The Champ is Here

Games one and two were a breeze. Games three and four were a wake up call. Games five and six will bring everyone back to reality.

Give Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook a lot of credit. They have began their quest of possibly becoming the new "Team of the Decade" here in 2010. They have the confidence to know they can defeat the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. They know they can become only the second ever #8 seed to defeat a #1 seed in a best-of-seven series. Kevin Durant knows he can begin his post season legacy by upstaging one of the all time postseason greats in Kobe Bryant.

Wishful thinking? I believe so.

2010 has been a season to forget for Kobe Bryant. He has played well throughout, but he has constantly been banged up with various knee, ankle, and finger injries. Being the competitor he is, he has continued to play, never sitting out for an extended period of time. That undeniable leadership and desire for back-to-back championships is about to come into the fold.

Heading back to Los Angeles, the Lakers and Thunder find themselves locked up two games a piece as Game 5 looms tonight. Kobe is no stranger to big game pressure and tonight his heroics will bring some order back to the universe. The Lakers will not allow the Thunder to come into LA and steal Game 5. Most importantly they will not allow the Thunder to take absolute control of the series.

Youth and inexperience is a factor in basketball. Just ask John Callipari and the Kentucky Wildcats. It has been well documented that the Thunder are the NBA's youngest team. Again, they may very well be the new "Team of the Decade" but Kobe and the Lakers are still the team of the present.

As he has done so many times in the past, look for Kobe Bryant to take over tonight. The world will be rooting against the evil empire that is the Los Angeles Lakers, but Kobe has ice running through his veins and teammates that know he is the go-to-guy in crunch time.

Kevin Durant, you may very well be the next best thing in the NBA. Your time, and the Oklahoma Thunder's time, will come. As for now, Kobe is about to show the world why he is not done, and why the Los Angeles Lakers are still the top dog.

They Chose Who?

The 2010 NFL Draft has come and gone. Some teams apparently hit the jackpot, while others have come up short. In honor of these prognostications, let us take a moment to remember perhaps the greatest debate the NFL draft has ever seen.

Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf? That was the question which befuddled many in the days and months leading up to the 1998 NFL Draft. It seemed that both were typical "can't miss" prospects, destined for Super Bowl victories and MVPs. Manning was regarded as the more finished product, while Leaf seemed to have the greater upside.

Just to be sure they would be guaranteed one of these young studs, the San Diego Chargers paid a kings ransom to the Arizona Cardinals to move from the 3rd overall pick up to the 2nd overall pick. Indianapolis was coming off a dismal 3-13 season which earned them the rite to own the number one overall pick. The ultimate decision of Manning or Leaf would be left up to Colts General Manager Bill Polian.

After intensive workouts and interviews the Colts ultimately decided to take Manning, while the Chargers "settled" for Leaf. Many thought the Chargers were actually getting the better quarterback. Sure Leaf seemed to be more immature and raw but he was the bigger, stronger quarterback, with the better arm.

Everybody knows what came next. Leaf would go on to finish his NFL career with a completion percentage of 48%, 14 touchdown passes and 36 interceptions. In three years with the San Diego Chargers he would win a grand total of four games. In comparison with the contract he received that averages out to about 8$ million dollars per win. And we think gas is expensive?

The other guy Peyton? He would go on to be considering one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. The only 4 time NFL MVP, a super bowl MVP, and the winning est quarterback in Colts history (yes, more victories than the immortal Johnny Unitas.)

Manning and Leaf were supposed to be engaged in a decade long battle for NFL supremacy. Only one kept his end of the bargain. Their example shows why people are intrigued with the NFL Draft. A team could be selecting an all time great or an all time nobody. For the 2010 class, that story is still to be written. Thankfully, we have the '98 draft to look back on. It was the ultimate example of how important choosing "Option A" over "Option B" can be.

A Leap of Faith

In the 75 years that the National Football League has held a college draft, perhaps no player received more attention and scrutiny then former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. From the debate over his mechanics, to the possibility of an outright position change, Tebow's journey has intrigued the football world more then any college prospect of the past.

The story of Thursday night's first round, and the story of the 2010 NFL draft in general, was that Tim Tebow was selected in the first round by the Denver Broncos. Rewind back to the Senior Bowl in January and some scouts had Tebow as an un-draftable quarterback. Fast forward to today, and not only is Tebow a quarterback, he is a highly touted first round pick that now must live up to enormous expectations.

Everybody knows about his intangibles and leadership abilities on and off the field. Everybody knows he was the first sophomore to ever win the Heisman trophy back in 2007. Last but not least, everybody knows he is a two time National Champion, and is in the discussion of being the greatest college football player of all time. That and eighty nine cents can get you a coffee at McDonalds.

Since taking over for future Hall of Fame coach Mike Shanahan in 2009, Josh McDaniels has reshaped the entire Denver Broncos roster. Pro Bowl talents Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Tony Scheffler have been shipped out, leaving Denver with a need for play makers on offense. Unfortunately for Broncos fans, drafting a developmental project like Tim Tebow in the first round is not exactly a one way ticket to immediate success.

Most draft analysts and scouts had Tebow as the fourth or fifth best quarterback prospect coming into the draft. Certainly nobody thought he would be selected ahead of heralded Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen. If the pressure on Tebow seemed to be at a high level before the draft, it has hit a fever pitch now that the Broncos have deemed him as the twenty fifth best player in the draft.

With Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn already on the roster, Tebow will be able to sit and learn the game this upcoming season. However, in today's NFL he will be expected to be ready to take over in 2011. For a player with so much to overcome, Tebow has a lot of work cut out for him in these next couple of months. It would seem that a logical step one would be to learn how to take snaps from center. From there he can learn everything else, but lets start with taking a snap.

Josh McDaniels has officially tied his fate to Tim Tebow. Now it would seem that Tebow would be a great person to rely on, but this is the National Football League. Tebow certainly has the talent and will to play in the NFL but at what cost should a coach risk his job on one player? McDaniels is out to prove that he can do something that most NFL people believe cannot be done, which is turning Tim Tebow into a successful NFL quarterback. For a coach who won 11 games in 2008 with a quarterback who had not started a game since High School, maybe the Teobw project will not be so hard after all.

McDaniels better hope this works out because if it doesn't he too will join Jay Cuter, Brandon Marshall, and others on the list of ex-Denver Broncos.

Most Underrated Players in the 2010 NFL Draft

Underrated

Brandon Spikes (linebacker, Florida)
-A poor 40 time has quickly moved Spikes from being a potential top 15 pick to possible a 3rd-4th rounder. Throughout his career Spikes demonstrated that he has all the tools to be a very good linebacker at the NFL level. His passion and leadership will entice teams to make a wise decision to draft him. He is an above average pass rusher and he is very good at getting off of blocks. Scouts think he will not be able to cover backs and tight ends at the next level but while at Florida Spikes had 6 interceptions over the past 2 seasons. At 6-5 he is able to quickly recognize plays and he hits like a truck. If a 3-4 team is able to draft Spikes, he will quickly develop into a team leader and leading tackler. Haven't we learned that 40 yard dash times are overrated?

Jerry Hughes (defensive end/outside linebacker, TCU)

-Very explosive first step will allow him to speed past offensive tackles before they even get out of their stance. Was a very productive player for a great TCU defense. When watching Hughes, you can tell he really loves the game and gives 110% on every play. In an attacking 3-4 scheme, Hughes has the ability to be one of the games best pass rushers. He is a bit undersized but makes up for it with great technique and hand usage. Right now he is projected to be an early 2nd round pick. Any team that snatches him up will be getting a player that can contribute right away as a 3rd down pass rusher.

Mardy Gilyard (wide receiver, Cincinnati)

- The prototypical slot receiver. He is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. Played in a pass happy offense at Cincinnati which helped him develop superior route running skills. He has above average hands and he can make touch catches in traffic. He will be an immediate threat as a kick/punt returner. Right now he is projected to be a 3rd round pick but he should go higher. Seems very similar to last year's offensive rookie of the year, Percy Harvin.

Montario Hardesty (running back, Tennesee)

-A tough back who knows how to break tackles. He is not a big name due to the fact that he only had one standout season under Lane Kiffin. He does not have a lot of wear and tear on him considering he only had 560 carries in a 5 year career at Tennessee. Unlike many backs in this draft, he has the ability to carry the ball 25 times per game. Is a great receiver out of the backfield. Tennessee is known for producing quality NFL backs and Hardesty may be next in line.

Tony Pike (quarterback, Cincinnati)

-Really elevated his draft stock with a strong senior season. At 6-6 he reminds some of a poor man's Joe Flacco. He has a strong arm and a quick release. Throws the ball similar to Chad Henne of the Miami Dolphins. Before his junior season he was not even on the quarterback depth chart at so he has made tremendous strides in only 2 years. He can fit the ball into tight holes and knows when to take chances. It remains a mystery to me why he is being rated lower then Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow. Somebody will likely draft Pike in the 4th/5th round but he has the talent and ability to be an NFL starter in 2-3 years.

Joe Haden (corner back, Florida)

-Should easily be a top 10 pick considering how pass-happy the league has become. Over the past 3 years, Haden has gotten better and better since starting at corner as a true freshmen back in 2007. He was once thought to be a lock to go to the Cleveland Browns at #7 but a poor forty may have knocked him back to the 15-20 range. During his career, he has shut down standout SEC receivers, and future NFL stars, Julio Jones and A.J Green. He has above average man-to-man cover abilities for a college corner back. Like all pro corners Darrelle Revis and Charles Woodson, he will come up in run support and rarely misses a tackle. Haden is arguably the best corner back prospect of the last 5 years.

Most Overrated Players in the 2010 NFL Draft

Overrated

Taylor Mays (safety, USC)
-Has unmatched athletic ability at his size. Measured in at the combine at over 6-3 and ran in the low 4.4s in the 40 yard dash. The typical case of a guy who looks better off the field then he does on the field. Mays is below average in coverage which will lead to his downfall at the NFL level. With all his speed, he plays the game much slower then his 40 time would indicate. Does not do a good job at reading quarterbacks (only 2 interceptions in the last 3 years.) Overall he just looks very uncomfortable covering the back end of the field. Before the year started he was battling Eric Berry to be the first safety off the board and now he may not even be a first rounder. Some scouts want to move him to linebacker, which speaks volumes about what some teams think of his ability to play safety. Should be a 3rd/4th round pick but will go much higher.

Tim Tebow (quarterback, Florida)
-Certainly has the ability to be a star in the NFL (think of a Ben Roethlisberger that keeps it in his pants) but must overcome a lot of obstacles. He is arguably the greatest player in the history of college football but he is the quintessential developmental prospect quarterback. He has virtually no experience taking snaps under center, he played in a wide open spread offense under Urban Meyer (the same system that former #1 overall pick Alex Smith came from), and he has had to overhaul his throwing motion. He has off the charts intangibles that will help him along his upcoming journey but he is going to be over drafted. As it stands right now he is being viewed as a early 2nd round pick with an outside chance at being selected in the late 1st round. When a team drafts a quarterback that high they are expecting him to be their starter for the next 10 years. Tebow would be better suited to be drafted in the early to mid 3rd round because he is so far off from contributing on an NFL field.

Colt McCoy (quarterback, Texas)
-Another highly decorated college quarterback that will be drafted higher then he should be. He won more games then any quarterback in the history of college football and his college success was astounding. However, his ability at the next level leaves much to be desired. He stands at only 6-1 and weighs a light 215 pounds. Has an average arm at best and like Tebow, he played exclusively out of the shotgun in college. Rarely threw the ball downfield in the Texas offense. Many reference Drew Brees as an example of a small quarterback who has become great but Brees is the exception, not the rule. For a quarterback who will be drafted at the top of the 2nd round, McCoy is short on talent and ability. He is better suited to be drafted in the 3rd or 4th round.

Bruce Campbell (offensive tackle, Maryland)
-A combine wonder. He was the most impressive offensive linemen at the combine but on tape he is a 4th round pick at best. He has already been linked to the Oakland Raiders which isn't surprising considering their history of drafted physical specimens that can't play football. He seems to lack the fire and mean streak that a LT needs when going against Jared Allen and Dwight Freeney. Any team that selects him will need a lot of patience to work on his technique and footwork.

Terrence "Mount" Cody (defensive tackle, Alabama)
-Rumored to have played at close to 400 pounds last season. He was able to clog the middle last year due to his size alone. The techniques he used in college will not work at the NFL level going against perennial Pro Bowlers like Nick Mangold and Chris Snee. If he had problems maintaining his weight in college how will giving him millions of dollars motivate him to keep it down in the NFL? He seemed to develop into a media creation last season which has made many think he is a better player then he actually is. He will most likely be drafted at the end of the 1st round or top of the 2nd round. That seems very high for a player who could possibly eat himself out of the league in 2 years.

Carlos Dunlap (defensive end, Florida)
-Has the build of Julius Peppers but fails to exhibit that talent on the field. Former Florida defensive ends Jarvis Moss and Derrick Harvey have been drafted in the 1st round in two of the last three years and both have been busts as to date. Dunlap's college career was inferior to both Moss and Harvey which leaves his NFL future in doubt. He was arrested for DUI the week leading up the 2009 SEC Championship game which was a major factor in Florida losing to Alabama. Such an irresponsible act at such an important time would lead one to be concerned about where his head is at. On tape he never stood out, even though he was surrounded by a lot of NFL talent at Florida. A team will look at Dunlap's athletic ability and think they can suddenly translate it onto the field.

Jason Pierre-Paul (defensive end, South Florida)
-Has unbelievable talent but only played one year of college football, starting only seven games. He is very raw and certainly could have used another year in college. Right now he is being pegged as a top 15 pick which seems awfully high for someone with such little experience. A classic boom-or-bust prospect.

Everson Griffen (defensive end, USC)

-Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane. An unbelievable physical specimen that never brings it all on the field. He is very inconsistent and takes plays off. He would most likely be projected to go a lot higher then the mid to late 1st round had it not been for Vernon Gholston from a few years back. The Gholston comparison is fitting because both players have similar build and both had the same concerns coming out of college. Never truly stood out on Pete Carroll's defense. Has the talent but must put in much more effort on the field.

2010 NBA Playoffs Predictions

Its Put Up or Shut Up for Lebron and the Cavs

Eastern Conference

Round 1

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers over (8) Chicago Bulls in 5 games

(2)Orlando Magic over (7) Charlotte Bobcats in 4 games

(3) Atlanta Hawks over (6) Milwaukee Bucks in 5 games

(4) Boston Celtics over (5) Miami Heat in 7 games

Eastern Conference Semi-Finals

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers over (4) Boston Celtics in 5 games

(2) Orlando Magic over (3) Atlanta Hawks in 6 games

East Conference Finals

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers over (2) Orlando Magic in 6 games

Western Conference

Round 1

(1) Los Angeles Lakers over (8) Oklahoma City Thunder in 5 games

(2) Dallas Mavericks over (7) San Antonio Spurs in 6 games

(3) Phoenix Suns over (6) Portland Trail Blazers in 5 games

(4) Denver Nuggets over (5) Utah Jazz in 7 games

Western Conference Semi-Finals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers over (4) Denver Nuggets in 6 games

(2) Dallas Mavericks over (3) Phoenix Suns in 7 games

Western Conference Finals

(2) Dallas Mavericks over Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games

NBA Finals

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers over (2) Dallas Mavericks in 5 games

Devalue the Divas

If there is one thing we have learned from the Santonio Holmes trade, its that NFL executives and coaches no longer put up with problem-child wide receivers, not matter how good. Here's Holmes, a 26 year old play maker coming off a 1250 yard season. It was just 14 months ago that Holmes was making one of the most spectacular catches in NFL history, which earned him Super Bowl MVP honors. All these accolades and Holmes netted only a 5th round draft pick in the fast approaching 2010 NFL draft. If it adds any insult to injury, the pick is in the latter part of the 5th round (151st overall.) Upon further observation, should the football world be surprised that Holmes was worth so little? It appears he is just the next in line for a long list of de-valued hot shot wide receivers.

Rewinding to 1998, Randy Moss was arguably the most outstanding wide receiver prospect the NFL had ever seen. Concerns about his judgement and character were out there, but nobody thought this good a player would be available for very long. Twenty picks later and Moss was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 21st overall pick. Some notable players taken before Moss in the 98 draft? Ryan Leaf, Andre Wadsworth, Curtis Enis, Jason Peter, etc. In other words, its a long list of nobodies. Moss may have been the first wide receiver to suffer a fall from grace due to character concerns but he certainly would not be the last.

Moss never truly shook off the persona of being a locker room cancer. After a reign of dominance Moss would be passed up again during the 2007 NFL Draft. To the shock of many, the Oakland Raiders traded Moss to the New England Patriots for a 4th round draft pick. That draft pick turned out to be John Bowie, a defensive back from the University of Cincinnati. Who? You get the point.

Perhaps the NFL's most famous diva, Terrell Owens, can attest to feeling abandoned and unwanted. Go back to the 2009 off season and you will find a free agent wide receiver coming off 3 straight 1000 yard seasons to go along with 10+ touchdowns. One would imagine a player of this magnitude would be swept up quickly. Not when that player is Terrell Owens. He was a free agent for over 2 weeks and had to settle for the lowly Buffalo Bills. Where is Owens right now? Oh that's right he is still unemployed after being released by...the lowly Buffalo Bills.

In the present day, the story that has not gone away has been the Denver Broncos and their attempts to trade Brandon Marshall. Marshall is a 26 year old Pro Bowler coming off 3 straight seasons with over 100 receptions and over 1000 yards. To his credit, these accomplishments have come with two different Quarterbacks in two different offensive systems. Marshall is available to every team in the league, the price being only a 1st round draft pick in return. Now perhaps nobody over-values draft picks more than NFL teams but that is another topic for another day. One would think that any team would jump on the opportunity to acquire a top 5 NFL Wide Receiver at 26 years old. Again, Marshall has been labeled a problem child, and again the same pattern continues. No interest.

In nine days the 2010 NFL Draft will kick off. The newest diva Wide Receiver? Oklahoma State University wide out Dez Bryant. After watching tape, one would not expect that Bryant will have to wait long to hear his name called. Bryant has unquestionable talent, yet, like Randy Moss before him, he will be undrafted much longer then anticipated.

Again, does a 5th round draft pick seem like an absurdly low asking price for a player such as Santonio Holmes? Sure. As history has taught us, however, teams do not want, nor will put up, with unruly pass catchers. Talent on the field has taken a backseat to the character of the man off the field and in the locker room.