My Advice

Yo Lance Armstrong--just admit you did it. This is now the 80790th person to come out and say that Armstrong cheated. Just give it up, name one person accused who has actually been innocent...(crickets)...yeah. It's sad that so many of this generations heroes are becoming tarnished.

Hey David Stern--why is game 3 of the Bulls-Heat series not til Sunday? Game 2 was Wednesday. Maybe if we are taking a chariot from Chicago to Miami the amount of travel time allotted could be proper. Yet then they play again on Tuesday night for Game 4...what? The NBA is weird.

Attention NHL--keep doing what you're doing. The overall NHL playoffs have kicked the ever-loving crap out of the NBA playoffs this year. You can pretty much just watch the fourth quarter of any NBA game to get the result. An NBA game is two teams going on runs, allowed by the refs, and is only a blowout if one team quits.

Oh New York Yankees, I don't know what you did to inspire Bartolo Colon to pitch the way he has. Maybe a box of Krispy Kremes for every quality start he throws but damn. Either way, applause to the evil empire for this move.

Oklahoma City Thunder I have some advice for you...trade Russell Westbrook this offseason. Why? As these playoffs have told he is not capable of being a complimentary player, in fact the thunder determined they had a better chance of winning with him on the bench last night and Eric Maynor running point (and it worked). Tell the Magic you want Dwight Howard and tell them to take any three to four players off your roster aside from Durant. Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka, and a 1st round pick for Howard (who will not be returning to Orlando long term)? Might work out well for both teams.

Mother Nature--stop raining.

CBS--kill yourself for letting Gus Johnson leave to Fox Sports. 

That's all the advice for this week.

You Know What Really Grinds My Gears?

You know what really grinds my gears?

-LeBron James finally toppled the Celtics. Only he needed to team up with 2 other "stars" to do so. While that grinds my gears, what really grinds my gears is him on one knee after the game, emotional as if he just won the NBA title--heck as if he had just saved the world. Yet the Heat still need to win 8 games to win a title. LeBron, the world still hates you..."sidekiccckkkk, sidekicccckkkk".

-The NFL is unable to split 9 billion dollars of revenue. Here's my solution, players you get 3.5, owners you get 4. The rest of the 1.5 billion is split evenly between a fund for former players and to pay back the god damn ticket licenses that some season ticket holders must buy just to have a CHANCE to buy tickets.

-The NBA referees. They suck. You often hear during a game, well he would have gotten that call if they were at home. What? Why the hell should it matter if the game is played in Boston, Miami, or in the damn Atlantic Ocean?! A foul is a foul. I don't care if it's Game 7 of the Finals or a freakin' preseason game between the Warriors and Raptors. The refs single-handedly cost the Nuggets two games against the Thunder--and the other night in a game between the Bulls and Hawks whistled a foul on the Hawks...yet decided, "shit we want this series to go as long as possible, nevermind inadvertent whistle no foul and we are gunna have a jump ball". What a joke.

-The public now realizing that at about 90% of big-time NCAA football schools rule breaking and improper benefits occur. Yeah--it's been happening since teams started getting 2+ million dollars for making a BCS bowl game. It's called being worth it! Look USC got slapped by the NCAA. Supposedly "vacating" wins to those seasons--but unless the NCAA has a mind-erasing technique from the Men in Black anyone who watched the damn games doesn't forget. And shocker, Auburn paid players. Shocker, Ohio State players got cars. Oh. My. God. Wake up and smell the coffee--just give the players a damn stipend and be done with it.

-Gregg Zaun. Aside from watching the Red Sox look like utter "histalort" (a swear in a different language that I learned from someone from Denmark) I had to listen to Gregg freakin Zaun announce along side Don Orsillo in the booth. Now, I've always found Remy's pronunciation of Pedroia as "Pedroiar" as annoying. However Zaun was the worst I have ever heard. And I announced in the NECBL this summer where this girl was the actual version of Monty from Major League..."Flyball...caught".

-Student loans. Count to three. Yep, the government just spent about 10x what yours and mine student loans cost. Why should I pay back? The government isn't going too.

-The upcoming NBA Draft. It sucks. I'm supposed to be excited about a potential top 3 picks of Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, and Jonas Valancuinas? Oh, but maybe they will fall and Jan Vesely and Brandon Knight can go in the top 5. Christ.

And that's what really grinds my gears.

AFC West Draft Grades

Denver Broncos Grade: C
Best Pick: Round 2 Rahim Moore S UCLA

I am in the vast minority that doesn't like the Von Miller pick. He is a project as a 4-3 OLB and that's way too much money to invest in a number two pick. Also, Orlando Franklin was maybe the 4th best lineman for the Miami Hurricanes this past season...I don't think that equates to a 2nd round pick. On the other hand, Rahim Moore is a ball hawk in the secondary and should be a great addition. Also, got to love Nate Irving, a tough hard-nose inside linebacker. Quinton Carter should also help at safety, and Jeremy Beal was thought by some to be a 1st-2nd round pick at the start of the year. He fell all the way to the 7th round--so good value.

Kansas City Chiefs Grade: C
Best Pick: Round 2 Rodney Hudson OG Florida State

Jonathan Baldwin was a terrible reach by the Chiefs. Athletically, he's impressive, but when you watch him play...yuck. He is consistently seen giving up on plays. Hudson should be a really nice addition, he was a 3-time All-ACC lineman. Justin Houston could be a nice pick and provide some pressure opposite Tamba Hali. Allen Bailey is an athletic freak who with proper coaching could become a beast at this level. Ricky Stanzi is a solid QB--I think when you look at him, think Gus Frerotte is the best comparison.

Oakland Raiders Grade: D
Best Pick: Round 2 Stefan Wisniewski OL Penn State

It's no stretch to say that Wisniewski was the Raiders best pick. He's a tough lineman who will be a Raider (much like his uncle was) for a long time. However after that...there's not much. They reached for former Miami CB DeMarcus Van Dyke who has great speed, but that speed never translated to the field and making plays. The only other pick that was notable was Joseph Barksdale who has the measureables to be a very good tackle in the league...whether it happens is yet to be seen.

San Diego Chargers Grade: B
Best Pick: Corey Liuget DL Illinois

Liuget was a legit pick by the Chargers. In a year that is full of lineman, this guy may be the best suited to be a 3-4 end. Him and Luis Castillo could be a scary combination for years to come. Besides that I look at Vincent Brown, who was an extremely productive at San Diego St. and who would know better than the home town team? Also, their pick of Jordan Todman could go overlooked, but even though he's a very small back...he compliments what they already have very well. Mathews, Sproles, Hester, Tolbert, and now Todman give them a plethora of options in the backfield.

AFC South Draft Grades

Houston Texans Grade: B+
Best Pick: Round 1 J.J. Watt DL Wisconsin

The Texans knew what their weakness was...their defense. They addressed it with their first three picks. Watt will an end in their new 3-4 and Brooks Reed they hope will bring some pressure off the edge. Also, being one of the worst pass defenses it couldn't hurt to add a corner. Brandon Harris is a guy who plays bigger than his size and he could end up being a steal for the Texans where they got him. How the heck was QB T.J. Yikes (I mean Yates) selected?!

Indianapolis Colts Grade: A-
Best Pick: Round 3 Drake Nevis DT LSU

The only reason this isn't a complete A is because of the lack of picks they had. Their first round pick Anthony Castonzo finally gives Manning a dependable tackle to work with after the Charlie Johnson/Tony Uguo experiment went a muck. Also, Ben Ijalana is a small school prospect who should end up really helping at guard. My favorite pick was Drake Nevis. He stood out when you watched LSU, but did not test well at the combine. He is the Colts kind of DT, smaller, quicker and can get some cheap sacks with the attention Freeney and Mathis receive.

Jacksonville Jaguars Grade: C
Best Pick: Round 3 Will Rackley OG Lehigh

Let me just say that I may be wrong (I have been before) but Blaine Gabbert is not a franchise QB. I think, with time he can play in this league, but he really struggled in late game situations and didn't even stand out in a spread passing offense at Missouri. Will Rackley is a guy I've seen a lot of, and I think he will be a starter in this league. Cecil Shorts, a WR from Mount Union was extremely productive and has drawn comparison to former Mount Union receiver Pierre Garcon. Just not a really good draft for the Jags.

Tennessee Titans Grade: B-
Best Pick: Round 2 Akeem Ayers LB UCLA

Jake Locker is another questionable pick. This was NOT the draft to find a franchise QB. Akeem Ayers on the other hand was a great choice by the Titans. He's a guy I see as a future pro-bowler and someone we will look back on this draft with as a, 'how the heck did he fall that far? Jurell Casey can play DT, he was highly touted out of high school but really underachieved at USC. And then they did the opposite and drafted all effort defensive lineman Karl Klug from Iowa. Not a bad draft if you take away Locker.

AFC North Draft Grades

Baltimore Ravens Grade: B
Best Pick: Torrey Smith WR Maryland

A good draft for the Ravens, not great. They added some new blood at receiver that could really pay dividends. Smith the speedster, and Tandon Doss more of a possession guy. Jimmy Smith will be a help at corner, although I'm not as high on him as others. Also, their pick of Jah Reid was intriguing. He is a mountain of a man who could eventually pair with Oher to be the Ravens bookends.

Cincinnati Bengals Grade: B+
Best Pick: A.J. Green WR Georgia

You can't knock the Bengals for taking one of the top talents in the draft, A.J. Green. He's going to be a vertical threat from day one...but I must say I see more Charles Rogers than Calvin Johnson. Dalton is a solid option at QB, although I don't think he's ever going to be a Super Bowl QB. Also keep on eye on Dontay Moch who reportedly ran in the high 4.3's in Nevada's testing in the fall. For a linebacker that's ridiculous. It will be interesting to see what they do with Robert Sands. At 6'4 he's a little big for safety, but if he bulks up could be a nice project at LB.

Cleveland Browns Grade: C+
Best Pick: Owen Marecic FB/LB Stanford

Nothing really jumps out to you about their draft. I'll be interested to see where they will play the Stanford two-way star Marecic. Phil Taylor is a monster, and will be a big help in the trenches, most likely playing the nose if they decide to go with a 3-4. Greg Little, the WR from UNC is an athletic specimen who's production never matched the athleticism. He will be given ample time to play in Cleveland to see if he can realize his potential.

Pittsburgh Steelers Grade: B
Best Pick: Cameron Heyward DL Ohio State

Love the pick of Heyward. When you watch him he just looks like a Steeler. He will be a huge boost to an aging defensive line. The Steelers have had success with Gator lineman before (Starks, Pouncey) so they went back to the well for Marcus Gilbert. He can play practically every spot on the line but isn't stellar at any one. The best later round pick was CB Curtis Brown from Texas. He was overshadowed by Aaron Williams in Austin, but he has the potential to be a solid starting corner in this league.

AFC East Draft Grades

Buffalo Bills Grade: B
Best Pick: Marcell Dareus DL Alabama

Really liked their first three picks. Dareus, Williams, and Sheppard will all contribute for them right away. Sheppard is an inside backer, out of the SEC who can go sideline to sideline and will be a great help against the run. Combine that with the addition of Dareus and you have an improved run defense. Good job by the Bills.

Miami Dolphins Grade: C
Best Pick: Daniel Thomas RB Kansas State

Just not a whole lot to write about the Dolphins. I think Daniel Thomas will immediately step in and be a factor in the backfield. Also, the pickup of Mike Pouncey was a good one. He can play multiple spots on the line, but there's a reason his brother went pro early and he didn't, they aren't the same player. That pick was a slight reach.

New England Patriots Grade B+
Best Pick: Tie-Marcus Cannon OL TCU and Ryan Mallett QB Arkansas

I give this grade more for their later round picks than earlier picks. I am really not high at all on Ras-I Dowling, but maybe he'll prove me wrong. Mallett was my best QB in this draft, so whether he ends up being the heir to Brady or an eventual trade piece--it was a very good pick. Also, don't sleep on Marcus Cannon. He's HUGE. And he could end up being a special offensive lineman.

New York Jets Grade: A-
Best Pick: Muhammed Wilkerson DL Temple

A superb draft by the Jets. Wilkerson is a perfect fit for that defense and what the Jets really need. He can play the nose in situations and slide out to play end. Kenrick Ellis is an elite talent, but has serious character concerns. He is 330+ pounds, making him the ideal nose tackle, and we could look back on this draft with envy for that pick. Also, Bilal Powell is a tough runner who should contribute, and Jeremy Kerley will immediately help in the return game and eventually become a good slot receiver.

NFC West Draft Grades

Arizona Cardinals Grade: A-
Best Pick: Patrick Peterson CB LSU

The Cardinals did not address the QB position, but if there's nothing there...not much you can do. I love the addition of Peterson, my best overall player in the draft. I also really like Ryan Williams, although I worry about combining him with Beanie Wells (two injury prone backs). Also, they landed Quan Sturdivant later in the draft who should turn into a solid player for them.

San Francisco 49ers Grade: B
Best Pick: Kendall Hunter RB Oklahoma State

The 9ers had a good, not great draft. Jim Harbaugh is a very good judge of Quarterbacks, being one himself, and Kaepernick is a very intriguing prospect to bring in--just don't expect it from him this year. Aldon Smith is another guy that could develop into a pro bowl type, but also could bust. You have to really like the Kendall Hunter pick--he's a guy who could fill in very well in an every down situation if Gore were to go down, and is otherwise a darn good backup.

Seattle Seahawks Grade: D
Best Pick: John Moffit OG Wisconsin

This draft left a lot to be desired. James Carpenter in the first round is an absolute joke. John Moffit if their best pick, but even he's pretty one-dimensional as a run blocker. They did little to help their god awful pass rush--and they had a chance to add a really good running back to their very average stable and they didn't do it. Very disappointing draft for the Seahawks.

St. Louis Rams Grade: B
Best Pick: Greg Salas WR Hawaii

Robert Quinn is a solid pick with a ton of upside, however he wasn't anywhere near the production of a Da'Quan Bowers and he had some questions about his health as well. The Austin Pettis pick is one I don't like, but adding Greg Salas and Lance Kendricks as receiving options for Bradford were good moves. The poor guy had Danny Amendola as his #1 target for most of last season...yuck. Also, don't overlook Spagnuolo's ability to scout players defensively that will make an impact down the road--particularly Jermale Hines and Jonathan Nelson.

NFC South Draft Grades

Atlanta Falcons Grade: B+
Best Pick: Julio Jones WR Alabama

You have to like the dirty birds being aggressive and flying up to get Jones. It was a move that shows how serious they are about winning, I respect that. I believe Jones will be better than A.J. Green. I also really liked the addition of 'Quizz Rodgers who will give them a receiving option out of the backfield--he also could help in the return game. The sheer amount they gave up to get Jones prevented this from being an A.

      Carolina Panthers Grade: B-
      Best Pick: Cameron Newton QB Auburn

People can argue about it all they would like, but Newton was the right pick. His ceiling is as high as any player that has been in the draft in years. And before you say, it wasn't the safe pick...look back to when the Dolphins took Jake Long (the safe pick) instead of Matt Ryan (the potential franchise QB). Don't they wish they had that back. Aside from Newton, the best pick they made was Sione Fua, a high effort DT who will be a starter in the league.

New Orleans Saints Grade: A
Best Pick: Tie-Cameron Jordan DL California and Martez Wilson LB Illinois

Really awesome draft by the Saints. They got great value from the Ingram and Jordan picks. Not to mention Wilson who I think will turn into a stud. Also, another guy to keep an eye on is Greg Romeus. He was an elite pass rusher in the big east and some saw him as a late 1st-early 2nd round pick before not playing all season due to suspension/injury. Jordan is going to be someone who on passing downs can play inside, running downs he can be stable against the run. Ingram gives them the most complete back they have had. This draft may have put the Saints over the top.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Grade: A
Best Pick: Da'Quan Bowers DE Clemson

Speaking of taking the next step how about Tampa Bay. You have to love ESPN experts saying, "well if you draft Bowers you may only get him for 5-6 years". From the guys in the draft that bust every season, you would think you would accept 5-6 years of Bowers considering what he did at Clemson with an injured knee. If your medical team does it's job they can keep him on the field even longer...amazing pick by the Bucs. Clayborn and Bowers is going to be scary in a year or so. Two other picks...Mason Foster at inside backer is very stout and is always around the football, and Ahmad Black of Florida has been told how small he is for years now. All he does? Make plays. I expect the same at the pro level.

NFC North Draft Grades

Chicago Bears Grade: B-
Best Pick: Stephen Paea DT Oregon State

The only reason this grade is so low is because of the lack of picks. Both Carimi and Paea are awesome picks by the bears, and if we are going purely on first two rounds they did about as good as anyone. Carimi should help their running game big time and Paea could be a pass-rushing force at DT. Their drafting of QB Nathan Enderle was very questionable...he has pro size but did not stand out in the way you would like to see small school guys stand out.

Detroit Lions Grade: B
Best Pick: Tie-Nick Fairley DT Auburn and Mikel LeShoure RB Illinois

A defensive line that was already becoming one of the better units in the league can now add another monster. They didn't address their secondary needs in the draft which is the only reason this is not an A. LeShoure reminds some of Rashard Mendenhall, I don't believe he has quite the burst, but there's no doubting that LeShoure is the best option that the Lions have as a primary back. I think he will be very productive and should help give Jahvid Best more of a breather.

Green Bay Packers Grade: B+
Best Pick: Randall Cobb WR Kentucky

There is no better GM in all of football than Ted Thompson. He assembles talent and his staff develops them better than any in the game. Sherrod, I don't think is ready to play from Day one, but is an extremely attractive package. With James Jones likely departing, Cobb fills that role--he is an explosive playmaker who when people look back--will wonder why he was taken so late. Alex Green is
an underrated running back who could provide a little explosiveness to James Starks between the tackles. 

Minnesota Vikings Grade: C
Best Pick: Brandon Burton CB Utah

When the best pick you make is your 4th rounder--that's not a good sign. Ponder was picked in the 1st round, the Vikings do need a QB terribly, but wouldn't they be better off waiting to take a guy that's ceiling is being compared to Chad Pennington? Christian Ballard is a nice pick, who I thought would go higher--and they need him with Pat Williams getting older and facing suspension. Also, they took some guy from Slippery Rock...really?!

NFC East Draft Grades

Dallas Cowboys Grade: B
Best Pick: Round 2 Bruce Carter OLB North Carolina

I like the pick of Smith in round one they needed to sure up their O-line. Carter in my opinion, was their best pick, he's a fast LB, more suited to play inside in the 3-4, needs to bulk up a little more but was always around the ball and should be an immediate factor in Dallas. Also, DeMarco Murray should be a very good 3rd down back for the Boys. 

New York Giants Grade: A-
Best Pick: Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska

As usual, the Giants had an excellent draft. Amukamara will improve the secondary from day one and could turn into a huge difference maker. It's a little bit of a gamble taking Austin, but the Giants have had success with guys like him. I love the picks of Greg Jones (LB) and Da'Rel Scott (RB). Jones will be a starter in the NFL, he is tackling machine, and Scott could end up being a factor in the running game.

Philadelphia Eagles Grade: B-
Best Pick: Jaiquawn Jarrett S Temple

The pick of Danny Watkins was somewhat questionable, with guys like Derrick Sherrod and Gabe Carimi still on the board, but he's a versatile guy who will help them. I'm big on Jaiquawn Jarrett, he's a guy who even at small school Temple jumps off the film, is a very smart and instinctive player. Their last pick of Stanley Havili could turn out to be their best in the long run. The Eagles really missed Leonard Weaver last season, and Havili is in the same mold and is a very good receiver out of the backfield.

Washington Redskins Grade: B+
Best Pick: Leonard Hankerson WR Miami (FL)

Ryan Kerrigan was a very nice pick in the first round and should help their abysmal pass rush. My guy here is Leonard Hankerson, yes he's a Hurricane. The guy put up huge numbers while having Jacory Harris throwing to him...and looked like the best offensive player in the whole senior bowl. Evan Royster is a Mike Shanahan type back who could become one of those unheralded picks to become a star. I also like Markus White, he played DE at florida state, but will project as a 3-4 OLB. He's got the athleticism to do it.