2009 NFL Mock Draft

OK, the NFL regular season is over--and your team sucked. It was a long year for you, you suffered, you were miserable, maybe you drank (a lot). But hope springs eternal and you're looking forward to next year. You aren't looking forward to the playoffs, YOU are looking towards the 2009 draft. This is the chance for your team to get those guys that are going to turn your team around. Or they'll pick another guy that will bust and you'll be in the same situation next year. These are the worst teams in the league, the dirty dozen, and if your team is on this list, these are the guys you will want them to pick:

* this list includes underclassman who are expected to leave school early

1. Detroit Lions 0-16: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

I've always argued that in order to win football games, a team must control the line of scrimmage. The Lions were pushed around all year long. So they should take a stud tackle, right? Someone to solidify their line that will be a starter for the next twelve years, right? Wrong! That's the logical choice, unless your quarterback's name is Dan Orlovsky. The Lions really can't go wrong with this pick, unless they take a wide receiver; they need help at every position. Take the franchise quarterback. Some will say Georgia's Matthew Stafford is the better pro prospect. But I like Bradford here. Yes, he'll struggle next year. But this is a rebuilding project that is going to take years.

2. St. Louis Rams 2-14: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

The Rams have a lot of needs, especially on defense and on the offensive line. The Rams allowed 45 sacks this year. The best offensive lineman in this draft is Alabama's Andre Smith. The Rams need someone to protect Bulger and block for Steven Jackson. Orlando Pace is getting older and is injured too often. Expect the big tackle to go here, but don't be surprised if the Rams give up on Bulger and take Stafford.

3. Kansas City Chiefs 2-14: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

With a new general manager, likely a new coach, why not go for the hat trick and get yourself a new quarterback. While Kansas City's defense was terrible and a pressing need, I don't think they can pass on a quarterback like Stafford. They ended the season with Tyler Thigpen as their starting quarterback. And while he didn't play terribly, Stafford would be an upgrade. Improve your defense in rounds two and three.

4. Seattle Seahawks 4-12: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Coach Mike Holmgren's final season was a disaster for the Seahawks. Injury to quarterback Matt Hasselback and the lack of any kind of receiving talent really crippled the offense. This pick is really a no-brainer. Their leading receiver was the tight end and the wide receivers are old. Crabtree is hands down the best receiver in the draft. Expect this pick to take about fifteen seconds.

5. Cleveland Browns 4-12: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Cleveland's defense was in a word: pathetic. They were 26th in the league, allowing 357 yards per game and only had 17 sacks--as a team! The Cowboy's DeMarcus Ware and the Dolphin's Joey Porter had more sacks, as individuals. So the Browns could look at someone like DE Brian Orakpo. But Aaron Curry is probably the best line backer in the draft and makes a lot sense here. Expect the Browns to focus on defense.

6. Cincinnati Bengals 4-11-1: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

Where to start with the Bengals? How about on offensive line. The Bengals will need someone to protect an ailing Carson Palmer and to help an anemic rushing attack that averaged a measly 95 yards per game. And then try to find a running back (Javon Ringer or LeSean McCoy). And a defensive lineman.

7. Oakland Raiders 5-11: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

The Raiders would desperately love to see Michael Crabtree fall to this position. JaMarcus Russell needs a receiving weapon and Crabtree would be an ideal choice. Ain't gonna happen. So look at another glaring need: a pass rusher. That Raiders haven't had a dominant lineman since Howie Long (yes kids, that old guy on the Fox pre-game show used to be a football player--and a damn good one). Orakpo would provide a instant impact and is one of those freakish physical specimens that Al Davis loves. Another choice could be OT Eugene Monroe. Look for a receiver in the second (Darius Heyward-Bey) or third round (Mohamed Massaquoi).

8. Jacksonville Jaguars 5-11: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

This was a disappointing season for the Jaguars. It seems they were out-physicalled in a lot of games, which is a surprise for a Jack Del Rio coached team. Solidify the line and get back to smash mouth, pound Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor, push the other guy around football. Listed at 6'6" and 315 lbs, Monroe fits the bill.

9. Green Bay Packers 6-10: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

With only 27 sacks this season, the Packers could use an outside pass rusher. Michael Johnson is a freaky athlete who can get to the quarterback. He may lack great bulk (listed at 260 lbs), and that may cause him to be a bit of a liability on run defense. But he's incredibly quick and a great pure pass rusher.

10. San Francisco 49ers 7-9: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St.

Mike Singletary will return as the 49ers head coach and we all know (after his infamous rant following his first game as a head coach) that he wants winners, stand-up guys. He'll love Malcom Jenkins. The 49ers won't be able to pass on the best cornerback in the draft. They ranked 20th in the league allowing 219 passing yards per game. Pair Jenkins with Nate Clements and watch that number go down. An alternative is OT Jason Smith.

11. Buffalo Bills 7-9: Taylor Mays, S, USC

Mays is probably the best defensive player left on the board. The Bills only managed ten interceptions this season. With great size and speed, Mays will help solidify the Bills secondary.

12. Denver Broncos 8-8: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

The Broncos have always had the ability to put just about anyone in at running back and make a thousand yard rusher out of them. Not this year. An inconsistant ground game made the Broncos one dimensional. I like Moreno over Chris Wells. Although Wells may have the combine numbers that make scouts drool, Moreno has heart. Another need for Denver is defense. The Broncos allowed 28 points per game. If they don't take Moreno, look at William Moore (S, Missouri), Everette Brown (DE, Florida St.), or Rey Maualuga (LB, USC).

There they are, the top twelve picks in the 2009 NFL draft. Or at least the way I see them.

Loose Lips Sink Ships

There was an old World War II saying that went, "Loose lips sink ships." It meant: be careful with what you say because it could cost lives. On Sunday, the ship was the Dallas Cowboys and after a season of drama, in-house fighting, public criticism of teammates and coaches, it sunk like the Titanic.

After a 44-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, which cost the Cowboys a playoff spot, there was plenty of blame to spread around, and plenty of finger pointing.

Quarterback Tony Romo hinted that the Cowboy offense, engineered by coordinator Jason Garrett, was exposed by the Eagles defense. Wide receiver Terrell Owens did more than hint, blaming the Cowboy's offensive ineptitude squarely on Garrett, "Putting guys in position to win. It all starts with the guys who are calling the plays." Of course the guys ON the field PLAYING the game had nothing to do with it. Owens would have us believe that they are merely pawns on a chess board, being moved about by offensive and defensive coordinators.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who usually has plenty to say, will only say that head coach Wade Phillips will keep his job after this debacle of a season in which the Cowboys were practically the consensus pick to win the NFC. And Phillips, as usual, continues to say nothing.

Of course, Jones refuses to acknowledge his mistakes, signing Adam Jones, trading for Roy Williams, stubbornly keeping the coaching staff intact, publically questioning running back Marion Barber's toughness.

With all of the arguing, blame, and refusal of players to accept responsibility for their play on the field, it is obvious that this team lacks at least one thing: TEAM. They have no chemistry and no accountablity to one another. So what are they playing for? Simply paychecks.

For all of the mouthing and blaming being tossed around, cornerback Terence Newman said the most insightful thing after the game, "We aren't the team we thought we were." But it took the Cowboys sixteen games to figure this out. Maybe Romo, Owens, Garrett, Jones, Williams, and Jones will shut their mouths, listen to Newman, and all take their share of the blame.