Author: Jason

Bias Bulletin

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Death of a Legend
The Bulletin (yes, third person) grew up watching Junior Seau dominate the Linebacker position in the NFL. Seau played the bulk of his career in San Diego, with the Chargers, and in his prime was a dominant, fierce force on the football field. Unstoppable in pursuit of the ball-carrier.
Seau died yesterday of what appears, at least initially, to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. The 43 year old, six-time All-Pro was most recently in the news in 2010 when he drove his car over a cliff in California, hours after being arrested for assaulting his girlfriend. At the time, Seau said that the accident was not a suicide attempt, but rather, an accident. He claimed to have fallen asleep at the wheel of his car. And perhaps that’s the case. Regardless, you’d be naïve not to draw a connection between the two events.
Additionally, you’d be naïve to not draw a connection between the death of Seau and that of former NFL safety Dave Duerson, who killed himself a year ago, leaving behind instructions for the medical community to study his brain for evidence of injury.  Examinations of his brain showed extensive degeneration due to frequent trauma.
The Boston University Medical Group, who studied Duerson’s brain, is now in the process of trying to acquire Seau’s brain to determine whether his death could also be tied to his years as a fierce hitter on the football field.
The Year of the Pitcher (Part 2)
Late last night, out west, Angels pitcher Jered Weaver became the first Angel to throw a no-hitter since, well, last year. And Weaver became the first Major Leaguer to throw a no-hitter since, well, 10 days ago.
Common occurrences aside, Weaver did throw a no-hitter and that deserves to be celebrated. Only two runners reached base against him; one on a passed ball and the other via a walk. He struck out 9 Minnesota Twins, but did have to throw 122 pitches to complete his first career no-hitter.
Albert Pujols was very happy, I’m sure, to hand over the spotlight to Jered Weaver for one night. Pujols went homerless again in the 9-0 Angels victory.
Triple the Overtime, Triple the Pain
Early this morning, the Washington Capitals fell 2-1 to the New York Rangers in a triple OT thriller in the nation’s capital.
The overtime periods were marked by a handful of missed opportunities for the Capitals. Following a great check in the offensive zone, forward Matt Hendricks found an open Troy Brouwer in front of the net. Brouwer shot wide right. 
Later, Alex Ovechkin stole the puck from a Ranger defenseman in the Capitals offensive zone and fired a shot passed Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist. The puck clanked off of the goalpost, missing the net by centimeters.
Nearing the end of the third OT, Marian Gaborik was able to beat Capitals goalie Braden Holtby through his legs for the game winning goal.
Combined, Holtby and Lundvist stopped 92 of 95 total shots and both made great glove saves in the overtime periods. For Holtby, it was all for not.
Game 4 (NYR lead 2-1) will be played on Saturday at Verizon Center.
Your Daily Washington Nationals Update (Now With 33% More Ian Desmond Walk-Off Homers)
Down 4-3 entering the bottom of the ninth last night, the Washington Nationals were picked up, so to speak, by their youngest player. Leading off the inning, Bryce Harper hit his second double of the game (both high off of the wall in right-center). With Harper in scoring position, Wilson Ramos and Rick Ankiel both struck out swinging, neither looking terribly impressive in doing so.
With two outs, in stepped Ian Desmond, the Major League leader in swinging at the first pitch he sees in an at-bat as well as the leader in giving me ulcers. With the count 1-1, Desmond took a big swing and delivered a ball into the Diamondbacks bullpen, giving the Nats a 5-4 victory and ending their 5 game losing streak.
Harper, it should be noted, enters tonight’s game with a slash line of .385/.400/.615, albeit in just 13 at-bats. When asked last night if he will move the hot-hitting Harper higher in the order, Nats manager Davey Johnson essentially said, “Why not?”
The Nats will wrap up their 3-game series with Arizona tonight at the Navy Yard. Ross Detweiler will take the hill for the Nats and will oppose Ian Kennedy (21-4, 2.88 ERA last year). Game time is 7:05 on MASN.
Game of the Day
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks (9:30/TNT). The defending champion Mavericks come in to tonight’s game in a 2-0 hole. A loss will effectively end their quest for a  repeat.

Bias Bulletin

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Some Terrible Pun Using “Rosey”
The Chicago Bulls were going to rally around their absent star. They were going to man up. Role players were going to step in and fill the void. And that’s exactly what didn’t happen.
You’ll remember that Bulls Guard Derrick Rose went down with a torn ACL on Saturday afternoon. Leading up to Tuesday’s Game 2 (sidebar: do we really need 2 full off-days?), the talk was that everyone would have to step up and fill the void. It’s a mantra you hear from lots of teams. Sometimes, it works. Other times, like last night, the Philadelphia 76ers win by 17 points.
Rose’s replacement, CJ Watson, shot 4-11 in the game. He scored just 12 points and added 3 assists. The Bulls now head to Philadelphia, having lost their home court advantage, on Friday, for Game 3. This time, they’ll actually need someone (other than Center Joakim Noah who played very well last night) to fill the Rose void.  Otherwise, a lot of golf will be played.
How To Rally Around An Absent Star
While the Bulls were losing by 18 points at home, the Celtics were beating the Atlanta Hawks, in the ATL, without their star Point Guard.
You’ll remember that Celtics Guard Rajon Rondo walked into an NBA official on Sunday evening.  Leading up to Tuesday’s Game 2, the talk was that everyone would have to step up and fill the void. It’s a mantra you hear from lots of teams. Sometimes, it works. Last night, for Boston, it did.
Behind a virtuoso performance from future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce (36 points/14 rebounds) and solid defense (holding Atlanta to 35% shooting), the Celtics were able to steal home court advantage in the series. They’ll head to Boston now for Game 3 on Friday with Rajon Rondo back in the lineup.
The Nicest Story You’ll Hear All Day
In the fall of 2010, Rutgers University Defensive Tackle Eric LeGrand attempted to tackle an opponent in a football game, but collided awkwardly with the player. LeGrand fell to the turf, motionless, for minutes. He was rushed from the stadium to a nearby hospital where doctors determined that he was paralyzed from his neck down.
In the year following his injury, LeGrand underwent extensive physical and occupational therapy in an attempt to help him regain some movement and sensation.  By July 2011, LeGrand was standing upright and was slowly regaining some movement in his arms.
He returned to Rutgers Stadium in October of 2011 and, in his wheelchair, led the Scarlet Knights players onto the field before a game against West Virginia University.
Initially, doctors didn’t believe that LeGrand would ever be able to breathe without a ventilator. He is now able to stand for nearly an hour at a time.
LeGrand’s college coach, Greg Schiano, is now the head coach of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This morning, the Bucs signed Eric LeGrand to a player contract. LeGrand will never play for the Buccaneers, of course. The gesture is symbolic, but it’s what it symbolizes that leads me to include it here.
Eric LeGrand’s dreams were instantly shattered nearly 2 years ago. Given the prognosis of “You’ll never breathe again,” LeGrand didn’t wallow. He worked. Hard. Incredibly hard. What the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did today for Eric LeGrand doesn’t happen every day in sports. When it does happen, it should be celebrated. As should the effort and will that Eric has exhibited since his injury.
Your Daily Washington Nationals Update
The hitting woes of the Nats continued last night as they were unable to solve Diamondbacks starter Trevor Cahill.  Arizona came away with a 5-1 victory. Bryce Harper was 0-3 at the plate with a strikeout.
The Nationals are now 14-9 and a ½ game ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.  They’ll face the Dbacks again tonight. Edwin Jackson will take the hill for the Nats. He’ll be opposed by Joe Saunders (7:05 p.m./MASN)
Game of the Day
LA Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies (9:30 p.m./TNT). The Clippers surged back from a 27 point deficit to win in Memphis on Sunday. It’ll be very interesting to see whether the Grizzlies come out of the locker room like this or like this.

Bias Bulletin (Now With More Song Lyrics!)

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My Hands Are Small, I Know
Following last night’s defeat to the Miami Heat, Knicks Forward Amar’e Stoudemire decided to let off some steam. For some, that would involve hitting a pillow. For others, it would involve punching a fire extinguisher. Stoudemire chose the latter.
NBA writers and reporters got a little suspicious when they saw Stoudemire leaving the arena with his hand bandaged and his arm in a sling. They got more suspicious when they saw a puddle of blood on the carpet that connects the court with the visitor’s locker room. 2 and 2 were soon put together and equaled 4.
The extent of Stoudemire’s injury is not yet known, but some reports from sources in the locker room stated that he would be done for at least the rest of the series, due to the large gash, the amount of stitches, the heavy blood loss, and the fact that this will likely be an abbreviated series.
Stoudemire or not, the Knicks face a steep uphill climb heading back to Midtown Manhattan. They are down 2-0 in the Best-of-7 series and have lost by an aggregate score of 43 points. Game 3 will be played on Thursday. All heavy objects should be removed from Madison Square Garden.
Bump Bump Bump
Late in their Game 1 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics’ Guard Rajon Rondo disagreed with a referee’s call. He, too, decided to let off some steam. For some, that would involve hitting a pillow. For others, it would involve following the referee and walking into him. Rondo chose the latter.
Yesterday, the NBA dropped the hammer. Thankfully, for the Celtics, it was one of those Little Tykes hammers.
Rondo will be forced to sit out tonight’s game against the Hawks. It will be the second time this season that Rondo will be suspended for referee-directed anger (in February, he threw a ball at a referee). The Celtics, already undermanned, due in part to bone spurs in Ray Allen’s right ankle, will rely heavily on second-year Point Guard Avery Bradley to fill some of Rondo’s void. The young Guard has improved dramatically in his sophomore season, but faces a tough task on the road against an experienced backcourt.
Just To Hit The Ball and Touch ’Em All – A Moment In the Sun
Not a whole lot of moments in the sun in Southern California during the month of April. And, no, I’m not talking about the weather.
During the offseason, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed Albert Pujols to a 10 year/$200+ million contract. They signed Albert in the hopes that he’d, you know, hit home runs. Hitting home runs was something he showed a propensity for doing during his tenure in St. Louis. Never had he hit fewer than 32 home runs in a full season. Never had he gotten on-base at a clip below 37% in a season.  In short, he was a very good baseball player.
Now, April is not a fully season. It’s only 1/6 of the season. That said, Albert is currently on pace to hit 0 home runs and get on-base roughly 26% of the time. And the natives are getting restless.
It seems that when you pay someone a lot of money to do something and they don’t do it, people become impatient. A funny world that we live in.
Jokes aside, Pujols is pressing hard to hit his first home run of the season. He is striking out more than he is walking (something he hasn’t done since he was a 21 year old rookie). And his swing is sloppy. And it doesn’t look like just a matter of time before he pulls out of his current funk. Which could make for an interesting season in Anaheim, where people had visions of World Series rings on April 1st.
Your Daily (Brief…I Promise) Washington Nationals Update
The Arizona Diamondbacks come to DC tonight to start a three game series. Bryce Harper will make his home debut. Jordan Zimmermann will take the hill for the Nats. He’ll be opposed by Diamondbacks’ righty Trevor Cahill. (7:05 p.m./MASN)
Game of the Day
I get that there are a number of playoff games tonight. Celtics/Hawks, Nuggets/Lakers, Devils/Flyers. But Bryce Harper is making his DC debut. And I have a strong Mid-Atlantic Bias.

Bias Bulletin

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The Dawning of the Age of Brycequarius
On Saturday night, baseball’s future arrived, perhaps a few months early, in Los Angeles, California.
Amid a season-long offensive slump, facing the prospect of playing without their best hitter  for at least a week, the Washington Nationals expedited the arrival of uber-prospect and 2010 MLB 1st overall pick, Bryce Harper.  The 19 year old was called up from AAA Syracuse on Saturday to fill the roster vacancy created by the placement of Ryan Zimmerman on the 15-day Disabled List. It didn’t take long for Harper to make an impact.
Playing LF on Saturday night, Harper went 1-3 at the plate with a 9th inning RBI that would have been the game-winner RBI, had closer Henry Rodriguez not imploded in the bottom of the inning. The Harper play that had people talking though, didn’t occur at the plate. In the bottom of the 7th, Dodger Catcher AJ Ellis hit a single into LF. Harper, in seemingly one motion, scooped the ball up and threw a laser to catcher Wilson Ramos, who unfortunately could not hold on to the ball, allowing Jerry Hairston Jr. to score.
Through 2 games, Harper is batting .333 and has drawn a walk. The most important thing, though, is that he looks relaxed  in the field and at the plate.  He will make his Washington DC debut tomorrow night against Trevor Cahill and the Arizona Diamondbacks.  The Nats will be looking to bounce back from a weekend sweep in Los Angeles. The Nationals (and Harper) have today off for travel.
And With That, Their Season Ended
Up by 11, late in the fourth quarter, against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday afternoon, the Chicago Bulls’ playoff run, for all intents and purposes, came to an abrupt end. Star PG Derrick Rose, who has endured a season of nagging injuries, suffered the opposite of a nagging injury, as he tore the ACL in his left knee with just a minute to play. Rose will miss the remainder of the playoffs, the Summer Olympics, and, very likely, the early portion of next season’s NBA schedule.
The loss of the NBA’s reigning MVP puts Chicago in an enormous hole.  Rose is the catalyst for the Bulls’ offense. Without him, the team will need major contributions from reserves like CJ Watson (now starting in Rose’s place) and John Lucas. Both had big moments during the NBA’s regular season, but as any observer can tell you, the playoffs are different.  
The loss of Rose puts the Miami Heat firmly in the catbird seat in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. The Heat currently have a 1-0 series lead on the New York Knicks, following a 33 point victory on Saturday.
Someone Forgot to Wake Up the Fat Lady
The LA Clippers found themselves down by 21 points at the end of the 3rd quarter of last night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies (Game 1 of their series).  The first few minutes of the 4th quarter didn’t go much better for LA.  With 8 minutes to play, the Clippers were down by 24 points. Then, they made a run. And won. 99-98.
The Clippers tied an NBA record by coming back from 21 points down at the end of the third quarter.  Once Memphis went up by 24, the Clippers went on a 26-1 scoring run, spurred by former Washington Wizard Nick Young, who hit three 3-pointers. Young finished with 19 points off the bench, to lead the Clippers.
The Grizzlies will have a chance to bounce back from this devastating loss on Wednesday night in Memphis.
Game of the Day
Manchester United @ Manchester City (2:30/ESPN).  United leads City by 3 points in the English Premier League. A City victory would pull them to within one point of their cross-town rival. Each team has two matches to play following today’s showdown.
City handed United an historic 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford in October. 

Bias Bulletin

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Feeling Drafty

I’m running out of bad Draft puns.
Last night, the NFL held the first round of its seven round annual player draft. As expected, Stanford QB Andrew Luck and Baylor QB Robert Griffin III went 1st and 2nd overall to Indianapolis and Washington, respectively. The biggest news of the draft may have come an hour prior to its start though, when the Cleveland Browns traded a fourth, fifth, and seventh round pick to swap their 4th overall pick with Minnesota’s 3rd. The Browns then took Alabama running back Trent Richardson, because if we know anything about the NFL, it’s that there’s never something as sure as a Running Back.
Other highlights of the night included 28 year old QB Brandon Weeden being drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the 22nd overall pick. But the true star of Draft night was the trade. There were 8 instances of teams swapping picks last night, in what was easily the most hectic and rapid-fire first round of the NFL Draft in recent memory.
Finish Him!
It was a night to celebrate in the Tri-State area, as the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils won their Game 7 matchups to advance to the second round of the NHL Playoffs. The Rangers defeated the Ottawa Senators behind solid goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist and the Devils did their work in multiple overtimes, winning 4 minutes into double overtime on an Adam Henrique goal (his second of the game). 
The Rangers advance to face the Washington Capitals, while the Devils will face a relatively rested Philadelphia Flyers team. 
Out west, the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues begin their second round series tomorrow, while the Nashville Predators and the Phoenix Coyotes (two historic hockey hotbeds) kick the second round off tonight in the Desert Southwest.
The NBA Regular Season Finally Ended

Some highlights:
*The Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs finished tied for the best record in the league at 50-16.
*Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder beat Kobe Bryant for the League scoring title by 1/10 of a point. It’s Durant’s second consecutive scoring crown.
*Rajon Rondo finished the season with 24 consecutive games with at least 10 assists.
And some lowlights:
*The Charlotte Bobcats season ended on a 23 game losing streak. The Bobcats finished with a 9-55 record, which qualifies them as, statistically, the worst team in the history of the NBA.
*The Golden State Warriors tanked most of their season to hang on to a draft pick. In a previous trade with the Utah Jazz, the Warriors agreed to send a first round pick to Salt Lake City if they finished with the 8th worst (or better) record. If Golden State was one of the 7 worst teams (according to win/loss record) they would get to keep their pick. Knowing this, the Warriors benched their good players and played the latter part of the season with mostly rookies. They finished tied for the 7th worst record in the league. 
Your Daily Washington Nationals Update

The Nationals, again, failed to execute a series sweep, losing late last night to the San Diego Padres by a 2-1 mark. Setup man Tyler Clippard was tagged with the loss, after surrendering a two-run double in the bottom of the 9th. The Nats failed to get a run across in the 9th, giving Padres closer Huston Street the save.
The Nats now drive up I-5 to Los Angeles for a weekend series with the Dodgers. Tonight’s game features reigning Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw facing the Nats’ Ross Detweiler. Game time is 10:00 p.m.
Games of the Weekend
We’re firmly in that time of year that is a sports lovers dream. Playoff games in both the NHL and NBA will fill the schedule this weekend. In addition, the NFL draft will continue tonight with Rounds 2 and 3 (7:00 p.m./NFL Network and ESPN). Add to that a very intriguing series between the Dodgers and the Nationals and you’ve got a good excuse to abandon your loved ones and hole up, like a hermit, in your living room for the next 72 hours. Enjoy!

2012 NFL Draft Mockery

/ Jason / 1 Comment

It’s time, once again, for me to look at the mock drafts of professionals and aggregate their mocks into “my own” mock. This “time” is also known as Spring.  Without further ado, further ado:

Kidding aside, everyone is just sort of stealing from everyone else. I am always very amused during NFL Mock season at how similar all of the experts’ mocks are. Are we really that much in agreement on the list of the 32 best eligible college players? No. Some poor sap has to be the first guy to publish a mock draft. That “poor sap” carries the proverbial water for every other mock draft. Writers might say that they don’t read what others write, but they’re lying to you. They’re not all getting the same info from sources. Yet rarely do you see someone straying too far from the mainstream. When one writer says, “I’m hearing that Team X really likes Player B,” every other mocker is welcome to take that piece of information and use it. And so, here we are, on draft day, and everyone’s mock looks relatively the same.

Mine will be no exception, really. These picks are a bit of a blend of what teams should do/will do. Every year, some team picks a guy no one had them targeting. Christian Ponder and Jake Locker last year. Tyson Alualu the year before. Darrius Heyward-Bey the year before that. The 2012 NFL Draft will be no different. It spoils the moment when you spend a mock draft trying to pick surprises. This ain’t March Madness. And this really ain’t a science. It’s fun (or at least should be). Now, without further ado:

1.) Indianapolis Colts select Andrew Luck (QB/Stanford)
I’ve been trying, desperately, to envision a doomsday scenario for the Washington Redskins, where the Colts draft Robert Griffin III and a dark cloud quickly hangs over the District. It’s not happening. Luck is the right pick.

2.) Washington Redskins select Robert Griffin III (QB/Baylor)
Never has a team so embraced the second overall pick in a draft quite like DC has embraced RGIII.  I was at a DC United game in March and people were chanting “RGIII! RGIII!”  Griffin has already appeared at a card show where he signed Redskins memorabilia. If Luck is the right pick for Indy, and he is, Griffin is the “rightest” pick for DC. He’s exactly the kind of energizing player that the Redskins fan base so fervently desires. He’ll be a marketer’s dream in the District. Time will tell how well he can play professional football.

3.) Minnesota Vikings select Matt Kalil (OT/USC)
The first two picks are sure things. Barring some terrible injury to either Luck or Griffin III (though, I sincerely believe that if RGIII (God forbid) died before the draft, the Redskins would still pick him second overall) this is where the draft will really begin.

Kalil is what most scouts would regard as the safe or “correct” pick. The Vikings desperately need a franchise Tackle. Kalil is, by most accounts, a franchise-type Tackle. The intrigue comes from two other directions. Minnesota also could use a cornerback and there’s a potential star at that position (a couple, actually. Morris Claiborne is the name you’ll see most often.). This is also a spot that a desperate, QB needy team like Miami could trade up to. But for the sake of the sanity of Vikings fans and the health of Christian Ponder, let’s go with Kalil.

4.) Cleveland Browns select Ryan Tannehill (QB/Texas A&M)
If it was my decision, I wouldn’t give up on Colt McCoy. Cleveland could use a receiver like Michael Floyd or Justin Blackmon in this spot. But you don’t make a big deal about how you couldn’t trade up to get one Quarterback (Griffin III) and then tell your incumbent (in this case, McCoy), “But, hey buddy, we really love you.”

I think Tannehill will be an enormous bust. Although, he did play WR at Texas A&M. And the Browns do have a hole at that position….

5.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Morris Claiborne (CB/Louisiana State)
He of the (reported) 4 out of 50 on the Wonderlic exam. Claiborne might not be able to tell you which number comes next in the sequence, but he can certainly play football. He’s as versatile a corner as you’ll find in this draft. And he fills a position of need for a team that plays 6 games per season against Cam Newton, Matt Ryan, and Drew Brees.

6.) St. Louis Rams select Justin Blackmon (WR/Oklahoma State)
If Blackmon is available, there’s really no need for the Rams to use any time on the clock. They should have the slip of paper ready. The Rams haven’t had a great WR since Torry Holt. Blackmon will not be as good as Torry Holt. But frankly, “not as good as Torry Holt” is a lot better than “Brandon Gibson.”

7.) Jacksonville Jaguars select Michael Floyd (WR/Notre Dame)
The Jaguars have a number of needs. They need help at each level of the defense, for example. Floyd, though, much like Blackmon with St. Louis, offers a young quarterback a really good target. Floyd is bigger and stronger than Blackmon, with less production in college because, well, Dayne Crist.

8.) Miami Dolphins select a box of tissues to fill with tears and Melvin Ingram (DE/South Carolina)
The Dolphins want Ryan Tannehill, apparently.  Michael Floyd would have been a great replacement for Brandon Marshall.  Neither is available. So what better way to excite your fan base than by drafting a defensive end? Right?

Ingram is good. Really good. But this pick will only further upset the Dolphins fan base. If there’s even a fan base left.

9.) Carolina Panthers select Luke Kuechly (LB/Boston College)
A draft board riser and a smart, stable pick for a team that really needs bodies on the defensive side of the ball.  Plus, ESPN’s Sports Science says that Kuechly is more powerful than Dwight Freeney. So that’s something.
10.) Buffalo Bills select Stephen Gilmore (CB/South Carolina)
The Bills have said they need to improve at cornerback. So, yeah…

Gilmore is one of three first-round CBs (Claiborne and Janoris Jenkins are the others) with potential star written on them. Gilmore came in to South Carolina as a highly regarded recruit, but never became a star there. People seem to believe he will be better in the pros. I’m not terribly confident.

11.) Kansas City Chiefs select David DeCastro (OG/Stanford)
KC going with the OG. DeCastro is as highly regarded as any Guard in recent memory. He’s quick. He’s a fabulous pass blocker (his college Quarterback will likely agree). He’s a solid run blocker. And he’s got, according to those who now, quite the nasty streak. In short, he might be the perfect interior lineman. There’s no reason why DeCastro won’t be an All-Pro multiple times in his career. This would be one of the smartest choices of the draft.

12.) Seattle Seahawks select Quinton Coples (DE/North Carolina)
Coples is not David DeCastro. He’s a high upside/high risk player. He’s had weight issues, run-ins with coaches, and was investigated (though exonerated) by the NCAA for attending illegal parties. He’s being taken here because of his potential and the need for a rush end in Seattle. Coples is often compared, in terms of skill level, with Julius Peppers, another former Tar Heel.  Julius Peppers is very good.

13.) Arizona Cardinals select Riley Reiff (OT/Iowa)
Arizona is a team with a huge, gaping need at OT. Reif is a huge, talented OT, who comes from a school that churns out prospects like this on a yearly basis, Robert Gallery notwithstanding.

14.) Dallas Cowboys select Trent Richardson (RB/Alabama)
Richardson is not a player of any need to Dallas. They have needs in the defensive secondary, but Richardson is a top 5 talent, who I think might fall because of the notion that you can draft Running Backs late. Jerry Jones would see the value in getting a guy like Richardson here. Dallas hasn’t had a Back like him since Emmitt Smith.

This is certainly one surprise in my mock. Most mocks I’ve seen have Richardson going in the top 5.

15.) Philadelphia Eagles select Fletcher Cox (DT/Mississippi State)
Cox is another guy I have dropping. And unlike Richardson going to Dallas, Cox would fill a big need for Philadelphia. Primarily because he’s a defensive, front 7 player. And Philadelphia doesn’t have a lot of those.

16.) New York Jets select Mark Barron (S/Alabama)
Mark Barron is a Rex Ryan-type player. He’s an Ed Reed-type safety. Enough said.

Well, actually, look for Barron to be gone if Richardson does not fall in the first round. Dallas will take him. Right away.

17.) Cincinnati Bengals select Courtney Upshaw (OLB/Alabama)
We’re in the SEC portion of the draft. Upshaw is a pass rusher extraordinaire.  He also has a domestic violence arrest on his record. So he’s the perfect fit for the Cincinnati Bengals.

18.) San Diego Chargers select Michael Brockers (DT/LSU)
Brockers is thought to be a Top 10-type talent who hasn’t fully realized his potential. Chargers GM AJ Smith must really like him then.

19.) Chicago Bears select Whitney Mercilius (DE/IL)
I have no idea who he is. I mean, c’mon, do you actually think I watch a lot of Illinois games?

20.) Tennessee Titans select Donatri Poe (DT/Memphis)
He of the underachieving, often invisible, Dontari Poe from Memphis University. You’ll remember that he had the best combine of any prospect. All of a sudden, a player with little to no consequential game tape became the prospect du jour. So someone will take him in the first round. Congratulations, Tennessee Titans fans!

21.) Cincinnati Bengals select Janoris Jenkins (CB/North Alabama)
Most scouts like Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick more than Jenkins, but that is more of a reflection of Jenkins’ off-the-field problems than his on-the-field skills. If Jenkins can keep his life together (and stop creating other lives…four children) he could be the steal of this first round. He could also continue down the path he was on at Florida, where he was eventually dismissed.

He may be the best man coverage corner in the draft. Since losing Jonathan Joseph to free agency last year, the Bengals have had a void in that department.

22.) Cleveland Browns select Stephen Hill (WR/Georgia Tech)
Hill is a lengthy speedster with a ton of upside. His college numbers weren’t great because he played in a run option offense. The Hill pick makes a world of sense for the Browns, especially if they go with Tannehill with their earlier pick. And no, I won’t make a joke about how now they’ll have two more Wide Receivers after the first round.

23.) Detroit Lions select Dre Kirkpatrick (CB/Alabama)
This has to be a dream scenario for a team with a giant hole in their secondary. Kirkpatrick could go much earlier in this draft. Kirkpatrick is a prototypical corner with enough size to be an effective shutdown corner in press coverage. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m saying that he should be good.

24.) Pittsburgh Steelers select Cordy Glenn (OT/Georgia)
Cordy Glenn has sizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

25.) Denver Broncos select Devon Still (DT/Penn State)
Denver hasn’t drafted a Defensive Tackle in Round 1 since 1997. Considering how important the DT is, that’s kind of stunning. This pick comes down to Still and Jerel Worthy. Still comes with more size, which could greatly help a team that couldn’t stop my grandmother if she was walking slowly at their front 4 with her eyes closed and cinder blocks tied to her ankles.

26.) Houston Texans select Shea McClellin (OLB/Boise State)
Mario Williams is gone. DeMecco Ryans is gone. Needing players who can rush the quarterback from the edge, Houston turns to a guy with a huge motor, much in the vein of current Texans Brooks Reed, Connor Barwin, and Brian Cushing. Of course, this pick does have me thinking that the Texans linebacker corp will have a certain kind of pale hue to it.

27.) New England Patriots select Amini Silatolu (OG/Midwestern State)
First, I have an issue with making fake draft trades. It messes with the whole nature of picking the best, most logical guy for each team. That said, if I was going to project a trade, it’d be here.

This is about as “New England Patriots” as a draft pick can get. Boring position (check). Guy no one has ever heard of (check). College no one knew existed (check). Guy getting drafted a round early (check).

28.) Green Bay Packers select Nick Perry (DE/Southern California)
The Packers are weak on the outside of the D-line. Perry is a bit undersized, but his quickness is unrivaled at this juncture in the draft. He also comes with the same USC pedigree as Clay Matthews. Teams sometimes like that stuff.

29.) Baltimore Ravens select Dont’a Hightower (ILB/Alabama)
Eventually, the Ravens will draft Ray Lewis’ heir apparent in the first round. Hightower would be a very good choice. High motor. Good run-stuffer. Smart defender. Might not have top-end quickness, but he makes up for it by not wasting steps.

30.) San Francisco 49ers select Coby Fleener (TE/Stanford)
It’s probably too easy for Harbaugh to take a Stanford player in the first round of a draft and it’s not like the Niners need another TE (Delanie Walker and Vernon Davis do the job well). Fleener is versatile enough, though, that he could serve as a hybrid type player. Harbaugh will find ways to use him. And no one knows him better.

31.) New England Patriots select Vinny Curry (DE/Marshall)
So, we’ve got an Offensive Lineman from Midwestern State and a Defensive End from Marshall. Perfect.

32.) New York Giants select Reuben Randle (WR/LSU)
Randle would be a more than adequate replacement for Mario Manningham.  There’s a fair amount of Dwayne Bowe potential with Randle.  He’s big. He’s quick enough. His numbers in college weren’t stellar, but let’s be honest, Jordan Jefferson was throwing him the football. So let’s cut him some slack and make him a first rounder.


*********************************************************************************************
And that concludes the first round. Before I sign off, here are a few guys who I think can be a real sleeper at each position (that people care about. Sorry Guards.). These are players projected to go in the 4th round or later by most prognosticators. I will not be held accountable for the Patriots reaching for any of these players in the second round.

QB: Nick Foles (Arizona). I like his size. I like his mobility. I like him. Is he a “winner?” No. But he was an effective QB for a series of mediocre-to-bad Arizona teams.

RB: Terrance Ganaway (Baylor). A big, physical running back. Lacks breakaway speed. Cut in the mold of a slimmer Brandon Jacobs.

WR: T.Y. Hilton (Florida Int’l). He’s not likely to make it as a WR because of his tiny frame (5’8”, 183 LBS), but there’s definitely a future for him as a kick/punt return guy. Ran a 4.37 at the combine. Scouts tout his great vision and crisp cuts.

Defense: Duke Ihenacho (San Jose State). A low-profile school will diminish his stock, but Ihenacho has good size and great instincts at the safety position. If the Patriots are going to reach for someone in the second round, Ihenacho wouldn’t surprise me.


Enjoy the happiest evening of the year!!!!!


(Fans of the Oakland Raiders need not apply)

Bias Bulletin

/ Jason / Leave a comment

Capital W
Rookie goaltender? No problem. Road game? Not an issue. Reigning Stanley Cup Champion? Please.
The Washington Capitals advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals last night, knocking off the reigning champion Boston Bruins in a 2-1 overtime victory. The series will ultimately be remembered as the closest in NHL playoff history. Every game in the series was decided by one goal. Never before has that occurred.
The winning goal came from Joel Ward, perhaps the last guy anyone would pick, on either roster, to end a playoff series with an overtime game winner.  The hero, though, of the game and the series was Capitals rookie goaltender Braden Holtby, who matched Tim Thomas shot-for-shot.
The Capitals second round opponent will be decided tonight. See below for details.
Do I Feel A Draft In Here?
The primetime spectacle that is the NFL Draft gets underway tonight in New York City (8 p.m./NFL Network and ESPN). The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins hold the first two picks and there’s little intrigue as to who each team will select. The Colts have announced their intention to draft Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck and the Washington Redskins traded everything they owned to move into the second slot to draft Baylor Quarterback Robert Griffin III. 
The intrigue comes with the third pick, which could be traded or used by its current owner, the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota has a number of holes (defensive secondary, offensive line) to fill and there are a few players who can fill them. But the third slot is also a place that teams could trade into to draft a (potential) franchise quarterback like Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill or Alabama running back Trent Richardson.
Even if you don’t like football, there’s a reason to watch the NFL draft: suits. The suits are always a conversation starter. Cross your fingers for at least one gaudy, bright, pinstriped king of a suit.
Mulligan!
The New York Yankees are likely asking the Seattle Mariners for a mulligan on their major offseason trade today.  Prior to the start of the season, the Yankees and Mariners swapped high-quality young players. The Yankees sent “catcher” Jesus Montero and pitcher Hector Noesi to Seattle for All-Star 23-year old pitcher Michael Pineda.  The Yankees will have to wait a while to see any gain on their move, as yesterday, they shut Pineda down for the season with a shoulder injury.
Early on in Spring Training, it became apparent that something was wrong with Pineda. His velocity on his fastball was down considerably from the previous season. The Yankees told him to rest, crossed their fingers, and hoped for the best.  That hope was dashed yesterday. Pineda’s velocity is not back.  Next week, he’ll undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. Recovery from this surgery, in a perfect world, is typically 12 full months. Pineda’s absence leaves a giant hole in the Yankees rotation.
Your Daily Washington Nationals Update
The wins keep on coming. The scoreless streak by starting pitchers may have ended yesterday, but the winning ways of the Nationals kept moving. Behind a strong start from Jordan Zimmermann and a late inning offensive surge, the Nationals took the second game of their series with the Padres by a 7-2 score.
The Nationals will take a 14-4 record (the best start in Washington baseball history) into the series finale with San Diego tonight. Edwin Jackson will oppose Padres starter Edinson Volquez. Game time is 10:05 p.m.
Game(s) of the Day
Two NHL Game 7s tonight. The Ottawa Senators will try to become the second 8-seed this season to win a playoff series when they travel to Midtown Manhattan to face the New York Rangers (7:00 p.m./NBC Sports Network). Meanwhile, down the coast, the New Jersey Senators and Florida Panthers will play their Game 7 in Sunrise, Florida (8:30/NHL Network). 
And because I write this email for a DC crowd, here’s how these games will affect Washington’s next opponent:
Rangers win: Caps play Rangers.
Senators and Panthers win: Caps play Flyers
Senators and Devils win: Caps play Devils

Bias Bulletin

/ Jason / 1 Comment

And All That Jazz
It might not have led Sportscenter, but it’s leading the Bulletin. The Utah Jazz clinched the last remaining NBA playoff spot last night, defeating the Phoenix Suns 100-88 in Salt Lake City. The Jazz will enter the Western Conference playoffs as the 8-seed, pitting them against the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs, as a 1-seed, were eliminated in the first round of last year’s playoffs by the Memphis Grizzlies. This year, the Spurs rested their older stars once it became clear that they were solidly in the playoffs. But San Antonio is running into a Utah team that is clicking at the right time and Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin has found a winning rotation. This could be one of the more compelling first round playoff matchups.
Dazzling Darvish
The eyes of Japan were squared in on Arlington, Texas last night. For only the 7th time in Major League Baseball history, two Japanese-born starting pitchers were facing each other. The Texas Rangers sent rookie phenom Yu Darvish to the hill to face veteran Hiroki Kuroda and the New York Yankees.  And Darvish did not disappoint.
The rookie threw 8 1/3 shutout innings, striking out 10 Yankees, leading the Rangers to their 14th win of the season. Darvish is now 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA and the Rangers possess the best record in baseball.
Lionel Missi
Sometimes, even the world’s best player has a down day.
In a game that FC Barcelona had to win by two goals (once their opponent, Chelsea, scored), Lionel Messi stepped up for a penalty kick that would have put his club up by two goals. Normally, the world’s best player would have left burn marks on the inside of the net. Instead, Messi clanked a shot off of the crossbar. The miss left Barcelona with a 2-1 advantage. And despite another match of complete dominance (Barcelona controlled over 80% of the ball possession in the match), Barcelona came up short (even allowing a goal late into extra time by Chelsea striker Fernando Torres). The loss means that Chelsea will play in the UEFA Champions League final in May. Their opponent will be decided today when Bayern Munich travels to Spain to play Real Madrid. Munich has the 1-goal aggregate advantage.
Your Daily Washington Nationals Update
The Nats continued their winning ways last night and did it with another solid pitching performance, as they defeated the San Diego Padres 3-1. Starter Gio Gonzalez pitched 6 shutout innings, striking out 6 Padres hitters. The Nationals bullpen held the lead into the 9th inning, when Davey Johnson handed the ball to Henry Rodriguez to close the game out. And Rodriguez did so with no hiccups, picking up his 5th save.
However, good news also came with bad news, as 3B Ryan Zimmerman may be looking at a stint on the Disabled List with a shoulder injury.  For a team that is struggling to score runs, this is rather unfortunate. But, if they keep pitching as they have been, one run will do the job.
The Padres series continues today at 6:35 Eastern.  Jordan Zimmermann will face Joe Wieland. Zimmermann will look to continue a 21 inning scoreless streak for Nationals starters.
Game of the Day
Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins. It’s a Game 7. That’s reason enough to watch. (7:30/NBC Sports Network)

Bias Bulletin

/ Jason / Leave a comment

Every morning, I send an email to my sports-averse coworkers detailing the biggest events in the sports world that day. This is to help them better converse with the sport-obsessed among us. I will publish this email every morning as the Bias Bulletin.

Spygate II?
You’ll remember, perhaps, that the New England Patriots found themselves in hot water a handful of years ago for alleged spying on other teams’ play calls. Yesterday, ESPN (also known as “The Leader”) reported that the New Orleans Saints thought this was a good idea, in fact, well before the Patriots did.
The report from The Leader, goes like this: Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, a man with no background in the X’s and O’s of football, set up a recording device in the visitor’s coaching box that allowed him to intercept (See what I did there???? No one has ever done that before!!!!) plays calls. It’s worth noting, with as little editorializing as possible, that Loomis, again, has no background in play calling.  In fact, former Colts General Manager Bill Polian said yesterday that he didn’t understand what the big deal was because Loomis would be unable to do anything with these play calls, assuming that he didn’t also have information about the language the Saints’ opponents used in their play calling.
The system was allegedly dismantled in 2005, during the time of Hurricane Katrina’s assault on the Gulf coast.  The NFL is investigating. This just continues what has been a long, assuredly difficult offseason for fans of the New Orleans Saints. But, hey, at least Drew Brees isn’t a free agent!  Wait, huh?
Futility
The Kansas City Royals have lost their last 11 games. The first game of the streak was on the road. The other 10? All in the friendly confines of Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. It’s the kind of futility that would dominate sports pages.  Except…
About 1,000 miles southeast of Kansas City, a truly historic level of futility is occurring.  For many people, Saint Patrick’s Day is a joyous celebration of, well, something. For the Charlotte Bobcats, Saint Patrick’s Day was a celebration of their most recent victory, a 107-103 win over the Toronto Raptors. Since then, the Bobcats have lost 21 consecutive games. They sit at 7-57, overall. If they fail to win their last two game, against the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks, they will finish with the worst winning percentage in the history of the NBA. All under the watchful (or, more astutely, absent) eye of owner Michael Jordan. Yes, that Michael Jordan. The most competitive player the NBA has ever seen.
So rest easy, Royals fans. Things could get much worse. Just look to Charlotte.
37 is the new Derek Jeter
A few years ago, the baseball glitterati deemed Derek Jeter to have come to the end of his road.  Jeter’s 2010 season slash line (Batting Average/On-Base Pct./Slugging Pct.) of .270/.340/.370 was the worst of his career. He had slowed down in the field, despite winning a Gold Glove because that awards process is so foolish. There was no power left his swing (just 10 home runs). He was, for all intents and purposes, done.
Folks inside of the Yankees clubhouse this spring said that a new Jeter had arrived. He looked younger, faster. His bat speed had increased. He looked poised. If the first 16 games of the season mean anything, those observations were spot on.  Jeter’s (admittedly very early) season slash line looks like this: .411/.436/.644. He’s already hit 10 home runs. His range factor (a fielding statistic) is the best it’s been since 2008. And the Yankees are winning. This might not be music to many people’s ears, but it’s great news to the ears of baseball fans. Amid a bevy of hot starts (Matt Kemp’s, Josh Hamilton’s) Derek Jeter has, rather quietly I might add, returned to form. If it lasts, it will be a great story. If it doesn’t, it will, at the very least, give us another reason to celebrate one of the greats of our generation.
Your Daily Washington Nationals Update
The Nats were off yesterday. They begin a three game series with the San Diego Padres tonight in Southern California. Gio Gonzalez will take the hill for Washington. He’ll be opposed by Clayton Richard. Game time is 10:05 Eastern.
Game of the Day
Phoenix Suns @ Utah Jazz (10:30/TNT). This game comes as the second of a doubleheader on TNT, preceded by the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat (a great game in its own right). A win for the Utah Jazz will clinch the 8thseed in the NBA’s Western Conference. A win for the Suns would move them into a tie with Utah for the 8th spot, leaving each team with one game remaining on their schedule and giving the Suns the tiebreak advantage. It’s as close to a must-win game as you’ll get. The Suns defeated the Jazz three weeks ago in Salt Lake City. It should be a great environment in the SLC tonight.

Bias Bulletin

/ Jason / Leave a comment

Every morning, I send an email to my sports-averse coworkers detailing the biggest events in the sports world that day. This is to help them better converse with the sport-obsessed among us. I will publish this email every morning as the Bias Bulletin.

Perfection

If you read Friday’s Bulletin, you were left with a bevy of options for the “Game of the Weekend.” Nowhere, on Friday, did you read that Saturday’s Seattle Mariners/Chicago White Sox game would be the game we’d remember. But the truly great thing about sports is that you just never know. That’s why you never leave a game early. And that’s why you should never take for granted a pitching matchup that features Blake Beaven and Philip Humber.

On Saturday afternoon, Humber pitched 21st perfect game in MLB history. No hits. No walks. Not a single base runner. 27 men came to the plate. All 27 were retired. It was a great moment for a really nice guy who has, over the course of his career, had some tough times. Humber was once the top prospect in the New York Mets system, drafted 3rd overall in 2004 out of Rice University. He was the centerpiece of the prospect package that the Twins received from New York when they traded Johan Santana, even after he underwent Tommy John surgery. Then, like many Rice pitchers before him, Humber’s arm continued to fail him. He bounced around Minnesota’s system, before landing in Kansas City briefly. The Royals would waive him. He’d be claimed by the Athletics. The Athletics would waive him. He would be claimed by the White Sox. Entering last season, Humber appeared as though he’d enter the long list of top pitching prospects to wxit the game more quietly than they arrived (let’s call this the Bryan Bullington All-Stars). Then, something happened. Humber was the most reliable starting pitcher for the White Sox last year. His numbers were not elite, but he found a way to pitch effectively with slightly diminished stuff. His location was better. In short, he was better.

Saturday was the continuation of a long journey back for a guy who could have easily given up. Instead, Humber, on a weekend replete with sports stories, became the headliner. It was a much deserved return from (and for some, introduction to) the brink.

Ron Artest Elbowed a Man in the Head Because He is Ron Artest

Yesterday’s Thunder/Lakers game could easily have led the sports news on merits alone. The Thunder controlled most of the first three quarters. Then the Lakers surged, forced two overtimes, and pulled away late to win by 8.

Instead of talking about a really good basketball game though, wouldn’t you know it, we’re talking about Ron Artest being Ron Artest. Late in the second quarter of the game, Artest made a nice move to the basket and executed a dunk, as Thunder forward Serge Ibaka trailed him. It was, for any player, a solid move. Artest, in celebrating, pounded his chest and bumped into Thunder guard James Harden. He then took his left arm and swung it wildly at Harden, connecting directly with his head. Harden crumbled to the floor cradling his head. Meanwhile, Artest, with Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins pursuing him, backpedaled, mugging angrily at the Thunder players, and grabbed his crotch. Artest was ejected and will face a suspension that most experts believe will be for 5 games. Harden, meanwhile, suffered a concussion and will be out until he can pass a series of tests. The NBA playoffs begin on Saturday.

Enjoy The President’s Trophy

The National Hockey League gives out a trophy annually to the club with the regular season’s best record. This year, the Vancouver Canucks were the recipient of that trophy. Ironic then, that the Canucks now find themselves eliminated from the playoffs, after just five games. Last night, behind the solid goaltending of Jonathan Quick, the Los Angeles Kings won their first playoff series in a decade, beating the Canucks 2-1 in overtime. The Kings won the series 4-games-to-1.

Elsewhere in the playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers closed out their series with the Pittsburgh Penguins, while the Boston Bruins, after losing Game 5 at home, returned the favor yesterday in Washington, forcing a Game 7, back in Boston, on Wednesday night.

Your Daily Washington Nationals Update

The Nationals have today off and had yesterday’s game postponed due to rain. However, that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to talk about today.

The Nats are currently 12-4. They’re 8-2 in their last 10 games. They won both games this weekend against the Miami Marlins, a team that has given the Nationals fits over the previous 5 years. Saturday, the Nationals won 3-2, despite batting Mark DeRosa and Chad Tracy in the 3 and 4 spots, respectively. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was a late scratch with some minor shoulder inflammation. Zimmerman says he will be good to go tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, the Nats will begin a 6-game West Coast swing tomorrow night in San Diego. They’ll follow that up with a trip north to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers.

Game of the Day

A couple of elimination games in the NHL today, but I know my audience. So….

New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers (7:05/ESPN). CC Sabathia takes the mound against Derek Holland and his gorgeous mustache. The Rangers are 13-3 and if you’re a fan of any other team, you’re terrified of the Rangers. As good as Washington, St. Louis, and Los Angeles (NL) have looked, the Rangers have looked that much better. They have the American League’s best rotation and best lineup. Meanwhile, for the Yankees, CC Sabathia is trying to get his season on more solid footing. This will be a good, early series.

Or you could watch hockey…