Article by Jimmy Boyd

The San Francisco 49ers are excited about Vernon Davis out of Maryland who they grabbed with the 6th pick in this year’s draft. At 6’4”, 253 pounds, Davis has a great NFL body and is one of the best athletes in this year’s draft. Young and Bush have received most of the attention in terms of being the most athletic players coming out in 2006, but Davis might very well be the best. He ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine and has a 42 inch vertical jump. He is a receiving tight end who should be a great target for Alex Smith for years to come. His receiving skills remind me of Tony Gonzalez, but he is faster than the Kansas City Chiefs star and more athletic. Despite Davis’ great NFL body, he will need to improve his blocking. If he can do that, I think he has a great chance to be one of the elite tight ends in the game. Great pickup for a team known for having great receivers.

With the 7th overall selection, Oakland surprised some people by taking Michael Huff, a talented safety out of Texas. Many experts speculated that Oakland might take Leinart at number 7, if he slipped that far, hoping for another Kenny Stabler. But I think they got a better player in Huff who will be able to come right in and start contributing as a rookie. He is a big defensive back at 6’1” and 205 pounds with exceptional sub 4.40 speed. He is a big hitter reminding me of Bobby Sanders in Indianapolis. It may not be to his liking, but Huff has experience at the corner position, playing their in the past, and his speed and size could be a good asset matched up 1 on 1 with some of the game’s best wide outs. However, if Oakland decides to play him at corner, they will lose some of his big play making ability.

Donte Whitner probably wasn’t on most peoples top 10 radar, but the Bills snatched him with the 8th pick. At this stage, Michael Huff is further along as a safety prospect as Whitner benefited a great deal playing in a great defensive system at Ohio State in which every player understands their role and rarely is out of position. I liken the Buckeyes defense to that of the Chicago Bears in this regard. I’m not sure I agree with this pick as there were better players still available which could have given the Bills bargaining power with several other teams, but they decided to fill a defensive need. Don’t get me wrong, at 5′ll” and 205 pounds, Whitner is built like a ton of bricks and hits like one too. The thing that gives this kid a great upside in my opinion is that he has a great attitude and never quits until the whistle is blown. He could be very effective in some blitz packages for the Bills. Maybe this surprise pick will be a big surprise in the NFL this season.

This was the year of the linebacker in the Black and Blue division with Green Bay going with A.J. Hawk and Minnesota grabbing Chad Greenway. I’m a little bit surprised that Detroit passed up Greenway with this pick and went with Ernie Sims from Florida State. His numbers don’t even come close to those of Greenway and Hawk, but he has better speed. He is also undersized in a division with so many punishing rushers at just 220 pounds. I think he could be excellent in some delayed blitz packages with his quick burst of speed and great timing, and perhaps Detroit likes his quickness in pass coverage. Sims has a lot of potential and the Lions will hope to tap into it.

Experts were calling Matt Leinart the most NFL ready QB in this year’s draft, and he finally was taken by the Cardinals with the 10th overall selection. He will make a great understudy to Kurt Warner who, as one of the best in the game at recognizing blitzes and getting rid of it quickly to a hot route, will be a great learning tool for Leinart to pick up on the intricacies of one of the toughest things for a young QB to do. I can see Leinart getting some starts this season if Arizona decides half way through that the future is now. Also, Warner has been riddled with injuries the past few years. I love this kids ability to stay in the pocket and deliver the football with accuracy. His speed and mobility are major questions, however, those things were also major questions for Kurt Warner who won a Super Bowl and the league MVP award a couple times. Arizona should be thrilled to get Leinart this late.

About the Author

Jimmy Boyd is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League.Read all of his articles at href=”http://www.procappers.com/Jimmy_Boyd.htm”>www.procappers.com/Jimmy_Boyd.htm

Article by Jimmy Boyd

With the first overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans passed up Reggie Bush and the hometown fan favorite, Vince Young, for defensive end Mario Williams out of North Carolina State. Although Williams, without question, has many physical gifts, I think the Texans may be seeing more in this kid than what is actually there. Not to go along with popular opinion, but when you have an opportunity to take an exceptional talent like Reggie Bush, you have to jump on it. The Texans felt that Williams fills more of a need in that they needed to improve their defensive pass rush. But if they really wanted to fulfill needs they should have been looking to improve their offensive line which likes to throw lookout blocks for David Carr. When you have the #1 overall pick, you need to go with the best overall player in most cases, which to me, is Reggie Bush, and this was definitely one of those cases. Williams’ big knock is that he has been known to take plays off. This is another reason why I wouldn’t have grabbed him if I was Houston. He also is not a refined fundamental football player. He has gotten by on ability, which leads Houston to believe that with some instruction he can be exceptional. If the Texans were worried at all about the recent off-the-field issues surrounding Reggie Bush and his family, they shouldn’t have been. They should have been more worried about Mario Williams’ work ethic, which could keep him from fulfilling his potential.

With the Houston Texans passing over Reggie Bush, it allowed the New Orleans Saints to grab him as the #2 overall pick. Bush was a no-brainer for the Saints, and I expect the Texans to be kicking themselves with every highlight reel he makes. I don’t think his road in New Orleans will be smooth sailing, but we will definitely see some glimpses of greatness this season. I would say he was heading into a dead end road, but the addition of Drew Brees to fill a major void at the QB position makes things look a little bit brighter for the Saints. Many question Bush’s ability to be a 20+ carry a game guy. They don’t think he has the durability. I think this guy will prove to be tougher than he has been given credit for. Experts were comparing Bush to Gale Sayers this past season, but to bring things a little more up to speed, I see him playing like a Marshall Faulk, especially along side Brees who is great at throwing short touch passes and screens. These guys could be one of the great backfields in the making.

Many experts thought Vince Young’s draft position would drop because he isn’t the prototypical NFL quarterback. Neither was Michael Vick or Donovan McNabb or Steve “Air” McNair for that matter. Leinart was actually projected to be the first QB taken in this year’s draft, but it’s about time some of these NFL teams were able to see past the end of their noses. The former Houston Oilers got a Houston kid in Vince Young that they should be ecstatic about. Sure there are questions about his throwing mechanics, but you have to love his 6’6” frame, great speed and mobility. He might benefit from some technical coaching on his throwing mechanics, but I don’t think Tennessee should try to totally change this kid before seeing him in action. He silenced all those who doubted his passing ability last season with a 63.9% completion rate and 2.769 yards threw the air. In my opinion he has the ability to be better than a prototypical QB because he is more than a QB; he’s a playmaker. And perhaps his most impressive attribute is that he is a proven winner.

I’m a little bit surprised the Jets didn’t go with Leinart. He could have fit the mold of the former New York Jet Broadway Joe. Leinart’s swagger is a little bit more reserved, but he is equally as confident and already accustomed to playing in a big market. The Jets did get better with their draft selection however. D’Brickashaw Ferguson is just as his name states a brick wall. He could emerge as one of the premier tackles in the game. I’m not sure he is to the same point as Orlando Pace when he came out of Ohio State, but I think this kid could be the best offensive lineup to come out since Pace. At just 265 pounds, he will need to get bigger, especially in his legs as drive blocking for the run is probably his biggest weakness right now. He is already very adept in pass blocking as he is exceptional at picking up blitzers. Look for Ferguson to jump right in and start at left tackle or the Jets could move him inside to use his speed as a pulling guard. Perhaps he wasn’t the popular choice, but a very solid pick up for the Jets.

The Packers appear to be getting a good one in A.J. Hawk. I may have thought about taking Chad Greenway from Iowa with this pick as Greenway is better in pass coverage and seems to have better big play making ability (he reminds me a little bit more of Brian Urlacher), but Hawk is as consistent a tackler as you’ll see and ultimately the Packers felt a linebacker more suited to the run would be the better choice playing in the Black and Blue division. I’ll be excited to see Hawk and Greenway play against each other when the Vikings come to Lambeau. Many linebackers in the league are faster than Hawk, but I think you’ll find that his 4.65 forty that he ran at the combine is not an indicator of his ability to chase down the football. He takes great angles and he’s faster than a 4.65 on the field in pursuit. Green Bay is getting a warrior in A.J. Hawk.

About the Author

Jimmy Boyd is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League.Read all of his articles at href=”http://www.procappers.com/Jimmy_Boyd.htm”>www.procappers.com/Jimmy_Boyd.htm

Article by Brian Carson

The New York Jets are hoping to bounce back from a dismal 4-12 campaign that saw Herm Edwards pack up and leave for what he believes are greener pastures in Kansas City. New coach Eric Mangini brings the system he learnt under Bill Belichick in New England to New York with the hopes of revitalizing a sagging franchise.

Mangini was busy from the get-go in changing the face of the Jets. Numerous free agents were brought in, some top stars were let go and for once the New York fans loved what the franchise did in the draft. So maybe there’s a ray of light after all?

Offense: This is a unit that has nowhere to go but up. Last season the Jets scored 255 points, only the Cleveland Browns had less. With Chad Pennington getting injured once again and Curtis Martin finally showed signs of age – this offense went nowhere fast.

Pennington returns for another season in Jetsville, but competition has been brought in because Mr. Pennington is as brittle as a dry, dead leaf. The Jets went out and signed Patrick Ramsey from the Washington Redskins. Ramsey’s situation is similar to Joey Harrington’s. He came out of Tulane with a huge reputation and high ratings from the scouts. Instead of living up to that rep, Ramsey has been a career underachiever. He hopes to change that in New York. Brooks Bollinger, last seasons starter, and rookie Kellen Clemens are also in the mix.

Martin was bothered by injuries in 2005, but one has to think that time is finally catching up to the future hall-of-famer. His string of 10 consecutive thousand-yard seasons was snapped (he finished with 735 yards and five touchdowns) and he didn’t seem to have that extra something to shed defenders.

But make no mistake he’s still a threat, even at the ripe old football age of 33. Martin comes into 2006 with 14,101 career rushing yards, 484 receptions and 100 career touchdowns. His presence in the locker room alone is enough to help the Jets. Cedric Houston (302 yards) saw his workload increase late in the season and that could carry over. Derrick Blaylock and rookie Leon Washington will see time as well. B.J. Askew returns at fullback.

Longtime New York fan favorite, Wayne Chrebet, called it a career and the Jets need to find some people to stand up. This was one of the weakest receiving groups in the NFL last season. It didn’t help much that the quarterback position was in flux either.

Lavernues Coles (73-845-5) is the number one and will be counted on to lead this group once again. Justin McCareins (43-713-2) will be the number-two man with Jericho Cotchery playing in the slot. Free agent pickup, Tim Dwight, will be the fourth receiver. Rookie Brad Smith, former quarterback at Missouri, will get a look at wideout as well. Doug Jolley (29-324-1) and Chris Baker (18-269-1) return at tight end.

There could be major changes on the offensive line, thanks to the draft and free agency. Trey Teague was signed away from Buffalo and will take over at center, allowing Pete Kendall to move back to guard. Rookie Nick Mangold will challenge Teague. Brandon Moore will join Kendall at guard. Rookie stud D’Brickashaw Ferguson should step right in at left tackle and start for the next 10 or so years. Adrian Jones will man the right side, but free agent signee Anthony Clement (49ers) also is there.

Defense: This unit is where the biggest change will take place. Mangini was the defensive coordinator for the Patriots and most likely will switch the Jets from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Another factor will be how this unit regroups after the loss of John Abraham. He might not have been a good locker room guy, but his 10.5 sacks will be missed.

In this new look defense, Shaun Ellis and free agent pick up Kimo Von Oelhoffen (Steelers) will be at the defensive end spots. Dave Ball and rookie Titus Adams should see playing time as well. Dwayne Robertson will hold down the nose tackle spot with Adams possible sliding over too.

Jonathan Vilma returns as the unquestioned superstar of the Jets defense. He followed up his Rookie of the Year season with an even more impressive sophomore one. There were no slump here as Vilma racked up 169 tackles and a trip to the Pro Bowl. Victor Hobson, Eric Barton and rookie Anthony Schlegel should make up the rest of the starting corps.

Ty Law took his 10 interception season and left town, but all is not lost at the cornerback position. David Barrett (five interceptions) returns along with Justin Miller, who had a solid rookie campaign. Also added via free agency were Ray Mickens (Browns) and Andre Dyson (Seahawks). Barrett and Dyson should be the starters.

At safety, Erik Coleman and Kerry Rhodes return after a solid 2005 seasons. Coleman registered 121 tackles and two picks, while Rhodes made 105 stops, good enough for second and third on the team leaderboard. Rashad Washington, Andre Maddox and rookie Eric Smith provide depth.

Special Teams: Kicker Mike Nugent had an impressive rookie season, going 22-28 in field goals and 24-24 in extra points. With more experience, he’ll only get better. Ben Graham (43.7) returns as punter. Miller is the kick returner (26.3), while Dwight will most likely replace Cotchery returning punts.

Outlook: Mangini will bring his knowledge and a badly needed winning attitude to the New York franchise. But the unsettled situation at quarterback, an aging Curtis Martin and weak receiving unit, spells trouble with a capital T. The Jets will struggle to score points once again and it may take them some time to absorb the 3-4 scheme on defense.

Prediction: Mangini will make the Jets a better club. They’ll play hard and be competitive, but a lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball spells another losing season for the Jets. Look for a 4-12 or 5-11 record from New York.

About the Author

Brian Carson is a writer and sports fanatic who, along with a select group of coaches has created the ultimate multimedia guide to coaching youth football at http://www.pigskinplaybooks.com. To read more football articles go to http://carcorner.blogspot.com/

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