NFL Draft Thoughts

Duve wanted me to provide a mock draft. I'll run through the top 12 (I was going to stop at 11, but I figured Duve would get pissed). There are too many crazy trade scenarios out there. I'll give you things to watch for at each spot.

1. Detroit — The Lions are taking Matthew Stafford. I don't know if this is the right pick, but they've been working on the contract for a couple of days and it doesn't look like the negotiations will break down. When Peter King says he will be a Detroit Lion, I believe him.

2. St. Louis - The consensus is Jason Smith, the offensive tackle from Baylor. The Rams need offensive line help and he's rumored to be their choice for awhile.

3. Kansas City - All of a sudden, this is where the draft gets interesting. They were supposedly taking Aaron Curry (LB, Wake Forest) for the past month, but now it's coming out they might take Tyson Jackson (DL, LSU). If the Chiefs take Curry, the draft holds to form. If the Chiefs take Jackson, everyone gets knocked down a slot.

4. Seattle - More intrigue at this spot. They could go with Mark Sanchez for the QB of the future with Hasselbeck on his way down. They could go with Crabtree to continue rebuilding the wide receiver corps. They could trade out to someone who really wants Sanchez (Denver, Washington, Jets). If Curry drops, they could take him.

5. Cleveland - I'm just ignoring all the rumors currently because I honestly don't know if I could handle the Browns trading Brady Quinn right now (another column for another day). If they trade Braylon Edwards, they should draft Crabtree if he's still on the board, because the top receiver (with Donte Stallworth earmarked for jail time) right now is Sydric Steptoe (exactly). For the entire 2008 season, I said the Browns need to draft defense and that's what they should do. If Curry is on the board, the Browns need to jump on him. If he's not, then B.J. Raji (DT, Boston College) would be a very good pick. They could also go with Brian Orakpo (DE/OLB, Texas) or Tyson Jackson and I wouldn't be disappointed. If the Browns trade Quinn and draft Sanchez, I will never support Eric Mangini/George Kokinis.

6. Cincinnati - Needs to draft a lineman. If Eugene Monroe (OT, Virginia) falls, the Bengals have their choice of Monroe or Andre Smith (OT, Alabama). I would take Monroe, just because of this video. Could also draft Raji as they need help on both lines.

7. Oakland - Apparently the Raiders are fascinated with speed. Jeremy Maclin (WR, Missouri) has been the projection but now there's a rumor that Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR, Maryland) might be the selection, which would be a HUGE reach. If they want DHB, trade down.

8. Jacksonville - This is the sexy "trade" spot. The Jaguars are willing suitors and the Redskins are the top team for this spot. The Redskins would come up to get Sanchez. According to the draft chart, that's only a 250-point different from the No. 13 spot for Washington to the No. 8 spot. That's a low 2nd-round pick or like a 3rd and 4th. If the Jaguars stay in this spot, they could take an offensive tackle, especially if Monroe falls.

9. Green Bay - If the Redskins jump up to take Sanchez, Monroe could still be on the board and the Packers would love to get him as an offensive tackle. They could settle for Andre Smith. They also need help on the d-line, so if go there, someone from the group of Orakpo, Raji and Jackson could still be on the board.

10. San Francisco - This is an interesting team that is close to being successful as the NFC West is a terrible decision. Can use an offensive tackle and will probably go there. If the top three are off the board, cult hero Michael Oher would be the next option at OT. Hopefully, Mike Singletary has pants on while in the war room.

11. Buffalo - Finally we get to the Bills. I've had this feeling all week that Orakpo is going to fall to 11, after being projected to go as high as the top 5 earlier in April. Despite all of the money they have thrown toward the defensive line, they need help there. They could also go with Aaron Maybin, who I don't like after he just got manhandled in the Rose Bowl by USC. With the Jason Peters trade, they need an offensive tackle. Kirk Chambers isn't the answer. He couldn't cut it on the Browns' offensive line a few years ago. I don't think they will reach for Oher, but if one of the top three OT falls to them, they could go there. The Bills could also surprise us with a Donte Whitner-type selection from the 2006 draft.

12. Denver - The Broncos are interesting because they have two first-round picks. Todd McShay said he would shave his body if they trade up for Sanchez. There was a concern about their financial side having to pay four first-round picks in the next two years (having two first-round picks in 2010 as well). If they trade up, I have to think it's to go get Sanchez. If they stay here, D-Line seems to be the pick -- Orakpo or maybe Robert Ayers (DE, Tennessee).

You're not allowed to hold these against me as this stuff is really, pure guesswork. I feel more confident in the NCAA Tournament selections.

1. Detroit -- Stafford
2. St. Louis -- Jason Smith
3. Kansas City -- Curry
4. Seattle -- Crabtree
5. Cleveland -- Raji
6. Cincinnati -- Monroe
7. Oakland -- Macliln
8. Jacksonville -- Sanchez (the trade spot)
9. Green Bay -- Tyson Jackson
10. San Francisco -- Andre Smith
11. Buffalo -- Brian Orakpo
12. Denver -- Robert Ayers

1-3

Brian Pothier had a great comment about what it takes to win in the playoffs, and this goes back to his days on Ottawa when they would always choke in the playoffs after great regular seasons...you don't score finesse goals in the playoffs. It seemed like the Capitals had it figured out in Game 3 (finally), work hard to get to the net and good things will happen (i.e. 4 goals). All the goals were scored in close in Game 3, yet in Game 4 the shot chart shows 39 shots with many of them coming again from the perimeter or high slot. The Rangers are obviously going to let their three-time Vezina finalist lock down those shots all day and sure enough - only one goal gets scored.

The Caps are a young team with tremendous individual talent. If they had more speed on defense they would have a more consistent breakout and not put as much pressure on the goalie. There's not much confidence in Jose Three-or-more, but Varly's playing well in pressure situations and that bodes well for the next few years.

There's still confidence to come back from a 3-1 deficit, it was done last year against Philly and the Caps know that they can win in NY...however just because it happened last year doesn't mean it will this year (attention Mike Green). Too many shots are still getting blocked, too many shots are being taken from the perimeter and no one is crashing the net for follow up chances. Grit and will is what's going to win game 5, the Rangers right now are showing they have it in loads - Friday night will tell if desperation strengthens the Caps' will and they finally dig deep to scrape together a win in a close game.

NBA Playoffs

There's no stopping Cleveland.

After seeing the Bulls take game one from the Celtics in Boston, the east is Cleveland's to lose. A couple games in, here are my predictions:

Cleavland in four over Detroit
-The Cavaliers will overwhelm the Pistons without Allen Iverson. He hasn't exactly made Detroit better, but he's a player who could be a factor against LeBron James. The Pistons are going to miss Chauncey in the playoffs, and will further rue that trade. Though Cleveland is still a good team without James, he makes his teammates look better than they really are. And that's exactly why LeBron is the difference each and every game in which he plays. That and he's the best player in the league.

Boston in seven over Chicago
-I was going to pick Boston in five until Chicago stormed The Garden and stole game one behind their rookie point guard. Boston looks a lot shakier than I anticipated, but they should survive round one, even without Garnett. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are a good enough one-two to win the series, but not without some help.

Orlando in five over Philadelphia
-Orlando had a tremendous regular season and are a fun team to watch, with truckloads of outside shooters and the league's best center. But their inexperience could hurt them in the playoffs. That being said, I just don't trust the 76ers.

Miami in seven over Atlanta
-This should be a spectacular series, and I'm picking the Heat in seven because I want the series to go the distance. Dwyane Wade will dominate the series - Miami wins maybe 15 games this season without him.


Los Angeles is the clear favorite in the west, though they're more susceptible to faltering en route to the finals than Cleveland. They'll go as far as Kobe Bryant can carry them - and he can certainly carry them a long way.

Los Angeles in five over Utah
-The Jazz won the season series against the Lakers, but Kobe will rise to the occasion and help them cruise into round two. Pau Gasol and a healthy Andrew Bynum give the Lakers help down low in the physical western conference paint. (Anyone remember what the Lakers gave up to acquire Gasol? Or did they just straight steal him from Memphis? I think I just answered the question.)

Denver in five over New Orleans
-Chris Paul doesn't have nearly enough help to get his team past round one. Carmelo Anthony will step his game up and finally win a playoff series, with Chauncey Billups giving the Nuggets what they've lacked in past playoff failures. A strong supporting cast could help Denver challenge Los Angeles for the west crown.

San Antonio in seven over Dallas
-I could have picked Dallas, but the Spurs are too good this time of year, especially at home. The Mavericks are hot heading to the postseason, but San Antonio's experience and defense will win them the series, even without Emanuel 'Dead Fish' Ginobili.

Portland in six over Houston
-The Trailblazers are an explosive, inexperienced team. They'll be too much for the Rockets, and the tenderfoots will survive to play another round.


I'd love to pick Denver, but the Lakers will beat them and go on to lose to Cleveland in seven. That stellar home mark will pay dividends for the Cavs; I'd take the Lakers to win game seven in LA. LeBron James will bring Cleveland the city's first championship since the Browns in the pre-Super Bowl era. Maybe then he'll be convinced to stay at home and not bolt for the Big Apple to play for the Knicks or the Nets.

ROCK THE RED!!!!

America's Team

This article was posted on our school site, the author is cited at the bottom:

Want to have a hand in the success of Manchester United, the world’s preeminent soccer franchise? Forget traveling across the pond or even tuning your television to the next big match — all you have to do is pay your taxes.

The economic downturn has done what even David Beckham could not: transform professional soccer into an American institution.

Just take a look at the jersey of star center forward Wayne Rooney. In addition to the Manchester United logo and the Nike Swoosh, the famed red uniform prominently carries the logo of AIG, the insurance giant famous for paying out bonuses to its top executives after receiving a multi-billion dollar bailout from the U.S. government.

Now, Manchester United doesn’t put logos on its jerseys for free. AIG has to pay the team more than 56 million quid for the exposure, and it’s a good bet that those payments are continuing.

This means that U.S. taxpayers, like it or not, are financially supporting Manchester United — and thus have a stake in how well it performs this year.

So how is our team faring this year?

Just a few weeks ago, Man U sat proudly atop the English Premier League. But its once-significant lead in the standings has shrunk dramatically. On March 14, the team lost 4-1 at home to rival Liverpool. The following Saturday, Man U saw two of its players ejected in a 2-0 loss to Fulham, and later lost its number one ranking. On Sunday, playing without a suspended Rooney, Man U reclaimed a marginal lead in the standings by eking out a 3-2 thriller against Aston Villa.

Though the team’s recent struggles can hardly be blamed on its partnership with AIG, the situation does teach us a valuable lesson about the dangers of co-branding. Joining with a seemingly strong brand may improve a firm’s short-term fortunes. However, in this increasingly volatile world management should think very carefully before staking its company’s reputation on a relationship with a third party over which it has very little control.

But while things may look very challenging for Man U, the team still has a chance to win the English Premier League, the FA Cup and the European Champions League — in addition to the Club World Cup and the English League Carling Cup, which it has already pocketed.

A victory for Man U is a victory for the U.S. taxpayer — in spirit, at the very least — so let’s all give cheer for Manchester United, America’s Team. If we’re going to be backing them financially, let’s make sure we get our money’s worth.

Noel Capon is the R.C. Kopf Professor of International Marketing at Columbia Business School.

Rocks on the Board

Great game tonight and hopefully a taste of things to come for the rest of the season.  I like seeing the team rebound on the road, come out with solid defense - strong starting pitching and good relief.  Street picks up the save and I love the late inning rally to pad things a bit for the bullpen.

I still miss Holliday, and think that Helton is past his prime - but I have good feelings about this time for this year.

Side note - totally different sport, but the New York Islanders get my WTF Call-Out for the night.  Obviously pretty miserable to be outscored 9-0, but how about outshot 57-12 especially after the shots were only 10-6 in favor of Carolina in the first period???  I do not envy the team drawing Carolina in the first round since they've won 13 of the last 16 and those two loses were shootouts.

Crazy Goal - Sweden v Switzerland shootout

Pretty sweet goal...