Let It Rip

My own personal Dodge Challenger 500

This little soiree in the South Carolina Pee Dee is known as the Dodge Challenger 500.

Well, fellow writer Steve Wiseman and I embarked on the Dodge Challenger 21 on Thursday morning.

The good folks of Dodge were handing out the keys to two of their many 2008 Dodge Challenger ST8s (which are actually meaner than the one pictured here) for test drives along a 21-mile course in rural Darlington County. After staring glassy-eyed at the 6.1-liter hemi for a few minutes, I had to take the beastie for a spin.

The two models offered up came in bright silver metallic and black crystal pearl. I took the black one. Steve piled into the passenger seat and I pushed the start button (yes, button … it’s 2008).

The Dodge Challenger is not a car to be trifled with. Most of you who are unfamiliar with muscle cars have by now conjured up images of the General Lee. That’s a Dodge Charger. The Charger, too, is a muscle car, but understand this: A Charger is Chris Rock. A Challenger is Joe Frazier.

Well, we got this monster out onto the highway and it became clear the 425-horsepower behemoth was more than capable of doing whatever we desired. We did unspeakable things to the posted speed limit. It handled curves as if they weren’t there.

It was about halfway into the drive that we really got a chance to see what it could do. We fell in behind a farmer in a beatup Chevy pickup. He was plodding along about 10 miles under the 55-mph speed limit.

I mashed the gas to the floor and … you hear people all the time saying they heard an engine roar. The Challenger’s engine does something more than simply roar. Lions roar. Heck, a Dodge Charger roars. What the Challenger responded with was a deep-throated war cry that would spook a T-Rex.

We were pinned to our seats as the Challenger blasted past the pickup. The farmer hung his head out the window and shook his head as we passed.

Head-shaking. That’s what most other folks on the road did when they saw this bad boy roll up on them. On the city streets, people pulled up along side just to admire the car’s lines. You couldn’t take your eyes off it.

And yes, on occasion I played to the audience. I took a few turns sharply. I gunned the engine. And on a particularly straight stretch of highway, I drove about as fast as you could imagine. I can’t tell you where the needle was. It might be a felony. Let’s just say I probably could have ordered a pizza from Domino's while in Darlington and passed the delivery boy on the way to my house in Lexington.

On several occasions, Steve and I just broke out in giggles. Like Beavis and Butt-head. No prompting. No preamble. Just guys being guys playing with a big toy.

It was sad, turning that car over to the Dodge folks upon finishing the drive. They had knowing grins on their faces when we stepped out. Another scribe who took the silver Challenger for a spin told us he was pulled over by a police officer who simply wanted to ask what it was like to drive it.

If you want your own, it will set you back just a shade under $41,000. There will only be 6,400 SRT8s in 2008 and half have already been sold. If I were you, I’d find a Dodge dealer and take one for a test drive. Chances are, the Dodge folks will know what you’re up to. They’ve probably done it themselves.

This car is ridiculous. It's not for you greenies out there. It gets a measly 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway, goes 0-60 in 4 seconds and 60-0 in a skin-stripping 110 feet.

Now I know why kids grow up wanting to be in NASCAR.

Bo and Luke Duke have nothing on Obley and Wiseman. Check out the video below and you'll get a pretty good idea how Steve and I spent Thursday morning at Darlington. What a great job.

Round 5: We have an in-stater at last ...

Jerome Felton is a Detroit Lion. The Lions took him with the 11th pick of the fifth round. He was expected to go later in the day, yet he becomes just the second fullback taken in this year's draft.

Detroit is showing a serious commitment to boosting its running game after taking Kevin Smith with the first pick of the third round. Smith and Felton should be a good tandem.

Round 4 Wrap: Still no South Carolina guys

No pick for the Panthers, no Cory Boyd and no in-state players as Round 4 comes to a close.

Mike Rucker's brother, TE Martin Rucker from Missouri, was drafted by Cleveland in the early going. Georgetown County native Jeremy Geathers is still waiting to hear his name called, but his UNLV teammate Beau Bell got the call from those same Cleveland Browns a few picks prior to nabbing Rucker.

The fourth round was characterized by sleeper picks. Tennessee dug deep, deep, deep, DEEP to take Winston-Salem defensive end William Hayes, who may very well have gone undrafted. The Titans are having a dreadful draft.

Another 10 defensive backs came off the board as teams keep with the theme of drafting linemen and secondary. Eight offensive linemen and five defensive linemen were taken. For the record, that's 23 of 36 picks in the fourth spent on those three areas.

There's a rousing argument taking place on the NFL Network right now. If you look at the draft picks surrendered, Jacksonville gave up more to draft Derrick Harvey than Minnesota did to get Jared Allen. Someone actually is defending the Jaguars on that front. I don't see it.

Carolina has taken TE Gary Barnidge out of Louisville with the No. 6 pick in the fifth round, a pick they got from the Jets in the Kris Jenkins trade. Barnidge clearly is a developmental pick. He's undersized right now and apparently needs to improve his blocking skills. Scouts Inc believes he'll have a hard time in man coverage.

Round 3 Wrap: Who picked who where? When?

There were 36 picks in the third round this year, but just 19 were made by teams in their original positions. When the dust settled, 17 selections were made via trades. Some of those selections were the result of multiple trades. What a mess.

Take, for example, the round's third pick. Miami drafted Hampton defensive end Kendall Langford with the pick that originally was Kansas City's. The Chiefs traded the pick to Detroit in yesterday's deal to draft Branden Albert.

Sunday morning, the Lions immediately got the Dolphins on the horn to trade for Miami's No. 1 pick in the third round. The two teams swapped positions, among other things, and the Lions took Kevin Smith with that pick.

Confused? You're not alone there.

Best pick: Kevin Smith. Detroit got great value with the Central Florida running back. His game should translate well to the NFL

Oddest pick: Dan Connor, LB, Carolina. Note that I called this one "odd" rather than "worst." Connor is a good player. We just don't quite know what the Panthers will do with him, considering how deep they are at the position.

Sleeper: The New York Giants might have landed yet another steal with Michigan WR Mario Manningham late in the round. He tumbled down the draft boards for obvious physical (size) and character issues. But, if he can straighten himself out off the field, he has the potential to be a great slot complement to emerging WR threat Steve Smith and stalwart Plaxico Burress.

Round 3: From good to bad in the heartland

Well, Kansas City coach Herm Edwards said the Chiefs want five starters out of this year's draft. After Day One, he was definitely on pace to do just that.

What in the world happened in the third round? Kansas City opened a busy second day by drafting running back Jamaal Charles from Texas. This, for a team that has Larry Johnson. Perhaps Kolby Smith is a bust ... no, wait, he had a couple 100-plus-yard games in sub duty for Johnson in 2007.

Next came tight end Brad Cottam from Tennessee. Am I wrong, or do the Chiefs have one of the greatest tight ends of all time currently on the roster? Cottam's a good down-the-road pick perhaps ... no, that's not right either, because he isn't considered a great pass-catching end. I suppose the hope is he develops into a decent replacement for departed blocking tight end Jason Dunn.

With their last pick in the third round, KC took safety DaJuan Morgan. This one makes a little more sense considering the Chiefs are somewhat thin at the position ... after drafting two safeties two years ago.

In retrospect (and hindsight is always 20/20), the Chiefs needed to burn up a couple of these extra picks and fold in next year's first-rounder (or perhaps No. 2) to nab a defensive end (Phillip Merling?) at the back end of the first round/beginning of the second. Dorsey is a big catch and will bolster their line, but Jared Allen's void at defensive end remains glaring and painful. The Chiefs won't generate a pass rush in 2008. Teams with throw on every down.

I guess in the end, it all works out though. By the end of 2008, Herm likely won't be around to regret this year's draft.

Round 3 under way: Time to address needs (maybe)

The third round of the NFL draft is the weekend's nexus. After two rounds, most teams have nabbed who they believed to be the most valuable players for their system.

In the third round, the attention turns to players who might have slipped through unexpectedly. While the temptation is to start plugging holes, sometimes there are guys the scouts just won't let you pass on.

That happen just a little while ago to the Carolina Panthers, who nabbed Penn State linebacker Dan Connor (more from Dan himself later). Connor was expected to be one of the first linebackers off the board when the draft began but, for whatever reason, was sitting there when Carolina's No. 74 overall pick arrived.

It goes without saying that Dan is a little confused as to why the Panthers would take him, since Jon Beason so ably established himself at the same position. Here at Bank of America Stadium, we've already heard from Dan. As soon as GM Marty Hurney and coach John Fox become available, we'll fill you in on the thought process.

Just off the cuff though: Connor was the best available player at that point of the draft. We'll see what the bosses say.

CybeRip's NFL Draft blog: The day seems to belong to Miami

FIRST ROUND

1. MIAMI DOLPHINS

The pick: T Jake Long, Michigan

Signed, sealed and finally delivered, yet the NFL will go through its dog-and-pony show with this first pick.

Look at the joy on Jake Long’s face. A dream come true.

So, what is the NFL draft history for tackles taken No. 1 overall? Here’s what that looks like:

1997: Orlando Pace. He worked out well.

And since 1980, that’s it. Taking a tackle with the No. 1 overall pick is rarer than rare. Before Pace, you have to go all the way back to Ron Yary. Who’s he?

He’s a Hall of Famer.

Good pick, Miami. The force is with you.

St. Louis is on the clock. Get ready for another Long.

   

2. ST. LOUIS RAMS

The pick: DE Chris Long, Virginia

This pick was interesting if only for the apparent debate that was going on in the Rams’ war room.

There is little debate that Glenn Dorsey was the best available player. However, the Rams needed a defensive end. That made the debate into the classic need vs. best available.

Drafting high almost always demands a team takes the best available. If you’re drafting high, it’s because you lack top talent.

Take nothing away from Chris Long. He’s a serious player. Good bloodlines. Good head on his shoulders.

But Dorsey should have been the pick here.

And yes, I fully expect Long to make me look like an idiot for saying that during the next 10 years.

   

3. ATLANTA FALCONS

The pick: QB Matt Ryan, Boston College

This is another need vs. best available call. In this case, what does history dictate?

Since 1990, here are the first quarterbacks drafted:

2007: JaMarcus Russell (Oakland)

2006: Vince Young (Tennessee)

2005: Alex Smith (San Francisco)

2004: Eli Manning (San Diego-N.Y. Giants)

2003: Carson Palmer (Cincinnati)

2002: David Carr (Houston)

2001: Michael Vick (Atlanta)

2000: Chad Pennington (N.Y. Jets)

1999: Tim Couch (Cleveland)

1998: Peyton Manning (Indianapolis)

1997: Jim Druckenmiller (San Francisco)

1996: Tony Banks (St. Louis)

1995: Steve McNair (Houston)

1994: Heath Shuler (Washington)

1993: Drew Bledsoe (New England)

1992: David Klingler (Cincinnati)

1991: Dan McGwire (Seattle)

1990: Jeff George (Indianapolis)

As you can see, there are several decent quarterbacks on this list. But how many are Hall of Famers? How many are even perennial All-Pros? You’ve got Peyton Manning. Drew Bledsoe was fairly decent. Steve McNair had a serviceable career. The newbies are too new to know how good they’ll be.

Another thing that jumps out to me: This list only tracks to 1990, but do you notice the number of teams on this list twice? That also clues me in to the theory that taking a quarterback early isn’t always the best idea.

Again, this pick was best used for Glenn Dorsey. The dropoff from him to the next defensive tackle is huge. The dropoff from Ryan to the next QB … not so much.

   

4. OAKLAND RAIDERS

The pick: RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas

   Well, the Raiders were in need of playmakers, guys who could be sprinkled in around Jamarcus Russell to take the load off his shoulders.

   McFadden is the consensus best running back in the draft … but how much better is he than Rashard Mendenhall? Felix Jones? Running back X?

   He’s good, no doubt. But the Raiders don’t have another pick until the fourth round and they have a glaring hole at defensive tackle that won’t be filled with that next pick.

   The Raiders have more trouble stopping running backs than fielding them.

   Merry Christmas, Kansas City.

   

5. KANSAS CITY

The pick: DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU

With the first of their 13 picks, the Chiefs landed the best overall player in the draft.

The big question, of course, is whether Dorsey is durable. If he is, the Chiefs have landed a difference-maker who can definitely ease the burden of losing Jared Allen.

Dorsey is no Allen. Let’s be clear about that. He will not be a sack-master. However, he will team with a good young group of defensive linemen to give Kansas City a stout run defense while taking heat off up-and-coming defensive end Tamba Hali.

However, before Chiefs fans become too giddy, two words: Ryan Sims.

The Chiefs really need an offensive lineman. They should be able to take care of that with their No. 17.

   

6. NEW YORK JETS

The pick: DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State

And so the arms race begins in the AFC East. The Dolphins nab Jake Long and the Jets counter by taking Jake Long’s personal kryptonite.

The big knock against Gholston is his tendency to vanish at key times. He’s in New York, now. There’s no such thing as vanishing … even when you’re vanishing. How will he handle the media scrutiny?

He could be the best DE in the draft … or he could be Michael Haynes. Remember him? Of course you don’t. He was the second DE taken in the 2003 draft. He went to the Chicago Bears.

5.5 career sacks.

   

7. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Pick: DE Sedrick Ellis, Southern Cal

The Saints couldn’t talk Kansas City into trading down but didn’t give up on making a move. The Patriots were the perfect trade partner because their needs can be dealt with via a lower slot.

Ellis is the perfect 3-4, 4-3 hybrid. He can play inside or out. Great pick by the Saints.

More trade talk: Baltimore is about to trade down with Jacksonville.

   

8. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Pick: DE Derrick Harvey, Florida

The run continues on defensive linemen. This is a guy who was high up on the Carolina Panthers’ draft board. They truly believed he might have been available at No. 13. However, the longer this defensive run continues, the better Carolina’s chances are to nab an elite offensive tackle. Or, if they want to get really crazy, they could snatch Rashard Mendenhall.

Jacksonville got this pick from Baltimore, which abandoned the top 10 when it couldn’t make a deal to nab Matt Ryan. They’ll gladly sit at No. 26 now and snatch the second-best quarterback.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars entered the draft truly believing they were only a few players away from fielding a Super Bowl contender. They spend the offseason upgrading their offensive toys (though the jury really is out on whether Troy Williamson was a great pickup).

The Jags could still snatch a quarterback in the second round. That’s something to watch.

   

9. CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Pick: LB Keith Rivers, Southern Cal

So, the first linebacker is off the board. How good are linebackers taken in the top nine? The past 10 years offer:

2006: A.J. Hawk (GB), Ernie Sims (DET)

2000: LaVar Arrington (Wash), Brian Urlacher (Chi)

1999: Chris Claiborne (Det)

Obviously, 2000 was a good year. Claiborne’s out of the league and so is Arrington. Good players, but longevity is an issue, clearly. Urlacher’s a future HOFer. Ernie Sims is a tackle machine and Hawk has a chance to be special.

Rivers might be the best of the group from a physicality standpoint. He’s big, strong and fast.

New England is up next. I bet bottom dollar they get exactly who they want.

   

10. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Pick: LB Jerod Mayo, Tennessee

And so the Patriots atone for taking Andy Katzenmoyer. They wanted a linebacker, they got a good one … potentially.

Mayo is raw as all get-out. All you Gamecocks fans out there are aware of his potential and his pitfalls.

Would Mayo have still been around if the Patriots had their original No. 31? There’s a good chance he would have, making this a reach.

But is it really a reach? The Patriots are loaded, so they went directly after need.

   

11. BUFFALO BILLS

The Pick: CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy

Holy Cow, the Bills didn’t reach! They actually took the top player at his position?

McKelvin is a serious physical specimen and he appears to be “getting it” at cornerback.

I’m still stunned, though. Buffalo’s always good for a first-round laugher. I sort of expected them to draft Mario Manningham.

Or, heck, Blake Mitchell.

   

12. DENVER BRONCOS

The Pick: T Ryan Clady, Boise State

This is a classic Denver selection. Clady is considered the consensus No. 2 tackle in the draft. He’s easily a left tackle prospect and he easily fits into Denver’s blocking scheme.

He’s a great athlete, but he isn’t the most physical of the top tackle prospects. He can be beat. Fortunately for him, Denver’s scheme can compensate for finesse players like Clady.

He’ll be a 10-year starter for the Broncos. Anywhere else? Hard to say.

Now here comes Carolina. This should be fun.

    

13. CAROLINA PANTHERS

The Pick: RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon

This is a curious pick. The Panthers had their choice of tackles and even G/T Branden Albert. Taking Stewart gives them the perfect complement to DeAngelo Williams, but I’m not so sure he was the best of his kind. Rashard Mendenhall can do everything Stewart can and more.

Carolina apparently was fine with Stewart’s foot injury. The guy who did the surgery is the Panthers’ surgeon, Robert Anderson.

I can’t help but think the Panthers have drafted DeShaun Foster v.2008. We all know how the original worked out.

   

14. CHICAGO BEARS

The Pick: T Chris Williams, Vanderbilt

Just an unrelated note: Chris Williams was one of Heath Benedict’s best friends. Ed and Holly Benedict, Heath’s parents, are no doubt cheering for their late son’s good friend right now.

Williams is a left tackle who will allow the Bears to move John Tate to right tackle, where he’s better suited.

I’m rather curious whether the Bears will address the quarterback position during the draft. They do not enter the draft with quarterback as a priority (though they should).

With the loss of Bernard Berrian in free agency, they can use a receiver. Safety and running back are issues as well. This draft is well-suited to the Bears this year. They should be able to address every need.

   

15. KANSAS CITY

The Pick: G/T Branden Albert, Virginia

The Chiefs traded up a couple of spots to nab their guy. He’s considered a master technician with the body to play any position along the line.

However, if the Chiefs think this guy is their new Willie Roaf, they are sorely mistaken. Will Shields, perhaps. I don’t see him being a difference-making tackle unless the Chiefs can put some quality bulk on him AND make certain his footwork doesn’t suffer as a result.

Hard to argue this point, however … the Chiefs have nabbed the two guys they wanted in the first round. From that standpoint … kudos.

Kansas City coughed up one of the third-rounders they nabbed in the Jared Allen trade and a fifth-rounder.

NFL Network talking heads are going on and on about how Albert is the best lineman in the draft. Short attention span, considering who went No. 1.

   

16. ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Pick: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Deion Sanders let out a yelp when the pick was announced. Guess we know what Deion thinks of the pick.

This was a savvy move by Arizona. Rashard Mendenhall would have been the flashier selection, but they had a serious need in the secondary and Rodgers-Cromartie clearly was the best corner in the draft. He’s tall, he’s quick and his technique is improving rapidly.

Hey, the Lions are on the clock and the top receivers are all available? Whaddaya think?

   

17. DETROIT LIONS

The Pick: T Gosder Cherilus, Boston College

Well, in descending order, the Lions’ needs were … DL, LB, RB, T

So, in keeping with the brilliance that is Matt Millen, the Lions addressed their lightest need first by taking an entirely questionable prospect with the 17^th overall selection.

Rashard Mendenhall was right there. For crying out loud, so was Jeff Otah.

Cherilus has serious issues with virtually every facet of his game. His potential is great, but will he pan out?

If he went to New England, I’d say yes. Detroit? He’ll be sweeping sidewalks by 2010.

Baltimore has moved into the No. 18 hole. Joe Flacco must be their choice.

   

18. BALTIMORE RAVENS

The Pick: QB Joe Flacco, Delaware

Baltimore was in a curious spot. They needed a quarterback just about as badly as any team in the draft. They absolutely had to come away with one.

Once Matt Ryan went off the board, the Ravens traded back to No. 26 overall thinking Flacco would fall to them there.

As trades were made, the Ravens became nervous a team like Kansas City or Carolina might make a deal to undercut the Ravens and nab their guy.

So, Baltimore deals with Houston and gets its guy.

Is Flacco truly the No. 2 quarterback in the draft. Maybe. Perhaps probably. But the question is this: What’s the difference between No. 2 and No. 5 in this year’s draft at the quarterback position?

Methinks the Ravens overpaid here, but more power to ‘em.

   

19. CAROLINA PANTHERS

The Pick: T Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh

Thank the Baltimore Ravens for this one.

Now, the Panthers officially have put together a good first round.

When the Ravens traded up to snatch Flacco, the Philadelphia Eagles threw up their hands and decided to move down.

Carolina, knowing it needed a tackle in the worst way, probably thought they wouldn’t be getting one after choosing Stewart. When other teams kept passing on Otah, an opportunity presented itself.

That said … the Panthers could have done this deal in reverse, taking Otah at 13, then trading at their leisure to snatch Stewart. In fact, they might have been able to wait until the second round to make their move up the board to get Stewart.

Call this one a mixed grade. It’s good Carolina has these two guys, but I’m not sure they went about it in the most efficient way.

EDIT: I'm vascillating on whether this was a good move or not. I'll address this further a little while later.

   

20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The Pick: CB Aqib Talib, Kansas

   

21. ATLANTA FALCONS

The Pick: T Sam Baker, Southern Cal

I missed the last couple of picks because Panthers GM Marty Hurney, Scouting director Don Gregory and coach John Fox just visited with us about their decision-making process.

They are very convincing when they say Stewart was their man all along. I’ll give them that. If a team really likes someone, it doesn’t matter if or when you reach for them.

That said, their selection of Otah was, in Hurney’s words, a painful process. It hurt to give up next year’s No. 1 pick (in addition to this year's No. 2 and No. 4), but his thought process was simple: He's taking his 2009 choice now.

Otah was one of the five or six guys on the Panthers’ board at No. 13. When they decided to take Stewart, they also made the decision they would get back into the first round at some point to take Otah.

Detroit nearly sunk that plan when they took a tackle, but fortunately for Carolina, the Lions made a typically bizarre choice (Gosder Cherilus).

Now, the Panthers have the rest of the evening off. If they are OK with what they gave up for Otah, then so be it. Good for them.

I still can't shake the notion they could have done this in a more efficient manner.

But I’m no NFL executive. That’s why Marty gets the big bucks.

BTW, Otah will slide into right tackle. Travelle Wharton will move to left guard.

Hurney elaborated a little more on the decision-making process as the night went on. It's clear Otah and Stewart were 1 and 1a for the Panthers, based on where they were drafting. Really, what it comes down to is giving up next year's No. 1 for an extra No. 1 this year. There's no guarantee the Panthers' first-rounder next year would be higher than this year's  No. 19. Heck, if Otah and Stewart play their part and the Panthers make another good playoff run, then Hurney will have orchestrated a steal.

Time will tell.

 

22. DALLAS COWBOYS

The Pick: RB Felix Jones, Arkansas

Dallas definitely got its man. Unexpectedly, Jerry Jones had the choice of Felix Jones or Rashard Mendenhall.

Not much to say here except the Cowboys essentially turned bust Julius Jones into uber prospect Felix Jones. He’s a fantastic complement to Marion Barber.

Here’s a bit of trivia: This is the first Arkansas product selected by Jerry Jones, an Arkansas alumnus.

Will Pittsburgh take Mendenhall and run?

   

23. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The Pick: RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois

I think in their ideal world, the Steelers were going to get Jonathan Stewart here, or perhaps wait until the second round to take someone like Michigan RB Mike Hart.

All in all, they, like Dallas and Carolina, get themselves a complementary running back for their scheme.

Is Mendenhall the real deal or a one-year wonder? That probably is the biggest reason why he dropped down the board (somewhat). He didn’t do much during his freshman and sophomore seasons before exploding onto the scene his junior season. Some of that can be chalked up to Ron Zook building the program during Mendenhall’s first two seasons.

Trivia time: Who was the last running back taken by the Steelers in the first round?

Answer: Tim Worley, 1989 (7^th overall).

   

24. TENNESSEE TITANS

The Pick: RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina

In the words of Christopher Walken on SNL: Wow. Wowee Wow Wow.

This team had an obvious need at receiver and had its choice among the best. However, Johnson is the pick.

Why? Johnson posted a 4.24-second time in the 40 at February’s NFL scouting combine. Everyone had this guy on their board. Most planned on stealing him in the second round.

Tennessee short-circuited everyone.

This was a reach but … he’s a good player and he’ll have a good NFL career. So, from that standpoint, Tennessee got their man.

Plus, with receivers slipping down the board, the Titans can probably get a good one in the second round while Johnson probably wasn’t going to be around.

Savvy.

   

25. DALLAS COWBOYS

The Pick: CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida

   

26. HOUSTON TEXANS
The Pick: T Duane Brown, Virginia Tech

   

27. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

The Pick: CB Antoine Cason, Arizona

Jonathan Stewart just finished his conference call. He pretty much confirmed the conventional wisdom of his selection. Primarily, he is expected to be the complement to DeAngelo Williams.

“I’m a North-South runner,” he said. “Mostly north.”

The assumption, of course, is that north is down hill. He added the surgery on his toe was to repair a ligament. He underwent the procedure here in Charlotte on March 12 and was able to look out his hotel window at Bank of America Stadium during his stay.

Again, the Panthers had a little inside information on Stewart’s injury since team surgeon Robert Anderson performed the procedure.

As the conference call was finishing up, Stewart said he was hopeful the Panthers would consider his college teammate, QB Dennis Dixon in the later rounds.

Anyhoo …

As you can see from the previous three picks, there is a minor defensive back run taking place. San Diego had to make up for the bad pick of Quentin Jammer a few years back. Dallas traded up a few spots to nab Mike Jenkins when they saw Aqib Talib come off the board.

In between, Houston proved why it’s a lackluster franchise.

   

28. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The Pick: DE Lawrence Jackson, Southern Cal

My, how far Phillip Merling has fallen. Hype can make and break a prospect, I suppose.

That, or Merling’s workout two days prior to the draft did not turn as many heads as hoped.

Defensive end was not a need for the Seahawks, making this a curious move. He doesn’t appear to be convertible to defensive tackle, either. Not sure what the Seahawks are thinking here, other than they

know wide receivers and tight ends will be plentiful in the second round.

    

29. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

The Pick: DT Kentwan Balmer, N.C. State.

The 49ers wasted no time drafting the player the Seahawks should have nabbed. Really, if the Seahawks were dead set on a defensive lineman, why not Balmer?

Every draft board is different, I reckon.

Balmer has the potential to be a steal right here. What makes this even more impressive for the 49ers is this: They were the team suckered out of their No. 7 overall pick by the Patriots. Yet, way down here at the bottom of the draft, they were still able to address their No. 1 priority.

All’s well that ends well for the team in the city by the bay.

   

30. NEW YORK JETS

The Pick: TE Dustin Keller, Purdue

This would have been a great selection for Green Bay, value-wise. Instead, the Packers dealt the pick to the Jets who made a savvy pick here. The Jets needed wide receivers more than anything else beyond defensive linemen. Keller is the best tight end in the draft and, for all intents and purposes, is the best "receiver" available.

   

31. NEW YORK GIANTS

The Pick: S Kenny Phillips, Miami

Well the first round ends as it began: Predictable. Everything in between: Free for all.

The picks! The trades! The drama! The Panthers! Oh, my!

Phillips was a no-brainer for the Super Bowl champs. Virtually every mock draft I saw had Phillips going to the Giants.

    

Biggest surprise of the first round: No receivers. Last time that happened: 1990.

Biggest surprise of the first round Part II: No Phillip Merling. Ouch.

Best picks: Glenn Dorsey, Kansas City; Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Arizona; Dustin Keller, N.Y. Jets.

Worst picks: A theme: T Gosder Cherilus, Detroit; T Sam Baker, Atlanta; T Duane Brown, Houston.

Best draft-day move: Baltimore trading down, then back up to nab Joe Flacco.

Worst draft-day move: Atlanta actually traded up to get Sam Baker. What's going on in that war room?

   

   

SECOND ROUND

1. Miami: DE Phillip Merling, Clemson

2. St. Louis: WR Donnie Avery, Houston

3. Washington: WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State

4. Kansas City: CB Brandon Flowers

5. Green Bay: Jordy Nelson, Kansas State

Observations: Well, Merling's agent might be able to extract first-round money for him since he was the No. 32 overall pick. Good luck with that. ... I never would have thought Donnie Avery would be the first wide reciever taken. No knock on Avery; just thought there were other guys, like the guy who went to Washington right after him. ... Chiefs made another good pick with a guy who very easily could have been taken anywhere from 20th overall to the end of the first round. Great value there. ... Not sure I've seen anyone rise so high up the board than Jordy Nelson. He has a very good chance to be a solid No. 2.

   

6. Atlanta: ILB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma

7. Seattle: TE John Carlson, Notre Dame

8. San Francisco: G Chilo Rachal, SoCal

9. New Orleans: CB Tracy Porter, Indiana

10. Buffalo: WR James Hardy, Indiana

Observations: I dare say San Francisco entered this draft with a plan. Two very good picks so far for the 49ers. ... Seattle didn't get Dustin Keller, but Carlson is no slouch at TE. So far, so very good for their day in the war room. ... For Atlanta, Lofton was the best inside linebacker on the board and should go a long way toward easing the blow of losing Demorrio Williams. ... New Orleans is being very systematic in addressing its needs. Porter was rated higher on some boards than Cason, who went in the first round. ... How about Indiana? A football school! Hardy was a pretty serious steal this far down the board. Some draftniks considered Hardy to potentially be the best receiver in the draft. It's intriguing to see Desean Jackson plummet down the board. Same goes for Limas Sweed and Malcolm Kelly. It will be interesting to see just how far they fall.

   

11. Denver: WR Eddie Royal, Virginia Tech

12. Minnesota: S Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State

13. Chicago: RB Matt Forte

14. Detroit: OLB Jordon Dizon, Colorado

15. Cincinnati: WR Jerome Simpson, Coastal Carolina

Observations: The wide receiver run continues and still no Sweed, Kelly or Jackson. ... Tyrell Johnson actually was the highest-rated safety by many scouting services. He just didn't have the cachet of playing at Miami, like Phillips did. Great pick by the Vikes. That defense just keeps getting stronger and stronger. ... Matt Forte either is the running back who wrecked everyone in college or he's not. We'll see if his game translates to the big-boy league. ... A fascinating trend is developing with the receiver selections to date. Teams clearly are taking production over physical attributes. Simpson is another example of this trend. His measurements and times are average, but his production at Coastal was out of this world. In any other year, taking Simpson in the second round is a reach. However, it's clear there's been a sea-change in how teams view the receiving position. Bravo. Simpson likely slides into the position vacated by Chris Henry.

   

16. Philadelphia: DT Trevor Laws, Notre Dame

17. Washington: TE Fred Davis, SoCal

18. Philadelphia: WR Desean Jackson, California

19. Arizona: DE Calais Campbell, Miami

20. Washington: WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma

Observations: I really, really like Fred Davis. He's a quality pass-catching tight end who should give the undersized Redskins receiving corps some much-needed size. A few picks later, the 'Skins nabbed Kelly, who, if everything goes right, is a monumental steal. There's no knocking the 'Skins receivers now. ... Someone had to do it. Someone had to draft Desean Jackson. Let's hope he will use this (perceived) slight as motivation when he hits the field. ... Arizona really is stiffening its defense. Two very good picks for the Cards so far. 

   

21. Jacksonville: DE Quentin Groves, Auburn

22. Pittsburgh: WR Limas Sweed, Texas

23. Tennessee: DE Jason Jones, Eastern Michigan

24. Baltimore: RB Ray Rice, Rutgers

25. Green Bay: QB Brian Brohm, Louisville

Observations: Green Bay drops an atom bomb with its selection of Brian Brohm. Aaron Rodgers had better have his act together from Day One. No one would pick Brian Brohm with the expectation of letting him rot on the bench. Interesting move by the Packers. ... Jacksonville now has bookend defensive ends with Harvey and Groves. Both are rough around the edges but could develop into special players. ... Sweed should be good, despite all the negative buzz surrounding him this weekend. Along with Mendenhall, Sweed gives Big Ben a couple of really nice toys to play with on offense. ... Tennessee had to address its flagging defensive line with this pick. Unfortunately for the Titans, the cupboard was getting pretty bare by the time they picked here in the second round. ... Baltimore didn't exactly need a running back per se, but Rice has a chance to be a good one. The Ravens' other sore spots are both lines and corner and the choices at this point aren't spectacular.

   

26. Miami: QB Chad Henne, Michigan

27. Tampa Bay: WR Dexter Jackson, Appalachian State

Observations: The Dolphins are living the dream. First, they land Jake Long with little fuss and no muss. Then Phillip Merling drops in their lap at the top of the second round. You know the Dolphins were wanting Chad Henne with that pick but just couldn't pass up Merling. Then, voila, Henne is still on the board at the end of the second round. The sun is shining in Miami. ... How about Appy State's Dexter Jackson going with the very next pick after Henne? Some type of kharma is at work there.

   

INTERLUDE: It's raining cats and dogs in Charlotte right now and apparently the strain was too much for Bank of America Stadium. A pipe has ruptured somewhere inside the concrete edifice and water is pouring through the ceiling of the media work room and other conference areas. Good times.

   

28. Indianapolis: C Mike Pollack, Arizona State

29. Green Bay: CB Patrick Lee, Auburn

30. Dallas: TE Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M

31. New England: CB Terrence Wheatley, Colorado

32. N.Y. Giants: CB Terrell Thomas, SoCal

Observations: Interesting pick by the Cowboys. Apparently there are no holes remaining to be filled on their roster. A tight end? Really? ... Wheatley is inconsistent but occasionally spectacular. He will have a chance to grow into his spot on the Pats' roster. ... Saturday's Mr. (Not really) Irrelevant was SoCal corner Terrell Thomas. No doubt the Giants knew exactly what they wanted to address today. They've definitely shored up the secondary.

   

That's it from Charlotte on Day 1 of the NFL draft. A very good day for some teams and a very short day for the Panthers, who were finished by 5 p.m. Check back tomorrow. The fun starts at 10 a.m.

NFL Draft: Pre-game thoughts

Well, the drive to Charlotte today certainly was entertaining. I locked in on a Spanish-language radio station and these two songs were played in order:

1) "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tiffany. Only it wasn't Tiffany. It was some dude. And, as far as I could tell from my pidgeon Spanish, the dude didn't change the gender-specific lyrics. It was as if I was listening to Sexual Predator FM.

2) "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince. Only it was in a groovy mariachi style. Very cool. Don't know who the singer was but the song translated well.

Well, as for the draft, we know Jake Long is gone. So, too, apparently, is Chris Long to the Rams, which is interesting for reasons we'll get into when it becomes official.

With the Raiders making no secret of their desire to draft Darren McFadden, the entire first round's fate now comes down to Atlanta (No. 3) and Kansas City (No. 5). The Chiefs are in a tremendous position. The Falcons will choose between Glenn Dorsey, the consensus best player in the draft, and Matt Ryan, the top quarterback. Which means this for the Chiefs:

1) They get a gift in Dorsey. An absolute, unqualified steal.

2) They get a team to trade extra picks for the right to pluck Ryan. Those likely trade partners include the N.Y. Jets and Baltimore Ravens, which would allow the Chiefs to keep a pick in the top 10 and get a player at extremely good value.

Can't wait to get this party started. Vive la Tiffany!

CybeRip: The NFL Edition

Greetings all.

Just a heads-up for the draftniks out there. I will be blogging live from Bank of America Stadium Saturday and Sunday. What will the Panthers do? I'll fill you in.

In between, I'll be blogging the draft as it unfolds. I'll look on helplessly as my Kansas City Chiefs find a way to botch 13 picks. I'll look on with great humor as the Cowboys draft suspect after suspect.

But mostly, I'll be keeping you posting on the rumblings from Panther Nation while chipping in occasionally on any local South Carolina products who hear their name called (Phillip Merling, you're on the clock).

The fun begins here at 2 p.m. Saturday and continues through the evening until the second-round is history. Day Two begins at 10 a.m. Sunday and I'll be with you to the bloody end. Tune in, log on and cut up. Post any questions or comments at the end of each post and I'll do my best to get back at ya.

Game on!

Patrick Obley

CybeRip is back ... now Set Adrift on Memory Bliss!

Welcome back to Let It Rip!

After two weeks in exile, taking a back seat to the pageantry (circus) that is The Masters, yours truly returns to mellow out approximately four minutes and 10 seconds of your day.

I say 4:10 because this column is best read while listening to P.M. Dawn’s “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss,” which fellow blogger Greg “Guesspert” Hardy reminded me of this week as I chilled on the bench.

A lot happened while I was away. For example:

   

-- Clemson stole a bunch of state championship football games from Columbia. What a silly issue this is. Does anyone really think kids are concerned where they play a state championship game? It’s a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. They’ll play it “Wayne’s World” style on Assembly Street if they have to.

    

-- Tiger Woods nearly won golf’s most prestigious event despite playing on one leg. If someone doesn’t show up to challenge Tiger soon, golf should have his sports membership revoked. Back to the sideline with shuffleboard and checkers, I say.

      

-- A philosophical question was posed this week: If an NBA team leaves Seattle for an oil field on the Great Plains, would anyone notice? This mess will not end well. The term “chemical spill” comes to mind.

    

-- Speaking of the NBA: Isiah Thomas. Unemployed. That’s all I got. That’s all we need, yes?

      

-- No, wait … Thomas is NOT unemployed. He’s going to be Donnie Walsh’s assistant. Just what, precisely, does Thomas have on this organization? Walsh is a smart guy. He’s an outsider (relatively) to the Knicks. He should be clear of any potential incriminating ownership photos in Thomas’ possession. Wow, he’s like gum on a shoe.

    

-- Myrtle Beach’s own Ramon Sessions this week: 24 assists, 20 points in a game for the Milwaukee Bucks. Well. Done.

    

-- Serena Williams is in today’s final at the Family Circle Cup. If all y’all can tear yourselves away from checkers … er, the Verizon Heritage … for 90 minutes today, tune in and watch her win one of the most cherished championships on the women’s tennis tour.

There are things I want to say about baseball, but P.M. Dawn is building up to its grand finale. On to the odd-news lightning round …

   

A lost dog made its way 77 miles across the high desert of Nevada to find its owners. Impressive. I can’t make it five feet before forgetting where I’m headed. … In Nassau County, N.Y., an (alleged) drug dealer called the police when he was robbed during an (alleged) drug deal. Guess how that turned out. … I’m sure the Pope feels safe in America after this news got out: Police on Pope Watch outside the United Nations this week broke ranks to save a beaver struggling to stay afloat in the East River. Scuba divers managed to reach the plucky varmint before it dissolved. … Let them it hash browns: Bangladesh ordered its armed forces to eat potatoes in order to stave off the surging cost of rice and wheat. And here we are complaining about the Pentagon’s $700 hammers.

And finally:

A Maryland woman gave birth to quadruplets. Three were identical. Explain that one, Darwin.

(photos courtesy Maxim.com, The Gothamist and P.M. Dawn)

   

And very finally ... here's a YouTube video that's been making the rounds for a while. My wife is a huge Harry Potter fan. I used to be, but the movies became boring to me. However, this enterprising fellow found a way to make the franchise fascinating to me once again: