want on your team. At his size, one worry might be the cautionary tale of Bob Sanders, to wit, a body not holding up to NFL-level punishment but Black seems to play a little headier and a little less kamekazi.

Draft Stock: Is falling since his poor performance in the Combine 40 but, like Joe Haden did last year, he has a chance to make up for it at his Pro Day. Mid-3rd to late 4th- and I've seen him mocked several times all the way to the 5th. I'd be comfortable taking him with our 4th round pick.

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Brian Rolle Ohio State 5'-11" 230lbs.: Here's a little bit of a curve ball. Brian Rolle is a linebacker. Well, yes and no. He is- or was, a MLB and a pretty good one for the Buckeyes but, like Casey Matthews, he's probably not big enough to play the position at this level. However, Rolle is a smash-mouth run defender with well-developed coverage skills as far as running backs and tight ends go, and, with a 40 time that's dipped below 4.5, he has the speed, at least in theory to assume the other responsibilities of a strong safety. Now, for a lot of teams, Brian Rolle probably wouldn't be a fit for their strong safety position but, with Mike Zimmer's penchant for aggressive run-stoppers back there, Rolle might actually be suited for it. I mean, really, this guy can hit like Roy Williams without even breaking a sweat and could he really be more of a liability in coverage than Roy? Considering the late fifth would be pushing it for his probable draft stock, we could pick up Brian Rolle in the sixth with no skin off our teeth. Probably be a psycho on special teams as well.  

Obviously, there are other strong safeties available; Tyler Sash from Iowa, Joe Lefeged from Rutgers, Da"Norris Searcy from North Carolina, Dejon Gomes from Nebraska, Shiloh Keo from Idaho, and Jeron Johnson from Boise State, just to name a few but none of them have really seem to have what we need, which is the ability to, if not start from day one, at least bring the potential to do so sooner rather than later. Also, I had assumed, due to his sheer size, that WVU's Robert Sands was projected to be a strong safety but apparently not. Does that mean he couldn't play the position? I really couldn't say.

As of right now and in my not so humble opinion, DeAndre McDaniel is who we want about a round-and-a-half more than we do Ahmad Black, who we wouldn't regret having either. Brian Rolle? What can I say, I'm a Buckeye homer and a tinkerer by nature. Anyway, just some food for thought and a break from bemoaning our clusterf*** of a quarterback situation. That is all.  

In this alternate universe, Mike Brown is competent- or at least has belatedly become so, and the cascade of prospects down the seven tiers to NFLdom is slightly skewed by the inhuman and, at times, seemingly arbitrary Draftek Simulator.

Here, the new CBA has been ironed out, signed, and is in place long enough before the draft to accommodate the swap meet.

Hostage negotiation has resulted in Carson Palmer releasing the organization from limbo and hightailing it for the Pacific Northwest in return for Seattle's first-round pick(#25) and Charlie "Clipboard Jesus" Whitehurst. Little Palmer is last seen chasing a certain home-bound Boeing down the runway at CVG.

Meanwhile, everybody's favorite problem child, Chad Narcissismo, is shipped off Belichick way for one of New England's embarrassment of riches, a third-rounder(#74). T.O. is last seen doing crunches in Mike Shanahan's driveway. 

Submitted for your approval- or not, after the jump- if I haven't botched this formating horribly.

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We've debated the Big 4- Fairley, Peterson, Bowers, and Green, relentlessly and, lately added at least the notion of Cam Newton making it a quintet. I could make a case for each one of the five- and probably be at least partially content with picking any of them if the draft were held today. But another player has been working his way up the Big Board in my head:

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Texas A & M OLB/DE, Von Miller. At 6'-3", 237 with a sub 4.5 40, Miller is generally considered to be the best pure pass rusher in this draft. The guy is a freak of athletic nature and the only questions about him seem to have been mostly answered when the Senior Bowl showed he was quite adept at dropping into coverage and making plays on the ball. I've seen quite a few mocks lately with Miller going as high as Buffalo at #3. This is no hybrid or tweener player. He's a pure outside linebacker and I could see him taking over as Rey moves inside, leaving MJ93 to play where he belongs on the end. I was kind of on the fence on Von Miller until I read what a student of the game he was- and this quote:

"I had a coach by the name of Joe Kines, and he coached Derrick Thomas back when Derrick Thomas was in college," Miller said. "He told me a long time ago that I play similar to him. And that day, I went and got film. I watched his film, studied his film and watched all of his interviews. The point of view he had on the game is similar to the way I feel. And I can never ever be like Derrick Thomas and I can never play like Derrick Thomas. But he played with a fanatical effort, a relentless effort. And that's what I can do. That's what I try to do - to play with that same attitude."

Just more food for thought here. He seems both humble, intelligent, and driven to be the very beast at whatever he does. I definitely think Von Miller deserves to be included in that abovementioned group. I'd almost equate him to Fairley as being able to come in and make a big impact on this defense. What say you?

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Looks like Carolina isn't franchising DeAngelo Williams, leaving him unlikely to return to the Panthers next season. Questions:

What would be the cost of signing the 27 year-old free agent be- versus, say, resigning Cedric Benson? If the difference in dollars wasn't prohibitive, would you be in favor of picking him up?

And would there be a possibility of trading either Carson or Chad for Williams either straight up or with a pick thrown end on their end? If so, would you be interested? Things to keep in mind: Though 27, Williams has essentially done half-duty most of his career paired up with Jonathan Stewart. Carolina not only needs a QB pretty desperately, with Steve Smith on the decline, they need a wide receiver enough to be mocked AC Green in quite a few mocks.

So I stepped into the world of the Draftek Simulator and, with a bunch of clicking back and forth and I'll call him HAL doing the picking for the rest of the NFL, came up with these picks from the best of the rest moving into each round. Now, understand that this mock does not really take into consideration whether or not Carson remains with the team or ends up sitting in a rocking chair somewhere on the left coast. Nor does it factor in any extra draft picks that might come our way should we trade Carson and/or Chad. Also, the reality that is HAL does not necessarily agree with my expectations as to where several players fall in this draft but I shall dance with that which brought me. Nick Fairley, Da'Quan Bowers, and Robert Quinn have been taken by Carolina, Denver, and Buffalo, respectively, as we finally go on the clock.

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Patrick Peterson CB LSU: Patrick Peterson is big, fast, and, along with AJ Green, probably the surest thing in this year's draft. At 6'-1", 220lbs., and having already run under a 4.4 in the 40- he, himself, insists he's gonna try and break 4.2 at the Combine, Peterson can cover a lot of ground well and make your Mama feel it when he gets there. The former college corner, most experts say, projects more to a safety at this level which works for us both for what we need right this moment and for what we may need should JonJo slip through our fingers this off-season. The main reason I opted for Peterson over Green- who's selection I wouldn't argue too much if it fell that way, is that, as it stands, our offensive weapons are adequate. Not spectacular but adequate. The same cannot be said for the defensive backfield. Plus, with a new offense- and maybe a new QB, on the horizon, I think it will fall to the defense to carry us while the inevitable kink are worked out on the other side of the ball.

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Marcus Cannon OT TCU: At 6'-5", 350lbs., Cannon is an absolute mauler as a run blocker. Started one year each at right and left tackle but probably doesn't have the foot speed to protect the edge at this level. However, he is almost impossible to push back at the point of attack and should solidify the interior of the pocket from the get-go. I imagine Cannon sliding in at LG next to Whit for the moment and, depending on Andre Smith's health and performance, one of them eventually replacing Bobbie Williams at RG. I think this pick is a no-brainer. Oh, and for those concerned with the weight of such a big man, he's apparently a bit of a recognized "Workout Warrior"- by ESPN.com in 2009. So that's good to hear.

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Marvin Austin DT UNC: Marvin took the year off from football, courtesy of the NCAA, and, as a result, has fallen from a consensus top ten pick in this draft to...Okay, this is where Draftek's universe differs from mine. This is probably too far for Marvin to fall but he would be an even greater steal here than Dunlap was for us last year. Is he back in football shape? Well, against, admittedly, a lower level of competition than the Senior Bowl, he absolutely dominated the West's offensive line in the East-West Shrine Game. That's good enough for me going into off-season workouts and whatnot. Austin is a shut-down lineman against the run game and, while not exactly a pass-rushing phenom, generates quite a bit of disruption and collapses the pocket on the interior. At 6'-3", 310lbs, he's got the build to add 15-20 more and get even stronger. 

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Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada: I suspect we'd actually have to make this pick at the top of the third round instead of here but HAL is letting it- and Kaepernick, slide so who am I to argue. As a schoolboy, Colin Kaepernick had a 94 mph fastball and the attention of numerous pro scouts, which tells you all you need to know about his arm strength. At 6'-6", 230lbs and having run a sub 4.5 40, there's no question that the kid is an athlete. Where questions do arise, it's about him having played almost exclusively in the Pistol scheme, where he's more like a more accurate Ronnie Brown running the wildcat than an NFL QB. But, at the Senior Bowl, he seemed very comfortable transitioning under center and making the standard three and five step drops. Is he raw, a work in progress? Certainly, but, and this would be a best case scenario, if he could learn under a pure pocket passer like Carson for a couple of years, the Colin Kaepernick could be something special. If Carson is gone, well, at least his athleticism would allow the kid to run for his life about as efficiently as possible.

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Greg Little WR UNC: Another of the truant 2010 Tarheels, Greg Little came to Chapel Hill as a wide receiver before being asked, out of necessity, to move to tailback towards the end of his freshman season. After leading the 'Heels in rushing for the better part of the following year, an injure to current NE Patriot, Brandon Tate, sent Little back to the wideout position. In a dreadful passing offense in 2009, the 6'-2", 220lb. junior still managed 62 catches for over 700 yards and 5 TDs- plus another rushing. He's about the same size as Simpson but a little bulkier, catches the ball with his hands away from his body and doesn't shy from contact.

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Joseph Barksdale OT LSU: Okay, here's where you say, "WTF, HAL?" But that's just how the chips fell here- the chips being, in my opinion, the best technician, maybe the best tackle period in this draft, and here being right in our laps. Barksdale, 6'-5", 335lbs., is probably not one to move inside to guard. He skews more towards finesse than pure power but has textbook hands and an elite knee bend.

Alex Henery PK Nebraska: No, I'm not gonna put a picture of a kicker up here. Henery's a great kicker and also a terrific punter should something happen to Huber.

Okay, so maybe a few of these picks are a bit far-fetched but, honestly, if we could go Peterson, Cannon, Kaepernick in the first three rounds, I'd be ecstatic. Even if the last four picks were complete nonentities. Thought?

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Please allow me to introduce to you the steal of this here upcoming draft. Meet Alabama-Birmingham's Joe Webb.

Atlanta Falcons star Roddy White, an ex-Blazer, watched the first two drills and started shaking his head while displaying a can-you-believe-that? grin.

Joe's 6'-3", 225 lbs. and runs a 4.4 40. Joe's got a vertical leap of 42.5" and did 21 reps with, essentially, his body weight. Now, Joe played QB the last two years for the Blazers(2300 yds passing, 1427 rushing 21 TD passes, 11 rushing, and 1 receiving last year alone) but did a stint at WR as a sophomore and is, in general, a phenomenal athlete. This guy, as a receiver, will have some learning to do as far as route-running but, with his size, speed, and leaping ability, he could be a home-run threat right off the bat. His strength should leave jamming corners shaking their heads. Though one article I've seen compares him to former Arkansas QB and current Bengal wideout, Matt Jones, I'm picturing a more involved in the offense, less of a return specialist, Josh Cribbs. Could serve also as a legit backup QB, probably number three, and take some snaps as a triple threat in the Wildcat. Pending his stock rising even more, Joe Webb should be available in the mid to late 3rd. I hear the Steelers are interested- one more reason to pluck him before they get a chance. ; )

Check it:

Foote says decision to leave Steelers is his
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Larry Foote played a lot of football as a starting inside linebacker for the Steelers the past five seasons, and in a strange twist, his search for more playing time will cause them to release him.

Foote said he wants to continue his career as a starting linebacker where he can play more often and asked the Steelers to accommodate him. After finding no offers in a trade over the weekend of the draft, sources on the club say they plan to release him sometime after this weekend's minicamp, which Foote will not attend.

They were going to release him this morning, then decided to wait as they pursue last-ditch efforts to trade him.

"It was my doing," Foote told the Post-Gazette. "I wanted to go. They were trying to trade me.''

This would look good in a Bengals' uniform, next to Rivers and Maualuga, Brandon Johnson, and Dhani Jones, don't ya think?

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Some really interesting stuff in the Enquirer about the Bengals' finances and operations. You'll have to read the whole thing- and Mike Brown's testimony- to get a good overall feel for the court case from which the info springs but...Here's the money quote:

"Others findings include:

• Mike Brown received millions in “general manager” bonuses, even though the team has no such title.

VonderBrink testified the team paid a “general manager” bonus of $1,237,000 in 1999 and $1,947,695 in 2001. Brown testified in the trial he received a bonus every year since he took over running the team in 1991."

Read it and weep, fellas.

With nothing left for this season but to fantasize about what's to come, this article by Michael Lewis- for the New York Times Magazine(Sept. 24, 2006), seemed appropriate. It's the story of a kid who literally came from nowhere- and now may end up back there when we draft him. Seriously, I highly recommend the piece. There's something triumphant about it.

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In a way, I almost hope that, though we need him desperately, he doesn't have the misfortune to end up here. I mean, ask Willie Anderson how that worked out for him. Guy gives ten years of his life- and way more than ten years' wear and tear on his body to this organization for what? His name on some Ring of Other Also- Rans & Misfortunates in that Monument to Mediocrity down by the river?

Talk about ambivalence. Run away, Michael Oher! Fake an injury! Tank the combine! Do whatever you must to avoid the life sentence of a Mike Brown affiliation! We'll understand and franchise Scott Kooistra!

A blast from the local past, with Mike Brown as Arthur Carlson. Marvin Lewis as Andy Travis. Chad Johnson as Venus Flytrap aka Gordon Sims. Bob Bratkowski as Herb Tarlek. Eric Ghiaciuc as Les Nessman. Ben Utecht as Bailey Quarters. T.J. Houshmandzadeh as Dr. Johnny Fever. Carson Palmer as Jennifer Marlowe. A cast of thousands of live turkeys as the product put out on the field at Paul Brown Stadium, and the long suffering fans of Bengals nation as the unfortunate parking lot at the mythical Pinedale Shopping Center. Easy on the tryptophan...

Unless something dramatic happens, and, by dramatic, I mean this putrid team suddenly becoming competent, Mikey, Marvin, and our Keystone Draft Squad will be looking at one of the top three picks in the 2009 draft. Here are a few possibilities for that pick- and lets hope to god that a trade gives us more than one in the first round:

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If there's a consensus number one floating around in the various 2009 mocks, it's Ole Miss offensive tackle, Michael Oher. The 6-5, 320lb. Oher(pictured above) is a force to be reckoned with, clearing the way for an otherwise inept Rebel offense to produce a 1000 yard rusher each of the past two years(BenJarvus Green-Ellis) and keeping new stud QB, Jevan Sneed clean this season. Running close second at this position are Virginia's Eugene Monroe(6-6, 315) and Alabama's Andre Smith(6-4, 340). One notch below- and therefore perhaps available in round two allowing us to go another way at one- are two LSU Tigers, Ciron Black(6-5 320) and Herman Johnson(6-7 360), who's actually a guard but can play either.

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Perhaps the most intriguing, given our need, offensive lineman that we might consider with our first pick is Cal center, Alex Mack(6-3 320). If there is such a thing as a stud center, Mack(above) is it, and he very well may be, pound for pound, the best O-Lineman in this draft. It would just seem kind of wrong to make a center the first overall pick in the draft- if that's what we're looking at but maybe that's just the kid in me reacting to much needed socks and underwear under the christmas tree instead of that PlayStation.

On the defensive side of the ball, the glamour picks belong to middle linebackers James Laurinaitis, who we all know, and to USC's Rey Maulauga(6-2 260). If I had to choose between the two, I'd probably go with Laurinaitis, who, while not as flashy as Maulauga, is about as instinctual and sideline to sideline dependable as they come. Maulauga's previous relationship with former Trojan, Keith Rivers might factor in here also. But, since our linebackers, with Rivers' return, seem to be in pretty decent shape- or in decent enough to not have to go with one this high, it would probably be better to go with upgrading our multimillion dollar lack of pass rush.

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For this, Georgia Tech's DE, Michael Johnson(6-7 260). Johnson(above) is Jevon Kearse but, perhaps, even faster. He'll need some seasoning to be an every down player but could actually give us a legitimate threat on the edge. My personal favorite- because bigger is better is Alabama NT, Terrence Cody(6-5 370). You talk about jamming the middle, tying up two linemen at a time, the behemoth Cody(below) is the man. Others that figure in to the conversation; Ole Miss end, Greg Hardy(6-4 265), South Florida's George Selvie(6-4, 255), and Brian Orakpo(6-4 260) from Texas.

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Of course, lovers of aesthetics will gravitate towards Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree(6-3 220), who's this year's Andre Johnson- you'll remember him from yesterday, grimace...And, in the just in case category, the just in case the gimpy wheeled, tragically immobile and, now, bum-winged Carson Palmer is really through category, there's Georgia QB,  Matt Stafford(6-3 235) or at least a good quality backup like Texas Tech's Graham Harrell.

I would like it to be known that, er, somebody...okay, it was me, saw Marvin Lewis at Ikea with a fat, older white man in a cheap suit. I'm pretty sure that he was there to feed his addiction to prefab Swedish furniture- which is totally not what I was doing there at all...No, I'm serious.... It's also possible that the man in the suit was his CIA contact there to show him the dead drop he arranged in a display hutch.

One never knows, do one?

First off, I wasn't expecting much. A virtually nonexistent offense versus a ferocious Giants D, a porous O-line versus perhaps the league's best pass rush, and a suspect defense versus a lineman-sized back and an efficient- if not spectacular, passing game with Manning the Lesser at the helm, the answer was clear even to the magic eight ball.

Still, because I am a glutton for punishment- goes with the territory, I sat down to watch what surely would be carnage. Right?

What I saw was this previously lifeless team rise from the ashes and go toe to toe with one of the best teams in the league for four quarters. And I honestly don't think it was a case of the Giants playing poorly. They played like the Giants play. Their pass rush was relentless but, despite six sacks of The Franchise, at the most crucial moments of the game, our line and backs gave Carson just enough time to engineer two masterful* second half drives mainly through the air.

David Jones got beat several times but with little consequence and he came up with a few really good hits- including one to force a punt. Simeon Castille, despite a couple rookie penalties, also showed up well. Brandon Johnson and Marvin White insured that Eli will need some soak time in the hot tub this week. Manning getting that last pass to Toomer- the one that set up the winning FG, was as much luck on Eli's part as it was a defensive shortcoming. I didn't hear Rivers mentioned much, Dhani got his hat in on a couple good hits, Geathers would be more fearsome if he could wrap up when he finds the ball carrier behind the line. Though Ward gashed us a couple times, Brandon Jacobs was, for the most part, contained. Leon Hall played a heck of a game. Once again, the defense kept us in the game.

Freed up to go outside, Chris Perry reminded us why we drafted him so high, why we stuck by him through the injuries. Carson(27/39/286/1TD) reminded us that, given just a little breathing room, he can thread that needle like nobody else. Antonio Chatman, for the first time maybe ever, provided a really welcome spark at the three position. Reggie Kelly made a couple big catches. Levi Jones needs to live in fear of Collins replacing his sorry, penalty gettin', sack givin' up ass- Ghiaciuc is safe because there isn't anyone waiting in the wings, unfortunately.

We didn't turn the ball over. Neither did they.

Two main reasons why this was a loss and not a win. Last drive of the game, we give up probably 15-20 seconds either trying to get lined up or getting the play in before Carson hit TJ at the 6- resulting in no shots at the end zone when we probably should have had at least two. Second, after a great job by the defense forcing the Giants punt at the beginning of OT, we come out and try two straight off tackle Perry runs, even as we had the hot quarterback and a line that had figured out how to protect him over the last quarter. Inex-fucking-cusable. Carson was finding seams in that Giants zone. We hadn't been able to run between the tackles all game. What fucking genius made those calls- and why is he still employed?

Overall, I'm about as happy as one can be after a loss because at least we competed this week.

I missed the liveblogging- obviously. Probably a good thing, considering the grunts, groans, and sputters associated with watching this game wouldn't have translated to type at all well.

First, I think it's important to give props to the defense because, with the exception of inconsistent pocket pressure, they played a whale of a game. I'd single out JonJo for being all over the field, Frostee Rucker for showing us some of that potential we've all heard about, Jonathan Fanene for some good end work, along with Domato Peko, Geathers and the rest of the d-line for run stopping. Yeah, that's right, I said props for run stopping on a day they gave up almost 230 yds on the ground. Considering the busted play bootleg and the double reverse to Clayton counted for 90 of those yards and that the last 50 yards or so came in the last five or six minutes of the fourth quarter when they were gassed by being on the field all day, I call it a good day. They did all I could expect of them, all the other side of the ball should expect of them. Jeanty, Jones, Rivers, and Brandon Johnson looked impressive, making sure tackles, flying to the ball.

Unfortunately, we seem to have brought the pre-season offense with us to Baltimore- minus Ryan "Crazy Legs" Fitzpatrick. Some specifics to our purportedly potent offense:

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One of the guys trying out for the Bengals this weekend. Meet Alabama State grad, Jay Peck, RB, 5-11, 202, 4.6 40.

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12/21/07 - 2007 All-SWAC First-Team, SWAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: RB Jay Peck, Alabama State, 5-11 200 Sr., Columbus, Ohio, was selected All-Southwestern Athletic Conference First Team for the 2007 college football season. Peck was arguably the conference's top individual play this season. He led the league in rushes, rushing yards and 100 yard rushing games. The senior from Columbus, Ohio - who has already graduated with a degree in marketing - finished his career with 2,399 rushing yards, behind only Brad Baxter (3,732) and Rico White (3,470). "Jay has been named 1st team All-SWAC in back to back seasons, and not a lot of guys can say that," Barlow said. "He is not only a great football player, he's a great guy. "Jay just gets it", Barlow continued. "When we sat down as a staff and said what kind of characteristics we wanted in our players, we wrote them all down and then realized we were describing Jay Peck." - Alabama State Football

On film , the kid's got real good hands out of the backfield. Not breakaway speed but good field vision, utilizes his blockers well, and is not afraid of getting hit.

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From Bryant-Jon Anteola at the Fresno Bee (Thursday):

'A chance. That's all Jason Shirley wants. A chance to get selected this weekend during the NFL draft.

A chance to keep playing.

But the former Fresno State football player knows he severely hurt those chances in October when he was charged with three misdemeanors, including driving under the influence.

The incident led to Shirley's third suspension of the season, and essentially ended his senior year.

"I know NFL teams frown upon those types of incidents," Shirley said. "It's always a big deal when you did something like I got involved in.

"They don't want guys who get in trouble. I just tell them: 'It was a mistake; it's unfortunate. I've moved on, and I've learned from it.' "

Most mock drafts project Shirley as a late-round selection or a free-agent signee.

At 6 feet, 5 inches and 329 pounds, and capable of running a 40-yard dash in 5.02 seconds, Shirley is one of the biggest and fastest defensive tackles in the draft.

He ranks 22nd overall at his position, according to NFLDraftScout.com, which cites his size and potential as positives but his stamina, off-the-field issues and maturity level as negatives.

Shirley said life hasn't been the same after his senior season was limited to three games because of the suspensions.

Shirley was suspended the first two games for conduct detrimental to the team. Stripped of his starting role, he returned to play three games and contributed immediately as the Bulldogs' primary run stopper.

He was suspended a second time after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. Police say he crashed a car into an apartment complex on Oct. 8. Shirley was charged with three misdemeanors: driving under the influence, driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08% or higher, and hit and run.

Shirley appealed the suspension and provided medical documents that detailed a concussion he received days before the car crash. He soon was back on the team.

But a few days after he was reinstated, Shirley was charged with driving with a suspended license and expired registration. He was suspended again, this time for the remainder of the season.

Shirley said he became depressed, embarrassed and confused. The structure of football always had helped him manage his time, forced him to stay disciplined with his grades, and most importantly, gave him a sense of belonging and camaraderie.

When around his teammates, Shirley often pulled little pranks, like the time he sprayed a water bottle all over fullback Reynard Camp.

"Do you ever stop playing?" Camp yelled at his teammate.

Without football, Shirley was distant and kept to himself.

During his suspension, Shirley didn't watch another Fresno State game until the Bulldogs' Humanitarian Bowl victory.

"Watching them play was like putting salt on the wound," said Shirley, his eyes filling with tears. "I was proud of my former teammates. They showed a lot of heart. I just wish I could have been a part of it."

Shirley said he snapped out of his funk when he began playing football again in two senior all-star games: the Hula Bowl and the Texas vs. The Nation Bowl.

"I felt good to be back in pads, be back around the guys," he said.

Shirley took this semester off from school to prepare for the draft. He performed well last month at Fresno State's Pro Day, where NFL hopefuls run drills in front of scouts.

Among Shirley's more impressive marks were his 40-yard time, vertical jump (35 inches) and broad jump (9 feet, 10 inches). In comparison, USC's Sedrick Ellis, considered the second-best defensive tackle available, ran the 40 in 5.26, had a vertical jump of 26-1/2 and a broad jump of 8-7.

Still, ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper called Shirley an enigma.

And then there are Shirley's court issues.

Shirley appeared before a Fresno County Superior Court judge Wednesday for his DUI case, with his lawyer ready to go to trial. But the prosecutor from the District Attorney's Office asked for a delay, and the trial start was pushed to May 21.

Shirley's lawyer, Charles McGill, said a handful of NFL teams have called his office to find out details of Shirley's case. McGill said he couldn't recall how many teams or which specific teams called, except for the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I have a good feeling that Jason's going to get drafted," said McGill, who is representing Shirley in his legal case, but is not his sports agent.

Shirley said he plans to watch the draft from his parents' home in Fontana.

"Life is good," Shirley said. "I feel blessed. I'm excited. I'm a little nervous about this weekend. I'm not depressed anymore.

"I'm just ready to move on with everything, get back to playing football."'

I'm ready to give this guy a shot because he could really wreak havoc at the point of attack and lord knows we need that.

42 Mocks

53%(22) Sedric Ellis

17%(7) Keith Rivers

12%(5) Derrick Harvey

5%(2) Leodis McKelvin

5%(2) Rashard Mendenhall

2%(1) each for Kentwan Balmer,

Glenn Dorsey,

Branden Albert,

Chris Williams.

The most interesting occurred here:

Where we get Ellis at 9

Trade Chad to the Eagles for #19, #80, and their next year's first. Rivers at 19.

Early Doucet at 46.

Patrick Lee(CB-Auburn) at 77.

Jonathon Goff(ILB-Vandy) at 80

Terrell Thomas(CB-USC) at 97

Thomas DeCoud(S-Cal) at 112

John Sullivan(C-Notre Dame) at 145

Jermichael Finley(TE-Texas) at 177

Jordon Dizon(LB-Colorado) at 207

Mark Bradford(WR-Stanford) at 244

Wallace Gilberry(DE- Alabama) at 246.

I'm not exactly sure why we need two CBs. Probably ought to have got one more receiver at 77, 80, or 97 but, just think about it, Chad's gone, and we've got Sedric Ellis and Keith Rivers.

Interesting pick? Kendall Langford DE-Hampton, 6-6, 290.

Fingers crossed, gentlemen...

The first ten picks as theorized by me and, then, a wish list of sorts for the Bengals' other nine picks.

1. Dolphins are talking to Jake Long, supposedly trying to pre-negotiate a deal but I think it's a smoke screen and Chris Long is the pick. He's just too good to pass up. Size, speed, pedigree, film, everything you need in a DE.
2. St. Louis will be hugely pleased that Jake Long was a Dolphin smokescreen and snap him up before Goodell finishes the words, "...on the clock."
3. Atlanta can't live with Chris Redman as a starter and goes for perhaps the only bonafide NFL-caliber QB available this year, Matt Ryan.
4. Al Davis has a rare lucid moment and opts to ignore the flash and move to replace the retiring Warren Sapp with the potentially equally good, Glenn Dorsey.
5. Kansas City may have Jared Allen to replace and Vernon Gholston would really fill that bill.
6. New York Jets finally stop Darren McFadden's mini-slide.
7. This is the draft pick the Pats should have lost, not the 31st. However, their secondary is in shambles. DRC is bigger, stronger, and faster than either Jenkins or McKelvin so they go with the Tennessee State corner.
8. There's a real possibility that Baltimore trades up to Atlanta at 3 for Matt Ryan. Assuming that doesn't happen, no other QB merits the 8th, so they go with Ryan Clady in an effort to replace the retiring Ogden.
9. "Cincinnati is now..." SEDRICK ELLIS!
10. New Orleans opts to shore up a horrid secondary with Leodis McKelvin.

2. Even assuming Odell is reinstated, LB is still a big need. Curtis Lofton would be my first choice here, followed by Adibi or Henderson.

3a. If, by some strange happenstance, Chris Johnson is available... I know, okay, Early Doucet or Malcolm Kelly if he slips this far- fingers crossed.
3b. Marcus Howard, OLB Georgia.

4. Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian State.
5. Kellen Davis, TE/DE Michigan State- that's right, tight end and defensive end. 6-7, 270lbs., 4.59 40. Played defensive end freshmen year.

6b. Stanford Keglar, LB, Purdue.

7a. Arman Shields WR, Richmond

7b. Robert Jordan WR, Cal.