The Baltimore Ravens traded their best receiver to the 49ers for a 6th round pick. This man carried them in the playoffs and was a consistent possession receiver during the season. He is no longer that burner type,but he is a rock that will hold own the 49ers passing offense
49ers
Boldin will now hold down the 49ers developing passing offense. This adds a nice weapon for Kaepernick across from Crabtree. They got Boldin for only a 6th round pick which is a bargain considering how good he is. They now have 187 picks in this years draft.
Grade: A
Ravens
I have no idea what the Ravens are thinking making this trade. Yes, Boldin wanted a lot of money and they probably were not going to give it to him, but he is a top receiver. They traded him for only a 6th round pick. This is just asinine.
Grade: F
Monday, March 11, 2013
Percy Harvin Traded to Seattle
The Minnesota Vikings traded Percy Harvin, a top notch receiver when healthy, to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2013 first round and 7th round pick to go along with a conditional mid round pick in 2014.
Vikings
The Vikings were not going to be able to sign him anyways since he wants 14-16 million a year, a number Seattle is willing to comply with. They also had no way to utilize him since Ponder is only an average QB and until they realize this they wont be a consistent playoff team. Their haul in the trade was good, a first rounder and a conditional mid round pick, but they need to utilize these picks in order for the grade to be completed. They now have 2 first rounder one of which will likely be used on a new receiver.
Grade:B+
Seahawks
This was a great move by Seattle assuming Harvin stays healthy. He lit the league on fire last season until he suffered a severe ankle sprain on November 4th which ended his season. He now gets to play with a good QB who can get him the ball consistently. Seattle realizes Russell Wilson is the future and decided to surround him with a proven talent rather than taking their chances in the draft. The trio of Wilson, Lynch and Harvin will prove difficult for teams to stop and I now have the Seahawks going to the Super Bowl in 2014.
Grade: A-(Injury concerns)
Kyrie Irving Out for 3-4 Weeks
Cavaliers star point guard Kyrie Irving is out for 3-4 weeks with a shoulder injury. This means they Cavs will have 3-4 weeks to move themselves up the draft lottery. It is also a good time to give Dion Waiters a little more responsibility.
The Cavs need to make sure Irving does not become the next Eric Gordon, monstrous talent, but is always side lined by injuries. He has averaged 23 PPG on 46.6% shooting. He has also added 5.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He is well on his way to becoming a super star and I hope injuries don't dreail his progress. For this reason the Cavs should shut him down for the season in order to make sure he will be good to go, not just for next season, but for many seasons after that.
The Cavs need to make sure Irving does not become the next Eric Gordon, monstrous talent, but is always side lined by injuries. He has averaged 23 PPG on 46.6% shooting. He has also added 5.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He is well on his way to becoming a super star and I hope injuries don't dreail his progress. For this reason the Cavs should shut him down for the season in order to make sure he will be good to go, not just for next season, but for many seasons after that.
Is Brock Osweiler the Future?
John Elway drafted Brock Osweiler to be the future of the franchise. He has a strong arm, but deals with accuracy issues. Elway is hoping he will learn from Peyton Manning and will be ready to step in once Manning decides to hang 'em up. However, this is a weak QB class which is why Kansas City traded away a second round pick and possibly another second rounder for Alex Smith. The Broncos could have traded Brock for a high second or even a first round draft pick and if you can you have to do it since the second rounder would likely be higher than the one he was drafted with. There are many teams that need a QB such as the Jets, Jaguars, Cardinals, Bills and Titans.
I personally do not think Brock is that great of a QB. He looked like his ceiling was average in the pre-season and he definitely did not wow me during his college career. Peyton has never been great at mentoring QB's because as you can see none of his backups were any good. In the preseason, Brock struggled with accuracy and getting balls tipped at the line of scrimmage, which is a big problem for a 6'8" QB. He never really took over a drive and never drove the possibility into my head that he could be a top notch QB one day.
When Manning retires Brock will either be gone which makes him a wasted pick, hence they should trade him now, or he will take over the starting job and become nothing more than average. If he is nothing more than average after watching Manning run the show for 4-5 years, he will be ousted fairly quickly in favor of another QB.
I personally do not think Brock is that great of a QB. He looked like his ceiling was average in the pre-season and he definitely did not wow me during his college career. Peyton has never been great at mentoring QB's because as you can see none of his backups were any good. In the preseason, Brock struggled with accuracy and getting balls tipped at the line of scrimmage, which is a big problem for a 6'8" QB. He never really took over a drive and never drove the possibility into my head that he could be a top notch QB one day.
When Manning retires Brock will either be gone which makes him a wasted pick, hence they should trade him now, or he will take over the starting job and become nothing more than average. If he is nothing more than average after watching Manning run the show for 4-5 years, he will be ousted fairly quickly in favor of another QB.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Lakers Enter the Playoff Picture
Ladies and Gentlemen the 2012-2013 Los Angeles Lakers now hold the 8th seed in the Western Conference. After beating the Chicago Bulls today the Lakers moved into sole possession of the 8th seed. They have been playing better basketball lately, especially Dwight Howard who looks more energized and into the game.
The Lakers have not moved up all this way without any help, the Jazz seemingly do not want to be in the playoffs since they have only won one game since the all-star break. Houston is also faltering and could give the 7th seed to the Lakers soon.
If the Lakers hold onto their playoff spot and end up playing the Spurs in the first round, I could picture a scenario where they won. This is because it will be hard for the Spurs to shut down Howard and they do not have a great defender capable of shutting down Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers have not moved up all this way without any help, the Jazz seemingly do not want to be in the playoffs since they have only won one game since the all-star break. Houston is also faltering and could give the 7th seed to the Lakers soon.
If the Lakers hold onto their playoff spot and end up playing the Spurs in the first round, I could picture a scenario where they won. This is because it will be hard for the Spurs to shut down Howard and they do not have a great defender capable of shutting down Kobe Bryant.
Three Ways the Broncos Can Make a Run for the Superbowl in 2014
1. Draft well
In Order to be effective next season, the Broncos need to draft well NOW. If they can grab a starter in the first or second round they will be where they need to be in terms of quality players. Middle linebacker, running back, Defensive tackle and safety are all options for the Broncos to consider. If they can snag a smart slot receiver it will boost their already robust passing game.
2. Do not let John Fox run the offense
Fox is a great defensive coach, but he is way too conservative on the offensive side of the ball. He game plans like Kyle Orton or Tebow are still the QB's. This is Peyton Manning, let him be Peyton Manning. Too many times McCoy called a running play on 3rd down when we know Peyton could have thrown for it. Hopefully a new offensive coordinator will change the play calling, but the final say resides with Fox.
3. Continue to unleash Thomas and Decker
Decker and Thomas were both able to catch 80+ passes for 1,000+ yards and 10+ TD's. Teams could not stop them and they meshed well with Peyton Manning. The offense should continue to feature them and show the league that it will be very hard to stop this team.
In Order to be effective next season, the Broncos need to draft well NOW. If they can grab a starter in the first or second round they will be where they need to be in terms of quality players. Middle linebacker, running back, Defensive tackle and safety are all options for the Broncos to consider. If they can snag a smart slot receiver it will boost their already robust passing game.
2. Do not let John Fox run the offense
Fox is a great defensive coach, but he is way too conservative on the offensive side of the ball. He game plans like Kyle Orton or Tebow are still the QB's. This is Peyton Manning, let him be Peyton Manning. Too many times McCoy called a running play on 3rd down when we know Peyton could have thrown for it. Hopefully a new offensive coordinator will change the play calling, but the final say resides with Fox.
3. Continue to unleash Thomas and Decker
Decker and Thomas were both able to catch 80+ passes for 1,000+ yards and 10+ TD's. Teams could not stop them and they meshed well with Peyton Manning. The offense should continue to feature them and show the league that it will be very hard to stop this team.
Broncos Positions of Need: Running Backs
The Broncos are going to need a premiere back that can carry most of the workload. McGahee is old is may not make the team. He is coming of a knee injury and he was not all that effective last season fumbling the ball 5 times. He had a good run and was a good free agent pickup 2 years ago, but I think it is time for him to leave.
Moreno showed he could be effective in his time last season. He played very well when he got the chance and the touches. However, this is the last year in his contract so their is a possibility that he could leave after this season in search for a better situation. I dont think he will get much playing time this season because of how conservative Fox is. Moreno should be a perfect Fox back, but for some reason Fox does not seem to like him or utilize him.
Hillman is coming off of an OK rookie season. He had trouble gaining playing time and touches. When he finally got the touches he showed that he needs to learn how to run between the tackles and not to bounce it outside all of the time. I think he is the reason the Broncos draft another back because he would fit perfectly into a two back system.
Who are the Broncos' options? Mike Gilislee from Florida is my favorite mid-round back in the draft. He is fast and quick, but he does not always try to run around defenders and he will initiate the contact. He carried Florida's offense last season and I think he could be just as effective in the Broncos offense.
Stepfan Taylor from Stanford would be another option in the mid-rounds. He was the definition of a workhorse back in his time at Stanford. He is not very fast, but I think of him as a Willis McGahee type. He would be a nice back to pair up with Hillman.
Eddie Lacy would be a nice first round option. Everyone saw what he did not Notre Dame's defense in the National Championship game. I think he would be a great back with his nice blend of size and speed. Drafting him would limit the touches Hillman would get because it would be obvious who the number 1 back is.
My surprise pick is Marcus Lattimore. As I said Moreno is at least here for another year. The Broncos could draft Lattimore on IR and use up Moreno, let him walk and then see what Lattimore is capable of after his knee injury.
Moreno showed he could be effective in his time last season. He played very well when he got the chance and the touches. However, this is the last year in his contract so their is a possibility that he could leave after this season in search for a better situation. I dont think he will get much playing time this season because of how conservative Fox is. Moreno should be a perfect Fox back, but for some reason Fox does not seem to like him or utilize him.
Hillman is coming off of an OK rookie season. He had trouble gaining playing time and touches. When he finally got the touches he showed that he needs to learn how to run between the tackles and not to bounce it outside all of the time. I think he is the reason the Broncos draft another back because he would fit perfectly into a two back system.
Who are the Broncos' options? Mike Gilislee from Florida is my favorite mid-round back in the draft. He is fast and quick, but he does not always try to run around defenders and he will initiate the contact. He carried Florida's offense last season and I think he could be just as effective in the Broncos offense.
Stepfan Taylor from Stanford would be another option in the mid-rounds. He was the definition of a workhorse back in his time at Stanford. He is not very fast, but I think of him as a Willis McGahee type. He would be a nice back to pair up with Hillman.
Eddie Lacy would be a nice first round option. Everyone saw what he did not Notre Dame's defense in the National Championship game. I think he would be a great back with his nice blend of size and speed. Drafting him would limit the touches Hillman would get because it would be obvious who the number 1 back is.
My surprise pick is Marcus Lattimore. As I said Moreno is at least here for another year. The Broncos could draft Lattimore on IR and use up Moreno, let him walk and then see what Lattimore is capable of after his knee injury.
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