NFL Mock Draft Version 1
Our first NFL Mock is now available. We will be doing 2-3 mock drafts per month leading up until the NFL Draft in April. (Photo courtesy of SD Dirk) 1. DETROIT LIONS, MATTHEW STAFFORD, QB, GEORGIA (6-2 235 lbs) РI really do not believe that either Stafford or Bradford is worthy of the top selection in this year’s draft, but the Lions need at the position is probably going to force them into the selection. Stafford has the big arm and is probably the safer pick at this point. With that said, both Bradford and Stafford are not definitely entering the draft. If (and I don’t see this happening) both Stafford and Bradford remain in school for another season there is not
Penguins- Bruins lineups
The Penguins just wrapped up their morning skate. Optional skate for the Bruins. The Bruins lineup is expected to be the same as it was in practice yesterday. Pittsburgh Penguins (19-13-4-42) Lineup Dupuis – Crosby – Satan Fedotenko – Malkin – Sykora Cooke – Staal – Talbot Wallace – Jeffrey D-Pairs Orpik – Scuderi Gill – Whitney Eaton – Boucher Extra: Goligoski Marc Andre Fleury will start in net Lineup news: Paul Bissonnette has been re-assigned to Wilkes Barre. Eric Godard will be scratched. The Penguins will dressing seven defenseman. Goligoski will play on the power play and saw some time with the fourth line in the morning skate. Boston Bruins (27-5-4-58) Lineup P.J. Axelsson – Marc Savard – Phil
USC’s Mays #1 safety in latest rankings
Top 10 Safeties 1. Taylor Mays- Southern California, Jr- Mays is very well built and he has a lot of speed to go with it. He doesn’t make too many mistakes and is very physical. Mays will be a first round pick if he decides to leave USC early. 2. William Moore- Missouri, Sr- Moore is the definition of a ball hawk and he has great hands to go with it. He isn’t very physical and he sometimes doesn’t recognize plays, but other than that Moore is almost flawless. 3. Patrick Chung- Oregon, Sr- Chung is a very strong and physical player. Chung is under 6 foot but he makes up for that in strength and speed. At times he
Jenkins comes in at #1 in latest CB Rankings
Top 10 CORNERBACKS: 1. Malcolm Jenkins- Ohio State, Sr- Jenkins nearly declared for the draft last year and probably would have been a mid to late first rounder. By coming back for his senior year, Jenkins has lined himself up to be the first defensive back taken. He has decent height being 6 foot and he has great speed. He also has the ability to play safety if need be. 2. Vontae Davis- Illinois, Jr- Davis is by far the best junior available at the position. He has great athleticism and is a very good physical player. I don’t see him passing up Jenkins but I could definitely see him going in the top 10. 3. Alphonso Smith- Wake Forest,
Bruins prepare for matchup against Penguins
The 27-5-4 Boston Bruins were in town today as they prepare for a home and home series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Bruins practiced at SouthPointe this afternoon and I had a chance to see about an hour of their 75 minute practice. The Bruins winners of a eight straight went through a pretty hard workout. A lot of skating and it was a very intense practice. Head coach Claude Julien has not been happy with the Bruins play the past couple¬†games but just like good teams do, they have found ways to win. The Penguins will likely see this lineup from the Bruins tomorrow night. P.J. Axelsson – Marc Savard – Phil Kessel Blake Wheeler – David Krejci –
2009 NFL Draft Rankings: LB
INSIDE LINEBACKERS: 1. James Laurinaitis- Ohio State, Sr- Laurinaitis is a very intelligent football player with a lot of speed and great tackling ability. There aren’t too many flaws in Laurinaitis’ game which is why he should go in the top 10. 2. Rey Maualuga- Southern California, SrРMaualuga is another top 10 prospect at the inside linebacker spot. Maualuga is very quick and shows great closing speed. 3. Brandon Spikes- Florida, Jr- Spikes is by far the best junior at the position. He is a solid tackler and could be the best in the country at inside linebacker in pass defense. 4. Darry Beckwith- LSU, Sr- Beckwith is one of the best tacklers in the country and has substantially
NFL: Source: Cowher to meet with Jets
The Cleveland Browns have fired head coach Romeo Crennel but don’t expect Bill Cowher to be joining the Browns. Cowher has already informed Browns ownership that he doesn’t have an interest in coaching the Browns. While the Browns are not on Cowhers radar, the New York Jets may be. The New York Jets have fired head coach Eric Mangini and a source tells Inside Pittsburgh Sports that Cowher will meet with Jets ownership within the next week to discuss the possibility of coaching in New York. Cowher has not ruled out coaching somewhere in 2009 but the growing consensus is that Cowher will stay retired in 2009. The Kansas City Chiefs are also being mentioned as a team that could
The Latest Penguins Buzz
Alexei Kovalev’s numbers (8goals – 19 assists – 27 pts) are down a bit this season but he leads the Canadiens in scoring and indications are Kovalev believes he still has three more good years left in him. Kovalev 35, a unrestricted free agent at season’s end has an interest in resigning with the Canadiens but in all likely hood Kovalev will hit the open market. Sources tell me Kovalev would welcome a return to Pittsburgh with the chance to play with Evgeni Malkin. It remains to be seen how interested the Penguins front office will be in pursuing Kovalev this summer. Petr Sykora may have to settle for a two year deal if he wants to resign with Pittsburgh.
AFC Playoff Picture is set
Playoff Seeds 1. Tennessee Titans (13-3) 2. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) *Pittsburgh and Tennessee have first round byes 3. Miami Dolphins (11-5) vs 6. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) 4. San Diego Chargers (8-8) vs 5. Indianapolis Colts (12-4) Quick Reaction Pittsburgh will play either Miami, San Diego or Indianapolis. The Colts are the hottest team in the league winning nine straight. That is probably the team the Steelers don’t want to see in the first round. What the Steelers will have going for them is the weather is projected to be in the mid 20’s and that could play into their favor.
The Latest on Tampa Bay, Gaborik, Havlat and the Rangers
The Phoenix Coyotes are not the only NHL team in financial trouble. It has been widely speculated that the Tampa Bay Lightning‚Äôs current ownership group of Oren Koules and Len Barrie could lose their team. The Ottawa Sun reports, the belief is there’s a $10- million US payment due to Palace Sports and Entertainment in January as part of the sale. Former owner Bill Davidson could take the team back, and the paper suggests Jay Feaster would be back as GM. As reported on here following the BOG Meetings, the Lightning are exploring the trade market for Marty St.Louis and Mark Recchi. It is expected that the Lightning will ask Marty St. Louis to waive his no trade clause but