NFL Midseason Report

We’re just over halfway through the NFL season and it has been far from what many may have expected. Here are just a few thoughts on some intriguing storylines.

It has been an interesting year for quarterbacks

Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are doing what they normally do at arguably the most important position in football. Carson Palmer, now fully healthy, is on pace for the best season of his career. Drew Brees is on pace for his 4^th season of 5,000+ yards in his last 5. Cam Newton is turning heads with his ability to lead a team with little talent around him (and his celebrations).

Beyond that, where is the QB class of ’12? Once deemed a group that might have the chance to live up to the prolific class of ’85 (Dan Marino, Jon Elway, Jim Kelly), these guys have taken a major step back in 2015. Not a single quarterback has a winning record - hard to believe a year after they combined to go 39-23. Their numbers to date:

Andrew Luck (injured): 2-5 as a starter, 15 TD’s, 12 INT

Ryan Tannehill: 4-5 record, 15 TD’s, 9 INT

Russell Wilson: 4-5 record, 10 TD’s, 7 INT

Nick Foles (benched for Case Keenum Week 11): 4-5 record, 7 TD’s, 6 INT

Robert Griffin III: N/A

It poses an interesting thought: Could they be surpassed by the class of ’14? It’s not too early to start looking at the sophomores. This group has been on fire in 2015:

Derek Carr: 4-5 record, 21 TD’s, 6 INT

Teddy Bridgewater: 7-2 record, 9 TD’s, 6 INT

Blake Bortles: 3-6 record, 19 TD’s, 11 INT

As for some of the other veterans? Well unfortunately, the days of Peyton Manning may be numbered. He is struggling to remain healthy and has 17 interceptions to only 9 touchdowns. Even at his old age, it is stunning to see such a legend struggle. Joe Flacco is on his way to his first losing season as a pro. Philip Rivers & Matthew Stafford are a combined 4-14. Accordingly, with mixed results to date, it looks like we may have a change of guard at the top of the quarterback list.

A league of parity

Nine teams have already met or exceeded their number of wins from a year ago:

                                    2014              2015

Oakland                     3-13                4-5

Tampa Bay                2-14               4-5

Jacksonville              3-13                3-6

Washington              4-12                4-5

New York Jets          4-12                5-4

Minnesota                 7-9                  7-2

Atlanta                       6-10                6-3

Carolina                    7-8-1               9-0

Tennessee                2-14                2-7

Unheralded Stars

Oftentimes, playing for bad teams won’t garner any attention. For others, superstars steal the spotlight from the role players. But these players have put themselves on the path to stardom.

In Jacksonville, the wide receiver duo of the Allen bros are putting together an incredible year. Allen Hurns has caught a touchdown in 7 straight games. You’d have to go back to Dez Bryant in 2012 for the last time someone has accomplished that feat. Meanwhile, his counterpart, Mr. Robinson, has hauled in 7 TD's himself, and needs just 3 catches to surpass last season's total. 

Robinson has been a force in Jacksonville

                               

His second-year QB, Blake Bortles, is 11^th in passing yards (2,381) and tied for 7^th in TD passes (19). The record for a Jaguar is 23. He’s thrown for multiple touchdowns in 7 of 9 games.

Derek Carr has revitalized a once proud franchise in Oakland. He has thrown as many touchdown passes, 21, as Aaron Rodgers!

Other notables: RB Charcandrick West (KC), RB Jeremy Langford (CHI), WR Jamison Crowder (WSH)

Rookies continuing to adapt

With such advancement in knowledge and technology, it’s becoming much easier for college players to adapt to the professional game. It is once again evident this year in players like Todd Gurley, Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs, Marcus Mariota, and Jamies Winston, among several others.

Todd Gurley is 4^th in rushing, which includes missing the first two games due to injury. Amari Cooper ranks 13^th in receiving yards. Marcus Mariota ranks 9^th in passer rating. Jameis Winston went four consecutive games without a turnover, and has already doubled the win total in Tampa from a year ago. Mr. Diggs is averaging 5 receptions, 84.5 yards through 6 games.

Gurley is taking the league by storm in his first season

AFC South jungle

Just last year, Carolina won the NFC South with a losing record, 7-8-1. This year, we could see a very similar outcome in the AFC. Not a team in the division has a winning record, and by the way they’re playing, it is hard to imagine that changing. Hec, Tennessee is 2-7, yet only 2 games back, while Jacksonville sits one game back at 3-6! (The Jags and Titans play each other twice in the next three weeks).

There's a lot to be sorted out in the second half, including whether Carolina & New England can go the distance unbeaten (I sure hope not!), or whether the Browns will land the Number 1 overall pick in the draft. Just a few reasons it should be an exciting finish!

Who Dey: A Contender Brewing in Cincy

Who Dey, Who Dey, Who Dey think gonna beat them Bengals

Nooooooobody

At least not yet.

If the opening drive of the game was any indication, the Cincinnati Bengals were ready to take down the Super Bowl Champs of two years past in the Seattle Seahawks. After receiving the kickoff, the Bengals marched on an impressive 7-play, 86-yard opening drive for an early 7-0 lead. They picked up right where they left off the previous four weeks. But then the Seahawks responded with an opening drive touchdown of their own and after a beautiful 72-yard pitch and catch from Dalton to Green was called back because of holding, things quickly went downhill for the home team. Seattle used the next two quarters to build a 24-7 (24 unanswered) lead heading into the fourth. In years past, this game would have been over. The Bengals however had other ideas.

Just how difficult is it to come back from such a deficit so late in the game? In the last five seasons, teams were 0-427 when trailing by 17+ points in the 4th quarter. You read that right. Not a single team had overcome such a deficit. On Sunday, that stat wasn’t the only hole the Bengals had to overcome. They had to do it against a top-5 defense that boasts the ‘Legion of Boom’. Against all those odds, there was no chance for a comeback. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Dalton and Co. found another gear, beginning with the often overlooked aspect of the game – special teams.

After forcing a quick three-and-out to start the 4th, Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones returned the ensuing punt 35 yards, taking it to the Seattle 33. Four plays later, the Bengals trimmed the lead to 10, shifting the momentum in the process. The next Seattle drive stalled after just 5 plays, and Dalton orchestrated another 11-play, 71-yard touchdown drive. And after yet another Hawks three-and-out, the Bengals scored for the third consecutive possession, adding a field goal to tie the game and force overtime. Cincinnati then capped off the unbelievable comeback with a field goal in the extra quarter, becoming the ONLY TEAM in the last five seasons to erase such a deficit. Against all odds, Dalton rallied his troops and shocked not just the Seahawks, but the rest of the league.

Headed by a deep O-line, Dalton and Co. are off to a roaring start.

The win could very well be the launching point to special season brewing in Cincinnati.

With one of the best o-lines in the league, and a plethora of weapons, this team is primed to make a run. The missing link over the years (and in the last sentence): Quarterback. Many believe the issue in Cincinnati over the past four seasons has been its quarterback. Amid other issues, It has been the one thing that has kept them from advancing in the playoffs. With an abundance of talent, they’ve fielded a playoff team in each of Andy Dalton’s first four years at the helm, but the result has been the same every year – a loss. If they could just find a way to get consistent quarterback play, they could become contenders. Last year, Dalton improved and showed some signs of becoming great, but still lacked consistency. This year is another story. Through the first five weeks of the season, the ginger is absolutely on fire and erasing such doubts. So much so, that you could argue he’s off to the best start of any quarterback in the league.

His numbers to date:

108/160 (67.5%) 1,518 yards (303.6/game), 11 TD, 2 INT, 83.7 QBR, 115.6 Rating

Through 5 games, Dalton has the best QBR in the league. Not Brady, not Rodgers, but Andy Dalton. There’s no doubt the season is still young and the one thing about Dalton is that he’s bound to falter. Everyone is just waiting for Bad Andy to return. But what if he doesn’t? What if he continues to play at this level? Well in that case, this team will be dangerous. All the pieces are their, and have been for some time, but it’s the quarterback that must put it all together. Off to a 5-0 start, the Bengals have all the tools in place to be Super Bowl contenders, including the man behind center. In what has been a wacky start to the season, this could be a prime opportunity for a team like Cincy to take the next step, and at the very least WIN a playoff game.

NFL Preview and Predictions

Every season the NFL brings optimism, hope, drama, and excitement to fans. It also brings disappointment and heartbreak. And after one of the more bizarre and annoying off-seasons in league history, it feels great to finally get back to football on the field!

Here is my prediction for the 2015 season.

                   

AFC East

1. Miami Dolphins (3)

2. New England Patriots (5)

3. Buffalo Bills

4. New York Jets

At some point, the luck and the cheating of Coach Belichick and the Patriots has to give. Sure they've dominated the division this past decade, but not without questionable ethics. In the meantime, the rest of the division has brought in talent this off-season to try to dethrone the ‘champs’. The Phins, in particular, are loaded on offense and boast a QB in Ryan Tannehill who has improved in each of his first three seasons and is ready to take the next step. He has weapons galore lead by 1,000 yard rusher Lamar Miller and Mr. Energizer in second-year wide-out Jarvis Landry. That’s not to mention the defense, which now has one of the best in the business in DT Ndamukong Suh. Even though the Bills and the Jets brought in some big names in free agency as well, neither has a franchise QB, and that’s the difference.

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens (4)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6)

3. Cincinnati Bengals

4. Cleveland Browns

This division could go either way between the top two teams. The only difference is that the Ravens have an experienced defense versus a young and relatively inexperienced group to that of the Steelers. Pittsburgh very well may possess the most elite offense in all of football when all said and done, but it’s the defense that must step up to win the division and make a deep run. As for the Bengals and Browns, it’s the same story: inconsistent/no quarterback. Andy Dalton is way too inconsistent, and until Cleveland gets a franchise QB, they will continue to struggle. 

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts (1)

2. Houston Texans

3. Tennessee Titans

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

Andrew Luck and the Colts offense will be a tough out for anyone this season, but especially for those within the division. Adding two of the best veterans in the league (in Andre Johnson and Frank Gore) makes them all the more dangerous. Houston is always intriguing because of its defense, but stability at quarterback has plagued them for years. Tennessee is the most intriguing team to watch as rookie signal caller Marcus Mariota brings some excitement to a struggling offense. The Jags made some key additions to fill some big needs, but QB Blake Bortles and the rest of the young offense is still developing.

AFC West

1. Denver Broncos (2)

2. Kansas City Chiefs

3. San Diego Chargers

4. Oakland Raiders

After Manning wore down at the end of last season, he is out to prove he has at least one year left of great football. Running the football more may be a strategy Denver takes, especially early on, to help keep Manning fresh down the homestretch. Still, the Broncos should have another great year and be primed for a deep playoff run. Contingent on Manning of course. Kansas City and San Diego are on the cusp of being contenders. For the Chargers, rookie running back Melvin Gordon should help solidify a rather weak running game in past years. Similarly, veteran wide-out Jeremy Maclin should do the same for the Chiefs woeful passing game. Meanwhile in Oakland, Derek Carr and Amari Cooper should be a fun combo to watch develop. The Raiders will certainly still struggle, but they’re moving in the right direction.

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles (3)

2. Dallas Cowboys (6)

3. New York Giants

4. Washington Redskins

All the news surrounding the Eagles this off-season was on the bizarre moves of Chip Kelly. Quite frankly though, I think his team should be better than a year ago. If Sam Bradford stays healthy, they will be dangerous. If not, it may be a different story. The Cowboys will contend but only to the extent of the effectiveness of its defense. The offense should once again be in the top 10, but finding a back or even a committee who can duplicate DeMarco Murray’s numbers will be difficult. New York could be a sleeper team as they have an offense that has a number of playmakers, and a defense that has young potential. If Eli can have a great year, they will contend for a playoff spot. Lastly, the only news coming out of Washington will be the continued fight for a name change. The team itself will struggle due to a lack of overall talent.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers (1)

2. Minnesota Vikings

3. Detroit Lions

4. Chicago Bears

Even with the loss of wide-out Jordy Nelson, the Pack will still boast a nasty offense. Having the best quarterback in the league in Aaron Rodgers certainly helps, as he will make whoever is on the field better. Minnesota will definitely benefit from the return of All-Pro RB Adrian Peterson. Couple that with the continuous improvement of QB Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings have the ability to be really good. Detroit’s always a team that will hang around due to Megatron and Co., but their inability to win in the clutch will plague them again. For Chicago, it will be more of an experimental year than anything.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints (4)

2. Carolina Panthers

3. Atlanta Falcons

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Prior to last year, no team had ever won the division in consecutive seasons. The Panthers were the first to do and very well could make it a three-peat. But just like last year, this division should be up in the air. Hec, Tampa Bay won 2 games last season yet was still alive in Week 12. There’s no one team that stands out among the rest. Carolina lost its best playmaker for the year to injury, New Orleans traded theirs, and Atlanta has been slowly declining in recent years. Jameis Winston could be good someday but I don’t think that will be this year. Therefore, I’m taking New Orleans by way of best quarterback and the most playmakers on both sides of the ball.  

NFC West

1. Seattle Seahawks (2)

2. Arizona Cardinals (5)

3. St. Louis Rams

4. San Francisco 49ers

There’s no better home than that of the 12^th Man, as the Seahawks are 14-2 at home the past two seasons. After adding hybrid TE Jimmy Graham to the mix this will be a team that makes another deep run, improving on that home record. For Arizona, if Carson Palmer stays healthy, I believe the Cardinals are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. They have every component needed to be elite. St. Louis is a team on the rise, but it will take some years to get past the big dogs in the West. As for San Francisco, they will be battling more-so for the number one pick in the draft rather than wins.

Playoff Predictions: 

Wild Card Round

AFC                                                                          NFC

Baltimore (4) vs. New England (5)                        Philadelphia (3) vs. Dallas (6)

Miami (3) vs. Pittsburgh (6)                                    New Orleans (4) vs. Arizona (5)

Divisional Round

AFC                                                                           NFC

Denver (2) vs. Miami (3)                                         Seattle (2) vs. Dallas (6)

Indianapolis (1) vs. Baltimore (4)                         Green Bay (1) vs. Arizona (5)

Conference Championship

AFC                                                                           NFC

Indianapolis (1) vs. Miami (3)                                Green Bay (1) vs. Seattle (2)

Super Bowl 50

Indianapolis (1) vs. Green Bay (1)

The pick: Green Bay

After last year’s collapse in the NFC Title game, there is nothing Aaron Rodgers wants more than another opportunity at redemption. There’s not a better team at molding and developing players. Sure, they lost one of their biggest stars, but they still have Randall Cobb, Eddie Lacy, DaVante Adams, and the best quarterback in the league. In a high scoring back and forth thriller, Rodgers leads the Pack to a game-winning drive in the final minutes as they hoist team Championship number 5. 

After 220 days, NFL Football is finally back! It's time for optimism!

And as always, Go Phins!!

The Rarest of Athletes - Serena Williams

So often women are overlooked for their athletic prowess and aren't seen in the same light as men when it comes to sports. Highlight clips are shorter. Coverage isn't televised on the main networks, or as frequently, and they never get nearly the amount of hype. Quite simply, the athletic ability of women is taken for granted by the majority.  

Enter, Serena Williams.

Winner of her FOURTH CONSECUTIVE Grand Slam tournament (U.S. Open, Australian Open, French Open, and now Wimbledon) over the weekend, Williams captured her 21^st major title, one shy of the all-time record set by Steffi Graf. In addition, she has compiled an astonishing record of 39-1 this year, including 21 straight Grand Slam victories (28 overall). With her win at the French, she became the first woman in the Open Era to win 50 matches at each Grand Slam.

 Her career at a glance:

		YTD	CAREER
WTA SINGLES TITLES		4	68
WTA DOUBLES TITLES		0	22
W/L SINGLES		39-1	723-121
W/L DOUBLES		0-1	177-28

GRAND SLAM HISTORY - SINGLES		YTD	CAREER
AUSTRALIAN OPEN		7-0	68-9
FRENCH OPEN		7-0	54-11
WIMBLEDON		7-0	79-10
US OPEN		?	79-9
Overall		21-0	280-39

                            (Info from wtatennis.com)

                              

Her numbers speak for themselves. It's her athletic ability that sets her apart. 

Arguably the rarest athlete in women's sports.

Every time she faces adversity, she delivers. At Wimbledon alone, Williams found her share of difficulties. In the third round, she was two points away from defeat, yet regained her composure and came through in the 3^rd set 7-5. Then, after having to play her sister for the first time in six years at the tournament, she faced two former number ones. She was down a set against Azarenka before putting that behind her and cruising to a 3-set victory. She followed that by pummeling world number 4 Sharapova. Then, even in the final, Williams lead 5-1 in the second set. However, Garbine Muguruza stormed back (with help from William’s errors) to make it 5-4. As Serena served for the match, she again saw the game get away from her, falling behind 0-40. She responded with two aces, a forehand winner, and two points later made history.

Most people don’t realize just how grueling the sport of tennis can be. It seems to many as more of a laid back sport in a similar category as golf. But having played in college myself, I can attest just how tough it is. Professionally, these players travel all over the world and deal with different types of surfaces, climates, and conditions. They have to adjust not only to each condition, but to each opponent. They have to play matches in consecutive days or every other against the world’s best. Then travel to the next destination and do it all over again. And that is what makes Serena’s run all the more impressive.

Williams has turned her career into one of the best in all of sports history! With two more Grand Slam victories, she will stand alone atop the all-time list. But don't think she needs that to strengthen her credentials as the G.O.A.T. She has already established that. 

And just as we tend to take so much for granted in this life, the same can be said about the tennis player that is Serena Williams. Even in her stature alone, she is an athlete we will never again see in women's tennis. 

So whatever you’re doing when the last slam of the year rolls around (August 31^st), just remember one thing: we may witness something that very well may never happen again in the history of tennis.

A GRAND SLAM. 

The Chef vs The King

Few things were more amazing than watching Steph Curry light up the 2008 NCAA Tournament, where he torched every team he faced in route to leading Davidson to the Elite Eight. There hasn't been a player as exciting to watch in the tournament since. Enter 2015, and the same could be said about the way he is carrying the Golden State Warriors, making them relevant again.

On the other side, it’s a familiar foe. For the fifth consecutive season, LeBron James has his team in the NBA Finals. This time though, not as a villain, but as a hero leading his hometown Cavaliers again. If he can do the unthinkable - beat Golden State - he would have to go down as the greatest of all-time.

Two superstars (both born in Akron) on the biggest stage. For NBA fans, it doesn't get much better. 

        The young gun v. the vet           

With rookie head coaches, both teams are looking to bring long-awaited titles back home to starving fans. For the Warriors, it hasn't been since 1975. As for the Cavs, we all know the drought; they have never won a championship. And there may not be a better opportunity. Yeah the Eastern Conference is weak, but who knows when the next chance may come?

It’s crazy to think, but with each season players age, and the further they go, the more the game takes a toll on the body. For instance, in the past four seasons (2010-11 to 2013-14) the Miami Heat tallied 415 games (87 postseason), in which LeBron played in the majority. Add in another 96 this year with the Cavs, and the number is over 500. He’s been in the league since he was 18 years old (12 seasons) and played in the Olympics and World Championships with Team USA. I understand James is a freak, and one of the best to ever play the game, but I don’t know how many ‘great’ years are left in the King’s tank. As a lifetime Ohioan, I’m hoping a while because whatever is left of LeBron’s career might be the last shot Cleveland will have in a long time, to bring the coveted title home.

The Warriors are definitely the deeper team and possess more firepower. They’ve been dominant in just about every phase of the game, regular and postseason, almost resembling a younger version of San Antonio. Without hesitation, the favorites. But in sports, when does that ever matter? Sure they have this season’s MVP, but the Cavs have the best player in the world, a two-time champion and four-time MVP (in 5 seasons) himself. Add in a supporting cast that he never had his first time around, and there is every right for Cavs fans to be optimistic. There is no doubt this will be a daunting task for James and company, quite possibly the toughest he's ever had to face. But with his ability to make guys better, and the way he has matured since his time in Miami, anything can happen. 

Everything suggests Warriors will reign when all said and done, but is there anything better then seeing an 'underdog' overcome the odds?

Yes, it is hard to beat a master Chef, but don’t be so quick to sleep on the power of a King.

With the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft…

It’s finally that time of year again! After 3 long months, or what seems like forever (5 months) for most of us whose teams didn’t make the playoffs/Superbowl, football is finally back on the radar. How sweet it is.

I can’t think of a draft (particularly the first round) in my lifetime that has had so much uncertainty, so much intrigue, so much buildup as the one that is about to unfold on Thursday night in the windy city. And it all starts with Marcus Mariota. Jameis Winston is just about locked in as the number 1 overall selection, but after that, anything is possible. And that is where the fun begins.  

With that, the following is my mock of the top 10, my Dolphins pick, and what I think the Browns could/should do.

#1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

I have absolutely no idea how this guy is seen as the best overall/complete QB in this draft. Yes, he won the National Title as a freshman (red-shirt), yes he only lost one game in his two year career, and yes he played in a pro-style offense. But he also had 18 interceptions a year ago, and a past that comes with questions. To me, he’s an absolute work in progress. Aside from his off the field issues, he still needs just as much maturity on the field. Usually a number 1 pick comes with certainty. To me, he is not a complete quarterback. At least, not yet. Can he be great? Absolutely. Will he be great? I guess we’ll find out.

#2 Philadelphia Eagles (Trade with Tennessee) – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

All the speculation is that the top two quarterbacks will be the first two players selected in this draft, and I tend to agree. Someone is going to trade up to land Mariota, the only question is who? In 2012, the Redskins gave up 3 first round picks (2012, 2013, and 2014) and a second rounder (2012) to go from 6 to 2 to select RGIII. You would think the price may be similar unless a player is involved in the deal. I believe this will be either Cleveland or Philly. Who will have more to offer? I've got a feeling Chip Kelly covets Mariota and will do anything in his will to land the player that would thrive in his up-tempo offense. I think he gives up two first rounders, a second, and a couple of players. Maybe even more. But if this off-season is any indication, Chip Kelly is more than willing to roll the dice.

#3 Jacksonville Jaguars – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Every mock I've looked at loves defense here. There is no doubt the Jags need help on the defensive side of the ball. However, the best way to groom a young quarterback is to give him weapons, especially a number one receiver to grow with. Cooper is the most complete receiver in this class, and he would make this entire offense better. Young QB’s don’t stick around very long unless they are successful. One way to ensure success - play-makers. Cooper, alongside Julius Thomas would be a start.

#4 Oakland Raiders – Leonard Williams, DT, USC

The Raiders have a lot of needs, but there shouldn't be any uncertainty with this pick. They would have to go crazy if the best player in this draft fell to them at 4. A defensive minded guy himself, Del Rio would have the staples to a nasty front 7, with young guns Khalil Mack and Leonard Williams paving the way for years to come.

#5 Atlanta Falcons (Trade with Washington) – Dante Fowler, DE, Florida

Every indication is that Atlanta wants to move up to select an elite pass rusher that they so desperately need. If the selections pan out like they want it to, this would be a perfect position for the Falcons to move up and draft arguably the best defensive end in this class.

#6 New York Jets – Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky

Anytime the Head Coach is that of a defensive mind, Todd Bowles in this case, I tend to think they will draft that side of the ball, especially when elite players are available. Here, the Jets select the athletic Dupree to sure up a defensive unit that is starting to look very solid.

#7 Chicago Bears – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

After trading Brandon Marshall, the Bears need a new play-maker to pair with Alshon Jeffery. Adding the explosive White would create one hec of a tandem for Cutler and co.

#8 Washington Redskins – Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

After trading down, the Skins still fill a position of need. The versatile Beasley gives Washington a much needed upgrade at the position, especially after losing Orakpo in free agency.

#9 New York Giants – Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa

The Giants are starting to build a good looking offense around Eli Manning. Adding Scherff would help solidify the O-line and give them a physical presence, much like the one that won them a Superbowl a few years back.

#10 St. Louis Rams – Andrus Peat, T, Stanford

I wouldn’t be surprised at all for the Rams to grab a much needed playmaker for Foles. They lack a true number 1 wideout, and a guy like Devante Parker could very well fit that bill. However, Jeff Fisher is more of an old school guy, and bolstering the O-line with two young starters (Greg Robinson last year) to build around may make more sense to him in this case.

#14 Miami Dolphins – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

Any weapon. Any player to add to the arsenal for Ryan Tannehill. This pick absolutely has to be a wide receiver or running back! If not, I will no doubt be disappointed. Linebacker and cornerback are two other areas of high need, but with the addition of Ndamukong Suh, that can wait. Add an exciting athlete and look for defense later. I will be pumped if my Phins land Gurley or a top wideout to pair with young Landry and Stills. 

And then there were the Cleveland Browns

If I were the Browns, how about doing something like this:

-Trade the #12 overall pick, #77 (3^rd round), and another pick (let’s say #188, 6^th round) to the Redskins for the #5 overall pick.

-Then, turn around and trade #5 and #19, both first round picks, and a second rounder next year, to Tennessee in exchange for the #2 overall selection.

-Select Marcus Mariota with the #2 pick.

Cleveland hasn't had a franchise quarterback since its return. The NFL is a quarterback driven league. The Browns desperately need a quarterback to lead this franchise for years to come. Mariota is that guy. He’s got a chance to be great. Adapting won’t be easy, but unless you’re Andrew Luck, when is it ever? However, one easy adaption for the young QB if he were selected by the Brownies: uniform combinations.

If the Browns stay put, you would think they would have to go receiver, and defensive line. Devante Parker and Malcolm Brown, or someone to fill the gap on the D-line to help improve the atrocious run defense from a year ago.

And finally, three things I think I think:

3. The first round will set a record for most trades ever in a first round of a draft.

2. More wide receivers will be taken in this year’s first round than last year’s (5). 

1. Mariota will have a better NFL career than Jameis Winston.

There is simply not a sport more galvanizing than that of the NFL. Sure, there is baseball - America’s pastime, or the exciting last 3 minutes of basketball, or even the 5 second highlight of NHL, but nothing even comes close to the NFL. Our teams play once a week. A loss means more, stings harder, and produces disappointment. A win brings pride and joy, and eagerness for the following week.

Fortunately for draft week, we are all winners. Let the optimism begin!

The OHIO STATEment

The Ohio State Buckeyes football season was certainly one that fans will never forget. And while this was a team with lofty expectations, no one had them in the national championship come week 1. It’s hard to imagine that they themselves were even thinking national title. I know most players always say that there goal is to win it all, but after Braxton went down just two weeks before the season, there’s no way anyone was thinking it'd be a realistic shot. Then came along J.T. Barrett, and he quickly changed the mindset of the talented Bucks and got them thinking, why not us?! The team quickly realized their talent and potential, as Barrett grew with every start. They started to believe in their quarterback and one another. The result was title number 8. 

Here's a deeper look inside the remarkable title run:

Not one, not two, but three

The number of Buckeye quarterbacks. Preseason, who would have thought it’d be the least likely that would lead them to both the BIG Ten and National Title?

No Miller, no Barrett, no problem. For the Buckeyes, it seemed as though two injuries would derail the 2014 season. It started in the preseason with news that Heisman candidate and three year starter Braxton Miller would be out for the season due to a shoulder injury. While many fans may have panicked, Urban and company sure did not. With talent abundant, the Bucks turned to red-shirt freshman J.T. Barrett. And after a rough second start (3 INT’s, sacked 7 times) in their loss to Virginia Tech, all he did was set records for total yards (3,772) and touchdowns (45) in a single season by any quarterback in school history, in route to leading the Bucks to the BIG Ten title game. Unfortunately, just like Miller however, Barrett was injured and lost for the season in the final game of the year.

The next man in line? Third stringer Cardale Jones!? Yes, Cardale Jones. The same player infamously quoted on Twitter as saying, “Why should we have to go to class if we came here to play FOOTBALL, We ain't come to play SCHOOL classes are POINTLESS”. One: How do you ‘play’ school? Two: I can see why he doesn't want to go to class…just look at that grammar! Regardless, that’s beside the point. All Mr. Jones did when he was called upon (besides maturing) was throw for 257 yards and 3 scores in his first collegiate start – the BIG Ten Championship Game – in leading the Bucks to a 59-0 rout of Wisconsin. His second start? He upset the #1 team in the country, throwing for 243 yards & a TD, while running for another 89. And his third start?! (See below)

The story here is unbelievable. Three quarterbacks. All from Ohio. All with the same skill set (some attributes better than the other). All with the same mentality. All with a common goal: WIN.

Not one, not two, but three

The number of starts (and wins) by Cardale Jones this season – every one of them a postseason game (BIG Ten Championship, First Four Playoff, and the National Championship). In just the third start of his career, in front of the whole nation, Cardale Jones dazzled yet again. Aside from a fumble and an interception that wasn't his fault, Jones was virtually unstoppable, throwing for 242 yards and a TD, rushing for 38 & another score, and picking up crucial conversions time after time.

Not one, not two, but three

The number of Heisman finalists the Buckeyes defeated (and shut down) in consecutive games. First, they held running back Melvin Gordon to just 76 yards on 26 carries (2.9 avg.). Then, in the semi-final, the Bucks contained wide receiver Amari Cooper to just 71 yards (although he did score twice). Lastly, in Monday night’s Title game, Ohio State held the Heisman winner [Mariota] to 333 yards passing and just 39 yards on the ground, including an INT.

Not one, not two, but three

The number of losses in Urban Meyer’s career as the head coach at Ohio State. With the win on Monday Night, Urban improved to 38-3 (.926 winning %) in 3 seasons at the helm. He has reached at least 12 wins in each of his first three seasons.

Not one, not two, but three

The number of National Championships Urban Meyer has now won. His record in those games: a perfect 3-0. Of all his titles however, there is no doubt that this one has to be the sweetest. For one, Meyer is an Ohio product, hailing from the city of Ashtabula. There can’t be a better feeling than winning one at ‘home’. Two, after the injury to Miller, this is a team that no one had going to the playoff, let alone the national title. Of the seven SI experts who made predictions on the first-four playoff in the preseason, not a single one had the Buckeyes in the playoff. And three, to add to the amazing feat, all the adversity this team had to face – a lopsided loss to unranked Virginia Tech, the loss of a fallen teammate, losing two starting quarterbacks due to injury, among others – their response is what has to make this one the most memorable.

Not one, not two, but three

The number of post-season wins it took to make history. With wins over Wisconsin, Alabama, and Oregon, the Buckeyes are the first team ever to win the national championship via the playoff, silencing many critics in the process.

Undeserving. Untested. Lucky. Surprising. Say what you want, the Buckeyes are National Champions.