#2. That my Fall Thursday nights, in 2008 and beyond, are going to be more enjoyable than the last two years.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Pick 15 belongs to Adam P. picking for the Lions all the way down in the middle of the first round for a change. Let's hope he does better than Matt Millen

With Derrick Harvey off the board, the lions do not get the defensive presence they were hoping for. However, the lions get to fill another important need, just not on the defensive side of the ball.

The Lions select Rashard Mendenhall with the fifteenth pick of the draft. Detroit really needs a defensive end impact player but the drop-off of talent after Harvey is too big. Because of this, the logical choice is to draft an all-around star running back who is a big improvement over Tatum Bell and injury-prone Brian Calhoun. Mendenhall brings the element of power the Lions offense would be missing if they do not draft him and at the same time brings so much more to the game as well like catching the ball, inside and outside running ability and a workhorse mentality.

Continue reading "Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 15" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (26)

This week in my NBCSports.com column, I wrote about five veterans who should be nervous on draft day that an incoming rookie could eventually steal their playing time.

Continue reading "Harrison's shelf life in doubt" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

We've got a bit of surprise with the fourteenth pick - and I like it. The more I hear about this guy, the better chance it sounds like he could go before Chicago is even on the clock.

With the 14th pick, the Chicago Bears select - Branden Albert - G - University of Virginia

While various offensive skill position players may be tempting, interviews this off-season seem to indicate that Grossman/Orton will battle for the starting QB job and that Benson will be given one more chance to prove he can be productive. Therefore, Chicago management should choose to address their offensive line with their first pick.

Chicago’s blueprint for success relies on using their defense and special teams to set up the offense with short fields and running the ball effectively.

Continue reading "Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 14" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 09:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

The Football Fix is back from hiatus this week. Look for weekly shows from here on out. Tiffany and I talk about players in trouble with the law, plus possible trades for Roy Williams and Chad Johnson.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Honors for the Panthers belong to Matthew W.

The Panthers have been marred in mediocrity for the past few seasons and need a solid draft to help bring them out of it. Some might argue the current staff needs a solid draft to keep their current jobs. The Panthers could go a number of different directions with the 13th pick of
2008 draft.

Continue reading "Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 13" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

The last two players in our Tough to Rank series were Javon Walker and Derek Anderson. Didn't get too many specific numbers for Anderson, although I got the diverging opinion (Top-five to outside the top-ten) that I'd expect. People don't seem too worried about Brady Quinn.

Walker got a shockingly low average of WR 40.5, showing the Pancake Blocks reader's infinite wisdom. He'll get drafted in the top-25, but Rotoworld has him pegged much closer to his Tough to Rank score. Today, we'll look at Vince Young.

Continue reading "Tough to Rank: Vince Young" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)

I must say, 12 picks in, that our draft has fewer surprises than the real draft is likely to have, with Darren McFadden to the Chiefs being a notable expection. All the picks are so ... logical. Here's another good one, with Taylor C. plugging major hole at left tackle in Denver.

WR and D-line were also given consideration however Tier 1 O-line talent is still on the board and makes the most sense here. A deep WR pool can allow for the position to be addressed later in the draft and a D-lineman doesn’t justify being selected this high. Although Harris and Kuper may have been able to shift to LT this pick allows them to slot in on other need areas on the line.

Continue reading "Pancake Blocks Mock: Pick No. 12" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 09:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Bills fans love their Terrence McGee and they will defend him with great gusto and research.

No longer will I call Terrence McGee one of the worst number one cornerbacks and expect not to hear about it.

The Bills fans are among the most intelligent and rabid in the league (kissing up, I know), and I will admit McGee had a bounceback 2007 season. But part of the reason his numbers were up (tackles, passes defensed) is that teams picked on him after a miserable 2006. McGee's highly up and down career can be debated, but I still say they need to add a premier cornerback.

One thing can't be debated: Do not rattle the Bills fan's cage, even in April.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 06:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It took part of the afternoon to locate James N. but we found him to take the Bills pick. Here goes.

With the 11th pick in the draft The Buffalo Bills select Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

I know that it might make the most sense for the Bills to go with a WR here, but with a defense desperately lacking playmakers, and a WR class with no real standouts, I think DRC will be able to step in right away and make a difference. He's big and strong and can run with any receiver in the league.....and with a pass defense that dipped to 29th in the league against the pass after the loss of Nate Clements I think this is a far more glaring need.

Continue reading "Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 11" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 06:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)