First Annual NFL Mock Draft Top Ten (2011)

Let me start off by saying Happy New Year to my 3 readers and hope you enjoy my first attempt at a mock draft.

Round 1

1. Carolina Panthers - Andrew Luck QB (Stanford) It is no secret that Andrew Luck is the darling of this year's draft, and it is debatable whether the Panthers need a Quarterback.  I feel, however, that with a new coach incoming they will want to have "their" guy and will have to take Luck.

2. Denver Broncos - Patrick Peterson DB (LSU): The Broncos secondary is a big weakness, and won't be getting any stronger with Champ Bailey becoming an UFA at the end of this season.  I see them going best defensive player on the board and it would be tough to argue against Peterson.  He is not only an improving cover guy, but a threatening return man.  I think this is a great pick for Denver.

3. Buffalo Bills - Cam Newton QB (Auburn): Here is the first "bad" pick of the draft.  The Bills were unfortunate to be as "good" as they were this year, and made it impossible to draft Andrew Luck.  Cam Newton is a very underrated (for the NFL) prospect who I believe will make a team very happy, as long as he has a year to learn under a veteran.  If the Bills can be patient enough to start Fitzpatrick ahead of him for a full year, I think this could be a good move.

4. Cincinnati Bengals - AJ Green WR (Georgia): This pick all comes down to if you believe that Ochocinco and TO are done in Cinci, and I believe they are.  AJ Green is the 2nd best player in this years draft in my opinion, and will make a great #1 target for years to come for whoever takes over for the struggling Carson Palmer in the next year or two. 

5. Arizona Cardinals - Nick Fairley DE/DT (Auburn): Fairley is a beast, and the Cardinals need all the help they can get on both sides of the ball.  He could fit in great in the 3-4 and have an instant impact.  The Cardinals are still looking for a QB but I don't see there being one worth the #5 pick, especially with Newton and Luck off the board already in this Mock.

6. Cleveland Browns - DaQuan Bowers DE (Clemson): The biggest need for Cleveland is a WR so that Colt McCoy has more weapons to throw to, but this is too early to take Julio Jones, and Bowers is a freakish athlete that the Browns may not want to pass on.  The smart play would be to trade down from this spot, but since I can't play with that scenario I'll go with this pick.

7. San Francisco 49ers - Marcell Dareus DE (Alabama): The 49ers need help all over the field, including QB, but Dareus is a great player at a position of need. He will be a great addition to a struggling defense next to Aubrayo Franklin.  If the new coach is pushing it I could see them stretch for Gabbert from Missouri, but I'll let Free Agency happen before I change this pick.

8. Tennessee Titans - Robert Quinn DE/OLB (UNC): Even though Quinn sat out the entire 2010 season for Carolina, I see him having a great showing at the Combine and impressing scouts that were already well aware of his ability.  The Titans need to sure up their front seven, and I see them snagging back Albert Haynesworth in Free Agency.  Quinn will be a great addition on the outside to get some real pressure on opponents QBs.

9. Dallas Cowboys - Prince Amukamara CB (Nebraska): The one real weakness on the Cowboys (outside of coaching) is their secondary.  Amukamara is the best cover corner available and will be great to sure up an already talented defense.

10. Washington Redskins - Jake Locker QB (Washington): Trust me, it pains me to put this as the pick for my beloved Redskins, but there was much talk last year about Shanahan falling in love with Locker's play and he's not showing any signs of trusting McNabb or Grossman to run this offense for the long term.  I see him playing 2nd teamer behind Grossman for maybe half the year before the fans of DC take control and throw him in the ring.  My hope will be best DEFENSIVE player available or a WR such as Julio Jones. But I think it will be Locker in the 10 spot.

I will finish the rest of the top 20 later on this week. Hope you enjoy.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to anyone and everyone who reads this! CHRISTmas, not Xmas! Enjoy the holidays and spend it with people you love. That's what I'll be doing!

ACC Bowl Predictions

Discover Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Stanford

This one will be a great game that I personally cannot wait to watch.  I think it will be a close game with the defense of Stanford making a surprise impact.  This one will come down to turnovers, and how Tyrod Taylor plays.  I am pulling for the Hokies (as I'll be pulling for every ACC team in the bowls), but I see Stanford winning it with a late Andrew Luck drive that solidifies his spot as the #1 draft pick. 

28-27 Stanford

Chick-Fil-A Bowl: Florida State vs. South Carolina

I can't honestly say I think this one will be a close one.  Florida State has been so up and down all year, while South Carolina seems to be on the up and up (if you forget about games against Auburn).  I think Lattimore runs all over FSU and the Gamecocks run away with this one by the end of the 3rd quarter.

31-17 South Carolina

Hyundai Sun Bowl: Miami vs. Notre Dame

Miami's offense was supposed to be the pride of the ACC, and they had aspirations of a national title behind the arm and legs of Jacory Harris.  That dream is obviously gone, but they will still get their bowl victory over a depleted Notre Dame team.  I don't see the Irish offense operating very well behind Rees.  Still, it will remain a close one because Miami doesn't have the firepower to put any team out of it.

24-21 Miami

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Boston College vs. Nevada

I have absolutely no delusions of grandeur for the Eagles in this one.  Nevada will blow them out from the kickoff.  Colin Kaepernick is a very underrated quarterback and he'll make his name known in this one.  He'll throw for 2 touchdowns and run for 2 more.

35-13 Nevada

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: North Carolina vs. Tennessee

UNC has played very well all season with a roster that should not have been any better than 5-7.  Butch Davis, despite questionable methods, is a great coach and has his team ready to come in and take out an SEC team that recently bailed on a home/home series.  He'll make sure they know Tennessee knows they would have lost those games as well.  TJ Yates will cap off his career at Carolina with a big win, and a big game.

27-21 UNC (Yea, that's right Dustin. I picked UNC)

Champs Sports Bowl: NC State vs. West Virginia

I think the best part of this game for NC State is that they're not ranked.  It seems that if they are expected to do well, they don't.  However, if they're on the cusp of being recognized they crave the attention, and that is where I see them right now.  Nate Irving is looking to leave his mark on NC State and end his career with a bowl win.  Russell Wilson may be playing his last game in a Wolfpack uniform, and if he had not been injured in the PapaJohns.com bowl 2 years ago, they would have won that one.  He steps up in big games and I see that being the case here.  I will however, say that it will be extremely close with West Virginia having an impressive season in the other "little league" conference in the BCS.  I'll be looking for a shootout with Noel Devine having a few big plays.  And anyone who knows me, knows I'm picking the Pack!

31-28 NC State

Advocare V100 Independence Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Army

This game will end in approximately 1 hour 27 minutes with both teams running the ball 89 times.  I see it being a low scoring venture with Georgia Tech's defense coming out on top. Pretty simple game here, with similar styles and coaches who know how to defend it as well.

17-13 Georgia Tech

Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grumman: Maryland vs. East Carolina

Maryland went off on NC State to end their season and are mad as fire that they dropped all the way to the Military Bowl.  The Terps attendance is that reason, as they don't bring much money to the bowl they'll be attending.  I see them doing their best to blow out ECU, but the Pirates have a dynamic offense as well.  This will be an exciting one to watch, but I see the young O'brien throwing a late pick that ends the season for Maryland.

30-24 ECU

Meineke Car Care Bowl: Clemson vs. South Florida

Another ACC vs. Big East showdown.  I see the ACC coming out on top in both of these games, and Clemson will do it in slightly more impressive fashion.  They've been underrated and disrespected all season. Defense will be the name of this game, and I see a defensive touchdown winning it for the Tigers.

24-14 Clemson

So if I'm correct, which I rarely am, the ACC will go 5-4 in their bowl games and earn just a hair more respect nationally.  The best thing that can happen for them is if VT can win the BCS bowl.

Who to Root For: Week 12

I apologize for taking a week off only 1 week into this segment, but sickness and lack of internet took control.  So this is a huge week for the Redskins, as they can hopefully gain a game on the Wildcard spot as well as the Division lead if all goes to plan.  The most important part here though, is to win themselves.  But for those of you who are struggling to decide who to root for, I'll see if I can help.

NO vs. DAL: Well it's a little late for this one, but you should have been pulling for the Cowboys, and now should be hating Roy Williams even more than you did before because he can't manage to hold onto the ball and likes to cost Dallas their 3rd straight win under Jason Garrett.

GB vs. ATL: This is a Win/Win, but the better option would be for Atlanta to win as I predict they will win the NFC South, and we should hope they put some distance between themselves and the rest of their division.  We have the tie-breaker over Green Bay so a loss for them would put them only 1 game ahead of us with a tough schedule ahead of them. So go Falcons!

JAC vs. NYG: This one is easy, go Jaguars! Remember, AFC vs. NFC we always cheer for... that's right, AFC!

MIN vs. WAS: Hail to the Redskins!

KC vs. SEA: AFC vs. NFC; go Chiefs! (A very winnable one for them as well).

TB vs. BAL: Go Ravens! I also believe the Ravens will show the world how mediocre Tampa Bay really is.

PHI vs. CHI: Another Win/Win for us, and there are 2 schools of thought on this one.  If you think the Skins have a chance at winning the division, you pull for the Bears. Or if you're like me, and will be taking the conservative road and hoping for a Wildcard spot, you pull for the Eagles as we already have the tie-breaker over the Bears and they have a tough schedule ahead.  Either way, the Redskins and their fans should be happy that this game is happening.

SF vs. ARI: Doesn't matter a whole lot in the scheme of things but I'll be going for San Fran as they're the underdog.

There are a lot of opportunities here for Washington to move up in the NFC playoff picture, but they have to take care of business at home against the Vikes for any of this to matter. Here's to an exciting and fruitful week 11!

Wolfpack Lose; Make Me look Stupid.

So I'll be honest; my prediction yesterday that the Wolfpack would win handily was an understatement of what I truly believed.  I had no faith in the Terps, and thought that the Wolfpack would pass all over them and run up the score on their way to the Atlantic Division title. Our play calling is where I will be placing the blame for this one.  We made some mental errors as well, and yes the officiating was horrible, but NC State never deserved to win this game after the 1st quarter.  It was a route, and the score is way too close for how the game was played.  Torrey Smith is a monster, and I truly hope he is a Redskin next year.  He's a playmaker with Special Teams capabilities.  Over 200 yards receiving and 4 TDs.  You would think that Mike Archer, DC for NC State, would have found him on the field each and every down and put 2 men on him.  Maybe not, perhaps I'm stupid for wanting to shut down their best player and make them beat us with the other 10 men on the field. 
I specifically remember before the last touchdown pass to Smith saying (outloud to my dad), "Here comes another TD for Smith.  He's single covered on the far side of the field with no safety help."  It happened just as I knew it would, to which I thought: "If I can see that coming, shouldn't a Division I coach be able to?".

Oh well, on to the Meineke Car Care Bowl!

Big Day for Wolfpack

Today is the day that all Wolfpack fans have been looking forward to since the victory over UNC last Saturday.  Win and they're in.  It's that simple.  But as any NC State fan knows, it is never that easy.  Being a die hard fan as I am, I've been thinking of different scenarios all week how State could find a way to lose.  Maryland is no slouch, but they're definitely a team that the Wolfpack should beat.  It will come down to which team can get the key stops, as both teams have great offenses.
As I sit here writing this, I am watching College GameDay and Kirk Herbstreit just picked Maryland to win, and even though I think he's only doing it because he picked Florida State to win the division, I can partially agree with his reasoning about NC State feeling the pressure. 
In order for NC State to win there will be two players that will have to play great games.  The first is Russell WIlson. He needs to play mistake-free football and limit the posessions for the Terps.  If Russell can use his legs when he needs to and not throw more than 1 pick I think our offense will have done its job.  On the other side of the football, we need All-World LB Nate Irving to step up and play like we all know he can.  If he can have a game like he did against Wake Forest, there's no way that Maryland can control the clock or the scoreboard. 

Prediction: 35-24; NC State (Like I'd really pick the Terps)

Wolfpack Stay Alive in Atlantic Division Race

NC State came out sluggish against a motivated Tar Heel team and fell behind early in the ball game.  The crowd was motivated, and wanted to break the 3 game slump that UNC had been in versus the Wolfpack.  Russell Wilson was accurate, but too many miscues were causing State to keep giving the ball back.
It was a relatively uneventful game, until the second half.
The entire game can be boiled down to 2 key plays in the second half.  The first being a 2-yard Touchdown pass to Owen Spencer, that in actuality traveled over 20 yards from Wilson.  The ball bounced off 2 UNC defenders and just fell into Spencer's outstretched hands for the Touchdown to take the lead.  The next big play was an 87 yard punt return for a TD by TJ Graham, who finally showed all Wolfpack fans why the team has so much faith in him even after all the muffed punts and east to west runs.  This gave the Wolfpack a comfortable 2 score lead that UNC was never able to overcome despite a great effort. 
This sets up an epic showdown in College Park next weekend where if the Pack wins, they're in to the ACC Championship where they will meet up with the Hokies of Virginia Tech for a rematch.  I predict a Wolfpack win for Saturday: 35-28.

Go Pack!