Final Off-season & Draft grades

By Sean Napfel, on April 29th, 2012%

The 2012 NFL Draft is finally finished and now all the experts are breaking down the big winners and losers, but what teams made the biggest improvements with all their off-season moves? Here is a breakdown of the top teams this off-season and what moves they made to make their fans excited about the 2012-13 season.

On the Rise

Buffalo Bills –  Chan Gailey’s bunch is certainly worth mentioning as a team on the rise. The Bills made some impressive roster moves since the end of last year. The team added pass rush specialist Mario Williams during free agency and followed that up with a terrific draft. Corner Stephon Gilmore will solidify the Bills secondary and adding offensive lineman Cordy Glenn in round two was a terrific move as he can play either guard position and will give Buffalo some much-needed depth on their line.

Dallas Cowboys – The ‘Boys have been a trendy pick for the past several years and  fans constantly hear how the their team is set to become contenders for a Super Bowl title, but they haven’t been able to avoid a late season swoon. However, after the moves the team made this off-season, 2013 could become their year to get over the hump. Dallas has terrific talent on offense, but defensively they have suffered with their lack of pass defense, but with free agent corner Brandon Carr now on the roster and the team trading up in the draft to take Morris Claiborne, Dallas is set in the secondary and it allows the ‘Boys’ to pay their blitz style defense with great effectiveness.

Philadelphia Eagles – The “dream team” entered the 2011-12 season as a favorite to win the Super Bowl as the Eagles added several talented free agents, but the defense didn’t play well and the team chemistry was missing in the first half of the season and it cost the team a shot at the playoffs. This year the team has added tackling machine DeMarco Ryan at linebacker and with the draft choices of Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks, and Vinny Curry this team has added depth and talent all across their defensive roster and will enter the season looking to overtake the New York Giants as the best team in the NFC East.

Combining youth and veteran players doesn’t always mix, but these three NFL teams have added the pieces necessary to become winners. Improvements might be slow, but with moves like these this off-season, it won’t be long before fans of these teams have reason to cheer.

Cincinnati Bengals - While most teams hope to add depth and a couple starters from a draft, the Cincinnati Bengals could have added the best group of youngsters in 2012 with their selections. The Bengals made huge strides last year and did so with rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver A.J. Green, but the players they added over this past weekend could surpass the class of 2011.

The front office added talent all across their roster and it started in round one with the picks of corner Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama and guard Kevin Zeitler from Wisconsin. Both players will jump into the starting rotation and give the Bengals more talent then they currently have on their roster.

Falling Off

San Francisco 49ers - As I said in my post a few days ago, the 49ers were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season and I expected a lot from them in the draft. For me, I feel they left something to be desired with their selections. Frankly, I feel like they reached early for some guys that probably would have been available in later rounds. Just some odd picks. A.J. Jenkins is a good football player, but better than Alshon Jefferey, Rueben Randle and a host of other wide receivers? I don’t think so. LaMichael James is a peculiar pick too. Not bad value, but not great either so why take a player who plays a position of absolute strength if it’s only moderate value?  I like the Darius Fleming and Cam Johnson picks. Just some odd ball picks early for me.

Jacksonville Jaguars - You can’t draft a punter in the third round and not be held accountable. I don’t even hate the move as much as everyone else because the way I see it if he’s a really good punter then you got a guy who can play the position the next 15 years–and no other 3rd round pick will give you that longevity. Still I find it hard to believe that he would have been drafted by anyone else in the third, and probably even the fourth round. This is the very definition of a reach–getting a guy you could not get if you waited. I also don’t love Justin Blackmon or the Andre Branch fit. None of the day three picks excite me.

Seattle Seahawks - I will probably be battled on this, but I didn’t like what the Seahawks did here. We’ll see. Pete Carroll has done a solid job despite going against the grain before. Still right now Bruce Irvin is Aaron Maybin coming out of college. Can the Seahawks get him to be more?  I like the Jaye Howard and Winston guy picks, the rest I would have gone a different direction.

What They’re Saying

As for the other teams in the draft, here’s what the experts are saying:

CBS Sports Draft Grades

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Setting the stage for Wild Card Saturday

By Sean Napfel, on January 7th, 2012%

If you blinked, you missed it because just like that, the NFL regular season is over. The NFL playoffs always guarantee some sort of fireworks and with two games Saturday and another two Sunday, we shouldn’t have to wait long for the insanity to, well, kickoff.

I’ll cut right to the chase, below are today’s wildcard games – Houston/Cincinnati and New Orleans/Detroit.

Cincinnati @ Houston 4:30p.m. on NBC

Low Down:

Defense: The Bengals defense has played consistently well and is more or less the same as it was at the beginning of the season. The group has a great chemistry together and with 28 forced turnovers during the regular season, they’ll be hounding the inexperienced Yates all day.

Rookie Combo: Look for the dynamic rookie combo of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green  capitalize on their rapport with each other. Green is a big play receiver, and Dalton will take advantage of Houston’s injury-depleted defense for at least one long touchdown. Not mention, there’s always the acrobatic Jerome Simpson who is always capable of a big play.

Chip off the Block: The Bengals will surely be playing with a chip on their shoulder, out to prove that TJ Yates’ last second comeback drive was just a fluke and it will not happen again. Furthermore, after Mike Zimmer’s defense was torched by Ray Rice for 200-plus yards a week ago, they’ll be aware of the Texans rushing attack and make it a point of emphasis to stop it, thus forcing Mr. Yates to beat them.

Turn me over: The Bengals forced two crucial fumbles in their Week 14 matchup versus Houston. Barring any last second heroics, if they force turnovers again, they’re moving on to next weekend.

Finish ‘em: The Texans injury woes will finally catch up to them. Playing without their top two quarterbacks, linebackers, and various other positions (and Andre Johnson with one hammy), Arian Foster will be unable to carry the team by himself.

Prediction: Bengals

 

Detroit @ New Orleans 8:00p.m. NBC

Low Down:

Get the popcorn ready: This one is going to be fun. Two of the NFL’s most prolific offenses will go head to head in what may turn out to resemble a game of Madden where the last team to score wins. The first time these two teams met this season, it was all Saints and the Lions couldn’t get out of their own way. I expect this one to be closer and a lot more competitive as long as the Lions can keep their emotions in check. That is going to be a tough task on the road in the playoffs, especially for a group that has been very immature at times this season. In the end, I fully expect New Orleans will tame the Detroit Lions, sending 2011′s feel-good story home for a frigid mid-west winter.

I Am MVP: Look for a fired-up Drew Brees to use the 2012 playoffs as a reminder that he, not Rodgers, and certainly not Tom Brady, is the best quarterback on the planet and most worthy of being named league MVP.

Killer Instinct: In successive years, Sean Payton’s squad won the Super Bowl and got upset by a mediocre Seattle team. Having lived through the ups and downs, this year’s squad should prove to be one of the more cerebral squads in the playoffs. Can’t say the same about Detroit, featuring a squad full of playoff virgins.

Pick Your Poison: Between Darren Sproles, Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston, the Saints feature an offensive attack more diverse than a Swiss Army Knife. They can beat you any way imaginable, and several ways that you probably can’t imagine. Look for the Saints to ride the best offense in football to another deep playoff run. It starts by finishing off the young Lions tonight.

Prediction: Saints

 

Please be sure to check back tomorrow for our thoughts on the Giants/Falcons and Steelers/Broncos.

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Carson Palmer loses his stripes for Raiders

By Sean Napfel, on October 18th, 2011%

Strange things happen in sports. The NFL is no exception.

Two days after the Oakland Raiders (4-2) lost starting quarterback Jason Campbell to a broken collarbone, they moved quickly to execute one of the biggest trade deadline deals in NFL history.

Carson Palmer can hold his head up. He gets his wish and is now a Raider

The Raiders have acquired holdout quarterback Carson Palmer from the Bengals in exchange for two first-round picks, according to sources familiar with the deal.

The first first-round pick is in 2012 and the other is a conditional first-round pick in 2013. Palmer was in the Bay Area on Tuesday morning getting a physical before the deal could be completed.

Palmer refused to play this season unless he was traded and until now, the Bengals hadn’t budged. The compensation was too much to refuse.

The question is, when will Carson Palmer be ready to play?

Palmer has been working out in Southern California with former Jets quarterback Ken O’Brien. Palmer also has a strong relationship with Raiders head coach Hue Jackson, with the two men having worked together in Cincinnati from 2004-2006, when Jackson was the Bengals’ receivers coach.

Now Palmer could become another former Bengal to make his way west to the Raiders. Oakland needs him, especially when the alternatives were Kyle Boller and Terrelle Pryor.

One would think the Bengals were able to move forward with the trade because they are currently 4-2 and have been encouraged by the play of rookie quarterback Andy Dalton.

According to reports, Carson Palmer is willing to restructure his contract which would pay him $6.9 million for the balance of this season, sources said. The Raiders have about $6 million left under the cap.

In 2005, he signed an extension with the Bengals through 2014 that was valued at $118.75 million. Palmer informed the Bengals in January that he wanted a trade or would retire; his contract remains intact.

He has never spoken publicly about his status and his agent, has confirmed the original report that Palmer had met with Bengals owner Mike Brown to inform him of his feelings. It has been reported recently that Palmer himself had been speaking to Brown to persuade him to make a trade.

And now, he gets his wish and the Raiders get their man.

 

 

 

 

*excerpts in this post are from the Associated Press and ESPN.com
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Winners and losers of rounds 2&3

By Sean Napfel, on April 30th, 2011%

Yesterday, I examined the winners and losers of round 1 of the NFL Draft. In case you missed it, you can check it out here.

This morning I am going to take a look at the winners and losers from day two of the draft. Some teams just seemed to fumble their picks away in a stunning manner, while other teams (New England), took full advantage of day two. Yesterday wasn’t anywhere near as surprising as day one, however, there were a lot of eye opening picks and trades.

Winners

New England Patriots - Some teams just don’t change, and New England continues to be one of these teams. Year after year they find a way to compile multiple early round picks. The Patriots were able to acquire a 1st and 2nd round selection in 2012, while still getting playmakers where they needed them. Ras-I Dawlking probably wouldn’t have been my first pick on the 2nd round, that honor would have gone to Aaron Williams; however, who am I to question their logic? Devin McCourty is a perfect example of this from last year’s draft.

Following the pick of the Virginia corner, New England drafted a player that I think is going to be an all-pro performer in the NFL, Shane Vereen. He really does have what it takes to become a superstar in the league. Steven Ridley was a nice change of pace back, and should contribute immediately for the Patriots. Following that selection they took probably the most talented QB in the NFL draft in the enigma that is Ryan Mallett. I am not sure that he is going to pan out, but he couldn’t ask for more than to sit behind Tom Brady for the next couple of seasons.

Additionally, the New England Patriots worked out another amazing trade, this time with the clueless Oakland Raiders. New England sent their 3rd round, 92nd overall (OT- Joseph Barksdale) to the Oakland Raiders for their 2nd round selection in 2011 and a 7th round pick this draft.

Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals got value and need with both of their day two picks. Andy Dalton at the start of the 2nd round is great value. I really thought some team was going to have to trade up to the end of the first no nab him. Instead, the Bengals were able to sit back and acquire the ultra-intelligent Dalton.

As much as Cincinnati’s pick of A.J. Green in the 1st round may have been an attempt to appease Carson Palmer they needed to look to the future, and Dalton is the man that could take the helm sooner rather than later.

Dontay Moch has been an interesting prospect all off-season long and I have been a major proponent of his. Moch may be extremely raw, but his upside is just crazy. In the Bengals 4-3 defense he may be asked to be a purse speed rusher off of the end, but I could easily see him making a solid transition to the OLB spot in either the 4-3 or the 3-4.

The Bengals sat back, didn’t make any hasty trades and it paid off.

Detroit Lions - The pick of Nick Fairley aside this has been another great draft for the Detroit Lions. After addressing defense on day one, the Lions were able to get more “toys” for their offense.

I thought Titus Young ranked as the 3rd best WR in the draft behind Green and Jones, Detroit was able to get him in the 2nd round; and absolute steal. Young should come in and be a great complement to Calvin Johnson in the passing game and an immediate upgrade from Nate Burleson.

Detroit did trade away 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th round selections in order to move back up into the 2nd round, but they were able to get a real nice player in Leshoure. Jahvid Best and Mikell Leshoure should make a great backfield tandem for the next five seasons or so. It also must be noted that the Lions received Seattle’s 5th and 7th round picks in that deal.

Indianapolis Colts - The Indianapolis Colts traded up four spots in the 2nd round with the Washington Redskins and surrendered a 5th rounder in order to get the Villanova lineman. Considering that I thought Ijalana was going late in the 1st round, this was a great decision for Indianapolis. The Colts needed to get some more protection for Peyton Manning and Anthony Castanzo (1st round) along with Ijalana really helps that.

Drake Nevis is going to be an extremely solid linemen in the NFL; I really like the way he plays football. He gives the Colts another stout body up front to rotate into the game on a regular basis. The Colts and Patriots are perfect examples of how to build through the draft.

Losers

Arizona Cardinals - The San Francisco 49ers may have upset the Cardinals’ plans by trading up for Kaepernick. I think it left them completely off-guard because Ryan Williams should not have been the pick near the top of the 2nd round. I thought  Shane Vereen, DeMarco Murray, Kendall Hunter and Daniel Thomas all should have ranked ahead of the former Virginia Tech Hokie RB.

Rob Housler? Really? Besides the fact that CBS Sports Line had him ranked as the 106th best prospect in the draft, I find it more intriguing because of who they passed up with this pick. Justin Houston and Ryan Mallett would have fit both the best player available and need category than Housler in this spot.

I really don’t care if the Cardinals are going to sign Marc Bulger in the off-season (when it starts), because they have absolutely no hope both short and long term at that position. It was an area that needed to address in this draft and have failed in doing so thus far.

Oakland Raiders - I have absolutely nothing against their offensive line picks. I really do believe that both Wisniewski and Barksdale may end up being solid player in the NFL, but… what is the point of giving up a future 2nd round pick to trade into the end of the 3rd round? As well all know 2nd rounders hold a lot more in terms of trade value than 3rd rounders do. Additionally, how many of us expect the Raiders to be picking in the last half of the 2nd round in 2012? Not me!

Oh, and the Raiders reached for Van Dyke with the 81st pick in the draft. CBS Sports Line had him as the 17th best corner in the draft. Oakland has a way of reaching for picks that leave the rest of the NFL in complete shock. They could have easily traded down a round or two and picked up Van Dyke there.

Dallas Cowboys - The Cowboys refused to address their largest need on day two, the secondary. Instead, they went with another OLB project in an attempt to team up with DeMarcus Ware. It really makes no sense to me as I am not a big fan of Carter’s, especially in the first part of the 2nd round.

Then the Cowboys decided to draft another RB when they already have three solid ones on their roster. Say what? I understand that they are looking to move Marion Barber, but considering the lockout issue won’t be able to. And, when they are, the value will only be picks for next year’s draft. I like Murray as a complementary RB, but there was no reason to select him in the 3rd round.

As always, you can get a pick-by-pick review of your favorite team by clicking here.

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