SB Nation User Blog: talonk

Simmons confronts his worst nightmare

talonk — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:02:27 -0000

Simmons confronts his worst nightmare

Since we've been harping on how much Yankee rhetoric has been posted lately, here is a post on the "other" rich kid on the block.

Simmons really lays it on thick too.

Pavlovic will be available for Game 2

talonk — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:32:38 -0000

Pavlovic will be available for Game 2

I honestly don't recall seeing Zaza hitting him, so it must have been in garbage time.

Between Wally, Z and now Sasha, that mask is getting a lot of use at the Q this year.

Reviewing the Draft, from a different perspective

talonk — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:00:50 -0000

Chris had earlier posted how the media graded the draft. which was a nice summary of some of the major news sites and their "gut" reactions to the Browns draft. In my opinion, many of them neglected to add the 3 players we received in the Jets trade (but that is a post for another day).

So I decided I wanted to review the draft according to the pre-draft rankings. I reviewed the following websites for their rankings of the players prior to the draft: CBS Sportsline, Fox (Scout), SI.com, ESPN, The Sporting News (TSN), and CFN (College Football News)

Not all of the sites ranked the players in the similar manner, but there was a lot of good info in there. For review purposes, the sites ranked the players in the following manner:

CBS: Overall (top 750), Position, Projected Round

Fox/Scout: Overall (Top 357), Position, Grade (5 star max) - I ignored their grade since there were no partial grades, only 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 stars

SI.com: Position, Grade (5.0 max), Projected Round

ESPN: Overall (Top 250), Position, Grade (100 max)

Sporting News: Overall (Top 99), Position, Grade (10 max)

CFN: Overall (Top 250), Position, Projected Round

Pro Football Weekly: Overall (Top 258), Position, Projected Round (by Grade)

Scott Wright: Overall (Top 256), Position

Edit: From DaytonDogg's post on Robiskie, there were two more sites I added into the ranking, Pro Football Weekly (PFW) and Scott Wright (SW). I also located the overall rankings from Fox and added them to the totals as well

So, I will summarize each player by the above factors.

Alex Mack - Across the board, he was ranked number 1 for all centers. His overall average was a 35. His grade averages out to an 82.13. He was a first/second round projection by CBS and SI, and a second by CFN and PFW.

Overall - A pick at 21 might be a bit of a reach (but I personally still like the pick).

Brian Robiskie - Average positional rank of 8, with a high of 4 from SI and low of 17 from Sporting News. Overall average of 55 (CBS high of 30, CFN low of 98). Grade average of 71.93. Projected as a first/second rounder by CBS and second rounder by SI, CFN and PFW.

Overall - While his average of 55 makes his pick at 36 seem a bit of a reach, he was projected in the second round by all four that did projections.

Mohamed Massaquoi - Average positional rank of 14, with a high of 7 from ESPN and PFW and low of 34 from Sporting News. Overall average of 92 (ESPN high of 53, CFN low of 187). Grade average of 73.20. Projected as a second/third rounder by CBS, second rounder by SI and PFW, and a third rounder by CFN.

Overall - Only ESPN liked him better than Robiskie. Again his overall ranking makes him look like a bit of a reach, but he was projected as a 2/3 pick.

David Veikune - Average positional rank of 10, with a high of 9 from SI, CFN and PFW, and low of 12 from Sporting News. Overall average of 91 (ESPN high of 69, CBS low of 102). Grade average of 69.67. Projected as a third/fourth rounder by CBS, second/third rounder by SI and a fourth rounder by CFN and PFW.

Overall - Again, a bit of a reach, but since we didn't pick again until round 4, I can live with this pick.

Kaluka Maiava - Average positional rank of 10, with a high of 7 from SI and CFN and low of 14 from Sporting News. Overall average of 122 (Scott Wright high of 79, CFN low of 196). Grade average of 65.00. Projected as a fourth rounder by CBS and CFN and a third rounder by SI and PFW.

Overall - First pick that wasn't a reach at all. Right on the money with this one.

Don Carey - Average positional rank of 28, with a high of 22 from Scott Wright and low of 36 from CFN (Note: he didn't make the positional rankings for Sporting News). Overall average of 184 (Scott Wright high of 134, Fox low of 269, didn't make CFN's rankings). Grade average of 55.27. Projected as a fifth/sixth rounder by CBS, a sixth rounder by CFN, a fourth/fifth rounder by PFW, and a free agent by SI.

Overall - This is the one pick I believe could be qualified as a full reach. But in the 6th round, I honestly don't see a problem with that based on the next two picks and that we didn't have a seventh rounder.

Coye Francies - Average positional rank of 13, with a high of 10 from Fox and Scott Wright, and low of 18 from SI. Overall average of 104 (Sporting News high of 74, CFN low of 169). Grade average of 74.67. Projected as a fourth rounder by all four. [Note: He and Mack are the only 2 to crack the top 99 from Sporting News]

Overall - The definite steal of the draft for the Browns according to the projections. He grades out as our 2nd best player and was a consensus 4th rounder.

James Davis - Average positional rank of 11, with a high of 9 from Fox and CFN and low of 16 from SI. Overall average of 127 (Fox high of 80, CBS low of 168). Grade average of 63.53. Projected as a fifth rounder by CBS, a fifth/sixth rounder by SI and a fourth rounder by CFN and PFW.

Overall - Another steal. Not quite as much of one as Francies, bur a steal nonetheless.

All in all, I'd rank the draft (based on the players above only) as a C since all of the top picks seemed to be slight reaches (with Carey being the biggest reach), but the two steals in the sixth negate all of the reaches. But when one factors in a starting DE, a starting S and a backup QB to those players above, the grade moves up to a solid B+.

I'll be posting something regarding the UDFAs sometime this weekend, but I will add Graham Harrell to this post since he is the only guy to hit all six sites prior to the draft.

Graham Harrell - Average positional rank of 12, with a high of 6 from Sporting News and low of 15 from CBS and SI. Overall average of 183 (Scott Wright high of 189, CBS low of 288). Grade average of 52.87. Projected as a seventh rounder/free agent by CBS and SI, and a sixth rounder by CFN, and a seventh rounder by PFW.

Overall - A bit of a steal. But unless DA is traded, I don't see him anywhere but the practice squad.

We Will Always Have Tempe

talonk — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:52:03 -0000

We Will Always Have Tempe

For any of the Buckeye fans on LGT, you probably are aware of the demise of Around The Oval last month.

The site had basically gone dark since the Fiesta Bowl (with a few fan posts sprinkled in).

But as of last week, it looks someone else has taken up the banner for OSU sports.

So if you are interested, check it out. For non-Buckeye fans ..... move along, nothing to see here ......

Mangini: Quinn, Anderson to vie for QB job

talonk — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:09:43 -0000

Mangini: Quinn, Anderson to vie for QB job

Looks like we won't be dealing Anderson after all, or perhaps until after spring mini-camps?

The Chase for HCA (updated)

talonk — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:06:56 -0000

From the With 20 games to go, Cavaliers looking good atop Eastern Conference article, an update as of the results of 3/19.

Here are the remaining games for each:

Cleveland (55-13), 14 remaining
3/21 Hawks, 3/22 @Nets, 3/25 Nets, 3/27 TWolves, 3/29 Mavs, 3/31 Pistons, 4/2 @Wiz, 4/3 @Magic, 4/5 Spurs, 4/8 Wiz, 4/10 @Sixers, 4/12 Celtics, 4/13 @Pacers, 4/15 Sixers

LA Lakers (54-14), 14 remaining [moved up since The EC HCA is very close to being over]

3/21 @Bulls, 3/24 @Thunder, 3/26 @Pistons, 3/27 @Nets, 3/29 @Hawks, 3/31 @Bobcats, 4/1 @Bucks, 4/3 Rockets, 4/5 Clippers, 4/7 @Kings, 4/9 Nuggets, 4/10 @Blazers, 4/12 Grizzlies, 4/14 Jazz

Boston (51-18) 13 remaining
3/20 @Spurs, 3/21 @Grizzlies, 3/23 Clippers, 3/25 @Magic, 3/27 @ Hawks, 3/29 Thunder, 4/1 Bobcats, 4/3 Hawks, 4/8 Nets, 4/10 Heat, 4/12 @Cavs, 4/14 @Sixers, 4/15 Wiz

Orlando (50-18) 14 remaining
3/21 Knicks, 3/23 @Knicks, 3/25 Celtics, 3/27 Bucks, 3/30 @Heat, 4/1 Raptors, 4/3 Cavs, 4/4 @Hawks, 4/7 @Rockets, 4/8 Grizzlies, 4/10 Knicks, 4/11 @Nets, 4/13 @Bucks, 4/15 Bobcats

So in summary,
Cavs have 9 home (5 +.500 teams), 5 road (2 +.500 teams), 3 back to backers
Lakers have 5 home (3 +.500 teams), 9 road (2 +.500 teams), 3 back to backers

Celtics have 7 home (2 +.500 teams), 6 road (5 +.500 teams), 2 back to backers
Magic have 8 home (2 +.500 teams), 6 road (3 +.500 teams), 3 back to backers

So while the Cavs have the upper hand in home games, the Lakers do catch a break with 7 of the road teams under .500.

Will be interesting to see who gets the 2 in the East. Boston has the tougher road schedule and injury problems to deal with.

Sporting News Tribe Preview

talonk — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:44:34 -0000

Sporting News Tribe Preview

Nothing too exciting here (alot of what has been discussed on LGT already). But it is another link on our beloved Tribe.

They project Laffey as the 5 (after Pavano and Reyes)

Interesting notes: they predict Minnesota to finish first; and Barfield is learning 3B (?). I hadn't seen that note before.

Here are some of the other SN AL Central previews:

Minnesota
Chicago
KC
Det

Grades:
Offense - Min A, Chi B, Cle B, KC B, Det B

Pitching - Min B, Chi B, Cle B, KC C, Det C

Bench - Min A, Chi C, Cle B, KC B, Det B

Manager - Min A, Chi B, Cle B, KC C, Det B

Our pal Sal gets his Rox off

talonk — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:55:20 -0000

Our pal Sal gets his Rox off

Unfortunately I could not find an actual link to a story.

But I saw that our buddy, Mr. Fasano signed a minor league deal with the Rockies with an invite to spring training. More than likely he is the emergency guy for them in AAA this season.

All the delicious Fasano catching Wood game thread jokes are now officially kaput.

LOI signing day

talonk — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:11:26 -0000

I could have sworn I saw a post earlier this year detailing all of the supposed guys who verbally committed to OSU, but I am having trouble finding the story in the archives.

I have found a few that mention specific "signings" and I will detail them below:

Huge recruiting haul for Buckeyes

Darrell Givens, #9 CB Nationally
Jordan Hall, #18 RB
Dorian Bell, #1 SLB
Melvin Fellows, #10 Defensive End
Corey Linsley, #4 OG
Justin Boren, #7 OL - transfer

Filling out the '09 Class

Named in article as ptential recruits: Jordan Hall (RB), Jamaal Berry (RB), Carlos Hyde (RB), Jack Mewhort (OL), Corey Linsley (OL), Marcus Hall (OL), Chris Watt (OL), Chris Fields (WR), James Jackson (WR), Duron Carter (WR), Jehranie Boyd (WR), Andre Dubose (WR), Vladimir Emilien (DB), Brandon McGee (DB), Bradley McDougald (DB), DJ Hunter (DB), Corey Brown (DT), Jonathan Newsome, Pat Muldoon (DE), Reid Fragel (TE), Victor Marc (ATH). It was also noted Givens from above left

Quick Hits

from article: "Yeah, turns out I'm a recruiting idiot. Since I made that post, the Buckeyes have gotten three commitments from Reid Fragel, Dominic Clarke, and Adam Bellamy."

Commits? Yeah, We Got Commits

from article: "...the Buckeyes picked up commits from Duron Carter and Carlos Hyde over the weekend. But apparently Ohio State recruiting is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it sort of thing. While Pfef was busy breaking down the Carter and Hyde commitments, Kentucky DB Justin Green was busy committing to the Buckeyes. That was followed by commitments today from OH DB Bradley McDougald and PA DB Corey Brown."

That story also had a link to the following verbal commits (-# is stars on that page):

CJ Barnett DB-4
Dorian Bell LB-5
Adam Bellamy DT-3
Jamaal Berry RB-4
Zach Boren ATH-3
Corey Brown DB-5
Duron Carter WR-4
Dominic Clarke DB-4
Melvin Fellows DE-4
Chris Fields WR-4 - yet to sign LOI
Reid Fragel TE-3
Kenny Guiton QB-3 - yet to sign LOI
Jordan Hall ATH-4 - yet to sign LOI
Marcus Hall OL-4 - yet to sign LOI
Adam Homan RB-3
Carlos Hyde RB-4
James Jackson WR-4 - yet to sign LOI
Storm Klein LB-4
Corey Linsley OL-4
Sam Longo OL-3
Jack Mewhort OL-4
Jonathon Newsome DE-3 - yet to sign LOI
John Simon DT-3
Jordan Whiting LB-4
Jamie Wood DB-4

So that article actually nailed the commits so far.

As of today ... the following commits have signed LOI with OSU (rankings from Scout.com, stars then national), ESPN rank:

Jamaal Berry RB (4 star, 8th) 84, RB#3, ESPN150
Sam Longo OT (3 star, 23rd) 78, OG#27
Corey Brown CB (4 star, 9th) 80, ATH#17
Carlos Hyde FB (4 star, 1st) 79, RB#31
Duron Carter WR (4 star, 10th) 81, WR#18, ESPN150
Adam Bellamy DT (3 star, 42nd) 78, DT#35
Dominic Clarke CB (4 star, 26th) 75, CB#53
Reid Fragel TE (4 star, 12th) 76, TE#48
Zach Boren MLB (3 star, 45th) 75, FB#18
Corey Linsley OG (4 star, 8th) 80, OG#12
Melvin Fellows DE (5 star, 3rd) 81, DE#10, ESPN150
Dorian Bell WLB (5 star, 2nd) 83, OLB#4, ESPN150
Jamie Wood S (4 star, 9th) 81, S#12, ESPN150
CJ Barnett CB (4 star, 14th) 82, CB#10, ESPN150
Jack Mewhort OT (4 star, 11th) 81, OC#2, ESPN150
Adam Homan FB (3 star, 10th) 78, ILB#15
Johnny Simon DT (5 star, 5th) 80, DT#16
Storm Klein SLB (4 star, 10th) 77, ATH#73
Jordan Whiting MLB (3 star, 16th) 77, ILB#29

With the six following verbals that havent submitted their LOIs yet:

Marcus Hall OT (4 star, 5th nationally) 80, OT#13
Kenneth Guiton QB (3 star, 53rd nationally) 76, QB#51
Jonathon Newsome DE (4 star, 27th nationally) 76, DE#69
James Jackson WR (4 star, 32nd nationally) 79, WR#30
Jordan Hall RB (3 star, 38th nationally) 78, RB#49
Chris Fields WR (4 star, 46th nationally) 78, WR#37

Based on scout.com ... if those six sign, OSU has the #1 class with an average ranking of 3.80 and 4799 points.

Edit, according to ESPN.com, all recruits have signed ... I've included their rankings above in bold; they also include Justin Boren as a transfer in as well.

Gruden, Bruce Allen both canned in Tampa Bay

talonk — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:11:17 -0000

Link

So add another potential GM to the mix in Allen, who I thought did a pretty good job. I hope Lerner adds him to his list of candidates.

Anyone bummed by the fact we could have brought Gruden in instead of Mangini? I know he runs a West Coast offense, but he's let his DC do what they want with the D. I liked Kiffin's D (at least in the earlier seasons).