Drafttek Draft Takes

*song alert* Here’s the mail it never fails it makes me wanna wag my tail….

Here’s a little nugget from Travis: “I don’t watch football much. But how come the Eagles just waive Terrell Owens? Especially after he lead the Eagles into the Superbowl. Couldn’t they get something for him? How come they couldn’t tade him? I know he was being an ass and everything but so was Ron Artest in the NBA. And at least the Pacers got Peja for him. Why does the NFL just waive? Sorry, I don’t watch the NFL much.”

Travis, aside from the obvious time matter here I did a little digging and (although I will leave it to the Dallas correspondant to correct me) I found that there was an issue of a five million dollar roster bonus that they would have had to pay Owens if he was not traded of released by a certain date. Owens made himself nearly untradable by making it known he wanted to be a Cowboy. Teams like Denver and KC looked at T.O but no one pulled the trigger. Thus they released him before the roster bonus.

That’s all I got this time around. If you have any questions, leave a comment or email me at Detroit@drafttek.com.

Finally, we’re looking for website Ideas…if you have any ideas how Draftttek could improve let us know by leaving a comment!

Greetings NFL fans! This is Joseph Mays, your Draft Tek Dolphins Correspondent. I’ve been absent around here since the draft but am back now with some noteworthy items about that lovable team coming off their worst season in franchise history (we can only go up, right?).

First, as a quick reminder, here is how the Dolphins 2008 draft played out…

• Round 1, Pick 1, Overall 1 - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
• Round 2, Pick 1, Overall 32 - Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
• Round 2, Pick 26, Overall 57 - Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
• Round 3, Pick 3, Overall 66 - Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton
• Round 4, Pick 11, Overall 110 - Shawn Murphy, OG, Utah State
• Round 6, Pick 10, Overall 176 - Jalen Parmele, RB, Toledo
• Round 6, Pick 29, Overall 195 - Donald Thomas, OG, Connecticut
• Round 6, Pick 38, Overall 204 - Lex Hilliard, RB, Montana
• Round 7, Pick 38, Overall 245 - Lionel Dotson, DE, Arizona

A solid draft under Year One of the Parcells/Ireland/Sparano regime. It shouldn’t be surprising at all that 6 of the 9 picks were used on linemen. Parcells likes to build the trenches first and then add some skill position players the next year. Year Two of the current regime should bring in a WR, CBs, and LBs. Anyway, back to this year.

The only clear opening day starter is Jake Long. He has been given the LT job by default, which is what everyone expected. With Jake Long learning at LT, Vernon Carey was moved back to RT. The RT position is a much more natural fit for Carey, who can run block with the best of them. In my opinion Carey is a very underrated tackle who has improved immensely the past 2 seasons. Unfortunately for the Dolphins he has proved that he can play LT so that when he is an UFA in March 2009 it may be hard for Miami to resign him.

The offensive line may not only have one rookie starting. Currently one of the guard positions is up for grabs (depending on which spot Justin Smiley lands in). If a rookie were to win the job (Murphy or Thomas), then Smiley most likely would start a LG next to Long. so that 2 rookies do not start next to each other.

Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford seem poised to be in what could be a strong DE rotation in the Dolphins 3-4 defensive scheme. As of now it looks that Vonnie Holliday and Matt Roth will start with free agent signee Randy Starks working into the rotation with the rookies. Merling and Langford could be the teams starting DEs by 2009. Starks should also see time at NT to spell Jason Ferguson.

The QB situation for Miami has been dismal since the retirement of Dan Marino following the 1999 season. Josh McCown was signed as a veteran presence and expects to win the job but it won’t be handed to him. His two challengers will be 2nd year man John Beck and rookie Chad Henne. Beck has reportedly been working his butt off to get stronger and learn the offense. Looking around the web you will find many bloggers and commenters that believe Beck will earn the job. The “experts” seem to lean towards McCown. I say, don’t count out Henne.

Here’s why Henne should be factored into the equation. First, Sparano has stated that the QB competition will be a 3-way battle. Second, in the years Henne has been a QB he has beaten out the “veteran” players. He started all 4 years at QB for Wilson High School in West Lawn, PA. The QB situation was up for grabs when he was a freshman (I know, because I played on the team with him … seriously) . Oh and did I mention that he didn’t become a QB until the spring of his 8th grade year? That’s right. Chad Henne learned to be a QB and then lead the team to the District playoffs - a high school team that hasn’t had a losing season in almost half a century - in about 5 months. Oh and at Wilson the high school consist of 10th through 12th grade; Henne started as a 9th grader (freshman). Thirds, he is smart and tough. He has shown how intelligent he is by learning the offense fast enough to start in high school and then in college - at one of the premiere programs in the nation - as a freshman. In both cases the coaching staff felt comfortable enough with his knowledge of the playbook and defenses to allow Henne to make audibles at the line. Yes the NFL is a lot different but Henne will pick things up fast. His toughness should never be questioned, either. He has played through a plethora of injuries through high school and college. Apparently it is one of the reasons that the new Dolphins regime took him in the second round. Am I saying that Chad will definitely win the starting job? No. But he has the talent and mindset to do so from day one. Will it happen? Don’t be surprised if it does. I truly believe he will be Miami’s opening day starter by 2009.

So there is a brief overview of the 2008 draft. How about some of the players the Dolphins snagged following the draft? After all, some of the undrafted free agents will put together better careers than some draft picks. The biggest UDFAs the Dolphins snagged were two WRs, Davone Bess and Jayson Foster. Bess, the steady receiver from Hawai’i, has the talent necessary to contribute this year. He has perhaps the best hands of anyone on the Dolphins roster and is deceptively quick. It is not out of the question that Bess will win the 4th WR spot and possibly even push Derek Hagan for the #3 role (assuming Ted Ginn and Ernest Wilford are the 1 and 2). Foster, while raw, is a burner. He may be the fastest player on the team, even faster than Ginn. Foster was a WR and QB at Georgia Southern. He has to learn better routes and bulk up some to be a go-to receiver in the NFL, but his return abilities shadow those of Devin Hester and the once electric Dante Hall. Foster should be stashed on the practice squad for the beginning of the year but could see some game action in November or December.

That’s about all I have for this installment. For your viewing pleasure, here are a few fun and/or interesting Dolphin articles from around the web. Enjoy!

• Dolphins All-Franchise team as determined by Doug at Pro Football Reference
• Dan Marino, greatest QB of All-Time (another PFR entry)
• Armando Salguero believes Ricky Williams could be the best player Miami has
• Someone thinks Miami should be improved in ‘08 (shouldn’t be too hard to do)

Next blog entry from me: Monday, July 21st, 2008 - How do I see the 2008 season playing out for the Dolphins?

Joseph Mays, Draft Tek Dolphins Correspondent

P.S. - Have a question or comment for me? Send me an email at Dolphins@drafttek.com!

GOOD MORNING VIETNAM!

Sorry, wrong millennium. I’ve been incommunicado for a little while due to a few factors. 1) My wife, sister, and I moved across town. 2) I refuse to pay for internet and had to wait until we got to know the neighbors enough to mooch wireless.

On to the ruminations, brought to you this morning by the letter “B” for Berres Brothers Coffee. A little coffee place out of Watertown, WI. I would encourage you to Google them. I fell in love on a family trip and have drank their brew on special occasions ever sense. Luckily my town in Minnesota happens to carry them as well so I can drink the good stuff more often. (If you’re ordering try Highlander Grogg–if you’re not into flavored “Packer Perk” is a good strong blend)

Speaking of the Packers…Brett Favre is one of the most talented and iconic players ever. Lion Fanness aside…seriously Brett, stop it. Just stop it. No one wants to see you in any other colors than Green and Gold. And no coach in the league wants to try to coach you at this point of their career. Even in Milwaukee they are sick of your shenanigans.  You’ve lived the past 5 years on flashes of talent , piss and vinegar, and the hopes and dreams of Packer-Nation; playing in any other city will hurt your legacy far more than Joe Montana’s stint in KC and if you truly think any other group of receivers want to fight D-backs for your jump balls you are wrong.

In other news: Our “Steve Miller” award goes to the Midnight Toking Travis Henry. In all honesty, I had a promising year of Michigan Div-4 senior football ahead of me and lost it to marijuana. I won’t sit up on my high horse and pretend that you’re so much worse than all the Pro athletes who don’t get caught and I’m no better. But I ask you Drafttek fans, Millions of dollars or a hit of the ganja…which would you pick? Henry’s days are pretty much over, he was being eclipsed anyway.

Chris Simms is back in the news as Dallas is looking hardcore at the former Longhorn for insurance and the Tampa Bay inquirer is reporting that Detroit and Chicago are looking as well. The silver lining in all of this is that Chicago is admitting they have a problem and that is the first step to recovery. (Because we all know that Grossman is rock-bottom). Chris Simms was a talented quarterback in college, but personally…I’d still take Major Applewhite as my teams QB coach than Simms as my QB any day.

Matt Jones is a (alleged) cocaine user…Who outside of Jacksonville knew he was still in the league? He had Michael Vick type hype for about 20 minutes and followed it up with Michael Vick production (aka next to none)

Goodbye to Trent Dilfer. It would take some digging to prove he’s a top-100 quarterback in the league’s history, but I bet someone could make the argument. He exemplified the “game manager” title and redefined it by winning a Super Bowl by making all the throws he had to and never trying to do too much. He will probably make a great OC one day. If you offered me the choice between Dilfer in his prime and a first round pick to use on a college quarterback, I would take Dilfer in a heartbeat.

More useless human being: Chris Henry or Brittany Spears? Is there a celebrity boxing show we could settle this on?

Derek Anderson has been working out at world renown SPARQ to improve his mobility. Specifically I would assume he’s working with Tom Shaw who is their Football/QB specialist.  He’s trained  94  1st round picks and the last 6 Superbowl MVPs.  If Derek Anderson adds the ability to move in the pocket, roll out, throw on the run, and pick up 1-2 yards here and there…start the Brady Quinn trade talk right now.

Thats about all I got today. A personal apology for not getting the rest of the NBA mock draft up. The move interfered and trust me, it didn’t get any more accurate on the last parts. NBA summer league is always a fun time to see who’s going to latch on.

Average Joe Sports Show today will feature a live call in from Tim Mattran  of the Vikings (UFA-Stanford) 5:05 Central time www.knuj.net.

Training camp is set to open on July 19th…stop looking for a calendar….thats only 12 days away!!  Does that make you all warm and fuzzy…try this…Darrell Green AND Art Monk will go into the Hall of Fame AND the Redskins will play their first preseason game against Indy in less than a month.  Whew…I need a towel…clean up…aisle 5. 

On to some notes that I’ve made in trying to track down some info on the draft picks, the players, etc…

• Caught Devin Thomas during a couple of interviews and he seems to be mindful of saying the right things.  His talent will be seen on the field, but he seems to be a thoughtful kid. 
• Speaking of thoughtful…Malcolm Kelly, the Skins second wide receiver selection in the draft, is spending part of his off season helping a charity cause called Mercy Ships.  This is a medical relief effort to African countries. 
• The consensus seems to be that Clinton Portis is in the best shape of his football career.  He is leaner and faster according to the media and team sources. 
• Looks like Jon Jansen is keeping all of his options open as he has been seen taking some snaps at center. 

Finally, I wanted to acknowledge that the Redskins will very much be missing Sean Taylor during training camp; both on the field and off.  I know his story was force-fed to many who could care less about the Redskins, but the fact remains that Sean was a phenom at the Safety position and it would have been a privilege to see him play a few more years.  As such, and at the request of many, I am posting the memorial for Sean that was played at Fed-Ex Field the week after his loss. 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QHUTPLT6hoE&feature=related

Here’s to enjoying the games!

#19 Cleveland Cavaliers: SG, PG, F

Team Analysis: The number one thing this team needs is to keep LeBron James happy. If everyone stays healthy and this team meshes they might not need to do any dealing. Consistency is what they’re looking for along with immediate impact. If they take a Euro and stash him overseas and things go badly midseason, LeBron will be this much closer to jumping ship.

Potential Pick: Brandon Rush (SF-Kansas)

Player Analysis: Injury problems plague this kid out of Kansas after he suffered a broken elbow as a child and can still not straighten it 100%. However, it has never affected his above-average jump shot. He has NBA athleticism and body and will be able to contribute right away on almost any team in the league. He is great at both creating his own shot and shots for other teammates.

#20 Denver Nuggets: PG, SF

Team Analysis: This team, as it is, is floating. The top three scorers do not compliment each other and there is literally no perimeter defense. Rumors are flying around about Iverson, Camby, and Anthony all moving but if everything stays the same they need to add some one with creativity and control on the court.

Potential Pick: Courtney Lee (SG- W Kentucky)

Player Analysis: If Lee had had a better NCAA tournament he would have been a lottery pick, but questions about his gamesmanship abound. He is an A+ shooter from midrange and can create his own. A better defender than many people think he his and an excellent passer although his assist numbers do not always support that. Carries a lot of guilt about his team’s exit in the NCAA Tourney but did not have the most help.

#21 New Jersey Nets: Forward, Center, Guard (Last Pick: Danilo Galinari)

Team Analysis: Assuming Galinari is the first pick it is easy to see the Nets back in the playoffs next year. Still with their second pick the Nets will be looking for depth and probably size.

Potential Pick: Alexis Ajinca (C- France)

Player Analysis: Ajinca needs a year or two to add muscle to his 7-1 frame. He has not had a lot of time at the highest levels of European play and is all projection right now. He looks to be an excellent rebounder and shot blocker and needs to add footwork in the paint and consistency to his jump shot.

#22 Orlando Magic: SG, PF

Team Analysis: The Magic got career years out of 4/5 starters (Nelson being the one exception) to think that the stars will align and everyone play that well again would be short sighted. An immediate upgrade at shooting guard would be great but the biggest improvement would be size in the paint to take pressure off of Dwight Howard.

Potential Pick: Mareese Speights (C/PF- Florida)

Player Analysis: Speights is a tad short to be a true center in the NBA but could make it work on most teams. He would be even better as an on-the-block power forward and has a lot of room to grow and polish his already NBA-ready game. Lack of stamina is a big problem and is probably not ready for heavy minutes. Needs a heavy hand to guide his development.

#23 Utah Jazz: SG, PG

Team Analysis: The biggest improvements this team can make are within. Mehmet Okur is a 15-7 guy who could be 20-10. Ronnie Brewer is only getting better along with Paul Milsap. If the team needs to add anything it is depth at the guard positions. If nothing is there expect a Euro pick to stash. Popular opinion is that Roy Hibbert could go here which is a possibility but his game mirrors Boozer too much that it may clog the middle. (And do you really want Okur off the bench?)

Potential Pick: Nicolas Batum (SF-France)

Player Analysis: Batum played really well in a few games and practices for Nike and had people believing he was the European Shawn Marion. However, even at a very low European league he averaged only 8 pts and 3 reb. His game closely resembles a poor man’s Josh Smith. Batum is 1-2 years away from helping most NBA teams but could help his cause if he shows his jump shot is ready for primetime.

#24 Seattle SuperSonics: C, F, PG (last pick: Kevin Love)

Team Analysis: Assuming Kevin Love went with the first pick they still need a distributor from the guard position, a dead eye jump shooter, or a young athletic point guard. However the spot for immediate upgrade potential is Center.

Potential Pick: Roy Hibbert (C-Georgetown)

Player Analysis: Hibbert has all the size, strength, and footwork of Olajuwon with absolutely none of the fluidity, grace, and creativity that made him great. He is a good passer who was able to showcase his skills a lot more when Jeff Green was in town. At only 21 he still has a lot of time to refine his athleticism but is a leader with great basketball skills. Some feel he needs to drop 10 lbs and play with more speed and finesse, others feel he needs to add 10 lbs and play with more power.

Note Bene: The entire Mock Draft along with commentary and debate can be heard this evening at 5:05 Central Time on the Average Joe Sports Show (www.knuj.net)

#13 Portland Trailblazers: SF, PG

Team Analysis: Let’s face it; this team is a playoff contender next year regardless of who they pick up with this pick. They are getting Greg Oden which will push either Aldridge or Pryzbilla to the bench (or to another city via trade) and Rudy Fernandez is joining the team after a great year in Spain and will be an immediate upgrade to their bench scoring. This pick may be combined with Travis Outlaw but if they stand pat look for them to either take a player to stash overseas (a trend now in Portland) or a player who can help at multiple positions.

Potential Pick: Donte Green (SF- Syracuse)

Green is a player with tons of potential but still an ability to help an NBA team right away. He is another guy who is 6-11 and can play either forward position. Not ready to log starter’s minutes in the NBA due to lack of decision making skills but an excellent 3^rd or 4^th option with plus shooting, slashing, and defense.

#14 Golden State Warriors: PF, C, SF, PG

Team Analysis: Last year’s playoff run was an aberration not something to be expected. This team is a lot closer to being a perennial lottery team than a playoff threat. They have an undersized and underachieving front line (although Biedrins has greatly improved) and are not getting much from the Small Forward or Backup PG positions. SG is really their only position with depth. The drafting of a tall forward gives the Warriors the ability to move Al Harrington to the SF and move Stephen Jackson out of town.

Potential Pick: Robin Lopez (C-Stanford)

Player Analysis: Maybe this is too good of a fit, I’m not sure. It’s right down the road from where he played his college ball and he fits with the system. There truly are not many seven-footers who move in transition like Lopez and are polished enough on the offensive glass to handle a team that takes so many jump shots. Robin is not as good as his brother Brook but at this point of the draft is the best combination of size and defense that many teams are looking for.

#15 Phoenix Suns: C, PF, SG

Team Analysis: The Phoenix Suns as we know them are dead. No more constant running, no more super-tempo. The administration tired of that act and not only inserted Shaq into the lineup but got rid of the coach who installed it. There is really no telling what kind of player this organization is looking for although they are VERY weak along the front court especially if you consider the days of Diaw playing the five-spot done with. Phoenix is still a playoff team and a top-5 team in the NBA but they will need to conform to a new offense and prepare for the days without Shaq and Steve Nash.

Potential Pick: JaVale McGee (PF- Nevada)

Player Analysis: This seven-footer out of Flint, Michigan (by way of Nevada) has pedigree to beat the band (Father drafted by NBA in 1985, mother played and coached in WNBA). More to the point however is that he is athletic, good with either back or front to the basket and right now is one of the more polished high post players in the draft. Meanwhile he has a LOT of potential and room to grow as a back to the basket low post scorer and a frame with a lot of muscle to be added. At only 241, he could stand to add 20lbs in the next few years.

#16 Philadelphia 76ers: G, PF, C

Team Analysis: The Sixers have a superstar in Iguodala and an above average yet aging PG in Miller. Other than that they could stand an upgrade at every other position. Many of the young players on this team are underachieving and they could use another veteran more than anything. This pick plus Andre Miller could bring a good parcel back to Philly. If they stick with it, look for another body to be added at either Forward or SG.

Potential Pick: Darrell Arthur (PF- Kansas)

Player Analysis: One of the players who definitely could have used another year to add weight and polish to his game. He reminds a lot of scouts as a shot-hungry Tayshaun Prince because of his length and his defensive skills. Above average both near and away from the basket, does not have a LOT of range on his shots and definitely would fit most teams much better at a 4 even though his body right now resembles a 3.

#17 Toronto Raptors: C, SF

Team Analysis: The Raptors do not have as many wholes as their detractors would like you to believe. Even without TJ Ford they are a plus at the PG position if Calderon is resigned and Ukic comes over from Croatia and plays to expectations. What they need is a SF who isn’t a situational player (Moon-defense/Kapono-3 point specialist) or size (ie Power) to put along side Chris Bosh. Brandon Rush is a serious possibility here.

Potential Pick: Kosta Koufos (C-Ohio State)

Player Analysis: In a league where international big men are all the rage, Koufos took a year in the NCAA to show he could bang as well as be a finesse player. Still…his game resembles an Okur or a Milicic more than a Boozer/Kaman. He can hit shots from all over the court and is a perfect compliment to a low-post PF/C because he can play many different styles. Is a below average passer and ball handler and doesn’t enjoy defense as much as scouts would like.

#18Washington Wizards: F, C, SG

Team Analysis: The polar opposite of the Raptors. This team is much worse than their record allows and that is even if everyone returns and is healthy. This team makes the playoffs in the weak Eastern conference with spit and vinegar alone and while it’s admirable it doesn’t last. Antonio Daniels only works at PG if there are enough scorers around him and if Gilbert Arenas is on the floor it is ok. However that leaves a lack of depth at both of those positions. Nick Young needs to become a 15 pt scorer and the team lacks a true starting caliber big man (Jamison is a PF but he isn’t big).

Potential Pick: DeAndre Jordon (C- Texas A&M)

Player Analysis: This is a guy who isn’t going to help out right away except for the occasional 10-10 outburst that accompanies many rookie seven-footers. Meanwhile he is VERY raw and could benefit from a lot of teaching especially in the areas of scoring with his back to the basket and defense. He is an upgrade over many of the league’s big men right away with lots of room for improvement.

#7 LA Clippers: PG, SG, SF

Team Analysis: Bigger problems arise if Corey Maggette and Elton Brand opt out of their current deals but right now the only problem is that Shaun Livingston is unknown and Brevin Knight does not belong in the starting lineup. If a point guard isn’t available an upgrade over Cuttino Mobley should be.

Potential Pick: Russell Westbrook (PG/SG-UCLA)

Player Analysis: Could go a few slots higher because of his projections at Point Guard but right now can probably help a team out much more at Shooting Guard. Is wonderfully athletic with great slashing ability and an above average jumpshot. Westbrook is A+ defensively and has intangibles teams crave. On the downside he is a below average ball handler and plays out of control at times.

#8 Milwaukee Bucks: Guard, SF

Team Analysis: If you believe Milwaukee fans the #1 biggest need for this team is a new owner. However, a new GM and Coach alone will probably put this team as an eight-seed in the east. One of their starting guards (Redd, Williams) is probably leaving this summer so if a top notch combo guard is available they could be looking there as well. The drafting of Alexander would give Skiles a player with versatility and athleticism as well as discipline.

Potential Pick: Joe Alexander (SF-W. Virginia)

Player Analysis: Right now Alexander is a tall SF with poor defensive skills and a propensity to post up. In two years the soul-patched yet baby-faced Alexander will weigh 20 more lbs, have grown into his ears, and be a potential all-star at PF. At his best when he’s getting to the free-throw line he needs a lot of polish but has remarkable amounts of upside and is shooting up draft charts—could go a LOT higher on hype alone.

#9 Charlotte Bobcats: Center, Forward

Team Analysis: This team is set at every starting position except for Center but lacks depth and with its injury history it needs that the most. If Lopez or another Center they like is available they will keep the pick, otherwise it will be traded for veteran help or multiple picks down the road. Charlotte is a playoff team sooner rather than later all this team needs is a healthy season.

Potential Pick: Brook Lopez (C- Stanford)

Player Analysis: Could go as high as #3 (Timberwolves) with possibilities at #5 (Memphis) or #6 (Knicks). He is one of the most tailor made players in this draft but scouts fail to see how he could improve his game. He lacks overall athleticism and creativity on the block. Nevertheless he is a efficient scorer and can play both high and low post.

#10 New Jersey Nets: Forward

Team Analysis: Their PG (Devin Harris) is a future all-star and their SF (Richard Jefferson) is an all-star caliber player right now. Their biggest problem is along the front line due to injury problems with Nenad Kristic—who is a possible 20-10 player, and not knowing what you are going to get on any given night with Josh Boone, Sean Williams, and especially Vince Carter.

Potential Pick: Danilo Galinari (SF-Italy)

Player Analysis: Biggest upside for Galinari is that he can play SG, SF, and PF depending on who drafts him. He lacks defensive ability but is athletic enough that he could be good there given teaching. Right now he projects as an above average bench player and future 6^th man of the year simply because of his versatility. He is a great passer and shows remarkable creativity. Could be left in Europe for a year but wants to play in the NBA (especially in New York/ New Jersey)

#11 Indiana Pacers: PG, C

Team Analysis: This team is a mediocre mess. As they are right now they will never make the playoffs or be bad enough to acquire an immediate impact player in the draft and they couldn’t attract a free agent to save their lives. Meanwhile there is upside to be seen along the roster—Granger and Dunleavy are above average players while Diener, Foster, and Troy Murphy are serviceable but have no business in an NBA starting lineup. If Jermaine O’Neal stays, this pick is definitely a PG…if he is moved they could grab a big body.

Potential Pick: DJ Augustine (PG-Texas)

Player Analysis: Augustine is better than this pick but size concerns (listed at 6-0 but more than likely not even close) and questions about his jumper may drop him as low as the end of the lottery. However he is a great leader and passer and draws comparisons to Steve Nash both in respect to style of play and locker room leadership. Can step in right away and log solid minutes for any NBA and start for many of them.

#12 Sacramento Kings: PF, PG

Team Analysis: Typical media types look at the Sacramento roster and claim they need a PG but let me tell you there is nothing wrong with Beno Udrih as a starter. What they need most of all is to make Artest happy (or get enough in return for him) and solidify a promising yet questionable front line.

Potential Pick: Anthony Randolph (PF-LSU)

Player Analysis: Similar to Joe Alexander in that his body isn’t suited for NBA level competition quite yet. However at 6-10 he can run the floor and has impressive ball handling skills. Would not hurt a team as a SF but he needs to add strength to succeed. Meanwhile he can hit a 13-18’ jumper and may be a serious contender in the 2009 Dunk Contest.

Hey all. Drafttek has tossed around the idea of doing an NBA draft feature in the spirit of the NFL draft simuation you all have been accustomed to. Well…as our front page lets everyone know we will work on this next year when we get more feedback on how everything is going to work–we all know that “team needs” in basketball can’t be dumbed down to positional things.

So, I did my own mock draft and I decided to use the Blog to get it out to the people. Five installments–six picks a piece–starting today with #1-6.

2008 NBA Draft

#1 Chicago Bulls: Small Forward, PG

Team Analysis: The luckiest team also has the hardest decision. Torn apart midseason they haven’t had sufficient time to know what they really need and the two best players are at their strongest positions. In the end, the best player available is probably Beasley but Point Guard is the wave of the future and Rose is a hometown hero.

Potential Pick: Derrick Rose (PG-Memphis)

Player Analysis: Easily one of the most athletic players in the draft at one of the most important positions. Is a Chicago native who might be the strongest ball handler at the collegiate level in a long time (yes, better than Deron Williams or Chris Paul). He needs to improve jump shooting and free throw shooting.

#2 Miami Heat: PG, Center

Team Analysis: Right now they have a very athletic team and very versatile. Their problem is that they are very injury prone and are weak at the two most important positions. They would really like Derrick Rose and will probably be fielding calls to see if they can get a veteran in a trade-down scenario. Rumored to be enamored with Mayo but that is too much duplicity along the lineup. Beasley gives them the best chance to put points on the board right away.

Potential Pick: Michael Beasley (PF-Kansas State)

Player Analysis: The best player in the NBA draft falls prey to fad—no one wants to miss out on the next great PG. This is a great place for Beasley to land because his only question marks are immaturity issues and having Dewayne Wade, Alonzo Mourning, Pat Reilly around will hopefully solves those. Can play SF or PF and has the ability to play in the post or dominate you with his jump shot.

#3 Minnesota Timberwolves: Center, Guard, Small Forward

Team Analysis: The pick that makes the most sense team needs wise is Brook Lopez but they are going to end up passing on him because he’s not a top-3 talent. This is another pick that may get shopped depending on how enamored they are with OJ Mayo. Some people have delusions that he can play PG but the T-wolves have too many combo guards on the roster already playing out of position. However, if they stay at #3, Mayo is the pick.

Potential Pick: OJ Mayo (SG-USC)

Player Analysis: Best jumpshot in the draft and a better defender than advertised. Carried USC at the college level but would fit better on a team where his task-list is scaled back. He needs to be reigned in both on the court (shot-selection) and off—his primadonna antics will fall on deaf ears in the Midwest.

#4 Seattle Supersonics: Center, Forward, PG

Team Analysis: Seattle, Oklahoma City…wherever they are its probably not going to matter. This team is probably going to be a lottery team for another year or two before they are able to get lucky with a trade or a free agent. This is a young team that doesn’t do a whole lot right. Drafting big men is one of those things that they are horrible at.

Potential Pick: Kevin Love (PF-UCLA)

Player Analysis: Ok, keep going back to well and eventually you’ll get refreshment. Kevin Love is an NBA ready big man. He fits the need and situation like a glove. Although Luke Ridour fell out of favor in the Pacific Northwest, the Sonics still have Earl Watkins who isn’t striking fear into any other teams but gets scorers the ball with efficiency. Kevin Love has a wide array of post moves and is a Chris Webber caliber passing big man.

#5 Memphis Grizzlies: PF, SG, C

Team Analysis: There is a good chance this pick will be traded to L.A. for a pastrami sandwich and the 2030 2^nd round pick. In all seriousness this team has a few useable pieces in Mike Miller, Rudy Gay, and Mike Conley. Mike Miller will be gone sooner or later (for his sake) and that means they need someone who can hit an open jumpshot. Old common knowledge had the Griz taking a Center but with the signing of Marc Gasol they will probably take a shooter instead.

Potential Pick: Eric Gordon (SG-Indiana)

Player Analysis: Indiana wasn’t going anywhere next season although it would have been nice to get a year of work under Tom Crean. Gordon is a very tough player offensively who will fly around in traffic even though he is undersized. Does not need help creating his own shot but needs help being told when not to shoot. Has room for improvement defensively.

#6 New York Knicks: PG

Team Analysis: This team needs more than just a point guard but the roster is locked up tight with bad contracts. The drafting of a PG moves Jamal Crawford over to shooting guard. More than anything they need an efficient scorer who can take over when the rest of the team is having an off-night (7/10 nights).

Potential Pick: Jerryd Bayless (PG-Arizona)

Player Analysis: A shoot-first, ask questions later type of point guard who could play at either guard position. Coaches rave about this guy’s intangibles and will be a great fit in any locker room. Size worries are easily put aside when you see his leaping ability and shot creation. Will have problems defending larger PG/SG

Rather than engage in the debate “Is the NFL better with dynasties or open competition?”, I would prefer to address the question of what led to the decline of dynasties in the NFL (with all due respect to the New England Patriots).  Shorter tenures of coaches?  The game is and always has been won by the players on the field.  Fewer franchise quarterbacks?  Although it may be the single most important position on a team, it is still a team game.  Rule changes benefitting the offense?  Maybe, but playing defense has always been reactionary, requiring more energy than offense.  The draft?  Please — we all realize what a crap shoot that process is.

I would submit that the decline can be readily traced to free agency, but not for the reasons you might surmise.  If you review the recent dynasties (Cleveland and Baltimore in the 50’s, Green Bay in the 60’s, Miami and Pittsburgh in the 70’s, San Francisco in the 80’s, Dallas in the 90’s), the one thing they had in common was an offensive line that had been together as a unit for multiple seasons.  Offensive line play establishes the running game, protects quarterbacks and keeps the defense off the field.  From the 50’s to the 70’s, offensive linemen were groomed for 2-3 years (much as quarterbacks were) and the units were kept together as players could play into their mid-30’s.  Imagine trying to orchestrate 5 huge bodies (250 lbs. average in that era), moving in unison within close quarters, cross-blocking, trapping, pulling — all at full speed, without running into each other – that precision did not happen in one training camp!

Today’s offensive linemen exceed that weight average by more than 50 lbs. and due to free agency do not stay together as a unit for 5-6 years, as in the past.  I would submit that precision in OL play has been lost. To paraphrase Mike Tyson, “All the strategy in the world goes out the window after I hit you in the mouth!”, I would state that it doesn’t matter if you run a pro-style offense, run-and-shoot, shotgun spread, wishbone or single wing, if my “big eaters” whip your “big eaters”, I’m probably going to win.

As you’re enjoying the U.S. Open at beautiful Torre Pines, feel free to comment, debate, or totally trash my hypothesis.

From the Texas heat in Big D,

Long Ball

TO got his contract extended with similar terms to the other 81 (Randy Moss), so he is happy.  Cowboy officials are also happy, as the 2008 salary cap impact is lowered by $3MM, and more importantly, the structure of the contract ($13MM guaranteed) has the financial impact of a one year extension past 2008.

Pacman can join his teammates in OTA’s, mini-camps and other assorted team activities, but is still not fully reinstated (decision to come prior to season opener).  Cowboy officials are quietly applauding Sheriff Goodell’s decision — if Pacman screws up between now and the season opener and is not reinstated, Dallas still gets a 2009 draft choice from Tennessee.

Whiney (Greg Ellis) had a meeting with HC Wade Phillips and DC Brian Stewart to clear the air.  All parties emerged from the meeting with statements of political correctness.

Tony Romo told Jessica’s dad to butt out of their relationship or there would be no relationship to butt out of — (heck, everything else was a soap opera, so I had to include “Days Of Our Lives”)!

Melting away in the Texas Heat,

Your Wise and Aged Cowboy Correspondent,

Long Ball