Mock Draft 1.0

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NFL Mock Draft 1.0

This order of this mock draft is contingent on how picks 21 through 32 fair in the playoffs. Picks 1 through 20 are now set in stone. As far as players are concerned they have to declare for the draft by January 15^th, so at that date we’ll have a better idea as to the order and what players are going out for the NFL. Player rankings will also adjust based on performances in the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine and team needs will change based on free agency in the coming months, so let’s get it started off right and set the pace for who ought to choose who at this point in the season! For this mock’s sake let’s assume everyone eligible for the draft will go out.

1. Carolina Panthers – QB Andrew Luck (Soph., Stanford): I feel if Andrew Luck enters the NFL draft he will be chosen number one, regardless if the Panthers choose him or trade down and somebody else takes him. If he doesn’t enter the draft look for the Panthers to take DE Da-Quan Bowers or DT Nick Fairley.

2. Denver Broncos – CB Patrick Peterson (Jr., LSU): Whoever the new Broncos coach is likes what he has on offense, but Champ Bailey is leaving through free agency. Dumervil returning from injury and Peterson island shutting down half of the field will revamp this defense.

3. Buffalo Bills – DE Da-Quan Bowers (Jr., Clemson): The Bills had the worst rush defense in the league last year and plan to give QB Ryan Fitzpatrick the 2011 season to see if he is the real deal. I think Fitzpatrick is a solid starter, but will never be a Pro Bowl caliber QB, which there seem to be a few in this draft.

4. Cincinnati Bengals – WR A.J. Green (Jr., Georgia): There has been a lot of grumbling about Carson Palmer in Cincinnati, but the Bengals figure to give him another shot and replace T.O. with Green. The Bengals also have a need at DE and could give a hard look at North Carolina DE Robert Quinn, who missed the 2010 season due to suspension.

5. Arizona Cardinals – QB Ryan Mallet (Jr., Arkansas): Gabbert is likely to impress scouts at the combine, but Mallet is right there with him and with pro-style experience is ready to start immediately. The Cards will most likely look to trade up for Luck, but if it doesn’t happen I see Mallet as a great option.

6. Cleveland Browns – WR Julio Jones (Jr., Alabama): The Browns are in desperate need of a playmaker and are praying A.J. Green falls to them at this position, but are SOL after Green puts up great specs at the combine. Jones is the next best option and will be a terrific playmaker in the NFL. The Browns are another team desperate for a DE and could give Quinn a look, but this is a deep class for Defensive Lineman and a talent like Jones doesn’t come around every day.

7. San Francisco 49ers – QB Cameron Newton (Jr., Alabama): The Niners top priority needs to be finding a new QB. They gave both Alex and Troy Smith each a fair shot at the starting job and both failed to succeed. They could also take Blaine Gabbert at number seven, it really depends on who the new coach is. I think Newton has was it takes to win at the NFL level and if you pair him with Crabtree, Davis, Morgan and Walker good things are going to happen. CB Prince Amukamara is also a possibility for the Niners.

8. Tennessee Titans – DT Nick Fairley (Jr., Auburn): The Titans are pleasantly surprised that Fairley is still available at pick eight and take him to replace the gaping wound left by Albert Haynesworth.

9. Dallas Cowboys – OT Nate Solder (Sr., Colorado): The Boys had problems up front all year and need to replace the worst lineman in the NFL (Alex Barron). The Cowboys had one of the worst pass defenses in the league last year and Jerry Jones is known for drafting skill players, so don’t be surprised if Amukamara goes here.

10. Washington Redskins – QB Blaine Gabbert (Jr., Missouri): The skins need a QB and Dan Snyder loves shelling out money. Gabbert AKA The White Jamarcus Russell is sure to put up insane numbers at the combine, but does he have the composure and football IQ for a successful transition in the NFL? Gabbert played in a spread offense and I believe he would benefit by a year on the bench learning the ropes.

11. Houston Texans – CB Prince Amukamara (Sr., Nebraska): The Texans have problems in their secondary all around. The pick of Amukamara should help secure half of the field and help stop teams from lighting up the score board against the high scoring Texans.

12. Minnesota Vikings – QB Jake Locker (Sr., Washington): Was seen as the number one pick in the draft last year, but fell off after a few inconsistent games. He showed everyone he has the skills, but does he have the decision making necessary to bring the Vikings back to the playoffs.

13. Detroit Lions – CB Janoris Jenkins (Jr., Florida): The Lions were praying Amukamara would fall to them, fat chance. This move should be a drastic improvement on an awful secondary.

14. St. Louis Rams – WR Justin Blackmon (Soph., Oklahoma State): I bet Spags would be tempted to draft one of the two great lineman (Quinn and Dareus) or LB Akeem Ayers at this position, but unless the Rams sign Vincent Jackson in the off season this WR group needs drastic improvement. The drops in the final Seattle/St. Louis game will haunt Rams fans all season.

15. Miami Dolphins – RB Mark Ingram (Jr., Alabama): Looks like LeBron will get some company down in Miami. Ricky Williams is expected to retire and Ronnie Brown is a free agent. The only way Ingram doesn’t go here is if one of the top tier QBs that Miami really likes drops down to this spot.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Robert Quinn (Jr., North Carolina): The Jaguars are ecstatic that Quinn is still available at their pick. Best player on the board and maybe the number two player on Jacksonville’s board throughout the entire draft.

17. New England Patriots (Via Oakland) – OLB Akeem Ayers (Jr., UCLA): The best team in the NFL somehow finds itself two draft picks… AGAIN. Ayers is the first linebacker picked in the draft, New England has been looking for a solid pass rushing OLB for a few years now and got the best one in the draft.

18. San Diego Chargers – OLB/DE Von Miller (Sr., Texas A&M): With Merriman gone the Chargers need to find another way to get pressure on opposing QBs. Though if Vincent Jackson and/or Malcom Floyd leave through free agency, this pick could end up being WR Jonathan Baldwin from Pitt.

19. New York Giants – DT Marcell Dareus (Jr., Alabama): The Giants wisely select the best player on the board and re-energize that famous front four that won them a Super Bowl.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DE Adrian Clayborn (Sr., Iowa): Didn’t have his best year in 2010 at Iowa, but Clayborn still was dominant against the run. Tampa’s pass rush was non-existent this year. In the past Clayborn has been a great pass rusher and will get the chance to regain that from in Tampa.

21. Seattle Seahawks – DT Stephen Paea (Sr., Oregon State): The big run stopper will clog up the line and take blocks to allow Chris Clemmons to attack the QB even more.

22. Kansas City Chiefs – LB Travis Lewis (Jr., Oklahoma): Tamba Hali and Mike Vrabel are free agents this year and Vrabel is on the edge of retirement. With a need at all linebacker positions, the versatile Lewis will be right at home.

23. Indianapolis Colts – OT Anthony Castonzo (Sr., Boston College): The Colts offensive line is getting old an ineffective leading to Peyton Manning getting put on the ground. They can’t allow Manning’s career to be cut short by inefficiencies up on the line.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – OG Mike Pouncey (Sr., Florida): The Iggles need some work done on the interior of their offensive line. Mike’s older brother Maurkice has gotten done for the Steelers and Mike is just as good. Would this be the first pair of brothers drafted in back to back rounds in NFL draft history? Google doesn’t help.

25. Green Bay Packers – RB LaMichael James (Soph, Oregon): After the success his backup at Oregon (LeGarrette Blount) has had this season with the Bucs how can this guy not be a first round pick if he goes out? Green Bay needs a solid back up for Ryan Grant, who’s 2011 season is questionable.

26. New Orleans Saints – RB Mikel LeShoure (Jr., Illinois): Pierre Thomas is a free agent. While Chris Ivory has proved useful the Saints sure could use a big running back with a knack for the endzone. If not a RB, look for the Saints to pick Ryan Kerrigan or Aldon Smith up on the Defensive Line.

27. Chicago Bears – OT Derek Sherrod (Sr., Mississippi State): If anyone needs a lineman it’s the Bears. Their line is like the equivalent of Clint Eastwood starring on Jersey Shore. Cutler was sacked 56 times this year! Though the Bears would probably be praised for picking Pitt WR Jonathan Baldwin here too.

28. New York Jets – WR Jonathan Baldwin (Jr., Pittsburgh): Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith are all free agents this year. What are the odds the Jets can keep all three? Baldwin is a big, fast receiver who will probably blow scouts away at the combine.

29. Baltimore Ravens – CB Brandon Harris (Jr., Miami): Foxworth, who missed this year due to injury, may also be out next year. Fabian Washington is a free agent. They need to get some youth in the secondary and Brandon Harris is a baller.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers – To Catch A Predator Host Chris Hanson… just kidding. WR Ryan Broyles (Jr., Oklahoma): Hines Ward is getting old and will need to be replaced soon. With the duel threat speed of Mike Wallace and Ryan Broyles opposing defenses better watch out.

31. Atlanta Falcons – TE Kyle Rudolph (Jr., Notre Dame): If the Falcons go the distance it’s likely future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez will retire. If not the Falcons may just select the best player on the board, DE Ryan Kerrigan.

32. New England Patriots – DE Ryan Kerrigan (Sr., Purdue): With no glaring needs the Patriots select the best player on the board and create a more effective pass rush.

Mock Draft Results

The way the mock draft point system works is you get 1 point for correctly guessing that a player is picked in the first round and 2 points if you correctly guessed what team chose the player. Therefore the most possible points per pick is 3 and the most possible points for a draft is 96...but if someone scores 40 or above, you should be on ESPN. Usually only about 5 sports writers a year will score 42 or over and two are always Kiper and McShay.

Here's how I did...

1. Rams: MY PICK: Bradford REAL PICK: Bradford 3 pts.

2. Lions: MY PICK: Suh REAL PICK: Suh 3 pts.

3. Bucs: MY PICK: McCoy REAL PICK: McCoy 3 pts.

4. Skins: MY PICK: Okung REAL PICK: Williams 1 pt.

5. Chiefs: MY PICK: Bulaga REAL PICK: Berry 1 pt.

6. USC...I mean Seahawks: MY PICK: Berry REAL PICK: Okung 1 pt.

7. Browns: MY PICK: Haden REAL PICK: Haden 3 pts.

8. Al Davis: MY PICK: Davis REAL PICK: McClain 1 pt.

9. Toronto Bills: MY PICK: Williams REAL PIC: Spiller 1 pt.

10. Jags: MY PICK: Pierre-Paul REAL PICK: Alualu 0 pts.

11. 49ers: MY PICK: McClain (Broncos) REAL PICK: Davis 1 pt.

12. Chargers: MY PICK: Morgan (Dolphins) REAL PICK: Mathews (I picked this at 28) 3 pts.

13. Eagles: MY PICK: Thomas (49ers) REAL PICK: Graham 1 pt.

14. Seahawks: MY PICK: Spiller REAL PICK: Thomas 1 pt.

15. Giants: MY PICK: Graham REAL PICK: Pierre-Paul 1 pt.

16. Titans: MY PICK: Price REAL PICK: Morgan 1 pt.

17. 49ers: MY PICK: Clausen REAL PICK: Iupati 1 pt.

18. Steelers: MY PICK: Iupati REAL PICK: Pouncey 1 pt.

19. Falcons: MY PICK: Griffen REAL PICK: Weatherspoon 0 pts.

20. Texans: MY PICK: Mays REAL PICK: Jackson 1 pt.

21. Bengals: MY PICK: Gresham REAL PICK: Gresham 3 pts.

22. Broncos: MY PICK: Bryant (Pats) REAL PICK: Thomas 0 pts.

23. Packers: MY PICK: Campbell REAL PICK: Bulaga 1 pt.

24. Cowboys: MY PICK: Jackson (Eagles) REAL PICK: Bryant 1 pt.

25. Broncos: MY PICK: Wilson (Ravens) REAL PICK: Tebow 0 pts.

26. Cardinals: MY PICK: Kindle REAL PICK: Williams 1 pt.

27. Pats: MY PICK: Pouncey (Cowboys) REAL PICK: McCourty 0 pts.

28. Dolphins: MY PICK: Mathews (Chargers) REAL PICK: Odrick 0 pts.

29. Jets: MY PICK: Dunlap REAL PICK: Wilson 1 pt.

30. Lions: MY PICK: Colt McCoy (Vikings) REAL PICK: Best 0 pts.

31. Colts: MY PICK: Williams REAL PICK: Hughes 1 pt.

32. Saints: MY PICK: Hughes REAL PICK: Robinson 0 pts.

SO... I finished with 36 pts. That's okay. In this draft nobody did well, because of all the trades. These 36 points are in comparison to Kiper: 43 McShay: 36. So obviously I did pretty well. McShay and Kiper donate their entire lives to their mock drafts...they get paid a lot of money to construct these mock drafts and obviously I am right there with them, without the inside information they have. I bet if I had the access they have I would be right there with Kiper, maybe even better. Where is my contract ESPN?

Mock Draft 4.0

4/14/10

With the NFL Draft only a week away I had to get my final version of the draft up. Drum roll please…

Your 2010 NFL Draft!!!

Trades aren’t included in this draft, but I bet there will be a lot of ‘em.

* denotes underclassman

1. St. Louis Rams: QB Sam Bradford*, Oklahoma

The Rams should trade down in the draft if they can, as I say in Dear Rams Fans. But, with organization issues over ownership the team just needs to take the safe pick that will bring in fans.

2. Detroit Lions: DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

The Lions made some nice moves on the D-line by trading for Corey Williams, a 3-technique DT and signing Kyle Vanden Bosch. This means they have one more spot on the D-line and Suh fills that perfectly. WOW, the Lions are making good moves, who would’a thunk it?

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Gerald McCoy*, Oklahoma

The Bucs rush defense makes Tiger Woods look like a good husband…or at least an awful “playa.”

4. Washington Redskins: OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma St.

After trading for McNabb the Redskins need to protect their investment and give him time to bomb it to “Carlos” Santana Moss and the other over-paid Redskins receivers.

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

The Chiefs have solid WR’s now and can wait until the second round to draft defense and a RB.

6. Seattle Seahawks: S Eric Berry*, Tennessee

The Seahawks could draft Trent Williams in hope to find the next Walter Jones, but I think Carroll will want to take the best players available.

7. Cleveland Browns: CB Joe Haden*, Florida

I don’t think the Browns like Clausen enough to draft him here, especially after the train-wreck their last Notre Dame QB became.

8. Oakland Raiders: OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers

He had the fastest 40 yard dash of the lineman...yep...fits all of Al Davis' criteria for a first round pick. But what else would you expect after this team drafted Heyward-Bey over Crabtree and Maclin.

9. Buffalo Bills: OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma

The Bills have an okay defense and have already gone out in public saying they would rather pass on Clausen and draft Tebow in the second round, but who knows…it could be a smoke-screen.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Jason Pierre-Paul , South Florida

Jason Pierre-Paul may have the best upside in the draft, he only played D-I football for one year. Just listen to Jerry Jones and his drunken rants for advice, AKA don’t take Tebow!!! Will look for a WR in the second if they are smart.

11. Denver Broncos (via Chicago): ILB Rolando McClain*, Alabama

Yeah, yeah Dez Bryant is here, but there are a lot of good WRs this year and McClain is definitely the best ILB in the draft.

12. Miami Dolphins: DE Derrick Morgan*, Georgia Tech

Nice move to get Marshall means the Dolphins have to capitalize in the first round and find a replacement for Joey Porter.

13. San Francisco 49ers (via Panthers): S Earl Thomas*, Texas

The Niners choose the best player on the board and beef up the defense that Singletary likes so much.

14. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver): RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson

The Seahawks have known all along Spiller was there guy...he is Pete Carroll's NFL Reggie Bush.

15. New York Giants: OLB/DE Brandon Graham, Michigan

The Giants LB’s need a governmental bailout more than General Motors. Brandon Graham will bring a sure tackler and pass rusher to the G-mens D.

16. Tennessee Titans: DT Brian Price*, UCLA

This only makes too much sense, still gotta replace Haynesworth and Price is a perfect fit at DT in a 3-4 defense. I could see them pick Bryant though.

17. San Francisco: QB Jimmy Clausen*, Notre Dame

In a surprise move the niners give some extra motivation to starter Alex Smith and get themselves ready for the future.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: OL MIke Iupati, Idaho

The Steelers have had O-line troubles the last two seasons, even through their Super Bowl win last year, time to clear this up. Could draft WR Dez Bryant, but they traded Holmes because of his trouble off the field. Why get another troubled WR? Iupati can play anywhere on the line.

19. Atlanta Falcons: DE Everson Griffen*, USC

The Falcons missed out on Peppers and need to make up for it. Griffen is an athletic beast and has worked his way up the charts with his off-season workouts.

20. Houston Texans: S Taylor Mays, USC

Mays would have been picked higher if he went out last year. The Texans lost Robinson and need a boost in the secondary.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: TE Jermaine Gresham*, Oklahoma

The Bengals add to their receiving corps in an attempt to get Carson Palmer back to the level he played at in 2005 and 2006.

22. New England Patriots: WR Dez Bryant*, Oklahoma St.

He says he’s the next Randy Moss, now he gets to play with Randy Moss. Welker’s injury and Moss’ age makes this pick necessary.

23. Green Bay Packers: OT Bruce Campbell*, Maryland

Year in and year out the first round of the draft is dominated by the grinders over the skill positions and the loss of Clifton at OT calls for over hall on the OL. If the Packers want to win, they need to protect Rodgers.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Kareem Jackson*, Alabama

The Eagles secondary looked like a bunch of chickens running around with their heads cut off last year. They dropped Sheldon Brown and need a new starter opposite Samuel.

25. Baltimore Ravens: CB Kyle Wilson, Boise St.

The Ravens trade for Boldin alleviates the need for a WR. They need youth at the CB position though. Pass defense used to be a strength for the Ravens.

26. Arizona Cardinals: DE/OLB Sergeo Kindle, Texas

Kindle fits two roles the Cardinals are looking for. A LB to replace Dansby and an outside pass rusher. Yeah they have Joey Porter, but how reliable is he?

27. Dallas Cowboys: C Maurkice Pouncey*, Florida

Pouncey is one of the most hyped players in this years draft and you know what a sucker Jerry Jones is for hype…unless you’re hyping Tebow or Parcells…he can come in and start anywhere on the interior line.

28. San Diego Chargers: RB Ryan Mathews*, Fresno St.

Sproles can't handle the load on his own, Mathews has been climbing up the draft boards for weeks...especially after the poor performance in the combine by Dwyer.

29. New York Jets: DE Carlos Dunlap*, Florida

The Jets are old at the DE position, so they’ll bring in Dunlap for depth this year.

30. Minnesota Vikings: QB Colt McCoy, Texas

The Vikings bring in a QB to replace Favre after he returns this year. Plus they’re both southerners and Favre can bring him up well, Tavaris looks like just another Childress mistake.

31. Indianapolis Colts: DT Dan Williams, Tennessee

The Colts need interior D-line help, Williams has been the top player on the draft board for the last nine picks and finally hears his name called.

32. New Orleans Saints: DE/OLB Jerry Hughes*, TCU

The Saints add to their pass rushing attack to disrupt that pesky Brett Favre and those young QBs in the NFC South.

Here's a link to other great NFL mock drafts: NFL Mock Draft Database

And here, you can see all of my past stories Tim Kanak, and blogs Tim Kanak blog

Dear Rams Fans

Dear Rams fans,

I know hope seems lost. You're team looks like it's passing on possibly the best player to come out for the draft in the last 10 years (Suh.) Your management is in limbo with a power struggle between 40% owner Stan Kroenke and attempted buyer Sahid Kahn. Kroenke, who has to battle the NFL for full ownership of the Rams due to the cross-ownership rule, has not specified if he will keep the team in St. Louis. He has St. Louis ties and is from Columbia, but he lives in L.A. right now and in the past he has spoken to John Elway about brining a team to L.A. CODE RED, CODE RED!!! GET TO YOUR BATTLE STATIONS! The Rams ship has gone from sinking by ice berg to being a giant oil spill that will destroy the entire Great Barrier Reef.

I have a solution. The city of St. Louis needs to get together and buy the Rams. It worked for Green Bay, why not St. Louis? Buy the team and hand over reigns of GM to me...sorry Devaney, I think you're doing a pretty good job, but this team is a lost cause...unless you're Tim Kanak. Here's the plan...

Continue the "we're going to draft Sam Bradford" charade, but at the last moment trade the pick to the Browns. Let 'em have Bradford, the Rams have to many needs to worry about this. The Rams will get the seventh overall pick and the Browns 2nd round pick, 39 overall.

Next trade O.J. Atogwe to the Redskins for Jason Campbell and attempt to get a pick as well. Apparently Shanahan and Haslett think LaRon Landry is to slow for their defense, while Atogwe thrived under Haslett with the Rams. There is the QB of the future, Jason Campbell. He's 28-years-old, going into the prime of his career. He has gotten better every year, 86.4 QB rating last year. He is one of the ten most accurate QB's in the league and can thrive in a good rushing offense, perfect.

Trade this years 3rd round pick and what ever else it would take to trade for the Chargers Vincent Jackson. He's the #1 WR the Rams have been looking for and with all the good WR's traded this offseason, it shouldn't take too much to get him.

-Why get Campbell and Jackson?

The offense is instantly improved, the Rams would have a solid young receiving corps a good QB who can start for at least the next five years, they already have a great RB (Steven Jackson) and a solid young offensive line. I would actually even re-sign Richie Incognito, just put him on a team probation...if he loses his temper again, he's gone.

...Now back to the draft.

With the first pick take Tennessee's Eric Berry (FS). He would replace Atogwe and he's supposed to be the next Ed Reed. Awesome.

2nd round. Now the Rams have two second round picks. If Weatherspoon (Missouri, LB) is there, take him with the 33 overall. If not take someone else to play weakside LB. With the second pick (39) draft either Gresham (Oklahoma, TE) or Javhid Best (California, RB)...also could look at DL.

No third round pick - Vincent Jackson.

4th round. Draft either a CB (maybe Myron Rolle?) or OL/DL depth.

5th round-7th round. Take the best player available regardless of position.

This team would instantly be upgraded to a division contender, which isn't saying much in the crappy NFC West. The Rams would be getting rid of 1 starter (Atogwe) for 5 starters (Campbell, Jackson, Berry and whoever was picked in the 2nd round). Not too shabby.

Just remember, Vote Tim Kanak for Rams GM.

Fantasy Sports

I've noticed even in my self that sports aren't as relevant from a fan stand point as the used to be. Everyone is thinking of their fantasy teams. When I watch ESPN all I see is "fantasy update" this and "fantasy rankings" that. What happened to the good old days when fans only rooted for their own team, they hated players on rival teams for no reason. Ten years ago if The Pope was playing for the Cubs I would've have found ways to hate him, I would taunt him from the stands for letting his bishops molest children. I would bring crackers and a camelback full of wine to the ball park, "Hey Pope! I'm eating your savior right now! ...and Boy, is he good!" But nowadays, if The Pope is hitting .300 with an .800 OPS, I don't give a damn if he's on the Cubs, I'll root for him...I'll even root for him against my own team, I'll make up excuses..."I want the Cardinals to win, but I also want Pope to do well. How about he goes 4-4 with 4 solo shots, but the Cards win 11-4. Yeah then I win either way!"

HOLD UP. This means you are rooting against your team. yes I still want the Cardinals to win, but that means I'm rooting FOR Cardinal pitchers to give up runs...there is something wrong with that, there is something wrong with all of this.

During football season I would go to sports bars and watch multiple games to cheer on my fantasy players, and I wasn't the only one doing this. EVERYONE was. Are fantasy sports really that important to our culture? The answer is YES. We as Americans are naturally competitive and if we aren't atheltic enough to go out on the field and play the game ourselves then we have to cheer for a specific team to win and when the win we feel Fan F***ing Tastic! When our teams lose, we are at rock bottem. Maybe not all Americans, but I suspect the majority of people in America, NO, The civilized world have a team they are die hard fans for. Europe has soccer, that's okay...they like a little girl sport, but hey, we're talking about the french here. We have as humans have retained the animalistic characteristic of competition, to be the best, to be at the top of the food chain. This is what we live for. What better way to do this than to give people MORE control.

The average fan has no say on what their favorite team does. Now we have blogs so we as avid sports fans can complain as much as we want, but the owners and the GM don't have to listen to what we would do with the team, what we want to do with the team or what we wouldn't do with the team. In comes fantasy sports. They give us total control, so did the Madden video games, but those aren't as much of a challenge...you literally play against each other so it's based on the skill of the other video game player. While, fantasy sports are based on what the real player does, except YOU, the Average Joe, get to pick who is on your team. What an amazing concept, in fantasy world I can listen to Billy Beane and his "Money Ball" tactics, or I can throw it out the window and get all home run hitting $20 million players. CONTROL. People like to have control, and this "game" allows it.

So, what's wrong with it then? If your picking who's on your team then you don't have to pick players you hate, or players from rival teams. BUT, if you want to win, as is the American spirit, you will pick whoever the best available option is...like me. I'm stuck with two Cubs on my team (Alfonso Soriano and Randy Wells), both good players. I immediately regretted picking them though, and somehow I have more Cubs than Cardinals (Wainwright). This is just wrong, according to fantasy logic, I should root for more Cubs than Cardinals. F*** that. I tried to trade them to some of my unlucky cubby fan buddies. No Go. They know I want to dump them and are trying to take advantage. Randy Wells for Jason Heyward, I'll pass. Heyward was Mr. Irrelevant in my 12 team league, while Randy Wells was an 11th round pick. Wells even pitched 6 perfect innings yesterday. BUT, I still want to get rid of them. AND I'm the rare exception.

In fantasy football this last year I literally rooted for my fantasy team more than my favorite professional team (Rams), though I wanted the Rams to get last place; because they are so unbelievably horrid they needed that first overall pick. I have an excuse, somewhat, but I know Packers fans and Bears fans who rooted for their fantasy teams over their own teams. Bears fans drafted Favre, Cowboys fans drafted Portis, Patriots fans drafted Manning. What the hell?!?

Is there any solution to this madness? The only solution in the near future I see is for a giant EMP bomb to go off like in 24 and destroy the World's internet, then Chloe O'Brien needs to be assassinated so nobody can fix it. If this doesn't happen then in five years, fantasy sports will dominate the real thing; babies born in this era won't have real teams to root for, their fathers will draft them players in keeper leagues. That will be the team of the future. How do you tailgate a fantasy game? Break out the beer, the grills and the tents and lets celebrate in the streets of the suburbs! ...maybe The Pope can help us? Or maybe he'll just draft Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Cromartie.

April Fools

First off I would like to apologize for my lack of predictions in the sweet 16, elite 8 and final 4, but I would have never picked Butler to win any of the games they did...except against Michigan St. and that's only because Lucas was out. Butler basically has a home game against Duke in the national championship and I'm still going to pick Duke. When Duke is making their shots, they seem to be unbeatable. I do want Butler to win the game, but you can't deny you love Nolan Smith.

Secondly come my MLB power rankings to start the season:

1. New York Yankees - They won the world series and got better. Good move on putting Joba back in the bullpen, let's see if Phil Hughes can live up to his hype. Though if I were them I wouldn't hit Nick Johnson number 2, get Granderson and his speed up there ahead of Tex.

2. Philadelphia Phillies - Is everyone else sick of the Phillies? I am. They have practically fielded the same team for 3 years in a row and they keep getting it done.

3. St. Louis Cardinals - I hope this doesn't sound biased, but c'mon they have two of the best pitchers in the league and Phat Albert.

4. Tampa Bay Rays - Pena and Crawford in contract years. Gotta play for money.

5. Seattle Mariners - When they get Lee and Bedard healthy nobody will score on this team.

6. Boston Red Sox - They are going for the defensive approach this year, but NEWS FLASH their rotation and bull pen are overrated.

7. Atlanta Braves - Time to get that youth rollin' and maybe get Bobby Cox in the playoffs in his final season.

8. Los Angeles Dodgers - Manny is on a contract year and he likes money too much to screw up.

9. Texas Rangers - I think the young Rangers are gonna play this year and look for Rich Harden to return to form in the AL West.

10. Los Angeles Angels - The Angels may not have Lackey anymore, but they still have a hell of a team.

11. Minnesota Twins - The Twins have Mauer locked up, hopefully he won't pull an Adrian Beltre.

12. Arizona Diamondbacks - When Webb comes back they have one of the best rotations in the NL. Expect a ton of homers coming for this team with Upton and Reynolds.

13. Chicago White Sox - The Sox could be great or awful this season, let's see if Quinton, Peavy, Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre can return to form.

14. San Francisco Giants - Timmy and Cain actually have some good hitters in their lineup to give some run support now.

15. Colorado Rockies - Everyone is a mile high on the Rox, but I don't think they have the pitching to be a contender.

16. Chicago Cubs - They could be better than I give them credit for, but I'm a Cardinals fan...what do you expect?

17. Florida Marlins - I like this team, too bad they won't have any of their good young players in about 3 years.

18. Baltimore Orioles - This team would be a contender in the NL or AL central with the combination of young talent and former MVP Tejada.

19. Oakland A's - They have good young pitching, but what the hell is Billy Beane thinking with cutting Cust?

20. Cincinnati Reds - They have a lot of potential, but Dusty Baker is a shitty coach.

21. Milwaukee Brewers - They are the definition of mediocre.

22. New York Mets - If Beltran and Reyes get back in time they should have a nice offense, but they only have one good pitcher. (Santana)

23. Detroit Tigers - This is a weird team, they have a lot of really good players and a lot of really bad players. The bad players will drag them down.

24. Houston Astros - This is a poorly designed team. They have a few solid players (Wandy, Berkman, Lee, Pence), but that's it.

25. Toronto Blue Jays - They have a really good bull pen and a good young rotation, but who's going to hit? Plus they're in the AL East.

26. Cleveland Indians - They have good hitters, but no pitchers. I bet they are really missing CC and Lee right now.

27. Washington Nationals - They should just be starting Strasburg now. They get points for having Zimmerman and Dunn.

28. San Diego Padres - They will trade Gonzales, they have to.

29. Pittsburgh Pirates - They're trying to be good, but it's just so hard when they don't ever sign anybody.

30. Kansas City Royals - You know you're bad when your future super star is hitting .220.

2nd round of the NCAA tournament

Because of my shitty internet connection I have to result to doing this earlier than I wanted to...at the rec center no less. Here we go...

MIDWEST

1. Kansas

9. Northern Iowa

*Got the UNLV pick wrong...I haven't had a good day so far, but I'm still confident in KU to win it all.

5. Michigan St.

4. Maryland

*Neither of these teams has won their opening day game yet, so I'll stick to my original pick.

6. Tennessee

14. Ohio

*Tennessee is losing against San Diego St. right now, so hopefully they make it this far. BTW I KNEW GEORGETOWN COUDN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!

7. Oklahoma St.

2. Ohio St.

*Georgia Tech could easily be the one losing to Ohio St. later this weekend.

WEST

1. Syracuse

8. Gonzaga

*"Orange spit seed"...yes that was an ESPN headline.

5. Butler

13. Murray St.

*poor, poor Vandy...I like Butler to continue their winning streak.

6. Xavier

3. Pittsburgh

*I have the Panthers winning through and through...but I hate it. hopefully X doesn't lose to the land of 10,000 lakes.

7. BYU

2. Kansas St.

*YAY I GOT THIS ONE RIGHT!!! Hopefully I can continue the trend.

EAST

1. Kentucky

8. Texas

*The dominate performance of Kentucky is helping me keep faith.

5. Temple

4. Wisconsin

*Neither team has played yet...I hope Cornell doesn't continue the upset trend against Temple.

11. Washington

3. New Mexico

*Marquette losing really hurt my bracket...damn buzzer beaters/last second shots are killing me. I'll take the Huskies, they're on a roll. (That's what I said about Notre Dame)

10. Missouri

2. West Virginia

*I'm confident both these teams will make it to the second round, I'm almost too confident about this Tiger team though...this made me think for a while.

SOUTH

1. Duke

9. Louisville

*I hope Louisville makes it, the Pac 10 may have been better than I thought...nawwww

5. Texas A&M

4. Purdue

*You can take this to the bank...even if Sienna upsets Purdue, IT COULD HAPPEN!

11. Old Dominion

3. Baylor

*I almost pick OD to win, but Notre Dame was too appealing...Baylor still has it.

10. St. Mary's

2. Villanova

*I want to pick St. Mary's to win this game after they killed Richmond...but gotta stick to the original bracket.