Maher on Sex Scandal Obsessions

Cardinals Draft Day 3

The Cardinals finally grabbed some offensive line help in day 3 of the NFL draft when they selected Mississippi OT Bobby Massie in the 4th round, Washington OG Senio Kelemente in the 5th round & Boise St OT Nate Potter in the 7th round.  They got good value in all 3 of them, all 3 were projected to be selected higher than the Cardinals actually selected them, all 3 should be able to fight for playing time in time.  6th round pick, DB Justin Bethel from Presbyterian, is a small school sleeper and a freak of an athlete who could surprise.  I also like the selection of San Diego St QB Ryan Lindley in the the 6th round, many scouts said he may have the best arm in the draft, he just needs better consistency (the fact that he had 3 offensive coordinators in his time at San Diego St may not have helped in that regards).  

Overall, I really liked the Cardinals draft, they finally got someone to replace Anquan Boldin and take some pressure off of Larry Fitzergerald, they got some solid offensive lineman, they got a potential starter at QB, they took a chance on a small school freak who could pay off big and they found a promising young QB that they can groom.  Nice job Cards!  

Vikings Draft Day 3

As expected, the Vikings finally addressed their WR need on day 3 of the NFL draft with the selection of a couple of Arkansas WR's, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs in the 4th round.  Wright is on the small side but is extremely fast and was very productive, apparently very willing to go across the middle too.  I'm guessing the Vikes will try him as a kick/punt returner also.  Childs struggled coming back from an injury last year and that no doubt hurt his draft stock, but he apparently has finally gotten his speed back and could be a real nice find in round 4, you can always use a big guy with speed.  The Vikes also got USC FB Rhett Ellison in the 4th round, he sounds pretty versatile, they can play him at FB, TE, H-back and on special teams.  I like what I've read about him, he seems like a very hard working, team first guy, those are the kind of guys you want to bring in.  Speaking of which, in the 5th round the Vikes picked Notre Dame CB Robert Blanton, he's a big, rangy CB who should fit into the Vikings cover-2 system pretty well.  The knock on him appears to be his lack of top notch speed, if that's a problem with him they could easily find a spot for him at Safety.   Mike Mayock, who covers Notre Dame for NBC, spoke highly of him.   Nice pick at that point.  In the 6th round, the Vikings took Georgia Kicker Blair Walsh to fight with Ryan Longwell for the kicking duties, it may be time for a change there.  In round 7 they added North Carolina St MLB Audie Cole and Cal DE Trevor Guyton, both have some talent and could stick around.  

The Vikings also made a couple shrewd moves to pick up some extra draft picks next year.  First, they packaged a 5th round pick this year for a 4th round pick next year, they then later dealt a 7th round pick this year for a 6th round pick next year.   Both good moves considering they already need to find room for the 10 players they drafted this year.

The Vikings also signed 15 undrafted free agents after the draft concluded. 

Overall, I think the Vikings did well in the draft.  Their greatest needs were WR, OL and the secondary and they picked up help in all 3 of those areas.  The common trend amongst the players they drafted also seemed to be hard working, team first guys, I don't see any knuckleheads amongst them, this will pay off in the long run.

Cardinals Draft Day 2

The Cardinals selected Oklahoma CB Jamell Fleming in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft today (they had dealt their 2nd round pick to the Eagles as part of the Kevin Kolb trade last year).  I didn't think that CB was a big area of need for the Cardinals but apparently they using the BPA approach.  I was personally hoping for an offensive lineman at this point (and Bobbie Massie, Zebrie Sanders and Ben Jones amongst others were still available).  Fleming's a big strong, fast CB though, he'll push for playing time and it wouldn't surprise me to see him starting sooner rather than later.  I've got to believe they will be looking for some offensive linemen in day 3 tomorrow. 

Vikings Draft Day 2

The Vikings selected Central Florida CB Josh Robinson in the 3rd round of the NFL draft today (they didn't have a 2nd round pick, they used it to trade up into the first round yesterday to draft Harrison Smith).  I was hoping they'd grab a WR here (and Mohamed Sanu was available) but they also have a need for a CB so I can live with it.  Robinson was the fastest player at the NFL Scouting Combine, he can fly, he ran a 4.29 40 yard dash, that was the fastest time recorded at the combine this year.  He's an elite athlete, at the very least they should be getting someone who will be contributing immediately on special teams (and I assume nickle and dime situations).

Vikings Select Harrison Smith

The Vikings dealt their 2nd round pick and a 4th round pick to the Ravens to move back into the first round of the NFL Draft today, they then selected Notre Dame S Harrison Smith at number #29 overall.  I like the pick, the Vikings safety play over the last couple of years has been just atrocious and they had to do something to upgrade the position.  Harrison Smith is a big, strong, heady, fundamentally sound player, he should fit into the Vikings secondary very well.  He also sounds like he has some leadership abilities and is a very coachable guy.  The Vikings really helped themselves in the draft today, they got 2 immediate starters, well done Vikings.   I assume they will be targeting a WR in round 3, names to look for include Brian Quick, Juron Crinor, Mohamed Sanu, Nick Toon and Joe Adams.   Who knows, they have lots of extra picks, they may even trade themselves back into round 2.  

Cardinals Select Michael Floyd

The Cardinals selected Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd with their number 1 draft choice today.  I love this pick, they've been searching for a 2nd WR to Larry Fitzgerald ever since they traded Anquan Boldin to the Ravens and Floyd certainly fits the bill.   It also allows them to move Andre Roberts and Early Doucet to the 3-4 WR spots where they are more suited.  I'm guessing they will look for OL help in round 3.  

Vikings Select Matt Kalil

The Minnesota Vikings selected LT Matt Kalil from USC with their 1st round draft pick today in the NFL Draft.  They picked him at #4 overall after flipping picks with the Cleveland Browns (and picking up a #4, a #5 and a #7 draft pick in the exchange).  I like the pick, they had to do something to improve their OL for Christian Ponder and top notch LT's don't come along very often.  It also allows them to move Charlie Johnson from LT to LG where he is much more suited.   Nice job Vikings, you got the guy you wanted plus 3 extra draft picks. 



***On a side note, nice piece of eye candy Mr. Kalil, well done!

Obama / Fallon Slow Jam

TPSG NFL Mock Draft 6.0

It's almost time, the NFL draft is tomorrow, time to unveil my final mock draft.  Here goes:

1. Colts - Andrew Luck - QB - Stanford
2. Redskins - Robert Griffin III - QB - Baylor
3. Vikings - Matt Kalil - OT - USC  ****
4. Browns - Justin Blackmon - WR - Oklahoma St   ****
5. Bucs - Morris Claiborne - CB - LSU
6. Rams - Trent Richardson - RB - Alabama
7. Jaguars - Melvin Ingram - OLB/DE - South Carolina
8. Dolphins - Ryan Tannehill - QB - Texas A&M
9. Panthers - Fletcher Cox - DT - Mississippi St
10. Bills - Riley Reiff - OT - Iowa
11. Chiefs - David DeCastro - OG - Stanford
12. Seahawks - Quinton Coples - DE - North Carolina
13. Cardinals - Michael Floyd - WR - Notre Dame  ****
14. Cowboys - Mark Barron - DB - Alabama
15. Eagles - Luke Kuechly - LB - Boston College
16. Jets - Courtney Upshaw - DE - Alabama
17. Bengals - Stephen Gilmore - CB - South Carolina
18. Chargers - Nick Perry - DE - USC
19. Bears - Whitney Mercilus - DE - Illinois
20. Titans - Dre Kirkpatrick - CB - Alabama
21. Bengals - Cordy Glenn - OG/OT - Georgia
22. Browns - Doug Martin - RB - Boise St
23. Lions - Jonathan Martin - OT - Stanford 
24. Steelers - Dontari Poe - DT - Memphis St
25. Broncos - Michael Brockers - DT - LSU
26. Texans - Kendall Wright - WR - Baylor
27. Patriots - Shea McClellan - DE/OLB - Boise St
28. Packers - Chandler Jones - DE - Syracuse
29. Ravens - Peter Konz - C - Wisconsin
30. 49ers - Amini Silatolu - OG - Midwestern St
31. Patriots - Harrison Smith - DB - Notre Dame
32. Giants - Coby Fleener - TE - Stanford 

**** I think the Vikings would love to trade this pick if they could get an impressive haul for it.  I'm assuming that's what is behind their public interest in Claiborne & Blackmon (why would they go public with it otherwise unless it was to scare up trade interest?).  If they stay at number 3, Kalil is the obvious choice in my opinion, you don't get the opportunity to add a franchise LT all that often.  As for Round 2, if Harrison Smith is available, he'd be my pick, they should also have some WR options available (Stephen Hill, Alshon Jeffery, Mohamed Sanu) if they choose to go that route (which I think they should if Smith isn't available and if they don't select Blackmon in Round 1).  

**** I'm not quite sure if the Browns will select Blackmon or Richardson at number 4, I'm going to stick with my Blackmon prediction though (they can then follow up with Doug Martin at number 22 to fill their RB need). 

**** Best case scenario for the Cardinals would be that Riley Reiff falls into their laps at number 13 and I think that's entirely possible.  If he doesn't, I'm guessing that their order of preference would fall something like this:   Michael Floyd, Melvin Ingram, Courtney Upshaw, David DeCastro and then Luke Kuechley.  I wouldn't be shocked to see them trade down either. 

Previous mocks:  1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 & 5.0.

******** ACTUAL 1ST ROUND PICKS HERE ********
For the record, I had 4 picks correctly in the right spots (Luck, RGIII, Tannehill & Floyd).  It's really hard to project with all the trades. 

Victoria's Secrets Beach Bums

I'm ready for summer!

POTpourri

• Could you reduce the federal deficit by legalizing marijuana? 
• Meet the Colombian prostitute at the center of the Secret Service Scandal.
• Ali Cobrin really impressed me in "American Reunion".  
• RIP Ray Easterling. 
• White Sox pitcher Philip Humber throws perfect game.
• The University of Minnesota hires Norwood Teague as Athletic Director.
• Big thumb up from me to Taco Bell for the new Doritos Locos Tacos.
• Are you aware that Mitt Romney signed the Anti-Porn Pledge & campaigned for porn filters.
• Mixed Magazine has an interesting website, I like it very much.
• Sorry Metta World Peace but that was a cheapshot.

Tupac Hologram at Coachella

Did you catch this?  Pretty amazing stuff.

AZ Tidbits

• Is Arizona in play for Obama? 
• You can find a recap of the UA spring football game here.  ASU here.
• Fed's want Sherriff Joe to reign in his posses.  
• Taylor Chatley does Arizona State proud.
• Governor Brewer vetoes guns in public places bill.
• Top 5 landmarks in Arizona? 
• AZ congressman Andrei Cherny calls for impeachment of Clarence Thomas.
• Maxim Magazine 'Hometown Hotties' casting call comes to Scottsdale.
• NHL suspends Coyotes Raffi Torres for 25 games for this hit.
• You can find the top Diamondback prospects here.
  

GOP War on Common Sense

Good stuff by Bill Maher.