Mike Schottey–Lions/Packers/San Diego Correspondent and Dtek Senior Writer
Hey Tekkies, Welcome to my last mock draft of 2008. If everything goes as planned, Mac and I will start posting our mocks to the main page in the new year with the blog being comments only. Because v3.0 was a huge waste of time in my life I decided to do just the picks because the blog program doesn’t like all my formatting.
This mock leaned less heavily on the Dtek Big Board and a little more on my own personal scouting and that of other outside organizations. Not that I don’t love and trust the Big Board, but this mock will be a little more geared toward underclassmen that are expected to come out.
Other noteworthy points about the mock: Green Bay now has the Jets’ 3rd rounder, Michael Oher has slid to the 3rd OT spot, Tebow has slid off the board.
With another week or so before classes start again, I would expect that a 4th round may be forthcoming–no promises though.
As always, questions and comments are respected and anticipated, leave them here or email me at Michaelschottey@drafttek.com
Round 1
1. Detroit (0-16) Andre Smith (OT-Alabama)
2. St. Louis (2-14) Eugene Monroe (OT-Virginia)
3. Kansas City (2-14) Brian Orakpo (DE-Texas)
4. Seattle (4-12) Michael Crabtree (WR-Texas Tech) (more…)
Rick McGlothlin, Drafttek.com Senior Writer
Well gang, it’s over. Another NFL regular season is finito and done. The final games of the day rounded out the playoff matchups that begin next week with the wildcard contests and will culminate in Super Bowl Sunday down in Tampa Bay. As the final few seconds ticked off the scoreboard in San Diego, here’s how my final power rankings of the year look after week 17 heading into the playoffs.
(more…)
-Michael Schottey (Lions/Packers/Chargers Correspondent; Senior Writer)
This is a feature I’ve wanted to have time for. In one or two sentences, what the latest sim would mean for your team:
Detroit Lions- Andre Smith starts at LT, Backus moves to RG improving the O-line overall. Defensively, what was a league worst unit is now middle of the pack with 3 or 4 high impact starters (Cushing, Spikes, Barwin and possibly Taylor).
St. Louis Rams- Bulger now has better protection (Monroe), better target (Maclin) and a great understudy (Nathan Brown). Defensively, Freeman and Harris start immediately and are high character guys.
(more…)
–Michael Schottey (Lions/Packers/Chargers correspondent, senior writer)
I am officially submitting my name in the running to be part of the Lions’ organization. In fact, if you are a member of said organization (and I know some of you are aware who I am)–forward this to your bosses immediately. (I am anxiously awaiting their reply)
Recently it came out through a reporter that Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand will keep their respective jobs in the Lions’ organization. Let me first state that it is a good decision to keep those two. No one in their right mind could have agreed with half the things Millen did. Those two men are young, professional, and deserve a shot to turn this team around without his stigma over them.
Now, that being said…I want to be their boss. (or at least colleague)
(more…)
–Michael Schottey (Lions/Packers/Chargers Correspondent & Drafttek Senior Writer)
Brand new and shiny team needs will go in tomorrow for my three team assignments. Many of you know me only as a Lions correspondent and it could surprise you that I picked up the mortal enemy–Green Bay. Well, it was an easy choice considering I haven’t missed a Packer NFC match up in about six years (always rooting against them!). I give my word to Packer fans that I will use my “power” respectfully.
(more…)
Rick McGlothlin, Drafttek.com Senior Writer
The Heimlich manuever was in large demand Sunday, as several teams on the verge of getting into the playoffs (or advancing their chances) fell flat on their collective faces. Philadelphia, the Jets, Minnesota and Denver all blew perfect chances at either getting in or clinching a playoff spot. The worst loss of the bunch HAS to be Minnesota, but Denver is right there with them. I would say the Jets had the biggest stumble, but the weather played havoc with the passing game and helped contribute to the blunders.
(more…)
As the curtain closes on Texas Stadium, I remember the first game I attended in its inaugural season — a Thanksgiving Day battle with the Los Angeles Rams (back in the day when Roman Gabriel was QB and they wore the white and navy uniforms, a classic look). We had seats in the end zone and Ike Thomas returned the opening kick-off for a touchdown, coming right toward us. I remember the fascinating view, as I could see the blocking opening the lane for his return — it proved to be the difference in the game, as the Cowboys won 28-21. An interesting piece of trivia, Ike Thomas also returned the opening kick-off for a touchdown the following week, as Dallas demolished the New York Jets 52-10 — the score was 28-0 after the first quarter, and Joe Namath watched the rest of the game from the sideline. Yes, “Jerry World” will be larger and host a Super Bowl, but the grand old girl will be missed.
The other farewell is to “Slingin’” Sammy Baugh, who passed away at the age of 94 in Rotan (Fisher County), Texas, as his farm/ranch was not far from my father’s acreage. The TCU and Washington Redskin star played offense (QB), defense (DB) and special teams (Punter). He was the epitome of the old West Texas phrase, “good people”.
Keeping it short, sweet, and real,
Long Ball
Rick McGlothlin, Drafttek.com Senior Writer
The weekend saw a couple of stunners and a shuffle involving four of the top five of Mac’s Power Rankings for the first time all season. Certainly the results from Sunday have increased the excitement and anxiety surrounding the playoff picture, and the Eagles still have a chance to add to the drama. Here’s the tentative, pre-MNF rankings after Sunday’s week fifteen games.
(more…)
Rick McGlothlin – Drafttek.com Senior Writer
Crunch time in the NFL as potential playoff spots loom agonizingly close for many teams, much like the gloriously wrapped presents waiting under the trees for so many children to open on Christmas day. Interesting analogy, no?!?
Well, there will certainly be some NFL “kids” with a chance to unwrap special presents after week 15, while others will be forced to accept the chunk of coal for those who couldn’t quite make the cut. Like last weekend’s “Impact Sunday”, week fifteen is like the corn sifter separating the good grain from the chaff. (Midwestern analogy there.)
Enough analogy – here’s the big games along with some that could help bring the playoff picture into better focus:
(more…)
Warren Hauck
Lead Programmer – Drafttek.com
A couple readers this week pointed out that the latest Consensus mock has the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting TE Chase Coffman with selection #62 in the 2nd round. Got a great value too – Coffman is the #38 rated player on our Big Board.
The problem is that our esteemed team of NFL analysts has the Steelers TE need pegged at “P9″, according to the profile on the Team Needs page. Down at the bottom of the page, you can read the description of a P9 code: “PP’s tagged with a P9 code will not be filled under any circumstances. The program simply bypasses them.”
Given this, I was tasked to determine the source of the computer glitch that resulted in this preposterous choice, and how much of the rest of the consensus mock was farked up.
In the back of my mind, I knew that there was a remote chance that a P9 player could actually be assigned by the program logic. In previous years, we would create new consensus mocks as much as 3x per week in the months leading up to the draft. Every once in awhile, the program would freeze up because it went through its entire logic set without finding a player that filled a need, within a reasonable reach limit. Sorta like a QB (not JP Losman) going through his progression of checkdowns and ultimately suffering a coverage sack.
(more…)
