Happy Hour!

We haven’t filmed one in just about a year, but this week’s addition of Happy Hour features our annual baseball preview. Feel free to agree – or disagree – and let us know!

It’s Report Card Time…

NFC Draft Grades

by Matt Shanley

 

NFC East:

Dallas Cowboys: C
It would be impossible for the Cowboys to get any grade higher than a C, seeing as they didn’t have a single pick until the third round.  Their most valuable pick came in the fifth round when they replaced hard-hitting safety Roy Williams with Michael Hamlin out of Clemson.

New York Giants: C+
Coming in, the Giants had ten picks and were expected to trade away several of them.  They ended up drafting nine players and adding three solid weapons for Eli Manning.  Their only mistake was not addressing the secondary sooner.

Philadelphia Eagles: B
The Eagles got lucky when they saw wide receiver Jeremy Maclin falling as far as he did.  Throw him into the fire with DeSean Jackson on the other side, and the Eagles will be dangerous for years to come.  Running back LeSean McCoy is also a solid replacement for former back Correll Buckhalter.

Washington Redskins: C+
Brian Orakpo was one of my favorite picks in this draft.  The Redskins got a winner when they drafter the Texas pass rusher.  Other than that, they didn’t really seem to address any major needs.

NFC North:

Chicago Bears: C+
This is a similar situation to the one in Dallas.  Because of the Jay Cutler trade, the Bears lacked a pick in the first two rounds.  They could have used a wide receiver, however, defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert out of San Jose State will be a nice addition to Lovey Smith’s defense.

Detroit Lions: B+
The Lions were very smart in drafting a franchise quarterback (Matt Stafford) and a sure-handed tight end (Brandon Pettigrew) to mature with each other.  Look for these two to make careers for each other.

Green Bay Packers: A-
Adding tackle B.J. Raji and linebacker Clay Matthews to an already scary defense is something for teams to be worried about this season.  They could have drafted a running back to share some carries with injury prone Ryan Grant, but even so, they made out pretty well for themselves.

Minnesota Vikings: C
I’m not really a fan of the Percy Harvin pick, and it’s not because he supposedly has character issues.  In order for him to be a playmaker in this league, he needs a playmaker taking snaps.  Sage Rosenfels is not that guy, nor is Tavaris Jackson.

NFC South:

Atlanta Falcons: B-
Out of eight picks, the Dirty Birds drafted one offensive player, a lineman.  This was a very smart move on their part, seeing as they addressed what was really their only concern on offense in acquiring Tony Gonzalez a week prior to the draft.

Carolina Panthers: C
The Everette Brown pick was a great one, especially if Julius Peppers finds his way out of Raleigh.  The Panthers focused mainly on secondary after that, and I can’t say I blame them.

New Orleans Saints: B-
If the rumors are true, and the Saints do sign Edgerrin James before mini-camp, I will agree with their decision to draft Buckeye cornerback Malcom Jenkins rather than trading up for Knowshon Moreno or Beanie Wells.  Either way, they needed players in their secondary, and they got them.  Nice job by the Saints.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C-
Nope.  They just signed Byron Leftwich.  Hefty Lefty is clearly not a franchise quarterback, but there was no reason for the Bucs to reach for Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman in the first round.  This team lacks an identity on defense, and that pain could have been eased with one of the Trojan beasts.

NFC West:

Arizona Cardinals: B-
The Beanie Wells pick was a great one.  He was the best player on the board, and he’s a physical runner to compliment the finesse style of Tim Hightower.  Linebacker Cody Brown will also offer Karlos Dansby the help he so desperately needs.

St. Louis Rams: B+
Jason Smith was a no-brainer.  He will make gaps that Steven Jackson doesn’t even see in his wildest dreams.  James Lauranitis is one of my favorite guys in this draft.  He’s ruthless.  He and Chris Long will anchor the Rams’ front seven for years to come.

San Francisco 49ers: A-
Michael Crabtree immediately makes this team better.  After productive seasons from Isaac Bruce and Josh Morgan, Crabtree doesn’t need to be the number one receiver right away.   All the Niners need is someone to throw the ball to these wide outs, and don’t be surprised if fifth round quarterback Nate Davis ends up becoming that guy.

Seattle Seahawks: B-
The Seahawks drafted two immediate starters in linebacker Aaron Curry and center Max Unger.  These additions won’t make this team drastically better, but they are baby steps on the road to improvement.

The Sun Rises in the West

by Matt Shanley

“Authorities Investigate Pacman’s Role in Shooting.”

“Giants Receiver Recovering After Gunshot Wounds to Hand and Leg.”

“Aikman to Romo: Perception Matters.”

When one first visits ESPN.com’s NFL homepage, the aforementioned sentences are headlines that can be seen immediately.

Not for nothing, it’s the week before Super Bowl 43.  In just nine days, the Steelers may have to make room for a sixth ring, the most in NFL history.  However, in the same amount of time, the Arizona Cardinals may be ending the third longest championship drought in all of sports.  In either case, it’s hard to believe that football’s main focus right now belongs to vacationing quarterbacks and gunshots.

And that brings us to February 1, 2009.  Super Bowl 43.  The Pittsburgh Steelers have the number one defense in the league.  They have the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.  They have one of the league’s elite young quarterbacks and an explosive offense surrounding him.  However, for everything they have, there is one thing the Cardinals possess that the Steelers do not, and that could prove to be the difference in next Sunday’s game.

Larry Fitzgerald is 6’3″.  He’s 220 pounds.  He’s averaged seven catches in the Cardinals’ past three games and has already broken Jerry Rice’s record for receiving yards in a single postseason.  However, for every number that goes on the back of an Upper Deck football card, and for every dreadlock swaying out the back of his helmet as he throws his body around the field with reckless abandon, there are some things that just can’t be measured.

In an era where every athlete’s favorite word is “me,” and free agency and trades make it possible for every man to become a millionaire, sports fans come across a diamond in the rough such as Fitzgerald.  He’s someone who speaks English as opposed to ebonics.  He doesn’t dress in clothes that would be big on 323 pound teammate Levi Brown.  Most importantly for the Cardinals, however, is the fact that Fitzgerald leads by example.  He doesn’t let his mouth overshadow his talent, which is more than can be said for the receiver who lines up opposite him every Sunday.

Maybe that’s what America needs.  When everyday, terrible news spreads from coast to coast, maybe it’s important to root for someone like Larry Fitzgerald, a true underdog.  His voice is seldom heard, yet lately, he’s impossible to miss.  He respects the talent he has been blessed with, and knows the importance of being in the public eye.  He knows he’s a role model.

And that’s why when February 1, 2009 finally approaches, people will put on their red jerseys that are screen printed with the number eleven.  They’ll root for the ageless Kurt Warner, the needy Anquan Boldin, and the greedy Edgerrin James, however no cheers will be louder than when the dreadlocks that honor the memory of Fitzgerald’s late motherfly through the air to make another spectacular catch.  Fitzgerald is a bright spot, not only for the Arizona Cardinals, but for the entire National Football League.  That’s why people deserve to see more headlines such as another one that graces the pages of ESPN.com:

“Following Fitz’s Lead.”